The life of Archibald Alexander, D. D., LL. D.

Preface

rjlHE reasons for this condensed edition are sufficiently obvious. Many persons who would gladly have perused the larger memoir, found it beyond their reach. It will be seen, on collation, that the abridgment has been slight, and that the narrative is scarcely touched. Especially is the autobiographical part given entire.

In this place I may be allowed to repeat, that the work was one from which I would gladly have shrunk ; but it was laid upon me by the highest human authority I ever knew ; as he who is the subject of the narrative expressed on his death-bed the desire, that whatsoever should appear in the way of public memorial might proceed from two of his sons whom he named for this purpose. For reasons not interesting to the general reader, the task has devolved solely on me. I girded myself for it under all the disadiv

PREFACE.

vantages of a conviction long since formed, that in many respects a son is not the proper biographer of a father. Though his knowledge of facts and character may be supposed to be intimate, he is in danger either of writing a panegyric, or of falling below the truth in attempting to avoid it. In almost every page I confess myself to have been haunted by the apprehension of overstating, overcolouring, and giving undue importance to domestic traits. If this evil has been incurred, it has not been from wilful suppression of truth, but from the warping influence of a loving veneration. It would have been as natural as it was consonant to my feelings, to speak of my dear and honoured father under that tender appellation ; but the wish to avoid obtruding my own person every where as thus connected, has led me to name him as he was known by others.

One of the difficulties of the performance ought to be clearly stated. The two ordinary and most copious sources of a religious biography, are a private diary and epistolary correspondence. As it regards the former, my father, after his years of boyhood, kept no personal journal. His letters, it is true, were numerous ; but they were to a remarkable extent bare let-

PREFACE.

V ters of business. Of hundreds now in my hands, the greater part contain no passage which admits of being extracted, and most of the remainder furnish only scattered sentences. My hearty thanks are due to those pupils and other friends of my father, who have sent me letters received from him ; the number of such favours has prevented distinct and private acknowledgment. Some of these arrived too late to be inserted in the text. In the absence of the materials just named, I have had to rely upon two classes of authorities. In the first place, my father, after the middle of his life, threw upon paper large reminiscences of his own career, and the history of his early friends and acquaintances. Greater use would have been made of these manuscripts, if he had not expressly forbidden them to be made public in their original form. I have gone to the utmost limit of his supposed permission, in these autobiographical extracts. Unfortunately, they do not extend at all into the second and more conspicuous half of his life. The other source has therefore been the chief reliance, as to this period ; namely, my own personal recollections, aided and corrected by those of his family and friends.

PREFACE.

In those parts which are made up from his manuscript records, I have once or twice allowed myself, rather than mutilate his account, to repeat the same events and opinions, as expressed by him in different connections. In some few instances, I have been constrained to return to topics already treated and apparently dismissed, thus disturbing the arrangement ; because new matter on these points came in while the book was going through the press. The excellent steel engraving which accompanies these pages is from the best representations which art has been able to produce. But it ought to be added, that no likeness has been other than a failure, in respect to the animation of his features and the liquid brilliancy of his eye.

It is my humble prayer, that this memorial of one who devoted his best powers, for a long period, to the service of truth, of the Church, and of the Lord Jesus, may be made conducive to the interests of religion.

Xew York, October, 1855.

Chapter Fifth. 1790, 1791

Preparations for the Ministry — Presbytery — First Public Address — Extern poraneous Efforts — Mission of Mr. Graham — German Convert — Young Ruling-elder — Yisit to Philadelphia — Assembly of 1791 — Great Men of the Church — Nisbet — Witherspoon — The Smiths — Homeward Journey — Sleeping Preacher — Home 81-104

Chapter Sixth. 1791

Theological Studies — Graham's Class — Books — Presbyterial Trials — First Ser mon — Licensure — Entrance on Ministry — Early Sermons — Early Manner — A Converted Family — Convert of "Whitefield — Compensation — Mr. Hoge — End of Tour — Staunton — Preaching at Home — Mission "Work — Amherst — Prince Edward — Samuel Yenable 104-130

CHAPTER SEYENTH. 1792.

