USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 33
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At a meeting of Hanover Presbytery at Hanover meeting-house, April 9th, 1803, present Rev. Messrs. John D. Blair, Drury Lacy, and James Robinson ; Elders, John 'Parker and Andrew Hart; a . record was made -"Whereas, it was represented by one of the members present, that Mr. John H. Rice, a tutor in Hampden Sidney College, was desirous of coming under the care of this Pres- bytery as a candidate for the ministry, and that subjects had been
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MR. RICE LICENSED.
assigned him by Mr. Alexander, as pieces of trial, which he had intended to have produced at this time, but was prevented by sick- ness ; on motion, resolved, that Messrs. M'Robert, Lacy, Alexander, and Lyle, and also Messrs. James Allen, Nathaniel Price, and James Morton, Elders, and any other members of Presbytery, who may find it convenient to attend, be a Committee to receive Mr. Rice as a candidate if they deem it advisable, and to examine such pieces of trial as he may produce." This Committee met, with the exception of Mr. Price, on the 29th of July, at Hampden Sidney, and "examined Mr. John H. Rice on his experimental acquaintance with religion, and respecting his motives for desiring to preach the gospel, on which they received competent satisfaction; that Mr. Rice then proceeded to read an essay on the question - "are the miracles of Christ of themselves sufficient to prove the truth of the Christian religion ;" and also a lecture on Romans 8 : 1 - 4 inclusive, which pieces of trial were sustained. They appointed him to write a discourse on Acts 10 : 34, 35, and also on John 5: 40, as the subject of a popular sermon, to be preached as soon as convenient." On Friday, Sept. 9th, 1803, at the Cove meeting-house, Albemarle, one of the preaching places of James Robinson, "Mr. John H. Rice preached a sermon on John 5: 40, the subject which had been appointed by the Committee, which having been considered was sustained. Mr. Rice then read an exercise on Acts 10: 34, 35, which had also been appointed by the Committee, which was sus- tained as part of trial." On Monday, the 12th, Mr. Rice was licensed according to the forms of the Presbyterian Church; the Rev. James Robinson performing the services of the occasion. .
Mr. Alexander gave himself to the spiritual welfare of the church, as well as to the progress of literature in the College; in fact the progress of science and literature had charms for him, mostly as they might in their diffusion advance the cause of truth and upright- ness. The Assembly of 1801, that sent Mr. Alexander a delegate to New England, also gave him a commission to visit Georgia as a missionary. This he could never find time to fulfil. It also enjoined the Presbyteries to collect information on the five following subjects, for the use of the Assembly. 1st, The Indian tribes among them, or on their borders, and their readiness for instruction. 2d, The frontier settlements, and the facilities for missionary operations, and the circulation of religious books. 3d, The interior districts that are destitute of the means of grace, and the facilities for sup- ply. 4th, The colored race, and the opportunities for instruction. 5th, Proper persons for missionaries in any of these departments. All these things had been claiming the attention of the Virginia Synod, and were in part supplied by her Commission. In October, 1802, Messrs. Waddell, Alexander, and Calhoon were appointed to collect the required information. The Virginia Synod having been divided in the Spring of 1802, and the Synods of Kentucky and Pittsburgh taken from her bounds, her relative position was changed, and she began to change her method of procedure. , The
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OLD RECORDS FOUND.
Presbyteries also felt the necessity of a modification of their actions. Search was made by this Committee for the old records of the Presbytery, to direct them in their course. Some of the volumes could no where be found. The Committee answered the demands of the Assembly on the five heads of information to the best of their knowledge ; and the paper with others was committed to Dr. Green and Mr. Hazard, to prepare a history.
