USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 47
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"It was long a favorite plan with the committee to lay out as little as possible in building ; either rent a house, or build a very small one for a shelter, with three rooms, one for a study, recitation room, and library, one for a chamber, and the other a dining-room. That it would be well to have no place to incur the expense of en- tertaining company, as the Doctor's family were thought to be too much given to hospitality. One gentleman very strenuous for this plan, said he would take the company. Mr. Cushing so ridiculed this scheme as to seem to fix the idea that a three-roomed house was obliged to be a three-cornered one. He, in a very quiet, pleasant way, helped the Doctor more than I can tell, constantly saying he had nothing to do with it; but unless made an ornament to the college it must be put out of sight. He called on Martin Sailors, an old bachelor, and induced him to give the five acres where the seminary now stands, and then with much adroitness had the build- ing commenced very much as Mr. Rice wished. It was first built with four rooms on a floor. The Doctor moved into it when only the lower story, above the basement, could be occupied, and that unfin- ished, not plastered. So it was built over his head. He took possession, the fall of 1825, getting eight new students from the senior class of college that year, besides a few others. White, Hart, Royal, Bartlett, and Barksdale were among them; Henry Smith came the year before. Mr. Cushing had a house added for himself and Mr. Marsh, as soon as it could be done after the Doctor came. The college was then filled with students; the new college- building was finished before the Doctor came.'
The house commenced for the accommodation of Dr. Rice and the students, forms a part of the east wing of the seminary. It was constructed in anticipation of the main building and the west wing, which now offer accommodations for a hundred students. The com- mittee commenced a brick building of 40 feet by 38, two stories high, with a basement. The Presbytery, in Charlottesville, July
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17th, 1824, " Resolved, that the building committee of the Theolo- gical Seminary be authorized to enlarge the plan of the professors' house, twelve feet in length and one story in height; and that the Board of Trustees be instructed to make the necessary appropriations of money for this purpose." The house was finished fifty feet by forty, three stories with the basement, architecturally arranged to be the east wing of some future building.
The inauguration of Dr. Rice took place on the 1st day of Janu- ary, 1824. He took for his text Paul's words to Timothy, 2d Epis- tle, 3d : 16, 17 -" All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." His first position was - The sacred Scriptures are the source from which the preacher of the gospel is to derive all that doctrine which has authority to bind the conscience and regulate the conduct of man. Under this head he observes : - Among us, thanks to God for it, the principles of religious liberty, and the rights of conscience, are so well understood, and so fully recognized, that to attempt to establish them by argument, or by the authority of Scripture, is to undertake a quite needless labor. We all know that God is the only Lord of conscience. To prevent any misunderstanding of our views and feelings, I take this oppor- tunity publicly and solemnly to declare, for myself, and for those under whose direction I act, that the principles of religious' liberty, recognized by the Constitution of the United States, in the Bill of Rights and Constitution of Virginia, and in the act establishing religious freedom, meet the most cordial and entire approbation of all who are concerned in this theological institution.
His second' position was - That the Scriptures afford the only information on which we can rely, in answer to the all-important question -" What must we do to be saved ?" This question, he says, most manifestly involves the determination of God on the case under inquiry. It is only God who can answer it. For how do the wisest know what the Holy One has determined to do, in the case of rebel- lion against the divine government ?
His third position was - That the Scriptures contain the most perfect system of morals that has ever been presented to the under- standing, or urged on the conscience of man. In making this obser- vation, he says - I mean to say, 1st, that the precepts of the Bible reach to all the relations which man sustains, and to all the duties which grow out of them ; 2d, that the gospel accompanies its pre- cepts with the most urgent motives that ever made their way to the human heart; 3d, for the accomplishment of this object, the address made by the gospel is the most plain and direct that can be imagined. The inference drawn from these various remarks is - that he who receives the office of a teacher of Christianity, must go to the Bible for all that has authority to bind the conscience. Again, we infer that he is the best theologian who is most intimately acquainted with the Scriptures. And from this it follows, that the great duty of a
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professor of theology is to imbue the minds of his pupils as tho- roughly as possible with the knowledge of revealed truth. The Bible ought to be the great text-book. The sentiments of this third position drew from an eminent theological professor, Dr. Woods, great and peculiar praise, that the Bible, as the text-book, was set forth in a bold and clear manner, a thing aimed at by all protestants, but avowed by Dr. Rice with a clearness and simplicity that was un- equalled. The same sentiment was expressed by President Graham, on his visit to New England. In answer to the question - "From what, then, do the Virginia clergy obtain their divinity ?" he re- plied -" From the Bible."
