"This day I am engaged in fasting, humiliation and prayer. Far from the spot where the preceding pages were written, far from the friends so very dear, I am still the same unprofitable servant in my master's vineyard. In the active discharge of pastoral duties I find great pleasure, but, alas, the small fruit of my labors in winning souls for Christ, humbles me to the dust and makes me justly fearful that my prayers are neither as frequent, nor as fervent, nor as sincere as they ought to be. I have vainly flattered myself that in coming so far from my kindred and from my father's house, I was securing the promise held out to those who should forsake houses, and lands, and parents, etc., for the kingdom of heaven's sake. But, alas, I find too many misgivings at my poor weak heart when my beloved mother writes me how her life she fears will be shortened by her separation from her children. Did not our Redeemer say to the mother whom he loved to the end,' wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? How, then, 'having put my hand to the plough, can I look back' upon what I have left? Why should I not 'forget the things which are behind,' and 'reaching forward to those things which are before, press forward toward the mark, for the prize of my high calling in Christ Jesus.'"

In regard to the result of his labors in Western New-York, we find the following brief but expressive testimonial in a letter addressed to him by Bishop Hobart.

"My dear Bayard, you have done more during the three years you have been at the West, than any other minister has ever done there in twenty."

CHAPTER V.

Removal to New York-Organizes St. Clement's ChurchFamily bereavement-Death of Bishop Hobart-Successful labors-Translation of the "Death of the Righteous”. Cholera-Receives the Doctor's degree-Zeal in the general enterprizes of the Church-Division of the diocese-Death of his mother-Preparation for visiting the old world— Embarkation-Voyage.

In the summer of the year 1830, the wants of his large family, for whose support the stipend received from his parish at Geneseo, even when increased by the scanty emolument derived from his school, proved inadequate, induced Mr. Bayard to visit the city of New York, with a view of seeking, after conference with his diocesan, some situation where a competency might be obtained. When he reached the city he found his honored relative, Mr. John Pintard, as deeply interested as ever in his welfare, which interest he possessed the happy faculty of transfusing into all the members of his family. Among these was Mr. Thomas L. Servoss, a gentleman who had married Mr. Pintard's youngest daughter. In a conversation with this gentleman in relation to the object of his visit to the city, the latter observed to Mr. Bayard that he had a comfortable house and several lots in a part of the city every way eligible for the erection of a new church, and inquired why a church should not be built there. Further conversation served to show that the plan was a feasible one, and then after taking the advice of his parents and diocesan, Mr. Bayard returned the ensuing week to Geneseo, made all

his arrangements for leaving that place in the course of a fortnight, and on 5th of July set out for New York, where he arrived on the evening of the 9th. Connected with this period, we find the following entry in his journal, bearing date August 6, 1830:

"My dear and excellent mother had written to us that she should meet us in the city, and have the house in order for us. But alas! how short-sighted are our views. When we reached the city we found that our dear sister Julia had lost her husband, Mr. William Augustine Washington, and that our mother had gone to Virginia to bring her home. We proceeded then at once to Princeton, where leaving my family, I returned on the 13th to New York, when I commenced my exertions for the organization of a new parish. I found a convenient room near the proposed site of the new church, with every requisite fixture in it even to a pulpit, which the owner had accidentally bought at auction. Having given notice by the public newspapers, I commenced my services there on Sunday, July 18th, thirty-four persons being present. On the succeeding Sunday fifty attended, and a Sunday school was commenced with nineteen scholars. On the Monday following, I organized the congregation under the title of the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Clement's Church,' and on the succeeding Thursday, at six o'clock, P. M., the corner-stone was laid by the Right Rev. BISHOP HOBART, assisted by the Right Rev. BISHOP CROES. On Sunday, the first of August, my dear and excellent Bishop Hobart officiated for me by his own proposal in the afternoon, and preached from the text-'Not slothful in business-fervent in spirit-serving the Lord.' The number present on that day was

about one hundred and fifty. Lord helped us."

Hitherto hath the

But, amidst these gratifying results of his first efforts in New York, that God who tempers mercy with judgment, and, in the exercise of his infinite wisdom, "scourgeth every son whom he receiveth," had heavy afflictions in store for him in the sudden illness and death of his eldest daughter, soon after followed by the decease of his diocesan, whom he venerated as a father and loved with all the earnest confiding affection of a brother. In recording these melancholy events, let the simple but touching words of Mr. Bayard speak for themselves.

August 20, 1830.- "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.' What but the comforts of the Christian religion can sustain the soul in the hour of deep affliction! My dear, my eldest child, my MATILDA-numbered with the dead! How, how can I realize this sudden transition from the full bloom of youth and health, to the house appointed for all the living! Yet so it is! Such is the will of God. 'THY

WILL BE DONE!'"

*

"Rapid are thy strides, O death! Exactly twentythree days after this my most severe affliction, Bishop Hobart, my venerated counsellor, spiritual father and friend, departed this life. 'Lord so teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom,'- 'that so among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found.""

To the important duties of his new sphere of action, Mr. Bayard devoted himself with every

energy of his ardent mind. The position he occupied was a peculiarly difficult one, and required an amount of faithful and systematic parochial visitation in connection with careful preparation for the public services, which tasked all his faculties to the utmost. But he was not found wanting in abundant and selfsacrificing labor, nor was the blessing of the great head of the Church, withheld from the efforts of his servant. The congregation increased rapidly in numbers and influence. A large and interesting Sunday school, ever the nursery of the Church, assembled weekly in the room which speedily was found too small for the number of worshippers. In little more than a year from the time that the congregation was organized the new church of St. Clement's was completed. Of this happy consummation, we find the following notice :

"October 10th, 1831.-I am sitting in the vestry room of the new church, which I occupy as a study. Little more than one year has elapsed, since one stone was not laid upon the ground for a building. 'Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' To the praise of his glorious name I make this record. Amen."

During the summer of 1832, when the ravages of Asiatic Cholera were first experienced in the city of New York, Mr. Bayard devoted his brief leisure (often indeed, stealing many hours from his accustomed period of rest,) to the translation of the "Death of the Righteous," a work which was soon after published with his name, and which is sufficiently well known to speak for itself. His great motive in preparing an English translation of this pious volume, was to furnish to the afflicted, at a time when the dispensations of God's providence seemed peculiarly severe and trying, a manual of