6^- ^ ^ PRINCETON, N. J. ^ PRESENTED BY THE PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION K L ccC "^a^ ^c:^< THE LIFE AND LABOUES OF THE Rev. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. PASTOR AND EVANGELIST. PREPARED BY HIS SON, Key. WILLIAM M. BAKEE, PASTOR OF THE PRE6BYXEHIAN CHURCH, AUSTIN, TEXAS. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him (rrucifled. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. — 1 Cor. ii. 1, 2, 4, 5. ®:[iirb QEbition. PHILADELPHIA: PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF PUBLICATION. NO. 821 CHESTNUT STREET. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by WILLIAM S. & ALFRED MARTIEN, In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. CONTENTS CHAPTEK I. FROM HIS BIRTH UNTIL THE CLOSE Or HIS CLERKSHIP IN SAVANNAH. Ancestry — Plymouth Church — Arrival in America — Colony sent South — ■ Revolution — Indians — Pious forefathers — Autobiography begins — Earli- est recollections — The Orphan's dream — The Aunt — First religious impressions — Early aspirations in regard to the Ministry — Visits Savan- nah— Temptations as a clerk — Oration — Death of a companion — Pro- cures a Testament— Way opens to College Pages 13 to 31 CHAPTER II. WHILE A STUDENT AT HAMPDEN SIDNEY COLLEGE. Enters upon his Studies — Desponding thoughts — Diary — Resolutions — Impressive Sermon — Thomas Paine — Diary — Unites with the Church — Diary — Narrative resumed — Afflictive thoughts — Trials again — Birth- day resolves — Birth-day retrospect — Sacramental season — Session closes — Praying Society — Diary — Sacramental occasion — Standard of preaching — War with England 32 to 63 CHAPTER III. WHILE A STUDENT AT PRINCETON. Enters the College of New Jersey — Day of Fasting and Prayer — Revival in College — Students converted — Reminiscence of a Student — Letter to a young Lady — Letter continued 64 to 77 3 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA. Goes to Winchester — Labours there — Is married — Stirs up professors — His health — Source of energy — Extracts from Journal — Day of Fast- ing— Review of the past — Prospect of Licensure — Licensed to preach — Visits Alexandria — Correspondence — Visits Georgia — Preaches at Mid- way Pages 78 to 97 CHAPTER V. HARRISONBURG WASHINGTON CITY. Settles in Harrisonburg — Missionary excursions — Call to Savannah and Washington City — Settles in Washington — Excursions abroad — Corres- pondence— Pastoral labours — John Quincy Adams — Loses his clerk- ship— Works on Baptism — Recollections of an Elder — Estimate of character 97 to 116 CHAPTER VI. PASTORATE IN SAVANNAH. Call to Savannah — Letter to Washington Church — Letter continued — Letter to an Elder in Washington — Labours in Savannah — Efforts to get him back to Washington — Correspondence — Autobiography resumed — Special season — Special efforts — Correspondence — Autobiography re- sumed— Protracted meeting — Results of meeting — Letter to Mr. Handy — Call to Washington 116 to 145 CHAPTER VII. AS AN EVANGELIST. Meetings in Gillisonvillc and Gruhamsvillc — Revival in Beaufort — Autobi- ography resumed — Leaves Savannah — Becomes an Evangelist — Meeting in Tallahaasee — The political partisan — Meeting in Montgomery — Meet- CONTENTS. ings in South Carolina — Reminiscences of a Student— "Revival in Colum- bia Revival in Walterborough — The Skeptic — Indirect influence — Autobiography continued — Failure of voice — Colloquial manner — Pas- toral visit — To-morrow — Manner in pulpit — The sudden digression — Narrative resumed — Pecuniary matters — Marked providence. Pages 145 to 190 CHAPTER VIII. LABOURS IN OHIO — PASTORATE IN FRANKFORT AND TUSKALOOSA. Labours as Evangelist— Narrative resumed— Letter to daughter— Labours in Ohio— Labours in Kentucky— Settles in Frankfort— Chaplain to Penitentiary — Leaves Frankfort — Call to Tuskaloosa — Old-school and New— Attends General Assembly 190 to 208 CHAPTEK IX. TUSKALOOSA — LABOURS AS AN EVANGELIST — MISSION TO TEXAS. Labours as Pastor in Tuskaloosa— The prayer-meeting— His correspond- ence— Letters to Mr. Galloway — Accounts of meetings — Meeting of Synod — The dying convert — Meeting in Wilkesbarre — Interview with Dr. Breckinridge — Autobiography resumed — Leaves Tuskaloosa — Meet- ings in Alabama— Letter from Memphis— Lines by Mrs. C. Lee Hentz— Meeting in Memphis— Meetings in New Orleans and Mobile— Reaches Texas — Letters from Galveston — Labours in Galveston — Enters the interior— Letter to little daughter— Autobiography resumed — Mission- ary labours — Revival at Chrisman's Settlement — The Texan Senator — First Presbytery organized in Texas — First idea of a College— Extracts from Journal— Taken ill— At Matagorda — Preaches again— Embarks for home— Tedious voyage— Card-players— Home 209 to 267 CHAPTER X. LABOURS AS AN EVANGELIST PASTORATE AT HOLLY SPRINGS Return home— Little Agnes — Opinion of Texas — Missionary labour- Meeting at Hernando — Affectionate disposition — Love for children — 1* CONTENTS. Estimate at homo — Autobiography resumed — Journal of hibours — Southern Mississippi — Autobiography resumed — Meeting in Nashville — Tuscumbia — Pulaski — Summary of labours — St. Charles — Habit of prayer — Source of power — Hired for a month — Revival in Holly Springs — Conversion of sons — The Hundred dollar note — sons at Princeton — Let- ter to son — Letter to wife — Missionary excursion — Leesb'urg — Knox- ville — Summary of labours — Heathen Mythology — Bible warrant — Home life — Advice to sons — Dying Christian — Need of preachers — Entangling alliances — Papal baptism — Standard of excellence — Lights and sha- dows— Heartfelt piety — Letter to Mr. Galloway — Labours in Arkan- sas Pages 2G8 to 324 CHAPTER XI. SECOND MISSION TO TEXAS. Autobiography resumed — Journal of Texas Mission — In New Orleans — In Texas — Lavaca — Letter to wife — Indian Point — At Victoria — Laid aside — Various labours — The congregation of one — The "naked hook" — The escaped Texan — In arrow -shot — At Austin — Webber's Prairie — Lagrange — The Pecan nut crop — Lost! — The white flag — The bold pro- test— Instant in season — Sowing by the way-side — Impromptu meet- ings— Taking the vote — Favourite maxims — Extempore contractor — Another maxim — A grain of sense — Clouds in good hands — Narra- tive resumed — "Give, and feel it" — Reaches Galveston — Call to Gal- veston— Made a D. D. — Courteous bearing 324 to 381 CHAPTER XII. FOUNDING OF AUSTIN COLLE(iE — LABOURS AS AN EVANGELIST AND AS AGENT OF THE COLLEGE. In Galveston — "Wearing well — The children's missionary — A missionary again — First blow for a College — First subscriptions — Prompt steps — " Too headlong" — Blundering right — Appeal to theological students — The new idea — Intention of the College — Sails for the Rio Grande — Mouth of the Rio Grande — At Brownsville — Enters Mexico — Christmas Eve in Matamoras — Preaches in Brownsville — First on the field — Rio Grande City — Use for preachers — The pioneers of the cross — Embarks for Galveston — "Perils in waters" — Lands safely — Austin College — CONTENTS. 7 Appointed agent for College — Home letters — New Orleans — in Brook- lyn— Jenny Lind — The liberal donor — Meeting in Philadelphia — At Wilmington — At Savannah — Results of first tour — Leaves on his second tour — St. Louis Assembly — Synod of Texas created — The river storm — Keeping the Sabbath — Man overboard— Results of second tour. Pages 381 to 434 CHAPTEE XIII. THIRD AND FOURTH TOURS AS AGENT OF AUSTIN COLLEGE. Leaves on third tour — At Charleston — Charleston Assembly — Grateful thoughts — At Columbia — Labours blessed — Thankful emotions^Basket meetings — Labours blessed of God — Letter of condolence — Heaven at last! — Black River churches — Field thrice reaped — Williamsburg church — Blessed results — Estimate of influence — Indian Town church — Unimpaired health — Pressing invitations — Christian kindness — Bow long strung — Darlington church — Longings for Home — Darlington pas- tor— Description of meeting — Doctrinal clearness — Statement of a pas- tor— Doctrines of grace — Union of Christians — Results of third tour — Robbed — The cunning thief — The discovery — The pursuit — The cap- ture— Secret of effective preaching — Nephew shot — Providence in all — Reaches home — Enters a fourth tour — In North Carolina — Christian liberality — Rocky River church — Philadelphia church — Poplar Tent — Concord — Steel Creek — Overcome — Statesville — Summary of labours — Presidency of Austin College — Crystal Palace — Letter to a theological student— The Bible and the heart 435 to 491 CHAPTER XIV. FIFTH AND SIXTH TOURS ABROAD, AND LABOURS IN TEXAS AS AGENT OF AUSTIN COLLEGE. Education convention — State aid — Leaves on fifth tour — In Georgia — The wise goat — Good Hope church — Greenville— Upper Long Cane — New- berry— Secret of success — Results of labours — The one cause of suc- cess— Springing of seed already sown — Letter to religious Journal — Revival in Willington — Results of this tour — Opinions of others — The skeptic convinced — Not an orator — The Austin family — The promised donation — At home awhile — Favourite studies — Repugnance to fiction— 8 CONTENTS. Value set on young raen — Enters on sixth tour — New York Assembly — More labourers needed — Radiation of usefulness — Labourer drawing toward home — Appreciation at home — Eastern Texas — Endowment scheme — Giving, a grace of the Spirit Pages 491 to 533 CHAPTER XV. CLOSING SCENES. Texas — Austin College — His agency — Contemplated visit to Europe — An- nouncement in Legislature — Remarks of Dr. Kittrell — Grief in Hunts- ville — Known abroad — Synod of Texas — Church at Austin — Arrives at Austin — The Grandfather — State aid — Last Sermon — Angina pecto- ris— Meeting desired — Last Sabbath — The ruling passion — Last visit — Becomes worse — Child-like faith — Perfect serenity — The dying saint — Last words 534 to 560 PREFACE It would seem most natural that the preparation of this volume should have devolved upon the Rev. Daniel S. Baker, of Louisiana, an elder brother, rather than upon myself, the youngest of the family ; yet, for twenty years, I have intended, should I sur- vive my father, to prepare such a volume. With this intention secretly cherished, by urgent and long- continued entreaty, I prevailed upon my father, in the rare intervals of a life of incessant occupation, to write the narrative or autobiography which is the basis of this book — a narrative, therefore, not pre- pared for the purpose for which it is used, but solely for the gratification of his children. With the same object in view, I have made it a business, since I could first remember, to rescue from loss, in the frequent removals of the family, the various journals contained herein, as well as the letters of which such abundant use is made. Not only did God put this, as I trust, into my heart, but, in his providence, during the last years of my father's life, we were 9 10 PREFACE. associated in ministerial labours in Texas. The last weeks of his life were spent with me in Austin, and upon my bosom was pillowed the venerable and beloved head of my father during his last hours on earth. Thus has God devolved upon me the labour of love which I have endeavoured to perform in these pages. No one can wish more sincerely than myself that this duty had devolved upon one better quali- fied. I have derived, however, great help from the taste, judgment, and other assistance, of an elder brother, Howard M. Baker, Esq. It was my intention to have thanked by name the many friends who have contributed toward the work, from all parts of the land. Their number, it is found, forbids this. The good which may be accom- plished by the volume will be the most acceptable reward to them for their Christian kindness — a kindness not to the dead only, not to myself only, but to every reader of this book. There are few who must not be aware of the delicacy of the task here undertaken. Hence my object has been to do little more than weave toge- ther the materials before me into a continuous and complete narrative. As much as possible I have permitted others to speak, rather than myself; but when I have spoken, it has been only iq)on points concerning which others were ignorant; and in these cases, I have expressed myself frankly and fully. It PREFACE. 1 1 is believed that this volume possesses an historical value in the annals of the Church. From the outset, I have looked to and relied upon One who is all-wise, to prompt and control and guide my pen. This volume is now sent forth along the many paths trodden by its subject, during his life-time of sixty-seven years, with fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit, which so accompanied this servant of God during his life, will also accompany and bless this endeavour at a rehearsal of his Life and Labours, pressing home upon the heart of each reader such instruction as may be contained herein. Such as it is, I place this book humbly, yet hope- fully, in the hands of the Church of God, and lay it, at least, as my choicest offering, at the feet of its Glorious Head. W. M. B. LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Rev. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. CHAPTER I. FROM HIS BIRTH TILL THE CLOSE OF HIS CLERKSHIP IN SAVANNAH. As it is one of the most precious promises of Scrip- ture, that " the mercy of the Lord is from everlast- ing to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children," it should be both a duty and a delight to acknowledge any marked fulfilment of this gracious promise. As far back as the ancestry of the subject of this Memoir can be traced, such fidfilment of the promise flowed down in winding but deepening current, generation after generation. From the annals of the Midway church in Liberty county, Georgia, it appears, that "in the beginning of the year 1630, a Congregational church was gathered at Plymouth, in England, of persons who intended to come to America for the purpose of enjoying those religious privileges, which the mea- sures of Archbishop Laud denied them at home." Observing a day of fasting and prayer to seek Divine assistance, they selected two ministers, who, accept- ing the office of spiritual guides, on the 30th of 2 13 14 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE March tlie church embarked. In May following they were put ashore near Boston. Here they were in " a forlorn wilderness, destitute of any habitation, and most other necessaries of life." Ascending Charles river, they finally settled at a place where they began to build a town, which they named Dorchester. An historian of that period bears witness to the character of this colony. " The first inhabitants of Dorchester," says Harris, "came chiefly from the counties of Devon, Dorset, and Somersetshire. They were a godly and religious people, and many of them persons of note and figure, being dignified with the title of Mr.^ which but few in those days wore." In October, 1695, a church was organized in Dorchester, "with a design to remove to Carolina, to encourage the settlement of churches, and the promotion of religion in the Southern plantations." Embarking, after solemn religious services, the church arrived, with its pastor, in Carolina, on the 20th of December, and formed a settlement upon the Ashley river, eighteen miles from Charleston, which, in memory of their former home, they called Dorchester. This settlement proving unhealthy, and the quantity of land too small, on the 11th of May, 1752, three persons were sent to Georgia, who selected a home for the church in Liberty county, as it is now kno^vn, at a place called Midway. A petition being prepared, the Council of Georgia made a grant of thirty-one thousand nine hundred and fifty acres. After many misfortunes by land and sea, the whole church was finally settled at their new home, with Rev. Mr. Osgood their pastor. D. D. 15 in March, 1754, the Baker and Bacon families of the church preceding by two years the remainder of the colony. A log church was immediately built, and an agreement entered into among the members. It marks the character of these pious people, that, in this agreement, in order to leave their "children after them compactly settled together," no member should " sell his tract of land, or any part thereof, to any stranger or person out of the Society, without first giving the refusal of its purchase to the So- ciety." In 1757, a larger house of worship was completed. From the first, the people engaged heartily in the cause of their comitry. So obnoxious did they make themselves to the British, that, in November 1778, a special detachment of the British army from Florida attacked the settlement, "burned the church building, almost every dwelling-house, and the crops of rice then in stacks, drove off the negroes and horses, carried away the plate belonging to the planters, and outraged even the graves of the dead." A leading patriot among the members of the church was Benjamin Baker. In consequence of his zeal, his house was rifled and burned, and himself and son imprisoned. There remains a poem by this son, descriptive of the invasion, and the bitterness of its indignation is at the destruction of the church edifice. On the return of peace the settlement was re-established, but during 1788 was greatly annoyed by inroads of the Indians. In 1791, during a visit of Washington to Savannah, the church presented to him an address, which, with the answer of Washing- ton, glows with all the fire of '76. It may be added 16 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE here, that on the breaking out of the last war with England, the grave and godly members of the Mid- way congregation were in the front files of their country's defence. During all these years an acade- my was maintained for the education of the children of the church, and an unbroken succession of pastors was kept up. It was the privilege of the writer of these pages to visit, on one occasion, this home of his ancestors. Seated in view of the spot whereon this people of God had gathered, during so many years, for the worship of the God of their fathers; under the funereal moss which drapes the trees of the ancient grave-yard; upon a tombstone which records the name of the grandfather of the subject of this Memoir as a "worthy deacon" of the church, the writer mused upon the history and character of the multitudes slumbering around him in Christ. They were a race, the chief culture of whose heart, conscience, and understanding, was at the family altar, and in the closet; was in the Sabbath sanctuary, that central home of their souls; was in often repeated seasons of fasting and prayer, and gathered in real as well as outward brotherhood around the table of the Lord's Supper. With them religion was a matter of their brightest hopes, their warmest feelings, their deepest convictions; it was the knowledge in which their servants and children were chieiiy instructed; the thing to which they instinctively and habitually subordinated every thing else. Knowing all this so well, the writer under- stood how, with the blessing so often and so fully promised of God in such a case, it was but in the REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 17 order of things that there should have been trained up there so many holy men and women serving God in private life ; so many ministers of the gospel to serve God over a vast empire, but just born when this spot was first settled; so many servants of God to go thence to preach Jesus, even beneath the palm- trees, and beside the pagodas of heathen lands. He understood, too, how it was that other churches from its bosom had grown up around it — daughters around the venerable mother; how it was that the community must be what it is still to this day ; and how natural it was, under God, that from such a stock, and from under such influences, should result such a man as the one whose Life and Labours are herein portrayed. This much by way of Introduction to " The Auto- biography of Daniel Baker, prepared for the use of his Children." Descended from Puritan parentage, 1 was bom in Midway, Liberty county, Georgia, on the 17th of August, 1791. My father and my mother, both, were for many years reputable members of the Con- gregational church, which had been planted as a colony in what is known by the name of the Mid- way Settlement. Well do I recollect seeing the ruins of their second church edifice — a frame build- ing on the west side of the road, and immediately south of the site of the present grave-yard. My venerated father was for many years a much esteemed deacon of the Midway church, as was his father before him, both bearing the same name — William Baker. I have no recollection of either of my grand- 2* 18 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE parents, but have reason to believe both died before I was born. My father was married three times. By his first marriage, he had four sons and three daughters ; by his second wife, who lived but a short time, he had no children; and by the third, only one — a son, named Joseph Stevens— who is still alive, and a distinguished preacher and editor, of the Baptist denomination. I was the last child of my father by his first mar- riage; and as my mother took her flight to heaven when I was but an infant, I never knew a mother's smile. I have no recollection of my father's second wife — but the third I remember well, for she lived until I was quite a young man. My father died when I was about eight years of age, and I have some recollection of him, but my reminiscences are neither numerous nor very lively. I can well recol- lect, however, that he was a tall, slender man, and very erect and elastic in his gait. I can recollect the spot where stood the family stand, with the large old Bible upon it; and well do I remember that it was our practice not to kneel, but to stand during family prayer. It was usual for the whole family to spend what was called the sickly season on Colonel's Island; and this was always a very pleasant affair for me. I recollect well the room in which my father died, and that brother John and myself were playing under the shade of a large oak, when some one came and told us that my father was dying ; and it put an end to all of our sports. My father when first taken sick was in some spiritual darkness; but his mind was completely relieved by having this passage of Scripture brought with great power and REV. DANIEL BAKEK, D. D. 19 sweetness to his soul : " For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that behove." I recollect that this was the subject of much conversation in the family after my dear father was laid in the grave. Young as I was, I felt the death of my father very much, and very frequently would I, on the Sab- bath, go into the grave-yard, and look upon the graves of my parents, who were buried side by side, near the gate on the right hand as you enter into the grave-yard. I know not how often, when I was a little boy, that I visited the hallowed spot ; nor can I tell how many tears I there shed; certainly it had a melancholy but peculiar charm for me ; particularly as being the resting-place of my dear mother, of whom I had heard much, but had never seen. A poor little orphan boy, I would think a great deal about my own dear mother, and wished that I was Avith her in heaven. Sometimes I would look around, and when I saw other children who had mothers to love them, and give them good things, it made me very sad to think that I had no dear mother on earth, to love me and give me good things. Sometimes I would take up the idea that nobody loved me ; but I thought if my mother was on earth she would love me if nobody else did; but she was gone to heaven. "AVell, I will meet my mother there." One night, falhng asleep probably more sorrow- ful than usual, I had a very sweet dream. I thought, all at once, that the room in which I slept, was filled with the angels of God. In the midst 20 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE of them I thought I saw my o\vii clear mother! I thought I knew her at first sight — my Httle heart leaped for joy. Pushing away the angels, I thought I rushed towards my mother, and wanted to throw my arms around her, and tell her how glad I was to see her,. and that I had never seen her before. O, I was happy! I was so happy! But scarcely was I with my mother a single moment, when I thought the angels began to spread their wings and rise from the floor! — and I would not have cared if every angel had gone back to heaven, if they had only left my mother behind; but I thought my mother was an angel herself now; and she too had wings, and she too began to rise and ascend. Immediately they all began to sing very sweetly, and while I was looking on, they con- tinued to ascend and sing, until their forms faded upon my sight, and their voices were lost in the skies. I remember the tune which they sung to this day; and so far as I can recollect, I had never heard it before; nor since, until some twelve years after. I heard it one morning at family worship at Dr. Hoge's, with whom I boarded, at Hampden Sidney, where I had gone to prepare for the minis- try. This dream was indeed a very pleasant dream for a little orphan like myself; and the next morn- ing I resolved (if I could) to meet my mother in heaven ; and the idea of not meeting my mother in heaven was more than I could bear. AVhen I heard the tune siuig in Dr. Hoge's family, the very tune which I had never heard before, so far as I can recollect, except in my dream, I confess it caused the dream of my childhood to rush upon my memory REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 21 with great sweetness; and even to this moment it has a charm for me which no other tune ever had or can have. My dream made a great impression upon me, and my impressions were deepened by my amit Margaret Dunham, my mother's sister, who was very pious, and with v/hom I was a great favourite. It would seem that the heart of this aunt was often moved at the sight of her little orphan nephew. On more than one occasion, touched by his forlorn appearance, she took him into her room, locked the door with a mysterious air, and then producing a bag from her chest, in which w^re the gains of many a long hour at the spinning-wheel and the loom, and of many a dozen of eggs and pounds of butter and cheese, she would jingle its golden con- tents in his ear, with the consolatory remark, " Never mind — never mind, Dan'l, this shall be yours when I am gone." But, alas, how it was is not known, the sound of the coin was aU the advantage the money ever was to the nephew. A venerable lady, stiU living, can remember him, when about eight years of age, passing her door every day to the school-house, two miles distant from his home, in company with his brothers Wil- liam and John, and his sisters Rebecca and Sally, all older than himself. They carried their dinner with them in a pan, and, on their return, little Dan was almost invariably the bearer of the pan. She re- members pitying the little fellow, manfully trudging along, with one hand supporting the dinner-pan, a heavy one, and the other nervously grasping the 22 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE waistband of his trowers, there being no suspenders in those days. I recollect (the narrative proceeds) one day that I wrote a friend a very religious letter, and showed it to my aunt, who read it and bestowed upon it great praise ; but, although my religious impressions were somewhat deep, yet they were not very evan- gelical, for, I recollect, that one day I went out into the corn-field and prayed ; but knowing little of the hidden evils of my heart, I was very self-righteous. I recollect I did not like the prayer of the Publican at all. This thing offended me, " he would not even so much as lift up his eyes to heaven:" — thinks I, not even so much as lift up his eyes to heaven! that was very wrong! So lifting up my eyes, I began my prayer, Pharisee-like, and said, "God, I thank thee that I am not so bad as other people are;" and then left my place of retirement very much pleased with myself; sometimes serious and sometimes not. I thus went on (never once, how- ever, I believe, omitting my evening prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep,") until I was about twelve years of age, when, one Friday afternoon, after get- ting my Shorter Catechism lesson in school, I turned over towards the end of the book, and read a dia- logue, in verse, between Christ, Youth, and the Demi This made a very great impression upon me, and my serious impressions, if I recollect right, were very much deepened by a frightful dream which I had. I thought I died suddenly, and woke up in hell! The first overwhelming thought was, that I was actually in eternity, and my day of grace REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 23 was over for ever! O, I thought I would give the world if I could only go back to the earth, and have only one hour more to seek salvation in ! Waking up from this awful dream, I was much rejoiced to find myself in this world once more ; but I thought my case was a peculiar one, and that there could be no hope for me. I felt sure that my brother John would go to heaven, for he was good, and every body loved him; but I was very bad, and nobody loved me. I much feared that I should never meet my mother in heaven, after all. I did wish that I was a bird, or insect, or any thing that had not to meet God in the judgment day! Before I was fourteen years of age I was taken from school, and living with my eldest brother, I was much alone, and was very fond of reading religious books. One day I was thrown into a state of great alarm. There came up a dreadful storm — one flash of light- ning came after another in such rapid succession, and such loud thunder it seemed I had never heard in all my Hfe. I was alone, and expected every moment to be struck dead. Very much alarmed, I made a solemn vow that if God would spare my life I would serve him as long as T lived. My life was spared, and, thank God, my seriousness did not pass away. About this time my eldest brother was seen to go to a certain place of retirement every evening, about the going down of the sun. I noticed it, and suspected what it meant. This encouraged me in my good resolutions. I was anxious about my soul, but had no one, about this time, to speak to me, except a coloured man by the name of Joe, whom I occasionally saw when I went to Canoochee, to visit 24 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE my sister Rebecca. After going on in darkness for many months, fearing the worst, and not knowing what to do, I took up the hymn-book one day, and read the hymn beginning with these words: "Come, humble sinner, in whose breast." Coming to these lines, «' But if I perish, I will pray, And perish only tliere," my mind was made up. I went out into the grove, and resolved that if I perished, I would perish at my Saviour's feet. If I did perish, I would perish praying. I went out in great distress, I returned with great joy. In prayer my mind experienced a sweet relief; I had new views of my Saviour, and saw that Christ could save even so great a sinner as I was. Frequently since then I have thought upon these words, as applicable to my case, '' the darkest time is just before the da^vn." I became one of the happiest creatures upon earth, and thought if I only had a little pair of wings, I could fly. Every thing around me seemed very lovely; and O, if I could only be a preacher ! I recollect one evening walk- ing in the piazza at "Cato's place," so called — I thought what a great thing it would be if I could go to College! But that was a thing far out of my reach, and far away; there was no such good thing for me. The greatest favour I expected from my brother was that he would one day take me with him to Savannah, some thirty-five miles distant. I won- dered how a city looked. My brother promised that if I woidd attend to a little shop he had, that REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 25 he would take me to Savannah the coming winter. Time after time I was disappointed, but finally the period came ; my brother set out with a bale of cot- ton in a cart; and whilst he rode on horseback, and a servant was walking at the side of the cart, I had the great privilege of riding upon the bale of cotton in the cart. Mounted upon my elevated seat, and going to see a great city, of which I had long heard, I was almost as happy as a young king who had just mounted his throne. I w^as going to Savannah! I was going to the very place where my father was wont to go, and from which place he used to bring so many good things in his saddle-bags for me, and others left behind. Eeaching the city in the even- ing, I looked around and wondered at the number of houses which I saw ; and some were so fine ! I was not ashamed of the humble chariot in wliich I had entered this great city, and was pleased with every thing I saw. The next morning my brother, having me at his side, went round to several stores under the blufi", and tried to get me a situation as clerk, and finally, to my great joy, succeeded. Taken into the dry-goods and grocery store of Mr. M., I was very awkward, and was so unfortunate as to misplace the key, which occasioned me immense mortification and trouble. After much searching, however, the key was found, and I was once more happy. Although awkward, I endeavoured to please, and soon found that my employer liked me very much, and had so much confidence in me, that some- time after, going to the North for goods, he left the store and all its interests in my hands. I can truly say, that without the permission of my employer, I 3 26 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE never took a cent from his drawer, for I was very conscientious. I had great simpHcity of character, and my moral and religious feelings were deeply seated in my soul. Unfortunately, however, hearing one day that the body of a murdered man had been drawn out of the river, I imprudently left the store open, to see the sight, and upon my return, found, to my consternation, that nearly all the silver, amounting to some forty dollars, had been taken out of the drawer ! To this day the thief has not been found, so far as I know; but in all probability, before this, he has had to answer for it at the bar of his Maker. Mr. M. had some very excellent traits of charac- ter, but he was very profane, loose in his morals, and, perhaps, never went to church. Having no family himself, he boarded me out. At this board- ing-house, so far as I can now recollect, not one had any fear of God before his eyes; and all the youths with whom I associated, I think with only one exception, were profane, and all desecrated the Sab- bath. At first, I was very much shocked at these " carryings on," and even ventured to reprove them, but gradually I began to look with less horror upon their conduct; and as "attrition wears the solid rock," in process of time I began, to some extent, to copy their example. I began to neglect secret prayer, and would occasionally take a stroll into the country on the Sabbath, instead of going to church; and sometimes would go into confectionary shops and beer-gardens; but this I consented to not speedily, nor without many checks of conscience. My companions, all of them as I have said, except REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 27 one, were profane, and they would laugh at me for my religious turn, and would call me "parson." This was almost too much for me ; and I recollect that once I attempted to swear, but the oath died, unuttered, upon my tongue ; and so sharp were the rebukes of my conscience, that I never attempted it any more. After living mth Mr. M. about three years, I was taken into the employment of Messrs. L., cotton fac- tors, who were gentlemen of high standing, and who were doing a fine commission business. This was high promotion, but so far as religion was concerned, it brought no great advantage to me, for although the family in which I now resided was very genteel, yet there was no Bible in the house, nor any trace of religion. Being now introduced into a better circle, I must needs become a little more polished, and therefore went to the dancing-school: and now, getting to be a young man, I soon bought me a suit of uniform, and had the honour of being enrolled amongst the Rangers^ and of course, when the Fourth of July came, we must, like the other volun- teer companies, celebrate it with mirth and feasting. On one occasion, before I became a Ranger, how- ever, I was appointed a Fourth of July orator. A copy of my oration was requested for publication. I, of course, with all due modesty, yielded, and a few days after, I saw myself in print, as large as life. Some compliments were paid, and I began to fancy that I was a person of some consequence, and began to write for the public papers. About this time I began to enlarge the circle of my acquaintance, and attended several private balls. 28 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE To crown tlie matter, on one occasion, I was made one of the managers of a public ball, given by cer- tain young men in the Exchange ; and by this time, I confess, the tide of worldly feeling and worldly amusement had nearly swept me away; but as the providence of God would have it, several things occurred to hold me in check. I came very near shooting myself, accidentally, when out hunting one day; and on another occasion, I was upon the point of being drowned, in the Savannah river, when bathing on the Sabbath day ! and to crown the mat- ter, I was taken very sick, and within a few hours was brought very low, even, apparently, to the bor- ders of the grave. But none of these things so wrought upon me as the sudden and imexpected death of a wicked companion of mine. This death was announced from the pulpit by Doctor Kollock, after preaching a very eloquent and powerful dis- course. I was in church at the time, and the an- nouncement came upon my ear as a clap of thunder from a clear sky. I had been playing cards with him a few nights before ; he was then the very pic- ture of health. And is Vanderlot dead! O, dread- fid ! thought I ; he certainly was not prepared. And what if I had been taken! That afternoon I attend- ed his funeral. I will never forget the occasion; I felt awful. My young companion taken away in his sins ! — suddenly and witliout warning ! What — said I to myself, over and over again — what if I had been taken! I was as a blind man whose eyes had been opened just as he had reached the brink of an awful precipice. By the grace of God, my soul was thor- oughly aroused; my mind was made up, and I re- REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 29 solved that I would no longer neglect the salvation of my soul. I resumed private prayer. I wanted a Bible to read, particularly at night ; but I had nei- ther Bible nor Testament, nor was there one in the house. O, I would be willing to give almost any thing in the world for a Bible! "What was to be done'? There was a bookstore in the city, and there were Bibles and Testaments there, but a companion of mine was there as clerk, and how could I brave his ridicule. Night after night I thought I would certainly muster courage, but when the next day came, my courage failed. One night, however, I was in a kind of agony because I had no Bible or Testament ; and I then firmly resolved that I would, at all hazard, purchase one the next day. The day came, and as we are told, it required uncommon resolution to pass certain forms, seated, as it is fabled, at the gate of Elysium ; so it seemed almost too much for me to look Mills in the face, and from him to buy a Testament; but I had firmly resolved, and buy a Testament I would. In pursuance of this resolution, after breakfast, bracing my courage up, I boldly entered the store, and said, " Mills, have you any Testaments for salef' but quickly added, " But I don't want it for myself." What a wonder the Spirit of God did not leave me that moment! What Bunyan in his Pilgrim's Progress has said about shame, I found to be but too true. As a B.angei\ I could perhaps have looked an enemy in the face without flinching; but to do that which I believed would expose me to ridicule — this was more than I coidd well do. Having obtained the long wished for prize, I bore it off in secret tri- 3* 30 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE umph. In my estimation it was a prize indeed. I suppose I would not have parted with it for ten times what it cost. O, it was a precious book to me! and I think I could say with Jeremiah, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them." About this time I recollect going to a prayer- meeting, and not having courage enough to go in, I remained without in the street, and was much impressed by what I heard; and now having made up my mind to serve the Lord as long as I lived, I thought, O how I would like to become a minister of the gospel ! Not that I had much spiritual com- fort, but I wished religion to be the very element in which I should live, and move, and have my being. 1 had enjoyed religion once; I had wandered; I did not wish to wander any more. I thought entering upon the ministry would be a new bond upon my soul. Indeed, I felt as if I could be happy in no other pursuit or calling. To be a herald of salva- tion, this was my chief desire; this was the height of my ambition; but I had no education, and how to obtain one I knew not ; besides I was nearly nine- teen years of age. I thought I was too old to enter upon a course of learning; but even if not too old, the means — where could I get the means'? Just at this time, my brother W. came to Sa- vannah, and I recoUect that one night, in the street and near the old church, he and myself had a long talk upon the subject, and he mentioned a fact which seemed very surprising. He said that just before he left home, in liberty county, a letter had been received from the liev. C. Gildcrsleeve, late pastor of Midway church, stating, that spending a REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 31 night with Dr. Moses Hoge, President of Hamp- den Sidney College, this very worthy man asked him if he knew of any young man of piety who wished to enter the ministry in the Presbyterian Church, and had not the means; adding, that provision was made at that College for the very purpose of aiding such as needed it. The circum- stance appeared very remarkable; and the provi- dence of God had removed one grand difficulty out of ihe way — but there was another difficulty; the term of my service with my employers was not out ; would not be for some eighteen months. "What was to be done? One of the firm, and the very one-who, as I learned afterwards, would never have given his consent to release me from my engage- ment, was absent at the North. Those at home finally, but with great reluctance, did consent. Thus was a second grand difficulty taken out of the way. There was yet another; Mr. G. F. P. and myself were to form a partnership. He had already commenced merchandizing, and I was to become a partner in trade with him, so soon as my engage- ment with the firm of J. L. & Co. should come to an end. Besides, Mr. L. was to do something hand- some for me. This difficulty, however, was soon settled; and now for the North and a College! and never, perhaps, did any creature ever enter upon any new and brilliant career with more delight. 32 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE CHAPTEE II. WHILE A STUDENT AT HAMPDEN SIDNEY COLLEGE. Searching among the papers of his father, the writer has found the loose sheets of a Journal, yellow with age, tattered, and almost illegible; intended by him who kept it only for his own eye. This Journal is the more valuable, as it unveils the inmost springs and emotions of his soul. Extracts from it will be inserted as the course of the nar- rative may demand. The narrative proceeds: Being furnished with one hundred dollars, (a part of my patrimony,) I embarked in a schooner, early in the summer of 1811, for Baltimore; and taking a certain land route, I reached Hampden Sidney College, I think, about the 1st of July. On pre- senting my letters to Doctor Hoge, he received me with great kindness, and I and two or three other young men, candidates for the ministry, were taken into his house as boarders. I took up the Latin grammar for the first time, and entered upon my studies with great zeal. I recollect I studied very hard ; and for a length of time I had a dark circle around my eyes. It was customary with me, for the sake of exercise, to walk three miles every day, except the Sabbath; one mile in the morning, one at noon, and one in the evening. This kind of exer- cise was of no service to me; for I would employ much of the time, whilst walking, in committing to KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 33 memory some speech or lesson ; and sometimes upon returning, I would throw myself upon the bed, com- pletely exhausted both in body and in mind. One day after studying very hard, I caught hold of the limb of a tree, to swing; the next thing I knew, I was lying prostrate upon the groimd, my head downwards on the slope of a hill. How long I remained unconscious I know not. This seemed a serious affair, but it did not abate my ardour in study. I was now turned of nineteen years, and I had no time to lose. I recollect that near this time I was for about two or three weeks in a state of great despondency. I found it hard to commit the Latin grammar to memory; and by reason of several things, I thought I never could be made a preacher — never would be able to preach to any white congregation in any place. One day, being greatly discouraged, when in a state of the deepest despondency, all at once — and I recollect it well — all at once the idea flashed across my mind, that there are many negroes in the land, and perhaps I might be able to preach to the negroes ! This was a new and happy thought. It cheered me greatly, and in one moment my despondency left me, and I resumed my studies with new life and pleasure. At this time I formed an acquaintance with several interesting young men, who, equally with myself, had the ministry in view. Amongst these was one of uncommon loveliness and piety, W. C. W., who became my bosom friend. Our natural dispositions were widely different, and yet our friendship was very much like that of David and Jonathan. Our correspondence, when absent, 34 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE was unreserved and of long continuance; our letters would make a large volume. I had not made any public profession of religion before leaving Savannah, and after reaching Hamp- den Sidney College, I was for a length of time in great spiritual darkness, even on the borders of despair. I remembered my broken vows, and all my wanderings in Savannah, and seriously feared that I had sinned away my day of grace. The un- pardonable sin! The unpardonable sin! I was very much afraid I had committed that; but one day, reading a book called "Russel's Seven Ser- mons," I met with a sentence in the last sermon which gave me great comfort. It was to this effect, that if a man has any serious concern about the sal- vation of his soul, and has any tender thoughts in relation to the Kedeemer, that was proof positive that he had not committed the unpardonable sin. Immediately my burden was gone, every cloud was scattered, and my feelings became most delightful. It was like the beauty of spring after a long and dreary winter. I had new views of my Saviour, felt that I could rest upon him, and was enabled to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. The question has since been often started in my mind, When was I converted'? At what particular place and time] Was it in Midway, or Prince Edward] Was it when I was about fourteen, or when I was about nineteen] The conclusion to wliich I have come, after much thought, is, that it was when I was in Midway, about fourteen years of age. I am strongly inclined to think that in early youth I was converted, and having wandered, was, in early man- REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 35 ]iood, happily, through abounding grace, brought back to the Shepherd and Bishop of my soul. Breaking off from the narrative, we turn to his journal, commencing as follows: Sunday^ August, 1811. I purpose committing to paper the most remarkable incidents of my life, my reflections thereon, and those resolutions the several occasions may suggest, in order that I may, with greater advantage, frequently review my life and renew my resolutions ; that I may, by the assistance of divine grace, be stimulated to the active exercise of every Christian virtue, and with unwearied dili- gence aspire to greater attainments in piety and usefulness. And may the God of grace, who strengthens the weak by the invigorating influences of his Holy Spirit, on which alone I would rest, enable me to benefit by these feeble means, and strengthen me to a faithful compliance with such resolutions as he may dispose me occasionally to make. 1. Resolved, That I am too prone to indulge in improper levity in conversation; that in future I will endeavour to avoid every wicked sally of mirth or pleasantry, particularly on the Lord's day. 2. Resolved, That I much too highly estimate my oratorical attainments; that I am too fond of, and too apt to court, vulgar applause; that I will endeavour to think meanly of myself, and make it my supreme object to obtain the approbating smiles of my God, and that of my own conscience. 3. Resolved, That I will frequently pray to Al- mighty God to point out aU my vices and foUies, S6 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE and supplicate his grace to dispose me to turn from them. Sunday^ September 1th, 1811. This day Dr. Hoge preached a sermon eminently calculated to arouse saints to a clear evidence of their interest in the covenant of grace. After divine service I retired to pour out my warm desires before my prayer-hearing God. Sunday Evening, Novemher 11th, 1811. This day being deprived of the outward church ordinances, the second meeting of a praying society was held at Dr. Hoge's, attended by the teachers and six or eight students ; a solemn attention was given by all, and there were some who appeared peculiarly af- fected in the several exercises of praying and sing- ing; in fine, it seemed manifest that our gracious Saviour had condescended to be in the midst of us. * * * * Satan, begone ! I am now your inve- terate foe, and, by the grace of God, I trust I ever will continue irreconcilable to you. "Get thee behind me, Satan !" I have made an unreserved, a cheerful surrender of myself and all that I possess to my la^vful Prince, and I cannot recall my words. Assail me now no more with your insidious darts, for Jesus, in whom alone I trust, has already van- quished you, and will, I humbly liope, give me strength to overcome all your efibrts to destroy my soul. Yes, adorable Jesus! I am thine — soul and body — all thine. I would again renew the solemn covenant I made with thee; keep through thine own name what I have committed unto tliec until the decisive day. I am of myself weak and helpless, and would become an easy victim to the subtle KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 37 enemy, but do thou arm me with thy grace, and 1 shall triumph over all his machinations, over all his efforts to subjugate my soul to base captivity. O, gracious Lord! I pray thee, leave me not one moment to myself, but let "thy rod and thy staff" comfort and protect me, while I pass through "the howling wilderness of life," and finally bring me to that happy state where my soul shall no longer be harassed and distressed by the assaults of the evil one, but where I shall unite my voice with thy saints above in for ever celebrating the praises of redeeming love. Sunday, December 22d, 1811. Alas! how cold, how insensible my heart. I read and meditate, but no sweet emotion warms my soul. With what strange indifference do I view the compassions of the Iledeemer ; how slightly do I estimate his love ; how languid my spiritual graces; how joyless do I pass the moments of this sweet day of rest; how unlike the calm and sweet delight I have frequently enjoyed in humble converse with God on his holy Sabbath. Alas ! this hard, this sinful, this stubborn, rebellious heart of mine, that has caused the Holy Spirit to withdraw his influences ; that has provoked the blessed God, and caused him to hide his face from me. My once sweet and consolatory evidences, where are they'? All have disappeared, and thick, gloomy darkness hovers over my soul. O, when will the Sun of Righteousness again rise to dispel these thick mists, and shine resplendent upon my benighted mind; again to animate and enliven my languishing spirit by his cheering influences! O, hasten, bright morning, when I may again view the 38 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE sweet smiles of a reconciled Redeemer ! Dear Lord ! I would humble myself before tliee, and patiently wait thine appointed time; but in the mean time, O stir me up to renewed diligence ; may I be more devout in thy worship; may I not faint nor be cast down, though I go mourning without thy presence. 0 may this lead me to deeper humility, deeper repentance for sin; may it lead me to see my abso- lute dependence on thee for all my comforts and enjoyments, as well as strength and support; and O, blessed God! in thy good time, lift upon me the light of thy countenance, pardon my many and aggravated sins, and cause my soul to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory," through the riches of grace that are treasured up in Christ Jesus. 4. Resolved^ That I am but too much subject to sinful passions, inconsistent with that meekness and gentleness positively enjoined by the meek and lowly Jesus; that I will endeavour to get the better of them, and keep them all under proper subjection. 5. Resolved^ That I am too prone to envy others more eminently pious, or in more favourable situa- tions ; that this is wicked and must not be indidged, but that I will endeavour, as much as may be in me, to imitate their good qualities. 6. Resolved^ That I am not sufficiently zealous in the cause of Christ; on that account it shall be my indispensable duty frequently to pray that I may feel a more lively interest in the prosperity of Zion, that 1 may be inspired with a pure, ardent, and unabating zeal in so glorious a cause. Sunday Evening, January 19 th, 1812. This day, REV. DANIEL BAKEE, D. D. 39 after much coldness and insensibility of heart, it pleased God to revive my spirits, and grant me sweet comfort and refreshment in attending upon our praying society. I would desire to return the Great Fountain of all mercies my humble and sin- cere thanks for the establishment of this society, inasmuch as he has made it so beneficial to my soul, and that of my fellow-members, and has permitted sweet delight and comfort frequently to flow from it, to water and refresh our thirsty souls. Simdai/, P. 3f., February 2d, 1812. This day Dr. Hoge preached in College Hall, from Micah vi. 9, last clause — "Hear ye the rod, and who hath ap- pointed it;" designed chiefly to improve the late calamitous conflagration of the Richmond theatre, in which perished about an hundred souls. Although this affliction was so recent, and of so awful a na- ture; although the discourse was so pathetic and applicable ; although the transitory and uncertain na- ture of all sublunary, and the reality and importance of eternal things were exhibited so clearly and im- pressively, yet all could not move my flinty heart — cold, dull, languid, and insensible, I retired from the house of worship. O for the animating and invigo- rating influence of the blessed Spirit, without which I find all my precious privileges will be of no avail, will but increase the load of my already accumulated guilt. O Lord! let not thy wrath consume me as a cumberer of the ground, but O! do thou touch my heart as with a coal from off thy altar; quicken my drowsy powers, and make my heart to be easily im- pressed with thy word, thy providences, and thy Spirit. 