Memoir of the life and character of Ebenezer Porter, D. D., late president of the Theological seminary, Andover

Preface

" A man's life may be so uniform," said the subject of the following Memoir, when speaking of a character he much admired, " that no splendid incidents shall fix the eye of curiosity ; no glare of genius shall attract the admiration of the multitude; and yet a sound understanding, a steady piety, and an habitual course of beneficent action, shall secure him an imperishable reputation ; while others are gazed at as prodigies of excellence, for a moment, and then forgotten." A happier illustration of the truth of this remark, it may perliaps be difficult to find, than that which is furnished by the life and character of its lamented author. He was not formed to dazzle or astonish ; but to be eminently useful in a steady course of Christian action. The reader of his biography will not therefore expect aught that is novel or startling. He will expect only the history of the wise and faithful pastor, the discreet and devoted teacher of candidates

PREFACE.

for the holy ministry, the constant friend, the active, yet unassuming patron of every judicious enterprise for the advancement of piety and philanthropy.

The likeness prefixed to the Memoir, though an exact copy of the painting from which it is taken, and which is in most respects a perfect work, exhibits a slight frown which was never observable on Dr. Porter's countenance, unless he was exercised with severe pain, or was engaged in intense study. For this defect in the portrait, he attributed no blame to the artist, who was a master in his profession : but supposed it to be owing to the structure of the room in which he sat for the painting, and to a temporary weakness of his eyes which rendered the light painful.

The biographical sketch of the Hon. Thomas Porter, though somewhat more extended than is usual in such cases, is inserted with the belief that it will render the volume more valuable to the numerous circle who were acquainted both with the father and the son ; and with the hope that the intrinsic excellence of the character, and the obvious bearing of the father's counsels and example on the character and usefulness of the son, will render it instructive to the general reader.

The form of this volume has been determined by the peculiar character of the materials. Dr. Porter did not allow himself to keep a diary, nor even a journal of sufficient extent and particularity to impart variety and animation to a biography. Denied the fund of interesting matter usually derived from these sources, the compiler has been left to a choice between the al-

PREFACE.

teiTiatives of making the narrative of Dr. Porter's life brief, or of protracting it by the relation of minute and unimportant incidents.

Should any one inquire why the letters of Dr. Porter are not inserted in some consecutive order, as is usual in the compilation of Memoirs } it is replied first, — the compiler feels a strong objection to the indiscriminate publication of familiar letters to the extent, to which they have often been presented to the public. They may interest particular friends, but of what use are they, in general, to the community What must be the influence of their publication on the literature of our country ? Secondly, — Dr. Porter's letters were mostly brief documents relating to business, and in general are not proper for publication. As he was an invalid, and rarely left home except in pursuit of health, his letters written to intimate friends, to whom they are almost exclusively addressed, contain, with few exceptions, a minute account of his state of health ; his symptoms; the remedies he employed, and their effects ; and though full of interest to those for whom they were intended, they would be tiresome to most readers. Hence the necessity of presenting extracts only from those that are inserted. There was one friend out of his family circle with whom he kept up a familiar correspondence through life, the Rev. Zephaniali Swift, of Derby, Connecticut. But his letters to this individual are made up chiefly of references to his state of health ; or of confidential remarks respecting the men and measures which were attracting public notice, when they were written. And though many facts of interest might be gathered (some such have been 1 *

PREFACE.

gathered) from these letters, the publication of most of them would be an obvious violation of propriety.

His letters relating to controverted theological subjects, which are limited in number, in connection with a frank expression of his own views, contain also frequent allusions to the character and spirit of individuals, which, from their very nature, he must have considered confidential. As most of these individuals are still living, delicacy, not to say justice, requires that these allusions should be suppressed. Dr. Porter w as one of the last men to proclaim another's failings, intellectual or moral, or to inflict a needless wound on the feelings of others, even in supporting a good cause ; one of the last, indeed, to venture a doubtful approach to limits prescribed by delicacy, much more a doubtful step across those limits. Could he now speak from the narrow bed where his ashes repose, he would say what his whole course of conduct, as a man, a friend, a Christian, a minister, a teacher unequivocally said — " Let not my memory be a seed of discord among brethren." Yet, if the writec, whose happiness it has been to enjoy peculiar facilities for becoming acquainted with his character, has not studied that character in vain, he would also require that sentiments, a distinct avowal of which he believed was demanded by the interests of Zion, should not be suppressed. He was fearless in the expression of his views — was above disguise. It would be doing him injustice, therefore, to suppress his known ojjinions on any important subject. For the bearing of these on the favorite views or measures of others, tlie compiler does not consider himself responsible. His duty is performed, if he executes a

