FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THE9I.OGICAL SEMINARY /n 55^ 7A X >> .; ■•- . li?'^": :. .*j. i^^> «;,■■ ,' 'x?-''- '■s'"' ' 'S^ -*%f^^ ...mm 3f' ' ■■V ■■'■■■■. \-^\:x£< if j^ ^fe'i'* "' ' ^.y-vi-lf^'^^wi^i :v 1 ..-V'^r-'i'.,-: my '%■■ ^, mi ih^i' 1'^'".- '^ , ^ ' " '. ■."■*■■*. '•,>- .» ,>:" r.ns>''lirA.H.KJicliie. ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN PULPIT; OR COMMEMORATIVE NOTICES OF DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN CLERGYMEN OP VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS, F RO.M THE EAKLY SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY TO THE CLOSE OF THE YE \fv EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE WITH HISTORICAL INTRODUCTIONS. BY WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, D. D. VOLUME VL NEW YORK: ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, 530 BROADWAY. I860. BAPTIST. VOLUME VI. PREFACE.^ From the commencement of this work, I have been quite aware that nothing pertaining to it involves more delicacy than the selection of its subjects, and that no degree of care and impartiality can be a full security against mis- takes. There is one reason why there seems likely to exist a greater difference of opinion in regard to the selection for this volume than any preceding one — it is that it has been necessarily determined, to a considerable extent, from mere native vigour of mind, strength of purjDOse, and untiring and successful devotion to the cause of Christ, without much respect to high intellectual culture. It is well known that, during a long period, comparatively few of the Baptist ministers in this country' enjoyed the advantages of a collegi- ate education — of nearly all who were thus favoured I have endeavoured to form some memorial Avhere the material could possibly be obtained — but the selection has been mainly from the ranks of tliose who probably never saw a College. Very few of tlie individuals here commemorated have been personally known to me ; and though I am nomi- nally responsible for the selection, it has reallj' been the result of the combined judgment of distinguished living Baptist ministers in almost every part of the country. It is due to them, however, to state that they have furnished a goodly number of names as worthy, in their judgment, of * Some things will be found in the Trcfjiee to this and some other of the volumes, whieh arc substantially a repetition of what has alreail}- been said in the (icneral Preface. This is rendered necessary from the fact that, as each denomination is supposed to be interested chiefly in the biograjil.ics of its own ministers, it is presnmed that the General Preface will meet the eye of comparatively few except those who patroni/.c exclusively the Congregational volumes. yi PREFACE. being embalmed, concerning which I have been able to gather little beyond mere vague and doubtful traditions ; and it has seemed more fitting to omit altogether even an honoured name, than to run the hazard of making it the subject of apocryphal statements. In regard to not a small number of deceased ministers of highly respectable stand- ing in their day, after pursuing my inquiries to a great length, I have been forced to the conclusion that, though their record is doubtless in Heaven, they have left no record on earth out of which it is possible to frame such a memo- rial as they were entitled to. The sources from which the materials for these sketches are drawn, are sufficiently indicated in the margin. It will there be seen that, in addition to the various Baptist periodicals published since the commencement of the present century, large use has been made of Backus' History of the Baptists in New England; Benedict's History of the Baptists ; Morgnn Edwards' Materials towards a His- tory of the Baptists in Pennsylvania ; Semple's History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia ; Tay- lor's Lives of Virginia Ba.ptist Ministers; Campbell's Geor- gia Baptists ; Millet's History of the Baptists in Maine ; Wright's History of the Shaftsbury Baptist Association • . Peck and Lawton's Historical Sketch of the Baptist Mis- sionary Convention of the State of New York ; and various Biographies of greater or less extent which have appeared in almost every part of the country. It is due to candour to state, in respect to the third sketch in this volume, — that of John Clarke, — that while the statements are in accordance with the acknowledged authorities, I am assured by a distinguished Baptist clergyman, whose opinion is entitled to the highest respect, that, as the result of a some- what extended research — not yet completed — into the life PREFACE. yii of this veteran minister, he is likely to reach certain con- clusions somewhat different from what has hitherto been accepted as veritable history. Somewhat less of definiteness has been reached in respect to the period when many of the subjects of this volume began their ministry than could be desired, — owing especi- ally to the fact that they were often in the " exercise of their gifts " before a regular license was conferred. The figures on the left hand, beneath the name of each subject, at the commencement of the sketch, always denote the year when the individual was licensed to preach, where it is known ; in other cases, the year of his ordination ; in other cases still, the earliest ascertained date of any of his public labours. Mistakes are more likely to have occurred at this point than perhaps any other; though the utmost care and effort have been used to prevent them. It has been found necessary, in this volume, to depart slightl}^, in two or tliree particulars, from the plan of the work as announced in the General Preface, or as hitherto developed. It was stated in the General Preface that the order of the denominations would be determined by the number of subjects which they should respectively supply. When the Episcopal volume was published, I had no doubt that it embraced many more names than could be legiti- mately gathered from among the Baptists ; but the result of a more extended examination has been to SAvell the list of the Baptist ministers a little beyond that of the Episco- pal ; and it has seemed better to dispense with a rule that was adopted for convenience, than to adhere to it at the expense of omitting really deserving names. One excep- tion also has been made from the rule that places each sub- ject in the denomination in which he closed his career — that exception is Roger Williams — for though his connection viii PREFACE. with the Baptist denomination continued but a few months, yet, as he was really the father of the denomination in this country in the sense of being the founder of the first Bap- tist Church, and as his subsequent anomalous position would, in a strict adherence to ni}^ rule, exclude him altogether, there has seemed no alternative but that his place should be among the Baptists. The arrangement of the subjects in each denomination is designed to be strictly chronologi- cal ; but from this rule also there will be found in the present volume a single exception. Owing to peculiar circumstances, no account of any of the departed Baptist worthies in Tennessee was obtained until the printing was too far advanced to allow of its finding its proper chrono- logical place ; and rather than seem to ignore that respect- able State, with whose history, from a very early period, the Baptists have been identified, a sketch of one of their venerable ministers (v\4iich, however, really includes three of them) is introduced at the close of the volume. There is little reason to apprehend that any who read the sketch will regret its insertion, even though it be a little out of place. It will be observed that the titles Elder and Reverend are used indiscriminately, though the latter is of much more frequent occurrence. The reason is, partly that this diversity has existed among my contributors, whose taste on the subject I have felt bound to consult, and partly that it has seemed necessary, in order fixirly to represent the different usages that have prevailed, and still prevail, in the denomination. It is quite impossible for me to do justice to my sense of obligation not only for the measure of public favour — fiir greater than I had ventured to hope for — wdth which the several preceding volumes of this work have been met, PREFACE. ix but especially for the prompt and cordial aid contributed by so many worthy and honoured individuals towards the present volume. I am forbidden, as on former occasions, by the great number Avho have assisted me, to attempt to give a list of them ; and 3^et I cannot forbear to mention particularly, even at the hazard of seeming invidious, the Rev. Henry Jackson, D. D., of Newport, distinguished for his successful researches into the history of the denomination in Rhode Island ; the Rev. David Benedict, D. D., the well known veteran Historian, the vigour of whose faculties and the warmth of whose affections, four score years have in no degree abated; the Rev. Abial Fisher, D. D., of Massachusetts, who has not onlj^ closely observed but largely shared in all the important move- ments of the Baptists, especially in his own State, during an unusually protracted ministry ; Horatio Gates Jones, Esq., of Philadelphia, who, amidst the pressure of j)rofes- sional engagements, has appropriated to me most freely and largely from the results of his indefatigable labours in this department of Biography ; the Rev. Sewall S. Cut- ting, D. D., Professor in the University of Rochester, whose taste and studies have enabled him, as his kindly interest in my work has inclined him, to respond most satisfactorily to my numerous inquiries ; the Rev. Dr. Mallary, of Georgia, who has allowed me often to put in requisition his valuable services in regard to Baptist Minis- ters of the South ; the Rev. William Carey Crane, Presi- dent of Semple Broaddus College, in Mississippi, and the Rev. S. H. Ford, of Louisville, Ky., both of whom have generously imparted to me from their ample stores of infor- mation in regard to ministers of the Southwest; the Rev. R. H, Neale, D. D., of Boston, who, in addition to other favours, has kindly furnished the original portrait X PREFACE. from which the engraving at the commencement of this volume has been made ; and the Rev. Rufus Babcock, D. D., whose excellent judgment as well as minute and extensive knowledge I have been allowed to avail myself of at pleasure. Not only for Dr. Babcock' s contributions, which are so numerous as to constitute a prominent feature of this volume, but for the promptness with which he has met my almost innumerable requests, and the fraternal and genial tone by which all his communications have been marked, I beg to offer him my best thanks; at the same time assuring the public that to his untiring efforts to serve me are they indebted for no small degree of the interest that j)ertains to this department of the work. In taking leave of my Baptist brethren, I cannot forbear to say that my intercourse with them in connection with the preparation of these sketches, has been a source of rich gratification to me, as I am sure it will always be a subject of grateful recollections. I heartily congratulate them that, as a denomination, they have so many bright memorials in the past, so much that is auspicious of pro- gress and enlargement in the future. If this volume, to the production of which they have themselves been so largely auxiliary, should in any degree subserve their mission in helping forward the great cause of our common Lord and Master, my highest wish in respect to it will be answered^ W. B. S. Albany, August, 1859. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.^ The history of the Baptist denomination in the United States, like that of the other denominations, is so fully developed in the lives of its promi- nent ministers, that it is impossible to construct even the most general out- line of the former without drawing upon material that must necessarily be embodied in the latter. The present brief sketch is framed with a view to prevent, as far as possible, repetition in the body of the work. When the first Baptists came to this country, or who they were, it is impossible now to ascertain ; though Cotton Mather says " many of the first settlers in Massachusetts were Baptists ;" and he adds that " they were as holy, and watchful, and fruitful, and heavenly a people as perhaps any in the world." It may not be uninteresting to note the rise and progress of the denomination, as indicated by its introduction into the several Colonies and States, or rather by the date of the origin of the first Baptist Church in each Colony or State, in chronological order. The first Baptist church in Rhode hlajid — which was also the first in America — was constituted by Roger Williams, at Providence, in 1636. The first in Massachusetts was in Swansea, and was organized in 1G63, though it had been commenced by Obadiah Holmes, and others, about thir- teen years before. The first in New York, which was the predecessor of the present Broome Street Baptist Church in the city of New York, vras a General or Arminian Baptist Church, and was founded at least as early as 1669 ; but it seems to have existed for only a short period. About the year 1702, the Baptist interest was revived here, and in 1724 the present Broome Street Church was formed under Valentine "Wightman, of Groton, and Daniel Wightman, of Newport. The first church in il/ceVze was formed at Kittery in 16S2, but was soon broken up and scattered, and it had no successor in the Province until 1768, when another church was constituted at Berwick, by the Bev. Hezekiah Smith, of Haverhill, Mass. The first churcli in So7tth Carolhia was the church in Charleston, founded in 1683 by the Bev. William Screven, from two separate colonies, one of which came from the West of England, the other from the District of Maine ; but the early progress of the denomination in the Province was slow, as was indicated by the fact that when the Charleston Association was formed in 1751, there were only four rather small churches to compose it. The first church in Fennsylcania was founded at a place called Cold Spring, in Bucks County, • Bflckiis' and Benedicfs Histories. — Ilovey's Life and Times of Isaac Backus. — Baptist Family Magazine, 1859. — MSS. from Rer. Dr. Babcock, Professor Cutting, and H. G. Jones, Esq. Xii HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. bj Thomas Dungan,* who removed thither from llhoJo Island in 1684. This church became extinct in 1702 ; but in 1688 another church — now the oldest in Pennsylvania — was formed at Pennepek or Lower Dublin, consisting chiefly of emigrants from Wales, but with a slight intermingling of English and Irish, — of which the Rev. Elias Keaeh t became Pastor. The first church in New Jersey was that at Middletown, founded iu 1688, and its first settled Pastor was the Rev. John Brown + — the second was the Piscataway Church, organized in 1689, of which the Rev. John Drake was the first Pastor; and the third was the Cohansey Church, organized in 1690, of which the Picv. Thomas Killingsworth ^ was the first Pastor. The first church in Delawai-e was the Welsh Tract Church, which was formed in Wales in 1701 ; migrated as a colony to America, and, after lingering a while in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, became fixed in Newcastle County, De., in 1703, being under the pastoral care of the Rev. Thomas (xrifiiths,!! also an emigrant from Wales. The first church in Connecticut was organized at Groton in 1705, by the Rev. Valentine Wightman, who also became its Pastor — the second was gathered in New London in 1726, by the Rev. Stephen Gorton, but after a few years he disgraced himself by immoral conduct, and the church became extinct. In Virginia, the Bap- tist denomination has a triple origin. The first church was formed of emi- grants from England, in 1714, at a place called Burley, in the County of the Isle of Wight, and the first Pastor was the Rev. Robert Nordin,1[ who was ordained in London with special reference to this mission. This church, and another formed shortly after in the County of Surrey, (both of * Of Thomas Ddnqan nothing more can be ascertained, except that he died at Cold Spring in 1688, was the father of nine children, and is still represented by a numerous posterity in Pennsylvania. t Elias Keach, a son of Benjamin Keach, came from London to this country, a v,ild and giddy youth, about the year 1686. On his arrival here, he assumed the clerical dress, with a view to pass for a minister. The project succeeded so far that large numbers were attracted to bear him. In the course of his sermon he stopped abruptly, and seemed greatly confused, — which led his audience to suppose that he had been suddenly seized by some alarming mal- ady. Greatly to their surprise, he immediately, and with many tears, acknowledged himself an impostor; but the distress into which he was now thrown, terminated in his hopeful conversion. Having been, shortly after, baptized and ordnined by Mr. Dungan, he went to Pennepek, and established the church there, and then travelled through Pennsylvania and New Jersey, preach- ing wherever he went with great success. In the spring of 1692, he returned to England, and afterwards became a successful minister in London. I Of John Buown nothing mere is known than that he was not ordained, and that he gave the lot on which the first meeting-house in the place was built. § Thomas KiLLiNGSWouTH took the oversight of this church at its organiziition, and cou- Unued his connection with it till his death in 1708. lie is supposed to have been a native of ,\'or\vich, in England, and to have been an ordained minister before ho arrived in this country; for he was exercising his ministerial functions at Jliddletown as early as 1688. He was at ono time a Judge of the galem Court. II Thomas Griffiths was born in Lauvemach parish, in the County of Pembroke, Wales, in 1645, came to this country with the persons who originally composed his church, and, after a faithful ministry of twenty-four years, died at Pennepek, July 25, 1725. T Mr. NORDIN continued preaching at Burley and other places in Virginia until hie death, which occi^rred in 1725. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. xiii which were of the General Baptist order,) seem not to have prospered, and mo.st of the members subsequently removed to North Carolina. About the year 1743, a church was formed on Opeclcon Creek, which was shortly after followed by two others in the same neighbourhood, consisting of emigrants from Maryland, who had been members of the General Baptist Church at Chestnut Ridge. In 175-4, the llcv. Daniel Marshall and the Rev. Shubael Stearns, who had been connected with the Separates in New England, but afterwards became Baptists, went to the South, and stopped long enough in Virginia to leave a broad mark upon the character of the denomination in that State. In North Carolina there were a few Baptists as early as 1695; but the first church was gathered about the year 1727, by Paul Palmer,* at a place called Perquimans, towards the Northeast corner of the State, and consisted chiefly of those who had been members of the Church at Burley, Va. In Maryland there were a few Baptists, who had removed thither from England as early as 1709; but the first Baptist church in the Colony was founded by Henry Slator, a layman, and a General Baptist, in 1742. In Neio Ha/upshire, though Hansard Knollys, who was probably the first Baptist preacher who came to America, laboured there for some time, it does not appear that there was any church established until 1755, when there was one gathered at Newtown, of which the Ilev. Walter Powers became Pastor. The first Baptist organization of any kind in Georgia was in connection with Mr. Whitefield's Orphan House, in 1757, — the leader being one Nicholas Bedgewood, who had come from England as an Agent for the Institution. Another colony began its operations higher up the country about 1771, under the Rev. Edmund Botsford, Rev. Benja- min Stirk, and others. And this ultimately coalesced with a third, consisting of Daniel 3Iarshall and other New Lights from New England, of whom the Kiokee Church was constituted in 1772. The first Baptist church in Ver- mont was gathered at Shaftsbury in 1768 ; the second at Pownal in 1773 ; and these were the only churches in the State previous to 1780. In Kentucky the Rev. William Hickman, a minister from Virginia, commenced his labours as early as 1776; and a large number of Baptists removed thither from Virginia in 1780 ; but the first organized church — that of Gilbert's Creek — • Paul. Palmer is said to have been a native of Maryland, and was baptized at Welsh Tract in Delaware, by Owen Thomas, the Pastor of the church in that place; was ordained in Connec- ticut; and, having exercised his ministry for some time in New Jersey, and then in Maryland, he removed to North Carolina, where he gathered the church above mentioned, and remained there, not, however, without some difficulties, till his death. His character was not entirely without spot. Owen TnostAS, above mentioned, was born at a place called Gwrgodilys, in the County of Pembroke, "Wales. Us came to America in 1707; took the pastoral care of the Welsh Tract Church, at the decease of the Rev. Abel Morgan, in which office he continued until 1748, when he resigned it to go to Yellow Springs, where he died November 12, 1760. lie left behind the following singular memorandum: — "I have been called upon three times to anoint the sick with oil for recovery — the effect was surprising in every case, but in none more so than in the case of our brother, Rynallt Howel : he was so sore with the bruises he received by a cask fall- ing on him from a wagon, that he could not bear to be turned in bed; the next day he went to meeting." xiv HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. dates to 1781. In Te7i7iessee, two churches are said to have been gathered some time after the year 1765, and broken up by the Indian War in 1774 ; but the first permanent Baptist organization here was about the year 1780, when several ministers and private members of the Church emigrated from Virginia, and were shortly after followed by an emigration from the church at Sandy Creek, in North Carolina, which, as a branch of the mother church, settled on Boone's Creek. The first church in Ohio was organized by the Rev. Stephen Gano, in 1790, at the mouth of the Miami River, where the town of Columbus now stands. The first church in Illinois — the New Design Church — was constituted in May, 1796, by the Rev. Daniel Badg- ley, from Virginia ; and an Association called the Illinois Union was organized in 1807. The first church in the District of Columbia was con- stituted in Washington City in 1802, and the Rev. Obadiah B. Brown became its first Pastor. In the territory now included in the State of hidiana, several small churches were organized along the Whitewater, bor- dering on the State of Ohio, the first of which was in 1802. The Wabash Church, near Vincennes, was formed in 1806 ; and the Bethel Church, in a settlement farther down the Wabash River, was formed the same year. In Missouri, (then Upper Louisiana,) there were a number of Baptist families living, who had migrated thither from the Carolinas and Kentucky as early as 1790-97; and they enjoyed, during a part of the time, the labours of the Rev. John Clark ; but the first Baptist, or indeed Protestant, church in the Territory was organized in 180-1, under the name of Tywappity, in Cape Girardeau County. The next year, a church called Bethel was constituted near where Jackson now stands. In Mississippi, there were a few Baptist families in the region of Natches soon after the beginning of the present century — when the first chui'ch was established I cannot ascertain ; but the Mississippi Association was formed in 1807. The first church in Alabama was organized by the Rev. J. Courtney, in Clarke County, in 1810 ; but there was but little increase of the denomination till 1816. In Louisiana, the oldest churches are those of Calvary, 1812 ; of Beulah, 1810; and of Aimswell, 1817. In Michigan, the oldest Baptist church is that of Pon- tiac, organized in 1822, by the Rev. Elon Galusha, who visited Michigan under the patronage of the New York Missionary Society. The first church in loica was that of Big Creek, — organized in August, 1836. The first in Wisconsin was organized in Rochester, in 1837. The first Baptist Associa- tion in Texas was organized in Travis, Austin County, October 8, 1840, and embraced the three churches of Travis, Independence, and Lagrange. In Florida, the Florida Association was formed in 1842, consisting partly of churches from the neighbouring States of Georgia and Alabama. The " Great Awakening " which took place in connection with the labours of Whitefield, about the year 1740, gave rise to many new churches in dif- ferent parts of New England, under the name of Separate Churches. These were formed by a secession from the regular Congregational Body, and their members claimed to hold a purer faith, as well as adopt a higher HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. XV standard of Christian feeling and action, than those with whom they had previously been associated. Some of them fell into great extravagances of both doctrine and practice, but there is reason to believe that, notwith- standing the fanatical tendencies with which they may have been chargea- ble, they were generally sincere and devout Christians. Many of these became Baptists, among whom were Backus, of Middleborough, Hastings, of Suffield, ami Marshall and Stearns, who settled in the South, — all of whom may be reckoned among the early lights of the denomination. Several of the sketches in this volume show what has long since become matter of authentic history, — that the early Baptists in this country were emphatically a suffering people. In those Colonies or States in which Church Establishments existed, whether the form was Episcopal or Con- gregational, the Baptists were not only denied rights which are now uni- versally conceded to all, but were the subjects of wrongs which none would now attempt to justify. It is not, however, to be inferred from this that either Episcopacy or Congregationalism is essentially intolerant ; but only that each happened to be the medium through which the spirit of the age, — partaking, in a greater or loss degree, of the darkness and severity of a yet earlier period, — acted itself out. The great doctrine of " soul freedom," of which Roger Williams was so illustrious an example and exponent, and for which the Baptists, as a denomination, have alwa^-s so earnestly con- tended, not only frowns upon open persecution, but forbids the least viola- tion of the rights of conscience. It is not strange, considering the peculiar circumstances in which the Baptists were placed before and even since the Revolution, that their numerical increase should have been slow ; but since the civil impediments have been removed, and the principle of universal toleration has come to be everywhere practically acknowledged, they have increased with a rapidity almost unparalleled ; so that, with a single exception, they now form the largest denomination in the United States. They are spread through every State and Territory ; and differ in nothing but their position in regard to Slavery. Owing to this difference, the Southern Baptists, in 1845, formed separate organizations for conducting their benevolent enterprises ; and, by this means, altercations and collisions have been prevented, and thus the general efficiency of the denomination increased. In 1784, they had four hundred and seventy-one churches, four hundred and twenty-four ministers, and thirty-five thousand, one hundred and one members. In 1857, they had eleven thousand, six hundred churches, seven thousand, one hundred and forty-one ministers, and nine hundred and twenty-three thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight members. The Baptists, as a denomination, have always attached little importance to human learning as a qualification for the ministry, in comparison with those higher, though not miraculous, spiritual gifts, which they believe it is the province of the Holy Ghost to impart ; and some of them, it must be acknowledged, have gone to the extreme of looking upon high intellectual Xvi HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. culture in a minister as rather a hindrance than a help to the success of his labours. But, if I mistake not, many of the sketches contained in this volume will show that the Baptists have had less credit as the friends and patrons of learning than they have deserved. Not a few of their preachers have been eminently accomplished as well as useful men ; and some who have long since passed away, have left enduring memorials of both their scholarship and eloquence. A little after the middle of the last century, they founded Rhode Island College — this is said to have been the result of educational movements in the Philadelphia Association, continued through a number of years ; and it was established in lihode Island because that was supposed to be the only Colony in which Baptists could obtain a char- ter. Within a comparatively recent period, a new impulse has been given to the spirit of literary and theological improvement among them. They number at present thirty-three Colleges and Universities, more than one hun- dred Academies and Female Seminaries, and eleven Theological Schools. They have Publication Societies at Philadelphia, Charleston, and Nash- ville. They maintain forty-two periodical organs, two of which are Quar- terly Reviews. With the progress of the means of mental culture in this denomination there has been a proportional increase of the spirit of Christian and bene- volent enterprise. The American Baptist Missionary Union, the Ameri- can and Foreign Bible Society, the Southern Baptist Board of Foreign and Domestic Missions, the Baptist Home Mission Society, and the Bible Union, which was originated and has been chiefly sustained by Baptists, are so many several witnesses of devotion to the cause of Christ, and zeal for the diffusion of evangelical truth. Their Missions are planted in Canada, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Hayti ; in France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway; in Western and Central Africa, in Southern India, Assam, Burmah, Siam, and China. The whole income of the above Societies, in 1857, was three hundred thousand dollars. The Government of the Baptist Churches is strictly independent. Each separate church claims and exercises the right of granting license to preach the Gospel, and of ordaining Elders or Presbyters to the full work of the ministry ; though this is not actually done except by the concurrence of Councils or Presbyteries. A large majority of the churches are associated in District Associations and State Conventions, which hold an annual meeting of a fraternal character for purposes of general co-operation in aid of evangelical enterprises, but have no power, legislative or judicial. In 1814, was established the Baptist General Convention, which met trienni- ally, with exclusive reference, after the first few years, to the promotion of Foreign Missions ; but that has now given place to two Conventions or Societies, one in the North, the other in the South. The prevailing Theology of the Baptists is Calvinism — generally of the type of Andrew Fuller, but occasionally rising to that of Dr. Gill. The Philadelphia Confession, — so called from its having been adopted by the HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. XVll Philadelphia Association, — the oldest Association in the country, and which agrees substantially with the Westminster, except on questions of Church constitution and Church order, has generally been regarded by the Baptists, especially in former years, as a faithful expression of their denomi- national belief. Somewhat more than twenty years ago, the Baptist Con- vention of New Hampshire adopted a Declaration of Faith, which has been extensively, though not universally, approved by the denomination. It consists of eighteen articles, all of which are in harmony with the faith of the other denominations commonly called Evangelical,* with the exception of the article on Baptism, which is as follows : — " Christian Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to show forth a solemn and beautiful emblem of our faith in a crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its purifying power," and " is a prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation." While the Philadel- phia Confession is objected to by some as too severely Calvinistic, the New Hampshire is objected to by others as at least too indefinite. Nearly all the Baptist churches in this country adopt the principle of Strict Commu- nion, so far as regards the ordinance of the Lord's Supper ; while, in other respects, they mingle freely with their brethren of other denominations. The Rev, Dr. Baird, in his work entitled "Religion in America," — a work distinguished alike for the judiciousness, thoroughness, and authenti- city of its details, and the high tone of candour and impartiality that per- vades it, — thus concludes his account of the Baptists — "Although not a third, perhaps, of the ministers of this denomination of Christians have been educated at Colleges and Theological Seminaries, it comprehends, nevertheless, a body of men, who, in point of talent, learning, and eloquence, as well as devoted piety, have no superiors in the country. And even among those who can make no pretensions to profound learning, not a few are men of respectable general attainments, and much efficiency in their Master's work." •Curtis, in Ms " Progress of Baptist Principles," presents his views of the differenod between Baptists and other denominations, in four chapters: 1. "The command to baptize & command to immerse." 2. " The importance of Believer's Baptism." 3. " Infant Baptiam injurious." 4. " Miied communion unwise and injurious." CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX. [Ou the left hand of the page are the names of those who form the subjects of the work — the figures immediately preceding denote the period, as nearly as can be ascer. tained, when each began his ministry. On the right hand are the names of those who have rendered their testimony or their opinions in regard to the several characters. The names in Italics denote that the statements are drawn from works already in existence — those in Roman denote communications especially designed for this work — those with a star prefixed, denote either mere extracts from letters or discourses not before printed, or communications not addressd to myself.] SUBJECTS. WRITERS. FAQE. 1638. Hansard KnoUys J. Newton Brown, D. D 1 Governor Winihrop Cotton Mather 1639. Roger Williams William Bentley, D. D 8 Hon. John Quincy Adams Hon. Daniel jJppleton White Hon. George Bancroft /. G. Palfrey, D. D 1644. John Clarke Rev. John Cat lender 21 1705. i 1754. > The "Wightmans Rev. Frederic Denison 26 1800.) 1711. \ m, „ \r^„„„„ , 5 ^<^^"- Morgan Edwards 31 1-3^ J The Morgans ^ ^^,. j^^^%,^ Morgan 1718. ) T,, ^„ , <) Increase Mather, D. D 34 ,_o, > The Callenders, \ n^.t , at^, t „h 1(31.^ ' { Boston Neu's Letter 1722. Benjamin Grifiiths Rev. Morgan Edwards 38 1725. John Comer David Benedict : I). D 39 1740. Edward Uphara ♦.loseph Lathrop, D. D 43 1743. Ebenezer Kinnersley Horatio Gates Jones, Esq 45 1746. Oliver Hart Richard Furman, D. D 47 1748. Gardiner Thurston Rev. Joshua Bradley 50 Rev. B. H. Pitman 1751. Isaac Backus Hon. Zechariah Eddy 54 1754. Daniel Marshall Georgia Analytical Repository 59 1754. John Gano Hon. Charles S. Todd 62 Richard Furman, D. D 1755. Noah Alden Abial Fisher. D. D 67 1756. John Davis Rev. George F. Adams 69 1758. Samuel Stillman, D. D James Loring, Esq 71 AVilliam Jenks, D. D 1759. Samuel Harriss Rev. John Leland 79 Rev. R. B. Semple 1761. Morgan Edwards William Rogers, D. D -82 1761. David Jones Horatio Gates Jones, Esq •'•• 85 Poulsonh American Daily Advertiser. 1762. James Manning, D. D Hon. William Hunter, LL.D 89 John Howland, Esq 1763. Hezekiah Smith, D. D Samuel F. Smith. D. D 97 Laban Clark, D. D 1763. Samuel Jones, D.D General William Duncan 104 XX CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX. SUBJECTS. WRITERS. PAGE. Tlie Burrowses William II. Potter, Esq 106 John "Waller James B. Taylor, D. D 113 John Davis Horatio Gates Jones, Esq 117 David Benedict, D. D Rev. David Jones A. Hovey, D. D 1769. Burgess Allison, D. D Howard Malconi, D. D IJl Rev. Morgan Edwards 1770. Lewis Lunsford James B. Tavlor, D. D 125 /. B. Jeter, 1). D Rev. R. B. Hemple 1770. John Williams James B. Taylor, D. D 129 Rev. R. B. Hemple 1770. Charles Thompson Abial Fislier, D.D 133 1770. Samuel Shepard, M. D *Mrs. Kiddle..- 135 Life of Governor Plumer Rev. Elias Smith 1771. Edmund Botsford Charles D. 31allarv. D. D 138 1771. William Rogers, D. D Daniel Shaip, D. D 145 1772. Job Seamans E. E. Cummiugs, D. D 149 1772. John Taylor Rev. James E." Welch 152 1773. William Williams Abial Eisher. D. D 159 1773. Richard Furman, D. D William Bullein Johnson, D. D 101 1774. Thomas Ustick General William Duncan 1G5 1774. Abraham Marshall Kev. A. E. Marshall lyy Rev. Juriali Harriss 1775. John Hastings Rev. Daniel Waldo 171 1775. John Leland Hon. G. N. Briggs, LL. D 174 B. T. Welch, D. D 1776. Joseph Cook 18,; 1776. Benjamin Foster, D. D David Benedict, D. D ......[... 191 1776. Caleb Blood Hon. Heman Lincoln 19:; 1777. John Pitman •Hon. John Pitman 19d Rev. B. H. Pitman 1777. Lewis Richards Rev. George F. Adams 201 1778. Ambrose Dudley Rev. James E. Welch 202 1780 Isaac Case Adam Wilson, D. D 205 1782. Thomas Baldwin, D. D Francis Wayland, D. D 208 1784. Henry Holcombe, D. D Hon. Joseph R. Chandler 215 1784. Joseph Grafton Prulessor William Gammell 221 Samuel F. Smilh, D. D 1786. Stephen Gano, M. D Henry Jackson, D. D 229 Hon. James Tallmadge, LL.D Rev. Daniel Waldo 1786. William Elliot Rev. John Parkhurst 235 1786. Aaron Leland Kcv. Ira Pearson 240 1786. John Stanford, D. D Ch.arlcs G. Sommers. D. D 244 1786. Andrew Marshall J. P. Tustin, D. D. .' 251 John M. Krebs, D. D 1787. Thomas B. Montanyc H. G . Jones, D. D 265 1787. Elisha Andrews ... Rev. Erastus Andrews 268 Abial Fisher, D. D Rev. John M Graves 1787. Jolm Tripp Adam Wilson, D. D 277 1788. Henry Smalley G. S.Webb, D. D 281 1788. Jesse Mercer, D. D Adiel Sherwood, D. D 283 1789. Andrew Broaddus Robert Rvland, D.D 200 1790. Jonathan Maxcy, D. D Hon. Triitam Burges 297 Gardiner B. Perry, D. D 1790. Robert Baylor Semple Robert Ryland, D. D 305 1790. Abel Woods Leonard Woods, D.D 311 1791. Daniel Wildman, Rev. Gurdon Robins 3lfi Rev. Daniel Waldo 1792. William Batchelder Miss Elizabeth P. Peabody 31!) Irah Cliase, ]). D 1792. Asa Mcsscr, D. D., LL.D E. A. Park, D. D 326 Hon. William L. Marcy CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX. Xxi 8DBJECTS. WRITERS PAGE. 1793. William Staugliton, D. D Daniel Sharp, D. D SU Tiiomas ]). Mitchell, M. D 1794. Morgan John Rhees >'ichola.s Murray, D. D 314 •Dr. Beiijaiuiii Kiisli 1794. Zcnas Lockwood Leonard Alvan Bond, D. D 347 1794. Jolin llealey Rev. Geor^'e F. Adams 354 B. T. AVelch, D. D 179r>. John Triliiams Charles G. Sommers, D. D 358 179o. William Parkinson B. T. Welch, D. D 362 179o. Stephen Smith Nelson Rohert Turnhull. D. D 306 1797. Isaac Sawver S. S. Cutting. D. D 309 1797. Daniel Dodge Rev. Ilcnrv C. Fish 374 1798. William Collier Barun Sto'w, D. D 376 1799. Clark Kendrick Rev. Nathaniel Colver 879 1799. Asahcl Morse Rufus Bahcock, D. D 386 1799. Elisha Scott Williams Irah Chase, D. D 392 1799 Benjamin Titcomb Rev. Thomas B. Ripley 394 R. W. Cnshman, D. D 1799 Joshua Bradley Rufus Babcock, D. D 400 1800. John Sterrv Rev. Frederic Denison 407 1800. Ezra Eutler" Rev. Alvah Sabin 411 Rev. J. Hobij 1800. Jeremiah Yardcman John M. Peck, D. 1) 417 Rev. J. E. Welch 1800. Jacob Walker W. T. Brantly, D. D 428 1800. John Peck Professor Andrew Ten Brook 431 1801. Charles Odingsell Screven. D. D . . Adiel Sherwood, D. D 439 1801. llosea Ilolcombe Rev. William Carey Crane 442 1801. John Kerr... J. B. Jeter, D. D 444 William Hooper, LL.D 1801. Horatio Gates Jones, D. D Rufus Bahcock, D. D 4.52 1802. Salmon Morton O.N. Worden. Esq 400 1802. Jeri-miah Chaplin, D. D Thomas J. Conant, D. D 462 Hon. James Brooks William Lamson, D. D 1803. Thomas Brown Rev, Thomas AVinter 4G9 J. L. Dagg, D. D 1803. Lucius BoUes, D. D Rufus Babcock, D. D 474 1803. Nathaniel Kendrick, D. D A. C. Kendrick, D. D 482 1804. Joseph Clay 'Joseph C Styles, D. D 487 Hon. John Macpherson Berrien 1804. John Clark John Russell, Esq 490 1804. William Theophiius Brantly, D. D. B. Manlv, I). D 497 Richard "Fuller, D. D 180,5. Daniel Merrill Adam Wilson. D. D 507 Rev. James Gillpatrick 1805. William Palmer Rev. Frederick Denison 511 1806. Samuel Lamkin Straughan Rev. Addison Hall 514 1800. David Jones Rev. Thomas Winter ... 518 iSOiJ. Silas Stearns Adam Wilson. D. D ,524 Ray Palmer, D. D 1806. Charles Train Henrv J. Riplev, D. D 530 1806. Alfred Bennett B. T. Welch, D. D 535 1806. Ob.adiah B. Brown G. W. Samson, D. D 538 1807. Isaac McCuv Joseph Chambers, Esq -541 Rufus Babcock, D. D 1808. Daniel ITascall William H. Shailer. D. D 547 George W. Eaton. D. D 1808. William Phillips Biddle Samuel Wait, D. D 559 1809. Elisha Cushman Robert Turnhull, I). D 562 1809. Daniel Sharp, D. D Barnas Sears. D. D 565 Stephen P. Hill. D. D E. L. Magoon, D. D 1810. Lott Carv William Crane, Esq ,578 1811. HervevJenks J. Newton Brown, D. D ,'i87 1811. Jonathan Going, D. D B. T. Welch. D. D 591 Hon. Isaac Davis 1812. James .Ai»nning Wiuchell Rufus Babcock, D. D 595 xxii CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX. SUBJECTS. 'WRITERS. PAGK 1812. George Angell Abial Fisher, D. D 599 1812. Luther Riec Rufus Babcock, D. D G02 K. H. Noale, D. D 1812. Adoniram Judson, D. D William Hague, D. D 607 1813. Daniel Henry Barues Jacob Van Vechten, D. D G21 Hon. G. C. Verj)lanck 1813. Silas Mercer Noel, D.D Hon. Charles S. Todd 627 1814. William Easterly Ashton J. H. Kennard, D. D 631 G. B. Perry. DD., LL.D 1814. Gustavus Fellowes Davis, D.D... Robert Turnbull, D D 635 1815. Spencer Houghton Cone, D.D Rutus Babcock, D. D 642 J. L.Dagg, D.D S. IL Co.x, D.D 1816. Abner Wentworth Clopton J. B. .Jeter, D. D 657 1816. Thomas Meredith Rev. AVilliara Carey Crane 663 Rev. James McDaniel 1816. Elisha Tucker, D.D V. R. Hotchkiss, D.D 667 James L . Hodge, D.D 1818. Stephen Chapin, D. D Alvah Woods, D. D 673 1818. Ebenezer Nelson Henry Jackson, D. D 677 1818. Ebenezer Rodgers Rev. Washington Leverett 681 John Russell, Esq 1818. Jesse Babcock Worden Rev. Nathan Callender 688 O. N . Worden, Esq Rev. Henry Curtis 1819. Ezekiel Skinner, .M D Rev. R. R. Gurley 694 Rev. J. B. Finney Rev. Gurdon Robins 1820. Noah Davis John L. Dagg, D.D 701 1820. James Davis Knowles "Mrs. Knowles 707 Baron Stow, D. D 1822. John Equality Weston Rufus Babcock, D.D 713 1822. John S. AVillson Christian Repository 717 JggH The Gillettes A. D. Gillette, D. D 719 1822. Cvrus Whitman Hodges Sewell S. Cutting, D.D 724 1823. Peter Ludlow Henry Jackson. D. D 727 1824. George Leonard Rufus Babcock, D. D 729 1824. George Dana Boardman Rufus Babcock, D. D 733 F. Mason. D. D 1824. Billington McCarter Sanders CD. Mallary, D.D 740 1825. Alonzo King Baron Stow, I). D 747 1826. Willard Judd *Archibald Maclay, D. D 750 1826. John Armstrong Rev. William Carey Crane 753 1827. Joseph Samuel Christian Frede- rick Frey Archibald Maclay, D. D 757 1827. John Sharp Maginnis, D. D William R. Williams, D. D 766 B. T. AVelcli, D. D 1829. John Taylor Jones, D. D William Dean, D. D 772 S. F. Smith, D.D J.Dowling, D.D 1829. Morgan John Rhees, D. D M. B. Anderson, D. D 780 B. T. AVelch, D. D 1829. Levi Tucker, D.D E. L. Magoon, D.D 786 1830. Jacob H . Schroebel Hon. Judge Porter 789 1830. Josiah S])ry Law Rev. William JL Mcintosh 791 1831. James Harvey Linsley Robert Turnbull. D. D. 795 Rev. David L. Ogden 1832. Ralph Miner Prentice Rev. WiUiam Carey Crane 802 1832. Isaac Taylor Hinton James B. Tavlor, D. D 804 Rev. H. M. Field 1833. William Milton Tryon Rev. and Hon. R. E. B. Baylor 812 1833. George Felix Heard 'Samuel Miller, D.D " 815 W. F. Brantly D. D Hon. Thomas Stocks Rev. William Carey Crane 1835. RockwoodGiddings Professor J. E. Farnara 818 /. L. Waller, LL.D # CHRONOLOGICAL INDKX. Xxiii SUBJECTS. WRITERS. TAOE. 1835. Hiram Atwell Graves Uobort Turtihull, D. D 823 1838. Robert Fulton Ellis R.«v. AYashington Lcverctt 827 "William Crowell. I). D 1838. Josiah Goddard AViUiam Dean. D. D 831 Kev. J. K. AViRht 1839. David Black Crawford. . Rev. William Carey Crane 834 1840. John Lightfoot Waller, LL.D. . . . Professor J. E. Farnam 837 /. M. Peck, D. D 1789. James Whitsitt Robert Boyle C. Howell, D. D. . . . ; . . 845 HANSARD KNOLL YS. 1G38*— 1G41. FROJI THE REV. J. NEWTON BROWN.. D D. raiLADKLi'iiiA. January 13, 185'J. Dear Sir : The sketch ■which I am about to funiish you of one of the irlicst pioneers of Baptist principles, was originally prepared for the New lanipshire Historical Society, and in its original form appeared in one of jhc volumes of their Collections. I have since found new materials, of which I have availed myself, to make it more perfect, and am not aware of all}' remaining sources of information, which I have not explored. The name of Hansard Knollys is eminent among the English Baptists of the seventeenth century. Of late years it has been widely spread, in connection with the issues of the Baptist "Hansard Knollys Society," a Historical Society in London, which has felt itself honoured by the selec- tion of his name, and which, since 1845, has been nobly engaged in pub- lishing, by subscription, accurate and annotated editions of the first Tracts on Liberty of Conscience, and other rare Baptist works of that early period, — works rarer and more precious than the purest pearls of ocean. The life of Hansard Knoll3^s embraced nearly a whole century, — frotii 1598 to 1G91 ; and that century is the most interesting and momentous in Knglish Annals. With most of the religious movements of that remarkable age, his biography is inwoven. His influence, like that of his great con- temporary, Boger Williams, was felt both in England and America. In many points a striking resemblance might be traced, were this the place and time. One point of difference auiong others, is, that while the chief obscurity in the biography of Williams rests on his residence in England, the chief obscurity in that of Knollys rests on the years of his residence in America. My object, in this communication, is to throw light upon this dark period of his history. Some preliminary statements may be necessary to do this effectually. It is important to know what he was before he came to this country ; and. happily, Crosby has preserved all the facts necessary.! Mr. Knollys was born in Chalkwell, Lincolnshire, 1598. His parents were pious. They '• took good care," as Crosby says, " to have him trained up in good litera- ture, and instructed betimes in the principles of religion." While at the University of Cambridge, he was converted, and his Christian character became of the highest order. " Happy would it be for this nation," says Crosby, " if our Universities and private Academics were filled with such students." After his graduation he was chosen master of the free school at Gainsborough. In June, 1029, he was ordained as a Deacon, and then as a Presbyter, of the Church of England, and the Bishop of Lincoln gave him the living at Humberstone. His diligence was great. He preached •The sketch will show that this date is assumed on probable grounds only, t Crosby I. 3.'?4-344. Vol. VI. 1 2 BAPTIST. three and four times a day on the Sabbath at Humberstone and Holton, besides other seasons, as well to the poor as to the rich. About 1632, he began to doubt the lawfulness of conformity to the Church of England, and resigned his living ; but continued to preach several years longer, with the consent, or rather connivance, of the good Bishop, thougii without sur- plice or prayer book. In 1G3G, he was arrested at Boston, in his native county of Lincoln, by a Avarrant from the odious High Commission Court, and thrown into prison ; but his keeper being conscience-stricken, connived at his escape, and he went up to London to find a passage to America. There he was detained so long, with his wife and child, that, when he cmljarked, as he tells us himself, " he had but just six brass farthings left, and no silver or gold." A little money of his wife paid their passage. They arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, early in 1638. As he returned to London about Christmas, 1641, his residence in America must have been somewhat less than four years. But he was no common man. lie was in the full vigour of life, — from the fortieth to the forty-fourth year of his age. Where did he spend these four years, and how ? What influence did he exert? What character did he sustain? Why did he return? Did he leave his mark on the rising institutions of this countr}-, and engrave his name on the foundations of American History ? These are the (|uestions I shall attempt briefly to answer. All the early historians of New England mention Hansard Knollys. Winthroj). Morton, Hubbard, Hutchinson, Mather, Prince, Neal, Backus, Belknap, Eliot, xVdams, Winslovv, though the last four or five are comparatively modern. Opinion is divided about him. We must sift the I'ucts out of them all, and make due allowance for the diversity of opinion. Some hints may be gleaned from his brief Autobiography, and some from the early New Hampshire Court Records, preserved at Exeter, in that State, to which, through the courtesy of a friend, John Kelly, Esq., I have had access. Mr. Knollys arrived at Boston, a persecuted fugitive, in a state of utter destitution. He had sacrificed every thing for conscience sake. His child had died on the passage. His wife's money was all expended. Governor Winthrop calls him a "poor man." Hubbard, who generally copies W.inlhrop, has ventured to translate this "a mean fellow." This shows the prejudices of the time in ajninister of the Pilgrims. Knollys himself says, " Being very poor, I was necessitated to work daily with my hoe for the space of almost three weeks. The magistrates were told by the min- isters thatr^ was an Antinomian, and desired they would not suftor me to abide in the patent." At that time all Boston was in a ferment on the question of Antinomianism, and hence the readinet^s to attach suspicion even to Cotton and Vane, much more to all new comers. This was at the very year that Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, and her brother, the Rev. John Wheel- wright, with their friends, were banished on the same charge. Providence interposed to save Mr. Knollys from perishing under this chilling reception from the Puritans — among whom, at the very head of the ministers indeed, was John Cotton, from that very Boston in Lincolnshire, where Knollys was first arrested for preaching the Gospel of the Son of God. God had a work for Mr. Knollys to do in America. Two gentlemen from HANSARD KNOLLYS. 3 Dover, N. II., (then a new settlenirtit called Fiscaratcaij,* of fifteen years standing,) being at that time in Boston, invited Mr. Knollys to go with them, and preach in Dover. He, accordingly, went, but, on his arrival there, Capt. Burdet, who had usurped the government, forbid him to preach. He meekly submitted to this tyrannical interdict, and resorted to iiiuuual labour again for his subsistence. But, on Burdet's removal in Sep- tembor, "the people," says Winthrop, "called Mr. Knollys, and, in a short time, he gathered some of the best minded into a church body, and became their Pastor."! This was about the time that Iloger Williams was baptized at Providence. Were it certain that Hansard Knollys was a decided Baptist, when he gathered the First Church in Dover, it might be maintained with some reason that he was the first Baptist Minister in America. But there is room now to doubt. True, he is called an "Anabaptist" by Mather and Belknap, but they were not contemporary, and Winthrop, who was con- temporary, neither affirms nor denies it at the time. This makes it most probable that he was not a Baptist when he arrived in Dover. Indeed we know not where, when, or by whom he was baptized. In the absence of direct testimony, it may be inferred, from various circumstances, that ho became a Baptist while in Dover. It is, however, possible, that he embraced Baptist sentiments, and was baptized in London, \vhile waiting for a passage to America. We have seen, from Winthrop's Journal, that the Church in Dover was founded by Mr. Knollys, soon after September, 1638. This was the first Church in Dover, if not in New Hampshire. It was then a Congregational Church. The First Congregational Church in Exeter, founded by John Wheelwright, claims the priority by a few months, and is probably right in doing so.t This would make Knollys' Church the second in New Hampshire. Mr. Knollys continued in the peaceful discharge of his duties as a Christian Pastor at Dover for about two years, without interruption. The settlement, during that period, in consequence of Capt. Mason's death and the giving up of his patent by his widow, was a little independent Republic, of which Mr. Knollys was, beyond doubt, the most enlightened and accomplished citizen, — aiding, by his fine powers, in moulding its principles and institutions at the foundation. Up to this period his charac- ter appears to be established as that of a pious, learned, laborious minister of the Gospel, willingly suffering poverty, imprisonment, exile, and reproach for Christ's sake, and for conscience sake. He appears, also, to be a man of peace. He did, indeed, write a letter from Boston, soon after his arrival there, reflecting severely upon the manner in which things were then managed in Church and State ; but, for the severity of this letter, he afterwards made an ingenuous and satisfactory confession. Few living men now would blame him for writing sharply to his friends of the ojiprcssive system under which he suffered on his first arrival in Bos- tf>n. There is yet another charge of this nature, which is not true. Both • This i? the original orthography. It was afterwards written Piscataqua, which name the river still iears. t Winthrop, I. 326. t Winthrop, I. 211. 4 BAPTIST. Governor Hutcliinson and Dr. Belknap have, by mistake, imputed to Mr. Knollys the insolent language of Capt. Undorhill, as recorded by Win- tlirop.* This blot does not belong to the character of Hansard Knollys, and should be wiped away from his history. The arrival of Mr. Thomas Larkhani at Dover, in 1G40, changed the peaceful current of affairs, and put the peaceable character of Mr. Knollys to the strongest proof. Mr. Larkham had been a minister in Northam, England. He was a man of wealth, and popular talents. He soon formed a party, who determined to remove Knollys. Dr. Belknap says that " Knollys generously gave way to popular prejudice, and suffered Lark- ham to take his place." He further says that Larkham., when once in power, " soon discovered his licentious principles, by receiving into the church persons of immoral characters, and assuming, like Burdet, the civil as well as ecclesiastical authority. The better sort of people were displeased, and restored Knollys to his office, who excommunicated Lark- ham." Of course, this language of Dr. Belknap can only mean that the church under Mr. Knollys excommunicated Mr. Larkham for his disor- derly course. Upon this, Larkham and his adherents raised a riot, in April, 1G41, and, according to the reliable testimony of Winthrop, "laid violent hands upon Mr. Knollys." This was just before the union of New Hampshire with Massachusetts, which was already negotiating, and was ratified in the course of the following month. The whole town was thrown into confusion. In these exciting and critical circumstances, cither the solicitation of his fellow-citizens, or his own sense of duty, impclleil Mr. Knollys to appear in public at the head of a body of citizens, Avith a flying banner, seeking to restore order. Larkham's company sent down the river to Portsmouth for help, and a body of armed men came up, under Williams, and, without any legal authority, assumed control, sat as a Court, and pronounced sentence against Mr. Knollys, " fining him £100, and ordering him to depart the plantation."! It is worthy of consideration here, how far Mr. Knollys' sentiments as a Baptist affected this question. That he was, at this time, (April, 1641,) a Baptist, is quite clear, not only from the language of Cotton Mather and Dr. Belknap, before referred to, but from the testimony of an unim- peachable witness, who visited Dover within a year of the time, — Mr. Thomas Lcchford, an Episcopalian, who has left us some valuable infor- mation on the state of affairs throughout New England at that period. The origin of the controversy between Larkham and Knoll^'s is attributed by Lechford chiefly to their different views on Baptism and Church nu-ni- bership. His own words are these : " They two fell out about baptizing children, receiving of members, &c." Winthrop says, " there soon grew sharp contention between him (Larkham) and Mr. Knollys, to u-linm 1 he more religious still adhered; whereupon, they were divided into tun churches. "1^ This testimony is important and decisive. It proves thai Mr. Knollys had embraced Baptist views, at least so far as Infant liaplism and the purity of church membership are concerned; that the more pious • Vol. I. 292. t Winthrop, II. 27. t Winthrop, II. 27. Xote by Judge Savage. IIANSAKI) KNOLL YS. 5 church members agreed with him ; in sliort, that the First Churcli in Dover became a Baptist church, and that a second church was tliereupou formed by the disaflfected members, who, under the lead of Larkham, stirred up the prejudices of the people against Mr. Kuollys, and even resorted to violent measures to put him down. And this testimony is further con- lirmed by the fact that, when commissioners were sent from Massachusetts, (which then claimed jurisdiction over Dover, both as included in their patent and now agreed to by the Colony,) tliey adjusted the difficulty by releasing Mr. Knollys from the fine and the censure of an illegal and ex parte Court, and requiring the church to revoke their sentence of excommunication against Larkham.* The whole testimony, thus far, is in I\Ir. Knollys' favor. But at this juncture arose the cloud that, in this country, to a great extent, has over- shadowed his fair fame. Both "Winthrop and Belknap say that "a discovery was made of his failure in point of chastity," and that he him- self confessed it before the church, — at least to the extent of some impro- per "dalliance" with two young women that lived in his family, and that on this account he was dismissed by the church and removed from Dover. This charge, against such a man, is a grave one. It has been reported by Hubbard in an exaggerated form ; and more recently in a History of the First Church in Dover, published in 1800. I cannot, therefore, do less than examine it in this connection. How much is meant by the term " dalliance," in the language of the Puritans of that age, we know not. But we do know that there are several circumstances which render the truth of tliis whole accusation very doubt- ful. In the first place, it rests altogether upon the testimony of prejudiced historians, who regarded him, to use the language of Dr. Belknap, as " an Anabaptist of the Antinomian east." iiven AVinthrop, with all his gene- ral candour, was not free from this prejudice, and his knowledge of the case was wholly second-hand, — perhaps from the Massachusetts Commis- sioners, perhaps onl}' from vague and prejudiced reports of some of his enemies, glad of an opportunity to put down the then odious and dreaded Baptists. But, in the second place, (aided by an antiquarian friend, John Kelly, J}sq., of Exeter,) I have had access to the Judicial Ptecords of New Hampshire for IGll, and there find the name of Hansard Knollys entered as plui/it/Jf in an action of slander, which, though never prosecuted, in consequence of his return to England, at least implies that he regarded himself as an injured man.t Thirdly, in the "Account of his own Life," {lublished iti England, he gives this as the immediate reason of his return — " Being sent for to England, by my aged father, I returned with my wife, and one child about three years old." Fourthly, Cotton Mather, who wrote within about fifty years after the time, when the first reports had been more thoroughly sifted, and having full access to Winthrop's Journal, where the accusation in question is found, expressly excepts Hansard Knollys from the number of " scandalous" ministers, and places him in a class " whose names," he says, " deserve to live in our book for their piety, although their particular opinions were such as to be disserviceable unto the • Winthrop, I. 27. t Exeter News Letter, May 1, 1832. Q BAPTIST. declared and supposed interests of our churches. Of these," he says, " were some godly Auabaptiats, as namely, Mr. Hansard Kuollys, of Dover, and Mr. Miles,* of Swansea." But what seems particularly to touch the point in hand, Mather adds, " Both of these have a respectful character iu the churches of this wilderness."! And to crown all, in speaking of the then recent decease of 3Ir. Ivuoll3's in London, Mather says he died " a good man, in a good old age." We know that there are spots on the sun, and that even great and good men have sometimes fallen in an evil hour; but I think that he who duly weighs these facts and testimonies, and compares them with all the antecedent and subsequent life of Hansard Knollys, will be slow to credit any injurious imputation on his character during the ti>'^e of his residence in America. This is not the place to follow Mr. Knollys back to England, and trace his eventful life fur the next fifty years, through the most agitated period of English History. The theme is most inviting, and, at some other time, might be pursued with the greatest pleasure and profit. We should see in him one of the brightest lights of his age, one of the ablest preachers of **"« Gospel, one of the most accomplished teachers of youth, one of the Doldest pioneers of religious liberty, one of the meekest, yet most heroic, sulferers for the truth, one of the purest and best of men. We have the testimony of Neal, in his History of New England, that " he suffered deeply in the cause of Nonconformity, being universally esteemed and beloved by all his brethren. "$ We may be permitted to cite from a ser- mon preached at Pinner's Hall, Loudon, on occasion of his death, (which took place September 19, 1G91,) the following testimony to the eminent purity of his character, — a character which his long and venerable life had elevated above all suspicion. "I do not say," says Mr. Harrison, "that he was wholly free from sin : sinless perfection is unattainable in a mortal state ; but yet he was one who carefully endeavoured to avoid it. He, with the Apostle Paul, did herein exercise himself to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men. He walked with that cau- tion, that his greatest enemies had nothing against him, save only in the matters of his God. That holy life which he lived, did command reverence even from those who were enemies to the holy doctrine which he preached. He was a preacher out of the pulpit as well as in it : not like those who press the form of godliness on a Lord's day, and as openly deny the power of it the remainder of the week ; who pluck down that in their conversa- tions, whicji they build up in their pulpits He loved the image of God wherever ho saw it. He was not a man of a narrow and private, but of a large ami public, spirit : the dift'erence of his fellow Chris- tians' opinions from his, did not alienate his afiections from them. He embraced them in the arms of his love on earth, with whom he tliought he should join in singing the song of the Lamb iu Heaven. It wuuld be •John Miles was the founder of a Baptist church in Swansea, in Wales, 1649, and was ejected from his place, by the " Act of Uniformity," in li)t)2. lie came to this country iu lG(j;i, accompanied by severnl of the members of his church, who were, iuimediately after, organized as the First liaptist Church in Swansea, Mass. Of this church he continued the Pastor until his death, which took i)lace in 1083. Tradition gives hiia the reputation of having been an emincnily useful man. t Magualia I. Book III. p. 221 i^;eal, Vol. I. p. 216. HANSARD KNOLLYS. 7 well," continues Mr. Harrison, "if not only private Christians, but also ministers, did imitate him therein : there would not then be that sourness of spirit which is too often (with grief be it spoken) found among them. lie was willing to bear with and forbear others, and to pass by those inju- ries which he received from them."* Such was Hansard Kuollys. Is it wonderful that God blessed him ? Short as was his residence in America, the fruit of his labours remains to this day. The church which he planted in Dover, though divided on Bap- tism, did not perish. The Pedobaptist body now flourishes in the large Congregational church of Dover, the fruitful mother of many others, with Baptist sisters side by side. The Baptist body, composed, as Winthrop says, of " the more religious," adhered to Mr. Knollys ; and, to avoid the oppressive Church and State jurisdiction of Massachusetts, under which they now came, removed to Long Island in 1641. After Long Island fell under the power of the English, in 1GG4, and the Episcopal Establishment succeeded that of the Dutch, under Stuyvcsant, they, as soon as possible, sold out their property there, and settled on the East side of the liaritan, N. J., opposite New Brunswick, where, under Lord Carteret, they could enjoy religious liberty. To the town which they here planted, they trans- ferred tlie dear old name of Dover, — Piscataivay, (according to the original orthography,) in memory of their first home in the wilderness, wliere they had enjoyed, for three years and more, the ministrations of their first loved Pastor, Hansard Knollys. The church, when fully organized, and favoured again with pastoral care, under Mr. Drake,! in 1689, flourished anew, bearing much and blessed fruit. So deeply did it strike its roots into the new soil, that, to this day, no better kind of Christians grow than in Pisca- taway ; and not only do they fill the town, but, in the towns around it, new churches are continually springing as shoots from the parent tree, planted by Hansard Knollys, in America. t Affectionately yours in the Lord Jesus, J. ISEWTON BROWN. • Crosby, I. 340. t John Ukake laboured among this people from 1CS9 till his death in 1739. He sustained an excellent character. His dcsceudauts, who were numerous, claim kindred to tjir I'rancis Drake. X Since the date of this communication, its author has found reason to modify somewhat the views here expressed, as will be seen by the following extract from a letter dated April 28, 1859, wiiich he wrote in reply to an inquiry whether Kuollys or Willioms was the first Baptist minister in this country : If the oiiinion of the Rev. Dr. Belcher, (to which I now incline,) could be proved, that Knollys was actually baptized iu London, wliile awaiting his passage to America, it would set- tle the question of priority by some months in his favour. The chief probabilities for this opinion are tliat Baptist views were rapitily gaining ground in London, at the time, among tho class with which Knollys would be tlirown fur sympathy and safety; that Dr. Belknap calls him an Anabaptist at the time of his arrival ; that he took Baptist ground in the trouble with Larkhani, and ever maintained it afterwards ; and that we have no account of his Baptism after his return to this country, nor lehile he ivan here. I have thought, hitherto, that it was a strong negative evidence against this view, — that neither Winthrop nor he himself should mention the fact, as the ground of his rejection by tho Boston ministers and magistrates. But it now seems less unaccountable than formerly, — first, because the .\ntinoniian controversy, raised by Mrs. Hutchinson, then overruled every other considera- tion; and second, that the clergy of Boston, iu their reply to Mr. Saltonstalls remonstrance, claim to have "tolerated peaceable Anabaptists" from the beginning, (or something to that effect) . Of course, if they regarded Jlr. Knollys as belonging to the " Antinomian" side in that e.vciting controversy, they would put their objection to him on that ground emphatically, if not solely. The laws against " Anabaptists' were not enacted until 1664, that is, six years later. It is, then, more than possible,— it is rather probable, on the whole, — that Mr. Knollys was already a Baptist on his arrival in America, in the spring of 1638 ; and if so, then he was the first g BAPTIST. KOGER WILLIAMS.=* 1639—1639. llOGER Williams, according to the traditions which have been preserved concerning him, was born in Wales, in the year 1599; but of the character or circumstances of his family, or the particular place of his birth, nothing can now be ascertained. His mind seems to have taken an early religious direction; for he says, near the close of his life, — "From my childhood, now above threescore years, the Father of lights and mercies touched my soul with a love to Himself, to his only begotten, the true Lord Jesus, and to his Holy Scriptures." He is said to have been educated at the Univer- sity of Oxford, under the patronage of Sir Edward Coke ; and that this was in consequence of Sir Edward's having observed his sedate appear- ance at church, and his taking notes of the sermon ; but this is rendered somewhat improbable by the fact that Roger Williams' name does not appear on the rolls of Oxford University, and, in addition to this. Sir Edward himself received his education at Cambridge. It is, therefore, somewhat doubtful which of the two English Universities has the honour of claiming the great New England republican adventurer as an alumnus ; though it is rendered certain, by some of his own writings, that he enjoyed the advantages of one or the other of these celebrated institutions. On leaving the University, he is said to have entered on the study of the Law ; but it proved incougenial with his tastes, and he soon abandoned it for the study of Theology. In due time, he was ordained as a clergy- man of the Established Church, and it is said that he also took charge of a parish, — but of this no evidence is to be found in his writings. In the great contest which then convulsed the British nation, he not only identi- fied himself fully with the interests of the Puritans, but became the staunch advocate of the largest religious liberty; and, under these circum- stances and influences, he resolved to join the band of emigrants who were seeking a peaceful religious home on the shores of New England. Accord- ingly, he embarked at Bristol, on the 1st of December, 1630, in the ship Lion, Captain Pierce, and, after a tempestuous voyage of sixty-six days, arrived at Boston on the 5th of February, 1631. His arrival was hailed by the churches of the infant Colony of Massachusetts Bay, with great satisfaction ;-^nd Governor Winthrop, in referring to it in his journal, speaks of him as "a godly minister." He brought with him his wife, Mrs. Mary Williams, to whom he had been married a short time before, but of whose previous history nothing is now known. Baptist minister in this country. But it is curious, if this were so, that Roger ATillianis did not bear of it from Clarke anil others, who joined him that year from Boston. Yet, if lie did li^cck ; but the Court, by way of retaliation for the contempt of authority which the town had shown in settling Mr. Williams, refused the claim. 3Ir. W., regarding this as an act of flagrant injustice, induced the church to join with him in address- ing letters to all the churches with which any of the magistrates were connected, urging them to admonish the magistrates for the wrong of which they had been guilty. This was regarded as little less than an act of open rebellion ; and, at the next meeting of the Court, the deputies from Salem were denied their scats until they had apologized for the alleged indignity. Williams now addressed a letter to his own church, urging them to renounce all communion with the other churches in the Colony ; but the power of the magistrates overawed them, and they refused any longer to second the views of their teacher. But, notwithstanding he was left alone to maintain his views, — even his own wife, for the sake of peace, joining the multitude in protesting against his course, — yet so inwrought were these views with the very texture of his mind, that he stood forth with the most heroic firmness for their defence. The ministers, with Mr. Cott.m and Mr. Hooker at their head, sent a com- nuttee to Salem to deal with him; but he utterly denied their jurisdiction, and declared himself " ready to be bound, and banished, and even to die in New England," rather than to yield his deliberate and matured convictions. The Court now requested the ministers to assemble, and consider his case, and state their opinion as to the course proper to be pursued. They 12 BAPTIST. did so ; and their judgment was that he deserved to be banished from the Colony, for maintaining the doctrine " that the civil magistrate niiglit not intermeddle, even to stop a clmrch from apostacy and heresy," and that the churches ought to request the magistrates to remove him. In July, he was summoned to Boston, to answer to the General Court for liolding the following dangerous opinions : — " First, tliat the magistrate ought not to punish the breach of the first table, otherwise than in such cases as did disturb tlie civil peace. Secondly, that he ought not to tender an oath to an unregenerate man. Thirdly, that he ought not to pray with such, though Avife, child, &c. Fourthly, that a man ought not to give thanks after Sacrament, nor after meat." After a protracted and earnest debate, it was agreed to allow Mr. Williams and the Church in Salem " time to consider these things till the next General Court, and then citlier to give satisfaction, or to expect the sentence." At the next General Court, — which was held in October, 1G35, — Mr. Williams was present, in obedience to the summons, but his opinions remained unchanged. Though most of those who had at first made common cause with him, deserted his standard, he stood as firmly as ever, — not even seeming to falter in his adherence to the principles he had avowed. The Court accordingly decided, though not by a large majority, that he should depart out of their jurisdiction within six weeics. The sentence of banish- ment was passed on the 3d of November, — all the ministers but one approving of it. These proceedings awakened no little sympathy for Mr. Williams in the Colony, and especially among his old friends in Salem. Complaints were made to the Court tliat he still persisted in promul- gating and defending his opinions ; that many people resorted to his liouse to listen to his teachings ; and that he was prejiaring to withdraw with them from Massachusetts, and form a settlement upon Narragansett Bay. As they were not pleased with the prospect of having a new Colony in tlicir neighbourhood, established upon such principles as he held, they determined to send him to England, by a ship then just about to sail. For this pur- pose, he received another summons to attend tiie Court at Boston. But he declined to obey it, alleging as a reason that he was suffering from ill health. The magistrates, resolved on accomplishing their object, now sent a small sloop to Boston, with a warrant to Captain Underbill to apprehend him, and carry him on board the ship, which was about to sail for England. He liad, however, taken the precaution to make his escape three days before, tliough his wife and children were left behind. This was in the month of January, 1G30. It is difficult to conceive of a more forlorn condition, as far as exter- nal circumstances were concerned, than was that of 3Ir. Williams in the early part of the period of his exile. Though he has left no detailed account of his wanderings and suff"erings, yet something may be inferred from occasional allusions to the subject in his writings, and especially from a letter to his friend, Major Mason, written thirty-five years afterwards, in which he speaks of still feeling the eff"ects of what he then endured. — " I was sorely tossed," says he, " for fourteen weeks, in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bread or bed did mean." ROGER WILLIAMS. 13 When Mr. Williams was leaving Salcni, (.Jovernor Winthrop, who, the year bcfuvf, had been supplanted in the Chief Magistracy of the Colon}', by Thomas DiuUoy, wrote to him " to steer his cour.se to the Narragansett Bay and Indians," as a region not yet appropriated by any of the patents of the King. In accordance with this advice, he made his way through the forest to the lodges of the Pokanokets, who occupied the country North from 3Iount Hope, as far as Charles lliver. Ma.ssasoit, the famous chief of this tribe, who had known Mr. Williams, and received favours fronj him, during his residence at Plymouth, now welcomed him to the hospi- talities of his cabin at Mount Hope, and extended to him the protection and aid which he needed. He granted him a tract of land on the See- konk lliver, upon which, at the opening of spring, he commenced planting and building. A number of his friends at Salem now joined him, and he flattered himself that he should experience no further annoyance from the authorities of Massachusetts Bay. But scarcely had he commenced his settlement here, before he received a letter from Governor Winslow of the Plymouth Colony, intimating to him that, as he was then within their bounds, and they were unwilling to incur the displeasure of their neighbours of the B:.y, he had better remove to the other side of the river ; and then he would be beyond the possibility of any molestation. He readily complied with this advice, and, abandoning the fields he had planted, and the dwelling he had begun to build, embarked in a canoe, upon the Seekonk lliver, in quest of another j*pot, where he might make his home, and plant a colony. He was accom- panied by five others, who, having joined him at Seekonk, were more than willing still to share liis fortunes. In due time, he landed at the mouth of Mooshausic River ; and, upon the beautiful slope of the hill that ascends from the river, he began the settlement, which, on account of the gracious interposition of Heaven, he afterwards called Providence. This is sup- posed to have been in the latter part of June, 1G30. Mr. Williams still found that the acquaintance he had formed with the Indians, while a resident of Plymouth, was of great service to him, especially in procuring from the Sachems a grant of the land on which he settled. In all his dealings with them, he proceeded upon the principle for which he had always contended, — regarding them as the sole proprietors of the soil, and purchasing of them a clear title to the lands of which he took possession. In order to raise the funds necessary to this purpose, and for the removal of his family to their new home, he was obliged to mortgage his house and land in Salem. In the organization of the new Colony, he kept in view the great principle of religious liberty, for which he had contended in Massachusetts : he desired to offer " a shelter for per- sons distressed for conscience;" and all such who came to him he welcomed with open arms. Those who joined the settlement, bound themselves to conform to the principles on which it had been founded, and also to be subject to the will of the majority. Mr. Williams was soon placed in circumstances in which he had an opportunity to render most important services to the Colony of Massa- chusetts, and, after the trials to which he had been subjected in that Colony, it evinced great magnanimity that he was disposed to avail himself of it. 14 BAPTIST. The Pequot Indians, who had ahvaj-s manifested a bitter liostility to the English, had conceived the design of a universal insurrection, for the pur- pose of driving them from the lands they had acquired. In the summer of 1636, they attacked a party of traders in a sloop, near Block Island, and murdered John Oldham, one of the number; and, having made a treaty of peace with all the neighbouring tribes, they were endeavouring to unite them in a common effort for the extermination of the Colonies. As soon as Iloger Williams became acquainted with these facts, he com- municated them to the Governor of Massachusetts ; and to him did the authorities of that Colony commit the work of conciliating the Indians, with a view to defeat the bloody purpose they had formed. Though the enterprise was one of extreme difficulty and peril, Mr. Williams executed it with the utmost skill, fidelity, and success. The Sachems yielded to his counsels, and he was enabled to eflFect a treaty of tlie English with the Narragansetts and Mohegans, against the Pequots. This treaty was rati- fied by the two contracting parties, at Boston, in October, 1636. But Mr. Williams' service to the Massachusetts Colony did not end here. The Pequots, though foiled in their attempt to make a league with the other tribes, were still bent on executing their purposes of vengeance ; and they resolved to rush at once upon their enemies, and, if possible, cut them off by one onset of savage barbarity. When this was known, the three Colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut resolved immedi- ately to invade the territory of the Pequots, and, if possible, to effect their final extermination. The war continued nearly a year; and, during the whole period, Mr. Williams was the constant adviser of the Colonies, especially of the authorities of Massachusetts Bay, and the watchful guardian of all their interests in their relations with the friendly Indians. The war was terminated by the celebrated battle fought near the fort on Mystic River, in May, 1637; and it ended only in the complete extinction of the race. Notwithstanding the high obligations under which Mr. Wil- liams had placed the Massachusetts Colony, by his most timely and important services, it seems strange enough that they not only never offered him the least acknowledgment, but did not even revoke their sentence of banishment. Not long after his settlement at Providence, Mr. Williams, with several of his brethren, embraced the views of the Baptists. Wishing to be bap tized by immersion, tliey were at first not a little embarrassed for want of a person whom tlicy deemed qualified to administer the ordinance ; and the result of consijjerable consultation on the subject was that, in March, 1639, they appointed Mr. Ezekicl Ilolliman, "a man of gifts and piety," to baptize Mr. Williams-, who, in return, baptized Mr. Holliman and ten others. These were soon joined by twelve other persons, who came to the settlement for the sake of liberty of conscience. And thus commenced the first Baptist Church on this continent. With this church Mr. Williams continued to exercise his pastoral functions but about four months, when he resigned his charge on account of a change in his religious opinions. From having rejected Infant Baptism, he proceeded to discard all Baptism whatever, "because," as Governor Winthrop states, "not derived from the authority of the Apostles, otherwise than by the ministers of England, ROGER WILLIAMS. 15 whom lie judgeil to be ill authority." Holding these views, ho left tho eluirch which he had been iiistruiuoutal in fcirniing, and became what, in the History of Now England, is denominated a Scekc?-. He regarded all tho churches in Christendom as, in sonic sense, in a state of apostacy, and all the clergy as having lost their true apostolical authorit}'. But these strangely erratic opinions did not abate at all his interest in the general truths of the Gospel, or his zeal in the conversion of others to the Christian faith. At a later period, when he had become more deeply involved in the affairs of the State, we find him often preaching to the Indians; and he is believed to have continued this almost to the close of his life. He was succeeded in the pastoral office at Providence by Mr. Brown* and Mr. Wickendon.t In 1(343, Mr. Williams went to England to procure a charter for his Colony ; but, notwithstanding his magnanimous treatment of the authori- ties of jMassaehusetts Bay, their prejudices against him did not relax even so far as to allow him to pass through their territory to take his passage ; and he was consequently obliged to embark from New York. The Dutch, at this time, were engaged in a bloody conflict with different Indian tribes; and, through the mediation of Mr. Williams, whose influence with the Indians was then probaldy greater than that of any other man, friendly r'^lations between the Dutch and the Indians were restored. Mr. Williams arrived in England in the midst of the civil war which then distracted the nation, though the state of things, on the whole, proved favourable to the prosecution of his object. He obtained his charter, after a few months, and, on his return, landed at Boston in September, 1G44. Though he was still under sentence of banishment, he brought with him a letter of recommendation from some of the leading members of Parliament, which secured him from any detention on his way to Provi- dence. On his passage to England, he prepared a " Key to the Indian Languages," which was published there shortly after his arrival ; and, during his sojourn in England, he published his celebrated work, entitled " The Bloody Tenet, or a Dialogue between Truth and Peace." This was subsequently answered by the Rev. John Cotton, in a work entitled " The Bloody Tenet washed in the Blood of the Lamb." Mr. Williams pub- lished a rejoinder, entitled "The Bloody Tenet yet more Bloody, by Mr. Cotton's endeavour to wash it white." The inhabitants of the several settlements, embraced in the charter of Mr. Williams, were not prepared at once to enter on the organization of a common government ; and the charter was not actually adopted by a Gene- ral Assem>»ly of the people of the Colony, until IMay, 1G47. i\Ir. Williams, now finding his pecuniary resources not a little reduced, and having a family of six young children upon his hands, erected a trading house in the Narragansett country, where he spent the greater part of his • The Rev. Chad Brown came to Providence in the latter part of the yonr 1630, by reason of the persecution in Massachusetts. He was ordnined in the )Tar 1G42. He was one of the town pniprietnrs, and the fourteenth in order. He maintained a good character, and bad a prosperous ministry. t Mr. WirKKSDON, who was colleague with Mr. Brown, came from S.nlem to Providence in 1039, and was ordained by Mr. Brown. He died on tlie 23<1 of February, 100'.), after having removed to a place called Solitary Hill. He preached for some time in the city of New York, and, as a reward for his labour, was imprisoned four months. 16 BAPTIST. time. Here, for several years, he carried on an honourable traffic with the Indians, and acted as their friend in various ways, especially in com- municating to them a knowledge of the truths of Christianity. But he was still regarded as a citizen of Providence, and filled successively some of the highest offices of the town and of the Colony. The new charter did not meet with universal acceptance. Mr. Codding- ton, the leading inhabitant of the island of Rhode Island, arrayed himself in opposition to it from the beginning. Having secured the co-operation of certain other dissatisfied persons, he went to England, and finally succeeded in inducing the Council of State to annul it, and, on his return, in 1651, brought with him a commission, erecting the islands of Rhode Island and Canonicut into a separate government, and appointing him Governor for life of the new Colony, with a Council to be nominated by the people and approved by himself. This proved a most unwelcora e measure ; and most of the inhabitants of Newport, and a large number of those of Portsmouth, united in appoiniing Mr. John Clarke to proceed as their agent to England, to procure, if possible, a reversal of the offen- sive ordinance. About the same time, the two towns of Providence and Warwick, which had still continued to maintain the government under the original charter, earnestly requested Mr. Williams to join Mr. Clarke in his mission ; and he, finally, though not without great reluctance, con- sented to the proposal. It was not without much embarrassment from the authorities of Massachusetts that he was allowed to pass through their territory to sail for England ; but he finally succeeded, and embarked with Mr. Clarke, in November, 1651. Soon after their arrival in England, Williams and Clarke presented a petition to the Council of State in behalf of the Colony they had come to represent. Though they had to encounter a strong opposition, they found a firm friend and efficient coadjutor in Sir Henry Vane, who was, at that time, a prominent member of the Council, and at the height of his political prosperity. Though the main question could not be decided at once, an order was soon passed by the Council, vacating Mr. Coddington's commis- sion, and confirming the charter formerly granted to the Colony, until the case could be fully and finally adjudicated. The order of the Council reached Newport in the early part of 1653 ; but, though Coddington's administration seems to have been brought to an end, yet, owing to some jealousies which had sprung up in the mean time, the order was not at once fully obeyed, as the settlements on the island, and those on the main land, oontiniicd to maintain their separate governments for a year and a half. During his sojourn in England, at this period, Mr. Williams enjoyed opportunities of unreserved intercourse with many of the greatest spirits of the age ; of whom it is only necessary to mention Cromwell and 3Iilton. It was during this period also that he found leisure to write and publish his rejoinder to Mr. Cotton, already referred to. He published also, about the same time, his " Hireling IMinistry none of Christ's ; or a Discourse touching the Propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ;" and his "Experiments of Spiritual Life and Health, and their Preservatives," — two controversial essays, relating to Theology and Church Government. ROGER WILLIAMS. l*J He returned to Providence early in the summer of 1G54, leaving Mr. Clarke beliind, to watch the progress of events, and use his influence to give them a right direction. Previous to his leaving England, the Lord Protector's Council gave him an order addressed to the authorities of Massachusetts, requiring them to allow him, in future, either to laud or to embark, within their jurisdiction, without being molested. The first object which engaged his attention, after his return, was the restoration of union among the several towns of the Colony, and the reor- ganization of the government, agreeably to the order of the Council of State, passed two years before. This was not efteeted without considera- ble opposition ; but, at length, on the 31st of August, 1654, at a meeting of the Commissioners of all the towns, the articles of union were finally agreed on. At the first general election, after the Government was thus reorganized, Mr. Williams was chosen President of the Colony. Thus the division of the settlements of Rhode Island, which had been continued through several years, and had well-nigh destroyed the independent exist- ence of the Colony, was happily terminated. In the early part of Mr. Williams' administration, a number of persons in the Colony, by a gross perversion of the idea of religious libert}-, upon which the Colony was based, maintained that it was " contrary to the rule of the Gospel to execute judgment upon transgressors against the private or public weal." The ruling spirit of this faction was William Harris, an influential inhabitant of Providence, between whom and Mr. Williams there arose a bitter and protracted controversy. Mr. W. finally entered a formal complaint against him, at the General Court of Commissioners, for high treason again^^t the Commonwealth. The case was ultimately referred to the authorities in the mother country, but no answer was returned, and the accusation, therefore, was never prosecuted. In July, 1656, the first Quakers arrived in Boston, and scarcely had they landed before the guardians of the Colony were on the alert for their extermination. The most cruel laws were enacted, the most rigorous mea- sures adopted, to efi"ect this object; and Massachusetts was heartily and vigorously joined by all the other Colonies except Rhode Island ; but she, remaining true to her principles, utterly refused her co-operation. She indeed disapproved of their doctrines, and determined to require of them, as of all others who should corae to her settlements, a strict performance of all civil duties ; but neither the arguments nor the threats of the Com- missioners of the Colonies could drive her from her cherished principles, which had been distinctly recognised in her charter, and in all her legis- lation. Subsequently to this, — in 1672, Mr. Williams had a public controversy with several of the leading Quakers, which was marked by great asperity, and productive of little profit. He afterwards wrote out the discussion in full', with an account of its origin, and the manner in which it was conducted. This book is entitled " George Fox digged out «f his Rurrowes ; or an Oifer of Disquisition on Fourteen Proposals, made this last Summer, 1672, (so called,) unto G. Fox, then present in Rhode Island, in New England, by R. W." In the summer of 1675, New England became the theatre of the most furious and desolating Indian war. Philip, the powerful and aspiring Vol. VI. 3 18 BAPTIST. chief of the Pokanokets, had undertaken to establish a league among the surrounding tribes, with a view to avenge what he conceived to be the wrongs of his race, and, if possible, to exterminate the English, or drive them from the coun'tr3\ Mr. Williams made a vigorous effort to avert the threatening tempest, and at first seemed likely to succeed, but the vengeful spirit could not be repressed, and four thousand warriors rushed forth, determined to spread desolation throughout New England. For a time, it seemed as if the Colonies would be absolutely annihilated. While many of the people of Providence fled, Mr. Williams remained at home, and, though upwards of seventy-six years of age, he accepted a commission as Captain in the militia of the Colony, and kept the compa- nies in Providence in constant readiness for active service. Though the best possible preparations for defence were made, the Indians, on the 29th of March, 1676, attacked the town, and reduced twenty-nine houses to ashes. It is said that, when they appeared on the heights, North of the town, Mr. Williams went forth to meet them, thinking his influence might prevail with them as it had done in other cases ; but, though some of the older chiefs seemed kindly disposed towards him, they assured him that the young men were too much exasperated for him to venture among them with safety. He returned to the garrison, and soon saw the town in flames. This terrible war, which cost the Colonies an immense amount of treasure and blood, was brought to a close by the death of King Philip, in August, 1676. The precise time of Mr. Williams' death cannot be ascertained ; but it is known to have occurred in the early part of the year 1683. He died in the eighty-fourth year of his age, but seems to have retained his intel- lectual faculties in their full vigour to the last. He was buried in Provi- dence, on the spot which he had selected as the burial place of his family, with appropriate funeral honours. It is believed that his wife and all his children survived him. There are few characters in modern times that have met with such diversified treatment at the hands of historians as Ptoger Williams. Besides the adverse testimonies concerning him, occasionally rendered by his contemporaries, the act of banishment by the General Court of Massa- chusetts was a condemnatory verdict known and read of all men. But, as the great principle, the advocacy of which chiefly signalized his life, has been brought into a brighter light, — the severe estimate of his character has not only given place to a more kindly spirit towards him, but has been changed , to a tone of high, and, in many instances, unqualified, praise. Probal)ly those who now form their judgment of his character from the most impartial view of the history of his life, will arrive at the conclu- sion that he was a man of extraordinary intellectual endowments ; of a naturally generous and forgiving spirit ; of uncompromising integrity ; of courage that nothing could appal and perseverance that nothing could arrest ; and above all of an intuitive discernment of the rights of thg human mind, that constituted him in that respect the great light of his age. At the same time, it will be difiicult to avoid the conclusion that there were acts in his life tliat betokened infirmity and eccentricity ; par- ticularly his leaving the Church in Providence so soon after he had foun- ROGER WILLIAMS. 19 dcd it, and continuing, during the rest of his life, in such an anomalous ecclesiastical relation. Instead of attempting an analysis of his character, I .shall content myself with quoting the opinions of a few eminent individuals, who, though they do not entirely harmonize in their estimate of him, have evidently prosecuted their inquiries with an honest desire, and the best opportunities, to reach the truth. None of them belong to the Baptist denomination. Dr. Bentley, in his History of Salem, writes concerning Roger Wil- liams as follows : — " In Salem every person loved Mr. "Williams. lie had no personal enemies under any pretence. All valued his friendship. Kind treatment could win him, but oppo- sition could not conquer him. lie was not afraid to stand alone for truth against the world; and he had always address enough, with his lirmness, never to be forsaken by the friends he had ever gained. He had always a tenderness of conscience, and feared every otience against moral truth, lie breatlied the purest devotion. He was ready in thoughts and words, and defied all his vaunting adversaries to public disputation. He had a familiar imagery of style, which suited his times, and he indulged, even in the titles of his controversial papers, to wit upon names, especially upon the Qua- kers. He knew man better than he did civil government. He was a friend of human nature, forgiving, upright, and pious. He understood the Indians better than any man of the age. He made not so many converts, but he made more sincere friends. He knew their passions and the restraints they could endure. He was betrayed into no wild or expensive projects respecting tliem. He studied their manners, antl tlieireus- tonis, and passions together. His vocabulary also proves that he was familiar with the words of their language, if not with its principles. It is a happy relief, in con- templating so eccentric a character, that no sufferings induced any purposes of revenge, for which he afterwards had great opportunities; that great social virtues corrected the first errors of his opinions; and that he lived to exhibit to the natives a noble example of generous goodness, and to be the parent of th(j independent State of Rhode Island." John Quincy Adams, in his " Discourse on the New England Confede- racy of lG4o," after eloquenlly vindicating the Boston magistrates and ministers, in regard to their treatment of lloger Williams, says, — " He was an eloquent preacher; stifT and self-confident in his opinions, ingenious, powerful and commanding in impressing them upon others, inflexible in his adherence lotliem, and, by an inconsistency peculiar to religious enthusiasts, combining the most amiable and affectionate sympathies of the heart with the most repulsive and inexora- ble exclusion of conciliation, coiupliance, or intercourse with his adversaries in opinion.'' The Hon. Daniel Appleton White, in an account of the First Church in Salem, and its ministers, appended to the Ilev. J. H. Morrison's Sermon at the installation of the Rev. G-. W. Briggs, after quoting the opinion of Professor Elton on the difference between Mr. Williams on the one hand, and the magistrates and clergy on the other, adds, — " The truth appears to be that there were faults on both sides, and that they were faults of the age rather than of the heart. It is tlie peculiar glory of Roger Williams that, in his great doctrine that the civil power has no jurisdiction over the conscience, he rose above the age, and that he was stout luiougli to sustain himself nobly against opposition and difliculties, which would have crushed any common man." Bancroft, in the first volume of his " History of the United States," pays the following tribute to Roger Williams : — " Roger Williams asserted the great doctrine of intellectual liberty. It became his glory to founi^a state upon that principle, and to stamp himself upon its rising insti- tuiioiKs, in characters so deep that the impress has remained to the ])resent day, and Clin never be erased without the total destruction of the work. The priiKnples which lie lirst sustained amidst the bickerings of a colonial parish, next asserted in the Gene- ral Court ot* .Massachusetts, and then introduced into the wilds on Narragansett Bay, he soon found occasion to publish to the world, and to defend as the basis of the religious freedom of mankind ; so that, borrowing the rhetoric employed by his antago- nist in derision, we may compare him to the lark, the pleasant bird of the peaceful 20 BAPTIST. summer, that, " affecting to soar aloft, springs upward from the ground, takes his rise from pale to tree," and at last, surmounting the highest hills, utters his clear carols through the skies of morning.* lie was the lirst person in modern Chiisten- doni to assert, in its plenitude, the doctrine of tlje liberty of conscience, the ecjualit}' of opinions before the law; and in its defence he was tlie harbinger of Milton, the pre- cursor and the superior of Jeremy Taylor. For Taylor limited his toleration to a lew Christian sects; the philanthropy of Williams compassed the earth. Taylor favoured partial reform, commended lenity, argued for forbearance, and entered a special plea in behalf of each tolerable sect. Williams would permit persecution of no opinion, of no religion, leaving heresy unharmed by law, aud orthodoxy unprotected by the ter- rors of penal statutes. Taylor still clung to the necessity of positive regulations enforcing religion and eradicating error; he resembled the poets who, in their folly, first declare their hero to be invulnerable, and then clothe him in earthly armour. Williams was willing to leave Truth alone, in herown panoi)ly of light, f believing that if, in the ancient feud between Truth and Error, the employment of force could be entirely abrogated, Tj'uth would have much the best of the bargain. It is the cus- tom of uiaukiud to award high honours to the successful imiuirer into the laws of nature, to those who advance the boumis of human knowledge. We praise the man who first analyzed the air, or resolved water into its elements, or drew the lightning from the clouds; even though the discoveries may have been as much the fruits of time as of genius. A moral priuciple has a much wider and nearer infiuence on humau happiness; nor can any discovery of truth be of more direct benefit to society, than that which establishes a perpetual religious peace, and spreads tranquillity through every community and every bosom. If Copernicus is held in perpetual remembrance, because, on his death bed, he published to the world that the sun is the centre of our system; if the name of Kepler is preserved in the annals of human excellence for his sagacity in detecting the laws of the planetary motion; if the genius of Jsewton has been almost adored tor dissecting a ray of light, and weighing heavenly bodies as in a balance, — let there be for the name of Roger Williams at least some humble place among those who have advanced moral science, and made themselves the benefactors of mankind." ««*««•.•«*«** '• The most touching trait in the founder of Rhode Island Colony, was his conduct towards his persecutors. Though keenly sensitive to the hardships which he had endured, he was far lYom harbouring feelings of revenge towards those who banished him, aud only regretted their delusion. ' 1 did ever, from my soul, honour and love them, even when their judgment led them to afflict mo. 'J In all his writings on the subject, he attacked the spirit of intolerance, the doctrine of persecution, aud never his persecutors or the Colony of Massachusetts. Indeed, we shall jjresently behold him requite their severity, by exposing his life at their request, and for their benefit. it is not strange, then, if ' many hearts were touched with relentings. That great and pious soul, Mr. \Vinslow, melted and kindly visited me,' says the exile, ' and put a piece of gold into the hands of my wife, for our supply ;§ the founder, the legislator, the proprietor, of Rhode Island owed a shelter to the hospitality of an Indian chief, and his wife the means of sustenance to the cliarity of a stranger. The half-wise Cotton Mather concedes that many judicious peisons confessed him to have had the root of the matter in him; and his nearer friends, the immediate witnesses of his actions, declared him, from " the whole course and tenor of his life and conduct, to Lave been one of the most disinterested men that ever lived, a most pious and heavenly minded soul."'|| Dr. Palfrey, in his History of New England, lately published, takes a les.s favourable view of Roger Williams' conduct, especially in the contro- versy which issued in his banishment, than some other historians have done ; biithe allows him, on the whole, to have possessed great merit. The following paragraph is from his pen : — " Williams had great virtues, and some of them were of that cliaracler which pecu- liarly wins and attaches. He was eminently courageous, disinterested, and kintl- hearted. If >(in his early days, at least) he belonged to that class of men wiio had no peace for themselves except in sharp strife with others, — if the certaminis gaudia. the joy of quarrel, made an indispensable condition of his satisfaction of niind,--he was incapable of any feeling of malice or vindictiveness towards opponents. Thougli, ia his controversies, he uses strong language, as was his wont on all occasions, a tone •John Cotton's Koply, 2. f The expression is partly from Gibbon and Sir Uenry Vane. i Winthrop and Savage. 9 WiUianis to Mason. ilCallender, 17. ROGER WILLIAMS. 21 of friendliness is scarcely over abaiiiloiiod. Difllr and contend lie must. For him a stajinant life was not worth livin*. Wlien he liad made a few proselytes to his last novelty, and so far prevailed to have his own way, he wonld start oil' on some new track, impelled by his irresistible besetting hunger for excitement and coiu*ict. But with all this he had a sweetness of temjjer and a constancy of benevolence, that no hard treatment could ovorcoiuu, and no dilliculties or dangers exhaust or discourage." JOHN CLArvKE .*. 1644— 1G76. John Clarke was born in England, (^tradition says in Bedfordshire) on the 8th of October, 1609. Where he was educated is not known ; but the following clause in his will may give some idea of his learning — "Item, unto my loving friend, llichard IJayley, I give and bequeath my Con- cordance and Lexicon thereto belonging, written by myself, being the fruit of several yeai's' study : my Hebrew Bible, Buxtorflf's and Parsons' Lexi- cons, Cotton's Concordance, and all the rest of my books." Previous to his coming to this country, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of John Hargcs, Esq., of Bedfordshire. lie entered the medical profession, and was, for some time, a practising physician in London. Under what circum- stances, or in what year precisely, he came to America, I am unable to ascertain; but he seems to have brought with him a strong antipathy to the reigning spirit of the times, and an intense love of religious liberty. He settled in Boston as a medical practitioner ; but so much was he disgusted with the tone of public feeling in the Massachusetts Colony, especially as evinced by the banishment of Mr. Wheelwright and Ann Hutchinson, that he proposed to several of his friends to remove with him out of a jurisdiction that was the seat of so much intolerance. His friends listened to his proposal ; and it was agreed that he and some others should look out for a place where they might enjoy the blessing of religious free- dom. By reason of the extreme heat of the preceding summer, they first went North to a place which is nowwilhiii the bounds of Nevv Hampshire; but the severity of the next winter there led them, the following spring, to take a Southern direction. They agreed that, while their vessel was pass- ing around Cape Cod, they would cross over, by land, having either Long Island, or Delaware Bay, in view, as a place for settlement. They st-ojiped at Providence, where they found Roger Williams, who fully sympathized in their principles and designs, and was disposed to render them all the aid in his power. He suggested two places to them as worthy of their con- sideration,— namely, Sowams, now called Barrington, and Aquetneck, now Bhode Island. Mr. Williams accompanied Mr. Clarke and two others of the company to Plymouth, to see whether either of these places was con- sidered as falling within the Plymouth jurisdiction. They were met with great kindness; and, while they were told that Sowams was "the garden of their patent," they were advised to settle at Aquetneck, and were pro- • Backus' Hist. N. E. III.— Benedict's Hist. Bapt. I.— Callender's Hist. Disc— Peterson's Hist. R. I. ' 22 BAPTIST. mised that they should be regarded as "free," and "treated and assisted as loving neighbours." On their return, March 7, 1G38, they incorporated themselves (eighteen in number) as a body politic, and chose AVilliam Coddington their chief magistrate. They forthwith purchased Aquetneck of the Indian Sachems, and called it the Isle of Rhodes or llhode Island. The Indian deed is dated March 24, 1638. The settlement commenced at Pocasset, or Ports- mouth, near what is called Common Fence Point, but they soon removed to Newtown, some two miles South. In May, 1639, Mr. Clarke was one of nine who founded Newport. It seems not to be fully settled when Mr. Clarke became either a preacher or a Baptist ; as no record, or even tradition, remains in respect to either his Baptism or Ordination. He conducted religious worship in the Colony until 1641, when they held meetings in two or more separate bodies. He was the Founder and first Pastor of the Baptist Church in Newport, which tradition dates back to 1644, and which was the second Baptist Church established in America. He was also the Phj'sician of the Island for several years. In 1649, Mr. Clarke was Assistant and Treasurer of the llhode Island Colony. In July, 1651, he, in company with Mr. Obadiah Holmes and a Mr. Crandall, made a religious visit to one William Witter, a resident of Ijjnn, near Boston, which, in its results, marked an important epoch in his history. Mr. Witter, by reason of his advanced age, and partial or total blindness, could not undertake so great a journey as to visit the church at Newport. He lived about two miles out of the town ; and, the next day after their arrival being Lord's day, they concluded to hold a religious service at his house. Mr. Clarke commenced preaching from Rev. iii. 10 — " Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth ;" and, in the midst of his discourse, he had an opportunity, according to his own account, practically to illustrate some of the truths he was endeavouring to set forth. The following des- cription of the scene which ensued, is from his own pen. Having referred to the fact that he was then engaged in a religious service, he says, — " Two constables came into the house, who, with tlieir clamorous tongues, made an intorrn[)ti()n in my discourse, and more uncivilly disturbed us than the i)ursuivants of the old English bishops were wont to do, telling us that they were come witii autho- rity iVom the magistrates to apprehend us. I then desired to see the authority by whicli thejr^thus proceeded; whereupon, they plucked forth their warrant, and one o' them, witii a trembling hand, (as conscious he might have been better employed,) read it to us; the substance whereof was as foUoweth: — '• ' By virtue hereof, you arc required to go to the house of "William "Witter, and to search iVom house to house, for certain erroneous i)ersons, being strangers, and them to api)rehend, and in sale custody to keep, and to-morrow morning at eiglit o'clock, to bring before me. "'Robert Biudges.' " AVhen he had read the warrant, I told them, Friends, there shall not be, I trust, the least appearance of a resisting of that authority by which you come unto us; yet I tell you that, by virtue hereof, you are not strictly tied. but. if you please, you may suffer us to make an end of wluit we have begun, so you may be witnesses either to or against the fa'th and (U'dor which we hold. To which they answered they could not. Then said we, uitwithstanding the warrant, or anything tlierein contained, you may. They apprehended us, and carried us away to the ale house or ordinary, where, at diuuer, one of them said unto us, Gentlemen, if you be free, I will carry you to the JOHN CLARKE. 23 uieL'tiiig. To whom it was replied, Friend, had we been free tlierounto, we had pre- vculed ill! Ihis; ucvertlieless, we arc in thy hand, and it' tliou wilt curry us to the meeting, tliiilicr we will go. To which he answered. Then will 1 carry you to the meeting. To lliis we replied, li" thou Ibrcest us into your assembly, then kliail we bo constrained to declare ourselves that we cannot hold communion with them. The con- stable answered, That is nothing to me; 1 have not puwer to command you to speak wiieu yuu cume there, or to he silent. To this I again replietl, Since we have heard the word of sahalion by Jesus Christ, we have been taught as those that ' tirst trusted m Christ,' to be obedient unto liim both by word and deed; wherefore, it* we be forced to your Uieeting, we snail declare our dissent Irom you both by word and gesture. After all this, wnen he had consulted with the man of the house, lie told us he would carry us to tiie meeting; so to their meeting wo were brought, while they were at their prayers and uncovered; and, at mylirst stepping over the threshold,! unveiled myself, civilly saluted them, and turned into the seat 1 was appointed to, put on my hat again, and s;it do'.vii, opened my book and tell to reading. Mr. Bridges, being troubled, com- manded the constable to pluck oil' our hats, which he did, and where ho laid mine, there 1 let it lie, until their prayers, singiflg and preaching was over. After this, 1 stood up and uttered myself in these words following — 1 desire, as a stranger, to pro- pose a lew things to this congregation, hoping, in the proposal thereof, 1 shall commend myself to your consciences, to be guided by that wisdom that is from above, which, being pure, is also peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated; and therewith made a Stop, expecting that, if the Prince of Peace had been among them, I should have had a suitable answer of peace from them. Their Pastor answered. We will have no objec- tions against what is delivered. To which 1 answered, 1 am not about at present to make objections against what is delivered, but, as by my gesture, at my coming into your assembly. 1 declared my dissent from you, so, lest that should prove ofi'ensive unto some wiiom i would not olfeiid, i would now, by word of mouth, declare the grounds, which are these: First, from consideration we are strangers each to other, and so strangers to each others' inward standing with resjiect to God, and so cannot conjoin and act in faith, and what is not of faith is sin. And, in the second place, 1 could not judge that you are gathered together, and walk according to the visible order of our Lord. Which, when I had declared, Mr. Bridges told me I had done, and spoke that for which I must answer, and so commanded silence. When their meeting was done, the olhcers carried us again to the ordinary, w^iere being watched over that night, as thieves and robbers, we were the next morning carried before Mr. Bridges, who made our mittimus and sent us to the prison at Boston." After they had rcmaiued iu prisoa about a fortnight, the Court of Assistants sentenced Mr. Clarke to pay a fine of twenty pounds, Mr. Holmes of thirty, and Mr. Craudall of five, or to be publicly whipped; and as they all refused to pay their fines, they were remanded back to prison. Some of Mr. Clarke's friends paid his fine, without his consent. Mr. Crandall, against whom nothing was alleged, except that he was found in company with the other two, was released upon his promi.se of appear- ing at their next Court ; but the time was passed before he was informed of it, and then they exacted his fine of the keeper of the prison. But Mr. Holmes was kept in prisoa until September, when the sentence of the law was executed upon him with the utmost severity. It is stated in a manu- script of Joseph Jeuks, — Governor of llhode Island from 1727 to 1732, — that " Mr. Holmes was whipped thirty stripes, and in such an unmerciful manner, that iu many days, if not some weeks, he could take no rest, bat as he lay upon his knees and elbows, not being able to suffer any part of his body to touch the bed whereon he lay."* • Obadiah Holmes was born at Preston, Lancashire, England, about the year 1606; arrived in Americu about 1G39, and continued a communicant with the Congrcgationulists, first at iSalem, and then at Kehoboth, eleven years, when he became a Baptist, and joined the Bap- tist Church in Xewport. After he bad recovered from his wounds, inflicted at Boston, be removed bis family from Rehoboth to Newport, and, in 1662, the year after Mr. Clarke sailed for England, was invested with the pastoral oflice, which he held till his death, which occurred in 16S-, at the age of seventy-six. He was buried in bis own field, where a. monument hai been erected to his memory. He had eight children, and his posterity are widely spread through several different States. His son, Obadiah, was long a Judge in New Jersey, and a preacher 24 BAPTIST. Mr. Clarke is said to liave defended himself and his brethren, on the trial, with much ability. But the Governor seems to have listened with little patience to his statements; for he stepped "up and told them all that they had denied Infant Baptism, and told Mr. Clarke that he deserved death, and declared that he "would not have such trash brought into his jurisdiction ;" and he added, as Mr. Clarke states, — " You go up and down, and secretly insinuate into those that are weak, but you cannot maintain it before our ministers." But before Mr. Clarke had time to reply, the Governor commanded the jailor to take them away. The next morning, Mr. C. availed himself of an opportunity to make the following motion to the Court : " To the Honourable Court assembled at Boston: — " Whereas, it pleased this honoured Court, yesterday, to condemn the faith and order which I liold and practise; and, after you had passad your sentence ujjon me for it, were pleased to express I could not maintain the same against your ministers, and thereupon publicly profiered me a dispute with them: Be pleased, by these few lines, to understand I readily accept it, and therefore desire you to api)oint the time when, and the person with whom, in that public place where I was condemned, I might, with freedom, and without molestation of the civil power, dispute that point publicly, where I doubt not, by the strength of Christ, to make it good, out of iiis last will and testament, unto which nothing is to be added, nor from which nothing is to be dimin- ished. Thus desiring the Father of Lights to shine forth, and by his power to expel the darkness, I remain your well wisher, '' Joun Clarke. " From the prison this } 1st day, 6th mo., 1051. ^ " This motion, if granted, I desire might be subscribed by the Secretary's hand, as an act of the same Court, b« which we were condemned." The motion was presented, and in due time Mr. Clarke was informed that a disputation was granted, to be held the next week. Mr. C, after some further conference between himself and the magistrates, committed to writing the several positions he proposed to defend, which were no other than the distinctive principles of the Baptist system. But this disputa- tion, which had been anticipated with great interest, was prevented by the payment of Mr. C.'s fine, and his consequent release from prison. Fear- ing that the failure might be attributed to himself, he immediately sent the following note to the magistrates : — ■' AVhcreas, through the Indulgency of tender hearted friends, without my consent, and contrary to my judgment, the sentence and condemnation of the Court at Boston (as is reported) have been fully satisfied on my behalf, and thereupon a war- rant hath been procured, by which I am secluded tlie ])lace of my imprisonment; by reason whereof I see no other call for i)resent but to my habitation, and to those near relations which (iod hath given me there; yet, lest the cause should hereby suffer, which I i)rofes.s is Christ's, I would hereby signify that, if yet it should jdease the honoured magistrates, or General Court of this Colony, to grant my former request, under their Secretary's hand, I shall cheerfully embrace it, and, upon your mention, shall, throughlhe help of God, come from the island to attend it, and hereunto I have enbscribed mv name. "' John Clarke. " 11th day" 0th mo., 1051." The above called forth another letter from the magistrates, and a rejoin- der from Mr. Clarke, but the disputation never took place. In 1G51, shortly after this event, so characteristic of the times, Mr. Clarke was sent to England, with Roger Williams, to promote the interests of Rhode Island, and particularly to procure a revocation of Wil- liam Coddington's commission as Governor. Soon after his arrival in in the Baptist Church at Cohansey. Another of his sons, — John, was a magistrate in Phila- delphia at the time of the schism occasioned by Keith. One of his grandsons was living in Newport, in 1770, in the ninety-sixth year of his age. 4 JOHN CLARKE. 25 England, he pu1)lishcd a book, giving an account of the New England per- secutions, with the following title: — "111 News from New England, or a Narrative of New England's Persecution ; wherein it is declared that while Old England is becoming New, New England is becoming Old ; also Four Proposals to Parliament and Four Conclusions, touching the Faith and Order of the Gospel of Christ, out of his Last Will and Testament." This was a quarto, of seventy-sis pages, and was answered by Thomas Cobbett, of Lynn. The more immediate object of the mission to England was accomplished by the annulling of Mr. Coddington's commission, in October, 1652. Though iMr. Clarke's colleague returned to this country in 1654, he him- self remained behind in England, as agent for the Colony. The second charter was granted on the 8th of July, 1663, though, in order to obtain it, ^Ir. C. was obliged to mortgage his estate in Newport. He came home in 1664, and immediately resumed his relations with his church, and his practice of medicine, and continued them till the close of life. The Assem- bly did not at once pay the expenses to which he had been subjected during his absence, but they ultimately voted him a handsome consideration. A few years after his return, he seems to have been brought, in some way, in conflict with the Quakers ; and, in October, 1673, five of the members of his church were excluded from communion for asserting that " the man Christ Jesus was not now in Heaven, nor on earth, nor anywhere else ; but that his body was entirely lost." Mr. Clarke died, resigning his soul to his merciful Redeemer, on the 20th of April, 1676, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Mr. Clarke was three times married. His first wife died without issue. His second wife, who was Mrs. Mary Fletcher, died on the 19th of April, 1672, leaving an only daughter, who died at the age of eleven years. His third wife was Mrs. Sarah Davis, who survived him. He was buried, by his own request, between his two wives, in a lot which he gave for a burial ground to the church. He left considerable property in the hands of trus- tees, empowered to choose their successors, — for the relief of the poor and the education of children, according to instructions given in his will, — namely, "that, in the disposal of that which the Lord hath bestowed upon me, and with which I have now entrusted you and your successors, you shall have special regard and care to provide for those that fear the Lord ; and, in all things, and at all times, so to discharge the trust that I have reposed in you, as may be most to the glory of God, and the good and benefit of those for whom it is by me especially intended." His whole estate was appraised at £1080, 12s. Mr. Clarke left three brothers, Thomas, Joseph and Carezo. From Joseph many of the families by the name of Clarke, in Rhode Island, have sprung. He left behind him a statement, in manuscript, of his religious opinions, from which it appears that, with the distinctive views of the Baptists be united those which are commonly called Calvinistic. The Rev. John Callender, the Historian of the First Century of the Colony of Rhode Island, has left the following testimony concerning Mr. Clarke : Vol. VI. 4 2Q BAPTIST. " He was a faithful and useful minister, courteous in all the relations of life, and an ornament to his profession, and to the several offices which he sustained. His memory is di'S(;rving of lasting honour, for liis efforts towards establishing the first government in the world, which p;avc to all equal civil and religious libertJ^ To no man is Rhode Island more Indebted than to him. He was one of the original projectors of the set- tlement of the isKand, and one of its ablest legislators. No character in New England is of purer fame tlian John Clarke." THE WIGHTMANS. Valentine Wigiitman. 1705 — 1747. Timothy Wightman. 1754 — 1796. John Gano Wightman. 