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THE Rev. Mr. James Hall,
upon giving up his pastoral charge of Concord and Fourth Creek in
Iredell county, in the year 1790, was, in the course of two or three
years, succeeded by the man whom on account of his private friendship,
and his estimation of his talents for usefulness, he would have chosen
of all others, recently entered upon the office of the ministry of the
gospel, Lewis Feuilleteau Wilson. A foreigner by birth, Mr. Wilson both
loved and served the country of his adoption; and was beloved and honored by all that were favored by his acquaintance, in his office as a
physician, in which capacity he served in the Revolutionary war, and the
more serious one of a minister of the gospel, in which he closed his
clays.
On his mother's side of
French extract, on his father's of English, he was born on St.
Christopher's, one of the West India Islands, June, 1753. his father, a
wealthy planter, preferring an education in England for his son, to the
indulgence and desultory life of planters' children in the islands,
embarked his two sons, Lewis, then about four years of age, and a
brother two years older, for London, to be put to school under the care
of his connexions. The brother died on the voyage; and Lewis, an entire
stranger, commenced his education in his tender years. Some time after
his father removed to London; and the son was continued at the grammar
school until he completed his seventeenth year. At that time an uncle of
his emigrated to America and settled in New Jersey; young Wilson
accompanied him, and soon after his arrival entered upon the course of
studies at Nassau Hall, in Princeton.
In his literary course
Mr. Wilson was successful, and received the Bachelor's degree with honor.
In his religious course he was kindly crossed by the Providence and
Spirit of God, and from being an opposer was changed to an humble, yet
firm believer in Jesus. In the year 1772 a very general revival of
religion took place in the college; and so great was its influence, that
he and thirteen of his class, after they had completed their college
course, turned their attention to the study of theology in preparation
for the gospel ministry, professing that their first impressions of
grace were during that refreshing with which the institution was favored.
At the commencement of
the revival and for a time during its progress, young Wilson was
violently opposed to all religious things. So embittered were his
feelings that he would not permit any one to converse with him on the
subject of religion at all, either as a general subject or matter of
personal experience. He had been educated in the Episcopal forms of
worship; was a regular attendant on divine service, and correct in his
external conduct; and slid not wish to be troubled about his experience
by Presbyterian ministers and teachers. Probably at that time he would
not have listened to any person. One of the tutors made an effort to
call his attention to the concerns of his soul; entering his room, he
began to converse on the subject of religion. Cllr. Wilson interrupted
him, "Mr. I am engaged in my studies,----this is my room,--there is the
door."
Buoyed up by a spirit of
pharisaic righteousness he went on, for a time, pouring contempt on the
work of God, till that same spirit, that arrested a persecuting Saul,
arrested him. One evening while Dr. Spencer was preaching in the College
Hall he was seized with deep convictions, and felt that these things
which he had hitherto received as enthusiasm, and little better than
madness, were realities of amazing importance. His distress of mind
continued for some time before he could see his way of being saved
through the Lord Christ. When Jesus was manifested as "the way, and the
truth, and the life," he embraced him with full purpose of heart; and
from having been an opposer, like Saul, he became a full and hearty
friend that said, Lord, what will thou have me to do; and when he found
his Lord's will he went and did it. The memory of his decided opposition
to the gospel and a revival of religion led him often to confession and
deep humiliation, throughout his whole ministerial life.
The Rev. John Makemie
Wilson, of Rocky River, tells us in the sermon he preached on occasion
of the death of Rev. L. F. Wilson, that during the revival of religion
that spread over Carolina, in the south and west, in the year 1802 and
the following years, the subject of this short sketch was often heard to
address opposers to that work in the following words:—"My dear friends,
I pity you, because I once stood on the ground on which you now stand,
and know something of your disposition towards the present work. I have
felt the disposition of a very devil towards a work similar to the
present. Therefore I feel for you, and pity you with all my heart."
