to the maintenance of Mr. Hallock's family, was the rigid economy of the domestic arrangements. To this, the partner in his joys and sorrows contributed her full share. As she now sleeps in dust by his side, a brief outline of her character may form a suitable close of this general account of his family.

Mrs. Hallock was remarkably fitted for her difficult and important station. She had much of that kindness, plain common sense, and frankness guarded by prudence, which are alike pleasant and useful, not to add indispensable, in the wife of a clergyman. To a good mind, a pleasing address and a deportment uniformly Christian, she joined the domestic virtues of untiring industry, strict economy, and a wakeful care to the ways of her household. "The heart of her husband did safely trust in her." He ever had a high respect for her judgment, and sometimes acknowledged to particular friends, that he commonly found cause to regret his variation, in any instance, from her advice. Under her excellent management, especially after her children no longer required the incessant attention of a mother, he was almost wholly relieved from secular care. For many years, assisted by her younger son and favored by a kind Providence, she was enabled to furnish food and clothing for the family, almost without her husband's knowledge. He could spend a day among his people, or a week in other parishes, sure of finding on his return, a pleasant home for himself, and a

welcome reception for his friend.

Mrs. Hallock

was also a mother, whom her children delighted to honor; and a cheerful hostess to the strangers and other company, which participated in the truly patriarchal hospitality of the family. She never seemed ambitious to dazzle visiters, as a fine lady-hers was the nobler ambition to render them and her beloved family happy, by the order and neatness and comfortable fare of a good housewife. Often, did her ready heart and hands make arrangements for the private meeting at their house. She seemed willing, in short, to endure "weariness and painfulness," and a pressure of care beyond most of her sex, happy, if she might forward the great work, in which her partner was fast wearing away life. In his "often infirmities," she was a very faithful and successful nurse. Like the woman, commended by the wisest of men under the Spirit of inspiration, she did him good and not evil, all the days of his life. Not insensible of her worth, Mr. Hallock prayed, earnestly and often, that she might outlive himself; and, for many years, confidently expected a kind answer to these prayers, in the protraction of her life. Had she finished her course before her husband, he might have written, upon the monument of his loss, this equally true and touching line:

"She doubled all my joys, and half-sustained my cares.”

CHAPTER IX.

Severe indisposition.-Makes his will.-Feelings in a near view of deatir. -Fast.-Kindness of his people.-Forgiveness of enemies.-NewYear resolutions.--Trials with his people.--Grief at parting with a much-loved Christian friend.--Illustration of an inconsistency.--Resolution to visit all his parish.-Receives the degree of A. M.Thoughts on a letter of reproof.-Useful journey.-Resolutions and practice in respect to journeying and visiting friends.

In the autumn of 1786, those bodily infirmities, which, for some time, had been not a little troublesome to Mr. Hallock, assumed a more alarming aspect. At one time, he lamented his inability to retire longer to his "pleasant grove." He now made a disposal of his effects, by an informal will. After stating his first wish that the whole might be disposed of, only to the glory of the Giver, and after dividing his little all among several of his dearest relations, not forgetting, however, fifteen of his poorest parishioners; he closed in these terms:

"This, my dear relatives, is the most equal distribution I can make of what God has given me. May each one take his part with a contented mind, prepared and waiting for death and eternity, which your poor husband, son, and brother has tried ;-who did not cease to remember you in his prayers; who was sensibly touched with all your tears, and felt his own troubles eased, when things went well with you. I wish, my dear mother, I had more to give you-I know that your pains in bringing me into the world, and your indefatigable care of me since, lay

me under the strongest obligations to honor and love you. I give up my spirit to God, through the Savior, and my body to the ground, in hope of receiving it again, at the last day, whole, and sound, and shining, like Christ's most glorious body. I wish to lie as near the dear Mr. Mills,* as I can, without incommoding his own children. I will, also, that no cost be laid out, merely as a mourning dress on my account; but let each one mourn for his own sins, and the sins of others; and rejoice, that God's most holy, wise, and infinitely good purposes are executed."

Some of his feelings in a near view of death, may here be introduced:

"Whether it arises from stupidity or not, I am unable to determine, but my mind, in respect to dying, has been calm as a summer evening." "Think my disorder threatening, but, through the goodness of God, I am not terrified. For, though I never before had such a sense of my ill-desert, yet I have a sweet and all-supporting hope in Him, who came into the world to save sinners. I think earthly objects never looked less desirable than for ten days past. I do not know, that it ever seemed more desirable to go and be with the Lord. These are my feelings, if I am not deceived; and O may I be thankful for such unspeakable comforts, and know, assuredly, that I cannot stand a moment, only as God holds me up. And, now, O Lord, I pray, that whether I

* Rev. Gideon Mills, the only predecessor of Mr. Hallock, whose remains had been deposited in Canton.

shall die or recover, thy name may be glorifiedthat I may praise thee in life or in death." Again : "My health, as I thought, would not admit of my praying in secret, as usual. I have great reason to think, that my life is drawing to a close. I should be glad to live, that I may serve God and his church, and be a comfort to my dear consort, friends and all mankind. Just as a good general marches behind, while the enemy presses on the rear, till his army are all over the dangerous passage; so I should be glad to help my wife, and friends, and all this little flock down to the grave, and safely over Jordan's cold stream, and then follow them. But I desire to be calm and silent, and not dispute my Maker's will. Heaven's high decree shall stand, and through grace my soul shall say, Amen. What if I die? God and the church shall live; therefore all is well. I trust, I feel in some measure reconciled to death, by God's great grace.I find idle hours the most irksome; therefore I am resolved to endeavor to be in some active service for God, while I live.-Visited, this afternoon-dull, in the conference."

A day of fasting, which he observed, at this time, he thus describes:

66

Sept. 5, 1786. To-morrow, is my monthly fast; but as I view myself in a declining state, and as my temporal affairs are such, that I can better attend to-day than to-morrow, I would set apart this day: 1. That I might 'hear the rod, and who hath appointed it.'-2.That I might serve God better for all this, and be purged.-3. That I might be spared a little longer to pray and preach.-4. That I might be