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ful preparation, to which he too often sacrificed his hours of necessary relaxation and of rest. In visiting his people he was always known to be most punctual and faithful, and we have pleasing evidences of his self-denying zeal in his obeying so often, during these laborious years, the calls to the sick chamber and the distressed household, with an alacrity and cheerfulness which no physical weariness could repress.

But the labors of his station, great as they were, brought their own reward. From the evident intellectual growth and spiritual advancement of his pupils, he drew the richest encouragement for present effort, and the most powerful motives for continued and unrelaxed exertion. His influence upon the minds and hearts of his pupils was exerted not only in the school room and during the hours of recitation, but in all their simple engagements, relaxations and duties. His cheerful voice was heard upon the play ground, and during the pleasant country excursion. Many a youthful eye brightened under his smile, and many a youthful heart throbbed with the noblest emotions of virtue when, in the evening hours, he encouraged them to make even their relaxation from severer study profitable; or, at the family altar, exhorted them to dedicate their lives to the service of God and the welfare of their country and their fellow men.

During this period, Mr. Bayard was also much encouraged in the results of his labors as a parish minister. The Church gradually increased in numbers, and was strengthened in piety and grace. The stated visits of his Diocesan witnessed the interesting scene of many young disciples assuming their baptismal vows in the holy rite of confirma

tion, and the periodical celebrations of the Holy Eucharist were marked by a regular increase in the number of communicants. The Sunday School and catechetical classes were well attended and abundantly blessed, under his zealous superintendance and pointed instructions, to the minds of both teachers and pupils.

Amidst all these engagements, Mr. Bayard was also desirous of laboring more directly for the interests of the Church, by encouraging and directing the studies of young men for the ministry. For the furtherance of this design an opportunity soon presented itself in the admission into his family of a gentleman* who was enabled to give him efficient assistance in his academical duties, while, at the same time, he pursued his theological studies with interest and profit.

Mr. Bayard also thought it to be his duty to extend his ministerial labors to those parts of the adjacent country which were, as yet, destitute of the services of the Church. Through his instrumentality a congregation was organized, and the corner-stone of a new Episcopal Church laid in the village of Mamaroneck, Westchester County.

The last entry in his journal connected with his residence at New Rochelle, was made on the thirtyfourth anniversary of his birth, and is not without interest.

"July 23d, 1825.-This is my birth-day-that is to say, I have passed thirty-four years in this world, and ask myself with deep humiliation, what is the world better for my having lived thus long in it;

*The Rev. Dr. Mead, now Rector of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, Conn.

or what comes nearer to my conscience, how much harm have I done in that time? My youthful days were spent chiefly amidst trifles and follies, and although, by the goodness and grace of God, I was not permitted to plunge quite as deep into the gulph which is fixed by the adversary for the destruction of the soul as some, yet I had sufficiently of the bitter fruit of sin to convince me of its loathsome and fatal consequences, and to teach me that virtue alone is happiness below, and religious paths the only paths of peace.' Of all blessings which the goodness of God has granted me, I especially thank Him that I was born of Christian parents, who feeling a deep and lively sense of the importance of religion, and eminently adorning it by their own example, impressed upon my youthful mind those lessons of piety which all the succeeding temptations I have suffered, have never obliterated, but ever served as salutary checks and monitors whose reproaches pointed every sting of conscience."

Then after a brief review of his life, the leading incidents of which have been given in the preceding pages, he continues :—

"And now after this brief review of my short history, what, O my soul, are thy reflections ? With what ornaments hast thou been adorned, and what care has been bestowed upon thee amid all the anxieties which have filled the mind for temporal things during this past period? While I have sought to bring others to Christ hast thou alone remained unsubdued to the obedience of the Gospel? These questions have come home to me with such force and conviction, that I have devoted this day to humiliation and prayer, with the humble hope that God who is rich in mercy to all who truly

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turn to him, will incline his merciful ear to my prayers, that he will forgive my prodigality of precious time, talents, exertion, health and opportunities of serving him, and that he will create in me a new heart, and renew a right spirit within me; that he will not entirely forsake, in his deserved wrath, what is still the work of his own hands, but that he will spare me a little, until I recover my strength, before I go hence and be no more seen.' Would to God that his victorious grace were generally more felt, especially in the congregation committed to my charge. What indifference to these great concerns! Ah, still what right have I to express dissatisfaction that my labors are not attended with more apparent success, when our Divine Master complained, 'All the day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.' O, my God and Saviour, give me thy grace, that after faithfully and sincerely endeavoring to do thy will, I may patiently wait thy promise. Amen!"

CHAPTER IV.

Removal to Western New-York-Becomes Missionary at Geneseo-Gratifying results of his labors-Testimony of Rev. Dr. Rudd-Becomes joint principal of the Geneseo High School-Advertises to assist young men in preparing for the ministry—Answered by Bishop Hobart, and result of the application—Extracts from his journal.

In the year 1827, adverse circumstances, wholly beyond his control, among which he particularly mentions the sale of his grandfather's mansion, rendered it again necessary for Mr. Bayard to change the scene of his ministry. Attached as he was to New Rochelle by so many sacred and delightful associations, he yet obeyed, unmurmuringly, the call of providence, and in April of that year removed his large family to Geneva. From thence he was called in September by the vestry of the newly formed congregation at Geneseo, Livingston county, to become their Rector. This invitation was immediately accepted, and his labors were so much blessed, that in the succeeding April he was enabled to lay the corner-stones of two new Episcopal Churches, one at Geneseo, and the other at Avon, in the same county. On the 18th of June following he also laid the corner-stone of a new church in Hunt's Hollow, Portage, Alleghany county. He soon had the happiness of seeing all these churches completed, and of opening his own church in Geneseo for consecration on the 25th of January, 1829.

From the testimony of the Rev. Dr. Rudd and other friends, who knew him intimately during this period of his life, we have the most pleasing evi

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