"April 30.

Baltimore appears in sight. While I feli'citate myself in being so near the end of an unpleasant and 'protracted voyage, the whole distance being about one thou'sand miles, I still feel a degree of concern in looking into 'futurity. A new era commences in my life, the moment I 'step ashore. O God, thou hast been my hope and my firm support in the past years of my life. Do not forsake me ' now, though my sins render it more suitable that I should 'be abandoned to myself, than ever before; and more than ' ever since I first confided in Thee, discourage my hope ' and weaken my confidence in thy mercy. Raise me, O God, 'and hold me up. Go with me and lead me into the midst ' of strangers in a strange place. Suffer me not to be reduced 'to poverty and want, lest I be diverted from my great object. 'I desire not wealth without an increase of grace, lest I be ' lifted up—more fatally attached to the world, and less de-.. 'voted to the service of the Redeemer. Give me the wisdom ' of a serpent, the gentleness of a dove, the active, persevering 'spirit of thine ancient Apostles, ever to deserve in the esti'mation of my fellow-men a fair reputation, and above all, the 'honour to turn many to righteousness, and then, grace to ' ascribe to Thee alone, all honour, thanksgiving and glory, 'forever, through Jesus Christ. Amen."

Who that is acquainted with human nature, does not see amid the morbid feelings and unsubdued passions of Ashmun, at this crisis, a faith of power, both in the Providence and word of God, working to overcome all that opposed it, and with an energy which nothing could long be able to resist?

REESE LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA

CHAPTER IV.

THE mind of Ashmun was earnest, bold and independent. It has been remarked by a friend, that his independence increased with his difficulties and embarrassments. His spirit rose unbroken and triumphant from beneath the heaviest weight of misfortune. His errors in judgment at this period, related rather to the opinions and dispositions of others, than to his own abilities. They grew out of inexperience and that enthusiasm which too frequently imparts to objects the hues of the imagination, rather than "the colours of reason." He had been more successful, had he expected less from others; not less successful, had he looked for more from himself.

Immediately after his arrival in Baltimore, he sought the acquaintance of several respectable Clergymen, rented a house, and issued proposals for receiving under his instruction, a select class of young ladies, to be educated in the higher branches of literature and science. His views in this respect, were so little encouraged, that he soon turned his thoughts to the establishment of a weekly paper, of a religious

character, and designed especially to give regular abstracts of Missionary and other religious intelligence. Several thousand copies of the first number of this paper, "The Constellation," were printed, and vigorous measures adopted to extend its circulation. To a friend he writes: "You must 'be prepared to learn, that by many, it is neglected-by many suspected by many disapproved-by many patronized, 'and its appearance hailed as auspicious to Baltimore. All 'this I expected; and if I regret any thing, it is that the two 'first numbers have not a more fixed and prominent evange'lical character. I had my motives for sending it out as I 'did; but had I to commence the paper anew, I should draw 'the lineaments of its intended character, a little more dis'tinetly."

Owing to various causes, principally to want of general information concerning the views and character of the Editor, all hope of succeeding with this paper, soon vanished; and Ashmun found himself involved in debt, among strangers, with no prospect of immediate and profitable employ

ment.

Several members of the Maryland Episcopal Convention, then in session at Baltimore, were desirous of establishing, in the District of Columbia, a periodical publication, which, resembling in evangelical character the Christian Observer, should be a repository for whatever might advance the cause of literature, humanity, or divine truth; and a gentleman* of

*The Rev. Dr. Keith, of the Episcopal Theological Seminary, in this District, who has favoured me with the following observations and anecdote, concerning Ashmun :

"He was as remarkable in youth, as in mature years. A most decided, energetic character, determined, if possible, to accomplish something on a large scale, for the benefit of the human race. He was a very good specimen of the old Puritan character, and would have been in his element among the first settlers of New England. He was a first rate scholar, and most determined and devoted Christian. He was a student of the Academy at Middle

the Convention, a friend of Mr. Ashmun at College, suggested that he should accompany him to Washington, and occupy the situation of instructer, in a respectable family, until arrangements could be made for his permanent connection. with the proposed publication.* The suggestion was adopted, and Mr. Ashmun proceeded, the next day, to Washington.

Not unfrequently, in the Divine Wisdom, are the lines of Providence (long concealed from human view, and so far as known by their immediate effects, in their relations and directions distinct,) revealed, converging towards the same point, and finally uniting on one and the same great object of good to mankind. The Episcopal Church in America, before the Revolution, though it embraced in its communion a large portion of the wealth and intelligence of

bury, entered College there, and in his senior year, I think, went to Burlington, where he graduated. After leaving Maine, he came to Baltimore, and commenced the publication of a religious paper called the Constellation. He was without funds, and his paper did not succeed. He published but one number, (it was a weekly,) consisting of 4,000, which he sent round the city, in the hope of getting subscribers; but I believe he did not obtain more than two or three hundred. He was a stranger there, and had no friends or patrons. He had, besides, contracted a debt to the printer, and for his board. Happening to be in Baltimore at this time, to my great surprise, I found him there, which gave me the first intelligence of his having left Maine.

I persuaded him to come on with me. We were to start in the stage together; it was in the month of June. On coming to the stage-office at 5 in the morning, instead of Ashmun, I found a note from him, saying, that his straitened circumstances rendered it proper for him to travel in a cheaper way, and that he would meet me in Georgetown. On the arrival of the stage at Washington, the first person I met, was my expected fellow-traveller; and on inquiry how he arrived there before the stage, which was in by eleven o'clock, was informed that he had walked!! Instead of taking the School, however, he undertook the publication of the Repertory, and became a candidate for orders in the P. E. Church.

* The Theological Repertory.