At the early age of three years Lewis went to England with his father, who was sent by the United States government to that country, we believe, on a private embassy. Judge Bayard resided in London during a period of four years, during one year of which his son was placed in a boarding school in the vicinity of the city, where, under excellent instructers he acquired the rudiments of an English education, and such a knowledge of the French language, as improved by subsequent study and continual practice in familiar conversation in his father's and grandfather's family, was of eminent benefit to him in after days.

The

impressions made upon his mind during his residence in England, were never effaced. From the very period of his return, he cherished an ardent desire to revisit, at some future time, the scenes where so large a portion of his childhood had been spent. This desire strengthened as his years increased, and although in the course of his active and laborious life, the opportunity of gratifying it did not present itself until the year in which his career was closed, he ever dwelt upon the hope with all the fondness which characterizes emotions born in early days.

For some years after his return from England, he resided in the family of his grandfather at NewRochelle, Westchester Co., N. Y. Here the foundation of his classical education was laid by several successive teachers, among whom was a Mr. Corbet, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, whom he mentions in his journal in terms of affectionate remembrance and respect. His father afterwards removed to New-York and placed him under the tuition of the Rev. Edmund D. Barry, D. D., now rector of St. Matthew's Church, Jersey City, N. J.,

from whose excellent instructions he appears to have derived the most decided and permanent benefit. Having been thoroughly prepared for college under Dr. Barry, he became a member of Nassau Hall, Princeton, N. J., in the fall of 1804, where he remained four years, and graduated with the usual honors in the summer of 1808. Although he was very strongly attached to literary pursuits, and had proved himself, during his academic career, a diligent and enthusiastic student, he was induced, mainly by the persuasions of his friends, to turn his attention after leaving college to a commercial life. For this purpose he removed again to New-York, and spent one year, rather unprofitably, as he states in his journal, in a counting room. But books had become so much his delight that he found it impossible to overcome his ardent desire to connect himself with one of the learned professions. For some time he hesitated which of the professions to choose. The pious instructions and consistent example of his parents had not been without a deep and lasting effect upon his mind, and for some time previous to his abandonment of his commercial prospects his heart had been much and painfully exercised on the subject of religion. About this period, as he himself expresses it, "it pleased God to admit him to such a view of himself, as led him to a state of pardon and reconciliation through the blood of Jesus, by the renewing energy of the Holy Ghost." Thus favored by Divine mercy, and consecrated in heart to the Redeemer's cause, he did not long hesitate as to his path of duty in life. The wants of a "world lying in wickedness" presented themselves most strongly to his awakened mind. With all the humility and the self-forgetting ardor of his nature,

he betook himself to prayer and fasting with a view of discovering the leadings of God's providence in regard to his future career. "After long and mature consideration," he says, "I felt inwardly called and moved to take upon myself the office of a minister of Christ," and he accordingly commenced in 1809, a course of theological study under the direction of BISHOP HOBART.

The circumstances under which the claims of the Protestant Episcopal Church first presented themselves to his mind are not given in the documents before us, nor do we know where to apply for accurate information upon the point. Dr. Bayard was nurtured, as we have seen, in the bosom of the Presbyterian denomination, and the religious influences to which in that connection, he was exposed, were calculated to impress upon his mind very exalted views of the duties and responsibilities of the Christian disciple. That such was the effect produced we have abundant evidence, not only in his letters and journals, but in the peculiarly devoted spirit which always characterized him as a private Christian, and as a minister of Christ. Before, however, he had determined the question in regard to his duty to consecrate himself to the work of the ministry, his mind was providentially directed to the examination of the subject of Episcopacy, and he faithfully read the standard works upon the subject, seeking Divine light and guidance in prayer, and diligent and humble examination of the Scriptures. The result of this investigation was a sincere and enlightened conviction that it was his duty to connect himself with the Episcopal Church as one "divine in its institution, apostolic in its ministry, pure and evangelical in its doctrines, authoritative

in its sacraments, and scriptural and primitive in its discipline and worship." His convictions at once became principles, from which in the whole of his future career he never swerved, in the firm but temperate and charitable avowal of which he never hesitated, principles forever interwoven with and made a part of that which he believed to be "the faith once delivered to the saints"-for which he lived and labored, for which he was always ready to sacrifice every thing, yea even life itself. Though from the first a firm and consistent Churchman, his Churchmanship was never tinctured with bigotry or harshness. For the Redeemer's sake he loved the Church, with all his mind and soul, but he never felt it to be his duty to intrude his convictions harshly upon those who differed with him. His motto ever was, "conciliation without compromise"-firmness in essentials, courtesy and candor in argument, and charity in all things.

During the prosecution of his theological studies Mr. Bayard resided at Princeton, N. J., and was admitted a candidate for orders on the 2d of May, 1811, in the diocese of New Jersey. For six months previous to his admission to Deacons' orders, he officiated, under a canonical license as lay reader, in St. Michael's Church, Trenton, and in several vacant churches in the diocese as his services were needed. "My acquaintance with him," says the Rev. Dr. Rudd, of Utica, Western New York, "commenced about this time. For some years I had much intercourse with him, and saw much to admire in his character, as a most devoted servant of his Divine master, and an amiable and hearty friend. In the office of a lay reader he was exceedingly useful and acceptable. I remember to

have heard it often remarked by very intelligent Church people, that they were almost as well satisfied with Mr. Bayard's services as with ordinary clergymen. The only thing in which they felt his deficiency was in wanting authority to administer the sacraments, so much did they feel his influence in the manner in which he interested himself in their religious welfare."

Dr. Rudd thus recalls an anecdote, connected with this period, which is worthy of preservation, as illustrative of the character of Mr. Bayard. "A remarkable trait in his character was zeal in the prosecution of the object of his regard, and to this he added great perseverance. An instance of this kind I recollect to have occurred at the time of his receiving Deacons' orders. In that day there was frequent difficulty in obtaining meetings of the Standing Committee of New Jersey. Bishop Hobart who was to ordain him discovered some imperfection in the papers which had been given, a mistake, which, though evidently inadvertent, the Bishop very properly thought should be corrected by some of the New Jersey committee. This correction, which was not called for till the day before the time fixed for ordination, required Mr. Bayard to visit several of the committee. By riding all night and calling two or three of us from our beds, he obtained his object and was in the city of New York in time the next morning to be ready for the services."

Mr. Bayard was admitted to Deacons' orders, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, in Grace Church, New York, on the second day of August, 1812. On the twenty-ninth of April, 1813, he was united in holy matrimony to Cornelia M. Rhea, daughter of Col. Jonathan Rhea, of Trenton, N. J., and soon afterwards entered upon the active duties of the ministry.