~!
l
l




MEMOIR
OF
AIBNER KINGMIAN NOTT,
LATE PASTOR OF THE
first  Narist Quv4r  in tte City of 6tw  iaht'
WITH
COPIOUS EXTRACTS FRO0I HIS CORRESPONDENCE.
BY HIS BROTHER.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."EPmI. ii. 10.
"Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."2d COR. ii. 5.
NEW YORK:
SHELDON AND COMNUPANY.
IS'of.




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by
RICHARD M. NOTT,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Southern District of New York.
R. CRAIGLHEAD
Printer, Stereotyper, and Electrotyper,
Caxton Builbing,
81, 83, anld 85 Centre Street.




CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION....                              13
CHAPTER  I.
CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION. 19
CHAPTER  II.
CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC..               34
CHAPTER  III.
GOING TO SCHOOL-DIFFICULTIES-SCHOOL LIFE-REMINISCENCES BY A TEACHER...... 45
CHAPTER  IV.
SCHOOL LIFE-UPS AND DOWNS.53
CHAPTER V.
RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL..                  62
CHAPTER VI.
CALL TO PREACII-A PILGRIMAGE.                       75
CHAPTER VIII.
RESOLUTENESS-   "I MUST HAVE AN EDUCATION" -THE
ANNIVERSARY-RECOLLECTIONS..... 84
CHAPTER IX.
COLLEGE HISTORY-GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.. 93




iV                   CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER X.
THE FIRST YEAR -WILLIAMSON..... 111
CHAPTER  XI.
AGAMENTICUS... 123
CHAPTER  XII.
SECOND YEAR.... 130
CHAPTER XIII.
SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION. 135
CHAPTER XIV.
THIRD YEAR-NEW YORK-PITTSFORD, ETC.... 148
CHAPTER XV.
SECOND MISSION TOUR —LEWISTON FALLS... 166
CHAPTER XVI.
FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.                             175
CHAPTER XVII.
FOURTH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.. 186
CHAPTER  XVIII.
FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED-GRADUATION.., 195
CHAPTER XIX.
DOVER.....201
CHAPTER XX.
TIIEOLOGICAL SEMINARY... 209
CHAPTER XXI.
LECTURING- REVIVALS IN ROCHESTER AND IN KENNEBUNKPORT..222




CONTENTS.                      V
PAGE
CHAPTER XXII.
LETTERS - VACATION-TREMONT TEMPLE - WHITE MOUNTAINS..    234
CHAPTER XXIII.
SECOND YEAR-LETTERS-VISIT TO THE BROOME STREET
CHIURCII, ETC.. 244
CHAPTER XXIV.
CALL TO FIRST CHURCH -LETTERS... 254
CHAPTER XXV.
VACATION —FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK-CAUSES OF SUCCESS, ETC..283
CHAPTER XXVI.
FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS..... 299
CHAPTER XXVII.
SECOND YEAR IN NEW YORK — PERFECTED CHARACTEREXPERIMENTAL PREACHING   SUNDAY-SCHOOL LABORS,
ETC.                                            326
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PREACHING-ACADEMY OF MUSIC, ETC., ETC.... 338
CHAPTER XXIX.
HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH... 349








MEMOIR OF
REV. ABNER KINGMAN NOTT.
INTRODUCTION.
ABNER KINGMAN NOTT, at the age of twenty-three
years, having just completed his course of theological
studies, entered upon the pastoral charge of the First
Baptist Church in the City of New York. In this position he labored with rare fidelity and success for a
period of one year and ten months, when he was removed by a sudden death.
It might be doubted whether a career thus brief,
whatever may have been its promise, could present any
actual achievement worthy of public review.
But the value of a life is not to be measured by its
length; nor even altogether by its deeds, however fafious
or useful. A life-history affords topics for study in




14                INTRODUCTION.
what it may exhibit of individual character; of purity
and tenacity of purpose; or of processes and laws of
mental action. A life neither conspicuous nor especially
eventful, may yet involve problems for the philosopher
and lessons for the Christian.
In its facts as well as in its moral significance, the
short career of Kingman Nott exhibits much that is
attractive and valuable. Its peculiar success, indeed,
presents questions of curious interest for consideration.
In early manhood, he had been chosen for a position
which presented almost every advantage that could be
imagined or desired by one whose aims and aspirations
were for the widest field of usefulness as a minister of
Christ. The active use of his talents brought his
name into unexpected prominence.  Liberal means
were placed at his disposal; the best culture and the
" luxury of doing good." In his social relations he enjoyed that implicit confidence and warmly affectionate
regard, which can only be called forth by unaffected
kindness of heart, and an appreciative genius, chastened
and governed by tact and good sense. As a speaker, he
united clear reasoning, fervid rhetoric, and a winning
manner, all inspired by earnest conviction and deep feeling —which gained alike the hearts and intellects of
young and old, of the critical scholar and of the most




INTRODUCTION.                  1x
unlearned.  Not merely in his own society and in New
York, but in other cities he began to be eagerly sought
for on account of his attractive and effective eloquence
in the pulpit.
Yet this kind of. popularity apparently did not elate
or dazzle him. All who knew him best, testify that he
never lost the simple directness of his character, nor the
undivided earnestness of his consecration to the higher
objects of his ministry.  Power and influence were of
little account irn his esteem, except as means for practical usefulness.
But to complete his happiness, the most cherished
aims of his life seemed to be on the full tide of prosperity.  His earnest desire was to see his large church
trained up to the highest standard of Christian efficiency; co-operating with the pastor in all efforts of
beneficent influence, and for the salvation of souls; not
merely in the congregation but in the "region round
about."  The conversion of nearly two hundred persons
during the short term of his ministry gave evidence
that these labors were not in vain.
Passing from these features and facts in the brief
record of the subject of this memoir, we are naturally
led to inquire whether his success was a fortunate accident? Shall we rather say, succinctly, that it was the




16               INTRODUCTION.
special favor of God? or, reverently recognising His
supreme control, shall we descend to the human plane
to seek for second causes?  Among these, perhaps,
were the following.
(1.) He was favored by a peculiarly excellent constitution:-the intellectual, emotional, and moral
natures being equally healthy and active:-well-proportioned, and harmoniously adjusted to each other.
(2.) The circumstances of his childhood and early
youth were such as to encourage, and through the
grace of God, effect the development of virtuous impulses, and to educate intellect, taste, and conscience.
Thus he was preserved in mental and physical vigor
comparatively untouched by the evil influences which
lurk in the path of so many young men, and prepared
for the reception, in due time, of a concentrated, energetic "motive power" into his soul.
(3.)  The key to the ultimate harmony of his
character-to his endeavors and to his success, may be
found, perhaps, in the fact that he was thus early
arrested and absorbed by an ambition far higher than
that which is apt to seize upon a buoyant youth on the
threshold of life. Instead of a thirst for distinction, or
wealth, or pleasure, or even the nobler desire for mere
learning, or power, or fame, or any selfish or sordid




INTRODUCTION.                17
achievements, he became, while a mere boy, the loyal
and devoted servant of Jesus Christ. He chose the Saviour as his dearest friend-his captain and leader-a
being to worship and glorify-and yet one to imitate.
Possessed-animated by this all-absorbing and controlling affection, he was at once led to a great Work to be
done —the noblest and best. All his faculties, developed
to their greatest activity and strength, were devoted to
this work, and these faculties became harmonized into
symmetrical proportions.
The "philosophy of a life" thus outlined, is delineated circumstantially, though in an imperfect and informal manner, in the following pages.  The simple
incidents of Kingman's history, and glimpses of his
spiritual experience, are revealed chiefly in his own
letters and memoranda. These have been connected,
with such brief explanations and comments as appeared
needful. If the reader of these pages has heretofore
questioned whether love to Christ be a safe and worthy
motive, and a sufficient power to develope power, and
to purify and elevate the entire character, perhaps a
fair consideration of the aims and results herein imperfectly pictured, may solve these doubts-may cast
an additional ray of light on the pathway of Christian
duty and the road to the reward of those whose duty




18               INTRODUCTION.
has been done; and may possibly incite some, here and
there, to pursue the investigation, and test for themselves the value of the gospel. It is to be hoped that
some good lesson may be learned from the brief history
of one who, under a divine impulse acting on his soul,
seemed to make the most of himself, and "the most
of two worlds."




CHAPTER I.
CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
ABNER KINGMAN NOTT was the son of Handel G.
and Lydia C. Nott. His paternal ancestors, a century
and a half ago, emigrated from England, and established
themselves in the old town of Saybrook, Conn., taking
their stand firmly at the same time on the " Saybrook
Platform."  It was a stock robust and thrifty. From
it came " Old Dr. Nott, of Franklin," President Nott,
of Union College, Samuel Nott, D.D., the original companion of Judson, and other well-known names. The
ancient family homestead still remains, though it has
passed into the hands of strangers.
His mother's family also were of Puritan descent.
Her father, Mr. Abner Kingman, was well known forty
years ago as a prosperous merchant in the city of Providence, and was greatly respected for intelligence and
piety.
Handel G. Nott, born at Saybrook, in the year 1800,
was graduated at Yale College in 1823, studied Theology at the same institution, and in 1826 was ordained
to the work of the Christian Ministry, and to the pastoral office in connection with Congregational Church
in Nashua, N. H. During the nine years of his minis



20       CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
try in that place, there was an almost uninterrupted
revival.
The subject of this memoir was born at Nashua, on
the 22nd day of March, 1834. He was the fourth son
in a family of fifteen children, six of them the fruit of a
second marriage. Two, of tender age, had been laid
in the churchyard before the birth of Kingman; two
others were taken away before his death, also in infancy.
Only two years of Kingman's life were passed in
Nashua.  Indeed his childhood saw many changes.
In the spring of 1836 Mr. Nott began the pilgrim life,
which is the lot of so many clergymen.. Having changed his opinions upon the subject of baptism,
he resigned his charge at Nashua, and removed first to
Buffalo, New Yorlk, where his field was the wharves and
a Seamen's Bethel Church. Three years later, returning
to the East, he became pastor of the Federal street,
now Rowe street, Baptist Church, in Boston. Thence
he removed to Bath, Maine, about the close of 1840,
and eight years later to Kennebunkport, Maine, where
he still preaches.
Of the fourteen years preceding Kingman's conversion (Jan. 1849), no minute account need be attempted.
That was the great epoch-the time when his history,
properly so called, begins. Previous to that he had
nearly the usual tastes and habits of moderately " good"
boys, was fond of play, tolerant of books, an attendant
on schools. Yet some details may illustrate what were




CHILDIIOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.         21
his natural qualities, and what the influences that aided
to nmould him.
His body did not, up to his sixth year, promise the
vigor it afterwards possessed. Ite had a large and
noble head, and sufficiently broad shoulders; but a
slender frame, and legs scarcely able to support the
weight of the slight superstructure. His parents, indeed, had much anxiety for him. But in'39 he was
sent to pass the summer on his grandfather's farm in
Saybrook; and being here encouraged in free, out-ofdoor sports, barefooted rambles over the breezy hills,
and such gentle labor as a child might mistake for play,
he rapidly gained strength, and laid the foundation for
permanent and robust health. This was his physical
salvation; who shall say how much it had to do with
his moral preservation.
Kingman early displayed an affectionate and tender
disposition-loving his friends ardently, being quick to
sympathize with their distresses, sensitive to rebuke,
easily moved to tears. He was very independent of
companionship, and even when very young would
amuse himself contentedly in solitude by the hour.
Yet he had a most wholesome love of the usual sports
of boyhood, and was enterprising and fearless, if not to
a fault, at least to the discomfort of those who had the
charge of him. Some anecdotes show this:-UJpon
his third birthday, in Buffalo, he was suddenly, after
dinner, missing; and an anxious search, continued




22       CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
through the whole afternoon, failed to discover any
traces of him. At last, near sundown, the city crier
was summoned, who went forth, with jingling bell and
the cry " Child lost i" and finally succeeded in capturing
the infant adventurer, two miles from home, on the bank
of a small pond, where he was still placidly delighting
himself, in the departing twilight, with experiments in
the navigation of chips.  I-c rode home on horseback,
exulting in his enterprise and his exploits.
The town of Bath, where much of his boyhood was
spent, lies upon the Kennebeck River, there nearly a
mile in width. On, in, and about this river, he found
his chief amusements, swimming, boating, clambcring
about the frames of ships on the stocks, or the masts
of ships at the wharves. Several times he was near
drowning. Once he slipped into the water between a
ship and the wharf to which the tide was rapidly drifting her in; he was unable to extricate himself, and was
with difficult.y saved by others from the double danger
of drowning and being crushed.
Having become accustomed to sailing in company
with older persons, he was filled with ambition to
voyage on his own account. The first attempt proved
mlninistakably premature.  Ventui ing out in a high
wind, with an unwieldy, two-masted boat, he found
more than he could manage and was soon drifting at
the mercy of wind and tide.  These dealt tenderly
with him, however, and brought him to the shore a




CIIILDIIOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.        23
mile or two below the town, with no loss but of the
ship and lading. He came safe home, but the boat
was found next morning with torn sail, and oarless
and bilged.
In the sieges and assaults of the mimic warfare in
which boyhood delights, he exhibited more skill than
for elementary navigation. In winter it was the custom
with the boys to build great snow-forts, with massive
walls. Two of these, occupying neighboring elevations,
would sometimes bombard each other for a whole afternoon, varying the dread scene with the " circumstance"
of sorties and assaults. The ammunition employed was
not always of a safe sort. Snow-balls, dipped in water
and frozen-and intended to effect breaches in the
walls of the enemy, would sometimes do execution among
the unlucky garrison. A  few "casualties" resulting
in this way caused the "new arm" to be abandoned.
Another source of frequent amusement, was rambling in the woods and fields.  About Bath there were
extended "pastures," not soft and rolling, but rugged,
with great rocks and deep dells, with frequent brooks,
and woods of oak, maple, and pine. These rough
fields afforded inexhaustible pleasures.   There were
berries, squirrels, fish, maple sap, —and the mere delight
of roaming. The love of nature here acquired, and
nursed afterwards on the wild sea-coast of Kennebunk
port, was one of KIingman's strongest passions.




24       CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
Kingman was not, in the ordinary idea of it, a preco.
cious child. That is, there was no premature and
eccentric development of any kind.  The intellect
had not been unduly stimulated, and was not excessively active, to the disadvantage of physical, and
finally of mental health.  He had  a symmetrical
nature in body, mind, and soul. He possessed always a
certain spirituality, but was tangible and loved tangible
things.  He was " of the earth-earthy " in a proper
sense, and to a healthful degree-for a dweller on
earth.
Yet he early displayed great native intelligence and
aptitude for learning as well as for doing. An old sobriquet, clinging to him from childhood-" The Little
Old Man "-suggests some of his peculiarities.  It was
grounded partly on his appearance; since the large head
on small body, his great forehead, and almost white
hair, caused doubts often as to his real age. But what
was particularly noticeable at this very early period
was, not merely the propriety and ease of his conversation (for his "talk" deserved that name, with its curious mingling of simplicity and adult wisdom) but the
large diction that he used, yet with perfect unconsciousness of its singularity.  He seemed to comprehend
the length and breadth of our language, almost by intuition.
Kingman had quick apprehension, a retentive memory,
self-possession resulting from self-unconsciousness, and,




CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.         25
as has been said, great fluency of speech. With these
gifts, he rarely failed to make a good appearance in his
class at school. An art in which he early excelled was
declamation. His whole elocution was remarkably
good; the articulation perfect; the inflections instinctively correct; voice full and sweet. In his fifth year,
during the visit at Saybrook, he was wont to astonish
his grandmother with borrowed eloquence, and frequently assured her of his intention to become a minister. He visited the A   s once, when seven years
old, and during his stay entertained them regularly with
speech-making. It was at a time when the papers were
filled with political addresses. Kingman would be put
upon a table, newspaper in hand, and set to pronouncing
some fiery harangue; he would enter fully into the
spirit of it, make the heat his own, and shout with a
vehemence of passion that in a real contest could not
have failed to make the day his own.
Kingman was fortunate, again, in being constituted
with a comparatively sound and vigorous moral nature.
There were no strong tendencies to vice, as there are
in some, ready to be developed at the first occurrence
of temptation, and either to betray soul and body to
ruin or to be finally conquered only after severe conflicts. He was morally healthy. It is true that God
kept-him, counterbalancing inevitable temptations with
gracious interferences, yet much is due to this original
blessing. It is certain that his purity throughout boy3'




26       CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
hood was uncommon. Grossness seemed utterly foreign
to his nature.  His faults were chiefly of a superficial
order. This was part of God's plan concerning him,to constitute him healthily, to preserve him from ruinous
habits, and thus to save him in manhood from the
dreadful expenditure and waste of strength, necessary
in so many to restore and keep the lost balance of appetite and moral sense.
[Religiousness is to be distinguished as another characteristic of Kingman in his early days. He was often
deeply affected by thoughts of his own sinfulness, God's
greatness and condescension, and the Divine love in
Christ. Particularly was this the case during a great
Revival that occurred in Bath, in 1842. It was a work
of extraordinary power. During the months of its continuance, multitudes thronged the churches daily, hundreds were converted.' A brother and a sister of Kingman's, older than himself, were baptized. Kingman's
sympathetic nature responded to the influence of these
scenes; and unexpectedly one day, in a crowded meeting-having mounted a bench, he was heard exhorting
the multitude, confessing his sins, and begging for
prayers in his own behalf, and for a dear friend, "who
was an infidel."  He was then seven or eight years old.
His interest at that time, was really deep and genuine.
He himself says of it, writing several years afterward:
"I have no doubt -the Spirit wrought upon my young
heart, though, of course, much of my manifestation of




CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.         27
feeling was the result of sympathy; and how much con
nection this may have had. with my subsequent awakenings and final conversion, six years later. I cannot say.
I talked and prayed constantly and zealously. I exlhorted sinners to repent and believe, and urged my playnates to come with me. I remember my special interest
in some converts' meetings for children. I remember
C.'s coming home one day, and saying, II fall into
Jesus' arms,' or some such expression, to signify a newly
found Saviour. Especially do I remember a Union
Prayer Meeting in the'Old South,' where so many
hundreds were present, and my trying in vain to be
heard, till Captain L. put me upon the seat, and I
spoke. On my way home from church, I went into the
house of a playmate, W. G., and we prayed together.
I was quite disconcerted, on coming out, to find a considerable collection of people, who, in passing, had been
attracted by the sound. With the excitement my feelings wore away, and nothing shamed me more in after
years than an allusion to that time."
An old playmate says, referring to a time just subsequent to this:  "We all felt there was something in
Kingman superior. He was earnest enough in play,
but his mind seemed at work all the while on higher
things." He relates also this anecdote:-" Once several
boys, with Kingman, bad been playing an afternoon in
the woods, and had chased squirrels and climbed trees
till they were tired.'What shall we do next?' said




28       CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
they. Various proposals were made, to no purpose,
when at last Kingman offered his:'Come, boys, let's
go and pray.' So all went, good and bad, moved by a
strange impulse, into a grove where the ground was
smooth with the fallen verdure of the pines-and all
prayecl."
What influence from  that singular prayer-meeting
perhaps followed some of those lads through the succeeding years into their manhood! Thus the religious
spirit in Kingman was from its beginnings a spirit that
sought to communicate itself to other minds.
Amusements, schools, religious meetings-all these,
in Kingman's childhood, contributed to the formation
of his character.  There were other influences that
might be named. Among them, certainly, the parental
discipline ought not to be omitted.  Christian parents,
consecrating him at his birth to the Lord, honestly
regarded him thenceforth as not their own but the
Lord's, and themselves as the Lord's servants employed
to train him, and responsible for the trust. Never was
there a child for whom a greater amount of earnest
dedicatory and supplicatory prayer ascended. All possible religious restraints and inducements were kept
around him, yet without severity. Whining, hypocrisy,
and cant, which creep into many so-called religious
households, were far fiom  this. Cheerful piety and
consistent lives recommended religion to this boy, as a
fact and a power, and, with the kind enforcement of




CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.          29
reasonable law, the parents were to him as all parents
should be to their children,-God's representatives,
Homne was rendered happy and sweet.  Not that
there were no storms, but these did not effect the
atmosphere, and were speedily dispelled.  Cheerfull
ness and healthful merriment were here: conversation,
reading, singing.  Morning and evening there was
sing]ing at family-prayers.  The words and music of
low many of. those old hymns are now laden with the
dearest recollections, and bring tears of hallowed sadness, ol "thoughts too deep for tears!"  Kingman's
attachment to home, during his whole life, was remarkable; its bonds were never loosened. Next to love for
God, indeed, the strongest affection in his heart was love
for his father.
An extract from a brief private record,. dated 1855,
says:One object of my writing now is to trace out the
hand of Providence, which makes all things, I believe,
6work together for good to them that love God.' Here
I must mention first-that I have received just such a
home education as I have. I know enough of my own
character to assure me that no other man I have ever
known, beside my own revered father, could have made
ime even what I am —little as that is. No living being
-thank God-will ever know what I should have been
without him."
Kingman's mother died when he was in his tenth
3N;




30       CHILDHOOD,  UP TO CONVERSION.
year, on the 9th day of February, 1844, after a linger
ing and painful illness. This is not the place to record
her virtues; though there are hundreds who recollect
her as an accomplished and noble Christian woman,
intellectual, well read, and herself a graceful writer,
but most of all devoted to the attainment of close,
personal communion with the Holy Spirit of God, and
to the elevation of others as well as of herself to a high
standard of Christian living.  She died most peacefully, commending her six young children to God, with
a calm trustfulness that was always her characteristic,
and saying, " They will be converted;" "E —- also,"
a dear friend, "will be converted-I am certain of it."
The response to her faith is evinced in the fact, that
all her children became members of the church before the age of sixteen, and her two sons became
preachers.
On a bitter winter's day Mrs. Nott was taken to her
grave, where already her infant of but a few months
was slumbering. Together their bodies sleep, till the
resurrection shall bring mother and child again to a
living embrace.
The two years that succeeded her death were necessarily full of trial and temptation to Kingman. The
good hand of God preserved him unharmed. In 1846
Mr. Nott was married to Sarah Louisa Smith, of Bath,
Me. This lady proved a mother indeed to the motherless children, and became speedily the centre of their




CHILDlHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.         31
love. Kingman's warm affection for her is indicated by
numberless references in his letters.
In the summer of 1847 Mr. Nott, resigning his pastoral charge at Bath, removed the family to VWaterville,
Me., for a few months, previous to fixing his residence
at Kennebunkport.  In Waterville Kingman attended
the Academy kept then by Mr. J. H. Hanson, now of
Portland, an efficient teacher, under whose direction
Kingman made good progress. The facility with which
he rendered Virgil into shapely and sonorous English,
used especially to excite the wonder and hopeless emulation of his classmates. Yet he was a favorite from
his good-nature and gayety.
Here he received new religious impressions. He
says-" Here my feelings were once more deeply
wrought upon. There were some prayer-meetings in
private houses which I attended. I talked with father,
anxiously examined the Scriptures to know what I must
do to be saved; prayed and resolved, and did my best
to make myself a Christian, and persuaded myself for a
time that I had succeeded."
In July, 1848, the removal was made to Kennebunkport. Here by far the most important year of Kingman's early youth was spent. It was important as the
time when he first began to obtain some thorough mental discipline (in distinction from the mere acquirement
of information), and when, above all, that great moral
revolution took place in his soul that made him a
" new creature."




32       CHILDHOOD, UP TO CONVERSION.
Kingman at this time had little power of mental concentration.  A 6 fatal facility" sufficed to put him  in
possession of the form of knowledge, at little cost of
exertion and small gain of power. It began to be
feared he would grow up a superficial scholar and an idle
thinker.
Mr. Nott himself accordingly resolved to undertake
for a time the business of his son's education. And
now began a course of training such as few boys of
fourteen ever experienced, and which with many might
have proved ill-judged. The Greek and Latin grammars, with portions of Virgil and Cicero, Tytler's Universal History, and a little French, constituted the routine part of this drill-the machinery that other instr-uctors would have employed. But the great engines of
discipline on which his father relied were Locke, Butler,
and Crabbe. Large portions of Locke's Essays and Butler's Analogy were required to be thoroughly read, analyzed, discussed, and written about; and there was a
daily recitation in Crabbe's Synonyms.  The former
studies were expected to cultivate acumen and a logical
mode of thinking. The latter had special adaptation to
the needs of a boy whose natural fluency threatened,
when he wrote or spoke, to overwhelm and hide his
ideas with a flood of verbiage.
Both objects were gained.  Kingman learned to
think —to  think with precision  and  clearness, and
rapidity; and the power of nice discrimination in the




CHILD10OD, UP TO CONVERISION.         33
use of terms that he gained, was such as to warrant the
declaration of his theological instructor afterwards, that
" Nott always pounced by. intuition on the right word."
Not altogether by intuition, but by training.
This discipline was the making of Kingman.  To
nothing, except his conversion, was he accustomed in
after years to look back with more gratitude. All that
he became in the pulpit, beyond a noisy declaimer, was
due to the training he received from his father, in his
fifteenth year, followed by a subsequent course of instruction, managed with equal philosophy  and  skill, in
school and college.  BIut how small, comparatively,
might have been the results of a school and collegiate
education, had he not gone to school and college with
a mind already "put in order," and faculties trained to
know and do their work.
We have now approached the time of Kingman's
conversion, the account of which is reserved for another
chapter.




CHAPTER II.
CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.
ON the 1st of January, 1849, Kingman Nott had
before him only ten years of life. In that short space
his earthly destiny was to be worked out, and whatever
he did in the sight of men, and for men, achieved.
Awake, young dreamer!-only ten years to live! Ten
years to gain a fortune! ten years to become great.
Ah i the appeal must be in vain, for death at twentyfive will be premature; the years will have been
spent in learning how to live, or a course of honorable
toil commenced only to be, without reward-cut off!
Such would have been the prophecy, and such might
the fact have been, but for a revolution that at this
juncture took place in his soul.
The manner of the origination of his new life would
be best described in his own words, if these were on
record. The growing life may be through this medium
watched, for in his letters, which immediately after his
conversion begin to be numerous, his whole heart, to
the last, is copied out, and over long periods little is left
for the biographer, but to transcribe this epistolary
autobiography.  But the only sources of information
respecting the first decisive operations of the Holy




CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.             35
Spirit upon his heart are the recollections of friends,
and an incomplete memorandum of his own, made
several years later. The last is the paper from which
extracts have already been taken, relating to his religious
awakenings in Bath and Waterville. It continues:
"This interest"-in Waterville —-" was of short continuance, but it was of use in its restraining influence
over me. After one year we moved to Kennebunkport,
where I lived along for several months in growing
neglect and sin. I well remember the day of fasting
and prayer which opened the year'49. Olive Mb,
then living in our family, was under deep concern of
mind. My own attention was gradually drawn along
to the subject of religion, I hardly know how. News
came from L      (a younger sister), then in Buffalo,
that she had become interested in religion,'and mother
remarked, 0  Kingman, that we might know the same
of you!' I made myself very busy, so as not to betray
the feeling I really had.
"Sunday morning, January 21st, I attended our little
prayer-meeting as usual.  Brother I —   made some
ordinary remarks on the importance of attending to
personal religion, and that without delay.  Though I
had heard him speak again and again with utter indifference, his words at this time, for some reason, seemed
to carry conviction to my heart, and I then and there
resolved to become a Christian forthwith.
"All this time I was supposing that the power was all
with me, and that whenever I concluded, as I now did,
that it was best to live no longer in sin, but begin to




36         CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.
serve Christ, I could do so.  With these determinations,
then, I silently left the meeting, walked home, went to
my room, and tried to pray. I sought with-"
Here this interesting account abruptly breaks off, and
was never resumed. The sequel of the story is told by
his father, substantially as follows:
He did seek, in earnest.  Several days passed; little
was said, for I saw that the Spirit of God was guiding
him. One day (Jan. 26th) he came with a happy face,
telling me he had found the Saviour, and his sins were
forgiven. He was full of joy and praise. His instant
clearness of spiritual discernment was remarkable. A
revelation in his soul had rendered truths before dark
now  luminous and beautiful.  The plan of salvation
was completely opened to him.  He apprehended most
distinctly the person and the work of Christ, relied
with conscious faith on Christ's atoning sacrifice, and
was filled with holy ardor to serve his newly-found
Redeemer. He was new-born complete: as if a bird
should burst through its shell not merely into life, but
full-fledged and ready to soar. He displayed immediately the same qualities that were long afterwards the
characteristics of his religious life: the same quick
decision, the same simple honesty of purpose, the same
spirit of allegiance to duty, the same exhaustless enthusiasm, and all comprehended in the one idea of serving
the Master.  Love for the Saviour, love and pity for




CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.            37
the souls that slighted Christ, were his impelling
motives.
The letters written by his father and mother at this
time, confirm the soundness of the change.
For instance:.
"Kingman has of late been under very deep impressions.  Sabbath eve he seemed in agony of spiritbrought to feel his sinfulness, weakness, and utter
dependence.  He reads his Bible much, prays often,
and seems very much changed. I can but hope this is
the work of the Spirit, and will be carried on and
perfected."
"You will be pleased to know that Kingman gives
pleasing evidence of conversion.  He is a greatly
changed boy —more and more so. I wonder more and
more at what the Lord has done for him. I want to
magnify the mercy and praise God much for it. He
has taken a part in prayer, as well as in speaking, at
our social gatherings. May the Lord sanctify him for
His service!"
"The spiritual change in him is as manifest as I ever
saw in one, for so short a time.  At present he gives
promise of some useful activity in the cause of Christ.
He seems almost a perfect character in some respects."
Once more he began to "exhort sinners," and " urge
his playmates to go with him." Witness the following
brief tale-given in the words of the original narrator,
a young lad converted through Kingman's influence:
4




38         CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.
"On the 1st of June, 1849, as I was coming home
from a prayer-meeting, I overtook Kingman Nott,whose
heart the Lord had opened; who spoke to me, and
asked me if I was wholly unconcerned about these
things.  I told him  I supposed I was. We walked
along, and he asked me if I believed the Bible? I told
him I did. He spoke to me of the importance of coming to Christ at that time, and asked me if I would not
try to come. I told him that I hoped I should. He
encouraged me, and told me not to put it off.
" I thought a great deal about what he had said, and
the next week I went to prayer-meeting again. He
spoke to me, and warned and entreated me to come to
Christ. I saw that I was a great sinner in the sight
of God. My friend came to me again, and explained to
me the way of salvation through a crucified Redeemer.
As he saw tears in my eyes; I believe it gladdened his
heart, for I told him that I had tried to pray. I took
Christ for my Saviour.  I even dared to hope the
Lord had forgiven my sins.  A feeling came over
me which I had never before experienced; it was a
feeling of joy, thanksgiving, and praise."
The youth who wrote thus charmingly, Howard
Wildes, a few months after these occurrences, suddenly
died. Upon his grave-stone is this inscription:"Amiable, beloved; a Christian, devoted and hu.mble; his race run-his death peaceful: he has a crown
of joy:"
This was Kingman's first trophy. The first year of




CONVERSION-JOURNAL, rETC.            39
his Christian course was signalized by the winning of
a soul to Christ -a soul that soon was safe in heaven.
Young Christian, go and do likewise!
Kingman kept a journal during the greater part of
the year 1849, of which a few scraps have escaped
destruction.  From these we quote:
"'lAfarch 22d, 1849, my 15th birth-day.
"How can God be suitably thanked for His great
mercy and long-suffering in sparing my life for these
fifteen years. I, all the while rebelling against him,
and grieving His Spirit by putting off the day of repentance, which I well knew should be now.  I know
that His Spirit was continually knocking at my heart.
Not a day or a night passed without my hearing the
still small voice,' urging,' now is the time;''you are
growing harder every day, and every day you are increasing your condemnation.'  But still I endeavored
(thank God, without success), to repel this voice, and
live at ease in sin a little longer.
"But how is God to be rewarded for His mercy? If
I could begin now, and spend an eternity upon this
earth, laboring in His cause, and never doing one act
displeasing to Him, I never could pay the slightest recompense in comparison with what is due.
"Is it not, then, my solemn duty to consecrate all I
am to God; to labor with all my might, to pray without ceasing, to watch, guarding every thought and
word?  May God help me to do this!  In Christ I
can do all things."




40         CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.
"FRIDAY, 23d.
"I feel deeply oppressed with my weighty responsibility, since I have named the name of Christ, not to
listen to the offers of another leader.  [This was his
motto through life.] I feel, also, anxious to keep very
strict watch over my little actions, that my light may
shine purely among men.  May God take me, as the
potter the clay, and mould me after his own image!
But I can do something.  I can pray."
" SUNDAY, 25th.
" Is it possible! How fast the Sabbaths come round!
And what a solemn, yet delightful thought to the
believer, that every Sabbath brings us one week nearer
eternal happiness. Is it so with me? Thank God for
the answer I can give: I have confidence that God will
enable me to conquer, and so shall I be for ever with
the Lord."
"MONDAY,. 26th.' R. and C. are eighteen to-day, and I, as Capt. Lwould say, am two months old."'
"TUESDAY, 2 7 h.
"The subject of baptism was brought up by father
to-day.  I feel, as I have for some time past, that it is
my duty to make a profession of that religion which, by
the grace of God, I hope I possess.
"I have read the Declaration of Faith,: and think I
can subscribe to every article. Election seems hardest!
[Yet he hoped God would take him as the potter the
clay! The trouble was, the word Election stunned him.
As is liable to be the case with all technical terms, the




CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.            41
idea had fled out of the word; and the great, empty
husk, as lie handled it and pondered it, was a very wonderful and mysterious thing to him. The idea lay
naked and unnamed in his mind and heart; for it is of
necessity born into the heart of every Christian, and the
mind of every thinker.]
"FRIDAY, 30th.
"Father received a letter from L-  [an absent
sister], in which was contained the precious and joyful
news of her conversion. Bless the Lord!"
"SATURDAY, 3March 31.
" I lack energy: —sometimes when I see my duty
clearly I shrink from it. I must study the Bible more."
" TUESDAY, Apri7 10.
"I think I discern some, at least, of the devil's methods of endeavoring to draw me into temptation. He
endeavors to take me off my guard, when not under the
influence of prayer; and then such is my disposition
and weakness — he leads me almost anywhere he
chooses. God help me to resist him."
" THURSDAY, April 12.
"I sometimes think it almost sacrilege, and a thing
abhorred in the sight of a pure and holy God, for me
to attempt to come before Him. I see so many things
I ought to correct, that I hardly know how to begin
the work. Do not I harbor sin in my heart, and thus
prevent my supplication friom being heard? Do not I
sometimes fall into a snare laid for my pride, and desi.
4*




42         CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.
rons of making a prayer approved of men, keep this
before me, rather than the fear of God,- and my own
simple wants?  It is a horrible sin, I know, but one
easy to be guilty of. May God preserve me from what
I know to be so heinous."
" SUNDAY EVENING, September 2cd.
"I took out my old journal this evening for the purpose of recording the baptisms that have taken. place
of late. I have put on Christ by a public profession
(Aug. l1th) and to-day another has followed, Howard
Wildes. He was first awakened under the slight means
which God enabled me to use. I write this that I may
often read, and never be discouragedl in performing my
duty, especially in employing the means which God has
appointed for the salvation of souls."
These serve as specimens. They show us what are
the thoughts, and hopes, and aims of this boy of fifteen.
Noble thoughts, hopes, and aims, if he can but persist
in them.
It is not greatly to be regretted, probably, that the
journal was not continued. A journal of emotions and
states of mind is very likely to degenerate, becoming
occupied with "vain repetitions" and encouragi:ng a
habit of too minute self-scrutiny. Kingman was too
busy and too happy to keep a journal of this kind.
One or two extracts from letters of this period follow:




CONVERSION-JOURNAL, rTC.            43
TO HIS ELDEST SISTER, THEN ABSENT IN THE ISLAND
OF CUBA.
"APRIL'49.
"Here I am, seated at my desk, in my pleasant little
room, and-where I suppose you would very much like
to be-at home. I know not what time it is, but it
must be quite early, for father only has gone down
stairs. From the window before me I have a beautiful
view: three or four fine houses, a grove of evergreens,
and many large, splendid trees; while in clear weather
I can catch a glimpse, over the low hills, of that wide
waste of waters that separates you from me.....   How
kindly God has watched over and. cared for you thus
far. And I doubt not that just what is best for you
and all of us will be done; for the apostle, you know,
says in that most beautiful and comforting verse,' We
know that all things work together for good to them
that love God.' What more do we want?
"'I am prospering in my studies. The Greek Reader
&c., and the wood occupy my attention at present.
Soon i shall exchange the saw and axe for spade and
hoe. These I say occupy my attention, but do not misunderstand me. I mean as my secular employments (!).
But I have far more important duties, which I fear I
am too lax in performing. Still I keep them  up and
am conscious of a strong and fixed determination to serve
my Saviour; and I have confidence that I shall be
enabled to press on in the name of the Lord of Hosts.
Pray much for me; all our strength lies at the mercyseat," etc.




44         CONVERSION-JOURNAL, ETC.
TO THE SAME,
DECEMBER 31, 1849.
"My dear young friend and brother, Howard Wildes,
was, as you already know, suddenly and mysteriously
separated from us. I said mysteriously, but would recal
it. How weak are we to call that a mysterious dealing
of Providence, which calls a saint to that blessedness for
which he has prayed earnestly.
"'The first time I ever entered his house I prayed
with him an anxious sinner. The second time I entered
with tears to behold him a corpse! Excuse me for
dwelling so long on one topic, but my heart is full," etc.
During the whole of 1849, and until the summer of
1850, K. remained at home, engaged in,,vsrcety Af
occupations; rambling in the woods, fishing, exploring
the mysteries of the roclk-piled and caverned sea-coast,
managing the garden and the wood, studying Locke,
Butler, and Crabbe, and preaching in his own way, i.e.
privately, among his companions, as he worked and
played. He was gaining strength of body, mind, and
soul, for the Lord's service afterwards.




CHAPTER III.
GOING TO SHIIOOL-DIFFICULTIES-SCHOOL LIFE —RE
MINISCENCES BY A TEACHER.
KINGM.AN had now (Spring of 1850) reached an age
when it became important to make some decisive
arrangements with reference to his future profession or
business. It was at least necessary to determine in
general whether books or trade, or some labor of the
hands should employ him. The question was placed
entirely at his own disposal. He consulted his father.
" Follow your own inclinations, if you can obtain God's
approval of them; any useful business is honorable," was
the response the oracle gave; and Kingman, much to
his father's joy, decided for books. Not, probably, that
he had an ardent love of learning for its own sake, but
partly because he could not easily forego the pleasures
he had learned to relish in the companionship and associations of books, and partly because he heard, as almost
every youth does, his destiny calling him. Happy he
who has the gift of interpretation, and can understand
the mystic summons.
It is interesting, moreover, to observe how frequently
in his letters the word duty occurs. " I am1 sure it is




46              GOING TO SCHOOL.
my dity to get an education." For he was true-hearted:
his question honestly was, What will God have me to
do? Accordingly, when he resolved, in the face of great
difficulties, to go from home and devote himself to the
business of procuring an education, he felt as confident
of acting by divine command, as Moses did when he
determined to cross the Red Sea.
The difficulties were all comprised in this: The want
of money.
He had to "begin the world" without a dollar and
without the promise of one. Literally, his only outfit
for his first venture away from home, besides the endowmnents nature  and  grace had bestowed, was a few
books, the passage money to his place of destination
(with fifty cents surplus), and a somewhatgenerous supply of second-hand clothing. For his raiment had this
peculiarity, that each individual article of apparel could
be referred to a different, original owner.  "This was
uly uncle's,"" this my cousin's," and " this my father's."
His boots and his cap were the only parts of his dress
he could properly call his own; and these were of compulsion so, because his head and his feet were in a peculiar
sense his own. It will be inferred that Kingman's
father was not a man of large means. Such was the
truth.  lHe had nothing on earth.  But he had large
possessions in the Kingdom of Heaven, and these his
son-a fact in strict agreement with God's promises —
did distinctly find available. Kingman himself also pos



GOING TO SCHOOL.                47
sessed what proved sufficient for every emergency, a
brave heart, buoyant temper, indifference to little inconveniences, an unflinching will, faith, and good
muscles. These last, it will soon be perceived, were a
most important auxiliary.
The school selected was "The Connecticut Literary
Institute," located at Suffield, Conn., a classical and
English Academy for both sexes, then under the charge
of Mr. William Woodbury. Few men better qualified
to be educators of youth have appeared in this country,
than Mr. Woodbury: a premature.death alone, in the
opinion of many, prevented his attaining a celebrity as
wide-spread though not altogether of the same character,
as that of Dr. Arnold in England.
With sufficiently extended and exceedingly accurate
scholarship, he joined the habit of absolute self-government, keenness of penetration into the minds and hearts
of others; tact in management, and decision in enforcing law-the very qualities of a great executive officer.
Althouoh a martinet in his drill, yet he understood
how  to educate, not only in the popular sense of
cramming in, but in the more important, etymological
idea of drawing out. He succeeded, except in obstinate
cases, in teaching his pupils to think as well as to
acquire.  He did much for KI'ngman, and Kingman in
return gave him  both respect and warm  affection.
Such tributes as the following are frequent in his
letters.




48              GOING TO SCHOOL.
"I cannot help loving and respecting Mr. Woodbury
more and more every week. His aim in the increase
of advantages, intellectual, moral, and religious, seems to
be nothing short of perfection, and I find myself surprised at the constant onward march of improvement
in every department."
The following affords a glimpse of Mr. Woodbury's
methods:
"Thoroughness is the thing chiefly insisted upon.
For instance, our Greek. Three times a week we
translate and parse Xenophon-one page at a lesson in
advance, and one to three or four in review. After we
have read and thoroughly reviewed a chapter, we
present a written translation of it. The three other
days of the week we take our written translations and,
independently of book, translate back to Greek-then
take Greek and translate to Latin.
Such a variety affords great interest, and one cannot
help gaining some knowledge of these languages."
Professor E. C. Hamlen, now of Waterville College,
then at Suffield, was a teacher to whom Kingman was
also strongly attached.
Kingman remained at Suffield from June, 1850, to
the summer of 1851, a little more than one year; at the
expiration of which time he was excellently prepared
for college. His expenses were met chiefly by his
relations in ways unanticipated by them and himself.




GOING TO SCHOOL.               49
Assistance was given him, especially by an uncle, Mr.
Abner Kingman, of Boston, who also aided him in the
most generous manner throughout his college course.
But Kingman contributed something himself; pittances now and then earned at large expenditure of
time, labor, and ingenuity. Besides, his expenses were
reduced to half their legitimate and expected amount,
through his pinching economy. As for earning, no
honest labor by which he could gain a dollar for the
" sacred purpose," was too hard or too mean for him.
He would sweep, saw wood for anybody, dig gardensanything but beg.  As for economy, he wore any
clothes that would keep him warm, and he could get.
But Providence took care of his apparel: he was never
but once destitute of a decent coat, and that was when
he had left the garment at a tailor's for repairs, and for
two weeks could not procure money to redeem it. But
he saved in another way. When ordinary economy
was insufficient, and earnings and donations both were
inadequate, he abandoned his boarding-house and all
civilized modes of living, bought Indian-meal, milk, and
crackers-descending slowly, but fatally, to pork-and
did his own cooking. And ever and anon from his
drudgery he looked up, and his cheerful tone rang out,
"It is my duty to get an education i"  Often he saw
no ray ahead; but he pressed forward with a "no
matter" for every inconvenience, a "trust God" for
every perplexity, and a "thank God" in everything,
5




50              GOING TO SCHOOL.
and he got through, and the whole discipline did him
good.
In all his books at this time was written the motto:
"Nil desperandum!-never despair!"
We say, the discipline did him good. It did. But
be it remarked, that with a less buoyant temper, or less
physical robustness, he might have been disciplined to
death.
REMINISCENCES FURNISHED BY PROFESSOR HAMLEN.
"Kingman Nott entered the school at Suffield, shortly
after the opening of the Summer term of 1850. He
had been a pupil of Mr. Woodbury at Bath, and I
suppose, was drawn so far away from home by a high
regard for that admirable and lamented teacher.
"He attracted much attention in the school from the
outset, giving at once the impression that he was a
youth of much more than ordinary talent, and quickly
standing among the foremost in the classes which he
joined. The most striking features of his mind, as it
then exhibited itself, were a tenacious memory, quick
perception,, and active fancy.  His fellows sometimes
thought he saw things intuitively. Probably the truth
was only that he completed the mental process necessary to the result more rapidly than they.
"His command of language was quite unusual.
Whether called upon to translate a passage, to recite
a grammar lesson, to give his views upon some passage
of an author, to speak in the students' meetings for
debate, or to take part in a prayer-meeting, he was




GOING TO SCHOOL.                51
always ready to express his own or another's thoughts,
as the case required, in copious, appropriate and tasteful phraseology.
" His readiness of allusion showed a range of reading
much wider than is common for one of his age. His
mind was stored with varied information upon many
subjects, and these stores were very ready at command
in description, in which he was sometimes exceedingly
apt. I well remember an instance of this, in an account
which he gave me of a vacation visit to the venerable
Dr. Samuel Nott, of Franklin, Conn.
~" In respect to his habits of study, he was remarkable
for rapid mastery of his tasks rather than for continuous application or very earful preparation.  He was
constant and punctual in his attendance at all exercises,
and in recitation was prompt and attentive. IIe was
what would ordinarily be termed a faithful student,
but he had not as yet those habits of consecutive and
industrious study and careful preparation which are
essential to the highest scholarship, and which, by a
remark of one of his later instructors, I am led to suppose he afterwards formed.
"He maintained throughout his residence at Suffield
the character of a consistent Christian.  He was active
in the meetings for social worship, often showing great
warmth and tenderness of religious feeling, and never,
so far as I am  aware, setting before them an example
at variance with his professions.
"In disposition he seemed to be mild, amiable,
sincere, and affectionate.  His beaming countenance
and expressive eye were always lighted up with kindly
feeling. I never saw them clouded with ill-humor or




52              GOING TO SCHOOL
passion. He was at all times obedient and respectful
to his teachers, and grateful for their exertions in his
behalf.
" He was conected with the school, I think, until the end
of the Summer term in 1851. He left upon the minds
of his instructors, the impression that he was a young
man of unusual promise, who was destined to pre-eminent distinction and usefulness in whatever walk of
life he might enter, if he should be able to endure the
ordeal of popular favor, and attention which evidently
awaited him.
"C. E. HAMLEN.




CHAPTER IV.
SCHOOL-LIFE —UPS AND DOWNS.
WE now proceed to take from K.'s correspondence
such extracts as shed light on his character, and its
development, with occasional comments, to render the
narrative intelligible or call attention to its lesson.
TO HIS FATHER.
"SUFFIELD, June 25, 1850.
"DEARk FATHER:
" How difficult to comprehend that I am really
settled at Suffield, and separated from my home by a
distance of nearly two hundred miles! Yet it is even
so; and when I bring myself to the stern reality, it is
impossible to resist a feeling of sadness and sickness of
heart.... Mr. Woodbury has placed me in the boarding-house for the present —'my room-mate, I am happy
to say, is a pious young man....
" Pray much for me, as I feel confident you will, that
I may be' diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving
the Lord.'  Ask the children to write me speedily, for
I am already beginning to speculate on the contents of
eagerly anticipated letters. Give Georgie a kiss, and
charge C. and L. not to let him forget me.
"Your aff. son
" KE,
5*)E




54       SCHOOL-LIFE-mUPS AND DOWNS.
TO HIS ELDEST SISTER.
"July 1l
"DEAR C.
" I had indeed been compelled to turn away from
the Post-office here with bitter disappointment and useless conjectures. I finally suggested to the Post-mistress
that my name began with N, and not with K.  Soon
after, one of the boys called me and displayed a letter
with the beautiful motto, Hope.  But I, not knowing
the letter was for me, but supposing that he had perceived my disappointment and wished simply to encourage me to' hope,'-replied,' True, but hope deferred
maketh the heart sick.' Judge, then, of the eagerness
with which I perused the precious contents of that
envelope!
"I am  now flly established as a member of the'Connecticut Literary Institute.' Bell-ringer —sweeper
-woodsawyer, by profession and practice-and ready
for any kind of work by which I can earn ten cents an
hour! Yesterday I took my initiatory lesson in haying; raking up the'trails' and'stowing.'  The duties
of this afternoon (a holiday,) will be, first: to sweep
the chapel thoroughly; second, to wash five or six huge
blackboards, and third, to go and hoe a garden.
" A week ago I attended what is here called, and most
appropriately, the' Covenant Meeting,' corresponding
to our' Conference.'.. I have not yet heard Mr. I.
preach, though I have seen enough of him in prayermeetings and other places to become very much attached to him.... The pious members of the Institution form a church almost by themselves, holding
three weekly prayer-meetings.




SCHOOL-LIFE —-rUPS AND DOWNS.        55
" We have here a Debating Society, called the' Calliopean.'  I made my first attempt last week, and of
course our side gained the decision of the question! I
think it is very well conducted."
In the next letter a great light shines upon him. He
describes a " very marked providence."  He has surely
seen the burning bush. Witness the sincerity of bis
trust in God.
TO HIS FATHER.
"July 18.
"Once more have I been called to witness the truth
of the promise,'Commit thy way unto the Lord,
trust also in him, and He shall bring it to pass.' Listen
to what has been done since I camne here.
"1. My chum, who had intended to remain through
this term and had engaged the bell-ringing and sweeping, etc., for the year, was led to the determination of
leaving, and thus that occupation passed into my hands,
affording me means for paying my board.
" 2. Mr. Woodbury spoke to me of two individuals,
with one of whom he thought I might possibly work
my board-both farmers, and some distance from the
Institute. One of them was spoken to, but could give
no definite answer, though he held out some encouragement. But yesterday, after I had inquired for letters
at the post-office, and was going away; the post-master abruptly inquired my age, etc.  The result was,
that after talking some time with him, and conferring
with Mr. W., a bargain was concluded, and yesterday




56        SCHOOL-LIFE —UPS AND DOWNS.
morning I entered on my duties and board here. My
duty is, to have some care of the office. I sit at my
studies, with only occasional and short interruptions.
My employer'holds out encouragement that soon he
may provide me with a room of my own. I know not
what you think of all this. For my own part, I cannot but consider it a very marked providence-so unexpected, so adapted. to my want. I forgot to mention
that I have the garden and horse to care for, wood to
split, and numerous other chores.
" I did not intend to write you fully at present, but
could not help informing you of this new favor-so
marked-and also desiring your prayers that I may be
enabled to keep a thankful, trustful heart, and receive
grace to conduct myself properly and satisfactorily to
my employer."
Is this the delusion of a simple child, or is it the very
feeling which God loves to recognise, and names -Faith?
If it is Faith, very'likely it will be put to the test to
try its strength. See the next:TO HIS FATHER.
" July 29.
" -I have but a few moments to write, but wish you to
know of another change in my prospects. It is very
easy to see the hand of Providence and feel that all is
for the best, when things are to our own eye prosperous
and we move on swimmingly. So I have found it, and
I have seen too, how difficult it is to feel so when the
reverse is the case.




SCEOOL-LIFE-UPS AND DOWNS.           57
" One week from the evening on which my engagement was made with the Post-master, I was informed
by him, to my complete surprise, that he had concluded
to employ some other person: he wanted some one
who was of sufficient age and experience to assume the
responsibility of the whole post-office, when necessary.
The reason was, that he could not be tied to the postoffice himself. And so this matter is ended!
"I had indulged too strong expectations of finding
there a good home and pleasant employment for a long
time. I returned forthwith to board at commons. The
sweeping and bell-ringing, my chief dependence, and Mr.
W.'s wood, have both been placed in other hands.
Thus things look rather dark; but I do not despond,
nor, above all, complain. No doubt all will come out
straight yet."
"In all this Job sinned not."
"August 20.
"On Thursday morning large teams were on hand,
to convey the joyful students to their happy homes.
Oh, how I felt! "
" September 3.
"Vacation has now very nearly passed, and very
swiftly has the time fled. To-morrow school once more
commences.
"During the four weeks I have read, worked, and
travelled. I have not found so much work to do as I
should have been glad of; my earnings have amounted
to between three and four dollars..... Several
little necessary articles are drawing on my resources. I
3*




58       SCHOOL-LIFE-UPS AND DOWNS.
do not know about my prospects for next term. I
have made several applications for al'place,' but am
unsuccessful in every quarter. Still I hope I may yet
succeed. Even if I do not, still I hope that by being
as economical as possible, and improving every opportunity for earning, I may be able to cancel my board.
If not, of course I shall be obliged to be out the winter
term, which will hinder my progress in study. Rather
dark at present, but the way may be clearly opened
vet. If I had now about three dollars to clear up my
debts here (!), I could go ahead for some time at least.
I will let you know how I prosper, speedily. Don't be
anxiousfor me."
Later, his difficulties increase, but he finds a solution
of them.
"I have thus far forborne mentioning some things,
which I feared would cause you unnecessary anxiety.
When the last vacation approached, I saw that my
board in commons during the four weeks —which
would amount to six dollars-would be more than I
could earn, and I was already behindhand about four
dollars."...
Has any rich servant of Christ ten dollars to give
this boy of noble heart and great talents, who struggles
here to prepare himself for usefulness?   If, remembering what he afterwards accomplished in the Lord's
vineyard, one feels his heart involuntarily grow warm
and generous, look about!  There are scores of young




SCHOOL-LIFE-UPS AND DOWNS.           59
men this day, contending with even greater discouragements, but manfully combating them, because it is
duty. Some fall: some exhaust their energies in climbing up upon the " wall of Zion," and have little strength
to "blow the trumpet."
But let us see what a youth does, who has no way
to earn six dollars, yet will not starve, and yet is determined not to leave his post.
" -      I therefore concluded to board myself, as
the only alternative. This I did, occupying my room
in the Institution. I had no conveniences for cooking,
(!) and therefore lived upon crackers and milk. Kept
a good appetite, and enjoyed perfect health.  This
term I was in doubt what to do. I made unsuccessful
efforts to obtain a'place,' hesitated till the last moment,
and finally —am boarding myself."...
Iie evidently feels that his course requires some
apology.
"It seems utterly impossible for me to keep up my
studies, and at the same time earn $1.50 a week; especially at this season of the year, when scarcely any
work is to be had but wood-sawing-which, at 75 cents
per cord for sawing twice and splitting, does not pay
very well. I cannot tell how I am to pay my way, and
extricate myself from debt, though I now board at half
the expense of commons.  I have no one here to rely
upon. I must be independent...
"My advantages I now feel to be uncommonly good,




60       SCHOOL-LIFE —UPS AND DOWNS.
and I should be loth to leave the school at present. I
can pay at least half my board-perhaps more. 
" Thus you have everything, and I shall wait anxiously
to hear what you shall think best. If I remain, I shall
endeavor to gain all I can of knowledge, money, and
grace. If I leave —I know nothing."...
The conclusion is, that he determines to remain,
eating crackers and milk — (with pork now added, probably requiring a small expenditure for cooking utensils)
and trusting in Providence.
Meanwhile he thinks he is "much prospered-health
good-studies interesting"-he himself "more interested in maintaining religious exercises"-and full of
affection for his "priceless home."
November 12th he gives the statistics for the term
then closing. His board has cost eight dollars. He
finds attending school "more expensive than he had
expected, and to one situated as he is, involving
vastly more responsibility and anxiety."  "Sometimes,"
he adds, "I get down-hearted and almost discouraged,
when I think how great a burden I am to my friends,
while I ought to be independent, if not aiding them.
Still I do feel that I am following the path of duty, and
it is my hope and prayer that I and my friends may
live till I shall be able to repay, in some slight measure,
their unmerited favors."
"The fact that I am deprived of some enjoyments,
causes me to realize for what object it is that I am




SCHOOL-LIFF —UPS AND DOWNS.          61
placed here: not to occupy time merely, but to gain
an education. I just begin to feel this as I should. I
have golden opportunities, and I do feel desirous"-now
he is ambitious-" that the world may receive some
benefit from it. I know God will require this."
More, perhaps, than was important, has been allowed
to appear concerning K.'s struggles with pecuniary
embarrassments; but it has been with the purpose
that the religious reader may have the opportunity of
seeing precisely how young men, in many instances, are
educated for the ministry: through what hardships
many of them find their way to the pulpits of churches,
where critical congregations demand polish as well as
piety in the minister. Help them to obtain the culture
you demand.




