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A MEMORABLE EVENT.

great military pomp, and at the request of the Governor and his friends, Mr. Stanford delivered an

"In no one instance, perhaps, was his influence with the army so strikingly exemplified, as in his attack on the enemy at Trenton. O'er and o'er have I listened with intense anxiety, in the day of my boyhood, whilst my now departed sire, who fought and bled on that proud field, recited, with thrilling interest, all that related to the enterprise. It was on a December's night, (would he say) when our little heart-broken army halted on the banks of the Delaware. That night was dark-cheerlesstempestuous-and bore a strong resemblance to our country's fortunes! It seemed as if heaven and earth had conspired for our destruction. The clouds lowered-darkness and the storm came on apace. The snow and the hail descended, beating with unmitigated violence upon the supperless, half-clad, shivering soldier-and in the roarings of the flood, and the wailings of the storm, were heard, by fancies ear, the knel of our hopes, and the dirge of liberty! The impetuous river was filled with floating ice; an attempt to cross it at that time, and under such circumstances, seemed a desperate enterprise; yet it was undertaken; and thanks be to God and Washington, was accomplished.

"From where we landed on the Jersey shore to Trenton, was about nine miles, and on the whole line of march there was scarcely a word uttered, save by the officers when giving some order. We were well nigh exhausted, said he, many of us frost-bitten, and the majority of us so badly shod that the blood gushed from our frozen and lacerated feet; yet we upbraided not, complained not, but marched steadily and firmly, though mournfully onward, resolved to persevere to the uttermost-not for our country-our country alas! we had given up for lost. Not for ourselves-life for us no longer wore a charm-but because such was the will of our beloved chief-'twas for Washington alone we were willing to make the sacrifice. When we arrived within sight of the enemy's encampments, we were ordered to form a line, when Washington reviewed as. Pale and emaciated, dispirited and exhausted, we presented a most unwarlike and melancholy aspect. The paternal eye of our chief was quick to discover the extent of our sufferings, and acknowledged them with his tears: but suddenly checking his emotions, he reminded us that our country, and all that we held dear, was staked upon the coming battle. As he spoke we began to gather ourselves up, and rally our energies-every man grasped his arms more firmly-and the clenched hand, and the compressed lip, and the steadfast look, and the knit brow, told the soul's resolve. Washington observed us well; then did he exhort us with all the fervor of his soul,On yonder field to conquer, or die the death of the brave.' At that instant the glorious sun, as if in prophetic token of our success burst forth in all his splendour, bathing in liquid light the blue hills of Jersey. The faces which but a few minutes before were blanched with despair, glowed with martial fire and animation. Our chief, with exultation, hailed the scene; then casting his doubts to the wind, and calling on the God of battles' and his faithful soldiers, led on to the charge. The conflict was fierce and bloody. For more than twenty minutes, not a gun was fired-the sabre and bayonet did the work of destruction, 'twas a hurricane of fire, and steel, and death. There did we stand (would he say) there did we stand, foot to foot, and hilt to hilt,' with the serried foe! and where we stood we died or conquered."

NEW YEAR'S SERMON.

107

address to the assembled multitude, adopting, as his motto, the text in Acts xxii. 28-"I was free-born." The substance of this address, with an account of the celebration, were published in the Trenton newspapers.

The following Lord's day was spent in Philadelphia, where he preached in three different churches. The last day in the year was passed at Lower-Dublin, in the society of the Rev. Dr. Jones, and a few other old friends, in praising God for his goodness to them during the past year, and for his cheering promise, that he will never leave nor forsake them that put their trust in him.

The first day of the year 1807, found Mr. Stanford still in Pennsylvania. In the morning he preached in the Rev. Dr. Jones' church, to a very large congregation, from Acts xxvi. 22" Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day." Upon this text he remarks: "With grateful emotions would I confess before men, the debt of love I owe to my good and gracious God, who has had patience with my sinful heart and barren life so many years. O that by the same help, I may yet persevere, until the days of my pilgrimage on earth shall end!" In the evening he preached at Holmesburg, to a large assembly, on which occasion the Lord was pleased to grant him special comfort in contemplating the words of David in Psalm xlviii. 14-"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” "This," said he, "comprehends all I want. May the Lord enable me more abundantly to claim this relation, and may I trust him as my faithful and unerring guide, through all the duties, trials, and changes of my future life."

A short time after his return to New-York, he addressed the following letter to his Excellency, Governor Bloomfield, of New-Jersey:

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LETTER TO GOVERNOR BLOOMFIELD.

