USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 51
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423
REV. HIRAM P. GOODRICH.
zeal, awakened here at the meeting of Synod in October, has in- creased and grown under the efforts of our excellent friend Rev. Mr. Smith, aided by the untiring and efficient efforts of the Rev. Mr. Nettleton, into a goodly corps of new recruits for our blessed Redeemer's cause. Seventeen communicants went forward for the first time, to the Lord's table, and openly sealed their pledge of fidelity to his government."
Mr. Nettleton considered the afflictive providence of God, which sent him to Virginia, as the agent of Infinite wisdom, to lead him to scenes of usefulness embracing events and circumstances the most interesting in his life. Others blessed God for his wise providence, for in the awakenings, in connection with his visit, in the different parts of the Presbyterian Church, the caution and mildness, and sound Bible instruction which characterized Mr. Nettleton, were ex- hibited in a pre-eminent manner by the ministers of the Presbyte- rian Church.
The Synod of Virginia at this same meeting in Staunton, by an unanimous vote, directed the Board of the Union Theological Sem- inary to elect the Rev. Hiram P. Goodrich, to the professorship of Oriental Literature. The Synod of North Carolina having made a similar order, the Board of Directors, in December, confirmed the nomination. This young gentleman, on the recommendation of Dr. Alexander, as a good student and well versed in the languages of the Bible, had been employed in the Seminary, as a teacher of the classes in the languages and literature of the Bible, about two years, having commenced his labors soon after Mr. Marsh returned to Ver- mont. While Dr. Rice was absent on his agency in 1827 and 1828, Mr. Goodrich kept the students employed in oriental studies, to the entire satisfaction of the Board and Dr. Rice. Mr. Goodrich de -. livered his inaugural address on the 6th of May, 1829, in the Col- lege Church. The Rev. Francis M'Farland received the obligation and delivered the charge. Dr. Rice wished Mr. Goodrich to be put on the New York foundation, saying - "being a New Yorker him- self and yet suiting the southern country exactly -he will with great propriety suit the New York professorship." The Board agreed that if the fund should yield less than $800 the arrears should be made up from the contingent fund. Of the New York professorship, part of the funds were sent to Virginia, by Mr. Knowles Taylor, and invested by Mr. J. Caskie in Richmond; and part remained in New York city on which the interest was paid. Unhappily in the pressure which came on the cities in 1837 and onward, a large portion of the funds left in New York were lost to the Seminary after having rendered important service about ten years.
424
REV. JOHN H. RICE, D. D.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
JOHN H. RICE, D. D. - HIS LAST LABORS.
IN anticipation of the election of a Professor of Oriental Litera- ture in the fall of 1828, Dr. Rice says in a letter to Mr. K. Taylor of New York, in the August of that year -"I ventured on my own responsibility to engage a workman to put up a brick build- ing; and he has now actually begun the job, and has agreed to finish it this season. At the present Mr. Goodrich and I, with our wives, and all our domestic establishments, are in the same building with the students. But I find that on many accounts this does not answer well. The building which I have contracted for will be occupied as soon as finished, by us, and the whole seminary building given up to the students."
The nineteenth anniversary of the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions, was held October 1st, 1828, in Phila- delphia. Dr. Rice delivered the annual sermon from 2 Cor. 10th : 4th. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down the strong holds." The editor of the National Preacher met the Doctor at the close of worship on the pulpit stairs, and reached out his hand for the manu- script. Several thousand copies were presented to the Board, and gratuitously circulated by Mr. Dickinson. October 31st, he writes to Mr. K. Taylor -"I have just returned from Presby- tery and Synod. I do rejoice to hear that affairs took a good turn in Philadelphia. I have received a letter from Dr. Alexander since my return, and find that he was very much pleased with the meeting. If my sermon did good, and shall hereafter do good, I do not take any credit for it to myself. But I shall be glad indeed if it pro- motes the cause of missions; and the more so if it indirectly aids our infant seminary ; we do so much need well-taught and faithful ministers in the southern country, that I feel our enterprise to be one of the highest importance. It is deeply to be regretted that somebody did not take hold of this matter fifteen years ago. But perhaps the time had not arrived for success. Mrs. Rice desires me to say that she has reserved a lodging-room in our part of the seminary, on purpose for your brother, so that if he needs any nursing, she intends to enjoy the pleasure of affording it herself."
