doctrine is important, but it is not so important as the truth, that all those who have knowledge and understanding to exhibit a moral character, and who can be the objects of reasoning and persuasion, are personally sinful. It appears to be the design of the Holy Spirit to convince the Jews and Gentiles, who might hear the gospel, and who were of age to do this, that they were sinners, and that all such persons had ever been considered sin ners, even from the time of Adam. The reasoning may indeed show that infants are sinners, but this was not the grand design of the Apostle.

I will suppose that I am, like Paul, writing an epistle to a congregation in a heathen land. I first mention the gross vices that have prevailed in the nations around them; and show how God punishes those vices. I then appeal to their consciences, and remind them that they can discern and condemn what is wrong in their neighbors; and therefore justly be condemned for it themselves. I would then show that the best persons among them, who might be as good as Abraham was, were still not justified by their works, and finally I would prove that all men have been sinners from the beginning, because all have died. I wish to prove not so much that they were born sinners, as that they are sinners now. I am laboring to make them feel their present sinfulness, and it is more to my purpose to prove that all men of their years and experience have in all periods of the world been sinful: than that they have been sinful in infancy. E. M.

MEMOIR OF ENOCH PERKINS, ESQ.

In the progress of eighteen hundred years, Christian principle has expanded itself into forms as various as the circumstances and native temperament of those who have been under its influence. Many of these

forms have been delineated, with more or less accuracy, and with different shades of excellence, according to the subject and the skill of the painter. Were they all to be collected and arranged in one vast gallery, we should find a rich group, of martyrs who bled for the defence of our common faith-of ministers who prayed and studied and preached a way their lives for the salvation of their people-and of youth who remembered their Creator when the freshness of early scenes invited them to think only ofthe world. But of civilians the group would be comparatively meagre. A few, whom some bright display of intellect, or some bursts of eloquence made conspicuous, might be seen on the canvass,-but of the many whose course was marked by no uncommon brilliancy, though they uniformly manifested the strictness of Christian principle, and at every step scattered some blessing on mankind, scarcely a trace appears. Perhaps it is owing to the want of scenes in their life fitted for the pencil, that they have been suffered to go down to oblivion, or to live only in the oral tradition of a few family friends. Certainly it is not because their example is less salutary or needful than that of others. But whatever be the cause, this department of biography is but partially furnished. If the following sketch of a respected friend shall add any thing to its stores, and excite others in similar circumstances, to imitate the virtues delineated, the object for which it is undertaken will be attained.

ENOCH PERKINS, Esq. was born in Norwich, in this State, in the year 1760. He was the son of Matthew Perkins. He graduated at Yale College in 1781. As a scholar, he held a high rank in his class for the correctness as well as extent of his acquisitions. After studying law with William Channing, Esq. of Newport, R. I., he spent two years and a half as a Tutor in Yale College, and then established himself in his profes

sion at Hartford, in 1786. Here he resided, in the active and faithful discharge of duty until his death, which took place, after a short, but violent sickness, August 28, 1828.

The life of Mr. Perkins was one of uncommon evenness, and affords no incidents which here require a more particular notice. The qualities of his intellect and heart will be best illustrated by an exhibition of their effects.

In the domestic relations, he appeared to peculiar advantage. His character was formed by principle and not by circumstances. Hence he had not one character at home, and another radically different abroad. Kind, but firm, he won the warmest affection and respect of his family. In parental government he mingled strictness with tenderness and familiarity. His views of education were uncommonly judicious. He promoted habits of investigation and reflection in those about him, not only by his own example, but by suggesting interesting subjects of thought. His conversation was always instructive. His house was the seat of that kind, smcere hospitality so characteristic of a former generation. The Sabbath he observed with great strict-for he loved its holy hours, its sacred duties. To him it was never a weariness. The services of the sanctuary, and when these were finished, the pages of inspiration, or sound theological writings, delighted and refreshed his mind.

ness

Mr. Perkins was distinguished for a thorough acquaintance with his profession. He had deeply investigated its principles, and was, to no common degree, skilled in the forms of legal processes. His services in this department were often put in requisition. In the preparation of a cause he spared no pains. The great points in it were clearly before his mind. His clients never suffered by his negligence. As a legal adviser his opinion had obviously great weight th his brethren, and his moral

worth won their highest respect. In 1809, he was appointed attorney for the State, for the county of Hartford. In this office, he discharged his duty as a public prosecutor with a characteristic regard to moral principle. His soul had no sympathy with crime; and it was not to be expected that one who allowed not delinquencies in himself, should look with indulgence on those of others. But when from his oath, and from regard to the law. of the State, and the public morals, he dared not be lenient, his strictness was not attended with unfeeling indifference toward the guilty. Those most intimately acquainted with him, know that his heart was the seat of no common tenderness.

