USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 44
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'I'ne College of New Jersey in September, 1820, conferred on Mr. Speece the degree of D. D. The compliment was received in the proper spirit.
366
REV. JOHN H. RICE, D. D.
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CHAPTER XXX.
JOHN H. RICE, D. D. - HIS REMOVAL TO PRINCE EDWARD.
THE death of Moses Hoge, President of Hampden Sidney Col- lege, and Professor of Theology of Synod of Virginia, opened the way for the removal of Dr. Rice from his most interesting sphere of labor in Richmond. Dr. Hoge was present at the Assembly of 1820, in which Dr. Rice won golden opinions; and writing from this Assembly, Dr. Rice says with pardonable partiality for his Vir- ginia friends : "But there are many men of powerful talents in the church now. And I think we are growing in intellectual strength. Drs. Hoge and Alexander are beyond all doubt the two foremost amongst us." The sickness that confined Dr. Hoge in Philadelphia after the sessions of the Assembly, ended in his death July 5th. A successor was desirable immediately in both offices thus made vacant. The College had no difficulty in finding a President. To understand the position of the Synod, and the question of removal presented to Dr. Rice, some of the acts of Dr. Hoge must be taken into consideration ; and also the doings of Dr. Alexander in Phila- delphia and Princeton.
Dr. Hoge succeeded Dr. Alexander in the Presidency of Hamp- den Sidney College. Dr. Alexander removed in Nov. 1806, and Dr. Hoge entered on his office Oct. 1807. The principal induce- ment influencing Dr. Hoge to accept the presidency was the prospect held out to him, by the brethren in the vicinity of the college, of a theological school in connexion with the college. In April, 1808, the Presbytery of Hanover by their committee, Rev. Messrs. J. H. Rice, C. Speece, and James Daniel, elder, entered into an agree- ment with the Trustees of Hampden Sidney College, by which said Trustees hold the funds and library belonging to the Presbytery, and apply them on certain given conditions. The 3d article was - " When the funds given by the said Presbytery shall be sufficient to employ a teacher of theology for the instruction of such poor and pious youth, then such teacher shall be such person as shall be recommended by the Presbytery, and approved of by the Trustees of College." The Trustees construed the office of their President . as embracing the work of teacher of theology, according to the examples of their former Presidents ; and of course they considered Mr. Hoge a proper person to receive any proceeds of the funds and be employed by Presbytery in directing the studies of candidates for the ministry. The Presbytery at its meeting in October recog- nized this arrangement of the Trustees, and Mr. Hoge became the acknowledged teacher of theology. Hampden Sidney became more closely associated than ever in the minds and hearts of the church with the preparation of young men for the gospel ministry. Mr. Hoge was a tower of strength to the College and Theological school,
367
STUDENTS UNDER DR. HOGE.
in his meekness, and purity, and benevolence, and ability, and de- votion to the work of the gospel. He had been engaged in the Valley in bringing forward young men to the ministry. Mr. John Boggs of Berkeley, was instructed by him, and passed a long life in the ministry : Wm. S. Reid that filled so important a post in the College, commenced his preparations for the ministry with Mr. Hoge in the Valley ; and a number of others received more or less of their preparatory instruction under his care before his removal to the College. Dr. Alexander bore decisive testimony to Mr. Hoge's powers of discrimination, and his clear views of theological truth, by deciding in his favor, against his beloved teacher on a controverted subject of theology -that in conversion there is a direct agency of the Holy Spirit; Graham stood lofty in his mental independence, Hoge meek in his wisdom; Alexander, beloved by both, loved them for their excellencies, and rejoiced that Mr. Hoge was his successor in the College.
