APPENDIX.

THE principal design of publishing memoirs of men eminent in knowledge and piety, is the benefit of survivors through the influence of example. With this view, the following sketches are presented to the reader.

The editor enters on the work with diffidence; but he owes it to the memory of his venerable friend, to such as shall read his theological writings, and to the Churches of Christ.

The summary of Dr. Bellamy's character as a Christian and Minister, in the preceding discourse, was all that was necessary, or, perhaps, proper, on that solemn occasion. To those who were personally, and many of them intimately acquainted, it was sufficient. The following particulars are subjoined for the information of strangers.

The Reverend Dr. JOSEPH BELLAMY, was born at NewCheshire, in the county of New-Haven, of reputable parents, in the year 1719. His early days were devoted to literature; and at the age of sixteen years, he was graduated at YaleCollege, in New-Haven. The course of his academical studies being finished, he retired from the university. And, from his private writings*, which were begun about this time, it appears that it was not long, after his removal from NewHaven, before he became the subject of those serious impressions, which we have abundant reason to believe, issued in a saving conversion.

From this period he consecrated his talents and studies to the evangelical ministry. At about the age of eighteen, he passed the usual examination before the Association of NewHaven county, and received their recommendation as a can

Among the Doctor's papers is found a journal, containing an account of his life, religious exercises, &c. which he had kept, a number of years, for the assistance of serious reflection in his own breast. Extracts from these private writings, together with the publications of several tracts of his, on important subjects, might better illustrate the character above at¡empted, but cannot have room in this Appendix.

didate for the gospel ministry. He preached in several congregations to good acceptance, and with hopeful success. But a distinguishing blessing attended his ministry, to the people of Bethlem, in the town of Woodbury. A large proportion of this infant society appeared to be awakened to a becoming sense of religion. The congregation, though

small, could by no means be reconciled to part with the man, by whose ministry so many of them thought they had been conducted to a saving knowledge of the truth. After much deliberation, prayer, and consultation with his fathers in the ministry, he determined to accept their call; and was accordingly ordained to the gospel ministry, and the pastoral office over the church in Bethlem, in the spring of 1740. In this retirement from the world, he devoted himself, with uncommon ardour, to his studies, and the duties of his office among his people, till the memorable revival of religion in New-England, and other parts of America, as well as Europe, which began in 1740, and was most conspicuous in 1742.— From that time he could not be contented to tarry at home. The spirit of ardent piety, which had marked his path for several years, kindled on this occasion into a flame. Seeing the fields white unto harvest, he thought he had a divine call to more extensive labours. Taking care that his own pulpit should be vacant as little as possible, he devoted a considerable portion of his time, for several years, to itinerating, in different parts of Connecticut and the neighbouring Coloniespreaching the gospel daily, and, often, repeatedly in a daymultitudes flocking to hear the word, and crowding to his lodgings for private instructions. Such appearances were exceedingly common in that happy season of the plentiful effusions of divine grace. And the many faithful labourers who, like the Doctor, were engaged in that most delightful service, found the work growing on their hands, and had the most animating prospect of success.

During the continuance of this extraordinary attention to religion in the land, Dr. Bellamy persevered in unremitted labours, desirous, as far as possible, to "preach the gospel to every creature." And, as far as man could judge, he was instrumental of the saving conversion of many, and of build

ing them up in the most holy faith. It is, however, to be acknowledged, with deep humiliation, that the latter part of that wonderful season was by no means equal to the expectations of its pious friends. In the early stages of the work, it seemed to be happily free from impure mixtures. And many pious ministers were ready to believe that the latter day glory of the church was dawning. But towards the conclusion of those religious operations, the prospect began sensibly to decline. Satan, who had in vain attempted to put a stop to this good work by open opposition, at length transformed himself into an angel of light. This produced a flood of enthusiasm and false religion, under various names. Many ignorant and vain pretenders to uncommon attainments in religion, set up for public teachers; divisions and separations were multiplied; the religious awakening declined fast; the enemy triumphed; and the friends of Zion mourned,

