USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 38
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Mr. Hill encouraged his congregation to take part in elevating his Alma Mater, under the auspices of Dr. Hoge, and to assist Dr. Rice in founding the Union Theological Seminary, whose interests, as director, he carefully watched over for years. In the American Bible Society and its auxiliary, or rather one of its forming bodies, the Frederick County Bible Society, the Colonization Society, the Tract Society, and the Foreign Missionary Society, he took an active part, being familiar with them from the beginning, and aiding in their formation. In the education of young men for the ministry, he was forward of most men of his day. The example of his early patroness, Mrs. Read, afterwards Legrand, the wife and widow of two of his early friends, was always before him; and the memory of the benevolent efforts of his beloved instructor, Smith, in lead- ing young men into the ministry, was always exciting him ; and the calls for ministerial services, that came upon him from every side, urged him on, and he sought out proper persons to be educated for the ministry : and if they were poor, he gathered funds for their support. Many are dead, and many are living, whose progress to the ministry was aided by his counsels and his purse.
Mr. Hill was never fond of close logical discussion of doctrines in the pulpit, unless it were in relation to the Divinity and advocacy of Christ. And, even about these, he thought the plain, full an- nouncement, with illustrations, sufficient. He declined to press very far, or very frequently, the doctrines of election, and the imputa- tion of Adam's sin and of Christ's righteousness. He thought that the subjects of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and repentance towards God, urged in gospel terms, and with illustrations, together with the promises and warnings to promote holy living, were better calculated to do good than the stronger and more abstruse doctrines of the Bible. He believed the sinner's call is from God -- that God's spirit gives life to the sinner's soul in a way not explained in Scripture ; but truly the spirit acts : -- that God had multitudes of agents to influence men, but the giving spiritual life was his own work. He saw, he felt, he deplored, the deep depravity of the
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human heart; and had no hope that it could be purified but by the spirit of God and the blood of Christ.
One intimate with his family in the summer of 1818, thus de- scribes him when in the height of his influence and the full tide of domestic enjoyments. "Mr. Hill excited my admiration, and Mrs. Hill my love. He had the most fire and ardor by constitution, she the most perseverance. He possessed the keenest sagacity, she the most common sense; he the most discernment, she the most pru- dence ; he had the best knowledge of human nature, she made the best use of what she had; his piety was most striking, hers the most constant; his zeal like a flame sometimes raging, sometimes dying away, hers like the steady flame on the altar of the taber- nacle. In the family both were in their peculiar way charming; in conversation he was very spirited, often provoking a smile and laughter, quick in repartee and full of anecdote, she gentle, cheer- ful, sociable, and winning in her manners. It seemed impossible to live with them and not love them.
"Mr. Hill preached without notes. His words might be printed, but his tones could not. However good his sermon in the delivery, it would appear less impressive in print. He stormed the soul through the passions, and overawed the judgment by the force of his appeals. He never excelled in argument made up of a long train of consecutive particulars. His arguments were short and rapid. His views of things were vivid, though sometimes not distinct; his gush of feeling overwhelming, though not always entirely free from modifying circumstances. When awaked by some important sub- ject, by some powerful impulsive circumstance, he was irresistible in his address ; and however divided the audience might be at first, there was likely to be but one sentiment in the conclusion. In public bodies and in private circles, by his powerful appeals to the strong passions, by his wit and humor, by his confident and some- times his persuasively yielding manner, Mr. Hill would make his hearers feel that what was uttered by him was the voice of their own heart and judgment, perhaps in sweeter terms than they had ever before heard. Sometimes he would bear down, with that un- expected force of manner, and voice, and sentiment, that would sweep away doubts and arguments ; and confound and alarm by his impetuosity, and the vividness of his caricature. The hearer would seem to himself to have got new views of the subject, and be ashamed to express anything to the contrary. "
" Hr. Hill's influence this summer was at its height ; and its extent can hardly be measured. It reached every congregation in Presby- tery, every minister, and multitudes of persons scattered over the State; and in Synod his influence was not small." At this time Mr. Hill enjoyed as much domestic happiness as falls to the lot of mortals. He had reared two daughters, a son and perhaps a daughter had passed away in infancy. The two daughters were reproductions of their parents, the one with the characteristics of the father, and the other of the mother. One was married and lived in Winchester ;
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the other remained at home. . A large circle of acquaintances fully believed that the almost doting fondness of the parents for that daughter was not misplaced. In the bloom and beauty of maiden- hood, her cheerful spirit was refined by the deep sense of religion she cherished, from the time of the revival, under the teaching of Mr. Baker. Her winning manners more surely captivating by the perceptible cast of sedateness her religion wrought into her bearing ; and her cheerful simplicity found its way to the strong hold of the affections. The parents rejoiced in their child, their earthly treasure, the gift of God, the hopeful child of Christ."
