USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 57
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In the years 1820 and '21 he suffered greatly in his feelings, in the arena opened for him, in Presbytery, by a brother minister with whom he unhappily came in collision. The beginning of the con- tention was small, and like the letting out of water it became un- controllable. The point of honor, involved in the first heart-burn- ing became inextricable ; more points were involved ; offences mul- tiplied, and the contention was severe. The parties became deeply committed. On both sides was an unconquerable will; with the one more fire, and with the other a desperate coolness. There was no layman to lay his hand upon them both. The venerable Hoge might have prevailed; but he had passed away; his amiable son John Blair swayed the will of one, and in common circumstances would have persuaded each, but could not now prevail with both, though his heart desired it. It is not necessary here to say where lay the wrong. To justify any opinion that might be given, pages of statements must be made. But while the case was pending be- fore Synod in Lexington, in October 1821, Joseph Glass suddenly died, at his own residence in Frederick County. When the sad news reached Dr. Hill, he wept. The progress of the trial was in Dr. Hill's favor at this sad moment. Yet he would not thus part with his opponent, who felt aggrieved at him to his heart's core. Such a conclusion after he had made a vehement assault, by some thought resistless and by others severe, and his adversary had not answered him, but was reposing in the shroud of death, lay with a heavy weight upon his heart. He had not so parted with Legrand. He mourned to part so with Glass. A sharp conflict ending in com- promise, and concession, and perhaps warmer friendship, was a dif- ierent thing, with all its exasperations, from an unsettled collision at the grave's mouth. It made him mourn, for his spirit aimed high und he gloried in victories hardly bought, fairly won, the adversary subdued or pacified.
Another discussion took place about this time, worthy of remem- brance only as increasing the alienation which had begun in the' congregation, and ultimately embittering the pastor's relation to his flock. The subject of dancing in private houses, and of sending cinidren to a dancing school, became themes of public discourse. There were many in Winchester who advocated both, and, as occa- sion offered, practised both. No member of the Presbyterian Church was known to practise either. An elder declared it as his opinion,
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that in given cases, children might be sent to the dancing school ; . and also that dancing in private circles might be blameless. This opinion was strongly controverted. Communications, written and oral, passed between Dr. Hill and Col. Augustine Smith, on the subject. The Doctor preached upon these subjects, and fashion- able amusements generally, and took strong ground against them. Col. Smith declared he would give no trouble on the subject in his own family, nor encourage in others what was offensive to the Church generally. As no family practised on the offensive prin- ciples, the whole matter might have rested here; and probably would, but for another circumstance, till some overt act occurred, requiring, in the opinion of Dr. Hill, or the session, the disci- pline of the Church. Part of the session fully agreed with Dr. Hill; and those who differed somewhat from him in this matter, declared, in 1825, their "willingness to support the discipline of the congregation so far as required by the word of God, or the directory of our church." The only questions for discussion were the kind and extent of discipline to be exercised in given cases, by the Ses- sion, in the exercise of their prudence and discretion, and love of God.
