Dr. Rice yielded with
reluctance to the necessity which imposed upon him the duties of an
agent. In a letter to Dr. Woods, of Andover, he states the
circumstances.
“New York, June 5th,
1827.
**** "During the last
year the pressure on me was so heavy that for five months I had a
continual headache, and my nerves become so irritable, that the click of
a penknife, or the scratching of a stiff pen on paper, after an hour’s
confinement, was just like a strong shock of electricity through my
brain. I may say that half of my time was spent in torture. I felt that
I must either give up this great enterprise in which I am engaged for
the South, or sink under the load which was pressing on me. The Lord
just at that very time put it into the hearts of a few of my beloved
friends in New York to raise a fund to support a young man who should
assist me. But his support is only for two years. In the mean time, we
must-endeavor to get a permanent establishment for him, or for some one
else, or I shall again be left alone. The house which we have built has
cost $8000; the library about $8000. Our invested fund does not amount
to $15,000; and the situation of about $2000 of that is. such, by the
will of the donor, that we receive nothing from it. So that I have to
depend for my support now on the interest of twelve thousand dollars. I
have sacrificed my little estate, in order to establish and support a
religious printing press in the South. So that I have found it very
difficult to live through the year. We have a subscription at the South
of twenty-five thousand dollars ; but that was purposely conditional, so
that none of it is binding unless we can raise two professorships. In a
word, the state of things is such, that if the brethren abroad will help
us, we can get along, and a seminary will be built up to bless the
southern country. But if they cannot stretch out a hand for our aid, we
shall have to struggle along for years, doing but little; and the result
must be, that I shall sink prematurely to the grave through the excess
of my labor. If some one could be prevailed on, by a donation of ten or
twelve thousand dollars, to fill up the partially endowed professorship,
which is now affording me half a living, it would be a relief from
permanent embarrassment, of the most important character.”
The trials and success of
Dr. Rice, on this agency, can be best understood from extracts from his
letters written while absent from home. These supply the place of a
journal, and are more life-like, as conversations with one as deeply
interested as himself in building the seminary. He first attended the
General Assembly in Philadelphia in May. The Theological Seminary, west
of the Alleghanies, was located at Alleghenytown, and Dr. Janeway chosen
Professor. The Assembly resolved—“to approve and ratify the arrangements
which have been made for placing the Theological Seminary, heretofore
confided to the care of the Presbytery of Hanover, under the immediate
care and joint direction of the Synods of Virginia and North Carolina.
2d. That the Assembly will sustain the same relation to the seminary,
and exercise the same species of control over it, under the recent
arrangements, as they proposed to do by thier act of the last year, in
its state as then existing. 3d. That hereafter the seminary shall be
denominated — The Union Seminary of the General Assembly, under the care
of the Synods of Virginia and North Carolina.” The Assembly commended
the interests of the seminary to the active patronage and support of the
churches at large, and especially of the churches within the bounds of
the Synods which have it under their care.
As chairman of the
committee to adopt a pastoral letter, he produced one worthy of
circulation in a tract form. The two leading sentiments are — “ They who
agree in the great truths of the gospel and of church government as
expressed in our Confession of Faith, ought not only to love as
brethren, but heartly co-operate for the glory of God and the salvation
of souls: and The importance, yea, the^ necessity of exhibiting plainly
and distinctly the truths contained in the Bible, and depending on their
instrumentality alone to effect the conviction and conversion of
sinners; there is no value in religious feelings unless they are excited
by distinct views of divine truth. It is only the plain, simple
doctrines of the Bible, carried to the understanding and conscience by
the Holy Spirit, which can sanctify the heart of man and make him fit
for heaven.”