During the remainder of his college life,
his zeal to promote the cause he once opposed, was tempered with great
humility, that essential grace of a Christian. Having been brought up in
high life, and with the expectations of a son of a wealthy citizen of
London, he bowed to the deserving, however lowly in their sphere. his
companions and friends were chosen without respect to wealth or poverty,
but according to his estimation of their moral and spiritual excellence.
His desire for excellence was totally dissevered from that thirst for
applause, which so often stimulates to great efforts. He was content
with having merited approbation. This trait in his character was
manifested in the course he pursued respecting a college honor, so
coveted by students, particularly when about to be graduated. At the
last examination of his class, when the members stood for their
diplomas, five honorary orations were voted by the trustees, to be
delivered from the public stage on the day of commencement, by that
number of the best scholars, as orators. Mr. Wilson obtained the second
honor by vote of the trustees. Whether he knew of some one of his class
who would be mortified in being left out of the list of honors, or
whether he acted solely from the humility and modesty in his own breast,
we cannot now say; but when information was given him by the president,
in the presence of the board and of the class, he arose and said: "Sir,
I feel myself under obligation to the trustees for their compliment to
me, it is well enough to deserve such an oration, but I do not choose to
accept it, and desire that it may be given to another." He did not
appear on the stage at commencement, according to his request the honor
had been conferred upon another, more desirous of the eminence. This
trait of character was manifested by him through life; always deserving
a high rank ins the estimation of his brethren, he never thrust himself
forward to public notice. His bravery was equal to his modesty; and his
worth was compounded of both. he sought no honors; he shunned no dangers
in the path of duty.
After receiving his Bachelor's degree, in
September, 17173, he visited London, designing to take orders in the
Episcopal church, if, upon examination and inquiry, he could see a
reasonable prospect of usefulness and satisfaction. "is father was a
roan of sufficient wealth and influence to obtain for him what is called
"a good living" in the city, or some pleasant place in the country, and
finding that his soil wished to engage in the ministry of the gospel,
pressed hint earnestly to take orders in the national church. The son,
upon consideration and observation, became convinced that he could not
be satisfied in such a connection as his father wished, and he himself
had at first designed; and frankly communicated the result of his
deliberations. The father upbraided him with becoming a Presbyterian in
America, and threatened to disinherit him unless he complied with his
expressed wishes. The son continued firm in his determination not to
enter the national church. The father was resolute in withholding from
him all assistance in making preparations to enter the ministry in any
other church. The son was resolved to enter another church, and was left
by his father penniless. Having obtained possession of a bequest of 300
guineas, made to him by an aunt, whose death occurred a little before
this event, and furnishing himself with a wardrobe and a small library,
he set sail for America, after a residence in England of about five
months. Landing at
Philadelphia, he returned to Princeton, and commenced the study of
Divinity under the care of Dr. Witherspoon, in the spring of 1774. Soon
after this he was chosen tutor in the college, and performed the duties
of that station about a year. New Jersey being overrun by the British
army, the college was broken up. A class-mate of Mr. Wilson, who had
been a fellow-tutor, having determined to enter upon the study of
medicine with an uncle in Philadelphia, prevailed upon him to commence
the study in his company. It is said that the principal reason for this
change of professional studies was the perplexity of mind that came upon
him in consequence of a careful perusal of church history. What this
perplexity was, or whether it was anything more than discouragement in
view of his own native sinfulness, and the errors into which frail men
had precipitated themselves, is not now known.
After pursuing his medical studies about two
years he embarked in the cause of American Independence, and entered the
continental service as surgeon. In this capacity he continued a number
of years; part of the time in the land service and part of the time on
board of vessels of war. In the year 1781 he was informed by letter of
the death of his father, and of a legacy in his will of £500 sterling.
This communication caused him another voyage to England. Having obtained
his legacy, he returned to America and settled in Princeton in his
profession, as practising physician the superior religious advantages of
the place in connection with its seclusion, presenting powerful
inducements to him to make it his permanent residence.