At a meeting of the Session, December 29th, 1824, four propo- sitions were submitted for consideration, viz :- " 1st. In consequence of my ill health and frequent infirmities, by which I am rendered incapable of fully discharging the duties of pastor, it is proposed that steps be taken to procure an assistant for me. 4th. In case it should be thought advisable to get an assistant, that the sense of the congregation be taken whether Mr. - who has been laboring
for some time among them, shall be that assistant." The second and third propositions were on the subject of salary, past and future. The salary matters were immediately attended to, and without dis- cussion. The views of Dr. Hill on the two other propositions are thus expressed by himself in a letter of the 25th January, 1825 - "I have been, ever since the decline of my health, looking out for a minister to assist and succeed me. My reason for this was, to save the church from division, if not from annihilation, which I was certain, from the discordant materials of which it is composed, would ensuc, if the choice were not made while I could exert a personal influence among the members. Last fall twelve months, at Synod in Petersburg, I for the first time saw Mr. - I had heard very favorable accounts of his character, and as soon as I heard him speak in Synod, I determined to try to prevail upon him to come and spend some time with us in Winchester, and that evening made a conditional arrangement with him, if other propositions which he had before him failed, then to spend some time with us, that he might become acquainted with the people, and they with him. He was then no more to me than any other young man of promise ; nor is he at this time." The session and congregation were generally agreed to have an assistant, if their pastor wished. They all pro- fessed high regard for the young man proposed by Dr. Hill. A
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part, perhaps the majority, were ready to receive at once the as- sistant proposed by Dr. Hill, a young man of great worth and ardent piety, with good pulpit talents. Part of the session, with a large minority of the church, proposed that the assistant should be chosen by the free vote of the church, after hearing different persons. Some expressed a preference for another person whom they had heard. The discussion of this subject seemed to involve all the preceding ones. As the minority determined to oppose their pastor in the particular person of his choice, so he declared -" As I never entertained a thought of introducing any who did not unite the voice of the congregation, so they will remember that they can force no one upon me without my consent." Agreeing in the gen- eral principles, they differed greatly in the particular case in hand. Unhappily, all the old subjects of uneasiness were revived in conver- sation, and the integrity of the congregation was in danger. Dr. Hill proposed to withdraw entirely from any connexion with the pastoral charge. The session and church entirely opposed such a procedure, while his health should be sufficient for his labors. He then proposed that four of the elders, who had been most opposed to his wishes, should withdraw from the exercise of their official duties, till such time as they mutually should agree, "their standing in the church not to be affected by it." The elders declined the proposed course of action. ~ The Doctor declared - "There is not one of your number for whom I do not feel the warmest friendship, and whom I do not look upon as my personal friend." They de- clared -"That you may remain with us in holy communion, and works of love, and enjoy unsullied happiness through time and eternity, is our earnest prayer." They also declared that the facts of their difference, as they understood them, were -"You plainly intimated your intention to select a minister for the congregation, and then retire from your pastoral charge. We were of the opinion that if you were determined to leave us, your resignation should precede the appointment of a successor."
The whole affair was laid before the Presbytery in April, 1825; and was referred to a Committee. This Committee met, and heard at length the parties, and adjudicated, and failed to restore peace. The matter, in various forms, was before Presbytery, and at last referred to Synod, on the request of a number to be constituted a separate church. The Synod in the fall of 1826, against the most decided opposition of Dr. Hill, granted the request, so far as to constitute a new church in Winchester, the elders of which were to be, Joseph Gamble, John Bell, Robert Grey, A. C. Smith, and James Little. 'The Synod refused the request, "that the newly con- stituted congregation be annexed to the Lexington Presbytery." Dr. Hill suffered greatly in his feelings during the whole process, from the first moving in Presbytery till the conclusion in Synod. An event oc- curred which afflicted him greatly. While the subject of forming the new church was in agitation, and shortly before its formation, Mr. Ro- bert Grey, the elder, died. He had been the firm friend of Dr. Hill
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REV. JOHN MATTHEWS, D. D.
1
for about twenty years, and would at last have preferred him as his minister. Dr. Hill was, on his return from the Presbytery, held in Gerardstown, chatting with his brethren. When near Winchester, General Smith meeting him, said, "Doctor, one of your flock died last night." " Ah, who ?" " Old Mr. Grey." One long groan broke from the Doctor's heart; and he rode silent home. Everything about the collision with his people, or any portion of them, afflicted him.' Death was not welcome thus to any of his flock.
Another circumstance distressed the Doctor. His old friend Wil- liamson, on many occasions, voted against him ; and he was equally distressed by finding Dr. Matthews, of Shepherdstown, on the main questions, opposed to him.
