Memoir of Rev. Charles T. Torrey : who died in the penitentiary of Maryland, where he was confined for showing mercy to the poor.

Preface

« Dust thou art, and unto dtist shalt thou return/'' is a decree against which mortals struggle in vain. Not only does the body return to the earth, but the actions and words perish with it.

The ancients lifted the marble from its bed, and bade the chisel shape it into the form of a living man — but it was only a likeness, imperfect and unable to perpetuate the man that once lived and walked and acted.

Types and the press have furnished us with a cheaper mode of preserving the words and actions of men. Yet "how small is the sum of them." Far more is lost than can be preserved. Still we love to survey the skeletons of the extinct races of animals.

" The proper study of mankind is man."

Biography furnishes the materials for this study. Little need be said to introduce the papers of Mr. Torrey. The editor has only to say, that under the circumstances in which he v«ras placed, he has done what he could, to arrange them so as to give a fair picture of his life.

It properly' devolves upon an intimate friend to prepare materials from the hand of the dead for the eye of the living. The individual selected for that purpose by Mr. Torrey, was admonished by his declining healthy that he could undertake no such task. The alternative was thus presented to the writer, that either there would be no memoir of Mr. Torrey, vi phefaob.

'. or he must prepare it. He chose the latter ; and if the reader finds it not what he would like ; the comparison is not between this and a better one, but this or none.

Mr. Torrby was a profuse writer. Sermons, diaries, editorials, essays, letters in huge and dire masses lay around us, as we began the work — ^like chaos at creation, a vast heap of unshaped material. We have read and culled, and cut and arranged, till the brain is tired and the hand weary; if you, reader, are in any measure thankful for our labor, we take it kindly, and are more than repaid ; if you buffet us for faults, we are clad in the best of shields : in the midst of other cares and duties, we have done what we could.'

J. G. L.

CHAPTER I. Birth, Parents, Early Education .... . 1

CHAPTER n.

CHAPTER ni.

School-keeping 24

CH^IPTER rv.

Studies Theology. — ^Letters to his Wife before Marriage. — Ordination at Providence. — ^Letter to his Wife. — ^Dismission. — Resettled at Salem. — ^Leaves Salem 32

CHAPTER V.

Letters to Rev. P. Cooke 42

CHAPTER VI.

Continues to Lecture. — ^Reporter at Washington. — Goes to Annapolis. — ^Imprisonment. — Letters 85

CHAPTER Vn. 1

Becomes Editor of a Paper in Albany.— Goes to Virginia to assist a man to get his Wife and Children. — Carriage seized.— Story of the Webb Family 104

CHAPTER Vni.

Arrest and Imprisonment of Mr. Torrey.— Letters from Baltimore Jail.— 'Letter to a Convention at Salem .... 126

CONTKNTS.

CHAJPTER IX.

Letters to his Wifo.-—Attoinpt0 to oscnpo from Jail . . . 148

CHAPTER X.

Lettcra to Mr. Altlen.— To Mrs. Williams.— To Mr. Mc'Kim . 160

*

CHAPTER XI.

Trial olf Mr. Toney.— Conviction 1^1

CHAPTER Xn.

Letten from the Penitentiary '. 214

CHAPTER Xra.

Letters to Mrs. Torrey, while in Prison 237

CHAPTER XIV.

Last Letters to and from Mr. Torrey 245

CHAPTER XV.

Efforts for the Release of Mr. Torrey.— His Sickness and Death 282

CHAPTER XVI.

Faneral- — ^Extracts from the Sermon preached on the occasion 294

CHAPTER XVn.

Sketches of Mr. Torrey. — ^Resolutions of Pahlic Bodies. — ^Voice of the Press.- Poetry .. . ' 308

MEMOIR.

CHAPTER I.

BIRTH, PARENTS, EARLY EDUCATIOW.

" Though dead, he yet speaketb." Who does not love fo listen to the gentle whisper that comes np io the ear from the grave ? All the angry passions that from within and without beset their victim, lie quietly sleeping around his tomb. The things said and the deeds done are the mirror in which you may see the man. On a fly leaf without date, but in the hand writing of Mr. Torrey, is the follow! eg record,

" Some particulars of my parents, etc., furnished by my grandmother, etc., when I was at home last.

