be ascertained. When a child, it is believed not seven years of age, he composed a sermon on the first verse in the Bible-"And God created the heaven and the earth"-which, from justness, and connexion of the thoughts, excited surprise.

He was docile, manly, regular, diligent, and faithful, and ever discovered a maturity of mind in advance of his years. At the age of twelve, he was admitted to Harvard University, and through the whole of his Collegiate course, he incurred no censure, but was highly commended for his exemplary conduct, and proficiency in his studies.

Within about two years after he graduated, he became a preacher of the gospel, and such was his popularity, that after hearing him one or two Sabbaths, the church and society in Halifax, Massachusetts, unanimously invited him to take the office of their Pastor, with which he accepted, and was ordained six weeks before he was nineteen years of age. He soon after married Miss RUTH WHEELOCK, daughter of the Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, founder and first President of Dartmouth College.

When Mr. Patten had continued in Halifax about ten years, his youth, and want of opportunity to study, obliged him to sit up two whole nights every week, which brought on a series of hypochondriac fits, which, by the misjudgment of his physicians, they all thought of the apoplectic kind, and therefore reduced him to death's-door, but by journeying and relaxation he was by a

Divine blessing, in some measure restored to health, though ever after subject to a return of the disease if any extra excitement occurred.

Mr. Patten thought it adviseable, by a party council, selected and called by himself, though much against the approbation of the church and congregation in general, to obtain a dismission, believing on the whole it would prove beneficial to them, as he was unable to perform parochial duties to his own satisfaction. Soon after returning health and a desire to be employed in his Master's service, induced him to re-settle in the ministry. He was installed colleague pastor with the Rev. Elnathan Whitman, over the South Church in Hartford, Connecticut. He continued in this situation about seven years, when former indisposition returned with increasing violence, especially his failure of voice, so that he could perform no public service, nor even offer a prayer audibly in his family. He languished and declined nearly two years, when, after a life of peculiar trial, he died in great peace, in the bosom of his father's family, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, January 16th, 1775, aged 37 years.

In person, Mr. Patten was above the middle stature he was well formed, and there was a remarkable dignity connected with ease and grace in all his movements-his countenance was manly, his eye intelligent, and expressive. His voice was clear and sonorous, full and distinctevery tone adapted to the sentiment he uttered. The attention of every one was immediately ar

rested and fixed when he spake. His sermons were strictly evangelical, and very instructive and impressive. In prayer he had uncommon gifts-consisting, principally, of scripture expressions, judiciously selected and embodied, and very appropriate. He was a diligent reader, and eminent in the acquisition of knowledge, there being but few subjects with which he was not acquainted. He appeared to have an intuitive view of every thing to which he attended, so as not to require a teacher.

He manifested, in all his trials, Christian meekness and submission, and a spirit of forgiveness and prayer, for those, by whom, he considered himself injured. He was entirely reconciled to death, and manifested full confidence to the last in the mercy of God, through the Redeemer, and desired to depart that he might be with Christ.

He left a wife and six children to deplore their loss, and though with little property, felt no anxiety, fully persuaded that the God of the widow and fatherless would provide for them, and desiring that He would be their portion.

Mrs. Patten being deprived of the principal part of her property, by fraud, was enabled to depend entirely upon the promises of God to the widow and fatherless, and these she found fulfilled in faithfulness and truth, although the hand from whence relief came, was not always known, though very acceptable-sometimes from stran. gers, and in times of the greatest need. She knew who to thank, even her Heavenly Father, from whom all our blessings flow.

The summer after Mr. Patten's death, the elder son, about 12 years of age, was invited by his grandfather, the Rev. President Wheelock, to come to him at Dartmouth College, to which his mother gladly consented, though the trial was great to think of parting with so dutiful and affectionate a son, who had been her companion through a long and tedious journey with his father, and now a favorite with a little invalid daughter-but the good of her son was dear to her heart, and all objections were removed.

When he arrived at College, there was a revival of religion among the students, and within a year his mother received a letter from him, informing her, that by the grace of God, he had found joy and peace in believing, through faith in his blessed Lord and Redeemer. Her heart overflowed with gratitude to her God and Savior.

Mrs. Patten's hands were full--an infant and one sick with a chronical disease, which continned until April 24th, 1776. The little sufferer endured a long confinement, and several extremely painful surgical operations, with exemplary patience, exhibiting an intellect far superior to her years. In her last moments she endeavored to comfort her afflicted mother, and left the cheering consolation that she did not die without hope, though but six years of age-for she had given evidence that she loved the Saviour.

"As the sweet flower that scents the morn
But withers in the rising day,

Thus lovely was dear Charlotte's dawn,
Thus swiftly fled her life away."

During a protracted absence at College, and teaching a school one year, Mrs. Patten's son returned to his honored mother and beloved sisters, -their mutual affection was not in the least diminished by their long separation. But, alas! an alloy a vacancy!-when he left home he had four sisters, but now only three !--his dearly beloved Charlotte was gone! gone to rest, as we humbly hope, in the bosom of her Saviour. To be separated from one so tenderly loved, was grievous, but the reflection that she was safe, and happy, was consoling indeed; and as he had experienced the love of a Saviour in his absence, the idea of living together again forever, was delightful.

He continued with his family until spring,when his uncle, the Honorable Judge DAVENPORT, of Stamford, invited him to return with him and spend the summer in his family, and write for him, hoping that he would regain his health; which was very feeble at that time. After his return, he accepted of a Clerk-ship in the paytable office, until he was old enough to commence the study of Divinity, with the Rev. Dr. Hart, at Preston, in 1782.

While many were engaged in the Revolutionary war, and many others preparing for the army, Mrs. Patten united with her family in the cause of freedom, by contributing to the comfort of the soldiers in making clothing, lodging the weary, and nursing the sick, when returning from captivity, and imprisonment, were almost in a state of starvation-none were sent empty away.