40 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Saturday Evening, February 15th, 1812. It has always been my decided opinion that I should be ever active and vigilant to discover and embrace every opportunity to benefit my fellow-men, how- ever trifling in appearance, however faint might be the hope of success ; for as God's ways are above our ways, and his thoughts above our thoughts, who knows but he might cause the feeblest effort to be powerful, to be of resistless energy, and to be pro- ductive of the most happy consequences. Thus im- pressed, and having learned a few days since that my friend and fellow-student, Mr. T. C, was un- happily infected with the principles of infidelity, I borrowed from him that pernicious, and infectious, and impious book, entitled- "*' Thomas Paine's Age of Reason," intending to peruse it throughout, and then return it, accompanied with suitable remarks, reflections, and friendly admonitions. It came to hand — I commenced reading it; but disgust and horror deterred me from proceeding very far. O, Paine! Paine! imhappy wretch! what could have induced you thus to have prostituted your shining talents^ If you were infected with such odious principles, why not keep them to yourself] Why disseminate them to corrupt youth, embitter old age, and fill the vaults of despair with thy infatuated votaries'? Thanks to God for the commentary of thy death on thy works ; may it please Him to un- nerve the strength of thy subtle reasonings, and avert the fatal consequences to which they lead! I closed the book and returned it with a letter, the " Christian Panoply,^'' and my fervent prayers. Sunday, March Sth, 1812. Dr. Hoge in a lecture RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 41 delivered this evening, took occasion to introduce the present state of Christianity in the East Indies, when, to my inexpressible surprise and satisfaction, he mentioned a glorious discovery that has very recently been made, of nearly half a million of true Christians in that land which, hitherto, I considered as almost wholly enveloped in the darkness of hea- thenish ignorance. These Christians, it appears, have never participated in the corruptions of the church of Rome, but have, happily, preserved their faith inviolate, as delivered by the Apostle Paid and primitive Christians. O my soul! rejoice in the Lord, and sing praises to his name for his marvellous loving-kindness in preserving a chosen remnant to himself undefiled, whilst the great mass had degene- rated into superstition and abominable idolatries. How pleasing must this discovery have been to the faithful missionaries zealously labouring in the vine- yard of Christ! How must it rejoice the hearts of all who love the prosperity of Zion ! Methinks this should cheer up and inspire with lively hopes the humble believer weeping for the desolations of the Church. This bears a flattering appearance; me- thinks I behold the dawn of a glorious day bright- ening in the East. O arise, Sun of Ilighteousness ! speedily arise, and usher in the splendours of that day when pure and undefiled religion shall prevail throughout the world, and God shall dwell on earth again. Sunday. This day I finished the perusal of With' erspoon on Regeneration, a work which has afibrded me peculiar dehght and satisfaction. I think I have derived much advantage from it ; let it be my care 4* 42 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE to recommend it to others, and may God always accompany it Avith his blessing by whomsoever it may be read. In considering the characteristics of a regenerate person, as there and in other works laid down, and in carefully examining my heart, I think I have experienced some saving change, have had some sweet evidences of an interest in my Saviour's love. O rapturous thought! how vain, empty, and insignificant are all earthly enjoyments when com- pared with the enjoyments of a reconciled God and Saviour. Poor ^vretches, who feed on the vile husks of this world, when there are s"uch riches treasured up in Christ Jesus! O how wonderful is it that God should have called upon me — me, so vile and imgrateful a rebel, to feed on the rich dainties of his love, while so many others have been passed by! O it was free, sovereign, discriminating grace ! What shall I render to God for his marvellous love in making me to be a monument of the riches of his grace, when I deserved to have been a monument of his wrath! Bless the Lord, O my soul! and never cease to magnify and adore his holy name. Lord, may I henceforth live devoted to thee — live unre- servedly to liim who hath loved me and given him- self for me. O Lord, I think I sincerely hate all sin, enable me for the future to resist more vigor- ously its assaults. I think I love thee unfeignedly; 0 enable me to increase more and more. O Lord, 1 long to praise thee in more noble strains. O teach my heart and my lips unceasingly to praise, magnify, and adore thy name, so long as I have any being. O Lord, my heart is very deceitfid — preserve me from deceiving myself "Search me, and try me, KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 43 and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me into the way everlasting." Let me not rest with any attainments, but may I continually press forward in the divine life; may I daily become more and more assimilated to thine own glorious image, and more and more ripe for thy enjoyment hereafter. Sunday, April 12th, 1812. This day cold and languid in my exercises ; how unlike a short time since, when the candle of the Lord shone upon me; when I had those comforting evidences of an interest in the love of Christ; when I took such delight in the worship of my God; w^hen T thought my heart was fixed. Ah, then I was too confident. I said in my heart, my mountain stands strong, I shall never be moved; but God has humbled me, and shown me that if he hide his face I must be cast down; if he w^ithdraw the influences of his blessed Spirit, my heart must become callous, my prayers and medita- tions must be insincere and improfitable. O, Lord, for the Redeemer's sake, remember not my provoca- tions against thee, but be pleased again to lift upon me the light of thy reconciled countenance; again shed abroad in my heart thy blessed Spirit; and cause me for the future to have my life and con- versation more holy, heavenly, and conformed to thy will. The narrative proceeds: Having obtained peace in believing, the next thing was to "join the church," but what church'? My eldest brother and my only sister had become Baptists, and for some time my mind was not at rest in relation both to the proper mode and subjects of baptism. Dr. John Mason's Essays on " The Church 44 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE of God," poured much light upon my mind, and being now at rest in this matter, I made application to Dr. Hoge, who was at that time pastor of the " College Church," and was received by him. I, for for the first time, on Sabbath, the 19th of April, 1812, sat down at the sacramental board. It proved a memorable season to me, and I believe to many others. Journal. — Well, at length I have dismissed my scruples ; I am the Lord's. Next Sabbath I hope to celebrate the dying love of my dear Redeemer. I have applied for admission, and I am now to seal my covenant with the Lord by that solemn ordi- nance— why nof? I have long ago made a surren- der of myself to him; I think he possesses my supreme affections, why should I delay to make this pubhc confession of my love to him who died for me'? Jesus invites me to his table, to feed on the rich dainties of his love, although I am unworthy of the least crumb; in the strength of the Lord, I will humbly approach his table, that my soul may be refreshed, that it may rejoice as with "marrow and fatness." O, what sweet, what unspeakable deHght do I hope to enjoy at that banquet of love. O for a heavenly frame of mind. O that I may be clothed with the resplendent robes of Christ's righteousness, that when the King shall come to view his guests, [ may not be found wanting a wedding-garment. O, my soul! I charge thee, diligently prepare for solemnizing thine espousals to Christ, thy Kedeem- er; avoid every thing that may cool thy affections, or unfit thee for so solemn an approach to him. I charge thee, O my tongue! to keep silent before the REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 45 wicked, to restrain thy frowardness ; to exercise thy- self alone to the glory of God; this week especially let "holiness to the Lord" be inscribed on every sen- tence thou dost utter; and, especially, O thou wicked and corrupt heart, I charge thee, to leave off thy vain and sinful practices; to spurn the wicked sug- gestions of Satan; to invite in and cherish profitable thoughts and reflections; that thou grieve not God's Holy Spirit to withdraw. And now, O Lord, I am weak and helpless — I would implore strength of thee to carry into execution my resolutions. O dear Jesus! prepare me for celebrating thy dying love; may this week be a week of humiliation, self-exami- nation, and fervent devotion. O enable me to live nearer thee than I have ever yet done. O give me some suitable sense of my sinfulness and unworthi- ness, and of thy matchless love ! Sunday^ April 19^^, 1812. This day arose some- what earlier than usual, in order better to prepare for the exercises of the day; worldly cares happily banished, and tranquillity of mind reinstated, my soul looked up to God with longing desires for sweet communion with him; experienced considerable en- largement of soul in my morning devotions, although I had not as bright views of the excellencies of Christ as I wished, yet he was graciously pleased to discover himself unto me as the "chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely;" altogether worthy my supreme affections, my implicit confidence ; in fine, just such a Saviour as I and all perishing sinners stood in need of. O ! how precious a Redeemer has God provided for his rebel enemies; "bless the Lord, O my soul!" An excellent sermon was delivered by the Rev. C. 46 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Read, after which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered. The courts of God's sanctuaiy were on this occasion crowded with "the excellent of the 'earth;" many, very many of God's dear chil- dren surrounded his board. O, what a happy sight! what a glorious company! O, what amazing grace and condescension in God, that he should have invited me to share the rich dainties of his children; that he should have permitted me to come to his table, and to taste and feel how precious Jesus is. Surely "his banner over me was love." O, how I love thee, dear Saviour! but how cold is the warm- est emotion of my heart, when compared with thy love to me, who only merit thy hatred and detesta- tion. Surely thy love is unprecedented, unparalleled. O, that thy love may be shed abroad in my heart; that it might kindle mine, and cause it to burn with all the ardours of heavenly affection. On a similar occasion I do not recollect ever having seen com- municants more deeply impressed, more affected; all seemed to feel deeply a sense of their unworthiness, and the love and compassion of Christ, and gave vent to their feelings by tears and sobs; and even my heart was melted. O what a sweet frame to be in, with genuine repentance to mourn over sin; to have the soul drawn out in love to Jesus; to weep at the foot of the cross; surely it is an enjo}Tiient worthy an immortal soul; surely it is the gate of heaven. Thanks be to God for the rich provisions of this day. Another sermon was preached by Mr. Rice, which, with a short exhortation by Dr. Hoge, closed the public exercises of the day. And now, my soul, remember thou hast again KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 47 solemnly renewed thy covenant to be tlie Lord's; recollect thou hast made an entire surrender of thy- self to Him who hath redeemed thee from hell — no clause of reservation; thou hast devoted thyself wholly and unreservedly to Him who hath bought thee with a price, an inestimable price, even with the precious blood of the Son of God; then let it be thy care, thy business, thy ardent desire to glorify Him with all thy powers. O, my soul, he is not a hard master thou hast now to serve; O no! "His yoke is easy, and his burden light." His service is delight- ful ; recollect the sweet, the inexpressible satisfaction thou hast sometimes heretofore experienced in wait- ing upon Him, and let that animate thee; let the love, and the kindness and condescension of thy Master quicken thy diligence. And, O my soul! recollect that soon thou wilt become a disembodied spirit; and if thou shalt have acted thy part faith- fully here, then, O then, what joys await thee! Thou shalt then behold the unveiled glories of the Lamb; him who died for thee, and whom thou dost so dearly love, and dost so ardently pant for the enjoyment of — even he shall sweetly smile on thee, and welcome thee to those happy seats of never ending joys, and will introduce thee to his Father, and then thou shalt be completely happy. O then, my soul, be not discouraged nor cast down; manfully endure afflic- tions, trials, and hardships, for the love of Christ; cast thy cares upon him ; he cares for thee, is willing to undertake for thee, to be thy surety for good. O, then, give thyself up wholly to his mercy, guidance, and direction; be careful not to grieve his blessed Spirit, but ever pray for strength to live nearer him, 48 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE. and to obey all his commandments, which are surely all holy, just, and good; then may you confidently hope that he will keep you from falling, and finally "present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Narrative resumed: After this most solemn ana memorable occasion, for a considerable length of time, (with some inter- ruption,) I seemed to bathe in the love of God, as in the sunlight of heaven. Frequently would I go out into the woods to meditate and to pray, and not unfrequently, my soul being as the chariots of Am- minadib, I would in my soHtary walks break out into expressions of delight, and would for some considera- ble time go humming these and similar words, "■ Vic- tory! Glory! Alleluia!" Filled with zeal and love, I had my heart greatly drawn out towards my fellow- students. I conversed with some, I wrote to others, and invited many to come to the prayer-meetings, weekly held in the house of the President; and I believe that my efforts to do good, in various ways, were not in vain. The following extracts from his journal will dis- close the exercises of his mind at this period: Sunday^ May \Oth. Last week cruelly harassed and tossed about with temptations. Satan, as a roarin^f lion, sou":ht to devour me. I was cast into despondency ; God hid his face ; my soul was trou- bled and shrouded in gloomy darkness. I was powerfully tempted to doubt the providence, nay, the very existence of God; my heart too boiled up with impure thoughts; I was "in much heaviness through manifold temptations." O the tyranny, the RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 49 cruel tyranny of sin! Then I knew what it was to cry out in anguish, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' Rom. vii. 24. Blessed be God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who has this morning in some measure scattered the thick darkness that brooded over my soul. This day I have enjoyed much sweet conso- lation in the courts of his sanctuary; my thirsty, parched soul was refreshed from on high. O my soul, look back and bear in grateful remembrance how often God hath timely visited thee with gracious smiles, when thou w^ast faint, languid, and almost overpowered by the assaults of the wicked one. Be encouraged, for he is a shield and buckler to all that put their trust in him. Trust him then, O my soul; he will never leave thee nor forsake thee, if thou wilt always affectionately cleave to him, and never apostatize from him. Blessed be God for his many precious promises to his poor, weak creatures. Bless the Lord, O my soul! I have been, and am now, sorely exercised in the furnace of affliction; the hand of God lays heavy upon me; I would wish to be resigned; I would wish to kiss the rod that smites me ; but, alas ! how rebellious is my heart; how prone am I to murmur and repine. O! what sweet and consolatory com- forts are administered to the afflicted in the twelfth chapter to the Hebrews. There I learn that afflic- tions are sent by a kind and compassionate Being, to subserve some important purpose. " AVhom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." Yes, my soul, thou art chas- tened for thy protit ; then be comforted, be tranquil and submissive. Great God, grant me resignation! 5 50 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE O bring all my powers into sweet subjection to thy divine will; let me only glorify thy name in my afflictions, and I am content. Sunday^ June 28th. In the review of last week, I discover many things for which I have cause to be deeply penitent and humbled. One thing I would now record, is, that I permitted my passions to get too great an ascendency over me on Friday evening in the polemic society; my expressions to Mr. W. were unbecoming the relations we sustain to each other. His frank, forgiving disposition, raised him much in my estimation. Let it be my diligent care to imitate him in all those mild Christian virtues which appear so excellent and amiable in him, and which so well adorn the character of a Christian. Mr. L. preached this day, from Isaiah xxvi. 20, 21, a sermon admirably adapted to the existing state of our national affairs, war having been been so recently declared against Great Britain. Now we are espe- cially called upon to obey the injunction of the text, to flee to Christ, our only hiding place against the wrath of God and the fury of man. O that God would overrule the present perils and afflictions of America to his honour and glory, and the advance- ment of the Redeemer's kingdom. This day too cold and lifeless in the worship of God; not sufficiently humble nor importunate in prayer ; made but a poor improvement of the privi- leges of the day. O, if the heart-searching God should strictly mark my shortcomings, I must be condemned; but there is an all-sufficient Saviour; Jesus alone is my hope, my righteousness, and the REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 51 Rock of my salvation. O that I might praise him more highly, and love him more sincerely ! Sunday^ August 2d^ 1812. How languid and heartless in my devotions! How few affectionate thoughts do I have of my Saviour and my God! Hosannas languish on my tongue. In the distress of my soul I cry unto the Rock of my salvation, but I find no comfort; my soul longs and pants for sweet communion with God; but, alas! my flinty heart remains callous and unimpressed in reading, in medi- tation, and prayer. I do not feel the melting and enlivening influences of a Saviour's love beaming on my soul. I am as a wretched outcast — my sins — my accumulated sins have separated between my God and my soul. O where shall I find him against whom I have sinned, but whom I would still love. Dear Jesus! it is thy blood — thy peace-speaking blood alone that can bring me near to God; that will cause him to smile upon me. O lead me to thy Father, for I am poor and ignorant, blind and naked! How dim my views of spiritual things! How little do I know of God, my Maker and Re- deemer. O, Spirit of light and love, descend; give me understanding, illumine my benighted mind; unveil to my adoring view the lovely, the transcend- ent beauties of Emmanuel, that my soul may be drawn out in love, supreme love to him. Birthday. Monday, August 11 th, 1812. Another year has now rolled away, and I still continue in the land of the living, a monument of God's great mercy; and now, my soul, where art thou'? What advances hast thou made in the divine life] What new conformity to the image of thy Redeemer'? 52 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE In the review of the last year I find many things to weep and lament over; many follies, many sins and backslidings to lay me low in repentance and hnmility, and I likewise find many things for ador- ing love and augmented gratitude to God. After a careful examination, I think I can discover that I have (through Christ strengthening me) made some progress in my heavenly course. I find that impetu- ous, imperious, and malignant passions do not exer- cise that tyranny over me which they did; by divine influences they have been in a measure restrained, and brought into sweet captivity to the obedience of Christ. I find I have been led to discover more and more the excellence and necessity of humility, and that I have been enabled to practise it, although in a very imperfect degree. I find I have become somewhat more resigned under afiiictive dispensations, but, alas! I am still too prone to murmurings and repinings. I find that my love to God has increased a little, O that it might be more intense! and that my knowledge in spiritual things has been somewhat augmented, and my faith in Christ and belief in revelation strengthened; but I must even now say, and mourn for it, that I know but little of the char- acter and perfections of God, that I have but dim views of the beauties of Emmanuel; this I would bewail, and pray to have clearer "\dews of God my Saviour, clearer views of the plan of redemption. I think I have had better apprehensions of the nature, excellence, extent, and spirituality of the divine law; I think I have been convinced that the KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 53 commandment is holy, just, and good, perfectly rea- sonable, and admirably conducive to the highest interests of man. I think I have discovered that it is an evil and a bitter thing to sin against God, and that sin is incon- ceivably hateful and malignant, as committed against the best, the most beneficent, the most compassion- ate, as v^^ell as the greatest of beings ; and that I, as a vile, guilty wretch, deserve his heavy, everlasting, and righteous displeasure. I think I have had better views of my absolute need of a Saviour, of the suitableness of Christ, and have had more affecting views of his amazing love and compassion to poor, helpless, condemned sinners. 0 what a precious, precious Redeemer, God has pro- vided for man! O my soul, praise, magnify, and adore the name of God, who made and redeemed thee! I think I have been much more heavenly-minded, enjoy greater delight in meditating on God and on divine things ; for all these things I do now humbly acknowledge God as the only author, to whom be all the praise and glory. I feel a conviction, which I need not disguise, that of myself I am prone to evil ; that I cannot change my heart nor disposition; that 1 cannot do a single good action; while at the same time I would acknowledge the good hand of God, if I have been enabled to make any real advances in the divine life. I would desire to be deeply humbled for the slowness of my progress, my great short- comings, and the misimprovement of many precious privileges. I have experienced many vicissitudes of heavenly 5* 54 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE affections during the last year; sometimes the Hght of God's countenance beamed upon me, which let in sweet comfort and joy into my soul; at other times, under the hidings of God's countenance, under the heavy pressure of temptations and afflictions, my enjoyments were dried up, and I went sorrowful. Sometimes, but especially about the first of Spring, I had clear manifestations of the love of God, brighter hopes of a joyful immortahty. At one time in parti- cular, I would gladly have breathed out my soul in the arms of my Redeemer; for about a month at a time, I thought "to depart and to be with Christ would be far better," yet I felt sweetly resigned to await my appointed season. At other times, heavy clouds hung over my soul, and shed a dismal gloom on all things. I began to imagine all my former experiences to be mere delusions; that I had never cordially closed in with the terms of the gospel never truly repented; never sincerely loved my God my views were low, my hopes almost extinguished but, blessed be God, even in these seasons of dark- ness and distress, God did not utterly forsake me ; some ghmmerings from above would, now and then, cast a bright though transient gleam into my soul, and I was enabled to persevere. Always wait upon the Lord, O my soul, for though in anger he may hide his face for a short season, yet his loving-kind- ness will he not utterly take from thee. And now as I am entering on another year, O Lord, I would enter on it only in thy strength; I would commit to thee my way. Be pleased to order it in mercy; guide me by thy counsels; secure me by thy grace. O give me nearness of access to thee. REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 55 O may I make greater attainments in holiness, and every Christian grace; may I Hve more devoted to thee the ensuing year than I have ever yet done, for Christ's sake. Amen. Sunday^ August 23d. I have this day seen the table of the Lord spread; with a longing appetite I approached it. I hope the Lord prepared my heart for that solemn ordinance. I had some views of the glories of Christ; of his amazing love to guilty, per- ishing men ; and I think I had some sweet evidences of cancelled guilt, of an interest in his love. O that the impressions then made upon my mind might be permanent; that the resolutions I then made might be strictly- attended to ; and that at the celebration of each ordinance I might find myself always advancing from one degree of holiness to another in the Lord. Friday, September 26th, 1812. Our summer ses- sion terminates this day; this morning I shall accom- pany my friends, the M's, to their rural seat; proba- bly I shall spend the chief portion of this vacation abroad. My chief object for laying aside my studies at this time, is that I may recreate my body, relax my mind, and invigorate my strength, in order bet- ter to prepare me for resuming my studies in the winter session. To this purpose may the Lord sanctify my recreations. This session closes in sweet tranquillity; students all united in harmony and affection. I love and respect all my fellow-students, but feel a peculiar attachment to Mr. Boiling. How many pleasing hours have I passed with him lately! Not long since he was as wild, thoughtless, and profane, pro- bably, as any student at the Seminary; but, blessed 56 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE be God, for a fortnight passed there has been a great and visible change in him for the better. He no longer, as formerly, glories in his wickedness, but at the foot of the cross, as a repentant prodigal, he mourns over his past follies. By frequent conversa- tion with him, I find his impressions are strong and rational, such as I have abundant reason to believe have been made by the Holy Spirit; and such as, I trust, have already or shortly will issue in a saving and happy conversion. O may he be more and more enlightened, strengthened, and animated; may he be cheered with some sweet evidence of cancelled guilt ; of an interest in the blood of atonement. His first impressions were made at our praying society; what encouragement to persevere in prayer and supplication! From his lately being much in my company, some of the students have taken occasion to call him ''Baker's disciple f' if I thought this was really the case, I fear I should be pufi*ed up with pride. O what joy must it afi'ord a pious minister to be the means of the conversion of one precious soul! The students have endeavoured to laugh Mr. Boiling out of his religious notions, but he has been supported. He appears daily to acquire new strength and firmness. Blessed be God, for this trophy of redeeming grace! I hope it may have a happy influence on others. I hope many more may taste and see that the Lord is gracious. A letter I wrote to Mr. A. some time ago, I have some reason to believe was not altogether unservice- able to him. He appears somewhat impressed; may God carry home conviction to his heart, and that of many others, and raise up a seed at this Seminary REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 57 to serve him, and to show forth the praises of redeeming love. O that I knew how I might best promote the eternal interests of my fellow-students, who are likewise my fellow-immortals ! Sunday, December lUh, 1812. A goodly number of the pious students of this Seminary have united, (prompted, I hope, by a pure and fervent zeal,) and have formed a praying society, to be held every Sunday afternoon, in this neighbourhood, for the benefit of the poor, ignorant, and too much neg- lected negroes. O may God command his blessing to rest on this little organization, and grant that it may be a nursery of piety and vital religion. Our first meeting was held last Sabbath; the audience was quite small, and I am grieved to say, but too careless and inattentive; the number was increased this day; a few white people likewise attended. Mr. D. H. exhorted last Sunday and this, tolerably appropriate. O for fervent, prudent, unremitting zeal, that each of us may discharge our several duties with fidelity, earnestness, and afi'ection! O that God would bless these our labours of love to our own edification, and the happy conversion of some one precious soul; how amply, how bounti- fully would our toils and hardships be recompensed. 0 for more love to God, more and more zeal, more and more heavenly -mindedness. Sunday, December 22d, 1812. O what a painful void do I feel in my soul ! Cheerless and disquieted, 1 read, and meditate, and breathe out my broken petitions; my heart is hard, insensible, and but too far estranged from my God. I do not experience that sweet calmness, serenity, and elevation of mind, 58 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE which I recollect sometimes to have felt. Few are the joys which spring up in my soul. I have not that nearness of access to God, nor do I now have that sweet communion with him, which have, at some favoured seasons, shed abroad in my soul a joy, a peace, which the stranger intermeddles not with. Ah ! how bitter is it to live under the hidings of God's face; how dreary and comfortless to the soul to feel no warm, cheering, and enlivening beam of the Sun of Righteousness ; and now, O my soul, whose fault is it that thou dost now mourn, art dis- quieted and disconsolate, and art not rather drink- ing in those pleasures which Christ has promised to every thirsty soul] Let God be cleared, and thou brought to lie low in the dust of humiliation and repentance. It is but too true thou hast been but too careless, formal, and negligent, in the pursuit of the one thing needful; thou hast been but too remiss in the grand duty of self-examination; hum- ble thyself before thy God; look to the cross of Christ; plead for forgiveness; plead for a return of the manifestation of his favour and loving- kindness: and O, be diligent and circumspect in thy conduct for the future, that wherein thou hast done iniquity thou mayest do so no more. And now, O most gracious and compassionate God, here I lie, at this awful distance from thee, a guilty, helpless, forlorn sinner. I cannot extenuate my guilt, before thee; I plead nothing but the merits of thy dear, well-beloved Son. O, my God, I am unhappy ! I cannot live at this distance from thee, deprived of communion with thee ; denied the com- munications of thy good Spirit, and the sweet smiles KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 59 of thy countenance; my eyes must flow down with tears, and my soul must go mourning, weighed do-svn with grief and sorrow. O my Maker! my Re- deemer ! it is indeed an evil and a bitter thing to sin against God, the Supreme, the gracious, the ever blessed God! O, guard, fortify, and secure me from every alluring temptation, every unhallowed affec- tion, every wicked thought which may offend my God and pierce my soul with many sorrows. O give me that fervency of zeal, that devotedness of heart, that heavenly-mindedness which should char- acterize all thy true and acceptable worshippers. Friday, January \st, 1813. This morning I have been almost overwhelmed with a sense of the infinite majesty of Almighty God, and my own insignifi- cancy and unworthiness. O how astonishing is the grandeur, love, and condescension of Jehovah! He who created and sustains universal nature; who keeps in quiet and unceasing motion the countless and stupendous systems of planetary worlds; who causes them all to roll along and revolve with incon- ceivable velocity, and most exact order and har- mony. This great and glorious Being has been and is still mindful of man ; man that is a worm, and the son of man that is a worm; nay, has devised a plan for his redemption; a plan, O how wonderful and astonishing! a plan for the execution of which the Lord of glory bowed the heavens, came down upon earth, was clothed in human flesh, and suffered a cruel and ignominious death; and all this, that guilty, apostate man might be redeemed from his pollutions, and introduced into the blissful presence of his Maker and his God. Be astonished, O 60 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE heavens! be amazed, O earth! at this wonder of wonders; and thou, my soul, admire, and adore, and magnify thy Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer, and let the mystery of godliness be for ever the sweet, the delightful, the enrapturing theme of thy medita- tions. O that I might be more abstracted from the world; that I might worship my God with more devotedness of heart! O that I might feel the influence of a Saviour's love shed abroad in my soul; that I might be more zealous in his cause; that I might feel a more lively and affectionate soli- citude for the eternal welfare of my fellow-men; that I might devote myself more unreservedly, more heartily and diligently to the service of the greatest and the best of Beings. My God ! to thee I commit my way — bring it to pass. Sunday Mornmg, June 13^A, 1813. Last Sabbath the Lord's Supper was administered at C. On the whole it was a pleasant season to me. During the intermission for the purpose of spreading the table, I was happily enabled to indulge myself in appro- priate meditations. I had some tolerably humbling sense of my unworthiness, sinfulness, and ingratitude. I was enabled to look with the eye of faith upon the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. I thought I could really call him my dear Saviour, my Lord and my God; my heart was quite melted, and fearing lest I should attract notice, I found it necessary in some measure to restrain my feelings. When at the table, I was in a more calm and com- posed frame of mind, and I employed the most of those precious moments in reflecting that I was no longer my own, but Christ's, being bought with a D.D. 6't price, and I thought that from that time I would certainly endeavour, in the strength of divine grace, to live more devoted to God, and keep a stricter guard on my future conduct. After rising from the solemn and beloved ordinance, I was much encour- aged, roused, and animated, by an uncommonly excellent sermon, delivered by Dr. Hoge, from Rev. vii. 9; but, alas! what a changeable, frail, wretched creature I am! A httle trifling occurrence after worship showed that I did not possess that meekness and sweetness of temper which I ought ; I felt unusually irritable, peevish, and fretful, and felt too great a disposition to censure little impro- prieties in others. This last week, I have fallen far short of the good resolutions I formed at the Lord's table and elsewhere; I have been cold and languid in religious exercises, and shamefully remiss in the duty of self-examination. My miscarriages and shortcomings are continually before me; — if thou shouldest be strict to mark iniquities, O God! who could stand] Saturday, July ^\st. Dry, logical sermons, with rounded periods, delivered in a cold, formal, and heartless manner, I can never relish, however beau- tified by the supei-ficial elegances of composition; and I question if the good effects which flow from such preacliing will be sufficient to compensate the minister for all his care, labour, and refinement. I love warm, animating, lively, evanggelominos preach- ing, full of fire, breathing love and compassion. O may I never become a cold, lifeless, sentimental preacher, but may I imitate the zeal of a ^V hitefield, the tenderness of a Hervey, the affection of a Baxter, 6 62 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE and blend all with the pure, sound, evangelical prin- ciples of a Doddridge. Sunday, August \st. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for the entertainment of his sanctuary this day; for the sweet refreshments of his table. I was at first dull, but the Lord was pleased to enliven me. O what a precious Saviour Jesus is, who died for the salvation of those who put their trust in him. O for more faith, more love, more humility, more zeal, and more of every thing which is calculated to adorn the doctrines of God, my Saviour. O shall I ever be honoured as the ambassador of the living God — shall I ever be called to preach the unsearchable riches of this, my crucified, my risen, my dear, my glorious Kedeemer'? I humbly hope so. O if I should, may I go forth in the fulness of the bless- ings of the gospel of Christ, with burning love, flaming zeal, tender compassion, and a melting heart. O God, grant this for Christ's sake, for to thee belongs the power, the glory, the dominion, for ever and ever. Amen and amen! Narrative resumed. Praying societies, as they were called, were held by Mr. W., Mr. B., Mr. H., and myself, in the vicinity of the College, for the special benefit of the blacks; although several white persons attended. At these meetings we exhorted; and although not very many persons attended, we did hope that by the blessing of Heaven, some good was done. At this time there was war with England, and students in Virginia not being exempted from mili- tary duty, a draft was made for the army, I think one in ten. Having, on that occasion, my spirit KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 63 stirred within me, (if I recollect aright,) I was very willing to be drafted. My friend, Mr. W., dreaded it, and, strange to tell, he was drafted and I was not. His friends, however, procured a substitute, and not very long after, he and myself both left Hampden Sidney for Princeton, New Jersey. Before we left, however, an alarm being given that Eichmond was in danger, a call was made for volunteers. Koused by martial music, and the speeches which were made by Mr. John Randolph and others, Mr. B. and myself offered ourselves as volunteers ; but the alarm proved a false one, and my friend Mr. B. and myself won our laurels very cheaply; but for years after, Mrs. Hoge, wife of the President of the College, was wont to tell a tale upon me to this effect, that in my eagerness to have a company made up, I almost rode a horse to death. The case was only this: I rode with great speed to Captain P., to pre- vail upon him to be our captain. As the state of things in Virginia interfered with our studies, it was determined by our friends that Mr. W. and myself should go to Princeton, as I have already said; and getting a horse and gig, we set out for Winchester, intending to take that place in our route. When perhaps half way to Winchester, as Mr. W. was driving, and I was walking down a hill, the horse took fright and ran. The vehicle was soon upset, and my companion was thrown with violence upon the ground. Considerably injured, Mr. W. was unable to go with me any further, and I went alone ; and here I would remark, that many times, before and since, have I been most providentially protected. 64c LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE CHAPTER III. WHILE A STUDENT AT PRINCETON. Haying reached Princeton, I offered myself, on the opening of the winter session of 1813, as a candidate for the Junior Class, and after examination was admitted. I was located in room 39, and had for my room-mate a most estimable and pious young man named Biggs. At this time religion was at a very low ebb in the College. There were about one hundred and forty-five students, and of these, only six, so far as I knew, made any profession of reli- gion, and even two of these six seemed to care very little about the matter; for, although four of us, Price, Allen, Biggs, and myself, agreed to meet every evening for what was called family prayer, they kept entirely aloof Feeling it my duty to do what I could for my fellow-students in Princeton, as at Hampden Sidney College, I selected certain indi- viduals to be made the subjects of special prayer and effort, one named M. and the other V. The first, during the revival which subsequently took place in College, professed conversion, and in after years became a Presbyterian preacher. The other was an uncommonly lovely young man, and at one time bid fair for heaven ; but sad to relate, even when com- paratively young, he came down to the drimkard's grave. He was very amiable, very yielding, and could never say. No. During the whole of this session, religion was at a very low ebb indeed; it KEY. Daniel baker, d. d. 65 was deemed a matter of reproach to be professor; and by way of contempt, those who did make a pro- fession of reUgion, particularly those who composed the praying band, were termed the '' ReligiosV^ Grieved to see the abounding of iniquity in College, I proposed to my three associates, Price, Allen, and Biggs, that we should establish a weekly prayer- meeting for the especial purpose of praying for a revival of religion in College. This proposition was made some time during the second session, and was immediately and cordially acceded to. Accordingly, this prayer-meeting was held regularly until the close of the session, and none attended but the four already named, and one non-professor, S. C. Henry, who subsequently became, for many years, pastor of Cranberry church, New Jersey. At the commence- ment of the third session, as our prayers seemed not to have been heard, I was somewhat doubtful about continuing our weekly prayer-meeting, but, very happily, my associates were clear for continuing it, and it was well; for although we knew it not, the blessing was nigh, even at the doors. At this time the war was still raging with Great Britain ; and by the President of the United States, James Madison, a day was set apart for fasting, humiliation, and prayer. I recollect that day well. My feelings were much excited ; and, after engaging in private devotions, I proposed to my room-mate that we should spend the whole day, as far as prac- ticable, in visiting from room to room, and converse with our fellow-students on religious subjects : and I recollect distinctly saying to my room-mate, "Bro- ther B., what does the Bible say'? — 'Is not this the 6* 66 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wicked- ness V Come," added I, " and let us do what we can to break the bands of wickedness this day." The proposition was also made to P. and A., who occu- pied the room just under ours; they cordially con- curred, and we had four warm-hearted missionaries in College that day. We went from room to room, conversing on the subject of religion only. In a report made by Dr. Green to the Trustees of the College, and extensively published, referring to the causes, humanly speaking, of the revival, he remarks : " The few pious youth who were members of Col- lege before the revival, were happily instrumental in promoting it. They had, for more than a year, been earnestly engaged in prayer for this event. When they perceived the general and increasing serious- ness, several of them made an agreement to speak privately and tenderly to their particular friends and acquaintance, on the subject of religion. And what they said was, in almost every instance, not only well received, but those with whom they conversed became immediately and earnestly engaged in those exercises which it is hoped have issued in genuine piety." The narrative proceeds: Some of the students seemed to be taken by sur- prise. They knew not what to make of it. At length some of them began to assume a very serious look, and even the tear began to trickle down the cheek. This sight, this novel sight, electrified our souls, and gave us new zeal. The services in the KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 6t chapel were that day uncommonly solemn; and that evening we saw six or eight new faces at our " family prayer." The next day an event occurred which produced a considerable excitement amongst the students, and served to increase the religious interest greatly. One of the students, W. J., a very profane young man, but of a warm heart, and great oratorical powers, had been out at a tavern the night before, with some others, gambUng. Keturning to College at a late hour, he was arrested in the campus by an officer of College, who, laying his hand upon him, said, "Ah, my young man! have I got youV The moment this was said, W. J. (as he told me afterwards) was struck under conviction of sin. He felt that he had violated the laws of his Maker, as well as the laws of College. He was suspended by the faculty; but it being known that he was under conviction, he was per- mitted to remain on the College grounds for some two or three days. Much of this time was spent by the "young orator" in telling his fellow-students what a great sinner he had been, and urging them aU to attend to the salvation of their souls, as the one thing needful. That night the room in which we held our family worship was crowded. A little after we changed our place of meeting to the largest room in College, and that was nearly full; some seventy or eighty students being present. It became common now for A., P., B., and myself, when our turn came round, after reading a portion of Scripture, to make some remarks by way of exhortation, seated in our chair. The interest in the College continued to increase, and in about a 68 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE week from the day of the national fast, I made this record in my diary, " Thank God ! we can now say, there is a revival of religion in Nassau Hall Col- lege." Yes, our prayers had been answered at last, and the Lord had done for us far more than we ever dared to hope for. When it was known that the work was a genuine and powerful one, our worthy President, the E\st, Preached in the morning and afternoon at the house of Mr. P. About twenty persons present; all unconverted except one. Friday, September, 1st. Preached at the house of Mr. C. to eighteen adults, nearly every one uncon- verted. Some impression was made. Saturday, 2d. Preached at the house of Elder S. to about thirty; some feeUng. Sabbath, 3d Preached twice in the open air without goggles, to, it may be, seventy — great im- pression. Monday, 4:th. Preached to about forty; much tenderness. One professed conversion, and nearly all much wrought upon. Tuesday, 5th. Set off for Victoria. Wednesday, 6th. Preached at Mr. A's. Thursday, 1th. Commenced protracted meeting at Victoria; brothers C, B., and C. present. Tuesday, 12th Closed the meeting. Preached nine sermons, besides addresses, &c. Good meet- ing. Perhaps twelve or fifteen hopefully converted. During the meeting, baptized two adults, Mr. A. and Mrs. B., and ordained two elders, Mr. P. and Dr. C. Thursday, 14:th. In the evening had a meeting exclusively for the unconverted; good attendance, and I believe much good was done. It shows the playful disposition of the subject of this Memoir, that in the course of a long letter to his family, dated Victoria, September 6th, 1848, he thus writes : " While I think of it, I will mention an 344 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE incident told me by one whom everybody respects, and loves, and calls ' Uncle Jimmy,' an elder of the church here. This good man went to church one day to hear a preacher named S. On that occasion, for some reason or other, the congregation was rather small, the preacher having no hearers except Mr. Smith, (my informant,) a Mr D., and two children, four in all. Notwithstanding the smallness of the congregation, the preacher, having sung and prayed, rose and was about to take his text, when Mr. D., with whom the preacher had stayed the night be- fore, addressed him thus: 'Mr. S., as I am a sort of Roman Catholic, I would like to confess as I go. I was drunk last night.' ' Why,' replied, Mr. S., 'you treated me very well, sir.' ' Yes,' said he, ' but I was drunk, veri/ drunk; and Mr. S.,' continued he, ^iiyou were ever drunk, you must know how bad a man feels when he is getting sober. So I will lie down upon this bench, Mr. S., and as I don't wish to disturb the congregation, I hope, Mr. Smith,' he said, turning to uncle Jimmy, ' I hope if I should snore you will wake me ; for I dont wish to disturb the congregation.' Saying this, he stretched himself upon the bench, and was soon fast asleep, sure enough ; and beginning to snore, he awoke, and making a move for the door, ' Mr. S.,' he said to the preacher, ' as I don't wish to disturb the congrega- tion, I believe I will go and sleep under the shade of that live-oak yonder.' So off he went, and the con- gregation was reduced to Uncle Jimmy and the two children; and as the preacher occupied about an hour and a half, and the children went out and in, eating grapes. Uncle Jimmy composed the entire KEV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 345 congregation which Mr. D. was so anxious not to disturb." The autobiography resumed. After preaching some time to full and very atten- tive audiences in Victoria, I took a tour higher up into the country. I went to Cuero and preached, and there formed the acquaintance of Mr. S., clerk of the court, which was held in a log-house not more than twelve feet square. I also called upon Dr. P., whose wife had been a member of the Presbyterian church in "the States." Among other places visited by me was Clinton, where I preached to some twenty persons, not one of whom, save the elder who was with me, made any profession of religion ; no, not one, male or female. This, however, in that region of country, I found to be no uncommon tiling. I preached also at what is termed the " Colletts." It was in a private house, that of a man who, as I found out afterwards, was very profane. Here I took occa- sion to repeat the remark of the old writer, about the devil turning fisherman, and catching profane swearers with the naked hook. Like Captain C, of whom I have made mention, the remark struck him very forcibly; and a few days after, he told me that a circumstance had lately happened to him which made the impression upon his feelings peculiarly lively. It was this : Walking in his piazza one day, he came in contact with a line having a naked hook hanging down. Coming against it with some force, it caught him by the ear; and so completely fastened was the hook in his ear, that he had to break the hook before it could be removed. Whether the impression made upon him was as good in its results 346 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE as in the case of Captain C, I know not ; but one thing was encouraging, some few days afterwards he came about thirty miles to hear me preach. After leaving Victoria, I preached one sermon to a small company in brother B's bounds, and then in company with him I passed on to Goliad, where I preached three times on the Sabbath, and twice on the day following, to congregations which increased in number and interest every time. Goliad is the county seat of Goliad county. At the time I visited it, the population numbered four hundred and fifty; three years before, there were only two American families in the whole county. At Goliad, I saw two of the old mihtary stations — one on each side of the Guadaloupe river — the walls cracked, and the whole establishment in a dilapidated state ; but being upon elevated positions, they could be seen over the wide surrounding prairies at a great distance; and when seen, especially at the rising or setting of the sun, they presented an appearance both romantic and grand. I walked through the building on the west side of the river, and with melancholy interest looked into the room where Fannin had been confined as a prisoner ; and coming out, the fatal spot was pointed out to me where he and his brave men, some three hundred in number, were so cruelly and treacherously murdered in cold blood. Here I saw and conversed with Judge Hunter, one of the very few who escaped that dreadful massacre. He told me that he was led out with his companions to be shot; and when, at the firing, some two hun- dred and ninety fell dead, he, although not touched, fell upon his face as dead also. After remaining RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 347 motionless for a time, a Mexican came, and standing over him, drove a bayonet into his body. This was not all; the soldier then struck him on his head several times with the butt-end of his musket. To crown the matter, an attempt was made to cut his throat. The knife, however, being dull, no serious injury was done in that way. As Judge Hunter narrated these things, he removed his stock, and showed me the scar upon his neck. The whole account which he gave of the matter was indeed a thrilling one. After returning and preaching one more sermon in brother Blair's bounds, midway between Victoria and Lavaca, 1 hurried on to fulfil an appointment for a two days' meeting in Dr. P's neighbourhood. There was some considerable interest awakened, and the people coming in from all quarters, greatly desired that the meeting should be continued ; but the thing could not be, as I was confined to my chamber the next day by rheumatic pains in my head, occasioned by exposure the day previous. Leaving that neigh- bourhood, I went to San Antonio, taking Gonzales, Seguin, and New Braunfels in my route. At this time the Indians were very troublesome in all that region, and my life was in much danger ; but protected by a kind Providence, I reached San Anto- nio in safety, where I preached several days in a church built by the praiseworthy exertions of brother McCullough. The people came out in crowds, and behaved extremely well. Here I found Mr. A., the former disciple of Fanny Wright, who had been brought in under my preaching in Florida, a long 348 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE time ago. I was much rejoiced to find him steadfast in the faith. Every day whilst I was in San Antonio, I heard of the Indians committing murder and depredations all around. Purposing, however, to go to Austin, I borrowed a gun, but finding it to me an awkward weapon, I returned it ; and it was well, for had trou- ble come, in all probability I would have shot at the stars just as soon as at the Indians. Understanding, however, that the stage would leave San Antonio for Austin on Monday morning, with several gentlemen on horseback for mutual protection, I thought I would avail myself of this opportunity, and accord- ingly made arrangements to go along with them. Taking time, however, by the forelock, I started a little earlier than the hour fixed upon, and permit- ting my horse to walk on slowly, I passed by the Alamo, and soon found myself out of sight of the town, on the road solitary and alone. I did not like it much, but, looking back frequently, I expected every moment to see my company coming on; but no; Mr. T., the contractor, having been married that morning, occasioned a delay of more than an hour. By this time I had reached the Salado, where the Indians had been prowling a few days before. I looked with some timidity, I confess, on this side and that, knowing that I was in some peril. As I was slowly ascending the sloping hill on the cast side of the Salado, I met a young man on horse- back, heavily armed. Stopping to talk a little on the road, he pointed to a place on my left, about three- quarters of a mile distant, and said, " There are some Indians now!" With their blankets wrapped around KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 349 them, they were partly concealed by the musquit bushes and the grass. Becoming very social in my feelings, rather than have no company at all, I con- cluded to go back with this young man. After