Rev. JOHN MATTHEWS, D. D., born in North Carolina, performed the duties devolving on him, till the meridian of life, in his native State. He grew up in the Hawfields, under the ministry of Henry Pattillo. His first choice for an occupation for life, was the joiner and carpenter, trade. The last work he performed at this vocation, was in connection with the church building at the Hawfields. The pulpit, as a work of his hands, for a long time was commended as a specimen of that kind of architecture. Becoming a convert to Christ, the things pertaining to the salvation of his fellow-men, were so im- pressed upon his heart, that he devoted himself to the work of the ministry. His preparatory studies were under the direction of Dr. Caldwell, of Alamance. He was licensed in March, 1801, at Bar- becue church, in company with Ezekiel Currie, Duncan Brown, Murdock M'Millan, Malcolm . M'Nair, Hugh Shaw, and Murdock Murphy. All these had been influenced, more or less, by James M'Gready, to seek the ministry. After performing missionary ser- vice in the South-west, Mr. Matthews was settled over Nutbush and Grassy Creek churches, in 1803. In 1806, he removed to Berkeley County, Virginia; and after some five or six years, to Shepherdstown, and took charge of the church in that place, together with that of Charlestown, and the intermediate country.
A man, fiery in his temper till grace had moulded him, he became so cool and composed in his intercourse with men, that, except physi- ognomically, his natural disposition would never have been suspected. Of great resolution, and firmness of purpose, he lay in the way of opposition like an enormous granite rock upon a railroad track. . His resistance calm, quiet, and unflinching, was hard to overcome. A most persevering student, he made himself master of the great subjects of Theology ; and entered deeply into the Hermenentics of the Bible. He was a proficient in logical reasoning, based not so much on metaphysical and abstract truths, and propositions, as in the skilful arrangement of consecutive facts, that should lead irresist- ibly to the conclusion. In the process there might, or might not be, intermingled abstract propositions, and metaphysical reasoning. If he gained the attention of the hearer, and an admission of his postu- lates, he led him on to the conclusion almost irresistibly, and com ..
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monly unresisted. Believing in the absolute necessity of the influ- ence of the Holy Spirit in conviction and conversion of sinners, he attributed a great, an almost inconceivable power to the truth when made to bear upon the mind and heart. And the weapons of truth he used relying on God's blessing for success.
He used his pen freely for the Evangelical and Literary Magazine. One of his series of numbers was published in book form, under the title, " The Divine Purpose," and widely circulated, passing through a number of editions. Another, on "Fashionable Amusements,' enlarged, was repeatedly republished, and widely circulated. Ad- vancing in years, he accepted the invitation to become the leading Professor in founding and building up the Theological Seminary begun at New Hanover, and completed at New Albany, Ia. ; and, in 1831, entered on his laborious work with the spirit and activity of youth. The church has been looking to his sons for a biography of his life, and a selection from his numerous printed and un- printed writings. Whatever may be the future success of the New Albany Seminary, the memory of John Matthews should not be for- gotten.
The Rev. David H. Riddle, a licentiate of Winchester Presby- tery, was ordained and installed in Kent Street church, the new church in Winchester, December 4th, 1828. In the fall of 1830, the peace, which had been promoted between the two churches, was confirmed by the meeting of the Synod. An extensive revival com- menced before the close of its sessions. The first decided evidences of awakening were seen in the house of Judge Henry St. George Tucker, on Sabbath morning. On Monday, the cry "What shall we do to be saved," was very general. In the progress of the awakening, both churches shared largely. By an act of Presbytery, in April, 1832, the two churches were united under Dr. Hill and Mr. Riddle, as co-pastors. This cheerful position of things was dis- turbed by a call to Mr. Riddle, from Pittsburg, which he accepted ; the Presbytery, with great reluctance, dissolving the pastoral rela- tion. Dr. Hill immediately asked for the dissolution of his relation- ship. The Presbytery held an adjourned meeting to consider the request, and refused to grant it. Want of congeniality in the ses- sion ; uneasiness about a house of worship, neither of the church buildings giving satisfaction to all parties ; all propositions for build- ing a third, proving inadmissible ; some of the old difficulties reviv- ing, at least in discussion; the situation of Dr. Hill becoming exceedingly unpleasant ; all these considerations induced the Pres- bytery, at its meeting in Washington, Rappahannock County, April, 1834, to dissolve the pastoral relation. An earnest invitation from Briery congregation being laid before the Presbytery, at his own request, Dr. Hill was regularly dismissed from Winchester Presby- tery to be in connection with the Presbytery of West Hanover.
