USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Warwick in Bucks County > History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., 1726-1876 > Part 3
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doctor still objected, and at last confined his request for delay to one hour, then to half an hour, and finally to quarter of an hour. He had discovered that the tongue was much swollen and threatened to crack. He was en- deavoring to soften it by some emollient ointment put upon it with a feather, when the brother came in about the expiration of the last period, and mistaking what the doctor was doing for an attempt to feed him, manifested some resentment, and in a spirited tone said, 'It is shame- ful to be feeding a lifeless corpse,' and insisted with earnestness that the funeral should proceed immediately At this critical and important moment, the body, to the great alarm and astonishment of all present, opened its eyes, gave a dreadful groan and sank again into apparent death. This put an end to all thoughts of burying him, and every effort was again employed in hopes of bringing about a speedy resuscitation. In about an hour the eyes again opened, a heavy groan proceeded from the body, and again all appearance of animation vanished. In an- other hour life seemed to return with more power, and a complete revival took place to the great joy of the family and friends, and to the no small astonishment and convic- tion of very many, who had been ridiculing the idea of restoring to life a dead body.
" Mr. Tennent continued in so weak and low a state for six weeks, that great doubts were entertained of his final recovery. However, after that period he recovered much faster, but it was about twelve months before he was com- pletely restored. After he was able to walk the room, and to take notice of what passed around him, on a Sun- day afternoon, his sister, who had stayed from church to
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attend him, was reading in the Bible, when he took notice of it and asked her what she had in her hand. She an- swered that she was reading the Bible. He replied, 'What is the Bible ? I know not what you mean.' This affected the sister so much that she burst into tears, and informed him that he was once well acquainted with it. On her reporting this to the brother, when he returned, Mr. Ten- nent was found upon examination to be totally ignorant of every transaction of life previous to his sickness. He could not read a single word, neither did he seem to have any idea of what it meant. As soon as he became capable of attention, he was taught to read and write, as children are usually taught, and afterwards began to learn the Latin language under the tuition of his brother. One day as he was reciting a lesson in Cornelius Nepos, he suddenly started, clapped his hand to his head, as if something had hurt him, and made a pause. His brother asking him what was the matter, he said that he felt a sudden shock in his head, and now it seemed to him as if he had read that book before. By degrees his recollection was restored, and he could speak the Latin as fluently as before his sickness. His memory so completely revived that he gained a perfect knowledge of the past transactions of his life, as if no difficulty had previously occurred. This event, at the time made a considerable noise, and afforded, not only matter of serious contemplation to the devout Christ- ian, especially when connected with what follows in this narration, but furnished a subject of deep investigation and learned inquiry to the real philosopher and curious anatomist.
" The writer of these memoirs was greatly interested
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by these uncommon events ; and on a favorable occasion earnestly pressed Mr. Tennent for a minute account of what his views and apprehensions were, while he lay in this extraordinary state of suspended animation. He discovered great reluctance to enter into any explanation of his per- ceptions and feelings at this time ; but being importuna- tely urged to do it, he at length consented, and proceeded with a solemnity not to be described.