Though Mr. Perkins was a close student and his mind loved to grasp principles, he was eminently a practical man. Method was seen in every part of his business. This, with unwearied industry, gave him time not only to manage his own affairs discreetly, but to devote much attention to public concerns. As a member of civil society, he was ever ready to bear his part of public burdens. Whatever tended to make his fellow-men more intelligent, or moral, or happy, found in him a ready advocate. He always favored those measures, which, in his view, the public good demanded. He was not wont to inquire what course would best subserve his own schemes for office or influence. He formed his opinions for himself, and was not afraid to express them before he knew the opinion of the majority. When appointed, as he often was, to civil offices, he executed the duties promptly and efficiently. To assume responsibility was, in his case, to discharge it;-and none doubted whether the duty would be done in the best time and in the best manner. You would hear no complaints of sacrifices, and no loud professions of regard for the public welfare. He sought not popularity at the expense of principle, but follow

ed the dictates of his own judgment, confident that in the end, his services would meet the approbation of the wise and good. If in this course of independent integrity, he had sometimes to stem the current of a temporary excitement, his was only the experience of others of a similar character;-but the final opinion even of opposers proves it is still true, that he who walketh uprightly, walketh surely.

Mr. Perkins was much esteemed and resorted to, as an adviser in cases of difficulty. For this office he was well qualified. He looked coolly into the intricacies of a subject, and it was rare that he did not penetrate them to the bottom. His powers of discrimination were strong; his knowledge of business and of character, extensive; his prudence, peculiar. He did not decide, nor give counsel, hastily. The case must be thoroughly before his own mind, or he would not express his opinion on it. To these qualities he added those of unbending integrity and honesty of purpose. These gave his advice its peculiar value. When I consult another in a doubtful case, I do not wish him to decide as he thinks will be agreeable to my feelings. I wish him to examine, to discriminate, to judge, so far as he is able, correctly;-and when this mental process is completed, to give me the result just as it lies in his own mind. Experience, discrimination, prudence, otherwise go for nought. It is uncompromising honesty which I require in my adviser-not an amiable compliance with my wishes or false conclusions. Rarely, is such an adviser to be found. Such, however, was Mr. Perkins, and it is not wonderful that he should have been often employed in this capacity. Thoroughly upright himself, he took it for granted that those who sought his advice, were seeking for the right path. As a skilful, honest guide, he pointed it out; not taking counsel from their fears, their wishes, or

their opinions. Few, it is believed, have had occasion to regret following his advice, or have deviated from it without strong fears that they were wrong. He was often chosen by the church of which he was a member, as a delegate to ecclesiastical councils. On these occasions, his opinion was listened to attentively, and had great influence on the decisions of the body. It was not from any embellishments of oratory, that he exerted this influence; but from his well known character for integrity, for prudence, for discrimination, and from the evidence of those qualities manifested in his advice. To an intimate acquaintance with the forms of business, and experience in the practical concerns of life, he joined a strong regard for religious order and the welfare of the church. The value of such qualities in the lay delegates to ecclesiastical councils, it would be difficult for one not versed in such things to estimate.

Mr. Perkins was chosen a member of the Board of Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, in 1808, and was annually re-elected until his death. Though at the time of his appointment and for many years after, he was much occupied with his professional business, he attended forty-nine of the fifty-eight meetings of the Board held during that period. He did not merely attend-for it was not his custom to do business by halves. He came with a mind well informed respecting the concerns of the Society. He knew what was necessary to be done, for the ground had been previously explored. And when the progress of improvement made changes expedient, he was qualified to judge what, and how great those changes should be. Though not apt to catch at novelties, from a restless desire for innovation, and though advancing to that period of life in which men are prone to discover a strong attachment to old opinions and measures, with a cheerfulness always manifest

where principle and not feeling governs, he was ready to modify plans and institutions to suit existing circumstances. This trait in his character was valuable, as uniting the experience of years with that pliability of earlier life, which is necessary to adapt measures to the present condition of the community. If this trait is not always found in our venerable aged, let it be remembered that so great a sacrifice of early opinions and of attachment to former modes of action, was never required of any former generation. The progress of improvement is now so rapid, that even those just come to the meridian of life, in respect to the plans for promoting religion and education especially, are comparatively old.