"MY DEAR SIR,

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"It gave me pleasure to hear, by Mr. Coles, that yourself and family were in good health. He expressed your wish, that I should transmit to you a copy of what is called The Usurpation of Buonaparte.' You will find it enclosed. By this favourable conveyance, I return you Solomon's Common Places.' On my first entering on the examination of the manuscript, I found some difficulty from the obsolete language employed, when compared with our present translation; but recollecting that the author might have used Beza's copy, and having that in my study, it gave me considerable assistance. I have examined all the texts, and find them generally correct; and where I thought it was necessary, I have made corrections with a black lead pencil. These are submitted to your judgment, and which, at pleasure, if necessary, you can easily erase. If in this trifling service I have answered your wishes, I shall be amply compensated. Although Mr. Coles will tell you a little about me, I shall take another dip of ink to say, that I go on in the old way. Last month, containing thirty days, I preached twenty-eight sermons. This, you will say, is enough for any man; but you must know, good Sir, I am what some people call a 'general lover;' by which you will understand, that although I maintain with firmness the professions of what I believe to be the will of my God, in his gospel, yet I devote my public labours to all religious denominations without distinction. Indeed, I am the only minister in the city that can be called so far truly republican.' To me it is a source of peculiar happiness, that I receive the attention of Baptists, Independents, Lutherans, Moravians, and others. I know you will not be angry with me for this liberality. Semper eadem, (always the same) is my motto, preach where I may; indeed it is all of a price; for although I have preached about three hundred sermons during

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"

LETTER TO GOVERNOR BLOOMfield.

109

this year, yet I have not received pecuniary compensation sufficient to purchase a pinch of snuff!

"The winter progresses, and I shall not be able to venture out much in the evening. Having dismissed your manuscript, and some other things of a similar nature, I must now, Deo volente, contrive something to employ my pen during the long evenings. I have thought of taking up some old lectures on theology, which I formerly delivered in Rhode-Island, and subsequently, to young gentlemen who have studied with me for the ministry, so as to make something like an easy text book for students in that department, and to be useful to young men who have not had the benefit of a classical education.

"It is unnecessary for me to say any thing to your Excellency on the gloomy appearances of public affairs in our beloved America. I am no dabbler in politics. It better becomes me to teach men the way of salvation, and pray for universal liberty and peace. My dear friend, you and I may never live to see it, yet I am confident that every one of the human family will eventually say, I am free born.'

"Do me the favour of presenting my affectionate regards to Mrs. Bloomfield, Miss M'Ilvaine, and your nephew, Mr. Potter. Although I may not drink a glass of wine with you next New-Year's day, my prayer is, that you may spend your days in pros perity, and close your years in peace.'

"I a

am,

"Your's most sincerely,

"New-York, December 2d, 1807."

"JOHN STANFORD.

The following is Governor Bloomfield's reply.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"Trenton, December 20th, 1807.

"Your favour of the 2d of this month, with your

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LETTER FROM GOVERNOR BLOOMFIELD.

good little pamphlet, (multum in parvo) Solomon's Common Places,' and The Usurpation of Buonaparte,' in one envelope, were received of Mr. Coles yesterday.

"Alderman M'Reeley, last week procured for Mrs. Bloomfield, a copy of your excellent tract, which a good lady of her acquaintance requested as a present for a particular person, and she has been gratified with another copy by Mr. Coles. Parson P. Wilson called to see me yesterday, just after the reception of your packet. I took the liberty to mention the industry of a brother clergyman, who had preached onethird of a century; upon which Mr. Wilson said, that Mr. Stanford's publications had done much good, and that he was a very useful man; in which Mrs. Bloomfield and myself very readily accorded.

"Solomon's Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, contain stores of wisdom, applicable to every situation of life; his maxims, digested and arranged by good Bishop Hall, if properly printed, might arrest the attention of persons who would not otherwise read the sacred books.

"Usurpation of Buonaparte,' 1 requested Mr. Coles to purchase for me, and never intimated to him that you should have the trouble of procuring it; my message by him to you was, that Mr. Stanford will please to take his own time in the correction of Solomon's Common Places.' I am, however, not the less obliged by your and your son's attention; and I am determined to seize the first opportunity of convincing you that I have not forgotten your many favours. I hope to visit you when I pass through New-York, probably in July.

"Assure yourself, that I cannot add to the respect and esteem with which I am,

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Very truly,

"Your friend, and most obedient servant,

"JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD."