declined, and, after much prayerful solicitude, agreed to accept the call from Steubenville. To this it appears he was deter mined by a strong friendship for the people of that place, and a modest diffidence in his own abilities. The following extract of a letter, written on his return from Harrisburg, will show the state of his mind, while deliberating on this subject, as well as the characteristic modesty and humility of the man: "Harrisburg is an important place, in many respects, as it is related to the church; and I suppose it presents a more extensive field of usefulness than Steubenville can possibly do. But the importance of the place seems, in some measure, to deter me from undertaking it. I think it would require a person of more talents, more acquirements, and more health than I possess, to discharge the duties which would be incumbent on a minister there; and presuming upon the personal attachment and long standing friendship of the Steubenville people, I could better hope they would bear with my infirmities, than a congregation of strangers." Having accepted of the call, he removed to Steubenville in the spring of 1817, and was ordained and installed pastor. In assuming the work of the ministry, he dedicated at once, to the service of his Lord, all his thoughts, and all his talents. Zealously and exclusively devoted to the highly responsible duties of his office, his great and constant ambition was, to subserve by his labors, the eternal interests of the people of his charge, and promote the general welfare of the church of Christ. He continued pastor of the Steubenville congregation six years. His labors, though not attended with any remarkable or general revival of religion, were blessed to a considerable extent in the conversion of sinners, and the edification of the church. Of those who were added to the church under his ministry, some are now preaching the gospel, and a number active and useful members of the church. The congregation of Washington, Pennsylvania, having become vacant by the resignation of their former pastor, Rev. M. Brown, who had been chosen President of Jefferson College, the people of that congregation immediately directed their attention to Mr. Jennings, as their future pastor. A call was accordingly prepared; and although the separation from his beloved charge was deeply and mutually regretted, yet it appeared to be duty to remove to Washington, as opening a field of more extensive usefulness. He accordingly accepted of the call, and took charge of the congregation, in the spring of 1823. Having entered upon this new field of labor, he advanced to the work with his usual fidelity and perseverance. Here he continued five years, and his labors of love will long be remembered by that people. Although no very special or extensive influence appeared to attend his ministry, which was to him matter of painful regret, there were, however, many gradual additions to the church; and about the close of his ministry here, and after he had determined to remove, he had the pleasure of seeing a "time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." This season of special seriousness continued for a considerable time after his removal, and the result was a large accession to the church. Having received a call from Nashville, Tennessee, his mind was again in great perplexity as to the path of duty. In writing to a friend on this subject, he says, "I have not made up my mind, and feel myself in a very solemn, difficult, and trying situation. I hope my desire is to know the will of the Lord, that I may do it. I just hear, there are very pleasing indications, that the Lord is about to visit Cross-Roads congregation, with a powerful work of grace. If such should be the case here, it would reconcile me fully to remain." Before the good work did commence at Washington, he had given a pledge to accept the call from Nashville, and could not consistently retract, otherwise he would have remained, and it was not without a painful struggle that he tore himself away from his pastoral charge, from numerous and endeared friends-the companions of his youth-to spend the remainder of his days. among strangers. In April, 1828, he removed to Nashville, where he remained until his decease. The writer has not been furnished with much information respecting his labors in this place. His health had been much impaired for several years previously, and becoming still more precarious, his ministerial labors were frequently interrupted. Still he persevered in the arduous duties of his office, whenever health permitted-and often under the pressure of disease, and in circumstances which would have subdued and appalled an ordinary mind. He continued to grow in the estimation of the people of Nashville. In his private letters, he speaks with great affec tion of their kindness and sympathy, whilst he mourned over his own unprofitableness, and that his ministry was attended with so little apparent success. The amount of a minister's usefulness is not always to be estimated by its immediate and visible effects. God often, for wise purposes, conceals from the view of his most faithful servants, the effects of their labors,— "One man soweth and another reapeth." It is probable this servant of God, zealous as he was in his master's service, and anxious for the conversion of sinners, was mistaken in the estimate which he made of the success of his labors in Nashville, and also in his former charges. Eternity alone will disclose the amount of good to result, in successive generations, from an able and faithful exhibition of divine truth, enforced by so lovely an example, and accompanied by so many fervent prayers. The congregation, during his last illness, entertaining a hope that travelling, and a suspension of labors, might restore him, requested him to take a journey, and passed a unanimous resolution to employ a substitute at their own expense. But