1800 — 1841. FROM THE REV. FREDERIC DENISON. Norwich. Conn., June 8, 1858. Rev. and clear Sir : In reply to your inquiry concerning the Wight- mans of Groton, Conn., I can only say that, as I know of no person who has gathered a full history of these three worthy fathers, and, as my atten- tion has been turned towards theiu during the past year, while collecting the Ileligious Annals of Groton, I have, by advice of friends, consented to forward to you the following memorabilia of them, that have fallen under my notice. In the first two cases, my authorities are family history, private papers, town and church records, ecclesiastical and Associational Minutes, and historical sketches : in the last instance, I am able to add some personal recollections. Valentine Wightman was a descendant of Edward Wightman, who was burnt for heresy, at Litchfield, in England, in 1612. Of the Wight- mans, there came to this country five brothers, all Baptists — two were preachers ; two were deacons ; one a private member of the church. Valentine was a son of one of these five. Valentine was born in North Kingston, R. I., in 1681. He removed to Groton, Conn., in 1705, — the year in which the town was incorporated. Probably he was licensed to preach in his native Colony. Upon his removal to Groton, he immediately gathered the few Baptists in the town into a church, and in the same year (1705) was chosen their Pastor. This was the first Baptist Church planted in the Colony of Connecticut, and which, as a mother of churches, still rejoices in her age. Unfortniiatcly, no sketch of the early life and personal appearance of Mr. Wightnnxn has come down to us: and what is more to be regretted, since the times were peculiarly fruitful of historic incident, all the records of the church for the entire period of his ministry have perished. How- ever, not a few of the fruits of his labours are yet to be found. The strong marks he made on his generation, and the fragmentai-y records of his deeds, lodged in collateral history, by the circling waves of his influ- ence, enable us to present the man, the preacher, and the Christian builder, in a light worthy of historic mention. On coming into public life, Valentine evinced the possession of excel- lent endowments, and creditable attainments. He was soon widely known. THE WIGIITMATMS. 27 and as widely respected for his cliaracter and liis abilities. "With a sound miud in a sound body, and, what is yet more important, a disposition withal to work, and to work for the good of his generation, he necessarily rose to a commanding position, and wielded a truly enviable influence. In fine, he distinguished himself as a preacher, a writer, a disputant, a coun- sellor, and a builder in Zion. Mr. Wightman maintained his individuality and his peculiar tenets ; but he was no partisan preacher, no self-sufficient champion of a sect, no bigoted adherent to a school. He was humble, firm, faithful. As a preacher, he was plain, logical, earnest, and sometimes eloquent. As a builder, he was wise, prudent, and skilful. He was an indefatigable labourer, and he laboured to edify rather than to please and captivate. With the numeri- cal increase of his flock, he, as well, sought their culture in all the ways that consisted with the poverty and pressure of his times. He preached in all the adjoining towns. For many years he was the only settled Baptist minister in the Colony. Through his instrumentality, and in the face of sharp opposition from the Standing Order, Baptist Churches were gathered in Waterford, Lyme, Stonington, and other places. His pi*eaching cost him much unpleasant controversy, and not a little persecution, as, in the matter of parish lines, he preferred the commission given by Christ, to the ecclesiastical laws of Connecticut. In his own town, he was increasingly prospered in his work until the glorious period of the Great Awakening, in which his zeal and labours abounded, and were crowned with a precious harvest. Valentine's few papers testify to his thorough knowledge of the Scrip- tures, and his honourable acquaintance with Church History, and the writings of the first Christian Fathers. That he wrote but little is explained by the culture of his times, in connection with the multitude of temporal engagements and hardships belonging to his generation, which narrowed the opportunities for liberal studies, and furnished few incentives for committing his thoughts to paper. He wrote a tract on Church Music, which is reported to have been useful. But the most historic of his eff"orts is his Debate with the llev. John Bulkley, of Colchester. This Debate was a famous one : it was the trial of theological strength, pre- viously agreed upon, between the Standing Order, who gave the challenge, and the Dissenters in the Colony. The champions selected on each side were Mr. Bulkley and Mr. Wightman. Tlie Debate opened orally in the meeting house, in Lyme, on the 7th of June, 1727, and continued above seven hours. Multitudes attended, among whom were distinguished clergy- men and public officers on both sides — two able men presided as Modera- tors. The topics discussed were, I. The Subjects of Baptism. II. The Mode of Baptizing. III. The Maintenance of Gospel Ministers. The Debate was continued in writing — each disputant published a book. In this encounter, whether considered in a theological or literary point of view, I do not think that Mr. Wightman suffers by comparison with his gifted and learned antagonist, whom Dr. Chauncy has styled "a first rate genius" and distinguished for " solidity of mind and strength of judg- ment." He was married to Susanna Holmes, February 10, 1703. 28 BAPTIST. In 1712, by invitation of Mr. Nicholas Eyres, he visited the city of New York, and continued his visits about two years, preaching at Mr. E.'s house. His labours were blessed. In 1714, he baptized seven men and five women, who afterwards were formed into a church under the ministry of Mr. Eyres. This was the first Baptist Church planted in the State of New York. Valentine came to his death peacefully, and in honour, on the 9th of June, 1747, at the age of sixty-six, and after a ministry of forty-two years. The people whom he had '•' fed, according to the integrity of his heart, and guided by the skilfulness of his hands," appropriately niounied his departure. His memory is even yet fresh. And his name will endure on the roll of the fathers that opened the wilderness, and, in the name of the Lord, laid the goodly foundations upon which succeeding generation.- have joyfully built. Timothy Wigiitman was a son of the Rev. Valentine Wightman, and was bcirn in GrotRn, Conn., November 20, 1719. Of his early life very little can be ascertained. From the loss of the Church Records up to 1754, it is impossible to state wheil he professed faith in Christ, or when he was licensed to preach; but, in the year 1754, we find him, as also his wife, in covenant with the church. His first wife was Jane Fish, to whom he was married June 1, 1743: she died March 4, 1745. He was married to his second wife, Mary Stoddard, May 13, 1747 : she survived him about twenty years — her death occurred February 19, 1817, in her ninety-second year. In 1754, Timothy succeeded his father in the pastoral office, though he refused ordination till May 20, 1756. His modesty, coupled witli the trials and labours of the office, induced this hesitancy. After the death of his father, the church became somewhat entangled with questions of Church government and spiritual liberty, brought into the body by the numerous seceders from the Standing Order, called Separatists, who had now become Baptists; and the llev. Daniel Fisk who, for a few years, had been ministering to the church, was unequal to the position in this day of spiritual revolution that followed the Great Awakening, and eventually brought in the day of religious liberty. But when Timothy came to the helm of affairs, with his native Wigiitman judgment and skill, he brought the old ship into the wind, and sent her again bounding on her original course. -^ Timothy was a man of medium stature, light and erect frame, black hair and eyes, affable manners, serious deportment, and manly bearing. He was well-nigh a model man; — easy, serious, kind, ingenuous, earnest. Being once called before the County Court as a witness, and a lawyer attempting to criticise him by cross-questioning, the Judge remarked, — •' It is not necessary to criticise that man ; his veracity and candour arc evident in his appearance." As a preacher, Timothy was much like his father, — plain, fearless, fiith- ful. The period of his ministry reached through the two great upheavals in the history of our country — the Separations induced by the Great THE WIGIITMANS. 29 Awakening, that culminated in the establishment of evangelical doctrines and Chuivh independency, — and the Revolution that inaugurated our National Independence : the one was the divinely ordained harbinger of the other. The Separate movement was specially powerful in Eastern Connecticut, in and around Groton ; and, in the whole Colony, more than thirty Separate churches were formed. Most of these Separatists finally became Baplii^ts. In the Revolutionary War, Groton bore a heroic and mournful part : her Western Heights, on September 6, 1781, were purpled with the blood of more than eighty patriots, and above thirty more lay mortally wounded. In the midst of these trying scenes Timothy was called to minister, and he ministered with discretion. He stood by the altar of God, and by the rights of his countr}'. He withstood ecclesi- astical domination at home, and political tyranny abroad. His church furnished its quota of patriotic blood in defence of the principles of liberty, and Timothy animated his people to honour the right. Resides some annoyances from the State Church party in the town and surrounding country, Timothy was at one time harassed in his ministra- tions by the little band of ignorant " Rogercnes," whose religion consisted in denouncing the Sabbath, public prayer, preaching, and all Christian ordinances, as " idolatries," and who came, on the Sabbath, driving their teams, and bringing into the meeting-house splints for baskets, cards and spinning wheels, to disturb the preacher, and to win persecution as the evidence of their saintship. They even boorishly interrupted him and charged him with lying. But he calml}' proceeded in his work, and exhorted his people never to return railing for railing, but by true kind- ness to heap coals of fire on their enemies' heads. Timothy's ministry was favoured by several notable revivals. In 1764, more than thirty were added to the church — the second Baptist Church in Groton was organized in the year following. In 1775, nearly forty souls were added to the flock — in this year a Baptist Church was gathered in North Groton. In 1784, eighty-four members were brought in. Another revival, in 178G-87, brought an increase from every side. Near the close of his ministry, Timothy suffered from ill health, and was assisted by his brethren in the ministry in preaching and baptizing. His last sermon was founded upon II. Tim. iv. G-8, " I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand," &c. The words were prophetic in his lips. After a severe illness of about six weeks, he departed in hope, November 14, 179G, in his seventy-eighth year, and after a ministry of forty-two years, — the exact period of his father's pastorate. A church of above two hundred members, nearly all baptized by his hands, wept over his dead body. The Rev. Reuben Palmer preached his funeral discourse from II. Kings, ii. 12, — " My father, my father," &c. His people laid him down in the church-yard, by tlie dust of his father, and ))y the side of the altar he defended and adorned. Modest, solid icorih, would be a fitting epitaph for the second Pastor of the First Baptist Church planted in Connecticut. 30 BAPTIST. John Gano Wightman was the youngest son of the Rev. Timothy Wightman, and was born in Groton, Conn., August 16, 1766. His early training was of the best character, and was not lost upon his susceptible and ingenuous nature. To the ordinary advantages of education he added much by his own persevering private efforts. He became hopefully pious, it would seem, in 1797, as, during this year, he was baptized into the fellowsliip of the church. Such were his gifts and attainments that he was soon licensed to preach. It soon became evident that he was called of God to follow in the foot steps of his father and grandfather in the pastoral office of the ancient church. Being chosen to the office, he accepted ordination, August 13, 1800. He was married to Mercy Clark, January 22, 1789: she died May 29, 1816. His second wife was Bridget Allyn, to whom he was man-ied July 7, 1817. She still survives. John G. was a man slightly above medium height, of rather light frame, spare in flesh, straight in form, and of goodly personal appearance. There was something in his countenance and bearing to remind one of the old lithograph portraits of Jefferson. His eyes were dark hazel; his hair rather light, worn long and flowing behind, but cut short and combed straight in front, thus concealing a part of his well-formed forehead. His voice was not heavy, but full, clear and pleasant. His manner was easy and engaging. In the matter of dress, all was so neat, plain and becoming as never to excite attention or provoke ci-iticism. In both private and public life he was unostentatious and diligent. In his preaching, I think, the logical element largely prevailed ; though he employed happy illustrations, and sometimes rose to strains of impas- sioned eloquence. Like Valentine and Timothy, John G. was solid and practical rather than brilliant and fascinating — hence his ministry wrought abiding results. He moved not like a meteor, but like a planet. His ministerial brethren always gave him a high rank in their Councils and Associations. As a presiding officer, he was particularly happy. In executive talents he had few superiors,— being composed, read}', impar- tial, dignified. His ministry embraced a comparatively calm period. All outward oppo- sition had now nearly passed away, and the land was rejoicing in religious liberty. Only the impotent group of "Rogerenes" sought to molest the peace of the old church. They published a simple and scandalous little volume entitled "The Battle Axe," — an undigested conglomerate of base metals. To this attack, John G., with characteristic prudence and cool- ness, simply replied, — " The Axe will cut farther backwards than for- wards,"— which proved true. He was cautious and discreet, but never timid or time-serving. Not less than ten seasons of revival were experienced under Mr. Wight- man's labours, some of which were powerful and wide-spread. Tlie num- bers, brought into the church by these revivals, varied from ten to fifty-six. Meanwhile, the church, as a parent stock, was sending out branches ; the most prosperous of which was the Third Bapti.^t Church in Groton, organized in 1831. After the custom of our early Baptist fathers, Jol\n G. wrote but little to be carried into the desk ; but he never preached without preparation. » THE W^IGHTMANS. 3i His trust was in lu.s memory rather tlian in his pen ; and he believed in enjoying Divine assistance in the pulpit. By a culpable carelessness his papers have been permitted to perisli. The only surviving productions of his pen are a Sermon preached on the death of Adams and Jefferson, and Circular Letters prepared for the Associations. The last sermon that I heard him preach, — and I recollect it more distinctly than any discourse I heard for years, — was from Prov. vi. 6-8, " Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise." &c. For a few years before his deatli, his health was so feeble as to interrupt his ministrations — still he preached at home, and in various parts of the town, while sufficient strength remained. His last sickness was protracted and painful, but borne with fortitude and resignation. He confidently leaned on the word which, for a lifetime, he had preached to others. As it was my privilege to watch M'ith liim in some of his last painful nights, I was enabled to discover how the darkness that borders the grave is, to the man of God, lifted and dispersed by the rays of a heavenly morning. He fell on sleep, quietly, on the 13th of July, 1841, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and after a ministi-y of forty-one yeai's. His funeral occa- sioned a solemn da}' — many came from adjoining towns to look once more on the venerated countenance — ministers of different denominations wept over his bier, and assisted in the solemnities. A Discourse was preached by the Rev. Erastus Dcnison, from IMatthew xxiv. 45-46 — " Who then is a faithful and wise servant," &c. His body was laid down mournfully by the side of his fathers. John Gano "Wightman was worthy to succeed his father Timothy and his grandfather Valentine : and these names are still fresh. *' For only the actions of the just " Smell sweet and blossom in the dust." I remain your sincere friend and brother, FREDERIC DENISON. THE MORGANS.* Abel Morgan, (Senior.) 1711 — 1722. Abel Morgan, (Junior.) 1734 — 1785. Abel Morgan, Senior, was born in the year 1637, at a place called AUtgoch, in the parish of Llanwenog, and county of Cardigan, South Wales. He became a preacher at the early age of nineteen, and was ordained at Blaenegwent, in Monmouthshire, where he exercised liis minis- try for some time. His younger brother, Enoch Morgan, migrated to this country in 1701, and became the third Pastor of the Welsh Tract Church, in Delaware. Abel, having received a favourable account of this country, through his brother and other friends, was induced to follow them hither, and he arrived in America, according to Edwards, • MS. from II. G. Jones, Esq.— Materials towards a History of the Baptists in Jersey, by Morgan Edwards.— Benedicfs Hist. Bapt. I. 32 BAPTIST. , on the 14tli of Februar}-, 1711, and took up his residence in Philadelphia. The Baptist Church at Philadelphia was not formally organized as a dis- tinct body until May 15, 1746; and hence the Pastor at Pennepek preached at both places. Mr. Morgan assumed the pastoral care of the church at Penuepck immediately after his arrival in the country. It was regarded a very felicitous circumstance to the Society at Philadelphia that so discreet a minister as Mr. Morgan had come to live among them ; for they were in a distracted and unhappy state, and needed his judicious and kindly influence to calm their agitations and restore their harmony. An Irish preacher, named Thomas Selby, and another preacher whose name was John Burrows, had had a severe altercation, and the Irishman had succeeded in shutting Mr. Burrows and his party out of the meeting house. Mr. Moi'gan's presence and influence soon healed the breach, and Mr. Selby left the town in 1713, and went to Carolina, where he died the same year, though not till he had occasioned much disturbance. The Records of the Philadelphia Association, during the first thirty years of its existence, are so very meagre that few particulars can be gleaned respecting Mr. Morgan's labours as a minister ; and yet there is no doubt that he took an active part in the deliberations of that Body, and was reckoned among its most prominent members. The Minute for 1722 reflects high honour upon him, as being among the earliest of the Baptist advocates for ministerial education. It is as follows : — "At the Association in the year 1722, it was proposed by the churches to make inquiry among themselves, if they have any young persons hope- ful for the ministry, and inclinable for learning ; and if they have, to give notice of it to Mr. Abel Morgan, before the 1st of November, that he might recommend such to the x\cadcmy, on Mr. Hollis his account." The Mr. Hollis referred to was the celebrated London merchant, who sent dona- tions of books to the Philadelphia Association, and founded the Hollis Pro- fessorship in Harvard College. Mr. Morgan continued in the faithful discharge of his ministerial duties till near the close of life. He died on the 16th of December, 1722, at the age of eighty-five years, and was buried in the grave-yard of the Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where a stone still marks the place of his grave. Morgan Edwards says that "Mr. Abel Morgan was a great and good man, and is held in dear remembrance by all that knew him." The following are Mr. Morgan's published works : — A Translation of the Century Confession (the Baptist Confession of Faith) into AVcLsh. A Concordance of the Holy Scriptures, or a complete Alphabetical Index to the principal words in the Holy Bible, by which any portion of the Scriptures desired, can be immediately found. Compiled carefully and with much labour. By Abel Morgan, Minister of the Gospel for the bene- fit of the >yclsh. This Concordance is a folio volume, and, as its title indicates, is evidently elaborated with much care. The author, however, did not live to sec it published ; but it was placed in the hands of his bro- ther, Enoch Morgan, who wrote a preface to it, dated February, 1724, and dedicated it to "the Honourable David Lloyd, Esq., Chief Justice of the State of Pennsylvania," who was also a native Welshman. The following is an extract from this Dedicatory Letter : THE MORGANS. 33 " In our tongue, — the "Welsh, — tlio di'tieicncy and the great need oPsucli a work liave been long iVlt and ardently desired, not only by our countrymen here, but ni> less so in the land of our birth, and esiieeially siuco they have heard tliat tin; Autlior of a IP't'/s/i Concordanee was engag.'d in its preparation. Tliis, out of tlie purest love to bis countrymen, lie ventured upon and accomplislied but a short time before his decease. This event, his death, took place December the IGth, in the year 1722, b.Hiueathiiig this token of his lal)orious life in the wilderness, in its destitute state, and wliich now requires the aid of those who are able to carry it througli the press, so that it ma}' appear in suitable form lor distribution among his beloved countrymen, according to liis tlesign, and for their benelit." The same l<]iiocli Morgan wrote an Introduction to the work, in which he says of Abel jM organ, — " He set his mind on compiling a Concordance of the Scriptures, ami laboured with unwearied diligence till lie had produced and completcnl tlio following work, to enable those of im])LTfeet memory and unskilled in scrii)ture knowledge, in obtaining readily the aid thus needed, in comparing scripture with scripture, and thus acquiring enlarged light and knowlcilge The author used every ellbrt in his day to urge all to a proptu' improvement of their time, setting the exanijiie in himself of a devoted, l)ious life, not in the pulpit alone, but in a chaste and lK)ly Cv)nversation. so tliat he ci'Uld declare with Paul, — "lam pure from the blood of all men.' Jn his youth he gave himself to the good work, and he fainted not." This work was revised antl corrected for the press in Marcli, 1730, by another Welshman, named John Cadwallader, who is believed to liave been a merchant of some note in Philadelphia. Besides tlie two printed works already mentioned, lie left several others in manuscript, which were extant as late as 1770. Mr. Morgan was thrice married. His first wife was Priscilla Powell, of Abergavenny, by whom he had one child, a daughter, who married John Holme, from whom is descended the Rev. John Stanford Holme, a Baptist clergyman of Brooklyn, N. Y. His second wife was Martha Burrows. His third wife was Judith Goading, (a widow,) and daughter of the llev. Thomas Griflfiths, of Welsh Tract. By her he had four children, — three sons and a dauchter. Abel Morgan, Jr., was a nephew of the preceding, and was born in Welsh Tract. April 18, 1713. He was educated chiefly at an Academy under the care of the llev. Thomas Evans, in Pencader ; was ordained at Welsh Tract church in the year 1734 ; became Pastor of the church in Middle- town, N. J., in 1738 ; and died there November 24, 1785. He was never married ; and the reason given for it was that such a relation would inter- fere with due attention to his mother, who lived with him, and whom he regarded with extraordinary filial reverence and affection. He was reputed a man of sound learning and excellent judgment, and was especially dis- tinguished as a skilful disputant. At one time he was engaged in a public illscussion on the subject of Baptism, at Kingwood, with the llev. Samuel Harker, a Presbyterian minister of considerable standing ; and again, in 1(43, he had a still more memorable disputation with the celebrated Dr. Samuel Finley, at Cape May, in connection with a powerful revival of reli- gion, in which the labours of Baptist and Presbyterian ministers were, to a great extent, intermingled. It was after this public encounter that Dr. Finley published his well known pamphlet, entitled "A Charitalde Plea for the Speechless." Mr. Morgan replied in a pamphlet of a hundred and sixty pages, entitled "Anti-Pedo-Rantism, or Mr. Samuel Finley's Chari- VOT,. VI. 5 34 BAPTIST. table Plea for the Speechless examined and refuted, the Baptism of Believ- ers maintained, and the mode of it by Immersion vindicated." Dr. Fin- ley published a rejoinder, and Mr. Morgan replied to that also, and thus ended the controversy. Morgan Edwards thus concludes his brief account of Mr. Morgan : — " ^Ir. Morgan's life and ministry were such, that his people speak of him with vene- ration and regret to this day. He was not a custom divine, nor a leading-string divine, but a Bible divine. In his last sickness, lie sent for the Elders of the churcli to anoint him with oil, according to tlie precept, (James v. 14. 15): Eldt-r Crawford attended; but Elder Mott was hindered by sickness; and the healing lite was deferred, for want of Elders, in the plural. Perhaps it will be imputed that Mr. Morgan knew not what he sought after. I inquired into the matter, and was assured, by Elder Crawford, (from whom I had the anecdote,) that he was of sound mind and disposing memory. IJut I needed not to have said so much; for Mr. Morgan practised the rite — one instance was Catalina. wife of Rev. Enoch David, who is yet alive: she had been in a dying way for a long while; but the third day after the salutary unctii)n, she wa.s well and went abroad. I wish uU Baptist ministers were of Mr. Morgan's mind; and not allow themselves (like the prodigal brother) to oppose the father's bidding with remonstrances, and not do as they are bid at last. The eight Christian rites stand on the same footing. No argument can be urged lor laying aside some, but will operate towards laying aside all. Whoever will read Barclay's Apology will own the justness of this remark. To pick and choose arc not fair; neither is it honest to admit the force of an argument in one case, and not in another, of the same nature. O custom .' Cruel custom ! Tyrant custom ! when wilt thou cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" THE CALLENDERS.=^ Elisha Callender. 1718 — 1738. John Callender. 1731 — 1748. Elisha Callender was a son of Ellis Callender, who officiated as the principal speaker in the First Baptist Church in Boston, while they were destitute of a Pastor, for about thirty years. The Church, having applied in vain for the services of Mr. William Screven,! then at Charleston, S. C, gave Mr. Ellis Callender a call to become their Pastor ; and he was. accordingly, ordained, in 1708, and continued in the pa.storal relation, highly respected and honoured, for more than ten years. He is supposed -.0 have died aljout the year 172G, not far from the age of eighty. • B.ackus' Hist. N. E., III.— Benedict's Hist. Bapt., I.— Boston Evening Post, 17.38.— AVinchclIs Hist. Disc. f William Screven was born in England, about the year 1629. After coining to this country, he settled in the District of Maine, and was one of a small company of Baptists in Kittery, who united at first with the Church in Boston, but in 1682, formed a ohurcli by them- selves, of which Jlr. f^creven was recognised as the Elder. In consequence of the violent oppo- sition which they had to encounter from other denominations, the}' were obliged, after a sliort time, to disViand, and KMer .'^crcven and some of his brethren sought an asylum in the more tranquil regions of the South. He was instrumental of gathering tlie First liuptist Church in Charleston, S. C, and became its Pastor. He was subsequently invited to return to Boston, to become Pastor of the church there, of which he had formerly been a member, but declined. Late in life, he removed to (ieorgetown, about sixty miles from Charleston, where he died in peace, in 1 71. '5, having reached the age of eighty-four. He is said to have been the orighial proprietor (jf the land on which Georgetown is built. During his residence in Maine, he was maniiMl to Priilgct Cutts, b}' whom he had eleven children. He is reputed to have been a good Ihiglish scliohir, and eminent for his piety and usefulness. He wrote "An Ornament for Clnirch ^Members,'' which was published after his death. Some of his descendants iiave been highly respectable and influential people in the South. THE CALLENDERS. 35 Elislia Callender, the son, was born in Boston, antl was educated at Harvard College, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the year 1710. He was baptized and received into the Church, August 10, 1713. On the '21st of May, 1718, he was ordained to the work of the ministry, and became Pastor of the Church with which his father had been connected for nearly fifty years, and towards which, for forty, he had acted the part of a public teacher. jMr. Callender's ordination was signalized as the occasion of a most friendly demonstration of the Congregationalists and Baptists towards each other, — the more remarkable on account of the different state of things which had existed a few years before. Several of the most prominent Congre- gational ministers in Boston took part in the Ordination services. The following is the letter missive, addressed to the Church under the care of Dr. Mather and Mr. Webb, requesting their assistance in the Ordi- nation : — " Honoured and Beloved in the Lord: — "Considering that there ought to be a holy fellowship maintained among godly- Christians, and that it is a duty for us to receive one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God, notwithstanding some differing persuasions in matters of doubt- ful disputation; and, although we have not so great a latitude as to the subject of Baptism as the Churches of New England generally have; nevertheless, as to funda- mental principles in the doctrine of Christ, both as to the faith and order of the Gos- pel, we concur with them ; being also satislied that particular churches have power from Christ to choose their own Pastors, and that Elders ought to be ordained in every church, and, having chosen our wcU-beloved brother, Elisha Callender, to be our Pas- tor, we entreat you to send your Elders and Messengers to give the Right Hand of Fel- lowship in his Ordination." Dr. Cotton Mather preached the Ordination Sermon, which he entitled "Good men united." After speaking of the severities which had been manifested against Christians by the Ruling Power, he says, — '•Cursed the anger, for it is fierce, and the wrath, for it is cruel; good for nothing hut only to make divisions in Jacob, and dispersions in Israel. Good men. alas! good men have done such ill things as these; yea, few churches of the Reformation have been wholly clear of these iniquities. New England also has, in some former times, done something of this aspect, which would not now be so well approved of, in wliich, if the brethren, in whose house we are now convened, met with anything toounbroth- erly, they now, with satisfaction, bear us expressing our dislike of every thing which looked like persecution, in the days that have ]>assed over us." Increase Mather, who was also one of the ordaining council, thus alludes to the circumstance : " H was a grateful surprise to nic, Mhen several of the brethren of the anti-jjcdo- haptist persuasion came to me, desiring that I would give them the Right Hand of Fellowship, in ordaining one whom they had cho.sen to be their Pastor. I did (as I believe it was my duty) readily consent to what they proposed ; considering the young man to be ordained is serious ami pious, and of a candid spirit, and has been educated at the College at Cambridge, and that all the brethren with whom 1 have any ac(iuaint- ance (I hope the like concerning others of them) are, in the judgment of rational charity, godly persons." Dr. Benedict states that " the report of this expression of Catholicism in England, induced Thomas Hollis, Esq., a wealthy merchant of the ]3ap- tist persuasion, to become one of the most liberal benefactors to Cambridge College, that it ever enjoyed." Notwithstanding Mr. Callender had but a feeble constitution, he was abundant in labours, not only among his own people, but in other places, in different parts of the Commonwealth. At Springfield, Sutton, Leices- ter, Marshfield, Salem, and several other town.s, he preached frequently, 36 BAPTIST. and baptized and admitted to tlie church a considerable number of persons. His own church was particularly prosperous under his ministry, and scarcely a month passed but that some were added to it. But, while his prospects of usefulness were the brightest, he was arrested by a disease which, at no distant period, terminated in death. He preached, for the last time, on the 29th of January, 1738, from the text, — " Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." Having been unable to admin- ister Baptism to several persons who had stood as candidates for that ordi- nance, he thus wrote in a letter to a friend :- — " My indisposition is such, and I am under such methods of cure, as unfits me altogether to attend the ordinance of Baptism to them. I am heartily concerned that it is so with me ; but there is no resisting the Divine Providence." His illness rapidly increased, but he anticipated death without terror, made his will with the utmost composure, and addressed many pertinent and affecting counsels to his friends. Ten days before his death, he said, — •' Wlicn I look on one hand, I see nothing but sin, guilt, and discouragement ; but, when I look on the other, I see my glorious Saviour, and the merits of his precious blood, which cleanseth from all sin. I cannot say I have such transports of joy as some have had, but, through grace, I can say, — I have gotten the victory over death and the grave." Being asked what word of advice he had for his church, he earnestly replied, — " Away with luke- warmness ; away with such remissness in attending the house of prayer, which has been a discouragement to me ; and I have been faulty myself. Live in love and peace, that the Grod of love and peace may be With you. Improve your time ; for your standing in the church will be short ; and that is the way to prepare for the inheritance of the saints in light." Ho died on the 31st of March, 1738, at the age of about fifty, and in the twentieth year of his ministry. His funeral took place on the 4th of April. The following testimony to his character appeared shortly after his death, in one of the Boston papers : — " On Friday morning last, after a lingering sickness, deceased the Kcv. Mr. Elislia Callonder, Minister of the Baptist Ghnrcli in this town; a gentleman nniversally beloved, l)y ])eo])le of all persuasions, for his charitable and catliolic way of thinking. His lifi' was unspotted, and his conversation always affable, religious and truly manly. During his long illness, he was remarkably patient, and. in his last hours, like tlie bles.sed above, pacific and entirely serene; his senses good to the last. ' I shall,' said he, 'sleep in Jesus,' and that moment expired, very niucli lamented by all who knew him." Mr. Callender was the first native Baptist minister in this country, who had received a collegiate education. The only production of his pen, known to httve been published, is a Century Sermon, preached in tlie year 1720, commemorative of the landing of our Fathers at Plymouth. John Callender was a nephew of Elisha Callendeu, was born in Boston, was educated at Harvard College, on the Hollis foundation ; was graduated in 1723 ; was ordained colleague with Elder Pcckham,* as *Mr. William Peckham was ordained Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Newport, in 1711, and continued to discharge the duties of his office with cxeinplarv fidelity, until the infirmities of age rendered it necessary that he should have an assistant. In May, 1718, a Mr. Danibl Whitk was received to tlic fellowshi,p of the Church, and was soon after invited tr) share the ministerial services with Mr. Peckhani; but he proved a troublesome man, and was THE CALLENDEUS. 37 Pastor of the Baptist church in Xowport, October 13, ITol, and died January 2G, 1748, at the age of forty-one. He possessed a vigorous intellect, and was distinguished for liis candour and liberality. He col- lected many ])apers illustrating the history of the IJaptists in this country, which were subsequently used by the Rev. Isaac Backus, lie jmblished an Historical Discourse on the Civil and lleligious Affairs of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, from the First Settlement in 1638, to the end of the First Century ; also a Sermon at the Ordination of the Rev. Jeremy Condy,* Bust-on, 1739 ; and a Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Nathaniel Clap, of Newport, 1745. The following is the inscription upon IMr. Callender's monument : — " Coufidcnt of awaking, here reposeth JOHN CALLKNDER; Of very excellent eiulownu'iits from nature, And of an acconiplislied tdiication, Iniprovnl l)y ai>plication to the wide circle Of the move polite arts and useful sciences. From motives ol" conscience and grace He dedicated himself to the immediate service Of God. In which he was distinguished as a shining And very burning liglit, by a true and faiihful Ministry of seventeen years, in the First J5;ii)tist Church of Khode Island, where the purity And evangelical simi)licity of his doctrine, conlirmed And embellished by the virtuous and devout tenor Of his own lift!, Endeared him to his tiock, and justly conciliated The esteem, love, and reverence of all the Wise, worthy, and good. J[uch humanity, benevolence, and charity Breathed in his conversation, discourses, and writings, A\'!iieh were all pertinent, reasonable and useful. Regretted by all. lainented by his friends, and Deeply deplored by a wile and numerous issue, lie died, In the forty-second year of liis age, January 26, 1748; Having struggled through the vale of life In adversity, niueh sickness, and pain, With fortitnd'!. dignity, and elevation of soul, A\'orthy of the Philosopher, Christian, and Divine." the occasion of dividing the church. A new mecting-liouse was erected for him, in l'i2\, in which he continued to otKciate four years, when, having but a solitary member of his church left, he sold the meeting- house and left the place. •.Tkukuv <^o\nv i# believed to have been a descendant nf James Condy, who settled at lirnintrec in IfUO. mid hail three gons. Tie was gradiiate»ing, "■hen he was regularly called — eighteen brethren being present— to the pastoral care of the Church. He signified his acceptance of the call on the 24th of December, and was ordained by H Council consisting ]iartly of Baptist, and partly of Pedobaptist, ministers, on the 1-ftti of Kebruary, IT^lt. In his doctrinal views he was reputed to be an .\rminian; and, after about four years, a number of his members became so much dissatisfied with him on this account that they withdrew and formed the .'^ccond Haptist Church. He resigned his pastoral olliee in .August, 1704, and lived in retirement the rest of his davs. He died in I76H. aged fifty-nine years, during twenty-five of which he hail been Pastor of the lirst Chureh. He was a man of Mnbleinishc'I character, though the church does not appear to have prospered greatly under his ministry. Like his predecessor, he preached and baptized in .'^pringtield, Sutton, and other towns of the Commonwealth. He i>iiblisl)ed a Sermon occasioned by the death of Benjamin Landon, 1747, and a Sermon entitled " Mercy exemplified in the Conduct of a Samaritan." 38 BAPTIST. BENJAMIN GRIFFITHS * 1722—1768. Benjamin Griffiths was boru October 10, 1688, in the parisli of Llanllwyni, in the county of Cardigan, South Wales, and was a half brother of Abel and Enoch Morgan. He came to America, with Jenkin Joiiest and David Davis, in 1710. He was baptized May 12, 1711, and settled in Montgomery township, then in Philadelphia, but now in Mont- gomery, County, Pa., in 1720. He was called to the ministry in 1722, but was not ordained until October 23, 1725, He laboured with much success as a Pastor, and was evidently one of the prominent men of the Baptist denomination at that day. His name appears in the Minutes of the Association as early as 1783. In 1746, he was appointed by the Association " to collect and set in order the accounts " of the several Baptist churches in these Provinces, and to keep a record of the proceedings of the Baptist denomination. He seems to have attended faithfully to this duty ; and the work, begun at that early day, when the Minutes of the Association were not printed, is preserved in a large folio volume, the greater part of which forms the first hundred pages of the Century Minutes of the Association, as printed under the direction of the Rev. A. D. Gillette, D. D. But for this valuable com- pend, kept by Mr. Griffiths, the entire early history of that ancient Body niiglit have been lost. In the year 1749, he prepared, and read an Essay on " the Power and Duty of an Association," which the Association directed to be recorded in their folio volunie. He was also appointed to prepare a " Discipline" for the churches. Mr. Griffiths continued to labour in Montgomery, and the adjoining townships, in which, in the course of time, new churches were organized, and some of which are still in existence. He died at Montgomery, on the 5th of October, 1768, in the eighty-first year of his age. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the llev. David Thomas, 1^ of Virginia, and was published. * Ms. from II. G. .Tones, Esq. f Ji;nki.\ Jonks whs born about 1690, in the parish of Llanfcrnach, county of Pembroke, Waks, ami arrived in this country about 1710. ilc became the minister of the Church at Peniicpek in 1725, thougli he seems to have had his resilience in Phihidelfliia during tlio wliole period (if liis connection with it. When the Church at Phihideiphia was re-constituted, (iMay 15, 1711),) he became its Pastor, and continued in that relation during the rest of his life. He died at Philath'lpliia .luly 11), 17()1, much respected and lamented, lie rendered important services, in various ways, not only to his own particular church, but to his denomination, and to the Chnrcli at large. J David Thomas was born at London Tract, Pa., August 10, 1732. He was educated at Hopewell, N. ■!., under the direction of the Ucv. Isaac Katon, and in 176'J, was honoured with the degree of Master of Arts from Brown University. He commenced preaching when he was quite young, and in his twenty-eighth year, removed to Virginia. Having spent about eigh- teen months in the County of llerUcley, he visited I'auquier County, in the year 1702, and was instrumental in establishing Inroad Hun Church, of which he afterwards became Pastor. Dur- ing the early part of his ministry in Virginia, he encountered much opposition, and was fre- quently assaulted by liotb individuals atid mobs. He travelled extensively, and his preaching commanded great attention. In the latter part of his life he removed to Kentucky. He lived to an advanced age, and, fur some time before his death, was nearly blind. "Mr. Thomas is said to have been a man of great distinclicm in his day. lieside the natural endowments of a vigorous mind, and the advantages of a classical and refined education, he had a melodious and piercing voice, a pathetic address, expressive action, and, above all, a heart filled with love to God and his fellow-men." BENJAMIN GUIFFITIIS. 39 Mr. Griffiths was niarried to Sarah iMiles, by whom lie had five children, — two sons and three daughters, who were married into the Evans, Coffin, and Ivobcrts families. Abel Griffiths, the eldest son, was born at Mont- gonier}', December 23, 1723 ; was baptized April 14, 1744 ; was ordained in 1761 ; and was settled as Pastor of the Brandywine Church, Chester County, Pa., April 12, of the same year. Here he remained for six j'cars, and then removed to Salem, N. J., where he held a pastoral charge until 1771. The ftdlowing is a list of Mr. Griffiths' publications : — Essay on the Power and Duty of an Association, (printed in 1832, in the History of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, by the llev. H. G. Jones — also in the Century Minutes in 1851.) A Treatise of Church Discipline — two editions. A Vindication of the Doctrine of the Piesurrection of the same Body. Answer to a pamphlet entitled " The Divine Right of Infant Baptism. Printed by B. Franklin, 1747. Morgan Edwards says " Mr. Griffiths was a man of parts, though not eloquent, and had by industry acquired tolerable acquaintance with lan- guages and books." He states also that he was once offered a commission of Justice of the Peace, which, however, he declined; and, on being asked the reason why he refused such an honour, he replied, — ' Men are not to receive from offices, but offices from men — as much as men receive, the others lose, till at last offices come to have no honour at all.' JOHN COMER. 1725—1734. FROM THE REV. DAVID BENEDICT, D.D. Pawtucket, R. I., May IG, 18.59. Dear Sir : My estimate of the character of John Comer is such that I am more than willing to do any thing in \\\y power to honour and perpetu- ate his memory. In compiling the following sketch, I have access to his well known Diary, which is the principal original source of information concerning him. Jonx Comer, the eldest son of John and Mai-y Comer, was born in lioston, Aug. 1st, 1704. His father died at Charleston, S. C, as he was on a voyage to England, to visit his relatives, when John was less than two years of age. He was then left to the care of his mother, and grand- father, of the same name. The mind of this well disposed youth, according to his own recollections, which go back to his earliest years, was wholly bent on study, merely for the sake of it, and without any particular vocation in view ; but, as the family was not in circumstances to support him in his chosen pursuit, at the age of fourteen, he was bound out to a seven years' apprenticeship to learn the glover's trade. For upwards of two years, he submitted quietly to the disposition which his grandfather, who acted as his guardian, had made of him. His master made no complaint of him, except that he " read too much for his business.*" • In Comer's Diary, I find the following statement : " This year I composed a set Discourse from Eccl. xii. 1 — Remember now thy Creator," Ac. This was at the age of fifteen, while ha was an apprentice; and it evidently shows the bent of his mind at that early age. 40 BAPTIST. Being now in his seventeenth year, by the intercession of Dr. Increase Mather, to whom he applied for his friendly aid, and by the consent of his grandfather, he was released from his apprenticeship, commenced his pre- paratory studies, and in due time entered the College at Cambridge. His grandfather, dying soon after, left him a legacy of £500. " This," he says, " was to bring me up, and introduce me comfortably in the world, which it did."* After spending some years at Cambridge, — as some of his companions had gone to New Haven, and as living was cheaper there, — by the consent of the Rev. Mr. Webb, who, by his grandfather's will, had become his guardian, he repaired to that institution, where he finished his college course, though I believe ho did not graduate on account of ill health. This college then consisted of about fifty students. Relative to Mr. Comer's experience in the concerns of personal religion, and his change of denominational position, the account may be thus briefly given : His pious propensities in early life have already been stated ; but. not relying on the goodness of his morals, or the soundness of his ancestral creed,, he sought, and, after a long course of anxious enquiry, obtained, a satisfactory evidence of his conversion, according to what he believed were the scripture requirements. This was at the age of seventeen. In due time, while a member of the College, he united with the Congregational church in Cambridge, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Nathaniel Appleton. His membership in this church continued about four years, during all which time, he appears to have had much satisfaction with his spiritual home ; and all his accounts of his Pastor breathe the spirit of filial affection and Christian fellowship ; and the same may be said, by what appears in his Diar\', respecting the other ministers of Boston and else- where, who took an interest in his welfare, and of the churches under their care, with which he associated, and occasionally communed. t There was one very alarming event which happened to Boston and vici- nity in 1721, just at the time of the serious awakening of young Comer, which served to deepen his religious impressions, and increase his fearful apprehensions of being hurried to his grave, without a due preparation for an exchange of worlds. The small-pox, then the terror of mankind, was making a rapid and, to a great extent, fatal progress, among the people, most of whom had no protection against it. Among the victims of this terrible disease, were some of the most intimate friends of young Comer, whose dread of it was so great, that, according to his own representations, it might be li-terally said of him, in the language of Young, — " He felt a thousand deaths in fearing one." After all his precautions, he was soon seized with the loathsome malady, from the eflFects of which he barely escaped with his life. I * Diary, 1721. t These churches, with their Pastors, in 172.':!, in addition to Cambridge, were, in Boston, the Old North, Cotton Mather; the New North, John IVebb; the New Brick, Milliaiv ]\'nldron. In Andover, John Barnard. In this place young Comer occasionally pursued his classical studies. Aiidover then was a frontier town. In Newport, R. I., Nathaniel Clap. In New Haven, Joseph Noyes. t In the then small population of Boston and vicinity, compared with the present, between eight and nine hundred died of this disease. " The practice of inoculation was now set JOHN COMER. 41 This assiduous enquirer, and very conscientious man, after an investiga- tion of about two years' continuance, adopted the sentinibnts of the Bap- tists on the subject and mode of Baptism, and, accordiuj^ to his Diary, was baptized by the Ilev. Elisha Callender, January 31, 1725, and united with the First Baptist Church in Boston, of which Mr. C. was then Pastor, llelative to this transaction, in the old journal before nie, I lind the fol- lowing ontr;y : — " Having before waited on Rev. Mr. Applcton, of Cam- bridge, I discoursed with him on the point of Baptism, together with my resolution — upon which he signilied that I might, notwithstanding, main- tain my communion with his church — by which I discovered the candour and catholic spirit of the man. He behaved himself the most like a Christian of any of my friends, at that time, upon that account."* Mr. Comer commenced preaching in 1725, not long after he united with Mr. Callender's church. His first efforts were made with the old Swansea church, which was planted by the famous John Miles, from Wales, in 16G3. It was then under the pastoral care of Elder Ephraim Wheaton.t Efforts were made to settle the young and promising preacher, as a col- league with the aged Pastor, but, as the plan failed of success, he repaired to Newport, where, in 1726, ho was ordained as Co-pastor with elder William Peckham, in the first church in that town, which bears date, 1G44. His ministry here was short but successful; by his influence singing in public worship was there first introduced. He also put in order the old Cliurch llecords, which he found in a scattered and neglected condition. The prac- tice of the laying on of hands, (Heb. vi. 2,) as a mode of the initiation of newly baptized members to full fellowship into the church, had hitherto been held in a lax manner, by this ancient community, and Mr. Comer's attempt to have it uniformly observed, was the cause of his dismission from his pastoral charge in 1729. In former ages, this religious rite was a sub- ject of no little discussion and agitation among the Baptists, both in the old country and the new, and sometimes churches were divided on account of differences of opinion respecting it. The Six Principle Baptists, so called, from tenaciously adhering to this number of points laid down in the { assage above nanied, still hold on to this ancient rule of Church Disci- pline. As a general thing, however, the practice has long been disused among the Baptists, both American and foreign. Mr. Comer preached, as a supply, for nearly two years, in the Second Baptist Church in Newport, which was founded in 1G5G. It was then under the pastoral care of Elder Daniel Wightman, from whom Mr. Comer received the imposition of hands, in Gospel Order, according to his judg- ment and belief. In 1732, this transitory peacher, whose race was rapid and peculiar, and lamentably .short, became the Pastor of a church of his own order in the Southern part of old Behoboth, near to Swanzea, and about ten miles from up. . . . Dr. Zabdiol Boylston was the chief actor in it— I joined in the lavfulness of the practice, though some wrote and printed against it-" Comer was preparing to avail himself of the bencQt of this new method of prevention, wher. he found it was too late, and the malady bad its natural course. The whole College was dispersed. • Elsewhere Mr. C. remarks that, at this time he knew of no one of his relatives, who was in the Baptist connection. t ErHHAiM Whkatox was an Associate Pastor of this Church as early as 1704; and ho con- tinued in the faithful discharge of his duties here until his death, which occurred in 1734, at the age of seventy-five, lie lived within the bounds of Kehoboth. Vol. VI. G 42 BAPTIST. Providence, R. I. Here he died of consumption, May 23, 1734, aged twenty-nine years, nine months and twenty-two days. " He was," says Dr. Jackson, "a gentleman of education, piety, and of great success in his profession. During his brief life, he collected a large body of facts, intending, at some future period, to write the history of the American Baptist Churches. His manuscripts he never printed, nor did he, as I learn, ever prepare them for publication. He was even unable to revise them, and they were, of course, left in their original condition. Never- theless, he made an able and most valuable contribution to Rhode Island History. His papers Avere probably written about 1729 — 1731.* For the historical purposes above named, this industrious man visited most of the churches in New England. He also went as far as Philadelphia, through the Jersies, in a Southern direction. He corresponded, somewhat extensively for that age, with intelligent men in all the Colonies, where those of his own order could be found, as well as in England, Ireland, and Wales, from which regions many of the earliest emigrants, of the Baptist faith, came to this country. In Comer's time, and at a still later period, Pennsylvania and the Jersies were more distinguished than any of the Colonies for the number of their strong men of this creed. Here were found the Joneses, the Morgans, the Mannings, the Smiths, the Harts, and many others. Could this diligent enquirer have lived to make out the history he proposed, from personal interviews, and from historical docu- ments, then easily obtaine:!, and from reliable traditions, in all the Colo- nies, where the Society had planted their standards, a great amount of labour would have been saved to the historians who succeeded him. Comer's Diarj^ to which reference has already often been made, consists of two thin folio manuscript volumes, of about sixty pages each. Most of them are occupied in the relation of passing events, and in them are found many historical facts concerning the affairs of his own people, and also of all the religious denominations in the land, so far as he had any knowledge of them, or intercourse with them, which appears to have been quite exten- sive and familiar. "Comer," says Backus, "was very curious and exact in recording the occurrences of his time." This remark is fully verified by looking over the details of the journal in question. Here we find accounts of earthquakes and storms, of wars and rumours of wars among the Indians at home, and the nations abroad : the doings of the Colonial governments ; the names and characters of govei-umcntal men, especially of those in the Rhode Island Colony, are often met with in this Diary; and, among other things, is a full account of a petition, which was got up by the ministers and lay- members of the Baptist people, wilh whom Mr. Comer was associated, against the oppressive laws, which were bearing hard on the few of their brethren, who were scattered " up and down," in the adjoining Colony of Connecticut. The chief matter of complaint in this petition was the par- ish taxes, for the support of the Standing Order. This document, which is transcribed in full, was endorsed by Governor Jenks, in a respectful note to the Colonial Assembly. * Churches in Rhode Island, pp. 80, 81. JOHN COM Ell 43 The arrival of the celebrated Dean George Berkeley, at Newport, and some items respecting the popularity of this distinguished visiter, and of the personal interviews which he, in com[»any with others, had with this affable man, are pleasantl}' related. Mr. Comer's popularity amongst the ministers and people of different orders is plainly indicated by the frequent entries in his Diary of his cor- respondence and personal conferences with them. In this way wc learn many interesting facts, some painful, some pleasant, respecting men with whom this youthful divine had no ecclesiastical connection. At one time, he informs us that he was invited to the pulpit of the Rev. Mr. Cotton, then the only Congregational clergyman of Providence, which he would gladly have complied with, had not a previous engagement hindered him. This young minister, during his short race of about nine years after he entered into public service, made his mark unusually high for the time. His name is still had in grateful remembrance in a large religious and lite- rary circle. He left one son and two daughters, and his descendants still survive in Warren, R. I. Yours respectfully, DAVID BE>' EDICT. EDWARD UPHAM * 1740—1797. Edward Upitam was born in Maiden, Mass., in the year 1709, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1734. He is supposed to have received the benefit of Mr. Hollis' donation. In 1727. five persons were baptized by immersion, in West Springfield, by the Rev. Elisha Callender, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Bos- ton. In 1740, they, with several others who had joined them, were formed into a church, and the Rev. pjdward Upham became their Pastor. Though there were persons belonging to this church from different parts of the town, yet most of them were from that part which was afterwards the Second Parish ; and that was the principal field of Mv. Upham's ministerial labour. In 1748, he resigned his charge, in consequence of an inadequate support, and removed to Newport, R. I., where he succeeded the Rev. John Callender, as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in that town. Sometime after Mr. Upham left West Springfield, most of those who had constituted the church of which he had had the care, consented so far to waive their distinctive denominational views as to join with a number of others, of a different communion, to form the Congregational Church, of which the Rev. Sylvanus Griswold t became Pastor. There was a • Benedict's Hist. Bapt., I. — Dr. Lathrop's Autobiography. tSvLVANCS GuiswoLn, a son of the Rev. George Griswold, (who was graduated at Tale College in 1717, became the Pa.«tor of the Second Congregational Church in Lvnic, Conn., and died in 17'"'1,) was born at Lyme about the year 17:12; was graduated at Yale College in 1757; and was ordained Pastor of the Second Congregational Church in West Springfield, in Novem- 44 BAPTIST. mutual agreement that wliilo Mr. Griswold sIioulJ, when desirc(.l, conform to the views of tlie Baptist brctliren in respect to the mode of Baptism, tliey, on tlie other hand, would receive from him the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In 1771, jMr. Upham, having resigned his charge at Newport, returned to reside * on a farm which he owned in his former parish in West Spring- field. xVt the instance of some of the people, he resumed his public labours, and again collected his former charge. As a considerable propor- tion of them had become members of Mr. Griswold's church, which, at best, was feeble in point of numbers, their secession was sensibly felt. Mr. Upham continued his labours among them till he had passed his eightieth year, from which time he gradually sunk under the infirmi- ties of ace. The church, of which he had been Pastor, about that time became extinct. He died at his residence, in Feeding Hills Parish, Octo- ber, 1797, aged eighty-seven years. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Lathrop, from Job; xlii., 7 — " So Job died, being old and full of days." Mr. Upham was one of the earliest and most zealous friends of Rhode Island College. He was a Trustee and Fellow of that institution from its foundation in 1764 till 1789. Mr. Upham was married in March, 1740, to Sarah, daughter of Dr. John Leonard, of Feeding Hills. They had six children, five of whom survived him. His eldest son was shot dead, by mistake, while engaged, with a party, in hunting bears, in the night. Dr. Lathrop has described Mr. Upham to me as a sensible, well educated and liberal minded man. He was an Open Communion Baptist, both in sentiment and in practice. After his return to West Springfield from Newport, he preached several times at private houses in Dr. Lalhrop's par- ish, and introduced the Baptist controversy ; and it was understood put in circulation among Dr. Lathrop's people certain pamphlets, designed to vin- dicate his own views. This led Dr. L. to preach two sermons on the sub- ject, which were afterwards published ; but I believe it never disturbed the friendly i)crHonal relations that existed between himself and Mr. Upham. I know Dr. Lathrop had a high regard for him, as being, in general, a fair minded and honourable man. I received the impression from him that Mr. Upham's orthodoxy was not of the straitest sect, and would probably not rise aliove Arminianism. He had the reputation of being a very respectable preacher ; and so I think he must have been, from having read sonjc of his manuscript sermons. His style was remarkable for simplicity and perspicuity, and, though very correct, was adapted to the humblest capacity. I believe he used his manuscript in tlie pulpit, contrary to the common usage of ministers of his denomination at that day. ber, 1762, — ono week after its organizntion. lie continued minister of tho parish till 1781, and Pastor of the church till his death, which occurred on the 4th of December, 1819, at the age of eighty-seven. • I)r. Ezra Stiles, wlio at that time resided at Newport, has the following cntrv in his jour- nal, under date, April 10, 177i : — " Rev. K. Upham, with his wife and family, sailed for Con- necticut river, removing to Springfield. His congregation and friends accompanied them to tho ship with many tears." EBENEZER KINNERSLEY. 45 EBENEZER KINNERSLEY. 1743—1778. FROM HORATIO GATES JONES, ESQ. PiiiLADELpniA. April 1, 1859. My dcai Sir : More than a century ago, the name of Ebenezer Kinners- ley, of whom you ask me to give you some account, was as well known, especially in all scientific circles in this country, as perhaps any other of which the country could boast ; but, in the lapse of years, it has been suffered, even here in the city in which he lived, to pass — I had almos't said — into total oblivion. I have endeavoured to gather the few records and authentic traditions of him that remain, and such of them as I suppose are suited to your purpose I will proceed to embody in this communication. Ebenezer Kinnerslet was born in the city of Gloucester, England, on the 30th of November, 1711. His father, William Kinnersley, a worthy Baptist minister, migrated to America in 1714, when tliis son was three years of age, and settled in Lower Dublin, near Philadelphia, where he united with, and officiated as minister to, the Pennepek Baptist Church, — the first permanent Society of that faith in the Province of Pennsylvania. It was in this quiet retired country, on the banks of the beautiful l*enne- pek Creek, that young Kinnersley's early life was passed — there he pursued liis studies under the supervision of a pious father, whose counsels no doubt were instrumental in directing the attention of the young man to the higher concerns of religion ; for, on the Cth of September, 1735, about one year after his father's death, he was baptized and united with the Pennepek Church. In 1739, he married Sarah Duffield, and about the same time removed to the city of Philadelphia. The ability which he displayed, and his excellence as a speaker, led the church to call him to the ministry, and, after due trial, he was ordained in 1743; but, owing to delicate health, and other objects of interest tliat engaged his attention, he never became a Pastor. He was one of the few, in Philadelphia, who had doubts in regard to the character of the preaching which was intro- duced by Whitefield ; nor did he hesitate to enter a solemn protest against it, from the pulpit of the Baptist Church. This happened on the Gth of July, 1740, and the excitement produced by the sermon was so great that he was absolutely forbidden the privilege of communion. For some time, lie attended the Episcopal Church, but ere long the difficulty was settled, and, on the 5th of May, 1746, when the Philadelphia Baptist Church was organized as a distinct Society from that at Pennepek, IMr. Kinnersley formed one of the constituent members. He remained in coin- ituinion with this church as long as he lived. The year 1746 marked an epoch in his life; for his attention was then first directed to the wonderful and unknown properties of the Electric Fire, — as it was then termed ; and he was brought into close companion- .ship with Benjamin Franklin. He gave himself up to this department of science with so much zeal that his liealth failed, and he was compelled to make a voyage to the Bermudas, then a place of frcrjuent resort for 46 BAPTIST. invalids, carrying with him his electrical apparatus, to continue his experi- ments. About this time Mr. Kinnersley published a pamphlet entitled " A Letter to the Reverend the Ministers of the Baptist Congregations in Pennsylvania and the New Jerseys, containing some Remarks on their Answers to certain Queries, proposed to them at their Annual Association in Philadelphia, September 24, 174G." Upon Mr. Kinnersley's return to Philadelphia, in 1753, he was chosen Chief Master of the English School in connection with the College. Hav- ing served in this capacity two years, he was, on the 11th of July, 1755, unanimously chosen Professor of the English tongue and of Oratory in the College. And so successfully did he perform the duties of his Professor- ship that, in 1757, he was honoured by the Trustees with the degree of Master of Arts; and, in 1768, he was chosen a member of the American Philosophical Society, which was then composed of the most learned and scientific men in the city. Failing health, however, interfered with the prosecution of his duties, and, on the 17th of October, 1772, he tendered his resignation as Professor, and his connection with the College thereupon ceased. The following extract from the Minutes of the Board of Trustees, under date of February 2, 1773, shows the estimate they had of Professor Kinnersley's usefulness and ability: — " The College suffers greatly since Mr. Kinnersley left it, for want of a person to teach public speaking, so that the present classes have not those opportunities of learning to declaim and speak, which have been of so much use to their predecessors, and have contributed greatly to aid the credit of the Institution." After terminating his relation to the College, he made a visit of a few- months to the Island of Barbadoes ; and, on his return to America, with still enfeebled health, he retired to the country, and there, amid the scenes of his early youth, with the companionship of his faithful wife and sympa- thizing friends, he passed the few remaining years of his life. Mr. Kinnersley died on the 4th of July, 1778, in the sixty-ciglith year of his age, and was buried at the Lower Dublin (or Pennepek) Baptist Church. He left a widow and two children, — a daughter and a .son. The daughter, Esther, was born, November 30, 1740, was married to Joseph Shewell, a merchant of Philadelphia, and became the mother of three children. The son, William, was born October 20, 1743; was graduated at tlie College of Philadelphia in 17G1 ; studied Medicine, and settled in Northumjjerland County; and died (unmarried) in April, 1785, aged forty- two. Mrs. Sarah Kinnersley, the Professor's widow, died November 0, 1801, aged eighty-one years. Family tradition states that INIr. Kinnersley's personal appearance was dignified, and his manners of the old school; and Mr. Alexander Graydon, in his Memoirs, speaking of his attending the Academy at Philadelphia, says, — " I was, accordingly, introduced by my father to Professor Kinners- ley, the Teacher of English, and Professor of Oratory. He was an Anabaptist Clergyman, a large, venerable looking man." It is impossilde how to ascertain for how long a time, or to what extent, Mr. Kinncri^ley laboured as a minister of the Gospel, though it is known I EBENEZER KINNERSLEY. 47 that he rctaincil his connection with the Baptist Church till the close of life. It is certain, however, tliat he acquired his chief renown, not in the excrci'^c of his ministry, but in his scientific pursuits and discoveries; and, though your request does not contemplate any thin;^ like a history of what ho accomplished in this department, I cannot witlihold tlic opinion that, owing to various circumstances, posterity has done him hut very meagre justice. That he was intimately associated with Dr. Franklin in some of his most splendid discoveries, and that Franklin himself more than once gratefully acknowledged his aid ; that he attracted the attention of many of the most eminent philosophers of his day on both sides of the Atlantic ; that he delivered Lectures in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Newport, on the great subjects that were then engrossing the attention of the philosophical world, and that these Lectures excited great interest, especially among the more intelligent classes, is proved by evidence the most incontrovertible. The resixlts of a somewhat extended examination on this subject I have embodied in another form ; but it could not perhaps legitimately find a place in the " Annals of the American Pulpit." I cannot doubt that it is only justice to give this man a place — little as is now known of him — among the leading spirits of his time. Very sincerely yours, HORATIO GATES JONES. OLIVER HAET.^ 1746—1795. Oliver ITart was born of reputable parents, in Warminster, Bucks County, Pa., July 5, 1723. His mind seems to have been early directed to the subject of religion ; for he made a public profession of his faith at Southampton, Pa., and was received a member of the Church in that place, in 1741, when he was in his eighteenth year, having been previously bap- tized by the Picv. Jenkin Jones. He "was accustomed, at this time, ofteji to listen to the preaching of Whiteficld, the Tennents, and others of that school, by means of which he was not a little encouraged and quickened in his spiritual course. On the 20th of December,- 1746, he was licensed to preach by the church with which he first united; and, on the ISth of October, 1749, was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry. As there was, at that time, a loud call for ministers in the Southern Colonies, and the Baptist Church in Charleston, S. C, was vacant, Mr. Hart was induced, immediately after his ordination, to make a visit to that part of the country. He arrived in Charleston on the very day of the Funeral of Mr. Chanler,t Pastor of the church at Ashley Bivcr, who had • Morgnn Edwards' Materials towards a History of the Baptists in New Jersey.— Benedict'!* Hist. Bapt., II. t Isaac Chanler was born at Bristol, England, in 1701 ; came to Ashley River about 1 /.}.}; and continued the much esteemed Pastor of that church until be died, November 30, 1(4'J, lu 48 BAPTIST. supplied the cliurch at Cbarleston a part of the time, and who was the only ordained Baptist minister in that region. The Charleston Church had made repeated efforts to obtain a minister both from Europe and the Colonies at the North. Mr. Hart's arrival was, therefore, very gratefully welcomed ; and so well were the people satisfied with him and bis labours, that they proceeded forthwith to invite him to become their Pastor; and he was, accordingly, installed over them on the 16th of February, 1750. During the thirty years following, he continued in the faithful and vigo- rous discharge of his duty, passing through scenes of affliction with great calmness and dignity, uniformly exemplary in his life, and favoured with a large measure of public respect and usefulness. He was useful, not only as a minister, but as a citizen, and especially in connection with the events of the Revolution. In 1775, he was appointed, by the Council of Safety, which then exercised the Executive authority in South Carolina, to travel, in conjunction with the Hon. William 11. Drayton and the Ecv. William Tenncnt, into the interior of the State, to enlighten the people in regard to their political interests, and reconcile them to certain Congressional mea- sures of which they were disposed to complain. But, on the approach of the British fleet and army, to which Charleston was surrendered in 1780, he thought proper to leave the city, and seek a more Northern residence. Tlie Baptist church in Hopewell, N. J., being then vacant, sent him a pressing invitation to settle among them as their Pastor; and, he having accepted it, the pastoral relation was duly constituted on the 16th uf December of the same year. Mr. Hart continued the minister of Hopewell during the remainder of his life. For a few years immediately preceding his death, the infir- mities of age and the attacks of disease had made such inroads upon his constitution that he was obliged, in a great measure, to decline public service. In the last few montlis of his life, he raised large quantities of lilood, and suffered intense bodily distress ; but was uniformly sustained by the consolations and hopes of the Gospel. Just as he vras on the eve of his departure, he called upon all around him to help him praise the Lord for wliat He had done for his soul. Being told that he would soon join the company of saints and angels, he replied "Enough, Enough." He died on the 31st of December, 1795, in the seventy-third year of his age. Two Sermons were preached in reference to his death, one by Dr. Furman, of Charleston, the other by Dr. llogers, of Philadelphia. The following is a list of Mr. Hart's publications : — Dancing exploded. A Discoujisc occasioned by the Death of the llev. William Tenncnt, 1777. The Christian Temple. A Circular Letter on Christ's Mediatorial Cha- racter. America's Remembrancer. A Gospel Church portrayed. Mr. Hart was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Brees, l)y wliom he had ciglit cliildren. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1774, the forty-ninth year of his iigc. He was distinguished for both talents and piety. He was the autliorofa troatiso in small quarto, entitled ''The Doctrines of Glorious Grace unfolded, defended, and practically improveil." lie also published a treatise on Original Sin, and a Ser- mon on tlic J)ciith of the Kev. AViUiaui Tilly. WiLLiAiir Tilly, above mentioned, was a native of Salisbury, England; came early to this country; and was called to the ministry and orilained by the cliurch in Charleston. He lived on Edisto IxlanJ tintil his death, wiiich (HTurnil on tiie 14th of Ajiril, 1744, in the forty-sixth year of his a;^e. Mr. Clianler. in his Fum lal Scrniun, represents him as an able and faithful minister, who had honoured religion in his death as well as in his life. OLIVER HART. 49 was Ann Seal}', danglitor of Wiliiani Scaly, of Eutaw, and tlic widow of (.Jliarlcs (jrliiiball, of Charleston. \]y this marriage he had two children, — l>()th sons. The second Mrs. Hart died on the Island of Wadnialaw, in South (Carolina, on the 5th of October, 1813, in the seventy-third year of her age. The following is an extract from Dr. Furman's Sermon occasioned by Mr. Hart's death : — ■' In his licrson. lie was somewhat tail, well-i)ro{)()rtio;ied and of a graceful appcar- iiiice; of an active, vigorous caustitutiou, before it had been impaired by cU)se appli- cation to his studies and by his abundant labours. His counKMiancc was open and manly, his voiee clear, liarmonious and cumniandingj the jH^weis of his mind were strong and capacious, and enriched by a fund of useful knowledge j his taste was ele- gant a!ul refined. Tiiough he had not enjoyed the advantage of a collegiate education, nor indeed much assistance from any peisonal instructions, sucli was his application that, by private study, he obtained a considerable acquaintance with classical learning, ami explored the fields of science, so that, in the year ITtlO, the College of Rhode island, in honour to his literary merit, conferred on him the degree of Master in the Liberal Arts. ■■ But as a Christian and Divine his character was most conspicuous. No person who heard Ins pious experimental discourses, or his affectionate, fervent addresses to (iod in {)rayer, who beheld the zeal .and constancy he manifested in the public exer- cises of religion, or the disinterestedness, humility, benevolence, charity, devotion and oqu.aniiTiity of temper lie discovered on all occasions, in the private walks of life, could, for a moment, doubt of his being not only truly but eminently religious. He possessed, in a large measure, the moral and social virtues, and had a mind formed for friendship. In all his relative connections, as husband, father, brother, master, he acted with the greatest propriety, and was endeared to those who were connected with him in the tender ties. '• From a part of his diary now in my jiossossion, it appears that he took more than oi-diiiary pains to w.alk humbly and faithfully with God; to live under impressions of the love of Clirist; to walk in the light of the Divine inesence; and to improve all his lime and opportunities to the noblest purposes of religion and virtue. '• In his religious principles he was a lixed Calvinist, and a consistent, liberal Bap- tist. The doctrines o^ free efficacious grace were precious to him. Christ Jesus, and Him crucified, in the perfection of his righteousness, the merit of his death, the pre- valence of his intercession, and ellicacy of his grace, was tlie foundation of his hope, the source of his joy. and the delightful theme of his preaching. " His sermons were peculiarly serious, containing a happy assemblage of doctrinal and practical truths, set in an engaging light, and enforced with convincing argu- ments. For t!ie discussion of doctrinal truths he was more especially eminent, to which also he was prepared by an intimate acquaintance with the Sacred Scriptures, .ind an extensive reading of the most valuable, both of ancient and modern authors. His eloquence, at least in th.; middle stages of life, was not of tlie most popular kind. l>iit iierspicuous, manly and flowing, — such .as afforded pleasure to persons of true taste, and edification to the serious hearer. ' Witli the.se various qualifications for usefulness, he possessed an ardent desire to hv as useful as possible I\[any owned him as their father in the • lospel. Among these are two distinguished and useful ministers, who survive him, and shine as difTusive lights in the Church.* These were not only awakened under his preaching, but introduced, also, by him, into a course of study for the ministry. " The formation of a Society in this city to assist pious young men in obtaining edu- eation for the public services of the Church, .and which has been of use to sever.al, originated witli him; and he was a prime mover in that plan for the association of churclies, by which so many of our churches are very happily united at the present dav. To him, also, in conjunction with his beloved and amiable friends, now, I trust, with God, Rev. Francis Pelot and .Mr. David Williams, is that valu.able work of pub- lic utility, the System of Church Discipline, to be ascribed. His printed sermons have •"ontributed to the general interest of religion, and his extensive regular em-respond- ence has been the means of conveving rational pleasure and religion.'! improvement to many. "To all which maybe .added his usefulness as a citizen of America. Prompt in bis judgment, ardent in his love of liberty, and r.ation.ally jealous for the rights of hi-t country, he took an early and decided part in those measures wliich led our patriots to successful opposition against the encroachments of arbitrary power, and bronglit us to possess all the blessings of our happy independence. Yet he did not mix politics • One of these w.as the Rev. Dr. Stillman of Bostoo. Vol.. VI. 7 50 BAPTIST. with the Cospol, nor desert the duties of liis station to pursue tlicni; but, attending to each in its ju-oper jjhice, he gave weight to his political sentiments, by the propriety and uprightness of his conduct} and the influence of it was felt by many." GARDINER THURSTON.* 1748—1802. Gardiner Thurston, a son of Edward and Elizabeth Thurston, was born in Newport, R. I., November 14, 1721, He very early discovered a serious disposition, and being sent to pass some time with some relatives in the country, they were struck with the fact that he was not only attentive to his own private religious duties, but exhorted his youthful associates to remember their Creator, and to cultivate a sense of their dependance on Him. His friends noticed these early developments with much interest, regarding them as a sort of pledge that he was destined to a pious and useful life. After he returned to Newport, and had been for some time under the ministry of the llev. Daniel Wightman,! and his colleague, the Rev. Nicholas Eyres, t he addressed to them a letter, which is still preserved, expressing a deep sense of his own sinfulness, and unworthiness, and ina- bility to effect his own salvation, and an earnest desire that he might be enabled to rest wholly on the free grace of God, as revealed in the Gospel. Shortly after this letter was written, he supposed that he obtained peace and joy in believing ; but did not make a public profession of his failh till the 4th of April, 1741. When the day came in which he was to be examined as a candidate for Baptism, he was in a state of great spiritual dark- ness, and was much inclined to believe that his previous experience had been nothing better than delusion. When he came to the door of the meeting- house in which the church were assembled to attend to his examination, he was so much oppressed by a sense of his unworthiness, and the appre- hension that he had deceived himself, that he turned away, and walked into a burying ground, and sat down upon a rock ; and while there, the cloud that had hung over him was dissipated, and he rejoiced again in the confi- dence of the Divine favour. About sixty years afterwards, when walking in the same burying ground, he stopped, and putting his staff upon the rock, said, — '>There I sat down, overwhelmed with distress, while tlic churcli were waiting for mo to come in, to give them an account of tlie- dealings of God with my soul. Soon after I sat down, I was enabled tlirough rich • Mass. Uapl. Miss. JIag. I. — IScnedicfs Hist. Bapt. I. and II. f Danikl \Vir.aT.MAN was born in Narragausett, January 2, 1668, and was ordained in 1701, at which time lie took the joint care of llio Second Church in Newjjort, with the Kev. Mr. Clark, lie continued in this relation till his death, which occurred in 1760. lie was greatly respected and beloved. J Nicholas Eyrics was horn at a place called Chipnianslade, Wiltshire, England, August 22, KiOl ; caiue to New York about the year 1711 ; was baptized there three years after; and in September, 1724, wasordainetl to the I'astorship of the First (or (lold street) Eapfist Church, in that city. Iti October, 1731, he resigned his charge, and became Co-pastor with Mr. Wight- man of the Second Church in Newport, lie died on the I."th of February, 1759. The inscrip- tion on his monument represents him as a man of great intelligence, benevolence, and piety. GARDIXEIl THURSTON. 5X grace, to give up myself and all T liad into the hands of my blessed Jesiig, who immediately dispelled the darkness that covered me, removed my distress, filled me with peace and consolation, and gave me strength to declare what He had done for my soul." He was received by the church, and baptized by their Pastor, the Rev. Nicholas Eyres. He commenced very soon to take part in social religious exercises, and delivered himself with so much propriety and unction that his brethren began to think of him as adapted to occupy a wider field of Christian usefulness. The church, accordingly, licensed him to preach, in 1748, and requested that he would act as an assistant to their Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Eyres. With this request he complied, preaching once on the Lord's da}', and once on one of the secular days of the week ; at the same time prosecuting with great zeal the study of Theology, in which he enjoyed the assistance of his venerable friend and ministerial associate. Mr. Eyres having died suddenly in February, 1759, the church imme- diately invited Mr. Thurston to the sole pastoral charge. He accepted the invitation, and was, accordingly, constituted their Pastor, by the usual form, on the 29th of April following. Previous to this time, Mr. Thurs- ton had connected a worldly occupation with the duties of the ministry; but he now abandoned the former, with a view to devote himself entirely to the latter. Mr. Thurston continued regularly to discharge his official duties, until about three years previous to his death. From that time, his bodily infir- mities were so great that he did not attempt to preach, though he was still as zealously devoted to the interests of his flock as ever. After a gradual decline, which was marked by the most humble, quiet and trusting spirit, and a full confidence of entering into rest, he died on the 23d of May, 1802, in the eighty-first year of his age. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Stephen Gano, D. D., of Providence. The only member of his family that survived him was a daughter. His wife died io 1784. FROM THE REV. JOSHUA BRADLEY. St. Paul, Minn., 18th June, 1853. My dear Sir: I was settled as a colleague Avitli the Rev. Gardiner Thurston, in the pastoral charge of the Second Baptist Church in Newport, in the year 1801. He was then just about eighty years of age, and had been, for some time, obliged to desist from preaching, on account of bodily infirmity. His mind, however, was generally clear, his affections lively, and his interest in all that pertained to the great objects of the ministry was increased rather than diminished by the near prospect of his departure. He was able, also, till near the close of life, to attend public worship on the Sabbath, and to per- form some pastoral service in the way of visiting; and it is hardly needful to say that he did every thing in his power to promote the comfort and useful- ness of my own ministry. Mr. Thurston had enjoyed in his day a much more than common degree of popularity as a preacher. Though he had not received a collegiate education, he bad a great thirst for knowledge, and never lost any opportunity for acquiring it. lie M'as also the Pastor of the church in which he had been born and educated, and was, moreover, the successor of a man of more than ordinary talents and acquirements; and these circumstances, no doulit, were 52 BAPTIST. an additional incentive to his making the most of his opportunities for intel- lectual culture. I do not mean to intimate that he was a highly educated man; but he had so much general information, and so happy a talent at using it, that he would pass very respectably even in the more cultivated circles. Mr. Thurston had naturally a good constitution, and, during much the greater part of his life, vigorous health. With a discriminating mind he united a lively imagination and warm sensibilities. lie was a model in his domestic relations, always performing every dutj^ in his house promptly and gracefull}^ He was an attraction in every social circle; for, though he never forgot the dignity of his office, he knew how to unbend in the freedom of a well regulated intercourse. He was a popular man in the community — every one regarded him as a fine example of a tried Christian character, — of a venerable and unsullied old age. His preaching was eminently scriptural, and he never wished to go beyond "Thus saith the Lord," in establishing any doctrine that he advanced. He was accustomed to write the heads of his sermons, noting down also the proof texts, and then, by meditation, to render the whole train of thought familiar to him, so that, in the delivery, he had no occasion to refer to his manuscript; and generally, I believe, he had no notes })efore him. He had an excellent voice for the pulpit, and he used it to good purpose. While he was accustomed to make mature preparation for his public services, he evi- dently depended greatly on Divine aid; it was manifest that, while he spoke out of a warm heart and well furnished mind, he felt most deeply that his sufficiency was of God. Mr. Thurston always showed himself deeply concerned for the honour of the ministry; and he would never assist in introducing one to the sacred office, who he did not believe possessed the requisite qualifications. He was equally far from expecting any thing like a miraculous call on the one hand, and from dispensing with what he deemed suitable intellectual moral, and religious qualifications on the other; and thus his whole influence went to elevate and purify the ministry. He had a strong conviction that with the character of the Ministry is identified, in no small degree, the character of the Church, at any given period ; and that he could not labour more efficiently for the latter, than by directing a due share of his attention to the former. My venerable friend, though he died when the great modern movement towards the conversion of the world had only begun to be made, yet was most deeply interested in contemplating all those signs of the times, that were beginning then to awaken so much attention in Evangelical Christendom. Ifis heart was thoroughly baptized, even then, with the missionary spirit. He saw the things that we see, only through the medium of faith in the Divine testimony; but this was among the brightest visions of his old age. It was manifest to all who saw him that, to his latest hour, the commanding desire of his heart was that the reign of Christianity might be universal. Some eighteen months before his death, I called at his house, with several ministers and other Christian friends, all of whom were most deeply impressed with the spirituality of his conversation, and some of them, after leaving liini, remarked that they had never witnessed an instance in which the promises of Grod seemed to be so entirely and unconditionally relied on. A favourite U)])\c of conversation with him was the Christian's victory over death, through the mediation of the Lord Jesus; and, in connection with this, he was accustomed to dwell with great delight on the glorious realities of the future, and espe- cially on the reunion with Christian friends who had gone before him. I had the opportunity of visiting him frequently in his last days, and witnessing the triumphs of grace amidst the decays of nature. He talked to me upon his death-bed with a sw«ct serenity, and sometimes a glowing fervour, that GARDINER THURSTON. 53 made mc feel as if his eyes were alie:iily open upon Heaven. I sat by him when his spirit gently passed away; and, though he was unable to sjieak in his last moments, there was a serene smile upon his eountenanee that seemed like a response to the voice from Heaven, saying, '< Come u\) liitiicr." i''aithfuUy yours, JOSHUA BRADLEY. FROM THE REV. BENJAMIN H. PITMAN. Providence, Saratoga County, N. Y. Augu.st 17, 18-31. My dear Sir: 1 would gladly refer you, if I could, to some one whose recol- lections of Gardiner Thurston are more extended than my own; but the gene- ration to which he belonged has so nearly passed away that I scarcely know an individual, now living, who can be supposed to remember so much of him even as 1 do myself. Though I grew up by the side of him, and his form and countenance, in my early years, Avere very familiar to me, yet, as I belonged, at that time, to another communion, my personal knowledge of him was not very great; and yet 1 think I understood very well the general estimation in which he was held in the community. In addition to this, 1 have had access to some notices of liim that were written shortly after his deatli, which fully conlirm all my early impressions. From the period of my earliest recollection of Mr. Thurston, he was far advanced in years, venerable in appearance, and still more venerable in charac- ter, lie Avas a thin, spare man, 1 sliould think of about the medium height, and had an intelligent and expressive countenance. He wore an old-fashioned white wig, after the manner of most of the old ministers of that day. Con- sidering his age, he was unusually quick and graceful in his movements, and left the impression upon you that, in his earlier years, he must have been dis- tinguished for agility and personal attraction. Ilis manners were, in a very high degree, amiable and winning. He mingled with great ease and familiarity in the social circle, and had the faculty of making all around him feci perfectly at home; but he never did any tiling, or said any thing, or connived at any thing, that was of even questionable pro- priety. He never forgot, in any circumstances, his high calling as a minister of Christ; and, though he thought, with the wise man, that "every thing is beautiful in his time," and that " for every thing there is a season," yet his object always seemed to be to leave some really useful impression on the minds of those with whom he conversed. He was a person of a remarkably benevo- lent disposition, and was always rendered happy by seeing others so. He was undoubtedly a man of much more than ordinary powers of mind. I should suppose that his predominating faculty was judgment, though he was by no means deficient as a reasoner, and withal was considerably imaginative. But I think few men were his superiors in what is usually called common sense. He discerned intuitively what was fitting, at all times, and on all occasions. There was no tendency in his mind to extremes, — nothing of what, at this da}^ is called uUraism. Hence he had, in a remarkable degree, the respect and confi- dence of the whole community. His ojjinion was allowed to have great weight in every circle, and on almost every subject. As a Preacher he was at once instructive and persuasive. What impressed you most in his preaching w^as the simple earnestness and deep solemnity which breathed in both his matter and manner. No one who heard him could doubt, for a moment, that he was truly a man of God; that every word that he spake came from his inmost soul; and that he lost sight of every thing else in his preaching, in the one paramount desire to save the souls of those whom he addressed. 54 BAPTIST. He WHS a zealous friend to revivals of religion, and was privileged to witness more than one during his ministry. Among those in whose conversion and spiritual growth he was supposed to be instrumental, were several who became useful ministers of the Gospel. And there were some in whose minds the good seed was sown, through his instrumentality, but the harvest was not reaped till after he had gone to his rest. Mr. Thurston was remarkable for the interest he took in young ministers. Several letters which he addressed to one or more of them are still in existence, and they breathe the most intense desire for their spirituality, fidelity, and success. They show his high appreciation of ministerial obligation, and his unyielding purpose to know nothing, as a minister, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I am very truly yours, BENJAMIN H. PITMAN. ISAAC BACKUS * 1751—1806. Isaac Backus, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Tracy) Backus, was born at Norwich, Conn., January 9, 1724. His parents were respectable members of the Congregational Church. Plis father was a descendant from one of the earliest and most respectable settlers of Norwich, and his mother was of the Winslow family, that came to Plymouth in 1G20. Some of his relatives belonged to the denomination called Separates ; and his mother, when a widow, with some other of his family connections, was actually imprisoned for holding and promulgating offensive doctrines. It was in the midst of the groat excitement that prevailed in connection with the labours of Whitefield, in 1741, that he received his first permanent religious impressions. He united with the Congregational Church in his native town, though not with- out many misgivings, on account of what he deemed their unreasonable lax- ity, especially in regard to the admission of members. In the beginning of 1745, lie, with a number of others, withdrew from the church, and set up a meeting of their own on the Salibath, which of course drew upon tlieni the displeasure of the church, and ultimately led to their being suspended from the Communion. The separation proved a permanent one, and 3Ir. Backus and his associates became identified with the great religious move- ment of the time, which led to the formation of a large number of Separate or New Light churches. Soon after a Separate church was formed in Norwich, Mr. Backus was led to devote himself to the preaching of the Gospel. His first sermon was preached to the church of which lie was a member, on the 28th of Sep- tember, 174G, and was received with great favour. For fourteen months f(jllo\ving, he was engaged in preaching in various towns in Connecticut, llhode Island, and Massachusetts. In December, 1747, he commenced his labours in Middleborougli, (Titicut Precinct,) and on the 13th of April, * Benedict "s Hist. Bapt. II. — Prof. Ilovcy's Memoirs of the Life and Times of the Rev. Isaac Backus. — MS. from Zechariah Eddy, Esq. I ISAAC BACKUS. 55 1748, was ordalnoa as Tastor of tlie church in that place. This church had its oris^in in a disaj^rconicnt in respect to the settlement of a niiuistcr. The Society was formed in February, 1748, being composed of persons who wished for a clergyman of different religious views from the one who had actu- ally been settled over the parish to which they belonged ; and, as they could not obtain a dismission from the church by an ecclesiastical council, after waiting live years, they withdrew, without this sanction, and, in February, 1748, ^formed a church by themselves. This, however, was not the end of their troubles ; for they were still taxed for the support of public wor- ship, or for the building of a new meeting house, in the old parish. Mr. Backus himself was not only taxed, but seized and imprisoned, though he was soon released, without either paying the tax, or coming to any com- promise. , In 1749, the subject of Baptism was agitated in the church of which Mr. Backus was Pastor ; and several of its members became Baptists, and thus obtained an exemption from the Congregational tax. In August, 1751, Mr. Backus himself was baptized by immersion, by Elder Pierce of Warwick, II. I. For some time afterwards, he held communion with those who had not been thus baptized, but he adopted the principle of Strict Communion after a few years. On the 16th of January, 175G, the members of his church who had become Baptists, formed themselves into a distinct church, and he was installed its Pastor on the 23d of June fol- lowing, by ministers from Boston and Rehoboth. In this relation he con- tinued till the close of life. In the year 1772, Mr. Backus was chosen Agent for the Baptist Churches in Massachusetts, in place of Mr. Davis, who had been Pastor of the Second Church in Boston, but had left his charge on account of ill health. This agency, which was designed for the promotion of religious liberty, and especially to secure to the Baptists an exemption from the burdens imposed upon them by law, he executed with great ability, and not alto- gether without success. When the Continental Congress met at Philadelphia in 1774, Mr. Backus was sent as an Agent from the Baptist Churches of the Warren Associa- tion, to endeavour to enlist some influence in their favour. On his return, he found that a report had preceded him that he had been attempt- ing to break up the union of the Colonies ; whereupon, he addressed him- self to the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, on the 9th of December following, and was met in a manner that relieved him from all suspicion. When the Convention, in 1779, took into consideration the Constitution of the State, the subject of the extent of the civil power in connection with religion naturally came up, and, in the course of the discussion, some severe reflections were cast upon the Baptist memorial presented at Phila- delphia. Mr. Backus immediately appeared in the columns of the Chroni- cle, in his own defence, giving a full account of his proceedings as Baptist Agent, and urging reasons for opposing an article in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of Massachusetts. He strongly repudiated the idea that the civil authority had a right to interfere in matters purely religious ; and maintained vigorously and earnestly that all connection between Church and State should be dissolved. 56 BAPTIST. In 1789, Mr. Backus took a journey into Virginia, and North Carolina, which kept him from his peojjle about six months. During this time he preached an hundred and twenty-six sermons, and travelled by land and water more than three thousand miles. This journey was undertaken in consequence of a request from some of the Southern brethren, that they might have, teuiporarilj^ the aid of some one of the ministers of the War- ren Association, in the wide field of labour which then opened before them. He was honoured with the Degree of Master of Arts from Brown Uni- versity in 1797. For a few months previous to his death, Mr. Backus was laid by from his public labours, in consequence of a paralytic stroke, which deprived him of his speech and the use of his limbs. His reason, however, con- tinued till the last ; and, in his expiring moments, he exhibited the triumph of Christian faith. He died on the 20th of November, 1806, in the eighty-third year of his age, and the sixtieth of his ministry. On the 29th of November, 1749, he was married to Susannah Mason, of llehoboth, with whom he lived about fifty-one years. His own testi- mony was, that " she was the greatest earthly blessing which God ever gave him." They had nine children, all of whom became respectable members of society. The following is a list of Mr. Backus' publications : — A Discourse on the Internal Call to preach the Grospel, 1754. A Sermon on Galatians, iv., 31, 1756, A Sermon on Acts, xiii. 27, 1763. A Letter to Mr. Lord, 1764. A Sermon on Prayer, 1766. A Discourse on Faith, 1767. An Answer to Mr. Fish, 1768. A Sermon on his Mother's Death, 1769. A Second Euition of his Sermon on Gal. iv, 31, with an Answer to Mr. Frothingham, 1770. A Plea for Liberty of Conscience, 1770. Sover- eign Grace Vindicated, 1771. A Letter concerning Taxes to support Keligious Worship, 1771. A Sermon at the Ordination of Mr. Hunt, 1772. A Reply to Mr. Holly, 1772, A Beply to Mr. Fish, 1773. An Appeal to the Public, in Defence of Religious Liberty, 1773. A Letter on the Decrees, 1773. A History of the Baptists, Vol. I., 1777. Gov- ernment and Liberty described, 1778. A Discourse on Baptism, 1779. True Policy requires Equal Religious Liberty, 1779, An Appeal to the People of Massachusetts against Arbitrary Power, 1780, Truth is great and will prevail, 1781. The Doctrine of Universal Salvation examined and refuted, 1782, A Door opened for Christian Liberty, 1783, A His- tory of the Baptists, Vol. II., 1784. Godliness excludes Slavery, in Answer tg, John Cleavelaud, 1785, The Testimony of the two Witnesses, 1786, An Address to New England, 1787, An Answer to Remmele on the Atonement, 1787, An Essay on Discipline, 1787. An Answer to Wesley on Election and Perseverance, 1789, On the Support of Gospel Ministers, 1790, An Essay on the Kingdom of God, 1792, A History of the Baptists, Vol, III,, 1796, A Second Edition of his Sermon on the Death of his Mother ; to which was added a short account of his Wife, who died in 1800, Published in 1803, ISAAC BACKUS. 57 FROM THE HON. ZECIIARIAII EDDY. MiDDLEBOROuGH, Muss.. Mav 16, 1852. Dear Sir: T Aras well acquainted with the llev. Isaac Backus, and was con- temporary with him twenty-six years. Though we belonged to different denominations, being- myself a Congrcgationalist, I had a high esteem for his character, and consider it a privilege to do any thing I can to perpetuate his memory. All New England is indebted to Mr. Backus more, I think, than to any other man, for his researches in relation to our early ecclesiastical history. Mr. Bancroft boars the most honourable testimony to his fidelity, and considers his History, as to its facts, more to be depended on than any other of the early Histories of New England. And there is good reason why it should be so; for he sought the truth, like the old philosophers, who .said " it was in a well, and long and persevering labour only could bring it up." He went to the fountain head. All our early Records at Plymouth, Taunton, Boston, Essex, Providence, Newport, Hartford, New Haven, — the Records of Courts, Towns, Churches, Ecclesiastical Councils, were thoroughly searched, and he has fully and accurately presented the results of these researches, and brought to light and remembrance many important facts and events, which, probably, would never liave gone into our histor}^ but for him. His diligence, patience, and perseverance, in this department of labour, are above all praise. And what renders this the more remarkable is that it was done in the midst of domestic cares, pastoral duties, and, I might almost say, '<■ the care of all the churches." He Avas often called upon to preach at ordinations, and on other special occasions, and he wrote numerous tracts on the Order of the Churches, and in defence of True Liberty of Conscience. He was also an effi- cient representative of those who were seeking to enjoy this liberty, before Legislative Bodies and Civil Tribunals, Councils, and Associations. Let any man open his History, and observe the numerous extracts from documents contained in the depositories of towns and churches, in public offices, and printed books of authority, and bear in mind the extent and variety of his other engagements, and he will not doubt that he was one of the most indus- trious and useful men of his time. In his own daj', his labours were certainly appreciated. It is truly wonderful that, amidst the povert)^ and privations incident to the War of the Revolution, there could have been awakened interest enough to defray the expense of publishing large volumes of Historj^, at the high price which was then demanded for such works. The effect was a rapid increase of light and knowledge, and a rapid increase of churches and com- municants. Mr. Backus was called " Father," not only by his own people, who might well thus honour him, but by almost the entire community; and a Patriarch he was, not only by ecclesiastical powers, but as a Pastor and Divine, and in moral power and weight of well-earned and well-established character. In regard to ornament of style, and even the arrangement of his materials, it must be acknowledged that he was deficient; but this was well compen- sated by the authenticity of his facts, the accuracy of his statements, and his just, philosophical and forcible reasonings. His aim evidently was, not so much to produce a classical history, as to establish facts, and make proper deductions from them, which might furnish the future historian of our country with the means of forming a right estimate of the trials to which his brethren were subjected, as Avell as the views and conduct in which those trials originated. He is a true Congregationali.st in doctrine and discipline, except in re.«pect to Baptism and Communion; renders a cordial testimony in Vol. VI. 8 58 BAPTIST. favour of John Robinson; and vindicates the Plj^mouth Colony from all blame in the persecutions experienced by his denomination. He preserves his tem- per and candour, and vindicates the rights of conscience with great skill and power. lie gives several instances of veto power claimed by their Pastors, in which such claims were promptlj^ met and put down by the Churches and Courts of law. Mr. Backus was of a large, robust and muscular frame, made firm, proba- bly, by his early agricultural labours, and by his travels on horseback, the greater part of his life. His large face and head appeared more venerable by reason of his very large wig, an adornment of ministers in the times in which he lived. I have known him as a Preacher of the Gospel. His sermons were marked by strong good sense, and often striking thought, and were generally of a highly biblical character. Few men make so strong an impression upon their audience by personal appearance as he did. His venerable countenance, his large fentures, his imposing wig, in which he always appeared in the pulpit, his impressive gravity and deep toned voice, added to the weight of his senti- ments, gave hirn great power over an audience. It need not be disguised that Mr. Backus partook of the spirit of the Mathers and others, in taking a peculiar interest in what were called " Won- der-working Providences," and in admiration of striking coincidences and extraordinary appearances, bordering hard on the miraculous. Indeed, he himself related an assault of the adversary, in his experience, strongly resembling that which Luther relates as made upon himself, which he returned with his inkstand and all its contents. He was exhorting to con- stancy in prayer, and regular seasons of private devotion, notM'ithstanding all the wiles and opposition of Satan, and in that connection related the fol- lowing case of his own experience: — He retired to his closet at the usual season, and, as he made the attempt to pray, Satan presented himself in bodily form, and frowned upon him in grim opposition. He turned to another side of his closet, and the same forbidding form still frowned upon him. He turned to the third, and then to the fourth, side, and still he had to encounter the same horrible appearance; «< and then," he added, "I said to myself, I will pray, if I have to pray through you; and I did Y>ra,y through the devil." I attended a Baptist ordination when I was young, and, during the delivery of the sermon, he sat in the pulpit, — an object not merely of awe, but I may say of absolute terror. In the midst of the service, he groaned in such fear- ful tones as started me from my seat; and this groan, which was heard dis- tinctly through cverj' part of the house, was repeated three times in the course of the sermon. This, however, was more than sixty years ago, when such things were regarded in a very different light from what the_v would be now. Mr. Bjickus was full of "good works and alms deeds which he did," and <« his works do follow " him. I know not that any of the churches which he founded have become extinct. Certainly his own still lives. Notwithstand- ing his very stinted income, that prudence, industry, and economy? by which he was so much distinguished, and that have since characterized his children and grandchildren, enabled him to leave the family estate unincumbered. "With great respect, Z. EDDY. DANIEL MARSHALL. 59 DANIEL MARSHALL*. 1754—1784. Daniel Marshall was born of respectable and pious parents, in Windsor, Conn., in the year 170G. He was hopefully converted at the age of about twenty, and joined the Congregational church in his native place. Being naturally of an ardent temperament, he became a very zeal- ous Christian, and, before he had been long a member of tlie church, he was chuson one of its Deacons. This office ho held, discharging its duties with great lidelity, for about twenty years. During this time, he was in easy circumstances, and married and lost a wife, by whom he had one son. At the age of thirty-eight, he heard Whitefield preach, caught his glowing spirit, and fully believed, with many others, that the scenes which were then passing betokened the near approach of millenial glory. Not a small number, under the powerful influence of the moment, sold, or gave away, or abandoned, their earthly possessions, and, without purse or scrip, rushed up to the head of the Susquehanna, and settled in a place called Onnaquaggy, among the Mohawk Indians, with a view to their conversion to Christianity. Of this self-denying group was Mr. 3Iar&hall. It is not easy to conceive of greater sacrifices than he must have made, in taking his wife and three children from the bosom of civilized society, where they were surrounded with all the comforts of life, to live in a wilderness, in the midst of savages, and exposed to hardships and perils innumerable. Mr. Marshall addressed himself to his missionary labours, witli burning zeal, and not without considerable success. Several of the Indians gave evidence of receiving the Gospel in its power, while others were brought into a thoughtful and inquiring state of mind, which promised a favourable result. But, after residing there about eigliteen months, and just as he began to witness the fruits of his labours, the breaking out of war among the savage tribes obliged him to withdraw, and seek another field. He now removed to a place in Pennsylvania, called Conegocheague ; and, after a short residence there, took up his abode near Winchester, Va. Here he fell in with a Baptist church, belonging to tlie Philadelphia Association; and, being led to a particular examination of their faith and order, he became convinced that they were both scriptural, and, accordingly, both himself and his wife were shortly after baptized by immersion, and became members of this church. This occurred about the year 1754. Mr. Marshall, who had hitherto laboured only as a private teacher and exhorter, was now licensed to preach ; and his efforts, in tbis capacity, wore, from the beginning, instrumental of bringing many to serious reflec- tion. In his zeal to prosecute his ministry to the greatest advantage, he passed on from Virginia to a place called Hughwarry, in North Carolina, where large numbers were hopefully converted through his instrumentality. Encouraged by the success which attended his labours, as an itinerant preacher, he proceeded to Abbot's Creek, in the same State, where he • Memoir by ]>ia son, Rev. Ab>aham MarshalL— Taylor's Lives of Virg. Bapt. Min.— Campbell s Georg. Bapt. 60 BAPTIST. gathered a cliurcli, of which he was ordained Pastor, in the fifty-second year of his age, by his brothers-in-huv, the llev. Messrs. Hetiry Leadbetter and Shubael Stearns.* He seems, however, still to have performed much missionary labour, for it is stated that, "in one of his evangelical journeys into Virginia, he had the singular happiness to baptize Colonel Samuel Harriss, with whom he immediately afterwards made several tours, and preached and planted the Gospel in several places as far as James Ki'vcr." He resigned his charge at Abbot's Creek, after a few years, and, in the hope of increasing his usefulness, went still farther South, and settled on Beaver Creek, in South Carolina. Thence, after having accomplished an important work in gathering a large church, he removed to Horse Crock, about fifteen miles North of Augusta. Here also he laboured, for some time, with great success, and gave an impulse to several minds, which afterwards made themselves powerfully felt in the extension of the Gospel. From this place he occasionally made visits to the State of Georgia ; and, on one of these occasions, while engaged in the devotional service at a public meeting, he was seized by a civil officer for preaching in the parish of. St. Paul, and forced to give security for his appearance in Augusta, on the Monday following, to answer to the charge. The result of the trial was that he was ordered to come no more as a preacher into Georgia ; but he simply replied, in the spirit of the Apostle,—" Whether it be Hght to obey God or man, judge ye." He pursued his course, regardless of this judicial decision, and, on the 1st of January, 1771, removed with his family to Kiokee, Ga., where he spent the remainder of his life. The next spring a church was formed there, which has been distinguished for its efficiency in various respects, and especially for having sent forth several excellent ministers. The church, which was thus planted and cherislied through Mr. Marshall's in.strumeutality, enjoyed an increasing degree of prosperity, until the com- mencement of the War of the Ptevolution, which, everywhere, proved most adverse to the success of evangelical labours. But this excellent man still kept at his work, as far as possible ; and, in the midst of the most gloomy and appalling scenes, he was always on the alert to perform, up to the full measure of his ability, the duties of a Christian minister. As he was an open and earnest friend to the American cause, he was once made a prisoner and placed under a strong guard ; but, by permission of the year, was i.nlainud to the work of the ministry. Alter labouring for two or three year* in New England, he wont to the South, and i>reuohed for Kouie time, first, in tlie Counties (,f Berkeley and llamp.'hire, \ a., and then proceeded to (iuiiford County, N. C, where he made liis perma- nent settlement. He coniuienccd his labours here by building a house of worship, and consti- tuting a church of sixteen members; and here ho continued, preaching much in the surioundintr country, till the close of his life. He died on the 20th of November, 1771. IMor.'tn Edw-irds writes thus concerning him:—'- Mr. Stearns was a man of small stature, but of good natural parts, and sound Judgment. Of learning he had but a little share, yet was inelty well acquainted with books. His voice was mnsical and strong, which he managed in sueli a i-ianner AS, one while, to make soft impressions on the heart, and fetch tears from the eyes in a mechan- ical way. and anon to shake the very nerves, and throw the animal system into tumult" and perturbations. All the Separate Baptists copied after him in tones of voice and actions of body; and some few exceeded him. His character was indisputably good as a man, a Christian, and a preacher. In his eyes was something very penetrating— there seemed to be a meaning m every glance."' DANIEL MARSHALL. 01 officers, ho commcncctl praying and oxluirthig witli so nmcli earnestness that his enemies were soon more than willing to set liiui at liberty. Mr. Jlarshall's zeal in bis ]Mastor's cause kept him labouring after he was bowed by the infirmities of age, and almost up to the very day of his death. A few months before he died, rising in his pulpit, where he had so long instructed and exhorted his people with tearful solicitude, he said, — " I address you, my dear hearers, with a diffidence which arises from a failure of memory, and a general weakness of body and mind, common to my years ; but T recollect he that holds out to the end shall be saved, and am resolved to finish my course in the cause of God." Accordingly, he attended public worship regularly, through a somewhat lingering decline, until the last Sabbath but one previous to his death ; he attended family worship until the morning immediately preceding; and, in the near ap- proach of death, he expressed the utmost confidence that he was al)Out to come in possession of an eternal weight of glory. He died on the 2d of November, 1784, in the seventy-eighth year of hi? age. A Discourse was delivered on the occasion of his death by the Rev. Charles Bussey. The maiden name of Mr. Marshall's first wife I have not been able to ascertain. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1748, was Martha Stearns, sister of the Ilev. Shubael Stearns. The Georgia Analytical Repository, in referring to this lady, says, — " In fact it should not be con- cealed that his extraordinary success in the ministry is ascribable, in no small degree, to Mrs. Marshall's unwearied and zealous co-operation. Without the shadow of a usurped authority over the other sex, Mrs. Mar- shall, being a lady of good sense, singular piety, and surprising elocution, has, in countless instances, melted a whole concourse into tears, by her prayers and exhortations." By his second marriage, Mr. Marshall had nine children, — seven sons and two daughters. One of his sons. Abraham, was, for many years, a highly respected and useful Baptist minister. The prominent feature of Mr. Marshall's character, as developed in the history of his life, seems to have been a burning zeal for the salvation of his fellow-men. Without any extraordinary talents, or much intellectual culture, he made himself felt as an element of life and power in every community in which he mingled. It was manifest to all that love to Christ, and love to the souls of men, constituted his ruling passion ; and tliough he might do some things of questionalde prudence and propriety, his influence, on the whole, was felt to be at once salutary and power- ful. Notwithstanding all the sacrifices that he made for the cause of Christ, he always had enough for the comfortable support of himself and his family, and, at his death, left behind him an estate of considerable value. g2 BAPTIST. JOHN GANG * 1754—1804. John Gang was born at Hopewell, N. J., on the 22d of July, 1727. He was of Huguenot extraction. His great grandfather, Francis Gerneaux, escaped from the Island of Guernsey, during the bloody persecution that arose in consequence of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantz. One of his neighbours having been martyred, a faithful servant of his deceased friend informed him that he himself had been doomed to the same fate, and that he was to suffer that very night, at twelve o'clock. Being a gen- tleman of wealth, and having trustworthy and influential friends around him, he at once secured a vessel, and, having caused his family to be placed on board, he was himself conveyed in a hogshead, to the same retreat, and, before morning, the vessel was not to be seen from the har- bour. Mindful of the condition of other pei'sons, at other Protestant settlements, he so managed as to send his boat ashore at several of those places, and by this means his company of emigrants was much enlarged. They sailed for America, and arrived safely at New York; and, after obtaining lands at New Rochelle, they settled there, making that place their adopted home. Mr. Gerneaux died at the extraordinary age of one hundred and three years. Immediately after his abandonment of Guern- sey, his property was confiscated; and, when the fact was communicated to him. his reply was, — " I have been expelled from my birth place, and my property has been taken from my family for only one aggression, — a love for the Bible and its teachings. Let my name change with changing cir- cumstances :" — and it has ever since been known, as pronounced by the English, Gang. One of the sons of this religious refugee, named Stephen, was married to Ann Walton, by whom he had a large family of children. His son, Daniel, was married to Sarah Britton, of Staten Island; and these were the parents of the subject of this sketch. They were both eminently pious, and, from his earliest years, he was faithfully instructed in the great principles of religion. His maternal grandmother, who lived to the age of ninety-six, was, during almost her whole life, a devout member of a Baptist cliurcdi. His mother also was of the same communion ; but his father was a Presbyterian. His own predilections were originally for join- ing a Pj:esbyterian Church ; but, not being fully satisfied on the subject of Infant, Baptism, he determined to give it a thorough examination, and if turned out that the farther his inquiries extended, the more his doubt- increased. There is a tradition that he held a long conversation with on ■ of the Tennents on the subject, at the close of which the venerable Presby- terian minister said to him, — " Dear young man, if the devil cannot des- troy your soul, he will endeavour to destroy your comfort and usefulness ; and, therefore, do not be always doubting in this matter. If you cannot think as I do, think for yourself." Having become ultimately satisfied • Benedict's Hist. Bapt. I, II.— Collins' Hist, of Kentucky.— MS. from Henry Jack- son, D. D. JOHN GANO. 63 that the peculiar views of iho IJaplists are fully sustained by Scripture, and having obtained his father's cordial consent to his joining that denomi- nation, he was, in due time, baptized by immersion, and admitted to the Church in Hopewell, his native place. Up to this time, he seems to have been occupied upon a farm ; )jut he now began to entertain the idea of becoming a minister of the Gospel. It was not long before his purpose to do so was fixed ; and he had begun a course of study preparatory to it. With occasional interruptions, he con- tinued thus engaged for two or three years. Before he was licensed to preach, he took a journey into Virginia, in company with two prominent Baptist clergymen, who went thither, by request, to settle some difficulties which had arisen, in two infant churches. Previous to his return home, a report reached Hopewell that he had, prematurely, and without the usual formality of being approved by the church, commenced preaching in Vir- ginia. He was, accordingly, called to an account for what was deemed a disorderly procedure. He acknowledged that he had " sounded the Gospel to perishing souls in Virginia, whose importunities to hear it he could not resist," but he justified the seeming irregularity, in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case, which he did not think were likely to occur again. The church, after hearing his explanation, appointed a time for him to preach, and to be examined in respect to his qualifications ; and, the result having been entirely satisfactory to them, he was regularly set apart to the ministry. Soon after this, he became connected with the church at !Morristown, and so numerous were the demands made upon him for public labour, that his studies were not only greatly interrupted, but, for the time, in a great measure, relinquished. At the next meeting of the Philadelphia Association, there were present messengers from the South, who had come to procure, if possible, a min- ister of the Gospel to labour among them. As there was no ordained minister, who could conveniently undertake the mission, Mr. Gano was urged to engage in it. He pleaded his youth and inexperience; but the importunity of the messengers, joined to that of his own brethren, finally prevailed over his scruples ; and, having been ordained in May, 1754, he set out, shortly after, on his journey Southward. He travelled and preached extensively in the Southern Colonies, and went as far as Charles- ton, S. C. His account of the first sermon he preached in the pulpit of the Rev. Mr. Hart, of Charleston, is as follows : — " When I arose to speak, the sight of so hrilliant an audience, amonp; wlioni were twelve ministers, and oiii; of whom was !