" They all sang with spirit; Mr. Hill with the silver trumpet's voice, and Mrs. Hill and Elizabeth with sweetness and tenderness. Newton's Hymns were sometimes sung, in that domestic circle, in tones and manner to have delighted that old saint himself. The social worship of morning and evening was one of the exquisite charms of the family. The hymn -"Jesus, let thy pitying eye call back a wandering sheep," sung by the three, in the twilight of a summer's evening, opened the fountain of tears in the distressed heart of one that now lives and preaches the gospel of Christ."
CHAPTER XXVII.
JOHN H. RICE, D. D. - HIS RESIDENCE IN RICHMOND.
MR. RICE removed from Charlotte to the capital of the State in May, 1812. Richmond was then in the transition state, passing from the village-like separation of its parts to the compactness of a city. Shockoe hill was slowly descending, and Rockets coming up, to meet at the market. Main street was seeking the removal of the precipitous bank, that limited her extension beyond where the American House now stands. Council Chamber hill was condemned to be dissevered; and the ravines and small pines on Capitol hill, and the famous "frog pond" on Shockoe were seeing their last days. Trade and traffic were carried on at Rockets, around the market, and between the Dock and the Basin, then in a state of formation.
The merchants and shipmasters and mechanics lived in and around the places of business ; and around them that mixed com- pany that assembles at places of trade. The law, and politics, and fashion, and wealth, were seated on the eminences overlooking the river, circling round from Gamble's hill, along Shochoe, Council Chamber and Church, to Richmond hill, that once aspired to be the site of the city. Manchester, on the hills, on the southern side of the river, in trade, and wealth, and enterprise, rivalled the city on the northern banks, with expectation to form an essential part of the great emporium around the falls. Richmond had become the
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capital of the State simply from the advantage of her position. At the time of the selection, many villages along the rivers, below the head of tide water, now in ruins, were her superior in traffic. Wealth and fashion followed politics, and clustered around the new capital, as they had done, from the infancy of the Ancient Dominion, at Williamsburg ; and the trade of the country, following the cur- rent of feeling, forsook the ancient marts and seated itself at the falls of the James. The enterprise of the merchant, foremost in laying the foundation of cities, came here last, and dug away the hills. filled the ravines, paved the streets, bridged the waters ; and finally, stretching out into the plains and building princely palaces beyond the hills, encircled the fashion and splendor of the Old Do- minion, and made the city one in refinement and enterprise. The residences of merchants and shipmasters in 1812, became, in forty years, the warehouses of the increasing city.
Some of these enterprising men had been trained religiously in Ireland and Scotland, and some had grown up under the successors of Davies. In their early engagements in Richmond, in the strife for competence and for wealth, the obligations and blessings of the gospel were in a measure forgotten. With prosperity in business, however, the thoughts of other days and other things came up in sad remembrance. The claims of religion, never denied, were now acknowledged, and men began to think of preparation for a better world. The thoughts of many hearts slowly found expression ; and men that could not frame their words to say to their neighbors - " Unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God," could yet say, we ought to have a place of public worship, and a regular minister of the gospel near our families and in the midst of our business.