PREFACE.

faithful portraiture of the character he has undertaken to dehneate.

With these views, the Memoir, which has been delayed much beyond the compiler's intentions, partly by unavoidable engagements, but chiefly by his ill health, is offered to the Christian public ; with the hope that it may perpetuate the influence of its lamented subject, and thus prove instrumental in advancing the sacred cause to which his life was devoted.

Braintree, March 22, 1837.

Chapter I

Biographical sketch of Hon. Thomas Porter, 13

CHAPTER n.

LIFE OF EBENEZER PORTER.

Birth — Childhood — Classical education — Profession of religion — Theological studies and license to preach — Calls to several places — Ordination at Washington — Marriage, 31

CHAPTER HI.

Settled purpose of continuing in Washington— Pastoral labors and their effects — Meeting-house burned — Another erected — Instruction of theological students — Health impaired by labors — Deficiency in salary — Correspondence on the subject— Council called — Address from young men — Meeting of council and result — Services desired at other places— His feelings— Elected a member of C. A. S.— Elected a trustee of Conn. Jlis. Soc. — Attends Gen. Assembly Pres. Church— Invitation to Dutch Church at Albany — Request to preach election sermon, 35

CHAPTER IV.

Appointment at Andover — Reasons for and against accepting — Communication to his church and society — Meeting of consociation — Dissolution of pastoral relation — Answer to trustees — Inaugura-

CHAPTER V.

Enters on his labors — Receives degree of D. D. — Doubts about accepting it— Elected President of University of Vermont— Answer- Finds the northern winter unfavorable to his health— Seeks a

CONTENTS.

southern climate — Effect on health — Employment while absent — Returning, attends Gen. Assembly of Pres. Church — Appointed Prof, of Divinity in Yale College— Answer, 62

CHAPTER VI.

Illness — Consulted respecting presidency of Hamilton and Middlebury Colleges — Appointed President of University of Georgia — Answer — Consulted respecting pastorship of Presbyterian church in Columbia, S. C. — Voyage to Charleston — Journal — Efforts to raise funds for indigent students — Meets President Brown — Casualty— Return to Andover — Consulted respecting presidency of South Carolina College, 72

CHAPTER Vn.

Voyage to Baltimore — Letters— Voyage to Charleston — Memoranda- Returning, attends General Assembly — Consulted respecting presidency of Dartmouth College, 86

CHAPTER VHI.

Contemplates going to Europe— Communication to trustees— Varies his determination and goes to Havana and New Orleans — Letters — Memorandum returning — Salutary effect on his health, 97

CHAPTER DC.

Appointed President of Theological Seminary — Answer — Increase of labors — Thinks of retiring from the Seminary — Requests leave of absence — Embarks for Charleston — Letter to Mrs. P. — Proceeds to St. Augustine — Letter to a friend in his family — Letter to a colleague — Letter to Mrs. P.— Return to Charleston— Thinks of going to Europe — Plan for the summer — Reflections on leaving Charleston, 117

CHAPTER X.

Resigns professorship of Sacred Rhetoric — Embarks for Charleston, accompanied by Mrs. Porter — Proceeds to Walterboro' and Columbia— Delivers course of lectures in Theological Seminary at C. — Return to Andover — Health but little improved — Again advised to go south— Resolves to remain in Andover— Sickness and death of his niece— His letter to her parents — His own sickness and death — Funeral — Nature of his disorder, 130

CHAPTER XI.

INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.