" My mother, Hannah Tolman Turner, was bom Jan. 28, 1794. My father, Charles Torrey, was born — . They were married March 21, 1813. I, Charles, was bom Nov. 21, 1813. My name afterwards was altered by general court to Charles Turner, in 18 — . Hannah was bora April 14, 1815. Father died October — , 1815, of consumption, aged — . My sister died March 28, 1816, of dropsy in the head, aged 11 months and 17 days ; was a very beautiful child. 3Iother died March 29, 1817, of consumption, aged 23 years, 2 months and 1 day. She was a member of Mr. Thomas's church ; said to be very beautiful, amiable, etc. Mother was born in the house at present occupied by uncle Theodore ; father, in a honse in Boston, fomierly occupied by Mr. Burr. They lived, were married, and died in Scituate. He died in his

MEMOIR OF TORttET.

own honsc, near the late Augustus Clapp's, in tha North parish. Hannah also dietl there. Mother afterwards moved to grandfather's house, where she was born ; there she died. A short time before she died she solemnly consecrated me to God, hoping that I might bo his. My parents, immediately after their marriage, removed to the house near Mr. Clapp's, whence they never removed. Father was a merchant. I have, ever since a short time previous to my mother's death, lived with my grandparents : first, till 1825, at Scituate ; thence, till Oct. 1827, at Charlesfown ; thence, till May 80, 1828, at Chelsea; from June 1, 1828 to Aug. 20, 1830, 1 was at Exeter, N. IL, attending Phillips Academy ; boarded, except the last term, with Mr. John Gardner ; thence till October 15, at Chelsea ; then came to Yale college, and here am I. I remember very little about my parents or sister ; perhaps nothing ; for impressions may have been made on my mind so in unison with what m&y have been my feelings at the time, that I remember them. For instance ; I think I remember playing with my little sister; remember my glee at the ' pleasant ride' I thought we had when she was buried ; zny father's great coat, which hung in a particular place ; my mother's sick bed ; aunt Amanda's parching corn for her ; my playing about father's house, near a board fence ; going into the shop ; and perhaps some other trifling circumstances ; — must, when I next see Scituate, endeavor to renew ray recollections, by visiting my former home, — ^no longer the home indeed to which my heart clings."

The young and beautiful mother of Mr. Torrey, at the early age of 23 years, resigning life and the fond hopes that hovered around her darling boy, consigned him, upon her dying bed, to the arms of her father and mother. In the same family resided a sister of his grandmother, who loved Charles with the fondness of a mother. The lonely orphan committed to their care, displayed, even in his childish prattle, evi-

BIRTH, Pi.IlENTAGE, EDUCATION.

denco of uncommon intelligence, which was perceived by less partial witnesses than the loving grandparents. His memory was strong and retentive, and his mind ever on the alert to obtain information, led him, at an early age, to take freely of the " tree of knowledge of good and evil." In his walks, to and from school, he amused himself with examining the bugs, caterpillnis, grasshoppers, worms, butterflies, frogs, polywogs, and flowers of every hue which intersected his path. This occupied so much time his fond grandmother often started in pursuit of him, when she would find him returning with his little dinner pail filled full of the various specimens of Natu- • ral History and Botany which he had been studying. He would then, by reading and conversation, learn all he could respecting them ; and this knowledge, thus acquired, in after years, he always had at command.

He loved not the rude sports common to children of his age ; but found his chief delight in retiring to a closet, and reading the books, both grave and gay, which had come down to the family from past generations, or in conversation with his grandmother upon theology, and with his grandfather upon the political affairs of his native town and country, so far as he could obtain information.

At the age of five and six years, he always attended the town meetings with his grandfather, who was generally moderator ; sat with him, watched every proceeding, counted every vote, and was able to carry home a correct account of all that transpired there. It was probably here, that he first obtained his taste for politics.

