Memoir of William C. Walton, late pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, D. C., and of the Free Church in Hartford, Conn

Front matter

1861.

Memoir of William C. Walton

MEMOIR

Chapter I. Page

Walton's birth— Character of his father— Examples set him— Dancing— Sent to School — Narrow escapes — The old colored woman — Anecdote — Banyan — Attends family prayer for the first time — Sent to school ai Moorefield — An absurd maxim — A singular attack of illness — His rapid Improvement — Interposition of Providenct — Enters on a new scene — In the mil 1st of a host of temptations — Influence of female society — Tiro grace of God preserves him — Hears his first sermon in his sixteenth year— An expedient tor improvement — Leaves Frankfort for Winchester. 13—34

Chapter II

His first convictions — He Btifles them— Guilt and tolly of Dancing— Plays cards on the Sabbatll — Awakened under a sermon by a Methodist preacher — The points

of that sermon — A description of Ms feelings — nis distress continues — Though

without submission — Reads different I ks — His self-righteous spirit — Rises at

night and prays — Anxiety about uniting with the church — Reveals his feelings — Change of views — His faith confirmed — The atonement — Severe temptations — Sources of relief — A characteristic of Pascal— Remark of Robert Hall — His desire for the ministry — Gives up all for it — Providence interposes and meets him — His timidity in early life— His decision and boldness in later life— Personal fidelity — Sent to Hampden Sydney — Anecdote — The misery of diffidence — Overcome by grace — Being dead, he yet spcaketk. 25 — 39

Chapter III

His youthful diary— Difficulties and corruptions— Resolutions — Humiliation— Weakness — Desire of sanctification — Impressions produced by an earthquake— Boston's fourfold state— Scott's treatise— Temptation to levity— His sensitiveness —Strong emotions— Fasting— Views at Sacrament— Conflicts— Triumphs— Tries to do good — Labors abroad — Deliverance in answer to prayer — Indulgence of appetite— Varion s emotions — Victory over the flesh — Vanity — Cases of awakening—Perseverance in prayer— Vanity rebuked— Traits of character developed— Summerfield— Narrow escape from death— His reflections on the event— A death-bed scene. 40—58

Chapter IV

Danger of worldly influences— Wickedness of trifling with the feelings of either sex — Confession of a Jesuit— A word to candidates for the sacred office — What a minister should, and should not be — Licensed to preach — Payson's remark — New Year's reflections— First essay at preaching— Character of apostolic preaching- Letter to Dr. Hill— His mind diverted— Letter to a friend in atlliction— Extracts from his diary— Letter to a friend — Letter to his mother— Attack of illness — Its effect— His engagement to Miss Muse— Extract of a letter from a friend— Anecdote— Work of the ministry. 59 73

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Page

Thoughts of future settlement— Fondness for retirement — Ordination — Installa tion — III -prepared sermons — Purchases ■ bouse in Winchester — Embarrassments

—Relieved — Another escape— Slckneaa — Founded f in.- bope — Removes to his

faun — Ruptures a blood vessel — A professor awaken ,1 — Another case — Opening of the year — Invitation to Washington — Depression of spirits — Life of Scott ami Pilgrim's Progress, 79—89

Chapter VI

Invitation from Baltimore — Visits that city — Plate of the ronzregation — Great lOBl Ol property — Prayer answered — Arrives in Baltimore — Subject of baptism —

Healtb impaired— Advantage of trials— Payson'sdistresa — Biaguhu remark — The daw d of light — Importance of exertion — Effort anions the young — Preaches on the subject Of a revival — Attacked with bleeding atthe lOOgS — Solemn retlections at church — Visit to Virginia— State of mind — Excellent effects of parochial visitation— Nothing can be substituted for it — llervey's dying confession — l'lie case of a reprobate — Stubborn sinners — Lost sinnera — Twenty-two families visited — The fugitive — Awakened sinners — Mr. Nettleton's views — Remark of Wbitefield — Walton's Narrative of the revival — Singular case of conviction — Admissions to the church — Description of exercises— Continuation of experience — A ni w way of keeping Christmas — Two interesting cases of conviction — Trials — Threatened with .1 prosecution — Contention of Church members — Remarkable case of an old titan who was converted— The means of bis conversion — A backslider In distress.

