Biography of the Rev. Robert Finley, D. D., of Basking Ridge N. J. : with an account of his agency as the author of the American Colonization Society; also a sketch of the slave trade; a view of our national policy and that of Great Britain towards Liberia and Africa

Front matter

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V

A

PREFACE TO FIllST EDITION

An intelligent gentleman, in the congregation of Basking Ridge, many years ago, while contemplating his beloved pastor, in the midst of his ministerial labors and successes, made the following declaration : " Were I ambitious, I would rather be Robert Finley than Ceesar or Bonaparte.

And truly his character was so exalted and pure, his life so conspicuous and useful — his transactions so judicious and important, and his name so dear, that forming, in this transitory world, a memorial of his excellence, is an act, not less of justice to him, than of kindness to ourselves. Few men have recently appeared on the stage of life, more truly and deeply devoted to the interests of Christ's kingdom and the good of mankind ; few men have been so early in life, so prominently and so indefatigably engaged in enterprises of benevolence and piety ; few men have performed so many labors in the church, and enjoyed so great a harvest of success in the divine service, as Dr. Finley. There are therefore but few, whose claims upon the church and upon the world, for posthumous reo-ard, are so clear and so strong as his, and there have re-

IV PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.

cently been few whose lives and characters are so well calculated to instruct, to animate and profit others.

It was under the influence of such sentiments respecting Dr. Finley, that the resolution, to attempt preparing a biographical view of his character and life, was first formed. The narrow limits, then contemplated, have been insensibly and unavoidably surpassed : — that which was originally expected to make a pamphlet, or, at most, a small 12 mo. has been necesssarily enlarged and put in the form of an octavo. In the course of the narrative, the names of several deceased ministers of the gospel rose into view, who are still remembered with interest by some, and who deserve the tribute of recollection and respect which is here paid to them.

Dr. Finley was so earnestly devoted to the business of education in all its degrees and relations, that in order to illustrate fully his views and transactions in regard to that subject, as well as others, it was thought expedient to introduce in the form of notes at the close of the volume several essays or discussions, on topics incidentally connected with the narrative.*

With regard to the manner in which the work has been executed, the writer would observe that he is fully sensible of the correctness and force of the remark : —

Nevertheless he has dared to disregard an injunction of the same high classic authority : —

Having enjoyed neither much leisure, nor good health, during the period in which the manuscript, of the following

* These notes are omitted iu the present edition.

Preface To First Edition. V

memoirs &c. was prepared, he has not pleased himself, and cannot therefore, expect very extensively to please others. — His great object has been to draw a true character, rather than a handsome portrait — to make an honest and useful, rather than a splendid volume — to place .correctly before our viewthat high,

" Exemplar vitce morumqite,"

which this deceased man of God uniformly exhibited while among us — and thus, to render to the Heavenly Father a deserving and lasting tribute of praise for the signal manifestations of his grace, which we behold in the life of his servant.

On the whole, if this volume shall be found to record events and to detail transactions conducive to the honor of God, to human improvement and Christian comfort ; — if it shall, in some small measure furnish materials to assist others, hereafter, in forming a connected and expanded view of the church of Christ, and of divine beneficence and grace to men ; — if, by exhibiting the ardent and unwearied exertions of this distinguished and excellent servant of the Lord, it shall be instrumental in strengthening the resolutions and exciting the zeal of survivors, to follow him in his pious and benevolent career, to repair the loss which is sustained by his lamented removal, to preserve from failure and carry to perfection the plans of benevolence from the prosecution of which he was suddenly withdrawn, the end of this publication will be accomplished. And to make it productive of these happy results, may the divine benediction rest upon it !

Lawrenceville, N. J., January 7, 1819.

1*

Preface To Second Edition

The first Edition of the Biography of the late Rev. Roliert Finley, D. D., of Basking Ridge, New Jerse3% and afterwards of Athens, Georgia, having been disposed of, and requests frequently presented since, for copies of the work, the author, now proposes, to meet the demand in the following sheets. Since the first issue circumstances have so greatly changed, as to require some modification, in the work.