No wonder that they marvelled at him, and felt proud at the astonishment with which others heard him converse. But unfortunately, he soon learned, what was not the less true, that he displayed intelligence and mental powex beyond his years. This led him to place great reliance upou his own wisdom ; and as his passions were also equally developed with his mental faculties, rendered it exceeding'y difficult for

MEMOIR OF TOItRET.

the trembling Imnd of age to hold the reins of discipline with Bufiicicnt sternness to guide such u comet through his childhood and youth.

He accordingly gi-ow up lovely in his person, sj/rightly in his manners, with uncommon knowledge, ability, and selfconfidence, and swayed by passions which yielded to no control.

God has his purposes to execute, deeper and wider than any wo can form ; and upon every character, when it is completed, will be found this inscription : " For this same pur- ' pose have I raised thee up." Thus it must be, and thus the Scripture is fulfilled ; not written with pen and ink indeed, but in those deeper lines, where the finger of God writes his will upon the hidden columns that support his throne.

When fifteen years of age, his long black hair was smoothed around his brow, his trunk packed with books and clothing, and the last kiss of aunt and grandmother impressed upon his ruddy lips, and with many prayers, cherished hopes, and large expectations, he left " Home" for Exeter Academy, there to fit for college. Two years there not only fitted him for college, but well nigh unfitted him for this world and the next.

Take care ! that young boy goes out upon the ocean of life freighted with hopes richer than the gold of Ophir.

" Take heed, ye guardians of the youthful mind That facile grows hencath your kindly care : 'Tis of elastic mould, and, if confined With too much stress, ' shoots madly from its sphere,' Unswayed by love, and unrestrained by fear."

There is enough to fill the fond parent with overwhelming apprehension, in sending out a son upon the world at that age when the magazine of passion is about to be uncovered, and sparks are flying around it in all directions. The purs minded boy joins the older circle of companions, and must for himself choose the good or perish by the evil.

COLLEGE LIFE.

It scarcely needed the vivid imagination of the pure minded Greelc to paint this danger in a beautiful allegory. The great, the wise, and the good Dr. Arnold of Rugby, felt this danger with all a parent's solicitude. Nothing but the reflection that there is no virtue that is not tried, could reconcile him to the exposure to which he saw the younger members of his school subject.

It was joy to him to see the bending reed recover itself, after the rude blast had swept over it, and standing firmer with its roots broader and stronger, promising to be a tree which no wind can shake, no storm disturb.

Chapter II. College Life

By the restraining gi'ace of God, Mr. T. was kept during the two years at the Academy, and entered Yale College, in autumn of 1830, in his 17th year. He entered the Sophomore class, though, young as he then was, it would have been better had he entered the Freshman class. Of his first year in college he has left no trace behind, save the record of his expenses. His father left him a small patrimony, ia the hands of Hon. Charles Turner, his grandfather, which, wit>: great prudence, and some exertion on his part, would have nearly educated him. But this he did not understand. His doubly fond grandparents, who loved two in one, had always abundantly supplied every want j and it was not till, in the midst of his collegiate course, when his resources began to fall by his repeated demands upon them, that he first began to feel the worth of money. Though it was now necessary for his guardian to teach him lessons of economy, it was as painful to him as to the subject of his discipline. He was now obliged

MEMOIR OF TOItRET.

to resort to credit, for the remainder of his education. And he who knows not how to spend ready money, will know still less about regulating his expenses, when the pay day is distant. He accordingly graduated in debt, which was augmented unnecessarily by the purchase of a library, and other useful things, which it would have been better to have remained without, till he really needed them, or was able to pay for them. The following sums passed through his hands while in college.

During the first year of Mr. Torrey's college life, he became the subject of religious impressions, which resulted in his hopeful conversion to Christ. In his journal is found the following record ;

« Though I have repeatedly resolved on my course, I have never written it down formally. I will do so now ; and, after prayer to my Maker, sign it.

