USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 33
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Doctor Richards, in his sermon preached on occasion of the funeral of Dr. Perrine, says of him, " There was a uniform simpli- city as well as kindness about him, which attracted the regard and secured the confidence, not of his Christian friends alone, but of the community at large. Though noiseless and unpretending in his manner, he possessed a sound and vigorous understanding, well cultivated by study. Fond of investigation, he brought a sober and logical mind to the examination of every question, and pursued his inquiries with care, precision, and effect, and whatever was the
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result of his inquiries, he did not press his opinions unkindly and ungraciously upon others, or persecute those who dissented from him. He was naturally kind and yielding in his intercourse with his brethren ; though always ready to act at the call of duty, and to make those sacrifices which his duty seemed to demand. Justly may it be said, that his course has been happy and useful. In all the relations he sustained, he acted with wisdom and fidelity, and left impressions favorable to the powers of his mind and the feel- ings of his heart. As a preacher he was able and evangelical. Those who have listened to his soft and mellifluous voice, can bear witness to the clearness of his conceptions, to the ingenuity and accuracy of his method, and, more than all, to the justness, the piety, and the usefulness of his sentiments. He thought much of Christ ; and to exhibit and magnify him was a leading feature in his public discourses.
" From the conscientious, humble, and uniform tenor of his life, it was to be expected that he would not be deserted by his Saviour in his last moments ; and the fact corresponded with our expecta- tions. Different degrees of light were afforded him in the various periods of his illness. But as his last hour approached, his faith was increased, and his hopes strengthened. At all times he ap- peared to cleave with confidence to the joyful truth, that the Lord reigns, and subjects to the control of his providence the minutest events of our lives. It gratified his soul to think that his all was in the hand of God ; and that, whether he should send life or death, all would be well. But, towards the last, a brighter beam was made to fall upon his eye. Now he could apprehend with more distinctness, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the sole and the all-sufficient ground of his acceptance with God. On him he was enabled to rely for forgiveness of sin and life everlasting. Now the first prin- ciples of Christianity were to him the best principles too ; they were all his salvation and all his desire. In the closing part of the afternoon preceding his death, while three of his brethren, members of the faculty, were standing around his bed. he expressed his con- fidence in the divine Saviour, in nearly the following words, doing it with great solemnity, as if he wished to give them both his creed and his heart in this interesting moment. 'The Lord Jesus Christ is the true God. He is my God. In him is all my trust. Through him I have a good hope.' He regarded himself, doubtless, as in the article of death, when he pronounced this language. In the pro- gress of the evening, and about half an hour before the scene was closed, as the springs of life were gradually ebbing away, he re- peated his request for prayer. But not with supplication merely was he content ; with this alone he had too much of the spirit of heaven to be satisfied. Not to pray with him merely, but to praise with him also, was the purport of his request. To the brother who was to lead their devotions, he said, Thank and praise the Lord, as
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well as pray to him. Praise him for all his mercies. Praise him for the good and comfortable hope, which, in this trying moment, he hath imparted to my soul. In this state of mind, serene and tran- quil, he breathed out his spirit into the bosom of his Redeemer. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace."
REV. EBENEZER FITCH. D.D.
DOCTOR Frren was born at Norwich, in the State of Connecticut, Sept. 26th, 1756. In his infantile years he was of very feeble con- stitution, and but little hope was entertained by his parents that he would live to mature years ; but by degrees he outgrew this natu- ral weakness, and his feeble constitution grew firmer and healthier. He was probably put to study at an early period, and enjoyed all the advantages for improvement which that period afforded. In the year 1773, he was admitted a member of Yale College of the Freshman Class, and graduated in 1777. The last year of his col- legiate life, the College was broken up on account of the Revolu- tionary war. The several classes were in different parts of the country studying under their respective tutors. The senior class of which young Fitch was a member, spent the summer in Wethersfield under the instruction of Dr. T. Dwight, their tutor, afterwards President of Yale College.
" While a member of College," says his biographer, " President Fitch excelled in every department of study, and was highly esteemed for his blameless and gentlemanly deportment." He spent about two years at New Haven, after receiving his first degree in the capacity of a resident Graduate, diligently pursuing his studies, and afterwards spent nearly a year in teaching a select school in Hanover, N. J.