"' While I was conversing with my brother' said he 'on the state of my soul, and the fears I had entertained for my future welfare, I found myself, in an instant, in another state of existence, under the direction of a super- ior being, who ordered me to follow him. I was accord- ingly wafted along, I know not how, till I beheld at a distance an ineffable glory, the impression of which on my mind it is impossible to communicate to mortal man. I immediately reflected on my happy change, and thought, -Well, blessed be God ! I am safe at last, notwithstand- ing all my fears. I saw an innumerable host of happy beings, surrounding the inexpressible glory, in acts of adoration and joyous worship; but I did not see any bodily shape or representation in the glorious appearance. I heard things unutterable. I heard their songs and hallelujahs of thanksgiving and praise, with unspeakable rapture. I felt joy unutterable and full of glory. I then applied to my conductor, and requested leave to join the happy throng; on which he tapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'You must return to the earth.' This seemed like a sword through my heart. In an instant I recollect to have seen my brother standing before me, disputing with the doctor. The three days during which I had appeared
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lifeless, seemed to me not more than ten or twenty min- utes. The idea of returning to this world of sorrow and trouble gave me such a shock, that I fainted repeatedly.' He added, 'Such was the effect on my mind of what I had seen and heard, that if it be possible for a human being to live entirely above the world and the things of it, for some time afterwards I was that person. The rav- ishing sound of the songs and hallelujahs that I heard, and the very words uttered, were not out of my ears when awake for at least three years. All the kingdoms of the earth were in my sight as nothing and vanity; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that nothing which did not in some measure relate to it could command my serious attention.' "
That Mr. Tennent actually died, as he seems to have supposed he did, when the foregoing circumstances took place, is not probable. His physical health was greatly impaired, and his body extremely weak. In consequence of this prostration he fell into an unconscious state, which no doubt would have resulted in death, if nothing had been done to arouse him. As his mind had been deeply exercised upon the subject of his personal salvation, it is not surprising that his thoughts should have been occu- pied with the glories of Heaven, when consciousness had fled; nor that it should have seemed to him that he had been permitted to visit that blessed world. God, perhaps, allowed him to pass through this surprising experience, that he might be more thoroughly devoted to the work of the ministry, on which he was soon to enter. As soon as his health and other circumstances were favorable he was examined by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and
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licensed to preach, when he at once commenced the work with earnestness and success. His brother John, who had been for a few years pastor of the church in Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey, died about this time, which event left that church vacant, and William was invited to take charge of it. He accepted the call and was ordained and installed October, 1733. Here he remained until his death, March 8, 1777, a period of forty-four years. He was well read in the Classics, and in Divinity, and was a solemn and powerful preacher, and very faithful in dis- charging all the duties of the pastoral office. He also labored extensively outside of his own parish, in different parts of the State, in revivals of religion, and his efforts were the means of great good to many. He was an ardent patriot, and during the portion of the Revolutionary War in which he lived, he desired warmly and prayed much for the success of the struggle of the American Colonies for independence of Great Britain. His end was peaceful after an illness of about ten days, during all of which he was calmly resigned to the will of God. When informed that he would not probably recover of the malady by which he had been attacked, he replied, "I am very sensible of the violence of my disorder ; that it has racked my constitution to an uncommon degree, and beyond what I have ever before experienced, and that it is accompanied with symptoms of approaching dissolution ; but blessed be God, I have no wish to live, if it should be his will and pleasure to call me hence." After a moment's pause he seemed to recollect himself, and varied the expression thus: " Blessed be God, I have no wish to live, if it should be his will and pleasure to call me hence, unless it
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should be to see a happy issue to the severe and arduous controversy my country is engaged in; but even in this the will of the Lord be done." He was buried in the church at Freehold, where he had so long and faithfully declared the counsel of God to his fellow men.