90—117

Chapter VII

Celebration of the New Year — Reflections and resolutions — Difficulties in the congregation — His efforts to restore peace and harmony — Power of conscience — Visit to Winchester— Successful labors there — The case of the hostler — Letter from Dr. B« cher — The claims of God on the -inner — Plan of a manual labor Seminary— Threatened with a flogging— Faithful In discipline — Leaves Baltimore — Ani. e iii Cbarlestown, Virginia— Attacked with diseasi — Surgical operation- Conversions— Renewal of covenant— Formation of an Education Society — Singular Instance of the effect of his preaching — Different kinds of preaching — Character of the ministry in the Coiled Slates— Times of trial would develope it— The minister who preached the truth to Gen. Jackson and Mr. Van Buren— Henry Mil. and Hugh Latimer. 118—136

Chapter VIII

Walton in affliction— Oberlin's illustration— Sickness of bis daughter— HeC death— Its effect — Am cdott — Estimate of its influence — How shall ministers comfort others— Letter— Sketch of Margaret Ann— How she was taught— Hannah, the colored woman — The politician reproved — The closing seme— Addison's remark — Expressions of the dying zirl— Reasonableness of early piety — A soul- Btining thought— The daughter and the sou compared — Installation at Chailcstown — Power of conscience — Syuodical fast — Various endeavors to do good to himself and others. 137—148

Chapter IX

Benefits of prayer — Growing In grace — Crows la ministerial power — Antidote to mi lain oolv — Solicitude fort! cause of Christ — Conversion of a youth — Journey to thp norm— Memoir of Margaret Ann — Repeated editions of his Narrative —

CONTENTS. Vll

PAGE

Oberlin— Elliot— Abundant labors — Wearing nut and re line OUt— The self-sacrificing preachers — Delightful views In sickness— Depressed, btfl laborious— Trials from Che wicked— Anecdote of John Howe— Tim Princeton student— Visit to Leeeburg — Importance of a change of location — Call from Alexandria— Reasons for his acceptance of the call — installation at Alexandria— Active labors — Visits and admissions — Sources of encouragement — Expansion of his mind and heart — Revolution in Dr. Ryland's sentiments— Success of his sermons— Doctrines preached — Martin Bos' opinion of what are the best sermons— H is devotion to his work— What degrades a clergyman. 149 — 169

Chapter X

Increasing interest in Alexandria — Experience of a young convert — Results of an infidel's proposal — A congregation founded— New cases of conviction — Sermon on the Divine Sovereignty — Blessing on various meetings— Attacked with cerebral nervousness — Blessedness ofthe work — Interchange between the congregations— Early prayer — A young Catholic — The work extends to Washington — Necessity of a holy influence there — Called to similar meetings in Baltimore — Letter descriptive of his feelings — Letter from a convert — A plan for saving a soul — Result ofthe endeavor. 170 — 18C

Chapter XI

Bishop Hooper — Remark of Addison — Writes theological treatises — Where at home — Death-bed of a Christian — Work on Divine Sovereignty — Journey to the North — Sickness at Hartford — Visits old Point Comfort — Extracts from correspondence— Letter to Dr. Hill — From Dr. Rice — Letter from l)r Speece — From Rev. II. F. Binder — State of religion in England— Letter to his Nephew — Interesting scene at Occoquan — His diligent labors— Reminiscences of a revival — The convicted family — The converted family — A hardened sinner arrested. IrfT — 203

Chapter XII

Walton visits Occoquan — Opposition — Visit to Virginia — Death of his motherin-law — Answer to prayer — His love for the pulpit — Physical exhaustion — Faint, yet pursuing — Letter to a ministerial brother — The Protestant— Another visit to Occoquan — Second vi>it to Fredericksbunr — Curious dream — New temptations — Employment ofthe clergy — Preaching to the conscience — Appointed delegate to t, ■ Synod ofVirginn -Pi aches before the Synod — Views ofthe Synod — Effects of ins labors — Prate .a: admonitions — A liberal present — Further special efforts — His habits of prayi —Lei < is Nephew — Applications from abroad — Reproof — Misapprehension of the valu< of his own sermons — Feelings of a minister's wife — The simplicity of his ideas nd languagt — Revival in Washington — Invited abroad— Work in Alexandria — Adjustment of texts. -04 — 223

