Recollections of my life and times

Contents

Introduction - < - - - - - - ix.

CHAPTEE I.

YOUTH.

Introduction

JJRMONG Dr. Morgan's papers there was found, after J&SL his death, a letter addressed to his son and his two sons-in-law, directing their attention to a series of manuscript volumes, comprising a weekly Journal, commenced in the year 1834, and continued to 1873 ; and particularly to one of these, entitled, " Recollections of my past life, and the times I lived in." In this letter my father directs us to consult two of his most trusted friends, Dr. William D. Killen and Professor Wallace, as to the use which should be made of these documents. Our consultation resulted in the request that I should undertake the editing of the present Memoir.

In regard to the volume, " Recollections of my past life and the times I lived in," it was my duty simply to consider what were my father's intentions respecting it. Did he intend it to be used as the basis of a narrative, or that it should be given to the public as it stands ? I am satisfied there will be but one opinion on this head — that to change or mutilate it in any important particular would be to misrepresent him. Convinced that it was my father's wish to say these things, to say them himself, and in his own way, I have felt constrained to accept as my rule, the reproduction of this interesting narrative as nearly as possible in his own words. Some changes have been rendered necessary by the hastily written and un-

X,

INTRODUCTION.

revised state of the original manuscript, and others of greater magnitude have been indicated in the body of the work.

I have selected from the Journal those portions which seemed most likely to interest the general reader, and as these are given in their chronological order they will be found to. furnish a supplemental narrative.

The same qualities are apparent throughout these manuscripts which distinguished the man in all his ways — kindliness and simplicity, an all-pervading love for Christ, and tender consideration towards his fellow-men. His object was not the establishment of a literary reputation, but to recall for his own profit, and to relate for the instruction of others, these simple recollections of a devoted life.

In the confidence that it will be accepted by many in this light, and with the hope that it may tend to prolong the wholesome influence of Dr. Morgan's character and ministry, I commit this memoir to the community among whom he laboured so long, and the flock he so dearly loved.

T. M.

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

Chapter I. Youth

Origin of this Autobiography — The Writer's Family — Mother's Early Death — Childhood — Cookstown — Teachers — Mr. Magouran — Influence of Mr. Millar — Is designed for the Ministry — Preparation for College — Journey to Glasgow — Deficiency of Education — The Teaching of the Spirit — The Midshipman — Exposed to Danger — His Brother John — Conversion to God — Brother's Death — Second Session — Belfast Institution — Contemplates the Lord's Supper — Belfast Professors — Dr. Hanna — Summer Exercises — Enters the Theological Class — Discourses for the Presbytery — Licensed to Preach — Leaves Home.

YESTERDAY [May 8, 1867] I came to this beautiful place [Buxton], constrained by kind friends at home to withdraw for a little season from my accustomed labours. Is not this the voice of Jesus, saying to me — ' 'Come and rest a while" ? I am alone, and desire to spend my leisure time with Him. With this view, I do not see anything better than to make a beginning of what I have often been desirous to do — record some notices of my past life, to be hereafter continued as it may please God to afford opportunity, and as it may be profitable.

MY FAMILY.

I know little of its history, and cannot trace it farther back than to my great-grandfather Morgan, on the one side, and my grandfather Collins, on the other. The

B

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

former was an architect, and lived in Dublin, where he erected some of its public buildings. His name was a few years ago found on the lead of one of the old churches, when it was taken down. His son, my grandfather, was in business in Dublin, where he realised a considerable fortune. My father was his successor in the business, but did not continue long in it. After his marriage with my mother he came to reside in Cookstown, her native place, and engaged in the linen trade. He was a most amiable, upright, sober, good man, distinguished by a happy temper, and was brought up in the Church of England. My mother was a very superior woman. She died at the age of thirty-seven, when I was not twelve years old. Her loss was a great one to my father and his three sons, whom she left behind her, a fourth having died in infancy, and from whose birth she seems never to have fully recovered. My father never married again. He went with my mother to the Presbyterian Church, and lived and died in its membership.

MY INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD.

I was born in Cookstown, on the 15th of June, 1799, and soon afterwards my parents went to reside at Cloghog, in the neighbourhood, where my father took a bleach-field, and prosecuted that employment for some years. I have yet some vivid recollections of those days. My father had a school-house built near to his own house, and I attended there. The teacher's name was Arthur Devlin, a Eoman Catholic. He was a great favourite with me, and I was the same with him. He went to America, and I was glad to hear of his son coming to Ireland, a few years ago, on a visit, and being a respectable and prosperous man. I have a distinct recollection of hearing a conversation in those days between my

HIS YOUTH.

mother and my elder brother about the soul. It was the first time the idea of the soul as separate and distinct from the body was ever presented to my mind. I could not understand it ; but it awakened thought and reflection. The subject is one that ought to be brought very early before children. I have also the remembrance of having been brought by my parents to public worship in Cookstown, and my remembrance of the pew and the old church is vivid to this hour.