The Synod of Virginia, from time to time, sent missionaries to the scattered Presbyterian families in the counties near the city, and these sometimes visited the city and preached. The Rev. John D. Blair, nephew of the famous Samuel Blair, of Fogg's Manor, was pastor of the church in Hanover, and residing on Shockoe hill, preached once in two weeks in the capitol, and sustained himself by teaching a classical school. Mr. Buchannan, an Episcopal clergy- man, occupied the capital the other Sabbaths in alternation. Those on the hills, inclined to Presbyterianism or Episcopacy, attended worship under the ministrations of these two gentlemen. There was no Presbyterian church building in the city, and the Episcopal church on Richmond hill was seldom occupied. The audiences at the capitol were not large ; few came up from the business parts of the city ; the fashion and the trade had not begun to go to the house of God together.
The Rev. Drury Lacy, on a visit to the city of a few days, made a deep impression by his powerful sermons. His heart was moved in him, like Paul's at Athens. The people asked for a minister, and Mr. Lacy directed their attention to Mr. Rice. In 1811, Jesse H. Turner, a missionary of Synod, son of James Turner, of Bedford,
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preached in the city about three months, with great acceptation. The people in Petersburg, in a similar condition with those in the business part of Richmond, were greatly interested in a son of Mr. Graham, of Lexington, and mourned his early death. Clement Read and his son-in-law, Charles Kennon, had made circuits through the counties of Lunenberg, Amelia, Nottaway, Dinwiddie, and Brunswick, preaching the gospel with great effect.' There was a call for Presbyterian ministers from Petersburg to the Roanoke, and from Richmond to the Blue Ridge.
While negotiations were in progress to procure the removal of Mr. Rice to Richmond, an event occurred, on the night of the 26th of December, 1811, that thrilled all hearts in the land with unut- terable sympathy - the burning of the theatre in Richmond, with the sudden destruction of much of the loveliness and intelligence of the land. The families seated on the hills were a polished, refined, sociable, pleasure-loving community, gathered from the different counties, because, from time immemorial, the wealth, and fashion, and beauty of Virginia had assembled at the capital, particularly at the time of the sessions of the General Assembly. The theatre was one, and but one, of their occasional enjoyments, and not the one of the highest refinement. An old-fashioned Virginia dining party, select in its company, unlimited in its elegant preparations, was unbounded in its refined indulgence of the appetite, and the delicate attentions of social intercourse. Here was the display of taste in dress, elegance in manners, powers of conversation, and every accomplishment that adorns society. The theatre was a promis- cuous gathering for a few hours, less attractive than the dining or dancing party, but one of the round of pleasures that occupied the time of the fashionable and the wealthy. It did not control society ; it was one of the luxuries of the season, that gave variety to the succession of pleasures.
On that fatal night, the benefit of an admired actor enlisted the feelings of the community. Mr. Smith Governor of the State, Venable president of the Bank of Virginia, Botts an eminent law- yer, members of the Assembly, matronly ladies, fascinating belles, blooming girls, officers of the army and navy, men and youth from the city and the country, were collected in one splendid group, such as a theatre seldom sees. Alas, that such a gathering should be for death ! a most terrible death ! An order was given about the light. The boy that held the strings objected-"that it would set the scenery on fire." The order was repeated. The boy obeyed. And immediately the theatre was in flames. From that moment every occurrence that can be gathered from the recollection of the frantic beholders, and the bewildered memories of those rescued from the flames, forms a part of the great drama of one act, ending so speedily in the immolation of seventy-two individuals, the flower of Richmond and the State. What a morning dawned on the 27th of December ! Families knew sadly their bereavement, but in the mass of human cinders could not distinguish their dead. Of necessity there was a 21
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common burial. The mourning was universal. Fortuity was denied. God's providence was acknowledged in the concurrence of circum- stances preceding the catastrophe.
The gallantry, and heroism, and blind fatality of that suffering night have never been surpassed. And never perhaps has the sudden de- struction of men, women, and children, in one overwhelming ruin, - produced a greater moral effect. All classes of community bowed down before the Lord. Christians were moved to efforts of kindness and love, that the gospel might be preached abundantly in Richmond. In the vigorous exertions made for the spiritual welfare of this busy, pleasure-loving, but now serious city, all Christian denominations took a part. The voice of God was sounding loud,-" Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, and call ye upon him while he is near," -and the people were answering-" Thy face, Lord, will we seek," The city had been thoughtless, and without God, but in her pleasure and her trade she had not become degraded.