The Doctor then argued the question - Is a public or private theological education to be. preferred ? Admitting the fact that many most valuable men had been raised up under private instruc- tion, he goes on to say-1st. In this country the want of such seminaries (theological institutions) has been so felt, and their value so appreciated, that almost all denominations of Christians have made, or are making, vigorous efforts to establish them. 2d. No need of referring to Europe for examples. 3d. As soon as Chris- tianity had gained sufficient foothold in the world, miraculous gifts ceased ; and very shortly afterwards, it was thought expedient to erect Theological Seminaries. None of these schools or academies were of more note than that which was established at Alexandria, commonly called the catechetical school. The library at Caesarea, about the year of our Lord 300, contained thirty thousand volumes. 4th. Among the Jews, it is said there were seminaries for the instruction of religious teachers, established at an early period. After the destruction of the first temple, we hear nothing of schools of the prophets ; but academies or seminaries for instruction in the law of Moses were established in various parts. It appears that" from a very early age to the present time, the judgment of great and good men has been decidedly in favor of theological seminaries ; and that, after the experience of ages, that judgment is unchanged. To detail the reasons by which this long standing opinion is supported, would require too much time. It is sufficient to say, that at such institutions, when well endowed and properly conducted, there is an accumulation of means of excitement and improvement which cannot be procured in any other way.
To the objection, that there are seminaries already established, and that it would be better to make use of the advantages offered by them, than to attempt a new experiment, the Doctor replies - 1st. That the institutions already established do not afford anything like an adequate supply for the wants of the country. 2d. It is not desirable that theological seminaries should be frequented by great numbers of students. The history of European institutions affords much instruction on this topic. 3d. If this were not so, it is easy to see, that where an institution depends for its support on the in- terest excited and kept up in the public mind, it ought not to be very remote from the people. 4th. A suitable number of seminaries,
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placed at convenient distances, are, on the whole, cheaper to the church than one great central establishment. Again, there is so wide a difference in climate, habits and manners, in different parts of the country, that it is on every account desirable, yea, necessary, that we should have native preachers in the Eastern, Middle and Southern divisions of our territory. The conclusion of the whole argument is, that theological seminaries are the best places for theo- logical education; and that such an institution is most urgently needed for the Southern country.
The Doctor then proceeded to urge the necessity of a competent number of theological instructors; that the work was too great for any one man. And also the necessity of cultivating piety in the theological students. He says-"The age calls for men who, in the fervor of their devotion to the cause of the Redeemer, and love to the souls of men, can forget self and its petty interests, and make any sacrifice, submit to any privation, and undergo any labor, if they may but fulfil the ministry which they receive of the Lord; it calls for men of enlarged views and comprehensive religious benevolence ; men who, notwithstanding, every way can rejoice that Christ is preached ; men who are willing that God should send by whom he will send, and whose great desire is that He may be glorified and sinners saved; men who can delight in the usefulness and success of others, though they themselves should be nothing. He is in truth the best theologian. who has brought his whole nature, moral. and intellectual, most completely under the influence of that Scripture, which was given by inspiration of God."