Intellectual endowments happily proportioned — Effect of infirmities on his intellectual habits — Mental characteristics — Eminently qualified

CONTENTS. 11

to act as umpire in cases of difficulty— Mode of preparing to write — Qualities as a writer— Feeling of responsibility as a literary man— Letter to Robert Hall, 142

CHAPTER Xn.

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.

Remarks — Reason wliy Dr. Porter kept no diary — Resolutions — Means of growth in piety — Systematic in cultivating spiritual feelings — Characteristics of his piety — Faithfulness in discharging duty ; illustrations — Qualifications as a counselor and reprover — Letter — Susceptibility of enjoyment heightened by piety — Testimony of his colleagues— Concluding remarks, 155

CHAPTER XIII.

PROFESSIONAL CHARACTER.

Ministerial character. Theological studies — Selllemcnl at Washington-First efforts directed lo improvement of the young — Instructions respecting parental duties — Caloclieiical instruction — Results — Estimate of maternal influence— Reliance on doctrinal instruction— On activity in doing good to promote growth in piely — Mode of preaching — Eflbrls in training his vocal powers — Pastoral labors

— Revival. Studies — Desire of improvement — Observance of

propriety in public religious services — Concern respecting reputation— Activity — Solicitude for the purity of ihe church — Theological views — Letters to Dr. Tyler — E.xiracls from Letter on Revivals, . 191

CHAPTER XIV.

Clutracteristics as a teacher in a theological sfminary — Views of adequate training for the Christian ministry — Of the labors and responsibility of his department — Disadvantages under which he prosecuted study — Habhs of exercise — Intercourse with his pupils — Mode of giving instruction — Estimate of a good delivery — Theory respecting vocal tones and inflections — Letter from one of his pupils, 2'13

CHAPTER XV.

Characteristics as a presiding officer of a theological seminary — Testimony of his colleagues— First object lo promote the growth of piety in his pupils — Views of its importance — M<;moranda of pastoral conversations— His interests idenlifieil with those of the seminary — Anxiety that theological education should be thorough— Concern respecting the rights of Congregational churches — Illustrations of their corporate capacity, 256

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVI.

SOCIAL CHARACTER.

Mauners — Social qualities — Familiar letters — Principles of family government— Paternal directions— Judicious management of pecuniary afTairs — Contributions — Habits as to personal expenditures, equipage, &c. — Hospitality — Summary view of his social character, 283

CHAPTER XVII.

CONNECTION WITH BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

Remarks — IMonday evening meeting — Monthly concert — American Tract Society — Cliristian Sabbaili — Letter to Gov. Treadwell — Blonroe's tour — La Fayette's tour — American Education Society — Labors in its behalf— Letter to Tabernacle church — Letter to Mr. Cornelius— Mr. C.'s reply — Letter from Rev. Dr. Cogswell — American Home Missionary Society — Letter to Mr. E. Lord — Letter from Rev. Dr. Peters — Prison Discipline Society — Letter from Mr. E. Lord, 317

CHAPTER XVUI.

PUBLICATIONS.

Sermons — Preacher's Manual — Analysis of Rhetorical Delivery — Rhetorical Reader — Lectures— Owen on Spiritual Mindediiess — Do. on cxx.\. Psalm — Miscellaneous writings, 373

CHAPTER XIX.

Conclusion

Remarks— Views of Dr. Porter's character — Comparative exemption from faults— Remarks — Epitaph, 391

MEMOIR.

CHAPTER I.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HON. THOMAS PORTKR.

Design and utility of biography — Birth — Early life — Settlement in Cornwall, Conn. — Removal to Vermont — Civil offices — Retirement from public life — Mental, moral, and Christian chaiacter — Retains his faculties to extreme age — Last letter — Decease.