a short time, however, I fell in with my company, and with them took a fresh start for Austin. That night we camped out where the Indians had been com- mitting depredations the very night before. About this time and place a report got abroad that I was murdered by the Indians. The men, it seems, reported that they saw me going back to San Antonio, and when asked why I was going back, I told them that I had seen Indians ; and when they rallied me and pronounced me a greenhorn, who in my fright took something else for Indians — they said I could not stand that, and to show them my courage, I just brushed up and went on ahead, and they saw no more of me until they saw my scalp on the road, and a part of my black coat! Whether this was the true origin of the report of my death, I know not ; but it was soon spread abroad in all the papers, and generally believed too, that I was dead — cruelly murdered in cold blood! My wife's sister, hearing the intelligence, put on mourning. My own brother kindly wrote a letter of condolence to my wife, beginning with these words, " My dear sister — what shall I sayf &c. ; and Dr. Laurie, of Washing- ton City, wrote me that he had prepared to preach my funeral sermon — had actually risen to his feet, and announced his text, when some one handed him a note in the pulpit, stating that it was a mis- take. Dr. L., in his letter to me, winds up with this remark: "I was glad to have the report cor- 30 350 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE rected, but certainly it spoiled my sermon." This affair gave me the rare privilege of reading my own obituary. In proceeding with the narrative, we would remark that what follows was written immediately on his return home from Texas. In due time I arrived safely at Austin, the capital of Texas; and here, besides preaching some fifteen sermons to promiscuous assemblies in that city, I made special addresses to heads of families, to young men, to young ladies, and to children, not forgetting the children of Ham. Our meetings were chiefly at night, and were invariably well attended by all classes, even the most prominent members of govern- ment. Moreover, we had some interesting inquiry meetings; some fifteen individuals or more were numbered with the anxious, of whom several gave evidence of a blessed spiritual change, and would no doubt have connected themselves with the Presby- terian church, had one been in existence there. I did hope to have the pleasure of organizing one, but the grand difficulty here, as in many other places, was to get suitable persons to fill the office of ruling elders. I think that a devoted and talented minister of our communion might be very useful here. I say talented, because there is an unusual amount of intelligence in this city; and, I may add, encased infidelity — all profess to believe the Bible, and yet many take a marvellous pleasure in repeating cavils and objections of every kind. Permit me here to repeat a remark made in my former report, "Let in- ferior preachers be retained in the East; let talented REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 351 ones be sent to the West." It is easier to keep a house, already built, from falling, than to erect one when the materials are yet in the forest ; and I will add, as a general remark, that I do think the stand- ard of ministerial excellence should be higher than it now is. In Texas, the people will not come out on week-days, and not very well on Sabbath-days, unless they think the preacher is " worth hearing." There is a very flourishing and admirably con- ducted Sabbath-school in Austin. The superintend- ent and teachers are of high character, and deserve great credit. They have a certain spice of enthu- siasm, which all must have in every pursuit, if they would be greatly successful. The meeting in Austin was a good one, and I suppose would have been more so, had it not been for a feverish state of excitement amongst the people, occasioned by frequent accounts of Indian murders and depredations. Leaving the beautiful town of Austin, I turned my face towards Victoria, where I hoped, on the first Sabbath in November, to have the pleasure of meet- ing brother Cocke, of Lavaca, and other brethren on their way to Presbytery. After receiving some touch- ing proofs of the kind regards of the good people of Austin, on Monday I rode to Webber's Prairie, on the Colorado, sixteen miles distant ; and sending out runners to give due notice, I preached that night in the house of a friend. I thought we might have about twenty persons present, when, lo! there were some fifty or sixty. O, when souls are hungry for the bread of life, how they will flock to a place where a table is spread! That night, I think, much good .was done. Here I was told by "mine host" of an 352 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE incident illustrative of tlie heroism of Texan females, which occurred near this place not many years ago. A party of one hundred Indians had killed two men working in a field, and put a third to flight. In these circumstances, a young woman, scarcely six- teen years of age, undertook to protect her family. Putting on a captain's uniform, with a cocked hat, she courageously walked out of her house, and beck- oned to the Indians to come on, at the same time making signs to those within the house (only some women and children, and an old man) to repress their ardour and keep still. The Indians, supposing that the brave captain's company were within, eager to charge, thought it best to withdraw from so dan- gerous a post, and they accordingly fled ! Certainly the Texan Congress should have granted her a cap- tain's commission and pay for life. From Webber's Prairie I went to Bastrop, a plea- sant town on the Colorado, of four hundred in- habitants, famous for its neighbouring pine forests and saw-mills. Here I was cordially received and kindly entertained by a Christian brother, who had been an elder in the Presbyterian Church, but now of the Cumberland order, because no church of our communion existed there. This brother very indus- triously circulated a notice that I would preach at night ; I did so. The church was well filled ; a more attentive audience I could not wish to see; and I think a good impression was made, for I was earn- estly requested to remain and preach until over the Sabbath. This not falling in with my arrangements, I declined; and the next day, riding forty miles, I reached Lagrange, in time to send runners around, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 353 and preached at night. Here I was kindly enter- tained by Dr. Townsend, who had been a ruling elder of our church in one of the blessed old States. He insisted upon my spending the Sabbath in this town (rather larger and more flourishing than Bas- trop) ; I consented, and preached in the court-house some eight or ten sermons, chiefly at night. Much interest was manifested here, and I was told that they had scarcely ever seen such full houses in that town before ; and it may not be amiss to mention that one gentleman went, as I was informed, to every tippling house in the place, and oflered each rum- seller a dollar for every evening he would close his shop and go to church. Understanding that the distinctive doctrines of our communion were sadly misapprehended in this re- gion, I preached, by appointment, a long doctrinal sermon to a large and deeply attentive audience, and have good reason to believe that many prejudices were happily removed, and that much good was here done in various ways. I organized a church here — consisting, it is true, of only five members — but there is an encouraging prospect for a considerable increase, particularly if the Board could, at some early period, send them a man of the right stamp; for such a one, it was thought that four hundred dol- lars could be raised in Lagrange alone. Leaving town on Tuesday morning, I set out for Col. Turner's settlement on the Navidad. A gentle- man of wealth, and supposed to be rather an infidel in his sentiments, residing here, had heard me preach at Lidian Point some three months before, and was so much interested that he requested me, in a pecu- 30* 354 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE liaiiy earnest manner, to visit his neighbourhood. Whilst wending my way to the residence of this gen- tleman, about eight miles from his house I fell in with a farmer in good circumstances, who was going home, and lived not so far distant. Learning from me that I was a missionary in the service of our Board, he told me that he was a Presbyterian him- self, but had not heard a Presbyterian for eighteen years. As the day was far spent, I proposed preach- ing at his house that night. He was greatly de- lighted; and although he had just walked ten miles, he went off the road, to this house and that, inviting the neighbours all around. Late at night they came in; and, after a very solemn meeting, a gentleman and his lady tarried one full hour for religious conversation. They seemed to be thorough-going Christians and Presbyterians, both in feeling and sentiment, and greatly desired that kind of preach- ing to which they had been accustomed in days gone by. When informed that I had just organized a church in Lagrange, they seemed to be much pleased, and spoke of having their names enrolled, although thirty miles distant. The next day I reached the residence of the gen- tleman who had invited me into this region of coun- try, and very cordial was the reception which both he and his lady gave me, and almost incredible were the efforts made by him to circulate the appointment for preaching at night. When the time arrived, the room was nearly filled with men, whilst many of Africa's sable sons and daughters were gathered about the door. Seed was sown that night, which, I verily believe, will yield good fruit, sooner or later. REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 355 Judging from a scene which took place next morning in the house of my friend, I hope to meet both him- self and lady in heaven. Before parting, he told me that he would subscribe liberally for the support of a Presbyterian preacher in his neighbourhood; and when I finally gave him my hand, and bade him adieu, he was almost convulsed. His wife also, not a professor, seemed to be as painfully wrought upon as her husband. How rejoiced was I, that I was permitted to preach at least one sermon in that destitute region, and to have one precious oppor- tunity for religious conversation and prayer with that interesting family. Journeying on towards Victoria, I preached "the next night at a little village called Petersburg. As it was raining when I reached the place, I had no idea of preaching there or anywhere else that night ; but stopping at a store to inquire about a person who lived a few miles distant, I was recognized, and earnestly requested to tarry and preach there that night. Of course I consented; and, dark and rainy as it was, I had the pleasure of preaching to nearly all the people in the place. We had even two or three E,oman Catholics present, and a priest! And equally strange to tell, the individual who was most active in "getting up" the meeting, and who clerked it for me, was, I am sorry to say, in the habit of dealing out death by the half-pint ! But he has a pious mother, if I mistake not, and his conscience was evidently not at rest. On Friday evening I reached the house of a friend near Victoria, and scarcely was I safely housed, when there came up a regular Norther^ such as I had never 356 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE known before; the wind blew with great violence. It rained also, and in thirty minutes I suppose the thermometer fell thirty degrees. These northers are, I believe, peculiar to Texas. They usually last from one to three days. When coming on, the cattle in the prairies seem terrified, and hasten into the tim- bered bottoms, where they find a safe retreat. The northers, however, that are violent, are not frequent, and when over, we have the clear blue sky, and every thing is as pleasant as spring. On the morning after the norther just mentioned, the banks of the Guadaloupe were strewed with pecan nuts, and many persons, male and female, old and young, went out to gather them. For the novelty of the thing, I went myself, and in a few hours gathered two pecks or more. Some dear little children whom I had addressed when in Victoria w^ere eager to fill my sack. The pecan crop, once in three years, is a great affair in Texas. It is consid- ered equal to the cotton crop, for one hand can gather from one to three bushels a day, and the picking season lasts from six to eight weeks. It is estimated that this year fifty thousand bushels of pecans will be exported from the Guadaloupe alone. So then, if the heavens do not rain manna in Texas, many of the trees of the forest shower down nuts which bring more than a dollar a bushel on the spot — certainly a kind provision, at least for the poor. On the next day, being the Sabbath, I preached three times in Victoria, to comparatively small con- gregations, as the notice was very limited, and many of the people were out pccanning. Sadly disappointed in not meeting the brethren of REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 357 the Presbytery here, "svith whom I greatly desired to confer in relation to the spiritual affairs of this young and growing State, I left Victoria on Monday for Texana, a small town on the La Baca, and preached there that night to every person in the village, as I was told, except two or three, who were not well. I was urged to remain and preach several days, but thought it best to pass on, wending my way towards Wharton, on the Colorado, and Columbia, on the Brazos. As I was passing through a wide, wild, and track- less prairie, I lost my landmarks, and night coming on, I had, unarmed, to camp out, solitary and alone, on the edge of a strip of timber fringing Jones' Creek. Kindling a fire at the foot of a tree, and, taking my saddle-blanket for my bed, my saddle for my pillow, and my umbrella for my pavilion, I quietly laid me down, and thought about Jacob at Bethel, when, journeying to Padan-Aram, he laid himself down to sleep, and dreamed about the ladder set upon the earth, and whose top reached unto heaven. Jacob slept, and dreamed a pleasant dream; but there was no sleep, nor pleasant dream for me — for just as I was endeavouring to compose myself to sleep, suddenly the wolves and panthers began a serenade, which grated horribly upon my ear. Seiz- ing a firebrand, and now wide awake, I rushed towards the place w^hence these unwelcome sounds proceeded, and making all manner of outrageous noises, I did what I could to drive my uninvited serenaders far away. In this I partially succeeded; but did not think it prudent to sleep, as the howling of the wolf and the cry of the panther were heard 358 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE at intervals during the whole livelong night; and there was danger, particularly of the panthers spring- ing upon me when defenceless and unprotected upon the ground. Truly that was a long and dismal night to me; especially as towards morning it began to cloud up and threaten to rain. A few drops fell, but happily for me, with the shades of the night passed away also the clouds from the face of the sky; and the next morning, early enough, the supperless missionary, taking down his pavilion, and rising from his couch, resumed his cheerless and lonely way ; and now came a dark, dark time indeed. True, the sun was shining brightly, and many deer, as yet unacquainted with man, were bounding merrily and gracefully on every hand; but bewildered in the wild and trackless prairie, I was lost, lost^ lost! After wandering about in every direction, myself and horse without water for some thirty hours, I began seriously to think that I should at last have to lie do^vn and die in this untravelled wilderness, far away from my family and the habitation of man, without a friend to close my eyes, or dig my grave ! The idea of dying in this lonely place, and then being devoured by wolves and panthers, I confess was very dismal to me. But, God be thanked, whilst I was thus bewildered and lost, and knew not what to do — whilst despair was every moment deepening its gloom around me — having turned in another direc- tion, and nearly the opposite of that in which I was going, I saw in the distance a white flag waving upon a pole, to mark the entrance of a foot-path into the timbered bottoms of the Colorado. O, that flag! — REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 359 that beautiful white flag ! I thought it was the pret- tiest thing I had ever seen in all my life. My heart leaped for joy, and I was ready to exclaim aloud, Blessings upon the man who put it there! It made me think very sweetly about the Star of Bethlehem; that blessed and only star of hope to a dying world. Certainly I shall not forget this matter, when, in the sacred desk, I shall speak of the cross of Christ, which marks out to sinners, bewildered and lost, their only pathway to heaven. Having at last found the much desired way to the place of my destination, and having gone four miles through the heavily-timbered and vine-clad bottoms of the Colorado, I came to the river, but there was no ferry there. After calling and waiting a long time, a man finally appeared on the other side, and pointed to a certain place where the river, though deep, might be forded. Plunging into the stream, I passed safely over, but not without becoming very wet. On reaching Wharton I changed my clothes, and got some refreshment. I would then gladly have preached, but the only place in which an audience could be assembled was already engaged for a dancing party. In the course of his labours among all classes of persons, in all sections of the land, incidents would often occur not at all common in the even life of the city pastor. On one occasion, while describing, in the course of a sermon, the exceeding sinfulness of the impenitent, a backwoods hearer arose and with- drew, with a long, shrill whistle of utter incredulity. 360 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE In the midst of a sermon on another occasion, the fixed and solemn attention of the congregation ^yas broken by a yawn so long and loud as to make the rafters ring. Promptly and severely was the ya'wner rebuked by the speaker. He proved to be a preacher of another denomination settled in the place, who took this method of showing his opinion of the preacher. Coming down from the pulpit, after an earnest address to professors of religion, in another place, a white haired man pressed forward and shook him long and cordially by the hand. "You trust that you are a Christian ]" said Dr. Baker — but, as he spoke, an unmistakeable odour from the lips of the man himself answered the question in the nega- tive. " Trust that I am a Christian 1" replied the man — '^ trust, sir'? — I know that I am." It illustrates, too, the diversified experience of the subject of this volume, that once on a Sabbath morn- ing, standing in his pulpit as pastor of a church, he felt compelled by conscience to enter his solemn protest as a minister of the gospel against a certain measure to which the dominant political party of the State stood pledged, many of whom were members of the church seated before him at the moment. The protest was made on purely moral grounds, and so satisfied were all with the sincere conviction of the speaker, that, so flxr as is known, no one was alien- ated from the pastor, nor scarce a murmur uttered. Very rarely indeed did he ever come in collision with any one — upon not more than one or two occa- sions in his whole life. He had perhaps almost too great a care, and even anxietv, to be on terms of REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 361 peace, and more than peace, with those whose wrong- headed stubbornness and malignant disposition were well calculated to provoke the most patient beyond endurance. Only after every possible manner of con- ciliation was exhausted, would he desist from the effort to be " at peace with all men," even such as these. On one such occasion, when, in hatred to his doctrinal belief as a minister of the Presbyterian Church, a grievous wrong was done him, in vain were retaliatory measures urged upon him. After employing every mode of settling the matter, un- ruffled from first to last, he was forced to yield a manifest right, saying as he did so to his exasperated friends, "Never mind; only let us carefully do what is right, and leave results to God. Mark my word, he will sooner or later vindicate us in the matter." Not many months had passed before his words were most remarkably made good. It is not known that any one ever accused him, in thought even, of a desire to domineer, or to force through any measure against the wishes of others. At the same time, when satisfied of the importance of a measure, he embarked himself in it heart and soul, ''suaviter in modo, fortiter in ?'^." When any church court met in his own church, he invited those brethren to preach, and those only, whose labours he thought would be attended with good to the people. In Synod and Presbytery, he strongly reprobated sacrificing the good of the people to the personal feelings of any minister; he even obtained the passage of a resolution in one Synod, directing the minister of any church in which the judicatory was to be held, to write beforehand to such brethren, 31 362 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE among those who were to be present, as the pastor thought best adapted to do good, informmg them of the fact, and urging them to come to the place of meeting specially prepared for what he regarded as — especially in a frontier field — the most important part of a ministerial convocation, namely, the reli- gious services. It was the habitual practice of Dr. Baker to urge the salvation of the soul upon men wherever and whenever it was possible. He was peculiarly happy in never doing this in such a way, or at such a time, as to defeat his object; yet in the parlour and along the roadside, no one, white or black, male or female, young or old, ever gave him the least opportunity to say a word on the subject of religion that he did not improve ; and in such a manner as never to offend, but often to do good. Riding in a stage with a young man who was very profane, he rebuked him for his sin. The stage arrived at its destination, Baltimore, and the passen- gers dispersed over the city. A night or two after, walking along the streets. Dr. Baker and the young man came suddenly face to face upon each other, under a street lamp. Instantly seizing his hand, the young man thanked him for the reproof; told him of a pious mother, whose prayers and entreaties he had hitherto neglected, and solemnly promised never again to utter an oath. Are not Christians guilty in not, at least, attempting to do good wherever they may be, and even where the prospects of success are discouraging. Once, when in a town far west of the Mississippi river, Dr. Baker mingled with a crowd of persons REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 363 pressing around the desk of a stage agent to obtain seats in the stage. In his turn he announced his name, extending his hand at the same time with the money for his seat. But liis arm is grasped from behind — " No sir, no sir," exclaims a voice, " I must pay that bill;" and it was paid by a strange gentle- man, who then led Dr. Baker aside. "More than twenty years ago, at a meeting in , you were made the means," said the stranger, with tears in his eyes, "of leading me to Christ. The paying that bill for you is the least I can do to show my feelings towards you." Events similar to this were of continual occur- rence. Travel where he would, he was rejoiced not only by the present blessing of God upon his labours, but also by new assurances of that blessing having attended his labours in days long gone by. A youth sent to guide him to the place of worship, accidentally meeting the writer forty years after, told him of the urgency with which Dr. Baker had entreated him to attend to the greatest of all con- cerns. The very child that nestled for an instant on his knee, the maid-servant entering his room with a pitcher of water, the hostler who held his stirrup as he mounted his horse, in receiving other tokens of his interest, never failed also to hear a word in season in regard to that great salvation which occu- pied all his soul, and which he yearned to make known to every human being. It need not be added that he never declined to preach on a single occasion where it was in the bounds of possibiUty to do so ; and he would rebuke affectionately any brother whom he saw decHne, or 364 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE even hesitate, to preach, when an opportunity pre- sented. It was his invariable custom in travelling to preach every night wherever he might happen to stop, if even the smallest congregation could be got together; or, if this was impossible, he would hold family worship at least, adapting the services to im- press the minds of all who took part. In arriving toward night at a village in which there was no Presbyterian church, and in which he had no acquaintance, he would obtain the use of whatever public building was in the place, and hire some one to go around with the information that there would be preaching there that night. Where no one could be obtained to do this, he would do it himself; the weariness of a long day's ride was for- gotten in the hope of leading some sinner to his Saviour, or of reviving the piety of some child of God. If it was necessary, he would himself purchase candles, and light the place of worship; even ham- mer upon the triangle, often used in frontier towns as a bell, or pull the rope by which the court-house or school-house beU was rung. As the sounds of the triangle or bell were heard, the people would flock to the place, some from curiosity to hear the preacher, but most of the congregation entirely ignorant, until the services were actually begun, whether the person who stood before them was a lecturer upon phre- nology, animal magnetism, mesmerism, temperance, or a candidate about to make a stump speech; or if a preacher, whether he was evangelical, Universalist, Campbellite, or Mormon. The first service, however, never failed to bring forth, often to the astonish- ment of the whole village, before ignorant of the REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 365 fact, some latent Presbyterian, or Christian of some other denomination, or a*friencl, at least, of religion. From some such beginnings interesting meetings would often result. The preacher would enter the place unknown; he would leave it to be remembered, perhaps, by every person in the community, with esteem, and, mostly, with veneration and love, to the end of their days. On one such occasion he had gathered a congregation in the little log-cabin which was erected in the centre of the square, and served for every public use. The room was crowded with hearers, and more continually coming.* In the open- ing of his discourse, the preacher perceives that many are collecting outside, unable to enter. The clapboard door can be only partly opened — but all must hear — shall hear! Pausing in his discourse, he requests " some gentleman present to remove the door from its hinges." There is a moment's hesita- tion, and the request is repeated, with the reason for it. Six or eight of the strongest spring forward, lift the ponderous door from its hinges, lay it out of the way outside, and the services are resumed with re- doubled interest on the part of the preacher and of the audience within and without. Arriving, in the course of his missionary labours, at an intelligent and flourishing village in the West, by invitation he began a series of meetings in the court-house, used in common as a place of worship for all denominations. Many attended from a con- siderable distance, for in this, as in every place visited by him, there were some who had known him, or heard of him, who had made his arrival widely known. At one of the hours appointed for wor 31* 366 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE ship, a minister of another denomination insisted on preaching to the congregtition assembled to hear Dr. Baker. From first to last the sermon was a vio- lent attack upon a doctrine held dear to all branches of the Church of Christ, save the Ishmaelitish one to which the intruding minister belonged. Upon this doctrine he exhausted his whole stock — a large one — of ridicule and abuse. At the close of his sermon, the speaker, breathless from exertion, waves his hand to Dr. Baker to lead in prayer, who declines. Nothing daunted, the speaker offers prayer himself; then coolly gives notice that he will preach in the same place at the next hour of worship. Dr. Baker rises, not in the least embarrassed, and remarks that he is under the impression that the congregation which crowds the room would prefer that he should preach at the hour specified. It is perfectly easy, however, he remarks, for the congregation to correct him if he is mistaken, and settle the question on the spot. "All present," he exclaims, "who prefer that I should preach at the hour specified, will please rise." Instantly, the whole congregation, appa- rently, were upon their feet. Requesting them to be seated, he then says, "All who prefer that this brother should preach, will please to rise." But one or two persons, ardent zealots of the peculiar vicAvs of the other preacher, arose. "Very well," says Dr. Baker, "we have decided this matter in a way which is always final with Americans. Provi- dence permitting, I will preach in this place at the time mentioned. Ileceive the benediction." And so the congregation was dismissed. In this connection it is well to remark, that Dr. REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 367 Baker had what are called "peculiarities." These were only the carrying out, in daily life, of certain principles which were occasionally uttered by him as maxims, or rather as axioms. Thus he would often say, " Nothing is disgraceful but sin." He gave this as his sufficient reason when, on returning to his residence one evening while pastor of a city church, he found lying near his door, upon the sidewalk, an intoxicated countryman, and assisted his servant in carrying him into the house, rather than have him sleep all night upon the stones. The intoxicated man spent the night on a pallet made for him, but was up and gone before morning, carrying with him from the minister's house a sermon, so to speak, which he would never forget. If in his walks along the streets he saw any thing which he desired for himself or family, on purchasing it he would bring it home himself if possible, having none of that little pride which is so common in such matters. The writer has seen him returning home bearing in his hands a huge house-broom; or, riding up to the door on horseback, with a large rocking-chair on the saddle before him, which he had bought, as a present to a member of his family, and, as usual, was impatient to bestow. Nothing pleased him more than to lay off his coat, and labour in his garden or field, whenever his duties would permit. Not long before his death, when President of Austin College, and residing in Huntsville, where this institution is located, it struck him as being very desirable to have a sidewalk made from the town square to the College building, which is upon an 368 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE eminence some half a mile off. Drawing up a subscription-paper, and subscribing liberally himself, he ceased not until he had obtained the amount needed. The next thing was to obtain a contractor to do the work; but owing to the nature of the soil, the task was an almost impossible one, and no con- tractor coidd readily be obtained. Nothing daunted, he took the job himself, employed hands, and super- intended the work, with his coat off, until it was thoroughly completed. To bridge a wet chasm, two full length trees were required ; the person who was to have them on the spot at an appointed time, failing to be prompt, Dr. Baker instantly procured the necessary team of oxen, repaired with help to the forest, and soon had the ponderous logs in their place. While hard at work with hoe and axe — labouring, as he did with all his might, in whatso- ever his hands found to do, at all times — a brother minister passing by, reined in his horse, with feelings greatly shocked at seeing the Doctor of Divinity and President of the College so occupied. "My dear sir," he exclaimed, " I beg you will let the servants do that." " They do not know how," answered Dr. Baker. "But many persons do not like to see you thus employed; they do not think it proper." "Very well," replied the busy workman, never pausing from his toil, "you tell them, my dear brother, to mind their business, and I will attend to mine." In all things, without the least departure from the inherent dignity of character which was inseparable from the man, he acted out his belief that nothing but sin disi^races one. "Do good on a large scale, on a small scale, on REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 369 any scale." This was a maxim frequently on his lips, and repeated often in his letters to his children; aiid he himself endeavoured to practise it, as every other precept inculcated by him. If an obstacle lay in his path as he walked, he would stop and remove it, for the benefit of the next comer. Even in driving his vehicle along the road, after safely passing over some limb fallen from a tree, or rock in the way, if his time and strength would permit, he would alight and roll the obstruction aside. To glorify God by being useful to his fellow creatures was the one desire and object of his life; and he gave himself up to preaching the gospel, because he could, called as he was to this work, be thus most useful to men — never neglecting, at the same time, any lesser ways of serving them as opportunity offered. The whole doctrine and practice of religion with him was sum- med up in this, that he habitually endeavoured to be, " not slotliful in business, fervent in spirit, serv- ing the Lord." He would express himself even strongly in regard to those whose excellence seemed to consist merely in an indolent amiability. "A grain of common sense is an excellent thing." It was in accordance with this maxim that he was always careful to prevent, as fa^ as he could, every thing calculated to distract the attention of a congre- gation. Smoking pulpit lamps, rattling windows; seats so constructed that no one could sit at ease upon them; the place of worship so near a public highway as to be liable to distracting sights and sounds ; a disagreeable echo in the place of worship ; an unnecessary turning over of leaves, and making whispered arrangements in the pulpit after the con- 370 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE gregation had assembled; arranging the elements of the communion after the services had begun; appointing the time of worship at an hour incon- venient to the hearers; protracting services so as to weary those present — things of this nature, which, by an exercise of common sense could be obviated, he would regard as almost a device of Satan himself to prevent good being done. On the same principle he never, in his own house, would protract the ser- vices of family worship to an undue length, especially in the morning; and it was his rule to omit them altogether on those nights when there was public worship. Any thing which would necessarily dis- gust, or weary, or lessen the attention of one in a religious exercise, he was careful to avoid. A brother in the ministry, relating the following in regard to his acquaintance with Dr. Baker, illus- trates another maxim which was often upon his lips: "The pastor of one of our churches had heard of his labours, and of his wonderful success in his Master's work. Quick as thought, he resolved to get his assistance for a week or two in his own church, if possible. An effort was made, and the time appointed; but when the day set apart for a beginning arrived, the rain was falling in torrents. True to his appointment, however, the good man was seen driving up to the pastor's dwelling. A little disheartened, his first remark to Dr. B. was, 'I am truly sorry, sir, that we have such bad weather for the beginning of our meeting. I am fearful as to the result.' With a tranquil smile, which I shall never forget, he replied, as he laid his hand on my REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 871 shoulder, 'My dear brother, the clouds are in good hands; let the clouds alone.' How much of the spirit of heaven was in that expression ! Right sure am I that it will be remembered as long as I am permitted to preach the gospel. Rarely does a cloudy Sabbath appear, and never does it rain on the Lord's day, without my thinking of this well-timed and wise remark. Almost always do I enter the pulpit with a cheerful heart, whether it rains or shines. The clouds were in good hands, (adds this brother,) for some forty persons were brought in during the meeting that followed, notwithstanding the rain." It need scarcely be remarked here, that his belief was clear and constant that the finger of God was in every event, from the greatest down to the very least. This was the secret of his unbroken cheerful- ness under the most mysterious and otherwise dis- couraging providences. "The Lord reigns!" was the sovereign explanation of every event, and perfect cure of every ill. We resume the narrative. On Friday, November 10th, I reached Old or West Columbia, a town near the Brazos, once of some importance, but now almost entirely deserted; and in the vicinity, at the house of Mrs. Bell, (a mother in Israel), I met a cordial reception. There was the house where our lamented brother Hunter boarded — there the room in which he slept — there the books he was wont to read — and there the table upon which he was wont to write his eloquent and masterly sermons. Even his inkstand was there, and every thing left untouched, as if the beloved pastor 372 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE had only stepped out, and would return in a short time. How mysterious, that one so talented and so highly esteemed, and so lately installed, should be so suddenly snatched away. But methinks a voice comes to this mourning people from on high, and it is this : " Be still, and know that I am God !" On Sabbath morning I preached in brother Hun- ter's church in Old or West Columbia, and in the afternoon and night in the Methodist church in New or East Columbia. Considering the shortness of the notice, and the state of the roads and weather, the congregation each time was larger than could have reasonably been expected. And here I would re- mark, that it was peculiarly acceptable to the Pres- byterian church here that I should pay them a visit just at this time. It was soothing to their feelings, as manifesting a kind sympathy with them in their recent and sad bereavement. New or East Columbia is a shipping port, and a somewhat flourishing town on the Brazos, and may number about four hundred souls. On Monday I rode to Brazoria, twelve miles distant, the county town of Brazoria county, and would have preached there at night, but as the weather was unfavourable, and I saw no one who seemed willing to put himself to 'much trouble to circulate the notice, I thought it best to return to Mrs. Bell's, and preach to her ser- vants at night, which I did ; and much pleased was I that this idea occurred to me, for the meeting proved a highly interesting one; and I think the occasion will be long and gratefully remembered by these children of Ham. On Tuesday I set out on my return to Victoria, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 373 my radiating point, by the way of Egypt, a set- tlement famous for corn, sugar, and good people. Rain, rain, rain, all the week rain; nevertheless, I reached Egypt, about eighty miles distant, in time to preach once on Saturday, and three times on the Sabbath. On Saturday few were present, as few knew any thing about the appointment; but on the Sabbath the house was crowded, although the day was far from being favourable — the notice short and the sugar mills in full blast. Not that these good people desecrated the Sabbath — O no ! to their praise be it spoken, they were always careful to have their fires quenched before twelve o'clock on Saturday night, and not kindled again until the Sabbath was fully past ; and they have lost nothing by it ; for, if I am correctly informed, all came there poor, and all are now in good circumstances. It would be well if some sugar-planters in other places would profit by their example. Certainly Texas is destined to be a great State ; and I could wish that the ministers of our denomi- nation, and especially our young men who are pre- paring for the ministry, would think more about Texas than they do. True, there are not many "feathered nests" there yet, but there are what should be vastly more inviting, wide fields of useful- ness. The destitutions in that young and growing State are many and great. O that the churches of our beloved Zion would think upon these things, and remember, that in Texas and other frontier States, many precious souls are hungering for the bread of life; and also remember, that the night Cometh when no man can work. Methinks one on 32 874 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE reading this says — "Well, I will give five dollars to the cause of domestic missions; I can give this amount and not feel it." Suppose, my Christian brother, you give twenty^ and feel it. Your Saviour felt ivhat he did for you. A remark of this kind once heard from the pulpit thrilled through my whole soul, and made me do more than empty my purse. I borrowed from a friend. The idea oi feel- ing what I gave was delightful. I reached Victoria at the time expected, and would have preached at night, but the weather was unfavourable, and the people still out pecanning. Although I did not preach, I had a conference with some choice daughters of Zion here, who were re- solved that the church edifice in this town should remain in an unfinished state no longer. Heaven speed them in their holy purpose! One of these ladies was brought in under my preaching a few months before. Of woman it was said, " Last at his cross, and earliest at his grave;" and I do believe, if piety should take her departure from earth, her last resting-place would be a woman's heart. Just before leaving Victoria for Lavaca, I was informed that one of the young converts here died the last week, and, God be thanked, died hav- ing "a good hope through grace." On Wednesday, the 22d of November, I reached Port Lavaca, and was cordially greeted by the people generally. I would have preached in Lavaca, but the church was remote, not glazed, and the weather bad. Particularly anxious to preach one sermon more at Indian Point, I got on board of a sailing REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 375 boat early in the afternoon, but being becalmed on the bay, I did not reach the town until nine o'clock at night; I was cordially welcomed to the house of one of the newly-ordained elders. The next morn- ing I called upon a few Christian friends, and was much pleased to learn that the Sabbath-school which I had organized still flourished, and the young con- verts are all doing well; that the church has been regularly organized by brother Cocke; and that two of those who had professed religion during my preaching in the place, had been duly elected and installed ruling elders. To crown my satisfaction, and fill up the cup of my happiness, a highly respect- able gentleman, a physician, who had been awakened at the meeting referred to, was on this occasion enabled, as I hope, cordially to embrace the Redeem- er, wliilst I was reading to him the words of Christ to Nicodemus, as recorded in John, 3d chapter, from the 14th to 19th verse inclusive. Yes, whilst this blessed portion of Scripture was laid before him, and briefly commented on, his countenance began to brighten, and the way of salvation opening with divine clearness and beauty to his soul, he exclaimed, "O, I never had such views of my Saviour before!" Immediately he hurried into another room where his wife was, and with a glad heart told her what the Lord had done for his soul. This case, and that of the gentleman on the Navidad, have forcibly reminded me of the words of the poet, "Though seed lie buried long in dust, It sha'n't deceive our hope ; The precious grain shall ne'er be lost, For grace insures the crop." 376 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Taking my passage on board of the steamer Yacht, I hoped to reach Galveston at least early on the morning of the Lord's day ; but, in consequence of a strong head-wind, we did not reach that city until one o'clock in the afternoon of that day. Going directly to the residence of the pastor, brother Hen- derson, he gave me a most cordial reception, and at his request, I preached in his church, both in the afternoon and at night. The congregation, however, was not large on either occasion, as curiosity had carried many to the Roman Catholic Cathedral, which, amid many pompous rites and "imposing" ceremonies, had been consecrated that (lay. How any one, in the shape of a human being, can be taken with such things, I cannot tell ! Even a little child present, not five years of age, after observing the marches and counter-marches, and changing of dresses, and tall candles, and little bells, and genu- flections, &c. &c., remarked to her mother, "Ma, I am tired; let's go; I don't like this kind of circus!" Infatuated ones! when will they come back to the simplicity of the gospel, and the good sense of primi- tive times'? As the first steamer which was to leave Galveston for New Orleans was to start on the Sabbath, and as I was earnestly requested by brother H. and others to remain and wait the next boat, which was to leave on the Friday following, I consented; but, as the weather for the most part proved very unfavour- able, I did not preach as often as I desired. Some of our meetings, however, were crowded and deeply solemn, and although not more than one or two professed conversion, a goodly number were cvi- REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 377 dently much wrought upon ; moreover, the people of God were much revived, and the pastor thinks that much good was done in various ways. When the period approached for me to leave, I received touch- ing proofs of the kind regards of the people gene- rally, and was urged by the much-esteemed pastor and others to remain a month, or at least a week longer. It may not be improper for me to state, that here, as well as in several other places, I endeavoured to present the distinctive -doctrines of our Church, with clearness, in all their beauty, and power, and hea- venly charms ; and such was the effect produced, that I was requested to have one sermon in par- ticular published without delay ; and to secure this, one of the most prominent members of the church handed me a piece of gold, and insisted upon paying me in advance for twenty copies. Almost over- whelmed -with the kindness of the good people of Galveston, I left this beautiful city in the packet steamer, for New Orleans, on the 8th December. Galveston is indeed a beautiful city; having broad streets, and many handsome houses, connected with which are gardens- adorned with shrubbery, and laid oif with great taste. Every thing looks clean and neat, and I noticed a vast improvement since the year 1840, the period of my first visit to that place. Besides the great Eoman Catholic Cathedral, which I have mentioned, the Methodists, Baptists, Presby- terians, and Episcopalians, have each a neat church edifice, and so also have the German Methodists. The population, at the present time, numbers about five thousand; and although the city, in its com- 32* 378 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE merce, has been injured by annexation, its prospects are still good. Brother H. has been pastor of the Presbyterian church in Galveston for about seven years; his labours have been faithful, and greatly blessed; and, having lately received and accepted a call to the church in Jackson, Mississippi, he wiU leave behind him many friends, and a name which will be as "ointment poured forth." Galveston, then, as well as Columbia, now^ calls for a new pastor. O that God would increase the number of our ministers a hundred- fold I . The steamer in which I had embarked at Galveston having been detained off the Bahze several hours by a dense fog, I did not reach the Crescent City until late on Sabbath afternoon. I preached one sermon on the boat, how- ever; and on Monday evening I took another boat for Memphis, and arrived there in time to preach for brother Coons, of the First Church, on Sabbath morning. The next day, being the 1 8th, I had the happiness of returning to the bosom of my family, and receiving the affectionate greetings of the be- loved people of my late charge. Before leaving Texas I went, as before remarked, to Galveston, and preached several sermons, and w^ould have preached more, but was prevented by the unfavourableness of the weather, and a sHght indisposition. At this time, as I have said, brother Henderson, pastor of the church, was about leaving, having received an invitation to the church in Jack- son, Mississippi. I advised brother Henderson to recommend the Eev. S. F. Cocke, of Lavaca, to suc- ceed him. I returned to Holly Springs, intending to wind up my affairs, and have my commission REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 379 renewed as a missionary in Texas. In a few weeks, however, I received an invitation to the church in Galveston, for one year. I accepted, and leaving my family in HoUy Springs, I went on to Galveston in the winter of 18-i8, expecting my family to come on in the follo^\dng spring ; which, I tliink, was early in April of 1849. It was at this period that Dr. Baker received a letter from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, announcing to him that the degree of D. D. had been confeiTed upon him by that Institution. All his life he had great scruples in regard to being "called Rabbi" in any form. Yet it occurred to him that there might be as much ostentation in refusing the title as in adopting it. He pursued a middle course ; took no step whatever in the matter. That he was grateful to the friends showing him this token of their kindness, was a matter of course; but it is not known that he, by letter, accepted, or in any other way assumed the title thus conferred. Here it may be remarked for the information of those who did not know Dr. Baker personally, that he possessed a dignity of manner, and a refinement of bearing, such as are not jjopularly ascribed to a missionaiT toiling upon the frontier. The fact that he had passed his life — a large part of it at least — in the most intelUgent and refined society in the land, is itself a guaranty of this, even if dignity and refinement of manner had not flowed inevitably from the depths of his piety. Those in whose houses he was a guest, will remember his scrupulous observance of all the proprieties of life, in the chamber as well 380 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE as in the drawing-room. He was very impatient of any breach of even the minor courtesies of life on the part of ministers ; and if the minister thus guilty was young, he failed not, if opportunity offered, to remonstrate gently with him, knowing that his useful- ness might be greatly lessened by such things. A young brother who, absorbed in eating, permitted himself to forget the courtesies of the table, he gravely rebuked when alone with him. He may himself have failed in possessing what may be re- garded as one of the accomplishments of life — being a good listener. If the topic was one in which he took no interest, he may have, at times, turned the subject of conversation too suddenly. His mind would occasionally travel off into some other path of thought, while being in the attitude of attention; he would occasionally interrupt; he would not unfrequently help out, with words of his own, some one whose thoughts or words did not flow as rapidly as his. His manner manifested somewhat of the hurry of one upon whom is devolved a large busi- ness; if this is thought excusable in a millionaire, may it not have been excusable in himl The ex- treme courtesy of his bearing, especially toward ladies, partook of the old-school stateliness, so rapidly vanishing away. Possessed of a fund of information and anecdote, Dr. Baker was a most acceptable guest at the dinner table ; and those who have been most with him, can hardly say whether he has caused them to weep or laugh most. The wonderful happiness of the man made his very presence as sunshine wherever he went. There was vigour, hope, joy, in his very eye; and all REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 381 manifestly from the same divine source. Jesting, punning, anecdote merely for anecdote's sake, he greatly disliked; and irreverent quotations of Scrip- ture, or any thing like jesting upon sacred themes, he regarded with abhorrence. CHAPTER XII. FOUNDING OF AUSTIN COLLEGE — LABOURS AS AN EVANGELIST, AND AS AN AGENT OF THE COLLEGE. The autobiography continued. My labours in Galveston were not entirely in vain, for in a few months there was a very encourag- ing addition to the membership of the church. At the Fall meeting of the Presbytery, held, I think, in Washington, the subject of establishing a Presbyte- rian College in Texas was brought up. Something had been done, but not eiFiciently. The Rev. Mr. McCullough had, about two years before, been sent on to the North as Agent, and had obtained a con- siderable number of books, and money to the amount of about five hundred doUars. But Goliad having, been the place fixed upon, and this location not having been much approved of, the matter was per- mitted to remain without any further action. I made a speech in Presbytery in favour of our making a renewed efibrt, and proposed that a committee of three should be appointed to ^x upon some eligible place in middle Texas. The motion prevailed, and Messrs. Blair, Miller, and myself were appointed that 382 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE committee. About this time I was urged by the Board of Missions to become their general missionary in Texas. It is sometimes feared of evangelists that they will not "wear well" as settled pastors. A letter now lies before the writer, in which this fear was expressed of Dr. Baker, before he had entered upon his first pastoral charge. The reader of this volume need hardly be told, that in every church of which Dr. Baker was pastor, his influence in the commu- nity and the interest in his preaching knew nothing but steady increase, until the hour when some provi- dence called him away from a reluctant people. The secret of this lay in his heart as well as his intellect ; the one glowing with ever increasing emotions, the other ever expanding with unceasing study and re- flection. It was the remark of one of the most intel- lectual men of the day in regard to this man of God, "Grace works in him like genius in other men." His sole wish and aim was to make perfectly clear to his hearers one truth; but that truth is an inex- haustible one, ever the most interesting of all truths here on earth; a theme which will be ever fresh throughout eternity. If he never decreased in in- terest, the merit lay in his theme, not in himself; hence he retained, from the time he first appeared in their pulpit to the day of his death, the heartfelt esteem and love of all the churches of which he was in turn pastor. Each of these churches followed him, in all his wanderings, with their prayers. "Although Dr. Baker has been long absent from us," writes an elder of the Frankfort church, "yet REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 383 are his faithful and self-denying labours for our spiritual good remembered by those who enjoyed the privilege of hearing the divine message from his