Sketches of the Life of Dr. Buell. 1716. In his youth, about the

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eighteenth year of his age, he hopefully experienced the sav ing grace of God. This was just at the beginning of that remarkable revival of religion, which, for many years afterwards, so extensively prevailed in the country; and his religion partook of the peculiar characteristical complexion of the times, which followed. Whilst there was abundant evidence that he was indeed begotten again to the genuine, lively hope of the gospel,, he might be said to be born in the distinguishing spirit of the day; and this spirit he signally retained, through the whole course of his subsequent life.

R. BUELL was fifty-two years minister of the congregation of East-Hampton on Long-Island. Few have either stood so long, or been so eminently useful in the vineyard of the Lord. He died July 19th, 1798, in the eighty-second year of his age, old and full of days, and crowned with the laurels of vigorous, faithful, persevering, and eminently successful exertion, in the cause of God. It is probable that very few men, since the days of the apostles, have been instrumental of the conversion of so many souls, as this highly favored servant of Christ. His name is embalmed in the memory of his people; and of multitudes of others who were favored with his occasional min-Earth.' This was a time of great istrations,and derived saving benefit from them. With that of the just, it is blessed, and will be had in everlasting remembrance.

He was first awakened by reading Janeway's Heaven upon

and general declension and security: and as nothing of the powerful convictions, which he now experienced was heard of, in the place where he lived, or round The Doctor was a native of about, his exercises appeared to Coventry in the State of Con-him entirely singular, This necticut, and born September, gave him much perplexity, ull

he heard accounts of similar favored with an habitually lively things at Northampton, where and affecting sense of eternal the work of God, in its power, things, and frequent instances of had then recently commenced. intimate communion with God. Though the representation made Immediately after leaving colof it, was unfavorable, viz. that lege, he was advised to submit the people were becoming cra-himself to examination for lizy, under an apprehension that cense to preach. The extraorthe end of the world, the day dinary state of things, then takof judgment, &c. were justing place, and the special call at hand, he still conceived that for zealous, powerful preachers, their exercises were like his being urged as reasons for this own, and exceedingly wished to advice, by persons of good judgsee and converse with them.ment, in whom he had great He was, however, denied this, confidence, prevailed; notwithwhich he would have accounted standing the reluctance, which, a great privilege. And after on many accounts, he felt to it: many months of severe conflict, and he was licensed the followdistress and terror, he was, thro' ing month. This was a meȧthe rich and sovereign mercy of sure, by no means to be imitated, him, "who leadeth the blind in in ordinary cases. But in this a way they have not known," particular instance, it is to be brought into a state of peace and considered, in addition to what reconciliation. Being naturally has been suggested, that the of a sprightly turn of mind, and Doctor's age being about twenhaving experienced much terrorty-five years, favored it, and, under the work of the law, and as he had engaged in the purbeen afterwards favored with, suits of public education, in exproportionably, clear manifesta-clusive reference to the ministry; tions of the love of God, he es- and had constantly kept it in poused his cause with great view through his whole academpromptitude and zeal. His pie-ical course, he was, perhaps, betty was peculiarly of the ardent kind; and he appears to have been one of the happy few, who leave not their first love.

This great change originated the purpose of devoting himself to God, in the service of the ministry; which was formed with much deliberation, self-examination, and prayer. From the first, and always afterwards, he appears to have entertained a high sense of the solemn nature, and responsibility of the sacred office.

In the course of his college education and before, from the time of his conversion, he was

ter qualified than many are after years of theological reading and study. This occurrence carried in it the testimony of the Association to his eminent piety, and more than ordinary acquirements; and this opinion was confirmed by the estimation in which he was held by the public. He was well received as a preacher; and his labors, which, from the beginning, were abundant, were signally owned of God as the means of spiritual good to man. He preached very frequently, and often daily, and, as expressive of the divine power, which constantly attended, he made the

following note more than halfter and offices of the divine Rea year after he was a preacher:deemer; and considered them "The firsttimel have ever preach-as the centre, and, reductively, ed, where tears of affection un- the whole substance of Christian der the word were not to be seen, theology. He also dwelt much and almost the first, when the upon the nature, strictness and Lord was not manifestly present sanctions of the law of God, the with the people." He continued total depravity of the human to preach with similar power heart, and the awful guilt and and success as a licentiate, about danger of a natural state. He a year; when, it being observed has often been heard to say that how well he was qualified for he would not be in the condition the office of an itinerant, and how of an unconverted sinner, one signally God had blessed his past hour, for a thousand worlds, belabors, he was ordained an itine-cause in that hour he might die, rant minister, in which capacity he continued about three years, travelling through various parts of New-England, and performing that delicate, difficult office with great prudence,zeal and abundant success. To extend the sphere of his labors and usefulness, he had set out upon a journey to the southern states, with recommendations from respectable ministers northward, when an unexpected call of Providence directed him to East-Hampton. His labors proved acceptable, and he was installed their pastor, September 19th, 1746.

and be lost to all eternity. Another article with him of equal moment was the office of the Holy Spirit, and the necessity, power and sovereignty of his influence in the application of redemption-the conviction and renovation of sinners, and the sanctification and perseverance of the saints. He did not hesitate to affirm that the best performances of the unregenerate were sins, and in his addresses to sinners, even under the deepest legal conviction, to tell them that they never sinned at a more aggravated rate then now. Doctrines of this description he did not apprehend, as some imagine, to have a dangerous tendency, and the remarkable success of his ministry, affords evidence that they have not.

