THK TOWN OF WESTCHESTER. 395 



imperfections), may have sometimes exemplified the truth of this remark, it was 

 only where he thought principle was concerned, and in honest compliance 

 with what he deemed duty, and what he deemed real charity, or a sincere de- 

 sire to be instrumental in hading others into the truth, and to avoid even the 

 appearance of sanctioning or conniving at error. 



''In private and social life, the piety, kindness, benevolence, and cheerfuness of 

 the true Christian, an affectionate interest in the welfare and happiness of all 

 about him, the urbanity of an accomplished gentleman, the good sense and ex- 

 tensive information, of an intelligent aud well read man, the fancy of a ready 

 poet, and the sprightliness of true aud chastened wit, rendu-ed him one of the 

 most profitable and pleasing of companions. And for all the sweet charities, the 

 endearing sympathies, and the elevated affections of domestic life, he has left a 

 monument that will perish only with the hearts in which it is erected. 



"Although from earl}' life, of a religious turn of mind, much devoted to theo- 

 logical reading, attached to clerical society, and cherishing an affection and de- 

 sire, equal to his fitness for the ministry, it was not until he had attained to 

 nearly three-score years of age, that Dr. Wilkins found himself sufficiently re- 

 leased from civil and secular cares, to gratify his early and abiding preference of the 

 ministry as his profession. He was then ordained deacon, and afterwards priest, 

 by the Right Rev. Bishop Provoost, of this diocese. He soon settled in the par- 

 ish, in the charge of which he continued until his death ; having added to it, 

 for a time, that of St. Paul's church, Eastchester. He continued in the exercise 

 of his public duties until within a few months of his death. He was a graduate 

 of Columbia College, in this city, and was for many years its oldest surviving 

 alumnus, having received the degree of B. A. in 1760, and of A. M. in 1763. In 

 1811, he was honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of D. D. His per- 

 formance of public services of the Church, was characterized by peculiar solem- 

 nity and dignity, and by a manner clearly indicative of the deep and engaged 

 interest which his heart felt in the holy offices. In his preaching, he aimed at 

 the faithful exhibition of the whole counsel of God ; and explained and enforced 

 the doctrines of the Gospel, the distinctive principles of our Church, and the whole 

 range of Christian obligation and duty, with a clearness that manifested his own 

 understanding of them, and an earnestness which proved how deeply his heart was 

 engaged in the work. He was conscious of the existence of no error in faith or prac- 

 tice, against which he would hesitate boldly and fearlessly, to breast himself. He 

 saw nothing to be his own duty, or that of his people, to which he would not, 

 in the most uncompromising manner, devote himself, or which he would not 

 most faithfully and earnestly urge and enforce upon them. It has been said of 

 him, aud it is here believed to have been most justly said, that had he lived in 

 times of martyrdom, there is not that thing which he thought it his duty to say 

 or do, which he would have left unsaid or undone, or the act or word which he 

 deemed inconsistent with the most rigid demands of duty and of conscience, 

 which he would have done or said to save his life. His was a piety and virtue 

 which would have remained unmoved, when those more boasted might have 

 found more plausible excuses for giving way. The unrivalled vencrableness of 

 his appearance, for many years past, added to the worth, dignity and sanctity, 

 of his character, invested his public ministrations with a deep and peculiar in- 

 terest. 



