Memoir of the life and character of the late Hon. Theo. Frelinghuysen, LL. D.

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Introduction

Soon after the death of Mr. Frelinghuysen, a desire was expressed, in many and various quarters, for some permanent memorial of his life. His long course of private worth and public usefulness, the eminent positions he had occupied, his ability, his eloquence, his stainless probity, his consistent piety, his catholic spirit, his recognized leadership among evangelical Christians of every name, and his relations to all the great Christian enterprises of the age, seemed to call for a volume which should trace his career from its origin, and indicate the sources of the rare and rounded character which he maintained even to the last.

Circumstances, which it is needless to mention, turned the author's attention to the subject. Having a connection by marriage with some of Mr. Frelinghuysen's relatives, he had for more than twenty years enjoyed a considerable degree of intimacy with him, and was enabled therefore, on many points, to speak from personal observation. From the living representatives of Mr. Frelinghuysen he met the heartiest sympathy and co-operation. It was, indeed, at their suggestion and by their aid that the present volume

IV INTRODUCTION. /

has been prepared. It does not pretend, theref- ., to have the coolness of judicial impartiality. The remembrance of Mr. Frelinghuysen's genial goodness is still too fresh to allow those who knew him familiarly to speak of his character with stoic calmness. Hie liber "^ ^ ^ professione pietatis aut laudatus erit^ aid excusatus. Yet the reader will look in vain for indiscriminate eulogy. It is believed that the delineation given does not transgress the bounds of truth, in letter, in spirit, or in the impression it is calculated to produce. The great aim has been to give, in moderate compass, as just and accurate an account of the growth and development of this remarkable man as could be obtained by patient and diligent inquiry. One reason of the insertion of so many statements and letters from different persons, as will be found interspersed through the volume, is to show how similar, or, rather, identical was the impression made by his virtues on all the classes of men, lay and clerical, with whom he came in contact. If any still deem the character described to be one of impossible perfection, it only remains to assure them that nothing is stated except what is believed on the amplest and most satisfactory evidence — nothing which would not be accepted by any of his numerous neighbors and townsmen as either true of their own knowledge, or as what their acquaintance with him would naturally lead them to believe and expect. Close and prolonged inspection is a severe test of character, but it is precisely

INTRODUCTION. V

those who saw Mr. Frelinghuysen at nearest hand and for the longest time who cherish the deepest reverence for his memory, and the strongest conviction of his unexampled excellence.

The author begs leave here to offer his grateful acknowledgments to the kind friends, too numerous to specify in detail, who have aided him by the communication of useful papers or statements. He has spared no pains to gather such information as bore upon the subject, but has reason to lament that, in several instances, it was found impossible to obtain details sufficiently authentic and definite to be inserted in this biography.

Still, he trusts that his work will not be found wholly unworthy of its subject, and he commits it to the press with the prayer that the blessed Savior, who was pleased to make Mr. Frelinghuysen so useful in his life, will vouchsafe to honor with a portion of the same blessing this imperfect record of his course and character.

New York, June, 1 SG3.

Chapter I. His Ancestry

I. The Rev. Theo. Jac. Frelinghuysen. — II. The Rev. John Frelinghuysen. — The Jufvrouw Hardenbergh. — III. Major Gen. Frederick Frelinghuysen Page 13

Chapter II. His Youth And Education

1787—1808.

Birth-place. — School at New Brunswick. — Basking Ridge. — Princeton. — Letter of the Hon. Mr. Ingersoll. — Student at Law in Millstone. — Letter of the Rev. Dr. I. N. Wyckoff. — In the office of the Hon. Richard Stockton. — Admission to the Bar 28

CHAPTER IIL

PROFESSIONAL CAREER AT THE BAR.

1808—1838.