CHAPTER V.
RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
IN answer to inquiries respecting his own religious
condition, he thus writes:
" SEPTEMBER 11.
"MY DEAR FATHER.-YOU wish to know my religious
state of mind. I will endeavor to inform you as exactly and honestly as I can.
"' I endeavored, when I came here, to take my stand
at once boldly and openly as a Christian, both in the
Institution and in the public prayer-meetings: I thus
pledged myself, and have not regretted it since.
The three meetings in the Institution I have invariably
attended, and in one of them have always taken part.
I also attend the weekly church-meetings, and the
covenant-meeting on Saturday.  In the last I have
invariably endeavored to present a correct view of my
growth in grace..... I fear you will think I am
contenting myself with these dead forms, and introducing now these statements for the purpose of justifying myself, while my heart is cold and indifferent.
You will say, I have not yet come to the heart, from
which proceedeth good or evil..... I cannot help
feeling verily guilty before God.  I know that I am
exceedingly cold.  I fear that I have not been making
any great advancement, if any, in grace. The Christian




RELIGION IN SCHOOL —A REVIVAL.          63
cannot remain stationary-then where am I?"  [How
could he know, then, that God was carrying on the
work of grace within him, by the very process of discovering to him his imperfection?  "Men may rise on
stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher things."]
"Much depends, in such circumstances as mine, on
the character of one's room-mate. For a few days I
was with a true Christian; afterwards with one who
professed the name of Christ; but more than profession
was not to be found, and I heard irreligious young men
laugh at the idea of his calling himself a C/hristian.
They saw through the thin veil. At present I room
with a young man half a dozen years my senior, and
not a professor of religion. I however pursue my own
course, as if I were alone, and he is never in the least
disposed to ridicule or question the propriety of my
exercises.
"Many things I have had to learn by experience:
one is, I must be independent.  In pursuing a course of
study, I must make myself, and not expect to be made;
and so, also, if I am ever saved, I must save myself;and I may with propriety add the words,' from this
untoward generation.'
"I thank you for your letters, and the character of
them. I need to be reminded and stirred up. Since
the first night that I attended meeting here, not an
individual hag expressed to me a word on the subject
of religion; nor would any one, if I were to remain
here for years, unless there should be a great change in
the state of affairs." [Was he himself equally negligent? His schoolmates answer that no such guilt attached to him.]




64      RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
" I find pleasure-satisfaction-in taking my Bible;
so in prayer too; still I cannot find that warmth and
fervor and zeal that the Christian doubtless may enjoy."
There is much in that letter that deserves attention.
Perhaps the whole deserves to be read again by any
young man-especially any young Christian-away
from home. Depend upon it, in that letter is revealed
the key to success; and in it also is a warning of the
way to disgrace, contempt, and ruin. Ye true-hearted
Christians, in the midst of temptations and discouragements, take courage; be " independent," and work out
your own salvation. Ye half-Christians, weak, vacillating, conscious of secret hypocrisy, take warning. Your
"thin veil" will be " seen through."  And how is it in
schools and colleges?  Shall young men enter them
and be able to remain " years" without being addressed
on the subject of religion?  Religion ought to be the
power in such places. It might easily be so, with' conscientiousness, resolution, and faith on the part of its
professors.
Who can estimate the difference between looking
back, as Kingman could, upon a school and college
course in which the great aim of glorifying God was
not lost sight of, either' in monkish devotion to books
and solitude, or in the reckless pursuit of ungodly excitements and frivolous pleasures; and the gloomy
remembrances which haunt many, of time worse than
wasted, influence given for Satan, and habits contracted




RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.           65
which fetter and drag down the soul ever after in its
efforts to rise towards Heaven! Hear also a few words
from the next epistle:TO HIS MOTHER.
" SEPTEMBER 18.
"I think that father's letters, with yours, have been
instrumental in awakening in me a much better state
of religious feeling. We have among the many new
students this term several who are professors of religion,
and of them one young man who is an active Christian,
which is saying a great deal for Suffield.
" I can thoroughly bear you out in your remark concerning lifeless, back-slidden professors of religion. I
have myself seen that they are a withering curse to the
cause of religion; and I have heard irreligious young
men ridicule the very idea of such and such a one being
a Christian.  God grant that I may be saved from such
inconsistency!"
After a short visit, in a vacation, to his friends in
Saybrook, he writes:
" Reluctantly I left the place where I had spent a
week so pleasantly, in the midst of friends, to become
once more an outcast from  friends.  However, I felt
that I was called once more, by the voice of stern duty,
to work. And I resolved that I would work, and so far
from allowing my mind to be turned aside by pleasure
and new friends, I would work the harder, that I might
merit the respect and approbation of friends. The path
of duty is what I wish for..... My chum has come




66      RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
this term filled with the Spirit, having been in the
midst of a revival. There is a better state of things in
this church-a spirit of prayer.
" I have formed a resolution to be second to no classmate in any recitation.  How well I fulfil it, it is not for
me to say. I don't want to prove entirely unworthy
of the favors showered upon me."
Hie writes again:
" Alas! if I could only fully realize what I know to
be true, that there is no time for action like the present,
nor any situation in which I can expect to be placed
more favorable for glorifying God!
" I could wish that my mind were in a more devoted
state. I need a revival of religion in my soul. My
lamp:burns but dimly, so many influences are there to
diminish the brightness of its flame. It is in some
degree as we feared, the world occupies too large a
portion of my thoughts. I am determined to do all I
can in study, but I would rather give up everything
else than not maintain my piety. I would not, I dare
not lose that, even though all else go. You know how
apt I am to be the mere creature of impulse and feeling.
I must learn to look more at the state of my soul in
general, and less to my feelings at any particular moment.  Thank you heartily for your inquiries and
remarks. I need to be often reminded of these things."
Hitherto none but gloomy representations have come
to us of the state of religious feeling at Suffield. But
now, suddenly, a new day dawns. We need only K.'s




RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A -REVIVAL.         67
account to bring the changed aspect of affairs distinctly
before us.
TO A SISTER.
" MONDAY, Dec. 16th.
"DEAR C.-I write with very different feelings from
those I expressed Saturday evening. The Spirit of
God is among us. Yesterday we had solemn preaching, especially in the afternoon. The previous Sabbath
Mr. I. commenced a series of sermons on the Reception
of Christ, answering the three great questions-why,
when, and how sinners should receive Christ. Yesterday was the when, and he indeed seemed, as it is expressed in the words of an eloquent preacher, to have
prepared the discourse'continually hearing the surges
of eternity beating against his study door'; for, as
matter of fact, the preparation was constantly interrupted by the cries of a dying friend in the next room.
After the evening meeting I was in my room. Who
should enter but two young men with whom I was
more familiar than with any others, companions with
ivhom I had spent many an hour of lightness and trifling mirth. They are youths of fine appearance and
high talents, and we have formed an inseparable trio.
But on what an errand were they now come! Almost
the first words that saluted my ears were-' Well, Nott,
we feel solemn to-night; here's S. and I have become
very much interested in the subject of religion, and as
we've always been together, I thought I would come
and talk with you a little: I find nothing does so much
good as to be perfectly frank.' 0, the thrill of joy and




68      RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
surprise, mingled with a deep sense of guilty neglect,
that shot through my soul! That night was spent by
us, with some others of the Institution, in prayer, and
such prayer! We heard also the voice of one who
never before had prayed, beseeching mercy on his companion and himself.
"The other could not yield-declared himself perfectly insensible. Satan was busily at work, and though
I reasoned, and plead, and prayed with him until near
the midnight hour, he could not pray.  His impressions, however, have not by any means left him, and I
pray with g2reat faith.
" So you see those social prayer meetings I desired
so much, but as I thought almost in vain, are likely to
come, after all.
"I'  cannot forbear looking forward to a few years
hence, and seeing these young men employing their
talents and education in turning the souls of men to
God. Both are preparing for Yale."
A prophetic faith! One of these young men is now
the Rev. Theron Brown, who preaches the gospel at
South Framingham, Mass. The second who "could
not pray," was not converted till years after, but is at
the present date, 1860, a student of theology in the
Union Seminary in New York. Both, therefore, are
giving "their talents and education" to the work of
"turning the souls of men to Christ."




RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.         69
REMINISCENCES FURNISHED BY REV. THERON BROWN.
4" It was during the early part of the summer of 1850,
while a student at Suffield, Connecticut, that I observed
a young stranger, plainly but neatly dressed, and With
blue eyes and luxuriant brown hair, seated upon one of the
front forms in the Academy Chapel, at evening prayers.
" I did not seek his acquaintance at first, for he was
more than a year in advance of me as a scholar, and I
supposed he and myself could have nothing in common.
But chance soon brought us together, and it was not
long before an intimacy sprung up between Kingman
Nott and me, which deeply influenced both our lives,
and gladdened eight years of mine with the dearest
privilege in the whole history of my fiiendships.
" I wonder how we could have been so familiar; for,
when I first associated with him, I cared very little
about religion; while he, though two years my junior,
was an experienced and consistent Christian. We read
and wrote together; we worked and played together;
we kept'bachelor's hall' together, and together we
rambled over the country on foot between the school
terms: but there was one thing in which I could not
join him. I could not pray; and I now remember with
peculiar emotion when he used to kneel by the bedside
at night, and ask God to bless him and me, while I
indifferently went to sleep. Kingman loved me, but
I could not know then how much he longed to see me
a Christian. I trust he had the desire of his heart.
During December of 1850, a sermon was blessed to my
awakening, and in Kingman's room, after a week of




70      RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
struggle and helplessness, I heard one night the forgiving voice of a Saviour. Overjoyed, my impulsive
friend led me to Mr. H.'s study, and there, at that late
hour, three glad hearts, teacher and pupils, offered up
each a thankful prayer to God."
The following is from the friend who "could not
pray" —now a student of theology. It is part of a letter
addressed to Kingman, dated New Have-n, Feb. 1, 1857.
" MY DEAR NOTT.
" o you remember writing to a certain firiend one
year ago last November, and in that letter saying,'Flee to Christ.'  That friend has done it!   And
you asked too,' Are you a pardoned sinner?' I answer,' Yes!' and I'look forward  to a higher, happier
future,' and'with a hope well grounded in Christ
Jesus.' O Nott, that I could see you an hour only,
if no more, and talk with you as a Christian brother!
I know not whether you remember me as a friend, on
account of my long neglect; but I must write, for I
know you well enough to believe that you will be happy
to greet me as a brother in Christ.... Suffice it to say,
that the Spirit of God has shined into my heart; His
love has melted me to repentance, and His mercy has
pardoned me. Love, peace, and joy, are welling up firom
a purified fountain; and I pray God that from these
may flow out a pure life.-Yours etc.,
S.,,
We append to the chapter one or two letters.
Here is a letter to his youngest sister, then eight




RELIGION IN SCHOOL —A REVIVAL.         71
years old. The characters are printed so that she can
read them. The words, moreover are nearly all Saxon,
and of one syllable. More than that, his heart is in it.
"Oct. 17.
"DEAR LITTLE LIZZIE.
" I want you to tell father and mother, C. and L., and
little Georgie, that I have not had a word from home
for more than two weeks. Now, since all the rest seem
to have forgotten brother Kingman, I thought, perhaps,
I had better write to you, and I want you to try to get
some one to write for you to me. You can tell me all
about home, and whether darling Georgie is stouter
and plays better since his visit to Bath. Tell me what
you are studying, and how you like it; whether you
get all your lessons well, and try to help mother all
you can. When I come again I must teach you how to
write, so that you can write to me whenever you please.
" Last Saturday was a holiday, and I went to Hartford. I visited the' Antiquarian Hall,' where I saw a
vast number of very curious things. I have also got
some acorn. cups for you and Cordie from the famous
Charter Oak.
"I sometimes feel very sad when I think that you
are not a Christian, and not prepared to die. If any of
the others should die, I could feel that they were happy
in Heaven, where you know we have a dear mother
and four darling little brothers. But this is not all or
the most. There is a precious Saviour there, who is
perfectly holy, and all who enter that place must be
holy too. Are you holy? Perhaps you may think that
you may be good enough; that you have never done




'72     RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
anything very wrong; but you do not know your own
heart, and it is enough that Christ has said you are a
sinner, and that unless you repent you cannot be saved.
Perhaps you want to know then, how you are to repent.
Christ died for you, and you have only to cast your
sins upon Him. If you do not understand, know, and
feel, you have only to ask him, and he will grant you
his Holy Spirit to teach you all things."
[The whole Gospel is summed up in that paragraph,
reader; everything needed to save-not the righteous
-but a sinner.]
" I hope and pray that you will think a great deal
of these things, and will pray a great deal for Christ
to show you your sinfulness, and make you a true
follower of Him and an heir of Heaven.
"Now  I have something for you to do. Give a
kiss for me to all, give Georgie at least a dozen, if the
rest will not be envious; then take for yourself as
many as you give all the rest, if you can add it up
yourself.
"Your affectionate brother,
"KINGMAN.:'
TO A DEAR FRIEND.
"January 2.
" For a week or two past I have been almost wholly
absorbed with the study of my own character, and the
nature and requirements of true Christianity.... It is
with a heart melting with penitence and with gratitude,
that I tell you that the Holy Spirit is in the midst of
us. I fear, dear -, that I may incur your censure




RIELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.         73
for what you may consider a stepping out of my place.
I wish not to reprove or advise, but I must say that my
anxiety for your spiritual welfare has been, at times,
intense. Where are the resolutions you expressed in
your last? I know you cannot be actively engaged in
the service of our Master, nor is your spirit refreshed
by the light of our Saviour's countenance. Yet yoa
are acquainted with all the motives which urge to
Christian activity; you know  their number, their
weight; and what can I say more? I shall continue
to be earnest and frequent in prayer for you; and shall
do so with more freedom, when I shall be sure that
you know I am  endeavoring from day to day to pray
in your behalf.
"For my own part, I desire to be found at work. I
have been idle long enough. 0 how glorious to me is
the thought of doing something for the glory of God,
and of being made the instrument of saving deathless
spirits from everlasting woe, and raising them to comnmunion with the infinitely Holy God; God nerve me
for the work."
In a memorandum under date of Jan. 26, 1851, the
anniversary of his conversion, he writes: "'Tis to-day
two years since I was enabled by the grace of God to
surrender my helpless soul into the hands of Him who
formed it, and who died to redeem it. I have recalled
the vows made at that period, and entered into a
renewal of them, consecrating myself afresh to God.
"In a review of the past year, I am excited to great
gratitude, on the one hand, that I am still in the exercise of a hope, founded, I trust, on Christ, that should
7




RELIGION IN SCHOOL-A REVIVAL.
I now be called to tihe spirit land, my soul could greet
her Saviour with heavenly rapture.' Oh! that hopehow bright, how glorious!'
" On the other hand, I am compelled to confess that
I have made but little advancement in the divine life.
My circumstances have been completely changed. Removed from  my beloved home and church, I have
come among strangers. I have been freed from many
restraints, and thrown among very different classes of
associates, etc. 0, I need to pray without ceasing!
A great work is before me. Christ himself displays
the glittering crown.
" The prime antidote to declension and coldness will
be found in communion with God. I wish to guard
well this point.
"0  for more entire consecration to God! Let me
devote all to  Him. May I guard against idleness, as
the avenue to every vice, and strive to fit my soul for
the service of God on earth, and His praises in
Heaven.'




CHAPTER VI.
CALL TO PREACH-A PILGRIMAGE.
KINGMAN had not yet decided upon his future profession, but simply held himself at the disposal of his
Master. But at this time he received his " call."  The
account is given in the following letter to his father:
"March 24, 1851....."You will no doubt be glad to hear that your
absent son is enjoying the influence of the Holy Spirit
more fully than for some time. I must again thank you
and mother for that New Year's gift [Life of Taylor].
I fully believe that its precious pages have been a nmeans
of increasing in some degree my religious strength, and
confirming my principles.
" A week ago yesterday was perhaps one of the most
eventful Sabbaths I ever passed. I never listened with
more intense interest to the preaching of the word. In
the afternoon we were addressed by Mr. Bertram, a
missionary from St. Helena. He told us his tale briefly,
and made an earnest appeal to the young men; but nothing spoke so loud to me, or forced such weight upon
me, as the facts and my own reflections."
[There follows an account of Mr. Bertram's missionary
operations in St. Helena.]




76      CALL TO PREACI.-v —A PILGRIMAGE.
He continues: " It is wonderful how much God
may be pleased to accomplish by the instrumentality
of a single man, unaided, except by divine power!
"You well know that' my mind has never been settled upon any vocation for life.  Though I have for
some time been bent on acquiring an education, and
have felt desirous of employing it for the service of my
Master, yet I have never decided in what particular way
to employ it-simply because I was unable to determine whether it was my duty to preach the gospel, or
to engage in a secular calling; and thus I have been
always waiting for some future event, in God's own
time, to direct me right. For a week past my mind has
been occupied with these thoughts. Saturday morning,
bright and beautiful, ushered in by the, familiar notes
of the returned robins, was a solemn and yet joyous
time for me. An hour and a quarter before breakfast
was spent in a grove in prayer and reflection with
reference to my commencing the eighteenth year of
my life.  What constitutes a call to preach the Gospel?
My notions are changed, whether for right or wrong
you can determine. Is it a special, and, to the uninitiated, a mysterious revelation, that it is the will of the
Deity to constitute one an ambassador for Chlrist? If so,
I am yet in the dark. Or, does the command to the
Apostles,'Go ye into all the world and preach the
Gospel to every creature,' make it binding on every
Christian to do all in his power, in his own sphere,
to further the execution of this command, until it be
accomplished? If so, then, let him who has love for
souls and love for Christ, and intellectual and physical
abilities, and who, the cost being counted, comes to a




CALL TO PREACH-A PILGRIMAGE.           77
deliberate and firm  conclusion that he is ready to
endure the cross, relying on God alone for support, go
forward and preach the Gospel as a door shall be
opened! If this is it, then I do think I can firmly say,'Here I am, Lord, prepare and send me.'
"Great and self-denying is the work; and I suppose,
too, that my present conceptions are but faint compared
with the reality; but great also are the motives for undertaking the work, and great the Power on whom we may
lean, and to whom look for guidance."
The subject is continued in another letter, and his
own aspirations more exactly defined.
TO THE SAME.
"April 14.
"I was very glad to receive your kind letter, and to
find that your views upon the subject introduced are
similar to those which I had somewhat timidly entertained.
"I had not considered that in giving myself to the
work of an evangelist, or preacher of the Gospel, the
office of pastor was. included. In fact, to speak freely,
I have not by any means decided upon that, or been
led to look upon it as the office which I am to fill. I
do not think it adapted to me, from this consideration;
it affords too great temptations to my pride and fondness of display. I am very fond of speaking; and a
pulpit and pastorate at home would not offer a safe
position to me, in this age of worldliness and formality.
I have often thought of the colporteur's work as an
intermediate step; but if my present views do not alter,
7*




78      CALL TO PREACH-A PILGRIMAGE.
nor something unforeseen oppose, my course shall be
to seek out some dark —darkest corner of this planet,
where the light of revelation has never penetrated.
This is my ambition.
" The thought of the stupidity of men in this country,
whose slumbering consciences give them no trouble,
nor awake at the sound of the revelations of God's
word, affects my heart; but when I think of human
beings created on a level with the rest of mankind, who
know not even that there is a God, that there is a
Saviour, or any need of salvation; nay, nor that they
have souls, and are to exist after death, I cannot rest...
"I hope I may be guided aright-kept both from
erroneous views and sinful practices. That this may be
so, I ask, and know that I shall have your prayers."
These expressions of longings for a distant and difficult
field of toil, were not the vague language of youthful
and uninstructed enthusiasm.
If a romantic fancy gave unreal coloring to the pictures he drew of future self-sacrifice and labor, yet the
outlines of these sketches were traced with a firm and
true hand. His zeal was genuine and holy: and though
differently directed in after life than he had anticipated,
it burned as purely and warmly in New York as it would
have done in Burmah.
The Spring vacation was occupied with a pedestrian
tour-a sort of pious pilgrimage: i.e. a visit to a venerable relative, the late Rev. Dr. Nott, of Franklin, Conn.,
a brother of Dr. Nott of Schenectady. At the time of




CALL TO PREACH —A PILGRIMAGE.           79
the visit he was considerably past ninety; he died at
the age of ninety-nine. The letter descriptive of the
visit is so graphic, and intrinsically so interesting, that
we quote portions. See his hearty, honest enthusiasm,
not afraid to express itself, and compelled to resort to
plentiful italics and triple exclamation points!
"May 12th, 1851.
" DEAR FATHER," I have seen him! that most venerable patriarch!
My long-cherished desire has finally, in the good
providence of God, been gratified, and I have looked
upon, conversed with, and received instruction from, the
reverend man, Dr. Nott, of Franklin!!!
" But perhaps your first inquiry may be,' How came
you here?' Do not be displeased with your runaway
son, and all shall be explained. With umbrella and
carpet-bag I left Suffield last Wednesday morning with
the crowd, but though I strove to make it seem like
vacation, and leaving school for home, and to appear
like the rest of the company, I could not help realizing
the sad difference.  While others were indulging in
unbounded glee,' Oh, I'm going home! home! home!'
my lot was different."
He spends the bight in Hartford, and next morning,
to continue his own account: "I slung my carpet-bag
on my umbrella over my shoulder, and set out for
Franklin, thirty-six miles distant.' Labor imlprobus
omnia vincit, nec aspera terrent,' and when these mottoes did not suffice, -Dr. Nott did.  At last I actually
reached the top of the everlastingly long hill, stood by
the neat little meeting-house, and was soon, with a




80       CALL TO PREACH-A PILGRIMAGE.
burning face and quick-beating heart, trudging up the
old lane, till I came in sight of the old mansion."
He enters, and "Soon the door opened, and in came
the oldest man I had ever seen. He walked with a tall
cane, his hair was literally white, he wore the old smallclothes, etc. I met him in the middle of the room and
shook hands.'Well, I don't know who you are,' he
said, in a shrill clear voice, very pleasantly. I told him
my name was Nott.  He seemed mightily pleased, and
said,' Well, I'm glad to see you for your name's sake.
Pray, to what family of the Notts do you belong?''I'm  son of Handel Nott.''Oh, we all know Handel
Nott!!' This news pleased the Dr. very much.'I'm
glad to see you for your father's sake, ant for your sake.
Then he told of his boyish clays (before the Revolutionary war); his father's house burning, and his mother
pulling him out by the hair of his head and throwing
him on the green, etc.' Why,' said he,'it seems but
a little while since I was a boy, running about Pettipang.' As soon as I had satisfied his inquiries about
Handel, and he had got to talking, he would forget the
whole, and again ask me the same round of questions,' Whose son are you?' etc.
"The Dr. is in his study as much as ever. Reads
much of the time and'without glasses!  Selects his texts
and writes parts of sermons!!  Pores over his old
manuscripts a great deal. He still attends meeting
twice on the Sabbath rain or shine; sits in the pulpit;
often makes the last prayer. He kneels and prays with
his family daily. His prayers are the most pointed and
excellent I ever heard, and as varied in form and expression as ever!




CALL TO PIRECII-A PILGRIiMAGE.       81
"He thinks he preaches now constantly.  WThat
astonishes me as much as anything is his constant goodnature and flow of spirits. He exhibits ten times the life
and energy in his talk that one half of our young ministers
do. Nothing ruffles or displeases him in the least. Ile
always turns off everything unpleasant with some pithy
hit and a laugh. He waits on himself in almost everything. If he wants more fire he will hobble off, get
wood and fuss about the stove at a great rate.
"The Dr. seemed quite brisk last evening-telling
about his long life, ministry, great changes, etc.; and as
hle spoke of'fitting a great many for college,' I took
this opportunity of introducing myself again, by saying,'You fitted my father for college.'' Ah, I don't know
whose son you are, I'm sure,' he said, laughing.' Handel
Nott's.' IIe took my arm  in his withered hand and
shook it long and heartily, at the same time laughing
for pleasure and saying,'Ah, I did not know I had one
of my cousins here!' Then he wanted to know how I
came, etc., etc. Being told I came the day before, he
said he did not remember it, and referred to his'bewildering cold.' Poor old man! this has been his complaint for a long time; to this he refers the wasting
away of his once powerful mind.
"This afternoon I had the most lively conversation
with him of all. IHe asked me the customary round of
questions. When he inquired about your occupation
I varied my usual reply of'a minister' and said,'A  Baptist minister.''A  Baptist! well, that's a
rarity! that's out of the line! I wonder how he came
to be a Baptist! Well I hope he will make a good
one!'.... He likes to tell of the changes he has




82      CALL TO PREACH —A PILGRIM5AGE.
passed through in his long life:-blackslnith, slioemaker  and tanner, school-master,-' went through
College, and, as the Irishman said, had to work my
own passage;-then, after I got through, I put my
brother Eliphalet through;-fitted a great many for
college, and been a minister a long time.'
"A long time indeed!  Seventy years has he been
pastor of this church! He says,' It seems but a short
time to look back when I preached my first sermon
here. The text is now in mind, " I ask, therefore, for
what intent ye have sent for me?" The people all
stared a time, for I announced the words before I told
them  the place. Those who were then here have
passed away. Not one of those who asked me to
settle here is now living. The present senior deacon
of my church was born the same year I came here.
Well, we must all die, or grow old'....
"To-day he asked me,'And what are you?' The
question took me wholly by surprise-I laughed, and
told him I was a student.'Fitting for college, hey?'
I told him I was.'Well, I hope you will do better
than any of your predecessors.' This I felt set my
mark high."
On his return from his pleasant excursion he thus
expresses his resolutions for the next term.
TO HIS FATHER.
May 23, 1851.
"I suppose you may wish to be apprised of my safe
return to my'post,' and entrance upon the duties of




CALL TO PREACH-A PILGRIMAGE.          83
another quarter......I never entered upon studies
with more ardor. I have a definite object now in view
(the ministry), my purpose is fixed-and it is the most
worthy and noble that ever fired the breast of an
ambitious youth. I delight in my work, and in the
consciousness of God's assistance and grace, in answer
to my unworthy prayers. I hope I may be kept by His
grace, directed by His Spirit in the path of usefulness,
and finally taken to Himself.
" I am disappointed in each letter from home, not to
hear of a revival in my church at home. I feel attached
to that body and that people, and it is my prayer that
my father's labors there may be blessed by the conversion of souls.....
" Mr. Woodbury tells me he wants me to do something transcendental this-the last quarter....
"Let me hear from  home each week; and with
studies and work, the changing weather and exciting
scenes, the eleven weeks will soon flit away, and the
7th of August arrive to bear me through the Old Bay
State to rocky K —port. Provided that God's good
providence shall so order."




CHAPTER VIII.
RESOLUTENE~S —" I MUST HAVE AN EDUCATION"-THE
ANNIVERSARY-RECOLLECTIONS.
As the end of the school-year approached, the question began to be discussed, whether it would be possible
for Kingman to continue his course, as he had intended.
Wvould not a partial course suffice? Would not a year
or two more at Suffield answer the necessary purposes,
without incurring the expense and pecuniary risk of
going to college? No doubt, the most thorough training was desirable, but how if it could not be procured?
To all this, Kingman replied by reiterating his unconquerable determinations; and the correspondence on
his part displays so remarkably the resoluteness of his
character, his enterprise, and happy faculty of looking
on the bright side, and making the best of circumstances, that we quote liberally.
There was involved in his project, the wish to go to
Yale.  This was overruled: the other portions of his
plan he carried by main force.
" June 6, 1851.
"  MY DEAR PARENTS,
"I have for some time been desirous of talking
with my friends with relation to my future course; still,




RESOLUTENESS.                 85
as your wishes were not known to me, I have refrained.
Of late, I have been inquiring and pondering with relation to the advantages and expense of various colleges,
compared with each other, and with the advanced
course at Suffield.
"A letter received to-day damps my spirits and discourages me not a little.  But pray consider....'I
stand with my occupation for life now immovably fixed
upon. I can say immovably, because my purpose seems
to grow stronger and deeper daily; and it is a source,
too, of constant satisfaction and pleasure.
" It is dear to me, as the lofty-laid plans of any aspiring youth. Now, I propose to express to you my own
desires, and leave it with you to see whether my plans
are, in your opinion, practicable. In a word, I am bent
on obtaining a thorough and complete collegiate education....
"The difficulty, the main obstruction in your mind,
I suppose is-expense!' Now, I cannot believe that it
will cost more to go to college than to remain here: —
at any rate, but very little more...
"I have my denominational prejudices, to a certain
extent, regarding colleges; still, colleges are not, I suppose, practically different to the student. To Yale College I have very strong attachments.  I know not what
your views and wishes are.  Mother's remark, I shall
never forget; it awakened a thrill.'You can then go
[after teaching a year or two, as was then proposed] to
what college you please; you can go to Yale.' Not
only the long standing and lofty reputation of this institution move me; but its shades seem very peculiarly
sacred and endeared, because previous Notts, not with8




86               RESOLUTENESS.
out distinction, and my own father dwelt among
them.
TO THE SAME, A FEW DAYS LATER.
"Thanks for your letter; but I must confess, that I,had some hopes of hearing something more conclusive.
However, I felt the reasonableness of the considerations
you urged; and when I had read your letter and mother's, I'half concluded that it was best to give up all
my fond plans for going to Yale, yielding without a
word to the wishes and advice of friends.
"The most important point, however, seems to me
to lie back of all that has been said; and having pondered your inquiries, as I am able, and prayed for the
directing influences of the Spirit, I shall endeavor to
state to you as freely, and as candidly as I can —just
my state of mind, my hopes and desires, and what
they are founded on.
"1 am not my own. I owe a debt of gratitude to
my Redeemer, greater than it is in my'power to repay, and I feel desirous of doing what I can to promote his glory. This end, I believe, I can most effectually attain by preaching the Gospel. I love the work.
I glory in it. I am determined to engage in it.  This
point is, in my own mind, firmly settled, and my prayer
is,'may God nerve and fit me for it, and make me instrumental in the salvation of dying souls.' I believe I
am a Christian; I believe I have been led by the Spirit; I believe God has called me to this work; and
my present work is, to prepare my mind and heart for
engaging most advantageously in it.
"Accordingly, I am anxious to obtain a thorough




RESOLUTENESS.                87
education. How, and where can I best accomplish
that?  -The heart, I believe, can be cultivated at one
college as well as at another. Then, how and where
can I best cultivate what intellectual faculties God
has given me?  An important inquiry!-because, supposing the heart to be right, I can accomplish the more
in proportion as my mind becomes trained; for, my
powers of doing will thus become greater; and certainly my influence among men of the present age
will, in no small degree, depend upon my standing
as a man, independently of my religion.
"With these views, I endeavor to stand-waiting as
patiently as possible to discover an open way-the path
of duty.
" Yet, I have a word or two to say about colleges, or
I shall not have told you all.  I do not wish to go
counter to your wishes, or to reason, etc. etc........... Now the point in my own mind is this-Can you
give me your consent to go to Yale, and provide me
with a hundred dollars a year, as you mentioned?
[Through the aid of his uncle.]
" Is it unreasonable to suppose that, with this assistance, I could get along for one year? I really think
not. Let me at least make a trial. Of course all will
depend on my doing well.  If a student gains the
confidence of the Faculty, he will not be obliged to
leave on account of poverty. God has, I believe, given
me the powers to excel, or at least to do well, and I will.
" My' spending money' would not be a large sum.
My clothing will, in considerable part, come from my
predecessors. I can board myself, if necessary. In the
vacations, I can do something as book agent.




8                R IESOLUTENESS.
" But besides all these things, my opinion regarding
one point has changed within some months. I zused to
think that I never should be willing to be connected
with the Education Society. It cut my pride to think
of being dependent on strangers, and bound to pursue a
ce'tain profession. Since I was led to form the purpose
of preaching, my feelings, directed, I trust, by the Spirit
of God, have changed. Anxious to serve him, I desire
to lay hold of the best advantages he presents me, to
fit myself most adequately for the work.
"It seems as though I had almost been but dabbling
till within but a short time. I know young men are
apt to be impatient to enter upon public life. I wish
not to be hasty or unreasonable.
"But, parents dear, my work of intellectual preparation will be a long one. God has given me some mind,
and whatever it is, I mean to cultivate it as much as isin my power.
"' I have myself the fullest confidence and faith that,
could I but gain your consent to start, I could get
through, by kind Providence.
"I am fast passing to eighteen;-the time seems too
short which will make me a man.
"O! I need every moment, and every advantage I can
gain, to prepare for my arduous work. If I am wild
and unreasonable, tell me and check me. The subject
is not presented without previous study, close calculation, reliable information. If my friends deem it absolutely necessary that I keep out another year, I shall
strive to acquiesce without murmuring. I would not
have my parents do more than they have done. I trust
not to manifest the least ingratitude or want of appre



JRESOLUTENESS.               89
ciation of their exertions. May I prove worthy of
them."
Here strong hope comes to him:
"June 17.
MY DEAR FATHER,"Thank you for your kind letter, advice and eincouragement-which so far exceeded my expectations
that I almost wept tears of joy. I feel now a good
degree of hope, and have set about the work of reviewing and preparing in earnest; for if I go, I do not want
to be lost among the vast crowd of youthful aspirants,
and the time is very short. I am waiting in suspense
to know whether you succeed in your kind endeavors
on my behalf; if so, I have no fears as to getting along.
I have been making liberal estimates of expenses at
Yale. There are young men there who have sustained
themselves entirely during their course by teaching
classes in New Haven,"' etc., etc.
And here is disappointment:
" July 15.
"I now hasten to reply, as the matter seems settled
for the present.
"So I must give up my too fondly cherished plan for
going to Yale, and retracing my father's steps. I am
willing to yield to the better judgment of my friends,
anxious not to appear bent upon my own course, or
ungrateful for favors shown."
It was settled, however, that he should go to college,
and that without delay.
8*




90               RESOLUTENESS.
The "Anniversary" now came, with its scenes of excitement and, to Kingman, of bewildering delight. The
poor student, who had had little but industry and faith,
and that word of power, which was better than any
talisman, DUTY, had prevailed. He had fought his way
through.
Now he is a "graduate!" He has a seat, for the
first time, upon a public platform, and-novel experience
-is a public speaker! He stands before the great
audience-in his queer and threadbare coat-the loveliness of his soul making itself radiant upon his facehimself forgetful of himself. Soon he holds the people
by an unexpected spell-there is applause-and he has
the joy of a first oratorical triumph.
In a crumpled old Programme we read thus:' MUSIO.
"12. The Classics the Foundation of English Literature.
"A. KINGMAN NOTT, Kennebunkport, Me."
Underneath is written, in a stranger's hand,
"You do Nott need praise, but you merit it."
And a torn, irregular scrap of paper, that was found




RESOLUTENESS.               91
tucked carefully away in the pocket of a much be-scribbled little memorandum-book for 1851, evidently was
precious for a lady's compliment.
"I am very glad that my native state has produced
one of the best speakers on this occasion."
Now good-bye to Suffield. The expected 7th of
August " rolls him through the beautiful Old Bay State
to- rocky Kennebunkport." The friends are all there
whom he has not seen for more than a year, "and now,"
he exclaims, " are we not almost happy!"
Now there is a long vacation and rest: —rambles,
swimming, boating, berrying again, and preaching too,
after the old fashion which he has not forgotten.
Kingman's friend, Theron Brown, thus continues the
" Reminiscences" from which we have already quoted.
" I need not say how much more intimate and precious was my fellowship with Kingman after this
change.  Our intercourse was now entirely without
restraint.... Kingman went to College and left me
alone, for I did not find another friend like him-so
tender,. so sincere, so generous to all my faults, so perfectly genial in temper, and refined in taste.....
" Kingman never alluded to Suffield in his subsequent
letters without expressing the strongest affection for the
scenes and persons that he remembered there. It was
there that he, the scholar, the orator, and the youthful
Christian, exhibited a picture of his life of single purpose.




92                 RESOLUTIONS.
And though I saw him in the winter of'55-6 more
manly in appearance, and more keen in the use of his
many acquirements, yet he had not materially changed.
It was at Suffield that he learned self-dependence amid
the praises and the little envies of schoolmates, and it
was here thathe exercised his boyish eloquence in the
excitements of youthful debate, and his scarcely less
impassioned exhortations to impenitent associates. It
was in Suffield that I formed the estimate of his character which I still cherish after the confirmation of six
years' correspondence. I never saw a man of so much
meekness.  He seemed to me to be utterly incapable
of revenge. I never saw a man wear honor with a
better grace. I never saw a man who at so early an
age had so much singleness of heart joined to so much
polish of mind. In brief, I never saw a man who commended himself in so many points to my affection and
esteem.
" I feel his loss-I loved him.
"-'But my Lord and his
Had loved him long before,
Weeping, I turn me where he is,
And wish-but will not murmur more."'
The great topic of family discussion, for the few
weeks following K.'s return to Kennebunkport, was, "to
what College can the boy best go?" The new and
thriving University of Rochester was the institution
which, after much debate, was fixed upon, and it was a
choice which K. never had cause to regret.
18




CHAPTER IX.
COLLEGE HISTORY.-GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.
UP to this point we have been able to trace distinctly
the shaping power of circumstances in Kingman's development. Not without constant pressure and direction from the external, have the processes of spiritual
and mental growth been carried on-an honest heart
and right will keeping the soul open and susceptible to
the good, that infallibly resides in all circumstances, for
the well-disposed.
When we now behold the subject of this history,
while his character is yet only partially formed, removed
into a new sphere, and subjected to influences before
untried, we at once infer that God has a special design
in the transfer, and we look with interest to see what
are the new forces brought to bear, and what their
effect.
Kingman first set foot in Rochester about the beginning of September, 1851. Fresh from the Academy, a
provincial and narrow world, he found himself under
the more expanding and generous influences of a College. Fresh from the country, too, with its staidness
and quiet, he was now in a bustling city. But the change
was advantageous. Rochester, distinguished for plea



94              COLLEGE HISTORY.
santness of situation, and for grand scenery as well as
softer rural charms within the very limits of the solid
town-" The Rural City"' —offered to him still the real
sweetness of a country home, while it added this, that
it brought him into contact with a mass of men sufficiently numerous to constitute together an epitome of
the race, and sufficiently dense to feel without abatement
or long delay the vibration of events and of changing
opinion in the great world. The book of nature was still
open to him, while that of human nature, unabridged,
was spread wide. This may appear an important advantage, if it be reflected that to one intending to
devote his life to the persuasion of men, knowledge of
men is a good preliminary acquisition; and, certainly,
to study human nature in the original, is more efficacious than ever so careful pondering of the renderings
of it given by philosophers, theologians-or novelists.
It was another advantage of dwelling in a city at
this period, that, by mere contagion of the general
activity, though in material concerns, the mind even of
the scholar was quickened to a more perpetual liveliness, and thus grew to be more prompt, quick, energetic,
and versatile, if not actually more powerful than it
might, in greater seclusion. Is it not to the causes now
mentioned that we should trace, in considerable degree,
many of the traits that afterwards contributed to make
the young pastor a favorite-the brisk and animated
manner and urbane polish-as well as the knowledge




COLLEGE HISTORY.               95
of affairs and familiarity with the intricacies of the
human heart, which qualified him for a leader?
The University of Rochester, of which Kingman
now became a member, had been recently founded, and
possessed the vigor of healthy youth. It was a consequence, perhaps, of the recentness of its origin, that
among its hundred and thirty or forty students, a spirit
of order and of wholesome emulation was more prevalent
than usual in colleges.  High scholarship was common, and a rare value was set on excellence in composition and in extemporaneous speaking. A young man
felt himself bound to excel in something; if not, by
some chance out of his own control, in mathematics
or Greek, then certainly with the pen or in the accomplishments of an orator: and an idler, or a "good
fellow," found no toleration.  The Literary Societies
were sustained with uncommon enterprise. The debates, which were publicly held, and attracted considerable audiences, called out usually the whole power
of the disputants; and the bi-weekly "Paper" in each
Society was certainly conducted with an ability which
would have won reputation to any public literary gazette.
A similar animation reigned in all the departments of the
college. Industry, alertness, enterprise-these were the
watchwords. Nobody was allowed to be dull. A professor felt the same obligation to be vital, as learned.
Such was the practical spirit in both the institutions
-the University of Rochester, and the Rochester




96              COLLEGE HISTORY.
Theological Seminary. It is easy to see how suited to
interest and stimulate our young student.
There was, similarly, an active religious life; demonstrative and outgoing, but not yet so occupied with
merely radiating, as to forget the essentialness of maintaining central, intrinsic heat.  In the city and the
suburbs there was abundant opportunity for missionary
enterprises. Though a "City of Churches," at least
one-third of the population was papist, and more than
a handful infidel.  Mission Sunday-schools and mission preaching establishments occupied a portion of the
leisure Sunday hours of almost every religious student
in College.
Kiugman himself, the very week of his first arrival,
enlisted in a Sunday-school held in a school-house at
the "Lower Falls," on the Genesee River two miles
below the city, and occupied faithfully the post, soon
adding familiar preaching to teaching, until near the
end of his course-and until after a church (Presbyterian) had been formed, and a comfortable meetinghouse substituted for the school-room as the place of
assembling.  Two or three other students, to whom
equal credit is due, were colleagues of his in the enterprise.
Kingman's conduct and scholarship are described,
and many traits of his character as at this time exhibited and developing, are pleasingly illustrated, in the
following sketch by Dr. Anderson, President of the
University:




COLLEGE HISTORY.                97
"I first knew him," says Dr. Anderson, "in childhood while his father was pastor in Bath, Me. During
my college vacations I frequently met him, then a
child of eight or nine years, at my father's house. He
was a model of childish grace and vigor, overflowing
with the buoyant animal spirits which are the sure
indications of a healthy moral and physical constitution. Even then he gave indication of that capacity
for ready and elegant expression, which he seems to
me to have acquired from his mother, whom all her
fiiends remember as a woman of high culture and
extraordinary conversational power. Cicero said of the
Gracchi that they acquired their mastery of Latin in
the lap of their mother. Kingman's ear and tongue
were trained from  infancy to the discrimination and
utterance of elegant English. That mastery of words
which enabled him to adjust words to thought with
such mingled rapidity -and exactness was the result, not
merely of natural power, but of assiduous training.
"After these early years I knew little of him until my
removal to Rochester, where I found him a member of
the Junior Class in the University. My. early religious
obligations to his father, and the memory of his own
early years, naturally led me to take a personal interest
in his success as a student. I found him conscious that
certain public efforts in which he had engaged during
the previous year, had somewhat interfered with his
prescribed course of study, and he voluntarily expressed
his determination to permit nothing within his control
to set aside the great object of furnishing and disciplining his faculties for future labor. The pledge thus
voluntarily made he most fiflly redeemed, and I never
9




98              COLLEGE HISTORY.
had occasion to complain of his failure in duty. He
had special facility as a linguist, but he was able to
master easily any of the scientific studies which were
put before him, and in the metaphysical department to
obtain marked distinction.
" Not laving been able, by reason of absence, to obtain
a satisfactory understanding of a portion of the Mathematics of the Sophomore year, he reviewed carefully the
Analytical Geometry of the course, attending the recitations of the Professor in that department, after he
had graduated and entered upon his professional studies
in the Theological Seminary. Though pressed by the
severe labor required in the Seminary, he found time
also to join a class of resident graduates for the reading
of Plato, and another in German.  I am the more careful to allude to these facts, because the idea has been
entertained by some that Kingman owed his success to
genius alone, independent of scholarship and long-continued mental discipline.  Taking as a standard the
best class of graduates from American colleges, it is
bare justice to say that Kingman entered public life a
sound and accurate scholar, and no one was more
ready than he to recognise the value of both liberal
and professional education.
"Genius is the power of rapid working in one or many
different directions. Kingman's mind naturally moved
with extraordinary rapidity.  By intellectual discipline
and culture, this rapidity acquired systematic direction
and orderly movement. He was often able to look upon
all sides of a complicated subject, and search out all its
relations, during a time in which another mind of equal
soundness, but with slower rate of movement, would




COLLEGE HISTORY.                99
hardly have seized upon its most obvious bearings. He
brought more to pass intellectually than other men,
because lie was able and willing to do more work.
Those instances of rapid combination and facility of
language and illustration, which seemed so like inspiration, were the result of the same process through which
ordinary minds pass, varying in his case only in the
velocity with which the results were accomplished.
This power of rapid mental action was accompanied by
the impulse to its exercise. Hence the fertility of his
mind and his capacity for meeting the many and various
drafts which were made upon his resources during his
public life.  Many thoughtful men predicted that a man
so young could not meet, for any considerable time, the
intellectual demands of the place to which he was
called.  Those who knew his mental habits and constitution had no fears in this respect. A mind so well
furnished and active is a living spring, and not a reservoir. Its power of literary production is measured only
by the body's capacity for endurance.
"' His mental activity was not of that disorderly and
unproductive kind which reaches no tangible result,
and leaves no clear and positive impression.  His most
rapid thinking was analytical and orderly.  It was for
this reason he was never confused. His thinking, when
obliged to speak with little time for reflection, might not
have been equal to his highest capacity, but it was
never wanting in system or clearness.  Whatever ideas
he had, on a subject were always under his cormmand, and compelled to array themselves in the best
possible order for convincing and impressing other
minds.




3 00            COLLEGE HISTORY.
" The religious development of his mind, while in the
University, was marked and striking.  In the course
of the Junior year, and especially after the day of
prlayer in behalf of institutions of learning, he seemed
to have acquired a new  and very decided impulse
towards a higher Christian life. This was manifested
by no abatement of his habitual joyousness of mien,
but rather by a more careful and conscientious attention to the discharge of all dut3y, both secular and
religious. A college friend of his lately informed me,
that at this period he formed the habit of rising at an
early hour, and spending a specific time in reading the
Scriptures and devotion. In the exercise of reading
he placed before him the Greek of the New Testament,
or the Septuagint, and by its side the Latin, German,
and English versions, and examined them in turn, carefully comparing the shades of expression in each. This
practice was faithfully continued during his remaining
course as a student.
"I-His earnestness of religious life was especially
shown in the religious labor which he  performed
among his classmates and acquaintances in the University. I-le was very constant in his attendance upon
all the devotional meetings, and gave much time to
personal religious conversation.  His remarks and
prayers in these meetings were marked by spirituality
of tone and the most intense exhibition of personal
allegiance to the Saviour. Doubtless some of his most
effective effusions of natural eloquence were thrown off
in these class and college prayer-meetings. I have an
abi&iii~ Io)iviction that his extraordinary success as a
pastor was in great part due to the training which he




COLLEGE HISTORY.               101
gave himself in the performance of pastoral duties
among his associates in study.
"A large part of my confidence in his success, when
he became a pastor, was founded on my knowledge of
the conscientiousness of his religious labor while a,tudent. In many years' experience among students I
have never seen his equal in the judgment, perseverance, and fidelity with which he performed this pera onal religious labor. Marked as was his success in the
service of his Master, in New York, it was but the
nratural result of the religious discipline of his student
life.  His capacity for this too much neglected part of
a pastor's duty was due to some elements that are
worthy of a momlent's notice.  In the first'place, this
work was done, not fiom a goading sense of duty, but
from a love of the work and from a confident expectation of doing good to those whom' he addressed.
Hence there was a reality and heartiness in his representations and appeals, which rarely failed to reach the
conscience.  Connected with this was a living faith in
the promises of God and the present agency of the
Holy Spirit.  More than any young man whom I ever
knew, he realized that Christ is a living and present
Saviour, actually moving among us, and sympathizing
with our woes and wants.
" Again, he always labored fora direct and immediate
practical result. This gave directness and simplicity to
his language and address. He was never willing to
utter vague generalities about religion, in the hope
that'in some unexplained way they might at some
time produce a good effect. He strove for results at
once, knowing that he who would reach the future
9*




102             COLLEGE HISTORY.
can do so only by impressing the minds of men in the
present.
"These facts of Kingman's history seem to me more
important from the fact, evident to all who knew him,
that his style of oratory was formed on the model of
elevated and serious conversation. Hence was derived
the peculiar individualizing power by which he made
each hearer in a large congregation feel himself personally addressed. His public style was concrete, personal,.
and dramatic, because he had trained himself thoroughly
in addressing men one by one in private.
"In this work, which Dr. Watts somewhere calls'parlor preaching,' Kingman illustrated another of the
virtues which entered into the formation of his character. I refer to personal courage. This I am aware
does not often rank high among clerical accomplishments. But it may be seriously questioned whether a
minister or any other inan can honestly do his duty
without it. It was a remark of one of his college acquaintances that Kingman was constitutionally indifferent to physical danger. He was certainly largely imbued with moral courage. In the discharge of religious
duty he feared no rebuff, or outrage, or opposition. He
never shrank from conflict with any kind of error, or
any amount of hatred for truth in the minds of those
whom he personally addressed. This element of character gave a calmness and regularity to his mental action,
a tone and force to his public utterance, which added
greatly to his power to sway and control the minds of men.
"I have followed out a few only of the manifold suggestions which have come unbidden into my mind. My
personal interest in Kingman must be my apology for




COLLEGE HISTORY.               103
lingering fondly over his memory. His robust health
and vigor of constitution gave the promise of a long life.
"'W ith our short vision of futurity such a death seems
inscrutable. But in the light of immortality there is no
waste of power. God has taken the departed to a higher
sphere of existence where the'larger movements of
the unfettered mind' have their natural place in the
grand economy of heaven. He has left the example
behind him of an elevated and earnest Christian life,
which speaks with an eloquence which even his living
voice could not equal."
This judicious sketch needs small supplementingbut remarks on a few points will not be superfluous.
From the first he showed a remarkable genius for
writing, and a still greater for public speaking.  Gay,
sparkling, or satirical, or eaisily decorating a closely
jointed argument with the drapery of illustration and
metaphor, he was, in the " Society," a favorite essayist
and " editor."  In debate, he was a champion. He did
not commonly, it is true, by instinct, burrow straight
down beneath the whole superficies of a subject, and
through all the accumulations of dust, soil, drift, to what
was ultimate-the beams of rock on which all rested —
to "first principles;" but he took'in the whole superior
landscape at a glance, appreciated it with a military
eye, encamped on positions from which he could not be
dislodged, and concentrated from every strong point a
fire on the enemy that blasted him where he stood.




104              COLLEGE HISTORY.
Thus he could be overthrown only by the art of undermining, and before this slow and secret process could
be effected, he was commonly, after a rapid evolution
or two, exulting over a field swept clear of foes.
The remarkable qualities he united were, this quick
appreciation of all the strong points in a case, with perfect command of all his faculties, a mastery of words,
and the power of constructing perfect sentences in rolling
succession, extempore and endlessly, a fancy that easily
took fire, and a most attractive and bewitching voice
and manner.  " Nott had less logic than some," said a
contemporary " Delphian," "but he carried everything
before him by his eloquence." All this is, of course,
reckoned on the scale of a Young Men's Debating
Society.
President Anderson has spoken in adequate terms of
Kingman's religious activity in college. HI-le was, in
truth, during the last years of his course, " college pastor." For the delicate functions of that assumed office
his disposition aptly fitted him.  He was no grim,
morose religionist, feeling solemnly accountable.for motes
in the eyes of others, while ignorant or vain of beams
in his own; but he was light-hearted, clear-visioned,
unsuspicious, frank, and sincere, as a child.  With a
many-sided nature —and windows on every side, so that
his mind looked out fairly on every aspect of life and
character, detecting the element of genuineness, and
therefore, of good, that lies in everything, not vicious,




COLLEGE IIISTORY.             105
that humanity on the large scale loves to be and do;
fi'ee from bigotry, therefore, and prejudices, and not
mistaking gladness for levity, nor a gloomy countenance
for the proof of a pious spirit-his soul radiating light
and beauty fiom his sunny face, he could go where he
pleased, disarm suspicion, attract confidence, and make
his way to every heart.
Yet he accomplished even a greater amount of religious work outside of the college than in it. Accounts of
the various enterprises in which he engaged for doing
good, particularly in the long summer vacations, will
be given in their proper places. Only this now-that
whatever he undertook for God, if only to preach a
single sermon, he must needs do earnestly.  Everywhere he was driven to personal conversation with
men. A power also went with him. The cloud of
God's presence stood constantly over him, and blessings descended wherever. he came. It is safe to say,
that as large a number of souls was converted through
his influence while he was a student, as afterwards
during his pastoral labors in New York.
It is by no means meant to be intimated that his
conduct in college was always perfectly consistent with
his religious professions and with his intentions. lHe
was developing now-and developing from a depraved
being into a holy. Yet his departures arose chiefly
from the influence of a temperament that-in itselfwas admirable, and was the ground of some of those




106             COLLEGE HISTORY.
traits which ultimately were his best. His temperament was extravagantly gay. Perfect health of body
and mind-and a spirit, in fact, that chains could not
have dragged down, made him glad to exuberance.
Among his companions he "kept the table in a roar,"
not at all by cool witticisms, but by the infectious
spirit of humor and drollery.  In recitation he compelled the Professor sometimes deliberately to "sup-_
press" him.  "Your brother," said President Anderson
to the writer once, when in Rochester, "is mad with
fine health and gay spirits. I think of ordering for
him a strait jacket."
No words could describe his grotesqueness at times.
No one could be near him  sometimes without being
filled with laughter.  Yet this disposition had no
alliance with any low tastes: he was no comecian, or
foolish inventor of petty mischief. Ile could be severely sarcastic when he chose; yet he was unaware
of this power until he was told of it, much to his astonishment, by a friend whom he had often unintentionally
wounded, and he never deliberately exercised the fatal
gift (fatal to easy, confidential friendship) with any
malign or selfish purpose, and was as tender of the
feelings of others as he was respectful of any of their
natural rights.
It is easy to see that gaiety like this would hurry
him often into culpable extravagances.  "I am  fearfully light and fiivolous again," he writes on one occa



COLLEGE HISTORY.              107
sion; " these are my besetting sins. The fact is, I do
not know what to do with my surplus. I shall have
to open a vein! "
Yet the wrongfulness of errors arising from this
cause, would naturally be exaggerated in the eyes of
persons of an opposite temperament, or who did nlot
know him thoroughly. Beyond any other individual
the writer ever knew, he was able to pass suddenly
from one occupation or course of thinking to another,
most opposite, at the shortest warning, and to pour
the whole forces of his energies equally any way on
demand. He played one hour as if he was made for
nothing else, and studied the next with the abstractedness of a bookworm. From the most vivacious conversation or uproarious (healthful) mirth, he could go
at once to his closet, and thence ascend the pulpit, if
called, when the suffused eye and the indescribable,
sweet solemnity that seemed not so much expressed
from his face as to bathe his face, like a subtle ether,
were warrant enough for the genuineness of his
feeling.
But persons did not always understand this, and
such individuals he often shocked severely. Whenever he ascertained that he had done harm, whether
through inattention to "avoiding the mere appearance
of evil," or through positively indefensible levity, he
repented with the deepest self-reproaches, and often
with humiliating confessions.




108             COLLEGE HISTORY.
And it is here that the thought that he was developing, has a special and interesting application. Dispositions and tendencies, latent to a great degree before,
were now revealing themselves. Thus his conduct for
a year or two in Rochester was probably not so undeviating from the strictest lines; his deportment was less
exact, less severe, than it had been in Suffield. He
now saw the world in a different aspect; there were
new and broader revelations of life; there were more
varied appeals to different aptitudes; and he became
at once more natural.  That is, parts of his nature,
which before had been hidden, not cenquered, now
burst into activity. Part of the character he possessed
while at Suffield was unreal —not implying the slightest
wilful insincerity-the farthest from  it —but this: he
had an ideal, and strove to live it without having grown
up to it. This was a right attempt, he could do no
otherwise,-only that he must grow up to it. Or, to
represent the fact in different language, his religious
character was partially unsubstantial, because resting
upon pillars here and there of special qualities, and not
upon his whole nature as a basis. Part must come
down, and before it could be rebuilt, the foundation
must be made uniform-marshes reclaimed-sand removed down to the solid stone.
But it must also be remembered that the development was going on under the care of religion. Religion demands the whole of a man; she will leave no




COLLEGE HISTORY.              109
native capability to slumber for ever in the germ, nor,
on the other hand, suffer it to grow untrained. In
Kingman she had already, out of his noblest traitssanctifying them-woven a firm web of holy character;
but she would interweave with it now, as intrinsic components, other capabilities, to render the web both
more complete and more beautiful, and that in the
figure, when perfected, might appear the genuine hue
and form of every quality in the soul. Development
and transformation, then, comprise the process. Religion restores a man to the image of the perfect
archetype.
In New  York, therefore, K. was not more holy
than in Rochester, or in Suffield. A greater part of
him was holy. Additional capabilities had been called
into exercise, had passed through their period of wild
and erratic development, and now, chastened, sanctified,
and wrought into harmony with all other traits, they
made up, together, a combination of superior symmetry and completeness. Nature had become, in more of
its parts, developed, transformed, and consolidated into
holy character. More " thoughts" had been "brought
into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
How essential were all his qualities to what he ultimately was.!  Without that elasticity of spirit that
made vain the buffets of care, that cheerfulness unconquerable by the worst discouragements, that versatile
sympathy with men which gave him the key to hearts,
10




110              COLLEGE HISTORY.
what could he, in the peculiar work destined him, have
done? Yet these traits are so allied to gaiety and a
humorous disposition, that they can scarcely exist without-not that gaiety in itself is not a good; only
extravagance is to be rebuked.
It ought to be remarked, finally, that K. maintained
throughout his college course, the strictest rules of
morality, without any deviation.  He never weakly
yielded even to doubtful indulgences. At the close, he
had nothing to regret, except occasional slight indiscretions resulting firom the sometimes too free effervescence
of high animal spirits.
The lesson of his college course, is threefold; that
sincere rectitude of aim, ensures the final conquest and
subjection of opposing wrong tendencies; that the time
for religious usefulness, is now; and, that religious usefulness now is the best pledge of, and preparation for,
high usefulness in the future.
The sketch that has now been given, will be filled up,
according to the plan hitherto pursued, chiefly with
letters, with such narration as seems needful.