'T'hat a pastoral connexion of some thirty-four years' continuance, formed by the earnest desire of the people, continued by their de- , cided wish, expressed in various ways, at different times, should
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finally be severed, in circumstances of weight to convince both pastor and people that it ought to be severed, and yet the severance be a most lamentable fact, cannot be accounted for on any of the com- mon principles influencing ministers and their congregations. After attributing all that can be, with propriety, to the constitutional tem- perament of Dr. Hill, subjecting him to the suspicion, and some- times the charge, of determining and acting too much by the voli- tions of his own will, and too little in accordance to the judgment of others, and allowing for the jarring counsels and purposes likely to be found in a session composed of members widely different in disposition and habits, and views of Christian duty and godly living, taking into consideration the excitable elements that may sometimes be found in the male and female members of the church, adding to this mass of excitability and commotion, any extraneous influence of surrounding parties, that might not be desirous of the peace and harmony of a Christian congregation, still there does not appear sufficient cause for the event. Sincere propositions were made from time to time; undoubted declarations of respect were uttered by the lips, and sent forth by the pen; Presbytery repeatedly exerted itself to restore harmony, and sometimes fondly hoped it had done so ; all division of sentiment in Presbytery, respecting the proper course of proceeding, being overbalanced by the desire of restoring harmony in Winchester.
Every one was amazed at the constantly repeated failures of all and every sincere effort at reconciliation. The great and over- whelming charge brought by Dr. Hill, often was, that he had reliable information, on which he based his actions; that there was in the various propositions made to his consideration, a lurking deception, a hidden intention to entrap and bewilder. On this persuasion, some of the fairest proposals were rejected ; and his opponents, feel- ing themselves misinterpreted, were induced to charge their minister with unreasonable suspicions. At the last meeting of Presbytery, in which the Doctor held his seat, an honest effort was made in his favor ; it failed ; and, after its failure, his dismission was granted unanimously. In this event, the brethren, for the first time, had a glimpse of the cause of the repeated and strange failures in previous times. But years rolled away, before the truth of the case became apparent to the minds of those most amazed at the events. A member of Pres- bytery had acted the part of a private informer. Silent in Presby- . tery, never committing himself by an opinion or speech of any kind, he heard the undisguised opinions, and expressions and plans of the persons concerned, and, unfortunately, he chose to put a construc- tion adverse to peace upon all that was done. Professing friendship to all, and to his venerable friend, in particular, for reasons too mys- terious to be yet unfolded, he chose to state to his confiding friend, upon his own knowledge and authority, that the propositions made had hidden, peculiar meanings, and implicated members of Presby- tery, and the entire opposition in the congregation as being unfair in their proceedings, and uncandid in their propositions. To the
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very last, he continued, with too much success, to prevent all efforts for peace, and made entirely unavoidable, the vote which ren- dered Dr. Hill's removal from Winchester necessary, although, from his intimacy in the family, he well knew the heart-suffering it in- flicted. The total want of principle involved in this procedure, was, in the course of some years, made manifest in other matters, and the instrument of much evil became the loathing of his deceived and injured friend. The day of judgment only can reveal the sor- row of heart endured by the pastor and sessions, and members of the church in Winchester, previous to the final separation in 1834. Who made the first false step, or what that step was, cannot be known till God reveals it. The beginning of the evil was unobserved, like the hidden spring of water. After the stream had begun its course, it is not difficult to map out the augmenting currents. The whole history illustrates the fact, that a few fiery and ungoverned spirits may destroy the peace of a community, and a false messenger sepa- rateth very friends.
The exposure necessary to meet the duties of a minister of Briery, proving too severe for Dr. Hill, after a service of two years, he removed to Alexandria, and became pastor of the Second Church, between the members of which and himself there existed a warm friendship. In about two years he returned to Winchester, and, till his death, made his home with his son-in-law.
In Alexandria, he employed his leisure moments in filling up some sketches of religious matters in his early days, commenced at the request of Winchester Presbytery. Writing out these recol- lections employed him after his return to Winchester. The author of these sketches had free access to the Doctor's papers, and availed himself of the unrestrained permission to profit by them in his labors.