" Whereas my attention has been for some time called to the all-important subject of my soul's salvation, I, being fully convinced and pei-suaded, and feeling in my heart, that the service of God is the only satisfsctory service, with prayerful earnestness and solemnity, having the eternal consequences in view, in the presence of God, appealing to him for the sincerity of my intentions and for his aid and assistance, do now resolve that I will be, in very deed, his disciple ; that I will take him in Christ as my only portion and hope, for time and for eternity, putting away all lusts and everything inconsistent with his honor and glory and the devotion of my whole heart and life to his cause : that I do now and forever consecrate myself to his service ; that he shall be my God, and I will be his child. And may God, in his infinite mercy and

First year .

Second year Third year .

Sabbath day, March 13, 1831.

COLLEGE LIFE.

lovo, enable me, in reliance on the Savior, to keep this resolution : to which I now, in his presence, ailix my hand. (Signed,) Chaiiles Turner Torbet.

21 minutes after nine o'cloclc, P. M.

" I liave done It. Tlie act has been solemnly done, in the presence of God ; and I know before this it is recorded in heaven. May he enable me to abide by it in eternity. He can and will. In him do I put my trust. I think I had better read this daily, till it is impressed upon my mind. I feel that I am acting no trifling part ; that my future stato has now been decided, and I will trust in my Maker that it is decided that I shall be of the number of those who love him."

[Common-place Book and Journal, 1831.]

" Tale, New Haven, July 1.

" The following is the Covenant and Confession of Faith in our college church."

After writing out the Confession of Faith, he says : " This, then, is the solemn covenant I entered into with my Maker and his church. And how have I kept it ? God is a covenant-keeping God ; but I, his creature, have violated my vows. Now would I renew them ; and may his grace enable me to keep them. This day, as usual, wrote a little. In the evening, attended the usual college prayer-meeting ; very few were present ; most of the students probably attended the preparatory lecture in the Center church. The meeting was a precious one to me. I do enjoy some of ^ our meetings for social prayer very much. My private devotions, too, are generally most precious seasons, especially when I can, in any measure, realise the fact, that my Lord and Savior is present ; when I can cast myself at his feet, and ask his forgiveness and blessing. How unsearchable are the riches of his goodness, which can forgive such sins as mine ! renewed daily and hourly. Some time since, when the thought of my sinfulness, my persisting in the same sins for

MEMOIR OF TORHEY.

which I have often asked forgiveness, came into my mind, I felt ashamed to go and ask pardon. And I fear this emotion of pride kept me from my Maker when I should have confessed my vileness and humbled myself before him. But happily I was led to see the error of this being ashamed to go to my Maker when oppressed with the sense of guilt, by some remarks made in the Theological Chamber, by one of the brethren,"

From this Journal Mr. Torrey will have some communion with the reader on various topics during the remaining period of his college life. You can see that he formed his own opinions at that early age, and knew how to express them. You have, too, many of the struggles of the human and divine — flight and darkness, sin and holiness contending with each other. In these journals, the marked and prominent attribute of his mind, fertility/, is everywhere apparent. His mind was like the ground of the rich man, it brought forth plentifully. It yielded its fruit not only every month, but every day.

He was in the habit of writing an abstract of the sermons which he heard on the sabbath, and then appended his own remarks. Of one sermon he says : " This sermon was simple and eloquent, came from the heart, and in many instances, no doubt, reached it. As in the case of Miss C, I went there after meeting. She appeared much affected ; had a serious and affectionate convei-sation with her. She went to her closet and returned, as we trust, a new creature. Her first question, when she returned, was: How one felt, or could ^ know, when they had submitted themselves to Christ ?"

The following remarks are just as good for the new progeny of darkness, Odd-fellows, as for their ancestors, the Masons.

