The life of Clement Phinney

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RECOMMENDATIONS.

Preface

Less than two y«ars ago, at a session of the Kennebec Yearly Meeting, the subject and the writer of this little volume first met. This happened to our lot by the

invitation of Mr. ■ — Frye, of Lewiston, where the

meeting occurred. During the meeting a sermon was delivered, which was more deficient in other respects than in doctrine or arrangement. It was formal — it was without life. Mr. Phinney followed in a brief exhortation. Condensing the whole sermon into a few simple sentences, he delivered it to the hearers, whereas it had previously only been delivered before them. He breathed into the corpselike sermon ihe breath of life. He caused it to burn upon the hearts of those for whom it was designed. It then occurred to the writer that it would be a good service to the church, to write the life of one whose words so easily carry truth to the heart. On the way home next day, this conviction was mentioned to a clerical friend, who not only shared in it, but who immediately urged it upon his incompetent friend to undertake the book desired.

A few months after, at a convention holden at Great Falls, N. H.j hopes were excited that the time had come when the F. W. Baptist Connexion would sustain a periodical, a leading object of whioh should be, to record in chronological order, such accounts of the early laborers in the denomination, as time has spared. The biographical feature of the proposed periodical naturally recalled

VI. PREFACE.

the thoughts just mentioned concerning Mr. Phinney, and^ as it was understood that he had kept no journal, it was felt to be important for some one immediately to set about collecting the materials for a proper notice to appear in due time on the pages where his fellow laborers were to be remembered. With the design of accomplishing this purpose merely, an invitation was sent, a little more than a year ago, to Mr. Phinney to spend a few days with the writer, who then resided in Saco. This had doubtless been the end of the affair, had not Rev. B. D. Peck, of Portland, by whom the invitation was communicated, taken great pains to overcome the old gentleman's reluctance, and to prevail upon him to comply at once with the wishes of his friends.

When he came and related such events as occurred to him, the hasty notes were taken which form the principal portion of this book. In it, therefore, there must be mistakes, but there is ground to hope they are neither serious, nor numerous. The great deficiency that will be felt, especially by those long acquainted with Mr. Phin-. ney, is the omission of the very events that seem to them the most interesting things in his life. This is a source of regret, but to none more than the writer, and he may add, had he not been fully aware of this deficiency, this volume would have aflx)rded no one, except himself, either pleasure or pain, for some years to come. But, however unwise it may appear to others, he permits it to go forth now, with the hope that the regret awakened by the deficiency alluded to, may evoke many valuable reminiscences that would otherwise never appear.

Though the writer owes much to the kindness of many friends whom he must pass in silence, it would be entirely unjust not to mention Rev. Silas Curtis, who has, aside from looking over most of the manuscript, afforded much assistance by furnishing many more facts than he has

PREFACE. VU.

credit for in the following pages, where, for the most part, such assistance from others is acknowledged.

It is hoped, whatever views the reader may entertahi relative to Phrenology, Mr. Fowler's description may prove acceptable. On the day of the date of the description, the portrait, without name, fact, or hint of any kind, was handed to him. No change has been made in his manuscript, not even in the tense of the verbs, from which it seems Mr. F. thought he was describing the character of one no longer in the land of the living.

It has not been in the power of the writer to see a single page of the proof sheets. He has sent off chapter after chapter, as soon ^s it was off his hands. These hints,*" besides being in part an apology for repetitions and incongruities, will lead the reader to make due allowance for any other errors he may notice.

If this little volume, prepared under many embarrassments, shall prove of any service to the Kingdom of Christ, it is enough. D. M. G.

New York, May 1, 1851.

THE PHRENOLOGICAL CHARACTER

OF CLEMENT PHINNEY, AS GIVEN BY L. N. FOWLER, FROM

HIS PORTRAIT.

Clinton Hall, April 7, 1851.

This likeness indicates strong vitality, power, and a long-lived ancestry. He was prepared to take life more calmly than most men — neither its toils or its allurements, deranged his state of mind, or drew him off from a balance so much as to make much difference with his character. He was generally uniform, steady, stable, and could be relied upon. The nutritive functions appear large, which gave an ample degree of the vital principle, enabling him to go through with severe exercises, if necessary, and exerted a healthy, benign influence over others, and so presented his subjects and conversation, that others became interested not only in them, but in him. He had a fair amount of motive and mental power, giving a good degree of force of character and mental activity ; still, he did not often go to extremes, and when he did, there was consistency even in the extreme.