In the autumn of 1780, Mr. Fitch was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts, and appointed a Tutor in Yale College, the duties of which office he performed for three years, and then re- signed. He then engaged in a mercantile employment, the result of which was unfortunate in a pecuniary point of view, and the connexion was discontinued. In 1786 he was re-elected to the office of Tutor in Yale College, and performed the duties of senior Tutor and Librarian till 1791, an employment much more con- genial to his taste and capacity, than the business of merchandise. A number of distinguished characters in the United States, who were under his tuition a part of this period, have spoken of him in high terms of approbation, as an instructor and assistant in the government of the College. He was, however, more distinguished for his moral worth, than for high literary attainments. Dr. Fitch was, at a very early period of his life, a subject of deep serious feeling, and was, probably, savingly converted to God when he
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was about fifteen years of age. Though it does not appear that he had at that time any apprehension of his good estate, or entertain- ed a hope of his interest in the Saviour. Still from a journal which he kept, he evidently, in describing his own feelings, delineates those of the Christian. He seems, also, through the whole period of his collegiate life, to have had the gospel ministry in view, as his desirable future employment. On the sixteenth of July, 1775, which appears to have been on the Sabbath, the following entry is found in his journal :- " I have determined by divine assistance to pursue the following course :-
" As the care of my soul is of the first importance, and yet the most likely to be neglected by me, I will, by the assistance of divine grace, for the future be more attentive to my spiritual wel- fare. And, Ist. I will have stated seasons for prayer, reading the Scriptures and practical authors, for meditating on what I read, and for self-examination. 2d. I will endeavor to maintain a sober, steady, and regular course of conduct. 3d. In my intercourse with friends I will make subjects of divinity the themes of conversation, in all cases where it can be done to mutual edification. 4th. I will endeavor to read a portion of Scripture every morning and even- ing. 5th. I will aim so to behave towards my friends as to merit their regard and esteem ; and I will strive to banish all envious and. jealous thoughts towards them, and towards all mankind."
On the 17th of December, 1776, we find in his journal the follow- ing entry : " Had some hope that I should yet be made a monu- ment of redeeming grace, and serve God in the work of the ministry." This extract proves that the work of the ministry was the great object of his desire, and also that he did not at that time deem himself a regenerate character.
On the 6th of May, 1787, Mr. Fitch made a public profession of religion, and was admitted as a member of the College church. The same month, viz. May 27th, 1787, he received his license to preach the gospel from the Association of New Haven West, He con- tinued in the duties of his office as Tutor of College, till some time in the year 1791, when he was transferred to Williamstown, Mass., and assumed the duties of Preceptor of the Academy in that town. In June, 1793, the Academy received a charter of incorporation as a College, by the name of Williams College, and in August of that year, Mr. Fitch was elected its President, and in October following the College was fully organized by the admission of three small classes.
On the 17th day of June, 1795, Mr. Fitch was ordained as a minister of the gospel by the Berkshire Association. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him in 1800, by the Trustees of Harvard University. The author of a Memoir of Dr. Fitch truly says,-" Williams College came into existence in a great measure by the wise and persevering efforts of President Fitch, and prospered greatly under his influence and supervision.
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From an humble beginning it was raised, chiefly by his instrumen- tality, to a station of high and acknowledged respectability and usefulness. For a series of years it continued to advance with accelerated progress in usefulness and reputation. Such was the rapidity of its growth, and its almost unexampled prosperity, that at one period of Dr. Fitch's presidency, it enrolled upon its annual catalogue about 140 students. It was resorted to from all parts of New England and New York."
Dr. Fitch, as President of the College, ever manifested a deep solicitude for the spiritual interests of his pupils ; and during the period of his presidency, a number of very interesting revivals of religion in the College took place. He continued in the Presidency, discharging the duties of the office with great fidelity, during the period of twenty-two years. He resigned his office in 1815, and thus terminated his connexion with literary institutions.
The summer preceding his resignation of the presidency of the College, he spent, with the consent of the College Corporation, in Western New York, preaching under a commission as a missionary of the Berkshire and Columbia Missionary Society. During this period he received an invitation from the Congregation of West Bloomfield to return and settle with them as their Pastor. On his resignation of the presidency, he immediately removed his family to West Bloomfield, and on the 29th day of November, 1815, he was installed Pastor of the Church and Congregation of West Bloomfield, by the Presbytery of Geneva, to which ecclesiastical judicatory he had previously attached himself. At this period he was nearly sixty years old, and began in some measure to feel the infirmities and decays of advancing years. He continued, how- ever, to discharge the varied duties of the pastoral office with great fidelity, and with a good degree of success for a period of about twelve years. He was dismissed from his pastoral relation to the Church and Congregation of West Bloomfield, on his own request and with the consent of his people, by the Presbytery of Ontario, with which ecclesiastical judicatory he and his church were con- nected, and on Sabbath, November 25th, 1827, he preached his fare- well sermon from Acts xx. 32-" And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanc- tified."
At the time of Dr. Fitch's installation, the church of West Bloom- field consisted of forty-eight members. During the period of his ministry, 190 persons were received as members, of whom 145 were admitted on profession of their faith. At his dismission the church contained 133 members, of whom twenty were at such a distance as to be unable to attend the meetings of the church. .