^[r. Wliitefiuld, for a moment hiought the fear of man vijiou nie ; hut, hlessfd be the Lord, I was soon relieved from this emharrass- inent; the tliought passed my mind, I had none to fear and objy but the Lord." On his return to the North, he visited an island, where he was informed there had never been but two sermons preached. The people soon assem- bled, and he preached to them from these words — " Behold the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be burdensome to you." Various incidents occurred, on this missionary tour, illustrative of Mr. Gano's shrewdness, firmness, and devotion to the honour of his Master. In 175(5, Mr. Gano was induced, by repeated solicitations, to make another missionary tour to the South, which occupied him about eight months. In many places, he had tlic pleasure to find the fruits of his 64 BAPTIST. lal)Ours iliiringliisformei' visits. Shortly after his return from this tour, he was iuvited, by an infant church, which he had been instrumental of plant- ing, in a place called the Jersey Settlement, in North Carolina, to remove thither, and become its Pastor. Messengers came to Morristown, a dis- tance of several hundred miles, to induce that church, if possible, to give him up. They, at first, utterly refused, but, subsequently, referred the matter to his own choice ; and he, in consideration of the great spiritual destitution that prevailed in the region to which he was called, felt con- strained to give an affirmative answer. He, accordingly, removed to North Carolina, and took charge of the church that had called him. His connection with this church continued about two years; during which time the number of communicants greatly increased, and he laboured extensively and successfully throughout that whole region. But, in con- sequence of the incursions of the Cherokee Indians, in the year 17G0, his labours were interrupted, and he found it necessary to leave the country. He, accordingly, returned with his family to New Jersey. About this time, the First Bnptist Church in the city of New York was organized by the Rev. Benjamin Miller,* of Scotch Plains, and the Church in Philadelphia had also just been rendered vacant by the death of the Rev. Jenkin Jones. Mr. Gano preached, for some time, alternately, at both cities ; but when the Church in New York was organized, (June 19, 1762,) he became its Pastor, and continued there nearly twenty-six years, excepting the time he was obliged to be absent on account of the war. During his ministry, the cliurch was eminently prospered, and received, by Baptism, about three liundred members. Mr. Gano was, for some time, a Chaplain in the War of the Revolution ; and, by his earnest prayers and patriotic counsels, did much to encourage his countrymen in their struggle for national freedom. On the return of Peace, he went back to his accustomed field of labour ; but, out of upwards of two hundred members, of which his church consisted at the time of its dispersion, he was able to collect at first but thirty-seven : his congrega- tion, however, rapidly increased, and a revival soon followed, in conse- <[uence of which, nearly forty young persons were added to the church, at one time. In this state of things, when every thing seemed auspicious of continued and increasing usefulness, Mr. Gano formed the purpose of removing to Kentucky, partly on account of being somewhat embarrassed in his worldly circumstances, and partly from a conviction that his usefulness would thereby be increased. His congregation offered to incre:i^i> his salary, and presented every inducement they could to detain him ; but his ])urpose had already been formed, and he could not consent to yield it. Accordingly, having disposed of his property, he left New York, and, on the 17th of June, 1787, reached Limestone, Ky., and, shortly after, repaired to Washington, where he remained for some time. In 1788. he •Benjamin Miller, a n.ativc of Scotch Plains, wasa wild and reckless youth, but was con- verted in consrf|iu'iiee of a sermon preached by Gilbert Tenncnt, who encouraged him to enter the ministry. lie was ordained in 1718, and continued Pastor of the cliurch in liis native place until 17S1, "when he died in his sixty-sixth year. His Funeral Sermon was preached by his friend, j\lr. (iano, who said concerning him, — " Never did I esteem a ministering brother so much as I did Mr. Miller, nor fool so sensibly a like bereavement, as that which I sustained by his death." JOHN GANG. (J5 became Pus-tor of the Town Fork Clmrch, in the neighbourhood of Lexing- ton, whicli was oonnectoJ with the Klkhorn Association. Mr. Cano, probably, never found the advantage he anticipated, in respect to either comfort or usefulness, from his removal to Kentucky. Still, however, he laboured there with quite encouraging success. In 1798, while he was still actively engaged in the duties of the ministry, he fell from a horse, and fractured his shoulder-blade, in consequence of which he was, for some time, deprived of tlio use of one of his arms. Before he had recovered from the effects of this casualty, he was suddenly seized in his bed with a paralytic shock, which rendered him almost speechless for nearly a year. Ho, however, sul)scquently recovered his speech, and the use of his limbs, so far as to be able to be carried out to meetings, and he preached frequently, especially during tlie great revival in the West, with remarkable power. He died in 1804, in the seventy-eiglith year of his age. At the close of 1754, or early in 1755, — shortly after his return from his second visit to the South, Mr. Gano was married to Sarah, daughter of John Stites, a highl}' respectable citizen of Elizabethtown, N. J. She was the sister of the wife of Dr. Manning, the first President of Ilhode Island College. They had a number of children, one of whom, — Stephen, the second son, became Pastor of a Baptist church in Providence. Not long after his removal to Kentucky, his wife was rendered a cripple hy a fall from a horse, and, shortly afterwards, was removed by death. In 1793, he made a visit to North Carolina, where he married, for his second wife, the widow of Capt. Thomas Bryant, and daughter of Colonel Jona- than Hunt, formerly of New Jersey, and one of his old neighbours and friends. She had been baptized by his son, Stephen, three years before, when the father and son visited North Carolina together. The second Mrs. Grano survived her husband. FROM THE HON. CHARLES S. TODD, AMBASSADOR FROM THE UNITED PTATKS TO RUSSIA, 8tC. SiiELBYViLLE, Kj'., Junc 9, 1857. Rev. and dear Sir: In reply to your request for some account of the charac- ter of the Rev. John Gano, I am oblifrod to saj^ that my impressions concern- injr him are very general, and are derived, not from personal intercourse with him, but from having often seen him in my boyhood, and lived in a community in which, for many years, he exercised his ministry. "Well do I remember the venerable and imposing appearance which ho used to make, as he walked the streets, and how every body respected him, both as a Christian gentleman, and •A Minister of the Gospel. But I feel so inadequate to do any thing like justice to his memory that, instead of attempting to embody any recollections and impressions of my own, I take the liberty to transcribe the following account of him, from the pen of the Rev. Dr. Furman, of Charleston, S. C, wlio had every opportunity of forming a correct judgment of his character and stand- ing:— " He was, in person, below the middle stature, and, when young, of a slen- der form; hut of a firm, vigorous constitution, well fitted for performing active services with ease, and for suffering labours and privations with constancy. In the more advanced stages of life, his body tended to corpulency; but not to such a degree as to burden or render liim inactive. His presence was manly, Vol. VI. 0 6g BAPTIST. open and (.'iigaging. Ilis voice strong and commanding, yet agreeable and capa I)le of all those inflections which are suited to express either the strong or tender emotions of an intelligent, feeling mind. In mental endowments and acquired a1)ilities he appeared highly respectable; with clear conception and penetrating discernment, he formed, readily, a correct judgment of men and things. His acquaintance with the learned languages and science did not com- mence till he arrived at manhood, and was obtained chiefly by private instruc- tion; but under the direction of a clerical gentleman, well qualified for the oflice. To the refinements of learning he did not aspire — his chief object was such a competent acquaintance with its principles as would enable him to apply them with advantage to purposes of general usefulness in religion, and to the most important interests of society; and to this he attained. " His mind was formed for social intercourse and for friendship. Such Avas his unaff'ected humility, candour, and good-will to men, that few, if any, have enjoyed more satisfaction in the company of their friends, or have, in return, aftbrded them, by their conversation, a higher degree of pleasure and moral improvement. "His passions were strong, and his sensibility could be easily excited; but so chastened and regulated were they by the meekness of wisdom, that ho preserved great composure of spirit, and command of his words and actions, even in times of trial and provocation, when many, who yet might justly rank with the wise and good, would be thrown into a state of perturbation, and hurried into extravagance. "As a minister of Christ, he shone like a star of the first magnitude in the American Churches, and moved in a widely extended field of action. For this office God had endowed him with a large portion of grace, and with excellent gifts. He believed, and therefore spak3. Having discerned the excellence of Gospel truths, and the importance of eternal realities, he felt their power on his own soul, and, accordingly, he inculcated and urged them on the minds of his hearers, with jiersuasive eloquence and force. He was not deficient in doc- trinal discussion, or what rhetoricians style the demonstrative character of a discourse; but he excelled in the pathetic, — in pungent, forcible addresses to the heart and conscience. The careless and irreverent were suddenly arrested, and stood awed before him; and the insensible were made to feel, Avhile he asserted and maintained the honour of his God, explained the meaning of the Divine law, — showing its purity and justice, — exj^osed the sinner's guilt, — proved him to be miserable, ruined and inexcusable, and called him to unfeigned, immediate repentance. But he was not less a son of consolation to the mourning sinner, who lamented his off"ences committed against God, — who felt the plague of a corrupt heart, and longed for salvation; nor did he fail to speak a word of direction, support, and comfort, in due season, to the tried, tempted believer. He knew how to publish the glad tidings of salvation in the Redeemer's name, for the consolation of all who believed in Him, or had di.scavered their need of his mediation and grace; and to him this was a delightful employment. Success attended his ministrations, and many owned him for their father in the Gospel. << The doctrines he embraced were those which are contained in the Baptist Confession of Faith, and are commonl}'' styled Calvinistic. But he was of a liberal mind, and esteemed pious men of every denomination. AVhile ho main- tained, with consistent firmness, the doctrines which he believed to be the truths of God, ho was modest in the judgment which he formed of his own opinion, and careful to avoid giving olTence, or grieving any good man who dif- fered from him in sentiment. Hence he was cordially esteemed and honoured by the wise and good of all denominations. JOHN GANG. 57 <; His attachment to his country, as a citizen, was unshaken, in tlic times which tried men's souls; and, as a Chaj)hiin in the army for a term of years, while excluded from his church and home, he rendered it essential service. Trcserving his moral dignity with the purity which becomes a Gospel minis- ter, he commanded respect from the officers; and, 1)y his condescension and kindness, won the affections of the soldiers, inspiring them, by his example, with his own courage and firmness, while toiling with them through military scenes of hardship and danger. " He lived to a good old age; served his generation according to the will of God; saw his posterity multiphung around him; his country independent, free and happy; the Church of Christ, for which he felt and laboured, advancing. And thus he closed his eyes in peace; his heart expanding with the sublime hope of immortalitj^ and heavenly bliss." That the above is a faithful estimate of the character of this venerable man, I cannot doubt. T am glad to have been even indirectly instrumental in assist- ing to embalm his memory. I am, very truly and devotedly, C. S. TODD. NOAH ALDEN. 1755—1797. FROM THE REY. ABIAL FISHER, D. D. "West Boylston, Mass., 18 March. 1859. My dear Sir: The Rev. Noah Alden, Pastor of the Church in Belling- ham, died fifteen A'ears before I began my ministry in that place ; but a son of his was, at that time, a Deacon of the church, and a daughter, — a very intelligent hidy, was a member; and there were living there many other persons who knew Mr. Alden well, and who verified all the statements I am about to make to you. NoAii Alden was a descendant, in the third generation, from the vene- rable John Alden, one of the first settlers of Plymouth. His mother was a lineal descendant from another of the first settlers, by the name of White. He was himself born at Middleborough, Mass., where his father was then settled, on the 30th of May, 1725, and was the youngest of thirteen children. His parents both died while he was yet in his boyhood. His father, possessing means, designed that this son should have a colle- giate education, and left property for the purpose: but it was very impro- perly diverted from its design, in consequence of which Noah was subjected, during his early years, to many deprivations and hardships. When he wa,s about sixteen, he experienced a radical change of character, that gave a new complexion to his life. He early had a desire to engage in the min- istry, but his poverty and some other circumstances seemed to forbiil his cntertiiining the idea. Before he was twenty, he was married and removed to Stafford, Conn., where he purchased a farm, and engaged in cultivating it. Both himself and his wife became members of the Congregational Church, and continued in that connection until the year 1753, when, from an examination of the subject of Baptism, to which he was brought by his gg BAPTIST. reflections on having one of his own children baptized, he was led to embrace the views of the Baptists, and united with that denomination. The question whether it was not his duty to preach the Gospel now pre- sented itself to him with still greater urgency than before ; and, though the difficulties had by no means diminished, he felt constrained to come to an affirmative decision. Accordingly, on the 5th of June, 1755, he was ordained at Stafford, and became the Pastor of the church in that place. But the support afforded him was so scanty, and his prospect of usefulness so small, that, after labouring with that people about ten years, he thought it his duty to leave them, and seek another settlement. Accordingly, on the 12th of November, 17G6, he was installed Pastor of the church in Bellingham, as successor to the Rev. Elnathan Wight.* His ministry here, at its commencement, met with considerable opposition ; but his friends were united in his support, and the Lord was with him. He dis- charged his duties with so much wisdom and kindness that the opposition gradually died away, and he gained not only the respect but affection of all. The church increased under his ministry, and beside occasional additions, there was a revival in 1781 and '82, by which his heart was greatly encouraged. When the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was formed, Mr. Aldeu was the delegate from Bellingham to the Convention called for that purpose ; and he occupied a conspicuous place in it. He was one of the most able and active friends of religious liberty found in that Body. Although he did not gain all that he desired, he nevertheles'^ gained much; and the friends of the cause for which he exerted himself Ho vigorously and efficiently, will always owe him a large debt of gratitude. He was also a member of the Convention to which was submitted the Constitution of the United States ; and here, as on all public occasions, acquitted himself with great credit. Mr. Alden was abundant in labours, not only among his own people, but in vacant congregations, and wherever his services were desired. He visited various Associations, attended many Councils, not only for the ordination of ministers, but for the adjustment of difficulties, and always showed himself wise, conscientious and efficient. He was one of four ministers who originally formed the Warren Association, in 1767. For several months before his death, he had become enfeebled by a partial shock of the palsy. He endured his sufferings with great composure •Elnathan Wight was born about the year 1715, at Medfield, Mass.; but, while he was very young, ms father removed to Hellingham, where he spent the rest of his life. About the year 1737, the First Baptist Church in Bellingham was formed, and he was one of the constituent members. At the age of about thirty, he came to the conclusion that it was his duty toprea(di the (jospcl ; and he, accordingly, spent about four years in preparing for it, chiefly under the instruc- tion of the Kev. John Graham, of Southbury, Conn. Though he was a Baptist, he was. through the influence of Mr. (iraham, licensed to preach, early in 1750, by a Congregatinnal Association. In May of that year, he received a call to the Pastorship of the Church in Kcl- lingham; and, having accepted it, he sought ordination from Congregational ministers, but they refused to comply with his request. He was ordained by a Council of Baptist miidsters nn the 14th of .January, 1755, and jireached his own Ordination .Sermon, which was printed. From this time lie continued to discharge his duties to great acceptance till the close of his life. He was suddenly cut olf, by dysentery, on the 0th of November, 1701, in tlie forty-sixth year of his age. He was, especially in the early part of his ministry, an Open Communion Baptist. He was naturally irascible, but had great self-coutrol. He was a diligent student, and generally wrote his sermons, and delivered them with his manuscript before him. He wns a man of eminently devout feelings, and his preaching was of a strongly evangelical type. NOAH ALDEN. 69 and patiLMice, and exorcised liubitually a jeyful confidence in tlie puwi rand grace of his Redeemer. lie hailed the approacli of death with a serene triumph, choosing rather to depart and be with Christ. He died on the ;")th of Ma}', 1707, aged nearly seventy-two ; and a large concourse of people attended his. funeral in te.stiniony of their affectionate respect for his mcinor}'. Mr. Alden was rather below the middle stature, and in early life spare, but in his latter years he became corpulent; and with this change of ])hysical habit there came a ])ainful dilhculty of breathing. His counte- nance was expressive of great mildness, benevolence, and dignit}', and his manners were in a high degree winning and agreeable. Children were his delight, and they were never happier than when they were the objects of his attentions, and caresses. In his own domestic relations he was a model. In all his intercourse with society he studied the things that make for peace, and was always on the alert to arrest or prevent discord. He was for many years one of our most distinguished and honoured ministers, and his name deserves to be held in grateful remembrance. Very truly yours, ABIAL FISHER. JOHN DAVIS. 1756—1809. FROM THE REV. GEORGE F. ADAMS. Baltimore, Md., March 24, 1859. My dear Sir: After the most diligent inquiry concerning the venerable man of whom you ask me to give you some account, I am constrained to say that I find the materials too few to enable me to comply with your request in a satisfactory manner. In the following brief sketch you have the substance of all that I have been able to gather concerning him. John Davis was born in Pennepek, Pa., on the 10th of September, 17-1. He was called to the ministry, and ordained at Montgomery in the same State, in 1756 ; and the same year he went to Maryland, and became the Pastor of Winter Run Church, in Harford County. He resided a considerable distance from this church, and, from the abundance of demand, and smallness of supply, of ministerial labour, the Pastor could only min- ister to the people at distant periods — probably seldom or never oftener than once a month. Nearer home, however, he preached more frequently. The consequence was that converts became more numerous near his resi- dence than at his more distant appointment. Harford finally became the seat of the church; and in 1774 a reorganization took place under that name. Though a Baptist Church had been constituted at Chestnut Ridge, under tlie ministry of the Rev. Henry Loveall,* as early as 1742, yet, •ITesry Lovhall was a native of Cambridge, England; migrated to America in cariy life; was baptized in Xew England in 172j, — probably at Newport, U. I., — for it appears by John Comers Journal that he was in that town in 1721), and had then begun to preach. He travel- 70 BAPTIST. under the iniuistrj of Mr. Davis, Harford was emphatically the mother Church of the Baptists in Maryland. His labours in the ministry extended not only through many parts of his own county, but to Balti- more City, and into Baltimore and Frederick Counties. He continued in the uninterrupted Pastorship of Harford Church till his death, which occurred in 1809, after a ministry of fifty-three years, and in the eighty- eighth year of his age. Mr. Davis is represented by those who knew him as a man of most untiring energy, as well as of great piety, enlightened evangelical views, fervent zeal, and consistent character. He travelled much, preaching Christ wherever he went. The woods, the school-room, the barn, the cabin, the parlour, equally with the meeting-house, were all to him places of worship and of labour for Christ's sake. Nor did he fail, as he had opportunity, to preach Christ, like Philip, to the solitai-y traveller, whom he might meet or overtake on the way. Thus labouring with primitive zeal, he was sometimes called to endure almost primitive persecution. The law indeed guaranteed protection to all denominations ; yet there were not wanting " certain lewd fellows of the baser sort " to resort to mea- sures corresponding with their character for the purpose of intimidating him, and, if possible, arresting the progress of the truth which he pro- claimed. It is said that even the magistrates lent their influence, on some occasions, to further the objects of those who sought to drive him from his fields of labour. Several churches, still in a flourishing condition, besides some congrega- tions that have, with the preacher, passed away, owe their origin, under the Divine blessing, to this indefatigable servant of the Lord. Among these we may reckon the First Baptist Church in Baltimore, the " Gun- powder " and " Patapsco " Churches, and probably those at Taney Town and Frederick City. During the ministry of Mr. Davis, Harford Church appears to have been the largest and most flourishing Baptist church in the State. For a few years, — from 1799 to 1803, — he had associated witli him in the Pastorship, the Rev. Absalom Butler ; and, under their joint labours, there was a continuous revival. The number of members was considerably jnore than doubled, notwithstanding the drafts that were made upon them for materials to constitute other churches around. Thus was verified the proverb, — " There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth." Though Mr, Davis has been among the dead for about half a century, it is gratifying to know that he still lives in the memory and aff"ections of many, who", during the latter portion of his life, enjoyed his acquaintance. None speak of him but in terms of respect, reverence, and aflfection. Very truly yours, G F. ADAMS. led into the Jerseys, carrying with him the recommendation of several ministers; but Le w:is soon charged with shamuFiil iinnioralily, and it was discovered that his real name was Desolate Baker, lie was oulained at I'iscataqiin, N. J., in 17.'!0; but the discovery of his true charac- ter |irevent(d hiui from officiating there. After occasioning nnicli trouble at Piscataqua, he went to Maryland in 1742, and became, as already stated, the minister of the Chestnut Kidge Church. Jn 1740, he went to Virginia, and formed the Mill Creek Church, from which he was shortly after excommunicated for his conduct. He then returntd to Clieslnut Ridge, where ho was living in 1772, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. SAMUEL STILLMAN. 71 SAMUEL STILLMAN, D. D * 1758—1807. Samuei, Stillmax was born in the city of Philadclpliia, February 27, (0. S.) 1737. His parents, who were worthy, respectable people, removed to Charleston, S. C, when he was eleven years old ; and there, under the direction of a Mr. Hind, a teacher of some celebrity, he received the rudi- ments of his education. At an early period, both his intellectual and moral developments were such as to give promise of the highest respectability and usefulness. He seems to have been, occasionally, the subject of religious impres- sions, in his early childhood ; but, for the most part, they proved inopera- tive and evanescent. After a few years, however, he became deeply impressed with Divine truth, under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Hart, an excellent Baptist clergyman, on whose ministry he was accustomed to attend ; and, at no distant period, he found relief from his convictions and struggles by practically availing himself, as he believed, of the gracious provisions of the Gospel. Shortly after this, he was baptized, and became a member of the church of which Mr. Hart was Pastor. Having completed his classical education, he gave a year to the study of Theology, under the direction of Mr. Hart; and was then formally recog- nised, by the church of which he was a member, as a Christian minister. He preached his first sermon on the 17th of February, 1758 ; was recom- mended as " an orderly and worthy minister of the Gospel," by the- Charleston Association, on the 13th of November following ; and, on the 26th of February, 1759, was ordained, in the city of Charleston, to the work of on Evangelist. His first settlement in the ministry, which occurred shortly after his ordination, was at James Island,— a beautiful place in the immediate neighbourhood of Charleston. On a visit which he made, about this time, to his native city, he formed a matrimonial connection with a Miss Morgan, daughter of a highly respectable merchant, and sister of Dr. John Morgan who Avas afterwards distinguished as a Surgeon in the Revolution, and as one of the first Professors in the Medical Institution at Philadelphia. She was the mother of fourteen children, only two of whom survived their father. During this visit which he made at Philadelphia, he was honoured with the degree of Master of Arts from the College in that city ; and, in 1761, the same degree was conferred upon him by Harvard University. From Philadelphia he returned to his charge on James Island ; but, after having remained with them only about eighteen months, he became the subject of a violent pulmonary attack, which rendered it necessary for him to seek another climate. Accordingly, he travelled with his family to the North, and fixed himself at Bordentown, N. J., where he continued for two years, supplying two difi"erent congregations. • Memoir prefixed to his Sermons.— Benedicfs Hist. Bapt. I & Il.-Wincheirs Hist. Disc- MS. from tbo Rev. Dr. John Pierce. 72 BAPTIST. At the close of this period, he was iuJuced to travel still farther North, and visit New England. His services in the pulpit were everywhere emi- nently acceptable and useful ; and, by request of the Second Baptist Church in Boston, he removed his family thither, and for one year officiated as an Assistant to the Rev. Mr. Bound.* The First Church, being, at that time, vacant, signified their desire to put his services in permanent requisi- tion ; and, having accepted a call to settle among them, he was installed in the pastoral office, on the 9th of January, 1765. The liberal spirit for which he was always remarkable, was strikingly exemplified in the fact that the Rev. Dr. Andrew Eliot, minister of a Congregational Church in Bos- ton, took part, by Mr. Stilhnan's request, in the solemnities of the instal- lation. As he knew by experience the value of a good education to a Christian minister, he was strongly desirous of increasing the advantages for intel- lectual culture to candidates for the ministry, especially in his own com- munion. With a view to this, he lent the most cordial and efficient aid to the interests of Brown University, an institution then in its infancy ; and his name appears, in the Act of Incorporation, 1764, in its first list of Trustees. The next year, he was elected one of its Fellows, and held the office till his death. In 1788, the College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. To the prosperity which it enjoyed, in the earlier periods of its history, it may safely be said that Dr. Htillman was one of the principal contributors. In almost every public effort that was made, whether to bless his neigh- bourhood, his country, or his race. Dr. Stillman was found more than v.'illing to co-operate ; and in turn he received, from the community in which he lived, various and strongly marked testimonies of respect and good-will. The Humane Society of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society, the Boston Dispensary, and the Boston Female Asylum, received, severally, his active and efficient patronage ; and of one of them he was honoured with the Presidency at the time of his death. His services were often required on public occasions ; and he rarely, if over, failed to meet the highest expectations. In 1788, he was elected a msmbcr for Boston of the Federal Convention, — the only instance in which he ever appeared on the arena of political life ; but he quickly showed himself at home in the new field, and distinguished himself alike by his wisdom and his eloquence. For a considerable time previous to his death, he had earnestly desired the settlement of a colleague, so that, at his decease, his beloved flock should not be left, even temporarily, as sheep without a sheplicrd. His congregation at length expressed their willingness to co-operate with him for the accomplislunent of this favourite object; and the lUv. Joseph Clay, from Georgia, had, with Dr. Stilhnan's hearty concurrence, received and accepted a call from the church. But, while he was on a visit to the * James Bound was a native of England, and, after his arrival in this country, became a member of the First Baptist Church in Uoston. Being dissatisfied, however, with the doctrinal views of the Pastor, the llev. Jlr. Condy, he, with six others, seceded, and formed the Second Church, of which i\Ir. Bound became Pastor. His ministry seems to have been an acceptable and useful one, as the church increased, during his incumbency, from seven to a hundred and twenty members. He died, from the eflfoct of a paralytic shock, in the j-ear 1765. SAMUEL STILLMAN. 73 South, preparing fur a removal to his new ficKl of lahour, Dr. .'^'lillman was suddenly called to his reward. Notwithstanding his constitution was not at all vigorous, and he had suflfered more than a common hharc of bodily debility through life, yet the interruptions of his labours were by no means frecjuont, and he outlived all his contcmiioraries in the ministry, in Boston and its vicinity. He had reached his threescore and ten ; and he felt that he was ready to put off his earthly house of this taberna- cle. It was only for two Sabbaths previous to his death that he was detained from the sanctuary and the pulpit. On the Wednesday succeed- ing the last Sabbath, he was suddenly attacked by paralysis, which termi- nated fatally within about twelve hours. He died on the Tith of March, 1807 ; and his Funeral was attended on the 17th, when the Kev. Dr. Baldwin, who had long been his neighbour and intimate friend, preached, to an immense and deeply affected assembly, an impressive Discourse on II. Timothy, iv. 7, 8. An appropriate hymn, written by the Rev. Dr. Har- ris, of Dorchester, with whom Dr. Stilhnan had been on terms of cordial friendship, was sung on the occasion. The Rev. Dr. Johu Pierce, of Brookline, who attended the Funeral, writes thus concerning it: — " I have a distinct recollection of the solemnity of the occasion. All the members of the Society appeared with badges of mourning : the women with black bonnets and handkerchiefs. If their Pastor had been removed in the bloom of youth, his people could not have been more deeply affected. The line in the Elegy — ' Though the voice tremble while we sing,' — was not mere poetry — it was a sad reality." The following is a list of Dr. Stillman's publications : — A Sermon on the Repeal of the Stamp Act, 1706. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Author's Mother, Mrs. Mary Stillman, who died in Charle-ton, S. C., 1768. Four Sermons; the first entitled "Mankind universally apt to trust in their own Righteousness." The second, " The Sinner's best Right- eousness proved to be essentially deficient." The third, "Imputed Right- eousness one of the Glories of the Gospel." The fourth, " Believei-s exhorted to continue in their obedience," 1769. A Sermon on the Char- acter of a Good Soldier ; delivered before the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company in Boston, 1770. Young People called upon to con- sider that for their Conduct here they must be accountable hereafter, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, 1771. Substance of a Sermon delivered at the Ordination of the Rev. Samuel Shepard, in Stratham, N. H., 1771. God's Compassion to the Miserable : a Sermon preached at the desire of Levi Ame«, who was executed for Burglary, 1773. The Character of a Foolish Son : a Sermon preached on the Lord's day after the execution of Levi Ames, 1773. A Sermon on the death of the Hon. Samuel AVard, Esq., Member of the Continental Congress from Rhode Island, and deliv- ered before that Body in Philadelphia, 1776. A Sermon delivered on the day of the General Election in Massachusetts, 1779. A Sermon on Char- ity, preached before the Most Ancient and Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, in Charlestown, 1785. A Speech delivered in the Convention of Massachusetts, on the New Constitution and the Necessity of Amendments thereto, (published in the American Museum, Philadel- VoL. VI. 10 74 BAPTIST. pliia,) 1788. An Oration delivered to the inhabitants of the town of Bos- ton, on tlie Fourth of July, 1789. Three Sermons on Apostolic Preaching, 1790. A Sermon preached in Providence, R. I., on the death of Nicholas Brown, Esq., 1791. Thoughts on the French Revolution : a Sermon deliv- ered on the day of the Annual Thanksgiving, 1794. A Good Minister of Jesus Christ : a Sermon preached in Boston at the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Stephen Smith Nelson, 1797. A Sermon delivered at Boston, on the day recommended by the President of the United States for a National Fast, 1799. A Sermon occasioned by the death of George Washington, late Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of America, 1799. A Sermon on the Opening of the New Baptist Meetiug-House in Charlestown, 1801. A Discourse delivered before the Members of the Boston Female Asylum, on the occasion of their First Anniversary, 1801. A Sermon preached at Charlestown, at the Instalment of the Rev. Thomas Waterman * to the Pastoral Care of the Baptist Church and Society in that town, 1802. A Sermon preached in Boston before the Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society, on the occasion of their First Anniversary, 1803. A Sermon preached in the Tabernacle, Salem, at the Ordination of the Rev. Lucius Bolles to the Pastoral Care of the Baptist Church and Society in that town, 1805. A Sermon preached at the Funeral of the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, D. D., of Haverhill, 1805. In 1808, an octavo volume of his Sermons was published, consisting of a selection from those printed in his life time, with the addition of eight which had not before appeared. FROM JAMES LORING, ESQ. Boston, October 24, 1847. Rev. and dear Sir : I promised you some account of my venerated and beloved Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Stillman; and I furnish it the more cheerfully, because the remembrance of him is associated with some of the most interest- ing scenes of my life. Though forty years have now passed since he finished his earthly course, I have a most distinct impression of what he was, and am * Thomas "Waterman was born in the city of London, where he received the rudiments of his education. He was subsequently, for some time, at the Dissenting College at Houierton. Ho was first settled as Pastor of an Independent Congregation in London, but, not long after, became a Baptist, and was baptized by the Itev. Lr. Hippon. He continued his relation to the Inde[)cndent Church after this change in his views; but, as he could not conscientiously baptize infants, it was not long before he resigned his charge. He came to the United States about 1802, bringing with hiui various introductory letters, and, among others, one from Dr. Rippon to Dr. Stillinan, which seems to liave been of great use to him. At tlio time of his arrival, the Baptist Church in Ciuirlcstown were looking out for a Pastor; and Mr. Waterman, having preached to-+lu'ni with great acceptance, received from them a unanimous call, which, shortly after, he acccjited. Jiut, though his prospects of usefulness in that relation were highly flat- tering, a dilheulty soon arose, in connection with his marriage, which proved the occasion of his leaving the church in loss than two years after his settlement. He preached but little for sev- eral months after this, but was called, in the mean time, to bury his wife. He now, for two or three years, supplied a Society, composed of Baptists and Pedobaptists, in the town of Bow, N. H. and during his residence there formed a second matrimonial connection. For tlie next two or three years, he preached in Topsham and the vicinity, in Maine. At length, by jiartic- ular request, he returned to Boston to take charge of the Addison Academy; and, while thus employed, was also engaged, almost constantly, as a supply in different churches in the neigh- bourhood. The Baptist church at AVoburn, being destitute of a Pastor, invited him to remove his school to that place, and supply their pulpit as far as he should be able. He accepted their invitation, and cnlrred with alacrity upon his doulde duties; but, finding his labours too ardu- ous he determined to reduce the number of his scholars, and devote more time to the interests of his flock. But just at this time his earthly career was terminated. He died suddenly, of apoplexy, on the 2;;d of March, 181-i. He was an amiable man, an accomplished teacher, and an eloquent preacher. SAMUEL STILLMAN. 75 quite uilling to leave on record some of my recollections of him Tn- the hencfit of those who may come after me. As a popular preacher, I greatly doubt whetlier there was liis superior in New England; certainly no other clergyman of his day was so much sought after by distinguished strangers who visited Boston. Among his admirers were the elder President Adams, General Knox, and Governor Hancock, the latter of whom, in the decline of life, was, for a season, a member of his congregntimi. His doctrine was highly evangelical; and sometimes his rebukes of the general inattention to religion were most pointed and scathing. 1 remember, on one occasion, a distinguished stranger went to hear him preach, when he so strikingly exhibited the depths of depravity in the human heart, that the gentleman, on retiring, remarked to his friend that the Doctor had really made them all out a set of scoundrels, but had done it so gracefully and eloquently that he did not feel disposed to complain. It was his custom, in his tirst prayer, to remember, with special earnest- ness and tenderness, the sea-faring portion of the community ; and I recol- lect an instance in which a sailor, happening to be in his church, was so much impressed by this part of tlie .service, that he resolved to hear no other preacher while he remained in the city. A considerable part of the gallery of his meeting-house was occasionally occupied by this class; and they were often so much impressed by the truths which he delivered, as well as by the pathos and power of his manner, that many of them would involuntarily rise up in admiration. His discourses were frequently characterized by sudden l)ursts of impassioned eloquence, which seemed entirely unpremeditated, and which q.iite overwhelmed his audience. His manner was always most afi'ec- tionate, and found its way directly to the hearts of his hearers. In the intercourse of private life, he was eminently agreeable and useful; and his religious visits amoisg the serious of all denominations were most highly appreciated. He was frequently requested to minister at th.e sick beds of persons, not of his own congregation, or even his own communion, who were anxious to be counselled in reference to their eternal interests; as there was no clergyman to whom they could so freely impart both their anxieties and their hopes. To the dying sinner, who had no hope, he was accustomed, with great earnestness, to exhibit the freeness and fulness of the Gospel, assuring him that all that he had to do was to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. To the dying Christian he presented the sweetest consolations of Christianity, and seemed like an angel of mercy sent to open the portals of hcavenh' bliss. He was habitually cheerful in his temper, and always ready to testify his kind regard to those with whom he associated. Towards those who regarded themselves as his inferiors he was, in the best sense, condescending, and endeavoured, as far as possible, to relieve them from all feelings of embar- rassment. An instance of his condescension occurred in a walk with one of his friends, which has sometimes been erroneously attributed to another indi- vidual. A coloured man, whom they met, ver}- politely took off his hat, and bowed to the Doctor, who instantly reciprocated the civility. Ilis friend, unused to such demonstrations, could not help asking why he took off his hat to that black man. " Why," replied Dr. Stillman, << the man made his o])eisance to me, and I .should be loth to have it said that I had less manners than a negro." There was in his constitution a remarkable blending of moral greatness with all the more gentle and retiring of the Christian virtues. It was not uncommon for Dr. Stillman, in his preaching, to mtroduce, by •way of illustration, some impressive anecdote; and it was always done with such grace and appropriateness as to produce a great effect upon the hearers. Scarcely a year, in the course of his ministry, elapsed, in which he did not 76 BAPTIST. relate tlic story of Addison's death; and, even after his audience had become familiar with it, the}' were never weary of hearing it repeated. The story to which I refer, j-ou doubtless remember. Addison, while dying, was informed that a beloved nephew was in the house, and was desirous of seeing him. " Let him come to my bedside," was the reply. He did so, and the venerable man held out his hand, as the youth approached him, and said, " Sec, my young friend, Avith what peace a Christian can die." I have known few men who were more remarkable than Dr. Stillman for Christian fortitude and submission in the hour of trouble. In the compass of two weeks, he was called to bury two of his children, who had reached their maturity. It was indeed an overwhelming stroke; but still he Avas enabled to endure the affliction quietly, even cheerfully. Well do I remember how the spirit of humble submission, of joj^ful contidcnce in God, came out in his ministrations, the first time he appeared before his people after his be- reavement. Ilis sermon was founded upon that triumphant declaration of Paul, — '< For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed iu us." His contrast of the aliiictious of this world and the blessedness of Heaven Avas striking beyond measure; and not onlj' Avhat he said, but the manner in which he said it, sho\\'ed that his faith in the promises Avas stronger even than parental sensi- bility, and that he knew what it Avas to rejoice in tribulation. Dr. Stillman Avas indefatigably devoted to the duties of the ministerial office, and in the faithful discharge of them fovmd his highest pleasure. He almost uniformly declined invitations to public festiA-als, Avhere toasting and the merriment of song were the accompaniments. He also frequentl}'' refused invitations to large dinner parties, the object of Avhich was political discussion, rather than intellectual or moral improvement. But, whatever might be the character of the circle into which he Avas thrown, his behaviour Avas alwaj's characterized bj' the utmost discretion and dignity; and, though he could enter, Avith even a keen relish, into the cnjoj^ments of social life, he never for a moment forgot the decorum that belongs to the character of the Christian, and the vocation of the Christian Minister. His ministry Avas eminently a successful one. SeA'eral reviA'als of religion, of great interest, attended his faithful labours; and, on these occasions espe- cially, he shoAved himself a Avorkman that needeth not to be ashamed. The years most signalized for the displays of Divine grace in his congregation Avere 1804 and 1805. Indeed, so extensive was the religious feeling Avhich then prevailed here, that it Avas thought expedient to establish a lecture, which Avas kept up, for a considerable time, on every Lord's daj"" evening. The meetings, on these occasions, Avere intensely solemn, and so crowded that even the aisles of the house Avere entirely filled: they Avere held alternately at the meeting-houses of the First and Second Churches, — the two ministers officiating alternately. So deeply Avere the multitude impressed Avith the great realities of religion, that one sermon at a time seemed quite insufficient to meet their demands; and, as there Avere generally tAi'O or three ministers in the pulpit, it Avas not uncommon for the people to remain sitting ai'ler the sermon, till they had heard, from one of the other preachers, at least a brief address. A happy union of effort per\'aded the tAvo Societies, during the continuance of the revival; and the two Pastors especially, — Dr. Stillman and Dr. BaklAvin, AVere united in the most cordial and efficient co-operation. Dr. Eckley, of the Old South Church, also, occasionall}- favoured us with a sermon at this season, and rendered his cheerful testimonj' to the genuineness of the work. It Avas the custom, during this extensive revival, to receiAe inquirers on the subject of religion at the house of the minister, for the purpose of private conversation. Each individual could thus freely make known his ^-►T SAMUEL STILLMAN. 77 feelings, and solicit and receive the apjiropriate advice. I have often heen a witness to the kindness and freedom with which my venerated Pastor would, on these occasions, conmuinicatc the most pertinent and excellent instruction, symi)athizing with the burdened and distressed conscience on the one hand, and rejoicing with those who gave evidence of faith in the Kedeemer on the other. 1 remember once to liave been in his study when several, who were candidates for admission to the church, had expressed their faith and hope in Christ with unwonted freedom and cheerfulness; and so deeply was the good man affected, by their expressions, that lie looked round most allectionately upon the little group, and, with a smile of delight, exclaimed, — " AVhat a wonderfully strange thing religion is! How happy it makes us!" To one who said, — " Sir, I -was walking in the street, in happy meditation, and my mind was so delightfully elevated that Heaven appeared to be but a little way ott'," he replied, '^ Ah, Heaven is not far off, when we feel right." Dr. .Slillman lived but about one year after this revival; and he seems, from this time, to have been impressed with the idea that his ministry was nearly at a close. The last sermon he preached, was from Luke, xxiv. 50, 51, on the Saviour's Ascension. A few hours previous to his death. Dr. Bald- win, who, for sixteen years, had been privileged to enjoy his society and counsel, called upon him, and expressed his deep regret at the prospect of l):irting. Dv. Stillman, who had not entirely lost the power of speech, articulated, in reply, these impressive words: — "God's government is infi- nitely perfect." In death, as well as in life, he evinced the living power, the sublimity, and greatness, of Christian faith. 1 am, my dear Sir, faithfully yours, JAMES LORING. FROM THE KEY. WILLIAM JENKS, D. D. Boston, February 19, 1859. Rev. and dear Sir: I have recently read again the « Biographical Sketch' of the late Reverend Dr. Stillman, prefixed to the volume of his Sermons, pub- lished soon after his decease, and that with greart satisfaction and approba- tion. 1 think that I could not, desire the alteration of a single sentence. It expresses mj' own views of his character, in all respects, and of the impress- ion it made on the public mind, as well as on the members of the church under his care, and the religious denomination with which he was immediately i-onnected. This being the case, I almost despair of adding to the documents you already possess any thing of essential consequence. But such is the reve- rence with which my recollections of him arc associated, and such my feel- ings of gratitude for the benefits which, as I trust, I derived from his ministry and friendly kindness, that it seems a privilege of which I ought to avail myself, to recall and record his .sainted memory. There was, indeed, in Dr. Stillman, a happy union of the gentleman, the .scholar, and the devoted Christian Minister, calculated to obtain and secure, in any well-principled community'-, both esteem and love. I never heard an individual speak ill of him. And, although a wo be denounced against sucli, be appears to have escaped. Nevertheless, he ■was no time-server, but as fearless as he was affectionate, and as discreet as he was faithful. All believed him to be sincere, and he v.'as seen to be earnest, eloquent and jirayerful. The type of Dr. Stillman's piety appeared to me very mucli like that of Hervey, Watts, Doddridge, and our lamented Payson. It was warm, deep, heartfelt, all-pervading, but scriptural, manly, reasonable. In one of his 78 BAPTIST. manuscript volumes he recorded the religious exercises of several of his child- ren, in whose deaths he was greatly afflicted, yet admirably sustained. I have just been reading these narratives, and find them as scrupulous as becomes a faithful Christian Pastor, while they exhibit all the tenderness of a loving parent. In fact, he came near the standard of his Divine Master, who Avept over Jerusalem, and at the grave of Lazarus, while yet he could say, ' The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I Kot drink it ?' My dear and honoured father was a member, when he removed to Boston, of the Congregational church under the care of the Eev. Mr. Greenough, of Newton. As such he was recommended to Brattle Street Church, then under the Rev. Dr. Thacher. But, living near Dr. Stillman, and becoming attached to him, and also having married for his second wife a member of Mr. Graf- ton's (Baptist) church, he arranged with Dr. Thacher to be a communicant at Brattle Street, but otherwise an attendant on the preaching of Dr. Still- man. This brought me under his instructions. During this time, when about eight years old, perhaps, I was seized, abroad, with a fit, and carried home senseless. My father, greatly alarmed, called in successively two of our most eminent physicians, but in vain. He then sent for his friend Dr. Stillman, who came at once, and pouring out his affectionate heart in prayer for the child, he awoke and recovered. Turning to my father, the Doctor remarked, with moistened ej-es, — 'I never saw so immediate an answer in my life.' You will judge, my dear Sir, if this cir- cumstance, of which I did not hear the particulars until thirty years after, from a brother who Avas present, would not endear to me Dr. Stillman's memory. I was called in the family ' the little minister,' and my brother told me the Doctor prayed for my future usefulness. And who but God can tell the connection of his prayer with my own subsequent life .' Dr. Stillman was by no means an indifferent and silent spectator of public affairs. Ilis religious denomination had, from the beginning, been too much concerned in them for this. Hence he preached, in 1766, on the Repeal of the Stamp Act; in 1770, before the Honourable Artillery Company; at the General Election, in 1779; delivered an Oration on the 4th of July, 1789; preached, in 1794, on the then recent Revolution in France, from which, as an ardent philanthropist, he had hoped much for the cause of human free- dom, civil and religious; and, on other public occasions, besides officiating, occasionally, as a Chaplain of the General Court. Yet was he not what would be called a political partisan, but claimed, nevertheless, and never surrendered, the rights of an American citizen, — observing, as I have myself heard him, that ' the complaint against ministers was, not that they preached at times on politics, but that they did not preach the right politics,'— namelv, the complainant's own. With respect to liberal feelings towards good men of other denominations, the Biographical Sketch already referred to has done but justice to Dr. Still- man in saying that 'though, lYom education and from principle, a Baptist himself, he never believed that the peculiarities of any sect ought to form a separating line, or hinder the union of good men for the advancement of the common cause of the Redeemer. With many such he long lived in habits of undissembled friendship.' — These representations are corroborated by a charge Avhich the Doctor himself gave to the church in Salem, over which he aided in placing the late Rev. Dr. Bolles. To them he said, « Entertain a liberal mind towards your fellow Christians, who differ from you in some things. Wise and good men do not yet see eye to eye. While you enjoy your own privileges, leave others to the enjoyment of theirs, and fiill not out by SAMUEL STILLMAN. 79 tlie way. Tliis mutual candour becomes disciples of the same Divine Master, and is not incompatible with fidclit}' to your own principles and practices.' In his por.son, Dr. Stillman Avas slender, and very small of size, agile in movement and erect in bearing, in address polite, combining dignity Avith condescending kindness, so as to maintain rank with the most eminent, lliough allable with tlie meanest, and scrupulously neat in his dress; wear- ing, as in his painted and engraved portrait, a Avig, as was in his day com- mon, and a gown, with bands. And now, dear Sir, commending 3'^ou anew to the guidance and support of our Heavenly Father, and your labours to his blessing, I remain, Yours aflectionatcly, and iu the best bonds, WILLIAM JENKS. SAMUEL HARRISS.=^ 1759—1795. Samuel Harriss avus born January 12, 1724, in the County of Hano- ver, Va., but settled in early life in the County of Pittsyh^ania. Before Ills conversion, he had a highly respectable position in society, and held the offices of Church- Warden, Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, Burgess for the County, Colonel of the Militia, Captain of the Mayo Fort, and Commissary for the Fort and Army. It Avas not till he had reached his thirty-fourth year that liis thoughts Avere directed permanently in a serious channel. The Baptists were, at this time, holding frequent meetings in the neighbourhood in Avhich he lived, and Avere exciting much attention by the simplicity and earnestness Avith Avhich they presented Divine truth ; and, in his perplexity and distress of mind, he resolved to be present at some of their meetings. It is related of him that, on one occasion, when Joseph and William Murphy, two well known Baptist preachers of that day, were to preach in a particular place, and the people were collecting for the service, Colonel Ilarriss rode up in full military dress, and said — " What is to bo done here, Gentlemen?" "Preaching, Colonel." "Who is to preach?" "The ]\Iurphy boys, Sir."t " I believe I will stop and hear them." lie accordingly did stop, and seated himself behind a loom in a corner of the room. The truth to Avhich he listened on that occasion deepl}' affected his mind, and, not long * Seraplcs' Va. Bapt. — BcneJicfs Hist. Bapt., IT. t William Mcuphv w.ns awakened, and liopcfiilly converted, under the ministry of the Ucv. Shubael .Stearns, and was also baptized by hiin. Ho began to jireach not long after bis conversion, and Dcsupied a somewhat conspicuous place in the ministry. The field of bis labours was chiefly in the South AVestern parts of Virginia, though it extmded also into tlie ."^tate of North Carolina. About 1775, he took part in a controversy on tlie Extent of the Atonement, though he was more distinguished as an earnest and effective preacher than an able polemic. He died in one of the AVeslern States. .Joseph Mur.PHV was a brother of William, and, like him, was baptized by Elder Stearns. After labouring successfully many years in Virginia, he removed to Xortti Carolina, and became Pastor of a Church on Deep Cretk, in tlie County of Surry. He is said to have been the most ilistinguished minister of the Yadkin Association. His influence extended also very considerably to South Carolina. In UiiS, he assisted in forming the Coiigi-.ree Church, which has since been distinguished for its piety and efficiency. In IHVlJ, he was living, at the age of more than eighty years. 80 BAPTIST. after tliis, he found joy auJ peace iu Ijelieving, and, in 1758, juined the Baptist dououiinatiou, being baptized by Elder Daniel Marshall. From the time of his conversion, it was evident that, if his life were spared, he was destined to do much in aid of the cause of evangelical reli- gion in Virginia. The year after he became connected with the church, he commenced his ministerial course. For seven or eight years, he laboured chiefly in Spottsylvania and the neighbouring counties ; and it is somewhat remarkable that, during this time, he had not been authorized by the cliurch of which he was a member to administer the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. In 17C9, he was ordained and began to administer the ordinances. The first person he baptized was Mr. James Ireland,* who himself afterwards became distinguished in the Baptist ministry of Virginia. Mr. Ireland thus refers to this circumstance : — " He was a great favourite of the min- isters in Virginia, and they had planned it among them that I should be the first person he baptized. He was considered a great man in the things of time and sense, but he shone more conspicuously as a luminary of the Church. He was like another Paul among the Churches. No man was like-minded with him. As the sun in his strength, he passed through the .State, displaying the glory of his adorable Master, and spreading his light and heat to the consolation of thousands." The Rev. John Leland who then lived in Virginia, writes thus : — " I attended a meeting of the General Committee at Buckingham j after whicli, I travelled Soutliward to Pittsylvania, to visit that great man of God, Rev. Samuel Ilai- riss. I hail met Mr. llairiss before on the banks of James River, and accompanied him at his meetings through Goochland, Fluvanna, and Louisa, to Orange. At a meeting in Goochland, after ])reachiiig was over, Mr. liarriss went into tiie yard, and sat down in the sliade, while the i)."oi)le were weeping in the meeting-house, and telling what God had done for tiiem, in order to be baptized. A gentlewoman addressed Mr. liarriss as Ibllows: — 'Mr Jlarri.ss, what do you think all this weei>ing is for? Are not all those tears like the tears of a croeodile? I believe I could cry as w-ell as any of them, if 1 chose to act the hypocrite.' On this address, Mr. Harriss drew a dollar out oi' his pocket, and replied. — ' Gi>od woman, 1 will give you this dollar I'or a tear. • J A Mrs lui'LANn was born in the city of Edinburgh, in tbo year 1748. His father designed Iu give liirn a liberal education, and he made some proliciency in the Latin language; but he bad little relish for .staJy, and withal e\in(;cd a somewhat romantic temper, which led his father to try the e.xperiment of sending him to sea. After making several voyages to the Northern seas, he was guilty of some iuiliscretiou. in consequence of which he left his father s house, and came to America. On his arrival in this country, he took charge of a school in the Northern part of Virginia. lie was, at this period, utterly regardless of religion, and devoted to every species of frivolity, and did not scruple, in certain circles, to profane the name of (Jod. His conversion was brought about by a remarkable instrumentality. Ey request of a young man who had sought to make himself useful to him, he undertook to write a composition on " the natural man s depeiHliinee for Heaven;"' and this was the means of bis own eonviciion. ■Shortly after, he indulged a hope in the mercy of God througli Christ, and almost immediately proceeded to take part in public religious exercises. He bad been educated a Presbyterian, and was strongly J'reposscssed in favour of the Presbyterian views of rjaiili.''m; but he ulti- mately adopted the Baptist views, and was baptized by the Rev. Samuel Harris?, at a meeting of the Separate Baptist Association, held at Sandy Creek, N. C, iu ITO'J. He was now- licensed lo preach the Gospel, and went forth preaching it with great zeal. But he quickly drew towards him the attention of the civil authorities, was arrested, and, as he would not give security that he would cease preaching, was cast into Culpepper Jail, where he suffered the most cruel and shameful indignities. He was instrumental of forming nniny churches of the Ketockton Association, and, fu- many years, sustained the relation of Pastor to the Congrega- tions at Bucknnusb, Hajipy Creek, and Water Lick, in the Counties of f rederick and Shenan- doah. In 181)2, he baptized, in one of his churches, ninety-three persons, — fifty-two of wlioni were received in one day. In consequence of injiuies sustained by a fall from bis horse, and afterwards by the upsetting of his carriage, he was, in the early part of ISUli, confined to his bed. Consequent n;ion this was the dropsy, under which he gradually declined till death put an end to his suflerings, on the 6th of J\iay, 180G. His decline and death were marked by per- fect comj'osure and a joyful anticipation of Heaven. SAMUEL IIAIIRISS. gX and repeat it ton times;' but the woman shed no tears. In 1787, Colonel Ilaniss made me a visit, whoso cominp; called out a vast crowd of ministers and i)Ci)i)le. His eyes, — his every motion, was preachiMji; hut, ul"(er he liad read his te.\t, iiis mind was .so dark that he could not preacii; and of course the lot I'l'll on me. From my liou.se he went liowu to Spottsylvania, where tlie woi k of the Lord, like a mighty torrent, broke out under his ministry." Mr. Ilarriss liail now become extensively known, as one of the most laborious niinistcr.s and effective prcachcr.s throughout Virginia. Of the estimation in which he was held by his brethren, long before this, some- thing may be inferred from the fact that, when the General Association 8tranj:ely decided that the apostolic office was designed to be perpetual, he was unanimously designated to the office. This deci.sion and this appoint- ment were made in the year 177 l ; but ho held the office for only a few months. 3Ir. Ilarriss continued his labours with unabated zeal, until infirmity dis'abled him for farther effort. Some time before his death, he Avas struck with paralysis, from the effect of which he never recovered ; though hv. was able, even after this, occasionally to do good service for his Master. At length, however, his earthly tabernacle yielded to the combined influence of age and dii^ease, and he went calml}' to his rest, after having seen moro than threescore and ten years. He died in the year 1795. Elder Scmple, an eminent Baptist minister of Virginia, who knew Mr. Ilarriss well, writes thus concerning him : — '•' His manners were of the most winning sort, lie scarcely ever went into a house without exhorting and praying for those he met there. As a doctrinal j)reacher, his talents were rather below mediocrity ; unless at those times when he was highly favoured from above, — then he would sometimes display considerable ingenuity. His excellency consisted chiefly in addressing the heart; and, ])erhaps,eve!i WMiitelield did not surpass him in that respect. \A"hen animated himself, he seldom failed to animate his auditory. "Being in easy eirennistances when he became religious, he devoted not only himself, but almost ail his property, to religious objects, lie had begun a large new dwelling house, suitable tu his former dignity, which, as soon as it was fniished, lie apjiropriated to the use of i)ublic worship, eoni inning to live in the old one. After maintaining his family in a very frugal manner, he distributed his surplus income to charitable puiposes He was once arrested and carried into Court, as a disturber of the peace. In Court, a (Japtain Williams vehemently accused him as a vagabond, a heretic, and a mover of sedition everywhere. Mr. Ilarriss made his defence. But the Court ordered that he should not preach in the county again for the .space of twelve months, or be committed to j)ri.son. The Colonel told tiicm that he lived two hundred miles thenc-; and that it was not likely he should disturb them again, in the course of one year. Upon this he was dismissed. From Cul])eppcr he went into Fauquier, and preached at Carter's Kun. Thence he crossed the Blue llidge and preached in Shenandoah. On his return, he called at Capt. Thomas Clanahan's, ill the county of Cnlp^-pper, where there was a meeting. While certain young minis- ters were preaching, the word of God began to burn in Colonel Ilarriss' heart When ihey finisiied, he arose and addressed the congregation, — ' I jiartly promiseil the devil, a few days past, at the Court House, that I would not preach in this county again iti the term of a year. But tlie devil is a perfidious wretch; and covenants with him are not to be kept, and therefore I will preach.' lie preached a lively, animating sermon. The Court disturbed him no more. •' On one occasion, in Orange county, he was pulled down as he was preaching, and dragged about by the hair of his head, and sometimes by the leg. His friend rescued him. On another time, he was knocked down by a rude fellow, while he was preach- ing. But he was not dismayed by these or any other difficulties. To obtain his own consent to undertake a laudable "enterprise, it was sufficient for him to know that it was possible. His faith was sufficient to throw mountains into the sea, if they stood in the way. lie seems also never to have been appalled by the fear or the shame ol man. He could confront the stoutest son of pride. " When he first began to preach, liis soul was so absorbed in the work, that it was difficult for him to-attcnd to the duties of this life. A man owed him a sum of money Vol. VT. 11 32 BAPTIST. which he actually stood in need of to defray the expenses of his family. Ife went to the man, and told him he would be very glad if he would discharge the debt he owed him. To which the man replied that he could not pay him the money, llarriss said, ' I want the money to buy wheat for my family. You have a good crop by you. I had rather have wheat tlian money.' The man answered, — ' I have other uses for my wheat.' 'How then,' said Mr. llarriss, ' do you intend to pay me?' ' I never intend to pay you until you sue me,' replied the debtor. Mr. llarriss left him meditating: ' Good God,' said he to himself, ' what shall I do? Must I leave preaching to attend a law suit? Perhaps a thousand souls will perish in the mean time, for the want of hearing of Jesus. Ts'o, I will not. Well, what will you do for yourself? What? I will sue him at the Court of Heaven.' " Having resolved what to do, he turned aside into a wood, and fell upon his knees, and thus began his suit: — ' Oh blessed Jesus, thou eternal God, thou knowest that 1 need the money wliicli the man owes me, to supply the wants of my family, but he will not pay me without a law-suit. Dear Jesus, shall I quit thy cause, and leave the souls of men to perish ? Or wilt thou, in mercy, open some other way of relief?' In this prayer Mr. H. found such tokens of Divine goodness, that, to use his own words. Jesus said unto him, — ' llarriss, keep on preaching, and I will become security for the payment.' "' Mr. 11., having his debt thus secured, thought it most proper to give the debtor a discharge. Accordingly, he, shortly after, passing by to a meeting, carried a receipt in full to the man's house, and gave it to his servant, desiring him to give it to his master. On his return by the house, after meeting, the man hailed him at his gate, and said, — ' Mr. H., what did you mean by the receipt you sent this morning ? ' Mr. H. replied, — ' I meant just as I wrote.' ' Well, but I have not paid you,' answered the debtor. Harriss said, — 'True; and I know also that j'ou said you never would, unless the money came at the end of an execution ; but, Sir, I sued you in the Court of Heaven, and Jesus has agreed to pay me. I have, therefore, given you a dis- charge.' This operated so effectually upon the man's conscience that, in a few days, he prepared and sent to Mr. II. wheat enough to discharge the del)t. '' A criminal, who had just been pardoned at the gallows, met Mr. llarriss on the road, and showed liim tlie document certifying that he was pardoned. ' Well,' said he, and have you shown it to Jesus V ' is^o, Mr. Harriss, I want you to do that for me.' The old'man immediately descended from his horse, in the road, and making the man also alight, they both kneeled down. Mr. H. put one hand on the man's head, and with the other held open the pardon. And thus, in behalf of the criminal, returned thanks that he had been pardoned, and prayed for liim that he might obtain God's pardon also." MORGAN EDWARDS.* 1761—1795. Morgan Edwards was born in Trevethin Parish, Monmouthshire, in the Principality of Wales, on the 9th of May, (0. S.) 1722. He was early placed at school, in a village called Trosnat, in his native parish ; and, subsequently, became a member of the Baptist Seminary at Bristol. England, then under the care of the Rev. Mr, Foskctt. He commenced preaching when he was in his sixteenth year. Having completed his aca- demical course, _he went to Boston in Lincolnshire, where he preached to a sniall congregation, seven years. Prom Boston he removed to Cork, Ire- land, where he took the pastoral charge of a church, June 1, 1757, and remained nine years. Prom Cork he returned to England, and preached about twelve months at Eye, in Sussex. During his residence in this lat- ter place, the Rev. Dr. Gill, and other Baptist ministers in London, having received a request from the Baptist Church in Philadelphia to assist them • Dr. Kippon"s Annual Register, No. 12. — Benedict's Hist. Bapt., II. MORGAN EDWARDS. §3 in oolaining a Pastor, applied to Mr. Edwards as the person more likely than any other within their knowledge, to fill the vacancy in a satisfactory manner. He was disposed to think favourably of the proposal, and, accord- ingly, soon after, took passage for America, and arrived at Philadelphia on the 23d of May, 17(31. He immediately took charge of the church to which he had been sent, and continued to serve them acceptably a number of years. In 1770, he preached a New Year's Sermon from the text, — " This year thou shalt die." He had, from some unaccountable impulse, taken up the idea that he should die on a particular day, and this, it is said, was intended as his own Funeral Sermon.* But the day passed, and the man still lived, and continued to live for a quarter of a century. This circumstance could not but affect his reputation injuriously. In addition to this, however, he is said to have indulged, occasionally, about this time, in the excessive use of intoxicating drinks. Finding himself somewhat under a cloud, he vol- untarily resigned his pastoral charge ; though he continued preaching to the people till the settlement of his successor, — an event which he was, to some extent, instrumental in bringing about. In the year 1772, he removed with his family to Newark, De., and was occupied in preaching in a number of vacant churches till the commence- ment of the Revolutionary War. He then remained silent until the War was over, owing, doubtless, to the fact that he adhered to the cause of Great Britain, and was justly ranked with the Tories; though it is under- stood that his Toryism was rather a matter of principle than of action. After the Revolution, he occasionally read Lectures on Divinity, in Phila- delphia, and other parts of Pennsylvania; also in New Jersey, Delaware, and New England ; but, owing to the unhappy fall already alluded to, he declined ever after to resume the active duties of the ministry. In 1762, Mr. Edwards was honoured, by the College and Academy of Philadelphia, with the degree of Master of Arts ; and, in 1769, received the same testimony of respect from the College of Rhode Island, in which institution he held the office of Fellow, from 1764 to 1789. Mr. Edwards died at a place then called Pencader, De., on the 28th of January, 179.5, in the seventy-third year of his age. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. William Rogers, of Philadelphia, on II. Cor. vi. 8 — "By honour and dishonour; by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true." The text was selected by himself, designed, as was supposed, to have a bearing upon his own peculiar history. The Discourse was not published at the time, but it subsequently appeared in the 12th No. of Dr. Rippon's Annual Register, printed in London. Mr. Edwards was twice married — first to Mary Nunn, originally of Cork, Ireland, by whom he had several children ; and afterwards, to a Mrs. Sin- gleton, of Delaware, whose decease occurred previous to his own. One of his sons was a military officer in the British service. The following is a list of Mr. Edwards' publications :— A Farewell Dis- course delivered at the Baptist Meeting-House in Rye, 1761. A Sermon * It is due to candour to state that some of Mr. Edwards' friends have denied that this was designed as his Funeral Sermon, and a perusal of the Sermon itself would seem to leave the case somewhat doubtful. g4 BAPTIST. preached in the College of Philadelphia, at the Ordination of the Rev. Samuel Jones, with a Narrative of the manner in which the Ordination was conducted, 1763. Tlie Customs of the Primitive Churches, or a set of Propositions relative to the Name, Materials, Constitution, Powers, Officers, Ordinances, &c., of a Church ; to which are added their Proofs from Scripture, and Historical Narratives of the manner in which most of them have been reduced to practice. A New Year's Gift: a Sermon, 1770. Materials towards a History of the Baptists in Pennsylvania, both British and German, distinguished into First-day, Keithian, Seventh-day, Tunker, and Rogerene Baptists, 1772. A Treatise on the New Heaven and New Earth. Two Academical Exercises ; on the Millenium and Last Novelties, 1788. Res Sacra>., a Translation from the Latin, 1788. (This contains an enumeration of all the acts of Public Worship, which the New Testament styles Offerings and Sacrifices; of which giving money for religious uses is one; and, therefore, according to Mr. E., is to be done in the places of public worship, and with as much devotion as any other part of the service.) Materials towards a History of the Baptists in Jersey ; distinguished into First-day Baptists, Seventh-day Baptists, Tuncker Bap- tists, and Rogerene Baptists, 1792. Beside various manuscripts, which he gave to his friends, as tokens of personal regard, he left behind him forty-two volumes of Sermons, — twelve Sermons to a volume, — all written in a large and legible character; also, about a dozen quarto volumes, on special subjects. The following estimate of Mr. Edwards' character and attainments is from the Discourse of Dr. Rogei's above referred to : — " He used to recommend writing sermons at large, but not to take tlicni to tlio pulpit, if it could possibly be avoided. If not possible, he advised the preacher to write a largo, fair hand, and make himself so much master of his subject that a glance, as it were, might tak(! in a whole page. Being a good classic, and a man of jiecu- liar rctinement, he was vexed to hear from tiie i)ulpit what deserved no attention, and much more to hear barbarisms; because, as he used to say, ' they were arguments either of vanity, or insolence, or both; for an American, with an English (jrammar in his hand, a learned friend at his elbow, and close application for six months, might make himself master of his motlier tongue.' "The Baptist Churches are much indebted to Mr. Edwards. Tiiey will long remem- ber the time and talents he devoted to their best interests, both in Europe and America. Very far was he from a selfish person. When the arrears of his salary, as Pastor of tills chureli, amounted to upwards of £372, and he was put in ])ossession of a house, by the church, till the principal and interest should be paid, he resigned the hou.se, and reliiKiuished a great part of the debt, lest the church should be distressed. _ " The College of Khode Island is also greatly beholden to him for his vigorous exer- tions, at homo and abioad, in raising money for that institution, and for his particular activity in procuring its charter. Tiiis he deemed the greatest service he ever did for the honour of the Baptist name. As one of its first sons, I cheerfully make this pnblie testimony of his lauilable ane.-?ides visiting the Indians, he had " views of settling on the East side of the lliver Ohio ; in a province under the care of Messrs. Franklin, Wharton, Baynton, Morgan, and others." His first journey was begun on the 4th of May, 1772, and terminated in August. His second journey commenced October 2G, 1772, and ended in April 1773, so that he spent nearly one year in his travels among the Indians. One of his companions, while navigating the Ohio in a canoe from Fort Pitt, was the celebrated George Ilogers Clarke. His missionary efforts were directed especially to the Shawnee and Delaware Indians ; but they were attended with so little success that he finally abandoned the benevolent enterprise, and returned to his charge at Freehold. He subsequently published au account of his mission, — including both visits, — to the then Western wilderness, and it is full of interesting observations both of the country and its native inhabitants. Mr. Jones continued his labours in New Jersey without interruption till the commencement of the Revolutionary War, Avhen his great zeal in the cause of independence rendered him so obnoxious to the Tories, who abounded in that part of the State, that even his life was placed in imminent jeopardy. Accordingly, in April, 1775, he removed from Jer- sey, and settled as Pastor of the Great Valley Baptist Church, Chester County, Pa. In 1775, the Continental Congress recommended to the Colonies the observance of a day of Fasting and Prayer, in view of the alarming state of affairs ; and the recommendation was very extensively heeded. Mr. Jones preached a Sermon on that occasion, before Colonel Dewee's Regi- ment, entitled " Defensive War in a Just Cause Sinless," which breathed a highly patriotic spirit. It was published and extensively circulated through the Colonies. In 1776, Mr. Jones received the appointment of Chaplain to a Penn- sylvania Regiment under Colonel St. Clair, which was ordered to the Northern Department. He was on duty with St. Clair at Ticonderoga, where, on the 20th of October, 1776, while they were in hourly expecta- tion of the enemy from Crown Point, he delivered a characteristic Address to the Regiment, that served to inspire them with fresh military ardour. He served through two campaigns, under General Gates, and was also Chaplain to a Brigade under General Waj'ne, in 1777. He was in the battle of Brandywine, on the 11th of September of that year ; on the 21st of the same month was at the massacre of Paoli, and narrowly escaped death ; and on the 4th of October following, was in the battle of German- town. He accompanied the army to Whitemarsh and Valley Forge, and was with W^ayneTn the battle of Monmouth, and in all his subsequent campaigns until the surrender of Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in the autumn of 1781, By his open and untiring efforts in his country's cause, he rendered himself emphatically a mai'ked man, insomuch that General Howe offered a reward for him, and a plan was actually set on foot for his . arrest. At the close of the War, he returned to "the Valley," where he bought a farm situated in Easttown township, Chester County, a short distance from the residence of his old Commander, General Wayne. DAVID JOxNES. 87 Here he resumcil las labours as a minister of Peace, and they were accompanied with many tokens of the Divine favour. In 178G, Mr. Jones was called to the pastoral care of the Church in Southampton, Bucks County, Pa. He accepted the call, and remained there till 171)2, when he returned to "the Valley " for the residue of his life. In 1704, he yielded to the request of General Wayne, to accompany him as Chaplain, on his expedition against the Indians in the North West- ern Territory. At the commencement of the War of 1812, he again entered the army, though he had reached the age of seventy-six, — and served under Generals Brown and Wilkinson, until Peace was restored. From 1812 to 1817, besides performing a considerable amount of pro- fessional duty, he made many important contributions to the newspapers of the day, touching the affairs of the State and the nation. A junior Pastor (^the Rev. Thomas lloberts) was in the mean time called to " the Valley," who, for many years, during the absence or the illness of the Senior Pastor, performed, either wholly or in part, the duties of the Pas- torate. In 1817, he delivered an Address at the Dedication of the Monu- ment erected at Paoli, commemorative of the Americans who were massacred there on the night of the 21st of September, 1777 ; and this is believed to have been the last public occasion on whicJi he officiated. But his life was now rapidly drawing to a close, under the influence, not only of old age, but of a complication of maladies that had long been preying upon his constitution. Surrounded with friends whose highest pleasure it was to minister to his comfort, and filled with gratitude in view of the past, and inspired with joyful hope in respect to the future, his strength gradually declined until the 5th of February, 1820, when he entered into his rest, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. A Sermon on occasion of his death was preached by the Piev. Dr. William Ilogers, of Philadelphia. Mr. Jones was married on the 22d of February, 17G2, to Anne, daugh- ter of Joseph and Sarah Stilwell, of Middletown, N. J. They had eight children, — five sons and three daughters. The youngest child was my father, the Rev, Horatio Gates Jones, who. I understand, is to form a distinct subject of your work. Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, of February 10, 1820, after announcing the death of the Rev. David Jones, proceeds thus : — " In sketching the character of this venerable servant of the Cross, truth requires us to say that he was an eminent man. Throughout the whole of his protracted and eventful life, Mr. Jones was peculiarly dis- tinguished for the warmth of his friendship, the firmness of his patriotism, the sincerity and ardour of his piety, and the faithfulness of his ministry. The vain honours of the world, it is true, are not his, but in another he has ere this received a crown of glory, and heard the joyful welcome, — " Well done, good and faithful servant." In the army of the Revolution, he was a distinguished Chaplain, and was engaged in the same arduous duties during the last war. As a scholar, he was accurate. Possessing a mind of superior texture, he embellished it with the beauties of classical literature, and the riches of general science. The Fellowship of Brown 88 BAPTIST. University, K. I., in tlie year 1774, as a testimony of respect for his learning and talents, conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts." As an illustration of some of my grandfather's peculiar characteristics, I will venture to relate an anecdote or two, communicated by the Rev. Greorgc W. Anderson, D. Ph. On his way to join the Army of the North, he rode from New Bruns- wick to New York in the stage^ in company with a number of gentlemen, all of whom seemed to take a lively interest in the political affairs of the day. Among them was a young lawyer, who was criticising, in no measured terms, the policy and spirit of President Madison. " A weak administration — a miserably weak administration," was the epithet which he applied to the powers that then were. Mr. Jones had sat quietly, taking but little part in the animated discussion. But now he woke up — " Yes Sir," said he, " it is a weak administration, — a miserably weak admin- istration." Some surprise was manifested at this concession from a man of Mr. Jones' well known political principles. " Yes, indeed, a miserably weak administration — if President Madison were half the man he ought to be," — looking full in the eye of the young lawyer, — "he would have hung, long ago, scores of such confounded Tories as you!" " Sir," said the lawyer, with a great deal of warmth, — " if you were not an old man, you would not sky that to me." "Yes, yes. Sir," — replied Mr. Jones, shak- ing his head energetically toward the angry youth, — " and if I were not an old man, you would not dare to say that to ??ie." On one occasion, when returning from the Array at the North, during the late War, he stopped in New York City, and was invited to preach in the First Baptist Church. When he rose to commence his sermon, he looked up at the ceiling, and round the house, making a general and care- ful survey of the building. He then cast a keen, scrutinizing glance over the congregation. The wliole of this careful survey occupied a very short time, which, to the expectant assembly, appeared twice the length it really was. Of course every eye was fixed on the tall, venerable form in the pulpit, and all were wondering what would come next. " It seems to me," — at length he said, as if satisfied with liis survey, " that you have a very nice house here — very neat, and very comfortable, and quite a large and respectable congregation." At this unexpected exordium the attention became more profound. " Things appear very different from what they did when I first came to New York City. I landed here in the morning, and thought I would try if I could find any Baptists. I wandered up and down, looking at the place and at the people, and wondering who of all the people I met might be Baptists, At length I saw an old man, with a red cap on his head, sitting on the porch of a rcspcctalile looking house. Ah ! thought I, now this is one of the old residents, who knows all about the city, and about every body in it — this is the man to enquire of. I approached him and said — ' Good afternoon, Sir — can you tell me where any Baptists live in this city ?' ' Hey ?' " Hei-e the preacher, in imitation of the action of the deaf old Gotharaite, put his hand to his ear, and bent his head in the attitude of a listener. Then raising his voice, as if shouting into the ear of the deaf man, he said, — ' Can you tell me, Sir, where I can find any Baptists in this DAVID JONES. g9 place?' 'Baptists, Baptists,' said the old man, musing, as if ransacking all the corners of his memory,—' Baptists ! I really don't know as I ever hoard of any body of that occupation in these parts !!' " The attention of the congregation was now wide awake. Tliere were of course many t^miling faces, as he thus sketched his first attempt to find Baptists in the City of New York. But soon he turned to his subject, and, in a few minutes, tears were seen in the eyes of half the congregation, and no doubt many good impressions were made by his discourse. Trusting that the above epitome of the life of my venerable ancestor may be sufticicnt for your purpose, I remain, very truly yours, HORATIO GATES JONES. JAMES MANNING, D. D.^ 1762—1791. James Manning was of Scottish extraction, and was born at Elizabeth- town, N. J., October 22, 1738. His parents, James and Christian Man- ning, were persons of worth and respectability, and it is inferred, from the interest which he himself exhibited in agricultural pursuits, that his father was a farmer. For his early intellectual and moral training he was indebted chiefly to his parents, in connection with the school in his native village. The precise period at which his mind became permanently interested in religious things is not known ; though it is known that he made a public profession of his faith in 1758, wlien he was about twenty years of age. His immediate preparation for College was made in a school established at Hopewell, N. J., in 1756, by the Rev. Isaac Eaton, f " for the education of youth for the ministry ;" — the first institution of the kind in this coun- try in connection with the Baptist denomination. At the age of about twenty, he became a member of Princeton College, and graduated with the highest honours of his class, in 1762. Mr. Manning entered the ministry shortly after leaving College, and, probably, without any other preparation than was involved in his college course, together with that amount of theological reading that he was able to connect with it. But, however defective may have been his training, — and it was an evil which he shared in common with most of ins brethren at that day, — he possessed, in a high degree, the qualities requi- • Benediefs Hist. Bapt. II. — Memoir by Prof. Goddard. t Isaac Eaton was a son of Joseph Eaton, of Montgomery; joined Southampton Church, and oommencfd preaching at an early age. He came to Hopewell in April, 174S, and, on the 29th of November following, was ordained Pastor of the Church in that place. lie continued in this relation till July 4, 1772, when he died in the forty-seventh year of his age. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Saniuel Jones of PennepeU, who thus briefly portrayed his character : — "The natural endowments of his mind, the improvement of theso by tlie accom- plishments of literature, his early and genuine piety, his abilities as a Divine and a Preacher, Lis extensive knowledge of men and books, his Catholicism &c., would afibrd ample scope to flourish in a Funeral Oration; but it is needless.'' He received the degree of .Alastcr of Arts from three Colleges — the College of New Jersey in 1756; the College of Philadelphia iu 1761; and Pihode Island College in 1770. Vor.. VI. 12 90 BAPTIST. site to constitute a popular preaclicr ; and hence we find that, from his very earliest appearance in the pulpit, it was confidently predicted that he Was destined to be a burning and shining light. He was first settled as Pastor of a Baptist Church in Morristown, N. J. Afterwards, he received an urgent solicitation to take charge of a congregation, belonging to the same denomination, in his native town, which, however, he felt himself obliged to decline. Shortly after this, he travelled extensively in difi"erent parts of the country, with a view to enlarge his general knowledge, and particularly to make himself better acquainted with the moral condition of the people. In 17G3, he was married to Margaret Stites, daughter of John and Mar- garet Stites, of Elizabethtown, — a lady of great excellence of character, who adorned every relation she sustained. They had no children. Mrs. Manning survived her husband many years, and died in Providence, 11. I., November 9, 1815, at the age of seventy-five. After having remained at Morristown somewhat less than a year, he accepted an invitation, near the close of 1763, to become the Pastor of the Baptist Church in Warren, R. I. Shortly after entering on the duties of his pastoral charge, he instituted a Latin school, which seems to have been, if not the germ, at least the harbinger, of Rhode Island College. Notwithstanding it was only a scanty support that he gathered from his labours here, both as a minister of the Grospel and a teacher of youth, he prosecuted his double vocation with great contentment and alacrity, and was most effectually preparing himself for that wider sphere of usefulness which he was destined to occupy in coming years. It has been asserted by jMorgan Edwards that the College was originally projected by the Philadelphia Association ; but, admitting that the con- ception originated with them, there is little or no doubt that the part which Manning took in relation to it fairly entitles him to the honour of being considered the founder of the institution ; and the motive which chiefly influenced him, probably, was, to elevate the intellectual character and standing of the Baptist clergy. In 1763, he proposed to several influen- tial gentlemen of the denomination, assembled at Newport, the establish- ment of " a Seminary of polite literature, subject to the government of the Baptists." The project having been favourably received by them, he, at their suggestion, presented a plan of the proposed institution, which also met their approval. A charter was granted by the Legislature of the Colony in 1764 ; and the original Corporation, consisting of both clergy- men and laymen, numbered some of the most illustrious names in the Colony, and among them Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery, which afterwards took their place in the brightest constellation of our political horizon. Notwithstanding the charter secures to the Baptists a controlling influence in the College, yet it is by no means an influence inconsistent with the grand principles of universal toleration. Mr. Manning, who, from the beginning, had been one of the most active and influential members of the Corporation, was appointed, in September, 1765, "President and Professor of languages, and other branches of learn- ing, with full power to act in those capacities, at Warren or elsewhere." In 1766, the College went into operation at Warren, where the first Com- JAMES MAXNIXG. 91 mcucement was held, ami a class of seven graduated, in September, 1769. To this class belonged the Rev. Dr. William Rogers, who, in his later years, was Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Hon. James Mitchell Varnum, who figured as an eminent lawyer and patriot, and was a General in the army of the American Revolution. But, notwithstanding the College commenced its operations at Warren, in consequence no doubt of that being the residence of Mr. Manning, yet, when the question of the erection of a college edifice came to be considered, involving, as was supposed, the ultimate location of the institution, each of the several counties of Newport, Providence, and Kent, put in its claims with ]3ri.stol ; and it was not without a patient and protracted hear- ing, on the part of the Corporation, that they finally, in 1770, decided "that the said edifice be built in the town of Providence, and there be continued forever." They now signified, by a committee, to President Manning, their entire approval of his administration, and their earnest wish that he should remove with the institution to Providence ; and, at the same time, and by the same committee, approached his congregation with the utmost delicacy, with a view to obtain their consent to the proposed arrangement. His separation from his charge having been amicably effected, he removed to Providence, with the other officers of the College, and the undergraduates, in ^lay, 1770 ; and, in the course of that year was erected, chiefly or entirely at the expense of citizens belonging to the town or county of Provi- dence, the first college edifice, now known as University Hall. The first Commencement at Providence was held on the first Wednesday of Septem- ber, 1770, when a class of only four graduated, among whom was the Hon. Theodore Foster, who was afterwards, for many years, a member of the Senate of the United States. President Manning now addressed himself to his appropriate duties in connection with the College, with an earnestness and energy not a little quickened by its enlarged accommodations, and by the constantly increas- ing favour which it found in the eyes of a liberal community. Morgan Edwards, Hezekiah Smith, and some other prominent Baptist clergymen, co-operated with him with great vigour and efficiency ; while many of the more respectable inhabitants of the town, who had never themselves enjoyed the advantages of high intellectual culture, were found more than willing to help forward an enterprise which contemplated the better train- ing of their posterity. For several years, the College, under its accomplished and devoted President, was constantly growing in respectability and usefulness ; but, in common with some other similar institutions, its prosperity was checked, and its operations altogether suspended, by the Revolutionary War. In 1776, the college edifice was turned into a barrack for the militia, and, afterwards, into a hospital for the French army under command of Rochambeau. From this time till the close of the War, in 17f Lke, the second Pastor of the I'irst Baptist Church of East Lyme, was the son of the Rev. .Joseph Leo, of Jjong Island. He was ordained and settled over that church in 1774, and continued in that relation till his death, which occurred in 1810, in the seventieth year of his age, and the thirty-sixth of his IVstonite. + Pktkr Rogrrs was born in Now London, Conn., in 1754. His father was Peter Rogers, the fourth in descent from James I'.ogers, the earliest of the name who came to New England, and who claimed to be a great grandson of John Rogers, the Martyr. I'eter Rogers, in the parly part of the Revolutionary AVar, was a famous privateersman. He afterwards entered the army, and won distinction in the Wasliington Life Guard. In March, 1790, he was ordained Pastor of the Bozrah Baptist Church. His first wife was a Green, but he afterwards married a daughter of Elder Zadoc Darrow, and died in the State of Illinois in 1849, in the ninety-sixth year of his age, and the sixtieth of his ministry. ^ Samukl West was born in Hopkinton, R. I., October 0, 176G; was converted in 1787; was ordained in 1799; was settled for ten years in New London; and finally finished his useful labours in North Madison, in the seventy-first year of his age, and the thirty-eighth of his ministry. . II Asa Wilcox was the son of tlie Rev. Isaiah Wilcox, of Westerly, R. I. The father died at an advanced age, in 179.3. Ilis son, Asa, was ordained in 1798; married Mercy Rathbiin, and spent most of his life in Connecticut. He died at Salem, Conn., greatly lamented, in 18.14. ^ J^*^'''^ I'tlev was a proti'g' of Elder Silas Burrows, with whose church ho united at the agfi of sixteen. Ho afterwards became an opposer, but eventually returned to the church, wiis ordained in Groton, where, for many years, he retained his membership, while itinerating as an Evangelist. He w.as the chief instrument in a revival of religion in Albanv, N. Y., which «a.s the means of establishing the First Baptist Church in that city. •• Wait Palmer was ordained in 174:i; CHRiSTorHER Palmer in 1782; Ahel Palmer in 1785; REUBE>f Palmer in 1785; Gershom Palmer in 1805; Phineas Palmer in isus. tf AsHUR Miner was ordained in 1805, and died in 1814; Jonathan .Miner was ordained in 1814. tl Simeon Brown, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of North Stonington, was ordained the same year with Elder Silas Burrows, and died two years before him. Eleazar BiiowN, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of North Stonincton, was ordained in 1770, and died Juno 20, 1795. "^ no BAPTIST. were ])aptized into Father Burrows' church, and a large number into Elder Wightnian's. The servant of God, though aged, continued to preach till within a few weeks of his death, which did not occur till he had lived to see his church flourishing, and to witness the consummation of his long- cherished hopes and earnest endeavours, — the adoption of a Constitution in Connecticut, securing equal religious privileges to all. Soon after this joyful event, feeling that his warfare was accomplished, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, on his birth-day, 1818. Elder Silas Burrows was a man of marked character. He was energetic and did nothing b}' halves. He was not hasty in forming opinions, nor did he claim infallibility for them when formed. But he brought all things to the Scripture test, and if, upon a candid and careful examination, any one's conduct or views could not be there sustained, he rejected them without hesitation ; and, if occasion required, he openly exposed their fallacy. A striking instance of this occurred in reference to Jemima Wilkinson, who requested liberty to preach in his house, claiming a newer light than had been vouchsafed to others. Not being then aware of her extravagant views, he appointed a meeting for her, at which she boldly and blasphemously set forth her fanatical claims. He heard her through, and then, with the law and the testimony in his hands, he proceeded to unmask her imposture, quoting chapter and verse against her extravagant preten- sions, till she could bear it no longer, but, interrupting him, said, in a loud, imperious voice, accompanied by a majestic wave of her hand, — "Silas Burrows, dost thou know with whom thou art contending.?" "Oh yes," said he, "with Jemima Wilkinson;" and proceeded to urge home the truth of God against her fanaticism, till she left his presence, never to trouble him again. In preaching, he placed great reliance on the sensible presence of his Master, and, sometimes, when his feelings were warmed and quickened by a powerful Divine influence, he delivered himself with an energy and pathos that were quite irresistible. But hisjfor^e, after all, was in prayer. Commencing in simple, trusting strains, he would raise his heart, his eyes, his voice, and his right hand, to Heaven, while his left hand crowned his temple, and, as one object of supplication after another pre- sented itself, it seemed not only to himself but to those who listened as if Heaven and earth had come in actual contact. I hardly need add that the tone of his preaching was clearly and decidedly evangelical. He was eminently faithful in reproving vice, in visiting the sick and sorrowful, and indeed in every department of pastoral duty. In person he was tall and commanding, and had a mild blue eye, and a stentorian voice, that was, on more than one occasion, distinctly heard in the open air, more than a mile. RoswELL Burrows, a son of Elder Silas Burrows, was born at Fort Hill, in Groton, September 2, 1768. He was an apt scholar, and received a good English education. While yet a youth, he was entered, as a THE BURROWSES. HI incrcliunt's clerk, with Mr. Daniel Stanton, a frieuJ of the family, living at Guilford, who took a lively interest in his welfare. During hi.s residence here, he came home on a visit, and found himself in the midst of a revival, in the blessings of which he became a sharer. After his return to Guil- ford, his father wrote to Mr. Stanton to inquire how his son appeared since having professed a change of character, and the answer was that his con- versation and conduct would do honour to a minister. Fearing lest his son was in danger of becoming unduly forward, he wrote him a monitory letter on the subject, which gave a shock to the son's sensitive mind, from which it did not soon recover. His fine talent for business, his excellent powers of conversation, his studiousness and exemplary conduct, at this period, rendered him a favourite, wherever he was known. At the age of twenty-one, he was married to Jerusha Avery, only daughter of Luther Avery, Esq., of Groton, who survived her husband more than a year. They had seven children, all of whom enjoyed excel- lent advantages for education. Four of his children still survive, one of whom was recently a member of Congress from the State of New York. At the time of his marriage, he was a prosperous merchant in Hopkinton, R. I.; but, at the earnest solicitation of his wife's parents, he soon after settled in his native place, and eventually in the old family homestead, on Fort Hill, where he and several generations of his ancestors found their last resting place. Within a few years after his conversion, it became with him a question of deep interest whether it was not his duty to devote his life to the preaching of the Gospel ; but, though he received every encouragement from the older and more prominent members of the church, such was his view of the responsibility of the work, in connection with his constitutional self-distrust, that it was not till the summer of 1801 that he could summon the resolution to carry out his own convictions of duty. In August, 1806, after repeated solicitations from his brethren, he consented to be regularly set apart to the work of the ministry. The church associated him with his father as Pastor, with authority to labour as an Evangelist, at his discretion and the call of Providence. Soon after his ordination, he performed, by appointment of the Groton Union Conference, a missionary tour, of between two and three months, in which he rode about thirteen hundred miles, and preached, most of the time, once or twice daily. His labours on this journey, extending through a portion of the country, which was, at that time, to a great extent, both a natural and moral wilderness, are known to have been attended with a rich blessing. The Pteport of his tour, which he submitted to the Conference, after his return, was received with great favour, and gave an impulse to the cause of missions among the churches, which has, it is believed, never been lost. And here I may as well say that, like his father, he ever took a deep interest in the prosperity of the Groton Conference, and the Stonington Union Association, which Bodies he often served in an official capacity, at their annual sessions, or as their representative abroad. Mr. Burrows laboured also occasionally, and very successfully, in Pres- ton,— a town lying a few miles North of Groton. Here a church was organized through his instrumentality, first as a branch of his own church, and afterwards as a distinct Bodv. He was also the first Baptist minister 112 BAPTIST. who laboured with much sugccss at Greeiiport, L. I. Aftei- the death of his father, his hibours were, for a number of years, confined principally to his own people ; though he made frequent visits to his children in Western New York, which were always rendered subservient to the objects of his ministry. For several of the last years of his life, his health being less firm, and his pastoral labours greater, the church, by his request, gave him an assistant. In this capacity the Rev. E. Denison was employed for one year ; but it was not till March, 1833, that a permanent Assistant Pastor was secured. This was the Rev. Ira R. Steward, whose faithful services greatly lightened the labours of his venerable colleague. The church was then in the midst of a powerful revival. In a letter which he addressed to the Editor of the Christian Secretary, about that time, he says, — "Since December, 1809, the Lord has visited this church with seven special revi- vals ; in which time I have had the unspeakable pleasure of formally intro- ducing into the church six hundred and thirty-five." About ninety were added by Baptism during the year in which this letter was written ; and he lived to enjoy yet another season of refreshing in the year 1835. It appears, from private records left by Mr. Burrows, that, during his ministry of thirty-five years, he preached no less than two thousand, eight hundred and eighty-six times. Though he was not accustomed to deliver his sermons' from a manuscript, he rarely preached without having written at least the plan of his discourse, and not unfrcquently much tlie greater part of all that he delivered. His sermons were eminently biblical, always lucid, full of evangelical thought, often pungent, often pathetic. He was distinguished for sound judgment and excellent common sense, which made him an admirable counsellor in things temporal as well as spiritual. In personal appearance he was of medium height, of prepos- sessing presence, with a grave countenance when in repose, but, when ani- mated in conversation or in the pulpit, his dark blue eye and his every feature reflected the genial warmth within. Without possessing naturally a ver}' firm constitution, lie was rarely visited with severe illness during his life. In the fall and early in the winter of 183G, his health was uncommonlv good, and his labours as con- stant as in almost any preceding period of his ministry. But he was now performing liis last work. While on a visit to his daughter in Griswold, in January, 1837, he was thrown from a sleigh, which lamed him in one leg so as to confine him for nearly a fortnight. About this time, as he stepped out of his house, one very icy morning, he fell upon the corner of the door-stone, and injured himself near the small of his back. From the effect of this fall l>n never recovered, but continued gradually to sink, often enduring the severest distress. About a week before his death, he suffered a severe attack of plcuris}'', which he seemed to recognise as the immediate harbinger of dissolution. He died in the exercise of the most quiet and unqualified submission to the Divine will, on Sabbath morning, May 28, 1837. On the Tuesday following, the Rev. Daniel Wildman, of New London, delivered an appropriate Funeral Discourse to a large assembly, from Psalm xii. 1. Allow mc to add, in concluding this communication, that, in Avriting of the Rev. Roswell Burrows, I have availed myself of the substance of some THE BURROWSES. 1X3 of the statements contained in a biMgiaphical notice of him by the Rev. I. R. Steward ; and am also indebted to Mrs. Mary llandall for incidents in the life of her fivther, the Rev. Silas Burrows. Hoping that the above sketches may avail to your purpose, I am, My dear Sir, truly yours, WILLIAM II. POTTER. JOHN WALLER.* 1768—1802. John Waller was born on the 23d of December, 1741, in Spottsyl- vania County, Va., being a descendant of a family of that name, of high respectability, in England. At a very early age, he manifested an uncommon talent for satire ; and this determined his uncle, who was his guardian, to educate him for the Law. He was, accordingly, sent to a Grammar School, and made considerable progress in the Latin and Greek classics; but his uncle's death, and his father's straitened circumstances, in connection with his own unrestrained inclinations for vice, were the occasion of his being prematurely withdrawn from the school, and the idea of his prosecuting the study of the Law being abandoned. He now became addicted to almost every f^pecics of vice, and acquired such an ignoble notoriety, by his profaneness, that he was familiarly known by the appellation of Sioearing Jack Waller, — being thus distinguished from some other persons of the same name. As an illustration of his mischievous tendencies, it is stated that he had once three warrants served on him at the same time, on account of the part which he had in one riotous pro- cedure. He was particularly bitter in his hostility to the Baptists, and was one of the Grand Jury who presented the Rev. Lewis Craig, t for preaching. But, happily, this was overruled for bringing him to a better mind. Mr. Craig, the moment the Jury were dismissed, wishing to say • Benedict's Ilist. Bapt. II. — Taylor's Lives of Virg. Bapt. Min. t Lewis Ckaig was a native of Virginia, and belonged to an cuiinently pious family. He was first awakened under the preaching of the llcv. Samuel Hiirriss, and, in 17l»7, when he was about twenty-seven years of age, was baptized, and began to preach. Though not possessed of a cultivated mind, he was a sensible man, had a musical voice, agreeable manners, and earncsr piety, and was quite a favourite among the people. He travelled largely, and his preaching w!\s heard with mueli attention, and produced no inconsiderable effect. The first Baptist church organized between .lamr? and Rappahannock Rivers, called Lower Spottsylvania, afterwards Craig s, was the fruit of his labours. This church was constituted in 1767, and three years after, he became its Pastor. He was arrested by the Sheriff of Spottsylvania, and brought before three magistrates, in the yard of the meeting-house, — who bound hiui, with three others. in the jienalty of two thousand pounds, to appear at Court, two days after. They attended. and tiio Court agreed to liberate them, if they would pledge themselves to preach no more in the county for a twelve-month. On their refusing to comply with this condition, they were sentenced to close confinement in the jail ; and there they remained for one month, at the end of which time they were released. In 1771, he was again imprisoned, for a similar car.se, and for three months, in the Coimty of Caroline. After his liberation, he continued to labour with his wonted zeal, and the Churches of Tuckahoe, Upper King and Queen, and Ujiper Kssex, in the Dover Association, were placed under his ministry. In 1781. he removed to the West, and settled on Gilbert's Creek, in Lincoln County, where he formed a church, and two years after again removed to Avithin six miles of Lexington, and built up the first I^aptist Church in that part of Kentucky, called South Klkhorn. In 1795, he settled in Bracken County, where also he was instrun ental of building up a large church. Ue died after a short illness, in the eighty- seventh year of his age. Vol. VI. 15 114 BAniST. .something for their benefit, thus addressed them: — "I thank you, Gentle- men of the Grand Jury, for the honour you have done me. AV^hile I was wicked and injurious, you took no notice of me, but since I have altered my course of life, and endeavoured to reform my neighbours, you concern yourselves much about me. I shall take the spoiling of ni}' goods joy- fully." These remarks, uttered with great firmness, yet with great meekness, arrested Waller's attention, and suggested to him the idea that there must be a reality in that religion which could produce such effects. From this period he began to attend the Baptist meetings, and to feel, for the first time, a deep anxiety iu respect to his salvation. He was, for seven or eight months, overwhelmed with a sense of his exceeding sinfulness, and, during much of the time, was on the borders of despair. Some of his exercises are thus described by himself: — " I liad felt the greatest abhorrence of myself, and began ahaost to desjiair of tije mercy of God. However, I determined never to rest until it pleased God to show mercy orto cut me off. Underthese impressions.. I was at a certain place, sitting under preaching. On a sudden, a man exclaimed that ho iiad found mercy, and began to praise God. No mortal can describe the horror with which 1 was seized at that instant. I began to conclude my damnation was certain. Leaving the meeting, I hastened into a neighbouring wood, and dropped on my knees before God, to beg for mercy. In an instant, I felt my heart melt, and a sweet application of the Jiedeemer'.** love to my poor soul. The calm was great, but short." From this time, he seems to have indulged a hope in the mercy of God through Christ, though it Avas some time before he had sufficient confidence in the genuineness of his experience to make a public profession of his faith. He was baptized by James Head,* in the year 1767, and he realized from the ordinance a great accession of strength and comfort. He soM property to pay debts which he had contracted by dissipation. Fired by an ardent zeal for the salvation of souls, he began, almost immediately, to preach the Gospel ; but his preaching seems, from some cause, to have awakened a powerful opposition. At length, a church was constituted in Mr. Waller's neighbourhood, and he was ordained its Pastor, on the 20th of June, 1770. He began now to extend his labours, travelling in uiffcrent directions, and preaching with uncommon power. The first person he baptized was William Web- ber,! who soon after became a minister. He attracted great attention, evcrywTiere, by the vigour and boldness that characterized his mini.-^tra- * Jamf.s Head was born about the year 172f), and was hopefully converted under the preach- ing of Elder Daniel Marshall, when he was not far from thirty years of ago. When he entered upon the niinistry, he could neither read nor write, but, under the instnuUion of his wife, he was soon able to read the Bible. He travelled extensively, both in Virginia and North Caro- lina, and preached with great earnestness, and not without very considerable effcet He was, at one time, on a,ccount of some impropriety of conduct, e.xcliided from Christian foilouship for two or three years; but, sub.scqnentlj', npuii having given evidence of repentance, was restored not only to communion, but to the exercise of his ministerial functions. There seems to havp been a strong tendency in his mind to enthu.«iasm. He died in 17'.!8, in the seventy-second year of his age, hxring been for more than forty 3'ears engaged in the ministry. f William Webukk was born of respectable parentage, on the ]5ih of August, 1747. At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to a house-joiner. He was baptized wben he was in his tv.enty-lhird year, and united uilh the Lower Spottsylvania Church, and a.^hort time after was ordained to the ministry. After being engaged, for several years, in itinerant labours, he accepted the Pastorate of the Dover Church, in 1774, and held it till hi.s death, which ocuurrcd on the 29th of February, 1808. In two instances, he was arrested by the civil authority, oast into prison, and subjected to the most cruel treatment, for preaching the Gosjud. Ijider 8eu!- ple says that •' he v,a.-- a man of sourul and correct judgment, well acquainted with mankind, well versed in the Scriptures, sound in the princijjlcs of the Gospel, and ingenious in defending them." JOUN WALLER. 2^5 lions, :uul the Baptists in that region seemed, Ly common consent, to recognise him as their leader. The following letter, written by him, during an imprisonment of forty-six days, in the County of Middlesex, will give some idea of tlie trials to which he and liis associates in the ministry, were subjected : — " Urbanna Prison, Middlesex County, August 12, 1771. ■■ De'ar Brother in the Lord: " At a uu't.-tinj; wiiicli was held at Brother McCain's, in this county, last Saturday, whilst Brotlior \\ illiani W'cbhcr was addressing the congregation, from James ii. 18. there came running towards him, in a most furious rage, Captain .James Montague, a Magistrate of the county, followed by tlic Parson of the parish, and several otiiers, wlio seemed gieatly e-xasporated. The Magistrate and another took liold of Brother Webber, and, dragging him from the stage, delivered him, with Brethren Wafl'ord, Robert \V lire. Hichard Falkner, James Greenwood,* and myself into custody, ancl commanded that we shouUl be brought before him I'or trial. Brotlier W'atlurd w;is severely scourged, and Brother Henry Street received one lash from one of the perse- cutors, who was i)revcnted from proceeding to further violence by his companions — to be short, 1 may inform you that we were carried before the above mentioned Magis- trate, W'ho. with the Parson, and some others, carried ns, one by one, into a room, and examined our pockets and wallets for tire-arms, &c., charging us with carrying on a mutiny against the authorities of the land. Finding none, we were asked if we had license to preach in this county; ;uid, learning we had not, it was required of us to give bond and security not to preach any more in the county, which we mcjdestl}- refused to do ; whereupon, after dismissing Brother Waflford with a charge to make liis escape out of the county by twelve o'clock the next day, on pain of imjjrisonment, and dismissing Brother Falkner, the rest of us v;ere delivered to the Sheritf, and sent to close jail, witli a charge not to allow us to walk in the air until Court day Blessed be God. the Sheritf and jailor have treated us \vith as much kindness as could have been expected from strangers. May t)ie Lord reward them for it. Yesterday we hae signed by three or more principal members, and should state that the holder thereof was conscientiously of the Baptist persuasion. JOHN DAVIS. 119 Mr. Davis, tlicroforc, culled the Committee together, und it was resolved not to accept the Act. He was also requested to, and did, reply to some auoDjmous attacks on the Baptists, which drew from the opposite party a rcjoiiidor fall of personal abuse, and designating Mr. Davis, as "a little upstart gentleman," &c. But none of these things moved him, and he retained the esteem and regard of all his suifcring brethren. Dr. Benedict says of him, — " His learning, abilities, and zeal were ade- (juate to any services to which his brethren might call him. Mr. Backus had now begun his History, and had the promise of assistance from this literary companion ; but a mysterious Providence saw fit to cut him down almost in the beginning of his course." Early in 1772, Mr. Davis' health failed, and in July he resigned his pastoral charge, and returned to Delaware, hoping that a milder climate would restore him to his accustomed vigour. And, for a time, the experi- ment seemed likely to succeed. He very soon set out on a journey for his health, with the Rev. David Jones, then of Freehold, N. J., who was at that lime on a missionary visit to the Indians West of the Ohio, and kept a journal of his travels, — from which I make the following extract: — " "We travelled so slow, and could make so little progress over the Alle- ghany Mountains, that we did not arrive at Redstone until the 17th day of November, [1773.] A few days before me, the Rev. John Davis arrived here, and intended to go with me to Ohio. I was surprised to see him so much reduced in health. We conversed awhile, and I found he would go with me at least as far as Ohio. I endeavoured to dissuade him from his purpose, but could not prevail Mr. Davis and I, in com- pany with some others, set out for the River Ohio, but, by bad, stormy weather and high waters, our journey was so retarded that we did not arrive at the Ohio till Wednesday, the 2d day of December. When we came to the house of Dr. James McMachan, who formerly lived a neigh- bour to ]Mr. Davis, the heart of poor Mr. Davis was filled with joy to see his old acquaintance and the River Ohio, after such a tedious journey — but, dear man, his time was short ; for, on the 13th day of said month, he departed this life. " During the lime of his illness, he was very submissive to the will of God, and was often heard to say, — ' Oh that the fatal blow was struck !' When he drew near his last, he was very delirious. To compose him, I gave him a strong anodyne, which had so much effect that, for about fifteen minutes, he enjoyed his senses, and spoke very rationally, and told me that in a little time he expected to be with Christ. lie told me his faith in his Saviour was unshaken. At this time, he made as humble addresses to God as I ever heard drop from mortal lips. Soon after, his delirium returned, and never more remitted. On the Lord's day, about one hour and a half before sunset, this great man took his final departure from this troublesome world, being the 13th day of December, 1772. Mr. Davis, it is well known, was a great scholar, possessed of a good judgment and very reten- tive memory. He had a great soul, and despised any thing that was little or mercenary. He told me the reason why he left Boston was because he abhorred a dependant life and popularity ; that, if God continued him, he intended to settle in this new country, and preach the Gospel of our Saviour 120 BAPTIST. freely. His address, in all his religious performances, was sweet and pleasing ; his private conversation, informing and engaging, though he was at times a little reserved in company ; and, what is above all, 1 believe he was an humble disciple of our blessed Saviour. " The remains of this worthy man are interred near a brook, at the North end of the level land, that lies adjacent to Grave Creek. About sixteen feet North of his grave, stands a large black oak tree, on which, with my tomahawk, I cut the day of the month, date of the year, and Mr. Davis' name He was the first white man that died in thiK-< part of the country." Thus died, at the early age of thirty-six years, this noble defender of religious liberty. Dr. Hovey, in his Life of Backus, says, — " Mr. Backus calls him ' the pious and learned Mr. John Davis,' and always refers to hh character and conduct with the utmost respect. During the brief period of his ministry, in a place remote from all his early friends, he so discharged the duties of his responsible office as to win the esteem and love of his flock ; and he so commended himself to his brethren throughout New Eng- land as to be made their agent in affairs which they esteemed of vital inte- rest. His task was soon done, but we have reason to believe it was well done." As early as 1770, Mr. Davis was a member of the American Philosophi- cal Society. The following notice of his death appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette for February 3, 1773 :— " Ohio, (ninety-five miles below Pittsburgh,) > December 13, 1772. 