Missionary Tour — Lunenburg — The Lay- preacher — James Hunt — William Cowan — Bishop Madison — Petersburg — Search for Pulpit — Mr. Jarratt— Nottoway — Mecklenburg — Mr. Patillo — Religious Friends. . 130-155

Chapter Eighth. 1792—1797

Prince Edward and Charlotte — Early Presbyterian Labourers — Robinson — Henry — Austin — Baptist Council — Smith's River — Mountain Nook — Anecdotes — Tavern Prayers — Close of Mission — Settlement — Ordination — = Mrs. LeGrand — Pastoral Cares — Study of Sermons — Manner — Samuel Brown — Houston the Shaker — Studies — The Aliens — The Mortons — Eloquence of Patrick Henry and John Randolph — Hampden Sidney — John H. Rice — Conrad Speece — Thanksgiving Sermon — Difficulties with regard to Baptism. 155-208

Chapter Ninth. 1801

Resignation of Presidentship — Journey to the North — Dr. Waddel — Amos Thompson — Adam Freeman the Fanatic — Philadelphia — Princeton — New-

CONTENTS.

ix

York — Connecticut — Danbury — Litchfield — Association - — Hartford — Dr. Strong — Newport — Dr. Patton — Dr. Hopkins — Dr. Emmons. 209-233

Chapter Tenth. 1801

Boston — Harvard — Dr. Dana — Exeter — Father of "Webster — Graduation of Daniel TVebster — Revival at Shelburne — Commencement at Princeton — Call to Baltimore— Return. 233-254

Chapter Eleventh. 1802—1806

Prince Edward — Marriage — Labours in Virginia — Call to the North — Critical Juncture — Removal — Journey to Philadelphia — Slavery — Daphne — City Life — City Clergy — Third Church — Religious Novel — Cares and Encouragements — City Destitution — Evangelical Society — Plan of City Mission — Tracts — Call to Georgia — Sermon on Richmond Theatre. 255-295

Chapter Twelfth. 1811, 1812

Project of Theological Seminary — Dr. Green's Overture — Dr. Green's Plan — Dr. Miller's Narrative — Origin of Seminary — Three Plans — Election as Professor — Pastoral Farewell — Inaugurations — Dr. Miller's Discourse — Antecedent fitness for the post — Biblical and Theological Studies — Settlement at Princeton — Personal Traits 296-324

CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. 1812.

Princeton — Opening of School — Arduous Studies — Languages — Theology — Methods — Scheme of Instruction — Polemic Theology — Continued Preaching — Manner of Life — Accession of Dr. Miller — Relation of the two Colleagues. . 325-347

CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. 1813— 181?.

First years as Professor- -Health — Private Toils; — Increasing Classes — Funds — Library — Sermons — Revival in College — Spiritual Counsels — Modes of

CONTENTS.

Influence — Visit and Death of Dr. Hoge — Invitation to Virginia — Domes tic Habits — Love of Teaching — Home Lessons — Graphic Preaching — Th< Paschal Lamb — Sacramental Address. .... 348-37 (

CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. 1819—1829.

Public Labours — Church Courts — Progress of Seminary — Colleagues — Habits of the Study — The Conference — Written Sermons — Church Troubles- New Divinity— New Measures— Mode of Treating Controversies— Late Commencement of Authorship — Work on the Evidences — Review of Dr. Mur dock— Biblical Repertory — Review of Brown— Dr. Finley and Colonization — Visit to Virginia — Correspondence — Introductory Lectures- Maxims. 377-404

CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. 1830—1839.

Difficulties in the Church— Sources of Strife— Old and New School— View of the Differences— Evils of Division— Division of Church— State of Seminary —Literary Activity— Writings— Prospect of Decline— Views of Death- Correspondence— Preaching to Slaves— Foreign Missions— Early Conversions—Topographical Faculty. . . . . . 405-444

CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. 1840—1851.

Last Period— Declining Years— Correspondence— Views of Death and Eternity— Dr. John Breckinridge— Visit to Virginia— Address at Lexington- Death of Friends— Activity in Old Age— Connection with Public Bodies- Writings of Old Age— Reviews— Visit of Mrs. Duncan— Death of Dr. Miller— His character— Harmony of Professors— Dr. Miller's Testimony- Last Synod— Last Sermon Abroad— Last Address to Children— Persistent Labour — Resolution— Employments— Happy Old Age. . . 445-492

CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. 1851.