Chapter XIII

A call from the South — His consideration ofil —Revival at Georgetown — Death of young converts — Assists the Methodists — I - unwearied labors, and the great blessing on them — Journey homewards — Hin a on the work of tl. - Spirit — Letter from Dr. Burder — Visit to Richmo id— P yerof Faith— His mental anxieties and agonies — Treatise on Intercessory Prayer — Desires another field of labor — Invitation from Hartford — Reflections on it — Reasons for accepting it — Letter to tht Free Church — His relation to his people — Their demeanor \t its dissolution —

Mil CONTENTS.

PAGE

Letter (a H. P. Border — Protracted meetings — New measure? and old mearara —

Distinction between human and du me agenc] . 224 — 242

Chapter XIV

Arrival at Hartford— An appalling discovery— Effect of the truth — A protracted meeting — Its solemn effects — Publishes a pamphlet — Accoont of the revival — Reasons for assembling the anxious — Results and characteristics of the work — The power of prayer— Heart searcbings and confessions — Whole families converted— incidental remarks — importance of union among ministers — The laal article from his pen — The last funeral sermon — Letter to his Sister — Progress of his disease — Happy state of his church — His last letter — Its conclusion. 243 — 2G2

Chapter XV

The closing scene — John Janeway— Thomas Halyburton — A sudden crisis in his disease — The first sensations of a christian on entering Heaven — Various dying expressions— Increasing and triumphant exultation — 1 1 is dying views of the ministry — Pear of impatienci — Bongs of praise — His faith in God concerning his family — The shout of victory — Message to his brethren— What it is to die — Prayer for the divine iilory — Asks that his last sermon might be read to him — His last

prayer answered— lie dies— His burial— His monument — Elegy by Mrs. Sigourney — Letters of condolence — From Rev. .1. Parker— From Rev. Daniel Raker. 203 — 231

Chapter XVI

The varieties of the human mind — Distinguishing characteristics — Who are the most useful ministers — What kind of minsters we want in the United States —

Mental character of Walton — Change in his views — The secrets of hi- SUCCt

Causing others to work— How Christians should pray— Courteousness of manner and correctness of language — Letter to the Princeton Bociety of Inquiry — Remarks on the tirst revival he witnessed— On the revival in Alexandria — Way of conducting meetings — Importance of concentrated effort — Mode of presenting tie- truth — Necessity of having a direct aim — Effect of anxious seats — Farther

remarks on them — Protracted met linns — General character of revivals — Character of the converts — Terms of admission — Letter of Mr. Patterson — Study o* mathematics— Sources of sacred eloquence — Why some great preachers were eloquent — Walton's hospitality— Dying request of Dr. Hyde — Dr. Nevins — Archbishop Usher — Cotton Mather's unintelligibles and incurables — Bllence about his trials — The conclusion of a pious and devoted lile — Thomas Halyburton — Concluding remark. 282—313

Appendix. 311— 31(j

PRELIMINARY REMARKS

When the papers of my revered brother Walton were placed in the hands of the author by his bereaved widow, with the request on her part and on the part of many friends, that a suitable memoir should be prepared, I did not feel at liberty to decline the solicitation, because I have ever maintained that such examples ought to be preserved, perpetuated and held up, to excite the church and the ministry to nobler attainments in their divine calling. If the celebrated remark be true, that he who causes two spires of grass to grow where one grew before, be a public benefactor, what must be the amount of his beneficence, who has been the means of transforming an enemy into a friend of God ! And what the measure of that good which he has done, who has so labored and prayed, as not only to save his own soul, but the souls of hundreds of his fellow creatures ?

