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THE LIFE
OF
REV, ARCHIBALD MACLAY, D.D.
“An Eminent Minister of the Baptist Church for more
than half a century.
–c4merican cAlmanac for 1860.
1776 - 186O.
BY
ISAAC WALKER MACLAY.
Limited Number of Soo Copies only, of which this is No
1 9 O 2.
PolydorE BARNEsco. PRESS
11 FRANKFORT STREET,
NEW YORK.
© º
© ©º •
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• • • • • •
PREFACE
“Some angel guide my pencil, while I draw,
What nothing else than angel can excell,
A man on earth devoted to the skies,
With aspect mild, and elevated eye.
Behold him seated on a mount serene,
Above the fogs of sense, and passion s storm;
All the black cares and tumults of this life,
Like harmless thunders breaking at his feet,
Excite his pity, not impair his peace.”
Perhaps this book might not inappropriately
be called Fifty Years Reminiscences of Baptist
ministry, instead of the life of the Rev. Archibald
Maclay, for the threads of his history are so inter-
woven with the recital of the rise and growth of the
Baptists in this country, that the two are insepa-
rable. Appleton's Encyclopedia says of him: “that,
he was a speaker and writer of great power, a
Pastor of one church about thirty consecutive years,
now known as the Tabernacle Baptist Church in
Second Avenue and who contributed 1argely, as
One of the early pioneers of that denomination, to
promote its numbers and extend its bounds.”
But the best tribute to him is contained in the
following letter from an adopted son in the minis-
iv
try, whose aid in this compilation has been most
invaluable.
MURRAY STREET BAPTIST CHURCH,
PETERBORO, ONT.
J. BASTow, PASTOR.
March 18, 1902.
MY DEAR BROTHER:
I am glad you are writing a life of your grandfather, Rev.
Archibald Maclay, D. D. Undoubtedly his name will be preserved
in history and be highly honored for his noble Christian character
and for the large and excellent influence he exerted in connection
with the Baptist denomination in its early history in New York City.
He was for many years a popular and successful preacher, a
faithful and efficient pastor, and greatly beloved by all who knew
him. Very few ministers of the Gospel have officiated at so many
marriages and funerals as he did, or have been so universally
revered as he was. Hé was a great comforter to sorrowing ones,
and a helper to the needy. He had a tender heart, and a helping
hand. He brought up twelve children of his own, and adopted
Seven orphans. This is something of a revelation of the largeness
of his heart.
I owe more to him for what I am to-day than to any other
person in the world. I met him first when I was a lad, in Bradford,
England. He then formed the purpose to take me to America
and give me an education for the ministry of eight years in
Madison University, now called Colgate University. He said
nothing of his purpose to anyone until he could learn something
about my character from those who knew me well. Yet he could
not forget his purpose, and he embraced every opportunity that
came to him to get the needed information. And when he had
obtained enough to feel assured that I was worthy of his kindness,
and that I would make a right use of it, he sent for me to announce
his generous intention. Never was I so overwhelmed with joy as
at that moment. He made every arrangement possible to carry
out that intention. I came to the United States soon after his
return and he sent me to the University and provided a scholar-
ship through the kindness of Deacon William Colgate. After
the death of William Colgate, Robert Colgate, at the Dr.'s solici.
V
tation, continued the scholarship to the end of my course. Deacon
Peter Bolen added $50 annually to that scholarship for the last
four years of my University course. To make this full provision
for my education, was amongst the last cares of the Dr.’s life.
This generous act of Dr. Maclay's is only one of many of a similar
kind in his long and useful career.
The Dr. was a man of extraordinary piety. He was a con-
stant reader of the Bible. He drank deeply into its Spirit. He
must have committed large portions of it to memory, for he could
not preach or pray, or converse or write, without a liberal use of
its phraseology. For years he was agent of the American Bible
Society. He filled the position with rare usefulness. Nothing
could be more congenial to his nature than the spread of the Word
of God. The Society placed a high value upon his services. His
desire for the translation of the Bible into the purest and plainest
English possible was intense. Hence he worked with great
sacrificing zeal for the Bible Union, whose supreme aim was a
pure English version of the Scriptures. His labors for this Society
were the suitable crowning work of his life.
Doctor Maclay was a very social man. His work as agent
for the two Bible Societies necessarily brought him into many
homes. He was a welcome guest wherever he was known to
children and adults alike. He was courteous, affable and affec-
tionate. He was a fine story teller and he had an abundant store
to draw from. His stories, however, were always pure and
elevating. Few could tell a story better than he. He knew where
to put the emphasis by word, gesture, tone and twinkle of the eye.
His social life was as elevating as his preaching. His friendships
were strong, numerous and scattered in every direction.
The Doctor was pre-eminently paternal, therefore he was
called “Father Maclay.” Everyone that knew him could see the
suitability of that title. This was not simply spontaneous upon
the lips of the younger portion of the congregation to which he
belonged, but the ministry generally instinctively called him by
this title. I never heard of another Baptist minister anywhere in
the world so generally addressed by this title. Indeed Baptists
are very shy everywhere of bestowing this title, upon anyone.
But no one scrupled to use this title, with respect to the Dr., who
fully knew him. Of course the title sprang out of the paternal
nature. He was affectionate, provident, sympathetic and com-
vi
manded the love and reverence of the people that knew him.
I shall never forget this paternal aspect in his bearing towards
me, in that interview we had in which he announced his intention
to educate me for the ministry. And all the letters he sent me
afterwards breathed a father's love and care.
Yours fraternally,
JonATHAN BASTow.
INTRODUCTION.
Most biographies are prepared by those who
either have no personal knowledge of the subjects
themselves, or else have a very slight acquaintance
with the characters portrayed, and consequently
much of the information is obtained from other chan-
nels, than the family. For this reason, authors rely
upon glittering generalities, or upon fancied deduc-
tions; and in many instances conclusions are reached,
based upon very unreliable and fictitious premises.
In the present instance, the compiler of this
volume, approaches the subject with great diffidence
from the fact of near relationship—prefering to quote
from the testimony of others, expressions of praise
and commendation of his forefather.
Instead of clothing him with the customary
adulation of biographers, extracts showing the
opinion and views of contemporaneous clergymen
and the press are presented—most of them written
during his lifetime when the writers were familiar
with the subject, and the matter was fresh in
their minds.
It is not the purpose of this work, however, to
extol the virtues or magnify the good qualities
characteristic of this clergyman; but simply to
transmit to others an impartial account of his life
and history.
The following pages relate to the life and labors
of one who devoted not only his best days, but all
2
his days, of a long life, to the spread of the gospel,
and whose voice was heard throughout the length
and breadth of this land and often in Europe,
towards the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ.
In addition to the incidents connected with this
biography, there is presented an outline of the origin
and growth of several religious, educational, and
benevolent societies which were created in New York
City in the first decades of the 19th century, when
Dr. Maclay filled a pulpit there.
Besides his long pastorate in one church, the
subject of these memoirs was closely identified dur-
ing his ministry with the history of the most impor-
tant religious movements and developments of that
great denomination of which he was so pronounced
an exponent for half a century,
“He belonged to a race of ministers who may
be justly regarded as the pioneers of the Baptist
denomination in this country and whose names are
are associated with the origin and progress of the
various societies now permanently established.”
Rev. David Benedict, in his “Fifty years among
the Baptists, published in 1860, writes:
“The now aged Dr. Maclay, the only survivor of
the small company of Baptist ministers then in the
City, commenced his labors in it about half a century
since.”
Born in the year of American Independence, he
passed through the stormy period of the War of 1812,
the excitement of the Mexican War, and reached the
troublesome times preceding our civil conflict, so
that his life spanned the principal events in our
national history.
3
, Any account of this life must necessarily there-
fore refer to some of these periods, and to the nume-
rous historical reminiscences inseparably connected
with those who lived in the epoch following the
revolution. .
During his life-time a clergyman wrote con-
cerning him:
“His conversation, rich in interesting recol-
lections of such men as Dugald Stewart, Andrew
Fuller, Samuel Pearce, Rowland Hill, &c., has
often transported us as it were to another age.”
Andrew Fuller, with Carey and others founded
the Baptist Missionary Society of Great Britain in
1792, and was its Secretary until his decease in 1815.
Besides these,Dr.Maclay enjoyed the companion-
ship, before coming to this country, of the Rev. Drs.
Wardlaw, Russell, Henderson, Grant, Kirkwood and
Kennedy, all of them distinguished as theologians
in their day.
Undoubtedly his early association with men of
such marked ability, and strong personality, infused
into his character much of the energy and force, for
which he was distinguished.
But Dr. Maclay was especially indebted to these
celebrated brothers, Rev. Jas. Alexander and Robert
Haldane, who gave him his collegiate education, and
furnished him with means to study for the ministry.
The Memoirs of the Haldanes, published in
1858, say: -
“It is believed that of the three hundred young
men who received more or less preparatory training
for the Christian Ministry at an expense of not less
than three hundred thousand dollars to Robert Hal-
4
dane, not more than two now survive. One of the
last who died was the late Rev. Dr. Henderson, once
a distinguished laborer in the Bible cause in Iceland;
but more recently the president of Highbury Col-
lege, London. The only present survivor, except
Dr. Maclay, is the Rev. James Kennedy of Inver-
ness.”
The latter was ordained in 1806 at Aberfeldy
in Perthshire.

CHAPTER I.
PARENTAGE-BIRTH-CLAN — EARLY STRUGGLEs—
BOYHOOD–CONVERSION.—ROB ROY MAC GREGOR
—OLD MORTALITY.
1776–1790.
The subject of this sketch was descended from
those sturdy old Scotch covenanters—the Highland
peasantry—with the Cameronian blood of many
generations flowing in his veins.
Born in bonnie Scotland—that land of the fern
and heather—during the reign of King George the
Third—the fourteenth of May, 1776, on a farm on
the outskirts of the village of Killearn, overlooking
the picturesque Loch Lomond, in Killearn parish,
Stirlingshire, his existence commenced before the
dawn of our American Independence, and was con-
temporaneous with the administrations of all the
Presidents of the United States, from Washington
to Lincoln.
When the pages of his history are reviewed,
what a tremendous retrospect is seen.
“There were then no steamboats, no railroads,
no telegraph. Now we travel by steam, do our cor-
respondence by lightning and take life portraits by
sun-beams. We whisper here, and they hear us in
London, and answer back; and we cross the Atlantic
with the regularity of a ferry boat.”
Young Maclay was reared amid the simplest
6
surroundings in a single story, thatched roofed cot-
tage, on a homestead of one hundred and fifty acres,
called “Green End;” the same having been in the
family for over a century and a half.
It is said that travelers, on their first visit to the
Highlands are greatly disappointed at the small
population they find, and this was the condition of
the Parish of Killearn at that time, being so sparsely
settled that in 1775 the census numbered but 959,
while in 1790, the inhabitants had only increased to
973.
Archibald was the son of Archibald Maclay and
Jean Thomas.
According to the Parish Register, Archibald
Maclay (the father of the subject of these memoirs),
was born in Blairesson, Scotland, in 1749, and mar-
ried in 1770, the daughter of John Thomas, who was
porn in Rinroy, Parish of Killearn, in 1742.
The Rev. William Arthur, D. D., a Baptist cler-
gyman, and father of President Chester A. Arthur,
was a friend of Dr. Maclay, and in his “Derivation
of Family Names,” gives the origin of the name
as viz:
“Maclay, (Gaelic), the son of Clay. Clay being
a lake on the isle of Lewis, Scotland. The same word
in Welsh and Gaelic that signifies a river.”
There is a family tradition connecting the clans
of the MacGregors and Maclays in kinship, probably
by marriage—as they lived for years in the same
part of the Highlands—the Loch Lomond district.
Edgar S. Maclay, the author of a family gene-
alogy, writes:
“By the courtesy of Dr. Archibald Maclay”
7
(Rev. Archibald's son), “of New York City, who
has in possession an old manuscript by an unknown
writer, we are enabled to give a well authenticated
sketch of the Clan Maclay in its earliest history.”
From which it appears that the original clan
were dispersed after a disastrous battle of Bealach
nam Broig (some time prior to 1452), and subse-
quently became septs or dependents of the Clan
Stewart of Appin—the Highland designation of
their chieftain being MacIain Stiubhairdnah-Apunn.
Frank Adams’ “Clans of Scotland” giving an
alphabetical list of the Highland Clans, has the
following:
Septs and Dependents: Clan with whom connected :
Mac Lae,
Mac Lay,
Stewart of Appin.
Mac Lea, pp
Mac Leay, J
The grandfather of Archibald, Moses, attained
a great age, and “was a man of high repute, and an
elder in the Presbyterian church.” It is said that
during his last illness, he assembled the grand-
children and others of the family at his bedside, and
repeated the lines:
“One generation goeth and another cometh :
“Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
These were his farewell words, for he soon expired.
“It is related, also, of Archibald's paternal grand-
mother, who is said to have been a woman of marked
character, that by her address, and her knowledge of
8
the Gaelic language, she once saved her native vil-
lage from being plundered and burnt at a time when
Scotland was known to be, as it was reputed to have
been for fifty preceding generations, “of all Euro-
pean nations the most necessitous, the most tur-
bulent and the most unsettled.”
While very young, Archibald had the misfortune
to lose his father, who died suddenly in 1785 at the
early age of thirty-six, leaving his widow with a
family of young children, two boys and two girls.
The loss of this parent, who was a thrifty farmer,
enjoying the esteem and confidence of his neigh-
bors, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and
collector of taxes for the County of Stirling, made a
great change in the family life, necessitating the
boys working for their living.
The eldest son, John, succeeded to the care and
management of the farm, and the support of his
mother and sisters; but being handicapped by his
youth and inexperience, proved unequal to the great
task he was obliged to assume.
It was not long before the affairs of the farm
became so involved that the cottage was sold, the
stock, and in fact, the family holdings were dispersed,
and the widow and daughters were left without a roof
over their heads, while John becoming thoroughly
discouraged and disheartened by his ill-luck, 1eft the
family and went abroad.
The youngest son who was absent from home
during these troubles, having started out at the early
age of eight to earn his own living and lighten the
householdburdens by reducing the number of mouths
to feed, returned at this crisis to retrieve the family
9
disasters, and taking charge of his mother and sis-
ters succeeded by industry and economy, not only in
maintaining them but also in liquidating the debt of
the homestead, so that by the time he reached the
age of fourteen, the property was restored to them
without incumbrance. -
Up to this time, the boy's education was derived
entirely from home instructions, with the exception
of about three months' attendance at the parish
school.
His conversion, when twelve years old, was
brought about through the instrumentality of a
chance sermon which he heard in the neighboring
Parish of Balfron, preached by Reverend Mr. Wallis,
of Crawfordsdyke, from the text:
“In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace.” Eph., 1–7.
and which he described as viz:
“It pleased the Lord to open my dark mind, to
understand the divine method of saving sinners
through faith in a crucified Saviour; to see how he
could be just, and yet justify him that believeth in
Jesus. It seemed as though a flood of light had burst
into my dark heart, I saw God reconciled, and the
threatenings of the law, silenced. I saw that God
had made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that
we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Then unspeakable peace took possession of my
troubled soul. In the first transport of my love and
gratitude, I could have embraced in my arms the
preacher through whom the gospel was made known
H. O
to me, as the wisdom and power of God unto Sal-
vation. But I was a diffident, friendless boy, and did
not dare even to speak to him. I had never seen him
thefore; and I have never seen him since. But it has
Been my privilege, in my old age, to meet with his
son, Rev. Dr. Wallis, Professor of Theology in King's
College, Toronto; and to acknowledge to him the
debt of gratitude I owed to his father.”
Mrs. Maclay was a member of the Church of Se-
ceders at the Craig, of which the Reverend Mr.
Watson was pastor in the adjoining parish of Kil-
patrick, distant twelve miles from her home, and her
son joined the same church.
Dr. Maclay often told of the long journey through
the mountains that he would take with his mother
to attend divine services every Sunday in her
church. His mother would start on Saturday after-
noon, and break the journey by remaining Over night
at the house of friends near the church. In the morn-
ing, Archibald would stop for her. Together they
would proceed to church, and return in the evening,
the entire distance being traversed on foot.
There are many romantic associations connected
with the Loch Lomond region. Sir Walter Scott
writes, “The eastern side, peculiarly rough and
rugged, was at this time the chief seat of MacGregor
and his clan, to curb whom a small garrison had been
stationed in a central portion betwixt Loch Lomond
and another 1ake. The extreme strength of the
country, however, with numerous passes, marshes,
caverns, and other places of concealment or defense,
made the establishment of their little fort seem
rather an acknowledgment of the danger than an
effectual means of securing against it.”
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I I
It was here on the banks of the beautiful lake,
that the celebrated Rob Roy—the Scottish Robin
Hood, made his headquarters, and performed most
of his exploits of daring and lawlessness.
This freebooter in his predatory excursions
throughout this region, levied tribute of blacke-mail
upon all the inhabitants, as evinced by the following
ancient document, dated 3rd day of February, 1658-9: .
“Upon reading of ane petition given in be Capi-
taine M'Gregor, mak and mention that several
heritors and inhabitants of the paroches of Campsie,
Dennie, Baldernock, Strathblane, Killearn, Gar-
gunnock, and others, within the sheriffdom of Stir-
ling, did agree with him to oversee and preserve thair
houses, goods, and geer, frae oppressioun, and ac-
cordinglie did pay him; and now that some persones
delay to mack payment according to agriement, and
use of payment: Thairfore, it is ordered, that all he-
ritors and inhabitants of the paroches aforesaid,
mack payment to the said Capitaine M'Gregor of
thair proportiounes for his said service till the first
of February last past, without delay. All constables
in the several paroches are hereby commandit to see
this order put in executionne, as they sall answer the
contralr. It is also hereby declared, that all who
have been engagit in payment sal be liberat after
such tyme that they goe to Capitaine M'Gregor, and
declare to him that they are not to expect any service
frae him, or he to expect any payment frae them.
Just copie, extracted be.”
JAMES STIRLING, CLK. OF THE PEACE.
This chieftain was known as Old Rob Roy, and
lived to a great age. One of his successors, Robert
Campbell, commonly called Rob Roy Mac Gregor,
who is the Rob Roy of Scott's romances, carried off
Mr. John Graham, of Killearn, an agent of the Duke
I 2
of Montrose, and held him prisoner for a ransom for
five or six days, on an island in Loch Lomond.
This very formidable clan terrorized the neigh-
borhood for years.
In Mac Leay's “Historical Memoirs of the Clan
Mac Gregor,” it is said, “The population of the Clan
Mac Gregor, had often increased so much as to be-
come too greateven for the wide domains which they
occupy, and this produced frequent migrations to
other districts, where various patronymics were as-
sumed by the different septs who in this way had
branched off from the parent stem.”
There is a place on the east side of Loch Lomond
about a mile above Inversnaid still known as “Rob
Roy's Cave,” and another spot in this region called
“Rob Roy's Prison.”
Here, too was the scene of the wanderings of that
eccentric character, Robert Patterson, better know
as “Old Mortality,” and immortalized by Sir Walter
Scott, who says of him: “Wherever he went he found
ready quarters in the house of some Cameronian of
his own sect, or of some other religious person. The
hospitality, which was reverentially paid to him, he
always acknowledged by repairing the grave stones,
(if there existed any), belonging to the family or
ancestor of his host. As the wanderer was usually
to be seen bent on this pious task, within the pre-
cincts of some country churchyard, or reclining on the
solitary tombstone among the heath, disturbing the
plover and the blackcock with the chink of his chisel
and mallet, with his old white pony grazing by his
side, he acquired from his converse among the dead
the popular appellation of “Old Mortality.”
**
Lºº ººzz


I3
This extraordinary personage, who died in 1801,
from exhaustion on the highway, with his faithful
old pony by his side, was familiar to Dr. Maclay, who
thus describes him.
“When a boy, I have often seen Old Mortality,
who always made his home at my mother's house,
when he visited our part of the country, and the
deeply thrilling incidents which he told me of the
martyrs and the sufferings they endured for Christ's
sake, left a permanent impression on my mind; and
the appearance which this singular personage then
made, is still vivid, as he approached, either riding or
leading the companion of his journeys—a little pony,
by a halter of hair or rope with a straw cushion
instead of a saddle. Thus accoutred, he traveled
from one churchyard to another throughout Scotland,
happy if he could find some Cameronian epitaph
from which his chisel could remove the moss, or
deepen the record, which told of the virtues of his
country's martyrs, who, in 1685, had been thrown into
prison by the privy council for the political and re-
ligious views which they entertained, and many of
whom had died of diseases contracted during their
incarceration. To this pious duty he devoted his
life, which was protracted to his eighty-sixth year.
Having no wants but of the simplest kind, which
were readily supplied by those who sympathized with
his enthusiasm, applause did not encourage him,
and obloquy had no other effect than to bring into
lbolder relief the lineaments of a nature which dis-
tinguished his countrymen at that period, and whose
character, their great delineator has said, shows most
to advantage in adversity, when it seems akin to the
I4
native sycamore of the hills, which scorns to be biased
in its mode of growth, even by the influence of the
prevailing wind, but shooting its branches with equal
boldness in every direction, shows no weather-side
to the storm, and may be broken, but can never be
|bent. The time and scene when and where this
high-hearted enthusiast breathed his last are known,
but the place where his bones repose, has never been
ascertained; and he whose life was spentin repairing
the ravages time had made upon the monuments of
others, has not even a frail memorial erected to
mark the spot to which his own remains were com-
mitted.” - r
All the environments of the boy Archibald were
of the best to develop his moral character, and to
strengthen his physical nature. His father was an
exemplary christian, and his mother inculcated pious
teachings and exalted religious principles, which
were his guiding rules through life, and were never
forgotten in his extreme age. Young Archibald
early showed great fondness for the scriptures, and it
is said that while engaged in cultivating the field, he
was accustomed to have his bible fastened to the
handle of his plow, so that he could read while at
work.
TIOMUAs DICº., L.L. D.
is ºn -

I 5
CHAPTER II.
REMOVAL TO GLASGOW – EDUCATION — COLLEGIATE
TRAINING —ORDINATION – FIRST PASTORATE–
MARRIAGE–EMIGRATION.—SETTLEMENT IN NEW
YORK CITY-HIS ROSE STREET CHURCH.
1791–1808.
About the year 1791, the family removed to Glas-
gow, to afford the young man a better opportunity
to prosecute his studies, although he was still sup-
porting his parent and sisters; and on their arrival,
joined a secession church, under the care of Reverend
Messrs. Pirie and Dick.
Now commenced a systematic course of educa-
tion, which included night-school, a private tutor for
the classics, and the employment of every leisure
moment in study when not engaged in working for
his living. “Some branches of 1earning, which
required chiefly an exercise of memory, he prosecuted
while his hands were busy at his daily tasks.”
Such industry did not escape the attention of
friends, and awakened an interest in many admirers,
among whom was his clergyman, who offered to
educate him at the university; but this offer he de-
clined. The Evaminer has published the following
interesting account of this portion of his life:
“On his removal to Glasgow, Archibald had be-
come connected with a society formed for mutual
edification and co-operation in benevolent exertion.
I6
It was composed exclusively of members of evangel-
ical churches, and mostly of young men, some of
whom afterwards became fellow-students and asso-
ciates in the ministry with Mr. Maclay. This society
met every week in what they called “The Sabbath
Morning Prayer Meeting,” and had under its care, in
the suburbs and neglected parts of the city, fourteen
sunday-schools. In company with another member,
Archibald was, at the age of fifteen, entrusted by
this society with the superintendence of one of their
largest schools, and here he early displayed that tact
and practical talent, as well as religious zeal, which
nave so eminently distinguished his long and useful
1ife.”
He subsequently united with the Congregational
Church under the Reverend Greville Ewing, and
resided with him for two years, studying for the
ministry. Afterwards he spent a year with the
Reverend Mr. Innes at Dundee, and then completed
his education at the University of Edinburgh.
2’ Before this, he had formed the acquaintance of
those celebrated brothers, Robert and James Alexan-
der Haldane, so well known for their piety and phil-
anthropy, which ripened into the strongest attach-
ment. Between Robert Haldane, the author of the
“Evidence and Authority of Divine Revelation,”
and young Maclay, a life-long intimacy was estab-
lished, which continued to Mr. Haldane's death. The
Doctor called his first son after this benefactor and
friend; having previously accepted an offer from him
of liberal assistance toward preparation for the min-
istry, he entered the Haldane Theological Seminary.
Andrew, in his “Scottish Nation and Biograph-
ical History,” embodies this fact as viz:

17
“In 1798, Mr. Robert Haldane had accompanied
Mr. Rowland Hill in a preaching tour through Scot-
land, and subsequently into Gloucestershire, and
during his journey, besides resolving upon the erec-
tion of these places of worship, he conceived the idea
of educating a number of pious young men for the
ministry unconnected with any church. In following
out this project, he established theological semina-
ries in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Elgin, Granton
in Strathspey, Gosport, etc. Under Messrs. Ewing,
Innes, Aikman, John Campbell, Cowie, Ballantyne,
Mac Intosh, Dr. Bogue, etc., and expended large
sums of money, the students being all maintained
at his expense, both married and unmarried. The
number thus trained for the preaching of the gospel,
amounted to about four hundred, amongst whom
were some, who, in their after careers, acquired
considerable eminence, such as Dr. Russel, of Dundee.
Principal Dewan, of Aberdeen; Mr. John Angell
James, of Birmingham; Mr. Orme, of Camberwell;
Mr, Maclay, of New York, and others.”
The following letter of Dr. Maclay gives his
recollections of the Haldanes:
“Mr. Robt. Haldane's exposition of Paul's
Epistle to the Romans is the best exposition of the
Epistle to the Romans that I have ever met with.
Mr. Haldane was a nephew of Lord Duncan, the
hero of the Battle of Camperdown, Haldane him-
self was on board of the Admiral's ship at the time
and was either a midshipman or lieutenant, but at
the Peace of Amiens, he relinquished the British
service and was soon after converted to God, both
himself and wife, and his brother Capt. James A.
Haldane and his wife. They afterwards devoted
18
themselves to the advancement of the Redeemer's
Kingdom. sº
Mr. Robt. Haldane educated at his own expense
upwards of 300 men of piety for the Ministry; and
his brother James Alex. became a minister of the
gospel and was exceedingly useful in Scotland.
Mr. Robt. Haldane spent five years in Geneva and
some other parts of Switzerland.
When he went to Geneva, all the Presbyterian
ministers were decided Socinians. He expounded
to the students in divinity the Epistle to the
Romans and directed the minds of the young men
to the truth as it is in Jesus.
Forty or fifty of the students were converted to
God through his instrumentality, and two or three
ministers that were blind guides were also brought
to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.
Among them was Dr. D'Aubigne who has written
the history of the Reformation. Robt. Haldane
commenced preaching as well as his brother James.
The first time I heard him was in Glasgow, on a
beautiful green called the Deanside Brae.
He was dressed like a country gentleman, highly
powdered, with a long queue down his back.
He had a swan-down vest, and pepper and salt
coat and pants. -
About 30 ministers of the Church of Scotland sat
before him on the Green, in the large Assembly,
while he poured forth the truth in a torrent of
masterly eloquence. Dr. Balfour, a distinguished
evangelical minister of the Church of Scotland, sat
before him, and looked up to his face with intense
interest, while the tears ran down his cheeks. Mr.
Haldane continued to preach but a short time, but
his labors were incessant.
He was accustomed to preach twelve or fifteen
times in a week, principally in the open air. He
ruptured a small blood vessel in his chest, and was
forbidden by his physician to preach ; he invited
Rowland Hill and other distinguished English
|×！！！！！！！
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=-::::::ſae aerºworº Jºhnson.
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ſae.
ſaevº，

I9
ministers to visit Scotland, and as he could not
procure a sufficient number to do the work of the
Lord in Scotland, he commenced educating young
men of distinguished piety, for the purpose of pro-
claiming with purity and simplicity the unsearch-
able riches of Christ.
The first class consisted of twenty-five—all of
whom are now dead, I believe, except one.
I belonged to the second class. I think there
were from 50 to 75 in it. I know of only one now
living except myself.
The Haldanes were noble men, and their labors
were connected with the remarkable reformation
of the work of God in Scotland
(Signed) A. MACLAY.
The Haldane Theological Seminary, at Edin
burgh, was opened in 1799, and began on January
2nd, of that year, with twenty-five students in the
first class, under the care of Mr. Greville Ewing.
This class continued for two years, until December,
18oo. Alexander Haldane, in the Memoirs of the
lives of Robert and James Alexander Haldane, says:
“One of the first students was the Rev. Archi-
bald Maclay, who went out as a missionary to
America, and became a very useful and popular
Baptist minister in New York.”
Dr. Maclay was very much favored by the ac-
quaintance and teachings of many illustrious divines
in his preparation for the ministry, notably those
extraordinary lay preachers, the brothers Haldane,
(already mentioned), who attracted such enormous
congregations that the general assembly of the
Church of Scotland issued “a pastoral admonition,”
or warning against them, and his preceptors, the two
clergymen of the established church, Revs. Greville
2O
Ewing and Wm. Innes, who gave up their pulpits
and embraced Congregationalism.
When a divinity student, he often visited at the
lmome of the Rev. David Dale, President of the Bank
of Scotland for thirty years, and who was as distin-
guished for his piety as his wealth. Archibald was
also a frequent attendant at his church. At the
University of Edinburgh he had among his profes-
sors, the well known writer on ethics and author of
metaphysics, Dugald Stewart. While among his
fellow students was Thomas Dick, afterwards cele-
brated as the author of “The Christian Philosopher,”
and many works devoted to the literature of religion
and science—and Ralph Wardlaw, who became emi-
nent as a divine and a theological writer. Besides
these, he enjoyed the companionship of such distin-
guished men as Andrew Fuller, Samuel Pearce, and
Rowland Hill.
On the completion of his theological training,
the young minister had invitations extended to him
from seven different churches to occupy their pulpits;
but with his characteristic unselfishness, made his
choice of the church which he considered in the
greatest need of a pastor, in Kircaldy, Fifeshire, op.
posite Edinburgh, stipulating, however, before ac-
cepting the call, that he should have the privilege at
º of going as a missionary to the East Indies.
The Edinburgh Missionary Magazine for 1802,
contains a full account of his ordination to the min-
istry.
It was observed by the church with prayer and
fasting, and the following exercises:
-
-º-º-man
º, º ż ż
------ - - - - -


2I
Rev. Ralph Wardlaw—Prayer and Scrip-
ture Reading.
Rev. Mr. Grant—Introductory Discourse
from Matthew, 16–24.
Mr. Haldane—“Made a statement of the
causes which first 1ed to the invita-
tion of Dr. Maclay—and having put
the usual questions to him, to which
the returned satisfactory answers, he
was solemnly set apart to the great
work of the ministry with customary
observances.” -
Rev. Mr. Collison—Address from Ephe-
sians, 3-3.
Mr. Haldane—“Discourse on the import-
ance of church discipline and purity
of communion.”
In the afterooon, there was a sermon by the Rev.
Mr. Wardlaw from John, 12-23, and in the evening,
Mr. Collison preached from 1st Psalm, on the charac.
ter of the godly and ungodly.
The same year of his ordination, he was married
(5th of October, 1802) by Reverend Greville Ewing,
to Mary, daughter of William Brown, a merchant of
Glasgow, born 2d of February, 1749. She was born
the 20th of June, 1782, in that city, and her mother
was Margaret Provan, who was born the 9th of
October, 1758.
Dr. Maclay has left the following account of
his conversion and married life:
“When I married, soon after I was ordained to
the ministry, my wife and myself consulted with
each other and agreed never to run in debt, and to
\f\
/|)
22
make our income meet our expenses, and we acted
on this principle through life. Our income was
never large yet we managed to bring up twelve
children of our own, and seven orphan children
without going into debt, beyond what we knew we
honestly could meet. It required great industry
and economy to accomplish this, but through the
blessing of God, we were enabled to hurry this
resolution into effect.
I was myself left an orphan at seven years of age,
and thrown upon my own resources at an early
period ; this proved to myself a great blessing. It
made me industrious and economical, and gave me
some energy of character
I was brought to the knowlege of the Christ
when I was twelve years of age, my mother, who
always had family worship morning and evening,
requested me one evening to engage in prayer,
soon after she became satisfied that I had passed
from death to life. I hesitated for a moment for I
was afraid to pray in the presence of my mother—
she had a remarkable gift in prayer, and was a
most devoted Christian ; she gave me time and I
engaged in prayer. She prayed in the morning
afterwards, and I prayed in the evening. But from
the time I was thirteen years of age, she required
me to act as the head of the family, and pray both
morning and evening. gº
It affords me now great pleasure to reflect that I
was enabled to render my widowed mother com-
fortable and happy during the remainder of her life.
She died in the Lord in 1804, and I left Scotland
for America in 1805,” etc., etc.
(Signed) A. MACLAY.
When Dr. Maclay was called to his charge, the
church had no building, and consisted of thirty-
seven members, but soon a house of worship was
was erected, and a congregation gathered rapidly.
23
In January, 1804, a new church edifice was built,
and here the young minister preached acceptably
to a constantly increasing audience.
On the Ioth of May, 1804, he sustained a
great 1oss in the death of his devoted mother,
who had been his constant companion, and most
faithful guide, and from whom he received the
test inspirations and his early spiritual training.
After the decease of this parent, he seemed to have
no ties to bind him to his native land, and his
original intention to enter the mission field became
stronger.
The following year, his attention was attracted
by a call issued by the Congregational denomination
of Scotland, for volunteer missionaries to go to India,
whereupon he offered himself, and was not only ac-
cepted but was tendered the compliment of being
requested to select another missionary as companion.
Accordingly, he named a preacher in the suburbs of
Glasgow, Rev. John Patterson, who had been a fellow
student at Edinburgh. Both resumed their studies
at the University, revised their Greek and Hebrew,
and also took a course of medical lectures there, for
the purpose of special preparation for their new
duties.
When nearly ready to depart, information was
received that those persons who officially repre-
sented the British Government in India, had be-
come exceedingly inimical to missionaries in that
dominion, and that in the event of these two mis-
sionaries sailing, they would probably be either
detained at Calcutta, or sent back on one pre-
text or another. This was a great disappointment
24
to the young clergymen. “Mr. Patterson then went
to Denmark, to Sweden, and afterwards to Russia,
where he has spent his life, and where he has super-
intended the printing of the bible in upwards of
twenty different languages for the ‘Russian Bible
Society.’”
Mr. Maclay, frustrated in his endeavors to become
a missionary to India, resolved to enter the mission-
ary fields of America, and thereupon resigned from
his pulpit and bidding adieu to his church andfriends,
embarked at Greenock for America, with his little
family, consisting of his young wife, and their
daughter Margaret, aged two years, and their infant
son Robert Haldane, a year younger—sailing on
the 28th of October, 1805.
John Melish, who came to this country within
six months after Dr. Maclay, has described the trans-
atlantic voyage at this time in his interesting journal
of travels in the U. S. in the year 1806-1807, etc.
Mr. Melish left Glasgow the 8th of March, 1806,
by stagecoach for Greenock, which city he states “is
the seat of nearly the whole of the American trade
with Scotland. There are three or four vessels in
the New York and as many in the Charleston trade,
besides occasional vessels for Boston, Savannah,
Norfolk, etc. This trade is wholly carried on in
American vessels; and they generally perform two
voyages in the year.” -
This author describes their sailing vessels, of
about three hundred tons burden, and the expense
of a cabin passage in them was from thirty to forty
guineas, and of a steerage passage twelve guineas.
When a family undertakes a sea voyage, they have
º
-
-
-
s
º
º




25
generally their own servant, he says, and if they are
numerous, they will find it most comfortable and
most economical to engage a state-room, and lay in
their own stores; and he adds, “it is generally
necessary, both in the cabin and steerage, for the
passengers to furnish their own bedding.”
The transatlantic voyage of the Maclay family
in the small sailing vessel was unusually long and
tedious, as they encountered very bad weather; but
reached New York City before the close of the year,
in good health. Upon their arrival in the harbor,
Dr. Maclay preached his sunday sermon on ship-
board, and then went ashore at the Battery.
The city presented a very desolate appearance
having just been visited with the scourge of yellow
fever, which made its appearance about the middle
of July, and created such alarm that many who could
escape fled, leaving the city greatly depleted in pop-
ulation. Between the 18th of July and the 1st of
November, there were two hundred and eighty deaths
from this disease.
The subjoined table from an official enumeration
by the Common Council, shows the inhabitants of
each ward, at this time (1805), and also the number
of those who fled.
26
No. who Total No. Total No. Whole
Wards fled. of Whites. of Blacks. Number.
1st. 6,102 7,470 509 7,979
2nd. 5,961 7,077 473 7,550
3rd. 4, 152 6,88o 49 I 7,37 I
4th. 4,320 8,866 368 9,234
5th. 3,452 II, 3 I3 1,027 I2,34O
6th. 4,224 8,367 598 8,961
7th. 2,775 I 5,55I 117 15,668
8th. 4,554 218 4,772
9th. 1,984 2II 2, 195
30,986 71,762 4,008 75,97O
ſ
As seen from the table, when this youthful
Scotchman first arrived in the City, the population
was so reduced in consequence of the fever visitation
that it did not number fifty thousand, more than a
third of the inhabitants having left.
The city, at this period, was confined to that
portion south of Canal street; the northern limit of
Broadway, which had previously been Canal street,
had just been extended north through Fresh Water
Pond, and the same year, (18o3), Norfolk, Essex,
Fourth and Hester Streets, were ordered to be regu-
lated and paved. The wooden pumps, at this time,
could be seen standing in the middle of Broadway,
as it was not until two years later they were ordered
to be removed to the sidewalk.
Charles F. Wingate of the “American Scenic
and Historic Preservation Society,” writes:
“Even as late as 1800, only five residents of New
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Lis P EN A R pºs M. EA Dow's
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· · · · · · ·








27
York could afford to keep a coach, including Robert
Murray, the wealthy senator, father of Lindley
Murray, the grammarian, who modestly referred to
his “leather conveniency,” as an apology for such
wordly display.”
The primitive conditions which then prevailed
before the era of railroads, steamboats, telegraphs,
and telephones, are difficult to imagine at the present
time.
“Even in New York City, street cleaning was
accomplished by each citizen sweeping before his
own door step twice a week. The bellman gave no-
tice of affairs of local interest. The watchman at
night called out the state of the weather. The fire
department was a volunteer one. Each family was
obliged to own four leather fire buckets, and a large
canvas bag conveniently at hand.” In those days
there was less politics and more patriotism, with a
high standard of civic duties.
“Citizens of New York were better able to un-
derstand these concerns where there were no day
police, and seventy men were required at night, when
the Bowery was a country walk, and Duane street up
town;–when fashionable dwelling houses on Dey or
Courtlandt street rented for three hundred dollars a
year;—when stages ran from Wall street to Harlem.
The duties of the citizenship were close, intimate,
and easily understood.”
The young clergyman came to this country with
letters of introduction from such eminent British
theologians as the Haldane Brothers, Reverend An-
drew Fuller, who has been called the “Franklin of
Theology,” celebrated not only for his writings, but
28
also reputed to be “One of the first expositors of the
Bible of the Anglo-Saxon race,” and also from the
Rev. Drs. Hall and Dick, to prominent Americans,
which secured him friends here at once.
Dr. Maclay commenced as an assistant in the
First Congregational Church, according to Green-
leaf's “History of the Churches in the City of New
York, from the First Settlement;” about the year
1804, the Rev. John Townley organized a Congre-
gational Church in an old wooden building on
Warren street near Broadway, and in the course of
three or four years, the membership had reached
about one hundred.
It recites that “Mr. Townley continued to 1abor
in Warren street for the space of four or five years,
assisted occasionally by the 1ate John Sanford, and
the Reverend Archibald Maclay, who was then a
Congregationalist.” *
The 1atter, in the meantime, had organized a
church of his own, (Presbyterian Congregationalists
as they were called), in a building on Rose street,
formerly occupied by the Universalists under the
pastor, Rev. John Foster, and continued preaching
there until the close of the year 1808.
Mrs. Mary A. Stanhope of this City, remembers
hearing her father Adam Pentz, who then lived at
46 Roosevelt street, relate “that he went to hear
that eloquent young Scotchman (Maclay) preach in
a hall in Rose street, shortly after he landed.”
29
CHAPTER III.
CHANGE OF FAITH-JOINS THE BAPTISTS-BAPTIZED
—ORGANIZED MULBERRY STREET CHURCH-RES-
IDENCES-EARLY NEW YORK-SLAVERY.
1808–1810.
The commencement of the last century, marked
the rise of the missionary enterprises of the various
denominations in this country. -
“The first indication of the growth of a wider
philanthropy,” says Prof. William Gammell, “is
found in the formation of the Baptist Missionary
Society which was organized in 1802. Its object as
set forth in its constitution, was, “to furnish oc-
casional preaching and to promote the knowledge
of evangelical truth in the new settlements within
these United States, or further if circumstances
should render it proper.”
The year following, the Society commenced the
publication (September 1803), of the “Massachusetts
Baptist Missionary Magazine,”—the earliest literary
Beginning of this sect in America, and the first
volume of this serial, including the years 1803-1809,
contains the following allusion to Dr. Maclay, May,
I8O8:
“The Rev. Dr. Rodger, of Philadelphia, under
date of November 28th, writes his friend at Boston
as ‘follows:”
“In my last, I mentioned the baptism of the Rev.
3O
Mr. Graham; (he was baptized in New York, by the
Rev. Mr. Williams) and of the intention of the Rev.
Mr. M'Clay of New York, with some of the members
of his church, of submitting to the same holy ordi-
nance.” -
So that Dr. Maclay's name appears among the
earliest pages of the literature of the denomination
in America.
Benedict likewise in his first edition of “A
General History of the Baptist Denomination in
America,” published in 1813, refers to him as viz:
“Mr. Maclay of New York informs me that
before he left Scotland, he foresaw what has since
come to pass, and gave his Independent brethren to
understand that he expected many of them would
become Baptists.”
He was accordingly baptized, September 21st, in
the East River, 1808, by the Rev. John Williams,
of the Baptist Meeting House in Fayette Street,”
after having resigned his charge, and adopted the
principles of the Baptists.
The following Sunday Mr. Williams baptized
Mrs. Maclay with eighteen members of the Rose
Street Church, and within a few months, all of the
rest of that Church except a half dozen were baptized.
The reasons for his withdrawal from the Con-
gregational denomination and his change of faith is
thus stated:
* This meeting house stood on two lots, sold to the Society, known
as the “Second Baptist Church,” on the 30th of June, 1799, from the old
farm of Heindrich Rutgers, bounded on the west by “Fayette Street,”
which has ceased to exist. The edifice originally built in 1795, and rebuilt
in 1800, became known as the “Oliver Street Church,” after the closing of
Fayette Street, and the extension of Oliver Street from Bancker (Madison)
Street to Chatham Square.
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3 I
“In preparing one of his sermons for the church,
he selected for a text Acts 2nd, 37 and 38. He had
intended to state, by way of introduction, the doctrine
preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost; the death
and resurrection of Christ; afterwards to refer to
the effects produced by his preaching; and lastly,
to direct attention to exhortation addressed to his
awakened hearers. Here he encountered a new and
unexpected difficulty. He could speak in glowing
terms of the changed character of Peter, -now
denying his Master with oaths and imprecations,
now boldly charging the guilt of His crucifixion
among those who were stained with it. He could
state the nature of his repentance, but he could not
urge his people to be baptized, because according
to his previous opinions they had been baptized
already, although many of them he knew had never
experienced that repentance which Peter stated as
a preliminary to the ordinance.”
Another church building was soon erected for
him; “capable of accommodating as many or per-
haps more hearers than any other at that time in
New York.”
The Rev. Johnathan Greenleaf gives the history
of the new Baptist Society, under the title “Mulberry
Street Church,” as viz:
“This church was formed in the year of
1809, under the name of “James Street
Church,” with thirty-seven members,
and it continued to be reported on the
minutes of the Association until the
year, 1838, under the ministry of one
32
man, viz: Rev. Archibald Maclay,
D. D., for the whole length of time.
Under these circumstances, it could
not be supposed that any great
changes should mark its history,
and it continued uninterruptedly as
a large and flourishing church.”
The church was originally known as the “James
Street,” from the street of that name (formerly St.
James), being the nearest street east of Mulberry,
from Chatham.
From his arrival at the port of New York, he
took up his residence in the Seventh Ward, and lived
in this section of the city for nearly half of a
century. -
In 1811, his name appears in the city directory as
V12 :
“Reverend Archibald Maclae,” No. 4o Division St.
This was between the Bowery and Chrystie Street,
and in close proximity to his church, the latter being
on the south side of Mulberry Street near its inter-
section with Chatham Street.
The next year, his home was at No. 44 Mulberry
Street, on the north side of the street between Bayard
and Cross Streets, just south of that famous angle
of the street nicknamed the bend, and much nearer
the church. Two years later, he was at No. 61, now
a part of Mulberry Bend Park. (1814 to 1815.)
In the directory for 1816, his residence is No. 99
Pump Street. This street extended from Collect
(Centre) Street to Division Street, and its name was
changed in 1829 to Walker Street.
•
CHARD STș–1861.
ON ST BETWEEN ETT RIDGE） OR


33
Perhaps the doctor found this house too far from
nis charge; for in 1819, he is again living in Mul-
berry Street, No. 52, on the north side, just above
the bend, where he remained until 1823, when he
moved to No. 56 Harman Street, between Catherine
and Market Streets.
This 1ast home he owned, and continued his res-
idence there until the fifties. The street was com-
paratively new, having only been extended from
Chatham Square to Grand Street in 1819.
Mr. D. A. Matthews, a well known auction-
eer of New York (and probably the oldest), told the
writer that he lived when a boy at No. 41 East
Broadway, opposite Dr. Maclay's, that he knew the
clergyman and his family well, and had often heard
him preach.
Mr. Matthews says that his father built the
first house on East Broadway, and that it was one
of the best neighborhoods in its day. Among those
1iving in this street was Commodore Cornelius
Vanderbilt, the founder of that family.
Haswell also, in writing of this locality, says
that “Cherry, Roosevelt, Oak, Madison, Oliver,
Harman (East Broadway) and Market Streets were
occupied by many people of position and fortune.”
There has been a wonderful deterioration in
Mulberry Street since those early days when the
Bayard farm on the north of it was 1aid out. From
a respectable thoroughfare, it later became a hive
for the 1owest and most disreputable characters.
Within a stone's throw of the Five Points, it was also
the haunt of desperadoes and the abode of criminals.
“Bandit Roost,” notorious in the annals of the police
34
as the scene of the most flagrant crimes, was an
opening on the south side of the street, between No.
57 and 59.
On the very site of the church, according to
Frank Moss of the “Society for the Prevention of
Crime: ”
“No. 7 Mulberry Street was kept by Tom Walsh,
alias “Fatty Walsh,” one of our important politi-
cians. It was a great resort for low politicians,
prize fighters, bounty jumpers, and tough men.
Walsh became an Alderman and an Assemblyman,
and his brother was County Clerk.”
“No. 112 Mulberry Street, (house still there) was
“The Little MacShades,” kept by “Skid Gallagher.”
There “Scotty the Munger,” a desperado, was shot
full of holes.”
In 1895, the whole block between Cross and
Bayard and south of Mulberry to Baxter Street was
acquired by the city, and dedicated for a breathing
spot known as “Mulberry Bend Park.”
Jacob A. Riis, in his “How the other half Lives,”
described this section of the city at length, and
says; “Where Mulberry Street crooks like an elbow
within hail of the old depravity of the Five Points,
is the “Bend,” foul core of New York's slums.”
He also writes:
“In the block between Bayard, Cross, Mulberry
and Baxter Streets, “the Bend proper,” the late
Tenement House Commission counted 155 deaths
of children in a specimen year, (1882).”
And he adds:
“Here in this tenement, No. 594, next to Ban-
dit's Roost, fourteen persons died that year, and
35
eleven of them were children; in No. 61, eleven, and
eight of them not yet five years old.”
Dr. Maclay's old residence, No. 52 Mulberry
Street, where he spent three years, is still standing.
It is a little old-fashioned two story yellow brick
structure, 27 feet front by 16 feet deep. The present
occupants of this street are all Italians, although
the Chinese quarter, (Pell and Mott Streets), is
immediately adjoining on the north.
The Scotch emigrant soon transferred his alle-
giance to the United States and becoming a
naturalized citizen, thereafter took great pride in
the land of his adoption, being devotedly attached
to the city with which he was identified. He per-
formed all his civic duties with alacrity, esteeming
opportunities to serve on jury duty, vote, etc.,
privileges which were imperative upon all good
citizens to embrace without shirking.
The following extract from one of his letters to
an Englishman, soon after the latter's arrival here,
breathes a hearty American spirit:
“In America, it is supposed, whether right or
wrong in our notions, I must leave you to judge for
yourself that Englishmen give themselves credit of
possessing not only a little but a great deal of
superiority over the people in the great West, that
not only the people in England are vastly superior
to those in America but that their rivers and lakes
forests and mountains are vastly superior to any-
thing known among us. Now if you entertain these
John Bull notions and have come to America
crammed full of them, by force and familiar inter-
course with our Yankees you will be compelled to
disgorge them, and like myself will become an
American to the backbone and all. It is true we
36
are foreigners and cannot be admitted into the
fellowship of Know Nothings, but if we are good
Christians and good preachers and sound demo-
crats we shall be able to get along with a good
deal of comfort in this wooden country.”
As the clergyman took up his home in the City
of New York so near the commencement of the 1ast
century, and enjoyed an uninterrupted residence
there for upwards of half a century, he had many
associations connected with the history and develop-
ment of that great metropolis. Perhaps it has fallen
to the lot of few men (except those similarly situ-
ated with him at this period) to have witnessed such
great and stupendous changes accompanying the
marvelous growth of the Island of Manhattan.
Landing here the year after Alexander Hamilton
was killed by Aaron Burr, just after Jefferson had
been elected President, and when Dewitt Clinton,
who had resigned his seat as United States Senator,
was Mayor, when only a small town occupied the
southern end of the Island, and its limits were
almost confined to that portion below Chambers
Street, he was an eye witness to the reclamation of
swamps, filling in of streams, levelling of hills, and
raising of valleys, until the entire topography had
been transformed, and the whole Island covered
with streets and houses.
So primitive was the metropolis that; “At that
time, 1805–6, or thereabouts, there stood at the cor-
ner of Chambers Street and Broadway, northwest
corner, a row of pig pens, and they were there for
some time. On the Park, just inside the Chambers
Street line, some fifty feet from Broadway, was the
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37
almshouse, or poor-house, as it was most generally
called, afterwards the City Museum. Further down
on the Broadway side, between the City Hall and
Broadway, stood the Bridewell and between it and
the picket fence, on the Broadway side, stood the
public whipping post, where the public flogging was
done, according to law.”
Slavery still prevailed in New York when Mr.
Maclay landed, as it was not abolished by law in the
State until 4th of July, 1827. During the year 1808,
there was some trouble in Dr. Parkinson's Church
(Baptist) in Gold Street concering the question of
slaves being owned by members of the church, and
the following resolution was adopted, “that in the
future, no person holding a slave for life, should be
admitted a member.”
A Committee was appointed “to wait on such
of the members as held slaves, to obtain if possible,
their consent to manumit them, at such periods as
their several ages and times of past service might
justify.”
38
CHAPTER IV.
JOHN RANDEL–GREENWICH VILLAGE–DR. MACLAY
VISITS THOS. PAINE–BAPTISM IN THE EAST
RIVER—CHARLES O'CONNOR'S RECOLLECTIONS-
BIBLE, TRACT, AND SCHOOL SOCIETIES.
1810—1822.
The earliest contemporaneous mention of the
new church after its erection is contained in an ad-
dress by the Directors of the New York Baptist
Missionary Society, dated, New York, May 22nd,
1810, and signed by John Williams, *President, and
Roswell Graves, Sec'y.
“The Baptist Church in Mulberry Street consti-
tuted of persons, most of whom had belonged to the
Independent Society meeting in Rose Street, and
among whom is the late pastor of said society, Mr.
Archibald Maclay, who has since been regularly
ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination,
and is now the pastor of this new church.”
About this period, Mr. John Randel, an old New
Yorker, writes that he walked every day to his office
in Greenwich Village, crossing the ditch at Canal
Street on a plank, and thence through open fields all
the way.
* John Williams was born in Wales March 8, 1767. Emigrated to New
York July 25, 1795, and preached first in the Fair (now Fulton St. Baptist
church) in Welsh. Became pastor of the Fayette (since called Oliver St.
church) August 28, 1798
39
“I boarded in the City,” he continues, “and in
going to the office, I almost daily passed the house
in Herring Street, (now 293 Bleecker), where Thomas
Paine resided, and frequently in fair weather saw
him sitting at the south window of the first story
room of that home. The sash was raised, and a
small table or stand was placed before him with an
open book placed upon it, which he appeared to be
reading. He had his spectacles on, his left elbow
rested upon the table or stand and his chin rested
tetween the thumb and fingers of his hand; his right
hand lay upon his book, and a decanter containing
liquid of the color of rum or brandy was standing
next to his book or beyond it. I never saw Thomas
Paine at any other place or in any other position.”
In “Old New York,” an account is given of a
visit to him in Greenwich in his last days from two
worthy divines, the Revs. Milledoler and Cunnin-
gham, “who sought to bring him to a realizing sense
of the errors of his ways,” but without achieving any
good results.
The Rev. Phillip Milledoler referred to was
pastor of the Old Reformed Church in Nassau Street,
one of the framers of the American Bible Society,
and subsequently President of Rutger College, from
1846 to 1852.
During the last illness of Paine, Dr. Maclay went
to see him in the hopes of administering some Chris-
tian consolation, and affording him any help or
relief, and the Doctor has often related his experi-
ences on such occasions to his family.
He said that he found this noted infidel in a
very sad condition, wallowing in filth, and very much
4O
neglected, and he described his groans and agony.
Although greatly distressed at witnessing so much
suffering, he could in no way comfort or soothe him,
If I remember the narrative correctly, Dr. Maclay
visited him, on the farm at New Rochelle, being the
three hundred acres of land on the White Plains
Road donated to this patriot by the State of New
York, and where Paine was buried after his decease,
(the 8th of June, 1809).
Bolton, in his History of Westchester, says, “a
portion of the house in which he lived, (at this
period), is still standing; here he had a small room,
the furniture of which embraced a miserable straw
lbed, deal table, a chair, a bible, and jug of spiritous
liquors.”
The following narrative of the closing scenes of
the life of Paine, from the pen of Dr. Manley; the
physician who attended him in his last illness, cor-
roborates Dr. Maclay's account in every essential:
“There was something remarkable in his con-
duct at this time, which comprises about two weeks
before his death, particularly when we reflect that
Thomas Paine was the author of the “Age of Rea-
son.” He would call out during his paroxysms of
distress without interruption: “O, Lord help me;—
God help me !—Jesus Christ help me !—O, Lord help
me! etc., repeating the same expressions without
the least variations, in a tone that would alarm the
house,” etc. -
The fullest account of Dr. Maclay's early minis-
try in New York is found in Benedict's History of
the Baptists, as it is a contemporaneous publication
of 1813, as viz:
4 I
“Mulberry Street Church. The origin of this
church was marked with some peculiarities, which
were briefly as follows: In 1805, Mr. Archibald
Maclay, its founder and present pastor, arrived in
this city, from Scotland. He was then an Indepen-
dent, under the patronage of the churches of that
order in his native land. He, no more than Mr.
Williams, had fixed upon this metropolis as a place
of settlement. Mr. Williams had designed to have
gone to Pennsylvania; Mr. Maclay's place of desti-
nation was Boston; but finding here a few brethren
of his own persuasion, he, in compliance with their
solicitation, agreed to tarry a few weeks with them.
They rented at first, and afterwards purchased the
house in Rose Street, formerly occupied by the
Bethel Church. Here Mr. Maclay began his labors,
a respectable congregation soon collected, and in
the course of a few months, a small church of the
Independent persuasion was formed, which in three
years increased to forty members. This little church,
arose under many discouragements, had enjoyed
many tokens of Divine favor, and was united to an
uncommon degree in the tender ties of christian
affection. But their pastor, after a thorough investi-
gation of the subject, was constrained to become a
Baptist, and had the Ordinance administered to him,
December 1808, by Mr. Williams above named, and
four days after seventeen of his church were
baptized, by the same administrator, a number more
soon after followed their example, and in February,
1809, they were formed into a Baptist Church. They
hold and practice weekly communion, but are not
disposed to break fellowship with their brethren, who
42
differ from them on this point. Their number has
increased to about two hundred.”
“Their house of worship stands on the street
from which the church is named, is sixty feet by
forty, cost together with their lot about 8,000 dollars.
The lot is 48 feet by Ioa.” Hardy in his description
of early New York, says that the “Mulberry Street
Church (Baptist) near Chatham Street, under the
pastoral care of the Reverend Mr. Archibald M'Clay,
was erected in 1809, and rebuilt and enlarged in
1817.” Its dimensions when enlarged were 63 feet
front by 90 in depth,<=5670 square feet.
Mr. James B. Colgate, of New York, who re-
Imembers this church, and whose father William
was afterwards a deacon there, described the old
structure as being of wood; very handsome, and
ornamental inside; and spacious, but without rooms
for prayer-meetings or lectures. There were inter-
ments in the vault under the church, and in the
church yard,
Haswell, in his very instructive and entertaining
“Reminiscences of an Octogenarian,” writes that
“the point of Corlear's Hook, East River, was an
open shore, resorted to by the Baptists for practice
of the right of immersion.”
Another author, that of “Historic New York,”
adds that there were no streams of water between
Roosevelt and Houston Streets emptying into the
East River; there being only one small pond in this
vicinity, and that was at Crown Point, or Corlear's
Hook, south of Henry Street, between Jefferson and
Clinton Streets.
Here the Baptist church members would assem-
Hº
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43
lole to witness the immersion of each addition to
their body, as performed by the several pastors.
The writer has frequently heard his father
(Archibald Maclay, M. D.) tell of the breaking of a
bole in the ice during the winter, and witnessing his
father, (Archibald Maclay, D. D.) baptize in this
opening in the East River.
Thomas Stokes, the well known philanthropist,
was baptized in this same place,—the East River, in
1807, by the Rev. Charles Lahatt, of the Bethel
Church.
“When under the efforts of the young and elo-
quent preacher, Archibald Maclay, the Mulberry
Street Baptist Church was gathered, Mr. Stokes
united with this body, and was at once elected
deacon, an office which he adorned until his death.”
In “Reminiscences of Baptist Churches and
Baptist Leaders in New York City,” Dr. George H.
Hansell remarks: s
“Dr. Maclay was esteemed a very earnest and
able preacher, and a ripe scholar for that day. Mul-
titudes flocked to hear him, and the 1arge meeting
house in Mulberry Street was crowded.”
Another clergyman wrote of him about this
period:
“He used to preach five times every week; gave
personal attention to the Sunday school and Bible
class; spent no little time in visiting the poor and
the sick, and was actively engaged in various relig-
ious, benevolent and educational enterprises. He
compiled and published a collection of Hymns of
eight hundred pages, supplemental to the Psalms
and Hymns of Dr. Watts. He united upwards of
44
ten thousand persons in the bonds of matrimony. In
ways which no man can name, or number, he labored
constantly to improve the condition of men on earth,
and to prepare them for a holier state, and a happier
lıome on high.”
In the preface to his hymnal, published in 1816,
the doctor remarks: “In this volume, though
chiefly designed for social worship, will be found a
great variety of subjects which are adapted to com-
fort the Christian, to awaken the sinner, and to lead
the inquiring mind to the Lord.”
“Upon the whole, it is presumed, that, to those
who are attached to sound doctrines and experi-
mental religion, and who live to contemplate Christ
in his person and works, and in all his charac-
ters, offices and relations, their selection will prove
acceptable and beneficial.”
During the first quarter of the last century, it
was customary to observe the Fourth of July by a
parade of the fire and military companies through
Broadway from the City Hall to the Mulberry
Street Church, where an oration appropriate to the
occasion was delivered and the exercises closed
with a prayer by the pastor, Dr, Maclay. 4.
These facts are referred to in the interesting
reminiscences of the above clergyman's pastorate
contained in the following letter of that renowned
1awyer the late Hon. Charles O'Connor, LL.D., to
the father of the author.
NANTUCKET, MAss., JAN. 22d, 1884.
ARCHIBAld MacLay, M. D.
MY DEAR SIR:
* * * Reflection upon your loss, and my own,
led to a retrospect, painful only, at the intervals,
SUMMER B Esto Ence of FBIRNAND 0 woop, MAY-oſa, 1855, 56, L57, _58.
----
Broadway ærae 77* Stree， Y