As soon as he became permanently located, he
secluded himself very much from intercourse with the world till he had
carefully perused the whole both of the Old and New Testaments. He was
heard to say that when he looked through the last six or seven years of
his life, he seemed to himself like one who had been in a dream. During
the whole of his connexion with the army, and indeed throughout the
whole course of his trials and changes from the time of his first
landing in America to his settlement as a physician in Princeton, it was
observed by the pious and discerning, who had been acquainted with him
in all his tossings and trials, that his deportment as a Christian was
more than blameless,—it was exemplary. His attachment to the pious was
seen in his undisguised selection of his companions,—treating all with
the respect becoming their station in life, he accounted the righteous
the excellent of the earth, and was peculiarly attached to those who
exhibited a pious temper and a consistent Christian life. He might have
said to such people as Ruth did to Naomi, "Intreat me not to leave thee,
for whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge;
thy people shall be my people; and thy God my God."
The Rev. James Hall, who had contracted a
strong friendship for llr. Wilson while a member of college, being well
acquainted with his acquirements and the estimation in which he was held
by the students and faculty of college, visited Princeton in the year
17S6, and succeeded in persuading his friend to remove to Iredell
county, North Carolina. Both had been diligent students at Nassau Hall;
both professing Christians; both had served in the armies of the
Revolution and come out honorably; both held to their faith in Christ
through all the besetments of the camp and the temptations incident to
war, and each exercised an influence over the other, particularly in
time latter years of Mr. Wilson's life.
After the revival in Mr. I fall's
congregation, and the consequent feeble health of that laborious and
self-denied man, he made a sea voyage, and attended the meeting of the
Synod of New York and Philadelphin in the spring of 17th. In the August
following, his friend Dr. Wilson made a journey to Iredell, North
Carolina, and finally made his residence in the sphere of that good
man's labors, and there continued until his death, a period of some
eighteen years.
Soon after his settlement in Iredell, Mr. Wilson became connected in
marriage with Miss Margaret Hall, the daughter of Mr. Hugh Hall, and a
near connexion of the friend by whose persuasion he had emigrated to
North Carolina. This marriage was a happy one to both parties, till
death made the separation; and in the desolation of widowhood was
reflected upon by the bereaved wife as matter of thanksgiving and
consolation. As a physician and as a preacher, he was the food husband,
and kind father, and faithful friend.
Although his practice of medicine was very
acceptable to the people, evincing great ability and skill, he continued
in that profession but about four years after his removal to North
Carolina. he had never been fully satisfied with himself from the time
he had laid aside the study of theology; a secret uneasiness preyed upon
his mind, lest he should be found to have run from his duty, and he
often wished himself in another sphere of life,—that to which he had
once devoted himself, but which afterwards he had declined. But every
year seemed to remove him farther and farther from the object of his
convictions; and the cares of a family and the calls of his profession
were Heaping up difficulties and impediments, and rendering an entrance
on the ministry a difficult, if not an impossible thing.
In this state of his mind, some of the pious
people began to express a desire that so well qualified a person as Dr.
Wilson should be taken from the practice of medicine and put into the
pulpit; and from healing the maladies of the people and curing their
bodily infirmities, should preach the unsearchable riches of Christ for
the salvation of their souls.
Some of the leading ministers in Orange
Presbytery also added their voice, amongst which the most feeble was not
that of Mr. Hall, that he should come and take part of the ministry with
them. Induced by this external call and his internal convictions, he
offered himself to the Orange Presbytery a candidate for the gospel
ministry; and having passed his various trials with much approbation, he
was licensed to preach in the year 1791.
It soon appeared that his friends had not
been mistaken in their anticipations of his usefulness as a minister.
His preaching was so acceptable, that various respectable vacancies made
exertions to obtain his services as their pastor. His inclinations were
in favor of Fourth Creek and Concord, which were united in a call
presented to Presbytery, and in June, 1793, he was ordained and
installed their pastor, and became the successor and near neighbor of
his friend Mr. Hall, whose desires were accomplished in seeing Mr.
Wilson in the ministry, and the churches of his former charge supplied
with an able and devoted preacher.
