USA > Virginia > Sketches of Virginia : historical and biographical > Part 8
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REV. SAMUEL BROWN.
Mr. S. Brown read and thought closely, but wrote little. Like his neighbor Baxter, he could arrange his thoughts into the purest English and most classic sentence without the help of the pen. Some few manuscripts - one printed sermon - and a few pieces in the Virginia Magazine, are all we have from his pen. His style was simple and concise, with no approach to the florid or verbose, or highly figurative. It was, in his most deeply interesting ser- mons, that which the hearers could never describe - because they never observed - they were simply noticing the ideas as they came rushing forth like a band of warriors from the opened gates. They could not tell the plumes nor ensigns -but they could hear the heavy tread, and see the fiery eye, and feel the fierce expression of every limb.' Many of his hearers could repeat in order the great truths of his sermons that most interested him. But only now and then would they venture to say - "he used these very words." In his less interesting discourses, they could venture to be more exact about his words. His people considered him a great reasoner. In their estimation he always reasoned well; often better ; and some- times the best they could imagine. And that he could reason well is certain from the fact, that his congregation learned to reason admirably on the great truths of religion and morals; and that his brethren in the ministry came to listen to his sermons with the same emotions as his own people. The greatest men in the Synod, said he was the greatest reasoner in the Synod, under the pressure of a great subject. Dr. Speece, who always listened to him with plea- sure, on one occasion appeared to be entirely absorbed in his dis- course ; and as Mr. Brown said - " but we must come to a conclu- sion" - he unconsciously raised his hand and said aloud, " go on, go on."
The facts given by his son respecting the manner in which he be- came satisfied on the subject of predestination, are illustrative of his manner of reasoning from the pulpit on common occasions. He would produce a great array of undoubted facts, and so marshal them as a host prepared for battle, that no one would like to make an onset. Or he would begin to lay the foundation of his building on some corner-stone of the gospel, and go on tier by tier, and story by story, till when the top stone was laid, the hearer charmed with its beauty and symmetry, was ready to shout "grace, grace unto it." His hearers saw it all plain, just right ; but it required Samuel Brown to do it. His model was Paul's Epistle to the Romans, fact after fact, consecutive and connected, with illustrations ; till some certain fact as a conclusion seemed inevitable. Sometimes he entered into the field of metaphysical discussion much in fashion in his day; and among the many that failed making any impression, he was of the few that was resistless. He could weave a web his adversaries could not disentangle. He could produce a train the common peo- ple could understand, and follow closely and feel at the close a deep conviction of its truth ; and the wiser heads could retrace the vari- ous steps after they had reached their homes. They could admire,
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REV. SAMUEL BROWN.
but it seemed to them it took a Samuel Brown to make it. Of his habits in the judicatories of the Church, there is neither a memo- randum nor a tradition of importance. One of his Elders describes him thus : -
Jan. 4th, 1851.
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR,-I received your favor of Dec. 4th, only a few days ago, making some inquiries respecting the Reverend Samuel Brown. In compliance with your request, I will with plea- sure, send you such notices of him as my information on the subject will allow.
He preached his first sermon in New Providence, after taking their call into his hands, June 5th, 1796. His text was in 4th of 2d Corinthians, 1st and 2d verses. His second sermon on the same day was from 1st Peter, 2d and 3d verses. He was married 9th of October, 1798, to Polly Moore, whose story is known to you. He- soon afterwards purchased a small farm near Brownsburg, and com- menced teaching a classical school. He continued the school seve- ral years. Amongst those who were his pupils, I may name Gov. James McDowell, Gov. McNutt, of Mississippi, Samuel McD. Moore, and Dr. Wilson, now of Union Seminary. He attended to the busi- ness of his farm himself, employing no overseer. His salary was only $400 per annum, until a year or two before his death, when it was raised to $500. He was judicious and economical in the man- agement of his affairs. At the time of his installation his means were nothing, his family became large, yet at his death his estate was quite considerable. He died suddenly, 13th October, 1818, having preached the day before. His text on that occasion was in the 40th chapter of Isaiah, 30 and 31.