45
where it brought into view the transitory nature of
all human things. During that part of my youth,
which has left traces on memory, New York uni-
formly celebrated, with the forms of a civic triumph,
our great national anniversary. The procession
ended its march at the church in Mulberry Street,
where, with appropriate ceremonies, a solemn
thanksgiving was offered up by your reverend
father. Twenty summers had not shone over me,
when, on an Independence Festival, I had the
honor of pronouncing in that consecrated temple
the oration of the day. At the end of three score
years the memory of a gratifying incident remains
quite vivid. A sentence from the orator's perora-
tion was repeated in the closing prayer.
I well remember the venerated and amiable
pastor, whose full name you bear. It might not be
in order to state how often, among my young
friends, he was chosen to bestow the nuptial bene-
diction. I sometimes fancied it was by an unseen
guidance that I was so frequently delegated to
invite his ministrations. An interesting event of
this kind was a two-fold ceremony in his own house.
It was formed by the union of his oldest daughter
to Mr. James Bogardus, a meritorious and distin-
guished inventor; while another became the bride
of an accomplished young gentleman then studying
with me for the judicial profession.
This was my latest participation, under your good
father's ministry, in such joyous scenes. With me
life's simple pleasures were then just giving place
to its graver duties. At last, even they no longer
claim ; for the years of action have passed away.
So, also, have the reverend sire, the able and bril-
liant son, the fair brides, and the honored bride—
grooms. Remaining yet awhile, we realize in sad-
ness, that: “man was made to mourn.”
With great esteem, I remain,
Your friend,
CHAs. O'CONNOR.”
46
Among the earliest accounts of his preaching,
was at an annual meeting of the New York Baptist
Association of Churches, held in this City in 1811,
when he delivered the opening sermon, 2nd
Timothy, 2-19, and at a similar gathering of the
Hudson River Baptist Association at Poughkeepsie,
in 1816, where he again preached the opening
sermon. The year following, he was moderator,
and the next year clerk of the latter organization.
In 1824, he preached the opening sermon for the
same association at its yearly meeting in Troy, N. Y.
And in 1828, was its clerk at the meeting at Mount
Pleasant, N. Y. At the anniversary of the asso–
ciation held June 15th, 1836, at Coxsackie, N. Y.,
Dr. Maclay was chosen as corresponding secretary.
A memorable gathering took place in the First
Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Pa., on the 18th of
May, 1814, when twenty-six ministers and seven
1aymen, delegates from Baptist missionary Societies,
from eleven of the principal states of this country,
organized “The General Missionary Convention of
the Baptist Denomination in the United States of
America, for Foreign Missions,” by the adoption of a
constitution, the election of a Board of Managers, and
the designation of triennial conventions to be held.
Accordingly its first triennial anniversary was
celebrated in Philadelphia, May 7th, 1817, when
Archibald Maclay, of New York, was elected one of
the managers on the Board of Missions for three
years. Also at the third anniversary, April 30th,
1823, Washington, D. C.
At its fifth triennial convention held in the
Oliver Street Church, New York, April 26, 1826, Dr.
Maclay appeared among the delegates.
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47
And at the eighth triennial gathering at Rich-
mond, Va., on April 29th, 1835, he was again elected
a manager.
At this time there were only six Baptist
churches in New York City, viz.: Oliver Street, No. 6
Mulberry Street; Broome, near Elizabeth; First, No.
29 Gold Street; Delancy, corner of Chrystie; Van
Dam, near Varick. (Longworth Directory, 1822).
Upon the dedication of the First Baptist Church
of Brooklyn, N. Y., August IOth, 1822, “Pastors A.
Maclay, S. H. Cone, C. G. Sommers, and J. Chase,
were present, and gave the hand of fellowship and
sympathy. The sermon was preached by Bro. Maclay
from Acts, I I-47.”
The previous month (July), the yellow fever
reappeared in New York, and it is said that the
principal portion of the city below the City Hall was
vacated, and the infected districts fenced in.
Dr. Maclay, with no fear of contagion, remained
there administering sympathies to the afflicted and
assisting the dying with prayers and religious con-
solation.
The ensuing year (1823), the use of the church-
yard and vaults of the Mulberry Street Church for
burial purposes was discontinued, as interments in
the City, south of Canal Street, were then prohibited,
probably as a result of the fever visitation.
The first ordination in the Mulberry Street
Church was that of elder Jacob H. Brouner by the
pastor and others in 1812. The former was born in
New York, January 1st, 1791, and afterwards filled
the pulpit of the North Baptist Church of New
York until his death. During his pastorate of
twenty-five years he baptized 334 converts.
48
The American Bible Society came into exist-
ence on the 15th of May, 1816, when delegates from
thirty-five local organizations met in convention in
New York City. Representatives of the leading
denominations, Baptists, Congregationalists, Re-
formed Dutch, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presby-
terians and the Society of Friends organized this
enterprise, with Elias Boudinet, LL.D., as President,
for the object of encouraging “a wide circulation of
the Holy Scriptures without note or Comment.”
Among the Board of Managers afterwards selected
was Dr. Maclay.
According to the report of the American Bible
Society; “One of the efforts of our first year was to
provide for the wants of the aborigines of our
country, and it has always been kept in view. In
the course of years, portions have been furnished
for the Mohawks, the Delawares, the Senecas, the
Ojibwas, the Dakotas, the Choctaws, the Cherokees,
the Shawnees.
“The total number of volumes issued by the
Society, from its organization to the close of the
fiscal year, March 31st, 1893, is 56,926,771.
“The growth of this department of the work is
shown by the following table:
ISSUES,-COPIES. - ISSUES.—COPIES.
In the Ist year..... 6,4IO
“ I oth “ . . . . . 67,134 In the 1st ten years... 439 58o
“ 20th “ . . . . 221,694 6 * 2d £ 6 ... I,549,848
“ 3oth “ . . . . . 483,873 & & 3d “ ... 2,5Io, I56
“ 4oth “ . . . . 668,265 “ 4th “ ... 6,772,338
“ 5oth “ . . . . . 1,150,528 “ 5th “ ... Io,513,654
“ 6oth “ . . . . . 850,470 “ 6th & 4 ... I I,34O, IQO
“ 7oth “ . . . . . I,437,440 “ 7th “ ... 13,751,880
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49
The issues of the five years ending March 31st,
1893, numbering 7,127,208 volumes, largely exceeded
the issues of the first thirty-three years.
“For a brief period after the organization of the
Society the Managers were indebted for the use of
rooms in which to hold their monthly meetings to
the courtesy of the mayor of the city of New York,
to the governors of the New York Hospital, and to
the New York Historical Society.
“The original depository was in the office of the
Society's Agent, at the corner of Cedar and Nassau
Streets; then a room of larger dimensions, though
only seven feet by nine, was rented at No. Io Cliff
Street; and still later a room twenty feet square
was occupied in Hanover Street, under the shadow
of the Merchants' Exchange.”
This society in 1822, erected a building No. 115
Nassau Street, and on June 29th, 1852, the corner
stone of their new home in Astor Place was 1aid.
Their Seventh Anniversary was held at the City
Hotel, May 8, 1823, General Matthew Clarkson,
Senior Vice-President presided in the absence of
Hon. John Jay, President, Hon. Dewitt Clinton and
Richard Varick, Vice-Presidents, were also present.
“Such was the announcement at the commence-
ment of the Report of proceedings of the Seventh
Anniversary of the American Bible Society. The
venerable and distinguished men, alike the pride
and the ornament of the State of New York, who
then constituted its officers, and who are all named
above, have gone to their rest; but their names will
the numbered while literature and law, philosophy
and religion have their votaries among us.”
5O
The New York Free School Society was organ-
ized in 1805, and in 1820 this Society had six schools,
and two thousand five hundred and eighty nine
pupils, when the Revs. Moffit and Summerfield, of
England, being on a religious tour to America, and
the former desiring to address the children, the
“17th day of May was chosen for the occasion, and,
to render a separate visit and address to each school
unnecessary, they were collected in the Baptist
Church near Chatham, known as the ‘Tabernacle,'
then under the care of Rev. Archibald Maclay.”
At the exercises held in this 1arge church, all the
pupils, with their monitors and teachers, gathered
to the number of two thousand three hundred.
A new Baptist church, known as the South
Baptist Church, was organized in the city by the
purchase of the German Reformed Church stone
edifice in Nassau Street, between John and Fulton,
and the selection of Rev. Chas. G. Sommers for the
pulpit.
The dedication occurred on the 24th of April,
1822, with the following order of exercises:
“The Rev. John Williams introduced the
services by an appropriate prayer. A sermon was
preached by Rev. A. Maclay, after which the pastor
of the church gave to the council of ministers
convened, a succint statement of the doctrines,
sentiments and order of the church.”
On the 11th of June, following, the regular
yearly meeting of the N. Y. Baptist Missionary
Society took place in the Oliver Street Church, New
York City, when Dr. Maclay opened the exercises by
prayer; after which he read the Report of the Trus-
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tees, and a communication from the Juvenile Baptist
Missionary Society of New York.
During September of the same year (1822), the
New York Baptist Theological Seminary was consti-
tuted by the election of the following faculty of
instructors (who entered at once on their duties) by
the Board of Trustees:
Rev. John Stanford, A. M., President and Pro-
fessor of Theology;
Rev. Archibald Maclay, A. M., Professor of
Ecclesiastical History and Biblical Literature;
Mr. Daniel H. Barnes, A. M., Professor of Lan-
guages.
52
CHAPTER V.
STANTON ST. CHURCH-MISSIONARY CONVENTION
AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY-UNIVERSITY OF
THE CITY OF N. Y.—THE CHOLERA.
1823–1832.
On September 23rd, 1823, fourteen members of
the Mulberry Street Church took out the following
letter for the purpose of organizing a new church:
“TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN :
This is to certify that the brethren and sisters
whose names are hereunto affixed, are regularly
dismissed from the Baptist Church in Mulberry
Street, New York, under the pastoral care of Rev.
Archibald Maclay, for the purpose of uniting to-
gether in the formation of a new and regular Baptist
Church in the same city. And may the great Head
of the church crown their efforts with success and
His rich and effective blessing; that they may be
louilt in the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,
Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone.”
Done by the order of the Church.
WM. WINTERTON,
Church Clerk.
NEw York, September 23, 1823.
They accordingly hired for a meeting house No.
63 Chrystie Street, a hall opposite the public school
53
at that time considered uptown, and a council of
Baptist Churches was called to whom was submitted
their articles of faith and covenants. The council
consisted of :
Rev. A. Maclay,
“ C. G. Sommers,
“ Johnson Chase,
“ John Williams,
“ Mr. Smith.
This council, after constituting the new church
as “The Union Baptist Church,” adjourned to their
meeting house, and after a sermon preached by
Rev. C. G. Sommers, the hand of fellowship was
given by Rev. A. Maclay.
John W. Gibbs became their preacher until April
23rd, 1824, when the church moved to a school room
over the watch-house, in Eldridge Street. The fol-
lowing summer, “the Rev. Samuel Eastman, of
Kentucky, who had been preaching for the Rev.
A. Maclay, in Mulberry Street, for a time”, was
called to the pulpit.
The church changed their meeting to a school
room in Mott Street, then to the Bowery (since
known as Military Hall), thence to Elizabeth Street,
and finally to a small meeting house on the south-
east corner of Houston and Forsyth Streets. On
November 24th, 1830. Rev. S. Eastman resigned on
account of ill health, and was succeeded by Rev. G.
Benedict, March, 1831.
Two years later, this Society (June, 1833), pur-
chased two lots on Stanton Street between Chrystie
and Forsyth, for a new edifice, and on the 27th of
August following, the corner stone was laid and
54
addresses made by Rev. Archibald Maclay and
Rev. Charles W. Dennison.
On the completion of the building, Sunday,
March 2nd, 1834, Dr. Maclay preached the dedica-
tory sermon in the morning.
On January 31st, of 1824, the trustees of the
Free Society of N. Y., memoralized the State Legis-
lature, requesting that the respective religious
societies of the city be restricted, in drawing from
the common school fund, to the poor children of
their own congregations, &c. Similar certificates
were signed as viz:
Archibald Maclay, Pastor of the Baptist Church
in Mulberry Street,
John Williams, Pastor of the Baptist Church
in Oliver Street.
William McMurray, Pres, &c., Peter Neefut,
Sec. &c., of the Reformed Dutch Church in Market
Street.
Thos. McAuley, Pres. of the trustees of Rutgers
Street Church.
Ward Stafford, Pastor of the Bowery Presby.
terian Church.
William Patton, Pastor of the Central Presby-
terian Church, Broome Street.
Peter Bonnet, President, &c., of the trustees of
the Brick Presbyterian Church.
Gardner Spring, Pastor of said Church.
The Trustees of Presbyterian Church in Murray
Street,
and a number of Methodist Episcopal Clergy-
111611,
Free School No. 2, Tryon row and Chatham street, erected in 1805; torn down in 1839, on
improvement of Centre street.


55
Rev. C. W. Brooks, in his “Century of Missions
in the Empire State ” writes:
“The year 1807 marked at the same time the
1anding of the first steamboat on the Hudson River,
and the formation of the Hamilton Missionary
Society. In 1817 the work on the Erie Canal, the
great water way of the State,_a work of immense
importance to the development and prosperity of
the State, was commenced. The same year the
Hamilton Missionary Society was granted a charter
loy the legislature, and the Baptist Education Society
of the State of New York was organized. In 1825
the canal was completed and opened for traffic, and
the same year the Hamilton Missionary Society
Became by legal enactment the Baptist Missionary
Convention of the State of New York,”
This latter body arose from a union of the
Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, and the
Baptist Domestic Missionary Convention of the
State of New York and its vicinity, at the third
anniversary of the latter body, held October 20th
and 21st, 1824, when among the Board of Directors
then elected, were Archibald Maclay, William
Colgate, John Williams and others. *
Dr. Maclay served in this Board continuously
from its origin until 1846, a period of twenty-four
years.
The “Story of the City of New York,” gives the
following description of New York City by a gentle-
man at this time:
“In 1825, all north of Astor Place was open
country, a region of farms and farm houses, gardens,
and apple orchards. An old high-peaked barn stood on
56
the present site of Grace Church, and above, quite up
to the powder-house (now Union Square), there were
tout ten dwellings, as I remember, old stone farm
houses with attics. Lafayette Place was not, and
near where the Astor Library now stands, extending
through from the Bowery to Broadway, and south
nearly to Bond Street, was the Vauxhall Garden, a
delightful spot, with flowers and lawns, and shade
trees, where the New Yorkers of 1825 resorted to see
the fireworks, partake of cakes and ale, and hear the
pand play on Summer evenings.”
The American Baptist Magazine the same year
publishes the following item of news:
“April 27th, 1825. Ordination of Rev. Thomas
Powell at the Baptist Meeting House in Mulberry
Street, New York. s
Sermon by Dr. Spencer H. Cone and charge by
Rev. Archibald Maclay.”
Thomas Powell was born December 9th, 1801, in
Wales, and when seventeen years old emigrated to
this country, and united with the above church,
when there were only a half dozen Baptist churches
in this City, and none in Brooklyn.
In 1822, he was licensed by Dr. Maclay's church
to preach in Hoboken, Brooklyn and Newark, N. J.
After his ordination he served as a missionary in
Orange County; as a pastor in Hudson and Milton,
N.Y., and in 1836 removed to Illinois, as a missionary
of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society,
where he labored in the Valley of the Mississippi
for many years.
It is said that “to no man is the denomina-
tion more indebted for its prosperity and growth,

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57
especially in the earlier history of the State"
(Illinois).
Another religious movement of this year was
the organization of a Society for the distribu-
tion of tracts. The celebrated clergyman, John
Summerfield, just before his death, was engaged
with other ministers of various denominations in
the formation of the American Tract Society. As a
member of the Publishing Committee, he took an
active part in the convention for adopting its consti-
tution and the first public meeting was held May
I Ith, 1825.
“For the first two years of its existence the
Tract Society devoted itself solely to the printing
and circulation of tracts. In its third year began
that development which has since culminated in the
production of a body of Christian literature which
includes every form of publication adapted to the
wants of the Christian public.
“The first volume issued by the Tract Society
was ‘The Rise and Progress of Religion,’ by Dod-
dridge. This was quickly followed by other standard
works, such as Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim's Progress," Bax-
ter’s “Call to the Unconverted,' etc.”
“Since that time a steady succession of emi-
nently useful and timely books have been issued,
among which are numbered some of the very best
to be found in the English language. Besides books,
tracts and periodicals, the publications of the Society
now include cards, hand-bills, wall-rolls, leaflets, and
booklets of every description.”
Dr. Archibald Maclay was closely connected
with this society and among its officers his name
58
appears as Recording Secretary from 1825, its or-
ganization, to 1837.
“The records of the past seventy-five years,
however, show that the colporters of the American
Tract Society have done a work equal to that of one
man for 6,260 years; they have sold 13,048,588 vol-
umes, and given away by grant 3,261,060; they have
made I4,924,394 visits, and have found opportunity
for a word of prayer or a personal talk on the subject
of religion in 8,652,595 cases; they have discovered
2,192,596 Protestant families neglecting evangelical
worship, 748,669 Protestant families without Bibles,
and 1,294,904 with no other religious book. Colpor-
tage has been emphatically a pioneer missionary
agency. It has in many cases met the wants of a
rapidly advancing population, where no churches,
schools or book stores existed, and thus it has
proclaimed the message of salvation where other-
wise it would not have been heard.”
The need of increased facilities for a higher
education commensurate with the growth of wealth
and population of the metropolis, culminated in the
preliminary steps being inaugurated about May
for the establishment of an additional institution
of learning, known as the University of the City of
New York. Dr. Maclay, always a friend of educa-
tion, was active in its organization, and was not
only among its charter members, but gave many
years of his life to service in the Council.
This University of the City of New York was
established at a meeting held in the Aldermen's
Chamber of the Corporation of the City, the 20th of
October, 1830, with the following members of the
Council:
º º º
º a º º ºsº

59
Rev. Jona M. Wainwright, John S. Craig,
“ James M. Matthews, Samuel Ward, Jr.,
“ Spencer H. Cone,
“ James Milnor,
“ Samuel H. Cox,
“ Jacob Brodhead,
“ Cyrus Mason,
“ Archibald Maclay,
Gen. Morgan Lewis,
Hon. Albert Gallatin,
“ Samuel R. Betts,
“ Jas. Talmadge,
Henry D. Wyckoff,
Geo. Griswold,
Myndert Van Schaick,
Stephen Whitney,
John Haggerty,
Martin E. Thompson,
James Lenox,
Benj. L. Swan,
William Cooper,
Fanning C. Tucker,
Oliver M. Lownds,
Valentine Mott, M. D.
Edward Delafield, M.D.
William W. Woolsey,
Chas. G. Troup,
Gabriel P. Desosway,
Chas. Starr, t
John Delafield,
Walter Bowne, Mayor
of the City ex officio,
together with the fol-
lowing members of
the Common Council:
Wm. Seaman,
Wm. W. Mott,
Benj. M. Brown,
Thos. Jeremiah,
Its incorporation was April 18th, 1831; the foun-
ders being as follows:
Morgan Lewis,
Jas. M. Matthews,
Stephen Whitney,
James Lenox,
Edward Delafield,
Spencer H. Cone,
Chas. Starr,
James Milnor,
Sam1. R. Betts,
Geo. Griswold,
Martin E. Thompson,
Sam1. Ward,
Saml. Hanson Cox,
Cyrus Mason,
John S. Craig,
James Talmadge,
M. Van Schaick,
John Delafied,
Valentine Mott,
Archibald Maclay,
Wm. W. Woolsey,
Gabriel Peters,
6O
Hon. Albert Gallatin was elected President of
the Council of Trustees, and Rev. Archibald Maclay
Recording Secretary. The Faculty of Arts consisted
of a Chancellor, Rev. James M. Matthews, and
twelve Professors, to fill the different chairs in 1832,
when it was opened for students.
The corner stone of a white Gothic college
edifice was laid in 1835, on University Place, fronting
on Washington Square (then very far uptown), and
the same was completed and opened in 1835.
Rev. Dr. Maclay continued in the Council, and
held the office of Recording Secretary until June,
1838, when he was succeeded by his son, Hon.
William B. Maclay.
William B. Maclay, entered the freshman class
of the University among the earliest students in
1832, and in 1836 graduated with the highest honors,
as class valedictorian, when but twenty-four years
of age. Immediately upon graduating he was ap-
pointed acting Professor of the Latin Language and
of Literature. He was subsequently elected Secre-
tary, and a member of the Council, which position
he held for forty-six years.
In 1842 another son of Dr. Archibald Maclay,
Dr. Archibald Maclay, Jr., of the Common Council
of the City of New York, was a member of the
Council of the University, ex officio.
Among the first professors appointed to this
institution was Samuel F. B. Morse, to the Chair of
Literature of the Arts and Design. Here, in upper
rooms on the north side and adjacent to the chapel,
were the preliminary experiments of his telegraph
made.
|-：
，


-**-ºs--~~~~
*:- **** • ***
- * * *
• * * * * * *
6I
“In September following the dedication of the
louilding (1837), having completed the first crude
telegraphic recording aparatus in the world, he ex-
hibited to a select assemblage at the University, the
operation of his new system, and demonstrated
theyond dispute his ability to communicate between
two points distant half a mile from each other.”
Dr. Maclay and his son took great interest in
the progress of this new invention—and made fre-
quent visits to the rooms of Prof. Morse, who ex-
Hibited and explained to them his improvements
from time to time.
Subsequently Hon. Wm. B. Maclay while in
Congress advocated the passage of a bill to enable
Prof. Morse to demonstrate the utility of his in-
vention. The latter, in his address at the unveil-
ing of the Morse statue in the Central Park, re-
marks:
“It was not until 1832, that it was again sub-
mitted to Congress. Ferris, Kennedy, Winthrop,
Aycrigg, Maclay and Wood, and many others in the
House, far-seeing statesmen, rallied to its support,
and at length, by a bare majority, the bill, that was
necessary, was carried through the ordinary forms
and sent to the Senate, where it met no opposition,
and was passed the last night of the session.”
Philip Hone, (Mayor of New York City, in 1826)
in his diary for Friday, June 15 (1832), writes:
“The Albany steamboat, which came down
this afternoon, brought the alarming news that the
cholera, which has of late been the scourge of the
Eastern Continent, has crossed the Atlantic, and
made its appearance in Quebec, and from there has
travelled with its direful velocity to Montreal.”
62
Within three weeks from the time of its first
appearance in the 1atter city there was reported
three thousand five hundred and fifty-nine cases,
and one thousand and seventy-six deaths.
Notwithstanding, every effort to prevent the
spread of the contagion to the United States, by
prohibiting the travel of emigrants on steamboats
and canal barges, it made its entry on Manhattan
Island the last week of June, and was of such viru-
lent type, that on the 2nd of July, eleven persons were
seized with the malady, all dying; and on the 21st
of July, the disease had spread so rapidly, that seven
hundred and sixteen burials of cholera victims were
chronicled.
The total mortality in New York City, from the
2nd of July to the 19th of October, when the scourge
ceased, according to the report of burials by the City
Inspector, was three thousand four hundred and
ninety six.
According to Gowan's Western memorabilia;
“1832, June 28th, the Asiatic cholera first visited
New York. On its first appearance, the alarm of the
citizens was beyond all example. They fled in every
direction; steamboats, sloops, stages, railroads, and
every method of conveyance were filled to overflow-
ing for several days. Had the City been reached
by a barbarian conqueror, the alarm could not have
been greater.”
During this violent epidemic, Dr. Maclay, (un-
like many of his neighbors, who took refuge in flight),
resolutely remained in the city as on previous occa-
sions, cheering and sustaining the bereaved and dy-
ing, and conducting funeral services, as required.
63
The clergyman's two sons, Dr. Robert Haldane
and Dr. Archibald, Jr., both physicians, continued
at their posts in the city with their father. Like
him, they were on duty day and night.
The cholera hospital of the sixth ward was under
the charge of the eldest brother, who received a
service of silver from the citizens in grateful recogni-
tion of his services, with the following inscription:
“Presented to Dr. Robert H. Maclay, by a number of his
fellow citizens, of the Sixth Ward, in the City of New York,
as a testimonial of their appreciation of the zeal and ability
with which he performed his professional services, during the
prevalence of the cholera, in the year 1832.”
Among those who were carried off by the fell
destroyer, was the wife of the Rev. Joseph Dowling,
within a month of their arrival from England. Dr.
Dowling left his wife and two children in New York
City, and went to New Hamburgh to preach, where
he received a 1etter informing him of his sad loss.
He writes:
“The letter had been written by an aged and
venerable servant of God, whom I have ever since
loved as a sympathizing brother andfather in Christ,
in order to apprise me of my sore affliction, and was
in the following words:
NEw York, SEPT., 1832.
DEAR BROTHER DOWLING:
It becomes my painful duty to announce to you
the fact that your dear wife was seized with the
cholera on Lord's day, and though she had good
medical attendance, and also good minding, it ter-
minated fatally to-day, about a quarter after one
o'clock, P. M. As soon as I was informed of her
illness, I wrote a note by the messenger to my son,
64
Dr. Maclay, to visit her; he went, but alas ! her
death had taken pkace about half an hour before he
arrived. I went to her funeral at five o'clock, ac-
cording to appointment, and engaged in prayer
with the family, and those that were assembled on
the occasion. I regret to say that your youngest
child is very unwell, but the greatest attention is
paid to her by Mrs. B–, and her family.
I am not without apprehension that your dear
child will soon follow her mother, but there is one
consolation to the heart of the husband and the
parent, should this be the case, that every attention
was paid to them while they lived, and that they go
at the Master's call, and “Blessed are the dead that
die in the Lord.”
The recovery of the dear child is, however, pos-
sible, and perhaps the Lord may yet spare her to you
in mercy. He can raise from the gates of death.
I wish you to feel that everything will be done that
can be done by human skill and attention toward
her recovery, and the rest must be left to the Lord.
My dear brother, I deeply sympathize with you in
your afflictions. I trust the Lord will support your
mind, and enable you to cast your burdens on the
Lord. He will sustain you. Perhaps this severe
trial the Lord designs for your own good and the
good of His dear people. “Whether we be afflicted,
it is for your consolation and salvation,” and whether
we be comforted, the Lord has still the same
gracious end in view. We need a rich fund of
experience to be extensively useful in the cause and
kingdom of our Lord ; and this is to be acquired,
not by meditation only, but by passing ourselves
through the fire and through the water. Affliction
is needful for all God's creatures, but especially for
his ministers. You have no reason to sorrow on
this occasion, as those that have no hope. The dear
partner of your life has gone to her Father's house,
and we must follow soon. You have the sympathy
and prayers of God's dear people, and what is of
65
greater importance, the sympathy and compassion
of our Great High Priest, who is touched with the
feelings of our trials, and who knows how to succor
the tried and the afflicted.
Most affectionately yours,
A. MACLAY.
The bereaved clergyman was ordained on the
14th of November, 1832, following, in Catskill, N.Y.,
on which occasion the sermon was preached by
Rev. B. T. Welch, of Albany. The charge to the
candidate was by the Rev. C. G. Sommers; the
charge to the church was made by Rev. Archibald.
Maclay, and the benediction was delivered by:
Thomas Stokes, a Deacon of Dr. Maclay's church,
in New York.
CHAPTER VI.
AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY—REv.
C. F. FREY — WEST BAPTIST CHURCH — PUBLIC
SCHOOL SOCIETY--CARROL HALL–NORTH BAP-
TIST CHURCH.
1832—1836.
During the year 1831, the Rev. Jonathan Going
of Worcester, Mass., through the Massachusetts
Missionary Society, urged the organization of a gen-
eral Society of Baptists for Mission work in this
country, and delegates were appointed to visit New
York City for the purpose of conferring with the New
York Baptist Missionary Convention and others.
After visiting Philadelphia, Pa., for the same object,
the several “conferences resulted in the appointment
of a Provisional Committee with Dr. A. Maclay, of
New York, as Chairman, Dr. Going as corresponding
secretary, William Colgate as treasurer, and Dr.
William R. Williams as recording secretary—a meet-
ing was called for the formal organization of the
Society, to be held in New York on April 27th, 1832,”
—(Newman's History of Baptist Churches in the
United States). This organization was held in the
Mulberry Street Baptist Church.
Such was the origin of our “American Baptist
Home Missionary Society,” which is known through-
out the length and breadth of this continent for
its effective work in missions, unparalleled in the