Mr. Perkins was for a long time a member of the Committee of Missions, on whom during the recess of the Board, devolves the appointment of missionaries, with the management of other important concerns. Though all these services were entirely gratuitous, and made no slight drafts on his time and attention, he never manifested a desire to shift the trouble and responsibility on to others. When his counsel was needed, you might ask it without any fear that he would consider you as an unwelcome intruder. When his attendance was requisite, at the frequent meetings of the committee, you might be sure he would be punctual, and would manifest no disposition to despatch the business hastily and imperfectly, because it was a public and not a personal concern. Merely to permit one's name to be enrolled among the officers of a benevolent society, requires no sacrifice, and deserves no special recompense; but for years to perform silently, perplexing duties, the only recompense of which in this world is the consciousness of doing good, and to perform them with all the fidelity and interest manifested in a personal and profitable business, deserves,

as it will receive, a greater than buman reward.

The services of Mr. Perkins as a Trustee of the Hartford Grammar School, ought not here to be overlooked. Their value is seen in the great increase of the Fund, and in the high reputation which the school attained, chiefly through his persevering exertions. It was an object dear to his heart. The care of the funds, the selection of instructers, and the management of the institution generally, had been for many years chiefly under his control. Not feeling as is sometimes the case, that his trust was performed when the teachers had been hired and paid, he expressed a warm interest in their welfare. He easily entered into the peculiar feelings of a student;-and in his society, such was the freshness of his recollections of college scenes and studies, the disparity of age was soon forgotten. They were ever sure of his sympathy and cooperation. He often visited the school, to learn its state as to order and improvement, and to encourage both the teacher and the pupils. He spent much of the past summer, in overseeing the erection of a large and convenient building, for the purpose of introducing an extended course of instruction. He lived to accomplish this favorite purpose, and to leave a visible memorial of his discreet management.

Though Mr. Perkins had retired from the more active scenes of professional business, for several years, he continued to feel a deep interest in the welfare of society. He did not, as is sometimes the case with men in the enjoyment of a competency, give way to that love of ease which attends increasing age. As he remarked to a friend not long before his death, he was never more busily occupied' than at that period. Not indeed in pushing forward his own interests, but in those various public services which require the experience of years, and the security

of an established character. Hence the remark so frequent at his death, that it would be no easy matter to supply his place. It is sometimes thought that when men have reached the age of sixty or sixty-five, the public have little more to expect from them. But if former years have been well improved, this is the period of life in which the public has a special interest. In the morning of his days, man is too often the creature of impulse. Childhood and youth are vanity;' almost always, so far as concerns the public, and not seldom as concerns individual improvement. Then succeeds a period in which the love of pleasure predominates. The public good, or even the public affairs in any shape, are scarcely thought of. Then comes the time to gain a name, to make provision for one's family, to struggle with rivals in the pursuit of honor, or in the road to wealth. In this pressure of private claims, there is often little disposition or leisure to attend to those many gratuitous services, which are essential to the public prosperity. These more naturally cluster around a later period, when experience is ripe, when the character is established, when the aspirings of ambition are checked by age, and the calls of private interest grow less clamorous. Besides, the intensity of competition, and the rewards of successful exertion in middle life, fill the places of the most conspicuous, almost as soon as they sink into the grave. But it is no easy matter to fill up the vacancies. where the acquisitions are so peculiar, and the pleasure of doing good, or desire to promote the public welfare, is the only reward.

The mind of Mr. Perkins was inquisitive and always characterised by an ardent thirst for knowledge. In the midst of active life, he pursued his literary studies so far as more important avocations would permit. But when, with increasing age, he had retired somewhat from business,

much of his time was devoted to reading. In this employment he always found delight; it amused and refreshed him after care and fatigue. Rarely does a youthful student engage in his literary pursuits with more ardor and heart felt pleasure, than he did even in the latter years of his life. Thus it was that he kept along with the spirit of the age, and preserved himself from the peevishness and discontent, the listlessness and mental decay, so often the attendants of declining years. While the aged maintain this character, they will seldom have occasion to feel that their successors wish to shove them off the stage, or are weary of their society. As history rarely keeps up with the progress of time, and never preserves all those little anecdotes which illustrate the characters and measures of former years, the intelligent aged are the only chroniclers of many events which cannot fail to interest the young. If to this they add cheerfulness, and a disposition to look favorably on scenes now passing, their society will be eagerly sought. The tree which is loaded at once with the. blossoms of spring and the fruits of autumn, will never be forsaken.

Mr. Perkins made a public profession of religion during his residence as tutor in Yale College. Uniformity was a prominent feature in his Christian character. Judgment rather than feeling was the characteristic trait of his mind. Habit strengthened this temperament. His religious feelings sprang from clear views of truth, and like truth, were in a great degree invariable, except by a steady growth. He was not in raptures to-day, and you might be sure he would not be sunk into the depths of despondency to-morrow. He did not easily take fire, and burst into a blaze on the first exhibition of a subject: but then he did not easily forget the exhibition. It made a deeper and still deeper impression on his mind. He