The Presbytery at Hampden Sidney, April 7th, 1804-"Having received information that the minutes of the old Hanover Presby- tery were recovered, and were in the possession of the Rev. Archi- bald Alexander; ordered, that they be deposited in the hands of the Stated Clerk for safe keeping, and that he transcribe, or procure to be transcribed such parts of them as need it, in order to their pre- servation, and present his account for this service to the Presbytery when it is completed." In September, Mr. Lacy, the Clerk, reported that he had performed the duty, and presented a quarto volume of beautiful penmanship. The Presbytery agreed to allow him thirty dollars for the work. The Presbytery then were in possession of two copies of all their records that could be procured, from the for- mation of the Presbytery, in 1756, to the division in 1786, one copy just made by their Stated Clerk, in one volume; and the other in a number of small volumes, by different Stated Clerks, the covers of some of the volumes being of parchment or leather, the others of frailer material. Of some of the sessions the minutes were irre- trievably lost. By a previous order of Presbytery, Mr. Lacy, the Clerk, had procured a thick quarto volume of durable materials in which he had transcribed, in an engrossing hand, the records of the Presbytery from its division, 1786, down to the current time. So that, in 1804, the Presbytery had two copies of records made out by her Stated Clerks, one in two volumes, and the other in six. But for these records thus preserved, a correct account of Hanover Presbytery and its ministers could never have been procured.
"A call from Cub Creek congregation addressed to Mr. John H. Rice for three-fourths of his time, was read and presented to him." April 6th, 1804, at a meeting of the Presbytery, at the College - " But Mr. Rice informed the Presbytery that he did not wish to give a decisive answer to the call at present, but was willing to take it under consideration." On the next day, he declared his accept- ance; "and it appears proper that he should be ordained at our next meeting." Gen. 3: 4, "And the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die," was appointed him as the subject of a trial sermon. Mr. Alexander was appointed to preach an ordination sermon, and Mr. Lacy to preside and give the charge. . Mr. Rice resigned his office as tutor, and removed to Charlotte, fixing his residence on a farm about six miles from the Court-House. The Presbytery met at Cub Creek on the 28th of September, and con- sisted of Messrs. Alexander, M'Robert, Lacy, and Lyle, with Elders Major Morton, from Cumberland congregation, Captain Mask Leak, from the Cove, and Colonel William Morton, from Cub Creek.
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REV. JAMES TOMPKINS.
After approving the trial sermon of Mr. Rice, the Presbytery pro- ceeded to his ordination on Saturday, the 29th. Mr. Alexander preached from Acts 20: 28, " Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over whom the Holy Ghost hath made you over- seers, to feed the Church of God which he has purchased with his own blood." Mr. Lacy delivered the charge; and Mr. Rice, who had held to the Presbytery the relation of Ruling Elder, candidate for the ministry and licentiate, now took his seat. as an ordained minister.
Mr. James Tompkins, a Baptist minister, was present at the meet- ing in Bedford, to promote Christian Union, and after a time applied for admission to Hanover Presbytery. The committee that were charged with the examination of Mr. Rice, were directed to consider this application, which had been before a called meeting, in Bedford, in February, and the regular Spring meeting in Hanover. The com-' mittee met at Bannister Meeting-House in June, and considered the application, and inquired into some reports implicating the character of Mr. Tompkins, by impeaching his motives for desiring a change of denominations. At their meeting in July, at the college, the com- mittee decided favorably in case of Mr. Rice and Mr. Tompkins, and so reported to the meeting of Presbytery in the fall. After Mr. Rice was licensed, Mr. Tompkins " was received under the care of this Presbytery as a preacher of the gospel-and exercises of trial were appointed unto him. And as this is a new and important case- resolved further, that the following question be brought before Synod at their next meeting, by way of overture. A regularly ordained minister of the Baptist Church applies to a Presbytery to be received as a minister of the gospel in connexion with them ; is his ordination to be considered as valid ?" On the third day of the sessions of Synod, Oct. 15th, at the college, the question was considered, and was unanimously decided in the affirmative. The day before Mr. Rice was ordained, Mr. Tompkins " delivered a discourse on 1st John 2d, 2d. The subject assigned him in Sept. 1803, which the Presby- tery sustained as satisfactory. The Rev. James Mitchel came in- his reasons for not coming sooner, and also for non-attendance at our last meeting were sustained. Mr. Tompkins then read an essay on the following question-Wherein consisted the punishment of Adam's transgression, and in what manner was it inflicted. The Presby- tery having received competent satisfaction with respect to Mr. James Tompkins, of his abilities to preach the gospel, and of his soundness. in the faith, agreed to receive him as a member in full standing." Mr. Tompkins was an acceptable preacher, and an useful minister of Christ. His race was short. On the 20th of July, 1806, he entered on his everlasting rest.
The Second Step by Hanover Presbytery for a Theological Seminary.