his race was run. When his strength was greatly reduced, and his body wasted by the disease which had so long preyed upon him, the prevalent influenza seized violently upon him and terminated his sufferings. The closing scene was such as might have been anticipated from a life so devoted to the service of the Redeemer. "Precious in the sight of God is the death of his saints." Precious too, in the recollection of pious friends, is the "death-bed of the just." With a mind calm and composed, in full view of death and judgment, he called his family around him, to bid them a final farewell. With his dying benediction and prayer, he gave to each of his children that were present, his last counsel, in a manner most tender, solemn, and beautifully appropriate. He left his blessing, also, to those who were absent. Silver and gold he had none to leave them. The riches of the world he had renounced for the gospel's sake; but he had that to leave them which was of more value than all the riches of the world. In faith on the divine promises, he cheerfully committed his family to God, expressing a strong confidence that He would provide. When reminded of the promise made to the fatherless and the widow; "that," said he, with emphasis and animation, "is the legacy, that is the legacy." When his son Thomas, who had been his constant nurse and physician, said to him, "Father you are dying"-—he immediately replied, "Bless the Lord, O my soul." In a moment of great suffering, he remarked with character. istic energy of thought, "If this be the way to heaven, what must be the way to hell?" His mind however was calm and resigned, and even triumphant, in the near prospect of death. As a draught of water was presented to his dying lips, he said, "I shall soon drink from the river of life, which issues from the throne of God and the Lamb." He asked his wife to repeat to him the answer to the question in the Shorter Catechism, “What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death?" and several times afterwards repeated with great delight, "the souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory." Thus while his mind was absorbed in the contemplation of those glorious prospects which were opening upon him, he sunk, with peaceful serenity, into the slumber of deathresting, with unshaken confidence, in the merits of the Redeemer, for an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of God" animated with a hope full of IMMORTALITY.' "The chamber where the good man meets his fate, Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven." His God sustains him in his final hour- After his death, every suitable mark of respect was shown by the people of Nashville. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in that place. His congregation went in mourning. A funeral sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hume. Funeral sermons were also delivered in each of the congregations of which he had been pastor. At Steubenville, by the Rev. Charles C. Beatty, and at Washington, Pa. by the Rev. David Elliot, pastors of said congregations. In conclusion of this imperfect sketch of the life of this excellent man, it may not be improper to add some remarks, and delineate more in detail some traits of character, suggested by the recollections of intimate acquaintance, as well as by the statements already made. As to his private life, it may be truly said, he was exemplary in all its relations. Few men have passed through life more generally beloved and esteemed, and more completely without reproach. Though often placed in trying situations and in the midst of conflicting parties, it was his happiness to secure the confidence and esteem of all. This did not arise from a want of decision nor from a vacillating, trimming policy; for no man was more decided, nor more prompt to express his opinion when the occasion called for it. But his consistency of character, and an indescribable frankness and cordiality of manner, carried conviction to every heart, of his honesty and benevolence. He was peculiarly interesting and engaging as a companion, and in his social intercourse. Cheerful and sociable in his disposition, and abounding in apposite and pleasing anecdotes, which he related with inimitable simplicity, his approach to the social circle was welcomed by every countenance. There was a captivating urbanity of manners, which spread an irresistible charm over all his intercourse with society. These amiable qualities, which belonged to him as a man, became doubly interesting, when consecrated by religion. In him were combined the gentleman and the Christian. He exhibited the practicability and importance of uniting the things that are pure and honest, with those that are lovely and of good report. He was cheerful without unbecoming levity, and solemn without moroseness and gloom; this happy combination, not often possessed, and too little regarded, greatly enlarged his usefulness in his social intercourse. He took a deep and generous interest in the welfare of others. His heart was the seat of benevolence, and the "law of kindness ever dwelt on his tongue." Whilst he declined not to share in the rational enjoyments of the social circle, a deeper interest marked his visits to the house of mourning, the chambers of the sick and the dying. Deeply afflicted himself, he well knew how to speak a word in season to others, and to point them to the only true source of consolation. He was affable and accessible to persons of every rank, the poor as well as the rich. His purse was ever open to the demands of christian liberality and the calls of charity. Another trait of character, which deserves particular notice, was his deep and unaffected humility. His estimation of himself in every respect, was far below the estimation which others were ready to form of him. His views of himself, especially as to his religious attainments, were exccedingly humbling and |