As a Christian, Dr. Richards was humble, prayerful, and full of sympathy with the cause of Christ. Like Brainerd and Edwards, he cherished the most abasing views of his own moral character. He was once asked, "Do you suppose that you have ever, for a moment, loved God as much as you ought?" and his immediate answer was, "No, NOT A THOUSANDTH PART:" and burst into tears. In his religious character, which, on the whole, was one of great symmetry, there was, perhaps, more of the anxious than the hopeful and joyous. Says Dr. Cox, one of his colleagues in Auburn :

"He sometimes evinced anxiety of a peculiar kind. It was not that his hope was shaken or gloomed either objectively or subjectively; but it arose from a tender apprehension of the great crisis of the dying hour, of the importance of glorifying Christ in his exit from the world, the desirableness of recommending his religion to survivors, his conscious need of special grace in that great solemnity of untried being! He would say to me, Oh! that I may have the full and copious help of the Holy Ghost when I come to die-a supply of the spirit of Christ!"

Dr. Richards loved and cherished the spirit of prayer. He regarded it as the "Christian's vital breath." His attitude in his private devotions, especially during the latter part of his life, was standing; and often, with his hands placed upon the mantle-piece of his study, he was found wrestling with the angel of the covenant. An inmate of his family relates an instance in which his countenance so indicated an abstraction of mind from earth and his sweet communion with God, as to remind her of Moses on the holy mount "in audience with the Deity."

He laid great stress upon prayer as giving life and efficacy to all other means of grace. In times of trial and darkness in the Church he went often to his closet, and recommended to others earnest and importunate appeal to the mercy-seat, as furnishing the richest pro

90

mise of needed relief. Says one, "Division and strife in the Church were to him as 'a thorn in the flesh;' and while others litigated and thundered anathemas, this man of God was on his knees, weeping over the afflictions of Joseph, and praying for the peace of Zion."

The depth and power of his pious sympathies, were peculiarly developed in connection with revivals of religion and the benevolent movements of the age.

com

"My acquaintance with him," says the Rev. G. N. Judd, menced in the winter of 1817. It was a time of general religious interest in the town of Newark, especially among the people of his pastoral charge. I shall never forget the intense interest and heavenly unction which characterized his conversation, his preaching and his prayers.

"It was evident that he felt a deep interest in the salvation of men everywhere. No one could doubt this who enjoyed the privilege of listening to his prayers. They were characterized by a tenderness of spirit, a depth of feeling, a divine emotion, and a power of entreaty, decidedly evidential of intense desire and strong faith in God, as the hearer of prayer."

The writer of the above refers to a meeting of Presbytery in Morristown, at the time of a powerful revival of religion, and speaks of Dr. Richards, who was present, as follows:

"The deep fountains of feeling in his bosom were evidently moved. He offered the prayer which preceded the delivery of the Presbyterial sermon, and made an address at a meeting in the evening which was appropriated to exhortation and prayer. Both of these performances were characterized by a sense of the presence, majesty, and holiness of God, and the worth of the soul, such as I have seldom, if ever, witnessed."

A co-presbyter of the writer, Rev. C. Merwin, says:

"Soon after leaving the Seminary, I went to him for advice, during an awakening among the people of my charge. I told him of the solemn interest which pervaded my congregation, and of the tokens of God's presence. THE TEARS STOLE RAPIDLY DOWN HIS

FURROWED CHEEKS, AS HIS SOUL SEEMED TO EXULT IN THE PROSPERITY OF GOD'S CAUSE."

It may be added that Dr. Richards "devised liberal things" for the kingdom of Christ. His agency was concerned not only in the origin of many of the benevolent institutions of the age, but in sustaining them to the last, by his charities, and prayers, and labors. Nothing more gladdened his heart as a pastor, than the increase of that spirit among his people which looks to the conversion of the world; and as a Professor, nothing is noted in his correspondence with the friends of the Seminary with greater joy than the spirit evinced among his pupils to go to "the waste places" of our American Zion, or carry the Gospel upon their lips to "the isles of the sea,' and to preach "Christ where he had not been named."