CHAPTER X.
THE FIRST YEAR —WILLIAMSON.
NOTT arrived in Rochester, it has been stated, about
the 1st of September, 1851.  His first impressions are
thus communicated:
" UNIVERSITY Of ROCHESTER, Sept. 6, 1851.
"My DEAR PARENTS:
"Examined-tried-condemned-to four years' imnprisonment within these brick walls! I feel contented,
yes, happy: convinced that I am in the path of pleasure and of duty. I do not regret my choice of college,
nor do I think I ever shall. Last evening, I called a
few moments on the pastor of the First Baptist church,
and then attended the Monthly Covenant meeting.
" I am greeted with a warm Christian cordiality,
which makes my heart glad. Persons, whom I have
never spoken to, take me by the hand and give me a
hearty welcome.
" I feel that my privileges and blessings are very great,
and my opportunities for growing in both intellectual
and religious culture most excellent. My prayer to
God is, to grant me grace for a faithful improvement, etc.
"Yours," etc.
"September 18.
"I feel thankful that I have been directed here. Of the




112      THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.
whole number of students in the Theological Seminary
and University, more than one hundred have the ministry in view. By contact with so many young men of
talent and piety, in private life, in the prayer-circle, etc.,
I have been humbled.
"I never was led before to look upon myself as so insignificant, upon my religious exercises as so cold and
formal,-in fact, to feel so much my inferiority as a
Christian. I find a higher standard of piety, which I am
far below, and am now aiming to attain. There is great
opportunity both for getting and for doing good here.
Let me give you the occupations of last Sabbath. Prayermeeting at 9 A.M. in the University; the usual church service in the forenoon; Sabbath-school in the afternoon,
followed by a teachers' meeting; church in the evening.
" My Sabbath-school is an absorbing interest. It is
held in a school-house two miles distant-at the lower
Falls of the Genesee.  We gather into the room a considerable assembly of both young and old; one of the
students usually preaches familiarly, and after other
good religious exercises, we have a Sunday-school in the
usual manner.  By such labors, I am  refreshed and
strengthened. Thus I do not lack for exercise on the
Sabbath-walking six miles.
" I have taken my stand boldly as a professor of religion, and candidate for the ministry, and feel that I
have thus incurred no little responsibility. I hope and
pray that the Lord will spare me from dishonoring my
master. There seems to be a strong desire on the part
of a few students that God will favor this institution
with an endowment of His Holy Spirit, and thus mani.
fest His approval of the undertaking."




THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.            113
He thus alludes to his first attempt to preach, probably in the Mission school:
"On Sunday I did what I never attempted before.
I felt almost ready to sink, but there was no alternative; the Lord sustained me very graciously. Our
field is peculiarly excellent, the audience containing a
large proportion  of children-thus demanding the
study of simplicity."
Fromn this time he appears to have preached frequently in this unofficial manner.
In the winter of this year, oppressed with pecuniary
wants, he left college for a few months, and engaged in
teaching.  The school was in the town of Williamson,
Wayne Co., New York, about fifty miles from Rochester.  The history of his connexion with this school
illustrates in a singular manner the force of his allegiance to religious principle and the sensitiveness of his
conscience.
At first he writes:-" My situation is one of uncommon responsibility. I have to fill the place of an infidel
who has taught here two winters, and left an indelible
stamp upon the community. The people are full of'notions.' I shall do the best I can, leaning on the
Almighty for support."  So his first thought was of his
religious obligations, involving here, as everywhere,
some " uncommon responsibility."
The history proceeds:
10*




114      THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.
"WILLIAMSON, Dec. 8, 1852.
" DEAR FATHER:
" Here I am this pleasant evening, tired and dull,
under the hospitable roof of Mr. B.- All around
me are engaged in the absorbing occupation of paring
and coring apples by the bushel. I have come here tonight for the first time, and am to spend a week.
" Teaching is harder labol than I have been accustomed to, but I hope it will do me good..... I have
opened my school with prayer, a thing which has never
before been known in the district! Of course it seems
very strange to many, and some, I suppose, hate it; yet
I have met with no public opposition.....' I am surprised to find how little practical
knowledge I have had of real life, and especially how
poorly prepared I am to meet the attacks of the enemies of religion. Yet I am brought to realize more
deeply the privilege of being a Christian. Oh, how I
thank God that He has not left me to wander through
the mazes and labyrinths of unbelief, trusting to no
guide but unassisted reason. The sentiments of bold
infidelity fall strangely and grate harshly upon my
unpractised ear..... I am of course under the necessity of being very careful as to what I say. On local
questions, sectarian or unimportant, I maintain comparative indifference; but when I am called out by a
challenge from the skeptic to defend the principles of
my religion, I try to respond, prompt and unyielding.
Pray for me, that I may be able to take to myself the
whole armor of God."
"January, 1852.
"I exceedingly regret that I did not, while opportu



THE FIRST YEAR — WILLIAMSON.        115
nity was afforded me, become acquainted more fully
with the various objections commonly urged against
our religion, and prepare myself to oppose the deadly
errors which now meet me. Deists, IUniversalists, Andrew-Jackson-Davisites, Parkerites, etc., abound.
Yet my school is one of a thousand, and my various
homes uncommonly pleasant. Thus far I have found
imagined difficulties vanish away like smoke, both in
the school and with the people of my district. I think
I have succeeded in gaining the affections of my
scholars....
"The boys in the entry (it is recess) are making
themselves exceedingly merry over an old hand-bill':
having succeeded in metamorphosing the words'Yankee
Notions' into' Yankee Not!' "
Enough has been quoted to show that K. emphatically " stood up for his religion" in this place of strange
heresies, and was chiefly a noticeable object in the district, in fact, from his bold attempt to carry religious
principle into practical life. Few young men, coming
from a warm religious atmosphere, could have sustained
so abrupt a change of temperature without growing
torpid under the chill.
Are we prepared, then, to anticipate a letter of
exactly the character of that which follows?
"WILLIAMSON, March 6, 1852.
"DEAR PARENTS:
" My heart is so occupied by conflicting emotions,
that I hardly know what language to employ in writing.




116      THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.
"I have sad news to communicate.  Still, perhaps it
is not news, for you have doubtless already grieved over
the same thing, having inferred it from the tone and
spirit of my few hurried letters home. If so, you will
not be shocked when I confess to you, that my life this
winter has but poorly accorded with the professions
I have made here and elsewhere. True, I have outwardly in many respects performed the duties of a
Christian.
" I have constantly attended church, and usually the
prayer-meetings, and have taken an active part in these.
But closet religion and secret prayer have been too far
neglected, and of course the killing consequences have
ensued. My heart has been amazingly cold; lightness
and frivolity, my besetting sins, as you know, have had
the mastery, and my heart has seemed steeled to the
emotions of true piety. I look back with mingled surprise and deep regret.
"But the past is past. I trust it is repented of;nay, more, I trust it is forgiven.  Still the question,
What have I been doing? seems to come again and
again with force enough to break my heart. Last night
I conversed with a young man, with whom I had formed
a very pleasant acquaintance: I confessed to him my
feeling, and entreated his forgiveness for my levity, etc.
Shall I tell you the reply? His heart seemed to break
and flow forth.  He confessed that he had sometimes
been constrained almost to think that, if what I acted
was the religion I professed, lhe didn't want it!  This
I know will pierce your heart, but oh 1 not so deeply as
it already has mine.  I never till that moment realized
the guilt of carelessness.  He forgave me fully, attribut



TH1E FIRST YEAR —WILLIA3MSON.       117
ing all to the natural buoyancy of my disposition. That
night bore to Heaven the joyful tidings of a repentant
sinner, and my friend rejoices in the hope of sins forgiven.'"0 pray much for me, that the work of grace may be
deepened in my soul. 0 that I may have grace enough
in my heart to overcome those dangerous elements of
character which make my besetting sins. Shall I ever
be a constant, consistent Christian?
"' My heart is not alone in this work of repentance.
There is a mighty work commenced here. The waters
have been troubled for more than a week..... Christians are coming forth, a strong and numerous body.
Last evening twenty manifested their anxiety for salvation, and begged the prayers of God's children.
"0 mother, I wish you had been able this winter to
write me such letters as in time past, urging so strongly
the deep guilt of inconsistency. Why, 0 why is it,
that my religion is not a constant religion? What
security have I myself, or can I give to others, that in
a few months I shall not relapse into the same apathy
and worldliness? And a minister!-a minister at least
in anticipation. How this aggravates my guilt! Shall
I ever be fitted to occupy that awfully responsible station?...... Yet it has pleased God to hear prayer.
I w;sh I could feel as thankful as I ought. A number
of my dear scholars have been feeling deeply. Last
night I was permitted to bow in prayer with two of
them. We plead for mercy, and God, I trust, had
mercy upon them. They are yonng men of sixteen
and eighteen. Another found peace the same day, so
that three of any scholars have entered the school of




] 18     THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.
Christ. Shall I not praise him? I cannot as I ought.
I cannot be happy. My past inconsistencies seem to
stare me in the face, and charge me with dreadful guilt...... M.    y soul goes out after one and another, and
longs to see them born of God. I have talked with
some of the men in my district: my mouth seems
filled with arguments and persuasions, and my heart
burns to rcason the matter, and to beseech men, in
Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God. In a few days,
you know, I shall enter on my nineteenth year. Is it
not time to work more publicly for God?  I have
longed for the time when it shall be prudent.
" Your affectionate son," etc.
The next is from Rochester.
"UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, April 8.
" I closed school on Tuesday, 23d ult., the day after
I completed my eighteenth year-closed it successfully
and triumphantly, without the slightest mark of dissatisfaction or ill-will, but on the contrary, with manifest signs of regret on the part of my pupils and their
friends.
"Williamson will always remain holy, consecrated
ground to me. It was a hard and tearful separation,
for I had some dear young friends bound to me by the
closest ties of true Christian sympathy. I have been
made glad by the conversion of some for whom I had
agonized in prayer. Yet I rejoiced with trembling. I
trembled for them, and I trembled for myself, lest on
either side we should ever prove false to our religious
Vows'  -




THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.           119
The question may suggest itself with interest to the
reader, to what extent was there real foundation for
these laments and repentings?  What degree of guilt
actually, in the opinion of competent observers, attached
to this vehement self-accuser?
Answer: None at all, as men commonly reckon their
sins. So reply candid persons of whom inquiry has
been made. He was free from any other faults than
those arising from an extravagant gaiety.
Shall we say, then, that in this instance K.'s grief
was excessive? Not as God reckons sin.
The remainder of the year had no incidents of importance. A few extracts from letters will serve to dot
the passing months:
"April 17.
"My tendency to levity has done much to injure
myself and others.  I am  trying to govern, in this
respect and in others, my'unruly member.' I wish I
could have it said of me, for instance, as I have known
it to be of some,' he was never known to speak evil of
another.' How much to be admired is that pure spirit
of charity which'thinketh no evil.' I think there is
no one characteristic of the Christian more peculiar,
and striking, and desirable.  Pray for me, that I may
not idly wish for these Christian graces, but strive for
them by self-denial and earnest prayer."
The hungering and thirsting for this grace-of charity
-was certainly satisfied in his case to a rare degree.




120      THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.
"He never spoke evil of others," has been the free
testimony of a multitude of individuals respecting him.
He that seeketh, findeth.
"SAME DATE.
"Our students, on parting, agreed to consecrate each
twilight hour during the short vacation, now in progress, wherever they might be, to offer up at least a
silent petition in behalf of the University-its meetings
-its unconverted students.  If this pledge be faithfully
fulfilled, who can doubt that.we shall receive a refreshing from  the Lord?   The little prayer-circle of our
class, also, agreed each one to make some particular
class-mate the subject of special prayer during the
vacation.
" How little do we suspect how much God may be
pleased to perform by us, when we are only willing to
be His instruments."
"Juzne 28, 1852.
" DEAR FATHER:;I was fairly rejoiced by the receipt, and still more
by the perusal of your last. Nothing can be dearer to
me than the will of my earthly, save that of my
Heavenly Father.  I very often think of my dear
mother's words to me, in anticipation of her departure
and my bereavement:'Why, K., how rich you are! a
father on earth and a Father in Heaven!'
" I have been arranging for the coming long vacation.
Not having money to spend in visiting, and knowing
you would not wish me to be idle, I have offered myself, with the advice of friends, to the American Sunday




TILE FIIST YEAR — WILLIAMISON        121
School Union, as a Sunday School Missionary, and have
been' accepted, although my field has not yet been
assigned me.
"Yours," etc.
We quote from the last letter of the college year:
"ROCHESTER, July 6, 1852.
"I)EAR FATHER:
"The business of the University is suspended; the
badge of mourning is decreed; stillness and gloom are
upon us. My own heart is sad, for death has been
among us. For the first time he has entered our University; yes, and my own class; the ne n  next to mine
is struck from the list.  George J. Newell.  He died
very unexpectedly. He was talented, pious, much beloved, promising much usefulness in the church; designing to enter the ministry. His loss is severely felt
by us, and will be a terrible stroke to his parents and
friends. They were in joyous anticipation, and may still
be, if the telegram has not reached them, of seeing him
at home next week. Poor fellow, he had talked much
of going home, and meant to leave next Monday.
" Why was it not your son?  I think with tears how
my parents would feel to receive the telegraphic news
that their son was dead-would be buried to-morrow!
He was much stouter, stronger, and manlier than I am.
I hope I, and we all, may take warning to work now.
"My Sunday-school field has been assigned me, that
is, if I wish to labor in it. It lies at the base of Mount
Agamenticus, if any one knows where that is.' It cannot be lucrative,' says the Secretary of the Union in his
11




122      THE FIRST YEAR-WILLIAMSON.
letter to me,' a region of great darkness! You must be
able and willing to meet the rudest of our rough population, and labor amid scenes from which a missionary to
Burmah might shrink!'
"Well, I shall at least learn some useful lessons for
the future, and obtain some partial insight into the real
nature of the fight.
" If I cannot earn money, I may do good, and doubtless shall get good. Pray for me."




CHAPTER XI.
AGAMENTICUS.
THE vacation accordingly was occupied with Sundayschool and Missionary labors in the region round about
that mountain, known-among those who know it-as
Agamenticus. How can any just idea be communicated to the reader of the strangeness of that region!
A district belonging nominally to civilization, but left
on one side fifty years ago by the course of "progress,"
and, worse than fossilized, relapsed into semi-barbarism.
Agamenticus is the name of a mountain upon the coast
of Maine, just within the line where that State joins
the limits of New Hampshire that reaches down to the
sea.  The traveller eastward from  Boston, by the
" Lower Route" enters Maine, passes through flourishing villages, views the rich city of Portland, perhaps
advances into the well-cultivated and charming country
that extends far to the North and East, or to the romantic
wildernesses about Moosehead or Schoodie, and returns,
totally unaware that on his very introduction to the State,
he was borne along the edge of the wildest, most
unique, and, to the curious, perhaps, the most interesting portion of its territory. It is a district resembling
Cape Cod in some of its peculiarities, but not yet secu



124                AGAMENTICUS.
larized by worldly cranberry growers and prying tourists. It is an old country, long settled. The farms,
whose soil is substantial granite, were first tortured for
their scanty products by, perhaps, the great-grandfathers of the present occupants. The houses, of unpainted wood, and "many of logs or rough boards,"
are black with age. Forests of dark, stunted pines
extend unbroken for miles, and cover the uninviting
lands with a gloomy thatch. Roads, which were only
rocky lanes, climb the rough hills, and wind endlessly
through mazes, bewildering only through their monotony. It is Agamenticus, the stern mountain, that
controls the character of the region.  Civilization under
his shadow dies. Even if " the age" had not swept by,
and left the people on their sea-washed cape, isolated
from the stir and movement of men, still they could
not have resisted the frown of Agamenticus.  Lifting
his three-headed peak to no great height, he yet domineers inexorably over all he looks upon, and impresses
his own rudeness upon fields, dwellings, and dwellers
alike. The race that flourishes along the secluded portions of the New England sea-coast, is indeed everywhere peculiar.
Of the character of these particular inhabitants it is
sufficient now to say, that while they have many rough
virtues, yet irreligrion, gross ignorance, and superstition
sadly prevail. " There is little interest in common
schools, still less in Sabbath schools," writes K.; "while




AGAMENTICUS.               125
many oppose both." "They have living among them a
set of' preachers,' who are on a level with, or a little below the common people, who work their own farms, and
go about preaching in the school-houses. Some of them
are good men-some are not."  "I find some Lots in
the Sodom —really good men; and once in a great while
a whole-souled, warm-hearted, interested man."  "This
is a strange, dark region. The people know scarcely
anything about religion, care less, and do nothing. For
the most part, they are' twice dead, plucked up by the
roots.' They need a great power to raise them to
the condition of an enlightened, Christian community."
I find them hospitable enough."
HIere, amid "scenes that might have discouraged a
missionary to Burmah," K. labored for several weeks
with enterprise and good success.  "I entered the
field under additional discouragements," he writes,
";from the fact that the persons on whom I first depended for support, direction, and encouragement,
advised me not to go, and presented some very plausible arguments. For a time I was sorely tried, and was
on the point of surrendering the plan. Thus I was
foolishly detained for some days. I then mustered all
the grace and courage possible, reproached myself for
my folly, and determined to go at once where the Am.
S. S. Union had sent me with their eyes open, do what
I could, and thus relieve myself from responsibility. I
am glad enough that I took this independent course.
11*




126               AGAMENTICUS.
I doubt not, the Lord helping me, I can accomplish
some good here. My confidence in God is firm-my
heart sometimes light and sometimes heavy-my hopes
great."
"Last Sunday I talked four times. Some of the
people became quite stirred up, and asked me to come
again and lecture; and some even followed me a mile
or two to the next school-house (though they had
already come as great a distance), to hear again, though
I told them I could give no new story.' Well,' said they,'let's hear the old one again-don't want no better.'"
Aug. 17th he thus writes:" It is two weeks to-day since I came to this region,
and notwithstanding the fears of some at the outset, I
cannot help thinking that good has been accomplished.
I have set on foot two Sunday-schools, each furnished
with a $10 library, and disposed of $10 worth of books
by private sale.  I have given six addresses, besides
attending several other meetings, have travelled ninetytwo miles, visited hosts of families, etc., etc. I have
succeeded to some degree in awakening an interest in
the S. S., and I pray God that His good Spirit may
nourish and bless the word sown, that it may bear
fruit to the praise of His name.
"I hope by His grace to accomplish as much the
fortnight ensuing, and by that time I shall be glad
enough to return home. Yet I cannot leave this region
without sadness and anxiety.  I shall have time to
touch only one corner of it. I cannot go on the seaboard side of the hill (York, Wells, Ogunquit, Cape
Neddock, etc.), as I wished."




AGAMENTICUS.               127
"SOUTH BERWICK, Aug. 21st, 1852.
"MY DEAR FATHER,
" Did any of you glance at Agamenticus, yesterday?
I then found out, satisfactorily to myself, the location of
this notorious place; for I climbed its rocky summit.
The view is very extensive and varied: land, river, and
sea; hill, valley, and mountains; fields, villages, and
towns, are spread out in fine array.
"Agamenticus Woods, Witch-Trot, Tatnick, etc. etc.
form a rough rocky country, indeed. The' roads' are
almost covered with rocks, often as big as a half-bushel,
with now and then a huge ledge extending quite across
from side to side. Sometimes in coming suddenly upon
a'road,' I have mistaken it for the stony bed of a mountain stream. Then, they are so full of twists and turns,
that I scarce ever know where I am. Once, in attempting to go to a house three or four miles distant, I
tramped no less than sixteen or seventeen miles.
"Though somewhat tired yesterday, after accomplishing Agamenticus, I came down to Bro. R —'s, in
South Berwick, as he had earnestly requested me to
be present at his Inquiity meeting in the evening. It
was a precious season. Nineteen presented themselves
to inquire,'What must I do to be saved,' or to rejoice
in their newly found Saviour.
"I feel, and have felt, that I am getting good this
vacation; and I would fain hope, also, doing good. My
mind is more than usually exercised on the importance
of Christian activity, particularly in the sphere of the
ministry.  How much grace I need! The subject presents itself to me in almost a new light.
"Your kind letter was received an hour or two after




128               AGAMENTICUS.
I mailed mine. It has been a great comfort to me, and
given me new strength.
"I wish I could get another to-day, as I may not see
a post-office again in some time.  Thank mother for
her little note. Much love to all."
"Your affectionate son,
"A. K. N."
A FEW EXTRACTS FROM A JOURNAL, KEPT DURING THIS
TOUR.
" August 5th.
"Walked several miles. Found one woman who had
not attended meeting, or read a word in the Bible for
years. I offered to read her a chapter.... read the
fifth of Matthew. Soon the old lady dropped her work,
then her eyes began to redden, then the spectacles came
off, and the tears dropped.  Tried to persuade her to
attend church," etc.
"SUNDAY, Aug. 5th.
"Awoke this morning, feeling that I had a great
work before me, and one for which I was in every way
poorly prepared.  Was enabled to depend on a higher
power to aid me, and found much satisfaction in so doing.
At'Emery's Bridge: found a very pleasant S. S. under
the superintendence of a young man of true piety and
intelligence. He, with the assistance of only one or
two others, organized the school.  Spoke in several
places. In the evening, went to the L- school-house:
after reading and prayer, I felt just in the right mood
for speaking; and knowing that if I accomplished anything among this people, it must be by hard labor;
I strove to make some impression, and was not alto



AGAMENTICUS.                129
gether unsuccessful. Before I got through, was hoarse
and tired."
" August 11.
"Am spending this week in scouring the L     district. Families mostly pooir and ignorant. Found one
grog-hole-gave them a little Temperance-got twentyfive cents from a rum-seller for a S. S. in his neighborhood.  If Satan be divided against himself, how shall
his kingdom stand?"
These labors were a providential test of Kingman's
endurance. He stood the trial-gained experience and
blessing. This was the beginning of an active interest
he ever afterward maintained in Sabbath Schools.
From a letter written to him afterwards by Mr. Hoyt,
agent of the Am. S. S. Union, the following extract is
taken:
"BOSTOn, September 13, 1852.
"MY DEAR BRO.
"On my return from Troy to-day I found your letter.........You have labored in heathen soil for a
month, and have succeeded far beyond my expectation.
Nurtured by prayers of faith, I trust the seed thus
scattered may yield fruit to the glory of Emmanuel.
The missionary work thus done, though often of a
cross-bearing nature, may perhaps be of some little
service to the missionary himself.  It is good for a
man to bear the yoke in his youth, and if perchance it
gall the pride of the flesh, still the fact itself is worth
not a little to him whose life's work it shall be to
preach the cross to others.
"Yours truly,
"H. HOYT."




CHAPTER XII.
SECOND YEAR.
THE first week in September finds our missionary
again a student, and glad to be once more in Rochester,
where, however, he declares, "the world seems only
half alive, extravagant reports having been circulated
respecting the cholera, in consequence of which not
more than half the students have returned."
Pecuniary troubles are harassing him again, the
slender proceeds of the summer's toil having been
immediately melted away by the expenses that met
him on his return. He is even less willing to starve
now than when in Suffield.  "I could," he says, "if
my nature would let me, become one of those pinching,
scrivening, close, calculating, hard-fisted men, who stint
themselves to absolute necessities, and make it a principle to beat down on everything they buy. I don't
mean to disparage true economy, but I hate the' haggling' way of some, who borrow books or go without;
and besides establishing an unenviable reputation for
meanness, reap not half the benefits of a college course?
Well, I must hope for the best, and without doubt the
best will come.  I am, in one sense, independent; I




SECOND YEAR.                131
need not starve, for I have youth, and health, and mind,
and part of an education.":'
Again:
" I am just convalescent, after an attack of despondency, the most severe it was ever my lot to experience.
It affected my physical, mental, spiritual, and every
other organization.  To be, or not to be!-that is the
question.  To mope along, always in debt, and poorer
than poverty, unhappy, and disheartened; or to go only
half through college-spending the best portion of each
academic year in teaching; or to leave entirely, and
return only when I have earned money enough to ensure
a full and thorough course of education. These are
questions which it is difficult to leave with Providence,
and which I have foolishly and fruitlessly endeavored
to decide for myself."
At last he writes:," I confess I have borrowed much unnecessary trouble.
I have at last given up the thought of teaching.....
I have concluded that my duty is to stay, and I ask no
more."
He adds: "I have much to reproach myself with;
my ingratitude, unbelief, and neglect, are heavy burdens. I cannot be what I would-I would not be what
I fear I might! May God have mercy upon me....
I am surprised to see how little religion there is in the
world. Are there few that be saved? Shall I be?
If not, how great my condemnation! I sometimes




132                SECOND YEAR.
doubt whether I am advancing at all, intellectually or
spiritually."....
But so seldom is it that he gives way to gloom, that
this dark mood moves our smiles, from its strange contrast with his natural temper, even more than it excites
our sympathies for the despondency more deeply penetrating, because unusual. Hopefulness is decidedly his
characteristic, and his buoyancy of heart floats him
easily over all shallows and reefs.
Respecting his pecuniary support in college, it is
sufficient to say, that, taking all things into consideration-the cheerfulness that made difficulties slight, and
his need of some discipline to faith-he passed through
college easily: perplexed enough to keep him consciously dependent on Providence, and compelled to
exert himself in earning money sufficiently to teach
him the value of money, and educate self-reliance. His
uncle, Mr. Kingman, assisted him  inost kindly and
generously, and, at some late period in his course, he
became a beneficiary of the Education Society. Aid
came occasionally in other ways, too; often in some
great exigency, and from wholly unexpected quarters.
"It was a matter of remark in college," says one who
was then a student, "how  invariably Nott's wants,
whenever they became urgent, were supplied-often
from  sources least anticipated.  IHe used to say,'I
need this or that-I shall surely get it-it.will come in
some way;' and come it always would."




SECOND YEAR.                133
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS.
"At our' Lower Falls' Sunday-school station, the burden is suddenly thrown upon my own
shoulders. My associates have all left but one, thinking
their labors unappreciated, and unblessed. That one
will not preach. For my part I could not resist convictions of duty to persevere. I thought that if we
were willing to labor in encouragements, we certainly
should be so in discouragements, since there was then
so much more need of labor. Such difficulties affect
me differently from  many. They drive me to more
zealous exertion. For the last two Sabbaths I have
tried to preach there, and intend to follow it up. I
believe the Spirit has influenced me to take this course,
has aided me, yes, and blessed me. Several are already
pricked in the heart, and manifest deep feeling. My
effort has been to present the plainest subjects in the
most direct way.... 0 pray for me that I may be endued with power from on high, and by a godly walk
and conversation be an instrument of good."
" O how good —how good to have such early tokens
of God's peculiar favor to me in my contemplated calling. It has done me good every way. I feel aroused,
have something to labor for, something to pray for."
" December 8, 1852.
"It is all over-our dear H. M. has breathed his last,
and been consigned to the ever open grave. His race
was not without glory, but was quickly ended, and we
mourn the loss of a second classmate. I loved him as
a brother....A few months since he was converted
12




134               SECOND YEAn.
and baptized..... His sickness was short and violent,
and sudden in its termination.... Never, since darling
Franky's death, have I shed so many tears, or thought
myself so sorely wounded.  Such events make me
weary of living-I wish to die. Indeed, I have sometimes thought, before this, that my career might be
brief. If I should die before you, mother, know that
death cannot come unexpectedly to me. Often have I
in imagination gone through the closing scene, and
when called upon to do so in reality, it will be no new
thing to me. How strange it is that we live! I used
to think thus when Franky and Howard died, and often
prayed with the impression that it would be my last
prayer, and went to sleep thinking I never should
awake; and when in the morning I was aroused in full
health, I wondered and almost lamented. But life is
earnest and active," etc.
----- " Last Saturday E. and I went on a mission
to'our parish.' We visited the families, etc. The
effect was apparent next day in a larger school and
audience.  There is still much interest.  They will
have a church before long; then, if living, we intend to
go somewhere else to rear a foundation on which other
men may build. What immense responsibilities I have
assumed!  Why here I am, pretending to preach the
gospel, visit families, and pour words of consolation
into the ear of the afflicted. I am almost frightened
sometimes to think of it, for I so poorly and superficially discharge these duties that I fear I abuse the
trust and the office. My intentions are good, and yet
mixed with so much that is impure i"




CHAPTER  XIII.
SECOND YEAR  CONTINUED-ALBION.
IN March and April of this year, there occurred a
remarkable episode in his history, the events of which
exercised both an immediate and a permanent influence
upon his habits and character.
In the town of Albion, a beautiful village lying forty
miles west of Rochester, on the railroad to Niagara
Falls, lived at this time the Rev. Silas IIsley, pastor of
the Baptist church in A., who, from a former acquaintance with the father, Rev. H. G. Nott, now  invited
the  friendship of his son, the young  student at
Rochester.
The following letter will now be understood:"' ALBION, March 4, 1853.
"MY DEAR FATHER:
" Your first thought at seeing my date may be, that
I am'rust;cating,' in the technical sense of the word;
but not so bad as that, though perhaps I have so tried
my tutor by my'boyishness,' as long ago to have
deserved it.
"I am with Mr. Ilsley, spending a week or two for
reasons I will speedily unfold....
" Last Friday I received a note from Mrs. I., stating




136    SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.
that they have a large society of ladies in their church,
who'wished the privilege of furnishing me with aid
in the article of clothing, during my course.'.... I
resolved to visit Mrs. I. on Saturday, intending to
return Monday morning....  On  Sunday Mr. I.
would have nothing but that I must preach-the
church wanted to hear me-and in the evening I tried
to do so, from that solemn text, John v. 28. There
had been for some days an unusual interest, and I had
a fiull and solemn house. This was, you know, my first
sermon in a pulpit, and I did not by any means satisfy
myself; though I trust good was done.
" Mr. I. had arranged to hold meetings every afternoon and evening of the present week. A minister
whom he had expected, was detained from coming, and
as God was pouring out His Spirit, there seemed to me
to be a call to stay.... I returned to Rochester, and
made arrangements for a week's absence.  Tuesday
night I preached on the Cost of Salvation, as a motive
for securing it. The church was nearly full of youzng
people, and much feeling prevailed. Next day came
the news of a ball to be held on Thursday night, a
great temptation to the young who were serious. I
tried to preach from Dent. iii. 18. I felt deeply, and
God gave me unwonted strength.  The louse was
filled, and we had a time of solemnity and power."
" iarch 11.
"I have not found a moment's time to complete my
letter....  You will want to know what I am doing
with myself, and what the Lord is doing with me and
with this people.




SECOND - YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.    13 
"Thursday I spoke on A Time to Mourn.....  Saturday was the regular covenant meeting. The large
vestry was crowded full, and we had a blessed season.
The next day was indeed'the Lord's.'  Five were
baptized.  I have spoken every evening this week
except Monday. The church pray mightily for me, and
the Lord accordingly blesses wonderfully. The house
is thronged every night-even the aisles. My own
soul is abundantly blessed. I have given two 7sermons
to youth, firom'Show  thyself a man,' and,'Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.' Last night
I took up the excuses of the unawakened, from Lord,
I will follow Thee, BUT.   To night, the excuses of
the awakened; to-morrow night; the excuses for delaying.
"The Lord of hosts is with us. You may think I
am'off on a tangent,' and unwisely, but I couldn't
help it. I think it has done me pernmanent good, and I
will return to college as soon as I can, much better
fitted, I trust, to improve its privileges...
"' You will fear that I am becoming intoxicated; pray
that I may not; but I never saw myself so little, or
cared so little for externals, etc.
"The Lord is reviving His work in all this region.
O for a like blessing wvith you.
"Pray much for'the stripling'-' David and his sling'
are in great requisitions in the good people's prayers.
" Your affectionate Son,"'etc.
The result was, that Kingman was persuaded to stay,
with occasional flights to Rochester, for a period of
seven weeks, preaching, with few exceptions, every even12*




138    SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.
ing. Part of the time was vacation; for the rest, leave
of absence was procured from the Faculty, through the
representations of brethren at A.
How large the draft upon the resources of a youth of
hardly nineteen, may be understood by those who have
made, or witnessed similar experiments. That he was
sustained at all, is only explained by the fact of his
remarkable mental activity, and rapidity of working,
and by the earnestness of his heart, which forced his
intellect along in an equal race. This, from himself is
to be added:
"I have been surprised at the elasticity of my mind.
Deep feeling and solemnity have immediately brought
on their reaction of lightness, against which I have been
obliged to guard, but without which I could not have
kept up with such ease as I have."
We quote other brief extracts of interest.' ALBION, _tarch 22 (his birthday).
"I hardly know how to characterize the emotions of a
youth just entering his twentieth year! Though I indulged in a hearty laugh at the first thought of the
22nd of March, yet I cannot say I feel particularly glad.
I am beginning to be fiightened, lest I should lose boyish prerogatives, to which I would cling for many a
year yet.
" I feel surprised at myself-not at the extent of my
capabilities! or the progress I have made! but at the




SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.    139
way in which the Lord hath led me, and the goodness
which crowns my days.
"The interest still continues here, with new cases of
convictions and conversion each day.... Mr. I. has
been full of the impression that God sent me here, and
that I had a mission to perform, and could not go until
it was accomplished.
"This may be so; but I feel now that every day I.
remain, and every sermon I preach, is injuring me in
many ways. Next Monday I shall fly back to Rochester-dig into my books, and prepare for examination.".
Speaking of certain temporary and slight annoyances,
he says:
" I assure you I have not been slow to wish myself
fifty years old! However, I congratulate myself that
the faultfinders have been very rare, and obliged to
strain at a gnat.
" As for my manner of life, I have had none: so far
as the public knew, I have visited nowhere. As for my
preaching, I was not at all molested.  I regarded it
only as complimentary that some should say I'drew
on my father's barrel' (strange idea they must have of
my father!); or that, as I got rather excited in discoursing on' And thou, Capernaum,' etc. etc., I should
so move the indignation of some, who thought themselves at least'almost Christians,' that they made loud
complaint about their harsh usage, etc.
"]But, oh! how have I wept tears of joy, as I have
listened to the voices of one after another, who have




140    SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.
spoken of this sermon, or that, as having awakened
them, or set their anxious souls at rest!
"The church have given me the heartiest co-operation. It would do you good to hear themn pray for
your son.' Good God! he's but a stripling! but Thou
hast done great things by a stripling,' etc. Borne up
by such prayers, one can hardly help preaching.
" On Sunday the right hand of fellowship was given
to sixty individuals. You may judge of the impression
made on my mind by such a scene, especially when I
could not but know that God had made me instrumental in the salvation of many of these. I shall never forget that scene. It opened a new life to me. I learned
to realize, as never before, the grand object of my ministry and my life. I see how I should make everything
subservient to this-laboring with zeal and watching
with care if by any means I may save some.
"By the way, speaking of feelings, I am a strange
creature. You know I have always been able to raise
tears at a rather slight emotion-I have not during all
mly preaching shed one!  I could not...... I
have sometimes been wrought up to a high pitch of
nervous excitement-sometimes have felt tenderly, and
just ready to gush out in tears-but never a tear in
preaching. All my emotion has a very different effect
upon me when I stand up to speak. It seems to throw
itself all into my speaking. I have sometimes thought
that I had not much feeling; but I have wept in preparing sermons, and by myself."..
"Ajpril 26.
"I do not know what to think of myself sometimes.




SECOND'YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.    141
I do not know what God has meant by carrying me
through the scenes just transpired. In one moment I
am frightened at myself; thinking I never could do the
like again, and condemn my foolhardiness.  But I
was gradually and unsuspectingly drawn into the work,
and I am constrained to think it was of God and none
else. The results prove the same, and I tremblingly
praise the nalne of the Lord.
"About ninety have been baptized at Albion. You
fear'a sad reaction.' But there is no unusual cause
for fear. The work has been almost a silent one.
Very rarely has a meeting been continued beyond nine
o'clock. No extravagances —no flights of transportbut the young, manyi:after a long conflict indeed, giving
themselves away to Christ. It may be that public professions have been made in some instances too earlythis is about the only cause I have to fear.
"I preached my last sermon on Sabbath evening:'He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also
so to walk as he walked.'-Physician heal thyself!Every available spot was occupied, even to the entries.
"I have wished amidst all that I might gain a spiritual blessing to my own soul; that my principles
might become more settled, and I become rooted and
grounded in the faith. Rochester University is not
the most fruitful soil for the Christian graces to grow in
-it is too rich."
Mr. Ilsley sends the following notes: -...      "W...  When I first invited him to preach, he
promptly refused, and urged many reasons for that




142     SECOND YEAR CO~NTINUED-ALBION.
decision. But I plead my extraordinary labors, etc,
and at last prevailed........ His first sermon was
decidedly a success. The conviction was immediately
impressed on many minds, that God had a work for
him. to do with us......
"From his youthfulness (he was but eighteen) the
curiosity of the whole community was aroused, and the
sanctuary was always crowded. Some declared it impossible that his sermons could be original... but all
were finally compelled to admit that his ability to preach
and pray were from God.... His preaching from the
first was brilliant, but then less pointed and doctrinal
than it soon became. In preparing for the pulpit he
had little to do with books. Prayer and the study of
the Bible were his chief reliance."....
Mrs. Ilsley also sends the following most interesting
communication:
" The remembrance of that revival," she writes," and
of Kingman's labors, has ever been delightful.  In a
letter received from him just before the acceptance of
his call. to New York, he says,' I shall ever look back
to that time with the same interest as to the hour of
my conversion, and as stamping my character as a minister of Christ.' He leartied at that time, that it
was the presentation of the simple truths of the Gospel,
with strong faith and prayer, that drew down those influences of the Spirit that resulted in the salvation of
souls. This explains his great success; for often did
he say to me,' if the church keep on praying for -me as
they do now, I shall never tire in preaching, and I




SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.'143
shall always expect glorious results,' And he said that
many times while preaching he would have more
thoughts and words to express them, than he had time
to utter during the hour allotted to preaching. Some
of the sermons he preached at that time have been
remarked upon often for the strength of argument and
reasoning in them which, indeed, sometimes seemed
more than human, and which would have been considered great from an old divine, but coming from a youth
of eighteen, astonished the wise and learned among us.
His youth attracted crowds to hear him, and many
went away spiritually blessed.  One hundred and
twenty-five were added to the church as the fruit of
that revival, of whom many ascribed their first religious
impressions to words that fell from his lips, and will be
stars in the crown of his rejoicing through all eternity.
During that time he preached almost every evening, and
attended the afternoon prayer-meeting, and enjoyed
uninterrupted good health. The forenoon of every day
was devoted to preparation for the evening work. He
never took anything written with him into the pulpit
but twice, and then a small card contained all. He
rode horseback every morning, which exercise he enjoyed much. He was abstemious in diet, and took no
other drink than cold water. He loved the Albion
church and they loved him  much, and contributed
much to his personal comfort."
It may well be questioned whether this episodical
proceeding was judicious and justifiable.  Was it wise
and safe, and a proper thing, for a young man in course




144    SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.
of education, to absent himself from college, and, with
untried powers, plunge head foremost into the work of
an evangelist, and for six weeks give himself to public
exhortation and preaching? Is a similar course to be
recommended to other young men? Are students to be
encouraged to seize the earliest opportunity of rushing
before the public, and to seek in the pulpit, as well as
the recitation-room, their school of preparation?
Decidedly not; the experiment in this case was
doubtless hazardous.  Only "success vindicated the
attempt;" but disaster was imminent.  The greater
number of the so-called "boy-preachers," prematurely
fledged, stoop quickly from their first ambitious and
sun-aiming flight, and, exhausted  and  thenceforth
stunted, remain ever afterwards waddlers on the earth
instead of soaring eagles. In this instance, the hand of
God was manifested, as was proved alone by the results.
There is every reason to believe that the following
testimony is true. It is what Kingman writes after his
return to Rochester:
"If the query had been soberly raised beforehand
as to the propriety of my leaving college and going off
to preach six weeks in a revival, I should have looked
upon it not only as a dangerous experiment, but almost
as an absurdity. I was led in a way that I knew not.
And I do not think I have been injured. The large
drafts that have been made upon my capital have
showed me how poor my resources really are, and made




SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.    145
me feel the necessity of laying a deep and broad foundation if I would build largely."
He adds:-Prof. -     called me to his house and
had a friendly talk with me a few days since. He
seemed fearful that I might run away, or take up with
a partial course. I assured him that I had only been
led to see more than ever the necessity for a thorough
education; and that, so far from limiting mine, I would
prefer rather to extend it beyond the ordinary bounds.
He did not know-what he was very glad to discover
— that I had a good and wise father to counsel me.
" I have done preaching for the present, except at my
mission post."
There can be no doubt that this experience at Albion
was of the greatest utility, in quickening his emotions,
deepening his piety, and, as Mr. Ilsley has most truthfully remarked, teaching him the most effective mode of
preaching. He formed his style in Albion.
This was, then, his third great lesson, in College:
Williamson inculcated deeper conscientiousness; Agamenticus called out endurance; Albion taught the art
of preaching.
One or two extracts close the records for this
year.
The following letter to a convert of the Albion revival, Harding Ilsley, a son of the clergyman, gives a
good example of the tenderness and tact with which
Kingman drew to himself, and led always to the Saviour,
the hearts of the young. The lad was only eleven years
13




146     SECOND YEAR CONTINUED-ALBION.
of age when baptized. The letter was written two or
three years later:
"MY DEAR HARDING:
" I am glad to hear that you still love to pray, and
are still trying to live like a Christian. No doubt you
sometimes find this hard; and so must every one, a
man as well as a boy. I hope you still remain firm,
and full of love to Jesus.  I hope you are gentle,
patient, obedient-always just as you think Christ would
be if he were in your place. That is the way to live,
the only way to be happy.  Thus you can show to
others the beauty of religion, and win them to Christ.
"I am afrtaid you get cold sometimes, and feel tired
of praying, and do not see the use of it, and even almost
wish you were not a Christian. Is it not so?  Older
Christians than you sometimes feel so, but such thoughts
are very ungrateful and wicked. The devil puts them
into our hearts, and if we let them stay there they will
drive away all our religion..... There is only one
way in which you can get rid of such feelings. You:nust go right to Jesus, just as you went the first time,
when you felt you were a sinner, and tell Him all about
it, and beg Him to have mercy upon you.
"Don't be afraid of your playmates. You profess to
be a Christian, and they will think all the more of you
for acting like one.  Remember you are like a soldier,
who has enlisted. You must fight for the Lord, and
never desert, for you have enlisted for life.
"Your friend," &c.




SECOND YEAR CONTINUED —ALBION.    147
TO HIS FRIEND BROWN.
"- -  I have thought, Theron, how aimless, and
hence how useless would be our lives, were it not for
the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.} I bless
God that He has given me something worth living for;
and particularly that HIe has been pleased by the foolishness of my preaching to save some. Why, just think
of such a weak vagabond as myself being made the
means of saving an immortal soul! Sometimes when
I think of it, I am lost in wonder, love, and praise. Oh,
what exalted, pure delight! I know of no satisfaction
that will compare with that arising from the consciousness that God has blessed and honored me thus.".
At the end of the summer term of this year, K.
hastened to his father's, expecting to obtain a school
for two or three months in the neighborhood of K-port.
This plan was unsuccessful, and, unable to occupy the
vacation with recreation and visiting, he immediately
turned his face towards Rochester again, and the fine
villages surrounding; resolved, if still compelled to be
an alien from home, that he would cling at least to the
skirts of his adopted city. After some negotiation, he
engaged to teach the Union School in Pittsford, N. Y.,
six miles fiom Rochester, for three months.
This introduces us to the third year.




CHAPTER XIV.
THIRD YEAR-NEW YORIR —PITTSFORD, ETC.
IN the course of the journey back to Rochester and
Pittsford, Kingman made his first visit, of any account,
to the city of New York. In company with a college
friend from Brooklyn he gave three days to the exploration of the great metropolis, wandering where the whim
led him, delighted with the novelties that met his eyes,
and far from suspecting that these sights were soon to
become as ordinary to him as the view of the bare rocks
in the pastures aboft Kennebunkport. In the streets
that he walked, the very stones were soon to become
familiar with his frequent tread; and many of the
houses that he passed carelessly by, were inhabited by
those who were destined to be among his dearest friends.
Perhaps he brushed by strangers, whom, under the controlling providence of God, he was to influence for ever.
Of what vast import are our lives, at every instant of
their passing! How intimate and eternal may be the
relations which bind us secretly to objects and persons
that we are looking upon with the most unthinking
indifference.
Remaining in New York one Sabbath, he was in possession of an "opportunity which he had long wished




THIRD YEAR.                 149
for, of hearing some of the distinguished preachers of
the city."  He sallied out, therefore," with anticipations
of a rich treat."  His comments on the three sermons
to which he listened, in different churches, are interesting as specimens of his criticism at that age. It is evident that he had a distinct standard of some sort, both
of style and of orthodoxy.
"In the forenoon," he says, " I listened to the great
Dr.  --.  A long introduction, general and hackneyed, consumed half the time; the rest was filled up
by common-place, loosely-jointed remarks, with considerable cant and many lazy attempts at eloquence.
He made himself entirely at home, easy and careless.
I should judge it was not one of his great efforts. In
fact, one of the people informed me that the Dr. was
not quite himself that morning, as he had the dyspepsia."
Kingman would have judged more leniently a few
years later; though he continued always liable to be
warped from true candor, by his unwarrantable deficiency
of sympathy with dyspeptics.
" In the afternoon," he continues, " I mustered courage to go to the ---  Street Church, where I heard
Dr. M —.  This was a sound, close, forcible sermon,
and pleased me much. The Dr. is called eccentric; he
is peculiar, but certainly very earnest, simple, and often
striking. His text was'Whom we preach;' (1) All
Christ; (2) To all; (3) In all places."
"In the evening I went to —, and heard a very
13*




150                THIRD YEAR.
young sermon friom a very young man, which dis.
pleased me exceedingly.. I did not learn his name; of
course it was not the pastor. The professed object of
the discourse was to demonstrate the doctrine that
infants are saved. Now I fully believe the fact, but not
his exposition of its ground. The preacher demanded
the salvation of the infant, not on account of Christ's
atonement, but from the sinless purity of the being.
Besides, as to imputation, he had never been able to
ascertain with any preciseness what that meant.'His
opportunities of conversation had not been limited, yet
he had never discovered any one who seemed to know
what was meant by' imputed.'  Ah! thought I, if I
could take you to some poor sinner who glories in the
cross of Christ and that alone; whose cry is
"'Vile and full of sin I am,
Th.ou art full of truth and grace;'
he could tell you what is meant by the'imputed' righteousness of Christ, if not the imputed sin of Adam."
In Pittsford, Kingman gave himself with due devoted.
ness to his temporary calling.  He succeeded with the
school, and by his sociability and manifest interest in
people, gained many warm friiends in the village.  He
treated his scholars with great familiarity, as he could
hardly avoid doing, with his ready sympathy for young
hearts.  They knew him to be their fiiend, and indeed
half suspected him of a disposition to fraternize with
them even in those frolics that were most untimely.




THIRD YEAR.                 151
Yet he had a fund of resoluteness and an interest in
their progress that sufficed to preserve his dignity and
the discipline of the school.
He contracted special friendships with a few, chiefly
the smallest. "Little Mary B —," he writes, " is my
constant companion. Before and at the close of school,
at rest and at recess, she is always by my side," etc.
Here is an incident of school-life that gives him
occasion for moralizing:" September 13.
" Here I am imprisoned in my school-room this
pleasant afternoon, although it is past four o'clock, and
the school has been dismissed. Besides me there are
three others: one boy sweeping, another studying a
neglected lesson, and the third waiting to be punished
for the crime, oft-repeated, of truancy.... N.B.! The
boy who was waiting to be punished has just taken
flight out of the back-door into the street!..... Well,
if the fellow is so insanely forgetful of the inevitable
final consequences of his audacity, why let him go!Alas! such is poor human nature-thoughtful only of
the present moment, regardless of the future! A little
present pain must be avoided, though at the expense
of vastly more hereafter. How do men deceive themselves in trying to persuade their restless fears that all
will be well-the avenging rod will not overtake themsome unseen way will be opened for their escape.
What delusion! "i
After the commencement of the college term he
maintained a close connexion with Rochester-visiting




152                THIRD YEAR.
the city at least once a week, generally on foot one
way, performing his regular parts in the literary society,
and keeping well along with his class in their studies.
The opportunities for religious labor were less abundant than in some of his places of sojourn; but he improved such as were offered.
" I have engaged in the Sabbath-school," he says,
"assisting the superintendent, etc.; and I am going
next Sabbath to take charge of a school three miles
distant, held before morning service. It is at a place
called Bushnell's Basin, where there are five or six
hundred inhabitants and a good meeting-house, but no
preaching. I have promised to preach there at five
o'clock," etc.
He adds:-" I certainly enjoy more spiritual religion
than I have at almost any other place or time. I take
more delight in private communion with God through
His word and by prayer than for a long time before.
Sometimes I almost taste'the blessedness I knew when
first I saw the Lord.'.... I have made a vow: it is,
that I will endeavor by the grace of God to be the
means of converting at least one soul during my stay in
Pittsford. The place needs, as much as Kennebunkport,
a powerful work of grace..... I strive to be watchful.
I would not willingly be guilty of inconsistency, or
hide my light."
"' Last Sabbath," he writes again, " I preached at
Bushnell's Basin. There is a sad waste there.  There
are no Christians at all in the village, so far as I can
learn. There are a great many young persons, and an




THIRD YEAR.                153
illteresting Sabbath-school.  This is sustained almost
entirely by a family living at some distance, who are
all active, benevolent, devoted, whole-souled Christians.
It would do you good to see them  come to church.
Not content with his three-seated wagon, the man rigs
up'bis hay cart with carpeted seats, and brings a load
of twenty-five people. They call this honored vehicle' The Baptist Church.'.... I had good attention,
and promised to come again next Sabbath. They are
surely sheep (or rather goats, I fear) without a shepherd, and if I can do a little good there I shall be glad
indeed. They must have the word of life; and if no
one else will give it them, and God grants me power
and opportunity, I dare not withhold it."
He mentions an interesting excursion to Albion:"Oct. 1.
"After closing my school for the week, I
could not resist the temptation to make a hurried trip
to Albion, to see the brethren'how they did.' It was a
good and genuine work which God wrought there.
Their meetings are continued with great interest, even
the young converts' meeting being still sustained.
Returning Saturday evening I met on the cars a young
man whose face I recollected, though I did not know
his name. He recognised me, and we immediately
engaged in conversation.  His heart was full of the
great theme, and as he told me what he had been, and
now was, my own heart overflowed with gratitude to
God.... As he closed'his history he added:' If it
had not been for you, I might now be what I then




1544              THIRD YEAR.
was!' 0 how I bless God for that moment! one of
the happiest in my life! Let me live to preach that
glorious; gospel which can work such wonders! Thank
God for the privilege. What a wonder that He should
entrust this treasure to earthen vessels."....
To-his friend Brown he writes from Pittsford:
"Now I suppose you have reached the goal, or rather
one of the way-marks. You are an inmate of Yale.
Let me be the first to shower down upon you from the
full cup of friendship congratulations and the best wishes
for your-success, shall I say?-your preservation suits
me better. May Heaven preserve you from following
the course of so many who enter college as pious students! God forbid that the evil influences that fill the
atmosphere of Yale, should eat out your piety! How
different a place it will be from Suffield."...
The following letter to his eldest sister on the occasion of her marriage, belongs here:
"Joy, joy to thee, dear C., Heaven's choicest blessings rest on you and yours!
" God knows how I love you, and how I ought to
love you. No being, next to my dear parents, has had
so much to do with moulding my mind and character,
and forming my principles. When our dear mother died,
I was left a wayward boy-most needing a mother's
fostering care. What cruel, wicked deceptions I the;n
practised upon my father!'How many were the bad
habits I gathered from bad companions, and how strong




THIRD YEAR.                 155
the influences to keep me from God and bring me
under the sway of the evil one.
"Do you know what it was that kept me from many
a sin, and made more moral and religious impressions
upon my mind than any other cause-impressions
which were never effaced? It was those letters, full
of sisterly love and concern, that perseveringly followed one another till God was pleased to bless them.....  Would that I could repay the debt!  But you
labored for no earthly reward; and if we are ever so
happy as to meet in Heaven as ransomed souls, surely
you will ask no other joy,..... More than one hint
of yours has been the means of implanting in my mind
a settled principle. For instance, do you remember
coming into my room once when I was writing a letter
-a religious letter, on the Sabbath?....
"We talked the matter over, and the result was-that
I put away the unfinished sheet. That was one result:
another is this-that I have never since, in a single
instance, written a letter of any kind upon that sacred
day.
" O, when I sit down to think, as I have been forced
to do for a few days, of you and your love; how the
past rushes upon my mind, and such scenes as I have
just described make me weep for sorrow and for joy.
I remember when you fell into father's arms, with the
exclamation, that you had found peace in Jesus.; and
firom that time I remember nothing but devotion to the
cause you then espoused..... I remember all of the
several greetings and partings which have marked the
past few years, and in all bless God from my heart of
hearts that He ever gave me such a sister...