67
history of any country. The first year of its existence
it numbered 50 missionaries as workers;–the second
year 80.
The third annual meeting was held in Rich-
mond, May 4, 1835, at which time the Society had
96 missionaries under appointment, most of them in
Western States and Territories.
Among the officers for that year we notice the
name of Rev. Archibald Maclay, at the head of the
1ist of the executive committee.
The following historical sketch of Baptist mis-
sions in Mexico is from the pen of the well known
Field Secretary, Rev. H. L. Morehouse, D.D., who
has rendered such efficient service to the Society:
“The American Baptist. Home Mission Society,
from 1836-1840, hoped to make its work in Texas a
Stepping stone to work in Mexico; the disordered
condition of the country prevented. But in 1849 its
missionaries went to the Mexicans in New Mexico.
In 1861, Rev. James Hickey, a Baptist and the first
minister of any denomination, went from Texas to
Mexico, was instrumental in the organization of the
First Baptist church at Monterey, in 1864, one of
whose constituent members was Thomas M. West-
rup, for more than thirty years eminent in our work
there. Mr. Westrup was the first appointee of the
Society in 1870, Several native missionaries were
also employed. In 1882 the Society, with renewed
vigor, enlarged its work; in 1883 occupied the City
of Mexico, provided a printing outfit which has
printed our paper La Luz, thousands of tracts, a
volume of Spurgeon's sermons and the Spanish
Concordance of the Scriptures, by Rev. W. H.
68
Sloan. Church edifices have been built in New
Laredo, Monterey, Linares, and the City of Mexico,
which, with their sites, are worth $75,000. The
chief mission stations are New Laredo, Montemo-
relos Linares in the State of Nuevo Leon; San
Luis Potosi, Aguas Calientes, Puebla and the City
of Mexico. The two American msssionaries are
Rev. J. F. Kimball of New Laredo, and Rev. W. H.
Sloan, of the City of Mexico. There are ten native
preachers and assistants. Number of churches in
the Society's fields, 9; other mission stations, 20;
members, 730. Annual expenditures, about
$10,000.”
According to the 69th annual report of this
Society, convened in Springfield, Mass., May 23, 24,
1901—the number of 1aborers, missionaries and
teachers, supported wholly, or in part by this organ-
ization, was 1, 199; the number of churches and
stations supplied 1,954, and churches organized 5,467.
Rev. Dr. T. J. Morgan, a distinguished officer
of the Civil War, an ex-Commissioner of Indian
Affairs, a man of rare attainments and scholarship,
and present Corresponding Secretary of the So-
ciety,says that “its work is carried on in nearly
every state and teritory of the Union, besides
Alaska, Mexico, Eastern Cuba, and Porto Rico.
Its missionaries are preaching the gospel in
twenty different languages. During the seventy
years of its existence it has raised and disbursed
more than twelve million dollars, of which three
millions have been spent in the education of
the negroes of the South. During this period the
Baptists of the United States have increased from
ALMS HOUSE BUILDINGS,
Blackwells Island. .
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-
E-
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69
about 350,000 to more than four millions and the
Society has been one of the great factors in pro-
moting this result.”
The Public School Society of the City of New
York, at a meeting of its Board in February, 1834,
received a communication from a committee “ap-
pointed by a public meeting of citizens for the forma-
tion of a school for the special instruction of common
school teachers; and from a joint meeting of confer-
ence of that committee, and a committee of the
council of the University, of which Rev. Archibald
Maclay, D. D., was Chairman.”—W. O. Bourne.
The ensuing year, The New York City Baptist
Education Society held its twenty-first anniversary
in the Oliver Street Meeting House, on November
26th (1835), with the following officers:
A. MACLAY, President.
WM. G. MILLER, Secretary.
The Rev. John Stanford, D.D., (1754–1834), the
well known Baptist minister of old New York, and
for more than twenty years chaplain of the New
York Hospital and City Prisons, was elected the
first president, in 1814, of the Education Society.
The Rev. Chas. G. Sommers writes:
“Dr. Stanford was eminently qualified, and
employed a portion of his time with singular suc-
cess. Many who, as the ministers of Christ, have
teen ‘ burning and shining lights,' and several of
our most distinguished citizens, received the first
rudiments of their education under his direction;
and from its organization until the close of life, he
70
continued, the useful and honored President of the
New York Baptist Education Society.”
Dr. Archibald Maclay succeeded him.
The late Hon. Thos. Hoyne, LL.D., of Chicago,
who held the offices of Mayor, and Judge of that city,
and who served in the Board of Trustees of the
University of Chicago from the foundation in 1857,
to his death in 1883, succeeding the 1ate Wn. B.
Ogden as President of the Board, lived in the home
of Rev. Archibald Maclay from 1835 to 1837, and
writes of the family at that period:
“Your grandfather (Rev. Dr. Archibald Maclay),
was known and revered throughout the United
States before Chicago had a municipal beginning or
name, as one of the most eminent Baptist divines,
as well as learned expositors of the Bible. He lived
on East Broadway in 1835, when I was in the family
for a period of two years and up to the time I left
New York to try my fortune in Chicago. During
those two years I enjoyed the friendship and inti-
macy of the large and intelligent family that, as you
lºnow, at that time composed the Maclay household.
Among them I was enabled to cultivate through
their intercourse, the means that obtained me some
Rnowledge of the classics, and the rudiments of a
sound English education,” &c.
The Report of the Hudson River Association
of Baptist Churches for 1835, includes the Mulberry
Street Church, New York City, with Rev. A. Maclay
as pastor, and Rev. J. L. Burrows and C. F. Frey as
assistants; membership two hundred and thirty-
five; baptisms five.
The American Baptist Missionary Magazine
7I
contains the first mention of the arrival of this last
named assistant Minister, January, 1817:
“The Rev. J. S. C. Frey, the ‘converted Jew,’
arrived in this country from London, is appointed to
deliver a lecture to the Jews every Sabbath evening
in the City of New York.”
Mr. Frey remarked. “In 1806, I was the only
Jewish preacher known in the world; there are now,
blessed be God, more than forty of my Jewish breth-
ern who preach” (1846). He was originally named
Joseph Samuel, but after becoming a Christian
assumed the name “Christian Frederick Frey.” He
was a student in the Missionary Seminary at Berlin,
and went to England in 1801, at the solicitation of
the London Missionary Society, and on September
I5th, 1816, came to America and after laboring as a
Presbyterian preacher until 1827, joined the Baptist
church in Mulberry Street, and was baptized by Dr.
Maclay, who, afterwards contributed the following
letter to Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpits.
NEW YORK, JUNE 28, 1859.
DEAR SIR :
I take pleasure in furnishing you, agreeably to
your request, with my recollections of the late Mr.
Frey, and my estimate of his character, both as a
man and a minister.
Having been a constant reader of the London
Evangelical Magazine from its commencement, and
NOTE: Mr. Frey thus describes his baptism:
“I now felt it my duty to obey the command of my Lord and Saviour
to be baptised ; i. e., immersed—Therefore, without conferring with flesh
or blood, or fearing the consequences, I proposed myself as a candidate
to the Baptist Church in New York, under the pastoral care of the Rev.
A. Maclay, by whom I was baptized on Lord's day, August 28th, 1827.”
–Essay on Baptism. -
72
being personally acquainted with the Rev. Dr.
Bogue, of Gosport, with whom Dr. Frey was for
several years a student, I learned with much interest
that he had embraced Christianity, and ardently
desired to carry the knowledge of salvation through
a crucified Saviour to his Jewish brethern. For some
time I marked with attention his consistent and
persevering labors in carrying out this desire. I did
not, however, become personally acquainted with
him until 1816, on his arrival in this country, the
first time, when he submitted various letters and
satisfactory credentials from gentlemen of the
highest character in England. He often, at my re-
quest, occupied my pulpit, much to my own gratifi-
cation, as well as that of my congregation. He was
heard also at this period with deep interest by
Christians of all denominations. In consequence of
a change of his views on the subject of Baptism, he
applied to the Baptist Church in Mulberry Street,
then under my paternal care, to have the ordinance
administered to him. Two of the Deacons were
appointed a committee to inquire of one of the
members of the Presbytery of New York concerning
Mr. Frey's standing in that Body, and the result
being satisfactory, I complied with his request.
From that time until his death I was intimately
acquainted with him, and I can truly say, as my
knowledge of him increased, my appreciation of
him as a Christian man and a minister, was propor-
tionally heightened.
Mr. Frey's Jewish brethern, whom he earnestly
entreated, both from the pulpit and through the
press, to embrace that precious faith with which all
his own hopes were identified, often questioned the
purity of his motives; and there were many cruel
assaults made upon his reputation from other
quarters; but whoever will read the defence which
he has made of himself in his narrative entitled
“Judahs and Israel,” will need no additional evi-
dence to satisfy him that he was a conscientious and
upright man. His heart was set upon going good ;
73
and wherever he was, or in whatever circumstances
placed, he must always be engaged in something
that would tell favorably upon his Master's cause.
While he aimed to be faithful in his duties as a
pastor, it may perhaps reasonably be doubted whe-
ther his extensive journeyings for so many years,
both in the old world and in the new, had not
unfitted him in some degree for the routine of an
ordinary pastoral charge, and whether it would not
have rendered any very settled condition irksome
to a man who would (if he had been able) have
embraced the whole world in the sphere of his
Christian activities.
As it had fallen to my lot to see and know much
of this venerable man in the process of his careeer,
after he came to this country, so it was my melan-
choly privilege to visit him on his death-bed. He
had been affected with through the long period of
forty-six ; and, at the time of my visit to Pontiac,
the place to which he finally removed, he was
suffering great bodily distress. His mind, however,
was in a tranquil and comfortable state, and he was
evidently resting with an unshaken confidence in
the atonement of Christ. He expressed to me his
confident convictions that his sufferings would soon
end in death. *
I spent some time in conversing with him, and it
afforded me great consolation then to perceive, as
it does now to remember, that my friend could, in
that trying hour, stay himself upon a covenant God.
He was unable to sit or stand, and it was only in a
recumbent position that he could find even a mo-
mentary relief from intense pain. When we parted,
we both felt it was for the last time in this world.
By a great effort he rose and stood upon his feet,
clasped me in his arms, pressed me silently to his
heart, and kissed me on both sides of the face, while
the tears rolled down his cheeks. He died, sustained
by precious immortal hopes, a few weeks afterward.
A little before his departure, he remarked, “My
Jewish brethren have often said that I should never
74.
die a Christian; but I wish them to know that they
were mistaken.” Being asked if the skies still
appeared bright before him, he replied, “Oh, yes,
I have not a doubt.” Some hours after, when in-
quired of whether his mind remained perfectly
tranquil in the prospect of death, he made a sign of
assent, and then said ; as well as he was able,
“Unshaken.”
Mr. Frey's ardent desire for the conversion of his
brethern, according to the flesh, was one of his dis-
tinguishing characteristics. This was the theme of
many of his writings, all of which are valuable; but
his work entitled “Joseph and Benjamin,” is an
especially attractive production, and is adapted to
be useful to Christians, as well as Jews.
As a Preacher, Cower's description, “Simple,
grave, sincere, etc.,” would give you as correct an
idea of him as I am able to convey. Compelled by the
circumstances of his birth and conversion to be
always ready to give a reason for the faith that was
in him, he had studied the old and new testament
with unusual diligence, and the truths which he
perceived clearly, he could express fluently. Under
the vicissitudes and trials of life, he was uniformly
resigned, and ever cheerful. His face was a mirror
in which you saw reflected the gentle and admirable
qualities of his heart, and so free was he from even
the semblance of a vindictive spirit, that it ought
to be said of him as has been happily said of an—
other, “He had no sense of injury, except as some-
thing to be forgiven.” Either he was so happily
constituted by nature, or so entirely transformed by
religion, that the pursuit of the good of others was
at once his constant occupation and his highest
delight. The ordinary objects of men; ambition,
or wealth, or reputation, seemed alien to his spirit.
He recalled to your mind the character quaintly
described by the old English poet :
“Who God did late and early pray
More of His grace than goods to lend,
And walked with men from day to day,
More as a brother than a friend.”
75
Allow me to conclude this brief tribute to the
memory of my friend with the following touching
anecdote, of the authenticity of which I have no
doubt.
The Rev. John Campbell, who, after the death of
Dr. Vander Kemp, was sent out by the London
Missionary Society, to take charge of their African
missions, visited London about the time of Mr.
Fiey's first arrival in that city. Mr. Campbell,
during the visit referred to, attended public wor-
ship in Surrey Chapel, when the celebrated Rowland
Hill led up a young man to the pulpit, and said:
“This is a son of Abraham from Prussia, whose
heart the Lord has opened. He comes well recom—
mended from Prussia and Holland. He is accepted
as a missionary, and will now pray with us. His
name is Mr. Frey. He is not familiar with our
language, and, on that account, I hope you will
make all due allowances for him.” He did pray,
and, as he interceded for his Jewish brethern, almost
the whole congregation was dissolved in tears.”
I am,
Very truly yours,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
In 1835, the Baptist Union of England sent a
deputation to this country, consisting of the Revs.
S. F. Cox, LL.D., and J. Hoby, D. D., to obtain
information, and report respecting their kindred
denominational community here.
On their return home, they published an account
of their labors, and among the New York churches
is the following:
“The church in Mulberry Street, under the
pastoral care of the Rev. A. Maclay, consisted at
first of eighteen persons. The place of worship is
nearly, or quite as capacious as that of the Oliver
Street, although untoward circumstances have
76
thinned its once replenished seats. The general
spirit of hearing in the city, nevertheless, anchors
the hope that events may prove more auspicious,
and in this or in another locality, to which probably
the church might with advantage be transferred, it
may be restored to its former state of enlargement.
A large recession has been recently dismissed to
form a new society, which is constituted with eighty-
nine members, under the name of “The West Bap-
tist Church of New York.”
The members of the new church separated
from the parent organization in good fellowship and
perfect harmony in the year 1835, and commenced
their meetings in Gothic Hall. This building,
originally called Masonic Hall, was erected in 1827,
on the east side of Broadway, one door below Pearl
Street, and nearly opposite the New York Hospital.
The west Baptist church was without a regular
pastor until August, 1836, when the Rev. John
Dowling was called from Newport, R.I., and subse-
quently a house of worship was hired on the corner
of Duane Street and City Hall Place (formerly
Augustus Street), near Chatham, and occupied,
until 1838, when this branch church disbanded.
Classed with the historic churches of “Old New
York,” this building bears a conspicuous part, and
was connected with the origin of the present public
school system. -
The edifice was erected in 1818, sixty-seven
feet square, at a cost of $2O,Ooo, by the Univer-
salists, and was known as Dr. Edward Mitchell's.
After having been rented to the Baptists, it was
sold in 1841 to the Roman Catholics for $5,400, and
renamed Carroll Hall. &
-

77
During this period the question of the dis-
tribution of the funds of the public schools excited
great attention. The taxes collected for public
education being in the hands of the Public School
Society, great complaints were made of the uses of
these funds for sectarian purposes, by the Catholic
element of the community, led by Bishop Hughes.
Public meetings were frequently held in this Carroll
Hall, to remonstrate against these alleged abuses,
and the issue grew to assume such political propor-
tions that Governor Seward devoted a large part
of his message to the Legislature of 1842 to the dis-
cussion of this subject, which was referred to the
Committee on Colleges, Academies and Common
Schools, of which Mr. William B. Maclay of New
York City (a son of Rev. Archibald Maclay), was
chairman.
Largely through the instrumentality of Mr.
William B. Maclay the present system of public
education was adopted by the Legislature and our
public schools of New York City were established,
“About the same time, March 19th, 1842,
Carroll Hall, having served its purpose, was changed
into a church under the patronage of St. Andrew,
and Rev. Andrew Byrne, afterwards Bishop of
Little Rock, was its first pastor. In 1859, the City
widened Duane Street, and the new line cut off a
considerable part of the front of the church. The
House adjoining it, which was said to be one that
Washington lived in for a time during his stay in
the City, was purchased. The church was re-
modeled, the new front line adjusted, and the
church rebuilt as it stands to-day.” [N. Y. Sun.]
In 1835, Rev. John Lansing Burrows, a young
78
clergyman just of age, having been ordained at
Poughkeepsie, became an assistant pastor of the
Mulberry Street meeting house, where he remained
for one year. He afterwards filled pulpits in Phila-
delphia, Pa., Richmond, Va., Louisville, Ky., and
otherlarge cities. “Dr. Burrows,” says Cathart, “has
a natural force as a graceful and eloquent pulpit
Orator, an easy, elegant writer, a man of varied
learning and extensive reading, and, best of all, Dr.
Burrows has been one of the most useful men in
the ministry of our denomination.”
The North Baptist Church, was constituted in
1828, in Greenwich village, as the most northerly of
any church of this denomination; but in 1831, the
louilding of an edifice was commenced on the corner
of Bedford and Christopher Streets.
“The site of the first meeting house on Chris-
topher Street was bought for three thousand five
hundred dollars. The pastor, Elder Brouner, col-
lected the greater part of the money and worked
with his own hands on the building. At length
the foundation was laid and the walls raised, but
before the roof could be put on the funds gave out,
and it seemed that the work must cease. The walls
were braced, and passers by were reminded of the
Scripture saying, “ This man began to build, but
was not able to finish.” More money was raised,
the building was enclosed, and the eager flock en-
tered the yet unfinished house with its unplastered
walls. Temporary seats, made with the pine slabs,
were provided, and on November 14th, 1836, the
house was dedicated to the service and worship of
God, Doctor Cone preaching in the morning and
Doctor Maclay in the afternoon.”
79
CHAPTER VII.
WITHDRAWAL FROM AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY—FOR-
MATION OF THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN BIBLE
SOCIETY - RESIGNATION FROM PASTORATE —
ITINERANCIES — SOUTH — GREAT BRITAIN — SER-
MON IN GLASGOW.
1836–1840.
The Baptist managers of the American Bible
Society (which Society was undenominational, and
founded in 1816)—dissented to the following resolu-
tions of February, 1836:
“That in appropriating money for translating,
printing and distributing the sacred Scriptures in
foreign languages, the managers feel at liberty to
encourage only such versions as conform in principle
to their translation of the Common English version.”
And a protest was entered against the same by
the following signers.
Spencer H. Cone,
Archibald Maclay,
Jonathan Going,
Chas. M. Sommers,
Wm. Judd,
Wm. Colgate, &c.
As a result of this disagreement, on the 12th of
May, 1836, one hundred and twenty of the leading
Baptists assembled in the Oliver Street meeting
thouse, and took the preliminary steps to inaugurate
8O
the American and Foreign Bible Society, and in
August following organized with Rev. Spencer H.
Cone, as President and Rev. Archibald Maclay, first
Vice-President.
In the fall of the same year (27th October, 1836),
there was a gathering in the First Baptist Church of
Baltimore, Md., for the purpose of effecting an asso-
ciation for spreading the Gospel in the state of
Maryland and that part of the District of Columbia,
north of the Potomac, under the name “The Mary-
1and Baptist Church Association.” With the dele-
gates from the various Baptistchurches of that State,
the Rev. Archibald Maclay, of New York, was
present by request.
The latter being solicited the following year to
take up the work of the American and Foreign Bible
Society, for which he was well adapted on account
of his great success in securing money for the
advancement of religion, resolved to sever his pas-
torate, and at a meeting of his Church held Septem-
ther, 1837, read the following letter:
DEAR BRETHREN:
I have called this meeting for the purpose of
loringing before the church a subject which has been
loy me long and anxiously resolved. After mature
reflection, not unconnected with prayer to Him who
can alone guide our steps aright, I now feel that it
is my duty to tender, and I hope you will feel it yours
to accept, the resignation of my pastoral charge.
The subject has occupied my mind for several
months, and has occasioned many painful emotions;
yet, like the sign set in heaven for the direction of
8 I
ancient Israel, it has its bright as well as its dark
side; and bringing into view all the circumstances
necessary to a correct judgment as to the path of
duty, I have come to the conclusion that I ought to
withdraw from my present station and enter into
another field of 1abor. Were I, to the exclusion of
higher considerations, to consult only my ease and
comfort, or the feelings either of myself or family, I
should remain with my brethren. But it has appeared
to me, that God requires me to engage in a work
which has long lain near my heart; a work in which
I can now engage with greater advantage than if it
nad been undertaken at an earlier period of my life,
and which from its very nature, must be conducive
to the growth of every Christian grace, since it affords
scope for sacrifices the most self-denying, and for
the exercise of faith the most enlarged.
To the furtherance of this great work my long
standing in the ministry, and the numerous acquain-
tances I have formed throughout the United States,
may not be wholly uninfluential; while my place in
the ministry will, in all probability, be supplied by a
younger brother with greater benefit to the church.
The hand of time presses heavily upon me, and in
the course of nature I cannot hope to remain long in
the field of labor. My years have been graciously
lengthened out while many who entered into a
covenant with me to keep the faith “once delivered
to the saints”—who, within and without the church,
cheered my heart and upheld my hands, have fallen
victims to that stroke which can neither be averted
loy unquestioned piety nor sincere attachment to
scriptural ordinances. As one after another they fell
82
around me, the solemn reflection—“the night cometh
when no man can work,” became more deeply graven
upon my memory. The past and the present alike
cry out “whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with
thy might.” Thirty-eight years I have endeavored
to preach Christicrucified. I was called to the pastoral
office by you when the church was first constituted,
in 1809, and have remained in that relation until the
present evening. If I know my own heart, the aim
of my life has been to seek, not my own glory, or
ease, or aggrandisement, but the glory of God's
name, the edification of saints, and the salvation of
sinners. I have great reasons for gratitude to God,
that notwithstanding the imperfections of my best
services, “my labors have not been in vain in the
Lord.” Nothing would afford me greater pleasure,
than to see you make choice of a future pastor in the
person of one who should not only unite all hearts,
but who should be wanting in none of those qualifi-
cations essential to the faithful and successful dis-
charge of the duties appertaining to his station. In
making the choice, let regard be had to aptness in
teaching, but, at the same time, to soundness of
doctrine; and let purity of practice be demanded as
a prime requisite. In the all-important object, I
trust you will meet with success, and that through
the instrumentality of the brother whom you may
select, aided by the gracious influence of the Holy
Spirit, the church will be united together in the
fellowship of the gospel, and converts become “nu-
merous as dew drops from the womb of the morning.’
Cultivate those dispositions which conduce to peace
and union. Be kindly affectionate one to another.
83
Do not suppose that any act of kindness, any word
of comfort to a Christian brother, is lost with the
moment in which it is done or uttered. Oh! had this
course been invariably pursued in our churches, how
many a root of bitterness would have been plucked
up, and how many lamps now extinguished forever
would we have seen still bright and burning ! These
duties will best be fulfilled, and then exercise will be
at Once easy and sweet, by being fervent in prayer,
and by Ineditating frequently on those delightful
themes opened up in the Gospel. In proportion to
the frequency and earnestness in which we engage
in such meditations, will be the power which the
mind acquires to resist the natural tendencies to
evil, and to dispel that illusion which has thrown an
air of stability and permanency over a world, the
fashion of which is passing away. The effect of
these communings with the Author of our blessings
is not dissipated when the door of our closet is closed,
and we are summoned away by the various avoca-
tions of life, ‘for as the air retains the smell, and is
filled with fragrance of 1eaves which have been 1ong
shed,' so will these meditations leave a sweet and
refreshing influence behind them. I cannot take
leave of you, brethren, without embracing the
present opportunity to express my deep sense of the
Rindnesses which, throughout so many years, I have
uninterruptedly experienced,—kindnesses which are
too numerous to be recounted—too deeply written
upon my heart to be forgotten. When, in the few.
trials I have been called to endure, the remembrance
of the affection of my brethren flitted across my
mind, I have felt these trials to be light afflictions,
84
and but for a moment. I have, too, the the fullest
confidence, that under your future pastor the seed
which we have sown in tears will be reaped in joy,
and now, brethren, I recommend you to God and the
Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up,
and to give you an inheritance among all them which
are sanctified.”
The church parted with him with great reluc-
tance, and urged him to reconsider his resignation, ,
but as he was inflexible to duty, they passed the
following resolutions:
“That however painful the separation, consider-
ing that he had been the means, under God, of first
planting the church,-had always been its faithful,
affectionate and devoted pastor; but believing that
Providence had opened up a wide field of usefulness
in the Bible cause, and had qualified him to labor in
it, a desire to acquiesce in the painful providence,
and at the same time to express their undiminished
and affectionate attachment to him.”
The Doctor then commenced his itinerancy on
behalf of the American and Foreign Bible Society,
of which he was commissioned an agent, and con-
tinued for nearly fifteen years to present the claims
of his organization to the various churches through-
out the world.
His travels included the United States and
Territories, with the British Provinces, as well as a
number of trans-atlantic voyages to Europe.
In his extensive journeys, a warm welcome was
extended to him everywhere, and he was always
received into the different homes of his denomina-
tion, as an honored guest in places where he was
accustomed to preach.
，
Engrºved by s v. Hunt.