In a letter to Mrs. Rice
from New York, June 1st, 1827, he says: “I was persuaded we could do
little or nothing at this time in Philadelphia ; and I would not have
the name of that city to a trifling subscription for our seminary. My
plan then is to fix on a time when we can operate without the
impediments of the General Assembly, or any interfering scheme of any
magnitude. To this end it. ill be necessary to write beforehand to the
leading men of the city, that they may keep themselves in reserve for
our object. This would have succeeded well this spring, had not my
letters to Mr. Ralston, Mr. Ilenry and others, been received just after
they had pledged the whole of their charitable fund for the year to the
American Sunday School Union. Indeed some of them had gone beyond their
annual sum at least a thousand dollars. And these were the men, too, who
are looked to -in Philadelphia as examples, and whose lead is followed
by all others. I presume there will be but two classes at the seminary
this summer. The first class will pursue the study of Greek and Hebrew,
as they did last winter. The second will go on with their study of the
Bible; writing essays on the various topics, or heads of Divinity, in
order pretty much as before. Besides I wish them to read Dr. Alexander’s
book on the Canon of the Scripture. I wish the students to* form a
society, the object of which shall be to give them exercise in the
exposition of the Bible. The general plan I have thought of is, for a
portion of Scripture to be selected, on which a member of the society
appointed for the purpose, shall prepare an expository lecture, to be
read at the succeeding meeting. The other members of the‘ society shall
read in the original, and study as carefully as possible the same
passage, and so be prepared to discuss any difficulties that may be
found in the passage, and refute or sustain the exposition, and remarks
contained in the lecture. This is the best plan of an association for a
Theological Seminary that I have heard or thought of. But a theological
debating society, of the character of a college debating society, I
cannot think of without utter repugnance, and even a feeling of horror.”
“New York, June 5th,
1827.
“Alas, these trials are
severe on our feelings. But they ought to be borne patiently, for they
are endured in a good cause, and for an all-important object; and of all
people in the world you and I ought to be most ready to do any thing for
the cause of our Lord. He has so blessed us, and made our lives so
happy, that all we have and are is the least we can think of offering to
him in return. I now have a little apprehension that we shall not. make
out very well, because we have no party spirit. I, see clearly that
while all the brethren appear to regard me with great personal
affection, neither of the parties are entirely cordial to me. The
Princeton people apprehend that I am approximating to Auburn notions;
and the Zealous partizans of New England Divinity think me a
thoroughgoing Princetonian. So it is ! And while there is much less of
that unseemly bitterness and asperity which brought reproach on the
church in past times, I can see that the spirit of party has struck
deeper than I had ever supposed. And I do fully expect that there will
be either a strong effort to bring Princeton under different management,
or to build up a new seminary in the vicinity of New York to counteract
the influence of Princeton. One or the other of these things will
assuredly be done before long unless the Lord interpose, and turn the
hearts of the ministers. This evening is appointed to hold a meeting of
the ministers and the friends of the seminary, and as soon as possible I
will let you know the result. If it turns out trifling, I will soon come
home; if the prospect is encouraging I shall feel it to be my duty to
stay and reap the harvest; for what is to be done must be done soon.
Perhaps in another year no man who is not a determined partizan will be
able to do any thing.’’
“New York, June 12th,
1827.
“My health is still
improving, I think, but the business I am on is extremely wearisome to
the flesh, and still more to the spirits. After all this, being a beggar
goes strongly against my Virginia feelings. After a good deal of talking
and labor, we have obtained a hearty, unanimous recommendation of our
object from the body of the New York clergy. It is said to be the only
thing in which they have been unanimous for more than a dozen years. I
am not able to tell you how much we have obtained, or may consider as
pledged, because several who were about to subscribe have delayed, at
our request, in hope of getting others to join them, so as to raise
their subscriptions to $500. Let the seminary continue in prayer that
the Lord may bless our efforts, and make them sufficient. I have
proceeded more slowly in making applications, because it is
indispensably necessary that we should proceed successfully. If we do
not get our professorship filled up during this season, I apprehend from
the course of events that we shall stick fast. I have yet got no money.
All is subscription for the permanent fund.”
“New York, June 15th,
1827.
“The work I am in is
painful. It is extremely laborious ; it excites the feelings, and
exhausts them of course more than preaching or study. 1 often have to
call on one man three or four times before I ean find him in ; and then
after hearing my story he says, "I will think of it, and you can call
again in a day or two, when I will let you know what I can do for you.’
In this way I have to work from week to week. Nothing but the good
cause, and the necessity of the case, could induce me to continue here
another hour. But the thing must be done, and done now. Next year we
shall have no chance at all. The people here are only waiting for me to
get out of the way to bring forward other enterprizes-. We have obtained
subscriptions to the amount of $6000. We hope in the next ten days to
get about $14,000; and I cannot think of leaving New York till then. I
shall receive the proceeds of Mr. Little’s scholarship, and an
appropriation for four young men besides — I hope for six.”
