280 EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Owing to the crowded state of the church in Rose Street, and from the
impossibility of enlarging it, ground was feued for the erection of a new place of
worship. This caused a considerable difference of opinion in the congregation,
and about four hundred resolved on remaining where they were. On the 29th
of May 1821 Dr. Hall opened the new church in Broughton Place, which
was the third that had been built for him since the commencement of his
ministry, and in all of which he attracted large congregations.’
He was allowed to possess, in an eminent measure, the peculiar requisites
of a Christian orator. His appearance, especially while young, was uncommonly
interesting. His voice, though
not sonorous, was clear, extensive, and mellifluent-modulated with natural taste
and impressive variety.
Dr. Hall was extremely attentive to the private duties of his office while he
continued able to perform them. In visiting the sick, his presence, his prayers,
and his converse, were peculiarly acceptable and consolatory, not only to his
own people, but to many of different religious opinions. About ten years prior
to his death he was afflicted with an inflammation of. his liver, by which his
life was thought to be in imminent danger ; and though he gradually regained
a considerable share of health, he was ever afterwards subject to internal
complaints, that rendered him unable to endure any great degree of fatigue.
As a member of the ecclesiastical courts, his judgment was more than usually
respected. He assumed no dictatorial airs, no superiority of discernment, no
disposition to become the leader of a party; but his thorough acquaintance
with the forms of business-the deep interest he took in the concerns of the
church-his impartiality in the weighing of evidence-and his unbiassed attachment
to equity, justice, and the general interest of religion-gave a peculiar
weight to his sentiments, and his opinions were uniformly respected.
Though somewhat warm in temper, he was open, generous, and affectionate.
Induced by plausible propositions, and desirous to be serviceable to his friends,
he unhappily entered into a mercantile speculation, which proving ruinous, he
was for a time subject to very disagreeable consequences, and had the mortification
of incurring the censure of many who were ignorant of the motives that
had prompted him to engage in secular matters, His open, manly statement,
and ingenuous exposition of the causes which led to his embarrassments, coupled
with his willingness to make every sacrifice calculated to repair any injury which
his failure had occasioned, proved perfectly satisfactory to all concerned. He
continued to discharge his public duties pretty regularly, and with great acceptability,
till about a year and three quarters before his death, when he was again
seized by his former complaint, which confined him nearly three months ; after
which he appeared only occasionally in the pulpit.
His person was tall, handsome, and dignified.
His action was animated, graceful, and appropriate.
He was succeeded in his former place of worship by the Rev. John (afterwards Dr. Brown of
Broughton Place) ; and, notwithstanding the split that had taken place among the members, the
utmost friendship subsisted betwixt Dr. Hall and Mr. Brnwn, the latter experiencing from him the
kindness and solicitude of a father.