Plis Phrenological organization indicates a predominance of the intellectual and moral faculties — his head was high, and comparatively narrow, — the selfish propensities must have been rather we^k, especially Destruictiveness — he was not inclined to cruelty — was more disposed to love than to hate — to create happiness rather than misery — to do good rather than evil — to relieve distress rather than to promote suffering, and inclined to oppose all kinds of violence, and punishment as a matter of revenge, and would worship a God of benevolence rather than a God of revenge. He had control over his appetite, and ate to live, rather than lived to eat. He M'as naturally frank, candid, open-hearted in the development of his disposition, and yet was comparatively cautious, especially as to what kind of influences he exerted. He was particularly firm, persevering, steady, and had a high degree of moral courage — was not afraid to tell the truth, and stand by it, yet he was not reckless, or extra radical in his actions in this respect. The moral faculties all appear to be prominent, which indicate a high sense of justice, love of truth, feeling of devotion, sense of the sacred, and regard for

X. PHRENOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. '

law and authority — spirituality of mind, hopefulness and sanguineness of feeling, sympathy, humanity, desire to live for others as well as himself, and to interest himself in the general welfare of mankind. It was comparatively easy for him to spend his time in doing good. He was remarkable, intellectually, for his practical common sense — was not so brilliant, theoretical or philosophical, as he was capable of excelling in history, the sciences, and in all practical off-hand kinds of business. Experience was his teacher — he sought truths from nature, and learned more from observation and experience, than in any other way. The truths he uttered were wholesome, and his teachings practical, and always had an eye on the utility of what he said and did, and was a good judge of things and circumstances. He was naturally systematic, methodical, precise, and had a way to do every thing. He was free in conversation — apt in teaching, and very much disposed to tell others what he knew himself. He was good at describing, comparing, and associating — was apt in criticism, and made many striking remarks. He was a good judge of human nature, and seldom missed in his efforts to do good. The social faculties were probably strong, jcdging from the physiognomy, and general make of the head ; if so, he was lively, warm-hearted, fond of society, and delighted to come in contact with others, was decidedly fond of female society, and appreciated the marriage relation much, also children, and took great interest in their welfare. His selfishness was based in his animal wants — they being fairly supplied, left his mind free to live for the welfare of others.

If a professional man, he Avould succeed best as a minister or physician ; next to those, as a teacher. If a business man, his practical judgment — how to manage men, and buy up stock, and take advantage of circumstances, was his forte.

His jokes were decidedly practical, useful and appropriate ; he mingled much useful information with his jokes — was really witty ; could be quite sarcastic, yet was so good natured about it, as to give no offence — in fact, he had license by common consent, to say what he pleased, and no one took offence at it, because it was said in so common-sense a manner.

Contents

Page.

CHAPTER L— From his Birth to his Conversion, 13 CHAPTER n. — From his Conversion to his Union

with the Church, .... 25 CHAPTER HI.— From the time of his Admission to the Church to his First Tour as an Evangelist, 34

Chapter I. From His Birth To His Conversion

Clement Phinnet was born in Gorham, Maine, August 16th, 1780. To this town, John Phinney, his great-grandfather, removed from Cape Cod, Mass., more than a hundred years ago. That this ancestor of his first settled Gorham, and the date of his settlement, appear from the following copy of a part of the inscription on a block of granite, erected at " Gorham Corners," by public authority :

Capt.

John Phinnev commenced the first settlement of this town May 1736.

To Edmund Phinney, son of John, and grandfather of Clement, though only fourteen years of age at the time of "the settlement," is attributed the honor of felling the first tree cut in the town by the white man's axe. Tradition makes him the hero of other exploits in equal esteem among pioneers. Of these the following may be of interest to some :

The first inhabitants of Gorham, like those of most frontier towns, especially in those times, suffered from the attacks of hostile tribes of Indians. "When Edmund was only twenty years of age, it is related, that to ascertain if the enemy was near, he with two others was sent forth from the fort, which the inhabitants had built upon a spot still known as " Fort Hill." The party had proceeded but a little way, when Edmund, as he stepped upon a stump the better to observe, saw three Indians skulking in the thick under-wood. He had time only to exclaim, " Here they are," till they fired upon him. He fell, and his companions snatching him up for dead, hastened back to the fort. Fortunately, being only stunned, he speedily recovered. Two balls wounded his head, and a third passed through the flesh of the arm. It was ascertained afterward that these Indians were his personal acquaintances and play-fellows ; and, that they aimed at him especially, as they themselves confessed when peace returned, because they feared in him a formidable enemy.

