would not rust out, and until within a day or two of his death, he was busy at his loved work. December 20, 1871, he was permitted to return to Hartford and assist in installing his successor. Returning he wrote a sermon and preached once more on the last Sabbath of the year; then went to his rest.

H. A. H.

REV. HARRISON OTIS HOWLAND, was a native of West Brookfield, Mass. Of his childhood and youth the writer knows nothing, except that when quite young he lost his mother by death. He became an apprentice to his brother in Worcester, Mass., in the business of book-binder. And from this place, in 1835, he entered the Classical Department of Leicester Academy for the purpose of fitting himself for College and the ministry. At this time he was a member of the church, but how long he had been such I cannot tell. It was while at the Academy that the writer became acquainted with him, which acquaintance soon grew into an unusual intimacy, and resulted in an undying friendship.

He entered Amherst College in the Class of 1840, where he at once took a high stand for thorough scholarship. He was not brilliant, but diligent and earnest. He graduated in 1841 with an oration, which at that time showed that there were but few better scholars in the class. It was the writer's privilege to room with him during his Junior year, and it gives him much pleasure to testify to the purity of his moral and Christian character, a character free from the follies which too often mar the lives of even Christian students.

After graduating from College Mr. Howland went to the Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., from which, in due time, he entered the ministry. He was settled first at Ashland, N. Y.

In 1852. the writer had the pleasure of introducing his friend, and former classmate and chum, to the church in Warner, N. H., and January 4, 1854, of giving him the Right Hand of Fellowship at his installation as pastor of that church.

While at Warner he was indefatigable in his effort to interest, instruct and profit his people. His written sermons were the fruit of profound study. He never aimed to be sensational.

Under the guidance of the same Spirit that indited the word, he labored to bring forth its meaning from the Hebrew and the Greek, and in chaste English present it to his people. His composition excelled in logic rather than in rhetoric, although in the latter it was by no means deficient. Many of his discourses were unwritten, but in extemporaneous preaching he did not especially excel.

In his efforts to please the young he made a large number of charts, illustrative of the subjects he wished to elucidate. He was very happy and fruitful in questions calculated to make others think, showing activity of mind and research on his own part. Like too many, crowded with labor for others' good, he was too neglectful of physical exercise, and the use of other means for the preservation of his own health.

His papers, read before his ministerial brethren at their meetings of Association, possessed great merit, and were almost above criticism. They were on a great variety of subjects, rich in thought, and happily expressed.

Mr. Howland had several children of such an age as to require different educational privileges from those then afforded by the schools in Warner; and his small salary did not enable him to educate them away from home. This was a leading reason which prompted him to leave Warner, and accept an invitation to a pastorate in Chester in the same state. Of his labors there, as well as in Pennsylvania and New York, after leaving N. H., I am unable to speak with any definiteness.

He was stricken with paralysis some time before his death, which occurred at Kinderhook, N. Y., February 13, 1872, at the age of 59 years.

J. M. R. E.

REPORT OF THE MINISTERS' AND WIDOWS' CHAR

ITABLE FUND.

The Trustees of the Ministers' and Widows' Charitable Fund would hereby report to the General Association of New-Hampshire that their annual meeting was held in Concord, on the 5th day of June, 1872. The Treasurer's report was read and adopted, and the following persons were elected officers for the ensuing year, namely:

Rev. N. BOUTON, D. D., President.
Rev. WILLIAM R. JEWETT, Secretary.
SHADRACH SEAVY, Esq., Treasurer.
ASA MCFARLAND, Esq., Auditor.
Rev. N. BOUTON, d. d.,
Rev. WILLIAM R. JEWETT,

SHADRACH SEAVY, Esq.,

}

Executive Committee.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee, held immediately after the adjournment of the Trustees, it was voted to appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to three aged clergymen in needy circumstances; the sum of two hundred dollars to eight widows in restricted circumstances.

The donations for the year closing May 31st, 1872 have been as follows:

In reviewing the year, the Trustees must again express their regret that so little interest is taken in this charity by the ministers and churches generally in the State. Only nineteen of the one hundred and ninety-one churches connected with our Body have seen fit to comply with the recommendation of the General Association, by transmitting donations to the treasurer of our Fund. From most of the strongest and wealthiest churches in the State, we have not received a shilling during the past year. Yet, at this hour we are relieving the wants of aged clergymen, and the widows and orphans of clergymen who, without our help, would suffer for the necessaries of life.

The Trustees of the fund, who are entrusted with the distribution of the bounty of the churches, have peculiar opportunity

to learn the trying situation of poor, aged clergymen, and the widows of such. Some of the applications for assistance are expressed in the most sensitive, delicate, and affecting words. We often regret that our funds are so limited, and our means so inadequate to relieve the wants of these classes, who have such just claims on our kindness and charity.

The pastors in a large number of our societies, seldom receive sufficient compensation, so that they can make suitable provision for their families, after they have been removed from the world. Seldom are they in such easy circumstances, as to decline to receive gifts from their parishioners in addition to the stipulated salaries. And it is a pleasant thought that the hearts of pastors are often filled with thankfulness upon receiving tokens of kindness from those to whom they minister in spiritual things, and they are ready to offer the prayer of Nehemiah, in behalf of those generous friends, "The Lord look upon them, according to all that they have done for thy servants."

But useful, as good pastors are, and beloved and esteemed. as they often are by their people, yet, they are not suffered to continue by reason of death. Then a great change takes place in their families, when their wives become widows and their children fatherless. The source from whence their supplies were drawn is closed. Accustomed to all the comforts, and in a measure to the refinements of life, they feel keenly the deprivation of them, and are poorly prepared to endure the poverty into which they are plunged. For a time they may continue to receive attentions, favors, and even liberal presents from the people with which the departed husband or faher was connected. But this does not ordinarily last long. Another minister engages the thoughts and the liberality of the people. Deprived of this resource, bereft of the companion of her life, the object of her warmest attachments, the means of her support, the protector of her children, and their only earthly dependence. the afflicted widow has reason to say to the former associates and friends of her husband, "Have pity upon me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me."

Now, it was for the relief of such persons, that our Fund was established. We ask you to contribute liberally for the relief