Such a one was the subject of the following sketch. I have not sought a man of mighty genius or brilliant fame with the view to captivate admiring readers. I have gone

10 run, I MIX Alt Y REMARKS.

higher, and Bhall ask th( reader to ascend with me, where he can contemplate " the highest style of man;" where he may view what dignity can invest the Christian here, and what glory is in reserve for him hereafter; where he may receive another proof of the fact, that greal talents are not Qtial to greal usefulness in the cause of God; but that grace in the heart, in the life, and in the labors of an humble man can achieve triumphs, which shall outlive all earthly greatness, and co-exist with the annals of eternity.

To estimate justly the character of Mr. Walton and the value of his example, a full view of his career must be taken, and especially must the last ten years of his Hie be compared or rather contrasted with its previous portion. Of that portion he might truly say : ' When 1 was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, 1 put away childish things.' It was GRACE that imparted this noble and vigorous manhood, which, as in multitudes of similar cases, In its very meridian ceased its relation to this world. But the good which holy men do expires not with their frail bodies, nor is it " interred " with them in their sepulchres. It survives and shines; it stimulates and reproves; it speaks with a silent eloquence, that defies the power of time, the sovereignty of death, and the dominion of the

grave.

Of the abundant manuscripts of Mr. Walton, a comparatively sparing use has been made in the following pages, as it does not seem proper to load a book with mere diary, any further than may serve to convey a full and correct apprehension of the main points of the public and private history of the writer. To all the views and sentiments

P R K L I M I IV A R Y REMARKS. 11

advanced in the extracts] shall not of course; ho considered as necessarily subscribing. I simply seek to convey the truth in regard to him of whom I write.

The author offers no apology to the public founded on the " pressure of pastoral cares and other avocations," for he does not consider such an apology either respectful to the public or a sufficient excuse for him who offers it. If a man essays to bring a subject or a character before the public, he should devote to that subject or character, his best hours and his best efforts. More than this the reader should not ask. Less than this the writer should not be satisfied to render. The author's work as a Pastor and a Preacher is indeed laborious, but the preparation of this book has rather aided than obstructed him in the prosecution of those labors. If the study of it shall assist any beloved ministerial brother in 7iis work, or minister consolation in his trials, one object will be attained.

It only remains to add a simple dedication of this book

MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION,

AND TO THE

CHURCH OF GOD

Lee, Mass., May, 1837.

Chapter I

" Read good books," said the meek and pious Matthew Henry, " especially serious, useful history, as that of the lives of holy men." Of the appositeness of the advice, his own life is a beautiful exemplification.

History and Biography, though intimately related, may be strongly contrasted. If History be philosophy teaching by example, Biography is example teaching the best philosophy.

History may be compared to the ocean, vast in extent, and capacious as the repository of all manner of things. Biography is like the stream, that springing from some obscure origin, gathers breadth and power as it advances, and after fertilizing the region of its passage, flows into and becomes a part of the ocean. So History is but a collection of the individualities of men. It would be nothing without personal living agencies. It is Biography amplified, multiplied, and set in a thousand lights, the mutual reflection of which serves to instruct the living by the example of the dead. Biography, then, has this advantage — that it selects an individual, and by tracing his single career in all its varieties, assists the mind to receive a more definite and durable impression, than it would receive from contemplating a great mass of events, in which a hundred different actors have mingled. To define the course of a river is comparatively easy. To describe the ocean — who will attempt it?

Walton's birth.

On such a subject the Spirit of truth, who is the Author of the Bible, is our wisest and safest Guide. In that Book, which embraces all that is sublime and impressive in general History, as well as instructive and touching in Biography, there is but One Principal Personage. Around this Illustrious Being all subordinate persons, all things past or prospective, do but gather in their humble places. From Him they derive all the interest they possess. Without Him, they are nothing.

Though the Book of Revelation is complete, like that of Nature, and none may add to or take from it, but in peril of the plagues of the second death, the Book of Providence is still unfinished. It has been the pleasant task of the author to copy herewith a chapter for that instructive volume, from the experience and labors of one of God's children, and Christ's ministers; " a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith," which is the highest encomium Inspiration itself can pronounce.

To receive benefit from such a work, the first requisite is an humble heart. Let the reader, therefore, now lay aside the book for a moment, and pray for this inestimable blessing. It will avail him more than the most profound learning, and the most accomplished powers of criticism.