His talents, according to the common opinion, and that is my own, were of a very high order. His judgment in all matters was sound and practical. In cases where it seemed difficult to arrive at a correct decision, he seemed to seize with facility the true view; and the clearness of his statements hardly failed to bring others to con- cur with him. His preaching was impressive and interesting. In his personal appearance he was tall and lean, his eyes sunk deeply in his head. His voice, though not sweet, was distinct; his manner earnest, seeming to be inspired by a deep conviction of the truth and importance of his subject. His gestures, according to my recollec- tions, were few, but apppropriate. In his addresses from the pulpit, he was eminent for strength, conciseness, aud perspicuity. Argu- mentative more than declamatory, he convinced the judgment of his hearers. Plain, instructive, and practical in his discourses, he brought the principles of the Bible to bear upon the conduct of his people in all their relations. He also held forth very strongly the great Calvinistic doctrines of the Scriptures. He preached repent- ance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He dwelt prominently on the total depravity of human nature, and on the necessity of regeneration. He frequently became very much ani- mated when preaching, and sometimes the tears were seen to trickle
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REV. SAMUEL BROWN.
down his cheeks. His sermons were short generally. I have heard people complain sometimes that they were too short, but never that they were too long. When he preached two sermons on the Sab- bath, as he did in the summer, his last sermon was generally con- sidered the ablest. I never saw but one sermon of his in print ; that one was preached at the installation or ordination of A. B. Davidson, in Harrisonburg. . Mr. Brown told me that he had preached it with- out much preparation, that he had however felt liberty in the delivery of it. When the Presbytery applied for a copy, he had none, and wrote it out as nearly as he could; but I think he was not satisfied with it, and people generally did not consider it as a fair specimen of his sermons.
The longer he lived amongst his people, the more they became attached to him. He mingled amongst them on easy and familiar terms ; took an interest in their welfare both temporal and spiritual. His conversation was interesting, and to use a current phrase, he was the soul of the company in which he was. He took an active interest in the Brownsburg Circulating Library, and was desirous to promote the taste, and the habit of reading amongst his people. He uniformly attended to catechising once a year, at the different places in his congregation, and made pastoral visits to some extent. In his day it was not customary to preach at funerals. In admitting persons to the communion of the church, he generally conversed with them privately, and then reported to the Session. He was a man that never shrunk from any responsibility, that properly belonged to him, in any circumstances in which he was placed ; and his opinions probably carried more weight with them than those of any other man in this end of Rockbridge County. He was a very kind hus- band, and was always heard to speak of his wife in the most affec- tionate manner, and he reposed in her judgment and opinion great confidence. His piety was undoubted. He died universally lamented ; in the prime of life, in full intellectual vigor ; in the midst of his usefulness ; and when the love of his people towards him, so far from abating, was becoming deeper and stronger.
I am yours, respectfully, THOMAS H. WALKER.
As Mr. Samuel Brown "never shrunk from any responsibilities," so he never sought for notoriety. He held the post of his highest desires, the pastor of a flock of the Lord Jesus. This he sought when he entered upon the course of studies for the ministry; and for this he longed whether at the grammar school, or at Liberty - Hall; and this he preferred to a missionary life. And whether he directed the concerns of a small farm, or taught a select classical school, it was to aid him in the work of a gospel minister. And this honor and this desire he left as the inheritance of his children. As a teacher he stimulated youth to seek excellence ; and through life he encouraged the young to strive for mental as well as moral cul- ture. Dr. Speece attributes to him his excitement for an education.
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REV. SAMUEL BROWN.
"In 1792, Mr. Samuel Brown, one of my former teachers, wrote to my father, to persuade him to send me to the grammar school, near New London. I was anxious to go ;" and through life he spoke of Samuel Brown as conferring a great favor on him in his early life, by encouraging him to seek a liberal education.
When the bodily exercises referred to in the sketch of Baxter, and so fully described by Davidson in his History of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky, made their appearance in Virginia, Mr. Brown made a decided and open opposition. He said they were a profane mixture with the work of God. He had meditated upon the sub- ject as a peculiarity of Kentucky and Tennessee ; and when they became matters of daily fact in the neighboring congregations, he spoke out clearly and convincingly. His decision and his reasons for it, quickened the action of Baxter's mind, who was travelling more slowly, yet surely to the correct decision. These two men differed in some particulars, and by that very difference mutually affected the operations of each other's mind. Baxter was always ready to hear what Brown would say, and Brown was always glad to have Baxter fully agree with him. Baxter would listen to new things in argument, or report, or read them as history with entire simplicity. Like a child in a botanic garden, with the carelessness of innocence he would walk around wounding his hands with the thorns here, and offending his smell there, with the odor of the flowers, seeming to admire the pernicious and the deadly, and stopping to look a mo- ment at the pure and good ; and going into the museum to look at machinery, they should lead him to the apartments of the garrotte, the maiden and the guillotine, at all of which he would look with awakened curiosity as something recommended for their peculiar ex- cellence :- by and by his face would begin to assume a sober cast, the lines would deepen, and the tones of voice would tremble per- haps with emotion-Gentlemen, these are all deadly, every one -- and disgraceful as deadly ;- those flowers are all poisonous, every one, except that little group that stands in the unobserved corner. Brown would come in, his reasoning powers as sensitive to error"as the eye to the floating mote, or the smell to the fumes of sulphur ; on he would go, shaking his head at this, passing by that, and paus- ing nowhere till he met the little group of innocent sweet flowers ; and in the museum he would have felt a cold shuddering as he looked to see what these evil things were. And in recounting the whole affair, Baxter would have laughed outright as he described this poisonous thing with so pretty a covering of beauteous colors, and the queerness of those death-machines praised for their ingenuity : and Brown would have laughed at Baxter as about to put on the gar- rotte as a necklace, and hug the maiden and bite the nightshade to find out what they were. In the final conclusion they would entirely agree. It would have distressed them for either to have found the other coming to an opposite conclusion. Both would have paused and re-considered his course, and weighed his arguments, and
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REV. SAMUEL BROWN.