His connexion with these two churches
continued about ten years with uninterrupted harmony.
The revival which began, in the year 1802,
to be felt in Iredell county, was hailed with joy by Air. Wilson. He,
with some of his flock, had been engaged in social prayer to God for an
outpouring of his spirit, for some time before the meeting in Randolph,
on which the ministers of Concord Presbytery attended with so much
interest. Mr. Wilson believed that a work of;race was going on by the
agency of the Holy Spirit using weak means, and he rejoiced in it,
notwithstanding those bodily exercises which then accompanied it, and
afterwards became so obnoxious to all the judicious. He encouraged the
protracted meetings that followed in such quick succession in the upper
country of Carolina, in which the people encamped upon the ground near
the place of preaching; and remained for some (lays altogether absorbed
in the subject of religion. There is no evidence that he encouraged any
disorder, or pursued any improper course, or used any hurtful measures,
he desired the salvation of his people, and preferred the excitement,
with all the objectionable exercises, to that sleep of death which
brooded over the multitude.
The exercises were so objectionable to many
of the people of Fourth Creek, that they became opposed to the camp
meetings, and doubted the genuineness of the whole work. With this was
connected a discussion on the qualifications for admission to the
sealing ordinances. Mr. Wilson, of Rocky River, says, "it was not unlike
that which took place between President Edwards and the people of
Northampton." 'That, it is well known, was on the following grounds: On
the side of Mr. Edwards it was contended that a credible profession of
experimental religion was the only proper qualification for admission to
Baptism and the Lord's Supper. On the other side, that baptism in
infancy and a blameless life were all that could be required by the
church or its officers. In the case of Mr. Wilson and Fourth Creek
congregation, the discussion probably was, for we have no detailed
account, whether that kind of experience given by the converts at these
protracted meetings, was the proper experience for admission to the
privileges of time church; and if the proper, was it time only proper
experience, in kind for such admission? The termination of the
discussion in Fourth Creek, like that in Northampton, was the
dissolution of the pastoral connection. There is no evidence, however,
of the existence of any bitterness of feeling towards Ir. Wilson, by the
party in Fourth Creek that was opposed to his views, while it is known
that many of the church agreed with him in opinion, and were his firm
friends till death. It is more than probable that 11Ir. Wilson might
have retained the charge of the congregation, notwithstanding the
disagreement, if his own feelings would have permitted him to preside
over a divided session. He chose to withdraw from Fourth Creek, and
confine his labors for the remainder of his life to time church of
Concord. This
disagreement and consequent dissolution of the pastoral connection, had
an unhappy influence upon the church and congregation of Fourth Creek.
For many years they were without a regular pastor. Neither of the two
parties was able to prevail in the congregation, and neither was willing
to make a decisive movement; consequently no call was made out for a
pastor for twenty years. Mr. William Stevenson, a warm-hearted, pious
man, led one party, and maintained the opinions of Mr. Wilson,
preferring the revival with all the objectionable exercises; and John
McLelland, cool and determined in his course, would rather give up the
excitement on religion than countenance in any way the attending
objectionable circumstances, and led the other party. The tradition in
the congregation has been, that the great body of the people would have
been easily satisfied could these elders have agreed to drop the
discussion. After having had temporary supplies for nearly twenty years,
the Rev. Daniel Gould, from Nottingham, New Hampshire, visited them, and
in 1823 was installed pastor. An active man, he was of great advantage
to the congregation; was one of the first movers of the general supply
of the Bible throughout. the United States, and did much for time
dissemination of religious knowledge in Iredell county. His useful life
was ended in 1834, April 29th, in his forty-fifth year; and his body
interred in the Fourth Creek burying-ground. After some years of
temporary supply, the Rev. E. F. Rockwell was installed in 1844. During
the vacancy that occurred from the time Mr. Gould ceased to preach in
Fourth Creek in 1828, six years before his death, the Rev. Robert
Caldwell, a grandson of Dr. Caldwell, of Guilford, after preaching as a
licentiate, was ordained and installed in 1831; and dying in 1832, was
buried in the same yard with Mr. Gould.
