and bishop of your souls.' The word was spirit and life; and I received the truth in the love of it, while it melted my heart into love to Jesus, who had, as the good Shepherd, searched me out, and reclaimed me from my wanderings. How often has he led me into green pastures, and made me lie down beside the still waters!

"I went this morning to visit a sick person-and now it is a matter of astonishment that I am recording the loving-kindness of the Lord and celebrating his praises on the earth-surely nothing but the providence of God has preserved me." (Having been, on this visit, twice thrown by a wild ungovernable horse.) "I experienced but little inconvenience from my falls, though I had a very narrow escape. There seems to have been but a step between me and death: but I thank God for these occurrences, for they have been already sanctified to my spiritual good. The good Shepherd made it the occasion of rich and bounteous provision since my return. I was not frightened, but my soul was full of praise at the time, and I have since had a precious season, interceding before the Lord for myself and my friend L. P. This friend has been much on my heart to-day. Can it be for nothing? Lord, save, or he will perish-and bless his household.

Sept. 22.-I was examined in the morning, and in the evening delivered an oration on science, with the valedictory address. Thus ended my academical course, during which I have had a diversified experience. May the Lord, by his good providence, direct me in my future goings, and lead me on to final victory and heavenly glory."

Mr. Taylor now left Lawrenceville on a visit to his friends in New-York and Connecticut, previous to his entering college at Princeton.

During this visit, we find him the same engaged, actively benevolent, and devoted Christian; endeavoring to let his light shine, both among Christians and before the world; telling them what the Lord had done for him, and what he required of them. Both "publicly, and from house to house," he was employed in commending his Master, in laboring to induce Christians to strive for higher attainments in holy love and devotedness to his cause, and in warning and exhorting sinners to repent without delay, and submit themselves to Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior.

Mr. Taylor seemed, even then, to have very clear views of a subject, which to many Christians, and Christian ministers, appears to be still enveloped in darkness, viz. the duty of sinners immediately to repent and give their hearts to Christ. While no one could have had a stronger faith in the doctrines of grace, and of man's entire dependence upon God; nor have been more ready and delighted to ascribe every thing to God, both in providence and in grace; yet his mind took a strong grasp upon the binding force of obligation; for his heart felt it, and he pressed duty upon both saints and sinners with a success which proved that God was with him blessing his labors: which has been acknowledged by many in life, and will doubtless be gratefully owned by them in heaven for ever. There is reason to believe that during this vacation Mr. Taylor was made the instrument of exciting a J. B. Taylor

11

more vigorous tone of piety in several churches, and of bringing a number of sinners to repentance.

At length the time arrived for his return to study; and, to use his own language,

up

tr Having spent a week in the house of my Rev. father H―, and in the bosom of his endeared family, and in laboring in the Lord's vineyard, the wind came fair, and I embarked on board the S, Capt. W; anticipating a pleasant passage: I have no doubt of its having been a profitable one; for it was trying to the faith of God's children, and alarming to the wicked. Our company consisted of the captain, two hands, four passengers, two children, and myself. We had pro ceeded about twenty miles, when the wind increased and blew violently. In the midst of the gale our boom unshipped, and left us in a perilous condition-the prospect was that we should capsize, and be swallowed in the waves. All above was terrific. The billows dashed, the sea roared, the winds howled, and the hail rattled. All below was solemn. We thought on awful subjects-death-a watery grave-the bar of God— heaven-hell. The captain I believe to be a godly man: one more on board beside myself had a hope which was an anchor to the soul: the rest were unreconciled to God. Alas! their prospect was despair. I thought, indeed, that I was nearer my heavenly home than my father's house. It seemed that there was but a stept betwixt me and death. But, in the midst of the alarm God was with me to allay all turbulence within. I looked to him for a promise, and he graciously gave me this, 'Fear not, I am with thee.' It was sweet to my taste, and made me strong, while I lay in my berth

revolving it in my mind and calmly waiting the issue, not knowing but the next surge would enter and fill the cabin and end my life.

"A young lady, one of those that experienced religion at Swhile I was there, was quite composed: but another-O, how different! O, her apparent penitence! her cries for mercy! her weeping eyes! in the prospect of death and damnation. To me she came for help; but not to my self-to Christ I directed her. Alas! the infatuation of mortals, to put off preparation for eternity till the hour of danger. But thanks to the Lord for deliverance. His arm was stretched out for our relief. We were soon moored, and rode out the gale in safety.

"I found my friends exceedingly kind, both at home and in New-York. The Lord reward my parents, and brothers, and sisters, for all their kindness to their son and brother. I doubt not, that in this life they will have a hundred fold; and at the resurrection of the just, be acknowledged as helpers of the helpless."

CHAPTER IV.

First year in College.

of

the 6th of November, 1823, in the 22d year his age, Mr. Taylor was examined and admitted a member of the Sophomore class, in the college of Nassau Hail, where he remained three years, which to

some, and especially those preparing for the ministry, will probably appear to be the most important period of his life.

It can hardly have escaped the observation of those who are interested in the spiritual prosperity of the church, that there is in our literary institutions, arising from the character of the studies, and from almost necessary associations, what may be called the college spirit--the esprit du corps, which is very unfavorable to the attainment of a high-toned piety. Indeed, such is its contagion, that however pious and devoted our candidates for the ministry may be at their commencing a college life, the instances are very rare in which a disinfecting process is not necessary to prepare them for entering upon the duties of the sacred office. To this cause must be attributed much of that want of spirituality which has been the bane of the church through all her eventful history; and to find an effectual safeguard against the legion of evils arising from this source, has long been an object of intense desire with those who are wisely zealous for her true and holy interests.

On this important subject the life of Mr. Taylor sheds a cheering light, which shows that it is altogether practicable to pass through those trying scenes, not only without losing one's spirituality, but with large accessions to his stores of self-knowledge, and of holy devotedness to God and to the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom.

None, indeed, may hope to encounter the trials of such a life without many a hard conflict; but the example before us will show that these trials MAY be sus