So much has been said and written on the subject of the origin of the American Colonization Society, frequently presenting obscure and conflicting statements, that additional light seems to be demanded. The writer, having, from the beginning, known familiarly and fully as a witness and participant, the facts and details which gave rise to the Society, — feels it to be due to himself — to his deceased friend. Dr. Finley — to their native State, New Jersey — to the Colonization Society, now existing — and to the public at large — to furnish a more minute account of the preliminary steps observed in bringing forward and ushering into being, this Society for the colonization of the free colored people of these United States, on the coast of Africa.

Vlll PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.

The Society having grown into an institution of great magnitude, so as to afford an interesting promise of a decided and growing influence in promoting the great and benevolent object for which it was established — we cannot doubt that the feeble monument, here erected to perpetuate the name and character of the prime leader and agent in this highly benevolent organization, will be held dear by multitudes now living and by many more, who will soon succeed them on the stage of life.

Most of what was added to the first edition of this work, at its close, supposed to possess considerable interest at that time, is now omitted, or transferred to other volumes, chiefly to preserve this, from undue extension — instead of which an Appendix, is now added, containing interesting intelligence, repecting the African Coast and the Colony of Liberia.

ISAAC Y. BROWN.

Tbenton, March, 1S56.

CHAPTER I. Page

View of James Finley, father of Robert — Robert's birth and early education — Enters college — Success there — First serious impressions — Graduates, commences teaching — His success — Invitation to Maryland — Assumes charge of an academy at Allentown, N. J. — Makes a profession of religion — Invited to teach in Charleston, South Carolina — Extracts from his diary there. 13

Chapter II

Returns to Ncav Jersey — Commences the study of theology — Is made tutor in Princeton College — Notes from his diary there — Licensure to preach — Ordination at Basking Ridge — His marriage — Origin and progess of his school — Immediate benefit of his ministry — An awakening experienced — Mr. Finley's account of this great 31 event — His great efforts.

Chapter III

Mr. Finley's exertion to retain the Bible as a school book — Is elected a trustee of Princeton College — A new excitement in his parish — Appointed to preach the missionary

CONTENTS.

Page.

sermon before the General Assembly — Appointed as a delegate to the General Association of Connecticut — A very interesting scene at Basking Ridge — Mr. Finley labors in Sussex County and other places — He and Rev. Geo. S. "WoodhuU originate the Bible Class system in churches — Doings of Presbyterian Synod — General Assembly in regard to it — He introduces it into his parish — Divine blessing follows — Youth awakened. G4

Chapter IV

Mr. Finley's tour through his large parish — His health becomes impaired from excessive labors — Account of the early and progressive thoughts, plans and doings, preparatory to the formation of the American Colonization Society — Notice of the African Synodical School — Mr. Finley's letter to John P. Mumford, Esq. — His journey to Washington. 86

Chapter V

The organization of the Colonization Society in Congress Hall, Dec. 21st, 1816 — H. Clay presided— His speech — E. B. Caldwell's address — John Randolph's — Resolutions — Adjourned meeting — Constitution adopted — Officers appointed — Dr. Finley's health improved. 103

CHAPTER YI.

Arrives at Philadelphia — Operations there — Establishes an auxiliary society in Trenton, New Jersey — Received an invitation to settle there — Declined — Capt. Paul Cuffee's Letter — Letter of E. B. Caldwell and others — Copy of his thoughts on colonization, afterwards published. 121

CHAPTER YII.

Rival claims to the authorship of colonization stated — Notice by Dr. Alexander in his Colonization History, etc.

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER VIII.

rage.

Letter from Corporation of the University of Georgia —

Gov. Earlj^'s communication — Mr. Finley accepts the invitation — Resigns his pastoral charge — His Trusteeship at Princeton — Receives the degree of D. D. — Takes leave of a Avceping church — Sails from Ncav York. 1 56

CHAPTER IX.

On the 16th of May arrives at Savannah — Account of his passage — Correspondence — First impressions — Views of the College at Athens — First measures — Labors in the village — In the college — First commencement — Attends Presbytery — Dr. is taken sick. 175

CHAPTER X.