The last Scenes — Access of Disease — Interview with Dr. Hodge — Increased

Illness — Interview with his Son — Second conversation with Dr. Hodge

Conversation with Mr. Schenck— Perfect Peace— Revival of Youthful

CONTENTS.

xi

Impressions — Dying Experience— Tranquil Joy — The last Sabbath — Last Moments — Remarkable Answer to Prayer. . . . . 493-514

CHAPTER NINETEENTH. 1851.

Funeral Services and other Testimonials — The Procession — Dr. McDowell's Sermon — Cemetery — Dr. Magie ? s Address — Notice of Mrs. Alexander — Major Alexander. 515-532

CHAPTER TWENTIETH.

General Summary — Personal Appearance — Health — Manners — Retiring Disposition — Social Traits — Benignity — Natural Endowments — Habits of Thought — Diligence — Extent of Learning — Colloquial Powers — PreachiDg — Testimony of Professor Henry — Personal Piety — Conclusion. 533-563

THE LIFE

OF

ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D.D.

DESCENT — THE GREAT Y ALLEY — OLD ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER — PAREN- TAGE — NATIVE PLACE — EARLY SCHOOLS — THE WAR — "WILLIAM GRA- HAM — PRIESTLY — CLASSICAL TRAINING.

BOUT the year 1736, as nearly as can now be discovered.

1JL three brothers named Alexander emigrated to America. Though they came from Ireland, they were of the Scottish race, and their father, Thomas Alexander, had removed from Scotland to the neighbourhood of Londonderry. One of these brothers, Archibald Alexander, settled first in Pennsylvania, where his son William was born upon the river Schuylkill. The three brothers were well educated, and one of them, Robert, was a teacher of mathematics. After a residence of more than two years in Pennsylvania, Archibald Alexander removed to New Virginia, as the country was then called ; his son William, being at the time

Chapter First. 1772—1788

REVIVAL — THE VALLEY.

about nine years of age. He was among the earliest settlers of that particular region.

" While he resided in Pennsylvania/' says the personal narrative to which we are to be indebted for most of our facts, " the Great Kevival which spread its benign influence over so large a portion of America, extended to the congregation in which he lived, and he became a subject of the good work, under the preaching of Mr. Rowland. This fact I learned from old Dr. Robert Smith of Pequea, who knew him well, and told me in 1791, when I was at his house, that he had often met with, my grandfather during that period, following Mr. Rowland far and near/'

Xo better notion of the locality here principally concerned can be obtained, than from some paragraphs left by the subject of this narrative, " The Great Valley of Virginia, or as it is commonly called in the State, the Valley, is situated between the Blue Ridge and the North Mountain ; and its general direction is the same, from northeast to southwest. It is a continuation of the same valley which, commencing on the Delaware at Easton, passes entirely through the State of Pennsylvania, including Bethlehem, Reading, Harrisburg, Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg, and many other flourishing towns and villages, and extends through Maryland to the Potomac. On the south side of this river the Valley of Virginia commences, and runs nearly through the State, embracing in its whole extent, from the Delaware to the New or Kanhawa River, as rich, as variegated, and as well watered a region, as can be found in the United States. The width of this valley, from mountain to

VALLEY OF VIRGINIA.

mountain, varies from ten to thirty miles ; fifteen miles may be considered the mean breadth. There is also a great difference in the surface : in some parts the land is flat, but rises in others into high hills, which every where in their uncultivated state are covered with forests of timber, which is often veiy large. It is, throughout, a limestone country ; and in some places the rocks almost cover the surface of the ground. Within these rocks are many caverns, in some of which the waters collect in* such quantities, that in many places, springs burst forth with a stream sufficient to turn a large waterwheel. The ledges of limestone running above the surface, and generally inclined at a considerable angle to the horizon, cause the roads to be rough and very unpleasant for wheels. Through the whole extent of this valley, wheat and other kinds of corn are cultivated with great success. Perhaps for the extent of it, it is the best wheat land in America. It is an excellent farming country, with a deep stiff clay soil, susceptible when exhausted of great improvement from the gypsum and the hme obtained from the rocks.