As a theologian Dr. Richards held a high place in the estimation of the Christian public. His profession not only, but taste and habits of instructing young men in their course preparatory to the ministry, led his mind. much in the direction of theological study. The general character of his religious opinions is well intimated in the language of Dr. Woods, of Andover: "He thought, and felt, and preached, as the ministers of Connecticut did 40 years ago, and as the ministers of New England generally do now. His religious experience substantially agreed with the experience of such men as Edwards, Brainerd and Bellamy; and his theological belief corresponded with his experience. And when I say this, I mean to say that his belief and his religious experience were conformed to the Word of God." His views were clear and comprehensive. He saw the relations and mutual dependences of the Gospel system; and with much care and skill assigned to each particular truth its own proper place. Primary truths were well distinguished, both in relation to each other, and in relation to those which are only secondary; and his body of

divinity, like the natural body, was "fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth."

As a polemic, Dr. Richards was skillful, and no less candid than skillful. He read or heard opposing views patiently, stated them fairly, and then discussed them in such a manner as to secure the respect of his opponent, if not to convince him of error. "It was remarkable," says one, "that his opposition to error and disorder was made with a spirit so respectful, and kind and gentle, that he did not lose the esteem and friendship of those from whom he differed."

There are some things which have a degree of importance in the preacher, in which the subject of this sketch was excelled. He never prepared his sermons with any reference to the "enticing words of man's wisdom." For polishing, he found neither time nor disposition. Nor was he equal to some of his brethren in gracefulness of manner. It was evident that in relation to these matters, either he had never made himself familiar with highly-finished models, or if so, that he was not particularly careful to copy them. But in strong thought clothed with appropriate diction, in giving to the trumpet a certain sound, in bringing from the Gospel treasure things both new and old, in presenting truth with perspicuity, in giving to each hearer his own portion in due season, and in applying truth pungently and faithfully, Dr. Richards had few equals in the American Church. He selected his themes, arranged his plans, chose his forms of expression, and delivered his message with the obvious aim to make his hearers understand, and induce them to receive and obey the truth. Hence there was no mere show of learning in the pulpit, but everything was suited as well to instruct the unlettered, as to interest and edify the most highly-furnished minds. He never discussed a doctrine dryly; but after a fair statement, and clear elucidation, brought it to bear upon the hearer, as a

matter of deep practical interest, and as furnishing the highest motives for holy confidence and obedience. His presentation of the preceptive and experimental parts of the Gospel, constituted a bright and faithful mirror, in which his hearers could learn what was their own spiritual character. There was also much less inequality in his ordinary exhibitions of truth, than often obtains among those who are regarded as eminent preachers. There are those in the Christian ministry who are capable of great efforts, who, nevertheless, sometimes feed their flocks with mere declamation, or at best, with tame and moderate sermons. Dr. Richards was more equal in the distribution of his power; or, at least, he avoided the sinking extreme, which certainly is the least desirable. "As a preacher," says the Hon. T. Frelinghuysen, “he was sound, practical, instructive, always interesting, and often eloquent. The great themes which he discussed, and the deep concern he felt for the salvation of his hearers, were so earnestly and solemnly urged, that no one could mistake his convictions or his purpose."

As a Professor of Theology, Dr. Richards was well furnished, apt to teach, punctual and patient. His studies, as we have already remarked, were mainly subordinate to the range of instruction which he was called to impart. This principle was closely adhered to until the close of his life. Many of his lectures were frequently re-written. Every sentiment was carefully and frequently examined, and the phraseology and form in which that sentiment was conveyed, was studied with a view to its conveying precisely the author's sentiments to the minds of his pupils. About two years before his death, in a letter to his daughter he says:

"Could I favor myself as much as I really ought at my time of life, I think I should enjoy comfortable health. But it is difficult to do this. If I have classes I must hear them; if I hear them I must be prepared."

"As an instructor he was remarkably punctual. Hours