MY YOUTH.

From Cloghog we removed into Cookstown, where I was sent to the school of Mr. Magouran, a young man brought there from Saintfleld, and a Eoman Catholic. He was harsh, and I feared him ; yet he was kind, too, and he often dined at my father's house, so that I got reconciled to him. He afterwards became a merchant in Belfast, and, during my college course there I often partook of his hospitality. I remember spending a Sabbath morning with him in the chapel in Donegall Street, and was amazed by seeing many of the people go away, after Mass was celebrated, without waiting for the sermon which followed. He told me such was their custom. We continued to be on friendly terms till he died, not many years ago. After his removal from Cookstown the school fell into the hands of the Eev. Thomas Millar, a Presbyterian minister of the Secession Church in that town. Under his care I remained till the age of fifteen, and received my elementary education. Mr. Millar was always partial to me, and I had a great respect and affection for him. He was very zealous in the cause of missions, and I was led by his example to think most favourably of it. Yet I knew nothing of true religion. Neither at home nor at the church was it made the one

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

thing needful. It was not then the custom to make it the subject of earnest and personal concern. My parents had not seen family worship in their fathers' houses, and did not practise it in their own. On the Sabbath mornings the Scriptures were read, but nothing more, so that I grew up entirely unimpressed, and knew nothing of vital godliness.

I was diligent at school, and attentive and thoughtful about domestic affairs, but nothing more. My friends were pleased with my conduct, and in a conversation, at which I was present, between my parents and Mr. Millar, he suggested to them the propriety of educating me for the ministry. But our thoughts were different. My mother's brother was a solicitor, and it was assumed I was to be bound apprentice to him. After my mother's death my father received an injury, by lime being blown into his eyes, when he was overlooking workmen. He could not read for a long time, and I was glad to read for him. My father's sister was then much with him, and was pleased with my reading. She urged my father to make me a minister, and not a solicitor. It was this that turned my attention to the subject. Mr. Millar encouraged it, and put me to Latin and Greek. I pursued my studies laboriously — rising early, and giving myself to the work, and in two years was said to be ready for college. I passed the examination of the Presbytery, and got ready to take this solemn step, although unconverted and unimpressed. No one spoke to me on the subject. It was entirely a matter of business, and earthly ; yet, strange to say, all friends seemed to think the right profession had been chosen for me.

GLASGOW COLLEGE.

MY COLLEGE LIFE.

In my fifteenth year I went to the Glasgow University. We left my father's house in Cookstown, and rode on horseback that day to Belfast, about thirty English miles. The next day we proceeded by mail-coach to Donaghadee, and were so fortunate as to sail on the day following for Portpatrick, which was reached in the evening. Next morning, while yet dark, we started by coach, and arrived at Ayr late at night. After sleeping there we went by coach to Glasgow, where we ended our journey on the fifth day in safety, through a gracious Providence. The expense must have been about £5. What a change in travelling since that day ! I entered college immediately, and had a good place in the examination. I took out tickets for the Greek, Logic, and Mathematical Classes, then taught by Professors Young, Jardine, and Millar ; but I soon found myself unprepared to profit by them, being quite beneath the standard of Mr. Young's teaching, having no conception of the business of the Logic Class, and knowing nothing of mathematics. The student who is to benefit by these classes must be ripe for them. The home school should make him familiar with Greek and Latin, proficient in English composition, and acquainted with the elements of mathematics. The session, to a large extent, was wasted ; I did not know how to do the business of it, and had no one to teach me. Mr. Millar's class was useless, but those of Professors Young and Jardine were admirably conducted. This defect in my elementary education has been a great loss to me, which it has been impossible to overtake. It is to be feared many are, to this hour, similarly situated. I ought to have been two years longer at a good school before being sent to college. Until a thorough change takes

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

place in the elementary home education of our students, we cannot have a ministry equal to the wants of the times.