Mr. Rice was chosen Trustee of the College, 1807, at the meeting, June 6th, in which Mr. Hoge was chosen President. The Trustees at that meeting were, Samuel W. Venable, Paul Carrington, Clement Carrington, Francis Watkins, Goodridge Wilson, Joseph Venable, James Morton, (Major,) Isaac Read, Matthew Lyle, (Rev.,) Jacob Morton, Richard N. Venable, and Drury Lacy, (Rev.) Mr. Rice, experienced in the affairs of the College, gave his hearty assistance to Mr. Hoge, who was putting forth all his energies to make the Col- lege, according to the beautiful ideal he had formed, in and for his native Valley of the Shenandoah. Messrs. Lyle, Lacy, Rice, and J. Venable, were a committee, in 1808, to arrange the college classes, studies, after the most approved plan. They entered upon the busi- ness with the President, and in 1812, reported the whole plan, as arranged, and introduced, embracing a very liberal course of studies in comparison with any American college in operation. Before he was chosen professor by the Synod, and while the College was rising in excellence and usefulness, Dr. Hoge was exerting himself to aid in their preparation for the ministry, such men as John B. Hoge, Andrew Shannon, James C. Willson, John D. Ewing, Jesse H. Tur- ner, and Charles H. Kennon, Samuel D. Hoge, Wm. S. Lacy, and Samuel McNutt, John Kirkpatrick, and Walter S. Pharr, all men favorably known in the churches in Virginia for a series of years ; all but one of whom, Mr. Lacy, have gone to meet their Lord.
Mr. Alexander was Moderator of the General Assembly, in 1807, the Spring succeeding his removal to Philadelphia. He opened the Assembly of 1808, with a sermon from 1 Cor. 14th, 12, last clause -"Seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church." In the sermon was this sentence-" In my opinion, we shall not have a regular and sufficient supply of well qualified ministers of the gospel, until every Presbytery, or at least every Synod, shall have under its direction a seminary established for the single purpose of educating youth for the ministry, in which the course of education from its commencement shall be directed to this object; for it is much to be
368
PLANS FOR A THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL.
doubted whether the system of education pursued in our colleges and universities is the best adapted to prepare a young man for the work of the ministry." The sermon brought the subject of Mr. Alex . ander's thoughts and labors directly before the church at large. And while the Presbytery of Hanover were making arrangements with the Trustees of Hampden Sidney College, to advance their enterprise of a theological school, already in operation under Mr. Hoge, the Presby- tery of Philadelphia were preparing a memorial to the Assembly. In the Spring of 1809, the memorial was presented, and committed to Dr. Dwight of Connecticut, and the Rev. Messrs. Irvin, Hosack, Romeyn, Anderson, Lyle, Burch, Lacy, and Elders Bayard, Slay- maker, and Harrison. Their report commended the general subject of theological seminaries, and proposed three plans to the Assembly, 1st. One great central seminary ; 2d, Two, to accommodate North and South ; 3d, Seminaries by Synods. The whole subject was sent down to the Presbytery for their consideration and answer.
In 1810, by the answers sent up, it was seen that the majority of the Presbyteries were in favor of education in seminaries or theolo- gical schools ; but that an equal number of Presbyteries were for the first and third plan. The Assembly determined, that, as some of the Presbyteries had acted in a misconception, in voting for the third plan in preference to the first, it was proper to consider the advo- cates of the first plan to be most numerous ; accordingly that plan was adopted, and a Theological Seminary was established under the care and management of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. On Tuesday, June 2d, 1812, Mr. A. Alexander was unanimously chosen Professor of Theology in the Seminary lately established and located in Princeton. He removed to that place in July, and was inaugurated on the 12th of August. He commenced his instructions with three students. And in less than six years from the time he left Virginia, was under the patronage of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, giving form and activity to the plans and purposes, he had talked over with his brethren at Hampden Sidney College, when they resolved to have a theological school and a library. After the election of Mr. Alexan- der, Rev. Samuel Miller, of New York, said in the Assembly-"I hope the brother will not decline, though he may be reluctant to accept. Had I been selected by the voice of the church, however great the sacrifice, I should not dare decline." The next year he was unexpectedly called to leave his pleasant situation in New York, and become associated with Mr. Alexander, the Professor of Eccle- siastical History and Church Government. Students came from every quarter of the church.