" Although the region under consideration is now the central part of Virginia, it generally received its inhabitants from a source very different from that of the remaining portions ; for while the latter are from a pure English stock, the former are Scotch-Irish and German in their origin. The people called the Scotch-Irish are all Presbyterians, and descending from the Scotch, have nevertheless for several generations resided in the north of Ireland. They are a people of marked traits, differing entirely from the native Irish, and from the descendants of the English in Ireland. They i

SCOTCH-IRISH THE SCHISM have also acquired characteristics which distinguish them from the Scotch. These people settled in Ireland at different periods ; but most of them went over in the times of persecution under the Stuarts. When Pennsylvania was laid open for settlement, and freedom of religion was promised to all denominations by William Penn, many emigrated to that colony, and settled in the southern and eastern counties, and in the three counties which have since composed the State of Delaware. As the settlements extended, they spread themselves westward, and were generally among the foremost to occupy new lands. Many of them therefore entered the Grreat Valley before described, about Harrisburg and Carlisle, also towards the Potomac, and beyond it into Virginia. The time of the earliest emigration from Ireland was probably from 1720 to 1740. About the last mentioned date, some persons had penetrated so far along the valley as to reach the waters of the great Powhatan, commonly called the James Eiver. This part of the valley, though uneven and in many places rocky, was found to be exceedingly fertile, and the c coves ' and gaps in the mountains furnished good grazing for cattle. So favourable a report was brought back by the explorers, that many families in eastern Pennsylvania determined to remove to New Virginia, as that region was then called.

" Between 1740 and 1750 a great emigration took place ; and as an unhappy schism then existed in the Presbyterian Church, dividing it into the Old Side and Ksw Side, as the parts were called, the people of these parties settled, not promiscuously, but in separate groups, which became the

EARLY MINISTERS.

germs of new congregations ; for when a settlement was once made, it was rapidly increased every year by emigrants, not only from Pennsylvania but directly from Ireland. The emigrants from congregations of the Old Side planted themselves in compact bodies in that part of the Valley east and south of Staunton, and even extended themselves over the Blue Eidge at Eockfish Gap, immediately below which they found some rich and beautiful land on Eockfish Eiver. In a very few years there were three ministers of the gospel stationed among them. The Eev. Mr. Craig took charge of the Augusta Church, and that of Tinkling Spring ; the Eev. Mr. Miller, of Mossy Creek and Harrisonburg ; and the Eev. Mr. Black, of Eockfish, on the eastern side of the Blue Eidge. That part of the valley which lies southwest of Staunton, as far as the Forks of James Eiver, was settled principally by adherents of the New Side. The congregations of Hebron, Bethel, New Providence, Timber Eidge, and the Forks, with some mixture of the others, were chiefly of the New Side. The first minister who settled in this part of the Valley, was the Eev. John Brown, who was bom in Ireland, but received his education, at least the finishing part of it, in this country ; for he was a graduate of the College of New Jersey. When licensed he visited New Virginia, and received a call from New Providence and Timber Eidge, which then formed but one congregation. The next preacher of this party was, I think, Mr. Cummins, who preached at the North Mountain (Hebron) and Bethel. In the Forks, that is the region about Lexington and further on towards the J ames Eiver, there was no settled pastor before Mr. Gra-

OLD ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER.

ham/' * And here we resume the personal narrative : " The congregation to which my grandfather belonged must have been Norriton, in the vicinity of Norristown, which did not then exist. It was divided into two, and the friends of the revival built a new house of worship, which they called Providence. From this many families emigrated to New Virginia, settled together, and built a meeting-house, which they called New Providence. As the congregation was extensive, they built another on Timber Kidge, ten or twelve miles further along the valley. My grandfather's residence was within the bounds of the latter ; my father's farm was adjoining.

" I have often wondered why he chose a residence in a part of the valley so hilly and precipitous, when the whole country was before him, and when land could be had for a mere trifle. But I have understood that the selection was judiciously made, on account of the fine pasturage in the mountains, made accessible to cattle by the gap of Irish Creek."

