most High, thy habitation, there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."-Ps. cxxv. 1. "They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever."-Ps. cxliv. 1, 2. "Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight; my goodness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me."-Prov. xvi. 20. "Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."-Isaiah, xli. 17, 18. "When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water."-Isaiah, Ixiv. 4. "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the eye, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."-Jer. xxxix. 18. "I will surely deliver thee and thou shalt not fall by the sword,-because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord."-Dan. iii. 28. "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him.” In view of the whole, we may break forth in the sweet language of the evangelical prophet, (Isaiah, xxvi. 3, 4,) "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." August 7th, Sabbath. I received a letter yesterday, bringing with it a disappointment about a charitable contribution for the college to purchase my library. In the evening my daughter received a letter from her husband, Dr. Smith, who had heard of my intention to remove, and who rejoiced in it, and cordially invited me to his house as my home. The first letter gave me pain, though accompanied by resignation to the will of God and trust in him; the latter was mercifully ordered for my support under the disappointment. I this morning feel entirely resigned to the will of God, and can trust in him for future support. What can I desire more than that infinite wisdom and benevolence should govern the world and order every event? I wish to employ those means which duty dictates; and having done that, I will leave the ordering of my life to God. I know that I am resigned to his will in regard to all future circumstances in this world, and can, though with less distinctness, trust in him for future support. August 14th. Sabbath. Expect to preach to-day for the last time in this meeting-house, a sermon to the graduating class. In my weak state of health I had been somewhat agitated with the uncertainty and trouble of selling my library, furniture, and other things, and about my future support; but for a day and a half past I have been remarkably composed under the influence of resignation and trust. My being sent hither was doubtless a great mercy, and I have every reason therefore to bless God for it. And now it is plainly his will that I should go. It is his will that I should be placed in just such circumstances; and it is doubtless my duty to submit to him and trust in him with entire composure and peace. How sweet to think that infinite benevolence and wisdom will shape all my circumstances. What can I desire more? I was yesterday composed by reading Luke, x. 38-42. "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things but one thing is needful. And Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." Instead of being troubled about the things of time and sense, I long that my future life may be devoted to God with heavenly affections; and that, no longer careful about the world, I may be wholly engaged in promoting his kingdom and in preparing for my glorious rest. O may I thus spend the residue of my days! I think I never desired this so much before. May my future years or months be wholly taken up in the love, and service, and praise of God. May I be carried through the present scenes with the sweet composure of submission and trust. Why should I be anxious about the world? My mind has lately been considerably impressed with those words of the Apostle, 1 Tim. vi. 6-11, "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things." O may these sentiments be deeply and permanently impressed upon my heart. And then I see not what I have to be anxious or careful about, but to promote the kingdom of Christ and prepare for heaven. Doctor GRIFFIN's health, which had been gradually declining for two or three years, at length became so much enfeebled that he found himself quite inadequate to the duties of his office; and accordingly at the meeting of the Board of Trustees in August, he again tendered his resignation, after having occupied the Presidential chair fifteen years. It was of course accepted, but with deep regret on the part of the Board that the occasion for it should have existed, and with the warmest gratitude for the important services which he had rendered to the institution. In reference to the arrangements for his removal to Newark, he writes thus in his diary: Aug. 28th, Sabbath. I contemplated the sale of my furniture and books and the trouble of removal as a fearful undertaking; and without submission and trust should have sunk under it. But God has so remarkably supported and prospered me during the last week, that I seem almost to have been brought through this trial. Thanks to a merciful and faithful God for all these blessings! Since my contemplated removal I have longed more than I ever did before, to spend the remainder of my life in heavenly devotion. I cannot calculate so much as I have done on public usefulness, (though this I desire,) but I long and pray for high communion with God, and for affections toward him more ardent and delightful than I ever felt before. O God, give me this high state of holiness and enjoyment for the rest of my life, and all the usefulness which thy wisdom can allot to me, and my highest wishes of a personal nature are gratified. Doctor GRIFFIN remained at Williamstown till about the close of September, completing his arrangements for the removal of his family to Newark. He subsequently refers in his journal to the event of their departure in the following paragraph. I left Williamstown with my family on Thursday the 29th Sept. The people there showed us great affection and expressed much regret at our departure. The students appointed a committee of two from each class to express their respect and attachment, and it was done in a manner the most affectionate. The Faculty invited me to a social dinner at the Mansion House. As I was getting into the carriage on Thursday morning, the students came up in procession to take their last leave. I made an address to them from the carriage, and some of them wept. The following is the letter from the students referred to in the preceding paragraph. REVEREND SIR, Prompted by the feelings which the near departure of one so respected and esteemed naturally elicits, the college assembled this morning and appointed us their committee to express to you their sentiments on this occasion. Those of them VOL. 1. 27 who have been witnesses and partakers of the benefits you have conferred on the college, acted from the deep feeling of gratitude; those who have lately become of the number of students, were influenced by your celebrity as a preacher-your character as a man. Knowing this, it is with peculiar feelings that we have undertaken to become their organ, and we should despair of expressing to you their opinions, were we not conscious of their active existence in our own bosoms. When a distinguished man departs from the scene of his former actions, he is followed by the aspirations of those who have been benefitted by his influence. If to have given celebrity to our Alma Mater, and a name of which we can proudly boast,—if to have given us sound moral and religious principles, on which we can firmly base our actions, and to have exemplified the beauty and simplicity of a good man's career, have conferred on us obligations, you will appreciate the feelings which agitate our minds at the thought of your departure. Praise we do not offer, for it would be futile;-useless to one who stands so high in the opinion of all; but we present you with a better gift,our kindest feelings and hopes for your future welfare. In the name of the college, we bid you an affectionate farewell. LEWIS BENEDICT, Jr. THOS. A. HALE, LABAN S. SHERMAN, SAM'L P. ANDREWS, Committee. Sept. 27, 1836. |