The establishing the Seminary was a popular event. In an in- credibly short period private teaching in theology yielded to public instruction, without discontent, or envy, or fear of obscurity. The choice of Mr. Alexander for the Professor was peculiarly happy. Probably no man could have been found, in middle age, whose ac- quaintance was so general in the Presbyterian Church, particularly
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369
REV. JOHN H. RICE, D. D.
in the Southern and Western States. Very many of the converts of the revival of 1788 and onwards, and of the revivals which fol- lowed in Virginia, had joined the emigrating companies that sought for new homes beyond the Alleghanies. These all knew him; and very many loved him. The anticipations indulged in by Graham and Smith of his future usefulness, were well known, and participated in by multitudes in the sections of the church, from which students were expected and desired. His training had been such as to qualify him in an eminent degree to prepare young men for the active life of a minister in the new settlements. Mr. Miller was better known in New York, and throughout New Jersey, Delaware, and Philadelphia, and part of Pennsylvania, and was admirably fitted for a co-laborer in the seminary. The two carried an acquaintance, and an attach- ment over the whole church, which were perpetually increasing with each successive class of students. Very often might the young men, coming to Princeton, be heard to say to Mr. Alexander and Mr. Miller, "Your old friend . sends kind remembrance ; he advised me to come here." "I have been reading with and he said I would do better here for a time."
The Presbyteries of the Virginia Synod declared for Synodical Schools. The Synod, as a body, without designing in any way to im- pede the progress of the school founded by the Assembly, acted upon the determination of the Presbyteries, and after the delay of two years, at the meeting in Goochland, in October, 1812, resolved that Lex- ington, the place designated in 1791, "should be the permanent seat, and Hampden Sidney the temporary seat of the institution ; and that a professor or professors pro tem. be appointed during the continuance at Hampden Sidney." The Synod then, about two months after the inauguration of Mr. Alexander at Princeton, pro- ceeded to choose a Professor of Theology, and unanimously elected Moses Hoge, the President of Hampden Sidney, and acting teacher of theology for the College and Hanover Presbytery. The slowness with which funds were raised was attributed in part to the uncer- tainty of the location; and in 1813, at Lexington, it was resolved that the Seminary remain at Hampden Sidney until Synod shall determine its best interests require a removal; and that the funds shall not be so vested as to render a removal inconvenient. The subject came up again in 1815, and the greatest interest in raising funds being expressed by those in favor of the location in Prince Edward, it was resolved -"That Hampden Sidney College be the site of the Theological Seminary ; but the Synod reserve to themselves the power of removing the institution, should such re- moval become necessary.'
Mr. Rice removed to Richmond in May, and Mr. Alexander to Princeton in July, and Mr. Hoge was chosen the Synod's Professor of Theology in October of the same year, 1812. The position of each was highly responsible, the labors of all arduous, but the situ- ation of Mr. Hoge the most perplexing. The three men held each
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370
HOGE, ALEXANDER, AND RICE.
other in the highest respect and love, and never for a moment indulged thoughts of rivalry, while cach aspired at the highest ex- cellence of which he was capable. Looking over their finished life, it is not easy to determine which had the fullest measure of the grace of self-denial ; while in particular eras or seasons of their life we see prominent examples, first in one and then in another. But Hoge, in his meek, wise, unconquerable perseverance, Rice in his vast constructive benevolence, and Alexander in gaining and pre- serving unbounded attachment for combined excellence, were charac- terized as completely as in their shape and features, when under excitement they stood before you, each in person the exemplar of his mind. Mr. Hoge knew well the difficulties and peculiar per- plexities of his situation, and while he estimated, did not undervalue or give them undue preponderance. He appreciated the powers of Alexander, and the advantages of his situation in being called to the performance of the duties of but one office, with an ample sup- port, to be regularly paid at moderate intervals, and many pastors and churches throughout this land, some of them wealthy, pressing on earnestly to the completion of the enterprise; and being in the very prime and vigor of his manhood. He considered himself, now sixty years of age, called to the performance of the duties of two offices, one the Presidency of a college, with the duty of a professor added, and the other an office similar to that of Alexander in Prince- ton, in 1812, and to divide the duties and responsibilities of which the Assembly called Mr. Miller from New York, a man in the very prime of his life. And as the emoluments of both his offices were not sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of his family and his position, the resources of his wife and the small salary from the con- gregation he served, were supplying the deficiency. He knew he was beloved by his brethren in the ministry, and the churches gen- erally, and he loved them in return. His difficulties arose from his position ; and so heavily did they press upon his mind, that in March, 1813, he signified to the trustees his intention to resign the Presidency. This was made matter of record. But his intended course, whether to continue in the professorship, or to resign that also, and being invited by the church in Bethel, Augusta, return to the pastoral office, must remain unknown.
