Litchfield enquirer., 1845-10-30
EFOm tRe JNesO HaUen Coavier. g SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF REV DAVID #Nr. AILCTIN

FFOWs tRe JNesO HaDen CosgIer. gg
 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF REV DAVID
 ..'' AUSTIN. r
 In mentioning the men of distinction who have been either natives, or inhabitants, or immigrants from New Haven, the accurate, inquisitive and learned Professor Kingsley, of Yale in his a His- torical Discourse, delivered by request before the citizens of New Haven. April g, 1858, being the ! Two Hundredth Anniversary ofthe First Settlement ot the Town and Colony" has omitted the entire mention of ofthis nOblemen of nature-than whom, none ever born in it, moved to 1t, or went from it, claims fairer place in the Temple of Memory -' His name, and the splendor of his character, will long be remembered in that beautiful and interes. ting portion of his native country where he hFst drew his vital breath. 51.h h'fE@ .f=f, ,
 The Rev. David Austin, A. M, son of Dea. Da. vid and Mrs. Mary Austin, of New Haven, was born March 1e. I759. His father was Collector of Customs for several years, respectable mer- chant, and Deacon ot the Second Congregational Church of that city. He was the eldest of ten children, all of whom sustained good name. In early youth he devoted himself to the study of the Greek and Latin languages, entered Yale College, and graduated in 1779. Alter bis graduation. he commenced the study of Divinity with Dr. Beilas my, of Bethlem, a celebrated Congregational Di- vine in his day, and soon after became licensed candidate for the Gospel Ministry. He was greatly admired as preacher, and received several invita. tions to become Pastor. bat declined them all, however pleasing and advantageous on his accept ance. Having resolved to visit Europe, he leff his native land, spent considerable time in foreign travel, and returned with more ardent desire than ever, for the interesting employment of the sacred ministry. He was married to Miss Lydia Lathrop. adaughter of Dr. Daniel Lathrop. of the city of Norwich, gentleman of great wealth. .piety and responsibility, in l7ss, and soon after, Sept. 9th, of the same year, he was ordained and installed Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of E.izabeth- town, in New Jersey.
 From the commencement of his settlement, he performed the duties of his pastoral office in that place. and remained, greatly admired, beloved and respected, until the close of 1795 In this extraor. dinary man a certain degree of eccentrcity was blended with the most extensive benevolence. He had not the least incture of avarice in his nature His ample fortune empowered him to give 1t full exercise, and greatly served to augment the mum. Der of his friends. In the year l7e5, he was vio. lently attacked with the scarlet fever. A consd. erahie time elapsed before he recovered and the effect produced on his mind was serious. Before his health was sufficiently established he devoted his whole attention to the study of inspired rOphs ecy, and went into state of mental arrangement, from which it was believed by several that he was never entirely recovered. On the renewal Of his pastoral duties, he selected the 60th chapter of Isaiah, taught the doctrines of Christ S personal reign, that the time was near at hand and that ms second advent would commence on the fourth Sab. bath of May. l7se. The attention of the pecple of the town was aroused; there was an astonishing excitement; multitudes rushed from the adjacent towns, and the Church, on the Lords day, could not hold the assembled congregation
 The evening preceding this Sabbath was devoted to prayer and preparation in the Methodist Churchs crowded to overHowing. The history ot the Nine' vtes. and their repentance at the preaching of Jo. nah, were the theme of the Rev. orator: and they were pressed with all the fervor of enthusiasm to
 initiate their example. In every part ofthe assem- bly there was weeping and lamentation. %
 However, on the succeeding day. tho sun rose gregation surrounded the House and filled it. But no remarkable occurrence distinguished the day, and several of his followers concluded that they were under deluson, as we'll as himself His friends were induced to believe that such disap- pointment would restore him to right mind. and the Session remonsrated with him; but every thing of this nature was inefectual--" reason. guardian angel and his God." was dethroned; in his estimation, there were reasons for the Lords delay {; and his enthusiasm became more ardent and
 intense as in imagination he conceived the day of the Lord drawing nigh. The Session, and the Mem' bers of the Church that were he opponents, were charged with the sir and guilt of Uzziah. and that
 it was oi the Lords mercies that they did not meet with the same signal punishment.
 Amid this phrenzied attitude of del:!sion, he as- sumed the van ofa Nazarite. and dispensed what he judged to he the word of life necessarily; some. times three times in day.in this portion of the | American country. Wherever he went he was surrounded by crowds, attracted by the glare and
 parade of godliness, fascinated with the enuncia. ton of the orator, and ensaptured with the spen. dor of his el0qUence excitement went with him, and it is with good reason believed, that 1t was ren. dered subservient under the control of unerring Wisdom, to the eternal salvation of many souls -- The grand theme of this Christian orator, was the new and second advent of the Redeemer upon the earth and that as Joshua conducted the chosen tribes of Israel to the promised land, and as John was the Sayiour's herald 10 prepare the way before him, so that Saviour was now to cotne, to commence the miIlennial reign of holiness over earths widely extended regions. '' .'' h' '1, a"eoJ His congregation being greatly agitated by this novel procedure, and the announcement oi a new church about to De established upon the earth, meeting was called. and committee of eleven was chosen to wait upon him. statement was made of their grievances some questions were asked re-. specting his future proceedgs, and a written an. | swer was demanded in reply.
 MT. Austin complied with their request The declaration of his sentiments clear and express He was an honest man. He had no concealments. His determination was 'to set up new order oi things in ecclesiastical concerns, independent of Presbytery or of the General Assembly," And as the warrant for bis procedure, he referred them to the fifth and sixth chapters of Zechariah, and to several passages in the Sacred Volume which pre- dict those things, and in relation to these days.
 On receiving his answer twelve days after. pe- tition was sent from the Chnrch h Elizabethtown, to the Presoytery of New York, with which that Church was then connected, imploFing dissoiu- ton of the pastoral relation, which was granted.
 After his removal, the Rev. Mir. Austin contin- ued to preach in the surrounding country. end then returned to New Haven. Being firm in the taiah, literally, that the Jews would return to the Holy Land that the Rsdeemer would commences DIS millenna reign in New Haven; ana tnas sney were 10 take their departure from this place Tor fhat purpose. he caused, for their accommodation.