Archibald Alexander was a man of some remarkable points. At the solicitation of others, and for the sake of his children, he gave lessons to such of the neighbouring youth as would resort to him at night. " The appearance of my grandfather," the narrative continues, "I remember very well. He was rather below the common height, but was thick-set, broad-breasted and strongly built. His face was broad, and his eyes large, black, and prominent. The expression of his countenance was calm and benignant, and his

* MS. Life of the Rev. William Graham.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER.

manner of speaking was very kind and affectionate. He raised a company of men, called Rangers ; and as their captain performed a tour of duty on the Great Kanhawa and the Ohio. For this service he received, in connection with other officers, a right to locate several thousand acres of land in Kentucky. Perhaps no man ever left behind him a higher character for uprightness and benignity, than old Ersbell Alexander, as he was called by the Scotch people. I have heard him spoken of by men of all classes, without any variation in their testimony to his worth. A large part of Rockbridge County was included in a grant made by the King to a certain Mr. Burden, and was called, within my memory, Burden's Tract. When Burden died, he left my grandfather sole executor of his will, with authority to sign numerous deeds for land already sold. This high trust he executed with fidelity ; and although he had such opportunities of appropriating to his own use any quantity of good land, he never seemed to have the least desire to become wealthy. When he first came to the country, he only took up as much land as would make moderate farms for himself and his two sons ; and to each of these, when grown, he gave portions. They, however, surveyed tracts on Irish Creek, which at this day are among the most valuable lands in the neighbourhood."

William Alexander, son of the preceding, enjoyed fewer opportunities of education ; yet, being of an active mind, and having more access to books than his companions, he acquired a considerable fund of knowledge. It is indicative of the domestic habits of the day, that he knew the whole

NATIMTY.

Larger Catechisin, and remembered almost all Watts's Psalms and Hymns. He united the pursuit of merchandise to that of agriculture, but suffered greatly by the depreciation of the continental currency. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, but did not attain to the Christian eminence of his father. "William Alexander married Ann Eeid, the daughter of a wealthy landholder, of the same Presbyterian colony. She was a retiring and humble, but affectionately pious woman. The latter years of her life were made sad by a total loss of sight.

Archibald Alexander, the subject of this narrative, and the son of William and Ann above mentioned, was bom on the seventeenth day of April, 1772.

" The house in which I was born/' says his own account, " was built of square logs, as were most of the houses at that time. The place is rough, and is near a little mountain stream, called the South Eiver, which, after joining the North Eiver, falls into the James Eiver, just above its entrance into the mountains. Nearly opposite to the place, Irish Creek, a bold stream from a gorge of the mountain, falls into the South Eiver. This my birthplace was at that time in Augusta County, which was unlimited to the west ; it is now in Eockbridge County, and is about seven miles from Lexington, in an eastern direction.

" I was the third of nine children, seven of whom are still living (July 26, 1839). My brother Andrew was the oldest. The next in order was my sister, Margaret Graham. The others, in the order of nativity, are Sarah, John, Nancy (who died in childhood), Phebe, Elizabeth, Nancy, and Martha.

REMOVAL FAMILY.

" My father, having in the year 1775 removed from his place on the South Eiver to the Forks, that is, to the south of the North Eiver, just this side of the site of Lexington, began to carry on his mercantile business there. Indeed, to get into a more public and convenient situation, was, I suppose, his only motive for this change. He purchased the house now owned by my oldest brother. As the buildings were poor, and on the wrong side of the farm for his purpose, be erected a house and a store near to the present site of Jordan's Mills. By this removal he went out of Augusta into Bottetourt County ; for the North Biver was the dividing line. But soon after this a new county was taken from the two, and called Bockbridge, from the Natural Bridge, which was within its limits. Lexington was fixed on for the seat of justice ; and a town was laid off, which took its name from the place of the first battle and first bloodshed of the Bevolution. But the war came on, and all mercantile business was necessarily suspended ; and my father now acted as deputy-sheriff to his father, in the new county."