Mr. Rice deeply sympathized with him, though himself burdened with difficulties, that rendered his remaining in Richmond doubtful ; and convinced that his leaving college at this juncture would be unpropitious, encouraged him to remain. Loving Alexander as a man, and wishing him success in his professorship, for his own sake and for the church at large, Mr. Rice could not admit the thought of abandoning the school in Virginia - the only school in the Southern country. There were some students that must be taught here in the truth, or taught at no school. The Virginia brethren were care- ful not to take any position of even apparent hostility to Princeton, while they felt the great necessity of a Southern school for Southern churches. Mr. Hoge did not carry his intention to resign into
371
REV. MOSES HOGE, D. D.
effect, but labored at his post with redoubled diligence, and pre- maturely wasted the resources of a strong constitution. The trustees of college were active in procuring able teachers for the classes. There was one difficulty. Having been educated at the college when it had few instructors, they could not readily admit there was any necessity for a greater number of teachers, under any name, whether of professors or tutors. To doubt the completeness and efficiency of the instruction of this college, was a heresy of which they could not be guilty. Hoge must first convince them of the necessity of a greater number of efficient teachers, and then the ways and means of sustaining these laborers must be provided ; and the Synod itself was weakened by a not dissimilar difficulty. Their best preachers had been trained under Smith and Graham, and Alexander - all situated like Hoge. The movement at Princeton, in having two professors, was an innovation, the propriety of which few saw clearly, except Hoge and Rice, and their intimate friends ; and a less num- ber felt the necessity or propriety, as applied to their own case. A school they would have, and a good one, but were not prepared at once to encounter responsibilities like those assumed by the active friends of Princeton. Burr and Blair, and Tennent and Dwight, and Livingston and Witherspoon had been successful, and their diffi- culties were similar to those encountered by Hoge; and Hoge him- self had introduced some excellent men into the ministry, and was now every year sending forth some laborer into the harvest. He was beloved and useful, and doing well, and what more could he want ? He did want a great deal, and his friend Rice and some others felt kindly for him; but how to make the church at large appreciate these wants and afford the supply, was a great question, that, in answering, exhausted the lives of two men, jewels of worth, Hoge and Rice.
The Synod was slowly awaking to her duty and real interest. The salary of the Professor of Theology, from the permanent and contingent funds of the church, was six hundred dollars, in the year 1815; the next year it was eight hundred dollars. In 1817, the Synod resolved, that, "in order to promote the best and dearest interests of our church and country, it is expedient and desirable to establish a new professorship in our Theological Seminary, to be denominated the Professorship of Biblical Criticism and Ecclesias- tical Polity, as soon as adequate funds can be raised for the pur- pose." Seven students of theology were this year in attendance upon the instruction of Dr. Hoge. The application to the Legisla- ture for an act of incorporation for the theological school having been rejected, in 1816, and there being no prospect of a change in the sentiments of the Legislature, an. arrangement was made with the trustees of college, by which the funds of Synod were held by them in trust, for the use of the Theological Seminary, as the funds of Hanover Presbytery were and had been. These funds of Synod, in 1818, amounted to four thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine dollars and sixteen cents, with subscriptions for upwards of four
372
TEACHERS IN COLLEGE - JONATHAN P. CUSHIING.
thousand dollars more. Mr. Ebenezer Stott, a Scotch gentleman of Petersburg, made a donation of one thousand dollars. Twelve stu- dents were this year in attendance on the theological instructions of Dr. Hoge.