It was a happy device of the ancients, to perpetuate the memory of those whom they loved or admired, by preserving their statues in their dwellings and places of public resort. There is something akin to this practice, in the delineation of departed worth by the pen of biography ; something much better adapted permanently to secure in the highest degree the results at which it aimed. The chisel or the pencil may delineate noble features, may forcibly express characteristic energy and fire, or benevolence and kindness; may in a word mould a form before which the observer bows with admiration. By these means the skilful artist may group together the most impressive personages or events of a passing scene. Biography docs not present the form, indeed, in its actual proportions ; does not present the features glowing with life, the eye seeing, the lips impatient to speak ; but it does more, — it does that which the highest skill of sculpture and painting cannot reach. It follows 2 the man in his course through life ; presents him in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and in health, in employment and relaxation. It tells us of qualities which the countenance cannot express — qualities implanted by Sovereign Grace ; of a life of holy feeling and action, and of enjoyments inseparable from them. It brings the portraiture to the fireside and the closet, and calls us to free, intimate, unrestrained communion with departed wisdom and piety. It tells us by what efforts these qualities were acquired or nurtured. It tells us of spiritual conflicts, and bids us admire and lean upon that grace which won the victory. In it as in a glass we see ourselves — what we are, and what we should be. Is the portrait that of the unregenerate ? — It teaches us that " sin is exceedingly sinful," however prepossessing the habiliments in which it is arrayed. Is it that of him who has attained the " fullness of the stature of a perfect man in Christ?" — We are admonished of neglected duty; are invited, urged, allured to its performance. He, who " being dead yet speaketh," leads the way. Are our hearts susceptible of salutary impressions? — It matters little what was the vocation, or what the circumstances of the departed.

" With moistened eye We read of faith and purest charily, In Statesman, Priest, and humble citizen."

Several months previous to his decease, Dr. Porter informed the writer that he intended to prepare for publication, a brief sketch of the life and character of his honored father. He had to some extent collected the materials ; though in consequence of ill health and the pressure of official and other engagements, he had done nothing further towards its preparation. It seems but a just tribute to the venerable father, and a reasonable compliance with

HON. THOMAS PORTER.

the wishes of the son, that such a sketch, though lacking the completeness which that son would have imparted to it, should be given to the public. This cannot perhaps be done under any circumstances so well adapted to clothe it with interest, as in connection with the Memoir of the son.

The Hon. Thomas Porter was one of the few who outlive their generation ; who, though they once filled a large space in the public eye, are comparatively forgotten in the tranquillity of private life, because others occupy the places of those with whom they were associated in counsel and labor. He was born in Farmington, Connecticut, February 3, 1734, O. S. He bore the name of his great grandfather, who emigrated from England, and was one of the original proprietors of Faruiingfon. His father, on his dying bed, committed to him the direction of his affairs, charging him especially to maintain family worship, and as he was the oldest son, though he was but seventeen years of age, to set a godly example before his younger brothers and sisters. This last charge, as he was not then pious, he felt unprepared to obey; yet filial reverence and affection constrained him to make the attempt. By the blessing of God, his obedience was productive of spiritual benefit to himself. As he led the morning and evening devotions of a circle which from infancy had been taught to join in a father's confessions and supplications, he felt the solemnity of the duty with which he was charged, and the responsibility of the relations he sustained ; he felt his own guilt and insufficiency, and repaired to his heavenly Father for pardon and aid. He used, in subsequent life, to refer to his father's dying counsels, especially to his charge respecting family worship, as having been chiefly instrumental in his conversion.

In May, 1757, about six years after his father's decease, be removed to Cornwall in his native State, where he purchased a farm; and in June, 1758, he was married to Abigail Howe. Respecting his residence in Cornwall, very few facts of much interest can be collected. There is evidence, however, from various military, civil and ecclesiastical offices to which he was elected by his fellow-citizens, that he enjoyed their confidence and esteem. From the year 17G7, while he continued in the State, he sustained the office of deacon of the Congregational church in Cornwall ; of a magistrate, and a representative of the town in the State legislature.

In 1779, Judge Porter removed to Tinmouth, in the State of Vermont. For some years previous to his removal, this district of country, which had long been known by the designation of " New Hampshire Grants," and which was even then thus designated by all but its inhabitants, had hppn in violont commotion, because of the right claimed by the State of New York, to hold and dispose of tracts of land which had been sold and confirmed to their occupants by the authority of New Hampshire. It had been decided by the king of Great Britain, to whom the disputed territorial limits had been submitted by the contending parties, that the western shore of Connecticut river bounded the territory of New Hampshire, and that the jurisdiction of the territory in question belonged of course to New York. The government of New York contended that this decision " had a retrospective operation, and determined not only what should thereafter be, but what always had been the eastern boundary of New York, and that consequently the grants which had been made by the governor of New Hampshire were void."* A strenuous and protracted effort was made by New York to enforce this interpretation of the royal decision, even in the face of a subsequent prohibition by the king, of interference with the titles given by New

* Vermont State Papers, p. 20.