But there was a higher education in which I was more defective still, and which the Spirit of God alone can impart. Blessed be God, the time soon came when it was given to me. I returned to my father's house at the close of the session, and had no idea how the summer months should be profitably spent. I got hold, however, of " Blair's Lectures on Bhetoric and Belles Lettres," and read it through — the first book I had ever so read. It profited me exceedingly in the knowledge of English composition. I owe to it a debt of gratitude, which can never be discharged. If I have ever written anything correctly, it has proceeded from that valuable work. To this day I prefer it to all others on the same subject, even to that of Campbell, and am glad to see it sold for three or four shillings, while the copy which I used was in three volumes, and cost thirty shilliDgs. But God granted me greater things than these.

I was very careless, and knew nothing about true religion, and at the same time was exposed to fearful temptation. A cousin of mine, a midshipman, came home from the navy. He was older than I, and very wild in his habits : he drank freely, and indulged himself in all impurity. We became very intimate. He urged me to give up the prospect of the ministry, and go to sea, and prevailed so far that I spoke to my father on the subject. He tried to bring me into his own habits, and I stand amazed that I did not yield. My father, who had left me to myself, and never supposed I was in any danger, refused to allow me to go to sea, or abandon the ministry I had in view, but he treated me so kindly as to lay no restraint on me ; it was from another quarter the needed

HIS BROTHER JOHN.

help came. My brother John, who was a year and a half older than myself, had been brought, I know not how, under deep religious convictions. His soul was exceedingly troubled by a sense of sin ; his health was bad, and his spirit was sore vexed. He spoke with me about salvation, but I did not understand him, and thought he was becoming deranged. He had no friend to whom he could unbosom himself. Long time, therefore, he remained in darkness and distress. But the day of deliverance came. God the Spirit who showed him his sins revealed the Saviour also, and he became a holy, happy Christian. When his own peace was established, he burned with zeal and anxiety for my salvation. I loved him exceedingly, and soon became awakened, enlightened, and quickened. I had no bitter or deep exercises, but was at once constrained by the love of Jesus. I loved my brother, and my brother's Saviour, and that gracious Saviour gave me to him, and to his prayers on my behalf. Then first I knew the Lord, and from that He has kept me to this hour. My brother's zeal and love grew amazingly, so that he longed to give up business and prepare for the ministry. We used to sit late at night while I taught him the Greek and Latin classics. We kept family worship together, and he persevered with his studies until he was able to enter Glasgow College.

He spent one session there, and a second in Edinburgh. During the latter of these his health failed him. He came home, and languished for more than a year. Then he died, leaving a blank in my heart which has never been filled. Oh, the prospect of meeting this brother in glory ! Our love was mutual on earth, and it will be consummated in heaven.

The spiritual change which it pleased God in His sovereign grace to cause to take place in me occurred in

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

the Summer of 1815, and my brother died on the 18th of May, 1820, so that we were blessed together for nearly five years after we both knew the Lord. Our only separation was when we were at college. I went for my second session, not to Glasgow, but to the Belfast Institution, which then first was opened for students in prospect of the ministry, and my brother remained at home, advancing his own education as best he could. When I returned at the end of the session I became his daily teacher, until I returned to Belfast, and he went to Edinburgh. Thence he came home, completely broken down in health. He lived a year, and I was his constant companion. To me it was a time of great sorrow, to him of tranquil peace and unclouded hope of heaven. He had seasons of the highest spiritual joy. We had a younger brother, and our hearts were set on seeing him converted to the Lord. God granted this desire, and after I was called to be the minister of Carlow, I received a letter from my brother conveying this joyful intelligence. This was his last letter to me, and in a few weeks after he died in peace — one of the most perfect examples of " pure and undefiled religion" it has ever been my privilege to meet with. It will naturally be expected that, as my brother was the means of my conversion, so my intercourse with him was the means of my edification. Blessed be God, so it proved.

But there were other helps which God was pleased to give me at that eventful crisis of my history. I refer especially to the Summer of 1815. After I knew the Lord, my attention was drawn to the Lord's Supper, about to be administered in my native congregation. I read and thought deeply on the subject. " Willison's Sacramental Catechism" and " Directory," the latter especially, were my principal study. My obligations to the " Directory" can never be repaid. It instructed me greatly, and

ATTENDS THE BELFAST INSTITUTION.

its name is delightful to me to this hour. It fed, and nourished, and comforted me, and its influence is not yet spent, for the name of Willison is embalmed in my memory. Besides this book, my brother and I had a very dear friend, like-minded with us. His name was George Eodgers, and he was older than we. He was much with us, and we delighted in his company and conversation. He was strong in the good old theology, and our views were entirely in harmony. Long an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, he died an honoured servant of the Lord many years ago, and is among my tenderest recollections. But I must return to my college life.

