and trust. Why should I be anxious about the world? My mind has lately been considerably impressed with those words of the Apostle, 1 Tim. vi. 6-11, "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things." O may these sentiments be deeply and permanently impressed upon my heart. And then I see not what I have to be anxious or careful about, but to promote the kingdom of Christ and prepare for heaven.

Doctor GRIFFIN's health, which had been gradually declining for two or three years, at length became so much enfeebled that he found himself quite inadequate to the duties of his office; and accordingly at the meeting of the Board of Trustees in August, he again tendered his resignation, after having occupied the Presidential chair fifteen years. It was of course accepted, but with deep regret on the part of the Board that the occasion for it should have existed, and with the warmest gratitude for the important services which he had rendered to the institution.

In reference to the arrangements for his removal to Newark, he writes thus in his diary:

Aug. 28th, Sabbath. I contemplated the sale of my furniture and books and the trouble of removal as a fearful undertaking; and without submission and trust should have sunk under it. But God has so remarkably supported and prospered me during the last week, that I seem almost to have been

brought through this trial. Thanks to a merciful and faithful God for all these blessings! Since my contemplated removal I have longed more than I ever did before, to spend the remainder of my life in heavenly devotion. I cannot calculate so much as I have done on public usefulness, (though this I desire,) but I long and pray for high communion with God, and for affections toward him more ardent and delightful than I ever felt before. O God, give me this high state of holiness and enjoyment for the rest of my life, and all the usefulness which thy wisdom can allot to me, and my highest wishes of a personal nature are gratified.

Doctor GRIFFIN remained at Williamstown till about the close of September, completing his arrangements for the removal of his family to Newark. He subsequently refers in his journal to the event of their departure in the following paragraph.

I left Williamstown with my family on Thursday the 29th Sept. The people there showed us great affection and expressed much regret at our departure. The students appointed a committee of two from each class to express their respect and attachment, and it was done in a manner the most affectionate. The Faculty invited me to a social dinner at the Mansion House. As I was getting into the carriage on Thursday morning, the students came up in procession to take their last leave. I made an address to them from the carriage, and some of them wept.

The following is the letter from the students referred to in the preceding paragraph.

REVEREND SIR,

Prompted by the feelings which the near departure of one so respected and esteemed naturally elicits, the college assembled this morning and appointed us their committee to express to you their sentiments on this occasion. Those of them VOL. 1.

27

who have been witnesses and partakers of the benefits you have conferred on the college, acted from the deep feeling of gratitude; those who have lately become of the number of students, were influenced by your celebrity as a preacher-your character as a man.

Knowing this, it is with peculiar feelings that we have undertaken to become their organ, and we should despair of expressing to you their opinions, were we not conscious of their active existence in our own bosoms. When a distinguished man departs from the scene of his former actions, he is followed by the aspirations of those who have been benefitted by his influence. If to have given celebrity to our Alma Mater, and a name of which we can proudly boast,-if to have given us sound moral and religious principles, on which we can firmly base our actions, and to have exemplified the beauty and simplicity of a good man's career, have conferred on us obligations, you will appreciate the feelings which agitate our minds at the thought of your departure. Praise we do not offer, for it would be futile;—useless to one who stands so high in the opinion of all; but we present you with a better gift,— our kindest feelings and hopes for your future welfare. In the name of the college, we bid you an affectionate farewell.

Sept. 27, 1836.

LEWIS BENEDICT, Jr.
SAM'L G. JONES,

THOS. A. HALE,

LABAN S. SHERMAN,
SAM'L P. ANDREWS,
RUFUS G. WELLS,
BARNABUS COLLINS,
OLIVER DIMON,

Committee.

CHAPTER VII.

HIS LAST RESIDENCE AT NEWARK, AND HIS DEATH.

Doctor GRIFFIN reached Newark with his family, for the last time, Oct. 1, 1836. It is scarcely necessary to say that he was greeted with a most cordial welcome by a large circle of friends, and that he found himself in the midst of a community who well knew how to appreciate his residence among them, and many of whom it was his privilege to reckon among the seals of his ministry. Under date of Nov. 29, he writes thus in his diary.

Since I have been here the affection and respect of former friends have been overwhelming. Several have united in making me a handsome present. The trustees of the first church have offered me a pew for my family. God has ordered all things in mercy. I have been sick for near two months, very sick, but I now am somewhat better. I long to do something for God and his church before I die. May I live devoted to him, and walk in the light of his countenance, and hold myself ready to depart at a moment's warning.

TO HIS NIECE, MISS JULIA ANN LORD, OF LYME.

MY DEAR JULIA ANN,

Newark, Jan. 19, 1837.

I received your very kind and gratifying letter of Dec. 16th, and thank you for all the delicate respect which it evinces. My health has been so feeble that I have not felt able to write to you before, and now must be somewhat brief. On the 15th of December while walking on the floor, I suddenly fell on the carpet like a corpse, and fainted clear away. I have repeatedly had some of the same symptons since, but have not fainted. For the last fortnight I have been better. The attention which I receive from my old parishioners and spiritual children is most affecting, and exceeds any thing I ever received from a public body in my life. My friends hope that God has sent me here to promote revivals of religion in Newark. O that it may be so! And, my dear cousin, how infinitely important that revivals of religion should prevail in Lyme. What will become of some of your dear sisters if this is not the case? After one has reached the age of thirty, unconverted, the chances against him are perhaps forty to one, and when he has reached the age of fifty, they are probably fifty or sixty to one. And are there any in your family who stand these many chances to one for eternal burnings? Surely no more time ought to be lost—not a single day or hour. Every hour that is lost increases the danger, and every hour that is spent in enmity against God involves guilt that deserves eternal damnation. And then what a call there is for our agonizing prayers! A few christians with such prayers, may bring down the Holy Spirit. Do read and ponder closely upon Luke xi. 1-13,-particularly the 13th verse. O let your faith take hold of that assurance and it may bring down the blessing. I remember you all in prayer several times a day.

On sabbath evenings, Dr. Smith's family sing psalms, while he plays on a bass viol. It is the best means that I attend during the week. Last sabbath evening he sung a verse