HON. THOMAS PORTER.

Hampshire. The settlers remonstrated, but their remonstrances were disregarded ; they petitioned, but were not heard. They saw themselves liable to be forcibly dispossessed of property which to them was exceedingly valuable, and to be thrown unprotected on the mercy of masters for whom they had little affection. In this emergency they fearlessly declared that they would never submit to the usurpation of their neighbors. They leagued together and made the best preparation their means would allow, to defend their rights by arms. They organized a government; established courts of justice; and made other arrangements for the administration of their affairs as an independent State ; and with as much regularity as circumstances admitted, their government was in a course of administration when Judge Porter removed to Vermont. This was a period of less commotion, but not of less interest than the preceding ten or fifteen years. He was immediately called by his fellow-citizens to act a prominent part in the affairs of his adopted State. Beside being appointed a justice of the peace, and chosen to several responsible offices in town, he was, in 1780, the year after his removal to Tinmouth, elected a representative to the State legislature. Of that body he was the same year chosen Speaker, which office he held during three successive years, the whole time of his continuance in the house. In 1783, he was transferred to the executive council, of which body he continued a member, with but very brief if any intervals, till his retirement from public life in 1794, when he tendered to his colleagues the following resignation.

" Gentlemen of the Council, and House of Assembly,

" I take this opportunity to express the grateful sense I have of the honors done me by the freemen from time to time, in electing me a councilor; and it hath been, 2* perhaps, as agreeable to me as to any other person, to serve the public in that capacity. Yet my age, and other attending circumstances, incline me at this time to resign my seat in council, and it is my wish to spend the remainder of my time in private life. Yet my attachment to the interest of this government is such, that tlie freemen may rest assured that I shall use the small share of influence that I may have in private life, to promote the true interest and welfare of this State.

" And now, Mr. Speaker, as a member of the council, I would take my leave of this honorable house of assembly, with the pleasing hope and expectation that wisdom and uprightness will mark all their steps, and in that way meet with the approbation and smiles of Heaven to the latest posterity. ^ Tno. Porter."

By joint vote of the council, and house of assembly, he was honored with the subjoined reply. —

" Sir, — This assembly, sensible of the uprightness and sincerity with which you have so long filled the office of a councilor in this State, regret that the time has arrived when, you say, the infirmities of age have induced you to retire to the private walks of life. In the name of the freemen, they thank you for the patriotic firmness with which you have, for a long series of years, stepped forth in support and vindication of their liberties. Be assured, Sir, you retire with the approbation of your country for your past services, and their ardent wish for your present and future felicity."

While Judge Porter was serving his fellow-citizens in the capacity of a legislator, they were pleased to express their estimation of his talents, and their approbation of his conduct, by calling him to several other offices of high responsibility. In 1781, he was appointed a judge of the

HON. THOMAS PORTER.

county court for the county of Rutland ; In 1784, a judge of the supreme court, in which office he served till 1787; and from '87 he was again a judge of the county court till he resigned in 1790. In 1791, he was a member of the convention which approved and assented to the constitution of the United States, preparatory to the admission of Vermont into the Union. In conversation respecting the frequency with which his fellow-citizens had been pleased to demand his services in various official stations, he remarked that he believed he had held every civil office established by the laws of Vermont, excepting those of governor and lieutenant-governor.