Death occurred on the 3d of Nov. 1817 — Transactions of trustees — Letters of Correspondence. 207

CHAPTER XL

Character of Dr. Finley — Revievs^ of his past course — Notice of his sermons — labors — Death — Letter of Rev. P. 0. Studdiford, former pupil of Dr. Finley, giving his early thoughts and present recollections of him. 225

CHAPTER XIL

A brief History of the Slave Trade — Early connection of the English and other nations with the traffic — Sierra Leone — "West Indian experiments of the British to apprentice slaves, 1833 — To emancipate, 1838 — Failure — Their course towards colonization — Free labor and slave labor contrasted — British connection with them — Relations of the United States with the same — Great importance of Africa to England and to the United States, as a vast field for free labor — Notices of Liberia — Her progress — Her connection with us — Her necessities — Her difficulties — The interest of the United States, to extend a xii ^ CONTENTS.

prompt and vigorous helping hand to Liberia — to the work of Colonization and missions. 249

CHAPTER XIII.

Biographical Notice of Rev. James Caldwell, father of Mrs.

Finley. 283

Appendix

I. On Liberia. • 299

IL Notice of New Jersey Colony in Liberia. 333

REV. ROBERT FINLEY, D.D.

Chapter I

View of James Finley, father of Robert — Robert's birth and EARLY Education — Enters College — Success there — First Serious Impressions — Graduates — Commences Teaching — His Success — Invitation to Maryland — Assumes Charge of an Academy at Allentovyn, N. J. — Makes a Profession of Religion — Invited to Teach in Charleston, S. C. — Extracts from his Diary there.

Mr. James Finley, father - le subject of tlils narrative, "was born in Glasgu\>', Scotland, A. D. 1737. Before be reached his eighteenth year, religion took a powerful hold of his mind. It pleased God, early to lay him low, and to hold him long under deep convictions and apprehensions, in a state of suspense and anxiety, so awful as nearly to break the power of hi.:; reason and the vigor of his frame. At the set time, God revealed himself in mercy to this convinced and mourning sinner, inspiring hope and gladness, where guilt and horror had lately reigned. Through life, he often spoke of the sore conflicts he 2

then endured, and declared his full belief, that, though painful for the present, they had been good and salutary, working out to him, more abundantly, the 2?eaceahle fruits of righteousness.

Mr. Finley was trained to the business of a yarn merchant, in his native city. In the prosecution of this employment, he supplied himself with materials, by attending the fairs of the surrounding country, where the commodities in which he dealt, were exhibited for sale in great abundance and variety. On account of his superior ability and fidelity in his profession, he was promoted to the ofiice of superintendent, and discharged the duties of inspector of the yarn factories in Glasgow and its vicinity.

He became, very early, acquainted with the Rev. John Witherspoon, who was then an eminent minister of the Gospel, exercising his pastoral functions in the town of Paisley, about six miles distant from Glasgow. So warm was his regard for Mr. Witherspoon, that he frequently left the church, to which he was attached, in his native city, and walked to Paisley, on Sabbath days, to attend the ministrations of his admired friend. His attachment to him became unusually sincere and strong. He admired him as a preacher of the Gospel : he rejoiced at his efi*orts to restore pure Presbyterian government in the Church of Scotland : he sympathized with him in the struggles and persecutions he encountered in his attempts thus to set aside the corrupt and oppressive system of patronage^ which had been imposed upon the people.

Dr. Witherspoon warmly reciprocated the respect and affection of his pious and excellent friend. After accepting the Presidency of Princeton College, and emigrating to America, A. D. 1763, he invited him to come over and settle in the same place. Mr. Finley yielded to this solicitation, and with his wife, whose maiden name was Angres, landed at New York in 1769. At Princeton, the intercourse and familiarity commenced in Scotland, were renewed, and continued till terminated by the death of the illustrious President, A. D. 1794. In this village, Mr. Finley pursued with diligence and respectability the mechanical occupation of weaving, for which his employment in Scotland seemed, in some measure, to qualify him. Here, also, he occupied for many years, the office of ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. He was an eminently pious and exemplary Christian. His faculties of mind, naturally strong and active, had been long and earnestly employed on the noblest subjects. His memory, strongly retentive, w^as richly stored with a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and of human life ; and his zeal and engagedness in religion being uncommonly lively and uniform, he was truly an instructing and interesting companion, and a highly useful and valuable member of society. Many wise and good men sought his company and frequented his house to be edified by his intelligent and pious conversation, and to be animated in ways of piety, by his fervent prayers and glowing zeal.