5 " This day died here, after three weeks severe illness, the Bev. John Davis, A. M., Fellow of Rhode Island College, and late Pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Boston. The third day following, his corpse was decently interred near the river, in a spot of ground which had been fixed upon for erecting a Baptist meeting-house. His Funeral was attended by the Rev. David Jones, Mr. James McMachan, (at whose house he died,) and several others of his old acquaintances, who are settling in this part of the country. As yet, he has no other Monument than a large and venera- ble Oak, standing at the head of his grave, with his Name carved on it. Mr. Davis was a Man of fine Parts, an excellent Scholar, and a pretty Speaker. "Refined his Language, and his reasoning true, " He pleased only the Discerning Few." With great regard. Very sincerely yours, - H. G. JONES. BURGESS ALLISON. 121 BURGESS ALLISON, D. D. 17G9— 1827. FROM THE REV. HOWARD MALCOM. D. D., PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE AT LEWISBURGII, PA. Lewisburgii, August 18, 1858. My dear friend : I am glad to comply with your request for a sketch of the late Dr. Allison, and yet I fear that it will be but a meagre view of his life and character that I sliall be able to give you. I fir.st knew him in 1817, when I was beginning to preach, and was a member of Dr. Staughton's Theological School. He was loved by us all ; and, though slender and unimposing in appearance, always commanded the highest respect. It gives me pleasure, even at this late day, to pay the tribute to his memor}- which your request contemplates. Burgess Allison, a son of Richard and Euth Allison, was born in Bordentown, N. J., August 17, 1753. Ilis father, who was an eminently pious man, died in 176G; but so happy had been the influence of his exam- ple and counsels upon this, his only son, that, from the age of five years. Burgess was under strong religious impressions. lie seems, however, to have had no correct views of his character and condition as a sinner, and to have settled down, for the time, with the conviction that he had only to perform a certain round of external duties, in order to become entitled to the blessings of salvation. He prayed, fasted, read the Scriptures, &c., with great punctuality, and seems not to have doubted that he was in the way of life. But, on being placed at a boarding school, he found himself derided by the boys for kneeling in prayer before retiring to bed, and sub- jected to other petty persecutions. His religion could not stand such a test as this, and he gradually came to enjoy vain company, Sunday excur- sions, and other improper practices. He was arrested in this fatal course, by encountering great peril from a violent gust of wind, on one of his Sunday frolics. When the party reached the shore, he and another left their companions, being fully resolved that they would break off from their evil ways, and cast themselves at the feet of Divine mercy. They solemnly announced this intention to their thoughtless associates : and, from that time, all intimacy with them ceased. But Allison began, as before, to build on a sandy foundation. He became circumspect in all his conduct, and strictly attentive to hi.s external duties. He felt that he needed a Saviour's aid, and that he was quite unable of himself to merit Heaven. But he presumed that Christ would make up what he lacked in himself. He worked for life, but was continually falling under the power of temptation, and began to feel that Christians had something of which he was destitute. Deep and anxious now were his reflections, and he soon felt that he was under the condemnation of a violated law. His subsequent exercises he thus describes: — "As I was taking a solitary walk, more disturbed in mind than usual, all at once a ray of Divine light broke into my soul, and I was filled with wonder and joy. T beheld in imagination the blessed Vol. VI. 16 122 BAPTIST. Saviour, full of compassion, and ready to receive rac, notwithstanding the vilcncss I now saw iu myself. Immediately I cast myself upon Ilim. I felt emptied of self. The demands of the law I saw to be answered in Iliiii. My feet seemed to be placed on a rock, and a new song put into my mouth. I stood astonished, — so wonderful did the way of salvation through a Redeemer appear, and so utterly diifercut from any views I had ever before experienced." During the succeeding summer, he continued to enjoy great peace, and resolved to join some church. He set himself to a diligent examination of the New Testament, and, having become "satisfied that the Baptist Church was nearest the primitive constitution," he offered himself as a candidate for communion at Upper Freehold, where he was baptized, Octo- ber, 1769. At this time, Bordentown was destitute of the preaching of the Gospel, with the exception of perhaps five or six Sabbaths in a year. This occa- sioned him deep regret, and it became an object of much interest with him to have religious services regularly established there. There was, however, no one but himself to officiate ; and, being but about sixteen, he shrunk from the attempt. But a sense of duty overcame his timidity. He obtained a room and invited the people to attend. The novelty of the occasion brought out a large number. It was a severe trial. Before him were many of his fo-rmer associates — most of his audience had known him from infancy — he v,-is but a boy — all conspired to abash and confound him. He, however, proceeded through the usual form of public worship, and expounded a passage of Scripture. This meeting was regularly kept up on Sunday evenings, for about four years. A considerable number of persons were thus hopefully brought to a practical knowledge of the truth, were baptized in the Delaware, and were subsequently formed into a church. jMr. Allison was meanwhile anxiously deliberating whether it was not his duty to give himself permanently to the work of the ministry. When, at length, his Christian friends communicated to him their convic- tion that such was his duty, he resolved on the measure ; and at once ^in 1774) placed himself under the instruction of the Bev. Samuel Jones, D. D., of Lower Dublin, near Philadelphia. Here he received a classical education, and also, to some extent, studied Theology. He prosecuted his studies with great diligence, and, as his mind was strong, and susceptible of high culture, his progress was proportionally rapid. An admirable feature in Dr. Jones' school was the provision which it made for bringing into successful exercise both the reflective and the rhetorical powers of his pupils. He preached but once on Sunday, and the afternoon was devoted to discussions, by the young ministers, of questions in Theology, cases of conscience, &c., which had been previously given out. His students generally showed, in after life, the value of this discipline. In 1777, Mr. Allison studied a session or two at Rhode Island College ; and, on his return, became Pastor of the recently formed congregation at Bordcntown. As he received from his people little or no pecuniary com- pensation for his services, he opened a classical boarding school, — his mother acting as matron. This institution rose rapidly in both reputation BURGESS ALLISON. 123 aiiJ nuiuLci's, aiiJ ultiiaatoly brouylit liiiii an amide furtunc. Ills pupils — nunibcring generally about one liuuilrod — eaiiio not only from almo.st every State in the Union, but from Lisbon, tlie West Indies, the Azores, and South America. His Electrical Machine, Orrery, and most of his philo- sophical instruments, were of his own construction, — the Revolutionary War precluding him from importing apparatus.* In Deeember, 1783, he was married to 3Irs. llhoda Stout, widow of Zephaniah Stout, of Hopewell, N. J., — a connection that proved pre-cmi- uently happy. She at once engaged zealously in the superintendence of the boys out of school, and was universally loved and honoured by them. They never spoke of her but with respect and affection. Such a woman was admirnbl}' adapted to aid Mr. A. in his new mode of government; for he had introduced the plan of ruling without a rod. In his hands it proved successful, and no school had better discipline. He was among the first, if not the very first, to try this mode, now so universally approved. Having rendered himself independent in his worldly circumstances, he retired from his school in 1790, renting his buildings to the Ilev. William Staughton, who entered into his labours in the business of instruction. He now engaged with great zeal in the invention and improvement of sundry machines and implements. Among these were a machine for taking profiles, and a polygraph in which steel pens were used, but especially the steam engine which, for some years, he had endeavoured to apply to navi- gation. But, like his great compeers in such enterprises, he found that these projects wasted his estate. He also suffered some heavy losses by endorsements, and still more by the discovery of a flaw in his title to twenty thousand acres of land in Kentucky. But the heaviest blow was the removal of his noble wife by death. In these most trying circum- stances, his piety shone out with new lustre. Instead of deep dejection or querulous regret, he manifested a calm and all-sustaining confidence in God. He would say, — " My Heavenl}' Father knows best what my interest requires, and why should I desire to take the direction of my affairs out of his hands ?" He often, in subsequent years, remarked that he had learned more true wisdom in the brief period of his adversity than in ail the prosperous 3'ears of his life. In October, 1801, he repurchased the Academy buildings in Borden- town, and resumed his school with a large patronage. Dr. Staughton had removed to Burlington, and the pulpit, thus made vacant, was again tendered to Mr. Allison, and accepted. But the failure of his health soon compelled him again to relinquish these lal)0urs. For some years, he now enjoyed relaxation from the burdens of care, and gave himself assiduously to theological studies, in which he had the advantage of one of the finest libraries in the country at that time. His religious feelings became more fervent, and his whole demeanour more impressive. He was much in prayer, especially ejaculatory prayer, even in company, and in the midst of business. Adversity had chastened him ; and a faith, strong and steady, infused into his heart, and sjtrcad over hit. life, a most delightful tranquillity. •His ingenuity, as well a.s patrioti.sm, was exerted, about this time, in preparing kegs contain- ing explosive substances, v.hicli were floated down the Delaware, for the destruction of the British men-of-war, at anchor there. 124 BAPTIST. In 181G, lie was elected Cliaplain to the House of Representatives in Congress, aiul continued in that office for several years. He then was appointed Chaplain at the Navy Yard in Washington, in which office he died, February 20, 1827, having reached the venerable age of seventy-four. As a preacher, Dr. Allison may be said to have lacked fluency, though his discourses always indicated good sense, a well furnished mind, and an evangelical spirit. He w-as an eminently wise man, and this rendered him a most acceptable and useful counsellor. In all ecclesiastical meetings, he was honoured and trusted, and his influence ever tended to love and zeal As a teacher of youth, he had few, if any, superiors. His reputation in this respect procured him iuvitations to the Presidency of three several Colleges, all of which he declined. He possessed great mechanical inge- nuity, and was no mean connoisseur in some of the fine arts. He was an adept particularly in music and painting, in both which he took great delight as recreations, and spent some hours almost daily. At an early period, he was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, and was long one of its Secretaries. He kept up an extensive foreign cor- respondence, and wrote much for magazines and newspapers. On the for- mation of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, he was chosen one of its Vice Presidents. Indeed, I may safely say that few men have lived a longer, better, happier and holier life than Burgess Allison. Dr. Allison had seven children, — four sons and three daughters. A son and a daughter died in early childhood — the others were all married and had families. Three of them, — two sons and a daughter, died many )'ears since ; and a son and a daughter still survive. The following notice of Dr. Allison was written by Morgan Edwards in 1789:— " Mr. Allison is a slender built man, and neither tall nor of firm consti- tution, yet approaches towards an universal genius beyond any of my acquaintance. His stated preaching shows his skill in Divinity. The Academy he opened in 1778 gives him daily opportunities of displaying mas- tership in the liberal arts and sciences, and ancient and modern languages ; several foreign youths deem his seminary their Alma Mater; foreigners prefer him for a tutor, because of his acquaintance with the French, Span- ish, Portuguese, &c. The Academy is well furnished with books, globes, glasses, and other pieces of apparatus for experiments in Natural Philoso- phy, Astronomy, Geography, Optics, Hydrostatics, &c. Some of the said pieces arc of his own fabrication. He is now preparing materials for an Orrery, on an improved plan. He is not a stranger to the Muses and Graces; for he is an adept in Music, Drawing, Painting, Katoptrics, &c. He has two curious and well finished chandeliers in his parlour, which show the maker, wltcnever he stands before them. He is as remarkable a mechanic as he is an artist and philosopher: the lathe, the plane, the ham- mer, the chisel, the graver, &c., have displayed his skill in the use of tools. His accomplishments have given him a name and a place in our Philosoph- ical Society, and in that distinguished by the name of Rumsey, and in the Society for promoting Agriculture and Home Manufactures." Yours with afi"ectionate respect, HOWARD MALCOM. LEWIS LUNSFORD. 125 LEWIS LUNSFORD. 1770—1793. FROM TUB REV. JAMES B. TAYLOR, D. D. Richmond, December 13, 1848. Dear Sir : Lewis Lunspord, concerning whom you inquire, may justly be reckoned among tlie more distinguished ministers of the Baptist denom- ination. He was born in Stafford County, Va., about the year 1753. His parents were poor, and, from earliest infancy, he was accustomed to the hardships peculiar to his condition in life. Though possessing a mind of superior order, the ample stores of knowledge were not, in childhood, placed within his reach. He was destined, however, with his powers con- secrated to the cause of Christ, to be the instrument of extensive good to his fellow-men. At what time his conversion took place, cannot, with precision, now be determined. It must, however, have occurred at an early period, as there is reason to believe he had commenced the preaching of the Gospel, when he was not more than seventeen years old. The instru- mentality of his conversion is attributed to Elder William Fristoe,* and by him he was baptized. Having united himself with the Potomac Church, now called Ilartwood, he began immediately to proclaim salvation through the blood of atone- ment. It was perceived by all that he possessed remarkable talents, and crowds attended his ministry from ever}' direction. His extreme youth, united with the fluency and pungency of his address, excited astonishment. He was fiimiliarly called " the wonderful boy," and it is justly a matter of surprise that, amidst so many flattering attentions as he received, he was not ruined. A few years after his entrance into the ministry, he left his native county, and extended his influence through all the counties of the North- ern Neck of Virginia. In Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Lancaster especially, did the Lord make his ministrations effectual, and believers were daily added to the Church. Several churches were gathered as the fruit of his toils ; the most prominent of which are Nomini, Moratico, and Wicomico. When the Moratico Church was constituted, in the year 1778, •William Fristoe was born in Stafford County, Va., in the year 1712. His parents belonged to the Established Church, but were not particularly interested in religious things. In bis fourteenth year, when he was watching witii a sick and dying man, a word that was dropped by a Scotch Presbyterian, who was sitting up with him, went to his heart, and awa- kened deep solicitude in respect to his own salvation. At li ngth, after a protracted struggle with himself, his mind became composed, and his heart fixed upim the gracious ))romiscs of (lie (lospel; and, soon after this, when he was not far from the age of nineteen, he was licensed to preaeh by the Chapawansick Church, of which, in due time, he was called to take the pa^loml care. He, however, travelled extensively, and was instrumental of forming many ollirr churches. lie also, at different periods, su|>plied several churclies regularly, among which weii> Ihosi' of Brentown, Ilartwood, flrove. and llockhill. dn removing to the County of Slienan- doiih. he resigned all but one, and that he retained till the year before his di'alli. After U'u settlement in .Shenandoah, he took charge of Ebene/.i.r, Buckinarsh, Bethel. Zion, and .'^alcm. in their destitution, and gave them up successivel}', whenever Pastors could be obtained. In the year 1809, he published a work entitled "The History of the Ketockton Baptist Associa- tion."' He died, after a short illness, at his residence in Shenandoah County, oti the 14(h of .\ugust, 1828, having reached his eighty-sixth year. AVithout having enjoyed the advantages of an early education, he had, by caro and industry, acquired much general knowledge, and was an acceptable and useful preacher of the Gospel. 126 BAPTIST. lie was unanimously chosen its Pastor. This relation lie sustained as long as he lived. It is proijcr here to state that he was never ordained by the imposition of hands, as he entertained the sentiment that there was nothing necessary to constitute a valid ordination, but the call of some church to the Avork of a Pastor or an Evangelist. Many of his brethren, at that lime, considered his course objectionable, in reference to this sub- ject ; they were, however, disposed to make it a matter of forbearance, they loved him still, and co-operated with him in every good work. I have already intimated that he was distinguished for his natural tal- ents ; he was also a diligent student, and acquired a large fund of useful knowledge. In the early part of his ministry, when compelled to labour during the week, whilst he preached on Lord's day, he was accustomed to occup}'' a large portion of the night in reading by fire-light. When he set- tled in the Northern Neck, he supplied himself with a small but valuable collection of books, and employed all the time he could abstract from active ministerial labour, in the cultivation of his intellectual powers. His mem- ory was most retentive. The stores of knowledge which he had accumu- lated were always at hand, and so well arranged that, when neccssarj', he could bring them forth, and use them for the instruction of his auditors. In ability to make extensive and accurate quotations from good authors, few excelled him. He possessed, also, a very considerable taste for the study of jMedicinc, and read the most approved works on that subject. His medical attainments were so considerable that his services as a physician were frequently solicited by families residing at a distance. The follow- ing reference to his talents as a minister is furnished by Elder J. P. Jeter, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Richmond, and, for several years. Pastor of the Moratico and Wicomico churches, in the Northern Neck. " Lunsford was unquestionably endowed with superior genius. Desti- tute of literary acquirements, residing in an isolated and obscure part of the country, having access to few books, and few enlightened ministers, ho rose, by native vigour of intellect and dint of application, to real distinc- tion. For this distinction he was not indebted to the gloom b}' which he was surrounded. He would have been distinguished in any age, or any country. I have conversed with several intelligent gentlemen, who were intimately acquainted with him, and who concur in the opinion that his pulpit talents were of the first order. His conceptions were clear, quick and sublime ; his style, though far from being polished, was lucid, copious and strong, and his gestures were natural and impassioned." The following anecdote was related by a living clergyman of high standing, who belongs to a different denomination of Christians ■•■' .m that to which Lunsford belonged. Dr. Samuel Stanhope Smith, . Princeton. N. J., had engaged to preach in the neighbourhood of his appointment: through courtesy to Dr. S., Lunsford declined preaching, and repaired with all his congregation to hear the Doctor's sermon. Dr. S., having heard the fame of Lunsford, earnestly pressed him to preach. Lunsford, yielding to his importunity, preached, after Smith had delivered his discourse. Dr. Smith afterwards remarked, — "I had heard much of Lunsford's preaching, and was prepared to hear a great sermon, but the one-half had not been told me." LEWIS LUNSFORD. 127 AUliougli this Jistinguishcil man was taken from the field of laliour in the vigour of liis days, few liave aceoniplishod more tliau he did for tlie extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom. He was in various respects useful. As a Pastor, he was affectionate and faithful. lie delighted to contribute to the relief of those who were in suffering circumstances. Being quali- fied to administer in sickness, he attended the calls of distress which met his ear, and uniformly without compensation. Mr. Semple says of him, — " From the time he settled in the Northern Neck, and indeed from the time he began to preach there, he gradually increased in favour with the people, lie had two remai-kable revivals of religion within the bounds of his church — the one about the time of the constitution of the church, and the other commenced in the year 1788, and had scarcely subsided at his death, in 1793. During these revivals, he was uncommonly lively and engaged. He preached almost incessantly ; and, by his acquaintances, after the last revival, it was thought that he made a rapid advance both in wisdom and warmth, especially the latter, from which he never receded, during his residence on earth." " If Lunsford were now living," says Elder Jeter, "he would be an advocate for the benevolent institutions by which the age is distinguished. The Moral ico Church Book contains an order, made during his Pastorate, and doubtless by his influence, for making collections to aid the College in Providence, R. I., now Brown University. He was a man of enlarged views and feelings. He corresponded with Isaac Backus, of New Eng- land, and Dr. llippon, of London. With the Presbyterian ministers of his neighbourhood he maintained the most intimate and friendly intercourse. He appears to have possessed a catholic spirit towards all Christian denominations." The early part of Lunsford's ministry was in the midst of perilous times. No power of mind or extent of attainments; no piety, zeal, or faithfulness, was sufficient to shield from the assaults of persecution. Elder Semple, referring to Lunsford's early visits to the Northern Neck, says, — " Here, as in most other places where the Baptists preached, they cried out that some new doctrine was started ; that the Church was in danger. I\Ir. L. was accounted worthy to share a part of this opposition. A clergyman appointed a day to preach against the Anabaptists. Crowds attended to hear him. He told stories about Jack of Leyden and Crom- well's Roundheads ; but he could not, by such tales, stop the Gospel cur- rent, now swelling to a torrent. When Mr. L. preached again in those parts, they attacked him by more weighty arguments. A constable was sent with a warrant to arrest him. The constable, with more politeness than is usual on such occasions, waited until Mr. Lunsford had preached. His fascinating powers palsied the constable's hand. He would not, he said, serve a warrant on so good a man. Another man took it, went tremblingly and served it. Mr. Lunsford obeyed the summons, and appeared before a magistrate. He held him in a recognizance to appear at Court. The Court determined that he had been guilty of a 1)reach of good behaviour, and that he must give security or go to prison. He was advised to give security, under the expectation of obtaining license to preach. He tried, but could not. He often regretted that he had taken 128 BAPTIST. this step, and was sorry that lie had not gone to prison. This took place in Richmond County. "After the repeal of the law for establishing one sect to the exclusion of the rest, a banditti attended Mr. Lunsford's meeting-house, with sticks and staves, to attack him. Just as he was about to begin to preach, they approached him fur the attack. His irreligious friends, contrary to his wish, determined to defend him. This produced a great uproar and some skirmishes. jMr. Lunsford retired to a house. The persecutors pursued him. He shut himself up, and they were not hardy enough to break in to him. One of them desired to have the privilege of conversing with Mr. L., with a view of convincing him. He was let in, and did converse. When he came out, he wore a new face. His party asked him the result. ' You had better,' said he, ' converse with him yourselves.' " I quote still further from Elder Semple in reference to Mr. Lunsford's last hours: — "This great, this good, this almost inimitable, man, died when about forty years of age. He lived in a sickly climate, and had frequent bilious attacks. They were sometimes very severe. For two or three years before his death, he laboured under repeated indispositions, even when travelling about. His manly soul would never permit him to shrink from the work, so long as he had strength to lift up his voice. Sometimes, after going to bed, as being too ill to preach, prompted by his seraphic spirit, he would rise again, after some other person had preached, and deal out the bread of life to the hungry sons and daugliters of Zion. " The Dover Association for the year 1793 was held at Glebe Landing Meeting-House, in Middlesex County. This was nearly opposite to Mr. Lunsford's, and, the river emptied, not more than fifteen or eighteen miles from his house. Although just rising from a bilious attack, he would not stay from a place where his heart delighted to be, and where he had the best ground to believe he could do good. He went, and appeared so much bet- ter, that he made extensive appointments to preach in the lower parts of Virginia. He was chosen to preach on Sunday, and he did preach indeed. On Tuesday, he came up to King and Queen, and preached at Bruingtou Meeting-House, from these words, — ' Therefore, let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.' It was an awakening discourse, worthy of tliis masterly workman. On that day, he took cold, and grew worse. He, however, preached his last sermon, the next day evening, observing, v.heu he began, — ' It may be improper for me to attempt to preach at this time ; but, as long as I have any strength remaining, I wish to preach the Go.spel of Christ ; and I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.' He then preached his last sermon from — ' Therefore, being jus- tified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." He continued -to grow worse, until, having arrived at Mr. Gregory's, in Essex, he took his bed, from whence he was carried to his grave. In his sickness he was remarkably silent; having very little to say which he could avoid. He was fond of joining in prayer; and sometimes exerted liis now relaxed mind, in making remarks worthy of such a man. He expressed some anxiety at the thought of leaving his helpless family, but appeared quite resigned to the will of Heaven. On the 26th of October, 1793, he fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, aged about forty years." LEWIS LUNSFORD. 129 The Rev. Henry Toler* preached two Funeral Sermons for him : — One at the place of his death ; another at Mr. Lunsford's Meetiiig-House in Lancaster County, called Kilmarnock, These two Sermons were printed in a pam- phlet, and annexed to them were two handsome elegies, written by ladies of his church. Mr. Lunsford was twice married : by his first marriage he had one child ; by his second, three. I am, Dear Sir, faithfully yours, JAMES B. TAYLOR. JOHN WILLIAMS. 1770—1795. FROM THE REV. JAMES B. TAYLOR, D. D. Richmond, December 15, 1818. Dear Sir : I regret to say that the materials for any thing like a satis- factory sketch of Elder John AYilliams, of this State, cannot now be ob- tained. In the brief notices which follow, you have the result of a pretty thorough inquiry, which I have instituted in respect to him. John Williams was born in Hanover County, in the year 1747. His parents, though not wealthy, were in comfortable circumstances, and availed themselves of the opportunities they enjoyed, to give their sou a liberal education. At what time he left Hanover is not known ; but, in 1769, he- was engaged in the capacity of Sheriff in Lunenburg County. About thi.s period, the right hand of the Lord was gloriously displayed, in variou,-* parts of Virginia, and many yielded to the sway of the King of saints. It was at this time that Mr. Williams' attention was first directed to the subject of religion ; and, having himself been brought to the feet of Christ, he began at once to tell others of the value of a Saviour. Being exten- sively acquainted in the county, in discharging his duties as Sheriff, he had a favourable opportunity of doing good to many. Nor did he neglect it. He warned his fellow men to turn from sin's deceitful ways, notwithstand- ing he had not then made a public profession of his faith in Christ. He was not baptized until February, 1770, six months after his conversion. • IlExnY Toler was a native of King and Queen County, Va., where he lived till he reached manhood. lie received his first religious impressions under the ministry of Elder .lohn Court- ney, and in due time became a mcuibcr of the Upper College Church, and shortly after began to speak in public. After this, through the kindness of a wealthy and benevolent friind. he went to Pennsylvania, and became a member of the celebrated Scfiool, then conducted by Dr. Samuel Jones •, and here he remained, greatly to his advantage, for about three years. He then returned to his native county, was ordained shortly after, and addressed himself with great zeal and energy to the work upon which his eye and his heart had so long been fixed. Having preached with much acceptance in the County of King George, in 178o he consented to scttk' there; though, after two or three years, he removed into the County of Westmoreland, where he exerci-scd his ministry with great success, at the same time travelling extensively in the upper counties, and in the Northern Neck, as well as between the York and Rappahannock Rivers, lie wa.s, however, obliged, for want of an adequate support, to leave this i)lace, and hn purchased a farm in Fairfax County, but, finding himself unable to pay for it, ho relinquished his title, and removed West of the Blue Ridge. Thence he emigrated to Kentucky, and became Pastor of a church in Versailles, which position he occupied aCthe time of his death. He died in March, 1824. Vol. VL 17 130 BAPTIST. He contiuucd to prosecute the work of tlie miuistry, as a licentiate, with the diligence and perseverance of one who knew the value of the Gospel, and who earnestly desired the salvation of sinners. At length, tlie num- ber of disciples had so far increased, that it was thought expedient to form a new church iu the County of Lunenburg, to be known by the name of Meherriu. The church was constituted November 27, 1771 ; and, after a short time, they invited Elder Williams to become their Pastor ; which invitation he accepted. In December, 1772, he was publicly set apart by imposition of hands. He appears, while labouring for this church, to have been eminently useful. At the Association iu 1774, it was ascertained, from the report of the churches, that the church at Meherrin had received, during the previous year, a larger number than any other represented at that meeting. Such was the increase, during his ministry, that five or six churches were formed from the Meherrin Church, in the counties of Lunen- burg, Mecklenburg, and Charlotte. In 1785, he removed his membership to Sandy Creek Church, Charlotte, and became their Pastor. This rela- tion he sustained as long as he lived. He consented, also, in 1780, to serve the Blue Stone Church, Mecklenburg County. They were supplied by him about eight years, until the removal of Elder William Richards* into their immediate vicinity ; when he tendered his resignation. It ought here tobe mentioned that, immediately after Mr. Williams' conversion to God, he began to preach in a destitute neighbourhood of Mecklenburg County, and was successful in the formation of a church called Allen's Creek. Here, for twenty years, as frequently as possible, and with much success, he preached the Gospel. Many coloured persons were brought to a knowledge of the truth, and added to this church. The influence of this servant of Christ was not to be confined within these limits. He early distinguished himself as one who felt deeply for the general interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom. He was a regular attendant of the meetings of the General Association, which continued in existence until 1783 ; and, afterwards, when the General Committee was organized, he never failed to be present. Many of the most important subjects were discussed at these meetings, and there is satisfactory evidence that he was one of the leading spirits in those deliberations. Any scheme which promised to promote the welfare of man, he was not only willing to approve, but to aid in its accomplishment. Among the important objects which engaged his attention may be men- tioned the cause of religious liberty. When lie entered the ministry, the Chureli of lingland was established liy law, and dissenters were deprivcl * William Richards was born in Essex County, Ya., of highly rcspeetfible paronts, in tho ycarl7l'):>. At the age of eighteen, he became hopefully pious, through the instrumentality of the Baptists, and joined a Baptist Church in 1781. .Soon after this, he commenced preach- ing the (iospel, but his first cflorts were regarded as rather vinproinising. Having laboured, for .some time, in North Carolina, he removed, in 1794, to IMccklenburg County, ^'a., where he spent the reniaiiuler of liis life. Tl)e same year that he removed, he was chosen Pastor of Blue iitone (now Bethel) Church. In 1799, a revival took place in connection with his labours, that resulted in the accession to tlio church of more than one hundred members. The year previ- ous, he consented to serve the Sandy Creek Church, Charlotte County, and in 1SU2 an inter- esting revival commenced there also, which continued for eighteen months. His labours were extended to dilVerent parts of Mecklenburg, Ijunenburg, and Charlotte, for many 3'ears. though his attciiti(}n was chiefly given to the J]ethel Ciiurch, which was near his residence. He died, after having been disabled, by bodily infirmity, for pastoral labour, several years, on the l.'5th of July, 1837, in tho seventy-fourth year of his age. He was an eminently consistent and devout Christian, and a highly evangelical, acceptable and useful preacher. JOHN WILLIAMS. 131 of many privileges enjoyed by Episcopalians. As Non-conforini.sts, tliey were exposed to the loss of person;il liberty, and to the endurance of many severe sufferings. The Baptists had sore experience of these grievances. Elder Williams was, in the meetings of the General Association and Gen- eral Committee, one of the most unbending champions in opposing these proscriptions, and employed his influence to encourage his brethren to resist, by all scriptural means, those unhallowed, though legalized, oppres- sions. At the meeting of the General Association, in 1775, a Resolution was adopted, authorizing memorials to be prepared and circulated through- out the Colony, praying the General Assembly of Virginia that the Church Establishment might be abolished, and that religion might be allowed to stand upon its own basis. Elder Williams, with two others, were deputed to wait on the Legislature with these petitions. At several times was he appointed on a similar mission. Nor were his efforts, with those of his brethren, vain, — for he lived to see one of the warmest wishes of his heart gratified in the entire prostration of ecclesiastical tyranny. The interests of education also found in him an efficient patron. He had no idea of having learning divorced from piety. The subject of edu- cation, it is well known, was favourably received, and plans adopted for its promotion by the Baptists of the last century. In 1793, it was com- mitted by the General Committee to John Williams and Thomas Read, who reported the following plan : — that fourteen Trustees be appointed, all of whom shall be Baptists ; that these, at their first meeting, appoint seven from the other denominations ; and that the whole twenty-one then form a plan and make arrangements for executing it. Why this scheme failed is not distinctly known ; but it is evident that the brethren of that day not only contemplated the establishment of a Seminary of learning, but actually adopted the incipient measures for carrying their wishes into execution. The following extract from a paper, presenteni b}- Elder Wil- liams, indicates his own feelings, and the progress which had been made in the cause of education : — " Two Seminaries of learning are proposed in our State, — one on each side of James River. W^e have sufficient encour- agement from our learned brethren in the North that we shall not want for able, skilful teachers. This will also require very diligent efforts and liberal contributions. And if we, in this, as we ought in every thing. act with a single eye to the glory of God, and the advancement of the Redeemer's interest, then shall we have sufficient grounds to hope we shall meet with the approbation of Heaven." Another subject in which this excellent man felt a deep and lively inte- rest, was the preparation of a History of the Virginia Baptist Churches, — in reference to which Elder Semplc writes thus: — " The compilation of a History of the Virginia Baptists having been committed wholly to the bands of Mr. Williams, after Mr. Leland's removal, he had made no incon- siderable progress in collecting documents, when, in consequence of the decline of his health, he found himself under the necessity of resigning his trust. This he did, in a letter to the General Committee, in 1794. The Committee received his resignation, and resolved to decline it for the pre- sent." A few years previous, he himself thus refers to this subject : — " It is thought very expedient to form or compile a History of the Bap- 132 BAPTIST. tlzed Churches in Virginia, — their rise, progress, hindrances, remarkable events and occurrences, chief instruments, present condition, &c. Our General Committee have taken up the matter, and appointed ministers in the various districts to collect materials, who find it very necessary to claim the exertions and assistance of the several churches, ministers, and other individuals. We desire every circumstance to be presented as clearly as possible, and with candour and truth." Elder Williams was a man of no ordinary strength of intellect. This is indicated by such written documents as were left by him, and the con- current testimony of those who knew and still survive him. He was much devoted to reading, and his attainments were by no means inconsiderable. Especially on theological subjects was his knowledge enlarged and profound. As a public speaker. Elder Semple thus describes him : — " His talents, if not equal to any, were certainly very little inferior to those of the first grade. His appearance in the pulpit was noble and majestic, yet humble and affectionate. In the beginning of his discourses, he was doctrinal and somewhat methodical ; often very deep, even to the astonishment of hi.s hearers — towards the close, and indeed sometimes throughout his sermon, he was exceedingly animated. His exhortations were often incomparable." From the Minutes of Associations to which he belonged, and other sources, it appears that, in his religious sentiments, he was a moderate Cal- vinist. It is intimated by some who knew him that he was favourable to Open Communion. If this were his sentiment, it was not carried into prac- tice. Nor did he fail, on all suitable occasions, to vindicate the exclusive propriety of Believers' Baptism. Mr. Patillo, a Presbyterian minister of some celebrity, having preached in his vicinity a discourse on the subject of Baptism, a reply of considerable merit was prepared by Mr. Williams. This reply he intended to put to the press, had tlie discourse itself been published. A brief extract from the preface will indicate the spirit with which the work was undertaken : — "I hope I have sufficiently demonstrated to my countrymen, for a series of years, that I am not overbearing on others, or bigotted to those of my principles which are not essential to sal- vation. I have universally endeavoured to promote a catholic spirit, with peace and concord, in the Israel of God. But, nevertheless, I am set for the defence of the Gospel ; and, as such, circumstances often occur, that require me to contend for the faith and order of Christ's Church." Mr. Williams laboured diligently, wherever he had opportunity, for the salvation of souls ; and his heart was set upon the promotion of the great interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom. Immediately previous to the Dec- laration of Independence, while the American army were encamped in the lower part of Virginia, permission to preach to the soldiers was ol)taineiI from the Legislature, and he gladly engaged in the work. Had he lived in the present day, none can question that he would heartily unite in those efforts which are intended to send among the nations the unsearchable riclics of Christ. Elder Williams was not permitted to live to old age. A quotation from Elder Semple will give all the particulars, which may be interesting, in respect to the latter part of his days : — " Being very corpulent, at an Asso- ciation in 1793. he accidentally fell liy the turning of a step, as he was JOHN AVILLIAMS. 133 passing out of a door, aiul becamo, for a year or two, a cripple, liciiig uiiilcr the necessity of going on crutches. Notwithstanding this, lie would still go in a carriage to the meeting, and preach, sitting in a chair in the pulpit. During several of the last years of his life, he was aillicted with a very painful disease. Under his severe suffering he was not only patient, hut, v.'hen he could have any mitigation of his pain, he was also cheerful. About ten days before his death, he was attacked by a pleurisy, from which no medicine could give him relief. His work was finished, and, April 30th, 1795, he fell asleep. " Nothing very remarkable occurred in connection with the closing scene. He told his wife that it was a matter of indifference with him whether he lived or died : he had committed this to God, who would do right. He said ho felt some anxiety for his numerous family ; but that these also he was willing to trust in the hands of a Gracious Providence." In Januar}', 17GS, Elder Williams was married to Miss Frances Hughes, of Powhattan county, by whom he had fourteen children ; of whom eleven were living at the time of his death; and, of these, four professed religion and were baptized. I am, dear Sir, very truly yours, JAMES B. TAYLOR. CHARLES THOMPSON. 1770—1803. FROM THE REV. ABIAL FISHER, D. D. West Boylston, Mass., Marcli 24, 1859. My dear Sir: Of the llev. Charles Thompson, the subject of your inquiry, I had all the opportunities of information that could be furnished by my having the pastoral charge, for several years, of the same church which he served, having access to both the Town and Church Records, and being in intimate relations with his descendants and many others who had personal knowledge of him. You may, therefore, rely upon the statements which I am about to make concerning him as perfectly authentic. Charles Thompson was born in Amwell, N. J., April 14, 1748. As Dr. Manning came from New Jersey, and commenced the College at Warren, R. I., which is now Brown University at Providence, Mr. Thompson came with him, or soon after him, for the purpose of obtaining an education. He was a member of the first class in iliat institution, graduating in 1769, and delivering the Valedictory Oration. Before he graduated, he had commenced preaching, and in the autumn of 1770 was called to preach at Warren as a candidate for settlement. In March fol- lowing, he received a call to become the Pastor of that church, and, having accepted it, was, in due time, inducted into the pastoral office. He continued, for some time, to discharge his duties in this relation, much to the satisfac- tion of his people. But, early in the War of the Revolution, he was appointed a Chaplain in the American army, and continued to hold the 134 BAPTIST. place for about three years. At the time of the burning of the meeting- house in Warren, by the British soldiery, he was there with his family, who, until that time, had made Warren their home. He was taken and carried to Newport, and confined there in a guard-ship, from which he was released in about a month, but by what means he never knew. After this, he removed his family to Ashford, Conn., where they remained for some time, and meanwhile he was occupied in preaching at Pomfret, and other places in that neighbourhood. The First Baptist Church in Swansea, jMass., — only three miles from Warren, where he had been previously hettled, being now vacant, invited him to become their Pastor; and he accepted the call, and entered upon his labours there in the fall of 1779. The Church at Warren having been broken up and scattered by the burning of their meeting-house and parsonage, and the destruction of much of their property, and being unable, in consequence, to maintain public worship by themselves, proposed to unite with the people of Swansea in supporting their minister, and enjoying the benefit of his labours — and their proposal was acceded to. Mr. Thompson's preaching here was attended with a manifest blessing, almost immediately, so that, within a few months, seventy- five persons were baptized and added to the Church. About 1789, there was another extensive revival, which brought into the church about fifty new members; and in 1801, another, of still greater extent, that resulted in the admission to the church of about one hundred. After a ministry of twenty-three years in Swansea, Mr. Thompson found his support so scanty that he felt obliged to ask for the dissolution of his pastoral relation. He accepted an invitation to settle in Charlton, Worcester County, Mass., in the beginning of 1803, with every prospect of a comfort- able support and a useful ministry. But, even before his removal to Cluulton, he was attacked with hemorrhage of the lungs, which proved the harbinger of a rapid consumption, that terminated his life on the 4th of May following. He died in the full confidence of passing to a better world. Mr. Thompson was tall, spare, and of a fine figure. The expression of his countenance was indicative at once of a vigorous intellect, and an amiable disposition. He placed a high value upon time, and improved all his hours to good purpose. In his family, and in the church, he was a model at once of kindness and firmness. As a preacher he held a very high rank. He liad a voice of great compass, and its tones were at once sweet and commanding. He had great depth and tenderness of feeling, and often wept with his people, while he occasionally addressed them in a voice of thunder. His sermons were carefully studied, and sometimes written, but his manuscript was never seen in the pulpit, and his language was generally such as was supplied to him at the moment. He had a deep sense of his responsi- bility, and feared not to proclaim, in all fidelity, the whole counsel of God. For several years, Mr. Thompson received young men under his care, with a view to direct their education. He was fully master of every thing he attempted to teach. Indeed he may be regarded as having been an accomplished scholar, as well as a devout Christian, and an able and suc- cessful preacher. When he died, it might well be said, — " A great man is fallen in Israel." Very faithfully yours, ABIAL FISHER. SAMUEL SHEPARD. SAMUEL SHEPARD, M. D.^ 1770—1815. Samuel Siiepard was born in Salisbury, Mass., on the 22d of June, 1739. His father, Israel Shepard, was born in England, in 1685. After he went to reside in Salisbury, he was married to Mary True, and they became the parents of ten children, the youngest of whom was the subject of this sketch. His intellect, in its earliest developments, showed a much more than ordinary degree of strength ; and his power of committing to memory was almost unrivalled. When a mere lad, he was stationed in a watch-tower, in the neighbourhood, to report the approach of the Indians. His father's house stood on the main road, leading from Newburyport to Portsmouth, — two miles from the mouth of the Merrimack. That point of land, on the East side of the river, was in those days a favourite resort for the Indians, and said to be visited occasionally, even to this day, by a remnant of the Penobscot tribe. At the age of sixteen, he was employed as a clerk in a store at South Hampton, N. H., and, soon after, taught a school in the same place. He studied Medicine, and settled as a practising physician at Brentwood, N. H., where he soon became distinguished in his profession. A Miss Rachel Thurber, an excellent and zealous Baptist lady, who resided in the neigh- bourhood,— having removed thither, some years before, from Rehoboth, Mass., — had distributed among the families of her acquaintance a consid- erable number of copies of Norcott's work on Baptism ; and one of these happened to fall into the hands of Dr. Shepard at the house of one of his patients. On glancing at it casually, he was induced to read it through ; and the result was that, though he had always been a Congregationalist, he adopted heartily the views which this book maintained, and became a decided Baptist. In June, 1770, he was baptized by the Rev. Hezekiah Smith, of Haverhill, and, shortly after, began to preach. On the 18th of July following, he, with thirteen others, united to form a Baptist Church in Stratham. On the 2d of May, 1771, another church, consisting of thirteen members, was constituted at Brentwood ; and, on the next day, another still, consisting of sixteen members, at Nottingham. These three churches unitedly called Dr. Shepard to become their Pastor. He accepted the call, and was ordained at Stratham, on the 25th of September, 1771 ; on which occasion Dr. Stillman of Boston preached. Dr. Smith of Haver- hill gave the Charge, and Dr. Manning of Providence, the Right Hand of Fellowship. Dr. Shepard was, until the time of his death, one of the most active and honoured ministers of his denomination. He had not only an uncommonly vigorous mind, but great power of physical endurance, and his labours were so widely extended that he might almost be said to have lived the life of an itinerant. And, in addition to his duties as a minister, he con- • Benedict'8 Hist. Bapt., I.— MSS. from Rev. Dr. E. E. Cutnminge and Mrs. U. S. Riddle. 13G BAPTIST. tinued his practice, to some extent, as a physician ; as his medical skill was so highly appreciated that the community in which he lived were not willing to dispense with his services in that capacity. The following let- ter, which he addressed to the Rev. Isaac Backus, in 1781, furnishes some idea of the extent of his early labours : — " I rejoice, Sir, to hear that, in the midst of judgment, God is remembering mercy, and calling in his elect from East to "West. You have refreshed my mind with good news from tlie West and South, and, in return, I will inform you of good news from the Nortli and East. Some hundreds of souls are hopefully converted in the counties of Rockingham, Strafford, and Grafton, in Kcw Hampshire, within a year past. In the last journey I made before my beloved wife was taken from me, I baptized sev- enty-two men, women, and some that may properly be called cliildreu, who confessed with their mouths the salvation God had wrought in their hearts, to good satisfaction. Meredith, in Strafford, has a church gathered the year past, consisting of between sixty and seventy members. I baptized forty-three, in that town, in one day, and such a solemn weeping of the multitude on the shore I never before saw. The ordi- nance of Baptism appeared to carry universal conviction through them, even to a man. The wife, when she saw her husband going forward, began to weep, to think she was not worthy to go with him; in like manner, the liusband the wife, the parent the child, the cliildren the parent; that the lamentation and weeping methinks may be compared to the inhabitants of Hadadrimmon, in the Valley of Maegiddon. Canter- bury, in Rockingham County, has two Baptist Churches, gathered in the year past: one in the parish of Northfield — the number I cannot tell, but it is considerably large. I baptized thirty-one there, and a number have been baptized since by others. The other is in the parish of Loudon, in said Canterbury, containing above one hundred members. Another church, of about fifty members, is gathered in Chichester; another in Bennington, consisting of a goodly number, and one in Ilubbardston, — all three in Strafford County. Two churches in Grafton County, — one in Holderness, the other in Rumney. The church in Rumney had one Haines* ordained last August, much to the satisfaction of the people. All these seven churches have been gathered, in about a j'ear past. One church was gathered last fall in "Wells, over which Brother Nathaniel Lord,t late of Berwick, is ordained. There appears to be a general increase of the Baptist principles, through all the Eastern parts of New England." We find the following notice of Dr Shepard in the Life of Governor Plummer : — " In 1777, by the influence of the labours of Dr. Shepard. a flourishing church was gathered at Epping. Governor Plummer's father had joined this church, and his son attended this meeting. In less than seven years after Dr. Shepard's ordination, his church had become the largest ever collected under one Pastor in New England. He had a meeting-house built in Epping, Brentwood, and Stratham, and preached suc- cessively in each. Through a wide spread region of country, he was folk)wed and admired by a multitude, and everywhere revivals and conversions attested the power of his preaching. Among others. Governor Plummer, then in his twentieth year, attended these meetings, and became a convert. He was baptized by Dr. Shepard in May, 1779, in company with twenty others, in the river, at Nottingham." Dr. Shepard's plan of church extension was to furnish branch churches to the one of which he was the Pastor. These branches were supplied with ministers ; but Brentwood was their Jerusalem to which they used frequently to repair. There Dr. Shepard resided, like a Bishop in the midst of his Diocese. In his active days, he was accustomed to visit all these churches, making a circuit of about two hundred miles ; and they all looked up to hinuwith grateful and reverential regard. The general spirit with which he prosecuted his work, may be inferred from the following extract from a manuscript record of his views and feelings, made by him- self, about five years before his death : — • Cotton Haines, who was not long after ejected from tho fellowship of the Baptists. t Nathaniel Lord was born in 175-1; was ordained Pastor of the Church iu Wells, Me., in 1780; resigned his charge, and became Pastor of the Second Church in Berwick, Me., in 1804; and died in 18;-i2. He was a devoted nuiiister, and rendered important service to the Baptist denomination in Maine, especially at an early period. SAMUEL SHEPARD. 137 "I have thought my work, for about thirty-five years past, has been to warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come ; to alarm those who are at ease in Ziou, and dwell in their ceiled houses, shunning the Cross of Christ, holding a form of godliness and denying the power ; and to en- deavour to feed those who appeared to be the sheep and lambs of Christ, with the siucere milk of the word, according to my ability. My work has often been my wages. It has at times been in my mouth sweet as honey, and bitter as gall in my belly. Persecutions and trials have awaited me many years ; but, through all these things, I have been supported thus far. But alas, such is my ignorance, I am at times fearful to proceed, lest I should darken counsel with words without knowledge, or should give the Ark of the Covenant a wrong touch. The truth contained in tlic Scrip- tures is the key of true knowledge, which reveals the settled counsel of God, the only foundation of hope." Dr. Shepard died at Brentwood, on the 4th of November, 1815, aged seventy-seven years. The following is a list of Dr. Shcpard's publications : — A Scriptural Inquiry respecting the Ordinance of Water Baptism. A Reply to several Answers, in defence of this Inquiry. A Scriptural Inquiry concerning what the Friends or Quakers call Spiritual Baptism ; being an Answer to a work published by Moses Brown, of Providence, 11. I. The Principle of Universal Salvation examined and tried by the Law and the Testimony. An Examination of Elias Smith's two Pamphlets, respecting Original Sin, the Death Adam was to die the day he eat of the Forbidden Fruit, and the Final Annihilation of the Wicked. The following anecdotes have been communicated to me by Mrs. Biddle, a gi-aud-daughter of Dr. Shepard, as illustrative of some of his character- istics : — " He used to tell a story which he was accustomed to apply to men who attempted to dodge difficulties by assuming neutral ground. He said that a certain farmer was in the habit of riding on the tongue of the cart as a place of safety, — being out of the way of both the cart and oxen. This was all very well till the team came to a rough piece of ground, when the oxen became restive, kicked the farmer off, and the wheels ran over him. " On a visit he made at Meredith, at a certain time, he baptized forty- four persons in one day, and preached from the words — ' Wilt thou go V — which Isaac's servant addressed to Rebecca, to persuade her to become his master's wife. As he was approaching the close of the sermon, he began to apply the subject, with great earnestness and pathos, to the impenitent portion of his audience, and, as he uttered the words of his text — ' Wilt thou go?' — in a most expostulatory tone, a man in the congre- gation, bclisving himself converted at the moment, arose and said, — ' Yes, I will go.' The preacher instantly closed the book and sat down. On being asked why he so abruptly terminated his discourse, his reply was, — ' Why the match was made!' " He was a man of extraordinary presence, and could, almost by a look, exert great power over other minds. On one occasion, he was called to visit a suffering woman, a member of his church, whose husband, wealthy but penurious, did not allow his family necessary comforts. After calling Vol. VI. 18 138 BAPTIST. for different things, and being told there were none in the house, Dr. Shepard rose upon his feet, indignantly stamped upon the floor, and said, — ' Mr, — do you go at once and tackle your horse, and purchase the articles, and a tea-kettle.' The man started, as if electrified with terror, and obeyed the command, to the great comfort of his sick wife. " The Rev. Elias Smith, when he was quite a young man, paid a visit to Dr. Shepard, at Brentwood, of which he gives the following account : — ' He received us kindly — so we tarried with him over night. He was naturally a cheerful man, and, after we had partaken of his hospitality, he told a story, which he wished me always to remember, lest I should be too much lifted up, on account of the notice taken of me by the brethren and elders. He said that a certain Indian, having to cross a river in his canoe, thought to save the labour of paddling, by raising a large bush in the bow of his boat. When launched upon the tide, the wind blew so hard that it upset the canoe, and he was obliged to reach the shore by swimming, while his boat floated down the stream. People saw his difliculty, and asked him, after he had reached the land, why he did not come in his canoe, instead of swimming to the shore. ' Oh, said the Indian, ' me carry too much bush.' ' Now,' said Dr. Shepard, 'you are young, and just set out in the world, and you will do well, if you do not carry too much bush.' " Dr. Shepard, according to the testimony of those who remember him in his later years, was a large and well proportioned man, with dark eyes and flowing locks, and a mild yet commanding expression of countenance. He was married three times, and had fifteen children, several of whom have occupied important posts of usefulness. His first wife was Elizabeth Hill, of Portsmouth, N. H. ; his second was Ursula Pinkham, of Madbury, N. H. ; and his third, Mrs. Lydia Thacher, of Concord, Mass. EDMUND BOTSFORD.=^ 1771—1819. Edmund Botspord was born at Woburn, Bedfordshire, England, in the year 1745. At the age of seven years, he had lost both his father and his mother ; though the lack of parental guardianship was very happily sup- plied by his being placed under the care of an excellent aunt, who sent him to board with a lady, an intimate friend of his mother, with whom he attended a Baptist meeting. At this early age, he was frequently the sub- ject of strong -religious impressions, which were occasioned or deepened by reading Bunyan's works, and other serious books, and especially by a remarkable dream which he had in his eighth or ninth year. After this, however, he lost his interest in religious things, and became irregular in his habits, so that his friends well-nigh despaired of both his respectability and usefulness. He wished to go to sea, but, not having the opportunity, he enlisted as a common soldier ; and, in this capacity, was • Georg. Bapt. — MS. from Kev. Dr. Mallary. EDMUND BOTSFORD. 139 subjected to many perilous adventures and severe liardsliips. At tlic age of twenty, he sailed for Charleston, S. C, where he arrived in January, 17GG. Finding himself now a stranger in a strange land, and having to encoun- ter some serious diflicultics in his new situation, his early religious impres- sions began to return upon him, and at length his distress became so great as to attract the notice of the members of the family in which ho lived. At the suggestion of one of them, he went, on a certain Sabbath, to hear the Rev. Oliver Hart, an excellent Baptist minister, of Charleston ; and it was under his faithful preaching, as he believed, that he first obtained spiritual light, and was enabled to devote himself to the service and glory of God. He was baptized on the 13th of March, 1707. After continuing, for some time, in secular pursuits, Mr. Botsford became inipre?:sed with the idea that he was called to devote himself to the Gospel ministry ; and, accordingly, he was licensed to preach by the Baptist Church in Charleston, in February, 1771. His immediate preparation for the ministry was made under the direction of his Pastor, the Bev. Mr. Hart. In referring to the commencement of his minisiry, in con- nection with some previous events of his life, he says, — " So I have been groom, footman, painter, carpenter, and soldier, and have now com- menced preacher." Mr-. Botsford continued with Mr. Hart till the following June, when, having been presented by some of his friends with necessary clothing, together with a horse, saddle, and bridle, he left Charleston, and travelled to Eutaw, where he remained with the Bev. Mr. Pelot till the end of July. There were a few Baptists, constituting a branch of the Eutaw Church, and residing near Tuckaseeking, — a settlement about forty miles from Savannah, Ga., whose minister, the Rev. Mr. Stirk,* had then recently died; and, hearing of Mr. Botsford, tlie}^ invited him to come over and help them. He accepted their invitation, and preached his first sermon to them on the 27th of June, 1771. His labours were highly acceptable, and he agreed to remain with them one year. He did not, however, confine his ministrj^ to this place, but preached extensively in contiguous regions, both in Georgia and South Carolina. In 1772, he enlarged still more the field of his labours, travelling and preaching almost incessantly. He visited Augusta, Kiokee, and several other places on the frontiers of Georgia and South Carolina. At the close of this year, he concluded to leave Tuckaseeking, and preached his Farewell Sermon, though he continued, for some time after, to favour the neighbourhood with his occasional services. • Benjamin Stirk was a native of Leeds, Yorkshire. England. lie was talsen by Mr. \\ hitefielJ unJer his patronage, and was employed by him, in some capacity, at his Orphan IIousc, in Georgia, as early as 17G0. He was e-hcd either for learning or eloquence, but he possessed, iu an eminent degree, the respect and affection, not only of the members of his church, but of his fellow-citizens generally, for his meekness of spirit, his unaffected piety, and his untiring devotion to his Master's service. His charity was literally that "which seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thiukeih no evil." During the early part of his ministry, he not only filled his own pulpit with credit to himself, and acceptance to his people, but he travelled and preached much in places at considerable distance from home. The churches at Frederick and Taney Town especially were often favoured with his labours. To this division of his ministrations may probably be ascribed the fact that he was not more eminently successful in his own congregation. The statistics of the church show that, during his thirty years Pastorate, the number of members increased from eleven to only a hundred and sixty-four. His doctrinal sentiments were decidedly Calvin- istic, without, however, the least approach to Antinomianism. He was eminently practical both in his preaching and his living. Of him it may be said as, emphatically as of almost any man with whose history I have been acquainted, — " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." Mr. Pvichards was twice married. His first marriage, which took place shortly after his settlement in Baltimore, was to Miss Ann Mathews, of Accomac County, Va. She was related to the Custis family, so well known and highly honoured in that patriotic State. By this marriage, he had six or seven children, of whom five, — three sons and two daughters, reached maturity, and were married. One of his sons, John Cvstis, " used the oifice of Deacon well," ("being found blameless,") for many years, in the church of which his father had been Pastor. Mrs. Richards died on the 21st of May, 1797. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1806, was Angelica Collins, of Jefferson County, Va. She died on the 2d of June, 1815. By this marriage there were no children. Very truly yours, G. F.ADAMS. AMBROSE DUDLEY. 1778—1823. FROM THE REV. JAMES E. WELCH. Hickory Grove, Warren County, Mo., > December 13, 1853. ) Rev. and dear Sir : I am happy to say that my knowledge of the life and character of the Rev. Ambrose Dudley is such that I am able to fur- nish you a sketch of him, which I believe you may rely on as entirely authentic. He baptized both my parents, at Bryan's Station, in 1789. My recollections of him, though it is many years since he has passed away, are still perfectly distinct, and I have little fear that I shall mistake in describing him to you. AMBROSE DUDLEY. 203 Ambrose Dudley was "born not far from Fredericksburg in Spott- sylvania County, Va., in 1750; and, of course, at the commencement of the llevolutionary War, was in the vigour of early manhood. Possessed, as he was, of an ardent love of freedom, he engaged with all the zeal of '76, for the emancipation of his down-trodden country. Being a man fall six feet high ; of fine personal appearance ; unusually active, intelligent and decided, he was reailily commissioned as a Captain in the Continental army. When he left home to engage in the service of his country, he had never made the great truths of the Bible a subject of candid and prayerful examination. It is believed, however, that the scenes of carnage and death through which he passed, first gave a serious direction to his thoughts ; and from becoming deeply impressed with the uncertainty of life, he became yet more deeply impressed with his ruined condition as a sinner, being brought to feel that he had been all his life in an attitude of rebellion against an infinitely higher power than the King of ]^]ngland, — even the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. This conviction of his sinfulness was succeeded by a truly penitent and contrite spirit, associated with joy and peace in believing. He was, at this time, in command of his company, and stationed at Williamsburg; and, notwithstanding his circumstances seemed most adverse both to the culture of religion, and to a public profession of it, he had too much firmness of purpose to yield to the influence of circumstances in so momentous a concern. I~Ie therefore publicly declared himself on the Lord's side, by being baptized at Williamsburg- ; and, if I mistake not, it was done in the presence of the company he commanded, and of some of his fellow officers of tlie army. While devout Cornelius was praying to God, the Disposer of events was preparing Peter to " preach among the Grentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ :" so, while the churcli in his native county was earnestly beseech- ing the Great Head of the Church, that He would remember them in their destitvite condition, and send them a Pastor, Ambrose Dudley was con- verted in camp, was baptized, and shortly after left the army and returned home. When, however, he " essayed to join himself to the disciples,'' those who had known him from early life could scared}' "believe that he was a disciple ;" for when he left home he was not ordy openly immoral, but it was understood that he v/as inclined to infidel opinions. He, how- ever, soon convinced them that he had indeed passed from death unto life. Sliortly after, he united with the church, and at the same time intimated to them his ardent desire to devote himself to the Gospel ministry. They received him with open arms, regarding him as a special gift from God in answer to their prayers. Nor were they disappointed ; for his earliest efforts gave promise of that high degree of usefulness which attended and crowned his whole ministry. After labouring in the Gospel, for sevei'al years, with great acceptance, in his native State, he removed to Kentucky in 1785, and settled near Bryan's Station, in the vicinity of Lexington ; nor did he change his place of residence, after that, till he was taken to the " house appointed for all living." Few men liave ever laboured in the West with greater success than he. The Church at Bryan's Station, which was organized und.er his ministry 204 . BAPTIST. in 1786, had two hundred and nineteen members in 1793. In the great revival, which swept over that part of the State in 1803, I saw him bap- tize, on one occasion, fifty-eight persons at David's Fork ; and the following Sabbath he baptized sixty-eight at Bryan's Station, only six miles distant. He was domestic in his habits, and very fond of his family, and his home ; and hence never travelled extensively. His labours Averc princi- pally within the bounds of the Elkhorn Association ; and I think I may safely say, without disparaging other excellent men, that there never was, in that large and intelligent Body, one whose influence was wider and more powerful than was that of Ambrose Dudley. He was their presiding ofiicer for many years, and the first man in all that region who had moral courage enough to tell the churches plainly from the pulpit that God hath " ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel." As a preacher, he was zealous, dignified and solemn. No one who heard him could doubt that he was deeply impressed with the truths which he delivered, and that the great object at which he constantly aimed, was not to gain the applause of his hearers, but to save their souls. His manners and general habits seemed to indicate that he was born to exercise authority. The very glance of his piercing eye was often enough to awe into silence. In his personal appearance he was unusually erect and neat, so that when a stranger in Lexington asked where he might be found, he was told to walk down the street, and the first man he met hav- ing on a superfine black coat, without a single mote upon it, would be Ambrose Dudley. And but few men have ever lived and died in the minis- try, who "kept their garments more unspotted from the world." He was, in his religious views, a thorough Calvinist ; and, whenever he thought truth or duty was involved, he showed the most unbending firmness. He was remarkably punctual to his engagements, and never failed of fulfilling one, unless he was prevented by sickness, or some other cause beyond his con- trol. Whenever it was known that he had made an appointment to preach, the common saying was, " Rain or shine. Brother Dudley will be there." In family discipline he was very decided. He never spoke but once. In political matters he took but little interest, nor had he much to do with the afi"airs of the world beyond the limits of his own plantation. He was a man of God, whose praise is in all the churches throughout the region in which he lived. He " died, at the horns of the altar," in the year 1823. Believe me your brother in Christ, JAMES E. WELCH. ISAAC CASE. 205 ISAAC CASE.^ 1780—1852. Isaac Case was born at Rehoboth, Bristol County, Mass., on the 25th of February, 1761. Though his early religious advantages were few, his thoughts seem to have been seriously directed to the concerns of his soul, while he was yet a mere child. When he was about nine years old, a pro- fane and wicked boy, with whom he had been associated, was suddenly killed. He could not but inquire what had become of the soul of that bad boy ; for he had read in the Bible that " the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain ;" and this led him to ask what would have probably been his own condition, if he had been taken away in a similar manner. The result was that his mind became burdened with anxiety in regard to his salvation ; and this continued, in a greater or less degree, till he was about eighteen years old. At this time his solicitude became much more intense, and for three weeks he was well-nigh ready to despair of the mercy of God. At length, in listening to a sermon, the tumult of his mind subsided into a state of unwonted tranquillity, which he at first mis- took for evidence of the departure of the Holy Spirit from his soul ; bat, after a short time, the happy change in his views and feelings led him to hope that the Spirit had actually performed an effectual work upon his heart. All his hopes of salvation now centered in the Cross of Christ. This was in the year 1779. In the course of this year, he made a public profession of his faith, and united with the Baptist Church in the neighbouring town of Dighton. Soon after this change in Mr. Case's views and feelings, he began to feel a strong desire to do what he could to bring about a similar change in others ; and here originated the thought, which was quickly matured into a purpose, of becoming a minister of the Grospel. Accordingly, in 1780, when he was about nineteen, he received the approbation of the church of which he was a member, to go forth as a candidate for the Christian minis- try. In 1783, he was ordained as an Evangelist, and, in October of that year, went to Maine, and entered upon his work there, without expecting any pecuniary compensation. His first preaching was at Brunswick. Here he found not only a pre- vailing indifference to religion, but not a little prejudice against those doc- trines which he regarded as fundamental in the Christian system, and which he felt constrained to make most prominent in his preaching ; and the state of things altogether was such as to give little promise of success to his labours. After remaining there a short time, hearing that there was an unusual interest in religion on the Island of Sabasdegan, belonging to Harps well, he repaired thither ; and the first sermon that he preached pro- duced a visible and powerful effect. Numbers were hopefully converted, and among them two brothers, who became useful ministers in Baptist Churches. A revival of great power here took place in connection with his labours, and the great concern of salvation bacame the all-engrossing theme in almost every family. Having laboured about three months in that region, and preached in nearly all the settlements, and administered ' Hist. Maine Bapt.— Dr. Thurston's Fun. Serm.— MS. from Rev. Dr. A. 'Wilson. 206 BAPTiST. Baptism to many of the converts, be was impressed with the idea that he ought to go still farther East. This impression was much strengthened by the fact that, on his way to Thomaston, he met two perscns going from tliat place to the place of his then recent sojourn, to request him to "come over and help " them. On arriving at Thomaston, he w?s further encour- aged by finding that a few pious persons were spending the day in i'asting and prayer, in the prospect of his visit. Several were awakened under his first sermon ; and this proved the beginning of a very extensive and pow- erful revival. In the space of a few months, he baptized seventy-eight persons. In May, 1784, a church was organized, — the first ever estab- lished in the place, and he became its Pastor, and continued in that rela- tion eight years. He was chiefly instrumental in establishing the Baptist churches in Bowdoinham, East Brunswick, and several other places. Indeed his labours were widely extended in that part of Maine, and in almost every place in which he preached, some were hopefully converted through his instrumentality. In 1792, he gathered the Baptists in what is now called East Winthrop and Beadfield into a church, which was then known as the Baptist Church in Winthrop ; and which was subsequently enlarged by accessions from the Western parts of Augusta and Hallowell. In 1793, they erected a house of w^orship in the Southeastern part of Beadfield, as the place which would accommodate the greater number of the members, and changed the name to the Baptist Church in Beadfield. He resigned his charge of the Church at Thomaston to become the Pastor of this ; and here he laboured with comfort and usefulness for about eight years. In ISOO, Mr. Case again resigned his pastoral charge with a view to being employed as a missionary. And in this capacity he was employed, wuth unwearied diligence and great efficiency, until the infirmities of age ren- dered him incapable of continued exertion. There are comparatively few towns, especially in the Eastern part of Maine, that have not enjoyed the benefit of his labours. Of the number of churches he was instrumental in establishing, and the number of converts to whom he administered the ordinance of Baptism, he kept no account ; but he supposed the latter to have been more than a thousand. He made several visits also to the Pro- vinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where he laboured with his accustomed diligence, and not without visible tokens of .success. At length, however, he began to feel the palsying hand of age, and was obliged gradually to withdraw from active service. But his interest in the cause to which he had been so long devoted, survived his ability to labour for it, and con- tinued to call forth his earnest prayers, as long as the power of thought and utterance remained to him. He died at Beadfield, November 3, 1852, in the ninety-second year of his age, and the seventy-second of his ministry. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Bev. David Thurston, D. D., late Pastor of the Congregational Church in Winthrop, Me. Mr. Case was married to a daughter of the Bev. Elisha Snow,* of Thomas- ton. They had several children, and one of the sons became a physician. • Elisha Snow coraraenced preaching at Thomaston in 1784; was ordained, as an Evange- list, at Ilarpswell, in 1790; and was Pastor of the Church at Thomaston from 1794 to 1821. He travel k(l much and aided many destitute churches. lie had the reputation of being a strong-minded man, and a very strong Calvinist. ISAAC CASE. 207 FROM THE REV. ADAM WILSOX, D. D. Pari.?, Me... March 10, 1857. Dear Sir : ^ly fir.st attendance at a Baptist Association was forty years ago last September. The people, their customs, and the preaching, were all new to me — the ministers were all strangers. Among the ministers I noticed a markul n.an. He was not distinguished by any thing i-n his physical appear- ancj. He was of about a medium size, and in all his physical developments much like other men. But his countenance wore the marks of habitual devo- tion. YcL it was a devotion without gloom. He appeared to c/ijoi/ religion. Progress, and praise, and love to Christ, and defence of the Gospel, .seemed to be the happy elements of his every day life. He was sparing in his words, and never .•ollinghain, Rev. Charles Train of Fram- ingham, and Rev. Joseph Crafton of Newton. I recall them all as they appeared at my Aither's house — the outlines of their persons and manners still lina;er with singular vividness in my imagination. They were all pious and intelligent men, who, in an humble sphere, laboured with unremitting zeal in the ministry of the (!ospcl. Two of them at least had been educated at (JoUegc — Mr. Train having graduated at Cambridge, in 1805, and Mr. Williams at the College of Rhode Island, in 17G9, — the ilrst class that appears on the College Catalogue. They were all earnest friends of a high education, uncom- promising advocates of entire religious freedom, and, according to their abil- ity, in their respective spheres, they were zealous promoters of every interest of society and of the Church of Christ. The period in question was that in which the Societies of the Baptist denomination for promoting Domestic and Foreign ^lissions, and Ministerial Education, had their origin. Most of the meetings of these neighbouring clergymen with which I was familiar in boy- hood, were probably designed to advance these interests of their humble com- munion. They were occasions of unusual interest to the younger members of the minister's family, to whom these well known and respected visiters appeared to stand in the familiar relation of grandsires and uncles, according to their several ages. I well remember the warm personal regard, and the reciprocal sympathy in each others' fortunes, which they always manifested, and also how much their conversation, to which 1 Avas often an eager listener, turned upon the trials which they experienced in con.sequence of the unfriendly public sentiment which existed around them. From this little circle of excellent Christian ministers, no single form, after that of my own father, comes back to my memory with a distinctness so marked and life-like as that of my father's venerated friend, Rev. Joseph Crafton, of Newton. He was, I think, next to Mr. Williams, the oldest of them all; but he was also, without exception, the sprightliest and wittiest in his conversation, and on this account, the most interesting family visiter in the estimation of the children. In dress he Avas extremely neat, and in person perhaps somewhat below the average stature; but of a tirm, compact frame, and unusually flexible, easv and quick in all his movements. He had long resided at Newton, near Boston, and had there a larger acquaintance and a freer intcrcour.-^e with both ministers and laymen of other denominations than would have been practicable even for his social and genial nature in the severer and less intelligent neighbourhood of Medlield and its border towns. His eye was dark and unusually expressive, and in its quick flashes, whether in the pulpit or at the fireside, there beamed forth a deep, spiritual intelligence and sincerity; while the tones of his musical and Avell modulated voice did not fail to enlist the attention of all who heard him speak, whether in public or in private. His conversation, though I think not copious, abounded in anec- dote, as I presume his preaching did also. I doubt not those who knew him well could relate many an interesting incident, touching his method of playing with words and thoughts, and of illustrating the peculiarities of individual character, or embodying the maxims of wisdom and the doctrines of religion. His education must have been limited, but his experience in the world had given him a large acquaintance with human nature, and taught him how to interpret its mysteries, conciliate its prejudices, and display its motives in the light of religious truth. His reading, too, though not extensive, must have honorary degree of Master of Arts from Brown University, and in 1820 was elected to ita Board of Trustees. He published a .Sermon delivered on the death of a parishioner, and con- tributed largely to some of the periodicals of his day. lie was a highly acceptalile preacher, and an earnest friend of every object connected with the extension of Christianity. Vol. VI. 20 226 BAPTIST. been among good books; for bis language was pure and without pretension, and his general style of discourse such as could seldom be secured by an acquaintance only with the theological standards of that day. How he would now be ranked as a preacher or as an intellectual man I am wholly unable to form an opinion. I recall him only as he appeared at a period of my life, when my judgments of men were immature, and my standards of character Avholly unformed. I associate his image with that of my father, as one of the most venerable in the circle of his clerical brethren and friends, and one whose sympathies he largely shared, and whose counsels he often sought. I seldom saw him after my own childhood had passed awaj''; but he remains most dis- tinctly in my memory, as one of those who gave me my earliest conception of the character of a Christian minister, in which were gracefully blended good breeding without worldliness, wit without levity, sincere piety without austerity^ I remain, my dear Sir, with much regard. Very respectfully yours, WILLIAM GAMMELL. FROM THE KEY, SAMUEL F. SMITH, D. D. Newton Centre, Mass., April 10, 1855. Rev. and dear Sir: About five years subsequent to the death of the Rev. Mr. Grafton, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Newton, I came to the Pastorate of the same church, and continued to fulfil its duties for twelve and a half years. From my earliest intercourse with the people, I found that the memory of the revered old man, who had led parents, and children, and children's children, to Heaven, was exceedingly fragrant. Scarcely a day passed in my parochial visits, on which I did not hear some agreeable recol- lection of him. The aged . D. 230 BAPTIST. (luciit or powerful revivals. The years which were signalized by the largest additions to its communion, were 1793 and '94, 1801, '05, '06, '08, '12, '16, and '20. In this last year, the number added by Baptism was one hundred and forty-seven, making the whole number of communicants six hundred and forty-eight. In 1797, Dr. Gi-ano was again affiicted by the death of his wife. On the 18th of July, 1799, he was marrried a third time to Mary, daughter of Professor Joseph Brown, of Brown University. She was spared to him but a very short time, and died, leaving one daughter. On the 8th of October, 1801, he was married to Mrs. Joanna Latting, of Hillsdale, N. Y., who survived him many years. In each of his wives he found a companion eminently suited to his tastes, and an efiicient auxiliary to his usefulness. At his death, he left six daughters, four of whom have married clergymen : namely, the lie v. John Ilolroyd,* the Bev. Peter Ludlow, the Rev. David Benedict, D. D., and the Rev. Henry Jackson, D. D. Dr. Gano was an invalid during several of his last years ; but he con- tinued to preach until within about three months of his death. His disease proved to be a dropsy of the chest, and was attended with the most acute physical suffering. But his confidence in his Redeemer was so strong as to disarm death of terror, and to enable him to even greet its approach with a joyful welcome. On the 18th of August, 1828, just after he had stated that his sky was without a cloud, he passed gently away, with a cheerful smile upon his countenance, which lingered after the spirit was gone. The event was immediately made known by the tolling of the city bells, and the children who had just assembled in the several schools, were permitted, out of respect to his memory, to retire. His Funeral was attended on the third day after, by an immense concourse, and with every demonstration of affectionate respect. A Sermon appropriate to the occasion was preached by the Rev. Dr. Sharp of Boston. Dr. Gano received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Brown University, in 1800. Though he usually bore the title of Doctor, it was only in reference to his having been in the medical profession. He was one of the Overseers of Brown University from 1794 till his death. Dr. Gano published a Sermon on the death of Washington, 1800 ; a '•Sermon at the Ordination of Mr. Joshua Bradley, Newport, ISOI ; a Sermon at the Funeral of the Rev. Gardiner Thurston, Newport, 1802; a Sermon entitled " The Christian Crowned," occasioned by the death of the Rev. Joseph Snow, Congregational minister of Providence ; a Sermon at the Ordination of Mr. Peter Ludlow, delivered in the Second Baptist Church in Providence, 1823 ; and a Sermon on the Divinity of Christ, 1827. •.ToHN TIoLROvn was bom in ProvidcncR, Ti. T,, in May, 1783. Tie was gradiiatcrl at, Brown University in 18112. Ho was cducateil for the legal profession, but in 1830 became a clergyman, and was ordaineii I'astor of the IJaptist Cliurch in Chcraw, S. C, in .March of that year. In August, I8:!l, lie was installed I'astor of the Baptist Church in Danvers, Mass., nnd continued in tiiis relation till his death, whicii <)ccurre' I bid you a hearty welcome, my son, into the Kingdom of God." On another occasion, when two of his own children, while on a visit to a ncighljouring town, had hopefully experienced God's grace in their conversion, and he had gone thither to rejoice with them, he preached in the evening to a large con- gregation from these words: — " Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." His decision never failed him, when he was confident of being right. The question of laying on of hands upon members when received into the Church being agitated, and he believing that this was an Ordination, rather than a Church act, utterly refused to yield to the opposition, though his resolute persistence had almost occasioned his removal. His advice to a minister, who was anxious to change his location, is well worthy of being preserved: — '< You ma}- knock," said he, " at a door, and if it opens, you may enter it; but do not lean against it with such pressure that it opens by your strength; for in such a case j'ou may go out like Abraham, not knowing whither, but, unlike him, without the hand that leads us, in the right way, to the city of habitation." In his letters to his friends, however brief, he vv^as sure to embody some testimony in honour of his Chaster; so that even his letters and notes of business witnessed to the upward tendency of his thoughts and feel- ings. He regarded the office of a minister as peculiarly sacred, and always regretted to see its influence in any degree neutralized by an unnecessar)'' devotion to secular engagements. Early one morning he was, with one of his children, passing the door of a minister, who had for years made the ministr}' subordinate and subservient to his secular business, and who was then sitting by his shop window, watching the Doctor's motion. As the Doctor turned his carriage, as if intending to stop at his house, the other, evidently feeling that some apology was necessary for his course, said, — <' Well, Doctor, we read that in old time they sat at the receipt of custom." <e subject of Infant Baptism ; and those doubts were finally matured into a full conviction that it was not warranted by the Word of God. lie now left the Congregational Church of which he was a member, was baptized by immersion, and shortly after commenced preaching the Gospel in the Baptist connection. Through his instrumentality, the Bap- tist Church in Mason, N. H., was organized, of seven members, in 17S(3 ; and he was ordained as its Pastor in 1788, — the Rev. Mr. Grafton, of New- ton, Mass., and two other ministers taking part in his ordination. Not only did that church increase rapidly under his ministr}'. but the Baptist churches in New Ipswich, JafFrey, Wilton, Milford, and Ilollis, in New Hampshire, and Townscnd in Massachusetts, owe their origin and earlj- growth, in a great measure, to his vigorous and persevering efforts. The compensation which he received for his labours, as a minister, was very slight, and it was only by training his children to the severest industry and economy, that he was able to maintain his numerous family, and devote his whole time to the appropriate duties of the ministry. His wife died in June, 1785, and, in ]March, 1787, he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Oliver Hildreth of Townsend, I^Iass., — by whom he had twelve children, — eight sons and four daughters. After having been a true helper to him in the Gospel for upwards of forty years, she died on the 18th of October, 1828. Mr. Elliot survived his second wife less than two years, and died in the triumpli of faith, on the 4th of June, 1830. He had been confined to his ♦ Stui'Hkn Fahuau was born at Lincoln, Mass., October 22, 1738; was graduated at Har- vard CoIleg(' in ITft.i; was ordained Pnstor of tbo Congregational Cburcb in New Tpswicb, N. H., October 23, 1700; and died June 23. 1809. t Nathanmrt, Mkriiili, was born at >Jewbnry. Mass., in 1713; was graduated at Harvard College in 1732; was ordnincd Pa.stor nf the Congregational Church in Nottingham West, November 23, 1737; and died in 17y6, aged eighty-three. WILLIAM i:lliot. 237 room, and, most of the time, to liis bed, for about five years. During this long season of decline, he evinced the most serene submission to the Divine will, and, by his faithful conversations and fervent prayers, in his sick chamber, was instrumental of strengthening the faith of believers, and brinjrin"- some who had been noiflcctful of their salvation to reflection and CO o repentance. Mr. Elliot died on tlio same farm to whi(di his father's family lonioved when they left Bradford. In his early niaidiood, he held an honourabh; position in society, and was elected by the town in which he lived to seve- ral different civil offices. But, after he entered the ministry, he aban- doned all participation in civil matters, and devoted himself exclusively to the interests of Christ's Kingdom. In IS'iO, he was chosen to preside at a Fourth of July celebration ; but, on learning that toasts were to be drank, and guns fired, he politely declined the proffered honour. lie never wore badges of mourning for deceased friends. When it was customary to use spirituous liquors at Funerals, he refused to sanction the practice. He sympathized strongly in some respects with the Friends, notwithstanding he differed widely from them in doctri- nal views. In the autumn before his death, when confined by si(dcnoss, one of his sons preached in his presence from the words, — " Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." The tone of the sermon was strongly evangelical ; and, after the congregation had retired, the venerable man called his son to him and said, — " My son, I charge you, rather than relinquish the doctrine which you have now preached, to die at the stake." Two of Mr. Elliot's sons have become ministers of the Gospel. Joseph studied medicine for some time ; received the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts, from the University of Vermont, in 1813 ; entered the ministry at an early age, and was ordained in Hinsdale, N. H., in May, 1809. He has united with the office of a minister that of a teacher of youth; but is now (1858) laid aside from labour by bodily infirmity. Jesse is now Pastor of a church in Stockton, Chautauque County, N. Y. hrael was graduated at the University of Vermont in 1813, was Principal of an Academy in Cavendish, Vt., one year, and in Chester, Vt.. for about the same time, being engaged meanwhile in the study of the Law, and died in August, 1815. FROM THE REV. JOHN PARKUURST. Chelmsford. Mass., March 25. 1858. Dear Sir: You ask mc for some personal recollections, illustrative of the character of the Rev. William Elliot. I can saj' a few things of him, as I lived near him several years, sometimes heard him preach, was often at his house, and occasionally with him on journeys. When I first became acquainted with him, which was about forty-five years ago, he was not far from sixty-iive j-ears of age. He was of medium height, florid complexion, and his gray locks, hanging in natural curls upon the collar of his coat, gave him an appearance exceedingly venerable. His countenance, which was often lighted up with a benignant smile, was indicative of a calm temperament, of a love of riglit, and of a fixed determination to do right in 238 BAPTIST. nil things. Christians loved him because he loved the truth: the world respected him for the consistency of his daily walk. I think I never knew a man so evangelical in his sentiments, and so clear and decided in exliibiting them, who, at the same time, enjoyed, in so high a degree, a good report among them that are without. Although he was not talkative, he was sociable. He could converse sensi- bly ui)on agricultural, mechanical and national affairs; but his chosen theme was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From whatever point he surve^'cd it, it awakened his admiration, thanksgiving, and jo^^ Ilis countenance seemed to shine, like that of Moses, with a Heavenly radiance, while he talked about the glories of Immanuel and the blessings of his people. His sermons, if I may judge from the few I heard, were original, interest- ing, and highly instructive. He adopted, as we should say in these days, not the topical, but the textual, method. He seldom, if ever, made out a dis- course on a single virtue, or a single doctrine, but mingled doctrine with Chris- tian exercises, and urged obedience froHi evangelical motives. He delighted in unfolding the types of the Old Testament, and in expounding the parables of the New. In his manner he was solemn and affectionate, and no one who lieard him could resist the conviction that his inmost soul went along with every word that he uttered. His views of doctrine were obtained from a prayerful and diligent study of the Bible; and perhaps it is sufficient to say that they harmonized with those of the late Andrew Fuller. I remember dis- tinctly that he once said, when we were conversing about that able divine, that <' he never read after a man " — to use his own expression — " whose writ- ings he liked so well." The doctrine of Election was a theme on which he delighted to dwell, both in preaching and in conversation; yet he held it in con- nection with the sentiment that the sinner is accountable to God, and justly condemned for his impenitence. He had no fellowship with the doctrine that the man who does not love our Lord Jesus Christ is so much of a machine as not to be blameworthy. He was a man of great conscientiousness. At the time he obtained his hope of salvation through Jesus Christ, he was paying the customary attentions of his day to the young woman whom he subse- quently married. She remained in a state of impenitence. And now a severe conflict arose in his mind. To marry an unbeliever seemed evidently wrong; and yet, inasmuch as he was virtually i)lcdged to her before his own conver- sion, he felt that it was his duty to take her and leave the event with God. And it may be interesting to add that she subsequently found peace in believ- ing, and became no small help to him in the ways of the Lord. His first religious connection was with the Pedobaptists. But, as he read the Bible, he became satisfied that Christians, and Christians only, are the seed of Abraliam; and the peace of his soul was greatly disturbed until he was baptized on the profession of his own faith. At this time it was his expectation to continue in the Pedobaptist Church. But, after the lap.se of a few months, the text in Galatians ii. 18 — " If I build again the things that I destroyed, I make myself-_ii transgressor" — so affected his mind that he felt constrained to withdraw from the church with which he had been connected, and join the Baptist communion. When he first began to preach, there was a certain Br. G. in his neighbour- hood, who would not allow that lie was called to the work of the ministry, seeing he was a num of limited education, unless he could preach from a text given him at the very hour at wliich his meeting was appointed. Mr. Elliot, who had entered the ministry Avith great diffidence, and who was willing to get rid of the responsibility of the sacred office, if he could honestly do so, consented to submit his call to the test proposed by Dr. G. A meeting was appointed in the week time. Information was spread in relation to it. The WILLIAM ELLIOT. 239 hour airivotl; the people came together; and tlic text was given him,— wliich was " A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about." Exodus xxviii. 34. lie looked at it awhile, and could see nothing in it. He read the opening hymn, and while the people were singing, he looked at it again; but, not discovering a single idea which he could hold up before the assembly, he began to think he must con- fess that he had no call to the work of the ministry. However, he thouglit he would go as far as lie could. So, when the hymn was sung, he said " Let us pray." In this exercise he enjoyed, in an unusual degree, the aid of the Holy Spirit. During the singing of the second hymn, he was constantly revolving his text in his mind, but no ray of light seemed to fall upon it. In this state of embarrassment, he saw nothing before him but the announcement, so mortifying to his friends, and so gratifying to the Doctor, that he had been deceived in the notion that he was called to preach. But he had been assisted thus far in the meeting, and it still seemed right and proper that he should go as far as he could — so he would read the text; and then if he had nothing to say from it, he would make his confession. He read the passage — impene- trable darkness still rested upon it; but it was not time to stop until, accord- ing to custom, he had read it a second time. And now, suddenly, light bursts upon his soul. The text seems full of the Gospel. The golden bell suggests its precious sound among the people, awakening, directing, comforting the souls of men. The pomegranate suggests the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The High Priest's robe points to the righteousness of Christ. lie finds enough to say. He preaches an evangelical discourse — he preaches with an unwonted fluency; and the question seems to be settled in every mind that he is called of God to preach the Gospel. When he was about the age of five and thirty, he was called to part with his first wife. As she lay dying, he was walking the room in great anguish of spirit. His six children were losing one of the best of mothers. He wrung his hands in sorrow — his tears flowed freely. At length a friend, standing by her bed, said, " She is gone." He was well-nigh overwhelmed with the affliction. But he told me that in about two minutes he heard distinctly what seemed like the flapping of Avings over him, and the ascending sound grew fainter and fainter till it was lost in the distance. In a moment, the current of his grief was checked; his mind became calm; and he could cheer- fully resign the companion of his bosom to the charge of angels to be borne to the Heavenly Paradise. Confined to his bed for a long season in his last sickness, he Avas manifestly sustained by Heavenly consolations. I remember particularly what joy was depicted in his countenance when he told me of the meditations he had had on the attributes of the Most High. His holiness, his grace, his wisdom, and his power were sustaining and enrapturing themes. One of his acquaintance who called on him in those days, and who had heard of the sweet serenity of his spirit, said to him, as he approached his bed, — " You enjoy yourself voy well, don't you .'"' <' Oh no," was his reply, <' I don't enjoy mijsplf at all, but I never enjoyed the Lord so well in my life." One of his Deacons told me that he called on him, I think on the day of his death, when his lips gave utterance to these striking words, — " Oh the joy of my soul!" Yours with respect, JOHN PARKHURST. 240 BAPTIST. AARON LELAND. 1786—1833. FROM THE KEY. IRA PEARSON. Ludlow, Vt., November 11, 1857. Rev. and dear Sir : The result of my inquiries in respect to the liiatory of the late llev. Aaron Leland, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Ver- mont, I am happy to contribute in aid of your work, commemorative of the worthies who liave gone before us. The materials for my sketch have been gathered from different sources, but I believe you may rely on their perfect authenticity. Aaron Leland, a descendant from Henry Leland, the Pilgrim father of the Leland family in America, was born in Holliston, Mass., on the 2SLh of May, 17G1. He possessed no greater advantages of education, than were furnished by the common schools in iMassachusetts, before the Revo- lution ; but, being of a naturally vigorous and inquisitive mind, he availed himself of all the means of self-culture within his reach, and thus grew up with much more than an ordinary' share of intelligence. He became a member of the Baptist Church in 1785, and, shortly after, received license to preach from the church in Bellingham. About this time, he received a letter from fifteen persons, living in Chester, Vt., none of whom were communicants in the Baptist Church, requesting him to come and labour among them as a minister. In compliance with this request, he took a journey thither, after a few months ; but he found every thing so unpromis- ing for both comfort and usefulness that he could not easily reconcile him- >ioU to the idea of continuing among them. But, after some time, he found his mind deeply impressed with this passage of Scripture, — " The Lord hath much people in this city:" and, under the influence of reflec- tions induced by tliese words, he soon made up his mind to remain there. After a few weeks' sojourn among tliem, he returned to his friends in Massachusetts : and not many months after went back to Chester with a view to make it his permanent residence, — having previously been ordained by the Church in Bellingham. In 1789, ho had the happiness of seeing a small church gathered, which consisted of only ten members, including himself. This little body travel- led on in great harmony, experiencing a gradual increase, but no remarka- ble revival, for ten years. But, in 1790, a revival of great power commenced, which not only spread throughout Chester, but extended to several of the neighbouring town.s. At the close of this work, the church had become so numerous that it was thought proper that it should be divided; and, accordingly, on the 31st of August, 1803, four churches were set off from the original body, which were situated respectively in Andover, Grafton, Weather.sfield, and Cavendish. At an early period in his ministry, Mr. Leland went to Jamaica, — a dis- tance of twenty miles, by marked trees, and administered the ordinance of Baptism to such as were prepared to receive it, and afterwards made fre- AARON LELAND. 241 quont visits (here, ami oiganizccl a churcli, of wliicli Calvin Iluward, fatlier of the Rev. Lolaiid Ilowanl. of llutland, Vt., became the first Deacon. Through his instrumoutality, other Churches in that neighbour- hood also were formed, and the process went on until the Baptists had a permanent footing throughout the whole surrounding country. It was not uncommon fur him, during the early years of his ministry, to go from fourteen to twenty miles through the wilderness to attend a Funeral. When Mr. Leland commenced his ministr}', few of his parishioners were in any better worldly circumstances than himself ; and it would not have been easy, even if it had been in accordance with the usage of the day, in that part of the country, to have raised for him a competent support. He commenced, therefore, without any stated salary, and continued in the same way till the close of life. All that he received for his services was contributed voluntarily. His parishioners occasionally laboured fur him on his farm, and contributed something to assist him to hire a constant labourer; but lie was obliged, after all, to depend for the support of his family chiefly on his own exertions. Mr. Leland did not scruple to take an active part in civil life. In his politics he was of the Jefferson school, and his opinions were deliberately and maturely formed, and held with great firmness. Besides being fre- quently elected to different offices in the town, he was chosen, in 18U1, to represent the town in the Legislature, and was re-elected to the same office for nine successive years. During three years, he was Speaker of the House ; four years, he was a Councillor ; five years, he was chosen Lieuten- ant Governor by the people ; and eighteen years, he was one of the Assist- ant Justices of the County Court. In 1828, he was proposed as a candidate; for Governor ; but, as the claims of that high station seemed to him incom- patible with the duties of the Christian ministry, and as he considered the obligations which he owed to his Master as a minister, paramount to all considerations of political interest, he caused his name to be withdrawn from the canvass. But, notwithstanding Mr. Leland had so much to do with civil affairs, he laboured much and very successfully in his appropriate calling as u Christian minister ; as was evinced, not only by the prosperity of his own church, but by the number of flourishing churches which he was instru- mental in establishing. He had high qualifications for a popular and effect- ive preacher. He had a noble figure ; a mind of a powerful cast, that perceived quickly and compared easily ; a voice of vast compass, but smooth and mellow ; great facility at utterance, and great fervour of spirit ; clear but impassioned, he would carry with him the multitude irresistibly. He possessed great tenderness of spirit, — often melting down in his prayers and sermons, and usually melting his congregation with him. He spoke extempore without any apparent effort, and, so far as I know, during his whole ministry, never made use of written discourses. He was often put in requisition for lectures on public occasions, and, I believe, never failed to acquit himself most creditably. He had great influence among his breth- ren, and commanded their high respect, as was evident from their almost uniformly making him the Moderator of their meetings. lie was a wise and safe counsellor, always bringing to his aid the best light he was able Vol. Vr. 31 242 BAPTIST. to conimaiul, and foriiiing his judgment witli a discreet reference to all the circumstances of the case. He was a man of decidedly liberal views — his heart, and, as far as practicable, his hand also, was in every project or enterprise designed to bless either the Church or the world. When the cause of Temperance came up, he enlisted in it most vigorously, giving not only his example, but his name, and the whole weight of his influence, to the cause of Total Abstinence. He was also an earnest friend to the cause of Ministerial Education : though he believed that the first qualification for the ministry was the grace of the Holy Spirit, he was also deeply impressed with the importance of a proper degree of intellectual culture, iu order to the most successful discharge of the duties of the sacred office ; and he was ever ready to lend his countenance and aid to an}'^ judicious measures for the furtherance of that cause. Indeed, I may say, in gene- ral, that he was distinguished for a large measure of Christian public- spirit. In his private intercourse, he was a most agreeable companion, highly instructive, often amusing, and capable, at a proper time, of relishing or relating a humorous anecdote. I remember one that used to excite no little merriment, of which he was partly the subject, — the other party con- cerned being a neighbour of his, by the name of Hugh Henry, who was also far from having any aversion to a joke. On a Saturday, evening, a young man, who was entirely penniless, called at Mr. Leland's house, and asked for supper and lodging. It being inconvenient, for some reason, to the Parson to accommodate him, he sent him to his neighbour Henry, assuring him that lie would take good care of him ; " though," said he, " he will refuse you at first; but you must stick to him, and you will certainly succeed." The young man called, agreeably to the direction, and was refused. " I was told," said he, " that you would refuse to keep me, unless I stuck to you; and that I am resolved to do." " Who told you that? " said Mr. Henry. "A large man," answered he, " living over there," — pointing to the house from which he had just come. "Well," said Henry, " if Parson Leland sent you here, you must stay, I suppose ; and what would you like for your supper ? " " Oh, any tiling that is convenient, for I have no money to pay for it." '• But what would you choose, if you had money?" "Well, to be honest, I should like a good warm supper, if I had the means of paying for it; for I have taken but little food to-day." A warm supper was, accordingly, provided, to which the young man paid his best respects ; nor was he allowed to leave the next morning, till he had done justice to a good breakfast. The young fellow was going to try his fortune in the Western wilderness. He had a small dog with him ; and just before he was realty to start, — it being near meeting time, — Mr. Henry suggested to his guest that his dog was not a proper one to go into the wilderness with, and that he had a neighbour who had a large dog, which would make great havoc among the wild animals in the woods, and which he ought, by all means, to sccTire. *' He would like," said he, '• to exchange him for a small one ; but he will probably refuse at first, and perhaps rudely tell you to go about your business, and that he does not swap dogs on Sun- day, and the like ; but, if you stick to him, you will get the dog." The young man called at the Parson's house, just as he was starting for meet- AARON LELAND. 243 ing, and informed liiin that he had eomc to swap dogs. And the answer which he received was an almost literal fulfilment of Mr. Henry's predic- tion. " Well I was told," said the fellow, "that you would make such excuses ; but T was also told that if I stuck to you, I should get your dog ; and that, Sir, you may rest assured I shall do; " and he actually accom- panied the Parson till he got to the door steps of the meeting-house. As it was now evident that he was determined to make good his word, there seemed to be no alternative for Mr. Leland but to yield to his importunity, or to go into the house of worship, disputing about a dog ; and he, finally, as the only way of making his escape, said to him, — " Go and take the dog, and be off in a hurry, and never trouble me again in this way." Mr. Henry outlived Mr. Leland a few years ; but they both lie buried in the same grave-yard in Chester, and their graves are not far from each other. Mr. Leland's useful and eventful life was terminated just at the close of a very interesting revival of religion in his congregation. For many months preceding his death, he had been labouring in that revival with all the energies of his body and mind, and had been privileged to witness results which occasioned him unspeakable joy. The last time he adminis- tered the ordinance of Baptism, was about four weeks previous to his death. He was then in very feeble health ; and, as he stood on the bank, a physician who was near observed to him that he looked more fit to go to bed than to go into the water. His answer was, — " I will go." AVhen he had baptized the last of some eight or ten candidates, he came out of the water, and, lifting up his hands, exclaimed, — " 0 Lord, it is enough : ' now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace ; for mine eyes have seen thy sal- vation.'" From this time he gradually declined, until, at the call of his Master, he entered into his rest. He died on the 25th of August. 1833. Mr. Leland's first marriage was to a lady in Holliston, who died after they had been married about two years. His second wife was a Widow Rockwood, who had two children by a previous marriage. His third and last wife was Miss Sally Wcldi, of Rockingham, Yt.. who survived him several years. He had no child l)y cither marriage. Mr. Leland was one of the Fellows of Middlcbury College from 1800 till his death. He was honoured with the degree of Master of Arts from that College in 1814, and he received the same degree from Brown Univer- sity in 1815. I am, with much regard, yours truly, IRA PEARSON. 244 BAPTIST. JOHN STANFORD, D. D * 1786— 1S34. John Stanford, the only son of William and Mary Stanford, was born at Wandsworth, in Surrey, England, October 20, 1754. When he was in his tenth year, his uncle. George Stanford, to whom he stood heir at law, took charge of his education, and placed him at a respectable school. Though he was sadly neglected, and even harshly treated, by his teachers, he made very respectable progress in his studies, and, at the age of six- teen, directed his attention to Medicine. About a year after this, (March, 1772,) in consequence of the death of his father, he returned home to live with his widowed mother, continuing his medical studies privately, as he had opportunity. Mr. Stanford was born and educated in the bosom of the Episcopal Church ; and he seems, during his early youth, to have entertained strong prejudices against all who belonged to any other communion. He was, at this period, occasionally, the subject of some serious impressions, and was uniformly correct in his external deportment ; and, according to his own account, was reposing on the merit of his own good deeds as the founda- tion of his hope of Heaven. Hearing that a Confirmation was to be held, at a certain time, by the Bishop, at Lambeth, five miles from London, he resolved, with the consent of his uncle, who was not a religious man, to avail himself of the opportunity to be confirmed; and, accordingly, that rite was administered to him ; and, from that time, he supposed that, whatever change was necessary to salvation, he had been the subject of it. Some time after this, a young man, by the name of Hooper, wlio had been his classmate, and had experienced, as he believed, a radical change of character, under the ministry of the celebrated William Romaine, paid him a visit, with a view to endeavour, by the Divine blessing, to give a different direction to his thoughts and feelings on the subject of religion. This visit led to a very close intimacy, and to a correspondence, from wliich Mr. Stanford thought he derived the most important benefit. Not satisfied with the ministry in his native town, he embraced evei'y opportunity to go to London, and listen to the preaching of the venerable Romaine, by which he found himself greatly edified and comforted. At length word was carried to Ins uncle that he had become " strangely religious," and intimate with Dissenters ; which so exasperated him that, from that time till his uncle's death, which occurred shortly after, there was no intercourse of any kind between them. When his will came to be examined, after his death, it was found that he had left his property to an indifferent person, bequeathing no more to the nephew than was necessary to answer the requisition of the law. Scarcely had this disappointment occurred, when he was overtaken by another and greater afl3iction in the death of his mother, just as she was on the eve of forming a second matrimonial connection. This devolved upon him the charge of three young sisters ; and his trouble did not end here ; •Sommers' Biog. — MS. from his son, — Thomas N. Stanford, Esq. JOHN STANFORD. 245 for a near rclalivo took possession of liis mother's property, nmler pretext of the imlehteilnoss of his deceased father to him, so tliat they were left not only orphans hut destitute. He was, however, sustained liy the con- sciousness of liaving done wliat ho helieved was right, ami he had cunfi- dence, even in liis darkest liours, tliat tlic Lord would provide. Having occasion to go to London, two or three weeks after this, to setllo his mother's affairs, Mr. Navlnr, tlie attorney whom he consulted, who was a religious man and manifest oil a generous sympathy in his afflictions, iiifurnied him of an opportunity of taking a hoarding-school in the ncighbouihood of his country-house, and engaged to incur whatever pecuniary responsi- bility might be involved. Mr. Stanford gratefully accepted the offer, and removed to Hammersmith, where he found himself very favourably situated in respect to both comfort and usefulness. As he had been educated in the Church of England, he had never, up to this time, felt any scruple in regard to any of its doctrines or nsnges. His friend Hooper seems to have been the first to suggest a doubt to him on the subject of Baptism : and, in consequence of this, he was led into an examination which resulted, much to his own surprise, in a full conviction that there is no valid Baptism except that which is administeriMl by innner- sion, and on a personal and intelligent profession of faith on the part of the subject. In consequence of this, he felt himself called upon to change his ecclesiastical relations. Accordingly, he was shortly after received into the communion of a Baptist Church in London, of which the Rev. Benja- min Wallin, a minister of great worth and cot:sideralile note, was l^astor. This step, so far from being popular, occasioned great coolness on the part of many of his friends; but he was sustained by a conscious integrity, having no doubt that he was walking in the way of God's commandments. It was through the instrumentality of Mr. Stanford that a Biqitist church was formed in Hammersmith ; and he was called to take the pas- toral charge of it. The call being accepted, he was regularly ordained, — several ministers taking part in the service, among whom was the cele- brated Al)raham Booth. This occurred in the year 1781. Mr. Stanford's «ituation at Hammersmith did not prove in all respects agreealde to him ; and he, finall}', after much deliberation and prayer, resolved to come to the United States. He, accordingly, left England, January 7, 17>r * Henry <). Wyer was a native of Mnssaeliusetts, was graduated at the Coluniliaii College, in the District of Columbia, at the ago of about twenty-cue, and soon after reuiovid to Savan- nah, and became I'astor of the Baptist Cliurch in that city. Ho was ordained there, in the year 182-i, by a Presbytery consisting of the late I'.cv. Ur. Jirantly, then of Augtista, Ca., and "the llev. (afterwards I'rcsidcnt) Shannon, of Liberty t;ounty, in the same State. The church with which he became connected, had long been in an exceedingly depressed slate; but, under the influence of his faithful and acceptalilo ministry, it began soon to revive, and, as the fruit of a revival wbieii took i)lace in 1827, it received to its communion about one hundred persons. He continued in the active discharge of his duties at Savannah until ISIili, when he was con'- pelled by ill health to resign hi^charge. He spent two years, leading the life of a valctudinii- rian, preac'.iing as his strength allowed, but accepting no permanent situation. During thi? period, several of the most [.roniincnt churches in the denomination wcvo. otl'ered to him, but be felt constrained to decline them. In ISt:', when the Kev. Dr. llinney went to ]?urinah, he accepted the call of the Savannah Ihiptiht Church for one year. Subse(|uently, he took the temporarv charge of a Second Baptist Church in Savannah, which was constituted in 1847, and retained this position about two years. JHs health was too infirm to admit of regular labour. His death occurred in Alexandria, Va., in April, 18^)7, when ho was fifty-live years of age. He was mariied, in 1825, to a sister of Lieutenant Harstene, the gallant Commander of the Arctic, which went in quest of Captain K. K. Kane. His widow survives him. He left two sons, one of whom is at) honoured Baptist niinistcr in Virginia, the other is a practitioner of medicine. Mr. W'. was an nneonimonly eflVetivc preacher — though his feeble health rarely allowed him to nuike very mature preparation for the pulpit, his fine elocution, and noble presence, and warm heart were always a pledge of his being listened to with attention and interest. ANDREW MARSHALL. 