Memoir of Alexander McLeod

Front matter

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

Chapter I. 1774^1792

PAGE

Introduction — Biography useful — Family — Rev. Niel McLeod — Isle of Mull — Birth — Natural scenery' — Mrs. Margaret McLeod — Colonel McLeod — Early Religious Character — Sensibility — Dr. Samuel Johnson— Pious Parentage — Confidence in God — Desire to be a Minister of the Gospel — Orphanage, 9

Chapter II. 1794

Classical education — Emigration to the United States — Eighteen years of age — Arrival in New Yorli — Ascends the Hudson — Princetown and Duanesburgh^-Galway — Presbyterian predilections — Christian intercourse— Rev. James MoKinney — Joins the Reformed Presbyterians — Union College — ^Prepares for the ministry — Literary honors — Conscientiousness, 18

Chapter III

Distinctive Principles — Reformed Presbytery — Associate Reformed Church— British Government — American Republic — President Smith — Judge Miller — Dr. J. B. Romeyn— Fellowship meetings — Documents surpressed — Studies theology — Turretine — Irish insurrection —

-»■ CONTENTS.

p Messrs. Black and Wylie— Presbytery coastituted— First commanion —Mr. John Agaew— Trial disooursea— Journal— Studies— Christian experience— Manuscripts lost— Gains Mine Host^Eeality in Religion,

Chapter IV. 1800

Licensure— Mr. Wylie ordained— Mr. Black ordained— Call to Coldenham —Slavery abolished— Commission to the South— Kentucky— David Mitchell— Rocky Creek- Sacrifice for principle— Call to New York- Ordained and installed— The Carolinians, 49

ICH AFTER V.

1804.

Visit to Canada — Parochial duties — Pulpit preparation — Reading Sermons— Clergy oT New York- A galaxy — Dr. Eodgers — Dr. Livingston— ^Dr. Abeel — Dr. Miller — Dr. Mason — Mr. McLeod a favorite — Reformed Presbyterian Church extending— Mr. Wylie visits Europe — Death of Mr. McKinney — Sermon on Slavery — Sermon on Christ's Headship — Resigns Wallkill — Clerical association — Anecdote of Dr. Mason — Marriage — Public duties — Creed of the Church — Standing Testimony, 56

OHAPTEE, VI. 1806.

Episcopal controversy — Ecclesiastical Catechism — Dr. Hobart — Drs. Mason and Miller— Dr. Thomson— Christian Magazine— Antidote against

Prelacy — Standing committee — Theological Seminary The able

minister — Sermon on the ministry— Mr. McMaster— Doctorate- Essays on the Atonement — Objections answered — Dignity of character— Increasing reputation — Success, Yg

CHAPTER VII.

1809.

Constitution of Synod— Biography of Dr. McLeod and the History of the Church inseparable— Self-control-Donald McLeod— Severe afflic-

CONTENTS. XI

PAQK

tion — Conversational powers — Devotional character — Love and harmony— Mr. Black's visit to Carolina — Covenanting Explained — Obligation transmissible — Increasing influence — Call to the Reformed Dutch Church, Garden street — ^Love to Zion — Call declined — Appointed to the Vice-Presidency of the College of New Jersey- Declined — Literary honors — University on Staten Island — Vice-President Tompkins, 103

CHAPTER VIII.

1812.

Third meeting of Synod — Dr. McLeod preaches — A full meeting — Important transactions — War^of 1812 — Republican principles — Premature Legislation — Reforms in the United States Government — Oath of Allegiance — Omissions not immoralities — Constitution of the United States- supported — Disapprobation not rejection — The Union supported— The Government not immoral — Reformed Presbyterians generally, approve of the "War — Dr. McLeod the author of the oath of allegiance — Principles never changed, 126

CHAPTER IX.

1813.

High character as a'preaoher — Call to the First Presbyterian Church, New York — Dr. Miller — Dr. Ely — Rev. Mr. Potts — General assembly of the Presbyterian Church — Correspondence — Call declined — Night sermons— "Worldly emolument not sought — Dr. John B. Romeyn — Letter from Lisbon — Strange sights — Sanctified affection — Fidelity and Confidence^Supplies Dr. Romeyn's pulpit — Remarkable labors — Teeming pen, 145

CHAPTER X.