During the struggles of the American Colonies for liberty and independence, Mr. Finley manifested that

IG BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FINLEY.

he had, indeed, adopted this as his country. He was a warm and decided advocate and supporter of the American Revolution. He was employed as clothier to a brigade of American troops, and held this office while the English were in possession of Princeton. He continued at home during this period, and had constant intercourse with several British officers who quartered in his house, without incurring the charge of indifference to the cause of the colonies, on the one hand, or making himself peculiarly obnoxious to the enemy, on the other. He suffered much in his temporal interests, in the result of this agency, by receiving almost the whole of his compensation, for revolutionary services which he had rendered, and private moneys which he had expended, in the currency of the provinces, when it had sunk to almost nothing. This was peculiarly afflicting to him, inasmuch as by misfortunes in his native country, his pecuniary circumstances had become much reduced and his prospects of reinstatement very dubious.

While residing at Princeton, Mr. Finley corresponded for many years with David Dale, Esq.,'^ the

* The following sketch of this distinguished and excellent man is taken from the Assembb/s 3Iissionari/ Magazine for the year 1806, page 341 :

"Died at Glasgow, on the lUh current, in the 68th year of his age, David Dale, Esq., of Rosebank, late one of the magistrates of that city. The character of this good man comprehended in it so many points of excellence, that only an imperfect outline of it can here be given. He had not enjoyed the advantage of a polished or liberal education ; but this want was compensated by a large share of natural sagacity and sound sense, by an accurate and dis-

BIOURAPHY OF DR. FINLEY. 17

honorable Bailiff of the district he had inhabited in Scotland. Epistolary intercourse with that distinguished and excellent man, was continued after Mr. Finley's decease, by his son Robert. It is a subject of deep regret that the letters of this correspondence, very valuable and interesting on many accounts, cannot be obtained.

Mr. Finley visited Dr. Witherspoon frequently and affectionately towards the close of his life, and at-

criminating knowledge of human character, and by a modest and dignified simplicity of manner, which secured to him universal respect and attention. A zealous promoter of general industry and of the manufactures of his country, his schemes of business were extensive and liberal, conducted with singular prudence and perseverance, and, by the blessing of God, were crowned with such abundant success, as served to advance his rank in society and to furnish him with the means of that diffusive benevolence which rendered his life a public blessing, and shed a lustre on his character that has been but too rarely exemplified. Impelled by the powerful influence of that truth which he firmly believed and zealously taught, constrained by the love, and animated by the example of his blessed Master, his ear was never shut to the cry of distress. His private charities were boundless, and every public institution which had for its object the alleviation or prevention of human misery, in this world or the world to come, received from him the most liberal support and encouragement. For, while the leading object of his life was the diffusion of the light of truth in the earth, he gladly embraced every opportunity of becoming, like the patriarchs of old, ' eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame,' and of causing ' the widow's heart to sing for joy.' In private life, his conduct, actuated by the same principles, was equally exemplary ; for he was a kind parent, a generous friend, a wise and faithful counsellor, ' a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate.' And noAV, having thus occupied his talents, he hath ' entered into the joy of his Lord. Mark the perfect and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' "

2=5= tended him with peculiar kindness and faithfulness as a friend, in his last sickness. Soon after the death of Dr. Witherspoon, he resolved to spend the residue of his days in the society of his sons, Robert and Alexander, and accordingly moved to Basking Ridge, the place of their abode. His age, his infirmity, his circumstances altogether had become such as to require filial attention and kindness. And here, while this patriarchal friend of God received the respect and veneration of all around him, he enjoyed the most affectionate and faithful attention of his sons, residing near him, and especially of his son Robert, whose circumstances enabled him to indulge all his filial fondness, by providing for his beloved and declining parent every thing necessary for his ease and comfort.