1586              THIRD YEAR.
"Farewell —God bless you! I know that amid all
the festivities, poor, humble absent I am not forgotten.
— God orders all things right for us.-A brother's love
to C.: may a Saviout's accompany it.
"Your loving, deeply loving,
" KINGMAN."
Returning to the University, about the first of Nov.,
he expresses the usual hopes and longings.
"I am much gratified to find a better state of religious feeling among the students. The prayer-meetings
are well attended, and conducted with uncommon
heartiness. There is some desire for a revival. 0 that
we might be willing and fit to receive it!-I want to
strive for more consistency and devotion."
The last letter of'53 has the regretfulness that must
commonly belong to reflections upon any considerable
past period of our lives.
"Dec. 26, 1853.
" DEAR MOTHER:.... 1"The term has ended, and in some respects
it has been an unsatisfactory one.  I have studied
more severely than sometimes-yet not enough; and I
fear that in religious feeling I have lost. The quiet of
Pittsford was good for me.  When I returned, I soon
became so much engrossed in secular duties that I
allowed my religious fervor partially to decay. How
soon will love for prayer and pleasure in reading the
Scriptures decline, when not regularly and frequently




THIRD YEAR.                157
indulged! I sometimes tremble as I look forward to
the world.which I am so soon to enter, and think how
poorly-very poorly I am preparing to accomplish any
good in it.-The last week of another year is fast
speeding away, and I am-I scarcely know what. By
God's help I will strive to accomplish more."...
Such regrets, accompanied by longings and strivings, are among the surest indications of progress in
grace: for there must be the pulling down of the old,
in order to the upbuilding of the new. In another
figure, hungering and thirsting are the conditions of
our being satisfied; but we cannot hunger and thirst
by willing it, but only from the sense of real inanition.
We languish, we die, then we pant for the living God,
and live. The depths of our natures deepen as their
cravings are filled-and so we hunger again.
An extract of a similar nature with the preceding
follows:
" Jan. 26.
" I feel bound to record my cause for gratitude to
God, for the increased satisfaction I take in religion.
Christ seems nearer to me, the Scriptures a blessed
book, and prayer a sweet privilege.
"I have been asking myself the question, to what
extent may a Christian study, or allow of conformity
to the world? To some degree conformity seems to
be demanded, for the sake of maintaining influence
over worldly people. But alas! how much there is of
accursed pride in my heart, prompting to too watchful
an observance of the fashions and maxims of the world!
14




158                THIRD YEAR.
Persons talk of the greatness of the sacrifices which a
missionary makes, in abandoning home and country;
and I have endeavored to weigh them, and form some
conception of them. But it seems to me that, with
the mountain duty before me of leading a true Christian life-a life such as Christ led-a life of entire
subjection of pride and renouncement of what the
world calls good-I might fly to heathen soil as a
refuge. There it would be comparatively easy, among
a strange people, and unshackled by the miserable
conventionalisms of our society, and with the direct
object of one's mission constantly forced upon him, to
know none save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Oh,
I do not know but we have reason to cry out with
Doddridge, as we read the commands of our Saviour,'Blessed Jesus! either these are not thy words, or we
are not Christians!'''
This concerning the college:'Jan. 31.
"While there is an apparently good state of religion
among us, yet I find - as I become more closely
acquainted with the feelings of individuals —that there
is much to lament and to be alarmed at. There is impenetrable indifference and painful trifling on the part of
some-such trifling as only students know how to be
guilty of. (t Some professors of religion are very far
away, andi-even losing the evidences of their conversion: and these serve as stumbling-blocks to others.
Individual responsibility is merged in the general; and
the poor, irreligious young men are lost sight of, and
left to perish in the very midst of their appointed




THIRD YEAR.                 159
guardians. Of the one hundred and seventy-one students catalogued as belonging to the Seminary and
University, about one hundred and fifty are professors
of religion. What a moral power we ought to exert!"
"Trifling," of the character referred to-that is,
levity in the treatment of religious subjects-that'foolish jesting' which, beyond all other styles, is' not
convenient' — Kingman always regarded  as a high
crime, and never, through any inadvertence, even in
his most frivolous moods, indulged. He felt that this,
at least, would be to give the lie to his professions of
belief in some things sacred, and of anxiety for the
souls of sinners exposed to a real hell.
On a similar topic:
" Feb. 8.
"There is to me something mysterious in the present
condition of our churches-their habitual worldliness
and occasional e revivals.' It is exceedingly painful to
reflect that so many persons are' added to the church,'
only to bring misery upon themselves and reproach
upon the name and cause of Christ. I cease to wonder
so much as formerly at your" [his father's] " strict conservatism upon this point.....
" But there are churches that are in earnest. The'Brick Church' of this city recently appointed a day
of fasting and prayer...... All their business mensome of them our principal merchants-closed their
stores, and flocked together till their room was filled to
overflowing. An unconverted man, walking the street,




160                THIRD YEAR.
says,' Why, what are these stores closed for? What
does it mean'' They're having a day of fasting and
prayer.''Well, they seem to be in earnest about it.
I guess they mean to do something.' This, which was
overheard in the streets, seems to me to indicate what
the world want. Of course, God blessed that church.
They now hold meetings every afternoon and evening,
with much interest.
"Three weeks from to-morrow," he adds, "comes
the annual day of prayer for colleges. I hope the
church at home will observe it, and offer prayer for
this University, and especially for one of themselves
who  is here-six  hundred  miles from  honme and
church-struggling with temptations strong and many.
I believe that if all the churches that have representatives in this college, would unite with us in strong
prayer on that day, we could not help receiving an
overwhelming blessing."
These earnest desires for a revival in the college were
fully answered, though not now. The sequel will show.
Here is more  " regretting"  and more "hungering":
"April 17.
"MvY DEAR FATHER:
" The short vacation is fast passing away, and I shall
doubt whether to be glad or sorry to see the begihining
of my last term  in the junior year.  I feel now just
prepared to enter college, no more....  My thoughts
are very busy of late; they often lead me in paths that
I never before knew....  O! that my first consecration had been lasting  Eow sad that I should ever




THIRD YEAR.                  161
have allowed Satan to get near, and silently weave
about me chains from which it is so difficult to become
free  The Holy Spirit is in my heart.  I am conscious
of His influence. I feel His constraining power.  He
leads me as far as I will go, and invites me farther.  It is
not hard, comparatively, to break off known acts of sin;
nor do I think that pleasure, or ambition, or covetousness enslaves me. But, to have all subdued to the will
of God, so that I shall do perfectly tIis will, as made
known to me through the Spirit-it is high-I cannot
attain unto it!... What is required of me?
Clearly, to tell the tidings of salvation.... Then
conies the practical question: What can I do now, while
yet a student-this term-this vacation-to-day.
Ah! nothing else will suffice than an entire giving up
of everything for Christ! This must come, or I shall
never be a whole Christian....'Are there few that
be saved?' O, pray that my will may be swallowed
up in the will of God 1"
This during the present year especially was the great
burden of his desire-the attainment of conformity of
his own will to God's.
Thus he says:"I possess now something of that pure enjoyment
that springs from a consciousness of duty performed.
How sweet it is! May I have more of it! Sometimes
I think I am the very happiest man in the world.
Of course it is not always so. But the future causes me
little anxiety. I think and plan about it less than for14- X




162                THIRD Y:EAR.
merly.  Could I but attain a state in which I should
have no plans, no will of my own, then pride and selfishness should be so subdued that God could use me easily
as He pleased; then I should have reached, I think,
the height of my ambition. But what a height!"
Then follows an agreeable example of his lighter
manner of writing:
" April 22.
"DEAR C      -:
"Our delightful spring weather has been renewed
with three-fold beauty. These mornings are glorious.
When I wake up, I can with difficulty believe that I
am in the midst of a populous city. The air is fresh
and pure, the birds twitter and sing, and a thousand
inspiring cock-a-doodle-doos fill the air with life and
exulting praise. Of the latter sort of melody, there is
every variety; from the chant of the old-fashioned,
puritanic'rooster,' to the  shrill'fantasia' of the'Premium Shanghai' or new-fangled'Brahma Pootra'
of yesterday's importation; now some youthful adventurer makes his hesitating debut; and now ring out
the clarion tones of an old hero, coming up like the
shout of a victorious army, and filling you with sympathetic exultation..... And then to walk out, as I
often do, along secluded and shady streets, before city
life has awaked, and note the hush and whisper.
ings.
"'There's not a spring or leaf but has its morning hymn,
Each bush and oak dath know the great I Ax.'"




THIRD YEAR.                 163
The long summer vacation was again at hand, in
which money must again be earned. Although disappointed once, he still believed in the possibility of
obtaining a school at home. Upon inquiry, he received
encouragement that a remunerative class of private
pupils might be gathered, and in order to give this
plan a fair trial by attempting it early enough in the
season, he left Rochester several weeks before the close
of the term.
He received a painful mortification just before his
departure. He made the first and only failure of his
life in a public address. The occasion was the public
meeting of a Literary Society. His part was an oration, and he had prepared himself with more than
ordinary care. The theme selected was thus entitled" Something more Wonderful than' Progress;"' with
a satirical reference to the common semi-philosophical
cant among popular lecturers and others about "Progress."  The "something more wonderful" was: First,
that so small a portion of the race has at any one
time-or at any time, attained a great height. Second,
that the backward step has so often been taken;
and third, that the highest attainments fall so far
short of true ideals. It was handled with considerable originality, and much beauty of illustration. But
when the oration came to be spoken, midway-when
the attention of the audience was closely fixed-his
memory inexcusably betrayed her trust to him, and




164                THIRD YEAR.
absolutely refused to deliver up from her archives
another sentence or word of the important address.
Nothing was left for him but to retire prematurely
fiom the platform, carrying the sympathies instead of
the applause of the spectators.  Unused to failure, he
felt the shame belonging to the consciousness of crime;
and heartily did he rejoice that his arrangements had
already been perfected for leaving the city that night.
He bade farewell to few, but morning found him far
out of the reach of the roar of ridicule that his excited imagination conceived to be pursuing him. This
incident impressed upon him permanently the value of
thorough preparationz for any performance.  IHe never
approximated to failure again, in any formal public
address. But his mortification for a time was excessive.  "Think of it!" he says in a letter, "stammering, blushing, looking this way and that, and at last
disgracefully retreating! I can scarcely credit it now.
I could not possibly have looked the faculty and students in the face next morning. But see what friends
I have! A faithful few will maintain that it was only
a rhetorical artifice, slightly overdone!"
At home he speedily discovered that there was nothing to do. To his notices that "school would be commenced so and so," a truly select number of pupils
responded. The maximum was attained when fourteen
one morning darkened the door. The same day he
dismissed the fourteen, and closed his doors finally.




T1IRD YEAR.                 165
"IHere I am now, at safe anchorage in this  port,'"
he says, "but wind-bound. I shall set sail with first
fair breeze, but whither is all uncertainty. I am carrying on my studies, that is, Greek and Geology, and am
enjoying an excellent opportunity, if I would but improve it, of searching my heart and growing in grace.
I have been reading some books; Mrs. Mowatt's Autobiography, Potiphar Papers, Humboldt's Cosmos, Dr.
Judson's Life, etc., with occasional Milton and Young.
That Life of Dr. J. has brought the tears to my eyes
again and again. It gives new and loftier ideas of life
and its responsibilities, and fires the soul with a holy
ambition, when it exhibits how much one man can
suffer and do for the glory of our dear Saviour."
Restless in his comparative inactivity, and feeling the
importance of obtaining some remunerative employment,
he finally made arrangements to serve the Sunday
School Union a second time, but in a new field, the
region, namely, of Lewiston Falls, Maine.




CHAPTER XV.
SECOND MISSION TOUR —LEWISTON FALLS.
LEWISTON FALLS, or Lewiston, is a flourishing young
manufacturing city in the heart of the western portion
of the State of Maine.  The country surrounding,
though populous, was not at this time, it appears, whatever it is now, above the need of religious culture; as
indeed what most Christianized district of our whole
land is above such need?
This second S. S. expedition, if less adventurous and
novel than the first, was even more laborious. The
distances to be traversed were great, the heat excessive,
and the people, at any time sufficiently indifferent, at
that season were specially occupied with their farming
operations.
Kingman established his head-quarters at the house
of Rev. George Knox, the respected pastor of the Baptist Church at Lewiston Falls. From this place his
letters are dated.'L. F., July 8.
"Here I am at last, in fine spirits and with good
prospects, enjoying the hospitalities of Bro. Knox, to
whom I already feel dearly attached. I feel already
acquainted in the town, and most pleasantly too......
Last evening occurred the weekly prayer-meeting. How




SECOND MISSION TOUR-LEWISTON FALLS. 16 7
fortunate that I came in time for it! WVe were knit
together in love, and our hearts burned within us as we
talked of our Saviour and the glory to be revealed.
"This morning I awoke after a sweet sleep, full of
zeal for my work. Here I am, Lord, send me! Brother Knox took me this morning to B, a Universalist neighborhood, and a considerable village. Until
lately it was said, that here for two miles there was not
a house where family prayer was offered! What a field
for doing good! I should like to live there a few
months. My district is of vast extent, larger than I
shall pass over in my allotted time. -I am full of sanguine hope. I have a little zeal. I am quite happy
and willing to work. May it be for the Lord!"
Immediately he begins his journeyings, from hamlet
to hamlet, and house to house, and soon finds discouragements enough.
"The most disagreeable thing," he says, " is, that I
am compelled to beg my daily food, no place to lay my
head; being constantly among strangers and uncertain
whether I am welcome or not. It is a horrible life-as
those who have not experienced anythingof it cannot
understand. But this dependence to which I am forced
may certainly give exercise and growth to humility."
"Wednesday, July 12.-I went through the' Thorn
District' and scoured it pretty thoroughly; calling on
twelve or fifteen families.  I felt homesick among
strangers, and longed for a cordial smile or friendly
word. I found now and then a blessed old lady, whose




168 SECOND MISSION TOURP-LEWISTON FALLS.
pious talk cheered me, and made me thank God for this
glorious religion.
"I became quite encouraged respecting a Sabbathschool. I visited the day-school, and talked to the
scholars. At recess I sat down on the ground, and
gathering them around me, showed them my books, and
urged them to come to Sabbath School.
" Thursday I visited a district in Webster. Here are
the remains of an old Baptist Church. It is nearly
dead, alas! but has seen its days of prosperity and of
glory. They sustain no meetings, and have had no
preaching for a long time. I worked here, but found
it very dismal. I do not see how it is possible to stir
a stone. It is a hard, hard field."
He is astonished to find the region "overrun with
Universalism," and especially that "Baptist Churches
have joined hand in hand with it."
" I have already found three meeting houses owned
in partnership by Baptists and Universalists. Of course,
the houses are about all that is left of such Baptist
Churches. They are dead —twice dead, plucked up by
the roots.
"This labor," he adds, "is not of a kind to satisfy
me. It is not sufficiently direct. It is a round-about
way to convert people. I would rather go right at
them. I love the Sunday School, but love preaching
best.... I would like to live out here in W -- a year,
as a missionary. There is only now and then a family
in the whole town that pretends to go to meeting."




SECOND MISSION TOUR-LEWISTON FALLS. 169
In a supplement to this letter, he rebukes his own
want of faith.
"I take my pen to add a little. But before I add
anything, I want to take back part of what I have
already written. Pardon what I have said about my
labors, inconveniences, and discouragements. I wrote
it after a week of hard toil, and before I had waited to
see the fruit; and I must admit, with some feeling of
rebelliousness. I am in a different mood now. Yesterday's (the Sabbath's) labors and blessings wrought a
change. I wish you could have followed me through
the day, or that I had time to picture it.... I travelled
a circuit of twenty miles, taking Brother W — with
me; attended one Sabbath School and taught a class;
heard two sermons; held two meetings in school-houses;
attended a Sunday School concert, and, altogether,
spoke five times to different congregations.  I never had
a better day! I think some part of my discouragement
last week was animal. I got so tired as to make me
disheartened. I am willing now to labor right here, in
this cause, and do all I can. Lord, what wilt thou have
me to do, is now, I think, my sincere inquiry; and may
He forgive my unbelief and rebelliousness."
August 14, he writes:
"Lewiston has been a melancholy place for a week
or two.  Cholera has been raging fearfully, having
already swept away twenty or thirty from this little
town. Its ravages are chiefly confined among the Irish,
who are settled here in large numbers. But several
15




170 SECOND MIISSION TOUR-LEWISTONT F ALLS.
Americans have died. Yesterday the principal physician of the place fell a victim. Many have perished
firom  sheer neglect; some all alone. Sickness was
regarded as sure and speedy death, until Mr. Knox and
some others organized a plan for taking the sick in
charge, and discovered that many cases, viewed as
desperate, were susceptible of cure by careful treatment.
I have been exposed considerably, watching, etc. The
suffering is painful to witness. Such work as this, added
to my Sunday-school labors, has worn on me," etc.
The following final resume of the summer's labors
Occurs ~
" Sept. 14.
"I completed, altogetheri, seven weeks' services.
I walked nearly three hundred miles, delivered thirty or
forty addresses; established five new schools; sold $150
worth of books, and earned nearly $60. I find, on looking back, that I enjoyed the vacation better than I had
anticipated, and far more than I realized at the time.
Lewiston has been a good home to me, and I shall
always love its people.... Since closing my Sundayschool engagement, I have supplied Mr. Knox's pulpit
two Sabbaths, and the Free St. Church in Portland the
same number."
From Mr. Souther (agent of S. S. U.) to A. K. Nott.
" FRYEBURG, Sept. 15,'54.
"DEAR CHRISTIAN BROTHER:
"The very full and interesting report you were
pleased to send me, of your Sunday-school missionary
labors in our State, gives me great pleasure.




SECOND MISSION TOURT-LEWISTON FALLS. 171l
" I trust the impulse communicated to the good cause
will be lasting, and most beneficial in all that region.
" And now, dear brother, allow me to hope that you
will still and ever be a Sunday School missionary, and
that you may, by your influence among the young
brethren at Rochester, be able to stir many of them to
engage in this blessed work.
"May I not hope to meet you another season, and
with you and others like-minded, ready to aid in building up the waste plac.es of our Zion in this noble Eastern State?
" Yours truly," etc.
Mr. Knox writes, Oct. 28, 1854:
"Those Sabbath Schools in which you were concerned in this vicinity,. have all been prosperous, are
well attended, and doing good."
Mr. Knox furnishes also this interesting account.
"In the month of July, 1854, answering the bellcall, I found at my door a youth apparently about
sixteen years of age. His dress was neat but simple,
and adapted to the season of the year. With a pleasant smile, which is still visible in my memory, he introduced himself as Bro. Nott-Kingman Nott; had
been directed by Rev. Mr. S. to my house-had come
to labor in this vicinity, in behalf of the American Sunday School Union.  Thus commenced one of the most
pleasant acquaintanceships I ever formed. It was Friday.
In the evening he attended our prayer-meeting, and
participated in its exercises.




172 SECOND MISSION TOUR —LEWISTON FALLS.
"Such was the intelligence and manly character of
his remarks, that I said to myself the boy is abundantly able to preach.  But his extremely youthful
appearance, made me doubt the propriety of suggesting this idea to him.  A little further intercourse,
however, so confirmed my good opinion of his intelligence, piety, and modesty, that I could hesitate no
longer. And when, to my question, if he had ever
preached, he modestly replied that "he had sometimes
tried to talk a little in the pulpit," I was fully prepared to say he must preach for me the next Sabbath
morning.  Without embarrassment, or hesitation, or
apology, he modestly assented.  He had not sought
to preach-he did not decline the opportunity.
" Sabbath morning came. He appeared in the pulpit, and announced as his text, the words of David to
Solomon,' Show thyself a man.'
"' So deeply were we all interested, that we wished
to hear words of wisdom again from those youthful
lips. One venerable man' could but think of the
boy David with his shepherd's sling.'  In the aftelrnoon he preached again. My people remember that
Sabbath as a day of special interest. He entered on
his labors at once —organizing Sabbath Schools at important points in the rural districts of this, and adjacent
towns; preaching frequently, and raising funds for Sunday School libraries.'He sometimes met with opposition, and was assailed with coarse and abusive language. Some told him " He had better go homne and
go to school;" some told him "he was an idler, and
ought to go to work," and others cursed him and his
Sabbath Schools together.




SECOND MISSION TOUR-LEWISTON FALLS. 1'73
"But in every such instance, he disarmed these people of their prejudice, and won their good will and their
co-operation.  Men, who had never before favored a
Sunday School, or contributed a cent for a library, and
who when first approached were hostile, now became
favorable, and gave such assistance as was needful to
procure suitable books. In some of these rural districts,
the few Christian people residing there were greatly
surprised at the success attending his efforts.
"It is not you," said one good woman, as tears of
joy fell from her eyes, "it is not you, it is the Lord;
no other power could make these people willing."  And
so it was the Lord, for the Lord was with our dear
young brother. The work in which he was engaged,
was work indeed; but every morning found him -ready
for labor. In those hot days of July and August, when
our roads were deep with dust, he usually walked ten
or twelve, and sometimes twenty miles.  While pursuing his work, he would usually be invited into the farmers' houses to take his meals or to spend the night, and
they always found himu an agreeable guest.
"But, sometimes noon overtook him among an inhospitable people; and after the protracted toils of the day,
he would return to my house in the dusk of the evening, having taken no refreshment since early morning.
No hardships, however, daunted his courage, or soured
his disposition.  He retained always the same manly,
Christian heart, and the same earnest, cheerful zeal to
be about his Master's work.
"During his sojourn here, the cholera broke out in
this town (Lewiston), and raged fatally among the
Irish population. Some benevolent persons, convinced
15*




174 SECOND MISSION TOUR-LEWISTON FALLS.
that the disease was so fatal among this people mainly
from a want of proper nursing, especially by night, arranged a committee of relief, to take care of the sick;a sort of night-guard, to be relieved at regular intervals.
The disease itself, the people, and their habitations, presented no attractions. There was no romance in these
nightly watchings.  Your brother Kingman, learning
of this arrangement, volunteered his assistance. Frequently after his long walks through the day, he took
his position in the shanties of the Irish, and cheerfully
performed whatever was in human power to do for the
relief and comfort of the unfortunate sufferers. He also
found opportunity to visit them in the daytime.
"' Who is this young man i' said the chairman of our
Boardof Selectmen, to me one day.' He is very unobtrusive; but there is scarcely one of our own townsmen
who manifests more interest, or labors more efficiently
for these sufferers, than this young stranger.' It was a
true testimony. Indeed, he was always finding opportunities to do good, and availed himself of these opportunities without hesitation. Whatever his hand found
to do, he did it with his might.  There was never any
ostentatious display on his part, but whatever he took
hold of you saw at once that he thought it worth attending to, and should not be deferred till to-morrow.  He
spent eight or nine weeks in this vicinity that season,
during which time he organized and superintended
Sunday Schools in the towns of Lewiston, Auburn, and
Webster;-preaching, also, in all these towns with great
acceptance, and, we trust, with lasting good results.
" GEO. KNOX."




CHAPTER  XVI.
FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.
TEIs year is barren of incident, but rich in the illustrations of a growing religious experience.
Thursday, Nov. 29th, he writes:
" My thoughts have been directed heavenward of late
in a special manner, by some sermons from Dr. Robinson.
His discourse last Sabbath evening, on the' inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled,' especially made a deep impression on my mind. The bare thought that I may
soon be in Heaven, a few years more and all the glories
of the upper world may be mine! How it lifts one up!
how mean do all earthly things appear! How good,
too, do all the providences of God seem even though
afflictive, when I remember that He lays upon me no
more than is absolutely necessary to make Heaven secure! What earthly blessings do I possess, that I would
have God spare at the expense of my Heaven? What
do I desire that I would purchase with my hope of
heaven? These thoughts have been with me this week,
strengthening me to the resistance of temptation, and
making me willing to run in obedience to the voice of
the Spirit in my heart. These holy thoughts —how
precious!  One of them can shed more rapture on the
soul than all the world's attractions. Thanks for such
messengers from Heaven'




17 6        FOURTH YEAR-LETT1ERS.
He continues:" Your heart, I presume, with mine, has been made
glad by the good news from dear. What a
boon! how good, how faithful is the Lord our God!' Of them that thou gavest me, not one is lost!' I feel
that I have a new impetus in my Christian course.
Holiness and Heaven! Let these be my watchwords,
and the goal of my wishes and my efforts. All else is
vanity.
"' So Samuel C~ is gone! another warning. Cut
down just at the threshold of usefulness and happiness,
his flock shepherdless, his bride a widow-his account
for ever sealed. I saw him last August all health and
cheerfulness, Surely I must be weaned from earth!i"
EXTRACTS.
"There is so much work to be done, that the days,
weeks, and months slip by while I am collecting my
thoughts and intending.  I see already work for a
dozen lifetimes.  Would that I might fill one profitably! This term half gone-college almost donelife done soon at the farthest-and nothing done!"
"I had a pleasant school yesterday at our Lower
Falls Mission Station-which was-but has now grown
to the dignity of the'North State St. Church.'
"The new house is neat, pretty, and convenient.
"I have an interesting Bible-class there, most of the
members of which have become converted since our




FOURTH YEAR- LETTERS.            17 7
labors began. I do not know but the school could live
without aid fiom the University, but I have become so
much attached to the field that I cannot easily abandon
it."
" I do think there is not a mortal on earth more favored than I!  God give me grace!  Do not pray,
dear father, that I may have more blessings. I have
already more than I dare account for. Pray that I may
have a heart to improve God's gracious gifts," etc.'If there is anything which father's example and
instruction have taught me, for which I am truly thankful, it is these two doctrines —the Holy Spirit and
Providence."
" S — has the right of it. I believe if we are only
willing to try, we can walk just as well by faith as by
sight. There is a saying of Dr. R -'s, which will
always stick by me:'The man who walks by faith,
feels that he is treading always on something solid as a
pavement.'"
The following letter was written to a friend who had
just been recovered from a state of alarming religious
declension:
"UNIVERSITY OF R., Nov. 18.
"My DEAR —:
"I feel that the bond of union between us is
stronger than ever. I confess-what you must have
been conscious of-that although we have been drawing
together for two or three years, as we became more




178         FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.
intimately acquainted, yet there has been a certain
indefinable something that has kept our hearts from
flowing entirely into one. While my own inconsistencies of character have cut me off from exerting the
influence I should, still I have felt that you were not
what you knew you ought to be, and what I hoped you
would be. Alas! we have not been of much aid to
each other in cultivating religious feeling! I say it for
myself as much as for you.....
"You say that you had been growing harder all the
while, etc. I thought otherwise. I do not think this
is an entirely new, fresh movement on your part....
I have been hoping for, longing for, and expecting this
happy day. Though your letter made my heart swell
with affection to you, and gratitude to our dear Lord,
yet I was not startled nor surprised. I thought it must
come. I knew you could not rest-that you must ere
long take some decisive step; and I could not believe
that in spite of your dear parents' prayers, and all the
holy influences affecting you, you could plunge into
deeper sin, or take refuge in skepticism. God is gracious, and He will yet do greater things for us. Let
us have faith to come boldly to the throne.....
" I do not allow myself to plan much for the future;
but I have long thought, and especially of late, how
happy you and I could be in studying theology together. Oh, could we, side by side, enter the ranks, and
fight and fall together! If it is not hoping too muchif it is wise and best-I do pray that God may grant
me this boon....
"Yours," etc.




FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.               17 9
They came to be "in the ranks" together; but he
fell first!
TO R"N'ov. 1854.
"How much we dwe to our home influences, and
especially to the faultless Christian example and instructions of our revered father! I have felt of late that I
have never begun to appreciate his excellence, nor the
gratitude due to him and to the God who gave him to
us, and has so long spared him. Ah —has spared him?
and how much longer will this be?  I have tried of
late to look forward to his death-for it must come
sooner or later-and if possible familiarize myself with
the terrible loss, that I may be strengthened to bear it,
when it shall come. I believe we ought never to allow
ourselves to be taken by surprise by any of the dispensations of Providence.-Yet it may be that I shall be
summoned first. For that event, too, I would live in
constant readiness."
In the short holiday vacation this year he visited his,
brother, then teaching in a town fifty miles east of'
Rochester.  One day, in the early part of this visit, his:
brother, returning from school about sundown, found.
him standing in a pensive attitude, and with the traces
of tears upon his face, by a window which overlooked
a large portion of the little town.  " R —," said he,
turning to his brother, and pointing to the little huddle
of houses in sight, " this is a small village: I have been!




180         FOURTH YEAR-.-LETTERS.
thinking how easily we might go to every house and
carry Christ. I do not know but I must; will you?"
The next morning the impression of duty had deepened into a conviction. It was Saturday-there was a
half holiday-and the two engaged to attempt in the
afternoon a visitation of the whole village.  Rvisited one house, drew a long breath, and went home.
Kingman went through with the whole of his allotted
portion, and talked faithfully with every man, woman,
and child whose attention he could secure. It was no
easy task; it cost a struggle; he was a stranger, and
in appearance a mere lad, and his reception at some
houses, while civil, was cool enough to show that the
errand was thought an impertinence. This is a fair
instance of the certainty with which persuasions of
duty prevailed over selfish inclinations, in the regulation of his conduct.
The entry made on this occasion in his little pocket
memorandum book is significant:"Dec. 29, 1854... "The Spirit-do this! —I tried to get rid of
it, but couldn't. Made several calls, left tracts, and
prayed. Talked with young C —."
He preached, at this and a subsequent visit, several
times in this village. One sermon, in which he was
entirely carried beyond himself by the force of his emotions, was long remembered for its great power. It




FOURTH YEAR —LETTERS.             181
was known as the "Jonah Sermon "-from Jonah i. 6 
"The World's Appeal to the Sleeping Church."
LETTER WRITTEN AFTER HIS RETURN.
"UNIVERSITY OF ROICHESTER, Jan. 6, 1855.
DEAR R-:
"I can never forget that visit. What a happy season
it was! I never loved you so dearly before, as then
when our hearts glowed with love of a common Saviour.
"Well, we are of one heart and one mind, and have
everything to spur us on. And we are assured that we
shall come off conquerors and more than conquerors.
Death itself shall yield at last, and lo, when this corruptible-oh, how corruptible! shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal, immortality, then shall be
brought to pass the saying, etc. What a splendid passage! Let us live for Heaven! Pray, pray, pray, and
daily remember me.
"I have been wishing I might pray without ceasing.
I think I at least begin to see what it means. H-ow
good it is to feel that you love to pray; where prayer is
a delight, and you are unwilling to stop, and when you
have stopped, you wish to pray again; when your desires come flocking in too fast to find expression, and
instead of straining to make out a prayer, you feel that
you cannot begin to tell your praise or enumerate your
wants! etc., etc.
"Yours," etc.
At this time his desires for immediate usefulness became absorbing.
16




182         FOURTH YEA R-LETTERS.
"Everything seems to turn with me now," he says,
" to the point of personal labor with the unconverted."
" Yet," he adds, " I do not obey without a struggle, I
often hold long debates with conscience."
He continues:
"Pride and Christ are contending for the mastery
in my soul. Yes, I am  ashamed to say, I am  too
proud to do my duty. I am willing to toil, but afraid
to be abased. Satan holds me with bands of iron.
Last week I thought I had broken from them; but
though I did get one hand free, I find myself again a
slave.  Still, I have had a taste of liberty.  I have
found there is a stronger than the strong man armed.
O that I had such a state of heart, as always to obey
instantly the voice of the Spirit!  As it is, I shuffle, I
argue, I plead to be excused, get almost angry, and when
the point is pressed, rebel. It frightens me to think
of it! I see plainly that I must triumph over this, or
give up my religion. 0 how happy, could I be always
passive in my Father's hand; if, rather, I always hastened'actively like a little child, to do His will. Souls
would be converted, I am sure."
A letter a few days later shows in how far he
has triumphed.
"_February 4.
"DEAR R-: 
" I have just called on two classmates, a duty I have
had before me for some time.   I had an interesting conversation with them, though not half so earnest
and faithful as it should have been. One I have great




FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.               183
hopes of. I have talked with him before, and always
found him  theoretically sound, free from  cavil, and
apparently interested. He is of a godly family, and
you and I ought to have faith in the prayers of godly
parents..... I have talked with a few other students...But this is all! I am ashamed of my negligence,
rather of my rebellion. Still God has not forsaken me,
and I am firm in my purposes.  I am resolved to converse this termn upon personal religion with every unconverted student in college, if my life is spared. It
is surely high time for me to awake out of sleep. But
what is this? There are only twenty or twenty-five
irreligious students; I ought to have talked with most
of them  a score of times already.  The occasional,
reluctant performance of a duty, to turn aside the goadings of conscience. 0 how far is it from the consistent
and constant labor of a Christian life! Yet how good
is a single duty —performed!  What satisfaction —
what assurance it yields!'If ye love me, keep my
commandments.''Lord, I have obeyed Thee, and
therefore I know that I love Thee.' When I wish
to nerve myself for any duty, I love to read that
seventeenth chapter of John. There could be nothing
more inspiriting.
"Yours," etc.
" February 24.
"DEAR L:
4" just one week ago to-night was set apart for the
delightful task of answering your excellent letter, and
just one week ago to-night there came upon your unfortunate brother that mingled cold and fever, sickness




184         FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.
and stupidity, which has blotted out just one week of
his whole existence. By the way, have you had, the
family' influenza?' I am curious to know; for if not,
you are an alien, and alone destitute of the genuine
family sympathy which characterizes our stock.  I
took the sickness filially, forthwith upon the reception
of a letter from  mother.  R  -  the same; and it
remains to be known whether or not you are awake to
the true nature of your filial and sisterly obligations.... We had a good day upon the occasion of our
annual Fast for Colleges. An excellent sermon, and a
large and animated social meeting....    I have been
endeavoring this term to make my religion more constant and all pervading. Daily study of the Scriptures
and daily secret prayer have been especially precious
to me. I have taken more pains than ever before to
remember my friends in prayer. At the twilight hour
I love to go over, one by one, the names of those I am
especially bound to remember, and invoke for them immediate blessings. I have been surprised to find how
each day brings with it some new claimant for my
petitions.
"0 L, consecration to God is the all-essential
thing. We may despair of satisfying ourselves with
learning, but we may thirst for righteousness and be
filled. Let us strive to help each other, etc.
"Yours," etc.
" February 28.
"I have not enjoyed so much as usual of spiritual
zeal and comfort for a week or two, plainly traceable to




FOURTH YEAR-LETTERS.            185
neglect of duty, and consequent grieving of the Holy
Spirit. It surprises me to find how dependent I am,
physically and spiritually, on perfect regularity.  A
single departure from the routine often sets the whole
machinery out of gear," etc.
16*




CHAPTER XVII.
FOURTH YEAR IDEAS OF PREACHING.
"March 7th, 1855.
"DEAR FATHER:
"I have been listening to (X). Most of his
sentiments, I think, are noble, but he ridicules the
ministry in a way calculated, one would think, to do
more harm than good!  Is our age, indeed, tending to
too great reverence for the ambassadors of God?  What
I have seen seems to show the contrary, to an alarming
extent: and such churches as (X).'s, backed up by
practice, will soon destroy the few remains of respect
for the clergy, that yet lurk, perchance, in the breasts
of a few New England bred men!
" Is it so, that one man.' happens' to take on him the
cure of souls, another of bodies, another of laws, etc.,
and that there is no real difference in these callings?
So says (X), and so say young men, who in a few
months will have assumed all the duties of the-profession! (I may not say'sacred') and with such exalted
ideas of the peculiar and holy nature of their calling.
"Well, ambition has been making some loud calls.
After witnessing such an admiring tribute paid to a
man (as was paid to X.), pride says,'I call do it-I
know I can-I feel conscious of the power.' But grace
tells me,' Not by might, nor by power, but by my
Spirit.' Earthly honors, wealth, and pleasures, fade, of




FOURTH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.   18 7
course, before the glory of my mission; but more than
this: I have come to the conclusion that I had rather
be the means, in God's hand, of converting one soul, than
of rectifying the politics of a nation, reforming scores
of drunkards, and liberating hundreds of slaves —if this
were all-and correcting any or all of the' abuses of
the day.' I would rather have the power of prevailing
with God, than the strength of the mightiest logician,
or the sway of the most eloquent orator. Stch, I am
confident, are the honest feelings of my heart.  So
much, therefore, for my ambition. It has never run
away with me yet.  Ah i but I am still afraid of
it."....
LTis strong conception of the sacredness of the holy
calling is well evinced by the following account which
he in one place gives of a certain occasional sermon, to
which he happened to be a listener.
TO HIS FATHER.
-  Well, I went to church —the house crowded
full-a military company present in full uniform. The
preacher, taking one of those highly poetical passages
in the Song of Solomon, descriptive of Christ, treated
us first to an elaborate justification of war; then discussed the excellence of variety, e. g. in a Thanksgiving
dinner; and finished by dilating upon the importance
of a sound platform politically, but with not a word
about one morally or religiously.  Not a single allusion-the remotest-was made to Christ, or indeed to
religion in any way. Is this a church of God, I asked




188   FOURTH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.
myself. Is this man a minister of Christ, an ambassador
from the court of Heaven? Am I hearing the gospela sermon?  One could not avoid the conviction, for it
was thrust upon all, that the chief object of thought to
the speaker was-his dinner! Repeated allusions were
made to it-allusions which caused most to smile, but
some to hang their heads for shame.
"It had been but a few moments, I had waited in
vain for any gospel or any point, and as, at the close, I
bowed my head in prayer, I had no faith that God
would hear, for I felt that His house had been desecrated, and his word profaned. The splendid cornets
of the military band led hundreds of voices in the
glorious doxology, but I fear there was little breathing
of heartfelt praise. I have said more than I intended,
perhaps more than I ought; but I felt disturbed,
grieved, and indignant......
1" Well, I cry out to my God, spare me, spare me!
Suppose I become a minister —say of'high standing,'
what does it mean? To preach, week after week, to a
fashionable congregation, who shall admire, and go
away'pleased,' making flippant remarks about the'eloquent sermon?' I could not endure it!  I would
rather lift up my voice like a trumpet, and sound an
alarm.  Or, I would rather be a monk. Yet, think of
it! I, your son, may degenerate to all this! Nothing
but the great grace of God can prevent. This cursed
love of applause, what shall overcome it?  One thing I
am determined upon: I will not try to preach to please
men. I believe men like preaching altogether too well.
One would think it no longer true that the carnal mind
is enmity against God. Or else the bitter medicine is




FOURI;TH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.   189
so sugared, that men do not taste it. Here aml I, with
I know not what great commission from. my Father,
with the footsteps of my Master before me, and the
crown of glory in full view, loitering, plucking earthly
flowers, living at this dying rate, as if this earth were
heaven, and the present moment eternity!  Pray that
I may be raised up, have new grace, be made holy, and
used as an instrument for great good....
" Your affectionate son," etc.
At another time he writes that he has been holding a discussion with some friends " on the subject
of preaching for money," and in connexion gives the
following incident and reflections:
TO HIS FATHER.
"April 24.
"I went away on Sunday to preach. Somebody,
who knew I was terribly pinched, says,' I'm glad you're
going, Nott; you'll get ten dollars at that place.' I
said nothing, cared little.  Result-one dollar and
twenty-five cents out of pocket!
"You would laugh heartily to hear the experiences
of some of us among the benevolent churches. One
student, who has been through college, and partly
through theology, on his private property, told me
yesterday that he had come within nine dollars of
the end of it, and feared he must leave.'Why don't
you preach your way along?' I said.'I tried that
most of last term,' he replied,' and the total results were
two dollars out of pocket, and an upset in the stagecoach!'




190    FOURTH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.
"Well, well, I don't know what I am  saying. I
laugh to see them take it so seriously. The worst of
it is, that a mercenary spirit is liable to be generated.
Even the Gospel comes to be a matter of barter.  A
levity in the treatment of religious themes is encouraged,
so extravagant, that it would be ludicrous if it were not
shocking."
It seems this was not altogether understood; and in
the next he explains more emphatically.
"' May 1st.
"I am a little afraid that my last letter gave you a
wrong impression. I certainly agree most heartily with
what you say. I hate and despise the spirit which
makes the Gospel a mere matter of trade. They will
sell it for so much l I have always said here, and have
tried to carry out the principle, that I would not allow
any connexion whatever to be established between my
preaching and money.
"I am the Lord's; I will preach when and where my
master sends me, and look to him for the reward.
Sorrows, cares, disappointments may be the fruits; even
I myself may be a castaway.  But no! I thank God
for His great and precious promises!"
This is one side of the question, the side personal to
the minister. Kingman held sound views. He would
have reproved covetousness in a people, in as severe
terms as a mercenary spirit in a preacher.  "Take
neither scrip nor staff," but "The laborer is worthy
of his hire."




FOURTH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.   191
I-low it happened that correct conceptions of the
nature, design, responsibility, and worth of preaching
lay so clear and immutable in Kingman's mind, may
be comprehended once for all from the perusal of the
following letter from  his father. Kingman had enquired respecting his future course, whether it were better
to commence theological studies immediately after graduating, or after the lapse of a year or two. The reply
is of wider scope than the question.
"K ENNEBUNKPORT, May 14th, 1855.
"MY DEAR SON:
"With regard to your future course, after leaving
college, I have but one thing to say. With the ministry in view-by all means, if it is at all possible, keep
yourself right down to close study for it. This rather
than school-teaching. Few, after teaching, go back to
theological studies.  This I say, on the supposition
that pecuniary affairs can be arranged.
" It is true, God calls variously into the ministry. I-e
is not tied to a Theological Seminary. Yet, in an ordinary way, and especially when the young are called to
the work, the completest education and training are
indicated as wisest.  What you have up to this time
gained are mere shreds of varied knowledge, that will
be blown away when you are tasked to effort. You
want now to dig for hid treasures. You may remember that Dr. Payson, when seriously contemplating the
ministry, shutting himself up for some time to meditation, prayer, and the Bible-the only book. In theological training, you want, first of all, this deep spiritu



192   FOURTH YEAR —IDEAS OF PREACHING.
ality of mind attained. You want to get filled up with
God's truth, spiritually discerned. Study Theology in
this way. Be thorough in this way. Thus you will
prepare yourself to do more than please the people-to
build up Zion. The want of this very thing is the occasion
of the barrenness, —the newspaper standard of some of the
modern ministry. Don't go out a dressed young man, to
make a show in the ministry; don't ever preach else than
the marrow of the Gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent
from Heaven. But you cannot rise higher than what
gou are. A pint will be a pint. A butterfly will disport itself as such. A vain young man, and superficial,
with a mere spattering upon him of secular knowledge,
can only exhibit himself as he is. People are discerning, common people especially. And if not so, God
knows the heart, and will only bless in a way whereby
He may be glorified.
"With this substratum of preparation, yon then want
Hebrew, Sacred Logic, Sacred History, Study of Doctrines, Exegesis, etc.
" I cannot help you with money...  VVhat
can you do for yourself? Can you arrange to preach
some? Can you be aided through charity in part?
Can you live on a loan in part?  Would all or any of
such ways be practicable?  I do not know how to
advise you at all, until I hear again, etc., etc.
"Home well, as usual.
"With much love,
"I I. G. NOTT."
We add, at the risk, perhaps, of tediousness, a letter
from Kingman to Theron Brown, in which he urges that




FOURTH YEAR-IDEAS OF PREACHING.   193
friend to devote himself to the work of preaching.
It is inserted here in the hope that its arguments may
be availing in still other quarters than the original.
"U. OF R., May 29th, 1855.
" M  DEAR BROWN:. "I think if we could but remember to what
we are destined, we should not stoop to join in the
vanities of worldlings. We should consent to be in
the world only as missionaries.  Our aims would be
entirely apart from theirs. We are of heavenly birth,
and ought to move in a higher, purer ether than this
polluted atmosphere. But we seem to catch the poisonous breath, and are intoxicated by it.
"' I feel it, so do you. It stunts every plant of grace.
We become all on fire with worldly and selfish-think
of that! —selfish ambition! i    ~e labor intensely for
our own glory, and, alas, for our Master's shame. Do
you know anything about self-denial? That is the
question I have asked myself of late. I do not mean
the denial of one passion for the gratification of a
stronger, but of all for love to Christ....
" I hope that God has designed not only to place you
among the redeemed in glory, but to make you shine
as a star in the firmament, as one having turned many
to righteousness.  Of course you are making and will
make it the object of your life to save souls-your own
and those of other men. Doubtless you have often
asked yourself the question, how with your gifts and
circumstances, you may best accomplish this object.
Perhaps, also, as you are now nearing the close of your
17




194   FOURTH YEAR —IDEAS OF PREACHING.
college course, and must soon choose your profession,
you sometimes feel that the question ought to be settled.
" When I have thought over the alarming deficiency
of ministers, and the urgent cry for help, that comes up
from every quarter, and then remember that you, my
earliest friend, with your Christian profession, your
talents and opportunities, are not yet consecrated to the
special work, I cannot rest until I have at least unburdened my own heart. Think of 4000 Baptist churches
in the United States alone without pastors; think of
the sad state of our present mission fields, and of the
new fields that are waiting for occupants; and then
remember that the supply coming friom our seminaries,
etc., is not even sufficient to fill the places of those who
are annually removed by death!
" I do not know but you are already fully persuaded
to preach the gospel. Of course it is a matter between
your own soul and God alone, with which your friends
have little to do. I will say no more, then, for fear of
saying too much; but oh, how I should delight to welcome you as a fellow-workman by my side!  There
is no side work, no indirect way of promulgating the
truth, which can compare with the direct preaching of
it. This is a luxury. I have never enjoyed anything
else in the world so much as this. The truth seems
more precious as one proclaims it to others," etc.




CHAPTER  XVIII.
FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED-GRADUAATION.
EXTRACTS,
"'February 28.
"I SHALL rejoice when the time comes for me to
devote myself entirely to the study of religious truth.
Yet the qualifications for such an occupation, I am well
aware, are Spiritual rather than intellectual. How great
the danger of departing friom the simplicity of Christ,
and the teachings of the Spirit, to be led away by the
wisdom of men!
" For some reason I find my own tendencies decidedly conservative with respect to doctrine. I have a love
for the old-fashioned truths, which in many quarters
are so fast becoming ridiculous. Providence, Election,
and similar doctrines, I incline to accept in their fullest
sense, and cling to with jealous love. Still, I feel cautious, on account of mny ignorance."
"March 7 th.
"Prevailing with God! that has been occupying my
attention for a few weeks past. It flashed upon me from
some remark thrown out on our Fast Day, and I saw
at once that it was something of which I was almost
wholly ignorant. O if I but had that power! what
could I not do? Without it, utterly vain my acquirements, futile my labors. There's something worthy the
ambition of a man, yes, of a Christian."




196         FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED.
"March 21.
"DEAR MOTHER:
"My eyes have been filled with tears to-night, and
my heart with wonder and gratitude.'The Lord will
perfect that which concerneth me.' Why, mother, I
shall rival Dr. Stillwell, or even the raven-fed Elijah.
Your letter brought with it one from L. B. S., inclosing
five dollars, which had been sent me by Miss —, the
lady who, as you will recollect, gave me the same
amount last summer.  This evening's mail brings a
letter from my good, kind friend, Mrs. Ilsley, inclosing
six dollars,'from a few sisters in their little church, to
purchase any books, or pay any little bill that may be
troubling you.' So to-night I have paid ten dollars,
on my term and board-bill, and I feel quite lightened.
" And so it is, notwithstanding all my unworthiness.
I neglect God, but he does not neglect me. He is
teaching me lessons of trust and faith every day. Pray
that I may have full grace to be humble. One of our
students prayed in meeting a few evenings since,' Lord,
if we need to be humbled, make us willing to do things
that will humble us.' I find enough of these.
" Well, mother, one more event. This is Wednesday
night, March 21, 1855. To-morrow makes me twentyone'! May I put off the old man with his deeds, and
put on the new man Christ Jesus. To-morrow must be a
day of reflection, resolution, and prayer. Good night."
" DEAR C                                "AApril 5.
" It is vacation; what is that to me but aggravation?  Most of the  students have departed;
a few cadaverous beings assist me in maintaining the




FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED.             197
honor of our Alma Mater, in this her hour of desolation.
"I began this day with a walk, at five o'clock.
These mild, sunny spring days, how delightful!  All
nature seemed rejoicing.  The golden sun was just
lifting his head, still half muffled in a nightcap of clouds,
to listen to the salutatory of the robins-yes, real, live,
singing robins! Then I spent an hour or two in thie
reading and study of the Scriptures; —the history of the
Prodigal Son. I felt, I thought, willing like him to return to my Father's house, and acknowledge all my sins."
"After breakfast my room-mate and I played ball
for an hour, between ourselves for exercise: then I sat
on the stoop, in the sunshine, reading Aristotle till
dinner. This afternoon we have been in the President's
library, and have borne away a huge pile of volumes
for our vacation reading.  So go the days, and so they
will go for the next fortnight. Do pity me in my
loneliness, and send me letters."
The end of the college course was now at hand.
The last recitation was had:
" June 9.
" There, dear mother, it is all over! I have attended
my last recitation and my last lecture, and Dr. Anderson has spoken his few parting words.....  I would
like to be at home this afternoon and upon the holy
morrow; and yet I find myself instinctively clinging
to this dear place as though I never could leave it. I
dread the time when I shall finally say good-bye to
Rochester.  The associations of every student here,
17*




198         FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED.
and especially of one constituted like me, must always
be peculiar, because they are not confined to the
college, but extend to the city and its society. I may
leave R. and not return for a generation, and yet even
then, I shall not have to search the College Records
for mementoes of my life here. I shall be remembered
and known by some at least of its warm-hearted people
and in a few of its hospitable homes.
"My course has been peculiarly happy. From the
ordinary jealousies and petty strifes of college life I
have been mercifully kept free. I have not had an
enemy, that I know of.
"If I had money I would now go home, where I
might stop and think a little; and write my oration,
with your inspiration, and under father's eye, and declaim it to the roaring sea. But this, of course, is not
to be thought of....
" Yours," etc.
" June 15.
"MY DEAR R
"No sense of honor, in particular, requires me to
write to-day.   Nothing prompts me but the pure
brotherly affection with which,
"I subscribe myself,
"Yours, till death,
" ICKINGMAN."
----— "What a splendid chance that was for a
signature! I could not lose it, though I am not ready
to stop.....
-     -" Well, I am through college! I feel profound




FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED.            199
gratitude to the wonderful providence that has led me
blindfold through all the way, and brought me safely
to the close. I am through, and by God's grace my
character and my religion are still preserved..... WVe
had our last recitation. Dr. A — made a few feeling
remarks...      I got out of the room, ran  down
cellar-and cried. Came home and wrote to motherand cried. Pshaw!
"Yours,
" K."
His graduation was not without honors. "I cannot become satisfied with a subject for my Commencement oration," he wrote a little before. "I am
at a hard, dry one now.'The Impossibility of Atheism,' i.e., to prove that an atheist is a philosophical
impossibility-never did, never can exist." This was
his theme, and it was handled in anything but a hard
and dry manner. Many literary gentlemen who were
strangers to him, were greatly impressed with the indications of power, both in the matter of the oration, its
style, and the eloquent delivery, made interested inquiries concerning the speaker, and freely predicted his
future eminence. Many of these sought him out,
and heartily tendered their congratulations.  " You
must have given great pains to the study of elocution,"
said a distinguished professor of Rhetoric.  "Hardly
ever an hour, sir," was the reply. His excellence in
these respects was the gift of nature.




200        ]FOURTH YEAR CONTINUED.,
of prizes for the "Senior Essay."  Kingman had not
intended to compete. He had, however, given the subject (" The Ancient and the Modern Idea of a State "),
careful examination, defined his own views, and gathered
some rough material, which he had then flung aside.
A day or two before the time fixed for the presentation
of the essays, Nott was summoned before the President.
" I posted off to his room-he shut the door and began.'I have just incidentally learned that you have
not written on the essay,' -'I have not, sir.'  Ile
seemed to feel much disappointed, if not hurt. Cannot
you go home and write something this afternoon? I
would not promise-but went straight home, and at it.
Before breakfast next morning I had the essay written
and copied, and handed it in-the first one. Of course
I do not expect anything in the matter of a prize.
This was only for the President's personal gratification.
I feared he might fancy I did not feel well towards him."
The feat itself would have been nothing, if the work
had not been well done; but it was performed in a style
to win the admiration of the Committee of Award, and
when the circumstances of the composition became
known to them, to move their astonishment. Only one
prize had been offered. This was properly awarded to
a more elaborate composition by another writer. But,
to Kingman's complete surprise, he heard on Commencement Day the announcement that a second prize
had been assigned to him.




CHAPTER XIX.
DOVER.
IT had been arranged that Kingman should enter
upon his theological studies without delay, and there
now intervened only the usual summer vacation of
eight weeks. This was occupied with preaching and
pastoral duty with the Baptist church in Dover, N. H.
That church was then without a pastor, and in a
languishing condition.  Kingman had, at first, to contend with an additional disadvantage. He was young,
and wore an unprofessional garb. Appearing on the
scene in a light coat and broad-brimmed straw hat,
and with a remarkably fresh cheek and innocent eye,
with none of the pale hues of study, of that peculiar
solemnity of look that might be deemed appropriate
to the ministerial profession, it is not surprising that
high anticipations were not at once entertained by the
people who saw him for the first time. His first sermon, indeed, set anxiety at rest; his voice and manner
carried their own persuasion in the very reading of the
hymns.
But even then, his objects were not immediately
comprehended. He had come with the understanding
that he was to labor with the church for a certain space.




202                  DOVER.
His conception of the operations to be included under
this general head, was essentially a different one from
theirs. They expected in him a "supply;" by-and-by
they hoped for a pastor, and, finally, a better state
of things in the church. He intended work, by himself and by the church, and a better state of things
now.
These explanations are introduced to make way for
the letters that follow, which read like the unfolding
scenes of a drama.
" DOVER, N. H., Aug. Gth, 1855.
" MY DEAR MOTHER,
"I should have written to you this morning, had
I not then been determined to return home. I have had
some curious experience since I came here. Luckily
for me I am so constituted as to look on the bright side
of life, otherwise, instead of writing this letter, I should
be bringing water for your tea.
" But to begin at the beginning, I had a very pleasant ride....... I found my way to Mr. —'s house.
He had been to the depot to meet me, but did not find
me. How strange that he should not have known that
I was his minister! He is a very pleasing, social, and
intelligent man, and I have a very agreeable home in
his family.....
"Sunday came, a beautiful airy day. I was quite
dispirited to find a very small congregation sprinkled
over a neat, comfortable church. My words seemed to
me to fall heavily on cold auditors. In the afternoon,
there was a large increase in the audience. At six




DOVER.                  203
o'clock, a very good missionary concert...... On the
whole, I felt quite encouraged by the day's exercises,
and by what I learned of the state of things.
"I really began to feel quite enthusiastic for my
work, and eager to move in some direction.  I began
to revolve various plans, and concluded to begin with
the Sunday School, to preach at once upon the subject,
and get them to increase their library and the number
of scholars. Then I was going to establish an evening
service for the Sabbath, and try to get in the unconverted young, of whom there are so many here. This,
I thought, would be one step in advance.  Still, I felt
the necessity of moving very cautiously, and yet what
I did must be done quickly.  But these fine plans were
quite disconcerted by the cool inquiries,' When do
you leave l''Do you go to-morrow?"' Are you going
to spend the week with us?' etc. I did not know what
to say.  I did make bold to tell them that I thought I
might spend the week in Dover. Of course I could not
form any plans for advance, unless they expected me to
be with them.  So the conclusion that I come to is,
that in Dover' laboring' means preaching twice Sundays. My vacation will be firittered away, with no good
to myself or others. I prayed again and again for wisdom, for direction, and for grace. Oh, such a field as
there is here! There is nothing in the way for this
church to move forward and do a great work! No
other church is doing anything.  I shall not come
home at present, if I can help it. To-morrow, I am
going to sermon-writing, and in the afternoon to making
calls. Pray for me"....




204                  DOVER.
"DOVER, N. H., Aug. 13, 1855.
"DEAR FATHER:
"I really did not know I had written so discouragingly; I am sorry I did so. I now see that my
trouble was the result of inexperience and impatience.
None of the people here, I suppose, expected me to
become a fixture among them for six weeks; but now
that they see there is no remedy, they are rapidly
becoming reconciled to the idea.-True, the church is
in a low state, but the only distressing circumstance to
me was, that I could see no way to get at work among
them, as I wanted to do, right off.'"But I assure you matters now wear a different
face. My only question now is to improve the means
I have at hand. The Lord has opened door after door
in His good time..... I have called this week on a
dozen or more families, talking and praying with them.
Our Wednesday evening meeting was highly encouraging...   Sabbath evening I had the privilege of
preaching to an audience by far the largest yet, and
though consisting mostly of young persons, with a fair
sprinkling of rowdies, yet very attentive. I have not
enjoyed preaching so much for a long time. It was a
true Albion season.... I have begun a series of improvements in the Sabbath School-which is now very
small.... I have planned a busy week, yet there is
not one of these duties which I do not anticipate with
pleasure; and the pressure of the whole makes me
elastic and happy. I never enjoy myself so much as
when brim full of business.   I have been making
calls again. This experience is valuable, I assure you.
I am acquiring quite a bold face and ready tongue in




DOVER.                  205
talking with all sorts of persons face to face upon the
salvation of their souls. It was hard at first, but I am
learning to love it..... I believe if the church would
pray we might see the conversion of sinners. I cannot
bear to stay without seeing an advance here. There
is an advance already.
"So if I was down last week, you see I am as far up
now. I know you will charge me to keep humble, and I
need that you should. Yet every time I preach I feel
more strongly my own utter weakness, and the weakness
of every human instrumentality, except as attended by
God's power. I feel the need of great wisdom. I have
been led to pray for it, and God seems, thus far, to
have conducted me in just the best way.-Continue to
pray for
"Your affet. Son," etc.
The next news that came, was the tidings of his
sickness. He was overworked, and down with fever.
One of his friends from home hastened to him, in some
trepidation. But determination brought him up, and
the very next Sabbath he preached all day.  This
served as a tonic.
"I grew better and stronger all day long," he writes.
"I could have preached half the night, in fact I didto myself. It seemed almost miraculous, as if in direct
answer to prayer." This was always his grand panacea
-to preach!
"How delightful a Sabbath it was," he continues:
"my cup was running over. Such nearness in prayer,
18




206                   DOVER.
such views of Christ, such sweet dependence on Him,
such tenderness of heart and anxiety for sinners! When
in the morning I read the first hymn,-these beautiful
lines
"' I would not sigh for worldly joy,
Or to increase my worldly good,
Nor future days nor powers employ
To spread a sounding name abroad.
"'' Tis to my Saviour I would live,
To him who for my ransom died;
Nor could all worldly honor give
Such bliss as crowns me at his side.'
"I could not conceal my emotion; for the words
seemed transferred fiom the page to my own heart;
they became my own thoughts." He continues: "I have
appointed an inquiry meeting. Three persons came to
see me the first evening. Others, I am confident, would
converse if I went to them. How can I keep still? Yet
the doctor tells me I must have perfect rest; and I am
compelled to give up the week."
Finally:
"DOVER, Sept. 5, 1855.
"DEAR FATHER:
" A field white to the harvest, and no one to reap
it!  The thought has continually distressed me for
many days, as I have beheld with wonder and anxiety
the workings of God among us.  The Holy Spirit waits
for us to receive Him in a bountiful blessing."