“New York, June 19th,
1827.
“Yesterday I walked about
ten miles, and among all the calls which I made found only one man at
home; and he insisted that I should give him time to make up his mind on
the subject. I went home with feet swelled and corns aching, thinking I
could not stir this morning. But Providence is gracious, and I feel that
I can do more by one half in a day than when I first began.”
“New York, June 22d,
1827.
“Mrs. Caldwell has set to
work to raise one thousand dollars for the seminary, which I think she
will give her name for, the next time I see her. Mr. and Mrs. Tappan
have agreed for the present to give $1000. Eleven men have each engaged
to give $500 — making $5500. About ten have promised $250. This may be
considered as the amount of what has been positively promised. A number
of gentlemen have the subject under consideration; but they are slow in
coming to a determination.”
“New York, June 26th,
1827.
“Wet weather, and other
causes have impeded my progress. But the most troublesome thing of all
is the slowness of the people to decide on the case before them. Every
man requires me to make two visits. And to find him twice I have to go
on an average six times to a place. And then I have to talk so much; and
it is mostly the same story. You know how this exhausts me. You cannot
think how much jealousy and party spirit are in the church here. The
feeling respecting atonement, and subjects connected with it, is
stronger than I ever saw; and the dispute is all about things not
directly treated in the Bible. I am more and more convinced that our
plan is the right one, and that it is necessary for the peace of the
church that we should succeed and do well.”
“New York, July 2d, 1827.
“For a week past I have
found a very serious difficulty in getting on. Indeed I spent several
days and scarcely received subscriptions to the amount of $100. On
enquiry I found that some who did not want to bestow their money, had
raised an objection, that our Professorship was placed too high. The
machine which seemed to stick fast is moving again. This morning I
turned out, and found a hatter, who, with the spirit of a prince, put
down $500. I shortly after met another person (a poor man, who lives by
his daily labors) in the street, who stopped me, and put down $100. This
encouraged my spirits. I am just now resting in Mr. Taylor’s, after
walking many a weary step, and finding no person in I went for, except
one old man, who said, he could not help us.”
“New York, July 6th,
1827.
“Our Seminary cannot get
along, unless I should succeed in my present mission. Other projects are
also on foot, and another year will see them breached, and urged on with
great zeal. This is the day of collision in our Church. We must before
the next General Assembly have three professorships endowed, and our
Seminary established. And I must establish a personal influence, or a
Seminary influence, which will keep its hold on the hearts of many
people amidst all the changes that take place. I feel the sore
necessities of the case, and am making sacrifices of feeling, of which
no one in this world, but my beloved, has any idea.”
“New York, July 11th,
1827.
“We have now over $13,000
on our list. A brother minister has pledged himself to raise $1000 more.
So we advance at a snail’s gait. It is now time for me to move. My feet
are sore,—and my limbs stiff with walking. The weather is hot and
damp,—and I fear I shall not be able to accomplish much to-day. But
still, in the name of the Lord I will go forward.”
“New York, July 16, 1827.
“We have now on our paper
a little more than $14,000. I consider $2000 more fully pledged. The
next letter which I write will be dated Albany. I am going up there
to-day by the advice of friends, in the expectation that some large
subscriptions may be obtained, which will swell our sum so as to enable
us to call a meeting in New York, and get the whole that remains
subscribed at once. I expect to be in Albany about a week.”
Instead of going home, or
leaving Albany in a week, he thus writes from Albany, on the 27th of
July.—“But you have no idea of the impediments in the way of our work.
It takes mighty and long-continued efforts to get up among a people,
where we go, a state of feeling necessary to success. It is not worth
while at all to go about, and make applications, until we have made an
impression which turns public sentiment in our favor. And when we have
accomplished this, our work is just begun. We have then to go to
individuals, and call again and again, and talk over and over the
matter, and get people to talking one with another. And thus, on an
average, we see a man six times before we get his subscription. I went
on Monday to Lebanon to see Dr. Beecher and Mr. Edwards, to ascertain
whether they would not get to work in Boston, and raise $10,000 for us
there. In the trip I met Dr. Woods, and got them all to promise that
they would make an effort for us. I returned from Lebanon on Tuesday
morning, and went to Schenectady, to see Dr. Nott and the students
there, and see if we could not get young men to suit the South. There is
now sitting at Lebanon a council, the object of which is to agree on
some principles, which shall be used to regulate the conduct of
ministers in revivals of religion. What it will all come to I know not.
