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; origi nal 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.

His doctrinal sentiments, on many of the most important principles, may be learned from his printed works. His principal publications are the following:

1. Early piety recommended. A sermon from Ecclesiastes xii. 1.

2. True Religion delineated. (Already mentioned.)

3. Sermons on the Divinity of Christ. The Millennium, and the Wisdom of GoD, in the permission of Sin.

4. Dialogues, on Theron and Aspasio. By Paulinus. 5. Essay on the Gospel.

6. The great Evil of Sin. A sermon.

7. The Law, a Schoolmaster. A sermon.

Besides these, he published several small pieces on creeds› and confessions; on the Covenant of Grace; and on church Covenanting. Also, some small pieces, in answer to objections published against some of his other works.

He was a Protestant and a Calvinist. He taught the truths

contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms,and other approved creeds and confessions. But called no man father; and endeavoured to build all his opinions on the word of GOD.

As a pastor, he was diligent in the discharge of his duty, taking heed to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him an overseer. He taught his people publicly and from house to house. He was especially attentive to the rising generation, and spent much time in teaching and warning the children and youth. Besides his stated labours on the Lord's-day, he frequently spent an hour, in the intervals of public worship, in catechising the children of the congregation. He was a skilful guide to inquiring souls; and was ever ready to instruct his people and others, who applied to him. in private, in the great concern of man, and in all cases of conscience. He had an excellent talent at composing differences, and preventing or healing breaches in churches, and was much employed in such cases. And his name will long be had in honourable remembrance by our ministers and churches; especially in the consociation of Litchfield county, to which he belonged.

His heart was eminently formed for christian friendship: Among his intimates and tried friends he was open and freeever careful to spend the interviews of friendship on subjects useful and important. His company was much sought, it was enjoyed with pleasure, and his friends rarely parted from him without sensible improvement, unless they were wanting to themselves.

He possessed a sufficient degree of natural fortitude; was a firm and decided defender of what he believed to be divine truth; but was a friend to the persons of those whose errors he opposed.

His writings procured him the esteem of the pious and learned at home and abroad. They have been read and several of them re-printed in Great-Britain. As a mark of this esteem, he, in the year 1768, received his Doctorate in Divinity, from the University of Aberdeen.

During the active part of life, he maintained an extensive epistolary correspondence, by which he was beneficial to many, and obtained much useful knowledge to himself. By means of his correspondence in Britain, and especially by his worthy and constant friend, the Reverend Dr. John Erskine, of Edinburgh, he annually received regular accounts of whatever materially affected the state of religion and the interest of the churches in England, Scotland, and other parts of Europe. It has already been mentioned that, in the early part of his ministry, he contracted an acquaintance with the late President Edwards; this produced an intimate friendship, which continued till the President's much lamented death, and which must be abundantly improved now they are happily re-united: To this early acquaintance and friendship with that eminent Divine, must be attributed, in part, the Doctor's improvement in theological learning, and his usefulness in the

churches.

The reader may perhaps wish to see the Doctor in a more private walk. The leading indications of his countenance were dignity and firmness. He was tall, and, in his youth, slender and of a thin habit; in middle life, well proportioned; in old age, his aspect and mein were commanding and venerable. About the year 1744, he married Miss Frances

Sherman, of New-Haven, a lady possessed of many amiable accomplishments and eminent piety. By her he had seven children, five of which survive their parents: two are no more on earth*.

From nature, education, and piety, Mrs. Bellamy was qualified to fill her station with uncommon usefulness.→→→ Among other important branches of her character, it is worthy of remark, that, during the course of many years, and till the decline of health prevented, she sustained almost the whole weight of family care with a cheerful readiness; that her husband might be interrupted as little as possible in his studies and other duties of his office. In her domestic relations she was a great blessing; she was the joy of her hus band and children. She merited and possessed the affections of the congregation and the numerous visitors who entered her hospitable door. Faithful to her family, to her friends, to the poor, to the Church of GOD, and, above all, faithful to her GOD; she finished the labours of mortality on the 30th of August, 1785, in the year of her age 62.

Doctor Bellamy was one of those who did what their "hand findeth to do, with their might." In his study and pulpit, his exertions were ardent and persevering. It was, therefore, to be expected that he should spend fast; and that in declining life, the decays of age should be rapid. This was observed to be case by his friends with a painful sensibility, in some of his last years of active service; and was ac

* Of the two children who died before their father, the first was his second son Jonathan, who finished his academical education, and graduated in Yale College, in 1772. And having pursued the study of the law under an able teacher, and passed the accustomed examination, was admitted to the bar as a practising attorney. Soon after which, the commencement of hostilities between Great-Britain and America, induced him to take an active part. And at the close of the campaign of 1776, just as he was returning to the ardent wishes and prayers of his parents and friends, he was seized with the small-pox, and died at Oxford, Essex county, in the State of New-Jersey, on the 4th of January, 1777, in the 24th year of his age.

The other child who did not survive her father, was Rebecca, his second daughter. She was married in her youth to the Rev. Mr. Hart, of Preston, and died in her 42d year, December 24, 1788. Sketches of the life and character of this amiable and pious lady may be seen at the end of the sermon published on occasion of her death.