At Basking Ridge, Mr. Finley was elected a member of session, and faithfully discharged the duties of ruling elder in that congregation. His personal appearance, his established reputation, his considerable knowledge, his ardent piety and unblemished deportment, all contributed to render him a peculiarly suitable person to fill that station. He was tall, erect and slender — his features were strong and prominent — his head was whitened with years — his whole aspect was peculiarly grave, dignified and solemn. These circumstances, associated with uncommon intelligence of mind and sanctity of character, gave great respectability and interest to his frequent performances in the religious societies uniformly held, and in the occasional raeetino;s of the cono;re<]i;ation, in the absence of their pastor, where he generally assisted. His prayers, on these occasions, were remarkable for comprehensiveness, for weighty matter, and for profound devotion.

When death appeared to be drawing near, he contemplated his dissolution with great calmness and satisfaction. On being asked, when apparently near his close, how he felt, he replied, "Just as I wish to feel!" When almost exhausted, he intimated a desire that all his relatives, in the vicinity, should be assembled around his bed, that he might take a last view of the only objects on earth which he considered dear to him, and commit them to God. And after being gently raised up by his son Robert, he cast his eyes complacently round upon the interesting group, and raising them towards heaven, feebly whispered "It is done," and sweetly expired, in the seventysecond year of his age, in the full and joyful hope of a glorious immortality through Jesus Christ.

Such men are the salt of the earth ! the light of the world ! How happy to be a Christian ! How inestimable the privilege and blessing of being descended from such a parent !

Robert Finley was born at Princeton, New Jersey, A. D. 1772. He was very early instructed in the elements of the English language, and in his eighth year commenced the study of the Latin, in his native village. The salutary effects of early parental instruction and care were soon discoverable in him. For a youth of his age, he was uncommonly grave and judicious in his deportment. After passing, in a short period, through the hands of a number of teachers, it was happily ordered that he should here become a pupil of Mr. Ashbel Green, the same gentlemen who was afterwards President of the College of New Jersey. At this period, Mr. Green was a student in college, and the studies of his class not being sufficient to occupy the whole of his attention, by the advice of Dr. Witherspoon, he spent half his time in teaching the grammar school, which was then under the doctor's superintendence. "While this arrangement contributed to increase the classical accuracy and general respectability of the youthful instructor, it had a tendency, no less happy, to advance the interesting pupil in his academic course, and to lay the foundation of that pre-eminence, in this important department of literature, to which he rose in after life. He was observed by his teacher to be a youth, considering his age, of much more than ordinary stability of character, closeness of application, and penetration of mind. He was not satisfied, at this early period, with devoting the usual hours to study, but frequently, in leisure seasons, he waited on his teacher, in his private apartment, to obtain from him, more fully, the explanations and aids which he found necessary, to enable him successfully to prosecute his prescribed daily course.

In the eleventh year of his age, he was admitted into the college as a member of the freshman class. Mr. Green having, at the commencement preceding, received his first degree in the liberal arts, and having been subsequently elected tutor in college, here again found -with pleasure, placed under his personal instruction and management, the lad who had the year before been his pupil in the grammar school. In the sophomore class, during the year following, the same relation subsisted between this respectable teacher and promising scholar. The means and opportunities thus enjoyed by Mr. Finley, to become thoroughly acquainted, with the Greek and Latin languages, which were the principal subjects of study in the two lower classes of college, were as good as could have been desired. And experience has abundantly proved, that he was an apt and successful student, making such improvement, as to reflect honor on his principal instructor, and to secure the reputation of eminence in this branch of science.

About the time of his entering the junior class in college, he gave evidence that God had visited him in mercy, and impressed his mind deeply with a sense of the importance of religion. It was even hoped by his fond and anxious friends, that he had experienced a gracious change, and passed from death unto life. Modest and distrustful, he did not view his spiritual state in so favorable and satisfactory a light as others did, with whom he conversed on this interesting subject. He halted, and continued in painful suspense for a considerable time ; but God, having begun this good work, carried it on unto perfection.