lips, with a tender and sincere affection rarely seen in this world of change." This brings us to an incident of this period of his life, furnished by the same elder. "In 1848, nearly twelve years after Dr. Baker had left this charge, we learned from the religious jour- nals that he had engaged as a missionary of the Domestic Board, to travel in Texas. At the sug- gestion of the Superintendent of the Sabbath-school of our church, the school resolved to adopt him as their missionary, and do what they could towards his support. The fact was communicated to him by the agent of that Board, when he immediately addressed the following letter to the school, which was printed, and each scholar furnished with a copy. « Galvestoi? , Texas, July 20th, 1849. "To the Sabbath-school Children of the Frankfort Presbyterian Church. "My DEAR YOUNG Friends — Some time ago I received a very pretty letter from the E,ev. Mr. Sturdevant, who visited your school, I presume, not long before. He was much pleased, and said some things to me in his letter which touched my heart, and made me love the people of Frankfort, and espe- cially your Sunday-school, more than ever. Would you like to know what he said'? Well, I will tell you: He said that when he visited your school, he found many Sabbath-school teachers who had been in that school when I was pastor of the church, and that they had not forgotten me, but 'still cherished my memory with great affection, and were making 384 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE my name as familiar among the children as that of St. Patrick in Ireland!' This remark made me smile, and yet pleased me very much. AYhy I smiled, you can guess very well; and why I was pleased I need not tell you, for you know we all love to have our friends, whom we love, to think and talk kindly of us, especially when we are far away, and have not seen each other for a long time. God bless them, every one; and if we never see each other again on earth, may we meet in heaven! But Mr. Sturdevant, in his letter, said something else, which touched my heart more than all, and I could scarcely keep from shedding tears when I read it. He said that your school had agreed to adopt me as their missionary in Texas, and had given him a pledge to bring in a monthly contribution for my support. This was very kind indeed. It showed a kind regard for me, and, what is better still, a great fove for the cause of Christ, and for poor perishing sinners too. And Mr. Sturdevant also mentioned that when, a little after they heard that I was killed by the Indians — which made them all very sad — they did still give a con- siderable sum to the missionary cause. Children, when I read this letter my heart was quite melted within me, and I felt as I had not for a long time. May heaven richly reward your beloved Sabbath- school teachers, and yourselves, for every kind thing done and said for me, for Texas, and for the cause of Domestic Missions ! "The sad account of my having been killed and scalped by the savages, was not true, as every body now knows; but many persons did believe it at the time. It was all a mistake : God protected REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 385 me. But, dear children, I was in danger, for I was near where the Indians were; and I got an arrow, all stained with blood, which had been taken out of the body of a white man who had been killed near the place where I was. If I can, I will send it to you, and when you see it, all stained with blood, it will make you think of the one who had been chosen as your missionary; and I hope will also make you think how good your Heavenly Father was to me, for there were twenty persons killed by the Indians, and I was not far off, and I might have been killed too. But although I did not fall by the Indian arrow, I was in great danger more than once, in crossing swollen streams; and, children, once I was LOST, and began to think I would have at last to lie down in the lonely prairie and die, far away from house and home, without a friend to close my eyes, or dig my grave! One night I camped out alone, and did not dare to sleep a wink, because the wolves and panthers were around me, howling and making ugly noises, almost aU night long; but God pro- tected me again, and I think I ought to be very thankful, especially as I heard, soon after, of a man upon whom a panther sprang; and of another, who being lost, like myself, had to lie down and die, and was not found until he had been dead several days. " But kindly preserved through all these dangers and difficulties, now I am in Galveston, a beautiful city, on an island, having water all around. We have a fine beach on the sea-shore, and while I am writing, I hear the roaring of the surf. I have a nice church, and a flourishing Sunday-school; we have 33 386 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE more than one hundred scholars, and they all seem very glad when Sunday comes, that they may go to Sunday-school. We have a little box, and the chil- dren come up and drop in their dimes and half dimes on the first Sabbath in every month, and it seems to please them very much; and well it may, for who knows but what they give to the missionary cause may be the means of leading some grown persons, and some dear children too, to heaven. I am going to be a missionary again, and in this same Texas. O, children, you do not know how much we need Presbyterian preachers in this State. We want fifty or sixty, and we have not more than ten. I wrote a long letter some time ago, and it was printed in a great many papers. I begged our young preachers to come to Texas, for they were needed very much here — more, perhaps, than in any place in the world. But it seems I cannot get any to come; so I thought, old man as I am, I would leave Galveston, and go out into the wilderness, and woods, and prairies of Texas, and try to get. the people, who do not see our preachers often, to think about their souls, and break off from their sins, and love the sweet and blessed Saviour, who died for us all. Children, are you not sorry for those in Texas who have nobody to preach to them, and nobody to gather their poor dear children into Sunday-schools ] Well, I hope you will do something for them. "As I am still alive, and wish to go as a preacher up and down through this much neglected State of Texas, if you still would like to adopt me as your missionary, or if you wish to help the Board who RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 387 wish me to be their missionary, you must get your Superintendent to write to Mr. Sturdevant, and tell him what you are willing to do. I think this will please him very much, and the Board too, and, what is a thousand times better than all, I think it will please your Heavenly Father, and may be the means of saving many precious souls, who, in heaven, will love you much for thinking so kindly of, and caring for them. And remember, dear children, if you wish to try to get some of the people in Texas to go to heaven, you must be sure to try to get to heaven yourselves. O, it is a sweet place, a blessed place ; and if you get there you will be as angels, with your crowns so bright, and your robes so white. I do beUeve that there are a great many children there already, and many others are on their way to that happy world now. A little girl, only thirteen years of age, joined my church last Sabbath; she was permitted by the Session to sit down at the table of the Lord, and take the sacrament. She seemed very happy, and I do believe she is a real Christian. Would you not like to be real Christians too, and go to heaven when you die'? Then you must pray to God to give you a new heart, and make you good children. I used to live in Frankfort; I used to preach in your church, and talk to your school; but I don't know that I shall ever be in Frankfort again. Many of you, I suppose, never saw me. No matter ; if we get to heaven, we will see and love each other there; and there we will see our blessed Saviour, and the holy angels, and all our pious friends, and be so happy for ever and ever ! God bless you all, my dear children, and bless your dear parents, and your 388 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE beloved Sabbath-school teachers too. Amen! and Amen! ''Your very sincere friend, Daniel Baker." Autobiography continued. I accepted of the appointment before mentioned, and entered upon the labours of a general mis- sionary, with the view of also carrying out the wishes of the Presbytery touching the selection of a proper location for our contemplated College. During this tour I visited numerous places, preach- ing as I had opportunity, and holding protracted meetings where such were desired. Amongst the meetings held was one at Palestine, East Texas, in company with brother Becton. This meeting proved a delightful one. Some twenty persons were hope- fully converted. Upon the close of the meeting, we organized a church consisting of about eighteen members. Three elders were chosen and set apart to their office; one of whom was Judge T., one of the recent converts. Two days after his professed conversion, he was made a ruling elder. This may seem to have been rather hasty, but in his piety and litness for the office, there was but one opinion; and his subsequent course has proved that the choice was a good one. I had as yet never been in Huntsville, Middle Texas; but having heard a favourable account of the place, I went there, and held a protracted meeting, which lasted a few days. This meeting was blessed to the hopeful conversion of a few souls, of whom one, Major W. II., was subsequently made an elder. KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 389 As the meeting drew to a close, I mentioned to some of the prominent citizens of the place that the Pres- bytery of Brazos had resolved to take measures for the establishment of a Presbyterian College some- where in Middle Texas. I told them I was pleased with Huntsville, and wished to know if the citizens desired the College to be established there. A town meeting was immediately called. Colonel Y., Mr. W., and other gentlemen made speeches in favour of the enterprise. Subscription papers were then put into circulation, and in a few days some eight thou- sand dollars were subscribed, to be paid in five equal annual instalments, " for the erection and support of a College by the Presbyterian Church, at or within a mile of Huntsville, Texas; to be called Baker Col- lege." I was told of the unexpectedly large amount subscribed, but for several weeks I could not get a sight of the paper, nor did I ever dream of such a name being given to it. When the secret was at last made known to me, I instantly, but in a respect- ful way, decHned the honour. The letter which follows was addressed at this time to his son in Galveston. '< Huntsville, .^wgMsf lOUi, 1849. "My dear Son — Did you ever! — ^rain, rain, rain! Streams swollen — bridges gone — the whole land flooded ! I have had to ' rough it' indeed. With great difficulty I managed to reach this place on Sunday morning in time to preach, after riding until near nine o'clock the preceding night, and fourteen or fifteen miles in the morning. Many had given 33* 390 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE me out; yet we had a veiy large congregation, and I never saw persons more eager for preaching. Weather and walking for the most part exceedingly bad; almost ashamed to think of calling the people out; and yet the congregations surprisingly large. I hope much good will be done here. Broached the idea of our locating a College here. People won- derfully in favour of it; will subscribe, as I am told, liberally. One gentleman of standing says he thinks ten thousand acres of land can be obtained, and a large amount in money ; and General Houston, I am told, says that it would be a greater advantage to the place to have a Presbyterian College located here, than to have the place made the seat of government. My mission is truly an important one. God grant I may be enabled to give a new and great impulse both to the cause of religion and edu- cation. " Huntsville is a pleasant place, and the country around very beautiful — rolling and picturesque — water good and abundant — many mill seats — coun- try healthy, &c. The very place, I think, for our College. Monday, 13th. Had an immense crowd yesterday; very general seriousness; many awak- ened; some few, I hope, converted; prospects en- couraging. My mission is a great one, a glorious one. I am likely to do ten times more good in the country than in Galveston. I hope the Lord will cause my influence to be felt most extensively and happily throughout the whole State. "Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 391 (to his daughter.) "MowTGOMERr, Texas, September ist, 1849. "My DEAR AND ONLY DAUGHTER 1 have liot written a single line since I left Galveston; and lest you should become a little jealous, I must rob your mother of another letter intended for her, and address this to you. The month of August has been a busy one to me. I rode two hundred miles; preached fifty times; baptized two adults; ordained three elders; received several to the com- mimion; paved the way for organizing one church, and wrote some dozen letters or more. This, I think, will do for 'a venerable father going down the steeps of old age,' especially in the month of August! And another thing — during the same month I broached the idea of locating a Presby- terian College at Huntsville, and had a subscription to the amount of seven thousand eight hundred dol- lars placed in my hand, and the assurance of another subscription of one hundred thousand acres of land ! If every month in the year I can do as much as this in the wilds of Texas, neither I, nor anybody else can regret that I exchanged the pleasant life of a pastor for the laborious one of a missionary. "My health is still good, only I confess I feel a little jaded; and to tell you the truth, I could, just at this time, enjoy very well a week's repose in the bosom of my family, hearing you and your m.other sing, 'Home, sweet home;' and I do think if I had a pair of wings I would have paid you a flying visit before this time. But here I am in the midst of a glorious missionary field, far away from my 392 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE flimily, but doing some good I hope ; and I must say, that of late I have thought more frequently than usual upon these words of our Saviour — 'I must work the work of Him that sent me, while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work.' And I will add, that sometimes, like the hireling spoken of by the man of Uz, I am ready to long for the shades of evening, that I may enter upon my rest. Indeed, the other day, my feelings were almost over- whelming, while I heard some sweet voices singing these beautiful lines : 'See the kind angels at the gates, Inviting us to come, There, Jesus, the forerunner waits, To welcome travellers home.' " This is the principle upon which we should act in all things. The bright side! The bright side! Always look upon the bright side! Love to your mother — to all. "Yours affectionately, Daniel Baker." Autobiography continued. At my request, Col. Yoakum drew up the charter of the College, making such alterations as I sug- gested. Availing myself of the earliest opportunity, I laid the charter before brothers Wilson and Miller, preparatory to its being submitted for the action of the Presbytery. Fearing that Judge G., of Grimes county, an influential member of the Senate, would oppose the charter on account of its denominational character, I called upon him, spent a night with him, and made such statements and explanations REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 393 as entirely satisfied him; and from being, as was supposed, a decided opponent, he became a warm friend and advocate of the charter. At the next meeting of the Presbytery, which was held at Inde- pendence, in the study of brother Wilson, the char- ter was submitted, and every section and feature carefully scanned. An attempt was made to post- pone the final action of the Presbytery on the sub- ject, on the ground that the brethren of the West were not present. " Does not courtesy to our breth- ren of the West require this postponement T' said one brother. " No, Moderator," said I, '* a postpone- ment will be a death-blow, for the Legislature meets biennially, and if we do not get a charter at the coming session of the Legislature, we cannot get it for two years, and this will discourage those who have so liberally subscribed." Whilst discussing, afterwards, some point in the charter upon which there was some diversity of opinion, another member of the Presbytery arose and remarked, " Had we not better. Moderator, not de- cide just now, but write on to some of the Colleges at the North, and see what their charters arel" Much excited at such a motion, which, if carried, would ruin the whole affair, I arose and said, " Mode- rator, we have understanding enough to frame our own charter; and I tell you again, any such post- ponement will be equivalent to a complete relin- quishment of the enterprise." Happily, all objec- tions were overruled, and a committee was appointed to secure the needful charter. When the naming of the Listitution was called up, I found that there was a communication from the 394 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE original subscribers, requesting the Presbytery to sanction the name originally given. I was asked if I would consent. I again declined the honour pro- posed to be done me. Eetiring, that the Presby- tery might not be trammelled by my presence, the matter was discussed, and when I came in again, I found that the Institution was named Austin Col- lege, in honour of Stephen F. Austin, the great Texas pioneer. Soon after the meeting of Presbytery, Dr. Baker wrote as follows to his son at Galveston. "Washington, Texas, October IG//1, 1849. " My dear Son — We had a harmonious meeting of Presbytery. Brothers Miller, Wilson, Becton, F., and myself present, and four ruling elders. AU things went oif very well. We have fixed upon Huntsville as the seat of our literary institution, and have named it Austin College — certainly a much better name than the one originally intended. I am for prompt action, and my motto is, 'Strike, while the iron is hot.' Some things were started in Pres- bytery, such as waiting to have a fuller meeting of Presbytery, and waiting until we could get the form of what was called a Constitution from some of the northern seminaries ; but these things were promptly met and put down. We had a constitutional meet- ing of Presbytery, and if other brethren did not come, we regret it, but we had power to act without them ; and how did we know that we should have a larger meeting on the 22d of next month? How did we know that we should then even have a quorum] REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 395 I like ^delicacy,' and 'courtesy/ and all that, but, in a noble enterprise, I like prompt action and success more. " I do think that God is with us, and, in due time, glorious results will crown this noble enterprise. Mr. seems to think that I am a little too san- guine, a little too headlong; but I mature matters a little more carefully than he supposes. If he knew the process of reasoning by which I came to my con- clusions, he would rather say 'Euge!'' than 'Don't go so fast;' and the fact is, I have seen so many wretched failures, purely from want of zeal, determi- nation, and prompt action, that my mind is perhaps more braced up than otherwise it would be. Only think! the scheme of a College started nearly ten years ago, and even the foundation not yet laid! And the tract of land offered to me by Mr. Perry, for the College, suffered to pass out of our hands! — which tract of land has since been sold, as I have been informed, for two thousand dollars! O, pro- crastination! thou art not only 'the thief of time,' but the conqueror of all good purposes! My son, receive your father's counsel — Never put off till to- morrow what ought to be done to-day. "I have cold water thrown upon me on all sides; but I am resolved to feel it no more than the marble statue, upon which pours a perpetual shower, at the Fairmount water-works, near Philadelphia. I shall endeavour to have a good reason for every thing I do and say, and then go ahead. A long time ago, Mrs. Hoge remarked, 'Daniel Baker is always blun- dering; but somehow or other, he always blunders right.' The secret of the thing is this — I endeavour 396 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE to look at things in all their bearings ; and if I seem to step from one hill to another, it is not because I have not walked over every inch of the intervening ground, but because I do not think it necessary to point out every foot-print which I have made. An- other thing is this: there are promises in the Bible, such as, 'Acknowledge the Lord in all thy ways, and he shall direct thy paths;' and, 'If any man lack wisdom,' &c. What is the use of having promises, if we do not make use of theml No more than having land or money, and making no use of it. "I wish you — mother, sister, brother, and all — to be void of care, and just as happy as possible; even as happy as I am, when I think I am serving my Master, and doing good. I have been appointed by Presbytery to visit the old States, to solicit con- tributions. " Should any Princeton student come, be sure to remember my 'letter.' If sister N. should come, your mother would find some way to accommodate her; aye, and even Dr. O., should he come along with her. If your father can sleep upon the ground, when engaged in the cause of Christ, I am sure that any son of mine, or even my only daughter, to accomplish a good object, would be willing for a night or two to sleep upon a pallet. "Your almost too affectionate father, Daniel Baker." With a heart pained at the destitution he had witnessed in his journeying through Texas, he ad- dressed a letter to the students of Princeton Semi- nary, dated Galveston, March 2d, 1849, which was KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. T). 397 published in the New Orleans Presbyterian. After detailing the necessities of the State, he adds: " Let it not be forgotten, that he who conies to this State must be no drone, nor speculator in lands. He must be a man of God, indeed ; a man of intelli- gence and zeal; a man, like Barnabas, full of faith and the Holy Ghost; and, like Paul, 'in labours more abundant.' Come then, dear young brethren," exclaims this venerable pioneer for Christ, who in- vited them into no path in which he had not trod- den before himself — "come on the wings of love; come in the exercise of faith and prayer; come pre- pared to do the work of an Evangelist, and make full proof of your ministry. Come in this spirit, and you need fear nothing. I tell you plainly, we have no beds of roses here ; but we have wide fields of usefulness. We have no California gold here; but we have many precious souls, which, as jewels, may be safely casketted for eternity." At the meeting of the Presbytery of Brazos, then the only Presbytery in the State, in July of the same year he obtained the appointment of a committee to address a call for aid, to the ministers and members of the Church in the old States, in behalf of Texas ; and, as chairman of that committee, addressed to them, through the papers, a thrilling appeal. These appeals did not have the effect in full which he greatly desired; for, writing to the Secretary of the Board of Domestic Missions, December 12th, 1851, he says: "The tide of immigration is flowing upon us surprisingly, but scarcely any ministers of our communion coming in upon this tide. What 34 398 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE are we to do'? We call, but they will not come. Brother Jones, I have lately had a new idea. Des- pairing of efficient aid from the old States, I think we must raise up preachers amongst ourselves. The other day this idea flashed upon me with great force ; and now, when I see a promising young man in the Lord, I make it a practice to tap him upon the shoulder and say, 'Young man, are you sure it is not your duty to preach the gospel T I am happy to say there are now some four or five in the circle of my acquaintance in Texas who have the ministry in view. The Lord increase the number of such an hundred-fold. Our College enterprise is still in a prosperous state ; I trust it will be a great blessing to Texas and our Church." Yes, let it be for ever remembered by the Church in Texas — let it be distinctly impressed upon the minds of the Trustees and Faculty of Austin College in all succeeding generations — the one idea of its founders, that for which they wept, and prayed, and toiled, and gave of their means, was that it might be an institution wherein there might be raised up for Texas, generation after generation, a native ministry. For all generations to come, then, palsied be the hand which shall ever cast a ballot to alienate the institution in any way from this, the main purpose of its existence — that sacred purpose which prompted its aged servant to travel and to beg as he did; and which was one motive, at least, which prompted the free contributions of many thousand Christian givers over the land — givers whose eyes will ever rest upon the institution, watching for the fruits therein of their giving. So long as Austin REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 399 College shall number one learner within its walls, withered be the tongue of any teacher therein who shall utter a syllable which has a tendency to pre- vent, in the case of a single student, the accomplish- ment of this, the chief and holy object for which, above all others, the College was conceived, born, and reared. At the time Dr. Baker prepared these last pages of his narrative, his mind was so much occupied with unfolding the earliest history of the College — the history of an institution for which his brethren and himself hoped so much — that he entirely forgot to make any allusion to an excursion of a more purely missionary character than any he had ever made before. From the hour he was a student in College, he had laboured here and there over almost every county, not to say State, in the Domestic Missionary field. He is now permitted the, to him, rare privi- lege and pleasure of walking and working along its outmost boundary line; even of crossing that line into the darkness beyond. In this way. About December, 1849, he returned to Galveston from his missionary travels in the interior of the State. Arriving in Galveston at the close of the day, he takes his seat at the supper-table of his son, then in temporary charge of the church th^re, wearied with his journeyings. At the table, the conversation is turned upon the destitute region along the Rio Grande, unvisited then, so far as was known, by ministers of any denomination. The weariness of the travel-stained missionary is forgot- ten as he converses ; the ruling passion of his soul is aroused. How delightful to preach Christ in these 400 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE "regions beyond!" When he is rested, he really must seek some means, if possible, of visiting that dividing line of Protestantism and Popery. The opportunities of visiting that region are few, and the mode of travel exceedingly inconvenient and unplea- sant. "What matters it," says the man of God, " shall any one be able to find his way there for any purpose, and not the preacher of the gospel'?" The son then casually mentions, that in passing along the wharves that day he had seen a small vessel which was to sail for the mouth of the Eio Grande. "Wheni" asks the father. "To-morrow," is the answer. "I will go in her," is the immediate and characteristic reply. Early next morning the writer accompanied his father to the wharves. There lies the little sailing vessel; so very small, so heaped with rigging, and barrels, and boxes, there seemed to be no room even to sit. The passenger makes a place for himself, valise in hand, upon the narrow deck; the lines are loosed; the little barque drifts off; then its sails are raised, and, leaning perilously to one side, it glides rapidly away ; the white hair of the aged missionary can be seen no more ; and even the gleam of the white canvass is soon lost in the blue horizon. As the writer watched the outward flight of the tiny barque bearing its precious freight, he almost blamed himself for letting his father know of the vessel, even though his own heart could not but glow, if it were only from sympathy, in the object to be accom- plished. The following lines, in pencil, a few days afterward, relieved him of any apprehension of the safety of the missionary so far. REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 401 "Mouth of Rio Graxde, December 23d, 1849. "My dear Son — This morning, Sabbath, I preached to almost the whole population of this place, about fifty; the first sermon ever preached here. Not a single professor of religion present, I believe, save the pious sailor who hands you this. Only think, about fifty accountable creatures, and only one who makes, I believe, any pretension to religion ! Is not a missionary needed'? "After the service was over, a person at the door held out his hat, and, to my perfect surprise, the amount thrown in, four dollars and forty cents, was placed in my hands. I expressed my surprise, and mentioned that I desired nothing. But, no — I must take what was so freely ofiered. I am sure it was a free-will ofi'ering, for some gentlemen who had retired before the hat was held out, came in and insisted upon giving something, saying that they were much pleased with the sermon, &c. I am to preach again in the afternoon, and at night. May the Master bless my labours here. Excuse this scrawl; no ink at hand. " Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." It need hardly be remarked, that in all cases of donation as above, the sums given were accounted for to the Board of Missions as deducting that much from the salary due him from it. Beginning at the mouth of the Eio Grande, he visited and preached at every inhabited hamlet up this river. In Brownsville, the largest place on the American side, he made some stay, preaching with 34* 402 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE considerable success. From this place he thus writes to his daughter. "Brownsville, December, 26th 1849, " My dear Daughter — Well, here I am in Browns- ville ! Yes, in the far-famed town of Brownsville, on the Rio Grande I But I must tell you all about mat- ters and things. Last Sabbath I preached at the ' Mouth' three sermons. Every person in the place came out to hear me, I was informed, except two or three; and a right solemn meeting we had, particu- larly at night. On Monday morning I was anxious to push on for Brownsville, about thirty miles dis- tant. A steamer was expected in a day or two, but as there was some uncertainty about the thing, and I was impatient to go on, in connection with two or three other gentlemen, as anxious to get on as my- self, I chartered a — horse and cart ! and came rattling on over a fine road in great style ! You never saw such a country in all your life! Not a single forest tree between this and the 'Mouth,' nor for hun- dreds of miles around, except what is called the mesquit, the ebony, and the marmosa, which in general are about the size of ordinary peach-trees — and no houses — not even log-cabins ! Here and there, at great distances, you find a ranche, a kind of shanty or hovel, made of cane, and thatched with a kind of grass, or rush; a miserable shelter. These wretched hovels are filled with lazy Mexicans, who lounge about from one year's end to another, doing almost literally nothing at all, except gambling. On Mon- day last, our chariot, {alias cart,) about one o'clock stopped at one of these ranches, where we fed our REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 403 horse, and feasted on some cheese and pilot-bread which we had along with us. To make our dinner more sumptuous, I bought a poUonci ; and I must say I never enjoyed a snack more in all my life. "While tarrying at this ranche, several Mexicans were playing cards — gambling. The quarter of a dollar paid for horse-feed was gambled off before we resumed our journey. Our driver, or charioteer, not being a Son of Temperance, but one of John Barleycorn's children, found it a little difficult to plumb the road, but, drunkard fashion, went, as it were, reeling along ; and he was particularly unskil- ful on this occasion, as he was very wrathful with one of his cronies at the 'Mouth,' with whom he had intended to fight a duel that morning! O, what foolish talk, and what an amount of it ; and by rea- son of his wrath and liquor he took a wrong road, and for some considerable time was going right away from Brownsville! I regretted this very much, as it prevented my reaching there in time to preach that night. About sun-set, however, I reached the wharf- boat, used as a tavern or hotel here, where I pur- posed to tarry that night; but as I had no oppor- tunity of preaching, and there, in full view on the opposite side of the river, was Matamoras, I thought I would pass over and spend the night in that town, especially as Captain P. had kindly invited me to make his house my home. "Leaving my trunk on the wharf-boat, that the Mexican custom-house officers might not be fingering my clothing, I went over in a ferry-boat to the other side of the river, for which I paid only six-and-a- quarter cents. I took a hack that was at hand, and 404 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE had a pleasant ride into the heart of the city, about one mile distant, for which I paid only twelve-and-a- half cents. As the coachman and myself, in the matter of language, were barbarians to each other, I felt myself in a curious predicament. All I could say was ' Captain P., Captain P.,' but he knew not where he lived, and I was ' in a fix.' Set down on one corner of the plaza, I wandered along, and finally lighted upon a Frenchman, who, in broken English, gave me to understand where Captain P. lived. There I was cordially welcomed; and much pleased was I to find that Captain P's bride and her sister were Sabbath-school teachers, and members of the Pres- byterian church. After supper the Captain took me to see the American Consul, whose lady is also a member of the Presbyterian church, the Consul being nominally a Presbyterian also. They gave me a most cordial welcome to Matamoras, and invited me to dine with them the next day; and also very kindly invited ' Doctor Baker' to make their house his home. " That night, you Avill observe, was Christmas eve; and leaving the house of Mr. S., the American Consul, I went out with Captain P. by moonlight, to see the town, and the ' carryings on' in this part of the dominions of the 'Man of Sin.' We went down one street, and up another, seeing nothing w^orthy of observation, until we came to the market-house, and here was a crowd. Tables were spread, and stands were seen, upon which were placed cakes and fruits of various kinds; and another set of tables, around which were gathered a great many persons of the lower class, gambling; all standing, save the owner KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 405 of the table, who was seated, handling the cards, and uttering words which, of course, I understood not. Whilst I was in company with Captain P., saunter- ing about, there came up a man, a priest! This man was also a gambler, and profane — ^but not a regular one — who was introduced to me, and very graciously invited the Captain and myself to go into a drinking establishment hard by, and take a drink I Declining the invitation, I agreed to wait until the Captain returned. Whilst waiting, three Mexicans came up to me, and seemed to be examining my person rather more curiously than I desired; but fortunately at that moment the Captain returned, and we went back to his house, and talked until it was time to go and see the cathedral, at twjelve o'clock at night. I did not like much to mingle with such a crowd of Mexicans at that time of night, but went in. Soon the music struck up, and the ceremonies commenced. All at once they began to kneel; and thinking that I might get into a scrape, I made haste and went out. You will recollect that there are no seats in the cathedral, no roof, no floor! It is httle better than an open enclosure, walled around; the altar being at one end, under a kind of tent. I suppose about one thousand or fifteen hundred persons were seen kneeling, literally upon the ground, within the walls of this great cathedral, the moon and stars having full permission to shine upon them. "It was about half-past twelve when I returned with my kind friend, and upon a cot I sought repose ; but there was no repose for me, there was such an outrageous noise! Besides the ringing of bells, and beating of drums, and shall I say, 'the sound of the 406 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE cornet, flutes, harp, psaltery, sackbut, dulcimer, and all kinds of music' — besides all such sort of things, there was one thing of all others the most abomina- ble, the voice of some three or four sentinels, placed on the top of some houses, singing out, every ten minutes, ' On the alert,' in Spanish, in a voice and with tones the most dismal and hideous that ever I heard in all my life. It was something like the caterwauling of cats, but vastly more unpleasant to the ear. And only think, I had to He in my cot, and listen to this every ten minutes! I suppose, during the live-long night I did not sleep one half an hour. But I ought to have told you, that before the midnight ceremonies spoken of, the soldiers in the garrison had a grand, supper. Seated at a long table, they were served by their oflicers, and every now and then there were ' vivas T given, which made the welkin ring again. As the establishment was adjoining Captain P's premises, we looked through a hole in the wall, and saw their capers; but not having as clear and extensive a view as we desired, we got a ladder, and getting upon the roof of Cap- tain P's house, we had a full view. O, that night! how many curious sights and things were crowded into that Christmas-eve night! "The next day I dined with the Consul, and taking a hack, came over to Brownsville, where I preached at night to a great crowd. So many per- sons came in, that additional benches had to be sent for. This was not expected. As there were so many fandangoes, &c., in town that night, it was thought we should not have very many. In the crowd were several of the oflicers of the army, of the REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 407 highest grade, and their families. I must say, it is a long time since I had more pleasure in preaching. It was in Brownsville, and to a crowded and most attentive audience, who hung upon my lips, eager, it seemed, to catch every word. My sermon occupied one full hour; but there was no indication of rest- lessness. Indeed, it was remarked by a gentleman (and he not usually a church-going man) that he could have remained and listened three hours longer. I am the first regular Protestant preacher of any denomination that has ever preached in Brownsville. I feel much delighted that God has sent me here, and I hope he will bless abundantly my labours of love. I hope to have a good meeting to-night also. "Rio Grande City and Boma, the only other towns of any importance on the left bank of the Bio Grande, are some three hundred miles higher up. I do not know, but I think it likely that I shall visit them before my return, which, I suppose, may be in some five or six weeks from this time. Daniel Baker." At every neighborhood visited by him he preached as often as possible, searched out such professors of religion as were to be found, and organized Sabbath- schools. He seems to have been treated with much respect as the "American Padre." At one place he rang the bell to assemble the people into the jacaJ, which was used for public meetings. Just as he entered upon the services he was entreated to be as brief as possible, as the place was wanted for a fan- daiigo the moment he was done. It is believed that he was the first preacher of the 408 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE gospel whose voice was ever heard upon the Rio Grande. He would often speak of this excursion, remarking, in his playful manner, that it was the first time in his life that he had known a Presbyte- rian minister to be ahead of the Methodists! If he was indeed the first preacher there, as is believed, then should his name be recorded for ever as that soldier in the army of Emmanuel, who, in the inevi- table westward march of that army, was permitted to stand in advance of all the rest upon this farthest border line. According to the eternal purpose and promise of God, the day shall dawn whose meridian sun shall sparkle upon the white folds of the banner of the cross, floating full and free over Mexico. When that day comes — and its coming already streaks the east with light — as the hearts of Chris- tians swell with delight, gazing, from abroad and beneath it, upon that banner of peace and good-will, then let them not forget the name of him whom God so honoured as to permit, even in old age, to be the first to plant that banner upon the walls, at least, of the conquered realm. (to his wife.) "Rio Grande City, January 11///, 1S50. "Here I am, high up on the E-io Grande. It seems to me to be, so to speak, almost out of the world. Only think! some three hundred and fifty miles from the mouth of the river, and, perhaps, nearly four hundred west of San Antonio. I reached this place about noon this day, and can write you but a very short letter, as the steamboat which takes the letter will start in a little while. This is a small, but REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 409 apparently flourishing little town, and I expect to form a Sabbath-school here, and will probably remain and preach until some time next week, when it is my present purpose to go on to Roma, a similar town some fifteen miles higher up the river, and shall, I suppose, spend one Sabbath there, and then I expect to turn my face homeward, and shall hurry on to Galveston with all possible speed. But, I do assure you, it is very uncertain when I shall be able to get a passage from the Mouth. Only think, this is Janu- ary 11th, and I have not seen the President's Mes- sage yet! God bless you, my dear wife, and all the members of our little circle. "In haste, affectionately, Daniel Baker. " A prince from Germany is in the room in which I am writing. He has just shaken hands with me in a very cordial way." In, perhaps, all the places at which he held meet- ings, he was urged to send ministers out to settle and organize churches, and most liberal promises were made of aid in erecting churches and in supporting ministers who should come. After his return to Galveston, he received from the same region most urgent letters to the same effect. The founders of new towns in the West, often reckless and irreligious men, even infidels, are perfectly aware that a school and a church are essential to the existence, not to say respectability and prosperity, of their new "city." Hence their first step, after laying out the town, toward the covering their lots with houses and their streets with citizens, is to obtain by liberal 35 410 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE inducements a resident teacher and preacher. It is a resident preacher that is desired. In all new towns on our frontier, a minister of the gospel, it is uni- versally acknowledged, effects far more for the cause of religion and morality out of the pulpit than in it. His Christian life, conversation, presence — if he be indeed a man of God — does more, during his six day's genial intermingling with the people, than all he can possibly say or do upon the Sabbath. Pres- byterian ministers in new fields have a strong ten- dency to "settle down" in one spot; this diminishes the extent, but greatly increases the local strength of their influence. Thus, in the providence of God, the zealous circuit-preacher of other denominations, worthy as he is of all praise, and the quieter Presby- terian preacher, work together successfully, each doing a work for wliich he is better qualified than the other. No one had a higher esteem than Dr. Baker for those noble servants of Christ, of other evangelical denominations, whose feet are so active to follow the backwoodsman with the gospel, wherever he goes, even into the very lair of the wolf and lurking place of the Indian. All honour to such men. He who has lived on the frontier well knows, that along the vast line of westward emigration, no neighbourhood of a half-dozen cabins, no family even in the narrow home of an emigrant wagon, is ever ahead of the preacher of the gospel of some evangelical denomina- tion. Scarcely have the flying hoofs of the startled wild horse died in the distance, before the preacher is seen, Bible in hand, under the spreading live-oak. During the six days, the ring of the emigrant's axe, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 411 for the first time since creation, fills the woods with the sound of falling trees ; but on the first day of the first week, the same woods are almost sure to awake to the homely but powerful voice of the circuit-rider, making the forests ring with the accents of salvation ; and the new settlers will assemble for worship ; and nowhere can be found a manlier or more shrewd audience, even though their eyes and ears are alert during the sermon, for the swaying bush and cat-like tread which betrays the approach of the Camanche. " As I was riding last week across the prairie to an appointment," said a preacher to the writer, " I saw a Camanche, feathered and painted, coming right down upon me, fast as his horse could travel, lance in rest. I had nothing but an old umbrella; so I committed my soul to God, and rode steadily on, looking right in his face. He came full speed down upon me; but just as his lance was at my breast, he turned it aside and rode on, without drawing rein. I never looked behiixl, but blessed the Lord, and rode on to my appointment." How near the subject of this Memoir came to a bloody death by these sons of Shem, driven back before the children of Japhet, we have already seen. But to resume our narrative. Arriving at the mouth of the E-io Grande, having effected all in his power as a missionary in that region. Dr. Baker was kindly offered a free passage in a vessel bound to Galveston. But it was not to sail for several days, and being impatient, in this crisis in the history of the College, to return at the speediest moment, he embarks on a small saiHng 412 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE craft, manned by a captain and one man, himself the only passenger. The captain assnres him that in three days he will land him at Galveston. They set sail, when suddenly a Norther springs up, and the frail bark is driven near two hundred miles south- ward before it. After a week's tossing on the short, sudden billows of the Gulf Stream, in conflict with the fierce wind, the vessel again nears the coast at Aransas Bay, to be again driven southward. A week more passes. The wind abates; soon the land is in sight, near the mouth of the Sabine, far east of their destination. It is almost possible to throw a biscuit ashore. Again the Norther sweeps down upon them, and this time the fragile shallop and its three voyagers is driven helplessly southward, far from land, among billows upon which the vessel tosses like a nut-shell. Meanwhile, the provisions intended for a three days' run have almost given out, and the water too, though both these have been doled out with the utmost care, in quantities barely suflicient to support life. To add to the trouble, the captain finds that the only man he has shipped as his crew, pretended to be a sailor only to secure a passage to Galveston, knows nothing whatever about even handling a rope, much less holding the helm. Frantic with- rage from the first, the captain curses and beats his man during all hours of the day. As the passenger can render no assistance, he remains under deck, in the miserable little berth. The deck is but a few inches over his face as he lies, and during the raging of the storm, he hears the furious cursing of the cap- tain, and the heavy blows which he inflicts upon REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 413 his only assistant. In the morning, as he stands upon the careened and slippery deck, he sees it spattered with the blood of the beaten man. The storm rages more and more. At last the captain announces to his passenger that they must go down; and falling on his knees, with his arm around the straining mast, the man calls loudly upon the Virgin for help, vowing the largest candles for her altar, if once he is permitted to land. Dr. Baker remarks to the man, that giving up his profanity and ferocity would be far more acceptable to the God of the storm; and then descends, lies in his berth, and calmly resigns himself to the will of God. "Never, in all my life," he afterwards remarked to the writer, "did I feel more perfectly calm than when I ex- pected each plunge of the vessel would be to the bottom. I was enabled by prayer to acquiesce en- tirely in the will of God. Was I not in the path of duty r But God has work still for his aged servant. Many hundreds of souls are at that moment far from the Saviour, whom he is to be made the instru- ment of leading to Christ ; and not yet is the College in that condition to dispense with the labours of this man of God. Again the storm subsides at the divine command, and after an almost unparalleled tempest of three weeks upon the raging gulf, in a bark almost too frail for use on a peaceful lake, reduced to their last atom of food and drop of water, the passenger is permitted to land once more, but north of the Sabine, far from his port. A few days more, and he arrives safely in the bosom of his family, in his usual health and spirits, all the more 35* 414 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE ready from gratitude to God for whatever duties lie before him. He had purchased in Matamoras, among other Mexican curiosities, a few polonces^ sugar cones wrapped in shucks of corn, for his family, and these he brought with him safely; even hunger could not force him to use them; it was character- istic. It should be added, that the captain, though rough in his manners, like most men of his profes- sion, was nevertheless both kind and respectful to his passenger, whose very aspect awed and restrained even the rudest. After landing, he draughted and presented to his passenger a chart of the tortuous course they had sailed. In memory of those perilous hours, Dr. Baker caused this chart to be handsomely copied and hung upon the walls of his study, where it still remains, both a curiosity and a precious memento of him whose life's voyage is now ended, and whose sails are for ever furled in the haven of eternal rest. Autobiography continued. The charter was signed by Gov. Wood on the 22d day of November, 1849, and the first meeting of the Trustees was held in Hunts ville on the 5 th of April, 1850. "Present: Daniel Baker, H. Smither, J. Hume, G. C. Heed. H. Yoakum, J. Branch, Sam Houston, by his proxy H. Yoakum, H. Wilson, and J. C. Smith, by his proxy S. E. Smith." On motion, I was ap- pointed President j)ro tern. The next day, A. J. Burke and J. W. Miller appeared, and also took their seats as members. The Uev. S. McKinney, whom I had urged to come to Texas from Holly vSprings, and for whom I had obtained the situation KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 415 of teacher in the Male Institute in Huntsville, was present, and was elected President of the College. At this meeting of the Board, the site for the college building was fixed upon. Two places had been offered — Capitol Hill, on the south, and Cotton-Gin Hill, on the north of the to^vn. I had, in my own mind, fixed upon the latter place; and supposing there might be a few votes against it, and wishing the vote in favour to be recorded as unanimous, I rose up and made a speech, stating how important was unanimity in the case before us, and expressing a desire that when the will of the majority was ascertained, the minority would yield with a good grace. Col. H. and Dr. B. were the only ones that I supposed would vote for Capitol Hill. They sat in front of me ; and when I expressed an earnest hope that the minority, upon the will of the majority being ascertained, would yield, I thought Col. H. and Dr. B. looked as though that would be a bitter pill for them to swallow. Well, the vote was taken, and lo and behold, Capitol Hill carried the day by an overwhelming majority! I was left nearly soli- tary and alone in my vote. Immediately there was a roar of laughter, and every eye was turned upon me, to see how I would take the pill intended for others. Without a wry face, however, I complied with my own prescription, and swallowed it down. "Gentlemen," said I, "I am an American, every inch of me. Let the majority ride. You have seen proper to make choice of Capitol Hill. Be it so; I yield. Let Capitol Hill be the site of our College." On the 6th of April, 1850, I was appointed Per- manent General Agent, with a salary of one thousand 41 G LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE dollars per annum. Shortly after my appointment, I received first a verbal, and some weeks after, a written communication from the Rev. B. Chase, of Natchez, Mississippi, stating that he had some lands in Texas, which he was willing to donate to Austin College. This was as the rising of the morning star upon our noble enterprise; it cheered us greatly. A few days after my appointment, I set out upon my first tour, and was absent from home some seven or eight months. During this, as during all his absences, Dr. Baker seized every opportunity to write to his family, ex- tracts from which letters are inserted in their order. On the shaking table of the steamer, at the hotel, at the roadside cabin, by the fireside of a friend, at every chance interval of rapid travel — at any moment when, glowing from the street, the parlour, or the pulpit, he could get the opportunity, he would dash ofi" a running account of passing events. His letters teem with a thousand various plans, and hopes, and brilliant expectations in regard to the College. What if many of these came to nought— blossoms blooming their moment, then falling to the ground, bearing in their wilted bosom their abortive promise of fruit'? — faster than they perished, other plans, hopes, and expectations arose in his rapid career, blotting out even the memory of disappointments. Every letter fairly overflows with his own happy and sparkling spirit. Unless absolutely necessary, un- pleasant tilings he never mentioned — why should he? The manifold disagreeable incidents insepara- ble from such an agency as his, are thrown into the REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 417 shade completely, as fast as they occur, by the pleas- ing incidents which sprang incessantly from under his active hand like sparks from under the hammer of the smith. A letter from him was eagerly opened, with a confident feeling of pleasure as to the un- known contents ; much as one breaks from off a box of precious ointment a seal bearing a well-known and approved stamp — the exhilarating contents could be certainly counted upon — the spirit of almost rap- turous piety as a matter of course. It was intended to prepare a list of the places visited by Dr. Baker while travelling as agent for Austin College; but this was found impossible; the points are too numerous, and his movements were too rapid. During his long career from his entrance into the ministry, as an evangelist, missionary, pastor, and agent, he held meetings in hundreds of places over all portions of the Union, of which there is little or no mention made in this volume. Throughout this work, it has been the care of the compiler to condense into as smaU a compass as possible this narrative of the life and labours of his father. Will he be pardoned if he says, that there is such a warmth, and depth, and ever-fluctuating, ever-spark- ling ocean-swell in the history of such a man, as to make the keeping that history within due bounds the most difficult part of his whole undertaking. The letters from which extracts are made below are used with reluctance, and only because they fur- nish almost the only history of the work of grace under his preaching. Apart from the instrument used by God, and leaving him out of considera- tion entirely, the work of the Holy Spirit, as nar- 418 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE rated in these letters, is worthy of record for its own sake, and to His glory. And let the reader bear in mind, that these were letters written by a husband and father, in the unreserved confidence of a warm heart — never intended for the eyes of any but the beloved ones to whom they were addressed. A large part of each letter has necessarily to be suppressed, for family and other reasons. This must account for and excuse the mutilated appearance of the ex- tracts. Early one spring morning, the stage drove to his door at Huntsville. The writer assisted him into it, shook hands with him, and was about to close the stage-door, no longer to detain the impatient driver, and still more impatient horses. But, again grasping the hand of his son, the father drew him toward him, and said, in subdued and rapid tones, " My son, my dear son, I may never return; if so, remember you are a servant of Christ. Be sure you give your whole heart to the work — good-by:" and the stage rolled rapidly away, bearing him off as agent of the College, upon his first tour. "New Orleans, May Qth, 1S50. "My dear Susan — I am just on the wing for Cin- cinnati. I am happy to inform you that I meet with smiles on every hand. The College enterprise is considered a noble one. Some persons subscribe for the sake of learning and Texas, and some because of their friendship for me, and the remembrance of days gone by. I could mention some very touching things; but suffice it to say, I did not know that the poor old Texan missionary had so many warm friends I REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 419 in other places. Eeally, I meet with so many marks of respect and affection, that I can scarcely realize I am the same person who wandered in the prairies and wilds of Texas. But the best of it is, to have my spiritual children, of whom I had previously no knowledge, taking me by the hand, aijd expressing their overflowing gratitude for benefits received, by my instrumentality, so many years ago. God be thanked ! God be thanked, that I ever was permitted to preach to dying sinners the unspeakable riches of Christ! " I have succeeded in my agency far beyond my most sanguine expectations. Besides remitting three hundred and seventy-seven dollars, there are good subscriptions for something like five or six hundred dollars more. The bell of the steamboat is about to ring, so, with much love to all, I subscribe myself, " Yours, most affectionately, Daniel Baker." Dr. Baker proceeded to Brooklyn, where he sup- plied for a time the pulpit of Dr. Jacobus, then in Europe for his health. A gentleman, in whose amia- ble family he was a guest at this time, thus speaks, among other remarks, in a letter to the compiler of this volume : "It was in the year 1850 your father became an inmate of my family, for the short period of three or four weeks, at which time we saw much of that Christian character which so adorned his whole life. While far away from his home it could not be said he was among strangers, for his bearing was such, that a very short acquaintance made him a friend 420 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE among friends. What made him so especially dear to us, was that cheerful Christian spirit which was so manifest in all his walk and conversation. Few could help being drawn towards him ; even the child, to whom he became as a child. His prayers were those of a man of God, sincere and earnest, and, I think, were not uttered in vain for those who had the privilege of enjoying them. Well may it be said — for him to live was Christ. With every member of my family an attachment was formed which is cherished to this day, and the little me- mentoes he left with them are more prized than jewels." Yes, with a sweeter influence, and clearer evi- dence, and stronger logic than is found in even his ablest sermon, his daily life was a beautiful and per- petual recommendation of the religion he preached. In the circles in which he was most intimately known, was he most frequently and triumphantly quoted as a living and irresistible proof of the truth and efficacy of religion ! Himself a daily illustration of, and running commentary upon, the gospel, he effected as much for his great Exemplar by his life as by his labours. Often have men of the world exclaimed of him when disgusted by the inconsisten- cies of other professors, "Well, here, at least, is one man who is a Christian." He thus writes to his wife : "Brooklyn, N. Y., September 21th, 1850. u * * * Jenny Lind is gone to Boston, where great preparations are made to receive her. I must tell you a thing or two. The room at Castle-Garden, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 421 where she has been giving her concerts, is said to be the most spacious in the United States ; and yet every night, it is supposed that nearly nine thousand persons were present, besides a great crowd around the house, and how many on the house, I cannot teU! "She sings admirably, but after all, I suspect the angels can beat her! and if you compare her con- certs in Castle-Garden with the concert of saints and angels as recorded in the fifth chapter of the book of llevelation, you will perceive that earth cannot compete with heaven. O, heaven ! sweet heaven! how bright and resplendent will be thy scenes of glory! and how unutterable and thrilling thy never-ending joys ! Here we are astonished at looking at a mass of eight thousand persons assem- bled in one concert-room; but how far does this fall short of those assembled around the throne in hea- ven! A great company of the redeemed which no man can number, and besides these, only think how many angels — ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands! — all robed and crowned! all singing the praises of God and the Lamb, with voices loud as thunder, and each voice even incom- parably sweeter than that of Jenny Lind! O, who would not be a Christian! Who would not wish to go to heaven!" It may be added here, that Dr. Baker sent, at this time, a volume of his " Sermons" handsomely bound to the Queen of Song, accompanied by a note. The letter written to him by her in reply, is a beautiful one, and indicative of a pious heart. 