William Claiborne Walton, was born in Hanover County, Virginia, on the 4th day of Nov. 1793. He was the only child of his father, who married his mother, when a widow with seven children. They resided on a farm about

Character of his Father.

thirty-two miles from the city of Richmond. His father was by profession a blacksmith, and it would seem, added to this profession the occupation of a tavern keeper, a business by no means favorable either for the education of the mind, the advancement of the morals, or the promotion of the happiness of a beloved child. If the fatal influence produced by this occupation on the habits of the father, did not reach the son, it is to be ascribed to the interposing and restraining grace of that God, who designed him as an instrument of great and lasting good to His Church. Placed, as he was, in the very bud and bloom of life within the circle of the most pernicious influences, a secret, invisible power protected the tender youth from the snares of the destroyer. In consequence of the perplexed state of his affairs, his father in the spring of 1805, removed to Hardy County, near Moorefield, in the same state. William was then a little more than twelve years old. This removal, though it did not improve the condition of the father, seems to have been ordered in Providence for the good of the son. Mr. Walton went down to the grave in about a year, dying at the early age of 38. He is represented to have been a man of uncommon mind, and with slender advantages, to have once gained a very respectable position in society. But the pestilence swept over him, and he was soon a prostrate victim ; his intellect extinguished, his affections blighted, and his hopes clouded for time and eternity. " It is a mournful history," said his pious son, " but it may be salutary to some, who may read it." Thus much was due to strict justice and fidelity. If Walton was not among those who enjoyed the inheritance of faithful instruction and pious example, it renders the grace of God more signal, and his subsequent usefulness more striking.

Not only parental example, but every other example with which he came in contact, was of the most corrupting character. The common language to which his ear was accustomed was that of profane songs, vulgar jests, and

Examples set him. Dancing. Sent to School. Narrow Lscapes.

low ribaldry. Nor was the effect of these counteracted cither by precept or example of an opposite character.

No mother's tender ran:

Shielded bis Infant Innocence with prayer."

It is true his father taught him it was a wicked thing to swear, and threatened chastisement, if he heard an oath from his lips, but never found occasion to inflict it, as even this BCanty and wretched instruction seemed to have the desired effect. But the community was vicious and demoralizing. Barbecues, hunting, dancing, racing, drinking and gambling occupied much of the time of the people, and constituted their chief source of enjoyment. William was taught at six years of age to dance with great agility, and entered fully into the spirit of other amusements. Strange that parents should ever think their children were made to be amused with such follies, at an age when the docile and impressible mind should be instructed and trained for eternity.

While in Hanover, he was sent to several common schools in succession, where he learned reading, writing, and the principles of Arithmetic. Both at home and abroad he was much caressed, and frequently received little presents from gentlemen, who were attracted by his appearance, and pleased with the sprightliness of his mind. There was something in his conversation above his years, so much so as to make quite an impression on the mind of a boy older than himself, who expressed his surprise that he could " talk so good."

Like most other children of God, he had reason to record with gratitude the providential preservation of his life in a number of instances. On one occasion, by a very marked interposition of the good Providence of God, at the moment of making a false step near the open door of the second story of a building, instead of falling headlong to the earth, and being instantly killed, or maimed for life,

The old colored woman. Anecdote.

his feet struck the rounds of a ladder, to which, by clinging also with his hands, he was mercifully preserved. On another occasion, he endeavored to provoke that nohle, but sometimes fierce animal, the horse, to make use of his natural weapons of defence, and narrowly escaped a severe if not a fatal kick. And thus he could speak of his childhood as " in perils oft," but there was One, who had given " His angels charge concerning him, to bear him up, lest at any time he should dash his foot against a stone."