This anecdote, though without the heroic denouement of many that are related of him, gives us a glimpse of the kind of training through which many of our ancestors passed, preparatory to the great struggle for Independence — a struggle which was then approaching, and in which this Edmund served to good purpose as a Colonel.

One of those wlio carried him to the fort was his future father-in-law, Clement Meserve, whose Christian name has descended to the subject of our sketches. Edmund's third son, Edmund, Jr., was Clement Phinney's father. He married Sarah Hamblen, some descendants of whose family are still residing in Gorham. Of the eight children sprung from this marriage, the eldest is Clement, to whom we now return.

Of his childhood and youth we have but few things to relate, and none of these wonders. There is not often a case of which it may be said with so much truth, however, that he inherited a good physical constitution, and consequently a large share of good nature and cheerfulness, as well as that strong common sense which is so exceedingly rare, notwithstanding its name.

His intellectual endowments present that combination which is adapted to quick and accurate observation, rather than to profound and consecutive reasoning. His talent, as we say, is practical, rather than theoretical — adapted to present visible execution, rather than to operating silently and systematically upon ages. His impulses in youth and middle age were strong, but combined with those generous sentiments which render even a forcible nature agreeable.

His love of music, even in childhood, was excessive. He early learned to exercise his powers of song, by which he attached his equals to himself, and rendered his company desirable to adults. This talent, being cultivated and consecrated to God, has been, as we shall hereafter see, very instrumental in awakening in the human heart responses to the calls of the Divine Word. Aptness " to teach" he possesses to a degree quite above mediocrity ; and another talent, quite as important to the minister, an instinctive capability of acquiring friends, without making at the same time an equal number of enemies.

The other natural endowments by which, through a long series of years, he has been able to hold the undivided attention of large audiences, may be indicated, perhaps sufficiently, by saying that he has in his composition a rich vein of genuine wit, and not a slight sprinkle of enthusiasm, accompanied by an eccentricity, which, though it will not bear imitation, is nevertheless very agreeable, because in him it is perfectly spontaneous. The glow of enthusiasm, and a striking eccentricity, when combined in a public speaker of no more than ordinary qualifications in other respects, while they have no little effect upon the learned, never foil to exercise a controlling influence over the mass of mankind.

His advaiitages for education, in the ordinary sense of the term, were such only as the district school of New England fifty years ago affi^rded. The education here received he improved, however, by teaching ; but. it must be remembered that the common school fifty years ago was not what it now is. If we judge of the schools of those days by the noble men with which they blessed the world, we shall not, however, come to the conclusion that they were altogether deficient.

CLEMENT PniNNEY. 17

To become acquainted with his theological education, we have not to follow him to the feet of any Gamaliel, but to follow him long years in the actual warfare of practical life. So far then, as he has proceeded in his studies — for he has not yet graduated — it is our purpose to follow him. Having introduced the reader to the natural man, we invite him to observe the development of this combination of faculties, under the various influences of good and bad to which he has been subjected, and under the like of which each one, who lives long in this world, must decide for himself whether he will be saved or lost.

The reader rightly infers that in youth he was very fond of merry-making company. Still, amid youthful excitements and the influence afforded by the example of depraved companions, he never fell into the disgusting vice of profanity. For this preservation he still cherishes a lively gratitude for his mother's influence. Happy will it be for our country, when each son can bear a similar testimony to his mother'i worth.

When about eighteen, Mr. Phinney was attacked on a side, however, not so well fortified by parental influence. By some vile men, such as yet infest society in great abundance, he was enticed to places for drinking and gambling. "Well nigh did his musical talent, in this instance, prove the occasion of his ruin. Under the admonitions of the Spirit of God, he was toon rescued from those places of degradation.

Soon after, he was taken very ill of a fever, from

which his friends despaired of his recovery. He 2

(_ii^f began to reflect upon his religious interests. Beyond the grave there was for him neither light nor hope. In the deep anguish of a soul, conscious of a want of preparation for the exchange of worlds, he vowed, if his life should be spared, to devote the rest of his days to the service of God. His vows, like all others made to postpone present duty, were made only to be broken. Upon his recovery, though no longer found in the company of gamblers, there were few balls within his reach without his presence. In mere pleasure he sought for happiness.

For the age of twenty-one he looked forward with those bright anticipations which are the invariable ushers of disappointments correspondingly sad. A gloom overtook this pleasure-seeker, as, sooner or later, all such are overtaken. It was so marked that his father and other friends inquired for its origin. To them he returned almost any answer but the true one, a want of communion with his Maker. Vainly he pursues the same course, though his mental night becomes more and more dismal.

