honor.

The mother of Eleazar Wheelock having died in 1725, for a second wife
his father married a lady named Standish, a descendant of Myles
Standish, whose heroic character she perhaps impressed, in some
measure, upon her adopted son. "Being an only son," says his
biographer,[3] "and discovering, at an early age, a lively genius, a
taste for learning, with a very amiable disposition, he was placed by
his father under the best instructors that could then be obtained." At
"about the age of sixteen, while qualifying himself for admission to
college, it pleased God to impress his mind with serious concern for
his salvation. After earnest, prayerful inquiry, he was enlightened
and comforted with that hope in the Saviour, which afterwards proved
the animating spring of his abundant labors to promote the best
interests of mankind." At the time of his admission to the Windham
church, the distinguished Thomas Clap was its pastor.

[3] Memoirs of Wheelock, by McClure and Parish.

Having made the requisite preparation, he entered Yale College, of
which President Williams was then at the head, "with a resolution to
devote himself to the work of the Gospel ministry." Among his college
contemporaries were Joseph Bellamy and President Aaron Burr.

"His proficiency in study, and his exemplary deportment, engaged the
notice and esteem of the rector and instructors, and the love of the
students. He and his future brother-in-law, the late Rev. Doctor
Pomeroy of Hebron, in Connecticut, were the first who received the
interest of the legacy, generously given by the Rev. Dean Berkeley,"
for excellence in classical scholarship.

Soon after his graduation, in 1733, he commenced preaching. Having
declined a call from Long Island, to settle in the ministry, he
accepted a unanimous invitation from the Second Congregational Society
in Lebanon, Connecticut, and was ordained in June, 1735.

This town occupies a conspicuous place in American history; for,
whoever traces the lineage of some of the most illustrious names that
grace its pages, finds his path lying to or through this "valley of
cedars," in Eastern Connecticut. Here the patient, heroic Huguenot
aided in laying foundations for all good institutions. Here the
learned, indefatigable Tisdale taught with distinguished success. Here
lived those eminent patriots, the Trumbulls. By birth or ancestry, the
honored names of Smalley, Ticknor, Marsh, and Mason, are associated
with this