Rev. Matthew Lyle, the old friend and ministerial neighbor of Dr. Rice, then administered the oath of office. The Rev. Clement Read delivered a characteristic charge. He has long since passed to his reward. He usually committed but little of the process of his thoughts and their results to paper, and of that little a very small portion was given to the public through the press. This charge will remain a fine specimen of his manner of thought and his spirit. Frank, open, fair, kind, evangelical, always Calvinistic in creed, for a time a Whitfield Methodist, but at last a sincere Presbyterian, tender in his feelings, and decided in his creed, his influence extended as far as his acquaintance - the influence of love. He charges the professor to remember his office -" that the professor is accountable for the improper ministerial acts of every preacher whose theological education was committed to his care, and which arose either from his negligent or defective instruction." He says, a ministry to be useful -1st, it is important that it be learned; 2d, it should be plain and simple; 3d, should be orthodox as well as learned; 4th, pious as well as orthodox. He encourages the professor to stand out against that greatest of discouragements, "the lukewarmness of friends."
Under the head of orthodoxy, he says -" It is only by the influ- ence of truth that the church can be sustained. This is the rock on which it is built. The opinion that it is immaterial, as it relates
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to his moral or religious character, what a man believes, is contrary to reason and Scripture. As. every action of a man's life is under the influence of his faith, his religious creed becomes a matter of great importance. What that system of doctrine is, which is taught in the Holy Scriptures, is indeed a subject of controversy. This controversy has divided the church into various and distinct parties. and each party has its own articles of religion as a standard of faith. The Presbyterian Church has adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith as its standard of orthodoxy. It is, therefore, from this Confession that we know what our Church receives as true, and what it condemns as heretical. A Theological Seminary, professedly erected under the patronage of the Presbyterian Church, should teach no doctrines but such as are agreeable to this standard. The consideration that the Confession contains the doctrines of the Reformation, and that it presents the most correct, lucid and syste- matic view of the doctrines of the Scriptures that can be found in any language ; and moreover, that a departure from it would en- danger the peace and purity of the Church, gives additional force to this charge. Guard against innovations in this system, under any pretence whatever. And in explaining the doctrines of the Confession, it will be of importance to follow the method, and even to use the terms employed by the standard writers of the Church. This will not only give uniformity to the religious opinions of the Church, but will shut the door against much wild and mischievous speculation. It will be your duty not only to see that the main pillars in the building of that system of faith, which has been reared by the piety and sealed by the blood of our ancestors, be not over- turned, but that not a single stone in the edifice be removed out of its place. The least departure from truth is dangerous. Error, like the breach in a dam, though small at first, becomes wider and wider, until one general ruin is presented to view." .
Dr. Rice commenced his labors as Professor on the day of his in- auguration, meeting his class in his kitchen-library-study-reci- tation-room. . Looking at him, as he is engaged in arraigning the studies of Hunt, Burwell, and Armstead, in his humble seminary- one is ready to say-"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord, shall Jacob arise, for he is small."
In the April succeeding the inauguration, Dr. Rice was authorized by the Presbytery-" to employ Mr. Marsh as a temporary assistant teacher in the Theological Seminary : provided that his support can be derived from individuals who contribute expressly for that object, and not from any of the funds of the Seminary." " This gentleman, Mr. James Marsh, was Professor of Languages in Hampden Sidney College. To encourage the students of divinity, he made transla- tions from the German for their improvement. One of these, Her- der's Introductory Dialogue on the Spirit of Hebrew Poetry, was published in the third number of the Biblical Repository for 1826. He assisted in the Seminary about two years, with great popularity.
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Returning to Vermont, he became President of the University of that State.
In September, of the same year, by report to Presbytery, the funds of the Seminary were,-in Bank Stock, $2550-in bonds, bearing interest, $7437 35-in money, yet uninvested, $2477 99. Of this last sum, by order of Presbytery, $1000 was appropriated-"for building the Theological Seminary"-as the professor's house was called. The permanent fund of $11,665 29, was for the support of the Professor. The deficiency of about $500 of his yearly salary was to be supplied by donations.
