Memoirs of the Rev. John H. Livingston...

Front matter

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MEMOIRS

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Chapter I. His Ancestry

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Introductory remarks — The Earl of Linlithgow — The Key. John Livingston of Ancrum — Robert Livingston— Gilbert Livingston, 11

CHAPTER H.

Lirth — Early education — Admission into Yale College — Attainments — Study of the law — Amiable character while a youth — Early serious impressions — Conversion — Views of certain doctrines — Further religious exercises — Sermon of Whitefield — State of his Health — A singular deliverance — Abandons the study of the law — Views and exercises in reference to studying for the ministry — Remarks, 16

Chapter III. The State Of The Church About The Year 1765

Sketch of the history of the Church from its rise — Influence of the Classes of Amsterdam — Case of Rensselaer — Plan of a Ccetus agreed upon, 1737 — Constituted in 1747— Formation of a Classis proposed in 1753 — Reasons for it — The friends of an independvi

CONTENTS.

ent Classis called Coetus— Opponents Conferentie — Sad effects of the controversy — Introduction of the English language into the services of the Church — Causes of it — Controversy it excited in the church of New- York — Consistory resolve to call an English minister — Dr. Laidlie called — His character and usefulness — Civil suit against the Consistory — Concluding remarks, 43

Chapter IV

CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO HIS THEOLOGICAL STUDIES AND TO THE CHURCH OF NEW-YORK, 1765-1767.

Influence of the divisions in the Church on Mr. Livingston — His own statement of his reasons for remaining in it — Mode of spending his time in the spring of 1765 — His opinion of the theatre — First interview with Dr. Laidlie — Prepares to go to Holland — Arrival at Amsterdam and attentions received there — Visit to the Rev. Mr. Schorelenburgh of Tienhoven — Reception by Professor Bonnet at Utrecht — Second visit to Mr. Schorelenburgh and its happy consequences — Further account of the suit against the Consistory of New- York — Result of the trial — Extracts from letters of Dr. Laidlie in reference to it — Concluding remarks, 68

Chapter V

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS STUDIES IN THE UNIVER- SITY OF UTRECHT UNTIL HIS RETURN TO NEW-YORK,

1766-1770.

Introductory — The Professors he attended — Manner of studying theology — Pious young friends — Professor Elsnerus — Painful conflict upon the subject of Providence — Conversion of a stranger by his conversation — Conversion of a student of law — The case of Dr. D. — Conference of believers from the four quarters of the earth — Baptism by sprinkling in a Baptist church — Dr. "Witherspoon's visit — Measures contemplated between him and Dr. L. for the Dutch Church in America-— The Ccetus party attempt to erect an academy in New- Jersey — Some of the Conferentie prefer a divinity professor in King's College — Mr. L. meditates a connection with Princeton College — Extracts of letters upon the

COXTEZnTS, vii subject — Church of New-York think of calling another English preacher — Mr. L. spoken of — Fears of the weakness of his voice — His aversion to the observance of holy days — Letters to him upon the subject — Call made out and forwarded — Licensure and promising character of his first efforts — Examinations for the degree of Doctor of Divinity — Embarks for England — Interview with Dr. Kennicott — Arrival at New-York, ... 95

Chapter VI

FROM HIS RETURN TO NEW-YOBK UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY AVAR, 1770-1783.

Arrives on the Lord's day — First sermon — His labors — General acceptance — Prepares the way for a reconciliation between the Ccetus and Conferentie — Induces the Consistory to invite a general meeting of ministers and elders — Such convention held its proceedings, and results — Reassembling of the convention and consummation of the union in 1772 — Important part performed by Dr. L. in this business — Measures relative to the appointment of a Professor of Theology — Dr. L. recommended by the Classis of Amsterdam and the Theological Faculty of Utrecht — Convention breaks up suddenly without making an appointment, because of the war — Philip Livingston — Dr. L. marries his daughter — Removes to Kingston — Thence to Albany — Loss of his Journal — Removal to Livingston's manor — To Poughkeepsie — The Line of Influence — Letter to Dr. Westerlo — Return to Xew-York, . 132

Chapter VII

from; the resumption of his pastoral charge till the adoption of the constitution of the church, 1783— 1792.