I have learned much by coming here, which will, I hope, be useful to me,
and to our Seminary, and to the Southern country. I am collecting facts
as I can. All show the unspeakable importance of thorough education
among ministers in a new point of view. The old ministers and leading
friends of revivals are in very great fear. They are convinced that it
is to be brought to a decision, whether revivals should be utterly
disgraced and turned into a curse to the Church, or restored to their
former estimation and made a blessing.
It is said that the whole
evil has grown out of the pushing forward into the ministry young men
not sufficiently trained.”
“Albany, August 5th,
1827.
“But I have been so
perplexed here that I have not known what to do. Mr. Weed was occupied
with the council at Lebanon for seven or eight days : Dr. Chester was
absent, travelling. The people in Albany were all in utter agitation
about the trial of Strang and Mrs. Whipple. And we found it a matter of
extreme difficulty to get our affairs agoing. We have now got about
$1200. As soon as we can increase our subscriptions now to the amount of
$8000, I intend to leave. I shall leave the filling up the balance to
Mr. Boy; everybody said we ought to get $4000.”
“Lansingburg, August 9th,
1827.
“Instead of being at
home, as I fondly hoped at this time, I am at Dr. Blatchford’s. I have
come here in hopes of getting a $1000. We did not obtain as much in
Albany as we expected. I spent last Thursday night with Mr. Wisner, (B.
B.) He has now gone home, and will write to me as soon as he returns.
Beecher, Edwards, and Dr. Woods, together with Wisner, are to hold a
council on this subject with some gentlemen in Boston, and immediately
Wisner is to let me know what is to be done. I cannot think of going
there for less than $10,000.”
“Lansingburg, August
18th.
“Our hope at present is
to get $6000 in this region and in some of the towns below. We shall
certainly get $3000 in Albany. We hope for something in Lansingburg and
Waterford. And Troy, Newburg, Goshen, Catskill will beyond a doubt give
us two or three thousand more. I am glad Mr. Cushing’s marriage is over.
I hope we shall have a good neighbor, and that he will be under a fine
religious influence. I trust, too, an increase of pious persons about
College will be of great advantage. Dr. Blatchford is still very poorly;
nay, he is very sick.
“Wherever I go, and get
access to the people, it is seen that greater efforts are necessary to
promote religion in our own beloved country than have yet been made, and
new views are taken of the real condition and responsibility of the
Presbyterian Church. It is amazing how few, either ministers or people,
take enlarged views of things, or think of operating on a great scale.
It is so everywhere. And I am at this moment better pleased with
Southern Christians than I ever was. For little as they do, asleep as
most of them are, they are equal to any that I find, (except here and
there an individual,) and ahead of most. Let it be considered that there
are more Presbyterians in the State of New York than in 13 Southern and
Southwestern States. The first and second Presbyteries in the City of
New York have more communicants, and more wealth twice over than the
whole Synod of Virginia. The Presbytery of Philadelphia has more members
than the Synod of North Carolina. Yet consider what these Southern
people have done for Princeton, and for our Seminary.” ,
From Catskill he writes
on the 31st, and gives an account of Mr. Hoy’s sickness, and of his
preparations to return home by the middle of September.
“Philadelphia, Sept.
13th, 1827.
“I am here at our good
friend Latimer’s. I am authorized to say that the subscription, though
not filled up, shall not fall short, and to announce that the New York
'professorship is sure”
After an absence of about
four months, Dr. Rice returned to the seminary about the middle of
September. On the first week of October he met the Synod of North
Carolina in Salisbury, and made a statement of his labors and success as
agent; and also of the condition of the seminary. The Synod passed
resolutions expressive of thankfulness for the favorable circumstances,
and required the directors from that Synod to name an early day to meet
with the directors from the Virginia Synod, at the seminary, to take
measures to enlarge the seminary buildings for the accommodation of the
students; and to take immediate measures for filling, as soon as
possible, the various departments of instruction in the seminary. On the
25th of the month he met the Synod of Virginia in Lynchburg. This body
concurred with the Synod of North Carolina in resolutions for enlarging
the seminary, and increasing the number of professors.