The separation of Mr. Wilson from Fourth
Creek took place in 1803, and in 1804 he was removed from all earthly
scenes and labors to the spiritual Mount Zion. The Rev. John M. Wilson,
of Rocky River, preached his funeral sermon from Revelations xiv., 13:
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, blessed are the
dead that die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, that
they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." In the
appendix to the printed sermon, which is the authority for much that has
been already stated, he says: "Mr. Wilson was a most extraordinary and
useful companion. His natural temper lively and cheerful, his education
finished, his judgment penetrating, his acquaintance with the world
large, qualified him at once to entertain and edify those that were
conversant with him."
"Freed from a useless round of ceremony and
unshackled by modes and forms, it was impossible not to be easy in his
company. Our deceased friend, as a divine, certainly stood in a point of
view highly respectable. He was not a wandering star, running off into
eternal eccentricities. With respect to his system of faith, it was that
which you might have expected from his profession. It was not like
Nebuchadnezzar's image, composed of heterogeneous materials which cannot
coalesce. He was firmly Calvinistic. In this respect he believed, and
many will believe with him, `that he went his way by the footsteps of
the flock, and fed his kids beside the shepherd's tent.'
"In the arrangement of his public discourses
he was clear and judicious; his gesture natural, indicating deep
engagement of heart; his style elevated and nervous; his eloquence
flowing and persuasive. The language of Mr. Wilson's precepts and
practice was one. By a life and conversation conformed to the gospel, he
silently exhorted those to whom he ministered, as the great Apostle of
the (gentiles did the churches—'My little children, be ye followers of
me, even as I am a follower of Christ."'
"From a life and conversation thus upright,
holy writ advises us to expect a peaceful latter end. This expectation,
in the present case, was not di appointed. He had been under declining
circumstances of health for several mouths before he took his last
illness, but had recovered considerably, which gave hopes that he was
about to be restored to his usefulness in the church. But the will of
heaven was to remove hide. His last illness, if the writer mistakes not,
was a fever of the inflammatory kind. Shortly after he was taken ill, he
mentioned to a friend who called to see him, that he knew he never would
survive it, and added that he had two reasons for saying so: '1st.
Because I have felt myself more dead to the world for about two months
past, than I ever did before. 2d. I feel symptoms now that I never felt
before in any sickness.'
"On the Friday and Saturday week before he
died, he frequently spoke of that uninterrupted peace and joy that he
found in believing. About this time the hiccough became so violent that
he could scarcely utter a single sentence. On Sabbath morning he called
his little sons to him, and said: 'Retire into the other room and read
your books, and may the Lord God of your father bless you.' On Monday
morning, being asked whether he enjoyed the comforts of religion, he
answered, yes. Being told that it was probable he would never rise from
that bed, he replied, 'I am willing to die, if God is willing. Death has
been no terror to me for five years past.'
"On Sabbath morning, December 9th,
immediately preceding his death, the hiccough materially subsided, so
that he was able to connect sentences, and give regular addresses. Early
in the morning he called to his bedside a number of his friends, who
were waiting with him, and gave an address to every one, according to
the opinion he had formed of their religious standing. To a young man
who asked him how he did, he replied, `I am almost in heaven.' To a
young woman, 'Beware of this world, or it will ruin you; it has ruined
thousands.' After this, sitting up in bed, supported with one behind
him, he called for a drink, after which he collected into his
countenance a cheerful air, and proceeded as follows: `My friends,
thirty years have elapsed since I first discovered the vanity of this
world, and ever since it has been growing less and less in my esteem;
and now every worldly attachment is broken up, and I am ready to take my
flight at a moment's warning. The reason why I left the country where I
then resided was, Iest I should be carried away with the worldly spirit
so prevalent in that part (London), and you, my friends, are my
witnesses, that since I came among you, I have uniformly acted on the
same principles, and been influenced by the same views.'