257 to preach and to perform Funeral services, at great distances ; and such visits were often urged by the phiuters, and tlie white people at large, as well as by the blacks. Whenever he visited any of the larger cities, his appearance in public ministrations was greeted by great nmltitudes. He occasionally preached in Augu-^ta, ^lacon and Millcdgevillc, as well as in Charleston, and even as far olf as in New Orleans. On some occasions his audiences were com- posed, in large part, of the most respectable white people : and the Legis- lature of Georgia, at one time, gave him a hearing in an entire body. The winter before he died, he visited Augusta, and conducted a protracted meeting, which resulted in the addition of over three hundred and fifty persons to the coloured church in that city. With all these immense results to his ministry, Mr. Marshall preserved a strict and salutary disci- pline— at least, such was the constant effort and rule of his proceedings. lie was jealous of mere animal excitements ; and generally unfriendly even to protracted meetings in his own church, or in others where he officiated. lie relied upon the appointed and ordinary means of grace; and in his own church, there were seldom any efforts used beyond special prayer and the faithful ministrations of the Word. He, however, was so deeply interested in the Temperance cause, that he encouraged, among his people, those methods of organization fur this object, which are somewhat kindred to the plan of the Odd Follows. There were also Societies among his flock for mutual benefit ; and in these ways, the poor and the infirm, especlalh' among the free people of colour, who had no legal masters to care for them in their old age were greatly benefitted. Mr. Marshall was so strong in Ills opposition to drunkenness that no coloured person would, by this in- dulgence, willingly incur his censure. There is no doubt that, in this respect, he accomplished much for the cause of virtue among the blacks, and thus for the public welfare generally. The superiority of Mr. Marshall's character and talents especially ap- pears in the methodical manner in which he conducted his own business, as well as in the discipline of his church. Long after he became a preacher, he had but a small and precarious support from any pecuniary rewards for his ministry. He supported himself and his famil}^ as a dray- man ; but his great capacity soon asserted itself, even in respect to his material means of prosperity. He conducted the portage and draying bu.sines3 on a considerable scale, at one period, having owned a number of drays and teams, and even the slaves who drove them. He owned tho large brick dwelling house in which he had lived for many years previous to his death ; and was at one time rated in property as high as twenty-five thousand dollars, though this was probably too high an estimate. His property was diminished very considerably in his latter years. With his increasing infirniities he began to fear that he might yet be scarcely saved from the necessity of out-door duties ; and that he might have to give up the easy carriage and horse which he had so long enjoyed. He related that, on one occasion, he had advanced twenty-five hundred dollars to pur- chase a family of twelve persons, to prevent their separation, and that he never received back the money, except a mere trifle, which he had thus paid. Vol. YI. 258 BAPTIST. His clmroh, however, were abundantly able and willing to provide for him ; and though they did not pay him a fixed salary, they made regular contributions, which amounted to a handsome sum annually, and which, iu any extremity, could doubtless have been increased by several hundred dollars. Prominent native citizens were always among his tried friends ; and some of the most respectable gentlemen in Savannah, of different denominations, acted as Trustees for his church, to protect their real estate and other property. Mr. Marshall possessed elements which would of necessity have made him a leading character anywhere. His Anglo-Saxon temperament made him superior to his African race. His strength of character showed itself in his indomitable perseverance, his calm self-possession, his practical sagacity, and a discretion which never failed him. Withal, he had a genial and even humorous temper ; and his countenance bore the finest lines of expression. He was entirely free from superstition, and gave no counte- nance to marvellous relations of experience, even in a work of grace. Ho could penetrate beneath disguises, and few men, white or black, of any age, ceuld surpass him in reading human character. The deference which he always showed for the laws and institutions of the country, was combined with a high measure of self-respect, and fre- quently with a decision and inflexibility which might be taken advantage of by unprincipled white persons. There was a period of about two years, — from 1819 to 1821, — when Mr. Marshall became somewhat unpop- ular with the white people of liis own denomination, on account of his extreme views of Theology, which at first bordered on Antinomianism, and at length receded to the ojiposite extreme of Sacramentalism in Baptism, as held by Alexander Campbell. During that time, and while engaged in his secular avocations, he had violated the laws, by contraband dealings with negroes. He had made purchases from slaves having no tickets with leave to trade and sell ; and, though many white people had laid the foundation of large success in business before, as others have since, by contraband trade with blacks, advantage was taken of Mr. Marshall's inadvertency, and happening together with his temporary unpopularity, he was prosecuted and sentenced to be publicly whipped in the market-place. The kindness of his former master, Mr. Richardson, and the feelings of many of the best citizens, would not allow him to suffer ; and personal witnesses of the scene, yet living, can attest tliat the whipping was only a semblance, — the constable receiving instructions not to scratch his skin or to draw blood, — his old master also being at his side to see that these precautions were faithfully and humanely observed. While Mr. Mar.-hall was unvarying in his deference to white people, and was never distrusted for any disloyalty to the public peace; and while he was decided in asserting the necessity and advantages of the present insti- tutions in the South, he yet never hesitated to make a firm and respectful declaration of the rights of conscience in matters of religion. He some- times alluded to his celebrated uncle, the Ilev. Andrew Bryan,* who was a * Andkkw Bryan whs a slave belonging to the Hon. Jonathan Bryan, a distinguished patriot of the llcvulution, ivho died in 1788. Andrew, the founder of the I'irst Coloured Church in Fivvanniih. was his favourite servant, and was allowed many jnivileges. He was at one time arrested and whipiied, — it is supposed for holding religious meetings with bis members ANDREW MAUSIIALL. 259 coloured preaclior of nearly as great reputation as ever AndrLv; Marshall possessed, and who died at au extremely great age, as Pastor of the Coloured Church in Savannah. In one of the turbulent outlircaks of reli- gious bigotry among the baser sort of people, which happened before the demoralizing eflfects of the Revolutionary War had been fallowed liy better morals and manners, this old preacher, Andrew Bryan, was silenced from preaching ; and, upon his assuming again to preach, he was publicly whip- ped. But, after this flagellation, he declared that he could not stop preaching, even if at the cost of a martyr's sufferings. This old man seemed ever to have been the model for a true preaclior, with Andrew Marshall ; and when he died, his nephew and successor caused a beautiful mural tablet to be raised in his church, and another large tablet of marble over his grave, in which were recited the events of his life, not omitting the whipping and the persecution he had endured for righteous- ness' sake. The monument will probably long remain in the coloured cemetery at Savannah. The bent and tone of Mr. Marshall'-s mind, was of the old Calvinistic order. His clear intellect was equal to the best distinctions in Theology ; and though he was rather too fond of sometimes saying in public that he never had a day's learning in his life, yet he had much of the discipline which every superior mind acquires and asserts for itself, by the very necessity and outgrowth of self-education ; for every mind tliat is truly educated, when we look at the last analysis, educates itself. He owned a considerable number of books ; and among those evidently the most used, were Dr. Gill's Commentaries. In his treatment of a sub- ject in some of his pulpit performances, there was observable the grasp of a mind which would be deservedly called great. Very often, indeed, he intermingled incidents of his personal experience, and then would seem to ' run into a rambling style ; but even these discursive qualities served to keep alive the attention of his simple flock. But a man who could make some of the high mental efforts which Andrew Marshall at times dis- played, would be pronounced as full)^ equal to any subject which he would find occasion to meet, if allowed opportunity for preparation. The tones of his voice seemed rather to make his preaching of the con- versational order ; while yet there was really a unity of plan and a pur- pose, and a progress, in the whole deliverance. In his large house of worship, the soft tones of his voice would reach the farthest corner, and penetrate every ear. He never used notes in preaching; but his self- possession never failed him. His voice was so deep, sonorous and tender, that its capacity for the expression of pathos was unsurpassed. In his Scripture readings, and in reciting hymns, liis power was always felt. His at niglit, — but his master interceded for him, and the matter being examined by several lead- ing citir-ens, and there being no evidence that the slaves were plotting mischief or insurrection, the result was that Andrew obtained permission from the Chief .Jtistice to continue to preach during the day time, hut not at night. Jle died on the Oth of October, 1SI2, in the ninety- sixth year of his age. Several Addresses were delivered at his Funeral, and among them one by the Itev. Dr. Kollock. The following is part of the inscription upon his monument: — *' He has done more good among the poor slaves than ;i11 the learned Doctors in America, lie wag imprisoned for the Gospel, and, without any ceremony, whipped. I3ut, while under the Ia«h, he told his persecutors he rejoiced not only to be whipped, but he was willing to suffer death for the cause of Christ. ... He wasan honour to human nature, an ornament to religion, and friend to mankind. His memory is still precious in the minds of the living." 260 BAPTIST. favourite hymns and selections of Scripture were sometimes pronounced with such effect, that the most highly educated and discriminating persons would never forget the impression of such readings. His appearance was commanding, though he was neither stout nor tall, compared with the average of well formed men. His African skin and hair were compensated by a face of intelligence superior to the limitations of race. His hair was of the clearest white, aud though truly African, it rose in unwonted profusion, giving him the presence of a venerable patri- arch. His teeth were sound and beautifully clear ; his sight and hearing as good to the last as in middle life ; and his lower limbs only began seri- ously to fail him on reaching his one hundredth year. In some of his glowing pulpit efforts, his face and whole person were irradiated with intelligence ; and one could not hear him at such times without feeling him- self within the influence of a superior mind. In the last year of Mr. Marshall's life, it became an object of extreme liesire with him to erect a new and better house of worship for the church which he felt he soon must leave. The old house, being built of wood, had become much dilapidated, and the city ordinance would not allow another wooden building to be erected on that spot, which was really an eligible one. Feeling the importance of his cause, after making some progress in Savannah and its vicinity, Mr. Marshall resolved upon another journey to the North, which he had frequently visited in the days, and in the presence, of Washington. He was accompanied by his wife, and he hoped also to receive some benefit by consulting physicians there, for his infirmities, whieli neither nature nor medicine could much longer resist. He was respectfully received by some of the most prominent of the New York clerg}', of vari- ous denominations. He preached with acceptance in several of the Baptist pulpits, — among them, in Dr. Cone's and Dr. Magoon's — and in those of other denominations, one of which was that of Dr. Krebs ; and very soon he received in that city about six hundred dollars for his object. But his race was run. He was soon admonished to return home at once, if he wished to see his own people again, and to die among them. Extremely weak, and every day becoming more unwell, he reached Richmond in his journey by land; and thence he could proceed no farther. Having a letter to the Rev. B. Manly, Jr., President of the Richmond Female College, he desired his direction to some place where he could stay. Mr. Manly promptly and cheerfully provided for him at his own house, where the old man lingered for more than a month, evincing the same gracious affec- tions, and the same superior traits of character, which had crowned and graced his life for so muny years. Here, on the 8th of December, 1850, he breathed his last. His remains were carefully conveyed to Savannah, where his Funeral took place, on Sabbath, the 14th of the same month. The demonstrations of interest, on this last solemn occasion of his earthly history, were unequalled by any thing of the kind in that city or region, where a coloured person was concerned. An immense procession of about a mile long, with fifty-eight carriages, either loaned by families in the city to their servants or other coloured friends, or occupiefl, as in many instances, by respectable white people themselves, followed him from his church to his grave. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas Rambaut, ANDUEW MAHSIIALL. 2G1 Pastor of the First Baptist church in Savannah. Not more than two or three Funerals, whether civil or military, and tlioscof the most distinguished citizens of the jdace, have witnessed so large a colk-ction of people, in the course of the present centur}', in that city, as followed to their last resting place, the remains of the centenarian, Andrew Marshall. Yours respectfully, .r. 1'. TUSTIN. FROM THE REV. JOHN M. KREBS, D. D. X KW York, .Tunc 4, 1859. My dear Sir : You ask me for my recollections of the Rev. Andrew Marshall, the Centenarian Coloured Pieacher, of Savannah. On a certain Lord's daj^, in May, 1855, I Avas in Savannah, on my way to the General Assembly. After preaching in the morning for the late Rev. Dr. Preston, then the Pastor of the Independent Presbyterian Church, I attended in the afternoon, in company with a respected Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, and several other Christian friends, who were lodging at the same hotel with me, the worship in the African Baptist Church, Avhich was under the pastoral care of Mr. ^larshall, celebrated for his great age, his protracted evangelical lal)Ours, and his genuine Christian eloquence. On entering the Church, which Avas a neat substantial structure, accommo- dating, as I suiiposed, from eight hundred to a thousand persons, we were con- ducted to the pews reserved for white visiters, in the middle tier, (immediately in front of the pulpit,) which were occupied by some twenty or twenty-iive white persons. The house was crowded in every part with coloured people, whose neat and appropriate dress and decorous behaviour could not be sur- passed by any congregation. It happened to be their Communion service, and the exercises were just beginning v/ith a hymn, which was nobly read by the Pastor, and nobly sung by the peoi)le. The venerable minister was seated under the pulpit, onl}^ a few feet from us. His locks were gray with age but his form was apparently hale and robu.st, though the furrows were in his cheeks. As he rose to offer prayer, he steadied himself upon his cane, while gradually he attained an erect position, every feature and every limb trembling, it may be not more with the weight of years than with powerful emotion. The prayer, uttered with clear articulation and with a strong voice, w"as some- what long, but it was rich with Christian thought and feeling, appropriate in expression, and attracting the sympathy of the worshippers. The aged man of God proceeded with an address bearing upon the special service in which we were engaged. He made a modest remark in reference to his own illiteracy; but, although there was here and there a quaintness and homeliness of expres- sion, neither out of place nor out of taste, — which, nevertheless, I could not here repeat without exciting a smile, it was not for a moment deficient in force or devotion, nor left anj' other impression than that of deep and tender solem- nity. And if the preacher modestly estimated his own ability, it was clear to his hearers that he was " a man of one book," mighty in the Scriptures, and taught of God. The subject of his address was the indispensable importance of the death of Christ, and the astonishing results which it accomplished. There might occasionally seem to be, to a ver}' fastidious critic, a sliglit inco- herence or fragmentary observation; but it was not so; there was a clear, full, consistent vein of thought running throughout the whole. I do not attempt to give more than a specimen of his utterance. Referring to the ])romiseof the Saviour's coming couched in the declaration, — " As often as ye cat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show tl»e Lord's death till He come," he said: " My beloved brethren, when I read this promise, my poor 262 BAPTIST. trcraljling heart sometimes sinks witliiii me. The Lord shall be revealed in all the grace and glory of the Redeemer and the King; but these aged eyes of mine will not continue tlieir sight until that day. i am a hundred years old, and these tottering limbs of mine shall be laid in the dust long ere that bright vision shall gladden the face of his redeemed people. But I check mjself and rebuke my impatient fear. Do I not read in his sure promise that, though I sleep in the dust of the earth, I shall lose nothing of the perfect grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ, even because Ili shall lose nothing of all that the Father hath given Him, for He shall raise it up at the last day. My dead body shall arise in the vigour and immortality wherein it shall be fashioned like the glorified body of Jesus. And these dull ears shall hear the archangel's trump, and these dim eyes shall see the King in his glorj", as clearly and to as good advantage as any that shall be alive and remain upon the earth to hail that glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ!" Could any thing have been more inspiriting, more adapted to rouse ujj the faith and hope of the believer? Again, in allusion to the plotting of the great adversary to destroy Christ, he said: — "At last he succeeded. He was nailed to his cs-oss in agony and shame. Satan had bruised his heel, and thought that he had crushed his head. The fool! It was his own head that was broken then, and he has been a fool ever since; and the proof of all his wicked madness and folly in compassing the death of Christ became apparent. It was Christ that triumphed then, and spoiled the spoiler. The thief was rescued from the kingdom of darkness. The Heathen Centurion acknowledged the Son of God. His death multiplied his disciples. The thousands of Pentecost bowed before the salvation of the cross. Mj"riads upon myriads, that no man can number, have been delivered from the kingdom of Satan, and translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. That great salvation has made its way through the world; its blessed fruits are gathered abundantly on these Western shores. Our skins are dark, but our souls are washed white in the blood of the Lamb. Nor is He the pro- pitiation for our sins only. My brethren, the time was in this city, and through this Southern country, when you would scarcely ever see the face of our white masters in a house of prayer; but how is it now .' How many of those to whom we are subject in the flesh, have recognised our common Master in Heaven, and thty arz ourinastsrs no longer. They are fellow-heirs with us of the grace of life. They sit with us at the same table of our common Lord. They are our friends, our brethren, our guardians, our fathers; and we are travelling together to that blessed land where we shall dwell together in the presence of Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." Who could but be affected with such stirring Gospel eloquence ; and mj- only regret was this — when the old man was surrounded by the Deacons, some ten in number, — a body of fine looking men, — the most of them iutensel}^ l)lack, to receive from him the elements for distribution, I felt a pang, because I sup- posed the 15ai)tist princjjde of Close Communion would exclude me from sharing in that feast of love. But this apprehension was quickly dissipated. Before proceeding to distribute, the aged servant of God announced that that was not a Baptist table, but Christ's table, and that all who loved Him were wel- come there. And when the bread and wine were handed round, first to the white occupants of the pews, all of whom appeared to be communicants in Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Baptist, Dutch Reformed, Methodist, and perhaps Epi.scopal, Churches, and then to the six hundred coloured communi- cants,— as devout and tender as any congregation I ever saw, — T declare to you that never did I administer these emblems of my Saviour's love, nor never did I receive them from the hands of other ministers of Christ, with M'hatso- ever canonical or apostolical authority ordained, with greater joy than I ANDREW MARSHALL. 2G3 received them, that day, from the tremliliiig hands of that poor, bowed down, weeping negro minister of Jesus Christ. The service continued about two hours and a half, consisting variously of hymns, prayers, reading the Scriptures, and exhortation; and it was all con- ducted by Mr. Marshall. But it was not long, nor tedious, it was refresh- ment by the way, and food and strength for many days. And when, at the close, as the assembly orderly broke up, yet seeming loth to part with each other, 1 went forward to introduce myself to this aged father, 1 could rejoice, as speaking through tears, with steady, cheerful voice and happy heart, we exchanged the mutual prayer that it might be ours, witli all the Israel of God, at our next probable meeting, to sit down together with Al)raham, Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of God, at the marriage supper, Avhcn the Lamb Him- self shall preside. This, however, was not our last interview. Among the respectful friends who gathered around him, was the Captain of a Philadelphia Steamer, regu- larly plying between that city and Savannah, who seconded my invitation to the venerable man to visit the North, by heartily otiering him a free passage in his ship, both coming and going. I encouraged him to expect some help in building a larger and more commodious church, which his congregation were then projecting. About two years afterward, he made the visit. He spent some months in this city, lodging with a respectable, religious family, of his own race, but freely welcomed to the tables and pulpits of the brethren whose acquaintance he made, (among whom was the family of a noble-hearted and wealthy Georgian, then residing here,) who provided for his support while here, and for his getting about from place to place, — for, of course, he was too feeble to walk, or even to travel alone in omnibuses. Perhaps the long journey, and the change of climate and habits, contributed to bring upon him u disorder from which he never recovered. He preached once for me, to a very large concourse of people, whom the occasion attracted. The subject of his sermon was the fierce demoniac who had his dwelling among the tombs, out of whom Christ cast the unclean spirit by Avhich he was possessed. Apply- ing it to his own history, he described his own early life, as a careless sinner, until the grace of God visited and rescued him from the power of Satan. and led him from step to step until he became a preacher of the Gospel. He detailed many interesting incidents of the Revolutionary War, including the siege of Savannah, and his own career as a servant, and his journeys as an express-rider, bearing dispatches from ofDccrs of the army to and fro between various military stations, and eventually the purchase of the freedom of himself and his fomily, and his acciuisition, and then the loss, of property. These incidents were Avrought into his discourse, not as mere narrative, but as illustrations of the ways of Providence toward him. The sermon was richly evangelical and experimental. But it had not the glow and copiousness, nor perhaps the stricter connection, which would have characterized it, but for the evident pressure of increasing infirmity and unusual disorder of his bodily system. The audience, however, was deeply interested, and responded to his appeal for aid to rebuild his church, with a generous collection. But he did not live to accomplish his object. Returning homeward by easy overland travel, his illness increa.sed upon him, and he died on the way at Richmond. He had but little learning — hardly any beyond the knowledge of his Bible. But he was shrewd, intelligent, and fervent in spirit, unpresuming, but zeal- ous, and useful among his own people, and greatly respected by all. The fol- lowing account of his " trial," which I received from the lips of Dr. Preston, may be repeated in this connection. Ttere was, and perhaps still is, a law of Georgia, which requires that a coloured preacher shall procure a recommendation from three reputable citi- 2G4 BAPTIST. zens of his own denomination, and, upon it, obtain a license from the County Court, before exercising his oflBce. Mr. Marshall applied to Dr. Preston for a testimonial, which the Doctor informed him would be useless, inasmuch as he was a Presbyterian and Marshall a Baptist. For some reason, — most likely because he did not clearly understand the law, — Mr. Marshall proceeded to preach without the license. Some officious person caused him to be indicted. When the day of trial came, it appeared that, in his ignorance of the method of proceeding, he had retained no counsel for his defence. Several of the law- yers, in their kindness towards him, solicited one of the most eminent of their brethren, Mr. Macalester, (afterwards Judge Macalester of California,) to appear for him, as he Avas incompetent to plead his own cause. Mr. Macales- ter immediately undertook the case, which looked very hoj)eless indeed. The prosecution proved the offence fully. At the proper time for introducing his witnesses, Mr. Macalester, observing Dr. Preston in the Court, called him to testif}'. On the Doctor's entrance upon the witnesses' stand, the presiding Judge interposed, inquiring of the counsel for the defence what he expected to prove by Dr. Preston ? The reply was " that Andrew Marshall was qualified to preach the Gospel." "That," said the Court, "is not the question; the accused may be never so well qualified theologically; but he is indicted for preaching without the legal qualification prescribed by the statute." A little argument took place, which resulted, as a matter of course, in the Judge's decision to exclude the witness. Mr. Macalester immediately called another well-known citizen to the stand, when the previous scene was repeated. The counsel ottered a third, equally prominent witness, who was also rejected for irrelevancy. Meanwhile, the attention of the Jury was fastened on this series of overtures, which was just what the astute counsel designed. On "sum- ming up," he made an ingenious and eloquent speech in defence, — particularly and plausibly arguing "the very embarrassing and disadvantageous predica- ment in Avhich his poor client was placed b}' the " rcmarkabh ruling " of the Court, which, on his offering, on behalf of the accused, the testimony of seve- ral of the most respectable witnesses that the city could furnish, had refused even to let them be sworn!" The prosecuting attorney made a few brief comments on the law and the testimony, and clearly established the guilt of the accused preacher in his breach of the law of the State. The Judge as jjointedly charged the Jury against him, for the fact was undeniable. The Jury retired, and in a very little time returned with a verdict of " not guilty!'' The Court gravely received it — the clerk quietly smiled while he recorded it — and the spectators a little more audibly tittered in token of their satisfaction. The prisoner was discharged, and the Jury dismissed. As they came out of the box, some person present inquired of one of them, " how it was possible for them to bring in such a verdict in the face of the law and the fact, and their own oath." "Easily enough," replied the juror; "you will never catch a Ceorgian Jury convicting any man of crime for preaching the Gospel." Whatever may be the opinion to be entertained of the justification of the Jury, it is evident that they had a good deal more of the spirit of toleration than the Jewi.sh Sanhedrim, who scourged Apostles and forbade them to speak any more in the name of Jesus. Palriotisiii triumphed when Patrick Henry plead its cause against the sordid claim of " John Hook, hoarsely brawling through the rejoicing American camp, « beef, beef, beef!' " And here, like- wise, while we have been amused by some pleasant descriptions of the ludi- crous practice in the rural courts of the Southwest, we majs perhaps, learn something from this example of a staid, conservative Southern Jur}' going in i*rongly for " the higher law." I am very truly yours, JOHN M. KREBS. THOMAS B. MONTAXYE. 265 THOMAS B. MONTANYE* 1787—1829. Thomas B. Montanye was bom in the city of New York, in the year 1709. Ilis fatlicr, l^cnjaniin Montanye, was a respectable and active mem- ber of the Ivcformcd Dutch Church in that city. The son, at the age of about seventeen, to tlie great grief of his father, departed from the failli in which ho had been educated, so far as Baptism is concerned, and JDined the Bapti-t Cliurch, at that time unit to the Philadelphia Association, in the year 1800, he officiated for the Church in Southampton, Bucks County, Pa., then destitute of a Pastor. The next year, he received and accepted a call to the Pastorship of that church. On entering this new field of labour, he was brought into intimate association with several of the most distinguished Baptist clergy- uieu in America ; and, though he was at this time but little more than thirty years of age, and withal was very youthful in his appearance, yet • MS. from H. G. Jones, Esq. Vol. VI. 34 266 BAPTIST. such was his reputation for both talents and piety, that the ablest and oldest members of the Association never failed to listen to him with respect and deference. His services soon came to be sought at Ordina- tions, distant Associations, Councils, and especially at Religious Anniver- saries, which were very numerously attended ; and so powerful was bin voice that, on these last mentioned occasions, he would easily make himself heard b}' several thousands. During his connection with the Philadelphia Association, some very grave and perplexing matters of controversy came before that Body, which brought men of high talents and standing in fierce conflict with each other. From the year 1816 to the year 1828, these matters were agitated, without much intermission. Mr. Montanye took and held his position with great firmness and dignity, and, though con- strained to oppose many of his long cherished friends, he accounted even that a light matter, inasmuch as it was necessary to his keeping a con- science void of offence. Mr. Montanye was distinguished for his patriotism ; and, when the War of 1812 with Great Britain broke out, he was on the alert for the defence of his country. Having received a Chaplain's commission, he sallied forth to the camp on the banks of the Delaware. His clerical labours there proved highly acceptable and salutary. On one occasion, particularly, he had an opportunity of exhibiting his fortitude and conscientiousness in a way that attracted special notice. A general drill and review of the army had been ordered for the morning of the Sabbath, at the same hour when preaching had hitherto been the "order of the day." He told his friends that this military exercise must not take place at the hour of public worship. He then proceeded to the quarters of the General in command, and stated to him, in a very dignified and courteous manner, that he held a commission from his country, and also from his God ; that, by virtue of his latter commission, he was superior in command on the Sabbath to any of the military ; that tlie general order for a review would interfere with orders from a higher source ; and that, consequently, the review could not and must not take place. The General heard the Chaplain with surprise, but with respectful attention ; and the result was that " after-orders " were issued, and the review was postponed. Mr. Montanye had a vigorous constitution, and generally enjoyed firm health ; and though he had laboured long and diligentl}- in his Master's cause, his friends confidently believed, until his last illness commenced, that the end of his earthly labours was still comparatively distant. On his return from a meeting of the Warwick Association, in June, 1829, he suffered an attack of the jaundice. In July, the disease rapidly increased, but, in August, he obtained some relief, so that he was able to engage several limes in his accustomed public duties. In September, he stood in his pulpit for the last time, on which occasion he preached a Funeral Ser- mon. From that day, his decline was rapid, and it soon became apparent that his days of active service were numbered. To a brother in tlic min- istry, who now visited him, he expressed the strongest confidence that he was destined tu a happy immortality. He mentioned three reasons why it would be desirable to him to live longer — one was that he might do some- thing more for the benefit of his family ; another, that the affairs of others, TUOxMAS B. MONTANYE. 267 entrusted to his care, might be finally adjustetl ; and the tliinl and most important, that ho might see the churches around him .supplied with sound, pious and faithful ministers. On this latter point he continued tu express great anxiety as long as he lived. " It tills me with gloom," said he, "to .see some of our juilpits occupied by Sciolists, who offer the Saviour to sinners apparently with as little concern as a merchant would offer his wares for sale." On one occasion, when his disorder seemed to assume a more favourable aspect, he remarked that he could scarcely calculate on long life. " My course," he said, " has been a rapid one ; 1 was early in sin, and in that I run a mad career ; was called early to embrace the Saviour ; commenced my ministerial course early ; and have preached per- haps oftcner since I have been engaged in the ministry than almost any other man ; therefore I may expect that my life will be not greatly pro- tracted." While conversing with a friend on his prospects for eternity, he remarked, — '« My dependance is not upon any thing I have done, — neither my moral deportment ; nor my faithfulness in the discharge of domestic or relative duties ; nor in my abundant preaching ; but I go to the footstool of mercy as a poor, unworthy sinner, resting my whole salvation on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ; and I feel a iirm persuu:^ion that his work in my soul has long since been perfurnied." Ilis friend remarked to him that it was not probable he would meet the Philadelphia Association, then near at hand, and which he had attended twenty-eight years in suc- cession. After a moment's reflection, he said, — "If I am not there, I shall be " pointing upwards, as though he would have said, — " I shall be in Heaven." After a violent paroxysm, he exclaimed, — " Tell me, my soul, can this be death?" On the day previous to his dissolution, his friend) already referred to, left him ; and, in parting, he said, — " Farewell in Christ Jesus ; you can fare well no where else." He died, on the morn- ing of the Lord's day, September 27, 18'29. In the full possession of his faculties, he exclaimed, — "I die, I die," and instantly the vital spark was extinguished. On the ensuing Monday, his remains were deposited in the cemetery of the Baptist Church at Northampton, attended by twelve ministers of the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches, and an immense crowd of sympathiz- ing friends. An apjjropriate discourse was delivered by the Rev. Joseph Matthias, from the Epistle to the Philippians, i. 21. The Philadelphia Baptist Association assembled a few days after his death, and testified their deep sense of the excellence of their departed brother's character, and of the loss which they had sustained in his removal. The Rev. Dr. Staugh- ton, by request of the Association, delivered a Commemorative Discourse, from II. Tim. iv. 7. When Mr. Montanye's will was opened, it was found to contain the following Epitaph, which, agreeably to his direction, was inscribed on his tombstone : Here lies interred Tlie mortal man. ELDER THOMAS B. MONTANYE, Born in the city oC Now York, .lanuary '29, 1769; Baptized by Elder .Joliti Gano. 1786; Licensed 1787; ordained 1788; Pastor of AVarwick Church, N. Y., 12 years and G months. 268 BAPTIST. Moved to Pennsylvania 1801 j Pastor of Southampton Church till death, a term of [hlank to be tilled as God may lengthen out my days.] Whole time in the ministry rto be tilled.] The chief of sinners and the least of saints. The following testimony was rendered concerniug him by the Kev. Horatio Gates Jones, D. 1)., Mr. Montanye's intimate friend: — Under his ministry " many were translated from the state of nature to the state of grace, and many were advanced to a higher state of holiness. The bad were made good, and the good were made better. His prayers were an effusion of the most lively, melting expressions of his ardent love to God — ' from the abundance of his heart his life spake.' His soul took wing for Heaven, and enrapt the souls of his audience with him. In his sermons there was a rare union of argument and persuasioti to convince the mind and gain the heart. It was not easy to resist the ])ower of his discourse, without abjuring reason and warring with Divine Kev'elation. In speaking, he possessed an admirable felicity and copiousness. In his style there was a 7ioble negli- gence,— his great mind not deigning to stoop to the afiected eloquence of words. He had not the advantage of an academical education; but, by the Divine blessing on his strong mind, and uncommon dexterity and diligence, he far .surpassed in sacred knov.l- edge many who bore the highest collegiate honours. His voice was firm, of full vol- ume, and rather melodious than otherwise — its charm consisted in the fulness of its note, the ease and variety of its inflection, the fine effect of its emphasis, the graceful facility with which it attuned itself to every emotion, and its power to range tiu'ough the whole domain of liuman jjassion, from the deep and tragic half whisper of horror to the wildest exclamation of overwhelming surprise. In persuasion, it was soft and gentle as the zei)hyrs of spring; while, in rousing the slumbering simier, the winter's storm that roars along tlie troubled ocean, was not more awfully sublime. " If we view our distinguished brother in the social circle, it must be granted that all who knew him were delighted with his urbanity. His natural abilities and endow- ments invariably commanded respect — his reasoning faculty was prompt and acute; his memory uncommonly tenacious; and his conversation highly agreeable. To place religion in a morose habit of mind was remote fmui bis i)ractice, his judgment, and his temper But his conversation, even when taking in things of a different nature, was yet, in a greater or less degree, of religious tendency; and when he conversed directly on religious subjects, he frequently spake with such decided relish as left it impossible for any one to doubt that liis utterances were from the seated temper and habit of his soul." ELISHA ANDREWS. 1787—1840. FROM THE REV. ERASTUS ANDREWS. SuFFiELD. Conn., 29th January, 1859. My dear Sir : I cheerfully comply with your request for a sketch of my venerated father ; and-J will endeavour to perform the delicate task you have assigned me, with all impartiality and fidelity. Elisiia Andrews, a son of Isaac Andrews, was born at Middletown, Conn., September 29, 1708. When he was about twelve years of age, his parents removed to the State of Yorniont ; and he accompanied tliem. His fatlier had previously been a sea-faring man, but, as he had had some- what more than a common education, he afterwards supported his family by teaching a school, and practising the art of Surveying. The fact that the father was so much engaged in teaching was favourable to the improve- ment of the son ; as it gave him the opportunity of pursuing his studies ELISIIA ANDREWS. 209 under his father's instruction, almost constantly, during several of liis early years. lie acquired knowledge with reuiarkaldc facility, in after life, without the aid of a teacher; and this is supposed to have been owing, in a great measure, to his father's peculiar mode of instruction. In giving the pupil a book, he would endeavour to impress him with the idea that it would even be disgraceful for him to ask for help to enable him to understand the most difficult part of it. He used to say, — " If you can- not conquer Pike's Arithmetic, how can you expect to be able to combat the evils of life?" Elisha, while yet a boy, had become master of the art of Surveying, had dipped a little into Latin, and was comjietent to teach all that was required in the district schools of that day ; and at the age of sixteen or seventeen he left home, and w^ent into the State of New York, where he spent several years, partly as a Teacher, and partly as a Surveyor. His home at this time was with an aunt, — a person of an excel- lent Christian character, who resided in Galway, Saratoga County, then comparatively a new country. In after life, he was heard to say that his first permanent religious impressions were produced by some remarks from this pious woman, occasioned by the sudden death of a neighbour. He was now thoroughly awakened to a sense of his condition as a sinner, but, after a severe and somewhat protracted inward struggle, he was brought, as he believed, to a cordial compliance with the terms of the Gospel. The great change whicli then took place in his views and feelings he thus describes: — "While walking alone in the woods one day, there seemed to be a conversation carried on between Christ and my own soul, in which I was led to see the sufficiency of that atonement that had been made, and the condescension and grace of that Saviour who had offered Himself a sacrifice for sin." From this time he went on the Christian course rejoic- ing; and his path became brighter until it terminated in glory. Shor:ly after his hopeful conversion, he was baptized by Elder Joseph Cornell,* and united with the Baptist Church in Galway. My father now folt an irrepressible desire to warn others of the danger from which he had himself escaped ; and he seems very soon to have formed the purpose of devoting himself to the ministry. An incident • Joseph Cornell, a ?on of Elislia Cornell, was born at Swansea, Mass., February II, I747. and continual to live "itli his fatlier until be was about twcnt}--five years of age. Ife was then married to Mary JIason, and roniovcd to Lancsborough, Mass., ^^bcre he settled in Idisiness, and remained till the year 1780, when he was ordained to the work of the ministry,— liaving made a profession of his faith and been baptized some twelve years before. Immedi- ately after his ordination, he removed to Manchester, Vt., then a frontier settlement, wIktc thire was a " Baptist Confereijce,"' which hud invited liini to come and labour anio:ig tiitin. Shortly after the commencement of his ministry, a church wns onstituted there, of wliich hi' became the first Pastor. After remaining at Manchester about fourteen years, during "hich many tokens of the Divine favour attended liis ministry, lie accepted an invitation, in 1 7'-' I. |" take the pastoral charge of the Second IJaptist Church in Halway. N. Y., then recently consti- tuted. Here he continued, labouring faithfully and successfully, five years, anil then resigned ids charge, and commenced a series of missionary labours, under tiie patronage of the Mii-'Sa- chusctts Missionary Society, which he continued for three years. — ranging through Middle and Western New York, and Upper Canada. In 1802, his health having become inipiiiicil, he went to Providence. R. I., for the sake of recruiting it. I'or nbout a year, he supplied the Congre- gational Church in that place, then vacant bv the death of the liev. Mr. Snow; and then tin- Second Hapfist Church in I'rovidence being formed, he became its Pastor. After remaining in Providence about ten years, he returned to Galway and resumed his relations witli his former charge. Having laboured here about nine years, he engaged again as a inissionnry, under the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, and continued ty7us employed till his death, which occurred at Galway. on the 2i>th of .Ttily, 1820, in the eightieth year of his age, and the forty- sixth of his ministry. He dieii without a moment's warning. He was distinguished for a dis criminating mind, a sound judgment, an earnest jiiety, and an effective ministry. 270 BAPTIST. occurred in connection with his beginning to preach that was somewhat illustrative of the spirit of the times. A strong prejudice existed at that time, among the Baptists, against ministerial education ; and, as mj father was a great lover of books, this was urged as an objection against him, when it was known that he felt called to the work of preaching the Gos- pel. He had a cousin, (a Mr. M.,) a young man about his own age, who did not love books well enough to incur the displeasure of those even who were the least tolerant of a passion for learning, and who also thought it his duty to preach. A meeting was appointed by the church to hear Mr. M. " improve his gifts," with a view to his being licensed as a preacher. After the usual introductory exercises, Mr. M. named a text — but that was absolutely as far as he could go — the attempt proved an entire failure. To relieve the church from its momentary embarrassment, one of the Deacons inquired if Brother Andrews would not like to speak to them on that occasion. My father consented to do so, took the text which had proved an overmatch for his cousin, and delivered what turned out to be a very acceptable discourse. Whereupon, a meeting was appointed the next week for my father to preach; but, on that occasion, he succeeded but little better than his cousin had done before, finding himself obliged to stop before he had finished the introduction of his sermon. M., in his turn, now took the stand, and made a very successful effort. This so balanced the case as to leave the church just where they began, — in favour of licensing M., and opposed to my father's becoming a preacher, on the ground that he was bent upon being a student. M. became a minister, was useful in his vocation, and lived to a good old age. My father, about this time, left Galway, to visit his parents in Vermont, and on his way called on a minister in Granville, Washington County, who, having heard his story, detained him a few days, and put him to the exercise of his gifts among his people. The result was that, when he was about leaving the place to proceed on his journey, the minister said to him, — "Go, and preach as you go ; and I will see that your license is forthcoming in duo season." From this time, he "improved his gifts " wherever Providence opened a door, but was still engaged in teaching and surveying, and he spent at least one season in assisting his father in clearing land, building a log-house, and doing other work incident to commencing on a new farm. Thus his time was oceupicil from the age of nineteen, when he first attempted to preach, until his ordination as Pastor of the Church in Fairfax, Vt., which occurred In 1793. lie was ordained in the open air, in front of a log- house, about two milfis north of the spot on which the Baptist meeting-house now stands. On the 9th of January, 1792, he was married to Wealthy Ann Lathrop, whose parents, like his own, had emigrated from Connecticut to Vermont, just at the close of the War of the Revolution. She was eminently suited to the place she was called to fill. His love of study, his frequent absences from home, and the meagre salary of a Baptist minister at that day, made it quite necessary that his wife should assume much of the care and labour of providing for the family, and that she should practise the utmost economy and industry, both of which she possessed in an eminent degree. ELISIIA ANDUE\\'S. 271 My fiitlier continued at Fairfax till tlio winter of 1795-9G, when he removed to llujikinton, N. H. Here he remained a year or more, and then transferred his residence to Nottingham West, (now Hudson,) in the same State. Early in the year 180U, he accepted an invitation to the pastoral charge of the Baptist Church in Tcmpleton, Mass. Here was the Held of his widest as well as most protracted usefulness. At that time, there were hut few liaptist churches iu the country ; and the church of which he now became Pastor was comjtosed of members residing in some twelve or tifleeu different towns. For a period of fourteen years, he met regular appoint- ments at llohlen, a distance of twenty miles ; at Barre, a distance of twelve or fourteen miles; and at Athol, a distance of ten or twelve mile.r ; seldom passing and repassing without appointments for occasional preaching at intermediate stations. He visited Holden each mouth for fourteen years, never failing but once on account of ill health. In a few instances he was prevented from reaching his destined point by violent storms or deep snows, for which the region about the Wachusett Mountain is proverbial. Ho was equally regular and punctual, though less frequent, in his visits to Barre and Athol. In mo.st of the towns in which the members of his church originally resided. Baptist churches have since been formed, and in nearly or quite every case, were to be found among the constituent members some who had received Baptism at his hands, and who acknowl- edged him as the instrument of their conversion. At least twelve churches now exist on the ground over which his pastoral labours extended during the first ten years of his residence in Templeton ; and he is still remem- bered in that whole region as the Apostle of the Baptists. It would seem, from the very laborious life which my father led, that he would have but little time for the improvement of his mind. But, with such an intense love of knowledge and such facility of acquiring it as he possessed, it seemed as if no obstacle could essentially impede his intel- lectual progress. It was no uncommon thing for him to be seen, while riding horseback, with a book, perhaps the Greek Testament, in his hand, eagerly devouring its contents. And when he found it necessary to hasten the pace of his steed, he would pocket the book, and would very soon become so absorbed in some sul)ject that was occupying his thoughts, that he wouM pass a familiar friend without recognizing him, or even being aware that he was meeting any one. Before his settlement in Templeton, he had acquired so much knowledge of the Greek as to have no difficulty in reading or translating it; though his pronunciation of the language, owing to the fact of his being entirely self-taught, was somewhat defective. Some time after this, he became acquainted with the Rev. Dr. 3Iurdock, then Pastor of the Congregational Church in Princeton, who kindly offered to aid him in the study of the Hebrew. As his duties led him through Princeton frequently, he availed himself of the proffered assistance, and ultimately became a very respectable Hebrew scholar. He acquired so much knowledge of the German also as to read it with great ease. Indeed, his love of books seemed to be without a limit. So regardless did it often render him of surrounding circum- stances, that, if, while he was making a pastoral visit, he happened to meet with a book that interested him, he would actually forget that he was not 272 BAPTIST. in his own study, anJ would keep on reading, ignoring all that might be said to him, until either he had finished the book, or was interrupted by something too positive and decided for him to withstand. It was always hard to draw him into conversation wlien he had an interesting book in hand, except by starting some theological question, and then he was all ear — his mind was sure to kindle at the introduction of such a topic ; and he would with great ease hold the attention of the company until he had given his views of it in a lucid and impressive manner. Indeed, he had great materials for conversation, and great facility at using them. When not absorbed in study, he was cheerful and social — he had a large share of ready wit, and his retentive memory furnished him with a rich fund of anecdote, which he always knew how to employ to the best advantage. But, though he could exercise his wit, and not only enjoy but provoke a hearty laugh at the proper time, he never indulged or tolerated the least departure from a serious and reverent demeanour in the pulpit. There, it was manifest to all who heard him that he was absorbed by the great truths on which he dwelt, and that all his utterances were from a heart deeply impressed with eternal realities. At the commencement of the War of 1812, my father took sides with the Federalists. This was so rare a thing among the Baptists that it created alienation among his people, and finally led to his dismissal. His Federalism, however, consisted not so much in sympathy with the measures proposed or the principles adopted by that party in general, as in a decided opposition to war. He was an advocate of those principles afterwards embodied in the constitution of the American Peace Society : and these views of war led him to feel that a better way of adjusting existing diffi- culties with Great Britain might be adopted, and bloodshed avoided. The Church and Society were about equally divided ; and, as the excitement was great, and the opposition of some of the leading members of the church very decided, he deemed it expedient to ask for the dissolution of his pas- toral relation, — wliich was, accordingly, granted on the 17th of Marcli, 1813. F0, 1786, a gentleman held his watch in his band, till he had baptized thirty in fifty- eight minutes." Vol. VI. 36 232 BAPTIST. and even persons of mature years, in his congregation. For this purpose, in addition to their local meetings, they assembled once a quarter in the meeting-house. But he had a vigorous constitution, and his health con- tinued adequate to his manifold labours, until about the time of the death of his first wife, — an affliction which he felt most deeply, and from the effect of which he never fully recovered. On the occasion of last meeting his people for Divine worship, he stated to them distinctly that his voice would never again be heard within the walls of their common earthly sanctuary ; and this proved a prophetic announcement. From that time, his bodily infirmities greatly increased. His mind, which, during nearly the whole of his Christian life, had been eminently clear and peaceful, now became shrouded in darkness. For a season, he was tempted to believe that his Heavenly Father had forsaken him. But, at length, deliverance came; and, for a week before his death, he dwelt constantly upon the Mount. Having gathered his family around him, and exhorted them to put their trust in their Redeemer, he bade them fare- well. His death occurred on the 11th of February, 1839, in the seventy- fourth year of his age. FROM THE REV. G. S. WEBB, D. D. New Brunswick. N. J., April 10, 1858. My dear Sir: I came into this State to labour in 1821, and soon afterwards made the acquaintance of the Rev. Mr. Smalley, who was then past the meri- dian of life. But, as we were a hundred miles apart, our intercourse was not frequent, nor my opportunities of forming a judgment of his character such as to render me a very competent witness concerning him. What I do know I cheerfully communicate, esjjecially as his contemporaries have so nearly all passed away, that I should be at a loss to whom to refer you for more ample information. Mr. Smalley was of medium height; rather stout, compact, firm, but not corpulent; and altogether fitted for great endurance. His hair and eyes were dark, and his countenance remarkably grave. His whole appearance was emi- nently befitting his character as an ambassador of God. I think I never heard him preach but twice. His manner in the pulpit was calm, deliberate, solemn; more in the style of the compassionate judge pro- nouncing sentence against the culprit, than of the popular orator. He was not one of that class of preachers w^ho w^ould be likely to be run after by the multitude, though he would be listened to with much interest by the intelligent and reflecting. No one could hear him without being impressed with the idea that his heart went into all his utterances, and no one could hear him with attention without being convinced that he was "ascribe well instructed," «' rightly dividing the word of truth." Mr. Smalley had the reputation of being an excellent Pastor, and of enjoy- ing in a high degree the affection and confidence of his people. He had an admirable facility at preserving harmony in his congregation, and of nipping in the bud every thing like strife or discord. His influence over his people was so silent and unostentatious that they scarcely knew that it was exerted at all, and yet it was decided and powerful. And it was felt, too, much beyond the bounds of his immediate charge. His excellent judgment and eminently peace-making spirit were often put in requisition to settle diflflculties in other congregations; and the same qualities rendered him an exceedingly useful member of deliberative bodies. HENRY SMALLEY. 283 I am inclined to regard Mr. Sniallcy as having belonged to a class of minis- ters, Avho are rarely appreciated, cspcciall}'^ by their contemporaries, accord- ing to their deserts. He was sound in the faith, in charity, in patience; a pattern of good works; never in haste, and yet never faltering, like the dili- gent husbandman, rising early and retiring late, sowing his seed beside all waters, and leaving at the end of his days many broad acres well cultivated, — a good inheritance to those who come after him. Your brother in our common Lord, G. S. WEBB. JESSE MERCER, D D.=^ 1788—1841. The paternal great-grandfather of Jesse Mercer, emigrated from Scot- land to Virginia, about the close of the seventeenth century. His son, the grandfather of Jesse, removed from Virginia to North Carolina, and thence to what is now Wilkes County, Ga. Silas, the father of Jesse, was born in North Carolina, February, 1745. He was educated in the Episcopal Church, and was taught to regard its Liturgy and forms with the utmost reverence ; but, as he grew up, his mind underwent a gradual change, and finally reposed in the system of doctrine and discipline held by the Baptists. He was immersed in the year 1775 ; and, before he left the stream, ascended a log, and delivered an exhortation to the spectators. Shortly after this, he received a formal license to preach. When the Rev- olutionary War came on, he fled for safety to Halifax County in his native State ; and, during a six years' residence there, he preached upon an average oftener than once a day. At the close of the War, he returned to his former residence in Georgia, where he continued his pious and useful labours during the rest of his life. He died in the fifty-second year of his age. Besides several smaller pieces, he wrote a pamphlet of sixty-eight pages, entitled " Tyranny exposed, and True Liberty discovered." Jesse Mercer was born in Halifax County, N. C, December 16, 1769, being the eldest of eight children. He was a remarkably bright, amiable and conscientious boy ; and, though he showed a good deal of quiet humour, and was very far from manifesting the spirit of a recluse, he had no relish for anything coarse, or boisterous, or irreverent. His early opportunities for education were very limited ; and it is doubtful whether he had ever been sent to school, previous to the return of his father to Georgia from North Carolina. From early childhood, he was the subject of serious impressions ; and, from the age of about fourteen or fifteen till he had reached his eighteenth year, there was no intermission of his anxiety in respect to his salvation. Of the change which at length passed upon him, he has left the following account: — " While on the verge of despair, I was walking alone along a narrow path in the woods, poring over my helpless case, and saying to myself— Wo is me ! Wo, wo is me .' tor I am undone forever? I would I were a beast of the field ! At length, I found * Mem. by Dr. Mallary. 284 BAPTIST. myself standing, with my eyes steadfastly fixed on a small oak that grew by tlie path- side, and earnestly wishing that I could be like the little oak when it died and crumbled to dust. At that moment, light broke into my soul, and I believed in Christ for myself, and not another, and went on my way rejoicing." He made a relation of his experience to the Phillips' Mill Church, on the 7th of July, 1787, and was immediately after baptized by his father, being then in his eighteenth year. Shortly after he connected himself with the church, he began to feel an earnest desire to address his fellow-men in respect to their immortal interests ; and his first efforts in this way, which were of an hortatory kind, were characterized by so much judgment and feeling as to give promise, in the view of those who witnessed them, of extensive usefulness in the Church. He soon began to preach, and, though the exact time when he received a formal license cannot now be ascertained, yet it is known that he preached to great acceptance, and had the entire approbation of his brethren generally. On the 31st of January, 1788, being then in his nineteenth year, he was married to Sabrina, daughter of Joel Chivers, and, at the time of their marriage, step-daughter of Oftnial Weaver, of Wilkes County. Though she was poor in this world's goods, she was distinguished for prudence, industry, and piety, and was every way fitted to be a helper to him in his work. Such a helper she proved to be during a period of nearly forty years. On the 7th of November, 1789, he was solemnly set apart by ordination to the work of the ministry, his father being one of the officiating min- isters; and, notwithstanding his extreme youth, he received a call about the same time to take the pastoral charge of the church called Hutton's Fork, (now Sardis,) in Wilkes County. He accepted the call, and con- tinued there in the faithful discharge of his duties, more than twenty years. He was now very diligent in the cultivation of his mind, and availed himself of an opportunity to study the learned languages, under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Springer, a Presbyterian clergyman, with whom he formed an intimate and enduring friendship. He subsequently prosecuted his studies still further at an Academy that was established in his father's neighbourhood, whither he returned after an absence of two years, in order to avail himself of its advantages. His academic course, after all, was rather limited, though it laid a foundation for more extended improvements in after life. In 1798, the field of Mr. Mercer's labours was enlarged by his accept- ance of the Pastorship of the Church at Indian Creek, (or Bethany,) in Oglethorpe County, to the vicinity of which he removed in the ensuing winter. But, in 1796, hi?" father having died in August of that year, he returned to the place where his father had resided, for the purpose of administering on the estate, and otherwise assisting the bereaved family. At the same time, he became the Preceptor of the Salem Academy. He also succeeded his father in the charge of the Phillips' Mill, Powelton, and Bethesda Churches, to all of which he was highly acceptable. He continued at his father's place for several years, until he had settled the business of the estate ; and then removed to the Fork of the Little River in Green County, where he settled on a small farm, which, however, he did JESSE MERCEIl. 285 not allow to interfere with his ministerial duties. About this time, he directed the studies of several young men in their preparation for the min- istry; but his services in this way were rendered gratuitously. The field occupied by Mr. Mercer between the years 179G and 1827 was one of the most important in the State of Georgia, — the churches which he served being in the midst of a dense population, and embracing a conside- rable amount of intelligence and refinement. The Sardis Church, origi- nally called Huttou's Fork, — the first of which he had the charge, he left in 1817. With the Phillips' Mill Church he retained his connection till 1835 ; with the church at Bcthesda until 1827 ; and with the Powelton church till 182G. Of this latter church Governor Ilabun was, for many years, a distinguished member. In 1818, a church was constituted in Eatonton, Putnam County, of which Mr. Mercer took charge in January, 1820, and continued its Pastor till the close of 1826. In 1824, the Bap- tist State Convention (then denominated the General Association) held its sessions at Eatonton, on which occasion Mr. Mercer preached a jMissionary Sermon, that was followed by a very liberal collection from the congrega- tion. His connection with these several churches was the means of quick- ening them to a higher sense of Christian obligation, of building them up in faith and holiness, and, in nearly every case, of adding largely to their numbers. In addition to his stated labours, he performed much occasional service in other places, and rarely, if ever, made a journey, which he did not render directly subservient to the general interests of religion and the prosperity of some particular church. One means of usefulness which he highly valued, was keeping on hand an assortment of religious books, which he carried with him on his numerous preaching tours, and disposed of among his brethren, as he had opportunity. Finding a great want of Hymn Books for the use of the rapidly increas- ing churches, he compiled a small work called " The Cluster." It had passed through three editions before 1817, and has been published several times since. It has had a wide circulation in Georgia, and several of the adjacent States. Mr. Mercer took a deep interest in the civil afi"airs of the country, and did not hesitate to speak, or write, or act, in relation to them, as he thought his duty required ; though he never suffered himself to be entangled in the strife of politics. In 1798, he was a member of the Convention which was held to amend the State Constitution. About the year 1816, he was a can- didate for the office of Senator in the State Legislature ; but, fortunately, (as he himself afterwards thought,) was unsuccessful. In 1833, it was pro- posed by some of his friends that he should be brought forward as a candi- date for Governor ; and he was subsequently named as a suitable person to be chosen one of the Presidential Electors; but, in each case, he per- emptorily declined the honour. In the year last named, certain amend- ments to the State Constitution had been agreed upon by a Convention appointed by the Legislature, and were submitted to the people for appro- val or rejection. Mr. Mercer, being greatly dissatisfied with tlic amend- ments, published the reasons of his dissent frona them, for wliieh he was censured with some degree of severity. He, however, justified himself on the ground of a strong conviction of duty ; and maintained that, though a 286 BAPTIST. minister lias no right to meddle with the every day politics of the country, he has a right to be heard on great constitutional questions as truly as any other man. In 1826, Mr. Mercer attended the General Convention in Philadelphia, and did not return till the month of September. When he had reached Andersonville, Pendleton District, S. C, his wife, who accompanied him, was seized with a violent fever, and died after a few days' confinement, in the fifty-fifth year of her age. Though he felt the loss most deeply, he submitted to it with an humble and trusting resignation. She was the mother of two children. At the close of 1826, or early in 1827, Mr. Mercer took up his residence in Washington, Wilkes County, under circumstances highly creditable to his disinterestedness. When he had determined to give up most of the churches with which he was connected, and provide for himself a more set- tled residence, he was earnestly requested, by a committee appointed for the purpose, to make his permanent settlement among the people at Powel- ton, and assured that competent provision should be made for his support. But, notwithstanding his worldly interest, and especially his strong per- sonal attiachments, would have inclined him to listen to their proposal, so strong was his conviction that there was an important work which he was called to perform in Washington, that he felt constrained to return a nega- tive answer to the Powelton brethren, and to plant himself in what seemed in many respects the more unpromising field. He had, for nearly forty years, been in the habit of preaching at Washington, generally on week days, about once a month. There were a few scattered Baptists in the vil- lage and the surrounding country ; but not enough to justify the organiza- tion of a church, until 1827. At the close of that year, a church was constituted, and in January, 1828, Mr. Mercer became its Pastor. He continued in this relation till the close of life. The church grew rapidly in numbers, liberality, and zeal, under his ministry, until it became, in proportion to its numerical strength, one of the most effective churches in the State. On the 11th of December, 1827, Mr. Mercer was united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy Simmons, widow of Capt. A. Simmons, and then residing in Washington. By this marriage he obtained a considerable addition to his worldly property, while he gained a companion of great Christian liberality and worth, and every way suited to be a fellow-helper in carrying out the objects for which he lived. In 1833, the Christian Index, a religious periodical, which had for some years been edited by the Rev. W. T. Brantly, at Philadelphia, was trans- ferred to Mr. Mercer. This brought him into a new sphere of labour and responsibility, and occasioned him considerable pecuniary loss ; while he felt himself less at home than in almost any other position he had occupied. Though his habits were not decidedly literary, and he could scarcely be considered a highly accomplished writer, he conducted the work with excel- lent judgment, and rendered it specially useful as a means of defending and sustaining the benevolent operations of the day. In 1835, he was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, from Brown University. JESSE MERCER. 287 For a long series of years, his name and influence were identified with most of the prominent operations of the Georgia Association. He was present at its formation in 1784; shortly after his connection with the Church, he appeared as its delegate ; and, from that time till 1839, when he was prevented by illness, he never failed to be present at its annual meetings. From 1795 till 1816, he generally ofliciated as Clerk of the Body — at the session of the last named year, he was chosen Moderator, and held the office, by re-election, till 1839. He had an important connection with another Association of a more gene- ral character, known as the " Baptist Convention of the State of Greorgia ;" which, from a small beginning in 1822, gradually grew into a great benevo- lent institution, which has accomplished, in various ways, a mighty amount of good. Of this Convention Dr. Mercer was regularly chosen Modera- tor, till the session of 1841, when his impaired health and domestic afflic- tions prevented his attendance. Dr. Mercer lost no opportunity of manifesting his interest in the cause of education. When the project of establishing a College in the District of Columbia was first started, he was disposed to give to it all his influ- ence. His name was enrolled among the original Trustees of the institu- tion; and, amidst its protracted embarrassments, his zeal for the promotion of its interests never faltered. In 1834, he delivered a Sermon before the Convention, entitled " Knowledge indispensable to a minister of Grod," which contained a vigorous argument in favour of an educated ministry, and which was afterwards published and extensively circulated. He was no less devoted to the cause of Missions than of Education. In May, 1815, when the " Powelton Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" was formed, he became its President. In 1816, was formed " The Mission Board of the Georgia Association," of which Dr. Mercer was always a member, and, from 1830 to 1841, was uniformly its President. His pecu- niary contributions to missionary objects were regulated by a high stand- ard of Christian liberality. Though he was occasionally the subject of bodily infirmity, yet, during his long ministry, he was rarely obliged to suspend his labours for any considerable time. But, at length, neither he nor his friends could resist the conviction that the infirmities of age were gathering upon him. At the annual session of the Georgia Association in 1839, he was prevented from being present by a severe illness ; and, though he was able, after a few weeks, to resume, in some degree, his accustomed labours, he never afterwards recovered the point of health from which he had fallen. In May, 1841, he was afflicted by the death of his wife, who had some time before been stricken down by palsy. Early in June following, he preached his last sermon, with uncommon freedom and unction. Towards the close of the month, be went, in great feebleness, to Penfield, with a view of spending a few weeks with his friends, and attending the College Com- mencement, and the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees. He remained in Penfield till the beginning of August, and then journeyed on to the Indian Springs in Butts County, hoping to derive some benefit from the water. For a few days, there seemed to be some slight improvement of his health, but the force of his disease remained unbroken. On the last 288 BAPTIST. Sabbath in August, he attended public service at the Springs, and, in the evening of the same day, accompanied a friend to his residence, some eight miles distant, with an intention of prosecuting his journey as far as Wal- ton, Monroe County, where some of his relatives resided. It turned out that he went to the house of this friend (Mr. Carter, a brother minister) to die. He languished till the 6th of September, and then, in a state of perfect calmness, and in full possession of his reason, sunk into the arms of death. His remains were taken to Penfield, and interred in the public burying ground. The Funeral Sermon was preached at Washington, by Elder C. F. Sturgis, who had, for a time, been associated with him in the pastoral charge of the church. His death called forth many public demonstrations of affectionate respect and deep sorrow. The following is a list of Dr. Mercer's principal writings : — A Circular Letter of the Georgia Association, 1801, A Circular Letter on Discipline, 1806. A Circular Letter on the Invalidity of Pedobaptist Administration of Ordinances, 1811. A Circular Letter on Various Christian Duties, 1816. A Discourse on the Death of Grovernor Kabun, 1819. A Circular of the (reorgia iVssociation, on the Unity and Dependance of the Churches, 182S. An Exposition of the First Seventeen Verses of the Twelfth Chapter of Jlevelation, 1825. A Dissertation on the Prerequisites to Ordination, 1829. Scripture Meaning of Ordination, 1830. Ten Letters on the Atonement, 1830. A Circular Letter of the Baptist State Convention, 1831. Resemblances and Differences between Church Authority and that of an Association, 1833. An Essay on the Lord's Supper, 1833. A Sermon entitled "Knowledge indispensable to a Minister of God," 1834. A History of the Georgia Association, 1836. A Review of a certain Report on Church and Associational DilEculties, 1837. A Sermon on the Importance of Ministerial Union, 1838. A Sermon on the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ, 1839. An Essay entitled " The Cause of Missionary Societies, the Cause of God," 1839. An Essay on Forgive- ness of Sins, 18-41. " Hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches," three Nos., 1841. FROM THE REV. ADIEL SHERWOOD, D. D. Cape Girardeau, Mo., June 8, 1853. My dear Sir: My acquaintance with Dr. Mercer began in February, 1819, and our interviews, lasting three and four days generally at Associations, meet ings of the Executive Committee of the State Convention, and others of a reli- gious character, were some six to a dozen in almost every year till 1841, — a period of over twenty years. We frequently lodged at the same house, and occupied the same bed. We also made long tours of preaching together, and in 1823 visited the Mission StatioiT at A^allcy Towns, N. C, — absent over a month. He wrote me over fifty letters. So far as I recollect, w^e never disagreed on the subjects discussed in our religious bodies, except that he regarded me too zealous in urging incipient measures towards the University which now bears his name, and on the Temperance question. The Doctors, excellent in admin- istering calomel, had advised him to take a little brandy for a chronic com- plaint, and, though he took very small doses occasionally, was so conscientious that he would not subscribe to the pledge, yet really a friend to the cause. But he threw their prescriptions overboard, — was in better health, and estab- lished a Temperance paper. I JESSE MERCER. 289 In his youth he was tall, sicndor suul awkward, but when about fifty was moderately corpulent, weighing over two hundred pounds, having, by much intercourse with society, softened the manners contracted in border neiglibour- hoods and in times of war. There was something commanding in his appear- ance. When in the pulpit:, arguing some favourite point, he was truly digni- fied; for he was at home, and seemed like a king on his throne. Mingling with the people, his bearing was marked by kindliness on his part, and by great respect on that of those around him. You felt that you were in the presence of a great man. Some men of intellect, and some of mere wealth, regard themselves as a head and shoulders above all others — not so Jesse Mercer : he seemed not aware of any superiority. He had no tact nor taste for popular favour, though he was a useful member of the Convention which revised the Constitution in '98. lie was urged to be a candidate for Governor, but would not listen to the proposal, regarding the ministerial office more honourable than that of President of the United States. The prominent trait in his pulpit performances was originality — originating thoughts of weighty import in his own way, that made an indelible impres- sion,— an impression that continues to this day, after the lai)se of so many years: not quaint and odd, but full of force and power, and sometimes with great eloquence. Ue did not understand the Logic of the Schools, but he went behind their rules, and not unfrequently convinced and overpowered by his new views and ponderous arguments. His manner was not graceful but forci- ble. But j'ou forgot his manner in the rich intellectual feast served up for you, as does the hungry man the oaken table or trencher that holds his meal. In some of his rich discourses, you conceived of a boy from an eminence throwing large bars of gold all around, without much regularity or order; but they fell with power because of their intrinsic weight. lie used to lament over his poor qualifications as a Pastor in his visits : he could not suggest topics for discourse, and so carry on conversation as to ren- der his calls agreeable and useful. There was great punctuality in meeting his appointments, and in his engage- ments in secular concerns. He refused to aid in ordaining men who were involved in debt, regarding it as an obstacle in the path of usefulness and a stumbling- block. His honesty and integrity were above suspicion. The ministry was not a mere profession, — it was his meat and drink to proclaim the glad tidings, whether he was compensated or not : necessity was laid upon him to preach the Gospel. Some regarded him hyper-Calvinistic in his system of doctrine, but he loved Fuller more than Calvin, and followed the Bible more than either. His libe- rality in contributing to all objects that were presented, whether connected with his own denomination or not, Avas proved almost daily for manj' of his later years. He aided the Presbyterians in Washington in their school with a princely donation. His house was the home of ministers and pious persons of all denominations. A public life of over half a century, — (for he was ordained prior to his twentieth year,) a life of great circumspection, and piety, and usefulness, free from stain, with great and commanding talents, could not fail to win the con- lidence and respect of those to whom he was known; and there was not a county in the State where he was not known and respected. He had some adversaries, it is true, in the latter part of his life; and some relations by marriage interested in his estate; but these could not weaken the confidence with which he held tens of thousands. Some drew the sage inference that his meek and quiet spifit were assumed to gain popularity; but such reports car- ried their own refutation. Without fear of the charge of partiality, it may be safely said that there was no minister in the State, who was more highly Vol. VI. 37 290 BAPTIST. respected by all Christian persuasions, and none whose death was more deeply deplored. This feeble tribute to his memory and exalted character has been written under peculiarly hurried circumstances, and with a mind wandering on other pressing engagements. Justice is not done him; but I will not longer hold you in suspense. Very respectfully yours, ADIEL SHERWOOD. ANDREW BROADDUS.* 1789—1848. The family of Broaddus in Virginia is of Welsh origin, and is de- scended from Edward Broaddus, who first settled on Gwyn's Island in James River, and removed in 1715 to the lower end of Caroline County, Va. John Broaddus, a son of Edward, was the father of Andrew, the subject of this sketch. He was a man of vigorous intellect; was, by occupation, first a teacher, and then a farmer ; was a zealous member of the Episcopal Church ; and was actively engaged in the struggle for our National Inde- pendence. He was married to a Miss Pryor, said to have been a lineal descendant of Pocahontas. Andrew Broaddus, the youngest son of his parents, was born at tlic family residence, in Caroline County, November 4, 1770. He was early distinguished for his thirst for knowledge, and for the facility with which he acquired it ; and his father fully intended that he should be a minister in the Episcopal Church. His opportunities for early culture wer«:^ extremely limited, — the whole period in which he had the advantages of a school of any kind being only nine months. He, however, contrived to make up for this deficiency by reading and studying in private ; and, as his father was an intelligent man, he probably received some assistance from him. In the neighbourhood in which he lived, the Baptists had become quite numerous, and Andrew's elder brother, contrary to the wishes of his father, had become one of them. So much was the father opposed to their denominational peculiarities, that he forbade his son's attending their meetings; though Andrew's predilections in their favour were not at all diminished by this prohibition. Whether the father subsequentlj'^ yielded. or the son felt constrained to disregard parental authority, does not appear ; but, on the 28th of^Iay, 1789, he was baptized by Elder Theodoric Noel, a very devout and earnest Baptist minister, and connected himself with Upper King and Queen Church, then the only Baptist church in that vicinity. He was now between eighteen and nineteen years of age. Shortly after his Baptism, he was called upon to exhort at the neigh- bouring meeting ; and he obeyed the call. His first regular sermon was preached on the '24th of December, 1789, at the house ^of a BIrs. Lowrie, in Caroline County. Though his advantages for education had been so • Jeter's Memoir. — Obituary notices. — MS. from Rev. Dr. Ryland. ANDIIEW BROADDUS. 291 vcr}' limited, and he had no theological instruction whatever, he liad a mind of much more than ordinary capacity, and an impressive and grace- ful elocution ; so that his earliest attempts at preaching were received with much more than common favour. His youthful appearance also added not a little to the effect of his public services. He was ordained to the min- istry at Upper King and Queen Meeting House, on the 16th of October, 1791, by Elders Thcodoric Noel and li. B. Semple. The field of Elder Broaddus' ministrations was composed mainly of the Counties of Caroline, King and Queen, and King William, — among the oldest and most respectable counties in the State. He first settled in the upper end of Caroline County, and performed the duties of the Pastorate in Burrus' (now Carmel) Church, and in County Line. Successively, and for different periods, he ministered to the churches of Bethel, Salem, Upper King and Queen, Beulah. Mangohic, Upper Zion, and some others. In 1817, he entertained the design of migrating to the State of Ken- tucky ; and, that he might form an intelligent judgment on the subject, made a tour on horseback, in company witli a young relative, through the central portions of that State. Though he was, in many respects, well pleased with both the country and the people, and was urged by his breth- ren to settle among them, and withal was offered the Presidency of Hop- Mnsville Academy, then a flourishing institution, he relinquished the idea of changing his residence. In 1821, Mr. Broaddus removed to Richmond, and became Assistant Pastor with the Rev. John Courtney,* in the First Baptist Church. Here his ministry was highly acceptable ; but, owing to domestic afflictions and pecuniary embarrassments, it continued for only six months. Except for this brief period, he never lived beyond the limits of his native county, and the adjoining County of King and Queen. In 1832, Mr. Broaddus was chosen to supply the place of the lamented Dr. Semple, as Moderator of the Dover Association, then the largest Association of Baptist Churches in the United States. This office he retained, — except in 1839, when he was absent, — until 1841, when, by his own request, he was excused from further service. In 1843, the Trustees of the Columbian College, in the District of Columbia, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, which, however, he respectfully declined. Though not possessed of a vigorous constitution, Mr. Broaddus, owing no doubt very much to his prudent and abstemious habits, lived to a good old age. Early in the autumn of 1848, it became apparent that he was gradually wasting under the influence of a chronic diarrhoea. He con- •.roHX Courtney was born in the County of King and Queen, Va., about the year 1744. His parents were members of the Church of" England, in which, of course, he was liunsclf edu- cated. His father dying when he was young, and the estate, according to law, descending to the eldest son, John was bound, as soon as his age would allow it, to the trade of a carpenter. From tliis time nothing is known of him until, having reached mature years, he makes his appearance as a Baptist preacher. After the close of the AVar of the Revolution, during part of which he served as a soldier, he removed to Ilichraond, where, besides labouring " with his own hands,"' he served the Baptist Church in that city, either as sole or senior I'astor, for a period of more than forty years. His ministry was characterized by great fidelity, zeal, and affection. During the last four years of his life, such was his bodily infirmity that he rarely attempted to preach, though he continued to labour in private, according to his ability, and was a bright example of patience, fortitude, and heayenly-mindedness. He died on the 18th of December, 1824. 292 BAPTIST. tinued, however, to preach, even after he had become considerably enfee- bled. His last sermon was delivered a few weeks before his death, in the First African Baptist Church in Richmond, and was regarded as an uncom- monly happy eifort. In the early part of his last illness, he was somewhat inclined to spiritual despondency, but, as his end drew nigh, no cloud inter- vened between him and the Sun of Righteousness. When asked, as the death struggle approached, what was the state of his mind, his answer was " Calmly relying on Christ." On another occasion, after having been engaged in silent meditation, he characteristically remarked, — " The angels are instructing me how to conduct myself in glory." The last word he was heard to whisper was "Happy! Happy! Happy!" He died on the 1st of December, 1848, aged seventy-eight years; and was buried in the grave-yard of the Salem meeting-house, where he had for many years faithfully preached the Grospel. Few ministers were more frequently solicited to settle over other and more important congregations than Mr. Broaddus. He was either invited to accept the pastoral charge, or was corresponded with on the subject of accepting it, by the following Churches : — The First Church in Boston, in 1811 and 1812, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Dr. Stillman ; the First Church in Philadelphia, in 1811, to supply the place of Dr. Staughton ; the First Church in Baltimore, in 1819 ; the New Market Street Church in Philadelphia, in 1819 ; the Sansom Street Church in Philadelphia, in 1824 ; the First Church in Philadelphia, again in 1825 ; the Norfolk Church, in 1826 ; the First Church in the City of New York, in 1832 ; the First Church in Richmond, in 1833 ; not to men- tion several other places of minor importance. Mr. Broaddus was married to Fanny, daughter of Col. John Temple, of Caroline, about the year 1793. By this marriage he had several children. Mrs. B. died in 1804 or 1805. He was afterwards married to Lucy, daughter of Dr. Robert Honeyman, a gentleman of high intelligence and respectability. By this marriage he had no children. Some time after the death of his second wife, he was married to her sister, then Mrs. Jane C. Broaddus, the widow of his nephew. This marriage was, on several accounts, an occasion of great trouble to him. By it he had several chil- dren, one of whom, bearing his own name, became a minister of the Gos- pel, and proved a great comfort to his father in his latter days. In 1843, Mr, Broaddus was married to Caroline W. Boulware, of Newtown, King and Queen County. She had only one child, — a son, who was but three or four years old at the time of his father's death. Mr. Broaddus wrote^-somewhat extensively for the press, and many of his productions are in good repute, both in and out of his denomination. He early published an octavo volume, entitled " History of the Bible." At a later period, he issued a Catechism intended for children, which has passed through many editions, and been extensively circulated by the American Baptist Publication Society. At the request of the Dover Association, he drew up a Form of Church Discipline, which was printed and circulated among its Churches by that Body. He also prepared the Dover Selection of Hymns, which, after a short time, was followed by the Virginia Selection, — a large volume containing a greater variety of ANDREW BROADDUS. 293 Hymns, and better adapted to tlic necessities of the Churches. Beside these, he published many Circular Letters, Essays, Addresses, Sermons, Controversial articles, &c., most of which were republished in 1852, in connection with a Memoir of his life. FROM THE REV. R. RYLAND, D. D. Richmond, Va., December 29,. 1854. Rev. and dear Sir: At your request^ I will give you a brief sketch of the character of the Rev. Andrew Broaddus. I had known him for about thirty years previously to his death, as inti- mately as the disparity of our ages, and the remoteness of our localities, would allow. During the lirst year of this acquaintance, I was an inmate of his family, and a participant in his instructions. At periods not widely separated, I enjoyed his society in the private circle, and his ministerial teachings, up to the close of his life. My opportunities forjudging of his character, therefore, have been ample, while my relatiojis to him have not been so intimate us to obscure my judgment, and tempt mc to give too high a colouring to the portrait. As a Man, Mr. Broaddus was not above the ordinary stature; slightly inclining in his person, but graceful in his carriage, and self-possessed in his bearing. His face was intellectual rather than commanding in its expression, and from his soft blue eyes shone out a benignity that invited approach and disarmed prejudice. He was very neat in his dress, and by many was regarded as fastidious in his tastes. Without any disposition to satire, he was a critical observer of manners, and though far from exacting respect, — indeed, he was generally annoyed by formal attentions, — Avas yet keenly alive to the delicate offices of friendship that were cheerfully awarded to him. In the social circle he was generally expected to take the lead in conversation; but seemed so unambitious of the honour as to require to be drawn out before he could be made interesting. Whether it was owing to the state of his nervous system, or to his natural temperament, he was at times impatient of prolonged interviews, became lidgety in bis manners, and excited a smile by his little peculiarities. But it is as an orator that the public mind is likely to feel the deepest inte- rest in him. After hearing a great number of speakers, both on sacred and secular subjects, I have formed the conclusion that Mr. Broaddus, during the days of his meridian strength, and in his happiest eflForts, was the most per- fect orator that I have ever known. For the last fifteen years of his life, there was a manifest decline in his intellectual efforts. The maturity of his knowledge, and his nice discrimination of truth, added to his humble piety, always rendered him interesting. But the vivacity, the pathos, the magic power of his eloquence, had mcasurablj^ departed. Hundreds of persons who have heard him discourse within this period have been disappointed. He lias not sustained the reputation which he had previously establi.shed. Even before that period, there was another, and a still more fruitful source of dis- appointment to his occasional hearers. When strangers listened to his exhi- bitions of the Gospel, it was generally on some extraordinary occasion, — some anniversary that called together a large concourse of people. Expectation was raised, curiosity was excited, and that was precisely the time for him to falter. His nervous diffidence frequently gained so complete a mastery over him as to fill him with a real horror of preaching. Often, on such occasions, have the united and urgent entreaties of his most cherished friends failed to get him on the stand. And when, by such solicitations, lie Avas prevailed on to preach, often has his timidity so far neutralized his power, that those who 294 BAPTIST. knew him well would not judge hira })y that effort, and those who did not know him formed an erroneous conception of his mental ability. When, however, he did rise superior to this constitutional infirmity, and shake off all the trammels of despondency and fear, those who hung on his lips soon felt themselves under the influence of a master spirit. There was such aptness of illustration, such delicacy and correctness of taste, such a flow of generous sympathy, and withal so much transparent simplicity, in his eloquence, that it at once riveted the attention, and moved the heart. His discourses were rich in instruction. His first aim evidently was to be understood b}^ the feeblest capacity. Even a child could scarcely fail to com- prehend his general trains of thought. If he was ever tedious, it was easy to perceive that it proceeded from an amiable desire to be understood by all. Possessed of a sprightly imagination, he employed it to elucidate and enforce Divine truth, rather than to excite the admiration of the vulgar intellect. His sermons were not moral essays, nor were they stately orations, neither were they distinguished by artistic structure and symmetry of parts. They were chiefly expository of the sacred writings. He always possessed sufficient unity of plan to indicate the purpose, or to suggest the title, of a discourse; but his genius hated to be cramped by scholastic rules. He explained his text in a most able manner, and then deduced from it such general doctrines as would naturally present themselves to a cultivated mind. Throughout his discourse, he introduced passages of Scripture in such a manner as to reflect new light on them, while they were made to contribute to his main design. He was a close student of the Bible, and was uncommonly felicitous in com- menting upon it. He had a native talent for painting and poetry, and those who heard him could easily detect it. He made them see things so vividly that they often felt as if they were not hearing a description, but beholding the very objects, in living colours, spread out before the eye. Another trait in his oratory was that it was natural. He had unquestion- ably a genius for every work that demands refined taste for its execution; but he cultivated that genius by varied and long continued study, and thus reached the highest of all rhetorical attainments, — the art of concealing art. He seemed to divest himself of the formal air often assumed in the pulpit; discoursed in a conversational tone, as with a party of select friends, awak- ened the attention even of those who were not especially interested in the subject, and made them feel that they were personally concerned. He looked into the eyes of the assembly with such an individualizing yet meek penetra- tion, that each hearer fancied himself as much addressed as if he were the entire audience. I have frequently heard, from half a dozen persons who sat in different parts of the house, the remark, at the close of a meeting, — " Mr. Broaddus preached his whole sermon to me." And this insulating effect was not owing so much to the substance as to the manner of his address. He was not a close, searching, severe, exclusive sort of preacher, as to his doctrines. His tendency was to encourage, to soothe, to allure. He sought out the sincere but desponding believer, and, by a lucid exhibition of the system of Divine mercy, and a nice analysis of the character of the true Christian, gave him a basis for consolation. But it was his natural manner that brought him into immediate contact with his hearers, anniliilating all formality. Ha was stripped of the veil of an artificial delivery, and th^y forgot the publicity of the occasion by reason of the directness of the appeal. The nearness of the relation that he sustained to his auditory explains in part his bashfulness in early ministerial life. In several of the early j^ears of his public career, he sat in his chair to preach. Having gathered his neighbours around him, he occu- pied the evening in religious exercises. He read select portions of Scripture, and expounded them in a familiar style. As the congregations increased, and AJ^DUEW BROADDUS. 295 his confidence became more firm, he began his remarks in that posture, and rose to his feet, when he felt the kindlings of his theme. This carl}'- custom probably had some influence on his talent for exposition. It certainl}^ contri- buted also to the conlirmation of the speaker in the natural manner. It must not be inferred from this statement that his style was coarse, or that his gestures were inelegant, or that his general appearance was devoid of serious- ness. The contrary was emphaticallj'^ true. His style was always chaste, — sometimes rising to the beautiful. His gesticulation Avas appropriate, easy and impressive, never violent, over-wrought or pompous. His manner, though remote from sanctimoniousness, was anything but flippant. His voice had nothing of the whine, — nothing of the affected solemnity of tone about it. It was musical, flexible and capacious. His whole carriage in the pulpit was mild and graceful, without his seeming either to aim at it, or to be conscious of it. In a word, it was natural — it was such as good sense, unaflected piety, and cultivated taste would spontaneously produce. Another trait of his oratory was his skill in the pathetic. He knew well how to touch the delicate chords of passion in the human heart, but he did not abuse his skill by constant exercise. The main body of his discourse was didactic. He gave the sense of the text, developed the doctrine, enforced the practical duty. But, occasionally, he unsealed the fountains of feeling in the soul. Often have I felt the thrill of his eloquence, and witnessed its melting power on an audience. It came unexpectedly, without any parade, and his hearers resigned themselves up to his control. The most touching parts of his sermons were the episodes. He seemed to have just discovered a new track of thought, and for a moment to luxuriate in its freshness and fertility. His hearers willingly left the main road with him, and sympathized intensely in all his emotions. They knew that he had a right to their hearts, and that he would not abuse his privilege. His sermons were not one uniformly sus- tained appeal to the passions. He attacked them obliquely. Having first convinced the judgment, he found a ready avenue to the affections, and thus influenced the will. Hence it often happened that a single sentence produced a subduing effect. All that was said before was but a preparation for that one sentence. A moderate charge of gunpowder will more eflectually cleave a rock, if, by deep boring, you introduce the explosive agent far into its bosom, than ten times the quantity kindled on its surface. Mr. Broaddus knew exactly when to touch the passions; and, unless he perceived that the mind was prepared, he was careful not to attempt the delicate task. "When he did attempt it, he rarely failed. An important question may here be propounded — Was his ministry suc- cessful in winning souls to Christ ? I am happy to answer in the affirmative. He laboured in the cause for more than half a century, probably for sixty years. His congregations were always large, his churches prosperous, and though his ministry was better adapted to edify than to awaken, many persons were converted through his instrumentality. Still I am free to acknowledge that his success was not commensurate with his talents. Men of less piety, of less learning, and of less original acuteness, have often been more eflective. And why ? Because they possessed more courage and energy. The great interests of the church and of the world require decision and perseverance. To be eminently successful in any noble enterprise, we must throw ourselves into it — body, soul and spirit; — must derive new motives to activity from the very difliculties that oppose us; and, confident of the strength of our faculties when guided by truth and animated with love, we must anticipate and labour for large results. "Attempt great things, expect great things." This vene- rable brother yielded too much to timidity. He needed some one to push him onward. He was frequently absent from the great Baptist Anniversaries, 296 BAPTIST. where his counsels would have been valuable, and his labours highly appre- ciated. This was not occasioned by an unsocial temper, nor by indolence, nor by any hostility or even indifference to the objects that claimed attention, but by a morbid sensibility that shrunk from exposure. Could he have gone to these meetings, and seen and heard every thing, while he himself remained silent and invisible, I think he would have attended them. But his deservedly high standing always put him in requisition, and he was driven tothe alterna- tive of either taking a prominent part, or resisting the importunities of beloved friends. To avoid this, I doubt not, he often sought and found some reason for remaining at home. The same disposition discovered itself in his regular pastoral engagements. He seemed to court obscurity, to cherish no desire to be a leader. So depressed in spirit at times as to fancy that any sort of a preacher would be more acceptable and useful than himself, he would put him up as a substitute in his own pulpit. This extreme reluctance to perform the offices of his profession was caused, partly by nervous debility, and partly by the peculiar texture of his mind. Far be it from me to intimate any censure against so excellent a man. Fidelity to truth only requires me to say that he would have been more effective^ had he possessed either less exquisiteness of mind, or more strength of body. The union of fine sensi- bility and of a disordered nervous system rendered him too liable to be dis- concerted, and poorly adapted him to elbow his way through the rough world. As a disciplinarian, he was deficient, — not from any imperfection in his own standard of rectitude, nor from any delinquency in his own conduct, but from the want of authority. He had not the heart to inflict a wound on the feel- ings of a child, or even to retort when his own feelings were unjustly wounded. His intellectual apparatus was thrown out of order by incidents that ordinary men would have scarcely noticed. And when to this temperament was added a prolonged series of domestic afflictions that cannot here be mentioned, — afflictions that would have appalled the stoutest heart, that quickened into acute and protracted agony his sensitive nature, the wonder is that he was not overwhelmed. Nothing but high moral principle, — a stern conviction of duty, and a noble desire to please God and profit men, could have so long and so honourably sustained him in his jjastoral labours. As an Author, Mr. Broaddus deserves the grateful remembrance of the Christian public. The works by which he is perhaps best known are his Bible History and two Hymn Books, the one called the Dover Selection, the other the Virginia Selection. He was a frequent contributor to the religious literature of the da}^, by writing for the Herald and other periodicals, articles that were always read with eagerness. His principal controversial essays were called out by the opinions of Mr. Alexander Campbell. Over the signa- ture of Paulinus, he wrote several able Letters on the subject of Divine Influ- ence. He afterwards published an examination of Mr. Campbell's Theory of Baptismal Regeneration. As a writer, his style is easy and accurate — as a controvertist, he is mild, argumentative and ingenious. He seems to be free from ambition, — to write for the sake of truth rather than of victory, and to be anxious not to magnify the difference between the sides of the controversy. If he does not convince his opponent, he is so courteous as to conciliate his personal esteem, and to soften the asperity of the contest. Mr. Broaddus was a close observer and an ardent admirer of the beautiful in nature and in art. Deriving much of his happiness from such studies, he has left, in the specimens of painting and poetry with which he amused him- self in his leisure hours, ample indications of what his genius could have effected, had it been devoted to these pursuits. Affectionately yours, ROBERT RTLAND. JONATHAN MAXCY. 297 JONATHAN MAXCY, D. D * 1790—1820. Jonathan Maxcy was born in Attleborough, Mass., September 2, 1768. His great-grandfather, the earliest of his ancestors of whom any thing is now known, was Alexander Maxcy, who removed from Gloucester to Attleborough about 1721. His grandfather, Josiah Maxcy, was held in great esteem by the community in which he lived, and was, for a long time, a member of the Legislature of the Colony. His father. Levi Maxcy, was also a person of great worth and respectability ; and his mother, whose maiden name was lluth Newell, is represented as having been distinguished alike for a vigorous intellect, and an earnest, consistent piety. The subject of this sketch evinced, in his early boyhood, an uncommon intellectual precocity, and especially a remarkable talent at public speak- ing ; in consequence of which, his parents resolved to give him the advan- tages of a collegiate course. Having gone through with his preparatory studies in an Academy under the direction of the llev. William Williams, of Wrentham, he entered Brown University in 1783, at the ago of iifteen. His course as an undergraduate was marked by most exemplary deportment, great diligence, and singular versatility ; but for nothing, perhaps, was he so much distinguished as fine writing. He had the highest honour in his class, at his graduation, in 1787, and delivered on that occasion a Poem, entitled " the Prospects of America," and the Valedictory Oration. Notwithstanding his extreme youth, the Corporation of the College immediately appointed him a Tutor ; and in this office he continued for four years, discharging its duties with great ability, and to universal acceptance. About this time, his mind seems to have taken a decidedly religious direction, and he became a member of the First Baptist Church, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Manning. He was licensed to preach by that church, April 1, 1790 ; and Dr. Manning having vacated the pulpit by the resignation of his charge, Mr. Maxcy was invited, in the mean time, to occupy it as a supply. Having preached for several months to great acceptance, during which time he had gained a high reputation for pulpit oratory, the congregation invited him to become their Pastor ; and, having accepted their call, he was set apart to the pastoral office, on the 8th of September, 1791. The Sermon on the occasion Avas preached by the Bev. Dr. Stillman of Boston ; and several other distinguished clergy- men from a distance took part in the exercises. On the same day, he was elected both a Trustee and Professor of Divinity in the College. In the new relations into which he was now brought, especially as a minister of the Gospel, he quickly proved himself " a burning and shining light ;" and his fame as a preacher reached far and wide. It was but a short time, however, that he continued in this sphere of labour ; for the sudden death of Dr. Manning, which occurred July 24, 1791, vacated the office of Presi- dent of the College, and Mr. Maxcy was shortly after appointed his suc- cessor. He accepted the appointment, and on the 8th of September, 1792, •Benedict's Hist. Bapt. I.— Mem. by Prof. Elton. Vol. VI. 38 298 BAPTIST. resigned liis pastoral charge, and ^vas inducted into the Presidential chair. The appointment was an exceedingly popular one ; and, at the Commence- ment succeeding his inauguration, tliere was an illumination of the College, and a transparency placed in the Attic story, exhibiting " Jonathan Maxcy, President, twenty-four years old." In this higlily responsible office he fulfilled the highest expectations of the most sanguine of his friends. The College, though without the advan- tage of legislative patronage, grew rapidly in public favour, and the name of the President, as had been that of his distinguished predecessor, was identified with its constantly advancing reputation. He was often called to officiate on important public occasions ; and his efforts were always such as to do honour to himself and the institution over which he presided. Such was the appreciation of his talents and acquirements, that in 1801, when he was only thirty-three years old, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Harvard College. In 1802, he was elected successor of the second Jonathan Edwards, in the Presidency of Union College. He accepted the appointment, and held the office with great reputation for two years ; though it may reasonably be doubted whether, during this period, he attained the same degree of public favour which had marked his previous course as President of Brown Uni- versity. In 1804, the South Carolina College, at Columbia, having been estab- lished. Dr. Maxcy was chosen its first President ; and, in the hope that a Southern climate might prove more congenial to his delicate constitu- tion, he accepted the appointment. Over this institution he continued to preside, with almost unprecedented popularity, until his death, which occurred June 4, 1820, at the age of fifty-two. His brilliant and attractive powers made him extensively known, not only in tlie State, but through the whole Southern country; and there are many still living in that region, who can never speak of his powers of eloquence but with a kindling enthu- siasm. Dr. Maxcy was married to Susan, daughter of Commodore Esek Hop- kins of Providence, — whose name is intimately associated with the history of the llevolution. The union was a most felicitous one. Besides several daughters, they had four sons, — all liberally educated. One of them was the Hon. Virgil Maxcy, who, during his life, occupied several important places of public trust, and was killed by the explosion of a gun, on board the United States' Steam Ship Princeton, February 28, 1844. The following is a list^of Dr. Maxcy's publications: — A Funeral Sermon occasioned l)y the Death of the Rev. James Manning, D. D., President of Rhode Island College. Delivered in the Baptist Meeting- House in Provi- dence, 1791. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode Island College at Commencement, 1794. An Oration delivered before the Provi- dence As:sociation of Mechanics and Manufacturers, 1795. An Oration delivered in the Baptist Meeting-Housc in Providence, at the Celebration of the Nineteenth Anniversary of American Independence, 1795. The Existence of God demonstrated from the Works of Creation : A Sermon preached in the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock's Meeting- House in Providence, 1795. A Sermon preached at the Dedication of the Meeting-House belonging to JONATHAN MAXCY. 209 tbc Catholic Baptist Society in CumbcrlauLl. A Discourse designed to explain the Doctrine of Atonement. In two parts. Delivered in the Chapel of Ehodo Ij^land College, 1T9G. A Sermon preached in Boston, at the Annual Convention of the Warren Association, in the lluv. Dr. Still- man's ]Nlcetin<^-riousc, 1797. An Address delivered to the (Jraduates of llhode Island College, at the Anniversary Commencement, in the Baptist Meeting-House in Providence, 1798. A Sermon delivered in the Baptist Meeting-IIouse at Providence, on Lord's day afternoon, occasionoj by the death of AVelcome Arnold, Esq., 1798. An Oration delivered in the First Congregational Meeting-Housc in Providence, on the Fourth of July, 1799. A Sermon delivered in the Chapel of Rhode Island College, to the Senior Class, on the Sunday preceding the Anniversary Commencement, 1800. Reason of the Christian's Triumph : A Sermon delivered in the Baptist Meeting-House in Providence, occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Mary Gano, Consort of the Rev. Stephen Gano, 1800. An Address deliv- ered to the Candidates for the Baccalaureate of Rhode Island College, at the Anniversary Commencement, 1801. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode Island College, at the Public Commencement, 1802. A Sermon preached in the Baptist Meeting-IIouse in Providence, before the Female Charitable Society, 1802. A Sermon preached at the High Hills of Santee, before the Charleston Baptist Association, at their Annual Meeting, 1812. An Anniversary Sermon delivered in the Presbyterian Meeting-House in Columbia, on the day previous to the Commencement of the South Carolina College, 181G. An Address delivered to the candidates for the Baccalaureate in the South Carolina College, 1816. An Introduc- tory Lecture to a Course on the Philosophical Principles of Rhetoric and Criticism ; designed for the Senior Class of the South Carolina College, and delivered in the Public Chapel, 1817. A Funeral Sermon delivered in the Representatives' Chamber, before both Branches of the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, 1819. A Discourse delivered in the Chapel of South Carolina College, at the request of the inhabitants of Columbia, on the Fourth of Jul}', 1819. A Funeral Sermon, occasioned by the Death of Mr. John Sampson Bambo, a Member of the Junior Class in the South Carolina College, who was unfortunately drowned in the Congarce River, near Columbia. Delivered in the College Chapel, 1819. These several publications were gathered, in 1844, in a volume entitled " The Literary Remains of the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, D. D. With a Memoir of his Life, by Romeo Elton, D. D." FROM THE HON. TRISTAM BURGES, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF RHODE ISLAND. "Watchemoket Farm, (near Providence,) ) June 8, 1818. J Rev. and dear Sir: It is not possible for me to produce a portrait of Jona- than Maxcy which shall do justice to the great original. I saw him as an Instructer, presiding over a .scientific and literary institution, and as a Minis- ter, proclaiming the glorious truths of the Gospel; but I was then a pupil, who, but a little before, had exchanged the use of the plough and the sickle for books, and knew little of what the high offices which Dr. Maxcy held required of him. If I could remember so as to tell how his administration 300 BAPTIST. of these offices affected me, I should draw a picture that would be character- ized by surpassing beauty and power; but it is so long since I sat under his instruction, that the bright vision which then astonished and delighted me, has in a great degree faded from my recollection. Nevertheless, I well remem- ber that no man could have been more popular in the College than President Maxcy. I never heard so much as a whisper against him. He was universally loved as a parent, and admired and revered as a great and good man. Though he was less than the medium stature, there was in his countenance and man- ners a dignity that seemed to raise him above the ordinary level; and withal he had so much benignity and affability as well as intelligence, as to captivate every person with whom he conversed. Though I cannot now convey to you an adequate idea of all his exalted traits of character, I can at least show you what, in the j^ear 1796, were the sentiments and feelings of the whole Col- lege respecting him as President of that institution. I graduated at Providence College at the Commencement in September of that year; and it so happened that the Valedictory Oration and Addresses, in the public exercises, were, by the authority of College, assigned to me. I shall say no more of this performance than that it was so much in accordance with the, views and feelings of the whole College, that I was unanimously called upon to furnish a copy for the press. The little pamphlet, containing the Oration and Addresses, now lies before me; and though that day, so dear to my memory, was more than fifty years ago, and almost all those who bore a part in its exercises, have passed out of time, and he whom I then addressed in the flesh now sleeps far off in the warm bosom of the South Carolina Hills, yet this little faithful page has kept, and now brings back to my eye, and recalls to my memory, what v/e all then thought and felt concerning our vene- rated and beloved President. It may be deemed egotism in me to attempt to weave my little Address into any biography of President Maxcy; but, in doing this, all may be assured that I shall indulge no mean ambition, or any other desire than merely to do justice to the merits and the memory of a scholar and teacher, so deserving and distinguished. ADDRESS TO THE PRESIDENT. "Reverend Sir : " We know that you are persuaded that custom alone docs not give birth to this Address. We claim the privilege of telling the world how we feel obliged. Gratitude can not be refused this small indulgence. On this occasion, should we attempt to narrate the merits of our benefactor, modesty might raise a suspicion of adulation, envy would deduce our paneg3a-ic from the partiality of our hearts;, while the world would inform us that the science, knowledge, and philanthropy of the man who has obliged us, are now become themes of common conversation. We can, therefore, express our gratitude only; and ardently wish that others, in pursuit of science, may have the same director who has guided our steps^ " Yes; if ever our souls, in the silent moments of devotion, have dared to heave a wishing sigh to Heaven for a single favour on ourselves, — often, when we behold his face no more, often shall that wish be repeated for the health and felicity of him whom generations yet unborn shall learn to call their benefactor. The world shall join in our devotion; a prayer so benevolent must ascend grateful to the ear of Heaven; and the immortal spirit of the great Manning, the immaculate companion of the LAMB, shall, with a smile of gratulation, behold you still the father of his orphan seminary." This address was pronounced on the stage, before a crowded audience, in the very large Baptist meeting-house in Providence, so that every word must have reached every ear in that vast multitude; and I fully believe that every JONATHAN MAXCY. 3Q2 heart in the whole assembly beat in unison with that of the speaker; and would have confirmed the truth and tlie justice of the whole Address by one loud and united Amen. It remains to say a few words concerning Dr. Maxcy as a Minister of Christ. For although his duties in the College called for most of his time, yet, Avith- out neglecting them, he found more or less leisure to devote to the composition of discourses for the pulpit. President Maxcy was born an Orator; and though, when I knew him, his native genius had been impi'oved by assiduous culture, yet, had he never sat at the feet of Manning, but continued in his paternal fields to follow the plough and feed his cattle, he would have been as truly one of Nature's Ora- tors, as Burns, in the same condition, was one of Nature's Poets. His voice would have been heard in .school-meetings, in church-meetings, and town- meetings; and those little republics would have been moved by his eloquence and directed by his counsels. When this great man appeared as the Fourth of July Orator at Providence, as he did on one occasion, he attracted a degree of attention almost unprece- dented, llis theme was the Principles and the Events of the American Eevo- lution; and his audience consisted chiefly of those who had passed through that long and terrible conflict which gave to our nation its independence. Not to mention any other part of his Oration, all of which was admirable, 1 will recall one out of many brilliant coruscations, containing the divine fire, the heaven-born electricity, of pure eloquence. When, Avith a glow of patriot- ism, the orator exclaimed, — " Should our enemy again return to our shores, he will find every plain a Marathon, every defile a Thermopyla3," — it was then that I felt, as I doubt not all felt, the cold shudder, the electric shock, which alwaj-s reaches one, when the orator strikes out the true, the divine flash of eloquence. Enough, however, and perhaps too much of this; for it was of his sacred eloquence that I intended to say a few words. He wrote his sermons, and laid his notes before him on the desk; but, in the delivery, he seemed never to use them. He appeared perfectly at home in the pulpit, as if born only to preach the Gospel. He was not like the great Baptist of Gallilee, — " the voice of one crying in the wilderness," yet, like that Divine precursor of the Redeemer, he preached to men to << prepare the way of the Lord;" he preached repentance and works meet for repentance; he preached love to God and love to man, — the great moral law of the universe, — the golden, everlast- ing chain, which binds each individual to every other, and all to the Throne of the Eternal. He did not cry aloud. His voice was neither loud nor high, j-et his utter- ance was so perfectly distinct that every word reached every ear with its melody, and he melted every heart with his fervid and overpowering pathos. His preaching was not like the fire, nor like the earthquake, nor like the mighty wind exhibited to the vision of Elijah on the summit of the Mount, but it was indeed the still small voice, heard from the Lord by the Prophet, while sitting at its base. He seemed to be, as he truly was, a messenger sent by his Divine Master with glad tidings of great joy. Every one who hears of a distinguished man, wishes to knov/ something of his personal appearance. I have never seen a portrait of Dr. ^Maxcy; and it is many years since I looked upon him; and yet so deeply are his features and expression engraven on my memory, that I am confident I could distin- guish his face among thousands. His countenance was grave and dignified, but so tempered with benignity that those who only casually saw him were constrained to regard him as a model of benevolence and goodness. I believe he seldom, if ever, laughed; but he often smiled; and his smile was delight- 302 BAPTIST. fill. All who saw him wished to hear him; and those who heard him once, "were sure to wish to hear him again. It was impossible to behold his face without feeling assured that a highl}^ gifted and finely regulated soul looked out upon the beholders from those interesting features. I have thought, and now fully believe, that if Dr. Maxcy had lived in the age and country of the great Italian school of artists, when and where the exigen- ces of the art required some one to sit as a model before the painter, they would have selected him as the model for their consecrated portraits of Ilim, Avho, when on earth, <' spake as never man spake;" and some Raphael or Michael Angelo would have placed on the canvass the living lineaments of a minister of Christ, whose countenance, it always seemed to me, was no unapt represen- tation of that of his Divine Master. I might have said, at the beginning of this letter, that I had never seen a biography of Dr. Maxcy; but, since the above sketch was written, there has been placed in my hands by a friend a copy of " The Literary Remains " of that eminent man, by Doctor Elton. It is a highly meritorious work, honourable to the gifted author, and a rich contribution to American litera- ture. Nevertheless, I rejoice that I had finished my own sketch before I saw this book; because I now know that all I have written concerning this extra- ordinary man is drawn from my own remembered perceptions of his excellence, and, like tlie faithful testimony of an eye-M-itness to some great collection of splendid events, carries with it more evidence of correctness than can be found in any of the most careful and exact accounts, drawn from mere tradition. Professor Elton has done well, eminently well; but how much higher must have been the inspiration he would have felt, had he seen, as others saw, and heard as others heard, Jonathan Maxcy. I am, Rev. and dear Sir, with the highest respect, Your obedient servant, TRISTAM SURGES. FROM THE REV. GARDINER B. PERRY, D. D. East Bradford, Mass., July 18, 1848. My dear Sir: I am happy to comply with your request, for some recollec- tions of the late President Maxcy. Several considerations, beside a great willingness to meet your wishes, conspire to render this a pleasant service to me. 1 know not how far what I may write will suit the object you have in view, but I will endeavour to record those circumstances which seem to me best adapted to illustrate the character of that great and venerable man. The place of Dr. Maxcy 's birth was but a few miles from the residence of my father. Our families were somewhat acquainted. From early life I had Bome knowledge of his history, and the estimation in which he was held by the literary and religious world. My own personal acquaintance with him com- menced when 1 became a^member of Brown University, in 1800; and it became more intimate, perhaps I should say familiar, when he removed to Union College. At that time, my father yielded to his wishes to have me accompany him, and T was put under his special care, and became virtually a member of his family. In person, he was below the middle size, and rather thin in flesh. But his face was lighted up with a fine intellectual expression, which chiefly occupied the eye and engrossed the attention of those about him. The mind emphatically made the man. The principle involved in that expression, so far as it concerned the outward person, was, with the exception of the late Aaron Burr, more fully illustrated in him than in any other individual whom I ever met. lie was well proportioned in his form, dignified in his appearance, and impressive in his manners. A remarkable harmony prevailed between JONATHAN MAXCY. 