"July 4, 5, 6. Wednesday. — Now for a composition. What shall I write about ? Masonry. If the prince of the powers of the air, that old serpent, otherwise called the devil)

OOLLEaB LIFE.

should appear bodily in the midst of us^^attempt to set up his kingdom here openly, in the view of all men, there can be but little doubt, that he would be driven out of the country, with every mark of disgrace and contempt. But when he assumes the form of an angel of light, promises to those who will blindly follow hiin, all the happiness and rswards attendant upon integrity of heart, then people begin to imagine that he who once appeared not less than < archangel ruined/ is art archangel still ; though, if they would examine his character and designs, the archfiend would plainly appear. Now suppose he had come into this country, and in this mild, heavenly disguise, set up a kingdom here, concealed his character, displayed an outside of pomp and splendor, of beauty and benevolence, to. the eyes of the adm'ring crowd ; and thus induced thousands, of the good as well as the bad, to serve him. Suppose again, that on a certain occasion his cloven foot, his fiendish nature, should accidentally appear to a few of his followers ; they, alarmed and convinced of his real character and designs, labor and print and pray to convince the other blinded followers of the Old Gentleman of it, to induce them to join to overthrow his government, drive his majesty satanio to his own place. . . "Now what should one say of those who opposed this so desirable revolution ? Why, common sSnse would dictate the answer : their own principles had become assimilated, if not identified, with those of their ruler. Suppose again, that thousands of these devil-worshippers, aroused to examine bis nature, should spurn his allegiance, and solemnly warn their countrymen to shake off his chains, which were soon to be riveted upon their bodies and souts, and themselves made the servile tools of his fiendish majesty, to conquer other provinces to himself. Washington has left it OB record, and every freeman ought to think of it : that he believed secret societies were the bane of civil liberty. And why? Because secret societies enter into obligations unknown to the civil law, and exercise, in consequence, ac influence for

MBMom OF TOQBEY.

which they cannot be made responsible to the law. If this influence be bad, the foundations of government are destroyed. This Washington thought, and has declared. Lot every lover of liberty remember it: 'secret societies are the bane,' etc. Now to show that Masonry has this effect. In New York, as all know, there has been a number of Masons tried, for procuring the inhuman murder of Morgan, and not one has been found guilty, though the evidence has been such as to render it perfectly certain that the individuals tried were guilty. Why? Because a mason was on the jury, and would not convict a brother mason, though a murderer. And in nearly a hundred cases, Masons have refused, though fined and imprisoned in consequence, to give testimony on the trial of a brother, when they knew that their testimony would convict him. When asked wkt/ they refused to testify, they answered, that they regarded the Masonic oaths as superior in their obligation to the civil oaths, and they perjured themselves to clear their guilty Masonic brethren. Con a govemmeot subsist where justice is thus baffled ?

" Take your Bibles and read there the titles of the Most High God : * I am that I am,* * the King of Heaven,' * the King of Kings.' Enter a lodge of Masons and hear these titles, and manv others, applied to the Grand Masters, and other Masons, and then answer it to your consciences and to your God, whether you will not oppose an institution which blasphemes the God of heaven ; whose officers assume his dtles ; and which thus marks all we reverence as holy, all we rely upon as lovely, in the religion of Christ. -^Even those who insist most strongly upon the natural tendency of the human mind to great and noble deeds and purposes, must admit that it is, iu a majority of instances, strangely perverse, is wonderfully inclined to receive gilded errors, rather than to search for the hidden things of truth. No greater proof of this is needed than the almost innumerable' systems of religion current at the present day, but one of which, from the

OOLLEOB LIFE.

nature of things, can be entirely right. Aguin, most of us have observed what a wonderful diOerence there is between a dream and the reality, which an examination by daylight presents to the mind. On these two principles we may perhaps account for that beauty which appeared in a certain tree, of which we had an eloquent description last week. To one thoroughly awakened, the tree appears to be rotten, the branches leafless and withered ; those reclining under it — half bad — the rest, indeed good ; but contented to suppose the tree shady, because tbey are told so, and never looked up to see its barrenness ; but spell-bound by the master spirit who sits on the tree scattering poison over the whole multitude of sleepers."

A good Bath for Soul and Body,

" July 6. — Had a delicious bath going to A., and on returning, in two fresh brooks. I trust my soul, too, was bathed ; received an unction from on high while I was there, for which I shall have reason ever to bless and praise the Lord of Hosts."