Reopening of the churches — Dr. L. sole pastor — Letter on a State University — On Queen's College — On forming a Classis in the Southern District — Elected Professor of Theology — Inaugural oration — Correspondence — Letters from Dr. Erskine — Call of the church on the Rev. S. Tan Aorsdaalen — Extracts from it— First attempt at a correspondence between the Dutch Presbyterian and viii

CONTENTS.

Associate Reformed Churches — Letters upon Union College — Act of the Legislature respecting the election of trustees in congregations — Dr. L.'s successful efforts to prevent this from interfering with the practice of the Dutch Church — Impaired health — Blessing upon his labors — Removal from the city — Call of Dr. Romeyn, and letters to him — Call of Mr. Linn — Call of Mr. Kuypers — Address of the Classical letter from Amsterdam noticed by Dr. L. — Chairman of Committee to select Psalms and Hymns — Letters to Dr. Romeyn on the subject — Letter to Dr. Hardenbergh — To Mrs. Judge Livingston — Dr. Meyer and Dr. "Westerlo — Dr. L. one of a Committee to prepare the Constitution of the Church — Letters on that subject — Adoption of the Constitution, 163

Chapter VIII

FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION UNTIL HIS AC- CEPTANCE OF THE CALL TO NEW-BRUNSWICK, 1792- 1810.

Constitution published under Dr. L.'s inspection — His letter respecting a proposed union of Queen's and Princeton Colleges — Intimacy with Drs. Mason, Eodgers, and Kunzic — Attentions to youth — Letters of Lindley and John Murray — Feeble health — Measures of Synod for his relief— Eemoves to Long Island — Discouragements — Letters to Dr. Romeyn — Synod retract their promise of support, and appoint additional Professors of Theology — Eeturns to New- York — Letters to Dr. Romeyn — Plan of the professorate again altered — Connection of Dr. Linn with the church of New- York dissolved — Letter of Dr. L. on hearing of his death — Zeal for missions and his missionary sermons — Revival of Queen's College — Covenant between the Synod and the Trustees — Dr. L. called to the Professorship of Theology and to the Presidency of the Institution — Increase of infirmities — Drs. Schureman and 7 Brodhead called to the church of New- York, . . . 201

Chapter IX. From His Removal To New-brunswick To His Death, 1810-1825

His feelings at the removal — Announces his intention to the Consistory -Their reply — Settlement at New-Brunswick — Prospects

CONTENTS.

of the school — Publishes l ' a Funeral Service'" — Makes a new selection of Psalms and Hymns — Death of Dr. Condict and two promising youths — Noticed in the Baccalaureate address- — Depressed state of the College — Attempt made to bring the school back to New- York — Dr. L.'s letters concerning this — Death of Mm Livingston — Letters respecting it — Plan to convert Queen's College into a theological college — Letter from Dr. J. B. Romeyn in Holland — Synod adopt the plan of Dr. L. — Dr. Sehureman chosen Professor of Pastoral Theology — Trustees accede to the Synod's plan, but unable to accomplish it — Dissertation on marriage with a deceased wife's sister — Establishment of two schools contemplated — Letters to L L. Kip — Resolutions of Synod and letters of Dr. L. on the subject — Question of removal of the school put at rest — Dr. L.'s submission — Letters — Loss of two granddaughters — Letters — Publication of his Lectures requested — Suggests the raising of an ample fund for the school — The measure adopted by Synod and successful — Rutgers College — Letter on the Dutch Missionary Society — Devotional frame — State of his health — Letters on the decease of a grandchild — Death — Funeral — Resolutions of Synod, .... 243