John Tennent, the third son of Rev. Wm. Tennent, Sr., was born in the county of Armagh, Ireland, Nov. 12, 1707, and was only nine or ten years old when the family came to America. He was taught by his father at home, and in Log College, at Neshaminy, receiving a good English and Classical education. He was a young man of unusually bright mind, made rapid progress in his studies, and became proficient in the Latin language, and the sciences as they were understood at that day. His religious expe- rience was very deep and thorough, and his conviction of sin and exposure to the Divine anger reduced him for a time almost to the borders of despair. But he at length found peace and joy from believing in Christ, and doubt- less united with the Neshaminy Church of which his father was Pastor. When he had completed his studies in the ancient languages and theology, he presented him- self before the Presbytery of Philadelphia, by whom he was examined and licensed to preach. Not long after this he visited the congregation in Freehold, New Jersey, which was then without a minister, and having supplied their pulpit several Sabbaths, was urgently invited to take the charge of the church. He was remarkable for his modesty and humble estimate of his own talents and attainments, and did not at once come to the conclusion that he was fitted for that sphere of labor. But when the people assembled and gave him an unanimous call to be
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their Pastor, he felt it to be his duty to go to theni, and trust in the Great Head of the Church for a favorable result to his efforts. The call was made out April 15, 1730, and he was ordained November 19, of the same year. But he was not allowed to labor in the ministry long on earth. Only a few days more than two years elapsed after he was called to the pastorate, before he was taken to his reward in Heaven. The insidious disease, consumption, fastened itself upon his frame, and no remedies availed to restore him to health. He gradually sank under the power of the malady, until the vital spark went out in death ; but he was patient, submissive, and hopeful during all his sickness. A few minutes before he expired, holding his brother William by the hand, he broke out into the fol- lowing rapturous expressions : " Farewell, my brethren ; farewell, father and mother ; farewell, world, with all thy vain delights. Welcome, God and Father; welcome, sweet Lord Jesus; welcome, death ; welcome, eternity ; Amen !" Then with a low voice he said, " Lord Jesus, come, Lord Jesus!" And so he fell asleep in Christ, and obtained an abundant entrance into the everlasting king- dom of his God and Saviour .*
His death took place April 23, 1732, when he was a little more than twenty-four years and a half old, and he was buried in the grave-yard near the church in which he had faithfully preached. He was highly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry and by his own congrega- tion, as an earnest, powerful speaker. It is stated by his brother Gilbert, that "he was endowed by his Creator with a natural quickness of apprehension, copiousness of
* Log College, p. 106.
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fancy, and fluency of expression, which served to qualify him eminently for the office of a preacher." If he had lived to middle age, practice and experience would no doubt have placed him high in the ranks of the clergy of the Presbyterian Church.
Charles Tennent, the fourth son of Rev. Wm. Ten- nent, Sr., was born in Colerain, County of Down, Ire- land, May 3, 1711, and was baptized in infancy by Rev. Richard Donnell. He was five or six years old when he was brought by his parents to this country. He was taught in childhood and youth by his father at home and in Log College, being fifteen years old when that institu- tion was commenced. At what time he finished his pre- paratory studies, and was licensed to preach, we are not informed. But it is quite probable that he may have assisted his father for a time in the school, after he had gone through with the regular course himself. His name first appears among the members of the Synod of Phila- delphia, in its printed Records, in May, 1738, and it is stated that the Presbytery of New Castle reported that he had been ordained since the last meeting of Synod. He was ordained and installed at Whiteclay Creek, in Delaware, probably in 1737, and continued there, it seems, till 1762, as he is recognized as a member of the Presbytery of New Castle until 1763, when he was trans- ferred to the Presbytery of Lewestown; and it was at that time, no doubt, that he removed to Buckingham Church, in Maryland, where he continued until about the period of his death, which took place in the last part of the year 1770, or the beginning of 1771, as at the meet- ing of Synod in May of the latter year, it was reported
-
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that he had died since the previous meeting of Synod. He was then in the 60th year of his age. Less distin- guished than his brothers as a preacher, he is said to have been a good man of moderate abilities. He held the same views in regard to the doctrines of the Gospel and the proper measures for spreading the kingdom of Christ which were maintained by the other members of his father's family ; and when the division in the Synod took place between the "Old Side " and " the New," he em- braced the latter. The Presbytery of New Castle, of which he was for a long time a member, with the Pres- byteries of New York and New Brunswick, formed in 1745 the Synod of New York, which differed from the Synod of Philadelphia in some important points of doctrine and practice. The two Synods were separate until 1758, when they united on the adoption of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, as a common stand- ard of belief. When Mr. Charles Tennent returned to his congregation at Whiteclay Creek, after the meeting in which the re-union was effected, Mrs. Douglass, sister of Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Con- gress, who resided there, and who sympathized strongly · with the "New Side," remonstrated with him for having consented to the measure. "Oh, Mr. Tennent !" said she, " how could you consent to enter into communion with those who so wickedly reviled the glorious work of God's grace in this land ? As for myself, I never can and never will, until they profess repentance for their griev- ous sin in speaking contemptuously of the work of the Holy Spirit."