After his dismission, Dr. Fitch continued to reside on his farm in West Bloomfield, and to preach occasionally till within a short time
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of his death. He was troubled with an asthmatic affection, which at times was distressing, but ordinarily he was comfortable, relished his food, and enjoyed the society of his family and friends. His mind was calm, and his confidence in God unshaken. His thoughts were much on the things of religion. On Thursday, March 21st, 1833, he appeared much as usual in the former part of the day. After dinner he said he would lie down ; while Mrs. Fitch was ad- justing the bed-clothes, he having laid himself upon the bed, he raised himself upon his elbows, and was struggling for breath. In a few moments he breathed his last. Thus died the venerable Dr. Fitch at the advanced age of near seventy-seven years.
The next Sabbath his remains were borne to the house of God, and an impressive sermon from the text, Romans viii. 28-" And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God," was preached by Rev. Julius Steele, to a very crowded assembly.
REV. JAMES RICHARDS, D.D .-
As an excellent Memoir of Dr. Richards, prefixed to his Lectures on Mental Philosophy and Theology, has been lately published, it may be deemed unnecessary to say anything of him in this work. But, as his name has been for a period of twenty years identified with the history of Western New York, and as that portion of country, under God, owes so much of its religious prosperity to his able and judicious labors, it is judged expediennt to introduce a brief memoir of this truly great and good man.
Dr. Richards was born at New Canaan, in the State of Connec- ticut, October 29th, 1767. His parents were persons of piety, and used their endeavors to bring up their children in the fear of God ; and it is noticeable that their son James was the subject of strong religious impressions at the early period of eight years, and at the age of eleven was thought by some to have been a subject of the new birth, though it would seem afterwards that this was not the case. In early childhood he was feeble in body, and on that ac- count incapable, at times, of intense mental application. He, how- ever, manifested a fondness for books and study, and, according to the advantages which he enjoyed made great proficiency in learn- ing, so that at the age of thirteen years he was employed as the teacher of a district school, and in this employment gave such satis- faction that he was requested to engage in the same school for a second term. His father not being prepared to indulge him in his desire for a liberal education, he was engaged as an apprentice to a cabinet and chair-maker, and in this employment he continued till 1786. In that year, being eighteen years old, the gospel came to his soul with a divine energy, and he was made to feel it to be "the power of God unto salvation." His convictions were clear and distinct, and the change in his views of the way of salvation, in the
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affections of his heart towards God and divine things, and in the governing purpose of his life and the tenor of his conversation, was strongly marked.
His hopeful conversion was soon followed by an open profession of religion, and his union with the visible church. He united with the Congregational Church in Stamford, Sept. 17, 1786. From the period of his conversion he manifested an ardent desire to promote the salvation of the souls of his dying fellow men, addressing them personally on the things which concern salvation, and speaking on those things in social meetings for conference and prayer. At the same time an earnest desire to be employed in the work of the gospel ministry sprang up in his heart, and became the determined purpose of his soul. The master to whom he wasindented generously gave up his indentures, and he commenced his preparation for a collegiate course of education, under the tuition of Rev. Justus Mitchel, then pastor of the church of New Canaan. Notwithstand- ing interruptions by sickness and weakness of eyes, he prosecuted his studies with as great diligence as those interruptions permitted, and was admitted a member of the Freshman class in Yale College, in the autumn of 1789. His connexion with college was broken off at the close of the freshman year, in consequence of his inability to defray the current expenses of a college course. He however pursued Classical and Theological studies, under the tuition of Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, and Dr. Dwight, then of Greenfield, till 1793, when he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Association, in the Western District of Fairfield County, in the State of Connec- ticut. The next year he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the corporation of Yale College.
Dr. Richards seems to have entered upon the work of preaching the gospel with very serious and solemn consideration of its im- portance, and of his need of divine aid to enable him to discharge its duties. In a manuscript found among his private papers, and recording his solemn covenant with God, he declares his resolution to be faithful in all the relative duties incumbent on him, and parti- cularly in the discharge of the duties of a gospel minister-preach- ing the word of God in all its purity and extent, and serving the Lord with all humility and patience, that, by meekness, gentleness, and love unfeigned, he might win others to the gospel of Christ.
In May, 1794, Dr. Richards was invited to supply the congrega- tion of Morristown, in the State of New Jersey, which invitation he accepted, and commenced his labors with that congregation soon afterwards, and continued as a stated supply till May Ist, 1797, when he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry by the Presbytery of New York, and installed colleague pastor with Dr. Johnes of the congregation of Morristown. In this relation Dr. Richards continued, to the mutual satisfaction and benefit both of himself and the people of his charge, till 1809, when he received
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and accepted a call from the congregation of Newark to become their pastor. Accordingly he was dismissed from his pastoral charge of the congregation of Morristown, and installed pastor of the congregation of Newark. During his connexion with the con- gregation of Morristown, three extensive revivals of religion in the town were enjoyed under his preaching, during which many souls were manifestly born of God.