Of this event, Mr. Rice writes to Mr. Judith Randolph, Jan. 1st, "I heard the melancholy event Sabbath, just as I was going into the Court-House to preach. It made such an impression on my mind that I could not resist the impulse to lay aside the text on which I intended to preach, and to deliver an extempore discourse, from Isaiah 40th, and 6th,-' And the voice said, Cry. And he said, what shall I cry ? All flesh is grass.' Happy would it be for us could we constantly realize this, and live as if every year and every day were to be our last."
Again, on the 17th, to the same-" You will be surprised to hear that Mr. Lyle and I expect to have the pleasure of taking breakfast with you next Tuesday morning, on our way to Richmond. Some of my friends there have so earnestly solicited me to go down since the late awful visitation of Providence on that place, that I had not the heart to refuse, I am most anxious that so much distress should not be suffered in vain. If my friends there think that my poor labors will probably be useful in this way, ought I not to go at their call, and depend on the promised aid of the Spirit ? I will mention to you in confidence, that the people of Richmond, who had applied to me to remove to that place, persevere in their application, and are resolved to carry their request to Presbytery ; and I have informed them that, if the Presbytery should advise my removal, that I will go."
A call was handed in to Presbytery at Red Oak, Brunswick, March 13, 1812. Mr. Rice earnestly desired the opinion of the brethren on his removal. The Presbytery declined giving any advice, and left Mr. Rice to choose between his position in Charlotte and a residence in Richmond. On the next day he declared his accept- ance ; and the pastoral relation with the church of Cub Creek was dissolved. On the 4th Sabbath of April he preached his farewell se pon to his friends in Charlotte, from the words of Paul, Acts 20th, 23d-" And now, Brethren, I commend you to God, and the word of his grace." As he left the pulpit, the congregation crowded
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MR. RICE GOES TO RICHMOND.
round him weeping. The colored people waited for him at the door, bathed his hands in tears, and with many exclamations of attachment and sorrow, bid him farewell. Some followed him along the road, unwilling to take their eyes from their preacher, though departing.
On Friday before the 2d Sabbath of May, he reached Richmond, and was entertained by Mr. Wm. S. Smith, at Olney. On Sabbath he preached in the Masons' Hall, from-"And I am sure that when I come unto you I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." To his friend, Dr. Alexander, of Princeton, he writes, on the 14th of the month-" You will perceive, by the date of this letter, that I have changed my place of residence. We arrived here on Friday last, I mean to continue here till Providence directs our removal to some other place. The breaking up in Charlotte was a very severe trial, neither the people nor I knew, until parting time came, how much we loved one another. We parted in the warmest friendship; and I hope that the affection of my dear people, for so I must call them, for me will continue, as I am sure that mine will for them. I was received very cordially by the people, and preached twice last Sabbath to a very large audience. The people generally were very attentive, and not a few considerably affected. I was surprised to observe the very great numbers who attend church in this place. Every house of worship was crowded; and I was told that not less than five hundred went away from the Masons' Hall, where I preached, unable to find seats. I have proposed to several to establish a Christian library in the city. The proposition meets with much acceptance, and I hope to be able to tell you, in my next, how many subscribers we shall probably obtain. If this plan suc- ceeds, my next effort will be to establish a Bible Society. Of. the success of such an undertaking I am not able to form the least con- jecture ; but I am adopting some measures to ascertain the extent of the want of Bibles here, which I fear is exceedingly great, con- sidering the population.
"The spirit of religious enquiry is, I am convinced, extending its influence considerably in several parts of old Virginia. Mr. Speece has been urging me vehemently to undertake the editorship of a periodical work having something of the form of a Magazine. His plan is to publish, once in two weeks, a sheet containing sixteen 8vo pages, to be devoted to the cause of truth and piety. I believe that such a thing, if well conducted, would meet with very considerable encouragement, and if I could engage the assistance of a few of my brethren, I would willingly make an experiment of the matter. I have been to see Mr. Blair since I came to town. He received me in a friendly way, and assured me of his disposition to cultivate a spirit of brotherly love. On my part I feel the same temper, and I hope that everything will go on very harmoniously.