She kept her word, soon leaving the Presbyterian
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Church and uniting with the Seceders. She was one of the subjects of a powerful revival of religion that attended the labors of Mr. Whitefield at Whiteclay Creek, soon after Mr. Tennent was settled there. The great evan- gelist spent some days at that place, during which a communion season occurred. It was customary then for meetings for preaching to be held four successive days, before and after the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and large multitudes came together on that occasion to hear Mr. Whitefield. Many were awakened, and one of the most deep and wide-spread revivals ever known in that region was enjoyed.
The same year in which Rev. Charles Tennent died, 1770, his son, William Mackey Tennent, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Lewestown. This young man, grandson of Rev. William Tennent, Sr., was afterwards for many years Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Abington, Montgomery Co., Pa., not far from Philadel- phia, and being endowed with a strong and active mind, and having acquired extensive learning, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College. He married Miss Susannah Rodgers, daughter of Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, of New York. Among his relatives in this part of the country were Gen. William T. Rogers, of Doylestown, and Jacob H. Rogers, Esq., of Warring- ton. He died December 2, 1810, and left no children.
The four sons of old Mr. Tennent-Gilbert, William, John, and Charles-were no doubt all members of Nesh- aminy Church. No roll of communicants of so ancient date as the time of their manhood or youth exists, yet all of them, except Gilbert, probably became pious at.
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Neshaminy, and were in regular communion with their father's church. It is not often that a pastor is blessed in seeing so many sons of his own connected with the spiritual flock under his charge, and laboring in the min- istry of reconciliation in after years, imbued with a similar spirit, and under the guidance of the same princi- ples. He must have had, by his piety, learning, and dignity of character, a powerful influence over them, and taken much pains to train to follow his steps.
CHAPTER IV.
ALUMNI OF LOG COLLEGE.
It may be interesting to add to these notices of Mr. Tennent's sons, brief statements concerning other distin- guished men, who were educated at Log College, under his tuition, and who, though not all perhaps members of his church, were in the habit of attending every Sabbath, during their residence at Neshaminy, upon the services of the sanctuary there.
Among them was Rev. Samuel Blair. He was born in Ireland, June 14, 1712, and came to this country when a youth, and was one of the earlier pupils of Mr. Tennent at Log College, being under his care apparently between 1730 and 1735. In the latter year the Presbytery of East
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Jersey reported to the Synod, that they had ordained since the last meeting Mr. Samuel Blair, and that he had subscribed to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms according to " the Adopting Act " previously enjoined by the Synod upon all candidates for ordination or admission from foreign bodies into any of the Presby- teries. He was settled at that time, the last part of 1734 or the beginning of 1735 at Shrewsbury, N. J. He remained there till November, 1739, when he was earnest- ly invited to assume the charge of the church in New Londonderry, Pa. Regarding it as his duty to accept this call, he was formally installed over that people in April, 1740. Almost immediately after his settlement here this congregation was blessed with a powerful revival of religion, in which a large number were awakened and hopefully converted, and the frivolity and carelessness about divine things, which had characterized the place before, gave way to solemnity and deep thought upon the concerns of eternity. He was the first pastor settled there, though the church was established about the year 1730, ten years before his coming among them. In regard to this remarkable work of grace in 1740 he says in a letter he wrote to Rev. Mr. Prince of Boston, and which was published in the "Christian History : "
" Our Sabbath Assemblies soon became vastly large; many people from almost all parts around inclining very much to come, where there was such appearance of the divine power and presence. I think there was scarcely a sermon or lecture preached here through that whole sum- mer, but there were manifest evidences of impressions on the hearers ; and many times the impressions were very
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great and general ; several would be overcome and faint- ing ; others deeply sobbing, hardly able to contain ; others crying in a most dolorous manner ; many others more silently weeping ; and a solemn concern appearing in the countenances of many others. And sometimes the soul- exercises of some (though comparatively but very few), would so far affect their bodies as to occasion some strange, unusual bodily motions." No mention is made of Mr. Whitefield having been in this congregation, and the labors in this spiritual harvest were performed by Mr. Blair and other neighboring Pastors of like spirit.
