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Mr. Gano, was born in the city of New-York, December 25th, 1762. His father was the Rev. John Gano, for many years pastor of the First Baptist Church of that city. As his name imports, he was of French extraction, being descended from a family of Huguenots, who, with many others, fled from the dominions of Charles IX, after the revocation of the edict of Nantz, in 1699. They obtained lands of the English near New-York, settled a township, and called it New-Rochelle, in honor of that city which was the strong hold of Protestantism in their father-land..

It was the intention of Mr. Gano's father, that his son should pursue a collegiate course of education, under the direction of his uncle, Dr. Manning. But when the war of the Revolution broke up the college, his attention was diverted to the study of medicine, which he pursued with Dr. Stites, a maternal uncle, in NewJersey. The father being a chaplain in the American service, the son became connected with it as a surgeon, and on the return of peace, practised medicine in his native State. At that time, in all his habits and associations, he was far from giving any promise of ever becoming a religious man. But in regard to that, all human reasonings were baffled by the power of Him who is able to save to the uttermost; and the

truth that man is saved by sovereign grace, was by his own conversion so displayed to his mind, as to make an impression that could never be erased.

Soon after this great spiritual change, although his profession opened before him a fair path to wealth, his heart turned towards the christian ministry. At the age of twentythree he was ordained by the first Baptist church in NewYork. He was soon zealously employed as a preacher at Hudson, in his native State, and in 1792, was invited by this church to preach first as a candidate, and afterwards was cordially received as a pastor. At that period the town was just beginning to rise from its prostration by the war, and the church embraced only one hundred and sixtyfive members. It is pleasing to observe, however, that within the sphere of his influence the revival of religion was concomitant with the revival of commerce, and that the early years of his ministry were brightened with remarkable success. During the thirtysix years of his pastorship, he was blessed with nine of those auspicious seasons which we denominate revivals of religion, in each of which the number of the church was much enlarged, and the pulse of piety greatly strengthed. The first of these was in 1793, and the last in 1820, when the number of the church amounted to 648, of

whom 147 were baptized that year.

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there are many here who feel that memory loves to linger around those sacred scenes, to recal those happy seasons when the river side became a place where prayer was wont to be made," and when under the guidance of this venerable servant of the Lord, youth, and manhood, and decrepid age, hastened together, to yield themselves up to God in the appointed symbol of self-consecration. Into the spirit of such occasions Dr. Gano entered with all the energy of his heart; never did he seem to be more happy and impressive, and in respect to them, few ministers have had their warmest desires more largely gratified.

The destitution of preachers which followed the Revolutionary War was very great, and the demand for the preaching of the gospel in this neighborhood and commonwealth was quite urgent. To this exigency, Dr. Gano was admirably fitted. Having an athletic frame, great muscular energy, strength of voice, and much interested in making excursions of a missionary character, he had reason to believe that many seals of his ministry were scattered over a wide extent of country, and doubtless many such will appear at last as stars in his crown of rejoicing.

With those qualities which rendered Dr. Gano's preaching so acceptable to the great mass

of the people, who indeed "heard him gladly," there was combined a sound practical judgment, a power of discriminating character, and a steady self-command, which rendered him weighty in counsel, and a most useful member of various ecclesiastical bodies. For nineteen years in succession, he presided at the meetings of the Warren Association, whose members felt, when they first met without him, that a strange and melancholy chasm had been made among them, and that they had lost the aid of a beloved and venerable father. The impression of his character upon the younger ministry around him, was indeed a most happy one; for they saw in him the rare combination of a strict integrity in maintaining his own opinions, with great enlargedness of heart regarding those who differed from him. He was always courteous without compromising truth, and zealous without bigotry. Of the liberality which arises from indifference to religious sentiment, he knew nothing; that which springs from christian love, which embraces in spiritual fellowship "all who hold the Head, even Christ," he possessed an ample measure. Dignified without affectation, and manly without sternness, his meekness most distinguished him, and his "gentleness made him great."

The manner of Dr. Gano's death, was quite a contrast to that of his uncle and predecessor, Dr. Manning. Both were ripe for heaven, but the latter was called suddenly there, while the former was led slowly through the dark valley. The fatal sickness of the latter was passed in a state of insensibility; the former lingered many days in exquisite pain. The latter could say but little of the state of his mind or the prospects before him; the former could proclaim the high praises of God amidst protracted agonies. His disease was described by his physician, Dr. Levi Wheaton, as a dropsy of the chest, and by a post mortem examination, his lungs were found inundated and compressed to an extraordinary degree. For nearly seven months, from January 26th to August 18th, it made painful progress. The following note occurs in his memoranda, under date of January 27th. Had a severe attack of my breast complaint last night, after I had retired; was obliged to bleed myself copiously, and obtained relief. Oh, blessed God! give me an habitual preparation to meet the pale messenger, whenever he comes.

During the three succeeding months, he preached occasionally. His last sermon was delivered on the 27th of April, from Romans 5: 4, on the subject of christian experience. Twice after that day he was permitted to attend the

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