This brother, James Brainard Taylor, from the banks of the Con- necticut, while a clerk in New York, witnessed the departure of some foreign missionaries, and became deeply impressed with the paramount importance of religion to himself and all mankind. As soon as practicable he commenced a course of studies in preparation for the ministry. While in the theological studies his feeble health alarmed his friends. Desirous of restoring the health of a lovely candidate for the ministry, and of promoting the life of godliness in the seminary, and also of doing something agreeable to his cor-
425
DR. RICE'S LAST LABORS.
respondent, a warm friend of the seminary, Dr. Rice invited this young man to pass the coming winter at the seminary. Mr. Taylor arrived at Prince Edward in November, in a very weak state, having come from New York to Petersburg by water. "Finding him too feeble to go up stairs we gave him our chamber, the south-west room, (of the east wing) - and we took the dining-room just oppo- site, across the passage. There he died." With increasing ardor of piety and decreasing strength of body, the young man passed the winter under the care of Mrs. Rice, and two skilful physicians. His religious cheerfulness bound the little community at the semi- nary, with cords of increasing love, and all exerted themselves to add to the comfort of the dying man. On Sabbath evening, the 29th of March, 1829, he passed to the heavenly world. His last written sentence was - " By my amanuensis, Mrs, Rice, I thought to tell you at greater length ; but like all other glorious manifesta- tions of God to the soul, this beggars description. However, let me say, that to-day, I have had sweet thoughts of going to another world. Gladly, gladly, while alone, and resting in my easy chair, would I have bade earth farewell, and winged my way to the para- dise of God. The Lord said, Nay. I yet stay, and would patiently wait until my change come. I find it easier to dictate than to write with mine own hands, James."
That the influence of this young man's piety might be perpetuated, and widely disseminated, Dr. Rice commenced a memoir, which, in- terrupted by his death, was finished by Dr. B. H. Rice; and has been widely circulated, and probably read by those to whom it was dedicated, theological students, and the Christian Church generally.
At the meeting of the Board, in December, 1828, after the elec- tion of Mr. Goodrich Professor, Major James Morton, father-in-law of Dr. Rice, and Mr. James D. Wood, for many years treasurer of the Board, were appointed, "with authority to contract for the erection, and so far as they think proper, the finishing of the western wing of the Seminary building, so soon as the general agent shall inform them that $5000 have been subscribed for that purpose; pro- vided that said Committee shall be able to make an advantageous contract, on payments to be made in one, two, or three years, with such advances as the subscriptions above mentioned shall render practicable." Rev. James W. Douglass, then preaching acceptably at Briery, was, at the earnest entreaty of the Board, persuaded to accept the general agency. The subscriptions to the building and contingent funds were liberal; and at the meeting of the Board in May, 1829, it was found "expedient to alter the plan of a building adopted by a former Board, so as to make each wing fifty-two feet long, and the centre building forty-six. The building Committee were authorized to contract for the erection of the brick work, and necessary wood work of a building ninety-eight feet long, being the wing and centre building necessary to complete the plan of the Seminary, provided that by making contract for the whole at once, there can be any special advantage gained." The Committee pro-
426
THE PURCHASE OF DR. RICE'S LIBRARY.
ceeded to make a contract, and secured the erection of buildings sufficient to make the Seminary the very convenient and sightly building it now is. The terms of the contract were, that part of the building should be completed in 1830, the remainder in 1831- " to be finished entirely and complete for the sum of $12,000, one-third payable the 1st of July, 1830, the balance in four equal annual in- stalments."