The meeting of the Board,
on the 13th of November, was “lovely; everything as kind and fraternal
as could be wished.” After recommending to Dr. Rice to visit the
Southern cities to raise funds and promote union of effort, “they went
home praying for us, and feeling more than ever.” But soon after the
meeting of the Board he received letters from New York, urging his
immediate return to assist the gentlemen who were pledged for the New
York professorship, in making up the required amount. Dr. Rice wished to
go South; it was the time to promote the union, if ever, of the Southern
Synods, in one seminary. There were difficulties in the way, likely to
increase every year, till they should be insurmountable, if they Were
not already so. What Dr. Caldwell was scheming for North Carolina, Dr.
Barr and others were already carrying into effect in the mountains of
South Carolina, a State of an onward spirit. The members of the Board
with whom he could advise urged him to go North. He reluctantly gave up
his visit to the South. Early in December he proceeded to New York; and
on the 22d he thus writes home — “It is a great deal harder work now
than I have ever seen it here. It was easier when we began this
enterprise to get $6000, than^it is now to get one. Indeed, we have
worked on all the best materials, and what remains now is all knotty and
gnarled oak. But the thing will be done.” The friends in Boston did not
encourage a visit in the fall or at this time.
“It was very tough work
getting the balance made up in New York. I confess that I felt it to be
the very hardest job that I ever undertook and got through with. But it
is done. The New York professorship is established, and God shall have
the praise. About Philadelphia, I am truly sorry Philadelphia was not
scoured last spring. It is a vain thing to wait for a favorable time.
Now is God’s time, and when we are about God’s work this is the time for
us to work. The Church has lost much in waiting.” Having secured between
six and seven thousand dollars in Philadelphia, he thus writes —
“January 2d, 1828.
“The Latimers are as kind
as they can be, and send many messages of love. I find that it requires
nice steering to get along in this place. There is jealousy here, as
eagle-eyed as party spirit can make it. But there is a good spirit among
the people, at least-a few, and none of them can refuse to express their
favor towards our plans. It is more and more apparent to me God favors
our cause. I am surprised at the success which has attended our efforts,
and the interest which is awakened for the seminary. The friends of
Auburn think that it is next to their institution; and even the most
jealous-spirited and exclusive friends of Princeton say that the hopes
of the Church must certainly be directed to us in the second place. By
the favor of the Almighty, we must make the Union Seminary a great
blessing.” In Baltimore he accomplished something by the help of his
friends, John Breckenridge and Nevins. He says, January 21st — “This is
the toughest place I have ever been at yet. I have done my best to make
an impression, but yet I cannot see clearly how far I have got an
advantage. Yesterday I preached two sermons on my subject. As Dr. Glendy
said— 4 And upon my word, madam, I think the morning sermon was one of
my happiest performances.’ I shall know by to-morrow evening what the
general prospect is.”
In a letter to Knowles
Taylor, of New York, who was very active in co-operating with Dr. Rice
and Mr. Roy, in raising the professorship, he says — “I staid in
Philadelphia until I obtained about $6500. I thought, as matters were
situated, Roy could finish the rest. Some men were very liberal. Mr. R.
gave $1000; J. H. $1000; T. E. $1000; A. H. $500; S. W. & A. W. each
$500; J. M. $300. But after that we had hard pulling. The Seminary at
Pittsburg works against us. Many hold back because' Dr. Heron is coming
in the spring. I look back to our co-operation in obtaining the New York
professorship, with peculiar pleasure. First, there is most manifest
evidence of the presence and blessing of God in this thing. When I
consider the strength of local prejudices which unhappily prevail in our
country, and the mighty current of feeling which had long been running
in favor of other objects, and, of course, the difficulty of exciting an
interest for a new enterprise of magnitude, I do not see how any one can
help exclaiming —4 See what hath God wrought.’ But in the next place,
this has offered a fine opportunity for the exercise of Christian
friendship. We, who have engaged in it, shall love one another the
better, as long as we live, because we have labored together in this
work. When once the heart is right, how delightfully do Christians
co-operate ! Their aim and object being one, and that, too, of the
highest benevolence, they cannot make an effort without a kindling up of
love. When you become an old gray-headed elder, and meet in the General
Assembly the men who received their education at our Seminary, and hear
them magnify the word of God, and see that they are sound, faithful
Bible preachers, you will rejoice and bless God for what you see and
hear. Our Seminary shall be based on the Bible, and we will know no isms
there but Bibleism. I am sure that the Bible will afford good support to
sound Presbyterianism; and if it will not, why let Presbyterianism go.
