It seems proper that, in this Congregational Quarterly, some record should appear of the life and labors of a Congregational minister, for more than fifty years so identified with the religious history of Maine, and well known in other portions of the country. A son attempts the sketch, as being in possession of his father's papers, and as in some other respects more favorably situated than any one else for the undertaking.

As to my father's character, I am saved the necessity, in large measure, of speaking in my own name, as others have set it forth so admirably; more especially Dr. Adams, of Brunswick, in his address at Dr. Tappan's funeral, published in the Christian Mirror, January 19, 1864; Rev. A. McKenzie, the present pastor of the Church at Augusta, in the sermon preached the sabbath after Dr. Tappan's death, and published by the people; Rev. E. B. Webb, Dr. Tappan's immediate successor and son-in-law, now of Boston, in an extended notice in the Congregationalist of January 15, 1864; and Prof. Shepard, of Bangor, in the Commemorative Discourse preached before the Maine Missionary Society, at their request, January 22, 1864, and published by them. Seldom have more glowing and appreciative eulogies been pronounced

upon a deceased minister. Many graphic, beautiful, and touching things have also been said in letters. All these I should be glad to incorporate bodily into this sketch. I must content myself, however, with making copious extracts; taking it for my own aim to go a little more particularly into some parts of my father's history, and present somewhat fuller statements in regard to the whole.

The late Benjamin Tappan, D.' D., of Augusta, Maine, was born at West Newbury, Mass., November 7, 1788. He was a grandson of Benjamin Tappan, pastor (1745-1790) of the Congregational Church in Manchester, Mass. His father was David Tappan, pastor (1774-1792) of the Church in West Newbury; afterward (1792-1803) Hollis Professor of Divinity in Harvard College. His mother was Mary, daughter of Enoch Sawyer, Esq., of Newburyport. He was the youngest of three sons.

At the age of seven, he was sent to reside under the roof of Dr. Joseph Dana, of Ipswich, and to attend school in that place; his father, then at Cambridge, receiving a son of Dr. Dana to reside with him, and avail himself of the advantages of the college. His father, in committing him, under date of August 13, 1795, to Dr. Dana's care, speaks of