An overture brought into the Assembly of the Church in 1805, by Dr. Green, was approved, and sent to the Presbyteries, enjoining them-" to look out among themselves, pious youth of promising
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SECOND STEP FOR A SEMINARY.
talents, and endeavor to educate them, and bring them forward into the ministry ; that it be made a Presbyterial business, that the youth are to be conducted by the Presbyteries through the whole of their academical course, and theological studies, and at such schools, and under such teachers as each Presbytery may choose to employ or recommend." The Hanover Presbytery took up the overture, April 4th, 1806, at Briery. The Synod of Virginia, many years before, had proposed these schools in her bounds, to carry into effect a similar proposal, one in Redstone Presbytery, one in Transylvania, and one in Lexington. Hanover Presbytery had taken it up, and in the year 1797 had commenced her charitable fund, the first step towards a Seminary. Something more was wanted to make the pro- ject effective. Therefore-" Resolved, that the Rev. Messrs. Alex- ander, Lyle, Rice and Speece, together with Messrs. James Morton, Robert Quarles, and James Daniel be a committee, of whom any four shall be a quorum, to solicit donations, and do all other things which may to them appear expedient for obtaining and establishing a Theological Library and School at Hampden Sidney College'; and for the support of such poor and pious youth as the Presbytery may undertake to educate and bring forward to the Holy Ministry." Mr. Rice, a member of the Assembly, was on the committee of bills and overtures, that reported the overture .of Dr. Green; and was appointed by this committee of Hanover Presbytery an agent to gather funds for a library, and the school, and the education pur- poses. This was another step towards Union Theological Seminary. The address of the committee to the public is worthy of preservation, setting forth the fundamental principles of theological schools.
The person to whom the Presbytery turned their eyes as the man to direct the use of the intended library, and preside in the school when organized, appears not to have made any such calculation about himself. In a letter to Mr. Maxwell, Dr. Alexander says, speaking of Mr. Rice -"Our excellent friend was not a systematic student in his theological studies ; and although you seem disposed to give me the credit of having been his preceptor in this sacred science, yet candor induces me to say, that I have a very slight claim to the honor. I never considered myself his teacher, in this or any other department of knowledge. I was rather his com- panion in study ; but was ever ready to communicate to others the facts of my own reading. I was about a half a dozen years older than he, and had been about that time in the ministry, when I first knew him ; but then the idea of teaching theology to any one was far from my thoughts. I do remember, however, that at his earnest request, I prescribed a course of reading in theology; and the im- pression of the fact was rendered indelible in my mind, by an inci- dent of a somewhat remarkable kind, which I will relate. Among the books to be perused was Dr. Samuel Clarke's Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God. The effect which the reading of this able work had on his mind I can never forget. It plunged him into the abyss of scepticism. It drove him almost to distraction.
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RESIGNATION OF MR. ALEXANDER.
I never contemplated a powerful mind in such a state of desolation. For a day or two his perturbation was overwhelming and alarming. But in a few days, effectual relief was obtained; but in what par- ticular way, I am, at this distance of time unable to state, except that the difficulties which he experienced were not overcome by reasoning, or any human means; but by the grace of God through prayer. I do not pretend to explain how the perusal of this work of profound argumeut should have produced such an effect. I merely note an interesting fact, from which every reader may draw his own conclusions. ' It is now my impression that this occurrence interrupted the theological studies of our deceased friend.
" His discourses when he first engaged in public preaching, were principally argumentative, and especially directed to the demonstra- tion of the truths of the Christian religion, and its vindication from the objections of infidels. He was naturally led into this strain of preaching, by the prevalence of deistical opinions in that country for several years preceding. His sermons therefore were not at first suited to the taste, nor adapted to the edification of the com- mon people; but they were calculated to raise his reputation as a man of learning and abilities, with men of information and discern- ment." There was a change in his style of preaching; in a few years he became a favorite with the colored people.