The Lord bless you, my brother.”
Dr. Rice reached home on
the 1st day of February, 1828. Of the ten months succeeding the 1st of
May, 1827, he had been absent six and one-half on his agency to raise
funds for the Theological Seminary. The report of the Board of
Directors, at their second meeting, April 30th, 1828, made to the
General Assembly, says: “At our present meeting, many subjects are
presented, of such magnitude and importance to the interests of
religion, that we are unwilling to make any decision, until we have
taken time for prayerful consideration and counsel with our brethren,
and the friends of the institution. It is for this reason, that we have
the constitution of the seminary yet in an unfinished state. The funds
of the institution, amounting to about seventy-five thousand dollars,
are for the most part secured to us only by subscription; but, that
subscriptions to this amount have been obtained in so short a period, is
a subject of unspeakable gratitude. During the past year, there have
been twenty-one students in the seminary, who passed a satisfactory
examination in the various branches of Biblical and Theological
learning, to which they have been attending. Three of them have been
recently licensed by the Hanover Presbytery.” These three were John
Barksdale, Roswell Tenny, and Francis Bartlett.
During this last visit to
New York, Dr. Rice made arrangements with Rev. Asahel Nettleton, to
spend some time at the seminary. In a letter, dated Baltimore, January
21st, 1827, he says: “ The more I see of Mr. Nettleton, the more I am
pleased with him. He is a wise and holy man; but his health is wretched,
and it will be a difficult matter to get him along, in anything of a
comfortable way, after we get to Fredericksburg. I have seriously
apprehended that he would not be able to ride in the stage all the way,
as he is very easily fatigued; but it is of immense importance that he
should come to our seminary. His residence with us will greatly
strengthen our hold on the affections of the New England brethren. But
there is another and a higher view. Mr. Nettleton is most earnestly a
Bible preacher; and he is the strongest advocate that I know, for high
attainments of holiness and knowledge, in candidates for the ministry.
His whole experience has convinced him of the miserable consequences
which grow out of the rashness and inexperience of confident young men,
and the danger of running down revivals of religion by over-excitement.
He sees the great danger to which this country is exposed, from
infidelity on the one side., and from enthusiasm and fanaticism on the
other. I have met with no man whose views agree so fully with my own, in
relation to all these things; and. if the Lord shall permit me to
conduct him to the seminary, I shall believe I have accomplished a great
good. But he feels the feebleness of his health, and wishes it to be
fully understood, that no expectations are to be formed of his laboring
in the ministry. Everything must be foreclosed here; and you may tell
every one not to expect that Mr. Nettleton will preach at all. Should he
recover his strength, it will not be possible to keep him still. But,
what he needs now, and must have, is freedom from excitement, and
perfect mental repose. All I expect from him, for a long time, is to
talk in the presence of the students. Talk he will, and we cannot keep
him from it; and I cannot help rejoicing to think how you, my beloved
one, will enjoy his society, as he will lie on the sofa in our quiet
parlor, and speak of revivals, and tell you his views of the Bible. If
our good Lord should permit me to bring him, it will be a delightful
treat to you, my dearest, and this is no small reason why I wish to get
him with you.”
All the anticipations
respecting Mr. Nettleton’s recovery and usefulness were fully realized;
and his visit to Virginia resulted in lasting benefit to the souls of
many. His society was sought by the students and friends of the
seminary, while he was refreshing himself under the roof of Dr Rice. As
the summer came on with its genial heat, and the congregations around
began to exhibit evidence of unusual seriousness, Mr. Nettleton’s health
recruited, and he took an active part in a most interesting revival,
that spread over a large section of the State in a short time, and in
the course of a year was felt in almost all the Presbyterian
congregations, in some degree of excitement. In writing about it, some
two or three years afterwards, Mr. Nettleton says to a friend, (Rev. Mr.