303 the movements of his person and the workings of his miiiu ami h< art. Every motion without seemed but an expression of what was working within. lie wore a three-cornered cocked hat, and on all public occasions appeared in a silk cassock and bands. His complexion was light and somewhat sallow; though a slight freshness never failed to dilfuse itself over his cheek, when he was moved by any of the gentler feelings. His forehead was liigh and open; his eye a mellow pleasant blue; and the whole contour of his head and face, though not altogether tilling up the idea of physical beauty, certainly allbrdcd a striking image of mental power and high moral feeling. Dr. !Ma.\cy was rather uncommonly domestic in his feelings; and no man took a livelier interest than he in whatever concerned the welfare of his family. His children, at the time I was most with him, were young, — the oldest probably not exceeding ten or twelve years. These he encouraged to visit him morning and evening in his study, where he cultivated the most delightful fiimiliarity with them, and expressed the deepest interest in every indication of intellectual or moral improvement. I noticed that, in con- versing with them, he ordinarily used the same forms of expression as when speaking with persons of mature age; and his reason for doing so was that he supposed that, by this means, they would sooner become acquainted with the language of books, and thus be enabled to advance more rapidly in their studies. Dr. Maxcy was exclusivclj- devoted to the duties of his office, and to his studies. He was never, so far as I know, involved in any secular business beyond the common concerns of his family. He was remarkable for diligent and persevering labour. His habit, in respect to any science with which bo wished to become acquainted, was to select the best system within his reach, and study it thoroughly till it had become firmly fixed in his mind, and then, as he wished to extend his investigations, to read other authors on those par- ticular parts which seemed to him worthy of further attention. Few depart- ments of knowledge could be named into which he did not extend his inquiries, and with which he had not becoirie so familiar as to enable him to hold an instructive conversation. Two distinguished lawyers, of one of the Middle States, after having incidentally held a protracted discussion with him on the law of entail, (he being entirely unknown to them,) came to the con- clusion that he was probably a Judge in one of the higher Courts of the Uni- ted States. Dr. Maxcy supposed that, with a proper training of the mind, most books might be gone through in a much shorter time than is usually devoted to them, and so a much greater amount of knowledge be obtained in a given period. His sermons were composed with the utmost rapidity, and yet when composed, they seemed to be graven on the tablet of his memory, as with a pen of iron and the point of a diamond. If he had occasion, as he sometimes had, to write out a discourse after he had delivered it, there would be found not only the same arrangement and the same general train of thought, but nearly all the same language. Wliile Dr. Maxcy was an excellent general .scholar, he had made himself specially familiar with the branches which he was accustomed to teach. The manner in which the classes regarded his attainments in History may be illus- trated by a remark which was made by one of the students in coming from the lecture-room, — namely, that he believed the doctrine of metempsychosis must be true; for, unless the President had himself, in some form, lived in Athens, where the events recorded in our lesson occurred, he never could have been so intimately acquainted with the characters and lives of the men, nor with the general temper of the people he had been describing to us. This thorough knowledge of the various branches in his department, in connection with a remarkable facility of communication, render! him an uncommonly 304 BAPTIST. interesting teacher. His questions were shaped in such a manner as to save the student, who had the least knowledge of the lesson, from the embarrass- ment consequent on an entire inability to answer, and, at the same time, to leave the best informed with the conviction that there were still other things connected with the subject which it would be useful for them to learn. His mode of teaching was eminently fitted to promote the spirit of inquiry; and the students left the lecture-room, talking over the subject of the recitation, and, after reaching their rooms, often studied their lessons more thoroughly than they had before they left them. A system of questions drawn up after his manner, would be an invaluable help to the youth of the present day; and, perhaps, not more valuable to the youth than helpful to the great bod}' of instructers. Dr. Maxcj- took great pains to cultivate a taste for composition. As a means of doing this, he was accustomed to recommend to the students to read over, two or three times, some well composed piece, and then, having laid the book aside, to write out the same thoughts in the best attainable language. The work which, above all others, he advised to be used, was the Spectator; and next to that the Rambler. He was also desirous that the young men should accustom themselves to extemporaneous speaking, and encouraged those institutions Avhich were fitted to help them in this exercise. For a considera- ble time, I was connected with an association formed at his suggestion, the only business of which was to speak on subjects proposed by the presiding officer after the members had assembled. Our habit was to meet at sunset, eacTi day, when other exercises did not interfere, and spend a half hour or more together, as we might find convenient. Our instructions from the Presi- dent were carefully to avoid irrelevant speaking, or attempting to maintain by sophistry an untruth, or giving any plausibility to error, or suggesting any apology for crime. Allow me here to mention a little incident that may serve to illustrate his habit of turning the most trifling circumstance to good account in the way of communicating instruction. I happened, on a certain occasion, just in the dusk of evening, to be sitting with him at the entrance of his dwelling, when he was illustrating some of the doctrines of the ancient philosophers. Mr. (nov/ the Rev. Dr.) Jacob Brodhead, then a Tutor in College, — a man whom we held in high estimation, passed by; and Dr. Maxcy, observing him, remarked humorously that the members of Union College were better off than the j^outh of Athens, under one of the most distinguished teachers of ancient times, — as much better as a Broad-Head was superior to wide or crooked shoulders — alluding of course to old Plato. From this he proceeded to show, by various historical facts, how little dependance can be put on the etymological meaning of ancient names, and the ludicrous mistakes, if not hurtful errors, into which many, for want of due caution on this point, have fallen . Dr. Maxcjr nianifcstedjnuch of a devotional spirit. His mind was eminently fruitful in serious and devout reflections. It was true of him, in a spiritual sense, that " the cloud returned after the rain." In his prayers there was always an unction and impressiveness that left you without any doubt that the Spirit was helping him. I had occasion, on a certain day, to call at his study, a short time before evening prayers at the chapel; and I found him deeply interested in a remark which a little son of his, perhaps four or five years old, had just made to him. The little fellow came running into the study, and, with an expression of great earnestness, said, — «« Father, the prayers are ringing, the prayers are ringing — why do you not make haste ? You will get marked and fined, if you do not go quick." The language, the looks, and the earnestness of the child he described in a manner and tone to which none but JONATHAN MAXCY. 305 a parent could have been adequate. It was evident, however, in a moment, from the cliangc of his countenance, that a serious thought had passed over him; and he went on to remark that the language of the child was a forcible illustration of the passage in which I'aul speaks of the outward form of reli- gion as only '< sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal;" — too true a description, he said, of nianj^ prayers, and he greatly feared of manj' of his own; and he then added, with deep feeling, that he earnestly desired to keep his mind habitually impressed with the consideration that where the heart is not in the worship of (iod, forms avail nothing. Dr. Maxcy's manner in the pulpit was characterized by great simplicity, ease, and earnestness. His style of preaching altogether was eminently fitted to produce solemn rellcction and deep self-communion, and thus lead to the best practical results. There was nothing, however, in his public perform- ances, that was of a particularlj' exciting or agitating character. Every thing . was serene, symmetrical, impressive. lie attempted to imitate no one, and caught no one's peculiarities. Destitute of all pretension, he was evidentl}' just what his Creator intended he should be; and every one felt, in listening lo him, that if he were any thing else than what he was, it would be at the expense of disobeying the impulses of his own nature. I cannot close this communication without .saying that I have ever enter- tained a deep sense of my obligation to Dr. Maxcy, — not only for the impor- tant instruction which I received from him, but for his watchful care over me, at a period when «< dangers stand thick around us." Mrs. Maxcy, so far as I know, is still living, highlj^ esteemed by the community around her, and greatly blessed in the worthy characters of a family she has been instrumental of rearing. Though years have passed away since I have had the privilege of seeing her or her children, the}-- are still the subjects of my grateful and affectionate recollections. I am, dear Sir, very truly yours, In the bonds of the Gospel, GARDINER B. PERRY. ROBERT BA.YLOR SEMPLE.* 1790—1831. Robert Baylor Semple, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Walker) Semple, was born at Rose Mount, King and Queen County, Va.,^ January 20, 1769. Ills father, who was the son of very wealthy parents, (Muigrated from Scotland to this country in early life, was a lawyer by pro- fession, and a gentleman of high respectability. He died when his son Robert was only twelve months old ; and, in consequence of having become security on behalf of several of his friends for a large amount, nearly his whole estate was required to meet the claims of creditors, and his wife and four children were left nearly penniless. Mrs. Semple was warmly attached to the Episcopal Church, — then the Established Church of Virginia, and trained her children to a strict observance of its forms of worship. To this training, Robert, in after life, referred the fact that his conscience had been kept tender and wakeful,, and he had been preserved from skeptical tendencies. • Taylor's Va. Bapt.— MS. from Dr. Ryland. Vol. VI. 30 306 BAPTIST. At au early age, he was placed at school, first with a Mr. Taylor, and afterwards Avith the Rev. Peter Nelsou,* known throughout Lower Vir- ginia as one of the most distinguished teachers in the State. Wlion Mr. Nelson removed to the Forks of Hanover, and established an Academy, knowing, as he did, the depressed circumstances of Mrs. Seniple's family, and her inability to meet the expenses of Robert's education, and observ- ing withal that he was a youth of great promise, he kindly tendered to him his board and tuition free of expense. Robert studied Latin and Greek under the instruction of Mr. Nelson, and at the age of sixteen had made such proficiency as to become a very competent assistant teacher in the Academy. Having completed his academical course, he was recommended by his tutor and benefactor as well qualified to be a teacher, and he obtained a situation in a private family. Here he commenced the study of Law ; and, being placed in circumstances of great temptation, he began insensibly to yield, and then sought to hush the clamours of conscience by the cavils of infidelity. Hence ensued a conflict which rendered him much of the time unhappy. About this time, the Baptists in that region were especially active and earnest in their efforts to promote evangelical and experimental religion. Among them was one aged man, whom Mr. Semple, regarding as a thorough fanatic, often encountered in argument, endeavouring to convince him that he had fallen into a foolish delusion. It turned out, however, that the old man, being thoroughly acquainted with the Scriptures, was too strong for his opponent; and it was not long before Mr. Semple. as the result of an examination of the Bible and of his own heart, acknowl- edged himself a ruined sinner, and expressed an humble hope of accept- ance through the merits of liis Redeemer. Though his prejudices against the Baptists had before been strong, he was brought now to cast in his lot with them, and was accordingly baptized in December, 1789, by Elder Thcodorick Noel, and joined the Upper King and Queen Church. With this change of feeling and of character originated a corresponding change of purpose in respect to his profession — he resolved to give up the study of Law, and devote himself to the Christian Ministry. His first attempt at preaching, which was made within a few days after he became a member of the church, was by no means a successful one ; but, though conscious of his failure, it did not at all discourage him. For several months, he laboured in the neighbourhoods adjacent to his own home, with great zeal. In 1790, Bruington Church was constituterl in King and Queen, and Mr. Semple was unanimously called to take the pastoral charge of it. On the 20th of September of this year, he was regularly examine.'5>. In the autumn of that year, lie took a prominent part in the organization of the American and Foreign IJible .Society, and delivered a discourse in reference to it, which was highly approve*] and widely circulated. He died at Albany, after an illness of seven months, on the 20th of .September, \S'M, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. lie was on eminently devout and godly man, but was subject to great spiritual conflicts. His whole character was one of uncommon attraction. His death was deeply mourned by all who had witnessed the sweetness and purity of his spirit, or his exemplary and devoted life. Vof.. YI. 40 314 BAPTIST. there was a liltle company of devout Baptists, who lived in a neighbourhood in the South part of Princeton, and the North part of Holden. Among these Christians, my brother found those Avho could sympathize with his feelings, and could afford him the Christian aid and counsel which he needed, and which, through the blessing of God, proved the means of his hopeful conver- sion and his subsequent growth in grace. He had a youthful friend, who was intimately associated with him in his religious duties. That friend was Syl- vanus Haynes,* afterwards well known as a minister in the Baptist churches. lie was accustomed, at stated times, to meet with my brother for conversa- tion and praj-er, in a retired place in a grove during the summer, and at each other's houses during the winter. I was then about ten years old. I knew the object of their meetings; and I well remember how kind and pleasant their demeanour was towards each other, and towards all around them; how cheerful and happj' they appeared, and how earnest they were to get know- ledge, particularly on the subject of religion. And I remember that their appearance led me to think how excellent religion is, and how desirable to obtain it in early life. When my brother told our father, Avho was a member of the Congregational Church, that he was desirous to join the Baptist Church, our father gave his free consent. I was present when my brother was admitted to Baptism by immersion. It was on the Sabbath, and the assembly was too large to be accommodated in a private house. They resorted, therefore, to a large barn, then empty. I sat on a high beam, near the middle of the building, and there, after a solemn sermon, I heard the examination of my brother, as to his religious knowledge and experience. After which, I went to a small river, and witnessed the Baptism. My brother soon cherished a desire to preach the Gospel; and, for two or three years, he was engaged in such reading and such exercises as he thought best suited to fit him for the sacred work. He became familiar with Dod- dridge's Rise and Progress, some of Edwards' works, and other pious books, making the Word of God his chief study. While he remained at home, he was my companion, daj^ and night. Though he was a very affectionate brother, he was very sparing in his conversation with me on the subject of religion. But some of his remarks were distinctly and permanentl)' impi-essed on my memory. He said to me repeatedly, and very kindly, — " Leonard, I hope you will be a Christian." Sometimes he said, — " I cxpsct you will be a Christian." No advice or warning could have touched my heart so much as to know that my brother hoped and expected that I should become a Christian. Once he came home from a religious meet- ing, later than common, and when he came to bed with me, he merely said, — " I hope, Leonard, that God is converting some of your mates." This single remark took strong hold of my childish feelings, and such a manner of treat- ing the subject of religion, — such brevity and simplicity of remark, joined with humbleness of mind, and the spirit of love, distinguished him through life. • Sylvanus IIaynes, son of Joseph Ilaynes, was born at Princeton, Mass., February 22, 1768. At tlie age of about fourteen, he became hopefully pious; at the age of seventeen, he began to have seriiplcs on the subject of Baptism; and in July, 178(), when he was in hi? nineteenth year, he was baptized by ininiersion. He commenced prenching in Marcli, 178'.(. and for about a year exercised his ministry in his native place. In March, ]7'.IIN he removed to Middletown, Vt. In July, 1791, he received ordination, and took the pastoriil care of the church in that place. In August, 1791, he was married to Louisa Gardner, a member of the Middletown Clinrch. After a successful ministry at Middletown, he reuiovcd, in October. 1817, to ICIbridge, in the same State, where also a rich blessing attendeil his labours. His wife died in Marcli 1825, and in January, 1820, he was married to Mary Conian, of Chesliire, Mass. He died on the .SOth of December following, after a short illness. lie was greatly esteemed, both as a Christian and a minister. ABEL WOODS. 3X5 His preaching was exceedingly plain and scriplural, and his pra^'crs free and fervent. But in all his performances he manifested devout ravirsnce. It could not be otherwise; for pious reverence and awe belonged to the settled habit of his mind. He happily employed his strong and manly intellect in such a manner as to make the truths of Kevelatiou intelligible to common people, and even to children. His preaching abounded in anecdotes; but they were pertinent and instructive, though evidently carried to excess. He liad a brief and striking way of answering objections. AVhcn a man who did not believe the doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance, said, — " What if David had died after his fall, before his repentance," he answered, — " What if the angels who were carrying Elijah to Heaven, had let him slip out of their hands.?"" My brother, being the first ordained minister settled in the town of Shore- ham, was entitled to the bounty land set apart by the laws of the State, as the property of the first minister. By vote of the town, this land was his; and he occupied it, and made improvements on it for several years. At length it was claimed by a majority of the inhabitants; and, after an expensive law- suit, it was, with manifest injustice, taken from him. He was thus embar- rassed, and involved in a heavy debt. There was, however, a way in which he could evade his obligation to pay the unjust debt. Some of his friends advised him to resort to means which were of doubtful propriety, though not condemned by the laws of the State. Here came the trial of his moral princi- ple. Though the temptation was strong, he overcame it. He determined to avoid whatever would be likely to discredit his character and calling, and to proceed with perfect fairness and honour, however great the losses and diffi- culties to which he might be subjected. And many a time did he afterwards refer with heartfelt satisfaction to the sound principle which had guided his conduct, devoutly ascribing his deliverance from that temptation to the timely help of Divine gtace. My brother was conscientiously wedded to the principle of Close Commu- nion, so far as relates to the Lord's Supper. But, in every thing else, he had cordial fellowship with other Christians, both publicly and privately. His feelings were most kind and fraternal towards all tlic followers of Christ, and he delighted to reciprocate with them all the offices of Christian love. He told me that he was as really united in heart with Christians of other denom- inations, and enjoyed as serene and happy communion M'ith them, as with those of his own. In this connection permit me to mention what took place during my last visit to him, more than five years since. In the village of Hamilton, where he lived, there was a Baptist church, and a Presbyterian church, and the Lord's Supper was to be administered in both of them in the afternoon, instead of the common Sunday service. I had preached in the Baptist church in the morning, and was to administer the Sacrament in the Presbyterian church in the afternoon. At noon, my brother told me that he intended to go with me to the Presbyterian church. I said to him that I should be glad to have him with me, and should be much gratified if he would assist me in administering the Lord's Supper. " I have no objection," he replied; he went and sat with me at the Sacramental table. After I had introduced the ser- vice, and administered the bread, I requested him to address the church and to lead in the next prayer. This he did, giving to the members an affection- ate and faithful exhortation, and then offering up, with great fervency, the usual thanksgiving and supplication before the distribution of the cup. In the whole service there was nothing to show that he M'as a Baptist, except that, while he joined witli us in h.art in commemorating the death of Christ, he did not outwardly partake of the bread and wine. He had a large and 31G BAPTIST. loving heart, and he embraced in cordial fellowship all who bore the image of the meek and lowly Jesus. Under the repeated bereavements which were allotted to him, and under all his other trials, some of which were very severe, he manifested a subdued and quiet spirit. While his heart was bleeding under Divine chastisement, he found relief in prayer, and, with filial confidence, 3nelded himself to the will of his Father in Heaven. In my brother's religious life, there was a long succession of clouds and darkness, intermixed with great serenity and joy. My impression is that he attached too much importance to particular frames of mind, and thought too little of tiic habitual course of his life. He had a clear and often a distress- ing view of liis inward corruptions, and his shortcomings in duty; and, in consequence of this, he trusted less and less in himself, and more and more in his Saviour. He spoke of it as a wonder of free and sovereign grace that a sinner Yiko him should be saved. His letters were characterized b}"^ a frater- nal and devotional spirit. He alwaj's spoke of his success w'ith all lowliness and meekness, and of his humble hope that, through boundless grace, he should be admitted to the rest which remaineth for the people of God. Yours, with hearty love and esteem, L. WOODS. DANIEL WILDMAN * 1791—1849. Daniel Wildman was born in Danlmry, Conn., on the lOtli of Decem- ber, 1764. lie was a son of Capt. Daniel Wildman, whose grandfather, Abrani Wildman, emigrated from the North of England to this country in or about the year 1683, and settled in Danbury, where the family have since resided. The father of the subject of tins sketch gave liim the advantages of a good common education, and his proficiency was highly creditable to both his industry and his talents. But be early discovered a somewhat way- ward dispojiition, which occasioned his fatlier great anxiety, and drew from him many serious admonitions, wliich were not altogether Avithout effect, though they seem to have done little more than embarrass him in liis sinful course. At the age of twenty, his mind was powerfully wrought upon in respect to his salvation, and for several months he kept aloof from all scenes of gaiety, and devoted much of his time to serious reflection ; but, not finding the comfort which he hail expected, he resisted, and finally suc- ceeded to a great extent in banishing, his religious impressions. The next two years he spent in utter carelessness, with the exception of brief inter- ruptions from the involuntary workings of conscience ; but, at the end of that period, when he was about twenty-two years of age, a more deep and decisive work was commenced in his heart, which, at no distant period, resulted in his indulging the hope that he had been born from above. His views of his own utter unworthiness, and of the infinite grace and excel- lence of the Gospel, were, at this period, intense and well-nigh overwhelm- * MSS. from his son, — Rev. N. Wildman, and Rev. G. Robins. DANIEL WILDMAN. 317 ing; and the record of these exercises, which he made shortly after, and which still remains, shows tliaL his CInistian life must have been very tlim- ough in its beginning. Several years passed after this change in Mr. Wildman's character before he devoted himself to the Christian ministry; and, during a part of the time, he was occupied in teaching a school. He was licensed to preach by the Church in Danbury, in 1791, when he was about twenty-seven years of age. He commenced his labours at Plymouth, Conn. Here he con- tinued until 179G, when he removed to Wolcott, where he was ordained, and remained two years. In 1798, he removed to Bristol, and commenced preaching to a few people, in a chamber, in his own house ; but, in the progress of his labours here, a meeting-house was built, and tlie church greatly enlarged and strengthened. In 1804, he removed to Middletown, Upper Houses, where his labours were attended by a considerable revival of religion. In 1805, he divided his labours between Middletown and the First Church in Suffield : and at this period he is said to have been at the zenith of his power. In 180G, he returned to Bristol, where he laboured some ten or twelve years longer ; thence removed to Stratficld, where hu laboured some two or three years ; and thence to Bristol again ; though, subsequently to this, he spent some portion of his time with the Stratficld Church. In the year 1820, he preached half of the time in Carmel, N. Y., and baptized, during the year, about three hundred persons. After this, he spent a few years in Licking County, 0., but in 1826 returned to Connecticut, and was settled over the Church in New London for about three years, in one of which the church received about seventy to its communion. After this, he laboured successively with the church in Russell, Mass. ; with the church in Meriden, Conn. ; with the First Church in Norwich ; and finally with the Church in Andover. The last years of his life were spent in the family of his son, who resided at Lebanon ; and, though he was so blind that he was unable to read, he continued to preach occasionally at Lebanon and elsewhere until he was eight}' years old. His last sermon was especially rich in evangelical truth, and was delivered with great pathos. His last illness was brief, and attended with little sulfering. For some time before his death, he was frequently heard to preach regular and pathetic discourses in his sleep. He died at his son's residence at Lebanon on the 21st of February, 1849, aged eighty-five. Mr. Wihlman was married on the 15th of August, 1791, to Mary Weed, of Plymouth, Conn. They had ten children, seven of whom reached maturity, and made a public profession of religion. One of them, the Rev. Nathan Wildman, is now (1858) the Pastor of the Baptist Church in Plainville, Conn. iMrs. Wildman died in April, 181G. FROM THE REV. OURDON ROBINS. Hartford, Conn., April 9, 1858. My dear Sir: I was well acquainted with the Rev. Daniel Wildman, and am happy to render you any aid in my power, to enable you to give a faithful representation of him; tliouj^h the circumstances in which T write forbid my 318 BAPTIST. attempting any minute delineation of his character. I ■will only give you my impressions concerning him as a preacher. And I can truly say that I regarded him as among the very best preachers of his day, to whom I was accustomed to listen. His discourses were evidently framed, not to please the car, but to enlighten the understanding, to move the conscience, to subdue and purify the heart. They were dis- tinguished for clear and consecutive thought and logical accuracy, as well as for forci))le and pungent appeal, and sometimes for a subduing pathos. It was evidently his delight to preach Christ and Him crucified; and it was his privilege to see man}" gathered into the church as the fruit of his labours. His personal appearance was fiivourable to the general effect of his preaching. His figure was commanding, and his features prominent, and not prepossess- ing, when in repose; but when lighted up by some great evangelical theme, his face would sometimes glow with such effulgence that it would remind you of Closes coming down from the Mount. He was present at a ministers' meeting in Hartford County, on one occa- sion, after *he was very far advanced in j^ears. He had listened the whole day to the exercises of the occasion, which consisted partly in the discussion of some important topics in Theology. There was a rule that there should be a sermon, at the close of the exercises, in the evening; and it fell to my lot to preach; but as my health was not good, and T was desirous of hearing this venerable father on the very important subjects which had been under discussion, I prevailed upon him to take my place. On his consenting to my request, he said, with a characteristic smile, — << Well, I will try to tell the boys how the matter stands." He preached a sermon nearly two hours loug, which was an epitome of the entire body of Divinity, and throughout which he spoke with perfect ease and freedom, showing that he spoke at once from a well furnished mind and a well regulated heart. At the close, a most hearty responsive Amen went up from every part of the house. This was the last sermon which I ever heard from him, and the impression which it made upon my mind still remains vivid. Accept the assurance of my fraternal regard. GURDON ROBINS. FROM THE REV. DANIEL ATALDO. Syracuse, March 3, 1858. My dear Sir: I doubt not there are many persons Avho can tell you more about the Ilcv. Daniel Wildman than I can; but what I remember concerning him it gives me pleasure to communicate. Mj' acquaintance with him was limited to a few months in 1806 or 1807, which he spent in Suffield, Conn. He was regarded, at that time, as one of the lights of his denomination; and he Avas there b}' request of the Rev. Mr. Hastings, minister of the Baptist Church in the First Pari.sh of the town; and, though my residence and parish were two miles West of that, I early made his acquaintance, and often met him, and sometimes heard him preach, while he was in that neighbourhood. He attracted ver}' considerable attention from persons of all classes, and had, no doubt deservedly, the reputation of being much more than an ordinary man. In person, as I remember him, he was rather above the middle size, of symmetrical proportions, and of a countenance expressive of thought, intelli- gence, and firmness. His movements were free and easy, and his Avhole air that of a man who felt that he realized that human life was designed for higher purposes than mere animal or even intellectual indulgence. He seemed to be truly earnest in his Master's work. He preached very often during his DANIEL WILDMAN. 319 stay in our neighbourhood, and his preaching was largely attended, not only by persons belonging to his own comnninion, but by other denominations. His manner in tlie pulpit was simple and natural, and much more cultivated than tliat of the Bajitist clergy generally in his day. And the same was true of his discourses. Thougli not written, they were cvidentl}" well premedi- tated, and showed a disciplined and logical mind. His text was the true index to his subject, and his object seemed to be to bring out the very mean- ing of the Spirit in the most perspicuous, and at the same time tlie most forcible, manner he could. His voice was not remarkable for compass, but was pleasant and sufficiently varied in its inllexions to give effect to whatever sentiment he wished to convey. The matter of his di.scourses was intensely evangelical; and this no doubt was one secret of the interest which his preaching awakened. In private intercourse Mr. Wildman was familiar and agreeable, yet alwa3's sufficiently dignified. He was understood to hold some peculiar views in regard to God's covenant of grace with men; and when he preached for me, I gave him a text which was designed to develop them; but his discourse was throughout in strict accordance with the accredited orthodoxy of New Eng- land. The above is all that I remember concerning him, that would be likely to be to your purpose; and even that you must take with all the allowance to be made for a man who lacks but a few months of having completed his ninety-sixth year. Truly yours, DANIEL WALDO. WILLIAM BATCHELDER. 1792—1818. FROM MISS ELIZABETH P. PEABODT. Boston, September 5, 1854. My dear Sir : I have not forgotten my promise, but it was not until yesterday tliat I could find a moment to see Mr. Batchclder's daugliter, whom I wished to hear talk of her father again, and repeat those anec- dotes by which she illustrates a character, whose delineation, as it seems to mis, would form one of the most interesting chapters in your work, and one from which most important instruction may he derived for the profes- sion. For it shows that the original apostolic fervour, single-heartedness, and many-sided activity, with utter self-abnegation, is possible in this age of the world. If any man was ever made of porcelain clay, it was Mr. Batchelder. His personal beauty was very great. It was the common remark of those conversant with the great works of art of the sixteenth century, that he recalled one of the master pieces that represented the Saviour ; and, in going among the hills and woods of ISIaine and New Ilampsliire, where he laboured so assiduously and ardently for the best years of his life, the old people, who never saw a work of art. will tell you that Mr. Batchcl- der's countenance seemed like that of the blessed Jesus ! His hair and eyes were of the colour of Daniel Webster's, with whom he was connected 320 BAPTIST. by the Batchclder Llood ; but his head was higher and lighter, and his neck longer, and, on account of frequent nervous headaches, brought on by the slightest colds, he allowed his beautiful black hair to grow long, which fell in close ringlets in his neck, nearly to his shoulders. I remember once going into the Boston Athenaeum with his daughter, when Cole's picture of Christ sitting comforted after the temptation, was on exhibition, and she was transfixed before it with great expression of emotion. As soon as she found her voice, she said to me, — " That head and countenance are exactly like father's." But his fine temperament of body, and his brilliant qualities which would have made l;im the greatest ornament of life, were wholly unaccom- panied with that sickly, sentimental exaction of others, which often weakens the manliness of men of this fine order of genius, and leaves them to live a life of complaint and querulousness. Mr. Batchelder, with all his sensibility, always appeared as a Power. I will begin by showing the beautiful wild stock of nature, on which was engrafted this rare scion of Heavenly Grace. William Batchelder, a son of Ebenezer and Susanna (Crosley) Batchelder, was born in Boston, March 25, 1768, His father was one of seven brothers, — all Deacons in Congregational churches. His maternal gi'andfathcr was Deacon of Church Green, then called the New South, where, afterwards, Dr. Kirkland, Mr. Thacher, Dr. Greenwood, and Dr. Young successively ministered. His parents were wealthy, but both of them died within a week of each other, in 1781, leaving William thirteen years of age. The estate was left to be settled by a neighbour and intimate friend, who was made executor of the estate, and guardian of the children, by his father. A destructive fire, immediately after, laid waste the estates of both Mr. Batchelder and tlie guardian, destroying a large quantity of important papers, and by an extraordinary fatality the guardian died. William chose, at this time, to go to the house of a relative in the upper part of New Hampshire, where he supposed he might have leisure to study, which was already a decided pas- sion with him. But he was presently shocked by the tone of this family, which seemed to him to 1)0 singularly irreflective, and wholly given to enjoying the goods of this world in the form of good eating. He, therefore, determined to leave thcni ; and, as he afterwards said, wishing to break in upon the dul- ness of their life by at least a little inconvenience, that might stir them out of their absolute indolence with the question of "What is it?" — the last thing he did before he left was to go on the top of the house, and stop up the chimney. He next went to liis grandfather Batchelder's, who was a wealthy farmer, and also had a manufactory of iron ware, in which he employed many foreign workmen. Wliile William was there, one of these was killed by an accident ; and, during the last few hours of his life, Wil- liam sat by his bedside, talking to him of death and the world to come. He talked as a Protestant, and perhaps the workmen were Catholics ; but at any rate this talk offended them ; and, after the Funeral, when the old man had sent them all to their rooms to meditate on death and judgment, while he himself was devoutly reading the Scriptures at home, the workmen, WILLIAM BATCIIELDER. 321 gathering in one of the rooms, called AVilliaiu to tlioiii, ami tola liini that they were going to punish him for what he hud said to their dying friend. They proceeded to undress him and wrap him in a winding sheet, and stretch him out on the boards upon which the corpse had been laid, and there they bound him down like a corpse, and left him, as it were, for the night. Neverthe- less, every now and then, they would come in with a light, and look at him, as if watching the dead. He amused himself with drumming with his fingers, — the only motion he could make ; and had strength enough of mind to resist the ghastly impres- sion, which might have been permanently injurious to his nervous system, had not his courage been as great as his imagination was excitable. In the morning he was released, but the whole thing was so painful to him that ho did not care to expose himself to any repetition of the same kind of tricks, while he was too generous to tell his grandfather, who would, he felt cer- tain, have discharged all the workmen, as sacrilegious, for thus trifling with the semblance of death. lie concluded, therefore, to leave in silence, and he walked off the next day, and, after a time, arriving in Amlover, he offered himself to a blacksmith as apprentice, whose good wife took him into the house, on his representing himself as an orphan and destitute. Here it was his fancy to play a singular prank. The old woman offered to teach him to read, and the Catecliisni ; and he assented with alacrity. The Catechism was easily taught by rote ; but the stupidity about learning his letters seemed intense. Nevertheless he was a very great favourite with the old woman; for his disposition was very sweet, his bodily activity great, and his individuality altogether singular^ attractive. One day the old woman observed on the clean white pannel over the fire-place, a verse of poetry, in an elegant handwriting, and asked who wrote it; to which one of the men replied that he saw William writing it. She said, — "Pshaw, William cannot read his letters ;" but to her utter bewilderment, and even vexation, William, who was appealed to, did not deny it. No explanation was pos- sible, and he did not attempt any ; but, suddenly struck with a sejise of having insulted her kindness, he felt that he could not stay to brook her reproaches ; and, resorting to his usual mode of cutting short difficulties, left immediately. He wandered off till he came to the Merrimack lliver, where he saw a man on a raft going down the river: he called to him and asked for a pas- sage, and the man took him on. As he passed Haverhill, over against the IJaptist meeting-house, where he afterwards ministered, he saw upon the hauks the congregation assembled to witness an act of Baptism by immer- sion. Is it not quite possible that this expressive symbol, entering in among the images of his mind, at this eventful period of his life, may have lain there silently working, as a word of the great Truth, which subse- quently called him from death unto life 1 Having arrived at Newburyport, he sought employment as cabin boy in a Lettre de Marque of twenty-two guns, which was going to Cape Fran- (,'ois, Porto Rico, for salt. It was now 1783; and when three days out, they fell in with a Bermuda Privateer and had a battle. On this occasion William displaj'ed undaunted courage and zeal in the management of a swivel on the main top ; and gained great esteem of the ship's company. Vol. VI. 41 322 BAPTIST. The Captain and mate were excellent persons, and became very much attached to the beautiful, talented, active and self-relying boy ; and set him to keep the reckoning of the ship, as he was a good mathematician, and had even studied the application of mathematics to navigation, while a school boy in Bo.-^ton. A storm now drove them into the Grulf of jMexico, and several of the crew were washed overboard by terrific seas, and among others, the Captain himself. After gi-eat pains, he at last reached Cape Frangois, the ship's destination. While there, William and four sailors were sent in a long flat boat, twenty miles along the coast for the salt. This boat was upset on the Westerly end of the Island, and lost, and they all had to swim ashore, which was nearly a mile off, and in a place generally infested with sharks ; but none molested them. When they got upon shore, tlie question arose, which way they should go to reach the ship ; and William was quite sure of one route, while the sailors took an opposite direction. He was without hat, jacket and shoes, having lost in the sea every thing but shirt and pan- taloons. After walking many hours, he went up a rising ground, and reached the top just as the sun was setting. Here he was startled by see- ing a multitude of human beings gazing upon the sun ; and, after some observation, he found they were performing rites of worship to that lumi- nary. These were savage in tlieir character. His daughter has heard him describe this scene to brother ministers at his own fireside, and the strong impression it made on his imagination. He was somewhat alarmed with respect to his own reception among thej^e Pagans, but he needed refresh- ment, and concluded to go down the hill to a small hut which he saw at its foot, and see what he could do by the sign language to conciliate some hos- pitality, and learn the way to Cape Frangois. In going into the hut, he saw lying on the floor a gigantic looking man, all rags and shaggy, who was not a negro, but seemed a savage of a peculiar species. William, however, addressed him with gestures, on which the creature rose, gazed at liim :i moment, and then rushed forward, and clasped him in his arms. Mr. Batchelder, in telling this story, used to say that he really believed, for the moment, it was the devil, who had caught him at last, in punishment for all his wickedness (which, however, consisted in nothing more than sucli freaks as have been related above ; for he was singularly free from vieiou- propensity.) But presently the words, — " William Batchelder, don't you know Pedro ? " — undid the mystery in part. It was a Portuguese sailor, once shipwrecked in the harbour of Boston, to whom, in his extremity, AVilliam had administered Christian charity, some years before, as almoner of his grandfatlier Crosley. The revulsion of feeling was so gre^t that he nearly fainted ; but he was tenderly cared for by the grateful sailor, and, with the assistance of a guinea, which Pedro gave him, got back to the place where the ship lay. The sense of a Divine Providence was brought home to his heart with great power by this singular incident. The sailors whom he had left to take their difl'erent route, did not get back till some days afterwards. They then loaded their ship, and returned towards Newburyport. It happened, however, that tlie mate, who was serving as Captain, died on his way home, and, although William was not sixteen years old, he selected him as the only one of the crew capable of WILLIAM BATCIIELDER. 323 navigating the ship, and his last words besought tlie sailors to ohoy him implicitly. Thus installed as Captain, William steered the vessel home safely, for which he was handsomely paid by the grateful owners. He now determined to return to study, and actually made some advance in medical science. But his mind had been very deeply impressed with the remarkable Providence which had seemed to watch over bis life, and ho linally resolved to study Theology, though rather, perhaps, with the idea of knowing what was true, than with the purpose of preaching. Among his papers is found a memorandum of the extraordinary course of reading he took up, comprising not only all the leading writers of the several sects of Christianity, but even the principal Infidel writers. But, before entering on this portion of his life, I cannot but pause to call your attention to the remarkable character the above account exhibits, especially the self-dependance and irtdependence, the fulness of life, the adventurous spirit, the calm sense of inward power. He had nover yet doubted that he had wealth, upon which he should finally fall back — he now saw that it was gone irretrievably, but he felt that there was that within himself out of which he could live. His conversion to the Baptist per- suasion, even to the Christian life, was not brought about by any ministra- tion of others, but his studies at last led him to the Bible as the original fountain, or at least the sure stream from the fountain of God. Drinking there with the fulness of youthful life, and with the fresh sensibility of an exquisitely organized heart, not without some wide observation of men in actual life and in the world of books, he came to that absolute humility, which is man's only legitimate attitude before the majesty of God's law, and the ineffable beauty of Christ's love ; and seeing that human nature of itself is nothing but "life in death," lie threw himself at the foot of the cross, and was buried in that Baptism, out of which the children of Adam may rise one with Christ to the Father, to go forth the fervent single-hearted apostle of the Crucified to those liis Master had died to save. Mr. Batchel- der, in the midst of the cares of a family of his own, of a parish with whose every progressive interest he identified himself, indeed of humanity itself, so far as it could be compassed by his immense Christian energy, was truly an example of living above the world, while he lived in it. He showed his full reception of the benefits of his Saviour's love by the bounty with which he spread the glad tidings, deeming it an honour and glory to work as well as suffer for the cause of causes. For the several first years of his ministry, he preached without settle- ment, in the manner of the old-fashioned Baptists. On the 29th of Novem- ber,* 1796, he was ordained Pastor of a Church at Berwick, his principle of decision as to locality being, as he himself said, to find "the lea--t attractive place, where the greatest good could be done." At Berwick, his salary consisted of a small farm and house, and the services of a man servant abroad and a woman servant at home. Here he worked on his farm, kept school for children in the day, and adults in the evening, preached at various localities within several miles three times on Sunday, and some- times in the week days. The story of his wonderful ministratiojis of the Gospel is the cherished tradition of the whole country around Berwick. • Another account says, the 14th of August. 324 BAPTIST. His daughter tells many anecdotes, showing how he educated his children to economy and generosity at once ; how infinitely he was removed above complaining of poverty ; and how his versatile talent, applied to every species of labour, supplied the house with comforts. On one occa.sion lu; made a sleigh, going to the workshops of mechanics to make the different parts, and taking this occasion of intercourse to establish a gracious influ- ence over their minds. There was no office of usefulness so humble that he could not perform it, and ennoble it with a gracious dignity. For in this intercourse, so various, he always presei'ved the dignity of genuine superiority. Ardent and independent as he was in youth, he never seemed to descend to the arena of personal altercation in his maturity, under any provocation Avhatever. From the time he felt constrained to preach the Grospel of Christ, he seemed lifted forever above all temptations of earthly strife. Those who understand the composition of New England society in the country towns, well know how to appreciate this. On one occasion, a Deacon of his church, having wronged and maligned him, afterwards expressed some doubts as to the facts. Mr. Batchelder immediately went to his house and met him near the door. The Deacon said something about going half way to meet him. "I will go the whole way," said Mr. Batidi- clder. At the suggestion of Dr. Baldwin, Mr. Batchelder was invited to Haver- hill to fill an important place, where many persons distinguished for mind, position and wealth, composed the orthodox Congregational Church. He accepted the invitation and was installed on the 4th of December, 1805. Here his salary was somewhat larger, and his activity could be more exclu- sively confined to his profession. And I must tell one thing more to slmw how truly he was above the temptations of the w^orld. His aunt, Jane Crosley, had married an English officer of the East India Company, and carried her own fortune to join with his at Madras. She became there a rich widow; and when she died, an advertisement called for her next of kin to go to England and receive her estate. Mr. Batcliolder never, for one moment, entertained the idea that he could leave the spiritual work to which he believed he had a special call, and which was crowned with such successes, to go and get earthly wealth. But he empowered law- yers, and sent out papers, and his presence was necessary, as George the Fourth put in a claim on the ground that the heir did not appear in person. But this did not disturb him or his purpose. The property was, therefore, confiscated to the Crownr- Now observe a contrast. He had taken great interest in Mrs. Judson, and her husband's missionary enterprise to the Plast, though he had nothing to do with it officially, as they were of the Orthodox Congregationalists, and he was a Baptist. But, after a period, the news came from India tliat they had become Baptists, and they called on the denomination in this country to send them comfort and aid. This news caused in Mr. Batch- elder all the excitement which the news of personal chances for fortune could not do. His family describe the peace and rapture that illumined his countenance, the energy with which he brought all things to bear, that he might go to Boston, and meet his brethren, and commune upon ways and means to answer this Divine call, as he believed it. Grcntlvbv WILT.IAM UATCllKLDKR. 325 means of liis personal cnorg)^ the Baptist Mission to tlic East had its organization. He also lost his life by the zeal with wliicli, in the winter of 1817-18, he went about among the Baptists of 3Iaine to raise funds to establish Water- ville Tiieologieal Seminary and College. Strongly impressed with the importance of this institution, he was the most sueces^ful of agents lo raise cnthusia.«m for it and money. His success carried him beyond his personal power, and he took a violent cold, resulting in a lung fever, which carried him oflF on the 8th of April, 1818, at the age of fifty-one. On the day of his Funeral, all business was suspended at Haverhill. The shops were shut, and all the people of all sects came forth to mourn for what was felt to be a general public calamity. Mr. Batchelder seldom wrote out a sermon. There are among his papers numerous skeletons of sermons which show tliat he premeditated what he delivered ; but his fluent eloquence required no previous writing out in detail. His hearers would testify that, however comfortable they were in mind, as they sat down to hear him, he inevitably tore to pieces all their robes of self-righteousness, and left them naked, and imploring for the garment of salvation at the hands of Christ, the lledeemer. The exaltation he produced in his hearers, he also often produced in himself. One evening, after baptizing a crew of sailors in a rocky nook of the shores of the ocean, near Berwick, he said to liis friends that it seemed to him that the rocks were covered with supernatural lights, and these continued on the roadsides and trees all his way home. A flood of exaltation also descended upon his dying hour, and his last words were, — "I see this glory," and then a shout — "Glory." 'This is the more noteworthy, as he was habitually the opposite of talkative or demonstrative. A sweet, quiet dignity characterized his usual demeanour, Mr. Batchelder's only publications, as far as I can learn, are a Sermon preached at Buxton, oMe., at the Ordination of Abner Flanders, 1802, and a Masonic Discourse at Danvers, 1810. They evince very considerable ability. Mr. Batchelder was married, in 1790, to Huldah, daughter of Benjamin Sanborn, a Deacon of the Congregational Church in Deerficld, N. II. They had several children. Mrs. Batchelder died in 1840, at the age of seventy-nine. Yours truly, ELIZABETH P. PEABODY. FROM THE REV. IRAII CUASE, D. D. PROFESSOR IN THE NEWTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. Boston, May 25. 1855. Rev. and dear Sir: I cherish a very cndearinp: recollection of tlie Rev. "Wil- liam Ratcdiclder. If T mistake not, I met with him first in this city at Dr. Baldwin's. During; my residence at Andover, as a student in the Theological Seminary, my acquaintance with him was increased. I can never forget the paternal kindness witli which, when I was exceedingly ill, lie invited and con- veyed me to his house in Haverhill. Nor can I forget the cheerful and timely 326 BAPTIST. Jitlcntions v.hieh I theie received. Under God, they contributed much to the re.>toration of my health, and they made a deep impression on my heart. When mjf studies ^.t Andover Avere completed, he Avas about to make a journey to the State of Maine, for the purpose of attending the first meeting of the Trustees of the Baptist Literary and Theological Seminary in that State. He invited me to accompany him, and gave me a seat in his chaise. We passed, without haste, through the Avide field where, in earlier da3-.s, he had laboured as a minister of the Gospel. Everj'^where he was received with the warmest Christian love. ITe was welcomed as a father, and the people came in crowds to hear him preach. The meeting of the Trustees was at the house of Governor King, in Bath, and the principal business was to locate the Seminary. It Avas delightful to see Mr. Batchelder amidst the loAcd and venerated men there assembled; Avith many of Avhom he had toiled and prayed long before they had thought of CA'cr being permitted to meet on such an occasion as now called them together. Watervillc Avas selected as the place for the incipient Seminarj-, Avhich has since become Waterville College. During the journey, he availed himself most happily of the ample oppor- tunities afforded for conversation. He related many instructive incidents connected Avith the early historj^ of the churches Avithin the sphere of his labours. His Avhole deportment, as it came under my observation, was kind, courteous and cheerful. ] t gaA-e '< lucid proof that he was honest in the sacred cause," and that he felt the importance of doing good in his daily intercourse with men, as Avell as in his ministrations from the pulpit. Since the time referred to, nearly forty-one years have passed aAvaj'. I saw him no more. For, upon our return to HaA'erhill, I hastened from Massa- chusetts to enter on my duties as a Missionary in the Western part of Tii- ginia; and not long afterAvards he finished his career. But his tall, slender frame and his expressiA'e countenance still seem to be before me. I love to think of him, and of such as he was. It is adapted to aAvaken gratitude for the Gospel, to purify and elevate the soul, and to endear the hope of IleaA-en. Most respectfully yours, IK AH CHASE. ASA MESSER, D. D. LL. D * 1702—1836. Asa Messer, son oLjVsa and Ahiah Mosser, was born in Methuen, Mass., in the year 1769. His father was a farmer on the banks of the Merrimack. At the age of thirteen, he left the town school in his native place, and Avent to live at Haverhill, where he Avas clerk in a store for nearly a year. Having given up his clerkship, he studied for a short time under the instruction of the llev. Dr. Ilczekiah Smith, of Haverhill, and then went to Windham, N. H., Avhere he completed his preparation fur College under the Eev. Mr. Williams, a Scotch clergyman, Avho was in high repute for both talents and education. At the age of seventeen, he entered Brown University, a year and nine months in advance. He gradu- ated in 1700 ; and his reputation for scholarshiji may be inferred from the •Prof. Elton's Memoir of Dr. Maxcy. — MS. from Hon. T. Metcalf. ASA MESSER. 327 fact tluvt the next year he was chosen a Tutor in his Alma Mater. In this oiricc he continued till 17UG, when he waselectcil Professor of the Learned Languages in the same institution. He was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church in Providence in 1792, and was ordained in 1801. In 1799, he was elected to the Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and continued in it till the resignation of President Maxcy in 1802, when he was appointed President of the College. After having heen connected with the institution, as a pupil and an officer, for nearly forty years, he resigned the office of President in the year 1826. He preached occasionally, both while Professor and President, for congrega- tions of diiferont denominations. His sermons were always written, and delivered with the manuscript before him. After retiring from the Presi- dential chair, he was elected by the citizens of Providence, for several years, to important civil trusts, which he discharged with ability and fidelity. His last years were occupied chiefly in superintending a small farm, in social intercourse, and reading. He died at Providence, October 11, 183G, aged sixty-seven years. President Messer received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University in 1806, and from Harvard University in 1820; and that of Doctor of Laws from the University of Vermont, in 1812. He was married to Deborah Angell, and had four children, — three daughters and one son. The son died in infancy. The second daughter was married to the Hon. Sidney Williams, of Taunton, Mass; the young- est married the Hon. Horace Mann, of Boston ; and the eldest remains (1850) unmarried. His widow still survives. The following is a list of President Messer's publications : — A Discourse delivered on Thanksgiving Day, at the Congregational meeting-house in the First Precinct in Rehoboth, 1798. A Discourse delivered in the (Chapel of Rhode Island College to the Senior Class, on the Sunday pre- ceding the Commencement, 1799. An Oration delivered at Providence in the Baptist meeting-house on the Fourth of July, 1803. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Rhode Island College, at the Public Com- mencement, 1803. An Oration delivered before the Providence Associa- tion of Mechanics and Manufacturers, at their Annual Election, 1803. An Address delivered to the Graduates of Brown University, at the Commencement, 1810. A Discourse delivered before the Warren (R. I.) Association, 1812. Professor Filton, in his Memoir of President Maxcy, has inserted an Address of President Messer to the Graduates of Brown University at the Commencement in 1811 ; stating, however, that it was then (1844) first published from the original manuscript. FROM THE REV. E. A. PARK, D. D. AnDOVER TnEOLOGICAL SeMINARTj ) June 17, 1857. S Dear Sir: I cannot remember the time when I was not familiar with the countenance of President Messer. Before I entered College I saw him every week, and while I was a member of College I saw him every day, and no one who has ever seen him can ever forget him. 328 BAPTIST. His individuality \vas made unmistakable by his phj'sical frame. This, while it was above the average height, was also in breadth an emblem of the expansiveness of his mental capacity. A " long head " was vulgarly ascribed to him, but it was breadth that marked his forehead; there was an expres- sive breadth in his maxillary bones; his broad shoulders were a sign of the Aveight which he was able to bear; his manner of walking was a noticeable symbol of the reach of his mind; he swung his cane far and wide as he walked, and no observer would doubt that he was an independent man; he gesticulated broadly as he preached; his enunciation y/as forcible, now and then overwhelming, sometimes shrill, but was characterized by a breadtli of tone and a prolonged emphasis which added to its momentum, and made an indelible impress on the memory. His pupils, when they had been unfaithful, trembled before his expansive frown, as it portended a rebuke which would well-nigh devour them; and thej^ felt a dilating of the whole soul when they were greeted with his good and honest and broad smile. That his mental capabilities outstretched those of ordinary men might be inferred from the mere record of his life. Before he fitted for College he was a faithful clerk in a wholesale grocery store at Haverhill, Mass., and at the age of twenty-one, he left the College with high honours. For delicate phi- lological analysis he had no peculiar aptitude; yet, one year after his gradua- tion, he was chosen to the Classical Tutorship in the University over which the accomplished Maxcy presided, and only three of the Alumni of the College had ever been elected to that oflBce before him. So acceptable were his classical instructions that, after the five years of his Tutorship, he was honoured by his Alma Mater in being elected her first Professor of the Learned Languages. After a creditable service of three years in this office, he was chosen Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosoph}^, and after a still more honourable career of three years in this, to him, more congenial department, he was elected President of the Institution. In the Presidential chair he proved himself to be a sound political economist, and a logical and often powerful reasoner in various branches of ethics. He was born in the year when the first class was graduated at the College; seventeen years after- wards he entered the Institution, as a pupil; and after the lapse of onl}' twelve years from the day when he ceased to be a pupil, he became the Presi- dent of the University. He was then but thirt3'-thrce years old. His prede- cessor had taken the Presidential chair at the still earlier age of twenty-four. For a man of thirty-three, to administer an office so recently honoured by Maxcy and Manning, demanded a wide expansion of mind and heart; yet when he entered on this high station, no class in the College had contained more than twenty-ciglit members, and when he left it, he had instructed classes of forty, forty-one, forty-seven and forty-eight pupils, and among them many scholars eminent in church and state: he had raised the finances of the College to a prosperoois condition, and had added depth and breadth to the groundwork of one of our noblest Universities. He was only fifty-.seven years of age when he retired from Academic life, but he had then been con- nected with the College as a pupil or instructer thirtj^-ninc years. During all this time he was noted for a round-about, strong sense, for a vein of humour, if not of broad Avit, for a terse idiomatic Saxon style. In grave counsel few men have been so far-sighted and self-collected, who were likewise in the social circle so quick at repartee, and so irresistibly amusing. I have seldom known a veteran in the government of a College, who was so strict a disci- plinarian, so clear-headed a diplomatist, and at the same time so apt in uttering kindly words to the boys whom he met in the street, so ready with a cheering proverb or a sprightly turn with the care-worn and down-hearted. As a financier he was sagacious and circumspect. In all the details of ASA MESSEU. 32'J business lie was far more exact than olergynien are wont to be. Punctuality iu fullilling engagements was one of his most noted excellencies, lie was an earnest and sonietiinos a conspicuous politician. His fcUow-citizeus were glad to honour him with civil ollices, after he had left the University. A seat on the l.ench of the Supreme Judicial Court of Rhode Island was once tendered to him, but he declined accepting it. lie laboured in the service of free schools, at a time when his ellorts were imperatively needed, and of all charities which were not sectarian he was a discreet friend. He knew men. lie understood the world. His original, shrewd maxims are not yet forgotten. In his Baccalaureate Address of 1811 he said to the Senior Class, " Should you choose no profession at all, you would, having no stimulus, be likely to live with no industry or enterprise; and of course with no usefulness, respect- ability or satisfaction. Should you, while nature would give you on ■ profes- sion, give yourselves another, this might even be worse than none at all: it might keep you ever struggling both against wind and tide." " If money is your object, you may gain it better by ploughing than preaching." j-Jppindix to President Maxcy's Hemaiiis, pp. 415, 418. In his Baccalaureate Address of 18UL) he said, " You will lind most men alive to their own interest, and iu general it will be the most safe to commit j'ourselves to them only so far as that interest may induce them to befriend you." Ibid, p., 440. It is as a Theologian, that President Messer is in the truest sense a study. He felt an atlectionate regard for Nathaniel Emmons and for John Thornton Kirkland, and thus illustrated the broadness of his Catholicism. Tough as he was and often stern, he recoiled from religious debate. <« You should allow nothing but a sense of duty," he advised the class of 1811, " to carry you into the held of theological controversy; for then you will be liable to sacrihce the truth of (jod, not less than the love and peace of men." jJppai- dix to Prcs. JIaxcy's Jicinains, p. 419. Many sharp observers have regarded him as a decided and thorough-going Unitarian. Some have looked upon him as substantially orthodox, and others have consigned him to various interme- diate positions. in the .seven pamphlets which I have read from his pen there is no decisive indication, that he dilfered iu any essential doctrine from the evangelical divines of New England. Perhaps he did not regard himself, at that period, as coiijidtntbj holding any opinion which was at variance with the accepted faith ijf his denomination. His early education had been acquired on the banks of the Merrimack; he was early familiar with the vague terms of the "Merri- mack theology," and that was proverbially for from the high Orthodox standard. In favour of the inspiration of the Scriptures, L)r. Mes.ser uses, in these pamphlets, the most unequivocal language, and he takes a strong and bold position against the popular infidelitj' of the times. The first of those pamphlets was published when he was thirty jcars old, and is entitled " A Discourse delivered in the Chapel of Rhode Island College to the Senior Class on the Sunday preceding their Commencement, 1799." Here he speaks of the Bible as i)roving its own Divinity by " the way of salvation which it dis- closes by Jesus Christ," and says: "No where can we lind a way in which such imperfect, sinful creatures, as men are, can be just with God, and made happy forever, but in Him, who is th" way, the truth, and the lifi-." Pp. 8, 9. "You have no way to obtain his smiles but through the merciful interposi- tion of his glorious Son." P. 14. The latest of Dr. Messer's pamphlets was published when he was forty- three years of ago, and bears the title, "A Discour.se delivered before the Warren A.ssociation, met at "Warren on Tuesday, September 8th, 1812." This Discourse, from the text, I. Peter v. 1, 4, — " The Elders which are among you," &c., is an historical curiosity. It abounds with utterances as decisive as the Vol. VI. 42 330 BAPTIST. following: "The difference, therefore, between friends and foes, right and wrong, black and white, is not more striking than is the difference between the characteristics of other men and of the disciples of Christ. What a dif- ference between a crown of glory and a lake of lire! between eternal life and eternal death ! l)etween the mansions of joy and the dungeons of woe ! between the songs of the ransomed of the Lord, and weejiing, Availing, and gnashing of teeth! And yet this is the difference between the prospect of the disciples of Christ and of other men; of him who serveth God, and of him who serveth llim not." P. 18. Of these " other men," it is added: "Their condition is not safe. The most awful calamities hang over them. They are not the friends of God. They are the enemies of God, and He has threatened to pour out on them the vials of his wrath, llemaining as they are, they should tremble for the pros- pect before them. It is a horrible tempest. It is tribulation and anguish, it is weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. It is everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power." P. 8. How can these men be made sons of God ? "In one view," says President Messer, " this effect lies beyond the power of man. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Not any thing but the power of God can bring sinners to repentance. To them all the preaching, however learned or eloquent, which the Spirit of God will not apply, is nothuig better than a ' sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.' The preacher must ever be careful to exhibit men as the truth exhibits them, fal- len, helpless, perishing sinners, and he also must ever be careful to let them know, what the truth will let them know, that not any thing but the mercy of God can save them: but that, at the same time, this mercy is rich and free, and equal to the salvation of the very chief of sinners. Hence the truth v>'hich the Ekhr is bound to explain and enforce, will at once suggest reforma- tions, revivals of religion; — such blessed effects as, since this Association last assembled in this place, have been seen in Warren; such as, for the last seve- ral mouths, have been seen in Harwich, in Barnstable and in Providence, and 8uch as, at this very time, and in a wonderful manner, may be seen in Bris- tol." Pp. 10, 17. The conflicting rumours with regard to President Messer as a theologian, may be explained b3^ supposing that he moditied his views as he studied the Unitarian controversy, i have no evidence that he ever abandoned the doc- trines, that man is by nature entirely devoid of love to God, and that he needs a radical change of heart in order to be saved. It is said by some of his inti- mate friends, that, in his earlier ministry, he believed in the doctrine of a strictly vicarious atonement; but it is said by others yet more intimate, that, if he ever believed this doctrine, he decidedly abandoned it in his later years. During a large, perhaps the larger part of his public life, he probably adopted the Arian view of the p"ci"son of Christ, and, in the main, coincided with the General Baptists of England, more nearly than with any other denomination of Christians. AVhile he remained President of Brown University, he con- tinued to attend the First Baptist Church in Providence, but after he retired from Academic life he attended a Freewill Baptist Church. He considered himself a student of theology until the day of his death, and on some points did not pretend to have fully established his opinion. It was therelore a ques- tion often discussed, and never fully decided, how far and for how long a time he doubted or disbelieved various doctrines of the evangelical faith. There was a resemblance, as well as a contrast, between the theological career of President ^laxcy and that of President Messer. Dr. Maxcy became more and more orthodox, while he remained at Brown University; Dr. Messer less and less. A few months before Dr. Maxcy's elevation to the Presidencj', ASA MESSER. 331 he wrote : " For my own p;irt, I can safely say that I liavc never been disposed to confine myself to the peculiar tenets of any sect of religionists whatever. Great and good men have appeared among all denominations of Christians, and 1 sec not why all do not deserve an equal share of attention and regard." "An entire coincidence in sentiment, even in important doctrines, is by no means essential to Christian society, or the attainment of eternal felicity. ilow man}- are there, who appear to have been subjects of regeneration, who have scarcely an entire comprehensive view of one doctrine in the Bible!" Maxcxfs Remains, pp. 149, 151. Dr. Messer often made similar remarks. He was a Rhode Islander in freedom of thought, and freedom of speech. He has given his own autobiography, to some extent, in his letter to Rev. William Richards, D. D., of Lynn, England. It was doubtless an honest letter, but none the less adroit or proiitable. It exhibits Dr. Messer as he was, an uncompromising Independent in Ecclesiastical Polity, and an earnest friend of the College whose finances he enriched, and in whose favour ho enlisted the sympathies of the (Jcneral Baptists of England. Dr. Richards Avas a pro- minent divine among the General Baptists, and to him the far-seeing President ■writes thus, on the 18th of September, 1818: "This Literary Institution (Brown University) was founded by men who breathed the very spirit of religious freedom, which j'ou, as expressed in your letter, breathe yourself. Though the charter of it requires that the President shall forever be a Baptis.t, it allows neither him, in his official character, nor any other officer of instruction, to inculcate any sectarian doctrine: it forbids all religious tests, and it requires that all denominations of Christians behaving alike, shall be treated alike. This charter is congenial with the whole of the civil government established here by the venerable Roger "Williams, who allowed no religious tests, and no pre-eminence of one denomination over another; and none has here been allowed unto this day. This charter is also congenial with the present spirit of this State, and of this town. Nothing here would be more unpopular than an attempt to place one religious sect above another. The ancient Baptist Church in this town never had in it, and probably never will have in it, any creed but the word of God, and it is very large and very nourishing. Of tlie value of this spirit of religious free- doai, no man perhaps has a higher estimation than I myself. 1 abhor a bigot, and 1 should be unwilling to live among men unwilling that I should think for myself. My sentiments on this subject (if, indeed, it may be lawful for a man to quote himself,) were lately, in a discourse which I delivered before the Bible Society of this State, expressed in the following words: 'Denomina- tional attachments, I know, are very natural, and when kept within the bounds of moderation, they are very commendable; but when carried beyond them, they become bigotry, and bigotry in its worst form is a fury as haggard as the worst of those which flew from the box of Pandora.' 'Religious bigotry indeed, and religious tyranny, both belong to the same kennel, and God grant that, by driving them back to their native dungeon, Hible Societies may be made the means of accelerating the progress of that ' cliarity which bearclh all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, cndureth all things.' — These thoughts were addressed to a lal-ge assembl}' in this town, and they were well received. Hence you ma}^ learn a little of the town, and also of me, and then of the College, and this little I hope will not discourage your design of becoming one of its generous benefactors." These words of Dr. Messer struck the right chord in the soul of Dr. Rich- ards. Mr. Evans, the biographer of Richards, appends to them the following remark: " Gratitied with this letter of the President of Rhode Island Col- lege, which breathes the spirit of unadulterated Christianity, Mr. Richards now resolved to become one of its generous benefactors. lu his will he 332 BAPTIST. bequeathed his Library, consisting of nearly thirteen hundred volumes of Theology, Ilistorj' and Biography to Brown University." As strength of style comes from strength of character, it is natural to infer that the robust mind and enei'getic impulses of President ]Messer would be developed in vehement language, and this, when uttered with his massive and sometimes tumultuous voice, would rouse up the drowsiest auditors. < the geiiernl, was precise and clear. Thus lie meant to express a tlumglit nioro profound tlian appears at first sight, in these words : "It is obvious that inveterate and confirmed habits become very rigid and inflexible." Fourth July Oration at Providence, 1803, p. 9. It is obvious that with this occa- sional obscurity of style, and with liis facetious tendencies, he would let fall many a remark which would be stored up in the archives of Academic anecdote. Still, he is remembered by his friends, not chiefly as a man of wit, or of far-reaching understanding, or of rare practical skill, or of punctuality and exactness in discharging his varied and complicated duties, Academic, Civil and Ecclesiastical, — although we gladly recall these distinguishing traits of his character, — but he is remembered by his friends with the kindliest emo- tion on account of the rich virtues of his domestic life; the tenderness with which his capacious mind watched over the children of his love, the conflding affection which he delighted to repo.se in his most excellent and exemplary wife, the habitual cheerfulness which he diffused through the entire circle of his family. As a son, brother, husband, father, he was the central object of attraction, and the beams of joy and love uniformly radiated from him over all the inmates of his happy home. On these, his most signal excellencies, however, it is not fitting that I dilate now and here. Very respectfully, your friend and servant, EDWARDS A. PARK. FROM THE HON. WILLIAM L. MAKCY. Albany, November 27, 1849. My dear Sir: During my college life, — from 1805 to 1808, — I had that sort of acquaintance with Dr. Me.s.ser which generally exists between students of College and their President. I formed a definite opinion of his character at that time, and though I occasionally saw him afterwards, my early impres- sions concerning him were not modified by those few interviews. You must, therefore, take what I am to .say as the testimony of a College student, whose observations were of course made from a stand-point, not the most favourable to a familiar and thorough view of the inner man. Dr. Mcsser sustained his position as President of the College in a highly creditable manner, and was generally esteemed and beloved by the students. He was regarded as a man of even temper, honest in his purposes, free from prejudice, and well adapted to exercise that kind of authority which pertained to his office. He always met his class (for he was one of our instructers during the Senior year) with a kindly spirit and manner, and never assumed any offensive official airs, or did any thing that seemed designed to impress us with a sense of his superiority. He was often very familiar in our recita- tions, and sometimes introduced anecdotes, by way of illustration, that avo thought more remarkable for good-humour and appropriateness than for the highest literary refinement. \)t. Mcsser was far from being a graceful man, — indeed some might have tiiought him even inclining to be awkward, — but there was that in his move- ments and general manner, that betokened great simplicity and honesty of purpose, and made up for the lack of artificial accomplishments. His pro- ntmciation of certain words was quite peculiar, and yet he was evidently unconscious of it; for I well remember that some of the roguish students used, sometimes, in the exercise of declamation, to adopt these peculiarities in his presence, and, so far from their escaping his attention, or receiving his appro- bation, he would instantly detect them, and criticise them, much to the amusement of the students, with the utmost freedom and good-nature. I am inclined to think that he did not bestow any great attention upon what may 33 i BAPTIST. be called the minuticB of literature; and j'et he was a substantial, competent instructer, and was certainly distinguished for the kindly and paternal super- vision which he exercised over all who were placed under his care. Of his character as a preacher, I am jierhaps hardly a competent witness, as I heard him only occasionally, when he supplied the pulpit, in the absence of the regular Pastor, and do not remember ever to have read any of his sermons. I think he was practical rather than doctrinal; logical rather than imaginative and ornate; and, though his style of preaching was too plain to suit the taste of the mass of College students, I believe it was always well received by the more mature and sober part of his audience. It used to be whispered, even at that period, that he had some tendencies to Arianism; and 1 have learned, from a source entitled to full credit, that his views, after- wards, became more decided in favour of that system. But I never heard of his introducing in the pulpit any speculations not in accordance with the commonly accredited orthodoxy. On the whole, my recollections of President Messer are very pleasant, and, though 1 trust j'ou will receive better aid than I have been able to render, in your effort to transmit to posterity some just idea of his virtues and useful- ness, I confess that this very slight offering to his memory has been with nie only a labour of love. I am, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, W. L. MARCY. WILLIAM STAUGHTON, D. D.^ 1703— 1S29. William Staughton was descended from a respectable and pious ancestry, and was born at Coventry, in Warwickshire, England, January 4, 1770. His parents were Sutton and Keziah Staughton, both persons of decidedly religious character. They had seven children, of whom Wil- liam was the eldest. The church with which his parents were connected, and in whicli he passed his earliest years, was the Baptist Church in Coventry, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Butterworth, author of the Concordance that bears his name. The family subi^equently removed from Coventry to London, where they were under the pastoral charge of the late Dr. llippon. The subject of tlii.s^sketch gave indications, in early youth, of superior talents, and especially an exuberant fancy, which occasionally discovered itself in poetical efforts of considerable merit. His parents designed him for a mechanical trade ; and, at the age of fourteen, he was sent to Bir- mingham to learn the business of a silversmith. He had previously had the advantage of a good English education ; but so ardent were his aspi- rations for knowledge that he studiou.sly availed himself of every opportu- nity for acquiring it. Up to the period of his going to Birmingham, he had given little evidence of religious sensibility or reflection ; but, shortly after, he became deeply awakened, under an earnest and pungent dis- • Lynd's Memoir. — MS. from II. G. Jones, Esq. WILLIAM STAUGIITON. 335 coui^o, to a sense of his sinfulness, and for eight or nine months was a subject of overwhelming convictions. So seriously was his bodily health affected by the state of his mind that he was for some time under medical treatment ; and one of his physicians, regarding it as a case of religious phrenzy, prescribed the reading of novels and romances ; but so much was he shocked by the })rescription that he would never afterwards suffer that physician to visit him. At length, as he lay writhing in agony upon his i)ed, the peace that passeth understanding was brought to his spirit, through that most cheering passage, — " Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow ; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Not long after this, he was admitted to the Baptist Church- in Birming- ham, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Samuel Pearce. About this time, when he was only seventeen years of age, he published, as it would seem rather to gratify the wishes of some of his friends than from the dictates of his own judgment, a small volume, entitled " Jiivenilc Poems." But the great purpose of his life was now changed. Instead of continuing at his trade, he went to Bristol, and became a member of the Baptist Theological Institution there, with a view to prepare himself for the work of the ministry. He soon commenced preaching in the neigh- bouring churches, and such was his popularity that, even before his theological course was completed, he came to be regarded as quite a star in the denomination. He received several calls to settle, and among others one from the very respectable church in Northampton, which had been rendered vacant by the removal of Dr. Ryland to the Presidency of the Bristol Institution. Tie, however, declined them all, having his eye upon this country as the ultimate field of his ministerial labours. About this time, the Bev. Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Furman, of Charleston, wrote to some of his brethren in England, requesting that they would send out some young man of goo^l promise to take a pastoral charge in George- town, S. C. The letter being read at a meeting of ministers, they unani- mously agreed that Staughton was the man best qualified for the mission ; and, as the suggestion was in accordance with all his predilections and intentions, he gladly availed himself of it, and made his arrangements without delay for crossing the ocean. He arrived in Charleston, S. C, in the autumn of 1793, bringing with him strong recommendatory letters from several of the most eminent clergymen of his denomination in P]ng- land. He was received with great cordiality by his brethren in South Carolina, and, without nnuh delay, commenced his ministerial labours in Georgetown. He was married almost immediately after his arrival, by Dr. Furman, to Maria Hanson. In this new field he fpiickly acquired a very extensive popularity; and when it was found that he was inclined to withdraw from it, the most flattering offers and vigorous efforts were made to detain him. But, after having resided there about seventeen months, during which time a church had been constituted and he had accepted the pastoral charge, he became satisfied that the climate was unfricndlv to his health; and this, together with his strong repugnance to the system of slavery, ilctermined him to seek a Northern residence. Accordingly, he removed with his f.rmily to 336 BAPTIST. Now York, at the close of 1795, where also he was met with tokens of marked respect and kindness. Scarcely had he reached New York before the Yellow Fever — that awful scourge of humanity — made its appearance. He suffered a severe attack of it, insomuch that not only was his case considered hopeless, but a report went abroad and reached his friends in England that he was actually dead ; and, while they were preparing to go into mourning for him, they were relieved by a letter written by himself announcing his recovery. He did not, however, entirehj regain his health for a conside- rable time, being subject, after the fever left him, to a violent rheumatic and spasmodic affection. Having, in the course of the winter, received an invitation from the Rev. Dr. Allison to succeed him in the charge of his Academy in Bordentown, N. J., he accepted the proposals, and removed thither the ensuing spring. In June of this year, (1797,) he was ordained at Bordentown, according to the custom of the Baptist Churches in this country ; and, during tlie period of his connection with the Academy, he preached frequently to one or two churches of his own communion in the immediate vicinity. His expectations seem not to have been met by the establishment at Borden- town, in consequence of which he removed, towards the close of 1798, to the neighbouring town of Burlington, Here he had a large and flourish- ing school, to which he devoted regularly eight hours of each du}^ and at the same time supplied two churches on the Sabbath, besides occasional services in the week. The Baptist Church in Burlington originated in his efforts ; and the number of its members increased, during the brief period of his ministry there, from fourteen to ninety-three. In 1801, when he was only twenty-eight years old, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the College of New Jersey. It was undei-stood to have been done at the instance of the late Governor Bloomfield. Dr. Stangliton having, during his residence at Burlington, become well known at Philadelphia, the first Baptist Church in that city resolved to make an effort to obtain his constant services as a minister. Accordingly, about the commencement of the year 180.5, they extended to him an invi- tation to supply their pulpit for one year; giving as a reason for the limi- tation, that they were embarrassed in their financial affairs, and that, at the end of a 3'ear. they hoped to be able to meet the expenses incident to the regular support of ajiiinister. He accepted their invitation, and the effect of his labours upon the prosperity of the congregation fully justified the most sanguine expectations concerning it ; so that he was not only called at the close of the year to the pastoral care of the church, but such was the growth of the congregation that they found it necessary, after a short rime, to enlarge their place of worship. During his ministry among them, more than a hundred persons were added from other churches. and nearly three hundred on a profession of their faith. Two new churches also were formed out of this body, — the third Baptist, and the First African, of Philadelphia; and a new impulse was given by his instrumentality to the interests of the denomination throughout the city. WILLIAM STAUGHTON. 337 Dr. Staughtou continued the Pastor of the Fir.st Church until the year 1811, wheu he was induced to identify liiniself with a new enterprise, — namely, the formation of a church, and the erection of an edifice for public worship, in Sansom Street. For a while after their organization, the new church worshipped in the Court House on Chestnut Street, and afterwards in the Academy on Fourth Street ; but, after a reasonable period, tliey erected a large circular building, ninety feet in diameter, at an expense of forty thousand dollars. Here was the theatre of his greatest popularity, and perhaps also of his greatest usefulness. The house, capacious as it is, was ordinarily well filled, and on Sabbath evening was generally thronged ; and the frequent additions to the communion of the church indicated that, wliile he was admired for his eloquence, a Divine power attended his ministrations. The labours of Dr. Staughton, during his residence in Philadelphia, it would have seemed scarcely possible for any human constitution to endure. He preached regularly thrice, and often four times, on the Sabbath, and once or twice during the week. He was engaged also, during a part of every day, in the instruction of youth, besides directing the studies of a number of young men in their preparation for the ministry, and having, a great part of the time, the editorial responsibility of a religious periodical. He was also the active friend and patron of many of the benevolent enterprises of the day, and was always ready to lend his influence where he thought it might advance in any degree the interests of humanity. He was among those who had a leading influence in originating the Philadelphia Bible Society, and from its commencement was its llecording Secretary, and afterwards one of its Vice Presidents. He assisted also in the formation of the Female Bible Society of Philadelphia, — the first Female Bible Society, so far as is known, that was ever organized. In the Sunday School cause he was most deeply interested ; and not only his eloquent tongue but his eloquent pen was put in requisition to illustrate its importance and urge its claims. And, in addition to all this, there were a thousand nameless inroads upon his time, from an extensive circle of acquaintance, and from being a sort of centre of influence for his denomination in a large city. When the Columbian College, — an institution designed to educate for t!ie ministry young men of the Baptist denomination, was established in the vicinity of Washington, Dr. Staughton was appointed its President; and, though he was inducted to oflBce in January, 18'22, he did not remove from Philadelphia till the autumn of 1823, but supplied his place by an occasional visit of a few weeks. In the interval between his acceptance of the appointment and his removal to Washington, he suff"ered a most severe domestic affliction in the death of his wife. But her death was peaceful, even triumphant ; and his behaviour in view of it, showed that he was no stranger to the joy in tribulation. He received from many quarters, and especially from his brethren in the ministry of various denominations, the most marked expressions of sympathy and respect ; and when the news of his bereavement reached the students of the College at Washington, they testified their aflFcctionate condolence in a highly appro- priate and touching communication. Vol. YI. 43 338 BAPTIST. It was no easy thing for liim to break the cord tha«t boand him to his congregation in Sansom Street. A vigorous effort was made to retain him ; and it was only a strong sense of duty that led him to accept the appoint- ment. His introduction to his new sphere of labour seemed to augur well for both hhi comfort and usefulness. His Address at the opening of the College was highly popular; his condescending and affable deportment towards the young men conciliated their regards ; and the friends of the institution congratulated themselves that their prospects were every thing they could desire. It turned out, however, that these high hopes were fallacious. It was quickly discovered that the very existence of the insti- tution was in jeopardy, by reason of pecuniary embarrassment ; and, though Dr. Staughton himself was one of the last to be convinced of this, yet he was ultimately constrained to admit it, and to act in view of it. In 1826, after he had been for some time desponding in regard to the ultimate success of the enterprise, some change occurred which he deemed auspicious ; and, in the commencement of the year 1827, he made a journey through the South'ern States, with a view, if possible, to secure the means of delivering the College from its embarrassments. While he was in Charles- ton, he received intelligence from "Washington, that led him at once to tender the resignation of his office as President. And when this came to be known, the other officers quickly followed his example, and the College was virtually disbanded. Dr. Staughton remained a few weeks at the South, after resigning his place, and then took passage by water directly to Philadelphia. For a short time after his return to Philadelphia, he preached to the congregation in New Market Street ; but just as they were about giving him a call to become their Pastor, an application for his services was made from a distant part of the Union, to which he ultimately deter- mined to yield. The Baptists in the State of Kentucky were now establish- ing a Literary and Theological Institution at Greorgetown, and Dr. Staughton was chosen its first President. Though he felt reluctant to remove so far from the field of his former labours, and from the circle of his most endeared associations, yet, after having duly considered the case in all its bearings, he made up his mind to accept, and in due time signified his acceptance of, the invitation. Provision had been made for a liberal endow- ment of the institution ; some of the leading men of the State were enlisted vigorously for its support ; and, with a man of so much ability and influence as Dr. Staughton at the head of it, nothing seemed wanting to ensure its prosperity. On the 27th of August, 1829, a few days before he announced his accept- ance of the Presidency at Georgetown, he was married to Anna C, daugh- ter of James Peale, Esq., of Philadelphia. On the 20th of October, he left Philadelphia for his new field of labour, which, however, he was never destined to reach. On parting with his old friends, he received many testimonies of their affectionate regard ; and the New Market Street Church particularly, which he had supplied for some time previous, addressed him in a communication expressive of their grati- tude for his ministrations and their interest in his welfare. When he reached Baltimore, it was apparent to his friends that he was the subject WILLIAM STAUGHTON. 339 of a serious, and the}' feared an alarming, malady. He, however, after remaining a few days with them, proceeded to Washington, Avhere, after a little time, his strength seemed to be somewhat recruited, insomuch that he actually performed one public service on the Sabbath. This, however, was the last which he was destined to perform ; for before the next Sabbath, his disease had assumed a more aggravated form, and on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1829, he sunk calmly to rest, aged fifty-nine years, eleven months, and eight days. Pie evinced, during his whole illness, the most unqualified resignation to the Divine will, and sometimes uttered himself in the lan- guage of joyful confidence and triumph. His Funeral was attended by a large concourse, and the services on the occasion were performed by several clergymen of different denominations. His remains were interred in the Episcopal burying-ground in Washington City; and, having rested there for nearly three years, were removed to the Sansom Street cemetery in Philadelphia, where they now repose, beside those of his first wife. The following is a list of Dr Staughton's publications : — A Discourse occasioned by the sudden Death of three young persons, by Drowning ; delivered at the Baptist Meeting House in Bordentown, N. J., 1797. Mis- sionary Encouragement : A Discourse delivered before the Philadelphia Missionary Society, and the Congregation of the Baptist Meeting House, Philadelphia, 1798. An Eulogiura on Dr. Benjamin Rush, 1813. A Ser- mon commemorative of the llev. Samuel Jones, D. D., 1814. An Address delivered at the Opening of the Columbian College, 1822. Dr. Staughton had four children, — two sons, and two daughters, — all by the first marriage. The eldest son died in infancy. The other son, James, studied medicine, was for some time Professor of Surgery in the Medical department of the Columbian College, D. C., and afterwards, till the time of his death, occupied the same chair i)i the Medical College of Ohio. His eldest daughter, Maria Leonora, was married to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Lynd, for several years Pastor of the Baptist Church in Cincinnati, and afterwards President of the Theological Institution at Georgetown, Ky.; and his youngest, Elizabeth Ann, to Dr. John Temple of Virginia. The second Mrs. Staughton survived her husband, and has since become the wife of General William Duncan, of Philadelphia. FROM THE REY. DANIEL SHARP, D. D. Boston, November 8, 1848. My dear Sir : The name of Dr. Staughton awakens in my bosom the most delightful recollections. He was one of the most amiable, talented, noble- hearted and useful men with whom I have ever been acquainted. I was first introduced to him in the spring of 1807. The circumstances which gave rise to that event, and his invariable kindness towards me subsequently, were, I believe, in perfect accordance with the feelings which governed his whole life. Hearing by a mutual friend that I had been licensed to preach, but was desirous of increasing my little stock of literary and theological knowledge, before I devoted myself exclusively to the work of the ministry, he addressed to me a most affectionate letter, in which he confirmed my views and purposes, invited me to his house, and assured me of his readiness to aid me in a course of study, to the best of his ability. 340 BAPTIST. I accepted his invitation, and on the evening of the twenty-first of March, in the year already mentioned ^ I found myself in his hospitable dwelling. Although his engagements were numerous, — for besides preaching three times on the Sabbath, and twice during the week, he gave instruction in two of the most respectable Female Seminaries then in Philadelphia, — yet I recited to him once or twice every day, except on the Sabbath. In addition to the course of study which was prescribed, the almost unreserved intercourse which he permitted me to enjoy with him, Vv'as of no small advantage. His instructive remarks, — the result of his own experience and observation, concerning minis- terial and pastoral duties; his amiable manners in private life, and his able and eloquent discourses in public, — for he was then at the zenith of his minis- terial career, — were not, I trust, wholly lost upon me. I am sure, while I possess the power of memory, these seasons of delightful and profitable inter- course can never be forgotten. They are treasured recollections, which, even at this distance of time, cheer many a solitary hour. The interest which Dr. Staughton felt for his pupils did not subside when they were removed from his immediate care. His letters followed them to their scenes of labour, fraught with expressions of friendship, and the coun- sels of experience and wisdom. He felt for them a paternal regard. If they were faithful, successful and respected, they were his glory and his joy. He loved to speak of them as his sons in the ministry of reconciliation. In return, his pupils felt for him a filial veneration and love. The mention of his name has often operated as a spell in charming away the sadness which the coldness and selfishness of others had produced, by calling up vividly to remembrance those sunlight seasons in which they held intercourse with om, whose dignity as a teacher was so blended with the aflability and kindness of the man as to inspire the most timid with confidence, and the most bold wii.!i respectful regard. Dr. Staughton possessed an uncommonly active and vigorous mind. I now feel admiration and surprise, while I think of the amount of his intellectual labours. Although his sermons were not wholly written, yet they were by no means extemporaneous effusions — they were the product of much and varied reading, and of deep and patient thought. In the earlier years of his minis- try, so laborious was his preparation for the pulpit that it frequently occa- sioned serious inroads upon his health. During the period I was with him, I never heard him on the Sabbath, more than once or twice, when he had not notes of his discourse, more or less copious. These, however, he used so expertly that persons who did not see them, had no suspicions of any paper being before him. But his intellectual efforts were not confined to his preparations for the pul- pit. He composed and delivered lectures on Botany, Chemistrj^, and Sacred and Profane History, to the young ladies at the two Seminaries already named. And for two years at least, he was virtually, although not nominallj", the editor of a monthly religious periodical, — a large, if not the largest, por- tion of the original and selected matter in the work, during that period, hav- ing been contributed by him. From that publication, and the "Laiter Day Lumi- nary,"— a verj' interesting ^^olume containing the productions of his pen, might be compiled. It would be a treasury of able essays, ingenious criticisms, striking anecdotes, and beautiful poetry. Dr. Staughton was a truly benevolent man — he was so, both from sympath}', and from principle. I have accompanied him many a time to the habitations of the poor, and to the couches of the sick and the dying; and he never seemed more happy than when he was ministering to their wants, and when, by the utterance of the tenderest feelings, in the tenderest language, he evi- dently soothed their sorrows. I need say nothing of his untiring, powcrfiil, "WILT JAM STAUGHTON. 34] and disinterested support of the religious and humane charities of the age. Every one, acquainted with their rise and progress, knows that he most readily gave his time, his talents, and his whole inlluence in advancing their prosperity. In his most favourite phuis, 1 believe, he had never his own aggrandizement in view. Some of them might have been impracticable, but they were not selfish. His errors were those of a generous and too confiding soul. I have known him suffer wrong in patient silence; but, altliough i knew him intimately and long, 1 never knew him do a mean, unkind or unjust action. As a Preacher, he was at times surpassingly^ eloquent. It is difficult to describe the manner in which he illustrated and enforced the great truths of Christianity. No one can convc}^ to those who never heard him a correct idea of his action, so suited to his words; or of his countenance, so expressive of what was passing within; or of the intonations of his voice, which penetrated the chambers of the soul, and awakened emotions of joy or grief, of terror or transport, at his bidding. There Avei'e occasions, however, when it seemed to me that he had more action and voice than his subject required. But when he appeared in the pul- pit, prei)ared by suitable reflection to discuss some great truth, as his imagi- nation kindled, and his soul expanded with his theme, he would pour forth such strains of lofty and j^et melting eloquence, as I never heard from any other man. Many a time I have seen a crowded assembly, now held in breathless silence, — now all in tears, — and now scarcely able to remain on their seats, while listening to "the glorious Gospel of the blessed God," delivered with such sublime and thrilling pathos, that if angels had been spectators, they must have been enraptured with the scene. He was not more happy in his manner than in his selection of subjects. He was an attentive observer of passing events. Whether these afl'ected nations, families, or individuals, if they were of a character to excite public attention, he felt that " To give to them a tongue was wise in man." His texts on these occasions were like " apples of gold in pictures of silver." Every one perceived their appropriateness. Attention was awakened, and the instruction thus imparted could not easily be erased from the mind. It may, perhaps, be interesting to record some instances of his peculiarly happjr talent in this respect. When intelligence was received from Spain of the downfall of the infamous Goday, who was styled the " Prince of Peace," he delivered on the following Sabbath a most interesting discourse from the passage in Isaiah, — "He shall be called the Prince of Peace." I distinctly remember that, after alluding to the event, he described, in brilliant contrast, the infinite superiority of the Lord Jesus over all earthly princes, as to his personal dignitj^ the extent and duration of his authority, and the benefi- cence of his reign. At another time, when a great encampment in Europe had been surprised and routed by an opposing armj', he preached a sermon from the words, — " The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them," which almost electrified his hearers. Placing them in imagination in sight of the camp, listening to the clash of arms, and the roar of cannon, and witnessing the carnage that ensued, he then directed their contemplations to the peaceful tents of the righteous, and to their certain and complete protection, aiBbrded by the unlimited and encircling power of the Almighty. In the summer, Dr. Staughton preached in the open air, in Southwark, on Sabbath mornings, at five o'clock. I heard him there, just as the orb of day was ascending above the horizon, announce for his text, — "Unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with 342 BAPTIST. healing in his wings." In that discourse he drew a beautiful parallel between the glorious effects of the sun on all animated nature, and those which are produced by Him, who is " the Light of the world, and the Life of men." I might easily adduce other instances of his felicitous manner in seizing on the incidents of the times, and improving them so luminouslr and impressively that the truths which he taught could scarcely ever be forgotten. Dr. Staughton was a man of great catholicity of spirit. He was true to his own convictions, but he cherished and manifested a large and habitual charity for Christians of other sects, and he taught his pupils to do the same. On a Dedication occasion, he once said, — " I know I am but adding a voice to the thoughts of my brother through whose ministrations this house has been raised, and of the members of the Church in general, when I give a cordial welcome to every preacher of Jesus to assist in its holy services. The points in which we difter from our Christian brethren of other denominations, com- pared with those in which we all agree, bear no greater proportion to each other, than does the trembling lustre of a star to the meridian blaze of the summer sun. While Christian ingenuousness proceeds to state religious senti- ment with plainness and simplicit}^. Christian love looks anxiously for the moment when bigotry shall expire with the flames it has kindled." What he thus praised he practised. On baptismal occasions he was admi- rable. While he gave free utterance to his own convictions, there was not the semblance of invective in his remarks. He spake what he deemed to be the truth, but always in love. He beautifully exemplified the advice which he gave to one of his students — <mt at 1 hiladelplua, as Corresponding Secretary and I'inancial Agent of the American Paptist Publi- cation Society. Returning then to hi.s Western home, he resumed his labours in that field with renewed ardour. He was Pastor of .several importinit churches in Missouri. Tllimiis, ami Ken- tucUy; was a large contributor to R.-vicws and Newspapers; wrote the Life nf Daniel Poone for Sparks' American Piograpliv; edite.l a second edition of "Annals of the West, ---a large octavo volume: compiled the Memoir of Father Clark, a Western preacher: and made impor- tant conlributions to nearly all the Historical Societies of the Northwestern States and Territo- ries. He died in great peace, at his home at Rock Spring. IMareh 15. 1858. After about a month, his remains were, by the special desire of many of his friends, removed and interred in the Pellcfontaine Cemetery, St. Louis. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon l.im by Harvard College in 1852. His large and valuable collection of newspapers and pam- phlets w.i.« destroyed by fire a few years before his death ; but his immense manuscript collcc- tion.s wr-re, by his will, placed in the hands of the Rev. Rufus Pabcoek, D. D.. from whom the public are expecting, ere long, one or more volumes consisting of his Life and Remains. He was the father of ten children, six nf whom survived him. He km undoubtedly one of tho most remarkable self-made men of his day. 404 BAPTIST. soon had several hundred pupils under his care. The next year, he attended the Baptist Convention in Lebanon, and awakened an interest in behalf of education, which resulted in the establishment of Granville Col- lege,— for the endowment of which he subsequently obtained about two thousand dollars. In visiting Indiana, where there were about three hun- dred Baptist churches, and no Seminary, he was invited to become Princi- pal of a Seminary in Connersville, the capital town of Fayette County. He opened the Institution on the 4th of October, 1830, and soon had about a hundred and seventy pupils. He was invited to deliver an Oration, on the next Fourth of July, at Indianapolis, and was there instrumental in forming an Education Society. He there opened a School in the Baptist meeting-house, and had a hundred and twelve pupils from November till the following May. The next year, (1833,) Mrs. Bradley died ; and her husband, while travelling and preaching in Kentucky, took the fever and ague, and suffered severely from it for some tin)e. He then returned to Pittsburg, and again engaged there both in teaching and preaching. In 1835, he delivered an Address on Education before the Monongahela Asso- ciation, which resulted in a partially successful effort to establish and endow a literary institution for Western Pennsylvania, and Western Virginia. Such a College was finally established by him in Harrison County, Va., since called Rector College, of which, at the instance of Mr. B., the Rev. Charles Wheeler * became President. During his agency for this College, he secured the purchase of a valuable site, and buildings for a Female Col- lege at Bottetourt Springs, Va., in May, 1843, and obtained a charter for it the following winter. In March, 1847, he visited Brownsville, Pa., and, by desire of the inhabitants, opened a Seminary in the Masonic Hall. The next year he visited the scene of his former labours iu New York and Rhode Island, and preached several mouths for the Fourth Baptist Church iu Newport. In 1849, he visited Lansingburg, N. Y., and was instru- mental in forming an Education Society, of which he became General Agent. In September, 1850, by tlie desire of his son, Joshua T. Bradley, •Chaules Wheeler, a son of Samuel and Catharine (Adams) Wheeler, was born at Row- ley, Mass., on the 8th of April, 1784. His father was graduated at Harvard College in 1771, and was licensed to proacli in the Congregational Church, lie (the son) became hoiiefully pious, about the year 1801, and joined the Congregational church in his native place, under the pastoral care of the Kev. Mr. Brauiin; and ho began to prepare for College under his instruction. While he was prosecuting his studies^ ho embraced the views of the Baptists, and transferred his relation to a neighbouring church of that communion. In due time he became a member of Erown University, and graduated in 1807. After leaving College, he was employed for some time in toacliing a school, first in Wiseasset, ]Me. ; afterwards in iSalem, Mass.; and subsequently in Middlcborough, where he was licensed to jjreach. In 1812, he supplied, for several months, the First Baptist Church in Boston. His mother liaving, about this time, removed to Pennsylvania, induced him to follow her; though he seems to have con- sented very reluctantly. lie left Boston for Pittsburg, in June, 181.'i; having been married, in March preceding, to a daughter of the liev. Sauuiel Nelson, of Jliddleborough ; and shortly after opened a school in Washington, twenty-five miles West of Pittsburg, and at the same time commenced preaching to a large congregation in the Court House. In October, 1814, he was ordained, and a church constituted in Washington, of which he became the Pastor. Here he continued for twenty-six years, preaching not only to his own church, but frequently to seve- ral other churches in the neighbourhood. Meanwhile he also continued his connection with the school. In 1839, ho was cho.scn President of Hector College, and about the same time visited Now England to solicit aid in its behalf. He removed his family to Pruntytown, the scat of the College, in 1840, and exerted himself to the utmost to bring forward the infant institution. In his devotion to this object lie overtasked both his physical and intellectual energies, and brought on a hemorrhage of the lungs, and subsequently an enlargement of the heart, which terminated in death, on the 11th of .January, 1851 . He was an accomplished soholar, an excel- lent teacher, and an able, earnest and successful minister. JOSHUA BRADLEY. 405 Esq., of St. Louis, lie accompanied liiiii to St. Paul, Min., where he made his homo till his death. From this point he mado occasional excursions to Illinois, Iowa, and even to St. Louis, visiting old friends, and preaching and performing such .services as his strength allowed. Mr. Bradley died at St. Paul, on the '22d of November, 1855, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He had for several weeks been confined to his bed. but, during his whole illness, exhibited the most unqualified resig- nation. Just before he expired, he gave utterance to his feelings in strains of the most intense and sublime rapture, decl.uing his full assurance that he was standing on the verge of Heaven. His life was one of incessant but diversified labour, and eminent usefulness. His remains were, by his own request, removed to Pittsburg, Pa., and deposited in the vault of his son-in-law, Asa P. Childs, near those of his beloved daughter, Mrs. Fran- ces Childs. Mr. Bradley was married, in the year 1799, or 1800, to Loah Thayer, of Massachusetts. She died at Indianapolis, Ind., on the 5th of July, 1833, aged fifty-one years. The next year, he married Mrs. Harriet M. Brown, "who still (18.^9) survives. He had nine children by the first mar- riage, and two by (he second. All his children are now deceased, except two— a son, Joshua T., and a daughter, who is married to William B. Collard, of Wyoming, N. Y. Besides several minor productions in pamphlet form, Mr. Bradley pub- lished two small volumes, — one on " Revivals," and another on '• Free- Masonry." FROM THE REV. RUFUS BABCOCK, D. D. Paterson, N. J., February 10, 1859. My dear Sir: My earliest recollections of the Rev. Joshua Bradley are connected with the attendance of my brotlier, next older than myself, at the Academy taught by him at Wallingford, Conn., in the year 1810. More than once, in'that and the following year, I accompanied this brother on his return to the Academy, after a visit at home, and this gave me an opportunity of seeing something of the Principal in his relations to both the instruction and the management of his school. The impression he then made upon me was too deep not to be enduring. He Avas between thirty-five and forty years of age. He was of medium height; of dark complexion; with a piercing black eye, and a rotund face, bearing the general aspect of fine health and spirits and great activity. In all his intercourse with his pupils, his manner seemed free and genial, but somewhat decided and exacting. lie was just about the last man you would think of taking liberties with, and yet you might be assured of his kindness if you deserved it. You felt, both in and out of the .school, that the religious man and the minister predominated over the mere officialities of the Preceptor. On one occasion 1 was present at the semi- annual exhibition of the Academy, and 1 was much impressed by bi.i unusual capability and tact in getting up and managing to the best advantage such showy demonstrations of the capacities of all classes of his pupils. He was, in short, a very popular teacher, and within his own range a very good one. In the autumn of 1811, my mother died suddenly; and, as my brother was .sent for to attend her Funeral, his worthy Preceptor, Mr. Bradley, came with him. He preached the Funeral Sermon; and the text he .selected,—" Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord," in connection with the occasion, gave fine .scope to his sympathetic nature, while it made him, to the bereaved circle, 406 BAPTIST. emphatically a minister of consolation. I well remember that, in the evening, after the Funeral, he interested me not a little by a somewhat detailed account of his own life; and 1 can recall much of his very language even to this day. «' My earliest recollections," said he, " are of the battle of Bunker Hill. My mother held me up in her arms, and Avhile she was thrown into a parox- ysm, bj' the Hashes and the roar of artillery, as she pressed me to her bosom, and tlien lifted me above her head, she cried, — 'There, there, child, is your father, fighting for his country.' " Then he gave us an account of his appren- ticeship, and the hardships he endured in connection with it. He related the impressive dream he had of the final judgment, which was the first step in that process of mind that issued in his conversion. He told us of his strug- gles to obtain an education, contrasting his early condition with the more favoured lot of my father's sons, who had all the requisite paternal aid. The years in which he so overtasked his energies at Newport, and the various per- secutions he had endured in my native State, also passed under review. The story was told without the semblance of ostentation, and it W'as hardly pos- sible that any one should have listened to some portions of it without being moved. During my College course, — probably in 1819, — he visited Providence, and spent a week or two in that city and vicinity. I think he was still soliciting funds for defraying the expense that had been incurred by the purchasing and fitting up Q.f the Albany theatre as a house of worship. He had still many old friends in that city; and so deeply were many of the College students interested in him, that they were sure to be present wherever they knew he was to preach. He was, probablj'', at that time, at the height of his popula- rity as a preacher. Again in 1824, while I was Pastor of the Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie, lie passed a Sabbath with me, preaching once, and insisting on once listening to " the son of his dear friend and brother," as he called my father. The next day I accompanied him some little distance out of town on his way, and t well remember with what a cordial and fatherly spirit he made various use- ful suggestions to me, — the result of his own ample experience. He had been a very active Freemason; and I had a little before declined an overture to be advanced in that fraternity; but he fully approved my course. In speaking of the delivery of his sermons, I remember his saying, with some degree of earnestness, — "If your heart prompts to tears, do not suppress them;" and this advice was quite in harmony with his own practice. After this, I met him casually several times, North, South, and West, but generally only in public convocations, where there was little opportunity of familiar iiitercourse. But I was kept tolerably well informed of his various efforts and sacrifices, especially in promoting the nascent educational enterprises of our Baptist communities. Occasionally, too, we corresponded. Once again, in the winter of 1847-48, I met him in Newport, R. I., where he was regularly ofHciating in a small destitute church. We passed considerable time together at the house of an intimate mutual friend. His heart seemed just as warm and genial as when I had first known him, nearly forty years before. We talked on various topics connectoTtwith the great progress of the Baptist cau.sc during the nearly half century, in which he had been publicly identified with it. There wf,»s in his manner a delightful absence of all sourness or captiousness, — nothing to indicate that he had ever been ill-treated or slighted, or had not always been walking in sunshine. He seemed to dwell with great interest upon the past, as furnishing matter of gratitude to God, for having enabled him to do and to sacrifice so much for the promotion of a cause dearer to him than life. His sermons there were said to be (for I did not hear him preach, being engaged in another church at the hour of his service) highly charac- JOSHUA BliADLKV. 407 teristic. They were not profound, or logically very coluTciit; but they were full of the marrow of the Gospel, abounded in touching incidents, and were delivered with all the fervour and unction of his youth. Such had been the whole course of his life as to utterly preclude large theological or biblical attainments. Himself, and his estimable classmate, Dr. Chaplin, were fitting complements of one perfect circle, — one having very fully what the other lacked, while both were eminently good and useful in their respective spheres. Trobably, as an instructer, he might now be deemed lacking in the e.xactness, thoroughness, and broad compass of modern scholarship, boUi literary and scientific. But he could kindle many a fire Avhich demanded more solid fuel for its continuance, but which would never have begun to burn, but for such appliances as he could furnish. I cannot but regard him, therefore, as one of the most self-denying, enterprising and useful men 1 have ever known. Yours most fraternally, RUFUS BABCOCK. JOHN STERRY. 