youngest sister, who daily read in his hearing such lessons as he might direct.

His preparations for college were completed under the instructions of Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, to which place he was invited by two female relatives-Sarah and Phebe Comstock-who proposed to give him his board, and render him other aid according to their ability. These excellent females continued to show him favor through his course of study, and their great kindness was held in grateful remembrance.

In the autumn of 1789 he entered Yale College; but owing to his failure in availing himself of a foundation by which to meet his current expenses, he was obliged to leave at the close of the freshman year and return to his friends. From this time he abandoned the expectation of a regular and liberal course of study, and determined to make the most of such private advantages as might lie within his reach. He returned to his old friend, Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, to enjoy again his excellent instructions, together with the kind hospitalities and aid of the female relatives to whom we have alluded.

While here, his studies were again interrupted by the invasion of dangerous and protracted sickness. He was carried to New Canaan, where for the space of several weeks his extreme weakness forbade articulation, and he seemed one of the dead rather than of the living. He regarded this illness as peculiarly profitable to his spiritual interests, and his restoration to health as one of the most striking interpositions of a gracious Providence connected with his whole life. In alluding to his recovery, he often spoke of the affectionate care of a sister next younger than himself, whom he regarded as the chief instrument, under God, of preventing his going down to the grave. This sister watched by his bedside, anticipated his wants, administered medicine, and, like Miriam, the sister of the infant Moses, waited anxiously "to wit what would

be done to" her brother. As his case became more hopeful, and his strength would permit, she bore him in her arms, or placing him in an easy chair drew him both in doors and in the open air, or indulged him in the grateful exercise of the family swing, as though he were but a child, and as if her own life were bound up in his. Faithful sister! surely thou hast not lost the reward of thine affectionate care and patient toil. After the lapse of several months his health was restored, and he returned to Norwalk and engaged in study.

In 1791 he went to Farmington and spent a few months in teaching, and also availed himself of such opportunity to pursue his studies as was consistent with other duties. From this place he went to Greenfield, where he availed himself of the tuition of Dr. Dwight, until he applied for license to preach the Gospel.

It may be proper to remark in this place, that though the subject of this sketch must have suffered loss in many respects by his interruption in a college course of study, still, to the honor of his teachers, it ought to be said that no advantages, except those of a well-regulated college, could have surpassed those which were furnished under their instruction. Their grateful pupil often spoke with much interest of the great excellence of Dr. Burnett as a teacher; and it is well known that the school on "Greenfield Hill," under Dr. Dwight, was one of "unexampled reputation." Nor did young Richards fail to make the most faithful use of the means of knowledge thus furnished. He studied with great diligence, and his attainments are sufficiently shown by the fact that in 1794, at the instance of Dr. Dwight, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the corporation of Yale College.

CHAPTER II.

FROM HIS LICENSE TO THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY AT MORRISTOWN.

IN 1793 he made application to the Association in the Western District of Fairfield Co., and was licensed by a Committee of that body to preach the Gospel. The Rev. Dr. Burnett, of Norwalk, with whom he had studied, claimed for his own pulpit the first sermon of his young friend and pupil, and compliance with the claim was yielded "in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling" on the part of Mr. Richards. He supplied, for a few sabbaths, the church in Wilton, a neighboring town, and then went to Ballston, New York, and preached on a short engagement. The following covenant and resolutions are found among his papers, dated at Ballston, Dec. 22, 1793:

"I do now, in the presence of God and his holy angels, solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be my God, and promise, by the help of his Holy Spirit, without which I can do nothing, to devote myself to him in an everlasting covenant, never to be forgotten. As the chief of sinners, I resolve to look up to God for pardon and acceptance, through the blood of his dear Son, and to rest my soul on the gracious promises of the Gospel; determining to renounce sin in all its appearances, I resolve to consecrate my time, talents, and all that I have on earth, to the service of God, promising to make his glory the ultimate end of all my actions. It is my resolution to be more watchful and prayerful than I have hitherto been; to see that my thoughts are employed on proper subjects, and in their proper times; to guard against all rash and heedless words, all severe and unjustifiable remarks on the persons and character of other men; taking heed to the door of my lips, that I offend not with my tongue.

"I resolve that I will not suffer my passions to take the place of my reason, but will subject them to the laws of God and religion. Never to be angry without a cause,' nor to indulge that kind of anger which is incompatible with disinterested love to my neighbor. I resolve, moreover, to be faithful in all the relative duties incumbent on me, and particularly in the discharge of the duties a Gospel minister-preaching the Word of God in all its purity and extent, and serving the Lord with all humility and patience, that by meekness, gentleness, and love unfeigned, I may win others to the Gospel of Christ.

"Remember, O my Soul, these resolutions and the vows of God which are upon thee. Thou canst not violate them without incurring the displeasure of the best of beings, the best of fathers, and the most faithful of friends; nor without injuring thy best and dearest interests. Strengthen me, O Lord, I beseech thee, and confirm the resolution of thy servant. Keep me by thy mighty power from sinning against thee, and preserve me spotless unto thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.”

Soon after the date of the foregoing resolutions, Mr. Richards went to Long Island, and entered into an engagement to preach to two small congregations; one at Sag Harbor and the other at Shelter Island.

The following grateful tribute to his memory as a minister at Sag Harbor, is found in "The History of Long Island," by the Rev. N. S. Prime: "The late Rev. James Richards, D. D.-a name loved and revered throughout the Church-made some of his first essays in this place to preach the Gospel. And though he was here but a short time, his labors of love were highly appreciated by a pious few; the most of whom have already hailed him as the helper of their faith, and are now rejoicing with him in a brighter world. There was one precious saint, long since gone to her rest, whom the writer has often heard speak of the satisfaction and benefit which she derived from the labors of that youthful servant of Christ, not only in the pulpit, but at the domestic fireside; and the name of 'Richards' was music in her ears to her dying day."

In May, 1794, he was invited to visit the church and congregation in Morristown, N. J., as a candidate for the pastoral office; which invitation he accepted, and agreed to visit that people at the expiration of his existing engagements. This arrangement was made under the advice of Dr. Buel, of East Hampton, and his son-in-law the Rev. Aaron Woolworth, of Bridgehampton. Dr. Buel had long been acquainted with the character of the congregation now vacant, and his own mind and that of his son-in-law were favorably impressed as to the ministerial character and promise of Mr. Richards.

In a letter written to Rev. Dr. Johnes, the old friend and pastor of the church in Morristown, while the question of the young candidate's settlement was pending, Dr. Buel uses the following language: "The man who, on a thorough acquaintance with James Richards, does not love him, cannot himself be deserving the love of any man."

He entered upon his labors in Morristown in the month of June, 1794; and in September following received a call to take the pastoral charge of the congregation.

In November of this year he was married to Caroline, daughter of James Cowles, of Farmington, Connecticut.

His ordination to the work of the Gospel ministry, and the consummation of his pastoral relations took place on the 1st of May, 1797, "at a stated meeting of what was then called the Presbytery of New York."

The charge now committed to the hands of Mr. Richards, was one of great responsibility. The congregation was large, comprising much intelligence, and withal afflicted with divisions of sentiment and feeling, which had grown out of their relations to a former minister—who was a colleague of Dr. Johnes. For a just view of the responsibility of the new pastor, together with the character and influence of his ministry in Morristown we