At Newark the labors of Dr. Richards must have been arduous. There was at that period but one Presbyterian church in the place, and, besides the duties of the pastoral relation with his own people, much of the general labor required in promoting the interests of the church was thrown upon him. His life was anything but a life of ease and indolence. His public labors were abundant, and in all things he was faithful to the interests of his Master's kingdom.
Dr. Richards continued as pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Newark till 1823, when he was called to a still more responsible station, that of Professor of Christian Theology in the Theological Seminary of Auburn. While laboring in the pastoral office at Newark, Dr. Richards had the most indubitable evidence that his labor was not in vain in the Lord. Several memorable periods of revival were enjoyed, and during the period of his ministry with that church, three hundred and thirty-two members were added to it on their profession of faith in Christ, besides nearly two hundred on letters of recommendation from other churches.
Previous to Dr. Richards' leaving Newark, the high estimation in which he was held by the Christian public as a scholar, a divine, and a Christian, was manifested in a very strong point of light. In the year 1801, he received the degree of Master of Arts from the corporation of the College of Princeton, in New Jersey. In 1815, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him, by the Colleges of Union and Yale. He was early elected a Trustee of the College of New Jersey, and retained the place till his removal from the State. In 1805, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. In 1812, he was elected one of the Directors of the Theological Seminary of Princeton, a station which he held till his removal from the State. In Septem- ber, 1814, he preached the annual sermon before the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, of which Board he was one of the corporate members from an early period, and in the success of which his heart was greatly engaged. For several years he served as Secretary of the Presbyterian Education Society, and his name was associated with nearly all the benevolent opera- tions of the day.
Dr. Richards was inaugurated Professor of Christian Theology in the Seminary of Auburn, Oct. 29th, 1823. In this station he continued to the period of his decease, August 2d, 1843. In this new relation into which he was brought, the whole energy of his
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vast mind was called into action. His duties were arduous, and his responsibilities great. The Seminary was then in its infancy, struggling for existence. Dr. Richards had to perform not only the duties of a teacher of Theology, but also those of a financier in sustaining the institution. In this latter department his vacations were mostly employed, and his exertions were crowned with suc- cess. Such was the confidence of the community in his integrity and soundness of judgment, that many, on his representation, were induced to contribute for its advancement, and through his instru- mentality, in a considerable degree, the Seminary was sustained and arose to its present state of prosperity.
As a theologian Dr. Richards possessed a mind well stored with divine knowledge. His views were large and accurate, and ac- corded generally with those of Calvinian divines. The leading characters of the old school party would probably admit that he was substantially correct. His views generally accorded with those of Edwards and Witherspoon and Bellamy and Dwight. He considered these views as all-important, and nearly connected with Christian experience. As a teacher he was able, lucid, and indefatigable. It was his aim to make his pupils able ministers of the New Testament; not only sound theologians, but practical working men. He labored for their good, and they revered him as a father. The duties of his professorship were performed to the universal satisfaction of all who had any concern with the Semi- nary, and under his tuition a large number of young men were trained up to preach with efficacy the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. As a preacher Dr. Richards stood high in the estimation of the community. The many public occasions on which he was called to preach, are indicative of this. His sermons were characterized by their strength, correctness, order, pointedness, and practical bearing. His manner of delivery was earnest and solemn. As a Christian no one had any occasion to doubt his piety. He was fervent in spirit, consistent, and uniform, and he inculcated upon his pupils the vast importance of personal religion, and of cultivat- ing piety in their own hearts, in order to their usefulness as minis- ters of Christ's gospel.
For two or three years before his death, it was evident that his strength was failing, and that the time of his departure was ap- proaching. He, however, with some few interruptions, continued to attend to the duties of his professorship almost to the last day of his life. On Monday previous to his decease, his class, as usual, came in a body to his house to attend their recitation. He informed them that he was at that time unable to attend to them, and ex- pressed a hope that he should be able to meet them on the mor- row. But their beloved instructor was to meet them no more in that capacity. His work was done, and the Master was saving to him, "Come up higher." As the day declined, and while convers-
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ing with one of his colleagues, he was suddenly seized with a severe chill; strength failed him, and his whole aspect was changed. His articulation was interrupted, and he seemed to take little notice of things around him. His reason, however, continued, and he was able to signify that his hope was fixed on the Rock of Ages, At the breaking of the day on Wednesday morning, August 2d, 1843, his spirit took its flight for the better world. On Friday the func- ral was attended by a large concourse of friends and citizens, in the second Presbyterian church of Auburn, and an appropriate sermon was delivered on the occasion by Dr. Mills, the oldest sur- viving Professor in the Seminary, from Acts xiii. 36: " After he had served his own generation by the will of God [he] fell on sleep."
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