JACOB RUSH.

CHIEF-JUSTICE OF PENNSYLVANIA.*

JACOB RUSH, brother of Benjamin Rush, was born in Byberry township, Pa., in 1746, and died in Philadelphia, January 5, 1820. He graduated at Princeton College in 1765; entered the profession of the law; was for many years presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia; and afterwards became ChiefJustice of the State.

The following are passages from Mr. Rush before the Grand Jury:

"It is the LAW; the Legislature have said so-should silence every objection, stop every mouth, and restrain every hand and foot."

"Has the LAW said, Thou shalt do no unnecessary work, nor practice any sport or diversion on Sunday? He that offends in those instances, against both heaven and earth, is a bad citizen, and a bad man.”

[Of the second section of the law of 1794.] "This section. imposes a penalty of sixty-seven cents, for profanely cursing and swearing by the name of God, Christ Jesus, or the Holy Ghost."

“ORDER is heaven's first law-and should be the first law of earth. Universal obedience to His infinitely holy and unerring laws, is necessarily productive of universal order, and universal order is necessarily productive of universal happiness."

In an address delivered before the Grand Jury of Luzerne County, April, 1801, Mr. Rush says:

"It has long been my opinion, that the relaxation of domestic authority is one of the most alarming symptoms both of the

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"Princeton College During the Eighteenth Century," by Alexander; 'Charges on Moral and Religious Subjects," by Rush.

degeneracy and dangerous situation of our country. If we permit our children to do as they please, to frequent what company they please, and to keep what hours they please, nothing can be expected but that our country, ere long, will swarm with a race of beings that neither fear God, nor regard man. Such are the incalculable advantages of discipline over young persons, that I have often thought (religion and a future state out of the question) it would be the height of wisdom to compel them to keep the most exact hours, to oblige them to a regular attendance on the public institutions of Christianity, to confine them to their own homes on Sunday, at least some portion of the day, and in various other instances of a similar nature to restrain them, if it were only to impress them with habits of early surbordination to private authority, in order to lay a proper foundation of obedi ence to public government and the laws of the land."

The following is a copy of the remarkable sentence, by Mr. Rush, November, 1797, in the case of Benjamin Bailey, for the murder of Jost Folhafer.

"You have had a fair and impartial trial. The witnesses have been examined in your presence. You selected your own jury, and have been ably and zealously defended by your counsel. . . . The evidence on the trial made so strong an impression, as to combine in one sentiment against you, the Court, the jury, and the by-standers.

"As you have but a short time to live in this world, and there is no hope of pardon from any earthly hand, let me urge you to seek a pardon from above.

"It is the consolation of the wretched and the guilty that God is infinitely merciful. But it should be remembered that He is merciful, not to him who continues in the practice of sin, but to him only who repents and utterly forsakes it.

"Be assured, the question is not, whether you must repent of your sins. That is certain sooner or later. But the question is, whether it is not better to repent in this world, where your repentance may be attended with the happiest effects, than to repent hereafter.

"You have imbrued your hands in innocent blood for the sake

of a little money. And though the water of the mountain hath washed the stain from your garments, and from your hands, yet oceans of water can never wash away the stain of guilt from your conscience. Nothing can possibly do this, but the efficacious and all-cleansing blood of a SAVIOUR.

"Be advised, therefore, immediately, to set about the great duty of repentance, and working out your salvation, with fear and trembling.

"You have not a moment to lose; exert yourself, and if you have never prayed before strive to pray now for the first time; for prayer is the very breath of Heaven, and without it there is no religion, no repentance, no pardon on earth.

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Weep over your sins, and if you cannot so much as look up to Heaven, perhaps with downcast eyes, smiting your breast, you may both feel and express the fervent wish of the publican.

"Let me earnestly advise and beseech you, to send for some pious clergyman, and to converse freely with him. And who knows, but through the blessing of God on your endeavors, you may be presented without spot or blemish, before the throne of the Lamb, and shine hereafter among the spirits of just men made perfect, in the realms of ineffable glory and felicity."

A work was published in 1804, entitled "Charges and Extracts of Charges on Moral and Religious Subjects; delivered at sundry times by the Hon. Jacob Rush, with a recommendation by the Reverend Clergy of the Presbyterian Church in the city of Philadelphia; whose names are as follows: Ashbel Green, Jacob J. Janeway. .."

In 1806, Mr. Rush published "Character of Christ "; in 1819, "Christian Baptism."

THOMAS RUSSELL.

MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL, 1789-1793.*

RICHARD RUSSELL, born in Hereford, Herefordshire, England, came to Charlestown in 1640, became a merchant, and acquired a handsome estate. He represented the town in the General Court from the year 1646 till 1659, when he was chosen an Assistant or Councillor, in which office he continued till his death in 1676. To Charlestown he gave a valuable farm, lying in Lynfield, the income of which was to be distributed among the poor of the town, at the discretion of the Selectmen and Deacons. He gave also, legacies to the clergymen then serving in Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, Watertown, Newton, Roxbury and Dorchester. James Russell, eldest son of Richard Russell, succeeded his father in his mercantile business and his public offices.

Daniel Russell, son of James Russell, was a member of his Majesty's Council for the Province of Massachusetts for upwards of twenty years. His conscientious fidelity procured him universal approbation.

James Russell, second son of Daniel Russell, was born in Charlestown, and was also a member of the Massachusetts Council. "While his family and his closet witnessed his constant devotions, his life adorned the religion which he professed." He married Katherine, daughter of Thomas Greaves, "whose life of undissembled piety, and whose amiable, social and domestic virtues endeared her to her friends."

Thomas Russell of the present sketch, son of James and Katherine Russell, was born in Charlestown, Mass., April 7, 1749; died in Boston, April 8, 1796.

"Eulogy," by Dr. John Warren, 1796; "Discourses," by Rev. Jedediah Morse, and Rev. Peter Thacher.

"He was early placed at a private school conducted by Mr. Cushing, one of the ablest preceptors of the period. The residue of his education was committed to Thomas Green, a principal merchant in the town of Boston. The best men in the province patronized this house in educating their sons for mercantile life. Mr. Green took great pains to prevent his apprentices falling into licentious or idle courses, and to educate them not only skillful merchants, but likewise good men."

Mr. Russell carried on the business of a merchant with different fortunes but with ultimate success. At one time he well-nigh lost the whole of what he had acquired. His trade extended to distant lands. He sent forth the first ship ever employed by the United States in the trade to Russia.

"In the year 1788 he was chosen a Representative of the town of Boston to the General Court, and the same year he was chosen a Delegate to the convention for deliberating on the adoption of the Federal Constitution. In the year 1789 he was elected into the Council of the Commonwealth, a circumstance which furnishes the singular instance of this honor being continued in the same family through five successive generations. He retained his seat there until the year 1794."

Mr. Russell was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; was elected President of the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians in North America, and to this institution gave the sum of two hundred pounds; was a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society, and was the largest subscriber to their funds; was elected President of the Humane Society, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Governor Bowdoin. Concerning this last appointment he was often heard to say that of all the offices and honors bestowed on him, this had been the most acceptable.

Having accumulated wealth he was careful to place it where it was secure, being averse to every species of speculation. He often deposited money in the hands of others for the benefit of the poor, to be disposed of discretionately, under the strictest charge of not divulging his name. To needy families he gave an annual distribution of fuel, enjoining secresy upon the persons by whom it was supplied. To persons under embarrassment, he was