balanced them with his brother's reasons. Each looked upon the other as the greater man.
The people of New Providence considered their pastor as com- pletely suited to them ; they desired no other ; they could not well conceive a better. And Mr. Brown rejoiced in an eldership of men of simplicity of manners and purposes ; of sterling integrity and unfeigned piety ; and a congregation of sensible people, numerous enough for all his capabilities as a pastor, and worthy of the best exercise of those endowments of body and mind that might be fitted for any service the Lord might call. Both were contented. Under his ministry, the Old Stone Meeting House, endeared by a thousand recollections, gave place to a new brick building. And as his own log dwelling was about to be exchanged for a convenient brick resi- dence, nearly completed, he came suddenly to the end of life. He had performed the services of a sacramental occasion at New Provi- dence on Saturday, Sabbath and Monday, the 10th, 11th and 12th of October, as his people thought with more than usual ability. On Tuesday, the 13th, making preparations to attend the Synod in Staunton, and giving directions to finish some parts of his house, he ate heartily at dinner, and in less than two hours was lifeless. Rev. John H. Rice, in the Evangelical and Literary Magazine for December, 1818, thus writes :- " The record of the incidents of this day (14th of October) presents something like a map of human life. In the morning we were gay and cheerful, amusing ourselves with remarks on the country, on the comparative genius and habits of our countrymen, and a thousand things, just as the thoughts of them occurred, anticipating a joyful meeting in the evening with some well-tried, faithful and beloved friends ; when suddenly, as the flash of lightning breaks from the cloud, we were informed of the almost instantaneous death of one of the choicest of these friends, and one of the most valuable of men-the Rev. Samuel Brown. The road which we should travel led by the house in which he was accustomed to preach ; and on inquiring for it, we were asked if we were going to the funeral ! Thus, as in a moment, was hope turned into deep despondency, and gladness of heart exchanged for the bitterness of sorrow.
" We journeyed on in mournful silence interrupted by occasional remarks, which showed our unwillingness to believe the truth of what had been announced, and how reluctantly hope takes her departure from the human bosom. It might have been a fainting fit, an apo- plectic stroke mistaken for the invasion of death; and still he might be alive. The roads trampled by multitudes of horses, all directed to the dwelling of our friend, dissipated these illusions of the deceiver, and convinced us of the sad reality. Still, however, when we arrived at the church, and saw the people assembling, and the pile of red clay, the sure indication of a newly opened grave, thrown up in the church yard, it seemed as though we were thus, for the first time, assured that Samuel Brown was dead. Only a few of the people had come together on our arrival. Some, in small groups,
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REV. SAMUEL BROWN.
were conversing in a low tone of voice interrupted by frequent and bitter sighs, and showing in strong terms, how deeply they felt their loss. Others, whose emotions were too powerful for conversa- tion, stood apart, and leaning on the tombstones, looked like pictures of woe. Presently the sound of the multitude was heard. They came on in great crowds. The elders of the church assisted in com- mitting the body to the grave. After which, solemn silence inter- rupted only by smothered sobs, ensued for several minutes. The widow stood at the head of the grave, surrounded by her children, exhibiting signs of unutterable anguish, yet seeming to say, 'It is the Lord, let him do with us what seemeth unto him good.' After a little time, on a signal being given, some young men began to fill the grave. The first clods that fell on the coffin, gave forth the most mournful sound I ever heard. At that moment of agony the chorister of the congregation was asked to sing a specified hymn, to a tune known to be a favorite one of the deceased minister. The voice of the chorister faltered so that it required several efforts to raise the tune; the whole congregation attempted to join him, but at first the sound was rather a scream of anguish than music. As they advanced, however, the precious truths expressed in the words of the hymn seemed to enter into their souls. Their voices became more firm, and while their eyes streamed with tears, their countenances were radiant with Christian hope, and the singing of the last stanza was like a shout of triumph. The words of the hymn are well known. -
"' When I can read my title clear.'.