" The only religious instruction," says Walton in a paper found among his manuscripts, " I received, was from an old negro woman belonging to the family, who professed to be a Christian, but who probably was mistaken ; for she was very inconsistent. I would however hope she was sincere, though extremely ignorant. I remember hearing her, and a little daughter of her's, who nursed me, sometimes talk of Heaven and Hell, and the day of Judgment, and I remember sometimes at the close of the day, while looking towards the west, I have felt very solemn in thinking of the world's coming to an end." How serious and profitable a train of thought may often be originated in the mind by the utterance of words that seem purely accidental ! * How much more reasonable to expect an actual blessing to follow words uttered with the design to awaken the mind or convict the conscience, even if not directly addressed to the person into whose company you have fallen. There is as much practical wisdom as preceptive beauty in the apostolical exhortation, " Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt."

A young man was once at work in the field, when Mr. , a clergyman, crossing the field, passed near him,

* Dr. Ryland, of Bristol, when 13 years of age, discovering that his father's scholars met to talk about Jesus Christ, was seriously affected, and thought within himself, " these boys are going to heaven, and I shall be left behind." He began to pray earnestly, and was soon converted — in his fifteenth year he united with the Church, and at 18 preached.

2*

Banyan. Attends family prayer for the first tuns.

and dropped a few words of admonition in his ear. A di> ine influence sent them to his heart, lie was awakened, convicted, converted, and in a few weeks died in the triumphs of the Christian Faith. It was in consequence of the faithfulness of Bunyan's wife, that, in the very hour of his most profound immersion in scenes of consummate profligacy, Conscience would cry out, " Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to Heaven, or have thy sins and go to Hell?" Even the random reproof of a wicked woman, who told him that " by his swearing he would corrupt all the youth of the town, that came into his company," was as a poisoned shaft within him, stinging him with shame and remorse.

About the time of which we have been speaking, an Uncle of Walton, a professing Christian, residing in Louisa County, Virginia, in journeying to the vicinity of Richmond, stopped and spent a night in the family. Before retiring to rest, at his instance, the family were assembled for the purpose of worshipping God. The pious Uncle sano- and prayed. This was the first time William Walton, then seventeen years of age, ever attended family worship. The very novelty of the thing made some impression on his mind, but there is reason to believe that as a holy exercise, recognizing the government of God and the mediation of Jesus Christ, it was by the divine blessing productive of spiritual effects on a mind, nrcdisposed to serious and anxious thought. On the return of this Uncle, a proposal was made that William should accompany him to his home, and spend some time with him, but it was never carried into execution. A casual expression of the old colored woman at that time also affected him ; she suggesting as a reason why he should go, that " he would perhaps become a Christian," not seeming to think it possible such a thing should take place at home. The failure of this visit was a great disappointment to William.

After the removal of the family to the vicinity of Moorefield, he was sent to a very indifferent school, where he

Sent lo School at Moorefleld. An absurd maxim. A singular attack of [linen.

heard much low, indecent, and profane language. His resolution however being fixed to resist these abominations, and if possible to gain the confidence and the affection of his 'Teacher ; he succeeded in both these objects, became a favorite with tbe Instructor, and a standing reproof to the ill mannered and evil minded with whom he was sometimes compelled to associate. It should be recorded to the credit of his moral character, and as a reminiscence of his good moral behavior, in the giddy and dangerous season of childhood and youth, that neither from parent, teacher, nor any one else did he ever receive corporeal punishment.

It is far, very far from being the fact, that, as a general result, the " worst boys make the best men." A few striking instances of entire revolution in moral character out of a multitude of the opposite description, seem to have led to this hasty conclusion. The notion, for such only it deserves to be called, resembles that, which in the fashionable world Once grew into a maxim, that " reformed rakes make the best husbands." It is a notion equally at variance with the manifest tenor, and the fundamental principles of the Holy Scriptures. If there be any general principles revealed in the Bible, it is not one of the least of these, that the moral character of an individual is for the most part formed in the early period of his existence. This position is confirmed equally by the analogy of nature and by individual history.

During the first summer of Walton's residence at this place, he was attacked with a severe illness, from which there was at the time little expectation of his recovery. For some days he lay in a state of insensibility, being nearly unconscious of what was going on around him. Being destitute of the aid of a physician, it seemed as if the hand of God was immediately stretched out to impart efficiency to the unaided efforts of nature to recover the expiring energies of the system. As the process of recovery commenced, it seemed to him like life from the dead. He was raised indeed, but with enfeebled health, and without