Connected as he was with the legislative councils of Vermont, during a succession of years after she had declared herself an independent State, and while she was seeking from congress an acknowledgment of her sovereignty, and admission into the Union ; obliged in various instances, in his official capacity, to be the organ of communication between the state and general governments, Judge Porter unavoidably became deeply interested in political affairs. His interest rather increased than abated, as he advanced in years. While he was in principle and action a republican, he was a decided opposer of every thing approaching political licentiousness. While he would secure his own rights, he would consent to no form of government which did not on equitable principles equally secure the rights of all. His political feelings were under the control of piety. When he surveyed his country, it was with the eye of a Christian. When he spoke of the character or the measures of those in authority, it was in the language of piety, dictated by unaffected concern respecting their influence on the well-being of Zion.

Though he had no fondness for military office, he early manifested a readiness whenever his services were needed, to join his fellow-citizens and repair to the scene of danger. lie several times held a military commission ; in the last instance as captain of a company of " minute men" in the war of the revolution; though it is not known that he was ever permanently connected with any military corps in active service.

In stature, Judge Porter was somewhat above six feet, and in person was uncommonly, commanding. His manners were easy and dignified; his address conciliating. To etiquette in his intercourse with others, he was peculiarly attentive ; so much so, that even in very advanced age, he used among his friends occasionally to animadvert, with much severity, on the negligence which in this respect he often observed. His whole deportment was characterized by simplicity and uniform kindness.

He was a man of singular prudence. This was manifest both in the management of his private affairs, and in the discharge of official duty. Always deliberate, he acted with reference to some distinct and worthy end, and that he might attain this end, he was accustomed, before commencing a proposed course of action, to calculate, as far as human foresight could reach, the bearings and consequences of his conduct. His plans of action being digested, they were pursued with the same deliberation with which they were formed. Hence he was rarely accounted imprudent. His acquaintance were wont to confide in his counsel. He was often appealed to as a mediator, in cases of difficulty, in which capacity his practical wisdom qualified him to be very useful. He showed himself, especially, the friend of the oppressed and the suffering.

He was also a man of inflexible integrity. No prospect of advancing his secular interests could induce him to compromise with dishonesty. Though with the divine blessing he acquired an ample estate, it is believed that no man was ever disposed to charge him with a want oi

HON. THOMAS PORTER.

perfect uprightness in his dealings. His frequent election to places of honor and trust, was not the result of his own seeking. He was far above the intrigue and machination to which those who are advanced to office often owe their elevation.

His character was not less marked by decision and Jirnnicss. By his fellow-citizens it was understood that he would follow the convictions of duty: consequently, if they wished him to advocate their claims, they had first to convince him that those claims were founded in justice. Whenever called to act in concert with others, these qualities won their confidence. They were equally observable in the government of his family. Here his decisions were law. He aimed particularly to impress upon his children in early life, .the restraints of piety, and to implant the principles by which their conduct should be governed toward uod and their fellow-men. This he did not so much by frequent, personal addresses on the subject of religion, as by the language of a consistent, holy example. The result was, that his influence, sustained by that of his wife, whose views and feelings happily coincided with his own, was paramount in the formation of their character. To this influence, his son, Dr. Porter, repeatedly and gratefully acknowledges his obligations. Alluding to it, he incidentally remarks, " I ascribe it, under Providence, to the restraints of my early life, to the Christian influence of an excellent father and mother, that I am not a beggar, or an infidel, or a reprobate. Of the obligations I am under to my parents, I hope always to cherish a grateful recollection."

Judge Porter possessed withal exemplary modesty. He was first to suspect his fitness for stations of high responsibility, and slow to admit his competency. Content that others should judge of his worth, he was commonly inclined to make liberal deductions from their estimate. In his ninety-fourth, or ninety-fifth year, he began, at the earnest solicitation of his son, a brief autobiography ; but had proceeded only a few pages, when extreme solicitude, lest the attempt should by some be attributed to arrogance, induced him to desist, and destroy what he had written.

Tliougli he enjoyed in early life no other than common advantages for education, his thirst for knowledge and the facility with which he made acquisitions, qualified him to fill his place, with honor to himself and interest to others, in the society of educated and intelligent men ; and to preside, to the acceptance of his fellow-citizens, in the hall of legislation and in the court of justice, during a period adapted to prove alike wisdom, and patience, and intrepidity. To native strength of mind, he added practical knowledge and a degree of mental discipline, which rendered him, at times, botli attractive ana powerful m debate.