HE Reverend Nathaniel Smith Richardson, D. D., was the founder and for nearly twenty years editor of this REVIEW, and it is most fitting that a grateful tribute of respect should be paid to his memory in its pages.

Dr. Richardson was born at Middlebury, Connecticut, January 8th, 1810, and died at Bridgeport, Connecticut, August 7th, 1883.

Our personal acquaintance with Dr. Richardson was limited, and so we must record here the testimony of another, a life-long friend, concerning his early life and work. The following is from The Guardian (of which Dr. Richardson was the founder and editor) of August 18th, and was written by the Rev. Eaton W. Maxcy, D. D.:

Dr. Richardson was born in Middlebury, Connecticut, in 1810, and was the child of parents whose worthiness and excellencies were honored in the community in which they dwelt. Every one familiar with the New England ideas of that early day knows the peculiar regard which was associated with a collegiate education. It was not then strange that, surrounded by such influences

as were his, he should in his very youth have been strongly impressed with the importance of securing a thorough mental training. Accordingly, he eagerly availed himself of the opportunities for culture within his reach, and placing himself under the tuition of the late Rev. Amos Pettingill, was prepared for entrance upon college life, and in 1830 was admitted into the Freshman class in Yale. Success in after-life cannot always be predicated from the story of university life, nor the character of coming years be foretold; but in many instances there is found a remarkable correspondence between the youth within the college walls, and the man in his maturity. It certainly was so with him. The same eager examination into whatever was the subject of inquiry, the same positiveness of conviction when there had been thorough investigation, the same readiness to defend his position against all opponents, and, too, the same freedom from aversion to any attacks which might be made, all these characteristics which belonged to him in later years were seen in those earlier days. Especially prominent was his desire to excel in the skill of the ready writer, and so assiduously did he devote himself to efforts in this direction that he was a successful competitor for the prize in English composition. But with all his enthusiasm in this and other departments of study, and great as was his interest in the various activities of college life, he was at the same time deeply devoted to religious duties. He had been trained in the old Puritan faith and knew no other, and so earnest was he in the religious exercises of the institution that in the College Church, composed almost exclusively of students, he was appointed Deacon.

It seems strange to us, in such a day as the present, to conceive of a Prayer Book as a possible novelty to any one who has attained the years of manhood and who has for some time been resident in a literary institution and interested in the religious life. But a half century has made many changes. Until his senior year in Yale, young Richardson had never seen the Book of Common Prayer. During that year, on calling upon a friend, he found that volume lying on the table, and carelessly taking it up and glancing through it, inquired, "What is this?" He was informed in regard to it, and told that he might take it and examine it, if he desired. On returning it not long after, he was asked if he was pleased with it, and on his replying in the affirmative, was invited to attend a service of the Church some time with the owner. His first attendance was at Trinity Church, New Haven, then under the rectorship of the Rev. Dr. Croswell. He seated himself in the gallery, and, with a curiosity which can hardly be adequately described, witnessed for the first time a Liturgical Service. The contrast to all which he had previously known was most impressive, and eventually issued in his calling upon the venerable Rector, who loaned him various works explaining the nature of the Church and her services. Careful examination and study resulted in his conviction of the validity of the Church's claims, and the year of his graduation was the year in which he received Confirmation and entered upon that service in which he so

earnestly labored till the day, and it might almost literally be said the hour, of his death.

In order that he might obtain the means for defraying his expenses while pursuing his theological studies, he engaged in teaching. His first field in this line of work was at a female Seminary in Millbury, Mass. After remaining there for two years he accepted an invitation to be instructor in Greek in the University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina, and so successful was he in the position that the professorship was subsequently offered him. But the work of the Ministry, to which he anxiously looked forward, was ever before his mind, and bidding adieu to "the quiet and still air of delightful studies" in the old North State, he hastened to the General Theological Seminary to enter upon the training for Sacred Orders. Other sons of that Institution have welcomed the day of their entrance upon its curriculum, and with sadness bade farewell to its walls, but it may be doubted whether any ever passed within its doors with a deeper longing for all which its facilities could furnish. The manner in which he often gave reminiscences of the years spent there, suggested the glowing pleasure with which the sweet joys of the happy childhood's home are recalled.

On the eighth day of July, 1838, in Portland, Connecticut, at an ordination held by Bishop Brownell, he was admitted to the Diaconate with four others, two only of whom are now enrolled on our clergy list: the Rev. Dr. William B. Ashley, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Rev. Dr. William Payne, Rector of S. George's Church, Schenectady, N. Y. His first field of labor was in Christ Church, Watertown, Conn., as assistant to the Rev. Dr. Holcomb, whose advanced years required the aid of one in more vigorous life, and into the work thus assigned him, he entered with the fresh ardor of youth. On the Easter following, Dr. Holcomb resigned his office, and his devoted assistant was elected Rector. He was ordained Priest and instituted by the same Bishop by whom he had been ordered Deacon.

The effect of the zeal and efficiency with which he performed his duties, was soon seen. Not only was he speedily known to those who were already parishioners, but wherever he found any who were accessible to his efforts, thither he hastened. Especially was he devoted to those in humble life, and to those in affliction. No sacrifice of time or labor was withheld. Superlatives are sometimes rashly used, but the testimony of such men as the venerable Holcomb, the aged Rector and his predecessor, and the Rev. Dr. Clark, of Waterbury, Conn., will not be lightly esteemed by those who knew them, and they were wont to say that Richardson was the best parish Priest whom they had ever known. With full heart, with profoundest conviction, with deepest earnestness, did he give himself to the work of the ministry here, and though more than two score years have since elapsed, the stream of the intervening time has not erased the deep impression which he, by God's blessing, made upon the parish. After seven years service in Watertown, he resigned