HOOKER. 67 afterwards called Cambridge; and being most affectionately receivedby his old friends, who had gone over the preceding year, he said, " Now I live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." dreat numbers soon after following these adventurers from England, Newtown became too narrow for them : accord- ingly, in 1636, Mr. Hooker, with many of his friends, removed to a fertile spot on the delightful banks of the river Connecticut, which they called Hartford. There he lived all the rest of his days, and was deservedly esteemed " as the father, the pillar, and the oracle of the new colony." As a preacher, he was remarkably animated and impressive ; not only his voice, but every feature in his countenance, spoke the ardour of his soul. All was life and reality in his descriptions. His preaching was not that theatrical affecta- tion which is exhibited by men who paint for admiration, but that zeal which is kindled by a coal from God's altar. His moving addresses flowed from his own exquisite relish of divine things, and an impassioned desire of promoting them in the hearts of others. His success, like his services, was very eminent. A profane man, for the purpose of diversion, once said to his companions, " Come, let us go and hear what bawling Hooker will say to us." For the sakeof sport, they all went to Chelmsford lecture. Conviction presently seized the mind of this person. The word of God became quick and powerful, and he retired with an awakened conscience. Also, by the subsequent instructions of Mr. Hooker, he became an humble follower of Christ ; and afterwards followed this worthy minister to New England, that he might enjoy the benefit of his preaching as long as he lived. At another time, one ofhis enemies hired a fiddler to play in the church-yard and the church-porch, with a view to disturb him in his sermon ; but the design had not the least effect upon Mr. Hooker's mind : he went on with his sermon in his unabated zeal and vivacity. When the man went to the door to hear what he said, his attention was instantly caught; conviction immediately seized his conscience ; and at the conclusion of the service, he made his humble confession to Mr. Hooker, and ever after lived a religious life. By the application of his doctrine, he had a surprising talent for reaching and awakening the consciences of his hearers. This learned divine was remarkable for humility and a holy dependence upon God. This will appear from the following- circumstance. Some time after his settlement at Hartford, having to preach among his old friends at Newtown, on a Lord's day in the afternoon, his great fame had collected
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