DOVER.                   207
Then an account of many inquirers; and then he
continues:
"I never so understood my weakness. If one would
know how weak is man, let him undertake the work
of a God! Let him try to open blind eyes, and enlighten understandings darkened by sin.... Yet I have
had such a dawning of faith as I experienced in my
conversion, and never since. I plead the sacrifice of
Christ; I trust the promise of God; I place these souls
where I have rested my own. A holy calm fills my
soul....
"Thus has a day of temptation and anxiety been
succeeded by the firmest faith and glorying in God.
This experience of a few hours I would not give for
worlds. It repays all my labors in Dover. It is enough
— my vacation is well spent.... And now I renounce
my wicked unbelief, which has been my curse. Now,
as I leave this field, I repose this Church, this little
band Qf inquirers-these unconverted souls, all in the
hands of Infinite Love, with a sweet assurance that God
will care for them, and as well without me as with ne.....
I understand some things now better than before. I
have the key to your sleepless nights; your constant
care; your agonizing prayers. I wonder that ministers
live so long as they do. It has seemed to me that five
years would suffice for this spark of life to exhaust itself,
in such a sphere as this. How it may be in the future,
I know not.  I may get hardened to it; but I cannot
see how I could spend a long life in Dover except by
miracle. And yet the reason why I could not; the
reason why ministers have suffered so much, and killed




208                  DOVER.
themselves so soon, seems to me to be unbelief. Unbelief is the disease; and their epitaph might be,'Died of
unbelief.' This is the secret of corroding care. If we
had faith constantly in living exercise, could we not
labor without care?  Pray that God may consecrate
me to His glory. Hoping to see you to-morrow.
" Yours," etc.




CHAPTER XX.
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
NOTT returned to Rochester well prepared for the
peculiar studies in which he was now to engage. The
" substratum of preparation," spoken of so earnestly by
his father, the spiritual apprehension and experience
of truths, had been already acquired in a far more than
ordinary degree. He came to the investigation of theological problems with the solutions already written in
his own experience, and requiring only to be adequately
expressed in formulas. "Know ye not this parable 
how then will ye know all parables?"  The spiritual
insight which interprets one, may solve all mysteries.
But this is not "' innate" —except in the "new man," by
spiritual birth.
The two years in the Seminary were of incalculable
advantage to Kingman. He grew in grace, in manly
traits, and in intellectual grasp, with astonishing rapidity.
Each year had its peculiar array of providential means
of culture, both in grace and knowledge.
Kingman failed to discover that disastrous incompatibility, of which students are so frequently in the
habit of complaining, between the constant application
of the mind to thought, even on topics of religion, and
the maintenance of a good spiritual frame. " The most
18*




210          THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
gratifying thing," he says, in one of his early letters,
"is this, that the nature of these studies and the manner of conducting our daily exercises are such as to
have an immediate bearing on my future work, and
directly tend to keep the mind in a devotional frame.
When all my studies are of the Bible and the Church,
and when at the close of the day's labors we all meet
together, classes and instructors, and read, sing, and
pray, each day seems a Sabbath; work is sacred, and
drudgery is elevated to devotion."  Yet how many
lament a steady declining of spiritual power, as an
unavoidable concomitant of growth in mental.
He was more industrious now than ever before. He
was in exuberant health, "perfectly overflowing with
vim," he declares, and constantly in high spirits. He
more easily now, than when he was younger, diverted
his energies into the channel of mental labor. He strove
to become systematic and regular, always a difficult feat
for him. "' I am making myself the most regular methodical individual to be found," he says. " I rise every
morning at five, jump into a tub, attend morning prayer
meeting, and study the Bible till breakfast, attend to
my theological studies till eleven," etc., etc. He gave
much time to the careful study of the Scriptures, comparing the Hebrew, or Greek, with German, French,
and Latin, in the manner described by President Anderson. It was in his first year in theology, too, that he
reviewed his mathematics and read Plato.  Besides




THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.            211
this, he instructed a private pupil in Greek and Latin,
bestowing upon him regularly an hour or two each day.
He professed great interest in the Hebrew. Yet, he
declares, giving a true account of his disposition, "I
shall never be able to metamorphose myself into a bookworm. My nature cries out rebelliously at the gentlest
insinuation of the thought. I never shall know much,
and what I do acquire will mostly be gathered by experience and mingling with nature and with men."  Ile
had always an eye to the practical. He prized facts,
as he did money, as means of power over men to their
good.
The first year in the seminary was especially favored
with tokens of God's graciousness to him and around
him, in revivals of His work. Kingman had "three
great prayers;" he often speaks of them. They were
for a revival in Rochester, a revival in Kennebunkport,
and a revival in Dover. On this theme he dwells unintermittingly. Each of these prayers was this year
answered, beyond the full extent of the request, and in a
manner extremely significant and encouraging to a spirit
of prayer.
As to Rochester, he was oftentimes in an agony of
desire. He had come through college and no revival 
In the senior year he had visited every unconverted
student, many more than once, and there was no fruitI.!
He was hastening to the time when he should bid farewell to each loved scene in R., and yet no outpourings




212 I2THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
of God's spirit to sanctify his recollections! He could
not endure the thought. He craved it as a great boon
from his Heavenly Father, that he might be permitted,
in his day, to see a revival of religion in the University.
Not only his prayers, but his practical eforts were
redoubled.
He endeavored to preserve unimpared his influence
in the college. He kept up old acquaintanceships and
sought new. He made a point of attending the meetings of the Literary Society, of which he had been a
member, took part in their debates, and for a considerable time was a regular contributor to the society paper.
The popularity thus maintained he endeavored to turn
to holy account. He was the moving spirit in establishing circles of prayer, in which undergraduates
chiefly were gathered.  He sought out students in their
rooms, and conversed and prayed with them. And it
was remarkable that he expressed the most confident
assurance of a coming work of God: "It will comeit will come," repeated he again and again.  "I well
remember this," was the recent remark of one who was
in college at that time,-" not only his activity and hopefulness, but his extraordinary positiveness." This, which
would have been presumption without a corresponding
inclination to work, was simply inspired faith.
In order to show, in the present instance, how "faith
wrought with his works," and was thus " made perfect,"
a series of extracts is subjoined, taken from several suc



THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.              213
cessive letters. It will be seen that they advance to a
climax.
"Sept. 19.
"Our dearly beloved institution has never yet been
blessed with a revival.  How sad it would be for me
to leave Rochester as it now is! I do not believe I shall
be compelled to do so."
"Sept. 26.
"A little band meets at my room at half-past six
every morning to pray. We have had delightful seasons of prayer.  We are going to pray for a revival.
Do you think we shall see it?  There are more than'two or three'-there are Jive of us.  Prepare yourself
for good news."
" Oct. 8.
"There is a better state of things with us spiritually.
We are all very low, it is true; stiff, cold, and hard;
but there is a little lighting up, I think. I am not without strong hopes of a revival. How delightful! how it
would endear to me each scene of each companion! how
it would bless the world by consecrating the talent here
collected! We have now, besides our regular Sunday
and Wednesday meetings, six daily circles of prayer,
in different rooms, at the same hour —from six o'clock
to half-past six in the morning. We commenced with
one and it has spread to these. It is wonderful what a
blessing this praying gives to the day!"
" Oct. 10.
"I am still clinging to my belief in a revival about
to come. There is, there must be a blessing in store
for us, and I think we shall pray it down.  I already
rejoice-exult. It will come —it will. God save me




214          THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
from flinging away my faith..... I still feel my rich
experience in Dover. I am a different man for it. I
know something of faith, and prevalence in prayer."
6" Oct. 15.
"Our number of daily praying-circles has increased
to eight —developing a power of prayer which must
prove effective. God will bless us, despite our coldness, and give us a revival, in spite of ten thousand
opposing influences."
" Oct. 1X.
"We still pray. But most of us are either too
indolent or too engrossed in worldly affairs to attend
properly to the care of our own souls or to the rescue
of others. And the devil does not sleep meanwhile,
and already he has in preparation a host of active, evil
influences. The more of life I have to look back upon,
the more narrow seems my escape from utter ruin, and
the greater my indebtedness to sovereign grace.
" I have seldom taken more delight in the ordinances of worship than I do now. I live in hope, and try
to live in faith. Soon, soon enough, the full work of
God will be upon me. God spur me on to the hottest
of the fight, and when I fall, take me to receive the
Crown."
",Nov. 8th.
"' MY DEAR FATHER:
" It has come-It has come! The blessing is upon
us, just as we were giving ourselves over to discouragement and unbelief. Last Monday night saw the admission of a soul into the Kingdom of God! It was a
solemn hour: we two were alone with God, and in
the dark.  The struggle was intense.  It seemed as




THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.            215
though an evil spirit were wreaking its last vengeance
before being cast out. It ended: —all was surrendered
to the conquering Jesus, and he vouchsafed such peace
as he alone can give. It was a very clear case; the
transformation was complete, and the very point of
transition was plain. I felt most deeply that here was
the omnipotence of God, working in its own wondrous
way.-O what a night that was! I found him a sinner, and left him a brother in Christ...
"Last evening, after meeting I was called to see and
pray for a young man of the Sophomore Class, whom
i found in great disturbance of mind. Others, too, are
thoughtful; and unless Christians determined to do
nothing, and by unbelief or presumption drive away
the Spirit, I do believe God will work greater things
for us.....
" God has come to the help of my faith just in time.
I had begun to be almost frightened at having said so
much here, and in my letters, about a revival, while all
around were ready to say,'Where are the signs of his
appearing?' Then I was becoming so distracted by
my studies and daily work, that I began almost to
excuse myself from  going to labor among my fellow
students, and now feel that wherever my master most
requires my services, there I shall be found.
"Yours," etc.
So much for the beginning of the work.  Other
conversions soon took place, and in the winter the
interest in college received fresh impetus from a powerful revival that sprang up in the city.




216          THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
Still another answer to his prayers is immediately
recorded.
"God is cheering my heart with good tidings from
my dear people in -Dover. The spirit is among them,
so that they are greatly encouraged. Now if I could
only hear of a revival in Kennebunkport," he adds, " then
my three great prayers would all be, answered. I can
almost believe that it will be so. I believe much the
more, now that you hold meetings to pray for that
special object."
This third prayer was to be answered later. He continues, encouraging his faith by recalling his still fresh
experience.
"I told you of my experience relative to prevailing
prayer during the summer.  I came here, fully possessed with the thought, and I ventured to talk it
out. We began to pray-as feeble in numbers as
you are, at first-resolved that we would continue to
pray until the answer came. Now what a lesson God
has taught me!  It was not presumption! While we
were praying and doubting in our rooms here, how
little we knew what was going on around us.  In
another room a party of young men, all irreligious, were
together, talking-and about what?-about Religion.
One of them, moved by an unaccountable but irresistible impulse, started to his feet, stood before them and
said,' Well boys, for my part, I wish I were a Christian!'
"I hope you count me among your number at your
Monday evening meetings in Kennebunkport. If my
prayers can avail aught, by faith in Christ, be sure they
are with you.




THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.            217
"'Thcough sundered far, by faith we meet
Around one common mercy-seat."'
A little later:-" Good news still from Dover. They
are about settling a pastor. Their meetings are increasing in interest, and awakenings and conversions occur.
I wait to hear great things.-We are holding on here
as well as we can. We pray still," etc.
While the history pauses, there is time for a few
miscellaneous letters and extracts.
TO C    D.
" I was especially gratified by the religious tone of
your letter.  My conscience has made me commit
more than one epistle to the stove instead of the postoffice, because there was no religion in it."
" Beware of being cheated out of present usefulness
by fancying what you would do if God had placed you
thus and thus, or by dreaming of exploits in the future.
I believe that God places every child of His just where
he can render the most effective service. May He give
you grace," etc.
TO R —----
"I believe we are alike in one particular. Each is
remarkably dependent on constant contact and association with the means of. grace and with Christian labor,
to enable us to keep up spiritual life. Hence I doubt
very much whether I could hope to preserve much
religions activity in a secular calling. The ministry is,
19




218          THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
in some sense, essential for me. I should like to know
whether your unwillingness to think of the ministry
has not risen with the decline and fallen with the increase of your religious vitality? I can but fancy that
you will find no solid, satisfactory, and permanent
enjoyment of religion, without laboring directly in
spiritual, things-directly and exclusively, I may say.
If you do not think yourself to be depended upon as a
public speaker to a constant audience, why, go into the
woods and the jungle, or preach with your pen. I
hardly dare to look forward to a pastorate at home.
But what the leadings of Providence may he, of course
I do not know. I want to take my stand between the
altar and the plough, and say,' Lord, ready for either.' 
In a lettel to his friend Brown, he says:......." I am a different man from what I was even
a few months ago. My happiest days are past, in one
sense. There is a higher happiness more soul-filling,
found in laboring for Christ, which I hope yet to experience far more largely.  Here is an exhaustless fountain of joy, from which I have as yet taken the merest
taste. But for this, I would with my whole heart
second you and Montgomery and Muhlenberg in sighing to sleep in death. As it is, I feel that I have a
work to do which should engage my highest powers,
strained to the utmost of cultivation and of activity.
Life is none too long for my work. I want to make
my own calling and election sure, and then I want to
be one of the wise to win souls, shining as a star for
ever in the firmament of God. Nothing less than this




THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.             219
glory is my ambition.  Let me rather say, then, that
my days of folly are past, while the happiest are yet in
store for me.
" I am unwilling, my dear brother, that our friendship should abate a tithe of its ardor. It already
begins to claim the sacredness of age...... The more
we are our Saviour's, the more we shall be each other's.
Had it not been for your coming into my room one
night, an inquirer after Christ, and afterwards finding
that Saviour; we should not be such firiends to-day.
Our paths would have diverged, and the constantly
widening and deepening breadth of separation might
at last have become an impassable gulf!
"But I would not preach to you. I hope the tide is
not banging you against the rocks, nor sweeping your
head beneath the waters.  A Senior in Yale! You
must exult in your position and prospects.  0, I hope
you will come out with a heart all burning with a
Saviour's love, and fresh for the work of our Master....
"Yours," etc.
" November 14.
"'DEAR MOTHER:
"There are no new developments among us, but
our prayer-meetings are increasing in frequency and in
interest, and I think there is a deeper piety settling
down on the hearts of many.  I do hope I am growing
in grace.  Gently the Lord is leading me to Himself,
despite all my rebelliousness.  It is with tears of gratitude that I acknowledge it. This has been a blessed
day. I have enjoyed prayer, enjoyed study, and all my
duties.... I get a great deal of new light for every




220         THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
hour I study the Scriptures. Old difficulties vanish,
and new meanings come home to my soul with a delightful force.
" One thought to-day has especially impressed me,
and is with me yet. It is, that Christ, in no instance
used his miraculous power for display, nor to gratify
curiosity, nor yet in his own behalf alone. It was
always for the direct good of others. He could not be
tempted to cast himself down from the temple pinnacle. That would have done no good: it would have
been simply for display....  With all his powers,
Christ never'showed off!   Yet I, his follower, have
made that how often my effort, all my life!
"I am pondering this resolution: when I have sufficiently prayed for grace to keep it, I will try to adopt
it for the practical rule of my life. Never to write a
sentence, nor speak a word, nor do an act, but what
shall tend, directly or indirectly, to the good of some of
my fellow-men.  Then, and not till then, shall I be
consecrated to my work."
"November 14.
DEAR R —:.. "I have a fault to find with your last three
or four letters. I allude to it, because it is uppermost
in my mind. You do not give me enough of your Christian experience. While I am praying for you, several
times a day, and constantly thinking of you, and wishing for you, I long to know whether my prayers for
you are answered, and to receive the assurance that
yours are ascending for me. I confess to a feeling of
disappointment, when I read entirely through your




THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.            221
letter, and find almost all I want, or have a right to
expect,-all but just what I most want, and most have
a right to expect. 0, I do hope you are not freezing
spiritually. You cannot afford to lose the vantage
ground acquired in the last year. And I suppose a
very short period would suffice to throw you back into
that dreadful state of inactivity, wretchedness, and
almost despair, which you knew for so long....
" Yours," etc.
" November 28.
"I have received and have accepted an invitation
from my friends in Williamson, to spend to-morrow
with them, and preach a Thanksgiving-sermon in the
Baptist church.... "I discover, on thinking of it, that a Thanksgiving-sermon is, or ought to be, a peculiar thing. I
really hardly know what to do. I hate political harangues, as desecrations of the day, the place, and the
ministerial office; and yet I never preached or thought
of any sermon that would be at all fitting. I have
pitched, however, upon this text-see what you can
make of it:'The Sabbath was made for man, not man
for the Sabbath.'"
19*




CHAPTER XXI.
LECTURING-REVIVALS IN ROCHESTER AND IN KENNEBUNKPORT.
THE vacation at the Holidays was occupied with a
lecturing tour in the far East. The Lyceum Committee
of Dover, N. H., had extended an invitation to him to
lecture before their association. Great Falls, N. H., and
Calais, Maine, sent similar requests.  The article on
"The Ancient and the Modern Idea of a State," was
accordingly re-written, expanded to the proper proportions, and made to serve the purpose of a lecture.
It was first spoken in Calais, a town more than two
hundred miles east of Portland (which forms the boundary to the conception of the East to most persons), and
accessible only by a long and hazardous sea-voyage.
"' At Eastport," says Kingman, " we doubled the North
Pole, and advanced, clear of ice, into Dr. Kane's Open
Sea." This was really the St. Croix River, distinguished
for the remarkable beauty of its scenery.  Calais, a
young city, deserves to be as celebrated for the intelligence and thrift of its inhabitants, as it already is for
the enormous production of good lumber.
Kingman's lecture, in this and in other places, was
received with warm approbation. It was spoken without notes.




LECTURIN G- REVIVALS.           223
Writing from Dover, he says, " I have no reason to
complain of the verdicts brought to me..... But I
will tell you what I enjoyed most-the prayer-meeting
last evening. The vestry was nearly full, and the Lord
was with us. There was much free conference on the
theme of the cross of Christ."
Returning to Rochester, he found himself recruited
in health, and with a fair pecuniary equivalent for his
pains.
The winter of'56 was remarkable in Rochester for a
powerful and general revival of religion. Already, as
we have seen, in the college there had been more than
ordinary interest. In the city the work began and continued in connexion with the preaching of that wellknown evangelist, Mr. Finney. For months the churches
were thronged daily, both to hear preaching, and for
conference, inquiry, and prayer.  The converts were
numbered by hundreds.  It was the precursor, in the
State of New York, of that great religious awakening,
which, in 1858, extended over the whole North, and
introduced a new era in religious operations.
At first Kingman was fearful and cautious.  The
excitement might not be genuine. "I trust the Spirit
is in all this," he writes. "I think He is. It must be
the Spirit; certain I am it is not the effect of eloquence,
it is not a fanciful excitement." As the work advanced,
the hand of God was clearly exhibited.
Kingman found the difficulty at first which many




224           LECTURING-REVIVALS.
have experienced, in estimating Mr. Finney-who as a
well-known, public character, concerning whom public
discussion has been had, may freely be spoken of by
name.  "I do not know what to make of Mr. F.," he
says. "Certainly he is far enough from any approach
to a'popular preacher:'-as dry as an old bone —but
fearfully personal and close.  It benefits me to hear
him in many respects."
Later he sees more clearly: "I have been trying all
the term to comprehend Mr. Finney. I have been as
much at a loss to see where his power lay, as the Philistines were with reference to Samson.  I have styled
him the man whom nobody likes, and everybody goes
to hear.  And so it has been.  But last evening he
struck a new vein, and I felt the Finney. It was a stupendous sermon. I was half beside myself.  The subject was,' Conscience: its Nature, Authority, and Revelations.' It was a mass of bold, compact, solid logic,
poured out in the most forcible manner, and perfectly
irresistible in its power.  It was not rhetoric, not passion; yet Gough did not affect me more. Oh, well,
what a poor, little, weak, superficial mortal am I, intellectually and spiritually!"
Feb. 25, more about the work itself.
" God is doing a wonderful work in this city.  It
seems miraculous that so thorough a change in popular sentiment should have been wrought in so short a




LECTURING —REVIVALS.             225
time. It is said that there has been no period since
1830, when the minds of the community have been so
generally awake to the subject of religion. No church
in the city can contain the throngs that press to hear
Mr. Finney, and scarcely a lecture-room  the numbers
that attend the daily prayer-meetings.  Inquirers show
themselves by hundreds.
"I magnify the Lord and bless Him for His wonderful works to the children of'men..... To-morrow is our
great day " [the day of Prayer for Colleges], " the day
to which we have long been looking forward, hoping for
and expecting God's rich blessing in answer to prayer.
I know you will remember me and us all in an especial
manner. Dead and unworthy as we now are, God
deigns to bless us, and four of our fellow-students have
recently indulged hope.
"I enjoy Mr. F.'s preaching more, the better I understand the man. There is a severe holiness about
him, that imakes me revere him, while he manifests
the utmost humility and homely sincerity. I sometimes feel a weak point in his theology, but he does not
seem to make it his mission to proclaim his peculiar
views.  He is manifestly in search of souls, and is winning, I think, the increased confidence of Christians...
He is very cool, cautious-and deals with conscience.
There is no machinery-no noise, but a wide and deep
feeling that is amazing. The work takes hold mostly
on men.... There is a great spirit of prayer-intelligent prayer."




226           LECTURING —REVIVALS.
TO A SISTER.
"February 29, 1856.
"DEAR L:
"It rejoices and strengthens my heart to
have you breathe such desires for me. You must be
willing to pray much for me also, for I assure you that,
if I ever become what you wish, I must greatly
change.
"My Christian experience is very shallow.  It does
not lie deep enough in my soul. Truths float about on
the surface of my mind, but do not pervade my nature.
I often think of a remark which Dr. Anderson once
quoted to me fiom father,' After all, a man can preach
effectively only so much truth as he has experienced in
his own soul.'  That is what I want, and must havemore experience. All else is unavailing. This is just
where I am weak, utterly weak," etc.
The letter then proceeds to describe the celebration
of the Day of Fasting and Prayer in the College.
One paragraph gives an illustration of his remarkable
susceptibility to powerful impressions firom good oratory.
It was the same with magnificent scenery, or music of
peculiar grandeur. Their effect was sometimes exciting
even to a sort of painful extacy.
" We had a solemn day. In the morning there was
preaching. I do not know what to say of the sermon.
I have not got over trembling under it yet. It made




LECTURING —EVIVALS.             22 7
me shut myself up, fling myself on my bed, and cry
for an hour. It gave me new ideas of the heart and
power of the preacher-and I may say of man, for I
never before felt the powver of any human being so.
For that hour    - was Massillon. The text was from
Ps. xc.' Who knoweth the power of thine anger!
According to thy fear, so is thy wrath.' I hope the
good effects of this blessed day will go with us," etc.
It was now the set time when the third great prayer
of this young Jacob, who had learned to prevail with
God, was to be answered. For many years the little
church at Kennebunkport had known no refreshing
from on high. But the ground had been sown, and
watered with tears, and suddenly over the field that
seemed all barren, a harvest stood visible, and ready
for reaping. A vacation in the Seminary was at hand.
Word came to Kingman, "Home-and help us thrust
in the sickle."   He hastened away, grateful to the
Hearer of Prayer.
In the course of the journey, incidents occurred,
which are thus dramatically narrated.
"DEAR B —:....  "I received my father's letter Friday, and
took the cars the same night.  Reaching Springfield Saturday night, I dropped down to Hartford for
the Sabbath. Oh! how that portion of the journey
filled me with remembrances of old Suffield! We
came to' The Locks.' I got out and looked about in




228           LECTURING-REVIVALS.
the dimness. I remembered the first time I came there,
the greeting I received from my old teacher, the kindness he showed to me for my own and my father's
sake. I burned to fall dowh and tell him, that, for
what I was, I felt myself indebted to him more than to
any man, save my own father. When should I see him
again! Certainly next summer. Meanwhile I would
write him a long letter.-' Anybody going to Suffield?'
cried'Old Prout,' or somebody else. I almost said'Yes!' but no —it was impossible. So I hurried on,
busy with thoughts of past days.
"' I arrived at Hartford —sought the same hotel where
H. and I companied one night long ago. In the morning
I went to church. After I was seated, a lady swept in,
proceeding up the aisle. I looked again, I could not
be mistaken-no, it was my old schoolmate,! At
the close of the service, as she passed out, I stood before
her.'Mr. Nott!' exclaimed she, wondering. Then
there was an introduction to various friends. We talked
of Suffield, and of Mr. Woodbury. I lauded him from
my heart.'Yes,' said Mrs. -—,'we all feel his death
very much!'.... "I cannot tell you how I felt. Dead-dead? —'Yes, we buried him yesterday.' And I might have
been there! My visit was spoiled, my journey was saddened, and I passed Suffield Monday morning, feeling
that all was gone now. There is no one in Suffield for
whom I care, or who cares for me. Some time-not
now-I shall like to go and kneel at his grave, and
offer a thanksgiving for his life-a tear for his death.
"You knew him-loved him. You have doubtless
heard the particulars of his triumphant departure. He




LECTURING —REVIVALS.             229
passed away with the words on his lips,' Half in earth
and half in Heaven!"'
Kingman remained in Kennebunkport nearly one
month, preaching almost daily, and giving assistance to
his father in the necessary visiting and conversing.
He thus d6scribes the scenes transpiring.
"KENNEBUNK, April 17, 1856.
"DEAR R-:.... " I hope you appreciate the paternal affection
that has dragged me out of bed half an hour earlier than
usual this morning of blue Monday, for the express purpose of despatching a letter to you by the early mail.
"The work here has been advancing, in spite of rain,
mud, and unbelief. The last week has been tediousall rain, drizzle, and fog; there are no walks, other than
gutters between great snowbanks. I preached Tuesday
and Wednesday evenings; since then we have met in
the vestry, and have had delightful meetings. Eight
persons have been added to the church, all of whom
are heads of families. They appeared very happy ill
their baptism, and shouted aloud when coming out of
the water. It was long since I had seen a river baptism. To see it here made my heart full of rejoicing.
Friday and Saturday evenings we had the most heavenly
seasons of Christian communion. The brethren seemed
almost transported. Father preached on Baptism yesterday; what it is-what it symbolizes-what its obligation; an elaborate and irresistible argument-enthusiastic too. I spoke afternoon and evening. Five members received the right hand of fellowship, among them
20




230           LECTURING-REVIVALS.
the woman whom father baptized a month ago on his
own responsibility, the church refusing to receive her.
We had a solemn evening, and one poor sinner was so
pricked in the heart as to rise, overcome completely,
and only able to say,' I want you to pray for me!'
"The brethren are frightened, and wanting to retreat.
But the Spirit is not yet grieved, and we shall push on
the meetings as fast and as far as we can.'"Dear Lizzie [the youngest sister] is fully brought
out now, so as to give undoubted evidence of an intelligent and thorough conversion. It is a practical thing
with her, and she talks like a Christian of years' standing.  Bless God! thus is brought in the last of out
dear mother's offspring.  Do you not suppose she looks
with joy on this event, and takes infinite satisfaction in
knowing that all her children are safe-three in heaven
with her, the rest in the bosom of the church? Prayer
is answered.
" Letters from Rochester are encouraging; others are
converted, among them F., whom I have loved so much
as a classmate.
" My own heart is full; sometimes I seem to live in
heaven by the hour.  Last evening these thoughts so
filled me, as to drive away the sermon I had prepared,
and I was forced to preach on'I-Heaven.' But, I cannot tell you all. Father seems to renew his youth. He
is full of fire.  He talks all the while of the' All Power'
and the'worth of a soul;' he laughs, tells stories, and
seems supremely happy. Good bye.
At no time, probably, in his whole lministerial career,
AQt no time, probably, in his whole ministerial career,




LECTURING-REVIVALS.             231
not in Albion or Dover, nor in New York, did Kingman
continuously, for so long a time, preach with so much
power as during these three weeks at Kennebunkport.
The discourses were, altogether, perhaps fifteen in number.  Most of them had been delivered several times
before, and so were weapons more accurately fitted to
the hand than.untried productions often can be, while
yet, from his living earnestness, they were kept sharp,
and launched with the same vigor and directness as
when they were new. These sermons, as often fondly
spoken of by his father (and judged in a literary way),
were chiefly remarkable for their perfectly artistic arrangement and finish-the more singular since they
were unwritten.   An exact logical order reigned
throughout, controlling even the sentences and words;
so that on any point neither too much nor too little was
said, nor anything irrelevant admitted. The method
was constructive, not aqygregative. Thoughts, whether
the principal or the subordinate, stood not side by side,
but in line. As there was no verbiage, so also there
was no independency of parts or phrases. No straggling fancies were allowed to go ambitiously foraging
for the beautiful and elegant; all were kept in rank, and
the ranks in column-marching straight forward on to
the final issue.  The easily besetting disposition to
wander was effectually forbidden, and the inclination to
impertinent ornament relentlessly crucified.  Words,
giving up their individuality, aimed only to contribute




232           LECTURING-REVIVALS.
to that perfect unity in which dwells power.  Thus,
there was a steady surging onwards from the beginning
-the wave gathering head as it proceeded, until, at the
instant of its greatest mass and momentum, it broke
with the aggregate force of all its atoms.  Yet, the
style was by no means barren. The theory of construction demanded perfect accuracy of language; consistent
however, with ease, glow, and a pruned luxuriance. Such,
at this time, was Kingman's ideal of a sermon-his model.
Afterwards, when a settled minister, he adopted much
of the time a somewhat different method-at least allowed himself the liberty of methods. He was more frequently picturesque and discursive; and sometimes chose
the guerilla plan of warfare-stopping anywhere in the
course of the sermon to skirmish, and shooting vigorously
whenever he was able to take aim. And he frequently
preferred an effective grouping to a logical procession.
His style had also this excellence which is beyond
price-absolute transparency. The language was purely
the medium of the thought, and lno one was ever at a
loss for an instant to comprehend his meaning. But the
discussion of the general features of his composition
belongs later.
His customary ardor was, of course, augmented here
at home, preaching under his father's eye, and for the
salvation of his own townsmen and friends. He aimed
to declare the most solemn and pungent truths, and to
drive them home to men's consciences.




LECTURIJ'NG-REVIVALS.           233
Two sermons are held in special rememlbrance, one
from the text, "Who told thee thou wast naked?"
the other, that on "Heaven," in which he seemted to
be, indeed, "living in heaven" for that hour. In the
pulpit he appeared never otherwise than as having the
accomplishment of a great result in view, and eagerly
longing for it.  Hours of leisure he occupied much
with prayer, since he hungered for the Spirit's aid. He
was more than once heard weeping and pleading; in
fine, from all representations, words could hardly describe his yearning and earnestness. The "All Power"
was with him, and many were converted unto the
Lord.
20*




CHAPTER XXII.
LETTERS-VACATION-TREMONT TEMPLE-WHITE
MOUNTAINS.
ON his return to Rochester he finds the religious interest not cooled.
April 24.
"..... But now for the wonders. I have been to
the prayer-meeting this morning. They have adjourned
to the churches. The church was almost full-six or
eight hundred persons. Finney is here, preaching with
unabated vigor. The meetings are more powerful than
at any time yet. A band of young men, who had
formed an association for their better growth in vice,
have all been converted. It has been agreed to continue
the prayer-meetings during the year.....  I feel overawed at God's power:-' Stand still, and see the salvation of God.'"
A reference to his late visit occurs:
TO HIS FATHER:.... " Perhaps I did wrong in leaving you as I
did. But the time of my preparation seems so short
at the longest, and so strong is the pressure to push me
off my course, that I am perhaps in some cases overjealous.... To know that I have in aiiy way been




LETTERS-VACATION.              235
a means of personal gratification to yourself, is the
highest joy I know on earth, next to gaining God's approval. My visit home was to me the most satisfactory
I ever made.  It will prove of lasting advantage to
me."
A lively letter of vigorous good advice to a young
sister, who was, for the time, ambitious, self-reproachful,
and; doleful:" May 10.
"MY DEAREST C —....  1"What a pity it is, indeed, that the vast
sum total of all human knowledge cannot be condensed
and crammed into your little head in one summer terim's
work! How strange, indeed, how sad, that C-,
like the rest of us, should be doomed to be a plodder,..
learn little by little, and leave the great bulk of knowledge untouched after all!  Yes, it is very sad, C.; and
you are homesick and disconsolate, and you meditate
and mourn and cry, and grow very solemn and very
white and very pensive, and thus fulfil the requisitions
of a young ladies' boarding-school. In all of which,
allow me to suggest you are the opposite of wise. Your
father would rather you should be a romp than a nun.
Your brother would certainly prefer it. Don't tumble
into reveries and repinings and aerial aspirations, and
mope and sigh because you cannot make yourself perfect in a day.
"You confound father's ideal of what he would have
you do and be, with what he actually expects of you as
a limited, imperfect, and depraved being, and under cir



236            LETTERS -VACATION.
cumstances in many respects unfavorable..... Your
complainings remind me of the scene of poor Willie's
distress, when, with a good dinner before him, he stopped
and literally cried because he could not be more than
five years old! Of all human follies, the blues are the
most reprehensible and foolish. It is a waste of time
to indulge them.  I would fight them, I'd laugh at
them, sing them away, or whistle them away, or shout
them  away, or scream  them  out of sight.  I'd drown
them with joy. I'd shoot them and bayonet them with
compulsory wit.
"'IHence I to the realms of night, dire demon, hence I
Thy chains of adamant can bind
That little world-the human mind,
And chain its noblest power to impotence I'
"And then to think —
"' O how many a glorious record,
Had the Angels of me kept,
Had I done instead of doubted,
Had I warred instead of wept I'
"Well, you have my opinions. I hope you will profit,
and in your aspirations after endless knowledge and immaculate perfection, not forget the Christian duty of
wearing a cheerful face. Bless the world with smiles, C.
Let your words and tones be silvery with pure joy. You
have a right, bless God, to be happy.  The worldwithout God and without hope-have not. God have
mercy on them!
"If I did not make it a matter of principle to be
happy, I should not always be so happy as I am.




LETTERS-VACATION.               237
All is well here, I am busy again, next time I will
give you more news; this is one of my lectures.  Good
night.
"Your good-for-nothing brother,
"A. K. N."
" May 28.
"I am still conscious largely of the strivings of the
Spirit, sometimes, too, of a conquering Spirit in my
heart. I think I hear God's voice. Great questions
begin already to be pressing upon me, and I am made
to feel the utter vanity of all worldly prudence, and to
look only for the wisdom that cometh from above.....
"The summer vacation-how shall I best apply to
it the principles which I take for the regulation of my
life?  The great future-in what direction will it
open? I am driven to my God.... Ah, I sometimes
have thoughts, too sacred to be uttered, of a work-a
great work-yet dim and dark —which I shall be
suffered to enter into. I wait patiently on the Lord."
The question of the employment of the summer
vacation was not easily settled. Several churches sent
in requests. to him to supply them.
" I have something of a fever to go West," he says.
"It would certainly be a great satisfaction to my roving
propensity, and might be of use to me in one day
choosing my field of life-labor. But I do not find
anything very holy in this desire."
An invitation to supply the desk, or rather platform,
at Tremont Temple, Boston, during some weeks, in the




238            LETTERS-VACATION.
absence of the pastor, Rev. J. L. Kalloch, who was his
former schoolmate and-friend, was finally accepted. The
decision was made in deference to his father's wish to
have him near home.
The place was important, and for many reasons
difficult to be occupied by a young student.
"I am afraid some of my friends will think me foolhardy," he says, " and perhaps vain; but I have not
sought the place, and do not propose to go in my own
strength...... If I fail, it will very likely do me as
much good as success, and perhaps a great deal more!
So I am sure of benefit in any case.
"Help me to pray that I may go in the fear of God,
and deliver htis messages, supported by His power....
My responsibility and my risk I feel. I have no trust
except in God."
Nott preached at Tremont Temple six or seven successive Sabbaths, with great acceptance, and not without result. The congregation was maintained at its
full ordinary number, notwithstanding the inevitable
exodus of people into the country at that season of the
year. The strangers and stragglers that were drawn
in more than made up the losses. The Temple has an
audience room of capacity for seating, at the maximum,
three thousand persons. This room, in good weather,
was comfortably filled, and sometimes packed. Public
attention was more and more attracted to the young
preacher. The highest encomiums were passed upon




LETTERS-VACATION.               2 3 9
his sermons by men best capable of forming a critical
judgment, while the favorable suffrages of the mass
were secured at once by his grace, simplicity, and
earnestness. He preached with great boldness, "speaking the truth in love," not dizzied by applause, nor
swerved by any " policy" proposed by the weak or the
jealous. As formerly, the " All-Power" was with him;
the church felt the influence, and was quickened; and
there were a few conversions. Here also he followed
his habit of making religious visits, and pleading with
individuals.
" MONDAY, Aug. 11, 1856.
" MY DEAR FATHER,
" My fourth Sabbath has passed, completing  one
half of my allotted time in Boston. What a beautiful
Sabbath God gave us yesterday!....
" In the morning, I had not that fulness of soul and
access in prayer which I have known at times when I
have preached best, i.e. most effectively. But I wish
you could have been with us in the afternoon. I
changed my subject during intermission, as by the
voice of the Spirit, taking a sermon that I preached a
long time ago, and had almost forgotten. The congregation was the largest I ever saw, and furnished a
splendid sight. I was granted the closest attention,
and enjoyed speaking. Our evening meeting was by
far the largest and most encouraging known yet.
Christ seemed to pervade our hearts in a remarkable




240            LETTERS —VACATION.
manner. He was the soul of every prayer, and of all
that was said. The brethren seemed to have faith. It
really appeared  revival-like....... I am  becoming
more interested in my work.
"Aug. 13.
" We are encouraged:'-so say all the church members who speak of the state of things. The congregation is contautly increasing. Better than this, the vestry
is filling up, and life is infused into the meetings. Numbers come in, who I find are strangers to all of us.
Some of them have appeared very serious. ), if I could
only get hold of them! We see their faces, and they
are off!  But God seems ready to bless us..... By
the grace of God I hope I may be able some time to
preach better than I can now.  Give me, 0 Lord, a
work to do, a life to do it in, and grace to do it!"
6 Aug. 18.
"Yesterday I exchanged half the day....  I can
hardly describe to you the relief and childish delight I
felt in getting back, in the afternoon, to my good old
Temple. I fairly laughed for joy. As I sat down on
a free platform, having no excrescence of a pulpit upon
it; with my glorious chair behind me, and the front
rank of my hearers so near that I could almost touch
them, while the solid mass extended to the distant
doors,- why I felt so inspired that I could not have
helped speaking.....  There was more feeling than I
had seen before.....    A gay girl met me on coming
out, and at once spoke of the sermon.' It brought the




LETTERS-VACATION.               241
tears and the prayer,' she said. Another I saw in the
evening, and said to her,'You have serious thoughts
sometimes; have you had any to-day?' She immediately answered, with deep feeling,'I do not see how
any one could help it!'.... Think-six weeks ago
there were thirty at our evening meeting; last evening
there were more than a hundred. I believe the Spirit
is working among us."....
The only drawback to his felicity was his loneliness.
He lodged and studied in the empty house of Mr.
Kalloch, and discovered something of the miseries of
solitary imprisonment.  "I must confess," he says"this fine house, amply furnished, of which I have the
range from garret to cellar, but without so much as
a cat or a canary to share possession, is becoming a
prison. I wander through it —peep into every attic
and open every closet, to see if I cannot find-something or somebody. If the bell would only ring! Twice
I have run down stairs to the front door, but alas! it
was my neighbor's bell," etc.....
The writer was present at the Temple on one of
these Sabbaths. The afternoon discourse was from the
text, " The wages of sin is death." It was an argument,
to show the nature of the "death."  The preacher's
voice, expression, gesture, were evidently controlled
solely by the absorbing solemnity of the theme. The
chief characteristic of the discourse, as respects its composition, was the steady, rapid, straight-onward, fearful
21




242           LETTERS-VACATION.
march of the argument. The heart responded at each
step, " true," "true."  But-awful! the premises involved a conclusion:-to that you were relentlessly
forced:-there is a judgment-a second death —a Pit
of Woe! I sat where the whole audience, silent as the
grave, were before me. I thought a pallor overspread
the faces of many, and I said to myself, this is a Judgment Day, men's hearts failing them for fear! Yet there
was a pathos, as of restrained tears, in the speaker's
voice, that awoke the tenderest emotions, and excited
the slumbering longings of the soul for peace with God.
At the close of his engagement at the Temple, Nott
seized a week for a rapid excursion to the White
Mountains. The party consisted of four, of whom the
writer was one. Kingman was in the gayest spirits;
he shouted, sang, hurrahed, and kept us all in continual
exhilaration.  His power of physical endurance was
astonishing.  It was impossible thoroughly to weary
him, or quench his ardor. After a long and exhausting
ride, he insisted on making a push to the "Flume" by
moonlight.  From "Crawford's" he took an evening
run to the top of the nearest mountain (that to which
a carriage road conducts), while the rest of the party
were glad enough of beds. In the course of the ascent
of Mount Washington, which was pedestrian, two of the
party had lingered behind, overcome with fatigue.
Resuming their upward toil, and approaching the noted




LETTER-VACATION.                243
"Lake of the Clouds,"-a considerable basin of pure
water a mile above the level of the sea, and as impregnable by the sun's heat as an Arctic glacier-they
were surprised to hear a vigorous splashing in the
almost icy waves, and running to look, beheld this wild
contemner of the threats of Nature luxuriously swimming in the precious bath, with perspiration effectually
checked, but loudly applauding his superior comfort
and refreshment. Few have bathed in the Lake of the
Clouds. Most would hesitate which to choose, that, or
the bath of Empedocles in the crater of Etna.
Returning friom this excursion, K. had still time to
give a Sabbath to Kennebunkport, and another to
Boston, preaching this time for a new church at the
South End, now  known as the Thirteenth Baptist
Church, of which Philip S. Evans, Kingman's classmate
and friend, was the first pastor.
A clistinguished gentleman, who heard him on this
occasion, remarked this in effect: "I had heard of this
young preacher, and of the'sensation' that he produced, but imagined he might be the possessor simply
of certain showy and superficial gifts, sufficient only to
gain a transient popularity. I listened, therefore, with
critical ears, and I was obliged to confess, at the close
of the day, that I had not for years heard more powerful sermons."
Thus everywhere the impression grew, that K. was
destined to some important service for the Redeemer.




CHAPTER XXIII.
SECOND YEAR-LETTERS-VISIT TO THE BROOME ST.
CHURCH, ETC.
THIS year was occupied with the study of theology
proper, and was peculiarly delightful and profitable to
Kingman.
It is also the year that closed his preparatory course
and introduced him to the final stage of his too brief
but happy and useful life.
Much has already been indicated respecting Kingman's conception of the solemn responsibility belonging
to the work of preaching.  Two or three letters setting
this in a still more impressive light, could not justly be
omitted.
It has been stated that after his return from the
White Mountains, one Sabbath was spent at Kennebunkport. His sermons on that day, though not wanting in the usual rhetorical power or fluency, or in animation, yet were pervaded with a manner that was unusual,
a certain flippancy and apparent indifference to results.
" There is no power in K.'s sermtns to-day," remarked
his father to a member of the family. "His heart is
not enlisted.  K. can do nothing unless his heart is
right. I must write him a letter about keeping his heart:




SECOND YEAR-LETTERS.              245
The letter was written, and this was the replyshowing his humility and right aims:"Sep. 26, 1856.
"DEAR FATHER:..  "I am greatly ashamed and distressed over
the wholesome rebuke contained in your letter. Perhaps it is better that I suffer in silence, and endeavor to
make my heart right with God. I feel the truth of
what you say. I did feel it at the time, and I knew
the causes of it. Yet I was disposed, while conscious
of not having fully discharged my duty, to pass it over
as a trivial matter. But now I am alarmed to see that
I have committed a great sin, and I beg you to pray
the Lord with me that I may be forgiven.  Some
foolish liftinys-up in Boston, and more than all, a week
of most thorough dissipation in pleasure-travelling,
with the excitement of expecting an immediate return
to Rochester, had wholly unfitted me for preaching
for you," etc., etc.
He adds:-" I am now as thoroughly in the midst
of study as ever in my life; yet the most of it is of a
nature exciting rather than dissipating to religious
thought. Besides this, I have determined to devote
some time each day to )purely devotional reading; I
find it as profitable as any study. Arthur's' Tongue of
Fire' has done me much good in enlarging my faith in
the practical power of the Holy Spirit.  A Kempis''Imitation of Christ' affords me delightful daily food.
I am finding great satisfaction in a more critical study
of the Scriptures in private.  Some new light dawns
upon me every day. I have taken Paul's Epistles to
21*a




246          SECOND YEAR-LETTERS.
Timothy as especially appropriate to me at this time,"
etc.
A little later he laments a fault similar to that above
confessed.
TO HIS FATHER.
" Nov. 30, 1856.
"I have been for two Sabbaths past at B —. This
is the first preaching I have performed for some time.
My heart was not prepared for the work, and I am
afraid I preached somewhat as I did at home, when
last I was there. I look now on such sermons as among
the greatest crimes of my life. I hope God has given
me grace to weep over them and repent," etc....
"' Among the greatest crimes of my life!"  Such is
not always the feeling of ministers when their sermons
are faultless, except for the trifling defect of heartlessness i
At another time K. is refusing a certain tempting
proposal:" It would not be right," says he, " and so I will
not; because it is not well to do what is not right, and
because I have found that when I am to preach, I am
beset with some special temptation.  When I yield to
it I am shorn of my strength. I can talk, rant, make
an oration, but I cannot preach. I have come to the
conclusion, that if I am to preach, I must keep my
heart. I pray the good Lord to teach me entirely His
will."




SECOND YEAR —LEITERS.            247
Miscellaneous letters follow.
R. T. S., October 1, 1856.
"DEAR MOTHER:
" My religion daily becomes more precious to me,
and I think that the grace of God is bringing me to
that point where I shall be able either to endure affliction or practise self-denial for Christ's sake. Of neither
have I known anything as yet. My life's work, I doubt
not, will be abundantly fraught with both; but what
that is to be remains as yet a mystery. I fear of mistaking here; I fear that I may choose for myself and
not for Christ. I cannot thrust the subject from my
thoughts, though it assumes as yet so undefined a shape.
I gladly commit its future shaping into the hands of
Infinite Wisdom.
" We have had another of our most delightful college
meetings. These differ fromrl any other meetings I have
ever known. We are so exactly on a level, and in such
thorough sympathy, that all restraint seems broken
down. Men do not seem to talk or pray for the sake
of performing an exercise, but for the simple expression
of feeling. The morning meetings of the city continue
increasing now in interest and numbers. They are a
great delight to me.
"I had a pleasant Sabbath at Auburn. The day was
fine, and some of mnay very pleasant friends there seemed
glad to see me. I preached a new sermon from Luke
iii. 16, on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some of the
thoughts were newly presented to my own mind, and
have done me good. It is sad to see a large church in
a fine city, with its membership scattering, its congre.




2 4 8        SECOND YEAR —LET-ERS.
gation falling off, its prayer-meetings declining, and its
spirituality dying out, for the want of a pastor.
"Well, we shall have fourteen ready-the Lord willing-in some months; but, like the five loaves for the
five thousand, what are they among so many. One
thing the churches may be assured of-if these-to-be
pastors all imbibe the spirit, and catch the zeal, and
obey the teachings of our instructors in Theology, they
will certainly be at least pure and faithfull men.' Yours," etc.
The next letter suggests the first hint of what was in
reality, though unsuspectedly to him, the advancement
of destiny; the shadow of the future beginning to assumel definiteness, at least to our eye, who have seen
that whole future unfold, and move backward into the
past.
"ROCiHESTER, October 9, 1856.
" DEAR FATHER:
" A matter has come up, which you will naturally
expect mne to mention to you. I wish to refer it to you
for confidential advice.  It is an invitation firom  the
First Church, New York, to supply them  one Sabbath.
What do you think of it?  Of course it is only as a
supply; they have had fifty such. I do not like to
answer until I hear fi'om you...........
" October 17
"DEAR MOTHER:... "I have decided to go down to N. Y. next
week, in answer to the invitation of the First Church.




SECOND YEAR-LETTERS.              249
You will probably mark it as one of those special
fwtvors which an almost over-indulgent Providence
seems to delight in bestowing upon me, that I should
have this opportunity of attending without expense the
meetings of the American Board.  The Anniversary is
at Newark," etc.
In the following letter he describes his first visit to
the Broome Street people and his impressions.
"ROCIESTER, Nov. 4, 1856.
" DEAR FATHER:
"' Well, I have been to New York.....  I have
now seen various fields of labor, and am ready in conclusion to go wherever the Lord shall choose to send
me.  I think there is very little choice of places-except to go where the Lord designs....' I preached twice on Sunday, to about eight hundred
people, and attended prayer-meeting.  I could not
quite drive out from the pulpit the ghost of Dr. Cone,
so that I got along only tolerably.
"They are a good people-a'lovely church'strong, united, social, old-fashioned, and stiff. They
are 100 years old, preserve the old forms of doctrine,
which I like, and have had in that time four pastors
and three church clerks.
"They use' Watts and Rippon' yet, have no musical instruments whatever, sing quite generally over
the house, and at the close of each service rise and
join unanimously in a doxology-always selecting one
that has not'Ghost' in it.  Tuesday evening, I attended the weekly'lecture,' and Friday the prayer



250          SECOND YEAR-LETTERS.
meeting again. They pray well and sing good oldstyle songs, such as'How tedious and tasteless the
hour,'' The Lord into his garden comes.'
"I spent Tuesday and Wednesday at the Newark
meetings, enjoying them  very much. It was a great
satisfaction to hear and see men, whose names had
always been household words to me. The views developed by the discussions were very instructive to me,
and the whole spirit manifested was one of concord,
love, and missionary zeal.
" VWell —the expected preacher for the following Sunday failed to come-so I was stoutly besieged to stay
another Sabbath; and, as it seemed providential, I
could not well refuse. Sunday was a beautiful day, we
had 1000 people present, to whom I preached with
more freedom, though upon less thorough preparation
than the previous week. In the afternoon I sat down
to communion with a much larger number, than ever
before in my life. It was a refreshing season. Our
evening prayer-meeting was delightful. I was introduced to scores of persons, who almost shook my'hands off, and loaded me with good wishes. Monday
morning I took an early start, and was here at evening.
So I have had, you see, quite an episode, and am laden
again with extra bounties.
" I do not think there is any creature, whom the
Lord seems to favor more than me. It is a constant
wonder to me.  May he also vouchsafe to me all
grace!
"Your affectionate son," etc.




SECOND YEAR-LETTERS.               251
Several following extracts show how, as the sense of
coming responsibilities increased, there were mental
strifes and forebodings:
"ROCHESTER, NoT. 12.
"DEAR C.:
"How soon I shall be compelled to say, Farewell
to the life of a recluse, farewell to light-heartedness;
welcome busy strife, welcome heavy care! If I could
have my own way, I would give another year to study;
and it may yet appear to be the Lord's way, but it
looks differently now.
"'Ready for either.'  I rejoice in what you say of
your desires respecting the future ministry in which
the Lord may permit me to engage. I trust they are
my own heart's wishes, and I am thankfill that I am
not surrounded by false friends to nourish my worldly
ambition.  Providence seems to have led me through
a considerable range of different fields of labor-the
large and the small-to peep, at least, at each.  My
conclusion is that the fascinations, in most cases, lie in
the enchantment of distance and of name. The Law
of Compensation works, and makes most essentially
alike.
"My visit to New York was pleasant in every possible particular, and the recollections of it afford me
the greatest satisfaction. Since returning, I have kept
very quietly at home.   To-morrow  I address the
students of the M:      Collegiate Institute, at their
closing exercises.  I just begin to be troubled about it;
I have done scarcely anything in preparation. Positively I am, for the time, thoroughly theologized. I




252          SECOND YEAR —LETTERS.
think of nothing, morning, day, and night, but doctrines, preaching, etc.  I cannot succeed in turning
my thoughts to anything that is literary alone," etc.
" November 30.
" DEAR FATHER,
"My heart and mind have been occupied to find
out what it is to preach. I do not feel that I have ever
yet fully known. The Lord is leading me. Last Saturday He gave me a little light.  I was able to humble
myself in part, just a little; and on the Sabbath, the
Lord blessed me as he has not for a long time. The
holy influence is with me yet.  My heart, for many
months callous and cold, and that increasingly, has at
length been touched by the finger of the Lord. Now,
I can feel a little. My tongue has been loosed in prayer.
I could weep as I prayed, and as I preached; but it is
only a little. Pray that the Lord will humble me
entirely; I want to be broken up completely.  Oh!
how utterly unfit for my work!-Of its magnitude,
of its nature, and of my responsibility, I have had
not an idea. It is looming up. I just begin to get a
glimpse, and am overwhelmed. 0, may the Lord lead
me farther into his secret counsels! I have some dim
ideas; 0 Lord, enlarge and clarify them! My heart
is touched; 0 break it with thy love! Let self melt
away, 0 Lord, and Christ possess me!  O, this is a
great problem which I have to work out. Lord, Lord,
open it before me, and lead me to its solution!  I
almost shrink from the future, which is pressing upon
me. May your prayers, in your son's behalf, be an.
swered."




SECOND YEAR-LETTERS.             253
"  December 24th, 1856.
" MY DEAREST C -:..... e" I have been trying to pray. I feel myself a helpless, worthless sinner. I thank God, through
Jesus Christ, I am not in hell. I never can sufficiently
praise His sovereign grace which redeemed me. Why
He saw fit to have pity upon me, I cannot tell. Life is
crowding upon me like a Juggernaut.  A few years of
crushing and all will be over. It seems very short and
very vain. Were it not for the hope of being purified
by trial, and thus made more meet for the inheritance
of the saints in light, and the hope of winning souls to
Christ, I would like to lay me down this night and
awake in heaven.  But I would rather wait and toil,
and then go with a crown studded thick with jewels,
which God has given me.
"Well, I am changing; I feel it every day. I shall
never be what I have been; and, for the most part, it is
well. I wish I could change entirely; I sometimes get
a glimpse of what I would like to be.
" Yours," etc.
Thus, every man, who is to be fitted for great
labors of love, must pass through his Gethsemane.
22




CHAPTER  XXIV.
CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
THE consultations, on the part of members of the
Broome Street Church among themselves, were now in
progress that resulted in the calling of Kingman Nott
to the vacant pastorship of that church. The post had
been unoccupied for more than a year. Many causes
made it a difficult place to fill. The last incumbent
had been CONE. When he died, he left interests that
still seemed bound indissolubly to his hand, and a
people who, if they had been Papists, would have
canonized him. The affections that had flowed so long
in one channel refused to be suddenly diverted. Besides, Dr. Cone had been a man of such force and
intellectual height, as to have constituted himself, to
some degree, a standard of judging and thinking among
his people: he was the measure by which they measured opinions and men. The first thought concerning
every new candidate, thus was, Is he like Cone? Preacher after preacher had stood in Dr. Cone's pulpit, but
not one, to the people's eye, stood up to the dimensions of the man-or rather, was the man, for not
equality alone, but identity of gifts was sought. More




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.           25.5
than fifty, including some of the brightest lights of the
land, had gleamed from the desk, and still the people
were unmoved.
Meanwhile the church began to suffer.  The congregation, though remarkably steadfast, began to decrease,
and the Sunday School to decline.  Numbers of irreligious youth, children of converted parents, were becoming confirmed as well in the habit of wandering
fi'orn the venerable mother-church, as in impenitence.
A pastor was indispensable.  Yet the question had
come to be asked despairingly all through the denomination, " Who can be the standard-bearer of the Old
First?"  But the church had faith and works, and so
were sure in the end of God's blessing. They sustained
all their meetings with energy, and established besides
an extraordinary weekly meeting, for the express purpose of praying for a pastor.
Another cause limited the number from  which a
selection could be imade.  They were lovers of truth,
and of truth as they understood it. They knew with
precision what they believed, and they, of course, and
very justly, tested every preacher by their religious
sooner than by theil literary creed.  Literary blemishes
they might endure; a heretical taint, never.  They
braced themselves with all their might against the fatal.
proclivity of the age to laxity in doctrine, and would
not be mocked with sentimentalisms in place of sharp
tlruth, or bewildered by any dazzling pyrotechnics of.