The trustees of the college over which Dr. Hoge was presiding, became at last convinced of their error. Mr. Rice took an active part in the exertions to increase the funds of college, enlarge the corps of teachers, and raise the standard of scholarship. Petitions were sent to the Legislature for aid; but aiding colleges was not then a popular movement with political men. The trustees enlarged the course of study, and to keep pace with other colleges better endowed, made the best arrangements for their professors, with tutors, and were asking the friends of education for endowments to sustain their efforts. Mr. Hoge was remarkably happy in his assist- ant instructors throughout his whole presidency. He asked them at the throne of grace, and God sent him more and better ones than the trustees were able to sustain. Charles H. Kennon was for a time vice-president, a man of great ability, whose early death the church lamented ; John B. Hoge, the splendid orator, taught in the college for a length of time ; S. D. Hoge, a superior teacher, was for a time vice-president ; James C. Willson assisted for a time, after- wards chosen to be Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Theo- logical School; Gilbert Morgan was employed for a time, his life has been spent in advancing the cause of education on liberal prin- ciples ; Jonathan P. Cushing, the successor in the presidency, was for some years a co-laborer with Dr. Hoge in the college. Mr. Cush- ing was from New Hampshire. His state of health induced him to go southward. Stopping in Richmond, he became acquainted with Mr. Rice, who, prepossessed in his favor, endeavored to detain him in Virginia, and introduced him to his friends in Prince Edward. Dr. Hoge was greatly pleased, and endeavored to detain him in connexion with the college. For a time he declined any formal or responsible connexion with the college, on account of his health, and his conscientious views of a teacher's duties ; yet, being at once delighted with Dr. Hoge, and loving his simplicity of character and benevolent spirit more and more, he assisted in the instruction of the college. The first office he accepted was the unpretending one of librarian, in 1818. ' His influence over the students was great and salutary. Fond of the natural sciences, he called the attention of the students particularly to that department of education. The trustees procured apparatus, and in a little time a passion was excited among the students for experimental philosophy. In 1819, he accepted the chair of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, and was styled the first Professor. In discipline, Mr. Cushing excelled. T'all, dignified, noble in appearance, master of manners and self- respect, he swayed the hearts of college boys, they knew not how. They would will to do as he willed to have them. He possessed the rare art of managing Virginia boys. Treating religion and its minis- ters with the greatest respect, strictly moral and upright, he had net
373
DR. HOGE'S VISIT TO PRINCETON.
connected himself with any church in Virginia. This circumstance detracted somewhat from his influence with a part of community, and prevented that full outpouring of approbation his qualifications and labors deserved.
On account of the limited funds of the College, and the depend- ence for salary upon the Tuition fees, the labors of the teachers were too numerous and varied. Mr. Hoge's great powers of body gave way in the year 1819, overwhelmed by his unremitting labors. After a long confinement, he but partially recovered. In the spring of 1820, the Presbytery made him their delegate to the Assembly. He took this opportunity of gratifying a long indulged desire to attend a meeting of the American Bible Society. He also visited Princeton College, which, in 1810, had conferred on him, in com- pany with his friend, Mr. Alexander, the degree of S. T. D .; and passed a few days with Dr. Alexander. A cold easterly rain was falling the whole time of his visit. He examined thoroughly the condition of the two institutions, the College and the Seminary, with reference to the two in Prince Edward. He rejoiced in the extended influence of his friend Alexander, and Miller the co-laborer. He could not refrain from a visit to the grave-yard to meditate by the tombs of Burr, Edwards, Davies, Witherpoon, and Smith. As he tarried in that hallowed spot, the bleak wind pierced his diseased frame, and hastened his descent into the valley of death. His heart was elevated as he went from grave to grave, and read the epitaphs of these Presidents of College and teachers of Theology; and his body under the cold rain was chilled in preparation for his own resting in the silent tomb. The conversations of Hoge and Alex- ander those few days, had there been a hand to record them, laying open the hearts, as by a daguerreotype, of men of such exalted pure principle, so unselfish and so unlike the mass of men - what simplicity in thought, benevolence in feeling, and elevation of piety ! - but there was no man to pen what all men would have been glad to read.' Mr. Hoge took his seat in the Assembly - but his fever returned upon him, of a typhus cast, and by means of the cold caught in Princeton, became too deeply seated for medicine to remove. He bowed his head meekly to the will of the Head of the Church, and fell asleep in Jesus, on the 15th of July.
Mr. Hoge had filled his measure of usefulness. The fixed habits of Synod and College prevented that change in his position and labor, the exigencies of the case, and his health required, and he loudly demanded. He must die. There must be an interregnum in College. A President must be chosen, that the Synod could not make the Theological Professor. And then a professor must be brought out that could improve upon all the past, and give form to an endowed Theological school. But who should be called ? Who like Hoge would sacrifice everything of a temporal nature that could be done without sin, and even in his extreme self-sacrificing approach the very borders of transgression by its excess, to advance the desired school? Who would be found of that tender benevolence-
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