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their faith in Christ. Mr. Melendy united with the Congregational Church
in 1832, and Mr. David and several of his workmen followed the example
in 1835; the character of all these men for integrity and steady habits
had been good, but from this date a higher standard of conduct
prevailed. A new direction was given to their thoughts, and the tone of
the establishment was elevated by superior motives. While resident in
Boston. Mr. David had been attentive to the vigorous doctrinal
discussion which divided the community sixty years ago. He had listened
approvingly to the preaching of Wayland and Beecher, then in the fulness
of their strength. He was persuaded that the doctrines to which these
divines gave such prominence were in harmony with the teachings of the
New Testament; accordingly, when Mr. David accepted the Evangelical
system of faith as the ground of his own hope of God's favor, he acted
intelligently. He acknowledged his dependence on the grace of God in
Christ Jesus. He recognized the sacredness of the Christian calling. He
became a student of the Scriptures, entered the Sabbath School as a
teacher, and assumed the responsibilities of sustaining the ordinances
of public and local religious worship. In 1846, he was elected deacon in
the Congregational Church. He accepted the office with some reluctance,
being distrustful of himself, but his counsel and service were of great
value to the brotherhood. Intent on improving himself in all the
qualities of Christian manhood, he was observant of the great movements
of society, and deeply interested in the new and enlarged applications
of Chistianity. He followed the operations of the American Board, as new
fields opened to the missionaries of the Cross; keeping informed as to
the changing phases of Evangelical effort in this and in foreign lands.
In this particular he manifested the same accuracy which marked his
knowledge of current affairs. He was familiar with the history of the
United States and Great Britain, and having a lively admiration of
learned men, statesmen, scholars, and divines, he was a reader of
biographies. While emulating the excellence which he admired, these
stores of information were employed to enliven conversation and to
furnish material for public discourses. In the gathering of the people,
whether for secular or religious purposes, he was often called upon to
speak. His remarks were received with attention, and had weight with his
audience,