"I am afraid the good people here will find it hard to pay for the completion of their church. It is now sheeted in. The shingles, flooring plank, and pews, are all in readiness ; but their fund is exhausted, and they will be very much pestered to raise a sufficiency
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for their purpose. Will not the brethren afford us aid ? Will not the people to the north assist us ? The Methodists have built a new church here, and expect to pay for it in part in that way. An agent went on very lately from this place to solicit aid, and two days ago he forwarded from Baltimore six hundred and forty dollars for the church." This building was the second church building erected by the Methodists in Richmond. The first was near the old market. This was on Shockoe Hill, near the new market, and has given place to the centenary church building.
All classes in Richmond received Mr. Rice kindly. The public mind was drawn to religion by strong sympathies. Its principles were discussed ; its forms and practice were eagerly enquired after ; and able ministers were listened to with attention. Mr. Rice was well suited to the wants of the people. Truthfulness and kindness beamed from his countenance, sparkled from his eye, and fell from his smiling lips. His arguments and illustrations from Scripture were with power equal to their simplicity. His very ungracefulness of gesture commended his sincerity. He uttered no reproaches on Richmond. The words of our Saviour were with him -- " or those on whom the towers in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye they were sinners above all men that dwelt at Jerusalem ? I tell you nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." It was soon evident that no one room in the city would accommodate the congregations that would assemble. Of necessity a number of houses of worship were to be 'erected in the city. And very natur- ally the different denominations made exertions for their own accom- modations.
Soon after reaching Richmond, Mr. and Mrs. Rice received a kind invitation to the dwelling of Mr. John Parkhill, a hardware merchant, at the sign of the Golden Key, on Main street, at the corner below the street leading to Mayo's bridge. It was customary then for the merchants to live in handsomely furnished rooms over the store. Mr. Parkhill was lonely in his dwelling, having lately been deprived of his young and lovely wife about a year after their marriage. Unwilling to alter his domestic arrangements, he cheer- fully received the minister and his wife to his house, to make part of the family. In this house the people first called to see their min- ister. Mr. Parkhill was an active and judicious helper in the con- gregation from the first. A polished, well educated Irishman, he knew how to appreciate the family that lodged under his roof; and under the instructions of Mr. Rice became a devoted Christian. Among his countrymen to whom he introduced his pastor was Mr. Alexander Fulton, who became a fast friend. This gentleman was married to a daughter of William Mayo, of Powhatan, had his residence at Mount Erin, near his father-in-law and the city, and received Mr. Rice with generous hospitality as often as he could secure a visit.
After a summer most agreeably passed with Mr. Parkhill, Mr. . Rice commenced housekeeping on Braddock's Hill, near to Rockets.
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His intimacy with the excellent people there was greatly increased ; and the Wednesday night meetings then commenced, usually held at the house of Mrs. Young, were continued during his residence in Richmond. He had for a neighbor Mr. David I. Burr, and greatly prized his friendship ; and in after years set a high value on his services as an elder.
The Presbytery of Hanover convened in Richmond, Friday, Oct. 16th, 1812, Messrs. Moses Hoge, James Mitchel, Conrad Speece, John H. Rice, William S. Reid, and Joseph Logan ; with the elders, Charles Allen, George Watt, and John Forbes. Dr. Hoge opened the services in the new meeting-house with a sermon from Genesis 28 : 16, 17, "And Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and said, surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it. And he was afraid, and said, how dreadful is this place, it is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven;" and after sermon was chosen Moderator. "Presbytery was informed that a congregation had been organized in the city of Richmond, under the title of the Presbyterian church in the city of Richmond, that said congregation requested to be received under the care of Presbytery; and also requested that the Rev. John H. Rice, who had for some time sup- plied the congregation, might be installed their pastor." Benjamin H. Rice was received from Orange Presbytery, with a view to be- come pastor in Petersburg; Samuel D. Hoge, son of the Moderator, passed some of his trials as candidate; and Daniel Baker, the domestic missionary, received attention as alumnus.
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