In the discharge of his pastoral duties, he was diligent and indefatigable. In preaching the word, in particular, he was "instant in season and out of season." The matter of his preaching, was peculiarly evangelical, The manner of his preaching and consisted in what are com- was in the demonstration of the monly called the doctrines of spirit and of power, in great grace. The first sermon he plainness of speech, and connec preached in East-Hampton was ted with a great degree of anifrom the words of St. Paul, mation. Deeply feeling the ev"For I determined not to know erlasting truth and importance any thing among you, save Je- of the things which he deliversus Christ and him crucified :" ed to his fellow sinners, a cold, and this was a just motto for his dispassionate manner of address whole preaching. He insisted appeared to him utterly unsuitmuch upon the person, charac-able. His address was to the VOL. II. NO. 1.

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last degree grave and solemn ;tion, but the duties of rightand his eloquence manly and eousness, charity and public commanding. He spake like a spirit; of temperance, sobriedying man to dying men-and, ty, self-government and deadas in the presence of God, andness to the world. His patience, in the open view of eternity.submission and resignation unHe always disapproved of indi-der the multiplied and sore begested harrangues from the pul- reavements of which he was pit, and whilst his own discours- made the subject, were also a es were well connected, and striking display of the power 'the result of meditation and and excellence of that divine study, they were delivered with- faith, which overcometh the out reading, and usually, after world. the first years of his ministry, And having obtained mercy without waiting, except short to be thus faithful, his ministry notes as an aid to his memory. was gloriously successful.This method he preferred, as Great as had been the efficacy favoring that animation, of the of his labors among others, they propriety and importance of were more signally efficacious which, he had so high an opin- at different periods, among his ion, which he formed in his own people. There were three youth, and remarkably retained distinguished seasons of great through the whole of his minis-and general revival. The first try. Though he possessed a mind originally strong and well furnished, his principal talent lay in urging home truth to the heart and conscience. The application of his discourses, was always weighty and solemn..

was in 1764, and the others one 1785, and the other in 1791. In each of these periods there were great ingatherings of souls to Christ, and the people of God were the subjects of peculiar elevations of grace and consolaIn other parts of his office he tion. The first of these reviwas equally distinguished. Hevals which was universal thro was mighty in prayer. As de- the congregation was the most votion entered deeply into his glorious. Ninety-nine persons whole character, so his public were at that time added to the prayers were copious, pathetic-church at once, besides many al, edifying and suitable to the other additions which were occasion. He was remarkable made before and afterwards. for his abundant and earnest Similar effects were also prosupplications for the Holy Spir-duced in great abundance, in it. He was scarcely ever known each of the other seasons mento utter a prayer, however short, tioned. Sinners flocked of which such petitions did not Christ as a cloud and doves to make a considerable part. Dr.their windows. And in the Buell himself lived the religion intermediate period, the word which he preached to others; preached in multiplied instanand was a bright example to all ces proved the power of God the flock, over which the Holy unto salvation. The work of Ghost had made him overseer, God in 1764, was extensive on not only in the offices of devo- the Island, and the Doctor's

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labors were signally instrumen- | Memoirs of Reu, Samuel Stone. tal in promoting it, in various places, at that time, and in other times of similar refreshing.

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OTHING more fully proved the religious sincerity of the first settlers of New-England, than their liberality in the support of ministers of the gos

The moral fruits and effects of these revivals, and of the Doctor's ministry, upon the peo-pel. Wherever they made a ple of his charge have been new settlement, they established most salutary. No place per- a church, and chose a pastor, of haps has been more distinguish- the happy effects of which pious ed for peace, righteousness and precaution, their descendants charity, than East-Hampton, or have largely participated. Povexhibited more of the primitive erty was never pleaded in exspirit of the gospel. From the cuse, nor fewness of numbers beginning they have been a offered as a reason, why the goshighly favored people. Two pel should not be preached at ministers, only, Dr. Buell and their expense. They ever rose his predecessor the Rev. Natha- superior to these prudential conniel Hunting supplied them siderations, with the full persuaninety-seven years; and Mr.sion that religious instruction is James their first minister continued, probably for a term not much short of either. These were both men of exemplary piety, soundness in the faith, and good abilities.

The Doctor lived in great peace and harmony with his people, and shared their confidence, in a very uncommon degree, to the last. During his long residence among them he enjoyed almost uninterrupted health till his last sickness, which though severe, was borne with exemplary resignation and patience. He left the world in perfect peace, and with an assured hope of a blessed immortality."Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and their works follow them."

Note. Such as wish to know more of this eminent minister of Christ, may see more partiuclar sketches of his life, &c. in the 16th and 17th numbers of the Connectieut Evangelical Magazine.

the first step toward national prosperity; and though subjected to want and hardship, they usually procured and supported two able ministers in every church, one of whom was stiled pastor, and the other teacher.— Like the poor widow, they threw in their mite without a grudge, and if a tenth were not sufficient, a fourth was as freely deposited for the honor and service of the sanctuary. Christians, at this day, who part with their hundredth with tardy reluctance,contemplate the liberality of their fathers with a frown of avaricious dislike, and attribute their abundant offerings to the Lord, to their too great zeal and superstition. In the midst of their accumulated wealth, the support of a single clergyman is considered a burden. They see their aged teacher, who has worn himself out in the service of his divine Master, labor with

out assistance at the altar, till nature has exhausted her pow