1800—1823. FROM THE REY. FREDERIC DENISON. Norwich, Conn., February 22, 1859. Dear Sir : The following sketch of John Sterry has been drawn from the books and papers that emanated from his pen, from letters and oral statements communicated to me by his children, from the records of the church over wliich he presided, and from recollections furnished by persons who knew him in his business relations, and were privileged to sit under his ministry. I am unable to furnish personal recollections of him, but, as I have often heard him described, and have been assured by many who were his cotemporaries to whom I have read the outline of my sketch, that I have fairly, though roughly, pictured his life, I trust you will accept with confidence what I have been able to gather. John Sterry was born in Providence, R. I., in 1766. His father, Roger Sterry, was an Englishman. His mother, Abby Holmes, was from Stonington, Conn. The family was every way worthy, though not favoured with wealth. On account of a connection, by marriage, with the family of Gov. Fenner, the childi'cn were favoured with unusual educational advantages. John improved his opportunities faithfully, and even studied in Brown University, though he did not take the full collegiate course. His gifts and scholarship, as evinced in his youth, and confirmed by the labours of his life, were far above mediocrity. He was a superior mathe- matician ; as was also hi.s brother, Consider Sterry: and botli brothers distinguished themselves not only as mathematicians, but as mechanics and writers. When but a little past their majority, they jointly produced and published a large mathematical work. While this work was passing through the press, under the supervision of John, one of the compositors was taken sick. John immediately stepped into the compositor's place, and successfully handled the " stick." This was the beginning of his career as a printer. 408 BAPTIST. About the year 1790, Mr. Sterry removed to Norwich, Conn., and soon established himself as a printer, book-binder, book-seller, paper-maker, author, and publisher. After a few years, he entered into business rela- tions with Epaphras Porter : and the firm of Sterry and Porter became very widely and honourably known. Mr. Sterry was married in 1792 to Rebecca Bromley of Preston, Conn. Though llebecca was but sixteen at her marriage, she proved an excellent wife, fully adequate to all her important duties, Mr. Sterry had ten children, — six sons and four daughters, all respectable and useful. His eldest son is a worthy Deacon of a Baptist Church in Utica, N. Y. Previous to Mr. Sterry's conversion, he, with his brother. Consider, wrote quite a large book in favour of the doctrine of Universal Salva- tion. Before completing the volume, John thought that some proof of the doctrine should be drawn from the Bible. But, in searching for it, he became convinced that his favourite position could not be sustained. He wished to drop the enterprise of publishing; but his brother urged it forward, especially in consideration of their having obtained a large num- ber of subscribers for the work. John yielded very reluctantly, and went forward till the sheets were ready for binding. He then insisted that half the volumes, should bo set out to him, that he might do with them as he should choose. Immediately, upon the division, he took his portion of the sheets, and carrying them into the back yard, and piling them up, set fire to the whole, declaring that he could never be responsible for giving to the world what he did not believe to be true. Mr, Sterry was converted after his removal to Norwich, through the instrumentality of a little band of Baptists, made up in part of Separatists, then maintaining themselves as a branch of the Rev. William Northup's Church in Kingston, R. I. Immediately upon his conversion, he united with this little company, among whom his gifts and graces were soon recognized and honoured. They selected him as their leader, and gave him liberty to "improve his gift" in preaching. Early in the year 1800, this little band took measures to become a regular and independent church ; and on the 12th of July they were publicly recognized, by suitable advice and assistance from a council, as the First Baptist Church in the city of Norwich, As Mr, Sterry had already won the entire confidence of the church, and a large measure of popularity as a preacher, the church, in October following, called him to ordination. And, on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1800, he was appropriately set apart to the work of tlie ministry. His Ordination Sermon was preached by the Rev. Silas Burrows, from Acts XX. 28. As the church was at first very small and very poor, worshipping in private houses, a school-house, or tt rope- walk, and sometimes, in warm weather, on account of the numbers that desired to attend, in a grove, — the meeting- house raised in 1801 not being finished till 1807; and as the religious usages of the more wealthy portion of the community, together with the ecclesiastical laws of Connecticut, were as yet quite unfavourable to the Baptists, Mr. Sterry's trials and toils were neither few nor light. A less independent, self-reliant, trntli-loving, and persevering man would have been quite disheartened. And such was the poverty of the church, during JOHN STERRY. 409 the whole period of his ministry, though greatly prospcrei-l under liis labours, that in no year did they pay hiui a salary exceeding one hundred and fifty dollars. His cireunistanccs, therefore, as well as his natural tastes, prompted him to continue his mechanical and literary pursuits through life. Nevertheless, he was the devoted Pastor of this church ; and he also preached much in adjoining towns, and even in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. For a time he preached regularly, once a month, at Preston, during the early history of the Baptist Church in that place. Several memorable revivals were enjoyed by the chureli under Mr. Sterry's ministry. The years 181G and 1817 brought largo numbers into it. Another happy season of refreshing was experienced in 1819. The whole number received to the church by Baptism, during the twenty- three years of his ministry, was one hundred and seventy-seven. Mr. Sterry's originality of mind was evinced by at least two valuable inventions. He invented the art of marbling paper, — an art which has since been carried to great perfection, and spread over the civilized world. His patent was sold for a consideration to Epaphras Porter. He also dis- covered an improved method of bleaching cottons, and this he disposed of to Rhode Island manufacturers. Mr. Sterry also distinguished himself as an author. As I have already intimated, while he was yet a very young man, he, with his brolher Con- sider, had prepared a large mathematical work — it consisted of two parts, an Arithmetic and an Algebra, and was entitled " The American Youth.'* This octavo volume of three hundred and seventy-seven pages was put tc press in 1790, and was not only highly commended by teachers and Pro- fessors in Colleges in this country, but was favourably noticed in Europe. In 1795, the brothers prepared and published an "Arithmetic for the use of Schools in the United States." Mr. Sterry was accustomed, yearly, for a while at least, to assist Mr. Nathan DaboU in the preparation of his celebrated Almanacs. Soon after he entered the ministi-y, he rendered important aid to the Rev. William Northup in preparing and publishing a Hymn Bouk, entitled " Divine Songs," — a Collection that, for a season, was widely used in our Baptist Churches. In June, 1804, Sterry and Porter (though Mr. Sterry was the prominent writer) edited and published a newspaper called " The True Republican," — a very spirited, popular and useful sheet. Mr. Sterry was an able writer and editor. He was a democrat, of course, and was honest to the core. Though his paper provoked strong opposition from the Federalists of the day, he never treated his opponents otherwise than with respectful consideration. The favourite motto of his political papers was indicative of the man, — "Nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice." He contended for a protective tariff; a reform in the mode of conducting elections, so as to secure fairness ; and especially for Religious Liberty and a new State Constitution. The last two great objects, for which he wrote vigorously and sacrificed freely, he lived to see happily secured in 1818. All his writings are clear, well-tempered, racy, and abounding in great and sound principles. The last few years of Mr. Sterry's life were somewhat clouded, — first, on account of certain unhappy misunderstandings in his church, and secondly, Vol.. YT. 52 ^10 BAPTIST. on account of reverses in his pecuniary affairs. He experienced a great lo-ss of property from purchasing in Boston a large quantity of Italian silk, which he attempted to reel, but found it had been damaged by salt water. This loss was augmented and aggravated by the unskilfulness and deceit of an Engli.sh silk manufacturer, whom he employed to construct machinery, and aid him in the process of reeling. Mr. Sterry's naturally studious turn of mind and capability of mental abstraction may be illustrated by an amusing anecdote. One of his busi- ness tours to Boston he made on horseback. On his return, when he rode up to his house, he was met by his son, who informed him that he had somewhere exchanged horses. The fact of the exchange was as new to Mr. Stcrry as it was to llobert, while the horse in liand was but half as valuable as his own. Mr. Sterry was six feet in height, well formed, erect, with a pleasant and commanding countenance. His mental powers were suited to his physical, — strong, solid, well proportioned. As a speaker, he was plain, usually energetic, sometimes fervid. His preaching was logical and forcible, with loss of the hortative than marked that of some of his brethren, and occasionally nobly eloquent. He was executive rather than diplomatic. In sound judgment and prudence he had few superiors. Hence he was often selected by his brethren in the ministry for duties and stations that were alike honourable and responsible. In short, Mr. Sterry was an able and good man. He was laborious, faithful, true to great principles, unambitious of place and preferments, glorying only in the Cross of Christ. He Avas the true and beloved yoke- fellow of John Gr. Wightman, Roswell Burrows, Asa Wilcox, William Palmer, the worthy Miners, and all the veteran labourers in Eastern Connecticut. For the age in which he lived, he was a workman that needed not to be ashamed, as is sufficiently attested by his writings, found in his books and papers, and in the Circular and Corresponding Letters he prepared for the Groton Union Conference and the New London Baptist Association. His wife survived him ten years. She died of consumption in October 1833, aged fifty-seven. The disease that terminated Mr. Sterry's life, was an affection of the liver. He suffered severely but a few weeks. On the 5th of November, 1823, in liis own house in Norwich town, and in the fifty-seventh year of his age, he departed triumphantly to his rest. His Funeral Sermon was preached to a mourning community, by the llev. Wm. Palmer, from Matt. XXV. 21. His remains were tearfully buried in the Town Plot Cemetery, where " The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." Yours fraternally, FREDERIC DENISON. EZRA BUTLER. 411 EZRA BUTLER * 1800—1838. Ezra Butler, tlic third son of Asapli and Jane (McAllister) Butler, was born in Lancaster, Mass., in September, 17G3. Ilis mother, who was of Scotch parentage, died when he was a mere boy ; but, from what he had heard, as well as from what he remembered, of her, he suppo.sed that she was a truly pious person, though not a professor of religion. His father lived to a somewhat advanced age, and in his later years not only made a public profession of his faith, but was apparently a devout Christian. The first six years of the son's life were spent in his native place, and in War- wick, Mass. After the death of his mother, his father's family was parti- ally separated, and he lived for a few years with his eldest brother. This brother and his wife were both exemplary members of the Congregational Church ; and their fidelity to his spiritual interests seems to have left an enduring impression upon his mind. Ilis sister-in-law especially was careful to teach him forms of prayer, which he found of use many years after, when his own diffidence suggested their adoption, to some extent, in first commencing family devotions. Joel Butler, the brother referred to, joined the Baptists in 1780, and commenced preaching and was ordained at Woodstock in 1785. He moved from field to field, through the State of New York, Westwardly, and died at Geneva, Ind., September 13, 1822, in his seventy-first year. His eldest son {Ora) was also a Baptist minister in good repute. At the age of about fourteen, Ezra Butler went to live with Dr. Stearns, of Clarcmont, N. H. ; and, with the exception of a few months, remained there during the rest of his minority. The Doctor soon entrusted to him the management of his largo farm, while he himself attended to the duties of his profession. At the age of sixteen he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolution, but, after having served about six months, returned to his place as manager of Dr. Stearns' farm. A few months after he had reached his majority, he, with his brother Asaph, about two years older than him- self, left Weathersfield, Vt, — to wliicli place his father had in the mean time removed, — to try their fortunes in the Valley of Onion River. The last twenty-five miles of their route they travelled on snow shoes, (the snow being about four feet deep,) transporting the few articles they took with them, on a hand-sled. Tiiey reached what is now Waterbury, their place of destination, on the 20th of March, 1785. The place was then entirely new, there being but one family in it, and not more than half a dozen dwellings for a distance of twenty-five miles, both above and below the town, on Onion River. All that portion of the State, for nearly sixty miles, extending from Lake Cliami)lain almost to White River, was one dense fnrest, without roads, and, with the above exceptions, without inhabi- tants. Here Mr. Butler, being then in his twenty-second year, commenced a farm for himself, depending for success entirely on his own honest indus- try, and here he remained till he was summoned to his long home. • Memoir by a Lady.— MS. from his son, Russell Butler, Esq. 412 BAPTIST. Mr. Buller was married on the 13th of June, 1785, at Wealhersfield, Vt., to Trypliena Diggins, formerly of Windsor, Conn. ; though he did not move his family to Waterbury until September of the next year. At the age of twenty-seven he became hopefully a subject of renewing grace. In his early year.s he had been more or less thoughtful in regai"d to his immortal interests, but, after his removal to Waterbury, — exiled as he was from the public means of grace, — his mind settled into a habit of utter indiiference in regard to spiritual things. Being obliged to labour hard during the week, he was accustomed to spend part of the Sabbath in sleep; and, on a certain Sabbath, as he woke from sleep, he observed his wife reading a pamphlet, and asked her to read it aloud. As its title-page was gone, he never knew either its title, or the name of its author; but the subject was one which, in former years, had occasioned him great per- plexity,— namely, how a man can be blameable for possessing an evil disposition which he did not create for himself; and hence he listened with earnest attention. After she had read aloud for some time, he stopped her with the simple exclamation, — " If this is true, we are undone.'''' Though he said nothing more, he was thrown into the most intense agony of spirit, which continued until the Friday following, when he carried his wife to pass the night with a friend whose residence was four or five miles distant from his own. Being alone that niglit, he resolved that he would read the Bible, and endeavoured to settle the question intelligently whether his condi- tion as a sinner was really such as the pamphlet to which he had listened had led him to apprehend. The following is his own account of the exercises of his mind at this period, given by a friend to whom he communicated it : — " I performed my necessary labour as soon as possible, and then sat down with luy Bible. I read the Epistle to the Romans — it all condemned me. It was plain that I was a sinner, utterly condemned before God, and must be lost. I felt as sure of this as if iny sentence had actually been pronounced in my bearing Sometimes the thought would enter my mind that God had mercy on sinners — IJo had mercy on Saul of Tarsus — lie may have mercy on me. But no, I am more vile than any other sinner. Saul had not the light that I have — he did what he thought was right — I have done what I knew was wrong. " I fiunliy thought that T would fall down and once more bemoan my condition before God." I could not think of ■praying, but I resolved to utter my lamentations for the last time, and then never attempt to address God again. I had many tiuus tried to pray, and had always done so standing, — except that I had sometimes i)rostratod myself on my face; but now I fell upon my knees and bemoaned my lost state. My mind was occupied upon myself. My own case was the engrossing consideration. After a time I lost sight of myself, and was wiiolly absorbed in contemplating thi! glory of God. Such glory and excellency as I beheld I had never conceived of. The room seemed filled with the manifestation of God's glory. The law of God then appeared to me exceedingly beautiful and excellent After rising from iny knees, and being, for some time, rapt in these contemplations, my mind reverted to my own state. And can I ever be permitted to behold this glory; or must I be banished from the presence of God, and be left to continue his enemy ?— was my inwanl inquiry. Again I took up my Bible, and read over tlic same portions I had been reading in the early part of the evening; but J^did not find the same things that I had then discovered; and I read on with all haste in order to find what had before made such an impres- sion upon me. I came to the expression, — ' Love is the fulfilling of the law.' Here I paused — I had read this portion of Scripture many times before, but I never before saw this expression — What does this mean ? I i)ondered. Can this mean that love to the law is the fulfilling of the law ? I see not but it does. And why should not the law be love I ? What more worthy of love ? And do I not love this law ? Here some faint idea entered my mind that I'must have i)assed the change called regeneration; but it was not distinct enough for me to fasten ui)on. " I retired to my bed, but soon such discoveries were made to mo of the glory of God that I could not rest. I felt as if surrounded with bis visible presence and glory. I arose, rekindled the fire, and lighted a candle; and, filled with these overwhelming EZRA. BUTLER. 413 views, I sjient most of tlic night. Towards iiiorniiig T slept a short time; but at the dawn of day I arose full of tlio same thoughts and feelings. " Before night I brougiit my wife iiome, and, hastening to finish my usual labours, 1 sat down in tlie evening, and began to talk to her of the glory of God, as being every where visible, and exceeding every thing else. I talked on till, alter some time, she said she could sec notiiiiig of this. In my a.stonishmeiit I exclaimed. — ' Why you are as blind as the cliimney-ljack !' But it occurred to mo instantly that, a few days ago, I was equally blind. '' That eviniinga Baptist minister, by the name of Call,* who resided at Woodstock, and \vhom 1 had formerly seen, being on a journey, called to spend the night with me. I never wa.s so glad to see any man, before nor since. My lirst salutation expressed the state of my mind, lie preached in the house of one of the inhabitants the next day, which was Sunday; and, after he had closed, I got up, and, with tears and sobs, tried to tell my neighbours how things ap[)eared to me. They were struck with won- der. Every mouth was open, and all hands upraised in astonishment. After the Sabbath was passed, I was again left without any human being near, who could coun- sel me, or even enter into my feelings. "'As yet 'I observed, ' you seem, Sir, not to have had a manifestation of Jesus Christ as a Saviour — how and when did this take i)lace V " True," he replied, ■' I had not; but during Monday morning I was greatly dis- tressed to know what Cod would do with me. And now I think I exercised submis- sion as I scarcely have at any other time. My anxiety was extreme to be permitted to enjoy the presence of God, and behold his glory — still I felt that lie would do right, and I could acquiesce in his disposal of me. In an agony of feeling, I was walking to a neighbour's, and, while on my way, Jesus Christ was set before me as the Saviour of sinners. This was my first apprehension of the way of salvation. The Gospel plan was unfolded to my view, and I went on my way rejoicing in the application of the atonement to my soul, my views of the glory of God more enrapturing than ever. The views I then had of Christ as my Saviour I did not lose for many years, nor should I do right to say I have ever lost them. On arriving at my neighbour's, in a flood of tears 1 tried to tell him my feelings, but they were entirely beyond his compre- hension." As there was no church within forty miles of Mr. Bi^tlcr's residence, he had no opportunity, for some time, of making a public profession of religion. Besides, his views were not at once settled in respect to Bap- tism ; though the result of his reading and reflection on the subject was that he was brought into full sympathy with the Baptists. The next win- ter, about one year from the time of his former visit, Mr. Call again passed through Waterbury, and stopped long enough to preach a sermon and baptize Mr. Butler. During the service preparatory to the Baptism, his mind became greatly clouded, and he was led to fear that all hi.s pre- vious experiences had been delusion ; but before the ordinance was actually administered, the cloud par-sed away, and he went down into the water full of peace and joy. After this, Mr. Butler was ready to avail himself of every opportunity, whether in public or private, to help forward the cause of his Master. About the beginning of the year 1800, he was called to the ministry by the church in Bolton, of wliich he had been a member several years. As the population in the surrounding country increased, new churches were established ; and when a Baptist church was organized in "Waterbury, towards the close of the year 1800, he was chosen and ordained as its Pastor, — an office which he continued to hold thirty-two or three years. Mr. Butler united, at different periods, various civil offices with that of a minister of the Gospel — indeed he had held sonje of these several years previous to his ordination. After tlie organization of the town in 1790, he was the first Town Clerk ; and was not long after appointed Justice of • Eldeu Call was an itinerant preacher or evangelist, who, though his family resided at Woodstock, travelled extensively in Vermont, and it is believed in other New England States also, in the exercise of his ministrj-. 414 BAPTIST. the Peace ; and, about 1797 or '98, was chosen Representative to the General Assembly, and was subsequently several times re-elected. In 1806, he was elected one of the Council of Censors, and about the same time, — perhaps a year or two earlier, — was appointed a Judge of the County Court, — his residence then being in Chittenden Count}^, and the sessions held at Burlington. After the organization of Washington County, — his residence being within its limits, — he was appointed Chief Justice for Washington, as he had previously been for Chittenden, and was reappointed every year, with one or two exceptions, until 1825. He was. for many years previous to this date, elected by the State a member of the Legislative Council. He was a member of Congress two years, — from 1813 to 1815 ; and was Governor of the State of Vermont for an equal period, — from 182G to 1828. His administration as Governor was distin- guished chiefly by a vigorous and successful effort for the suppression of Lotteries, and by some essential improvements in the system of Common School education. The last public act he performed, was to ofSciate as Elector of President of the United States, in 1836 ; having been appointed by the other Electors to supply the place of an absent member of the Elec- toral College. An extensive revival of religion occurred in Waterbury, during the time that he held the office of Governor, which resulted in considerable addi- tions to the several churches, and in which his own family had a liberal share. Notwithstanding the cares and burdens incident to the high civil station which he held, he sympathized deeply in the religious movement, always cherishing an intense interest in the progress of Christ's Kingdom, and never losing sight of the fact that his highest office was that of a minister of Christ. Governor Butler, during a considerable part of his life, was the subject of much bodily infirmity and suffering. For several years previous to liis death, his decline was very perceptible, and he was able to-go little from home. For four days immediately preceding that event, he had been con- fined to his room ; and for the last day or two was evidently aware that he was approaching his end ; but his extreme weakness, accompanied with a degree of drowsiness, rendered him incapable of much conversation. Every thing, however, indicated perfect composure of spirit ; and these signs were confirmed into certainty by the higher testimony of a long cO'urse of Christian activity and devotion. He died on the morning of July 12, 1838, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Mrs. Butler, who had long lived an exemplary Christian life, died on the 9th of March, 1843, in her seventy-sixth year. They had eleven children, three of whom died very young ; the eldest daughter died in 1821, aged thirty-three ; and the remaining seven, — three sons and four daughters still (1859) survive, scattered in four different States, and occu- pying different positions of respectability and usefulness. When the Rev. Dr. Cox and the llev. Mr. Hoby, two distinguished Baptist ministers in England, came to this country, a few years since, as a deputation to the American Baptist Churches, the latter called on Gov- ernor Butler ; and in the joint Report of their Travels, which they subse- quently published, Mr. Holiy thus refers to the interview : — EZRA BUTLER. 415 " At WatcM-buvy, I paid a visit to Governor Butler, who, you remember, tliongh a Pastor in our (UMioiiiination, had once the lionour of being Governor of ttie State of Vermont. His eye is not so dimmed witli age, but tliat you may clearly discern it was once expressive of tlie intelligence and energy equal to the respoiisibilitif.s of such an oflice, however umlesirabie it may be to blend it witii ])astoral engagements. For- ever lot his name l)e iionoured among those who steadfastly (lc!termin"d, and laboured with untiling zeal, to disencumber the State of the burden of a religious establish- ment, and religion of the manifold evils of State patronage. As he walked towards the town, he told me that, tifty years ago, he cleared tiie lirst spot in this cultivated district, which was then all wilderness — now his children's children are growing up around him, to inherit the land and the liberties they owe so literally to their fathers." FROM TIIE REV. ALVAII SABIN. Georgia Plain, Vt., October 24, 1857. Dear Sir: The first time that I ever saw the Rev. Ezra Butler was at an Ecclesiastical Council convened at Morristown, Vt., about the jear 1818. He was then, and, as he informed me, had been for some time, in very infirm health, his disease being an inveterate asthma. I well recollect my surprise 'at seeing him so far from home, when he was manifestly in so feeble a state. Some one asked him if he attempted to labour at all; and his answer was, — '< Yes — not that my labours amount to anj^ thing; but if I did not tire myself, I could not rest." He was of about the ordinary stature, but his shoulders were bowed, and his gait slow, and almost tottering. His complexion was dark; his hair black; his forehead prominent; his eyes deeply sunken, but black and piercing; and when engaged in debate, he would raise them and fix them on an opponent in a way that could not fail to convince him that he had a clear headed man to deal with. I noticed that he was evidently fond of debate, though he always treated his opponent with profound respect. My next opportunity for gaining a personal knowledge of him was in Octo- ber, 1820; — the year he was appointed Governor of the State of Vermont, and the Rev. Aaron Leiand, another Baptist minister, was Lieutenant Governor. I was myself that year a Representative in the Legislature from my native town; and it so happened that, during my stay in Montpelier, I boarded in the same hou.se with these two venerable men, and became quite intimate with Governor Butler. "When he had got his annual speech printed, as was cus- tomary, before it was delivered, he asked me to go with him to his room; and, putting his speech into my hands, — < Now," said he, " do you sit down, and read that speech to me, and let me see how it appears." I did so; and when I had finished reading it, he simply remarked, — " Well, 1 am sure that little thing cost me more than it is worth." During the session, the members had a general caucus for the purpose of nominating a candidate for Governor the succeeding year; and some of his opponents advised his particular friends to suggest to him that he had better take himself out of the way, as he would thereby save him.self the mortification of a defeat. After the meeting, he inquired what was done: and I stated, among other things, what some of the would be leaders in the political affairs of the State had graciously volunteered to advise in respect to himself. His reply was illustrative of his prodigious energy of will, and fearlessness of all opposing influences — " If ever}'^ man in that hou.se were opposed to my next election," said he, " I would have it, though it should cost me every cent I am worth on earth." Butler and Leiand were often engaged in animated conversation: the former Avas lean and cool blooded; the latter was portly and corpulent. As they would walk the room together, talking earnestly, Leiand would raise the latch, and jerk the door wide open; and, after a turn or two, Butler would walk softly and close the door: after a turn or two more, Leiand would again go through the same pro- cess of raising the latch and flirting the door open; and Butler wouid soon 416 BAPTIST. proceed to close it; and thus they would alternately open and close the dcor half a dozen times in one conversation, — neither observing what the other had done, but each indicating the temperature of his own blood. The next year I was sent for to spend a week with the church in Waterbury. It was a time of some revival, and the Governor took a deep interest in the work. I shall not soon forget the tears of affection and joy that he shed on witnessing the Baptism of, I think, live of his children, and two or three of his grand-children, at the close of the week I was there. At the early period when Governor Butler commenced his ministry, there were but few churches, and those were very poor and small; and no inconsid- erable portion of the Baptists had scruples as to paying their preachers any thing for their services. Governor Butler told me that he Vv'ould give me his whole history in connection with the matter of salary, in two anecdotes. They were the following : — At one time, a certain brother N , voluntarily, and from his own convic- tion of duty, brought him two bushels of wheat, which, of course, he did not hesitate to receive. The next year, the crops of the farmers being somewhat stinted, and Brother N 's among the rest, he concluded, in order to help out the deficiency, to go and demand of his minister the wheat which he had gi'neroasly given him the year before. He, accordingly, did go, and made the demand in person; alleging that, as the season was, Mr. Butler could better afford to return it than he could to do without it. Mr. B. remonstrated against the injustice, to say nothing of the indelicacy, of the demand; but his parishioner could neither be convinced nor shamed, and even shadowed forth a threat that if the wheat was not returned, he would bring the matter to the notice and adjudication of the church. Mr. B., for the sake of peace, finally yielded to the strange and unrighteous exaction, and the man Avent off with the same quantity of wheat which he had brought the year before. The other case was this — A parishioner called on him to attend a Funeral at his house; and^ after the service was over, and the Governor was about leaving for home, the man put into his hands one silver dollar; " and that," said he, " is the sum of all I ever received for preaching, though, for a great manj" years, I preached regularly to this church, and answered the calls that were made upon me far and near." I regret that my acquaintance with Governor Butler does not enable me to go into the minute details of his character; but perhaps what I have written may give you some idea of its more prominent features. With great respect, I am your obedient servant, ALVAH SABIN. JEREMIAH VARDE5IAN. ^\*J JEREMIAH VARDEMAN. 1800—1842. FROM THE REV. JOHN MASON PECK, D. D. Rock Spring, 111., August 17, 1854. Rev. and dear Brother: I will state briefly my opportunities of knowing the Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman, of whose life and cdiaraeter you ask me to furnish you some account. My personal acquaintance with bira commenced in 1817, when I was journeying with my family from New England to Missouri, as a Missionary. My colleague, the Rev. James E. Welch, who had preceded me, was at his father's residence in the settlement of David's Fork, where I spent between two and three weeks, and heard Mr. Varde- man preach, and learned something of his character, habits, and influence among the people of his charge. I renewed my acquaintance with him, and heard him again, under most favourable circumstances, at Edwards- ville. 111., in October, 1830. He was then moving from Kentucky to Mis- souri, with a family of about twenty-five persons, — old and young, and travelling in Western frontier style, independent of taverns or hotels, and encamping out at night in the forest, or on the borders of the prairies. It was only at the urgent solicitation of his friends that he could be induced, under these circumstances, to attempt to preach. His discourse, entirely extempore, was both instructive and impressive, and rarely have I seen so attentive a congregation. I was with him for several weeks in 1834, during which we preached alternately through several counties in the inte- rior of Missouri. Again in 1836, I lay sick in his house several days, shared and fe/t his kindness and hospitality, and witnessed the order and afi"ection in his household, and (he strong attachment of his servants, who revered and loved him as a father. The last visit I made to him was in 1838, when he was still active and successful in the ministry. Jeremiah Vardeman was the youngest of twelve children, and was descended from Swedish ancestors by his father, and from Welsh by his mother. Traits of character peculiar to each nation were conspicuous in him. He was born on the waters of New River, in what is now Wythe County, Va., on the 8th of July, 1775. Both his father and paternal grandfather were natives of Sweden. The latter, John Vardeman, Senior, migrated to America with his family in the early part of the eighteenth century, and joined the Protestant Episcopal Church in his adopted country, and was esteemed for his piety and moral worth. As reported by his descendants, be died at the extraordinary age of one hundred and twenty-five years. His son, John Vardeman, Jr., was only seven years of age when he left his native country, but recollected many incidents that occurred in Swe- den. While living in South Carolina, he married Elizabeth Morgan, who was a native of Wales, and soon after removed to Virginia, and settled in Bedford County, on the Eastern slope of the Blue Ridge, not far from (he celebrated Peaks of Otter. Here they professed religion, and united with Vol. VT. 53 418 BAPTIST. the Baptists, at a period of violent persecution in the Old Dominion, and ever after maintained an exemplary Christian profession to extreme old age. About 1767, John Vardeman, Jr. removed his young family to the set- tlement on New River, where Jeremiah was born. Two years after, the father pushed still farther into the Southwestern corner of Virginia. It was then a time of trouble with the Southern and Western Indians, and Mr. Vardeman and his neighbours made a fort at Shadrach White's resi- dence, for their protection, in which the families lived. The men were engaged in scouting parties, and were obliged to be armed and to stand guard, while clearing and cultivating their fields. In the autumn of 1779, Mr. Vardeman and family, with a company of emigrants, removed to the wilds of Kentuck}', and settled near Crab Orchard in Lincoln County. Both the father and the sons were compelled to perform their part in the border wars for the defence of the families in Kentucky. The father was too far advanced in life to go on campaigns, as he had done in former years, but he could stand guard at the fort, and hunt game in the woods. His four eldest sons were frequently engaged in defence of the settlements and in scouting parties. The father ultimately removed to Missouri, and died there about 1827, aged a hundred and nine years. Jeremiah, who was the youngest of his father's five sons, was old enough to take some part in the Indian wars before their close by Wayne's victory in 1794, and he actually served more than once as a scout. Reared from early childhood in the wilderness of Kentucky, and during troublous times, his opportunities for education were limited indeed. And the very little he obtained was more from his own personal efforts at home, and from assistance derived from the fumilj', than from tlie advantages of a school. His acquisitions did not reach beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. W^hen he attained to manhood, and especially after he commenced speaking in public, he read just enough for profitable meditation. He acquired the habit of exercising deep and intense thought, while riding, walking, or labouring on a farm. His pious parents instructed their children in the Holy Scriptures, and daily offered up prayers for their salvation. It was in the year 1792, when Jeremiah Vardeman was seventeen years of age, that a revival of religion commenced in the Baptist Church of Cedar Creek, in Lincoln County. The ministers who were co-labourers, and itinerated througli that part of Kentucky, were John Bailey, Lewis Craig, William Marshall, Peyton Nowlin, and William Bledsoe. The meetings were not continuous or protracted, as in modern tin)es. The regular periods for preaching in each settlement were monthly, when, on ordinary occasions, the-iiieetings would be held on Saturday and Sabbath ; in seasons of special revival, more frequently, with two or three social prayer meetings during each week, and occasional sermons on week days by some visiting preacher. During this revival, Jeremiah Vardeman, and liis two brothers, Amaziah and Morgan, with many otlier persons in Lincoln County, professed to be converted, were baptized, and united willi tin- Cedar Creek Church. Elder William Marshall had gathered this chiircli, but, at the time of the revival, William Bledsoe was Pastor or monthly JEREMIAH VAKDEMAN. 419 supply. Sulisoqucntly, Jolui Bailry, :i loading proac-licr in llii.s di.-triet became a Universal Restoratiunist, and was deposed from the ministry among the Baptists. Bledsoe also apostatized, first to Universalism, and then to religious indifference, and to a reckless course of conduct. ]Mr. Yarden)an always protested that the preaching of these men had no effect in brinjxinfir him to serious reflection. He was under conviction of his sins for two or three months, during which the instruction and prayers of his father and mother, and his own reading of the Scriptures, made a powerful impression upon his mind. As soon as he indulged the hope that he was reconciled to God, he felt a strong conviction that it was his duty to call sinners to repentance, and to engage at once in preaching the Gospel. But the ordinary objections rose in his mind, — his youth, his inexperience, his deficiency in knowledge, and the fear that he should dishonour the cause if he should make the attempt. And these objections so far prevailed with him that he came pretty much to abandon the idea. He remained in the church, maintained secret prayer, and paid due respect to his Christian obligations for about two years. He was a mere novice, and no one thought of calling on him to pray or to speak in public. Some of his associates, of about his own age, made frequent attempts to draw him into circles of frivolity and wurldliness: they repeated to him the words of Scripture, without regard to their connection and meaning, — " There is a time to dance;" which, of course, as they applied it, meant the period of youth. Young Vardeman's natural temperament induced in him a high relish for social pleasures and hilarity, and, by the urgent solicitations of his ungodly friends, he was drawn first partially, and then wholly, within the circle of their influence. The next downward step was in yielding to their entreaties, much against his own conscience, to attend, as a mere spectator, a dancing school that had. been started in the settle- ment of Crab Orchard. He thought within himself that it should be only for a single time, and after that he would resume his former watchfulness and spirituality. Some very respectable persons were there ; and they treated the young professor with marked attention. Amidst the whirl of excitement and gaiety, and against the convictions of his own conscience, he was finally persuaded to sign his name to the list of those who were to constitute the school. Forty years after this false step was taken, I heard him narrate with pungent feelings of regret and abhorrence this error of his youth. He told me that, while putting his name to the subscription list, he ftdt like a criminal signing liis own death warrant ; but, by a desperate effort, he braved it out, and went through a regular course of les-^ons in dancing. Up to this time he had never attended a dancing school, or a country frolic. Educated, as he had been, under the constant supervision of religious parent*, and habituated to the universally prevailing sentiment at that period that dancing and all kindred amusements were inconsistent with a Christian profession, it is not strange that he should regard his conduct as a forfeiture of Christian fellowship among his brethren, and suffer exclusion from the Church. His parents and two brothers were members of the same church, and were grievously afflicted by the conduct of Jere- 420 BAPTIST. miali, who left the church without explanation or apology. He regarded himself as unworthy of the Christian name, and offered no apology for his folly and sin. Possessing, 'as he did, unusual energy of character, he engaged with his whole soul in whatever he undertook. He even tried to persuade his brother Morgan to look on and see how well he could dance. This brother, who maintained steadfastly his Christian profession to old age, gave to a friend of mine a statement of the waywardness of his erring brother, and remarked, with deep feeling, that he would rather have followed him to the grave, and seen him buried as a Christian, than to have seen him in a dancing school. While learning to dance, he became enamoured with the niusic of the violin, and purchased one. He had an ear and taste for music, and in a few weeks became a successful performer. For about three years, he spent much of his time in plaj'ing on that instrument, greatly to the grief of his parents and brothers. During this period of worldiness and hilarity, he became attached to a young lady, — Elizabeth, daughter of Richard James, Esq. Her parents were both devout members of Cedar Creek Church, and regarded young Vardemau as a vain, light-minded fellow, who wasted his time in dancing and playing on the fiddle ; and they were opposed to the match. The result was ^a very common one in frontier settlements) an elopement to Pulaski County, and marriage. His young wife, though religiously trained, had made no profession of religion, and inclined to the ways of her husband. Her excellent parents, though sorely grieved, had the good sense to perceive that further oppo- sition was useless, forgave the delinquents, and within a few months followed the young couple to Pulaski County, and settled on Cumbeidand River. There Vardeman became the leader of the young people in every species of mirth and amusement — none could sing and play the violin so enchantingly, — none so jovial and frolicksome, as Jeremiah Vardeman ; and his young wife, much to the grief of her parents, shared in all his gaiety. Thus passed nearly three years of his life. He was not, in the ordinary acceptation of the word, immoral ; but, on the contrary, he abstained from profane language, was temperate, kind-hearted, generous, and honourable in his dealings with his fellow-men. But his duty to God was wholly neglected, and he lived after the course of this world. Yet he was far from being a happy man. He had his seasons of deep depress- ion and bitter remorse, which always, sooner or later, overtake the gross backslider. Conviction of his sin and folly often drove him back to sinful pleasures for temporary relief. His religious friends, with a single excep- tion, gave him up, under the impression that he was, humanly speaking, irreclaimable. That exception was his pious mother. She clung to him with a mother's love, strengthened by faith in the Divine promises, and in the power and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a woman of persevering prayer ; and the more thoughtless and worldly he became, the more fervently she prayed. It seemed to others presumptuous, when she would say, — "I know Jerry will be reclaimed. God is faithful, and I feel assured He is a prayer-hearing God." JEREMIAH YARDEMAN. 421 There was a plain, unlotteretl Baptist preacher in Pulaski County, by the name of Thomas Hansford, — a man of fervent zeal and devout niau- ncrs, who was very successful in liis labours, especially in awakening the consciences of his hearers. This man had made a profession of religion about the same time with Vardeman, and soon after commenced preaching the Gospel. Vardeman had much confidence in the sincerity and zeal of Hansford, and was not so hardened but that he v.'Ould attend meetings with his wife. A revival was in progress under his ministrations. It was the beginning of the series of extraordinary religious excitements, that commenced simultaneously, and at various and quite distant places in Kentucky, and other States, at the close of the last, and the beginning of the present, century, and called the great revival. On a certain Sabbath in 1799, Mr. Hansford had an appointment in a private house, (for seldom had a church there a house of worship,) about six miles from Mr. Vardeman's residence. It was no great feat, at that time, for a young, athletic man and his wife to ride or even walk that dis- tance through the forest to hear the Gospel preaclied. -Mr. Hansford was led to preach from II. Peter, ii. 22. " But it has happened unto them, accord- ing to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." The preacher expounded the preceding verses, and applied the text in a most pungent and feeling manner to the consciences of those who had professed religion, and had apostatized. Vardeman was present in one room, and his wife in another. He was convinced suddenly and powerfully of the sin of backsliding ; she was made conscious of her sin and guilt ; while neither knew until afterwards that the other was affected. In relating this to me, in the year 1834, he remarked, while the big tears rolled down his cheeks, — "If Brother Hansford had poured coals of fire over my naked body, they would not have burned me worse than that sermon did." Both went home from the meeting under pungent distress. Vardeman could not labour, had no appetite, end spent most of his time for two or three days in the woods, — sometimes on his knees, and then prostrate on the ground, confessing and deploring his sins, and pleading with God for mercy. He compared him- self to Jonah, who fled from his duty to Tarshish, and was cast overboard in the storm. The impressions he had received in regard to preaching the Gospel, when he first made a profession of religion, now rolled on his conscience with crushing force. He felt great distress for turning back from his Christian profession ; but he was constrained to refer this sad delinquency to his refusal to follow Christ in preaching the Gospel. His feelings on the subject became more and more intense, until he at length said, both in his heart and with his lips, — " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ? I will do anything the Lord requires, though it be at the sacrifice of my life." As he was reading and meditating on Malachi, IV. 2, — "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings ; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall," — he found some relief, and solemnly vowed to the Lord that he would break off from his sinful course, and devote himself to the preaching of the Gospel. 422 BAPTIST. A prayer meeting Lad been appointed in the neiglibourliood, at night, the same week; and the change in Mr. Vardeman and his wife had become known, and a rumour had gone forth that he would preach. Of this, how- ever, he knew nothing, but went to the meeting, with his wife, in liis working dress. It being in the midst of summer, he was clad, like other labouring men, in a shirt and pants, and was bare-footed. This was all well enough ; fur plain, frontier people never think of putting on finery to attend a neighbourhood meeting on a week day. There was no preacher present, but the general interest that was felt in religion, and the rumour that Vardeman was to preach, had brought out the men, women, and children for several miles around. Some of the church members conducted the social meetings without much formality. They sang hymns, prayed and talked, as they were inclined, or as impres- sions moved them. Towards the close, one of Vardeman's neighbours, who knew the eifect of the sermon and his struggle during the week, invi- ted him to speak. He arose to explain the mistake, and fell into a strain of passionate exhortation. In narrating the circumstance, he told me that he never could remember what he said, how long he spoke, or whether he said any thing. All that he recollected was that the people were weeping and sobbing around him. The weather was hot, the room crowded, and the preternatural excitement and effort in speaking caused him to perspire profusely, until his light, thin garments were drenched. The next Sal)])ath he was at meeting again, where a crowd of people had gathered. He was expected to speak, but waited for older persons to take the lead; after which, with deep emotion and the tears gushing from his eyes, he gave an exhortation, mingled with confessions of his own back- slidings, and entreated his young associates to forsake the sinful amuse- ments into which he had led them, and follow Christ. To his great surprise, young and old pressed forward to offer him their hands, and with audible voices exclaimed, — " Oh, Mr. Vardeman, pray for me ; " and one said, — " Do pray for me, Mr. Vardeman, for I'm a heap bigger sinneV than j-ou ever was." Probably there were twenty or more standing around him, or urging their way throufjli the crowd, and in various phraseology confessing their sins and begging him to pray for them. As Mr. Vardeman had never attempted to pray in public, this call took him wholly by surprise ; but there was no time for reflection — he thought of his vow to the Lord when he obtained relief, and without hesitation fell on his knees, and with the crowded assembly around him dissolved in tears, and pleading for mercy, he attempted for the first time to pray in public ; what he said, or whether there was any coherency in his language or thought, he was unable to recollect. ^ These social meetings M'cre continued on each successive Sabbath, and two or three times during the week, with similar effects ; though, l)efore they closed, he gave an invitation to all who felt conscious of their sinful- ness and need of the power and grace of Christ, and who desired the prayers of God's people, to come forward and give him their hands, and he would offer special prayer to God in their behalf. This practice became very common, especially in seasons of revival, with most religious denomi- nations through this Valley. Large meetings were frequently held in the JEREMIAH VARDEMAN. 423 open air, uiKler tlio uinbragcons forest, or in sehool-lioiises, dwelling-houses, or other shelters in bad wcatlier. I liave not been a1)le to trace the prac- tice beyond tlio social meeting described, of the people spontaneously moving forward and entreating the speaker to pray for them. Connected as it was witli his first effort to exhort sinners to forsake their sins and flee to Christ, he always observed the practice, when he saw those signs of seriousness and anxiety which he was so (^uick to disceru. He was opposed to all artifice and all preternatural excitements and contri- vances to work on the passions of the people, and cautiously guarded his eonirregations from mistaking willingness on their part to have the prayers of Christians, for submission to the terms of the Gospel. It was not many days before his former associates in worldly pleasure gave evidence of a saving conversion to Christ ; his own wife being one of the first. News of the revival, and of the change in the course of Mr. Vardenian, and of his preaching, as the people called it, reached Lincoln County ; and his parents, brothers and friends urged him to visit them. His father and brothers were fearful that he would make a failure ia attempting to speak in their presence. But he disappointed their fears, speaking with great freedom, and wanting neither words nor thoughts. The church of which he had been a member restored him to fellowship, and gave him a license in the old Baptist form ; a certificate, merely stat- ing he had " a gift " of usefulness, and had liberty to use it, wherever Providence opened the door. He now gave out appointments, and preached several times in quick succession. All classes came out to hear him, and in a short time more than twenty of his former associates in Lincoln County, and members of the dancing school that had led him astray, became the humble and obedient disciples of Christ. It would exceed the limits of this communication to give any thing like a complete narrative of Mr. Yardeman's ministerial labours and eventful life. At the time he commenced public speaking, he laboured on a rented farm to support his family, and had no expectation of or desire for the public career to which he was destined. He was poor in this world's goods, and expected to remain so, but resolutely determined to cast himself on Divine Providence, perform the necessary labour required for a subsist- ence, and devote all the time he could to preaching the Gospel. He was ordained about 1801, and soon found himself called to the Pastorate, or rather monthly supply, of four churches. Providence favoured him, and his l)rethren whom he served aided him, and in a few years he was ena1)led to devote himself to the Gospel ministry in a sphere of great usefulness. He met with annoyances from some of the parties or divisions that then existed among the Baptists in Kentucky ; but he used pleasantly to say in reference to their altercations, — " I cannot come down from the walls to engage on the plains of Ono." He purchased a small farm in Lincoln County, on which he resided, while his labours extended into several counties abroad. Early in 1810, he was called to the monthly Pastorate of David's Fork Church, in Fayette County, ten miles East of Lexington, where he resided until his removal to Missouri in 1830. At the same period, and for several years after, he attended monthly the churches of Lulbegrud and Grassy Lick in Mont- 424 BAPTIST. gomery County, where, in three successive years, he admiuisteretl Baptism to more than two hundred and fifty professed converts. The Church in Bryant's Station, but a few miles from his residence, claimed his services one fourth of the time for nineteen years, during which period more than three hundred were baptized in that church. His labours were not con- fined to these localities. The churches he regularly supplied, though very strongly attached to him, obtained temporary supplies and released him for weeks and even for months at a time, to labour in distant and more desti- tute places. He usually attended several Associations annually, which always included a Sabbath each, on which he was uniformly chosen one of the preachers. As early as 1804, we have the account of a tour for preaching he made to Lexington, Lewistown, (now Maysville,) and other places. In 1816, we find him in the city of Lexington, holding a series of meetings, and the Church at Bryant's Station holding a church meeting to examine converts. Next year, the First Baptist Church in Lexington appears on the Minutes of the Elkhorn Association with thirty-eight members. In the winter of 1815-16, Mr. Yardeman made his first visit to Bards- town, in Nelson County, then the seat of Roman Catholic influence. I have had the particulars of this and subsequent visits to Bardstown, and vicinity, and the effects of his preaching there, from the late Col. Samuel McKay. The Catholic Priest, who resided there, was unwise enough to enter the lists against him, and lost several of his congregation. Varde- man disrelished controversy, but in bringing the whole armament of Gos- pel truth to bear with tremendous effect on error, no man that I ever knew was his superior. He visited that part of Kentucky three times, and with his accustomed success ia winning souls to Christ. The same year, 1816, he commenced a series of meetings in Louisville. The Hon. Judge Rowan, then at the head of the Kentucky Bar, but not a church member, was a warm personal friend of Mr. Vardeman, and regarded him as one of the greatest pulpit orators he had heard. There were but few professors of religion in Louisville, and but one house of worship, aud that owned and occupied by the Methodists. This was obtained, and the influence of Mr. Rowan brought out a large congregation, and a class of persons not accustomed, on ordinary occasions, to attend worship. Col. McKay, who was present, says, (1842,) "His fame as a preacher brought out immense congregations, for several successive days, to whom he preached with great effect ; and to these meetings the city of Louisville is indebted, in a great measure, for its flourishing churches. . . . Imme- diately a large Presbyterian church arose, then the First Baptist Church, — and so on." In 1818, the churches hel-egularly served released him for eight months, and provided, in each case, a substitute. His first wife had died suddenly, and he became so depressed as to alarm his friends, who wisely thought that, if he could be enlisted in a series of revivals by itinerant labours, his despondency would pass away. During this period, he visited Bardstown again, and then made along tour into the Southern part of Kentucky, aud on the borders of Tennessee. The preceding year, he had laboured with other ministers in raising up a church called Providence, in Jessamine County, JEREMIAH YARDEMAN. 425 of seventy members. Another scries of meetings, in 1825, gave this church an addition of one hundred and twenty-five members. He raised up another cluiroli at Paris, the scat of Justice of Bourbon County ; and at various periods attended the Churches at Boone's Creek, Cane llun, and Silas. Early in the summer of 1820, Mr. Vardeman made a visit to Nashville, the capital of Tennessee. There were but three Baptists in the place, and they belonged to Mill Creek Church, four miles distant. At first, meet- ings were held in the Methodist Church, but soon removed to the Court House. He usually had one or two brethren to aid him in these protracted meetings. On this occasion, the meetings commenced with the aid uf the Rev. Isaac Hodgen, another very successful itinerant. Of Mr. Varde- man's labours here, which were continued through several weeks, I liave a very interesting sketch from the late Col. William Martin, who was present ; but have room only to add that his usual success attended him, that a Baptist Church was organized in that city, and by the 20th of September of that year, it numbered about a hundred and fifty members, and had commenced the erection of a large house of worship. It was in the winter of 1828 or 1829, that he was invited to hold a series of meetings in Cincinnati ; and here also a rich blessing attended his labours. More than one hundred persons professed to be converted. His family had become large, and his servants, for whose welfare he appeared as anxious as a good man should be, could do far better in a new country ; young ministers of promising talents and usefulness had been raised up ; and the denomination had made such advances that he thought his labours might be spared in Kentucky. Age was creeping over him, and young children, by a third marriage, were gathering around his board. Kentuckians, by many hundreds annually, for a dozen years, had been moving Westward. So he sold his farm, then much too small for his large family, made a farewell excursion through Kentucky and Tennessee, and in October had pitched his habitation on the borders of a beautiful prairie in Ball's County, Mo. Here, in a short time, he had comfortable houses for his own family and dependants, and more than two hundred acres of rich land under cultivation. Nor was he neglectful of the moral wilder- ness around him. His labours in the ministry were abundant, and gratu- itously bestowed. Several churches grew up under his immediate efforts, one of which was in Palmyra, the County seat of Marion County. For some years he had been growing corpulent, and his accustomed weight was three hundred pounds ; yet his muscular frame was well pro- portioned, and his personal appearance graceful and commanding. His voice was powerful, sonorous and clear, his enunciation distinct, and he could be heard in the open air to a great distance. He took an active part in bringing the Baptist denomination in Missouri into harmonious co-ope- ration in benevolent efforts. In August, 1834, he presided in a Conven- tion to organize a system of Domestic Missions in that State, at which time I spent several weeks in his company and assisted him in his labours. Still the infirmities of age were creeping over him, and his giant frame and vigorous constitution showed signs of decay. Yet he allowed no relaxation in his ministerial labours. Nearly two years before his death, Vol. VI. 54 426 BAPTIST. lie became unable to stand wbile preaching, but sat in an arm-chair, while he addressed the people with deep pathos. Only two weeks before his departure, in company with another minister, he visited Elk Lick, a Sulphur watering place, in the hope of deriving benefit from the water. The (wo ministers commenced preaching to the people, and, before they left, baptized several persons and constituted a church, — a thing which they had not contemplated. Notwithstanding his enfeebled condition, Mr. Yarde- man baptized five, — the last service of that kind he ever performed. He had then baptized a greater number than any Baptist minister in the United States — the exact number cannot be ascertained ; but it probably exceeded eight thousand. On the Lord's day before his death, he attended the service conducted by another preacher in the church in his immediate neighbourhood. He was free from pain ; his appetite was good ; and his mind clear and calm. After the first sermon, he spoke with his usual impressiveness half an hour from Hebrews ii. 3. " How shall we escape if we neglect so great salva- tion ?" The following week he grew worse ; though neither himself nor his family apprehended his speedy dissolution. But, on Saturday morning, the '28th of May, 1842, he called his family around him, gave them some directions, bade them farewell, and sunk in death, like a child falling asleep, — all within fifteen minutes, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. In regard to Mr. Vardeman's character, doctrine, and manner of preach- ing, I borrow the following paragraphs from a sketch written by my friend, the Rev. James E. Welch, now of Warren County, Mo., who was con- verted and baptized under Mr. Vardeman's ministry, and commenced preaching under his pastoral training, and is well known throughout the United States for his Agency of twenty years in the American Sunday School Union. He writes as follows : — " The R.ev. Jeremiah Vardeman was one of the most laborious preachers Kentucky ever had ; for, although he lived on a farm, he was at home not more than half his time ; but rode on horseback from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, from county to county, preaching almost every day and night. His manner of preaching was ready, and always without notes before him, and apparently extempore. His style was fervid, and his thoughts clear, yet simple and always directed to the heart rather than the mere intellect. His sermons were calculated to leave the impression upon an unprejudiced mind that he was more anxious to do good than to be thouglit a great preacher. And hence, if, at any time, he thought he could do more good, and awaken the conscience of the guilty sinner, he would break off from the regular discussion of his subject, and make a pathetic appeal to the ui4godly to flee from the wrath to come. As a gene- ral thing, his preaching was better calculated to arouse the thoughtless, than to confirm the souls of the disciples. He seemed to labour as though God had sent him specially to preach the Gospel to the poor; and hence, the depravity of our nature, the helpless condition of the sinner without the immediate agency of the Holy Spirit to convince him of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment ; the necessity of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ; the willingness of the exalted JEREMIAH YARDEMAX. 427 Redeemer to save the vile.st of the vile, who iiu reservedly cast themselves on his mercj, were the themes upou whicdi he delighted to dwell. *' During seasons of special revival, his custom was to direct about one third of his discourse, warm and pointed, to professors present, and tlien turn to the unconverted, and in a hortatory manner pour upon them, in awful strains, as from Sinai itself, the terrors of the Divine law ; and no minister I ever heard possessed equal power in exhortation. His manner was easy and popular, and no man could obtain larger congregations than he did, whether he preached in town or country. He wajs open, frank and sociable in his intercourse with men, both in and out of the church. He was unsuspicious, never harboured malice, and made not the least effort to control or govern others. When assailed himself amidst the party conflicts that prevailed in Kentucky, he seemed never to think, as most men do, of the most successful means of self-defence. On such occasions, his most intimate friends and brethren would advise him to keep quiet, and they would defend his character from assaults. He was not a man of war, — of controversy. Preaching the Gospel was his delight, and the employment best suited to his talents, and for which God specially designed him. In the pulpit he was at home. No man could preach longer, or louder, or with less apparent fatigue than he. He had a broad chest, a clear and sonorous voice, a free and expressive countenance. He was full of anima- tion, fond of company, and, in moments of relaxation, abounded in anec- dotes. These things made him one of the most agreeable companions, especially on a journey. "In doctrine he was moderately Calviuistic. His views of the doctrine of atonement corresponded with those of Andrew Fuller in his 'Gospel worthy of all acceptation.' He delighted to defend the essential Divinity of the Son of God; God's sovereignty and man's free agency and ac- countableness ; the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ upon the Cross, with all the other leading doctrines held by the denomination to which he belonged. " His success in the ministry of the Gospel was perhaps unequalled by that of any other man West of the Alleghany Mountains. This must be attributed, under God, to the sympathy of his own heart with the uncon- verted. 'Knowing the terrors of the Lord' himself, he felt deeply for poor sinners, already condemned. He threw his soul into his sermons, while lie would plead with and for them, as though he could take no denial. This earnestness of manner was calculated to convince the sinner that the preacher felt, and felt deeply, for him. When he perceived that his preach- ing had interested the feelings of the unconverted, he was in the habit of proposing to pray with them. All that he would do was to make them the offer, that if they came forward for prayer, they might regard it as a privi- lege. He never urged them forward, nor, as in modern times, did he go through the congregation, persuading persons to occupy the ' anxious seats,' and by such means induce those under the influence of excited feelings, to make a profession of religion, and thus introduce into the church those whose zeal prompts them to ' run well for a time,' but passes away 'like the morning cloud and early dew.' " 428 BAPTIST. Mr. Yardeman was married three times. The marriage aud d-eccasc of his first wife I have already noticed. She was the mother of ten children, — four sons and six daughters. His second son, Amlrosc Dudley, was born October 25, 1804, studied for the medical profession, joined the Church in his youth, and commenced the ministry of the Gospel, giving promise of extensive usefulness ; but was smitten with fever, while his father was absent on a preaching tour, and died, after a few days' illness, in the twenty-fifth year of his age. Another of his sons has been in the ministry fur some years, and is now Pastor of a Baptist Church in St. Charles Couuty. Mo. Mr. Vardeman married for his second wife Miss Elizabeth Bryant, in 1821, who died, leaving one daughter, near the close of 1822. His third wife was Miss Lucy Bullock, daughter of Thomas Bullock, Esq., of Woodford County, Ky., to whom he was married in 1823. She still survives, a pious widow; and has charge of his numerous dependents. She was the mother of four children. I have thus, my dear Sir, given you a pretty full outline of the life and character of one of the most prominent Baptist ministers by whose labours the Southwestern part of our country has been blessed. His name well deserves to be held in perpetual remembrance. I am, with sincere regard, Your friend and brother, J. M. PECK. JACOB WALKER. 1800—1846. FROM THE REV. TT. T. BRANTLT, D. D. Philadelphia, April 11, 1859. My dear Sir : I am glad that you have asked me to supply a brief memo- rial of the Rev. Jacob Walker, a coloured Baptist minister of Georgia, for the forthcoming volume of your Pulpit Annals. The occasion enables me to offer a slight tribute to one who stands as the representative of a very large class of labourers in the vineyard of our Lord, in the Southern States. If extensive learning, or commanding eloquence, or uncommon endoAvments of any kind were conditions precedent to a place in the record of honoured names which you are collecting, Mr. Walker could offer no claim to such distinction. But if sincere and unaffected piety, shining in the humblest walks of life,^^^if an intense devotion to the cause of Christ, and an influence over his brethren, which was at once most powerful and salutary, joined to remarkable success in winning souls, justify the intro- duction of a name upon your roll, the subject of this letter is entitled to this honour. My acquaintance with Mr. Walker commenced in 1840, when I became Pastor of the Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga. He was at that time the minister of what is known as the Springfield African Church in that city, JACOB WALKER. 429 eiubnicing a membership of about one thousand coloured persons. His appearance would have arrested attention in almost any company. He waa then seventy years of age ; but his frame was large, vigorous and erect, his countenance dignified and serious, and his whole mien such as to impress any one with the conviction that he was no common man. I very soon learned that he enjoyed the confidence of the entire community. Masters believed him to be a worthy Christian, and the servants who thronged his churcli listened to his instructions with the uti^ost attention and respect. He was licensed to preach in the year 1800 ; but it was not until about the year 1820 that he was ordained by the late Dr. Brantly, who was at that time a minister in the town. Though a native of Maryland, he became a resident of Augusta in 1798. By a long continued course of well doing, he had established a character for integrity and piety not inferior to that which is attained by our best men in the most conspicuous positions in society. I cannot say that there was any thing in Mr. Walker's natural endow- ments of mind, which was extraordinary. His education, too, was limited to the ability of reading the Scriptures and plain English books. This is about the extent of the education of most of the coloured ministers of the South. Some of them — I might say many of them — are able to write as well as read. Mr. Walker had ample opportunity for improving his intel- lect ; but he was contented to proceed with his work with the simple acqui- sition which I have mentioned. Though he was nominally a slave, his legal owners required no service of him for many years before his death. His whole time was devoted to the interests of his church ; and he was by them supported as comfortably as he desired. The Communion service occurred four times during the year, and on these occasions there was an under- standing that each men»ber should bring a quarter of a dollar for the sup- port of the Pastor. It was thought that there was no one in the church who could not, if disposed, contribute such an amount. I believe the full amount, per caputs was never realized, but they made very comfortable provision for his support. Tlie preaching of Mr. Walker was marked by no peculiar features. It was, like that of most coloured persons of piety, very largely experimental. He could speak of God's dealings with his own soul in such a way as to be interesting, encouraging, and instructive. These counsels, coming fresh and warm from his own heart, were always well received; and, tliough they did not embrace much variety of topic, the earnestness and sincerity with which they were presented relieved his preaching from what, under different circumstances, might have been an oppressive monotony. Tried by those rules of sermonizing, which the schools have prescribed, my friend's discourses would have been very obnoxious to criticism. There was rarely anything which couM be called method in the arrangement of his thoughts, whilst his phraseology was both redundant and defective. His inlorpreta- lions of Scripture, too, like those of most of his brethren, were often more fanciful than just ; and he had perhaps the common fault of that class in whom the imagination has been but little tutored, of spiritualizing facts and expressions of the Scriptures — and thus gathering from them a mean- ing which they were never intended to convey. But, with all these faults, 430 BAPTIST. his preacliing commanded attcution. His sympathies were easil}^ stirred. What he delivered was more the product of the heart than of tlie head ; and his words reached and quickened the emotions, where those f>i' more gifted but less fervent speakers would have produced no impression. If the results of preaching form the best criterion by which to judge of its power, few men could claim a higher rank than he. The accessions to the church throughout his entire Pastorship were uniformly large. There were not many years in which he did not receive from forty to fifty persons, on the profession of their faith. Perhaps it was as a Counsellor that Mr. Walker's services were most highly appreciated. In most of the Southern churches, the servants and masters are formed in the same membership. In these cases, the blacks have the benefit of the advice and direction of their bi'ethren of superior intelligence ; and the discipline is maintained as easily and as efficiently as in any of our Northern churches. But Mr. Walker's church was com- posed entirely of blacks. They received and dismissed members, and administered various forms of discipline, and managed the secular interests of the church, without responsibility to any human tribunal for their acts. It will readily be conjectured that in a large body of persons, very few of whom were even able to read, whilst all of them had the passions and infirmities incident to our nature, there must have been many occasions demanding great prudence on the part of the Pastor. An indiscreet leader could easily plunge such an ignorant and inflammable mass into dis- cord and chaos. At these trying times, — and I know that they were not infrequent, — Mr. Walker's forbearance and patience, together with his fore- sight and weight of character, rendered his influence truly invaluable. More than once, when it seemed that a complex and difiicult case of disci- pline, in which diiferent parties were supported in their clashing views by numerous and violent adherents, must rend the church into fragments, the wise course of the Pastor controlled the storm, and restored peace to the troubled elements. At one time, some turlmlent spirits in his congrega- tion sought to eject him from his office. Though aware of their purpose, he treated them witli uniform kindness. When one of his Deacons reproved him for his want of spirit in not resenting some indignity which was offered him, he very meekly replied, — " My brother, God will fight my battles for me." At another time, when it seemed that he must be crushed by his opponents, he observed, — " If God designs that I should be trodden down, I am willing to be trodden down." Nominally Jacob Walker was a slave : but he was the Lord's freeman ; and for all practical purposes he was politically free. For many years before his death, as I have already intimated, he was as much at lil>erty to devote himself to his charge as any other minister. Being informed that his congregation was, at one time, about to purchase his freedom, he thanked them for their intended kindness, but firmly declined the offer, remarking, — "I have a kind mistress, who has always been indulgent to me : should I become sick or helpless from old age, I have in her a friend who will never let me want." The good man continued in the discharge of his duties as Pastor of the church for more than twenty-five years, growing constantly in the confi- JACOB WALKEIi. 431 dence anil love of his brethren. Wliilst preaching one Sunday morning in the nioiidi of June, 1S4G, he was .smitten with paralysis. He was repeating the words, " Knowing tlie terror of tlie Lord, we persuade men." Ou the word Itrror his voice faltered ; lie tried to pronounce it, failed, and soon fell in tlie pulpit. In the afternoon, the congregation assemldcd for prayer. I was present on the occasion. All were in tears. Audible sobs filled the house, as they wrestled with God for his recovery. But the time had come for the veteran to enter upon his reward. He lingered in per- fect cnniposuro and resignation, until the 2(3th day of July, 184G, and then peacefully passed to his eternal rest. This minister was esteemed in Augusta by all classes. He had the confidence alike of master and servant. His funeral cortege wa^ one of the longest and most imposing ever seen in the city. A friend of mine counted eight hundred persons in the procession, besides those who rode in the carriages, which were kindly offered in large numbers by their owners. As evidence of regard for his memory, his interment was allowed within the city limits, a privilege which had been granted, since the creation of the cemetery, to only two individuals. With great regard, your brother in Christ, "W. T. BRANTLY. JOHN PECK.^ 1800—1849. John Peck was born September 11, 1780, in Stanford, then known as Great Nine Partners, in Dutchess County, X. Y. He was the fifth son and eighth child of John and Sarah (Northrup) Peek, and a lineal descend- ant in the sixth generation of William Peck, a merchant, and in the fifth generation of the Ptev. Jeremiah Peek ;t the former of whom emigrated • Mr. Peck's Hist. Disc— Mem. by Rev. Dr. G. W. Eaton.— Mem. of Mrs. S. Peck, and P. B. and L. M. Peck.— Hist. Rapt. Miss. Conv.— MS. from Hon. D. Peck. t Jkremiah Pkck whs tlie eldest son of William and J^lizabcth Peck, and was bornin the city of London, about the year H)2.''>. At tlie nj;e of about fifteen, lie migrated with his father to this country, arriving at Poston in the ship Hector, .lune 2(). KiM". He went from Boston to New Haven with liis fatlier; but little is known of his early history except th;it he had a good education. He is said by Cotton Mather to have been a student at Harvard Tollege; but his name does not apjiear in the catalogue of graduates. He married Johanuah Kitchell, a dauirhter of P,obert Kitchell, of (inilford, Conn., Xovcmbor VI, Ifiofi. He was then, and for some time previous had Vieen. teaching a sctinid at (inilford, and continued to be thus engaged until llif.ll. He then removed from (inilford to New Haven, where he taught the Cobmy/irammar School until the autumn of 1()(il, when he commenced preaching, and soon after. r<-moving from New Haven, settled as a Congregational minister at Sayhrook. Conn. He was the owner of consideralile veal estate at Paybrook; and, while residing there in li'.Ol, he, with seventy-eight others, primipally from Connecticut and Long Island, purcliascd of the Indians a large tract of biu'l. now embracing several towns in the .'^tate of New .lersey, on a part of which Kli/.abethtown is sitiuited. He was probably ordained at S.aybrook. He ciuitinned the minister at Saybrook until .Tanuary, Ifiti'l, wlien, having sold and co"nveyed his real estate there to Itobert Chapman and others, he removed to (inilford, and, in the autumn of HKil) or spring of 1667, with liis father-in-law, Robert Kitclull. Kev. .Abraham Pierscm, and many others who were irreconcilably opposed to the union of the Connecticut and New ILiven Colo- nies under the charter of Charles tlie Socond, removed from (inilford to Newark. N. .1. In 1674, be removed from Newark to Klizabethtown, where lie resided imlil 1f>7.'^. No evidence is founil of his having been a settled minister in New .Tersey. Tn 1li7(i, and ajrain in l'">7.i, he was invited by the people of Woodbridge, N. J., to preach for them, but declined. In 1072, 432 BAPTIST. from London to this country in 1G37, being one of the company of the Rev. John Davenport, Thcophilus Eaton and others, and one of the founders and first settlers of the New Haven Colony in the spring of 1638, and until his decease in 1694, a Deacon of the First Congregational Church in New Haven. His father, though a moral and seriously disposed man, was not con- nected with any church, except that, for a short time, during middle life, he was in communion with the Methodists. He had only limited advantages for education, but superior natural ability, great energy of character, and much knowledge derived from observation and experience. He was in the army, during the French War, for several years previous to its close in 1763, when he removed with his family to the town of Hunter, Greene County, N. Y. Thence, in 1795, he removed to Shelburne, Chenango County, N.Y., arriving there in March of that year, where, and in the adjoining town of Norwich in the same county, he resided until his decease in 1819, being one of the pioneers in the settlement of that part of the State of New York. His mother was a native of North Salem, Westchester County, N. Y., and a devout member of the Baptist Church. Her pious example and instructions, blended with uncommon native force of mind, and great pru- dence, cheerfulness, and affection, exerted a powerful influence in the formation of his character. She early taught him how to pray, and inspired him with a love of the Bible and an eager desire for knowledge, thus laying bi'oad and deep the foundation of that intelligence and piety for which he was afterwards distinguished. His early years he spent in assisting his father in felling the forest, and cultivating his land, in the frontier settlements in which he lived. On attaining his majority, he purchased a small farm, and, during his life, a portion of his time was devoted to moderate labour upon it, as well as to its general superintendence. At the time of his father's removal to Chenango County, in 1795, he was in his fifteenth year. As the country in which he lived was then an almost unbroken wilderness, and as his father's occupation required the constant labour of his sons, his advantages for early education were not great. He had, however, an intense desire for intellectual improvement, and early resolved to supply, as far as possible, the defects of his educa- tion ]iy the studies of mature life; and, on attaining his majority, he com- menced, and for many years continued, with such aid as could be derived from appropriate books, a systematic course of self-education. Possessing, naturally, good common sense, a quick perception, and a retentive memory, a mind vigorous, well balanced, and of much reflective and analytical ho and several others purchased of the Indians a large tract of land then called Horse Neck, and since known as West (Jreenwich; and, removing there with his family from Elizabethtown, he became the first settled uiinister of that town, and continued his residence and ministry there until 11)89. In that ycnr he received the unanimous invitation of tlie people of AVatcr- bury, ("onn., to settle with them in the ministry; and. having accepted their call, removed {•hither, ;ind wns tlie fir.«t settled minister of the church in that town on its organization in 1691. He continued liis official duties there until a short time before his decease, which occurred at Waterbury on the 7th of June, 10!)!), at the age of about seventy-seven years. His wife and all his children (six in number) survived him. His wife died at Waterbury in 1711. Ha appenrs to have been a man of considerable ability, energy, and enterprise; and, though hirgelj' interested in lands both in Connecticut and New Jersey, he was extensively useful both as a teacher and a minister. JOHN PECK. 433 power, his struggles with the di.saJvantugcs of his position were eminently successful in the aequirenient of an unusual power of thought and argu- ment, and the substantial knowledge requisite in the vocation of a Christian minister. He became the subject of religious impressions, and it is believed of a spiritual renovation, in his early boyhood ; but he did not make a public profession of his faith until he had reached his eighteenth year, when he was baptized (August 25, 1798) by the Rev. Peter P. Roots,* and admitted to the Baptist Church, then recently constituted at Norwich, N. Y. He commenced preaching occasionally as a licentiate in the year 1800, in Norwich and the adjoining town of Sherburne ; but the next year he became so deeply impressed with a sense of his want of the requisite qualifications for the ministry that he suspended all his public labours in that capacity, and made arrangements for devoting his life to the pursuits of agriculture. He was soon made to feel, however, by some personal trials, and the expostulations of his Christian brethren, that he had forsaken the path of duty ; and, with his characteristic firmness of purpose, he resolved, early in the year 1803, to devote himself fully to the work of the ministry. Shortly after this, he again commenced preaching, and, during the remainder of that year, officiated one half of the time in the Church at Norwich, and the other half in Sherburne, with much acceptance and success. On the 20th of August, 1801, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Deacon Israel Ferris, of Norwich, and sister of the Rev. Jonathan Ferris. t In this lady he found a prudent and excellent wife, who was spared to be a sharer in his joys, and sorrows, and labours, for almost half a century. She died September 21, 1847, in the sixty-fourth year of her age. About the first of January, 1804, Mr. Peck received a unanimous call from the First Baptist Church in Cazenovia, N. Y., to settle with them as their Pastor. This call he accepted, and in March following removed tliither with his family and entered upon his stated labours. He was •Peter Philanthropos Roots was a son of the Per. Benajah Roots, who was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 175-1, was settled as Pastor of the Congregational Church in i^iiusbury, Conn., August Id, 1757; was dismissed in 1772; was installed first Pastur of the (-ongregaiional Church in Paitland, Vt., in 177:^; and died in 1787. lie, (the sun,) when he was eight years old, removed with his father to Rutland, where ho spent his youthful days. In Ills nineteenth year, a revival of religion occurred under his fatlicr s minishy, of which he was hopefully a subject, lie graduated at Dartmouth College in 178'.l, and was licensed as a Congregational minister in March, 1790. After continuing in this connection about two years, his views of Baptism underwent a change, which led him to connect himself with the Baptist denomination, in which he ever afterwards continued an earnest and fnithful minister, lie was baptized in Boston by Dr. Stillman, and united with the First Church in that town, in May. 1793. In September following, he was ordained as an Evangelist. Immediately after liis ordination, he travelled by land to Savannah, Ga., and performed an exten.-ive missionary tour in that region. For eighteen years he was emjiloyed as an itinerant preacher, during which time he preached in seventeen of the United States ami in Canada. lie died at MenJon, Monroe County, N. Y., December 26, 1828, in the sixty-fourth j-car of his age. t Jonathan Ferris was bom in Stanford, Dutchess Connty, N. Y., on the 25th «r April, 1778. From a child he was a subject of serious impressions; and in 1796 he was baptizeil by the Rev. I.'lkanah Holmes, then a missionary among the Indians. On the 20th of May, lS(i;!, he was licensed by the Church in Norwich " to improve his gift in preaching;'' and on the 25tli of August, IHdS, was ordained to the work of the ministry in the Church in North Norwich. Here he continued labouring very succepsfully until October 25, 1817, when he resigiic«rtnient3 of Christian effort." ^Ir. Peck had naturally a vigorous constitution; but it was gradnully undermined by his incessant ministerial labours " in season and out of season," and his consequent frequent exposures in a rigorous and some- what variable climate. For s< mo years prior to his death, he exhibited symptoms of a pulmonary disease, which, from extraordinary care, and an occasional resort in the winter months to a more Southern climate, was only very gradually developed. But, notwithstanding his bodily feeble- ness, his labours as a minister of the Gospel were unremitted until within a few days of his decease. Scarcely a Sabbath occurred during his long career in which he did not preach, besides holding frequent public services on other days of the week. He arrived in the city of New York for the purpose of making his annual collections for the Home Mission Society, on the 9th of November, 1849, at which time his health seemed as good as usual. He became the guest of Mr. Griffith Thomas, who resided nearly opposite the American Baptist Home Mission llooms in Broome Street. On the last Sabbath in November, he preached at the Mariners' Church, where, to gratify an old friend who was deaf, he exerted himself so much in speaking that he was apprehensive of serious injury. On the Saturday following, he complained of chills and faint ness, but, by the speedy application of remedies, he soon obtained relief, and the next day (Sunday) preached with more than his accustomed vigour. He was engaged in the duties of his agency during the following week until Saturday the 8th, when he again complained of indisposition, but expected to be able to preach the next day. In this, however, he was disappointed ; and from this time he gradually failed, though his case was not considered alarming until the following Thursday, when a change took place that seemed to indicate the near approach of death. He died on Saturday, the 15th, in the seventieth year of his age, having, during his illness, exhibited a spirit of most serene and unqualified trust in his Redeemer. Suitable Funeral services took place at the Oliver Street Baptist Church in New York, which were conducted by the Rev. Doctors Cone and Magoon, after which his remains were brought to his home at New Woodstock, (Cazenovia,) where an appropriate Funeral Dis- course was preached by the Rev. Alfred Bennett, from Acts xiii. 36. Mr. Peck was an associate editor of a religious periodical called " The Vehicle," and afterwards "The Western Baptist Magazine." This was commenced in May, 1S14, and was continued for about twelve years. It was finally merged in the New York Baptist Register. He published also "A Scriptural Catechism," intended as a Manual of Christian Doctrine, which was exhibited in scriptural answers to the ques- tions propounded. In 18.37, in connection with the Rev. John Lawton, he published "An Historical Sketch of the Baptist Missionary Convention of the State of New York, embracing a Narrative of the origin and progress of the Baptist denomination in Central and Western New York, with Biographical notices of the Founders of the Convention, &c." 436 BAPTIST. He published also, iu 1845, Two Discourses, the former containing the History of the First Baptist Church iu Cazenovia ; the latter, the History of the Baptist Church iu Cazeuovia village. Mr. Peck had six children, — four sons aud two daughters. His second son died in infancy. Darius, his eldest son, was graduated at Hamilton College in 1825, adopted and pursued the legal profession, and now (1858) resides in Hudson, N. Y., where he has held several judicial stations. and is at this time County Judge of that County. His third son, Philetus B., was born in Cazenovia, November 29, 1809 and at the age of sixteen was placed at the Hamilton Academy, where ho prosecuted his studies until the failure of his health compelled him to return home, and abandon the hope of a liberal education. After spending several years in agricultural pursuits, during which time he became a mem- ber of the church of which his father was Pastor, and at a later period was licensed to preach, he entered the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, now Madison University, in the spring of 1834, and, having gone through the regular course, graduated in August, 1838. In March, 1839, he was ordained to the work of the ministry at New Woodstock, (Cazenovia,) and about the same time accepted a call from the Baptist Church in Oswego, N. Y., and commenced his labours as their Pastor. After an uncommonly successful ministry, he died suddenly of dysentery on the 6th of October, 1847. He was distinguished for his benevolence, frankness, and decision ; was an instructive aud earnest Preacher, and an affectionate and devoted Pastor. His youngest sou and child, Lhmn M., was born in Cazenovia, on the 3d of February, 1818, At the age of about fifteen, he became hopefully pious, during a revival in the church of which his father was Pastor, and was baptized and joined the church shortly after. He fitted for College partly at New Woodstock, and partly at Brockport ; and joined the Sopho- more class in Hamilton College in September, 1838. Having maintained a high rank as a scholar during the whole course, he was graduated in July, 1841, on which occasion he received a highly honourable appoint- ment. After leaving College, he pursued the study of Law about a year and a half, and taught a year in the Hamilton Academy. On the 3d of August, 1844, he was licensed to preacli the Gospel by the First Baptist Church in Cazenovia. In October following, he entered the Junior Tlieo- logical class in the Hamilton Institution, where he took the regular course of two years. In the summer of 1845, he was appointed a Tutor in Ham- ilton College, but thought it his duty to decline the appointment, as it •would prevent his immediate entrance on the duties of the ministry. After his graduation at the Theological Institution, he preached several months in Lebanon; but in July, 1847, he commenced preaching to the Hamilton Church, and continued his labours there, with great acceptance, until they were terminated by death. On the 16th of September, he went with his wife to New Woodstock, for the purpose of aiding in the care of his elder brother, Philetus, who had been attacked with a malignant dysentery, while visiting among his friends, and now lay ill at the residence of his brother-in-law, about two miles from Cazenovia village. On the day that Linus arrived, his motber was seized with the same disease, and the next JOHN PECK. 437 day was removed to her own house. Liiuis iiuiuediately took lier jilucc at his brother's bedside, while his fatlier was occupied at home with the care of Mrs. Peck. His niotlior lingered until tlie 21st, and her Funeral was attended on the '2'2d. On the 28d 3Irs. (Linus M.) Peck returned to Hamilton to resume the care of her father, (the Rev. Dr. Kcndrick,) then iu a very feeble state, and on the afternoon of the same day her husband was attacked with the same disease of which his mother had died. His symptoms became so alarming that Mrs. Peck was sent for, and on her arrival the next day at Cazenovia, she found him in an almost helpless and hopeless condition. He lingered in a state of entire resignation to the Divine will till the 4th of October, (1847,) when he sunk calmly into the arms of death. He possessed a vigorous and logical mind ; was aftectionate and confiding in his disposition ; and was a zealous and laborious minister. FROM PROFESSOR ANDREW TEN BROOK. Utica, July 17, 1858. Rev. and dear Sir: Yours, asking a letter giving mj' recollections of tliclate Rev. John Peck, has been received , and I hasten to obey. My opportunities of acquaintance with Mr. Peck extended from 1833 to the time of his death. The first half of this time was the entire period of my academic and theological studies, during which time I generally saw him several times a ^-ear at Hamil- ton, and in one of the vacations of each year, I almost always met him once at an Association which he attended as an Agent of the State Convention of New York Baptists, or the American Baptist Home Mission Society. I was accustomed to meet him on public occasions, and in private circles, after that time. I saw him once at his own house, in August of 1847, less than a month before that visitation which deprived him at once of a wife and two sons, the latter both among the brightest ornaments of the Christian ministry. Mr. Peck was a little above the middle stature, slightly stooping, slender, of very thin features, with mild blue ej'es, and a voice and entire manner which fully confirmed the impression made by his features. His voice, though weak, was clear, his enunciation was distinct and exceedingly deliberate, but strongly nasal, and with little variation in volume, tone, or time. Indeed, 1 never knew a man Mhose whole manner was so perfectly monotonous as his. Pleasantry in the social circle, warning or rebuke in public or private, encour- agement to the penitent and consolation to the dying, were all alike, so far as manner and tone were concerned. His monotony, however, had its abundant compensations in the exhaustless variety of his brief but happy generaliza- tions, and his apt, concrete illustrations. To these there seemed to be no end. Some will wonder how such uniformity of tone and manner on all subjects, as I have attributed to Mr. Peck, is possible. Regarding this as connected with his most marked characteristic, which was a very rare and important one, I will attempt an analysis. With him every thing was incidental to his desire to soothe and console, — a fact which sometimes gave him the name of "the beloved disciple; " and so whatever else he did, being subsidiary to this, was without change of tone and manner. He could, for instance, reprove excessive forwardness in the young by some pleasant inquiries in regard to their age and advantages, and so leave upon them all the power of the most cutting rebuke, without one of its words or tones. An illustration will be found in the cour.se which he has been known to take in instances in which men have refused to respond to his personal applications in behalf of the cau.se of Home Missions, alleging special objections to the Society. Finding that his plea was of no use. 438 BAPTIST. and suspecting covetousness, he would yield their right to hold special objec- tions to the Society which be represented, and then suggest to them that they would have the more to give to Foreign Missions, or the Bible, or some other, Society. Thus, step bj' step, before they were aware of it, he would make them confess similar objections to all other benevolent Societies. He would finally finish up his rebuke, which in the end had become too cutting to be unfelt, and yet too mild and innocent to be resented, by taking leave of his penitent with the same imperturbable mildness and gravity with which he had proceeded to make him confess his sin. Reproof from him had a wonderful effect, and he had a wonderful facility in giving it, simply because there was nothing in tone, manner, or words which could indicate what he was about, and this, too, deprived the sufferer of all that relief sometimes felt in showing, and even feeling, resentment. This characteristic made all subjects about equally easy for him to introduce, as he reached all ends by a slight modifica- tion of the same means. Father Peck (for so he came to be called) could jirobably do the great part of his studying to better advantage riding about the country than in his study. Every fact which he observed was made to do service somewhere. His know- ledge of the Bible, which he studied closely in its vernacular, current events which he gathered in his intercourse with the world and from the newspapers, and his own observations in social and public life, made up the exhaustless store, from which he always drew just the article and the quantity of it needed for each occasion. His generalizations were brief, shrewd and quaint; his illustrations copious and apt. Extended processes of abstract reasoning he never attempted, and if he had done so, he would have failed. He eschewed all questions of Philosophy and Philology. But truths which he could not prove abstractly, he could infallibly perceive, clearly state, and happily illus- trate, and emotions which he could not analyze, he could delineate with great accuracy and effect. He was a man so made by nature, that no education could have made him what would have been called a great Philosopher, or a great Theologian, and no luant of education could have made him less than a remarkable man. But although he was not what has ever been called a great man, few who knew his qualities will foil to rank them higher than those to which that epithet applies. I have now given you a brief estimate of the character of Father Peck. His services to the cau.se of religion have been beyond calculation, — partly because they would at any time have been of great value, but especially on account of the great need, at the time of his early ministry, of such pioneer labour as he was able to perform. If this can aid you at all in the work which you are about to publish, and for which, I will add, the public will look with interest, you are at liberty to make such use of it as shall best serve your purpose. Very truly and faithfully yours, ANDREW TEN BROOK. CHARLES ODINGSELL SCREVEN. 439 CHARLES ODINGSELL SCREVEN, D. D.* 1801—1830. Charles Odingsell Screven was a son of General James Screven, a patriot of the Kevolution, wlio was killed by a party of Indians and Tories, near Midway Meeting-House, Liberty County, Ga., in April, 1778. His more remote ancestor was William Screven, who came early to this country, settled in the District of Maine at a place called Piscataqua. (now Kittery,) and afterwards removed to South Carolina, and founded the First Baptist Church in Charleston. The subject of this notice was born in 1774 ; and of course was left an orphan in early childhood. In February, 1786, when he was twelve years old, he was baptized by Dr. Furman in Charleston, and united with the Baptist Church in that place. He graduated at Brown University in 1795. He was heir to a handsome estate, and owned a plantation in Bryan County, called "the Retreat," opposite Sunbury, where he resided, tempo- rarily, after his return from College. Having been licensed by the Charles- ton Church, he visited Sunbury in the latter part of the year 1801, and volunteered, with the unanimous consent of the people, to preach to them. His services gave much satisfaction, and a wish was expressed that they might be continued, to which he readily consented. At that time the state of morals in the place was exceedingly low, and there was no Baptist church there, nor a single individual belonging to the denomi- nation. His first ministrations here were attended by many discouraging circum- stances ; but it was not long before several coloured persons were hopefully converted through his instrumentality. He had been in the habit of deliv- ering but one sermon each Sabbath, on account of the feeble state of his health ; but the interest in his preaching gradually increased, so that a desire was expressed by several members of his congregation tliat they might have two sermons instead of one ; and. notwithstanding his bodily debility, ho acceded to their wish. On the 29th of May, 1804, he was ordained at Charleston, by Dr. Furman of that city, Mr. Botsford of Georgetown, and Mr. Clay of Savannah. About the same time, he was married to a Mrs. Jones, the mother of the Rev. Charles B. Jones, late of Savannah, — who died after about a year from their marriage, leaving one child who has since arrived at maturity and entered the ministry, — the Rev. James 0. Screven. In 1813, he formed a second matrimonial con- nection with a Mrs. Holmes, (whose maiden name was Galphin,) by whom he had several children. Two sons and a daughter survived him. Mr. Screven was not allowed to discharge his ministerial duties without much opposition. Something of what he had to encounter may be inferred from the following anecdote : While sitting with his wife beside the fire on a winter evening, a large stone was thrown at his head, which barely missed their infant, which he was holding in his arms. Handing the babe • Campbell's Georg. Bapt. 440 BAPTIST. to his wife, he instantly rose, and walking out into the piazza, called out to the miscreant in the dark, — "If I am the object, here I am." The wretch shrunk away into his hiding place, without offering any other insult, or attempting any other injury. Many, however, who at first were fierce opposers to his ministry, afterwards not only laid aside their opposition, but became active and exemplary members of his church. His labours, during iHOst of his life, were confined to Liberty County, and the counties immediately contiguous. In 1802, a painful disease began to develope itself in one of his eyes, which turned out to be a cancer, and rendered the whole of his subsequent life a scene of physical suffering. For many years, it was slow in its pro- gross ; and until 1821 he continued to prosecute his labours with little interruption. The last sis years of his life were years of intense and almost uninterrupted pain. In 1806, he was elected President of Mount Enon College, some four- teen miles Southwest of Augusta, where he seems to have resided and taught a year or two : it was rather an Academy than a College, but fur- nished instruction to a number of boys, some of whom afterwards became quite famous in the State ; but he returned to Sunbury. In April, 1802, he delivered a Discourse on the Organization of the " Savannah Associa- tion " froin Kphesians iv. 4, 6 ; a synopsis of which is preserved in Hol- comb's Repository of that year. He was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown Uni- versity in 1826. Dr. Screven, during the latter part of his life, was often advised by his physicians and friends to give up preaching, and to visit other places with a view to seek a cure for his malady. He actually went once to Savannah, and once to Philadelphia, to avail himself of the best medical skill, but it was all to no purpose. At length, in the year 1830, he consented, by the earnest request of his friends, to visit New York ; but he distinctly stated that he should leave home without the least expectation of ever returning. The evening before he left, he had a most affectionate interview with his coloured people who came to bid him fiirewell, and towards whom he cher- ished an affection almost jDarental. He suffered much on his way to Savan- nah, as well as on the voyage from Savannah to New York ; but he evinced throughout the most cheerful submission. On his arrival at New York, he had three physicians to attend him, one of whom was regarded as particu- larly skilful in the terrible malady of which he was the subject. For a few days, the effect of the applications seemed favourable ; but it was quickly found that the disease had lost none of its power, and that it was advancing rapidly towards a fatal hime. His last days were full of joyful hope and confidence in the Saviour. __ He died at New York, on the 2d of July, 1830, aged fifty-six years. Dr. Screven's only publications, so far as I can ascertain, are a Sermon on Ephcsians iv. 4, 5, 6 ; and a Charge at the Ordination of a minister, from I. Timothy iv. 16. CHARLES ODINGSELL SCREVEN. 44^ FROM THE REV. ADIEL SHERWOOD, D. 1). Capk Girardeau, Mo., May 18, 1855. My dear Sir: I cheerfully res|)oiiil to your reiiue.st for some recollections of my friend, the Rev. Dr. Screven. The distance of our residence from each other — some two hundred miles — did not allow us to meet often: then the acute pain lie suflVred prevented his heing much from home, thougli he was occasionally Moderator of tlie Association. I passed several days at liis hou.sc in the fall of IS'2'^, when we had a meeting of some interest, and he delivered the Charge at the Ordination of a minister. He was tall and slender, — not so commanding in his appearance as some of less attainments and intellectual strength. Indications of goodness were the lineaments that would first arrest the heliolder. The pare in heart shall see God: such a man a stranger would think stood before him, when ho first cast his eyes upon Dr. Screven. The prominent traits of his character, I should say, were Christian meek- ness and fraternal kindness. As might be expected from one in the higher walks of life, he was a man of great urbanity of manners: this was natural and without any affectation; for he made no .show only by his mental power in the pulpit. Tf a benevolent heart was ever found in one of our fallen spe- cies,— a heart full of the '< milk of human kindness," — that heart was in the frail tenement of Charl"s Odingsdl Screven. In his pulpit performances, I should sa}- that tenderness Avas the prevailing characteristic. One would be impres.sed with this sentiment in listening to his discourses — if he cannot persuade his people into the paths of virtue, he will love them into her peaceful waj-s. Of his hearers generallj^, three-fourths to five-sixths were coloured persons — such was the population in Liberty and the adjoining counties; j'et the white portion of his congregations were of the most refined and literary class. By the coloured people particularly he was regarded with a respect that bordered on reverence. His labours among them were blessed to their moral and intellectual elevation. Hundreds, it is pre- sumed, related to him their internal historj', and were baptized on a profession of faith in the all-atoning Redeemer. When he was called up higher. Rev. J. S. Law M'as raised up to fill his place; but, like Elisha, he soon followed the elder teacher. I hardl}- need say that his great solicitude for the salvation of the coloured people, and his labours among them, when he was able, day and night, awakened the admiration of all. All saw that his ruling passion was that of a true minister of the Gospel, — to save souls. The College gave him its high- est titles, but in his humble efforts to bring sinners to God, for a third of a centurj', a monument has been erected that Avill stand when academical honours are forgotten, and the places of marble mausoleums are not to be found. He was a Baptist from principle — he thought that no article should find a place in our creed, except on Divine authority; yet he was no bigot — he loved good men of all denominations, and cheerfully co-operated with them in their eflfoits to do good. His house was the home of the pious, especially min- isters, for weeks and months at a time. Allow me to conclude this brief communication by an extract from a Charge which he delivered to a minister, and which mav serve to illustrate sojuewhat the type of his own Christian and ministerial character. It is as follows: — «« Tak," heed, my Brother, that love be in constant exercise. Our religion is a S)'stem of love and good will. It manifests not only the unsjieakable love of God to a fallen world, but also tends to fill the hearts of men with holy afiections towards their Creator and one another. The man whose lieart is a Vol.. VI. 5G 442 BAPTIST. stranger to compassion, or cannot adopt the language of < being affectionately desirous of you,' is a most unsuitable person to dispense that Gospel, every sentiment of which emanates from love. We are to carry our people, as Moses did the Israelites, in our bosom, as a nursing father, &c., to the Ileavenlj- Canaan. The celestial flame of love must mingle with all our preparations, and burn on every acceptable sacrifice. Think not any immortal being, how- ever lowly in rank, beneath your notice." Respectfully yours, ADIEL SHERWOOD. HOSEA HOLCOMBE.=^ 1801—1841. HosEA HoLCOMBE, a SOU of Hosea and Phebe (Smith) Holcombe, was born in Union District, S. C, July 20, 1780. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the year 1800, when he made a profession of his faith in Christ, and united with the Padget's Creek Baptist Church, in the neighbourhood of the place in which he was born. On the 7th of January, 1801, he was married to Cassandra Jackson, daughter of Wil- liam and Martha Jackson, and about the same time received license to preach the Gospel, from the church with which he was connected. Mr. Holcombe continued to exercise his ministry in his native region, preaching, as opportunity presented, in different churches, until the year 1812, when he removed to North Carolina. Here, in the Counties of Lin- coln and Mecklenburg, he laboured, in at least two or three different churches, for six years. During liis residence here, he baptized the greater portion of the members of a Methodist church, together with their preacher ; and both were thus introduced into a new connection. In the fall of 1818, he removed to Jefferson County, Ala., where he made his home during the residue of his life. Here, also, he had the care of a number of churches, among which were those of Canaan, Rufus Valley, Rock Creek, Elyton, and Rhewhamy. From 1831 to 1834, he baptized not less than five hundred persons. He died of bilious fever, after an illness of a single week, on the 31st of July, 1841, in the sixty-second year of his age. In the prospect of death, though he had the deepest sense of his own unworthiness, his confidence in the merits of Christ never faltered. Mr. Holcomb was untiring in his labours during the whole period of his ministry. Besides haviiTg the care generally of from two to four churches, he travelled extensively, preaching in destitute regions as he had opportu- nity. Happily for him, he had a wife of kindred spirit with his own, who, while he was labouring among the churches, laboured at home, night and day, — spinning and weaving, in order to provide clothing for her children. He was a warm friend to the various objects of public benevolence, espe- cially to the cause of Domestic and Foreign Missions, of Ministerial • MS. from his son. Rev. W. H. Holcombe. IIOSEA llOLCOMBE. 