85
He seemed to be especially beloved and revered
in the Southern (or as they were then called, the
Slave) States, and though essentially a Northern
man, was most cordially and hospitably entertained
in that section.
When in Mississippi, he usually made his head-
quarters in the home of Jefferson Davis”, whose wife
was a Baptist—and on Sunday would preach from
the piazza of the residence to the family and slaves
gathered around the stoop.
After resigning his pulpit, he first made a
Southern tour for the Society and on the Ioth of
December following, we find him at Edgefield
village delivering an address to the Baptist State
Convention of South Carolina, holding its session
there, in which he remarks:
“A great and noble enterprise is, therefore,
presented to you—to illuminate the dark portions
of the earth by the light of God's Word. Its rays
of livid light have already penetrated the profound
midnight of superstition and idolatry.
“The laborers of the Lord are already in the
*NOTE—The following letter, written the month of Rev. Archibald
Maclay's decease, on behalf of the author, shows the friendship of the
late Senator Jefferson Davis for the family:
WASHINGTON, 25th May, '60.
COL. W. J. HARDIE,
West Point, N. Y.,
DEAR SIR :
I beg leave to introduce Master Isaac W. Maclay—son of my friend
Archibald Maclay of New York City—who is about to enter the Military
Academy as a Cadet.
I will be greatly obliged for any civilities you can conveniently
bestow upon this young gentleman.
With great respect,
Yours truly,
(Signed) JEFFER. DAVIS.
86
field. Judson, Wade, Kincaid, and others are there,
prepared to diffuse the bright intelligence which
the Bible alone can give. * * * Such are the
objects and such the claims of the Society, whose
agent I am. They appeal to your prayers, to your
sympathies, and to your liberality. And may God
dispose us all to enter with singleness of heart upon
the work He has assigned us as stewards in His
flouse; and may He so bless our endeavors as
fumble and unworthy instruments in His hand for
the spread of the Gospel, that the heathen may
speedily become His inheritance and the utmost
parts of the earth His possession.”
His new duties embraced continuous travelling
over a large extent of unsettled and inaccessible
territory, with difficulties in the way of transporta-
tion that do not now exist, and are almost un-
known, at this time.
As travelling agent of the A. & F. B. Society,
lie was frequently subject to dangers, not only
from hardship and exposure to the inclemency of
the weather and changes of climate, from the
primitive conveyances, but also from risk of acci-
dents.
On the 7th of September, 1839, he was com-
missioned to visit the churches of his denomination
in Great Britain, and as the sequence of his labors
there, the Bible Translation Society of London was
constituted (mainly through his instrumentality),
on the 24th of March, 1840.
Referring to his success in this direction, Dr.
Maclay wrote:
“To do right is simple and easy; to temporize,
87
and shape our attitudes so as to suit the policy of
trading religionists, is always complex, cumbersome,
and in the end it covers its votaries with self-de-
gradation and reproach.”
“The fear of man and the honor that cometh
from man, have too much influence on the minds
and conduct of some professors of religion; and
while upon the whole, they are compelled to adopt
the right course, there is a great want of that noble,
manly, independent spirit, which should character-
ize those whom the Son of God has made free in-
deed.” -
While in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1840, he de-
1ivered a sermon, which attracted considerable
notice, and of which the following is an extract:
“The whole history of the church is replete
with evidences of the wonder-working hand which
first established, and which still protects and guides
it. But in no view, do these evidences appear so
clear and various, as when we contemplate the
means which have been employed in its extension.
To render without an excuse, all human boastings,
and to stimulate to continued exertion, in the cause
of the Redeemer, the humblest of his disciples, God
Has seen fit, in every age of the world, to employ
such instrumentalities in the dissemination of his
truth, as to human seeming have appeared the most
inadequate to accomplish the end designed; choos-
ing the weak things of this world, to confound the
mighty, and the things which are not, to bring to
nought the things that are. The spread of the
kingdom of Christ is represented under the figure
of a stone, cut out of the mountain without hands,
88
intimating that the whole power is of God, and
not of man. Men, through the deceitfulness of sin,
may fail to draw the proper inference from this
principle in the divine economy, but it was doubt-
less intended, not as an excuse for negligence, but
as a stimulus to exertion; for with this principle
full in view, no matter how apparently insurmount-
able may be the obstacles that beset the path of the
believer, he cannot “abate one jot of heart or hope'
as he remembers the arm upon which he relies for
support, guidance, and success. How cheering
such a recollection to the laborer in the cause of
missions ! Bringing before our minds the remark-
able success that has already crowned that cause,
what reason have I, my brethren, to exclaim with
ancient Israel ‘What has God wrought’. It is no
longer a Carey, or a Judson, that we behold,
struggling single-handed with millions of heathen,
but hundreds and thousands of converts from
amongsts themselves, telling, in their own tongue,
the wonderful works of God. The sky is no longer
lit up with only a few stars, shining through wide
intervals of azure, but is resplendent with innumer-
able constellations. Yet who, unless viewing the
subject through many great and precious promises,
could have supposed that from a commencement so
feeble, there should have been already reached an
attainment so full of hope and promise.”
89
CHAPTER VIII.
VISITS GERMANY ON BEHALF OF REV. ONCKEN–RE-
TURNS TO AMERICA—SOCIETY FOR EVANGELIZ-
ING THE JEWS-DR. CARSON.—ACCIDENT ON THE
MISSISSIPPI-SINKING OF STEAMER BELLE ZANE—
RESCUED FROM DROWNING. -
1840–1845
The Rev. J. G. Oncken, has been called the
Apostle of the German Baptists. Born in Vasel,
Germany, at the commencement of the last century,
the was for several years a missionary from the
British and Edinburgh Bible Societies to his native
land. On the 22nd of April, 1834, he, with six
others, were baptised by Rev. Barnes Sears in the
River Elbe, near Hamburg, and there organized
the first German Baptist Church of modern times,
as its pastor. This led to violent opposition from
the authorities and established clergy, and gave
rise to a series of persecutions, culminating in his
arrest and imprisonment, in May, 1840.
Dr. Maclay, learning of these circumstances
while he was abroad (at this time), hastened to Ham-
lourgh, to assist this devoted servant of Christ, as
related in the following letter from him to the
Editor of the Christian Watchman:
“During my journey to England, in common
with many others, I was much disturbed respecting
the condition of Mr. Oncken, the celebrated laborer
in the cause of our divine Master in Germany. He
90
is, as you know suffering persecution even unto
|bonds, for the truth's sake. I was glad to find that
the Baptists and others, in England, were much
interested in his behalf. A petition has been circu- .
lated in the West Riding Association of Baptists of
Yorkshire, to which about 5000 names were affixed,
and another from the Baptist Union, which repre-
sents five or six hundred churches, had been drawn
up to be presented to the Senate of Hamburgh.
Rev. James Ackworth, President of Horton College,
and John Eustace Giles of Leeds, were commis-
sioned to present them. They had also the sanction
of the Corporation of London, and the Lord Mayor
together with documents of recommendation from
the Borough of Leeds, and of Manchester, com-
mending them and their object. They carried
other testimonals from several distinguished gentle-
men; they were also presented to the Queen, and re-
ceived the sanction of the government to the object
of their mission.”
“These brethren were desirous that I should
go with them on their pious errand, as the church
of which Mr. Oncken was first pastor was consti-
tuted by instrumentality of an American, and his
labors were aided by our Foreign Missionary Board.
Before I left the United States, I had received a
general letter of introduction from Mr. Forsyth,
our Secretary of State, to our Foreign Ministers,
and also letters from the Attorney General to our
ministers at London, Paris, Berlin, and to Our
Charge at the Hague. These I showed to Mr. Cuth-
thert, our Consul at Hamburg, and he kindly in-
troduced me to the President of the Senate, and
gave me letters to many of the Senators.”
9I
“The petitions from America, signed by more
than two hundred Baptist preachers, had been
already presented to the Senate. The purport of these
was, that Mr. Oncken and the Baptist church might
enjoy liberty to worship God according to their
views. The documents which the English brethren
brought with them, with others furnished by Lord
Palmerston, were presented by Mr. Canning.”
“The petitions from England, and those also
from America, were respectfully received by the
Senators, but they declined giving an immediate
answer relative to the object contemplated. We
visited the Senators, individuals, as it is contrary to
their rules, to admit us in their assembled capacity.”
“In Hamburg the Lutheran is the established
religion, and civil and religious affairs are much
mingled. It was at the instigation of the clergy that
Mr. Oneken was imprisoned, and what is singular, a
special law was enacted in which he was mentioned
by name, and forbidden to preach, to administer
ordinances, or to admit to worship any besides his
own family. Several members of his church were
imprisoned for holding meetings in their own houses
for divine service, and Mr. Oncken and his property
were seized by the officers of justice, or rather
injustice, in the midst of a scene of great domestic
affliction, while his child was in the agonies of
death.” t
One of Dr. Maclay's letters to a young student
friend at Madison University closes with the fol-
1owing reference to the celebrated work of his friend
Dr. Carson.
* * * “I entreat you, my dear Brother, to prose-
92
cute your studies with the utmost diligence, never
forgetting the absolute necessity of earnestly in-
treating the blessing of God upon these studies, read
a portion of the Scriptures every day, endéavor to
maintain a holy walk with God, avoid jesting and
light vain conversation, in which students are apt
too much to indulge. Let your speech, and your
conduct always be as it becomes the Gospel of Christ,
and which will minister grace to the hearers. I shall
be happy to hear from you as soon as convenient. I
wish you to read Dr. Carson's work on the “Knowl-
edge of Jesus.” The most excellent of the sciences.
I wish you not only to read it but to study it with
Care.
Yours truly,
A. MACLAY.
The book referred to was called “The Knowl-
edge of Jesus, the most excellent of the Sciences,”
and among the literary notices of this work pub-
lished at that time it is said: “Dr. Carson may
justly be considered as one of our strongest writers,
and is regarded by all denominations in Great
Britain with the highest respect as a scholar and
author.”
The Rev. G. C. Moore in his life of Alexander
Carson, D. D., says: “It is due both to my readers
and Dr. Carson to state, that he was invited in 1844,
by some members of the American and Foreign
Bible Society, through my venerated friend, the Rev.
Dr. Maclay of New York, to prepare a revised edition
of the New Testament, and this invitation was
accompanied by a promise of a full remuneration for
93
his labors, together with an assurance of having it
adopted by the Society, and of having it sold in
England below the current price of the Testament
issued by the British and Foreign Bible Society. An
extract from Dr. Maclay's letter to Dr. Carson will
speak for itself.
“That such a work is necessary and desirable I
have long been convinced, and I know of no man in
the world into whose hand I would more willingly
commit this all-important business. Your perfect
Rnowledge of the Greek and English languages—
your habits of intense thought respecting the philol-
ogy and philosophy of languages, and your constant
habits of close study to ascertain the exact mind of
the Holy Spirit in the sacred Scriptures, &c., are
qualifications which appear to me absolutely neces-
sary to qualify a man for being an able and faithful
translator of the Sacred “Scriptures.’”
When Dr. Maclay embarked for America the
same year, it was in the English steam packet Pres-
ident, said to have been the largest steam vessel
louilt up to that time.
On her return trip the “President” sailed from
New York to Liverpool on the 11th of March, 1841,
with a crew of 81, and 28 passengers—a total of Io9
souls, and has never been heard from since.
A meeting was held in the Bible Rooms, No. 350
Broome Street on December 9th, 1844, for the forma-
tion of the “American Baptist Society for Evan-
gelizing the Jews” and Dr. Maclay was elected on
the Board of Managers.
The Annual Report of the American and For-
eign Bible Society for 1846, contains the following
94.
allusion to the perils which Dr. Maclay encountered
on his trip to New Orleans the preceding year:
“He experienced one of those wonderful inter-
positions of Divine Providence, which indicate His
signal care and watchfulness over those who love
and serve Him. When the vessel Belle Zane was
wrecked on the Mississippi, brother Maclay was ex-
posed to the rigor of the elements under circum-
stances of such aggravation that few men in the
prime of life and strength would be likely to endure.
Yet at the advanced age of sixty-nine years, amid the
dead and dying, he was preserved, and was enabled,
after a few days interruption, to resume his labo-
rious exertions for the Society.”
Dr. Maclay's interesting report of this disaster
is contained in his letter from New Orleans, viz.:
“The steamer Belle Zane of Zanesville, Ohio, left
that place for New Orleans; she ran on a snag on
the 18th instant, about one o'clock in the morning,
five miles below the mouth of White River, and
about fifteen above the mouth of Arkansas River.”
“Nearly all the passengers were asleep at the
time she struck upon the snag, which went com-
pletely through her bottom. She careened first on
the one side and then on the other; the boilers rolled
off, which righted her a little, and the vessel then
went completely over on her side and filled with
water. I was asleep when she struck, but was roused
ty the shock and the rolling of the empty barrels on
the hurricane deck into the river. I instantly sprang
from my berth. The vessel gave a heavy lurch, the
water rushing in at the same time up to my chest.
I struggled across the cabin floor, and aided by the
95
handle of the door between the ladies' cabin and
ours, I reached the state-room on the opposite side
of the boat, and, as both doors were providentially
open, I passed through them to the outside; the boat
was then on her beam ends.”
“The scene was truly awful; the night was
intensely cold, and those who had escaped immediate
death were clustered together on the wreck, destitute
of clothing, bareheaded and barefooted. The hur-
ricane deck separated from the cabin and the captain
and four others floated ashore on it. Three of these
were frozen to death.”
“The hull of the boat became detached from the
cabin and turned bottom up; fifteen of the passen-
gers climbed upon the hull and were saved. Some
of the passengers clung to the side of the cabin, and
were taken off by a small boat. I floated with others
on a portion of the wreck about ten miles down the
river, near Napoleon, at the mouth of the Arkansas
River. From some of the berths, which constituted
a portion of the wreck we were on, a few quilts were
obtained. I gave a mattress which I had procured
to Mr. Chapman, who had the child of Captain Hins
in his arms. I put the mattress over him and the
child. With some difficulty I obtained another; but
a planter from Kentucky, whose name, I think, was
Burns, suffered excessively from the cold, and being
in danger of freezing to death, I gave up to him the
second mattress. I remained afterwards four hours
on the wreck. Some of the boat's crew, who had
reached the shore, obtained a small boat, and came
to our relief. The ladies were very properly first
taken from the wreck. I was brought to the shore
96
with Mr. Burns, the planter before mentioned, who
lmad suffered so much from the cold. Almost the
instant we had reached the shore, he gave one groan
and expired. Colonel Rives, a relative of Mr. Rives
of Washington, was on board of the steamer, and
was the first man that reached the shore. He pos-
sesses greatenergy of character, and was exceedingly
Rind and attentive to me, and the rest of the pas-
sengers. He travelled along the shore through the
woods a number of miles, and obtained a small boat,
and came to the wreck as the last of the passengers
were taken off.”
“We walked about a mile to the house of Mr.
Cook, an overseer to Mr. Hubbard, of Napoleon, by
whom we were treated with the utmost kindness.
Judge Fulton and other citizens came from Napoleon,
and tendered us every assistance that our wants
required. The Captain states that there were one
bundred and twenty-five passengers; sixty-five were
1ost; five of the number were frozen to death. I
attribute my powers of endurance (sufficiently put
to the test on this terrible night) to my constitution
and my temperate habits. I have lost my watch,
money, clothing, &c., but my life has been generously
spared.”
“During the four hours I was on the wreck I
spent most of the time in mental prayer, and was
resigned and composed. I would with gratitude
raise another Ebenezer, and say: “Hitherto hath the
Lord helped me; what shall I render unto God for
all his mercies towards me.’ I am at the house of
Cornelius Paulding, Esq., who has always exhibited
towards me much kindness and Christian sympathy,
97
and has, if possible, on this occasion, manifested
more kindness to me than ever.”
After supper on the evening of the disaster,
Doctor Maclay, according to his custom, asked the
Captain the privilege of conducting a servce in the
cabin; but that officer declined as it would inter-
fere with the card playing, in which some were in-
dulging. A noted river gambler was in charge of
the gambling and subsequently published his story
of the wreck.
The following is the narative of George H.
Devol, the gambler, of the sinking of the Belle
Zane.
“I was a passenger on the steamer “Belle
Zane' during the winter season, and navigation
was expected to be closed soon, as the river was
full of floating ice. We had a 1arge number of
passengers on board, and were getting along very
well until we left the Ohio. We had left Cairo, and
were steaming down the Mississippi, when the boat
struck a Snag, and in a very short time had sunk
down to the cabin. It was about four o'clock in the
morning, but I was up (as usual). We had the
passengers out of their rooms in quick time, and got
them up on the roof in their night clothes, as there
was no time for them to dress. In a few moments
the cabin separated from the deck, floated off, and
then sank down until we were standing in the ice
and water nearly knee deep. It was a terrible
sight; such a one as I hope and pray I may never
See again. Men, women, and children standing
amid the floating ice nearly frozen to death, and
expecting every moment to sink into a watery
98
grave. Some were screaming for help, others were
praying, while others stood as if they were lost. I
caught up one poor woman, who was nearly frozen
to death, and held her in my arms above the water.
Others did the same, while the crew and some of
the passengers tore the boards off the pilot-house
and tried to paddle the wreck to shore. We floated
down until we struck a point. The men that were
doing the paddling jumped off onto the shore, and
then held to the wreck until they swung it around
into an eddy. We got all the passengers off, but
it was about a mile to the nearest house. We were
all nearly freezing, and there was not one of us that
did not have our feet frozen. We had no fire, nor
any way to make one. Some of us who were lucky
enough to have coats, took them off, and wrapped
up the women and children. We then took them
to a house that was about a mile distant, and the
good people did all in their power to make us com-
fortable. The news reached Cairo, and they sent a
boat, with blankets, provisions, and medical aid to
our relief. Three or four men jumped overboard,
and tried to swim ashore, but got chilled, and
were drowned. Some of the women were frozen so
badly that they did not survive. I feel the effect in
my feet to this day, and the accident happened
over thirty years ago.”
“Lloyd's Steamboat Disasters,” gives the fol-
lowing graphic description:
“On the eighth of January, 1845, the steamboat
Belle Zane, while on her way from Zanesville, Ohio,
to New Orleans, struck a snag in the Mississippi,
about twelve miles below the mouth of the White
99
river, and immediately turned bottom upwards !
This terrible accident took place in the middle of
an exceedingly cold night. Of ninety persons who
were on board a moment before the disaster, only
fifty escaped drowning; and many of those who
succeeded in reaching the shore were afterwards
frozen to death.”
IOO
CHAPTER IX.
LAUREL CEMETERY-WESTERN TRIP–MISSOURI–
OVER FOUR THOUSAND MILES IN ONE YEAR—
WIFE'S DEATH-AMERICAN BIBLE UNION ORGA-
NIZED–APPOINTED YICE-PRESIDENT AND AGENT
—LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
1845—1850.
While visiting Washington in 1845 Dr. Maclay
was invited to conduct religious exercises for the
House of Representatives.
In the fall of this year he spent three months
in the Province of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia.
Upon one occasion, while at the home of his
youngest daughter Mrs. James E. Richardson in
Philadelphia, he went to the famous cemetery of
that City to see the statute of “Old Mortality,”
whom he had known when a boy, and describes his
visit at length in the following words:
“I accompanied my son-in-law on a visit to
Laurel Hill, a large public cemetery in the environs
of Philadelphia, to which visitors are attracted by
the beautiful land and water views with which
nature has surrounded the spot, and also by the
many marble monuments of different form, sculp—
ture, and inscription, which, though they cannot
‘back to its mansion call the fleeting breath,’ can
yet express the virtues of the dead and the af-
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IOI
fection of the living, and, impressing with renewed
force the afflicted Christian parent or child with
the vanity of all things earthly, direct them for
consolation to a city which has foundations, whose
builder and maker is God. The propriety of such
places of interment in the vicinity of our cities, yet
sufficiently removed from the changes of a pro-
gressive population, is evident, whether refer-
ence be made to those for whom they are designed,
or to those who are so soon to follow them. It ac-
cords with the best medical opinions, and above all,
with that sentiment which may indeed be said to
find an echo in every human bosom, which con-
demns as infamous a desecration of the sanctuary
of the dead, or the violation of what was once the
temple of an immortal spirit.
“The immortality of the soul, and the relations
between the present and the future state, as unfolded
in revelation, give to the subject all its sacredness in
the view of the believer; but even to minds upon
which the light of the Gospel never shone, it is in-
vested with an interest at once awful and tender. On
one of the most barbarous islands in Southern Seas,
contending savages proclaimed a truce to hostilities
upon approaching the mound which indicated the
narrow house appointed for all living; and, among
the untaught Indians of our forest, he was con-
sidered accursed who despoiled the body, placed
upon the rude scaffolding erected upon piles, and
shrouded in the richest furs. The historian has
pathetically told us, that the Chippewa mother would
not bury her new born infant upon these scaffolds,
but by the wayside, that its spirit might secretly
IO2
steal into the bosom of some passing matron, and
loe born again under happier auspices. “I know
my daughter will be restored to me,’ she once said,
as she clipped a lock of hair as a memorial; ‘by
, this lock of hair I shall discover her, for I shall take
it with me’; alluding to the period when she too,
with her carrying-belt and paddle, and the little
relic of her child, should pass through the grave
to the dwelling-place of her ancestors.”
“Laurel Hill, the place selected as the princi-
pal cemetery of Philadelphia, is distant about three
miles from the city, embracing an area of thirty-
two acres, situated on a commanding eminence on
the banks of the Schuylkill, to which it has a steep
and broken descent. The ruggedness of the view
of the cemetery grounds, although not hidden, is
greatly relieved by a fine view of the forest trees
which skirt the river. Many rare and beautiful
trees have been collected, not indigenous to the soil,
and among them the cedar of Lebanon, and some
of the varieties of the firs which grow in Northern
Europe.”
“Passing a short distance along the main
carriage-road, you reach the group of statues of
Old Mortality and his Pony, and of Sir Walter
Scott, sculptured of freestone by a self-taught
artist, Mr. Thom, enclosed within an iron railing,
and protected in some degree from the effects of
the weather by an edifice of stone, with an open .
front, overarching the whole. This was the princi-
pal object of my visit.” A
“Dr. Maclay's journeys extended to the far
West, over rough and unfrequented roads, and
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IO3
through the most inaccessible regions—his princi-
pal means of transit being horseback. Some idea
of this traveling life may be derived from his letter
—written from Boonville, Missouri, July 12th, 1847:
“I shall never regret that I visited this State
and extended my journey to some of its remotest
sections, because, aside from the immediate object
I had in view, I think, under God, I have been en-
abled to dispel much error prevalent among the
churches, in reference to the obligations imposed
on them by the profession to diffuse the Gospel. It
is indeed a lamentable thing to hear a Baptist
preacher at this day, take a ground against the
Missionary operations for which our denomina-
tion has been so honorably distinguished. Yet
both among the churches and their pastors, I have
met, not infrequently, with such “do nothing
Baptists,’”
“But it speaks much for the docility with which
the truth is received by the people in this section
of our country, that these errors are almost in-
variably relinquished upon a faithful representa-
tion of their incompatibility with the plain re-
quirements of the Gospel. While advocating the
claims of the Bible Society, I have embraced
every suitable occasion to enforce the principle
upon which it makes its appeal to Christians.
“God might have spread his Gospel, just as He
might have fed His poor, without their agency or
co-operation. But mainly for their good, for their
moral discipline, to enable them to taste the sweet-
ness of a double blessing, in infinite tenderness,
He laid the duty upon them, and it is one of
continual obligation while there is suffering to be
relieved, or while there is a destitute section of
our own country, or a Bible or a preacher required
in a foreign land.”
“I have been in Boonville but a few days, yet I
have seen much of it and the surrounding country.
IO4
It contains 8,000 inhabitants, and is rapidly in-
creasing in population and wealth. It is finely
situated upon an elevated piece of table land 150
feet above the river and commands as far as the
eye can reach, a succession of beautiful prospects;
distance from St. Louis is 200 miles, about a day's
journey by steamboat with the current of the river.
Within six miles of the place is the farm of Mr. J.
Bull, the brother of my old and esteemed friend
G. W. Bull, Esq., of Baltimore. I spent two days
under his hospitable roof.
“In traveling over different parts of this State,
I have been again and again impressed with the
riches of a land teeming with the prodigality of
nature. Man has sought out many inventions,
and among others, the gloomy “theory of popula-
tion’ that in the order of Providence a wise
Creator has commanded his creatures to increase
and multiply, and denied to his industry, an in-
crease of food corresponding to his multiplication.
A glance at the fertile valley of the Mississippi
would suffice to dispel an illusion depressing to
man and dishonoring to God. In extent it is one
third as large as Asia, and nearly half the size of
Europe. It is estimated that a population of 230
to the square mile, similar to that of Great Britain,
would give to this valley 345,000,ooo human
beings, or one-half the present estimated popula-
tion of the whole world. Of the appearance and
fertility of this vast domain, so highly favored by
Providence, in what terms shall I speak 2 Thous-
ands and tens of thousands of acres, beautifully
diversified with wood and meadow, as yet un-
touched by any implement of husbandry, and now
clothed in the rich luxuriance of summer, continue
to meet the eye, apparently inviting the enter-
prising and industrious to enter in and reap the
reward which is sometimes denied them, amid the
competition and vicissitudes which prevail among
the crowded population upon our Atlantic sea-
board. Look at our large cities . How full of
IO 5
temptation . How prolific of crime ! How com-
pletely the masses seem consigned to hopeless
poverty, bequeathing to their offspring the same
legacy of ill-requited toil. The fiat has been pro-
nounced, that by the sweat of our brow we shall eat
our bread, and no one can deny either the wisdom
or the justice of the decree, from which it is vain to
seek an exemption. But I am satisfied that the indus-
try and toil expended in the populous parts of our
country in supplying the merely animal wants of
our nature, would be sufficient here to attain this
object, and at the same time to enable a parent to
behold his children growing up to usefulness and
independence. * * *
“Yours very truly,
A. MACLAY.”
According to Wheeler's History of Congress,
during the year 1847, Dr. Maclay, then in the 72nd
year of his age, traveled on horse back a distance
of some four or five thousand miles while in the
discharge of his duties as agent for the Bible Society.
At which time he was in the perfect enjoyment of
his mental and bodily faculties. These journeys
were made without any attendant or companion,
except for those friends along the route joining him
for short distances. -
In the fall of the ensuing year, while abroad on
his accustomed journeys, his beloved wife was taken
ill, and passed away the 20th of September, 1848,
19efore he could reach her. She had been his life
companion for forty-six years and was the mother
of twelve children, of whom nine survived her.
The “Baptist Memorial” for 1849, has an article
called “Sketches of New York Baptists.” The
IO6
Second Quarter of the 19th Century—Referring to
the Hudson River Baptist Association, it says:
“In the former, at that date, the prominent
pastors were Archibald Maclay of Mulberry Street,
Howard Malcom of Hudson, C. G. Somers of the
South Church, Lewis Leonard of Albany, Leland
Howard of Troy, Rufus Babcock of Poughkeepsie,
and Spencer. H. Cone of Oliver Street, who had just
succeeded the venerable and beloved John Williams,
after having co-operated with him in the labors of
the pulpit for two years preceding. In the same
minutes is found an affecting obituary notice of
this eminent servant of God who had shortly before
been called to his heavenly rest, on the 22d of May,
1825. The circular letter is a solid and substantial
document of some thirteen pages long, written by
Father Maclay—then, however, in the vigor of his
days—upon the nature of the Kingdom of Christ.”
“For fourteen years,” writes a brother clergyman,
“Dr. Maclay acted in the service of the American
and Foreign Bible Society. He endured privations,
hardships and toils almost incrediable, when his age
is considered. But he had been endowed by God
with a hardy constitution, which he had cherished
and strengthened by habits of uninterrupted tem-
perance.”
Referring to his efforts in behalf of the revision
of the English Bible, Rev. Thos. Armitage, in his
History of the Baptists, says of Dr. Maclay:
“For thirty-two years he was the faithful pastor of
the Mulberry Street Church, and left his pastorate at
the earnest solicitations of the American and Foreign
Bible Society, to become the general Agent. In
Io'7
this work his labors were more abundant than they
had ever been, for he pleaded for a pure Bible,
everywhere, by address and pen, with great power
and success. In Great Britain and in all parts of
the United States and Canada he was known and
beloved as a sound divine and a fervent friend of the
uncorrupted word of God.” *
Father Maclay was unquestionably, the pioneer
advocate of a bible re-translation. He was the first
minister to point out the errors of King James
version and demand a revised scripture.
“Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biog-
raphy,” in an article entitled Archibald Maclay,
says: his views of revision were not at first generally
accepted even by his own denomination, but he
was successful in securing co-operation. He pro-
cured the subscription of large sums for that pur-
pose.” -
In consequence of the action taken by the
American and Foreign Bible Society regarding the
revision of the scriptures a movement was inaugu-
rated on the IOth of June, 1850, at a meeting in the
Baptist Tabernacle Church, Mulberry Street for a
new version of the English Bible, under the name
“American Bible Union,” and the following officers
were chosen :
The organization of the American Bible Union
was effected August, 1850, with S. H. Cone as
President, and Dr. A. Maclay as first Vice-President.
The latter also became a Life Director by paying
$100, and was created an Agent as well.
According to the “Bible Union Quarterly” of
I851 :
IO8
“Bro. A. Maclay, one of its original projectors,
Vice-President and Manager of the institution, in
a letter published with the Anual Report, after the
Society had been adopted by the Convention at
Philadelphia, states that, “Its object is to give
faithful translations of the Bible to the nations of
the earth without any human addition, diminution
, or concealment.’”
On the 28th of June, the same year, he had ac-
cepted the agency of this new society in the letter
addressed to Dr. Cone here inserted :
**
“New York, 28th June, 1850.
DEAR BROTHER CONE:
The God whom we love and serve, in the gospel
of His Son, has preserved our lives, and I trust, in
some measure, our usefulness in maintaining and
defending His truth to a good old age; while many
of our companions and associates in the ministry
have been removed from the field of labor, to enter
into that rest which remaineth for the people of
God. It affords me great pleasure to reflect on the
intimate and delightful intercourse which I have
enjoyed with yourself and your predecessor in the
ministry, in this city, the venerable John Williams;
and with other excellent brethren with whom we
were associated. There has been a cordial union
of spirit and of action in all the great measures in
which we have been engaged to advance the king-
dom of our Lord. In the great conflict which we
had in the American Bible Society with our pseudo-
baptist brethren, we were placed in the minority,
for all the different denominations combined
against us; yet we remained unterrified by our ad-
versaries, boldly maintaining, that the inspired
originals were the only standard to the translators
of the Sacred Scriptures, and that all their trans-
IO9
lations must be made, not in conformity to the jar-
ring views of the different sects and parties em-
braced in that Institution, but in exact conformity
to the inspired oracles of God. We were nobly
sustained, with a very few exceptions, by our Bap-
tist brethren in England and America, in maintain-
ing the great principle, that the Bible ought to be
faithfully and completely translated into all the
languages of the nations, without human addition,
diminution or concealment. We maintained, with
the great body of our denomination, ministers and
people, that all men ought to have the Bible in their
own mother tongue, unmutilated and undisguised.
Our opponents charged us with great inconsistency
in maintaining and defending the principle, that
baptizo and its cognates ought to be faithfully
translated in all our versions in heathen lands, while
we continued to circulate the common English
version, in which the words relating to the ordinance
of baptism are transferred and not translated. We
felt the force of the objection, but replied that we
had no hand in making our present English version;
it was made by Episcopalians to our hands. We
thought, however, that great injustice was done to
the truth of God, and to us as a denomination, in
concealing, by non-translation, from the great mass
of the people for whose benefit the translation was
designed, the true and full meaning of the original
words relative to the ordinance of baptism—giving
them to the people in a language which they did not
understand instead of plain English. We then said
most solemnly that the day might come, and we
hoped was not distant, when the Baptists would
give to the world a new or revised version of the
Scriptures in the English language, which in our
judgment was greatly needed; allowing the great
Teacher to speak to the people in their own mother
tongue, in the great commission,-' Go, disciple all
nations, immersing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' I had
long before that been convinced of the desirableness
I IO
of a new or revised version of the English Scrip-
tures; and from that time to the present my mind
has been more deeply impressed with its importance-
I had, in the course of my ministry, expounded the
whole of the New Testament and considerable por-
tions of the Old Testament, examining carefully
every chapter, and every verse; and all my experi-
ence satisfied me that a revision ought to be made,
and the errors of our common version corrected.
This conviction I have not only felt, but often
avowed both publicly and privately for the last
fifteen years.
My reasons for desiring a revision are by no means
confined to the ordinance of baptism ; for although
the common version has many excellences, from
which I would not detract in the slightest degree, it
has also many defects, and some serious ones, I am
well satisfied, that have no relation to the ordinance
of baptism; defects which ought to be remedied
and not perpetuated.
I had always hoped that the American and Foreign
Bible Society would ultimately undertake the work
of revising our English version. I think that a Bible
Society is the proper body to perform such a work,
or to secure its performance. It should be done by
men of the highest standing for learning and piety
that can be obtained in the world,—men thoroughly
versed, and critical students in the Scriptures. It
should be deliberately and thoroughly done ; and
when it is done, if any error can be pointed out by
friend or foe, it should be at once corrected ; until
a version is obtained as nearly like the original as
honesty of purpose, and human ability and industry,
aided by the Holy Spirit, can make it. But there
is no body to which the charge and direction of the
work belongs so appropriately as to a Bible Society.
The principles upon which the American and
Foreign Bible Society was founded, and which have
been carried into effect in respect to all our transla-
tions in foreign languages, will be approved by
posterity, and stand the test of the judgment seat of
I I I
Christ. I have ever anticipated withjoy that that
noble Institution would apply the same principles of
translation to the English language, taking proper
steps to secure a new or revised version, which
should without detracting from the excellences of
the one in common use, remedy its acknowledged
defects and errors. And I cannot doubt that such
revision would be approved of God and commend
itself to the consciences of good men. But as it is
declared in the resolution passed at the late Anni-
versary that “it is not the province and duty of the
American and Foreign Bible Society to attempt on
their own part, or to procure from others, a revision
of the commonly received English version of the
Scriptures,” I am now compelled to relinquish all
hope that that Society will ever take any steps to
secure this desirable object. That Society has always
been very dear to me. I have labored hard, and
risked my life to promote its prosperity. I have also
contributed what I could from my limited means
towards the grand object of giving to the nations
the pure unadulterated word of God. Nor do I re-
gret what I have done. I only wish I had had it in
my power to do more. For, although I have been
disappointed and grieved by the recent movement
of the Society, in refusing to take any measures
towards the work of revising the Scriptures in
English, and in declaring that it was beyond its
province ever to perform or procure such a work,
yet I feel no hostility towards the Society, and shall
most cordially and cheerfully do what I can consist-
ently to promote its original and legitimate object—
the distribution of God's word, plainly and com-
pletely translated into all the languages of the
world.
I am decidedly of the opinion that as the American
and Foreign Bible Society declined the work of
correcting our common English version, it was
necessary to form a new Society with this special
object in view ; and I feel gratified, on examining
the Constitution and Address of the American Bible
Union, to find its principles and provisions so well
II 2
adapted to the work which the Providence of God
has thrown upon our hands. I love union on Bible
principles. ‘There is one body and one Spirit,
even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one immersion, one God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and
in you all.”
The only effectual way to secure Christian union
is to be of one mind with God, and one mind with
Christ; and then we shall be of necessity of one
mind with each other. And a correct and complete
translation of God’s word must tend greatly to
produce this union. I have long been convinced
that the immersion of infants in the Greek church,
and the sprinkling of infants in the Roman and
Protestant churches, are the grand barriers to Chris-
tian union. Christian union must be founded in the
truth. It must be a holy union, a union of which
Christ is the centre. It must be the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace. The fruits and effects
of such a union, founded in, and promoted by THE
TRUTH, will be most blessed.
It was once in my heart to devote my life to the
missionary work in the East Indies, but the Provi-
dence of God diverted me from that field of labor;
and perhaps I have been enabled, through His
abundant goodnes, to do even more for the heathen
by collecting means to send them the Holy Scrip-
tures, than I could have done by spending my life
among them. And my heart is still most deeply
interested in the Bible cause ; and I shall cheerfully
continue to labor for its promotion, although far
advanced in years, while life and health remain.
I intend by this to signify my acceptance of the
appointment as an Agent which the Board of the
American Bible Union has kindly tendered me;
and I trust the God of all truth and grace will
abundantly bless our endeavors to obtain the re-
quisite means, to procure faithful versions of his
word, and to circulate the Holy Scriptures among
all nations.
I am, my dear brother, in the bonds of the gospel.
Affectionately yours,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.”
II3
CHAPTER X.
SEconD ANNIVERSARY AMERICAN BIBLE UNION.—VICE-
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS—VISITS BRITISH PROV-
INCES-LETTER FROM ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK
—DR. MACLAY'S REPLY—ACADIA COLLEGE—
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY OF CANADA
—MACLAY COLLEGE–“TABERNACLE.”
1851—1853
The second anniversary of the American Bible
Union was held in the First Baptist Church, Broome
St., N. Y., October 2nd, 1851, when Dr. Maclay, ad-
dressed the meeting, saying:
Mr. President:
It affords me great pleasure to meet with
yourself and the other friends of the Bible cause
assembled on this occasion. Since your last anni—
versary, I have visited fifteen States of the Union
and the Canadas, meeting in the course of my
journey, with many churches, associations, and
State Conventions, where I have had favorable op-
portunities of presenting the objects of the Ameri-
can Union. The preservation of my life, the favor-
able state of my health, the opportunities of useful-
ness to the cause of Christ—the success which has
attended my labors—the kind reception I have met
with from the ministers of the Gospel, and the
churches of the South, demand from me unfeigned
II4
graditude to the God of the Bible, and also to my
Christian brethern, &c.
Dr. Maclay closed the exercises with a benedic-
tion. -
Another minister writing about him at this
time (1851), paid the following glowing tribute to
his powers of oratory:
“His elocution is easy, his voice loud and
Sonorous, his manner grave and earnest, and these
gifts, which have often invested with dignity what .
is trite and commonplace, are of still higher ad-
vantage in connection with a subject the most
momentous that can engage our attention.”
“Accompanied with the consciousness on the
part of the hearer, of the sincerity and great labors
of this good man, they have often enabled him to
produce impressions more lasting than any which
could have been attained by the most graceful
oratory. On one occasion while discoursing on the
shortness of life, and of the many who were gliding
along its current in an exclusive pursuit of its
gaieties and pleasures, he suddenly exclaimed, in a
voice in which pathos and indignation were wonder-
fully blended;”
“But oh! Ye gay dreamers of gay dreams,
How will ye weather eternal night when such
Expedients fail?”
No one who heard can ever forget it.”
The Rev. Jonathan Bastow, of the Murray
Street Baptist Church, Peterboro, Canada, writes:
“Dr. Maclay's friendships were exceedingly
strong. When he once admitted a man to his heart
II 5
he never cast him, unless he found that he had
been deceived in regard to his integrity. Hypocrisy
he could not endure in any form. But it pained
him exceedingly to find himself deceived. He had
a very large charity for men who sincerely differed
from him on truth and duty.
Hence when he left the American Bible Society
to work for the Bible Union there was no rupture in
the friendships he had formed in the old society.
He was a very stanch Baptist, but he had many
ardent friends in all the denominations. The pic-
ture of love given in I Cor. 13:4-7 he beautifully ex-
emplified.” -
He continued his travels for the support of
the new organization, visiting in the Fall of 1852,
the British Provinces again, and spending three
months there, including tours in Cumberland and
Colchester counties, Nova Scotia, and Westmore-
land and Albert counties, New Brunswick, on which
occasion he received the following:
LETTER TO DR. MACLAY.
SAINT-JoHN, N. B., OCT. 20th, 1852.
Rev. and Dear Sir-Permit us on the eve of your
departure, to express in a few words our heartfelt
gratitude to the Giver of all good for his having
guided your footsteps once more to this part of his
vineyard. Your visit to these Provinces in 1845,
made a deep impression upon many minds, and
endeared your name to the hearts of thousands. We
were, therefore, quite prepared to hail your present
visit with peculiar interest and delight.
Your private intercourse with ministers and
people, and your public exhibitions of God's truth,
have greatly comforted and edified the churches,
II6
and stimulated them to renewed diligence in the
Lord's work.
If you find the Baptists of these Colonies carefully
abstaining from adopting any measures, which
would tend to rupture their Christian fellowship or
disturb the harmonious working of their churches;
we trust that we may, without boasting say that you
find them also adhering with unwavering fidelity to
the self-evident principle that God's Book should be
faithfully translated into the vermacular tongue of all
nations, and be given by the Church pure and
unmutilated to all the sons of men. So that all may
read in their tongue, all the utterances of God to man.
The last twenty-five years of your life have been
devoted to the advocacy of this principle, and we
greatly rojoice in the success which has attended
your labors, both in the old and in the new world.
We should feel gratified, should your opportuni-
ties allow you, to present again to our minds the
statements which you have made to the Churches
in these Provinces, in commending the objects,
which occasioned your visit to them at this time.
You have been the honored instrument of aiding
largely in giving birth to the American and Foreign
Bible Society, to the Bible Translation Society of
England, and more recently to the Bible Union of
America; and also in advancing these Institutions
to their present state of commanding influence in
the religious world. The name of ARCHIBALD
MACLAY is indelibly written in the constitution and
progress of these Societies, and as their history is
read by the future generations, that name will
appear illustrious in the light of their rising glory,
and final triumphs.
The Baptists of these Provinces feel especially
indebted to your disinterested labors in behalf of
Acadia College; and you will henceforth be remem-
bered by us as one, who came to our aid at a time
of pressing necessity; and whose successful exer-
tions have nobly contributed towards placing that
Institution of learning upon an immovable founda-
I 17
tion; and we take this opportunity of tendering to
you our cordial thanks for your valuable services
in a cause, so dear to all, and so closely identified
with the prosperity of our Churches.
We cannot but deeply regret that you are so soon
to leave us; but we can assure you that you will be
followed by the sincere affection of many Christian
hearts, who will not fail to offer their fervent prayers
for your safe return to your family, and that the
Divine benediction may continue to rest upon your
efforts in the Redeemer's cause, until you shall hear
the plaudits from His own gracious lips, “Well
done good and faithful servant, thou hast been
faithfull over a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things; enter thou into the joy of the
Lord.”
Yours, affectionately in the truth,
SAMUEL ROBINSON, Pastor of Brussels-St. Ch.
EDWIN CLAY, Pastor of the Carleton Church.
E. N. HARRIS, Seamen's Chaplain.
I. E. BILL, Pastor of the Germain-St. Church.
B. SCOTT, Pastor of the Portland Church.
ROBERT THOMSON, M. A., Editor of the Christian
Visitor, and others.
To which the Doctor replied the following month
with the annexed portion of this letter.
DR. MACLAY S CORRESPONDENCE.
NEw York, Nov. Io, 1852.
BELovED FRIENDS:—It affords me inexpressible
gratification to remember the cordial reception and
kind treatment I have received from the friends of
the Bible in the Provinces, and to read in your
letter another expression of the same regard. It is
gratifying, not only on account of the unfeigned
friendship which has been shown for me personally,
but much more on account of the interest and godly
devotion manifested in the Bible cause, which I
have been laboring to promote for many years.
II8
You have referred in your letter to the effort,
recently made to complete the endowment of Acadia
College. You are aware I was embarrassed, on the
one hand, by a strong desire for its success, and on
the other, by a reluctance to engage in it, even for a
brief period, to the exclusion of the main object of
my visit to your Provinces. But in view of the
jeopardy in which the College was placed, and of the
unanimity with which you requested me to present
the subject to the Churches, as expressed in the
resolutions of the Western Association at Prince
William, and subsequently at the convention at
Sackville, I could no longer hesitate, It is, however,
but just, to say, that whatever aid I may have been
enabled to render the Institution, is attributable to
the manner in which the appeal in its behalf was
responded to by ministers and churches, and to the
personal exertions of Rev. John Francis, who
accompanied me in Cumberland and Colchester
Counties, Nova Scotia, and of Rev. Isaiah Wallace,
who performed the same service in Westmoreland
and Albert Counties, New Brunswick. The sum
subscribed in four weeks amounted to $16,522, and
the further sum of $2,000 may be considered as in
part secured. w
Your contributions in aid of the cause of the Bible
Union, during the three months I was in the Pro-
vinces, amount to $4,797.97.
I thank you for the privilege of addresing you in
behalf of that cause furnished by this occasion.
And I shall improve the opportunity with deeper
interest, and more at large, on account of its being,
in all human probability, the last one that I shall
ever enjoy. The Lord has graciously spared my
life, and blessed me with health, so that I have been
enabled to labor cheerfully and without interruption
in this delightful work, beyond the ordinary period
allotted to man; but I am admonished that my days
are now almost numbered. It is scarcely probable
that I shall be able to visit the churches of the
Provinces before I go hence. I certainly cannot
II9
calculate on such another privilege, therefore it
affords me the greater pleasure to have the oppor-
tunity of presenting to your minds the importance
and blessedness of giving to all nations the precious
word of God in their own tongue without human
addition, diminution, or concealment.
My own heart was deeply interested in the mis-
sionary cause at a very early period of my life, and
had the hand of Divine Providence opened the way,
I should have become a missionary to the heathen.
But I was not permitted to labor in that field ; yet
I have always felt that next to the preaching of
Christ crucified to nations benighted, was the work
of diffusing the light of divine truth by the distribu-
tion of God's holy word faithfully translated into
all languages. And now that I am approaching the
time of my departure, the wants of the church and
the world, with their entire dependence upon the
word of God for sanctification and redemption, seem
to magnify the importance of this work greatly
beyond anything that has ever appeared to me
before.
I shall be most happy, if it is possible for me to
impart to you such views of the claims of this
cause as shall secure your hearty and never ceasing
co operation. * * *
The outlines of the life of Doctor Maclay in the
city of his adoption, and the organizations which
came into existence during his pastorate and with
which he was more or less associated, constitute
practically a history of the Baptist denomination in
New York during the early decades of the past
century. However, this clergyman did not confine
his sphere of duty to his city or even the United
States, but in addition to his labors in the mission
field, took a great interest in the educational circles
of Canada.
I2O
The annexed extracts from the life of Rev.
R. A. Fyfe, by J. E. Wells, M. A., contains the
history of the formation of a Canadian Baptist
Theological Seminary, and Dr. Maclay's connection
with it: These particulars are also to be found in
the Canada Year Book of the Baptists (Historical
Number) for 1900.
“A new impulse was given to denominational
enterprise by the formation of the Regular Baptist
Missionary Society of Canada. At the first annual
meeting of this society, held in Toronto in October
1852, a Committee on Education presented the fol-
lowing report, which was adopted:
“‘Your committee, being deeply convinced of
the necessity and practicability of an institution
for the education of young men for the work of the
ministry, and, at the same time, knowing the facili-
ties (after an arduous struggle) afforded in the
Toronto University, for the attainment of a thorough
literary education, to persons of all denominations,
do strongly recommend our denomination to aid
young men in enjoying its advantages, But as this
merely embraces a literary education, they further
recommend that steps be immediately taken to pro-
cure an endowment for a theological institution; and
they suggest that the sum of ten thousand pounds
be raised for that purpose (to provide for the pro-
fessors, literary, and other incidental expenses), pro-
vided that no subscription be paid until at least
4, 5,000 be subscribed.
“‘Your committee, under the circumstances,
are happy to report that to aid them in this most
desirable undertaking, Dr. Maclay's services might
I 2 I
the secured. Indeed, they are given to understand
that he has all but offered his services for the pur-
pose. Your committee, therefore, recommended
the convention forthwith to invite him to engage
in this important work.
“‘Your committee also recommend that a com-
mittee be appointed to carry out the object of this
report, and take any other steps which they may
deem necessary or desirable to make temporary
provision for the instruction of young men.’
“In pursuance of this recommendation a com-
mittee was appointed to open negotiations with
Dr. Maclay, or otherwise provide for securing, if
possible, an endowment for a Baptist theological
school in the Province. This committee held a
meeting at Hamilton in November, 1852, at which
an agreement was made with Dr. Maclay to under-
take the work. This venerable brother, who was a
famous collector and an enthusiastic friend of
ministerial education, not only at once consented
to undertake the work, but generously offered to
give his services gratuitously and to commence
the list with a subscription of $100 on his own ac-
count. The object, as stated by the committee, was
the establishment of a theological school only, they
loeing unanimously of opinion ‘that it is no part of
their duty as Baptists to provide a school for classi-
cal or professional students.’ It was provided,
though somewhat ambiguously, that the subscrip-
tions should hold good on condition that no less
than five thousands pounds be subscribed. Another
peculiar feature of the scheme, which afterwards
gave rise to some trouble, was a provision for
I 22
cumulative voting, a subscription of $1 OO entitling
the subscriber to one vote; $200, to two ; $400, to
three; $700, to four; and $1,000, to five votes; with
an additional vote for every $500, so long as the
number of votes held by any one subscriber did not
exceed ten, which was fixed as the largest number
of votes to be cast by any one individual. Rev.
James Inglis, Rev. Dr. Pyper, and A. T. McCord,
Esq., were appointed a sub-committee to complete
arrangements and assist Dr. Maclay in carrying
out the financial part of the scheme.
“The canvass was pushed with vigor and ap-
parent success. A meeting of subscribers to the
Endowment Fund was held in Toronto in February,
1853, at which “The Regular Baptist Theological
Education Society of Canada' was organized and a
constitution adopted. Dr. Maclay had “succeeded
in raising a sufficiently large amount on subscrip-
tion to more than endow one chair,’ and good hope
was entertained that the churches still unvisited
would swell the sum to a figure which would suffice
for the endowment of a second. The committee
appointed to examine Dr. Maclay's subscription
loook reported contributions to the amount of
:65922,9s. 8d.
“The next step was to appoint a President and
set the college in operation. Dr. Maclay himself
was in the first instance elected, no doubt unani-
mously. He accepted the appointment, but was
for some reason unable to give himself to the work,
and being called on by the Executive Committee in
January, 1854, to prepare to enter upon his duties in
April of that year, the result was his resignation.
by Rev. Edward Lathrop, T.D.
EDITORS ExAMINER: In response to your request, I
will jot down some of my recollections of New York city,
as far back as I844. In this review, I must necessarily
confine myself to that section of the Greater New York
which is now known as the Borough of Manhattan.
The Tabernacle Church
At the outset, however, let me say that, in this com-
munication, I would gladly avoid all personal allusion to
myself, were it not that fidelity to truth requires that I
should make prominent mention of one of our old historic
churches, whose visible existence seems now to be passing
away.
Before the knowledge of the character and works of that
church fades from the memory of those now living, let
one, the larger part of whose professional life was bound
up with the history of that organization, say some words
of grateful and affectionate farewell.
I entered upon my ministry in New York, as pastor of .
the Tabernacle Baptist church, on the first Sunday in
January, 1844. The church was then situated on Mul-
berry street, a few steps from Chatham street. The old
building is still standing, and has been converted into a
tenement-house. I was young and inexperienced, having
had no previous pastorate, although I had been, for three
years, assistant of Dr. Richard Fuller, then pastor of the
Baptist church in Beaufort, S.C. As I now look back to
those early years of my ministry, I am filled with wonder
at my temerity in assuming the charge of so large and in-
fluential a church, with my meagre preparation for the work.
Why I did not soon fail and retire from the field may be
explained in few words. I had about me a noble band of
deacons, who lovingly stood by me, not scolding and threat-
ening when I made mistakes and committed youthful in-
discretions, but who tenderly threw their arms about me,
as a mother would about her tottering infant, and so held
me up until I was able to walk alone. I want to embalm
the names of those departed men. They were William Col-
gate, Joshua Gilbert, William Winterton, David T. Valen-
tine, and, I may add, some others, not deacons, and not
a few “honorable women.” I make mention of this cir-
cumstance as a suggestion to other venerable deacons, and
to deacons not yet venerable, who have to deal with youth-
ful pastors. Do not wound the sensibilities of these young
men, and make them feel that they have mistaken their
calling, by magnifying their faults and hastily concluding
that they are “no fit.” On the contrary, treat them gently,
and cherish them considerately, until they attain the stature
of full-grown men.
And now, in passing, I want to correct a misapprehen-
sion, entertained by many, as to the origin of the Taber-
nacle church. That church was not, as some have sup-
posed, the mere giving of a new name to the old Mulberry
street church, bodily. The Mulberry street church, for
many years under the pastoral care of Dr. Archibald
Maclay, “being encumbered with a mortgage of $11,000,
liable to foreclosure,” disposed of their church-house to a
number of brethren, then members of other churches, and,
in 1839, an entirely new organization was launched, bear-
ing the name of “The Tabernacle Baptist Church.” The
constituency of the new church was made up, in part, of
members of the old Mulberry street church, in part of
what was then known as the West church, in charge of
Dr. John Dowling, in part, of a few members of the Oliver
street and other churches. The prime mover in the or-
ganization of the Tabernacle church was William Colgate,
of blessed memory—an apostolic man, a man whose in-
terest in the religious well-being of the city, whose un-
compromising adherence to what he believed to be truth,
and whose efficient co-operation in the cause of missions
and Christian éducation, entitle his name to be held in
loving remembrance to the end of time.
Historic Incidents
While the Tabernacle church remained in Mulberry
street, the old house was the theatre of some transactions
which deserve to be classed as historic. It was there that
the friends of mission gathered to welcome Dr. Adoniram
Judson on his return to this country. On that occasion
Dr. Francis Wayland, then president of Brown University,
presided; and no one then present can forget the thrill of
emotion which passed through the vast assembly when,
standing by his side on the platform, Dr. Wayland intro-
duced the returned missionary, as “a man who bore the
marks of the Lord Jesus.” It was in that house, also,
that the famous meeting of the American and Foreign
Bible Society was held, when the question of the revision
of the Scriptures by the Bible Society was vigorously dis-
cussed and adversely decided. At that meeting Dr. Spen-
cer H. Cone retired from the presidency of the Society, and
Dr. Bartholomew T. Welch was elected to the position.
This question of revision gave rise to a very spirited,
and, in some instances, an acrimonious controversey—in-
troducing discord, into and, in some cases, dividing
churches. Happily, however, the warring elements have
long since subsided, and brethren who then held, and who
may yet hold opposite views, now meet in sweetest fellow-
ship. The great Bible Convention, which met in Saratoga
some years ago, settled the whole matter by referring to
the American Baptist Publication Society the entire ques-
tion of the printing and circulation of the sacred Scrip-
tures. Requiescat in pace.
“Out of Town”
About the year 1847 the question of moving out of Mul-
berry street began to be agitated by members of the Taber-
nacle church, and soon after, it was decided to go higher
up-town. Consternation seized many, however, when the
committee appointed to secure a site for the new building
announced that they had selected lots on Second avenue,
between Tenth and Eleventh streets. “You are mad,”
some said. “You are going out of town.” “You can never
get a congregation so far away from the people.” And,
in fact, it did seem a little risky. It will give some of the
present generation an idea of the growth which the city has
made in the past sixty years, when I tell them that, stand-
ing by the new building, when it was in process of erection,
I could see unobstructedly to the East River. That por-
tion of the city, now the most densely populated, was then,
with here and there an exception, only vacant lots, where
goats gamboled and boys found ample play grounds. Never-
theless, the building went up, and was opened for public
worship in Decembér, 1850. From the beginning, the con-
gregations were large, and when, by reason of impaired
health, near the close of 1865, I resigned my charge of the
church, and for years afterward, the Tabernacle church,
was one of the strongest, if not the strongest Baptist
church in the city. Dr. W. W. Everts, the first pastor of
the church, as my predecessor for three years, resign-
ing in 1840, and, with a colony from the mother church,
organizing a new church at the corner of Laight and Varick
streets. My immediate successors in the pastorate were
Drs. J. R. Kendrick, Wayland Hoyt, J. B. Hawthrone, and
R. B. Hull. But things have changed since then. The
old house still stands, not at all improved by exterior altera-
tions and additions, and a new church under the name of
the Second Avenue Baptist Church, is doing good work in
a field greatly needing cultivation. The City Baptist Mis-
sion Society is the foster-parent of this new church.
--~~~~