36 422 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Writing to a son, he says: "Philadelphia, October 19ih, 1850. "I am at last on the wing, and thus far on my way home. A gentleman in Brooklyn, rich and liberal, who would not give me a cent for Austin College, nevertheless subscribed one thousand dollars for the building of a church in Huntsville, on con- dition that Texas pays her bonds to him for money advanced. This subscription he gave me when Texas was likely to go off at a tangent. After the action of Congress touching the ten million affair, I went to this gentleman and remarked, 'Mr. L., I have a laugh upon you, sir; you subscribed one thousand dollars, I suspect, under the influence of despair, but General Houston says that the money which you advanced to the Texan Government will certainly be repaid. And, sir,' continued I, 'you will have to fork over your thousand.' 'Very well,' said he, 'I am ready, on the condition stipulated; and Dr. Baker, let me see your paper again.' I handed it to him, and he wrote as follows : ' And also, now the Con- gress of the United States has placed the means in the hands of the State to enable her to pay those bonds, another thousand dollars for the same purpose, on the same conditions, either to be added to the former, or to be applied to building another Presby- terian church in Texas, as the Presbyterian Synod or Presbytery may deem best, both sums to be paid as soon as I shall obtain payment of the bonds.' " On Wednesday evening last we had a grand meeting in the Central Presbyterian church in this city, designed to wake up a new interest in the cause of Domestic Missions. Drs. Jones, Plumer, and my- REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 423 self were the selected speakers. We had a crowded house. I was somewhat intimidated, but had much more freedom than I expected. I will tell you how I commenced, and then you may guess what I said. ' This is an interesting scene; this is an interesting occasion; it is worth an angel's visit from the skies; and, as Paul once said, that it was not expedient for him doubtless to glory, but he would come to visions and revelations of the Lord ; so would I say this even- ing— it is not expedient for me doubtless to make a speech, for that is out of my line; I choose rather, in a plain and simple way, to tell you of what I have seen and heard in waste places and frontier lands. Permit me, then, to take you by the hand, so to speak, and lead you along with me in some of my missionary tours.' I then laid before my audience some of the most interesting and heart-stirring events which had fallen under my own observation. I had some freedom; the people smiled, and the people wept; and I think a very happy impression was made. Dr. Jones made a very beautiful address. I wish we had a few Plumers in Texas, and also a pretty smart sprinkling of men of the stamp of my own countryman, Charles Colcock Jones. Heaven multiply and bless such men! "Eemember me kindly to all — Your ever affec- tionate father." The noble donation of two thousand dollars alluded to was in due time paid as promised ; one thousand went toward erecting the present beautiful church in Huntsville; the other thousand — Mr. Lamar con- senting— by a unanimous vote of the Synod of Texas, 424 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE at its first meeting, which was held in Austin, 1851, was devoted to the church there. The name of the munificent donor will live for ever in the religious as well as political annals of Texas. Dr. Baker thus writes to his wife: "Wilmington, N. C, Nov. 1th, 1850. "There are some ugly things connected with my agency; for the work of begging has in itself no charms; and when I meet with repulses and rebuff's, and sometimes almost insults, I might be tempted to give up almost in disgust. At any rate, I might make myself very unhappy. But no; I am deter- mined to be happy in my employment, and happy I am. Indeed, notwithstanding many undesirable things, I believe I scarcely ever was happier in all my life, especially now, as home begins to loom up before my eyes. I have been urged to remain and preach here all this week, and was told that if I did, one hundred dollars would be given for Austin Col- lege. I have consented, and I am happy to say we have at this time very pleasing indications of the divine presence — every prospect of a blessed work of grace." Daniel Baker." Speaking, in a letter to his son at Austin, of the trials of ministers in Texas on account of inadequate support, he proceeds: "Savannah, Nov. I8th, 1850. " Paul, you know, describes Christ as one ' who, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.' And how KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 425 touchiiigly does our blessed Saviour allude to this very thing: 'The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.' And John, referring to a certain occasion, says: 'Every man went unto his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.' Blessed Jesus! The poorest in the great crowd of his hearers had some house; but Jesus had none. So, when every man went unto his own house, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Methinks this gives a charm to poverty; at least, it may well serve to reconcile ministers to 'limited circumstances.' You recollect my remark — 'We have no feathered nests in Texas, but we have fields of usefulness.' Some persons show much love with their tongue, but when the hour of trial comes, their hearts fail. Like cer- tain characters, wonderfully patriotic — willing to shed the last drop of blood in their veins; but when the occasion ofi'ers, are found not willing to shed the first. "I have set my heart upon making Huntsville, as far as I have influence, the Athens of Texas, in building up there a College of high character, one that shall be a credit to Texas, and an honour to the Presbyterian name. Yesterday I preached three times, and I am to preach again to-night. I spent two Sabbaths in Wilmington, preached some seven- teen sermons, and I am happy to say that it pleased God to bless my labours. Some twelve or fifteen persons were hopefully converted, and a wave of happy influences seemed to be spreading on every hand. Without making scarcely an eflbrt, I received there one hundred and seventeen dollars for Austin 36* 426 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE College, besides making a good impression. My paper is full. God bless you, my son and daughter. Daniel Baker." "Savannah, November 26th, 1850. "My own Daughter — ^You cannot imagine what a cordial reception I have met with in Savannah. I have been here about ten days, and I was almost overwhelmed with kindness. Not in Savannah only, but wherever I go, I meet with warm hearts and smiling countenances. Why, really, I am led to think, or at least I am tempted to think, I am ' some- body.' But I know too well my unworthiness in the sight of God, to be lifted up. No, no, the dust is my place, and the plea of the Publican is my plea. People here come out in crowds. Last night, I am told, more than a hundred had to go away, not being able to procure a seat. I do think good and deep impressions have been made; and if a protracted meeting were now held, the results would be great, would be glorious. "I wish you all to be just as happy as the days are long, particularly when I am absent. I wish you all, in some way or other, to be compensated for the absence of the head of the family. You may expect your old father to kiss you in about twelve days from this time. Love to all. Daniel Baker." Pesuming his autobiography, we find the following summing up: During this tour, amongst other places, I visited Houston, Galveston, New Orleans, Memphis, Cin- cinnati, Philadelphia, Wilkesbarre, Princeton, New REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 427 York, Albany, Easton, New Brunswick, Newark, Brooklyn, Wilmington, Washington City, Baltimore, Georgetown, Savannah, Augusta, Freehold, and Mo- bile. On this tour I obtained books, maps, globes, and subscriptions in money to the amount of four thousand one hundred and sixty-five dollars. With regard to the land, I did this: I went to Natchez, saw brother Chase, and received from him a relin- quishment of all the lands which he owned in Texas, amounting to nearly fifteen thousand acres. A large bundle of papers was placed in my hands ; and as I was no lawyer, I confess it was a bundle of riddles to me. I looked over the papers, and for my life T could not tell whether the titles were good or not; but I thought if I had not legal knowledge enough to find out the value of the papers, I would borrow some. So, getting into a buggy with brother Chase, away we went to College, about eight miles from Natchez, the President of which had for many years been a lawyer in Texas, and was the very man who could tell us all about the affair. This gentle- man, Mr. Green, was a friend of mine ; and at my request he took the papers, and within an hour he handed them back, informing me that all was right, or nearly so; but certain things required prompt attention, or there might be some serious loss. I thanked him for his services — he would receive nothing more — and taking back the papers, I laid them aside in my trunk as a treasure. Upon my return to Texas, I set about straighten- ing matters, and, with the help of friends, succeeded in securing lands to the College valued at twenty- five thousand dollars. This has proved a great affair 428 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE for US ; for, when pressed, we have from time to time sold some, amounting in all to about three thousand dollars; and still the land remaining is worth, by- reason of enhanced prices, as much as the whole originally was; nay, is now valued at thirty thousand dollars. I repeat it, this has been a great affair for us, enabling us in our policy to be bold, without being rash. We can give good salaries, and in case of pecuniary difficulty, we can fall back upon our landed treasure. God be thanked for raising up a friend at the outset, who has, by his liberality, placed us in circumstances so favourable to the success of our enterprise. Leaving Huntsville in the spring of 1851, he goes out on a second tour to solicit aid for the College. The first letter written during this absence, from which we quote, is addressed to his wife, and dated *' Wharf-Boat, Memphis, May ]3th, 1851. "My dear Eliza — Another scrawl. I have visit- ed Vicksburg, Jackson, Yazoo City, and Memphis. Last Sabbath morning I preached for brother Coons, I am just waiting for a boat for St. Louis. Cholera has broken out in this place; I believe three or four persons died yesterday, and two last night — one a young man who eat his supper in good health — this morning a corpse! The sexton of the church rang the bell last night, and about three hours after the services closed, was in the arms of death. What poor creatures we all are! — how important to be ready to go at any moment. You need not be un- easy, my dear E., on my account; I am in the hands KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 429 of a Being who is infinitely wise and good, and, as the saying is, 'I am immortal till my work is done.' " Last Sabbath morning I preached from the words, ' As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness.' Had unusual freedom; many of the congregation were completely melted down; one lady was quite overcome, and shouted aloud. O what a blessed thing it is to be a Christian, and to have heaven in full view! My dear E., let us try to be more en- gaged— ' O for a closer walk with God !' "What a helter-skelter letter this is. When I am in more favourable circumstances I may do better; I thought a few scratches of your old husband's pen would be better than to hear those ugly words com- ino: from the Post-Office — no letter, but I hear the puffing of a steamboat — ^love to all, all, all. " Yours, affectionately, Daniel Baker." He writes again to a son: "St. Louis, Missouri, May 27//?, 1851. "My dear Son — Our General Assembly closed its sessions last night. We have had a most delightful meeting — no judicial case of any importance, no unkind feeling, no harsh remark; every thing har- monious and pleasant. I think the impression made in families, in churches, and on the community, de- cidedly good. I preached five times, and made four Sabbath-school addresses. One was on occasion of what was called 'The Floral celebration;' nearly one thousand children were present, with many beautiful banners. It proved a very interesting 430 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE occasion, and I hope some good was done. Dr. Humphrey preached the sermon on Domestic Mis- sions ; it was a masterly affair. Dr. Plumer preached the sermon on Popery; the sermon occupied about two hours in its dehvery, and proved beyond all doubt the gross and palpable idolatry of the Papal Church. The argument was powerful, was triumph- ant! and, as the house was crowded to overflow- ing, I think the sermon will not soon be forgotten. There was, I am told, quite a 'smart sprinkling' of Papists present. The next sermon on Popery is to be preached by Dr. Alexander; and on Domestic Missions, by your father. The proposition for build- ing a large Presbyterian church in Washington City was, to the perfect astonishment of many, indefinitely postponed. "But what perhaps will interest and please you more than all, is this: the General Assembly has erected the Synod of Texas, and fixed upon Austin as the place of its first meeting, and the last Thurs- day in October as the time. " You see what a scrawl this is ! Positively, I can scarcely write at all; but certainly, as an affectionate son, you will excuse your old father. Daniel Baker." (to the same.) "Steamboat Crescent, near N. O., August 15M, 1851. "My dear Son — You see I am already upon my return to Texas. My tour has, upon the whole, been quite successful, say something more than two thousand dollars in money subscriptions. Besides this, the 'Texas Emigrating Land Company,' of REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 431 Louisville, Kentucky, have donated to Austin Col- lege one thousand dollars in a certain contingency, with the probability of that amount being trebled. Surely the Lord has been very good to me in giving me and the cause which I advocate favour in the eyes of the people, although I am so little qualified for the work in which I am engaged. Moreover, the providence of God appears to have been propitious in other respects. Last week I had some thought of stopping at Paducah to spend the Sabbath, when lo ! there came on a most tremendous squall or tornado, which more or less injured some six or eight steam- boats lying at the wharf; of which number some were completely wrecked, and some were sunk, car- rying down to the bottom all on board. It is not known how many lives were lost, but thirty is sup- posed to be a low estimate. I saw the clouds rising. They really looked frightful, and I predicted that the destruction would be great somewhere. A little after this, I saw what might be called the careering of the storm. Its chariot of cloud or dust, I could not tell which, seemed to be rolling across the Mis- sissippi, upon the very bosom of its waters, and not more than a mile distant. The wings of the tem- pest fanned us, and the roughened waters caused our boat to prance a little; but we were, providentially, out of the track of the sweeping wind, and were safe. "I must tell you another thing. I had intended to leave the boat I was in at Memphis, and spend the Sabbath there; but the boat having been unex- pectedly detained on the river, I found that I 432 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE could not reach Memphis in time, and was strongly- tempted to go on to New Orleans direct, without stopping, thinking that my original plan for observ- ing the Sabbath being defeated, my mind would be relieved. But, it occurred to me, if I should build a church for the worship of God, and that church were consumed by lightning, would it be proper for me to say, I have built a house for God, that has been providentially destroyed, therefore I mil do nothing more for my Maker in that way. I thought the case a parallel one, and determined to make another effort to show my respect for God's holy day. I will get the captain to put me out at some small place, where we might happen to be on Satur- day night. The captain consented, and I was put ashore, about nine o'clock, at , a small town, occupied chiefly by Roman Catholics and Metho- dists. On Sabbath morning I went out very early to see if I could not have some opportunity to preach, when, much to my delight, I was told that one of the citizens, Mr. M., was a Presbyterian. Is it possible ! I hastened to his house, and found him making preparations to go eight miles to a Methodist church in the country. He was very glad to see me. 'Why, Mr. B.,' says he, 'I know you, I have heard you preach !' ' Yes,' said his wife, 'I know Mr. B. too, I have never seen him before, but my brother was converted under his preaching, and he used to talk a great deal about Mr. B.' But, says Mr. M., 'there is another Presbyterian family living here!' 'Indeed! Well I would like to call upon that family.' REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 483 " The old lady, who had heard me preach in Vir- ginia, and who, it was said, would be very glad to see me, was out of town, but it was soon arranged that she should be sent for. And she was sent for, and she came, and very glad she was to see me, for, 'a dear sister' of hers, who had been somewhat of an infidel, ' had been converted under my preaching.' Indeed! Is that sol Well, God be praised! Bless the Lord! O, thinks I, I am rewarded for turning aside here to rest on the Sabbath, according to the commandment. Not only have I cheered the hearts of some of our own stray sheep in a destitute place, but I have been told things which have made my own heart to rejoice and be glad. Bless the Lord! again, I say. Well, to make a long story short, I preached in the morning and at night to nearly the whole population — Methodists, Presbyterians, Ro- man Catholics and all ! Yes, Homan Catholics too. They have a church edifice in the place, and once they had a priest, who, as it was supposed, was set- tled there for life — but he had left his people. ' They are not Roman Catholics,' said he, and away he went from those who had lived in the midst of Protestants long enough to learn that it was their privilege and right to do their own thinking ! Well, I had a very pleasant Sabbath day; and next morn- ing about three o'clock, comes along the Crescent, one of the pleasantest boats I ever was in, in all my life, and scarcely a profane swearer on board amongst either the passengers or crew ! But, New Orleans is near at hand, so fare you well. "Yesterday afternoon a man fell overboard from 37 434 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE this boat, and was droAViied. This moment he is sleeping in his watery bed, and they know nothing of it — his family; for, poor man, he had left at home, I am told, a >vife and six children! Surely, in the midst of life we are in death ; and very precarious is the tenure by which we hold all our comforts here below. God bless you, my son. Daniel Baker." E-esuming the autobiography, we find the results of this tour thus summed up : I entered upon my second tour early in the year 1851, and, gleaning a little more in Houston, Gal- veston, New Orleans, Mobile, and some other places where I had been before, I visited in Mississippi — Vicksburg, Jackson, Yazoo City, Canton, Colum- bus; in Tennessee — Memphis, Somerville, Raleigh, Belmont, Bethany Church, Denmark, Zion Church, Nashville, Clarkesville ; in Kentucky — Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington; in Missouri — St. Louis; in Maryland — Baltimore ; in Texas — Centrevillc, Leona, St. Marks, San Antonio, Danville. The amount of subscriptions obtained this year, paid and not paid, exclusive of books, amounted to nearly four thousand dollars. Upon my return, and during the winter, I went twice to San Antonio. REy. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 435 CHAPTEE XIII. THIRD AND FOURTH TOURS AS AGENT OF AUSTIN COLLEGE. About February 1st, 1852, Dr. Baker left Texas on behalf of the College, upon his third tour. The his- torical interest attaching to the various meetings alluded to in the letters which follow, must be our excuse for quoting from them so freely. "Mississippi River, on boat Atlantic, Feb. 27/A, 1S52. "My beloyed Wife — I wish I could see you, just now. I do not know how much I love you until I am absent. Then a thousand things start up, and exert a soft, sweet, melting power upon my heart. This morning, having occasion to play the tailor, I took out the implements which you had kindly pre- pared; and when I saw how nicely you had fixed matters, thinks I to myself, this is the work of my wife ; she still loves me. "Henceforth I wiU, I trust, be a better Christian. My locks are whitening, and eternity is coming on. O to be more gentle, and mild, and even-tempered, and heavenly-minded! In other words, O to feel more of the power, and taste more of the sweetness of the religion of our precious Saviour. Last Sab- bath I preached from my old pulpit in Galveston, from these words: 'Gray hairs are here and there upon him, and he knoweth it not.' The drift of the sermon was to show the cause, proofs, and evil effects of spiritual declension. I had some liberty in speak- ing. I hope it did good to others. I trust it has 436 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE done good to myself. Gray hairs! how much more easily seen upon the heads of others than upon our own ! O, to see ourselves as God sees us ! I think it would make us more humble, and less disposed to find fault with those around. I wish every sermon I preach might do me as much good as the sermon I preached last Sabbath morning. ''Farewell, my dear wife. God bless you. Amen! "Your old husband, Daniel Baker." After visiting Canton, Columbus, Gainesville, a meeting of the Tuskaloosa Presbytery, and Eutaw, receiving donations for the College in each of these places, he reached Charleston, from which city he thus writes: "CiiARLESTOx, May lllh, 1852. "My own dear Wife — I reached this city on the 7th, and you may judge of the quickness with which I went to the post-office. I have been kindly invited by Dr. S. to make his house my home ; but you may rest assured he gives me full employment in the way of preaching. Last Sabbath I preached for him twice — rather, in the morning, for Dr. P.; and I have been kept busy also preaching every night. I am happy to say that at this moment there is every prospect of a blessed work of grace. I shall remain and preach, and preach on till the meeting of the Assembly, if God spare my life. " You know not, my dear wife, how cordially I am greeted in this place by some who were brought in under my preaching twenty years ago. It seems to me that God is already beginning to reward me for REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 437 my poor services many, many years ago. The other evening, in the pulpit. Dr. S. was pleased to speak of me in a manner which proved his high regard for my person and past services ; but which I thought was entirely too complimentary ; and I confess I felt humbled, and was not a little disconcerted. Already my cup is full, and shall I, such a poor creature, have the smiles of God, and have such honour from man also'? Not unto us, but unto God be all the glory ! "Last evening I was invited to take tea at the house of a lady who was brought in under my preaching many years ago, and her husband told me that their son, a promising youth, was awakened and converted, and also a young lady residing in their family, by the reading of my volume of Revival Sermons. The gentleman was in the habit of read- ing the sermons out in his family circle; and, in this way, God was pleased to bless them with the sweet hope of an endless life. When I see and hear cer- tain things which touch my heart, it seems to me I have already almost reached heaven, my home, my sweet, sweet home. O what a good Master I have served, and how rich are his rewards, even in this world. "Yours, with increasing affection, Daniel Baker." "Edisto Island, June 5th, 1852, " My dear Eliza — I assure you it was no small gratification to me to see my son W. a member of the venerable General Assembly of the Presbyterian 37* 438 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Church. It seemed to mark a new era m the history of my life; and reminded me that I belonged to another generation, a generation which has now nearly passed away; and this feeling was deepened by seeing in the Assembly, M. D. Hoge, whose father was an unmarried young man well known to me in Hampden Sydney College. Indeed, I am continually meeting with persons and things which remind me that I am in the midst of posterity ; that the shades of evening are gathering around me, and that my sun must soon go down. Well, be it so, if God will only grant that 'My sun may in smiles decline, And bring a peaceful night.' But it is time for me to stop — I don't wish to alarm you, but I must say, that although I am in good health, the sudden murmuring in my head has re- turned, and has become somewhat frequent of late. Nothing serious, however, I suppose. At any rate, God reigns, and both my life and soul are in the hands of Him who is infinitely wise and good. I am willing, I trust, to leave this present evil world just when it may please God to call me hence. ' Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift !' "I have just received a letter from the Hon. J. T., who was awakened under my preaching twenty years ago, containing two hundred dollars for Austin Col- lege, and fifty dollars to be given to Sabbath-schools in Texas. This is the very person who said he would go to hear me preach, and take an onion with him to rub his eyes, that he ' might cry at the right REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 439 time;' and who, thank God, on that occasion, with- out any use of the onion, was brought to tears and to his knees also. Blessed be God! " Farewell, my dear wife, Daniel Baker." (to a son.) " SUMPTERVILLE, JlltlC 30th, 1852. "My dear Son — I am happy to inform you, that since we parted in Charleston, I have had much plea- sant sunshine ; I mean I have been much prospered in my agency, and personally have had many kind- nesses shown me. First, I went to Edisto Island, where I had preached successfully many years ago, and was received almost as an angel of God. With- out making any application, except from the pulpit, free-will offerings were in less than four days sent in to the amount of more than three hundred dollars. Going next to Columbia, I received subscriptions to the amount of four hundred and eighty-seven dollars and ninety-five cents. The President of the Col- lege, Dr. Thornwell, subscribed one hundred dollars, and the students two hundred and fifty-eight. "Was not this noble ! Passing on to Camden, there also, without making personal application to a single individual, I received in a few days one hundred and fifty-seven dollars and fifty cents. Thank God, almost wherever I go, I meet with those who were brought in under my ministry many years ago, seve- ral of whom are even ministers of the gospel, of whom I had never heard before. Even in the pulpit I am spoken of in a manner which almost over- whelms me. Only think, Dr. Thornwell made an 440 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE announcement to the students of South Carolina College after this manner: 'In consequence of the tender relations which exist between many of your parents and the Rev. Dr. Baker, who has just addressed you, you are no doubt desirous to know his appointments; I will therefore state, &c. &c.' Heaven bless you and yours. " Your ever affectionate father, Daniel Baker." "Personal friendship," he remarks, in a letter dated July 3d, 1852, "oils the wheels, and hence, without almost any effort on my part, they roll on delightfully. I scarcely hear a single excuse now. This is the more astonishing, as the churches in this region have contributed largely to Oglethorpe Col- lege, and at this time money is really very scarce. Wherever I go I am received with open arms. My spiritual children, especially, seem so glad to see me. Sometimes I feel almost overwhelmed! * * * The individual who gave this was, it seems, converted under my preaching; and I have found out that the person who sent the one hundred dollars was his brother-in-law, who was a rich man, and who rejoiced greatly at the conversion of one who was very dear to him. Bless the Lord, O how gracious has he been to me, blessing my labours, and surrounding me with friends wherever I go." (to his daughter.) " Bishop viLLLE, July^ lOth 1852. "My DEAR model Daughter — * * * * Well, since that I have received cheering smiles, both from EEV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 441 God and man. During the last two weeks I have been preaching almost every day within the t>ounds of two churches in the neighbourhood of each other. It pleased God to bless my labours. Besides the reviving delightfully of old disciples, some twenty persons, chiefly men, have been hopefully converted, and quite as many more brought under awakening influences. This meeting was closed yesterday about noon, and a scene was witnessed which I am certain will not soon be forgotten. It was a melting time ; the Master was with us, and of a truth we had 'a young heaven begun below, and glory in the bud.' I was presented, before leaving, with four hundred and fifteen dollars for the College. Was not this noble'? And, remember, there had been no begging from a single individual ; it was all a perfectly free- "svill offering. " Did I not tell you, that if I had any friends in the world, they were in South Carolina'? You cannot conceive, my child, how kind the people are to me, wherever I go. Their kindness is sometimes almost oppressive; I can scarcely stand it. To think that such an unworthy creature as I should receive such attentions, and that from all classes. The reason is, that not only some two or three thousand persons, perhaps, were brought in under my preaching, in days gone by, but it so happened that a goodly num- ber of these were people of note, some of the favourite sons and brightest ornaments of the State. Surely, if any poor mortal man on earth has reason to thank God for his mercies, I have. And now, and ever- more, I would say, to God be all the praise ! O, for a more grateful heart ; and, O, for grace to serve the 442 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Lord with more zeal and fidelity than I have ever yet d(^iel ''July 12. Since writing the above, I have preached a few sermons in this village, and am happy to say, there is every prospect of a pleasing work of grace in this place also. Nearly the whole congregation where I preached last, some ten miles distant, came here yesterday, with their pastor at their head; and, would you believe it, I am told that several persons came from Sumterville, twenty miles distant. I am told that I must preach, and others here would beg for the College. In this way I find I succeed best in my agency. If I were not to preach, or only preach a few sermons, and go about ' drawing teeth,' I would not get half as much for the College as I now do. And when teeth are drawn, are not the gums made sore '? I expect in three days from this time to be in Columbia, where I hope to find letters from your dear mother and other loved ones. " In haste, your old father, Daniel Baker. "P. S. I have heard of ^\e or six more cases of hopeful conversion; say now about twenty-six in all, and perhaps as many as two-thirds of them young men. I mentioned at the outset, that we must have more ministers, and I think God has heard my prayer." (to another daughter.) '•Sumterville, July24(h, 1852. "My beloved Daughter — During the last three weeks, I have been preaching almost incessantly in the bounds of three neighbouring Presbyterian REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 443 churclies. Nearly the whole mass of the people in that region come out day after day. We held what are called 'basket meetings.' The people brought provisions along with them, and we would remain on the ground and have religious services, with proper intermissions, from ten o'clock in the morn- ing to about four in the afternoon, having no service at night. Such meetings are well suited to country places, and I prefer them decidedly to camp-meet- ings. There was a general waking up, and the converts amounted to about thirty, and what is re- markable, about two-thirds of them may be called young men, the class to which my heart is particu- larly drawn. Some of these are of considerable promise, and I have reason to believe that four or five of them will devote themselves to the service of God in the gospel ministry. Blessed be God! " I may here also just mention, that a little boy was baptized last Sabbath, and named — what do you think'? Why, Daniel Baker! and I have lately heard of another little Carolinian who has to be known by the same homely name ! — and, would you believe it, the day before yesterday, I had to sit for four daguerreotype likenesses ! Surely, my dear daughter, your old father has much cause for grati- tude and praise; for, of a truth, 'the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage.' O for grace to serve my Master more faithfully and zealously than ever ! My time is very precious, and therefore, I must put you off with a short letter now; but, at some future time, I may send you a longer letter, a crowded sheet. * * * Heaven bless the little boy. I am quite willing that he 444 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE should throw both pa and grandpa into the shade. But I must close. So, fare you well. "Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." It was an invariable custom with Dr. Baker, whenever a friend was afflicted, either to hasten to the house of mourning with words of consolation, or, when that was impossible, to write to that friend a letter of condolence. The following is the only one of the kind in this volume. It will be observed too, that the letter contains an account of the work of grace in Sumterville. It is addressed to a daughter recently afflicted. " SVUTERYILLE, jlugust 2d, 1852. "My LOYED Child — As it seems to cheer your dear heart so much, to receive even a line from your long absent father, I thought I would this morning send you a little brief note, to assure you of my continued health and continued love. The ac- count which you give of your loneliness has touched my heart. At an early period your husband was taken from you, and then your infant, which you hoped would be your joy and consolation, was also snatched away, even before it could reward its mother with one sweet smile. This was truly a heavy blow ! It was affliction indeed ! But suppose my daughter, that your parents had also been taken'? Suppose that they also were this moment sleeping in the same city of silence, side by side with your hus- band and dear little boy, would not this have been a yet deeper affliction'? and would you not have been REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 445 made to feel more lonely still] My daughter, you should think of your mercies, as well as your afflic- tions. So did Job — so should you. You recollect his language; how beautiful and how appropriate! ' Have we received good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.' Here we have the language and the very spirit of true piety. Let it be your own. Cheer up, my daughter; your Heavenly Father is upon the throne, and he does all things well. He has seen your tears. He has heard your sighs. He knows full well all the sorrows of your heart; and God, even your own God and Heavenly Father cares for you. Your sighs are recorded, your tears are in 'his bottle,' and rest assured, all things have been ordered in wis- dom and in love. Yes, my child. He who notices the falling sparrow, certainly could not have per- mitted your loved husband and your dear little boy to sink into the grave without his notice and kind regard. Hark! He speaks to thee — 'Be still, and know that I am God:' and again, methinks, He speaks to you, my daughter, in the softened, sweet tones of compassion and love, and says, 'Silence, my child, what I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.' Therefore, cheer up, my be- loved T., kiss the rod that smites you, and say, even in the language of the blessed Saviour himself, ' the cup which my Father giveth me, shall I not drink of it] Do this, say this from your heart, and all will be well! for, is it not written, 'all things work toge- ther for good to them that love God'] And what says the same apostle again] 'I reckon that the suf- 38 446 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE ferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' Yes, after sorrow, comes joy! After gloom comes glory ! After the conflict of battle, the repose of victory ! In short, after earth comes heaven, sweet heaven! even the visions of God, and the joys of a life which shall never end! "Wednesday morning, August 4th. Last night, amid circumstances of very special interest and so- lemnity, our meeting in this place came to an end; and, truly, a most delightful, blessed meeting it has proved; a sweet, refreshing season indeed! Thirty cases of hopeful conversion, about two-thirds of whom may be called young men. I think I never saw a more interesting set of converts in all my life; as one has expressed it, ' They are the very pick of our town' — and another remarked, ' If it had been left to us to select, we could not have made a better selec- tion.' To God be all the praise! " The meeting embraced parts of three weeks. I will tell you how it was. I came here some six weeks ago, and, after preaching for. a few nights, and begging as hard as I could for the College during the day, I obtained one hundred and twenty- five dollars. Perceiving that there was some reli- gious excitement, I was urged to protract my visit, but I declined, and- set out to visit what brother McQ. termed the 'model churches' on Black River. First I went to Zion Church, of which brother R. is pastor. I had been preaching there only about two days when an elder from Sumterville came to me with a letter from the elders of that church, stating that there was more religious interest in Sumterville REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 447 than was supposed, and urged me to return for a few days longer. I told the brother I did not see how I could return to Sumterville, for my time was not my own, and, however pleasing it would be to me to preach in Sumterville, yet, as I had already reaped down that field, I did not think I could do any thing more there for Austin College. 'Well,' said Mr. K., 'if you will only return and preach for us a few sermons more, I will myself be responsible for fifty dollars.' 'Then I will go,' said I; and I did go, as soon as the revival which had already commenced in brother E,'s church allowed me to go — thirty being hopefully converted; about twenty of whom were young men. Resuming my labours, I preached to a people who very generally began to take up the inquiry, 'O, sirs, what must I do to be saved f By Friday noon about twenty-two persons had professed conversion, and I had preached what was supposed to be my last sermon in the place. I had an appoint- ment for Williamsburg, some forty miles off, for the next Sabbath; I was nearly ready to start, when in stepped a committee of gentlemen, appointed by a unanimous vote of the church, begging me to remain over the Sabbath, and, as an inducement to stay, I was told that I should have for the College fifty dol- lars more, and moreover that an express should be sent to Williamsburg church to tell them what had prevented my fulfilling my appointment. So I re- mained until Monday, at which time the converts numbered about thirty, embracing the very flower of the town; several young men, one or more of whom have the ministry in view. 448 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE " Now, in regard to my agency. Without saying another word, either in public or privately, they came forward nobly, and added, in subscriptions, two hun- dred and sixty-six dollars to what had already been given, making, in all, three hundred and eighty dol- lars! Thus was this field reaped down three times. Surely the Lord has been good to me, and I have at least been reminded of the language of the Apostle, uttering the outpourings of an admiring and grateful heart, ' Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge in every place !' " I have received invitations to several other places, where, I trust, God will continue to prosper me, both as a minister and agent. How pleasant it is to follow the bent of my inclinations, and in this way not only do much good in winning souls to Christ, but in this way also more effectually promote the object of my agency. Had I been recreant to my ministerial vows, and lost the minister in the agent — had I just gone from place to place, and house to house with a pair of forceps, so to speak, 'pulling teeth,' I am satisfied I should not have succeeded one-fourth part as well. I thank God I have been taught a new and better way of begging for the Col- lege. Do good, and then try the power of a grateful heart. I have, besides paying travelling expenses, sent home in checks to the amount of nearly three thousand dollars; indeed, nearly four thousand dol- lars. God be thanked! — this will do very well. And how pleasant to have so many new spiritual children gathered around me ! and to have so many REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 449 touching and substantial proofs of being beloved by them! "Your absent father, Daniel Baker." (to a son.) "Indian Town Church, August ISth, 1852. "Well, my son, thank God I have some more good news to communicate. Invited to Williams- burg church — a country church — and taken there in a carriage some forty miles, I preached my first sermon there last Sabbath a week, and my last on the Sabbath afternoon following, closing with 'some more last words,' or familiar addresses on Monday morning. Fifty-two young converts were added to the church! and as, after making a public profession of their faith in Christ, they were requested to occupy the first table by themselves, the scene pre- sented was beautiful. A long table, filled up with young disciples, and these the flower of the whole community; truly the scene was beautiful to parents and other pious friends who were looking on ; it was indeed a scene of thrilling interest; it was worth an angel's visit from the skies. You may well suppose many cheeks were wet with tears, trickling tears of joy! And, no doubt, there were some Simeons present, who were ready to say, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation!' But this was not all. Our spiritual rose-bush, which had at that time many buds, appeared the next morning in fresh bloom; twelve more were found rejoicing in Christ. The whole number actually added to the church on pro- 38* 450 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE fession, fifty-eight; the whole number hopefully converted, sixty-four; thirty-four males, chiefly of middle age, but some choice young men, who, it is thought, will certainly devote themselves to the gos- pel ministry. What hath God wrought! — to Him be all the praise ! I preached not more than twenty sermons, and sixty-four precious souls converted! Again I say, to God be all, all the praise ! Has not your father been greatly blessed and prospered'? I think I can enter into the feelings of David, when, in the outpouring of a grateful heart, he exclaimed, 'Surely, this is not the manner of man, O Lord God!' " My health is as usual, and so is my voice ; but as I write so many letters, you may well be content if I am brief How I should like to step in just now, and see how you are coming on; and I would like to see my little grandson — Heaven bless the dear boy, and liis mother too. " Affectionately yours in many bonds, Daniel Baker. "P. S. Three more hopefully converted since writing ; all young men — whole number sixty-seven, yea, sixty-nine." Others may be better able than the compiler of this volume, to estimate to what degree young men entering the church, and, afterward, the Tninistry, under such auspices as these, would form their idea and fix their standard of preaching thereby; to what degree the preacher would reproduce himself in ministers whom he was made the means of leading to Christ. If there be lines of likeness between 1 REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 451 father and child, will there be none between this father and those whom he so delighted to call his spiritual children'? In estimating the usefulness of Dr. Baker, too, shall we count only those who actu- ally made a profession of religion by the close of a meeting held by him] Must there be no count of those truly converted, but slower in making profes- sion thereof? None of those whom God the Spirit then began to compel to come in, even though the actual entrance was not till, perhaps, years after] And let it ever be borne in mind, that faithful pas- tors, wherever he went, were the sowers — even where he was permitted to be the reaper. Nothing was more fully understood at each meeting, than this fact; and, at each meeting, without a particle of other feeling, he that sowed and he that reaped rejoiced together at the harvest of souls. In a letter to his wife, referring to the meeting above mentioned, and especially to the communion scene, he says: "Indiantown Church, August 23d, ] S52.— Rainy day. "You may well suppose many tears of delicious joy were shed. We had a little jubilee, a pente- costal season in miniature. To God be all, all the praise! But, to proceed. The very next day, last Tuesday morning, by invitation of the elders of the church, they have no pastor, I preached my first sermon in this place; and closed the meeting this day; and lo, the Head of the Church has been pleased to honour the labours of your husband here also, and yesterday morning twenty young converts came forward and made a good confession before 452 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE many witnesses. Of these, twelve w^ere men, nearly all young men, the remaining eight were chiefly young ladies. Is not this wonderful ! Observe, the congregation here is not as large as at Williams- burg church, and in some respects the church here was not in a favourable state. Besides, the meet- ing embraced only one Sabbath. This has been to this people a time of sweet refreshing; the results far beyond what any individual, I suppose, had ever dreamed of. On closing the services this afternoon, there was much tender feeling; and almost every individual in the house came up to me to shake hands. I had been told that several ladies wished to shake hands with me, so I came down from the pulpit, and stood at the foot of the steps, and I believe that not only every lady, but every gentle- man in the house, say two hundred, came up to bid me an affectionate farewell, and this they did with many tears. Their husbands, and fathers, and bro- thers, and sons, have undertaken to do something handsome for the College. I do not yet know the amount, but from what has been whispered in my ear, I suspect, considering the time I preached, it will be even more than has been given in any other place. Did I not tell you that the South Caroli- nians are some of the noblest people in the world ! By their attentions, and overwhelming kindness they have touched, they have melted down my whole heart. God bless them, and reward them richly, both on earth and in heaven! But I must look upon my Heavenly Father as the great spring and source of all — for he has blessed my preaching to the conversion of so many; only think! on an aver- REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 453 age something more perhaps than two converts for every sermon! and these chiefly men, young men of promise, and middle aged men, prominent men, as prominent and influential as any in the whole com- munity. " And, my beloved wife, is it not remarkable, not- withstanding my incessant preaching for some eight or ten weeks past, my health is firm, and my voice is strong and clear as ever. It is said that the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the begin- ning. It really seems that this is true with regard to myself Blessed be God, and for ever blessed be his holy name ! By the favour of Heaven, I am now in the enjoyment of 'a green old age.' May I have the honour and happiness of bringing forth fruit as long as I live. One thing I know, I still love to preach Christ. The work is delightful; yea, I love it more and more. Thanks to Him who has im- planted this feeling in my heart. "You say that I must be 'a happy man.' Well, so I am. God has been pleased to honour me, and the people are continually giving me proofs of rare affection; and besides all, I have, as I trust, 'a good hope through grace.' So I can almost say with the Psalmist, 'Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over;' and I hope it is no presumption to add, ' Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.' " If the Trustees desire it, I am willing to return to this State again in due season; for, you must observe, I have as yet been to very few places which I originally intended to visit. Unexpected and press- 454 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE ing invitations have turned me off from my intended course. The incidents which occurred some twenty years ago seem not to have been forgotten; and as some of the favourite sons of Carolina were brought in under my preaching at that time, and have worn well, this has given me a notoriety which otherwise I would not have had; and this has inspired a con- fidence in me, which, on this tour, has helped me much. I could write a great deal more, but you see my sheet is full. "Your absent, but not estranged husband, Daniel Baker." (to a daughter.) "Mars Bluff, September Sth, 1852. "My dear Susan — ^You do not know how greatly the Lord has blessed my preaching, and how he has given Austin College and its Agent favour in the eyes of the people. Having invitations showered upon me, I have for several weeks past been going from one place to another, preaching Christ inces- santly, say, on an average, two sermons every day; and, without a single exception, the Lord has re- markably blessed my labours wherever I have gone. The whole number who have professed conversion under my preaching, within eight or nine weeks past, is about one hundred and eighty, besides some twenty-five or thirty blacks. This, I confess, is mar- vellous in my eyes; and whilst I rejoice, I am led to exclaim, 'Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.' To God be all the praise! So many cases of conversion, and the conversion of persons so prominent and respectable, must, of course, gladden i REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 455 many hearts; and as there is a very intimate connec- tion between the heart and the purse, the converts and their friends, in their joy and gratitude, have poured out their 'free-will offerings' in a most sur- prising manner. " Of course I am in good spirits. In the reception of so many kindnesses from God and man, it is right that I should be both grateful and happy. Some- times, however, the attentions paid me seem to be almost going beyond the mark. Besides smiling faces, salutations, and compliments, suited to a better man than I am, I am sometimes amused when my friends in their kindness seem so desirous that I should have the best room, the best chair, the best coffee, the best bed. Who am I, and what is my father's house, that I should have so many roses strewed along my pathway through life ! " This day I preached my last sermon here, in a meeting which lasted five or six days; a blessed meeting, as usual. About a dozen professed con- version, and some thirty more were this morning at the inquiry meeting as anxious — the prospects for another powerful work of grace highly encouraging. Indeed, the pastor was entirely unwilling to close the meeting; and as I could not stay any longer, he sent off for some other ministers about forty miles or more distant. O how good has the Lord been to me, thus signally and in every place to honour my ministry ! ' Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.' Tell W. to give himself up wholly to the blessed work of the ministry, and God will bless him. "I am writing on a trunk in the baggage-office on 456 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE the road; moreover, time is precious. So, fare you well. Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." (to his wife.) "Darlington C. H., Sept. 21th, 1852. "My dear Eliza — Well, I can now say, at last, next week, God willing, I set out for home, sweet home. The Lord continues to bless my labours. The last meeting was a delightful one, some thirty- five, at least, brought in within six days ; and at the meeting immediately preceding, the hopeful converts were put down at forty. Every meeting blessed, without one solitary exception. The whole number who have professed to find peace in believing, may, I think, safely be put down at two hundred and eighty ; and the majority men — nearly one hundred young men. What hath God wrought ] To God be all the praise ! Tidings of these things have spread abroad, and has produced a great excitement in all this region of country, and crowds come out to hear me, wherever I go. In some respects this is all very pleasant, and I hope my heart overflows with grati- tude to God for making me instrumental in doing so much good. But when I see such unusual crowds come out to hear me preach, and know that they have high expectations, too high for me to meet, I confess I feel as if I would like to go and preach where nobody had ever heard of me before. My bow has been bent for a long time; two sermons a day for twelve weeks. I am not broken down; my health and voice are still good; but I feel as if I wanted to ' turn aside, and rest awhile.' My time is precious, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 457 as you may well suppose. So, with affectionate salu- tations, Your husband, Daniel Baker." (to his daughter.) "Marion C. H., Oct. 2d, 1852. "My beloved Daughter — The joint letter, written by your mother and yourself, came to hand yesterday. You may well suppose I was pleased to receive it, when I tell you that, on breaking the seal, I read it over three times without stopping; and that, too, when my time was as precious as gold. Yesterday afternoon I closed a six days' meeting at Darlington Court-House. It was truly a dehghtful gathering. Crowds attended three times every day; and some came from a great distance. God was evidently in our midst. Christians were g-reatly revived, and about twenty-five or thirty persons hopefully con- verted; and, as usual, chiefly men, young men. All our meetings have been deeply interesting, and every one blessed; yes, thank God, every one. We have had nine protracted meetings, and each has presented all the heart-stirring scenes of a genuine work of grace. The converts average four for each day. This is wonderful indeed, particularly when it is remembered that a large majority are men, having a very considerable sprinkling of doctors, lawyers, and coUege students. No meeting was more delightful than the last. To God be all the praise! But the sweet notes of ' the church-going bell' are now falling upon my ear, so I must lay down my pen. " Five o'clock. I have just returned from preach- 39 458 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE ing my second sermon in this place. The prospects are encouraging. I expect to preach again to-night, and three times to-morroAV. Some have ah'eady come from a distance, and more are expected. " When I preached a few weeks since at Midway, it having rained much, the swamp was full. Some came to church literally through deep waters, and others, unwilling to venture, came round the swamp, some thirty miles. You say, these things must be pleasing ; yes, but there are drawbacks. I know I cannot meet the expectation of all, for things have been coloured, and I have heard of many extravagant remarks. Indeed, there is with some persons such enthusiasm and wild talk in regard to my preaching and success, that I feel some-times as if I cannot stand it, and must run away ! I am smothered with roses ; and although roses are very sweet things, the sensation of smothering is not the most agreeable in the world, and I rejoice that I am soon to spread my wings. This is Saturday, and I expect next Wed- nesday to set out for home, sweet home! And is it possible that I shall so soon be in the bosom of my own dear family! But stop — not so fast; I suppose I shall have to give Oglethorpe College a call, and must also tarry a few days in New Orleans. "Monday morning. I preached three times yes- terday. At night there was so much seriousness the anxious were requested to remain, and, much to our surprise and gratification, nine men came forward to the front seats. Blessed be God! "Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. ' 459 "Darlington Court House, October 10th, 1852. "My very dear Son — You recollect what I told you about myself when I was preparing for the ministry — that at one time I was very desponding. I thought that I would never be fit to preach to any white congregation, but was finally cheered by this thought suddenly flashing on my mind, that there were a great many negroes in our land, and perhaps I might able to preach to them. It is said of the Saviour, ' Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.' Even so, having seen fit to bless my labours at the very first, he has continued to bless them to the very last. I am to preach my last sermon here this evening. " In haste, your ever aff'ectionate father, Daniel Baker." • The pastor of the Darlington church writes to a friend, October 14th, 1852: "Our most sanguine expectations as to visible results have been realized. The meeting, commenced September 25th, and closed on the following Friday, after seven days continu- ance. Our spacious church was crowded day and night to its utmost capacity, to the close. People of all denominations flocked to hear the stranger from Texas; even some of the Jews came to hear him ex- plain the Old Testament prophecies. On the third day, any who were seriously impressed were invited to meet in the session-room, when six persons were found earnestly seeking the way of life. Before the close of this meeting the pastor had the unspeak- able pleasure of embracing his own son as a hopeful convert. From this time the meeting increased in 460 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE interest and influence to the end. The largest number of inquirers, at one time, was about sixty. Twenty-seven are now cherishing the hope of hav- ing passed into the marvellous light of the gospel. There are others earnestly seeking the pearl of great price. The professed converts are chiefly, if not entirely, the children of pious parents, children of the covenant. A majority of them are young men, and promise much usefidness in the Church. The good Spirit seems to have paved the way for the earnest preaching of the stranger from Texas ; they were a people prepared of the Lord. Dr. Baker's preaching is eminently Calvinistic. The doctrines of our Church — the divine sovereignty, election, total depravity, vicarious atonement, and eflicacious grace, were prominently exhibited. The most melting, effective discourse, probably, was from the words, (John vi. 44,) 'No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him.' Great still- ness and solemnity characterized the large assemblies. It was truly an interesting spectacle to behold a sea of uplifted faces, with many streaming eyes, directed towards the speaker, as the words of eternal life fell from his lips. A community that will listen atten- tively to the truths so solemnly, simply, and earnestly delivered, must be greatly benefitted, though there be no immediate effect produced. The graces of old disciples have been rekindled. "Were the same amount of pious zeal and individual faithfulness kept up to its full tension, as it might be, revivals of reli- gion would be of frequent occurrence. Entire con- secration to God, on the part of the membership of the church, doubtless, was the secret of the rapid KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 461 spread of the gospel in primitive times. Dr. Baker's labours have been very abundant, averaging five or six hours of continuous speaking each day for a week together." It may be mentioned here as a singular fact, that such Arminians as heard his doctrinal discourses heartily concurred in them as the gospel truth. " But he is a good Methodist, he does not preach the doc- trines of his Church," they would triumphantly declare, until at last made aware that two of the sermons, to which they most cordially subscribed, were published by the Board of Publication as among their standards. The truth is, Dr. Baker presented these doctrines so clearly, both as to their foundation and inferences; proved them so from reason, revela- tion, and Christian experience, as to make it evident that they are indeed the gospel itself, in all its free- ness and fulness, in all its sweetness and power. His whole aim was to do as Scripture does — exalt God, and humble man — place the almighty Sovereign and the offending subject in their actual relations to each other; and this, in order to show how infinite the love of God in stooping to save, and how abso- lutely essential the need, and certain the salvation of such a Saviour. Another eye-witness of the meetings at this period — and these are but specimens of the meetings in which he engaged over a large part of the land, and during his whole life — thus speaks: " The churches in Harmony Presbytery have been recently blessed with very unusual revivals of reli- gion. In ten congregations where these revivals 39* 462 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE have occurred, more than three hundred and twenty persons have been added to the church; and it is remarkable that the most of these are men, of whom a considerable number are seriously pondering their duty in regard to the sacred ministry. This precious harvest consists, for the most part, of intelligent and educated men. Besides the addition of so large a number, and of such an important class, whose influ- ence must materially affect the cause of religion, a gracious and profound awakening has pervaded this part of our State, reaching the most obdurate of the impenitent — either melting them to tears, or trans- fixing them with solemn thought. Very few, indeed, have escaped the powerful appeals and intricate search ings of the word of God. "Dr. Baker, of Texas, the well known veteran — venerable, both for his silvered locks, and for the many signal instances, in years past, in which God has blessed his labours — has been among us, and has again witnessed the very marked seal of the Spirit upon his preaching. Vigorous, lively, indefatigable, with a soul fully charged with the divine message, his impassioned eloquence has been irresistible. He had commenced a tour through this part of our State on an agency for Austin College, but was completely borne away from his premeditated course by a sweep- ing tide. One importunate call after another drew him along from place to place, where his efforts have been signally owned in developing the fruit of good seed, that has been sowing for months and years in a good soil. All things, indeed, seem to have been in readiness for the development of these revivals. The ready and cordial response of the hearts of our people REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 463 to the word of God, denotes that the soil was in readiness, the seed cast already germinating, and but awaited the shower from heaven to spring into life; and, like the shooting of the new plant into day, silent and imperceptible: when souls were awakened, the great Spirit composed the congrega- tion into profound stillness, that he might speak to the conscience. Such was the characteristic order and stillness of our congregations, and so general the feeUng, that the awakened and inquiring were not always easily distinguished from the multitude. To effect this, each pastor and session adopted the method most approved in his own congregation. No 'new measures' were resorted to in order to arouse the feelings. These were rendered unnecessary by the Spirit of God. "It is especially gratifying to state that the dis- tinctive points of our Old-school theology were clearly, fully, and faithfully preached. It has been imagined that these are calculated to check the pro- gress of a revival, and have, therefore, been avoided on such occasions. But so far as my observation has extended, I am free to say that I think the reli- gious movement among us is due mainly to the plain, frank, undisguised presentation of these great doctrines in their own solemn Scripture attire. The sovereign purpose of God in election, the vicarious atonement of Christ, the total inability of the sinner, the instantaneous work of regeneration, the perse- verance of the saints; these, in all their glorious beauty and sweetness to the believer, in all their startling terror to the sinner, were set forth, without reserve, as the counsel of God. The singularly 464 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE happy arguments and illustrations of tlie venerable Texan who was with us, and his peculiar skill in detecting where these great doctrines underlie the Christian's peace and joy, disarmed all gainsayings, and united the hearts of different denominations in perfect harmony. A beautiful and cordial union prevails; Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists, commingled their tears under the droppings of a sublime Calvinistic theology. The scene was novel and intensely engaging. Truly our great doctrines are all involved in the plan of redemption, and all true Christians feed upon them. May all our bre- thren be encouraged to lay aside a trembling deli- cacy, and, grasping the sharp tools of the word of God with a firm faith, as wise builders, build up the walls of our spiritual temple." Eesuming the autobiography, we find that the results of this, his third tour for the College, are thus summed up. Speaking of the meeting in Sum- terville, already alluded to, he says: This was the commencement of a series of revivals, chiefly in the Black River churches, in which, during the space- of three months, about three hundred and fifty precious souls were brought in, the majority of whom were young men. This number, however, includes those brought in at Williamsburg, Darling- ton, Marion, Midway, and some other places not now recollected. Free-will offerings to the College poured in in a wonderful manner. Heavy remit- tances were sent home. It was one check after another; the whole amounting, I think, to nearly six thousand dollars. Besides these, "small tokens REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 465 of affection" were pressed upon my acceptance. The complimentary notes accompanying these presents I laid aside very carefully, to be laid before the Trustees or Executive Committee of the College, that they might make such a disposition of the money as they might think proper. Crowned with most extraordinary success, both as agent of the College and herald of salvation, I was returning home in October in high spirits, and with a grateful heart, when I found the poet had but too much reason to say: " We should suspect some danger nigh, Where we possess delight." On my way home I was robbed ! The circumstances of this robbery are detailed in the following letter to his wife: "Montgomery, Alabama, Nov. 10th, 1852. "My precious Wife — Here I am, fast anchored still; but I have not been lying upon my oars. I have visited West Point and Lafayette, at each of which places I have preached with some success, and have done something also for the College. * * * You would like a little history of the affair. Well, I will give it. The first time I saw the man, (Kean, Kane, or King,) was on the car the other side of Hamburg. A little incident marked our first acquaintance. It was a warm afternoon, and I was upon the sunny side. The car was pretty much crowded; but on the shady side, where was also a pleasant breeze, I saw this man and his wife, occu- pying a double seat, having another double seat so 466 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE turned over as to furnish a resting-place for his lady's foot. Upon this double seat no person was sitting; and thinking that I needed the cool shade and the pleasant breeze more than the lady's foot or the carpet-bag which I saw there, I went and pro- posed to turn the double seat over, that it might be occupied by myself In attempting to make this reasonable arrangement, he repelled me rudely. 'Sir,' said I, 'you have more than your share.' Saying this, I returned to my old seat on the warm and sunny side; but after a while, thinking that I might have appeared wanting in politeness to the lady, who was also concerned, I went back and made some slight apology. I ought to have done no such thing; but I could not think of being guilty of any rudeness, even in appearance, to a lady. "When we reached the terminus, and were about to exchange the car for stages, the trunks of the passengers were put down upon the ground in an open space. I opened my trunk and took out some gold to pay my fare. Kean, it seems, was present when I opened my trunk, and noticed where my money was kept; and I believe, from that moment marked me for his victim. Arriving at Lagrange, he left his companion there, evidently that he might be more free to act. "On getting into the cars at West Point, he took the seat immediately behind me, and became very gracious. He ascertained that I was going to Texas, and he gave me to understand that he was going to Mobile. So it was agreed that when we got on board the steamboat at Montgomery, we should occupy the same state-room. He must have first REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 467 made the proposition, for I think I never could have done such a thing. On reaching Montgomery, as there was a boat about to start, I went immediately on board. He came immediately after, and had his name registered for the same state-room, taking the upper berth. Coming into the room about eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, October 12th, I observed: 'We have a very pleasant room.' 'I don't like it,' said he, 'for it is just over the boilers.' 'You can get another room, I presume, sir,' was my reply. But no; the fear of the boilers could not induce him to change his quarters. That very night, as it seems, he came in about midnight from the gaming- table, and perceiving that I was fast asleep, he took the keys out of my pocket, and quietly opening my trunk, his nimble fingers soon made their way to my money-box; and rifling it of its contents, gold and bank bills to the amount of about one thousand dollars, he then put every thing in good order, locked the trunk, and putting the keys where he had found them, got into his berth, and there remained until after I had arisen in the morning. He was then very impatient to get off; at eleven o'clock he did get off at Prairie Bluff. When the boat reached that^ace, my virtuous friend came to me in a state of much excitement, and said, 'Mr. Baker, I am going to take a ride with a friend;' and without bidding me good-by, he went away, being careful to have his trunk taken out by the back door. "Some three or four hours after he had thus taken ' French leave' of me, I opened my trunk, when lo ! to my astonishment and horror, I found that my money-box was light and empty. Calling a friend, i68 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE I made known to him the astounding fact. He called the captain, and soon the affair was made known to all on board. There was a consultation. A general search was proposed; but it was plain that no one could have taken the money but he who had occupied the same room with myself " The next thing was to get some efficient man to go in pursuit of him. One B. consented to enter upon the chase. He and myself, therefore, got on board of the first steamboat we met going up the river. We did not reach Prairie Bluff until after breakfast the next morning; so the thief had about twenty hours the start of us. Here, sending Mr. B. one way, it was thought advisable that I should take another. Whilst I was endeavouring to hire a horse for myself, which detained me one full hour, up drove Major H. in a buggy, having one spare seat. ' There,' said a friend, ' there goes the very man that will suit you. He is the ex-sheriff of this county, and understands such matters.' Although he was driving very rapidly, I ran after him and hailed him. Telling him my story he became much interested, and, although it was very inconvenient for him to undertake the pursuit, he consented. Jumping into his buggy, we rode about ten miles to the house of a friend, there got a fresh horse, and then, I assure you. Major H. was off, as the saying is, like a streak of lightning. As the well-trained hound chases the deer, nor easily misses the track, so it was with the ex-sheriff. " We rode nearly all night, and, devious as were the windings of the thief, my friend did not, for one moment, lose the scent. Perceiving that the chase RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 469 would be a long one, Major H. concluded to go to a town where there was a telegraph office. From this he sent a dispatch to the Marshal at Montgomery, whither he knew the thief was hastening. There the man was arrested — lightning struck! and there, to his utter astonishment, found lodgings provided for him, not in the hotel, but in the jail. Being searched, about six hundred and fifty dollars were found upon him in gold and South CaroHna bills, agreeing most marvellously with what I had seen a few days before in my own strong box ! " I hurried to Montgomery, and paid my old room- mate a visit. As I entered the apartment where he was confined, he reached out his hand to me, saying, 'Mr. Baker, I know you!' Taking his hand, I re- plied, 'And I know you, sir!' — and added, 'Mr. Kean, you have put me to great inconvenience; I did not think you would have served me so!' 'Mr. Baker,' said he, 'I know your person, but I know nothing about your affairs!^ If he should be con- victed and sent to the penitentiary, some good will have been done; not so much, indeed, as if he had been convicted and converted by my instrumentality. " The doctrine of a Divine Providence, as manifest in this whole affair, is a blessed doctrine; and, although this is not exactly the state of rewards and punishments, yet ' those who notice providences, shall have providences to notice.' I believe that, in some way or other, the hand of God is in it. He has, at any rate, permitted it. It must be so, for, if any event takes place without the divine permission, it must be either because God is not aware of it, or cannot prevent it. If he is not aware of it, he cannot 40 470 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE be omniscient; if he cannot prevent it, he cannot be omnipotent. "The morning after reaching Montgomery to attend this trial, I was reading Psalm 11th, and was struck with these words, 'The Lord loveth the righteous.' Poor sinner that I am, the Lord Jesus is made unto me 'righteousness,' and, therefore, in him I am righteous; and so I applied the passage to myself. I do believe that all will be overruled for good. Friends here are very kind. One of the pro- prietors of the most splendid hotel in the place, finding me there, although an utter stranger to me, kindly remarked, 'Mr. Baker, are you staying herel If, sir, you think proper to stay at this hotel, it shall cost you nothing.' "Your affectionate husband, Daniel Baker." (to a son.) "Montgomery, Alabama, Nov. 12th, 1852. " It is a fact, simple, Bible exhibitions of divine truth, are, of all others, the most effective, and no illustrations are so beautiful and touching as those drawn from God's blessed word. There is a sweet- ness and a charm about them truly wonderful ; they fall pleasantly upon the ear; they come down with sweet and hallowed influence upon the heart; they please the rude and illiterate rustic, and also the man of literary taste and the finished scholar. For what was ApoUos commended'? Because he was 'mighty in the Scriptures.' And was not this the thing which gave a charm and a power seldom known to the preaching of Summerfield] My son, whilst REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 471 others make a parade of learning, and boast of their knowledge of German literature, be it your praise that, in scriptural language, and with simplicity and power, you preach Christ and him crucified, as the world's last and only hope. This single sentence, ' It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin- ners,' is worth a thousand of such sermons as are, in some places, most admired. I greatly desire that you should have your whole heart engaged in your Master's service. In this way you will find more pleasure in your ministerial work, and your labours will be more abundantly blessed. Remember what is written, 'Him that honoureth me I will honour, and he that despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed.' Never take your eye from the cross crimsoned with a Saviour's blood! Think much on the subject of eternity; think of its nearness, its reality, its gran- deur ; and, with quenchless and untiring zeal, work, my son, whilst the day lasts, remembering that soon the night cometh when no man can work. In your preaching, aim at being clear, convincing, powerful, and tender too; feel what you say." (to his daughter.) •'Montgomery, November 22d, 1852. " * * * Still here. If my patience is not made perfect, certainly it will not be for want of being sufficiently tried. Kean's case is postponed. My dear nephew here was mortally wounded the day before yesterday, by the discharge of a cannon, whilst the company to which he belonged was firing minute guns on the occasion of the death of Daniel Webster. 472 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE While he was ramming down the cartridge, the gun went off, and, sad to relate, your cousin had both arms completely shattered, and one eye seriously injured, besides receiving other wounds of a danger- ous character. Poor fellow! he was taken to his house on a mattrass, in great agony, and presented a frightful sight ; both of his hands blown off, and the bones of his arms not only shattered, but mashed as if they had been pounded by some heavy weight. The morning after, several of his fingers were picked up in the street, quite a handful of them. They were shown to me, wrapped up in a paper. Poor, dear Joseph ! I had for several days been a most wel- come guest of his. I was standing in the portico of the court-house, just opposite where the cannon was situated. I saw the flash, but little did I know what awful damage had been done. I was sent for, and was soon in the chamber of my poor, dear, suffering nephew. Seizing with eagerness every opportunity, I talked and prayed with him. It seemed to him, and his wife also, a remarkable and kind Providence, that had so ordered it that I should be with him at this hour of deep and overwhelming affliction ; and I have reason to beheve that I was made the humble and honoured instrument of leading him to Christ in his last hour. If so, is it not well that I wa^ in Montgomery just at this time"? Who knows but one reason why I was brought here, and detained here, was, that I might be instrumental in doing my nephew much good'? This idea has cheered me not a little, and has almost reconciled me to my long and grievous detention. "The trouble brought upon me by Kean has truly REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 473 been of a serious nature; but what is this to that which has come upon my nephew and his afflicted wife '? Only the other day I was telling him of what had befallen me. Little did I then know that a ten- fold heavier calamity was hanging over him. Of a truth this is a vale of tears, a world of sorrow; and well has it been said, ' We know not what a day may bring forth.' Surely 'there is nothing true, there is nothing firm, there is nothing sweet, but heaven.' Happy he who can say, God is mine all-sufficient good, My portion and my choice ; In him my vast desires are filled, And all my powers rejoice.' "I need not send love; you all know my heart. Adieu. Daniel Baker." We resume the autobiography. The amount stolen was about one thousand dol- lars, of which about six hundred and sixty-six was recovered. As I had been in the habit of making remittances with great promptness as money was collected for the College, the amount stolen was nearly all my own; and, in making out my account with the Treasurer, as may be seen by reference to the books, I charged myself with the whole amount, and the College lost nothing. This I could afford to do, inasmuch as by a formal and recorded vote of the Executive Committee I was permitted to retain what, as stated in the complimentary notes, was intended for myself personally. This affair of the robbery was a serious drawback to many pleasant things con- 40* 474 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE nected with this tour. But, upon the whole, it was a prosperous one; and, returning home, and finding no breach there, but every thing pleasant, and the College doing well, I thought that, after all, I had much reason for thankfulness and joy. / During February, 1853, Dr. Baker leaves Hunts- ville upon his fourth tour on behalf of the College. The following extracts are made from the many let- ters written home by him during this absence. (to his daughter.) "Savannah, May Ith. 1853. '^ I have visited once more the scenes of my nati- -vdty. Of a truth, there is a power in association; and when I was lately amidst the scenes of my early childhood, this power of association waked up in my bosom feelings both pleasant and mournful to my soul; for, ' Is there a heart so cold, so dead, That never to itself hath said, This is my own, my native land V Having not been there for some twenty-two years, I really felt that I was ' a stranger in a strange land,' so many changes had taken place. I tried to find out the very spot where I first breathed the breath of life; but the house was gone, and the plough had passed over the place. All the shade-trees had dis- appeared, and not even a stump was left to mark my early romping-ground. The ditch, too, where with pin-hook and thread I was wont, in my childhood, to catch the perch and the bream, was filled up. Every thing was changed, and so changed, that I could scarcely recognize the place of my birth, sixty- REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 475 two years ago. And although I had repeatedly visited Midway settlement since entering the minis- try, and was there in the year 1831, still I was, as already said, ' a stranger in a strange land,' there were so many new faces. " On Sabbath I cast my eyes over the congrega- tion— every thing was new — so many strange faces; and even the few known before, had undergone sur- prising changes. Cheeks were furrowed which were smooth, and locks had become almost as white as snow which had been black as a raven. It really seemed that I belonged to the men of another gene- ration, and had come back from the spirit-land! Truly, I felt as if I was ' in the midst of posterity.' I need not tell you that many faces smiled upon me, and that I was cordially welcomed every where. Moreover, it pleased God to bless my preaching to the conversion of some, I hope, and to the reviving of many more. Without making personal applica- tion to a single individual, the contributions to Aus- tin College amounted to two hundred and forty-two dollars. O, how good has the Lord been to me in giving me so many friends, and in so remarkably blessing my labours almost in every place. To his great name be all the praise! " Tell your mother that my pipe has been thrown away long time ago; I have not touched it since I left Huntsville, except to cast it from me, as an ugly thing which I wished to see no more. Was not this a good example 1 " Your ever affectionate father, Daniel Baker." 476 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE (TO HIS WIFE.) "Charlestox, May 20th, 1853. "I have received a good many letters, but only one from you, and that a short one. With regard to myself, I am getting along much in the old way; and that, I am happy to say, is very well, both as a preacher and agent. My labours have recently been blessed to the hopeful conversion of a goodly num- ber, two of whom, I hope, will devote themselves to the gospel ministry. Last Sabbath night a young lady was struck under pungent c.onviction, at Beau- fort. She was so much wrought upon that she threw her arms around her mother, in church, and wept aloud. On the day following, she was rejoicing in Christ. My agency has been prospered. On the 17th inst., only three days ago, I sent home a check for three hundred and fifty dollars ; to-day I enclose another for one hundred and twenty-six dollars. This will be, in all, poured into the treasury, in cash, since I left Huntsville, sixteen hundred dollars. This is doing better than I expected. My visits both to Savannah and Midway were very pleasant. Many friends greeted me welcome. Surely goodness and mercy attend my steps wherever I go! O for a more thankful heart! This morning one of the merchant princes of this place sent to ofi'er me the use of his carriage and servant for the day. What a genteel beggar I am! — riding about like a gentle- man in a fine carriage ! But I must close abruptly. Love to all. "In haste, your affectionate husband, Daniel Baker." REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 477 (to his wife.) "Salisbury, North Carolina, July 8th, 1853. "At last your letter has come to hand; it was dated the 14th of June — 'better late than never.' And right glad I am to be able to inform you that all my labours of late have been remarkably blessed. One revival after another in quick succession! I believe I told you about my meetings in Wynns- boro' and Horeb church, South Carolina, in which twenty-four persons were permitted to cherish, as we trust, a good hope in Christ; six of whom were the sons of pastors and ruHng elders! The meeting held at Charlotte was one of the most delightful I ever attended in all my life, forty-seven professed con- version, amongst whom were four lawyers, two phy- sicians, six merchants, and a pretty large number of gay and fashionable young ladies. "From Charlotte I went to Davidson College, some twenty miles distant. The meeting commenced on Thursday night, and closed on Wednesday morn- ing following. We had overflowing congregations ; for the most part three times a day. Nineteen of the students professed conversion ; and besides these, some ten or twelve persons more, not connected with the College. "At Wynsboro', where it was doubtful whether I could get one hundred dollars, I received more than two hundred! At Horeb, a small church in the country, where the amount anticipated was no more than some thirty or forty, it proved to be one round hundred. At Charlotte, where not much was ex- pected, I received in subscriptions, paid and not paid, 478 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE nearly five hundred dollars ! And at Davidson Col- lege, where the President said he thought I could not get more than thirty or forty dollars, I received nearly three hundred ! In two places I had to tell them to — hold! I had enough; and I wished them to give no more. " I stated the number of converts in Charlotte at forty-seven, but by a letter recently received from the pastor, the present number is fifty. How good has the Lord been to me, blessing my preaching to the conversion of so many souls ! This reminds me of Paul's paradox, 'As poor, yet making many rich.' To God be all, all the praise ! " With affectionate salutations, your old husband, Daniel Baker." (to the same.) "Rocky River Church, Penicks, July 2Sth, 1853. " Help me to bless the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to me, and to the people round about here ! I thought the meeting in Char- lotte was a glorious one, which lasted some ten or twelve days, and was blessed to the hopeful conver- sion of some fifty precious souls. I thought that the meeting at Davidson College, which was of scarcely seven days' continuance, and turned out more than thirty converts, of whom twenty-two were College students, was also a glorious meeting; but I must say, that the meeting at Kocky River church, which closed yesterday, seems to bear off the palm. Com- mencing on Thursday, it wound up on the following Wednesday; and, to our joy and astonishment, some seventy or eighty persons occupied the seats assigned KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 479 to young converts ! Of these, some forty-five or fifty were promising sons of pious parents. What a har- vest reaped down in one week ! To God be all the praise! How thankful should I be that my voice fails not, although I am made to do all the preaching. "Now in relation to another matter — for the ser- vices of the last week I have received for the College nearly three hundred dollars! Surely the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage. Blessed be God! Yesterday evening I received a letter from a pastor not far distant, who promises me three hundred dollars for the College if I will visit his church ! " Your affectionate husband, Daniel Baker." (to one op his sons.) "Poplar Tent Church, August 6th, 1853, "Two of the very best meetings I ever attended in all my life, were held within the last two weeks, at two churches in the country; one called Rocky River church, and the other Philadelphia. Some eighty or more were brought in at the former, and nearly the same number at the latter; say about one hundred and fifty precious souls brought to Christ within two weeks! To God be all, all the praise! But indeed I have laboured very hard — every day speaking some four or five hours; and the churches being so near each other, has, I assure you, put me up to all I know touching the matter of giving new sermons; for you must observe, that although in almost every place we have a ' raft' of ministers pre- 480 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE sent, yet in no single place can I get one of them to preach ! no, not a solitary sermon. I have requested, I have urged them to preach, but they all with one consent make excuse ! The crowds attending upon my preaching are immense. Tidings have gone forth that the Lord is blessing my labours in a remarkable manner, and the people pour in from all quarters. Eeally, I am oppressed. This warm weather, I can scarcely stand it! Last Sabbath I suppose that more than two thousand persons were present! I was obliged to preach in the open air; and being almost entirely overcome, I had actually to take my seat, and preach for a time sitting! Although it is cheering to know that of late the converts have averaged some four or fi.\e to each sermon, yet it seems sometimes that the labour, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, is more than I can stand; and I confess I look forward with pleasure to the time when, in obedience to the Trustees, I shall go on to New York to purchase the apparatus for the College. With regard to my success as agent, it has been far beyond my most sanguine expectations. Hearts opened* — purses have been opened also; and in some cases (one in parti- cular) the silvery stream flowing in, has been swollen to such an extent that I had to check it! I do not, at this time, know precisely how matters stand ; but I think I have, since leaving Iluntsville, (7th March last) added to the finances of the College some four thousand dollars in cash! How thankful should I be that the Lord has so abundantly blessed my labours of love ; for if I had not been blessed in my preach- REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 481 ing, I should never have been so successful in my agency. ' Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits !' "In haste your ever affectionate father, Daniel Baker." (to his daughter.) "Providence Church, August 19th, 1853. " My beloved Daughter — I wrote to your mother not long since, and I have now nothing new to say, save that I still continue to preach incessantly — that I am still greatly prospered, and, wonderful to tell, my voice as clear as a bell! The meeting at Poplar Tent church closed last Wednesday week, holding on not quite six days. About sixty converts, and two hundred and sixty-five dollars given to the College. Last night, a week ago, our services com- menced at Concord, and closed yesterday at noon. At the inquiry meeting yesterday morning, there were nearly two hundred present; of whom, perhaps as many as eighty were occupying the seats assigned to young converts! and remember, in all these cases, chiefly men ! Indeed, nearly all the prominent men in Concord are now professedly on the Lord's side. As formerly in South Carolina, so now, in the old North State, I am almost 'smothered with roses;' and how thankful should I be, that my health con- tinues strong, and my voice clear! Succeeding so well in this region of country, and having invitations upon invitations, I have concluded to remain awhile longer. For some Rye or six weeks past, I have had immense congregations; every Sabbath, in particu- lar, from two to three thousand. 41 482 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE " It is really trying to my domestic feelings to be so long absent from my family; but I am, by the grace of God, doing so good a work — this reconciles me. Besides, home will be so much the sweeter when I get there. Love to all. "Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." (to his wife.) '•Steel Creek Church, August^ 31s.', 1853. "My beloved Wife — Eeally, I am tired of talking so much of myself, my preaching, and my success; but you will excuse me this once more, especially as, the other day, there was some probability that my pen was laid aside for ever. Whilst I was speaking in the inquiry meeting, I was suddenly taken with a violent chill. A carriage was immediately brought to the door, and I was taken to the house of a kind friend. Colonel Greer, where I now am. On reach- ing his hospitable dwelling, I went to bed, and did not leave it for three days. The first day the fever which followed the chill was very high. The next morning I had another chill, followed by fever, but not so great as the day before; yet the doctor has since told me that there were some indications of congestion. For a time I was exceedingly weak — could scarcely walk across the room; and, without alarm, thought it likely that some kind friend here would write you a letter beginning thus, 'Dear Madam — Your husband has fallen asleep in Jesus;' and I pictured to my mind the scone which would then take place; and in the visions of my mind I beheld my daughter amongst the chief mourners. RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 483 " But enough of this fancy affair. God be thanked, on the third morning I missed my chill, and leaving my bed, I went to church on somewhat tottering limbs, and with somewhat salivated mouth, and with four red prints of mustard plasters upon my wrists and ancles. I preached what was equivalent to some two sermons or more. This morning I am getting pretty strong and fresh again, and hope to be able to do full service this day. But the doctors say I must not preach any more for some week or ten days. Accordingly, I have already countermanded the other appointments made, and expect to leave for the North in a few days. My last meeting was held at Providence church. It closed on last Thursday. It was greatly blessed. The pastor tells me that the number of converts is one hundred and three, and these, as usual, chiefly men. The contributions to the College amounted to about three hundred dollars. " As the doctors have laid their commands upon me to stop preaching, and the providence of God also seems indeed to speak to me as Christ once did to his disciples. Turn aside and rest awhile, I may return home before the meeting of Synod. I shall, however, be better able to judge after reaching New York, from which place I purpose to write again. But I hear the sound of carriage wheels moving onward to the church, so I must abruptly close, or my letter will not be in time for the mail. " Immense congregations attend upon my preach- ing— every Sabbath perhaps three thousand. People come from a great distance, and I am told there has 484 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE not been such a glorious revival in North Carolina for the last fifty years. To God be all the glory! Daniel Baker." (to his daughter.) "Steel Creek Church, September \st, 1853. "My beloyed Daughter — Yesterday, with some intermissions, I was preaching, as usual, from ten to four o'clock. At the close we had quite a scene. I had pronounced my farewell benediction, when a gentleman of the first standing in this community came up to the stand, and lifting up his voice, wept aloud. Under the most pungent conviction, he called upon God to have mercy on his soul ; and then said to me: 'Mr. B., you have made me feel as nobody ever made me feel before. Cannot you preach here one day merer I consented, and accordingly made the appointment. But this day I leave, not for New York, as I gave your mother to understand, but for Statesville. There are some very remarkable pro- vidences about this matter, which I cannot now explain. Sufiice it to say, a gentleman had come for me fifty miles, bringing a letter of invitation so pressing, and of such a peculiar nature, that I could not resist. I believe this thing proceedeth from the Lord; and I now expect to continue preaching in this State about three weeks longer, and then for the North. Let your next letter be addressed to me at New York; but be sure to write by return mail. "It is nearly time to start for church, so, affec- tionately yours, Daniel Baker. "P. S. The fame of our meetings has gone abroad, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 485 and hence, wherever I go, I have immense congre- gations; and many persons are curious to see the man that can preach so much." (to his wife.) "MoRGANTOX, Sept. 20th, 1853. "My DEAR Eliza — I am not in a writing trim; but as I am just on the wing for New York, I must drop you a Hne. Our last meeting was at States- ville, and hke the rest, it was crowned with a rich blessing, and proved to be a glorious meeting. Sixty- six converts, and, as usual, more men than women. In regard to the place where I now am — it is small, not much material, but in many respects important; and the little church here greatly needed to be strengthened. The meeting has been interesting thus far, and some prominent persons brought in. * * * I am not sick, but weak; and when not preaching, I am almost all the time lying down. I am pressed to go to many places, but can undertake no other protracted meeting, at least this fall. Daniel Baker." (to his son.) "Wilmington, N.C, Sept. 21th, 1853. "My dear Son — Thus far I am on my way to the North. The boat from. Charleston was too late for the car, so I am to tarry here until to-morrow morn- ing; but I do not much regret it, for I need one day's rest very much; and to secure it, I have done what I could to keep my friends in Wilmington from knowing that I am here. Yes, I do need rest, for I have been preaching a great deal of late; moreover, 41* 486 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE I have been sick — three days confined to my bed — but I am doing pretty well at this time, though still somewhat weak. I was taken with the chills about three weeks since, and the doctor kept me in my chamber three days; but on the fourth morning, understanding that there was a great congregation assembled, and many having come from a distance, I ventured out, and being unable to stand, I preached sitting, to some eight hundred persons, in the grove. This meeting, as well as others, was crowned with a rich blessing. In the eleven protracted meetings which I have attended in North Carolina recently, something more than six hundred persons have been hopefully converted; of whom nearly three-fourths are males, from fourteen to seventy years of age. In some of these meetings, an unusually large number are heads of families; and I am happy to learn that the blessed work is going on, converts continuing to drop in after the special services were closed. ' Not unto us, not unto us, but mito thy name, O, Lord, be all the praise !' ''I could mention some very interesting incidents about the conversion of a lovely bride, and a young lady, whose mother did not wish her to go to a Pres- byterian church ; and about a man, of whose conver- sion no one ever dreamed; and of another, who had killed a man ; and of another, who had been brought in emphatically at the eleventh hour ; and of another, who was worth a quarter of a million of dollars ; and of six youths, who were the sons of preachers and ruling elders. And I could tell you about the early and triumphant death of one of the converts, which served to make a powerful impression upon many. KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 487 But these things cannot be very well spread upon paper; it would take up too much time. I can better talk the matter over when I see you face to face, if Providence permit, at Galveston, in Novem- ber next. " With regard to the Presidency of the College, I have not accepted, and do not intend to accept, until I can know what duties will be required of me. My success as agent has continued to be far beyond my most sanguine expectations. I have sent home, or caused to be sent, more than four thousand four hundred dollars since leaving Huntsville the last time; and I have on hand more than fifteen hundred dollars! Surely the Lord has been very good to me! " Must I not soon go the way of all the earth 1 I have had delightful views of Christ. During this whole tour I have preached him incessantly, and with positive love kindling and glowing in my heart; frequently with tears streaming down my cheeks ! I think this has been one secret of the success: 'Him that honoureth me will I honour; but he that des- piseth me shall be lightly esteemed.' Remember, my son, this saying of your father, that the sermon that does not distinctly present Christ in the beauty and glory of his mediatorial character, is no better than a cloud without water, a casket without a jewel, a shadow without the substance, or the body without the soul. Think of what Paul says, ' God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ' — and again, ' Christ is all and in all.' Think of it in your pulpit and in your study; when you lie down and when you rise up; when you go 488 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE out and when you come in. Rest assured that there is no theme that has more power to melt the heart and subdue the soul. Vale et vive. " Affectionately, your father, Daniel Baker." (to his daughter.) <'New York, October eih, 1853. " My dear Child— Last night I visited the Crystal Palace. Brilliantly illuminated with perhaps some twenty thousand hghts, it presented a truly magnifi- cent scene. After walking over a large portion of this immense and beautiful building, gazing with admiration upon the rare, rich, and endlessly diversi- fied creations of art, almost ready to drop with fatigue, I sat down upon a seat in the gallery, or upper promenading place, from which point I had a commanding and beautiful view of the interior of the Palace, and the vast multitudes of ladies and gentlemen who were moving below and around me in every direction. These human forms winding their way amid statues and paintings, and silver and porcelain vessels, and rich tapestry, and ten thousand splendid things which I cannot name, presented a scene worthy of the pencil of the best artist. Not only was the eye feasted, but the ear also, for there was a band of music, which at intervals entertained the company with lively airs, the effect of which was peculiarly fine in this vast illuminated palace. But, my daughter, splendid and grand as this whole affair certainly is, in heaven we shall have what will throw all completely and for ever in the shade ! The Crys- tal Palace, with all its gorgeous things, is the work EEV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 489 of man — ^poor, dying man — but of the heavenly palace, God himself is the great and glorious Archi- tect! " Your ever affectionate father, Daniel Baker." He writes on his return home, to a student in the Seminary at Columbia, now the Rev. J. McDowell, of Sumter, South Carolina : "HuNTSViLLE, February }4:th, 1854. "My dear young Brother — I rejoice greatly that you have seen your way clear to devote yourself to the service of God in the gospel ministry. May God bless you, grant you the joys of his salvation, and make you a burning and a shining light in your day and generation. As for myself, I may say, with one of old, ' It is toward evening, and the day is far spent.' But as my sun is setting, it is cheering to see other suns rising. How pleasant to think, that when the present generation of ministers shall have passed away, another generation will be raised up to take their place ; and then, how happy, how glorious will the final meeting be ! The scenes presented in South Carolina some eighteen months ago were pleasant, but scenes still more wonderful, thank God, were beheld during the last summer in the 'Old North State.' God was pleased then and there to visit his churches in a remarkable manner. Hopeful converts were multiplied, may I not say, literally, as the morning dew. More than six hundred precious souls were, in a short time, made obedient to the faith, among whom were numbered, I suppose, at 490 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE least three hundred young men! What a precious harvest! Who can tell how many may hnitate your example, may jom the army of the living God as soldiers of the cross and heralds of salvation! — and the final and blessed results who can tell! I should not be surprised if, before long, you shall have the pleasure of seeing some entering your seminary, for, before I left North Carolina, I heard of several young men of great promise who were seriously turning their attention to the sacred office. Well, let them come! I suppose you will receive them with open arms, and cordially greet them wel- come! Let the number be multiplied! There is need, for ' the harvest is great, and the labourers are few.' May the Lord of the vineyard send forth more labourers into the harvest. What an honour to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, and what high rewards and immortal honours in a future world await those who shall labour faithfully in their Mas- ter's service! What say the Scriptures'? 