vious to this period when Mr. Kollock was tutor in the college, which had been cherished by long and repeated intercourse. But when he was associated with him, as a permanent officer, these tender ties were strengthened, and an intimate friendship was formed, which continued until death. Afterwards, when they were far separated, these two friends continued to corres pond, and never lost that tender affection which they mutually professed. It was the wish of Dr. Smith, expressed a few years before his death, that this faithful friend should, after his decease, write bis life. Dr. Kollock engaged to do so, and de signed to publish a full account of his life, writings, and cha racter; but death, which has destroyed so many other schemes, frustrated his expectations, and prevented the accomplishment of his purpose. It is to be lamented that he had not lived to render this testimony of gratitude and affection to his beloved instructer and friend.

On the first of June, 1804, he formed a matrimonial connexion with Mrs. Mahetabel, widow of Alexander Campbell, Esq. of Richmond, Virginia, and daughter of Mr. William Hylton, of the island of Jamaica. By this lady, who still survives him, he had no children.

At the commencement of 1806 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity, from Harvard University, and a few months afterwards the same honour from Union College. His character, as a theologian and a man of science, must have been conspicuous to have received, at the early age of twenty-eight, this tribute of respect from institutions of such established literary reputation.

In the summer of 1806 he received a pressing request from the Independent Presbyterian congregation of Savannah, to accept the pastoral office over them. This church had long been

deprived of a regular ministry in a place where some of the most faithful and eminent divines had toiled and laboured, there was scarcely a minister of any denomination to "preach the gospel of peace." Here the famous Dr. John Zubly preached as the first Presbyterian minister: a man of an energetic and enlightened mind, an accomplished oriental scholar, but yet a plain, faithful preacher of the doctrines of the cross. The memories of Mr. Robert Smith, and Mr. Robert Kerr, are still cherished with grateful affection by the surviving members of that congregation. They were both men of learning and piety; and, in a pastoral relation, beloved and useful.

Although Dr. Kollock was warmly attached to the college and congregation of Princeton, yet he esteemed it his duty to accept the invitation from this church. The feelings which attended his departure from his people, were mutually affecting and painful; but the strong conviction, that he was in the path of duty, tended, in some degree, to alleviate the pain of separation.

In the autumn of 1806 he removed with his family to Savannah, and took charge of that important congregation. In consequence of the long vacancy of the church, and a want of regular preaching in the city, as would be expected, the state of morals and religion was low. There was much gayety and dissipation among the inhabitants, little attention to religion, and less order and discipline in the church.

In these circumstances just such a man as Dr. Kollock was needed; a man of unusual weight of character, of ardent piety and zeal, of great practical wisdom, and of commanding oratorical talents. He immediatety commenced his ministerial labours, and manifested the same activity and diligence, the same tender anxiety for his flock which he had displayed in

other churches, over which he had presided. Catechetical instruction was introduced; private associations for prayer were established; order and discipline, in the church restored; and many other means employed for the prosperity of religion. It was soon seen that these plans and labours were not ineffectual; they were accompanied by the divine blessing, and an unusual seriousness immediately ensued. The congregation daily increased; many who were never before seen in the house of God, became regular attendants upon public worship: the assemblies were large and solemn, and numbers were awakened to serious thoughtfulness.

At the first administration of the Lord's Supper, after his arrival, twenty were added to the church; and at the second, eighteen publicly professed the religion of the Saviour. It was, indeed, cheering to the heart of the pastor to see his labours thus early owned and blessed by the God of Heaven.

While he thus indefatigably and successfully laboured for the promotion of religion, he did much for the advancement of literature and science. It was owing, in a great measure, to his exertions that the Chatham Academy, which for many years had been suffered to languish, revived, and, under his fostering care, became one of the most respectable in our country. To him is Savannah indebted for her valuable and extensive public Library. He proposed the plan, and by his influence succeeded in carrying it into operation. He was chosen to make the first selection of books; and, to the period of his death, tenderly cherished and fostered it. He every where inspired a taste for reading; and in proportion as religion flourished, science was advanced, and literature cultivated.

"

The first two or three summers after his removal to Savannah were spent by Dr. Kollock in the northern states: sometimes with his parents, in New-Jersey; at other times extensively travelling through the country. Such was the influence of the climate in the summer and autumn, that his congregation and friends would not consent that he should risk his life there during the sickly season.

In one of these excursions he travelled through New-England, and was every where received with attention and respect; and wherever he preached, regarded with the highest admiration. He had before twice visited Boston, and in the summer of 1808, made a third visit. In no place which he had visited could he have excited more attention. The churches in which he preached were crowded with the multitudes who were attracted by his eloquence; and more than one experienced the salutary influence of his preaching upon their hearts and lives. So great was the attachment of the people, and so strong the conviction that he would there be extensively useful, that a congregation was organized, Park-Street Church erected for him, and, in 1808, he was unanimously invited to be their pastor.

When he received this invitation, he was embarrassed to know how to decide, and for some time he remained in a state of uncertainty and suspense. As a man of letters, thirsting for science, his inclination would naturally have led him to remove to a place where he could enjoy the best literary society, and experience the highest advantages for intellectual improvement. He knew, too, the attachment of the congregation of Boston to his person and preaching, and could not but hope that he might there be extensively useful in preaching the pure doctrines of Christianity. But, on the other hand, such was the ardent affection of his flock; such the success of.

his labours, and such the prospect of still greater usefulness, in Savannah, that he felt reluctant to leave them. It was affecting, while his mind was in this state of suspense, to see the trembling anxiety of his people; to hear their urgent and affectionate entreaties; to read the warm-hearted letters which he received, sometimes from the youth of his charge, sometimes from the aged females of his flock, entreating him not to leave them. Such a tender scene as this his affectionate heart was incapable of resisting: he viewed in it the hand of Divine Providence, pointing out to him the path which it was his duty to pursue. He accordingly resolved to remain with his people, and wrote to the congregation of Boston the result of his determination.

In 1810 the presidency of the University of Georgia becoming vacant, by the resignation of Dr. Meigs, Dr. Kollock was appointed by the trustees to fill this important station. His reputation as a man of letters was universally acknowledged; and they were convinced that his talents would elevate the character of the institution, and cause it to assume a new appearThis appointment, however, to the great regret and disappointment of the trustees, he thought it his duty to decline.

ance.

In the winter of 1811, when the city was visited by earthquakes, there was an unusual seriousness in Savannah, the effect, not so much of terror, excited by the judgment of God, as of the power of the divine word, accompanied by the influences of the Spirit. On almost every evening there was religious worship; the pastor was incessantly engaged, willing to spend and be spent" for the salvation of sinners: many were brought to the foot of the cross, and large additions were made to the church. The inhabitants of that city still remember this period as a time when the labours of their

66