In his twenty-third year, [March, 1803,] he was married to Joanna, daughter of Captain Josiah Wallace, of Cape Elizabeth. Both with hearty good will left their pleasure-going associations to seek for happiness in the pursuit of wealth. With good prospects he entered upon business in his native town. But success in worldly good cannot banish a sense of internal poverty.

During his twenty-fourth year, under the pressure of his unhappy spirit, he betook himself to prayer for

■i> If f1li> iir • the first time in his life. This only revealed to him more clearly his sad want of conformity to the divine law. Sin revived in him with unwonted power. His hopes died. But, instead of applying to a crucified and risen Christ to deliver him from the death in which his spirit was struggling, he thought to banish his wretchedness by fleeing to the company of those who spoke of the Savior only to deride. Such, however, is God's mercy, that his Spirit, to increase conviction, often employs the very means to which the sinner resorts to escape from it altogether, and thus leads him who was bent upon destruction to that repentance not to be repented of. Take some illustrations.

In the winter of the twenty-sixth year of his age, Mr. Phinney, with the express design of gaining a respite from his convictions, took great pains to devote one day to the kind of company before named. Friday night he dismissed his school. Having engaged to accompany him a neighbor who, upon every convenient opportunity, was accustomed to become intoxicated, he went on Saturday morning to Portland, a few miles distant. There they met a large company of glee companions. They all gave themselves up to bacchanalian revelry. Of this company Mr. Phinney was leader and life. Calling himself Paul, Junior, he delivered mock sermons, and engaged in mock theological debates with some of those who so much disgrace the cause of Christ, known as backsliders. On their way home that evening his drunken associate was converted into a real preacher. " Clement," said be, ** your wickedness to-day has fairly frightened me/* This remark carried to the heart of his hearer con- Ticfeion, no less pungent than that experienced by John Bunyan, when a wicked woman said to him, that he ** was the ungodliest fellow for swearing that she ever heard in all her life." " That day," to use Mr. Phinney's own words, " was the worst of my life. I can scarcely recur to it without a shudder.' '

Having spent most of two nights and the intervening Sabbath in great distress of mind, he was on his way Monday morning to his school. While passing through a woody vale that seemed to his excited imagination a chosen place for Divine manifestations, he hears a voice which, though deep in the recesses of his own heart, seems to him to come from above. " Whither," cried the voice of the Eternal, " whither, O young man, art thou bound ?" " To destruction," he involuntarily responds. *' Why press on to that destiny," said the voice, " why not turn and live ?" « Lord help," said he, " and I will."

He still procrastinated and still suffered. How the day passed he cannot remember. But he well remembers that a release from cares and the solemn hours of night brought him to a full consciousness of his wretched condition.

At the close of this term he accepted an invitation to take charge of a school at Standish Neck, within himself again resolving, when separated from hig wicked associates, to pay his vows. He prepareoi himself thus to learn by bitter experience that truth of the Bible, so hard for us all to learn, " Behold, now is the day of salvation."

" It is a poor relief we gain To change the place but not the pain."

By contract he was to board in the family of John Plaisted. He wished to board in that quiet Christian family the better to carry into effect his resolutions. When he arrived he found that his evil fame had preceded him. Mrs. P. consented to take him into the family only till other arrangements could be made.

He commenced his school, and in a few days his pupils, as usual, became warmly attached to him. Among them was an adopted son of his hostess. The time came for the change. The son plead with the mother in his teacher's behalf. The teacher determined to stand upon the contract or leave the school. All the children of the district declared for their teacher, and Mrs. P. herself had seen nothing out of the way in her boarder. It is scarcely necessary to add that, as in most cases, the children carried the day, and the school continued.

Sometimes Mr. Phinney strove to derive from conversation with Mrs. P., some light concerning the way of life. She mistrusts in him only a desire to play the sanctimonious part for his own amusementj and, therefore, afforded him very little instruction, For the same purpose he attended prayer meetings, but with like success. He was regarded as one who came in merely to spy out the liberty of Christians, and, therefore, they took the precaution to change meetings appointed for vocal prayer into those of the most approved Quaker style. The faith of such Christians never removes mountains.

In the same town, though a few miles distant, resided Sargeant Shaw, a Christian to whom living and walking " in the Spirit," imported something more than attention to forms and dogmas. He believed the Holy Spirit prompted him to visit Mr. Phinney for religious conversation. He obeyed the inward call, notwithstanding some of his friends urged him not to expose himself to the ridicule of " the wicked teacher." He arrived at Mr. Plaisted's a little before the teacher was expected to return. As soon as he heard him he hastened to meet him. " Mr. Phinney," said he, " I have come to converse with you on the subject of religion." " I am glad to see you on that errand," said Mr. Phinney, adding, " I greatly feel the need of religion." He related in full to Mr. Shaw his trials of mind.