Lectures on the Principal Prophecies of the Revelation — Review by Jolm Black, D.D. — Rules of interpretation — History— Prediction — The Sea of Glass — The Seals — The Roman Empire — Constantino — The Trumpets— Mahomet — Seventh Trumpet — Practical remarks — The Four

XU CONTENTS.

PAGB

Beasts— The Antichristian System— The Little Book— The Two Witnesses— Michael — The great apostasy — War with the saints — The Image of the Beast— Kevivals of Religion— The vintage— The one fold— The 1260 days— 1866— Mount Zion— The Lamb— The Music of the Harp, 165

CHAPTER XI.

Sermons on the late war— A hrief notice by Gilbert McMaster, D.D.— The war of 1812 — Reasons of it — Sermons not political effusions — Discussions of great moral principles — British orders in council — Decrees of Milan — Great Britain first in transgression — Reluctance of the United States to contend — American humanity — Declaration of war — British Whigs — Moral courage — The old covenanter — Battle of New Orleans— Third President of the United States — The clergy — Right to discuss the morals of politics affirmed — Robert Hall — The two belligerents — Slavery — Thomas Erastus — Defensive war lawful— Capital punishment — Union for defence — Right of expatriation — Native country — Value of the Union — Prayer for success — The Martyrs — America vindicated, 210

CHAPTER XII.

Congregation resigned— Dr. Romeyn returns— Sympathy— True friendship—Family affiiction- Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland -Continued trials— Consolation— Sermons on True Godliness— The marrow of the Gospel— Au exhibition of Dr. McLeod's own experience—Colonel Henry Rutgers— Example of liberality— Evangelical religion— Old Rutgers street church— The Christian life— Human ability— Sanctificatiou progressive— The Spirit of adoption— Growth

in grace — Assurance — Religion of infants — Children of believers

Dr. MoLeod a Reviewer — An Essayist — Conscience, ... ofil

CONTENTS. Xm

CHAPTER XIII.

1820.

From 1818 to 1823 — General Scholarship — A silent Sabbath — ^Witness-bearing — Judicious legislation — The banquet — Delicate health — Theological Seminary — Professorship — Representative Synod — Draft of a Covenant — Memorial' from South Carolina — Religious treatment of negroes, 304

CHAPTER XIV. 1823.

Synod in Pittsburg— Rev. S. W. Crawford — Death of friends— Mrs. Dr. Black — Rev. Dr. Romeyn — Ties dissevered — Submission — Public movements — Ecclesiastical correspondence — General Assembly — Serious illness — Slow recovery — Health severely affected — Mental energy unimpaired — Plan of Correspondence with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church advocated by Dr. McLeod — Powerful address — Not a plan of union — Enlarged views — John Knox — A crisis — Christianity to prevail — Dr. Green — Painful bereavement — Abounding consolation, 322

CHAPTER XV. 1830.

Sev&e labors — Calumny refuted — Bonaparte — Covenanting — African Colonization — Rev. Hugh McMillan — Resolutions adopted by Synod — Speech of Dr. McLeod — Plan of Colonization originated with him — Magnitudinous scheme — New ^organization — Sixth street church — Mr. J. N. MoLeod's settlement in Galway-^Aflliction in Dr. Wylie's family — Christian sympathy — Journeyto Canada — Lake George — Quebec — Saratoga — Ordination of Mr. J. N. McLeod — Another painful bereavement — ^Voyage to Europe — Arrival in Glasgow, . . 353

CHAPTER XVI. 1830.

Visit to Scotland— Glasgow— Hospitable welcome— Reformed Presbyterian Synod— Vote of thanks— Professor Symington— Professor of

^"^ CONTENTS.

