Memoir of Rev. Luther Rice, One of the First American Missionaries to the East

p. 9Introduction — mr. rice's birth — reference to HIS PARENTS EARLY HISTORY AMIABLE TEMPER

MATERNAL INFLUENCE NATURAL DECISION AND

INTREPIDITY OF CHARACTER INCIDENT DESIRE OF

INFORMATION SERIOUS IMPRESSIONS MINISTERIAL

COUNSEL DEEP DISTRESS.

To accomplish his infinitely wise designs, God often operates in a manner, which, to man's falHble judgment, is entirely incomprehensible. He raises up and employs instruments which men would never select, and often makes the failure of human schemes the very method of fulfilling his own purposes. These remarks are happily illustrated in those histones, which are furnished by the sacred writers. Who can review the process by which the family of Jacob was saved from famine and death, without perceiving the over-ruling agency of p. 10the Lord, making the wrath of man to praise him, and restraining the remainder ? The whole history of Jacobs descendants up to the time of their settlement in the land of Canaan, is an impressive comment on the sovereignty of Jehovah, teaching us his manifold wisdom and goodness.

In this respect, the biography of those pious men whose lives have been marked with singular incidents is replete with instruction. As we trace their footsteps through childhood, youth, and riper age, and note in the light of their whole history the several circumstances of change in their character or condition, the hand of the Lord becomes manifest, and we are prepared to admire the riches of his love in Christ Jesus. Such, there is reason to believe, will be the effect in contemplating the biography of him, whom God delighted to honour as one of the pioneers in the American missionary enterprise. In comparing the circumstances which transpired in his early life, with his subsequent labour, and influence as a minister of Christ, we learn that apparently trivial occurrences, were connected with the most important results.

Luther Rice was born in the town of North-borough, Worcester county, Massachusetts, March 25th, 1783. His father, Captain Amos Rice, being early engaged in the struggles of the revolutionary war, essentially aided in securing the independence of these United States. He was a man of naturally strong intellect, with but limited education. Having p. 11REV. LUTHER RICE. 11 a temper quick and ardent, and being exposed to the temptations of the camp, he seems to have contracted habits which proved unfavourable to his future usefuhiess, and to the peace of his family.

p. 11The mother of Luther was, in many respects, an extraordinary woman. She possessed a vigorous and clear mind, which, with the advantages of the common public schools, and her subsequent application, she had to a considerable extent improved. They were both connected with the Congregational church, though there was reason to doubt whether they had indeed passed from death unto life. This was especially the fact in relation to his father; some pleasing evidences of a change in the spiritual condition of his mother, were afterwards evinced.

This statement of the religious character of his parents, will not be surprising, when it is known that many of the congregational churches of that day, were composed of merely nominal professors, who were as corrupt in sentiment as they were loose in their lives. It was almost essential to respectability in society to subscribe to a creed, and to adhere to some forms of religion. Thus an unholy alliance between the church and world was effected, which had well nigh resulted in the expulsion of pure Christianity from the land. This would have been doubtless the consequence, if the evil had been general. There were, however, many exceptions, and the Unitarian controversy, at length, produced a separation, between nominal professors, and those p. 12MEMOIRS OF who contended "for the faith once delivered to the saints.''

The early years of Luther's life were not distinguished by the occurrence of any remarkable incidents. He was, when quite a child, quick in his perceptions, docile in his spirit, and amiable in his manners. As he advanced in years, and attended the common schools of that day, he gave promise of future greatness, by the aptitude with which he received instruction, and by his diligence in study. He was greatly beloved by all his class-mates, as well as his teachers, and it is not known that he ever received correction at school, or was ever involved in a personal quarrel with any of his fellow pupils.

Considerable pains were taken by his mother to impart to him religious knowledge. From earliest childhood, he was familiar with the Holy Scriptures, and was taught the Lord's prayer, which he usually repeated before retiring to rest at night. In addition to this, his mother required him regularly to memorize portions of the Westminster Catechism. The influence also of a pious aunt was employed to aid in bringing him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. She was in the habit of conversing with him in a familiar manner on the subject of religion, and her instructions were effectual in producing serious impressions, when not more than four years of age. At that early period he experienced alarming fears of dying, which, however, were not of very permanent duration,-— p. 13REV. LUTHER RICE. 13 Throughout most of his juvenile years, religious instruction was continued, and it will not be presuming too much to intimate, that these early advantages were among the most efficient instrumentalities, which were afterwards owned, of God in his conversion. This seems to have been his own view of the subject. He w^as often heard to express a grateful sense of the divine goodness, in allowing him to enjoy these early advantages.

Of the happy effect of maternal influence on character, we have here another evidence, in addition to the many thousands already before the world. Such influence is beyond conception, valuable and enduring. It was deemed worthy of allusion, by an apostle, in writing to (Timothy) his own son in the gospel. Every mother may be encouraged to consider the earliest years of her oflfspring as precious, and to improve them by pre-occupying the mind with scriptural knowledge, and giving the pliant disposition such a form as may be favourable to future usefulness.