When I went to the Institution in Belfast it was with very different views from those with which I had gone to Glasgow the previous year. I entered the moral philosophy class under Dr. Young, the mathematical under Dr. Thomson, and attended Mr. Sheridan Knowles' private class for elocution. These were all able men, and most effective teachers. The moral philosophy class was my favourite. I admired and loved the professor. He first taught me to think, and to express my thoughts. I was very diligent in my studies, and successful in the place I gained with my professor and my fellow-students. I did something in mathematics, but had not recovered the unhappy commencement of that study at Glasgow. My professor complained that I gave my attention so exclusively to another class, yet I got the prize at the public examination when the session ended. Mr. Knowles treated me as a friend more than as a pupil. He was then a thoughtless man, and a frequenter of the stage ; but in later years he became godly, and often preached the Gospel, though never ordained. He was the only man I ever knew who could teach elocution, with the exception of Sparling, whom I attended after becoming a minister in Belfast.

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

This session, the first in the old Eoyal Belfast Academical Institution, was very profitable to me, and it was so not only in my mental education, but also in my religious advantages. I attended the ministry of Dr. Hanna, and was delighted and edified by his preaching. After spending the summer with my father and two brothers in Cookstown, I returned to Belfast for the next winter, and attended the natural philosophy class under Dr. Knight. I gave attention again to elocution also ; but my mind was mainly occupied with good theological reading. During the summer at home I had read Bidgeley's ponderous " Body of Divinity," and got familiar with the great outlines of evangelical truth, especially that which related to the Socinian controversy. It was customary among the students to debate over the whole circle of religious doctrine. But I was more and more established in the old paths, having happily been first taught experimentally, and not by speculation or mere reasoning. My religion began in the heart, and, thank God, it has never been thence displaced. To disprove the Deity of Christ, or justification by faith, or regeneration by the Spirit, or any of the great truths of evangelical religion, seemed to be as hopeless as the attempt to prove that we might live without necessary food. I had eaten of the Bread of Life and drunk of the Water of Life, and no argument could stand against that experience. I had found the Gospel of Christ to be the power of God unto salvation, and that sufficed for me.

It was in this spirit I entered the theological class, and passed through its two sessions under Dr. Hanna — • dear, good man : I love his name and revere his memory. He took us through a sound and complete course of divinity, much on the plan of Hill's admirable volumes. There was no brilliancy in his teaching, but great good

GOES TO CAELOW.

sense and soundness ; besides, a tone of deep piety pervaded his whole deportment. During his first session he had eight students, of whom 1 was one. We spent every Sabbath evening in his family reading together. I left him with the utmost respect and gratitude, and went home to my dear, dying brother, and my education was there carried on in another way, not less effectual and profitable. I spent a year in attending on him, and preparing my trial discourses for the Presbytery. In 1820 I was licensed to preach. My first sermon was delivered in Stewartstown, on the 6th of February; my second in Cookstown the next Sabbath ; my third in Moneymore ; and then I was sent to Carlow at the request of Dr. Horner, of Dublin — recommended to him by Dr. Hanna. I preached there four Sabbaths, and returned and found my beloved John still alive. Immediately after a call from Carlow was forwarded to me and accepted. With a heavy heart I took leave of my father and two brothers. Within a month intelligence arrived of my brother's death. He was gone to glory, and I to a new and untried sphere of labour. My heart was bursting with grief, and thus commenced

MY MINISTRY IN CAELOW.

EXTRACT FEOM JOUKNAL.

March 10th, 1832. — A friend has kindly presented me with a copy of " Turner's Sacred History," and in reading it I have felt greatly my own ignorance of scientific subjects. How many branches of learning there are of which I know almost nothing ! A young man ought to be generally educated in all the sciences before he

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

enters on the labours of his immediate profession. I know nothing of botany, almost nothing of natural history, and regret this greatly, for the works of God are full of wonders. David says devoutly — " Sought out they are of all them that take pleasure in them." What a world of wonders is this ! And oh ! what is He who made them and all things ! Lord, I praise Thee that we have not been left ignorant of Thy Word and of Thyself ; but I desire to know more of Thy works — of all Thy works. Yet to this there is no royal road, and my time is now so occupied with my ministry that there is no likelihood of gaining the knowledge of those subjects that have hitherto been neglected. Alas ! how sadly is education perverted. Had mine been rightly employed, how much more might I have known ! Time has been wasted in learning many things at college, which were of no use, that might have been spent in acquiring useful knowledge. That education is the best which occupies the mind with facts, and not with fancies*

ORIGIN OF CARLOW CONGREGATION.