PAGE

Theology— To edit a magazine— Delightful remembrances— Geology —Native parish— Mr. Armstrong— Rev. W. Symington— Mr. Rogerson -Visit to Loghgoin— Old Jlortality— Covenanters' flag— Andrew McMillan— Concio ad Clerum— Mrs. Johnston— Aberdeen — Edinburgh-Mr. Mason— Ireland— Rev. Mr. Stavely— Mr. Alexander- Londonderry — Rev. John Paul — Sermon for the Jews — Successors of the Martyrs— Letter to his son— Colonel McLeod — Sisters — Attends the General Assembly — Remarks — Labors — Ossian's Poems — Their Authenticity demonstrated — I Colum-Kill — Columba — Culdees — Edward Irving — Return home — Greeting of Friends — Beneficial results of his visit — Solemn covenant — Two congregations offer calls — Remains with the Mother Church — HI health, . . . .371

CHAPTER XVII.

1832.

Synod in Philadelphia, 1831— Feeble health— Rev. Mr. Henry— Eminent services — ^Vote of thanks — Domestic affliction — Again bereaved — Controversies in the Church — Dr. McLeod recommends forbearance — Eventful year— Eastern Sub-Synod— Pastoral Letter— Error corrected— Right to publish — Unity affirmed, 428

CHAPTER 2VIII. 1832.

Last visit to Philadelphia — Pro re nata meeting — Dr. McLeod remonstrates—Declines attending— Separation commences— The separatists responsible for the division— Installation of Rev. John N. McLeod as assistant and sucoessor^Last communion with Drs. Wylie and Black — Solemn occasion— Presence of the Spirit— Bodily weakness— Mental energy— Liberal views — Progress — Scriptural Government- Christianity the common law— Reserved rights— Another argument, 444

CHAPTER XIX. 1833.

United States Constitution the moral ordinance of God— Objections answered — Representation — History of the Slave Trade Federal

CONTENTS. XV

PAGB

Constitution never made a slave — Westminster AssemWy — 1638 — 1649 — Liberia — A confederacy — Defects in legislation — Constitution not atheistical — Christianity presumed and recognized — The Church protected — The people of the United States their own consciencekeepers — All reform must begin with the people — Make them right, and they will rectify their Government — The Bible— The world to be reformed by the Gospel — Cheering prospects — Dr. McLeod coincides with ills bretliren — The Church vindicated, .... 471

CHAPTER XX.

1833.

Last Illness — Composure — Strong faith — Conversation in heaven — Reign of Grace — Triumph — Mr. Andrew Gilford — Death— Tributes of respect — Dr. Westbrook — Drs. "Wylie and Ely — Dr. Wilson — Act, Declaration, and Testimony — ^Memoir completed in 1837 — Death of Mrs. McLeod, 487

CHAPTER XXI.

Additional by the Editor — Extended remarks unnecessary — Dr. McLeod on African Colonization — Rev. H. McMillan — Emancipation difficult — Door opened — Colonization Society organized — Henry Clay — Speech of Dr. McLeod— Dr. Alexander— Liberia — Causes of division — Co-operation practised — Government of the country — Civil relations no term of communion — Last Sacrament — Place of burial — Tributes of affection — Revived memories — Dr. Spring— Dr. Steel — Dr. Knox — Dr. Black — Dr. Symington — ^Publications, . . . 503

[A misspelling of the name of Dr. McLeod on p. 61 ; of that of Lateinos on p. 204, and one or two other unimportant errors will be evidentj

MEMOIR

OF

ALEXAIDER MgLEOD, D.D.

Chapter I. Inteoduction

Dr. UcLeod's Birth — Early Education — Until his arrival in the United States.

