, 1859-10-31
Mrs. Stowe and DR.. 1Ioph la.x stJyoo-
1nE.


Rev. SAuuEl HOPKINS, D. D.-Mrs. s.owe's
new story, called The Minister'S Wooiug," has
introduced this eminent divine to the acquaiu-
tance Of thousands OF individuals, who never
before heard Of bis existence. To such persons
some account os lis life, drawn from authentic
Waterbury, Conn September II, 1.o1. Trad
uaied at iale collrgcin in 174l. In December Of
that rear he went to Sorthanl. .,ton, 10 study d.
v1nity with the celebrated Jonathan Edwards.
DccetnbcT IS, l743, he was ordained in Great
Darlington, then called 1ioussasonnock,) } and
r.'na'ned there ill January Is, 1863. when, On
account Of the dimuuilion OF the society and the
want Of snppuri, he was dismissed by an cccIe-
slassical council. April, II, ITO. he vas set
tied in ministry in Newport, r. |. In Decen,.
ber, 1916, when the British took possession Of
Newport, he left town, and retired to his family
which hc had before sent to Great harrington
During the summer Vi lit he preached il
Ncwbnryrort: lie afterwards preached in Car-
terbu'r; aud Stamford. IN the spring Of 1850
l,e returned IL Newport, the British having ey-
acuated the town in the preceding fall. lie
found Lis society 30 much diminished aud im-
poyeris''ed that he had no prospect Of 'nain-
and the donations Of his friends. he continued
topseacfi to them ill his death, which occurred
op the 10th oi December, lEu3. ut The age Of s.
years.
l)r. Hopkins Was twice married. Not Ion.
alter bis settlement al Great harrington hc va,
httr0tbed TO q young woman Of tue town. I.us
the uuex pected return OF a former lvvcr of.the
fur lady caused her u ask the doctor IL release
her from lrr engagement To him, which he con-
scented to do With regret. Not aauuted, howev-
rr, by this i'll success. he sought and won the
heart and hand Of Miss joanna 1ngarsoll, to
whom lie Was niarriri in the year l7:.s She
died August 81, 1888. On the 18th of Sept.
11:+, Dr. Hopkins married Eiizabett West III
Newport. enc Of his parishoners. who survived |
him. From the:e facts it will be seen how |
much Ars- Stowe has drawn on her imagination |
IN wrltin. her story. and how utterly she has |
disrcgarded dates. The time Of her novel is rs
late Us the summer Of 1874. This il rendered
certain by tie Introducing OF Aaron burr, who |
is called on his first appearance member Of |
the United States Sena,e and it is afterwards |
stateA that his wife is dead.
Burrs tern. Of service in the Senntc CON-
Inehcetl III 1,9l, and tetmsaatesl in 1877. Mrs. |
1iu1r died in the spring nF 1874. So that, Mt til.
beginning Of the siorE, Dr. Hopkins was ut 1c.st |
sesenty.1,,ree years old. and had probably mar
ricd his secood wife. Indeed, dining 1i4 whole +
residence III Newport l,e was q married man,
with the exception of tie year after the death
Of his wife. ALI this may he Of no Importance, ]
but, as smany persons will obtain all their kncwl-
edge Of Dr. Hopkins from this book, it is well /
that it sEonld be known tha. it is almost wlny /
unreliable as to the events Of lis life. Whether !
1t EiTcs any more correct viewtof his religious |
opinions must be decided by some one nurr |
competent 10 judge. 1t may be iutescsiin:. tn |
some TO compare Mrs. Slows views III regard to
his theology With those Of Dr.. Charming, ,yhicl,
may be found in his ser1iion at Newport, Jcliv-
cred July -, 1876. published in the fourth vol
little Of Charniu.s wc1ks. N.-LystcA4 Iroas.
cFipt "tt. -.