The private library of Dr. Rice, collected with great care and expense, and well fitted for the purpose of theological study, became the property of the Seminary. It had been open to the students from the commencement of his services as Professor. "But," a Committee of Presbytery, in 1826, said, "it is not reasonable that, from year to year, the Professor should throw open his library to the use of the students without compensation ; especially as it could be procured on terms more liberal than can be expected from any other source." Whereupon it was, "Resolved, that Thomas Tread- way and James D. Wood be appointed a Committee to procure for the Theological Seminary the library of John H. Rice, D. D., after he shall have withdrawn from it books to the value of five hundred dollars, which he thinks least valuable to that institution ; that on receiving the library they shall give the said John H. Rice an order on James Morton for the principal and interest of the debt due the Presbytery on account of their Theological fund, provided the same does not exceed $1500; that they also give him an order on James Morton for $444 44, left by Andrew Baker as a fund, the interest of which is to be applied to the purchase of religious books for gratuitous distribution ; also for the same amount left by the same individual as a fund, the interest of which is to be applied to mission- ary purposes ; the Committee making satisfactory arrangements with the Trustees of the Seminary, that the interest on the sum of $888 88 shall be paid annually, one-half to such person or persons as Pres- bytery may appoint, to purchase and distribute religious books, and one-half to the Treasurer of the United Auxiliary Missionary Society; and also that the Treasurer grant a discharge to John H. Rice, D. D., for the sum which he owes to the funds of the Theo- logical Seminary, amounting, as stated in his account, to $385 38. This proposed arrangement was finally completed, and record made by Presbytery, April 28th, 1828; and also agreed to and entered upon the minutes of the Board of Directors in December of the same year. The sum found in the hands of the Treasurer, was $1486 59. The Seminary library thus increased was valued by the Board at $8000.
In the Evangelical and Literary Magazine for October, 1828, is a report on the course of study to be pursued in the Union Theologi- cal Seminary. "The design of the publication is, that the members of the Synod of Virginia and North Carolina generally, and of the Board in particular, may have an opportunity of seeing the plan, and considering the reasons on which it is founded." It occu- pies more than thireen octavo pages, and proposes an extensive
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UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
course of the most liberal character. The great principle adopted is, " THE BIBLE is to be in the Union Theological Seminary, THE GREAT SUBJECT OF STUDY; AND THE ONLY SOURCE OF AUTHORITY. But the Bible must be studied in the original languages. The reli- gious teacher must prove the soundness of his expositions, and thus convince his hearers of what God requires them to believe and to do ; it is a fearful thing for a minister of the gospel to say that the Bible means what it does not mean ; to affirm that the God of truth has said what he has not said. The Bible, though not written in systematic order, contains a system of truth. The Professor of. Christian Theology, then, has two great duties to perform ; 1st, By a careful induction to establish the theological facts recorded in the Bible. 2d, To give them a clear, scientific arrangement, that the mind of the student may embrace the whole truth revealed in the word of God, and thus be able to present it, in lucid order, and with distinctness, to the understandings of those whom he may be called to teach."
" It is earnestly recommended, that the Board, with the advice and consent of the Synod, should aim at the establishment of four Pro- fessorships in the Seminary, with the view of ultimately requiring a four years' course of study. In prospect of such an arrangement, the following might express the titles of the respective foundations. 1st, Professorship of Greek and Hebrew ; 2d, Professorship of Bibli- cal Literature ; 3d, Professorship of Christian Theology; 4th, Pro- fessorship of Church History and Polity. At present it is under- stood that the order of the Board contemplates a course of study for three years, to be conducted by three Professors: 1st, of Oriental Literature ; 2d, of Christian Theology ; 3d, of Ecclesiastical History and Polity."
It had been the desire of Dr. Rice and the friends of the Seminary, to contract the expenses of a residence at the institution within the narrowest compass, and meet the condition of many young men that desired to preach the gospel. To bring about the desired result, the students and friends at a distance united in most praiseworthy efforts. Some young men of fine spirit and narrow means, adopted a simplicity of living that might satisfy an anchorite ; others of more abundant resources, restricted themselves to the greatest plainness and cheapness in their diet to encourage the others, and establish, if possible, a rate of living as cheap and simple as might consist with health. Says one, well acquainted with the proceedings of the time -"Mr. Hurd and Mr. Tenny boarded themselves, I believe, all the time; but in a small way. They got codfish, which they kept in the ice-house, had cheese, butter, molasses, and such things, and every morning I sent for their basket of table furniture, to wash all up clean for the day. Messrs. Hart, Royall, Barksdale, and M'Ewen, a Scotchman from the South, had a quiet dining-room in the roof (of the Seminary), and very good food which they got my servant to cook and attend to for them. This was before and during 1827."