The records of College give evidence of disturbances, and ten- dencies to disorder among the students, to a greater degree during the second presidency of Mr. Alexander than the first. Domestic discipline had relaxed, and many things were considered by parents and guardians as admissible, that, in previous years, had been in- tolerable. The number of students from a distance increased; and they brought their insubordination along with them. College duties were severe, and Mr. Alexander longed for the ministry of the word. There were congregations that would sustain a preacher ; for one of these Mr. Alexander began to have strong desires. His health was enfeebled by his great exertions as preacher and teacher; and his opportunities for study were lessening. In this condition of things, Pine street Church in Philadelphia sent him an invitation. He immediately made them a visit; and being pleased with the prospect, he accepted their proposition and prepared for a removal. A called meeting of Presbytery was held at the College, November 13th 1806, and the call for Mr. Alexander came under considera- tion. The churches with which he was connected yielded to his wish to. remove, and made no objection to the call. He was there- fore transferred to the Presbytery of Philadelphia. At least three ministers mourned his departure; and the hearts of many laymen were sad. But in the removal he was evidently blessed of God.
- On receiving Mr. Alexander's resignation, the Trustees appointed Mr. Wm. S. Keid, then teaching in College, to take charge of the classes for a season ; and gave him as tutors Mr. Andrew Shannon, Mr. Thomas Lumpkin and Mr. James C. Willson ; all of whom afterwards became ministers of the gospel.
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REV. GEORGE A. BAXTER, D. D.
CHAPTER XXII ..
GEORGE A. BAXTER, D. D. - THE AWAKENING AT THE COMMENCE- MENT OF THE 19TH CENTURY.
AT the commencement of the nineteenth century, the Synod of Virginia consisted of the Presbyterian ministers and churches in the States of Virginia and Kentucky, then a part of Virginia, and Penn- sylvania west of the Allegheny Mountains ; and was the theatre of one of those great religious movements which convulse society, and leave their impress for generations. ' It commenced in Kentucky, and spread northward, eastward, and southward, following the track of the pioneers of the forest first, and then seeking beyond the mountains the homes they had left. Its character, like the beautiful country in which it commenced, and the people that were the sub- jects, was unlike in many of its externals to any awakening, of which the church, in her numerous histories, has any record. In Kentucky the excitement was greatest; and the good and the evil interwoven, most prominent and enduring. It has formed the theme of history already, and will claim for ever a chapter in the history of that State. In North Carolina, the consequences, full of blessings to the Church and State, were abundant, and will form a part of her record for ever. West Pennsylvania has many monu- ments to tell of the excellencies of that great religious movement which made all things, like this beautiful country, new.
In 1802, the Synod of Virginia was divided, and from her bounds were constituted three Synods, that of Virginia confined to the State, Kentucky, and Pittsburg embracing West Pennsylvania. In each of these Synods the work of God had progressed, moulded in its externals by the varying condition of the population. Sin is the same in its nature and attributes everywhere, and in all time ; the love of God is as pure and unchanging as its source; and the grace of Christ as purifying and transforming as at the day of Pentecost. But the manner the great truths of the gospel shall stir the passions, alike in all time in the great principle, will in circum- stantials show a 'striking variety, like the color and forms of the race.
The Synod of Virginia after this great curtailment of her bound- aries and churches, numbered on her list of laborers twenty-seven ordained ministers and five licentiates. In the, bounds of the two llanovers, were James Waddell, William Irvin, and Archibald M'Roberts, without a pastoral charge; James Mitchel and James Turner, in Bedford ; John D. Blair occupying Hanover and Henrico; Drury Lacy, Cumberland; Matthew Lyle, Buffalo and Briery; James Robinson, Rockfish and Cove; William Calhoon, Albemarle; and Archibald Alexander at the head of Hampden Sidney College. In the Presbytery of Lexington, then containing Montgomery and Greenbrier were, Benjamin Erwin, without charge; William Wilson,
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DR. BAXTER'S LETTER.