This visit gave great strength to the Christian, and to the seeker a determination never to yield till he should experience the pardoning mercy of Christ. Should we always be as prompt to obey the Spirit's call as was Mr. Shaw, how often might we act the part of an Ananias to some groping Paul. Though God speaks from the sky to awaken in the human heart a deep yearning for salvation, he leaves it to his written word and to Christians to give specific directions.

The next Saturday after this visit, while Mr. Phinney was on his way to Gorham to spend the Sabbath with his family, he was overtaken by one of his companions. " Clementj" said he, " what makes you look

SO solemn?" The unhesitating reply was, "I am seeking God." To his family's inquiries he made similar reply. Sabbath evening while at singing school, (for he was accustomed to teach such,) a very • profane man, during an intermission, roughly addressed him as to his seriousness, but the candid reply soon checked the spirit of ridicule. Here is one whose soul is in earnest ; he cares not how many or who know that he is seeking for redemption through Christ. Many a one brought near to the kingdom of heaven loses his soul, for want of resolution to face the sneer of some worthless associate.

May [1806] had made the earth glad and gay before he entered upon the last week of his term ; but still there was yet no joy in his heart. He felt, as he remarked this week to one of his pupils, that he was «a poor lost sinner." But to his sad heart joy was approaching. He had lost all dependence upon himself He was wholly intent upon mercy through Christ. Slumber had forsaken his eyelids. As at the midnight hour he wrestled in prayer the burden of his guilt passed away. A glorious light burst upon his soul and filled it with a divine ecstacy. He waited not till morning to communicate the glad intelligence to the Christian family in which he was boarding. Together, till break of day, they praised and prayed.

This morning, as he passed along the shores of a beautiful lake to a grove where, in his darkness, he had often prayed and wept bitter tears of repentance, it seemed to him that literally "old things" had passed away, and all things become "new." All things seemed to partake of his own joy. The bright waters wear a new smile ; the birds have new songs ; the groves are filled with the presence of a life-giving Deity.

In a day or two he entered his school for the last time. He felt much more like praying with his pupils, and exhorting them to flee to Christ, than attending to his ordinary duties. He commenced his accustomed routine, but soon the scene was changed. One of the pupils while reading began to shed tears at the thought of parting so soon with her teacher. Many from kindred feelings soon imitated her. The teacher found himself unable to restrain his tears. He spent the remaining hour in accordance with his own feelings. " Though more than forty years have passed," said one of those pupils the other day, " I have not forgotten that scene. I never shall. We all wept." Years afterward Mr. Phinney had the privilege of reaping fruit of that day's sowing.

Dear reader, you have seen in this case the sinner strive to sear his conscience by plunging deeper and deeper into sin. But such is the nature of the soul of man, that it can never be at rest till reconciled to God. In -a state of alienation it has tribulation, but in Christ it has peace. May that peace be yours, evermore.

:iifkri-i

Chapter II. Trom His Conversion To His Union With The Chl'rch

Upon Mr. Phinney's return from Standish, the news of his conversion soon spread among his neighbors, and furnished them with a theme for not a little conversation. Many of his former associates took early occasion to call upon him, that they might con- Terse with one after his conversion, who before, had 80 often made them merry by his witticisms in regard to religion ; and, when they found him who once " had the legion, in his right mind," they were not a little astonished. When they left, instead of the idle curiosity which had prompted their calls, a wholesome conviction of their need of a similar change, had possession of their minds; and one of the number »oon submitted to God.

Though for no good reason he delayed joining the church, he exercised his influence in awakening the consciences of others, and his own soul made rapid advancement in the new life. But he could not long remain in this condition in safety ; for soon he began to feel the need of sympathy and encouragement from others, both for his own progress, and for his highest usefulness toward others. On the other hand he began to fear, that if he should join the church, and be faithful to the grace already operating in his heart, he would be called to a life more public than he desired. Here he faltered. His zeal departed. He wounded his conscience. He could no longer be at peace among Christians. He forsook the house of God, and the cares of this world choked the germ that had begun to unfold itself in his inner life. This plant will not endure neglect. It seems not to be indigenous to the human heart. It seems rather to be an exotic that requires careful culture. It must strike its roots into the soil of a soul wholly submissive to the Divine will, and supported, under ordinary circumstances, by the sympathies arising from "brotherly love." In such a soil it rapidly absorbs all the energies, till every plant not of heavenly planting is rooted out.