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UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
"About that time Dr. Rice, in passing through Philadelphia on business of his agency, was stating the wants of the Seminary in the congregation of Dr. Skinner. A widow in great poverty heard, and reflecting on the great want of ministers in some parts of her own country, and the desolations in the heathen world, and considering the necessity laid on all to do something in the cause, from her great poverty, sent the Doctor one dollar as her donation. On his return to the Seminary, the Doctor related the circumstances of the widow's donation, the first she had ever made to a work of this kind, and urged the students to the greatest economy. A number of students forthwith made arrangements to leave a comfortable board- ing-house, and forming a club, hired a servant, purchased provisions, and commenced boarding themselves at a cheap rate. Friends of the Seminary in the neighborhood, and at a distance, moved by the report of their self-denial and its cause, sent various articles of table furniture and provision." The young men were encouraged by the experiment in 1828; and as their numbers increased the Board of Directors became interested, and endeavored to give permanency to what had been thus far successful.
In September, 1828, the public were informed -"The present students have diminished the price of board from eighty to sixty-five dollars, by paying in advance, and giving their steward a fixed salary, and then dividing equally the expense. Oil or candles are frequently sent to the institution from Richmond, Petersburg and Norfolk, so that this article is not a source of expense. All are encouraged to live as the general spirit of self-denial will allow, which is favorable to severe study." As the tuition, room-rent, bed and other furniture, and use of library were gratis, and candles were generally given, the expenses of the students at that time were, per annum, boarding $65, washing $10, fire-wood $5-total $80. In the spring of 1829 Mr. Douglass, the general agent, says - "Some collections have been made for the students' fund, the object of which is to reduce the price of their boarding. In explaining this, it has been stated that the students board themselves, by purchasing their provisions, and hiring servants to prepare them, under the direction of a pious superintendent ; and that, if an amount nearly equal to the consumption can be obtained, and if, as will generally be the case, there are students boarding in the family who are not in indigent circumstances, and will therefore pay for their boarding, the expense of living at the Union Seminary may be less than at most of those now established. This plan has just been commenced. In the Rev. Mr. Ewing's congregation, Falling Spring, eight indi- viduals subscribed one barrel of flour each per year for six years, deliverable in Lynchburg. As a student's proper course in the Seminary is three years, the term of six years, or two full courses, was selected, in order that the arrangement might have a degree of permanency as well as system. The ladies' associations in Norfolk, Richmond, Petersburg, Lynchburg, Lexington, Greenville, Win- chester, Danville, Milton, N. C., and others which I am not yet
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UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
acquainted with, intend to forward articles of diet, of clothing, of room or table furniture, or money, as they may be able. By these and other arrangements it is hoped and believed that the expense of living may be so reduced that every student who is in debt, or who is afraid of debt, will find it his interest to enter at the Union Theo- logical Seminary."
The house especially designed for the Professor of Theology being in progress for speedy completion, the Board of Directors in May resolved -"Ist. That after the next session the whole basement story of the present building, and one or two rooms on the first floor, be appropriated to the use of the students for boarding. 2d. That the Board employ a person to superintend the cooking and washing for the students, at a salary not exceeding $10 per month, and pay the hire of servants to an amount not exceeding $120 per annum, provided funds are obtained for these objects during the summer. James D. Wood, H. E. Watkins and William H. Venable were requested to attend to the employment of a suitable manager. In this way the expense of board might be reduced to four dollars and a half per month. Large contributions of provisions would reduce it still more." This plan went into successful operation, and for a number of years the price of board at the Seminary was extremely low. The rooms for students were also furnished in a neat and com- fortable manner by individuals or associations in different parts of the country. And the Professor of Theology had the pleasure at one time of seeing about forty young men assembled, preparing for the toils and joys of a missionary's life.
While Dr. Rice was preparing to make his visit to Boston accord- ing to the mutual arrangement of the previous summer, he received a communication from his friends there, which drew forth the follow- ing statement :
" March 31st, 1829.