'They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmanent, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.' My young brother, give yourself wholly to the work before you. Take a pleasure in your new calling. Let your standard be high, not only in relation to mental improvement, but much more to spiritual attainments. For devo- tional exercises read ' Baxter's Saint's Rest,' ' Owen on Heavenly-mindedness,' and ' Smith's Lectures on the Sacred Office.' These books were greatly blessed to me. But, above all, the precious Bible; let that be indeed your Vade Mecum^ your companion and counsellor by day and by night. But I must close. REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 491 " God seems to be indeed smiling upon our Col- lege, and we indulge the pleasing hope that this institution, founded in faith and prayer, will prove a rich blessing long after the founders thereof shall be numbered with the sheeted dead. Please present my best respects to the venerated Professors of your Seminary, and my kindest regards to your associates who may not have forgotten your old friend, Daniel Baker." CHAPTER XIV. FIFTH AND SIXTH TOURS ABROAD, AND LABOURS IN TEXAS AS AGENT OF AUSTIN COLLEGE. " Hunts viLLE, ilfarcA I'Slh, 1854. "My dear Son — With regard to our Education Convention, it seems to have excited more general and lively interest than I ever dreamed of The Attorney-General says he will certainly be present; and by a letter recently received from Houston, I learn that they have appointed fifteen delegates, and these embracing some of the oldest and most respect- able citizens of the place. May God's blessing be upon the Convention ; for without that, nothing will or can prosper." In 1853, while Dr. Baker was on a visit to Austin, it was determined by a number of gentlemen there at that time, to call an Education Convention, to meet at that place during the ensuing session of the Legislature, consisting of friends of education from 492 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE all parts of the State. It assembled at the time appointed, and a second convention was held in Huntsville the next year^ after. It is to this that allusion is made in the letter. These conventions did much to increase and enlighten public sentiment in regard to education. In this connection, while its object was a general one, it need hardly be said that Dr. Baker, to use a phrase of his own, "left no stone unturned" to ad- vance the interests of the College of which he was agent. Never did he let any opportunity of advanc- ing its interests remain an instant neglected. On one occasion, being in the lobby of the Legislature with the writer, the latter pointed out to him, near at hand, the President of a grand railway enterprise. Dr. Baker immediately sought and obtained an intro- duction to him, and began to call his attention to the cause of the College. " Say no more, sir, say no more," said the financier, "the company have already determined to donate one hundred thousand dollars in our stock to your institution." Somewhat aston- ished at the promptness, as well as magnitude of the donation, the Dr. asked if he would reduce his pro- mise to writing. "Most certainly, sir," replied the railway king ; and in a few moments Dr. Baker was in possession of a written document to that effect. " I do not think it will ever amount to any thing," he said to the writer, as they descended the steps of the capitol; "but it may; at least, it cost nothing to get it." It need not be added that the document is now valuable only as bearing the autograph of a very remarkable man. There were one or two other similar cases. EEV. DAXIi: L BAKER, D. D. 493 From the beginning of the College entei-prise up to the hour of his death, Dr. Baker cherished the hope of obtaining aid for the College from the State, by some plan just and equitable toward all other bona fide institutions in Texas. He became ashamed, as he often remarked, of seeking aid for the institu- tion abroad, while so little was done for it in Texas itself; a State so rich, too, in every sense of the word. Hence, session after session of the Legisla- ture, he would visit Austin, armed with memorials. All that mortal man could honourably do, he did, in some form or other, to obtain this object. He was treated with great courtesy by the members in pri- vate, was invited to the floor of the Senate, was allowed the satisfaction of hearing his memorial read aloud out of its order on one or two occasions — even had the unexpected pleasure of seeing himself and his cause recommended to the Legislature in a mes- sage of the Governor — but all in vain. Each legis- lative session for years saw this great hope of his heart wax and wane. The grounds of opposition to granting aid to a denominational institution were manifold. A few opposed the granting of State aid to such an institu- tion out of sheer hatred to religion in every form; but these were few, very few. No State has fewer such legislators than Texas. Others were honestly opposed to granting aid to one College, lest the same should be demanded for a hundred other institu- tions in the State. Others acted from a vague hor- ror of any thing like a union in the matter between Church and State. Others opposed from terror of "sectarianism," forgetful that a College, to be suc- 42 494 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE cessfully managed, has to be in the hands of some body of men, and that, as an almost invariable rule, a denomination of Christians is the only body suffi- ciently united, interested, and energetic on principle, to conduct an institution with vigour and success; forgetful, too, that the field is open to all denomina- tions alike — whose very competition is a guaranty of the dangerous pre-eminence of none, and the high order of all the Colleges under their care. But the mass conceived the duty of the State to education as performed, in the amount — over a million in lands and money — set apart by the State for common schools and a State University. Though cherishing hope of aid for the College from the vast coffers of the commonwealth, and doing all that could be done to obtain this, yet never for a moment did he relax his exertions in other direc- tions. About the beginning of 1854, it was deter- mined to attempt obtaining twenty thousand dollars as an endowment for a "Baker Professorship of Mathematics." Henceforth Dr. Baker aimed steadily at this ; and before his death it was accomplished, as will hereafter appear. In April, 1854, he left Huntsville upon his fifth tour in behalf of the College. "Rome, Georgia, June llh, 1854. "My dear good Wife — I am preaching here every day, twice, and blessed be God, my labours are still being crowned with a blessing. Our meetings are crowded. I was told that Rome was a hard place, and there never was a revival here ; but, blessed be God, the showers of heavenly grace are now descend- REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 495 ing. At Talladega there were about twenty precious souls hopefully converted. I trust we shall have more than that in Kome; and to God shall be all the praise. I have just returned from the church. We had, as I am told, a better attendance than usual, even on the Sabbath. The interest is evi- dently increasing. Besides my usual message, I had one from a young lady, who, within some two hun- dred yards, was very near her end. She said to me, 'Tell them I am dying, or I may be dead; but tell them to get religion, to come to Christ, and not to delay.' And then she exclaimed, 'O, sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus! Come, Jesus, come!' I assure you, that our meeting this morning was one of no com- mon interest. Several will date this day as their starting-point in the race for glory, the commence- ment of a life which shall never end. "Yours, as ever, Daniel Baker." (to the same.) "Dalton, Georgia, Jtme 22c/, 1854. " My dear Eliza — I have nothing special to say, but thought I would drop you a line, to let you know I am still alive, and preaching every day with some success, as usual. God be thanked, the meeting here has proved one of great interest; house crowded, and about eighteen persons cherishing, as I trust, ' a good hope through grace.' I have received so many and pressing invitations from churches in this region of country, that I find it diiFicult to reach Carolina. May the Lord lead me, as a father leads a child. " The people give cheerfully, but not in large sums 496 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Well, every little helps. But I think a lawyer, for the same amount of speaking, would get ten times as much as I do. But money collected is not the only fruit of my speaking. Some sixty persons, as I hope, have, by my humble instrumentality, been lately put in possession of the one pearl of great price. I am happy in my work; but, I confess, I get now and then a little homesick, and think that this must be my last tour. "Last Sunday night I had, while preaching, one of my ' turns,' and came near falling in the pulpit ; but it was owing, I suspect to the warmth of the evening, and the excessive crowd. Do not be uneasy; I am told that there are no symptoms of apoplexy, nothing but a common vertigo. Heaven bless you, one and all! " From the man of silvery locks. Your husband, Daniel Baker." (to a son.) "Cartersville, Georgia, July 3(/, 1854. "I never did like stiff, starched, essayic letters. There is a power in association ; and the mention, in your letters, of all little home matters, gives scope and liveliness to this exercise of the power of asso- ciation; serves to place me in my own domicil, and surround me with all the nameless charms of domes- tic life. Why, the mention of the quantity of butter made, the quality of the peaches, and the number and size of the watermelons, would not be wanting in interest. 'Chit-chat, chit-chat,' that is what I like in home letters. This is a kind of substitute for RET. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 497 a home visit, and gives an innocent and agreeable diversion to my thoughts, amid the graver scenes by which I am surrounded. " AVhile I think of it, I will mention something new, which I saw the other day — a cripple in a kind of chair, running, I think, on three wheels. Behind was a corpulent goat, ' fat as a butter-ball,' with his head pushing at the back of the chair. The goat seemed to be well trained, and performed his part to perfect admiration, pushing, and refraining to push, as his master gave command. I mean, when his master was sober; but sometimes he was not sober, and the goat, prompted by feelings of disgust, would upset the whole concern, and shell his master out. Well done, goat ! Daniel Baker." "Rome, Georgia, August 2d, 1854, "My only Wife — For two weeks I have had fever and ague; nevertheless, within the last three weeks we have had three blessed protracted meet- ings, a week each. Precious meetings indeed they were. Yesterday more than forty attended our inquiry meeting. At Sardis I came pretty near being killed — thrown from a buggy with great vio- lence. God be thanked for all his mercies ! "In great haste, yours, as ever, Daniel Baker." (to a daughter.) "Anderson Court House, August 19//*, 1854, "Our meeting at Good Hope lasted some five or six days. As usual, I did all the preaching. Very delightful the meeting proved. On inviting the 42* 498 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE young converts and anxious to go to another place, there was quite a rush — some forty or more; and, strange to tell, nearly all men. Our meeting here is now in progress, and our prospects for the time as encouraging as in any other place. O how wonderful that God should bless my labours so! You cannot imagine how letters of invitation are showered upon me. One person told me he had come one hundred and sixty miles to hear me; and so many ministers too from churches all around. On my arrival, the other day, there were no less than some five ministers who came to the car to bid me welcome, and to invite me to visit their churches. I have heard of some four or five ministers who had been brought in under my preaching, of whom I knew nothing until within a few weeks past. "I preach a great deal; my speaking, I suppose, will average from six to seven hours every day. When I am not in the pulpit I am upon the floor ; and when I am not in the church with the great con- gregation, I am in the lecture-room with inquirers. Sometimes 1 feel a little jaded, but God seems to renew my strength day by day. I am so much occu- pied, and so frequently interrupted, that I have to write by snatches — so please tear up my letters, or throw them in the fire, when read. Again the church bell is ringing, and I must abruptly close. "Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." "Greenville Church, South Carolina, September Ath^ 1854. "My dear Son — Since coming into this State, I have attended three protracted meetings, of about a REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 499 week each. God be thanked, all have been blessed; Christians greatly revived, and some eighty or ninety souls hopefully converted. A large number are young men. Yesterday I preached to an immense congregation; prospects highly encouraging. Kiss Hartman for me — my only hope for posterity. The carriage is at the door to convey me to the church. "Your affectionate father, Daniel Baker." " P. S. Just returned ; had a delightful time ; great congregation ; much solemnity ; very general feeling ; some twelve or more hopefully converted. My speak- ing amounts to some three or four sermons a day; and this for some three or four months past. Many persons express their astonishment. ' Why, Mr. B., how can you stand if? — you can break down six preachers!' I confess it does seem a little strange, but so it is. When I finish one meeting, I begin another the very next morning; sometimes the very same evening ! My Master sustains me ; and, is it not written, ' They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength' '? I feel just as strong and lively now as when I entered upon these meetings. Blessed be God ! The people are beginning to give to the College. At two meetings, two hundred dol- lars each; one, one hundred and eighty dollars; another, one hundred and thirty dollars. I long to return to the bosom of my family. Pressing invita- tions are pouring upon me from all quarters ; more than I can possibly comply with. If I had had such scenes before me when I was a young man ! But I 500 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE may say as the disciples said, ' It is toward evening, f Jid the day is far spent.' " (to his wife.) " Liberty Spring Church, September 3dth, 1854. " My dear Eliza — I wish to keep square with the whole world, and thus obey the Apostle's injunction, ' Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.' In relation to my ministry and my agency: I have of late been as successful as in my palmiest days in North Carolina last year. For some time past the converts wiU average thirty-five a week ; and then, the converts are of so interesting a class, chiefly young men and young ladies. Our meetings for a few weeks past have been particularly interesting — one peculiarly so, at a church called Upper Long Cane. This was decidedly the very best we have yet had. There were jarrings before, but during the meeting the jarrings ceased, and there was most delightful harmonious feeling, to the great joy of the elders. O how it gladdened their hearts to see harmony restored, and some fifty converts rejoicing around them. " The contributions in this church to the College for one week's labour amounted to upwards of three hundred dollars. The last meeting was at New- berry, where my labours had been greatly blessed some twenty-two years ago. I had so many invita- tions, I thought I could not hold a meeting there this time; but passing through, I preached two or three sermons; upon leaving, I received a written invitation, signed by forty- three young men, urging REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 501 me not to pass them by. I concluded to accept their invitation. The meeting lasted one week, and closed last Thursday night. It was indeed a most delightful meeting — so many of the petitioners were brought in. The last day, when I proposed that all the young converts and inquirers should meet me in the lecture-room, some fifty or more hurried to the place. As Chancellor I. was an elder, he was invited to go in also. When he beheld the scene, his heart was melted. He attempted once to speak, and did say some touching things ; but his feelings overcame him, and he wept aloud. One of his own sons was present, in the character of a young convert. He gave me one hundred dollars for Austin College. Was not this generous'? but it was only after the example of Judge W., of Anderson, who had three sons brought in, and so, as a thank-offering, gave one hundred dollars. My dear E., is it not wonder- ful that the Lord should so greatly bless your old husband, whose scanty locks are becoming more and more silvered with age ? " To tell the truth, if encomiums give me pleasure, they give me pain also; for when I go to a new place, how can I meet expectations ] One thing that comforts me is, I make no parade. I speak in a simple, conversational way, and my aim is, not to excite admiration, but to win souls to Christ. ''May the Lord bless the College, and protect it from all evil. " Yours, with affection, Daniel Baker." 502 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE From the same place, three days later, he writes to a son: "If you ask why my preaching is so much blessed, I say again, 'Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.' But if it will throw any light upon the subject, I will tell you that my plan is incessantly to preach Christ and him crucified; and this I do in an earnest, colloquial manner, and, not unfrequently, streaming tears attest the sincere and tender feelings of my own heart, aiming at the conversion of sinners. Being earnest and colloquial, I have the more fixed attention ; and to understand the importance of this, take a burning-glass, and let the object, at the proper focal distance, remain in a fixed position, and it soon begins to smoke. So the mind, kept in contact with divine truth pouring upon it, soon begins to warm and kindle up. And with regard to the matter of feeling, you know, ' Si vis itie flere^ dolendum est primum ipse tihi.' Now, preaching Christ so much, I keep upon my own mind a more distinct and lively impression of his wonderful love and compassion for our ruined race ; and hence I present the matter with more feeling; and hence the efibct upon the audience. God is a Sovereign, but he generally works by appropriate means. (to his wife.) "Greenville, October 2Sth, 1854. " Our meetings are still crowned with a blessing — every meeting — every one! I have attended about twenty protracted meetings since T left home, and have preached every sermon save two — three ser- REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 503 mons a day, on an average, for nearly four months past. The number of converts in all may be about five hundred and fifty, and so many men, and some cases so interesting ! But the time would fail to tell one half Sometimes when I get out of the pulpit, I feel jaded, and could almost wish that a brother would take my place ; but when I get into the pul- pit again, I feel perfectly fresh. But is not the remarkable success God is pleased to give, enough to impart new life and vigour to any man'? I have now only some three or four more engagements, and then, home, sweet home !" On the margin of the sheet he writes : " My hands are quite hard and rough. I ivill slap them together in the pulpit, notwithstanding the frequent remon- strances of my daughter." (to his daughter.) "Fairview Church, iVov. 6M, 1854. "You wish me to vrdie you a long letter once a week. What an unreasonable thing you are! Per- haps you do not preach as many sermons as I do. Matters are going on pretty much in the old way; only in almost every place more persons have been added to the church than were expected — proving that the work is genuine, and going on. To God be all the praise!" In a note to a son from the same place, two days later, he says: "In one case a father and mother, and twelve children and grandchildren, were brought in. In this place, on Monday, fifteen attended the 504 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE inquiry meeting; on Tuesday, thirty-two; and this morning, sixty-five." In the course of all his labours it is not known that any one ever charged Dr. Baker, even in thought, with arrogating any thing to himself on account of the success God was pleased to give him. Nothing could be more clear to his mind at all times, than the simple fact, that he was the merest instru- ment in the hand of a Sovereign, who often uses the humblest "earthen vessels" to accomplish his noblest purposes: and for this express reason, that "the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us," though it is an Apostle who says it. That all his success was of God alone, was to him a fact^ and a fact in which he rested all his joy and all his confidence during his labours. Even so far as human means are concerned, no one knew better than he how large a part of his success was owing to the labours of others before him. This has been already alluded to ; and in a letter to the editor of a religious journal, dated Willington, South Caro- lina, November 22d, 1854, speaking of the brethren in whose churches his labours were so blessed, he says: "I wish no credit to be given to me at the expense of pastors whom I so much respect and love. They are not only men of talents and piety, but efficient men, working men — pastors, in my opinion, of the right stamp, and whom, without an exception, their people love and delight to honour. If the voice of a stranger has wakened a new interest in their churches, this is no uncommon thing; for REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 505 well do I recollect when I was a pastor myself, how the visit and preaching of another brother would, by the grace of God, exert a quickening influence upon myself and the people of my charge, when we our- selves were in a cold and slumbering state. There is something in a new voice, especially, when, for several days in succession, the great truths of Chris- tianity are brought to bear upon the minds of men as the rays of the sun upon an object by the concen- trating power of a burning-glass. If the meetings held recently in several of the Presbyterian churches in this region were ' remarkably blessed,' I ascribe it, under God, in a great measure to the fact, that much good seed had been sown in ground pre- viously well prepared; and also to the cordial and efficient co-operation of pastor and people with the stranger from abroad. And, after all, the whole must be resolved into this — ' Even so. Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.' But if my preaching was crowned with a remarkable blessing, I believe one reason was this : Bearing in mind that the ' word of God,' and not the word of man, is quick and powerful, I was as a man of one book, and that book the Bible; and taking the hint from an inspired Apostle, I made Jesus Christ, and him crucified, my constant theme. This was certainly Paul's great doctrine; this was his sharpest sword, his chief battle-axe ; and influenced by his example, I seized upon this heavenly-tempered weapon, and wielded it as well as I could. "And here, my brother, permit me, as an old soldier of the cross, to say, that after long experience and close observation, I have come to the settled 43 506 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE conclusion, that no doctrine has more power to soften the heart and subdue the soul than this. It is better than all the flowery and fine-spun theories in the world. Indeed, in my opinion, the sermon Avhich does not present the blessed Saviour, is no better than a cloud without water, a shadow without the substance, a casket without the jewel, a body with- out the soul. Yes, it is Christ, and Christ crucified, w^hich gives beauty and efficiency to every thing; and I think it would be well for every minister to remember these words, 'Him that honoureth me, will I honour; and he that despiseth me shall be lightly esteemed.' According to the Scriptures, in the economy of redemption, Christ is all in all. He is the hiding-place from the wind; and without him there is no covert from the tempest. He is the Saviour of the lost, and without him there is no salvation. "I have been preaching Christ for nearly forty years, and in the contemplation of him I am more and more filled with wonder, admiration, and joy. Perhaps this may have given some new freshness, and power, and unction, and success to my preach- ing. ' O, that all but knew him !' In Christ there is a beauty that is unspeakable; there are wonders which human language cannot describe. If I may say so, in Christ there is an ocean of wonders. For, how wonderful, that he who was so rich, for our sakes became poor — so poor as to have no place to lay his head. How wonderful, that he who, in heaven, is the Saviour of all, should for our sakes, on earth, become a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief! How wonderful, that he who is the final Judge, KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 507 should himself, for our sakes, in the form of a man, stand condemned at Pilate's bar! How wonderful, that he who is the Lord of glory, should for our sakes be crucified! How wonderful, that he who is the Prince of Life, should for our sakes be brought under the power of death ! And how wonderful, that he who fills immensity with his presence, should for our sakes, in the form of a man, be laid in Joseph's tomb ! This has been the principal theme of all my sermons, and hence what some are pleased to call the 'remarkable success' which has crowned my preaching. And to God be all the praise !" About this time a meeting was held in the place from which this last letter is dated — Willington, South Carohna. A member of the church, writing to a friend soon after, says: " Twenty-tw^o years ago. Dr. Baker held a meeting here. Many were made to rejoice in their Saviour during that meeting, and to this day testify to the goodness and mercy of God; but many are fallen asleep. When it was announced that the same Daniel Baker would again be with us, the news was hailed with rejoicing. Our prayers, that God would direct him to visit us, were answered; and, thanks to our Heavenly Father, the meeting was one of most thrilling interest. The last day, there were over seventy in the inquiry meeting, and about fifty of them professed a hope in Christ; and many enemies were made friends by his instrumentality. 'Blessed are the peace-makers.' It really seems as if the millennium has dawned upon us." 508 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE After his return home from this tour, he thus writes to a son in Austin: •'HuNTSViLLE, January 3J, 1855. " My dear Son — After more than eight months' absence, I found myself, at last, in the bosom of my family on the 26th ult., in fine health and spirits. Some three hundred young men, during this last tour, professed conversion under your father's preach- ing. I hope that many will be found seeking the sacred office. The revivals in Carolina were so ex- tensive and glorious, that I see in the papers a proposition made that the Presbytery within whose bounds they occurred, should appoint a special day of thanksgiving. Since I came home, I received a letter, stating that forty-three had been received into the church, when the whole number supposed to be converted had been put down at thirty-five. I think, then, I do not exaggerate, when I estimate the num- ber, during this last tour, 'made obedient to the faith,' at seven hundred. What a precious harvest this! It is certainly wonderful; but it is, 'Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.' To God be all, all the praise! " My sheet is crowded. God bless you all! Daniel Baker." It will interest the reader to know the sentiments entertained, in regard to the man and his labours, by those among whom he mingled during the meet- ings last spoken of One writes at this time: "The llev. Dr. Baker has just left us, after a series of meetings in our churches, whose great and REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 509 unexpected results must for ever remain a memorial of the unfathomable goodness of God. The number of those who are serious and inquiring is upwards of seventy, while some forty of them are now rejoicing in hope of favour and reconciliation. Never has it been our privilege before to witness such a scene in the house of God — never, at least, one that gave so many unequivocal evidences of a genuine work. The congregations were most orderly and solemn; no shouting, not an outcry was heard that could pos- sibly beget an artificial or mere sympathetic excite- ment; and no effort chiefly for such a purpose was once made. Nay, in proportion to the depth of feel- ing pervading the assembly, was the solemnity of its silence. It sometimes appeared as if the Spirit of God was actually brooding visibly upon the people, chastening and subduing their emotions, till almost a breath was audible. The visit and labours of Dr. Baker in our midst have also been greatly blessed in confirming and reanimating the people of God ; for surely there is much that is eminently contagious in his warmth of love to the Saviour, gentleness of spirit, and comprehensive charity. All have been encouraged and strengthened, and many long at variance have met once more as brothers." Another thus speaks: " This devoted, indefatigable, and truly eloquent divine, is now conducting in our midst one of those deeply interesting meetings for which he is so justly famous. We had heard much of the Doctor even in boyhood, but not till recently were we favoured with the rare pleasure of witnessing ourselves liis peculiar 43* 510 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE powers as a minister of the gospel. The half was not told us ; he is truly an ' old man' more than ' elo- quent;' and his strength consists in much that is infinitely better than the noblest command of lan- guage; yet even there, when fully warmed with his great Master's work, few living can surpass him. He is eloquent in a faith and an unction that seem to know no ebb ; eloquent in a zeal and earnestness that beams in a face whose benignity once looked upon can never be forgotten; eloquent in a long life of energy and ripe experience that stands without a parallel in the present age, that is only comparable to that of Wesley or Whitefield, or the Apostles. What a relief it is — or to use one of his own favourite expressions, 'how delightful' it is to listen to such a man after sitting for years under the less animated and genial, the less practical and more purely argumentative sermonizing generally preva- lent, and in many places sadly distorted from the simplicity of the Saviour, to the stiff, lofty intellect- uality of the modern heroic school. "Dr. Baker's powers are therefore evidently founded in a profound and discriminating knowledge of human nature, which leads him to adapt himself easily in every important particular to his audience. Do men love simplicity, especially in matters of great and lasting moment, such as the salvation of the souH — he orders his style, his manner, and practical overwhelming logic, with a plainness and simplicity that is truthfully eloquent, while all is dressed in language whose purity and taste make it classic. Do they love zeal and earnestness of soul in one who would 'allure to brighter worlds and lead the wayT REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 511 his sincerity and devotion speak straight to the heart. Do they love gentleness and heartfelt sympathy in him who is commissioned to feed his Master's sheep, especially the lambs of the flock 1 the kindly emo- tions of a heart running over with love to his fellow men are manifest in every feature of his face, in every word he utters. In the mysterious providence of God, it is only in long and rare intervals that such men are given to the world, and they always seem to come just in time to re-illustrate the forgotten sim- plicity of truth, and its dignity as well; so came Socrates in the twilight of antiquity, to refute and expose the jargon of false philosophers ; so came Butler in a later day, to vindicate the nature and truthfulness of a nobler philosophy. This is not ful- some praise, it is too true to be such; and it gives us unfeigned pleasure thus to honour a man whom God now honours eminently with his spiritual presence in the conversion of souls, and whose crown hereafter will sparkle with choice jewels." Another thus speaks, looking back upon those meetings from an after period: "No minister of our Church was more beloved by the brethren than this venerable servant of God. No one was more deserving of veneration. A few years since, he spent a few months labouring with the pastors of many of our churches — labouring as suc- cessfully in edifying ministers as in converting souls unto God. And who is there that can look back to the time of his sojourn among us without a feeling of regret that his face will no more be seen among us] His words, how much Like the language of heaven ! 512 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE One might almost have imagined that he was enter- taining an angel unawares, during the intervals of pubUc worship in the house of God. The most thoughtless could never avoid the conviction that he was listening to an ambassador for Christ, while seated in the public sanctuary; and the rude hand of time win never efface the many and salutary impressions which his visit has left behind. That was a favoured family who had the privilege of enter- taining this man of God during these protracted meetings. How many little incidents which then occurred have been again and again related by one and another of the same household; and all tending to show the singleness of aim in this devoted servant of Christ." Still another, relating an incident which occurred in the course of these meetings, remarks : " Dr. Baker was often attacked in his travels by infidels and scoffers at religion. And no man was more successful than he in subduing such opponents, convincing them of the error of their ways, and leading them to Christ. Many who, when they first met with this great and good man, regarded the Bible as a false thing, invented by wicked men, and all who believe in its glorious and sublime doctrines as weak-minded, now give praise to God that he ever sent such a man to them, and blessed his earnest preaching and heart-touching conversation to their conversion. " There is one instance in which he was the means of the instantaneous conviction, and we trust, the true conversion, of one who habitually and openly REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 513 ridiculed the religion of Jesus and his people. Dr! Baker had been preaching at the place referred to for several days, and a revival of religion followed. This mocker of all that is holy went to the meeting on purpose to seek for something for which he might deride him, and those who were then led to see their danger, and to fly to the 'E-ock of ages' for safety, under his powerful preaching. The services of the day had commenced when he entered the church. He took his seat in front of the pulpit. All was silence, save the voice of the preacher proclaiming the conditions of eternal life to that dying assembly, and the groans that would now and then escape from some agonizing penitent. It seemed that that was indeed the house of God, and that the Holy Spirit was there working in the hearts of the people. The engaging manner of Dr. Baker soon attracted and riveted his attention. The awful truths preached that day soon aroused his sleeping conscience, and convinced him of sin. His hard heart was softened, and the stem, the notorious scoffer, was subdued to tears. The man of God descended from the sacred desk, bringing the word of life with him, entered into conversation with the weeping man, and showed him that if he only would repent and come to Christ, he would forgive all his sins, and save him. He who had always before left the house of worship with a sneer of derision on his proud lips, on that day left, an humble penitent, weeping aloud as he rode away. He found peace in the wounds of a sacrificed Saviour — ^became a minister of the gospel in the Baptist denomination — led a consistent and useful Christian life; and from tliat day forward, 514 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE *found his greatest delight in the fellowship of those whom before he had despised." "I have heard more finished orators" — remarks one, concerning his preaching at this time — " men whom it was more pleasant to hear; but I have sel- dom heard an orator who made his hearers under- stand him better, or who gave them less room, or less occasion, in fact, to dodge the conclusions to which he came. He is composed, and thoroughly in earnest. He seems himself to follow the track along which he leads you, to be practising his own precepts, and few are inclined to oppose a rebellious spirit to his teachings. It is the distinctive feature of his preaching, that he speaks not to a conception of his hearers, but to his hearers. Men have no time or opportunity to hand his admonitions over to their neighbours. Each is made to feel that he himself is the object, and that then and there, in view of the hopes of heaven and powers of hell alone, and upon his own responsibility, he must accept them or reject them." The following letter to a son cannot fail to interest. "HuNTSViLLE, September Qth, 1855. My dear son W. — Although as yet I have re- ceived no answer to my last, yet will I write, espe- cially as I have some pleasing intelligence to com- municate. I have been on a mission to the Austin family, and my mission has been successful. They have agreed to endow a Professorship in Austin Col- EEV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 515 lege, by deeding lands to the amount of twenty thousand — it may be, twenty-five thousand dollars. The Professorship is to be named after an only and beloved sister, Eliza Perry. I told the brothers that I left the amount to them, but the more princely the endowment, the greater would be the honour con- ferred on their sister. Moreover, the 'heirs' have turned over the claims of their uncle, Stephen F. Austin, on the late Republic of Texas, to our noble institution. I have conversed with a number of old Texans and others, and I find that the subject wakes up positive enthusiasm. So I think we shall cer- tainly gain something by it. "Another thing I must tell you is this: Mr. Guy Bryan has made the College a donation of a splendid painting, a fine likeness of Stephen F. Austin, large as life. It cost three hundred dollars. He had two painted by an English artist ; one was designed for the Senate chamber, the other for the House of Eepresentatives, at Austin: but one has been given to our CoUege. A fine present this. It will be a fine and very appropriate adornment to our College chapel. Daniel Baker." After each absence from home, on his return he enjoyed greatly the quiet pleasures it afforded. For months he would enter with zest into its enjoyments. When not engaged in his study, he would be out in the field, the garden, the yard, with hoe and spade, hammer and saw, working with an energy which was his nature. No one could enjoy the familiar inter- 516 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE course of the household more than he. Nevertheless, he had too long led an active Ufe to rest contented at home. Like a mariner on shore, whose heart still heaves to the motion of the recent sea, whose blood still courses to the swift sailing, with favouring gales and over smooth seas, of the ship from which he has landed — so with the subject of this Memoir. Sooner or later he became restless in the narrower and lesser routine of Hfe at home. In a few months after each return, the hand of his Master would lead him out again, a willing servant, to engage with fresh zeal in labours abroad. The remark was often made in regard to Dr. Baker, how high he would have risen, had he gone from the outset into political life, instead of the pulpit. What a millionaire he would have become as a merchant. Let the truth be spoken. No, it is not so. It was the religion of Jesus Christ which, in almost every sense of the word, made him the man he was. We have seen that his childhood was moulded in a community peculiarly religious. We have seen, too, that while yet a boy, the Saviour passing by, had laid his hand upon his head, and bade him follow. In rising to follow this Master, he attained a larger manhood than he would ever other- wise have known. The knowledge of Christ elevated, expanded, and strengthened his intellect as nothing else could have done. It was the love for Christ, and the consequent love for his feUow-men, which enlarged, invigorated, and lent a swifter beat to his heart. Intellect, heart, even bodily frame, received from God the Holy Ghost a supernatural develop- REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 517 meiit and quickening. It was "the knowledge of the Son of God" which caused him to grow, so far as he did grow, "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Had he remained unregenerate, he would never, in any pur- suit in life, have risen, as a man, to the rank of man- hood he did attain as a servant of Christ. No other object whatever could have aroused him to the energy he displayed in striving for the salvation of souls. No conceivable motive could have "con- strained" him as did "love of Christ." What duty was to Wellington, glory to Napoleon, love of country to Washington, the love of Christ was to him, as it was to Paul, and as it is to all servants of Christ, according to their measure of faith. This was the effectual antidote to him, against being in the least "puffed up" by the success of his preaching. He was not such a novice as to forget for an instant, that in whatever degree he excelled, it was solely and only the Spirit of God working in and by him; and this effectually cures any tendency on the part of those who loved and esteemed him most, to exalt him above measure. Place beside him the least successful minister in the Church — in whatever degree he excelled that minister, who can be so blind as not to know, that it was simply because a sovereign God had given to the one a larger measure of the Holy Spirit than to the other] Our wonder is not at the man, but at the wonderful working of the Holy Ghost in him and by him. Wherever settled as a pastor, his studies were 44 518 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE pursued with characteristic ardour. He spared no pains in writing and re-writing his discourses. His familiar letters arc the only papers from his hand upon which he did not bestow the most elaborate labour; and even these are singularly neat — ^never a blot, scarcely ever an interlineation even — for it had become a second nature to do his very best at what- ever he put his hand. It need not be said, that in his study, the Bible was his chief book. While attaching the highest value to theological training, so far as that training made the word of God and human nature a subordinate study, he regarded it as an evil. Next to the Bible, he prized "Baxter's Saint's Hest," for devotional reading; but he was a rapid reader of whatever bore in any way upon his profession. For all forms of metaphysics he had a positive aversion. As to studying the elaborate works of in- fidels against Christianity, he occasionally attempted it; but his patience would always fail. With him it was worse than as if he should stand at high noon, and, with the meridian splendour of the sun blazing full upon the page, read an argument proving that there is no sun. He was not philosophic enough for the task. Of religious poetry he was very fond. In regard to fiction, he was never known to read a novel in his life. Once a friend met him in the street, his arms filled with the novels of Sir Walter Scott, which he had borrowed, and was bearing home. In answer to some exclamation of surprise — "You know I preach against novel reading," he replied, "and really I ought to see for myself what they contain." KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 519 He never began the second chapter, however, of the first volume. During the visit of Dickens to this country, his curiosity being excited by the enthusiasm aroused, he attempted to read "Oliver Twist;" it was a task, and an uncompleted one. By temperament fond of wonder and excitement, yet the wonders of romance were small with him in comparison to the awful and eternal realities upon which his mind so habitually dwelt; the "thrilling scenes" of the novelist, even had they been true, were tame to the scenes with which he was so conversant. The sister, weeping on the shoulder of the converted brother; the pious elder rejoicing in the conversion of a son, perhaps dissipated; the hoary-headed mother, clasping to her aged bosom her child who had long wandered from the household of faith; the pious husband exulting in the conversion of his wife, or she receiving the long-hoped fruit of many tears and prayers in the conversion of her husband; the inexpressible joy of the young convert in the first clear dawning upon the soul of the Sun of Eighteousness ; or the joy of a whole church, perhaps long distracted by feuds and barren of fruit, in the outpouring upon it of the Holy Ghost — frequent scenes such as these, made pale, to his eye, as the paper upon which it is printed, the most vivid fictions of the novelist. As to the moral reformation of the world, written after so much of late by novelist, politician, and poet, his belief was a very plain and simple one, summed up in few words — first, " The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked," and, as such, 520 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE doomed to eternal ruin; second, the one remedy for this is the blood of Christ, and the regenerating and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. There is no use of disguising the fact, he was a man of one book, the Bible ; of one idea, the salvation of men by a cru- cified Saviour; of one occupation and object in life, the making known, as he was enabled of God, Ihis salvation to men. And here was the secret of his enthusiasm in regard to the College, an enthusiiism which aroused more than the ardour and energy of youth in the man of three-score years. His leading object, thought, and hope, in regard to the College was, that thereby young men might be better qusvli- fied to serve God out of the ministry if not called, but especially in the ministry, if called of God. Young men of piety and promise had no peace, whon in his reach, until they had prayerfully considered whether or not it was their duty to serve God fcs ministers of the gospel. To a father who sought his advice in regard to such a son, he replied, " I would give him the necessary education if I had to live upon corn bread and cold water three times a day!" Toward young ministers he had a warm feeling; and he was of opinion that such could greatly benefit themselves, as well as advance the cause of Christ, by spending, when practicable, the first years of their ministry upon the frontier ; the domestic missionary work he regarded as an admirable school for the pastorate. About the 1st of February, 1856, he left Hunts- ville upon his sixth tour on behalf of the College, and to attend the General Assembly. During this trip his labours were greatly blessed at various towns REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 521 in Louisiana and Alabama. He writes during this tour as follows: "TuSKEGEE, Alabama, May Gth, 1856. " My dear Wife — No letter from home yet ! But I hope to receive a large number a few days hence, for I shall probably reach Augusta to-morrow night or next morning, when I calculate on a feast, made more delightful by long abstinence. "Well, I have been sick again; so sick, indeed, that I had to recall some of my appointments, and was in bed all day last Sabbath. Truly I have been labouring in the vineyard a long time ; and as the hireling longs for the shadows of the evening that he may have repose, so it is with me. I think I can truly say, I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Last Sabbath, I think if the physician had said to me, 'It will soon be over,' I think I would have exclaimed, 'Good news! — good news!' But I confess, that if God please, I would rather breathe my last breath in the bosom of my dear family. I know I am a poor, imperfect crea- ture, but I do not know that I shall ever be better prepared for my long home than I now am. But in relation both to the time and the manner of my death, I hope I shall always be able to say. The will of the Lord be done. Daniel Baker." *'New York, May 15ih, 1856. "My dear Wife — This is the day for the meet- ing of the Assembly; the members are pouring in rapidly. I think, after this, the College must get 4i* 522 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE another agent; I find that the object is by no means a popular one. More must be done at home. After the meeting of the Assembly I purpose to do what I can in New York and Philadelphia, and then try what I can do in Virginia. "Affectionately, Daniel Baker." "New York, May I6th, 1856. "My own Daughter — The Assembly convened yesterday. Two hundred and thirty-two members were enrolled the first day — the second, two hundred and fifty. A large Assembly, truly. Rev. Dr. Rice preached the opening sermon, from 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2. A very fine sermon it was. Dr. McFarland was elected Moderator. My name was nominated, but at my special request it was withdrawn. "I am to preach for Dr. P. next Sabbath, and for Dr. A. the Sabbath after. I have received more invitations than I can attend to. Some of the salu- tations which I receive from ministers from various quarters are touching. I believe that many do love me. AVell, my daughter, the Board have caught at the idea of publishing my Address to Children — title, 'Daniel Baker's Talk to Little Children.' It is going to be a pretty little book, with appropriate cuts. The new edition of my 'Revival Sermons^ is now in press. I never dreamed of such a demand. May God make the work a blessing to many, even when the hand which wrote the sermons shall be moulder- ing in the grave. " Your own dear father, Daniel Baker." REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 523 "New York, 31ay Hist, 185G. "My dear Son — We have had a most delightful meeting of the Assembly; every thing perfectly har- monious. On Saturday last, both Assemblies were treated to an excursion to Randal's and Blackwell's Islands, to see the benevolent Institutions located there. A very pleasant excursion it was; and on Monday afternoon we had another excursion (I mean those of our own Assembly) to Greenwood Cemetery. Some thirty carriages were kindly provided for our accommodation. Both excursions were made more interesting by speeches, singing, &c. I was called upon, but having a bad cold, declined. Dr. Lord has invited me to go to Buffalo, and I think I will go. "With regard to my success as an agent, there has been nothing to boast of. The Legislature of Texas must render aid, or * * * "From the old man of silvery locks. Your father, Daniel Baker." After the adjournment of the Assembly, Dr. Baker held meetings in various places in New Jersey, Vir- ginia, and North Carolina, with the usual blessing of God upon his labours. In his letters at this period, he speaks with peculiar feeling of meetings at which he had been present, in Hampden Sydney College, and in the University of North Carolina, at each of which institutions about twelve students made pro- fession of religion. This gave him special pleasure ; for, covetous for the increase of the cause of his beloved Master, with the eye of faith, he would reckon up the souls to be converted hereafter, by the 524 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE labours of each educated youth — counting lipon and rejoicing in the success of those labours in advance. It was a pleasure to witness his joy in the conversion of a youth of piety and promise — it was a joy, not only as over one sinner, but of multitudes of sinners saved — in anticipation — by their labours hereafter. It is thus that he expresses himself, in a letter to Dr. C. C. Jones, during the meetings in South Carolina. " You recollect, brother Jones, that in my sermon before the General Assembly last spring, I stated, in emphatic terms, that ' we must have more ministers,' and that my heart was towards the young men of our land, as Deborah said that her heart was towards the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly. Well, at the commencement of every protracted meeting which I held, I mentioned distinctly that the ' harvest was great and the labourers few,' and ' we must have more preachers.' And as we did not wish any one to enter the ministry unconverted, we must set our hearts upon the conversion of young men. And as for myself I was determined to make a dead-set upon this class in particular; and lo! already, God has granted the desire of our hearts. A little army of young men are already gathered around the standard of the cross; some of whom, I do hope, will soon be numbered amongst the heralds of salvation. Indeed, some, I am told, have already had their attention strongly turned that way. I trust we shall have at least one tithe. "Nearly all who have professed convcrson have, by their respective pastors, been added to the com- munion of our church. Last Sabbath I beheld a REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 525 beautiful sight — twenty young converts seated to- gether at the table of the Lord; and the Sabbath before, a sight still more beautiful — one whole table filled up with young disciples, fifty in number ! and amongst them so many prominent men, and lovely and promising young men! O, it was a scene of thrilling interest, well worth a journey of a hundred miles. Nay, more; well worth an angel's visit from the skies. To God be all, all the praise ! Do, brother Jones, get many of our venerated and be- loved pastors, evangelists, and missionaries, to say ' we must have more ministers.' E-emember what I told you in Charleston, and what, of course, you knew before, that of* seventy churches in the Synod of Alabama, thirty are not supplied; and that, in Texas, we have not more than about one minister of our communion to five counties. Our standard bearers are falling, and the number of candidates are decreasing. Only think of that! Something must be done. Do sound the tocsin of alarm, and let all who love our Zion come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Li other words, adopt some method of sending this saying, ' we must have more ministers,' through the churches, like thunder echoing among the mountains. I think that pastors and missionaries should take more interest in this matter. Pious and promising youth should be sought out and encouraged to enter the ministry. "Do not misunderstand me. I am not for urging any young man, however talented, to enter upon the sacred office; but there is a certain kind of encour- agement that might very properly be given, and 526 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE ought to be given, to youths who bid fair to be useful in the ministry. And here I would simply make this remark — if I had not met with some encouragement (so far as I can see) I would never have entered upon the sacred office." He was at all times eager, years after any success- ful meeting, to learn in regard to the firmness of the converts; and those who are familiar with the results of meetings at which he assisted, well know how very rarely he had cause for sorrow herein. But for the reason spoken of, in regard to young men brought in of God by his means, especially, he could say with the Apostle, "Now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord." Hence, and it is natural, his gratitude is most excited on hearing of ministers converted by his instrumentality. In this sense, with the utmost feeling of his mere instrumentality, he would rejoice to know of his "spiritual children," and even more still of his "spiritual grandchildren;" loving these, as is common in the earthly relation, with a love even purer and more tender than the others. Bear in mind the multitudes of men and women made by his labours, under God, so many separate centres — as citizens, friends, sisters, bro- thers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers — of saving influences in their day, and down ail after days. Then add to this the host of those brought in under his preaching, ana afterward — as Professors in Col- lege and Seminary, as authors, as editors, as ministers in all branches of the Church — so blessed of God in their day, and down all generations after — who can calculate the power thus put forth by the xilmighty, KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 527 througli the medium of even one individual, nothing in himself] There is in this the infinity as well as the glory and the bliss of eternity. Do not even Gabriel and Michael look up to such an office as this with holy envy'? And what joy to wear in heaven a crown so sparkling with souls — a joy, not in the wearing the crown, but in the having such a crown to lift from the brow, and cast at the foot of the throne, exclaiming to him who fills it, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power!" During this whole tour the health of Dr. Baker was not so strong as usual. Yet, if he did not now at all times mount up on wings as eagles, he never- theless ran and was not weary, walked and was not faint. And now for the last time he crossed the Gulf for Texas. In the "Old States" his well- known face will be seen, his familiar voice will be heard no more ! It was a broad field, and for thirty-eight years had he toiled in it an ordained minister of Jesus Christ. East, West, North, South — over almost all parts of the United States — sowing the good seed along its furrows, on stony soil and good, summer and winter, seed time and harvest too, he had laboured in his Master's cause and in his Master's strength. His work therein is now done. Although he thinks not so, he leaves this field as the day-labourer withdraws toward his home at the close of the day. Some little work for Him he loves remains for his hands to do in Texas — but little more, and then — heaven. Taken quite sick on his arrival at Houston, in Texas, he stepped from the stage at his own door 528 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE in Himtsville, during the first week of December, 1856, more wearied from his labours than ever before. " I remained in office as President of the College," he says in his autobiography, "until January 7th, 1857, when I resigned the office of President, in order that I might give myself up wholly to the work of the agency, and" — such is the last line of his autobiography. Turning to his letters home, it is found that from this period he toils for the College, with the same energy which had not faltered since his first concep- tion of the institution for an instant ; but now the field of his toil is narrowed down to Texas. The following letter is not only characteristic of the man, but shows how the Institution of his heart is appre- ciated in Texas, as well as in the older States. ''HuNTSViLLE, May 30th, 1857. "My dear Son — Last Saturday I returned from an agency tour of about fiye weeks in East Texas. I preached nearly sixty sermons. We had some pre- cious meetings; about sixty persons awakened, of whom perhaps twenty or twenty-five were hopefully converted. I received about one hundred dollars in cash, and subscriptions to the endowment, something more than fifteen hundred dollars. Is not this doing pretty well for an old man operating in Texas; and that, too, just after Jack Frost had been committing such awful ravages in the field, the garden, and the forest 1 "But I have still something better to mention, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 529 and something which I think will surprise you. The Trustees of the College, at their meeting in January last, sold the remainder of the ' Wilberger tract,' to Messrs. J. C. and S. E. Smith, of this place, for five thousand dollars. After the deed was made out and every thing done in legal order, Mr. Sorley made me a proposition, in writing, to this effect, that if J. C. and S. R. Smith would cancel the engagement, he would give fifteen thousand dollars for the land. This astonished me. I immediately went to the Smiths, and without letting them know anything about the proposition made, I asked them if they were not willing to let us off. 