In New Londonderry, or Fagg's Manor, as it is often called, Mr. Samuel Blair established a school for the education of young men for the ministry, similar to that which Mr. Tennent, founded at Neshaminy; and in it were trained some men who rose to eminence in the Presbyterian Church. "Among these were the Rev. Samuel Davies, the Rev. Alexander Cummings, the Rev. John Rodgers, D. D., the Rev. James Finley, and the Rev: Hugh Henry." *
In the Life of Dr. John Rodgers, by Dr. Miller, it is said that " he (Rodgers) was sent to an academy of high reputation at Fagg's Manor, Chester County, Pa., under the care of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Blair, who was one of the most respectable scholars and divines of his day. He (Mr. Blair) was considered not only as one of the most learned and able, but also as one of the most pious and excellent men that ever adorned the American Church." Dr. Samuel Miller relates, that Dr. Rodgers
* History of Log College, p. 172.
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told him, that "When the Rev. Samuel Davies re- turned from Europe, his friends were curious to learn his opinion of the celebrated preachers whom he had heard in England and Scotland. After dealing out lib- eral commendations on such as he had most admired, he concluded by saying, that he had heard no one who, in his judgment, was superior to his former teacher, Rev. Samuel Blair." The school which Mr. Blair established at Fagg's Manor, like the Log College at Neshaminy, was of a high order, and the pupils were trained in it to great familiarity with the ancient languages, and the doctrines of the Christian faith. They became thorough scholars and sound divines. They had fewer books than students have at the present day, but those they had were mastered. In reading and study they carried out the sentiment of the proverb, "Multum, non multa." Many of them, though not educated at what we should denominate a "College," there being no institutions of exactly that kind within the bounds of the Presbyterian Church at that period, yet possessed extensive learning and commanding eloquence. Rev. Samuel Davies, who was educated at Mr. Blair's school, was licensed to preach in 1745, soon after which he travelled in Virginia, where he became Pastor of a church, and was highly esteemed and successful. "In 1753 he was chosen by the Synod of New York, at the solicitation of the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, to accompany the Rev. Gilbert Tennent on a mission to Great Britain and Ireland, to solicit benefactions for that College. In 1759 he was elected to succeed Jonathan Edwards in the Presidency of the same Institution. In this station he remained but
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eighteen months, being removed by death in January, 1761, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. The genius, taste, learning, and eminent piety of President Davies are widely known."* This eminent man retained the highest respect and reverence for his early preceptor, Mr. Blair, to the day of his death, and when he heard of the decease of one whom he so highly valued, he com- posed an elegy of considerable length to his memory; from which may be quoted the following lines :
" Blair is no more ;- then this poor world has lost As rich a jewel as her stores could boast ; Heaven in just vengeance has recalled again Its faithful envoy from the sons of men ; Advanced him from his pious toils below, In raptures there, in kindred plains to glow. Surviving remnant of the sacred tribe, Who knew the worth these plaintive lays describe ; Tennents, three worthies of immortal fame, Brethren by office, birth, in heart, and name ; Finley, who full enjoyed the unbosomed friend, Rodgers, whose soul he like his own refined, When all attention, eager to admit The flowing knowledge, at his reverend feet Raptured we sat; and thou above the rest, ¿ Brother and image of the dear deceased, Surviving Blair, Oh ! let spontaneous flow, The floods of tributary grief you owe.
Now in the sacred desk I see him rise, And well he acts the herald of the skies.
* Miller's Life of Dr. Rodgers.
¿ Rev. John Blair.
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Graceful solemnity and striking awe Sit in his looks, and deep attention draw. Unthinking crowds grow solemn as they gaze And read his awful message in his face."
Mr. Samuel Blair died and was buried at Londonderry, when he was a little more than than thirty-nine years of age. Though he did not live to be old, yet he made a deep and salutary impression upon his own and succeed- ing generations, and gained a wide reputation for excel- lence of character, learning, and eloquence. The following inscription is found upon the monument at his grave :
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