" Your communication as to my proposed visit to Boston, has occasioned great perplexity. On my return home I found that we were to have near thirty students in our seminary. Our building is only fifty feet long and forty wide. And in this contracted space we have two professors, with their families and our students, except two or three who get lodging in the neighborhood. One room, not eighteen feet square, serves for our library, and lecture-room, and chapel. The professors have to study in their wives' chambers. The students are obliged to live three in a room, and when the weather admits of it, to seek praying-places in the woods. It must be mani- fest to any one acquainted with study, that we suffer greatly from having to live in this crowded state. I found it so, and resolved that there must be a change. But in the state of utter exhaustion of the pecuniary resources of this region, it was in vain to think of applying to the people here for assistance. I however placed impli- cit confidence in the pledge given by my Boston friends, and deter- mined that, in reliance on their constancy and good faith, I would make a contract for a building, payment for which should be made
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UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
next June. Accordingly, I have pledged myself to an amount a little exceeding $5000; and hold myself bound to raise it by the time specified. For this my reliance was on my friends in Boston. It is true that there is left to me, after the various sacrifices which I have made, property worth about $5000 - one-fourth of what I once was worth. This I had thought it my duty to reserve, as I am advanc- ing in life, and shall probably leave my wife behind me in this world, for the support of her to whom I am bound by every tie which can bind man to woman. I know well that in every age those who rise up do not remember Joseph. Every sacrifice of worldly interest which I have made, was made by my wife as cheerfully, to say the least, as by me. But when I am gone, and she is old, there will then be a generation which will not know any of these things. I must, however, raise the money by some means, and if I fail, my little property must go. When it was known that I had ventured to make this contract, the people who knew my circumstances, asked me on what I relied to raise the money. I replied, On the faith of my friends in Boston - their promise is as good to me as money in the bank, to be drawn next June.' They thought me rash in my procedure. Some said I would never get a cent. And so I was told in Philadelphia, and every place south of New York. Now, in the present state of things, I would not, for the value of the money, have it known that I was disappointed in the confidence placed in the Boston people. Of one thing I am pursuaded, that it is of some importance to the cause of religion, that in one way or another, I should get this money from Boston. I do not mean to whine about this matter, nor do I aim to excite any man's commisseration. I know, that judged by the cautious policy of this world, I acted im- prudently in making a contract, when there was, from the nature of the case, so much uncertainty. But when I saw and felt that inter- ests, in my view, of the highest importance, were suffering for want of such measures as I adopted, I thought that I should betray a want of faith in the head of the church, of reliance on the promises of brethren, and of disinterestedness on my part, if I did not go for- ward and prepare to meet the consequences. I did so with my eyes open, and knowing that I was doing what the world calls a foolish thing."
In May the Presbytery of Hanover held their sessions at the semi- nary ; and Dr. Rice had the pleasure of seeing the fruits of his labors in the proceedings of his co-Presbyters. Of the students of the seminary some were already ordained ministers and fellow-Pres- byters with their beloved teacher. Others, as Drury Lacy, Noah Cook, Hiram Howe, Timothy Howe and Jonathan Cable, were, after due examination, taken under the care of Presbytery as candidates for the ministry ; and Andrew Hart, John J. Royall, John S. Watt, Daniel L. Russell and Samuel Hurd were duly licensed to preach the gospel ; and the usual steps were taken for the ordination of Francis Bartlett as evangelist. After the meeting of Presbytery, Dr. Rice, accompanied by Mrs. Rice, whom the doctor had found a
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UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
most efficient co-agent in the cities, visited New York and Boston. On his way he paused for a short visit in Philadelphia, to look in upon the Assembly, of which his brother Benjamin was moderator. Accompanied from New York by Mr. Knowles Taylor, on their way to Boston, they visited, at Middle Haddam, in Connecticut, the parents of the beloved James Brainard Taylor. By the exertions of his friends in Boston funds were obtained for the completing the professor's house. About the 21st of July they reached home, much encouraged and refreshed. The dwelling, when completed, was called the Boston House.
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