I23
Then the real difficulties of the managers com-
menced.” -
It is conceded by Mr. Wells that “Maclay College
nad failed more through lack of a suitable man on
whom all could agree for President, than from any
other cause.” &
In 1853, the Baptist Memorial, has the follow-
ing news item, “the old church edifice in Mulberry
Street, so long occupied by the Tabernacle Baptist
Church, of this city, has been completely torn down
and dwelling houses erected on the site.”
This old church, built in 1810, and rebuilt and
enlarged in 1817, was organized in 1839, as the
“Tabernacle Church" by a union with the West
Baptist Church, and became the property of the
Oliver Street Church, the latter liquidating a mort-
gage of eleven thousand dollars and renewing and
repairing the structure at an expense of one thous-
and dollars.
Rev. Benaih Hoe, was the pastor for nearly a
year, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Eseiti 1839-
I843.
On the 1st of January, 1844, Rev. Edmund
Lathrop, of Beaufort, S. C., became pastor, and con-
tinued in the pulpit for six years, until the church
moved, December 22nd, 1850, to the new building on
Second Avenue near Tenth Street. The original
dedecation of the old church in 1810, by the Rev.
John Stanford, D. D., is thus recorded in his life:
NOTE.-Rev. John Stanford, was born Oct. 20th, 1754, in Surrey, Eng.
and came to this country in 1786, and opened an academy and preached
in New York City. Besides preaching he acted as chaplain without
compensation for the N. Y. Hospital, the Military Hospital and City
Hospital and Prison, the Alms House, Institutions for Deaf Mutes, and
Magdalene Hospital, Orphan Asylsm and Luniatic Asylum. He died in
1834, greatly mourned by the city, where he had labored so disinterestedly.
I24
“On the Lord's day, July 8th, he preached a
discourse at the opening of a new house of worship,
under the ministry of the Rev. Archibald Maclay.
The text was Psalm CXVIII-25-, “O Lord, I beseech
thee, send now prosperity.’ The congregation was
very large, and appearances indicated a high state
of spiritual and temporal prosperity.”
I 25
CHAPTER XI.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY BIBLE UNION.—NARRATIVE FROM
LECTURE OF REV. J. BASTOW–MEETING DR.
MACLAY AT RAWDEN COLLEGE—LETTERS OF DR.
MACLAY WHILE ABROAD–BIBLE UNION COLLEC-
TIONS.
1854–1855.
The fifth anniversary of the American Bible
Union was held on October 6th, 1854, in New York
City, when elder John Young, of Baltimore, Md.,
offered the following which was unanimously adop-
ted:
“Resolved, That the European tour which Rev.
Archibald Maclay, D. D., is now making, to promote
the interests of the American Bible Union, should
enlist the sympathies and prayers of truth-loving
Christians, throughout the world—giving thanks to
the God of the Bible for enabling His venerable
servant, at his present advanced age, to traverse the
broad fields of Europe and America in behalf of
the glorious cause.” -
As related in his address, Dr. Maclay visited
Great Britain in the Summer of this year, and then
went to Hamburg to see Dr. Oncken.
During this tour Dr. Maclay became acquainted
abroad with a young man named Jonathan Bastow,
now a respected and highly esteemed Baptist
clergyman, who writes; *
“A11 I am, and what I am, I owe to your grand-
I26
father, ‘Father Maclay,' who met me a poor boy in
England—brought me to this country—gave me an
education, and prepared me for the ministry, as
contained in the following narrative, from my
lecture “From the Coal Mine to the Pulpit.’”
“I was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England,
in December, 1835. My father was a coal miner.
He kept a small tavern, or rather my mother kept
it for him, while he was at work during the day.
At eight years of age, I began to work steadily
down in the mine, and continued to work there till
I was fifteen years of age.
At thirteen years of age the current of my life
was turned by a little incident. I was sent for
some milk to the house of John Cole, a deacon of
the Second Baptist Church, of Bradford. He was
well-to-do, had a fine, cultivated, Christian family.
One of his daughters, then a Christian, I should
think about 16 years of age, came to serve me. I
shall never cease to think of her with gratitude and
love, she stared at me with amazement. I had only
two articles of clothing on—pants and a shirt. Both
were Covered with the filth of the mine. The
sleeves of the shirt were torn off to the elbow, and
had not been washed for weeks. The pants were
made for my brother and of course did not fit me at
all. Both were worthless except to cover my naked-
ness. She asked ‘Where do you live?' I told her
‘Near by.” “What do you do?’ ‘I work in the
coal pit.’ “Do you go to Sunday-school?’ ‘No.'
‘What do you do on Sunday then?’ ‘I lie in bed.’
‘Why do you lie in bed?’ ‘Because I have no
clothes except these and I would not be seen in the
127
streets with them on Sundays.” “Is that the only
reason?’ ‘Yes.” “Would you go to Sunday
School if you had clothes to go in P’ ‘I would be
glad to.” “Well, then, come here next Sunday
morning, and I will furnish you a suit.’
On the first Sunday of May, 1851, I was bap-
tized into the Second Baptist Church in Bradford
by the pastor, the Rev. J. P. Chown. I was then a
little over 15 years of age. - -
After I began to preach and before I was bap-
tized, I made a resolute determination that I would
get out of the coal mine. I felt that this was in-
dispensable to self improvement and usefulness to
others.
The obstacles in the way of getting out of the
mine, however, were mountainous. Then the real
battle of life began. At least, the battle for the
supply of my daily wants. I had two dollars a week
in the mine but the best I could get out of the mine
was one dollar and twenty-five cents. While in
the mine I lived and worked with my brother, six
years older than myself. I was essential to him in
the mine, and of not a little value in the home.
Every miner must have a boy to convey the coals to
the mouth of the mine, and with the vein of the
coal from thirty to thirty-three inches thick, as it
was there, the smaller the boy, the better, if he
was intelligent and strong.
As soon as I got out of the mine, I entered upon
a desperate religious struggle. Infidelity was ramp-
ant in the town at that time. More so than at any
other time in the history of the town. There were
many public discussions between avowed atheists
I28
and Christians. Almost all the persons in the
warehouse where I worked were avowed atheists.
Everything connected with the Christian religion
was called in question and seemed unsettled. These
men seemed to me more intelligent in their atheism
than I was in my Christian faith. They appeared
respectable, learned, logical and moral. Most of
their arguments were wholly new to me and seemed
unanswerable. The desperate forms of wickedness
that I had seen in the mine never perplexed me for
a moment, but this apparently intelligent, respect-
able and well-dressed infidelity staggered my faith.
A wave of doubt swept over my soul. It shocked
my faith in the Bible, in prayer, in Providence and
darkened my hopes of heaven for a time. For-
tunately, I had a very wise, capable, and scholarly
Sunday-school teacher at that time. By his coun-
sels, sympathy and arguments, and by the books he
recommended me to read, I was wonderfully helped.
At 17 years of age I gave up the trade I had
begun to 1earn and went to work as a servant
man at Horton College, then located in Bradford,
now called Rawden College, located at Rawden
near Bradford, in the hope that there I might see
my way to get an education. I had several plans
for carrying out my purpose when I should come to
loe 21 years of age. One was to go to Australia, to
either dig gold or keep sheep, till I should have
saved enough money for a college course some-
where. But the Lord's ways are better than ours.
He can build castles upon the solid ground far
better than those that we build in the air, so it was
in this case.
I 29
In January, 1855, Rev. Dr. Maclay came to
visit Horton College, and stopped with Rev. James
Ackworth, LL.D., President of the college. He
was then on a tour through Great Britain in the
interests of the Bible Union of New York City. It
was my duty to go with him to the railway station
to direct his course and carry his baggage. It is
usual for a person in my vocation, rendering that
Rind of service in England to walk a little distance
behind the gentleman. But I knew that he was from
America and therefore a freer intercourse was al-
lowable with him. I, therefore, walked by his side
and began to talk with him to see if he cared to be
sociable. I said, ‘I understand you are from
America P’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ I asked, “Did
you ever hear John B. Gough P’ He said, ‘Yes,’
several times. ' I said, ‘What a wonderful orator
He is.’ I found from this that he was disposed to
be talkative and I asked, ‘What sort of country is
America.’ He replied, “Very good;’ I asked,
“Can a young man do better for himself there than
Here 3’ He said, ‘I think so. ' I said, ‘I want to
make the most of myself. I have often thought
that I would try my fortunes there.' He aked me
if I was a Christian. I said ‘Yes.’ He asked
‘What can you do, and what do you want to do?’
I replied, ‘I would like to work at something that
would give me an opportunity to improve my mind
while at work and then to study as much as possible
in the evenings. He wanted to know what I had
already learned. He asked for a specimen of my
penmanship, tested me in spelling, and questioned
me about the books that I had read.
I 30
When we got to the station he said, “This
conversation has been very interesting to me, in a
few more weeks I shall be back to town and preach
in one or both of the Baptist churches and I shall
want to see you again and talk to you more at
length.' I went home with new hopes. It seemed
as if I had met the man through whom the desires
and prayers of my life might be fulfilled. In about
six weeks he returned according to promise. He
preached in the church to which I belonged and
took up offerings for the Bible Union. I tried to
see him at the close of the service but was hindered.
I tried to see him again at the close of the evening
service, but was unsuccessful. At the Monday
evening prayer meeting I made my offering and
told the doctor that I would like to walk home with
Him, but the man at whose house he was stopping
would not allow me to do so. On the Wednesday
following he took dinner at the College. I asked
the President to let me see the Doctor before he
1eft but that request was not granted. My heart
sunk within me and I felt confident that nothing
from that source could be expected. On Saturday
morning, however, of that week the Doctor sent me
a letter which read thus: ‘My dear Brother, (I had
not been addressed as brother before, and that
touched my heart), I leave town this afternoon and
I want to see you before I go. Come, if possible,
I asked to be excused from my work and went to
see him. The venerable man met me at the door.
He said “I have been thinking of you all the week.’
“Have you,' said I, ‘then I hope you have been
thinking something good about me.' Smiling, he
I3 I
said, ‘I think I have. I have been thinking of
taking you to America with me and giving you an
education of eight years for the ministry in Madi—
son University.’ I was overwhelmed. My tears
flowed. My heart melted within me. I could not
speak for some time. As soon as I could I said,
“I thank you with all my heart. This is the
answer to my prayers for years.’ “But,’ he said, “if
you are pleased, why are you crying 3 people only
cry when they are sad.” “But,' said I, ‘I cry when
I am extremely sad or glad.’ His emotions were
soon almost as deeply stired as mine. He said, ‘I
nave been inquiring about you from your pastor
and deacons, and the President of the College, and
they said that they intend some day to make a
minister of you, but they say that your early adverse
circumstances will put you to great disadvantage
if you get your education here. So I have made up
my mind to take you with me.’ He said, “When I
was about your age I wanted to study for the
ministry but I had no means or friends to provide
for such a 1uxury.’ Robert Haldane, of Scotland,
sent for me and said, ‘I have learned that you
want to study for the ministry, but have not the
means to pay your way. I would gladly provide
the means for your education.' I said I would like
exceedingly to accept your kind offer, but I have my
widowed mother to care for, and do not see how I can.”
Mr. Haldane replied, ‘I will support her too, as far
as necessary,” which he did. “Now,” said Dr. Maclay
to me, ‘I am nearly eighty years of age and I have
never seen one whose circumstances so nearly
resemble mine then as yours, and I feel bound to
I 32
you and to God to do for you what Robert Haldane
did for me.”
So arrangements were made for me to come to
. New York. I sailed Oct. 21st, 1855, and 1anded
there in November 21st following. I met the doc-
tor there soon after landing. He was as earnest and
cordial in his bearing as ever, and immediately set
to work to provide for my education. He took me
to Deacon Wm. Colgate's house to spend the first
night. The deacon gave me a scholarship which
amounted to $70 a year. When the Deacon died
bis son Robert Colgate of the same city was solic-
ited by Dr. Maclay to continue to give me a schol-
arship for the rest of my course of study. This
with $50 annually from Deacon Peter Balen for the
last three years of my course, constituted my sup-
port during the eight years study at Hamilton.
I graduated from the Academic department in 1857,
and from the College in 1861, and from Theology
in 1864.” -
The following letters were written by Dr. Maclay
to his protege, while both werein Great Britain.
They illustrate his deep solicitation for this young
man, and his constant anxiety for his welfare both
spiritual and physical.
13 CANNING ST., LIVERPool,
February 3rd, 1855.
“Let me beseech you to read the Scriptures with
diligence daily and to be earnest in your supplica-
tions to God for wisdom from on high to direct you
in your future course. Seek to possess a spirit of
deep humility, of ardent love to Christ and the souls
of men and embrace opportunities of doing good to
the utmost of your power. Consult your pastor and
I33
other good men as to the best modes of employing
your time. Be faithful in fulfilling the duties which
devolve upon you in the family of Dr. Acworth and
if you have his approbation and that of your pastor
and the Church to which you belong there will be
no difficulty in securing you the best advantages in
America at comparatively little expense. I will
endeavor to arrange it, if everything be satisfactory
on your part, that your expense in your passage to
New York will amount to a small sum indeed.”
Yours truly,
A. MACLAY.
7 DEAN STREET,
PORTLAND SQUARE,
BRISTOL.
“MY DEAR SIR:
I intend to leave Bristol to-day and to go directly
to Liverpool, with a view to make an arrangement
for my own passage and also for yours to America.
I shall then proceed directly to Scotland, were I
shall probably spend not less than two weeks with
my relatives, as it is probable that I shall never be
able to see them again in this world. If you intend
to go with me to our wooden country and share with
us in our trials and comforts, please to hold your-
self in readiness to leave, in three or four weeks.
I shall be glad to hear from you, as soon as
convenient, perhaps it will be best for you not to
make any arrangement as to the funds you may
have to take with you until you hear further from
me. Please to state to me the precise amount that
you expect to take with you. I think I can arrange
the matter satisfactorily for you. I have not heard
from America whether my son has been able to
make any arrangement with the Collins line for you
or myself, but perhaps I may be able to hear before
we leave, which will not be sooner than three or
134
four weeks. Please address to me care of Dr.
Maxwell,
57 RENFIELD ST.,
GLASGOw.
I am, my dear sir,
Very faithfully yours,
A. MAcLAY.”
“13 CANNING St., LIVERPOOL,
February 24th, 1855.
MY DEAR BROTHER :
I duly received yours of the 13 Inst, and regret
that I have been so long in answering it. I cordially
approve of the conclusion to which you have come
of not remaining in Great Britain till you are of age,
but of preparing to go out to America as soon as
practicable. In the meantime I wish you to prose-
cute your English studies with diligence as far as
fidelity to your employer will admit. In every
situation in which God has placed us, fidelity to
those by whom we are employed is a Christian duty
that must never be neglected under any circum-
stances. If you have the confidence of your employer,
of your pastor and of the Church with which you
stand connected there will be no difficulty in secur-
ing for you a first-rate education. If in their opinion,
God has called you to the ministry of the word, and
they are willing to give a certificate to this effect,
you can obtain a classical and theological education
in Madison University with comparatively small
expense which your own means and those which I
can secure for you will be sufficient to meet. I am
pleased with your suggestion about going out with
me in the same steamer or ship to America, I will
endeavor to arrange it accordingly. I shall not be
able, however, to leave England sooner than next
May or June. I hope you will hold yourself in
readiness to go out with me. I will inform you in
time as to the exact period when I shall sail. The
I 35
recommendations of Dr. Acworth, President of
Horton College, and Brother Dawson, of your own
pastor and the church with which you stand con-
nected, will be all-sufficient to gain you admission
to the preparatory school, the college and theo-
logical course, provided the Committee that are ap-
pointed to examine all candidates for admission to
these advantages are satisfied that you possess the
character and qualifications requisite for so great a
work as the ministry of the word, you will be
examined with regard to personal religion, your
views of Divine truth and your call to the work of
the ministry, and if you give full satisfaction, you
will be admitted to all the advantages which the
Institution can confer and if your spirit and deport-
ment after you are admitted to its advantages con-
tinue to be satisfactory, and these will be continued
till your education is completed. I would esteem
it a favour if you will write to me a brief statement
of your own history and the progress you have made
under the disadvantageous circumstances under
which you were originally placed, as I wish to
communicate the information to the professors in
Madison University. I shall be in Liverpool till
near the end of next week. I expect to be in Banff
the first Lord's Day of next month and in Manches-
ter on the second. Please to write to me a brief,
but faithful narrative of your history up to the
present period.
With kindest regards to Dr. Acworth, Mr. Dawson
and Mr. Chown, I am, dear brother,
Very affectionately yours,
A. MACLAY,
??
º
While on his European trip during 1854-5, he
was eminently successful in raising money for the
Bible revision.
The Bible Union Quarterly publishes the fol.
lowing in this connection;
I36
To Our Fraends In Great Brztazm.
The visit of Dr. Maclay to Great Britain has
added largely to our list of contributors. In almost
every place visited, the interest in the cause had
preceded him; and, by his appeals, that interest
was greatly increased. Liberally has the appeal
for aid been responded to.
It is the glory of England that her forefathers
contended for the Bible, and came into its enjoyment,
after long and painful conflicts with the enemies.
And it is now her joy that her children in this new
world are bearing a noble part in making this great
treasure (England's richest blessing) still more
precious.
We publish, in the present number of the Quart-
erly, the portion of Dr. Maclay's report, not already
published, of collections made for the American
Bible Union in Great Britain. Dr. Maclay desires
that the friends who so generously responded to the
appeals, on behalf of pure versions, may see, in de—
tail, the acknowledgement from the Union of their
contributors,” &c. e
According to the seventh annual report of the
above Society Dr. Maclay collected for them during
the year 1855, about seven thousand dollars.
Among the list of European contributions
(through Dr. Maclay) we notice that Dr. Maclay
subscribed himself at Bradford, England, one hun-
dred and five dollars. r
I 37
CHAPTER XII.
DR. MACLAY RETURNS HOME–LOSS OF STEAMER
“PACIFIC"—DEATH AND FUNERAL OF DR. CONE
—DR. MACLAY BECOMES PRESIDENT OF THE BIBLE
UNION.—HIS ADDRESS AT THE SIXTH ANNIVER-
SARY OF THE SOCIETY-HIS HOME.
1855—1856.
Dr. Maclay left Glasgow on the 3rd of August,
1855, for Liverpool, and on the 11th of the same
month sailed from the latter place for this country,
in the Steamer “Pacific,” Capt. Eldridge, of the
American Line called Collins.
By a strange coincident this unfortunate vessel
subsequently met the same fate as the “President:”
The American Almanac chronicles the following:
“1856–Jan. 23, The Collins steamer ‘Pacific,”
Capt. Asa Eldridge, leaves Liverpool, and is not
again heard from. Unavailing efforts are made
loy the English and American governments, and by
individuals, to find her.”
The Rev. S. H. Cone, President of the Ameri-
can Bible Union, died August 28th, 1855, and on
Sunday, September 16th, funeral services were held,
and Rev. Thomas Armitage preached the sermon,
in which he recalled the fact that Dr. Cone de-
livered his first sermon in this city in the pulpit of
the Mulberry Street church in 1816, and among the
concluding words Dr. Armitage remarked:
I38
“Our ensign was never stained nor trampled
in the dust while held in the hand of Spencer H.
Cone, and the unswerving integrity of a long life is
the pledge that we need not fear for it in the hands
of Archibald Maclay, if it shall be confided to him.”
“Rev. A. Maclay, D. D., read the following
selections from the Book of Job, as revised by the
American Bible Union, it being the first occasion
on which the Word of God, as revised by the Union
was read from the pulpit: " I Chapter Job. After
the sermon, Dr. Maelay led in prayer.
The latter's invitation to Dr. Cone originally
to preach in his church, and his visit to New York,
led to his transfer to this city. From which time to
the day of his death they were inseparable friends,
and took an active part together in all the various
questions and principles affecting their denomina-
tion. Dr. Cone, in one of his addresses, publicly
testified that “it has been my privilege to stand
side by side with Maclay and Colgate,” &c.
As the writer was brought up as a child under
the ministry of Dr. Cone, he recalls with pleasure
this sainted clergyman, as one of the most fearless
and eloquent champions of the cause of religion in
the metropolitan pulpits.
The sixth anniversary of the American Bible
Union was held in the meeting-house of the First
Baptist Church, New York, October 4th and 5th,
1855, when Dr. A. Maclay was elected President of
the Union.
The Popular Encyclopedia, of Universal Re-
ligious Knowledge, edited by the Rev. Wm.
Blackwood, D. D., says of him:
-
-