CHAP TEE II.

CARLOW.

Origin of Carlow Congregation — Mr. Thomas Cox — Advice of Dr. Bogue — Presbyterianism a new thing — Condition of Society — New Friends — The 78th Highlanders — Commencement of Bible Society in Carlow — Kevival of Religion — Godly Ministers of the Established Church — Rev. Eobert Shaw, of Kilkenny — Origin of Bible Society in Dublin — Mr. Mathias — Evil Influences of Mr. Irving — Mr. Irving at Powerscourt — Tendency to High Church Views Promoted — An Old Eriend — A Good Wife — Leaves Carlow — Prayer Extracted from Journal.

PRESBYTERIAN congregation was established in Carlow, so far as I could learn, about the time of Cromwell, but it had long ceased to exist. I have seen the relics of the old church there in Tullow Street, but no one living has any remembrance of it as a place of worship, and in my day the property had passed into the hands of the lord of the manor, Mr. Benedict Hamilton. The present congregation owes its origin to an English merchant who settled there in the provision trade, Mr. Thomas Cox. He was an Independent, and had been brought up under the ministry of Dr. Bogue, of Gosport, one of the founders of the London Missionary Society, author of a book on the Millenium, and tutor of the Mission College for the London Society. Mr. Cox found himself and his family destitute of an evangelical ministry, and was much concerned on the subject. He wrote to his former minister, Dr. Bogue, for his counsel. Dr. Bogue

LIFE AND TIMES OF DR. MORGAN.

was a Scotchman, educated for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, and had a presentation to the West Church of Edinburgh, but declined to accept it on the ground of patronage. He went to England and became pastor of an Independent Church at Gosport. He advised Mr. Cox to apply to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, as its ministers had an endowment from the Government, while yet their congregations were free from the evil of patronage, and the cause was too weak in Carlow to support an Independent minister.

Dr. Horner, of Dublin, had at that time become well known by his zeal for the revival of Presbyterianism in the South and West of Ireland, and Mr. Cox applied to him. Every encouragement was given to the application — Dr. Horner, Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Cooke, and others preached there. A few persons attended their ministrations, and a congregation was erected by the Presbytery of Dublin, but it was very small and weak. There were two Presbyterian families in the town, two more at Milfort, distant four miles from it, and two Scotch families — the one of a gardener, and the other of a farmer, in the neighbourhood. Besides these, there were a few serious people, anxiously desiring a faithful ministry, connected with the Church of England, but dissatisfied, and preferring the Gospel of Christ to any Church organisation. These parties united, and built a small but good church. It was there my ministry began. Some of my friends wondered I went to it, and wise men counted me foolish for accepting the call. But I never hesitated to do so. I assumed that it was of the Lord, and felt confident that He would open up my way. And so I went, sorrowfully leaving the North, but willing to try what could be done for the glory of Christ in the South.

It was a trying position, but a good one for me. All

STATE OF RELIGION IN CAKLOW.

there was new to me, and Presbyterianism was as new in that locality. No stability could be reckoned upon, except in a very few persons. I have sometimes been doubtful whether I should have any one to hear me. I have stood at the door of a session -room that led into the church, when the hour of service had arrived, and not one person had appeared in a pew. As soon as any entered, I went to the pulpit, and was never once without some to hear the Word. Gradually, but very slowly, the numbers increased, until they became fifty, and seventy, and betimes a hundred and fifty. When I left, at the end of four years, there were about forty communicants.

During all that time I had great comfort in the little flock. They were most kind. 1 had two elders, Messrs. Cox and Montgomery, who would do anything to gratify me. I hardly ever dined in my own lodgings, receiving a cordial welcome in many families beyond those of my own congregation. I had a meeting of children once a week in the session-room, and some unconnected with us sent their young people to it. This enlarged my sphere of acquaintance and usefulness. Some of my attached and honoured friends yet living were in that class, and its exercises have never been forgotten. Meantime there was great necessity in Carlow for evangelistic labours, society, ecclesiastical and civil, being in a sad condition. The old rector had the reputation of being famous in his day as a player of billiards. His curate was a worthy man, but engrossed with a school which he taught for a support. In these circumstances I was led, in various ways, to extend my sympathy and labours to the community. A considerable portion of time was devoted to an organisation in the town on behalf of the poor, where the principal gentlemen and ladies of the place were accustomed to meet. Among them I have distinct remembrance of