256     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.
rhetoric: they would be unmoved even by the heavy
boom of logic, if the ammunition was not plainly taken
from the armory of truth. Their preacher must be
first good, then sound-then simple, clear, and earnest
-then a man alive and energetic-then, please God,
eloquent and able to be "popular."  This was their
scale, not so much in theory as in practice.  Primness
of garb, a melodious voice, an imposing manner-even
the gifts of fluent and fervid rhetoric, that are so often
the secret or open demand of congregations, were not
so much as thought of by this people, as positive
desiderata.
It was now clearly perceived, by the wise of the
church, that to fix upon any man of such age and
acknowledged standing as to occupy a position at once
marked and independent, and to have a right to challenge a comparison on his own merits with their late
lamented leader, was simply impossible. Agreement on
such a person was out of the question, while for a minister to accept a muttered call, given with a look askance,
and a scowl contending with the smile, was suicidal.
Pushed by the exigency, they turned and saw light in
another direction. A young man, if one of the right
qualities could be found, might come in and do them
good. As nobody would think of elevating him to
Cone's pedestal, so he would enjoy the advantage of
standing on a pedestal of his own; he would be independent, untrammelled, and have ample scope to do his




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.         257
own, peculiar work.  If he should prove deficient in
the gift of management, there were wise deacons.  If
he should not be the ideal preacher, he might still have
excellences, and " save our young people."  With these
thoughts, they had first sent for the young Kingman
Nott to supply them.
His preaching had, in every essential respect, secured
their unanimous approval.  He was sound, he was
earnest and simple, he had fluency, he spoke without
notes, and  besides, had  a thousand  nameless and
unartificial falscinations of manner that caught the indifferent and the young, and fixed their attention to
the truth that was illumined, and not disguised, by
these graces.  His social qualities also gained their
liking-his free, cordial, unembarrassed, and manly
manners.  They felt, almost utnreasoningly, that he
had also the traits of a leader, and was capable of inspiring heroism in his followers. His devotion to Christ
they were sure was genuine. In the course of this first
visit he had one day stepped into the counting-room
of a merchant, a member of the church, but whose
partner was unconverted.  Receiving an introduction
to the latter, and passing the ordinary complinments, he
did not bow himself out of the store without first inquiring of the gentleman respecting the safety of his
soul. "Who is that young man?" said the unconverted
partner after he had gone out; " did you say he was
supplying your pulpit?  That's the pastor I want; ob22*




258a    ChALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
tain him; he believes his religion." This was universally the impression.
One day, about the first of December, two gentlemen
rode in a close carriage up to the door of Professor R.,
in Rochester.  " They came as if they were detectives
in search of a convict 1"  They were ushlelred into the
library.  Prof. R. entered.  "We must see nobody but
yourself and Mr. Nott. First, we wish to confer with
you. As a question of policy, what do you think of
our inviting that young man to be the pastor of the
First Church? Would he succeed?"  "  think there
would be no risk."  "Has he the requisite talents, in
variety as well as in degree?" "In my opinion he has."
"But could he bear the labor?  Would it not strain his
powers and speedily exhaust him?" "No, he is like
an india-rubber ball; ttrow him down and he'll rebound;
bend him, and he'll spring back like a hickory sapling;
his energy is inexhaustible."
They went in search of Mr. Nott, and were closeted
with him. The interview was productive of nothing
important.  Mr. Nott had an engagement in Boston.
lIe had promised to preach a Sunday or two at the
Canton Street Church at Christmas, and meant to go
there untrammelled.
To Christmas time we now pass.
"BOSTON, December 22d, 1856.
"IDEAR FATHER:
"I arrived here Saturday evening, after a comfort



CALL TO FIRST CHURCII —-LETTERS.      259
able ride.  We had a pleasant day at Canton Street,
yesterday, though I went feeling quite oppressed by
distracting cares and the perplexities of the week.
Some of my former Temple people were with us.
Among them, right before me, were the shining eyes
of the new convert that the Lord gave us just before
my leaving, as a seal of his special favor........ The
people would press me to a decision this week. If I
get through with this matter without sinning, and am
guided to a decision on which I shall rest with an assurance of God's approval, I shall be grateful all my
life. I do not know when I have felt so helpless. I
never, since I became a Christian, needed your prayers
and those of all who love me, and love Christ's cause,
as I do now. The responsibility is crushing. Did it
regard myself alone, it would be of less importance.
But the cause of Christ-that I love-is concerned.
May the Lord show me His will. I wish almost every
hour of the day that you were here. This is indeed a
great field. I feel above all human advice. I painfully
realize that the case is beyond their judgment," etc.,
etc.
TO HIS FATHER.
" ROCHESTER, Dec. 30, 1856..... "With the surroundings I had in Boston, I
stood, of course, in need of a degree of watchfulness
that I had never before known. I think it was a means
of grace tome, for as I never more completely felt my
dependence on heavenly wisdom, so now, in looking
back, I am sure that I am guided and aided by a power




260     CALL TO FIRST CHURCHI —LETTERS.
above. My mind, for a time distracted by the very
novelty of responsibility, soon rested in God, and at the
last of the week I could praise the Lord, who had
brought me out of my perplexity into a large place and
a clear. I have many dear friends in B. I could be
happy in spending my life with them. But my course
was made perfectly clear to me, and the result I am
willing to leave with God. I am sure to be satisfied.
The good brethren and sisters in Boston love me, and I
love them. But I have been perfectly frank with them,
they have admitted the justice of my position, and I
rejoice in being confident that, whatever the result,
there will be no reflections cast and they will love me
none the less."...
The First Church in New York, at a meeting held on
the 29th of December, 1856, unanimously voted a call
to Mr. Nott. The letter of the church was conveyed
to him on the 1st of January, 1857, and elicited the following reply-implying an acceptance.
TO DR. DEVAN, OF NEW YORK.
ROCHESTER, THEOL. SEm., January 2, 1857.
"1 M  DEAR DR. DEVAN:
" I need not tell you that I have soberly reflected
on the subject left with me for consideration. I feel
this evening prepared, after seeking divine guidance, to
decide for your people all that may now be necessary.
"The Lord willing, I shall be glad to come and
preach to your young people their annual sermon.




CALL TO FIRST CHURCII-LETTERS.    261
"I shall at that time be able to convey to your people
my decision, and what I trust may be the Lord's decision upon this solemn call. Meanwhile I will hint to
you one or two thoughts that have occurred to me.
"I have considered most the judgment which you
gave as the judgment of the church, that, in case of
acceptance, I could best serve them by supplying them
occasionally between this and the time of actual settlement. I have now time only to say that my thoughts
so lead me back to my first impression, that I am now
firmly convinced that such a course would be not only
without special advantage, but an aggravation and essentially disastrous to both parties. My reasons I can unfold more fully when I see you. Meanwhile this, so that
no false anticipations may be raised. I know eight months
is long to ask your church to wait. I do not dare to ask
it. Yet I cannot be ready for such duties sooner if I
must assume them," etc.
"ROCHESTER, Jan. 10, 1857.
"My DEAR DR. DEVAN,
" Many thanks for your kind note of the 5th inst.
The preaching service for the third Lord's Day of the
month seems satisfactorily arranged. I am much obliged
to you for the additional week.
"I think you do not quite understand my feeling
with regard to the matter of the vacation.  In fact, it
was strongly against my own feelings that I made any
allusion to the subject; when I did, my attention was
fixed, not so much on the amount as on the necessity
of a vacation of some length.  I suggested the matter,
I will confess, not of my own idea, but as urged upon




262     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
me by my friends. I blushed to do it at all.......
A' demand' my dear Dr., I should never make.  Such
stipulations I should never think of incorporating into
a call, or the acceptance of a call.  They argue and
promote a mutual want of confidence.
"Perhaps you do not fully know me yet.  I sometimes think that your church are taking more upon
trust, in their late action, than most would be willing to
do. But this very fact makes me love them  more.
Whether I shall possess'less interest in their welfare,'
or betray less' anxiety to labor,' than any one else, remains yet to be manifested. At present, I can only speak
of a full heart and earnest purposes, with a reliance on
God's grace.
"I have not forgotten that it is your custom to offer
special prayer for the Spirit's blessing on the Annual
Sermon to the Young.  May God, for this time, give
you a special unction, and enable you to prevail in
prayer," * *    *
"ROCHESTER, Jan. 14, 18 5 7.
"' MY DEAR FATHER:
"I was very glad to hear from you this morning
by your kind letter.  Your counsel and sympathy do
me great good; and I am always relieved by being
assured of your continued life and health.
"There is something about the form of that call to
New York, which to me is striking and solemn.  The
same godly spirit has pervaded all their intercourse
with me, and made me feel that God was in the whole.
Sometimes I tremble at what I have already done, and
start back as if I were about to make a fatal plunge.




CALL TO FIRST CHURCII —LETTERS.        263,
Were I conscious that I had deliberately done anything
to bring about the present juncture of affairs, I should
not dare to take this step. But, feeling as I do, that it
-has all been beyond my control, I will trust the hand
that has thus far unerringly  guided me, and follow
where it points.
" Of course, I have thought of little else for the
month past, and now conjectures and half-formed plans
for the future are busying my brain.  Still, I have felt
inclined to say very little about the subject.  Both the
excellences of the position and its difficulties are, I know,
not comprehended by me at present.  I am surprised
at my own coolness.
"Yet, while I shall love to think of my future home
and vineyard and work, I am resolved not to be in the
least degree distracted from my present preparatory
pursuits.  Under the reflected light of opening life, my
heart and mind are revealing their glaring deficiencies
to me, as I have never seen them before.  The thought
that I must be reconciled to these, as now past cure, is
insupportable to me: I plray for grace to rise once more
in desperate and victorious conflict with them. 0, how
I ought to, how I MUST grow in acquirements, in discipline, and more than all in GRACE, before I shall be fit
to enter on my work!  How specially devoted ought
such an one to be!
" The church and I are to come into severe, though
I trust not serious, collision on one point.  They wish
me to supply their pulpit once in two or three, or, at
the very farthest, four weeks; so that they may feel
that they have a pastor, and that we may prosecute a
mutual acquaintance.  I have become so convinced of




264     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.
the folly of this,-that I shall be forced to decline doing
so, and, if necessary, even make it a condition (and the
only condition) of acceptance, that I am not to be called
upon for any service till the 1st of September.
"I go down to New York to-morrow night, to visit
my beloved people; preach the Annual Sermon to the
Young, and give my answer to their solemn call. Monday or Tuesday, I shall try to go to Boston for one day,
returning directly from there on Wednesday. or Thursday to Rochester.  Is not this best?
" So soon as I know more about my good church, I
will write you of it. Meanwhile, I send her Articles of
Faith.... Much love."..
" NEw YORK, Jan. 19, 1857.
"MY DEAR FATHER:
" We are having what I call a' splendid,' what
New-Yorkers call a' terrific' snow-storm. The great
city is blockaded, and all who can be are housed. I
have accomplished three calls, and made my way down
town. Now I am writing in my host's store.
"I had a hard journey from Rochester, and found
myself in poor condition for Sunday. It was a bad
day, but the house was filled full. I had some difficulties. I had discovered that my unlucky coat-linings
were torn, so I tore them out. I lifted up my arm and
found the white showing. So I stuffed one of the coatlinings (being black) under the coat-arm. That was
verygood, and so I went to church. I was flanked
by a minister on either side. I went on pretty well,
when I suddenly discovered that the wretched'coatlining' had both escaped from its service and was run



CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.        265
ning out at the wrist. I tucked it up, but thenceforward my right arm was imprisoned. Just then, for the
first time, my eye fell on a rogue of a reporter just beneath me, who was scratching away, just as though I
was saying something. So pretty soon I stopped, said'failure' to myself, and sat down.
" So my prayer'to be humbled' has been answered,
and I remember Dr. L —  and bless God. I sought
His face and found him, and preached in the afternoon
with a delightful calmness and trust in God, and felt
greatly blessed.  We were obliged to dispense with the
evening meeting on account of the storm. I shall get
away as soon as the snow will allow. I wish I could
write more. God is with me. Good bye.
"Your affectionate Son,
"' A. K. N."
"ROCHESTER, Jan. 29, 1857.
"MY DEAR DR. DEVAN:
" Since I got successfully back from N. Y., I am
daily convinced of the wisdom of our decision, that my
visits to you should be like angels', so far as regards
frequency. Really, I find myself pining, like an absent
lover (i. e. as I suppose an absent lover would pine), for
my chturch.  It is the first thing by morning and the
last by night.  Tt follows me into my dreams, and pursues me through the day. So you see it is well that
the snow-blockade did not longer imprison me, and
well that I do not look upon you until April. On the
one hand shrinking by reason of conscious unfitness,
and on the other hand burning with desire to enter the
23




266     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
lists at once, I am in a continual contest with myself.
But I must try to forget you, and yet remember you..... It is painful to me that I cannot let the church
know how greatly I love them, and how much I am
willing to do for them. But if God will, the time will
come,.. 
"Jan. 30.
"MY DEAR R —:
6" I called on Mrs. -   in Brooklyn the other day.
She talked of my prospects in New York, and said:'Ah! how your mother must feel at this time!' It
struck me strangely. I forgot for the moment present
blessings, and could think only of tile mother of our
infancy and birth. Mr.    is a strange man. He
talked with me two hours or more the other day, then'suddenly exclaiming,' Nott, I feel like praying with
you!'- dropped on his knees. He rose, walked to the
window, looked out, and said —' Nott, our mothers were
remarkable women!'"....
TO S. T. HILLMAN, OF N. Y.
"tROCHESTER, Feb. 21, 1857.
" MY DEAR BRO. HILLMAN:
"I suspect that you business men acquire a habit
of more promptness in correspondence than some of
us are apt to possess. But however destitute I may
seem myself to be of this quality, I assure you I have
no dulness in appreciating it.
" During the weeks passed since your kind letter, I
have been very often reminded of you, even by the




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.          267
very duties that have hindered me from  writing; for
the topic of our class lectures and discussions has
providentially been that same blessed doctrine of Providence, which struck the key-note to your epistle. We
concluded that the Christian was the object of God's
special care, and that every event, whether in the life of
nations or of individuals, whether vast or apparently insignificant, was directed by Him and made subservient
to hIis purposes of grace.  But I rejoice that I have:lot been dependent for the learning of this doctrine on
a theological course.  My own life, wonderful probably to no one but myself, has been a constant commentary upon it, and has enforced and illustrated it
to me as no human teacher could ever do. Where,
without it, were the perseverance  of the  saints?
Where our comfort in  the  midst of adversity?
Where the final and glorious triumph of Christ's kingdom?.. 
"I need not say that I think of you all every day,
and remember you in all my prayers. I hope that the
church may be preserved from tle sin of deferring
earnest activity in saving souls, and growing in grace to
a future time and more favorable circumstances. I trust
that great advance may yet be made, before you have
a settled pastor. I ardently desire that both parties
may be fully prepared to enter at once into the hottest
of the fight, when we join hands. To do this, I need
a very great advance in spiritual knowledge and zeal,
and in every grace. For this I am trying to pray.
And you, too, pray for me. In this I rejoice. On
Friday evenings, too! That is just the evening on
which those of us here who are looking forward to the




268     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.
ministry, meet to pray that the Master will fit us for
our work. So you see that you do not pray alone, for
"'Though sundered far, by faith we meet
Around one common mercy seat.'"
" February 23.
"The conduct of the church has surprised and delighted me. Their absolute confidence in me is almost
preposterous.   Moreover, you will, I am  sure, be
pleased to know that it is their desire that I keep clear
from all public societies, and give myself exclusively to
the church. Indeed, who cannot see that any other
course would be suicidal?  Dear R —, I hope you
will pray much for me, that I may be fitted for my
mission to the young people of that congregation.
We are dropping off, and we want some one to come
and save our children!' say the good old people to
m'e.".
TO DR. DEVAN.
" February 23.
" On the foreign mission subject I am becoming interested, though I do not feel competent to express an
opinion.  Amended the Miss. Union may be; but
could you think of seeing it abandoned?  I do hospe
that the May Anniversary may unite the divided hearts
of our brethren, and we go about the better business
of saving men fiomr  perdition. This is what I want
to see —men saved.  I am  glad that you cast your
influence against precipitate measures. It would seem




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH.-LETTERS.         269
that Baptist history for the last six years should have
taught to all of us that lesson. Do you not think it is
wrong to withhold funds from the Union on account
of its troubles or even its faults? It seems to me unwise, not to say ungenerous.  Let us stand by the
Union till our debts are paid off.
"To leave it in the lurch at such a crisis has a suspicious look about it. Even if we were to abandon it,
it seems to me that we ought first to do our share
towards relieving its pecuniary embarrassments.
" I should greatly enjoy being present next Lord's
Day to see you baptize those new converts. Especially
do I rejoice with you and Mrs. D. in this mercy of God
to one of our own kindred. I shall be glad if you
may find opportunity to assure these lambs of* our
flock, of my deep interest and earnest prayers in their
behalf.  May God keep them!"...
"'ROCHESTER, Feb. 28.
"DEAR MOTHER e... "Now  you must not blame me altogether
if I was dumb on the question that most interested you,
during the two short days of utter bewilderment, which
constituted my last visit home. Beyond a few words
to father, my lips were sealed against the utterance of'First Baptist Church, New  York,' both while wandering about at home and during all that painful week
in Boston, even until the whole matter was irrevocably
settled, some days after my return to Rochester. It
may be I was wrong. But I felt as I did during that
silent week in January, seven years ago, when I wandered about from attic to sitting-room. andfrom sitting23




2 70    CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
room to attic, transacting business with Jehovah, and
settling my eternal destiny.
"My room-mate, who is free and confiding, accuses
me of living within myself, and having some talent for
keeping my own'counsel.' Is it so? Has the tattling
boy come to this? I should be rather disposed to congratulate myself if I believed him, for it is some satisfaction even to change one fault for another.
"Your letter of three weeks ago came in good company. The first one that I opened that morning was
in a strange hand, and called my attention to a Sabbath
spent by me in B-, some weeks ago; expressing
earnest anxiety for salvation, and saying,' If I am ever
saved, it will be through your instrumentality.'...
Well, thought I,' In the morning sow thy seed, in the
evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not
whether shall prosper, this or that.'
"And so I opened the second letter, which was in
the hand of a dear old friend of Suffield days, now a
Yale student. I had not heard from him for a long
time.' Do you remember,' he began,'writing to a certain friend a year ago, and in that letter saying, "Flee
to Christ?" That friend has done it! And you asked
too, "Are you a pardoned sinner?"  I answer, Yes.'
So it went on with the rejoicings of a new convert for
six pages. Well, thought I,-and I began to wonder
and be humbled-' Cast thy bread upon the waters, and
thou shalt find it after many days.'
"6 Well, mother, so you see the' church that is in our
house, is about to lose one of its members."
He was about removing his church relation from Ken.
nebuimkport to New York.




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.    2 71
"It seems almost like going out of the church quiescent into the church militant.  I do not know what is
before me, nor do I care to know what else may be, so
long as the cloud and pillar of fire are. There are, as
you would easily suppose, a great many head-shakers,
and not a few evil prophets. Were you to believe
some of them, you would resign yourself at once to the
prospect of seeing your son drop out of sight-before
the 50's of this nineteenth century are done-either
into insignificance-or the grave. Diligent newspaper
correspondents assure the public that the young gentleman in question is'young-very young'-' young
and wholly inexperienced-and the field of labor hard.'
Good! The Lord, I have noticed, likes to do'hard'
things, and even to do them by feeble,'weak' things.
I do not think any of us can be more sensible than one
paper, which remarks that the question of the young
brother's probable success or failure is very freely discussed, not only in New York city, but in the interior
towns of the state, and many are ready at once to prophesy,' etc. etc. And then adds:' And, indeed, it would
not be strange if some of these prophecies should
prove to be true,' —I think so!
"If I rain down upon you in April (April showers
soon pass away-they do not stay even'two days') I
must bring you some of my good letters from New
York. I am impatient for you to get acquainted with
the dear brethren and sisters of this' lovely church.'..
"Your loving Son,      "K:"




2'72    CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LEITERS.
" March 6.
"DEAREST C —:
"The other day I went to my desk to help myself
to a fresh supply of my correspondence-paper, when lo!
to my astonishment none was to be found. It was
some time before I could realize that I had written
over, in so short a time, a half ream of paper, employed
only for letters, and scattered it by single sheets among
my various fiiends. Many questions rushed upon me;
some of them sober ones. Who have those sheets?
Where are they? What thoughts have been conveyed?
What emotions excited? What harm-what good has
been effected? Now, C-, if you bring the powers of
your mental and moral nature to bear upon this subject, you will see that the thread of moralizing might
be spun out indefinitely. Do you then appreciate the
self-denial and generosity with which I resign so fine
an opportunity, and spare you the infliction? Then I
will pass on....
"Have I told you that I have at last been forced
into preaching in Rochester?....By the way, in my
last attempt at preaching the Lord was pleased to give
me, without any effort or fitness on my part, one of
those gracious experiences with which He sometimes
(oh! that it were oftener!) vouchsafes to visit me. I do
not know that I ever spoke with a more direct consciousness of His presence. Without, the night was
stormy; within all was very still and solemn. I went
to the church with a carefully prepared, general discourse, supposing that only (or principally) church
members would be present. Looking about, I observed
a majority of unconverted young people. My sermon




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.          273
seemed heavy and inappropriate, and I felt called by
the Spirit to speak from another text, which I had
recently employed. It was in this obedience and faith
that I received the blessing. So you see I have a
lesson learned.
"I usually preach each Sunday afternoon at one of
our mission stations, of which we have several in and
around the citv. —We hear of revivals from the villages
about us," etc.
ROCHESTER, May 12, 1857.
"MY DEAR R:
"I think you will have to preach.  Perhaps it
may be with you as with me —for God, it seems to me,
had a double purpose in bringing me into the ministry.
One, to save the souls of men by me; the other to save
mne. Perhaps God sees that for some of us are needed
the discipline and the constant demands of so sacred
and responsible a profession, in order to compel us to
consistent piety. Abhorrent is a professional pietyyet may not a profession aid piety? A church profession does. Do you not believe the ministry has made
me a better Christian, poor as I am? Very likely without it my piety would have gone by the board. God
designed just this as the means of grace to save me.
The call was a gracious one-as to the world, so to me.
I-lad I resisted it, I dare not think of the consequences
to myself. Very likely I should have been a castaway.
Is not the path of duty our only path to Heaven? In
the practice of law, "Work or die." In the ministry
it is, " Be pious or a hypocrite."  I think you would
prefer the former.




274     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
"I doubt whether you will ever attain your own
standard of an active, faithful, honest Christian life, out
of the ministry. If you cannot be a faithful Christian
minister, much less (I believe) will you be a faithful
Christian lawyer or teacher. I think I could saw wood,
or manage a law-suit, with a cold heart [towards Christ].
But I can't preach with it-at least not extemporaneously.
What then a give up preaching-and take the cold
heart? It might possibly do-if that were the end of
it!-But that cold heart must endure hell. No, better
carry the heart to Christ and beg him to warm it with
his love; then go and preach. See! if it had not been
for the impulse to preach, you might not have known
that the heart was cold —or have been content with
it. I do not remember ever to have preached without
getting a spiritual benefit.  If I have grown in grace at
all, preaching has been a great means.
"True enough, it will not do in the ministry to'do
good lazily, comfortably and spasmodically.' But the
difficulty is, it will not do out of the ministry. Neither
does one get rid of the obligation by declining to
assume the responsibility....  To be the Christian
is the all-the minister is included. How would you
talk to one who should urge your argument against his
making a public profession of religion? If he could not
live up to its vows by assuming them, could he, while
refusing to do so?  Would he not of all others need the
stimulus of such a profession? Could you, without a profession of religion, have attained the standard of piety you
have? By the profession of the ministry you would be
enabled to attain a correspondingly higher standard. I
find it easier to do good when people expect it of me.




CALL TO FIRST CIIURCH —LETTERS.       275
"Besides, I think that the reason why you do not
do better as a Christian now, is because you feel that
you are leaving the great duty of your life undone, and
consequently have less heart for other duties. So soon
as you feel that you are precisely where God would
have you, there will be some encouragement to work
and to be pious.
" A minister has the advantage over every other man.
The absorption of an engrossing business is added to all
the other motives to faithfulness and impulses to zeal."
TO S. T. HILLMAN.
" March 19.
"I have been studying considerably on the picture
you presented in your last letter of a New York Sunday
to a Christian man. I should not hesitate to say that
you have too much to do. As I presume there are
many similar cases (I wish there were more!) it is worthy of some study to ascertain how and where retrenchment is to be made. Perhaps one Sunday-school is
enough. If there are two sessions, there ought to be
two sets of teachers. I do not know but one sermon is
enough. One, with an afternoon to digest it (not to
doze off the effects of a Sunday dinner), and an evening
to talk and pray over it socially, would be better than
two gulped down without thought or prayer. I would
rather have my church attend my preaching once and
my prayer-meeting, than preaching twice without the
prayer-meeting. But I would not preach to a' half-day
congregation.'
"Agaiust this I have a capital remedy to suggest.




27 6    CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.
If a man wants to stay at home in the afternoon, let
him on one condition-that he always fill his place in
his pew. Send his clerk, or coal-heaver, or hired girl,
or find out some poor family and say,' There, you have
a pew of your own, as good as the best, every Sunday
afternoon, go, take it, and be at home. I would far
rather have such a needy, hungry audience than undertake to stuff the overfed one of the morning."
After a visit in the spring vacation to New York.
ROCHESTER, April 22, 1857.
"MY DEAR BRO. HILLMAN,
"I found myself, immediately on coming here,
plunged into business so deeply, that I have sent out no
letters yet, save a hasty note home. Yet I have not
forgotten my friends, least of all my beloved people of
the First Church, now dearer to me than ever.....
" Life in New York as a Christian preacher, and our
mutual work, loom up before me now in more distinctness and vastness. As a church and pastor we have a
mission to perform. The temptation to divert from it
and the liability to misunderstand it seems to me fearfully strong. 6 Not many noble, not many mighty,' etc.' Go ye out into the highways and hedges and compel
men to come in.'
"But all this in good time. I sometimes dare to expect that the Lord will do great things for us. Why
not? I hope you will all get in a large stock of faith,
stores of promises and'prayers, for us to begin on next
fall if God please. I do not mean in yourselves, and
least of all in me. You know what faith is, Some.




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.    2 77
times glorious visions pass before me of scenes in old
Broome Street, which make the very walls shake. 0,
that God may send His almighty Spirit down! We
lack the power. We preachers lack it-the churches
lack it.  We multiply the means but vainly till God
make them efficacious.
"But it will not do to dwell much on the futule.
It often occurs to me that I may after all not live to be
the pastor of the First Church. God give us grace to
do our duty to-day.
"There are some among you for whom I am pressed
with a constant anxiety, and for whom I daily pray;
D     B., and others. Write me everything you
can about them. I long to hear of other conversions,
and already repent that I did not do more while with you.
*     " Love to all the little household. I hope A.
and F. are very good girls every day, and I want them
to learn to love Jesus."..
TO S. T. HILLMAN.
" May 12.
"So you have been experimenting in Congregational
singing. I wish I might have been there to hear, I
saw a gentleman the other evening who had that privilege, and who gave a very favorable account of this first
attempt. I feel considerably enthusiastic in the matter,
and hope it will be earnestly pushed forward. I want
to hear God praised in Broome St.'Let the people
praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.' I
think when I come down I shall be quite tempted to
preach on the subject.
24




2 7    CALL TO FIRST CI-IUCII —-I.'TrI'ERS.
"That Homne Mission Society must honor itself by a
more faithful attendance of the members, or I shall not
be proud of being on its Board. You certainly need
an active, practical head-officer upon the ground, and it
seems to me that you had better rest satisfied with
having tendered to me the compliment of election to
the Presidency, and, accepting my resignation, proceed
to elect the most driving man you can find among you,
to push the society into maturity. You have made a
beginning, and not a bad one; may the Lord enable us
to do much greater things."
In May he attended the Anniversaries in Boston,
and writes:
" May 23d.
"I would have written you earlier this week, but
really I have made a business of attending the meetings,
and have consequently found time for almost nothing
else, not even for calling on my friends. Still I have
met very many pleasant acquaintances, both old and
new, the latter predominating.
"I have been compelled to feel sadly out of my
place oftentimes while here, but I assure you I have
been only a silent observer, keeping in the corner and
eagerly listening to learn. And I have learned much.
It has been a profitable school to me, and I cannot
regret coming. It is a satisfaction to one who expects soon to enter the brotherhood, to see and hear
and know his future confrieres. But do not think
I should ever be ambitious to appear conspicuous in
the Baptist Societies. Less so than ever. I have seen
small men and young men make themselves ridiculous




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.    279
enough to be a warnino to all who come after. Of
ability I have seen three worthy displays," etc.
" July lst, 1857.
"IDEAR BROTHER HILLMAN:
" I sit down to write what is likely to be my last
letter to you as a theological student. I hardly know
what I shall be for the next two months. Simply a boy
at home, I think. I cannot tell you how much satisfaction the thoughts of the First Church and my correspondence with them have yielded me through this brief
winter and spring. It has been half my life. And now
I am through, I feel brought much nearer to the church.
It will not now be unlawful for me to think of them as
my own. Surely never was found so patient and considerate a people. I feel very gratetiful to them. I
rejoice in the prospect of having soon an opportunity
to manifest my devotion to them. You have been very
kind to keep me so constantly informed of matters
among you. I hope you will not withhold your epistles
during the summer, but address me at my home in
Maine.
" Cling to the Congregational Singing /  If I can in
any way give it an impulse when I come, I shall do it
with all my might. I believe God demands it of us.
"But a few weeks and I shall be among you, to
work and to love. May God prepare us for the union!
"You amuse me by wishing that I may bring a'helpmeet,' so that nothing may' distract' me! Have
you so soon forgotten Brother Paul?'He that is unmarried, careth for the things of the Lord, how he may
please the Lord; but he that is married, careth for the




280     CALL TO FIRST CHURCH —LETTERS.
things of the world, how he may please his wife,'" etc,
etc.
"ROCHESTER, July 7.
"DEAR R
"Examinations all passed, and we are graduated.
Only the final bow remains. Dr. R. held us yesterday
for ten mortal hours, seven on theology and three on
strawberries.  We are going to have the greatest Conmmencement ever known yet. I shall probably leave
here next Thursday, and hope to see you the week
after.
" Have I told you my theme for the Anniversary?
It is' The Independence of the Pulpit.' Is that right?
I am just going now to get it from the hands of the
professor. Hope he will find it orthodox, for I don't
want to write to-day. It is hot-the weather I meannot the speech.
" I don't think it best to write much now. There is
no Fourth of July in particular here.  Your loving
brother," etc.
"NYACK (ON THE HUDSON), Jully I1th, 1857.
" DEAREST C:
1" I am in a barn-chamber.  This is the only sheet
of paper in the region, this is the dregs of the ink, and
the pen has seen hard service. Before me rows of'yarbs,' hanging against the board wall, yield their
musty fragrance.  On my right is a great heap of new
mown hay, and a window leads my eye in frequent
wanderings down a slope of lawn to the broad expanse
of the river, and across to the beautiful village scattered
along the heights of Tarrytown. At my back, a joiner's




CALL TO FIRST CHURCH-LETTERS.          281
bench and a window which overlooks a garden. There
the chickens peep industriously, and little feet are pattering.  Below the horse testifies his presence by sundry thumps upon the floor of his stall. From the house
come the sounds of children.
"This forenoon I spent in the saddle. First, I went
along a road lined with pretty cottages and gardens,
and skirting the river bank. At the end of two miles
the road stops short in front of a steep, rocky mountain,
which overhangs the river in a bluff promontory.  So
I came back to a lighter ascent, which led around it.
After a half mile's ascent I turned back to behold one
of the most beautiful landscapes the eye ever looked
upon. Down the steep hill was a succession of cultivated fields and cozy cottages.  On the right was the
bold promontory first spoken of, on the left the pretty
village of Nyack, and farther down was Piermont, with
its great pier a mile long. The Hudson stretched out
its glassy surface for twenty in length and three miles
wide, covered with river craft which had all their sails
set to a fine breeze. The banks rose high on the other
side, with smooth fields, neatly trimmed cedars, and
handsome villas. Yonder is the town of Sing Sing,
with the State prison, lying like a long white line close
on the water's edge.  Next is Peekskill.  Directly
opposite is Tarrytown, of Revolutionary fame. Below
is sweet little Irvington, and the white cottage peak of
Washington Irving's house, modestly peeping out from
its bower of trees. Away I went over the hills, stopping occasionally to admire some funny Dutch old cottage, or to pick cherries from trees along the roadside,
while my horse browsed upon the lower boughs. After
24*




282     CALL TO FIRST CHURCEI-LETTERS.
a considerable circuit, I began to descend into a most
glorious valley, great, fertile, and walled on every side.
A turn to the right brought me to a large lake. Here
we rode into the lake, where my pony snuffed up the
water with great delight, and I stooped down and picked
pond lilies.
"Last night a little company of us had a delightful
sunset ride down the river road, in full view of the river
and the opposite shore. Nyack is an old Dutch village,
nestled in here for a century or more. Only lately
have the rapacious New Yorkers ferreted it out, but
though the city has set its marks upon it, it has not had
time to spoil it yet, but only to add variety to its odd
beauties. There are the most venerable and funny little
old Dutch houses along the road, protected on one side
by the river, and on the other by a great hill. These
houses are built often with a lower story of brown stone,
quarried out from the hill behind them, and the upper
of wood, and almost always with a portico the whole
length. They are indescribably quaint. Along this
road the Yankees used to worry the British frigates by
firing into them from behind the trees. 0, the grand
hills and rose-embowered cottages-this grand historic
HIudson! I do think this is the most charming spot I
have ever yet seen....... But my sheet is full, after
much tribulation with this wretched pen. Good bye.
K6 INGMAN."




CHAPTER XXV
VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW  YORK-CAUSES OF
SUCCESS, ETC.
THE time that elapsed between his graduation and
ordination, was occupied with travelling and visiting.
He preached every Sabbath, however, and even more
frequently. His joyousness was never more remarkable
than during this interval. In an excursion to St. Johns,
he attracted the attention of the passengers by his overflow of spirits, and almost charmed away even the
demon of sea-sickness.  The sea was his friend: he
was a congenial spirit; and whatever landsmen poetically dream  might be exhilarating in riding on "the
bounding billow," he enjoyed in fact.  To the healthy
all things are healthful.  Spiritual life especially brings
not only happiness of its own, but invites, sanctions, and
sanctifies all gladness! What an advantage is it to have
the natural gaiety of healthy childhood carried forward
into mature life, consisting with and ministering to the
purest thoughts and holiest pleasures!  Sorrows are
indeed the cost at which most mortals obtain appreciation and thence possession of the higher life; but this
is because of sin.  How blessed to have conquered the
worst of sin through grace, before the susceptibilities to




284  VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.
pure and elevated joy are corroded! In a worn-out
heart, receiving Christ, slow and painful often is the
advance of the new creation. The mind and desires
arle set right before the emotions; these do not respond
readily to the appropriate incitements; and long is it
often before the water of life wells up with facility
and regularity through the fountains that have been
accustomed to pour only poisoned  streams.  W'ith
Kingman it was different.  The Spirit had taken possession of his being while yet the nice adjustments of
the emotions to the intellect and will were undisturbed.
The Christ in him was Lord also of the whole material
world, and he rejoiced freely in all that was bright,
and beautiful, and innocent, in nature and in social
life. Thank God, would more thani one heart, stormbeaten itself and incapable of mirth, say in looking
upon this happy being, thank God for constituting
one mortal, who, in this world of strife? can be both
glad and holy.  Perfect the specimen, exalt these
rudiments in their present combination to fulness
of development, and it is what the angels areglad, holy.
He made an excursion also at this time to the Lakes
in the north-eastern part of Maine, not far from Calais,
travelling in a birch canoe, and making a lumbermen's
camp his headquarters.  Here trout and togue abound;
through the Wide forests the moose, inhabitant only of




VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.  285
Evening had come, the fishing tackle was put away, and
the excursionists were housed. Merriment reigned in
the loggers' camp. Stretched on their beds of boughs,
the men smoked, laughed, and told stories. Nott was
merry, too, and all day long he had been roving about
the camp like a strong wind, fresh, bounding, and
boisterous. But when it was time for sleep, and the
men were turning prayerless to their hard pillows, he
said, " Can we sleep without praying? I always prayshall I pray aloud?"  Obtaining silent consent, he knelt
and poured out his soul to God, while all wondered, and
were solemn and reverent.  How it brought the remembrance of a present God home to each in that
wilderness, where commonly in all thoughts God was
not! It required some strength of principle to venture
thus on probable ridicule —but with Kingman such
principle was a habit.
He passed two delightful Sabbatlhs in Calais.  On
one, at noon-a still, calm noon-when the hot sunbeams were mellowed by a dreamy August haze, and
the water rippled on the strand with a melodious sound,
there was an impressive baptism at the river side. A
multitude covered the high bank and the slopes that
descended to the brink, and were silent as forest trees
when only a solemn, quiet wind creeps over them, or
joined with loud voices in the hymn,
"'Tis done-the great transaction's doneI am my Lord's, and he is mine 1"




~286  VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEWV YORK.
K. assisted in the services, and with such emotion
that his voice was scarcely under command, and tears
flowed freely down his cheeks.  He referred ever
to this occasion  as one of singular enjoyment-the
delightful introduction to an ordinance that he seldom
could administer afterwards without tears  of rapture.
We pass with him  now  to New York, the scene
henceforth of his activity and toil.
Of his examination before the Ordaining Council, he
writes:" Few questions were asked; not the least carping or
criticismn was apparent, but a delightful spirit pervaded
the whole. I began my statement of doctrine by saying, first, that I knew no teacher but the Bible, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, and could only follow my
own experience; then, that I was not prepared to give
mature, much less definitely expressed views of doctrine
-that I was just beginning the real study of theology,
and applying the true test of my views by the preaching
of them..... "I have this satisfaction: that in my statements of doctrine I tried to be honest to my present
impressions, and that I committed myself to no man's
p hrase-ology.".
The ordination services were of solemnity and interest adequate to so important an occasion. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Robinson, of Rochester.




VACATION —FIRST YEAR IN NEW  YORK.  287
The hand of fellowship was given by Rev. Dr. Sarles,
of Brooklyn.
The charge, given by the father of the candidate, was
peculiarly earnest, touching, and appropriate. One. passage was prominent for energy: " Be Christ's minister;
in Christ's stead plead with dying sinners, and beware of
adopting anything of theory or creed that would fetter
your tongue from proclaiming a firee gospel to all." How
faithfully the solemn injunction was obeyed the sequel
has revealed: " Only the sovereign grace of God can save
you " —" Come, sinner, lost and helpless, to a Saviour's
arms;" these, as the Bible does, he continually placed
side by side, and urged, believing that the Spirit would
save through this proclamation whom He would, and
longing, with strong passion, for the salvation of all.
His first sermon after ordination was from Jonah:
" Go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it
the preaching that I bid thee."  The discourse was not
up to his standard in point of literary merit, but there
was vigor of thought, and above all, earnestness that
told with what spirit he began these duties.  The congregation was immense, and he preached by an open
baptistery. On every succeeding communion Sabbath
till his death, the baptistery was open.
It so occurred that the duties of the first Sabbath
furnished to the new pastor a complete synopsis of
ministerial service. Besides preaching, baptism, and
communion, he officiated at a marriage and a funeral.




288  VACATION —-FIRST YEAR IN NEW  YORK.
We now quote letters:"PASTOR'S STUDY, SUNDAY MORNING, Sep. 14.
" DEAR FATHER:
" I suppose that by this time you are restored tc
home, to regularity, and to labor. I hope you are not the
worse for the trip; for it would be unjust if, having imparted so much to others, you should not have received
somewhat in return.
" I have passed through another week and another
Lord's (lay, and  have to praise the Lord for His
goodness. I-Ie has blessed me in all things thus
far, and enlarged my faith for the future. I have not
spent so happy a week for years, nor enjoyed a Sabbath
more.
" I prepared two sermons (without writing), and do
not see why, with health and freedom from interruption, I cannot do the same every week.  My texts
were in the A.M.,' God forbid that I should glory,' etc.
We cannot glory in aught else than the cross of Christ,
because by the cross all things else are slain. We do
glory in the cross, because" 1. In the cross is the fullest exhibition of God's
glory.
" 2. In the cross all things truly glorious do centre.
" 3. (Personally to us) the cross is the instrument of
our salvation.
"In the afternoon-' That ye may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length
and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ,
which passeth knowledge.' The dimensions of the love




VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.  289
of Christ; broad as the world; long as eternity; deep
as hell; and, high as heaven; finally, immeasurable.
"' These are different texts from those I have been
most accustomed to preach upon. I find myself in
entirely new circumstances.  The cry is for food-spiritual food, and it comes from Christians of ripe growth
and deep experience, whose demand is for strong meat.
They know when they get it; nothing else will allure
or satisfy them, however' smart;' and when they do
get it, they go out of church saying,'Ah, that is food!
— solid food to-day!' So I have something to learn,
and I know I shall find it richly repaying my own
soul....
" The more I know of my church, the more I admire
and love it; and I feel that to it as a body, or to individuals of it, I am forming stronger attachments than I
have as yet known upon the earth, aside from  my
nearest kin.
"Yours," etc.
To P. S. Evans, his late class-mate, then minister in
Boston, he writesSept. 19.
" Do you not enjoy the work? I was never
so happy in my life.  Tt is a continual feast to my soul.
I feel that I have something tangible now to love and
live for. I feel my life-work upon me, and it makes
me another man. Yet I am grieved and humbled to
find that spirituality does not come with the necessity
for it, and that I am yet a creature of weakness, temptation, and sin. But I know my people pray. I feel their
25




290  VACATION —FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.
prayers. It is in the prayer-meetings that I have found
the greatest encouragement. Our lecture-room is fast
filling up. The Young People's Meeting had become
much reduced. At the first only about a dozen were
present. At the next I was astonished to find the room
crowded fill. The Female Prayer-Meeting had been
dead for more than a year. To-day it is renewed, and
I am anxiously waiting to hear from it. But I know it
is successful."
"Sept. 21.
"DEAR C-:
"I am surprised that I so seldom think
of the great transformation! The' Rev.' on a letterfor even father employs the title now —brings me to my
senses; but I am pretty much absorbed, nor do my
thoughts often wander off beyond the bounds of my
parish.
"I had a happy week last. Lectured on Tuesday
evening to a houseful on Acts xviii. 11, 12.'These
were more noble,' etc., on the Importance of a Diligent
Study of the Sacred Scriptures. This is designed to
pave the way for a course of expository lectures. I
made twenty or more calls during the week, etc....
"Sunday was rainy, but our congregation good.
Preached A.M. on John xx. 28:'My Lord and my
God!'-on the Divinity of Jesus Christ,-P.M., from
Ex. xxii. 36,'Who is on the Lord's side,' etc. I. live
more than ever in your prayers.
"Your loving




VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.  291
" Oct. 6.
"DEAR MOTHER,.,.... ""I must report to you last week's
events. Tuesday I came upon three inquirers in one
house. In the evening I lectured on' Lord, save me!'Peter's walking on the sea. Our room was full of eager
listeners. Wednesday I found two young converts, who
gave me accounts of their conviction, long struggles,
and final conversion, to which I listened in amazement.
They had been converted that day. Thb'sday a lady
came to beg me to see and talk with her husband, who
was in great alarm. In the evening our Young People's
Meeting was very solemn, and at its close several persons remained to talk and pray with me.
" Friday we had a meeting full of prayer-and Sunday was a day of days. I preached in the morning on'One thing I know,' and baptized three precious converts. Each of these cases had a special point of interest, of which I-spoke while standing with them  in
the water. The first was converted through Dr.
Cone's death. The second through the loss of her
child: for a long time she'could not give it up; but
now praised  God for taking it.' The third-a dear
child, illustrated my text. She is a timid little creature,
and when before the church was too frightened to tell
her story. At last she said,' I felt I was a great sinner
-I prayed God for Christ's sake to forgive me my sins
-and He did!'-and burst into tears.' One thing I
know.' The house was full in every part, and a number standing.
"In the afternoon I preached on Christ our Sacrifice, and gave the bond of fellowship to twelve....




292  VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.
I have appointed a meeting for inquiry, and last evening a few camne.
"Yours," etc.
"October 16.
"DEAR L"An uncomfortably large pack of'Unanswered
Letters' is accumulating in my desk, but the days rush
on, and few hours come which can conveniently be
devoted to correspondence. The Lord is with us here,
and we are kept busy. When men will hear, they must
be talked to. When people are ready to pray, they must
be prayed with. Inquirers must be directed to Jesus,
that they may not be lost.
"I said the Lord was here.  Week before last He
came and brought two of my congregation from the
kingdom of darkness into that of His dear Son. It was
in one day. I went to the house one evening, not
knowing what had befallen them, and was instantly
greeted with,'Well, sir, you are a welcome guest to
this house, to-night,' etc.
" Last week He came again, and took two more.
One was an intelligent man, whose wife I had baptized. HIe brought him to the very gates of hell, till,
in his horrible distress, he cried unto the Lord, who
heard him  and had mercy, and filled his soul with
glory. The other Was a young woman, who begged
the sisters who had come to attend her mother's funeral,
to piray for her-such was her distress for sin. They
knelt beside the corpse, and pleaded until the Lord was
pleased to come to the house of death, with life, and
brought joy for mourning.




VACATION —FIRST YEAR IN:NEW YORK.  293
" To-day, two others have given me their story, and
are rejoicing in the Lord.
" Pray fo' us, L —. Why have you not written
to Miss --    If you do, you must try to draw her
out upon religion, and faithfully warn her of her duty.
I hope you are very happy, and entirely successful.
What are you doing for Jesus? Whom are you bringing to Him? Laboring for Christ is all of life. May
we be absorbed in it!
" There is a great deal of trouble in the city-' hard
times!' which the Lord is turning to good account. A
daily prayer-meeting down town is one of its fruits. I
preached last Sabbath on' What shall it profit a man
if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?' The
Lord be with you.
" Doubly your brother," etc.
These suffice to exhibit what beginning was made.
The question naturally occurs, what were the causes of
this immediate prosperity and steady advance?
One was, that the church had for months been fervently praying, and had thus become prepared to expect
and to receive a blessing. It could hardly take them
by surprise; they were ready.
Another was that God had arranged circumstances
in the city itself, calculated to turn men's minds from ma
terial interests to spiritual themes. The great financial
revolutions of'57-8 were in progress, riches were taking
to themselves wings, and the true wealth shone clearer
An uncommon solemnity rested upon the whole city.
25*




294  VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.
Another was, that the church continued to pray, and
supported the pastor by their sympathy, and ready
and active co-operation in " every good word and work."
Monday morning they began praying for God's blessing
on the sermons of the day before; on the same morning
they began praying for blessing on the sermons of the
Sabbath next to come; and so morning and evening
through the week. Every Sunday the preacher entered
a sanctuary that was consecrated with the incense of a
week's prayers; every discourse was commissioned to its
work by the anxious dedications of five hundred praying souls. Again, the ground was full of seed. The
Gospel had been faithfully preached for a quarter of a
century by the revered and devoted predecessor of the
young pastor. The people had been well indoctrinated,
and in the hearts of many of the unconverted, truth,
though buried out of sight, possessed still a vital and
a germinating principle.  Kingman, obeying the impulses of youth and of a fervid nature, dealt much in
persuasion and glowing appeal, urging the invitations
of the Gospel, expressing upon the sinner the obligation of immediate repentance. This preaching God
blessed.
Upon the church he constantly impressed the duty
of implicit faith, and of laboring directly for the salvation of souls, with the expectation of continual blessing.
If we pray enough and work enough, believing that
the power is all of God, and yet we responsible, the




VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.  295
power will never be withheld. As often as we shall
smite the rock, waters will gush forth. Such was the
style of his persuasions.
He gave an example himself of fidelity and endurance.
Assuming immediately the full burden of the duties
properly or possibly belonging to his office, he bore the
load steadily and manfully.  From  pulpit labors he
accepted no respite by exchanges or supplies for many
uninterrupted months. Each sermon was studied on
his knees, and aimed at a particular object. A weekly
lecture was given on Tuesday evenings; to this also he
permitted no exceptions. He was uniformly present at
the prayer-meetings, taking the lead of them, and thus
impressing his own valuation of their importance upon
the hearts of the people.
WTith the pressure of these labors, he nevertheless
found time for pastoral visiting. A memorandum in a
diary, under date of Jan. 6, 1857, while he was a student, says:
" Mr. -       talked to me an hour about New York.
Says I must make everything bend to my pulpit-to
make that first-so I shall, in ten years, stand among
the great men. But if I visit, etc., in ten years I shall
not be known. Pastor and preacher-one cannot be
successfully. I am going to try it, if it ruins me; I
WILL KNOW MY SHEEP."
This purpose he carried out resolutely. Beginning
in September,'57, he had, before February, 1858,




296  VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.
visited, personally, the whole church-membership of
more than five hundred, and commenced a second
circuit-this time more leisurely. He aimed to preserve an acquaintance with the phenomena of the
religious life in the heart of every member, and to
bring his personal influence most forcibly to bear on
each, to induce religious activity. This was accomplished by energetic perseverance, aided by a tenacious
memory,-for he never forgot a name, or a face, or a
fact. Thus, he was the personal and esteemed friend,
spiritual adviser, and, it might almost be said, " father
confessor" of nearly all the individuals of his church,
and of not a few of the outside congregation. Inquirers
and converts he managed to meet frequently.
I-tis sermons were not always models-sometimes far
firom it. With such a burthen of cares, how could they
be? Yet, why did they keep the house thronged 8 By
clap-trap, or florid, gaudy rhetoric? The Tuesday evening lecture, at first given in the basement, had to be
transferred to the large audience-room above, which
was often filled with eager listeners. It was because
of the "power and spirit" with which he spake. True
himself to one object, God was true to him and to His
own cause. It was evident to men that he was in earnest: he did not assume, or lash himself into, the emotions that were proper; he felt them. On his method
of preparation, and peculiar traits as a preacher, a few
words hereafter.




VACATION-FIRST YEAR IN NEW YORK.  297
We are now prepared for the succeeding letters,
descriptive of the constantly advancing, spreading work
of the Lord. These letters are simply a register of pastoral experience; they profess to be nothing more. We
make selections from a large number.
A single paragraph touching his habits:
" I rise at six, ride horseback at half-past six, breakfast at seven, get to my study by eight, study till twelve,
admit callers for an hour, dine at one, come to my study
and map out the afternoon's round, and then go on it
till tea. The evenings are all taken."
Only four regular hours of study; but in these much
work was accomplished. His power of mental concentration, and of rapid analysis, enabled him to treat
time economically. He studied in the streets, moreover; and studied the streets, and the people in them.
Constantly on the watch for sermons-and the world
was filled with them.
Hie was fond of the critical study of the Scriptures,
for which the fine library of the Bible Unioii, close at
hand, furnished him with implements beyond the reach
of most pastors.








CHAPTER XXVI.
FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
" PASTOR'S STUDY, Oct. 20, 1857.
D' DEAREST C    D:
"It is evening after Lecture, a bitter cold evening
seemingly, so sudden has been the change from our
beautifill Indian summer days. I confess I was surprised to find our vestry full of people, and my heart
was greatly moved for them. I just begin to yearn for
the salvation of these souls. I have been so amazed to
see God work here that I have looked onl in wonderment, half petrified with surprise at his miracles of
grace, when I ought to have been active and expectant.
"I look on these converts with a new and strange
feeling of wonder and delight. I have seen converts
before, but they were converted under other men's
ministry, and were the fruit of their labors under G6d."
[He forgets how many had owned him as the instrument.] " But these are mine-my own spiritual offspring given me of the Lord. It scarcely seemed possible that souls could be converted under my ministry.
Conversions never before appeared so mysteriousincredible to me.
" I wrote in one of my letters of three inquirers
found in one house. Salvation has come to that house,
and two of the number met me yesterday with shining




300     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
faces. Another dear child, who has long been mourning, is happy in Jesus.
" Sunday was a specimen of beautiful days.  I
preached on'The Lord is risen indeed.' I think I
have never so feasted on truth as I did on this. I do
not know how much blessing was left for the people.
I am afraid I stole it all for myself.
"In the afternoon the good old saints who come
from afar to the First Church, saw a strange sight.
Behold the front pews, six deep, and all the side pews,
taken possession of by simple Sunday School children!
When it came to the singing, the children sang; and
when it came to the preaching the children were
preached to. The house was full, even to the galleries,
and all to hear children talked to! Humph! Never
mind. I have since heard of one little boy who has
been much troubled because Mr. Nott said that if they
were not converted while young, they were less likely
to be so ever. I read and' expounded to them Eccl.
xii., and gave them just so many reasons why they
should seek God while young, as they had fingers on
each hand.
"Last Sabbath was an extra day, because I went to
a dedication and preached.' Who is on the Lord's
side?' was my text. There was some solemnity, but
it was afterwards all coined into money.....
"Good night.....   My heart is feeling heavy tonight for souls that are dying, and my eyes ache. I
must get one of my solid night's rests, so as to be fresh
for sermonizing to-morrow.
" O, we have started a daily morning prayer-meeting. Won't you all meet with us around a common




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.          301
mercy-seat? It is from eight to half past eight.....
I am well yet; everybody's well here, and I especially.
"Yours," etc.
"Nov. 2, 1857.
"DEAR FATHER:
"I should like to say very much to you in relation
of God's dealings with me and my people, since I last
wrote, but cannot enter upon the story, because I
should not know where to leave off....
"Two or three weelks ago, I lectured on' Behold I
stand at the door and knock;' and disturbed some
good minds a little, because I applied to sinners what
the Spirit said to the Church.  So the next week I
lectured on the dry bones-' So they were very many,
and behold they were very dry,' in which I stated my
views very plainly, and my heart was greatly enlarged,
and the Lord blessed us all. However, one person was
converted by means, in part, of the poor, faulty'knocking' sermon, so I do not feel very badly over it. I
enjoy these Tuesday evening sermons.'Well, we have had another of those incomparable
church-meetings, and another blessed ordinance-day.
That was the great day of the feast. The Lord permitted me to baptize four precious converts. I wish
yoeu could see these converts, and hear their oldfashioned deep experiences..... Then one of our
large communions, with the galleries nearly filled with
serious, tenderhearted spectators!
"In the evening all was turned upside down in the
old First Church. Old deacons exhorted, and told
their experiences like young converts, and young con26




302     FIRST YEAR CO.NTINUED-LETTERS.
verts like old deacons. It was a p)raising meeting.
So we are very happy-almost too happy.
"Another new convert has come to me to-day.
There is not a general melting yet, but I hope it may
come.....                "Yours in love.
"K."
TO EVANS.
"Nov. 5.
" I stayed at home last evening for the first time.
I have an amazing cold that I must shake off before another Sabbath. You know I am so unused to ills, that
I have yet to learn patience under even the most trivial of them. It sometimes occurs to me that before I
leave the world the Lord may give me abundant opportunity. Hitherto my danger has been that of receiving
my good things in this life, and I have lately been praying that this may not be.
" I know I love the work! The mere thought of being interrupted in it, for even a brief space, fills me with
distress. I feel that it has a stronger hold upon me
each day. Last Sabbath was so precious! My tears
will fall as I write of it. I preached on Christ-the
blessed and only Potentate-King of Kings, and Lord
of Lords, —and baptized a few precious converts into
his glorious name.
" On Tuesday I was present at the funeral of -.
The scene was to me very solemn and affecting. Bro.
--  seemed divinely sustained.  Dear man!  My
heart yearns for him in his sorrow, for I reverence and
love him. The sermon was preached by —, and the
best I have heard for a long, long while. I could not




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.          303
help wishing that the First Churcll had him to preach to
them. True, he is an indifferent speaker, but that is all
lost in the richness of the truth which he lavishes upon
you.....  I went to Greenwood, and saw the body
laid in the grave. The ground was cold, and the leaves
were yellow, and'falling. The people stood about and
sung
"'Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb I'
"It was a sad, yet a delightful funeral, it was so
Christian.
"WVe have' Young Pastors' Meetings' in my study.
There are several young Pastors that I like much.
But I have yet no comnpanions.  Sometimes my heart
yearns for the old friendships-especially when I comne
home at the close of Sunday's labors. But if I knew
more of communion with Jestus, it would be less so....
"Yours, etc.,
" K."
"Nov. 16.
" DEAREST MOTHER:." I have been talking with inquirers of every
sort for two hours, as they have come into my study..... May the Lord take them all! I never trust
myself to this work alone, but always have one or two
of my good deacons with me. We have now before us
seventeen applicants for admission.....'"Yesterday was good.  I preached from Eph. v. 25,
etc., a passage of which the Lord was pleased to give
me a very precious view, though I could not express it
all in preaching.