I39
“He succeeded Dr. Cone, as president of the
American Bible Union, thus continuing his labors
in his own communion, and his influence in this
position on both sides of the Atlantic was most
powerful. Dr. Maclay commanded the loving ad-
miration of all who knew him. He was eminent
for his sterling honesty, his freedom from all cant
and affectation, and his earnest, deep and tender
piety.”
The newly elected presiding officer, acknowl-
edged the honor conferred upon him in being called
to occupy the Chair, so lately and so honorably
filled by one of the best of the Lord's servants, and
subsequently delivered the following address:
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS,
BY
REv. ARCHIBALD MACLAY, D. D.,
Brethren and Friends of the Bible –
I thank you for the distinguished honor you
bave conferred upon me in calling me to the Presi-
dency of the American Bible Union. I feel deeply
affected at the exhibition thus shown of your
kindly regard and esteem. I regret my inability to
fill the position with the credit it merits. For the
last nineteen years, as most of you are aware, I
have been mainly on the wing. I have seldom
presided at public deliberations, and must therefore,
throw myself upon your indulgence. The loss of
the good and eminent man who had with such
dignity and honor filled the place you have to-day
elected me to fill, I lament most sincerely.
I4O
What wisdom is withdrawn from our counsels'
what eloquence from our pleading ! what faith and
courage from our defense ! what fervency from our
prayers what dignity from the presidency of this
assembly, since Spencer H. Cone is no more
Thirty-one years ago Dr. Cone visited New
York by my invitation, and preached his first ser-
mon here in the church in Mulberry Street, of which
I was then pastor. This visit ultimately 1ed to his
settlement in this city. We welcomed his coming
among us; for, from the first, his eloquence attracted
our admiration, his evangelical sentiments our
sympathy, and his christian zeal our love. Advanc-
ing acquaintance confirmed our confidence and in-
creased our esteem. But it is most to my purpose
at present to speak of his relation to the Bible
cause. It was here that I was most intimately as-
sociated with him ; it was here that I best learned
His great qualities; and here, also, I shall most miss
lmis sympathy and co-operation; a work to which it
has been my privilege to consecrate the last twenty
years of my life.
Dr. Cone and myself were associates, first of all
in the American Bible Society, and I can speak for
him as well as myself, when I say he entered with
enthusiasm into its great objects. The union of
christians in the great purpose of giving the word,
nad peculiar charms to us, and although in the
maintenance of our principles we were separated
from our brethern, I can here bear testimony that,
in the counsels of that society, we enjoyed much
delightful christian communion, and the separation
to which our convictions bound us, was one of deep
I4 I
pain. Our position in the board of management,
lorought us into very intimate communication, in
the steps which led to the formation of the Ameri-
can and Foreign Bible Society. In the discussions
which followed the application of brethren Yates
and Pearce to the American Bible Society, and in
the publications of their revision of Bengalee
Scriptures, our late President bore the burden of
our cause in the Committee of the Board of Mana-
gers, to whom the application was referred, and
prepared the minority report, which advocated the
claims of that excellent version of the New Testa-
ment; and in these efforts I first learned fully to
appreciate him. I need not rehearse the history of
those discussions here, nor tell of the deep sense
of responsibility, and the darkness that sometimes
appeared to gather around, nor of our mutual con-
Sultations and united prayers.
It may be permitted me in this place to say
now, when distance of time enables me to look upon
it free from all excitement of feeling, and when the
death of my associate and the approaching close of
my own course, surrounds me with the solemnity
of an eternal world, that the course pursued was
the path of high and imperative duty. I could not
1ook with peace and satisfaction to my approaching
entrance into the presence of the God of the Bible,
had I in that hour of trial betrayed the great prin-
ciple which was embodied in the Constitution of
the American and Foreign Bible Society. I desire
also, on this solemn occasion, to bear my testimony
that the principles for which we then contended, is
the principle by which I stand to-day. Brother
I42
Cone and myself did not change our principles
when with heavy hearts we exchanged our positions
in the American and Foreign Bible Society, for a
place in this Union. From the first, we and those
associated with us contemplated the application of
our principles to all lands. The Board of the
American Bible Society will bear witness that we
had expressed the hope that the day might not be
far distant when we might be called to this noble
work for those speaking the English Language.
In the outset of our action, as respects the
American and Foreign Bible Society, this was al-
ways taken for granted, and the only question was
as to the time when it should be commenced : and
when the time came, for which we had 10nged and
prayed, when we were distinctly called to the re-
sponsible task, we gratefully accepted the charge
and in the face of some obloquy and misapprehen-
sion earnestly addressed ourselves to its accomplish-
ment. And I give thanks to God that he has
spared me to see it in progress, though 1ike the
brother we mourn, I may never see it completed.
I give thanks, not only that the great work is in
progress, but that I have seen how strong a hold
the principle on which our action is based has
upon the hearts of the christian public in America.
Year by year diminishes the amount of opposition,
and the report of our treasurer shows how, year by
year, are increasing the number and devotion of
our friends from every part of English Christendom.
It would be unsuitable to the touching associa-
tions of the hour, to the generous spirit of the de-
parted, and to my own feelings to revert to the op-
I43
position by which our progress has been beset.
But it is neither unfitting to the time nor unbe-
coming to my years or place, if I ask at the hands
of the brethren, who have held aloof from us, a
calm and dispassionate review of their position,
and at the hands of the brethern who are united
with us, a loving but firm advocacy of our princi-
ples. Yet it is a comfort to me that this cause in
which we were sustained by our departed associates,
has been sanctioned by the wisest and best of men,
who have labored and suffered for the truth in past
years. The Bible, God's unadulterated word, has
been the rallying point and appeal of all to whom
we are indebted for the maintenance of the testi-
mony of Christ. With reference to the rendering
of God’s word into the English language, without
diminution or concealment, I believe it to be the
grand work of the present age.
By how many precious testimonies have the
saints of past generations taught us to break
through all the reverence for antiquity, which
would forbid our removing all human imperfections
from the version we have learned to love. William
Tyndale bought with his blood the precious herit-
age of an English Bible.
But this is not the time for us to fortify our
position by arguments or testimony; nor to the
members of the American Bible Union, were the
names of learned and godly men needed in justifi-
cation of there cause. The progress of the Union
shows the hold which its grand principle has upon
the hearts of Christians; yet it may be encouraging
for them to know that their position attracts the
I44
notice and sympathy of the wise and good of many
1ands.
In May, 1854, I visited Great Britain, with the
hope of enlisting sympathy and co-operation in the
great objects of the Bible Union. In 1839, I had
before crossed the Atlantic, as I supposed, for the
1ast time, in behalf of the Américan and Foreign
Bible Society. I was, perhaps, better prepared
than my brethren to estimate the probable results
of an appeal to the christian public of England and
Scotland. My previous visit, in 1839, which re-
sulted in the formation of the Bible Translation
Society, made me intimately acquainted with the
sentiments of the friends of the Bible there, and I
1<now that then they were in advance of ourselves
in the conviction of the duty of revising the English
Scriptures.
Pecuniary aid was not the main object of my
mission to my native land. We are not engaged in
a mere commercial enterprise, where success is to
Be estimated by the receipts of our treasury. My
great aim was to gather the conviction of christians
of every name around a great principle, involving
the honor of their Master, and awakening them to
interest and action in a movement which is to effect
their spiritual well-being, wherever the English lan-
guage is spoken, and as far as its influence shall ex-
tend. My previous knowledge of the sentiments of
the people of Great Britain gave me assurance that
their convictions only needed to be aroused, by
correct information, to secure their co-operation.
The result of my visit has exceeded all my antici-
pations.
I45
I reached London in July, 1854, and thought it
test to visit, in the first place, Scotland, where were
scattered the few remaining friends of my early
days. It was a very solitary and desolate feeling
to visit one place after another, and find that so
many of the great and good men I have known
were no more. The Haldanes, those men of God to
whom the world owes so much ; Greville Ewing, my
pastor, preceptor, and friend, with most of their
associates in a great reformation, were all gone.
But in a multitude of churches, gathered by their
zeal, “they being dead yet speak,” in the persons of
their successors, trained by their godly wisdom, and
in holy influence that can never be lost. At Edin-
lourgh, I enjoyed a season of sweet communion with
the venerable Dr. Innes, who was a professor in the
Theological Seminary when I was a student for the
ministry of the Gospel. At Dundee, I spent a de-
lightful day with Dr. Patterson, the founder of the
Bible Society at St. Pettersburgh, the chosen friend
of my boyhood, my fellow-student, and the confi-
dential friend of my early ministry, with whom I
had prepared to go as a missionary to the heathen,
when the arbitrary opposition of the government of
India sent him to Russia and myself to America.
At Berwick-upon-Tweed, I spent a day with the
saint-like Mr. Kirkwood, also my fellow-student.
Before we parted, as we knew for the last time, we
knelt down and prayed together. Mr. Kirkwood
fell upon my neck and wept sore, and kissed me
upon either cheek, and bade me a last farewell.
Dr. Innes took the liveliest interest in the
Bible Union. and heard the account of our proceed-
I46
ings with devout joy. He subsequently called
upon the person appointed in Edinburgh to receive
donations, and left with him his subscription.
He died some months afterwards, at the advanced
age of 85; and, before I left England, the telegraph
announced also the death of Dr. Patterson and Mr.
Kirkwood. The pastors and churches in Edin-
burgh, espoused the cause with cordiality. Chris-
tians of every name manifested a devout interest;
among them, John Brown, the author of the Ex-
position of 1st Peter, and other well-known works,
expressed his earnest commendation of the work.
At Glasgow, the churches entered with much spirit
into the movement. It was so throughout Scotland,
and indeed throughout England. I visited the
principle cities and towns of both countries, and
wherever I went it seemed only necessary to pre-
sent the facts of the case to secure friends. There is,
in truth, so far as I have observed, but one side
there, unless I except a few brethren in London;
even they are not opponents, but are hesitating as to
their co-operation. The pecuniary results of this visit
will be found embodied in the Treasurer's Report.
Collections made by my personal application, amoun-
ted to more than eight thousand dollars. During
this limited visit the pulpits of various denomina-
tions were opened to me, and an interest has been
awakened among them all, which will not be allowed
to die. -
Some of the most eminent scholars of the Con-
gregational body, not only received me personally
with kindness, but bade me God speed in the
enterprise. Among the names of the subscribers will
|- . .
№
=
ſae
·.……….…. ………….………….


I47
be found that of John Angel James, Dr. Vaughan,
and others of like standing. Dr. Halley, of Man-
chester, and others, invited me to present the cause
to the churches. Several learned ministers of the
Church of England gave me their encouragement
and aid. Public attention has been greatly aroused.
The learning of Great Britain has been turned
towards the enterprise of producing a faithfully
revised edition of the English Bible. A society has
been organized to promote it.
It would be unjust to the learned American
reviser, if I failed to say that the high place which
the revision of the books of the New Testament, and
the accompanying notes, which have been already
given to the public by the Bible Union, at once
obtained, in the estimation of biblical scholars in
England, largely contributed to the favorable con-
sideration which the cause received among all de-
nominations.
Our enterprise was warmly commended by
James Acworth, LL.D., President of Horton College,
Bradford, Joseph Angus, President of Stepney Col-
lege, Charles Stovell, Thomas Drier, Dr. Muslow,
and R. W. Overbury. Nor is it only the influential
and notable whose names sustain the object, but the
humble and old aided it by their affections and
prayers. My collections there were made up for the
most part, of small contributions from those who
gave, not out of their abundance, but from very
limited resources. In the list of subscriptions in
Birmingham, is a widow's offering of three pounds
sterling. It was given by a lady, in humble circum-
stances, who came to Rev. Mr. Swan, with her con-
I48
tribution, with tears in her eyes, and requested that
her name might not be known. Joseph Sturge, the
well-known Quaker, who headed the Deputation of
the Peace Society to the late Emperor Nicholas, when
He cast his eye over the list, said. “I cannot give
1ess than the widow,” and handed me a like sum,
which his family largely increased by subsequent
donations. But the interest awakened went beyond
a passing recommendation, and a subscription to our
funds. The movement is laying hold upon the public
mind there. It has been discussed in the 1eading
religious periodicals. Even the evangelical organs
of the Church of England have expressed approba.
tion of the object. And it is about to make itself
heard in the British Parlament; Mr. Heywood, a
liberal member of the House of Commons, has given
notice of a motion for a Committee to Inquire into
the Expediency of a Revision by Authority.
I Ought not to omit a reference to a visit which
I made to Brother Oncken, in Hamburg. Of his
character it is unnecessary for me to speak, for you
have seen and heard him. His church, though very
different in numbers and circumstances from what
it was when I visited that city fifteen years ago, at
a time when the brethren were suffering persecution,
has preserved the same character, “walking in all
the commandments aud ordinances of the Lord,
lblameless.” The visit occured at the time of the
meeting of their Association. One only needed to
loe present to learn what thanks were due to God
that He has given such a company of missionaries
and colporteurs to carry the Scriptures in their
purity, through the spiritually destitute regions of
I49
Europe. While I ask for continued liberality to
Germany, I would direct yonr attention to such of
them as seek a home in our land, who will serve as
lights here also, in the midst of the darkness which
infidel Germany is shedding over many regions in
the West.
By many tokens of favor, our Heavenly Father
is alleviating the discouragements which might arise
from the removal of those who have been our leaders.
I well remember with what unworthy distrust I used
to anticipate the removal of the venerable men who
guided the christian movements of my early days.
But the experience of fifty years has taught me how
little God's work depends upon men. They have
been removed, and the great enterprises to which
they appeared so necessary, not only survive, but
have advanced to a point of success which, probably,
men most sanguine in their hopes never anticipated.
The Fathers, where are they? and the Prophets, do
they live forever? No, but their God still lives un-
changed in grace and might. The principle of the
Bible Union cannot perish, and its work will not be
accomplished while there is a sinner to be enlight-
ened or a christian to love perishing souls.
When Father Maclay returned from Europe in
the summer of 1858 he lived with his eldest daughter,
Mrs. James Bogardus, at No. 143 Madison Street.
He also spent the summers at the country home
of another daughter, Mrs. Adam P. Pentz, at Port-
chester, N. Y.
Afterwards he made his home with another
daughter, Mrs. Wm. Wright, who had a residence No.
9 West 24th Street, opposite the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
and here Dr. Maclay passed the closing days of his
life.
I 50
CHAPTER XIII.
VISIT TO WIEST SOMERSET-CANADA—LETTER FROM
CONNECTICUT – RESIGNATION FROM AMERICAN
BIBLE UNION.—SLJPPLIES THE PULPIT OF HARLEM
BAPTIST CHURCH – REVIVAL MEETINGS-SPUR-
GEON'S SAINT AND HIS SAVIOR-LETTER FROM
SARATOGA.
1856–1858,
While President of the Bible Union, he still
continued his travels in behalf of the Union, and in
1855-6 was in Canada, (see following letter from
Canada, of a kinsman of the same name):
WEST SoMERSET, JULY 1.0/91.
DEAR SIR:
Yours of July 6th received, requesting to know
something of my ancestry. My father's name was
John Maclay. He was born in the parish of Drymen,
about 6 miles from Killearn. I was born at the
same place. There were many about Killearn of
the name. My father and Archibald Maclay, D. D.,
who lived in New York, claimed to be second
cousins.
I called on him in New York in 1830. He then
introduced me to his son Archibald who was in a
drug store. About 1855 or 6, he made us a visit and
stayed two days. He was then 80 years old and
about 4 years after died. I am the last of a family
of Io children and am now in my 88th year. * * * *
&c., &c.
I am, affectionately,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
I5 I
Dr. Maclay's interest in the young divinity
student J. Bastow, from England, during his course
at college was unabated, and the deep solicitation
for his welfare is shown by the many letters like the
following:
GLENVILLE, CoNNECTICUT, MARCH 31st, 1856.
MY DEAR BROTHER:
With respect to the best mode of occupying your
time during your vacations consult your professors.
They are all wise and good men. Tell them that
you do not wish to be idle during your vacations,
but to employ your time usefully not only in a man-
ner that would be beneficial to others with regard to
their spiritual and eternal welfare, but also to pro-
mote your own improvement—to act as a colporteur
for the American Tract Society or for some other
institution, and thus by visiting from house to house
you will have an opportunity of becoming acquainted
with the citizens of your adopted country and also
become an adept at fireside preaching—listen to the
objections of men opposed to the Truth, acquire a
promptitude in meeting those objections in the
spirit of meekness and love. I hope you will learn
something in the school of the Prophets and also
from the reading and study of books, but you have
much to learn of the American character from per-
sonal acquaintance and familiar conversation, and
you acquire much knowledge of human nature from
visiting and preaching from house to house Jesus
and him crucified, never forgetting to urge men to
repent and believe the Gospel. Endeavor to live
near to God yourself, endeavor to stir up Christians
to activity and holy zeal in the service of Christ,
warning every man and teaching every man in all
wisdom that you may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus. * * * -
I beg, however, that above all your getting, you
will seek to get understanding of divine Truth.
Read and study your Bible with care and pray
I52
earnestly for the teaching of the Holy Spirit that
you may understand it aright. Divine teaching is
absolutely necessary in order that we may under-
stand Divine Truth. It is not only important that
our conduct be right but we must possess a right
spirit, for God looks at the heart. A right spirit in
my judgment is a spirit of deep humility, a spirit of
prayer, of earnest, importunate and persevering
prayer, a spirit of Love, Love to God, Love to Christ,
Love to the precious Bible, Love to the holy bre-
theren, Love to all men. A right spirit, too, is not
a lazy, idle, indolent, spirit, but a spirit of holy
activity, of ardent zeal in the cause of Christ, and
incessant industry to acquire wisdom and impart it
to others. But I have said enough, your Professors
are fully able to give useful instruction. Listen to
them. They will put you in the way of helping
yourself and benefiting your fellow men.
If you cannot get anything to do abroad, stay at
home, and read and study your Bible in its connec-
tion and pray to the Father of Lights, that you may
be enabled rightly to understand it yourself and
possess an aptness of imparting the knowledge you
possess to others. There is no standing still in
religion. We must either be making progress or
going back. It would be a dreadful thing for you
and I to make shipwreck of the Faith and a good
conscience, after having professed to know the name
of Jesus for many years—to avoid this, let us watch
and pray that we enter not into temptation. Those
that have combustible materials about them should
take good care and not approach too near the fire.
Paul believd in eternal and personal election and
in the final perseverance of all saints, and yet he
kept under his body and brought into subjection
lest after having preaehed unto others he himself
should be a castaway. If you read and study the
Bible with care and earnest prayer, renouncing all
self dependence and seeking the teaching and
guidance of the holy spirit, you will become a useful
minister of the new covenant and become wise in
I 53
winning souls to Christ. The first qualification of a
minister is true religion and a great deal of it. The
second qualification is good common sense. The
third a good education.
I am, my dear Brother,
Very affectionately yours,
- ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
Per.
Pierre Maclay Thomson.
The Seventh Annual Report of the American
Bible Union contains the minutes as viz.:
“Our venerable President, Rev. Archibald Mac-
lay, D. D., also addressed to the Board the following
letter of resignation:”
New York, MAY 13th, 1856.
DEAR BRETHREN:
After several months of mature deliberation, I
feel compelled by a sense of duty to resign my office
as President of the American Bible Union, and thus
to free myself, as far as possible from all further
responsibility in the management of its affairs.
In taking this solemn step, I desire to say, that I
cherish kind feelings towards all my brethren; and
those who have extended to me their personal
friendship and Christian courtesy I shall always
hold in grateful remembrance. -
Praying that we may all be sanctified through the
truth, and finally saved in the everlasting kingdom
of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
I am, affectionately yours,
- - A. MACLAY.
Dr. Maclay was four score years of age, when he
laid aside the cares of office. Although at that time
in the enjoyment of all his faculties, and splendid
health, thanks to his rugged Scotch constitution and
most temperate habits of diet and living,-still he
had outlived all his companions in the ministry, and
I54
his sons were solicitous lest, continued labor, might,
at his advanced age, be injurious.
After his withdrawal from the active duties of
the Bible Union, he supplied pulpits, traveled, and
with his accustomed zeal and energy visited various
churches, collected funds for different institutions,
and in fact did not relax his efforts to do good or
spare himself in any way.
This period of his life is best described in his
own words as contained in his letters to his favorite
student in the Madison University, Jonathan Bastow.
NEw York, 5o WEST 26th STREET,
NEw York, March 31, 1857.
MY DEAR SIR:
I wrote you a few days ago, stating that I had
applied to the American Tract Society, through one
of its Sec'y's, for your being employed during the
vacation as a Colporteur, and I have no doubt the
Society will comply with rhy wishes, and I have no
doubt.you will do every thing in your power, if you
should be employed, to give satisfaction and to
promote the best interests of that noble institution.
I know of no service in which a student can engage,
more suitable to prepare his mind for usefulness in
his future ministry than to engage with his whole
heart and soul as a Colporteur. My esteemed friend,
William Colgate, who engaged to support you for a
time at the University, has gone the way of all the
earth and has gone, I am persuaded, to a better
country, which is a heavenly. I presume he has
made no provision for your future support at Madi-
son University, but I preached last Lord's day
morning for Dr. Lathrop and dined with him, and
took part in the funeral services of our deceased
friend in the afternoon, and requested Dr. Lathrop
to speak to Wm. Colgate's sons to continue the
support to you, which their father had begun. He
EDWARD LATHROP, D.D.
REV
| ._.