Although the mathematical, philosophical, and belles lettres studies, with which the junior and senior classes are chiefly occupied, were somewhat above the years and capacity of our young student, yet he appeared through the whole of his collegiate course, respectable for scholarship, as well as deportment : and he was admitted to the degree of bachelor of arts, by the trustees of the college at Princeton, in his sixteenth year.

Having thus early finished the course of his education, a question of great importance was now to be decided ; how he should be employed. Dr. Witherspoon, the friend of the father, was also the friend and adviser of the son. During the first winter after leaving college, Mr. Finley was employed, under the superintendence of the venerable president, as teacher of the grammar school. Here he began to manifest that peculiar talent for the government and instruction of youth, which he afterwards exercised and displayed, in several stations, in a manner so highly reputable to himself and useful to the public.

A considerable number of the pupils, farther advanced in years than the teacher, 'w^ere irregular and insubordinate in their temper and manners. Mr. Finley proceeded with energy to introduce order and establish discipline in the institution. The elder portion of the youth manifested a refractory temper, resisted his regulations, and, on being urged to comply, broke out into open rebellion, in hopes of intimidating the youthful instructor, and constraining him to connive at their idle and disorderly habits. He maintained his authority with dignity and firmness, suspended the refractory, and referred their case to Dr. Witherspoon, under whose superintendence he acted, and under whose guardianship most of the young men

BIOGRAPHY OF Ull. FiNLEY. l:o

were placed. Dr. Witlierspoon, being informed of these circumstances, visited the school ; investigated the whole matter ; pronounced his full and decided approbation of the measures and conduct of Mr. Finley ; established the influence of his young friend, by the whole weight of his own dignity and authority ; compelled the disorderly to make suitable acknowledgments, and to return submissively to their studies, under the very system against which they had revolted.

After some time spent in this employment, Mr. Finley was invited to take charge of a respectable seminary in the State of Maryland. With a view of complying with this invitation, he visited that State ; but Providence frowned upon this arrangement. Just as he reached the place of destination, the academy was destroyed by fire, and his prospect of employment and usefulness there, entirely blasted. He returned immediately to his native place, and accepted an invitation to teach the academy at AUentown, New Jersey. The Presbyterian congregation existing there, was then under the pastoral care of the Rev. Joseph Clark, through whose instrumentality Mr. Finley was obtained to teach the academy.

Mr. Finley's mind had been very seriously exercised upon the subject of religion, already, more than two years. His impressions increased with his growing age and maturity. During the time now spent in AUentown, his pious exercises and inquiries were brought, by Divine Grace, to a happy result. The serious public discourses and pious conversation of Mr.

24 BIOGRAPHY OF I>R. FINLEY.

Clark, were peculiarly blessed to his spiritual interest and comfort, so that now, in his seventeenth year, he entered into covenant with God, made a profession of his faith, and was admitted to commune with the church, in the Lord's Supper.

While in this situation, he was solicited to undertake the business of instruction in the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Although he was young and inexperienced, the contemplated place of employment remote, the station conspicuous, and the labors arduous, yet he yielded to the request, and ventured himself into the society and service of strangers, trusting in the protection and care of his Almighty Friend. Here he was kindly received and entertained. His services at Charleston were highly acceptable to the public and honorable to himself. The acquaintances which he formed with families of distinction, and the attachments he conciliated during his residence in that city, were useful to him through life ; and, probably, opened the way for his receiving, a few years before his death, a call to undertake the pastoral service, there, with a provision corresponding with the wealth and liberality of the southern people. He enjoyed the society o^nd kind attentions of several highly accomplished, pious and excellent families, who were heard to speak of his visits and conversation in terms of high approbation and satisfaction. The amiable, intelligent and heavenly-minded consort* of the Rev. Dr. Keith, of that city, took a deep interest in Mr.

* Mrs. Keith Avas a daughter of the venerable Dr. James Sproat, of the eity of Phihidelphia.

BIOGRAPHY OF DR. FIXLEY. 25

Finley, invited him very frequently and affectionately to her house, enjoyed much of his company, and bore a strong and pleasing testimony in favor of his good sense, great prudence, and humble piety, at this early period.