How few, comparatively, of the thonghts, words, and a<;tion3 of human beings are worthy of being recorded ! The history of ninety-nine out of the hundred of our race may be announced in the single laconic sentence of the compound of the celebrated Indian philosopher: "They were born ; they were miserable ; and they died." With what a useless — nay, pernicious— chaotic mass would the magazine of memory, and the annals of history, be crowded and lumbered, if everything was remembered and recorded ! It is true, we often regret the treachery of our memories, and complain of the scantiness and the imperfection of our his-

10 MEJ[OtR OF ALEXANDER MCLEOD, D.D.

torical annals; vet it might fairly be questioned whether these very deficiencies should not demand gi-atitude rather than regret. If the knowledge of many valuable facts is lost in remote antiquity, an incomparably greater portion of useless and uninteresting materials has been happily buried in the same grave of oblivion. How often do we find the history of those denominated the great and the illustrious of the earth consisting principally of a catalogue of crimes I Yet they have been landed to the skies. So true is it, that " One murder makes a villain : a million, a hero." Yet, blessed be God, there are many agreeable exceptions to this gloomy picture. There are some verdant spots in this vast moral waste — some pleasant oases in this parched desert — where the weary traveller may find shelter and repose, and on which the imagination lingers with peciiliar delight. While humanity recoils at the recital of the horrid deeds of blood which emblazon the escutcheon of an Alexander, a Caesar, or a Tamerlane, the heart heaves with delight, and the eye beams with joy in perusing the history of a Thompson or a Hall, a Livingston or a Mason, a Komeyn or a McLeod.

The delineation of the prominent features of the characters of distinguished individuals possesses various advantages above the portraitures of general history. How the multitude of motley groups crowded into the picture, often distract the attention and mar the distinctness and permanency of the impression ! Biogi-aphy, from the individuality of its nature, concentrates the scattered rays, collects them into a focal point, furnishes models more available for formation of character, and presents a larger stock of useful material for mental improvement. It brings into notice and shows in bolder relief, the more interesting traits of

BIOGEAPHT trSEFUL. 11

domestic character which may engage the attention of youth, and call forth their sympathies, more powerfully, ot at least more profitably, than the more brilliant displays of splendid groups, which, in a general pageant, may pass in review, and dazzle for a moment, without improving either head or heart. Thus, virtue and moral worth become embodied in an amiable individual, diffuse a charming radiance around them, and insensibly attract attention, excite admiration, and inspire a holy ardor after similar attainments.

The pride of ancestry, unaccompanied with personal worth, is a vain and pernicious passion : pufiing up the mind with a foolish conceit, it prevents improvement, and generates supercilious behavior. Nevertheless, it is both just and honorable to cherish the memory of vii-tuoug parentage. Every virtuous man, were it possible for him to have it at his own option, would prefer descent from the great, the wise, and the good, to a mean, vicious, and infamous extraction. There is reason for this choice. It seems to be a part of our constitution, though we cannot account for the fact, that children usually partake of the temper, and other more prominent features of the parental character. This fact is too obvious to be disputed. The sentiments and habits imbibed and formed in early life depend much upon the family in which we were brought up, and they contribute, in no small degree, to the formation of future character. What an assemblage of powerful motives, stimulating to virtuous conduct, will the acknowledged worth and unsullied reputation of a revered father present to a generous mind ! The offspring of pious parents have, moreover, the promise of divine protection; and God, in the ordinary course of his providence, accompanies with his blessing the

12 MEMOm OF ALEXAHDEE MC tEOD, D.D.

children of tears and pi-ayers, recommended by the saints to his grace and mercy. The subject of this memoir, it is believed, cherished, and was justified in clierishing, that grateful disposition which he uniformly indulged at the recollection of his parentage.

The McLeod Clan, or Family, are of Danish origin. Early in the twelfth century, one of the ancestors, of the name of Leodius, in the reign of King William, was appointed by the King of Denmark to the government of some islands on the coast of Scotland, then in the possession of that prince. His descendants were denominated, in the Celtic tongue, Mao Leods, i. e., sons or descendants of Leodius. And hence the family of that name so numerous in the "Western Isles of Scotland.