A lively affection appears to have subsisted between the brothers and sisters of the family. Of his brother, the late Andrew Alexander, a Christian of high respectability and strong points of character, he thus writes : " My brother was four years older than myself, and perhaps two brothers were never more unlike. From his early childhood he was sober and careful, fond of work, and always contriving something. I have heard my mother say, that while the family sojourned at Irish Creek, when he was only five or six years of age,

BOYHOOD.

he made for himself a booth in the garden, where he would sit and work with awl and needle, making himself a shot pouch ; for at that period every thing had a military complex ion, the alarm of war having sounded through our peaceful country. But my brother was at the furthest remove from a warlike spirit. All his life he was so devoted to peace, that he would at any time rather suffer loss than enter into contention. His youth, manhood, and old age corresponded with his childhood. He was of uninterrupted veracity, and so honest that no temptation could ever seduce him to take an advantage."

The country was new, and the times were difficult, in consequence of which the youth of that day grew up with hardier habits than ours. Dr. Alexander used repeatedly to tell his children that his father gave him a rifle the day he was eleven years old ; and how he would spend days in the mountains in search of cattle which were lost, able to catch and discriminate the bells of his father's herd at a distance which seems almost incredible. He was an expert swimmer, and grew up with that perfect knowledge of horsemanship which is still common to all young Virginians. Trifles serve to colour the picture of the times. The dress of the children was grotesque. " Long hair," says he, " tied down the back, was all the mode ; and every little fellow was cherishing his hah. I, among the rest, had a little dangling queue, which from the thinness of the hair was very small. On this account, some of the boys called me c My Lord Pigtail/ A great laugh was raised against me, by my having complained to the master of this, as a breach of the third commandment.

PRIVATIONS- — SCHOOLS.

u Some judgment may be formed of the privations of the people, consequent on the long continuance of the war, from the fact, that it was very difficult for our teacher to obtain a penknife, to make and mend the pens of the scholars. Hearing that my father had been on to the North for goods, I was mounted on a iorse and sent home to get a knife. There had been a great rain and the streams were swollen. Arriving at the North River, on the opposite bank of which my father's house stood, I found that the river was too high to be forded by so young and weak a horse as the one I rode. I knew not what to do. The only house near was a cabin of one John Montgomery, an old cedar-cooper. To cross the river, which is always deep at that spot, John had made a bark canoe, such as is used by the Indians. I sat nearly all day, but knew not how I should pass the night. But towards sunset the old man said he would go up with me to the ford, and would try to make the family hear our call, that a servant with a strong horse accustomed to the ford might be sent over. In this we succeeded. Davy, a black boy, crossed, and taking me behind him on a tall horse, led the one I had ridden, but it was not without danger/'

These details, as belonging to the history of Virginia, could not well be omitted. We shall gather from the narrative some account of his early lessons and teachers, which will not be without their interest.

Schools were very scarce. I recollect that after oui settlement in the Forks, as the whole country was then called between the James Eiver and its North Branch, on which last we resided, my eldest brother and sister went to a school

JACK REARDON.

kept in the woods, half a mile north from where my brother Major Alexander now lives. The master was one Carrigan. They were every day carried across the river on horseback, About this time, that is, the next year after our removal, my father went on a trading expedition to Baltimore, and there purchased several convict servants, who had been transported for crime. Among these was a youth about eighteen or twenty named John Eeardon, born, as he said, in Ireland, but reared from a child in London. He had been for some time at a classical school, and had read Latin books as far as Virgil, as well as a little in the G-reek Testament. He wrote a fair hand and had some knowledge of book-keeping, but had never been accustomed to labour. This young fellow, it was thought, might teach school, in default of a better, and accordingly a hut of logs was erected at the foot of Paxton's Meadow, where there was a spring. When last in that country, I visited the spot and recognised the little knoll on which the house stood, but no vestige of it remained, and nothing around except the meadow furnished me with any associations of my earliest school. For though this place was a mile from our house by the direct path along the creek, which was narrow and disagreeable, and a mile and a half by old Letty Campbell's place, thither I trudged along every day, with my short legs and little feet, when not more than five years old. The master, as being my father's servant, lodged at our house, and often carried me in his arms part of the way. I had no fear of him, as at home I was accustomed to call him Jack, and often conveyed my father's commands to him. By some means, I know not how, I had learned to read in the