"Early on this day the Rev. Dr. Hall made
him a visit, and upon asking him how he was, he replied,—'I am going to
heaven.' About 11 o'clock a member of the session came to him and said,
`Farewell, I am going to the session-house.' To whom he replied, 'Carry
this my last message to the people of Concord,—tell them that I am on
the borders of the eternal world, and my wish is that God may enable
them to improve every dispensation of his providence that has any
tendency to promote their eternal salvation.'
"About 12 o'clock he requested those who
were present to join in singing, himself naming the hymn that he wished
to sing. At an interval of this exercise he broke out into thanksgiving
and praise as follows: `OIGod, I thank thee for the supports thou hast
granted me under my present affliction, and through all the stages of my
past life. I praise thee for another Sabbath; and for the present
communication of thy spirit and grace which thou least granted me this
day above all the Sabbaths I have ever enjoyed. O Lord, thou hast
supported me; and thou promised to support me; and thou wilt support me;
and poor as I am, and sinful as I am, and worthless as I am, I shall sit
down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of my heavenly
Father.' He was
much engaged in exhortation through the whole of this day. In the
evening he desired all to leave the room except his wife and children.
This being done, he gave to each of them his dying charge. The same
evening he said to the physician who attended him, `Doctor, you can do
me no good; I am just going into the eternal world; and were it not for
the comforts of religion, I believe I should be completely on the rack.
The most painful hours are the most happy hours; I never read or heard
of anything that will support a man in a dying hour but the gospel of
Christ.' "On
Monday, the 10th, he was very weak, not able to utter more than two or
three words at a time; but still manifested his good will to every
person who came in, by reaching out his hand. A very aged man coming to
the bedside, he took him by the hand and said, `You are come to see a
dying man.'
"Tuesday, 11th. This day ended the Life of Mr. Wilson. Through the
former part of it he was very uneasy. About 3 o'clock in the evening he
appeared to be dying; but recovering a little, he cast an affectionate
look at his two little sons, who stood by the bedside, and reached out
his hand, and took each of them by their hands, but said nothing.
Shortly after, Mrs. Wilson sitting by the bedside, he took her by the
hand, and with a pleasant countenance said, 'You and I will yet rejoice
together in this great salvation.' A few minutes after he whispered to
her to turn him; which being done, he lay easy a little while. As he
lay, his lips were observed to be constantly moving. Some who stood near
him say that he whispered, Holy, holy. He then appeared to compose
himself for his last sleep by laying, his left hand under his cheek, and
bringing his right hand down by his side. This being done, he breathed
out his last, December 11th, 1804, in the 52d year of his age, without a
struggle or a groan."
He was buried near Bethany Church, a few
paces from the date of the grave-yard, in a place chosen by his wife's
relations. His friend Hall was, many years after, buried a few paces
from his side. On a white marble head-stone is the following inscription
SACRED
To the memory of the late
Rev. LEWIS F. WILSON, who
departed this life Dec'r 11th, 1804,
in the 52d year of his age.
Through almost the whole
of his ministerial course with
ability and faithfulness, he sus-
tained the pastoral relation
over the united congregations
of Fourth Creek and Concord.
Preserve, O venerable pile,
Inviolate thy precious trust;
To thy cold arms the Christian Church,
Weeping, commits her precious dust.
He left a widow and seven children, three
sons, and four daughters. All his children grew up to mature years, and
all, by the time they reached their twenty-first year, were united to
the church on a credible profession of religion. Two of the sons became
ministers of the gospel, one of whom was the pioneer of settled
ministers in Texas, and is now laboring there (1845), and the other
resides in Virginia. "I doubt not," says one of the children, "that. the
instruction which we received on Sabbath after returning from church,
was the means of bringing us thus early to devote our lives to the
service of God."
Hall had the longest race, and produced the greatest immediate effect on
his fellow-men; Wilson had the most triumphant end, and being dead, yet
speaks in his descendants. Both undoubtedly fought the good fight, and
won the prize, and in the last great day will wear the conqueror's
crown. |