Cobb,) “The scene of the deepest interest was in the county of Prince
Edward, Virginia, in the vicinity of the Union Theological Seminary and
Hampden Sidney College. Our first meeting of inquiry was at the house of
Dr. Rice, the very mansion containing the theological students. More
than a hundred were present, inquiring, “What must we do to be saved?”
Among the subjects of divine grace were a number of lawyers, six or
seven, and some of them among the leading advocates at the bar. Some
were men of finished education, who are soon to become heralds of
salvation.”
While this awakening was
extending its happy influence over a large section of country, Dr. Rice,
early in June, went to Boston. The Boston Recorder, of June 13th, 1828,
tells us, that on Saturday, the sixth of the month, a respectable number
of gentlemen met by invitation, at the Cowper committee-room, to receive
some important statements from Dr. Rice, concerning the situation of the
Southern country, the great dearth of well educated ministers, and the
importance of the Union Theological Seminary to supply this want, so
palpable to all, together with the necessity for the friends of Union
Theological Seminary to make further provision for theological students,
beyond their means, and consequently the necessity of aid from Boston.
Dr. Codman, of Dorchester, was chairman of the meeting, and Rev. Asa
Rand, clerk; Dr. Griffin, of Park Street Church, opened the meeting with
prayer. After hearing from Dr. Rice a full statement of facts connected
with the object of his visit,
“Resolved, unanimously,
That we cordially approve of the exertions made and proposed for the
thorough education of pious young men in the Southern States, with a
view of their laboring as ministers of the gospel in that portion of our
country; that we shall be happy to extend all the patronage in our power
to the Union Theological Seminary in Prince Edward County, Virginia; and
that we now give Dr. Rice, as the agent of that seminary, a special
pledge, that in the spring of the ensuing year, we will, so far as we
can ' consistently with our other duties, contribute pecuniary aid
towards sustaining an institution from which we hope and believe our
country is to receive great and permanent benefit. The reasons for
postponing our subscriptions are, the numerous applications for
charitable objects a few months past, and the present embarrassments of
commercial affairs.” With this pledge, Dr. Rice hastened home, and,
under date of the 11th of July, 1828, thus writes to Dr. Alexander:
“I have so much to say to
you, that I am afraid to begin on the subject of my passing through
Princeton without calling, on my return to Virginia. It was a very
painful affair to me. But the case was this: I wanted to attend the
meeting of the General Assembly’s Board of Missions, which was held in
June. I arrived in New York, about ten o’clock, on Wednesday. The
meeting was to be held in Philadelphia, at three o’clock, on Thursday. 1
had several hours’ business to detain me, and could not leave New York
until the three o’clock boat. This enabled me to get to Trenton about
one o’clock at night. It was eleven when we passed by your house. I
could only, as I went, offer a silent prayer that God might bless you
and all yours; and this I did with all the sincerity of old, unchanged
friendship.
"I have no doubt you have
heard of the excitement, I think I may say revival of religion, in
Prince Edward. It was prepared for by previous labors. Much that our
valued old friend, Mr. Lyle did in the way of sowing seed, is now
springing up, and producing a glorious harvest. Douglass has the grace
to acknowledge this. Other things paved the way. When Mr. Nettleton had
strength to labor, he soon was made instrumental in producing a
considerable excitement. This has extended; and now the state of things
is deeply interesting. Five lawyers, all men of very considerable
standing, have embraced religion. Henry E. Watkins, Samuel C. Anderson,
Nelson Page, Morton Payne and Peyton Harrison. This has produced a
mighty sensation in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Cumberland,
Powhatan, Buckingham and Albemarle. The minds of men seem to stand a
tiptoe, and they seem to be looking for some great things. I do fear
that, under the influence of men of other denominations, there will be a
wild-fire kindled in this region, and every thing will be seared, and
withered by the fierceness of the blast. This, then, would put every
thing back for another generation. I saw in Troy and Utica, how the
raging flame had passed through the garden of the Lord, and every thing
looked black and desolate. But what can we do to prevent this evil? We
have no men. And in this case of necessity, as usual, I turn to you for
aid and counsel. Is there no possibility of getting three or four
sterling young men to come on to this middle region at the present time?