Augusta church ; John McCue, Tinkling Spring ; Samuel Houston, Falling Spring and High Bridge; Benjamin Grigsby, Lewisburg and Concord; Samuel Brown, New Providence; Robert Wilson, Windy Cove, Little Spring, and Rocky Spring; Robert Logan, without charge ; and George A. Baxter, New Monmouth and Lex- ington, and head of Liberty Hall, or Washington Academy, with John Glendy, a probationer from Ireland, supplying Staunton, Bethel, and Brown's meeting-house. In the Presbytery of Win- chester, were Amos Thompson, without charge ; Moses Hoge, Shep- herdstown ; Nash Legrand, Cedar Creek and Opecquon ; William Hill, Winchester ; William Williamson, South River and Flint Run ; John Lyle, Romney, Springfield, and. Frankfort; Joseph Glass, Gerardstown and Back Creek. The licentiates were, Daniel Blain, William McPheeters, John Todd, John Mines, and John Chavis, a colored man. These thirty-two Presbyterian ministers scattered over the large State of Virginia, felt their hearts moved at the reports brought in from Kentucky. Most of them had friends, and many of them relatives, in the midst of the excitement. Mr. Baxter made a tour through Kentucky in the year 1801, observing carefully the circumstances of the religious meetings, and, like a true philoso- pher, gathering facts for his future consideration, without any pre- viously formed theory. On his return, he wrote to his friend Archi- bald Alexander, of Hampden Sidney College, the result of his observations.
To the Rev. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER.
WASHINGTON ACADEMY, Jan. 1st, 1802.
REV. AND DEAR SIR - I now sit down agreeably to promise, to give you some account of the revival of religion in the State of - Kentucky ; you have, no doubt, heard already of the Green River, and Cumberland revivals. I will just observe, that last summer is the fourth since the revival commenced in those' places ; and that it has been more remarkable than any of the preceding, not only for lively and fervent devotion among Christians, but also for awakenings and conversions among the careless ; and it is worthy of notice that very few instances of apostasy have hitherto appeared. As I was not myself in the Cumberland country, all I can say about it is from the testimony of others; but I was uniformly told by those who had been there, that their religious assemblies were more solemn, and the appearance of the work much greater than what. had been in Kentucky; any enthusiastic symptoms which might at first have attended the revival, had greatly subsided, whilst the serious concern and engagedness of the people were visibly in- creased.
In the older settlements of Kentucky the revival made its first appearance among the Presbyterians last spring. The whole of that country about a year before was remarkable for vice and dissipation ; and I have been credibly informed that a decided majority of the
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GREAT REVIVAL IN KENTUCKY.
people were professed infidels. During the last winter appearances were favorable among the Baptists, and great numbers were added to their churches. Early in the spring the. ministrations of the Presbyterian clergy began to be better attended than they had been for many years before. Their worshipping assemblies became more solemn, and the people, after they were dismissed, showed a strange reluctance at leaving the place ; they generally continued some time in the meeting-house, in singing or in religious conversation. Per- haps about the last of May or the first of June the awakenings became general in some congregations, and spread through the country in every direction with amazing rapidity. I left that country about the first of November, at which time this revival, in connexion with the one on Cumberland, had, covered the whole State, excepting a small settlement which borders on the waters of - Green river, in which no Presbyterian ministers are settled, and I believe very few of any denomination. The power with which this revival has spread, and its influence in moralizing the people, are difficult for you to conceive of, and more difficult for me to describe. I had heard many accounts and seen many letters respecting it before I went to that country ; but my expectations, though greatly raised, were much below the reality of the work. The congre- gations, when engaged in worship, presented scenes of solemnity superior to what I had ever seen before; and in private houses it was no uncommon thing to hear parents relate to strangers the won- derful things which God had done in their neighborhoods, whilst a large circle of young people would be in tears.
On my way to Kentucky, I was told by settlers on the road, that the character of Kentucky travellers was entirely changed, and that they were now as distinguished for sobriety as they had formerly been for dissoluteness ; and indeed, I found Kentucky the most moral place I had ever been in; a profane expression was hardly heard ; a religious awe seemed to pervade the country ; and some deistical' characters had confessed that from whatever cause the revival might originate, it certainly made the people better. Its influence was not less visible in promoting a friendly temper ; nothing could appear more amiable than that undissembled benevo- lence which governs the subjects of this work. I have often wished that the mere politician or deist could observe with impartiality their peaceful and amicable spirit. He would certainly see that nothing could equal the religion of Jesus, for promoting even the temporal happiness of society. Some neighborhoods visited by the revival had been formerly notorious for private animosities, and many petty law-suits had commenced on that ground. When the parties in these quarrels were impressed with religion, the first thing was to send for their antagonists ; and it was often very affecting to see their meeting. Both had seen their faults, and both contended that they ought to make concessions, till at last they were obliged to request each to forbear all mention of the past, and to act as friends and brothers for the future. Now, sir, let modern philoso-
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