In the month of May, 1825, Messrs. Rice, Lyle, and Paxton, were a committee of Presbytery-" to prepare and send, in the name of this body, a circular letter to the Presbyterians in North and South Carolina and Georgia, containing a brief history of this Seminary, a statement of its object, a sketch of its resources and wants, and an earnest invitation to them to unite and cordially co-operate with us in building up this important institution." The board was directed to send a delegate to the Presbyteries at their fall meeting; and to appoint a general agent to present the cause of the Seminary where- ever there was a prospect of success. A great Southern Seminary was now the grand idea, and professed object of Dr. Rice. To build and endow a Seminary worthy of that name, he devoted all his powers. The magnitude of the enterprise gave him strength; the grandeur of the work inflamed his heart more and more ; and to his earnest contemplation the work appeared more and more grand and beautiful.
In 1820, he wrote to Dr. Alexander-" While it is my wish that the whole Church should give Princeton full support, I do think that a good Seminary under orthodox men, I mean true General Assem- bly Presbyterians, established in the South, would. have a happy effect. My work has long been to keep up a kind of nucleus here, around which a great Seminary might be gathered. I am ready to do, to the utmost of my abilities, what shall be thought best by a majority of brethren. I acknowledge, very readily, that there are wiser heads than mine, but none have warmer hearts for the pros- perity of good old Presbyterianism. I learn there has been a meet- ing of the Board of Trustees of H. S. College, and that you were unanimously chosen to succeed Dr. Hoge. O, if you would !- but I check myself." Dr. Alexander would not accept; and he himself was now attempting what required wise heads and warm hearts to assist him in performing. A Seminary fit for the patronage and wants of all the South was the very thing to supply the wants of any part of the South. For counsel and advice he now turns himself to his old friend, busily and happily employed in Princeton, but loving Virginia with all his heart-and on the 18th of March, 1825, writes to him, under that discouragement which magnificent schemes with small means will occasionally throw over an ardent heart, that is restless in its poverty and confinement :- " The Elder brethren of Hanover Presbytery have kept themselves so isolated, and are so
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DR. ALEXANDER'S VISIT.
far behind the progress of things in this country, and the general state of the world, that they think of nothing beyond the old plans and fashions, which prevailed seventy years ago. In fact, there is nothing like united, entire exertion to build up this institution, and I often fear the effort will fail. Had I known what I know now, I certainly would not have accepted the office which I hold. But now I have put my hand to the plough, and am not accustomed to look back. There is, however, a sea before me, the depth of which I cannot fathom, and the width such that I cannot see over it.". Referring to some reports that the Seminary was hostile to Princeton, he adds -" if I thought it was so, I would resign to-morrow." He further adds-"I have given you this dismal ac- count of Virginia, to convince you that you must come to our State during your next vacation. All love you with unabated affection, and regard you with peculiar reverence. Your presence would awaken a new set of feelings. A few sermons from you would do more, at this time, for the good of the Church here, than any human means I can think of. And I am sure that you would hear and see little, if anything, of the complaints and troubles that exist ; for the people would be ashamed to let you know how they feel. I do.de- liberately and conscientiously believe that it is your duty to come."
Dr. Rice's earnest entreaty, strongly seconded by his friend's desire to revisit the scenes of his former enjoyments and labors, pre- vailed ; and Dr. Alexander made a journey in June, 1825, to his native State, such as can occur in the lives of few men, and but once in theirs. Welcomed to the residence he had occupied as Pre- sident of Hampden Sidney College, he looked around with intense excitement on men and things. Some of his old friends and ad- mirers were gone; but others were filling up their places, ready to give him as warm a place in their hearts. The small brick building that had served as the college, from the days of the Smiths to those of Cushing, had given place to a sightly building, that surpassed Nassau Hall, and, by the celebrity of the young President whose energy and popularity had erected it, was filled with students. Near by, on grounds familiar, and sacred in association, he saw arising the Theological Seminary, simple in its elegance as a single building, and fitting the more extensive fabric of which it was destined to be a part. And here was an old associate fully engaged in working out, as practical problems, the dreams and visions of their former years, the erecting and endowing a seminary for the supply of ministers for the southern churches. He saw the difficul- ties in the way of his friend Rice. To any other man he would have said, "you cannot accomplish the splendid design." Such was his influence over the surrounding community, and over his friend, a discouraging word would, in all probability, have pros- trated the hopes of Rice, and crushed the Union Seminary in its embryo. Not daring to discourage his friend, or shut out one ray of a hope already clouded, yet far from sanguine, he sat out on a preaching excursion through Charlotte, Prince Edward, and Cum --
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REV. JOHN H. RICE, D. D.