304     FIRST YEAR CONTINUEED-LEITERS.
" Last week [ commenced lecturing on Philippians in
course.
"0, how weak I am! After all, city pastors do
have annoyances and cares to which all others are
comparatively strangers. Every defect of my character
and heart is now brought out in bold relief....
"Good bye,           "Your son,
"4 K."
TO EVANS.
Dec. 8.
"Well, my heart has been pretty full for these
three days. Last Sunday eleven precious converts
were baptized. I can hardly realize what the Lord is
doing for us. My people and my work are becoming
dearer to me every day; but nearest is our little band
of converts, numbering now nineteen.
"I amn still trying to preach Jesus, and do not find
the theme exhausted yet. I get into the country to
preach once or twice a week for a change, and find it
does me good.
"Did I tell you of my temerity in attempting exposition?  I have ventured to take up Philippians, for our
Tuesday lectures, and have given three or four talks.
It is a queer kind of expounding, as you may well imagine; but the people have been generally patient, and
I am becoming fond of it. It gives me the pleasantest
day's study of the week.
" Our daily meeting is one of the feeble conies, but
we love it.
"I look for you at the holidays. I, for my part,
cannot think of leaving New York at present-for a




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.    305
day.'Back! back!  It is impossible!' Pushing him
back with his gun!"
(SAME DATE.)
TO   -----
"Yesterday was a jubilee with us. 0! my heart is
full and overflowing, and I want you here that some one
may fully sympathize with me.
" I have just written down the names of eight, who, I
feel assured, ought to be baptized another month, and I
must begin at once to care and pray for them. Last
night I found a convert and two tearful inquirers in one
family. Such happy families as these are! —, a
dear child, stole aside to me the other evening, bowed
her head and said,' I have found the Savior."'...
"December 14.
"DEAR MOTHER:.... "Yesterday was a perfect Sabbath. The
fine weather gave us large congregations, and their deep
and serious attention to the plainest truths showed that
something more than sunshine had brought them there.
I tried to preach in tile morning on father's text,' And
he brought him to Jesus.'  It was not so good a sermon
as his. In the afternoon I spoke from John iii. 8, on
the Mystery of the New Birth-in which I fell back
simply and alone on the sovereign, mysterious, omnipotent agency of the Holy Spirit, to be called down
by prayer. It's hard working-tugging at dead men
without that. The truth was a great relief to my own
mind. We closed the day with a good prayer-meeting,
in which the brethren were on their feet two at a time
all the while.
26*




806     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED —LETTERS.
"We seem to have reached a kind of status. The
first flush is over, and now comes the real, hard work.
Things are quite disposed now to settle, but I pray God
they may not, and so far as I can help it by His grace
they shall not settle yet. We are not ready for it.
"My sad deficiencies reveal themselves to me more
alarmingly each week, and my greatest wonder is, how
labors so faulty can be owned of God at all.  But it
strengthens, while it surprises me, to hear my sermons
brought up by our new converts as having been used
for their conviction or conversion. To the glory of
God be it said, mother, that the majority of the sermons thus far preached, have already been made to
appear as blessed each to the good of some one soul,
while some, as'Come unto me' —the'Resurrection,'
and'Lord, save'-have been blessed each to two or
three. This both humbles and encourages me.
"Last Saturday afternoon there was a scene, which,
to me, it was worth a world to witness. Would that
you and father could have looked upon it! I gathered
together my little band of converts, and spent an hour
and a half with them. As I first surveyed them together,
the sight overcame me entirely.  I could hardly credit
my eyes.'Well, I sat in a chair among them, and
talked to them, urging on them  the motives and the
means to eminent piety.  A  strange theme for me to
talk on, was it not? I felt it so, but I could not help
speaking upon it. Then we all kneeled, and three of
them led us in prayer.  We have arranged to meet
every week for' Instruction in the Articles of Faith,'
etc.
"I cannot tell you how I love these precious lambs,




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.          307
Their names are continually with me. I could not
bear that they should sink back into the mass of the
church membership, and my personal hold upon them
be lost at once.  I shall keep them near to me as long
as I can.
"Yours," etc.
The interest of the young pastor in the young people
of his charge was abundantly repaid. He saw them
obtaining clear, practical, and experimental views of
Christian doctrine, and early adopting those habits of
Christian usefulness, which are the sure means of happiness and growth. They became trained like a phalanx-compact, united, steady, while yet each felt
individually responsible for the battle. To him, their
leader, they had an attachment that was well nigh
enthusiastic. The degree of his personal influence over
them was almost unexampled. He was the confidential
adviser of scores, in their most minute affairs-so far
as relating to their Christian progress. Questions of
duty, mental struggles, practical difficulties, oppositions,
temptations-all were opened to him with the same
freedom and artlessness as to a dear parent. He had a
charm to attract confidence and confidences. It happened more than once that strangers —a prodigal perhaps-heating him preach, felt irresistibly impelled to
open the heart to him, and seek sympathy and
counsel.




308     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
" Dec. 21.
"MY DEAR FATHER:
" Yesterday was an encouraging day. I felt that
my church and my friends must be praying for me.
My heart, so long cold and well nigh dead, was melted
a little while preaching in the morning on'Lovest
thou me?' I did get a glimpse of the love of Christ,
more sweet than any I have for a long time had. It
overcame me.  Never shall I forget that refreshing
season.
" I think my heart was softened for preaching by the
events of Saturday, in part. That afternoon I was
with my little band of converts for an hour or more.
Then one or two came to talk with me about their troubles, the greatest of which was, a fear that they did not
love God. This led me to the very sermon I was preparing, and we talked till my mind was greatly enlarged,
and we were all bathed in tears together at the love of
Christ. I could not regret this interruption, for it was
the best'study' I could have had.
" The same evening a young man came to talk with
me, and before he left I felt that he had been guided to
Jesus, and been able to believe on Him. This prepared
me for my afternoon's sermon, which was to be on the
Prodigal Son. In church the Lord seemed very near
to me. The house was still and solemn as the grave.
At the close of morning service I observed a lady
waiting in the aisles, and conversing with one of the
deacons. I found she was deeply convicted of sin.
Afternoon came. I had announced that I should speak
on the parable, and there was a great running of the
people together. It was the first time I have seen the




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.    309
house so full. I could not preach much, but the Lord
was in the place.
" At the evening meeting the old saint, Dea. C,
after two or three fervent prayers had been offered, rose
and said, that a gloom and shivering which had been
upon his mind, was that day lifted off; he could say,' Thou knowest that I love thee,' and earnestly exhorted
the young converts to trust in the Lord, who would
never forsake them. We sang,'How firm a foundation.'.... Here I tried to close the meeting, but
another of our younger brethren was too quick for me.
HIe gave an earnest exhortation, and then we sang a
verse, and went home reluctantly. A  good day in
Zion, was the general pass-word-and I kept saying to
myself,' I wish father were here!'
" But I must say good-bye, with much love to all,
and entreating a continued interest in your prayers.
"Your dear Son,    K."
"Dec. 29.
" DEAR MOTHER:
" A long letter from you is an unusual treat. I
have had a feast over your last, and hasten to thank
you for it, though briefly.
" We had another solemn day, Sunday. The afternoon text-' To-day, if you will hear his voice, harden
not your hearts.' I never preached a closer sermon.
I knew some of my hearers would be sure I had them
in mind. There was great tenderness.  Poor Mrs.
-! She did not lift her handkerchief off her face
from the beginning to the end of the sermon, and a
number of others were in tears. God help me to plead




310     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
for these souls. Do pray for Mrs.   1. The presence
of the Lord is in our sanctuary. Strangers observe
it, and no one appears to escape its influence.  At
times the solemnity has been painfully oppressive. I
lately gave a running talk on the Prodigal Son. As a
sermon it was indifferent, but a lady (whom I expect
to baptize next Lord's day) since remarked to me,'Do you know, Mr. Nott, that I could not realize that
it was you who were speaking at all? I looked at you,
and it seemed as though it must be some one else
speaking through you. I could not think of you at
all." Ah, it is the Lord! Would that I might ever
be thus lost-both to others and to self, and Christ
alone appear!....
Yours," etc.
"Jan. 18.' "We are blessed with an unusual succession of
bright and beautiful Sabbaths, which enables the people
to come together to hear the gospel.  Lately I
preached the Annual Sermon to the young fiom the
text'Deliver us from evil.' The people prayed more
than usual, holding a special meeting on Saturday evening for the purpose-and the Lord was with us. The
next day three new inquirers came to me. I think the
feeling is gaining.
Yesterday I wonderfully enjoyed preaching on the
jailer's conversion, and to-day I have been cheered by
a number of new cases of inquiry.....
"I find occasionally a little extra work for amtsement. Last Wednesday I preached in Jersey City, and
this week I go to Philadelphia."....




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED —LETTERS.    311
" Last week I went to M, where one of my class.
mates is just settled. They had a dedication in the
morning, installation in the afternoon, and gospel in the
evening —I being fortunately chosen for the last. There
was a great crowd, and they listened with solemn attention while I spoke for more than an hour.
"With us the Lord still continues to own his truth
in a surprising manner. It almost seems as though
nothing could be lost. Sermons well nigh forgotten by
me, are referred to from time to time by converts as
having fixed the arrow in their hearts.
"Sunday was a day long to be remembered. After
preaching to a large and solemn congregation on' If the
righteous scarcely be saved,' etc., I was permitted to
baptize ten happy converts. One was an old lady of
sixty years, who for twenty years had felt her soul
blessed in attending on this church. A while ago I
preached a sermon on The Duty of Publicly Confessing
Chbrist, and she remained weeping in the house to tell
me of her convictions. It was a great undertaking for
one so old. Two others date back their convictions for
ten years. One came from a Congregational church to
us, another from a Methodist, etc.
". After attending a funeral of one of the old
pilgrims, I returned to the church just in time for afternoon service, and enjoyed preaching again. The congregation was dismissed, but when I rose to administer
the communion, a scene greeted me which I never before saw. Our large galleries were not sufficient to seat
the spectators-many were standing. It was solemn to
commune thus.  Why should they remain through such
a service? Do you not think this betokens a peculiar




312     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTEIRS.
tenderness?  Indeed many of them  looked on in
tears.
" This was the anniversary of Dea. H-'s baptism,
which occurred forty-five years ago. For twenty-five
years he was constantly at the side of Mr. Parkinson,
and then walked with Dr. Cone during all his pastorate.
"The Lord is pleased to keep me in good health.
Indeed you could not think it might be otherwise, to
hear these people pray for me. I am now fresh for
another month's campaign, and at its close hope to report yet greater doings of the Lord. Pray for me.
"Affectionately,
" March 2d.
"I had a strange experience about preaching Sunday,
which convinced me afresh of God's care of His ministers. Last week the' influenza,' or something else, took
hold of me and shook me, made my bones ache, and
ran my pulse up pretty high, leaving me utterly exhausted.  Saturday night came, and, for the first time,
found me not only without a sermon, but not even with
an idea.  All efforts were vain.  MNv brain was confused, and I could not stand up two minutes without
reeling.  I prayed, and went to bed at half-past eight.
It was some hours before I could get to sleep.
" At two o'clock I awoke-weak, lonely, disconsolate.
I began to murmur.' Nobody knows me,' I murmured
aloud.'Who knoweth the things of a man, save the
spirit of man that is in him?' instantly flashed on my
mind. Then, that whole chapter (1 Cor. ii.) passed




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.    313
before me, clear, consistent, beautiful, till its important
climnax in the fourteenth verse. I forgot every trouble;
my soul was full of love. I had a sermon, complete in
every part, with introduction and application; and the
particular persons before me (as I usually do) whom it
would benefit. I was bright and happy.. The clock
struck four. I thanked God for His revelation to me,
and turned to sleep.  In the morning I awoke so refreshed that I laughed aloud. Other things so engaged
me that I did not have time to think of my sermon
again till I went into the pulpit.  I preached it commencing with' Nobody knows me!' and next Sunday
I expect to baptize one who in it first grasped the evidence, that she was indeed born of God. This week I
feel quite myself again, and am ashamed of my weakness....
After a visit of two or three days to Kennebunkport, he writes:
"The morning after my return, I bounded down to
our little prayer-meeting; and everybody seemed so
glad, so thankful, that I was made doubly happy.' Each
prayer, and there were many, thanked God that' He
had brought back our dear pastor.'  Three came to
tell me they had found the Saviour while I had been
gone, and I have heard of one or two more..... And
I have felt, since coming back, how strong is the attachment between myself and these dear people. I do not
know but my church is in danger of becoming my idol;
I wonder at my blessings, and deliberately conclude that
I am the happiest man on earth..... Last evening we
27




314     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
had a perfect prayer-meeting; not the slightest thing
was out of joint."
"March 31.
"DEAR R —" I want you to spend next Sunday with me. It
will be a day of days-a day of a lifetime. About thirty
persons are to be baptized..... I want you here-to
rejoice with me-and to give me some one to talk to.
" The interest still prevails, and if I am not mistaken,
increases. The Lord is being pleased just now to bring
us some efficient men, and to convert some who were
in peculiarly desperate case.
" Crowded out, at last, of our lecture-room on Tuesday evenings, we last evening opened the house above;
and, to my surprise, it was instantly filled: but, in outward activity, I fear I am neglecting heart piety. Pray
much for me, my dear brother: —I am far from the
right state. Come —do come...
"Yours, ever,
" K. 7
The Tuesday evening lectures continued to be held
during the remainder of this year, in the main audience
room of the church, and were fully attended.  An
effective course of lectures on the parable of the "Prodigal Son," was given:-" The Soul's Patrimony;" the
"Soul's Wandering and Waste;" the "Soul's Want
and Hungering," etc. etc.  Later, there was a course
on the " Converts of the New Testament,"' which furnished peculiarly fruitful themes, and was much blessed.




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETIERS.    315
Of the Sabbath referred to in the preceding letter,
the'' day of days," he says afterwards:
" You can imagine how great a day it was. This is
the largest number ever baptized into the church at
one time. The crowd was immense-hundreds going
away. One gentleman told me he could not get near
the steps," etc.
"lfay 5, 1858.
"DEAREST MOTHER,
"I cannot repine at any of the losses I am experiencing, such as the delights of correspondence, social
intercourse and general study, so long as so great gains
are vouchsafed to me by my heavenly Father. I feel
that I ought only to be overwhelmed in gratitude and
adoration, that I, who am so utterly unworthy, should
be made the instrument of so glorious achievements of
Almighty grace. I say 6'Almighty,' and well, for I have
had of late a fresh sense of God's omnipotence as manifested in the regeneration of souls. Last Sunday, in
baptizing twenty-four new candidates, I preached on this
theme,' Christ, the power of God' being my text. We
had a delightful baptism, the group comprising all
classes, especially an unprecedented number from the
Sunday School; I was only sorry there were not more
-not from any ambition of numbers (I abhor ambition
of that sort), but because the work seemed so delightful
to me, the converts so happy, and the great throng of
spectators so eager, and so deeply affected.
"1In the afternoon I addressed the converts from'Loose Him and let Him go'-and gave the hand of
fellowship to thirty-eight persons. The line extended




316     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
across the front and partly down either aisle, and passing from one to the other with a few words to each, I
found this a delightful service. We have not had a
better day. The evening meeting for prayer was the
most crowded yet; and though Satan is busying himself
among us intensely, I cannot lose my courage, nor think
of an abatement in this marvellous work. I do not
dwell on the discouragements. Last night I had a very
solemn audience while speaking on that part of the
Prodigal Son's story, in which he says,' I will arise and
go to my father.' I dwelt chiefly on the simple words,'I will,' and felt, in a degree, as I sometimes do, that
every word was given me directly from the Lord.
"Your loving son,
" K."
"'ilay 12.
— "On Sunday I had unusual assistance in preaching on passages at the beginning of Hebrews —representing the superiority of Christ to all other religious
teachers. Indeed, I liked it so well that I am going on
next Sunday with'Better than the Angels.' I find I
get no such satisfaction on any other theme as in
preaching on Christ. When I speak of him and him
only, his inspiration seems imparted to me, which carries me beyond myself... Besides this, I have of
late enjoyed some very good times in direct conzscious
pleading with the impenitent, when I felt the Lord
Jesus standing in the pulpit side by side with me. I
pity ministers who do not enjoy preaching."
May 31, after a few days of illness, he describes
another remarkable experience in preaching.




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.    317
" Some of the good people doubted my ability
to preach, and especially to preach twice. But how the
Lord did magnify Himself! I fairly feasted on preaching yesterday! My heart swelled with thankfulness for
the privilege, and I felt like bounding in upon my
audience with the glad gospel'like a youthful hart or
roe.' I had resolved to give homeeopathic doses that
day, but found it impossible to stop short of full measure. The people were startled into unusual solemnity
in the afternoon. Just as I was about to rise for preaching-and the house was brim full-a tall man stood up
in the front part of the house, and asked me if he
might be allowed to speak a word to this congregation.'Speak on, Sir, speak,' I told him. He said that he
wanted to confess before them that he was a sinner, a
great sinner. He cried to God to have mercy upon
him. IIe looked to Him, and begged the people to
pray in his behalf. What a preface, and what an introduction to my sermon! I repeated what the man had
said, that all might hear, and proceeded to speak from
the words' How shall we escape if we neglect so great
scalvation?' It was a very solemn afternoon. God
seemed very near to us.
"It is astonishing how much good a hearty'preach'
will do a man. It has set me up more than all the
medicine I swallowed last week."
"' 5th of July, 1858.
"DEAR MOTHER:
"It occurs to me to congratulate you upon the
passage of another of your birthdays-which we are
27*




318     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.
now  celebrating in  delightful style.  Yesterday I
preached a Liberty, Anti-(spiritual) Slavery sermon from
the words,'If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed.' We had also a pleasant baptism of six
happy candidates. In the afternoon my cold heart was
a little melted while meditating on,' Unto you therefore
who believe He is precious.' Seldom has a sermon done
the preacher's soul more good.
"It was a great satisfaction to have L. with us. She
came Friday afternoon, tired and lean.  Saturday we
had a delightful forenoon among the artists, visiting
their studios, and carrying away (on memory's canvas)
many forms of beauty that will be a'joy for ever.'
" To-day we are in pure enjoyment of' the glorious
Fourth.' We made an early escape fi'om the rising
hubbub of the city by a beautiful steamer up the East
River to Harlem, and thence two or three miles by
row-boat through placid water to Melrose. Here we
are spending the day....
" Just after dinner we took to our boat, with a precious cargo of eight souls, and rowed through the
beautiful Harlem River, under the magnificent High
Bridge, to the'Spuyten Duyvil' Creek and Hudson
River....
Yours,                   "K."
In the summer Mr. Nott took the customary minister's vacation. He hurried away from the sultry city
down to cool Kennebunkport, by the sea-side, and here
for six weeks, free from the burden of heavy care, was
at full liberty to "recreate."  But his ideas of what




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.        319
constituted recreation had become peculiar.  A very
few days of lobster catching and mackerel fishing, and
of rambling along "the sounding shore," sufficed; and
he was then observed, through the greater part of
twelve hours, thoughtfully pacing the floors at home,
roaming "from attic to sitting-room, and sitting-room
to attic." What was suspected to be ennui, was sober
and practical meditation, for at night he announced his
plan. York County was large, was behind the age, and
religious interests were torpid. Why would not an
attempt at re-evangelizing the wide field be delightful?
The attempt was sure to be so, whether immediate
results should occur or not.
His scheme, then, embraced these elements: First, to
hire a respectable horse and chaise.  Second, to send
handbills, after the manner of electioneering politicians, all over the county, announcing the coming of a
religious "stump-speaker."  Third, to go into every
town and hamlet, wherever he could obtain a gathering,
in meeting-house or school-house, and preach to the
people with the endeavor to arouse them to greater
religious activity.
The announcement upon the handbill was so contrived as to offer a pretext for the visitation; it read as
follows:




320     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED —LETTERS.
REV. A. K. NOTT,
FROM NEW YORK, WILL PREACH
In.......
On.
AND GIVE SOME ACCOUNT OF
THE GREAT REVIVAL
IN THAT CITY.
The project was carried out in the same spirit of
enterprise in which it was conceived. The following
letters give incidents of the tour:"ALFRED, Aug. 17, 1858.
" DEAR FATHER:
"My preaching tour is fairly inaugurated, and. I
may say, successfully. I had a very pleasant leisurely
ride over the wooded plain, which lies between these
high-lands and the sea. Horse and I frequently stopped
by the road-side, or made incursions into the bushes to
gather the berries which grew plentifully by the way.
On reaching the hills which embosom this quiet
village, the scenery rises before one quite finely. With
some delay, I at last found Bro. D — in the meadow,
who immediately left his mowing, and started out with
me to scour the parish. This we did so effectually,
scattering the notices in every direction, that when
evening came the meeting-house was well filled. All
the ministers in the place were kindly in attendance,
and a choir to sing for us. The people listened with




FIRST YEAIR CONTINUED-LETTERS.    321
commendable patience to what I had to say, though
I was not so interesting as I meant to be. Now may
God add His blessing to this humble attempt to advance
His Kingdom!.
"I go on this morning to the Gore, and to Bro.
W —'s at Waterboro. I am hoping for a personal
blessing in this work, which I need certainly as much
as any whom I exhort.  My heart catches an occasional gleam of interest, which is all too transient. I
seem to live two lives, instead of one hid with Christ.'Unite my heart to fear thy name!'
"York County needs a stirring revival through its
country towns, and if, despite my utter unworthiness,
I can be employed in the slightest degree to promote
it, I shall greatly rejoice. Pray that I may be purged
from sin and freshly anointed for the mission.
" Thus far the Lord has opened the way for me as
completely as I could wish, and I can set up one'stone
of help.'
"And so with much love to each and all,
"' I remain," etc.
"ALFRED, Aug. 18, 1858.
"DEAR MOTHER:
" I had a various day yesterday.... Bro. D —
and I drove to Waterboro', to Bro. AV —'s, who was
unfortunately away from  home.  One disadvantage
was that our prospects for dinner were alarmingly diminishing. But we were sent on to'the Major's,' who
took up our matters heartily, and arranged both for our
dinner and the meeting.




322     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED —LETTERS.
"A part of this road passes the most beautiful spot
I have found. Shaker Pond lies among rich meadows
and rising hills, and along its bank the road winds,
bordered on one side by the meadows and water, and
on the other by the huge rocks and oaks that cover the
hill-side. Here the Shakers, with an evident taste for
fine scenery, many years ago pitched their habitations.
Their palmiest days are past, only two'families' remain, and these so crippled that they are obliged to
hire help to carry on their farms. We talked with a
number of their queer, venerable people, and were
permitted to look through their seed-garden, and some
portions of the buildings. The latter are patterns of
homeliness in the ugly sense. I could not find any
young people, though they say there are some. It is
now practically little else than an asylum for decrepid
old age and helpless vagrant childhood.  They are
constantly entreated to take children from Portland,
and do so; but when I asked whether such remained
when they grew up, I was told that it was impossible
to keep them. An itching for'the world' and the
trial of their own fortunes drives the ingrates from
their sober home. To hold them by any obligation
would be contrary to the principles of the order. They
assemble in the Hall on Sunday, when people flock
from far and near to' Shaker Meeting;' and on weekday evenings they hold stated meetings, among themselves.  It  is  only  a half life.  Requiescat in
pace!....
" August 19.
"Yesterday I had a long ride to Buxton: mostly




FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LEITTERS.    323
over a high plain, through pine forests, whose rounded
cones scolloped the roadside....
"To-day I am at Limerick, a snug little village
which surprises you prettily as you surmount an overlooking hill. S. and his meeting-house live on this
hill, and the surrounding landscape bounded by the
White Mountains, is magnificent.....  Here I am
making a pleasant halt, and have arranged my programme for the future: which is, Saturday evening,
Limerick; Sunday, A.M., Parsonsfield, P.M., Effingham,
evening, Freedom; all of these three churches being
destitute of pastors. Afterwards Cornish, etc., etc.
"I hope you and L. are jubilating. Do you find Tennyson? I carried it off, and sip from it every day along
the road, while sober pony jogs on with the reins hitched
to the chaise;"....
A few days later:"] KEARSAGE HOUSE, N. CONWAY, N. H.
"DEAR C
"Though half-starved and hardly recovered from
shivering with the cold, I seize the first hour to send a
missive homeward. We, that is Evans and I, have
been riding all the morning in a cold mountain wind,
that has cut through and through.
"One of the most interesting times I have yet had,
was on Friday eve at Bar Mills. We found the schoolhouse to which we were directed, just in time to begin
the service, but learned that another preacher had possession there. So we turned back to another, where
we came. upon a most miscellaneous gathering. I really




324     FIRST YEAR CONTINUED —LiETTERS.
doubted whether they would allow us to go on in
quiet, but they listened with the most eager attention,
and begged me to come again.
"It was very curious that Evans and I should arrive
in Portland the same day and meet so providentially.
I was greatly pleased, and of course I dragged him
into my chaise, to share with me the remainder of my
fortunes....
"A full house greeted me on Sunday at Limerick. It
was a blessed Sabbath morn. The hills seemed to bring
us nearer Heaven, and the very breath of God rested
upon them. We rode seven miles to Parsonsfield,
where I preached in a queer old-fashioned house. No
people have appeared so much to feel what was said as
they. The old men bowed their heads and wept, and
bade me such a good-bye, saying,' Shan't I never see
you again? God bless you,' with voice choked by emotion, so that I felt reluctant to leave them. They are
destitute and desolate. This was a blessed visit.
VWe passed on to Effingham, four miles, and across
the State line. Here is a sweet little cluster, with one
pretty meeting-house, and a people of unusual refinement. As they were already waiting, we went in at
once, and had a pleasant service. Especially did the
singing surprise me. Such a choir is seldom found in
country or in town, and I was particularly appreciative
of good church music at the time, having for so long
had none or worse than none at my services. We
stopped at Judge D's, and at half-past four held
a second service, when Evans preached.
"At its close we came on to Freedom, arriving just
at service time, half-past seven. We found one meet



FIRST YEAR CONTINUED-LETTERS.    325
ing-house, but no symptom  whatever of a meeting.
The notices had failed to arrive. I took a youth into
my chaise, rushed around the village, thrusting notices
into every house and into every man's face;-the bell
was struck, lights carried into the desolate old house,
and in fifteen minutes half the population was gathered
together and I preached.
"This N. Conway is a glorious place, in air and scenery
at least.
"Good bye," etc.
KENNEBUNKPORT, Aug. 26, 1858.
" MY DEAR Ro:
"It is through-done, and I am at home again.
Like the cable, a preaching tour has been proved possible. It has been successful in every item, so constantly
has a good providence opened the way for me. Of
course it is'bread on the waters:' the results for
others must be left with God. I at least have been
blessed in it, and am in better mood for preaching than
when I left..... My experiences, which have been
of every sort, we will talk over. I have preached
every evening, save one, and three times on each of the
two last Sabbaths, making sixteen sermons, in as many
different places, besides Dover, and the'Wildes neighborhood,' making twenty in all since leaving New York.
I am every way the better for all this. To-morrow
evening I am to speak at Biddeford. Think I shall
spend Sunday at home," etc. etc.
28




CHAPTER XXVII.
SECOND YEAR IN NEW  YORK-E PERFECTED CHARACTER-EXPERIMENTAL PREACHING -SUNDAY-SCHOOL
LABORS, ETC.
THE first letter written in the new year contains the
following touching passage:
" September 17, 1858.
" I am  waiting for a something-a power from  on
high. Andjfirst, FIRST, I must learn to pray. I humbly confess, that I have never been, for any great.length of time together, a praying man."
The humility of this language finds its commentary
in that exclamation of the Apostle Paul's, "Not as
though I had already attained,.... I count not
myself to have apprehended... but... I press
toward the mark."
One cannot help reflecting, how exalted must be the
privileges really accessible to the child of God on
earth, how boundles rin their range must be the enjoyments, knowledge, and power attainable in communion
with God, when a Christian, distinguished for a prayerful
life, sees so much unfathomed in the idea of prayer




SECOND YEAR IN NEW YORK.             327
and untasted in its bliss, that he feels he has never
prayed! "I must learn to pray!"
With this spirit, self-depreciating, aspiring, trustful,
hopeful, the young preacher began the last year of his
service to God on earth.
It is evident now to those who then remnarked a
change in him- the sudden ripeness of his character,
which, so fully formed before, and beautiful for every
excellence, seemed now all at once to have acquired its
final mellowness and bloom; the perfection of certain
Christian graces, the most rare, and commonly the last
to matutre.  His advanced self-conquest, his gentleness,
and, above all, his love-the dr' — the thirteenth of
Corinthians realized-love,  "envying not, vaunting
not itself, not puffed up, seeking not her own, thinking no evil, bearing all things, believing all things,
hoping all things "-this loveliness of love, which
made "his character and life," especially in the last
year-(says  one)-" the  most Christ-like  I  ever
knew;" to those who observed these things, and,
withal, the new spirituality and experimental depth of
his preaching, and his increased zeal to be "always
abounding in the work of the Lord;" it is evident now,
that a new heavenly anointing, a fresh equipment of
divine grace and energy had been granted him, as a
mnark of his Father's love, and in order that he might
worthily run the brief remainder of his race.  It is
something not carelessly to be said, but many have




328       SECOND YEAR IN NEW YORK.
said that, had the prescience been bestowed by which
he should have foreseen the grave and crown so near
he could not, under the awfulness and glory of the
thought, have labored more purely, watchfully, and
faithfully than he did.
A change —corresponding to that observable in his
character-was felt also (as intimated above), in his
preaching. With ripening self-knowledge and growing consciousness of personal intimacy with Christ,
there must always be, in the heart of any one, a proportional abandonment of self, and conscious realization of the absoluteness of the soul's dependence upon
the free gifts of God through the efficacy of the peculiar work of Christ. Naturally, therefore, at the epoch
of Kingmlan's experience of which we are speaking, he
apprehended the importance and majesty of the great
doctrine of grace-God's Sovereignty, Christ's Godhead and Vicarious Atonement, the Holy Spirit's
Creative Work-with  greater clearness than  ever
before, as the sole pillars of Christian faith and hope,
and the basis of all that can with any shadow  and
pretence of meaning be called religion. These became,
then, more the staple of his preaching. And with
these, the inculcation  of the duties of holy living
assumed new prominence; for practical holiness and
sound doctrine are certainly joined by blood relationslip-both in the Christian's apprehension and in
reality.




SECOND YEAR IN NEW YORK.           329
"I am now preaching," he says, " ii the forenoons,
upon the Holy Spirit and His Work. Some of the
themes I select are these: The Love of the Spirit;
The Spirit of Truth; The Spirit the Life-Giver;
The Fellowship of the Spirit; Christians the Temples
of the Holy Ghost; The Spirit the Comforter, the
Intercessor, etc. In the afternoons I am preaching
practical piety. Both these classes of topics interest
me much, and do the people good. Especially do my
people love to hear of the Holy Spirit. O, here would
we tarry, till endued with His power!"
The first sermon of the year was an " Anniversary
Discourse," commemorating the goodness of God in,
the previous year. It was entitled, "The Review of
God's Gracious Providences humbling to His Children," from Deut. xiii. 2. The introduction happens to
be extant in his own hand; we quote most of it:
"A stranger who should have stepped into this
house one year a go and again to-day, would see no wide
contrast in the scenes presented to him then and now.
The same sacred old walls are about us. Each pew
remains unaltered.. People fill the seats as then. The
same psalm  has just been read, the same hymn of
praise has been sung.  The same voice would fall
upon his ear.  As then, an open baptistery (may it
never be closed!) awaits the obedient convert.
"And even to you who have always been here,
most is familiar. A few faces you miss. Many new
ones, but not strange, because the love of Christ shines




330       SECOND YEAR IN NE:W YORK.
through them-greet you. Probably there are very
few churches in this fluctuating city which know so
few changes as this.... Fathers and mothers in
Israel! we thank God for your presence to-day! We
rejoice that your aged eyes have seen the salvation of
the Lord!  But we cannot spare you from us yet.
May God preserve you to lead the way to glory!
-" And I-if for a moment it may be permitted me
to speak of myself-stand before you to-day with feelings different from those of a year ago. I approached
with trembling, an untried, imperfectly comprehended
responsibility. I knew I could not stand upon the
heights and fiom above you shout,' Come on! Follow
me!' But I said to myself,' The way is dark-and
there are many rough and miry places-I can run
along by their side and hold the lantern'-for, Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my
path.... If from that word, poorly as I have been
able to hold it up, a ray has sometimes flashed upon
your path, then-' Not unto us but to Thy name be
the glory!'....
" But there is a Spirit who, invisible, makes His own
eternal record of all. scenes enacted on this world's
stage.  The angel who hovers over us to-day, and
whose eye penetrates the inner sanctuary, marks infinite changes..... If you would know what changes
there have been, unveil those secret shrines where
altars to Jehovah have been erected. Tell us of faith's
early dawn, of pardon, joy, of consecrating vows, of
communion with Heaven. Open the Lamb's Book of
Life, and —see! new names recorded there!  Tell us
of the angels' jubilee, answering our rejoicings!"..




SECOND YEAR IN NEW YORK.           331
In the following letters he relates another of those
"wonderful experiences" with respect to special sermons, of which we have had two or three samples:
"Oct. 18.
"I usually find some call to preach on Wednesday
evenings. Last week I was at the Bloomingdale Church
for an installation sermon, when I was moved to preach
on' The Supernaturalness of Successful Preaching'a thought that has interested me of late.
"In Broome Street I am still preaching on the Holy
Spirit. A week ago I spoke on Inspiration, and in the
afternoon considered the Last Day-' I saw the dead
small and great stand before God,' etc. And here I
have to record a gracious experience. The week had
been absorbed in public meetings, and I was in great
apprehension for Sunday. Besides my mind seemed
distracted, my heart dull. On Friday evening I noticed
that the brethren prayed for me unusually, and it so
touched me that I spoke of it. Sunday morning I was
unfruitful. In the afternoon I said to myself' Somebody
has been praying for me,' I felt it. The moment I
stood up to preach and had uttered my text, the Holy
Spirit seemed to drop right down, as if visibly, on the
whole assembly. I was quite overcome by it. My
tongue was thick in my mouth, and I could not speak.
I could have fallen down prostrate, so great was the
oppression upon me. But at last, apologizing, I proceeded, and we spent as solemn an hour as Broomn
Street has ever seen, I think. The same feeling continnued in the evening. Every one seemed transformed,
At the close of the meeting a lady was found in great




332        SECOND YEAR IN NEW  YORK.
distress for her sin.  The next day I found three new
converts, and I have met others since.  It was this
which led me to preach on the' Supernaturalness,' etc.
Since then I am more encouraged for the church.  A
spirit of faith and activity is animating a goodly number."
We subjoin a plan of the discourse mentioned-all
that is extant.  The sermon itself was undouhtedlyfrom the reports of listeners-a relnarkable one.
"Lo I I am with you alway-even to the endlof the world."Matt. xxviii. 20.
"Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem  until ye be endued with
power from on high."-Luke xxiv. 29.
SUPERNATURALNESS OF SUCCESSFUL PREACHING.
Int. Remarks on a preacher's experience. Customary to enumerate human qualifications for successful
preaching, assuming, as of course, spiritual power, or
reserving it for a climax.  Pursue the reverse plan.
The differences among men-as (1) regenerate and
unregenerate; (2) preachers and laymen; (3) in respect
of degrees of success in different persons, and the same
person at different times.
Allude to thefew successful ones. What is the secret
of success? the question of preachers and of people.
The Theme.-(Retrace the steps by which a truly
successful preacher has arrived at his position and show
by what power he maintains it.)
I. In regeneration he was, by a supernatural act,
separated from among men.




SECOND YEAR IN NEW- YORK.          333
II. Separated by a supernatural call to preach, and
designated to a definite mission.
III. Supernatural truths are the substance of his
preaching.
IV. He is borne on by supernatural motives and impulses.
Obj. —(1.) That this implies Inspiration. (2.) That it
ignores natural powers and means.
Conclusion.-(1.) The need of more spiritual power
in the preaching of the word.
(2.) The means of obtaining it (a) by ministers, (b)
by churches.
(3.) Appeal to impenitent.
October 13th, 1858.-Installation of Rev. R. L,
Bloomingdale.
Mr. Nott's labors beyond the bounds of his own
parish were extensive and varied. His zeal knew positively no limits; the difficulty was to confine his undertakings within the bounds of prudence.  He rarely
failed on Wednesday evening to preach somewhere, in
a suburb of the city, some village on the Hludson, or
country town on Long Island.  "Spurgeon," said he
once, " preaches twelve times a week, and thrives on it.
That cannot be the way for all; but the more I study
myself and watch the leadings of God's providence, I
am persuaded that He has called me to be emphatically
a preacher-that is my great commission. I meditate
deliberately resolving to undertake all the preaching I




334 +      SECOND YtAR IN NEW  YORK.
can possibly find to do. WVhy may I not as well spend
and be spent in this manner as another?  As for material, if the Holy Spirit have really set me apart for
such a work, He will feed my mind th rough my heart."
Whatever his theory, in practice he seldom declined an
opportunity to preach; when he did, it was with the
same reluctance and regrets that an enterprising merchant feels when compelled to turn his back upon a fascinating speculation..
Into the " new measures " —the new applications of
the art of preaching-initiated and pursued with such
success in the time of the "great revival," he threw
himself with all his ardor. Still, a man could not do
everything, and he lamented mournfully when he discovered that Broome Street Church and Chatham
Square Theatre conflicted in their demands, and that
he neither possessed strength enough nor could control
hours enough to till:properly the home field, and yet
lead expeditions into every foreign territory.
But in one direction his restless energies found the
opportunity for unrestricted exercise.  Here duties to
his church set up no bar-for here he was simply master-workman, leading, urging, guiding his church-members to work-the pioneer, the marshal of them allstriking out new paths continually, and as rapacious for
new c'onquests, as Alexander. The field, in which his
piety and zeal so fortunately found scope, was that of
Sunday-schools.  Twice, in his student days, he had




SECOND YEAR IN NEW  YORK.            335
been a missionary of the Sunday-school Union; he was
still the servant of the cause.
A gentleman connected with the Sunday School
Union in New York, kindly writes thus:
"N. Y. S. S. U., 375 BROADWAY,
July 23d, 1859.
"I am desirous that justice should be done
to the memory of Kingman Nott, in regard to his love
and devotedness in the Sunday School cause. I therefore write a line to call attention to the point. He
really believed in the institution, and he and his people
worked through it.  Would that every pastor did the
same, and was not content with merely p2atronizing it.
"I well remember his zeal in that cause on his first
arrival in this city.... A committee of his church had
been appointed to secure a place for a Mission school.
Some weeks had elapsed, and no room  had been obtained. His anxiety for the work led him to apply to
me for assistance.  That afternoon we went out togethier, and in less than one hour we had obtained the refusal of two rooms in Canal street.
"' In two or three Sabbaths the large room was filled
to overflowing with a noble school, and soon after another mission school was opened in Brooke's Assembly
Rooms.  Later still in his lite, his heart was drawn out
in practical sympathy for the great desolation of the
Fourth Ward.  Ilad his valuable life been spared, I
doubt not that he and his people would have there
started a Sunday School.  May his mantle fall on his
successor!                     *      *
"IR. G. PARDEE."




336       SECOND YEAR IN NEW  YORK.
The last mission school mentioned, is still in successful operation. The majority of the children gathered
in are, nominally, Catholic;-in reality, Pagan.
The "Fourth Ward Mission" established since the
death of Mr. Nott, is one of the most prosperous and
useful benevolent institutions of the city.  It owes
much to the impulse given to the cause by his labors
and example.
The circumstances of the origination of the second
mission school, furnish a special illustration of his tact
and enterprise. A new school was needed-the old
was overflowing: but a suitable place was not easily to
be had. In the neighborhood of Broome street Church
there is a large hall with convenient ante-rooms, used
for a dancing school.
Upon this building Kingman cast a scheming eye.
Contriving in some manner to obtain an introduction to
the proprietor, he resolved, keeping a utilitarian end
warily in view, to prosecute the acquaintance.  He
called one day; was politely conducted through the
apartments, admiring, as he went, their adaptation to
the uses for which they were fitted up. At last, turning with his frank smile and a shake of the hand to the
pleased proprietor, he said: "A project has occurred
to me-a fine one: it will be the easiest thing in the
world for you to be doing some good with these fine
rooms: suppose you and I set our wits to work to
gather in these ragged, ignorant, neglected children,




SECOND YEAR IN NEW YORK.           337
who swarm in your vicinity: you supply the roomsI'll supply the teachers." His engaging and persuasive
manner was irresistible. "I will do it," said the gentleman; "you shall have the rooms for the mere cost of
warming them; and I'll aid, in every way I can, to
bring in the children."
"And now," said Kingman, as he related this the
same day to the writer; " now I'll not rest till we have
one thousand children within that building 1" He had
great projects when he died.  But he was no daydreamer; if his imagination devised grandly-imagination was only the pioneer of the will, energy, and ability, that could execute: imagination formed no archetypes which his creative faculty was not able to realize
in the actual.
29




CHAPTER XXVIII.
PREACHING-ACADEMY OF MUSIC, ETC. ETC.
WE now resume the quotation of letters, though the
selections must be few.  Most are occupied, as heretofore, with accounts of sermons and " wonderful Sabbaths."
".December 15.
"Death has been busy among us, and if you were to
visit Broome-street Meeting-house, you would see many
pews newly shadowed with mourning. It is a constant
sermon to the preacher. Yesterday, I preached on the
Transfiguration, and said that one purpose of this manifestation was to strengthen and cheer Jesus in the
prospect of death; for I cannot doubt that he was oppressed by fear of death, and shuddered on the brink of
the dark river as truly as ourselves-else he would not
have been, in all points, tempted like as we are"....
" Jan. 1859.
"MY DEAR C.
"I am so ashamed not to have written home this
week, as I have hoped each day to do, that I pause at
noon this busy day, and insert this letter between two
sermons.
"I am going to preach to-morrow, first on Baptism,
in answer to the written request of a gentleman who
wishes light....... I shall aim to treat it gently,
simply, and above all, scripturally, taking as my code




PREACHING-ACADEMY OF MUSIC, ETC.  339
and standard the accompanying tract [containing simply
the scriptural passages relating to Baptism], six hundred
copies of which are to be distributed in the pews, and
will need little comment from me. Next I shall try to
preach on Pride the Sinner's Hindrance, from Ps. iv. 10,
in which, after remarking that all the separation
between God and men is now in the opposition of the
human heart, I shall show that Pride is the stronghold
of that resistance, and opposes God in three ways:
"1. Denying the existence of a Supreme Being.
"2. Denying the fallen state of the heart-or denying
"(a) That it has no self-redeeming power-or
"(b) That it is responsible for its condition.
"3. Objecting to the plan of salvation by the Gospel.
And shall conclude by entreating my hearers to submit to God in every particular, as the only hope of
salvation.
"I have heard something of Miss Newton's Memoir,
and shall look into it. I am now reading' The Higher
Christian Life,' which would interest youz very much
indeed.  Have been dissipating recently in Hugh Miller, whom -I enjoy very much, and feasting on Ruskin,
of whom I must have spoken, for I was greatly carried
away with him.
"We had a precious, powerful day of prayer last
week, which gave us one bright convert, a gentleman
in middle life, well known, and added an impulse to our
social meetings which is wonderful."
" N. Y., Feb. 6.
"Next Sunday I am to take my turn at the Academy




340   PREACHING-ACADEM Y OF MUSIC, ETC.
of Music, and I ask your prayers that I may suitably
feel the great responsibility belonging to the task, and
have, grace given me to discharge the service to the
saving of souls. The preacher at the National Theatre
is about to desist from his labors there for the present,
and seems desirous to have me assume the post. This
I am not prepared to do, because I could not abandon
my Sunday evening meeting, which is so blessed, and
because I either could not do justice to three sermons
on the Lord's Day, or should injure my health in doing
it. But I feel a great yearning for the souls there
gathered, and shall be willing to stand in the breach at
least at intervals."
4 SAME DATE.
"Yesterday was one of our best days. A  crowd,
that occupied every procurable seat, and stood in the
door-ways, listened patiently to a sermon on' If ye love
me, keep my commandments,' and witnessed in solemn
stillness the ordinance of baptism, in which seven happy
converts put on Christ. One was a person converted
through the influence of one of our young converts...
There followed, in succession, an Episcopalian, a
Lutheran, and a Quakeress.  Of these, the first is the
mother of a little girl, baptized a month ago; the next,
a German woman, whose experience, like others I have
heard firom simple countrymen and women of her
nation, is a transparency through which shines the
work of the Holy Spirit, unmodified and unobstructed.... Is niot this an interesting company?.... Today another has come to speak to me of a timid hope
in Jesus just found; and a dear S. S. scholar tells her




PREACHING —ACADETMY OF IMUSIC ETC.  341
glad pastor how she loves the school, and has learned
to pray —so that'when she does not pray, everything
seems to go wrong all day long.'.
"Our three Sunday Schools are hard at work, and
doillo well, and the mission children are improving
somewhabt.  But they are a vicious race. We have a
large band of Tract Visiters, busily and perseveringly
going fromu house to house, though not seldom martyrs
to rudeness and ill-treatment," etc., etc.
"N., Y.Feb. 28.
"DEAR C" I perfectly agree with you that it is not in any
way wise to preach three times on a Lord's day, but
extraordinary circumstances may so:nctimes demand
the attempt, and so yesterday I followed my day's labor
by a sermon to the wild animals of the National Theatre
in Chatham Street. The building was filled full, and
mostly with young men and boys of the roughest type.
I went with a sermon in mind, but as soon as I came
upon the stage —greeted with a' Hi! hi!' and saw the
motley and uproarious crowd I had to do with, I let all
thoughts of the sermon go, and catching up the parable of the Prodigal Son, tried to interest them in that,
and succeeded in keeping most of them inside the house
and tolerably attentive.
"The service was short, and hastening back to Broomestreet, I found a full room of those who had been praying for us. My people stand by me nobly, and have
voted todpay all the expenses of the service as often as
I may officiate there; and yesterday one man, a member of the congregation only, told me I might draw on
him for the expense of a service as often as I pleased.
29-*




342   PREACHING-ACADEIMY OF MUSIC ETC.
"To-night we have our church meeting, and hope to
hear new experiences."....
Mr. Nott's sermon in the Academy of Music on Jesus
and the Resurrection, is well known through the printed
report in "The Pulpit and Rostrum."  Its powerful
effect upon the vast audience could scarcely be exaggerated in description. The immense room was densely
filled, even to the aisles and passages and the upper
"tier."   One gentleman was told by the doorkeeper
that " he had shown the last man in who could possibly
find standing-room."   At a moderate estimate, four
thousand (?) persons were present. Mr. Nott spoke as
usual without notes; his voice penetrated with ease the
farthest recesses; his youth, attractive appearance, engaging manner, and above all his simplicity, and directness, and the inspiration of the theme, irresistibly held
all suspended  on the speaker's words.   Breathless
silence reigned to the close.
He writes thus of it:
" Feb. 24.
"I did not preach the'spiritual sermon' at the
Academy, but the' Resurrection.'
"The other smacked too much of the seminary and
the recitation-room. I like the Academy and would
gladly preach there every Sunday.  I knew thie ground
of.my sermon pretty thoroughly; was calmed into solemnnity, as all seemed to be, by the imposing spectacle
of so vast a throng (it was the largest audience assom



PREACHING-ACADEMY OF MUSIC, ETC.  343
bled within walls ever preached to in America), and
though just.a little tamed by fright, I went through
what I had to say quite smoothly, with ease, and was
very sorry at the end of an hour or more to stop. That
evening, should it never be renewed, will always be delightful to remember. But I am feeling great anxiety
to hear of more definite results from it than the
solemn attention yielded for the passing hour. Can it
be, I ask myself, if the gospel was faithfully proclaimed
to such thousands, that God will not bless it to the conversion of one among the number? There is a magnetic power in a vast throng —is it all dissipated upon
their scattering?  I cannot feel quite happy over the
occasion,, until permitted to hear some one say,' There
God met me!' I begin to wish for lungs of brass and
a frame of steel, so as to throw myself into the great
preaching movement," etc.
" N. Y., April 20, 1859.
"DEAR MOTHER:.... " Bright, beautiful days we have had this
week-days which are calling out all the beauties, animate and inanimate, which New York can present.
Broadway is brilliant; the houses are turned inside
out for' cleaning,' and the Broome-street congregation
are fast shedding their feathers from grave to gay.
But I apprehend that levity, whether of dress or manner, has as little place among our people as with any
congregation of similar size and class. The reverse of
the old proverb about a'prophet's' own country is in
my case true; for I get more honor at home than




344   PREACHING-ACADEMY OF MUSIC, ETC.
abroad, finding larger congregations and better listeners here than anywhere else.
" Last Sunday was a glorious day with us, the Lord
seeming to help me preach more than for some time
past, as indeed there was need He should. I preached
in the morning on the Covenant-as made in David
for Christ and his people (2 Sam. vii. 13-15)-a noble
theme; and again on' The redemption of their soul is
precious, and it ceaseth for ever,' which made us all
solemn. Now where do you suppose I got those sermons?  I had an appointment, that was made some
weeks previous, to preach on Thursday evening of last
week at Cold Spring-a little harbor village on the
upper side of Long Island, thirty or forty miles from
New York, where there has lately been a little reviving. The day came, but with it a violent storm  of
rain. I went in the rain, but the people had given up
the expectation of having a service. But when it
was found I had really come, a small congregation
assembled, and I preached to them the sermon I had
been preparing for my own people. As in apostolic
days, they then besought that these words might be
spoken to them again, on the following day, and urged
me to remain until noon, and preach at ten o'clock,
promising me a congregation.  I thought it would be
as good a way as any to prepare for Sunday, and consented.  Next morning was bright and clear, and I
was up early, and out upon the sea shore before breakfast. The country air, the water, the grass, the Mayflowers, and the birds seemed very delightfulff to a citybound mortal, and I felt fresh and vigorous.  So I
blocked out a new sermon, and had the altogether




PREACHING-ACADEMY OF MUSIC, ETC.  845
novel sensation of preaching on a week-day forenoon,
in a quiet little village, to a very fair congregation, who
seemed to be solemnly impressed..... " Now for the sequel:-Stepping into a house
near by, where I was to lunch and take the stage, I was
introduced to two ladies, acquaintances of the family,
who had dropped in a moment on their way from
church. Pretty soon I remarked that they had been
differently introduced, one as' Sister,' the other as'Miss.' Finding thus that one of them was unconverted, I turned and invited her to tell me the true
state of her feelings upon the subject of religion.  In
an instant, before I could be aware of it, she had
sprung from her chair at my words, and fallen on her
knees in a flood of tears, sobbing out the answer,;-'Oh, Sir, I'm  very wretched!' For several minutes
there was silence, till she entreated me to pray for her,
and we all knelt down while I tried to do so; then I
talked with her. When I asked whether this was of
long standing with her, she replied,' That sermon, this
morning!' Her convictions seemed to be deep and
genuine, and her heart ready at once to yield to the
Saviour. It was a most happy occurrence to me, and
I came away in a maze of gratitude.
"There are several new cases of interest with us... 
One is that of a lady who had attended here only a
little, but came to hear the lecture on Dr. Cone, and
under that was seized with a strong desire for a better
and a holy life, which grew upon her until she has
been led to Christ! This is like the dead man raised,
by touching the prophet's bones! The memory of the
just is blessed! It does seem as though no word were




346   PRtEACHING-ACADE:MY OF MUSIC ETC.
to be spoken here without a blessing. Pray much for
us. May God pity Kennebunkport!
"Your affectionate Son."
The latter part of April and the first of May were
marked by incidents then apparently unimportant, but
connected with their sequel they possess a large and a
sorrowful meaning. Who ever knows what may be
the final result of the most trivial actions of his
life?
From different quarters of the land, moved by some
inexplicable impulses; without concert, and each
almost without a plan, seven or eight of King-man's
dearest relatives came up to New York, as if some
invisible messenger had summoned them, to look upon
his living face for the last time. They saw him, talked
with him, drank in the light of love from his eyes, and
dispersed, to meet next around his bier!
If there be no Providence, events have no cause, and
the necessary persuasions of our own consciousness
are a lie!
A letter written after his death by a sister who was
one of his visitors at this time corroborates what was
said (page 327) of the loveliness of his character, as it
impressed his associates.
" It seems to me that K. changed wonderfully those
last two years. The vast responsibilities of his great
work mellowed and softened his character.  Gentle



PREACHING-ACADEMY OF:MUSIC, irTC.  347
ness and humility became peculiarly apparent in his
whole demeanor. And what wonderful evenness and
calmness of spirit he possessed-which resulted from.
heavenly peace. His mind and heart were not at the
nmercy of the circumstances and events of the dayruled by them —but these were subject to his serenity
of soul.
"I think it was wonderful how  humble he grew
under the very circumstances, that would have exalted
most beyond themselves.
"When I was in New York in May, he said (in
reference to some remarks of mine) almost in a
whisper and with tears in his eyes.'I'll tell you in
truth —I do not feel that I am good enough for God to
send me such a great blessing. There is a great work
to be done in my own heart, and I see it more plainly
every day.'  A     HIt   saw him  in May, and she
said again and again,'His face is heavenly."' I never shall forget how I sat and gazed at him when
he sat in the desk, at an evening prayer-meeting —father
beside him —and his face' shone like an angel's.' I
thought then that I had never seen a countenance so
expressive of the purest peace and joy-it was too pure
for earth —it had no alloy in it-it was heavenly."
During the "May Anniversaries," his father and
many friends were with him. Among the pleasant
scenes of friendly intercourse, one of the most delightful was furnished by a quiet "Festival," which he
gave in honor of his Rochester friends.  Professors
and former pupils mingled here. A brief address made




348  PREACHING-ACADEIMY OF MUSIC, ETC.
by his father, is held in tender remembrance by many.
Its theme was-" I am passing away-my work is nearly
finished-my son rises up to wear my armor."