443 Education, and of Temperance ; and liis efforts in the promotion of each were as earnest as they were well directed. !Mr. llulconilie puMisIieil a CuUectioii of Sacred Hymns, 1815 ; a work on IJaptism, entitled "A lleply to the Kev. Finis Ewing, of the Cuniher- land Presbyterian Society," 1832; A llefutation of the Rev. Joshua Lawrence's Patriotic Discourse, or Anti-mission Principles exposed, 1836; and The History of the Alabama Baptists, 1840. Mr. llolcombe was the father of eleven children, to ten of Avhoni he administered the ordinance of Baptism. Three of his sons became Ministers, and one a Deacon. Mrs. Holcombe survived her husband a few montlis over seven years. FKOM THE KEY. WILLIAM CAREY CRANE. PRESIDENT OF SEMPLE BIIOADDUS COLLEGE. Semple Broaddus College, Centre llill, De Soto County, Miss., January 25, 1859. My dear Sir: My acquaintance with the Rev. Ilosea llolcombe commenced at the Ockmulgce Church, Perrj^ County, Ala., Xovember, 1839. He was then President of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. lie had previously been known to me, through the religious periodicals, as one of the most labo- rious, self-denying, intrepid and holy men, which our Southern Church then afforded, yiy intercourse with him at that Convention impressed me strongly with his singleness of purpose, and freedom from all disposition to self- aggraiidiy.ement. The next time we met was at Montgomery, in the same State, where we had a most pleasant interview, which served only to bind me yet closer to him, as a revered father in Israel, in whom there was no guile. He was then activelj' engaged, travelling in the sultry beat of summer, and corresponding extensively, in order to bring out as speedily as possible the " History of Alabama Baptists." We had another very agreeable meeting at the session of the State Convention at Greonsborough, Ala., where his heart seemed to be overfloM'ing Avith love and zeal for his Master's cause. This was his last attendance upon that Convention. He was its father, and had been its main support from its origin; and with him, mainly, originated those mea- sures which issued in the present prosperous benevolent enterprises that form a crown of glory to the Baptists of Alabama, lie had seen the evils result- ing from the anti-missionary spirit, and he not only deplored them bitterly, but laboured with all his strength to counteract tbem. No man ever valued the true missionary spirit and an intelligent ministry more than he did; and hence, in his desire to promote these objects, be seemed utterly oblivious of all personal considerations. When the Alabama Convention met at Talladega, in 1841, it was with deep sorrow that we received the intelligence that be had bidden farewell to all our earthly assemblies. But we felt assured that he had exchanged the turmoils and struggles of earth for the serene triumphs of Heaven. The Convention passed unanimously Resolutions expressive of their high estimate of his life and labours. As a Writer, he was simple, perspicuous and earnest. His " Ilistor}- of the Alabama Baptists " evinces great labour; and, though it makes no pretensions to classical diction, it is well arranged, and embraces a ma.ss of important facts, covering the first settlement of the State, and the rise and progress of its Baptist Churches. His letters and essays, communicated to newspapers, bear strongly the marks of a mind intent on doing good. As a Preacher, he was far from being showy, but he presented the great truths of the Bible in a clear and impressive manner, and never left any of his hearers to doubt in regard 444 BAPTIST. to his perfect sincerity. Of the early ministry in Alabama he stood in the front rank, as an able divine and effective preacher. Of liis Christian character the leading elements were humility, benevolence, and seif-denying activity. None who knew him could doubt that it was his meat to do his Master's will. AVherever he recognised the image of Christ, thither his affections were strongly attracted. With Christian regard. Very sincerely yours, WILLIAM CAREY CRANE. JOHN KERR. 1801—1842. FROM THE REV. JEREMIAH B. JETER, D. D. Richmond, Va., September 19, 1848. Dear Sir : The Rev. John Kerr, concerning whom you inquire, I reckoned among my intimate acquaintances, and it will cost me little cflFort to comply with your request in furnishing you with a brief sketch of his life and character, as, in consequence of having preached his Funeral Sermon, the facts are all familiar to me. John Kerr was of Scottish descent, and was born in Caswell County, N. C, August 4, 1782, shortly after the British army, under Lord Corn- wallis, had passed, like a desolating tornado through North Carolina and Virginia. His father is represented as having been a man of most amiable character, and his mother as a lady of great intelligence and energy ; and both of them were, for many years, exemplary members of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of a numerous family. The subject of this sketch was an active and promising boy, naturally volatile in his disposition, but not vicious. He was also a good scholar and a favourite with his teachers. Beyond this, little is known of the history of his boyhood. At the early age of eighteen, he took charge of a common English school, near the residence of his uncle, General Azariah Graves, in the county in which he was born. The time of his conversion to God was now approaching. About the year ISOO, there was, in the adjoining county of Orange, a Presbyterian congregation under the charge of the Rev. William Paisley, who, as late as 1843, was living at a very advanced age, and discharging with great fidelity the duties of his office. For a long season, great insensibility in respect to religion had prevailed in tliat church. A visiting miuister from the State of Tennessee, preaching for them, took occasion to denounce religious excitement. The pious Pastor was deeply affected. He arose to counteract the deadening influence of the sermon by a warm and stirring exhortation. But his heart was too full for utterance. He stood in his pulpit, and, looking in solemn silence on his congregation, burst into tears. The effect was electrical. The excite- ment had now begun. God was in very deed in that place. A most impressive scene ensued. The mingling sounds of praise and of lamenta- JOHN KEUU. 445 Hon, as at the laying of the corner stone of the second temple, were heard throughout the congregation. This was tlie beginning of an exten- sive and glorious revival of religion. Many persons, from various motives, were now attracted to the meetings at the Cross Roads. Among those who went to be amused was young John Kerr. God, having designs of mercy towards him, directed him to the hallowed place. As he approached it, his mind was solemnly impressed by the sighs and prayers, which, from every side, he heard ascending to Heaven. He was quickly seized with an overwhelming sense of guilt, and falling, like Saul of Tarsus, prostrate on the earth, he continued all night to implore the mercy of God. Not conferring with flesh and blood, Mr. Kerr, though but a stripling, began immediately to recommend to others the Saviour whom he had found so precious to himself. For a year or two, he seems to have pursued an irregular and unauthorized, but popular, ministry. He was probably bap- tized on the I'ith of August, 1801, ami was forthwith duly licensed to preach the Gospel. Determined to avail himself of every means in his power to render his ministry efficient and useful, the young evangelist travelled to South Caro- lina to see the excellent Marshall and listen to his preaching; and thence to Georgia, to form the acquaintance of the distinguished and venerable Mercer. Returning from the South, he visited Virginia, and became personally known to the lamenteil Semple, and other valuable ministers of that State. Wherever he went, his preaching produced a thrilling eflfect. His youthful appearance, the ardour and gracefulness of his manner, and the beauty of his diction, attracted universal attention. There are not a few who still remember his visit to Eastern Virginia, with lively emotion, after the lapse of almost half a century. In April, 1805, Mr. Kerr was married to Mrs. Williams, an estimable and pious lady of Halifax County, Va. This union proved a great bless- ing to him. From this event until his death, he was a citizen of the Old Dominion. For several years, he pursued his ministry in Halifax and the adjoining counties, with great acceptance, but I know not witli what success. But an important event in the life of Mr. Kerr was now at hand. In 1811, he embarked on the stormy sea of politics, consenting to become a candidate for Congress. That he was influenced to this measure by con- siderations that, at the time, seemed to him sufficient to justify it, I have no doubt ; but it may perhaps reasonably be questioned whether, survey- ing them as he now does, by the light of eternity, he does not perceive that he erred in his estimate of their importance, and that even his country had no right to call him away from the appropriate duties of his vocation. He was twice elected to Congress, and was a member of that Body during the War of 1812; and I have no doubt that he served his country, at that critical period, with a fervent and eidightened patriotism. At the close of his Congressional career, he continued to reside in Halifax, and to preach to the Churches at Arbor and at Mary Creek, until Providence removed him to another and more important field of labour. During his abode in Halifax, an event of which I have several times heard Elder Kerr speak, took place. He was strongly tempted to abandoD 446 BAPTIST. tbe ministry, and to enter on the practice of the Law, — a profession for which he had a strong predilection. The necessities of a growing family seemed to him not only to justify but to demand the measure. One day he was riding home, perhaps from preaching, revolving in his mind the question of duty. The emoluments and honours of the legal profession were temptingly spread before his mind. His purpose was suddenly formed, and ho rejoiced that the question of duty was at length decided. But his Master did not design to discharge him from the Gospel ministry. His horse took fright, he was thrown from his gig, and the bones of one leg were dreadfully fractured. For several weeks he lay in excruciating pain, and all hope of saving the limb had nearly vanished. One night he fell asleep and dreamed that the Saviour came to him, and, with benignant countenance, laying his hand gently on the wound, healed it. He awoke in an ecstacy. Calling his family around him, he declared that his limb was healed, and insisted that he should be permitted to rise and walk. In this, however, he was mistaken ; but, from that moment, he never experienced the slightest pain in the fractured member, and it healed with an astonishing rapidity. The end of the affliction had been attained. All desire to enter the practice of the Law had vanished ; and never had the work of preaching Christ .to guilty men seemed to him so important, delightful and glorious. In March, 1825, Elder Kerr removed to the city of Ilichmond, and became the Pastor of the First Baptist Church. This was the scene of his brightest and of his gloomiest days. Here he was called to bury the wife of his youth, the companion of his riper years, and the fond mother of his children. Here his fine pulpit talents were brought into active and successful operation. Crowds hung with delight on his ministry. In the years 1826 and 1827, the church enjoyed a precious revival, which resulted in the addition of more than two hundred members. During a series of meetings in 1831, a revival still more powerful and glorious ensued. In less than a year, more than five hundred members were added to the church ; two hundred and seventeen of whom were white. The church appeared now to have reached the highest point of pros- perity. But troubles and divisions were at hand. Mr. Alexander Camp- bell, spending a winter in the city, as a member of the Convention for remodelling the State Constitution, was invited to occupy the pulpit. His peculiar views were then but partially developed ; but the consequence of his occasional labours there was, that about seventy members of Mr. Kerr's church adopted Mr. C.'s system, and were subsequently excluded from communion. Throughout this trying season, the Pastor conducted with creat firmness and moderation, and showed that his convictions of truth and duty were paramount to all other considerations. During Mr. KerrV residence in Richmond, he exerted an important influence on the Baptist denomination throughout the Commonwealth. He generally took an active, and frequently a controlling, part in the various schemes designed to promote the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom. He succeeded the venerable Semple as IModerator of the General Associa- tion of Virginia, and for several years he presided over the Baptist Edu- cation Society, and I may add, few men ever presided with greater promptness, dignity, and url)anity. JOHN KERR. 447 At the close of 1832, he resigned his charge in Richmond; and though, at the earnest solicitation of his people, he consented to remain until they should obtain a successor, he performed but little service in the church afterwards. Mr. Kerr was a man of noble person, strong constitution, and excellent health. It was fondly hoped that his life would be preserved many years, and that in a green old age he would stand forth as the representative of a departed generation. But Heaven decreed otherwise. For a considerable time previous to his death, he had been manifestly ripening for glory. In 1839, he wrote to a Cliristian friend thus: — " I think I love Christianity more than ever I did. I see more harmony, and beauty, and glory in the Gospel than ever I have before seen ; — the Christianity which Jesus taught and exemplified in his life ; — the Christi- anity embodied in the two great commandments ; — the Christianity which the angels published and sung at the birth of our beloved Saviour, — " Beliold I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people." " Will it surprise you, my brother, to hear that I have turned reformer? Not a reformer that comes forth declaring and waging war upon the opin- ions and doctrines of all other men ; — not a reformer who comes forth with new dogmas, new versions, new hymn books, new litanies and formulas, willi all tlic habiliments of a new sect — a new party to add to the number of fiery combatants in the contests for pre-eminence and party fame. No I 0 my soul, come not thou into their secret ! I am engaged, I trust, in the great work of getting and keeping my own heart right in the sight of God ; — ' keeping it with all diligence ; for out of it are the issues of life.' 1 know, if I have not the spirit of Christ, I am none of his, — however orthodox my opinions may be, — however great my fame in the Church and in the world." For some months previous to his death, he conversed much with his friends on the subject of his decease, assuring them that he had no more dread of dying than of undressing himself for a night's repose. His jour- ney from the cradle to the tomb, occupying a little more than sixty years, closed peacefully on the 29th of September, 1842. Mr. Kerr was naturally of a frank, generous and disinterested disposi- tion. Incapable of artifice himself, he was not always guarded against it in others. His temperament, peculiarly ardent, sometimes perverted his judgment. His manners were uniforn)ly bland, gentle and conciliating. In social intercourse he was highly gifted, never failing to impart an interest and a charm to conversation. He was dignified without ostenta- tion, and cheerful without levity. As a Christian, he imbibed in a high degree the spirit of his Master. His piety was not the dwarfish and stunted growth of sectarianism, — morose, censorious and persecuting ; but the product of enlarged and liberal views, — cheerful, candid and conciliatory. Though he was firm to his convictions as a Baptist, he was remarkably free from bigotry, and was a lover of good men of every communion. As a Preacher, he possessed oommanding talents. A fine person, a sonorous voice, and a graceful manner at once prepossessed his hearers in 448 BAPTIST. his favour. His apprehension was quick, his perception clear, and his imagination remarkably vivid. He did not enjoy in early life the advantages of a careful and thorough mental culture, — a defect which he never ceased to lament. He had, however, read much ; thought closely on many sub- jects ; and been a careful observer of men and things. Had his applica- tion been equal to his genius, the depth of his judgment to the brilliancy of his fancy, and his powers of ratiocination to his powers of description, he would have been a preacher of well-nigh unequalled talents. As it was, he was among the most popular preachers of his day in Virgiuia. For more than thirty years, he rarely, if ever, failed to be appointed, at Asso- ciations and other important meetings, to preach on occasions of the greatest interest. At such times, standing in the open air, and addressing large assemblies, he was on his favourite theatre. No matter how wearied and disorderly the congregation, he never failed to command silence, and to awaken deep interest. Under his stirring appeals, I have seen, I think I may say thousands, at one time, bathed in tears. His sermons were marked by striking excellencies and striking defects. They were rather interesting and impressive, than argumentative. But they were eminently adapted to be useful, especially with the great mass of hearers. Wher- ever he .preached, especially in his latter days, a rich blessing seemed to attend his ministrations. Churches received from his earnest and pathetic appeals a fresh and mighty impulse. The cause of Missions, of Ministerial Education, and of Temperance, were each much indebted to his untiring and disinterested efforts. I cannot doubt that he will be found at last among those who have turned many to righteousness, and who shall shine as the stars forever and ever. I am, very sincerely. Your friend and brother, J. B. JETER. FROM THE REV. WILLIAM HOOPER, LL. D. MnRFREESBORO', N. C , JuiiC 1, 1858. My dear Sir: I am called upon by j-our kind importunity for a sketch of my impressions of the late Rev. John Kerr of Virginia, as a pulpit speaker. My desire to be excused on the ground of mj' verj' transient acquaintance with him, and very limited opportunity of hearing him, has not been accepted by you. I tliercfore yield to your request, under the unpleasant conviction that the dim portrait 1 am about to draw will not be worthy of the subject, or of the permanent work into which it may be interwoven. My first acquaintance with Mr. Kerr was formed during the summer of when I was invited to join him in a preaching tour through some of the churches lying in the Northern part of North Carolina. As we rode to the places appointed for nMjeting, it was easy to see that some extraordinarj- attraction was producing a confluence of the population to one spot. The inhabitants of the whole country, far and near, seemed to be in motion. This •spectacle itself is sufficient to kindle the soul of any man who has in himself the elements of that ardent spirit which gives birth to high efforts of eloquence. As the preacher rides along amidst this vast moving mass, and sees the eager- ness, the haste, the bustle, all to reach the spot where they may hang upon his lips with the silence of death, and listen to truths on Avhich their eternal destiny depends, his mind catches inspiration, his intellect expands with the JOHN KERR. 449 noblest conceptions, and his heart warms and molts with Divine charity for those who are so anxiously looking to him for the br^ad of life. Permit me here to transcribe some remarks from a public address which 1 delivered about this time, — remarks which, if 1 recollect, were suggested by the scenes of that preaching excursion: — " The bulk of our population may be called an unreading people. They are too busy to read, and that is not the channel by which they have been in the habit of receiving knowledge and enjoying its acquisition. Their stock of knowledge, whatever it be, has been acquired through the ear. It has been caught spontaneously without study and without trouble — in the social group, talking over the news and the politics of the day; at the muster ground or tax gathering, from the speeches of political candidates; but, above all, at the great religious convocation from the mouth of a favourite preacher. In all these cases, it is the living voice, dropping from living, glowing lips, upon the greedy ear of the expectant multitude, that reaches, and controls, and fashions the popular mind, and guides the mighty momentum of the popular doings. This instrument of wielding the public will is seized and made fearful use of by sellish and ambitious men, who employ the popularity they thus acquire for their own personal advantage. The same instrument must be wrenched from their grasp by the people's real friends; the cannon must be taken from the enemy, and used in the people's cause. Our people are not fond of reading, but they are fond to excess of public speaking. Witness the avidity Avith which they throng to places where public speaking is to be heard, whether sacred or secular. Let an eloquent preacher pass through the country, and the whole population settle like a swarm of bees under the boughs of the trees where the scent of the honey is dilTused. Tiie family that have not time or patience to read a newspaper or a printed sermon, can spare time to sit for three or four successive days under the sound of the preacher's voice. . . . He was a wise man, and had a deep insight into human nature, who said: < Let me make a nation's ballads, and I care not who may make its laws' — * such sway have national airs which strike the chord of national feeling, that those who wish to rule a nation's will, and wield a nation's strength, have not overlooked or neglected this powerful engine. Who does not know how the populace of Scotland may be wrought up to an ecstasy of patriotism by the strains of Burns, when Bruce or Wallace is the theme! If those strains make the heart even of an American, in another hemisphere, beat like the sound of a trumpet, what must be their effect upon the heart of a Scotsman! Who can wonder that an army should conquer and sweep their enemies before them, as a hurricane sweeps the trees of the forest, when ten tliousand hearts are wrought up to a frenzy of patriotism bj- such strains as tliese.' And if tkis country is ruled by the popular will, and the popular will can be reached by eloquence, does it not at once appear how important the posses- sion of eloquence is; — how studiously and ardently it ought to be cultivated, especially by the occupiers of the sacred desk. There are the demands for its highest efforts; there are the themes for its sublimest inspirations; there are the incentives to its greatest achievements, in the consequences both to the speaker and his hearers. There is a sublimity, a pathos, in high moral senti- ment, when poured forth from the lips of an unsuspected orator, which has a • This famous saving is attributed to Cardinal Mazarin. I remember that Mr. Burke, found- ing his theory on this admitted phenomenon, the amazing sway of popular ballads over a nation a feelings and movements, contends against the truth of the celebrated lloratian rule of criticism : Segnius irritant animos demissa peraurem, Quaiii quic sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus. — A. P. ISO. He insists that no visible objects have near the same mastery over the human mind, as those that addrtsi' themselves to the ear. Perhaps he cites, as a further instance, the magical power, of military music over armies. — See Burke on the Sublime and IS i aid i Jul.. You. YI. 57 450 BAPTIST. soul-subduing power; the hearers jaeld themselves to the inspiration of the moment; the breast feels proud of the magnanimous emotions which swell and influence it; while selfishness and venality, with all their ugly, dwarfish retinue of cunning arts, stand rebuked and abashed in the presence of awful virtue. They even forget their nature, for a time; become ashamed of their baseness and deformity, catch, in sjjite of themselves, the contagion of mag- nanimity, and, hurried along by the tide of general sympathy, join in the burst of acclamation, and strew laurels in the path of the conqueror. So have I seen a mass of rotten wood and rubbish, lifted by a freshet from its muddy bed, and floating on the swollen bosom of some majestic river. For a time it keeps its place, lifeless and motionless, near the shore — pushed back, as it were, into a corner by the very vehemence of the noble stream which rushes along in the middle. By and by it begins to partake of the general agitation; it ventures tremulously near the edge of the current, but, as if yet afraid to trust itself to the furious tide, it starts back, and wheels and wheels again, in reluctant eddies, until, coming at last within the central influence, away it dashes, like a race-horse, down the foaming flood, as if proud of its coerced velocity, and glorj'ing in the might of the waters which bear it along. So does the mean and little soul yield itself to the resistless torrent of virtuous eloquence, surprised at its own unnatural elevation, proud in feeling itself capable of a momentary generosity." Such delightful and sublime emotions are always enjoyed, and such moral changes are always witnessed under extra- ordinary exhibitions of oratory, and they constitute so great a mental luxury, that no one would willingly miss them; no one but would make violent exer- tions to put himself under their dissolving influence. Door posts and floors give way before the irrepressible appetite of human masses, pressing to drink in the droppings of the honied tongue. Such scenes are always witnessed when some great worldly interest rouses the passions of men; and similar efi"ects are seen when the great interests of the soul have seized with due force upon some man of fervid temperament and keen sensibility. Such scenes astonished Great Britain and America, a hundred years ago, when this sacred " fire glowed in the very marrow of the bones of Whitefield, making him the greatest of preachers, drawing twenty thousand people within the magic circle of his enchantments, and melting them down, one and all, Greek and barbarian, learned and unlearned, aged and young, philosopher and artisan, male and female, in the furnace of his consuming eloquence."* Such interesting specta- cles so honourable to human nature — both to the vanquisher and the van- quished— were re-enacted in our father-land, when Irving and Chalmers shook its sacred edifices; and such spectacles are now going on in the metropolis of England, where a young man, of scarce twenty-four, without any advantages of fortune, birth, education, or position, is, by virtue of his tongue alone, attracting day by day, crowds which no house can hold, and thus this strip- ling, endowed with the single gift of sacred eloquence, is perhaps an object of notice and interest to more people than any other human being, wherever the English language is spoken. John Kerr, of whom you ask for my recollections, had powers and produced effects, which warrant us in believing that, had he been blessed with equal preparation, and figured on as conspicuous a theatre, he might have taken his place among these Boanerges of the pulpit. Forsiian et ejus nomen miscebitur istis. A gentleman, himself now a powerful preacher, when I mentioned to him my high estimate of Mr. Kerr's eloquence, fully concurred with me, attri- buting to him flights such as he never heard approached by any other •See a Sermon of the writer on "The ministry of Reconciliation," p. 28. JOHN KEKR. 45] speaker; at tho same time admitting his performances to liave been very unequal, sometimes not rising above ordinary capacity. At the time men- tioned above, he was in the full maturity of his powers, and in the lull career of his popularitj'. He rode from one country church to another, carrying, as it were, the whole population in his train, llis sermons were often protracted to three hours' length, yet the people continued to sit with unsated ears; and the same throng who heard him yesterday would ride miles to hear him to-day. Though invited to participate with him in the labours of the pulpit, I felt myself paralyzed in his presence. To speak first, followed by Mr. Kerr, would only provoke mortifying comparison; and to come after him, no preacher Avould feel any inclination, choosing rather to sit and mingle his tears with those of the congregation, than to reduce the glowing temperature of the house by his own lukewarm etfusions. As fine a pulpit effort as I ever heard, — perhaps the most dissolving, — was that of Mr. Kerr's Funeral Sermon on Luther Rice, the missionary to India. News of the death of Mr. Rice in South Carolina reached the Baptist Convention, while in session, near Yanceyville in North Carolina. The decea.sed, from his missionary services in India, but still more from his labours at home in the mission cause, had exceedinglj'- endeared himself to the Baptist public. The intelligence of his sudden and unexpected death was received with much emotion by the large body of ministers and people there assembled; and, after an interchange of condolence, and after resolutions expressive of their high appreciation of the dead, Mr. Kerr was appointed to preach his Funeral Sermon, before the Convention on Sunday. It was near the end of the week, and there was very little time for preparation — indeed, I doubt whether even that short time was made use of — so accustomed was Mr. Kerr to confide in the extemporaneous resources of his mind, and the momentary inspiration of the pulpit. He rose with that commanding dignity of presence, and that fine mixture of tender- ness and seriousness, for which he was so remarkable, and announced his text: '< The priest's lips should keep knowledge, — and they should learn the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts." I do not recollect the particular manner in which he treated his subject and do not suppose that if any one had been able to retain his calmness, and to judge the sermon by its reasoning, or by the deep, original thought it contained, ho would have considered it anything extraordinary. But the truth is, that the man soon put his auditors in such a frame that all criticism was ashamed of itself, aud nothing appeared appropriate to the time and place but to let the heart grow liquid under his ardent breath, and pour itself out like water. Such I acknowledge was the eflfect on myself. T wanted to do nothing but remain on my seat, and indulge without restraint the luxury of tears, — a fresh gush being drawn forth at each stroke of the magician's wand. It cannot be doubted that pathos was the forta of Mr. Kerr, and that the most favouralde circumstances for rousing it in his own breast, and transmitting it to the breasts of his audience, were the circumstances which then surrounded him: a vast country audience of plain people, gathered from all distances into and around a country meeting-hon.sc ! Then, if ever, the sacred speaker will feel the influence of a large sympathetic multitude, hanging with mute attention upon his lips, v,'hile the greatness of his theme and the heavenly authority of his office set him above the petty anxieties of self, and the ignoble fear of man. Place the same man in a city pulpit — surround him with frivolous ladies and gentlemen, or frigid, philosophic literati, and immediately Samson is shorn of his hair, and you hear on all sides expressions of disai)i)ointment and chagrin. This may account for the failure of Mr. Kerr's preaching at Charles- ton. I understood that, when he visited that citj', no sensation was excited. no one talked of him as anything uncommon. Ilis long sermons themselves, 452 BAPTIST. which, in the country, are patiently heard, and even greedily devoured, where pulpit services are enjoyed only once a month, — these themselves would he intolerable to a city audience, however otherwise attractive they might be. It was to be lamented that Mr. Kerr was ever drawn off from his sacred busi- ness to expend his powers upon secvilar subjects. But such was his over- whelming popularity, that he was sometimes persuaded, in opposition to his taste and his better judgment, to lend himself to a political party, as their onl_Y available candidate. He told me he was in the Congress of 1812, which declared war against Great Britain, and he described that Congress as being like that Roman Senate which the Gauls found sitting when they entered Rome, and which they mistook for a council of gods! — so much did they seem to him above the Congresses of our day. And now, dear Sir, I have done. How jejune is this tribute to the memory of the late John Kerr, I am painfully sensible. How much more worthy a portrait would have been drawn of him by a daily companion, or even by me, had my acquaintance with him been for a few years, instead of a few weeks. It is one of the infelicities of genius, that it sometimes finds no kindred sjiirit to fix and record its achievements; and especially doomed to this early obli- vion are the airy syllables, the eTtea Ttzenoevra of the popular preacher. I am, dear Sir, With great respect and regard, yours, TV. HOOPER. HORATIO GATES JONES, D. D.=^ 1801—1853. Horatio Gates Jones, a sou of the Eev. David Jones, was born in Eastown, Chester County, Pa., on the 11th of February, 1777. He passed his early youth at Southampton, where he attended a Latin School, and at Eastown, where he spent part of his time labouring on a farm, and thus acquired habits of industry and early rising, which continued with hira through life. In 1796, he was placed at tlie Bordentown Academy, then under the direction of the Rev. (afterwards Dr.) Burgess Allison. During \his connection with this Institution, the Rev. (afterwards Dr.) William Staughton became one of its teachers, and young Jones formed an acquaintance with him, which ripened into an intimate and enduring friend- ship. Having gone through his course of study at the Academy, he returned to the paternal roof, and resumed the business of farming. He mingled also somewhat in politics ; and, being a fluent speaker, liad acquired a prominent position before he had reached his majority. But about this time his mind underwent an important change in refer- ence to religious things, which gave a decisive complexion to his subsequent life. Believing himself to have been the siiliject of a spiritual renovation, he made a public profession of his faith on the 24th of June, 1798, tlie ordinance of Baptism being administered to him by the Rev. John Boggs, who was at that time his father's colleague in the ministry. Not long after tl)is, he began to exercise his gifts in the way of public exhortation ; and, as liis efforts proved highly acceptable, his thoughts were * Bapt. Mem., 1854.— MS. from his eon, II. G. Jones, Esq.. HORATIO GATES JONES. 453 soon directed towards the uiiuistry as his profession. Though ho had every prospect of political preferment, if he would consent to remain in civil life, his convictions of duty overpowered all considerations of worldly interest, and broua"ptist Board of Missions was established at Pliila- delphia, Mr. Jones was present and assisted in its organization. He was elected one of the first Board of Managers, and served as Recording Secretary for many years. He was also a warm friend to the cause of education, especially the education of young men for the ministry. It was chiefly through his influence that the Philadelphia Baptist Association Avas induced to organize a manual labour school at Haddington, which finally HORATIO GATES JONES. 455 became Haddington College. So long as that institution existed, he was President of its Board of Trustees, and spared neither time nor money in the promotion of its interests. He was elected the first Chancellor of the University at Lewisburg ; and they conferred upon hlni their first degree of Doctor of Divinity. Ho received the degree of Master of Arts from Brown University, in 1812. In 1S*29, he was elected President of the rhiladclphia Baptist Associa- tion, in its corporate capacity, and he held the place until the year 1853, a period of twenty-four years. Dr. Jones continued in the active discharge of his various public duties until the year 1845, when his constitution received a shock from which it never fully recovered. He was making a morning call on the Pastor of the Church at Roxborough. where he resided, when he was suddenly stricken with paralysis, which, however, affected only one side, and hap- pily did not reach the brain. This occasioned a temporary interruption of his Sunday labours at Merlon ; but, as soon as his health would any way admit, he resumed them, in connection with his other duties, with as much alacrity and diligence as ever. In the autumn of 1848, while on a visit to his eldest sou in Sullivan County, N. Y., intending, on his return, to preside at the Commencement of the University at Lewisburg, he received a blow from a horse, which was supposed to have put his life in serious jeopardy. During the severe illness which resulted from this casualty, he was the subject of a striking mental phenomenon. He had been accustomed, while at school in Borden- town in early life, to converse in Latin ; and, though the practice had been discontinued for so many years, he spoke Latin now continually to his phy- sician and attendants for several days. The first visit of Dr. Jones to his church after this confinement awakened their deepest sensibilities. They gathered around him, while he was leaning on his staff with patriarchal simplicity and affection, to express their joy that they were once more permitted to see his face. Shortly after this, he attempted again to supply his pulpit, but quickly found that his strength was inadequate to so much labour, and tendered the resigna- tion of his office as Pastor, which, however, the church refused to accept. He continued, after this, to preach occasionally, though he availed himself of the services of an assistant, and of occasional supplies. In September, 1852, he had another attack of paralysis, which still fur- ther prostrated his physical energies ; but he maintained habitually a spirit of unqualified submission to the Divine will. When the Association met in October, 185.8, in the Tabernacle Church in Philadelphia, he was present for two days, but declined to take any part In the exercises, except to preside over the Corporation. On the first Sunday of November, he went, as usual, to Merion ; and, as the Communion was to be administered, he was urged to have a supply ; but he insisted on preaching himself. He preached with great fervour and energy, and then administered the ordi- nance with uncommon pathos. This proved to be his last public effort. On the following Thursday, (November 6th,) he had another stroke of paralysis, which left little doubt that his end was near. He said to a brother clergyman who asked him if he wished to recover, — " I would not 456 BAPTIST. live alway. I do not murmur, for that would be wicked ; but I wish to wait and abide the Lord's time." His last words were, — " My days are numbered. I am like the grass of the field which perisheth. I have had sore trials, but they will soon be over. Safe at last. Safe at last." He died oil the morning of December 12, 1853, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, and the fifty-third of his ministry, and after having been the first and only Pastor of Lower Morion Church more than forty-five years. At his Funeral, which took place at Roxborough, an appropriate Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. A. D. Gillette, of New York ; and another Commemorative Discourse was subsequently delivered to his bereaved flock, by the Rev. Thomas Winter, of Roxborough. Dr. Jones was married on the 3d of September, 1801, to Esther, daughter of John and Eleanor Righter, of Roxborough. Mrs. Jones died on the 29th of December, 1808, having been the mother of four children. On the 9th of April, 1811, he was married to Deborah, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Levering, of Roxborough. By this marriage he had six child- ren. The second Mrs. Jones died on the 9th of September, 1823. Two of his sons by the second marriage were graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, and admitted to the Philadelphia Bar, One of them has been a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia, and the other is now (1855) a practising lawyer, and Corres- ponding Secretary of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The only work which Dr. Jones ever published was "A History of the Philadelphia Baptist Association," in the year 1823, He was also a co-editor of the "Latter Day Luminary," — an early Baptist Missionary Magazine ; and was a frequent contributor to several religious periodicals. FROM THE REV, RUFUS BABCOCK, D. D. PouGHKEEPSiE, Fcbruaiy 15, 1855. My dear Sir: Though I had heard much and read something of Dr. Jones, and felt an almost reverential regard for him as the early Secretary of our For- eign Mission Board, the intimate friend of Doctors Staughton, Allison, Rogers, and other worthies who had already passed away, I had never personally met with him till he was very nearly threescore years old. On my introduction to the Pastorship of a church in Philadelphia, Mhich had been accustomed to regard him with peculiar deference, affection, and gratitude, for his counsels and labours in their behalf, it was very natural that I should be favourably introduced to him. There was one other reason — he was now President of a Board of Managers for educational purposes, espe- cially the education of candidates for the ministry; and my connection with Waterville College as President, up to this period, he evidently thought might be made useful to the cause he had so much at heart. Our first interview was at the meeting of that Board, and, as he presided, and I was a merely invited guest, witli nothing" to do but look on, my point of observation was eminently favourable. He came into the city, as was his custom, from his suburban residence, his Ciucinnatus-like toils and cares, with a kind of Virginian simplicity, truly primitive. It reminded one of the manner in Avhich Chief Justice Marshall, in the early years of his riding the circuits, used to appear. Yet, with this simplicity, there was a dignity which secured the most profound respect. His person, nearly six feet high, well nnide, erect, Avith rather florid countenance, HORATIO GATES JONES. 457 to which either sternness or playfulness was almost equally natural or becoming, aided this impression. So did his exact punctuality. Rarely M'as he ever a moment heliind liis appointments, or absent from tiiem. Then, more- over, ho had the most delicate .sense of order. Every member sliould have his right vithout confusion or interruption. As presiding ofBcer, he would seldom give any indication of his own preference, in any matter under debate, unless he formally put some one else in the chair. Without impatience he heard and weighed all that was said on both sides. All these things conspired to give him much inlluence with his brethren. You would readily see, M'ith his quick perceptions, his rather sanguine temperament, his earlier and more thorough acquaintance with men and things in that locality than those around him possessed, that it was next to impossible for him to avoid being regarded as an active partisan. The posi- tive in his nature greatly predominated over the negative. In earlier life he had rather shunned than courted the position of a leader; but he was always an unfaltering coadjutor, and well knew how to ignore the trifling infelicities, slights, misconceptions, which often turn away adherents from an important cause. When, at length, pushed into the front rank, and obliged to hold the first place, he expected of men, Avorthy to be associated in a noble cause, that they would do this, and felt instinctive scorn for changelings. Such doubtless regarded him as inveteratel}' pertinacious. lie must indeed have a good reason for changing a position Avhich he had deliberately taken; and he must have time and space enough for a safe and somewhat graceful evolution. A sudden somerset excited his utmost contempt. Yet let him see any course he had been pursuing to be wrong, and he would stop immediately; and, in time, you might be sure of the amplest and most cordial recantation and amends. I saw much of him, subsequently, in his family. The respect and venera- tion which he there universally inspired hardly had a limit. He happily com- bined in this relation the dignity of a sage with the playful simplicity of a child. The little ones loved him as much as they feared him, and the measure of either was not small. Order reigned in his household. AThen I first visited it, he had been a widower for more than a dozen years, and remained so to the end of life. But there were few dwellings which seemed less to have suffered for the lack of competent housewiferj^; and that deficiency, in the outset at least, he must have personally met with consummate wisdom and prudence. The way in which God was honoured and served in the morning and even- ing devotions of that family, was a rebuke to many a professedly Christian household. Xor was the indirect benefit of it trifling or evanescent. Long as his tongue could articulate, or his palsied limbs totter to the fomilj' room, he every morning read God's word, devoutly, and with intelligent earnestness, and then led his household in prayer. They, and even the transient guests, will never forget those seasons, when, with such touching appropriateness and pathos, he spread out the wants of all before a common Heavenly Father. His double duty of supplying the part of both parents, to his daughters especially, may possibly have put him, towards the end of life, and when he could less easily bear the thought of change, in a somewhat false position towards them. Perhaps this was the only defect or imperfection noticealde in all his domestic relations. There was no danger that .servants, or children, or more casual associates in the family circle, would ever trifle witli him. Yet there was no grievous galling yoke impo.sed on an}'. How beautiful as well as how powerful was here the influence of holy lore! Such as he was as the head of the family, he was also, and in much the same manner and degree, as Pastor of the church. Few men were ever so Vol. YI. 58 458 BAPTIST. full)^ entitled to say " my church." While he probably never used this phraseology, the idea which Dr. Johnson has so forciblj' expressed of the yearning aifection of a good father, struggling to support a family so large that it overtasked his utmost powers — as being the fittest exponent of a true Pastor's feelings and efforts for his flock, was in him most fully illustrated. To be a good Father and a good Pastor was certainly the great aim of his life. The distinction which the Chief Apostle makes, when to the Corinthian Church he says " For though ye have ten thousand teachers, yet have ye not many fathers," was strikingly suggested in his case. He was one, where there certainly are " not many." How he bore all the members on his heart in sickness and health, in youth and age, in summer and winter, for nearly half a century, has left an ineffaceable impression. He must have fed them well, or they would not have been led so easily. This naturally suggests the last point 1 shall advert to, — namelj', his intellectual furniture and habits. In early youth, he had fine opportunities for grounding himself thoroughly in the Latin and Greek classics — these, especially the former, were favourites with him through life. Of modern languages he used the French with great facility, the German with less. On this vantage ground, he made available for himself and for the benefit of those to whom he ministered, the most important treasures to which his linguistic lore furnished the key. Though not deficient, for the age in which he was educated, in general scientific attainments, you could easily perceive that his inclination was for literature rather than science; and he expatiated chiefly in the former field. Probably, in the earlier years of his ministry, he was a hard student, writing out his sermons nearly at full length, and so far committing them to memory as entirely to dispense with his manuscript in the pulpit. Of course this limited the range of his reading; and indeed till considerably after the middle of his course, his use of books conformed to the Latin rule, " Non multa, sed multum." A few choice authors well coursed, yielded him more profit than a mere cursory use of many would have done. Later in life, and when neither his necessities nor tastes so rigidly confined him to close study, he became a more miscellaneous reader, and relished a somewhat extensive range of general as well as theological literature. He early formed an exalted estimate of what preaching should be, which made him somewhat impatient with the flii^pant superficialities in which many young men, and some who are older, are prone to indulge. A rigid adherent himself to the high points of Calvinism, he may have been sometimes unjust in his estimate of those whom he thought defective. Hence it was a principle with him con.scientiously and laboriously to prepare himself for each Sabbath's ministrations. His early failure of health, leading him, for its restoration, to the invigor- ating pursuits of husbandry, for several hours each day, when the weather was favourable, manifestly tended to more of mental independence, freedom, originality; and while he went from the field to the study, and from the studjr to the field, he enjoyed the opportunity of more thoroughly digesting and sifting the principles and opinions which books suggested. "Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri," came to be his motto. While, with com- mendable conservatism, he gave due heed to what the wise and good, both ancients and moderns, have taught, he bowed with unquestioning defereiKC only to the infallible Guide-Book. Such at least was his purpose and endeavour. But we can get a better and more comprehensive view of the Man, the Pastor, the Student, the Preacher, if we follow him through a week's routine. Begin with oMonlay morning. Though he might plead some indulgence from the extra fatigue of yesterday, he is, as ever, early to rise. His first half- HORATIO GATES JOXKS. 459 hour is uniformly given to secret conimuuion Mith God and his word. lie then looks abroad over liis well tilled acres, directs the labour on the farm or in the garden, and sometimes engages in it. Tlie breakfast hour has now nearly arrived, and the entire household are assembled for prayers. After breakfast, lie gratifies himself and the grandchildren, if any are in the family, with a few moments' relaxation, recounts to them any matters of interest in the services of the Sabbatli, or in relation to other children he has lately seen, and gives himself for the forenoon to general reading or to writing letters. The afternoon he devotes to visiting the sick, the aged, the bereaved, or any having special claims to his attention. Tuesday and Wednesday, — on one or both of which days he probably has calls to town, to meet with some Board or Committee, or to carry out some executive service devolved on him, — in other respects pass away in ranch the same manner. But the middle of the week has now come, and, by this time, if not earlier, he has the theme of his principal and most elaborate sermon selected for the ensuing Sabbath. The next morning, soon after breakfast, he is in his librar}', and gives several hours of continuous study to the topic selected for his discourse; and rarely will he leave the room till the outline of what he intends to say is strongly fixed in his mind. Then, whether in the field or the garden, or on the broad piazza of the family mansion, he revolves, analyzes, recasts the several parts of the proposed discourse, till he feels assured thej^ cannot be arranged by him more satisfactorily. If new investigations of certain points have to be made, he has still time for them, and when all has assumed the place and form in his mind which please him, then, and not ordinarily till then, he commits the full outline to paper. Some scintillations and offshoots have been evolved in this process of mental elaboration, which probabl}' will ripen into distinct themes for less elaborate afternoon and evening exercises. Sometimes, these last are slightly sketched by the pen; and, perhaps, as often they are only in his mind. Thus is the last half of the week filled up, varied, perhaps, oftener than otherwise, with Funerals, or Marriages, or the diversilied duties of his Pastorate. But, ordinarily, before the evening of Saturday, all is ready, and never does tlie man of God appear to more advantage in his family circle, than when the closing hours of the week find him with the happy consciousness of due preparation, and resting in anticipation of the time of public service. IIow tender, solemn, holy is the spirit he now breathes and diffuses! The bow is unbent, but in hand; the .shafts are chosen and ready; and the arm is becom- ing more vigorous by the temporary relaxation now enjoj'ed. The Sabbath daAvns, and there is a rousing up to all its high engagements. No bustle, nor confusion, nor perturbation is manifest, as he goes forth on the long ride of six miles, which brings him to the House of God. From far and near, from city and country, from the poor man's cottage and the mansions of the opulent, the population gather on the margin of that noble grove of ancient oaks. Singly, in pairs, and by families, they find their way within the hallowed walls. That patriarchal man slowly ascends the sacred desk. He read.s God's word, directs to sing his praise, and calls on all to l>ow before his mercy-seat. The voice of prayer is reverent, but yet natural, and seems to indicate the freedom of one who has often been encouraged to come very near, and ask with great assurance. Numerous as are the objects for which he is called to plead, none are forgotten, but all are suitably and adequately presented. The sermon follows. It is characterized by method without form- ality,— it has unity, power, and practicalness. "Wliile less elaborate, artificial, refined than some require, it leaves the impression that the preacher does not 460 BAPTIST. regard it for its own sake, but only as the channel of important truth. He reads, perhajis, one half of what he utters, and the whole fills up nearly an hour in the delivery. His action is always impressive and appropriate, and not lacking in gracefulness. The afternoon and especially the evening servi- ces are not ordinarily in the church ediiice, but in some school-house or hall, or more rarel}' in some grove or private dwelling. Here, with little or no use of Avritten notes, he yet has a distinct plan, a definite point which he keeps constantly in view, and often takes brilliant flights, and deals in melting pathos, thus imparting to these exercises the deepest interest. In eai'ly and middle life, many of his sermons were reckoned eloquent, and his funeral ora- tions and addresses have been much extolled. Eminently evangelical in all his themes, as well as in his treatment of them, there was no tedious mono- tony in his discourses, but inther great freshness and vivacity, until he was fully threescore and ten. In his last years, as might be expected, he became more dogmatic. In him, as in his distinguished father, there was a vein of humour and even sarcasm, which discovered itself when he thought occasion required. He was full of genial warmth, but he kept his sjiortive wit for the fireside. It never lessened the effect of his public ministrations. Few men of that day hare written so much and so well, and published so little. It was not for want of importunity, but he seems to have taken an early dislike to seeing himself in print, and to have resolutely declined the numerous applications that were made for the productions of his pen. His devotion to Merion Church, as its Founder, and only Pastor for nearly half a century, will be his noblest monument. Never can I forget the last time I saw him, in feeble health, too weak to preach, but resolute to make his accustomed Sabbath visit to his much loved flock; and when, at niglit, he reached his own dwelling, too much wearied to walk, or talk but with extreme difficulty, he slowly uttered words indicative of his undying interest in their welfare. " I shall worship with them while this faltering frame can be car- ried to the place where they assemble." Four months later, the very day of his decease, while his mind wandered, he said to the loved daughter who attended him, — " Come, come, let us go to Merion." Thus was the ruling passion strong in death. Take him all in all, not soon shall we look upon his like again. Yours truly, KUrUS BABCOCK. SALMON MORTON. 1802—1822. FROM 0. N. WORDEN, ESQ. Lewisburg, Pa., July 17, 1858. Dear Sir : The worthj^-servant of the Most High whose name is above written, was called home in the height of his usefulness, and although his new and sparse field of labour gave him a comparatively small circle of acquaintance, his memory is fondly cherished by very many who knew him. Salmon Morton, a son of Deacon Abner Morton, was born in Athol, Mass., May 11, 1767. At the age of sixteen, he was deeply impressed with the necessity of regeneration, but did not realize the evidence of that blessing until he had attained his majority. His experience is an interest- SALMON MORTON. 461 ing display of Divine grace, and the first impulses of bis renewed heart led him to pass from house to house among his neighbours, telling tbcni the good news, and exhorting them to repentance. As he had not bccju form- ally licensed to preach, however, his eflforts were deemed out of character, and be was so coldly received as to cause him to cease from all public religious labours. About 1797, he removed with bis parents into Central New York, where he was again awakened to bis duty by the labour of Elder Joel Butler, and was the first subject of the ordinance of Baptism in the new Church at Madison, in 1799, when he had reached bis thirty- third year. Not long afterwards, an assembly had gathered to hear a sermon from Elder Stephen Parsons,* but he disappointed them. It was not then customary to meet for worship without engaging in it, and if no preacher appeared, other members improved their gifts. By some seeming accident, " Brother Morton " was desired to " try to lead the meeting." He ventured to read a chapter in the Bible, but had not finished it when his long imprisoned soul claimed its full liberty — he commenced speaking " sermon-wise," and proceeded with such freedom and efi'cct as to astonish his hearers and greatly relieve his own mind. Thus introduced to the great work of his after-life, he was, by the advice of a Presbytery com- posed of brethren Bacon, t Butler, Hosmer,! Parsons, and Roots, ordained, in June, 1802. Shortly after, he was married to Polly, daughter of Dea- con Jeremiah Richardson, of Newton, jMass. She proved a true helpmeet, and survived him, with sis children, all of whom became members of the Baptist Church, and one of them a minister. For eleven years, Salmon Morton was Pastor at Madison, and realized his full share of the sufferings and joys of that heroic band of pioneer Baptist preachers, who founded so many of the churches in Central and Western New York. In 1816, he became Pastor of the Church in Mar- cellus, Onondaga County, where he was succeeded, in 1818, by Jesse B. Worden, and then — without removing his family — devoted himself wholly to the more congenial and fruitful employment of itinerant or home mis- sion labour. While thus engaged, his ardour overtasked bis constitution, and death ensued, at Marcellus, 22d of January, 1822, in the fifty-fifth year of his age and the twenty-fourth of his ministry. In person. Elder Morton was about five feet ten in height, stoutly built, with a large head, high forehead, pleasant blue eyes, and a cast of counte- nance indicating great energy and decision of character. His demeanour was grave and dignified, and excited in strangers perhaps more of venera- tion than love; but in conversation his eyes and face beamed with friendly and gentle feelings. • Stephen Parsons, born in Connecticut, September 5, 1748, was licensed to preach ly the Separatist Branch ol li.i Congregatioralists in 1788, and served a church of that ilenouiination in Middletown, Conn., .vix years, but, in 1791, joined the Baptists. He laboured in Central New York from 17l»G until his death, which was occasioned by failing from a beam iu his barn, in the Black River country. He had reached his seventy-first year. t Jamks Bacon, originally, it is believed, a Separatist, from Connecticut, was for some time Pastor at Cazcnovia, N. Y., and died after pa.=sing eighty years. + AsHUKL HosMER was born in West Hartford, Conn., April ?.0, 1758. At the age of six- teen, he entered the American army in the War of the Kevolution, and received a severe wound. At thirty years of age, while residing at Canaan, he was converted and baptized, and began to preach. In 1792, he was ordained at ^Vallingford. In 1795, ho removed to Burling- ton, N. Y., and subsequently to Hamilton, where ho died, April 2, 1812, in the midst of his prosperity, aged fifty-three years. 4G2 BAPTIST. The character of his preaching was strongly doctrinal, and better adapted in some respects to feed the saint than to alarm the sinner ; and yet he was searchingly, scripturally, evangelically practical as well as experi- mental. He was truly a "self-made man," but his good taste and com- plete mastery of a few of the best books enabled him to be correct and often elegant in his choice of language, and his quotations were frequent and apposite. By the rural population among whom his strength was spent, he was considered the first of preachers. Of those better able to fix his rank by comparison, was the late Alexander McWhorter Beebe, LL. D., so long the able editor of the Utica " Baptist Register." In a series of his Bemin- iscences, Mr. Beebe referred to Salmon Morton as one whose natural oratory, displayed in the pulpit upon some subject which aroused the full powers of his soul, was hardly excelled by John M. Mason, the renowned preacher of New York. Mr. Beebe had often heard them both, and was a competent judge. An obituary notice of the subject of this brief sketch, adds : — "In point of intellect and scriptural knowledge, he had few equals; in nobleness of spirit, few superiors ; and his zeal, in a day of persecution, would have brought him speedily to the martyr's stake. Though valiant in soul, he was often tender and humble as a child. Seldom did he preach without tears flowing, under a sense of the condition of the impenitent, or the infinite depths of Divine compassion. With all these excellences, the wisdom of the serpent was not always blended with the harmlessness of the dove. But, beyond all doubt, he now sweeps the heavenly lyre with a seraph's energy." My personal recollections of Elder Morton are unimportant to your purpose. I only add a regret that his limited pecuniary means, by harass- ing him with too much bodily labour and family care, hindered the full accomplishment of all of which so fine a mind and so noble a heart were capable. But he tried to do his full duty ; and Heaven asks no more. Yours truly, 0. N. WORDEN. JEREMIAH CHAPLIN, D. D. 1802—1841. FROM THE REV. THOMAS J. CONANT, D. D. PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER. Rochester, June 18, 1853. Dear Sir: I send you, agreeably to your request, the following brief sketch of my venerable friend, the late Dr. Jeremiah Chaplin. He was a son of Asa and Mary (Bailey) Chaplin, and was born in Bow- ley, (now Georgetown,) Mass., on the 2d of January, 1776. He was serious and thoughtful on the subject of religion from very early childhood. His parents were strict in observing the duties of family religion, and cherished a sacred regard for the Sabbath and its ordinances. JEREMIAH CHAPLIN. 403 The secular business of the week was invariably dosed before Saturday evening, in order that it might be spent by the family as a season of pre- paration for the Sabbath. Under these favouring circumstances, he became the subject of deep religious impressions, and at the early age of ten years made a profession of religion, and Itecame a member of tlie Bap- tist church in his native place. He continued with his father, assisting in the labours of the farm, until he was nearly of age. But, in the mean time, his love of study, and his extraordinary proficiency in it, had marked him out for another spliere of life. Having qualified himself for admission to College, he entered 15rown University, and was graduated in 1799, at the age of twenty-three, with the highest honours of the institution. After spending a year as Tutor in the University, he commenced his studies in Theology, and prosecuted them ^for some time, under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston. His first pastoral charge was the Baptist Church in Danvers, Mass., \vhere it is believed that he commenced his labours in the summer of 18U2. This ch'arge he retained (with the exception of a short absence) for a period of fourteen years, and, in connection with his pastoral duties, gave instruction to young men who were preparing for the ministry. His labours here were greatly blessed ; and he became widely known and highly esteemed for his piety, learning, and sound judgment. In the year 1817, he resigned his pastoral charge, and accepted an invi- tation to become the Principal of a School for theological instruction in Waterville, Mc. In 1820, Waterville College was chartered. He was elected to the Presidency, and held the office thirteen years. Under his ■wise and efficient administration of its affairs, the College was provided with the necessary buildings, library, philosophical and chemical apparatus, and the foundation laid of permanent prosperity in the confidence and attachment of its numerous friends. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the College of South Carolina in 1819. In 18.33, he resigned the Presidency of the College, and returned to his labours as a Pastor, for which he had always felt a strong preference, and to which the remainder of his public life was devoted. After preaching for some time at Rowley, Mass., and also at Willington, Conn., he went to live at Hamilton, N. Y., where he spent the residue of his days. He died there, suddenly, of measles, on the 7th of May, 1841. He was married to Maria O'Brien, of Newburyport, Mass., by whom he had ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Of the eight who are yet living, three are sons, all of whom have received a collegiate educa- tion. Two of them studied Tlieology, and one has been for many years a Professor in the Columbian College, D. C. Mrs. Chaplin still survives. Dr. Chaplin published a small work, entitled " The Evening of Life ; or Light and Comfort amidst the Shadows of Declining Years.'' Dr. Chaplin was one of the most learned theologians of his time. His knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, which he studied in the original lan- guages, was profound ; while the views and the modes of reasoning of the most eminent theologians of every age were familiar to him, and always at his command. For the writings of Edwards, particularly, he had a 464 BAPTIST. high regard. But he thought for liimself ; and while he held firmly to the received doctrines of the Calvinistic school in Theology, his manner of investigating and stating them was altogetlier original. Hence there was a freshness, an air of novelty, in his mode of exhibiting and defending the doctrines of the Bible, which held the attention unwearied, through long and elaborate discussions. Unhappily, he had not the advantages which grace of manner and finished oratory give to the public speaker, especially in the pulpit. Hence his life as a Pastor, and the rich fruits of his piety and learning, were expended among small churches in rural districts. He was fond of illustrating scriptural truth by familiar imagery and similitudes. As a specimen of his manner, I give the following passage, — an incidental illustration of the words in John xiv. 9. " He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father." " To illustrate the meaning of this passage, let us suppose that you descend into one of the salt mines of Poland, some of which are said to be four or five hundred feet beneath the surface of the ground ; that you converse with one of the inhabitants of this subterranean world, — one who was born there, and had never seen the light of the sun. You undertake to give' him a description of fields, and mountains, and forests, and a variety of other objects to be seen on the surface of the earth. You attempt also to give him some idea of the heavens, the azure vault, and of the worlds of light with which it is bespangled and adorned. You speak particularly of the sun ; of the splendour and majesty with which he marches through the expanse of heaven in a clear day. The man listens with deep atten. tioD, and at length exclaims, — 'Show me that glorious sun, and I shall be satisfied !' Suppose now you point him to one of the lamps, which burn with a faint and feeble light in his dreary cavern, and say to him, — 'Do you see that lamp?' 'I do,' he replies; 'but what of that?' 'Why,' say you, 'he that hath seen that lamp hath seen the sun; why, then do you say to mc, show me the sun?' The application is easy. The simili- tude is, I acknowledge, imperfect ; but that very imperfection is in favour of the doctrine I would establish. There is some proportion between the light of a lamp and that of the sun. Both are created, and both of course are finite. But if Jesus Christ be not truly and properly God, there is an infinite disproportion between Him and the Eternal Father. Hence, if it would be absurd to say that he that hath seen a lamp, hath seen the sun ; much more absurd would it be to say, he that hath seen Christ hath seen the Father, unless He be truly and properly Divine." Hoping that the above may answer the purpose for which it is designed, I am, my dear Sir, "~ Faithfully yours, T. J. CONANT. FROM THE HON. JAMES BROOKS. "Washington City, June 17, 1850. Dear Sir: A letter from you, inquiring as to some of the leading character- istics of Dr. Chaplin, was sent to me some days ago, which, in the pres- sure of business, I have not been able to answer before. JEREMIAH CHAPLIN. 4g5 Dr. Cliapliii was rrcsiikiit of AVaUivillo College when I was a .student there, but 1 did not see as much of him as many others, as my recitations never happened to l)e to him. The most I remember was the simple but .severely logical character of his sermons, which were studies for youth, from their almost mathematical character, and the irresistible Iiold they made upon the reason, the judgment, if not upon the heart. It was impossible to hear him, Sabbath after Sabbath, and not to have every irreligious or inlidel suspi- cion driven from the mind. His di.scourses were as clear, as cogent, as irre- sistibly convincing as problems in Euclid. He indulged in little or no ornament, but pursued one train of thought, without deviation, to the end. I attribute to him more than to any one else, the fixture in my own mind of religious truths, which no subsequent reading has ever been able to shake, and M'hich have principally influenced my pen in treating of all political, legal or moral subjects, the basis of which was in the principles of the Bible. Dr. Chai)lin seemed to me to be a man of books, rather than a man of the world. His learning in belles-lettres, as well as in Divinity, was extensive. He was a highly linished classical .scholar, and his knowledge of Greek, I have heard the students who recited to him speak of with admiration. Indeed his knowledge, and his remarkable simplicity of character and manner, inspired a respect among all the students, who, looking up to him as one not of them, yet always Mt him to be one far above them, and Avhom it was for tunate they had to guide them. The personal appearance of Dr. Chaplin was that of a thin, spare, tall man, of features somewhat sharp, Avith a penetrating eye, and he had rather a sepulchral voice, which, in his sermons or prayers, went out in cadences, that rose and fell with a singular eflect upon the ear. His gestures were perpen- dicular with his right arm, keeping time to the changing cadences of his voice, without much reference to the subject matter of his discourse, and made as if it were a rhetorical duty to gesticulate, rather than because there was any use in it. Physical ornament or emphasis, indeed, he had but a very lit- tle idea of, trusting solely to his intellect and his logic. Nevertheless, I never heard a man speak with more satisfaction or instruction, though others have often given more jjleasure. When, in the College Chapel, in the autumn, at morning prayer, we heard this sepulchral voice at break of day, we often felt as if it were a voice from the tombs, some pure abstraction, .setting forth in. the plainest word.s what was right, and warning us of what was wrong. Yours respectfully, JAMES BROOKS. FROM THE REV. WILLIAM LAMSON, D. D. Portsmouth, N. H.. July 14, 1855. Dear Sir: Dr. Chaplin, concerning whom you inquire, is associated with my earliest recollections. His form, his gait, the expression of his countenance, the tones of his voice, the awful sanctity with which he seemed invested, — all these come before me with the most life-like freshness, as I now cast my thoughts back over a period of nearly fortj^ years. He was at that time the beloved and revered Pastor of a small Church in Danvers, Mass.; and, at the pame time, the teacher of a small class of theological students whom he received into his own family. It was in my earliest childhood, — when I could have but just commenced to attend upon public worship, — and yet it seems to me my recollections of that venerable man at that time are more distinct than of any other Pastor of my very early years. There are .sentences which I then heard from his lips that no lapse of time nor changes of subsequent life have effaced from my memory. But a short time after the farthest period to Vox Vr. 5P 466 BAPTIST. which my memory carries me, the question was agitated of his removal from the little church at Danvers to take charge of the Theological School, which has since grown into the College at Waterville, Me. Most distinctly do I remember the deep gloom, the cause of which I could not then compre- hend, which rested on the community, when it became known that Mr. Chap- lin had decided to leave. It was a sadness so intense that even a cliild could not but share in it. I remember the season with some such impressions as we have of a dark and cloudy day succeeding a day of bright sunshine. For 3"ears after the good man had removed to Waterville, he was accustomed to make an annual visit to the people of his former charge, and though some- times it would be limited to a day or two, yet in that brief period he would find time to make his way through the village, and call on each of the more aged members of the church, and especially on any who were sick and likely soon to die. I have ne\"er seen the man who awakened such feelings of rever- ence in my breast; who caused me to look upon him as I think I should look upon Peter or Paul, — as did this man, when making these hurried visits to his beloved friends and former parishioners. To be recognised by him in any way was a pleasure to be remembered for weeks. Once, when quite a lad, it was my privilege to occupy a seat in the corner of the chamber of a sick man upon whom he called. The man was sinking slowly but surely to the grave : but he was a good man, and was closing a life of uncommon devotion and Chris- tian a,ctivity. The train of remark upon which Dr. Chaplin entered by that bedside, has come up to my recollection many times since, as uncommonly appropriate and felicitous. The theme was the higher eniplo_ymcnts upon which he sujipo-sed the redeemed were i)ermitted to enter immediateh^ after death. They might, he thought, l»c .sent forth as ministering spirits on errands of mercy to those who were still toiling on earth. And, as his feelings warmed, his countenance lighted up with animation, and he drew a picture of what might be the employment of a redeemed soul in the spirit world, now sent to some kind and tempted believer, now to some sick and dying Christian, and then over oceans and continents to some lonely and disheartened missionary — a picture which made it indeed seem " far better to depart." The interview closed witli prayer; and though the Miiole call had occupied but a few min- utes,— what a train of elevated thought he had started in the mind of that dying Christian! It had been a cause of sadness to him that lie was laid aside, and was about to be called away in the midst of uncompleted plans of useful- ness, and that interests dear to his heart must apparently suffer by his remo- val. But there were here placed before him occupations and paths of usefulness to which death would introduce him, elevated incomparably above any which he had ever entered, or could hope to enter, while in the bodj'. I have been in many a chamber of sickness and of death since that time, but never in one in which the death of the Christian was made to appear more glorious. Years passed away, during which, with the exception of these brief visits of Dr. Chaplin to the people of his former charge, I never saw him. He was accustomed, at these visits, if practicable, to attend a prayer-meeting, or deliver a sermon in the evening. It was a rich treat to all, but especially to the old members of fhat Village Church, to hear again the tones of his pecu- liar but much loved voice, to look again upon the form of him who held such a large place in their affections, and to gatlier around him at the clo.se of such a service with their inquiries and expressions of affection. All who remember the good man, will readily recall a peculiar expression of his small, quick eye, when lighted up by some striking thought, or Avhen some lively emotion shone forth from it. It is to these little prayer-meetings, and to the greetings whicli succeeded them, that I look back for the most striking remembered instances of this peculiarity. It happened that one of these visits was made JEREMIAH CIIAPLLV. 467 during a season of special religious interest, — :i revival more extensive tlian the church had ever before, or has ever since, enjoyed. Many of the children and of the grandchildren of those to whom he had formerly ministered had been converted. As one after another of these young converts was introduced to him, at the close of the prayer-meeting, I remember, as though it were but yesterday, with what a peculiar smile of atlectiou he looked upon them, giving to each a word of counsel or of caution. The whole impression which the connection of Dr. Chaplin with that people has left on my mind is this, — that I have never known an instance in which a Pastor was regarded with such mingled reverence and aliection b\- his people, nor in which these sentiments continued so fresh, years after a separation took place. Good Pastors suc- ceeded him; but there was a place in the hearts of that people which no one could fill as he had filled it. In process of time, myself and another lad, both members of the Village Church, had become fitted for College, and were revolving the, to us, momen- tous question, to which of the New England Colleges we should direct our steps. For months the question was looked at, and discus.sed by ourselves and our friends, but still undecided. Just at this time, and while the ques- tion was still open, Dr. Chaplin, in one of his journeys into Massachusetts, stopped, as he was accustomed to do, for the night, among his old friends, and attended the prayer-meeting. We were both introduced to him as boj's who were fitted for College, and were still doubtful which College to choose. A few words from him there, and in the hearing of our friends, decided the ques- tion, and a few weeks afterwards we were both on our way to the then dis- tant College in Waterville. AVe arrived, after several days travel, late one evening, homesick, weary, and filled with anxiety in prospect of an examina- tion at the College premises. There was not an individual there whom we had ever seen but Dr. Chaplin — therefore we directed our steps at once to his door. "We were cordially received, and soon lost both our home-sickness and our fears in the kind sympathy and interest which were manifested toward us. Here commenced a new acquaintance with Dr. Chaplin, upon which is founded my more mature and permanent judgment of his talents and character. M3' opportunities of becoming acquainted with Dr. C. in College wei'e chief!}- these: he always conducted the Chapel services in the morning; the discipline of the College was chiefly committed to him; and in the earlier part of the time, while the Church at Waterville was destitute of a Pastor, he attended their weekly prayer-meetings, and frequently supplied the pulpit. The morning services of the Chapel consisted of reading a portion of Scripture and prayer. I remember them as impressive, deeply so. Nothing is more diflBcult than to conduct devotional .services in such a place as a College Chapel, da}' after day, without their degenerating into the sameness and heartlessness of a mere form. But I remember nothing like this during the three years that I attended upon these services as conducted by Dr. Chaplin. An incident occurs to me in this connection which happily illustrates his familiarity with the Scriptures. The hour for Chapel i^ervice in the winter Avas so early that it was frequently difficult to see to read, especially if the morning was cloudy. During several days of dull weather in one of these winter terms, I was curious to know how the Doctor was able to read the Scriptures in a room in which you could hardly discern the countenance of a friend across it. liut, morning after morning, he opened the Biljle, and, naming the book and chapter, read as usual. At length, one morning, having nearly completed the chapter, he hesitated and remarked that it was too dark to see, and the remaining por- tion had escaped his memory. I had no doubt then that he had, for several mornings, been repeating from memory the chapters which he apparently read. 468 BAPTIST. He pursued a systematic reading of the Scriptures iu private, and, in commend- ing this habit on one occasion to a young man, he said he had for many years found little or no need of a Concordance. As a Disciplinarian, Dr. Chaplin was always firm, dignified, perhaps, at times, severe. If there was a fault in his government, it was in keeping the young men at too great a distance from him. But he entered upon his duties before the modern no-government principle had become so prevalent in the Family, the School, and the State; and he still clung to the now antiquated notion that children should obey their parents, and pupils obey their teachers. He always demanded the outward signs of respect and deference from his stu- dents. He thought it a matter of sufficient importance to be insisted on, that a student should raise his hat on passing him, and remove his hat while speak- ing to him. He never regarded it unimportant that the young men should be constantly reminded that officers and students were not exactly on a level. Still there were evidences enough of paternal affection and sympathy for the young men under his care; and he was ever ready to counsel and encourage them in any exigency. One great excellence of his government was its perfect freedom from all management. There were no tricks, no mere expedients in it. It was straight-forward, open, honest. If any motives were addressed to students in private, they were such as might be proclaimed in public without injury. I I'egret my inability to speak more fully of Dr. Chaplin as a Preacher. There were none of the graces of oratory about him. Nature had not formed him to exhibit them, and he was far enough from aiming to do it. The tones of his voice were so peculiar that the ear that once heard them would recog- nise them, if heard the next time years afterwards, and in the most distant land. His gestures were few and by no means varied. And j'et, though it has been my privilege to listen to some of the most able and some of the most jjopular preachers in my own denomination and in others, I have seldom heard the man who could more closely confine my attention. I never heard a sermon from him which did not interest me. There was the greatest evidence of sincerity; the sceptic could not for a moment doubt that he was uttering the honest convictions of his own heart. There was nothing like dullness in his pulpit services. Though the voice was so little varied as to be almost monotonous, and the gestures were so few and so much alike, yet there was somehow imparted to the whole service an air of animation. The style was chaste, simple, suited to the subject, and remarkable, I should think, for its puritj'. His discourses were often enlivened by striking illustrations, drawn most frequently from the commonest relations of life, and yet so presented as to fully sustain the dignity of the place and the subject. It is striking as showing the importance of this power of illustration in the preacher that now, at this distance of time, I can recall some illustrations used by him, while every other portion of the sermons of which they were a part is irrecoverably lost. Very truly yours, - W. LAMSON. TUOMAS BROWN. 4(39 THOMAS BROWN.^ ISO)}— 1831. Thomas Brown, the only child of Thomas and Sarah Brown, was born in Newark, N. J., on the 1st of November, 1779. When he was two 3'ears old, his father, who was a respectable citizen and magistrate, died; leaving him sole heir to a considerable estate. Out of this, however, he was wronged through fraud or mismanagement ; and in due time he was apprenticed by his mother to a Mr. Ayrcs, a member of the Presbyterian Church in Newark, to learn the shoemaker's trade. He became hopefully pious at the age of sixteen, and two years after united with the church of which Mr. Ayres was a member, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. McWhorter. Shortly after he attained to his majority, his views on the subject of Baptism underwent a change, and he became a member of the Baptist church in Newark. Here he found his church relations most agreeable and profitable, and he never ceased to cherish the remem- brance of them with great satisfaction. Mr. lirowu was licensed to preacli the Gospel by the church with which he thus became connected, on the 26th of March, 1803. He was, however, deeply sensible of his deficiency in respect to intellectual acquirements, and could not think of engaging permanently in his work until his stock of general knowledge at least was somewhat increased. Accordingly, he engaged in teaching a private school at Amboy, — at the same tin)e occa- sionally exercising his ministerial gifts, — in the hope that he might thereby secure the means of resorting for a while to some literary institution. Here he improved every moment of leisure he could command in reading the best authors in different departments of literature, and especially in Theology. At this period, too, his mind was much exercised in reference to the cause of Foreign Missions; and he read with so much interest the periodical accounts of the Baptist Missions in India that his heart yearned to go and join Carey and his associates in carrying forward their great work ; and, had the way been open, he would undoubtedly have become a foreign missionar}'. This was some ten years before any one in America was known to entertain the idea of devoting himself to Missions in the East. After remaining a few months at Amboy, he entered the Academy at Pennepek, Pa., of which the Rev. Dr. Samuel Jones was Principal. Here he remained most of the time until 1805, when he was invited to take the pastoral charge of the Baptist Church at Salem, N. J. lie accepted the invitation, though not without many misgivings, on the ground of what he deemed an inadequate preparation for the work of the ministry. Early in the year 180G, he was regularly ordained by the Rev. Dr. Staughton, the Rev. Henry Smalley, and the Rev. H. G. Jones, the last of whom had just before retired from the Pastorate of the same church. Mr. Brown's connection with the Church at Salem continued nearly three years, and his labours were attended in no small degree with the Divine blessing. In 1808, he received a unanimous invitation from the Church • Bapt. Mem. XTV.— Locke's Cent. Diac— MS. from hia son. Rev. J. I'. Brovm. 470 BAPTIST. at Scotch Plains, N. J., one of the oldest and most respectable churches in the State, to succeed the Rev. William Van Horn* as its Pastor : he accepted the invitation, and removed thither in June of that year. With this church he remained twenty years ; and they were years of usefulness and honour. His ministrations were eminently blessed not only to the enlargement and general efficiency of the church, but especially in awaken- ing and cherishing a deep interest in the Foreign Missionary enterprise. No one hailed with livelier satisfaction than he the formation of the Tri- ennial Convention ; and for several years he was a member from New Jersey of its Board of Managers. In tlie year 1828, he was invited to the Pastorate of the Church at Great Valley, Pa., under circumstances which left no alternative to his conscience but to accept it. Though the disruption of the tie which had bound him to his people was a severe trial both to him and to them, he yielded to his convictions of duty and made the sacrifice. At Great Valley his sphere of labour was somewhat enlarged, and he occupied it with unceasing industry, and to great advantage. The church was highly prosperous under his ministry, and knew how to appreciate both his character and his labours. After a Pastorate here of a little more than two years, he was struck by a disease which no medical skill could arrest, and which, after some weeks of suifering, terminated his life. He died on the 17th of January, 1831, in the fifty-second year of his age. His last hours were cheered by the most precious tokens of his Redeemer's presence. The upward pointing of his hand, and the exclamation, — "All is Avell, all is well," were among the indications that he was making a glorious change. His Funeral Sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Dagg, then Pastor of the Fifth Baptist Church in Philadelphia, from II. Timothy iv. 6-8. His death was the occasion of general mourning in the several churches, of which he had successively had the charge. Mr. Brown was married, on the 2d of February, 1809, to Mary K., daughter of John and Sophia Lewis, of Perth Amboy N. J., by whom he had eleven children, nine of whom, with their mother, survived him. Two of the sons graduated, — the one at the Columbian College, D. C, the other, at the University of Pennsylvania ; and both are ministers of the Gospel. One occupies the pulpit at Scotch Plains, which his father left in 1828; the other, and the eldest of the children, is Pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Little Genesee, N. Y., and Associate Editor of the Sabbath Recorder, published in New York City. Another son is a graduate of a Medical institution, and practises Medicine in Philadelphia. •William Van Horn, son of Peter Van Horn, vias born in 1746, and ordained at South- ampton, in Pennsylvania, where he continued thirteen years. In 1785, he settled at Scotch Plains, where be remained until 1807, when be resi;i;ned his charge, and set out with his family for the State of Oliio, with a view of settling on a plantation which be bad purchased, near the town of Lebanon, between the j\liami Ifivers. Previous to his leaving New Jersey, he had been affected, for some time, with dropsical complaints, which, on his reaching Pittsburgh, confined bitn to his bed, and he died on the .Slst of October. 1807, in the sixty-first year of his age; leaving a widow and seven children, six of whom were daughters, to pursue their lonely journey to the place of their destination. Mr. Van Horn received his education at Dr. .Tones' Academy, at l^cnnepek, and in 1774 was honoured with the degree of Master of Arts from the College of Rhode Island. During the lU'volutionary War, he was Chaplain to one of the Brigades of the State of Massachusetts. He was also a member for Bucks County, Pa., of the Convention which met in Philadelphia for the purpose of framing the first Civil Constitution of the State. THOMAS BROWN. 47 ^ FROM THE REV. THOMAS WINTER. • RoxBOROUGU, Philadelphia, March 20, 1858. My dear Sir: My acquaintance with the Rev. Thomas Brown commenced in the spring of 1820, when I was a young man of twenty-two, and a few months after 1 arrived in this country. 1 was at that time supplying a small JJaptist Church at Perth Amhoy, where some of the members of Mr. Brown's church resided. In Maj- of that year, I attended the meeting of the Xew York Baptist Association, at Piscataway, near New Brunswick; and among the ministers present I noticed one who appeared to me " pre-eminent above the rest," — so calm, so dignified, so intelligent. He spoke but little; but when he did speak, it was the utterance of both mind and heart. My eye rested on him. I knew him not then, but determined that 1 would know him; and at the close of the meeting, an acquaintance commenced between us, whix;h quickly ripened into a strong mutual affection that continued till the close of his life. Mr. Brown was fully of medium size, dignified in his bearing, intellectual yet kind in the expression of his countenance, and remarkably courteous in his demeanour. He was a man of much mental culture, and of the most refined natural sensibilities. His most intimate friends and members of his church, while they loved him most sincerely, never, I believe, approached him but with unfeigned respect. He delighted in intellectual intercourse with his friends, and would often, by a single pith}^ or striking remark, illuminate a dark subject, or settle a difficult question. His character was remarkably transparent and ingenuous. He abhorred duplicity. What he was he appeared to be; and as he appeared, so he was.. He was Avithout guile ; and frank and open himself, he expected the same in others. When he preached, he preached wluit his own heart felt; and was almost always sure to make other hearts feel too. His chaste, sententious style; his sound, clear, deep tones, with their musical undulations; and his intimate knowledge of the glorious doctrines of the Gospel, which he knew how to bring out in their just proportions, made his sermons a rich intellectual and spiritual repast. When he was warmed with his subject, there was unusual impressiveness and meaning in the glance of his eye ami the play of his features: nor less in what little of gesticulation he had. But it was when he prayed, I used to think, that his character was most justly and delightfuUy revealed. At the family altar especiallj^, when surrounded by his beloved ones, it might with great truth be said that " The prayer of the sire hath raised us to Heaven." Allow me to relate two well authenticated anecdotes concerning him, which may serve to illustrate certain features of his character. While he was Pastor at Scotch Plains, a stranger of respectable appearance was announced at the parsonage door. Mr. Brown went, and, with his characteristic blandness, invited him in; and, on learning that he was a Baptist minister, assured him of a welcome to the well known hospitality of the old stone mansion. It was Saturday afternoon, and, as the stranger had no engagement for the next day, Mr. Brown requested him to remain at his house; and the invitation was readily and gratefully accepted. Matters being thus far settled, the Pastor sat down to have a brotherly colloquy with his stranger guest. Mr. Brown was remarkably communicative where propriety allowed it; and he delighted to have his friends so too. He never wished to be '< all tongue and no ear." But he found his visiter remarkably taciturn. He broached a number of different topics, — doctrinal, ethical, statistical, domes- tic and foreign. But on each and all the guest was provokingly silent and 472 BAPTIST. apparently uninformed. He could not or he Avould not be brought out. He was all ear and no tongue. Mr. E. was finally driven to the conclusion that, though he might be a very good brother, he did not know much. The arrangements for the services of the next day were now quietly settled in the Pastor's own mind. It certainly would not do for the stranger to preach in the morning. The congregation was usually large and very intelli- gent; and strangers might be there. He might occupy the pulpit in the after- noon, for the second service, after the half hour's intermission. All this was settled; and in due time the arrangements were kindly revealed to the stran- ger, who modestly consented to help his brother as best he could, if his help was desired. The next morning came, and INIr. Brown preached — no doubt, as usual — to the great satisfaction of his people. He had to preach again at a station about four miles distant, at five o'clock; and the stranger was announced for the pulpit in the afternoon, after the usual intermission. There he was, accord- ingly; and the Pastor behind him, with no little anxiety respecting the issue. The man prayed, and Mr. Brown was exceedingly struck with his prayer — he could not forbear saj'ing to himself, — "This man can certainly- pray, if he cannot preach." In due time, he began his sermon; and, as the Pastor lis- tened, he was astonished, confounded, mortified, delighted. The most pre- cious truths of the Gospel were brought out in a style and manner which not only chained the attention, but deeply aflfected the hearts, of the people. At the close of the service, the stranger was urged to preach the five o'clock ser- mon also; to which he modestly consented. " And then," said Mr. B., with his loud, hearty laugh of irrepressible delight, " he went far ahead of his first sermon! I never was more astonished in all my life." The other anecdote to which I referred is the following: — When Mr. Brown was yet a young man, he went from Perth Amboy to fulfil a preaching appointment, in the neighbourhood of South Amboy, on the other side of the Earitan River. He had to cross it in a small ferry-boat worked by oars. The mouth of that river, in the channel, is sometimes very dangerous, and, for such craft, unnavigable; especially so, when the wind sets down the river, or the reverse, and meets the tide. On the occasion referred to, the wind was boisterous, and the waves were high. In the little boat were a aiumber of young persons; and one in whom the voyager felt a special interest. There was also another, then a child, who, some years subse- quently, became known to me, and from whom I received the account. Well the wind blew, and the waves tossed about at pleasure the tiny vessel. The danger seemed great, and the terror of the passengers was proportionally great. In the midst of the cry of distress, Mr. Brown broke out with his strong, musical voice, to the good old tune, I think, of Shirland: " The God tliat rules on hi^b, " And thunders when He please, " That-rides upon the stormy sky, " And manage.s the seas: " This awful God is ours, " Our Father and our Love, &c." All were hushed, and there was a great calm in their feelings. And with the vigorous strokes of the oarsmen, the boat was safely brought to the welcome beach, and all gladly stepped on terra firma. I am very fraternally yours, THOMAS WINTER. THOMAS BROWN. 473 FROM THE REV. J. L. DAGG, D. D. CuTiiBERT, Ga., April C>, 1858. Dear Sir: *Tho information which you received from my friend J)r. II , needs but little correction. So far as concerns the great business of nij^ life, the preaching of the Gospel, my days Averc numbered in 1834, when I was silenced in the pulpit by a bronchial disease from which I have never recovered. Other parts of the mortal tenement have so far failed, that I have for two years past retired from all public employment, and am much inclined to num- ber myself among the persons who have been. My want of connection with the things around me extends to books also. A weakness of sight renders me unable to read; and, although I had heard of the work in which ^-ou are engaged, mj- first information that you had intended to honour mc with a notice, was received in your letter which arrived yesterday. My acquaintance with the Kev. Thomas Brown commenced at a meeting of the Baptist Triennial Convention in 1823, at "Washington City. He was then Pastor of the Baptist Church at Scotch Plains, N. J. About December, 1828, he removed to the Great Valley, Pa., where he closed his life, I think in less than two years. During this time, I was frequently in his company, and esteemed him an excellent man, and an able minister of Christ. He was much beloved as a Pastor, and was a favourite among the ministers with whom he associated. His aspect was grave and dignified; but in conversa- tion he was pleasant, and sometimes facetious. In the pulpit he was solemn and impressive; and few men were heard Avith more attention. I can scarcely trust my memorj^ to attempt a description of his person; but if you have no information more reliable, you maj^ represent him, — a man rather above the medium stature, with a square built frame, not heavily clad M'ith flesh; his complexion somewhat sallow; and his features regular, and expressive espe- cially' of benevolent emotion. Hoping that your life may be long spared, to finish the work in which you are engaged, and render much other valuable service to the world, I am, with very high regard, yours, J. L. DAGG. •The first paragraph of this letter requires explanation. One of my friends, vrho had also been an early friend of Dr. Dagg, had, by some means, got the impression that the Doctor had deceased, iind of course had become a suitable subject for commemoration. I, accordingly, included his name in a printed list of my subjects, which I sent ail over the country with a view to secure other important names which had not come within my knowledge. It was very soon intimated to me, and from different quarters, that I had prcmatiireh' included one name — that of Dr. Dagg; who, though he would well deserve to be commemorated when the proper time should come, was still living and able to jierform good service in embalming the memo- ries of others. Availing myself of this hint, I iuimediately wrote to him, acknowledging my awkward and somewhat ludicrous mistake, and asking him for a letter of personal recollections concerning the I'ev. Thomas Brown. The manner in which he complied with the request shows that it was little to say of him, at that date, that he was a liuing man. Vol. VI. 60 474 BAPTIST. LUCIUS BOLLES, D. D.=^ 1803—1844. Lucius Bolles was a descendant of Joseph Bolles, who emigrated from England to America in 1637-38, and settled at the mouth of the Saco, in Maine, in 1639. His son, Thovias, was induced, by the solicita- tion of Governor John Winthrop, of Connecticut, to remove from Maine to New London in 1667. Here, in 1678, his wife and two young children were murdered, but his son, John, then an infant, escaped, and, after he had reached maturity, became dissatisfied with the Congregational system, in which he had been educated, and adopted the views of the Baptists. He was baptized by John Rogers,! the founder of the " Rogerene " sect, and engaged very zealously, with both tongue and pen, in the theological dis- putations of that day. He died in his ninetieth year, in 1767, — having had fourteen children, thirteen of whom survived him. He was a man of vigorous mind and earnest character, and wrote and publi^^hed several books and tracts, some of which show his intense devotion to the cause of religious liberty. His son, Eiioch, though he walked in the footsteps of his father's faith, did not inherit his father's zeal in urging and spreading his peculiar views. He had ten sous, one of whom, David, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in New London, on the 14th of January, 1743. He was married to Susannah Moore, of New London, on the 10th of January, 1765, and removed to Ashford, (now Eastford,) Conn., where he died on the 14th of February, 1807. Until he was more than fifty years old, he remained in active business, as farmer, tanner, har- ness-maker, &c. In October, 1797, when he was in his fiftieth year, he was ordained as an Evangelist, at the annual meeting of the old Stoning- ton Baptist Association. From that time until his death, — a period of more than nine years, he laboured, most of the time, as an Evangelist, preaching the Gospel to destitute churches in the vicinity of Ashford. In June, 1801, he accepted the call of tlie First Baptist Church in Hartford, Conn., and for two years ofliciated as their Pastor. He was then dismissed at his own request, preferring to reside in the country, and preach without salary or any other reward than the satisfaction of working for his Divine Master. xVt his death he left four sons, one of whom, the late Judge David Bolles, of Ashford, was a lawyer, and three of whom, like their father, bor-ame Baptist preachers. Lucius Bolles was admitted a member of Brown University in 1797, and was graduated, under the Presidency of Dr. Maxcy, in 1801. Though * Dr. Sharp's Fun. Serm. — Bapt. IMem., V. — MS. from John A. Bolles, Esq. t John Roghus was the son of James Rogers, who was a respectable Quaker, and died in 1688. It was a provision in his will — ''there shall bo no lawing among my children " — he required them to decide any difference by lot. His injunction, however, seems to have been disregarded. He married Elizabeth (Jriswold, of Lyme, but she obtained a divorce, and subse- quently married Peter I'rutt. His son John, was the father of twenty children. This fanati- cal family worked on the Sabbath, and sometimes disturbed the worship of others, and drew upon themselves various penalties. On one occasion, John Rogers sent in a wig as a contribu- tion for the support of a wigged ministry; but he repented it afterwards. John, the second, died in 1721, an-ed seventy-three, and was buried on the Maraacock farm, on the River Thames He pui)lished A Midnight Cry, from the Temple of God, to the Ten Virgins Slumbering and Sleeping, Awake, Awake, Arise, &c. ; also an Epistle to the Churches of Christ called Quakers. LUCIUS BOLLES. 475 he had had the benefit of a religious education, his mind seems never to have taken a decided religious direction until after ho had become a member of College. It was during a visit at Hartford, in one of his college vacations, that he became deeply sensible of the importance of religion, and was led, as he believed, to a cordial acceptance of the Gospel offer. Before his return to Providence, he was baptized by the llev. Stephen S. Nelson, then Pastor of the First Baptist Church in that city, and received into their connection. From this time his purpose was definitely formed to devote himself to the Christian ministry. After being admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, he placed him- self, as a theological student, under the care of the venerable Dr. Stillman, of ]3oston. Here he continued for about three years ; enjoying not only the benefit of Dr. Stillman's instructions, but the greatest intimacy with him, and frequent opportunities of accompanying him on his pastoral vis- its and hearing his admirable counsels to the sick and dying. During a part of this time, Mr. Bolles himself was a preacher, and often officiated in Dr. Stillman's pulpit, and other pulpits in the neighbourhood. At this period, a few Baptists, residing in Salem, but members of churches in other towns, thought it their duty to associate for public wor- ship, and form a distinct religious Society. Mr. Bolles, having occasion- ally preached to them with great acceptance, was invited, in November, 1804, to supply them in the capacity of a Pastor, until there should be a church regularly organized. Having taken a few weeks to consider this invitation, he signified his acceptance of it. The church was constituted almost immediately after, ami, on the 9th of January, 1805, Mr, Bolles was solemnly set apart to the pastoral office, the sermon being preached by Dr. Stillman, and the Right Hand of Fellowship given by the llev. Elisha Williams, of Beverly, In the year 1824, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Union College. He continued sole Pastor of the Church in Salem twenty-two years ; and had an uncommonly happy and successful ministry. The accessions to the communion of his church were large and frequent. The nuu)ber added during the first twenty years of his ministry was five hundred anu twelve. In 1824, Dr. Bolles first became connected with the Baptist General Convention for Foreign Missions, as one of its Executive officers. He was first elected Assistant Corresponding Secretary of the Board, then located at Washington City, and associated with the " Eastern Committee," who were charged with the general superintendence of the Burman Mission. When the Board was transferred to Boston, in 1826, he was chosen Cor- responding Secretary. Dr. Bolles had, on various occasions, manifested a deep interest in the missionary cause during nearly the whole period of his ministry. When about to attend an annual meeting of the Domestic Missionary Society at Boston as early as 1806, he records in a private memorandum that he " could no longer refrain from asking something of his people for that object, although they had been so often called upon to defray their numer- ous expenses as a new Society." In the autumn of 1811, he was visited by the Kev. William Johns, a missionary of the English Baptist Mission- 476 BAPTIST. ary Society, then on his way to ludia, and assisted him to the extent of his ability, in obtaining pecuniary contributions in aid of the Serampore translations. In 1812, he was active in the formation of the Salcni Bible and Translation Society. Shortly after this, he attended the ordination of Mr. Judson and his associates to their missionary work, and, from a con. versation then held with Mr. Judson, seems to have received afresli impulse in favour of the cause of Missions. It was not strange, therefore, when his heart had long been so much in the work, that he was disposed to regard with favour an appointment that was to identify him so directly with the missionary operations of his denomination ; and, notwithstanding the severe trial involved in a separation from a people to Avhom he was devotedly attached, and who had the highest appreciation of his ministry, be still felt it his duty to break this tie, with a view to entering what seemed to him a more extended field of usefulness. Accordingl}', he accepted the office of Corresponding Secretary, and continued to discharge its duties, greatly to the acceptance of his brethren in the ministry and of the denomination at large, during a period of more than sixteen years. In the year 1841, Dr. Bolles made a missionary tour beyond the Alle- ghany Jlountains ; and, on his return, in the autumn of that year, the disease of which he ultimately died, first began to develope itself. He hoped, for some time, that he should be able to overcome it ; but, at the end of a year, it had made such progress that he felt constrained to with- draw from all public engagements. The resolutions adopted by the Board, on the resignation of his office, showed their high appreciation of his long continued services, and their deep regret at being deprived of them. Dr. Bolles lived more than a year after he retired from active labour. During the earlier part of the time, he suffered comparatively little pain, and was able to converse freely, and always in an edifying manner, with his friends who called upon him ; but, as his disease advanced, and espe- cially as it approached its fatal termination, his suffering became intense and almost uninterrupted. But his confidence in his Redeemer never forsook him; his interest in his cause never declined ; and so long as he had breath to use, he used it in humble and devout supplication. He died convulsed with bodily pain, luit full of faith and hope, January 5, 1844. His Funeral took place on the 8th, and a Sermon was preached on the occasion by the llev. Dr. Sharp, which was printed. Dr. Bolles published a Sermon at the Dedication of the New Brick Meeting House in Salem, Mass., 1806 ; a Sermon before the Salem Female Charitable Society, 1810 ; a Sermon delivered in Newburyport in the First Presbyterian Meeting House, Tct the Ordination of the Bev. Hosea Wheeler, to the pastoral care of the Baptist Church and Society in Newbury and Newburyport, 1818; The Importance of the Scriptures to a Teacher in E elision : A Discourse delivered in the Meeting House of the Second Baptist Church in Boston, before the Boston Baptist Association, 1822. Dr. Bolles was married in 1805 to his cousin, Lydia Bolles, daughter of Jolm and Lydia Bolles, of Hartford, Conn. One of his sons, — Lucius Stillma7i, ultimately became a minister of the Gospel. He was born at Salem, July G, 1808 ; was graduated at Brown University in 1828 ; studied Medicine, first in Salem, and afterwards in Boston, and, during his residence LUCIUS BOLLES. 477 ill the latter city, became the subject of a hopeful renovation, and, on the first Sabliath in July, 1831, was admitted a member of Dr. Sharp's church. On complotiiig his medical course, he commenced the study of Hebrew, and tlie next fall became a member of the Theological Institution at New- ton. When he had been there two years, he was obliged to leave on account of failing health. He was ordained Pastor of the Baptist Church in Lynn, Mass., November 20, 1833, and continued to discharge tlie duties of the place with much acceptance for nearly three years, when tlie return of ill health caused an interruption of his labours, and a separation from his people, in order that he might avail himself of a milder climate. He had quite a successful ministry, and baptized, at one time, with the assist- ance of his father, thirty persons. His last days were passed in his father's house in Boston, whore he died on the 24th of July, 1837. He was married in December, 1833, to Sarah Noyes, a distant relative, who was at that time an inmate of the family of the Hon. Nicholas Brown, of Providence. He left two infant sons. Mrs. Bolles, the widow of Dr. Bolles, died in the early part of the summer of 1851. Dr. Sharp, on the first Sabbath of the year 1852, paid the following tribute to her memory : — "There was one summoned from us, during the year just closed, whose father was loved and respected for his superior and consistent piety, his hospitality to strangers, his fervent zeal, his church-going punctuality, and his family religion. " She, in early life, felt the power of the Gospel, and consecrated her- self unreservedly to God. By a wise and gracious ordination of Provi- dence, she became the wife of an eminently pious and devoted minister of Christ, who, having spent the evening of his days, directing and furthering the cause of Missions, died in the midst of us ; was brought into this house of worship, and was borne hence to his final resting place. " As a Pastor's wife, she Avas an example in every thing that was lovely and excellent. In looking after the temporal and spiritual concerns of the members of her husband's congregation, and in conversing with the serious and the sick, as well as in encouraging meetings for devotion among females, she contributed essentially to her husband's success, during a Pastorate of twenty years. No one doubted her piety, her goodness, her usefulness. It was constant, untiring, for a long succession of years. But how myste- rious are the ways of Providence I By a disease pressing upon the brain, and affecting the nervous system, a settled melancholy rested upon her. Perhaps for seven years she did not smile ; and when her dying husband expressed a hope to meet her in Heaven, — " No," said she, "you will be there, but I shall be lost." It pleased God, however, iu his good provi- dence, some eighteen months ago, to modify her disease. Her spirits gradually revived. She dared to hope, and then to express it. She became herself again, and on the first Sabbath in January, 1851, she came into the city for the purpose of commemorating with us — for the first time in seven years — the dying love of our common Lord. "From that period to the end of her days, which were very few, — .she was spiritually minded, .sociable and happy. The last day of her life was spent, as the chief part of her life had been, in Christian conversation, and in public religious services. At midnight, the cry was heard, ' Behold the 478 BAPTIST. bridegroom cometh ;' and she heard the cry in the triumph of Christian faith and hope." Dr. Bolles' two brothers, who entered the ministry, were Mattheiv and Augustjis. Matthew Bolles, the eldest of the three, was born at Ashford, April 21, 1769. He was married to Anna Hibbard, daughter of Eliphaz and Jerusha (Pride) Hibbard, of Mansfield, Conn., September 1.5, 1793, and died at Hartford, of typhus fever, in his seventieth year, September 26, 1838. Like his father, David Bolles, he was engaged in his earlier man- hood in active secular business, having married and become the father of a large family before he made a public profession of religion. He began to preach at Lyme (Pleasant Valley), Conn., in 1812, and was ordained and settled there in June, 1813. There he remained until late in 1816, his labours being blessed with a revival of religion, and the addition of many to the church of which he had the pastoral charge. From the beginning of 1817 until his death in 1838, he was successively Pastor of the Baptist Churches in Fairfield, (Fairfield Woods,) Conn., Milford, N. H., and Marbleheadand West Bridgewater, Mass., and preached to the Church in New Britain, Conn., in which latter place he delivered his last discourse about ten days before he died. He was an eloquent and effective preacher, and was particularly gifted in prayer. Augustus Bolles, the secon 1 of the three sons of David ]iolles, who entered the ministry, was born at Ashford, December 28, 1776 ; began to preach in February, 1810 ; was ordained as Pastor of the Baptist Church in Tolland, Conn., in May, 1814; was settled in May, 1818, over the Baptist Church in what is now the town of Bloomfield, Conn.; removed, in 1825, after a long course of exhausting labour, which had greatly injured his health, to Hartford, Conn., where he lived several years, preaching only as a supply for destitute churches, and conducting, for about four years, "The Christian Secretary," — a religious newspaper; removed to Indiana in 1837, and collected and organized a Baptist Church in the town of La Porte; began to preach at Colchester, Conn., in 1839, and continued to supply the church there for two years ; and since that time has served various churches in that region as a supply, but has declined accepting a pastoral charge. He still (1859) survives in a green old age. FROM THE REV. RUFUS BABCOCK, D. D. PouGHKEEPsiE, Novcmbcr 8, 1851. My dear Sir: My first personal intercourse with Dr. Bolles was during the meeting of the Triennial MissTonary Convention at New York, in April, 1826. He had been one of its original founders a dozen years before, and uniformly attended its sessions. In 1820, he had acted the part of a mediator, and saved the Body from threatened convulsion. I liad heard much of his pru- dence, wisdom, discreetness, and was fuUj^ prepared to appreciate his worth and influence. It was the first time I liad ever taken my seat in that Bodj' — my youth and inexperience would have dictated entire silence on my part; but one of those contingencies that cannot be anticipated, occurred very early in the session, to occasion a necessity for a different course. My right to a seat was contested by some abstractionist, and a debate suddenly sprung up, which consumed some time, and incidentally drew out many of the older LUCIUS BOLLES. 479 and more experienced members. The question seemed about to be taken, with obvious inobabiiity of a decision adverse to my right to sit. Under a strong conviction that the merits of the question were not properly understood, I, with some foar and trembling, made my first speech, occupying perhaps fifteen minutes. Dr. IJolles sat not remote, but beliind me, and kindly inquired of those near him " wiio Avas that young man?" His interest in me then commenced; he sought an introduction, and, before the close of the session, invited me to visit him at .*^alem. He was then contemplating the Secretariship of the Con- vention, which, a few months later, led to his resignation of the active duties of his Pastorsliip. His manasement in bringing about my introduction to his pulpit, and to the favour of his Hock, was perfectly characteristic. So shrewdly was it all con- ducted, tiiat I had three or four times preached for him, and he had taken time to feel the pulse and learn the general sentiments of the church and congregation, before he even intimated to me what was his purpose. This course would have avoided the awkwardness of apology and explanation, had a retreat been nec- essary. Four or five of us were brought, in the same quiet and covert manner, before his Hock, and the undeclared, but real, competition was both amusing and instructive. The evident desire of the cautious Doctor to retain the good- will of all of ns, and say nothing to either which would in the least commit himself, called forth our special admiration. That incidental visit led on to another more formally procured, and to my settlement as Associate Pastor with the Doctor in the following August. Until the removal of ni}' family, I was a boarder with him, thus enjoying peculiar facilities for gaining earlv, intimate and thorough acquaintance with the man, and his methods of fulfilling his pastoral duties. I had most satisfactory evidence that he earnestl}' desired mj- success. This Avon mj' confidence, and induced, on my part, a more docile and vigorous effort to learn of him than might have been otherwi.se so readily secured. Thus many of those scenes and incidents have been most indelibly impressed on my mind. Early in that intercour-se, at a little family gathering where both Pastors were invited, he occupied a half hour with some instructive reminiscences of his first Christian experience. Though interesting to all the circle of a dozen or more persons, I felt, at the time, assured they were principally intended for my benefit. After adverting very brief!}' and generally to his advantages as the son of religious parents, he frankly acknowledged how far and fearfulh' he had wandered from God. Youthful gaiety and folly, and particularly a disposition to look at even religious things from that point of view which would minister to his own and his young associates' love of ridicule and jocoseness, had become in a degree habitual with him. At the time he now referred to, he was a student in Brown University, and was spending a por- tion of his spring vacation in Hartford. It pleased God to awaken him thoroughly to a sense of his sinfulness. Day after day, so full}- sen.^ible was he made of his ill-desert, that he seemed walking on the crumbling verge of the everlasting abyss. One night, the venerable relative, (Deacon John BoUes,) with whom he was a guest, conducted the usual family devotions. And this service brought so fully before his mind his deep hypocrisy, on former similar occasions, in seeming to join in these devotions wlicn lie only sought to turn them into ridicule and merriment, that he hastened away to his chamber, as the family circle rose from praj'er, anxious to hide his per- turbation from their notice. But that chamber was no place of rest. Har- rowing remorse drove slumber from his pillow. Deeper and more oppressive became the surrounding gloom, until a semi-frenzy took pos.session of his mind. He fancied that God, in righteous indignation for his long and aggra^ vated career of wickedness, was about, that very night, to execute summary 480 BAPTIST. judgment upon liim. The form of that impending judgment seemed to flash before his eyes. Either the thunderbolt of wrath Avould rive that dwelling, or the earth would cleave and swallow it up for his sake! He thought of the danger of its other inmates, who, unconscious of what a viper they were sliel- tering, would inevitably be smitten down on his account. This he could not bear, and, quick as thought, he stealthily escaped from the house, so as not to involve these loved friends in his doom. He walked up and down the streets in anguish unutterable for nearly an hour. The chill damp air of mid- night began to make itself felt upon his slightly clad frame, and suggested the necessity of his seeking a shelter. Once and again he thought of regaining his deserted chamber. But no! the same reasons which drove him from it forbade his return. He would not be so base and ungrateful as to imperil those whose hospitality and abundant kindness he had always shared. What then should he do? There Avas the stable — he might enter that, and lie down in the manger, if God should please to spare him till the returning light; or if he there met the fearful doom which 80 justly impended over him, his kindred, at least, would not be involved. He turned his steps toward it, and, as he did so, revolving the fit- ness of the humble shed for his purpose, aloud he exclaimed, " the stable—- the manger," and the words seemed to lead to a familiar and sacred associa- tion. Again he relocated, " the stable — the manger! Why Jesus was born in a stable, and cradled in a manger. His name was called Jesus, Saviour, because He should save his people from their sins. Oh! why then may He not save me ."' His Avild and despairing convictions yielded to this new turn of thought. His heart was melted. His eyes were suffused with tears. He fell down on his knees, less to supplicate the Divine mercy, than to pour forth his thanksgivings that such mercy in such a way had been made available for the chief of sinners. Hurriedlj' he returned to the dwelling from which so lately he was a self-exile, aroused its inmates, opened to them his whole heart, and they together joined in adoring thankfulness for God's unspeakable gift, for another brand plucked from the burning. T have ever since regarded this case as a happy illustration of the readiness with which the sinner, Avhen brought to the right state of mind, properly broken off from all self-righteousness, and duly humbled, may be led, by the slightest thread, to a believing appreciation of that Gospel plan of salvation, the objective fiicts and theory of which may have long been familiarly known, but inoperative. Nor was this incident less characteristic of the individual in whose expe- rience it occurred. The susceptibilitj^ it manifested of being readily led by the heart rather than the intellect; the transcendent power over his own nature of whatever stronglj- appealed to his gratitude, and melted its way down into the depths of his soul, Avas the index of the man and the minister through his whole course. That which had been paramount in his own experience of its effieacy, he chiefly relied on in his efforts for the spirit- ual benefit of ethers. The oilier leading traits of his mind were in harmony with this. There was obvious in him much more of delicate refinement and gentleness than of massive strength; more of a disposition to draw his hearers with cords of love than to use the fire and the hammer to break the flinty rock in pieces. It should be stated, however, that the period of my intimate acquaintance with him was after a severe attack of disease had, in a great degree, broken down his youthful force, and rendered his ministrations much less energetic than they had been in his earlier years. During nearly eight years that I held the relation of Associate Pastor with him, — the active duties and emolu- ments being mine, and only the nominal relation his, I heard him preach but LUCIUS BOLLES. 481 once in our own pulpit. The sermon was certainly- highly respectable, but of the character above indicated. It sliowed plainly enough how it liud come to pass that his brethren in the ministrj', nianj' of them unpolished stones, liad commonly spoken of him as cultivating the taste of his people almost to fastidiousness — " The velvet-cared congregation " was their frequent but not unfriendly designation. He greatly excelled, I shouhl think, in the quiet, i)rudent, forbearing administration of church discipline. Whenever a bad case occurred, where he was fully convinced of the unworthiness of a suspected party, if any of his l»rincipal brethren could not agree with him, he had such self-command that he preferred patiently to wait for fuller and more universally satisfactory developments. In one instance of this kind, in the earlier period of his Pasto- rate, which he and others related to me, his forber.rance saved the church from schism, probably from ruin, while, eventually, the unworthiness of the party implicated became obvious to all, and he was unanimously put away. His attention to the sick, the poor, the aged and infirm, won for him the highest regard, as a good Pastor, and made him in these respects an almost faultless model. He feared and guarded against the influence of subordinate oiBccrs, or other leaders in the church, unduly assuming more than pertained to them, and thus forming parties. For this reason, probably, he declined having more than two Deacons in a large church; and those were such quiet, unassuming men, so engrossed with their own sccul.ar cares and toils, as to give them no opportunity to become leaders. To my intimation that more " helps" of this kind were really important, he replied that I had better c-'nfine my utte- rance of such a sentiment to his cars; and then very fully indicated the ojunion above expressed. When the church, in his absence, doubled the number of their Deacons, he accommodated liimself to the new order of things with great cheerfulness. It was one of his characteristics to make the best of things as they were, and not to worry at Avhat was irreparable. The circumstances under which he was introduced to Salem, the strong prejudices of the old " Standing Order " churches and ministers against the innovation of having a Baptist church and minister intrude into their circle; his decided and rapid success, and that kind of displacency which not unna- turally it awakened, together with the counteracting efiforts of several of the ministers, necessarily aroused in his mind more of suspicion than would be reasonably tolerated in our altered circumstances. Still he was a lover of all good men, and ready to co-operate for worthj' objects, when fully convinced of the purity and disinterestedness of his proposed coadjutors. In his office of first Secretarj' of our Foreign Mission Society, I mean the lirst devoted entirely to this work, he evinced commendable prudence, eco- nomy, order, and regularity, but lacked, physicalh' and mentally', some of the essential attributes of a leader in such an enterprise. The boldness, energy, and wide-reaching views, and the self-oblivious devotedness, so essential to arouse and sustain a great movement of the masses of our very democratic communities, were scarcely to be expected in one of his physical condition, or the habits of whose life had led to so much timid cautiousness. In his per- sonal as well as his official relations, a circumspect and scheming economy engrossed much of the time and mental effort that were rcall}' required in a loftier and wider range. Yet he was prudently generous, wisely hospitable, and cautiously confiding. In person he was somewhat below medium size. His manners were bland and conciliatory. He was a faithful husband, a judicious father, a wise coun- sellor, a resolute, persevering friend. Vol. VI. CI 482 BAPTIST. Before the existence of any of our Theological Schools, he had several can- didates for the ministry residing with him, or pursuing their studies under his direction. Many excellences they would learn from his example; but his mind was not well fitted to guide the studies, or duly stimulate the mental activitj^ of such a class. He reflected much, but never read extensively. He wrote laboriously and slowly, and never but from necessity. Most of his ser- mons were but slightly sketched with the pen. Matthew Henry was his favourite commentator, and, though early in his ministry, he had inclined to the higher doctrinal sentiments of Dr. Gill, yet he ultimately acquiesced in the views of Fuller and Magee on the atonement and other kindred doctrines. The fervency, elevation, and melting power of his piety, were never doubted, and these won for him the highest consideration. They were of course most appreciated by those most assimilated to his own habits and tem- perament. On so tempting a theme, and with abundant recollections crowd- ing on mjr mind, I have, with some difficulty, confined myself within your prescribed limits, and can only ofler the above as a truthful specimen of much more of a similar character, which is necessarily excluded. Yours respectfully, RUFUS BABCOCK. NATHANIEL KENDRICK, D. D.^ 1803—1848. Nathaniel Kendrick was born in Hanover, N. H., on the 22d of April, 1777. His parents, Samuel and Anna Kendrick, who were among the first settlers of the town, were persons of excellent character, and loth members of the Congregational Church. He was the eldest of nine child- ren, and, in his earliest developments, gave indications of a mind of much more than ordinary vigour. He laboured on the farm till he was twenty years of age ; and then, having obtained his father's consent that he should act for himself, he divided his time between teaching a school and attend- ing an Academy, still, however, occasionally assisting his father in his agricultural labours. About this time, a religious awakening occurred in the neighbourhood, in connection with a small Baptist church, which was without a Pastor or place of worship, and held its meetings in school-houses. This work became quite extensive, and -resulted in the addition of more than forty now members to that church. Nathaniel Kendrick was a subject of thi.'^ revival ; but, as his education had been with the Congregationalists, he was not prepared at once to surrender the views of Baptism in which he had been educated. To assist him in forming a correct judgment on the subject, he procui'ed, both from a Congregational and a Baptist minister, a statement of the reasons of their respective opinions ; but, not satisfied with this, he resolved to examine every passage in the New Testament in which the subject is mentioned, and endeavour to arrive at an impartial result. After having prosecuted this investigation for about nine months. * Wright's Hist. Shafts. Bapt. Assoc— MS. from Rev. Dr. A. C. Kendrick. NATIIAMKL KENDIIICK. 483 he came to the conclusion tliat the Baptist tlicory was ^^^s^ain(■(l hy Scrip- ture ; and, accordingly, was himself baptized 1)y immersion in April. 1798, being then twenty-one years of age. During the four years immediately succeeding his baptism, bis mind was not a little exercised on the question whether it was not his duty to devote himself to the ministry ; but he shrunk from the responsibility which the sacred office involves. At length, however, he became satisfied that he was called, in the providence of God, to preach the Gospel, — though not until he had made what he deemed a suitable intellectual preparation. He first spent four months under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Burroughs, the Congregational minister of Hanover, in studying some of those branches which usually form part of a College course ; and then com- menced his theological studies under the Rev. Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Vt., a well known divine and teacher of Theology in the Congregational Church. Here he remained for six months. His own church offered to give him a license to preach ; but he preferred not then to receive it, and requested them to lay the matter before the Woodstock Baptist Associa- tion at its next session. They did so ; but the Association referred it back to the church, which they regarded as being, in connection with the counsel of other churches, the appropriate jurisdiction. Meanwhile, he continued his studies, and spent three months with the Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Frank- lin, Mass., and after that, a year with the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, whose church licensed him to preach in the spring of 1803, at the age of twenty-six. Soon after he was licensed, he began to preach to the Baptist Society in Bellingham, Mass., and continued to supply them a year; and so accepta- ble were his services that they gave him a unanimous call to become their Pastor. This call, however, he declined, and subsequently accepted one from Lansingburg, N. Y., where he was ordained in August, 1805. The church to which he here ministered was very feeble, so that he was obliged to devote a portion of his time to teaching, in order to make out a compe tent support for his family. After remaining here five years, he settled, in 1810, at IMiddlebury, Vt., over another feeble church; and the next seven years he spent, dividing his labours between this church, and the churches at Monkton, Bridport, and New Haven, in that vicinity. Here, too, notwithstanding so many churches enjoyed his services, he was obliged to resort to teaching in order to eke out a scanty support. During his residence here, he suffered severe afflictions, among wliich was the death of his wife ; and these, with the incessant labour inci