The prospect of any considerable usefulness, from itinerating, being now clouded, Mr. Bellamy, as well as others, returned to a more constant attention to his own charge. At this time he entered on the important task of writing his piece, entitled, True Religion delineated.-Though but a youth at this time, he seems to have been peculiarly qualified for a work of this kind: Not only from his distinguished abilities, ardent piety, great diligence in treasuring up theological knowledge, and an intimate acquaintance with some of the most eminent Divines then in New-England, especially the Reverend Jonathan Edwards, whose praise is still in our churches; but also from the uncommon attention which he had given to the marks of distinction between true and false religion, in judging of his own sincerity, from the first of his religious impressions; and from his very extensive acquaintance with persons under all kinds of religious operations, during the remarkable out-pourings of GoD's Spirit, referred to above. This book was printed about the year 1750, was well received, and has lately been re-printed in Scotland.

From this period, his abilities, as a divine, became more conspicuous: and young gentlemen, who were preparing for the gospel ministry, applied to him as a teacher. He conti

nued to be eminently useful, in this branch of his work, till the decline of life induced him to relinquish it.

As his method of instruction has met the approbation of those to whom it was known, and may probably be beneficial to others, the following summary is inserted.

After some conference, on religious subjects, with those who applied to him for instruction, by which he might learn their abilities, and cast of mind, he commonly gave them a number of questions, on the leading and most essential subjects of religion, both natural and revealed, in the form of a system. This system of questions began with that which is the foundation of all true religion-the existence, unity, natural and moral attributes of GOD; and proceeded to the grounds, nature, extent, and perfection of his providential and moral government of the world; the qualities essentially requisite to constitute a moral agent, or accountable creature; the evidences that man is such a being; the moral law or law of nature, with respect to man-the reasons of the law, or of man's duty; the primary state of man; the present character and state of man; evidences from reason, of a future state of rewards and punishments; evidences from reason of the perpetuity of that state-whether, antecedent to supernatural revelation, there be any hope of pardon and divine favour to sinful man; the need of a supernatural revelation; grounds to hope for it; evidences that the Old and New Testaments contain such a revelation; the divine Trinity in unity; original sin; divine decree; divinity of Christ; his humanity, mediatorial office and work; nature and design of his atonement; nature, necessity, author and effects of regeneration; justifying faith; justification by faith, as distinguished from good works; the distinguishing nature and fruits of true repentance, love, and other christian graces,—or the scriptural marks of a saving change; perseverance of saints; separate state; resurrection; future judgment; perpetual happiness of the righteous, and misery of the wicked; christian church; particular churches; officers, what, and how qualified; sacraments; nature and use of church discipline.

With a system of questions, similar to this, before his pupils, he directed their reading to such books on those leading

topics, as treat them with the greatest perspicuity and force of argument; and usually spent his evenings in examining into their improvements, solving difficulties which they found, or proposing and solving others, till they had obtained a good degree of understanding in a general system. After which, he directed them to write on each of the questions before given them, reviewing those parts of the authors which treated on that subject. These dissertations of his pupils were submitted to his examination. He pointed out where their arguments were insufficient, and substituted others more suitable in their place; stated such objections as are to be found in the writings of the most able and learned opposers of the truth; and when his pupils were unable to answer them, he pointed out the mode of solution. As they advanced in ability to make proper distinctions, he led them to read the most learned and acute opposers of the truth, on the deistical, trinitarian, and other leading subjects of controversy; and laid open to them the fallacy of the most specious reasonings in those writers.

When his pupils, by reading, conversation, and writing, in the form of dissertations, had gone through with a system of theological questions, he led them to write on several of the most important points, systematically, in the form of sermons. Next to this, he led them to peruse the best experimental and practical discourses, and to compose sermons on like subjects. This course he pursued with them, revising and correcting their compositions, and inculcating the great importance of acquiring the best method of preaching the gospel, and of performing all branches of the ministerial work. And also the necessity, for this end, of a heart truly devoted to the service of Christ, and a life of watching and prayer; discoursing occasionally on the various duties, trials, comforts, and motives of the evangelical work; that his pupils might be, as far as possible, "scribes well instructed to the kingdom of God." We add nothing further on this head. The above hints will give the reader a general view of what was designed. But those only, who have enjoyed his instructions, can have just apprehensions of his peculiar talents, as a theological teacher; or of the diligence and ardour with which he employed them.