By the time that these words were finished, the grave was closed, and the congregation in solemn silence retired to their homes. We lodged all night with one of the members of the church. The family seemed bereaved, as though the head of the household had just been buried. Every allusion to the event too, brought forth a flood of tears. I could not help exclaiming, 'behold how they loved him.' And I thought the lamentation of fathers and mothers, of young men and maidens, over their departed pastor, a more eloquent and affect- ing eulogium, than oratory with all its pomp and pretensions could pronounce. After this I shall not attempt panegyric. Let those who wish to know the character of Samuel Brown go and see the sod that covers his body, wet with the tears of his congregation."
Mr. Brown left a widow and ten children, seven sons and three daughters. A sketch of his widow has appeared in the preceding volume. In about six years she followed her husband to the tomb, and lies by his side.
The successor of Samuel Brown, and third preacher of New Provi- dence is JAMES MORRISON, now filling the pulpit. He became the son-in-law of the widow, and a true brother of the children.
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HANOVER PRESBYTERY.
CHAPTER VI.
HANOVER PRESBYTERY, FROM ITS RECONSTRUCTION, 1758, TO THE FORMATION OF ORANGE PRESBYTERY, 1770. .
IN the reconstruction of Presbyteries that followed the union of the Synods of New York and Philadelphia, in 1758, the Hanover Presbytery included, with the exception of Mr. John Hoge of Fred- erick County, all the Presbyterian ministers south of the Potomac, in connection with the two Synods, Alexander Craighead, Samuel Black, John Craig, Samuel Davies, Alexander Miller, John Todd, Robert Henry, John Brown, John Wright, and John Martin. The first meeting was held July 12th, 1758, in Mr. Wright's congrega- tion in Cumberland County .. "Agreed that all the appointments of the former Presbytery of Hanover, that are not yet complied with, shall continue in force, as far as they are consistent with the union of the Synods." Under this order the ordination of Messrs. Rich- ardson and Pattillo took place, the necessary steps having been taken by the former Presbytery.
Members of Hanover Presbytery.
Rev. HENRY PATTILLO, the eighth in order, was an alumnus of Mr. Davies. A sketch of him appears in the Sketches of North Carolina.
Rev. WILLIAM RICHARDSON, the ninth in order, was an Englishman by birth, and became a member of the family of Mr. Davies. Respecting some religious books sent him, Mr. Davies writes, June 3d, 1757-" In their names and my own, I heartily thank the Society in Glasgow for their liberal and well chosen bene- faction. Mr. Richardson (now a resident in my family) and myself will divide them according to direction, and endeavor to distribute them to the best advantage." At Providence, Louisa County, the Committee, Messrs. Todd, Wright, and Davies, met according to appointment to hear Mr. Pattillo's trials-"Mr. William Richardson attending upon the Committee to offer himself upon trials for the ministry of the gospel, was taken sick, and unable to pass an exami- nation. But the members of the Committee having had consider- able acquaintance with his progress in learning by their private conversation with him, conclude they have sufficient reason to dis- pense with his trials at this time, in so extraordinary a case; and appoint him to prepare a sermon on John iii. 2, ' We know thou art a teacher come from God ;' and an Exegesis on the question - Unde apparet necessitas Christi Mortis ut Peccatores servati sint ? - as a second part of trial to be determined at the next Presbytery." At Cub Creek, in the September following, after the licensure of Mr.
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REV. WILLIAM RICHARDSON.
