"'Twas for me, thy soul death tasted,
Seeking me, thy worn feet hasted;
Let such labour not be wasted."
The exquisite beauty of this stanza struck the mind of the scoffer; he thought that certainly his principles could not be shaken by a slight examination of the book, as he wished particularly to discover to what passage such beautiful lines could apply. He did so; the result was his conversion.
Rev. John Maxson, their next pastor, was a man of eminent piety. He was not a proficient in the wisdom of this world, but he possessed that without which all learning is vain. He was eminently distinguished for his knowledge and love of the Scriptures. He died in 1778.
Rev. William Bliss received the mantle of the ascending Elijah. Mr. Bliss, in his early life, was much inclined to deism, but when about thirty years of age, he became truly serious, and finally he was happily converted, and united in communion with the church. Soon after his public profession of religion, he became exercised on the subject of the ministry. He had frequently improved his gift for speaking, in the prayer and conference meetings; and he received a public call of the church in 1773. In 1780, he was installed pastor of the church, in which station he continued during the remainder of his life, which was about twenty-eight years.
Mr. Bliss was a warm and steady friend of his country, and suffered much by the English soldiery, during the Revolutionary war, being completely in their power while the city of Newport remained in their possession. They took possession of a part of his farm, on which they erected forts, and a part of his dwelling, in which were quartered many of their officers. They also cut down his orchards to barricade the roads, and committed many depredations of a similar character.
Mr. Bliss was the father of a large family, and some very interesting circumstances are related of one of his daughters. This young lady, when about sixteen years of age, had a long and painful sickness, in which time she became hopefully converted; and God was pleased to recommend himself to her in a remarkable manner. During her illness, at a time when she was very low, she lay for a long time as one asleep, without sense or motion. Her attendants looked upon her as dying; but presently she revived, and was in the greatest transports of joy. She declared to them that she had been favoured with a view of another world, and had been conducted both to the mansions of misery, and the abodes of felicity; and that in both places she saw and recognised those with whom she had been acquainted, and were then dead, but that she was forbidden to tell them who were in misery; that she had water given her to drink, which was inexpressibly sweet,—that she was told that she would not recover from her sickness, but must return for a season, and then that she should be admitted back to stay for ever. She lived about a year after this, during which time she looked forward with the greatest pleasure to the time of her departure, and died in full confidence that she should be immediately reconducted to those scenes of felicity with which she had been made acquainted.
As a minister of the gospel, Mr. Bliss was more distinguished for logical and spiritual argumentation, than for oratorical fervour. Few have excelled him in solidity of judgment, and the happiest consequences uniformly resulted from following his advice. As a Christian he was remarkably exemplary, and adorned his profession in both public and private life. He was warm and tender-hearted, circumspect in his deportment, and always anxious to promote the happiness and usefulness of all about him. He was distinguished for a pleasant cheerfulness, which made his conversation agreeable to persons of all ages.
The circumstances attending his death were quite remarkable. For a few months previous to his decease, he experienced several paralytic strokes, which, though light, greatly reduced his physical strength. Still he retained his mental faculties to the last, and was not confined to his house but a few days. From this period he was sensible that his departure was at hand, and he waited in the greatest composure of mind for his approaching change. For a few days before his death, he found his strength decaying, but felt no other disease than a gradual loss of physical power. The day before his death, he was visited by his intimate friend, the Rev. Mr. Eady. To him, he remarked, "I am going to try the truth of my doctrine." The morning before he died, he was visited by a grandson who had recently returned from Spain. With him he conversed freely on the political and religious state of that country. From these subjects, he referred to his own circumstances, observing that he no longer possessed any interest in the busy scenes of this world, as he was on the point, he believed, of departing for a better one. He signified that he thought himself to be dying, and appeared animated with the prospect before him. He seemed like Moses, who in his full strength, was permitted to ascend the summit of Mount Pisgah, and thence view the fair and fertile fields of the promised inheritance. Towards evening he was visited by Deacon B., from Hopkinton, who called, not intending to tarry through the night. He observed to this gentleman that he was going to die, and thought he would be needed about his person. He also made, with great deliberation, further arrangements for calling assistance, as he believed he should leave them before morning. When Deacon B. retired to rest, he was walking the house without exhibiting any unusual symptom except a strange coldness of the hands and the feet. He had left him but a short time when he heard an unusual stir below, and immediately arose and repaired to his bedside; but his spirit had fled. Thus closed his long and useful life on the 4th day of May, 1808, in the 81st year of his age.