'No.' 'Well, but,' said I, ' I will give you one thousand dollars to let us off.' 'No.' They were satisfied, and did not wish to give up the land. I then showed them Mr. Sorley's written proposition. They opened their eyes. They marvelled, and knew not what to say. I then made as powerful an appeal as I possibly could to their magnanimity. 'Now,' said I, 'gentle- men, by a kind Providence you have been placed in a situation in which you can virtually give ten thou- sand dollars to Austin College, without taking one dime from your capital. And what a reputation it will give you — a reputation most enviable, and founded upon a rock of granite. It would be better than if you had given us outright a check upon New York for ten thousand dollars. And only think how it would aid me in pleading with other men in be- half of Austin College ! Moreover, gentlemen,' con- tinued I, 'if I were not principled against dancing, it would make me dance for joy.' 'Well,' they re- plied, they would 'take the matter into consldera- 45 530 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE tion, and let me know their decision before long.' Day before yesterday I received a written communi- cation from them, containing the following words: ' We agree to re-convey said land, provided the same can be sold for seven dollars and fifty cents per acre, as stated. In reconveying said land, we are well apprized that we surrender that which would result very profitably to us. At the same time, we cannot resist our great desire to see Austin College placed upon a permanent footing.' "Is not this noble'? I go next week to Galveston, Providence permitting, to consummate the affair. And now, we not only consider the 'Baker Pro- fessorship of Mathematics' endowed, but we shall have some two or three thousand dollars over and above, to go the endowment of a second Professor- ship! Surely we have special reason now 'to thank God and take courage.' Of course, my son, you will rejoice with me in the brightening prospects of our noble institution. Do send us some bright-eyed boys at the opening of the next session. Those that are dull you may send to the North. Let smart ones stay at home ; let dunces go abroad. Daniel Baker." Tto his son.) « HuNTSviLLE, July \st, 1857. "I am happy to inform you that our endowment scheme goes on swimmingly. During my trip of some five weeks in East Texas, I obtained subscrip- tions to the amount of sixteen hundred dollars. During my more recent trip to Galveston, Columbia, &c., I obtained for the College, in notes and land, to REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 531 the amount of some four thousand three hundred dollars. The whole amount, added to the resources of the College, since January last, is something like twenty-six thousand dollars !" After a short stay at home, he revisited Eastern Texas; while there, he thus writes: "Henderson, July 13th, 1857. "My DEAR Wife — 'Honour to whom honour is due. My first letter is for you. This is right, for I was acquainted with you before any other member of our family circle; even some forty-four years ago. 0 what changes since that time! " I reached this place in time to preach on Satur- day night, and three times yesterday (Sabbath.) The people came out in crowds to hear me. Something has awakened a special interest. They tell me of several of their relatives having been converted un- der my preaching; and I have been told something about some children, namesakes of mine! — all, till 1 came here, unknown to me. The people seem to hear with a strong hope of being benefitted. God grant that my labours may be greatly blessed. I think a very good impression was made yesterday morning, and particularly last night. No person has joined the Presbyterian church here on profession of faith for some two or three years past. On my coming on Saturday last, I am told a certain man of the world remarked, 'If Mr. B. will only convert twenty-five Henderson sinners, he shall have my riding horse, and he is worth two hundred and fifty dollars.' Well, although Mr. B. cannot convert a 532 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE single sinner, yet the Lord can make him the means of converting more than twenty-five. A genuine revival of religion here is an event very greatly to be desired. Daniel Baker." (to the same.) "Midway, between Shreveport and Linden, Mig. 21ih, 1S57. "My dear Eliza — One meeting more, and then 'home, sweet home.' I have had pleasant times both in Shreveport and Linden; seasons of refresh- ing from the presence of the Lord. The meeting in the latter place was even better than in the former; and as to the matter of the endowment, I have suc- ceeded beyond my expectation — about three thou- sand dollars! This will do for six weeks' labour. Besides, I have received nearly four hundred dollars in cash. But indeed I have laboured very hard — generally three services every day in the week. And only think how warm the weather has been! I confess I desire some repose, and that in the bosom of my family. Well, I purpose to return as soon as I possibly can ; but I do dread the ride — two hundred miles on horseback in such warm weather, is almost too much for one who has reached the period of three-score and six. Last Monday I entered upon my sixty-seventh year — surely I am in ' the sere and yellow leaf.' " "SnREVEPORT, 28//i. "Yes, your letter at last; and verily, one of your most interesting — quite playful. Well, I do like every thing in the form of sunshine and smiles. If, REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 533 my dear wife, you were in better health, you would be more fond of the land of Beulah, where the sun is ever shining, and the birds are always singing. Daniel Baker." In the above, as in all his letters. Dr. Baker speaks of the remarkable liberality of the people in giving to Austin College. During his agency in behalf of the Institution, he obtained an amount nearly equal to one hundred thousand dollars, even throwing out of the calculation what has been pro- mised, but not yet paid into the treasury. A large part of this amount was given as the result of meet- ings— as the reader is aware — during which God was pleased to pour out his Holy Spirit, reviving Christians, and converting sinners. What an illus- tration is this of the fact — for it is an invariable one — that giving is one of the graces wrought by the Spirit of God in the heart; and that the larger the measures of the Holy Spirit poured out, just so much the more do the recipients thereof "abound in this grace also." 45* 534 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE CHAPTEE XV CLOSING SCENES. On September 9, 1857, Dr. Baker arrived in Hunts- ville from his journeying in behalf of the College in Eastern Texas. Nearly twenty years have passed since he first conceived the idea of building up in Texas an institution of learning of the highest grade. That idea grew within him through all those years into a fixed purpose ; then was born into the world, at Huntsville, an enterprise which grew, under his untiring care and hard-earned sustenance and the prayers of all the brethren in Texas, into a robust childhood, full of fair promise for the future. From the outset, his interest in, and labours for the Col- lege, have kno^vn nothing but steady increase. So to speak, it was his Benjamin, the darling object of his old age. Enough has already been said in regard to the grand purpose of Dr. Baker and his brethren in establishing this Institution ; one thing more must be added fully to explain his enthusiasm in the matter. The feeling which Texans have for Texas is ma- terially unlike that which even a Kentuckian or a Virginian has towards his own State. Owing to its comparative size and its past history, Texans do not regard Texas as a State merely, but rather, with REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 535 a certain undefined feeling, as a nation in itself; and its peculiar present and prospective influence upon Mexico does not diminish this impression. No one in Texas partook more largely of tliis feeling than Dr. Baker; nor could the feeling but grow as he saw the population of the State increase from one hundred thousand, when he first stood upon its soil, to more than six hundred thousand, poured abroad over its vast area, and developing its immense re- sources. The Institution of learning for which he laboured, being well located, and securely rooted in the love and pride of the Presbyterian Church, and of all the friends of education in the State, was regarded by him, as has been said, with ever increasing interest. More and more did he feel, that in labouring for this Institution, he was doing the utmost in his power for the cause of learning in Texas, and also for the cause of Presbyterianism; above all, for the welfare of the souls of men, and the glory of the Master he loved so well: and from, the first lift- ing of his hand to the work, that Master had smiled his approval; that Master had given him success at home; had accompanied him wherever he journeyed, pouring out his Holy Spirit, and causing the soil to mellow and yield beneath the hand of his servant a rich harvest of donations for the College, and of souls for heaven. Thoroughly satisfied he was, that in the whole matter, from first to last, he was in the path of duty. Disappointed and rebufied very often in his efforts abroad, he was never once discouraged. Perils arose again and again inside of the College, threatening to 536 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE heave its walls asunder — still his faith faltered not. It was his unalterable belief that God intended to establish the College, and make it an incalculable blessing to this vast territory, the name of whose pioneer it bears; a blessing, perhaps, to those re- gions beyond yet to be subdued beneath the feet of the Saviour. This was his belief and motive for exertion before the College was born; and never was this conviction stronger than when he was lying upon a bed of death at Austin. What was felt by him, was felt to an equal extent by all the brethren in Texas, save only that in the providence of God the work of carrying out their wishes was devolved more immediately upon him. This confidence in the purpose and favour of God with respect to the College, meant, with him, only an assured confidence in the divine blessing upon all efforts in its behalf; and from the first he made every possible endeavour that was suggested to him by others, or conceived by himself Were the lands of the College to be looked after — though in a remote part of the State 1 — At the earliest mo- ment he was there, guiding his travel-worn horse through almost impenetrable cedar-brakes, search- ing for the confused corners and almost oblite- rated bearings; or, in the nearest surveyor's office, poring over musty and bewildered records, more difficult to trace on the paper page than upon the corrugated bark of live-oak and blackjack. Was anything to be accomplished by correspondence'? — By the first mail went forth his letters, each written with an accurate precision, to obviate any possible misapprehension. REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 537 As to his efforts for the College during his six tours, we have seen how he toiled and how he suc- ceeded. Six tours to beg for the College out of the State ! He became more and more reluctant to beg in this way. It was very well when he first began; Texas was then smaller in population, and indefi- nitely deep in debt; but when that population so swiftly doubled itself, when that debt disappeared, leaving Texas with millions in its chest for present use, and incalculable resources for the future, with the steward in Scripture, it was his feeling, "to beg I am ashamed." Two resources were left him; one was a visit to England, Ireland, and Scotland; and he felt confident that if God led him east of the Atlantic, he would bless him, as he had so richly west of it. But he regarded this only as a last resort; his other resource, in which he had the strongest hope, was in aid from the State. How he hoped, and how he strove, session after ses- sion of the Legislature, to obtain this, has already been seen. On his return from Eastern Texas, he remained at home more than a month, making all possible arrangements to prosecute his plans at a meeting of the Legislature to take place at Austin in a few weeks. Let us pause at this point in the history of this man of God. It is impossible to judge of men by their appearance in the pulpit and the parlour, when away from their own pidpit and home. A higher testimonial to Dr. Baker's character lies in this — that God blessed him fully as much in the pastoral relation as in that of Evangelist. Much as he was esteemed and loved in the churches in which his 538 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE transient labours were so wonderfully blessed, he was even more esteemed and loved among the people of his own charge ; and most by those among whom he lived longest. Yet, at least, it is not how he ap- peared in the pulpit, but what he was in private life; that is the true test of the man. These pages will be read by many in the various places in each of which for years he was pastor, — and I appeal to you, in so many cities and towns this land over, who knew him best, were his most intimate friends ; you who, as ruling elders, sat with him so often in ses- sion; you, by whose fireside he has so often been seated in the unreserved intercourse of friendship, before whom he has come in and gone out in the perfect freedom of daily life for years; you who have known him under all the vicissitudes through which men pass in life — I appeal to you, if all that he seemed to be, under the most propitious circum- stances, in public, was not confirmed, and more than confirmed, by all that he was in private] But a man may appear to his most intimate friends, and for years, other than he really is in the closer intimacy of his own family. Then, from within this sacred circle we say to you, as before God, that he was to our eyes, in every sense, all he seemed to those without. All'? Far more! We knew his hourly spirit and converse; the outgush of his first feelings; his most unpremeditated words and deeds; his fast- ings and trials; his midnight wrestling, like Jacob, with God, when alone, as he supposed, with the Almighty. It is so — why should we not say it? Among all the names of men — even of patriarchs, prophets, apostles — there is no one whom we have REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 539 ever venerated and loved in comparison with this man, whom we knew so well. Have we sinned herein'? Pardon us, O Lord — the temptation was so great! But, his defects of character — what were these'? That the portrait may be lifelike and true, what are the shadows as well as lights'? The biographer has pressed this question upon her, who should know above any one else; he has inquired as widely as possible of all who knew him ; he has tasked his own memory to the utmost, and writes — what he has written. All that Dr. Baker seemed to be, he was — alway and everywhere — because he acted under eternal and invariable principles, even those of the religion he preached to others ; and because he loved and feared, above all things. One whom he habitu- ally felt to be at all times with him. He walked with God. So far as he was cleansed from sin, it was by the blood of Christ; so far as he was holy, it was by the power of the Holy Spirit, regenerating and sanctifying. He had nothing that he had not re- ceived. The glory of any excellence seen in him is, not to him in whom, but to Him % whom it was wrought. God forbid we should say too much of him, when even an apostle must exclaim, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death'?" He has now attained his sixty-seventh year. The pen of the writer falters, and refuses to attempt to sum up what this servant of Christ has accomplished for his Master so far; it recoils from any effort to delineate farther the features of his character. It is not for a son to form an estimate of the life of a 540 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE father; let the reader of this volume judge for him- self. The facts are already in his hands, save a few remaining — alas, how few! Deeply indeed must the spotless life, and abundant labours, and holy influence of this man of God have left their impress on the heart of Texas, when, on the first news of his death, the Legislature, in both of its branches, adjourned instantly. Though in the full career of a thronged and excited session, it re- fused to transact business in the shock of such a loss to the State, expressing in unanimous and heartfelt resolutions their sense of that loss. " It becomes my painful duty," said a leading statesman upon the floor of the Legislature on that occasion, " to announce to this house the sudden and unexpected intelligence of the death of one of Texas' public benefactors; the E,ev. Daniel Baker is no more! This sad intelligence burst upon us so sud- denly and unexpectedly, that it has been difficult to realize the truth. I could not believe it until I visited the chamber where this great and good man, this venerable father in Israel, died. I have laid my hand on that cold and marble brow, have gazed on that face which I have so often seen lit up with animation and life, but now stamped with the cold impress of death. I have pressed that hand which I have so often grasped before in the warmth of fricndsliip and affection, but now stiffened and cold. I know that he is dead. As a general thing, I am opposed to the obtrusion of our private griefs on this house to the interruption of business; but I con- sider the death of Dr. Baker a public calamity. He is justly entitled to the claim and rank of one of REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 541 Texas' benefactors. His exertions and usefulness were confined to no particular locality, no limited sphere. Possessed of a catholic spirit, of universal love and benevolence towards his fellow-men, he was prompted thereby to extend his sphere of usefulness as wide as possible. There has been scarcely a State in the Union but has heard his eloquent pleadings in behalf of religion and all the great moral interests of society. Twenty years ago I knew the deceased in Alabama. He was then the same devoted, enter- prising, assiduous man and minister that he has been here ; and since the scene of his usefulness has been transferred to this State, we all know with what untiring efforts he has exerted himself, not only in the cause of his Heavenly Master, but especially in the cause of education. He has left proud monu- ments in proof of these truths, and in honour to his memory. There stands not two hundred miles from this place, on the brow of a lofty summit, a beautiful edifice, surrounded by shady groves and academic walks. In it is opened a fountain of science, at which near one hundred youths daily drink. This edifice is Austin College, reared principally by the noble exertions of the lamented deceased, whose loss we are this day called to mourn. But, while these monuments stand, and I hope they may long continue so to do in honour of Dr. Baker, he is gone." When the tidings of his death reached Hunts- ville, his own home, the editor of a paper there, himself not a professor of religion, thus expressed 46 542 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE the result of a long acquaintance with him as a fellow-townsman : "The news of the sudden death of Dr. Baker came like an earthquake on our citizens last Monday night. Hale and vigorous in our midst only a few short weeks ago, he is now at rest. Good and faith- ful servant, thou art gone ! Hard-working Christian, thou hast found thy reward ! Who is left to fill thy place here^ — not one. Men like our venerable friend are only made once in an age. Alexander, Caesar, Luther, Cromwell, Napoleon, Jackson — but one of each existed at one time; their places are never filled. So with Dr. Baker, in his sphere ; his place cannot be filled. He died at his post. ' Truly a great man has fallen in Israel." And these were but the sentiments of every in- habitant of the place. Immediately on hearing the news of his death, a town-meeting spontaneously assembled. By order of the College some time before, a portrait of Dr. Baker had been painted; this was displayed, while speaker after speaker rose from the throng to express, often interrupted with tears, the heart-felt afiliction of all. It was de- termined to remove the remains from Austin, and deposit them in the College campus, to be crowned with a suitable monument, as a lasting memorial to the students, who generation after generation shall flock thither, of the fomider and father of the Institution. As the news of his death passed the boundaries of Texas, it was caught up by journals, secular and religious, and made known over the whole land with REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 543 various yet unanimous comment. It was communi- cated by hundreds of pastors to their, people from pulpit and in prayer-meeting, filling with sudden sadness houses of worship once overflowing, under his labours, with the gladness of revival. As the tidings -spread more and more widely among the families that knew him, in cities, towns, villages, and scattered cabins along the farthest frontier, the exclamations of grief at the tables and firesides of ten thousand households— all these make up the impartial and unfeigned summary of, and comment upon, the Christian character, life, and labours of him who is gone. It is not necessary, it is not expedient, that a son should further speak where so much is said by others. On the morning of October 22d, 1857, Dr. Baker took his usual affectionate leave of his family, Httle thinking, he or they, that never more on earth was he to see their faces. His wife followed him, as his horse was led to the block for him to mount. From the hour she had given herself to him, so many years before, to be his wife, she had as faithfully fulfilled the duties allotted to her, by their common Lord, as he had the duties allotted to him. And, as the wife and helpmeet of such a man, her duties were great, beyond what ordinarily devolves upon a minister's wife by far. As the wife of his bosom, as the mother of his children, yea, as her with whom he took, beyond the wont of most husbands, sweet counsel, and walked unto the house of God in com- pany, their relationship to each other had been pecu- liarly happy; a closer or happier, earth never knew. He is as hale and strong as she is fragile, yet to- 544 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE gether they have trod the pilgrimage of life, together they approach its end. With anxiety she noticed the difficulty he had in seating himself upon the restive animal, and, with many charges to be careful, she bade him an affectionate adieu. For the first time in a long life, as she afterward remarked, she felt in parting with him, instead of the usual sense of pain, a singular sense of actual pleasure. Was it a premonition of their next meeting'? Parting, thus, at the gate of their home, it was a separation of only a few months; they have met since within the gates of their eternal home, never to know parting more. The Synod of Texas was to meet at Palestine, in Eastern Texas. Reaching this place in safety, he thus wrote to his son at Austin. "November 8th, 1S57. " This is Sabbath evening. I have just returned from the church, where I preached, with some liberty, from the words, ' Come, and go with us.' I left the pastor conversing with several who have applied to be received into the communion of the church. We have had a full and a delightful meeting of the Synod. Every thing was perfectly harmonious. It has proved one of the most interesting meetings of Synod that I ever attended; I trust the results will be most happy. On Saturday night we adjourned, to have a final meeting to-morrow morning at half- past eight o'clock, for the purpose of fraternally mingling our devotions, and bidding each other an affectionate farewell. I set out to-morrow with brother W., and shall, as I suppose, spend the coming REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 545 Sabbath with him at Concord and Wheelock. The probability is I shall pass on immediately after the Sabbath to Austin. " On Wednesday last my horse, frightened by the fluttering of my half-opened umbrella, ran away with me, and I was thrown with violence upon the ground, but, by a kind Providence, I received no serious injury. I intend to be more careful in the use of my umbrella in time to come. But I must not write any more to night, as I have, for a wonder, 'a shocking bad cold,' and writing by candle-light will do my weeping eyes no good." It was his intention to have returned to Hunts- ville from Synod before going to Austin; he now determined to proceed to Austin immediately, as the letter shows. Eight years before this, the writer had gone to Austin, had organized a church there with five members, and had been permitted to see it grow steadily into a self-sustaining pastoral charge. For years it had been the wish of the church that Dr. Baker would attend a protracted meeting with them. Though he had occasionally visited Austin, circum- stances had always prevented this. In view of this expected visit much prayer had been offered, and it was a matter of ardent desire and fervent prayer on the part of pastor and people that the visit would be attended with a blessing. But it was not to be ; perhaps there was too much reliance on an arm of flesh. Meanwhile the pastor of the church was taken seriously ill. As he lay in his chamber on the even- ing of Thursday, the 19th of November, 1857, a well- 46* 546 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE known foot-fall was heard upon the floor of the hall, and a well-known form entered his door. The more than fatherly sympathy with which he greeted the son, the cordial cheerfulness of his manner as he seated himself by the bedside, in the full glow of health, banished the atmosphere of sickness from the chamber as by a burst of sunshine. Embracing his daughter and grandchildren, he immediately re- counted the manner in which he had been greeted by a group of members of the Legislature at the door of the livery stable, on alighting from his horse ; how they had welcomed him to Austin, and assured him of their sympathy and assistance in obtaining aid from the State for the College — all in his usual lively vein, showing how greatly encouraged he was by the incident — it was but an incident — but encour- agement was the atmosphere and element by which he was always surrounded. He complained some- what of being fatigued, but was up early the next morning, and was engaged the rest of the week with his usual energy and hopefulness among the mem- bers of the Legislature, in his eflbrt to obtain money or land for the College by legislative enactment. Upon this he had set his heart, and it was the absorbing theme of his thoughts and conversation to the hour of his death. It need hardly be added that he was treated by the members of the Legislature, and all others, with that marked respect and vene- ration accorded to him by every individual who knew him, or even met him without knowing who he was; such was the effect produced by his very aspect. On Sabbath, November 22d, he preached morning REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 547 and night to large audiences, his son, the pastor of the church, being still confined to his bed. So great was the interest manifested at the night service, that it was afterward greatly regretted that notice had not been given, and preaching appointed for Monday night also. He had thought of giving such a notice on Sabbath night, he told the sick pastor afterward, but did not like to do so on account of not having previously consulted that pastor; so habitual was his dehcacy of feeling in such matters, that he acted thus even when the pastor was his own son. During the ensuing week he laboured with his usual energy in behalf of the College, and all who met with him at this time will bear witness to the fact, that to attain his object he did all that man could. During this week he thus writes to his wife at Huntsville : "Austin, November 2Sth, 1857. '' I have now been in Austin more than a week, and expect to leave in a few days, on my return home — but not direct. I shall go by the way of Wheelock, where I expect to be in two weeks from this time. " The boys, my grandchildren, have as much life as need be. H. is really a good boy, and D. is sweet and pretty, but has a high temper, and seems much inclined to teaze and lord it over his brother. Last night, after H. had got into bed, D. insisted upon his rising and coming to him. When H. com- plied, what did he wish nextl That he should go into the closet; and when H. had complied with this whim, what nexf? He immediately closed the door upon him, and seemed to triumph in the thought 548 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE that he had made his brother his prisoner. After H. was released, and had again got into bed, the little tyrant insisted upon going over the process again. The little boy is always upon the move, and has his own way of amusing himself. Last night, after putting on his night-shirt, he took a notion that he must equip himself and set out on a journey to another room. So, what does he do — gets his father's boots, puts on his grandpa's hat, which nearly swallowed up his whole head, and then, taking grandpa's walking cane, he must have the door thrown open before him, and away he goes. But, being told that he must say to all, Good-by, he made an attempt to take off his hat and bow to the company, when down he came. "I have had a very bad cold lately — so hoarse I could not preach on thanksgiving day, as I was re- quested and expected to do. I hope I shall be able to preach to-morrow; and O that it may be with liberty and success! And so you were in our new church last Sabbath morning. God grant it may be the spiritual birth-place of many a precious soul. " Our prospects for legislative aid for the College are brightening. Nearly all the members seem dis- posed to do something. The difficulty was the basis or plan ; and now I think we have got it. To give one thousand dollars and one league of land for every ten thousand dollars obtained by private sub- scription or donation: the evidence to be furnished by the records of the College, attested by the Secre- tary or President of the Board of Trustees, under oath. This plan seems to be deemed by all most equitable and just, and I hope will prevail. In the KEY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 549 House I heard this morning some very complimen- tary remarks in relation to Austin College and my- self; but a good substantial vote would please me much more. My time is very precious." On the next Sabbath he not only preached morn- ing and night, but made in the afternoon a special address to professing Christians, in accordance with his invariable rule, to speak as often as possible of that blessed Saviour, to preach whom was his delight and business in life. He was quite hoarse in the morning, more so at the afternoon service, and so much so at night that he could hardly speak. In rising to take his text at night, he remarked that he was about to preach a sermon which, if he knew when he was to die, he would choose as his last; and this because the sermon was full of Jesus Christ, to a degree unusual even in his preaching. It is Sermon III. in the First Series of his Revival Sermons; preached in accordance with a request of an elder of the Austin church, with which he gladly complied. He paused a moment after making the remark, as if considering what he had said, and then solemnly repeated the remark. And it was his last sermon ! Those then present will never forget the ardent though struggling words in which, for the last time on earth, he spoke from the pulpit of the excel- lency of Christ, the one Mediator between God and man. At the outset of his ministry, this Saviour had been his one theme. As we have seen, his first sermon was from Eph. ii. 8 : "By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Forty years had he preached this 550 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Jesus, wherever and whenever he could. Who can tell how often, or to how many] And who can tell the number of "sheep going astray," who, during these forty years of incessant preaching, were "re- turned," by his instrumentality, "unto the Shepherd and Bishop of souls'?" Scarce a conjecture even can be made of the number. And now, as Jesus Christ was the beginning, so " the end of his conversation" too, was " Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." His son, being in the pulpit with him, having unbounded faith in the ability to preach, of a father whom he never knew to decline an opportunity of preaching, regarding the hoarseness as a slight and passing matter, and eager for a protracted meeting, such as had been so greatly blessed wherever he had held them, gave notice that his father would preach the next (Monday) night again. By Monday night, however, his hoarseness had so increased that this was impossible, to the disappointment, it may be said, of almost all professing Christians in the community. His affection of the throat did not prevent him from writing to the members of the Legislature as usual, and exerting himself in every way in behalf of the College. He was fully as cheerful as usual at the fireside and the table, glow- ing with life and hope, and full of pleasant remark and playful rejoinder. During this week, he thus writes to a son at Huntsville : "Austin, December 5th, 1857. " I really feel thankful to you and your mother for your joint letter. It is so pleasant to receive letters REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 551 from home when one is absent; and especially when they enter into details. No home matters are unin- teresting to him whose thoughts and affections cluster around his own domestic circle. I have been sick for something more than a week; first a very bad cold, and then a pain in my breast — something like what is called angina pectoiis. I am going about now, but do not know that I shall be able to go to church to- morrow, to hear your brother William. I hope to be able, however, to start homeward on Tuesday next. I long to be at home, and when once there, I will not be disposed to take such another jaunt for a time, at least on horseback. "The Legislature have so many things before them, that our College matter is like the hexameter verse, or wounded snake, it 'drags its slow length along.' We hope, however, that in due time some- thing will be done. Rain, rain, rain ! O, how much rain! The river is impassable here, even with ferry- boats. I wonder if I shall not have some trouble in getting home. W. crossed the river this morning with Dr. Taylor. It is night, and they have not returned ; and to-morrow is the Sabbath, and I can- not preach ; but, as it is raining still, it may continue to rain, so that nobody can go out. Well, it is all right. The will of the Lord be done." His son, above referred to, however, managed to return, and preached morning and night. No lan- guage can express the anxiety of that son, that his father might yet be able to hold a protracted meeting in his church. The peculiar circumstances of the case made him even too desirous for this. 552 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE Nothing ever gave that father so much pleasure as such a meeting; and, of all places in the world, a meeting in the church of his own son, upon which the blessing of God should rest, no earthly thing could have given him greater pleasure. Yet, the perfect calmness of the father, so energetic, so ardent in every thing, contrasted strongly with the feverish- ness of the son. It was not that he did not desire the object as heartily, but his faith in God, whose providence prevented, was clear and complete. No language can express the perfect acquiescence of this servant of God, in the will of his Divine Master, in every thing, small and great. Labouring to the utmost of his power for the College and the cause of Christ, it was without fever, without the least perceptible perturbation of manner, or even of feel- ing, no matter what arose to cross and thwart. And it was a joyful acquiescence too; something almost awful in it; something of the serene repose of heaven, the calm beatitude of a saint in light. The Sabbath dawned — his last on earth. As has been said, his son preached on that day in his church, which was in full view from the chamber to which his father was confined. Sitting by a table at the window of that chamber, he thus writes to the pastor whose church he had promised to visit on his way back to Huntsville. The entire letter is given — it was his last. "Austin, December Gth, (Sunday,) 1857. "Dear Brother Wilson — I have been sick, quite sick, for more than a week past. This day I looked out from my chamber upon William's church, and REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 553 saw crowds wending their way, at the sound of the church-going bell, to the temple of God; but I could not go myself, even to hear my own son. These things being so, I thought I would drop you a line to let you know that it is quite possible that I may not be able to be with you at Concord next Sabbath. I hope, however, I shall; but really from my present state of health, I can say nothing positive even about Wheelock. But one thing I will say— I wish to come, and will, if not providentially prevented. Pray for me. "Yours, fraternally, Daniel Baker." When his son returned from church, he told him how delightful it had been to him, to sit at his window looking at the church, thinking that he had a son then preaching therein the glorious gospel — " and I now feel willing to go," added tliis man of God. On Monday, feeling somewhat better, he had made up his mind to leave for home, having accom- plished all in his power for the College. Against this his son earnestly protested. But in vain was he urged to remain in order to preach more. Aware that his father acted promptly when his mind was once made up, the son resorted to one last device to detain him. As agent of the College, his father was engaged daily in obtaining subscrip- tions to the endowment of a Professorship, the coupon blank-book of which endowment lay upon the table while they conversed. When all other motives for remaining had been urged in vain, the 47 654: LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE son drew the book to him, and offered himself to subscribe one hundred dollars to the endowment, if his father would remain over another Sabbath. The father hesitated. As agent for the College, ought he to decline such an offer'? He accepted the condition; the subscription was entered, and stands on the books of the College the last dona- tion obtained by its agent! This matter being thus settled on Monday, in the afternoon of that day, the father accompanied his son along the streets of Austin for a walk. He walked quite slowly, however, leaning upon the arm of his son, and would often stop, complaining of shortness of breath; in every other respect he seemed the same as ever, as full of life and pleasant talk. Having lost the key of his watch, he called on one or two jewel- lers ; they had none but of gold, and he would buy none but a steel one. " What is the use," he said, "of my spending anything upon myself, who am to be in this world for such a little while 1 — it will give me pleasure to get anything for 3/01^." But this was only common with him; those things ever gave him most pleasure which he purchased for others. "I take vastly more pleasure in seeing you enjoy it than in using it myself," would be his remark. After tea, on Monday night, feeling somewhat refreshed, he insisted upon going out again to call upon an influential member of the Legislature. In vain he was urged not to do so. "No, something important may be accomplished for the College," he said. It was not that he was rash or imprudent; so unaccustomed was he to sickness, or to failing to do at the moment whatever seemed to be pos- REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 555 sible to be done then, that he persisted in his intention. Before he had reached the house of the member, often stopping upon the way to breathe, leaning heavily upon the arm of his son, he regretted having made the attempt. Having arrived at the house, and seated upon the sofa in conversation, though unable to rise when the gentleman first entered the room, he urged the claims of the College as earnestly and powerfully as ever before in his life. It was with great difficulty that he returned home. That night his son slept in the chamber with him, to anticipate every want; but more than once during the night he was wakened by his father walking across the room to wait on himself, rather, with his habitual unselfishness, than disturb his son's slum- bers. Towards morning, however, he awoke his son; an idea had occurred to him in regard to the College, and to the College every thing must give way. He then detailed, one by one, ten "strong reasons," as he styled them, why the State should grant aid to the College. Next morning he was not content until they had been written out, printed, and arrangements made to place a copy upon the table of every member of the Legislature. During Tuesday and Wednesday his feebleness seemed to increase. As usual with him, he was frequent in expressions of gratitude to Dr. M. A. Taylor, his skilful physician, who was also his host; and a great anxiety was manifested to give as little trouble as possible. The conversations had with his son and daughter at this time will never be for- gotten by them. He did not seem to know whether 656 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE he was dangerously ill or not, but with perfect calm- ness and quietness of spirit he made various remarks, "in case," he said, "I should die" — speaking of such an event with gravity, but perfect unconcern. At one time he alluded to the controversy then going on in regard to the Revision movement in the American Bible Society. Without expressing any opinion on the constitutional question involved, he spoke of his decided preference for Bibles without any headings at all to the chapters — the pure word of God, with- out even the least human admixture of any kind; and he repeated his often expressed dislike for Bibles having the Apocrypha, or even pictures in them. Speaking of the prospect that the State would not aid the College, he dwelt with pleasure upon his contemplated visit to England. He thought that he might be able to obtain something for the endow- ment, and that perhaps the same blessing in the conversion of souls might attend him there as else- where. This, however, like every thing else, he left serenely in the hands of God. " Every thing is per- fectly dark before me," he often said, "but I walk like a child, with my hand in that of my Heavenly Father; he will lead me aright." Little did those who heard him thus speak, imagine how that Father was then drawing his toil-worn child to himself. "All my life I have walked as in a fog," he said: "I never could see far before me; but it always opened up clearly as I advanced." On "Wednesday night Dr. Baker sat until past ten o'clock in conversation with his children and grand- children. It pleased God, that to the moment of his death he knew nothing of the decrepitude of old age REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 55T either in body or mind. Never was he more ani- mated in conversation than at this time. For some time, seated in his chair, making shadows with his hands upon the wall for his grandchildren, he shared fully in their merriment, and it was with reluctance that he retired at last to rest. About midnight he was seized with great difficulty in breathing, arising from diseased action of the heart. His physician relieved him for a time, but before day he was taken with another and more vio- lent paroxysm. This, however, was also relieved. During all this time he was as calm as in ordinary life. When, at his request, his son prayed by his bedside for his recovery, he gently but decidedly rebuked him on rising. "I asked you to pray for the presence of God with me, not for my recovery." Meanwhile he had arranged all his temporal matters, and expressed himself freely and frequently, yet with perfect calmness, in regard to the possibility of his dying. In regard to the College, he exercised only his usual faith when he remarked, that if God took him away, it was because the interest of that Insti- tution would in some way be promoted thereby. In fact, there was no apprehension, no fear, no rapture, no excitement of any kind. His faith in God, his sense of acceptance in Christ, his anticipations of heaven — these were so much his habitual thought and experience in daily life for so many years, that the being brought to the verge of eternity caused him to think and feel in regard to them no more than he was already in the habit of doing; for near half a century his religion had been, literally, his life. 47* 558 LIFE AND LABOURS OF THE During Thursday morning he remained in bed, receiving, it need not be said, the unremitting care of those who regarded the privilege of so doing as among the most precious of their life. In the course of the morning a religious journal was brought in from the post-office ; he read a portion of it, and the rest was read to him by his son, he making frequent and often playful comments. At one time while his daughter was attending on him, something occurred at which he even indulged in laughter. During the afternoon he requested his son to read from the Scriptures. Turning to the fifteenth chapter of first Corinthians, the writer read it to the end. At the conclusion, seeing his father lie still, and with closed eyes, he turned to another part of Scripture, and began to read, when his father motioned with his hand to stop; the tears streaming from his eyes, and the quivering of his lips as he attempted in rain to speak, showed, that in the passage already read, there was that which filled his mind — it could contain no more. About half-past fiYe o'clock on Thursday after- noon, December 10th — the same day that his son sat by his bed — in turning upon his left side, he was seized with the same difficulty of breathing. Calling others in, the son was absent a short time to sum- mon the physician. Just before, in the course of conversation, his father had said to him, "William, my son, if I should die, I want this epitaph carved on my tomb — ' Here lies Daniel Baker, Preacher of the Gospel. A Sinner Saved by Grace.' Remem- ber," he added, "A Sinner Saved hy Grace'' Even then that son could not believe his father's death REV. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. 559 SO near. One so full of life — so overflowing with health — it was impossible. One so much needed, too, for the College, and in the Church of God! I^ was impossible! But when his son returned with the physician, the swift and sudden messenger from God was there before him. His father, seated upon the bedside, and labouring for breath, bore upon his face the ashen hue of death. "My son," he ex- claimed, reaching out his arms to his son as he entered the door, "My son, my dear son, you are back in time to see your father die !" Seating him- self beside him on the bed, and encircling his robust frame in his arms, that son could only agonize in such prayer as rarely rends the bosom of man with the fervour of its silent importunity, that a life so precious might be spared. But it was a nearer and dearer Eelative who was taking him away from all earthly relationships to his own bosom. Seated there, in the full vigour of his remarkable general health, in the unclouded use of his intellect, moro composedly even than in his usual addresses to the throne of grace, he lifted his eyes to heaven, and exclaimed, in the serene exercise of a perfect faith, " Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commend my spirit !" As the last word passed his lips, he closed his eyes on earth, to open them for ever on the face of that Saviour, whom, not having seen, he so loved. Let the reader of the Life and Labours of this man of God draw for himself from these pages such lessons of wisdom as they afford. The Christian whom God has not called to the ministry, may derive hence, fresh impulse in the service of the same Mas- 560 LIFE OF REY. DANIEL BAKER, D. D. ter, whatever be the sphere of life in which that Master, for his own glorious purposes, has placed his blood-bought servant. And he who contemplates entering, or has already entered the ministry, let him, as he closes this volume, first kneeling in prayer for Divine assistance, arise and go out into the world with loins newly girded, resolved by the grace of God to equal, or if possible, excel him whose history is herein attempted to be portrayed. The same throne of grace whence he obtained all his power for good is equally open to all alike through Jesus Christ. "After he had served his own generation by the will of God, he fell on sleep," joining in heaven the multitudes of Hke-minded servants of God, who had gone before him in labour and in reward. "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beSet us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith." THE END. iiiii! 1 ifc^^^^^^^^ iii «^^ ^ ^^ ^^ iiiiiii !i!iliiiliiiiiilSiiiii|i|| liili Biiii lii'iiii'iii'iiiiil'iiiiiiliii iiliiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiSi} iiiiiiiniiiiiii: ^^M mm liiif''''' iiil