It is remarkable that the work here is as much among men as women; and
as far as it has yet gone it is among that class of society which has
hitherto been almost entirely free from religious influence, lawyers and
educated men. At last Nottoway Court, there were in the bar at once,
seven lawyers, professors of religion! This is unexampled in Virginia.
We cannot get on half fast enough, in raising a supply of religious
instructors; and what this country will do I know not. You need not be
told how it has suffered in its spiritual interests, from ignorant
teachers. But experience of the evil is not sufficient for its cure. It
is necessary that the people should have just ideas of something better,
and they can acquire these only by experience too. But the difficulty is
to find men to send among them, and thus let them see and feel what is
meant by good preaching. Mr. Nettleton is a remarkable man, and chiefly,
I think, remarkable for his power of producing a great excitement
without much appearance of feeling. The people do not either weep, or
talk away their impressions. The preacher chiefly addresses Bible truth
to their consciences. I have not heard him as yet utter a single
sentiment opposed to what you and I call orthodoxy. He preaches the
Bible. He derives his illustrations from the Bible.”
Mr. Nettleton visited the
Valley of the Shenandoah, and the mountains beyond, during the summer,
securing every where personal attachment, and awakening a desire to be
witness of a genuine revival of religion, as had blessed the counties
east of the Ridge. At Staunton, he met the Synod of Virginia, in
October, and fenewed acquaintance with some who had profited by his
instruction in previous years ; one in particular, had attended on his
ministry thirteen years before in the city of New Haven. Writing to a
friend, Mr. Nettleton says — about his summer excursion, “I spent a week
at a place called Staunton, where I left a pleasant little band of young
converts.” After the meeting of Synod he remained some time to cherish
the impressions made during the exercises of Synod. The writer of a’
communication to the Visitor and Telegraph, says, under date of January
12th, 1829 — “The spirit of godliness and pious zeal, awakened here at
the meeting of Synod in October, has increased and grown under the
efforts of our excellent friend Rev. Mr. Smith, aided by the untiring
and efficient efforts of the Rev. Mr. Nettleton, into a goodly corps of
new recruits for our blessed Redeemer’s cause. Seventeen communicants
went forward for the first time, to the Lord’s table, and openly sealed
their pledge of fidelity to his government.”
Mr. Nettleton considered
the afflictive providence of God, which sent him to Virginia, as the
agent of Infinite wisdom, to lead him to scenes of usefulness embracing
events and circumstances the most interesting in his life. Others
blessed God for his wise providence, for in the awakenings, in
connection with his visit, in the different parts of the Presbyterian
Church, the caution and mildness, and sound Bible instruction which
characterized Mr. Nettleton, were exhibited in a pre-eminent manner by
the ministers of the Presbyterian Church.
The Synod of Virginia at
this same meeting in Staunton, by an unanimous vote, directed the Board
of the Union Theological Seminary to elect the Rev. Hiram P. Goodrich,
to the professorship of Oriental Literature. The Synod of North Carolina
having made a similar order, the Board of Directors, in December,
confirmed the nomination. This young gentleman, on the recommendation of
Dr. Alexander, as a good student and well versed in the languages of the
Bible, had been employed in the Seminary, as a teacher of the classes in
the languages and literature of the Bible, about two years, having
commenced his labors soon after Mr. Marsh returned to Vermont. While Dr.
Rice was absent on his agency in 1827 and 1828, Mr. Goodrich kept the
students employed in oriental studies, to the entire satisfaction of the
Board and Dr. Rice. Mr. Goodrich delivered his inaugural address on the
6th of May, 1829, in the College Church. The Rev. Francis M’Farland
received the obligation and delivered the charge. Dr. Rice wished Mr.
Goodrich to be put on the New York foundation, saying— “ being a New
Yorker himself and yet suiting the southern country exactly — he will
with great propriety suit the New York professorship.” The Board agreed
that if the fund should yield less than $800 the arrears should be made
up from the contingent fund. Of the New York professorship, part of the
funds were sent to Virginia, by Mr. Knowles Taylor, and invested by Mr.
J. Caskie in Richmond; and part remained in New York city on which the
interest was paid. Unhappily in the pressure which came on the cities in
1837 and onward, a large portion of the funds left in New York were lost
to the Seminary after having rendered important service about ten years.
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