CHAPTER XXIX.
HIS  LAST ACTS AND WORDS —IEATH.
THE logic of events is often, to appearance, faulty.
An expected, and, so far as visible data are concerned,
a legitimate sequence fails to occur, and instead-an
issue that blankly negatives, if that were possible, the
plain facts that preceded! A sudden calamitous event
frequently stuns with its illogicalness, before it overwhelms us with its woe. Thus, indeed, the heart is
spared; more hearts would be broken but for this;
a blow falls first on the reason, and amazes it with the
sense of contradiction; reason staggers to and froback to what she knew-forward to what seemsnot believing both are real-doubtful which is the lie;
reason must recover, and be able to comprehend the
sorrow, before she can wholly reveal it to the heart.
To what did all things point, in the condition of
Kingman Nott-that happy spring of 1859-to what
did all things point, but to long life, and growing transcendent usefulness?  So many fortunate traits; so
complete a character; so great and various abilities;
such power of persuasion, attraction and command;
a spirit, so purified; withal, such vitality, such far-anticipating vigor; for what had these gifts been corn30




350    HIS LAST ACTS AND  W:OORDS-DEATH[
munitcated, for what had such a being been constituted
and disciplined, why this care in the preparation of an
instrument, unless for some long-continued, perhaps
toilsome but noble service?
Yet the youthful pastor, in the full vigor of his
powers, usefulness, and hopes, was now hasteningnot to higher achievements-but to the grave.  Nothing foretokened it; his step was elastic, his path
broad, smooth, and prosperous to the verge. Yet, had
he no presentiment?  Already  what he wrote in
college has been quoted:" I have often thought that my career might be brief. Often
have I in imagination gone through the parting scene. And if
death should call me away before you, dear mother, be assured
it cannot take me by surprise."
In a memorandum book of 1859, a book that was
but little used, the following affecting and solemn
entry stands almost alone. The date is his birthday
— the last.
"TUESDAY EVENING, March 22, 1859.
"One cannot help sometimes thinking whether he
is likely to live to an old age, or be cut down early.
I am not fitted to die now, shall I ever be more so x
I hope I may.  At any rate, I must be reminded
that I am now fairly into the heat of the day, and
the night will soon  come. Already my life's work
seems short in prospect.  It will very soon be all
over-and for ever!  How insane to trifle! I ought




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATIH.    351
to be more earnest and single-hearted.  God forgive
the past —and for the future make me better-holier
-teach me to pray-and to preach!"
There is a sad interest, as the termination of his
course approaches, in observing narrowly his conduct
and his bearing. We know, though he did not, that
he was doing his last deeds and speaking his last words.
Were these becoming? Were they what he would have
wished? Were they such as must deepen the tenderness
of our recollections, and soothe sorrow with the consolation that there was nothing, till the very close, to wish
unchanged?
His last words are contained in a few remaining
letters, of which we transcribe two or three-exhibiting
his earnest joyousness, his grateful appreciation and
relish of all the kind gifts of God, and the cherished
plans which occupied his last days on earth.
The first is addressed to his father, after the return
of the latter from the " Anniversaries."
" NEW YORK, June 6.
" M  DEAR FATHER:
" I am afraid you will think I did not much appreciate your visit, if I (apparently) so soon forget you.
But it is the old cry-bewilderingly busy-too much
so to write, but not too much so to think, to remember
and to love. I feel constantly grateful for your brief
stay with me, when I find what a treasure the recollection of it is. I hope that your future pilgrimages
to New York may be many and frequent.




352    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.
".I Mas amused to find yotr^ pen, as in your last letter,
proffering condolence for the loneliness of my estate,
and I said, 6 Is Saul also among the prophets?' Did I
seem to you so very lonely? At least, I can boldly
say, that the idea could only have been inferred-that
no complaint has been caught from my unwary lips.
No; I don't think that I am given to any sentiment in
this matter. I have never taken up the lyric,
"' It is not that my lot is low,
That bids the silent tear to flow;
It is not grief that makes me moan,
It is that I amn all alone!'
"I invariably feel that if ever a mortal had reason to
be grateful for his lot, I, above all others. Daily contentment attends my busy round, and more than contentment-an active satisfaction.  Daily I murmur (my
only murmur!)'The lines have fallen unto me in
pleasant places-yea, I have a goodly heritage.' And
when I walk about Zion, and tell the towers thereof,
and mark her bulwarks, joy possesses my heart, and I
say,' All my springs are in Thee!'
" And as for going to a lone home at night, I obviate
that difficulty by going so late and so tired, that I' thank
God for sleep,' and am speedily beyond all cares. And
in the morning, I do not think I ever begin a day without at a glance seeing each hour filled in prospect,
until bed-time again.
"But then I live with people all the while.  There
are always a special dozen or so at a time, whom I
carry about in my heart; usually religious inquirers,
and with whom I am carrying on mental conversations




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.   353
even when no one is near. I find, as my pastorate
lengthens, that my burdens increase, but this weight is
a pleasant pressure.  I have been trying to gain the
confidence of people, and now begin to receive the
penalty of any success I may have had, by being called
upon to share all sorts of sorrows or of joys. It surprises me to discover how dependent the mass of people
are. How very few ever learn to go alone! And if
one does, he is compelled to spend more than half his
strength in supporting the tottering," etc., etc.)
A second letter is written fromn the Highlands.
"THE LOCUSTS, AT NEW HAMI}BURGH, ON THE IHUDSON,
June 10, 1859.'DEAR C -:
" I must write you a word from this most beautiful
place.  I am in the midst of the finest scenery I ever
saw. So much natural beauty is seldom seen around
a mortal.  I came up here, yesterday, on invitation
from my friend —, to enjoy the hospitalities of his
country-seat for a day or two, and nothing but duty
would drag me away from here to-morrow.
" On Wednesday night I preached at the Presbyterian
church, at Tubby Hook, for the benefit of several of my
own parishioners, who live near there.  This is at the
upper end of Manhattan Island, on the high borders of
the Hudson.  Mr. H. took me in the morning to the
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, etc., etc. Then we drove up
to Yonkers, where a great many New Yorkers residethen the cars for this place.
"I write in an elegant library, which looks down the
30-X




354    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDIS —DEATH.
river, and up, and across it. Yesterday we drove out,
and visited some of the most beautiful of the estates on
the river.  Such loveliness I had not imagined. I
want to tell you about there, and about the people
some time; do not fail to remind me. At evening, we
walked out by moonlight, and this morning had a
grand horseback excursion, in which I got along
famously, till my horse fell, and threw  me off-unharmed. This afternoon we take a boat-row and tomorrow (if I stay) Mr.-    and myself go in saddle
to visit Idlewild, etc.
"I have just retreated for the ostensible purpose of
making a sermon, but found it necessary first to relieve
my excitement, by at least this trifling effusion to you.
Beautiful-beautiful region! Delightful friends, tooI wish you were with me to enjoy it all. I know you
would be enthusiastic.
"But I must to work. So in much love to allgood bye.
"Your affectionate brother,
" KINGMAN."
The following letter malres reference-near the close
-to a sermon, one of the last he ever preached, and
which is said to have made an unusual impression.
"'NEW YORK, Junze, 1859.
"DEAR MOTHER:
" I think it must be as long a time since I wrote
you as anybody, so here I am once more, your dutiful
son. And I am before you in good condition. Last
spring I was going through with my acclimation, but




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.   355
this season I am in superb health and spirits, so as
almost to begin to question the necessity of vacating
New York at all during the summer. At any rate, if
you see it announced that the Rev. Mr. Nott, D.D., lias
joined the clerical squadron of European tourists, don't
think of adding that it is for his health he goes.
" I had a good quiet time last week, with the unexciting varieties of my pastoral life. For instance, on
Wednesday, went to prayer-meeting at eight; made
part of a sermon; looked over twenty odd Rutgers' Institute compositions, by the young ladies, selecting the
best for a premium; attended the Spingler Institute
commencement, where one of my lambs graduated;
conducted a funeral at one; went-home to dinner; another funeral at two; made four or five calls in different
parts of the town; home to tea; officiated at a wedding
at eight; and finished with a musical soiree at the
Spingler, and a call on Dea. and Mrs. —, to congratulate them on the successful completion of their daughter's education.  Went to bed, and do not recollect
whether or not I felt lonely.
" Last week was also distinguished as witnessing my
long contemplated visit to L. New Haven looks fresh,
and so does our L.
" We had another perfect day for the Sabbath, and I
preached to full houses. In the afternoon my own uptown people fall off very much, but their places are supplied by strangers and those of other churches.  I enjoyed one sermon unusually well, firom the wordsIf it were not so, I would have told you.' Ah! I wish
that I might oftener revel in such experiences! But
they are only very occasional. Only once or twice




3 6    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATIH.
since being a pastor, have I been lifted quite so high.
Sometimes I feel that such occurrences become more
occasional; sometimes I indulge a hope that the future
may secure them to me more frequently. I am quite sure
that I have yet to learn how to make and how to preach
sermons.  May the Great Teacher instruct," etc.
The next is the last letter to his father:"June 27, 1859.' DEAR FATHER:..... "Two or three new inquirers presented
themselves to-day. I hope there may be prayer and
faith enough in us-the church-to pray theml into the
]king'dom. But I fear we are falling behind in this
regard.  I fear there is not a universal and longing
desire for the conversion of souls. How strange that
the mass will tire even of this, and appear almost content to rest.....
" I preached at Nyack last week for Dr. Devan's
church.  This week I am going down to Long Island
a day or two to preach. This island is our Aroostook,
our Sehard, I might almost say. For summer vacation I am balancing between three weeks of labor in
evangelizing that region, and the same period of quiet
retirement, with study and meditation, at home (i.e.,
Kennebunkport).  I certainly need to'go apart.  My
heart's desire is to receive in some way a fresh anointing for my work.  One looses hold of many strings
that slip through his fingers in a year's time, and needs
to gather up anew," etc.....




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS- DEATHE.   357
The anticipated summer vacation was at hand. His
plan had been matured. He had decided to occupy
most of the time with a missionary tour on Long
Island. One more Sabbath intervened-July 3d-the
first Sabbath in the month, the day for baptism and
communion. On the succeeding Monday he was to
take the outside steamer for Portland, intending a visit
of a few days to his father and family; and then
meaning immediately to return and enter upon his projected labors. He anticipated with great exhilaration
the whole,-the short sea voyage, the visit, the tour.
IHe began, truly, to be in need of rest. Upon Sunday he was ill; a vacation would doubtless restore him
to full strength and elasticity, but his vigor had certainly now become much impaired. On Sabbath morning, near church-time, a deacon called. He had not
risen; he lay weak and pale, but was cheerful, and
lightly ridiculed what he called his unmanly, and of
course temporary prostration. "Oh I can preach," he
said; " I shall preach."  " No, no, you must not leave
your bed to-day, we shall insist." He answered by
endeavoring to rise, but fell back-too weak to stand.
(Another minister, Rev. Dr. Church, was applied to at
the last moment, and preached in the morning.)  A
favorite sister, L., who happened to be visiting him at
the time, sat by his bedside during the forenoon. He
talked much, speaking chiefly of sermons he intended
to preach, and of plans for doing good. "I need an




358    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.
occasional break down," he said once;'" God prostrates me sometimes, to remind me of my dependence
on Him: I forget it, and trust too much in my own
strength."
Though obliged to succumb in the morning, he
had absolutely determined that no degree of physical
disability. should altogether prevent his sharing in the
interesting public services of the day. Sheer force of
will prevailed against infirmity.
By his order a carriage came to take him to the
church in time for the baptismal service, after the morning sermon. He lay for a time upon a lounge in the study,
helpless as a child.  Then the baptizing robes were
put on him.  lie walked almost totteringly across the
threshold of the church door, trod more firmly up the
aisle, was erect as a soldier the instant he stepped upon
the platform, where an open baptistery greeted him; the
natural color began faintly to flush his cheeks; his eye
kindled. He went down into the water, and for the
last time officiated in the ordinance of baptism. In the
afternoon he preached a short sermon, and administered
the communion, aided by the Rev. Dr. Hill, who had
long been one of his congregation. At the close of
the service he said, " Now I am  a well man."  From
that hour he seemed to grow strong again. It was a
lnarked victory of the spiritual part over the material.
What can we not do when, in the next world, our
bodies are spiritual too?




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS —DEATH.   359
The intended embarkation for Portland the next day
did not occur. The reasons which he saw for the
postponement are told in the following letter.  God's
reasons were soon made manifest.
"DEAR BRO. HILLMAN:
"It was not until Saturday afternoon that I reluc
tantly dropped my plan for a sea-voyage this week,
finding that my invited guests all seemed to fail me.
You were left alone, and I hardly dared to hope you
would feel like undertaking it.
"I feel just like it to-day, and believe I should start
off with you alone, if it were not for unfortunate engaygements which I allowed to be pressed upon me as soon
as I relinquished this, and which now bind me beyond
all release.
"I shall go as soon as I can, and I hope you will not
fail to take my sea-board home in Maine during your
summer travels.
"The Lord go forth with you, my dear brother.
"Sincerely yours,
"Tuesday.                           "A. K. N."
The original letter bears the following endorsement:
[Rec'd after his burial, July 11th, 1859.]
According to his custom  of preaching in country
places on Wednesday evenings, he had accepted an
appointment for Wednesday July 6th. This was the
"engagement... which bound him beyond all release."




360   HIIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.
Upon the New Jersey side of that narrow frith which,
on the west of Staten Island, connects New York harbor
with the ocean, at the distance of about twenty miles
from the metropolis, stands, close on the shore, the old
village of Perth Amboy. It was here that Mr. Nott,
consenting to invitations repeatedly and kindly urged,
had arranged to preach.
It was with no slight difficulty that he contrived to
keep his word. Obstacle after obstacle opposed. The
eagerly anticipated excursion to Portland must be put
off. His best friends, meeting him here and there,
said, " Do not go; you are not fit; you cannot bear the
trip; to preach will make you ill." Persuasions, in
some instances importunate, were added to deprecation.
His physician positively forbade his departure. Invitations came to go elsewhere, from friends ignorant of
his intentions; one in particular, most urgent, and
which he declined with the greatest reluctance and
disappointment. Finally, his sister L. says this:
"Several times, when he was so weak, I begged him
not to go to Perth Amboy, and told him he would certainly be unable to preach the next Sabbath if he was
not careful. He said, with such earnestness as startled
me,' L. we know not what a day may bring forth.'. Several times he repeated this, and I overheard him saying
it to himself."
His " engagement bound him beyond all release,"
because it was with the bond of a divine decree!




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.   361
Tuesday was a busy day. There were many calls,
and engagements to fulfil with his sister and other
friends. Throughout the day there was, for some reason-partly, no doubt, from his physical languor, an
appearance of unusual sweetness and, seriousness in his
demeanor. When alone with his sister he was thoughtful. " Once," she says, "in the midst of conversation
Kingman paused, with a startled look-' God is angry
with the wicked every day-how fearful!' he said, then
pursued the conversation."
On Tuesday evening he lectured as usual. The day
and the day preceding had been so crowded with occupations as scarcely to have allowed time for the smallest preparation. After supper he made haste, in company with L., down to the study. Before he had opportunity to secure the door there was an interruptionthen another-and only a few moments remained before
the time for lecture. "Now, L., keep perfectly quiet,"
he said; and seizing his Bible, opened to a passage,
fastened his eye upon it for a moment, and then, rising
suddenly, ran as fast as he could-on tiptoe-round and
round the table, with his hands clasped to his forehead,
and then all at once exclaiming " I have got it-let us
go," walked quietly into the lecture room, and spoke
with his accustomed connectedness, fluency, and power.
The incident proves, doubtless, a highly excited state
of the brain.
On Wednesday morning a pleasant company, con



362    HIS LAST ACTS AND TVWORDS —DEATH.
sisting of himself and his sister, with two intimate and
dear friends (whose goodness of heart and active kindness are deserving of most grateful remembrance) went,
by steamboat, to Perth Amboy. The passage ordinarily
occupies two hours, and the scenery is more charming
than can be described. Kingman seemed even more
than usually appreciative of whatever was beautiful, and
spoke many times of his love of the water. " Next to
being a Christian minister," he said, " I would like to be
a sea-captain."
His sermon that evening was essentially the same he
had preached in other places, the text being from
1 John ii. 1, " If any man sin, we have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
L. remarks: "A stranger in the congregation said,'That young man prays as if he was almost in Heaven!"
He read, for singing, the hymns,
"While thee I seek, protecting power;"
and
"In the cross of Christ I glory."
He said that these were two of his favorite hymns, particularly the last, and that he always selected these when
he preached away from home, and found a book that
contained them.
Accounts agree in representing that the sermon was
extraordinary in earnestness and power.  He seemed
to preach aunder a presentiment.  His mind and heart




,HIS LAST ACTS. AND WORDS-DEATI.   363
overflowed with vivid thought and emotion.  He continued speaking a full hour, scarcely able to break off
his earnest exhortations-nay, entreaties.  He closed;
he glanced lovingly and lingeringly upon the assembly,
as though still -reluctant to bid farewell; he gave the
benediction-and his last work on earth for God was
ended; the last message had been spoken; his mission
was completed, and the account sealed till the Last
Day.
The next morning dawned bright and beautiful. It
had been his purpose to return immediately to New
York, but he willingly yielded to thle perslulsiols (,f
friends to remain through one day, in the hope of rest,
pleasure, and new strength.  In the forenoon he joined
a sailing party, and went down the bay. His happiness was exuberant..  "Never," says a companion, " did
I see him so full-so overflowing with enjoyment."
The party returned and landed.  "I saw that young
man when he came fiom the boat," remarked an old.
fisherman afterwards; "he was worn out: I saw his
look."
All proceeded to the house of the kind friends whose
hospitality he was enjoying.  A cheerful company was
gathered in the parlor reading, talking, playing. Mr.
Nott had just entered, coming fiom his own private
room, where afterwards a Bible was found open upon
the table, showing what his employment had been.
Presently a young lad came gaily to the door, and look



36 4    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.
ing around, said, " Who would like to go and bathe?
Who will go?"  "I will most cettainly-I never refuse
an invitation of that kind!" said Mr. Nott, laughing,
and springing eagerly to his feet.  At that instant the
performer at the piano was playing a familiar, touching melody: Mr. Nott listened, paused, then walked
slowly to the instrument, and leaning upon it, joined
softly in the song. It was this:
"My days are gliding swiftly by,
And I, a pilgrim stranger,
Would not detain them as they flyThose hours of toil and danger I' For oh! we stand on Jordan's strand,
Oar friends are passing over:
And just before, THE SHINING SHORE
We may almost discover!'
The pianist left the instrument, and Mr. Nott, with
one fiiend and the young lad, went from  the house.
L. looked after them, smiling, " We shall see you
again in a few minutes, I suppose-and no doubt much
refteshed!"
A steep bank terraced, and planted with shrubbery
and flowers, —flowers to the last, for him to whom they
were such a delight!-descends abruptly, in the rear of
the house, to the water's brink —a fence alone dividing
the garden from the narrow gravelly beach which the
tide washes. A little bathing-house stands just within
the enclosure.  Kingman and his friends were soon
arrayed in their bathing-suits, and ran gaily to the
31




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.   2365
stream. A slight indentation on the shore, with a
wharf projecting at one side, forms here a miniature
harbor, where small vessels anchor and boats are fastened.  Mr. Nott struck boldly out; he swam easily
and well, and with vigor not soon tasked: but he chose
not to go into the main current, contenting himself near
the shore, with the most leisurely movements and quiet
enjoyment of the luxurious coolness of the water. His
friend, after a very little time, became tired, and returned
to the bathing-house. The lad soon prepared to follow.
Mr. Nott said, "I am not ready yet; do not wait for
me."'  The youth looked back and saw him  lying
on' the water, calmly floating, looking upward, and
absorbed in contemplation of the sky, over which light
clouds, tinged variously with the rays of the afternoon
sun, were passing. The lad saw distinctly his face;
its look of tranquil enjoyment and wonder, and heard
him say, "How beautiful the sky is!"
Five minutes later he looked again,-and the bather
was not in sight.  Perplexed; then fancying he had
swam to the wharf; and might be ascending it, the youth
hastened thither-vainly! Then supposing he might be
concealed by the boats that were anchored in the cove,
he called his name; but there came no answer.  In
great terror the lad hurried to the house, and not
alarming all, called one or two.  These ran to the
bank, took a boat; they knew where he had last been
seen, and, rowing to the place, they found where his




366 6    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.
body lay.  His face was still turned upward to the
sky; it was as placid as when last seen.  Thus he
rested! The vision of the beautiful sky was exchanged
for the vision of Heaven!
The depth of the water was a little less than his own
height. He might have stood there, and breathed the
air. It was a visitation of God-God had called him
home.
What was the immediate occasion of his death, can
only be surmised. If cramps had seized him, he might
have cried for assistance, or would have struggled.  He
had evidently sunk without a stroke of hand or foot.
lie lay as he might have been lying on the surface of
the water.   Probably-in  a condition  of greater
exhaustion than he knew, and with a brain of late too
often excited and over-strained, the sudden chillness of
the water had caused a congestion, with which he died
instantly.
The body was borne to the house. L. soon knew.
Alas! her farewell had not been a final one; those
were not "last words!"
Soon, at her request, despatches were sent to his
firiends.
His father, at Kennebunkport, was in his study; his
mother, singing at her household work.
H-Iis eldest sister-lightly chattering with her little
children and directing their sport.
Two sisters, in a town remote fiom home, were




HIS LAST ACTS AND WOiRDS-DEATH.   367
engaged in the pleasant employments of their
school.
A brother, at a Theological Seminary, was in the
recitation-room, where the final public examination of
the course was just commenced.
Upon each, thus busy, light-hearted, and hopeful,
fell-at nearly one and the same hour —the thunderbolt! Thus it is in life; tragedy unpreluded: the
events of another sphere vague in their greatness, and
terrible-abruptly intervening among the easy, natural,
quiet, recognizable sequences of this!
On Fridav, July 8th, these friends, summoned from
different quarters, were hastening to meet in New
York.  The morning of the same day the steamer
from Perth Amboy-her flag at half-mast-ran up the
bay, with her little company of heavy-hearted ones,
"And her dark freight-a vanished life."
The sad news had already reached the city and had
touched with lively sorrow the hearts of multitudes.
Far beyond the circle of his own church and his personal intimacies, there were thousands who felt the
shock as if they had lost a dear and valued fiiend.
His personal influence had been so widely extended, it
had been so powerful and pure, that when his star shot
from the zenith, all who ever saw its ray mourned the
extinction of a beautiful, tender, and inspiring light.
If such was the universal feeling, even where only




368    HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.
his name had gone, what was it among the religious
population of the city-what was it in his church?
" We have no words to describe the effect of the news,"
remarked "The Examiner"; " every Christian man
whom  we met, without respect to the denomination
with which he was identified, referred to the event with
those tearful expressions of grief that are common to a
great personal bereavement."
Words, truly, have no power to describe grief. It
would be only an impertinence, then, to dwell longer on
the present theme.  But the affecting tributes to his
memory by hundreds of mourners who seemed brokenhearted, the extraordinary strength of personal attachment immediately developed to view on the part of the
entire membership of his church, and a very large
number of his congregation, are almost passing credence-attachment, too, which they who now mingle
with his people, must feel was so genuine and so much
a part of their life that it suffers no perceptible decay
with tirne,-these it was fit thus to indicate, though
they cannot be described.
His body lay, on Saturday, at the house of Dr. Bigelow, on Sixth-street, where his contented home had been.
Hundreds thronged the steps, the passages, and the
silent room where his loved form was placed, all day.
Poor women, to whom  he had never spoken but perhaps a casual word; children, who had sometime met
the smile of his kindly eye, or felt the affectionate touch




HIS LAST ACTS AND WORDS-DEATH.    369
of his hand, converts, old pilgrims, came, and many with
sobs, to look once more upon his face, or kiss his lips.
It is a fact, that, to many, in gazing upon his face,
grief was almost smitten back to its source in the heart,
by the wonder, solemnity, and all the effects of the
"powers of the world to come," that filled the soul
from the serene beauty of his countenance.  Death had
conquered him, but-it was unmistakable-he lay there
a conqueror. Death, which seemed at first to stand
terrible; triumphant, exulting, sneering, by the bier,
shrank away, vanished; was among the things of transient, disappearing, unimportant time, while eternity
rushed around and transported the beholder instantly to
the realm of the real, the enduring, and the changeless.
In the look of his face could be seen what life really is,
not its manifestations-its weak, struggling phenomena
here in mortality, but in its essence.  It was seen that
life in essence is holy and partakes of the' eternal; that
all else is death, and that to what is else death is
limited.
And there was not one, also, that did not feel that
Christ Jesus lives, and is exalted, and has a kingdom.
The signet with which he presses the brow of his dead,
bears the stamp of his love, his victory and his promises.
The funeral took place on Sunday. It was in his
own church on Broome-street. There was no sermon.
Addresses were made by Rev. Dr. Cuyler, of the Dutch
Reformed Church, Rev. Dr. Williams, Rev. Dr. Adams,




3 7 0           FUNERAL SERVICES.
Presbyterian, and Rev. Dr. Robinson, who had been
his dearly loved and revered instructor in Theology, at
Rochester.  "The Examiner " says, "The large meeting-house was filled to its utmost capacity, and the
street in front of it was thronged by multitudes who
could find no admission.  The number present, in and
outside the house, is variously estimated at from five to
eight thousand. There is no doubt that at least six
thousand persons were there.  The most impressive
testimony to the excellence of the deceased, was the
heartfelt grief manifested by the thousands who sought
the opportunity to look once more upon the placid face
of him who there slept in death. Hundreds of these
passed before his remains in uncontrollable sorrow. It
was a scene never to be forgotten."
The coffin was borne to the church firom the residence
of Dr. Bigelow,. in Sixth-street; the pall-bearers, Rev.
Messrs. Somers, Dunbar, Weston, Danforth, Sarles
Evans, Norton, Pendleton, Pelts, walking by its side.
It was affecting to see the venerable Dr. Somers, and
the veteran yet still vigorous Dunbar, holding the pall
over the remains of their young brother who had fallen
in the early morning of his earthly career.
The long procession on foot which followed the
coffin, rendered a more  appropriate and touching
tribute of affection, than any pompous show of sorrowful trappings could have done.
A more detailed account of the funeral services




ADDRESSES AT HIS FUNERAL.           371
and of the remarks made on the occasion is here
copied from the New York Chronicle:"The body was borne up the aisle to the front of
the pulpit.
"On the coffin lay a couple of wreaths of immortelles
and other flowers. The hymn beginning
"Brother, thou art gone to rest;
We will not weep for thee,"
was sung in solemn strains as the coffin was carried up
the aisle.  Rev. Dr. Hill, Secretary of the Home
Mission Society, opened the services by appropriate
remarks.
Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, of the Dutch Reformed
Church, then read a portion of the Scriptures, and
addressed the congregation.
" He said he hoped no one had come to listen to
studied addresses or eloquent orations, but that they
had assembled to pay with their hearts the tribute of
grief. The pulpit, where so lately he stood, all health
and strength, is now too early empty, and that coffin
too early full. Said the speaker: How that beloved
young man came among you, what he did for you, and
how he has left you, are the three things which I shall
briefly present to you.  But two short years have
passed since he came among you, fresh fiom the halls
of learning, to take the weighty responsibility of a




372       ADDRESSES AT HIS FUN'ERAL.
church in a great metropolitan city. For one as young
and inexperienced as he, it was certainly no easy task,
no light struggle for himn to stand before a congregation
where such a preacher as SPENCER CONE had ministered and uttered his brilliant truths.  We little
dreamed that the time was soon to come, when he
would cease from his labors and be called home to his
reward. But his work was done -he has more than
fulfilled the brightest hopes of his kindred, friends,
instructors, and brethren, who on this spot so lately
gave him the right hand of fellowship, and welcomed
him to his field of toil. During his ministry, no church
in the city has enjoyed greater prosperity.
"The fame which he has already gained-and it is no
ordinary thing for one so young as he-the fame he
has won and the affection he has drawn to him, was
pure, legitimate and deservedly sacred. He sought no
notoriety by illegitimate means, he sought not the
public; the public sought him, and hung upon his lips
to hear the words his Master gave him. The fame
which attended him was that which attends God's
truth, earnestly, clearly spoken. Such was his ministry, with you his glory was; he preached Christ, he
loved Christ, and pointed souls the way to Christ; and
the hundreds who have already welcomed the cross of
Christ are the seals of his ministry. Could he open
those pallid lips and speak to us firom the realms of
glory, he would say to us his brother ministers, Preach
Christ alone, and him crucified. But four days ago he
left us-last Sabbath he was with you, taking part in
a service most dear to a preacher who loves his flockthe commemoration of the great act of his Saviour and of




ADDRESSES AT HIS FUNERAL.         373
ours. His words were those then of a dying man, and
his sublime utterances of the truth yet ring in your
ears. He went from you, but he bade none of you
good bye; there was no bitter pang at parting; you
expected to-day to see him in his accustomed place.
He parted from you, and soon he parted from friends
nearer still to him, yet bade them no good bye; he
parted from one who had been his playmate from childhood, and bade her no good bye. He went on to his
last hour of suffering with no eye upon him but his
God's, and no arm beneath him but his Saviour's.
Over his last hour hangs, to-day, a pall of unbroken
mystery, placing it beyond mortal ken; yet, who can
doubt that in that last struggle with death, his soul
rose from his sinking frame, to legions of angels awaiting him, crying,'Oh, Death, where is thy sting? Oh,
Grave, where is thy victory?'  [HIere sobs and weeping were heard in all parts of the house.]  His record
is on high; his memory is in the-hearts of his beloved
people.  I would not, to-day, exchange the crown
which rests upon that brow, for the crown of empires.
To-day is he welcomed by those who have gone on
before, and who now join with him in singing the
praises of him who died, that man might live."
Tears were shed freely by many during the remarks
of young Mr. Cuyler. Rev. Dr. Armitage offered a
prayer, during which the weeping still continued
throughout the house. Rev. H. J. Weston, of the
Oliver Street Baptist church, then read the 749th
hymn, which was sung. Prof. Robinson, of the Theo32




3 74      ADDRESSES AT HIS FUNERAL.
logical Seminary at Rochester, next addressed the
audience. He spoke in substance as follows:
"My heart is too full for articulate utterance. I am
to-day too much of a mourner to speak to you otherwise than in broken catches, of one whom Ir have intimately known as a cherished pupil, a dear friend and a
Christian minister. This is no time for formal preaching. With this church I can say, the waves and the
billows have gone over us. Summoned from duties,
from festivities even, I may say, of which our young
brother was once a joyous participant, I have come
merely to speak to you from the feelings of my heart
— to join with you in an humble trust to God that He
will show us why lie has so afflicted us, and to mingle
my utterance and my prayers with yours over this
bier. Stunned as well as blinded, I can do but little
else than grasp for a few of those great truths upon
which, in times of affliction like this, we lay hold and
feel strength. Our young.brother is not here, for God
has taken him-it is a simple but a great truth —God
has taken him. God is a sovereign, He hath done it
in His wisdom; it is not a misfortune; it is not an
accident; it is but a part of the purpose of our God,
as much a purpose as was the beginning of his existence.  God gave, and at the appointed moment Ile
hath taken away: let us lay hold upon that truth, that
is an act for good of a sovereign God. Every circumstance accompanying that death seemed to point it out
as especially an act of God. It was.not the result of
carelessness or tte neglect of any one. In consequence
of an invitation extended months ago, he went over to




ADDRESSES AT HITS FUNERAL.         375
New Jersey last week, to preach a sermon in the evening.  He did preach a long and faithful discourse,
praying, as a brother present says, with unwonted
fervor and devotion. The next morning he went on a
fishing excursion, and it was only by the most trivial
incident, an inquiry at dinner for bathing dresses, that
the company went out bathing during the afternoon.
While out with his companions, playfully diving and
sporting in the water, with no eye to witness it, no
outcry, no commotion of the water, he sank so quietly,
so peacefully to rest, that no one knew it until he was
gone. God took him, not by accident, but in His own
sovereign way He said to him,'Thy work is done,
come up higher.' I have felt, then, that it is well for
us, here, at this moment, bowed down as we are, to lay
hold with an unrelenting grasp upon this truth, that
God is a sovereign infinitely wise and good, who even
chastiseth us for our benefit.  It is a wise providence.
Oh how difficult for us to believe that it is a wise
providence, that it is for the best that he should go, as
he did, and when he did, I know that to our weak faith
this seems almost like a dagger. Even the Bible itself,
speaking as it sometimes does in paradox, seems hard
for us to believe; how difficult then, for us to feel that
our dear brother should be taken away from us, as
who can say that the day of death is better than the
day of one's birth? Our brother lived briefly, and he
lived well, and now his work is done. Not two years
since, I, with another brother, placed my hands on his
head in solemn ordination. IHe then bade fair for a long
and most useful life; and how difficult for us now to
see the wisdom  of God so taking him  away."  The




3 7G       ADDRESSES AT HIS FUNERAL.
speaker then referred to the extraordinary command
possessed by the deceased over his faculties, and remarked, " He was not a genius in the ordinary acceptation of the term. His was the genius of patient,
untiring labor.  He possessed a rare combination of
excellent qualities, and was especially known for his
cheerful, earnest and devoted piety, and his life of
Christian activity commenced while he was yet at
college.  At that early period of his life he was noted
for his endeavors to save his companions from the ways
of sin, and took every opportunity of addressing those
who would hear him, on the riches of the Redeemer's
grace.  I-lad he known from his earliest years, when
he should lie still and cold in the mighty frost of
death, he could not have devoted himself more zealously to the service of his God. Ever since his ministry in the First Baptist Church, he has not confined
his energies solely to that field, but has been in the
habit of visiting, preaching, and exhorting, on the outskirts of the city, and in the neighboring villages,
whenever men would come to hear him, or he could
find a pulpit open to him."' In his remarks the speaker
paid this tribute to Mr. Nott's efficiency.  " He did not
preach a single sermon here, or in the surrounding
towns, fiom which he has not subsequently heard, as
having been blessed by God with the conversion or
awakening   of some soul, and it is rare for a young man
to, as he did, add to his church within two years, over
two hundred members."  In conclusion, the speaker
said, "We mourn not so much him  as the hopes of
usefulness buried with him; but neither he nor the
hopes buried with him are for ever lost to us; they shall




ADDRESSES AT HIS FUNERAL.          387
come again and shall meet us at the judgment seat of
Christ. He has gone to a higher sphere-let us prepare to follow him."
"Professor Robinson was followed by Rev. Dr. Adams,
of the Presbyterian church, who cited, as a sort of
parallel to the case, the death of Rev. Mr. Spencer, of
Liverpool, who was drowned while bathing in the
Mersev. He said, "Let us be still and know that this
is God. But last Sabbath a preacher of the gospel,
now he lies before you, preaching yet more eloquently
than ever from those cold and pallid lips. Ah, could
he but now open them, and break the silence of the
grave, what might he not tell us of the glories which
have burst so suddenly upon his view. The best
tribute of your affection is your remembrance of the
many great truths he has uttered to you, and your faith
in them."
"Dr. Adams then offered prayer, after which the
1284th hymn was sung. There being a general wish
to see the deceased once more before his consignment
to the grave, an arrangement was made by which the
persons in each section of seats in the body of the
chiurch, and afterwards those in the galleries, were
allowed to pass in order before the coffin, as it stood
in front of the pulpit, and cast a glance on the
beloved face.
After all who were in the house, except the clergy
32*




3'78      ADDRESSES AT HIS FUNERAL.
and immediate friends, had viewed the remains, and
left the church, the large crowd who had waited over
two hours outside the church, unable to obtain admittance because of the throng, were allowed to enter and
pass round before the coffin. This occupied some time,
during which the utmost silence and solemnity pervaded the church, notwithstanding the vast numbers
going in and out. Last of all the various ministers
went forward and took a last look at the body of their
young brother. It was five o'clock before the exercise
closed. The procession then formed and moved to the
cemetery in  Second street.  The people gathered
around, and after singing, the pall was removed and
the coffin, with a single lily lying at its head, was lowered into the vault. The father of the deceased, Rev.
H. G. Nott, then gave the benediction as follows:
" Blessed are they who die in the Lord: Yea, saith
the Spirit, they rest from their labors, and their works
do follow them. He being dead yet speaketh. May
the love of Jesus Christ, through whom he preached
the resurrection and life now be given. The love of
God, our Father in Heaven, and the fellowship of the
Spirit abide with us all, and for ever. Amen!" all responded.
In the following December the remains were removed
to Greenwood, and placed in a lot then first provided
by the First Baptist Church. A granite obelisk, erected




DR. CHURCHIS REMARKS.             3 7 9
by the Broome-street congregation, and inscribed with
the names of all their pastors, marks the place where
he now lies.
In place of any extended remarks of our own, it may
be fitting that we should quote from some of many discriminating and genial tributes which the life and death
herein feebly pictured, called forth. Dr. Church in the
Chronicle observed that, among other characteristics.
"Mr. Nott was always remarkable for the perfect
availableness of his powers on all occasions. His reasoning was a sort of intuition, and his faith, perception.
Thoughts and truths found in his mind a congenial
soil, instantly springing up in appropriate words and
gesticulations. His voice was full and commanding,
and his utterance perfectly easy and natural. His person was short and light, but his countenance was lively
and expressive, beaming with the sentiments of a fervid
soul.  He always in the pulpit had perfect command
of himself and his subject, and his hearers were never
apprehensive of a failure friom his youth, inexperience,
or any cause.
"One thing we will say of his people, that their
treatmernt of their young pastor is a model for all
churches in similar relations.  Their sorrow at his loss
is not embittered with the memory of unkindness to
lim while he was with them.  It has been, throughout,
one of the happiest unions of pastor and people with
which we were ever acquainted. The deacons were
always tender of his health, careful of his reputation,




380      REMARKS IN TI-E DAILY NEWS.
judicious in their advice, and the most faithful of
Aarons and Hurs to sustain his uplifted hands. Though
short, how sweet the memory of such a pastorship i
" That will never die, but will remain for ever an
occasion for gratitude and of adoring praise.
"Brother Nott," he continued, "had no partizan
connexions since he came to New York, and his union
was as perfect with brethren of one party as another;
for literally he knew no man after the flesh. Hence all
alike feel that one of themselves is gone, and over his
grave we all meet in the most cordial sympathy and
good will. So let us remain evermore."
A writer in a New York daily journal found a place
in the midst of heated political discussions and partizan
warfare to write thus on the day after his death:
"In briefly analyzing his character we observe a
combination of qualities that, as we reflect upon them
in their relations to each other, extort from us for Mr.
Nott the appellation of a model man. A bright example, worthy the imitation of all young men. He was
the moving spirit of the social circle; was tenderly
attached to his family relations and his friends; and in
the Sabbath School, where he would be found sure as
the Sabbath came, and in the Society meetings of the
Church, he always displayed the same genial disposition.
Yet he was never light nor trivial, but always conducted
himself with a dignity of bearing, and displayed a gravity and common sense in conversation, which would be
expected only in one who was more advanced in
years.




REMARKS IN T-IE DAILY NEWS.         381'
"' Especially did he always keep in view the object of
his mission, and never let pass unimproved an opportunity to enforce personal religion upon those unconverted
persons with whom he came in contact. He was noted
for his kindness to the poor and the afflicted, and the
weak always found in him a heart to sympathize and a
hand to help.
" His,intellectual attainments were of a high order.'An educated Christian' was an expression he often
used, in speaking of what individuals should be. No
words could more accurately delineate his own character. They are an epitome of himself. And an educated
Christian is the highest form of character.  His sermons displayed an originality which was the subject of
frequent remark; they were characterized by sound
doctrine, and beauty of language and of thought, and
were delivered with a grace and fervor which did not
fail to secure the attention, to convince the judgment
and to win the heart. His own fervent piety shone out
on every occasion. In conversation and at the baptisnmal service he had an appropriate word for every individual, and was endeared alike to persons of various
tastes and dispositions.
" His last ministrations were noted for piety and zeal.
He preached Christ. He was handsome in person, was
manly and independent in spirit, yet humble and gentle
as a child. The members of his Church and congregation are in great grief at their loss, for he was beloved
by every one, and was just entering on a brilliant career
of usefulness. It was remarked that on Thursday he
went into the river singing, and just before the water
covered him, asked his friends to observe how beautiful




382           DR. BRIGHT'S REMARKS.
the heavens were. How suggestive!  Singing in the
river and the heavens beautiful.  He passed through
the river of death singing, and went to realize how glorious the heavens are."
Dr. Bright, in the N. Y. Examiner, in a copious and
eloquent sketch, (July 14, 1859) remarks as follows:
"It was regarded by many as a perilous undertaking
for one so young to stand in the place of such a man as
Dr. Cone; but it is no exaggeration to say that he
proved himself to possess, in extraordinary measure, the
ripe wisdom, the ready tact, the clear-sighted discrimination, the sterling integrity, the warm-hearted nature,
and the pulpit power, necessary to make him a highly
snccessful pastor and preacher in any position.  We
gave him a large share of our heart the first time we
heard him preach, and every subsequent sermon that
we heard from him, or interview we had with him, did
but increase our respect and love for him. His preaching was without notes, and it is said that he rarely, if
ever, wrote a discourse before delivering it. But if the
half-dozen discourses we heard from him, in the ordinary ministrations of the pulpit, may be accepted as
samples of his style of elucidating and enforcing gospel
truth, he must have been an earnest and prayerful
student.  His conceptions of a subject were never commonplace, but always natural and comprehensive, his
language chaste and simple, his illustrations apt and




DR. BRIGHT'S REMARKS.             383
striking, and his elocution easy and impressive.  He
seemed to us, when standing in the pulpit, like an intelligent man with rare conversational ability, illuminating
every thought that occurred to him, and making it the
property of every hearer, however young or illiterate he
may have been. Hence he invariably had the fixed
attention of his large congregation, and we have the
testimony of more than one of the most discriminating
of his hearers, that he preached so well at no previous
time as in the last three months of his life.
" The brief ministry of Mr. Nott was productive of remarkable results. The first sermon which he preached
in Broome-street led a soul to Christ, and at every
monthly communion of the church, the hand of fellowship was given to some newly converted persons that
had just been baptized.  From the first Sunday in September, 1857, to the first Sunday in July, 1859, the
last of his Sabbaths on earth, his people seemed to be
constantly gathering the fruits of apresent revival; and
it was surprising, as we are told by one of his deacons, to
observe how large a proportion of the 205 persons he had
baptized in the twenty-two months, traced their first convictions of sin, or their subsequent deliverance, to the
sermons or exhortations of their pastor. His heart was
in what he said, and it seldom failed to make other
hearts feel its power; and the consciousness of his dependence on God was so deep and abiding, that it was
no uncommon thing for the family with whom he




384          DR. BRIGHT'S REMARKS.
boarded, to hear his voice in earnest prayer after midnight.  "He walked with God;" and such was the
influence of his blameless and joyous life, that we have
been told by an intelligent member of his church, who
knew him intimately, that the example of Mr. Nott, in
his every-day intercourse with his people, was worth
more to the church than all that he received for his
services as their pastor.
"Our departed brother was not satisfied with the
numerical increase of his church. He brought all the
enthusiasm of his generous nature into the service of
developing its missionary life. Fruitful in devising
wise measures, he labored, with an assiduity that knew
of no repose, to bring the church and their work as
near together as possible, and to have as much of it done
as possible. He had the most exalted conceptions of
the church as an evangelizing organization, and regarded it as a part of his mission to demonstrate how
much direct missionary work a church might accomplish. lie has told us that he did not believe any
other pastor had so good a people to work for and
with, and that he found a boundless satisfaction in the
thought that he was so completely one of them. He
knew that he had their confidence, and he asked no
more than to be their helper in unfolding and nurturing
the truly aggressive character of a Christian church.
Few pastors of maturer years could have died leaving
behind them the records of nobler beginnings in that




DR. BRIGHITS REMARKS.            385
direction, than are now to be found in the mission
schools, the tract districts, and other beneficent enterprises of the First Church.
"Mr. Nott possessed, to a remarkable degree, the
power of adapting himself to the diversified duties of a
pastor.  Other men might have been able to do some
things better than he, but we can name no man who
did a larger number of things so well. We have seen
him as the presiding officer of one of his church societies, and as the conductor of a prayer-meeting. We have
heard of him as the sympathizing friend in sickness, and
as the counsellor of the anxious inquirer. We have
listened to him as he stood in the pulpit, on the platform, and on the floor. But we have not seen or heard
of the first instance in which he did not develope some
quality, of mind or heart, that gave him special fitness
for every class of ministerial duties, and for those duties
among all classes of men. The sermon which he
preached, as one of the series, in the Academy of Music,
Sunday evening, February 13, 1859, about "Jesus and
the Resurrection," riveted the attention and electrified
the hearts of as large and cultivated an audience as
could be gathered in any house in the city of New
York. The demand for its publication was instant and
universal. But the preacher on whose lips thousands
hung with ever swelling emotion on that memorable
occasion, could and did make ineffaceable impressions
on the hearts of children, and the most grovelling and
33




386        REMARKS IN THE EXAMINER.
ignorant of men. He loved to carry and to open the
treasures of the gospel to the poor, and he seized every
opportunity to do it. His vacation of last summer was
spent in a missionary tour in destitute districts of Maine,
and August of the present year was to be given to a
like work on Long Island.  He intended to take the
whole length of the island, preaching Jesus, fiom evening to evening, in every accessible place.
"'W hat Mr. Nott was in his social life, will best appear
friom the following letter, written at our request, by a
member of his own church, who had rare means of estimating his worth as a friend:"
"What you ask of me is at once a very grateful and
a sadly painful task. Whatever of egotism you find in
the few lines I send, will, perhaps, be excused, as almost
unavoidable, if I would write clearly and to the point.
" I first saw and heard Mr. Nott in the pulpit, in November, 1857. I became personally acquainted with
him in April, 1858. He baptized my wife and daughter in May, and myself in August of that year. The
personal intimacy between us has existed scarcely more
than a year-yet it seems as though the attached friendship of a lifetime was compressed into these twelve
months.  Many intimacies, more or less close and constant, and.highly valued, have been my privilege in the
course of somewhat peculiarly varied scenes in the last
twenty years. But no other man has ever so gently,
yet so irresistibly drawn out towards him, by the cords
of love, all the best and deepest sympathies of my nature, as did this great-hearted young apostle.




REMARKS IN THE EXAMINER.            387
"His mode of elucidating religious truth was to me
peculiarly interesting, even as an intellectual exercise;
for I could but admire his ever-ready, fluent, earnest
eloquence —his dignified bearing and self-possessionhis happy choice of language-and the winning, sympathetic tones of his voice; and above all, the manly
sincerity and truly Christian spirit that breathed through
all he said. If ever my own inmost consciousness has
been touched and enlightened by divine truth, it has
been through the words which fell from his lips.'But this is not what you desired of me.  Ten
thousand others more competent can worthily testify of
his public ministrations The intimacy with which he
honored me and my family during the last year of his
life, gives me the privilege of remembering, with peculiar and earnest satisfaction, the characteristics of his
social intercourse;-the qualities which marked and
endeared him to us as a man, as a friend, as a pastor,
in the freest and most intimate everyday relations. I
can hardly trust myself to express, in full, the warm
admiration, respect, and love which every day's knowledge of him served to strengthen and increase.
"Of the facilities for a few hours' change of air, and
relaxation which my house (a few miles out of town)
afforded him, he frequently  availed  himself.  His
coming was always hailed with delight by the little
children as well as the oldest, Very few persons had
so happy a faculty of winning the confidence and love
of children. I am sure that those of four, six, and eight
years in my family, are as vividly and keenly grieved
in knowing that they' will never see Mr. Nott again,'
as they could be if he had been their own brother.




388 8      ItEMARKS IN THE EXtAMfINER.
"In every way did he seem to win and secure the
entire confidence of all who knew him best-confidence
in his intelligence, his judgment and discretion, and in
the purity and sincerity of his Christian character.
"lie was always genial, hopefill, buoyant; often
almost boyishly joyful-while there was ever an undercurrent of earnestness; and though we might be sure
that there was nothing of bigotry or asceticism in his
nature or his faith, yet it was always apparent that he
never forgot his own dignity as a man, his principles
and his hopes as a Christian, or his responsibilities as a
pastor. It was this remarkable union of winning, joyous, hopeful sympathy, with keen intelligence and discrimination, peculiar tact (a rare quality), and vigorous
earnestness in all his ministerial duties, which specially
characterized our most valued fiiend.
"I never knew any one who seemed to live so thoroughly as he. All the sources of pure enjoyment in the
physical universe seemed to inspire him. lIe bounded
along, exhilarated with the very sense of existence. He
keenly enjoyed the invigorating influence of free air on
the hills and fields. lie had, too, a discriminating love
of Art; while all these large capabilities were chastened
and regulated by simple, unaffected, cheerful, manly
piety.
" It so happened that at many different times, in summei and winter, he has been with us, as one of the
family, in our simple recreations and employments —on
the ice-clearing the snow —rowing on the waterwalking to breathe the pure air of the hills-talking over
some book or topic of mental culture. Always one of
us, sharing heartily in our enjoyments, we should have




lREMARKS IN THE EXAMITINER.         389
looked to him  for still heartier sympathy in our sorrows, if they had come. In the studies and employment of the children, he always showed an appreciating
interest, and I think they would have confided to him
their inmost thoughts even more freely than to their
parents.
"Of th e large flock under his charge, as a church, and
individually, he always spoke as though his whole heart
was with them.  If, perchance, he would hear a word
slightly deprecatory of any brother, the pastor never
failed to defend, or find excuse, for the absent.  In no
instance did I ever hear him speak otherwise than kindly
and fiaternally of one of his charge; many he would
warmly appreciate and praise. In this spirit of Christian charity and brotherly love, he seemed to imitate
more closely (I say it reverentially) the Divine Master
himself, than any one I have been privileged to know.
While his own faith was firm  as a rock, and clear as
crystal, he breathed the very spirit of that charity and
love which' endureth all things, hopeth all things.'
"For myself, while I looked up to him as a pastor, a
teacher, and a guide, I loved him  as an own brother.
One in whose discrimination of character I have great
confidence, says that no other person she ever knew,
combined so many admirable characteristics as our pastor. In very few characters, indeed, do we find perfect
symmetry.  Human  perfection  is unattainable, of
course. Yet we are commanded to strive after it; looking to the Master as our model, as well as the end of
the law  for righteousness.  The infirmities of poor
human nature are too deep-rooted to be eradicated by
our own wisdom or strivings.  But since the beloved




390        REMARKS IN THE EXAMINER.
disciple himself leaned on the bosom of his Lord and
Master, I believe sincerely that no mortal frame has
ever enshrined a purer and nobler spirit than that of
my dearly beloved friend, KINGMAN NOTT."
"Brief as was the public career of our deceased brother, he was so well known and justly esteemed
beyond the limits of his own denomination, that we
asked a Congregationalist friend, who had often been
associated with him in works of beneficence, to give us
his impressions of Mr. Nott. He writes as follows:" The death of the youthful and beloved Nott, is the
bereavement not of a family, a society, a denomination,
or a community, but of the church of Christ. As a
member of that church, endearingly associated with him
in the last few months of his life, by no narrower tie
than the all-embracing love of which he was so rare an
example, I cannot, I must not keep back the sorrowful
tribute which in every branch of the household of faith
belongs to his memory. In a day when' the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace,' has suddenly received
a development so unprecedented.and prevailing-in a
day when the spirit of redeeming love is going forth in
the Redeemer's followers with such an expansive energy,
I knew not the man who seemed, on the whole, quite
even with him in the advance. He threw his person
forward, with his views and convictions, into the van;
the whole thinking and acting man was there, indivisible-with a courage that electrified his fellow youth,
while a discretion worthy of age, and a commanding




REMARKS IN THE EXAMINER.            391
decision superior to precedent and prescription, secured
the respect of veterans, in his boldest positions. His
great gifts, as they appeared from my point of view,
were such as these. That combination of the generous
and uncalculating courage of youth, with the calmness
of a great heart and an imperturbable judgment, which
is best expressed in one word as VALOR, and constitutes
the born leader of men. Thus, in his eloquence, he
was master of an electric energy which could carry
away with it all minds but the one, calm and self-possessed, which alternately reined and let loose the fiery
element at pleasure.  So, too, the unbounded breadth
and liberality of his Christian sympathies, which
endeared him to his brethren of every denomination
with a love in which more partial relations could only
have been swallowed up and lost, had they existed, was
a thing of which he was the master, not the slave. It
was no lax effluence of an easy good-nature, liberal for
want of earnestness, and open for want of self-continence-; but was as well defined and strictly contained
by the principles he embraced and professed, as it was
unconfined by any prejudice or jealousy, denominational
or personal. He could give his heart without surrendering his judgment, independence, and responsibility.
His principles, instead of confining, served rather to
contain, concentrate, and preserve from diffuse waste,
the great wealth of his catholic sympathies.
" Again, his stamp as a Christian hero was aggressive.
Rather than the quiet inheritor of a post of routine
duty, to keep things as they are, he was, in his church,
and among the churches, like the youthful Napoleon of
a new order, promptly assuming the offensive, and sur



392         REMARKS IN THE EXAM1INER.
prising friend and foe with the decision and rapidity of
his movements.  Far as a man could possibly be from
the desire of notoriely and prominence, he was forward
in every good word and work, and in every united movement of the churches, and was already marked as a destined standard-bearer of the embattled tribes of the spiritual Israel.  His favorite theme, and the subject of his
public and private discourse respectively, on the last two
occasions that I saw him in life, was the eternally' aggressive' love of GoD, self-originant, self-energized, unattracted, SOVEREIGN, as the very spirit of the church
which is begotten in His image. Upon this he founded
his theory of church-life, and by this infinite motor, he
sought everywhere to impel the energies of the church
universal toward  the  final triumph  of redeeming
love.
" One more grand quality of the young leader so prematurely stricken down in the first promise of his career,
I cannot omit to mention. His holy magnanimity
towered out of sight of any supposed interests or dignities of his order.  He never seemed to remember them,
unless to repudiate every consideration of the kind.
The true dignity of his office was lowliness-its greatness, to be'servant of all.'  Stripping himself of all
established pretensions, and renouncing all authority,
save for the Divine Word of which he was a bearer, he
strove constantly to make the ministerial office as lowly
and unassuming as its Author.  He was eminently a
man of prayer, with all his practical energy, and hence
the spirit of Christ was thus brightly exemplified in his
chosen position and bearing.  True, he was but humllarn; he was but younlg:-but while the sorrows of the




JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION.              393
hour dispenses imperatively with the office of criticism,
these-very facts enhance the praise and love we pay to
him who has entered into rest."*
* With reference to other characteristics, a few lines are
here quoted from one or two other sources. A near relative
says:-" Kingman never could harbor resentment or unkind
feeling. There was no dark corner in his heart for retaliation,
or bitterness, or wounded pride.  His was the Bible rule,'answering not again.'  He was sometimes misunderstood,
and perhaps he was thought to be deficient in sensitiveness.
He was not indifferent to unkindness, but with the shield of
brotherly love and unselfish charity he warded off all that
was opposed to those influences. Many instances of this spirit
in him are well remembered, and other incidents which proved
that he not only exercised this virtue of Christian forbearance
as a principle and a rule of life, but that with it he always
sustained a peculiar dignity and self-respect. Always kind in
manner, he could at times still give a severe and just reproof.
An instance of discourtesy towards him by some fellow strdents, while in college, was thus met by mingled kindness and
justice, and the parties became fast friends."..
Mrs. Bigelow, with whose family Mr. Nott found a cheerful
home during his entire residence in New York, writes much
of him that is most interesting to his family and friends. A'
paragraph or two only is quoted:-"We always knew his
elastic step as he entered our dwelling, and all was cheerful
and happy where he was; his ever joyous countenance at once
dispelled any sadness that hung over us. He always had a
smile and a kind word for every one; all, from oldest to
youngest, delighted to be in his company.
"We miss him everywhere, but most at the family altar,
where his earnest, heartfelt prayers, will not be forgotten.
His whole soul was in his prayers.
"Sabbath mornings he always seemed peculiarly happy; his
countenance shone; he enjoyed so much of heaven, that it
was imprinted on his face."....
But the fond memory of friends would lead us to unreason17



394       JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION.
"We have thus," adds the Examiner, "aimed to
place before our readers a simple, truthful statement of
the manner in which death came to the youthful pastor
of the First Baptist Church, and of what they and the
Christian world have lost in that sad event.. But while
thousands of Christian hearts, in all lands, will have
tears to shed over his precious memory, and warmest
supplications to pour forth to God for the church and
family who have been so severely smitten, no one must
forget that he who has been suddenly and mysteriously
taken away from the circles which he loved and adorned
on earth, once exclaimed, as if his far-reaching and allappropriating faith had given him a new and seraphic
vision; " Oh, then, what a glorious. morn will the resurrection morning be! Methinks I see the glad procession coming up!-a multitude to which the throng I
behold to-night is but a drop in the vast ocean, whom
no man can number! I see them coming up in robes
of white, with crowns of everlasting joy upon their
heads, and palms of victory in their hands.  I hear their
shouts of gladness as they cry,' Victory! worthy is the
Lamb that hath redeemed us!' Fathers and mothers
grasp children long lost. Husbands and wives, separated
many centuries, fall again into each other's arms.  I
hear a voice which calls my own name! I start as did
able limits in such quotations. Eulogy, as such, is needless and
unprofitable.  Our aim has been to present succinctly such
personal characteristics as afford a lesson and an example.




JESUS AND TIHE RESURRECTION.        395
Mary, when Jesus gently uttered that word —' Mary'
That voice! i   *    *  *  I had dreamed of it all
through my life, ever since my boyhood. I know itand the child is clasped in the arms of its mother, who
cries out,'My son!' and the child looks up and whispers,'Mother!' in the old familiar strain, and rests
again in the bosom that gave it life. I behold these
reunions; no one come3 alone or empty-handed, but all
go up with arms full and laps laden with treasures
which the grave and the sea had buried, but which
now are all restored for ever with the coming back of
Jesus."
TIE END.