Declining any minute investigation of the ramifications of the genealogical tree, we find the father of the subject of the present memoir was the Eev. Niel McLeod, of St. Kilda, nearly related to the Dunvegan family, the chief of the clan; and his mother, Margaret McLean, daughter of the Eev. Mr. Archibald McLean, of Bunessan. In the parish in which the latter gentleman had been pastor, Mr, ISTiel McLeod succeeded him, and married the daughter of his venerable predecessor. Mr. N. McLeod had been well known in the ISTorthern Highland Islands, as an amiable man, and an elegant scholar. He had endeavored successfully to introduce into the island of Skye, a taste for classic literature ; and many of the neighboring gentlemen long cherished his memory with esteem and affection. Llis children often met in Europe and America many a friend on account of their father ; and oh his account they neither had ever cause to blush, nor received of any man a frown.

EEV. NIEL MCLEOD. 13

In the island of Mull, in wliich hig parish lay, this respectable clergyman lived in the hearts of his own people, and of all his brethren. Here he enjoyed whatever was calculated to rejoice and delight a pure and unsophisticated mind. His situation at Ardchrisinish, a small farm on the southwest coast of the island, was healthy and romantic. This farm he rented from the Duke of Argyle, and it constituted the southern boundary of the district called Borlas. Here Alexander was born, on the 12th of June,

iru.

The house was a neat cottage, with three comfortable rooms on the lower floor. Built upon a gentle declivity at the foot of a small hill, it was almost surrounded with extensive fields and meadows. This ground was the neck of that lofty promontory which stood opposite to Burgh, and formed the southern shore of the mouth of Loch Levin, a noble arm of the Atlantic, which rolled its majestic waves for several miles into the heart of the island.

From the front of the house you could enjoy a full view of this inland sea, and of the fishermen's boats with which it abounded. Its scanty level banks were covered with verdure, and revealed occasionally from behind the tufts of trees, the neat habitations of the neighboring gentlemen. Upon the northern shore the high and dark heathery hills rose suddenly behind the cultivated fields, and in sullen grandeur seemed to frown contempt upon the puny monuments of human industry. Behind these hills Benmore raised its head far above them. This is the highest mountain in Mull. And even in the heat of summer the snow remains unmelted on its summit. " While a boy," says Doctor McLeod — these are his own words — " fatigued with play, and melting under the scorching sun, I have contem-

14 MEMOIR OF AJLEXAN'DEE MCLEOD, D.D.

plated the snow on the top of Benmore, and imagined myself cooled and refreshed."

The prospect to the east, if less sublime, was not less charming. A regular range of sloping hills, covered with heath, extended as far as the eye could reach, and afforded nourishment for large flocks of sheep and of goats ; the latter of which might be seen among the rocks which constituted the boundary between the Highlands and the level fields below. Across these fields, three-quarters of a mile from the house, and over a steep, black, flinty rock, one thousand feet in perpendicular height, a rivulet of mountain water poured down rapidly into a basin, which itself had formed in the rock, at the base, and gently meandered among the surrounding pastures.

Essan Dhu, as the stream was called, when pouring down this lofty precipice, had its waters tossed up in the air, like pillars of smoke, by the northwest wind which commonly blows up the coast, and forms one of the most elegant cascades that ever delighted the eye of man. The promontory of Ardchrisinish terminated in steep rocks, which bade defiance to the roaring billows which continually rolled against them, and was capped by Tormore, a round hill, whose sides were decorated with the drapery of the birch, the hazel, and the oak.

In this romantic spot, the Eev. Mr. ISTiel McLeod, often studied those pathetic discourses which instructed and melted his numerous audience. The simple manners and sincere friendship of the peasantry afforded him much amusement and pleasure ; and the elegant and polished conversation of several genteel families in the neighborhood, with whom he lived on terms of intimacy, afforded occasional entertainment and recreation after severe studies. He enjoyed the

MRS. MAEGAEKT MCLEOD. 15

friendship and correspondence of the celebrated Dr. Blair, and others of the most learned and eminent of his fellow laborers in the ministry of the church of Scotland. Foreigner often visited his family and were always welcomed at his hospitable board.

