action to
know that I left it in a more prosperous condition than I found it. It
was no part of my duty, as president of the college, to preach on the
Sabbath; but the health of the professor of Divinity failing soon
after my inauguration, I found it necessary to supply his place; and
during the whole period of my presidency I preached a considerable
part of the time. In the year 1826, there was a very interesting
revival of religion, both among the students and the inhabitants of
the village, which will be remembered by not a few, while "immortality
endures."

"'I was connected with the college six years; and, although I never
felt so much at home as in the duties of the ministry, still I had no
serious thoughts of relinquishing my station, till, very unexpectedly,
I received a call from the Second Church in Portland. When I received
this call, I felt a new desire for the duties and joys of the pastoral
life, and believing I could resign my office without putting in
jeopardy the interests of the college, I concluded to do so. I parted
with the Trustees, Faculty, and students, with feelings of great
cordiality, and I had reason to believe that the feelings were
reciprocated.'

"The following letter from the venerable Professor Shurtleff,
addressed to Rev. John E. Tyler, will give the impressions of one
associated with Dr. Tyler during his presidency at Hanover.

"Hanover, N. H., September 22, 1858.

"Reverend and very dear Friend: Permit me thus to address you; for I
can truly say that I regarded you with much interest and affection
during the whole time of your residence here, and I may also add that
your venerated parents had no friends in Hanover more sincere and
ardent than Mrs. Shurtleff and myself.

"When your dear father was appointed president of Dartmouth College,
he had been little heard of in New Hampshire. His first appearance,
however, was very prepossessing, and his preaching was much admired.
His popularity was so general in this region, that a gentleman of a
neighboring town inquired, 'Why, if he is such a man as they say, was
he not heard of before?' To which I replied, if you will allow me to
quote my own words, that 'the Lord had kept him concealed in an
obscure parish for a blessing to our college.' The impression which
his first appearance made was not lowered by further acquaintance. I
do not recollect hearing a complaint of him from any member of the
college. All his intercourse with th