I55
assured me, he would do so at an early opportunity,
and expressed his belief that they would undoubt—
edly do it. I intend to see them myself and converse
with them on the subject. I am not absolutely
ertain that I shall be able to visit Hamilton before
he 15th of next month, but I intend to do so as soon
s practicable. In the prosecution of your studies
n the branches to which your attention is called I
ope you not only satisfy your own conscience, but
your professors that you are a diligent and laborious
student, but above all things let me entreat you, not
to neglect personal religion, seek daily to maintain
a holy walk with God, search the scriptures, be
earnest and persevering in prayer, avoid foolish
talking, levity and jesting, which are inconvenient.
In all things endeavor to adorn the doctrine of God
our Saviour, live a life of faith upon the son of God
who loved his people, and gave himself for them,
so that your fruit may be unto holiness and the end
everlasting life. I shall be glad to hear from you,
as soon as convenient, my kind regards to yourself,
to the President and Professors.
I am, my dear Sir,
Very affectionately yours,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
Per M. B.
NEw York, February 20th, 1858.
MR. JonATHAN BASTow.
DEAR SIR: e
I am happy to learn that you intend to spend your
vacation in New York and its vicinity. I have spoken
to some of the members of the church in Harlem,
now without a pastor, to allow you to supply them
luring vacation; they have mentioned to me that
they would name it to the church and they express
a full conviction that on my recommendation you
will be employed, but I will write you more fully on
the subject after the church has come tea conclusion
respecting it. I have supplied them once a month
I56
for the last three month, preached twice each Lord's
day and administered the Lord's Supper and also
attended with them at their prayer meeting in the
evening. These prayer meetings have been exceed-
ingly interesting. I have seldom attended any
prayer meetings with more deep interest; there
seems to be much of the Spirit of true religion among
the brethern and they appear to be earnest and
importunate in prayer for the salvation of men.
Three or four have lately been brought out of dark-
ness into God's marvellous light and many more are
anxiously inquiring what shall I do to be saved. I
feel greatly encouraged in my labors at Harlem. A
merchant in this city called on me between sermons,
(last time I preached at Harlem) stating his dis-
tressed state of mind and beseeching me with great
earnestness to pray for him. For several weeks
past we have had a union prayer meeting on Thurs-
day afternoon and evening of all the Baptist
churches in the city—these meetings have been well
attended and have been productive of great good.
There are daily prayer meetings at twelve o'clock
in the Dutch church, Fulton St., and also corner of
Ninth St. and Fifth Avenue. In Dr. Gillette's church
there is a prayer meeting every afternoon at four
o'clock, many conversions have taken place and the
. prospects in New York city of the revival of God's
work in the churches appear very encouraging, I
have seen several revivals of religion in our city aſ *
in our country in the last half century, but I ha
never seen the work of God in the conversion
sinners more intensely desired by Christians and
Christian ministers, nor have I seen the work
conversion more extensively spread throughout c
land. I have attended as many of those meetin
as possible and have in common with Christia
and Christian ministers experienced new life a
new vigor in the service of Christ. I have seldo
seen Christians more earnest and importunate
prayer for he salvation of sinners or heard short
addresses more appropriate and calculated to arouse
- -.
|- - -. --
|-- -- -|--
-- - |- |--.|-|-.|-
|-|- - - -|-|
|- .
waewaenssonae.：mae ºotaeae scu.ºs.lt.
laelae！” （OI！）， -18.：
FROM STATEN - JSLAND, NEAR THE LIGHTHOUSE

I57
men to their best, their eternal interests. Many
young men have been lately converted and appear
to possess great anxiety for the conversion of others.
I hope the work of God thus begun will spread
throughout every part of our county, and that
thousands and ten of thousands of sinners dead in
sins will be made alive to God and that all the ends
of the earth may see His salvation and the whole
earth be filled with His glory. Let me hear from you
as soon as possible.
I am, my dear Sir,
Very truly and affectionately yours,
A. MACLAY.
P. S.—Have you read Spurgeon's work: “The
Saint and his Savior,” if you have not, I wish you to
read it. I have no doubt it is in the library. I have
given a copy of it to each of my children and to my
three grandchildren that are married. The work
is I think well written and contains a scriptural view
of doctrinal, practical and experimental religion.
NEw York, March 5th, 1858.
MR. JonATHAN BASTow.
MY DEAR SIR:
I met with one of the members of the Baptist
church in Harlem, at the prayer meeting at 12 o'clock
yesterday in the Dutch church, corner of William
and Fulton Streets, and he informed me after meet-
ing that the baptist minister of one of the churches
on Staten Island (I do not recollect his name) had
been with them for several weeks preaching, I be-
lieve every evening, and that the church was very
much pleased with him, and that it is probable they
will call him to be their pastor. On Staten Island,
NOTE:—The Saint and his Savior, was the earliest of the numerous
books from the pen of this celebrated clergyman. It was first published
in 1857, and was followed by many others, so great was the demand for
these works that one publisher in N. Y. City, at the time, sold over 310,000
cop1&S.
I 58
he now preaches to two churches, and would prefer
being pastor of one, and if the church in Harlaem
call him to be their pastor I think it is probable he
will accept their invitation. I name this to you,
to show that your services in Harlaem during
your Spring vacatlon in all probability will not be
needed, and I do not know any other church in this
vicinity which is destitute of a pastor. It appears
to me therefore, that it would not be desirable for
you to come on to New York as you had intended,
because the expense would be great and I fear that
little or no remuneration could be obtained for your
services. I think you ought by all means to spend
your vacation as near Hamilton as possible with any
church that will give you a fair remuneration. I beg
that you will consult with Dr. Eaton and the Profes-
sors on this subject. They will no doubt be able
to direct you to some situation where you can
employ your time to advantage during the vacation.
I should have been much gratified to have seen you
here but as circumstances are, I think it would not
be advisable for you to come. It is expected that
I5 or 20 persons will be baptised at Harlaem in a
week or two. I suppose there will be from 50 to Ioo
converts baptised in this city next Lord's day. The
prayer meetings are still well attended, and with
increasing interest, and the cause of true religion is
gaining ground in every part of our city, and not
here only, but in every State of the Union God is
reviving His own work and pouring out His Spirit.
I hope this blessed work will go on, not only in our
own country, but in all lands, until the whole earth
shall be filled with His glory Amen, and Amen. I
expect to visit you at Hamilton, some time next
Summer if the Lord will, in the mean time let me
hear from you as soon as convenient; with kindest
regards to yourself and the President and Profes-
sors of the University, I remain,
Very truly, affectionately yours,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
I59.
TEMPLE GROVE HOUSE
CIRCULAR STREET,
SARATOGA SPRINGS, August 17th, 1858.
MR, Jon’H. BASTow,
MY DEAR BROTHER:
I wrote a letter to you from Hartford, and I wrote
you again after returning to New York, but I re-
ceived no answer. In my letter from New York, I
requested you to write me at Saratoga, but I regret
that I have not heard from you.
I am now in my eighty-first year, and the time of
my departure is near at hand. I felt therefore
anxious to secure to you a permanent support until
you had finished your education at Madison Uni-
versity, and its theological institution. This object
I consider as now secured, by the liberality of my
friends Rob't Colgate and W. S. Clapp. My mind
is now at ease on the subject; I feel grateful to God,
that this arrangement for your benefit has been ac-
complished. Let me entreat you my dear brother
to mark the goodness of God in providing for your
wants in this new country, and to manifest your
gratitude to Him, who is the author of all our bles-
sings. I hope that you will improve your time to
the best advantage, that your health and life will
be precious in the sight of the Lord, and that you
will consecrate yourself afresh to His service and
His glory.
It is of great importance that you prosecute your
studies with great diligence, and endeavor to be a
good scholar, so as to lay a good foundation for
future improvement. Above all let me beseech you .
to maintain a holy walk with God—Read the Scrip-
tures Daily.
Seek the teachings of the Holy Spirit that you
may understand the exact meaning of what He has
revealed in his Word, in order that your own soul
may prosper and be in health. Never neglect
secret prayer. Be earnest, let your prayers in the
I6O
name of Jesus be constantly presented to the
Father of Mercies for a blessing on your studies
and all your labors to advance His kingdom. It is
all important that you preserve a spirit of deep
humility; a broken and a contrite spirit, in the sight
of God, is of great value—unless you possess them
you will make little progress and offend a Holy
God. He giveth grace to the humble, but the
proud he knoweth afar off.
Constantly remember that pride goeth before
destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
We need constantly to watch and pray that we
enter not into temptation. A man that carries
conbustibles about him should take care how he
approaches the fire. We have corruption within
our own hearts and we are surrounded with temp—
tations, and we can only be upheld and preserved
from evil by feeling our constant dependence on
God * * * *
May the Lord bless you, my dear brother, and
make you a blessing.
I am, my dear brother,
Very Affectionately,
A. MACLAY,
Per E. W. B.
This aged christian's devotion to the cause of
education continued after he had passed the four-
score milestone of life, as shown by his letter dated
January 26th, 1858, to his student in Madison Uni-
versity, to whom he writes:
“If the times were not so hard, I would endeavor
to complete the subscription for the endowment
of two professorships in the theological depart-
ment. I spoke to Mr. Isaac Newton on Thursday
last on the subject, but he thought it would not
be advisable for six or nine months to make the
I6I
attempt, but should circumstances or the Providence
of God prove favorable, and my health and life be
continued, I shall endeavor to accomplish that
desirable object,” &c.
Respectfully and affectionately yours,
In the bonds of the Gospel,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
I62
CHAPTER XIV.
LETTERS OF DR. MACLAY-DEATH OF HIS YOUNGEST
DAUGHTER—PREACHES ON THE NORTH CAROLINA
AND AT THE MARINER'S CHURCH-CONTRACTS
COLD AT MAY ANNIVERSARIES-CLOSE OF HIS
LIFE—FUNERAL SERMON.—OBITUARY NOTICES.
1858–1860
In the fall, Dr. Maclay writes:—
“My own health has been good. For the last
two months I have generally preached twice every
Lord's day, and upon two occasions three times.”
The next letter chronicles the decease of his
youngest daughter, a widow, residing at Strat-
ford, Conn.
New York CITY,
Oct. IIth, 1858.
BRO. BASTOW:
Last Tuesday my youngest daughter, Mrs. Rich-
ardson, died at Hartford, Conn. I have every
reason to believe that she died in the Lord. She
was twice married; first when only 15 years old, to
John Anderson Hogg, Esq., a Scotchman. He was
a lawer, and a young man of preeminent talent.
He died young, before he was quite 24 years of age.
She was married the second time to Mr. James E.
Richardson, a merchant of Philadelphia. She had
two children by her first, and five by her last hus-
band. Her oldest son by her last husband while on
my last visit to England. She has left six orphan
children, that one without father or mother. I
163
hope they will be induced to seek the Lord with
their whole hearts, and claim Jehovah as their
father, and as the guide of their youth. Sometime
before his mother's death, I placed Archibald
Richardson, her only son, at a boarding school in
Stamford, Conn., with C. B. Nichols. I have paid
for the education of all her children by her second
husband since his death. I found that the boy was
making very little progress and must have been
sadly neglected by his teacher at Stratford, and
that fact induced me to place him in the school at
Stamford, where I know he will be compelled to
study, and be well taken care of. He is very much
pleased with the school, and the teacher says that
he is begining to make progress.
My kindest regards, I am, my dear Brother,
Yours very affectionately,
ARCHIBALD MACLAY.
Per Amanuensis.
TO
MR. JonATHAN BASTow.
Always having in mind the uncertainty of life,
this veteran clergyman begins the year 1859, with
the following epistle:
Jan. 29th.
It was at Saratoga that I stated to Mr. Clapp
that"as I was now advanced in years, and knew not
the day of my death, &c.
In the next letter, he refers again to his ad-
vanced age, and adds “the time of my departure
cannot be distant.”
N. Y. March 7, 1859,
No. 9 WEST 24th ST.
DEAR BROTHER BASTOw:
As I am now far advanced in years, and the time
of my departure cannot be distant, I felt exceedingly
I64
anxious that a permanent support should be secured
to you, during the continuance of your studies at
Madison University and at the Theological Institu-
tion. I am much gratified to know that this important
object is now permanently secured through the
blessing of God. When you finish your studies you
will need books. A minister stands as much in need
of good books as a mechanic does of good tools; I
have it in my power and I have it also in my heart
to supply you with a few which I think may be of
use to you. I hope my dear brother that you will be
a dilligent, laborious and faithful student, and that
you will endeavor to excel in every branch of useful
knowledge prescribed in the course of your educa-
tion. But above all that you will daily study the
word of God and seek the teaching of the Holy
Spirit to understand the Scriptures, the sacred
Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus, when the mind
is opened by the divine spirit to understand them;
in pursuing your studies be much engaged in prayer
and endeavor to maintain spirituality of mind and
a holy walk with God that your own soul may be
benefited and that you may prove a blessing to your
fellow students and to all with whom you may be
called to associate. Learning is useful in its place to
a minister of the Gospel but the most useful minis-
ters have not always been distinguished for their
learning, but they have invariably been men who
possessed a spirit of deep humility and of great
spirituality of mind. Love to Christ is the best
qualification to enable us to feed his sheep and his
lambs, and love to the souls of men will lead us to
watch for opportunities and embrace them in seek-
ing the salvation of our fellow men, both in public
and in private, Never forget my dear brother that
God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the
humble; humble yourself under the mighty hand of
God and he will exalt you in due time. Before
honor is humility; may God bless and make you a
blessing. º
Yours very truly and affectionately,
A. M A CLAY.
I65
As seen from the next letter of April, 1859,
his health continued excellent, enabling him to
preach twice a day. At the Mariner's church he
often filled the pulpit.
This church was organized as the Baptist Sea-
man's Bethel. Preaching originally started in a hall
hired in Chatham Street near Cherry, until a church
was built in Cherry Street near Pike. The Mariner's
church is now in the old Oliver Street edifice
corner of Henry.
No 9 WEST 24th ST., NEw York,
April 2nd, 1859.
MR. JonATHAN BASTow.
DEAR SIR:
As you have expressed a wish to spend your vaca-
tion near the city of New York, I have made some
inquiry respecting destitute churches in our vicinity'
The church at New Rochelle, the church at Mat-
tawan, and the church at Morrisania are destitute;
that of New Rochelle has invited some one to supply
them. You will probably hear from Mattawan in
a few days. I preached there on Lord's day before
last, both morning and evening. In the morning
the place of worship, which is a very excellent one,
was well filled; in the evening it was filled to its
utmost capacity, They have baptized 15 last winter.
I was much pleased with my visit. I should rejoice
if you were to spend your vacation there.
The church in Morrisania has lately divided and
a new church has been formed called the Salem
church. If both parties were to agree to write you,
it might be desirable to preach for them. An effort
is now making to reunite them, which I hope will
be successful; there is only room for one church at
present, two would be injurious not useful.
Let me hear from you as speedily as possible.
Perhaps you may have made some other engage-
ment, if so please inform me.
I66
I preached on board the North Carolina (a receiv-
ing ship of war) at the navy yard a week ago yes-
terday. There is an interesting revival of religion
now going forward on board of that ship; many
conversions have taken place, and a number have
been baptized, many more expect soon to come
forward to own their Lord and Master. Last Lord's
day I preached in the morning and in the evening
in the Mariner's Church this City. Brother Stuart
the pastor has baptized 214 within a year, and the
feeling in the church is still deeply interesting.
They meet every night for divine worship. If you
have not made any engagement, perhaps you had
better decline making any positively until you hear
from Mattawan.
I am, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly and affectionately,
A. MACLAY,
Per M. M. B.
This devoted minister was blessed with extra-
ordinary good health, without the usual infirmities
of age, until May 1859, when he contracted a severe
cold during the Baptist anniversary exercises, set-
tling in his neck, left him with an enlarged gland.
This is described in full in his letter of that
year dated October 13th;-a letter (unlike most of
this letters) from his own hand, and probably the last
ne ever penned.
NEW YORK, Oct. 13th, 1859.
No. 9 WEST 24th ST.
MR. JonATHAN BASTow.
* MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND:
I have received several communications from
you, which I read with deep interest; I regret that
hitherto I have been unable to answer any of them;
but I feel thankful to you for continuing to write
nothwithstanding you had not received any answer.
167
It affords me great pleasure to learn that your
labors with the church in Ogdensburgh have been
acceptable and useful and it is my earnest desire
and prayer to God that your labors there and
wherever you may be called to labor may prove a
blessing to the churches of the saints, and to the
world.
Nothing short of that power which created the
world and raised our Lord from the dead can
quicken a sinner dead in sins and make him alive
to God.
It is our duty to preach the truth as it is in Jesus
with all simplicity and Godly sincerity, fidelity and
affection—but success belongs to God and to him
the glory of the salvation of sinners belongs—Paul
says I have planted and Apostles watered, but God
gave the increase—so then neither is he that plant—
eth anything nor he that watereth—but God that
giveth the increase. It is very encouraging to the
minister of Christ in preaching the glorious gospel
of the blessed God to know that God has promised,
that his word shall not return to him void but shall
accomplish that which he pleases and prosper in
the thing where unto he has sent it, and Jesus for our
encouragement has said “Lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the world.”
Paul appears on one occasion to have been some-
what discouraged, but the Lord appeared to him in
a vision and said “fear not, Paul, but speak, and
hold not thy peace for I have much peoples in this
City.” ."
The ministers of Christ should give themselves
wholly to prayer and to the ministry of the Word,
and have their minds as much as possible disen-
gaged from the cares and perplexities of the present
world that they may please Him who hath called
them into his service and thus prove useful to
believers and unbelievers. Our great aim should
be, to be faithful to God and the souls of men and
to seek to win souls to Christ.
I have been very unwell for the last slx months,
I68
my general health has been good but I caught a
severe cold during the anniversaries in May which
caused a swelling in the glands on the left side of
my neck. I have had the best medical advice, and
have had four or five openings made with a lancet
to discharge the matter and on Sunday last had an
incision made four inches long between two of these
openings ; there has been a discharge for four
months, but the prospect now seems more favor-
able. I shall be glad to hear from you as soon as
convenient.
I am, very truly and affectionately yours,
A. MACLAY.
On March 6th, 1860, he writes through his son
Moses B. “My health has not improved and I feel
extremely weak and feeble.”
Less than a week later, he dictated one of his
last letters to the writer in which his anxiety for his
adopted son's welfare in the ministry is shown. He
also in a few words describes his serious condition.
NEw York, No. 9 WEST 24th ST.
March 12th, 1860.
MY DEAR FRIEND:
I have just received yours of the 7th, and if Mr.
Clapp does not fulfill his engagement within 8 or Io
days, I will see that you are supplied with $50 or
$60, if I have to advance the whole of it myself. I
am a very sick man, and I consider myself danger-
ously ill. With the kindest regards.
I remain your brother in the Gospel.
A. MACLAY.
Per I. W. Maclay,
“Although conscious that his sickness was “unto
death,' he manifested great fortitude and resignation.
He was cheered by the assiduous attentions of at-
I69
tached connections, and the visits of Christian .
friends. The faith which he has so long proclaimed,
sustained him in these trying moments The even-
ing before his death he said to his daughter when
reading the text, “My Father is greater than I" do
not suppose for a moment that this derogates from
the supreme divinity of Christ.” When asked what
hymn he would like to have read, he replied
“Guide me, Oh Thou Great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.”
On the morning of the 2nd of May, 1860, he
expired in N. Y. City at the residence of his daughter,
Mrs. Wright.
The New York Ledger, speaking of his death,
said:
“Dr. Maclay lived to the great age of eighty-
four, retaining the use of his faculties, bodily and
mental, until within a few months of his departure
to the better land. Children, grand children, and
great grand children cheered and rewarded the
venerable close of a well spent life. Nothing could
exceed the tranquility, the peaceful joy, the solid
content of his last weeks and days. On the last
morning of his life, he fell into a serene slumber,
during which his spirit passed noiselessly away,
leaving his aged countenance unruffled, wearing
the smile of the blest.”
The funeral took place on Sunday, May 6th, at
the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2nd Avenue, when
the pulpit was occupied by Rev. Dr. Lathrop, the
pastor, Dr. Bethune, Dutch Reformed, Drs. Sommers
and Williams, of Amity Street Baptist Church, Dr.
17o
Bangs of the Methodists, and Dr. Wm. Hague of
the Lexington Avenue Baptist Church,-the latter
in his address remarked:
“My association with Archibald Maclay ex-
tends back to the year 1815, when I was eight years
of age, my father then being the captain of a ship
sailing from this port to India. During these voy.
ages he was frequently brought in contact with the
missionaries in that far-off region, and bringing
tidings from them to their friends and families
here- Our house was frequently the resort of the
clergymen of that day. I recollect well the strong
impression I first had of this man who rose su-
perior to all the difficulties of that time, and trusted
in God—a time, as you all remember, full or stirring
events, for Napoleon was alive and in his glory.
Europe was agitated to the very core, and our own
war was in progress. He seemed to me an in-
carnation of spiritual strength and moral sub-
limity which, to my imagination, raised him far
above the men of that day, Not only this, but from
lim did I receive, when a boy of ten, my first idea
NoTE.—Dr. Hague's home in 1817, was near Chatham Square. His
father, James Hague—is in the directory for that year as ship master, No.
23 Ludlow St. The son attended the neighboring school of Eben
Wheaton, located on the east side of the square, at that time a small park
between James and Fayette Streets. Among the scholars were Wm. R.
Williams. son of Rev. John Williams of Oliver St. Church, and the
brothers Robert and Wm. Kelly, afterwards of Rhinebeck, N. Y., the
former brother a merchant, the latter President of Vassar College.
Dr. Hague in his autobiography, “Fifty Years Outlook,” writes:
“From the opening of the present century my father had been com—
manding a ship in the Indian trade. When in Calcutta, though not a
church memb r himself, he had put his hired house at the service of Dr.
Carey as a place of meeting for Hindoo merchants, and was accustomed
to spend a portion of his Sabbath at the Mission in Serampore. His ar-
rivals in New York, therefore, were looked for and welcomed by the
1eading men of the Baptist Church in Oliver Street.” &c.
171
of conversion and of a high style of Christian
character, such as raises men above the outward
condition of things and derives its elements of
power from the Infinite.”
Some appropriate stanzas were sent to the
family by a friend of the deceased, of which the
following is the concluding one:
Lay him beneath the chastest earth,
That angels, when they call his dust,
May know that those of mortal birth,
Respect the ashes of the just.
I72
RESOLUTIONS OF THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
BIBLE SOCIETY.
To the Board of Managers of the American and Foreign
Bable Society:
Your Committee, appointed at the last meeting
of the Board to report a suitable notice of the death
of the Rev. Dr. Archibald Maclay, would submit the
following brief Record and Resolutions:
Dr. Maclay emigrated to the United States, from
his native country, Scotland, in the year 1805. He
continued nearly thirty years, the faithful and suc-
cessful Pastor of our church in this city, and was
emphatically “an able Minister of the New Tes-
tament.” When the Baptist Denomination through-
out the Union were compelled, in vindication of a
sacred principle, to inaugurate the “American and
Foreign Bible Society,” he became one of the warm
and uncompromising advocates of that important
In Overment,
He was appointed one of the first Vice-Presidents
of the Society, and its first General Agent. In that
capacity he visited every State in the Union, the
British Provinces of North America, Great Britain
and Ireland, and several parts of the continent of
Europe. He collected more funds for the Society
than any other man ever employed in the same
office. He fell asleep in Jesus on the 2nd inst, in
the 84th year of his age, deeply lamented by all who
knew him; and one of the last acts of his life was
the transmission to your Treasury of a handsome
donation, as a mark of his cordial and undiminished
interest in the American and Foreign Bible Society.
In view of these facts:
REsolved, That we sincerely deplore the loss
sustained by the Society, and by the cause of Christ
I73
generally, in the death of our venerable and beloved
brother the Rev. Dr. Archibald Maclay.
RESOLVED, That we deeply sympathize with his
bereaved children and their numerous offspring, in
their present sad affliction, and that we affection—
ately commend them to the grace and mercy of the
God of their father.
RESOLVED, That this document be sent for
publication to the religious press, and that a copy
be transmitted to the bereaved family, through Dr.
Robert H. Maclay of this city.
DUNCAN DUNBAR,
Chairman of the Committee.
New York, May 9th, 1860.
I74
AMERICAN BIBLE UNION QUARTERLY-MAY, 1860.
DEATH OF DR. MACLAY.
This venerable brother, who was for so many
years prominent in Bible agency, died in this city on
Tuesday, the 2nd inst.
His decease was so gradual that, when a mem-
ber of his family came to bring him his usual morn-
ing repast, she found that his spirit had left its frail
tenement. He had passed away to his eternal rest.
Dr. Maclay will be chiefly remembered as an
agent for these Societies. No man ever had more
influence over individuals or bodies of men in pros-
ecuting such a cause. His whole soul was thrown
into the undertaking, and he spoke with a simplicity
and directness that almost invariably accomplished
inis purpose. He endured toil and suffering cheer-
fully, and gave additional proof of his sincerity by
his liberalities. His travels were often eventful and
sometimes perilous.
He now rests from his labors and his works do
follow him.
I 75
REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF BIBLE UNION.
We present herewith the report of the Commit-
tee on Obituaries, which was prepared by Rev.
Samuel Baker, D. D., and adopted by the Bible
Union at its Anniversary, October 4, 1860.
It is a solemn and interesting duty, at the recur-
rence of each anniversary, to look over the list of
those who have been known to us as warm friends
and patrons of the American Bible Union, for the
purpose of ascertaining how many, during the year,
have been removed by death from active service.
It is well to be thus reminded that the time ap-
pointed by our Heavenly Father for our working
day will soon conclude—that the night of death is
drawing near, when opportunities for working in the
vineyard of our Lord will no longer be afforded us,
and hence we should work while it is day. It has
been said that a good man is immortal till his work
is done—he is safe under Divine protection, as long
as his Heavenly Father has work for him to do on
earth. He need not, therefore, shrink from danger
in the path of duty.
During the past year death has again made inroads
upon our membership—some who were engaged
with us in this blessed enterprise have departed,
and their spirits have exchanged the Lamp of Reve-
lation for the unclouded light of God and the Lamb
in the heavenly temple.
Among those whose removal we are called to
recognize there is one whose departure merits a
special notice. Our venerable brother, Archibald
Maclay, has been summoned home. For more than
half a century Dr. Maclay was a faithful and able
minister of Jesus Christ, and as a laborer in the
Bible cause he long occupied the very foremest
rank. Nearly thirty years ago he was associated
with Dr. Cone in the Board of Managers of the
176
American Bible Society, and he labored with joy in
the blessed work of giving the word of God to the
world. When, in 1835, Yates and Pearce applied
to that Society for aid in publishing their revision
of the Bengalee Scriptures—in the discussions which
followed that application—while Dr. Cone bore the
burden of the advocacy of pure versions in the Com-
mittee to whom the subject had been referred—in
the meetings of the Board of Managers, the brunt
of the controversy was borne by Dr. Maclay.
When the American and Foreign Bible Society
was formed, for the purpose of giving the Sacred
Scriptures to the nations, in the most faithful ver-
sions that could be procured, Dr. Maclay threw his
whole soul into the enterprise, and for fourteen
years, in Great Britain, and throughout the British
Provinces and the United States of America, he
labored, as an agent, more abundantly than all
others in promoting its noble objects. He possessed
great ability for clearing away misapprehensions,
and for stating facts with simplicity and directness;
and, having the entire confidence of his brethren,
his influence over individuals or bodies of men was
almost boundless, so that he almost invariably
accomplished his purpose. His ardent and absorb-
ing attachment to the Bible cause was long evinced
by patient toil and cheerful suffering endured in
promoting its interests; and his services, as an agent
in this cause will long be remembered with grati-
tude to that God who raised him up for this noble
work. * * * * *
We cherish his memory, therefore, as an ardent
lover of the great principle embodied in the Consti-
tution of this Society, a most devoted friend of the
Bible cause, and an untiring laborer in the field of
its operations.
177
APPENDIX A.
As a very interesting account of the missionary
field in the State of New York as early as 1819, the
subjoined extracts from the annual report of the
N. Y. Baptist Missionary Society for that year are
presented, signed by Dr. Maclay as Corresponding
Secretary, being a description of the conditions
then existing, and illustrating the difficulties en-
countered by their pioneer laborers:
The God whom we serve, in the Gospel of his dear Son,
having permitted us to see another Anniversary occasion, it is
with peculiar pleasure that we present to you a Report of the
labours and success of your Missionaries during the past year.
LUKE DAVIES.—Brother Luke Davies, who for
some years has been employed as your Missionary
in Sullivan County, and in places adjacent, has
laboured in the gospel with great assiduity during
the past year. When we reflect on the deplorable
condition of that county previous to the sending of
Brother Davies, when gross ignorance and profane-
ness abounded, and being totally without the means
of religious instruction, we cannot be sufficiently
thankful for the degree of reformation which has
been produced. At Bloomingburgh, a small village,
where he preaches once in the month, and holds a
lecture every Thursday evening, a Christian friend,
at his own expense, has prepared a room, which
will contain one hundred and fifty people. It forms
a decent little meeting house, and is sometimes
filled with an attentive congregation.
When your Missionary commenced his labours
178
in this wilderness there was no place of worship
belonging to any denomination, and the profana-
tion of the Sabbath was general; but he can now
observe with pleasure more that thirty persons,
by the blessing of God on his labours, raised up to
shine in the wilderness, holding forth the word of
life. The standard of morals is elevated within the
sphere of their influence; and many who do not
appear to be truly the subjects of divine grace, are
now afraid or ashamed to pursue openly that course
in which they once appeared to glory.
ENOCH FERRIS.—Brother Enoch Ferris has been
employed as a Missionary by your Society three
months during the present year. At Oswego Falls
and Volney, there has been some reformation ;
greater still at Hannibal, eight miles from Oswego,
where about forty were baptized in the course of
two months. At Lysander another church has
been constituted, which we hope will prosper in the
Lord. In one tour of twelve days, Mr. Ferris
travelled on foot about 70 miles and preached ten
sermons. The field of his labour is constantly
widening, and we hope the Lord will graciously
accompany his labours with abundant success.
The following is an extract from a letter received from the
Mexico Baptist Assistant Missionary Society. “The labours of
your Missionary have been labours of love. He is indefatigable,
and in no small degree is blessed of God to the inhabitants of
this wilderness, and we wish for the continuance of your favour.
We know of no man among our acquaintance, who would be more
willing to encounter the fatigue and trials attending a missionary
life, than Elder Enoch Ferris.”
WILLIAM PEARCH.- Br. William Pearce has
been employed as your Missionary on Long-Island
during the past year, With his usual assiduity and
zeal he has travelled and preached the unsearchable
riches of Christ in many places, with some good
success, amidst much opposition. In his itinerant
peregrinations he usually has travelled about sixty
I 79
miles in the course of the week. The people at
Southold have had a season of love from the Lords
This good work began about August last. It is
believed between twenty and thirty have felt in
their souls the power of the Lord Jesus; eight of
these have been baptized, and added to the church,
while others are scon expected publickly to own
the Saviour. At the Manor and other places the
Lord was evidently present to apply his word to
the souls of sinners; which has created great joy
and thankfulness among the people of God. At
Coram and the villages around, considerable atten-
tion has been given to the gospel, and the people
are still earnestly desirous to enjoy this valuable
privilege. They are much engaged in their meet—
ings of prayer, which have proved a blessing to
many.
It would be doing injustice to our own feelings, were we not
to mention with approbation and gratitude, the noble exertions of
the Baptist Youth's Assistant Missionary Society. Their zeal and
well directed efforts in the Missionary cause will, we trust, con-
tinue and increase; tend to advance the glory of Immanual, and
to secure the salvation of precious and immortal souls.
A. MACLAY,
Cor. Sec.
The same year 1819, we find him at Albany on
the 20th of July at the ordination of the Rev. John
Finlay, to the pastoral care of the Baptist Church
in that City. The following record of the pro-
ceedings appeared in the Baptist Magazine for
September 1819:
“The Rev. Archibald Maclay, of New York,
preached a sermon from Colossians 1:28: “Whom
we preach, warning every man, and teaching every
man in all wisdom; that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus:” Rev. Francis Wayland of
I8O
Saratoga Springs offered up the consecration
prayer, assisted in the imposition of hands by all
the ministers present.”
APPENDIX B,
The Life of Alexander Carson, L. L. D., (who
was a fellow student at College) contains the follow-
ing: “Dr. Maclay writes: -
“Dr. Carson graduated at the University of
Glasgow and took the highest honors of that in-
stitution. Dr. Wardlaw was a fellow-student and
graduated at the same time. He has been a close
student ever since, and has bestowed more at-
tention on the subject of philology than perhaps any
other man now living. He was remarkably indus—
trious in giving to the world the fruit of his studies.
For many years he published one volume every
year upon some literary or religious subject besides
pamphlets adapted for special occasions.
On my last visit to Ireland I spent three days
with him, and had much interesting conversation
on various religious subjects. His wife remarked
to me that when at home he had not been three days
out of his study for forty years before. He was con-
sidered by competent judges to be one of the best
scholars of the age, and as a philologist and Scrip-
ture critic to have no superior.”
Dr. Maclay further testified:
“Dr. Carson, though one of the best scholars
I8I
of the age, possessed the simplicity of a child, and was
one of the kindest hearted men I ever knew. He
was very dear to me. I loved him as a minister and
a Christian. His family were lovely. Many may
think he was harsh, but he was not so; he was a
pattern of mildness and courtesy. He was a man of
deep piety and great humility; as a husband and a
father, gentle and kind in his family, and as a
neighbor observant of the inspired precept, “As
much as lieth in you live peaceably with all men.”
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