The islands of Staffa and Zona attracted every summer parties of pleasui-e and distinguished characters from every part of Europe, who increased and varied the social enjoyment of those families, which, always remarkable for hospitality lived in this part of the country. Dr. Samuel Johnson, in his tour through the Hebrides, visited Mull also, and was introduced by Sir Allan McLean to Ardchrisiuish. ISTotwithstanding his stubborn prejudices of sectarian and national bigotry, against Scottish men and Presbyterians, the tom-ist was constrained to bear testimony to the distinguished merits of Mr. ITiel McLeod. " "We were," says he, " entertained by Mr. McLeod, a minister that lives upon the coast, whose elegance of conversation and strength of judgment would make him conspicuous in places of gi-eater celebrity." In another connection. Dr. Johnson is represented as calling him the " clearest-headed man in the Highlands."

Mrs. McLeod was a woman of line mind, solid sense, and fervent piety. She brought her husband twelve childi-en, of whom four died in infancy. The' remaining eight, four sons and as many daughters, lived to be men and women. It was the care and gi-eat concern of their parents to educate them in habits of industry and virtue. Tutors were maintained in the family, and their children were constantly imder their inspection. Alexander, the subject of these memoirs, was the youngest son, except one, and only five years of age, when his father was called away from a weeping flock and

16 MEMOIE OP ALEXAKDEE MCLEOD, D.U.

family, to the joys of a Wessed immortality. His mind was uncommonly acute, vigorous, and thoughtful ; his sensibility keen and lively ; and all his passions strong and active. He ■was, from earliest infancy, ardent, ambitious, and enterprising. His constitution -was naturally vigorous, but had often received severe strokes. From the time he began to walk until he arrived at maturity, he was scarcely three months' at a time without disease or accidental injuries^ to which his activity and enterjirise had exposed and subjected him ; and yet he had not completed his sixth year, before he could repeat the Latin Grammar. The character of his mind, and the frequency of his indisposition, rendered him the darling of his father, and after his death, Mrs. McLeod appeared to have transfered to Alexander the affection for the father, in addition to that which she felt for the son. She watched over his boyish days with the tenderest solicitude. He wasremarkably a child of prayer, and had been devoted to the ministry of the gospel from his birth ; and of this object,, amidst all the vicissitudes of his early life, he never once lost sight.

The power of his passions appeared at an early period ^ and he did not long enjoy the benefit of paternal wisdom and experience for their government and direction. The death of his father was indeed an irreparable loss to his femily, but pai-ticularly to Alexander. He felt it poig-nantly ; he wassolemn and thoughtful in the last moments of his father's illness ; and when his decease was announced to his weepins family, tliis little boy was upon his knees in prayer.

He followed the corpse to the gra\-e unnoticed amono- an immense crowd of sincere mourners, until the coffin was laid in the tomb, when he attracted the attention of all, by a "-ust of passionate grief, which caused the blood to burst from hh

COLONEL MOLEOD. IT

nostrils so profusely, that his strength was soon exhausted. He was then only five years of age.

To the formation of his mind, meanwhile, his mother paid the most sedulous attention. She was aware of the delicacy and the difficulty of the task ; but duty and inclination loudly called for her efforts. From that time forward she kept him under the strictest discipline ; but blended with its rigor and vigilance the tenderest and most manifest affection. She never corrected without explaining the nature and tendency of the fault committed, and reasoning upon the painfulness and the necessity of the punishment. To this she joined formal prayer for a blessing upon the rod of chastisement. The following is an extract from a letter written by Col. McLeod, military commandant in the north of Ireland, in the town of Belfast, brother to the late Dr. McLeod : " From early infancy," says Col. McLeod, " my brother was fond of study ; and while I was engaged in boisterous and sometimes dangerous sports, he Avould be picking up scraps and leaves of books, and putting them together in the most bizarre forms, and thus amusing- his mother and sisters. He seldom joined for any length of time in outdoor amusements. He had a most retentive memory, and as far as ever I can recollect, he was eager to become a minister of the gospel ; and even when of tender age, when he once formed a resolution, it was not easy to get it set aside. He never would join in shooting, or fishing, or racing. One particular trait of his character — and that never varied— Avas his absolute and perfect confidence that God would never forsake him, and was all-suflioient to provide for him."

18 MESrOIR OF ALEXAITOEE MCLEOD, D.D.