Settlement at Newark. — Marriage. — Studious Habits. — First Striking Success. — Patriotic Exertions in 1812. — Same in 18G1. — Attorney General of the State. — Legal Characteristics. — Cases. — The Quaker Case. — Proprietary Case. — Leaving the Bar 40

Chapter IV. In The Senate Of The United States

1829—1835.

Composition of the Senate. — Great Questions agitated — Mr. Frelinghuysen's Course. — The Indian Bill. — The Sunday-Mail Question. — Day of Fasting for the Cholera. — Encomiums of Clay and Webster. — Letter of the Hon. Edward Everett 59

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Anii CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Chancellor Of The University Of The City Of New York

1839—1850.

Return to his Profession at Newark. — Call to the University of the City of New York. — Installation as Chancellor. — Success, — Public Usefulness. — Nomination for Vice-President. — Letter of Acceptance. — The Canvass. — Letter to Louisville. — Result, and the disappointment it then caused. — Not now to be regretted. — Mr. Frelinghuysen retires from the University. — Letter of Dr. Taylcr Lewis Page 84

Chapter VI. President Of Rutgers College

1850—1862.

Early History of the Institution.— Inauguration of Mr. Frelinghuysen.— Growth of the College.— The President's Diligence.— Letter from Dr. Crosby.— Death of the first Mrs. Frelinghuysen.— Baccalaureate Addresses.— Useful to the End.— Death.— Funeral.. 103

Chapter VII. Personal Traits And Habits

His Person.— Social and Domestic Habits.— Hospitality.— Popularity. — Mental Traits : Insight, Judgment, Imagination. — Reading. — Style. — Speeches. — Eloquence. — Instances. — Reminiscence of Dr.Magie H^

Chapter VIII. Origin And Character Of His Piety

Early Impressions. — Conversion at Newark. — Influence of his Brother's Death. — Eminence of his Piety. — Its Elements: 1. Simplicity of Faith; 2. Humility; 3. Devotional Habits; 4. Geniality; S.Tendernesss of Conscience ; G. Completeness ; 7. The Fruit of Culture. — Letter from Dr. Woodbridge 129

Chapter IX. His Religious Life

At Home— at the Bar — in Washington— in Church Relations— Sunday-school. — Charity. — Catholicity of Feeling 151 ft

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i CHAPTER X.

'' PERSONAL EFFORTS FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN.

Letter to Mr. Lincoln. — Consultation about entering the Ministry. — Dr. Spring's Letter. — Assiduity and Skill in speaking to impenitent Persons. — Grounds of his Success. — Letters. — Correspondence with Mr. Clay ; with Mr. Webster ; Governor Pennington ; Judge Nevius. — Letter of Judge Chambers. — Other Examples. — Words of J. P. Jackson. — Perseverance Page 1 G8

Chapter XI. Extracts From His Correspondence

Its general Character. — Fifteen Letters to a young Relative pursuing his Education. — Two to another young Relative. — Four to the Rev. Dr. J. A. H. Cornell. — A Letter of Condolence to the Rev. Dr. De Witt 192

Chapter XII. Connection With Benevolent Institutions

A. B. C. F. M. — American Bible Society. — American Tract Society. — American Colonization Society. — American Sunday-school Union. — American Temperance Union 213

CHAPTER XIH.

THE CLOSING SCENE.

Origin of his Sickness. — Fear of Death. — Fear overcome. — Profound Humility. — Submission. — Temptations. — Remembrances. — Interview with Dr. Campbell. — Advice to a Youth. — Desire to Depart. —The peaceful End 253

Conclusion

The Gift of God. — Mr. Frelinghuysen's Comjjleteness of Character. — General Recognition of it. — Proven by Trial. — Theme of Gratitude to God. — Encouragement to others. — A Proof of Christianity. — An Example of cheerful Piety. — Its fundamental and characteristic Element 26i

Appendix 275

Index 283

THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF

THE LATE

HON. THEO. FRELINGHUYSEN, LLD.

LIFE OF FRELINGHUYSEN.