Pattillo, the examination of Mr. Richardson in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, Logic, Ontology, Natural and Moral Philosophy, Geography and Astronomy, was held and approved; his' religious experience, and exegesis, and sermon were heard and also approved - and they "appoint him a sermon on 2 Cor. v. 17, to be delivered at our next Committee at Wm. Smith's in Cumberland, the last Wednesday of October; and they appoint Messrs. Davies, Henry, Wright, and Todd, a Committee for that purpose." On the 25th of October, the Committee sustained the sermon, and appointed another on John vi. 44, first clause - and a Lecture on 2 Cor. 4: 1-7. At Captain Anderson's, in Cumberland, Jan. 25th, 1758, Mr. Richardson de- livered the sermon and lecture. After examination - " on various subjects of Divinity, the Presbytery received his assent to, and approbation of, the Westminster Confession of Faith, as the confes- sion of his faith, also the Catechism and Directory, and proceeded to license him; and appointed the Moderator, Mr. Davies, to give him some admonitions with regard to the discharge of his office." April 26th, 1758, at Providence, Louisa, Mr. Richardson opened Presbytery with a sermon according to appointment, which was accepted as preparatory for ordination. On the next day he was ordered to take a missionary tour through the upper part of North Carolina ; and also to attend a meeting of Presbytery at Captain Anderson's, in Cumberland, on July 12th, with an exegesis on - "Num Sabbatum Judaicum post Christi resurrectionem, in primum diem hebdomadis mutatum ?" On the appointed day the Presbytery met, and on the next day proceeded to the ordination of Henry Pattillo and William Richardson. Mr. Davies delivered on the occasion, number seventy-one of his printed sermons, -"The love of souls a necessary qualification for the ministerial office." To the end of the sermon, is appended the ordination service of the occa- sion. At the meeting of Presbytery to consider the application for the removal of Mr. Davies to Princeton, Mr. Richardson was not present. Mr. Davies, "in the name of the society for promoting Christianity among the Indians, petitioned the Presbytery that Mr. Richardson should be permitted to go as a missionary among the Indians, as soon as his health will permit; to which the Presbytery heartily agreed." Sept. 27th, 1758, at Hanover, he was "appointed to preside at Mr. Craighead's installation, at Rocky River in North Carolina, on his way out to the Cherokee nation." In 1760, he joined the Presbytery of South Carolina, not in connexion with the Synod. There are further notices of his labors in North and South Carolina, in the Sketches of North Carolina. His foster child and heir, William Richardson Davie, was noted in the war of the Re- volution and the Civil History of North Carolina, as a soldier of bravery, and a politician of influence.
Rev. ANDREW MILLAR, the tenth member, came from the parish of Ardstraw, in Ireland; and in 1753 applied to the Phila- delphia Synod for admission -" He acknowledged he was degraded
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REV. ANDREW MILLAR.
by the Presbytery of Letterkenny, and sub-Synod of Londonderry, and General Synod of Ireland, but complained, that they had treated him hardly and unjustly." . The Synod after considering his case- " think they would act wrong to encourage a man which is cast out of their churches, till we hear for what reasons, and we would warn all the Societies under our care, to give him no encouragement as a minister till his character is cleared." In 1755, he appeared before Synod and handed in "a penitential acknowledgement to transmit" - to Ireland to procure reconciliation between him and the Presby- tery of Letterkenny, or the Synod of Dungannon. The next year, he came again with "a supplication from Cook's Creek and Peeked Mountain, requesting us to receive Mr. Alexander Millar as a full member, and to appoint his instalment as a regular pastor." These congregations were composed of emigrants from Ireland; Cook's Creek on the south-west, and Peeked Mountain north-eastward of Harrisonburg, the present county seat of Rockingham county. Some steps were taken by the Synod to comply with this request, and some discretionary power was granted Messrs. Black and Craig, "to receive him as a member and instal him, provided they find his conduct in that part of Christ's vineyard, such as becomes a gospel minister," in prospect of some letters being received from Ireland, favorable to Mr. Millar's standing, "in the fall when the ships are arrived from Ireland." Messrs. Black and Craig did not proceed in the affair. The request from the congregation was renewed in May, 1757 -"and the Synod unanimously agree to receive him as a member, and order, that Mr. Craig instal him accordingly, at some convenient time, before the first of next August; and that he give him to understand, that it is the judgment of the Synod, that he ought to be content with the bounds fixed by the committee for that purpose." He was installed and registered as a member of Done- gal Presbytery; but was not content with his bounds. He wished the line between his congregation and Mr. Craig's, should be more central, and approach nearer the Stone Church and Mossy Creek, and carried the matter before Hanover Presbytery in 1760. The matter was decided against him, "as Mr. Craig's bounds on that side are very moderate, and as the people on the limits contended for, earnestly petition that they may be continued under their own pastor." In 1764, we find him in difficulties with his congregations. Preparations were also made by Presbytery to investigate some charges, unfavorable to his morals, against his conduct while on a missionary tour in North Carolina. On these charges he was de- posed June 5th, 1766, by the Presbytery of Hanover. The matter was carried to Synod, 1769. Steps were taken for a hearing, “in the mean time on account of Mr. Millar's unjustifiable delay for some years to enter his complaint - the irregularity of his proceed- ings - the atrocious nature of the crimes laid to his charge - we do hereby declare him suspended from the exercise of the minis- terial office, till his complaint can be fully heard." "
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