P. S .- The suggestions of Viator, in 1843, respecting a new bury- ing-ground in Winchester, have been more than fulfilled. An enter- prising committee have accomplished a work, to remain a monument of their taste, and an ornament of the borough, in cherishing the tender sympathies between the living and the dead. The first public interment in the grave-yard was of the body of Mrs. Atkinson, wife of Rev. William M. Atkinson, D. D., Pastor of the Old School Presbyterian Church in Winchester. Many of the graves in the old yard, referred to by Viator, have given up their ashes, to be transferred to the new ground, which must be the common assem- blage of the inhabitants of Winchester, when they go down to the dead.
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REV. CONRAD SPEECE, D. D.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CONRAD SPEECE, D. D. - THE CLOSE OF HIS LIFE.
DR. SPEECE never exhibited any enthusiasm in his approbation of Theological Seminaries. He approved such as the Virginia Synod had appointed at Lexington, Canonsburg, and in Kentucky, having the president of the literary institution, professor of theology, after the type of the Log College and the school at New London, and New Jersey College in its infancy. He was a calm friend of the efforts made by Hanover Presbytery for a theological school at Hampden Sidney ; and approved the arrangement by which the president of that college became professor of theology. And as years increased upon Dr. Hoge, Dr. Speece was convinced of the necessity of sepa- rating the two offices of president and professor. He had doubts about the ultimate success and advantage of the movements made by the Assembly at Princeton; but thought his friend Alexander would accomplish it if it could be wrought out by discretion and talent and perseverance. The appointment of Dr. Miller to co- operate with Dr. Alexander was involved in some doubtfulness, but was a good selection if the thing sought were desirable, and if desir- able, its excellence would be seen under the labors of Dr. Miller. That a school in Virginia should equal the institution at Princeton in its appointments and allurements to students, he did not think practicable, if desirable. When it was decided after the death of Dr. Hoge that Dr. Alexander could not be prevailed upon to return to Virginia, Dr. Speece, with others, did not see the way clear for successful action by the Synod of Virginia in carrying on a Theolo- gical Seminary. One difficulty they had to surmount was the selec- tion of a professor. Baxter, Rice, Speece, Hill and Lyle looked ronnd upon each other, not able to decide, with that determined har- mony in the churches they wished, who should be professor. Dr. Speece, as chairman of the committee to consider the condition of things, reported in favor of committing the whole matter of the seminary to Hanover Presbytery, by whose efforts the most that was accomplished had been done. He admired the boldness and gran- deur of Dr. Rice's plans more "than their prudence or wisdom. Unwilling to oppose his friend Rice openly, he never vigorously or cordially seconded his efforts. And this coldness towards the seminary kept back the brethren from doing what otherwise they would cheer- fully have done, making him a professor, because they would not act upon the supposition that the gift of an honorable post would inspire ardor in his breast.
Dr. Speece was not prepared to go to the extent of his brother Rice in efforts to bring forward young men to the ministry. He differed about the kind and measure of aid to be afforded. He thought it better for the young men desirous of the gospel ministry to enter
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that office through difficulties, and after multiplied efforts of their own, than to be allured, as it were, by the enticements of an educa- tion afforded to them by the donations of the church. He remembered with deep feeling the encouragement given him by the kind words of Brown, and the opportunity afforded him twice by his friend Graham, to work his way through his classical course ; and he knew how his friend Rice had got into the ministry, and Baxter to the ministry and rectorship ; and he thought this kind of preparation for the ministry was not harmful, perhaps equally as beneficial in the good effects of the self-denial and perseverance in preparing use- ful ministers as the training at colleges and seminaries through 'a full course of study, with less personal effort and persevering fru- gality. On this principle he acted in his intercourse with the chil- dren of his friends Brown and Blain. He encouraged the mothers and the children by precept, and reference to example, to make efforts. But any pecuniary assistance was afforded too privately to become known. Youth were stimulated by what Speece had done for himself, rather than by what he was willing to do for them. Refer- ring to the past, his example said "That is the way."
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