berland, among the congregations to which he once ministered. Dr. Rice accompanied, deeply sensible that the reception, and effects of that visit would in all probability be decisive, and his hopes be realized, or the seminary fade from his view for ever. The congre- gations that crowded to hear, insisted that both should preach ; and declared they had never preached so well; and when the visit was over, and the enthusiasm of Alexander's welcome found expression, the people in recalling the sayings, and doings, and preachings of that, exciting time, were unable to determine which of their old preachers they most loved and admired, Rice or Alexander. The visit was an epoch. For a long time it was common to hear the expression - It took place about the time of Dr. Alexander's visit. And, what was better, the churches determined to endow the semi- nary.
Immediately after this visit, the Trustees appointed Mr. Robert Roy, from New Jersey, sometime a missionary in Nottoway, to act as agent in conjunction with Dr. Rice. Of the success of their first visits, Dr. Rice thus writes to Dr. Woods of Andover, August 6th, 1825: "The Directors of our institution wanted me to go on again to the North, and solicit aid. But I said I could not go again, unless I could say and show that our own people had taken hold of the thing in good earnest. If they would adopt a plan for putting the institution into full organization, send out agents, and make full trial of the southern people, then I would go to the North, and ask the brethren there to help us. Accordingly a promising agent has set out, and made a very good beginning. I went with him two days, and obtained about four thousand dollars. This, however, was among my particular friends, and in the best part of our State. How the whole plan will succeed I do not know. Pray for us." . "
Having taken possession of the basement and lower story of the seminary-building, he writes under the same date, August 6th, to Dr. Alexander - "We are at length in occupancy of a part of our new building. We find it a very pleasant, comfortable house, thus far, and I think when all things are fixed about us, that it will make a very desirable residence. It appears to me too, that there has been a good stirring up of the people in behalf of our seminary ; and they are more than ever resolved to build it up, and place it on a respectable foundation. Mr. Roy is engaged as our agent, and I hope that he will be efficient. He has not had a fair trial yet, but I think he has the talent for the work." Speaking of the visit lately made, he says -"I do believe that if you could make such an one every year, it would prolong your life, and extend your usefulness." The Doctor did not consider that while his friend might visit Vir- ginia and find -" the stimulus which good, hearty, old-fashioned Virginian friendship would give, would be a better tonic and cordial than wine could furnish"-that such a visit as had just passed could never be made again; and Dr. Alexander, though often en- treated, wisely refused the attempt.
Rice's friends in New York city had not forgotten the earnest plea
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REV. JOHN H. RICE, D. D.
he had made for the incipient Southern Seminary springing as a germ from the college, and in June of 1825, Mr. Knowles Taylor, a merchant in that city, born on the banks of the Connecticut, sent him word that a mutual friend had determined to endow a scholar- ship in his seminary, and that he might therefore take in another indigent pious student of theology. "I was," says Dr. Rice in re- ply, " casting about for ways and means by which to enable them to do this " -i. e., three or four young men to enter the seminary in the fall -"when your favor came to hand. And now permit me to say that I know two young men of considerable promise, whose cir- cumstances are such that if the $175 mentioned by you could be divided between them, I think they both might be enabled to enter the seminary the beginning of next term." This news, received about the time of Dr. Alexander's visit, added to the growing inter- est in favor of the seminary.
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