Cold Water to a Thirsty souL "Heard joyful news from Washington. The Lord is pouring out his Spirit there in a wonderful manner, turning sinners to himself. Truly when I heard of the instances of conversion there, I could feel the force of the expression: 'What hath the Lord wrought!* Wednesday, spake in the chapel for Stoddard. Bead most of the F. M. in a desultory manner, to find something to speak in the evening in the Society. Spoke as I did ; a manner which I am now sorry for ; for I fear I did not recollect the presence of Grod. Came home very late, studied a little, and then to bed. After spending a day of — what ? I accomplished something, to be sure ; but what bearing my conduct bad on

. »IEMOIR OP TOBIIET.

the prosperity of Zion, is another question. Father, forgive my sins against thee."

Self'examtnation.

**Well, now, what advances in holiness have I made to-day ? What, added to my knowledge of God's character and my daties to him ? How have I improved the great advantages I have enjoyed ? These are questions which I must answer at the bar of my Maker ; but, alas ! what can I say, but with the publican, God be merciful to me a sinner ? I fear I forget one thing too much : that I ought to remember and dwell upon the truths I hear on the sabbath, during the week, and not drive them from my mind, like the way'Side hearers, after the sabbath is over. Well, I must repeat the prayer, and I know it is to the God of mercy and love, * be merciful to me.' This I must repeat, again and again, till the end of life."

Backsliding of Christians ; Description of the Heart, hy Pollok; Original Lines added,

"July 14, 15, 16. Thursday.— Why is it that Christians, almost invariably, become cold and careless about the concerns of eternity ? Can it be accounted for on any of the known principles of the human mind ? But there is a cause : indwelling sin and corruption of the heart, which is sure to get the mastery if the Christian does not continually watch unto prayer. But is there any weec? of this being the case? The children of the world are wiser than the children of light. They do not abandon the great objects they set before them till they are obtained. And may not Christians, who have infinitely higher motives before them, persevere unto the end, till the crown awaiting them is twined about their brows ? Oh that the day might speedily come, when this deathlike slumber shall no longer affect the church of Christ ! I here insert PoUok's true description of the heart after it is renewed by the spirit of God.

COLLEGE LIFE.

' What sccst thou here ? what mark'st 1 observe it well : Will, passion, reason, hopes, fears; joy, distress; Peace, turbulence; simplicity, deceit; Good, ill; corruption, immortality; A temple of the Holy Ghost, and yet Oft lodging fiends : the dwelling place of nil The heavenly virtues— cliarity and trutli. Humility, and holiness, and love ; And yet the common haunt of anger, pride, Hatred, revenge, and passions foul with lust ; Allied to heaven, yet parleying oft wltli bell ; A soldier listed in Messiah's band.

Yet giving quarter to Abaddon's troops; With seraphs drinking from the well of life, And yet carousing in the cup of death.

An heir of heaven, and walking thitherward, Yet casting back a covetous eye on earth ; Emblem of strength and weakness ; loving now. And now abhoning sin ; indulging now, And now repenting sore ; rejoicing now.

With joy unspeakable, and full of glory ; Now weeping bitterly, and clothed in dust ; A man willing to do, and doing not ; Doing, and willing not ; embracing what He hates, what most he loves abandoning. Half saint, and sinner half— half life, half death;' Commixture strange of heaven, and earth, and heU."

" A true picture this, of my heart, and the heart of every Christian ; but blessed be God that,

When the great Immannel comes To reign on earth, in all the glory of His Father's throne, and souls renewed And sanctified shall be like Him — glorious In holiness, in faith, in charity, in love ; And then we shout the praises of our Jesus' Name, in strains which men nor angels Ever heard : Glory to Him who bought us With His blood ; honor, and power, and praise, Immortal praise, forever. Sing ye Heavens, and eartli, and seas ; burst fortli 2 u

MEMom OF TOKREY.

In songs of glory to the Prince of Life, Hcdccmcr of a lost nnd niincd world.

No fetters then, of sin, shall clog onr worship ; From our hearts it shall ascend before the Throne, where reigns the Savior God, The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords."