WORKS OF
PHILIP LINDSLEY, D.D.








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THE
WORKS
OF
PHILIP LINDSLEY, D.D.,
FORMERLY VICE-PRESIDENT' AND PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE COLLEGE OF
NEW JERSEY, PRINCETON; AND LATE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
EDITED BY
LE ROY J. HALSEY, D.D.
PROFESSOR IN THE THEOLOGOICAL SEMINARY OF THE NORTHWE8T.
WITH INTRODUCTORY NOTICES OF HIS LIFE AND LABOURS.
BY THE EDITOR.
"He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one."
VOLUME  III.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
PHILADELPHIA:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
1866.




Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1864, by
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania.




CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
I.                                     PAGE
Supplementary Biographical Sketch of the Author, by the Editor.    9
II.
The Primitive State of Mankind: an Attempt to Prove that the
Original or most Ancient Condition of the Human Family was
Civilized and not Savage..............................................   81
III.
The Primitive State of Mankind, concluded......................... 112
IV.
The Aborigines of North America..................................... 153
V.
Religious Prejudices...................................................... 191
VI.
Address on the Occasion of the Centennial Birthday of George
Washington.............................................................  229
VII.
American Democracy:
PART  I.-Address to Farmers and Mechanics.........................  265
II.-The Federal Constitution......................................... 317
III.-What can the Government do for the People?............. 354
IV.-Tariff, Taxation, Bounties, Free Trade, Revenue, Protection............................................................ 376
V.-What can the People do for Themselves?.................... 394
(5)




6                                   CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
VIII.
PAGE
Thoughts on Presbyterian Church Government; or, Ecclesiastical
Polity.....................................................................                        399
IX.
The  Necessity  of Circulating  the  Bible................................. 459
X.
The Claims of the Bible. An Address before the Bible Society........................................................................                      479
XI.
Vindication of the Temperance Cause.................................. 505
XII.
Miscellaneous Essays.
Banks-Brokers-Usury.................................................  545
Maxims, Sophisms, Dogmas, Fallacies, Themes, Nothings, Suggestions..,,,,,..............................  553
Negro Slavery in America.....................................................   574
Free Banks-State Stock Banks........................  584
Riches —Poverty...........,..,,.....,....     589
The Whistle.......................................................................  602
Genteel Beggars..................................................................  607
The Seasons.............,,.....................................................  613
Punch and a Bishop...................................................  616
Christmas............................................    619
The American is a Spitting Animal............................ 623
The Weather and  Sundries..........,.,..,,.................................  626
Nashville: by a Kentuckian.............................................  631
A  Hint to the Easterns........................................................  636
Printers' Blunders........................................................  639
Horrid  Robbery and  Murder...................................................  643
A  Prodigious Prediction........................................................  647
Reminiscences of Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D.D., LL.D....,..   652
Thoughts on  Slavery.....,.....................,,......,,,,,,,,,,.   663




A SUPPLEMENTARY BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF THE AUTHOR.








INTRODUCTION TO VOL. III.
A SUPPLEMENTARY BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF THE AUTHOR.
BY THE EDITOR.
No full and connected biography of Dr. Lindsley has been attempted in these volumes. The life of a student and man of letters
is, for the most part, an uneventful one-at least uneventful as to single
outward acts of public and general interest. In the present instance
it has been thought that the best memoir, as well as the most lasting
monument of the author, is to be found in his writings-not in what
others may say of him, now that he is gone, but in what his own
living pen had left on record. The words of such a man are his
deeds, and when these are fully laid before the reader, but little
remains to the biographer. Under this impression, all that has been
aimed at in these introductory notices has been to present a fair estimate of his labours and influence in those fields to which his energies
were devoted, and to furnish only so much, in the way of fact and
incident, as might be needful to a right appreciation both of his writings and his character.
There is indeed no lack of materials for a full and even minute
account of his life and labours. He seems, from a very early period,
to have studied with pen in hand, and to the close of life to have kept
a record of all his most important movements.  Though there are
frequent indications in his private journals that he had, from time to
time, destroyed many manuscripts, still enough remains to furnish the
amplest materials for a full and circumstantial biography, even aside
from the accumulated and carefully preserved letters of his correspondents, during a period of forty-five years.  But as it has been our
(9)




10                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
purpose, in connection with his Educational Discourses, to give some
account of his work as an educator, and also some estimate of his
character as a preacher, in connection with his Religious Discourses, so
now, answering to the miscellaneous nature of this third volume, we
shall aim simply to bring forward some other points in his history,
which seem necessary to complete the picture, and to give the reader
as distinct a view as possible of his whole life, labour, and influence.
Even here, however, the story will be told, as far as possible, in his
own words, derived from records which, while penned with much care
and deliberation, were evidently never intended for the eye of the
public, but simply for the satisfaction and instruction of his children.
The life and character of every good man, especially of every eminently useful man, ought to be regarded, not as a private, but a public
heritage.  So far as the public may be interested in it and benefited
by it, it may be properly made known, even where the individual had
no such intention himself. It is with this view that the present supplementary memoir of Dr. Lindsley is now offered to the readers of
his works.
I. HIS EARLY STUDIES.
It is always interesting to trace back to their earliest beginnings
the influences which have resulted in a life of eminent usefulness. It
affords a pleasure akin to that which a traveller feels in standing at
the well-spring, high up in the mountains, of some beautiful and
mighty river, whose banks he had been long and slowly ascending
across half a continent. We have already given, in another place,
a brief running narrative of the prominent events of Dr. Lindsley's
life from its opening to its close. And the reader of these volumes,
like the traveller, will perhaps readily respond to the feeling just
suggested, on finding here, under his own hand, a record of the recollections and associations of that beginning. It is in the following
words:"I was born at the home of my maternal grandmother, about three
and a half miles southwest of Morristown, New Jersey. My parents
removed to their new dwelling while I was an infant. Of course all




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              11
my childish recollections and associations are of, and with, the house
and scenery of this my happy home. Oh I how I loved my grandfather,
my father, my two grandmothers, and my ever-blessed mother I The
only misery that I ever knew, during my younger years, was caused
by separation from my loved mother, when at boarding-school. To
see her-to sit by her-to listen to her voice —to share her smiles and
caresses-was all that my heart coveted. With her I was as happy
as I could be. When absent, I used to count the weary days and
nights to be endured before I could see her. Time then seemed to
have no wings. Why do mothers ever suffer their fond, delicate little
ones to go from home, to be entrusted to strangers, mercenary, perhaps heartless and repulsive? After all, my mother was incomparably my ablest teacher. In consequence of there being no good school
in my father's neighbourhood, I was sent away, when a little child,
just beginning to spell the first lessons in Dilworth, to board among
strangers, and to rouqh it among rude boys. I had a hard time of it.
It pains me to think of it even now.
"After three months' absence, I returned to my happy home. I
was again sent to a boarding-school for a few months-though I used
to come home on Saturdays, and remain until Monday morning.
This was not so severe a trial as the first. With the above exceptions, I lived at home, and went to school at New Vernon, about a
mile from my father's residence, until I began, in my thirteenth year,
to attend the classical academy of the Rev. Robert Finley, at Baskingridge.
"' The country about my father's residence was singularly beautiful,
variegated, and picturesque. The most lovely and striking scenery
was ever in view; and I greatly enjoyed it. I have seldom since been
equally impressed with the natural localities of any portion of our
country with which I am acquainted.  I was, like most lads, fond of
hunting, fishing, skating and other rural sports-though these never
interfered with my studies.  I always loved books and intelligent
people. I eagerly read history, biography, voyages, travels-everything which I could get hold of. I read the Bible (the gift of my
mother) through, long before I went to Mr. Finley's school. I soon




12                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
learned by heart the catechism, and various hymns, etc. These I
repeated to my mother, again and again.  She taught me to pray
before I could read. And I dared not go to sleep without repeating' Our Father,' and' Now I lay me down to sleep,' etc.
"At school I generally got the premium or prize, for being at the
head of my class, (a little book or penknife,) and the pleasure it
seemed to afford my mother was my chief reward. While at home,
I read, among other books, the whole of Rollin's Ancient History.
This I procured, by riding on horseback ten miles, of an uncle, who
loaned me one volume at a time, and who questioned me about the
contents, and closely inspected each returned volume, to see that I
had not injured or soiled it. Thus, in due time, I got through the:ten volumes. Mly delight in reading it was unbounded —and yet, -I
then knew nothing of geography.
"It was in the autumn of 1799 that I began to go to school to
Mr. Finley. He commenced teaching soon after his marriage. I was
one of his first six pupils, and was present on the first day. He taught
a year in his own house. I boarded with him. He was one of the
best teachers I have ever known. His school obtained great celebrity.
Here, on the first day of my entering the school, I began the study of
Latin. I continued at Mr. Finley's Academy, as it was called, three
years, with the exception of three months (one winter) at Morristown, under the tuition of Mr. James Stevenson, also a distinguished
teacher.  After the first year, Mr. Finley employed an usher, or
assistant, built a school-house, etc. He devoted several hours daily
to the school, during the whole period of its continuance; that is,
until he resigned his pastoral charge in 1817-having been appointed
President of the University of Georgia.  Thither he went, and there
he died October third of the same year.. The degree of D.D. had
been conferred on him by the College of New Jersey in April of that
year. I was then a Professor in the College, and Secretary of the
Board of Trustees."
The fullest account we find of his early classical studies and his first
attempts at teaching is in a letter (copied into one of his manuscript
volumes) addressed to Rev. P. E. Stevenson, of Wyoming, Pennsyl



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              13
vania, son of the gentleman mentioned in the preceding extract. It is
under date of New Albany, Indiana, June 23d, 1853, and is in answer
to a letter from Mr. Stevenson, who had requested him to furnish some
reminiscences of his father. The whole letter is one of great interest,
alike honourable to the character of the preceptor and the heart of
the pupil. We give here some extracts bearing on the matter of his
studies, and incipient labours as an educator. Speaking of Mr. Finley's Academy, he says
"I used to walk to school from home (a distance of three miles)
during the summer, or rather during all the year except the real
winter season. I was connected with said school three years, excepting one winter, that of 1801-2, which I passed at your father's Academy in Morristown.  While there, (at your father's Academy,)
among other things, I read several books of Homer's Iliad.  In the
spring I returned to Baskingridge.  At the close of three years, we,
that is myself and classmates, (Samuel L. Southard, Theodore Frelinghuysen, and Jacob Kirkpatrick, now D.D.,) entered the Junior
Class at Princeton, namely, in November, 1802.
"Immediately after graduation in 1804, Mr. Stevenson came to my
father's to engage me to assist him in the English department of his
school-then kept in his own house on Bridge Street.  His Academy
had been burnt down some time before.  I was not eighteen years old
by some three months, and had an awful dread of the magisterial
dignity thus pressed upon me. He offered me board in his family,
and to teach me French, as compensation. I was perfectly satisfied
with the terms, and only feared lest I should fail to meet his expectations. Thus in October or November, 1804, I began to work. At
the close of the quarter or session, (about the middle or end of March,
I think,) Mr. Stevenson very kindly expressed his obligations, with his
regrets that he could not do for me more than our contract impliedand at the same time handed me a ten-dollar bank-bill! This last
was wholly unexpected, and, as I felt, undeserved.  It was my first
earning: and did more (with his gracious words and manner) to
encourage me to go ahead and to rely on myself, than all other influences and considerations combined.




14                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
"In the April following (1805) I began to serve as usher or assistant in the school of Mr. Finley, at a salary of $300, without board.
There I continued two years. I spent the summer of 1807 at home
in bad health. On taking the degree of A.M. at the college' commencement of September, 1807, I was prevailed on by President Smith
to accept the Junior Tutorship in Nassau Hall. Thus my three most
respected teachers successively sought me out in my humble obscurity,
and almost compelled me to enter upon the course of labour and study
which I have followed to the present day.
"But your good father gave me the start-put me in the right
place, at the A B C of the art and mystery which he so admirably
adorned and ennobled. Had I begun at a higher post —with big
boys and Latin and Greek, I should probably have broken down or
given up in despair and disgust. He used to aid me-show me how
to get along —and so kindly and wisely I without seeming to interfere,
or even to assume any superiority. In the long evenings, after tea,
he generally came to my room for an hour or two, or more-when all
sorts of things were talked about besides French, which was my chief
study. Perrin's Grammar and Exercises were soon mastered, Telemaque read through, and other books looked into. We occasionally
took up a Greek or Latin poet, or rather he did —and then to hear
him read I I could have listened all night without dreaming or weariness. He was a thorough prosodist, and a capital reader of English,
Greek, Latin and French —especially of the finest poetic passages.
In all these languages he seemed perfectly at home. His scholarship
was minutely accurate-extending to, and embracing every grammatical nicety and idiomatic peculiarity. Among the many good teachers
with whom I have been acquainted during the last fifty years, the two
who constantly loom up in memory, as decidedly first and highest in
my estimation, are James Stevenson and Robert Finley. They were,
and are, my model educators. Their superiors I have not known.
Their equals I could not name. And yet they were most unlike each
other."
After drawing a graphic picture of the peculiar excellencies of this
good man, as the father and companion of his pupils, who could talk,




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             15
laugh and play with them "without compromising a particle of true
dignity," he says in conclusion: —
"His eminent worth as a teacher has ever exalted him, in my view,
as facile princeps among the nomina clara of that meritorious class
of benefactors to which he professionally belonged. I regret to have
written so largely of myself and so little of your father.
"N.B.-This is altogether a private communication, and not for
the public. With my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of
all the living representatives of our lamented and revered father, I
remain, very truly and respectfully, your Christian brother and most
obedient servant."
II. STUDIES AND ATTAINMENTS AT PRINCETON.
The period of Dr. Lindsley's residence at Princeton, from his acceptance of a Tutorship in 1807 to his final resignation and removal
to Nashville in 1824, was one of vigorous intellectual growth. During
these seventeen years-fourteen of them being spent in official connection with the College, and the rest, including a few brief absences and
excursions, in theological study-his course was steadily and rapidly
onward and upward. It was the period which determined and fixed his
whole subsequent career as an educator. It placed him at the headfacile princeps-of one of the three oldest and most important of our
Northern colleges, and gave him an extended and enviable reputation,
both as a scholar and an instructor.  We have often heard him refer
to the enthusiasm and delight with which he pursued the studies and
discharged the duties of this period. Especially was he in his element
as Librarian of the institution. There everything was systematized
and arranged with absolute perfection. It was his home, his sanctuary, his society. He knew every author familiarly, and every author's
precise place on the shelves. He knew all the different editions, and
was not satisfied with any but the best editions, and in all old standard
authors, regarded it as a great point, to procure the "Editiones Principes."
But, not to go into anything like a detailed account of the various
studies and attainments of this period, it will be sufficient to give the




16                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
general result and impression of the whole, as stated by a few competent judges, who saw him thus in his early prime. In a brief sketch
of him in the fourth volume of the Annals of the American Pulpit,
Dr. Sprague says: "When I became a member of the Theological
Seminary at Princeton, in 1816, Dr. Lindsley was a Professor in the
College. As soon as I saw him, and before I knew who he was, he
impressed me as a man of mark-his fine, intelligent and commanding
countenance, and symmetrical person, and dignified air, left me in no
doubt that he was one of -the intellectual nobility of the place. Though
he used regularly to attend the College Chapel, yet, during my connection with the Seminary, he never preached there, and I believe,
rarely, if ever, preached at all. But he used to attend very often the
evening exercises of the Seminary, which consisted in the discussion
of some question previously agreed upon; and on those occasions I
think he rarely failed to speak. And he never spoke without evincing
keen discrimination and great polemic dexterity. Whatever the subject might be he always took a liberal and enlarged view of it: and
showed the most expansive Christian sympathies. My impression
then was, and still is, that his views of Christian doctrine, as well as
of church polity, were of just about the same type with that of' Dr.
Smith, under whom he had studied, and for whose talents and character he cherished an almost boundless admiration.  My personal
acquaintance with him, while I was a member of the Seminary, was
very limited; and yet, so strongly marked was his character, that
there was perhaps no man in Princeton of whom I carried away a
more distinct impression."
Rev. Dr. Maclean, President of the College of New Jersey, in the
same work, writing after a lapse of thirty years, describes him at this
period in the following terms: "He was strong, fervid and bold; and
not altogether free from defects common to men of ardent mind and
nervous temperament.  In conversation and debate he was ready
and fluent; yet he very seldom ventured to preach without writing.
I have no recollection of his doing so more than once while he was
connected with this institution. His manner in the pulpit was plain
and unaffected, yet earnest and impressive. With the students he was




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.               17
a favourite preacher; and at their request he published several of his
sermons. The discourse which perhaps attracted more attention than
any other which he published during his residence here, was his' Plea
for the Theological Seminary.' It seems however to have wrought
differently upon different minds: for, while it led the Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester, Mass., to make a donation of a thousand dollars
to the Seminary, it gave great offence in certain other quarters, on
account of its supposed allusions to some prominent individuals; and
it was thought that this indirectly influenced him in declining the
presidency of the College, which was subsequently tendered him.
" In his attention to his professional duties, Dr. Lindsley was always
prompt and unflinching. Nothing short of absolute inability to leave
his house would induce him to absent himself from any college exercise which it belonged to him to conduct. As a college officer, he
was always popular, although he was sometimes severe in his rebukes.
He was easy of access, and ever ready to encourage and aid any one
desirous to advance in knowledge.  He was fond of conversation,
cheerful, and often playful in his remarks; and perhaps occasionally
somewhat unguarded. He was a warm and true friend, but manifested his friendship by actions rather than by professions. On this
point I can speak with entire confidence; for I testify of that of which
I have the best evidence possible. To few of my friends do I owe
more than to Dr. Lindsley. For a year after I was admitted to the
first degree in the Arts, he most kindly directed my studies; and tr
his recommendation chiefly I owed my appointment, first as Tutor,
and then as Professor in the College. Others of his pupils doubtless
can speak of like kindnesses shown to them; but none can have more
reason than I had to revere his memory."
There are abundant testimonials to show, that his whole career
at Princeton was one of extraordinary success and brilliancy. His
promptness and energy of character, his tact as a disciplinarian, his
accurate and extensive learning, his classic polish as a preacher, his
dignified and scholarly bearing, his enthusiastic zeal for letters,-all
these and other characteristics contributed to increase his popularity
among the students, and thus to spread his reputation over the
VOL. III. -2




18                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
country. Had he remained at Princeton, he would, no doubt, have
carried out, at an early day, many schemes of authorship which he
had already projected, and which seem to have been defeated by his
removal to a part of the country where the popular speech was then
more in demand than the learned treatise.  He had, in fact, at this
time, some works ready, or nearly ready, for the press, which were
never published. This was probably the case with his "Course of
Lectures on Greek Literature," delivered during this period, and, as
he tells us, intended for publication.  It was at all events so with
another work. We find a Prospectus among his papers, bearing
date of September, 1821, with the names of some sixty subscribers, in
which D. & E. Fenton, of Trenton, New Jersey, propose to publish, in
two volumes octavo, a "Course of Lectures on the Arts, Science and
Literature of the Ancients. By Prof. Lindsley, of the College of New
Jersey.'' At the time these large and learned treatises were written
and ready for the press he had not passed his thirty-fifth year; and it
is curious, but needless now, to conjecture, what a career of authorship
might have awaited him, had his life been spent at the East, instead
of the West. His case, however, is a striking illustration of the manner
in which men of the very first talents and attainments, once fully
engaged in the more active and diversified duties of a pioneer life in
the South and West, are compelled to relinquish projects of literary
and scientific labour which might have filled the world with their fame,
and to live comparatively unknown and unappreciated.  It is the
necessary lot of all labourers on new fields. They have the consolation, however, of preparing the way for others who shall come after
them, to reap the fruit, while they honour the memory of such faithful
toil. Still, these early habits of study, and these rich stores of learning, in Dr. Lindsley's case, were by no means lost.  They only prepared him the better for that great work to which his life was to be
devoted on a different and perhaps more important field.
It will not be out of place to introduce, in this connection, the two
following communications from his early companions in study, recently
received in reply to our inquiries touching his standing at Princeton
and his preceding history-the one from Dr. Isaac V. Brown, of




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.               19
Trenton, and the other from Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New
Brunswick:TRENTON, N. J., September 2, 1860.
DEAR SIR:-In regard to Dr. Lindsley's youth and early education, I may say, that he and I were members of Dr. Finley's Academy
in Baskingridge, New Jersey, at its origin-both boarders in his family
for some time and room mates. He was always quite sensitive, but we
harmonized very well. I was fond of him. He was studious, orderly
and peaceful.  Being rather slender, young and feeble, he did not
enter very warmly into the athletic exercises and competitions of the
boys in general, but passed the interim of school hours in reading
-some amusing book or in study.  This will account, in some measure,
for his being pre-eminent as a scholar, in all classes and in all studies.
In college he shone quite conspicuously, particularly in the Ancient
Classics and in Belles-Lettres studies.  Hence he was a classical
writer of the highest order in our own native tongue. I had ample
opportunities to know that he could write Latin with great facility.
In the Greek also he was very accomplished at that early period.
When Xenophon's Anabasis was first introduced pretty generally
among the students at Princeton, as a novel, more than a class-book,
he observed to me, that "he had read it through for amusement in
one day."
Dr. Lindsley had the respect and confidence of the Trustees and
literary gentlemen sympathizing with Princeton College very generally; and in this spirit, I think with unanimity, we offered to him the
presidency of that institution. But some peculiar views and difficulties in his own mind on this subject, inclined him to prefer his most
important and valuable adventure to the West-a decision which
resulted in conferring upon the growing population of the great
Western Valley inestimable and countless literary, moral and religious benefits. During the last year of his life he and I had extensive
correspondence, reviewing the scenes and events of our early days.
These letters contain nothing that would be valuable to you. The
correspondence closed with a promise on my part to spend a week
with him at New Albany, just preceding the Assembly's meeting at




20                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
Nashville. Indisposition prevented my undertaking so long a journey, and his death soon after, interrupted forever our subsequent
intercourse in this world.
With great respect, dear sir, yours, etc.
ISAAC V. BROWN.
NEw BRuNswICK, August 27, 1860.
DEAR SIR:-I am glad to learn, from your favour received to-day,
that you are preparing a memorial of the life of my early friend and
classmate, Dr. Philip Lindsley, formerly of this State, and I cheerfully comply with your request, and send a few lines in respect to my
recollections of him at Princeton College.
My acquaintance with Dr. L. commenced at Baskingridge, New Jersey, as a classmate with him at Mr. Finley's Academy, in 1800. From
that institution we entered Princeton College in 1802, and graduated
in 1804. Our class with Mr. Finley was composed of Dr. Lindsley,
Dr. Kirkpatrick, Samuel L. Southard, Mr. Albanus Logan, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and myself. Dr. Kirkpatrick and myself survive.
Of my friend Dr. Lindsley it is pleasant to remember his uniform
diligence, propriety and excellent scholarship.  He loved his booksoften when we, his fellows, were pursuing the sports of the bat and
ball, he would be exploring the roots of the classics. And yet he was
genial, and had a ready sympathy with our youthful pleasures.
After our graduation, I renewed a happy companionship with him
at Princeton-he as Tutor in the College and I as a student at law.
In all the relations of life he was an exemplary Christian gentleman
-an honour to his native State of New Jersey and to the cause of
sound science and religion. He left to his children the richest of all
legacies-a good name.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
THEO. FRELINGHUYSEN.
In addition to these, we subjoin the following letter from Dr. Robert
Baird, author of "Religion in America," and other works, addressed to
the Editor, under date of Yonkers, New York, October 8, 1860, giving
his personal recollections of the same, as well as of a later period:MY DEAR SIR:-I entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              21
in the autumn of 1819, and went through the course of three years'
studies in that highly-favoured institution. As I had not pursued my
academical studies at the College of New Jersey, I did not become acquainted with the Rev. Dr. Lindsley (or Professor Lindsley, as he was
then called) until I had been there a year, if not longer. From the
autumn of 1821 to that of 1822-my third and last year in the Theological Seminary-I was a Tutor in the College, having succeeded the
late Rev. Dr. John Breckinridge in that office, and of course was thrown
much into the company of Dr. Lindsley —who was Professor of Languages in the institution as well as Vice-President of it-by reason of
the official intercourse which the duties of the several members of the
Faculty required. During that year, my acquaintance with that distinguished scholar, teacher, writer and preacher, which had commenced
the year before, became quite intimate; and during the following
year I saw much of him, for I took charge of an Academy or Grammar School in Princeton, upon leaving the Theological Seminary, and
held it during five years and a half.  Dr. Lindsley only remained one
year after I left the College. During that year, however, my intercourse with him was even more frequent and intimate than during my
tutorship. Nine or ten years afterwards I spent a fortnight with him
at Nashville, Tennessee. A year or two later still, I had the pleasure
of seeing him at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
in Philadelphia, where I then resided. After that I never met him
again until I spent a night with him at New Albany, in the early
spring of 1855, only a few months before he died.
Of Dr. Lindsley's appearance, manner, tones of voice and mode of
speaking, I have a most vivid recollection.  He was one of the ripest
scholars in all that constitutes classic and general literature, including
history, I have ever known. His style of writing possessed the two
great qualities of clearness and strength, rather than smoothness and
refinement. It was a fair type of his style of speaking, which was
dignified, emphatic and forcible. He preached very seldom whilst he
was a Professor in the College of New Jersey. I think I heard only
three or four of these sermons, nearly all of which, I believe, were published. A few of the sermons which he preached during his stay at




22                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
Princeton, after I came to the place, I did not have the privilege to
hear. So great was his reputation for scholarship, for the originality
of his conceptions, boldness in the expression of them, and a certain
indescribable intonation, look and manner, that the College Chapel
was sure to be crowded when he preached, by the students of the two
institutions (College and Theological Seminary) and such of the citizens-as may have been so fortunate as to hear that he was going to
occupy the pulpit. He usually read his sermons, but not very closely,
if I remember rightly. But whether closely or not, his manner and
tones of voice were so striking that it was impossible for an audience
not to hear him with intensest interest.
Dr. Lindsley's influence over the minds of the students was extraordinary. He was an excellent teacher; but his manner was so decided
and dignified, that it diffused over every class that came before him a
certain awe that rendered all trifling to be impossible. A good deal
of this same feeling pervaded the congregation when he preached. I
can hardly conceive of a man who could have more influence over
young men in the lecture-room, or over a congregation composed of
intelligent hearers. He was, in every sense, no ordinary man, whether
natural endowments, mental culture and acquisitions, manner or voice
be considered. I can never think of him without the deepest pensiveness; for he was a friend to whom I feel that I owe much, and whose
influence I enjoyed at the period of life when I most needed it.
With great respect, I am yours, most truly,
R. BAIRD.
III. HIS REMOVAL TO THE WEST.
Situated as Dr Lindsley was at Princeton, with everything around him
congenial to his tastes and studies, having already an ample salary and
the professorship of his choice, and with the presidency of his Alma
Mater urgently pressed upon him, it seemed surprising, and to some
unaccountable, that he should have resigned all the bright prospects
of usefulness and honour which awaited him there, to go to what was
then a comparatively new country, and take charge of an institution, at
the time almost unknown, and even struggling for existence. At the




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              23
first, and indeed for several years, he utterly declined all overtures for
a removal. As early as 1817, he had twice declined the presidency of
Transylvania University in Kentucky: subsequently he declined that
of the Ohio University at Athens. It was not until Cumberland College had waited on him a year, refusing to take any denial, that he
consented to accept that position: and, as he states, not without a
very great struggle at last. We are not left, however, to conjecture,
as to the motives which governed him in this important step. He
has placed on record the reasons for his choice. And they are alike
satisfactory and creditable to him as a Christian minister and a lover
of his country. The prevailing motive seems to have been that he
might accomplish a greater and more needful work than he could have
done where he was. The following extracts from'his journal and letters will show at once, why he refused the presidency at Princeton, and
why at last he was constrained to take a presidency in the Southwest.
Speaking of the offer from the Ohio University, in 1823, he says:
"It was then my fixed purpose never to accept of a college presidency
anywhere. I infinitely preferred my peaceful classical chair at Princeton."  He had then already declined the first invitation to Nashville,
and the year before, 1822, on the resignation of Dr. Ashbel Green, had
absolutely refused to be elected his successor in the presidency of
Nassau Hall. But still, in April, 1823, after serving one year as the
actual president of the institution, and after Dr. John H. Rice, of Virginia, whom he had nominated, had also declined, he was again proposed,
and, without his knowledge, unanimously elected, "notwithstanding,"
says he, "my well-known disinclination to the office."  He again
declined; whereupon Dr. James Carnahan was chosen. All the proceedings in the case (of which he has preserved a careful record) show
that his highest wish at this time, was to remain at Princeton and
retain his loved Greek professorship. As to the presidency, he says,
"I did not think myself qualified for so arduous and responsible a
trust."   Long afterwards, when the invitations and overtures mentioned in a former notice were crowding upon him from all quarters,
he makes the following entry: "I here state, once for all, that I never,
directly or indirectly, sought a college office or appointment. I was




24                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
in no instance, when elected, consulted beforehand. In all cases, when
solicited to be a candidate, I refused, and was not chosen. So that
every actual appointment took me completely by surprise-as much so
as if it had come from the moon."
In 1824, after having at last visited Nashville and decided to accept
the presidency of Cumberland College, he was authorized by its Board
of Trustees, on returning to the East, to receive donations there in
money, books and apparatus for the institution. He issued a circular
to that effect, to his friends, which was also published in the Eastern
papers. From that document, and from his correspondence with the
Board of Trustees-all preserved among his papers-we learn what
were the motives which prevailed on him to give up the "peaceful
classical chair at Princeton" and cast in his lot with the people of the
West. In the former he says: "Throughout the immense valley of
the- Lower Mississippi, containing at least a million of inhabitants,
there exists not a single college.  Hitherto a few wealthy individuals
have sent their sons to Northern and Eastern institutions, while the
great body of the people have been unable to afford the expense, or
indisposed to subject their children to the danger and inconvenience of
so long a journey and of so distant a residence from the parental roof.
The time has arrived when thev must have the means of education at
their own doors, or be deprived of its benefits altogether. It is the
purpose of the friends of Cumberland College, in attempting to give it
a respectable and efficient organization, to remedy the existing evils to
the greatest extent within their power."
But he expresses his mind more fully in a letter, dated Princeton,
January 2, 1824, (while the matter of his acceptance was still pending) and addressed "To J. Trimble, HI. Crabb, R. C. Foster, E. H.
Foster, and A. Balch, Esquires, Committee, Nashville, Tennessee." The
letter is long, and we have room for only a few extracts, bearing on the
present point.
" Having been repeatedly invited to the most respectable institutions
in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, I begin to think, contrary to all my
former views and predilections, that Providence has destined me for
the West. I will deal frankly with you. I had given the preference, in




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              25
my own mind to Nashville over every other place beyond the mount.
ains which has been proposed to me. There were several things, however, which I was desirous to ascertain, with as much certainty as
possible, before I could feel myself justifiable in acceding to your proposals."
After mentioning several of these, such as the healthfulness of the
climate, the prospect of salary, the expenses of the journey, etc., he
says: "I wished to be assured of a reasonable prospect of buildidg up
an institution worthy of the name of a college, and worthy of the
country in which it is located, and of the age in which we live. This
would be my chief and prevailing motive and object in undertaking so
difficult and arduous an enterprise. As a means of pecuniary emolument I would not think of it a single moment. I have no idea that
my situation, in this particular, would be improved by this, or by any
change. Could I, however, upon good grounds, indulge the hope.of
becoming the happy instrument of reviving and establishing your college, upon a broad and permanent basis, without any serious injury to
my family, I should be ready to embark heart and hand in the undertaking."
He then gives his views at length upon the whole subject of professorships, course of studies, etc., and concludes as follows: "Should
I be induced by your repeated and earnest solicitations to leave the
land of my fathers, and of all those early and long-cherished associations, which mainly contribute to happiness in this life, I shall need
much of your generous sympathy and indulgence. I shall calculate
on meeting you as friends and brothers; on receiving from you every
kindly aid and support, which my peculiar situation may require; andon your cordially co-operating, with one mind and with steady purpose,
to promote the best interests of a great public institution-destined,
we will hope, to become, under the smiles of a gracious Providence,
the richest blessing of which a free and Christian.country can boast. I
pray God to direct you and me in the right way, and to bring this matter to such a result as will insure, his lasting favour and benediction."
It has already been stated, that, in addition to his other duties, he
had acted as President at Princeton for one year after Dr. Green's




26.                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
resignation, that is, from September, 1822, to August, 1823.  The
Board of Trustees, at their meeting August fifth, passed the following
resolution, namely:"That the thanks of this Board be given to the Rev. Dr. Lindsley
for the faithful and able-manner in which he has discharged the duties of
President of the College, since the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Green,
in September last; and that Dr. Miller and Mr. Woodhull be a committee to communicate to Dr. Lindsley the high sense which the
Board entertain of the value of those services so honourable to himself and so useful to the College.
(Signed)                 "GEORGE S. WOODHULL, Clerk."
And the following is a copy of his final letter of resignation of the
offices of Professor, Vice-President, etc.
To the Honourable the Board of Trustees of the College of New
Jersey.
GENTLEMEN:-Constrained by circumstances which could neither
be foreseen nor controlled, to accept the Presidency of Cumberland
College in Tennessee, I beg leave to resign the office of Professor, etc.,
in the' College of New Jersey. Having been connected with this institution since the period of early youth, it cannot be supposed that I
leave it with indifference. I regret that it has not been in my power to
render it any service at all adequate to the benefits received and the
privileges enjoyed. With my best wishes for its continued prosperity,
and for the happiness of all concerned in its government and instruction, and with sentiments of gratitude which time and distance can
only increase, I bid the honoured guardians of Nassau Hall an affectionate, a respectful, and a final farewell.
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
PHILIP LINDSLEY.
PRINCETON, September 28, 1824.
Accordingly on the fifteenth of October following he set out for Nashville, with his family-Mrs. Lindsley and four children-and arrived
there on the twenty-fourth of December. The College had been opened
with thirty students about the middle of November, under Prof. George




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OP THE AUTHOR.                 2T
W. McGehee and Tutor (afterwards Professor) Nathaniel Cross, whom
he had engaged, and who had preceded him to the place.
On the 12th of January, 1825, the ceremonies of his Inauguration
took place with considerable pomp and parade.  Before leaving
Princeton, he had, in order to be prepared for any emergency, written
two Inaugural addresses-one in English, and one in Latin according
to the usage of the old colleges. The Trustees preferred English to
Latin. So he delivered the English address to a crowded audience at
the Presbyterian Church. It was immediately printed in the newspapers, and two thousand copies in pamphlet form. "This," says he,
I"was probably the first English  Inaugural on similar occasions.
There have been none in Latin since. The views expressed, though
trite and commonplace now, were sufficiently novel then, to command.
a good deal of attention."*
IV. HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES.
Dr. Lindsley seems to have had his attention specially turned at a very
early period to the investigation of the science, literature and civilization of the ancients.. There was probably no department of learning
in which he was more fully read, and to which he had devoted more
close and careful study. It may be questioned whether any scholar in
our country has ever had a more extensive and minute acquaintance
with the whole literature of the subject, or gone into it with a more
hearty and enthusiastic devotion.  It continued to be, through the
* It was always his custom, while President at Nashville, to confer degrees in
Latin, addressing briefly the Board of Trustees, the Faculty, and the graduates
in that language, and wearing the robes of office. We find among his papers a
Latin Baccalaureate, entitled, "Oratio de Eloquentia," which was pronounced
at the beginning of the exercises of the seventh annual commencement of the
University, October 3, 1832. Though few of the audience could follow him on
these occasions, still they listened with great interest, attracted by his graceful
manner and the exceeding distinctness and precision with which he spoke the
language. The people felt that they could almost understand it: or at any rate,
that it was not lost on their boys. While at Princeton, he still adhered to the
old custom of teaching the Greek (at least to the lower classes) in the use of the
Latin-Greek Grammar.




28                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
whole period of his professional life, one of his richest themes of instruction in the lecture-room, as well as one of his most interesting
topics of conversation in literary and cultivated circles. And not unfrequently, both in the pulpit and through the press, he took occasion
to bring out, in popular form, the rich treasures of learning which he
had gathered in this wide domain. He states in a note to one of his
early manuscript volumes on this subject, that the material thus collected had served as the text for much extemporaneous commentary
and illustration. We find among his papers a course of lectures carefully written out, in six manuscript volumes, and bearing the following
title —"Archieology-Hints and Materials for a Course of Lectures on
the Arts, Science and Literature of Antiquity. Delivered to a Volunteer Class in the College of New Jersey, during the Winter Session
of 1820 and 1821."
In these volumes he discusses, among other kindred topics, the origin
and affinities of language, the population of the ancient world, the
peopling of America, the creation of the earth, the deluge, the primitive state of mankind, origin of the arts, unity and diversity of human
species, early history of mankind, progress of civilization, science of
the Egyptians and Chaldeans, geography of the ancients, navigation
and commerce of the ancient world, painting, sculpture, and architecture of the Egyptians, medical art in Egypt, chemistr?, metallurgy,
characteristic differences of Greek and Latin poetry, originality of the
classic writers, originality of Homer. But no one could derive from
this mere outline of topics anything like an adequate conception of
the amount of reading and research everywhere indicated in the volumes themselves. On a blank page at the beginning stand the following words: "N.B.-These volumes do not contain my lectures on.Greek Literature, which were once designed for publication.  Here
will be found only miscellaneous hints and quotations for occasional
extemporaneous remarks, illustrations, etc.  They may be of some
use to my children in their private studies. Not a sentence, however,
is ever to be published."
We have not felt at liberty to violate this last decided prohibition,
though we know that at one time he designed the work for publication.




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             29
Accordingly, nothing from these volumes, which still remain, rich as
they are in learning and full of interest, has found a place in the works
now collected and published.  The Lectures on Greek Literature,
which he refers to as being also designed for the press, were never
published. As he found it difficult to satisfy his own mind, they fell
victims to one of those manuscript burnings, of which mention is made
from time to time in his journal. He had studied the Greek language
with that minute criticism which an artist carries into the study of the
finest models in nature, and he had been accustomed to teach it with
all the enthusiasm of an amateur. It is deeply to be regretted that he
did not carry out his intention of publishing those Lectures on Greek
Literature. The injunction against publishing the Lectures on Archbeology, was probably owing, partly to their being prepared in a somewhat
fragmentary form, and partly to the fact, that at the earnest solicitation
of the editor of the American Biblical Repository he was induced to
publish the substance of one or two of them in that journal in 1840
and 1841. On the fly-leaf of one of the manuscript volumes, he says:
"The substance of the following lecture, corrected and improved, was
published in the American Biblical Repository for July, 1841." The
reader will find that article, and also two others from the same journal,
republished in this third volume of his works: and from them may
form an idea of the ability and learning of the whole series. The articles excited no little attention at the time, both in our own country
and in England, and were regarded as establishing clearly his main
positions, that the original and most ancient condition of the human
family was civilized and not savage; and that in every age of the
world civilized man has somewhere been found.
Since the time of Dr. Lindsley's preparation of these lectures in the
winter of 1820, and even since the publication of a few of them in the
Biblical Repository for 1841, there has been vast progress made in
this whole field of investigation. The position so boldly taken by
him from the beginning, and ever afterwards defended with so much
ability and eloquence, namely, that the great Oriental nations, which
figure in the early Bible history, had reached a degree of civilization
and of advancement in art, science and literature, which the modern




so30                   A SUPPLEMENTARY
world has never given them credit for-has been but the more and
more confirmed by all the recent researches in Egypt, the explorations
in Arabia and Palestine, and the wonderful discoveries at Nineveh
and Babylon. He seems to have been led, as a necessary deduction
from his classical and archaeological studies, to precisely those conclusions which have since been put beyond all controversy, by the actual
observations and discoveries of travellers on the ground. But Layard
and Rawlinson in Babylonia, Champollion, Rosellini, Wilkinson and
Lepsius in Egypt, after inspecting for themselves all these wonderful
monuments of ancient greatness, could not have had a deeper conviction of the truth thus established, nor have more zealously defended it
against all cavillers, than Dr. Lindsley did as far back as 1820, before
any of their explorations began. There was no one thing which ever
made a deeper impression on the writer's mind, while under Dr. Lindsley's instruction as a pupil from 1831 to 1834, than the glowing eloquence with which he entered into this theme in the lecture-room, and
with which he seemed to open for us a new world of power and beauty
amid the ruins of the old.
As to his general reading, it was, both in extent and variety, far
beyond the ordinary range of men engaged in the duties of the practical educator or the minister of the gospel. In fact it is a matter of
wonder how he found the time to read as much as he did.  "What
are you reading now, Doctor?" said the writer on one occasion, entering his study and seeing a book open on the table. "Oh, nothing
but Gibbon, for the fortieth time perhaps," was the reply.  This
playful exaggeration was simply to indicate what was with him a
common habit-that of a repeated reading of the same author.  The
following paper, copied here as it stands in his journal, and evidently
written with no expectation of its ever seeing the light, is perhaps the
best illustration we can give of the way his time was spent in the study,
when he had reached his sixty-first year. It is curious and instructive,
not only as showing an ardent thirst for knowledge unabated by the
lapse of years, but an amount and range of reading which few men
are able to compass at any age:"December 28, 1847.-I have, this evening, completed the reading




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             31
of The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England, by
Edward (Hyde) Earl of Clarendon.  Oxford, 1839.  Best edition.
(I had previously read Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches, with
Elucidations by Thomas Carlyle; also, The Protector: A Vindication, by J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, D.D., as well as all the great histories-Hume, Henry, Lingard, Pictorial England, Universal History,
Russell, Alison, etc. at different periods.) I had often'looked' into
Clarendon, but had never thoroughly studied him before. Rather
hard reading, with his endless periods, each including a score or two
of facts, incidents and sage reflections, put together with much labour,
art and skill, but with little or nothing of the natural, transparent,
graceful simplicity of diction and style, which everybody sees through
at a glance, and always reads with ease and pleasure. The details,
minute and prolix as they are, especially his biographical sketches, are
often amusing and singularly interesting. His prejudices and fixed
opinions are too obvious to mislead. The statesman, the demagogue,
the enthusiast, the reformer, the radical, the whig, the tory, the Presbyterian, the Churchman, the Independent, the revolutionist, the warrior, the noble, the plebs, may all be instructed, perhaps enlightened,
by the perusal of the book. It is a good —probably the best-picture
or description of the wickedness of the age. The venality, cowardice,
treachery, avarice, selfishness, hypocrisy, ambition, bigotry, cunning,
knavery, of all classes, orders, sects and parties, throughout England,
Scotland and Ireland, could hardly be surpassed, and are boldly ex-'hibited.  Cromwell and Monk became the most conspicuous and were
the most fortunate amid the host of adventurers. The Restoration
of the Second Charles was more remarkable even, and, at the time,
more unlooked-for, than the deposition and judicial execution of the
First.
"I have also lately read again Bishop Burnett's History of his own
Times, from the Restoration of King Charles II. to the Conclusion
of the Treaty of Peace at Utrecht in the Reign of Queen Anne. The
more I read him, the better I like him, notwithstanding his faults and
foibles. The Table Talk of John Selden, Esq., with a Biographical
Preface and Notes by S. W. Singer, Esq., London, 1847, contains




32                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
some curious facts, and several opinions and speculations rather novel
for the age in which he lived.
"December 31.-Among the books which I have read within the
last~ few months, are the entire works of Edmund Burke, in nine
volumes, Boston, 1839. I had read much of Burke before, and often.
He is worth a very careful and discriminating study by conservative
politicians and by the amateurs of classic English.  In elaborate
elegance of style-in learning, wit, (or humour,) sagacity, candour,
patriotism, wisdom, integrity, devotion to Church and State as by law
established; hatred to all Gallican revolutionary acts and projects, love
of justice at home and abroad, opposition to tyranny in India and
America, etc., he was primus inter pares-a great man in a brilliant
age-good, wise, eloquent, brave.
"By-the-way, I wish I had kept some note or account of the books
read, since I became a reader, which is nearly ever since I can remember anything. I have read far too many. I have been always reading. I read rapidly, and read all sorts of books. I will try to set
down such as I have read during the year (1847) ending this day.
Besides those already specified are the following: Elements of International Law, by Henry Wheaton, LL.D., third edition, 1846-(I had
read the first edition before, as well as Kent, and all the standard
authors;) System of Logic, by John Stuart Mill; Elements of Logic,
by Henry P. Tappan; Exposition of the Constitution of the United
States, by Joseph Story, LL.D.; the Elements of Morality, by William Whewell, D.D.; German University Education, by Walter C.
Perry, Phil. Dr.; The Literary Remains of the Rev. Jonathan Maxy,
D.D., by Romeo Elton, D.D.; Essays on Christian Union, by Thomas
Chalmers, D.D., and seven other eminent ministers; The Sufferings
of Christ, by a Layman; The Statesman's Manual, containing the
Addresses and Messages of the Presidents, etc., in two thick volumes,
8vo., by Edwin Williams; Supplementary Volume to the Encyclopeedia
Americana, (vol. 14,) by Henry Vethake, LL.D.; Historical Sketch
of Trinity Church, N.Y., by the Rev. William Berrian, D.D.; Memoirs
of Eminent Christian Females, by the Rev. James Gardner, A.M.,
M.D.; Life of Reginald Heber, D.D., Bishop of Calcutta, by his




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.            33
Widow, two large volumes, (second reading;) The Works of Charles
Lamb, two vols., by Thomas Noon Talfourd, (second reading;) Washington and his Generals, by J. T. Headley, (with several other works
of the same author;) Pictorial Life of Taylor, and others; Life of
Jeremy Belknap, D.D., by his Granddaughter, 1847; Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed, by his grandson, William B. Reed, two
vols., 1847; History of the Presbyterian Church in the State of Kentucky, by the Rev. Robert Davidson, D.D., 1847; Sketches of North
Carolina, Historical and Biographical, by the Rev. William Henry
Foote; History of Rome, by Dr. Leonhard Schmitz, F.R.S.E., Rector of the High School of Edinburgh, 1847; Documents and Letters
intended to illustrate the Revolutionary Incidents of Queen's County,
L. I., by Henry Onderdonk, Jr., New York, 1846; The Correspondence and Miscellanies of the Hon. John Cotton Smith, LL.D., formerly Governor of Connecticut, by Rev. Wm. W. Andrews, 1847;
Amenities of Literature, by I. D'Israeli, two volumes, (second reading;) also, Curiosities of Literature, by the same, in five volumes,
(second or third reading;) Lectures on the Principal Doctrines and
Practices of the Catholic Church, by Nicholas Wiseman, D.D., etc.;
Memoirs of the most eminent American Mechanics, by Henry Howe,
New York, 1847; Memoranda of a Residence at the Court of London,
by Richard Rush; History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts of
Design in the United States, by William Dunlap, two volumes; Annals and Occurrences of New York City and State in the Olden Time,
by John F. Watson; The History of Long Island, from its Discovery
and Settlement to the Present Time, by Benjamin F. Thompson, two
volumes; History of the New Netherlands, Province of New York
and State, etc., by William Dunlap, two volumes; The History of
New Jersey, from its Discovery by Europeans, etc., by Thomas F.
Gordon; A Memoir of the Life of William Livingston, by Theodore
Sedgwick, Jr.; Collections of the New York Historical Society for
the year 1809, (vol. 1;) Reminiscences of Old Gloucester, etc., by
Isaac Mickle; Historical Notes of the American Colonies and Revolution, from  1754 to 1775, by William Griffith, Burlington, N. J.,
VOL. III. -3




34                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
1843; An Authentic Historical Memoir of the Schuylkill Fishing
Company, etc.; A History of Long Island, etc., by Nathaniel S.
Prime, 1845; Notes on the Early Settlement of the Northwestern
Territory, by Jacob Burnet, 1847; The Life of William Alexander,
Earl of Sterling, etc., by William A. Duer, LL.D., 1847; Memoirs
of his Own Time, with Reminiscences of the Men and Events of the
Revolution, by Alexander Graydon, 1846; Lyell's Travels in North
America; Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society, vol. 1,
1846; history of New Netherlands, or New York under the Dutch,
by E. B. O'Callaghan, 1846; Travels Over the Table Lands and Cordilleras of Mexico, during the years 1843 and 1844, by Albert M.
Gilliam; The Student Life of Germany, by William Howitt; Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles, by John Dick, D.D.; Lectures on
the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, by Thomas Chalmers,
D.D., LL.D.; Writings of Hugh Swinton Legard, edited by his Son,
in 2 vols., 1846; Transactions of the American Ethnological Society,
(vol. 1;) Clinton's Fasti Hellenici, 3 vols. 4to.; Harleian Miscellany,12 vols. 8vo.; Menzel's German Literature, 4 vols. 8vo.; Fosbroke's
Encyclopoedia of Antiquities, 2 vols. 8vo.; Nichol's Illustrations of
the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century, 6 vols. 8vo.; Belknap's American Biography, 2 vols. 8vo.; Burnett's History of the
Reformation, 7 vols. 8vo.; Prize Essays on a Congress of Nations;
Book of Peace; Hancock on Peace; Upham on Peace; Dymond on
War, etc.; Public Documents, Executive and Congressional; Senate
Documents; House Journal; etc. etc.
"(By-the-way, I have read, from time to time, the numerous volumes
of Public Documents, Journals, Diplomatic Correspondence, etc., published by order of Congress, edited by Sparks, Force, etc.; the Madison Papers; Washington's Life and Letters, by Sparks, with all of
Sparks's publications. How many volumes belong to this category,
and how many to the present year, I cannot tell.)
"History of the Church of Scotland, by Rev. W. M. Hetherington,
A.M.; A Cycloppedia of Biblical Literature, edited by John Kitto,
D.D., F.S.A., 2 vols. —(in this work, article Antediluvians, vol. i. pp.
156-158, my Essays in the American Biblical Repository are respect



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.            35
fully referred to, and my theory is sustained;) reviews, pamphlets,
tracts, newspapers, periodicals of all kinds; articles in various encyclopuedias, commentaries, dictionaries; passages in the Greek, Latin
and French classics; authors consulted for special purposes, etc., far
more than could be named; sundry works of Carlyle, Brougham,
Merle D'Aubigne, Guizot, Lyell, Tupper, Stephens, Prescott; a tract
entitled True and Faithful Relation of a Worthy Discourse between
Colonel John Hampden and Colonel Oliver Cromwell, preceded by
an Explanatory Preface, London, 1847, being an exact reprint or
fac-simile of the original or first edition —(this tract purports to be
written by William Spurstowe, Minister of the Word and Rector of
the parish of Great Hampden in 1636)-the motto of Hampden was,'Vestigia nulla retrorsum;''The Lord is our strength,' was that of
Cromwell. Vision; or, Hell, Purgatory and Paradise of Dante Alighieri, translated by Rev. Henry F. Cary, A.M., London, 1844;
Sketches of Modern Literature and Emillent Literary Men, (being a
Gallery of Literary Portraits,) by George Gilfillan; Ireland's Welcome to the Stranger, by A. Nicholson, New York, 1847; The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns, with Life, by James Currie,
M.D., New York, 1846; The Jerusalem Delivered of Torquato Tasso,
translated by J. H. Wiffin, New York, 1846; Memoirs of the Queens
of France, by Mrs. Forbes Bush, 2 vols., Philadelphia, 1847; Religio
Medici, by Sir Thomas Browne; Vestiges of the Natural History of
Creation; Two Volumes of Scottish Biography, by Thomas Murray,
LL.D., (sent me by John Coltart, Esq.;) Brougham's Statesmen;
Memoir of De Witt Clinton, by David Hosack, M.D., F.R.S., 4to.,
New York, 1829; Diary Illustrative of the Times of George the
Fourth, Paris, 1838, 2 vols. 12mo.; The Life of Edmund Kean; The
Early Jesuit Missions in North America, by Rev. Wm. Ingraham
Kip; Supernaturalism in New England, by J. G. Whittier; Sketches
of the History of Roman Literature, by Wilkins Tannehill, Nashville,
1846; Memoir of Baron Cuvier, by Mrs. R. Lee, New York, 1847;
An Introduction to the Study of Ancient Geography, by P. E. Laurent, Oxford, (England,) 1830; Metaphysical Works of Immanuel
Kant, translated from the German by John Richardson, London,




36                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
1836; Arnold's Life and Correspondence, by Stanley; History of
the Conquest of Peru, by W. H. Prescott, 1847.
"May 30, 1848.-Received (as previously ordered) a copy of Manilius, in 2 vols. 8vo., viz.:' M. Manilii Astronomicon ex editione Bentleiana cum notis et interpretatione in usum Delphini variis lectionibus
notis variorum recensu editionum, et codicum et indice locupletissimo
accurate recensitum. In duobus voluminibus. Londini: curante et
imprimente, A. J. Valpy, A.M., 1828.' Also, Jouffroy's Introduction
to Ethics, including a Critical Survey of Moral Systems, translated
from the French (of Jouffroy) by Wm. H. Channing, 2 vols. 12mo..
Boston, 1845. The famous motto, or inscription, prepared for Franklin,'Eripuit ccelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis,' was doubtless borrowed from Manilius. See lib. i. line 104, namely,'Eripuitque Jovi
fulmen viresque tonandi.'"
The foregoing extracts, though-long, and intended by the author
only for the eye of his children, we trust will -not be deemed out of
place here, as showing something of the inner life of a student, with
the diversified character of his books, and the familiar acquaintance
which he must have cultivated with them.
V. LECTURES ON POLITICAL ECONOMY, LAW AND GOVERNMENT.
It will be observed that a very large proportion of the works mentioned by Dr. Lindsley in the foregoing record of his reading for a
year, belong to the wide domain of Political Science. Holding that
all knowledge was useful and important, he did not restrict himself to
any particular branch of it, but sought to cultivate an acquaintance
with the whole circle of the sciences. Hence, as the list of works just
referred to might indicate, we find him as familiar with all the standard writers on civil government, constitutional and international law,
ethics and political economy, as he was with theology, classical literature, archmeology or general history. In fact, the strong, practical cast
of his mind, while it kept him from going very far into the region of
abstract speculation and metaphysical philosophy, seems to have given
him a peculiar fondness for the great matter-of-fact questions of morals,
jurisprudence, government and political economy. On all these points




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              37
he not only read much, but thought much. He was, in fact, a statesman,
so far forth as any man can be a statesman without taking part in the
actual administration of public affairs. And he was, no doubt, a hundredfold better qualified for such administration than hundreds in our
country, who, without either experience or knowledge, are intrusted
with it.  But, deeply read in the whole science of government, and
ever watching the progress of political affairs, with the double interest
of a Christian philosopher and a true patriot, he was, on all questions
involving civil and religious liberty, public morals, the administration
of justice, the relation of capital and labour, the wealth of nations,
banking and finance, a profound, practical thinker. In respect for his
high calling as a minister of the gospel, he always kept aloof from the
petty partisan politics of the day, quietly pointing out the errors and
the virtues of both sides, as occasion offered. But in his own proper
sphere, the lecture-room, and occasionally in more formal discourses
before public associations, he presented, clearly and fully, the wellmatured results of his reading and reflections on all these subjects.
One of the most interesting and highly-prized studies of the University
was that of the senior year, when the class came under his instruction
in the departments of Political Economy, Moral Philosophy and Constitutional Law. He taught both by lecture and by text-books. That
is, he required the class, in these several studies, as they took them up,
to read carefully Paley's Moral Philosophy, Say's Political Economy
and Kent's Commentaries, so as to answer any questions he might ask
touching the author's facts, arguments and opinions. With this preparation on the part of the class, as a basis, his method, on meeting
them in the lecture-room, was to ask a few questions as to the views
of their author, without, however, ever opening the book himself; and
then, as the answers were given, to expound, illustrate, confirm or
refute the doctrine, as the case might be, citing all the different conflicting authorities, and urging, in conclusion, his own views with great
earnestness and animation. These lectures were always delivered from
the chair. They were, in style and manner, conversations. We never
knew him to read a formal, manuscript lecture in the class-room. He
was accustomed to read long and learned lectures on all these subjects




38                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
before Literary Societies, Lyceums, Mechanics' Associations, etc., at
Nashville; but he never taught in that fashion.  Fully furnished himself at all points, and his ever-active mind teeming with the subject, he
judged that the best method to impart instruction in these studies,
and to create a fondness for them, was to meet his pupils on the
familiar ground of question and answer, where he might at once pour
out his own rich stores, and set their minds to work. Nor did he
mistake in this. Whatever else the graduates of the University might
or might not carry away from its classic halls, they were certain to
carry with them for life the most enlarged, liberal and conservative
views on all these great questions of moral, social and national polity;
and, as a general thing, the most enthusiastic admiration for the wisdom, learning and statesmanship of their preceptor. Many of them
have risen to distinction at the bar and on the bench.  Some of them
have taken part in the administration, both of State and National
affairs, and in the halls of legislation have won a place among the
leading statesmen of their country. Without any special opportunity
of knowing to what they attribute their success, we doubt not that
their cheerful testimony would be, that many of the most valuable
thoughts and suggestions, and many of the best influences which have
contributed to form their intellectual character and to shape their
public career, are to be traced back to these masterly lectures on
Moral and Political Science.
In this third volume of his works will be found a few of his lectures
on political questions, or rather miscellaneous hints and materials for
many lectures. The long Discourse on American Democracy, here published, was arranged by him into separate parts, for the convenience
of the reader. The larger portion of it, however, was delivered as one
continuous discourse, in the morning and afternoon of October 5, 1842,
as a Baccalaureate Address before the University, and the remainder
during the winter following.  The substance of it he had delivered
before the Nashville Mechanics' Association, on the Fourth of July,
1832. The strikingly original views set forth in this Discourse he was
in the habit of advancing on all proper occasions-in the lecture-room,
in the popular assembly, on the commencement stage, and through




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             39
the newspapers. Sometimes he even broached them in the pulpit.
Amongst his ablest and longest extemporaneous discourses, was one
on Oaths and Elections, another on Banking and the Currency, another on University Education and the Learning of the Egyptians.
When invited to deliver public lectures and addresses, as hp often was,
before literary and religious societies, and even on Fourth of July
occasions, he always availed himself of the opportunity to instruct the
people, rather than to gratify mere curiosity. He was sure to call
their attention to some important practical question of moral, social
and political science.  He never wasted any ammunition on mere
rhetoric and speculation. He was a man of facts and figures, and
never spoke except with the consciousness of accurate knowledge.  It
was always the heavy ordnance of strong thought, and the hard metal
of fact, argument and common sense which he aimed to wield. And
we never knew or heard of an instance, during the period of twentyfive years, in which any man ever succeeded in pointing out a fallacy
in his arguments, a mistake as to his main facts, or the slightest
blunder or inaccuracy in his scholarship.
If it should occur to any reader of his Discourse on American
Democracy that he has there exalted the vocation of the farmer,
mechanic and teacher, above that of the learned professions of law,
medicine and divinity, it will be enough to say, that it is only in
appearance so. It cannot be, that one whose great labour of life was
to infuse into the young a love of all high and liberal learning, should
be Wanting in respect for the legal, medical and ministerial classes.
It is true that he at times spoke disparagingly of lawyers and divines,
especially the latter; but at such times, it was only of those who by
ignorance and stupidity, or worse errors, had disgraced their high and
sacred offices-of which class there are unfortunately but too many
examples in every age. His noble Plea for Princeton Seminary stands
as a sufficient vindication of his own high appreciation of the importance and the sacred character of the gospel ministry.  No man
could well have a higher conception of its true representatives, or a
deeper abhorrence of its mere smatterers and usurpers. The reader
will also find a noble tribute to the medical fraternity in his Address




40                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
on Temperance. And as for the legal profession, he repels the charge
of being wanting in due respect, in the following magnificent passage,
worthy of the best pages of Bacon and'Milton, taken from one of his
Educational Discourses:"I cherish no unkindly sentiment towards lawyers. So long as the
Gothic-Saxo-Norman-English system of common, statute and benchmade law, which has been represented as an interminable, overgrown,
incomprehensible, labyrinthian mystery of torture, and extortion —
which Burke deliberately denounced, which Brougham is diligently
labouring to reform, and which Bentham is intrepidly threatening to
annihilate: —or, (to speak the language of Blackstone and others,) so
long as this intricate and beautiful science, the very perfection of written reason, to the lucid development of which, the most indefatigable
and distinguished sages have nobly consecrated their talents and their
lives-so long as this much lauded and much vituperated system,
whether it be law, science, mystery, or all combined, to which every
known epithet of praise and censure has been and continues to be applied, and of which it is impossible for the uninitiated, like myself, to
form any conception, except from its practical effects-so long as such
a system, whatever may be its qualities or tendencies, shall find favour
in our land, lawyers will be the oracles of truth, wisdom and justice
to the people. Lawyers too there must be, under any form of government or system of jurisprudence. And a truly accomplished, liberal,
upright, high-minded lawyer will ever prove a most valuable blessing
and the brightest ornament to any community.  Of many such eminently gifted and illustrious jurists and advocates our country may
proudly boast. It is for the people to decide, whether they will consent to be the passive slaves and dupes of mere pettifogging smatterers, by becoming themselves sufficiently intelligent, to detect and to
discountenance every species of knavish quackery."
The range of topics discussed by him in this volume, aside from his
Educational Discourses, will be sufficient to show how far beyond the
ordinary province of the theologian, Dr. Lindsley had extended his
reading and his researches.  It serves to illustrate also, the great
versatility of his mental powers. He acquired knowledge with the




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF. THE AUTHOR.                 41
utmost facility. Study was his delight, his pastime, and with his remarkably acute, original and comprehensive intellect, there can be no
question that he could have reached the highest rank in either of the
learned professions, or on the broader arena of politics and statesmanship, had his attention been directed to them instead of the ministry
and the teacher's office.  He might have graced the senate chamber,
the bench of justice or the chair of state.  It was certainly best as it
was. Man deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.
It is singular that he should never have received the title of LL.D.
from any of our American colleges, generally so lavish of their honours. It serves to show with what little discrimination and regard to
real learning these titles are conferred, that one so pre-eminently
entitled to it by all his studies and attainments, should not have
received it even from his Alma Mater.  Nassau Hall might well have
been proud to place such a son on the catalogue of her Doctors of
Law. Certainly no man has appeared in the ranks of the American
clergy, either of the Presbyterian or any other church, who had a
profounder acquaintance with Canon and Civil Law, except perhaps
those who were once lawyers. He held the whole matter of degrees,
however, as now managed, in much indifference, and rarely conferred
any while at Nashville except upon resident and well-known ministers.*
* By-the-way, we find among his papers the following amusing "'Advertisement," entitled"COLLEGE: DOCTORATES."
Whereas, the undersigned has, for many years past, been grievously worried
by applications for the Doctorate, from various parts of Europe and America:
now therefore be it known unto all whom it may concern, that henceforth no
attention will be paid to any such application -unless accompanied by at least
one hundred dollars, as a small consideration for the trouble imposed and for the
signal favour expected. The said hundred dollars (or more) will be regarded
as a su2bstantial qualification, and a far more reliable testimonial than is usually
furnished. The M.D. will not be granted, on like terms, to any candidate, without satisfactory bond and security that he will not engage in the practice of
medicine in consequence, or by virtue of such degree. Newspapers throughout
the world will, no doubt, oblige many a reader, including not a few editors, by
publishing the above liberal notice. —P. L.




42                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
VI. HIS ARTICLES FOR TtHE PRESS.
The press was always regarded by Dr. Lindsley as a very important
agency to be used in carrying forward all his great educational schemes.
Like Doctor Franklin, he was in the habit of availing himself of this
method of enlightening the public mind in reference to whatever subjects he deemed of public interest.  In one form or another, and at
different times, a large proportion of the matter comprised in the present volumes was given to the public through the newspapers of the
day. He adopted this course before he removed to Nashville, and
followed it up during the long period of his connection with the University. While at Princeton, he published in the Trenton Emporium
a series of essays, signed "Hermit," touching the contemplated resuscitation of "Queen's College," afterwards Rutger's College, at New
Brunswick, in which he advanced.many of the striking, and, at that
time, original views and suggestions which form the basis of his
Inaugural Address at Nashville. He published also in the Nashville
papers, at different times, two series of articles,-one on Popular Education and another on Common Schools,-both of which, as to their
substance of fact and illustration, he also gave to the public in the
form of Baccalaureate Addresses and printed pamphlets. So also
with his able lecture on Popular Education, now published in the first
volume of his works.  It was spread before the people in a style
adapted to his purpose-in the columns of a weekly newspaper.
He certainly acted the part of wisdom and of patriotism in this.
His object being to enlighten the public mind on the whole subject of
education, both liberal and popular, he availed himself of every opportunity to reach the people, through the pulpit, the press, the commencement stage and the popular assembly. And he appeared to
feel that his work was not fully done, until he had taken the elaborate
oration and the learned lecture and condensed them into short, pointed
and readable newspaper articles.
It has not been thought advisable to republish any of these articles,
as the reader will find the substance of them in his Addresses and Dis



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.                43
courses. But a few articles of another kind have been presented in
this volume. They were occasional and fugitive pieces, not intended,
like the other class, to discuss grave and important questions of public
interest, but to call attention to certain popular errors, prejudices,
extravagancies or follies. These were often full of wit and sarcasm.
As a writer and as a speaker, he knew both how to be grave and how
to be gay. Few men knew better how to shoot folly as it flies. The
pieces now published, though the occasions which called them  forth
have passed away, can hardly fail to be read with interest and amusement. They reveal a power of sarcasm, a depth of wit and humour,
an idiomatic edge of expression, and a command of all the resources
of irony and invective, which his position and character led him for
the most part to restrain, but which, "When he found a fitting occasion
and a justifying cause, would sometimes find vent in a way not easily
forgotten by those who had provoked it; and which led some, who
saw him for the first time on the floor of debate in our church courts,
and only in this character, to call him the Dean Swift of the body.
He could, and he sometimes did, in public meetings at Nashville, when
unjustly misrepresented or assailed, pour forth such a stream of fact,
anecdote, argument and good-natured ridicule, as to convulse his audience with laughter and overwhelm every opponent. But it is easy to
see, even if there were no other evidence, that the power which could
pen these amusing sketches for a morning newspaper, might readily,
on occasion, wield an artillery of speech, before which it would be
difficult for the imprudent and the vulnerable to stand.*
* As an illustration of this style, take the following paragraphs from his
article entitled "Horrid Robbery and Murder."
"I have been cozened, defrauded, bamboozled and swindled out of more
precious time, by all sorts of honest men and rogues, than would have sufficed
a master genius, like myself, to compose the Iliad or Paradise Lost, or to have
liberated the Poles or conquered China. I will specify but one mode, among
the many, by which this irreparable mischief has been inflicted. I belong to
sundry companies, clubs, corporations, societies, boards and institutions-the
members of which are required to meet for the gratuitous transaction of busi



44                       A SUPPLEMENTARY
VII. ECCLESIASTICAL RELATIONS.
The ancestry of Dr. Lindsley, which, according to the family tradition, may be traced back through seven generations to Colonel Francis
Lindsley, who left England with his family about 1680-85, on account
of religious persecution, and settled in New Jersey, seems to have
been remarkable for piety and for their adherence to the Presbyterian
faith. The family became an extended one, branching off into New
England and Pennsylvania. John Lindsley, the son of Francis, and
sixth ancestor of Dr. Philip Lindsley, settled in Morristown, N. J.,
about the opening of the eighteenth century, and gave to the Presbyterian Church of that place the burying-ground, church site and village green. The family were all whigs during the Revolution, and
they have, through all generations, as a general rule, been decided
Presbyterians. Dr. John M. Stevenson states, in his funeral discourse,
ness at certain places and at stated hours. Of course, I am always punctually
at my post —but there I must wait, and wait, and wait in vain, for a quorum.
Another meeting must be called in consequence-and, for the like failure,
another,-and perhaps another. Thus am I compelled to go four times, and
to waste two or three hours each time, in order to do the business of half an
hour! And when a quorum do get together, it is usually at least an hour after
the time appointed-and this again I must lose. From this one cause I have
lost, on an average, three hours a week, for the last seven years-which is 156
hours a year, or 1092 hours in seven years-which, at twelve working hours a
day, amounts to 91 days. If to this one item be added all other similar losses
occasioned by the want of punctuality in others in regard to the every day
concerns of life-the sum total could not be less than one year in seven. So
much of my life has been nullified-destroyed-annihilated.
"I have been robbed of all the money which I might have earned in that time
-of all the knowledge which I might have acquired-of all the great and good
and wonderful things which I might have achieved in that time. In a word,
my life has been thus much curtailed. I have been murdered by inches, and
am still being murdered-I am stretched upon the rack-am burning at the
stake-starving in a dungeon-and thus have been for years and years and
years-so that I have scarcely found leisure for anything more than a sorry
newspaper paragraph-for which I always get more kicks than coppers."




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             45
that the records of the Morristown church, to which he had access,
mention seven ruling elders of this branch of the family, within a
period of sixty years, from 1747 to 1805; and that at least fourteen
of the whole dispersed family had been permitted to preach the glorious gospel, while several of them have occupied responsible stations
in the colleges and seminaries of our land. Very similar is the record
of his maternal ancestors, the Condicts, or Condits, who came over
from England, and settled in New Jersey about the same time with
the Lindsleys.
Thus descended from a staunch Presbyterian stock, and educated in
the bosom of the church of his fathers, Dr. Lindsley was through life
a steadfast adherent to her standards, and an uncompromising advocate of sound doctrine and order. His faith had been firmly anchored
in childhood to this rock of truth, and it was never loosened by any
of the prevailing speculations, hobbies, philosophies and fancied improvements of the times. At the same time, as we have had occasion
to state in another place, while standing thus unmoved on old-fashioned
Presbyterianism, he ever breathed a spirit of the widest liberality and
charity towards all other branches of the Christian Church. No man
could go beyond him in this brotherly kindness. But this, at times,
led some, not fully informed as to his views, to misunderstand his true
position. Especially was this the case at the time of the great conflict of opinion and final division in the Presbyterian Church, when, as
the result showed, though apparently neutral between the parties at
the beginning, he was, and always had been, on the side of sound
orthodoxy and order.  Here, however, he only stood in the same
category with many of the ablest and best men in the church.
Owing perhaps to his vocation as a teacher, and to his not holding
the office of pastor, he was not, at least while in Tennessee, a constant
attendant upon, nor a frequent speaker in, the meetings of Presbytery
and Synod. It is to be regretted that he did not take a more active
and controlling share in these deliberations of the lower church courts.
It is a door of influence, which one, situated as he was, is very apt to
forego; but still it is an opening for good and an instrument of power,
which every minister, who has the knowledge and talent to use it to




46                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
advantage, ought never to neglect. Still he did attend upon many of
these assemblies, and sometimes took an important part in their proceedings. This was the case when the Synod met at Huntsville, Alabama, in 1839, when the New-School party separated from that body,
and protested against its action. Here he took a leading part in the
deliberations, as a conservative Old-School man.  He was on the
committee appointed to answer the protest of the seceders, and, as we
learn from a copy on record in his journal, was the writer of the paper.
He at first tried to unite the parties and prevent any division, but
failed in this. He also attended the meeting at Florence, Alabama,
in 1844, and at Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1845, where he was the Moderator. The meetings of Synod nearer home he attended, and more
frequently those of Presbytery.
He was a member of four different General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church-first, that of 1819, at Philadelphia, as the alternate
of Dr. Green; then of 1834, over which he was Moderator; next of
1846, both at Philadelphia; and finally of 1855, at Nashville, during
the sessions of which he died. It may be interesting to state a few
facts, touching his position in the Assembly of 1834.
It was his first visit to the East, after an absence of ten years. iHe
had given himself up wholly, during this time, to his great work in
Tennessee, and had almost lost sight of ecclesiastical affairs at the
East. In the mean time the lines had become more and more distinctly drawn between the Old and New-School parties in the church.
It was in the Assembly of 1834 that the first great conflict between
these parties assumed the form of an open and uncompromising issue,
involving the very essentials of faith and order, at least in the judgment of the Old School. The New School had the majority in the
Assembly, as was made manifest by its sustaining the complaint and
appeal of the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia against the Synod,
and by its action on the Western Memorial. On the one side, there
was a struggle for the mastery, in order to sustain the new doctrines and
the men who endorsed them. On the other, there was a fixed determination to stand by the old landmarks of the faith once delivered to
the saints. It was accordingly, while one of the most important, one




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             47
of the most exciting Assemblies which had ever met; and its sessions
were protracted through almost three weeks.
Such was the composition and temper of the body over which Dr.
Lindsley was called to preside, with scarcely any previous acquaintance as to the actual position of affairs, and, as we have seen, with
but little experience in the tactics of ecclesiastical bodies.  He was
elected Moderator unanimously, and by acclamation-no one else being
nominated. Doubtless he was taken by surprise, and finding himself
in so unusual and difficult a position, he determined to make the best
of it, by discharging his duty with that urbanity and scholarly bearing
which marked all his conduct, and that impartial justice which the
occasion demanded. Under such circumstances it would have been
difficult to give entire satisfaction to both parties, perhaps to either.
The following interesting correspondence with Rev. Isaac V. Brown,
D.D., one of his early friends and a leading member of that Assembly,
appeared in the newspapers soon after Dr. Lindsley's death, in 1855.
It shows very clearly where he stood and how he felt. The allusion
referred to in his letter, which Dr. Brown had made in a previous communication, was in these words, speaking of the Assembly of 1834:
"I could not tell from your action as Moderator, to which side you
inclined in the strife; and I have never met with any evidence to
guide my judgment since. But I never doubted that your feelings
were with the orthodox."
NEW ALBANY, May 3, 1855.
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR:-I duly received and carefully read
your very able "Historical Vindication," etc., for which I beg you to
accept my most grateful acknowledgments. Such a work was greatly
needed by the present generation, and probably, by not a few like myself, of the past. I anticipate, and wish for it, the widest possible
circulation, among our churches and people.
The allusion in your last letter, to my position in 1834, may justify
a single remark. When I left Princeton in 1824, I soon found myself so completely absorbed in local and professional matters, as to lose
sight of our ecclesiastical and theological controversies in the East.
On arriving at Philadelphia, as a commissioner to the Assembly of




48                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
1834, I was as nearly ignorant of the state of parties, the bias of
individuals, and the precise grounds of dissension, as if I had just
dropped from the moon.  Among other queer things I soon learned
that Drs. Ely and Spring had changed sides, and were regarded as
champions of doctrines and measures directly opposed to their former
course, etc. etc. I was not a little surprised and mystified by what I
daily witnessed.. As I had no kind mentor at hand to enlighten me, I
resolved to go by the Book, without fear, favour, or affection.
I have always been, as I still am, a Presbyterian, according to the
obvious import of our time-honoured standards.
But as I hope soon to see you and to have the pleasure of talking
over the scenes and events of bygone years, I will not trouble you
further at present.
Very truly and respectfully yours, etc.
P. LINDSLEY.
REv. ISAAC V. BROWN.
TRENTON, July 13, 1855.
DEAR SIR:-In looking over the recent correspondence I have
had with the late Dr. Lindsley, I fixed my eye upon the preceding, probably one of the last letters Dr. Lindsley ever wrote to
a distant friend,-particularly as it explains his position and character theologically to the day of his sudden and lamented departure. As he was a man of very superior talents and attainments;
standing in the highest grade among the literary, accomplished and
eloquent men of the present century, I feel. a pure gratification in this,
his dying declaration, which authorizes us to place him among the
truly orthodox members and devoted friends of our beloved church.
At some future day, it will certainly be proper to give some detailed
account of the character, life, and labours of our illustrious departed
brother.
With great respect and esteem, dear sir, as ever, etc.
ISAAC V. BROWN.
REV. DR. MCKINNEY, Editor of Presbyterian Banner.
In reference to the foregoing letter, to which Dr. Brown had called
our attention, he remarks in a communication just received as we were




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              49
preparing the present memoir, "I am pleased to find that you have
obtained Dr. Lindsley's letter to which I referred you. It is the most
important document for your purpose, in my knowledge.  Dr. L.
was calm, decisive yet impartial, through the whole of the tempestuous
sessions of the General Assembly of 1834, which lasted three weeks,
and was a scene of unceasing conflicts."
Although he had thus in his office of Moderator over an Assembly
of the whole church, acted with such even-handed impartiality that his
intimate friends could not tell which way he inclined, still, when the
issue was made up, and the final division effected in 1838, there was no
indecision or hesitation as to his position. He took his stand firmly
with the Old School in his own Presbytery and Synod, as was fully
evinced in the decisive action of the latter at Huntsville in 1839.
Conservative as he was in all things, and utterly opposed to fruitless
speculation and innovation in theology, he could not have done otherwise.
VIII. REMOVAL FROM NASHVILLE.
It has not been our aim to tell the story of Dr. Lindsley's life by
narrating events in their chronological order, but to single out certain
prominent periods as landmarks along the way, and to fill up the intervals between, by grouping together his chief studies, attainments, pursuits and characteristics at each epoch, so as to supply what was
wanting to the two preceding sketches. Of course we need not stop
now to speak of his great life-work at Nashville, as an educator,
filling up the twenty-six years of his presidency in the University, or of
his ministerial character and labours during that long period.  These
we have already attempted to describe in the two former volumes. It
remains only to touch upon a few points of interest, connected with
his resignation of the presidency, and removal to another field of
labour, at a time of life when it might have seemed more congenial to
his feelings to remain where he was, and repose on the trophies of the
past. At this period he had nearly reached the age of sixty-four.
His intellect was active and vigorous, and his studies were still pursued with much of the ardour of youth. But for some years back, at
times his health had given way, and under the weight of recent
VOL. III.-4




50                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
bereavements in the family circle, though his eye was not dimmed in
the least, his physical strength was somewhat impaired.
We have seen with what reluctance, even after a long struggle, he
had torn himself away from  Princeton in 1824.  To this painful
separation was probably owing the fact that he never saw it again,
though he visited the East many times during a period of thirty years.
Still more trying must have been his removal from Nashville. There
all his largest plans had been laid, and all his best energies exerted for
the public good. There some of his children were already married
and settled in life.  There the strongest social ties had been formed
with many faithful friends, who for twenty-six years had borne with him
the heat and burden of the day. And. there too, recently made, were
the graves of the dearest objects of his heart. All his interests were
closely identified with the place and people, and until the combination
of circumstances occurred which led finally to his removal, he had probably, for many years, entertained no other thought than to spend- the
remnant of his days there. To those at a distance who knew all the
facts of his history, it seemed that Nashville could better have spared
any one else of her citizens. And to those who rightly appreciated
both him and the city, it seemed a matter of regret that he should not
have laboured on, even to the close of life, at the post he had held so
long.
It is not our purpose here to enter into any detailed account of the
causes which led to the separation. That may be safely left to the
future historian of the University. All that is necessary now is simply
to state some of the more prominent circumstances in view of which
he was induced, after so long, laborious and successful a career, to
leave the city of his adoption and enter upon another department of
the work of instruction elsewhere. It often occurs that the ablest and
best men, under an unexpected, perhaps unavoidable combination of
circumstances, are led to give up fields of usefulness, which all others
may think them best qualified to fill; and in such cases, while we
wonder at the change, we are reconciled to it only in the belief that
an All-wise Providence is thus accomplishing some greater good.
In 1849, in order to carry out certain views which he had long




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             51
cherished, Dr. Lindsley drew up and submitted to the Board of Trustees a Plan for organizing and sustaining the University, differing
essentially from the former one. It was somewhat analogous to the
one adopted at the University of Virginia.  The Board cordially
acceded to his views, and determined to adopt the Plan as soon as
practicable. The rapid extension of the city, however, in the immediate vicinity of the old buildings, rendered it necessary to erect new
ones in another and more suitable quarter, and to close the University for a short season, until this change could be made.  It was
thought that the reopening of the institution, in its new buildings, and
on more commodious grounds, farther out from the city, would be a
favourable time at which to inaugurate the new and larger plans proposed by the President.  The fall of 1850 was fixed upon as the
time for these changes.
So far as the University was concerned, it seemed important that
he should remain at his post, in order to carry out these plans. So
far also as its past history or present condition was concerned, there
was no reason why he should have retired.  In April, 1850, a committee of the Board of Trustees, appointed for the purpose, published
in the Nashville papers a full statement of its financial condition, and
of its general history and progress from 1824 to that time. From
that document it appeared, that the funds of the institution, small at
the beginning, had, by judicious investment and economical management, especially during the five years immediately preceding, so increased and appreciated, that it was then worth from 115,000 to
140,000 dollars over and above all indebtedness. It also appeared,
that during this whole period of Dr. Lindsley's presidency, the number
of students had been larger than in any other college in Tennessee, considering that there never had been any preparatory department in the
University, and that two-thirds of its students always belonged to the
two higher classes. It further appeared, that the last six graduating
classes, from 1843 to 1849 inclusive, had been larger than any other
six classes together that had ever graduated there-thus demonstrating
a steady increase, not only of funds, but of efficiency, to the last-and
that, too, notwithstanding two successive visitations of cholera in the




52                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
city, in 1848 and 1849, and the lamented death thereby of one of its
oldest and ablest professors, Mr. James Hamilton.
But, as already stated, it had become necessary to change the site, erect
new buildings and close the University for a season. In the mean time,
that is, in the spring of 1850, the Board of Directors of the Theological
Seminary at New Albany, Indiana, had created a new professorship in
that institution, and unanimously elected Dr. Lindsley to the chair.
About a year before, April, 1849, he had married at New Albany, Mrs.
Mary Ann Ayers, the widow of his kinsman, Elias Ayers, the founder of
the Seminary. In the summer of 1850, Dr. Girard Troost, another old
and distinguished professor, who had served with him twenty-two years
in the University, also died. All these circumstances taken together had
their influence; and, in connection with some other things occurring at
the same time, which need not be mentioned now, he was induced to
remove to New Albany. At the urgent solicitation, however, of the
Board of Trustees, and of a large senior class in the University, who
expected to graduate in the fall, and would be greatly disappointed
to lose his lectures, he remained to the close of the collegiate year,
October 2, 1850. His last public service in the University was a discourse at that Commencement, on the Life and Character of his old
associate, Dr. Troost. And thus closed one of the most laborious,
important and successful presidencies as yet recorded in the annals of
American colleges. It is not always that our rising institutions, especially in the West and South, have been able to secure a labourer and
a governor so faithful, so persevering, and so accomplished. It is not
often that a city, such as Nashville was in 1824, has had the good
fortune to obtain the presence and the influence of one who comprehended so well the problem of her highest good, and who strove so
earnestly and so long to put her in possession of it.
IX. HIS WORK AT NEW ALBANY.
Dr. Lindsley removed to New Albany in December, 1850. The
professorship in the Theological Seminary at that place, to which he
had been elected the preceding April, was a new one, created by the
Board of Directors at that time, and entitled the Chair of Ecclesias



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             53
tical Polity and Biblical Archaeology. From, the foregoing sketch it
will be seen how eminently fitted he was, by his past studies, for that
position. Archaeology, History and Government had been the subjects of his critical research and his constant reading from a very- early
period. He at once, with the opening of the year 1851, commenced
his course of lectures on the subjects of his department. He was not,
however, formally inaugurated in his new office till the thirteenth of
November following, when he delivered an address, a copy of which
was requested by the Board for publication, and the substance of
which will be found among the works now published.
As stated already, in the brief record of his life, given in our introduction to the first of these volumes, he did not hold this professorship
to the time of his death, in 1855. He in fact tendered his resignation
to the Board at three different times: first in July, 1852; again in
April, 1853, when it was proposed to transfer the institution to the
General Assembly; and finally in April, 1854, when it was reluctantly
accepted by the Board of Directors.
The following communication from one of his colleagues in the
Seminary at New Albany, Rev. Dr. Stewart, addressed to us under
date of September 12, 1860, from Camden, New Jersey, will sufficiently illustrate his character and attainments at this closing period
of life. The memoir referred to is the introductory sketch in the first
volume:REVEREND AND DEAR SIR:-I received by post your brief memoir
of Dr. P. Lindsley, and have read it with great interest. It has served
to recall to my mind many pleasing memories of that eminent Christian gentleman and scholar, with whom it was my happiness to be
associated during a few of his latter years.
I became acquainted with Dr. Lindsley in the year 1850, soon after he
had formed a matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Ayers, a lady well known
for her Christian liberality and esteemed for her many social virtues.
The Board of Directors of the New Albany Theological Seminary
had extended to him an invitation to occupy one of the chairs of
instruction in that institution, which led to his immediate removal




54                      A SUPPLEMENTARY
from Nashville to this place, where he spent the closing years of his
useful life. It was apparent to all who saw him for the first time,
that increasing years and cares had weighed upon his physical nature;
but the briefest acquaintance made it equally apparent, that his mind
had lost nothing of its activity and vigour.
As it respects Dr. Lindsley's relations to the Theological Seminary,
they were of the most pleasant and agreeable character.  Hie was
highly esteemed by his associates for his great urbanity and polished
scholarship, which were conspicuous at all times and in all places;
and greatly respected and beloved by the students who received his
instructions. But, from circumstances connected with the affairs of
that institution, and from the indefinite character of the duties which
devolved on him as an instructor, he made no special effort to inaugurate a course of exact study. His lectures were somewhat discursive,
always interesting, but probably not such as he would have delivered
at an earlier period of his life.  During his connection with the Seminary there was little or nothing to stimulate or encourage.  The
number of students was small and constantly decreasing, its resources
extremely limited, and a general apathy had seized upon its friends.
All this Dr. Lindsley was not slow to perceive, and consequently he felt
that his relations to it as an instructor could have no great permanency.
It is known to the writer of this that his professional mantle sat
loosely on him, and that he stood ready at any moment to lay it aside.
There was, in these circumstances, scarcely any opportunity to bring
his well-trained mind as an educator to bear upon the interests of
theological instruction.  It is, therefore, to a former period of his
career that we must look for the controlling influence which he exerted
on the interests of education in all its bearings.
But, out of sight of the public, in the more limited sphere of private
friendship, it was constantly apparent how richly stored was his mind
with useful and varied learning, and how well fitted he was to impart
these treasures to others. It was here that his tastes and mental characteristics came out into distinct view. While thoroughly versed in
theology, and conversant with the metaphysical distinctions of the
schools, his decided preference lay in the direction of the natural




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              55
sciences and general literature in their relations to the volume of
Revelation.  He manifested but little inclination for mere theological
discussion. He could never be a zealous polemic. While warmly
attached to the system of doctrine received by his own denomination,
he embraced with affection the whole Evangelical Church. His catholic spirit led him to magnify the points of agreement, rather than the
points of difference, between the various branches of the Church of
God. It was, however, towards science, in its modern development
as affecting the great interests of religion, that his thoughts were most
frequently turned.  In the study of this he felt the deepest interest,
especially in its bearings on theological instruction.  He saw that
here was the stronghold of modern infidelity, and that it was of firstrate importance that those set for the defence of the truth should be
thoroughly fortified at this point. There was nothing of any value,
written or published, on this general subject, which he had not read;
and on all points where science and Christianity touched, his views
were clear and fixed. His opinions were the result of much reflection,
and on all points they occupied the high ground of Christian conservatism. It was refreshing to observe how far his appreciative mind
was removed from the dogmatism of the mere student of science, who
has never sat at the feet of the Great Teacher, as from that of the
student of theology who has never listened to the utterances of nature.
His humble bearing was not less striking than his profound learning.
Nor was it on account of any mere novelty in the views and opinions which marked the more recent publications in the various departments of natural science, that he read with so much avidity. Scarcely
anything was produced, during these latter years of his life, in the way
of removing the objections and difficulties which science had raised
against Revelation, which had not already been the subject of serious
reflection in his own mind, and, in several instances, of written discourse. Nothing seemed new to him; yet nothing was without interest. Whatever reached the public eye, through the press, in any way
connected with Physical Geography, Geology and Ethnology, was
subjected to the closest scrutiny, and made to contribute to the entertainment and profit of those who enjoyed the pleasure of his society;




56                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
and, not unfrequently, these seemed only as the occasion for the resus.
citation of thoughts that had been slumbering in his own mind. In a
conversation, which turned on the unity of the human race, reference
was made to a work recently published, which accounted for the existing diversity among the different nations by attributing this diversity
to the dispersion which took place at Babel. Hie not only gave his
approval of the theory, but furnished the evidence, that he himself
had years before given publicity to the same opinion.  He felt all the
weakness of the theory of the distinguished Prichard, which attempts
to explain this diversity of colour on climatic principles-a view which
has recently been reproduced by more than one writer —but which, in
the light of the incontestable fact, that the Ethiopian was as black in
the days of Moses as at the present day, and the very slender evidence
furnished by the great English ethnologist, that white men ever become black, he was led to reject as utterly untenable.  His mind
rested on the great biblical fact, as offering the only satisfactory
explanation of this difficult problem, and, at the same time, the best
answer to the attacks of science, falsely so called.
In this familiar intercourse, Dr. Lindsley's conversation was always
instructive; his mind seemed to be continually overflowing with the
accumulations of past years or was marked by great versatility, his
thoughts passing from topic to topic without any apparent effort;
his familiarity with the men and measures of his own day, with ancient
and modern literature, with all forms of educational appliances enabled him to adapt his discourse to the society in which he was thrown.
Hle was never at a loss, always ready to make himself agreeable to allto those advanced in years like himself, deferential; to the young, entertaining; with a courtesy which never transcended the limits of
good taste,. he used his own matured knowledge to correct the imperfections of those who waited on his instruction; and, without assuming the air of a censor, pointed out and corrected many a fault.
His knowledge of the English language, its idioms, its peculiarities, its
pronunciation, was of the most exact character. His ear was so delicately attuned to the niceties of sound that.he observed every defective utterance, and in a way for which many will thank him, suggested




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.               57
the proper mode. In this respect, Dr. Lindsley was a model instructor;
and I have often thought it would be a happy circumstance if our young
men who are preparing for the learned professions, and especially such
as are to occupy the pulpit, could enjoy the supervision of just such a
careful observer-one whose instructions, instead of being confined to
the lecture-room, would, in the same authoritative but courteous
manner, be delivered in the social circle. It is needless to say how
often the educated ear is offended while listening to the discourses of
many, high in the public estimation, simply for the lack of this. But
it is seldom one meets with a mind so completely educated in this
respect as was Dr. Lindsley's.
It was in the social circle that his powers of conversation found the
widest scope. Genial and fond of society, he loved the company of his
friends, and during the few years of his sojourn in New Albany the residence of Dr. Lindsley and his estimable lady was the centre of many delightful reunions. These were much enlivened by the Doctor's animated
conversation-a talent which he possessed to a rare degree, and which
would have made him conspicuous in any circle. His memory at this
period, less retentive than it had been once, betrayed him occasionally
into repetitions, but at all times there was a sincerity and earnestness,
together with a freshness of thought, which commanded respect and
attention. He did not talk merely to pass away time, it was with him
a real pleasure, and he seemed to throw his whole soul into the subject which occupied his thoughts as much at times as if he were discoursing to a class in the lecture-room.
But the crowning ornament of his fine character was the ripe
fruits of simple confiding faith in the word of God. In his mind the
things difficult and hard to be understood were as easy of belief as
the simplest and plainest utterances of inspiration.  Its grand truths
stood out before him as facts not to be questioned-difficult of comprehension, but as true as any fact in the natural world. His piety
was of the most child-like type. There was nothing like cant or affected sanctity about him, but a profound veneration for things sacred
or divine shone out in his whole life.  His supplications at a throne of
grace were fervent and devout, and no one could listen to his simple




58                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
and solemn utterances in prayer without feeling that he was drawing
near to his Father's house.
Years have passed away since I went in and out at his hospitable
door. Many things have been obliterated from my memory, but I
shall never forget his grave, earnest, and scholar-like countenance,
always beaming with intelligence, his gentle and winning manners
and the warmth of his salutations. He was confiding and unsuspecting; I never knew him to speak harshly or in terms of unkindness
to any one; the charity which thinketh no evil, constituted a large
element in his character.  I knew him only to love and esteem him
for his great worth; his memory I cherish with feelings akin to filial
affection; and on the pile which you have thrown up to his memory,
let me drop this pebble picked up at the ebb-tide of his existence.
Yours, etc.,                                DAN'L STEWART.
X. DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS.
In the fragmentary and imperfect memoir which we have here given, it
will not be necessary to say much on a topic of this kind. Our purpose
being mainly to delineate Dr. Lindsley's character in his public and
official relations, to describe his educational and ministerial labours,
and the varied studies and attainments which distinguished him as a
writer and public speaker, thus far we have not had occasion to venture within the sanctuary of home and the family circle, to speak distinctly
of the social and religious affections which are brought to view in the
foregoing letter. No character, however, can be adequately or even
justly portrayed without some reference to this point. Nothing indeed
is more interesting and instructive than to follow the good man from
the busy labours of official station or the silent vigils of mental toil, to
the retreats of private affection, where he unbends and disports himself in the bosom of his family. It is not often that the great bustling
world without has any conception of what is going on, in the way of
genial and loving sympathy, in these home sanctuaries of the scholar
and man of letters. No men on earth are probably so little understood and so often misrepresented as those who spend their lives in
study. For no better reason than that they are silent and thoughtful
in a crowd, they are often regarded as exclusive and unsocial.




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              59
There was, no doubt, an impression of this sort in the minds of
some persons, respecting Dr. Lindsley. But it was a mistake. It
would have been impossible, in the nature of things, for any man to
give as much time as he did to study, and to accomplish the amount
of reading and writing which he accomplished, and yet not appear at
times reserved and uncommunicative to persons little given to such
pursuits themselves. But in every congenial and appreciative circle
no man was fonder of the interchange of thought and feeling, and
none more excelled in conversational powers. He had no gift, and no
great admiration for the chatty nonsense, of what is sometimes called
good society, but it needed only an intellectual, cultivated company
of friends, and the stimulus of an important theme, and there was at
once the unrestrained flow of eloquent, brilliant, sparkling speech, as
from a perennial, inexhaustible fountain. On every such occasion, he
became, as a matter of course, the chief speaker; and when the scene
was his own fire-side or social board, his guests not unfrequently
retired, wondering how the time had fled.  Many an intelligent
stranger too, meeting him for the first time on some of his travels,
and thrown for a few days into his company, has left him, only to
regret that he could not know more of one so full of all useful knowledge, and so gifted in the power of imparting it.
But his home was his Eden, and except when invaded by disease,
or overshadowed by death, there was everything in it to make life
peaceful and joyous. Few men perhaps have ever had a more genial
and happy home; for few could have been more blest in the companion of his early choice, and in the children of their mutual love.
From some indications already given, in the notice of his early years,
it might be inferred that he possessed, in a high degree, those social
qualities and susceptibilities which are so well calculated to impart
and to receive happiness in the domestic circle. And accordingly we
find, through all the relationships of life, repeated evidences of that
intense and ardent affection which first showed itself in the love of
a noble mother. Some of these examples are so touching and beautiful that we shall be pardoned for introducing them here, as illustrations of his social and religious character.




60                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
In all his trips to the East, he had ever made it a point of duty to
visit his mother, in New Jersey, as long as she lived. We find the
following record of her decease in his journal for 1854:"January 30.-I this day received a letter informing me of the
decease of my beloved and ever.honoured mother. She died at Madison, Morris County, New Jersey, on Friday, January 20, 1854, about
five o'clock P.M. Had she lived two months longer, she would have
completed eighty-six years.  She was born March 21, 1763.  Having
lived a most exemplary and useful Christian life, she departed in peace,
and in the full assurance of a blessed immortality.
"March 4.-I have just read'the 135th number of the American
Messenger for March of the present year. In it I read with intense
interest the following communication:[For the American Messenger.]
"'WHAT WILL OUR CHILDREN THINK OF US WHEN THEY ARE OLD?
-A venerable widow, now eighty-five, has but a dim recollection even
of her own children, but a scene in the life of her father is still vividly
before her. He was an officer in the army of the Revolution, and, believing it necessary to be inoculated for the small-pox, before subjecting
himself to the disease, he visited his home. He gathered his family
around the domestic altar, and solemnly commended them to God, and
then took leave of them —not knowing but it would be, as it proved
to be, his last earthly meeting with those dear ones. As he was leaving the house, this daughter, his youngest child, followed him out upon
the porch. He turned back, took her in his arms, kissed and fervently
blessed her, and departed.  She never saw him again; but that kiss
and that blessing are now as fresh as though of yesterday. This scene"
she often recounts with the tears streaming down her cheeks. Next
to the memory of her Saviour, she delights in the memory of her
father.  The burdens of age are lightened by such recollections.
Parents, what are we tracing of ourselves upon the memory of our
children? What will our children think of us when they are old?'
"Who was the writer of the above I know not; but the subject of
it was my sainted mother. Often have I heard the story from her
own affectionate lips. That last sad interview with her father seemed




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             61
ever present to her mind. She told me all about him when I was a
little child-how good he was-and how dearly she loved him. My
last visit to her was in October, 1852. I passed some ten days at her
house, in Madison, New Jersey. She then repeated to me the parting
scene with her father, as quoted from the Messenger. Colonel Ebenezer Condict, her father, died of small-pox, in camp, April 2, 1777,
near Mendham — Washington's headquarters being at Morristown.
My mother was nine years old, and her father about forty."
In this connection, we may add another interesting record, taken
from a foregoing page:"My mother often saw General Washington while the army had
their winter quarters at Morristown and vicinity, and she retains a
distinct recollection of his appearance, manners, etc. He occasionally
visited at her mother's house, where was quartered General Gist, of
the Maryland line. He sometimes dined there. He often amused
himself with her as a playful child-spoke kind words to her about
her father, whom he highly esteemed, and whose recent death (by
small-pox in camp) he deeply deplored. She became greatly attached
to him. His benevolent, affectionate, pleasant manner won her confidence, and caused her to forget the warrior in the friend.  She mentioned numerous little events and incidents characteristic of the good
man-such as a child nine or ten years old would be likely to notice
and to be impressed with. She was present in the old Presbyterian
Church at Morristown, when General Washington partook of the
Lord's Supper with the Rev. Dr. Timothy Johnes and his people, as
narrated by Dr. Hosack in his Life of De Witt Clinton. (See also
Barber and Howe's Historical Collections of New Jersey, p. 388.)
She described to me, with minute particularity and accuracy, the
localities, seats, tables, persons present and officiating-differing much
from present modes and forms, but corresponding exactly with the
usages of that day, and of the early period within my own memory.
"She remarked that she had never seen a good-that is, a correct
likeness of Washington. Perhaps her opinion would have been different, had she ever beheld the general at the head of his troops or on
the battle-field. The portraits are all too grave, solemn, warlike, to




62                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
accord with the smiling, cheerful, benignant countenance of the social
guest and orphan's friend-as she had known and loved him.
"The American army, under Washington, had their winter quarters
at Morristown and vicinity on two different occasions. The first time
was in January, 1777, immediately after the battles of Trenton and
Princeton.  The second was during the winter of 1779-80."
But we pass to another touching illustration of those deep and
tender sympathies which he cherished towards the objects of his love.
It was when death threw its dark shadow over the loving and happy
household. In 1844, the youngest child, Philip, a little more than
nine years old, was taken sick, and died.  The following passage,
indicating how deeply all the chords of parental affection had been
touched, has seemed to us, on many accounts, to be one of the most
characteristic, and, at the same time, one of the most beautiful, which
we have seen from his pen. It reveals the whole heart of its author
as -one of exceeding tenderness. After describing the funeral services,
from the text —"Is it well with the child? And she answered, It is
well"-he says:"He was carefully deposited in the narrow house, between twelve
and one o'clock.  The grave was deep-lined with hard brick at bottom and sides-the coffin carefully deposited, with planks of cedar
around it as an outer box-then all arched over with brick by the
mason-so that no earth fell harshly upon the coffin-lid. It was a
sweet-looking house-secure from the approach of envy or ambition —
a calm resting-place-a bed of repose-never more to be disturbed or
alarmed until the morning of the resurrection, when radiant in beauty
he shall be raised'a spiritual body.'
"HIe was the'loved one' of the family. Oh I how we loved him I
And oh  how he loved us I Docile, obedient, meek, gentle, mild,
modest, unobtrusive, ingenuous, trustful, affectionate, dutiful, without
guile or envy, ever ready to share his little treasures with his companions, or to bestow them on the needy. Beautiful and lovely-with
a lofty forehead-bright, dark, speaking eye-chestnut hair —most expressive countenance-always joyous, but never boisterous. Sensitive,
ethereal, intelligent-unsophisticated by evil communications-the con



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             63
stant associate and friend of his parents, brothers and sisters, he knew
nothing of the selfish, artificial, deceptive or corrupting manners and
influences to which most children are, sooner or later, exposed. He
was perhaps kindly taken from the evil to come: and removed to a
better school and a safer home I
"His moral and intellectual developments appeared extraordinary
— almost angelic-at least to the partial eye of doting affection-and
seemed to promise much for the future. Precious, noble, generous
boy I We shall ne'er behold his like again. Oh, why given? And oh,
why taken away? He was our little Benjamin, the pet, perhaps the
idol, of the family. He was younger, by ten years and two months,
than any of our other children.  He was singularly courteous and
manly in his bearing, and in all his intercourse with society. He never
failed to attract the special notice and admiration even of strangers,
whenever seen by them. He was beloved by all the poor children of
the neighbourhood. He was kind, obliging and grateful to everybody.
Among the last of his spoken thoughts was the suggestion to his
mother of plans of helping certain of his little friends whom he named.
He seemed, during the whole period of his sickness, to think more
of others than of himself. He expressed a wish to see God I Ah!
whither has he gone? Where is he now?  Shall we ever behold him
again? Shall we go to him? Months have passed away, (February,
1845,) but the bright vision is ever present —the sweet countenance of
our loving boy is always before the eye of our hearts-we dream of
him-sigh and weep in secret-glance at the numerous tokens of his
taste and ingenious industry all over the house and grounds, in silence
-we utter no words of sorrow or complaint-the anguish of our spirit
is not assuaged-the world around us wears the aspect of desolation
and bereavement. A cherub in the skies is beckoning us upward and
homeward to the peaceful mansions of the blessed-to the New Jerusalem, where God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there
be any more pain; for the former things are passed away."
In little more than a year after this affliction, (December, 1845,) he
was called on to pass through another and still greater bereavement.




64                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
Margaret Elizabeth Lawrence, the wife of his youth, the mother of
his children, for thirty-two years the companion of every joy and every
sorrow of his heart, was removed from her earthly household to the
"house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."  It does not
fall within our province here to speak of this eminently pious and
gifted lady. Indeed, nothing more or better could be said, than to
present in full, an obituary notice and tribute to her memory, prepared
by himself at the time, and occupying thirty-two pages of his journal.
We never met with a more strikingly beautiful and appropriate testimonial to the virtues of a wife and mother.  We wish it were allowable to insert it entire in this memoir. But it was written, as he
states, exclusively for the eye of his children, that "they might be able
hereafter to comprehend more fully the worth of their incomparable
mother;" and we do not feel justified in making any other use of it
than that to which he had thus consecrated it. We may, however,
without any breach of propriety, as illustrative both of her eminent
Christian character, and his own feelings under such a loss, give a few
paragraphs:"In her youthful days, in the City of New York and elsewhere, she
had seen enough of fashionable life to be able to estimate, at its fair
value, the whole circle of its vanities and enchantments.  She studiously and resolutely avoided every approach to its insidious, unchristian dominion.  She kept her children from its allurements.  She
neither read, nor permitted them to read, novels, romances, or any
books calculated to dissipate the mind or to weaken the moral and
religious'principles which she daily inculcated, and uniformly exemplified- in her conduct.  Graceful, accomplished, fascinating in her
manners, and in all respects qualified to shine in the gay world-she
renounced it wholly on assuming the obligations of a wife, mother and
Christian. Nay, before this, at the age of eighteen, in prospect of
her connection with a minister of the gospel, she resolved never more
to frequent any party, or scene, or place, or amusement which it would
be improper for a clergyman to attend.
" Such was her good sense, such her clear perceptions of propriety,
such her deep conviction of duty, such her fervent aspirations to be



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             65
come in reality all that a consecrated Christian woman ought to be,
that probably, henceforth, none of her most familiar acquaintance ever
heard from her a word, or witnessed an action, that would be deemed
inconsistent with the holiest devotion to the cross of her Redeemer.
Thus consistent and devoted she ever lived. Truthful, confiding, just,
sincere, honest, charitable, generous-humble, courteous, affectionate,
magnanimous-without guile, envy, jealousy or covetousness-free
from selfishness and all worldly ambition-strictly conscientious in every
act and purpose of her life-a purer, more transparent, more sternly
upright being I have never known.  Artless, simple, unobtrusive,
kindly, gentle, unpretending, respectful in her manner-she insensibly
won the hearts of all who were sufficiently intimate with her to appreciate her character.
"But her troubles, pains, sorrows, are ended: and we are left to
mourn our irreparable loss, though it be her unspeakable gain.  My
friend, companion, counsellor-the wisest, truest, safest, most judicious,
affectionate, devoted, faithful-who had, for thirty-two years, shared
my every thought, hope, fear, wish, sorrow, joy —has gone to her
peaceful, happy home I And I am alone! Death had long been
familiar to her thoughts. It was the' theme of her daily and most
solemn meditations.  It seemed to me that she lived but to die.
Christ was ever all her hope and all her trust.
"She loved to pray.  She was habitually prayerful.  She always
joined most devoutly in the public prayers of the sanctuary. She
prayed much in secret. No matter how numerous or oppressive her
engagements and occupations, she found time every day for retirement
and for closet devotions. This, too, in so quiet a way, that it might
have escaped the notice and knowledge of ordinary observers, and
even of her own family, had they been indifferent to the subject, or
inattentive to, her actions.  Many an hour has she consecrated to
prayer, during the silent watches of the night, while her household
was hushed in sleep, and when no eye but the Lord's beheld her.
Oh, how she prayed for her children, for her husband, for all people —
and for herself, as a poor, needy, helpless, perishing sinner! Yes;
she ever regarded herself, as most of all, a debtor to the cross, and to
VOL. III.-5




66                     A. SUPPLEMENTARY
the grace of Christ, her merciful Saviour, in whom she humbly trusted,
and through whose atoning sacrifice, we may confidently hope, she has
at last entered upon the rest which remaineth to the people of God.'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Blessed
are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.''Never were modest
worth, unaffected piety, and every domestic virtue, more strongly illustrated than in the character of this most amiable and excellent woman.
Her sweetness of temper, simplicity of manners, and charitable disposition, are seldom paralleled, and never excelled.'
"'Come, death, shake hands; I'll kiss thy bands:'Tis happiness for me to die.
What! dost thou think, that I will shrink?
I'll go to immortality."'
But this will be sufficient to show the depth and tenderness of affection which marked the character of Dr. Lindsley in all his domestic
and social relations. As he approached the terminus of life, these
occasions for sympathy were multiplied in the decease of several of
his grandchildren, of whose births and deaths he always kept a careful
record. The following letter will serve as a specimen of the style in
which he was accustomed to address his children under such bereavements. It is addressed to N. Lawrence and Julia Lindsley, in their
home, near Lebanon, Tennessee, on the sudden death of their little
boy, Nathaniel Lawrence, at the age of five years and five months:NEW ALBANY, June 24, 1852.
MY DEAR CHILDREN:-We are grieved and distressed, beyond the
power of language to express, on account of the sudden decease of
your and our loved and lovely little boy. I can say nothing to alleviate the sorrow, or to mitigate the pain inflicted by this overwhelming
dispensation of Divine Providence.' I can only weep and pray with you
and for you. " The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed
be the name of the Lord." "What I do, thou knowest not now, but
thou shalt know hereafter." When we meet the smiling cherubredeemed, sanctified, happy, blessed —in the Paradise above, we shall
learn why he was thus early removed, and why our most precious




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             67
treasures are laid up in heaven — even against our fondest wishes.
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?  We must bow sub'
missive to his will. May he grant us grace equal to our trials, and
sufficient for our final triumph over every besetting sin or spiritual foe.
Your affectionate father,
P. LINDSLEY.
And here we may add another passing record from his journal,
which, better perhaps than any formal and studied portraiture, illustrates his character and feelings in the relation of a master:"September 17, 1846, Thursday.-Our good and faithful servant,
Hannah, died last night-or rather very early this morning.  She has
lived with us ever since our marriage. She was so much attached to
her mistress, that she could not be persuaded to accept of freedom,
and remain in New Jersey or New York.  She and her mother and
sister were inherited by my wife, (they and several others having belonged to her mother-all made free except Hannah, who refused.)
Aged between fifty-seven and fifty-eight.  The funeral services were
performed by the Rev. Jeremiah Bowman, a negro Presbyterian min.
ister. He preached a good sermon —sung several hymns —and prayed
twice at the house and once at the grave."
Thus, from a few touching memorials, penned certainly with no
thought of their ever being used for such a purpose, we are enabled
to discern the inmost spirit of the writer, and to mark that deep current of social and religious emotion which was ever flowing forth in
all the relations of life. In these simple records we see the true index
of character in the son, the husband, the father and the master, as
ennobled, refined and sanctified by Divine grace.
XI. DECEASE AT NASHVILLE- TRIBUTES OF RESPECT.
The principal incidents of Dr. Lindsley's sudden death at Nashville,
in 1855, while in attendance there as a member of the General Assembly of the Church, have already been given in another place. Up to
Wednesday, twenty-third of May, he had been in his usual health, and
during the preceding sessions of the body had freely participated in
the debates-his last address having reference to the baptized chil



68                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
dren of the Church. He was seized with illness that morning, while
in conversation with his children at tlfe breakfast. table, and immediately. passed into a state of unconsciousness, from which he did not
recover.  He lingered till one o'clock of Friday, twenty-fifth, when his
spirit passed away.
It will not be out of place to give here some additional particulars,
taken from the minutes of the Assembly, of their proceedings during
his illness, and in reference to. his death and -funeral services.
After the reading of the minutes on Wednesday, Dr. Krebs announced to. the Assembly that the Rev. Dr. Lindsley, who participated in the deliberations of the Assembly yesterday, lies this morning
insensible, stricken with apoplexy: and moved that the Moderator be
requested to lead the General Assembly in prayer for Dr. Lindsley
and his afflicted family,:under this painful and sad visitation. This
motion was unanimously carried, and the Moderator complied with
the request.
Dr. Lacy offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, viz.:1. Resolved, That the General Assembly have heard of the sudden
illness of the Rev. Dr. Lindsley, a member of this body, with deep
interest and sorrow.
2. Resolved, That the Moderator and Dr. Plummer be and they
are hereby requested to visit Dr. Lindsley and his afflicted family at
their earliest convenience, and assure them of the profound sympathy
of the Assembly in this dispensation of Providence, and of their
earnest prayer for his recovery, and for their spiritual support and
consolation.
On Friday afternoon, the Moderator announced that Dr. Lindsley
had died at one o'clock; whereupon, it was
Resolved,:: That the body of-the deceased be brought to the church
on to-morrow at eight o'clock, and that the General Assembly attend
the funeral in a body.
At the request of the family, this arrangement was changed, and
the funeral postponed till Monday morning.
When the Assembly met on Saturday morning, Dr. Jacobus, from




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             69
the Committee of Arrangements for the funeral, reported the following
minute, which was adopted, viz.:WHEREAS it has pleased the Great Head of the Church to remove
from his seat in this Assembly our revered father and beloved copresbyter, the Rev. Philip Lindsley, D.D.:
This Assembly would record, with deep emotion, the dealing of
Divine Providence toward this body, and pray that it may be blessed
to our admonition and spiritual edification. "The Fathers, where are
they? and the Prophets, do they live forever?"..Our honoured and endeared father died in the midst of his children,
in the circle of his early friends and fellow-citizens,: and in the arms of
his beloved church. He was called, as he could have wished, in the
midst of active labour; found at his post; and faithful to the last.
From serving this General Assembly, he was transferred, as we trust,
to his blessed seat in the General Assembly and Church of the firstborn which are written in heaven. The suddenness made it, to him,
only the more of a translation. He walked with God, and he was
not-for God took him.
Full of years and full of labours-the accomplished scholar-the
successful educator-the eminent professor —the able ruler-the sound
divine the beloved disciple —it was allowed him, according to the
willingness which he expressed only a few moments before the fatal
stroke, to die here and now, in this city of his early friendships, among
his children and brethren in the Lord.
We were privileged to take sweet counsel here with him. His
fraternal and faithful words, up to the last, in this body, leave his
memory fresh and fragrant, as is fit. It is the pleasure of this Assembly to attend his mortal remains to the tomb in confidence of his
happy transition, and of his glorious resurrection.  Like the great
Patriarch, "after he had served his generation by the will of God, he
fell asleep."
Resolved, That this Assembly do tender to the bereaved widow
and family of the deceased their Christian sympathies and earnest
prayers; and that the Stated Clerk be directed to furnish them with
a copy of this action.




TO                    A:A SUPPLEMENTARY
The Assembly then adjourned, to meet on Monday next, at ten
o'clock A.M., for business, the two previous hours of that morning
being devoted to the solemnities arranged for the funeral.
Accordingly,' after the solemn services of the Sabbath, the Assembly
met at eight o'clock on Monday, twenty-eighth, to attend the funeral.
The following members acted as pall-bearers: Walter Lowrie, Dr.
Patterson, Dr. Boardman, Dr. Thornwell, Dr. Krebs, Dr. Lacy, Dr.
Wines, Dr. Dumont, Luke Loomis, Judge Blake, Judge Fine and
Dr. Plummer.
The exercises of the deeply impressive occasion were as follows:1. Invocation and Singing-" How blest the righteous when he
dies," by Rev. Dr. Edgar, Pastor of the First Church, Nashville.
2. Reading of Ninetieth Psalm, by Rev. F. N. Ewing, of Bloomington, Illinois, a former pupil.
3. Sketch of the Life and Character of the deceased, by Rev. J. M.
Stevenson, D.D., Pastor of the family at New Albany.
4. Address'by'Rev. Dr. Van Rensselaer, Secretary of the Board of
Education, followed by Dr. N. L. Rice, the Moderator.
5. Prayer and Singing, by'Dr. Lapsley, Pastor of Second Church,
Nashville.
6. Benediction by the Moderator.
The body was then conveyed- to the tomb, and deposited by the side
of its kindred dust, in the' Nashville Cemetery.
It may form an appropriate close to the present memoir to add a
few of the many testimonials and tributes of respect, elicited by his
death. We: have no' sympathy with those who speak disparagingly
of the eulogium of the dead. There is no act of man more becoming
than when the living respect and revere the memory of the dead-the
virtuous, pious, gifted dead. It is a part of that influence which follows them, and by which they still speak.. It is an incentive to virtue
-a noble stimulus to exertion-held out to all the young, when they
see that the great and good are not forgotten, but held in honour by
those who survive them. It is the homage which nature pays to its
benefactors when it can give them no other reward.




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             71
The following is the action of the Board of Trustees and Alumni
of the University.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF DR. LINDSLEY.
Pursuant to notice, the Trustees and Alumni of the Nashville University met at the Law Office of Russell Houston, Esq., to adopt
measures indicative of their profound respect, for the life and eminent
services, and deep regret, at the melancholy intelligence'of the death
of the late Dr. Philip Lindsley.
Dr. Felix Robertson, the present Chairman of the Board of Trustees, was called to the chair, and Michael Vaughn, Esq., appointed
Secretary.
Dr. C. K. Winston moved that Andrew Ewing, Capt. R. C. Foster 3d, and John M. Lea, be appointed a committee to present resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting, concerning the object
for which it was convened, which motion was adopted.
The Committee presented the following Preamble and Resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted.
The Rev. Dr. Philip Lindsley, formerly a citizen of Nashville, and
for many years the President of the Nashville University, departed
this life on Friday, twenty-fifth instant, at the residence of his son-inlaw in this city. To do justice in any measure to the life and character of the eminent deceased, whether considered as a learned theologian, a man of letters, or a worthy citizen,- would require more time
than is now at the disposal of the Committee. Dr. Lindsley was a
native of New Jersey, and a graduate of Princeton College. Early
after his graduation he was elected a Professor in that ancient and
celebrated institution, soon promoted to the Vice-Presidency, and before the lapse of many years, so thorough a scholar had he become by
availing himself of the opportunities afforded by his position, that the
distinguished honour of the presidency was offered to him.
About the same time, the Trustees of the Nashville University, then
Cumberland College, solicited him to remove to the West, and take
charge of that institution. Contrary to the wishes of numerous friends
in his native State, who were surprised that so ripe a scholar should




72                     A SUPPLEMENTARY
decline the eminent position of the presidency in one of the most celebrated institutions in the United States, he preferred coming to the
West, and entered upon the discharge of his duties as President of
the Nashville University, in the year 1825. From that time till his
voluntary resignation in 1850, he laboured faithfully, diligently and
successfully to advance the cause of education in Tennessee. The
fruits of his twenty-six years tuition are properly appreciated and
gratefully acknowledged. His various essays and discourses on education, his conversation, his lectures at the University, all aided much
in bringing about the opinion which is universal, that the interests of
education should be fostered and encouraged by the State.  It was in
the lecture-room surrounded by his class, that Dr. Lindsley made impressions, which through the class operated on public opinion. Those
who have had the good fortune to listen to his lectures will not soon
forget the words of wisdom which flowed from his lips, nor the pleasant, courteous and dignified manner in which he conveyed instruction.
It may not, perhaps, be going too far to say that, as a classical
scholar, Dr. Lindsley had no superior in the United States, and upon
all subjects appertaining to science and letters, his knowledge was not
only full, but accurate. The respect entertained for Dr. Lindsley was
not attributable, however, solely to his intellectual acquirements, extensive as they were; he was emphatically a good man and a Christian. At the time of his death, occurring in this city, the scene of his
former usefulness and labours, during his attendance on the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, he was a Professor in the
Theological Seminary at New Albany.* His efforts in the cause of
education have therefore only ended with the limits of his life. A
member of the Presbyterian Church, and an ornament to the ministry,
he was catholic in his feelings, and liberal towards all denominations
of Christians, and it was a matter of peculiar gratification to the
Trustees of the Nashville University, that during his long services as
President, that institution, founded by no particular denomination,
* He had resigned that position, as we have seen, the year before.




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.              73
was entirely free from all sectarian influence, and equally liberal towards the various denominations for the gratuitous education of the
allowed number of young men for the ministry. The Committee, in
the few brief moments allotted them, can say no more of the great
services and acquirements of the distinguished individual, whose death
we mourn; nor in this community, where he was so well known, need
hlis name and fame an eulogy. The growing sentiment in Tennessee in
favour of education, is his monument.  The Committee submit the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That in the death of the late Dr. Lindsley, while the
country at large has reason to deplore the loss of a great and good
man, whose lifetime efforts were devoted to the advancement of knowledge and religion, the Trustees and Alumni. of the Nashville University most deeply deplore the loss of him, the prime and vigor of whose
life were spent earnestly and devotedly in their service.
Resolved, That we sympathize with the afflicted family in their distress at this melancholy dispensation of Providence.
Resolved, That we attend the funeral of the deceased, and wear the
usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That these proceedings be published.
FELIX ROBERTSON Pres't.
M. VAUGHN, Sec'y.
The following tribute is from the Republican Banner of May 31,
1855, written, we presume, by the Editor, Allen A. Hall, Esq., who
had been conversant with his history and work at Nashville from the
beginning.
REV. PHILIP LINDSLEY.
Notwithstanding the tribute from another quarter to-the memory of
this truly great man, which has already appeared in our columns, it is
neither inappropriate nor too late to add this further record from our
personal recollections of him. It will be conceded, that one has fallen
among us, who has long been identified with the highest interests of
this community, and who had done perhaps as much as the most




~74                    A SUPPLEMENTARY
active to promote them. When, by the force of circumstances, he
was removed from us several years ago, we believe that absence produced no estrangement, and that his heart was still yearning for the
scene of his earlier and more vigorous labours. If duty called him
elsewhere, and this could no longer be the theatre of his life, his fading
eye was turning ever hitherward, as to the chosen place of its last
slumber. And now, like an honest husbandman, he has ceased from
his labour, and his sheaves lie about him.
Dr. Lindsley had little to do on earth which he had not accomplished, and he went down to death full of testimonials and ripened
with the experience of this world. A student in his earliest boyhood,
he never relaxed his devotion to the cause of Letters, but the fire of
this enthusiasm seemed to become more intense, as the flame of life
grew feebler toward its end.  The influence of his scholarship has
been deeply impressed upon the learning of the entire country.  No
man ever more completely mastered whatever branch of science he
undertook, and there were but few subjects, which escaped the attention of his comprehensive genius. He possessed an intellect quick to
acquire, and a memory tenacious of its acquisitions.  Singularly
enough, however, he was as remarkable for the accuracy of his scholarship, as for the variety and comprehensiveness of his learning.  As
a classical scholar, we probably risk nothing in the assertion, that he
had no superior in America.  He dealt with the facts and the philosophy of history as with household words, while he had made
Theology and Government the subject of special study. In fact, we
are acquainted with few branches of knowledge, among which may be
included some of the natural and practical sciences, to which he had
not devoted himself with the zeal of an enthusiast.
Dr. Lindsley wielded a pen of power, and it was well for the world
that he had a chastened judgment and a benevolent heart to control
its inspiration. His youthful ambition and desire to do good instinctively attracted him to the great Southwest, when it was yet comparatively a wilderness.  His prophetic eye foresaw here a theatre at once
large enough and susceptible enough for the activity of the most enlarged benevolence and lofty ambition.  He threw himself nobly into




BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.                 75
the van of the great army of civilization, in its southward march, and
he has not failed to impress himself upon the great region which he
adopted.'His pen has been as a tongue of flame, in its advocacy of
the cause and elevation of popular education. Public sentiment has
long been thoroughly permeated by many of his liberal ideas, and the
public may long since have forgotten the source from which those
ideas were borrowed: but it was enough for the genius of such a man
to achieve good, let the glory rest where it might.
We cherish the hope, that the world will yet be enriched by the
production of many posthumous volumes from the pen of this truly
great man.
Dr. Lindsley was President of the University of Nashville during a
period of twenty-five years. The Alumui of that venerable institution,
at least, will understand with what spirit of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice he devoted himself to its success.  He was often tempted by the
most brilliant inducements to separate himself from its fluctuating
prospects and existence. For this office he declined the presidency of
not a few of the first institutions'in the Union.' But he had early
dedicated his talents to the building up of'a genuine literature in' the
great Southwest, and. he'was not easily to' be' swerved from  this
leading purpose of his life. The fruits of his labours in this office are
to be seen in the long list of gifted and eminent Alumni, who are ever
willing to attribute much of their' success to his early counsel and discipline. Dr. Lindsley possessed, to an extent beyond most men, that
happy and peculiar faculty of inspiring the youthful mind with a generous and pure ambition, which labours for the good of the race, at the
same time that it thirsts for personal advancement.
In the social circle he was much loved where he was at all understood.' A  student by profession, his habits did not suit the active
habits of the world, and men were liable to mistake the retiring
manner of the cloister for the frigid selfishness of the exclusive. Dr.
Lindsley was warm and fascinating in the circle of his friends, and no
man carried more genuine sunshine with him, wherever' he was truly
known.
But we have already too greatly protracted this hasty notice. The




176                   A SUPPLEMENTARY
deceased needs no tribute from us; his fame rests with a grateful community, and it is his highest praise to say, that his best and surest
monument is to be found in the memory of all who rightly knew him.
Dr. Van Rensselaer, in his most impressive address before the
Assembly,. in the funeral services, made the following remarks:"He accepted the presidency of the University of Nashville in
1824, and for a quarter of a century devoted his life to the institution.  In the midst of many difficulties and disadvantages, he persevered: and the presidency.of an institution, which was so much
indebted to the labours of the father, has descended, as the free gift
of the people, to a son; and may the father's work and the son's
work be carried forward, in providence,. until this goodly city and this
goodly State shall reap. the blessings of a Christian University, on
whose towers the name of Lindsley shall be immortal I
"It is proper to remark here, that. Dr. Lindsley served God in
whatever he undertook. His piety was deep, cheerful, unaffected.
Whether he lived, he lived unto the Lord; and whether he died, he
died unto the Lord; so that, whether living or dying, he was the
Lord's.  In social life he pre-eminently shone.  His heart was affectionate and easily won.. His conversational powers were exuberant.
There was a fund of anecdote, of information, of personal reminiscence,
from which he drew with a prodigality that never exhausted it. His
manners were bland and courteous.  After my first interview with
him, in this city, nine years ago, I thought, and still think, that I
never saw a more charming specimen of a Christian gentleman, minister and scholar. His labours are over. His benignant face will
never here kindle again with a smile, nor will his voice ever again be
heard in our Assembly. His last address was in reference to the baptized children of the church.  God had no more work for him to do.'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."'
It would be easy, both from his private correspondence and the
newspapers of the day, to multiply testimonials of his ability and success during the whole period of his presidency. He lived in a comrn



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.             IT
paratively new country, where some of course could not fully comprehend what he was, or what he was attempting. to do for them. But
he did not live unknown, nor die unappreciated, either at home or
abroad.  We subjoin a few notices indicative of this appreciation.
The following is from a Louisville (Kentucky).paper of 1840, written,
if we mistake not, by an eminent medical professor there:"Dr. Lindsley has presided over the University of Nashville for
nearly fifteen years, and has obtained for it not only a new but a great
name... He is one of the most gifted and learned of all our writers
and teachers. You say at,.once, on meeting him, that he is one of
nature's great men-inevitably great —but improved by study and art.
He has a brow to grasp all sciences, and the field over which he has
travelled is a very extended one. He is a deep, original, independent
thinker, and comes down upon his subject like a strong man wielding
a flail.. But with all this vigour he has taste. His mind has all the
polish which long familiarity with the great masters of ancient eloquence and poetry could give, and his style is as chaste as it is terse
and energetic."
In his correspondence of 1833, we find a letter from Hon. James K.
Paulding, thanking him for a pamphlet just published, entitled "The
Cause of the Farmers and the University of Tennessee," consisting of
two annual addresses delivered before the University. In the letter
he says: "It is long since I have read anything more eloquent in language, or more conclusive in argument; and nothing surprised and
delighted me more than the novel manner in which you have illustrated an old subject."  Accompanying the letter is a most genial
critique on the pamphlet, which the writer had published in one of
the Eastern papers, from which we take a few sentences:
"The Discourses'of President Lindsley should be read by every
man in the United States. We do not mean by scholars alone, but
most especially and emphatically by the respectable farmers and mechanics of this country, who are too apt to suppose that taxes and
donations for colleges and universities constitute a burden without a
benefit; at least any benefit of which they are likely to partake. He
traces the stream of intellectual fertility in all its beautiful meander



'8  A SUPPLEMENTARY BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
ings, and shows, that it is not alone those who reside at its source
who partake in the riches it diffuses all around, but that its blessings
pervade the whole land, and offer themselves spontaneously to all who
choose to come and taste'the waters of life.'
"Indeed, throughout the whole of these Discourses is diffused a
glow of earnest eloquence, a generous spirit of chivalry in defence of
science and learning, and a power of enforcing his sentiments, most
highly honourable to the zeal and talents of President Lindsley.  We
scarcely ever recollect seeing a more powerful vindication of science
and learning, or more conclusive arguments in favour of their universal
diffusion."
One more notice shall suffice. It is from a recent number of the
North Anzerican Review:"Of the intellectual fathers of the generation now on the stage,
Dr. Philip Lindsley was one of the most eminent, useful and indefatigable in life, and his name will be held in deserved honour in
coming years. In 1812 he became Senior Tutor, and in 1813 Professor of Languages, in the College of New Jersey. His learning and
abilities as an instructor had now become widely known; and from
his thirty-first year, until the impossibility of inducing him to change
his sphere had been thoroughly ascertained, he was in receipt of frequent invitations to honourable appointments, to an extent perhaps
unparalleled in the collegiate history of our country."
After enumerating these appointments, the writer says:"When the aggregate of learned judgment, represented by the
action of so many boards of trustees, is for a moment appreciated,
we shall be justified in saying, that the abilities and personal characteristics of no man who ever lived among us have received a more
weighty indorsement. All literary men, especially all educators, therefore, will feel a lively interest in an attentive examination of the
suggestions of such a mind."




THE PRIMITIVE STATE OF MANKIND.
LCOLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, 1820-1821.]








THE PRIMITIVE STATE OF MANKIND.
AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE THAT THE ORIGINAL OR MOST ANCIENT CONDITION OF THE
HUMAN FAMILY WAS CIVILIZED AND NOT SAVAGE.*
FEW  subjects have given rise to more crude and
unphilosophical speculation than the primeval state of
mankind. That state is universally represented to have
been, either comparatively rude and barbarous, or absolutely wild and savage. Almost the whole of our reading, whether of history, poetry or philosophy, has a
tendency to create and to confirm this prejudice. So
that we generally take the fact for granted without any
investigation; and are fully persuaded of it before we
condescend to canvass the logic by which it is so elaborately supported by its numerous advocates.  That the
Greek and Roman sophists should have entertained such
a notion, or that the ignorant and self-sufficient freethinker of modern times should be no wiser, is not
greatly to be wondered at. But that any enlightened
Christian,-much more, thaot a Christian philosopher or
theologian should be found labouring in behalf of the
* These articles contain the sum or outline of the argument fully
enforced and illustrated in a course of lectures on the Arts, Science
and Literature of Antiquity; delivered to a volunteer class in the
College of New Jersey, during the winter session of 1820-1821.
VOL. III.-6                                   (81)




82      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
same doctrine, is truly matter of astonishment and
humiliation.
The pride of system frequently leads very ingenious
men into extravagancies on this, as upon other subjects.
It is difficult, indeed, to avoid extremes when we enlist
our feelings, as well as our reason, in favour of any
theory. But here we are peculiarly liable to err. Nature herself, in all her operations, utters a language and
exhibits facts calculated to mislead us. All animals,
with which we are acquainted, commence their existence
in a comparatively weak and helpless condition. Everything in the vegetable kingdom is subject to a similar
law. The stateliest oak in the forest has been'an embryo in the acorn. The lion and the elephant might
once have been crushed beneath the feeblest hand.
Every man now living has been an infant; and whether
the inmate of a palace or a cottage, he was once a debtor
to the anxious and constant care of others for the preservation of his life, and to their instruction for the elements of whatever knowledge he possesses.  The rule
is universal. It has no exceptions. It is certain even,
that no mortal would ever speak, or contrive a language,
were lie to receive no assistance from others; or were he
to be totally excluded from social intercourse, so as never
to have it in his power to imitate articulate sounds.'Thus, then, from analogy, we are led to contemplate
the primitive state of man as similar to that of infancy.
We are prone to regard the beginnings of all things as
small, and feeble, and rude. We always suppose time to
be necessary to impart vigour, and beauty, and magni



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    83
tude, and maturity. States and empires have grown up
to-power and splendour through years of discipline, and
effort, and struggle. Individuals make great literary and
scientific attainments in the same manner. And can it
be presumed that what is now true of every man, and
of every association of men, was not true of him in his
original or first condition?
Admitting that all men are descended from a common
ancestry, why should we suppose that the first families
were wiser and more ingenious, more improved and cultivated, than millions of their posterity are, at this
moment, known to be? Have not men been found in
a savage state in every age of the world, to which
authentic history extends?  How could men lose a
knowledge of the arts-especially of the useful artsand degenerate into savages, if their forefathers had
ever been civilized and enlightened?
These and many similar inquiries may, we think, be
satisfactorily answered, without at all countenancing the
hypothesis upon which they have been grounded.
The savage state was not the primeval state of man.
If it had been, man would have remained a savage to
this day. There is no proof that any nation, or society,
or'tribe, or family, or individual has ever advanced to a
state of civilization without the aid and instruction of
those who were previously civilized. There is abundant
proof to the contrary.
We propose to establish and to illustrate the following
proposition, namely:Man has ever been a civilized being. Such was he




84      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
created, and such do we find him  in every age.*  The
stream of civilization can be traced back from one period
and country and nation to another, till we arrive at. the
original fountain in that paradise of beauty and inno,
cence in which man first awoke to the praises of his
Maker and to the healthful exercise of all his faculties.
REASON, REVELATION and HISTORY confirm: this view: of
the subject.
I. REASON.-Does not reason tell us that man must
have been created, at some period or other, by an
almighty, independent, all-wise and beneficent Deity?
If so-and every other hypothesis would land us in
atheism and absurdity-does not reason intimate that
a Creator, infinitely wise, good and powerful, would, at
the first, have endowed man with all the faculties, moral,
intellectual and corporeal, in such a state of maturity,
and with such an aptitude to every exercise and pursuit and attainment, as his distinguished rank among
the creatures of God, and his high destiny seemed to
require?
Was man designed to be the representative of Deity
in this lower world-the lord of creation-the absolute
sovereign over all the other animals-the undisputed
master of all the riches upon the earth: and. can it be
that he should have been ushered into the midst of all
this vast and varied inheritance, without one qualifica* Not everywhere, indeed; but somewhere-in some part of the
world. So that there never has been a period of time, however brief,
when civilized man could nowhere be found upon the earth.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.      85
tion for its proper management or enjoyment? —in fact,
unconscious of what he was, or of what he was destined
to become?-without language, and ignorant that he possessed the capacity of inventing or acquiring any?-without arts, and with fewer instincts than other animals?in a word, a mere brute, and of the meanest, most miserable, and most helpless order? Would not a constant
miracle have been necessary for the protection and sustenance of such a creature? Does r'eason then furnish
any plausible support to such a theory?  Does she not
at once pronounce it incredible-impossible?
We are aware that we have presented, what may be
thought, an extreme case; —that we have supposed a
state of savageness, or rather of brutality, much worse
than is generally contended for. It may be worse than
what would suit the notions of some; but not so bad
but that we may readily find for it many ingenious and
confident advocates.
Diodorus Siculus, in the beginning of his history, says
that men at first lived dispersed like the beasts, in caves
and woods,.and subsisted upon the natural productions
of the earth; that they had no use of speech, and uttered
only inarticulate cries; but that having herded -together
from fear of the wild beasts, they invented a language,
and imposed names upon things. (Diod., lib. i. cap. 8.)
The Epicureans, it is well known, held the same doctrine. Lucretius, a distinguished poet and philosopher
of this famous school, in his fifth book, De Rereum Natura,
describes the primitive state of our race very minutely
and accurately, according to the system of his sect.




86       MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
After telling us how men lived in the woods and mountains, without the use of fire, he adds:- -
"Nec commune bonum poterant spectare, nec ullis
Moribus inter se scibant, nec legibus uti.
Quod cuique obtulerat praedae fortuna, ferebat,
Sponte sua, sibi quisque valere et vivere doctus."
After which, he proceeds to relate how men associated
together, which he ascribes chiefly to the fear of wild
beasts, and how they built huts, discovered the use of
fire, and reared families. Even this, however, would not
have sufficed to the ultimate preservation of the race:"At varios lingus sonitus Natura subegit
Mittere, et Utilitas expressit nomina rerum."
So that, according to Lucretius, language was invented
by men, after they had associated together, and made
some progress towards civilization.
This system  appears to have been very popular at
Rome, during the brightest period of her literature and
philosophy. Horace, one of the best of,her poets, and
reputed a philosopher of no ordinary character, and belonging to the same school with Lucretius, has these
remarkable lines:
"Cum prorepserunt primis animalia terris,
Mutum et turpe pecus, glandem atque cubilia propter,
Unguibus et pugnis, dein fustibus, atque itk porro
Pugnabant arm*is, qum post fabricaverat usus;
Donec verba, quibus voces sensusque notarent,
Nominaque invenere: dehinc absistere bello,
Oppida cceperunt munire, et ponere leges,
Ne quis fur esset, neu latro, neu quis adulter."
Sat. 3, lib. i.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            87
And Cicero (De Inventione Rhetorica, lib. i. c. 2) asserts
the same doctrine: "Nam  fuit quoddam  tempus, cum in
agris homines passim bestiarum modo vagabantur, et sibi
victu ferino vitam  propagabant; nec ratione anirni quidquam, sed pleraque viribus corporis admlinistrabant. Nondum divinva religionis, non humani officii ratio colebatur:
nemo nuptias viderat legitimas: non certos quisquam inspexerat liberos: non jus amquabile quid utilitatis haberet,
acceperat."  Again, (De Legibms, lib. 2, cap. 14,) speaking
of the Eleusinian mysteries, he says: "Nam  mihi cum
multa eximia divinaque videntur Athenva tua3 peperisse,
atque in vita hominum  attulisse, tum  nihil melius illis
mysteriis, quibus ex agresti immanique vita exculti ad
humanitatem, et mitigati sumus."
Thus, also, Juvenal:- ~' * * " Mundi
Principio indulsit communis conditor illis
Tantum animas, nobis animum quoque; mutuus ut nos
Affectus petere auxilium, et praestare juberet,
Dispersos trahere in populum, migrare vetusto
De nemore, et proavis habitatas linquere sylvas.AEdificare domos, laribus conjungere nostris
Tectum aliud, tutos vicino limine somnos
Ut collata daret fiducia; protegere armis
Lapsum, aut ingenti nutantem vulnere civem:
Communi dare signa tuba defendier isdem'
Turribus, atque una portarum clave teneri."
Sat. 15, v. 147, etc.
Nor is his account of the golden age much more flattering.  (See Satire 6, at the beginning, etc.)
"Credo pudicitiam Saturno rege moratam
In terris, visamque diu; cum frigida parvas
Praeberet spelunca domos, ignemque, Laremque,
Et pecus, et dominos communi clauderet umbra:




88       MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND: ESSAYS.
Sylvestrem montana torum cfim sterneret uxor
Frondibus et culmo, vicinarumque ferarum
Pellibus: haud similis tibi, Cynthia, nec tibi, cujus
Turbavit nitidos extinctus passer ocellos:
Sed potanda ferens infantibus ubera magnis,
Et svepb horridior glandem ructante marito."
It is unnecessary to quote many authorities on this
subject. The truth is, that a similar train of sentiment
seems to pervade the philosophy and the mythology of
the classic ages.  We meet with it in the theology of the
early Christian  fathers.   And  among modern writers,
whether Christian or infidel, it would be difficult to enumerate all who have professedly or incidentally advocated or countenanced the same system.'The greater
part of modern philosophers (says one of them) have
declared for the original savageism of men."*
* As specimens of the several classes of authors who have, in their
various works, insinuated or assumed or distinctly enunciated the same
doctrine, the following names may be cited, viz., Hobbes, Rousseau,
Hume, Condorcet, Buffon, Kaimes, White, Robertson, Gillies, Shaftesbury, Russell, Voltaire, Raynal, Millot, Astle, Darwin, Condillac, Adam
Smith, Gibbon, Maupertuis, Michaelis, Volney, Tytler, Priestley, Mallet, Heeren, Klaproth, Ferguson.  See, more especially, Goguet's
"Origin of Laws, Arts and Sciences, and their Progress among the
most Ancient Nations;" Gebelin's "Monde Primitif, analyse et compare avec Le Monde Moderrre;" and that most ingenious of all philological romances, the "History of the European Languages," by the
late Alexander Murray, D.D., Professor of Hebrew, etc. in the University of Edinburgh. The whole current of our periodical literature
is in a similar vein. Thus, in the first volume of the Classical Journal,
(page 41,) the late Professor R. Scott, of Aberdeen, treating "Of the
Origin and Progress of Language and Writing," commences a paragraph as follows: "As language must at first have been the invention
of rude and unenlightened men, very little raised above the state of
barbarism, it may appear to some of my readers very difficult to




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.       89
Passing, therefore, a multitude of names, we proceed
to pay our respects to its most distinguished champion
among the philosophers of the last century.  In that
very learned, elaborate, and, in many respects, ingenious
treatise, on "The Origin and Progress of Language," by
the late celebrated James Burnett, afterwards Lord Monboddo, of Scotland, we have a complete development of
the old Epicurean theory, in all its most repulsive features. The learned author intended no caricature, but a
beautiful and finished picture.  He was an enthusiast in
the cause; but yet cool, collected, and persevering in his
investigations of all the stores of ancient and modern
learning, and of all the facts with which he could become
acquainted. It is true,.that, like most other honest, candid, unprejudiced inquirers after truth, he set out upon
his researches, or voyage of discovery, with his mind
made up —with his system  already formed;- and, of
course, he readily enough met with materials adapted
to his purpose, quite sufficient to eke out a very plausible case; and, in his own view at least, to operate perfect
conviction upon all the ethereal spirits capable of comprehending him. But, let the philosopher speak for himself: "I cannot doubt (says he) but that I shall convince
every one who will think it worth his while to read what
follows, that articulation.is altogether the work of art, at
least of a habit acquired by custom and exercise, and
that we are truly by nature the mutum pecus, the mute
comprehend how such men should have been capable of exercising
that degree of abstraction, which the formation of its mere elements
implies."




90      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
herd, that Horace makes us to be. This, I think, I
am able to prove, both from theory and facts." (Vol. i.
p. 185.)
We shall not accompany him through his curious details of facts, derived from ancient historians and from
modern voyagers and travellers; the fih-eaters, the woodeaters, the insensibles of Diodorus Siculus; the Troglodytes
of Herodotus; the. Bornians of: Leo:Africanus; and the
thousands of brutish hordes of savages and cannibals,
reported to have existed or as still existing in America,
in Africa, in New Holland, and in the islands of the
great Pacific Ocean: all of which the author carefully
marshals and arrays in support of his theory. He avails
himself too, with great skill, of the opinions of eminent
writers, ancient and modern, whenever they seemed to
favour his own. We say seemed; for he sometimes ap.
pears to have decided rather hastily, or he could never
have dragged Plato and Warburton into his ranks;men who, though they did not entertain, what we
deem, orthodox sentiments on this subject, yet differed
widely from his Lordship in the main features of his
scheme.
After thus citing a host of facts and authorities, to
prove that men are allied to the Simian tribes-that
man and the monkey belong to the same species —and
are no otherwise to be distinguished from each other
than by circumstances, which can be accounted for by
the different physical and moral agencies to which they
have been exposed, he very modestly adds: "This opinion, therefore, of mine may be false; but it is not new




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    91
nor singular; and being supported by such respectable
authorities, I may say the concurring testimony of all
ancient authors who have treated the subject, is, I think,
entitled to a fair and candid examination, which, however, it cannot expect from vulgar prejudice, but only
from men of liberal thought, and more than common
learning; and it is for such only that I write." The
author did not here mean to intimate that he himself
entertained a shadow of doubt on the subject. On the
contrary, he fully believed everything that he has advanced. "The orang-outangs (says he) are proved to be
of our species by marks of humanity that I think are
incontestable." (Ibid., p. 375.)
Now although his Lordship has exposed himself to
much ridicule for having thus gratuitously provided his
ancestors with tails, and has thereby brought his system
somewhat into disrepute, yet we cannot help thinking
that he has pursued quite as logical and philosophical a
course as others have done, Nwho, commencing with the
same general premises, have yet stopped short of the
same pleasant results.  He has accomplished in this
department of science what Berkley and Hume effected
in metaphysics.  He has reasoned consistently upon
false, but hitherto almost undisputed principles.  He
has arrived, by a legitimate process of induction and
argumentation from unquestioned data, at conclusions,
which shock as extravagant, or provoke laughter or pity
as ridiculous or absurd. The true dignity of man, and
his original character and condition, will probably be
better understood and appreciated, in consequence of his




92     MISCELLANEOUS.. ISCOURSES, A0ND ESSAYS.
learned labours to degrade him.. His book may possibly
open the eyes of many, who will startle at what appears
monstrous, while otherwise they might not choose to
suspect the soundness of commonly received dogmas.
We could as soon go all lengths with Monboddo, as
subscribe to the following statement or position of Adam
Ferguson, in his Essay on Civil Society: "The individual
in every age, has the same race to run from infancy to
nanhood, and every infant or ignorant person now, is a
model of what man was in his original state." He evidently intends to avoid the extravagance of the former,
and of the ultra Epicureans, for he adds, a few pages
after: "If there was a time in which he had his acquaintance with his own species to make, and his faculties to acquire, it is a time of which we have no record,
and in relation to which our opinions can serve no purpose, and are supported by no evidence." This is put
hypothetically. It may, or it may not have been so.
We know little or nothing about the matter, according
to this sagacious political philosopher and able historian.
Again, in the progress of his work, he presents us with
another view of the subject, a little modified, indeed, but
in the main sufficiently consistent with the one already
cited.'The inhabitants of Britain, at the time of the
first Roman invasions, resembled, in many things, the
present natives of North America; they were ignorant
of agriculture, they painted their bodies, and used for
clothing the skins of beasts. Such, therefore, appears to
have been the commencement of history with all nations,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.       93
and in such circumstances are we to look for the original
character of mankind."*
Dr. Beattie, speaking of the system of Epicurus, which
-had found so powerful an advocate in his erudite but
eccentric countryman and contemporary, has the following very just observations: —"One would wonder, (says
he,) what charms men could find in a system so degrading to our nature; - or what evidence in that which has no
other foundation than poetical fancy and wild hypothesis.
The Pagans, indeed, who knew little of the origin of man.
kind, might be excused for favouring an opinion, which,
as it- appears in Lucretius, has at least harmonious numbers and elegant descriptions to recommend it. And yet,
unseduced by poetical allurement, Quinctilian declares, in
the language of true- philosophy, that moral sentiments
are natural to us, and that men had speech from the beginning, and received that choice gift from their Creator.
And Ovid's beautiful account of the first men seems to
have been composed, partly from Hesiod's Golden Age,
and partly from traditions founded on the Mosaic history
of the creation; —that we were at first good and happy,
and lost our felicity when we lost our innocence.-Is it
not an idea more honourable to our nature, more friendly
to virtue, and more consonant to the general notions of
mankind, than that we were in the beginning a species
of wild beast, and afterwards by improvement degenerated
into wicked and wretched men?  If there be, in the con* Ferguson's Essay on Civil Society, p. 125. See also Robertson's
History of America, vol. ii. pp. 34-51, where a similar opinion is
maintained. Also Millot's Ancient History, at beginning.




94     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
sciousness of honourable descent, anything that elevates
the soul, surely those writings cannot be on the side of
virtue which represent our nature, and our origin, as such
as we should have reason to be ashamed of. But he who
tells me, upon the authority of Scripture, and agreeably
to the dictates of right reason, that we were all descended
from beings, who were created in the image of God, wise,
innocent and happy; that, by their and our unworthy
conduct, human nature is miserably degraded; but that
on the performance of certain most reasonable conditions,
we may retrieve our primitive dignity, and rise' even to
higher happiness than that of our first parents; —the
man, I say,.who teaches this doctrine, sets before me the
most animating motives to virtue, humility and hope, to
piety and benevolence, to gratitude and adoration." (Beattie's Theory of Language, p. 100.)
Again, he says: "We learn to speak, when our organs
are most flexible, and our'powers of imitation most active; that is, when we are infants. Yet even then, this
is no easy acquisition, but the effect of daily exercise continued for several years from morning to night. Were
we never to attempt speech till we are grown up, there
is reason to think that we should find it exceedingly
difficult, if.not impracticable."
Mute savages have been found in deserts and forests
who never could be taught to speak. In every language
there are certain peculiar accents and articulate sounds
which they only can pronounce with ease or accuracy, who
have learned to do so when very young. "If, then, there
ever was a time, when all mankind were mutuzm et turpe




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    95
ecus, a dumb and brutal race of animals, all mankind
must, in the ordinary course, of things, have continued
dumb to this day.-For, to such animals speech could
not be necessary; as they.are supposed to have existed
for ages without it; and it is not to be imagined, that
dumb and beastly savages would ever think of contriving
unnecessary arts,: whereof they had no example in the
world around them." Further, according to Dr. Johnson:
"Speech, if invented at all, must have been invented,
either by children, who were incapable of invention, or
by men, who were incapable of speech."  "And therefore reason, as well as history, intimates that mankind
in all ages must have been speaking animals; the young
having constantly acquired this art by imitating those
who were elder. And we may warrantably suppose, that
our first parents must have received it by immediate
inspiration." (Beattie.)
Indeed, no other account of the origin of language is
rational or philosophical, or even plausible,- to say
nothing of Scripture. When it is said that our first
parents must have received the art of speech by immediate inspiration, it is not necessary to suppose that the
Creator inspired them with any particular original or
primitive language; but that he made them fully sensible of the power with which they were endued of forming articulate sounds, gave them an impulse to exert it,
and left the arbitrary imposition of words to their own
choice. But however this might be, we find Adam in
fact, as soon as created, giving names to all animals, and
holding converse with his Maker, and with his Maker's




96     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
"last best gift," which alone constituted his beautiful
Eden a perfect Paradise. We find him from the beginning a social, domestic, speaking and religious being.
Man is called by Homer PApos, or articulate speaking; and
certainly there is no other characteristic at once more
noble and more peculiarly his own.
That man, then, in his primeval state, had no affinity
with any species of the brute creation-that he never
was a quadruped, using his hands for feet —that he
never possessed any of the ornamental or superfluous
appendages peculiar to the wild beast of the forestand that he never could have been destitute of speech
or language-the physiologist, the anatomist, the historian, the philologist, the Christian divine, with several
even of the ancient sages and poets, unite in attesting.
"Of standing facts there ought to be no controversy,"
says Dr. Johnson. "If there are men with tails, catch
an homo caudatus."  The Epicurean theory, therefore,
must be surrendered as utterly indefensible upon any
rational ground.
Thus far, then, authority, as well as reason and facts,
will sustain our doctrine; or be found arrayed against
the scheme so beautifully portrayed by Lucretius, and
so speciously elaborated by Monboddo.
But the proposition, which it was our main design to
demonstrate, is vastly more comprehensive. It is not
enough to prove that men were not originally a dumb
and brutish herd.  Our object was to show that men
were not originally even savages; that they were not a
wild, rude and barbarous race, like the ancient Gauls




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             97
and Britons, or like the present Indians of America or
Negroes of Africa.*
We have already suggested the presumption which
REASON, a priori, furnishes against this still almost universally prevalent theory.  The reductio ad absurdum
will apply to the latter with scarcely less propriety and
effect, than to the revolting extravagancies of the Epicurean school.
The argument from  SCRITTURE and HISTORY remains
yet to be exhibited.
II. SCRIPTURE. —Let us then appeal to the oldest written record in the world. Read the Mosaic account of
man's creation.  Behold the first pair in the garden of
Eden; and appointed "to dress it, and to keep it"-with
"dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of
the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon
the earth."
* Dr. Blair, in his Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres, which
are studied, as orthodox, wherever the English language prevails, takes
for granted, throughout, that the savage was the primitive state of
man. This is more especially apparent whenever he has occasion to
trace to its origin any human art, science, invention, discovery, custom
or opinion which comes within the scope of his extensive and diversified speculations.  See, in particular, his /ectures on the Rise and
Progress of Language. In Lecture 38, on the nature of Poetry, he
remarks: "In order to explore the rise of poetry, we must have recourse to the deserts and the wilds; we must go back to the age of
hunters and of shepherds; to the highest antiquity; and to the simplest form of manners among mankind." And that we may not be
left in any doubt about his opinion of the most ancient condition of
our race, he presently adds: "It is chiefly in America, that we have
had the opportunity of being made acquainted.with men in their savage state,"-i.e. with men in their original or natural state.
VOL. III.-7




98      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Recollect that everything was created in a state of
perfection or maturity.  All animals and vegetables
were of full size and vigour. They required no time
to grow. Ripe fruits were upon the trees; and every
living creature was prepared at once to enter upon its
destined career. Thus, too, was man created-vigorous
and mature in all his faculties of body and mind; ready
for every work and duty which his situation demanded;
with God for his companion, friend and instructor. Horticulture was his first employment. This has never been
the occupation of savage life.  Hunting, then, or the
chase could not have been the primitive mode of procuring a subsistence. Or, in other words, the hunting
state is not the state of nature, or of man in his original,
natural condition. And yet savages, in every age and
country, have been and still are hunters. So that hunting may be assumed as a universal predicate or characteristic of savage life. Adam therefore was not a savage.
He must have been an eminent naturalist, at least
zoologist, if he gave appropriate and significant names
to all animals. Of his first two sons, the one was a
farmer, and the other a shepherd.
Cain, the first born of the human race, built a city,
and called it Enoch after his own eldest son; and, of
course, must have known all the arts which such an
undertaking implies or requires. And that cities might
have been very necessary, or at least very convenient,
will appear sufficiently obvious, when we consider the
amount of population which probably existed even at
this early period. According to several profound bib



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.     99
lical antiquaries and expositors, there might have been
many hundreds of thousands. We do not vouch for the
accuracy of any of the speculative calculations which
have appeared upon the subject of the antediluvian
population. We may be sure, however, that none of
the Malthzsian obstacles to the rapid increase of the
human species could have been pleaded by old bachelors then as now, by way of apology for disobeying one of
the first, most positive, and most reasonable commands
of their Creator.
Lamech, the fifth in descent from Cain, was the father
of Jabal, Jubal and Tubal-cain, who are represented by
Moses as having been extraordinary proficients in several
of the arts, both useful and ornamental. (About A.M.
500.) Jabal "was the father of such as dwell in tents,
and of such as have cattle." Or, hle was a famous shepherd and tent-maker; and a teacher of others. Abel
had been a shepherd long before. Jubal "was the father
of all such as handle the harp and organ,"-or all stringed
and all wind instruments; the original terms being generic. Tubal-cain was "an instructor of every artificer
in brass and iron;" the first smith on record; —a noted
manufacturer of warlike instruments and domestic utensils;-an ingenious artist, and a teacher of others. Agricultural implements, at least, must have been in use
several centuries before. For Cain was "a tiller of the
ground," and Adam a gardener. The former, too, had
built a city; and of course, it may be presumed, made
use of iron in sundry ways. Savages know nothing of
iron.




100    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Here, it might not be irrelevant to the general scope of
our argument, to glance at several of the. circumstances
which were peculiarly favourable to the progress of the
arts among the antediluvians.
1. Their great. age.; and probably greater size and
strength. Most of that very small number of individ.
uals whose age is recorded by Moses, lived nearly a thousand years; and others may have lived much longer, for
aught we know to the contrary. What might have been
achieved in science and the arts, by genius and persevere
ance, during a single life protracted through a period of
eight or ten centuries, can only be conjectured from the
efforts of modern intellect, since life has been limited to
threescore years and ten. "There were giants in the
earth in those days," (Gen. vi. 4,)! that is, before the
deluge-as there were soon after.
2. They had stronger inducements to the erection of
superior, more costly, more durable and more capacious
edifices and monuments, public and private, than exist
at present. They might reasonably calculate on reaping
the benefits of their labours and expenditures.
3. The immense population of the antediluvian world;
Sundry very learned and judicious authors suppose that,
upon a moderate computation, there were in this world
at least two millions of millions of souls.  Arts must
flourish in the midst of such a population. Even the
necessaries of mere animal existence could not be procured by such a multitude, in a savage or uncivilized.
state.
4. One language before the deluge. This peculiar dis



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            101
tinction of the antediluvians, probably contributed more
than any or all others, to their steady advancement in
knowledge and the arts; and certainly to prevent their
degeneracy into savages.*
5. The earth- was probably more fertile, and the climate - more healthful, and more auspicious to longevity,
and consequently to every species of mental and corporeal exertion  and enterprise, than  at present.  We
refer to the cosmogonists and archaeologists generally,
for an account of the physical: changes which the earth
is supposed to have undergone in consequence of the
deluge; as regards its internal structure-  the  order,
* The most direct, efficient and obvious cause of the speedy degeneracy of a large proportion of our race immediately after the general
dispersion, was, no doubt, the "confusion of tongues" which preceded
and occasioned that event. This sudden and extraordinary multiplication of languages among the primitive inhabitants of the plains of
Shinar, I believe, is not usually assigned as a cause of the savageism
which ensued. At least, I have not met with it. It deserves a more
prominent exhibition and development than it has hitherto obtained.
I once supposed it so easy a matter to account for the existing diversity in language, that I scarcely deemed a miracle necessary at the
outset to effect it. My opinion on this subject is totally changed.'Without a miracle, human language would have continued essentially
one, after the flood, as it had been before; and then the savage state
would never have existed-at least in the ordinary course of human
events. Language in itself, and while uninfluenced by other or foreign
dialects, is the most immutable and permanent thing in the world.
Again: should it be assumed that the art of writing, in some form,
is indispensable to civilization, and that neither the Antediluvians nor
early Postdiluvians possessed the art, and therefore that they must
have been barbarians or savages, I answer: It cannot be proved that
writing was unknown at any period anterior to the age of Moses; in
whose time, even alphabetical writing, as we now practise it, was as
perfect as it has ever been since.




102    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
arrangement and mixture of its several strata - the
formation of mountains, valleys, oceans, islands, lakes,
deserts, marshes —its fertility and salubrity-the posi.
tion of its axis, whether at first inclined to the plane
of the ecliptic as at present; or whether the plane of the
equator was coincident with the plane of the ecliptic, so
that the sun in its diurnal motion would' seem to move
always in the equator, but henceforth became oblique to
the same;-whence an increase of the year from 360
days to its present length; whence also the difference of
seasons, and the effects of such a change, etc.
But, to proceed with the argument. Moses is our only
authority for everything appertaining to the antediluvian
world.  He has rapidly sketched the mere outlines of
its history. A -few most important facts he has clearly
stated. These facts accord with the dictates of enlightened reason and sound philosophy. He has solved the
problem of this world's origin; and supplied the elements
from which the true character and condition of our wayward race may be ascertained from the beginning. He
gives "a local habitation" to the golden age of fiction;
and shows us how "death and all our wo" were the consequence and the penalty of man's disobedience to his
Maker's righteous mandate.
In dignity, in intellect, in virtue, in happiness, in
glory, he was, at the first, but a little lower than the
angels.  What he would have been, had he remained
innocent and dutiful, is not for us to conjecture, —except
so far as we know what angels and the spirits of the just
made perfect are and ever will be. But though great




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    103
was his fall from this exalted height, yet he did not sink
so low in the moral or intellectual scale, as at once to
lose his knowledge or his faculties. Though guilty, condemned, degraded, he was still sustained and cherished
and guided by the kindly arm of infinite mercy and wisdom. Though the earth was cursed for his sake, yet he
still retained his dominion over it. And although in
the course of a few generations, we behold the countless
millions of our race rioting in all manner of wickedness,
with the exception of a single individual and his family,
still we discover no traces or vestiges of savage life upon
the earth. Men may lose all knowledge of the true God,
all reverence for his character and laws, all relish for his
service and worship, while yet they may be highly distinguished in science and the arts. Ancient Egypt, and
Greece, and Rome will testify, that the grossest moral
darkness and depravity do not always imply, or are not
necessarily connected with, a corresponding degradation
of the intellectual character, -or that they are at all
inconsistent with the highest state of civilization and
refinement.
During the first historical period then of 1656 years
(Hebrew chronology) —that is, from the creation to the
deluge-all mankind, or at least the generations from
which Noah descended, were civilized.
Of the state of the arts in Noah's time, we may form
some conjecture from the ark which he constructed (by
the divine command indeed, but without any extraordinary aid or direction, so far as we know) for the purpose
of preserving himself and family, with as many of the




104    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
different species of beasts, birds and reptiles, as were
necessary to replenish the new world with inhabitants,
after the destruction of the old. This was probably the
most astonishing structure, on several accounts, that ever
rested upon the earth, or floated upon the surface of the
mighty deep. A ship of at least one hundred thousand
tons burthen! What a specimen of architectural skill,
was not this last memento of antediluvian art?  Noah
was its builder-its architect; —he directed and superintended the work. Thousands of artisans, mechanics and
labourers were, no doubt, employed on it, who perished
beneath the waves which bore it from their reach and
from their view forever.
When Noah entered the ark, he was 600 years old.
Japheth, 100-Shem, 98-and Ham, probably 96. They
therefore had time and opportunity sufficient to become
intimately acquainted with all the arts and learning
which the antediluvians possessed. And we may rea,
sonably conclude that they diligently and successfully
improved the time and the means which they enjoyed.
They knew that they were to be the depositaries of all
the knowledge and attainments of past ages; and tobecome the instructors of future generations. They were
familiar with the cities, edifices, and other productions
of the art, genius and industry of the old world. The
ark itself was many years in building before their eyes.
They lived together a year within its capacious bosomwhere they had the finest opportunity possible for the
study of zoology; and, next to Adam, they were prob




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   105
ably better versed in that department of natural science
than any other mortals have ever been..
How much of the abstract sciences, and how much of
literature they may have derived from their ancestors
and brethren, it is impossible for us to determine. If
we say they had nothing, be it so. It is, however, after
all, a mere gratis dictum. The fact can never be proved.
Astronomy is conceded by many, from a variety of circumstances, to have been considerably known before the
deluge. But it is the fashion to deny everything to
antiquity, in favour of which we have no direct positive
evidence. Conjecture or analogy is not allowed to supply
the absence or defect of explicit testimony or substantial
proof in any case....
It would be too mortifying to the pride of modern
science to suppose it, for a single moment, to have been
within the range of possibility, that the ancients should
have made the sublime discoveries and demonstrations of
a Newton or La Prace. Granted that they did not. We
shall probably, however, in the course of our investigations, find some things to balance the account. Facts
are stubborn things. Fortunately for the fair fame of
ancient genius, there are living witnesses yet speaking,
and speaking loudly, in the midst of surrounding desolation and barbarism, the praises of an age to which even.
Grecian history does not reach.
But let us return to the mountains of Armenia, and
see the little remnant of the human family issuing from
the ark, and commencing a new career in a world in
which probably not a vestige remained to awaken melan



106    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
choly recollections or tender associations-not a relic of
that grandeur and magnificence on which they had formerly gazed with admiration, or contemplated with sentiments of unutterable compassion in the view of that
awful catastrophe which they foresaw would speedily
overwhelm their vain and guilty possessors.
How long the ark itself continued as a monument of
art, or a memorial of divine vengeance and of divine
mercy —or as a model of great design and exquisite
skill in architecture, whether for ship-building and naval
enterprise, or for temples, towers, public or private edifices-Moses has not told us, and tradition is not worth
regarding.
Noah, we are informed, became a husbandman. He
began the world (to use a common phrase) as Adam and
his sons had done before him, by cultivating the earth.
Here then is no approach to savage life.
Noah and his family, for some time probably, cultivated the valleys in the neighbourhbod of Ararat, one
of the mountains of Armenia, on which the ark settled
after the subsidence of the waters. As they increased
in numbers, they appear to have passed along the banks
of the Euphrates, which rises in the mountains of Armenia, (vid. Herodotus,) till at length they came to the
plains of Shinar or Babylonia,-allowed to be the most
fertile country in the East.  Here they built a city
and commenced a tower, whose top might "reach unto
heaven," i.e. to the visible heavenly luminaries or to the
clouds. For this purpose they burnt brick, which they
used instead of stone; "and slime," or bitumen (Lat.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND, ESSAYS.    107
Vuig.) or darakroq, (GrTc. Sept.) "had they for mortar."
(Gen. xi. 3, 4.) Three years, it is said, they prepared
their materials, and twenty-two years carried on their
building.  Their arrogant and rebellious attempt displeased the Lord, who miraculously confounded their
language, which put an effectual stop to the work, procured for it the name of Babel or "confusion," and
obliged the people to disperse themselves, and replenish
the world.
It is thought by some that the family of Shem did not
concur in this presumptuous enterprise, —that Nimrod,
the son of Cush and grandson of Hain, was the principal
leader: but of this we have no certain evidence.  What
became of this mighty tower (commenced about 100
years after the deluge) we cannot determine. Nearly
1800 years after its erection, Herodotus saw a structure
at Babylon (the temple of Jupiter Belus) consisting of
eight towers, raised one above another, built, of bricks
and bitumen, of immense size.  This lofty edifice is
believed by many to have been the identical tower described by Moses. Bel or Belus was a title given to
Nimrod, according to Bryant. Its ruins, or the supposed ruins of this ancient tower or temple, have been
frequently noticed by antiquaries and modern travellers.*
* Vide Herodotus, St. Jerome, Calmet, Bochart, Rollin, Bryant,
Rich, Niebuhr, Rennell, Della Valle, Ker Porter, Grotefend, etc.
It is very questionable, however, whether even the site of old Babylon can be ascertained at the present day. Lucian intimates that not
a vestige of Nineveh remained in his time; and he predicts that such
also would soon be the fate of Babylon. In this particular, at least,
he accords with the Hebrew prophets.




108    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
It is not material to our present purpose to inquire
into the object or end for which this remarkable tower
was built. Some suppose it was designed to be a "temple to the host of heaven," or for idolatrous worship of
some kind; —others, that it was intended to afford an
asylum to the builders and their families in case of
another deluge;, like the Pyramids of Egypt, perhaps;others again, that it was designed to be the central ornament or principal fortress of a grand metropolitan city,
the seat of government, in order to prevent a general
dispersion of the people. "Let us make us a name, lest.
we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
(Gen. xi. 4.)
The sons of Noah had witnessed the massive and colossal structures of the old world-they had seen the great
ship which had preserved them from a watery graveambition or vanity, or a distrust of the divine providence
and promise, might have prompted them, at least some
of them, (say the family of Ham, known to have been
profane and disobedient,) to imitate the proud monuments of art which had adorned the antediluvian world,
that future generations might possess a specimen and a
model of the same stupendous and magnificent architecture-or that their own name might be immortalized
by their labours-or that it might serve as a citadel or
military castle of defence and protection-or as a palace
or residence for their chief, (Ham, for instance, or Nimrod,) for many centuries to come; not realizing that
their life was to be shortened-or-but it is no matter
what they had in view.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES- AND ESSAYS.    109
It proves that they were still equal to great undertakings; that they had not lost that knowledge of the
arts which they must have brought with them from the
ruins and the wreck of former nations. They were still
a civilized-people.
Down to this period assuredly, if there be truth in
Scripture, no trace of savageness can be found in our
world. We fearlessly, and most confidently oppose facts
to theory. And we are willing cheerfully to submit the
case to any honest,.enlightened, independent jury of our
peers.
Civilization and the arts continued to flourish in the
countries first occupied after the flood. In the fruitful
plains of Shinar or Babylon-upon the eastern and southern shores of the Mediterranean —along the banks of the
Euphrates, the Tigris and the:Nile-.-and in the adjacent
regions.
But here commences a new era. Mankind were now
to be dispersed and scattered over the face of the earth.
As men travelled further from their original residence
-into colder, moresterile,. more inhospitable, or more
unhealthful climes-into-rocky, mountainous regionsremote islands, impervious forests and deserts, by this
time filled with beasts of prey and venomous reptilesespecially when the colonies were small and indifferently
furnished with artisans and mechanics, or with the implements and utensils indispensable to agriculture and
carpentry —in such circumstances, it is easy to account
for the speedy degeneracy of numerous tribes, and for
their lapse into a barbarous and savage state.




110    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Thus, Northern Asia, the greater part of Africa, the
islands of the Mediterranean Sea and of the ocean, Europe and America, appear to have been inhabited by
rude and savage and migratory hordes, as. far back as
history and tradition extend; while the same history
and tradition-together with Scripture —assure us that
Chaldea, Assyria, Phoenicia and Egypt,-perhaps India
and other Eastern countries,-were civilized and polished
from the remotest times, or from the beginning. And
these have proved the fountain of civilization, letters and
the arts, to every part of the globe, where they have been
found, or where they now exist.
From the building of Babel to the period at which
Egypt appears, on the page of authentic history, a great
and flourishing empire, famed alike for wealth and power
and wisdom and science, the interval is short; the steps
are few and easily marked.
We have thus presented the outlines of our general
views on this curious subject, under the heads of REASON
and SCRIPTURE.
The third branch of the argument, namely, that from
HISTORY, will be illustrated in a future article; in which,
we shall endeavour to ascend the historical stream of
civilization, till we fairly land upon the classic shores
of ancient Greece; whence, confessedly, modern Europe
and European America have derived all their civility,
literature and arts. Nor shall we assign the palm of
originating these to the ingenious Greeks; much as we
admire them, and unquestionable as are their claims to
the everlasting gratitude of mankind. We shall pursue




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   111
our voyage to Egypt and the East;-where will be found
all the luxury, beauty, opulence, splendour and refinement which usually distinguish the meridian of national
greatness, or which characterize its decline-even at the
earliest epoch to which Grecian history and tradition
ever ventured to approach. Here was civilization of the
highest order, when the Greeks themselves were, by their
own showing, fierce and untamed barbarians.
Thus, commencing from the creation of man, we learn
from Scripture that he existed in a civilized state, at least
down to the period of the general dispersion: and, reversing the order of our inquiry, we shall find from history
that civilization is still traceable up to the age and the
region whzen and where this memorable event is believed
to have occurred.




THE PRIMITIVE  STATE OF MANKIND.
[CONCLUDED.]
I HAVE said that it can be proved from REASON, SCRIPTURE and HISTORY, that the primitive state of the human
race was civilized. I have shown how reason, prior to
any investigation of facts, confirms the position, and how
unreasonable is every other hypothesis. I have exhibited the scriptural account of man's creation; and exposed the absurdity of supposing that he could have
proceeded from the hand of an infinitely wise, good and
powerful Being, mature in his corporeal faculties, and
yet destitute of mental furniture, or deficient in wisdom
and intellect. Or, in other words, that he should have
been formed only a full-grown infant; and, in that helpless condition, have been left by his Creator to grope his
way in this new world, friendless, ignorant, unprotected
-without a guide or instructor to aid in the gradual development of his rational powers, and irt the attainment
of that knowledge and skill which his situation imperiously demanded from the beginning; and without which
he must either soon have perished, or remained forever
in a degraded and brutish condition. I have shown that
Scripture, so far from countenancing any such representation of his original state and character, does directly and
(112)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    113
most clearly contradict it. I have rapidly sketched his
early history, and brought under review the several facts
recorded by the pen of inspiration calculated to illustrate
this dark period of human society, —extending from the
creation to the deluge. I have followed the same safe
and infallible guide, from the second commencement of
our wayward race, to the building of the tower of Babel:
and in all this progress through the lapse and the revolutions of nearly eighteen centuries, we have discovered
no trace of savage life upon the earth.
All the data with which we are furnished, and all the
analogical reasoning which these data suggest, go to the
establishment of the proposition, that man existed from
the beginning in a state of civilization, with very many,
if not all, of the arts and improvements which usually
distinguish and adorn such a state; and that he continued in this state down to the period just specified. I
have also shown it to be highly probable that, soon after
the dispersion of mankind from the fruitful plains of
Shinar, they began in many places to degenerate; that,
while the arts flourished and extended along the banks
of the Tigris, the Euphrates and the Nile —upon the
eastern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Seain the intermediate and adjacent countries-and perhaps
far into India and the East —they were either totally or
nearly lost by the numerous colonies which migrated,
under inauspicious circumstances, into more barren, ungenial and inhospitable climes, especially where all future
intercourse between the colonies and the parent stock
was rendered difficult or impracticable. I have shown
VOL. III.-8




114    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
how easy it is for men to degenerate into savages; —that
this is a very natural process and of frequent occurrence;
that we everywhere behold families and individuals, even
in the midst of the most refined society, and within sight
of our proudest institutions of science and noblest monuments of art, ignorant, degraded and removed but a single
step from the savage of the wilderness; that it requires
the constant care and studious discipline of parents and
teachers for many years, to train up children to habits
of industry, good order and common civility of deportment,-to make them respectable farmers, mechanics and
tradesmen; much more to imbue their minds with science
and literature to qualify them for distinction and eminence in the liberal arts and professions, and for all the
various walks and departments of honourable life and
elegant pursuit, which are supposed to be worthy of the
ambition of the most exalted genius.
Let children grow up without any portion of this culture, and they will be but little the better or wiser for
having been born in a land of light and knowledge. In
this respect, the son of a philosopher is on a level with
the son of a beggar; and, a priori, it is just as likely that
the child of a Cherokee warrior should become, under
the same or similar advantages of education, an ornament to the republic of letters, as it is that the child of
the President of the United States should be thus distinguished. Caeteris paribzus, it is education alone that
constitutes the difference between one individual and
another. And this same tedious, painful process of tuition anl training must be repeated with every genera



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   115
tion. Wherever it is relaxed or intermitted, there will
appear a corresponding declension or degeneracy. Knowledge cannot be inherited, like property. And none of
us will ever be the wiser for the attainments of our ancestors, though we could number in the proud catalogue
all the Bacons and Aristotles that have ever lived, unless
we pursue a similar laborious course of study and selfcultivation in order to reach the same eminence. All
this is sufficiently obvious; though seldom taken into the
account by those who speculate on the subject of human
improvement.
There is no golden or royal road to science; and yet,
somehow or other, we are constantly deluding ourselves
with the fancy, that, as the world grows older, it must
become wiser. That every new generation commences
where the former left off, and has nothing to do but to
add to the stock already acquired. In one sense, this is
true. It is certainly easier to travel in a beaten path
than to discover or strike out a new one. It is easier to
master a well-digested system of science than to contrive
or invent a different or a better. And when an ardent,
gifted, talented, enterprising individual shall have mastered what is known, he may possibly advance into the
unknown, and contribute something to the general or
common fund of human knowledge. But then he must
first go through the drudgery of an apprenticeship. He
must labour hard, and labour long, in order to become
initiated in the profound mysteries which have exercised
the wit and occupied the lives of those who have gone
before him. How few, after all, have ever comprehended




116    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the science of a Newton —much less improved or enlarged
it! How few, among the thousands of erudite and accomnplished scholars of modern times, call be named with Sir
William Jones in the field of universal literature! And
upon whom has fallen the mantle of the recently departed
Davy, and Cuvier, and La Place, and Bowditch?
Now this train of remark will apply to every degree
of excellence, in every department of knowledge, and to
every art and vocation of common life. It shows at once
the difficulty of keeping the world up to the mark (if I
may so express it) which it has actually reached,.and
the facility with which it may recede or decline from it.
And were it not for the art of printing, (but recently
invented,) which perpetuates and widely diffuses every
novel discovery and improvement; and which has rendered the vast stores of ancient literature and science
easily accessible to all; our own age might have witnessed as barbarous a neglect of the philosophers of the
last, as those of Babylon and Egypt and Greece were
successively doomed to experience.
I have said that it is impossible for men in a savage
state ever to advance, by their own unassisted efforts, to
civilization and refinement. The history of every savage
tribe, from the most remote ages in which savage life has
been known to the present moment, bears testimony to
the fact. It is now more than three hundred years since
Columbus discovered our own continent:-but the Amer
ican savages are, at this day, as distant from civilization
as they were when the white man first began to encroach
upon their forests, and to exhibit to their view the con




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    117
veniences and comforts of European art and industry.
And, in any case, where they have been tamed, enlightened and civilized, it has been owing to the persevering
discipline and culture of the benevolent Christian missionary and teacher, who have generously devoted years
to this philanthropic object. In general, too, they have
succeeded only with the children of the savage; and that
by withdrawing them wholly from their native associates,
and by educating them precisely as other children are
educated. In all the regions of the Old World which
are known ever to have been inhabited by barbarous
and savage tribes, but which are now civilized and polished, it is easy to show from whence, in what way, and
at what period, they severally received the arts and
polish of civilized life; and that, in every instance, they
were indebted to others more improved than themselves for
all their acquisitions. From analogy, we may and must
conclude that such will ever be the order of events.
The Mexicans and Peruvians of the New World furnish no exception to the rule. We know very little of
their history. We cannot tell whence they derived the
few rude arts, which, it is admitted, they possessed when
first visited by the Spaniards. It cannot be proved that
they had ever been destitute of those arts. The probability is, that these were the remnant which they inherited from their ancestors, who had migrated from the
mother country (the original fountain of all the arts)
under more favaurable auspices, than did those of the
neighbouring tribes in either North or South America;
or, what is more probable, that the latter, in their wan



118    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
derings, had degenerated and sunk lower in the descending scale than the former. But after all that has been
urged in favour of the Mexicans and Peruvians, it can
hardly be conceded, that a people, who.had not the use
of iron in any form among them-who, though possessing the richest mines of gold and silver, knew not how
to work them or to extract the pure metal from the ore,
and had no more of these precious commodities than
what they chanced to find in a virgin state, and who
were conquered by a handful of needy and desperate
adventurers-could prefer any just claims to the character of civilized.
It has been said by Dr. Robertson and others, that the
aborigines of this vast continent must have arrived from
a country destitute of the useful and necessary arts, such
as the knowledge of working iron, for instance; because
these arts can never be lost. Now, in opposition to this
whole theory, we have proved from Scripture, that iron
Was in common use long before the deluge; that Noah
and his family must have known and did actually exercise many of the arts confessedly belonging to a civilized
state; and that in the countries first settled after the
flood, these arts have always flourished; and, c6nsequently, that the fact of any people's existing, on the
face of the globe, ignorant of these arts, clearly proves
that, at some period, no matter how remote, they must
have lost them. If Noah were really the father of the
whole human race, and if any portion of his descendants
can be found wholly destitute of those arts of primary
necessity which he undoubtedly had, and which he im



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            119
parted to his immediate posterity; then it follows, that
these necessary arts may have been and must have been
utterly lost by such portion of his descendants as are
now found without them. It is no matter then whether
the American Indians lost them before they reached
these shores or long after their arrival hither.   The
position of the learned historian is untenable. And it
cannot fairly enter into  the auestion of the original
peopling of this hemisphere.*
III. HISTORY. But how does history confirm our view
of the primeval and early state of mankind? Does history accord either with the deductions of reason or the
representations of Scripture, as I have exhibited them?
Do not the Greek and Roman historians seem to convey
a different account of the matter? Does not the voice
* Mr. Bancroft, in the third volume of his History of the United
States, concludes that America was peopled from eastern Asia; that
the Mongolian and Americo-Indian races are identical in origin; that
the epoch of their divergence or separation was at a period so remote,
that the peculiar habits, institutions and culture of the aborigines must
be regarded as all their own, or as indigenous. "By this hypothesis
(says a writer in the North American Review, No. 110) he extricates
the question from the embarrassment caused by the ignorance which
the aborigines have manifested in the use of iron, milk, etc. known to
the Mongol hordes, but which he, of course, supposes were not known,
at the time of the migration." When did the Mongols acquire or lose
this knowledge? If Noah and his children possessed it, and if both
the Mongols and Indians are his descendants, then it must have been
lost-at least by some of them.
I incline to the opinion, that most of the American tribes are
descended from Ham; and that they migrated to this continent, by
way of Africa and the Atlantic Ocean, soon after the dispersion at
Babel.




120    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
of antiquity proclaim that man was once rude, barbarous and savage.  Here, I acknowledge, we are beset
with some apparent difficulties in the outset. These,
I think, could be easily dissipated, were it not for the
prescriptive dominion which the classic authorities
have obtained over our philosophy, as well as over
our ordinary habits of reasoning and reflective associations. We have been misled both by their facts and
their poetry.
Let it be recollected that the aborigines of Greece and
Italy were a barbarous-perhaps savage people. (We
shall hereafter see how they became civilized.) It was
natural, as they advanced in the arts, for them to conclude that their own primitive condition was really -the
primitive or original condition of mankind. At any rate,
their poets, while giving the reins to romantic fancy,
and mingling fact with fiction, delighted in painting the
scenes and in celebrating the exploits of savage life and
savage daring; in tracing the progress of human improvement from the rudest beginnings; and by the witchery
of harmonious numbers, imparting beauty and order and
life and reality to imagination's wildest figments. They
never dreamed of a more ancient or more cultivated
model of social existence than their own limited domestic sphere of observation and experience supplied or suggested. These worthy votaries and favourites of Apollo
and the Muses, though no conjurors, seem to have been
well aware of their high vocation, and to have very liberally availed themselves of the license and the inspiration
accorded to them, by common consent, as professors of




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    121
the "art divine."  Hence, among other "miracula speciosa," by the magic spell of their poetic enchantments,
they caused their ancestors to spring up, full grown and
completely armed, from dragon's teeth or from their
mother earth: and thus conferred upon the natives the
distinctive and flattering epithet or title of earth-born;
which was the more grateful to their national vanity, as
it excluded or concealed all obligation to a foreign origin
or to foreign wisdom.*
The agency of the gods was deemed necessary to
restrain and mitigate the furious passions of these presumptuous and cruel sons of Terra; who, in some instances during "the heroic ages," seem to have outwitted
and vanquished Jupiter himself. However, in process
of time, by the kindly teachings of Bacchus, Mercury,
Janus, Vulcan, Apollo, Ceres, Minerva, and the rest of
their good-natured and obliging deities, male and female,
these vagrant robbers and cut-throats were converted
into honest agriculturists, gentle shepherds and clever
artisans.
Thus the poets preoccupied the ground: and long before the sober historian began his chronicle of humble
life, they had given universal currency and reputation
* The Athenians assumed to themselves the appellation aUrbr'9os,
as though they had been produced from the same earth which they
inhabited: and as the ancients commonly denominated themselves
Frr/rre;, sons of the earth, the Athenians took the name of l7~rre.,
grasshoppers. In allusion to this designation, many of them wore
golden grasshoppers in their hair, as an ornament of distinction, and
a badge of their antiquity; because those insects were thought to have
sprung from the ground.




122    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and sanctity to the theogony and mythology which they
themselves invented, or fabricated from  the popular
superstitions and legends of their own country, or from
such historical and biographical facts or mythical traditions as they had collected among the polished nations
of the East. The machinery and fables and fancies of
poetry soon passed for realities; and thus became associated and incorporated with whatever was held as true
and sacred in science and religion. When the historian
at length appeared, and commenced the record of his
country's fame, it was natural for him to look back into
ages that were past, and to search for the materials of
a regular narrative from the earliest period to his own
times. And here he was compelled to have recourse to
the prevalent poetic faith of his countrymen, or else to
do violence to their prejudices and vanity and superstition, by a bold rejection of their whole system. The
latter was not to be expected. Nor did he venture upon
the rash experiment.  He adopted the vulgar notions
which time and poetry had sanctioned and hallowed.
He traced their own origin —and gratuitously referred
the origin of other nations-up to a period, more or less
indefinitely remote, when the arts and manners of civilized life were yet to be acquired. The same causes also
led the philosophers, in their speculations, to erect systelns upon a similar basis. With most of these, man was
assumed to have been at first but a little in advance of
the brute with which he associated in a common forest.*
* Modern philosophers have commonly started from the same point.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    123
Thus all things conspired to render this doctrine plausible, and to give it a passport to universal acceptance.
It became a part of the national creed of the Greeks;
and, after them, of the Romans.
Still we, now and then, behold the feeble glimmerings
of a few scattered rays from the sun of truth beaming
through the darkening mists of poetic illusion and philosophical refinement. A golden age-a happier state —a
brighter, purer, more enlightened period sometimes inspired the Muse's lay, and seemed to point to that Eden
of innocence and bliss of which the Bible tells us, and
of which some faint traditional remains had escaped the
general wreck of historic truth. The gods too, say they,
taught the people agriculture and the arts. Was not
this merely disguising the fact that they owed all to
foreigners? By their own admission, then, they received
extraordinary aid and instruction from some quarter;
and it matters not, so far as our argument is concerned,
whether the divinity interposed to rescue them from
ignorance and barbarism, or whether they derived the
same favours from wiser mortals, or from those nations
which they denominated barbarians.  For thus the
Greeks, be it remembered, flattered their own vanity,
and manifested their contempt for all other nations,
however polished or powerful, by this sweeping sentence of degradation, implied in the contemptuous appellation- barbarians.  All their writers, whether poets,
historians or philosophers, liberally employed it on every
occasion. And thus also did the Romans, in regard to
all other nations except the Greeks; —for to these, they




124    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
acknowledged themselves debtors exclusively for their
own literature, arts, laws and civility. By this preposterous and arrogant procedure, they effectually kept out
of view the claims of every other people to greater antiquity and to profounder science than their own. An
odious epithet, applied to those whom we fear or hate, or
affect to despise, has ever proved the most cogent species
of logic which can be addressed to the populace. The
Grecian sages, as we shall see, knew better.
But what, after all, do their historians say on this subject? Their conjectures ought to go for nothing: their
statements, built on fable and fiction and national prejudice and vanity, must go for nothing. WVhat they themselves saw and heard and examined, and what they
learned from authentic sources, we will believe. Thus
far their authority deserves our respectful consideration
and claims our assent, but no further. Does Herodotus
then, the father of profane history, tell us of barbarous
nations, of savage tribes and hordes? Yes: and there
were many such in his day, as there were in the days
of Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, Caesar, Livy and Tacitus;
and as there have been ever since.  But what says
Herodotus respecting Assyria, Phoenicia and Egypt?
He found them, indeed, rapidly losing that proud preeminence which had so long distinguished them among
the nations of the earth. Still he everywhere beheld
enough of magnificence and grandeur to overwhelm him
with astonishment; and to render perfectly credible all
that was told him of their ancient greatness. He surveyed, as it were, but the ruins of those mighty empires




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    125
which had flourished through a period of nearly two
thousand years, unrivalled in arts and science and letters and power and splendour, and which had already
diffused the light and comforts of civilization to many
rude and distant nations
Did Herodotus ascertain that the Babylonians or Egyptians had ever been a wandering, fierce, brutish, hunting
race, similar to the savage or half-savage tribes then existing in various parts of Asia, Europe and Africa? He
did not. Nor is there a single fragment of authentic history in the world, which intimates that those celebrated
nations had ever been destitute of the usual arts and
intelligence of civilized life. I repeat, that the romance
of poetry is not to enter into the account: nor is the
metaphysic of philosophy to weigh against fact. In the
days of Hesiod and Homer, those empires were in the
zenith of their glory. That they had ever been otherwise than polished and enlightened and great and powerful, the Greeks did not know and could not prove. Their
poets, philosophers and historians, who, at later periods,
travelled far and resided long in the East, appear to have
learned but little of their early history.
We have then no historical evidence that man was
ever found in a savage state, or in a state at all approaching the savage, in the countries specified. All
the evidence of history goes to establish the contrary
opinion. As far back as we can trace the history of
the Assyrians, Phoenicians and Egyptians, we find them
civilized, and that too in a very high degree. Now,
what right have we-supposing we could extend our




126    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
researches no further-to infer that they were ever
otherwise than civilized? or that their ancestors had
been savages? None at all: unless it could be proved
that these were not the. most ancient nations in the
world; and that the nations from which they sprung
had been originally savage. This, it is apprehended,
none will attempt to prove. History then confirms the
argument grounded on Scripture and Reason.
Should it be objected, that the- proof from history is
merely negative; that though it establish the fact of
civilization in the countries already mentioned, up to
the remotest period to which it reaches, yet that it
leaves us in the dark in regard to their earliest condition and character: I answer, that it is clear, direct
and positive, so far as it touches on the subject. And
this is sufficient for our purpose.  If history cannot
point us to the time and the place when and where the
most ancient inhabitants of the earth were savages,
then history utterly fails to countenance the system of
those who maintain that the savage was the primeval
state of mankind. If history represent the most ancient
people ever known in the world as civilized at the time
when its records commence, then does history yield all
the support to our system of which it is capable.
It is much to be lamented that all the ancient archives
of Nineveh and Babylon and Tyre and Thebes and Memphis have perished. For, that they once possessed very
ample histories and annals, we have abundant testimony.
Their loss is but poorly supplied by the comparatively
modern Greek and Jewish historians, or by the Christian




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    127
fathers. It is to the Bible chiefly, that we must have
recourse for information relative to all that vast period
which elapsed anterior to the time at which Herodotus
commences his elaborate and interesting history.
Here it may be proper to remark, that after the more
learned of the Greeks had ascertained their own origin,
and had become convinced of their obligations to Egypt
for letters, arts and philosophy, they then indulged in a
strain of eulogy and admiration bordering on extravagance whenever they had occasion to speak of their intercourse with that marvellous country. Nor did they
hesitate to assign to their recently discovered instructors
and benefactors the most remote, as well as the most
resplendent antiquity. "For my own part (says Herodotus) I am of opinion, that the Egyptians did not commence their origin with the Delta, but from the first
existence of the human race." (Euterpe, 15.)
But, in the absence of every other source or means of
information, let us follow the sure guidance of revelation.
Or, if any further aid from revelation be refused us, inasmuch as our appeal has been made to history; let us
recur to Moses and the prophets merely as historians,
and allow them to be as trustworthy as other historians,
neither more nor less. And less credible, they will not
be deemed even by those who deny them the infallibility
of plenary inspiration.
Moses informs us that, about one hundred years after
the deluge, agreeably to the Hebrew chronology, the earth
was divided among the descendants of Noah according




128     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
to their families, tongues and nations.*  In this grand
division-made, we presume, by Noah, pursuant to the
divine command-Shem  had the south of Asia; and the
Jews, Arabs, Persians, Hindoos, with the inhabitants of
farther India and the Asiatic Isles, are numbered among
his descendants. Japheth obtained the northern and
central parts of Asia, the Isles of the Gentiles or Europe;
and, more recently, large portions of America. China,
according to Sir William Jones, was originally peopled
by a colony of Hindoos, with which their neighbours and
conquerors, the Tartars, afterwards intermixed. Japan
was very anciently peopled from China, and was subsequently subdued by the Tartars, etc. So that China and
Japan are now inhabited by a mixed race descending
from Shem and Japheth. To Ham was allotted Africa,
together with certain districts of Asia. The mighty empires of Assyria and Egypt, the commercial republics of
Sidon, Tyre and Carthage, the Philistines and other nations of Palestine or Canaan were his inheritance and his
posterity.  From  him  also are probably descended the
American Indians.
In the tenth chapter of Genesis, we have a particular
* Whether this division took place before or after the building of
Babel is disputed.  Bryant says, "that there were two memorable
occurrences in ancient history, which the learned have been apt to
consider as merely one event. The first was a regular migration of
mankind in general by divine appointment: the second was the dispersion of the Cuthites, and their adherents, who had acted in defiance
of this ordination;" that the Cuthites, under their leader Nimrod,
refused to emigrate, built Babel, were punished, and scattered abroad
into different parts, etc. Hence the fables of the Titans and Giants,
etc.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   129
account of "'the generations and the sons of Noah," and
of the beginnings of many cities and nations. Thus,
about one hundred years after the deluge, Nimrod, the
son of Cush and grandson of Ham, commenced his career
in Shinar as a mighty warrior and conqueror. Among
other cities of less note, he built or began to build Babylon, afterwards "the glory of kingdoms, and the beauty
of the Chaldees' excellency."  Ashur, son of Shem and
grandson of Noah, built Nineveh, and gave name to the
empire of Assyria. Or if, instead of the common version
of Gen. x. 11, "out of that land went forth Ashur, and
builded Nineveh," we adopt the marginal reading, which
is Preferred by Bochart and other learned critics, the text
will stand thus: "Out of that land he (Nimrod) went
forth into Assyria and built Nineveh." This is probably
the true reading. It better accords with the context,
and with the subsequent fortunes of that remarkable
city, and of Ham's posterity generally.* Ninus, its reputed founder, and from whom it was named according
to Oriental tradition, may have been a son of Nimrod,
or merely another name for Nimrod himself. But however all this may be, there is no doubt that Nineveh was
built at this time, or about one hundred and thirty years
after the flood; and that it soon became an exceedingly
great, magnificent and renowned metropolis.
Mizraim, (i.e. the family of Mezr,) son of Ham, peopled
Egypt. Throughout Africa and the East, Egypt is to
this day called Mezr, and the Egyptians Aliezraim. An* Bryant dissents from Bochart, and very ingeniously defends the
common version.
VOL. II. -9




130    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
other son of Ham, Canaan, peopled the land of Canaan,
afterwards Palestine, or the promised land —the future
home of the Israelites. Sidon, son of Canaan, gave name
to the city Sidon, and was the father of the Sidonians.
UZ, grandson of Shem, is supposed to have settled in
Coelo-Syria, and to have been the founder of Damascus.
This famous city, by whomsoever built, belongs undoubtedly to the earliest ages: and it has never ceased to act
a conspicuous part at every epoch of Oriental history,
from Abraham's time to the present day.
We thus behold the inhabitants of this new world,
going forward with spirit and enterprise to build cities
and to form civil communities, as soon as their numbers
would permit. And the grandest cities which have ever
existed, at least since the deluge, were founded soon after
that event. Nay, they actually reached the highest pitch
of power and splendour within a very few centuries, some
of them, probably, long before the death of Noah. Profane history does not carry us back to the period at
which Nineveh and Babylon and fifty other cities were
not large and splendid. Nor can it tell us when or by
u~whom they were built; or what were the several steps
in their progress to greatness. The Bible informs us
only when the foundations were laid.  But the Bible
ever after speaks of them as large and magnificent cities.
That many of them were so within a very few years cannot be doubted. As soon as there were people enough
in the world to build cities, it might be expected that
they would build them. And that there might have
been a population of hundreds of millions, has been




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    131
shown by the calculations of sundry eminently learned
and judicious writers. Should any persons, however, be
inclined to demur or to cavil on this score, they are
welcome to all the benefit which the chronology of the
Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint version can
afford them.* That cities should have been built during
the lifetime of a single monarch or patriarch, or by a
single generation, need not surprise us.  Everybody
knows the history of Alexandria in Egypt-and of the
scores of cities built by the successors of the Macedonian
conqueror. St. Petersburg too is a modern instance of
a similar kind. And as to American cities-they grow
up so rapidly and so abundantly, that no mortal pretends
to an acquaintance with their statistics or hardly with
their geographical positions.
But the further we ascend towards the commencement
of human enterprise, the greater do we find the combination of skill and effort in the production of imposing and
colossal works of art. Probably the labour bestowed on
the tower of Babel-certainly that bestowed on many a
structure in Egypt, say a pyramid, or labyrinth, or temple-would suffice to build a modern city of very respectable dimensions. The truth is, for several centuries after
the flood, something of the antediluvian spirit and fashion
seems to have prevailed among mankind. Everything
was designed and executed on a grand scale, and in the
most durable style. It is immaterial at present to inquire what could have induced men, in those early ages,
* See Dr. Hales's New Analysis of Chronology; and Dr. Russell's
Connection of Sacred and Profane History.




132    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
to unite in the construction of such massive and costly
edifices. Whether it was the result of voluntary action
on the part of the labourers, or whether it was the effect
of despotic, power, is of no consequence to the main purpose of our investigation.  Were we to admit that the
whole was the work of slaves - that all the mighty
monuments of Asiatic and African grandeur were the
works of slaves —-still, this would no more prove a general deficiency in science or the arts, than the existence
of slavery in our own free, happy and Christian country,
implies a want of knowledge, skill and enterprise in the
nation at large. If the ancient despots of the East possessed slaves in sufficient numbers to convert mountains
of granite into temples and statues, it would not follow,
either. that the master spirits, who planned and directed
such gigantic labours, were destitute of talent and science, or that the slaves themselves were in a state of
misery and degradation without a parallel in modern
times, even in the most enlightened and most signally
favoured monarchies and republics.
Conceding all that' has been said and written about
the wretchedness of the people employed in those extravagant enterprises of ancient vanity and ambition to
be strictly true, it will not follow that those people,
however wretched they may have been, were any more
wretched than certain classes of human creatures in other
countries-than the peasantry, the serfs, the vassals, the
villains, of Christian Europe-to say nothing of the African anomaly in Christian America; or of the baser castes
throughout India under the gentle protection of their




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    133
most gracious Christian benefactors.  The moral and
political condition of the great mass of the (so called)
lower orders of the people, under the different European
governments, is probably elevated but little above that
of the subjects or the slaves of the former lords of Egypt
and Assyria.
Multitudes of human beings may be found, all the
world over, engaged in pursuits, or doomed to occupations, not a whit more rational or grateful or beneficial,
than were the wildest, most extravagant or most onerous
ever devised or imposed by the tyranny or superstition
of antiquity. Were men, employed in the construction
of a pyramid, for instance-with pay or without it, as
slaves or as hired servants-likely to have been sub.
jected to greater hardships and privations, or to a more
arbitrary treatment, than are the soldiers in the ranks
of a modern army? or than the sailors on board a manof-war, or before the mast of a merchant ship? or than
the operatives in an English cotton factory or upon an
American cotton plantation?
We do injustice, therefore, to the ancient Orientals,
when, from the assumed misery and servile condition of
the lower classes, we infer a corresponding and universal
degradation of the human mind; when we argue, that,
because the many' appear to have been ignorant and depressed, therefore the few, or the whole must have been
equally destitute of intelligence, sagacity, wisdom, science
and enterprise; that Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Job
were not superior to the vulgar nomad of the desert, or
to the murmuring cowardly Hebrew herdsman. We




134    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
must utterly eschew all our republican logic and prejudices of this sort, while we listen to the truthful voice
of universal experience. The great masses of mankind
have, at all times, been controlled and directed and fashioned by the wisdom or the cunning or the will of the
few. And it is the character of the few which invariably
fixes the historic character of every age and of every
country. The light of science, indeed, may be diffused
over the globe, like the light of the sun; while the millions who enjoy the benefits of both are as incapable of
appreciating the one as of comprehending the other.
The universities of the Nile and the Euphrates-in the
former of which were graduated the illustrious Grecian
masters, Thales, Pythagoras, Eudoxus and Plato-may
have been surrounded by illiteracy and rudeness, as were
the universities of the Ilissus and the Tiber centuries
later, and as are those of the Cam and the Isis, of the
Hudson and the Potomac, at the present day. No doubt,
the Newtons and the Lockes, the Miltons and the Seldens, the Fultons and the Franklins lived and laboured
then, as they have done since and are doing still, among
a people not quite their peers in intellect or accomplishments. Such extremes and contrasts have always and
everywhere prevailed. And they do not affect the question about the civilization of any country, ancient or
modern.
Thus, France is a civilized country; and yet there are
millions of Frenchmen who do not know the alphabet.
But, in thus applying the term civilized, we do not stop
to discriminate between the courtly Parisian savant and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   135
the roughest provincial peasant.  We pronounce the
French nation, a civilized nation, and justly; —as we do
the American republic-without excepting the three or
four hundred thousand white persons over twenty years
of age, who, according to the recent census, cannot write
or read. For even these, uncultivated as they are, rise
incomparably above the wild Indian and stupid Hottentot. And we mean the same thing when we speak of
the civilization of ancient Egypt or Phoenicia.  The
whole people were civilized as contrasted with savages;
whatever distinctions may have obtained among themselves, or however vast the distance between either
classes or individuals.
Again, there are diverse forms as well as degrees of
civilization. Asiatic civilization has assumed a different
type from the European; and, for centuries past, has
ranked much lower in degree. The civilization of China
is very unlike that of Germany, and probably much inferior to it. Yet, no person would confound the Chinese
with the aborigines of New Holland, any more than he
would consign the Germans to the same category with
the natives of Congo and Oregon. I resort to this species of illustration to avoid any misapprehension about
the precise meaning of the word civilizations.  Of this
word, I have attempted no definition. I use it as custom has authorized. I speak of civilized nations and
savage tribes, as existing facts, well known and universally understood.  If there be any nations or tribes in
a transition or doubtful state-so that they would not,
by common consent, be assigned to the one or the




136    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
other of these grand divisions-I leave them out of the
account.
I assert then, that the most ancient Egyptians known
to history were civilized: as truly so, as were ever the
Greeks or the Romans, or as now are the Britons or the
Italians. With forms and degrees, I repeat, I have no
controversy. Pass what sentence you please upon the
remnants and ruins of Egyptian architecture, sculpture'and painting; you will never pronounce them the work
of savages. The builders of the stupendous temples at
Thebes and Tentyra may possibly suffer'somewhat in
comparison with the artists who designed and embellished St. Peter's and St. Paul's at Rome and London;
but no man will be hardy enough to insinuate that the
former were savages.
But to return, for a moment, to the scriptural history.
Whoever will peruse the Mosaic account of mankind,
during the first ages after the flood, will discover no
trace of barbarism, and no deficiency in the arts of civilized life. So early as the time of Abrahamn we find a
king in Egypt of the common name of Pharaoh, and a
civil polity established, apparently of the same general
character with that which prevailed in the days of
Joseph and Moses, and which probably continued until
the Persian conquest. The kingdom abounded in agricultural products, and afforded ample relief to strangers
in seasons of famine. Moses represents the sovereign,
who reigned at the time of the patriarch's temporary
sojourn in that then most fertile and hospitable country,
as a powerful and magnificent monarch, surrounded by




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    13 7
his princes and officers of state, maintaining a splendid
and luxurious court, and exhibiting also much more
magnanimity and moral principle than is usually to be
met with in crowned heads among the ancients or the
moderns. Several writers, particularly Goguet and Warburton, have contrasted the circumstances of Abraham's
journey into Egypt and of his dismission by Pharaoh,
with those of a similar adventure on the part of Isaac
with Abimelech, styled king of Gerar, —in which the
superiority of an Egyptian monarch over a petty Philistine s7teik or chief is strikingly Imanifested.
In the days of Jacob, the caravan of Ishmaelite merchants from Gilead, Cwith their camels bearing spicery,
and balm, and myrrh," and their ready purchase of
Joseph as a slave, sufficiently indicate the nature of the
market which Egypt then presented for the rarest commodities, as well as the safe and regular manner in which
the overland foreign commerce was conducted. We read
of a captain of Pharaoh's guard, of a chief butler and
baker, and other important functionaries-of a distinct
priesthood-of a prison, "where the king's prisoners were
bound" —of "magicians and wise men" — and of sundry
curious facts and incidents; rather casually glanced at
than directly stated in the general narrative.  "And
Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon
Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen,
and put a gold chain about his neck; and he made him
to ride in the second chariot which he had," etc.; all
evincing much luxury and refinement.  And in the
cities for the laying up of stores and provisions for the




138    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
approaching seven years of famine, we see the effects of
wise government and of great national opulence. Soon
after Joseph's death, we find the power and grandeur of
the kingdom very significantly illustrated in the employment of the enslaved Israelites in building treasure cities,
and in preparing materials for splendid public edifices.
"Indeed, (adds Warburton,) if we may believe St. Paul,
this kingdom was chosen by God to be the scene of all
his wonders, in support of his elect people, for this very
reason, that through the celebrity of so famed an empire,
the power of the true God might be spread abroad, and
strike the observation of the whole habitable world.'For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this
same purpose have I raised thee tup, that I might show
my power in thee, and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth."' (Rom. ix. 17.)
The description of the Egyptian priesthood by Diodorus Siculus is worthy of notice in this connexion. "The
whole country being divided into three parts; the first
belongs to the body of priests, an order in the highest
reverence among their countrymen, for their piety to the
gods, and their consummate wisdom, acquired by the
best education, and the closest application to the improvement of the mind.  With their revenues they
supply all Egypt with public sacrifices; they support a
number of inferior officers, and maintain their own families: for the Egyptians think it utterly unlawful to make
any change in their public worship; but hold that everything should be administered by their priests, in the
same constants invariable manner. Nor do they deem




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    139
it at all fitting that those, to whose cares the public is so
much indebted, should want the common necessaries of
life: for the priests are constantly attached to the person
of the king, as his coadjutors, counsellors and instructors
in the most weighty matters.  For it is not among them
as with the Greeks, where one single man or woman
exercises the office of the priesthood. Here a body or
society is employed in sacrificing and other rites of publie worship, who transmit their profession to their children. This order, likewise, is exempt from all charges
and imposts, and holds the second honours, under the
king, in the public administration." Moses also tells us
that the Egyptian priests were a distinct and superior
order, and had an established landed revenue; that when
the famine raged so severely that the people were compelled to sell their estates to the crown for bread, the
priests still retained theirs unalienated, and were supplied with corn gratuitously from the public stores.
1"Only the land of the priests bought he not: for the
priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did
eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore
they sold not their lands." (Gen. xlvii. 22.) Diodorus
gives us the reason of this indulgence, and corroborates
the scriptural history; or, rather, is himself sustained by
this venerable authority-although ignorant, probably,
of its existence.
Herodotus says the inhabitants of Heliopolis were
deemed in his time the most ingenious of all the Egyptians. The schools of its priesthood were famous for
wisdom and learning. And Strabo, even so late as the




140    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
beginning of the Christian era, speaks of certain stately
edifices as still remaining in that ancient city, which,
as it was reported, had formerly been occupied by the
priests, who cultivated the studies of philosophy and
astronomy. This statement is incidentally confirmed
by Moses. When Joseph was created grand vizier or
prime minister of Egypt, Pharaoh "gave him to wife,
Asenath, the daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On" or
Heliopolis. All the circumstances of the case plainly
show that the king was then disposed to do Joseph the
highest honour: and the sound policy of this distinguished alliance is apparent from the passages already
cited from the Greek historians. The sudden and extraordinary elevation of a stranger, over the heads of
the hereditary administrators of public affairs, might
have proved a dangerous experiment.  The introduction of Joseph, therefore, into their own priestly order
by marriage, was probably the best, if not the only expedient, calculated to allay their envy and prejudices,
and to secure their cordial support and co-operation.
It is worthy of remark also, that, throughout this
whole period from Abraham to Moses, the Scripture
represents Egypt as an entire kingdom under one monarch, and not as distributed into a number of petty independent sovereignties, as most modern historians, from
the imperfect traditions detailed by the Greeks, -would
lead us to believe. That Egypt might, in after times,
have been thus temporarily divided among several
tyrants or competitors for the throne, or that the powerful nobles or military commanders might, during the




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   141
reign of a weak prince or the minority of a young one,
or at any other favourable crisis, have seized upon the
crown and shared its honours among them, is very probable, and will account for the stories found in many
writers about the confusions of ancient Egypt. Domestic
feuds and animosities may have commenced at or soon
after the exodus of the Israelites. At any rate, the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, centuries later, when predicting the desolation of Egypt by the Babylonians, speak of
internal commotions and divisions as the principal cause
of her deplorable weakness, and of her forty years' endurance of the most dreadful calamities ever inflicted upon
a conquered; enemy.  "And I will set the Egyptians
against the Egyptians; and they shall fight every one
against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom."
(Is. xix. 2.) "And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and
her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be
desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians
among the nations, and will disperse them through the
countries." (Ezek. xxix. 12.) We must not confound
the early with the later history of Egypt.
Nor are we to forget that, however much of error or
fiction may have found its way into their historical statements, the more intelligent and travelled Greeks, with
one voice, assigned to Egypt both the remotest antiquity
and the highest wisdom and learning. Herodotus says
that the Egyptians were the wisest of all nations, and
that they were never beholden for anything to the Gre



142    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS
cians; but on the contrary, that Greece had borrowed
largely from Egypt. All the Hebrew records support
the Grecian evidence for the extreme antiquity and preeminent wisdom  of the Egyptians.  Thus, Isaiah, in
denouncing the divine judgments against this people:
"Surely the princes of Zoan (or Tanis) are fools, the
counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become
brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the
wise, the son of ancient kings? Where are they? Where
are thy wise men?" (Is. xix. 12.)
I transcribe the following paragraph from Warburton,
chiefly as furnishing a curious specimen of a kind of reasoning which is always convenient to the system-maker,
and in the main abundantly satisfactory to the general
reader. "This superior nobility of the priests of On or
Heliopolis seems to have been chiefly owing to their higher
antiquity. Heliopolis, or the City of the Sun, was the
place where that luminary was principally worshipped;
and certainly, from the most early times: for Diodorus
tells us that,'the first gods of Egypt were the sun and
moon:' the truth of which, all this laid together remarkably confirms. Now if we suppose, as is very reasonable,
that the first established priests in Egypt were those
dedicated to the sun at On, we shall not be at a loss
to account for their titles of nobility. Strabo says, they
were much given to astronomy; and this too we can
easily believe: for what more likely than that they
should be fond of the study of that system, over which
their god presided, not only in his moral but in his natural capacity? For whether they received the doctrine




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   143
from original tradition, or whether they invented it at
hazard, which is more likely, in order to exalt this their
visible god, by giving him the post of honour, it is certain they taught that the sun was in the centre of its
system, and that all the other bodies moved round it, in
perpetual revolutions. This noble'theory came with the
rest of the Egyptian learning into Greece, being carried
thither by Pythagoras; who, it is remarkable, received it
fromnt Enuphis, a priest of Heliopolis, and, after having
given the most distinguished lustre to his school, it sunk
into obscurity, and suffered a total eclipse throughout a
long succession of learned and unlearned ages; till these
times relumed its ancient splendour, and immovably fixed
it on the most unerring principles of science."
As to the very accommodating hypothesis or rather
conjecture, that the Egyptian professors may have "invented at hazard" the sublime astronomical doctrine,
taught in Greece by their accomplished pupil Pythagoras-a doctrine which never obtained currency among
the Greeks-which subsequently, and after the lapse of
more than twenty centuries, was revived by Copernicus,
and finally demonstrated by Newton-the philosophers
are heartily welcome to all the capital they can make of
it. They must concede, at the least, that the Egyptian
sages were shrewd and lucky guessers; and that their
inventions at hazard were not always to be despised.
With all becoming deference, however, to great names,
and to superior erudition, I should venture to reverse
the order; and to assume that their orthodox astronomical faith was grounded upon real science; and that the




144    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
science preceded the popular superstition, and gave rise
to it. Wtlen or how they acquired this wonderful science, which we are only just beginning to learn —whether
they derived it from Noah, and he from the father and
first great teacher of mankind —or whether some gifted
Galileo or Newton among themselves was its happy
author-it were bootless to speculate. It is much easier
to account for its ultimate *and total disappearance —
even long before the superstition which it generated
had, in any degree, relaxed its ghostly dominion over
the popular mind. The science itself may never have
passed the limits of the sacerdotal colleges and royal
observatories where it was studied and cherished; while
the superstition was diffused among all ranks and embraced by the whole people.
The science, moreover, may have become obsolete or
been lost among its privileged guardians and depositaries prior even to the dissolution of their priestly order.
These may have neglected their high vocation as teachers and students-as has often happened in similar corporations since-from indolence, from the absence of all
external stimulus or exciting motive, or from luxurious
habits of self-indulgence: and thereafter, they may have
*been content with the results, the tables, rules, formula
and calculations, already provided by their more diligent
and faithful predecessors. They might continue to know
the fact, and to believe the theory of the true solar system; just as multitudes of modern gownsmen know and
believe, without being able to advance a single step to



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    1-15
wards the actual demonstration. At any rate, the science
must have perished beneath the desolating sweep of the
Persian invader, who madly sought to bury, in the ruins
of the temple and the palace, the religion, the learning,
the arts and the glory of Egypt. The superstition, indeed, survived the rage, the fire and the sword of the
ruthless victor.  But the light of science was utterly
extinguished; and its votaries were silenced forever.
The later Greeks had ample opportunities to witness
all the revolting absurdities of the Egyptian idolatry;
while they could hear only a faint traditionary whisper
of that splendid intellectual inheritance which had once
adorned, enriched and exalted the Egyptian name above
every other in the ancient world.
But, inasmuch as the bigoted Persians destroyed or
rather annihilated all the written records, the libraries,
books, archives, chronicles, annals-all the scientific ap
paratus and collections-which had been accumulating
undisturbed for two thousand years; we, forsooth, are
not to believe that the Egyptians ever possessed either
literature or science!  And we should, no doubt, be
equally incredulous about Egyptian art, were it not for
the still living and still speaking witnesses in every part
of the land, upon either bank of the mysterious Nile,
from the cataracts to the Mediterranean. But for these
stubborn monuments, we should very logically conclude,
that the present half-human Copfts are fair specimens
of Pharaoh's wise men-the instructors of Moses and
Cecrops, of Solon and Pythagoras! And we are the
VOL. rI. —10




146      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
more especially predisposed to favour this mode of reasoning, since it is everywhere gravely asserted, that the
East is unchangeable, and has never changed; — that
habits, manners, usages, all things remain just as they
were a score of centuries ago. So that whatever a galloping traveller or fashionable tourist happens to encounter or. to espy, is incontinently jotted down as a veritable fac simile of what existed in the days of Abraham
or Solomon; —as if invariable uniformity and absolute
stability were predicable of regions which have undergone more revolutions, reverses, exterminating wars and
plagues of all sorts-political, moral, religious and physical-than any other portions of the globe.  It is time
that this folly were rebuked, and that its abettors were
sent to school.
I have said more of Egypt than my argument strictly
demands. To show that Egypt was always civilized, and
never otherwise-without claiming for it any extraordinary excellence or superiority —was abundantly sufficient
to sustain the proposition which I have essayed to demonstrate.* Incidentally, I have adverted to a few par* Bryant indeed maintains, that the Mizraim, with their brethren
the sons of Phut, migrated to their place of allotment, the Upper
Egypt, a long time before the rebellion at Babel; that they there led
a simple, rude, half-savage kind of life for several ages; that they
were at length conquered and civilized by their brethren the Cuthites
(the Titanic brood, as he styles them,) after they had been driven
from Babylonia, etc. —His authorities, Diodorus Siculus among them,
do not seem to warrant his hypothesis. But if admitted to be true,
it would not invalidate our theory in the slightest degree. It would




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    147
ticulars which seem  to indicate a very high order and
degree of civilization.  And much more, tending to the
same result, might easily be adduced.  Ever since the
temporary occupancy of Egypt by the French, under
Napoleon, the ruins of her pristine grandeur have been
a study for the most profoundly learned, sagacious and
philosophical antiquarians of Europe. They have not
only visited the several remarkable localities, but have
patiently, perseveringly and laboriously explored, investigated, deciphered, measured, compared, classified-until
they have become fAmiliar with the aspect, features, magnitude, proportions and style of those marvellous creations, which have resisted and survived the convulsions
and the Vandalism of a hundred generations; and which
seem destined to speak of the primeval ages and of the
Pharaohs to the latest posterity. But into this tempting
and opulent field, we must not venture. The pen and
the pencil, however, have nobly accomplished their proper
task; and volumes, full of instruction and of the most
merely change a little the order of events. It would show that the
first settlers in a part of Egypt had greatly degenerated for a season:
and that they were afterwards instructed and reclaimed by a colony
direct from the fatherland-the original seat and fountain of civilization. Should all our facts and reasoning about Egypt be questioned
or rejected, still our main position remains impregnable and unaffected. It can never be demolished, until it be proved that there was
a time when civilization was unknown, and nowhere existed; or when
all the inhabitants of our globe were savages. The philosophy which
traces the civilized up to the savage state, or which deduces the former
from the latter, demands this: and nothing less will meet the demand.
Otherwise, the whole affair is a mere "controversia verbi."




148    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
intensely exciting interest, are now within the reach of
every man, who has the curiosity to read one of the most
astonishing, as well as edifying passages in the history
of our race. Not only do these recent researches fully
confirm all the statements of the Hebrew and classical
authors; but they add immensely to the previously conceded number and variety of arts and sciences, useful
and liberal, which must have been cultivated and practised by the older Egyptians. It is difficult, indeed, to
discover wherein they were deficient, or inferior to the
modern European, while, in some respects, it is manifest
they remain still unrivalled and peerless.
We are now able to comprehend and to appreciate the
meaning of the significant scriptural phrase —"the wisdom of the Egyptians;" and the reason why Moses and
the Grecian sages frequented their schools; and why,
moreover, the latter spent so many years, not merely at
one college, but oftentimes at different colleges, according
to the objects which they had in view or the sciences to
be acquired, before they deemed their education Jilished,
or aspired to the honours of graduation. Thus, Lycurgus
and Solon, the most eminent lawgivers among the Greeks,
appear to have visited Egypt, chiefly to enlarge their acquaintance with the great principles of civil government
and jurisprudence. The latter, as Plutarch informs us,
received much useful instruction, on various important
doctrines of philosophy and politics, from the priests
at Sais. Thales and Eudoxus studied mathematics at
Memphis. Pythagoras learned astronomy at Heliopolis.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   149
Thence he passed successively to the other most renowned seminaries; in which, for twenty-two years, he
prosecuted his inquiries, at the feet and under the guidance of the learned Gamaliels of the day, with the most
untiring patience, docility, perseverance and enthusiasm.
After this pretty thorough novitiate in Egypt, and after
travelling into Chaldea, Persia and Phoenicia in quest
of knowledge, he returned to his own native Samosthere to be persecuted by the same fell spirit of ignorance, envy, prejudice and bigotry, which, in a later and
Christian age, haunted and embittered the existence of
Roger Bacon and Galileo.  Finally, he established a
school of his own at Crotona in Italy. And Plato too,
the devoted disciple of Socrates during eight happy
years, then a student of the Pythagorean philosophy
in Magna Graecia, and of various sciences at other distingaished foreign schools, thought it necessary to attend
the lectures of the Egyptian professors also, before he
opened his own famous Academy at Athens. Verily,
the Grecian scholars must have been sorry lads, or they
could hardly have contrived to lounge away their entire
youth and some ten or twenty years of mature manhood,
among a set of dreamy pedagogues, who, agreeably to
the vulgar faith, would have disgraced the old field
scoo8ls of our own unparalleled Virginia! We, however,
with these and many similar facts on record, should, in
our extreme simplicity, be disposed to think it impossible for the most intrepid skepticism to deny-to ancient
Egypt the palm of pre-eminent wisdom and learning.




150     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Of such pupils as Moses and Plato, her universities may
have well been proud. And from the works and reputation of the pupil we may still judge of the master.
And if we bear in mind, that even Plato and most
of the other Greeks did not visit Egypt until after the
Babylonian and Persian invasions, when only the wreck
of her former science remained, we shall be able to make
some equitable allowance for the fragmentary character
of their reports, and for the seeming contradictions and
even absurdities which we occasionally find in their
writings.
0, quam te dicam bonam
Antehac fuisse, tales cum sint reliquiae?
But this paper must have an end. In preparing it, I
have felt the difficulty of selection from the great mass
of materials at hand, and especially of compressing within
the limits of a readable article a small portion of the
most prominent and pertinent facts which abound in
ancient authors.  These, if judiciously arranged and
fairly interpreted, could scarcely fail to dissipate much
of the prejudice, error and skepticism which prevail on
this subject. I had designed to bring under review the
arts and sciences actually known among the earliest
postdiluvian nations; and to offer a few brief comments
upon their literature, manners, customs, laws, religion
and peculiar institutions. I had also marked a number
of passages in sundry modern writers, with a view to
point out the inconclusiveness of their reasoning, and its
inconsistency oftentimes with the very premises which




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   151
they themselves admit. How much learned ingenuity,
for example, has not been expended in attempts to depreciate or to get rid of the Egyptian claims to any
respectable degree of proficiency in astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, metallurgy, physics, anatomy, navigation, geography, architecture, engraving, sculpture, painting, etc., merely because an arbitrary and inexorable
theory seemed to demand a vastly longer time for such
high attainments than any authentic history could furnish?
I conclude then with the remark, that if the Egyptians, Assyrians and Phoenicians never existed in a savage state; if their immediate progenitors, up to the age
of Noah, were, like himself, civilized (and we proved, as
we think, on a previous occasion, that man was created
a civilized being, and thus continued down to the miraculous dispersion from Babel)-then it follows, that history
cannot conduct us back to a period when the whole
human race was savage; and consequently, that the
philosophic and popular doctrine, that the savage was
the original or primeval condition of mankind is indefensible;-that it is a mere gratuitous'and baseless
assumption;-and that the entire fabric, constructed by
system-builders upon this foundation, is but a castle in
the air, and can never withstand the artillery of reason,
Scripture and history.
As before we traced the stream of civilization, as it
issued pure and bright from the primitive fountain in
Eden, throughout the antediluvian world, to the fertile




152    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
plains of Shinar; so now we can retrace it upwards till we
arrive at the same point. The course is obvious, simple
and direct. The civilization of modern Europe-of the
Gauls, Germans, Britons, Goths, Vandals, Huns, Scandinavians, and the rest of the Northern barbarians-was
derived from the Romans; as theirs had been from the
Greeks; and theirs again from the Egyptians and other
Orientals. Prior to these latter nations, savage life is
unknown to either sacred or profane history.




THE ABORIGINES OF NORTH AMERICA.
[The following remarks may be regarded as a mere appendix of
notes to the preceding articles upon The Primitive State of Mankind.]
I MENTIONED America among the countries doomed,
probably soon after the flood, to be the abode of savages.
I am aware that plausible objections have been urged
against the opinion that America was known, or even
inhabited, at a very early period. I am aware, also, that
diverse theories have been contrived and advocated to
account for the peopling of this vast continent. With
these conflicting speculations, I do not mean to intermeddle at present.
But let it be remembered, that we have no authentic
history of any country which was not inhabited at the
time when it was first discovered or visited by civilized
man. And who can pretend to tell us when or how the
first inhabitants arrived there? Why are we to suppose
that America was not peopled as soon as China and
Japan, and Gaul and Britain, and the western and southern coasts of Africa? The reason assigned is, that, in
those rude ages, as we are pleased to style them, men
had not wit or knowledge enough to get there. They
lad not the means of transportation.  They were ignorant of the arts of ship-building and navigation. Indeed!
(153)




154    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
And how do we know this? Could men, with the ark
before their eyes,-the largest, strongest, safest ship that
ever rode upon the shoreless deep, which had braved the
fury of a forty days' tempest, and outlived the convulsions of a dissolving world,-be incapable of constructing
a frail bark which might buffet the. smooth waves of a
summer's sea for a few short months, or weeks, or days?
Or, after they had traversed the mountains and the plains
of Tartary, and reached the northeastern extremities of
Asia; what should have prevented their crossing the
narrow strait which separates that continent from this?
Or, in the opposite direction, might they not have passed
over from the west of Africa, by that chain of islands
which probably once connected that country with America, but which have long since been buried in the ocean?
We are not bound, however, to devise or to explain the
ways and means by which the Almighty may have
chosen to execute his plans and purposes. If we can
ascertain the latter, we may be satisfied that the former
were both wise and adequate.
Moses informs us that, from the tower of Babel or
the plains of Shinar, the people were dispersed over the
whole earth.  His words are: "So the Lord scattered
them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth."
(Gen. xi. 8, 9.) That America had been submerged by
the flood, and that the waters had retired from its surface at the same time as from the rest of the earth, is
certain both from Scripture and from the researches of
the modern geologist. ~ At any rate, the science of geology can furnish no ground to presume that the New




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSATS.    155
World is of a more recent origin or formation than the
Old. The characteristic phenomena of each are identical or analogous, and prove that both have been subjected to the same changes and influences, whatever
these may have been, or however they may be accounted
for or explained by any philosophical theory.  That
Moses, therefore, by all the earth, could mean only the
half of it, is gratuitously imputing to him a latitude of
expression which, it is believed, he was not in the habit
of employing. I admit the fact, then, to have been pre.
cisely as he has recorded it. I do not question his integrity or accuracy, or even his philosophy in this or any
other particular.
Now it is remarkable that in this, as in other cases
where the Mosaic history has been impugned or but par.
tially received, all the collateral or internal evidence, all
the rational or philosophical considerations, and all the
traditionary or ethnical testimony, which can be made
to bear upon the subject, go to confirm his statement in
its literal sense and to the fullest extent. Those men
who have recently studied the character, languages, rites,
ceremonies, usages, traditions and history of the Indians
with the greatest care, furnish ample materials to establish the opinion, that the Aborigines of America must be
traced to a higher source than has. usually been allotted
to them; that they are indeed a primitive people; that
they must have emigrated at a very early period; and
that, in consequence of their complete separation from
the rest of Noah's descendants, they have preserved a
more distinct and homogeneous character and configura



156    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND' ESSAYS.
tion than probably can be found in any other extensive
portion of the globe. Can any trace of such an occurrence be detected in the existing records of antiquity?
Some learned men suppose that Plato, in his Timcewu
and Critias, indicates pretty clearly that a knowledge of
America, however obscure and imperfect, had once prevailed in Egypt. Should we admit with Crantor and
Ammianus Marcellinus among the ancients, with Perizonius, Buffon, Bailly and Whitehurst among the moderns, that Plato's account of the lost Atlantis was in the
main true, or founded in truth, and that he or his authorities had reference to a great western continent, then the
problem of our aboriginal population could be solved
without difficulty.  "He commences (says Catcott) by
mentioning a fact that happened in the most early ages,
the nearest of any known to the beginning of the world;
and that is, of a vast tract of land, or an island greater
than Libya and Asia, situated beyond tile bounds of
Africa and Europe, which, by the concussion of an earthquake, was swallowed up in the ocean. Plato introduces
this fact, as related by Solon, who, while he was in Egypt,
had heard it of an old Egyptian priest, when he discoursed with him concerning the most ancient events.
This priest tells Solon, that the Greeks, with regard to
their knowledge in antiquity, had always been children;
and then informs him of the history of this famous
island, of which the Greeks knew nothing before." The
description of this island, its catastrophe, and all the
circumstances specified are so unique and extraordinary,
that there must have been some ground in nature and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    157
truth for the tradition. What that precise ground was,
has greatly puzzled the critics; and their fanciful conjectures and speculations about the locality of Plato's Atlantis and of the sea which replaced it, or about the event
which gave rise to the story, are probably not more pertinent or satisfactory than those presented by Catcott,
which I proceed to recite.
"There was formerly (says Plato) an island at the
entrance of the ocean, where the Pillars of Hercules
stand [and consequently beyond the then supposed limits
of Europe and Africa.] This island was larger than all
Libya and Asia; and from it was an easy passage to
many other islands; and from these islands to all that
continent which was opposite, and next to the true sea
[aoBtv 2.vwovY, or Pacific Ocean.] Yet, within the mouth
there was a gulf with a narrow entry. But that land,
which surrounded the sea [,2aros, where the division was
made] might justly be called a continent. In after times
there happened a dreadful earthquake and an inundation
of water, which continued for the space of a whole day
and night; and this island, Atlantis, being covered and
overwhelmed by the waves, sunk beneath the ocean, and
so disappeared [xard  V aoaAdac  3aa a ave.] And that
the sea in this place has been ever since so filled with
mud and sands, that no one can sail over it, or pass by
it to those other islands on or near to the firm land.
"On this subject one may observe, that all historians
and cosmographers, ancient and modern, call that sea,
in which this island was ingulfed, the Atlantic Ocean;
retaining even the very name the island bore; which




158      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
seems a sufficient proof that there had been such an
island.  Admitting, then, the truth of this history, no
one can deny this island, beginning near the straits of
Gibraltar, to have been of that extent, from the north
southward and from the east westward, as to be more
than as large as Asia and Africa. By the other neighbouring islands are doubtless meant Hispaniola, Cuba,
Jamaica, St. John's and those on the coast. By the continent or firm land, opposite to those isles, mentioned by
Plato, is certainly meant that land which is now called
North and South America. And one must not be surprised at this New World's not having been discovered
by the Romans, or any of those other nations which, at
different times, abode in Spain; because it may reasonably be imagined that the supposed difficulty of navigating this sea, mentioned by Plato, then remained."
(Augustin de Zarate, a learned Spaniard of the sixteenth
century, quoted by Catcott.)*
The Rev. Mr. Jones, in a letter to Catcott, comments
thus on the passage: "Those who are inclined to slight
it as allegorical, and think the earthquake described by
Plato is incredible, because some fabulous circumstances
are blended with the account, should endeavour to show
us, what could possibly give rise to such a report in the
* The prevalent report or tradition that the new sea or Atlantic
Ocean was unnavigable would, in all probability, have prevented any
attempts to navigate it long after every real obstacle had been removed,
or after the sea had acquired sufficient depth for the purpose.
The true sea mentioned by Plato, to which his continent, lying
beyond the island Atlantis, was adjacent, is the Great South Sea or
Pacific Ocean.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    159
eastern world; for that Plato should so expressly describe
an opposite continent such as is actually now discovered,
together with the way that led to it from the straits of
Gibraltar, and that this strange report should be grounded
on no ancient knowledge of the American continent, and
prove to be true afterwards only by accident, —all this
would be more incredible than the matter reported,
which, if the natural monuments of this great earthquake,'still subsisting, are taken into the account, has
all the appearance of truth that can be desired."  (The
above correspondent of Mr. Catcott, I believe, was the
Rev. William Jones, a learned clergyman of the Church
of England, who died in 1801.)
Now, in support of Plato's Egyptian story of a vast
tract of land having been swallowed up in the ocean,of which the Canaries, St. Matthew, St. Thomas, St. Helena, the Azores, the great Banks of Newfoundland, and
the West India Islands are so many remaining fragments,
standing like pieces of a wreck above the waves, and still
exhibiting to us some footsteps, as it were, of the ancient
path that once led from Africa to America; besides the
evidence which these ruins themselves present; besides
the evidence involved in the very nature of the tradition;- which, if fiction, must be pronounced the most
extraordinary ever invented, since it has proved to be
fact; besides the facility with which it accounts for all
the phenomena of animal existence in this remote hemisphere; besides all the evidence in its favour, from these
and similar considerations, additional confirmation is
afforded, according to several eminent critics and com



160    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
mentators, by Scripture itself when rightly interpreted.
I offer no opinion of my own, either in regard to the
statement from Plato, or in regard to the criticism on
the sacred text which I am going to cite from Catcott.
Both, whether true or false, are sustained by the authority of distinguished scholars. The reader will appreciate
them according to his own judgment.
It were to be presumed a priori, it is argued, that
Moses, in speaking of the migration of mankind towards
repeopling the earth, would make some mention,- or give
some hint or intimation, concerning the manner by which
so large a part of the world, as the continent of America,
became inhabited. And such there is reason to think he
has done, and left recorded in the following remarkable
passage: "And unto Eber were born two sons: the name
of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided."
(Gen. x. 25; also 1 Chron. i. 19.) On these words Bengelius remarks, that Peleg was so named from the division of the earth which happened in his days. Now the
genealogical and political divisions mentioned by Moses
are always expressed by different words in the original
Hebrew, as may be seen by recurring to Gen. x. 5, 18, 32,
and xi. 9. But a very different kind of division is meant
by the word Peleg; namely, a physical and geographical
division, which happened at once, and which was so remarkable, and of such extent, as to justify the naming
of the patriarch from the event. By this word Peleg,
that kind of division is principally denoted which is
applicable to land and water. Whence, in the Hebrew
tongue, Peleg came to signify a river. In the Greek




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   161
T~aros, and in the Latin Pelagus denote the sea. From
this precise meaning of the word, then, we may conclude
that the earth was split or divided asunder for a very
great extent, and the sea came between, in the days of
Peleg; and that this was the grand division intended by
the passage under consideration; and that soon after the
confusion of tongues, and the dispersion of mankind upon
the face of the whole earth, some of the sons of Ham, to
whom Africa was allotted, went out of Africa into that
part of America which now looks towards Africa; and
the earth being divided or split asunder in the days of
Peleg, they, with their posterity, the Americans, were, for
many ages, separated from the rest of mankind. From
all this it may be inferred that Africa and America were
once joined, or at least separated from each other only
by a very narrow gulf or strait, and that, some time after
the flood (say, between the close of the first and third
centuries, in the days or during the lifetime of Peleg,) the
earth was divided or parted asunder, probably by means
of an earthquake, and then this middle land sunk beneath the ocean.  This is certainly a curious coincidence, to say the least, that Plato, whose information
was derived through Solon from the Egyptian priests,
is thus made to accord with Moses, who was profoundly
skilled in all the wisdom and science of Egypt, when at
the very acme of her glory, in arms, in policy and in
arts.
"Thus we have discovered (concludes Catcott) an easy
way by which America might have been, and I apprehend, the true way by which it really was, supplied with
VOL. I.-I 11




162      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
inhabitants after the flood; a way this, that affords a
very convenient passage, through a warm and fruitful
climate, for the most tender and delicate animals, and
such as could not endure any great degree of cold, and
of course a very easy one for robust man."*
If America was peopled from Africa, then the Indians
of this continent are descended from Ham; and consequently lie under the prophetic curse pronounced by
Noah upon their wicked ancestor. "And he said, cursed
be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his
brethren." "God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall
dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his
servant." (Gen. ix. 25, 27.) How this malediction was
finally accomplished upon the Canaanites, the Babylonians, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Egyptians,
etc., is well known to every reader of the Bible and of
* The only copy of Catcott's work on the Deluge, which I have ever
seen, belonged to the Library of Nassau-Hall. My extracts were made
in 1820, during my residence at Princeton; and they are so mixed up
with my own comments, that I may not have given him due credit for
either the language or ideas which I have borrowed. My attention
has been directed to Catcott and to my old manuscript notes, by two
recent references to his book. 1. By John Delafield, in "An Inquiry
into the Origin of the Antiquities of America." lie dissents from
Catcott, Bengelius and Plato,-though for very insufficient reasons, as
it appears to me. 2. By a writer in the January (1841) number of
the Princeton Review, upon the "Origin of the Aborigines of America;" who quotes largely and approvingly from the identical volume, I
presume, which, many years ago, awakened my own curiosity and led
me to sundry inquiries and speculations relative to the ancient population of this continent, —a subject, with me, still sub judice.  I have
never seen the work of the Rev. John Dunmore Lang, D.D., and know
nothing more of his theory than can be gleaned from the above Review
and from a brief article or two in the New York Observer.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   163
profane history. "CThe whole continent of Africa was
peopled principally by the descendants of Ham; and for
how many ages have the better parts of that country
lain under the dominion of the Romans, and then of the
Saracens, and now of the Turks!" (Newton.) And, it
may be added, Africa has been, for centuries past, the
common slave-mart and slaughter-house for all Christendom. "There never has been a son of Ham, who has
shaken a sceptre over the head of Japheth. Shem hath
subdued Japheth, and Japheth subdued Shem; but Ham
never subdued either." (Mede.)
How exactly does the fate of the American savages
correspond with the general destiny of Ham's posterity!
They have been, without exception, conquered and enslaved, or reduced to a state of extreme vassalage; or
they have been utterly exterminated, as were the nations
of Palestine by the Israelites. How widely different their
fate from that of the barbarous hordes of Northern and
Western Europe, and of all the acknowledged descendants of either Shem or Japheth! Here is a phenomenon
not easily explicable, except upon the hypothesis that
they belong to the doomed race. And to this category,
I should be disposed to assign them, from the very peculiarity of their fortunes, independently of mere ethnographical or other considerations. A like application
of scriptural prophecy to the lost tribes of Israel might
satisfy any candid mind that they can never be found
among our native Indians. If they still exist here,are yet to be discovered, recognized and restored to their
ancient home or converted to the Christian faith,-it is




164    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
manifest that this wonderful event must soon take place,
or there will not remain an Indian representative of that
people upon our continent. The prophecies would thus
be rendered nugatory, from the sheer want of subjects,
upon whom or by whom they were to be fulfilled. Now
the singular destiny of every branch of the Abrahamic
family is its miraculous preservation amidst all sorts of
calamities and dispersions; while that of the American
savage is certain destruction,-complete, absolute, inevitable extinction from the face of the earth. At least,
this is true in regard to those North American tribes
among whom any traces of a Hebrew origin are supposed
to have been discovered.
I do not advance this prophetic argument to sustain
the Atlantis of Plato or the logic of Catcott. The former
is a distinct, substantive, independent, and hitherto unoccupied ground. The latter may be rejected; and so
may every other theory about the ancient highway from
the Old World to the New. And yet the Indians may
be the descendants of Ham,-either from Asia or Africa.
If from the latter, it does not follow that they must have
been of the negro or Ethiopian race. None of the Asiatic
Hamites were negroes. Nor is it probable that the primitive inhabitants of northern Africa, along the shores of
the Mediterranean, from the Nile to the Straits of Gibraltar, were negroes. And from these must have issued
the early colonies which settled the lost Atlantis, (if such
an island ever existed,) and, at length, America. Soon
after reaching the latter, they were suddenly and forever
cut off from all future communication with their eastern




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   165
brethren, by the earthquake which buried beneath the
waves of the new Atlantic Ocean, the intervening land
together with its entire population. Now we can easily
suppose the condition, character and circumstances of
the forlorn, destitute, isolated remnant that survived
and were compelled to subsist as best they could in this
gloomy wilderness, to have been such, that they naturally and speedily degenerated into savages; as did their
kindred throughout central and southern Africa.
Nor does my argument from prophecy require that all
the aborigines of this continent should be the offspring
of Ham. The Esquimaux, for instance, belong to the
Mongolian race according to Blumenbach, and are presumed to be descendants of Japheth. There may be
others of the same family. Some tribes also may be
identified, perhaps, with the South Sea Islanders and the
Asiatic Malays.  There is ample scope for exceptions,
and for diversity of opinions in regard to several clans
or nations. Theorists, moreover, are welcome fo all the
capital which they can make of the Mexicans, Peruvians,
Natchez and Bogotians. So striking, however, is the resemblance between the aboriginal tribes in every part of
the country, from Labrador to Cape Horn, that they are
generally regarded by naturalists as constituting but one
distinct variety of the human species. The great mass
of them also appear evidently subjected to the same deplorable destiny; namely, bondage or extermination at
the hands of Christian Japheth, —a destiny without a
parallel, on so -large a scale, in the history of man, and
altogether inexplicable, except upon the assumption that




166    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
they are the posterity of Ham, and are therefore still
enduring the grievous penalty denounced upon them
more than four thousand years ago.
Nor do the marvellous ruins of splendid cities and
colossal structures in Mexico and Central America, in
the least, affect the argument or the general facts. That
these were not the work of savages is conceded.  The
builders of Memphis, of Babylon, of Tyre, of Carthage
were quite competent to the task, no doubt. And these
were all legitimate Hamites.  Whether they had any
agency in the affair or not, I leave Messrs. Stephens and
Catherwood to answer.* If it be objected in limine, that
none of those enterprising ancients could possibly have
found their way thither, be it so. Then get over or out
of the difficulty as best you can. If tley could not, pray
who could, and who did? There lie the ruins, as palpable, as stupendous, as eloquent, as those of glorious old
Thebes. The founders and citizens of both have alike
passed awvay; and, but for a few slight historical and
poetic notices of the latter, we should at this day be as
ignorant of the one as of the other. And we should no
more think of ascribing the gigantic monuments of the
Nile to the servile Copt or Bedouin Arab, than we now
do those at Palenque to the indigenous Mexican. The
only rational mode in such case is to cut the Gordian
knot forthwith and without flinching. When we meet,
in the desert or wilderness, with a Tadmor of stately
* This article was prepared before the publication of Mr. Stephens'
work on Central America, and was forwarded to the editors of the
Repository before any copy of that work had reached Nashville.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            167
palaces and temples, let us have faith in adequate human
agency, and take for granted that the ingenious Greek or
his more accomplished master had been there, whether
we can prove it or not.  If the works in question shall
be found to belong to the old Egyptian or Phoenician
school of architecture, never doubt that the Egyptian or
Phoenician navies once frequented the adjacent seas: and
that upon these shores were some of those far distant,
and to the rest of the world, unknown ports, with which
they were in the habit of commercial intercourse; and
that they reared and embellished the magnificent cities
which have just begun to excite our curiosity and astonishinent.*
* _Elian states, on the authority of Theopompus, that, at a certain
conference between Midas, the Phrygian, and the sage or demigod,
Silenus, the latter, among other strange matters, informed his friend
Midas: "That Europe, and Asia, and Libya were islands, which the
ocean entirely surrounded; and that the country which was situated
beyond their own part of the world was alone the true continent; that
it was of boundless extent; that it nourished animals of a different
kind and of immense size [the mammoth, megatherium, mastodon, missourium, etc.-no doubt;] that the men there were twice as large, and
that they lived twice as long as other mortals; that there were many
populous cities, and many peculiar modes or forms of life,-with laws
and customs directly contrary to their own." Silenus goes on to describe two remarkable cities in particular, totally unlike each other;
the one, a city of WAR [MdriaoS,] the other of PIETY [Er'ajiS-;]-the
latter, of course, very good and very happy; the former always at war,
and, with a population of some two millions, making sad havoc among
their neighbours. He mentions also "an exploring expedition" undertaken by a company of adventurers, consisting of only about ten nmillions, whose aim was to cross the wide ocean and visit their kindred
in the eastern world-or, "to pass over to these islands of ours," as
the worthy Silenus hath it. That after a successful voyage (by way
of Greenland, Iceland, etc., as I take it,) they marched onward till




168      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
But, it will be urged, that they knew nothing of the
mariner's compass.  This again is a perfectly gratuitous
and unavailing objection. For if they could not possibly
reach our coast without the compass, and yet did actually
reach it, —why, then, I suppose, we must allow them  the
benefit of the compass also.  I do not assert that they
used the compass, or that it was indispensable to their
navigation. The objector has created the dilemma which
demands it. Independently, however, of this hypothetical presumption, there is ground to believe that the compass has been known, from time immemorial, among the
Chinese and other Orientals; and that it could hardly
have been unknown among the Phoenicians and Egyptians.   The immense fleets of Sesostris, the extensive
voyages of the Phoenicians from the days of Sidon to the
destruction of Tyre, those performed by order of Solomon,
the circumnavigation of Africa under Pharaoh Nechos,
they came in contact with the honest and courteous Hyperboreans,
"esteemed the happiest people among us;" whom they affected to
despise, and therefore disdained to proceed any further-upon such a
fool's errand; with sundry other equally marvellous and no less creditable facts and events;-for all which the curious reader may, at his
leisure, consult the aforesaid most judicious and faithful ~Elian. (Var.
Hist., Jib. iii. c. 18.)
But seriously, the nonsense of AElian has been fairly matched by the
modern stories of American Amazons, Patagonian giants, Yankee seaserpents, etc. —to say nothing of the famous fountain, which was long
believed to possess the property of bestowing perpetual youth; and
in search of which Juan Ponce de Leon discovered Florida, in 1512.
By-the-way, this very tradition may have been derived from or through.Elian, since he speaks of a similar fountain or river of rejuvenescence
in the chapter above cited. How much of truth may have served as
the germ of his narrative or fiction, is still a subject of grave controversy among the critics and scholiasts.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    169
the naval prowess and commercial grandeur of Carthage,
the exploring expeditions and discoveries of Hanno and
Himilco, —all proclaim a degree of skill and knowledge
in seamanship, far surpassing anything recorded of the
Greeks and Romans, and which it would be difficult to
account for, without conceding to them some means or
instruments never possessed by the latter. That the
Phoenicians took every precaution to conceal "the secret
of their navigation" from other nations is well known,
and has never been denied.  Might not the mariner's
compass have been among the things thus studiously
concealed?  Several learned men-Pineda, Kircher, Sir
William Drummond and others-have laboured to prove
that these primitive navigators were acquainted with the
directive properties of the magnet, and that they actually
employed the compass or some similar instrument.*
However this may be, no one can read the glowing descriptions of their ships and commerce and naval enterprise and unparalleled opulence contained in the Bible,
without feeling the conviction that neither the Greeks
nor the moderns have ever accorded to them more than
justice. I request the timid or skeptical reader to turn
to the 27th and 28th chapters of Ezekiel, and to the 23d
of Isaiah; and when he has carefully perused and pon* For a brief view of the claims of the Chinese, etc., see Klaproth's
Letter to A. Humboldt; also, article "Compass, The Mariner's," in
the Penny Cyclopaedia.
The journals, charts, log-books, etc. of the old Phoenician captains,
will, when discovered, probably shed some light not only upon the
Atlantis and Ophir, but upon sundry other matters of considerable
interest to the curious.




170      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
dered each graphic phrase of the inspired record, let him
search our world over for the city which can now be
compared with ancient Tyre,-" the crowning city, whose
merchants were princes," —the then proud mistress of
the ocean, and the grand emporium of a traffic which
apparently extended to every port and people upon the
globe. Such gorgeous language, if applied to any modern Venice or London, would be deemed not merely
extravagant and hyperbolical, but positively absurd.
So far then from being incredible, it might be assumed
as highly probable, that the Phoenicians should have
visited America, and planted colonies or established
trading factories in the vicinity of its richest mines of
gold and silver. If so, we can readily account for the
amazing quantities of the precious metals with which
they supplied the nations; and perhaps even the Op7hir
of Solomon may yet be claimed for our modest hemisphere.*
* The geographical position of Ophir has given rise to much learned
speculation. Basnage mentions several writers, chiefly Jewish, who
place it in Peru; or who rather make the names Ophir and Peru
identical, by a mere transposition of the radical letters in the original
Hebrew. This may be as orthodox etymology as that which would
derive Potomac from the Greek word oro.-o's, a river.
From Diodorus Siculus (lib. v. c. 19, 20) we gather the following
particulars: "At a great distance from Africa to the west there lies
in the vast ocean a very large island; having a fruitful soil, lofty mountains and navigable rivers. Formerly it was unknown on account -of
its very remote situation from the rest of the world. But at length
the Phoenicians, who in the most ancient times were in the habit of
making distant voyages for the purposes of trade, being driven thither
by violent winds and tempests, became acquainted with its value and
importance; and thus introduced it to the knowledge and notice of




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             171
But I do not require the Atlantis of Plato or the ships
of Tyre in order to furnish a passage for the original
emigrants to this continent. Even in the present relative positions of the land and water, no very formidable
obstacles exist; and ways enough have been pointed out,
by which the rudest savage could pass from the one continent to the other. The chief difficulty, after all, is to
find or devise a passage for many species of the inferior
animals. These could neither have come by water nor
over the ice. If all terrestrial animals were destroyed,
except those preserved in the ark, we must admit the
necessity of some practicable mode by which they could
get here. No merely local or subsequent creations, or
partial escapes from the diluvial catastrophe, will meet
the case on scriptural grounds.* Here, then, there would
some other nations, particularly the Tuscans, who attempted to plant
a colony in it, but were prevented by the Carthaginians, who had become the most powerful people at sea," etc.  Wesseling, in his notes
on the above, supposes that an island adjacent to America, or that
America itself was referred to. At least, after disposing of the Fortunate and other islands, as not suiting the historian's description, he
asks: "Ergone una earum est, quae Americam adjacent, ipsave America?" We learn, moreover, that the Carthaginians, who were acquainted with this transatlantic country, wished to conceal its situation, not only from a fear that their citizens would emigrate thither
on account of its superior advantages, but also that they might secure
a safe retreat in the event of an unsuccessful war. Possibly, this mysterious concealment by the Punic navigators may have occasioned the
report and belief, that the entire island or continent had been lost or
buried in the ocean. For when sought by others, it could not be
found. (See Wesseling's edition, vol. i. pp. 344, 345. See also a work
ascribed to Aristotle, De Mirabil. Auscult.)
* "And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and
of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon




172      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
seem to be no alternative, but the unqualified admission,
either that the continents were once united in the manner already indicated, or that Asia was formerly joined
to America, in the more southern latitudes; and that the
innumerable islands in the Pacific Ocean are the higher
parts of the land which completed, above water, the connexion between the Old World and the New. Perhaps
the earth was one continuous body of land for a century
or two or three after the flood, and until after the dispersion of men and other animals over its surface; and that
then occurred the grand physical division in the days of
the earth, and every man; all, in whose nostrils was the breath of life,
of all that was in the dry land, died." (Gen. vii. 21, 22.)
No embarrassment need be created by the fact, if fact it be, that
some species are found on the one continentswhich are unknown to
the other. If any animals exist in America, for instance, which are
not.in the eastern hemisphere, they have become extinct in the latter
since the period of their first migration hither. If any exist in the Old
World, which are not in the New, we have only to infer, either that
they never came here, or that they have become extinct since their
arrival.  He would be a bold man, however, who should presume to
dogmatize on this subject, until he may have become somewhat acquainted with the immense regions of both continents, which have
hitherto escaped the notice alike of philosopher and traveller. Perhaps, too, our zoology, our physiology, and our geology, may need
some new modifications or improvements, before we can pronounce
with certainty even upon the scanty materials already within the scope
of scientific scrutiny.
If Moses has recorded the literal truth, namely, that every living
creature upon the face of the whole earth perished by the flood, except
such as were in the ark with Noah, as I doubt not he did, then we
have a safe starting-point, a fixed datum, from which and with which
to commence our researches.  Can it be demonstrated that any terrene animals now exist, which did not originate from those preserved
in the ark? Nothing short of demonstration will invalidate the positive scriptural testimony in the slightest degree.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    173
Peleg, by the breaking up of the exterior crust and the
bursting forth of the central waters, which have ever
since covered. the larger portion of the globe, and thus
effectually prevented a reunion of the scattered families,
and hindered many a Nimrod or Alexander from conquering and laying waste the whole world. This latter
suggestion, luckily, is secure from the assaults of the
geologist, as it leaves him no visible ground to stand
upon; and he will hardly search for it at the bottom of
the ocean. The striking resemblance between the men
and brutes of northeastern America and northwestern
Europe, shows the intimate connexion which once subsisted between the continents in the higher latitudes,
while Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, etc., still remain
both as evidences and monuments of the ancient physical union. Asia and America are sufficiently near to
each other-to enable us, by the occasional aid of a bridge
of ice across Behring's Straits, to meet the animal phenomena peculiar to that region.
Again, as it was manifestly one of the great purposes
of the Almighty, that the whole earth should be peopled
forthwith, so I suppose this purpose was effected in the
usual way; namely, by mingling mercies with judgments, parental tenderness with parental chastisements.
Thus, by the confusion of tongues men were punished
and obliged to desist from a wicked enterprise, and to
obey the divine command by. emigrating in all directions to distant lands,-thence never to return. They
went to the polar and to the equatorial regions; to live,
not to perish, amidst the snows and frosts of the one, and




1 74    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the burning sands and sultry blasts of the other. Did
the Deity make no seasonable and kindly provision for
these wandering outcasts? Were they to incur the fearful
hazards incident to the most violent changes of climate,
food and habitudes of all sorts,-without preparation,
without protection, without any knowledge or anticipation of the evils to be encountered? I think not. What
then was done to accommodate man to his new situation
and altered circumstances.? Precisely what the exigency
demanded and divine wisdom directed. Now it is remarkable, that no new variety of man has been discovered or gradually produced, within the period of authentic
history. All the physical attributes which now distinguish the inhabitants of different countries, were just as
palpable and as strongly marked when they first appear
upon the stage. From Japan to Britain, from Nova
Zembla to the Cape of Good Hope, man has been ever
the same since first noticed in history. The Cautcasian
and the Negro, the Malay and the Mongol, have continued
to be what they apparently were from the beginning.
"Can the Ethiopian change his skin?" had become a
proverb among the most ancient nations, to denote an
impossibility;-clearly proving that the black skin was a
well-known fact, as well as an indelible characteristic of
a portion of mankind. If nafure, by a certain, regular,
invariable process, has really effected all the existing
diversities in the human family, she must have completed her work, or exhausted her resources, some three
thousand years ago. For, assuredly, she has attempted
nothing of the kind since. So, whether we ascribe the




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   175
radical changes in question to a direct act of the Deity,
like the confusion of speech, or to the operation of ordinary physical causes, we are constrained to admit that
the whole was achieved at a very remote period; and
most probably, because then most needed, at. the epoch
of the dispersion. Such indeed was the very kind of
adaptation to the peculiarities of their new position,
which was called for on the score both of necessity and
benevolence. The American variety is doubtless as old
as any other. It cannot be proved to be more recent.
Nor are we to confound physiological with genealogical
distinctions.  The Phoenicians were of the Caucasian
race,-but of the family of Ham, equally with the Hottentot and the American savage.
I do not mean to deny, nor do I wish to underrate
the modifying or transforming influences of climate, food,
manner of living, etc., upon the persons and constitutions
of mankind. These are visible and obvious everywhere.
I more than doubt, however, the theory which ascribes
to these and similar causes all the distinct varieties in
the human species. These appear to be permanent; and
none of them can be traced to any definite historic origin.
They never lose their specific attributes; they never glide
into one another, nor exhibit anomalous forms or aspects,
except by intermarriages. Were the negro to reside in
England a thousand years, he would be a negro still,
provided his race continued without mixture. The Caucasian, with the same proviso, would never become a
negro under any circumstances or in any latitude. Partial and temporary changes are not to be confounded




176      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
with hereditary and abiding differences.  The complexion, for example, is easily affected.   But restore the
Caucasian of darkest hue to the home and habits of his
fathers, and his children will be as fair as the rest of his
kindred.*  To this branch of the subject, I cannot of
course do justice in a few sentences. I can neither present my own views fully, nor meet with becoming respect
the widely different opinions of eminent philosophers and
theologians.
I notice another objection which has been urged
against the early peopling of America; namely, that
the population of the Old World was utterly inadequate
to the purpose, within the days of Peleg, or even for
many centuries afterwards. The fallacy of this objec* I attach but little importance to the case of the black Jews, said
to be found in India. They are probably a mixed race at most. The
Jews never object to marriages with proselytes; and they have seldom
been averse to the making of proselytes to their faith, when it could
be done without danger. But it remains to be seen, whether even the
black colour would not disappear upon their return to a more congenial land; if they are indeed the genuine descendants of Israel, and
if they have preserved the purity of the Hebrew blood amidst all their
wanderings and adverse vicissitudes. This, after all, is but an instance
of a partial change. Other similar cases may be disposed of in like
manner. The great fact still remains, namely, that no new variety
has been formed within the period of human history, and that none
such is now in course of formation. With the mixed races, I repeat,
the argument has no concern. Amalgamation may achieve marvels
or create oddities, but it will never demolish history, philosophy or
Scripture. Mere sporadical varieties, like the Porcupine family in
England, and Albinos everywhere, are entitled to no special notice in
connexion with any theory. The black Portuguese and the bronzed
Europeans, of all sorts, found in Africa and Asia, assuredly do not
prove either a transition from one distinct physiological variety to
another, or the creation of any new variety.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   177
tion has been shown by several learned men. Thus,
Picart supposes that there might have been 432,000,000
of inhabitants upon the earth at the close of the first
150 years after the flood. Petavius estimates the population of the world at the birth of Peleg, or about 101
years after the flood, at 32,768. Bishop Cumberland
gives 30,000 for the same date. According to Mede,
there were or might have been at the time 7000 men,
besides women and children. Usher is of opinion, that
in the 102d year after the flood, mankind might have
increased to the number of 388,605 males, and as many
females, or to a grand total of 777,210. This uncommon
increase he ascribes to an extraordinary fecundity implied in that repeated command or blessing: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Gen. ix. 1.)
If we allow this number to have doubled every twenty
years, we shall find the amount within a fraction of
800,000,000 at the end of 300 years after the flood —or
fifty years before the death of Noah, and forty before
that of Peleg. Any approximation, however, to this
vast multitude, would dissipate every objection to our
argument. A few facts, out of many hundreds on record,
will further illustrate and confirm the general views
already presented.
Within the space of 215 years, (Samaritan Pentateuch
and St. Paul,) the posterity of Jacob alone amounted to
603,550 males "from twenty years old and upward," all,
able to go forth to war, exclusive of the Levites. (Numn. i.
45, 46.) Add women and children, the aged and infirm,
together with the entire tribe of Levi, and the whole
VOL. nI. -12




178    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
multitude could not have been less than three or four
millions. Now they were not only slaves, but were subjected to the most rigorous treatment which a subtle and
jealous policy could devise. They were commanded to
destroy their own male infants; were crowded together
in a corner of a populous empire; and were kept at hard
labour under cruel taskmasters, whose main object was,
not merely to extort the utmost profit from their service,
but absolutely to crush them beneath the burdens and
privations imposed.
Egypt, too, was proverbially populous. If we believe
the account given by Diodorus of the 1700 male children
born on the same day with Sesostris, and afterwards
made officers in his army, then it will follow, according
to a computation made by Goguet on purpose to ridicule
the story of the Greek historian, that there must have
been at least 60,000,000 of inhabitants in Egypt at that
early period. The army of Sesostris, we are told, consisted of 600,000 foot and 24,000 horse, besides 27,000
armed chariots, with a fleet of 400 sail on the Red Sea,
and as many perhaps in the Mediterranean. His conquests extended from the Ganges to the Danube. Herodotus expressly says: "The reign of Amasis was auspicious to the Egyptians, who under this prince could
boast of twenty thousand cities well inhabited." (Euterpe,
177.)  The statements of Herodotus and Diodorus may
be treated as apocryphal; still, there is abundant evidence in Scripture that the population of Egypt could
not have been greatly exaggerated. Pray, what else had
the Egyptians to do, during the seven years' famine in




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    179
Joseph's time, except to build cities?  "And as for the
people, he removed them to cities, from one end of the
borders of Egypt, even to the other end thereof." (Gen.
xlvii. 21.)  "During the inundation of the Nile, the
cities only are left conspicuous, appearing above the
waters like the islands of the. Egean Sea." (Herod.
Euter. 97.) Moses and Herodotus agree very well, so
far as cities are concerned. Egypt was of much larger
extent in ancient times, than at present. The shifting
sands of the desert have been steadily encroaching upon
its once fertile plains, and thereby diminishing its habitable territory, probably ever since the Persian conquest.
Not long after the coronation of Saul, "the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel,
thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen,
and people as the sand which is on the sea-shore in
multitude." (1 Sam. xiii. 5.) The Philistines possessed
a narrow strip of land along the sea-coast, in the southwest of Canaan, about forty miles long, and fifteen broad.
"And it came to pass that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem
with twelve hundred chariots, and sixty thousand horsemen, and the people were without number that came
with him out of Egypt." (2 Chron. xii. 2, 3.) Abijah,
son of Rehoboam and grandson of Solomon, "set the
battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even
four hundred thousand chosen men. Jeroboam also set
the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour." (2 Chron.
xiii. 3.) "And Asa had an army of men that bare tar



180    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
gets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand;
and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows,
two hundred and eighty thousand; all these were mighty
men of valour. And there came out against them Zerah
the Ethiopian, with a host of a thousand thousand (i.e. a
million) and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah." (2 Chron. xiv. 8, 9.) According to Josephus, the
whole number slain and taken prisoners by the Romans,
during the seven years' war, was 1,462,000. What must
not great Babylon have been at the height of its glory,
when Seleucus Nicator, soon after the death of Alexander, could drain it of above 500,000 persons to people
his new city of Seleucia, forty-five miles northward? And
this, too, after Babylon had been repeatedly taken, sacked
and pillaged by hostile armies.
Let the reader carefully examine the scriptural statistics of the numerous armies, which converted the land of
Judea into one great battle-field, from the days of Joshua
till the final destruction of Jerusalem; let him reflect
upon the descriptions of Nineveh and Babylon, and of
many other cities as well as kingdoms; let him abate as
much from the letter of the text as Michaelis, Eichhorn
and other wise biblical critics, as much as Gibbon, Niebuhr and other modern historians, as much as Hume,
Kaimes and all the philosophers may summarily require;
still, he cannot doubt but that Palestine and the neighbouring countries once contained a population incomparably greater than at the present day, unparalleled,
perhaps, in modern times, except in the empires of
China and Japan.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   181
Delhi, formerly the capital of Hindostan, the boast of
India, and the seat of the great Mogul, was estimated to
contain 2,000,000 of inhabitants. Pekin, according to
information given to Lord Macartney, contains no less
than 3,000,000. Jeddo, in 1812, as the Japanese stated
to Golowan, had a population of 10,000,000! I do not
vouch for the strict accuracy of these figures; and the
reporters cannot be easily questioned just now. Thebes
was believed by the Egyptians, according to Diodorus, to
have been the first city founded upon the earth; and we
certainly have no account of any more ancient since the
flood. Its population has been calculated from sundry
hints and traditionary fragments, variously, at from one
to twenty millions. Its most flourishing period preceded
the building of Memphis. Its remains at this day testify
that the oldest city in the world has probably never been
surpassed in architectural grandeur; and that even its
population may not have been greatly exaggerated by
either poet or historian. Strabo says that, in his time,
Epirus was thinly inhabited, but that according to Theopompus, whom he cites, it had once been extremely populous. Paulus 2Emilius, we are told, destroyed seventy
cities in Epirus, and took 150,000 prisoners?  Who believed this? At length, M. Pouqueville, during a long
residence in the dominions of the late Ali Pasha, actually
discovered the remains of sixty-five cities, quite able to
speak for themselves. I have somewhere seen an estimate which makes the population of the Roman empire,
in the age of Augustus, to have been 4,000,000,000.
Gibbon, I believe, reduces it to about 120,000,000 in the




182    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND' ESSAYS.
reign of Claudius. Even this will do,-especially when
it is recollected that, like Goguet, Millot, Hume, etc., the
author of the "Decline and Fall" was always rather partial to the "rule of reduction.'" But of such details and
speculations there is no end.
If there be, however, any semblance of truth in the
Bible and in other ancient authorities, we must concede
that the whole world of which they treat was densely
populated. They never speak of any country, indeed,
which, at the time, was destitute of inhabitants, or which
does not appear to have been well filled *with inhabitants.
Sesostris and Alexander, though a thousand years asunder, found the far East teeming with a population as
redundant as ever swarmed upon the banks of the Nile.
The Roman conquerors experienced no lack of hostile
numbers in their marches through the remotest and most
ungenial climes. In Africa, in Asia, in Gaul, Germany,
Britain, Scythia, everywhere, they met and encountered
host after host; and the wonder is, after reading their
own accounts of the battles and the slain, that the earth
had not been utterly depopulated and converted into a
dreary wilderness.
I cannot doubt, therefore, that the world was vastly
more populous during the whole period which intervened
from the age of Noah to that of Constantine, than it has
been at any time since. Population diminished rapidly
after the decline and fall of the Roman empire. It continued to diminish during the dark ages. And it has
been on the advance only within the last two or three
centuries. I speak chiefly of countries known to history.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    183
As to the Chinese and some other Oriental nations, they
may have suffered less in this respect; and they may
still serve as a specimen and index of what the population of other nations may once have been. China at
this day, with a territory considerably smaller than that
of the United States, is supposed to contain nearly half
the population usually allotted to the whole world.
They are, too, the most industrious, intelligent, contented, happy, peaceful, orderly, age-honouring, homekeeping and specie-paying  people on the globe.  And
they would be the most temperate also, if Christian
avarice would let them  alone.  What would be the
population of the earth, if it were everywhere equal
to that of China?  Why may it not thus have been?
Why sholtld it not thus be? The very prospect, nay,
the possibility of such an event would annihilate the
Malthusiacn heresy, with all its unchristian dogmatism,
and unsocial restraints, and arbitrary provisions, and
terrific conclusions. Happily, it has not yet invaded
or disturbed the repose of the Celestial Empire.
I think, then, we may warrantably conclude that, before the death of Peleg (according to any chronological
system) the earth might have been peopled throughout its
entire extent; and that there were, at the birth of Peleg,
inhabitants enough to furnish colonies for every principal
division or important locality upon the globe.
The doubts, suspicion and incredulity so generally
manifested in regard to a large portion of the (so called)
extraordinary facts, personages, events and statistics,
mentioned by ancient writers, have. resulted from the




184     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
prevalent but groundless assumption, that they all pertain to a rude and barbarous age; and are therefore to
be regarded as fictions or exaggerations. Their hypothesis about the primitive state is a perpetual stumblingblock at every turn. Until they set out right, they will
never interpret correctly or estimate fairly the works,
the archives or the character of antiquity. Their theory
obscures and circumscribes their vision. It exacts from
their judgment a verdict at variance with all sorts and
degrees of evidence. Not only must every ancient profane document yield to this arbitrary test, but the Bible
itself' cannot escape their critical tortures, or conjectural emendations, or supercilious disregard. It constrains
them to "beg the question," to reason in a circle, and to
avail themselves of "trifles light as air" to uphold their
baseless fabric.  The Greeks and the Romans are their
standard of perfection, by which to measure all other
ancient nations; and the remoter were any of these, in
either time or space, so much the worse is the sentence
awarded. Because the Greeks and Romans did not know
this, or could not do that, therefore the Phoenicians and
Egyptians must have been still more ignorant and less
capable. And by the same rule, the contemporaries of
Noah and Adam were little better than children and
infants. The old Egyptians could not construct an arch;
ergo they were but clumsy novices in architecture, and
consequently in all the arts. True, they were able, without mechanical science, and by mere brute force, "to pile
Ossa upon Pelion," but too stupid to build a Dutch oven
or a cabbage vault; when, lo! the arch is discovered in




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   185
the catacombs and among the mummies of the Pharaohs,
in the temples which for ages had been forgotten and
buried beneath the sands of the desert, in the bosom of
the great pyramid, which had grown hoary with years,
centuries before the Parthenon or Coliseum had been
dreamt of! The aborigines of America knew nothing of
the arch or of iron, nothing of butter, cheese, roast-beef
or wheaten bread; therefore they must have sprung from
an ancestry equally rude and helpless; or they must
have come hither before those wonderful mysteries had
been revealed to mankind in the old world!
Here I may add, that theories about the American
Indians are generally formed from exceedingly imperfect
data-often from no data at all-and that the same facts
and observations sometimes lead to directly conflicting
theories. Thus, I am acquainted with intelligent individuals in Tennessee, who have resided many years
among the Cherokees and profess to know them thoroughly, who differ widely in their deductions respecting
their origin and national affinities. One, a most respectable clergyman, at present a citizen of Nashville, is perfectly satisfied from his own personal investigations
among the natives, that they are the genuine descendants of Israel's long-lost ten tribes. Of the same opinion was a late learned judge of our supreme State court.
Both have written ably in support of their views; which
accord, in the main, with those of Adair and Boudinot.
Others refer them, as well as the adjacent tribes, to the
nomadic races of Northern Asia; and others again, to
the Southern Malays. I have been strongly inclined to




186    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the latter opinion myself, both from a slight inspection
of a few Indians and still fewer Malays at different times
and places, and from the statements and reasoning of
more competent observers. It is probable that Asia and
Europe, as well as Africa, have contributed more or less
to the population of this continent. How do we know
after all that the Mongols are not descended from Ham?
I mean the Mongols of the naturalist, as distinguished
from the Indo-Germanic hordes and Caucasian Tartars,
with whom they have been long mingled and often confounded. It might be rather difficult also to prove that
the Malays are of the Semitic stock, or that they too are
not the posterity of Ham. It would be curious, if all the
degraded and degrading varieties of the human species,
namely, the Negro, the Mongol, the Malayan and the
American, should appear at length to belong to the great
family of the African patriarch.
But it was not my purpose in these notes to propound,
much less to advocate any new or peculiar theory. On
the whole, however, I favour the hypothesis, that the
indigenous Americans have occupied this continent from
the earliest times-that they came hither at the epoch
of the grand dispersion —that they constitute one of the
original varieties which have existed ever since — that
they are presumptively of the Hamite family, and are
now experiencing the effects of the divine denunciation
uttered by Noah against their wicked progenitor.
Their high antiquity cannot be doubted or disputed,
unless a similar race can be found in the other hemisphere, from which they might have been derivedat a




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    187
more recent date. Their savage character and condition
can be as easily accounted for as the degeneracy of their
kindred in Africa or of any other portion of the human
family. No people, known in history to have been civilized, have ever become absolute savages in their own
country; though many have sunk into the lowest depths
of ignorance and wretchedness; the modern Egyptians,
Syrians, Arabs, Greeks, for example. Still none of these
are savages. The savage state preceded all history except the Bible; but it did not precede civilization. That
Noah and his immediate descendants.were civilizedthat their posterity, who never removed from the fatherland or who settled in the countries adjacent, were civilized, and have continued to be civilized, to this day,
though degraded in all respects-is attested by Scripture, by history, and by all observation. It was the
unfortunate destiny of the colonists who wandered far,
and in smnall companies, and in destitute circumstances,
and who were suddenly cut off from all intercourse with
their home and with their brethren, to become savages.
It was one of the first and most disastrous results of the
dispersion of mankind, and a part of the punishment
inflicted, we may presume, on the most guilty among
the numerous transgressors who provoked the divine
displeasure. And if the principal or greatest sufferers
in this respect were children of Ham, may we not still
witness the literal fulfilment of the patriarchal malediction throughout America, as well as in Africa.
Whatever indications exist or may yet be discovered
of a former civilization, I repeat, can have no connexion




188    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
with the aborigines. They are to be regarded as the
work of a different and superior race-of temporary occupants, it may be, or of trading adventurers-or, at most,
of merely local settlers, who never extended their influence or conquests over the wide land. The Phoenicians
were a trading, not a conquering people. They built
cities, at various distant ports, for commercial purposes;
and they would have pursued the same policy in Mexico
and Peru, had they ever learned the way to those golden
regions. The Chinese and Hindus, probably, would have
acted in the same fashion. But let the facts be first
ascertained, and then probably there will be less scope
for conjecture and castle-building.




RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES.








RELIGIOUS PREJUDICES.
SIR WILLIAM JONES, at the commencement of an essay,
in which he proposes to draw a parallel between the gods
of the Indian and European heathens, makes the following liberal preliminary remark: "I shall remember that
nothing is less favourable to inquiries after truth than a
systematical spirit: and shall call to mind the saying of
a Hindu writer,'that whoever obstinately adheres to
any set of opinions may bring himself to believe that
the freshest sandal wood is a flame of fire."'
To rise above vulgar prejudices, is generally esteemed
an evidence of an enlightened and superior mind. If by
this, nothing more were meant, than a rejection of error
for the sake of truth, or an honest disposition to seek
and to embrace truth to the utter renunciation of error,
in defiance of all our previous opinions and habits, we
should not object to the position. Such a determination,
if rigidly adhered to, does certainly evince much candour
of temper and strength of intellect. But if the declaimers against vulgar prejudices expect us to be divested of
every prejudice before we can be qualified for the fair
investigation of truth or for its reception, we humbly
conceive that they quite overshoot the mark, by making
a demand on poor human nature which it neither can
nor ought to yield. All men have prejudices. They
(191)




192    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
imbibe them unconsciously and imperceptibly from the
first moments in which impressions are made on the
senses from any causes.
Prejudice is a prejudgment-or a judgment formed
beforehand, without examination- an anticipation of
knowledge-a preconceived opinion-or an opinion embraced without proof, or, at least, before the mind has
ever comprehended the proof which supports it.
The majority of every man's sentiments and principles
may, with much propriety, be denominated prejudices.
He has received them from his parents, from his nurse,
from his teachers, from his associates, from accidental
circumstances, from the peculiarity of his position and
rank in society, from the particular form of government
and religion of his country, from partial reading, and
from all those numerous and nameless causes and influences which give variety to life, and which impart a
specific colouring to every man's character and destiny.
Many of these prejudices are doubtless good and wellfounded, though we may never trouble ourselves at all
about the foundation'on which they rest. The mass of
mankind, in every country, are actuated and governed
by their prejudices. They neither reflect nor reason for
themselves.  If their prejudices happen to be correct,
they generally prove orderly and useful citizens or subjects. And we certainly feel no desire to interrupt the
tranquillity of such virtuous well-meaning persons, by
suggesting a single doubt, or by throwing a single difficulty in their way. Let them live and die under the
salutary influence of prejudice. Let the Laplander love




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    193
his freezing snows, and the African his burning sun. It
is a happy prejudice which inclines him to prefer his
dreary native regions to every other country. Were it
not for this prejudice, this invincible amor ptatrie, half
the globe would be destitute of inhabitants. It is therefore an innocent and very beneficial prejudice. This is
one instance. Many more of a similar kind might be
mentioned. Happy would it be for the human family
were all their prejudices equally harmless. Happy if
their prejudices on subjects of deep and lasting moment
were always in favour of truth.
But the fact is far otherwise.  The ten thousand
totally dissimilar and contradictory political and religious systems which prevail in the world, and which command the affections of men, incontestably prove that the
prejudices of the far greater proportion of our race are
erroneous. These prejudices, too, are inveterate. It is
scarcely possible to eradicate them from the minds of
any considerable number. And it is always dangerous
to attack the prejudices of the multitude in an open and
direct manner. Such an attack generally tends to bind
them more strongly to their errors: or if it should produce an opposite effect, the consequences are oftentimes
much more deplorable. This is eminently the case with
regard to religious prejudices.  The falsest views and
notions of religion are, better than none. Without the
fear of God, in some form, operating on the mind and
conscience of men, human laws become nugatory, and
society is at an end. Witness France-so often cited
on similar occasions — soon after the commencement of
VOL. IIi.-13




194    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
her revolutionary tumults. Her ignorant volatile people
were so powerfully wrought upon by the disguised enemies of truth, that they were at length induced to trample in the dust the entire fabric which papal tyranny
and superstition had erected among them, to burst in
sunder the chains by which they had been for ages fettered, and to rush into all the extravagancies of atheistic
licentiousness. No substitute was offered them for the
absurdities of a religion which they so hastily abandoned.
The result was natural, and might have been anticipated.
Every benevolent oppugner of popular religious prejudice
will proceed with cautious steps; and endeavour to give
at least an equivalent-something true and salutary —
for what is false and mischievous. Otherwise he had
better be content to let prejudice reign undisturbed.
These hasty and desultory remarks we have thought
proper to premise as illustrative of the subject generally.
We profess pot, however, to be the advocates of prejudice
any further than the welfare of society and the frailty of
our nature seem to render unavoidable. The ignorant
multitude are, and necessarily must be, under its dominion. Let them therefore be excused, and pass without
censure or rebuke.
But can we extend the same indulgence to men who
claim the distinction of scholars-of free inquirers after
truth-who, notwithstanding their superior opportunities, and their high pretensions to science and liberality,
do yet entertain partial and bigoted sentiments on any
subject which they profess to have investigated, and
which they certainly might have investigated to its very




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    195
foundations and throughout all its bearings and connexions? Is it not tile prerogative of science to dispel error,
to remove prejudice or to convert what was once prejudice, into certain knowledge or indisputable truth, by a
lucid development of the evidence on which it rests?
But when she fails to produce this effect in her votaries
- when even the comparatively enlightened favoured
few, who affect to despise the ignoble vulgar, evince an
uncandid, dogmatical, opinionative spirit, an obstinate
adherence to tenets which they have adopted, they cannot tell whence or wherefore-what can be reasonably
urged in their defence or justification? Or what benefit
do they derive from science, if their minds be not sufficiently enlarged and liberalized to qualify and dispose
them- to look into their own hearts, and to scrutinize the
opinions and doctrines which they may have been accustomed to cherish as indubitable or as innate verities?
We do not mean to insinuate that a man, in order to
become truly learned upon any subject, ought forthwith
to renounce all his previously acquired ideas of that subject-to become, as it were, a tabula rasa-that he may
be enabled to proceed dispassionately and without bias,
till he shall arrive at truth by fair demonstration or induction. We would not reduce him to a state of infancy
with a view to rectify the obliquities of premature manhood. This would be impossible. But we ask him to
exercise his reason in subjecting to a legitimate test the
materials already stored in his mind. We ask him to be
ready to give the proof of what he professes to believe;
and not like mere children to appeal to the authority of




196    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
parents and teachers, or like orthodox Romanists, who
believe because the church believes. We ask him to
venture beyond the bare ipse dixit of philosopher or
priest or favourite author, and to learn why his master
has taught him thus, or why this particular creed or
system has been imposed on his mind and incorporated
with his feelings rather than another. We ask him, in a
word, to be open to conviction. Not to become a skeptic
in order to escape delusion.
When a man has once reached this point, he is in a
fair way to discover truth and cordially to embrace it.
He may then be said to have begun to be divested of
prejudice. He is prepared to canvass systems and opinions which had once been his aversion; to give a candid
hearing to men and parties which all his early habits
and notions had led him to oppose and despise. Names
no longer alarm him, however odious they may be to
the particular party or sect or denomination with which
birth and education may have connected him. It is
truth, under whatever guise or name she appears, that
he is now in search of. Such a man is liberal, forbearing, tolerant, generous, independent, just and modest.
He never condemns hastily, nor without adequate cause.
And if his researches shall have made him acquainted
with the Bible —as they necessarily would, if he have
the happiness to live in a Protestant Christian country
-we may then behold in him an edifying example of
what is so rarely to be met with —a truly charitable
man. In the Bible he finds truth, pure and unadulterated, substantial and cheering to the soul. Before its




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    197
celestial light, all his religious prejudices vanish away.
And his faith is settled, as upon a rock, never more to
be shaken.
But why then are not all Christians of one mind and
of one faith? Why do they not, at least, live together
in the exercise of love and mutual forbearance? If
charity be the essential pervading attribute of our holy
religion; should we not expect that her friends would be
friends to one another? Should we not expect, moreover, that much unanimity of sentiment would obtain
among men who derive their notions or doctrines from
one and the same source? This, we think, might reasonably have been anticipated. For we certainly should
never, have conjectured, previously to a knowledge of the
fact, that so many discordant opinions as are entertained
in the Christian world, could ever have claimed a shadow
of support from the great charter of a religion so preeminently gracious and benevolent in its nature and
object.  Strange that so many inconsistencies should
exist in a book, the avowed design and tendency of
which are so plain and obvious that even the most
illiterate may readily understand and obey its precepts.
Strange that the Holy Scriptures, the volume of inspiration, the only unerring guide to mortals through this
world of darkness, sin and trial, the only revelation ever
vouchsafed by the infinitely wise and good Jehovah to
his creatures-strange, inconceivably strange, that the
work of such a Being, and given for so great and so kind
a purpose, could be fairly construed or even plausibly
perverted so as to countenance the multiform, absurd,




198    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
pernicious and contradictory dogmas which have been
ascribed to it or extorted from it.
We must believe that a revelation from God could
not be justly obnoxious to such variety of constructions:
otherwise we take from it all certainty and all value.
Its grand paramount object must be something definite,
unequivocal and explicit. If then the Bible does contain
a revelation of the Divine will-and that it does, all the
contending parties agree-it necessarily follows that its
main scope and design must be clear and precise, and
altogether above the misconception of any candid mind.
But were we to judge of the gospel exclusively from the
conduct and writings of very many Christian doctors and
divines, we should be apt to conclude that it consisted of
some antiquated collection of ambiguous, metaphorical,
mysterious, oracular, enigmatical phrases and sentences
-similar to the far-famed Sibylline verses-which had
been purposely contrived or accidentally arranged, to bewilder and perplex the human intellect, and to defy all
rational interpretation. And yet, we feel assured, that
the gospel is light; and that, like its glorious Author, in
it there is no darkness at all. It unfolds to us a system
of morals and a plan of salvation, which, however depraved ingenuity may misrepresent or reckless impiety
assail and asperse it, cannot fail to command the reverence, and to meet the wants and fears and hopes of the
humble, the ingenuous and the devout.
It becomes then a matter of some curiosity at least,
to inquire whence such various and conflicting opinions
have arisen with respect to its doctrines and provisions;




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    199
and why these still continue to be held by honest and
dishonest, learned and unlearned Christians, in every
land where the light and privileges of the gospel are
most abundantly diffused and enjoyed? Whence is it
that the mild, benevolent, peace-speaking religion of
Jesus has been, and still is, disgraced by the wranglings
and disputes of those who are solemnly commanded by
their common Lord to dwell together in unity and love,
as the brethren of one family, and the servants of one
Master?  Neither the nature of this religion, nor the
volume which records it, furnishes any solution of the
difficulty. No reason can there be discovered for such
uncharitable dissensions.
The truth is, that all these differences, and all the controversies which have agitated the Christian church, are
chargeable, in some sense, to prejudice-to the study and
influence of theological systems, composed by schoolmen
or philosophers, or spiritual dogmatists, or zealous enthusiasts, or aspiring ecclesiastical demagogues, and addressed
to the credulity of their disciples, either as a substitute
for the Bible or as a complete exposition of its doctrines.
Thus we have embodied, in the elaborate tomes of divinity designed for the training of the youthful minister, and
in the numberless religious books, tracts and catechisms
prepared expressly for the laity, all sorts of crude speculation, of ingenious sophistry, of mystic reveries, of monstrous hallucinations, of logical subtleties and metaphysical refinements, which either human reason, or passion,
or fancy, or ambition, or wisdom, or folly or cunning, or
hypocrisy, may have been able to achieve or to inculcate.




200    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
This heterogeneous mixture of human absurdities with
Divine revelation, has caused, and still nourishes, that
captious persecuting spirit which has reigned for ages in
the church. The gospel had scarcely appeared in the
world, when it began to be adulterated by human contrivances.  Among the Jews, it received much of its
colouring from the Mosaic law and those traditionary
institutions to which they were obstinately attached.
Nor even among these did Christianity exhibit one uniform hue, but was diversely shaded according to the
peculiarities of the several sects which embraced it:
as Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Herodians.
The Greeks and Romans, also, very soon endeavoured
to incorporate their favourite philosophy with the body
of the gospel. The disciples of Pythagoras, of Zeno, of
Epicurus, of Plato, of Aristotle, did not fail to discover
some kind of resemblance between many of their maxims
and those of the Messiah. And even where there evidently was none at all, pride and prejudice prompted
them to fancy or create one. They had been long accustomed to yield implicit credence to the word of their
masters; whose dogmas they frequently revered as eternal and immutable truths.  They sought therefore to
bend the gospel to suit their own preconceived opinions,
instead of examining these before the light of revelation.
The same observation may apply to the admirers of the
Oriental philosophy, which gave rise to the Gnostic and
Manichean heresies. And in every country where the
gospel was preached, there flourished a system of opinions deeply rooted in the minds of all classes of men.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS    201
These, the gospel had to encounter: and it succeeded beyond all human probability-in a degree, indeed, which
no human means could have effected. The banners of
the cross were unfurled in every region perhaps of the
habitable earth: and multitudes submitted unreservedly
to its heavenly precepts. But many, however, and those
generally of the most learned and ingenious, yielded only
in part. They chose to form to themselves a mixed system-a compound of truth and error. So that, in a little
space, the world presented as great a variety of Scripture
glosses, or rather mongrel gospels, as there were schools
of philosophy.
Some were led by comparisons instituted between
Christ and the ancient sages, to treat them all with the
same veneration and respect. Thus Alexander Severus
paid divine honours indiscriminately to Christ and to
Orpheus, to Apollonius, and the other philosophers and
heroes whose names were famous in history or in fable.
Christianity therefore was constantly fluctuating and
changing its aspect, according to the caprice, or genius,
or learning of the great fathers and doctors who professed to teach it ex cathedra and agreeably to the most
approved systems and authorities. They seem never to
have thought of regulating their studies and researches
by Scripture alone. To study theology, was to study a
system constructed by some celebrated bishop or divine,
who had devoted his days and nights to the dialectics of
Aristotle or to the more captivating morality of Plato;
and who, of course, had warped and perverted every gospel tenet to some kind of conformity to his own peculiar




202    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and more rational theory. Thus we may perceive that
the gospel was not the cause of the early divisions in
the church; but that these resulted solely from human
devices and prejudices and anti-scriptural systems.
And when we contemplate the rapid progress of error
in the world-the innumerable forms which the gospel
was made to assume-the bitter animosities and furious
contests which arose about the most insignificant quibbles and conceits-the colleges of divinity converted into
nurseries of mere logomachy, —where, instead of the gospel, youth were carefully disciplined to manage with
adroitness the noisy artillery of the most contemptible
logic and metaphysics that ever disgraced the seats of
science and religion —we may then have some faint conception of the extravagant absurdities to which a blind
devotion to human systems evidently conducted nearly
the whole Christian world antecedently to the Reformation.
The seminaries of learning in the middle ages, were
constantly thronged with champions who eagerly sought
distinction by entering the lists of public disputation;
who were fired with ambitious zeal to vanquish an opponent in some notable controversy, which was oftentimes
unimportant in its very nature —ambiguous in its terms
-a mere play upon words —or, at best, a matter of perfect indifference whether decided in one way or another,
or in no way at all. It is almost incredible that these
scholastic sophists could have excited so much interest
as is everywhere assigned to them in history. That
men of the first-rate talents and acquirements should




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   203
sacrifice their time, health and comfort for the despicable
pleasure of clearing up difficulties which never existed
but in their own brain-of reconciling contradictions by
renouncing common sense —establishing axioms by rigorous demonstration, and thereby obscuring the simplest
truths, and which every tyro comprehends and believes
the moment he hears them  announced-is, indeed, a
severe and most humiliating satire upon poor arrogant
human nature.  Scripture, reason, conscience, were all
rejected. And the venerable, sagacious, infallible successors of St. Peter wisely ventured to rear their proud
temple of superstition, power and grandeur, upon a much
more convenient and stable basis.
Whenever a sanctimonious aspiring dignitary wished
to introduce any innovations in faith or ritual- to
strengthen his authority or augment his revenue-nothing more was necessary than to summon to his aid
the subtle schoolmen and dependent clergy, who were
so thoroughly practised in the manoeuvres and evolutions of monkish tactics and ghostly warfare, as easily
to convince or silence all gainsayers, and to induce the
besotted multitude to swallow the most palpable contradictions, and to sanction the most flagrant immoralities.
The people were powerfully prepossessed in favour of the
Pope and of the holy mother church. So that any lesson
or mandate from such a source was generally received
without the least question or scruple. Thus the gigantic
greatness of this tremendous anti-Christian hierarchy
grew out of the early and gradual and steadily increasing admixture of human philosophy and inventions with




204    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Divine truth, and from the final triumph of the former
over the latter. Such an example, and such a result,
may well incline us to distrust all systems which would
either supersede the diligent study of Scripture, or which
would preclude or control the free exercise of our reason
in its interpretation.
Have we then amongst us none of that crafty, arrogant, secular, arbitrary, inquisitorial, furious, vindictive,
system-building, church-glorifying spirit which characterized the darker ages of Romish fanaticism and usurpation? That there are numerous sects —all recognizing
the same gospel —each believing the others wrong-each
pertinaciously adhering to its own peculiarities-each
regarding the rest with a suspicious and evil eye —and
all striving for the mastery in some fashion or otherwill hardly be denied. Nay, we know that the most
illiberal and exasperating contests frequently arise among
members of the same Christian denomination. And to
what cause shall we, at the present day, impute the
existence of misunderstandings and dissensions, which,
viewed through the glass of history, appear so strange,
so puerile, so utterly inconsistent with every Christian
grace, and with every principle of enlightened policy or
of ordinary decorum; especially now, that the light of
the Reformation, the invention of printing, the vast increase of knowledge, have dissipated so many errors, and
paved the way for the detection of them all? We are
constrained to attribute these, as similar effects, to the
same cause. Instead of going directly to Scripture, which
alone ought to be our guide, we (i.e. the simple, honest,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   205
credulous mass of both ministers and people,) imbibe our
theological prejudices and tenets from human systems
and expositions; or from the dicta of some living village
or sectarian or metropolitan de facto pope. That is, we
adopt our religion before we think of examining the only
authentic record of its origin and character in existence.
There is something so preposterous in this mode of
procedure that we cannot divine a semblance of excuse
for pursuing it. Unless, indeed, we admit, what some
assert, that there is danger of being led astray by too
early an acquaintance with Scripture- that we ought
previously to be well grounded in the doctrines of our
faith, in order that we may be less exposed to a misconception of the sacred writers, and have something settled
and fixed in our minds to serve as a standard of truth.
As if Divine revelation were less perfect and less intelligible than human speculation! As if Divine revelation
needed the wisdom or the ingenuity of man to illustrate
its simplest principles, and to bring them down to a level
with common capacities: when we know that the gospel
was originally preached by Christ and his Apostles to the
humblest and most illiterate of mankind!
By the latter remarks, we would not intimate that
everything contained in the Bible can be understood by
a mere perusal of the text,-far from it. There are
mysteries-mysterious facts-which the most gifted and
enlightened mind can never penetrate or unfold; and in
examining which, the man of science has but little advantage over the unlettered peasant. There are many
passages of a historic, prophetic, political and juridical




206    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
nature —many poetic and allegorical representationsmany singular allusions and graphic descriptions —many
sententious proverbs and significant parables-many references to local customs, arts and ceremonies-together
with many embarrassing difficulties of a mythological,
geographical, physiological, idiomatic and critical character-which require a most extensive and thorough
knowledge of almost everything peculiar to the ancient
world, including the languages also in which the whole
was originally recorded. We would, by no means, therefore, seem to depreciate the necessity or value of real
science and profound scholarship. The more sound
learning we can acquire, the better.  But away with
the trashy figments of the scholastic ages, in whatever
novel forms they may be served up and garnished to
suit the modern taste of knave or fool. Away with the
polemic dogmatism and metaphysical cant of conceited,
intolerant, bigoted, theological dictators of every church
and party. Genuine divinity is contained in the Scriptures alone: and there only can it be learned in all its
primeval purity and perfection. Were we, therefore, with
becoming diligence, humble docility and prayerful sincerity, to study the Bible, unbiased by prejudice or
authority, we should seldom disagree in any matter of
radical importance. The gracious Author of our religion
never designed to veil it in clouds and darkness in order
to conceal it from vulgar eyes.
Considering then the manifest simplicity of the gospel,
and the singularly benevolent spirit which it breathes,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   207
we might presume that the accredited ministers of Christ,
who serve at his altar, who preach his cross and administer his ordinances, who devote their lives to the study
and dispensation of his word, would be enabled to overcome all the difficulties which might occasion some slight
discrepancies of opinion among men of ordinary opportunities and pursuits: —or, at least, that they would cordially
harmonize in all essential points: while in regard to
those of minor moment, the mere circurnstantials of
religion, they would charitably agree to differ. Why
should not every honest Christian divine be disposed to
address his brother in the language of Wesley? "Is thy
heart right with God? If it be, give me thy hand. I do
not mean,'be of my opinion.' You need not. Neither
do I mean,'I will be of your opinion.' I cannot. Let
all opinions alone; only give me thine hand." Why not
be as teachable as Locke?  "I read the word of God
without prepossession or bias, and come to it with a resolution to take my sense from it, and not with a design to
bring it to fhe sense of my system." Or as catholic as
Robert Hall?  "No man, or set of men, are entitled to
prescribe as an indispensable condition of communion,
what the New Testament has not enjoined as a condition
of salvation."
But notwithstanding the reasonableness of this expectation, many of the clergy, even Protestant clergy, have
betrayed more illiberality and bitterness in their conduct
and publications than almost any other class of men in
society. Their odium tleologicumn has become a prover



208      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
bial and standing reproach.  Their prejudices seem to be
invincible, and their animosities inveterate.* And yet,
1. In the first place: They have no solid reason for
differing at all; as must appear from the whole tenor of
our argument and illustrations.
2. In the second place: The greater part of them do
not differ in matters of much importance: or the difference is rather verbal than real.
3. In the third place: Common sense ought to teach
them the folly of contending for points that are scarcely
perceptible; for quibbles in language which a grammarian
* Witness the melancholy and embittered contests between Luther
and Calvin; which kept them as wide asunder, in heart or affection
at least, as both were distant from their common adversary, the Pope.
Witness the two hundred years' war between the Calvinists and Arminians about five points,-which some shrewd men have suspected, no
doubt rashly or profanely, to be after all incomprehensible in their
very nature, and therefore inexplicable, and therefore undebatable.
Witness the fierce gladiatorial combats of Episcopacy and Presbytery
-of both with Independency or Congregationalism-of High Church
and Low Church in all sects of ultra orthodox and all sorts of selfstyled moderate or liberal or peace men in every denomination. Witness the uncompromising and endless disputes about the mode and
subjects of Baptism-about the particular day to be hallowed as the
Christian Sabbath-about the nature and extent of the atonementabout original sin, free will, Divine agency, the proper office of the
Holy Spirit in the work of conversion, etc., etc. Witness the deplorable divisions, the domestic feuds and family broils, which rend and
distract the American churches of almost every name, at this day,
under divers forms and pretexts. Indeed, the entire history of Protestant Christendom is replete with instances which corroborate all
our positions, and amply demonstrate the folly and danger of confiding
in human wisdom or authority to the neglect of the heavenly Teacher.
Verily, "it is easier (as a profound thinker has declared) to lead a
hundred thousand men to battle than to vanquish a single prejudice."




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    209
would disdain to notice; for shades of distinction which
no unjaundiced eye could ever trace; for punctilios of
ceremony and discipline which are perfectly discretionary, which may be managed twenty ways equally well,
or which may be omitted altogether; for modes of treating and expounding mysteries which are infinitely above
our reach, and with which the Author of the gospel never
intended that we should intermeddle further than he has
revealed.
4. In the fourth place: Experience proves the impolicy
and absurdity of conducting any controversies in that
acrimonious abusive style which generally predominates
in religious warfare. When deep-rooted prejudices encounter each other, reason invariably retires from the
field of battle. And the rival disputants frequently give
full license to all their powers of satire, ridicule, invective and low scurrility; without once recollecting that
their professed object was only to convince and reclaim
a wandering brother.  A discourteous, arrogant, overbearing mode of dealing with adversaries or errorists
never did, and never will make a sincere convert. Its
tendency is rather to confirm men in prejudice and
error-to harden and exasperate and embitter the heart.
More injury has probably been done to the cause of
Christ by such narrow-minded impracticable bigots, than
by the whole tribe of infidels and avowed opposers of the
gospel since its first introduction into the world.
5. In the fifth place: The Scriptures of eternal truth
condemn, in most decisive terms, this whole system or
method of "contending earnestly for the faith once deVol. Ill.-14




210    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
livered to the saints," by the dexterous employment of
mere carnal weapons, furnished by an ambitious church
or school or party champion.  Charity is inscribed, as
with a sunbeam, upon every page of this blessed volume.
We are directed to bear with each other's infirmities; to
"avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain." "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to
godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about
questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy,
strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of
men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."
"0O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust,
avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of
science falsely so called; which some professing, have
erred concerning the faith." "Flee also youthful lusts:
but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them
that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish
and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do
gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not
strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;
in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth." "It is (remarks Dr. Campbell) the liberal advice of an apostle:'Prove all things,
hold fast that which is good;'-an advice which breathes
nothing of that narrow, sectarian spirit, which has sc




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    211
long and so generally prevailed among Christians of all
denominations, and hath proved the greatest pest of the
cause."  "It is indeed shocking (says Toplady, whose
own practice, by-the-way, did not always accord with
his precept,) that those who profess to experience and
to preach the love of Christ, can so far prostitute the
dignity and the design of their sacred calling, as to
seek to exasperate differing parties against each other,
instead of labouring to preserve unity of spirit, to
strengthen the bond of peace, and to promote righteousness of life."
Many persons, no doubt, reject and denounce the gospel without examination, because its rash, obstinate,
official advocates betray the cause by their mutual persecutions and recriminations. They will judge of its
excellence by [what' they mistake for] its effects upon
the lives of its teachers. They despise, and with reason,
the contentious, intolerant, uncompromising spirit which
reigns among them. They perceive also the utter want
of worldly prudence and judicious tact in all such conduct. "The true secret (says Hume) for the discreet
management of sectarists, is to tolerate them." When
unopposed, their strength is spent in the air, and they
die of themselves. In this sentiment, the shrewd philosophical skeptic is supported by the learned commentator
on the Laws of England. "Undoubtedly (observes Judge
Blackstone) all persecution and oppression of weak consciences, on the score of religious persuasion, are highly
unjustifiable upon every principle of natural reason, civil
liberty or sound religion."  Man is naturally accountable




212    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
to no tribunal for the soundness of his faith and the
purity of his worship, but to that only which can search
the heart. "To banish, imprison, plunder, starve, hang
and burn men for religion, (says Jortin,) is not the gospel
of Christ; it is the gospel of the devil. Where persecution begins, Christianity ends. Christ never used anything that looked like force or violence except once: and
that was to drive bad men out of the temple, and not to
drive them in."
Now we fain would know in what persecution essentially consists. In this enlightened age, it is generally
conceded that men ought to.be allowed to worship God
according to the dictates of their own consciences; that
no laws ought to be enacted, tending in the least to endanger liberty, life or property, on the ground of religious
belief or profession...But can men be injured, persecuted
and oppressed only in personal liberty, life or property?
Is it no persecution to sport with the feelings of men?to cavil against, condemn and ridicule principles and
ceremonies which they regard most sacred? Is it no
persecution to denounce the members of a dissenting sect
or individuals of our own sect whose shibboleth we cannot
or will not enunciate, as deluded fanatics or obdurate
heretics-as crafty designing hypocrites-as wilful and
impudent perverters of gospel language and doctrinesas ambitious conformists to the corrupt maxims of the
world-as morose churlish devotees, who would deprive
us of every rational enjoyment-or as ravenous wolves
in sheep's clothing?  Is it no persecution to hold men
up before the public as objects of scorn and derision-as




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   213
insidious corrupters of the popular morals, whose society
ought, above all things, to be avoided? —to set a mark
of disgrace upon them, which must render their name
odious to all but their own particular communion or
party? In a word, to wound their character in the tenderest points; to destroy their comfort, as far as possible,
in this world, and to consign them to perdition in the
next? If this be not persecution, and of no very gentle
character too, then the term to us has no meaning and
no application.  "The apostle indeed forewarned the
early converts that there must be heresies in the church,
that they who are approved may be made manifest: but
it does not occur to these fiery zealots, that a system of
persecution for opinion is the worst of all heresies, as it
violates at once truth and charity."
But while we thus appear the advocate of charity in
opposition to sectarian bigotry, which always results from
prejudice of some kind, we would not forget that even
bigots and persecutors have a claim upon our charity.
They, too, are not unfrequently rather to be commiserated than harshly condemned. St. Paul, when hurried
onward by his prejudices-by zeal without knowledgeto the most revolting acts of cruelty and violence upon
the harmless unresisting followers of Christ, was an object of pity rather than of hatred. He was honest,
though misguided. His ignorance however could not
excuse him, because it was voluntary.  He had the
means of being better informed.  But his bigoted attachment to the system in which he had been educated, shut the door to inquiry and to light. And,




214    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
without a miracle, he probably would never have seen
his errors.
Many examples might be cited to illustrate the diffi.
culty with which men are emancipated from the trammels of prejudice; and our obligations to exercise much
tenderness and forbearance towards them.  "My own
case (says Luther, in a description of his feelings respecting the matters in dispute between Eckius and himself,)
is a notable example of the difficulty with which a man
emerges from erroneous notions of long standing. How
true is the proverb:'custom is a second nature.' How
true is that saying of Augustin:'habit, if not resisted,
becomes necessity.' I who, both publicly and privately,
had taught divinity with the greatest diligence for seven
years, insomuch that I retained in my memory almost
every word of my lectures, was, in fact, at that time only
just initiated into the knowledge and faith of Christ: I
had only just learned that a man must be justified and
saved, not by works, but by the faith of Christ: and
lastly, in regard to pontifical authority, though I publicly maintained that the Pope was not the head of the
church by a Divine right, yet I stumbled at the very next
step, namely, that the whole Papal system was a satanic
invention. This I did not see, but contended obstinately
for the Pope's right, founded on human reasons: so thoroughly deluded was I, by the example of others, by the
title of Holy Church, and by my own habits. Hence I
have learned to have more candour for bigoted Papists,
especially if they are not much acquainted with sacred,
or perhaps even with profane history." "In the schools




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    215
(he observes again) I lost Jesus Christ: I have now found
him in St. Paul."
But even this enlightened reformer and indefatigable
inquirer after truth, fell at last far short of a complete
victory over the prejudices of the age in which he lived,
and in which he had been nurtured. His doctrine of
consubstantiation, for instance, is regarded by a large
majority of Protestant Christians as not a whit less unscriptural and contradictory than that of transubstantiation which he reprobated. " Truth is seldom seen at once
in its full order and proportion of parts."  And "strong
conviction is much more apt to breed strife in matters of
little moment than in subjects of high importance."
Scott, in his Force of Truth, has exhibited his own
experience on this subject.  His case was somewhat
peculiar, and certainly very unpromising.  He seemed
"lost in error's endless maze."  His slow progress, step
by step, with much study and research; reluctantly
yielding up, inch after inch, the ground which he had
already assumed, and which he seemed resolved, at all
hazards, to maintain; and his final surrender of the
whole before the broad daylight and omnipotence of
truth; may serve to expose the despotic power of prejudice, and to point out the proper way to overcome
and subdue it.*
* Widely different was the procedure of Dr. Priestley, and widely
different also was the result: as the following paragraph from a Quarterly Reviewer of 1812, may show. The rationale here given is characteristic and illustrative of the course pursued by many a superior
mind in similar circumstances. It is not uncommon for a man to be
great and liberal and just in one department of scientific investigation,




216      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
"The authors of all systems (says a judicious divine)
are more or less prejudiced in behalf of some particular
and artificial mode of faith. He, therefore, who begins
with the study of them, and afterwards proceeds to the
sacred volume, sees with a jaundiced eye every text supporting the peculiar tenets of his first master, and acts
as absurd a part as he who tries not the gold bythe
copal, but the copal by the gold. The principles of real
while he is quite the reverse in another. There have been but few
Ciceros and Bacons and Lockes and lewtons even among the nomina
clara of philosophy.
" In his theological and philosophical pursuits, he (Priestley) seemed
to be compounded of two different men. It was not to his penetrating
genius only that mankind are indebted for his vast discoveries in chemistry, but to a spirit of investigation exact and persevering in this
department-proceeding by cautious induction which allowed much
slower understandings to keep pace with his own, and guarding against
error in his conclusions by frequent repetition of his experiments.  It
is not a little remarkable, however, that in his theological pursuits,
and more especially in those of ecclesiastical history, in which he most
disgracefully failed, the conduct of his understanding was precisely
reversed. He began with conclusions, and then sought for premises
to justify them.  Having previously made up his mind that certain
doctrines could not have come from God, he proceeded by a species
of analysis peculiar to himself, to demonstrate that they were not contained in Scripture. To this end the analogies of language were set
oside, grammar tortured, and rules of lax interpretation applied to the
most decisive and convincing texts, by which anything might be deduced from anything. Above all, mystery was to be discarded, and
the philosopher, who knew and acknowledged that the most common
operations of nature quickly ran up into causes and principles, which
eluded even his own penetrating research; when he assumed the character of the theologian, and undertook to investigate subjects which
are in no degree the objects of sense, would not endure that the
Almighty should'veil himself in clouds,' and that'darkness should be
the habitation of his seat."'




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.           217
theology are to be found only in the word and works of
God: and he who would extract them pure and unsophisticated, must dig for them himself in that exhaustless mine."
But should it be objected, that if we were to discard
all human auxiliaries and authorities, and to search the
Scriptures alone with attention and candour,. still there
would be no unity in doctrine; we answer in the words
of Chillingworth: "1. It is impossible you should know
this, considering that there are many places in Scripture
which do more than probably import, that the want of
piety in living is the cause of want of unity in believing.
2. That there would be unity of opinion in all things
necessary, and that in things not necessary, unity of
opinion is not necessary. 3. But lastly, that notwithstanding differences in these things of lesser importance,
there might and would be unity of communion, unity of
charity and affection, which- is one of the greatest blessings which the world is capable of; absolute unity of
opinion being a matter rather to be desired than hoped
for." Such catholic sentiments in the reign of the first
Charles are worthy of all praise.*
* We do not recollect ever to have conversed with an individual,
whether of the clergy or laity, who did not claim to be exempt from
all prejudice and uncharitableness.  The truth is, most men deceive
themselves in this matter.  They are charitable on a grand scaletowards the heathen, it may be —and all the world, afar off. But at
home —towards their nearest brethren of another party name —they
indulge the temper and feelings of a Dominic or a Bonner.  Thus,
a loyal churchman, contemporary with Chillingworth, in a letter to a
friend, the chief scope of which would seem to be the exhibition of




218      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
We are aware that the tenor of this whole discussion
is directly opposed to the popular voice on the subject.
It is generally esteemed an evidence of a strong, original,
independent mind to have settled or firmly established
opinions at an early period: —a mark of intellectual superiority and moral courage never to doubt, or waver, or
change, when once we have adopted our opinions;-a
point of honour to sustain and defend them on all occasions and at all hazards. And this, too, notwithstanding
they may oftentimes have been embraced upon the most
flimsy grounds, or without any reason whatever. Such
a person has effectually closed every door and avenue to
the acquisition of knowledge. He has eyes, but he sees
not; ears, but he hears not; understanding, but he perceives not.  He moves in a charmed circle.  He cannot
get out of it, or look beyond it.  He is a one-sided,
wrong-headed, self-sufficient politician or religionist as
long as he lives. Now, an opinionated man —especially
a young man who is just entering upon the threshold of
liberal inquiry-and, above all, one who is commencing
a course of theological study with a view to the sacred
ministry-is, at best, but a sorry specimen of adventurous
himself as a paragon of Christian charity, after sundry honeyed phrases,
adds, with infinite naivetM, the following precious proof: "Difference
in opinion may work a disaffection in me, but not a detestation; I
rather pity than hate Turk or Infidel, for they are of the same metal,
and bear the same stamp as I do, though the inscriptions differ. If I
hate any, it is those schismatics that puzzle the sweet peace of our
church; so that I could be content to see an Anabaptist go to hell
on a Brownist's back." (Letter of James Howell, Esq., to Sir Ed. B.
Knight.)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   219
blindfold humanity. We cannot but regard him as a
vain deluded creature, who is about to impose on himself
a tedious painful drudgery, through which we foresee he
will doggedly worry, without the slightest prospect of
ever becoming one jot the wiser. He has prejudged the
cause, and is fully resolved never to alter one article or
clause of his creed. Nay, this creed may have been prescribed to him by authority at the outset: and he may
have been required to bind himself by promise or oath
never to believe, think, act or teach, except in conformity
with its arbitrary instructions. Yet, however much we
may commiserate the weakness or folly or rashness or
hardihood of such an individual, or however much we
may dread and deplore the consequences likely to result
from his future influence as a spiritual guide or ecclesiastical dignitary, he will be lauded and honoured by his
party as a bold, consistent, high-minded, unflinching advocate of orthodoxy. But is there honesty —is there
independence-is there magnanimity in such a course,
or in the mind that can be constrained to pursue it?
"The dogmatist (says Campbell) knows nothing of degrees, either in evidence or in faith. He has properly
no opinions or doubts. Everything with him is either
certainly true or certainly false. Of this turn of mind
I shall only say, that far from being an indication of
vigour, it is a sure indication of debility in the intellectual powers." "In all cases (remarks Beattie) where
dogmatical belief tends to harden the heart, or to breed
prejudices incompatible with candour, humanity and the




220      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
love of truth, all good men will be careful to cultivate
moderation and diffidence."'.'*
How often do we see men who have heard or perused
only one side of a furious controversy, declare themselves
* We have not designed, in this rambling essay, to approach the
question about the necessity or the expediency of creeds, confessions
and articles of religion. It will be time enough to reject them, when
experience shall have proved it practicable for any church to exist
without them. We merely hold, that the public teacher of Christianity ought to be thoroughly conversant with Scripture in order to
be qualified to subscribe honestly to any creed or formulary.  When
he has thus voluntarily and conscientiously subscribed, he is of course
bound to preach accordingly. He cannot, in good faith, adhere ostensibly to any church or ecclesiastical connexion, while opposed to its
doctrines or government.  It is his duty to leave such connexion
whenever he finds it irksome, oppressive or criminal to comply with
its known and acknowledged requisitions, or to fulfil his own promises
and engagements.
As to children, and the mass of the people, they must ever be, in a
large measure, dependent on parental and ministerial instructions. So
much the greater is the urgency for a well educated, faithful, devoted
ministry, to give the proper tone and character to every gradation of
inferior and subordinate teachers. Nor do we object to the use of
theological systems, commentaries, etc., provided they be rigidly tried
and judged by the "law and the testimony," and not implicitly followed
as paramount and infallible guides. But, the Bible first, above all,
without rival or peer, always open and in hand, constantly studied
"without note or comment," and with the single purpose of arriving
at the "mind of the Spirit" in the language of the Spirit.
The answer of Luther to his friend George Spalatinus, on being
requested to give him his advice concerning the best method of acquiring sacred knowledge, deserves to be remembered and practised by
every student in divinity. After recommending to his notice certain
parts of the writings of Jerome, Ambrose and Augustin, he exhorts
him always to begin his studies with serious prayer: for, says he,
"there is really no interpreter of the Divine word, but its own Author."  He adds: "Read the Bible in order from the beginning to
the end."




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    221
perfectly convinced, and unalterably fixed in their opinions?  They act like an ignorant jury, whose passions
are excited and whose judgments. are thereby swayed or
bribed to assent to any measure or award which a skilful advocate may urge in behalf of his client: and who
would, if then called upon for a decision, undoubtedly
find an unrighteous verdict. They would decide under
the influence of passion, prejudice and partial information. Such injustice or iniquity, however, is generally
prevented by their being compelled to hear counsel for
the defendant also.  They therefore gradually become
cool and self-possessed while listening, it may be, to a
clear, simple, judicious, matter-of-fact argument or statement from the opposite party: or, if their passions shall
be again appealed to, the two directly contrary fires will
destroy or neutralize each other's effects, and leave them
once more in the exercise of reason and common sense.
We ought, then, in all our pursuits after truth, particularly when sought amidst the flames of controversy, to
be "persuaded that moments of passion are always moments of delusion; that nothing truly is what it then
seems to be; that all the opinions which we then form,
are erroneous; and all the judgments which we pass, are
extravagant." (Blair.)
A single notorious fact might lead us, without further
inquiry, to suspect the dangerous tendency of theological
systems, devised to regulate and control human reason.
It is this: We universally find that, at least, ninety-nine
hundredths of mankind, learned and unlearned, live and




222    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
die fully persuaded of the truth and. excellence of the
doctrines and ceremonies of that particular sect to which
they happen to belong by birth. The evil of instilling
party prejudices and opinions into the youthful mind
must therefore be conceded: or we must allow that the
creeds of Papist and Protestant, of Socinian an4 Athanasian, are equally good and true. Nay, by the same rule,
we ought to apologize for the Jew, the Mohammedan
and the Pagan. For these, too, believe as they have
been taught.  Such is human nature: whatever men
may have imbibed from early childhood with implicit
confidence, they inflexibly retain and cherish-especially
everything of a sacred nature. A kind of superstitious
veneration, a solemn dread of indulging what might be
accounted an impious curiosity, ordinarily prevents all
future investigation, and confirms them in the faith of
their fathers.  Now, what argument can be plausibly
advanced a priori for preferring the system of one sect
to that of another? How ought an unbiased individual,
(if one there be,) still ignorant of Christianity but desirous to become acquainted with its principles, to choose
among them?  How would you advise him to proceed?
Would you direct him to this or that sectarian system
or confession, and assure him of its entire agreement
with the Scriptures? But, suppose he should ask, Does
not every sect possess a system or profess a creed founded,
in like manner, exclusively upon the same Scriptures?
Do they not all affirm that the word of God-the Bible
-is the only authentic and unerring criterion by which




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    223
to distinguish truth from falsehood? And do they not
all loudly proclaim their ability to establish by it every
tittle of their doctrine and church polity? He would
be exceedingly perplexed, and utterly at a loss to know
where to begin or what course to pursue, unless his own
good sense would suggest to him the obvious propriety
of neglecting them all for the present, and of recurring
at once to the sacred paramount standard which all
receive as infallible and reverence as divine.
Finally: What is there so captivating or magical or
potent in a mere name, that we should suffer ourselves
to be duped or dazzled by it or subjected to its dominion? It can neither protect us from error and mischief,
nor guide us in the sure road to heavenly peace and happiness. Why do we not then study the gospel of Jesus
Christ, rather than the gospel of Luther, or Calvin, or
Hopkins, or Wesley? Why do we not, in this respect,
heed the injunction of the Apostle to the primitive converts, not to account themselves the disciples of Paul or
Apollos or Cephas or of any other human teacher or
master, however eminent or gifted? And why, when
we pretend to take the Scriptures as our only authority,
do we dread a sentiment or doctrine or truth evidently
set forth therein merely because it may be in favour with
an unpopular or dissenting party? Why do we hesitate
to welcome truth, even though a heretic or infidel may
have stumbled upon it? If, indeed, we ever become
earnest, dispassionate, persevering seekers after truth,
we shall inevitably subscribe to many things which have




224    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
been admitted by all the belligerent Christian sects-not
because: they admit them, but because the Bible clearly
reveals them. We shall retain much that is common
to all. We shall not be Calvinists perhaps, nor Arminians. ~ We shall have become the honest followers of
Jesus Christ and of him only. If so, we shall be ready
to extend our charity to all his sincere disciples, by
whatever appellation they may be known among men.
We shall estimate Christian sincerity by the life and
practice, rather than by the profession. We shall learn
to judge by the fruits, and not by the peculiarities of a
creed. Let us then dare to make the gospel the only
basis of our faith, and the only rule of our conduct.
And we may calmly bid defiance to the slanders and
reproaches of an illiberal, bigoted, misjudging, captious
world.
If we know our own hearts, (the faithful pastors
should be able to say,) we fain would be divested of
all sectarian and of all secular pride and prejudice. We
would preach to guilty perishing sinners neither this
nor that distinguished divine or reformer. We would
preach Jesus Christ and him crucified. We would acknowledge ourselves his servants and his only. We
would glory in his cross, and in being esteemed his
ambassadors and ministers; and as such, we should feel
ourselves invested with an official character and authority infinitely above what any man or ecclesiastical body
can impart.
Should we then ascend to the fountain head, and no




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    225
longer be contented with the shallow and turbid streams,
which are flowing in every direction from spurious or
poisoned sources, wonderful and glorious would be the
effects. How soon would petty distinctions vanish away
-party animosities cease —and Christians everywhere
be disposed to banish envy, malice, pride and bigotry;
"Universal charity would throw wide her arms, and
humility stoop to the tenderest offices of beneficence.
Dove-like meekness would smile with benignity in her
heart and candour upon her lips."  "Blessed are the
peace-makers: for they shall be called the children
of God."
VOL. III.-15








AN ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENNIAL
BIRTHDAY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.
[NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, FEBRUARY 22, 1832.]








AN ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENNIAL
BIRTHDAY  OF GEORGE WASHINGTON.*
A CENTURY has now elapsed since the birth of our
immortal Washington, and ten millions of freemen can
this day testify that a republic is not always ungrateful
to her noblest benefactor. With what thrilling emotions
have we not listened again to his last paternal counsels,
and yielded the conviction of honest hearts to the truth
and wisdom of all his sagacious and ever seasonable instructions!  Such a farewell address was worthy of the
* Delivered at Nashville, Tennessee, February 22d, 1832, immediately after the reading of the Farewell Address.  On the sixth
instant, the author was requested by a Committee of Arrangements,
in behalf of the citizens of Nashville and its vicinity, to prepare an
address for the approaching celebration of the Centennial Birthday
of George Washington. He at first declined, on account of his numerous official engagements, and because he wished the duty to be assigned
to a more suitable and competent individual. When assured, however,
that no other person could be prevailed on to officiate, he reluctantly
consented (viz. on the eighth) to make the attempt-without the least
hope of fulfilling even the most moderate expectations which such an
occasion was calculated to excite. He was, moreover, afflicted- with
severe and painful indisposition, which rendered it impossible for him
to study or write, during a greater part of the interval. On the evening of the twenty-second he was earnestly solicited by the Committee
to furnish a copy of his Address for immediate publication.  The
rough notes, therefore, without alteration or addition, were sent to
the printer; and on the twenty-fourth the Address appeared in the
Nashville newspapers.
(229)




230     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
father of his country. It is itself an invaluable legacy
to the latest generations —where liberty, integrity, the
rights of man, the principles of universal equity, the
calm pursuits of unambitious peaceful tranquillity, the
steady progressive advancement of the human species in
virtue, intelligence and happiness, shall be duly appreciated and honoured. Nor can a more appropriate tribute
of respect be offered to his memory, than the solemn
recital, in the ears of the people, on each returning anniversary of his birthday, of this precious valedictory. It
is a text-book for our statesmen to study-and it may
serve as an infallible test in the hands of the people, by
which to try the spirit and character of their rulers and
of all political aspirants. Let every youth commit it to
memory. Let its maxims be engraven upon every American heart. It will enlighten his judgment, enlarge his
conceptions, elevate and chasten his patriotism, subdue
his sectional and selfish prejudices, expand his bosom
with a generous philanthropy, and lead him to esteem
all the citizens of every State as his brethren, and as
equally entitled to all the franchises, privileges and blessings which our common constitution and representative
government were designed to secure and to perpetuate.
Until the declaration of our national independence, on
the Fourth of July, 1776, the history of England constituted part and parcel of our own history. And if Englishmen had anything to boast of in literature, in science,
in arts, in arms, in religion, in government, prior to that
period, the Anglo-Americans are fairly entitled to a participation in all her glory.  Shakspeare and Milton,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   231
Hampden and Sidney, Bacon and Boyle, Locke and
Newton, Pope and Addison, Marlborough and Chatham,
grace the pages of our ante-revolutionary annals, as do
Washington, Franklin, La Fayette, Warren, Montgomery,
Greene, Gates, Morris, Rutledge, Laurens, Hamilton,
Adams, Jay, Jefferson, and a hundred others, those of
the half century which has since passed away.
If Englishmen derived any substantial benefits from
the sturdy resistance of their haughty barons against the
despotic prerogatives of the crown-any additional immunities from Magna Charta extorted by force from an
absolute and capricious monarch-any permanent alleviations from the furious convulsions of the civil wars
under Charles and the Commonwealth — any constitutional guarantee for civil and personal rights from the
glorious revolution which transferred the crown of three
kingdoms from the Stuarts to William and Mary, and
finally to the house of Hanover-then have we inherited
and shared, to the fullest extent, all these mighty boons
of English prowess and of English chivalry.
Here then is our vantage ground. Have we lost ithave we forfeited it-have we dishonoured the land of
our sires-or the institutions by which we were nurtured
and sustained? Have we degenerated in intellect, in
spirit, in enterprise, in courage, in any of the loftier
attributes which distinguish our high-minded kindred
beyond the ocean?  How proudly and triumphantly
might we, in reply, point to these twenty-four vigorous
and flourishing republics, extending over half a continent, the very existence of which, three hundred and




232    MISCELLAN'EOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
forty years ago, had not been dreamt of by European
philosophy! Does the history of our world furnish a
parallel to this? A little more than two centuries since,
and an Englishman had not found a home in all this
then vast savage wilderness. Now, within the limits of
our own republic, we have a population of thirteen millions-eleven millions of freemen-and at least ten
millions of British descent.
Nearly the whole of the colonists, within the original
territory of the United States, were English. They left
the parent island precisely at a period when the great
mass of the people were most intensely engaged in canvassing all the fundamental principles and established
dogmas of government and jurisprudence.  And they
themselves belonged to- the unsuccessful: party which
contended, with a Roman energy, for the inherent, unalienable, indefeasible rights of humanity. They came
hither because they had been defeated at home —and
for the very purpose of enjoying unmolested in the New
World that liberty which they despaired of attaining in
the Old.
They came hither, moreover, freed from the galling
fetters of baronial lordship, and from all the prescriptive
claims and vexatious tyranny of a feudal aristocracy.
When they landed upon these dreary shores, they were
equals-they were brothers-they were freemen. They
instantly commenced the bold experiment of self-government.  They had fled from oppression  they had resolved to live free or die-and they have never yet been
subdued; or deprived of the advantages of a popular




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    233
representative government. In their infancy, it is true,
they were neglected and overlooked-and suffered to
struggle onward to maturity as best they could. The
infant, however, soon became a giant: and he was conscious of his strength.
It was then that British paternity was excited to look
more carefully and tenderly after its exiled, friendless,
unprotected progeny in the deserts of remote America.
Our gallant fathers had given some tolerably significant
demonstrations of manhood in aiding their worthy parent
in the conquest of tile Canadas, and in wresting from the
Bourbons, the last vestige of their transatlantic continental dominions. Whether this rather unexpected occurrence served to awaken the jealousy or the cupidity,
or both, of the British government —it is certain that
they forthwith commenced a new system of legislation
for their then comparatively prosperous, warlike and
powerful colonies. Their object was twofold: 1st. To
depress and gradually to annihilate the growing martial
and commercial spirit of our people. And 2d. To extort
from us a revenue, both by direct taxation, and indirectly
by rendering us absolutely dependent on themselves for
all the products of mechanical and manufacturing industry. Had Great Britain succeeded in her purpose, we
had not only been taxed at her pleasure, but our trade
would have been restricted to the ports of the parent
state, and we should not, at this day, have been permitted to make, out of our own native iron, a hoe or a
hobnail. Such was the splendid project of the British
ministry to aggrandize Old England, by converting her




234    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
American offspring into hewers of wood and drawers of
water for the benefit of her pampered gentry at home.
But, did she succeed? Ay, that is the question-and
when did an American blush to meet it? Did England
succeed in crushing the English spirit of her American
yeomanry? Every schoolboy can give the proper answer.
He has got the whole story of the revolution by heart.
He has followed the American standard, with streaming
eyes and exulting heart, from Lexington and Bunker's
Hill to Saratoga and Yorktown.
Almost the first lessons that I ever received from the
lips of maternal affection, were the victories and privations, the exploits and the sufferings of the patriot soldier. And the first mortal name that I learned to pronounce with almost religious veneration was the name
of Washington!  And when the news arrived (I was
then a little lad at school) that.the great Washington
was dead-we all felt and wept as though we had lost
a father. Such another scene of spontaneous and universal sorrow I have never witnessed -nor will the
impression be effaced while memory endures. None of
us-I mean the children at school-had ever seen him
-but our fathers and mothers had seen him, and had
told us all about him —and we were in the vicinity of
many of his disasters and of many of his brightest
achievements.  I beheld grief and dismay in every
countenance.  None so poor, so mean, so ignorant, as
not to mourn on that occasion.  I should have been
shocked, child as I was, had I met with one cheerful or
smiling face. The whole land wore the garb of bereave



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   235
ment, and the language of sorrow flowed from every
tongue. When did king or emperor-when did hero or
conqueror die-and leave a nation of freemen in tears?
But it is not my purpose to portray the character of
Washington nor to pronounce his eulogy. I shall not
attempt even a review of the principal transactions and
events of his extraordinary and singularly fortunate life,
nor of the consequences which have resulted, or may yet
result, to mankind, from so august and imposing an example of disinterested and holy devotion to the cause of
liberty and human happiness. I have not been allowed
the leisure necessary to do justice even to my own humble and inadequate conceptions of the magnitude, importance and momentous bearing of these high topics. Such
themes demand a master's pencil and an angel's tongue.
Under other circumstances, a glance at the prominent.
features and occurrences of the past century might have
been expected: and their exhibition, after due research
and skilful grouping, might have proved instructive, and
afforded scope for much apposite comment and deduction. But to condense the voluminous records of a hundred years within the compass of a speech —or even to
seize upon the most striking incidents, and to adorn them
with the magic drapery of classic diction, is not the province of extemporaneous impulse, or of a few hours of
hurried feverish premeditation.
From the birth of Washington in 1732 to the present
day, war and pestilence, in every part of the globe, have
inflicted their full measure of calamity, wo and death.
Oceans of blood have been shed. Kingdom has been




236    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
dashed against kingdom.  Revolution has succeeded
revolution.  Kings and princes have been tried and
executed as malefactors-or have wandered as exiles
and paupers over the face of the earth. Ancient establishminents have been cloven down by an infuriated populace or by a mercenary soldiery. The throne and the
altar have been trampled under foot. Royal dynasties
have been blotted out, or exchanged for military adventurers or citizen patriots. Colonial dependencies have
been transformed into independent kingdoms or republics. The land of Kosciusko has been partitioned and
enslaved-while the country of Leonidas and Themistocles has regained its sovereignty and freedom. The
whole European family of nations, with all their American kindred, have undergone changes more or less radical, and tending to future results, which no political
prophet will yet venture to announce or describe.
In the midst, however, of all the tumult, uproar, convulsion, carnage and devastation which have pre-eminently characterized this remarkable period of our world's
history-science, philosophy, letters, the mechanical and
the fine arts, poetry, eloquence, religion and popular education have advanced and prospered beyond all previous
example. As have also associations and institutions for
the amelioration of the human character and condition
in every variety of form. Here is presented the bright
side of the picture. The revolutionary and the martial
spirit has not been abroad in the earth, merely to overwhelm, to destroy and to conquer-or merely to aggrandize the few at the expense of the million. A silent,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   237
unobtrusive, healthful, counteracting influence has been
constantly exerted over the conflicting elements of human
passion and ambition. Though war, with all its tremendous attributes, has raged among the nations, yet no
return of savage barbarism has been witnessed. The
Goths and Vandals have not again been let loose to
exterminate the crumbling monuments of an antiquated
civilization —and to erect upon the ruins an iron despot,
ism of ignorance, superstition and cruelty. There was
too much light and knowledge and philosophy and religion in the world to permit such a catastrophe. But for
these, the dark ages might have revisited the fairest portion of the European continent. And the ferocious Cossack might have enacted in Paris the same tragedy which
his ancestor had done at Rome, or the Saracen at Alexandria, or the Turk at Constantinople.
But a thousand gifted benevolent spirits had been at
work, for a dozen generations, all over Christendomand by the aid of the printer's art, had diffused the principles of self-preservation, and of invincible resistance to
any permanently ruinous encroachments upon the general stock of moral and political immunities already
secured. The world could not be driven back by any
modern Attila or Omar or Tamerlane. Intellectual and
moral power, when possessed by the body of the people,
will ever triumph over every species of mere brute force.
It will not be pretended that the present condition of
the people in Europe is worse now than it was fifty
years ago. Whether they have gained a fair equivalent for all their sacrifices and sufferings, is a ques



238    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
tion which philanthropy, perhaps, might hesitate to
answer.
Whether, for instance, the progress of intellectual improvement has been accelerated or retarded by this universal warfare-whether it would have been less, equal
or greater, had uninterrupted peace prevailed-can never
be known. That it has been rapidly progressive, is certain. Every field of inquiry has been more extensively
and minutely investigated —every department of literature has been enlarged and enriched —all the physical
and experimental sciences have been, in a great measure, created-while the exact sciences have been carried
almost to perfection-mechanical ingenuity, invention
and discovery have imparted a totally new character to
the useful arts-Franklin, Arkwright, Watt, Fulton,
Whitney, Davy and others have demonstrated to the
world the value of science in every branch of productive
industry. Ethics, political economy, jurisprudence, legislation have advanced, more or less, towards systematic
maturity.  When, therefore, we contrast the existing
aspect of the world with what it was a century or even
half a century ago, we shall not complain because more
has not been achieved, nor murmur at those dark and
distressing dispensations of Providence which no human
wisdom or power could prevent or control-and the bearing of which upon the destinies of mankind we may be
utterly unable to estimate or to comprehend.
Ten millions of human beings, it may be, have been
slaughtered in Europe and America, since the grand revolutionary movement commenced. We have no standard




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   239
by which to measure or estimate the value of such a
sacrifice. Has it benefited the living? Will it benefit
posterity? These are questions which we may reasonably ask-and in which, we, as Americans, are deeply
interested.
The American revolution was not merely the precursor-it was the occasion and the mainspring of all the
revolutions which have followed. Or, at any rate, it has
imparted to them a more distinctive and popular cast.
The example of America has been uniformly hailed, and
appealed to, and held up to the admiration of the people,
whenever a revolution in government has since been
attempted. Her adventurous and glorious career has
been the constant theme of study and excitement among
the restless, the discontented and the oppressed. Her
good fortune has been invoked in every similar enterprise, and an equally happy issue has been frequently
anticipated and confidently predicted. And why has
every experiment hitherto failed to realize the sanguine
expectations of the friends of liberty and equal rights?
Why could not France or Mexico or Colombia or Spain
or Greece or Belgium achieve what thirteen poor English
colonies completely effected —without the least domestic
confusion or fraternal carnage?  I am not now inquiring
whether they have not gained much —very much. But
why they have not gained all for which they struggled
and fought-all at which ive supposed they were aiming.
Why they have not succeeded to the same extent that
our fathers did, when they resolved on national emancipation.




240    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
This inquiry recalls us to the period of our Washington's severest trials and most eminent services. What
was there in the peculiar character and circumstances of
the English American colonies which, previously to the
commencement of hostilities, augured and promised a
more auspicious result, than was likely to follow any
similar efforts in Europe or Spanish America?  The
usual answer is, that the Americans were more enlightened and more virtuous than any other people. I apprehend that the fact, if admitted, does not meet the difficulty or account for the difference in the cases supposed.
That intelligence and virtue among the people will insure
a large measure of civil and personal liberty, is not
doubted.  But that they necessarily lead to political
liberty, or to the establishment of a republican representative government, cannot be assumed.
In Prussia, Austria and all the German Principalities,
the people are universally well instructed, orderly, moral
and industrious. They have more common schools, more
universities, and a larger proportion of thoroughly learned
men, than any other countries of either hemisphere. And
yet their governments are absolute monarchies, and infinitely less disturbed by popular commotions and innovations than those of Italy, Spain and Portugal —where the
people are proverbially ignorant, degraded and vicious.
In France, too, at the crisis of the first revolution, the
people were not much in advance of their neighbours
beyond the Alps and the Pyrenees. Whatever cause
may be assigned for that abortive revolution, it will not
be ascribed to the unanimous determination of an en



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   241
lightened and virtuous people to be free, under a government of their own creation.
In Sweden, Denmark and Holland-which, next to
Germany, are the most enlightened portions of the European continent-no approaches to republican institutions have been witnessed during the last century, whatever additional rights the people may -have acquired.
Contrast also tile condition of Scotland and Ireland.
The common people of the latter are more ignorant and
more revolutionary than any other people in Europe.
Germany ought to be the freest portion of the globethat is, if freedom and self-government are regarded as
synonymous or correlative —and if the greatest amount
and most extensive diffusion of literary knowledge tend
directly to its acquisition.
The theory is defective —and other elements must be
taken into the account. The German people, and I may
add, the European people generally, have not, since the
usurpation of Julius Caesar, been in the habit of meddling
with political affairs, or of taking any efficient part in
the business of government. On these subjects they are
not permitted to read much —nothing, indeed, beyond
the text-books purposely prepared for their instruction
in orthodox loyalty and obedience. But even the most
unlimited license, on this score, would not suffice. They
could not learn from books the peculiar mysteries-or,
without experience, acquire; any definite ideas-of popular representative systems. Even in France, at this day,
the system is but a sorry caricature of England's boasted
constitution. And, in England, even when reformed to
VOL. III.-16




242    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the entire contentment of Earl Grey and his noble compeers, we shall find little to remind us of the thoroughly
popular machinery of our own government.
Much as we are supposed to have borrowed from England —much as our institutions are reputed to resemble
hers-it is notorious that Englishmen seem absolutely
incapable of comprehending the genius and practical
operations of our government. When they speak of
the people, they mean the populace-the rabble —the
mob-and without an aristocracy, in some form, to control their anarchical and tumultuary tendencies, they
cannot conceive of any stable security for life or property or law or religion. Now we have no populace in
the European sense of the term —we never had a populace. We have never been exposed to popular riots and
insurrections.  Nor have we ever needed a standing
army to overawe the people or to sustain the government.  We have but one order-and all the people
belong to it. One homogeneous mass of free and equal
citizens.
European revolutions cannot be expected therefore
immediately, under any moral or intellectual training,
to eventuate in those forms of simple democracy, and
universal suffrage, and popular representation, which to
us seem so natural and obvious, and without which we
are apt to fancy there can be no liberty and no happiness. The people must have political training-they
must acquire the art of self-government, step by step,and hence a series of changes or revolutions must take
place before they arrive at our modes of thinking and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    243
acting-if, indeed, such a consummation shall ever be
realized. The people may be seduced and misled and
deceived by names-but they always act from habit. A
President and Congress might abundantly satisfy a discontented people, who had heard of their good fruits in
America. And yet the President and Congress might
govern such a people very much after the fashion of
King and Parliament, without exciting a murmur of
jealousy or suspicion.
With our people, the case was totally different. They
were generally pretty well informed and respectably
moral, it is true. But more than this-they had been
trained and drilled and disciplined, from the outset, in
the business of self-government. It was their usagetheir habit-a part of their very nature.  Any other
form of government was to them foreign-it was odious
— it was tyranny. They learned the art from the very
necessity of their position —in little companies and associations-a ship-load at a time-a settlement of a few
hundred, frequently constituting a sort of independent
commonwealth-and obliged to exercise all the rights
of sovereignty and all the functions of legislation and
government, to preserve tranquillity among themselves
and to prevent or meet hostilities from the natives and
their allies.
Our noble fathers-yes, they were noble, gallant spirits-nature's noblemen-we name them with pride and
reverence-brought with them English hearts and English virtues-but, from the first, they were free from all
direct English domination. They set up for themselves.




244    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
They elected their own rulers and legislators. Every
man had a voice in the affairs of state. He voted, and
was eligible to office. Thus they advanced in the art
and practice of popular representation, and became habitually familiar with all the attributes, duties, privileges
and responsibilities of self-dependent and self-governing
republicans.
They were still the loyal, dutiful subjects of his Britannic Majesty. But they had their own parliaments,
the members of which were chosen immediately by the
sovereign people, annually or biennially-and, in some
cases, even semi-annually. They had royal governors
in many instances. But the colonial legislatures were
always opposing them, and ever on the watch against
the slightest encroachment on the rights of the people.
They endured much vexation from this quarter-but
they never suffered the arm of tyranny to be extended
over them. When aggrieved they petitioned or remonstrated-but never yielded to injustice or oppression.
Their commerce and manufactures were regulated or
restricted, in no very gracious manner, to suit the monopolizing policy of the British ministry. And on this
score, they were subjected to many serious inconveniences
and privations. Still, they were substantially and practically a free, republican, self-governing people-as much
so as they are now.
We have been so long accustomed to read and hear of
British tyranny, and of our emancipation from a sort of
Egyptian bondage —that we are extremely apt to mistake the real condition of our ancestors, and to fancy




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   245
that they were slaves.  Europeans fall into the same
error, whenever they speculate about our colonial vassalage and present institutions. They view us as youthful
adventurers, who have been and still are trying a very
doubtful and perilous experiment. They concede that
we have managed pretty well for some fifty years-but
then it is even yet but an experiment of fifty years at
most. And their wise men are still extremely skeptical
as to the final result. They think that we must come
to monarchy at last-or that a military despotism will
be erected upon the ruins of the republic. And they
refer us to Greece and Rome and to the fate of all other
republics. They do not know-and we have ourselves
nearly forgotten —that we have been learning the art,
and trying the experiment of free government, of selfgovernment, of republican representative government, for
more than two hundred years. It is a libel on the character of our fathers to say that they were ever enslaved.
They not only maintained inviolate and cherished most
religiously, all the natural and all the constitutional
rights and liberties of free-born Englishmen-but they
reared up institutions and structures of a far more liberal
and popular cast than England had ever known, or than
England has yet dared to hope for. And all this too
while they were dependent, though not servile colonists.
Possessing, as they did, a spirit and domestic governments so thoroughly popular-so radically and invincibly
republican-it seems wonderful that the British ministry
could have been so infatuated as to dream of extorting
from them, by artifice or by violence, the very right, in




246    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
defence of which every Englishman would hazard life
and fortune and sacred honour-the very right which
lies at the foundation and constitutes the essence of English liberty-the very right, which, at home, would have
been the last that any visionary or dementated statesman
would have thought of invading or of calling in question.
But this rash and fatal attempt was made. Be it remembered however-it was only the attempt that was made.
Englishmen cannot be taxed without their own consent
-legally given by their representatives in Parliament.
We had no representatives in the British Parliamentneither Peers nor Commoners. The British Parliament
therefore could not tax Englishmen resident in America,
-without a palpable violation of the British constitution. The colonial assemblies were our only parliaments
-and through their agency alone could taxes be levied
upon our citizens for the support of the common government. The British ministry and Parliament however
held a different doctrine-and, in the plenitude of their
power and of their folly, resolved to tax the colonies.
Hence originated the war of our glorious revolution.A controversy, at first, not for independence, but for constitutional liberty.  The justice of our cause was not
questioned, at the time, by any enlightened patriot in
England. By all the world, it has since been acknowledged. Had we hesitated, Englishmen would have derided and scorned us as recreant, degenerate, cowardly
apostates. Had we tamely yielded to British usurpation
-had we conceded the legal right of Parliament to tax
us at their pleasure — e had been slaves indeed. And




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   247
what we might have been at this day would not be
worth the trouble of conjecturing.
It was a war, then, on our part, strictly of principle.
It was not the amount or magnitude of the burden which
was attempted at first to be imposed —it was not the
paltry pounds, shillings and pence which were likely to
be drawn from our purse-that caused an appeal to the
sword. It was the vital, fundamental principle, upon
which all free institutions rest, and without which there
can be no liberty and no security-for which we contended. This principle of self-taxation-of unrestricted
absolute control over our own property-of taxation and
representation-we would not yield or renounce. We
indignantly repelled every insidious effort to bring about
its surrender-and we finally crushed, on the battle-field,
all hope of achieving this favourite object by military
force.
The struggle was long and fierce, and, to most human
eyes, awfully doubtful as to the issue. Everything on
our part was at stake. We had entered the lists, singlehanded, against the most powerful and opulent nation in
the world, and without one avowed friend even to cheer
us onward. Our fathers saw full well the perils of their
position, and the tremendous responsibility which they
had assumed. But their only alternative was victorious
war, or unmitigated hopeless servitude. Liberty or death,
therefore, became their motto and their watchword.They had been born free-they had lived free-and
(could they fail to transmit this freedom unimpaired to
posterity? It was because they had ever been free, that




248    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYSthey deliberately preferred death to slavery. It was to
secure and to perpetuate this freedom-not to acquire
it-that they generously put all to the hazard against
fearful odds. They fought because they never had been
slaves-and because they never would be slaves.
We were then but a handful of people, scattered
thinly over an immense territory, easily accessible at
every point by hostile fleets and hostile savages, without
money, without arms, and without military science, and
suddenly plunged into a desperate contest with the proud
mistress of the ocean, and the acknowledged arbitress of
Europe. To all indifferent spectators it seemed a matter
of course that British armies and navies would speedily
triumph over all the opposition which we could possibly
make-even though every man, woman and child had
resolved to perish rather than submit. And when, even
now, we look back upon that portentous crisis, we cannot help asking the question-what might not a British
army of 50,000 strong, in one body, marching through
our country, have effected?  Humanly speaking, such
an army might have exterminated our entire population.
But if joined by the tories or loyalists, by the timid,
wavering and selfish-the whole affair would have been
quickly settled. Our Hampdens and Sidneys, our Fitz.
geralds and Emmets, would have been hanged as rebels
or traitors-as they have been in Ireland and in other
countries-and the rest of the people would have been
at the mercy of a haughty, vindictive and exasperated
master.
We outlived the tempest and escaped the danger



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    249
and from free colonies, became free and independent
states. Our patriotic and persevering exertions were
signally blessed and prospered by Heaven. As, in such
trying emergencies, everything under God, depends on
the capacity, wisdom and conduct of the leader, so were
we provided, at the precise juncture when essentially
needed, with a man to guide our counsels and to command our armies, in all respects equal to the mighty
conflict. That God, in his goodness, does raise up and
qualify extraordinary instruments to execute his great
purposes in our world, cannot be doubted by any sober
student of history or believer in revelation or in providence.  Such a man was our illustrious and peerless
Washington.
In him, from the beginning, and through all the dark
and threatening vicissitudes of a seven years' war, his
country reposed unlimited and unwavering confidence.
His ability, his patriotism, his integrity, his prudence,
his sagacity, his zeal, his courage, his judgment, his
patience, his promptitude, decision, perseverance, were
never questioned or suspected.  His benevolence, dignity of carriage, imposing presence, kindness, magnanimity, disinterested devotion to his country, intelligence, urbanity, simplicity, perfect purity of life and
manners, commanded universal respect, and won the
hearts of all classes of the people.  Of the soldiery,
he was ever the idol of their most affectionate veneration.
Whoever reverts to this stormy epoch of our history
-especially as it has been more fully revealed by the




250    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
recent publication of secret journals and diplomatic correspondence,-will be amazed at the difficulties, obstacles
and embarrassments of all sorts, which were actually encountered and overcome. And who, he will be ready, at
every successive stage, to exclaim-who, but a Washington, could have been sufficient for these things?  Was
there another man in America or in the world, who
could have filled his station, or performed his glorious
part in the grand drama, of which the half of Christendom was the theatre or the actors?
Under the auspices of Washington, the war was, at
length, happily terminated. And Washington instantly
sheathed his sword-disbanded his victorious weeping veterans-resigned his high office of Commander-in-chieflaid aside all the insignia of military pomp and powerand retired, without star or coronet or pension, a simple
citizen farmer, to his plain republican mansion on the
banks of the Potomac. Such a sublime spectacle had
never before been exhibited in our world. It was in
keeping with every previous act of his life.  It was
what every American anticipated as matter of course.
It therefore excited no surprise at home.  Our Washington was too well known to be suspected as capable
of aiming at any species of self-aggrandizement whatever.
Here I cannot forbear to add one reflection respecting
his military career, which has often occurred to me when
perusing the history of other distinguished warriors, and
which elevates the character of the former above all comparison. Washington never caused one drop of blood to




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   251
be shed unnecessarily or unrighteously. He never inflicted a cruel or unjust punishment. He never resented
or revenged a private wrong or insult. He never provoked the imprecations or the tears of the widow or the
orphan. The ordinary calamities of war, he mitigated
in every practicable way. His humanity, forbearance
and generosity were proverbial even among his enemies.
And they dared to rely on his clemency and goodness,
when they had forfeited all claims to his justice, by outraging the laws and usages of honourable warfare. This
was a godlike trait in a character where all was noble,
heroic and transcendent.
The close of the war, though brilliant and satisfactory
to every patriot, presented new trials and unforeseen
dangers. It secured independence to thirteen distinct
republics-united in name only —while, in all the essential attributes of sovereignty, they stood aloof from each
other, and seemed disposed each to manage its own affairs
without regard to the will or weal of the rest. This too
was a gloomy and disastrous period of our history. The
services of Washington were again demanded. He was
numbered first among the sages who framed our admirable constitution. He was elected by the people to organize and to administer the new government: and with
what efficiency, wisdom, equity and success, need not be
told. Washington was then confessedly the only individual who could have united the suffrages of his countrymen, or commanded for the Union the respect of
foreign nations.
If our Union has proved a blessing-Washington must




252    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
be regarded as its father. If our constitution and general government have made us a great and prosperous
and powerful nation-let the meed of praise be awarded
to Washington.
IN PEACE THEN AS WELL AS IN WAR-AT THE HEAD OF A
NATION AS WELL AS OF AN ARMY —WASHINGTON WAS EVER
FIRST-WITHOUT AN EQUAL AND WITHOUT A RIVAL.
Among other benefits and privileges, the Revolution
has assured to us:
1. All the popular rights and institutions which we
had previously enjoyed-together with infinitely better
security for their future preservation.
2. National Independence-which has freed us forever from the vexatious and oppressive interference of a
distant, jealous and unfriendly government; and which
guaranties to us the pursuit of our own interests agreeably to the dictates of our own judgment.
3. Perfect equality of rank among all our people.
For although, prior to the revolution, we had no hereditary nobility or privileged aristocracy, yet there were
incipient indications of an approach to such creations:
and, probably, a few years more of colonial dependence
would have introduced among us a patrician order, which
might have proved a lasting impediment to pure republican institutions. The tendencies of English measures
and policy were evidently to this end. The practice of
entailing estates had begun to prevail, to a considerable
extent, in several of the provinces-and this alone would
have given rise in time to a powerful aristocracy. It




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    253
was abolished by the revolution. The mother country
had also, from time to time, supplied us with a few choice
specimens of lordly excellence, in the shape of governors
and military officers-but the article had never been
naturalized upon our soil nor become incorporated with
our system. In this particular, the genius of our institutions is as abhorrent from British feeling and usage, as
if we had sprung from a different race. And to this day,
our boasted equality is a source of exquisite satire and
ridicule among British wits-who cannot comprehend
how a plain mechanic or labouring farmer should wear
a sword, or work his way into the halls of Congress. In
England there is no sympathy between the upper classes
and the plebeian operatives. Even Lord Grey, within a
few months past, has been denounced and lampooned in
most of the Tory Journals, because he condescended to
receive with courtesy, in his official capacity, a Westmini
ster deputation of honest citizens, headed by a respectable tailor and apothecary!  England's hereditary aristocracy and, ecclesiastical establishment will probably
prove a far more formidable barrier to pure democracy
or American republicanism than her king with all his
royal prerogatives, or than any mere monarchical despotism whatever. While the former shall be maintained,
no species of reform will confer on the people all the
natural rights of freemen.
The decisive battle is yet to be fought all over Europe
between the aristocracy and the people. The great mass
of the latter have not yet, in any country, acquired the
elective franchise —not even nominally or in its most




254     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
limited application. They are still an inferior-and, in
many respects, a degraded caste.
4. Unlimited freedom  of opinion-in regard to all
subjects, religious, political, philosophical, speculative,
practical. We may believe what we please, say what
we please, publish what we please, teach what we please
-pray, preach and worship as we please.  We have
no state religion —no inquisitorial tribunals —no secret
police-no censorship of the press.
5. State offences are unknown among us. "It is a
beautiful trait (says a foreigner) in the history of the
American Government, that it has never shed a drop
of human blood, nor banished a single individual for
state crimes."  Contrast this one fact with the long
catalogue of state criminals who have been legally murdered on the scaffold or the gibbet in Great Britain,
since the reign of Charles the First, or even since the
accession of George the Third.
6. Our property, lives, reputation, religion and rights
of every kind are inviolable. They are intrusted to our
own keeping. They cannot be invaded or infringed.
7. Freedom from all excessive and burdensome taxation. We have established a cheap government. And
have demonstrated that a great and powerful empire
may be well and cheaply governed at the same time.
8. A federative republic —adapted to any extent of
territory, to every variety of people and climate, and to
indefinite duration. Such, at least, is the liberal theory
of our national and state organizations, that no natural
limit can be assigned to their growth and expansion



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   255
provided the people themselves consent. And hitherto,
their action has been, on the whole, sufficiently harmonious and efficient to warrant the strongest confidence in
their stability
9. Prosperity-national and individual-utterly unprecedented-and which is, at this moment, the envy
and admiration of the world.
10. A welcome and a safe asylum-a permanent and
a happy home-for the injured, persecuted, unfortunate
and wretched of every clime and of every race.
11. We have furnished an example and a modelwhich has already contributed much to enlighten the
world in the theory and practice of government,-and
which promises incalculable good to mankind throughout all succeeding generations. This glorious boon to
the oppressed and benighted nations was confidently
anticipated and predicted by our sagacious and catholic
patriots. God grant that their hopes may not be as the
dreams of the visionary!
Will these inestimable blessings be perpetuated amongst
ourselves? Will our union be preserved, and our liberties be transmitted undiminished to the latest posterity?
These are startling questions-and occasionally there are
symptoms which render them painfully unwelcome and
obtrusive.
Our Union may be dissolved. We may have a dozen
or a score of petty, hostile, rival, jealous, selfish, miserable republics —but they will be republics, not monarchies.
I will not suffer myself to dread such a catastrophe as
probable.  I barely admit it to be possible. Is there




256    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
living the American patriot who could wish to survive
our national Union-or to witness the humiliating degradation which its dismemberment would entail upon the
character and destinies of his countrymen? Washington
has not failed, in his Farewell Address, to indicate the
causes which might lead to so fatal an event, as well as
the calamitous consequences which would inevitably result. May the spirit of Washington ever preside in our
councils and animate the hearts of all our people!
That our republican forms will be permanent, I doubt
not-because they are inseparable from the fixed habits
of our people. Their spirit however may be utterly perverted and profaned. And this is the great evil to which
we are peculiarly liable. We may retain all our favourite
names and modes, and yet lose the essential prerogatives
and healthful tone of celestial liberty. WVe may be cozened or flattered out of the substance, and be induced to
rejoice in the empty shadow. The sun of liberty had
gone down forever in Republican Rome, long before the
conqueror of Gaul and Germany passed the Rubicon.
With us, a majority must of necessity govern. Let
that majority become ignorant, corrupt and recklessand who shall restrain them from any measures of injustice, violence or madness? Will they reverence a paper
constitution which they can make or unmake, interpret
or torture at their pleasure, or trample in the dust with
impunity?  A legislative body-always an irresponsible
body-countenanced, sustained and impelled by an exasperated or infatuated majority, may deliberately consummate acts and schemes of high-handed villany and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   257
despotism, which a Roman Nero or Turkish Sultan would
blush to perpetrate or to think of. Washington foresaw
these dangers also, and he has pointed out their only
preventive, and the only preservative of our republican
system in all its pristine purity, beautiful proportions
and harmonious movements.  Intelligence, virtue, religion-these are.the pillars of liberty's temple. Without these, our republic will exist only in name. For
although, as I have already intimated, these. may not
suffice to originate and establish a republican government in countries where such a government has never
been known-yet, without these, no republican or free
government will long be maintained in fact. Deprived
of these safeguards, our people will be arrayed, party
against party, in all the phrensy of malignant and uncontrollable passion.  Then, no honest man will dare
to express an opinion, or to appear in the councils of
his country.. Ten, fifteen, twenty millions of ignorant,
venal, republican citizens —bought up, and goaded onward by factious desperadoes-may render existence
more unbearable among Columbia's free-born sons than
it now is or ever has been under any European or
Asiatic tyrant.
So thought Washington:-" The alternate domination
of one faction over another, (says he,) sharpened by the
spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in
different ages and countries has perpetrated the most
horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism; but this
leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism."
VOL. nI. — 1t




258    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Let the warning voice of our sainted Washington this
day be heard with filial reverence throughout these, at
present, peaceful, happy and United States. Yes, we are
yet peaceful and united. The demon of party strife has
raged-is raging-and may rage hereafter-but Washington has taught us how to avert its desolating fury
and to control its unhallowed ambition. If the paternal
counsels of Washington shall be sacredly regarded, we
shall be a moral, enlightened, religious, free, united and
happy people to the end of time. And all nations will
be eager and proud to follow our example, to imitate our
virtues, to adopt our institutions —and will bless God
that Washington has lived, not for America only, but
for the universe and for eternity.
The age of Washington is the classic age of American
history. It is a resplendent, a glorious, a golden age.
The character of Washington may, without even the
semblance of hyperbole, be pronounced in a single word
— PERFECTION!  So far, at least, as perfection may be
justly predicated of any mere mortal man.
Among the great personages whom mankind have delighted to honour, not one can be designated as worthy
of being adjudged his peer. How lovely and docile and
dutiful in childhood-how nobly good and brave in youth
and manhood-how wise, magnanimous, philanthropic,
dignified, unostentatious, pure and single-hearted in. all
his unparalleled prosperity, and through every scene of
his wonderful career!
In all the walks and relations of private and domestic
life he shone with a beauty and splendour peculiarly his




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   259
own. He was eminently rich in good works-and envy
dared not hate or revile him. He was the able, judicious
and unwearied advocate of every useful enterprise and
institution —of religion, order, morals, science and universal education.
He was an American in all his feelings, sentiments and
policy. He belonged to no party-but to his country.
Nor was his patriotism selfish or exclusive. His benevolence extended to the whole family of mankind. Though
sternly just in all his intercourse with foreign nationshe exacted nothing which he was not heartily disposed
to reciprocate. He observed the strictest neutrality towards the European belligerents, and laboured to convince his fellow-citizens and the world that this was and
ever must be the genuine policy of the American government.
In him was no blemish which requires the oblivious
mantle of charity from the partial biographer or from a
grateful posterity. His entire life, from the cradle to the
grave, is before the world-and it may boldly challenge
the severest scrutiny.
His is a life to be studied, not merely by the warrior,
the politician, the statesman, the philosopher-but by
the humblest citizen of the republic. He possessed virtues and excellencies which all may imitate-though, in
majesty and grandeur, none may ever approach him.
He was born in humble obscurity-but in him were
blended all the elements which will ever insure preeminence under any circumstances. He would have
been great and good —had the revolution, which made




260    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
him the greatest and the best, never occurred. He would
have been, as he was, the most skilful, scientific and successful farmer in Virginia. And he would have been, as
he was, respected, beloved and honoured by all his fellowcitizens. It seems ever to have been a maxim with him,
that there is nothing worth doing at all which is not
worth doing well. And another, not less important, that
time is invaluable and that every moment must be improved.  Whatever he did, therefore, was well doneand he never passed an idle or unprofitable hour. He
resolved, while yet poor, to be independent-that he
might be honest and useful. He therefore applied himself diligently to business, and to the acquisition of such
knowledge as would insure him success and reputation.
lHe was industrious and economical, not to amass wealth
for its own sake, but that he might be virtuous, just and
generous. It was this truly noble spirit of honourable
independence, cherished from early youth, which preserved him from pecuniary embarrassment throughout
the long period of his public services, and which enabled
him to decline all pecuniary remuneration from his grateful country-and finally to manifest a princely hospitality
and munificence, without a particle of princely parade,
extravagance or ostentation.
Washington never flattered the great nor courted the
multitude.  He never solicited office.  He was ever
ready to serve his country, but never sought to govern
it. He never resorted to artifice, intrigue or management for any selfish purpose whatever.  If he was
ambitious, it was to deserve the esteem  of the wise




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    261
and the good-not to acquire power, wealth, honour or
fame.
With him  character-moral character-was everything from the beginning.  He always acted from principle-fromn the highest, holiest religious principle. And
by the force of character, he rose in the confidence, admiration  and affections of his countrymen.  Neither
birth, nor fortune, nor family alliances contributed, in
the least, to his exaltation. It was all the result of his
own good conduct, sound sense, indefatigable diligence,
uniform kindness, invincible integrity, devoted patriotism, moral courage, Christian magnanimity-and of that
determined resolution, which is ever the attribute of
superior genius and real greatness, to become equal to
every occasion, emergency and enterprise which he was
providentially summoned to encounter or to direct.
There have been many ambitious Coesars-many illustrious patriots —many talented demagogues-many splendid traitors-whose glory and whose infamy are recorded
in the everlasting page of history. Our country has produced a noble band of heroic warriors and gifted sages
and accomplished statesmen —but, hitherto, no Caesar,
and but one Arnold.
OUR WORLD HAS PRODUCED BUT ONE WASHINGTON.
NOTE.-The foregoing Address, though prepared on short notice,
and delivered when he was somewhat unwell, we have ever regarded
as one of the author's ablest efforts. It was uttered in the presence
of a large and appreciative audience, the very elite of Nashville, and
his whole manner in its delivery was one of glowing eloquence —inspired by the greatness of his subject and the greatness of the occasion, both of which he deeply felt. As stated in Sprague's Annals,




262      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
when he had been speaking nearly an hour, and the bells rang foi
dinner, a prominent gentleman of the city, and withal a special friend
and admirer of the Doctor, concluded to give him a gentle hint of the
lapse of time, which was sometimes forgotten in the ardour of his
public discourses. Occupying a seat immediately in front, he pulled
out his watch and held it up until it caught the speaker's eye. Dr.
Lindsley, as soon as he caught a view of the friendly monitor, paused
for an instant; then raising himself up in an attitude of indescribable
majesty, he said:-" Sir, this is an occasion which comes but once in
a hundred years, and the man who cannot afford to lose his dinner,
to-day, is no patriot." After a spontaneous thrill of applause through
the audience, he resumed his unfinished sentence, and went on with the
discourse, which was heard with increasing delight to the close. We
remember well how it closed. It was a rare thing for him to quote a
line of poetry: and that which he used on this occasion never appeared
with the printed Address. But we find it in the manuscript copy, and
we vividly recall the effect upon his audience, when, after pronouncing
the words, " Our world has produced but one Washington," he repeated
the following lines, attributed to Byron:"'Where may the wearied eye repose
When gazing on the great;
Where neither guilty glory glows
Nor despicable hate?
Yes-one-the first-the last-the best,
The Cincinnatus of the West,
Whom envy dared not hate,
Bequeathed the name of WashingtonTo make man blush, there was but one."-[ED.




AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.
[NASHVILLE, OCTOBER 5, 1842.]








AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.
IN FIVE PARTS.
PART FIRST.
AN ADDRESS TO FARMERS AND MECHANICS.*
THE three most important and useful classes of men
in our world, are MECHANICS, FARMERS and SCHOOLMAS;
TERS. These are equally essential and indispensable in
every stage and condition of civilized society.  They
would have existed and been honoured in Paradise, had
the first parents of the human race never lost their primeval rectitude and glory. Of the three, indeed, the
mechanic may justly claim priority in the order of time,
if not pre-eminence in dignity and utilitarian importance.
If the Mosaic history be true-and I accept it literallyAdam must have been a mechanic before he became a
gardener or a husbandman. He could neither dig nor
plant, nor trim his shrubbery, nor gather in his fruits,
nor grind his corn, nor bake his bread, without some
rude implements which required mechanical skill in the
construction. The very first occupation, therefore, of the
first man must have been strictly mechanical. And from
the commencement of human labour to the present day,
* Delivered at Nashville, October 5, 1842.
(265)




266    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
every species of industry has been, and still is, carried on
by mechanical contrivances of some kind. You behold the
evidences of this-fact in the wigwam, the canoe, the grotesque habiliments, the fishing tackle, the hunting apparatus, the martial equipments of the savage, as well as
in every cottage, mansion, workshop and cultivated field
of civilized man upon our globe.
Every operation of the farmer, even the simplest and
most humble, is effected by mechanical instrumentality.
For example: —Contemplate a good orthodox loaf of
bread; and think of the plough and harrow and horsegear and sickle and wagon and mill, and all the other
ingenious handicraft devices required to rear and cleanse
and preserve the wheat, and to convert it into one of the
most common and grateful necessaries of life: and then
deem lightly of mechanics, if you can. No state of social
man can be found so barbarous or degraded as not to
abound in various mechanical arts; even where agriculture itself is unknown or not extensively practised.
Truly, "man is a tool-making animal," as Franklin very
sagaciously defined him.
My worthy friends, the mechanics, will perceive that
I claim for them an illustrious origin and ancestry: and
that, in antiquity and usefulness, I rank them second to
none of the self-constituted, mushroom, upstart nobility
of our world. Nor would they ever have been jostled
from their high and palmy estate, had man continued
to maintain his primitive innocence. Then, indeed, the
mechanic, the farmer and the schoolmaster would have
inherited the earth, with all its riches and honours.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   267
There would scarcely have been occasion for any other
business or pursuit. Adam was himself both mechanic
and farmer or gardener, before he was banished from
Eden. And he would have been the first schoolmaster,
had he remained there a little longer —as he was in fact
soon after that disastrous event. Unless the pleasant
task of teaching "the young idea how to shoot," devolved, in the first instance and for a brief season, upon
his wife.
But how has the whole aspect of affairs been changed
and marred and mutilated by the fall?-which "brought
death into the world, and all our. wo!"  Ever since that
fatal catastrophe, the very employments which were originally designed to engross the human faculties, and to
dignify even angelic purity and intelligence, have sunk
into comparative disrepute, and been forced to yield the
palm to other pursuits and professions, which are the
offspring of sin and rebellion. The labouring farmer,
the industrious mechanic, the starving schoolmaster:alas, what sorry creatures they are in the world's estimation! And pray, who are now the honourable, the great,
the wise, the famous, the proud, the arrogant, the powerful, the mighty? Why, to be sure, legitimate kings and
dukes and lords; fortunate statesmen and politicians and
warriors and jurists and divines and physicians and
lawyers and rulers of all sorts; long-pursed bankers,
merchants, speculators, planters, manufacturers, and the
successful votaries of mammon of every character and
complexion. All of whom flourish and luxuriate and
riot upon the spoils and deformities and ruin which sin




268    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
has everywhere created and perpetuated. Were there
no crime, no disease, no misery, no death in the world;
the lawyer, the parson, the doctor, the politician, the
judge,'set id genus omne"-for their name is legionwould be compelled to learn other trades, or to seek a
residence in some more congenial planet. But, now,
these are vastly important personages. They monopolize the learned professions-the army, the navy, the
church and the state. And in order to insure a reasonable supply bf the necessary evil, our country is filled
with colleges and professional seminaries, where thousands of hopeful republicaris are being qualified to tread
upon the necks and to lead by the nose, our credulous
farmers and mechanics.
As for the schoolmasters: their case is as hopeless as
their office is thankless. By common consent, they are
doomed to wear their lives out in drudgery, obscurity
and contempt. They have no status, as the Scotch
phrase it, south of "Mason and Dixon's line." They
must possess a large measure of Christian benevolence,
or stoical philosophy, or asinine stolidity, or vulgar obtuseness, to enable them thus to do penance and to suffer
martyrdom by the year, without sympathy, reward, or
prospective saintship. Now and then, a working farmer,
and occasionally a working mechanic, do rise above their
natural or rather conventional mediocrity, and stand
erect among the honourable of the land. But who ever:
saw-who expects to see-a schoolmaster among the
sages and legislators and governors of his country? Who
ever fancied that a schoolmaster was fit to be sent to




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   269
Congress or to a foreign court?  Or even to be made a
constable, or justice of the peace, or militia captain, or
county clerk?  And when, or where, throughout the
chivalrous sunny South, was a schoolmaster ever yet
known to amass a fortune —by his own proper vocation?
These things ought not so to be. They result from
a palpable violation of the original constitution-the
Great Bill of Rights —that Magna Charta-granted by
Heaven at the very first organization of human society.
It is high time to recur once more (as politicians say) to
first principles; to read the constitution aright according
to the letter; and to interpret it agreeably to common
sense and sound logic. Just in proportion as we can get
back to the good old doctrines which were promulgated,
and to the usages which obtained, at the period when
the constitution was established for the equitable government and well-being of our first parents in Paradise,
in the same degree and to the same extent, will all these
anomalous obliquities disappear: and thus shall we behold the mechanic, the farmer, and even the schoolmaster, gradually elevated to their pristine rank and rightful
dignity. A consummation most devoutly to be wishedby all the parties concerned! Virtue, intelligence and
industry were then the order of the day: and these
must reappear, in all their native beauty, if the labouring classes, here or elsewhere, would regain their lost
patrimony, and reascend the throne from which they
have been so unceremoniously hurled.
Here I may add, that the poor despised schoolmaster




270    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
is the natural, and might become the most efficient, ally
of the farmer and the mechanic. If the three could properly understand each other and mutually co-operate in
the grand work of reform, they might and would soon
emerge from the "slough of Despond," and nobly triumph
over all the humiliating difficulties of their unlucky position. They would speedily wrest the sceptre from the
usurper's grasp; and compel their gentle masters, "the
lords temporal and spiritual," to yield to their betters,
and to mind their own proper works-which, by-the-by,
would then be at least sufficiently harmless and unenviable. Our hardy workingmen would learn, and therefore be able to teach, the proud lesson of the great poet
of Democracy, that:
"The rank is but the guinea stamp,
The man's the goud for a' that."
"The honest man, though e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that."-(BuRNs.)
Mechanics and farmers have hitherto supposed that
the least possible amount of intellectual discipline and
furniture would suffice for them. This is a radical and
ruinous heresy. They must aspire to the supremacy in
the vast empire of mind, if they would attain the consideration which they covet. Ignorance and knowledge
are always relative terms. What would pass for learning in one age or country, may be gross ignorance in
another. If mechanics and farmers would be as influential and respectable as lawyers, they must become
equally intelligent and learned. And why should they
not? They have leisure enough, and talent enough, and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            271
money enough. It is their own fault if they neglect the
means at their command.'The farmers and mechanics
in Tennessee have property enough among them, as a
body, to provide for the education of all their children,
as thoroughly as if all were designed to be gentlemen
lawyers or physicians.  How — in what fashion-this
may be accomplished, I am ready to show whenever the
parties most interested shall be disposed to give me a
hearing.*
The great mass of the American people are, and ever
must be, in the strictest sense of the term, labourers.  In
the country, these will generally be farmers:-in our
towns, chiefly mechanics. Schoolmasters are, or ought
to be, everywhere-in both city and country. And if
the supply were equal to the demand or to the actual
wants of the people, their number would greatly exceed
that of the mechanics.t
* Should the question here be put, in its usual naked, isolated,
sneering form: What  shall a young farmer or mechanic learn Greek
and Logic, Philosophy and Mathematics? I answer, in the same
dogged tone and spirit: Yes, to be sure; and if for no other end, that
he may be able to break a lance with the flippant young lawyer, who
knows nothing of the one or the other:-though he may affect an
acquaintance with the whole cyclopaedia of science, because he has
lounged about a something, called a college, two or three months, and
heard of phrenology, and had his own knowledge-box measured secundum artem; and because, moreover, he is permitted by democratic
courtesy to rejoice in the potential suffix of an Esq. to his name! Besides, better read Homer and Locke and Newton, than to waste time,
money and health at the grog-shop and the race-course.
t The number of white persons in Tennessee, over twenty years
old, who could not -write or read, according to the census of 1840, was
58,531; or one in eleven of the white population. In North Carolina, it was as one in seven. In the Union, the number was 584,547.




272     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
SCHOOLMASTERS may be distributed into four classes.
1. A, B, C-darians. Teachers of common or primary
schools.
2. Hic, Hcec, Hoc-ers. Otherwise, Verbalists or Grinders.
Teachers of the accidence in grammar schools and academies. Graduates fresh from college, with diplomas in
barbarous Latin, which they cannot construe; and the
meaning of which the subscribing and attesting curatores
eruditissimi might be puzzled to divine. These, if clever,
seldom remain more than a year or two at the business
-barely long enough to discover their own incompetency, and to secure the means to improve their condition.
3. Pedants.  Thoroughbred Pedagogues-and heartily
devoted to their vocation. —Head-masters of the great
schools. Teachers of the higher forms in the last, and
of the lower classes in colleges. Always ready with bits
and scraps of Greek and Latin to astound "the profane
vulgar," and to horrify the drawing-room exquisite.
Lily, Busby, Bentley, Parr, were gigantic specimens of
this goodly order. Rarities in our country at present.
In their stead, we have plenty of Greeklings, smatterers,
and pretenders to a thousand novel, cheap, short and
easy methods of acquiring languages-whether dead or
living.
4. Dogmatists.  Professors and Lecturers, of every
name and degree: who deliver their dicta or prelections ex cathedra to passive and silent, if not always to
docile, attentive and delighted auditories.  They are
never contradicted or opposed. The field is their own.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    273
They combat mere shadows, or men of straw, or fictitious antagonists,-created for the display of tact or
talent, and for an easy triumph. They say what they
please. Are accustomed to deferential respect from their
pupils, and perhaps to the flattery and admiration of
their associates. They may be honest in their inquiries,
profound in their researches, confident in the truth and
value of their theories and positions, and therefore imagine themselves free from illiberal bias, prejudice or influence. Hence it is quite natural that they should assume
a tone and manner more or less dogmatical and magisterial; and that they should "think of themselves more
highly than they ought to think." (Rom. xii. 3.)
FARMERS. By this term, I designate all free persons
who work in the field-who plough and sow and reap
with their own hands-who literally cultivate and till
the land, which they occupy either as owners or as tenants, or who labour for wages.
MECHANICS. All free persons who work in the shop
-operatives in manufactories-apprentices and journeymen; not merely or chiefly, great proprietors of either
land, slaves or manufacturing capital.
Farmers, Mechanics, Schoolmasters, therefore, embrace
or comprehend the most ancient, the most useful and the
most laborious vocations. Any plan or system devised
or designed for the benefit of the real people, must have
a principal reference to these; or it would be partial, imperfect and delusive. This position will not be disputed,
so far as the farmers and mechanics are concernedwhatever may be thought of the schoolmasters. Let the
VOL. IIi.-18




2274    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
reader, then, if he please, reject the schoolmaster, and
take for granted that when we hereafter speak of the
people, we mean the farmer and mechanic.
Whether a government' can ever judiciously interfere
with the concerns of human industry, or so interfere as
not to do more harm than good, is still an open, though
vexed question, in the halls of legislation and in the cabinets of statesmen. As involving a general principle, and
in a qualified sense, it has long since been determined in
the negative by the great masters in the schools of Political Economy. With what reason, and to what extent,
we shall see in the sequel.
As our own government is but the creature of the people, and can by them be made to assume any character
or to adopt any measures,-it is evident that the people
have the power to effect through its agency whatever
they please. The first question then might be what the
people choose to demand of their government-or rather
what they ordain to be a government. Hence,
1. Let us consider or inquire what the people can do
to improve or ameliorate the government.
2. What the government can and ought to do for the
people.
3. What the people can do for themselves, without
regard to the government.
An elaborate or satisfactory reply to either of these
inquiries, would necessarily lead to a vastly wider range
of discussion than will be allowable on the present occasion. Many topics must be omitted or barely hinted at:
while others may receive a more prominent notice than




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    275
is strictly required by the argument. It is obvious, too,
that a portion of debatable ground lies in the way: and
it may not be easy to get over it or around it without
giving offence. I shall probably say some things which
will not be palatable to either Whig or Democrat. My
purpose, however, is not to please, nor to displease, the
one or the other. If truth and reason be in my speechgood: if not, let it pass unheeded. I address the farmer
and mechanic, in their proper character, as men and
citizens. And to their honest verdict, as my peers and
judges, I cheerfully submit. With partisan whiggery or
democracy I have no sympathy or fellowship. And I
equally spurn the humbuggery and selfishness of both.
The terms, whig and democrat, mean precisely the same
thing, when used to gain favour with the people.
Having thus "defined my position," I proceed, after
my own irregular fashion, to respond to inquiry No. 1.
What can the people do for the government?
"The people are prone to expect too much of the government" it has been proclaimed in high quarters.* No
doubt, they may rely too much on the action of government, and expect more than any government can bestow.
Men are very prone, when affairs go wrong, or when they
are not as prosperous as they wish to be, to clamour
against the government, or to call on the government for
aid and relief. They ought, in most cases, to remember
the advice of Hercules to the wagoner, and to apply
* "The people are prone to expect too much of the government.The government has enough to do to take care of itself."-(Martin
Van Buren.)




276    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
their own shoulders vigorously to the wheel, in the. first
instance. Still the government is bound, in all its legislative enactments and provisions, to seek the well-being
of the people-both directly and indirectly.
In our'country, happily, the government is the mere
creature or servant of the people-designed solely and
exclusively for their benefit.  Such, at least, it is in
theory-'and in the books.  The government cannot
have an interest or object or aim, distinct from that
of the people. The interest of both is identical. It is
one and the same-at all times and under all circumstances. A popular government, opposed to the will or
weal of the people, would be a contradiction in terms.
It would be a monstrous anomaly-the very worst species of disguised tyranny-of arbitrary, reckless and
remorseless despotism.
Public offices were instituted for the welfare of the
people; and not for the emolument of particular incumbents.  No office was ever constitutionally created or
intended as a reward for the past services of any manmuch less for the venal remuneration of mere party services. Washington himself was not made President, as
a reward, or even grateful acknowledgment, for his glorious military achievements. He was elected because he
had exhibited to his country ample evidence of superior
qualifications for that exalted station. Because' both his
ability and integrity were unquestioned and far above
suspicion. And because it was universally believed that
he would prove a better chief magistrate than any other
citizen of the republic. The country-the whole people




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    277
-the entire nation-with one voice, sought him: not he
the office.
In regard to every.election and to every official appointment, the grand inquiry should be: who will best
discharge the duties of such office or appointment? Not,
who most needs the office to live by —nor who most
eagerly seeks or covets it-nor who may have manifested the most skilful electioneering tactics, or may
have been the most efficient political agitator or partisan-nor who may most loudly trumpet his own merits
from the stump or at the hustings?
Men who boast of their own patriotism and devotion
to the people, are not always the most disinterested or
capable or honest. In fact, such demagogues are seldom
to be trusted in any form or degree. They are usually
the most arrant rogues in the community, however specious and imposing they may appear while courting the
popular favour.
In general, too, men who run.after office —who intrigue
for it-who besiege the executive mansion, or beset the
lobbies of our legislative.chambers, or the private lodgings of the members, in order to get office —are most unworthy of confidence. They ought to be repulsed;. and
sent home to the cornfield, or off to Texas. Your gen.
teel applicants for office are the veriest bores, loafers,
idlers, exquisites, gamblers, blacklegs, roues, profligates,
knaves, swindlers, bullies, desperadoes, braggarts, charlatans-in the whole world. And the worst of them,
the most impudent, dashing and importunate, are always
the most successful. They worried one old hero Presi



278    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
dent [Jackson] all but to death, and they killed another
outright [Harrison.]  None but a stoic or "magician" or
an "abstraction" could endure or withstand their incessant battery. Such fellows ought to be consigned forthwith to the penitentiary or treadmill.
Sterling merit is ever modest, retiring and unobtrusive. It must be searched for, as a hidden treasureas a diamond in the quarry. It will seldom be found
among the class known as office-hunters. Our credulous farmers and mechanics are continually mystified
and gulled by the self-constituted guardians of their
rights-who come before them with crafty speech and
hollow professions, as the humble candidates for their
suffrages. It would be curiously edifying, just to follow
out one of these "friends of the people"-from his first
busy canvass among the log-cabins, cottages, shanties,
smitheries, barbacues and doggeries of his rural district
-through each successive gradation of his upward
career-until he is firmly seated in the national Senate,
or upon the judicial Bench, or in the metropolitan Cabinet, or near a foreign Court: and to ask, what he then
cares for the dear, ragged, clownish, hard-handed, roughspoken quondam constituents, who once proudly hailed
him as their champion, and caressed him as a brother?
He was, some ten or twenty years ago, your boon
companion-always ready to chat with you, to walk
and work with you, to "ride and tie" with you-would
praise the good wife and kiss the sweet little bairns —
call you by your proper names, right glad to see you,
give you a hearty shake of the hand —eat your "bacon




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   279
and greens" —drink a "horn," and get gloriously social
and generous at your expense-sing songs, tell stories,
crack jokes, and all "that sort of thing"-until he fairly
stole away your hearts, and enlisted you in his service.
Look at him now-in the stately coach or lordly mansion —with all the pride, pomp and circumstance, with
all the parade, trappings and insignia of high official
rank and republican dignity. What is the manner of
his greeting? How condescendingly gracious, and studiously urbane, and formally polite, and exclusively conservative! What a courtly air and presence! How
punctilious and exacting in modish etiquette and ceremony! How awfully imposing in his whole carriage
and bearing! How prince-like and prompt in repelling
every unseemly familiarity and unseasonable approach!
What accommodating faculties of vision, memory and
recognition, has not he acquired? With what ineffable
coolness and self-complacency he will cut you-whenever he meets you off your own ground, or within the
"charmed circle" of his precious nobility! Is this your
old stump orator-and the merry royster* at the "bran
dance" and "coon hunt" and cabin fireside?
And then, his pretty little wife —whilom so plain, so
frugal, so friendly, so joyous, so like your own! Does
she wear her honours meekly? Behold her in the splendid drawing-room, "all made up" for exhibition by gaslight, and at a respectful distance!  How magnificent
and gorgeous in her apparel-how majestic and queenly
in her every act and attitude-how radiant in beauty,
* Roystering-used by Blanco White.




280     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
smiles and jewelry-how fastidious and tasteful in all
her appointments! What a brilliant and dazzling spectacle for vulgar eyes to gaze at! And/your privilege
extends no further.
As to the youthful dignities male and female-why,
a dozen of your best cotton or tobacco crops, at present
"whig prices," wouldn't pay for their outward head-gear
-to say nothing of their interior adornment. A certain
Williamn Shakspeare is understood to have been a favoured
guest on some such occasion: and he reports, that
"On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With diverse-coloured fans, whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool."*
But, "tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis."
Anglice': "Well, sure enough, there is no telling what
some folks will come to." "Set a beggar on horseback,
and he will ride"-clear of the sheriff any day; ay!
and carry off your purse to boot.
A species of official aristocracy, manufactured out of
original low-bred cringing democratic beggars, may be
met with in every part of the land: —Arrogant, haughty,
domineering, insolent, overbearing, heartless-and vulgar
withal.
Mr. Jefferson laboured, at the commencement of the
Revolution, by annulling the laws of entail, primogeniture, and others affecting inheritances, to eradicate from
the soil of Virginia the old aristocracy of wealth and
office. He wished, as he said, "to make an opening for
* Shakspeare's Antony and Cleopatra, p. 648.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    281
the aristocracy of virtue and talent;" which he "deemed
essential to. a well-ordered republic."*  I agree with Mr.
Jefferson in this doctrine, as also in another, which restricts the presidential reign to a single term-though I
differ from him about gun-boats, the qualified executive
veto, and some twenty more of his visionary projects and
peculiar fantasies. I treat Mr. Jefferson, you see, exactly
as all other good whigs and democrats treat him. He is
first-rate and all-sufficient authority when he is rightthat is, when he is on my side-when he speaks according to "my understanding of the constitution."  But
when he is wrong-that is, against my creed or system
-I hold him cheap, and let him alone.
Now, Mr. Jefferson, with all his sagacity, seems not to
have dreamed that an aristocracy of office could ever
possibly grow up under the new government then about
to be.established. He fancied that "virtue and talent"
would be sought for and honoured by the people, and by
the people's chief servant [the President.] Whereas, experience shows that impudence, profligacy and the basest
sycophancy are the main requisites to success with either.
This is our besetting sin. We elect bad men to office.
Here is the root of the evil. Here we must begin the
work of reform, and we must do it thoroughly; or we
shall soon cease to possess a government worth looking
after, or over which we could exercise control, even if we
would. To aid you in this momentous work of timely and
radical reform, I tender you a word of caution and advice.
Never vote for a man because he is poor. Never re* Tucker's Life of Jefferson, vol. i. p. 93.




282    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ject or refuse to vote for a man because he is rich.
Poverty is no qualification for office; neither is wealth.
If you would help a poor man, give him money: or, what
is better, provide him useful productive employment. A
man who has squandered his estate foolishly or wickedly, or who has notoriously mismanaged his own private affairs, would not therefore seem.to be the fittest
person to grace the woolsack or the treasury bench, or
to manage the affairs of a nation. A poor youth, with
stout heart and honest purpose and generous aspirations,
will create a path to honourable distinction: and in due
time, like Franklin and Sherman, will command the
confidence and respect which he deserves. Our thousand banks, and as many other moneyed corporations —
our hundred thousand lucrative posts and stations, civic
and military, state and national-hold out so many
temptations to poor, do-nothing-would-be-gentlemen, that
it has already become a sort of common law to regard
all these snug places as their birthright, and to dispose
of them, accordingly. Of how many excellent blacksmiths and tailors and ploughmen and reapers, may not
our country have been deprived by this unwise and antirepublican procedure?
Poverty, above labour and affecting gentility-cringing, sponging, tuft-hunting, toad-eating poverty-ever
dangling in the train of wealth or power, or doing homage to a besotted populace for a few paltry loaves and
fishes-a poverty at once too proud and too mean to
help itself to honest independency-is entitled to no
sympathy, and assuredly to no reward.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    283
Never vote for a man because he is a federalist or
republican or whig or democrat; or because he is for
Van Buren or Clay or Tyler or Calhoun; or because he
is known as the advocate or opponent of Bank or Tariff,
or of any test measure, scheme or policy. The candidate
who seeks to gain your support by the illusion of mere
party names, or by pledges or promises or professions of
any kind, is virtually tampering with your integrity, and
is attempting to bribe you as certainly as if he were to
proffer you gold or whisky or future office. This is in
fact the usual and the most insidious mode of operating
upon masses of the people. Their hopes and fears, their
passions and prejudices are aroused and enlisted in behalf of any cause, and consequently of its boldest and
fiercest champions,-without the slightest acquaintance
with, or respect to, the real merits of the one or the
other.
Virtue, capacity, intelligence, wisdom, integrity, ought
to be the commanding attributes of public men —of all
rulers, judges, law-makers. These constitute the only
right or claim which any man can justly prefer as the
ground of choice either by the people or the dxecutive.
But how can we be assured of these high qualities in
any man before trial? I answer, every man is on trial,
in the presence of all his brethren, while a private citizen. And his true character may be always known, if
you will suffer him to remain a private citizen long
enough for a thorough trial. No man is fit for public
life, who has not acted well his part in private life.
While the man who has ably, faithfully, nobly, dis



284-   MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
charged the duties and obligations imposed on him by
his various ties, relations, pursuits, engagements and
connexions, may be safely trusted anywhere and in
any sphere.  "He that is faithful in that which is
least, is: faithful also in much." (Luke, xvi. 10.) Here
is a test or criterion, sufficiently accurate and obvious;
by which our farmers and mechanics may judge of the
pretensions of any individual.  Let them look at the
man —not at the whig or democrat.  If the man be
good and capable, he will not abuse your confidence,
nor disappoint reasonable expectations. The less popular, the more truly respectable. A popular man, according to the common acceptation of the phrase, is always
a mean, wordy, complying, crafty, deceitful fox of a fellow-who values you precisely at what you are worth
to his cause or party.
Of course, this kind of evidence cannot be furnished
by very young men-at least to an extent that may, in
all cases, be relied on.  When such are employed, as
they often may and must be, in stations fiduciary, ministerial and executive; they should be selected according
to the fairest indications of talent and moral worth, and
without bias or influence from family, rank or party.
The most important civil offices, however, particularly
the legislative, ought never to be filled by young men.
Legislation is undoubtedly the most solemn and momentous function which can be assigned to mortal man. Judicious legislation demands, or rather implies, the highest
order and degree of intellect, judgment, wisdom, knowledge, experience, firmness, rectitude, candour, probity,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    285
calmness and deliberation. Well might we ask: who is
sufficient for these things?  Though practically-among
ourselves —the question rather is: who is not sufficient?
The task which a Moses shrunk from at the age of eighty,
is intrepidly essayed by any stripling in the land, who
can muster words and brass enough to win the plaudits
of the people. Fluency and strength of lungs, with an
adroit "sprinkling" of cant phrases and party shibboleths, will convert the unknown boy of yesterday into
the crack orator of to-day, and the "veteran" statesman
of to-morrow.
The framers of all our constitutions seem to have
copied after a false or inappropriate model, when they
provided for the admission of very young men into the
legislative or law-making body. They had in their eye
the British Parliament: which was not, in either of its
grand divisions, originally constructed or designed for
the business of legislation. The House of Lords-once
a mere advisory council of feudal Barons, or judicial tribunal assisting or relieving the liege in the dispensation
of justice; [and still retaining a large measure of its
primitive juridical supremacy-] became, by degrees, a
branch of the law-making power of the realm. Thus,
too, the Commons, at first, had no legislative duties,
strictly speaking, to perform. Its members were elected
by the boroughs or shires, as their representatives or
agents, merely to grant their own money to the crown.
Their vocation was simple and extremely limited. They
determined the amount to be supplied, and the mode of
raising it by a tax upon themselves; agreeably to the




286    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
immemorial and time-honoured usage or fundamental
principle of the unwritten British constitution: namely,
That taxation and representation go together — that
money cannot be taken from the subject without his
own consent. Of course, young men, duly instructed
quoad hoc, were competent to this special service. They
had only to express the will of their constituents —to
vote the sum required or agreed on-and to return to
their homes.  In process of time, the Commons also
assumed the higher and more distinctive faculties of
national legislation.  Still, the two Houses continued
to be organized agreeably to ancient custom; although
their character had undergone a radical change. Together, they had insensibly become the fountain and
source of the entire statutory code of the empire. Young
men, by birth and title, might enter the first: and young
men were eligible to the latter.  Both however held
office so long-the one for life, and the other for seven
years, with a moral certainty of repeated re-election —
that they could, if they pleased, learn, as in a school, the
science and mystery of legislation. At any rate, among
such a host of grave and "reverend seniors," little inconvenience was likely to result from youthful indiscretion,
zeal or ignorance.
Between them and us there is, in this respect, a wide
difference, and but small analogy. We have no permanent or hereditary senators-none of sufficiently long
continuance to constitute a school for the instruction of
their juniors. We elect for one or two years: and we
are perpetually changing our representatives. A young




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    287
man of twenty-one or twenty-five, cannot learn much in
a year or two. Nor can he, at that age, be presumed to
be qualified to make, or to aid in making, good laws.
Thus, one set of youngsters after another, in rapid succession, may, by the constitution, be intrusted with the
entire machinery of our government. How far in practice we may have guarded against this constitutional
defect, I shall not inquire. That our legislative assemblies are always the most venerable, peaceful, judicious,
enlightened, courteous and exemplary-I think, even uwe,
chivalrous, modest, immaculate Tennesseeans, will not
affirm!
In order to meet the case and to prevent future abuse,
I would respectfully suggest a twofold amendment to all
our constitutions, both State and Federal.
First. Let no man be eligible to a seat in any legislative body in our country under the age of fifty. He
will have established a character for wisdom or folly by
that time. And you may know him thoroughly. He
will have passed the usual period of intriguing, corrupt,
time-serving, place-seeking, "log-rolling," inordinate,
grasping ambition-as well as of bullying, swaggering,
fighting and "renowning," in committees of the whole,
after dinner, or at the "races" on a holiday-taken without leave. Nor will he be likely to indulge in any of
those glorifications, "sprees," winings, brawls and "jollifications" which keep in a state of feverish excitement,
alarm and terror, all quiet citizens during their interminable and most expensive sessions.  He will have no
occasion to address an empty house by the day or the




288    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
week, merely to eke out an electioneering speech for
"Buncombe."  Sundry other advantages might be mentioned-but I leave you to guess them. At present, they
are capital debating clubs,-for timid college graduates
to acquire confidence and improve their logic by daily
practice, and to learn with how little wisdom the world
is governed.
Second. Members of our legislatures ought to receive
no per diem pay or wages.  Then there would be no
temptation for drivelling avarice or dwarfish gentility
to covet the honour. I would allow them good fare at
the public expense, upon the Washingtonian teetotal abstinence plan-and nothing more. Give them comfortable quarters and plenty of cold water.-Let them do
their proper work soberly; behave with decency; amend
or repeal all bad laws; and enact as few new ones as
possible. And the sooner they are off, the better. Or
if some pay they must have, let it be a fixed annuityso much by the year, while in office. Thus a salary of
two or three hundred dollars to members of a state legislature, and of one thousand or fifteen hundred to members of Congress, would insure both economy and profit
to all parties.
Adopt and enforce these two very simple and obvious
regulations; and you will have made a grand movement
towards the amelioration of your condition in all respects.
The legislature is omnipotent for weal or wo. It meddles with every interest and employment. It appoints
to numerous offices, and fixes the salaries of all incumbents. It levies taxes, and appropriates the revenue, at




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    289
pleasure. In a word, like the British Parliament, it can
do anything, except "make a man a woman, or a woman
a man."
It is a curious anomaly in the American system, that
every legislature possesses the sovereign, independent,
unrestricted power of paying its own members, and also
of paying all public servants of whatever name or degree. To themselves, they vote as much as they dare,
-with the fear of the people before their eyes, and in
prudent deference to the coming polls and the irrevocable decree of the mysterious ballot-box. The daily pay,
in the several States, ranges from one dollar and fifty
cents to six dollars.*  Where the pay reaches to two or
three dollars or more, members contrive, by appropri.
ating certain extra perquisites, under the general head
of incidental or contingent expenses, to do a pretty good
business. That is, by adding to their regular legal allowance of dollars the aforesaid "stealings," they may, by
prolonging a session to. six or eight months, make a very
snug job "in hard times" out of the people,-and the
people be none the wiser all the time. While they thus
betray a reasonable regard to their own interests, they
make a grand parade of economy and self-denial, of their
vigilant and jealous care of the dear people's little purses,
and of their extreme abhorrence of all big salaries and
other wasteful aristocratic extravagance. So that they
will spend time, worth ten thousand dollars to the people,
in debating about an addition of fifty or a hundred dol* The lowest sum obtains in Vermont-the highest, in Louisiana.
The per diem is four dollars in Tennessee.
VOL. -II.-19




290    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
lars to the salary of the most laborious and faithful public officer in the State: —or about voting a trifle to any
object of manifest and permanent utility to the whole
population.
The case of our worthy judges may serve as one example of the class referred to. How inadequately are
they remunerated, in nearly all the States, for the most
important services!  And yet how incessant are the
efforts and speeches, made at almost every legislative
meeting, to reduce their salaries!  Who can estimate
the cost of these efforts and speeches?-Does it not frequently exceed in amount the whole annual charges of
the judicial department of the State?
A word here of a plan for a good and independent
judiciary. Appoint well educated young men of superior talents and great promise, first, to the Bench of an
inferior court. Thence raise them to a higher; and so
on, to the highest; according to seniority and merit —
with a suitable increase of salary at each advance in
rank. Let the judges of the supreme and other courts
of the Union be selected from the ablest and most deserving of the State judges.  Thus the service will
become, as it ought to be, a regular profession, like
that of the officers in the army and navy. A fair
prospect of honourable promotion ever in view, will act
as a stimulus to exertion and good conduct through life.
Or, if elected without any such prospect or expectation
and only for a limited period, then select the most accomplishecd lawyers; pay them liberally; and restrict
them to a single term, that they may not be tempted




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   291
to prepare an electioneering train in advance, in order
to secure a reappointment. I suppose it need hardly be
insisted, that no man should be elevated to the Bench
and decorated with the ermine, merely in reward for
political party services and mercenary compliances. So
gross an outrage upon every principle of decency and
justice, could never find an apologist, except among the
basest and most flagitious of depraved demagogues or
tyrants. England has had her Scroggs and Jeffreys:
and America-would do well to profit by the example!
Since our country is a democracy-at least, so the
people rejoice to style it —I purpose to advocate democratic doctrines and institutions to the uttermost verge
and meaning of the text. Let us then have democracy
-thorough-going, out-and-out, fair-spoken, open-handed,
consistent, universal democracy.  A  democracy that
secures to every man his own, and concedes to every
man his due. A democracy that insures the greatest
freedom, peace and happiness to each individual, and
to all the people. A democracy that deceives nobody,
that vexes nobody, that wrongs nobody, that abuses nobody, that oppresses nobody:-That protects the weak,
the helpless, the ignorant and the friendless; and that
is uniformly just and generous to everybody. A democracy that yields gracefully to the will of the majority,
and that never invades the rights or wounds the feelings
of any minority. I go for the democracy of numbers.
Give the people fair play; ample scope and a clear field;
and let them steer the ship of state after their own
fashion-right or wrong. Either this largest liberty



292    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
this uncontrolled popular discretion, on the one hand;
or the all-grasping, omnipotent "one-man power" on the
other.  There is no alternative, no middle ground, no
half-way house. The danger imminent, is-that, under
a masked battery, while certain honest men seem to contend for the people's sway, they are in fact rushing headlong together into the dictator's arms.
The people are changeable.  True,-and let them
change both men and measures as oft as they please.
Allow them the opportunity, by frequent elections, to
express their mind fully, frankly-and without bias
from any "caucus," clique or wire-puller from behind
the throne.  Popular elections become less exciting,
turbulent and mischievous, just in proportion to their
frequency. Were governors and legislators chosen annually for instance, there would be felt much less interest in the issue, because there would be less at stake,
than when they are chosen for a longer period. The
disappointment of a defeated party would be no great
matter, because they could try again in a year. Nor
would it be worth while for candidates to waste their
ammunition upon such meager game. They would stay
at home, and leave the people to their own "sober second
thoughts." In those States where elections are annual,
and where the governors possess no peculiar power or
patronage out of which to make "political capital" for
their future advancement-and where especially, they
cannot encroach upon the legislative department or nullify its action by the arbitrary interposition of the royal
negative or veto-there the elections are usually very




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    293
quiet, decent affairs, compared with those of other States
where a different usage obtains. Witness New Jersey,
for example; contrasted with New York and Pennsylvania on either side.
Here I should have named Rhode Island, along with
New Jersey, as the very Eden of democracy and contentment, but for recent occurrences. Sad proof, by-theway, that all human sagacity may be at fault! That
my own sage speculations may turn out moonshine!
And that nothing will go right, until the world shall
be thoroughly "Tammanized;" or "Gerrymandered" into
"Chaos or Chimeras dire!"
Poor Rhode Island! Why, she was accounted and
actually called "a democracy" more than a hundred
years (1641) before the revolutionary ball was set in
motion.* So pure and radical was her democracy, that
no mortal dreamt of a possible change for the better.
Her charter, dated July 8, 1663, though granted and
signed by a monarch, [Charles II.,] was carefully prepared by John Clarke, the agent of the colony in England-with the assistance and advice, no doubt, of Roger
Williams at home, the venerated fathers of the colony
and of religious liberty. Under it, she has flourished
and prospered, some two centures, without having witnessed or tolerated a single act of tyranny or injustice.
She took up arms at the Revolution to preserve, not to
destroy her charter-and so did all her sister colonies.
* See Elton's Early History of Rhode Island, p. 213. R. Williams
founded Providence in 1636. See Burke's Works, vol. ix. p. 411.
See also Goddard's Address, p. 54.




294      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
If, when the war of independence was happily terminated, she found less to alter in the form of her govern.
ment than did her neighbours, it was because there was
less need of it. None of them adopted a more perfectly
republican or democratic system than she had been accustomed to from the beginning. Connecticut also adhered
to her charter, rnutatis rnutandis, until 1818: when she
formed a constitution in compliance with the clamours
of a pseudo democracy —less democratic however than
was her time-honoured regal charter. New Jersey completed her task of constitution making two days before
the formal Declaration of national Independence by Congress, [July 2, 1776.] It is the shortest and the best in
the whole category.
In general, the excellence of our constitutions is according to the inverse ratio of their length.  Should you
be curious to calculate the absolute or relative value of
a constitution: count the pages in any printed Book of
the Constitutions; and by the rule just stated you may
ascertain it to a mathematical certainty.  Thus, when I
find a constitution- as is the fact in most cases-ten
times longer than that of New Jersey, I pronounce it
but one-tenth as good, or tenfold worse.* These instruments are growing so rapidly in size among us, that
* Thrice happy and fortunate, dear good old New Jersey! In joyous tranquillity has she reposed ever since July 2, 1776. And should
she continue to maintain unaltered, at least unenlarged, her precious
little handbill of a constitution, for a hundred years to come, she will
cause her Broad Seal to be respected by all true-hearted democratsif not by a democratic House of Congress —and by her own dutiful
sons the wide world over.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    295
many of them have already become a species of codification; a kind of ill-digested, verbose compendium or
abstract of jurisprudence; or substitute for the whole
body of existing common and statute law. By thus attempting to define and regulate everything, they greatly
embarrass honest men, and afford boundless scope to
rogues, who always construe the text to suit their own
purposes. All written constitutions are an evil at the
best: and very long ones are worse than none, because
they will inevitably be perverted to mischievous uses,
and made the potent engines of legalized oppression and
iniquity.
But I have not done with Rhode Island.
Had the task been assigned me, five years ago, to
point out the most democratic commonwealth in the
Union or in the world, I should have named Rhode
Island first and at the head of the list. Her governor
is powerless to do harm. He has no imperial veto prerogative.  He is chosen annually. His salary is $400.
That of the Lieutenant-Governor is $200. The Chief
Justice is paid $650, and each of the Associate Justices
$550. No people on earth govern themselves, or manage their public affairs at so cheap a rate. The members of both houses of the legislature are elected twice
a year. They hold office only six months. Tennessee,
by the latter test, is but one-fourth as democratic as
Rhode Island: by the governor's official term, one half;
and by his salary, only one-fifth as democratic. I give
these as fair specimens of the logic usually employed in
arguments and comparisons of this sort.




296     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
We have, here in Tennessee, made two constitutions
within less than forty years-the first a pretty good, the
last a very bad one. I am not going just now to specify
its objectionable features or provisions.*  I select one
item [found in-both] only, and that because it is analogous to the evils complained of in the royal charter of
Rhode Island. We disfranchise clergymen; and declare
them ineligible to a seat in the legislature. Now I defy
the wit of man to designate a more flagrant violation of
democratic principle and the equal rights of man, than
is involved in this simple case.  No ingenuity can conjure out of the Rhode Island charter, as interpreted by
long usage, a totality of objections comparable to this
one broad, naked, undisguised declaration of the Tennessee constitution: that ministers of the gospel are not
to be trusted: that they shall not live among us as the
peers of swineherds and "squatters" and wolf-hunters. I
do not speak of the injustice inflicted upon the clergy
per se.  They may be a tricky, subtle, slippery, dangerous set of smooth-tongued hypocrites, and may richly
deserve the mark thus set upon them.  Grant them to
be as bad as you please to represent them-as bad as
the very elite of your honourable selvest-and lower, we
cannot get, if we would-allow them, I say, to be as bad
as the reputed Hero of Milton's Epic, that arch deceiver,
who has been enacting the angel, the priest, the prophet,
* The worst article in the new constitution is that relative to taxation: the ad valorem principle; tax on land; taxing privileges, etc.
Liable to great abuse.
t The members of the Legislature, namely, who were present.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   297
the politician and the democrat, as well as the "roaring
lion," ever since he despoiled our beauteous mother and
her glorious lord of their celestial inheritance: It matters
not: The reason or the excuse avails nothing. I speak
of the principle-a deep, radical principle-which, if carried out in practice, might sweep away all your boasted
franchises. For by the same rule, any other class, craft
or profession might have been, or may yet be, proscribed
or put under the ban of the commonwealth. The principle virtually assumed was, that a majority of the people
were competent to proclaim and decree the utter disfranchisement of any portion or the whole of the minority.
Thus the farmers, acting ill concert, might have excluded
the lawyers, doctors, merchants and mechanics —upon
the very plausible and benevolent plea, that all these
good folks had enough to do to mind their own business,
and attend to the wants of their clients, patients and customers. I advise the farmers to go ahead-upon this hint.
Now I do not wish to get up a Dorr-ic war in behalf
of the down-trodden parsons, nor to propagate democracy
at the cannon's mouth, nor to establish their claims to
equality of privilege by demolishing the government.
Had the charter of Rhode Island ordained that no shoemaker or barber should be eligible to office, there might
have been ground for complaint, and remonstrance and
reform; but not for revolution and bloodshed. Though
even this would have been a trifle compared with the
Tennessee enormity; because the clergy among us are a
vastly more numerous body than either the shoemakers
or barbers.




298    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
The Rhode Island troubles were created solely by
agitators sent thither from abroad on purpose to sow
the seeds of discontent-to foment discord, anarchy and
rebellion. Left to themselves, the people were perfectly
satisfied with their political condition. Or if not, they
always had a remedy within reach —a lawful mode of
redressing grievances, and of remodeling their constitution to suit their own views, was ever at command.
There existed not a shadow of reason for tumultuary
violence; nor for the sympathizing countenance and
support of foreign revolutionists. Nor would they hatve
ever perpetrated those insane fooleries, which have given
notoriety and quasi renown to a second soi-disant "Mr.
Equality," who hoped to mount the throne by mob terrors and hireling cut-throats; had they not been instigated and maddened by the wicked spirit of a certain
well known junta of atheistical conspirators against all
government-human and divine. New York city was
their head-quarters; with an efficient corps on duty at
Boston. Genuine democracy had no agency in the matter. Nor is their commander-in-chief a whit more of a
democrat than was his illustrious model, the duke of
Orleans; —whose bitter experience of the tender mercies
of an armed, drunken, infuriated populace, might serve
as a warning to all like-minded adventurers, to run away
in good season, and in "double quick time."  The name,
the watchword, democracy, was used and abused, just as
liberty, religion, reason, are currently used and abused,
to serve as a cloak, a pretext, a blind, to mislead, entrap
and betray the weak and unsuspecting.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    299
No popular revolution, according to Lord Bacon, and
to universal experience, was ever successful unless headed
by the aristocracy: who, also, are usually the first to perish from its violence. "The victims lead the procession
that conducts them to the knife." "There is but one
step," roared Mirabeau from his stormy tribune, "from
the Capitol to the Tarpeian rock."
The elemental principle of democracy is, that the will
of the majority, freely ascertained and legitimately declared, is paramount and must prevail. Every project
to undermine, counteract, pervert, destroy or paralyze
this principle, is direct hostility and treason against
democracy. Have not the people of Rhode Island an
indefeasible right to choose their own form of republican government, without let or hindrance, counsel or
menace, from abroad? Would we, of Tennessee, permit
Virginia or Mississippi to instruct us, or to force improvement down our throats, as the British dose the Chinese
with opium, by means of powder and lead, bayonets and
Paixhan guns?
This most ridiculous Rhode Island farce, which had
well-nigh proved a tragedy, was brought about exactly
after the manner in which false democratic Catilines
always play their cards.  Their sole object is selfaggrandizement-office, power, money.  This is the
secret dominant motive with them. The pretext put
forth to operate on others is, that the people are poor,
miserable, oppressed-and ought to be relieved. They
say to the dear suffering people: follow us; we are your
friends; we will rid you of tyranny, hang your lordly




300      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
masters, and give you the spoils of victory.  Whereas,
if these same whining, patriotic, disinterested Catilines
do succeed, they incontinently seize upon the sceptre,
the sword, the purse, the law, the State; and forthwith
enslave and crush the whole mass, rich and poor, high
and low, together. Two words, namely, "Royal Charter,"
constituted the entire staple of the argument wielded by
the "new lights" in the present case. Not a few honest
souls-old women and young women —were sadly frightened, and made to believe that Rhode Island and Providence Plantations were still governed by Charles II. and
a Tory Parliament! And many of our newspaper editors
seem to have been no wiser.*
To prevent even the appearance of inconsistency in
these remarks, I submit a word explanatory. Democracy then does not proffer everything to everybody;
nor promise to gratify everybody's wishes, schemes, or
caprices. It may deny, reject, withhold, refuse-when
proper.  It may  restrain, imprison, punish  in  many
ways-when necessary.  The people may ordain, that
no man under fifty years of age shall make laws for
* All demagogues profess to be democrats. They act, throughout,
as did the first grand counterfeit democratic demagogue, who gently
approached the ear of mother Eve with words of music and flattery
and promise and sympathy. "Your condition is not quite so good as
it might be, as it ought to be, as it easily can be: nay, it is positively
a bad one. Listen to me, and it shall be improved. I will make you
wiser, richer, happier, better. Eat this delicious fruit; and'your eyes
shall be opened: and ye shall be as gods.''Ye shall not surely die."'
She listened: and the villanous, lying, old serpent of a make-believe
democrat robbed her of everything. Why, he didn't leave her a picayune to buy an apron with I




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    301
them.-That no man who cannot read and write, or
who is a drunkard, or swindler, or thief, or robber, or
duellist, or gambler, or assassin, shall be eligible to office.
But if they were to ordain, that no broker or barber, no
Catholic or Quaker, should be eligible to office: all the
democratic world would cry out, shame, injustice, oppression!  With good reason too. In the first case, individuals only are affected, and for the want of personal qualities which they might have possessed or may yet acquire;
or for personal obliquities which they might have avoided.
In the latter case, entire classes and sects are wronged
without regard to personal merit or demerit. So that
the highest order of intellectual and moral worth would
be of no avail to them or to the public service. Let this
broad distinction be kept in view.
Democracy seeks the greatest happiness of the greatest number. But in such a way, I repeat, as will do no
injustice or unkindness to a single human being.
Here I may as well enunciate another aphoristical
truism, or recondite paradox, as my hearers shall choose
to accept it. All ungodly priests wish to be popes: each
is in fact a little pope at heart: but when they find it
impossible to become big popes in severalty, they change
their tactics, denounce the popedom, preach up ecclesiastical parity, and confer on a multitudinous unity,
namely, upon their own entire reverend fraternity, all
the attributes of an infallible supremacy. So it is with
selfish politicians. All aim at and covet the royal diadem. But when the many cannot secure it, each for
himself, they unite in declaiming against all sorts of




302    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
monarchy; and then assume in partnership and for the
sole behoof of the firm, absolute dictatorial powers. Thus
reigns king Party, king Whiggery, king Democracy, king
Lynch, king Mob, king Caucus and king Sans Culottes.
Thus reigns pope Presbytery, pope Independency, pope
All Creed, pope No Creed, pope Surplice and pope Broad
Brim. Right sturdy kings and popes-all of them!
How our honoured sires regarded all these matters, I
stop not to inquire. It is certain that, in framing the
great national constitution, they. did not foresee and provide for many contingencies which have since arisen to
perplex and harass the general mind. Experience has
exhibited some defects, and it suggests a few amendments. That such would be the result of experience,
they fully anticipated: and therefore wisely prescribed
the mode by which additions and alterations might be
effected. All angry disputes and controversies about the
meaning of any article, or about the powers conferred
by it upon the Federal Government, might be avoided or
amicably adjusted, by a simple appeal to the people for
a renewed expression of their will in the premises. The
initiatory measures for such reference, with a view to any
contemplated amendment or modification, may be taken
by Congress or by the State Legislatures.  To such a
course, consistent democracy could never object.
I shall advert to the legitimate modes of interpreting
the constitution presently: and also to some amendments
which the exigency of the times loudly demands.
I must however be permitted first to glance at a few
other miscellaneous topics, which properly belong to the




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    303
main subject of this discourse, though they do not readily
fall into any precise form of logical arrangement.
1. "The majority govern." True: But only by electing to office proper men. Not by governing them or
dictating to them when so elected.  They are then to
act freely; upon their own responsibility; according to
established usage and principles; in the honest exercise
of their judgment, intelligence and wisdom: without fear,
favour or affection. They are amenable only to the laws,
to the judicial tribunals, and to public opinion. If the
people do not like them, they will not vote for them
again. Nor can public men, that is, the people's servants, justly complain when they are turned out, or rather
left out of office, by a fair legitimate expression of the
sovereign will. It is thus that the majority govern, or
ought to govern.
Men in office-presidents, governors, judges, legislators-are the officers, magistrates or servants of the
whole body of the people-of opponents as well as partisans, of whigs and democrats.  All are obligated to
obey and to respect them, in their appropriate official
capacity. They ought then to be above party influences,
prejudices, passions and interests.
When the Constitution of the United States was finally
adopted by a majority of the people of each State, it became of course the constitution of the whole republic.
Its adversaries, even those who had been most fiercely
hostile to it, were immediately as much bound by its
authority as were its authors and advocates.  Thus it
is with any law duly enacted: all must submit to it,




304    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
whether they approve it or not.  Every open or debatable question of this sort is determined by the adoption of a constitution, by the passage of a law, by the
ratification of a treaty, or by the election of a candidate.
We select men to make and to administer the laws in
our stead and behalf, upon the presumption at least, that
they are wiser and better qualified than ourselves for the
work:-just as we choose our tailor and doctor. Any
attempt to teach either would be absurd.
2. Hence the doctrine of "Popular Instruction," as
commonly understood and practised, is unreasonable,
contrary to the genius of democracy, and a direct infraction of individual rights and personal freedom. When
this species of instruction amounts to a command, it is
unconstitutional, and ought to be disregarded. Otherwise, the constitution itself becomes a mere nose of wax,
in the hands of the wily demagogue: who is often able
to flatter and wheedle the multitude into a violation of
both its letter and spirit, in order to promote his own
schemes!of self-advancement.  There is something extremely, preposterous, if not ludicrous, in the very idea
of a county or district assemblage of the people, hurrying
through the approval of a-set of resolutions, got up by
some cunning scoundrel, to be forthwith despatched to
the metropolis, as the solemn, elaborate and well-considered expression of all the wisdom among them!
3. Nor is the allied doctrine of "Legislative instruction to United States Senators"-requiring them to obey
or to resign-a whit more democratic, justifiable, expedient, wise or constitutional.  It is directly subversive




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            305
of the basis or principle upon which that body was organized. The Senate might thus be converted into a mere
pliant tool of the Executive or of any prevailing faction.*
A senator is not merely the representative of his own
legislature or of his own State.  He is bound to look after
and to promote the interests of all the States. He is a
national legislator or statesman-appointed to make laws
for the whole Union.   The constitution evidently designed that the Senate should be equally independent of
executive influence and control on the one hand, and of
popular caprice, passion, prejudice, on the other. The
legislature, as individuals, simply choose the senators;
or are the qualified electors of senators; and afterwards
have nothing more to do with them.
The final draft of the constitution,t as reported to the
convention, near the close of its sessions, by the committee of five, contained a section providing that the senators and representatives should be paid by their respective
States. This section was altered, because, as it was ably
* "The small number, and long duration of the Senate, were intended to render them a safeguard against the influence of those
paroxysms of heat and passion, which prevail occasionally in the most
enlightened communities, and enter into the deliberation of popular
assemblies. In this point of view, a firm and independent Senate is
justly regarded as an anchor of safety amidst the storms of political
faction...... The characteristical qualities of the Senate, in the intendment of the constitution, are wisdom and stability." (Kent's Comrn.,
vol. i. p. 226,)
t This draft was reported August 6, 1787. Article 6, section 10,
was as follows: "The members of each House shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained and paid by the State in
which they shall be chosen." (Yates, p. 259. "Secret Debates.")
VOL. III.-20




306     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
argued by Mr. Carroll: "The Senate was to represent
and manage the affairs of the whole [Union,] and not to
be the advocates of State interests. They ought then not
to be dependent on, nor paid by the States."* This is
decisive as to the mind of the venerable patriots who
formed the constitution.
The welfare of Maine ought to be just as safe in the
hands of a senator from Tennessee, as in those of her
own members. A senator is the agent or minister of
his own State, only in reference to purely local interests.
About these local interests, he will procure all needed
informnation from the proper sources; and then act freely,
according to his best judgment, without any undue complacency towards his constituents, and for the manifest
good of the entire confederacy.
The instructions or commands of a hundred men, composing a State legislature, are neither more valuable nor
more authoritative, than similar instructions proceeding
from any other hundred equally intelligent citizens. The
members of a State legislature were not chosen by the
people to serve as the prompters, guides or masters of
the United States senators. Under the federal constitution, they perform a single function, of the same kind
and in similar form, as do the electors of President and
Vice-President. The senators, thenceforward, are, to all
intents and purposes, just as independent of their control
and supervision, as is the Executive independent of the
electoral colleges. The senators, indeed, have as much
right and as good reason to instruct State legislators, as
* Madison Papers, vol. iii. p. 1329.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    307
have the latter to instruct them.  They are no mnore
responsible to a State legislature than to the emperor
of China.
For treason, for official misdemeanors or malversation,
for any criminal offence, a senator may be expelled, impeached or prosecuted and tried, as the law directs.
Agreeably to a prevalent delusion, or perversion of constitutional principle, he is the mere creature of each
successive popular State election; and may be ousted
every year, or at every meeting of the legislature. Thus
the Senate is rendered a less stable, a more changeable,
dependent, and far less trustworthy body, than the lower
house of Congress. This heresy, under the plea or pretext of the "largest democracy rule," is sapping the very
foundations of the government, and preparing the way for
the one man usurper of all power. The whole affair, after
all, is, under another aspect, a most egregious humbug.
While the people seem to direct, instruct and command
their so-called servants in high places, they or the legislature are used as the mere instrument of whipping into
the traces such of them as are of doubtful faith: and
under a show of instruction, they present a naked test
of their loyalty to king Party. The instruction of senators is all a farce. Concerning a thousand matters of
greatest magnitude, they never exercise a thought, nor
attempt interference. Their sole object is to secure absolute passive obedience to the dictation of the reigning
chief-be his policy or measures what they may. And
the whole lesson might always be conveyed in two words,
namely: "Obey orders."




308    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
When a candidate has promised, as a condition of accepting office, to obey or resign, he is of course bound
by his promise. He ought in good faith to redeem his
pledge. His error lay in making the promise.
4. "Freedom of opinion."  What is it?  How to be
exercised? Have I not a right to express my opinions
on all subjects? Yes: but not the right to infringe the
equal rights of other persons. I claim the right to think,
believe, speculate, speak, write, publish-as I please; so
that I do injury or injustice to none. I concede the
same right to others. I dictate to no man. I require
no one to obey my dictum. Let him examine and judge
for himself. Remember Charles V. and his watches. He
could never succeed in making any two go alike.
5. "State Rights." These are not antagonistical with
the rights of the General Government. Both governments are equally the creatures of the people. This is
evident from their origin, nature, province, duties, pre-.rogatives. Why this everlasting jealousy and hostility
between them?  There is no more reason why a State
legislature should meddle with Congress, than why the
latter should meddle with the former.  What would
Tennessee say, were Congress to send to her legislature
instructions, advice, directions or commands?
We have committed our national affairs to one class
of servants, and our State affairs to another.  They
were designed to move and act harmoniously in different spheres: and they need never jostle or disturb
one another.  Each Tennesseean is as much a citizen
of the United States as he is of Tennessee: and he ought




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    309
to feel as deep an interest in the former as in; the latter.
I have been a good while a tolerably calm "looker-on
here in Vienna;"* and I have noticed, among other
curious anomalies and inconsistencies, this in particular,
namely: That the very men who clamour most loudly
about State rights, are totally absorbed in national politics. They declaim, intrigue and labour only for national
offices in expectancy. Every state, county, city and town
election is made to turn upon national politics. They
cannot choose a governor, constable, clerk or alderman,
except upon the ground of national politics-nor bank
directors either. Every candidate, of every degree, must
publish his creed upon national, politics. The people are
taught to think of nothing else. The legislature, when
in session or when out, do little else than discuss national
politics. All our State legislatures are but so many drillshops for the manufacture of political capital for national
office-hunters. In fact, the entire machinery of every
State is but a part of the great national apparatus
turned, twisted and worked exclusively for the benefit
of your zealous States' rights men; who care not a fig for
the State; and whose sole ambition, after all their blustering parade, is to figure upon the national theatre and
to become national rulers.
Here is ample room for democratic and whig reformation. Let our farmers and mechanics put an end to this
foolery, by electing men to State offices who have, and
who shall be permitted to have, no ulterior aim —no eye
* "A looker-on here in Vienna." (Shakspeare's Measure for
Measure.




310     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
upon the empty national treasury vaults-no longing
after the national loaves and fishes-who will let national politics alone, and honestly devote themselves to
the proper affairs of their own State. If the people do
not approve the acts of the federal government, their
remedy is found at the polls; namely, in the election
of better men to compose the federal government. Or
if they deem a law-of Congress unconstitutional, let them
try conclusions before the legitimate tribunal provided
by the constitution. And, if not satisfied with the result, let them seek an amendment of the constitution;
and thus conform it to their wishes. This is all they
can do. And what more need they desire? The legislature cannot nullify a law of Congress nor repudiate its
authority. Nor can they resist; except in the way of
treason, rebellion or revolution.
It is abundantly humiliating to know that all our
troubles and conflicts on this score have arisen from
the subtle policy and daring misrepresentations of a few
most abandoned reprobate traitors to the cause of democracy, who have conspired to overturn the fair fabric of
constitutional government altogether, rather than fail to
become its imperial masters. But for these restless wicked
spirits, the people would never have exhibited a symptom of discontent upon this one point at least. For,
among all the evils of a vicious government, this particular form of it has been happily escaped. Always
excepting the Broad Seal affair of New Jersey.
6. "Political Test." "No religious test shall ever be
required as a qualification to any office or public trust




MlSCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   311
under the United States." Thus reads the last clause
of article 6 [section 3] of the constitution.  By what
authority do we prescribe a political test for the same
offices? What would you say, were one of the States to
ordain by its constitution or by statute, that office-holders
should swear or subscribe to a religious formula, declaring man to be a mere machine-destitute of free-will or
the power of voluntary action? Now you virtually, nay
in terms, prescribe this very condition to your political
candidates, without law and in spite of the constitution.
You command them in all things to speak and act as the
veriest machines imaginable. They are but as clay in
the hands of the potter —to be moulded into any form,
and to be used for any purpose.
7. "Independence. Liberty."  These terms, of widely
different import, are often confounded, or regarded as
synonymous by Americans. It should never be forgotten that the revolutionary struggle was commenced simply to repel aggression, and to assert our constitutional
rights as Englishmen. Our complete national independence was soon afterwards declared and eventually established. And thus resulted a very important change both
of the name and form of our government. As we had
never been slaves in any sense; and as, on the whole,
we appear to have been tolerably loyal and contented
subjects of his Britannic majesty, down to the passage
by Parliament of the famous Stamp Act; experience
must decide how much additional freedom has been
gained by the change. National independence and civil
liberty are totally different things.  Russia, Austria,




312    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
France, Spain —are as independent as the United States.
Mexico and South America have recently become inde.
pendent also-and so has Belgium. Whether, in any of
the latter, the people have acquired more:personal or
political liberty than they possessed before, is at least
questionable. The worst species of iniquitous tyranny
may be inflicted by a republican or democratic government. And a large measure of individual liberty may
be enjoyed under a monarchy, and even under the most
absolute despotism. Our Fourth of July and stump orators would do well to keep this distinction in view. They
do injustice to our free-born ancestors by representing
them as slaves: and their indiscriminate laudation of
everything American is calculated to mislead and to
inflate the present generation. That we are the freest,
happiest, most enlightened and virtuous people on earth,
may be true. Our pertinacious and everlasting reiteration of the fact, however, will not render it the more
credible or the more attractive in the estimation of
others.  If foreigners were to judge from our newspapers, and from speeches in Congress and in the State
legislatures, they would probably infer that we are about
the worst governed people in the world. And assuredly,
if one half of the miseries complained of, really exist, we
might with good reason envy the happy lot of the Turk
and the Russian.
Again: National independence does not imply or insure personal independence. It has been often remarked
that Americans have less manly independence of character than is observable in some European countries. That,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    313
though nominally and legally free, yet that public opinion is omnipotent over the land.; that none dare oppose
it, or can successfully resist it. Everybody is governed
by party or sect. Hence, no man will be sustained or
countenanced by numbers, who does not surrender his
own mind to their control. Hence the paucity of original thinkers among us. Hence the universality of party
or sectarian tyranny.  Hence the general absence of
moral courage. Hence the mortifying fact, that while
we have innumerable talented busy politicians, we have
no thorough-bred, honest, uncompromising, heroic statesmen. The latter have no field, no scope, no opportunity
to exhibit or exert their faculties. There is no market
-no demand for them. They are not tolerated among
us. Let any high-minded patriot, with the integrity of
Moses and Aristides, combined with the wisdom of a
Solomon and a Franklin, attempt to pursue a straightfiorward course for the sole benefit of the whole republic; and he will soon find himself checked, embarrassed,
silenced, by the tortuous and blighting policy of a dolineering party spirit, on either hand.  He can find no
independent foothold-no single resting-place upon which
to,,plant his mighty lever. He must either retire from
the service altogether, or enlist as a partisan against his
better judgment; and thus be compelled to give to party
what was meant for mankind.
8. "The States not severally independent."  "The
States never possessed the essential rights of sovereignty. These were always vested in Congress."..
"The States ought to be placed under the control of




314.    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the General Government; at least as much so as they
formerly were under the King and British Parliament."*
The States, at this moment, possess not a single attribute of sovereignty. They cannot declare war or make
peace.  They cannot commission nor receive foreign
ambassadors; nor form treaties or alliances. They cannot coin money, nor emit bills of credit. They cannot
maintain armies or. navies. They cannot regulate their
own commerce, nor impose duties on goods imported or
exported.
9. "Conscience."  No public man ought ever to make
his own conscience the guide, standard or test of his
actions.  The constitution and law of the land are to
regulate his official conduct. The constitution and the
laws, namely, as understood and explained by the legitimate authorities and tribunals: —not as his own little,
all-sufficient, infallible, one-sided conscience may happen
to dictate. He should be conscientious, indeed, in going
by the established rule-not in creating the rule itself,
nor in modifying it to suit his conscience. One wrongheaded, conscientiously obstinate man may do more harm
in office, than a hundred rogues, who neither have, nor
pretend to have, any conscience at all. Beware of men
who boast of their conscience, or who plead conscience
on all occasions and for all their measures. They will
be very apt to enact the Judas or Arnold, the Dominic
or Robespierre, sooner or later.
* Madison's Speech before the Convention. See Yates' Notes, etc.
pp. 199, 200.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    315
10. "My own position defined." Here I add a remark
personal and apologetic.  I never, on any occasion, in
public or in private, abuse or denounce sects, parties,
classes, communities or professions, in the gross. I censure and condemn only the wicked, dishonest and hypocritical of all sects and parties. If any such choose to
apply my hard words to themselves or to others, it is
their own affair-not mine. With the persecuting, narrow, bigoted, intolerant, exclusive spirit of party and
sectarism, I make no terms.  For this evil spirit, I
cherish no sentiment of approval or respect. Towards
fair-dealing individuals of all parties and denominations,
I cheerfully extend the right-hand of fellowship and
good-will.
Nor do I claim to be exempt from, or above the reach
of, religious or political prejudice or preference. If I am
a democrat, I ought at least to be a good democratic
American: and if my neighbour whig is a good whig
American, why may we not live in peace and charity
as Americans? If I happen, by birth or education or
choice, to be a Presbyterian: need I therefore vex my
brother, because, for the same or better reasons, he is
a Methodist? If we are both honest Christians, why
should we quarrel about names or forms or metaphysics?
Again: Though I cannot say as some have done,'"I
never seek.and never refuse office;" I may truly say,
that I have never sought office, and that office has never
sought me. What I would say, were a right good lucrative or honourable public office fairly offered me, will be




316     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
better known when the critical emergency for so grievous
a trial shall occur.
Our farmers and mechanics are wise men: and "a
word to the wise" is "as a nail in a sure place." (Isa.
xxii. 23.)
In the mean time, that is, while the farmers and
mechanics are deliberating; I proceed, as heretofore, to
speak plainly of men and measures.




AMERICAN DEIMOCRACY.
PART SECOND.
THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. How to be interpreted.
The meaning of the. constitution is to be ascertained:
1. From the letter of the text and context. 2. From
the animus imnponentis-from the mind of the sages who
framed the instrument; and from contemporaneous expositions. 3. From the acts of Congress, which have
been acquiesced in by the people without question or
objection-i.e. long usage unopposed and undisputed.
4. From decisions of the Supreme Court of the United
States in doubtful and litigated cases. In these several
ways we arrive at the gradual development and certain
interpretation of this grand national charter of delegated
and therefore limited powers.
I may here add, that quite recently-within a few
years past-means have been furnished whereby we
may learn the intention of the original authors of the
constitution, to a much greater extent than formerly.
Since the publication of numerous recorded documents
by order of Congress-especially the Secret Journals or
Minutes of the Convention itself, and the Madisonian
Papers-.together with the "Secret Proceedings and Debates of the ConventiQn," from notes taken by the late
Robert Yates "of New York, who was a member of the
(317)




318    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Convention-we are enabled to enter pretty fully into
the entire train of thought and reasoning which led to
the final adoption of almost every article, section and
clause of the constitution.  These, in connexion with
the elaborate essays of Hamilton, Jay and Madison in
the "Federalist," afford a very lucid commentary, or useful guide'to the impartial student of constitutional law:
and he will seldom be left in the dark upon any title or
subject. Such an instrument cannot be construed without aids of this description.  We must be acquainted
with our previous history-with the old confederationwith the precise difficulties which led to the Convention
of 1787-with the various complex and conflicting interests to be therein adjusted-with the spirit of compromise and conciliation which was brought to bear upon
the work-with the diverse plans submitted by eminent
individuals —with the arguments urged _pro and conand lastly, with the motives and considerations which
ultimately prevailed in each particular case.
Whether our distinguished jurists and learned expositors of the constitution would have decided or written
otherwise than they have done, had the above-mentioned
documents been published a half century earlier-is not a
question for me to answer. Possibly, a different opinion,
in a few instances, would have been expressed. Thus,
Chancellor Kent might have varied his phraseology concerning the mode by which the constitution intended
that United States senators should be chosen by the
State legislatures, had he read the debates upon the subject as reported by Mr. Madison. From him it clearly




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    319
appears that the Convention had in mind nothing more
than to provide or agree upon a competent body or college of electors for this single purpose-namely, of choosing senators. And that, of course, the members were to
vote as individuals or per capita; and not that the election was to be a formal act of legislation in the technical
sense, like the passage of a law. As in the latter case,
one House would have a negative upon the other: and
the governor, in some States, might veto the act of both.
In either dilemma, it would be impossible to elect at all.
The Supreme C6urt of the Union, I have said, is the
only tribunal to decide finally and in the last resort, all
controversies arising under the constitution or about the
constitutionality of any law of Congress. I do not mean
however to intimate that every such decision must of
necessity be righteous, or the best possible. It is, nevertheless, law for the time being, and must be obeyed. If
we do not like it, we must so amend the constitution as
to prevent a recurrence of the evil in future. This is
a remedy or preventive always at the command of the
sovereign people. And they should never permit real
grievances to remain long unredressed.
The New Englanders did not approve the indefinite
or perpetual embargo act of Congress under Mr. Jefferson. They pronounced the law unconstitutional.-Appealed to the courts-lost their cause-and submitted
with what grace they might. Here the matter ended.
Had they proceeded further, their next legal step would
have been, to procure such an amendment of the constitution as should restrain Congress from laying embargoes




320     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
for more than thirty or sixty days at a time —or for some
other short definite period.
I proceed to specify a case or two wherein the actual
construction of the constitution has proved inequitable
or injurious, with a view to illustrate the kind of ameliorating process which must be resorted to in order to
avoid similar evils in future.
CASE 1ST. Preference of the United States over other creditors. "Congress have declared by law, that the United
States were entitled to priority of payment over private
creditors, in cases of insolvency, and' ill the distribution
of the estates of deceased debtors." (Kent.)  And the
courts have decreed accordingly.  The same preference
is claimed under the present Bankrupt Act;* and, no
doubt, the courts will sustain the law. Here, I think,
both the law  and the judicial decisions are unjustthough  not expressly prohibited  by the constitution.
In this instance, as in some others, we have followed
a bad precedent-as the modern feudal sovereigns of
Europe probably followed the usage of ancient Rome.t
In England, as on the continent, the king is or was the
sole fountain of law, honour, title and privilege. Debts
to. the government were debts to the king-were sued
* Passed in August, 1841; took effect February 2, 1842. Was
repealed during the session of Congress of 1842-3.
t "The government was a privileged creditor under the Roman
law, and entitled to priority in the payment of debts. The cessio
bonorum was made subject to this priority. This is generally the
case, in all modern bankrupt and insolvent laws. In England, the
king's claim is preferred to that of a subject, provided the king's
process was commenced before the subject had obtained judgment."
(Kent, vol. i. p. 247.)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    321
for in his name —and to him was accorded precedency
in this as in all other matters. But with us, the sovereign is the people. And why the people collectively,
as the government, should arrogate, or be allowed, preference to the widow and orphan in all cases or in any
case, is not quite apparent.
Should a rogue happen to enjoy the special confidence
of the government and be largely trusted-as in the case
of a collector of the customs, for example-he would,
from this very circumstance, be regarded by his neighbours and the public as a very safe, solvent, responsible
personage. They too would freely trust him. He fails.
His assets are seized by the government. And all other
creditors, however poor, weak, ignorant or helpless they
may be, are excluded from all hope or chance of ever
getting a dollar. Now since the courts have sustained
Congress in their royal mode of expounding the constitution-in this assumption of powers not expressly granted
— I would respectfully recommend to the proper authorities to set about the work of amending the constitution,
so as to put an end to the injustice and oppression. I
would give private creditors-certainly the poorest of
them —at least an equal or pro rata chance with the
government, if not a better. The government-that is,
fifteen millions of people —could lose a few thousand
dollars, with far less inconvenience or positive suffering,
than many a widow or labourer would be subjected to
by the loss of ten or five dollars.
CASE 2D. The nomination and appointment of public
officers by the President. "And he [the President] shall
VOL. III.-21




322    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all
other officers of the United States, whose appointments
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall
be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest
the appointment of such inferior officers as they think
proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or
in the heads of departments." (Constitution, Article II.,
Sec. 2, 2.)
"The President, Vice-President and all civil officers
of the United States shall be removed from office on
impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or
other high crimes and misdemeanors." (Ibid., Sec. 4, 1.)
"The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts,
shall hold their offices during good behaviour." (Art. III.,
Sec. 1, 1.)
"The President shall be commander-in-chief of the
army and navy of the United States, and of the militia
of the several States, when called into the actual service
of the United States." (Art. II., Sec. 2, 1.)
Thus, by the constitution, the appointment of an immensely large number of public officers is vested in the
President,-"with the advice and consent of the Senate."
He nominates, but cannot absolutely or finally appoint,
except by a concurrence of the Senate. No period of
time or other condition for the tenure of office is specified in regard to any, except the judges, who hold during
good behaviour. Nor is any mode of dismissal or ejection from office prescribed, except by impeachment. The




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    323
language and tenor of the constitution would seem to
imply, that all officers appointed by or through the
agency of thie Senate, could be deprived of office only
by the same direct agency of the Senate. Such was the
exposition of the Federalist. (No. 77, by Hamilton.)
"In the act for establishing the treasury department,
[1789,] the Secretary was contemplated as being removable from office by the President. The words of the act
are,'that whenever the. Secretary shall be removed from
office by the President of the United States,' etc. This
amounted to a legislative construction of the constitution,
and it has ever since been acquiesced in and acted upon,
as of decisive authority in the case." (Kent, vol. i. p. 310.)
And, it may be added, in the case of all other officers.
The President therefore has been considered as invested
with plenary power to remove at pleasure: and he has
ever since exercised the power at his own discretionwithout reference to the Senate.
Now, whether this discretionary exercise of sovereign
power be strictly constitutional and legal or not, I shall
not pronounce.. But that it is radically anti-democratic,
inexpedient and dangerous, I do not hesitate to affirm.
It is a power, for good or evil, with which no man in a
republic ought to be invested. As the usage now is,
the President may virtually appoint, and without cause
assigned, may summarily dismiss, all foreign ministers
and consuls; all heads of departments, with their subordinates of every degree; all postmasters and their assistants; all collectors of ports and custom-house officials;
all United States marshals and attorneys; all governors




324    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and other officers of territories; all agents, of whatever
name, employed among the Indians, or about the public
lands, arsenals, armories, light-houses, ship-yards, and
other national establishments; all military and naval
officers; and a host of others, "too tedious to mention."
He also appoints all the United States judges: and he
may convert even these high and holy offices into premiums for base party or personal devotion. True, he
cannot turn them out. And there is always hope that
a once obsequious Attorney-General or dashing Secretary
of the Treasury may, when raised to the Bench, prove a
second Hale or Mansfield. Or that "an honest sinner
may become an honest saint."
In time of peace even, the President maintains, in
absolute dependence on his will, a vast array of regular forces, occupying the most prominent positions and
strongholds in every part of the nation, ready to do his
bidding, and to labour for his re-election or for the advancement of his designated successor. He is also commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United
States, and of the militia of the several States, when
actually called [by himself] into the service of the
Union. With such unlimited, irresponsible, regal prerogatives and powers: what security can we have for
our liberties? How long may we rely on the integrity,
wisdom and patriotism of the President? —with such
potent engines at command, and with such dazzling
temptations to their abuse ever before his eyes? Can
we presume -that every President will prove a Washington? Let history instruct us.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   325
The true theory is, to deal with honest men as if they
were, or might be, rogues.-To intrust no public officer
with the means of doing harm, beyond the bare necessities
of the public service. I doubt whether the general welfare
of the republic requires. that the President should appoint
to any offices whatever, except pro ten7pore-certainly to
very few at the utmost. While he ought to be disabled
from removing them altogether-except again pro temrnpore; or until the next meeting of the Senate. Why
not give to the Senate the power of both appointing to,
and displacing from, office? But why grant. even to the
Senate the power of appointing so great a multitude of
officers? Some of them-such as district judges, attorneys, marshals, postmasters-might be appointed by the
legislatures of the several States in which they reside;
and some again directly by the people. Why not? Can
the President, or any functionary at Washington, be
more competent to choose such officers for Tennessee,
than the legislature or people of Tennessee?  Could we
not choose a United States marshal or postmaster as
well as a county clerk or governor? All such officers,
however chosen, would be amenable to the same laws,
and subject to the same penalties for negligence or crime
as at present. They would then feel that they were
freemen, and might act with the independence of freemen-without dread of executive frowns and terrors.
I have long marvelled at the blindness and inconsistency of our jealous and ultra democracy, who sturdily
contend for "the largest liberty" principle, and yet wink
at this monstrous monopoly by an individual, of nearly




326    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
all the elective franchises of the nation.  The people
elect the members of one house of Congress directly:
they elect the President, Vice-President and Senate indirectly. Beyond this, they have no agency whatever in
the choice of their national rulers. A hundred thousand
executive officers, more or less, are commissioned by the
President-are removable at his pleasure-and are, therefore, to all intents and purposes, his humble servants.
They never look to the people as the fountain of power
and honour. They care not a straw about the wishes,
opinions, or interests of the people.
Then as to the Cabinet-the heads of departments:
who and what are they? By courtesy, and by intendment of the constitution, they are the President's legal
advisers-his confidential state counsellors. By usage,
they are the mere echo of his royal voice-as they are
the mere creature of his royal prerogative. They receive
orders; and construct their own opinions, that is, their
advice, accordingly. They were designed, no doubt, to
occupy the most dignified stations in the government;
and to them are committed the most important interests
of the nation. The President is presumed, or rather was
presumed by the authors of the constitution, not to know
all things; not to be quite omniscient; not always even
a Solomon or a Pericles, a Solon or a Scipio, a Tully or a
Cato, a Colbert or a Sully, a Cecil or a Pitt. He may be
ignorant of finance; of military and naval affairs; of the
post-office' details and complexities; of international, constitutional and municipal law; and even of our foreign
relations and domestic condition. What are his secre



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   327
taries good for, if they cannot enlighten him with their
superior knowledge? Each in his own proper sphere?
And about matters with which, from mature study and
experience, they are supposed to be perfectly familiar?
And is he [the President] to teach and to direct them?
Is he to dictate to a Hamilton or a Gallatin the financial
policy of this mighty republic? and to turn him adrift,
with as little ceremony as he would a footman, if he
hesitate to yield up his own judgment to official ignorance, obstinacy, party passion, proscriptive vengeance,
or conscientious, impracticable, mulish stupidity? Why
should the members of a cabinet be expected. to agree
with one another or with the President upon all subjects
or upon any subject?  If each is master of his own profession, and if he discharge his duty ably, diligently, faithfully: what more do you ask of him? The President
is not bound by his opinion or advice upon matters of
general policy, nor even upon those of his own department. Suppose each were to deliver a different opinion
upon an important question submitted to their consideration. The President may do as Washington did, receive
their opinions kindly, weigh them thoroughly, make up
his own independently, and decide differently from them
all at last; and differently too from what would have
been his decision, without their aid and apparently conflicting counsels. To talk of constitutional advisers, who
dare not speak their own thoughts or give an honest
opinion, who are the mere passive recipients of a master's arbitrary mandates, is a contradiction, a farce, a
perversion of the whole order of the constitution, and




328    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
of all democratic common sense. No high-minded man
will ever consent to be made a slave like this. He will
indignantly throw up his commission, return home, and
plough his own cornfield, rather than wear the livery
and the chains of any despot upon the throne or of his
prompter from behind it!
The heads of departments ought to be as independent
of the President, as he is of them-so far, at least, as respects official conduct. For this, each should be directly
and individually responsible to the laws and proper tribunals.
Even the sovereign of Great Britain cannot choose, or
keep in office, a ministry whom the people, by their Commons, do not like. There the will of the people is paramount, and it always prevails. An unpopular minister,
that is, a minister unsupported by the people in Parliament assembled, is obliged forthwith to resign. And the
king or queen is compelled to commission the people's
favourite, however disagreeable or even odious to majesty
he may be. Here the President may do as he pleases.
He appoints whom the people reject; and rejects or removes whom the people honour and prefer. Let the
democracy speedily amend the constitution or the law or
both; or there will not be found a shadow of real democracy in the land.
Our farmers and mechanics would do well to scrutinize
the tendency of all our grand political movements, as well
as the peculiar features and portentous aspect which the
Federal Government, in the lapse of years and by insensible degrees, has been made to assume. It is already




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    329
more monarchical than that of England —after which we
copied. With us, the people elect but a single branch
of the national legislature; and that has ceased to represent the people's wishes; is controlled by the executive;
and, at best, possesses comparatively small powers. While
in England, the House of Commons, the people's representative in fact as well as in name, is omnipotent. Its
strong arm may be felt by the throne, the church and
the aristocracy. Kings and lords and prelates bow to
its supremacy. It holds fast the purse of the empire.
Royalty cannot extract from it a shilling without its
formal sanction. The young queen could not command
a "corporal's guard" about her palace or a sloop-of-war
upon the ocean, were the Commons to withhold the customary supplies, or fail to enact the annual money bills.
This complete, unrestricted, absolute, unquestioned control of the national purse or treasury by the Commons,
is a far more effective and perfect guarantee of English
liberty, than is furnished by all our constitutions, State
and national, in behalf of American liberty.
That I may be neither misunderstood nor misrepresented, I here take occasion to declare: that I would
prefer such a constitutional government as our fathers
honestly designed to institute, above every other and all
others in the world. Were it now, what they intended
to make it, i would say, estoperpetua!  May it continue
forever, unchanged and unchangeable!
But since, under the deceptive banner of a spurious
democracy, which is ever promising but never performing, the most alarming innovations upon the original




330    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
frame-work of the government are in progress, I warn
the people to be on their guard. And if they will insist
on what they deem a wider, larger, more equable democracy; let them be just to. themselves, to their cause, to
their avowed principles. Let them take the power into
their own hands, and exercise it for their own benefit;
instead of surrendering more and more of it to the factious demagogue, who is eternally prating about democracy, about the miseries of the poor, about the oppression
of the working-classes, about hard times; and about the
urgent need of reform, which can be effected only through
his own or his master's democratic agragrian policy, to
be tried when he or they shall be duly installed into
office. While, with all this fair speech and large pretension, he is covertly aiming to usurp or to help another
to usurp, or to seize upon, the whole State-the entire
sovereignty-the executive supremacy over the legislature, the judiciary, the military, the sword, the purse,
war and peace, upon the land and upon the ocean!
These two instances of early departure from the spirit,
if not from the letter, of the constitution, and sustained
by law and usage-namely, 1. Preference of the United
States over all other creditors, and 2. Right of the President to remove from office —must suffice as examples
and illustrations under this particular head.
Strict and liberal interpreters of the constitution.
On the general subject of reading or construing the
constitution, it is known that, from the beginning, there
have existed among us two schools or sects. 1. Strict or
literal interpreters-who affect to go by the record; and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    331
who deny to Congress all powers not expressly granted.
2. Liberal or comprehensive or practical interpreterswho profess to be fair and candid, honest and judicious,
in seeking to promote the national welfare; and who
maintain that Congress may exercise a discretionary
legislation for the public good in matters not positively
forbidden. The first have the air and aspect of orthodoxy. They appear before the people as erect, "perpendicular," unyielding, indomitable constitutionalists-as a
self-sacrificing, saintly, consecrated band of zealous devotees, perhaps of martyrs even, to the holy cause of liberty
and the rights of man. The second look less sternly conscientious; are thought to be somewhat latitudinarian,
too free and easy, rather lax, licentious or heretical in
their constitutional views; and, of course, like other
heretics, they may be rendered exceedingly obnoxious
to public censure and hatred: and the hue and cry may
be raised against them, with or without reason.*
Here again, I have observed that the most rigid of
"the straitest sect," whenever they get into high places,
seem to acquire a sudden enlargement of their political
vision and constitutional prowess: are ready to leap over
all wordy barriers, and to construe the text with a freedom quite edifying to the timid liberalists, who would
never have adventured half so far under any circum.
* The liberal school is at present reproachfully styled the federal
party-or federalists. The strict, for a time, gloried in the name
republican.  They now choose to be called democrats.  By their
opponents, they are dubbed loco-focos. The whigs claim to be honest,
patriotic, constitutional Americans.




332    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
stances.  Thus, Mr. Jefferson advanced per salturn a
thousand leagues beyond either of his reputed liberal
or federal predecessors. He, too, the very father, prince,
apostle and high-priest of modern democracy! He was
the opposer of the constitution at the outset, because it
was not sufficiently democratic. The champion of State
rights. The advocate of the narrowest possible construction of the constitution, and of the most limited action
of the general government.  He was also an eloquent
preacher of economy, retrenchment, moderate salaries,
light taxes, toleration of all sorts of opinion, freedom of
speech and of the press, one-term presidency, independence of office-holders, and other such like goodly doctrines-which are always acceptable to the people. But
no sooner upon the throne-than his eyes were opened!
He then clearly perceived that the constitution meant
whatever he should understand it to mean; that is,
whatever he desired, or might happen to desire in
future. He created a new cabinet of course. He removed also, from subordinate offices, sundry able and
upright men in various sections of the country. In the
affair of removals, however, it must be acknowledged
that he acted with great forbearance compared with
the correspondent course of some of his successors. His
profession of a purer democratic creed than the federalists, flattered the people: and they were delighted with
every demonstration of executive boldness; because they
regarded it as the infliction of just punishment or vengeance upon their own worst enemies and oppressors.
He contrived to get rid of some two dozen [twenty



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    333
six] circuit judges,* by procuring a repeal of the law by
which they had been recently appointed.  He stayed
process against persons arraigned under the sedition law;
and he pardoned all persons convicted under that and
the alien law; because he believed both laws to be unconstitutional. Salaries were raised twenty per cent.except those of the judges, who were always in bad odour
with him, because they could not be broken or trained
so as to work kindly in his big democratic team. Hence
he earnestly sought to render them as dependent on the
executive nod as were all other public servants. But in
this pretty little democratic ruse or project for the especial benefit and divertisement of the dear people, he most
unaccountably failed-whether through lack of courage,
or perseverance, or tact, or "conscience," history has not
explained. His purchase of Louisiana-the best act or
most fortunate accident of his administration-was, according to his own statement, extra constitutional: as
would have been that of Florida, which he attempted.
His naval and commercial policy; embargoes, non-importation and non-intercourse acts; gun-boats; and such like
schemes and doings, exhibited a series which might well
be characterized as extra or ultra or anti-constitutionalagreeably to his own standard of strict construction.
He was, however, on the whole perhaps a rather safe,
reliable, conservative sort of a politician: and we are
thankful that he did so little damage, when he might
have done so much. He was not a revolutionist. He
was not a rash, reckless, furious innovator or reformer.
* See Memoirs of Aaron Burr, vol. ii. p. 171.




334    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
He did not attempt even a modification of the financial
policy, which was coeval with the new government, of
which Hamilton was the author and he the antagonist,
when both were members of the first presidential cabinet.
And this is glory enough, even for a Jefferson. Let us
honour his memory. He followed exactly in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors, in this one grand
essential.  He adhered to the true faith in regard to
finance: and therefore could not contrive to steer the
gallant ship of State very far out of the right course. It
is impossible to ruin a country, or greatly to embarrass
and distress it, when its finances are wisely managed.
On the other hand, administer these badly, and all is
confusion, darkness, rascality and desperation.  Our
country has not enjoyed a day of peaceful repose or
brilliant prosperity, except when and while the financial system which our Washington approved, has prevailed!
True, Mr. Jefferson's petty, "terrapin," defensive, donothing experiments in the gun-boat and anti-commercial
line, were rather onerous and expensive.  They were
designed to prevent war; but in fact cost more than the
war itself, which they did not prevent; and which they
probably provoked and accelerated.
At a later period, Mr. Jefferson seems, according to
his biographer, Professor Tucker, to have very frankly
acknowledged that: the constitution may admit of a
liberal or of a strict construction, just as the welfare of
the country demands. This is, undoubtedly, the only
wise, fair, equitable, legitimate principle of interpreta



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    335
tion. When the letter of the text fails as a guide, we
must go by the spirit of the context-with a single eye
to the public good. Because it may be safely assumed
that the sensible architects of the constitution did not
intend to prevent the future adoption of any measure
evidently required by the general welfare; except when
explicitly ordained otherwise or to the contrary.
Any measure, therefore, which can be shown to be
beneficial to the whole people and detrimental to none,
and which is not in terms prohibited in the constitution,
may and ought to be sustained as constitutional.
Let us try the principle in practice.  The United
States Bank and internal improvements may serve as
examples for the purpose.
1. United States Bank. With the first President, Cabinet and Congress, the main inquiry would be, whether,
on the whole, the incorporation of a United States Bank
would prove the wisest, safest, best financial scheme that
could be devised, in the actual circumstances of the country. Not merely whether, according to a strictly literal
and technical construction of the constitution, they possessed the power to charter a bank.  They had been
[some twenty of them] members of the convention which
formed the constitution, and had participated largely in
the discussion of this very subject. They knew the precise reasons which induced them to pass it altogether sub
silentio, or without positive provision for the emergency.
They understood the matter very well. They realized
the difficulties and delicacy of their novel position. They
felt that the experimentum crucis was to be made. That




336     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
they had a critical and responsible duty to perform. Nor
did they shrink from the task. The credit of the young
republic was at'stake-was in fact to be created out of
absolute chaos. They were, by their first acts, to establish the meaning, the true reading, the correct interpretation, the practical application of the written constitution. Whatever course they pursued in regard to a bank,
they took for granted would ever after be deemed constitutional; unless judicially condemned by the highest constitutional authority. Hence their extreme caution, prudence, sagacity and judgment, in examining and weighing
reasons on either side, in all their bearings and results;
in order to ascertain the system or policy which would
be likely to work well; which would be expedient and
beneficial for the nation then, and probably in all future
time. Having deliberately made up their. mind, as to
the expediency, usefulness and necessity of such a fiscal
agent, they declared it constitutional, by giving it existence. And the courts have confirmed their act.
That the government has the right-the abstract right
-to create a corporation, cannot be doubted. It is an
inherent, essential, inalienable, indefeasible attribute of
sovereignty. It was no more necessary to insert it in
the constitution, than it was to specify the power to
acquire additional territory, either by conquest or purchase. Every nation has the right. No nation could
be sovereign and independent without it. Mr. Jefferson
need never have hesitated, on this ground, about the
purchase of Louisiana. If it might have been acquired
by arms —at any cost of gold and blood-a fortiori might




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    337
it be obtained peaceably, cheaply and without the sacrifice or hazard of a single life. So if, in levying taxes,
duties, imposts, equally over the whole Union, and in
order to establish a uniform currency throughout the
land, a bank should be found the cheapest and best
agency, or the only agency, then it follows that a bank
ought to be established.*
It has, moreover, been decided to be constitutional by
the Supreme Court-by all the Presidents-by every
Congress-by all the States-and by the whole peoplefor the space of some forty years at least. No bill to
establish a bank was ever rejected by Congress, simply
because it was believed to be unconstitutional.  Nor has
such a bill been vetoed by any President exclusively on
that ground-unless we regard the present executive as
the sole exception. He has set up a new rule, which, if
generally adopted, will supersede all written codes and
all judicial decisions: namely, The Presidential Conscience,
for the time being!
Whether, therefore, a national bank be constitutional,
is no longer an open or debatable question. And I have
adverted to the case, to show how such questions are to
be determined, settled and put at rest forever.
But in reference to a United States Bank, whatever
may have been urged in favour of the first and second
*...... "but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States." (Const., Art. I., Sec. 8, 1.)
5. "To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign
coin," * * *
No State shall "emit bills of credit." (Art. I., Sec. 10, 1.)
VOL. II. -22




338    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
institutions, it is now and may be hereafter, a fair, open,
debatable question: whether such a bank, or whether
any bank, be necessary, useful or expedient? The condition of the country may differ widely at different periods.
Experience may have taught or may yet teach us new
lessons. Possibly we can do better. Very well. —Here
is legitimate scope for reasoning and for diversity of
opinions.  The constitutional controversy ought to be
dismissed by both whigs and democrats as obsolete and
irrelevant.  They might as well discuss and quarrel
about the constitutional right of erecting forts or building steam frigates.
In this connexion, I have not intended to say a word
for or against a new United States Bank of any description whatever. I am no advocate of either State or Stock
Banks —as they have hitherto been constructed and
managed all over the land.  That a paper currency,
nevertheless, of some kind, is indispensable, both to the
government and to the people, I entertain the deepest
conviction. My reasons will be assigned in another
place.
2. Internal Improvements. We have seen how the constitution was construed in the case of a bank corporation.
The same or a similar process was pursued in relation to
"internal improvements" by the general government; as
also in regard to the policy of protecting our home or
domestic industry. In these and other analogous cases,
Congress interpreted the constitution liberally, and in
accordance with their views of the substantial and paramount welfare of the people. Whether wise or unwise,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    339
right or wrong, in their plans and enactments —is not
now the question. Did they violate the constitution?
I think not. A good road, for instance, is always a good
thing-wherever needed or by whomsoever made. Gunboats were useless, and have perished. —The road endures,
and is available. Congress annually waste hundreds of
thousands in idle disputes about "heads and tails:" the
road remains for them and their betters to travel home
upon and back again at pleasure. Millions are expended
on visionary experiments and projects, on showy edifices,
forts, castles, branch-mints, Indian wars, political favourites, sinecure offices, and all sorts of knaves, fools and
fooleries: while the good old road, if kept in repair, reminds us of our "penny worth" amid the general wreck
and ruin; and is, at present, about all that we have to
show for some two hundred millions which have disappeared, as if by the touch of a "magician's wand!"*
Could our gold-worshippers at Washington but discover
the philosopher's stone, or get possession of Aladdin's
lamp; we, the "workies," might take a long quiet nap,
without dread of sheriff or bumbailiff; and without being
haunted by the ghostly agents and officious factotums
of a regular, constitutional, debt-repudiating, bankruptcy
deliverance.
By-the-way, if the government be an "abstraction,"
would it not be well to let it live upon abstractions?
* The act for the construction of a national road from Cumberland
in Maryland, to the State of Ohio, was passed March 24, 1806, in
Congress, by a vote of 66 to 50: under the "Simon pure" democratic
reign of the "great" and infallible Jeffersonl (See Tucker, vol. ii.
p. 199.)




310    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
If "the government has enough to do to take care of
itself" —why, then, to be sure, let it work per se; without
plaguing the people or demanding their support.
To explain the difference between a fair construction of the constitution, and a direct palpable violation of its letter, I select a specimen or two, as
illustrations.
1. "No title of nobility shall be granted by the United
States." (Art. I., Sec. 9, 7.) Now were a law to be duly
passed, creating the noble orders which obtain in England, and authorizing the President to confer rank and
titles at hisvpleasure; and were the courts to pronounce
the law valid and constitutional: everybody, capable of
reading, would instantly perceive the glaring imposition,
and be ready to exclaim that the constitution had been
virtually annulled. Still, if the whole people chose to
abide the consequences, we might soon behold our
staunch democratic and whig popular brawlers, converted into respectable courtly Lords and Dukes; and
sporting stars, garters, coronets, and all other fantastic
and heraldic emblazonry —after the most approved
legitimate transatlantic models.
2. Again, says Article I., Section 1, of the constitution: "All legislative powers herein granted, shall be
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."Human language could not be plainer, more precise,
more explicit, more intelligible, or more definite. Yet
we have lived to see the day, when some of the most
tenacious professors of the severest literal sect boldly




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    341
proclaim that the Executive is a co-ordinate* branchan integral efficient part-of the national, legislature.
Merely because he can, in a certain way, arrest its
action and prevent the passage of a law.  Will this
audacious usurpation be sustained, or tamely submitted
to, by our honest democracy, in the very teeth of the
letter and manifest intendment of the entire constitution?
Might not the Judiciary set up a still more specious
claim, to be considered as part and parcel of the legislature also? Because the Supreme Court possesses the
power to pronounce finally and decisively upon the constitutionality of all its acts? The Judges, I think, would
beat the President in logic, at least, upon this argument.
Between them, i.e. the Executive and the Judiciary, Congress would soon have little to do, except to obey orders,
and receive their per diem.
In tile case of removals from office by the President,
we have seen how the practice crept in, against the manifest import of the constitution and almost without law:
and we have seen, or may see, from a paper in the "Federalist," written by Mr. Hamilton, how that ultra champion of monarchy, as his revilers style him, expounded
the constitution, to mean that the President had no such
power, and that removals could be effected only by consent or vote of the Senate.t Still,, not one of our strait* Mr. Jefferson speaks of the executive as a co-ordinate branch.
(Tucker, vol. ii. p. 167.) Again:.. "And because he himself, being
a part of the legislature, shares in the responsibility of all their acts."
(Tucker, vol. ii. pp. 195-96.)
t "The consent of the Senate (says Hamilton in No. 77 of the Federalist) would be necessary to displace as well as to appoint;" and he




342      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
laced democratic Presidents has ever attempted to break
the custom, and get back to the constitution.  They
have found it extremely convenient to continue a practice, which Hamilton condemned; and which they, in
fact, were the first to turn to much account. No federalist ever dreamt of being a third, or a half, or the
totality of the law-making power of the Union.
Will the people be forever humbugged by names?
Will they tolerate the most barefaced contradictions and
inconsistencies, and permit violence to be offered to the
sacred charter of their liberties, by any Ccesar or Clodiu.s,
Burr or D)orr, who may condescend to wear the garb and
utter the speech of democracy?
These are the men who strain at gnats, and swallow
camels.* They denounced the elder Adams as a fedgoes on to observe, that "those who can best estimate the value of a
steady administration, will be most disposed to prize a provision which
connects the official existence of public men with the approbation or
disapprobation of that body, which, from the great permanency of its
own composition, will in all probability be less subject to inconstancy
than any other member of the government." But the construction
(says Kent) which was given to the constitution by Congress, after
great consideration ai;d discussion, was different.  In the act for
establishing the treasury department, [September 2, 1789,] the Secretary was contemplated as being removable from office by the President.  The words of the act are, "That whenever the Secretary shall
be removed from office by.the President of the United States," etc.
This amounted to a legislative construction of the constitution, and
it has ever since been acquiesced in and acted upon, as of decisive
authority in the case. (Kent, vol. i. pp. 309-10. )
* They compel the people to swallow the camels. They get up a
tremendous uproar about a feather, it may be —"a billiard table,"
"a light-house in the skies," "an ebony and topaz toast," "a Panama
mission," the expense of an unfurnished "East room," "a national




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             343
eralist and British tory, on account of the stamp act,
"gag law," and a few other trifles, which were made to
assume a craw head and bloody bones" aspect before the
people. Of these measures, by-the-way, however odious
they rendered him and his administration, he was neither
the author nor the adviser. His whole sin consisted in
not interfering: in suffering a majority to decide.  He
was too honest a democrat to veto the sedition and alien
laws, or any laws enacted by Congress, simply because
he had not suggested them or did not like them. He
did not feel big enough, or "conscientious" enough, to
declare that the people's representatives were asses and
noodles; and therefore deserved a cool reprimand in the
shape of an "I forbid:" so get about your business, and
tell the silly multitude who sent you here, that, "I know
better."
university" in posse, etc. And when the people are sufficiently exasperated to do battle against the gnats, then begins the work of cameleating in good earnest. A government of twelve millions a year, was
unbearable: another, of thirty millions, was capital! The sedition law
was a terrible affair: while "the banishment to Siberia" in mid-winter
of twenty thousand public servants without even the shadow of a trial,
was but a camel; and the people could easily swallow it: and they
did swallow it. Thus it has always been. Abimelech borrowed a
little money from the sacred treasury, "wherewith he hired vain and
light persons, who followed him," and soon helped him to borrow the
rest. (Judges, ix. 4.) "So Absalorn stole the hearts of the men of
Israel," by all sorts of democratic blandishments: and they paid dearly,
as usual, for their credulity. (2 Sam. xv. 6.) "Jeroboamn the son of
Nebat, who made Israel to sin," (1 Kings, xvi. 26,) set an example
of acting agreeably "to his own understanding of the constitution;"
which was so well imitated by his successors, that the Ten Tribes
began presently to doubt whether they had any constitution, beside
the royal pleasure: and they had none!




344    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Now, if Mr. Adams had, by royal edict or imperial
ukase, promulgated the stamp, sedition and alien laws,
without even the knowledge of Congress, he would not
have perpetrated a more high-handed contempt of constitutional authority, or of the people's representatives,
than has since been witnessed under other forms and
names democratic. A President may as well make the
law at once; as to be allowed to prevent the passage of
any law which he dislikes. The first would be much
the cheaper and more eligible plan. I vote for it, as the
preferable alternative.
But as we do not yet despair of the Republic: and as
I before intimated that some amendments to the constitution were desirable, or rather had become indispensable, in order to maintain among us a pure democracy in
future-I proceed to specify two or three.
1. The President to be elected for one term only: and
the shorter the better. 2. The executive veto to be abolished altogether.  3. Majorities in either HIouse of Congress, and everywhere, to decide all questions. Two-thirls
never. [Except, possibly, in cases of impeachment of
hikh officers, and the expulsion of members.] 4. The
President to have no power to remove from office: [he
may suspend for a time:] and very little or none in the
appointment of officers. 5. In case of the President's
death within a year, let the same electoral colleges
choose his successor, in such manner as shall be prescribed. Indeed, I see no good reason why they should
not be authorized to fill any vacancy which might occur
during the presidential term. Why not? They were




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    345
chosen by the people to express their will for the next
ensuing four years. I suggest this, upon the supposition
that the present mode is to be continued. It would be
more democratic to dispense with electors altogether, and
allow the people to vote directly for the President and
Vice-President.
1. The President ought to be elected for a single term
or period. One only-fixed and definite. Let it be four
years, if you please: though three or two would be better.
But let no man ever be eligible for more than one term.
Thus taught Mr. Jefferson; and amen has been responded
by every democrat, until recently; though not one has
ever practised accordingly. In Texas, one term of three
years is established by the constitution.  The party
elected being ineligible until after an interval of three
years. He should have been declared ineligible forever.
Roman consuls held office one year. They were not
re-eligible until after the expiration of ten years. "It
was required that every candidate for the consulship
should be forty-three years of age, called legitimum tempus." He would, of course, be fifty-four when a candidate for a second time: sixty-five for a third: and
seventy-six or seventy-seven before he could complete
a four years' reign. So long as these two rules were
rigidly observed, the Roman constitution was safe. A
Roman policy was steadily pursued by them all. There
was no individual consular experimental policy. Hence
the vigorous growth and prosperity of the republic. No
Roman consul had any favourite personal scheme of ambition or vanity to execute or attempt. Or if he had, no




346    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
time was allowed him to mature it. He could do no
more than go forward in the prescribed national course,
and earn fame and reputation by achieving the utmost
possible for the public weal and glory during his brief
official year. In like manner, we ought to have an
AMERICAN POLICY: not a Presidential-a Jeffersonian, a
Van Buren, a Tyler, a Calhoun, or a Clay policy; requiring some eight or a dozen years to carry it out. That
is, to ascertain by the trial, whether it will answer, or
whether it is practicable. Thus keeping the country in
perpetual suspense and excitement.  Nothing settled.
Always in a transition state.  Ever making experi.
ments. Giving to the constitution, now a liberal, now
a strict, now an ultra construction. Until it comes to
mean anything or nothing; at the will of a dictator.
Let the farmers and mechanics put their omnipotent
veto upon such follies and abuses.  Let them speak:
and their servants must obey.  Washington's policy
was the true American policy. Let us, like sensible
well-whipped children, return to it, and adhere to it,
for the next thousand generations.
2. Abrogate the veto prerogative altogether.  Tile
Roman tribunitial veto was instituted to check the
arbitrary encroachments of the Patrician order.  It
never answered any good purpose.  It eventually becamne a principal engine in the hands of the demagogue,
and hastened the consummation of the military despotism of the Caesars. The liberum veto, exercised severally
by the Polish grandees, in the election of a king, proved
the immediate cause of infinite dissensions and tumults;




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    347
and ultimately prostrated the national spirit and government, and led to a partition of the kingdom by the
neighbouring powers. We have borrowed the veto from
neither of these. We copied again from England: as
she had done from the feudal sovereigns of the middle
ages. Among these it was a personal right: that is, it
attached to the person of the liege-of the actual emperor, king, duke, or acknowledged chieftain. It now
appertains to the crown. It is a royal prerogative;'and,
in modern Europe, is seldom exerted: in England, never!
I object to it, because it is anti-republican, anti-democratic, unnecessary, never beneficial, always liable to
abuse; and may be so exercised as to render nugatory
the entire action of the legislature.
I say nothing of the past. How much good the veto
may have hitherto effected, I leave others to calculate.
Assuredly, it is not necessary to a democracy. We have
no hereditary or privileged nobility or patrician aristocracy, for the Plebs to struggle against. The President
is the very man, above all others, the most to be feared.
He is the only power in the State which can infringe
upon or demolish our liberties. If we cannot trust our
three hundred chosen representatives to make laws both
for him and us: what can they be good for? Is it not
enough that he should execute the laws, without ally
agency in their enactment?
Our President is more powerful and less responsible
than any European constitutional monarch whatever.
He is in fact an absolute monarch, for the time being.
By the veto, he can, in the present state of parties, arrest




348    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
all legislation. He can even bring to terms or to humiliating submission to his will, a Congress, where both parties are hostile to him and to his measures. He can
refuse to nominate candidates for office.  Or he can
appoint those whom the Senate rejects —after its adjourniment. At best or wdrst, no man can get an office,
except through his special favour. Thus by patronage,
by command of the army and navy, by possession or
control of the treasury, by party management, and by
sundry other means and appliances, he is above the
reach of the people, of the constitution and the laws.
He is not dependent even for his salary.  A vote of
supplies by the Commons, is not necessary here, as it is
in England.
A man may become President, and therefore our master, not only without a vote of the people, but against
their wishes. Thus Burr might have been elected by
Congress in preference to Jefferson: though not a vote
of the people or of the electors had been given with such
intent. Again, had Jefferson died during his first official term, Burr would have been President of course,
though then actually odious to all parties. Both President and Vice-President may die: then succeeds the
President pro temtpore of the Senate: after him, the
Speaker of the lower House; either of whom may be
wholly unacceptable to the people. Shall such an "accidency" be clothed with the tremendous veto?
Ought the President to sign a bill which he believes
or asserts to be unconstitutional? He ought not; is the
general reply. If this be sound logic, then is it conclu



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    349
sive against allowing him any discretion in the matter.
I say that the President's belief, opinion, judgment, conscience, have nothing to do with any principle, rule,
law, or system, already decided and established by the
Supreme Court to be constitutiopal.  His "conscience"
is not the test or criterion for a great nation to go by.
Deliver him speedily from the temptation, by amending
the constitution, and shutting him out-of the legislative
chambers altogether.
3. Majorities in either house of Congress ought to decide all questions which come before them. The constitution should be altered in those cases where two-thirds
are required. [Excepting, perhaps, cases of impeachment,
and expulsion of members.] Much evil has arisen in
our legislative bodies, both State and national, where
the two-thirds rule obtains.  Thus, two-thirds of the
senators must concur with the President in the ratification of a treaty. So that the ablest achievement of
our diplomacy may be defeated by a single vote. "Jay's
treaty," one of the most judicious ever formed, though
egregiously misrepresented and fiercely denounced at the
time, was ratified at last by a majority of one. Thus
also, two-thirds in each house are necessary to pass a
law vetoed by the President. I shall not enlarge upon
this item, though I deem it highly important. To require
two-thirds instead of a numerical majority, is anti-democratic; and may often obstruct the known will and best
interests of the people. Let the majority rule: that is,
determine who shall rule, and what the rule shall be.




350      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
N OTE S.
Royal interference with legislation. In 1783, during the pendency of Fox's famous India bill, it was reported and believed, that the
king, in a private audience, had given Lord Temple a note, written in
his own hand, stating, "that his majesty would deem those who voted
for the bill not only not his,friends, but his enemies: and that, if Lord
Temple could put this in still stronger words, he had full authority to
do so."
"On the very same evening the Commons, on the motion of Mr.
Baker, took into consideration the rumour about Lord Temple and
the king's strong note, and voted the two following resolutions:1. "That it is now necessary to declare that, to report any opinion,
or pretended opinion, of his majesty, upon any bill, or other proceeding, depending in either House of Parliament, with a view to influence
the votes of the members, is a high crime and misdemeanor, derogatory to the honour of the crown, a breach of the fundamental privileges of Parliament, and subversive of the constitution of this country.
2. "That this House will, on Monday next, resolve itself into a
committee of the whole House, to consider the state of the nation."
(Pictorial England, No. 53, p. 503.)
Sedition Law. " He [Mr. Jefferson] justified himself for the liberation of the individual alluded to, in common with all others punished
under the sedition law, because he considered that law'a nullity as
absolute and palpable, as if Congress had ordered us to fall down and
worship a golden image."' (Tucker's Life of Jefferson, vol. ii. p. 166.
Letter to Mrs. Adams.)
Repeal of the law, creating twenty-four new courts. (Ibid., vol. ii.
pp. 113, 114.)
Strict Construction.  "These arguments prevailed with the republican party, who now found that the very strict construction of the
constitution for which they had contended when in the opposition,
was not suited to them when in the exercise of power; and which, if
pushed to that extreme of nicety which some affected, would often
defeat the main purposes for which the constitution was established."
Thus writes Tucker, in relating the arguments pro and con respecting
the Louisiana treaty. [Adopted in Senate by 24 to 7. In lower house
by 90 to 25.] (Tucker, vol. ii. p. 155.)
Louisiana. In reference to the purchase of Louisiana, Mr. Jefferson admitted or rather declared that the executive "have done an act
beyond the constitution." (Tucker, vol. ii. p. 147.)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             351
The federalists charged Mr. Jefferson and his friends, who had been
advocates for a strict interpretation of the constitution, with being
"ultra latitudinarian in construing it when it suited their purpose.".
(Tucker, vol. ii. p. 112.)
Removal of Judges. "A proposition, which had been made at the
preceding session, [1805,] to amend the constitution so that any judge
of a federal court might be removed by the President, on the joint
application of the two houses of Congress, was renewed at the present
session, [1806,] and after the disagreement to the proposition in committee of the whole, the motion to postpone it indefinitely was rejected
by a large majority." Nothing more was attempted. (Tucker, vol. ii.
p. 200.)
Dependence of Judges. (Ibid., pp. 376, 377.)
"He denies that the judges have any right to decide constitutional
questions for the Executive, more than the Executive has to decide
for them." (Tucker, voi. ii. p. 167.)
Mr. Jefferson's opinion about the interference of the officers of the
federal government in the elections, in his reply to a letter on the subject from Governor McKean of Pennsylvania, dated February 2, 1801,
just before he entered upon the duties of President:"Mr. Jefferson expresses a principle which he afterwards acted on,
that'interferences with elections, whether of the State or General Government, by officers of the latter, should be deemed causes of removal;
because the constitutional remedy by the elective principle becomes
nothing, if it may be smothered by the enormous patronage of the
general government.'"
Again, in a letter to Mr. Gerry, February, 1801, he says: "The
right of opinion shall suffer no invasion from me. Those who have
acted well have nothing to fear, however they may have differed from
me in opinion: those who have done ill, however, have nothing to
hope; nor shall I fail to do justice, lest it should be ascribed to that
difference of opinion." (Tucker's Life of Jefferson, vol. ii. pp. 98,
167.)
"Both of our political parties, at least the honest part of them,
agree conscientiously in the same object, the public good; but they
differ essentially in what they deem the means of promoting that
good." (Letter to Mrs. Adams. Tucker, vol. ii. p. 167.)
See Madison Papers, vol. iii. pp. 1576, 1577. "Mr. Madison suggested an enlargement of the motion, [then subjudice,] into a power'to grant charters of incorporation where the interest of the United
States might require, and the legislative provisions of individual States




i52      MIISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
may be incompetent.'"  "Mr. [Rufus] King thought the power unnecessary."  "Mr. Wilson: It is necessary to prevent a State from obstructing the general'welfare."  In reply, "Mr. King: The States
will be prejudiced and divided into parties by it. In Philadelphia and
New York, it will be referred to the establishment of a- bank, which
has been a subject of contention in those cities. In other places it
will be referred to mercantile monopolies."  In reply, Mr. Wilson
again: "As to banks, he did not think with Mr. King, that the power
in that point of view would excite the prejudices and parties apprehended. As to mercantile monopolies, they are already included in
the power to regulate trade."
It would seem that Mr. Madison's motion failed, from a conviction
that Congress would possess the power without any explicit grantif not explicitly denied.
Mr. King probably alluded to the commercial rivalry, existing between Philadelphia and New York: and to the apprehensions of the
latter lest the former should be preferred as the site of any contemplated national bank.
Again: "Mr. Madison and Mr. Pinckney moved to insert, in the
list of powers vested in Congress, a power'to establish an University, in which no preferences or distinctions should be allowed on
account of religion."' "Mr. Wilson supported the motion." "Mr.
Gouverneur Morris: It is not necessary. The exclusive power at the
seat of government will reach the object." This case is introduced to
illustrate the mode of arguing and disposing of such and similar questions. They seem to have assumed that the power would vest in Congress, when not withheld or refused.  See also Madison Papers, vol.
iii. pp. 1343-46, for debates about bills of credit.  "Mr. G. Morris
moved to strike out,'and emit bills on the credit of the United
States.'"  "'Mr. Langdou had rather reject the whole plan, than
retain the three words,'and emit bills."'" Nine States voted to strike
out. Two, not.
Mr. Elbridge Gerry declared, when the proposition to charter the
United States Bank was before Congress, "that Congress had as perfect a right to incorporate a bank as to adjourn from day to day."
Ile had been a member of the Convention, and was a member of Congress from 1789 to 1793. He was a Jeffersonian democrat of the first
water.
I more than doubt the wisdom or expediency of ever creating a
corporation by either the General or State Governments, for the mere
purpose of pecuniary emolument to individuals. Experience has de.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             353
monstrated that this species of legalized monopoly is ever liable to the
grossest abuses. It is odious, partial, fraudulent, oppressive, irresponsible, anti-democratic.  It has proved delusive and ruinous to honest
confiding stockholders; and is auspicious only to gambling, adventurous, reckless speculators.  Let our existing banks run out their appointed course-or run away, as many of them have done and are
doing. And let us never grant another charter for money-makingor for swindling. Leave the occupation of banking, as you do that
of pin-making, to the enterprise; prudence, skill, inclination and responsibility of individuals-here, in this free Republic, as it is, and ever
has been, in all other countries.  An act of incorporation for the
benefit of private or associated money-lenders, is no more necessary or
proper, than would be a similar act for mercantile or mechanical firms
or copartnerships.
Who were.the popularity hunters and agitators in the army of the
revolution?  Conway, Gates, etc.  Who, at the close of the war,
plotted treason among the officers; and tempted Washington with
the insidious offer of a crown, only to secure its reversion to the
aching head of a very different individual? Who wrote the famous
"Newburgh letters?"  Who sought to inflame the minds of the unpaid soldiery to sedition, insurrection, rebellion?-to the establishment
of a military reign under such chief as they might select? Not Hamilton, Knox, Greene, Schuyler, Putnam...... General John Armstrong
[then a Major] has told us. He, too, was a popular democrat then,
and thenceforth, to the end of the chapter. Colonel Burr was among
the earliest and most cherished leaders of the democracy; and for
several years was second only to Jefferson. And the."hero of Chepachet" [Dorr] is decidedly the greatest democratic lion of the day,
[1842.]
No man can be certain, before trial, what he will become when in
office. "And Hazael said, But what I is thy servant a dog, that he
should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath
showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria." (2 Kings, viii. 13.)
Old Federalism.  What is it?  Whence did it spring.?  What
was the origin of the name?  How did Washington administer the
government? How did Adams? Why denounce Adams as the sole
author of every odious or unpopular measure during his reign? of
the alien and sedition laws, stamp act, standing army, etc.? when
all these are chargeable to Congress, that is, were the acts of a majority of the people; namely, of our honoured sires-who were neither
fools nor traitors?
VOL. III.-23




AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.
PART THIRD.
II. WHAT can the government do for the people? I
answer, a vast deal; both negatively and positively.
"The world is governed too much." And excess is
always an evil.  To this evil we are extremely obnoxious.  We must try to diminish it.  This is the
first step in the remedial process.
Legislation may be directly, positively, purposely, pernicious, unjust, oppressive. It may aim at good, and yet
be evil in its tendency. It may indirectly occasion much
injury.  It may operate insidiously, speciously, deceptively. Now all legislation ought at least to intend good:
and it should, moreover, be so wisely ordered as to produce good, and only good. Every system or act of legislation, tending directly or indirectly to the relaxation
of moral principle, or to the encouragement of immoral
conduct, is bad. This is done in many ways: As when
industry is impeded or discountenanced. When temptations are held forth to fraud, evasion, concealment, venality, perjury, embezzlement, breaches of trust, official
corruption or malversation - in order to any selfish,
avaricious or ambitious end. The morals of a people
are more dependent on legislation than is generally
imagined. And where the morals are depraved, there
can be no safety and no happiness.
(354)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    355
The character of any government may be fairly tested
by the condition and character of the people. Where
the mass of the people are most virtuous, contented,
peaceful, industrious, frugal, enlightened, and secure in
the enjoyment of personal, religious and political free.
dom —there the government is of the best character.
And a contrary state of things would argue the existence of a very bad government —no matter by what
technical name the government may be designated.
Every form of government may be deplorably vicious
and oppressive, if corruptly administered.
Our own country exhibits, at this moment, [1842,] a
sorry, repulsive, disordered, unhealthy, cheerless aspect.
Something is wrong. Without war, famine or pestilence,
the whole land is filled with murmuring and complaint,
with poverty, wretchedness and crime. —With frauds,
forgeries, defalcations, bankruptcies, robberies, murders,
arsons, suicides, and profligacy of all sorts and degrees.With a spirit of the most reckless gambling and speculation: of the most degrading avarice, the most desperate
ambition, the most fiendlike violence, the most revolting
disregard of all human ties and obligations-a spirit
which contemns, repudiates and laughs to scorn every
principle of morality, of patriotism, of honour, of law,
and of religion.
The Union is in debt; the States are in debt; the
cities and banks and other corporations are in debt;
honest men and rogues are in debt; and none can pay.
We are destitute of credit, at home and abroad. We
have no confidence in one another. Enterprise and in



356    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
dustry are palsied, checked, annihilated.  The people
are excited, alarmed, terrified. Treason, revolution, rebellion stalk abroad at noonday; are abetted, applauded
and cheered onward —by those who expect to profit by
the spoils. Who or what has occasioned all this darkness, perplexity, ruin and dismay? I shall not accuse
either whigs or democrats as the guilty authors.
But with the actual facts and results staring us full
in the face: will any man have the effrontery to pretend
that these calamities are not attributable to misgovernment?  Either our system of government is radically
defective, or it is villanously administered.  Either its
machinery has been unskilfully constructed, or its working has been intrusted to exceedingly incompetent and
unfaithful hands. No people on this earth could be so
suddenly prostrated, dishonoured and impoverished, except by the all-pervading power and blighting influence
of a tyranny the most profligate and capricious, or the
most stolid and insane that our world has ever known.
If to all this, it be replied: That with these matters
the government has no concern: That the people must
look after their own affairs-then I rejoin, that our government is good for nothing: has nothing to do: is a
nuisance: and ought to be forthwith cashiered, dissolved,
repudiated-and a better set up in its place.
To show, at a glance, the power of legislation for weal
or wo, over the morals and habits of a people, I group
together a dozen or more titles or topics; and leave them
without comment to your own reflections.
1. Tcxation.-Good or bad, according to kind, amount,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    357
mode, objects, etc. Tax consumption, rather than production; idleness rather than industry; luxuries rather than
necessaries; foreign rather than domestic commodities.
Never tax useful vocations or professions as privileyes.
2. Banks.-Brokers. Currency. Specie. Paper. Credit.
3. Tariff —Bounties. Duties. Monopolies.
4. Usury Laws.-Their object. Nugatory; Vexatious.
5. Penal Code.-Penitentiaries. Corporal Punishments.
Jails. Prisons. Houses of Refuge.
6. Militia System. —Expensive, Useless, Partial.
7. Oaths.-Nature, Uses, Abuses. Perjury. Profanity.
8. Nitional Debt.-State Debts. Banking capital borrowed.
9. Internal Improvements. —By the States or by the
Nation.
10. Popular Education.-School Funds. Public Schools.
11. Licensing Immoralities by taxation. —In order to
check or suppress them. Sale of intoxicating liquors.
Taverns. Gambling Houses. Horse-racing. Theatres.
12. Freedom of the Press.-What is meant?  Is it to
manufacture lies ad libitum to mislead the people?
13. Equal Rights.-Personal, Political, Religious. How
affected by legislation.
14. Mala Prohibita.-Smuggling, Usury, most sumptuary and municipal regulations. Contrasted with mala
tn se.
15. Bail..-Suretyship. All liabilities and responsibilities assumed or imposed, on account of others.
16. Debts and Debtors.-Relief laws. Stop laws. Stay
laws. Appraisement laws. Insolvent and Bankrupt laws.




358     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
17. Fornms of Trial.- Duration. Expense. Laws of
Evidence. Qualifications of witnesses. Technicalities.
Imprisonment before conviction. Rich and Poor on trial
for the same offence. How differently treated? Juries.
Lawyers.
18. Tule entire Judicial Organization.-Courts. Judges.
19. Political Heresies.-Nullification. Repeal of Charters. Proscription for mere opinions. "To the victors
belong the spoils." Repudiation of State Debts. Dissolution of the Union. Abolition of slavery by those who
have no right to meddle with the subject or to agitate
the question.
If legislation were sound and judicious upon these and
all other matters, of course we should be well governed:
provided the laws were faithfully administered.  That
people, or that constitution is "the freest, which makes
the best provision for the enacting of expedient and salutary laws." (Paley.) And that government is the best,
which in practice most completely fulfils the designs and
conforms to the provisions of its establishment. Stability, uniformity, permanence, durability- steadiness,
confidence, firmness, good faith, a reliable policy —are
essential to individual enterprise and to national prosperity. Any condition is preferable to incessant fluctuations, changes and novel experiments. If we cannot
agree among ourselves as to what particular system of
domestic policy is best, let us agree to adhere to some
system. If life, property, character, industry, be duly
protected; we shall flourish under any system, which
may be fixed, settled and perseveringly maintained.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    359
At present, there is a loud cry of distress all over the
land: and the people expect relief in some fashion fromn
the government. They want money: and many demand
protection for their industrial pursuits. Hence the war
about banks, currency, tariff, bounties, duties, taxes: and
hence the violent disputes about the fancied conflicting
interests of the several grand divisions of the Republic.
BANKS. —1. As to money.  Manifestly, no government can create it out of nothing. Tennessee cannot,
by incorporating banks, add one dollar to the actual productive capital of the State. And to borrow money from
abroad on the faith of the State, for banking operations
at home, is a very doubtful policy-to say the least. I
have no faith in it. In such case, the State becomes the
responsible debtor to foreign capitalists; and her own
citizens become debtors to the State. She is the great
home creditor: large numbers of the people are her
debtors. Now every adroit politician understands his
game in this singular position of affairs. He affects to
sympathize with the poor, unfortunate, oppressed debtors
-who have become debtors by borrowing and squandering the State's money-and he promises them relief or
indulgence. He represents them as the victims of an
odious bank monopoly. But you know the whole story:
the end is always visible. The debtors get relief. Honest people bear the loss, and pay the distant creditor: or
the State itself repudiates the whole debt, and becomes
a voluntary bankrupt.
In the present condition of the country and of the
banks, it would be difficult to keep in circulation here




360    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
more apper than the specie which it represents.  Our
banks cannot lend their credit, because they have none.
And if they had-such is the rage for foreign conmmodities, that we are always in debt to the Eastern cities or
to New Orleans; and, of course, every bank bill afloat
would be converted into something receivable at those
remote markets. So that the highest degree of bank
credit would be bootless; inasmuch as its paper would
not answer beyond the State limits. There was a time
when confidence in a bank charter, esteemed good and
safe, would have invited investments from abroad: and
thus our available capital might have been greatly augmented: as it actually was, a few years ago. This. confidence we have abused and forfeited. No distant capitalist could now be tempted to trust his cash to our
management, under any legislative guarantee whatever.
Neither State nor bank could dispose of stock at par, or
hardly half way up to that mark. This resource then is
tabooed and closed against us. Credit is not only money:
it is always a great deal better,-especially for the poor,
honest, industrious and enterprising, who would make a
wise use of it.
Still, many conveniences would result to the publicto the labouring classes-from a judiciously devised systemn of banking, honestly and ably administered. Were
it only to collect together, at some central or commercial
point, the small sums of unemployed capital which are
scattered over the Commonwealth without profit to any
one, for the purpose of being loaned to business menthis would be in itself a boon or advantage not easily




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    361
estimated.  The lender and the borrower would thus
know where to find each other. Many thousands of
idle useless dollars might thus be gathered into a bank,
by fifties and hundreds, [as in savings banks, by fives,
tens, etc.,] were such an institution rendered perfectly
trustworthy.
That the existing bank system is essentially vicious,
defective and fraudulent, is manifest to all men from the
fact, that they have universally suspended for longer or
shorter periods; that many have failed altogether; and
that not a few have been most nefarious swindling machines from the beginning, and utterly ruinous to the
bona fide stockholders.  They have been constructed
upon erroneous principles. The charters seem to have
been drafted with a direct view to the benefit of certain
bank officers and their favourites; and on purpose to
deceive and rob their real owners. There is a singular
obliquity or delusion in the public mind on this subject.
The prevalent idea is, that the stockholders are the
offending and responsible actors in all cases of bank
frauds and delinquencies.  Whereas, they are seldom
permitted to have any agency whatever in its concerns,
or any knowledge even of its condition or proceedings.
They are generally widows and orphans, or religious and
literary institutions, or quiet, peaceful, unsuspicious citizens, or strangers residing at remote distances: and all
content with a moderate interest, and safety for the
principal thus invested. The stockholders of our incorporated banks are precisely the party which, above all
others, need and deserve the special protection of govern



362    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ment. They have intrusted their property-frequently
their all-to banks, under the solemn guarantee, as they
believe, of the government. They have confided in the
acts and plighted faith of their government: and they
are justly entitled to its warranty. But for this security,
they never would have hazarded a dollar in any bank.
They presumed that the legislature had intended to
watch over and guard and safely manage their money,
through the agency provided by their own wisdom and
discretion. What could induce capitalists in New York
or Philadelphia to send their money to Tennessee, to be
used by the people of Tennessee, except a well-grounded
assurance that the legislature of Tennessee had made
their banks perfectly safe business-doing factors or substitutes; who would be duly looked after, and held to
their duty, by their masters who had established them?
Yet, let a bank go wrong, and all the public indignation
is directed against these innocent, unconscious, trustful
and cheated stockholders! The absolute losses sustained,
through a misplaced confidence in banks and other similar corporations, within the last two or three years, have
exceeded probably a hundred and fifty millions! —and
without a shadow of fault on the part of the sufferers!
Such stupendous frauds, under colour of law, and almost
with the countenance and connivance of the legislature,
have no parallel in any age or country. "The South
Sea Bubble" in England, and Law's famous bank and
Mississippi hoax in France, are trifles in the comparison.
What is a corporation? It is a body or number of




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    363
persons associated, according to law, to do precisely what
any individual might do without legal or special grant
from the government. Such is the received definition.
While in practice among us, the reverse would seem to
be its meaning; namely: A bank corporation is a close
body of twelve or fifteen directors authorized to get the
control of the funds of some ten thousand credulous men
and women; and therewith to do what no individual can
do according to law, or without risk of reputation and the
penitentiary.
But why not allow an individual to do what a corporation may lawfully do? Is the latter more trustworthy?
Experience shows that in every instance the corporation
has been faithless:* while some individuals have proved
faithful. In Europe, individual bankers, or mere private
firms of two or three persons, have universally sustained
their credit better than corporations owned by hundreds
or thousands, and governed by a dozen irresponsible officers: -who are more interested as borrowers than as
owners and lenders. Men always manage their own
affairs more prudently and efficiently than do servants
and agents. Here is the secret of sound banking. Let
the real owner of the capital employ it as best suits his
own interest. His object is to lend his money on good
security: not to borrow it, or hand it over to wild speculators, who will return neither interest or principal.
Such is the Scottish system of banking.  A few small
* All the banks, I believe, suspended specie payment in 1837: and
most of them again in 1839: as they had done before during the late
war with Great Britain.




364    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
capitalists unite their funds, form a company, as they
would a commercial partnership, open a bank, attend to
their own business, loan out small sums to hundreds of
their well-known industrious neighbours, charge interest
on what is actually drawn from bank, allow interest upon
whatever is deposited by the debtors; and are responsible
to the entire extent of their respective private fortunes.
This mode has prevailed in Scotland more than a century, and but a single failure has occurred-and that for
only about thirty thousand pounds. No act of incorporation is necessary. Banking firms are, like all others,
regulated by general laws, and are formed by individuals
at pleasure. The Scottish capital is thus kept at home,
used at home, and applied to the promotion of home
industry. Any honest mechanic, farmer, merchant, lawyer, doctor, parson or schoolmaster, with two good names
on his paper, can always get from the nearest bank whatever he needs to start in the world with-fifty or a hundred pounds, it may be, more or less. The bank runs no
risk by such loans. It rarely loses a debt: because three
men will seldom prove unable to pay a few pounds. Its
gains, though moderate, are steady and sure. Such banks
have been of infinite service to bonny -Scotland.
If the profession or business of banking cannot, like
other vocations, be open to all men, subject to the laws
of the land, as in Europe, we must have State banks, or
a national bank, or none at all. The evils of the present
system are manifold, inherent, radical, incurable. Better
have no banks, than such as now exist. They have not
only violated their charters; but the charters themselves




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    365
are essentially vicious, contradictory in their several, provisions, and altogether impracticable when strictly construed. They allow the issue of two or three times as
much paper as they [the banks] have specie, while they
enjoin constant cash payments on demand: and while
the State cannot possibly obtain or create a credit for
its banks beyond its own geographical limits. So that
a State bank could not safely put into circulation a
paper currency much exceeding its actual ability at any
moment to redeem or replace with specie. [A national
bank may render its notes equally valuable as gold, or
more so, everywhere throughout the Union, by using the
faith of the nation, and by making the paper receivable
at all points for dues to the government.]
No State shall "emit bills of credit;" or "make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of
debts." This article of the constitution cannot be altered,
modified or abrogated by State legislation. A State,
therefore, cannot create a paper currency; cannot emit
bills of credit; and ought not to do indirectly what it
cannot do directly. Qui facit per alium, fcacit per se. It
ought not to accomplish by banks or by any other agency
what is expressly forbidden to itself. State banks ought
to possess no privileges or prerogatives which are denied
to individuals. Their notes, payable at sight, ought always to be the mere sign or representative of specie, and
always exchangeable, the one for the other. So that
there never might or could be a depreciated State paper
currency-the very evil which the constitution intended
to provide against and utterly to prevent. Our people




336    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
have expected more from banks than they are calculated
to afford under any circumstances.
But if we will have State stock banks, the remedies
for, or rather preventives of, mischievous banking, are
the following, namely: 1. Good charters. 2. Competent
and faithful directors and other officers: who have no
interest in them except as stockholders, or no interest
which is not subordinate to that of the stockholders.
3. Moderate loans: and always to punctual solvent men
- as in Scotland. 4. No director or other officer to borrow money, under the heaviest penalties. 5. No voting
by proxy. 6. No oaths or obligations of secrecy. No
mysteries.  7. No officious or vexatious meddling by
government, contrary to charters.  8. The interests or
rights of stockholders to be protected against all hazards.
These are always identical with the public interest. 9.
Directors should be few in number-three or five are
enough-and be paid a per diem for their services, by
vote of the stockholders. 10. President, Cashier, etc. to
be paid salaries, fixed in like manner by the stockholders.
11. Directors and executive officers to be held absolutely
responsible for every species of mismanagement, whether
the result of neglect and ignorance, or of deliberate rascality. Punish them by forfeiture of their private fortunes, or by imprisonment at hard labour; or hang them,
if they deserve it. In order to the safe management of
a properly organized bank, the directors ought to conduct
its affairs as the legal agents or attorneys of the shareholders. Their business therefore is to lend money, not
to borrow: and to carry out or execute all the purposes




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.            367
and provisions of the charter in good faith.   12. No
favouritism.  No accommodations to relatives or friends
or great men or bold speculators.  No loan to the same
drawers and endorsers, exceeding a certain specified
amount.  13. The books to be always open to the inspection of the real owners.  14. Security for the noteholders, is simple convertibility of notes into dollars.
The same will prevent undue expansions and sudden
contractions of the currency.*
2. A Paper Currency, of some kind, is indispensable
here, elsewhere, in every civilized commercial country.
No political party can sustain the constitutional government of this great republic without it. The controversy
* Banks are generally got up: 1. By men who intend to speculate
in the stock. They subscribe largely; perhaps, for the whole capital.
Pay one or two instalments by stock notes; cause the stock to rise in
the market by the usual puffing and misrepresentation; get into the
Directory; and, at the right time, sell out, at a great advance above
par, to simple honest people, who pay up in full and in good money.
The latter thus become the bona fide stockholders: though never
allowed any agency in the government of the bank or any knowledge
of its actual condition. They are always cheated.
2. By men whose main object is to secure the lucrative offices, as
President, Cashier, etc.
3. By men, who, as Directors, intend to borrow for themselves or
friends the whole of the bank funds, etc.
These several classes generally unite and co-operate for their mutual
benefit-or they are identical.
Thus banks, commenced in the most fraudulent manner and managed by the most rascally agents and speculators, are at length owned
by honest men whose interests are utterly disregarded, and who have
no voice or influence in or over their proceedings. In this way, thousands of innocent persons have been swindled out of their property, in
every part of the country.




368    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
then is reduced to a mere choice of modes and plans, of
forms and systems. Between treasury notes and bank
notes, it may be. Or between those of different kinds of
banks. As banks of a mixed character, like the former
United States banks; or mere government banks, like
those of Russia, Austria-and Law's, as it became under
the Regent. In behalf of the former, [such as the United
States banks,] it may be said: The stockholders manage
the bank at their own cost; serve the public or the government for nothing; take good care of their own interests, [i.e. would do so, could they get an honest Directory
-such as I have already described;] which are identical
with, or inseparable from, those of the public; do not
over-issue, or flood the land with a depreciated and irredeemable paper currency, as governments are prone to
do, have done, and are still doing in several European
countries.
Possibly a national bank, owned by the Federal Government and the States, in due proportions, might be
made superior to any other; or, at least, more acceptable
to the people. It would probably enlist a State sentiment
in its favour. By excluding private or individual stockholders, there would be no ground of complaint about a
" moneyed aristocracy," "rag barons," "foreign capitalists
and foreign influence," "favouritism," and interferences
with elections or public affairs. There would be no scope
for gambling speculations in the stock; as no part or
share could ever come into private hands. It would all
be national or State property. It would be managed for
the benefit of the whole people. Subscription by a State,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             369
or the acceptance of her allotted portion of stock by a
State, would be voluntary. And, of course, there could
be no forcing of a branch into any State. No infringement, direct or implied, upon her' dignity or sovereignty
could be fancied or suspected. This apple of discord, at
least, would be withheld.* Or, at worst, the bank, if
* President Tyler vetoed two bills to establish a national bank,
passed by Congress at their extra session in 1841, chiefly because he
deemed it unconstitutional to locate a "branch" in any State without
its consent: and because such bank ought not to discount private
paper, etc. We may ask: Why so afraid of doing the people a small
favour even indirectly and incidentally? If there must be some kind
of contrivance or machinery or fiscal agency —very like a bank —to
carry on the business or operations of the government: why not suffer
the people to share its casual benefits, especially when the government
will receive no harm?  Why make a bank for exchanges only, and
refuse it the power of discounting ordinary business notes?  Who
could be injured by the latter?  Is anybody compelled to deal with
the bank? If the people like the "monster," and choose to caress it,
why object?
Why so much ado about sending a "branch" into a State without
its consent? Do you ever ask its consent, when you send it judges,
marshals, attorneys, postmasters, etc.? Are not foreigners even permitted to establish themselves anywhere, and to pursue any vocation
ad libitum? not excepting the borrowing and lending of money-the
buying and selling of "exchanges "-or the discounting of notes?
This, and more, they may do for their own advantage. So may the
Bank of England, or any European bank, by their agencies, all over
the country. While in the case of the "branch," the benefit accrues
to the people. It is sent to them with that object expressly in view.
The aim or intention therefore is good-is~benevolent.  The people
ask for this very boon.  They beg the government to give them a
bank. They entreat-they pray-for this precious favour. No, says
the President.  The constitution won't allow me.  Or rather, my
"conscience" will not consent.  I have a character at stake.  It
would be dreadful to appear inconsistent. My reputation is worth
more than any law of Congress-more than your interests-more than
VOL. III.-24




370      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
corruptly governed, would pass, like all other public
treasures, as spoils to the victorious office-holders of the
party regnant.
A paper currency, issued by the general government,
would be everywhere equally valuable. While receivable by government for all debts and taxes, and while
properly regulated and restricted as to quantity, it could
never be depreciated below specie. In general and in
most places, (especially those most remote from the principal seaports,) it would be more valuable than silver
and gold. It would everywhere command coin dollar for
dollar.' While, in many places, it would sell for a specie
premium in the open market. The reason is obvious.
Gold and silver are not, and cannot be made, equally
valuable everywhere. They are worth more in Nashville than in New York or New Orleans; because they
cost more to get them here. [The expense of transportation-the charges, namely, for freight, insurance,
etc. must always enter into the account.] And yet a
Nashville merchant, with dollars in hand, must pay a
the deliberate and loudly proclaimed judgment of two-thirds of the
people,-and of all our reverend sages, past, present, and to come!
Immaculate consciencel Magnanimous spiritl Glorious character!
How heroic I
N.B.-The officers of a "branch" would generally be citizens of the
State where it is established. Nothing therefore would be sent or
forced into a State, except capital-that is, money-for the sole but
voluntary use of the people. If they do not like it, they need not
touch it.
I have assumed above, that the people really wish to have a bank.
This may or may not be the fact. The President's position however
remains unaffected in either case.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    371
premium of two or three per cent. for a bill of exchange
at sight to discharge a debt in New York, or to enable
hinm to purchase goods.
"The Congress shall have power to lay and collect
taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and
provide for the common defence and general welfare of
the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises
shall be uniform throughout the United States." (Constitution, Art. 1., Sec. 8, 1.)  How can they be uniform,
unless payable in or by an article of invariable value
throughout the Union? Wheat, tobacco, cotton, rice,
sugar, coffee, pork, potatoes, would not answer. Neither
would gold or silver. These, like other commodities, are
worth more or less at different points, or in different
markets. Paper alone will meet the exigency-a paper
everywhere current; and which costs nothing to send it
from one city or town to another, however remote. Such
was the character of United States Bank paper.
The Congress shall have power-" To coin money,
regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin," * * *
(Constitution, Art. I., Sec. 8, 5.) How is the value of
coin to be fixed or regulated, except by some rule, measure or standard-like paper?  Nor is it of any consequence quoad loc whether the paper be above, or below,
or equal to par, as it is called. It is itself a fixed, invariable quantity. Gold and silver, corn and iron, may vary
in reference to it: but it changes not. It would be uniform throughout the Union.  People, paying in this
paper, would everywhere pay the same valu e-and no
mistake. The constitution, then, makes it the impera



372     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
tive duty of the government to create a bank, or to issue
a paper currency of some sort.
Moreover, a paper currency has this decided advantage over every other circulating medium, especially over
gold and silver, namely: that any amount, greater or
less, may be lost, burnt, buried in the ocean or in the
Mississippi, without any loss to the State or nation or
public or government. Even if the destruction of a bank
bill should prove a total loss to the owner, it will be a
gain to the bank. Whereas the loss of gold or silver is
a loss to both the owner and the public. It is the annihilation of value. All lose: none gain. Further, matters might be so contrived, that the loss or destruction
of a bank or treasury note, or of a paper title of any sort,
should not injure any party. Just as the loss of a promissory note or bond, or of a title deed to land, may not of
necessity involve the utter loss of either debt or land.
The Book of Record will serve as evidence in either and
in all cases.
Highway robbery has been greatly diminished by the
general use of paper money. Men seldom travel with
large sums of gold and silver, as formerly they were
accustomed to do.
Coin is daily growing lighzter by use-i.e. by friction —
by ordinary wear and tear. It is liable to injury from
clipping, counterfeiting and various modes of debasement.  The practice too of sweeating gold;-that is, by
certain chemical applications, taking away some fifteen
or twenty-five per cent. of the metal, and leaving the
general appearance of the coin the same as before; —has
become quite common, both in Europe and in this coun



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    373
try. It has already deteriorated the English gold circulation to such an extent as to render it necessary to call
in the whole mass for recoinage at the mint, (1842.)
[Note also the galvanic process of coating, or covering,
or plating, or gilding the baser metals with gold so as to
deceive the most cautious.]
Government Paper. Suppose we cannot get a national
bank: may we not have a national paper currency? Certainly we may. First. Instead of paying gold and silver
from the treasury, [when they happen to be in it,] notes,
prepared like bank bills, payable to bearer, might be
issued. These would be the precise sign or representative of the specie on hand-nothing more. No addition
would thereby be made to the amount of the current
money or of the national capital. Still, many of the
advantages already specified might result from this mere
substitution of paper for specie. It would be of uniform
and invariable value everywhere —could be transmitted
without cost, etc. Second. A national debt, (whenever
so unfortunate as to have one,) to the amount of twenty
or thirty millions of dollars, might be put into the form
of government or treasury notes of all sizes, like bank
notes; and thus be paid out and circulated as money
among the people. This would be a clear addition to
the currency, above the actual specie in the market;
and might possibly prove a public benefit.  It would
be equally valuable, so long as received by the government in payment of all dues, and while properly limited
in amount. It would facilitate exchanges. The paper
could be used in lieu of commercial drafts; and the expense of remittances would scarcely exceed the postage.




374      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
NOTES.
1. Great Expense of Banks. —The excessive multiplication of
banks by the States is a grievous burden upon the people, on the
score of expense alone-even were they ably managed. There are in
Tennessee about twenty banks-principals and branches-with from
five to ten salaried officers each; besides from seven to fifteen directors. Allowing to each bank six executive officers, we have one
hundred and twenty persons employed, at an average salary, say of
$1000, or a total of $120,000 per annum, to superintend a bad currency. Then twenty banking houses at a rent charge of $1000, or
$20,000 a year for the whole. Then insurances, contingencies, losses
by bad debts and rogueries of all sorts, may reach to any indefinitely
large sum. But set these down at only $60,000 a year. We then
have a total annual tax or charge of $200,000 imposed on the good
people of Tennessee, in order to be furnished with a very poor substitute for United States Bank paper.
There are some 900 or 1000 similar banks in the United States,
which, at the same rates as the above, cost the nation nine or ten
millions annually. In like manner, there are not fewer probably than
five or six thousand salaried officers, and from ten to twenty thousand
directors. Reasonable scope here for peculation, political patronage,
favouritism, intrigue and genteel idleness!
2. From a mere reading of the constitution, one might infer that
the federal government alone had the right to charter banks. That
the States retained no right whatever to meddle with the currency, or
to emit paper money or "bills of credit," in any form, or under any
guise.  This would be a legitimate inference or construction, were it
not that several State banks existed at the time when the Convention
framed the constitution, viz.:(1.) The Bank of North America, (then a Pennsylvania bank,)
instituted in 1781.
(2.) Massachusetts Bank, at Boston, 1784.
(3.) Bank of New York, at New York, 1784.
3. The States could not reserve to themselves the sole right of
creating a national banking corporation, or a bank which could furnish a uniform currency throughout the Union, because they never
possessed either the right or the power.  They could not do it, if
they would.
4. A National Currency.-" The indispensable elements of a na



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             375
tional currency must combine: 1. Uniformity; 2. Safety; 3. Convenience; 4. Convertibility; 5. And entire public confidence.  Invarinbility of value is the great desideratum of currency.  So great is the
advantage of a paper currency over a metallic, that its tendency is
rather to increase than diminish in value, when the basis is perfectly
secure; and no greater security can possibly be given, than the plighted
faith of the government, to whose hands are confided the fortunes,
lives and honour of the people. This is the highest of all possible
human security." (Madisonian, 1841.  The official organ of Tyler's
administration.)
5. Are banks monopolies?  If so, who created them?  Who is
responsible for their doings? Who culpable, etc.?
6. Are bank charters contracts? If so, ought they not to be fulfilled in good faith; even when they prove bad bargains to the people
who made them?




AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.
PART FOURTH.
TARIFF, Taxation, Bounties, Free Trade, Revenue, Protection.
The technical term  tariff as used in our country,
means a list or table of duties or customs to be paid
on goods imported-according to some fixed scale or
uniform system. Without attempting any formal, elaborate or scientific discussion of this complex, exciting,
vexatious and much controverted subject; I merely submit my general views, in few words, under the following
heads. I remark:1. That, as a mode of taxation, it is preferable to all
others. It is a tax on consumption-chiefiy on luxuries
-and is always voluntary. It is infinitely better, or less
injurious, than a tax on land, or upon production, or
than any species of direct tax whatever. Here, again,
Mr. Jefferson was orthodox. Among the first'acts of
his administration, was the repeal of the internal or
direct taxes of every kind. (Tucker, vol. ii. p. 113.)  This
is high authority and safe precedent for both whigs and
democrats.
2. It is perfectly equal-in all sections of the republic,
and upon all classes of the people. It operates on individuals everywhere-as much so inl Massachusetts as in
(376)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    377
South Carolina.  The individual consumer of the foreign
goods always pays; and in exact proportion to the amount
consumed. It favours none-oppresses none. It is not,
and cannot be, sectional or local or partial in its application. It is the fairest and most equitable plan of supplying the necessities of an economical government which
human wisdom can devise.
3. The interests of all classes and professions-the
farmer, planter, mechanic, merchant, manufacturer-are
identical and inseparable. You cannot depress one class
of producers, without injury to all the rest. There is no
ground, therefore, for jealousy or hostility on the part of
any one class or vocation towards another.
4. A distinction ought to be made between a tariff for
revenue, and a tariff for the protection and encouragement of home industry. A tariff strictly for revenue, is
not intended to prevent or to check importation. Otherwise it would defeat its avowed design. With this single
object in view, a judicious tariff would never be higher
than the actual condition of commerce could bear without diminishing the dutiable commodities in number or
quantity. It should be as light as the exigencies of government would permit. And should be laid on luxuries
rather than upon necessaries —upon wine rather than on
coffee. It is a tax: and all taxes are onerous, and generally odious. It is difficult to persuade the people that a
tax is a good thing-a desirable measure-a real favour
to themselves. They are naturally and justly suspicious
whenever they are told about the blessings of taxation.
They do not readily perceive how the taking of their




.378    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
money is to enrich or benefit them. They have a shrewd
notion that more is meant than meets the ear. That.it
is all a cunning Yankee scheme to get money out of their
pockets under false pretences; and for very selfish purposes. That a tariff, in short, is neither more nor less
than a robbery of the many for the benefit of the fewor of the South to enrich the North.
It were, perhaps, a wiser policy at once to discriminate
between the articles which we must import from abroad,
and those which we intend to produce or manufacture at
home. Upon the first, levy a sufficient impost or tax to
meet the wants of government; and prohibit the importation of the latter altogether: either by a forfeiture of the
cargo, or by other penalties; or by so heavy a duty as
must soon put an end to the traffic. The people would
then understand the whole subject. Two distinct objects would be placed before them. The one, revenue:
the other, the exclusion of all foreign goods, which could
compete or interfere with domestic industry. The first
is a tax-nothing more. It will be regarded and paid
as a tax without complaint, if reasonable and moderate.
In the other case, it will be seen that the government is
aiming directly to foster and sustain certain kinds, or
rather all practicable kinds, of home production; and
that a tariff for this end, was never designed as a tax,
but as a preventive-as an obstacle in the way of the
foreigner-as a guarantee of a clear field and ample market for the American labourer. Who would object to
this? The universal cry is, or has been, the want of
something to do-that is worth doing. Every sensible




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    379
reflecting man among us sees, knows, and, if honest,
avows, that we must learn to manufacture, as well as
grow, the raw material. If a tariff of a thousand per
cent. on the foreign manufacture, would lead to this
result, we ought to pray for the boon. Still, inasmuch
as we are eternally mystified and humbugged by the
term  tarth I would not employ it in this connexion.
I would instead, call the thousand per cent. a penaltya fine-imposed on the European capitalist who should
dare to violate our laws, by sending his wares into our
ports to the injury of our own honest labourers. Here
would be no tax-not even the semblance of extortion
or oppression. It would be direct, positive, manifest protection. And all the people would rejoice and prosper
together: if the demagogue will let them alone.
5. The grand desideratum is, to bring as nearly together as possible, all classes of producers-the farmer,
manufacturer, merchant. Then a mutual exchange of
their respective commodities can be readily, cheaply and
profitably effected. Manufacturing cities, towns and villages spring up in the midst of agricultural districts; and
the whole country assumes a cheerful flourishing aspect.
6. There can be no monopoly in such cases. Exclude
the foreign competitor; and the competition immediately
commences among our own citizens. Let any man, or
set of men, engage in manufacturing cotton, for example;
and should the business prove lucrative, others will enter
upon the same vocation-and others still-until the
profits are reduced to the lowest scale or value of productive capital in other investments. The goods will be




380     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
supplied at lower prices by the home manufacturer than
ever before by the foreigner. Such is the natural, universal and inevitable course and result of all free competition. Our past experience proves it. It is absurd to
talk of a monopoly of any profitable business which is
equally open to the competition of fifteen millions of
enterprising freemen. Or even if limited to the citizens
of several States, the scope for competition will still
extend to millions, and thus render any approach to
monopoly impracticable.
7. No country has ever prospered long or greatly without manufactures. A purely agricultural country is never
rich or powerful. Poland and Turkey may illustrate the
truism. Russia has learned the grand secret of national
strength and greatness; and is sagaciously devoting her
wisdom and energies to the protection and increase of
her domestic manufacturing industry.  Her immense
agricultural capacity would avail but little without it.
She invites and encourages foreigners to settle and
labour in her midst.
8. Cheap labour. Labour is cheaper in Europe than
with us; therefore Europe can manufacture for us at
cheaper rates than we can for ourselves.  Let us see.
Agricultural labour is also cheaper in Europe than in
this country. Shall we therefore depend on Europe for
our corn and potatoes? The logic is as pertinent to the
one case as to the other. We had. better go to sleep, and
let good old Europe take care of us.
9. Our agricultural productions can be indefinitely enlarged. We could grow grain enough to supply half the




-MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   381
world. But what inducement have we to cultivate the
soil, beyond a bare subsistence? What is a rich harvest
good for, if you can neither sell nor give it away? Had
Tennessee a market for all she could produce, she might
raise corn and swine enough for the whole Union, at fair
prices. This is the very ground of present complaintnamely, our useless superabundance. Farmers know not
what to do with their produce. The Anglo-Malthusian
theory is nonsense in America. We can produce a thousandfold more than we can consume. We could feed the
British Empire, if her Majesty or her subjects would pay
us for the service. Well, then, if our entire labouring
force cannot —will not —be expended upon the soil: why
not divert it to some other useful sphere of employment?
Why not make our own hats, shoes, coats, axes, gridirons, fish-hooks and Jews-harps? Why import a needle
or a pinch of snuff?
10. Better buy, where you can buy cheapest. This is
the omnipotent stuzmp, street, parlour and Congress argument. I beg Adam Smith's pardon, and Mr. Calhoun's
also. But I must say, that this apparent truism is not
true. I admit, that if a man have in his pocket a given
sum of money wherewith to purchase certain articles, it
is best for him at the time and in reference to the cash
on hand, to get the cheapest goods of equal quality that
the market affords. But, in general, there is a previous
question, namely, how is he to get the money? Most
people in our country are compelled to earn money before they can purchase anything. Now if it be easier to
earn two dollars to give in exchange for a pair, of shoes,




382      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
made by your neighbour, who wants your corn; than to
earn one dollar to pay a shoemaker in Paris, who will
not take your corn, and for which there is no market;
then is it cheaper to pay two dollars at home than one
abroad or for a foreign product. Now this is precisely
our case. We have exhausted all our resources in the
purchase of foreign commodities: and nobody will buy
the produce of our farms. We must, therefore, (a portion of us,) become manufacturers, or manufacturers from
abroad must come and live among us: and then we can
mutually sustain each other.*
11. Free trade is the doctrine of the entire school of
modern  Political Economy.   As a theory, it may be
sound, orthodox, beautiful-perhaps.   But what iswhat has ever been-the practice of the commercial
world? Does England practise agreeably to the dicta
of her own distinguished professor, [A. Smith?] Conceding the principle of a perfectly free trade to be just,
liberal, politic, expedient, beneficial: ought it not to be
* I had occasion, while on my journey to this city in November,
1824, to purchase at Chillicothe, Ohio, a pair of plain shoes for one
of my little boys. The price was two dollars. They had been imported from the East —probably from New Jersey. Corn was then
selling in Chillicothe at 61 cents per bushel. So that a farmer-had
to give 32 bushels of corn for a pair of shoes, worth in New Jersey
about one dollar,-and where corn was selling at from 75 to 100 cents
per bushel. Farm labour was as dear in Ohio as in New Jersey.
The cost of producing corn, about the same in each. Had the two
kinds of labour been brought into immediate proximity and competition, they would have been equally valuable; and both parties would
have been equally benefited by a mutual exchange of their respective
commodities.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    383
universal in its application? Ought not the same equitable system to obtain among the several nations which
traffic one with another? Can any two nations trade
with each other upon equitable and mutually satisfactory terms, where the antagonist principles of free trade
on the one side, and exorbitant protective duties on the
other, are maintained by their respective governments?
In order to insure the prosperity of any species of
manufacturing industry, three things are requisite:
namely, 1. Equal intelligence and skill. 2. Equal capital, or sufficient capital. 3. Equal protection, or equal
freedom from hostile monopoly and legal favouritism.
Wherever superior intelligence, superior capital, and
government exclusive patronage prevail, there the manufacture will flourish: and might be made to supply, or
rather glut, every market in the world not equally
favoured.  Instance England, as she has been, as she
is, and as she is likely to continue. Look at her gigantic tariff, her corn-laws, her colonial and navigation
policy, her monopolies of all sorts, her prohibition of
every foreign "article which can be found or created
within the territories of a dominion extending over
the fairest and most productive regions of every climate upon the globe.  How ought America to act in
reference to England?  If England will not buy our
agricultural products-our wheat, lumber, tobacco, rice
-why should we buy her manufactured goods? What
is her prospective policy in regard to cotton? In ten
or twenty years, she can, if she please, grow cotton
enough, within the immense range of her colonial pos



384    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
sessions, to clothe the entire population of our planet
-and  of the moon to boot-provided she can get
there.
12. The advantages of domestic manufactures. Create
Birminghams and Manchesters among ourselves-along
the banks of our own Cumberland and Tennessee: Why
not?  Why should we not work up or manufacture our
own raw materials? Our cotton, flax, hemp, wool, iron,
leather, wood, silk, tobacco? Why send a bale of cotton
to England to be manufactured and returned to us, at an
enormous (comparative or proportional) expense, for our
daily use? Why not send your wheat and maize to England to be ground into flour and meal; and then bring
them back again for your daily food? In the latter case,
we act sensibly. TWe choose to export our grain, in a
manufactured form, in order to secure the benefit of such
manufacture to our own citizens. In like manner, we
ought to manufacture cotton, not only for home consumption, but for the foreign market. And we can do it, if
our government will effectually protect us. Thus, too,
we can do with every other raw material in the country.
We can manufacture it for our own use, and export it,
when manufactured, to other countries.  This is the
genuine American policy; and until we adopt and practise it, we exclude ourselves from all the most valuable
privileges of independent nationality. We have already
rendered ourselves more dependent on England and more
serviceable to her, than we were when colonies.  She
then conceded to us the humble boon of a British market for all our native raw products; and for these she




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    385
kindly. furnished us the goodly wares of her workshops.
The latter she: is' still desirous too supply. The former
she indignantly rejects.
13. A tarifffor protection is not unconstitutional-as is
evident from the- proceedings of. the. Convention which
formied the constitution; and from;all our. subsequent
and previous history.  Nothing. is. or. canube unconstitutional, which is manifestly for the welfare of the republic. If not so, then the constitution is'faulty, and
ought to be amended;: or incurably bad, and ought to
be discarded forthwith. Cut the Gordian knot, when you
Cannot untie it. The people never intended'to adopt
a constitution which should prevent their own government from doing them good- and the largest amount,
of- good.
Besides, if the federal government cannot protect our
domestic industry, against foreign or hostile competition,
it follows that such protection can be sought from no
quarter nor be afforded by any existing power or authority whatever. The States have not only reserved
no right to regulate or meddle with our commercial
interests or foreign relations, but have positively relinquished- and surrendered the whole subject to the exclusive control of the national government.
14. The United States are one in fact; one in policy;
one in interest. Consider the Union, for a moment, as
one State. Call it Carolina. The whole republic is
styled, and everywhere known and honoured as Carolina. Who would think of complaining of injustice or
inequality or of conflicting interests, under the same
VOL. ni.-25




386    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
simple, uniform, municipal and commercial code? We
should then.all be good Carolinians, whether in latitude
320 or 450. And we should hardly dream of quarrelling
about the terms of our traffic and intercourse with foreign
nations. Why should the States now regard each other
as foreign or quasi foreign nations? Or as anything but
the component parts or chief divisions of one great commonwealth?
Suppose duties on certain imported goods encourage or
tend to encourage the growth of manufactures in Massachusetts: do they (the duties) injure Georgia or any portion of the South or Southwest exclusively or chiefly?
If burdensome at all, the burden falls, as before remarked,
on individuals.-Upon the citizens of Massachusetts, not
less than upon the citizens of Georgia and Tennessee.
Hundreds of thousands in Massachusetts must be consumers, besides manufacturers, as well as in the extreme South-where, perhaps, none manufacture -at
present.
But throughout the Union, there will be equality of
rights; perfect reciprocity of privileges; free and unrestricted traffic; so that capital, intelligence and enterprise will be ever expansive and diffusive. -Will be
constantly extending and widening their sphere of operations. -Will gradually find their way to the Gulf of
Mexico and the shores of the Pacific.  Manufactures
will presently spring up even in Carolina, and everywhere throughout the land-if needed, or if profitable
to the adventurer.
No monopoly or exclusive privileges can be accorded




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   387
to the North or East. If manufactures begin there, it is
because that is the most appropriate locality for such
enterprises and investments at the outset. But, in due
time, they will naturally go elsewhere. For every good
end, the twenty-six or thirty States and Territories may
be to each other as so many distinct nations —carrying
on all sorts of productive industry unshackled, and of
commerce upon the most approved principles of free
trade. Domestic or internal commerce and the home
market, are always the most profitable. Our confederacy, therefore, extending over so vast a region of diversified soil and climate, may command all the advantages
which usually accrue from both external and domestic
commerce-even were we, by war or other causes, excluded from foreign ports altogether.
15. How is wealth created, accumulated, enlarged, perpetuated?  Look at Tennessee now. What might not
she become, if we could insure within her limits a certain
market for a dozen home manufactures of different commodities? How changed would soon be the aspect of the
whole commonwealth! Could we exclude foreign competition for twenty years, we should attract foreign capital and capitalists, with foreign operatives and artisans
of all sorts; until we could boast of our own Sheffields
and Paisleys and Lowells; and thus become independent
of both Old and New England.
Previously to the late interruptions and disasters,
manufactures were in fact rapidly extending towards
the South.  They had already gained a foothold in
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and per



388     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
haps in other States. And with suitable protection, they
will flourish wherever the people shall choose to adv.en
ture upon the enterprise.  Negroes may be converted
into operatives anywhere.  They are probably' better
adapted to the factory than to: the plantation.  And
since negroes we must have among us, whether bond
or free, the experiment is at least worth.making.
What will be the effect of the'new  tariff bill just
passed by Congress, [September, 1842,]'time must disclose.  It no doubt will operate beneficially, if persevreringly maintained for a sufficient length of time to
give it a fair trial.'
16. Bounties, granted by a State, to encourage home
production, are incomparably more burdensome and less
effective than a tariff of duties upon the commodities
of foreign competitors; and much more objectionable
on every account.  As a system, it is condemned by all
writers and by all statesmen. "A tariff may be framed
on such narrow and exclusive views as to be nearly as
injurious to a country [as bounties,] but the evil'consequences are less palpable; and hence: bounties have
ceased to be considered as advantageous to the general
interest, while high or prohibitory import duties are
more or less adopted by all commercial nations." * * *
NOTE.-A tariff to favour the products of particular sections of the
country, is partial and unjust —as the duty of:2 cents on the pound
of sugar, to encourage its production in Louisiana. Here the whole
population of the Union are taxed to support a limited number of
sugar planters, etc. In like manner, the duty on imported raw cotton
-it cannot be grown in Maine, Vermont, etc.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    389
Adam Smith remarks, that: "By means of bounties our
merchants and -manufacturers, it is, pretended, will be
enabled to -sell their goods. as cheap or; cheaper than
their rivals in the -foreign markets. *. * We cannot
[he adds] force foreigners to buy their goods, as we have
done our own countrymen. The next best expedient, it
has been: thought, therefore,. is to pay them for buying."
(Penny Cyclo edia;)
"'Bounties'are, a more expensive mode. of, encouragement'than. duties: and, prohibitions, as'the money must
be first collected by:a tax, and then distributed in bounties-a process in which a loss of from two to twenty per
cent.:is sustained& —that is, a bounty of 100 dollars costs
the nation from: 102 to 120 dollars, according as the col,
lection, and- distribution of the revenue is more or less
expensive." (Ibid., Art. Bounty:)
Bounties'in England! have -been discontinued. In this
country they seem to find favour just in proportion to
our dislike' of a tariff.  In' Maine and Massachusetts
large bounties have. been paid to the growers of wheat.
In several States bounties are paid to encourage the production and manufacture of silk. This is done by Tennessee. Who pay these bounties?  The people-all the
people-the farmers especially. Here we tax the grower
of corn, tobacco and cotton, for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the silk grower. Whereas, a duty imposed on
foreign silk imported, would afford real protection, and
be paid only by the consumer or wearer of the silk goods.
If the blacksmith were taxed directly and avowedly to
pay the carpenter, I suppose the injustice would be ob.




390    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
vious to everybody. The same injustice is done to the
corn-grower, when you tax him, as you now do, to put
money into the pockets of the silk producer. - Here you
tax the necessaries of life to pay for the creation of luxuries. There would have been more wisdom in awarding
a bounty to the growers of flax, wool, hemp, cotton; and
especially to the manufacturers of these or other indispensable articles of existence. Or in giving premiums
for the largest crops-for the better qualities-for improved modes of cultivation —for extraordinary inventions or discoveries in the useful arts-for improvements
in machinery, farming utensils, etc.
Bounties will never establish or render permanent
the "silk business" in Tennessee. This object cannot
be effected, except by the concurrent action of all the
States in excluding foreign silks. For if the latter are
admitted into Kentucky, for instance; how shall we prevent their ingress into Tennessee?  In order then to
perpetuate the culture of silk in Tennessee, it would be
necessary to perpetuate the bounty. That is, continue
to tax one portion, or rather the whole, of the people, to
enable a few fashionable ladies and gentlemen to show
off in silk finery; and to look down with contempt upon
the industrious wearer of domestic cottons and woollens.
Now the only fair, impartial and effectual method of
giving permanent prosperity to the grower and manufacturer of silk, is the prohibition of foreign silk goods
by the federal government,-either through the agency
of a high tariff, or by a more summary process. This,
once accomplished-and the City of Lyons would cross




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    391
the Atlantic, and be at home in the "Great Valley," in
less than five years.
The interest of both farmers and mechanics will be
far more effectively promoted by duties on imports than
by any bounties upon the home product. In this way,
our cotton and sugar have long been protected. Whether the new tariff bill (passed September, 1842,) will
adequately defend and sustain the growth and manufacture of silk, time must determine. In any event, the
State Bounty Act ought to be repealed, or be allowed to
expire by its own limitations.
17. Taxation may be necessary, proper, beneficialand yet may be so unwisely levied and collected, as to
occasion more harm than good. The system is evil, when
it tempts or prompts to concealment, fraud, falsehood,
intemperance, idleness, ignorance, profligacy, wastefulness, crime. Thus England, until lately, taxed knowledge 100 per cent., and suffered gin to go free.
The history of the license system is curious and instructive. We find traces of it for some two hundred
years back.  In reference to the sale of intoxicating
liquors, the aim was doubtless to check or prevent their
excessive use, as well as to obtain revenue. The result
has been, a great increase of intemperance. And so also,
in the case of licensed gaming establishments. Persons
duly authorized by law to keep drinking and gambling
houses, are regarded as privileged parties, who deserve
the patronage and encouragement of the public. And
they seldom fail to exert the kind of influence which is
most favourable to their interests.




392     MISCELLANEOUS'S DISCOURSES AND' ESSAYS.
A landtlax i's always.objectionable, when its amount
depends on, or is apportioned according to, the' increased
value created' by: hiuman industry, enterprise,. and the
outlay of capital for its improvement.  If taxed at all;
it should be at. a fixed invariable rate, from a valuation
of tlie land ihn its virgin or unimproved condition —so
that the proprietor might enjoy  all the fruits'of his
labours -and expenditures, without fear of additional
taxes for' his: pains.'Upon this plan, he would be
stimulated anxd urged by the strongest motives,'to aug,
ment the value of his estate as rapidly as possible.  In
this respect, the land-tax of Tennessee is injudiciousif not the worst that could be'devised.  Under the' old
constitution the system' was excellent.  It was- a determ.
inate sum upon each 100 acres-irrespective of quality
or value.  Of course, all prices and sales of land were
adjusted in accordance with this well known and established law or custom.  Poor land would sell for less, rich,
land for more, proportionally, in consequence of'both
being subjected to the same annual tax or charge.'At
present, under our new constitution, every dollar's value
added' to the soil, from year to year, by' the sweat of: the
farmer's brow, must be'taxed!  Unless a very accommo,
dating conscience should dispose him to conceal or. deny
the truth.  Thus' you tax industry, and' tempt to fraud,
at the same time.
In England, the usage is different. "In the year 1692,
a general valuation was made of the income of all the
land'in the country; and, upon that valuation, the landtax continues to be levied to this day; so that the tax




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.             393
of four shillings in the pound, upon the rents of land, is
a fifth of its rent, in 1692, and not of the actual rent at
the present day.". (Say, Polit. Econ., vol ii. p. 228.)
This is probably the true cause of the  agricultural
prosperity of England: and not her oppressive corn-laws,
as many seem to imagine.*
* I omit the topics, Internal Improvements, Education, etc. —
What a government. can and ought to, do in regard to roads, canals,
and all other. means of transportation and travelling-what for, the
diffusion of- knowledge-' and universal education, etc., I have not space
to inquire. Besides, I have elsewhere and on other occasions discussed
these themes pretty.thoroughly.




AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.
PART FIFTH.
THE third head of discourse or principal division of
our subject remains to be treated of or discussed, viz.: —
What can the people do for themselves, independently
of the government?*
1. They should endeavour, by all means, to acquire a
perfect mastery of their own proper business. Very few
farmers or mechanics do themselves justice in this respect. They ought to aim at and strive for the highest
eminence in agriculture and the mechanic arts. They
should do their work well-try to do it better-be willing to learn-make experiments with a view to improved
machinery and modes of operation, etc.
2. Persevering industry and rigid economy indispensable from the outset.-As also, sobriety, honesty, order,
regularity, punctuality, system.
3. Independence of mind or spirit. Self-reliance. Disregard of popular prejudices about negro labour. False
pride on this subject. Slavery, a prolific source of idleness, extravagance and profligacy.  Men who cannot
afford to keep slaves, must work themselves or be worse
* Upon this branch of the subject-the most important perhaps of
the three-I shall here record only a few general hints for extemporaneous enlargement, as occasion may serve or require.
(394)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    395
off than slaves. They can never rise above their present
humble position otherwise. They will remain poor, degraded, despised-if too proud to labour. Work as freemen in order to be free. Negroes, a great hindrance to
white labour.
4. Knowledge to be sought and acquired in all practicable ways-and from every available source. Educate
yourselves. Show how this may be done.
5. Morality —Religion.-Demonstrate their importance
even to worldly thrift and prosperity.
6. Refinement of manners. Labourers need not be
rude, vulgar, rough, boorish, repulsive, coarse, rustic or
uncivil. A gracious demeanour-a courteous addressa quiet, self-possessed, gentle, urbane habit of buying and
selling-to be studiously cultivated. Illustrate the value
of such accomplishments to the parties addressed.
7. Popular education-as a common cause, and with
reference to the general welfare of the people. Show
how the entire mass of the labouring people may be
benefited and elevated by a higher standard and system
of education.
8. Individuals distinguished by genius and learning
among farmers and mechanics, do not elevate or dignify
the class or body to which they at first belong. They
rise above it —leave it-and appear as stars in a different
sphere.  They become physicians, lawyers, preachers,
statesmen, politicians, inventors, authors, journalists.
They cease to be artisans and labourers. They do not
therefore illustrate their primitive humble rank or calling. The mechanical trades or crafts continue as before.




396     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
The shepherd, the tinker, the journeyman printer, the
shoemaker, the carpenter, the.lastmaker,* the blacksmith,
the clockmaker, the barber —have gained nothing in
public estimation or social privilege, by the intellectual
superiority and miraculous achievements. of "a Shakspeare or Ferguson, a Bunyan,- a Franklin, a Sherman
or. Bloomfield or Carey, a Lea, a; Morrison, a. Burritt ot
Baier, a Rittenhouse, an Arkwright, a Burns, a Fulton.
* Dr. Morrison was a last and boot-tree maker.




THOUGHTS ON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT,
OR ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY.
[NEW ALBANY, INDIANA, 1851.]








THOUGHTS ON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH GOVERNMENT
OR ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY.*
HEADS, TOPICS, HINTS, FACTS-FOR DISCUSSION, ILLUSTRATION, ETC.-BEING THE
OUTLINE OF AN INAUGURAL DISCOURSE, AS PROFESSOR IN THE THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY OF NEW ALBANY, 1851.
IT is proposed, in the present discourse, to attempt
little more than a simple exhibition of the principal
heads or topics which the subject naturally suggests as
worthy of notice; and which, under other circumstances,
and especially in the theological class-room, would demand a more ample discussion or illustration. I shall
not follow any very strictly historical or logical order in
the arrangement of either the facts or arguments which
I am about to submit to your consideration. They may,
however, be comprehended under two general captions
or divisions, viz.:* It is due to the author to state, that the manuscript from which
these fragmentary thoughts are taken was evidently not prepared by
him for publication. A part of the matter was delivered by him before
the Board of Directors of the New Albany Theological Seminary, in
1851, when he was inaugurated as Professor of Biblical Archaeology
and Church Government in that institution. As stated by him at the
time, it was intended as a synopsis or compendium of his course of
instruction. It was never fully written out, and only a part of it is
here published: and that mainly to show the outline of his instructions
as a Teacher of Theology. The several heads of discourse, in all
probability, became the themes of his extemporaneous and eonversational lectures to his pupils.-EDITOR.
(399)




400     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
I. The elementary principles and distinctive features
of the Presbyterian Church Polity.
II. Its peculiar advantages and practical results.
With these two objects mainly in view,-I shall dispose
of my miscellaneous materials in. numerical order, just
as they occur to mind, without reference to their direct
bearing upon either of the above purposes.-or propositions.
1. Government is a divine'institution.  This proposition will not be questioned by any, who derive their opinions from the Bible; nor, indeed, by any who soberly
reflect on the characters condition and necessities of social
man. No community, large or small, from the family to
the empire, could exist without it. No association, literary, philosophical, religious or benevolent, secret or public, voluntary or involuntary, for good or for evil, can be
sustained without government-or without laws, rules,
sanctions and penalties.
2. The Bible is replete with examples and lessons on
the subject of government-family or domestic, civil or
political, religious or ecclesiastical.
3. While'it is not pretended that the Bible furnishes
exact models for either civil or church polity-adapted
to all ages and countries-yet much. that is valuable and
pertinent to both may thience be learned: and not a few
radical and essential principles are clearly inculcated as
of universal and perpetual obligation. Such, for instance,
is the decalogue.
4. In reference to the Church, we must bear in mind
the wide difference between the Mosaic and' Christian




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    401
dispensations. The first was limited, local; secular, temporary, ceremonial, typical, carnal, worldly and national
-at least, in many or most respects. The latter isand was designed to be-catholic, spiritual, unworldly
and perpetual; a religion of peace on earth and good will
toward men; of hope, joy, charity and holiness; of everlasting life and felicity through faith in the atoning sacrifice of the eternal Son of God, to all generations, without
respect to persons, and without distinction of nations or
families.
The worship and ritual service of the tabernacle, and
more especially of the temple, were imposing, costly,
burdensome, magnificent, and altogether without a rival
in external splendour, pomp and grandeur. Whatever
appertained to the system or to the priesthood, was also
most minutely and accurately prescribed. So particular
and so precise, indeed, were the directions and descriptions recorded in the Jewish law-book, that no room was
left for doubt, or for diversity of opinion, in regard either
to the substance or form of any commanded observance.
Thus, the manner in which circumcision was to be performed and the passover to be celebrated, was so clearly
indicated and so well understood, that no dispute or controversy ever arose upon the subject. Now, in all these
respects, the Christian economy presents a direct contrast
to the Jewish. Christ's kingdom is not of this world:
and he demands the homage of the heart.  The temple,
the sacrifice, the Levitical priesthood, had accomplished
the purposes of their institution; and were superseded
VOL. III.-26




402    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
by a service which every sincere disciple or believer
could render at any time, in any place, under any circumstances, and without regard to external or conventional formalities. Under the Gospel, no importance is
attached to forms or modes. There are no rites or ceremonies-at least, in the Jewish meaning of the terms.
Or if Baptism and the Eucharist be exceptions, they
are very different in character, object and signification.
There is no particularity or specification of details. No
minute directions are given about form, manner, time
and other incidents. Of course, much is left to human
discretion-with a wide scope or margin for differences
in mere non-essential modes; and for the exercise of
charity and mutual forbearance among Christian sects
and parties.
5. The Bible is our only authoritative guide and standard in the government and discipline of the Church, as
well as in doctrine and conduct.
6. In the absence or want of explicit scriptural directions, we must be guided by the spirit and manifest scope
of the Gospel. That system of ecclesiastical polity is
best, which most surely promotes, cherishes, and accords
with, the principles of the Gospel: —which most effectually maintains purity of doctrine and holiness of life
among the people.
7. According to the "judicious" Hooker: "The necessity of polity and regimen in all churches may be believed, without holding any one certain form to be
necessary in them all. And the general principles are
such, as do not particularly describe any one; but sun



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    403
dry forms of discipline may be equally consistent with
the general axioms of Scripture."
The practical applications of this apparently liberal
announcement, by the celebrated author of the "Ecclesiastical Polity," will be noticed hereafter.
8. Diversity in the forms of church government, as
well as in doctrine and ceremonial, has prevailed almost
from the apostolic age. These, under various modifications, may be denominated or classified, as Popish or
Roman Catholic, Prelatical or Episcopal, Independent or
Congregational, Presbyterian, and Erastian.
There are three strongly-marked and distinct systems,
which embrace the elementary grounds of difference and
controversy among Protestants, namely: The Independent, the Episcopal and the Presbyterian. These appeal
mainly to Scripture for their respective peculiarities.
All non-Episcopal churches, as Lutherans, Methodists,
Baptists, Congregationalists, etc., may be regarded as
Presbyterian, so far as the question of mere parity
among the preaching clergy is concerned. The Friends
or Quakers claim to be without government, discipline,
creed or ministry: —though, in fact, they have them all.
9. In order to arrive at a just and impartial estimate
of the scriptural basis of church government, let each
one for himself group together, at his leisure, the various
passages and facts of the New Testament relating to the
subject; and endeavour to ascertain their precise legitimate import in connexion with the context and with
each other. Let this be done without prepossession or
prejudice. Let us also, with equal candour, consider the




401    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
structure and organization of the churches actually established by the apostles: as those of Jerusalem, Antioch,
Corinth, Ephesus,-and others.
10. In what respects, and for what purposes, they, or
any of them, may be consulted and relied on as authority.
As regards the testimony of the Fathers, we should inquire, What do they. teach or testify?
11. Candid inquirers generally admit, that the details
of church government are not explicitly stated either in
the New Testament or in the works of the early Christian writers. They profess to find there only fundamnental principles; which, if combined into a system, will
naturally lead to these details. These elementary principles, according to the judgment of non-Episcopal Protestants, are UNION, PARITY, REPRESENTATION. These
stand out, with great prominence, they think, both in
the divine record, and in the writings of the primitive
Fathers: and no system of ecclesiastical polity can be
scriptural or defensible, from which either of them is
excluded.*
12. No a priori or presumptive argument in favour
of any existing form of church government, as being
especially or pre-eminently adapted to the exclusion of
error and heresy; Ior to the preservation of orthodoxy,
peace, order and unity; or to the prevention of schism,
sectarism, dissent, controversy or non-conformity; is per
tinent, reliable or conclusive.
The primitive apostolic church did not accomplish any
of these objects. Bad men were admitted to its commun* See Biblical Repertory, vol. xvi. p. 20, etc.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   405
ion and membership-as Judas, Ananias and Sapphira,
Simon Magus, Demas, Diotrephes, Hymenaeus, Alexander, etc.
The tares and wheat were suffered to grow up together.
Heresies and irregularities of various kinds are specified.
Antichrist, even, had begun to appear.
Has any ancient or modern national established church
succeeded any better? Roman, Greek, English, French,
Dutch, Swiss, Scotch, Genevese? How has it fared
with voluntary, free, unprotected, and even persecuted,
churches? The past history and the present condition
of the numerous ecclesiastical organizations, both in the
Old World and in the New, will furnish abundant, if
not very satisfactory, answers to all inquiries of this
kind.
While we object to this species of argument, as usually
paraded by almost every denomination in its own behoof,
we nevertheless do hold and affirm that the genuine,
scriptural, apostolic system of polity and discipline, is
not only the sole legitimate authoritative system, but
also the most efficient guardian of truth and holiness in
the Christian Church. If it cannot prevent the occurrence or intrusion of heresy and hypocrisy, its seasonable
and judicious discipline will, sooner or later, purify the
Church, by cutting off, or excluding from its communion,
all contumacious incorrigible offenders,-to the extent,
at least, contemplated by the divine Head of the Church.
13. Again: the argument in behalf of any church
constitution, founded on, or derived from, its assumed
or supposed resemblance or analogy to any particular




406     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
form of civil government, however specious and popular,
is purely ad invidiam, or ad ignorantiam, or ad ca~ptandum. It is calculated to mislead, deceive and mystify.
Thus, nearly all the sects in our country maintain, that
their own respective forms or systems are the most strictly
republican, or most congenial to republican or democratic
institutions. The Roman Catholic, the Episcopalian, the
Independent, the Methodist, the Baptist, are equally positive and dogmatic on this subject, and in this behalf.
Presbyterians also are prone to glorify their own timehonoured polity on the same score and in similar fashion;
-whether with or without good reason, we leave others
to decide.
It is enough for us to stand on scriptural ground. We
are able to demonstrate, against all political cavillers and
gainsayers, that the genius of Presbyterianism is admirably suited to the genius of the purest Republicanism:
while history also teaches that Presbyterianism may be,
as it has been, loyal to any and every form of civil government. Witness Germany, France, Holland, Geneva,
Scotland, Ireland, America-to say nothing of its infancy
under imperial Roman despotism.
Who ever heard of Presbyterians rebelling against a
government, because it was monarchical, for instance?
Even the American Revolution was not a war against
monarchy at the outset. It did not originate in any
determined hostility to monarchy as such. Our patriotic
sires were conservative in their principles and intentions.
They appealed to arms, not to destroy and overturn, but
to assert, maintain and preserve their inherited, char



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    407
tered, constitutional, indefeasible rights, as free-born Eng.
lishmen. In such a crisis, and for such a cause, assuredly
our Presbyterian ancestors'were not behind the boldest
and bravest, either in the council hall or on the battlefield.
"No bishop, no king," was the oracular and wily utterance of the British Solomon, (James I.,) and ought never
to have obtained currency as an axiom or political aphorism. His own Scottish countrymen and subjects proclaimed its falsity then by their conduct, as they have
done ever since. They never opposed their king, as the
rightful sovereign of the realm, but because he endeavoured to usurp the headship or kingship of the Church
also. James soon discovered that neither force nor cunning would avail, so long as the sturdy Scots continued
familiar with kirk sessions, presbyteries, synods and general assemblies: and amenable, in spiritual matters, to no
human tribunal or authority. He wished to be Pope in
Scotland, as well as in England. And had his motto
been, "no bishop, no Pope," it would have exhibited
more truth and candour, though less of the politic duplicity and kingcraft for which he was distinguished, and
of which he was somewhat boastful
No subjects of the British crown have hitherto been,
or are now, more faithful and devoted to their constitutional civil government, than the Scottish Presbyterians.
Illegal, violent, arbitrary, vexatious, persecuting tyranny,
they have manfully and successfully resisted. But to
a constitutional monarchy, equitably administered, they
manifest not only no aversion, but the strongest attach



408    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ment. Where were their sympathies, and how did they
act, during the American and French Revolutions?
The entire history of the Scottish Presbyterian Church,
during the reign of the despotic and unprincipled Stuarts,
is singularly eventful, suggestive, edifying, pathetic: —
and is worthy of profound study. Can the world present
a parallel case? or an example of equal suffering, privation, sacrifice, endurance? of indomitable adherence to
the simple faith and worship of the gospel? and of that
primitive martyr spirit which no terrors nor tortures
could crush or extinguish?
We might also, in this connexion, cite the tragic story
of the Presbyterian Huguenots in France. They, too,
were loyal, high-minded, honourable, true-hearted subjects of an almost unlimited monarchy. They pleaded
and contended only for the inalienable rights of conscience.
In aristocratic Geneva and Holland, Presbyterianism
has hitherto been the creature of the State. Thus, too, has
it been, to large extent, in Scotland, since the accession of
William and Mary to the British throne, and more especially since the restoration of church patronage [in 1712]
under Queen Anne. It is due to the Established Church
of Scotland to add, that she has uniformly resisted and
protested against all ambitious and Erastian encroachments of the civil power. While the seceding, voluntary
and free churches act without dictation or restraint from
any external or secular source whatever.
Here mark the difference between real unfettered Presbyterianism, and the same system mixed up with, or sup



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    409
ported by, the civil government. The latter never protects, but to control; never touches, but to soil; never
gives, but to receive ten, thirty or a hundredfold in
return.
14. Church officers, at the beginning, were designated
as: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Presbyters or Elders,
Bishops, Pastors, Teachers, Ministers, Helps, Governments.
The peculiar official attributes and functions of the
apostles entitled them  to the pre-eminence: and this
pre-eminence appears not to have been denied or questioned by their contemporaries. They had no equals or
successors, in several most important respects. While, as
ministers and preachers of the gospel, all faithful preachers and ministers, of every age and country, have been or
are their legitimate and only successors. The apostleshiip
was a temporary office. There were only thirteen apostles-including Paul. Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, Epaphroditus, Silas, Junias, Andronicus, etc. were not apostles.
Except as teachers, the Prophets had no successors,
Evangelists appear at first to have possessed and exercised extraordinary powers. They were, however, laborious travelling missionaries: and, in this capacity, they
are as much needed as ever. Timothy and Titus were
evangelists.
The Angels of the seven churches in Asia were probably simple pastors — or chief presbyters among their
brethren in the churches specified.
Presbyters and Bishops were identical in meaning:
convertible or interchangeable: mere pastors of congre.




410     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
gations or of churches or parishes: parochial, not diocesan, bishops. There were hundreds of such bishops in
Asia Minor, Italy, Greece, Northern Africa, etc., where
one modern prelate would amply suffice.
15. We may next notice Apostolic succession in the
prelatic sense: High Church claims: Episcopal ordination: Laud's tyranny and innovations in England and
Scotland: Modern Puseyism: the nature, grounds and
dogmas of jure divino prelatists or churchmen.
Prelatists maintain: 1. That there was instituted by
Christ an order of clergy superior to presbyters, called,
first, apostles, then bishops, to whom alone was committed the power to ordain others, and to govern the church.
2. That there has existed a lineal, unbroken succession,
from the apostles down to the present bishops of Episcopal churches.*
"There is not a bishop, priest or deacon, among usj
who cannot, if he please, trace his own spiritual descent
from St. Peter and St. Paul."t
On the contrary, Archbishop Whately, in his "Kingdom of Christ," (p. 182,) asserts that: "There is not a
minister in all Christendom who is able to trace up with
any approach to certainty, his own spiritual pedigree,"
(iLe. to any of the apostles.)
* *    * * "The High Church generally have an ugly
trick of unchurching other people, and consigning them
to what, in their slang, they call uncovenanted mercy.
We have heard the question asked, how such pretensions
* See Presb. Tracts, vol. iv. p. 302.
t So says the Rev. Dr. Hook. See Shineall, p. 248.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    411
should be treated? and we answer, just as Europeans and
Americans treat the claims of the Chinese to be regarded
as the only civilized nation upon earth. High Churchmen are, in this respect, the Chinamen of Christendom."*
The apostles appointed no successors —in the sense
assumed. None even in place of the deceased of their
own number-as of James, the brother of John, killed
by Herod. Nor did they give any directions or intimations about the succession to their own particular and [as
is contended] highly privileged order. Matthias was, by
election and by lot, called to the apostleship, not as the
successor of Judas, [who had never entered upon the
proper duties of the office,] but as his substitute.
16. The early English reformers acknowledged all
other Protestant churches, whether Lutheran or Calvinistic, Presbyterian or Episcopal, as sister churches, and
as true Christian churches. And many of the ablest
and most evangelical ministers and dignitaries of the
English establishment have always entertained the same
just and liberal sentiments. The Archbishop of Canterbury, [Tenison,] said, in 1707, that he believed the
Church of Scotland to be as true a Protestant Church
as that of England, though he could not say it was so
perfect.t
Tillotson, Tenison, Wake —were liberal and catholic
Christian archbishops:-as are Sumner and Whately now.
In a letter to Courayer, dated July 9, 1724, Archbishop
Wake wrote thus: "I bless God that I was born and have
* Bib. Rep., vol. xiv. p. 139.
t Hetherington's History of the Church of Scotland, p. 320, note.




412     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
been bred in an Episcopal Church, which, I am convinced,
has been the government established in the Christian
Church from the very time of the apostles. But I should
be unwilling to affirm, that, where the ministry is not
episcopal, there is no church, nor any true administration of the sacraments; and very many there are among
us who are zealous for episcopacy, yet dare not go so far
as to annul the ordinances of God performed by any
other ministry."*
Dr. Sumner, the present Archbishop of Canterbury,
[18.51,1] in a letter, speaking of certain continental Presbyterian divines then in London, says: "I hardly imagine
that there are two bishops on the bench, or ofe clergyman in fifty throughout our church, who would deny the
validity of the orders of these clergymen solely on account
of their wanting the imposition of episcopal hands."t
17. Even Richard Hooker, the most celebrated and
the most ingenious champion and defender of the English Church as by law established, did not assume the
ground of Apostolic succession in the Laudean or Pwtseyite
sense of the phrase. When, in the latter part of Elizabeth's reign, "he took up his pen against the Puritans, in
justification of the severities practised by the Queen, the
Bishops and the High Commission, he spent not his
strength upon the particular impositions of kneeling at
the sacrament, the surplice, the sign of the cross in baptism, and things of that sort, but laid down the broad PRINCIPLE that the CHURCH has authority to impose such things
* See Mosheim, vol. ii. p. 312, note. Baltimore edition, 1832.
t New York Observer, October 16, 1851.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    413
according to her discretion; and that the conscience of
individuals and of particular congregations in such matters is not to be regarded; but that they may be rightly
and piously COMPELLED to yield, by whatever PENALTIES
good Mother Church and the sovereign prince may find
it necessary to employ for the attainment of that end."
"He was sufficiently judicious to perceive that on no
principle short of this, could the rigours of the Church
be justified, or the Church itself, as established in England, be vindicated; and that if this principle could be
substantiated, the robes, ceremonies and liturgies were
all right; and the fines, the imprisonments, the banishments, and the slaughters inflicted, were all proper, just
and wholesome punishments for the coercion of the wickedly rebellious."
Accordingly, the account which Hooker himself gives
of his great work on Ecclesiastical Polity, is, that his
design was, "To write a deliberate and sober Treatise on
the CHURCH'S POWER to make canons for the use of ceremonies, and BY-LAW to IMPOSE AN OBEDIENCE to them, as
upon her children, and this he proposed to do in eight
books of the LAWS OF ECCLESIASTICAL POLITY."
"This was cutting up the whole matter by the roots.
Grant this principle and there is no further dispute about
surplices, liturgies and ceremonies; the Church may stand
upon her authority. There are no rights of conscience in
the case; and if any begin to prate about conscience, or
hesitate to yield a due conformity, they may be righteously silenced, imprisoned, banished, hanged or burnt.
A most convenient doctrine, no doubt, for the prelates




414    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and the despotic queen, in her capacity of Head of the
Church."*
Whitgift and Cartwright were among the chief leWaders
in the controversy. "CARTWRIGHT, the Puritan, maintained that the Scriptures were not only the sole standard of doctrine, but also of discipline and government,
and that the Church of Christ in all ages was to be regulated by them.  WHITGIFT, the Churchman, held, that
the Scriptures were a rule of faith; but not designed to
be a standard of discipline and government-that this
was changeable, and might be adapted to the civil government of any country-and that the times of the apostles could not be the best model, but rather the first four
centuries of the Church, during which she had reached a
mature development. In what do these views essentially
differ from the advocates and opponents of Patristic theology in the present day?"t
18. Soon after, (about 1588,) "A new principle was
promulgated for the support of prelatic power, of a more
formidable nature than any that had hitherto appeared,
and destined to produce the most disastrous results. Dr.
Bancroft, the archbishop's (Whitgift) chaplain, in a sermon which he preached at Paul's Cross, January 12, 1588,
maintained that the bishops were a distinct order from
priests or presbyters, and had authority over them ju re
divino, and directly from  God.t  This bold assertion
* Vide "The Puritans and their Principles," by Edwin Hall, pp.
124, 125.
t Hetherington, p. 42.
$ Archbishop Parker died in 1576, and was succeeded by Grindal,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    415
created an immense ferment throughout the kingdom.
* * * * The greater part of even the prelatic party
themselves were startled with the novelty of the doctrine; for none of the English reformers had ever regarded the order of bishops as anything else but a
human institution, appointed for the more orderly government of the Church, and they were not prepared at
once to condemn as heretical all churches where that
institution did not exist. Whitgift himself, perceiving
the use which might be made of such a tenet, said, that
the Doctor's sermon had done much good,-though, for his
own part, he rather wished than believed it to be true."*
During the controversies of Elizabeth's reign, ".The
Court party recognized the Church of Rome as a true
Church, though corrupt in some points of doctrine and
government; and this view it was thought necessary to
maintain, for without this the English bishops could not
trace their succession from the apostles. But the decided
reformers [i.e. Puritans] affirmed the Pope to be Antichrist, and the Church of Rome to be no true Church;
nor would they risk the validity of their ordinations on
the idea of a succession through such a channel."t
19. The subject of Royal Supremacy claims a passing
notice. On the 20th of March, 1534-35, a bill was passed
by Parliament abolishing Papal supremacy in England,
and declaring the King to be the Supreme Head of the
who died in 1583-and was succeeded by Whitgift-and he by Bancroft in 1604. Parker and Whitgift were fierce persecutors-Grindal,
not. Elizabeth died March 24, 1603. Hooker died Nov. 2, 1600.
* Hetherington, pp. 49, 50.          t Ibid., p. 32.




416    3MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Church of England.: Thus Henry VIII. became the first
Pope of England.
"To this fatal dogma of the king's supremacy and
headship of the Church of England may be directly
traced nearly all the corruptions of the Church, and
nearly all the subsequent civil calamities of the British
Isles. For it would not be difficult to prove that there
can be no security for either civil or religious liberty in
any country where the supreme civil and ecclesiastical
jurisdictions are both possessed by the same ruling
power. It matters little whether the ruling power be
ecclesiastical, holding the civil subordinate to it, as the
Papacy; or civil, holding the ecclesiastical subordinate,
as in the case of Henry and his successors; for in either
case the result is a despotism; under which the people
must sink into utter degradation, or against which they
are provoked, from time to time, to rise in all the dangerous fierceness of revolutionary convulsion."*
Henry himself never became a Protestant. He was
as truly the defender of the Roman faith, after the abolition of the papal supremacy in England, as when he
wrote his famous book against Luther. So arbitrary and
so despotic was he in his wayward inconsistency, as to
extort from a distinguished stranger in England, toward
the close of his reign, the cutting remark, that, "Those
who were against the Pope were burned, and those who
were for him were hanged."t
* lHetherington, pp. 17, 18.
t Sir Thomas More was sentenced to be hanged, but was actually
beheaded- 1534.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    417
20. A prima facie presumption against modern High
Church prelacy is suggested by the fact, that the terms,
bishop and presbyter, which, all agree, were at first identical or convertible, came at length to designate different
offices and orders in the ministry. How shall we account for the change? except by that gradual, imperceptible, insidious process, which is so easy and natural
as to elude suspicion and to silence inquiry? The very
process is still traceable in early history; and by which,
in due time, the more significant term bishop came to be
appropriated by those who had already won the power
of overseeing or ruling over the church and the eldership
or presbytery.*
21. Bishops invariably had their titles from the cities,
towns, villages, or places of their ordinary residencefrom their sees, namely, or sedes —but never from kingdoms, states, provinces, counties, or other local appellations, indicating or implying territorial jurisdiction, or
anything like modern dioceses. The same usage is still
nearly universal. The only exception is the Episcopal
Church in the United States; where the official style of
the Right Reverend dignitary points out the extent of
his earthly domain: —as the Bishop of Indiana, of Kentucky, of Tennessee, etc. Every bishop in Europe at
this day-and every Roman Catholic bishop in the world
-has his title from a city or town, agreeably to ancient
* It is easy to cite similar examples: as emperor-imperator-at
first, only a military general among the Romans. Pope, Patriarchonlyfather in the church. How different now from their primitive
meaning! Thus, also, Consul, President, as used by the French.
VOL. III.- 27




41S    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
custom. Now what gave rise to the custom? Undoubtedly the fact, that the primitive bishops were mere
pastors of churches or congregations. There would frequently-perhaps, generally-be only one church or
flock in a city or village; then the stated minister would
be currently styled the pastor or bishop of such city or
village. Should there have been several churches in one
city, as in Jerusalem and other large cities, the ministers
would constitute a presbytery, with a moderator or president —who, at length, was regarded as the head or bishop
of said churches, and finally as the bishop of the city.
Long after this innovation, it came to pass that adjacent
territory was added to the city or episcopal jurisdiction.
Thus the bishop became the ruler of a province. Bishops
of great or capital cities became Metropolitans, Archbishops, Patriarchs and Popes. From such humble beginnings have arisen the highest titles and most lordly
dominions which have hitherto graced or disgraced the
Christian hierarchy. Even the Primate of all England
derives his official designation, as Archbishop of Canterbury, from a locality so insignificant, that it would
scarcely be known at the present day but from that
pre-eminent association.
The fashion, thus early introduced into European
and Oriental Christendom, has hitherto continued nominally unchanged. While in this country, England's
fair daughter has ventured to assume names and titles
more fully correspondent with the claims and prerogatives asserted.  Rome, more modest or more politic,
remains in this, as in more important matters, unal



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    419
tered and immutable. Thus, the real governing Romish
Bishop of Tennessee (for example) is styled or titled only
as the Bishop of Nashville, etc. Until quite recently,
the bishops of the American Episcopal Church used to
be styled Bishops, not of States, but of the Protestant
Episcopal churches within such States. The late venerable and universally venerated Bishop White always
wrote, as his official title, "Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." We have already become familiar with the
briefer and more comprehensive forms of-Bishop of Tennessee; of Connecticut; of New Jersey, and the rest.
With what extreme facility are such apparently slight
changes and innovations effected and adopted, even in
this enlightened age and republican country!*
22. Presbyterians cherish no hostility or unkindly sentiments towards any system  of church polity, which is
not plainly contrary to Scripture; or which does not arrogate to itself exclusive jure divino rights and jurisdiction.
English and American Episcopacy, as a mere human
institution, whether created by Church or State or both,
might pass without censure or rebuke. And does so
pass, except when it claims to be, or rather when cer* By-the-way, I have just as good a right to create a Bishop of
Rome or Naples, as the Bishop of Rome has to create a Bishop of
Nashville or St. Louis. And upon what ground or plea or pretence,
political or religious, a dozen ministers, with a score or two of laymen,
more or less, [or indeed any other number less than a majority of the
legal voters,] can elect a man to the episcopate over a whole Stateof Alabama for instance-so as to make him the Bishop of Alabamawould puzzle a constitutional American to explain.




420-   MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
tain of its members proclaim it to be the Church-to the
excision or exclusion or unchurching of all non-prelatic
churches. We cheerfully concede to others all that we
demand for ourselves in the premises.
The Anglican Church is purely and absolutely Erastian. As a church, it is powerless. It possesses none of
the inherent or adventitious attributes contended for [or
rather assumed] by Hooker and others. It is the mere
passive obedient subject and dependent of the State. Its
articles, creeds, liturgies, rites, ceremonies, offices, benefices, dignities, are created and sustained by the civil
government; and may be modified or abolished at its
pleasure. Every ecclesiastic, from the country curate to
the archbishop, is just as much a creature of the sovereign or of parliament as are the town constable and the
lord chancellor or the prime minister. The American
Episcopal Church is differently constituted. It admits
lay delegates to its conventions; and has no political
connexion with the State. Here, of course, it cannot
be Erastian. All established churches are of necessity,
more or less, Erastian. The Scottish Presbyterian, for
example,-as well as the English Episcopal: though not
in the same degree or to the same extent.
23. The Union of Church and State is another prolific
subject. Its history is worthy of special study
In all ages and countries-under all forms of religion;
Jewish, Pagan, Mohammedan-the religious and political
institutions have been so commingled and blended together, as to be scarcely separable even in theory, and
never in practice. The idea of such an anomaly as that




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   421
of a religion existing, prevailing, flourishing, without the
direct aid, countenance and support of the civil government, seems not to have occurred to the mind of rulers,
statesmen, politicians or philosophers. During the first
three centuries of our era, the Christian religion became
and continued a striking example and demonstration of
the resistless energy of divine truth; and of its intrinsic
and independent powers of growth and extension. It
neither solicited nor expected nor coveted the smiles or
bounty of imperial despotism or munificence. It looked
for support, neither to the sceptre of the monarch nor to
the sword of the conqueror. It advanced steadily and
rapidly, not only without worldly friends and legal toleration, but even against, and in spite of, the most determined and unrelenting hostility of every government and
sect under heaven.
Constantine the Great was a politic and sagacious
prince; and, like his predecessors, was the pontifex maximusn of Roman Heathendom. He perceived the growing
ascendency of the Christian faith, and the wise expediency of becoming its ostensible, if not sincere, protector.
He therefore assumed the headship of the Christian
Church, instead of continuing to be the head of the
Pagan temple. He thus consummated, what is usually
called, a union of Church and State; and what has been
erroneously represented as an encroachment of the Church
upon the State. Whereas, the direct contrary was the
fact. Constantine usurped or assumed the government
and control of the Church, as a pillar of the State, or as
an instrument of power and influence: and thus it has




422    MISCELLANEOUS DIISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
been with his successors throughout Christendom ever
since. The true Church of Christ has never invaded,
encroached upon, or sought alliance or connexion with,
any civil government whatever. The latter, in the first
instance, became the master; and is so, at the present
day, in all the Protestant States of Europe. The Romish hierarchy, misnamed the Catholic Church-the most
crafty and successful contrivance ever devised by Satan
as a substitute for the true Church-the very embodiment and personification of Antichrist-did succeed in
gaining the supremacy over secular monarchs and potentates, as well as over the souls, bodies and estates of the
people. The great Protestant revolution reversed the
order of things, and placed what has been called the
Church in the keeping and under the dominion of
the civil powers. And every European religious establishment, whether Episcopal or Presbyterian, has been
cramped, hindered, oppressed and injured, just in proportion to the degree and amount of the Erastian element
infused into its organization.
Until after the settlement of certain English colonies
in North America, and scarcely until after the achievement of American independence, was there or had there
ever been an exception to the rule; namely, of an empire,
kingdom or commonwealth existing without a national
or established church or religion. In the United States
alone, has religion been left free, untrammelled, self-sustained, and apparently uncared for by either the General
or State governments.
Here it would be well to note, and carefully to investi




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    423
gate, the condition of the church or churches at and after
the Reformation, as modified and regulated by the civ'l]
governments. As in France, Germany, Switzerland, Geneva, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, England and
her colonies. More especially, to inquire how Presbyterians were circumstanced, treated, interfered with,
oppressed and persecuted —or favoured and patronized
and protected- by government.  How different also,
when disabused of all corrupting patronage and unhallowed influences.
In this country, Presbyterians have always asserted
and successfully maintained their perfect independence
of the civil powers. This they did, even in the colonies
(as Virginia, New York, etc.) where an establishment prevailed; and in spite of legal or illegal pains and penalties,
-of persecutions, with imprisonments, fines and banishments.
24. We often hear, in certain quarters, and read in
certain books, the English well-known term Dissentersas indicating or describing the wicked sects estranged
from, or never attached to, holy mother church, of
apostolic, episcopal, catholic order, succession and authority.
Of Dissenters, there are none-there can be none-in
these United States; where no religious establishment
exists to dissent from!
Toleration can have no meaning or application here.
Nor can there be any k7eresy, as a crime —in the old
European legal sense-punishable by any recognized
civil or ecclesiastical tribunal.




424     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Mieeting-louses. Why so called? Wherefore still used
in some places among us? and more especially by the
descendants of the exiled Puritans? All denominations
here have the right, if they please, to call their houses
of worship churches, instead of conventicles, chapels or
meeting-houses, (as still they do in England, according
to law,) and to adorn them with steeples, bells and
organs; and even with altars, crosses, confessionals, baptisteries, pictures or images-according to their taste or
fancy.
25. What is religious liberty? Does our own liberal
republican government guaranty and secure to all persons the natural indefeasible rights of reason and conscience? Does it tacitly allow any religious sects to
infringe these rights and to oppress individuals at pleasure? How do our Romanists, for instance, deal with
heretics? And what is heresy, in their judgment and
according to their canons? What think you of their
monasteries and nunneries, or life-prisons for both sexes?
-Of their whole array of inquisitorial espionage and
vexatious domestic scrutinizing supervision?- Of their
vows, oaths, penances, purgatory, indulgences, excommunications, passive obedience to priest and church,
clerical celibacy, pecuniary fines and exactions, idolatry
in sundry forms, mnasses, pardons, absolutions, miracles
-with horrific anathemas, extending to soul and body,
time and eternity?
Ought not the civil authorities to protect individuals
-citizens and strangers —in the voluntary inoffensive
exercise of their intellect and conscience? and against




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    425
all such aggressive and enormous despotism?  "Qui facit
per alium, facit per se."
Why should not any man be permitted to read the
Bible, [in any language or by whomsoever translated,]
if he choose; without dread of abuse, disgrace, loss of
ca8te, or forfeiture of property, or of secret and never-tobe-revealed penalties? —perhaps even of a protracted,
lingering, inglorious martyrdom? Does not the civil government, in such cases, become the abettor of tyranny?
Does it not uphold and encourage the worst, most degrading species of bigotry and persecution? Why should
foreign Catholics, as soon as they land upon these shores,
be subjected to a spiritual bondage or domination as absolute and vexatious as they had fled from at home?-and
necessarily involving all kinds and degrees of secular and
social sacrifices and sufferings?
Why should the Pope of Rome have subjects among
the nominally free citizens of this republic, rather than
the Autocrat of Russia or the Grand Turk? If it be
asserted that the Pope's authority here is merely spiritual, it may be replied, that spiritual dominion includes,
or is paramount to, all other. Whoever rules the spirit,
the soul, the conscience-and determines the future destiny of his adherents-is, in fact, and to all intents and
purposes, absolute master of the man.
Is not every Catholic Bishop, or ecclesiastic of whatever rank, dignity or order, bound by oath of fealty or
allegiance, or rather of unqualified obedience, to the
Roman Pontiff?  Is it not a recognized practical principle among them, that the end justifies or sanctifies the




426    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
means?  That faith is not to be kept with heretics?
That, in fact, no man has a right to be a Protestant?
That to persecute, is a duty? etc.
Why may not a Jew become a Christian, without hindrance or damage,. or danger of persecution from parents
and kindred?
I am aware that extreme difficulties beset this whole
subject. I would concede, and contend for, religious liberty and the rights of conscience, to the fullest legitimate
meaning of the terms. But not so as to give one sect
any preference or advantage over another; nor so as to
authorize any sect to deal harshly or unjustly with its
own members, or to punish, injure or degrade individuals,-contrary to the genius and catholic spirit of the
American constitutions-both State and National.
I suppose we would not allow to Moslems or Mormons
[in any of the States as, at present, organized,] the
practice of polygamy; nor to Hindus the satisfaction
of burning widows; nor to idolators of any name the
privilege of offering to their deities human sacrificeseven upon the broad ground of religious liberty, or in
compliance with the urgent pleadings and demands of
conscience.
In all cases, we should carefully distinguish between
error and the errorist. We may argue against and condemn Romanism, Paganism, Mohammedanism, Judaism,
and all anti-scriptural heresies; and yet deal kindly,
tenderly, charitably, with the blind, ignorant, deluded
followers or professors of any false teacher or false
system whatever.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    427
26. Christianity appears under three distinctive and
characteristic forms; which may be denominated the
Evangelical, the Ritual and the Rationalistic.  These
forms always coexist in the church, and are constantly
striving for the mastery. They have each its peculiar
basis, both objective and subjective.  The evangelical
form rests on the Scriptures as its objective ground; and
its inward or subjective ground is an enlightened conviction of sin. The ritual system rests outwardly on
the authority of the church, or tradition; inwardly, on
a vague religious sentiment.  The rationalistic rests
on the human understanding, and internally on indifference. These are general remarks, and true only in the
general.*
The evangelical element prevailed, and animated the
reformers, where the civil government either let them
alone, allowed them to preach and teach at discretion, or
exercised no extreme, arbitrary, or paramount control.
Much of this liberty was enjoyed by the reformers on
the continent and in Scotland at seasons.
The ritual predominated where the government operated in chief or arbitrarily-as in England, under Henry
VIII., Elizabeth, James, etc. So also, in a less degree
perhaps, in Sweden and Denmark.
27. It is no part of my present design to attempt a
formal or complete exposition of our Presbyterian ecclesiastical polity. Intelligent Presbyterians understand it
very well. At any rate, they may learn all about it in
our Church Book-where the "Plan of Government and
* See at length, Princeton Review, vol. xiii., Jan. 1846, pp. 138-40.




428    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Discipline" is clearly and authoritatively set forth, as we
hold and practise it.
Presbyterianism, in all its essential principles and
features, is, we believe, the true apostolic system, as
unfolded in Scripture and universally prevalent in the
primitive  Church.  No other ecclesiastical form  of
government and discipline can prefer equally valid
claims to a divine original. To this extent, we believe
Presbyterian parity and polity to be established jutre
divino, or by right divine. That it accords with the
humble, self-denying, catholic, holy, charitable, unselfish spirit of the gospel more perfectly than any other,
we doubt not.
The apostolic church regimen and discipline may
possibly have undergone some changes or modifications
during the lifetime of the apostles themselves-as experience and circumstances would suggest.
Thus, at first, multitudes were readily admitted into
the church-without question or trial-or, at most, upon
a simple profession of belief in Jesus as the Messiah.
They were also appointed to office —made elders or
preachers-in a rather summary way. Christian converts generally, at least Jewish, appear to have preached
as they had opportunity. "Therefore they that were
scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."
(Acts, iii. 4.)  Thus, Philip, and perhaps the other
Deacons, preached, not as Deacons, but as Christians.
Or they may have been directly called to the work by
the Holy Spirit. However all this may have been at
the beginning, we find a different usage adopted and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    429
recommended at a subsequent period-as may be learned
from Paul's Epistles, particulary those to Timothy and
Titus.
28. How soon, and how easily, presbytery was perverted from its primeval simplicity; and how naturally
an ambitious episcopacy grew up, supplanted and superseded it altogether, can be readily traced in ancient
history, and n1ight be aptly illustrated by modern experience.
PRESBYTER was the appropriate, scriptural, technical,
official title or designation of the highest ruler or ecclesiastical functionary known during the apostolic age.
The term Bishop or Episcopos indicated the peculiar
work or government to be exercised by the presbyter or
elder. The Presbyter was to take the oversight-i.e.
to act as the overseer, superintendent or bishop-of the
flock or congregation.  In other words, the Presbyter
was in fact, and, to all intents and purposes, the actual
bishop; and the only kind of bishop ever known or
heard of during the first century at least.  He was
merely a parochial bishop-or minister or pastor of a
single church.
Modern facts, as well as ancient, show the tendency
to a worldly and lordly episcopacy, or spiritual aristocracy. Thus the superintendents of Lutheran churches
in Denmark, and the presidents of Lutheran consistories
in Germany, are scarcely less powerful than their brethren, the bishops of the Lutheran church in Sweden.
American Methodism  is already episcopal, both in
name and fact.  Methodist Bishops, in this country,




430    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
exercise an influence and control over the churches and
people of their communion (notwithstanding their Presbyterian theory of ministerial parity,) not surpassed by
the prelates of their Anglican mother church.
A quasi episcopacy might be introduced into the
Presbyterian Church by apparently slight and uniimportant changes.-As by the election of life-moderators
over our Presbyteries, Synods and General Assemblies.
In that event, how soon should we not have among us
a superior or higher order or degree in the ministry!
Again, make the General Assembly a standing or permanent court, with a Moderator or President during
life; and we might soon boast of an Archbishop or
Patriarch or "venerable Father," (papa or Pope,)as the
Head of our republican church.
At present, our General Assembly exists only during
the brief period of its actual sessions, some two or three
weeks at most.  The Scottish assemblies continue by'
their plenary commissions, during the entire year.
29. Advert to the origin and causes of the diverse
systems prevalent in the Protestant churches. Consider
the political and social circumstances in which the Reformation took place in different countries.-In Germany,
under Luther. —In Switzerland, under Zuinglius.-In
France and Geneva, under Calvin. —In England, under
Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Elizabeth.-In Scotland,
under Knox.-In Denmark, Sweden, Holland, etc.-Together with the previous influences exerted by Wicklyffe,
Hluss, Jerome of Prague-the Albigenses, Waldenses,
Lollards-etc.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    431
Consider how the Puritans-though at first inclined
to Presbytery-from necessity, became independents, (so
called about 1640,) when forced out of the established
church by Elizabeth and the Stuarts. Why some were
called Brownists.   How, at length, they generally became Congregationalists in name; with a government
and discipline, both in Britain and America, bearing
some faint resemblance to Presbyterianism.   In what
respects like?   In what unlike?  Associations, Consociations, General Associations, with powers merely advisory, it is said. Though, in fact, with substantive or
actual authority to ordain, dismiss, suspend, depose, etc.
Strictly speaking, there are few or no Independents of
the old Puritan stock or school, in either Old or New
England.   Why  Presbyterianism  never succeeded  or
obtained a firm footing in England, may be historically
accounted for and is worthy of special inquiry. (Explain with some details, etc.) How came it to be adopted
by the famous Westminster Assembly of Divines?  Some
say chiefly through the influence of the Scottish commnissioners in that assembly. Others hold a different
opinion.*
* See Hetherington.
The Westminster Assembly of Divines consisted (as appointed by
Parliament, June 12, 1643,) of one hundred and fifty-one (151) members, namely, ten Lords and twenty Commoners, as lay assessors, and
121 Divines. Together with 2 Scotch Elders and 4 ministers. Of the
specified list, about 25 never appeared in the Assembly-and to supply
the deficiency, the Parliament summoned about 21 additional members
who were termed "the superadded divines." "There were thus, in
whole, 32 lay assessors, including those from Scotland; and 142 divines, including the four Scottish commissioners. But of these only




432     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
The most sturdy and unyielding opponents of pres.
bytery, during the protracted sessions of the Assembly,
were the English Independents [aided by Cromwell,]though a very small minority.  In this opposition, they
were zealously supported by the Erastian party —with
the learned Selden at their head.
30. Contemplate the character and morals of Presbyterians in all ages and countries. Have they hitherto or
ever been-are they now —morally worse than others?
as subjects or citizens, as men and Christians? Are they
not as pious, intelligent, learned, consistent, liberal, just
and honourable, as any other denomination whatever?
By their fruits shall ye know  them.  We cheerfully
abide the test of Scripture, and the verdict of any competent honest jury of our peers.
31. The Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America are unanimously of opinion:
"That God alone is Lord of the conscience; and hath
left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men,
which are in anything contrary to his word, or beside it
69 appeared the first day [July 1st, 1643;] and generally, the attendance appears to have ranged between 60 and 80."  " They continued
to maintain their formal existence till the 22d of February, 1649, about
three weeks after the king's decapitation, having sat five years, six
months, and twenty-two days, in which time they had held 1163 sessions."  [Hetherington, passimn.]
Erastians in the Assembly, viz., John Selden and Bulstrode Whitelocke, Esquires; and members of Parliament.  Also, Rev. John
Lightfoot, D.D., and Rev. Thomas Coleman. Scottish members:
John, Lord Maitland, Sir Archibald Johnston, lay assessors or Elders;
together with the Rev. Alexander Henderson, George Gillespie,
Samuel Rutherford and Robert Baillie. These had no vote.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    433
in matters of faith or worship: therefore they consider
the rights of private judgment, in all matters that
respect religion, as universal and unalienable: they do
not even wish to see any religious constitution aided by
the civil power, further than may be necessary for protection and security, and, at the same time, be equal and
common to all others."
"That all church power, whether exercised by the
body in general, or in the way of representation by
delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative:
That is to say, that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule
of faith and manners; that no church judicatory ought
to pretend to make laws, to bind the conscience in virtue
of their own authority; and that all their decisions
should be founded upon the revealed will of God."
"c There is no other head of the church but the Lord
Jesus Christ."*
With us, the Bible is everything. Human authority
and tradition are nothing- in the comparison. A people,
with the Bible in their hands, are competent, if they
will faithfully read and study it, to decide on the claims
and qualifications of ministers. They can judge —and
they have a right to judge-both of the doctrine and
practice of the preacher.
32. Presbyterians ever have been, and still are, zealous in the cause of universal education. They do not
dread the light of science and letters and philosophy.
They would not, if they could, keep any portion of the
* Confession of Faith, pp. 343, 345, 114.
VOL. III.-28




434    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
people in ignorance. They always insist on a learned
and thoroughly educated ministry,-on the union of
piety and learning. They are well aware that, if the
Almighty has no need of human learning in the church,
neither has he any need of human ignorance.
In our country, the Puritans of New England, who
have always been as nearly Presbyterian as they dared
to be without the name, and the Presbyterians of the
Middle and Southern States, have been the principal, if
not the sole, authors and steady supporters of schools
and colleges —and of popular education to the greatest
practicable extent. Look at old Harvard, Yale, and
Nassau Hall! Calvinistic Puritans and Presbyterians
built them all-as they have built many others since.
Their example has stimulated other denominations to do
likewise.
They too established the first Theological Seminaries.
Other sects are following their example.  Even those
who were lately opposed to a learned ministry and to
all the higher schools, are yielding to the pressure, and
raising up institutions of their own. They owe much
to our early and skilful pioneering.
33. They are friendly to free and thorough inquiry.
They dread no investigation or scrutiny, however rigid
and searching. They have no secrets-no mysteriesno priestcraft or templecraft-nothing to conceal from the
eye of friend or foe. They are never afraid of argument, discussion, debate or controversy-when honourably and candidly conducted. Ever ready to appeal to
Scripture, and to abide by its teachings. As witness




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   435
Calvin, Knox, Edwards,-and a legion of giants in
every age.
34. Presbyterians countenance, aid and promote all
benevolent, charitable, useful, humane, religious (as well
as literary,) institutions, plans and enterprises.  They
cordially co-operate with other denominations in all good
works, and in all schemes for the benefit of mankind.
In these concerns and relations, they are probably as
catholic as any other sect.
35. They are eminently conservative, and temperate,
and judicious-in seasons of political or other excitement and popular exasperation. As witness the present
negro mania-ultra abolitionists at the North, and ultra
pro-slavery secessionists at the South. Both extremes,
(at least, their demagogue champions,) at the North and
South, are evidently aiming at a speedy dissolution of
the federal union.
The three General Assemblies of the three grand
divisions of the Presbyterian Church harmonize and
concur in sentiment on these agitating subjects. They
will support the constitution and laws of the republic,
as in duty bound, by every consideration which ought to
influence the patriot and the Christian.
The Presbyterian host —which has never yielded a
passive or willing obedience to any unrighteous law or
to any arbitrary tyrant's mandate-will calmly, steadily,
faithfully, and successfully, Deo volente et juvante, stand
by, and uphold, and preserve the Union.
36. They never seek contentions or collisions with
sister evangelical churches. —Do not abuse, denounce,




436    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
misrepresent or slander them. I have never yet heard
a Presbyterian minister, irl his ordinary pulpit services,
speak an unkind or disparaging word of the Methodists,
Baptists, Episcopalians, or other honest Bible Christians.
[Unless previously provoked by uncharitable language
or bearing on their part; and then, only in self-defence.]
It is not their habit. However strong their preference
for their own church, and however devoted to its peculiar welfare, they can and do rejoice at every conversion
of a soul to God by whatever instrumentality or under
whatever ecclesiastical name or form.
37. They sometimes quarrel among themselves.
Have family feuds and dissensions-occasionally, pretty
hard fighting-rather fierce and bitter combats —and
not very creditable to either party concerned. But they
seldom, if ever, desert the Presbyterian banner and
standards; or make any change either in doctrine, polity
or discipline.
The numerous Presbyterian parties or denominations
in Scotland adhere firmly and faithfully to the same
good old Book of their fathers' honoured Church They
have pursued a similar course in our own country. The
only exception to the rule, is the case of the Cumberland Presbyterians. They expunged or modified a doctrine which they ignorantly misinterpreted, and which
the most intelligent among them are beginning to discover was a capital mistake. - By which they have
unwittingly marred the beauty and scriptural consistency of their entire theological system. The common
polity they retain intact and unaltered.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   437
Our New School brethren, after sundry novel experiments and trials, are getting back to the ancient basis
and to the old paths, which they seemed for a season to
have repudiated or forsaken. So that they will, ere
long, probably, be regarded as rigidly Presbyterian and
orthodox as the mother church ever claimed to be.
38. They do not seek to make proselytes from other
evangelical churches. They do not covet the fruits of
other men's labours. They never intrude upon their
proper province or intermeddle with their legitimate
work. All they ask of their good brethren, is to be let
alone, and to be allowed to operate freely in their own
sphere without rebuke, and without officious or uncharitable or jealous interference.
In seasons of revival-even in our colleges where all
the officers were Presbyterian, as at Princeton, N. J. —I
have known the most tender and scrupulous delicacy to
be observed towards the youthful penitents and converts.
Not merely to the extent of advising them to join the
churches of their parents, but of declining to receive
them into our communion when earnestly solicited, and
of sending them home for parental counsel and direction. Such facts I witnessed, while connected with the
College of New Jersey, during religious revivals under
the presidency of the late Dr. Green. Has any other
sect been more liberal, or less proselyting?
39. Presbyterianism has generally found favour among
orthodox Congregationalists. The ablest divines in New
England have expressed a decided preference for it.
Thus, President Edwards, in a letter to the Rev. Dr.




438      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Erskine of Scotland, said: "I have' long been out of
conceit of our unsettled, independent, confused way of
church government; and the Presbyterian way has ever
appeared to me most agreeable to the word of God, and
the reason and nature of things."*   He subsequently
became a member of the Presbytery of New Brunswick,
and President of the only Presbyterian College then in
America. Indeed, they seldom hesitate to take office
in our churches, colleges and other seminaries; and to
become zealous members of our Presbyteries.
"It would give me no pain to see New  England en
masse Presbyterian in one year." So said the late Rev.
Dr. Ebenezer Porter, Professor in the Andover Theological Seminary.t
* Hodge, Hist., Part 2, p. 72.
t See Presbyterian Magazine for September, 1851, p. 413.
Says the New York "Independent," [of October 30, 1851,] the
avowed champion of pure Congregationalism: "To us the difference
between Presbyterianism a little Congregationalized, and Congregationalism very much Presbyterianized, is not great enough to compensate for the mischiefs of a war which must needs distract the councils
and weaken all the enterprises of our evangelical Christianity in its
grand struggle with the combined forces of infidelity and superstition."
Says Dr. Dwight, vol. iv. p. 399: "Ruling Elders are, in my apprehension, scriptural officers of the Christian Church, and I cannot but
think our defection, with respect to these, from the practice of the first
settlers in New England, an error in ecclesiastical government." Cotton Mather expressed a similar opinion. As did also the famous John
Robinson, pastor, etc. at Leyden, in a letter to Sir John Wolstenholme
in 1618. He says: "Touching the ecclesiastical ministry, viz., of pastors for teaching, Elders for ruling, and deacons for distributing the
churches' contributions, as also for the two sacraments, Baptism and
the Lord's Supper, we do wholly and in all points agree with the
French Reformed Churches, according to their published Confession




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    439
40. Presbyterians have ever been, and still are, a lawabiding and obeying people.  "When men live under a
constitution, either in Church or State, they are bound
to abide by it, and to seek redress [for wrongs, real or
imaginary,] only in accordance with its provisions. It
is obvious that no society, civil or ecclesiastical, can long
exist, whose members assume the prerogative of redressing their own grievances. In this country, more than
in most others, it is important that the great duty of
abiding by the law, should be graven on the hearts of
the people."*
Presbyterians hold: "That when any matter is determined by a major vote, every member shall either actively
concur with, or passively submit to, such determination;
or if his conscience permit him to do neither, he shall,
after sufficient liberty modestly to reason and remonstrate, peaceably withdraw from our communion, without attempting to make any schism; provided always,
that this shall be understood to extend only to such
determinations as the body shall judge indispensable in
doctrine or Presbyterian government."t
41. Our system of Polity-in respect to so much of
its machinery and details as may'have proceeded from
human wisdom  and judgment-is not perfect.. We do
not pretend that it is. It might probably be improved.
We think it more scriptural and apostolical, and better
of Faith." "Their Elders and Deacons are annual, or at the most
for two or three years; ours perpetual." Elder Brewster came over
in the Mayflower. (From Presbyterian Herald of March 10, 1853.)
* Hodge, p. 336.            t Ibid., Part 2, p. 336.




440    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
adapted to the purposes of its institution, than any other.
Still, it may not be faultless. We have borrowed much
from the legal, juridical and parliamentary usages and
practice of Great Britain and our own government.
Whether, in these imitations, we have proceeded too
far or not far enough, or whether such models or examples ought to be followed at all, might become questions
for grave inquiry and deliberation.
Upon a calm survey of this whole subject, perhaps the
greatest defect or most obvious want would be found in
our singular judicial provisions and proceedings. All our
presbyterial or ecclesiastical bodies, from the church session to the General Assembly-without the advantage
of a division into two separate houses or chambers-are
not only deliberative and legislative councils, but may,
at any time, become judicial tribunals or courts for the
trial of all cases of heresy or unchristian conduct which
can arise under our church constitution.
This anomalous defect is partially supplied in Scotland by a Commission with plenary powers, appointed
annually by the General Assembly. Attempts have
been made to introduce [or revive] the custom into our
church. Among the advocates of the measure was Dr.
Hodge in 1846-47.  He presented an elaborate report
in this behalf to the General Assembly which met at
Richmond in 1847. Such, indeed, had been the usage
in our church, under Synods, before the creation of our
General Assembly, and the adoption of our present constitution in 1789.
Dr. Hodge, in his History of the Presbyterian Church




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    441
in the United States, after describing the character and
functions of the Commission under the Synods, and enlarging upon its advantages, adds as follows: "Our judicatories atre sometimes so oppressed with judicial business,
that it might be well, on some occasions, to resort to this
old usage of our church, and appoint committees with
plenary powers. - Most men would be as willing to have
a cause in which they were interested, decided by ten
good men as by a hundred. Much time would thus be
saved, and many details of evidence kept from coming
before a large assembly."*
Many serious objections might be urged against a Commission like the Scottish-as its acts, for a hundred years,
while Moderatism was in the ascendant, may abundantly
demonstrate.  Under the sway of Moderate policy, when
the arbitrary decrees of the Assembly were regularly carried into effect by these "Riding Committees," as they
were termed, we have such fearful examples of the spiritual despotism  of which they were made the instruments, as may serve to warn us of the peril of any
similar experiment.t
Here we might notice the difficulties and evils of our
existing system-of ultimate trial and appellate jurisdiction by the General Assembly. The character of the
Assembly —ever changing-often composed of very inferior men-not equal sometimes to many a Synod-and
*Part 2, p. 437.
t For some account of the evils of Commissions, see Hetherington's
Historv of the Church of Scotland, pp. 340, 341. See also page 184
for the origin of said Commission in Scotland.




442     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
seldom, a fair representation of even the average wisdom,
talent and learning of the church. Our commissioners
to the highest court are often chosen upon' the popular
principle of rotation in office, so that each presbyter may
serve in his turn, without regard to age or qualifications.
What is the remedy? Why not create a distinct or
separate judicial tribunal, or ecclesiastical court, or bench
of judges?-An independent judiciary?  Such as all enlightened jurists and publicists agree, is essential to the
administration of impartial justice, and to the due maintenance of personal liberty, under every form of civil
government.
Should the principle, of an independent judiciary, be
adopted, we next inquire: Shall there be one supreme
court, with original and appellate jurisdiction, or with
appellate jurisdiction only? together with inferior or
subordinate courts-corresponding to our district or circuit courts?  How many judges shall there be upon the
one, or upon the several benches? For how long a time
shall they hold office? By whom shall they be appointed?
by Presbyteries, Synods or General Assembly?
Suppose Presbyteries were to continue in the exercise'
of the same powers as heretofore, and that all cases of
appeal, reference, complaint, etc. should be carried up to
the district or circuit court; and thence, if necessary, to
the supreme court, for final adjudication?
To preserve harmony in judicial decisions, the records
of the inferior courts should pass in review before the
supreme court; and all illegal or anomalous proceedings
be corrected.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    443
The decisions of the supreme court might also be
reviewed by the General Assembly, and be approved or
disapproved; but never reversed or set aside. If disapproved, reasons should be assigned. The Scottish General Assembly aever reverse or annul the doings of their
"Commission;" though they sometimes express dissatisfaction.
The ablest and wisest men in the whole church ought,.of course, to be chosen for the judicial office. And the
elective vote should always be by ballot. Perhaps three
or five years might be the term of office.-The incumbents being re-eligible, etc.
The highest or supreme court should sit long enough
to dispose of all cases that might annually come before it.
I am inclined to the opinion that one court-a supreme
court, of course-would suffice.-[Without any circuit or
district or other inferior courts.]  Let cases be tried in
Presbytery as at present. If further judicial action be
advisable, let the parties go at once to the supreme court
-just as they now do to the General Assembly. This
would greatly simplify the whole system-shorten the
time, and diminish the expense of litigation.
The vast extent of our republic will render a change
of some kind indispensable very soon. What shall we
do with cases arising in California, Oregon, etc.? To say
nothing of our Presbyteries in India or other foreign and
remote countries? How small, comparatively, is bld Scotland, our good mother and pattern?-With only 26,014
square miles-and including the adjacent islands, only
29,600?




444     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
N. B. - Perhaps the better way would be to leave
Church Sessions, Presbyteries and Synods to act as
heretofore, and to have one supreme court with appellate jurisdiction only.
42. Presbyterians claim to be true Episcopalians, but
not prelatists.  They maintain that Presbytery is the
true scriptural Episcopacy. They claim to be the legitimate successors of the apostles, though not by any virtue
communicated and transmitted in the act of ordination.
They also have three orders or degrees or kinds of church
officers: as Bishops, Ruling Elders and Deacons. Though
they acknowledge but one order in the ministry of the
word. With them the scriptural terms, bishop and presbyter, are synonymous. Hence they recognize Episcopal
ordination as being identical with Presbyterian ordination-and, of course, equally valid. Our ministers are
as truly bishops, and as truly successors of the apostles as his Grace of Canterbury or his Holiness at
Rome.*
43. Is it indispensable that a Presbyterian minister or
other office-bearer should believe or approve everything
contained in our Confession of Faith, Catechisms, Form
of Government, Book of Discipline and Directory for
Worship? Answer: Men may differ in opinion about
non-essentials-such, namely, as do not involve any
fundamental doctrine or principle, or such as need not
be made'matters of conscience-provided no schism, division, hostility or controversy be provoked or encouraged
thereby. Men may submit in peace and charity to
* See Biblical Repertory, vol. xiii. pp. 1, 2, etc.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    445j
rules and laws which they do not entirely approve.
They may, moreover, in a peaceful and legitimate way,
endeavour to effect repeals, alterations, amendments or
modifications in the existing code, in order to meet
their views; —without criminality, and without giving
just cause of offence.
1. Thus, many believe that Elders and Deacons ought
to be ordained with the same formalities as ministersnamely, by imposition of hands.*
2. Others think that these officers ought to be chosen
for short or limited periods-as for one, or two years, etc.
3. Some, again, doubt whether there be any scriptural
warrant for the distinction between preaching and ruling
elders.
4. Many object to our doctrine or rule concerning the
degrees of affinity prohibited in marriage —namely, to
the following passage of Section 4, of Chapter 24, of the
Confession of Faith: "The man may not marry any of
his wife's kindred nearer in blood than he may of his
own, nor the woman of her husband's kindred nearer in
blood than of her own."
44. In Scotland, formerly, elders were elected to serve
for one year. They now hold for life, or during good
behaviour. In Holland, and in the Dutch Reformed
Church of this country, they are chosen for two years.
They are, however, re-eligible. One ordination serves
for life. They continue to be elders in rank, order and
name-though without authority or vote when not in
actual office. In Geneva, the lay elders are twice as
* The late Dr. Miller, among others, entertained this opinion.




446     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
numerous as the clerical: and hence their superior control in all church affairs.*
45. Deacons.  What was their true character? their
proper office? their specific duties?   How  did their
ordination differ from thatof presbyters? Were there
deacons before the appointment of the seven mentioned
in sixth of Acts? etc.t
Were  there Deaconesses in  the primitive apostolic
church?t
46. We would denounce no church organization which
does not withhold the pure gospel from  the people; or
which does not preach another gospel, or substitute its
own inventions in place of the gospel-as does Rome.
Evangelical, Low Church Episcopacy, such as Whately
holds, may be harmless and unobjectionable. We do not
quarrel with it-though some do.
47. Presbyterians are everywhere spoken against. All
sects unite in hostility to them and their system-either
on account of their Calvinistic doctrine or peculiar church
polity. So do politicians, philosophers and all sorts of
infidels.
48. Church officers. 1. Apostles. "And God hath set
some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." (1 Cor.
xii. 28.)
* For an account of the discussions and decisions about Ruling
Elders in the Westminster Assembly of Divines, see letherington's
History of said Assembly, p. 143.
t See as above, pp. 143, 144.
j See Rom. xvi. 1. Also, Coleman's Antiquities, p. 115.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    447
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." (Eph.
iv. 11.)
2. Prophets.  "Having then gifts, differing according
to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let
us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" etc.
(Rom. xii. 6, etc.; 1 Cor. xii. 28; Eph. iv. 11.)
3. Evangelists. (Eph. iv. 11.)
4. Pastors and Teachers. (Eph. iv. 11; 1 Cor. xii. 28.)
"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch
certain prophets and teachers;" etc. (Rom. xiii. 1.)
5. Elders-both ruling and teaching. "Let the elders
that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." (1 Tim.
v. 17.)
6. Deacons. For their appointment, see Acts, vi. verses
1 to 6. For their qualifications, see 1 Tim. iii. 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13.*
7. Deaconesses.  "The office of deaconess may be regarded as substantially the same with that of female
presbyters.  They were early known in the church by
a variety of names, all of which, with some circumstantial variations, denoted the same class of persons." * * *
"Their most frequent appellation however is that of
deaconess, diaconissa, a term  which does not occur in
the Scriptures, though reference is undoubtedly had to
the office in Rom. xvi. 1."t
"I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a
* See Coleman's Antiquities of the Christian Church, pp. 108, etc.
t Coleman, p. 115.




448    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
servant of the church which is at Cenchrea." (Rom.
xvi. 1.)
49. A comparison of the Levitical with the Episcopal
priesthood, will demonstrate that the former was not,
and could not be, a type of the latter. The grades are
ranged thus:Type or Shadow.              Antitype or Substance.
High-Priest,..              Bishop.
Priest,......    Priest.
Levite,..Deacon.
Now in what do they resemble each other? Did the
High-Priest ordain the priest? But the discussion need
not be pursued further now.
50. Ministers of the gospel may now be regarded as
sustaining a twofold character and relation. First, as
heralds of salvation, duly commissioned to preach the
gospel to sinners; and secondly, as the officers and advocates of the particular church to which they belong.
Thus the Episcopalian, the Independent, the Presbyterian, the Methodist, the Baptist-while they severally break the bread of life and unfold the mysteries
of divine revelation in all honesty and godly simplicity
-feel it to be their duty also to inculcate and defend
their own respective tenets and ecclesiastical polity.
These two distinct classes of duty are often so mixed
up and confounded, as to occasion bitter controversies,
lamentable breaches of charity, and the most egregious
mistakes about the essential attributes of genuine piety.
It is desirable, certainly, that every Presbyterian should
be made acquainted with the theory, principles and ad



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    449
vantages of the Presbyterian form of church government.
Just as it is desirable that every American citizen should
be well informed concerning the constitution, laws and
policy of his country. Not that this knowledge is absolutely essential in either case to constitute a sincere
Christian. But as every man owes allegiance, fealty,
obedience, duty, to the civil government which protects
him, and to the church which provides for his spiritual
wants, and which guides his steps onward and upward
toward the heavenly Canaan, it is difficult to conceive
that he can be a very exemplary and useful citizen or
Christian while ignorant of his relations and obligations
in so large a province or department of active service.
A Presbyterian Bishop ought then to instruct his Presbyterian flock upon the subject of Presbyterian Church
Government. He ought to show them that church government, like civil government and parental government,
is a divine institution-necessary to the very existence
of the church, and to the well-being of every society
great and small-and, therefore, that obedience to such
church government as.they may have voluntarily pre-.
ferred, is as much a duty as obedience to parents or civil
magistrates. He ought to show them that the Presbyterian system is scriptural; that is, not only not contrary
to Scripture, but as strictly in accordance with apostolic
usage as could reasonably be desired; and that, on this
score, no other denomination can boast of precedence or
advantage. That it is congenial with the tenor, spirit
and benevolent character of the entire Christian Scriptures-eminently auspicious to evangelical truth and
VOL. III.-29




450     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
purity —harmonizing exactly with the civil government
and free institutions of our own favoured country —and
that it is in truth as perfect a model of a pure democracy or representative republic as can be found in the
world.  Should he be called to preach an occasional
sermon to a people or congregation, not Presbyterian
in government, he ought to say nothing on the subject.
He ought then neither to laud his own nor to censure
any other. —Just as he would abstain from inculcating
republicanism or depreciating monarchy in Austria,
Britain or Russia.' A man may, however, be a rigid Presbyterian, and
yet be but a sorry Christian. And we venture, with all
humility, and with becoming deference to superior wisdom and knowledge, to assert, at least to hope, that it
is possible for a man to be a conscientious, enlightened,
judicious, liberal, charitable, laborious, self-denying Presbyterian bishop, and at the same time maintain the character and discharge the duties of a Christian minister
and a Christian citizen as completely as ever did the
most devoted apostle; or as do any of our equally
conscientious and gifted brethren of other evangelical
churches.
Christians have adopted creeds, confessions, or articles
of doctrinal belief, which differ from one another. Here
it may be observed, that no system of opinions or series
of propositions distinctly enunciated, is enjoined in Scripture as the object of faith or as essential to salvation.
The faith spoken of in the gospel has respect to an individual, to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   451
the Saviour of sinners; and it implies obedience to all
his commandments and instructions. The term doctrine,
in the New Testament, does not mean a speculative opinion, but a practical precept or principle. Every man,
with the Bible in his hands, is at liberty to interpret
the divine will as therein exhibited, according to his
own best judgment. This privilege is conceded to him
by the gospel and by the common consent of Protestants.
Neither his reason nor his conscience ought to be enslaved, or subjected to the arbitrary will or dictation of
any human power or judicatory whatever.  He may
voluntarily adopt the creed or confession of any church;
and then he is bound in conscience and honour to adhere
to it, so long as he sustains the relation implied and
created by such a connexion.
Protestants intended that the Bible alone should be
their paramount rule of faith and practice. In subordination to this principle and with its explicit recognition, they soon found it necessary or expedient to
prepare certain compendious formularies, exhibiting the
inost prominent articles of their scriptural belief; in
order to avoid the misconstruction of their enemies,
and to maintain harmony, union and concert among
themselves. Whether they acted wisely or unwisely,
is not the matter of our present inquiry.  It would
not be very charitable or discreet to condemn their
conduct in this particular, until it be shown that any
sect or denomination of Christians has been able to get
along without a creed of some sort, expressed or well
understood. Those, at this day, who have no written




452    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
or printed creeds, or who profess to make the Bible their
only guide and standard, do nevertheless impose their own
peculiar interpretations and translations upon their disciples: and they all have some formal test of qualification
for church membership. We have yet to learn whether
the Bible, simply and exclusively, and agreeably to each
individual's own construction of its import, can be made
the sole bond of union, communion and church fellowship
among any set or association of Christians.
In this connexion, a question of some practical importance arises: How ought our Protestant Presbyterian
Church to regard and treat other Protestant Churches?
1. I answer, in the first place: It would be contrary
to the express statutes and pervading spirit of our liberal
code, to excommunicate, anathematize or condemn other
churches, or to inflict upon them any judicial or formal
censure whatever. If we do not like them, we may let
them alone. I see no necessity or propriety in ever denouncing them from the pulpit. We cannot enlighten,
convince or benefit the distant or absent members of a
heterodox church by preaching against them-much less
by abusing them. If we believe them to be in such dark->
ness and error as to endanger their salvation, Christian
charity and common humanity should induce us rather
to send missionaries to convert them, as we would to.
Pagans, Jews and Mohammedans. Should a Christian
Church refuse to acknowledge us as a Christian' Church,
we are not therefore bound to retaliate, and to render
evil for evil. We ought rather to suffer wrong, and to
leave the issue with God. Christian charity, however,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    453
does not require us to admit to the ordinances and privileges of our church, the members of any other church,
unless we are satisfied in regard to their faith, character
and habitual practice. On this subject, as an independent Christian society, we have a right to exercise our
own judgment and discretion in the premises. And
while we concede to all other denominations the same
right, they can have no just ground of complaint or
offence. Thus far, the course of duty and propriety
seems pretty plain and obvious,
2. But, in the second place: How is a particular
church or congregation to regulate its intercourse with
other churches, of different names, in the same city or
town or vicinage? I answer, that in all cases of church
fellowship and intercommunion, a perfect reciprocity of
kind and friendly offices ought to obtain. Each should
admit the other to be in all respects her equal. If we
invite her members to commune with us, we ought, when
occasion offers, cheerfully to commune with them at her
own board. If we accept her invitation, we ought to
reciprocate the favour or the courtesy. But if, on the
other hand, she should admit us to her communion and
refuse to come to ours; or if we should admit them to
ours and refuse to go to hers; it is manifest that, after
a fair experiment of this left-handed civility, all intercourse between the parties, as churches, must cease and
determine.-Unless one party shall be willing to yield
to the exclusive pretensions of the other. A concession,
which neither Christian charity nor the laws of selfrespect can ever demand.




454    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
The same general rule is applicable to occasional attendance on the ordinary public worship of the several
churches by the people, and to the exchange of pulpits
by the clergy; as also to the use of each other's houses,
on any emergency, either for divine service or other purposes; to the recognition of the validity of each other's
official acts and ordinances, as baptism, the eucharist,
and ordination; and, indeed, to the entire subject, in all
its details, of neighbourly intercourse and interchange of
civilities. If the whole, and each particular, be not on
a footing of acknowledged and open-hearted equality and
reciprocity, the parties had better cherish the spirit of
brotherly kindness and charity by keeping at a respectful
distance from each other's holy festivals and holy places.
Mutual suspicion, jealousy, irritation and hostility would
be the natural and inevitable result of any half-way
course or system. In such matters, there must be no
concealment, no duplicity, no mental reservations, no
affected superiority, no parade of unmeaning liberality,
no protecting condescension, none of that fastidious
courtly delicacy which insinuates or seems to say,
"mine is better than thine," and nothing of that lordly
churchtism and somewhat ludicrous bigotry which boldly
proclaims, "my church is the only true church, and
your church is no church at all."
Our Presbyteries and Synods are not bound, by any
considerations of duty or kindness, to invite ministers
of other persuasions to sit with them  as corresponding members, whose own conferences or conventions
or associations would not, in similar cases, extend




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    455
to us the same token of fraternal confidence and regard.
We, as Presbyterians, I trust, will never arrogantly
claim or covet what we would not cheerfully accord;
nor stoop to surrender the smallest iota even of etiquette
which would imply, or could be construed to imply, any
inferiority on our part, or the acknowledgment of any
superiority on the part of others.
None of these remarks are designed to have the slightest bearing on the common social intercourse of families
or individuals. Such intercourse must be regulated by
the tastes, interests or caprices of the parties themselves.
We may visit, and receive the visits of Jews, Pagans,
Turks or Mormons, as may suit our fancy or inclination.
Now should any man conceit that I have betrayed
an illiberal or sectarian spirit in any portion of this discourse, I would respectfully beg him to inform us how
he would speak of his own church under similar circumstances and in reference to the same points? Would he
claim less for his church than I have claimed for mine?
Would he concede to other churches more than I have
freely conceded to all? Have I not assumed them to be
equally honest and conscientious, and equally entitled
to all the rights and privileges, temporal and spiritual,
which, as religious associations, they may lawfully possess and exercise in this free republic? Am I expected
to express a preference for his church, or for any church,
over my own? Will he not be satisfied that I leave him
unmolested to think as highly of his own church, and as
humbly of mine, as he pleases?




456    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
But gladly would I hail the dawn of a brighter dayof a purer Christian epoch-when all such idle questions,
and verbal controversies, and family quarrels, and jealous rivalries, and ambitious aspirings, shall be forgotten.
When celestial charity shall pervade the hearts and the
ranks of the Christian soldiery, and all the world be
constrained to exclaim: "Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
(Ps. cxxxiii. 1.) When Christian sects will strive, not
for the mastery over one another, but for the mastery
over their own evil tempers, and for the palm of glory
in self-devotion to the common cause of God and the
Saviour!




THE NECESSITY OF CIRCULATING THE BIBLE.
[DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, NOVEMBER 14,1826.]








THE NECESSITY OF CIRCULATING
THE BIBLE.*
AT the anniversary meetings of this Society, I am
informed, an address is expected from the chair. While,
on the one hand, I do not wish to depart from established
usage, so, on the other, I am desirous to appropriate as
little of the time devoted to the exercises of this evening
as will barely satisfy the claims of official duty.
The distinguished' and eloquent individuals who are
expected to advocate the Bible cause, on this interesting
occasion, preclude, not only the necessity, but the propriety, of my entering upon the merits of this hallowed
and infinitely momentous theme. I shall, therefore, for
the few moments which I presume to occupy, merely
approach the threshold, and take a hasty glance at the
outworks-committing your introduction into the interior of the celestial temple to abler and more experienced
guides.
The oracles of the one living and true God-composed
at different and distant periods, by divers men inspired
for the purpose-were, during a period of fifteen hundred
years, entrusted exclusively to the Israelites, and for
* An Address delivered at the third Anniversary meeting of the
Bible Society of Davidson County, Tennessee, auxiliary to the American Bible Society, Nov. 14, 1826.
(459)




460    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
their sole benefit. When, in the fulness of time, the
predicted Messiah appeared and put an end to the Mosaic economy and to the whole Jewish ritual, he broke
down the partition wall which had hitherto surrounded
the favoured nation, and commissioned his disciples to
preach the gospel of peace and mercy and reconciliation
to every kindred, tongue and people upon the earth.
This constituted a new and glorious era in the history of
our world. The apostles obeyed the command of their
Master. They traversed the most distant and inhospitable regions: and literally planted the standard of the
cross in almost every country of the known world.
Their success, though astonishingly great, and altogether
unparalleled, considering their natural qualifications and
means, was but partial and temporary. For, although multitudes in Asia, Europe and Africa, believed-although
flourishing churches were everywhere formed-although
within three centuries after the crucifixion, idolatry disappeared from the Roman Empire, and Christianity
became the established faith of the civilized world —yet
it soon appeared that human policy and imperial smiles
added nothing to the purity, the lustre and the stability
of that spiritual kingdom which it was our Saviour's
purpose to erect. Ages of ignorance, darkness, superstition, tyranny and crime succeeded the impious union of
the ecclesiastical and the civil powers. The Bible was
studiously withheld from the people. It was locked up,
in an unknown tongue, in-the cell and the cloister. It
was inaccessible to the multitude. It was criminal for
them to seek it-it was a capital offence to read it. The




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   461
terrors of the stake, the rack, the inquisition, were all
employed to extinguish the light of revelation. And,
had it been possible for the gates of hell to prevail
against the truth —the truth had long since been obliterated from the face of the earth. It was not possible.
All this antichristian influence, degeneracy, and abomination had been foretold.  Its occurrence, therefore,
added another series to the manifold existing evidences
of the divine original of our holy religion. The word
of Jehovah had been pledged that the gospel of his Son
should prevail —and finally triumph over all opposition.
The dawn of this distant day of victory and triumph
at length appeared, when the glorious work of the Reformation was achieved: and many fondly imagined that
the universal reign of the Prince of peace was about
to be established on the ruins of the Papal hierarchy.
But Protestant Christendom soon exhibited symptoms,
not to be mistaken, that the ancient leaven of uncharitableness, malice, pride and ambition was still fermenting
within her bosom, and producing the same bitter fruits.
Numerous opposing and rival sects speedily arose —and
the world has been deluged with volumes: of subtle spec.
ulations and rancorous controversy. Only the dawn of
the bright day of Messiah's triumph, therefore, has as
yet become visible. The gospel has ever since, indeed,
been gaining ground-though with various fortune, at
different periods. The clergy continued to preach, and
to perform  their arduous functions agreeably to the
tenets and rules of their respective churches.  But
there existed no system of harmonious co-operation —no




402    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
bond of union-no mutual understanding-no kindly
feeling among the brethren of different names. One was
of Paul-another of Apollos-a third of Cephas- (1 Cor.
i. 12.) They forgot that they were all of Christ. They
would have no fellowship with each other. They were
like a house divided against itself;-and hence were
feeble and powerless against the common enemy. They
consumed their time and spent their strength in domestic broils and contests-instead of generously marshalling their forces under the one great captain, and courageously taking the field, determined, in the name of
Jehovah, to conquer, or to die at their post.
It might have been expected that Protestants, who
professed the greatest reverence for the Bible, would have
spared no means or pains to extend the knowledge and
the blessings of it among the people. Especially, after
the invention of the arts of printing and of manufacturing paper had rendered the work as easy as it was
simple and obvious.
Eighteen centuries however had rolled away since
"peace on earths and good will toward men" (Luke,
ii. 14) had been proclaimed by the angelic hosts who
celebrated Messiah's advent, before it ever occurred to
Christian men, as reasonable and feasible, to distribute
the entire unadulterated records of one faith to the igno-.
rant and the perishing. It was reserved for our own age
and century to make this grand discovery-and to put
into operation this simple but all-powerful machinery.
Until the year 1804, an association for the sole purpose of distributing the Bible, without note or comment,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    463
to all the people, was unheard of. Towards the close of
that memorable year was duly organized the British and
Foreign Bible Society. It was immediately greeted with
the approbation and good wishes of thousands of Christians of all denominations. It bore, as it were, a neutral
flag —a flag of peace —of catholicism-of charity and
love. It was Christian in its entire character, tendency
and bearing. It exhibited the insignia of no party, and
favoured the views and dogmas of no selfish, ambitious,
bigoted or exclusive sect. It opened a field of active
philanthropic enterprise, boundless in extent and in
duration. It was designed and calculated to concentrate
the energies of the Christian world to one grand and
good work. It was the first step towards a better understanding among brethren of the same family-towards a
better temper and spirit-towards nobler and more generous efforts in promoting the common cause of human
happiness throughout the world.
Can it be credited that such a project should have been
opposed at the beginning of this liberal and enlightened
nineteenth century? Yes verily, it was opposed —opposed most fiercely and perseveringly; opposed too by
men who ought to have known- better-and from whom
a different course might have been anticipated. But, in
thus encountering opposition, it merely shared the usual
fortune of all great, beneficent and useful plans and institutions. Every man, acquainted with the history of
our world, knows that every enterprise undertaken for
the welfare of mankind has been opposed. And this
opposition is generally proportioned to the excellence of




464    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the object in view. There are always men at hand
ready to denounce, to misrepresent, to slander, and to
thwart, as far as they can, whatever is virtuous, benevolent and praiseworthy.  Many regard every improvement as a dangerous innovation; they fain would
travel along as their grandsires had done before them;
they are jealous of all reformers, and hostile to all
changes.  With such men it is vain to argue: —and
happily for the world, their complaints and murmurs,
their forebodings and predictions have little influence in
impeding or retarding the march of human intellect and
the melioration of human society.  Multitudes oppose
at first from ignorance and prejudice; but a successful
experiment usually brings them, sooner or later, to a
more correct judgment and temper. Others oppose from
sheer malice-from downright wickedness; their oppo-:ition is deliberate and systematic; and never ceases
while the means for maintaining it exist.
The parent Bible Society met with opposition from all
these sources: nor has opposition ceased even to this
day. Still, the cause has continued to prosper, and to
advance far beyond the hopes and anticipations even of
the most sanguine. Only twenty-two years have elapsed
since this Society commenced its operations. During
that period, it has aided, directly or indirectly, in printing, publishing, circulating or translating the Bible, in
whole or in part, in 150 different languages and dialects.
It has issued in Great Britain and on the Continent of
Europe, not less, probably, up to this time, than six millions of copies of the sacred volume; —and, by societies




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    465
in connexion with it, a grand total of at least nine millions of copies. Its annual income is little short of half
a million of dollars.
The first Bible Society organized in America was that
of Philadelphia in 1808,. (Dec. 11.)  The American
Bible Society was instituted in May, 1816. It has been
in operation ten years.  Its present yearly income is
above $50,000. It has issued, by this time, probably
about 500,000 Bibles and Testaments.  It numbers
already among its auxiliaries not less than 600 societies
in various parts of the Union.
There are, it is believed, from 1200 to 1500 Bible
societies in the world. And these have issued, as nearly
as we can estimate, between twelve and fifteen millions
of Bibles and Testaments. Further details, time does
not permit me to attempt. And these are not given as
literally accurate. They are probably only approximations to the truth.
The objects of this Society are twofold. First, to
supply our own domestic wants-to furnish every individual, at least every family, in Davidson County, with
a Bible. Has this primary object been effected? Have
we searched out the nakedness of the land-have we
ascertained how many of our own fellow-citizens-of our
neighbours, friends and acquaintances are still destitute
of this inestimable treasure? If not-then have we
hitherto neglected our first duty, and our most important
duty. Let us immediately take this matter into our
most serious consideration. Let us resolve-as did the
Bible Society of Monroe County in New York, in referVOL. IL. -30




466    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ence to the inhabitants of that county —let us resolve,
that every family in Davidson County shall be supplied
with a Bible. When we have discharged our obligations
to our own people-we shall be prepared to attend to
theSecond object of our institution, which is,-To aid the
American Bible Society, to which we are auxiliary.
This may be done, either by remitting our: superfluous
funds to the parent institution-or by distributing Bibles
in the adjacent counties or States, as we may have opportunity, and as their several necessities may render it
expedient.
The deep interest which the parent Society takes in
the moral welfare of the Western country, may be estimated from the following paragraphs, extracted from the
ninth report of their Board of Managers, (viz. for
1825.)
"CThe Managers cannot look over the Western States,
so vast in their extent, so rapidly increasing in population, and so destitute of the Bible, without painful emotions, and very gloomy forebodings.   Notwithstanding
all the exertions made in that interesting section of the
country, still the increase of population is far greater
than the increase of Bibles."
"Thus a famine seems to: have already commencednot of: bread, nor of water! Such a famine could only
kill the body: —but a famine of the Bread of Lrfe, which
kills the soul —a famine deeply affecting the first elements of society in all the Western States and Territories. Of what advantage can early education be to




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   467
them, unsanctified by the truth of God?  Of what advantage will a liberal' education be, if unenlightened by
the wisdom of God?-or legislation, without the moral
principles of God's revealed will?-or judicial investigations, without the righteousness and equity of the Gospel?
Without the Bible: they cannot know the will of God,
nor the Son of God: —they cannot possess either holiness
or hope; but in heart and in: habit they must approximate rapidly to the condition of the frontier tribes."
Whether this statement be literally correct or not:let us, at least, do our humble part towards preventing
the dreadful evils anticipated. Let us arise; in the name
of the Lord, and exert our energies and contribute our
money in behalf of our Western brethren who are still
sitting "in the region and shadow of death." (Matt.
iv. 16.)
To the patriot and philanthropist the Bible appeals
for patronage and support. Can any friend of genuine
liberty be hostile to the Bible? Let him cast an eye
over the page of history, from the creation to the present
day, or upon the map of our globe, and search for the
land of liberty. Where will he find it?  When did it
exist?  Nowhere-never-except when and where the
Bible was known and honoured by the people.  This
position I maintain fearlessly, and after much inquiry
and mature deliberation. Greece and Rome will be
made to confront me at the outset.  I am prepared
to encounter Greece and Rome, with all their boasted
pretensions. Liberty was never understood in either
Greece or Rome.  Republican they were in name;




468    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
but republican they never were, as Americans understand the term. Liberty they idolized, —but it was a
phantom to fight about, rather than a substantial reality
to be enjoyed. The great moral principle, which is the
basis of equal rights and privileges, was never recognized
among them. There was ever existing in those turbulent democracies a proud domineering aristocracy-opposed to the mass of the people —and seeking every
occasion to oppress them.
The people-the body of the people-possessed, in
fact, fewer privileges and less liberty, than they now
enjoy under the most absolute monarchy in Christendom.
Any person intimately acquainted with their history,
and who does not suffer himself to be imposed on by
mere names, must be satisfied that such was the fact.
If any doubt however-let me add, that, the female sex,
among those free, enlightened, polished, liberal republicans, were in a state of degradation and bondage not
surpassed in any Mohammedan or Pagan country at
the present day. This fact settles the question-universally and forever.  For, in every age and nation,
where the Bible, or revealed religion has been unknown,
or is now unknown-woman was and is a slave.
In Greece and Rome-whatever may be affirmed of
the political or civil or domestic condition of the menit is certain that the women-that is, one-half of the
population at least, were strangers to the benefits and
blessings of liberty.
Among the Jews —under a peculiar and limited dis



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    469
pensation, woman enjoyed rights and privileges never
conceded to her under any system of paganism or false
religion whatever. But it was reserved for the gospel of
Christ to restore the female sex to their proper rank and
dignity in society. This is matter of fact-indisputable
and undisputed.
Liberty-real genuine liberty —has been gaining
ground in our world just in proportion to the diffusion
of the principles of the gospel. In every part of Christendom there is more liberty than in any other part of
the world. In those parts of Christendom where the
people are most acquainted with the Bible, there is more
liberty than in those parts where it is less or least known.
In Protestant Europe, where the Bible is accessible to
all, there is vastly more liberty than where the people
either cannot, or are not suffered to read the Bible.
It would be well for the friends of liberty in our
country to examine this matter thoroughly. If they
discover, as I am sure they will, that the Bible is always
the harbinger of liberty to the suffering and the oppressed, then let them stand forth its avowed friends
and advocates.
Our pious and venerated fathers, two centuries ago,
fled from a tyranny which the Bible taught them to
abhor. They crossed the ocean with the Bible in their
hands, and with its principles engraven upon their
hearts. They erected the standard of civil and religious
liberty in the forests of America. The Bible was their
charter-their guide-their statute book-their code of
common law. Under its invigorating influence, succes



470    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
sive generations flourished in peace and.freedom. And
when the first insidious attempts were made to limit
their privileges-to encroach on their liberties-they,
with one mind, and with the Bible still in their hands,
resolved to live free or die.
What made the British colonies to differ so essentially
in character and destiny from all other European colonies?  I answer, the Bible. The present British colonies in North America were originally French colonies;
and hence, at the period of our revolution, they took no
part with us. The Bible was a stranger to them-and
they were strangers to liberty.
I have addressed an argument for the Bible to the
friends of liberty; grounded upon known incontrovertible facts: and if they will not yield to it, or manfully
meet it, and confute it, they stand self-convicted of inconsistency and insincerity. If I am correct in my view
of the subject, I am justified in this broad and sweeping
conclusion-that, every opposer of the Bible is an enemy
to liberty, and of course, to his country and to mankind.
He may be self-deceived-he may err through ignorance
-still he is an enemy to liberty, and unworthy of the
liberty which he enjoys, and which he is aiming indirectly, perhaps unconsciously, to destroy.
Our appeal, then, to the patriotic friends of liberty in
behalf of the Bible is made on tenable and substantial
grounds,; and will not, -we trust, be made in vain.
Shall we appeal, in the next place, to the ladies-to
our mothers, our sisters, our wives, our daughters?  I
have already suggested a consideration, which, to them




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    471
at least, must appear sufficiently momentous and persuasive.  Independently of the Christian religion, they
would all be slaves.-worse than slaves-the slaves of
barbarians, of brutal and ferocious masters. The cause
is gained. My fair auditors have enlisted under the
banners of the cross. They will all become active and
zealous members of our association.
The name of every lady in this house, and in Davidson County, will be added to our catalogue, and thus,
ten thousand dollars, in spite of the lords of creation,
will find their way into the Bible treasury. Should any
lady refuse to contribute a dollar per -year to promote
the temporal and eternal welfare of three hundred millions of her sisters, might she not, with justice, be regarded as an enemy to her sex? But poverty, ignorance,
misery have never yet appealed to the female heart or
purse, in vain. All the world besides may frown, and
treat the wretched applicant with contumely and scornbut woman will sympathize, pity and relieve. She ever
mourns with those that mourn, and weeps with those
that weep.
In the last place, we appeal to Christians-whether
real or nominal —of every age, sect and denomination.
Perhaps you are all included under this head. We hope
you are. Were there any infidels present, I would not
treat them harshly or uncourteously. I would repeat
to them a well-known anecdote, from high authority,
and leave the application to their own sagacity.
"Sir Isaac Newton set out in life a clamorous infidel;
but, on a nice examination of the evidences for Chris



472    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
tianity, he found reason to change his opinion. When
the' celebrated Dr. Edmund Halley was talking infidelity
before him  Sir Isaac addressed him in these or the like
words.'Dr. Halley, I am always glad to hear you
when you speak about astronomy, or other branches of
the mathematics, because those are subjects which you
have studied, and well understood; but you should not
talk of Christianity, for you have not studied it.  I
have, and I am certain that you know nothing of the
matter."'
Why men should be hostile to the Bible, is not easy
to account for, except on the ground of ignorance or
malignity. The pre-eminent excellence of its moral
code, I believe, has never been questioned. Even the
atheist Vanini, who was most indefatigable in searching
out objections against Christianity, owned that he could
find nothing in it that savoured of a carnal and worldly
design.
Bolingbroke says-" No religion has, ever appeared in
the world, of which the natural tendency is so much
directed as the Christian, to promote the peace and
happiness of mankind; and the gospel is one continued
lesson of the strictest morality, of justice, charity and
universal benevolence."
The testimony of Gibbon is remarkable. "While the
Roman Empire (says he) was invaded by open violence,
or undermined by slow decay, a pure and humble religion gently insinuated itself into the minds of men, grew
up in silence and obscurity, derived new vigour from
opposition, and finally erected the triumphant banner of




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    473
the cross on the ruins of the capitol." (Rom. Hist., vol.
i. p. 392.)
Again he adds"The Christian religion is a religion which diffuses
among the people a pure, benevolent, and universal
system of ethics, adapted to every duty and every condition of life; recommended as the will and reason of the
Supreme Deity, and enforced by the sanction of eternal
rewards or punishments." (Rom. Hist., vol. ii. p. 200.)
If such be the real character and genuine tendency of
the gospel, in the judgment even of its enemies, who
need hesitate about giving it currency among the
people?  So far as this world is in question, it is calculated, confessedly, to do immense good: - and it has
never been pretended that it would prove injurious to
our future hopes, prospects or destination.
To appeal to Christians in behalf of the Bible-and
to urge reasons and motives to induce them to aid in its
circulation-would seem a superfluous task-were not
the melancholy fact before us, that, by far the greater
portion of the human family are still destitute of this
hallowed treasure. More than six hundred millions of
our race are living in ignorance and misery —deprived of
the heavenly guide' to purity and peace and happiness
which it is in the power of Christians, and of Christians
only, to communicate. This lamentable and alarming
fact isenough for us to know. Were every inhabitant
of these United States —were every individual in Christendom possessed of a Bible-still, six hundred millions
of our brethren remain to be supplied with it — and




474    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS,
these are daily giving place to other and to successive
millions.
With all the gigantic efforts made and making-the
work seems scarcely yet to diminish in magnitude. Nay,
the more we search-the further we extend our visionthe larger appears the field for benevolent and vigorous
enterprise. The vastness of the object to be achieved
was not conceived by the original projectors of Bible
Societies. The alarming deficiency of Bibles, in the
very heart and centre of the most highly favoured portions of Protestant Christendom, was never conjectured
or suspected.  Every report of almost every Bible
Society testifies, that, multitudes of families and individuals are everywhere. to be met with, as ignorant of
the Bible as if they had been born and educated in a
heathen land. Can Christians continue lukewarm or
inactive in the mi.dst of this moral gloom and darkness
and death and. despair?. Can they pray to the great
Head of the Church, from day to day,.-"thy kingdom
come"-and yet refuse to contribute an effort or a dollar
towards its enlargement?
If the Bible really contains the best religion —the only
religion worthy of universal acceptation   a religion
manifestly emanating fromn. eternal: and infinite wisdom
-our duty to aid in its propagation becomes too obvious
and imperative. to demand proof or illustration. This
duty constitutes a part of the religion itself —it is inculcated. throughout the volume which unfolds it. Admit
the truth of the Bible.-and the duty to extend its
blessings to all men follows of necessity.  Otherwise,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    475
we reject a most important part of the system which
we acknowledge to be of divine authority. This argument is brief-but it is conclusive.No' man was ever impoverished by giving, in the
spirit of charity, to charitable objects. This is a remarkable fact in the history of benevolence, and -in the
history of our world.
Who is it that murmurs or complains at the frequent
calls made on him, at the present day, for aid to useful,
humane and religious objects and institutions:? Precisely
the man who never contributes a dollar to one of -them.
The avaricious, selfish, miserly idolaters of Mammon,
who hoard up gold, as if they expected to carry it to
heaven with them, or to create a heaven out of it
upon earth; the dashing, expensive, prodigal votaries of
fashion, luxury, pleasure, ostentation, who covet all they
can grasp, in order to maintain a style of extravagance
or indulgence which is neither comfortable nor respectable,-these are the men who denounce all liberal projects and Christian enterprises as impositions on the
public, and endeavour to cry them down as the offspring
of knavery, hypocrisy, puritanism or priestcraft. From
such men, the Bible cause expects nothing-asks nothing. Let them keep their money-they will be the
poorer for it. ~ Or let them squander it upon their vices
and follies-they will never enjoy it.
While the liberal man will become the richer and.the
happier for all that he bestows in charity. If universal
experience establishes any one maxim or principle of
human conduct more clearly than another, it is this.




476     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
And that it accords with the declarations of eternal
truth and wisdom, every reader of the Bible knows full
well. "The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand." (Isaiah, xxxii. 8.)  "There
is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to
poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he
that watereth shall be watered also himself."  "It is
more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts, xx. 35.)
It is your distinguished privilege, Christian brethren, to
realize, this  evening, the promised  blessing of the
Almighty Saviour, by fulfilling his command.




THE CLAIMS OF THE BIBLE.
LDAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, OCTOBER, 1830.]








THE CLAIMS OF TIHE BIBLE.
AN ADDRESS BEFORE THE BIBLE SOCIETY.*
CHRISTIAN charity is, we trust, beginning to develope
her genuine character throughout the Christian world.
Christian people are beginning to feel and to acknowledge that the Saviour's valedictory command-"Go ye
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," (Mark, xvi. 15) —is addressed to them —collectively and individually; and that a dreadful wo is
denounced against those who slight or seek to evade it.
It is impossible to retain the blessings of the -gospel in
any community, large or small, where no active and
faithful efforts are made to impart the same blessings
to others.  The gospel cannot be monopolized or hid
in a corner: and those who hazard the profane and
impotent attempt, are sure, in the end, to lose themselves what they so covetously withhold.  The very
spirit of the gospel impels its friends to communicate
it to the ignorant and the needy, to the labouring and
heavy laden, to the guilty and the perishing. They
cannot do otherwise, without giving infallible evidence
that they are but enemies in disguise. "Freely ye have
* Delivered at the- Anniversary Meeting of the Davidson County
Bible Society, October, 1830.
(479)




480    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
received, freely give," (Matt. x. 8,) is inscribed in golden
capitals, upon every page of the Christian charter. To
believe the gospel, and yet to be indifferent, or backward,
or slothful in recommending it, and in furnishing it to
the destitute, according to our ability, involves a palpable
contradiction; and if any one lesson, more distinctly than
another, can be learned from the history of the church
and of mankind, it is this — namely, that those who
neglect the duty of teaching and extending, as far as
practicable, the true religion, do invariably incur the
severest frowns of Heaven, and involve their posterity
in the most awful calamities-including always either
the utter forfeiture, or the most deplorable perversion,
of the truth itself.
The command then has gone forth-"Preach the gospel to every creature." This command is binding on all
those who already enjoy the light and blessings of the
gospel. It is their duty to send it where it is not. It is
our duty to do this; and this is precisely the object of
our present meeting.  It is to contribute a reasonable
portion of our superfluous or useless dollars to aid in circulating the Holy Scriptures among our ignorant, guilty,
perishing fellow-men-not merely as a matter of grace
and favour on our part —but as an imperative duty and
a high privilege.
If the Bible be the word of God-if its pages speak
truth-then there is an end of all cavilling, or doubt, or
hesitation. The course of duty is obvious, plain, direct,
straightforward-and cannot be mistaken.
But admitting the truth and inspiration of the Bible,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    481
do you ask what special benefits it confers on the world
-or why youz should be urged to aid in sending it to the
destitute?
I shall not attempt to point out all the benefits which
the Bible has conferred upon our world, or which it is
calculated to bestow. It would be impracticable to do
this, within the limits of an ordinary address, even were
I competent to the task. To candid well-informed men,
who have carefully studied the history of mankind, nothing need be urged in the way of contrast between the
general character and condition of Heathen and Christian nations. The distance of the one from the other,
in a political, civil, religious and social point of view, is
so immense, that no representation of ours could render
it more obvious or more striking. It is as the cheering
light of perpetual day opposed to the gloom and horror
of endless night.
But all Christendom is not Christian. Only a small
number of any Christian land live and act up to the
standard of Bible principles: while the great mass of'
nominal Christians are still strangers to its purifying
and transforming influence.  We must therefore recur
to the sacred volume itself, to ascertain the genuine
nature and tendency of its doctrines and precepts: and
how these ought to operate on the life and practice of
men. The question is not, what men, calling themselves Christians and professing to believe the Bible,
actually are; but what they ought to be, and would be,
were they sincere in their professions.  A Judas was
found even in the original little band of our Lord's
VOL. III.-31




482     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
apparently devoted and disinterested disciples, when
scarcely a motive for hypocrisy or treachery could have
been imagined. That the fires of persecution were not
sufficient, even in the apostolic age, to repress that spirit
of worldly avarice and ambition which is so natural to
mankind, the cases of Ananias and Sapphira, of Simon
Magus and many others, will abundantly testify. How
much more then may we expect hypocrites and knaves
in the bosom of the Christian Church, when so many
sinister ends may be compassed by the mere assumption
of the Christian name? But does the Bible countenance
hypocrisy or fraud or deception in any form? Does
the Bible sanction false, empty, vain, selfish, ostentatious parade or profession of religion in any degree?
If not, then the Bible is not chargeable with the errors
or crimes or delusions of any of its pretended friends.
Are Christians irascible, revengeful, implacable, illiberal,
intolerant, avaricious, proud, vain-glorious, ambitious, envious, cruel, haughty, overbearing, unjust, sensual, luxurious? Does the Bible inculcate or permit, or in any wise
excuse or justify anger, revenge, unkindness, intolerance,
covetousness, pride, envy, ambition, cruelty, injustice, sensuality, or any unhallowed passion or practice?
But what does the Bible reveal and teach?  It reveals
the whole truth concerning the origin, character, condition and destiny of man; and the whole truth, so far as
is adapted to mortal capacity, respecting the glorious perfections, laws and purposes of the one living and true
God. It teaches man how to become holy and happyhow to escape deserved punishment-how to conquer sin




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   483
and death and hell-how to triumph over all the enemies
of his peace-and how to enter the gates of the New
Jerusalem with songs of victory upon his lips and the
joys of salvation in his heart. All this the Bible has
done, is doing, and will do, to the end of time. It is
specially calculated-purposely designed —to make men
better, wiser and happier, than they could otherwise possibly become. Were it perfectly obeyed by all mankind,
our world would be a universal Eden —a paradise of
angels: —and peace, purity and happiness would be the
inheritance of every individual of our race.
If the Bible should have free course and be duly honoured, the great work of improvement and reformationthe plans and systems for ameliorating the moral, intellectual and physical condition of the people, about which
statesmen and philanthropists are so much busied at the
present day, would be speedily brought to a successful
issue. We should hear no more of prisons, and jails, and
penitentiaries, and houses of refuge and correction; or
of any other clumsy contrivances for the punishment of
crime or the suppression of vice. Nor should we hear
of any visionary schemes for the reformation of hardened
veteran offenders, which oppress an innocent community
by their enormous expensiveness, without the slightest
tendency to benefit the criminal, —for no unprincipled
convict was ever yet reformed by any course of prison
discipline which has hitherto been devised; nor will
such a result ever be witnessed while human nature
remains unchanged. The Bible-the religion of the
Bible-has, indeed, transformed a thief upon the cross,




484    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and it has reclaimed the tenant of a dungeon; and the
same heavenly religion might have prevented the ignominious death of the one and the incarceration of the
other.  The Bible is the only effective instrument of
radical reformation in prisons —as all the superintendents even of the most highly approved Eastern penitentiaries, of the newest construction, will testify, and have
testified. How much easier and more humane would it
not be to imbue the youthful mind with Bible principles,
and thus save the rising generation from crime —from
servitude-fromn stripes-from the severest corporal and
mental agonies-as well as from the indelible disgrace
of imprisonment?
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when
he is old he will not depart from it." Here is a divine
command, and a divine promise,-constituting a part of
that heavenly truth which we are required to disseminate among all people. Train up a child in the way he
should go-that is, in the right way-in wisdom's ways
-in the way of truth and righteousness: —do this honestly, faithfully, prayerfully, perseveringly-and Jehovah
has declared, that he will not depart from it when he is
old-or that his riper, maturer years, and old age will
be spent aright, or in obedience to the divine will. The
command and the promise are universal and absolute:
and the world cannot exhibit one instance of a failure.
What a lesson is here for parents to learn! What a debt
do they not owe their precious charge! The present and
the everlasting welfare of their offspring depends on their
fidelity. But, without the Bible, they can neither per



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    485
form nor understand their duty, in this or in any other
respect. It is not for us to speculate about the probabilities or chances of eventual success, even should the
Bible be placed in every family in our land or in the
world. It is sufficient for us to know that those who
have not the Bible cannot possibly train up their children in the right way, or pursue the right way themselves. They must live in darkness, error, ignorance
and vice —and thus must live their children, and their
children's children —until some future more generous
and more charitable generation shall supply them with
the word of life.
How vain and impotent and visionary would be all
human schemes and laws in restraining the wicked passions and propensities of mankind, were the fears and
sanctions, the rewards and penalties of religion banished
or obliterated from our country? In what nation upon
earth have merely human institutions sufficed to maintain a peaceful, orderly, tranquil state of society, independently of the aid of religion? What could our own
much lauded and most Christian system of jurisprudence
our common and statute law-our excellent constitutions-our legislative assemblies-our juridical and
executive authorities —effect for the peace, virtue, prosperity and happiness of this people, were the Bible forthwith annihilated, or were its doctrines and principles
universally disregarded —were its moral and religious
influence no longer felt throughout the community?
The firm popular belief in the one scriptural doctrine
of a future state of rewards and punishment, is more




486    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
potent and operative in deterring the million from vice
and crime, I venture to assert, than all earthly wisdom,
power and vigilance ever yet exerted by any government.
Besides, human laws, at the very utmost, can reach
but a little way in controlling and regulating the intricate and complex machinery of human interest, reason,
passion, prejudice and ambition. They can touch only
the overt act of the offender; and that too only when
duly proved by competent witnesses before a court or
jury of fallible, perhaps of partial, or ignorant, or prejudiced, or unjust men. The thief, the robber, the murderer, may, under certain circumstances, be legally punished.  But still, thousands who are thieves, robbers
and murderers in the sight of God, and agreeably to
the Bible, may and do, even now, escape every human
penalty. What then would be the condition of society,
if our whole population dreaded nothing but a human
or temporal penalty? So numerous are the facilities or
expedients by which punishment may be evaded, that
the wonder is, that any should be so incautious or so
unfortunate as to become its victims, by being detected
in the critical predicament which technical precision
requires in order to conviction.  Hence, in fact, only
the most ignorant and least artful malefactors are ordinarily made to atone by personal suffering for their
offences: —while your more intelligent and more astute
rogues contrive to pass along, without even rendering
themselves obnoxious to any disgraceful or onerous penalty whatever. It is not difficult for a crafty knave so




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   487
to act his part as to be accounted an honest man. He
will take a slight advantage in his pecuniary transactions-in his sales and purchases-of this man and the
other man-and thus be continually accumulating unrighteous gains-while yet he violates no human law in
such a manner as to be liable to prosecution:-and perhaps none will dare openly to accuse or censure him.
Whereas, the man who fears God and reveres his law
would no sooner take a dollar unjustly, under any pretext, from any mortal, than he would steal a dollar from
his neighbour's purse or pick his pocket.
It is universally admitted by moralists, civilians and
jurists, that, only perfect rights, as they are technically
styled, can be asserted and protected by human government —and these only to a limited extent and in a partial manner; while imperfect rights and their corresponding imperfect obligations rest for their acknowledgment
and fulfilment exclusively upon the conscience or moral
sense of every individual; and these include all the
duties which we owe to God, and by far. the greater
number and the most important of those which we owe
to ourselves and to one another.
Human laws are defective because they cannot reach
the heart, which is the fountain of all that is evil and of
all that is good in human action. They cannot create
or influence motive, or inspire virtuous principles. They
do not extend to that odious catalogue of secret crimes
which are committed without any witness, save the allseeing eye of the omnipresent God: whose laws penetrate
the hidden recesses of vice, and carry their sanctions to




488    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
the thoughts and intents of the heart. Now, it will be
conceded, that if a man's heart-if all his affections, desires, motives, principles, purposes and aims, be pure and
holy, then will his conduct be right. Here, then, the
essential, and otherwise incurable deficiencies of human
laws are supplied by the doctrines of the Bible, which
lend a constant and energetic aid to the administration
of justice. The sacred Scriptures command the utmost
purity of heart and life. They strike at the root of all
sin, by removing every inducement to its commission.
They teach that mere external acts, however specious
and commendable in the sight of men, will not insure
the divine favour, unless.they spring from holiness of
heart. They moreover disclose the alarming fact, sufficiently obvious indeed to the eye of natural reason, but
which natural reason is ever loth to admit, that the heart
is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."That the carnal mind is enmity against God-is not
subject to the law of God-neither indeed can be." (Rom.
viii. 7.) They therefore inculcate the absolute necessity
of a great radical revolution in our whole moral character, in order to desire, and approve, and relish, and love
the purity and righteousness and excellence of the divine
law, government, attributes and dispensations. And they
conduct us to the altar of sacrifice, where an all-sufficient
atonement has been made to satisfy the claims of justice
forever-to the bleeding victim upon Calvary-to the
Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.
At the outset, then, the Bible provides richly and completely for the fallen, sinful, desperate and helpless con



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    489
dition of man —and thus qualifies him for a life of faith,
obedience and moral purity.
The Bible also teaches the soundest principles of civil
liberty. The rights of man were- never understood by
any pagan nation. Greece and Rome were, at best, but
turbulent aristocracies. Real liberty was never known
among them. Acts of oppression, cruelty and injustice
are recorded on every page of their brilliant and captivating history. They were never governed by law and
principle. The first grand charter of human rights and
privileges and genuine freedom with which our world
has been favoured, was the New Testament. It contains
indeed no elaborate discussions about the several forms
of government; nor does it say a word about monarchy,
or despotism, or oligarchy, or democracy. It interferes
not directly with any existing government; but it everywhere inculcates such doctrines as tend inevitably to
banish every species of tyranny and oppression from
the face of the earth.  Such doctrines as will, if duly
regarded, insure to all the people, whether of a monarchy or republic, equity, peace, protection and every
lawful privilege and enjoyment.
The Bible moreover imparts consolation to the afflicted,
bereaved, mourning, indigent, deserted and friendless.
Alas! how many of these abound in our wretched uncharitable world! Misery, in some form, is the natural
and inevitable lot of a great proportion of our guilty
race. Whither shall the oppressed, the persecuted, the
destitute, the sorrowful, flee for refuge, but to the bosom
of a merciful and gracious Redeemer;-and where can




490    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
they learn the way to this divine and all-sufficient
Deliverer, Protector and Friend, but in the Bible?
The Bible exalts the female sex to their proper rank
in society. How much does not woman owe to the gospel of Jesus? Is it possible that she should be an infidel
-an enemy to that revelation which has ennobled her
existence, and raised her from slavery and degradation
to an equality with the proud lords of creation?-which
has made her the friend and companion of the good and
the wise among all intelligent and consistent believers?
For it is only among these, that her rights, even in this
enlightened and liberal age, are fully recognized, and her
character fairly appreciated. No human laws, in any
country, have, as yet, afforded her adequate security
against the violence, and the arts, and the injuries of
man. The laws of honour do not protect her from the
grossest wrongs.  Towards her, every unchristian man
may enact a tyrant's part, without fear of legal penalty,
or check, or rebuke. She is liable, especially if poor,
dependent and friendless, to become the victim of fashionable, wealthy, powerful, titled, profligate man in every
Christian land; —while her reckless destroyer may triumph, and prosper, and be caressed by his equals in rank
as a meritorious and fortunate individual. To the salutary, restraining, purifying influence of the gospel is she
exclusively indebted for that measure of justice, kindness
and consideration which is so generally conceded to her
in Christian society: but which is manifested uniformly,
and from principle, and to the full extent of her just
claims, only by Christian men. Let woman show her




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   491
gratitude by her works. Let her manifest her regard
for the Bible-for the gospel of blessings to her sex-by
sending it to soothe and elevate her sisters throughout
an ignorant and oppressive world.
The Bible-should it ever have free course and be
glorified-will put an end to war, to ambition, to intemperance, to duelling, to murder, to robbery, to injustice,
to all angry and malevolent passions, to prejudice and
all uncharitableness, to gambling, and to every human
folly, extravagance and vice. It will prove the cheapest
possible remedy for all the ills which flesh is heir to.
Loud and angry have been the complaints against
Bible and other benevolent associations, on the score
of their expensiveness-uttered too by men who never
contribute a dollar to one of them. Common decency
ought to constrain such officious economists to hold their
peace, or to substantiate their charges. But the modest
gentlemen who murmur at this expense, without ever
feeling it, seem never to advert to the profit side of the
question —to the expenses which the Bible will prevent,
and to the clear gains which it will insure. The single
vice of intemperance costs this nation more, in five years,
than would be required to send the Bible to every family
in the world. It levies, directly or indirectly, an annual
tax upon our people of $120,000,000. And pray, worthy
gentlemen, what good does intemperance achieve? Would
it not be better, on the whole, to purchase Bibles and
give them away, than to buy whisky and get drunk?
This is only one item. Tell us, if you can, the annual
expense of gambling, of horse-racing, of the pauperism




492    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and disease occasioned by vice-of fashionable and vulgar follies in a thousand forms-of the militia systemof jails and prisons and the whole array of criminal law
and justice —and your arithmetic will be exhausted in
the enumeration of the hundreds of millions now thrown
away to encourage, to pamper, to restrain, and to punish
the wicked propensities of our citizens: —all of which
will disappear whenever, and wherever, the Bible shall
reign in all its celestial energy and glory. How cheap a
remedy then is within our reach.
Finally-the Bible, when thoroughly studied and
obeyed, will make honest men of priests, lawyers, editors
and politicians: who have hitherto contrived to hold in
bondage the great mass of the people; or it will enable
the people to effectuate their own emancipation. It will
put down the despotism of priestcraft, and the priestcraft
of despotism; will subdue or exterminate that antichristian spirit of intolerant exclusiveness and persecuting
bigotry which still lurks in the strongholds of every
Christian church, and which sways the temper and conduct of a large majority of every Christian denomination.
It will prevent, in our country, that unhallowed union
of Church and State, which is so much dreaded just now,
and which is undoubtedly aimed at, not by the genuine
followers of Christ, but by crafty infidels, wily politicians
and ambitious sectaries-by the very parties who have
raised the fiercest clamour and preferred the heaviest
charges against the friends and distributers of the Bible.
The Christian religion, as instituted by Christ and as
exhibited in the New Testament, is the only religion




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    493
under heaven which never courted a State alliancewhich never sought countenance or support from the
civil authorities, by any species of cringing, selfish, timeserving compromise. All other religions, Pagan, Jewish,
Mohammedan, have been and are incorporated with the
political institutions-interwoven, as it were, into the
very texture of the government of the country. Christianity entered our world, and advanced without a smile
from any earthly throne, and without the aid of any military arm. It stood upon its own intrinsic merits. It
challenged and sustained the severest scrutiny. It prevailed because it was true, and because God prospered it.
All human governments opposed and persecuted it from
the beginning, and through every stage of its early
progress.
It received no imperial countenance until the reign
of Constantine; and it had become the religion of the
people, before that politic prince ever thought of taking
it under his special protection.  Constantine, like all
his predecessors, whether emperors, consuls, dictators or
kings, had been accustomed to regard religion as an
affair of State —as an essential part of the political
fabric. When, therefore, he adopted Christianity as the
religion of the court and the empire, he yielded none of
his royal prerogatives: but merely viewed the Christian
faith as a substitute for paganism, and continued to exercise over its forms and tenets the same species of arbitrary control. His example has been followed throughout
the Christian world-and ever since this first bold act of
imperial usurpation, Christianity has been compelled to




494    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
wear the livery and to speak the language of earthly
courts and despots.
But the gospel is not responsible for this abuse of its
plainest precepts —for this egregious perversion of its
genuine spirit. Its divine author had, on all occasions,
disclaimed any pretensions to worldly power, wealth or
influence. He promptly checked every ambitious desire
of his followers-and repeatedly told them that his kingdom was not. of this world. He commanded them to
obey the existing civil powers-to render unto Caesar
the things which were Cesar's, (Matt. xxii. 21)-tribute
to whom tribute, and honour to whom honour was due,
(Rom. xiii. 7)-to keep themselves separate and unspotted from the world and to be clothed with. humility. No
candid reader of the New Testament could ever imagine
that the disciples of tile meek and lowly Jesus would become ambitious political demagogues, or aspiring courtly
sycophants.  It is impossible that they should. They
virtually renounce their faith by the very act. They
betray their insincerity, their unbelief, their hypocrisy,
by every such attempt.
Christianity, no doubt, has been converted into an
instrument or pretext for all manner of cruelty, fraud
and oppression. But all these evils are ascribable, not
to Christianity, but to the abuse of it-to infidelity in
fact, wearing the Christian garb, and affecting Christian
sanctity for the vilest and most iniquitous purposes.
Satan himself, we are assured, often chooses to appear
as an angel of light, the more effectually to deceive the
unwary.  Thus infidelity, in every age, has best suc



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   495
ceeded in the assumed character of heavenly wisdom.
It has thus most completely blinded and imposed on the
world by its specious zeal and sanctimonious observances.
When, therefore, men declaim about the dangerous infiuonce of the Christian religion, let them substitute the
term  infidelity.  The Christian religion never endangered any human right, privilege or immunity, any moral
principle, or any ingredient of human happiness. False
religion-infidel Christianity-has endangered all these;
and often prevailed to the enslaving of the people. Infidel ecclesiastic politicians and infidel political ecclesiastics have, in all ages and in most countries, under some
pretended or usurped Christian authority, succeeded in
exalting themselves, and in humbling and degrading the
multitude.
Popular ignorance may be assigned as the radical cause
of all this enormity. An ignorant people will always be
liable to imposition in some form; and that form, best
adapted to the purpose aimed at, will always be assumed
by the unprincipled and ambitious. Were it as fashionable and as effectual to court the populace by extraordinary demonstrations of sanctity, in our country, as it is
by hollow professions of patriotism and devotion to their
interests,-every popular demagogue would presently be
transformed into a popular saint-and every stump speech
would be a puritanical sermon. The man would not be
changed in the least. He would merely have changed
his mode of cheating the people. He would be a praying, preaching, canting demagogue, instead of being a
swearing, swaggering, bullying, duelling, whisky-treating




496    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
demagogue. In the one case, he might become, like
Peter the Hermit, the leader of a modern crusade against
the possessors of some new land of golden promise; or,
like Cromwell, become the saintly Protector of the lives,
and liberties, and purses of the nation. In the other,
he merely accommodates himself to the prevailing
humour and follies of the times, and plays the Clodius
or Catiline for the same meritorious ends. There is no
honesty-no moral principle-in either case.
Again, the object of notoriety, or worldly distinction, may be secured —when the popular sentiment
favours-by a course of open, undisguised, downright,
malignant infidelity. And the man, who, in one'age
or country, might have aspired to be an orthodox persecuting Pope or Cardinal, may, in another, be equally'
gratified in becoming a skeptical, scoffing Voltaire or
Paine. So long as political distinctions —civil officescontinue to be the principal objects of ambitious pursuit
in our country,-so long will the aspirants to office persevere in courting and flattering the people in order to
reach them; and the system will vary with every change
in the popular feeling.
Religion, whether true or false, Christian or infidel,
has ever proved a most efficient engine in exciting and
inflaming the popular mind-and with what tremendous
effect it has been frequently wielded, let -history tell.
How often has the desperate adventurer rode triumphant
into the high places of power and splendour amidst the
storms and tempests occasioned by religious frenzy and
fanaticism? How often has the cunning politician, in




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    497
seasons of religious fervour, put on all the sombre pious
exterior of a pharisee of the strictest sect, and made long
prayers in the corners of the streets and in the public
markets, to be seen of men and to be rewarded by their
homage?
The pharisees of old, we happen to know, were the
popular favourites of their day, and were universally
admired and revered for their imposing piety: while
Christ himself was, at the same time, accounted a glutton and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.
The same kind of ostentatious religion takes with the
people still. They are captivated with a grand display
of religion; with eloquent and earnest and pathetic
prayers and sermons; with loud and angry and authoritative denunciations of all plain matter-of-fact men,
who choose to think that religion is an every-day concern, which ought to be manifested in every action of
life, as well as at set times and on set occasions. They
are delighted with a furious exterminating zeal, which
would unchurch, excommunicate and gibbet all who do
not exactly pronounce every prescribed shibboleth of the
dominant party; with all that affectation of humility
which obtrudes itself upon the vulgar gaze by the mere
trickery of external singularities; while the pride and
ambition of a thousand Wolseys lurk within the bosom
of the popular saint.
If, then, my hearers, you dread the approaches of
priestly domination —of ecclesiastical despotism-of political pharisaism — be up and doing without delay.
Scatter the light of divine truth far and wide over
VOL. III.-32




498    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
this free and happy land. Religious liberty has never
existed in any other land. Here, the grand experiment
is now making for the first time, to ascertain whether
religion can be maintained in any form, or to any salutary extent, without the tender mercies of the civil ruler
-without a kirk or church establishment. Let us boldly
persevere in this experiment: regardless of the sneers,
and predictions, and ominous anticipations and fears and
wishes of all transatlantic friends and foes. If we are
true to ourselves-to our country —and to our God, the
experiment will succeed gloriously. But, without the
Bible, there will be no religion, —and no security against
the sinister machinations of the selfish, the artful, the
ambitious, of every name and form.
Every enemy of the Bible is, whether conscious of it
or not, an enemy to civil and religious liberty, and to all
the dearest rights of man. Infidelity is always ambitious, intolerant, persecuting and tyrannical.  When
priests begin to oppose the circulation of the Bible,
you may be sure it is because their craft is in danger.
When priests, in our country, seek to withhold the Bible
from the people, you may set them down as fairly enlisted in the traitorous project of effecting a union of
Church and State —as aiming at an ecclesiastical supremacy over the consciences, the fortunes and the persons of
the people. By their actions, ye may know them.
I am aware that Bible Societies have been objected to,
as forming a part of that grand religious conspiracy which
is said to be already at work in sapping the foundations
of our whole political fabric. The charges and the calum



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    499
nies of sheer ignorance or malignity it is impossible to
confute or repel. It is very true that combination is
strength: and that union of counsel and effort is necessary to effect any important object whatever. Solitary
man is feeble and powerless-and, I may add, useless.
Wicked men, artful men, ambitious men, have always
understood this matter perfectly: and hence they diligently labour to concentrate the affections, the zeal, the
wealth, and the physical force of the multitude upon
their favourite schemes and enterprises. We have associated professedly for a good object. If we have either
been ourselves deceived, or attempted to deceive others,
let our credulity and our hypocrisy and our deeds of
darkness be duly exposed; and let us fall beneath the
indignant frowns of an insulted and injured community.
We crave no indulgence-and we dread no scrutiny.
This good work, as we believe it to be, of distributing
the Bible to the destitute, was first systematically undertaken, about twenty-five years. ago, by the British and
Foreign Bible Society-the parent of all similar institutions.
Of the history, statistics, transactions, peculiar objects
and advantages of Bible Societies, I discoursed, at large,
at a former anniversary of this society.
The American Bible Society, at their annual meeting
in May, 1829, resolved to supply every destitute family
in the United States with a Bible in two years from that
time.
Our Bible Society, heartily approving the noble resolution of the Parent Institution, and being desirous to




600    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
share the honour of carrying it into effect, have determined to spare no reasonable efforts to offer the Bible to
every family in Davidson County and throughout Middle
Tennessee, within the current year —or sooner if practicable.
Upon these subjects also, in their various bearings and
applications to ourselves and others, I hlad the honour to
address a considerable audience of my fellow-citizens, on
a recent occasion: and that they were not indifferent to
the calls of Christian charity, their liberal contributions
at the time amply evinced. Let them not be weary in
well-doing; and let others go and do likewise. I shall
not repeat what I have heretofore pronounced in your
hearing upon any of these topics.
The business details of our Society, as conducted by
the Board of Directors, during the preceding year, will
be learned from the official Report about to be read by
the Secretary.
The weighty considerations and eloquent appeals,
which such an occasion and such a theme might be
expected to elicit, will be urged home upon your hearts
and consciences by the distinguished individuals who
are yet to address you. While we listen therefore to
the facts and statements, to the arguments and persuasions of our honoured.friends, let us try to estimate
the value of that sacred treasure which we now possess.
Let us conceive, if we can, what our lot might have
been without the Bible —and hence learn to compassionate the unhappy condition of our fellow-men who
are still strangers to its heavenly influence. What sum




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   501
of gold would tempt us deliberately to renounce or barter
away forever this precious inheritance? —and take our
chance for time and eternity with benighted pagans or
with infatuated infidels? Have we the Bible-and can
we be insensible to its blessings, or regardless of its commands? Have we yet to learn that liberality, charity,
active benevolence, are as positively enjoined upon us by
the great Jehovah as are the duties of justice and common honesty? That while human wants, and human
woes, and human ignorance abound in our country or in
our world, we are as much obligated to seek their alleviation and removal, as we are to pay our debts-as much
bound to love mercy as to do justly-as much bound to
feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and instruct the
ignorant, and to send the gospel of salvation to the perishing, as to bring up our own children in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord, and to provide things honest
in the sight of all men for our own households?
The Bible cause, if any cause in the world can do it,
may claim to unite the zeal and the exertions of all sects
of Christians, without inducing one momentary feeling
of suspicion, jealousy or unkindly exasperation. Here
is common ground-if not neutral ground-upon which
all may safely and heartily co-operate.  Christians are
not required to think alike, on all points, any more than
to look alike. Let them differ in charity-and respect
each other's scruples, peculiarities and prejudices. But
if they possess the spirit of their Master they will be
ever in readiness to march forth, with one heart, to the
help of the Lord against the mighty.




502    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Is it possible that Christians can pray to the great
Head of the church, from day to day, "thy kingdom
come," and yet refuse to contribute an effort or a dollar
towards its enlargement?  That the highly-favoured
Christian citizens of the wealthy and flourishing City
of Nashville ought to give something to aid the great
work of circulating the Bible, and of evangelizing the
world-none of us, here in the presence of the heartsearching God, will dare to question. How much each
individual ought to give must be left to his own conscience, and his own sense of responsibility and obligation. I judge no man. God is Judge of you and nle.
I upbraid no man. "To his own Master he standeth or
falleth." (Rom. xiv. 4.) I shall need indulgence in the
great day, on this score, as much as any of you. None
of us, in the hour of death, or before the judgment-seat
of Christ, will ever imagine that we have done too much,
or given away too much, in charity. Our regret will not
then be, that we have loved and honoured the Bible too
much, or that we have loved our fellow-men too much,
or that we were too zealous in spreading the gospel, or
too liberal in our benefactions to disseminate the knowledge and the blessings of heavenly truth, and wisdom,
and peace, and joy, and salvation.




VINDICATION OF THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE.
[MAY 15, 1831.]








VINDICATION OF THE TEMPERANCE
CAUSE.*
AT the request of the Tennessee Temperance Society,
I appear before you this day as the advocate of temperance and of temperance associations. I should certainly
have declined the task on this occasion, as I had done at
other times, on the ground that many individuals, more
highly gifted and better fitted for the work, could have
been easily prevailed on to officiate, did I not apprehend
that my silence might, at length, be construed into indifference or hostility to the cause itself.  I felt the difficulty of meeting any reasonable expectations in discoursing on a subject so thoroughly exhausted by the
numerous able essays and eloquent addresses which have
been written, and spoken, and published in every corner
of our land —which seemed to preclude the hope of
exciting interest or of commanding attention by even
the semblance of novelty, in any mode of argument or
illustration which might be adopted. I was not insensible also to the extreme delicacy of the undertaking,
which would require no mean share of prudence and
tact to discuss the subject fairly and fully without giving
offence.  I knew that a large majority of my hearers
* An Address delivered before the Tennessee State Temperance
Society, May 15, 1831.
(505)




506    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
had already listened to the most powerful appeals to
their reason and conscience upon this momentous theme
-and that many were familiar with the luminous and
masterly dissertations which have been recently dispersed, in every variety of form, among the people, by
Tract Societies or by the periodical press.  For these
and other cogent reasons, I fain would have been excused
from a service, which, in reference to one class, might be
deemed superfluous, and to another, as idle and unavailing as all previous efforts of the kind have confessedly proved. Some men yield a ready and instinctive
assent to truth whenever exhibited-while the obstinate
prejudices of others cannot be overcome by any argument. The first have been already won —and is not the
case of the latter utterly desperate?
The evils of intemperance had been acknowledged,
exposed and deplored, in every age and country, by all
sane moralists and by all good men. Genius and wisdom
and piety and patriotism had been arrayed against its
destructive dominion; and had laboured to emancipate
a suffering world from its degrading despotism. The
preacher, the lawyer, the physician, the judge, the
statesman, the philanthropist, the wit, the philosopher,
the satirist, the orator, the poet, had all expended their
energy and their zeal in the noblest efforts to subdue or to
arrest this insidious and unsatiable foe to human hapDiness. But what did they all achieve? How stood the
case only some half-dozen short years ago? The press,
the pulpit, the law, had done their utmost. The statistics of intemperance were collected and canvassed. The




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    507
most astounding and appalling facts were disclosed and
proclaimed to the world. Thirty or forty thousand of
our citizens annually slain by -ardent spirits-three hundred thousand more in the broad road to destruction from
the same cause-fifty millions of dollars annually wasted
upon this dreadful poison-three-fourths of all the pauperism, crime, disease and misery of our land occasioned
by intemperance-penitentiaries and prisons and hospitals and almshouses and lunatic asylums crowded with
its victims —mothers and children beggared, deserted,
ruined by drurrken husbands and fathers-the whole
aspect of society deformed, bloated, repulsive, hideousthe thirst for the maddening bowl becoming every day
stronger and more general-sots to be met with at every
turn in every village, and almost in every family-the
most temperate parent scarcely daring to hope that all
his sons would escape the universal contagion, and accounting himself fortunate even if he should be blessed
with one sober son to sustain and cheer him in his old
age, and to close his eyes at last upon this world of
sorrow and disappointment. In a wordThe gloom of despair seemed to gather over the future
-and to fasten upon the heart of philanthropy. What
shall be done to stem the torrent? was the universal
inquiry. The drunkard's case was conceded to be desperate.  His reformation was hopeless.  Friendship,
affection, reason, religion, pride, honour, had warned,
entreated, threatened, importuned, in vain. He was, by
common consent, abandoned to his fate. Society renounced its claims upon him as a citizen and a man.




508    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
His estate, his family, his reputation were regarded as in
fearful jeopardy-as soon as it was whispered that he
had begun to tipple, or to visit the tavern or grogshop.
I well remember-for I was born and brought up in a
land of distilleries and drunkards,-how the grave and
pious old people used to converse about, and to lament
over, the failings of one and another of their once
thriving, prosperous and respectable neighbours —whose
fondness for strong drink was just beginning to be known
or suspected. And invariably, the unfortunate party
was, by every voice, set down as ruined. The sons of
the best men in the community often fell a prey to the
prevailing vice. No father, as I have already intimated,
however wise, or cautious, or sober, or religious, felt
assured that his sons would not disgrace his name and
bring down his gray hairs with sorrow to the grave, by
lives of intemperance. The danger was imminent-the
tempter was ever at the door —and every individual met
him in every company and on all occasions. At marriages, at christenings, at funerals, at elections, at militia
musters, at independence celebrations, at public festivals,
at private entertainments, at dinner, at supper, in the
workshop, in the field, at home, abroad, in winter, in
summer, at the tavern, when travelling -by land or by
water, in all places, at all times, —brandy, whisky, ardent
spirit in some enticing form or other, was always at hand
-and there was never wanting the urgent invitation
of interest or hospitality to partake of the intoxicating
beverage. So that America-old America at least-was
not undeservedly stigmatized by foreigners as a land




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   509
of drunkards.  How  could it have been otherwise?
Fashion prescribed the universal use of spirit as an
article of necessity among all sorts of labourers, and
of hospitable entertainment at every social party and
friendly meeting.
Under these circumstances, the wonder was that any
mortal should pass the fiery ordeal unharmed. And yet
it seems never to have occurred to our frugal sires, that
this constant exposure of their children to the sight,
smell and taste of inebriating liquors, would naturally
produce a generation of sots; that they were in fact
training their children precisely as if they designed them
to become drunkards: that their own temperate drinking was the sole cause of all the calamities which they
dreaded and lamented.
At length, however, the obvious cause of the evil in
question was conjectured-was acknowledged-was proclaimed-was accredited by the world,-and measures
were soon taken to apply the remedy.
Now, among all the discoveries inventions and improvements of this wonderful age, I venture to assert
that this single discovery of a radical cure and preventive of intemperance is the grandest and most invaluable that has yet been made, and that it will distinguish
the period in which we live more signally than any or
all others put together.
Discoveries in practical morality are always rare and
difficult —and a revolution in popular customs, usages
and habits can never be effected except by absolute
authority, or by the overwhelming majesty and omnipo



510    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
tent energy of truth, when allowed to speak in her own
persuasive and eloquent language, to the common sense,
to the interests, and to the hearts of intelligent reflecting,
men.
What then was the marvellous discovery to which we
have alluded, and from which we anticipate such transcendent benefits?  Simply this: that the moderate and
temperate use of ardent spirits was the fatal cause of all
the intemperance in the world; and that entire, absolute, universal abstinence from distilled liquors was the
only effectual remedy and preventive of the mischief.
But how was the remedial or preventive system to be
rendered efficient or commensurate with the evil? Was
it enough to promulgate the new doctrine from the press
and the pulpit? Would it have sufficed to have commissioned heralds to preach a crusade throughout the land
against intemperance —or against the temperate use of
ardent spirits? No such thing. Our enlightened sages
judged more wisely. They knew that individual effort
could accomplish little - comparatively nothing. They
therefore sought for strength-for the requisite moral
power —in union, in combination, in association —in
bringing the influence of numbers to bear directly and
unceasingly upon the enemy until he should be routed
and utterly exterminated.
A few minor associations led the van-served as pioneers-cleared the way of many obstacles-and evinced
their prowess in the good work.  Then followed the
formation of the "American Temperance Society," in
February, 1826. Already, there are thirteen or fourteen




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    511
State Temperance Societies.  The number of county,
city or town associations is not less, it is believed, than
3000 —and the individual members probably exceed
300,000-consisting of the best, most intelligent and
most eminent men in our country. These exert an
influence, more or less direct, over some two or three
millions of our people.  It is too late to consider the
question, either of right, or of expediency, or of beneficial
tendency. Experience has triumphantly established all
these points, and dissipated all manner of doubts and
objections. Still, where the system is not thoroughly
understood — where it is novel-where it has been misrepresented, or imperfectly exhibited, or maliciously
opposed, or sneeringly ridiculed-old objections may
require a passing notice and renewed refutation.
In such places and by such persons, it is currently
objected to Temperance Societies, that they are superfluous-that all men do or may know their duty —that
they ought not to pledge themselves to each other to
abstain from ardent spirits-that every individual should
be left to the dictates of his own conscience in this, as in
other matters which are not regulated by the civil lawthat it is both useless and tyrannical to require of him a
promise or a bond to pursue a prescribed course of duty
-that the principle of total abstinence may be very
correct and wise and salutary; but why all this public
parade, this ostentatious notoriety, this signing of documents, this subscription to rules and codes, this invidious
separation from the ranks of the people, this assumption
of extraordinary dictatorial powers, this arrogant claim




512     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
to more virtue, self-denial and discretion than belong to
the mass of our fellow-citizens?
This strain of remark is sufficiently obvious and plausible-but carries no force with it to sensible considerate
men. It is the mere cant of ignorance or obstinacy —
or, at best, the specious sophistry with which a certain
description of the community are willing to satisfy their
own scruples and to delude and pacify others.
Man is a social animal. All his power-all his enjoyments-all his virtues and all his vices-result from
association. As an individual, he is powerless, helpless,
useless. He becomes strong and mighty and invincible,
only by associating with his fellows. His capacity for
good or for evil is just in proportion to the influence
which he can exert over others. Thus it is that the
ambitious man, the benevolent man, the good man, and
the wicked man, succeed in revolutionizing, in adorning
and elevating, or in degrading the character and condition of mankind.
Are we assailed by a potent enemy, and shall we not
unite in resisting him? Has this enemy, by intrigue or
stratagem, by artifice or violence, gained possession of
our strongholds and high places-and is he already,
without feeling or remorse, swaying the sceptre of despotism over a deceived, misguided and suffering people?
And shall we tamely, silently, slavishly, endure the
bondage —or boldly resolve to rise in mass upon our
oppressors, and live free or die? Is any man so cowardly
as to counsel passive obedience, non-resistance, noiseless
uncomplaining resignation? or so infatuated as to pro



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    513
pose that every man should decide and act for himself,
at such a juncture, without reference to his neighbour,
or to the general welfare?
Now, intemperance, countenanced in its remote and
approximate cause, as it long has been, by public opinion
— reigning and rioting, as it were, by the prescription of
a thousand years —is precisely such a foe, and is exercising precisely such an absolute despotism throughout
our land. This tyranny cannot be broken down by the
opinions, or efforts, or example of isolated individuals.
Against this deadly and insidious and merciless oppressor, a well-disciplined army must be raised and
equipped and marched into the field to do battle. The
patriot soldier must come forth from the enemy's camp,
and enlist under the banner of the patriot captain. He
must swear fealty to the cause of freedom and reformand if he prove false, be branded as a traitor.
The empire of intemperance is to be demolished-and
the friends of humanity are beating up for volunteers to
establish upon its ruins the republic of temperance. A
battle is to be fought. We want soldiers. Who will
enlist?  We have large bounty to offer at the outsetand rich rewards when the victory is achieved. Honour,
peace, prosperity, health, long life, wealth, fair lands, good
crops, liberty, happiness, a flourishing commonwealth, and
a grateful posterity, will attend and remunerate all who
serve to the end of the war.  Success need never be
doubted. Stout hearts, pure hands, a good cause, honest
purpose, determined perseverance, will, with the divine
blessing, insure a glorious triumph.
VOL. 1. —33




514    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Let us calculate, a moment, the chances on this subject. We see the nature of our present position. We
are encompassed by a host of whisky manufacturers, of
whisky venders, and of whisky drinkers-all of whom
are conscious of the folly and wickedness of drinking to
excess —and two-thirds of them, if not the remaining
third, are perfectly aware that even moderate drinking
does much harm and no good. Every labouring man
feels this to be by far the heaviest tax with which he is
burdened-but he dares not infringe the statutes which
arbitrary custom has ordained. Would he be disobliged
if these onerous statutes were repealed or abrogated forever?  Or if this were done against his will, would his
family, his wife and children, be disobliged by such a
measure?
I mean not to denounce or inveigh against the habitual
drunkard. Towards him I cherish no sentiments but
those of sympathy and compassion. The usages of his
country have undone him. A whisky drinking community must share the blame, the sin and the infamy which
attach to his deplorable lot-and be, in a great measure,
if not altogether, responsible for his wretchedness.
Nor will I rail at the whisky maker or the whisky
seller. These too are sustained, encouraged and fostered
by the same whisky drinking public. But for the latter,
the former could not exist a moment. Their craft is at
an end, whenever the people cease to reward it: or it
will seek the covert of midnight darkness as soon as the
public countenance shall frown upon it.
But there are many who do not drink whisky at all




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    515
— who see all the dangers and evils and horrors of the
practice-whose experience and observation, whose reading and reflection, have convinced them that ardent
spirits, when used ever so moderately, in any degree
or in any form, are injurious to health, to morals, to
intellect, and all the dearest interests of individuals and
of society. I am sure that not a few of my present hearers are fully persuaded on these points, and that their
practice accords with their convictions. From such men,
we shall not expect either opposition or neutrality or
lukewarmness.  If they have not yet enrolled their
names in the books of the great national army of freemen, it must he because they have hitherto had no
opportunity of doing it. They will be eager to approve
themselves openly before the world what they profess
to be in private-the conscientious, intrepid, undaunted
friends and champions of temperance.
When I commenced this discourse, I probably took too
much for granted. The case seemed so clear-the subject so hackneyed —that I nearly resolved to avoid all
details and all elaborate argument-because to one portion of my hearers it would be an old story, and upon
another, a mere waste of words. But, perhaps, there are
some who are still doubtful and wavering, and halting
between two opinions-who have read little and thought
less upon the subject-and who are yet open to conviction. In addressing a sentence or two to such persons, I
would be understood as aiming at nothing more than
suggesting a few hints to induce further investigation
and reflection.




516    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
The deleterious and poisonous nature of alcohol, —as
ardent spirit, in its purest undiluted form, is styled,remained, in a great measure, unknown and unsuspected
until recently. Modern science has ascertained its genuine character and properties. In many useful arts it is
a valuable, perhaps necessary agent-and for this purpose it will continue to be manufactured when it shall
have ceased to be used as a drink. From the materia
medica it has not yet been excluded,-and whether it
will or ought to be thus excluded absolutely, must be
left with the learned faculty to decide. One point, however, has been definitely and irrevocably settled, namely:
that except as a medicine, and when prescribed by a very
honest and very skilful physician, ardent spirit ought
never to come in contact with the lips of mortal mannor of woman either!
The chemist, the physiologist, the physician-both of
Europe and America-have, by their recent researches
and publications, shed a flood of light upon this curious
and interesting, though melancholy and revolting subject. However prone to differ, and to dispute, and to
dogmatize upon other topics —they all harmoniously
agree in proscribing ardent spirit, and co-operate heart
and hand in their benevolent endeavours to banish it
alike from the palace and the cottage-from the workshop and the farm-from the army and the navy-from
the land and the ocean. They have done, too, what
many preachers have failed to do. They have strictly
conformed their own lives to their doctrines.  They
have set the example of total abstinence.  In many




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    517
parts of our country, medical societies have, by a unanimous vote, become temperance societies-and solemnly
bound themselves to promote the cause of temperance
among others to the utmdst of their ability.
I feel no small degree of patriotic pride in having so
legitimate an occasion to pay a well merited tribute of
praise to the medical profession of my country, for their
generous, noble, disinterested, judicious, philanthropic
and successful efforts in behalf of degraded suffering
humanity. To appreciate the value of their servicesconceive, if you can, what might have been the result,
had the weight of their influence, talents, learning, zeal
and ingenuity been thrown into the opposite scale. Had
they even been neutral, indifferent, inactive, silent; or
merely witty and playful about the matter-had they
represented whisky as harmless, or as noxious only when
immoderately used; or, as some pious folks express it, as
one of God's creatures which could not have been made
in vain, and therefore must have been designed for their
own special comfort-or had they sneered at the cold
water drinkers, as is the fashion with sundry of our
exquisite witlings and electioneering oracles-or had they
deemed it quite enough to take care of themselves individually, and to leave their neighbours undisturbed and
unalarmed, as multitudes of our more wary sages profess
to think is the better course-what would have been the
aspect of the temperance cause at this day?  Verily,
future generations shall rise up and call them blessed.
They have manifested no cowardice, no hypocrisy, no
selfishness, no temporizing policy, no balancing of petty




518    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
claims and interests, no cautious calculations about popular opinion, no prudent reserve or hesitation as to the
plan or measures to be adopted —they have come forward boldly and manfully against the common enemy,
and have unequivocally and professionally declared that
the most temperate use of ardent spirit has been and is
the prolific and exclusive source of all the direful calamities with which intemperance has cursed and blasted our
once fair and happy land. Were it not invidious, I could
cite a long list of illustrious names, with the immortal
Rush at their head, who have discussed this subject in
all its bearings, and whose testimony and reasoning could
not fail to carry conviction home to the heart of the most
skeptical and ignorant.
From an address before a temperance society of one of
them-being the latest which has fallen into my hands
-I quote the following brief passage as a specimen.
Tile learned and pious author-a physician and a professor in a medical college-having treated of the effects
of ardent spirit on the physical powers, at considerable
length, under eight distinct heads-proceeds thus:"But time would fail me, were I to attempt an account
of half the pathology of drunkenness. Dyspepsia, jaundice, emaciation, corpulence, dropsy, ulcers, rheumatism,
gout, tremors, palpitation, hysteria, epilepsy, palsy, lethargy,
apoplexy, melancholy, madness, delirium tremens, and premature old age, compose but a small part of the catalogue
of diseases produced by ardent spirit. Indeed, there is
scarcely a morbid affection to which the human body is
liable, that has not, in one way or another, been pro



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    519
duced by it; there is not a disease but it has aggravated,
nor a predisposition to disease, which it has not called
into action; and although its effects are in some degree
modified by age and temperament, by habit and occupation, by climate and season of the year, and even by the
intoxicating agent itself; yet, the general and ultimate.
consequences are the same."*
It is, indeed, a universally admitted maxim among
scientific physicians, contrary to the vulgar opinion on
the subject, that the habitual use of ardent spirit generates a predisposition to disease and death. So that,
other things being equal, the drunkard is more liable to
be affected by any exposure to infection or contagion, to
heat or cold, to humidity or malaria, or to any of the ten
thousand accidents and maladies which flesh is heir to,
than the sober man. Ardent spirit, so far from protecting the system, always renders it more obnoxious to
decay and dissolution from all the agents which Providence has ordained for its eventual destruction. So far,
then, from being a preventive of disease, or an antidote
to pestilential miasmata, or the elixir of life, it is directly
and invariably the reverse.
Physicians have shown, too, how certainly and fearfully the intellectual and moral faculties are enfeebled,
degraded, and, at length, extinguished, under the same
baleful influence.
I might, moreover, direct the inquirer to the records
of crime-to the statistics of prisons and penitentiaries
-to the published statements and declarations of our
* Dr. Thomas Sewall, p. 14.




520    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ablest judges and prosecuting attorneys-for ample evidence to demonstrate the wide-spread havoc, the overwhelming desolation, occasioned by intemperance —
which is itself, be it remembered, engendered and nurtured by the temperate use of inebriating liquors. No
pencil can adequately delineate the wretchedness of a
single widowed or deserted mother, or of a single neglected off-cast orphan, whose husband or father has
been doomed to the ignominy of a dungeon or the
gallows, — to say nothing of the horrible fate of the
guilty sufferer himself. Who then shall attempt to portray the agonies endured by the thousands of mothers,
children, relations and friends of the condemned and
ruined victims of legal justice —after having become
the reckless victims of intemperance?
Who can describe the wo —the bitterness of anguish
- of an honourable father-of a tender affectionate
mother-when they contemplate the bloated ruins of a
once promising, ingenuous, dutiful and talented son?
In childhood and youth, he was amiable and lovelyat school, he was docile and studious; and the buddings
of genius were obvious to every eye,- and the parental
bosom fondly cherished the delusive hope of future
eminence, surpassing even the brightest visions which
so fair a beginning seemed to indicate. But the youth
was social and generous-he was caressed and flattered
-of the festive board and the gay circle he.was the
life and soul  he participated, without check or restraint, in the usual amusements and pleasures of the
sphere in which he moved. By degrees he learned to




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   521
relish the inspiring draught which was ever at hand
-occasionally, he would, with his jovial companions,
indulge in excess-and thus, almost imperceptibly, the
incipient taste grew into a confirmed habit, before he
had ripened into manhood, or entered upon the serious
pursuits of active life or professional ambition.
I need not follow him, step by step, to the inevitable
catastrophe which awaits him. The steps, indeed, are
few and rapid. Incapacitated for success in any honourable vocation,-too proud to grovel in the lowest ranks
of vagrancy and penury-unable to struggle against the
tide of ill fortune which is bearing him onward, or to
regain, by decision and perseverance, his forfeited character and self-respect-he yields all, at length, to the
subtle tempter-and, by one bold act of desperate villany,-of embezzlement, of fraud, of theft, of robbery,
of murders it may be-he falls to rise no more! —The
prey and the spoil of youthful intemperance!  Our
world-our country-has furnished many such an instance.
I have seen scores of just such youth in college —in
Eastern colleges-in the land of steady habits, of Bibles,
churches, and gospel ministers-where, by-the-way, all
is not gold that glitters-I have seen them, when they
first began to sip the savoury medicated and half-disguised inebriating potion, and steadily advancing from
weaker to stronger, until they could swallow, without a
nervous twinge, or muscular movement, or moral scruple,
the raw gin and brandy and whisky of the shops-I have
seen them habitual incurable sots at twenty, and in their




522    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
graves at twenty-five. Others, again, have not lived so
fast, and therefore have lived longer.  But they lived
only to squander their property, to disgrace their family,
to break the hearts of their doting parents, and to curse
society.  They may have escaped the jail and the
gibbet-but they have amply scourged the guilty generation which tolerated the abomination by which they
were thus cloven down, or converted into fiends, in the
morning of their days.
Is there a father or a mother in this assembly so blind,
so infatuated, so insensible, so abandoned, as still to
countenance and to uphold a usage so fraught with
horror, so. productive of crime and ruin and infamy and
despair? Let me solemnly admonish such father or
mother, that, if ever a son of theirs shall become a
drunkard, they will have made him a drunkard. I am
speaking not of the past, but of the future. The times
of this universal ignorance and delusion, God winked at
or permitted-but now he commandeth all men everywhere to repent-and to escape, not merely the deep
gulf of perdition, but to turn aside altogether from the
great highway which leads to it.  In former days,
parents destroyed their children without suspecting it.
They threw them into the very jaws of the all-devouring Moloch —as if a miracle were to be wrought for
their deliverance. They constantly and pertinaciously
led them into temptation, at the very period, perhaps,
when they were assiduously teaching them to offer up to
their Heavenly Father, morning and evening, on bended
knee, the beautiful, significant and most appropriate




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   523
petition-"lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil."
They made, and bought, and sold, and drank whiskyas, only a few years previously, they stole, and bought,
and sold African men, women, and children —without
remorse-without one compunctious visiting of conscience-without a single misgiving of spirit, or faltering
of tongue, even when engaged in prayer to a God of
justice, purity and mercy, or when seated at the communion table and commemorating the dying love of
their benevolent and compassionate Saviour, or when in
the pulpit, proclaiming peace on earth, and good will to
men.
How or wherefore, Christian men, with the Bible of
eternal truth and equity in their hands, should have
remained thus blinded and besotted for centuries, is a
problem which human philosophy can never solve. But
now, upon both these enormities-namely, the slavetrade and the whisky-trade, the light of Heaven has
beamed: and wo- wo-wo-to the monster who shall
henceforth dare to infringe the law of righteousness and
temperance which this heavenly light has enabled all to
read and to understand!
If the political economist-the patriot statesmanthe sagacious politician-were consulted on this subject
-they would tell' us that the millions annually expended on ardent spirit by the consumer-that is, by
the community at large, is so much dead loss to the
nation-as much lost as if the whole had been buried in
the ocean.  And this, they would prove beyond the




524    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
possibility of doubt or mistake. I think it can be made
as evident as that two and two are equal to four; I
submit the case of an individual; I suppose him to
purchase a gallon of whisky per week, for his own consumption, at the price of fifty cents. I suppose it moreover to be conceded, that the drinking of said whisky
will not add to his wealth or welfare in any degree. If
so, then he might burn or throw away his gallon of
whisky-or he might have buried his fifty cents in the
earth or the ocean-without being a whit the poorer
than if he had drunk his whisky. What is thus true
of one individual in reference to a single gallon or a
single gill of spirit, is equally true of every individual,
and of all the individuals who compose the nation, in
reference to every portion and to the whole amount of
distilled liquors consumed. Every man may throw away
his own share-the whole nation may throw away the
sum total of these, shares, —without detriment to the
individual or the nation, -consequently, the money
might just as well have been thrown away, before it
was thus exchanged for whisky, and the loss would be
no greater in the one case than in the other. That is,
the loss would be equal in both cases. It would be
absolute -total-irremediable.
I am speaking now simply of the consumer-the
drinker of whisky. The annual consumption of whisky,
or of ardent spirits in various forms, was estimated at
fifty or sixty millions of gallons-and to exceed in value
fifty millions of dollars. I shall not stop to ask what
good these millions might be made to achieve. Nor do




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   525
I now  take into the account the train of positive
evils which the consumption of whisky always inflicts.  I have enlarged  on these already.  I assert
that every dollar'expended in this nation on ardent
spirit by the consumer, is, to all intents and purposes,
annihilated. The whole might as well be expended
on gunpowder to be exploded in an. instant —and
infinitely better, if the moral and physical effects be
considered.
Who then is benefited? The manufacturer and vender
-apparently. Granted, for a moment. How are they
benefited? By contributing directly to the impoverishment, degradation, infamy and death of their brothers
and sons and wives and daughters and neighbours and
fellow-citizens. By ministering and pandering to human
vice and folly and ignorance. By converting a peaceful,
virtuous, thriving community into a herd of wallowing
swine-of idle vagabonds and paupers-of swindlers and
cut-throats. Is this an occupation which an honourable
man should live by —or which a Christian man would
choose to die by?  But the political economist would
readily satisfy even this class that their capital might be
much more profitably invested, as soon as the people
should cease to crave and to drink ardent spirit. The
people would then be temperate, —and, probably, industrious and frugal,-they would earn or produce more
than formerly, and consequently would have more, in
addition to the sum previously wasted on whisky, wherewith to purchase the comforts and necessaries of life. It
is the interest of all therefore to make the people sober —




626    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and then the whisky traffic, except for the arts and medicine, will be at an end.
Suppose now that all the people in Davidson County
should, from this day forward, cease to drink ardent
spirit-would our merchants, or farmers, or mechanics
be losers by their abstinence?  They would, to a man,
be immense gainers.
The poor labourer who now goes regularly to the
grocery for his quart of whisky, which is often never
paid for, would then go for twice as much coffee, tea,
sugar and other articles, as he at present allows his
family —and he would pay punctually for the whole
into the bargain. And so of the rest. The distiller,
of course, would betake himself to some more honest,
lucrative and useful employment. Industry and capital,
if skilfillly directed, will always create both a market
and a supply. The dealer in whisky is no more essential to the pecuniary well-being of a community, than is
the gambler, the libertine or the pirate.
Such is an outline of the political economist's lecture.
Now what says the planter or farmer, who cultivates
the soil by slaves or hired labourers? Does he not get
along better without whisky than with it? Thousands
have answered, emphatically, yes. Manufacturers, mechanics, merchants, who have no inebriating liquor on
their premises, have affirmed the same thing. Captains
and masters of ships and steamboats have discovered
that whisky is the very worst commodity which they
can put aboard their vessels; and hundreds navigate
seas and oceans, and lakes and rivers without it. Mili



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   527
tary chieftains too are beginning to acknowledge that
soldiers may perform their duty in the camp, or face the
enemy in battle, without the stimulus of whisky much
more efficiently than with it. Even lawyers and divines
seem pretty generally convinced that they can counsel
and plead and write and preach more to the benefit and
edification of their clients and hearers, by observing than
by violating the rules of the most rigid temperance.
Nay, publicans and grocers have, in many instances,
succeeded in pursuing their vocations and in maintaining
their establishments upon the same principle.
The experiment, indeed, has been tried, I believe, by
some of every class and description of men in the world
-and I have yet to learn that a single failure or disappointment has been witnessed.
In our country, the change already effected, if it had
been predicted ten years ago, would have been pronounced impossible without a miracle.  It is, indeed,
the most astonishing moral phenomenon ever witnessed
in our world. Temperance associations have achieved
not only vastly more than they anticipated, but what
they never dared to hope for.  They have reclaimed
hundreds of actual drunkards.* This is like raising
the dead to life. Could I paint the joy, the gratitude,
the ecstacy of one poor,. disconsolate, broken-hearted,
lovely wife, on beholding the wretched degraded husband of her youthful affections restored to himself again,
* "Seven hundred confirmed sots are reported as restored to respectable society in two years;" three thousand reclaimed. (See last
Report for 1831.)




528    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and with renovated spirit, striving, by every kindly
attention and assiduous effort, to atone for the past and
to insure her future happiness —you would, by acclamation, declare, that, were this the only result, temperance
societies had been amply and gloriously rewarded for all
their labours.
But thousands who were in the broad road to, and
upon the very verge of, intemperance, have been arrested
and saved. While hundreds of thousands of our youth
have been or will be spared the danger of even a partial
encounter with the foe. The wily tempter will never
approach them-strong drink will never entice them.
Their fathers and neighbours have banished it from
their tables and houses.  Many towns and villages
have exterminated the monster utterly from their limits.
Others have abated three-fourths, or one-half, or onethird'of the evil. The whisky despotism is everywhere
yielding to the omnipotence of public opinion-and like
every other species of despotism, it must speedily disappear forever from the land of the enlightened, the united,
and the brave.
Yes, enlightened and united, we can conquer any and
every foe. Say but the word, and we are freemen. The
galling, damning yoke of whisky bondage shall not be
endured another hour —if we but resolve it. Here is a
cause in which all persons of every political party, of
every religious sect, of every age and rank and sex, may
cordially co-operate for their own and for the public weal.
By voluntary association we can do what we please.
We can put down every sort of visible and offensive vice.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    529
We can encourage every species of valuable industry, and
render the practice of any virtue fashionable and popular.
We need not the strong arm of arbitrary power to coerce
the refractory or the unprincipled. Let those who give
the tone to public opinion in all things, set the example
of self-denial, of universal and total abstinence from
ardent spirits, and the rest of the people will cheerfully
follow it.
It will be perceived that I have hitherto limited my
condemnatory remarks exclusively to distilled liquors.
It was necessary that the advocates of the temperance
reformation should, at the outset, draw a clear and definite line of demarcation between certain kinds of intoxicating liquids; that there might be no ground for mistake
or uncertainty or evasion or plausible hostility, in regard
to this grand enterprise. They therefore wisely determined to aim at the entire banishment or prohibition only
of spirituous or distilled liquors, in contradistinction to
all sorts of fermented liquors, such as wine, beer and
cider-leaving the disposition of the latter to the sound
discretion and enlightened conscience of every individual.
The former, it was well ascertained, were never beneficial, but always deleterious, and therefore might and
ought to be forever expunged from the list of lawful
drinks.  It was moreover ascertained that fermented
liquors, where ardent spirits do not abound, or are not
in general use, never occasion or increase the evil of
intemperance. Thus, for instance, in countries where
wine is the common beverage of the people, intoxication
seldom occurs, and habitual drunkenness is never witVOL. III.-34




530    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
nessed. It remains to be seen whether beer and cider
may be used as freely and as safely in Britain and
America as is wine in France and Italy. (That is, after
ardent spirits shall be excluded from the former —for
wherever ardent spirit is easily procurable, there, ale and
cider, and even wine, seem to serve rather as incentives
to its use than as a substitute.) But if not, and if our
people must and will have something stronger and more
exhilarating than pure water, there are two modes of
gratifying their taste or their caprice, without resorting
to the distillery.
In the first place: —The lighter and cheaper wines
of the South of Europe may be imported in almost any
quantity for which there shall be a demand; and if the
present high duty were removed, as it ought to be, and as
Mr. Jefferson long ago recommended that it should be for
this very purpose, then every poor man might have his
bottle of wine at less cost than a bottle of whisky.
In the second place: —The culture of the vine among
ourselves, (and we might cultivate a hundred different
species of the grape, both native and foreign, with perfect ease,)- would soon enable us to manufacture good
wine to any desirable extent-so that it might become
as plentiful and cheap as cider is in the Northern and
Middle States.
I would not be understood as encouraging the use of
wine, or as expressing any opinion on the subject. I am
aware that many of our best citizens and ablest physicians denounce it utterly; and all agree that the wines
of traffic-such as the merchants usually furnish —are so




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    531
thoroughly adulterated and brandied as to deserve little
more favour than is shown to ordinary spirit.
But I purposely wave all discussion and all details
on this difficult, complex, and much controverted topic.
Pure wine, temperately used, it would seem, cannot be
absolutely prohibited as unlawful, because it is countenanced in Scripture and by the example of our Saviour.
I think we are on the safe side, so long as we do not
transcend the limits which the Deity himself has prescribed —and temperance societies. do not presume to
enjoin or to require any more.
It is true, indeed, that the use of ardent spirits is not
forbidden in the Bible-but, then, the art of distillation
is a comparatively modern invention. The canon of
Scripture was completed, probably, a thousand years
before it was practised. But as the use of everything
hurtful to health, reason, morals, life, reputation or
estate, to ourselves or others, is expressly and positively prohibited, we shall in vain recur to Scripture
for even the shadow of a plea in behalf of ardent
spirit.
No vice is more pointedly condemned in the Bible
than drunkenness. Of course, whatever directly leads
or tempts to this fatal vice is interdicted by the same
high and infallible authority. If any man should discover that the use even of the weakest wine was gradually inducing the habit of excessive indulgence, he
ought instantly to renounce it altogether. This is the
doctrine of common sense, of natural religion, no less
than of revelation.  The habitual use, then, of pure




532    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
unadulterated wine, or of any similar fermented liquor,
may be innocent, because harmless, in one case, and
sinful, because pernicious, in another.
Again, if the use of wine by any individual, should
prove the occasion of stumbling or offence to others, then
he ought immediately to abstain.  Thus, the Apostle
Paul declared that he would never eat flesh, if it should
give offence —that he would deny himself in all things
indifferent or innocuous rather than offend his weaker
brethren.  "Wherefore (says he) if meat make my
brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world
standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." (1 Cor.
viii. 13.)
And, in the same spirit, he writes in another epistle:
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
" For meat destroy not the work of God. All things
indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth
with offence.
"It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor
anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended,
or is made weak." (Rom. xiv. 19, 20, 21.)
If this simple, plain and equitable apostolic rule were
universally observed, as it ought to be, much idle speculation, and much practical evil would be prevented. It
is undoubtedly a fundamental principle in the code of
Christian ethics; and can never be departed from without guilt and danger. And if the rule apply to things
otherwise indifferent or innocent-to wine and meat for
example-much more will it apply to things doubtful or




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   533
generally noxious-and particularly to ardent spirit. For
I venture to affirm, that, at the present day, enlightened
as is the public mind on the subject, no Christian could
make use of it without exciting suspicion as to the sincerity of his profession, or without giving countenance
by his practice to all the multiform and horrid abuses
and calamities of the grossest inebriation. Let a minister of the gospel, or any church officer or member, be
seen occasionally, and with the most guarded and scrupulous moderation, to drink rum or brandy-and will
not his example be urged and pleaded, and triumphantly
paraded before the world, by every sot and by every
habitual temperate drinker in the neighbourhood; as a
sufficient excuse and apology for any excess?
"Wo to that man by whom the offence cometh."
In this warfare, as in most others, there is no neutral
ground-no half-way stopping house.  Societies indeed
have been organized for the avowed purpose of moderate
or temperate drinking — One.glass-in-the-day societies, to
regulate the evil, and to keep men within reasonable and
salutary bounds. But what have these accomplished?
Confessedly, in all cases, they have played into the
hands of the common adversary-have encouraged and
promoted the cause of intemperance —and consequently
have done unspeakable mischief, and no manner of
good. For "let it be engraven upon the heart of every
man, that the daily use of ardent spirits, in any form, or
in any degree, is intemperance."  And that habitual
tippling is worse even than periodical drunkenness.
The conclusion then at which we arrive is this-that,




534    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
in reference to all fermented liquors, every individual
must be left to that conscientious discretion, which a
thorough, prayerful and honest study of sacred scripture will enable him to exercise, in view of his own
and his neighbour's welfare, both here and hereafterthat distilled liquors can never be safely or innocently
used, and therefore ought to be universally abandonedthat total abstinence is the only effectual remedy or
preventive of intemperance, —that, as public sentiment
has hitherto sustained and cherished the enormity, so
public sentiment alone can put it down.-And hence,
that it is the duty of all men without exception to come
forward and publicly declare their fixed unalterable
purpose to abstain froni ardent spirit themselves, and to
exert their utmost influence to prevail on others to follow
their example, and to co-operate with them in this
philanthropic and holy enterprise.
Further, if our premises be tenable, then another
result is equally obvious and indisputable: namelyThat it is unlawful to manufacture, or to traffic in
ardent spirits for the purposes of ordinary consumption.
I see no way of evading or denying this conclusion. It
is as clear and direct and legitimate a deduction as was
ever derived from any established or admitted data-or
as can be attained by any inductive process within the
sphere of moral or logical or scriptural argumentation.
It would not become me, nor would it comport with my
feelings, to employ harsh or abusive or censorious language in reference to a large and respectable class of my
fellow-citizens, whose occupation is thus arraigned and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   53&
pronounced unlawful. Seven years ago, I was as mucE
in darkness and error on this whole subject as any of
my hearers probably are at this moment. Whether, if
my private interest,-my means of procuring a liveli.
hood,-had seemed opposed to my duty in this respect,
and had blinded my moral vision, I should yet have
discerned the light and yielded to the force of truth, is
more than I dare affirm.-For the heart is deceitful
above all things, and strangely bent on finding or inventing excuses and salvos for any practice or vocation
which promises immediate worldly advantage. I therefore make great allowance for the tardy growth of
conviction in the mind, when such conviction must
necessarily lead to personal sacrifice or pecuniary loss.
It is easy for the perfectly abstemious man to denounce the whisky drinker —it is easy for the jurist
and the divine to condemn the distiller and the retailer
of whisky-because the former have nothing to surrender, no self-denial to practise-whilst the latter must
relinquish a favourite gratification or a lucrative business. These and similar considerations should admonish the friends of reformation to exercise great forbearance, moderation, sympathy and charity towards all
whose habits or interests are to be affected by the
changes which they recommend.
But, having been providentially permitted myself to
behold something of the ravages and horrors occasioned
by ardent spirit-having been constrained by evidence
irresistible to believe that it can never be used without
abuse-and therefore that no man ought to contribute




536    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
directly or indirectly to its production or dissemination
among the people-I should be chargeable with cowardice or hypocrisy were I to be silent or ambiguous on this
head.  So deep rooted are my own convictions of duty,
that were every man in this assembly my father, brother,
or intimate friend, and were all engaged in this unrighteous traffic, I could not forbear to testify against them,
as I now do-solemnly, firmly, decidedly-but, at the
same time, urging them with the most affectionate importunity, to give the subject a candid and thorough
investigation.
Let me put the case to any father in this housewhether, if he could foresee that his beloved son would,
if spared, inevitably become a grovelling, habitual,
reckless sot, he would not prefer, were the option
allowed him, that this son should fall suddenly, while yet
in all the blooming beauty and cheering promise of
youthful innocence, by the dagger of the ruthless assassin? I think I can answer for him, as I would answer
for myself. Now, in the present state of our society,
every youth is liable to a destiny more to be deplored,
more dreadfully shocking to parental affection, than even
assassination itself. He may be made a sot! Banish
the tempter from our society, and no father will dread
such a catastrophe.
Why-suffer me to ask-do we tolerate the scores
and hundreds of licensed taverns, groceries and grogshops, which everywhere meet the eye, only to allure
and destroy the young and the unwary? Is one of them
useful or necessary? - useful or necessary, I mean,,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    537
merely as furnishing ardent spirit to the people? Do
travellers need poison by way of refreshment?  Is this
the kind of entertainment which we provide.by law for
the stranger and the wayfaring man when they come
within our gates?  The palpable absurdity and the
tremendous iniquity of this whole arrangement will, in
a few years, be ranked among the delusions. of witchcraft, and the inquisition, and the slave-trade. Posterity
will marvel at the murderous usages which our Christian
fathers, as well as this enlightened Christian generation,
have so long and so blindly sanctioned.
It used to be currently remarked at the East, that
every new distillery was sure to raise up around it a
host of miserable drunkards; and that a very considerable proportion of those who engaged in the business of
manufacturing or selling ardent spirits, sooner or later,
became sots themselves. I have known men, distinguished for their sobriety, industry and apparent piety,
fall a sacrifice to intemperance, in a few years, after they
had eagerly sought to better their fortunes as distillers
or tavern keepers.  Such cases were of frequent occurrence in my native State; and many an amiable, respectable and even wealthy family have I seen in mourning
and in rags from this fatal pursuit of unhallowed gain.
The fact is, that "the continued habit of dealing out
ardent spirits, in various forms and' mixtures, leads also
to frequent tasting, and tasting to drinking, and drinking
to tippling, and tippling to drunkenness."  Thus, in the
retributions of a righteous Providence, the destroyer of
others is himself destroyed, and by his own instrument



538    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ality. He is impoverished by the very means resorted
to for wealth-and by which he had impoverished his
neighbours. Well might it be inscribed, in flaming capitals, on the door of every distillery and grogshop —"This
is the way to poverty and death!"
How emphatical and how practically just is the denunciation of the prophet:-" Wo unto him that giveth
his neighbour drink, that putteth thy bottle to him, and
makest him drunken also, that thou mightest look on
their nakedness." (Hab. ii. 15.)
In addition to all these facts and considerations, I beg
the Christian to ponder well the law of Christ, as inculcated in numerous texts and passages similar to the
following.
" Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt.
xix. 1T.)
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do
ye even so to them." (Matt. vii. 12.)
"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not,
to him it is sin." (James, iv. 17.)
"If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out." "If thy
right hand offend thee, cut it off." (Matt. v. 29, 30.)
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a
man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark, viii. 36, 37.)
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye
do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. x. 31.)
Can any man, who b~lieves the gospel, or who feels
disposed to conform to its precepts, justify himself before
the tribunal of his own conscience for continuing another




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    539
day in a business so destructive to his fellow-men, and
so likely to bring down the vengeance of Heaven upon
himself and his family? Can he pray to God for a blessing upon his traffic in ardent spirits-now, since its proper
character has been fully developed and exposed?
But the law of Christianity is binding on all men to
whom it lhas been promulgated, whether they profess to
recognize it or not.
It is honourable to several Christian sects, and to
many individuals of all sects, that they have subscribed
to the law of temperance without reserve, and to the
utmost extent contended for by temperance associations.
And here I cannot forbear to add, that the Quakers or
"Friends, in excluding ardent spirits from the list of lawful articles of commerce, have done themselves immortal
honour; and in the temperance of their families, and
their thrift in business, have set an example which is
worthy the admiration and imitation of all the churches
in our land" and in the world.
The temperance reformation, which originated in this
country, and which has advanced and extended with
unparalleled rapidity'into every State and section of the
Union; has also reached the adjacent islands and colonies, has been welcomed upon the shores of Great Britain,
has penetrated into the interior of the European continent, has found friends and advocates among the native
islanders of the Southern Ocean, and bids fair speedily
to pervade every land and to influence every people
where the light of the gospel shines. And shall we




540    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
refuse to embark in this glorious cause, or deny ourselves
the benefits which it so cheaply proffers?
"A very happy illustration was given of the catholic
character of temperance societies at the formation of the
Ulster Temperance Society, (in Ireland, 1829,) when six
clergymen, of six different religious persuasions, enrolled
their names as members at the head of the list; and on
the committee at present there are individuals of twelve
different religious denominations."
Let us imitate this catholic example of Christian Ireland. Let the several Christian sects of Nashville, while
they agree to differ, and to differ honestly in matters of
doctrine, discipline and ceremonial, cordially unite against
the common enemy of all religion and of all human
happiness.
Let us imitate the primitive Christians, who, in the
purest ages of the church, when their faith was literally
tried by the fire of persecution, did not hesitate to form
associations to discountenance every species of immorality, and to fortify and sustain each other in the practice of virtue and of duty; or, as Pliny writes, respecting
them, to his imperial master, about fifty years after St.
Paul's time, they were accustomed "' to bind themselves by
an oath, not to the commission of any wickedness, but
that they would never falsify their word, nor deny a
pledge committed to them when called upon to return it."*
With such an illustrious precedent for our guide, we
need not dread the charge of innovation, or of attempt* Paley's Evid., p. 61.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   541
ing a work of supererogation, when we voluntarily associate for the purpose of emancipating ourselves, our
country, and our posterity from the odious thraldom
of intemperance.
How beautiful and cheering to the eye and the heart
of humanity and patriotism and Christian charity would
not be the moral aspect of this favoured and growing
city, if ardent spirit were forever excluded from our
commerce and from our habitations?
How many happy mothers, wives, sisters, daughters,
would not be assured by this one act, which we are now
summoned to perform, of heroic self-denial, and of generous devotion to the purest affections and permanent
felicity of those whom it is our pride and our honour
to love and to protect?
Ladies too have often been directly appealed to on
occasions like the present-and I believe their suffrage
in behalf of the temperance cause has never been withheld. Would they exert all the influence which they
justly possess in every Christian community, they would
soon constrain the lords of creation to walk in the paths
of virtue and sobriety.  I hope they will not be held
responsible in the last great day for all the evil which
they might have prevented.
The members of the Tennessee Temperance Society
have agreed and promised to abstain totally from the
use of ardent spirits —and they cordially invite others
to join them upon the same condition. This, I understand, is the precise object of our present meeting.
Let us, then, my friends, before God and this assem



542    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
bly, declare that, henceforward, we will touch not, taste
not, handle not, the accursed thing.  Let us, without
fear or shame or hesitation, add our names to the hundreds of thousands of the good and wise, who, in every
region of Christendom, are labouring to exterminate this
pestiferous and most degrading iniquity from the face of
the earth.
This, at least, will be one of the few transactions of
our lives which we shall never regret, and which will
not aggravate the gloom and the terrors of a dying bed.




MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS.








BANKS —BROKERS-USURY.
A SERIES OF FRAGMENTARY THOUGHTS.*
"WHEREFORE then gavest not thou my money into
the bank, that at my coming I might have required
mine own with  usury?" eac Tre rpaxzeCa, (Luke, xix. 23.)
rparsga, a table, with four legs —the  table of a moneychanger-a broker's table or counter-a broker's office
or bank, where money was deposited and loaned out on
interest or usury.
1. Usury or interest. The law of Moses. Opinion
of Aristotle.   Mohammed's  prohibition.   The  canon
law. Usury pronounced a mortal sin by the canon law
of the church.
2. Banks.   Their origin  and  primitive  character.
The Jews were bankers, brokers, and money-lenders,
for many ages, among the principal cities, after their
dispersion from Judea.
* This and the following article, published here just as they stand
in the author's manuscript, are given as illustrations of his method of
preparing materials for his extemporaneous and conversational lectures. The reader will in fact find many' of these little fragmentary
thoughts wrought out and incorporated in other parts of his writings.
These two pieces are inserted as specimens of a large class of similar
collections of facts and ideas, arranged evidently with a view to be
reproduced in a lecture or course of lectures, in the class room or
before a public audience.
VOL. II. —35                                     (545)




546    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
3. Modern Banks.
4. Bank of Venice, established in 1157 or 1171.
Continued to prosper until destroyed by the French in
1798. It was a bank of deposit only-not of issue or
discount.
5. Barcelona, 1401. Called "'Table of Exchange."
6. Genoa, 1407.
7. Amsterdam, 1609.
8. Hamburgh, 1619. Plundered by Davoust, 1813.
9. General character and uses of Banks of Deposit.
10. Bank of England, 1693 or 1694. Suspended cash
payments from 1797 to 1823, or 26 years. This was
the first bank of issue, discount, circulation, etc., upon
the modern plan.
11. Scotland, 1695. "Bank of Scotland."  Another
called the "Royal Bank of Scotland," 1727. Still another, called "The British Linen Company," 1746. All
other banks in Scotland are private copartnerships, existing under a general law, and managed with great ability.
12. Bank of Vienna, created in 1703, as a bank of
deposit and circulation.  Became a bank of issue in
1791.
13. Law's famous Bank, 1716. Its true character at
the outset. Became the "Royal Bank," 1718. The
precise nature of the fatal change —both of name and
character.
14. North America, 1781. Commenced operations in
January, 1782. This was the first bank in America.
Chartered at first by Congress; afterwards by Pennsylvania.-Expired in 1813. Rechartered.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   547
15. First United States Bank, 1791. Expired, March
3, 1811.
16. Second United States Bank, 1816. Expired March
3, 1836. Rechartered, as a State bank, by Pennsylvania. Stock or shares owned by women and orphans
and benevolent institutions to the amount of $5,223,800,
at the time of its utter failure.
17. Bank of France, 1803.
18. Money. Precious metals. Gold and silver, coin
and bullion-neither signs or representatives nor measures of value. Mere commodities, etc.
19. Exchanges. How affected by a mere metallic
currency. How by bills, etc. How by banks and
bankers. The broker's appropriate vocation.- Useful
and necessary
20. Benefits resulting from banks. Evils, do.
21. Public and private banks. In Europe and America. The history, and existing facts.
22. Incorporations. What is a corporation? A body
or a number of persons associated, according to law, to
do precisely what any individual might do without legal
or special grant from the government.
23. Are banks monopolies?  Who created them?
Who is responsible for their action?  Who is blameworthy, if they do wrong? The legislature —the government-the sovereign people —to be sure.
24. Are banks-incorporated banks-to be regarded
as contracts?  If so, ought they not to be fulfilled, according to the letter and spirit of the bond, even if they
prove bad bargains to the people who made them?




548    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
25. How is a bank got up and established in our
country? Some curious facts-illustrative, etc.
26. Who are the stockholders —the permanent bona
fide stock or shareholders-after speculators have sold
out? Ought their rights to be protected? What voice
have they usually in the management? or what do they
know about the concern?
27. The directors. In order to the safety of a properly
organized bank, the directors ought to manage its affairs
as the mere agents of the stockholders; and to be held
responsible for every violation of the charter or perversion of its funds. They ought never to become borrowers-directly or indirectly. Their business is to lendnot to borrow. Pay them  for their services-reduce
their number-anything, rather than allow them stealings, under any name, form, guise or usage.
28. Secrets. No oaths of secrecy. There ought to be
no concealment —no mystery —no favouritism.
29. Government preferences-inexpedient and unjust
-as in cases of insolvent or bankrupt debtors. Why
should the claims of government be satisfied in preference to those of the widow and the orphan?
30. It is just as right and proper for a man to lend
money as to borrow; and it ought to be just as honourable. There can be no borrowers without lenders.
31. Advantages to the labouring classes, afforded by
banks-both as borrowers and lenders. How shall they
best dispose of their small earnings? Whence procure
adequate aid when most needed?  Savings banksScotch savings banks.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    549
32. The free-banking system — so-called —now very
popular and prevalent in many States.  Based on National or State debts-as if the bonds or evidences of
such debts could be sold for cash, at any moment, in
the market, at rates to satisfy all demands, etc. Such
banks must fail, sooner or later.
33. The only legitimate material for a bank is gold
and silver-i.e. cash, or current money, or bullion-so
that every promissory note, payable at sight to bearer,
should truly reipresent the sum specified on its face.
Thus, a bank, with a million dollars in its vaults, might
issue paper to that amount, and no more. Of course,
such a bank would not increase the real or nominal
capital of the country —and might therefore be denounced as worthless.  Not so, however.  A paper
substitute for specie would afford many advantages,
even though it did not augment the actual or nominal
amount of capital or current money by a single dollar.
1. It would be safer. It could be more easily and
cheaply transferred from place to place-as by mails,
etc. —almost without cost. The transportation of gold
and silver is not only expensive, but always hazardous,
whether by land or water. 2. The loss of paper, by fire
or other accident, would be no loss to the public-but
only to the individual holder or owner of such paper.
Bills of exchange and bank bills are not property —but
only evidences of property —like the title-deeds of landed
estates, which may be lost or destroyed-while the lands
remain intact, etc. 3. When gold and silver are lost in
the ocean or lake or river or by fire, it is a dead loss, not




550.MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
only to the actual owner, but to the public, to the community, to the world. It is the absolute destruction or
annihilation of positive value-of actual wealth-and the
nation is so much the poorer by every such disaster. If
twenty millions of American gold were lost, on their way
to Liverpool, we, as a nation, would be the poorer by that
amount. If insured in Europe, the loss would fall upon
Europe. In either case, the whole world will have lost
twenty millions.  Individuals are the immediate and
ostensible sufferers, it is true; but as national or universal wealth is but the aggregate of individual wealth, so
whatever diminishes the one must equally affect the other.
Were twenty millions of paper orders or promises thus lost,
the value thus represented or pledged would remain in
statu quo-just as before. 4. Metallic money or coin is not
only liable to loss in a thousand ways, but is subjected
to constant wear and tear in passing from hand to hand.
Thus, by friction alone, the coined pieces are gradually
worn out, or greatly diminished in value. If paper were
substituted for a currency, in any State, exactly equal to
the cash or bullion locked up in the State's strong box
for its redemption on demand, what benefits might not
be conferred on all the parties concerned? 5. Besides
the above and many other considerations-why should
there ever be factitious money or fictitious capital? Why
should anything pass as money, which is not money, and
which does not represent money?  [I do not object to
bank bills which actually represent, or pass in lieu of,
the specie always on hand.] Most of the commercial
difficulties, embarrassments, convulsions and revolutions,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    551
which have occurred, within the modern banking age,
are probably owing to bank agency and influence in some,
form or other. Banks expand and contract their issues
and accommodations, oftentimes arbitrarily, capriciously,
unwisely, injudiciously, ignorantly, rashly, wickedly.
Every genuine commodity in the market is injured by
the appearance of any counterfeit article-so long as the
latter can be made to pass as the former. The counterfeit might drive the genuine entirely out of the market.
Thus paper dollars, though not counterfeit in a legal
sense, serve the purpose just as well. They are, in general, mere additions to the existing specie circulationand passing everywhere as of equal value-dollar for
dollar; thereby gradually diminishing the value of the
real dollar by every additional substitute —until the
country becomes flooded with an ocean of mere nominal
promises to pay, etc.
34. Consider the differences between the old and now
obsolete banks of deposit, and the one hinted at in the
last article, and the modern banks generally.
35. Most banks in our country have been, and probably still are, grossly mismanaged. What shall be done
with them, when they suspend cash or specie payments?
This is oftentimes a difficult and complex question or
problem. Various considerations are involved-as,
The interests of stockholders-widows, orphans, etc.
The interests of the note or bill holders.
The interests of the public —in regard to all branches
of industry, etc.




552    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
36. Who ought to fix the salaries of the President,
Cashier, and other bank officers?
37. Why is bank-paper worth anything after the suspension of specie payments? It may be, more or less,
valuable on several accounts-as, debtors to the bank
will be eager to get its notes for payment, and thereby
give them a marketable value; its other available means
and assets, etc.
38. Remedies for vicious banking-under the modern
or prevailing system. 1. Good charters. 2. Competent
and faithful directors. 3. Moderate loans, and always to
trustworthy parties. 4. The directory to be made responsible for the judicious management of the bank. 5. No
director or other officer ever to be allowed to borrow for
himself or friends. 6. No voting by proxy. 7. No oaths
of secrecy; no mysteries-or bank secrets. 8. No interference or meddling by legislature, or any government
authorities-except, according to law and the charter,
etc. 9. The rights and interests of the stockholders to
be sacredly guarded, protected, and advanced-as promised in the charter, etc.
39. Banks of New England. Banks of Scotland. Best
in the world. Their peculiar features. How conducted.
Their uniform success and usefulness.
40. Banks, on the whole, a great invention. Have
contributed much to modern civilization-to liberty,
agriculture, commerce, manufactures, intelligence, morality, religion-[witness poor old Scotland again.]




MAXIMS - SOPHISMS - DOGMAS - FALLACIESTHEMES-NOTHINGS — SUGGESTIONS;
OR, MATERIALS FOR REFLECTION.
1. "How can you and Dr. Erskine be such friends?"
was a question put to an ultra convivial Scottish judge —
"'no two men could be more unlike each other."  "Because he's an honest saint, and I'm an honest sinner,"
was the reply.
2. A certain French lady, in a dispute with her sister,
said: "I don't know how it happens, sister, but I meet
with nobody but myself, that is always in the right"-'"il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison." [Others give it
thus: "Je ne trouve que moi qui a toujours raison;" or,
"Je ne vois que moi qui a toujours raison."]
3. "To the victors belong the spoils." (Marcy.)
4. "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." (Dr.
Johnson.)
5. "The Church of Rome is infallible, and the Church
of England is never in the wrong." (Steele.)
6. The Romish Church says: "You must not think for
yourself, but take our creed." The Protestant Churches
say: You must think for yourself, but take our creed."
7. "I wish popularity, but it is that popularity which
follows, not that which is run after; it is that popularity
(553)




554    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
which, sooner or later, never fails to do justice to the
pursuit of noble ends by noble means." (1Mansfield.)
8. "How rare are those happy times when men may
think what they please and say what they think."
(Tacitus.)
9. It was said of Andrew Fletcher, "He would have
died to serve his country; but he would not do a base
thing to save it."
10. "Rank is but the guinea stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that." * * *
"The honest man, though e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that." (Burns.)
11. "The people are prone to expect too much of the
government.-The government has enough to do to take
care of itself." (Van Buren.)
12. "Pulchrum est benefacere reipublico: etiam bene
dicere haud absurdum est." (Sallst, p. 3.)
13. "Homo sum, humani nil a me alienurnm puto."
(Terence.)
14. "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he
shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean
men." (Prov. xxii. 29.)
15. "Virtue alone is true nobility." (Dryden.)
16. * * "stat magni nominis umbra." (Lucan, lib. i.
135.)
17. Ingenium superat vives.
18. "Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies."
(Wolsey, in Henry VIII.)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    555
19.  *   *   *   *   "From his cradle,
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one."
(Said of Wolsey, in Henry VIII.)
20. "The possible destiny of the United States of
America, as a nation of a hundred millions of freemen,
stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, living under
the laws of Alfred, and speaking the language of Shakspeare and Milton, is an august conception." (Coleridge.)
21. "'Tu tua fac cures: caetera mitte Deo." That is,
"Take care to do your duty: leave the rest to God."
22. "Solitudinem faciunt, pacem adpellant." (Tacitus.)
23. "Opinionum commenta delet dies; naturve judicia
confirmat."
24. "Veritas nihil veretur nisi abscondi." Truth fears
nothing but concealmrient.
25. "Beware of the man of one book."
26. "If ever the liberties of this Republic are destroyed, it will be by Romish priests." (Lafayette.)
27. I"Ubi tres ibi Ecclesia."
28. "Wherever God erects a house of prayer,
The Devil always builds a chapel there."
(De Foe.)
29. "0O fortunati, nimium, sua si bona norint." (Virgil.)
30. "Here lies he who never feared the face of man."
(Said the Regent Morton at the grave of Knox.)
31. "For what purpose did he consider rivers to have
been created?" [question put by the Duke of Bridgewater
to the celebrated engineer, James Brindley, who replied,]
"Undoubtedly to feed navigable canals."
32. "Ne sutor ultra crepidam."  "Qui docet, discit."




556    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
33. " Studium sine calamo et somnium."
34.  *  *  *  "nil sine magno
Vita labore dedit mortalibus."
(Hor. Sat., lib. i.; Sat. 9, 59.)
35.  *  *  *  "Video meliora proboque,
Deteriora sequor."  (Ovid, Met. 7, 20.)
36. "Maxima debetur pueris reverentia." (Juvenal.)
37. "He who is ignorant of foreign languages, is ignorant of his own." (Goethe.)
38. Though the ass may make a pilgrimage to Mecca,
yet an ass he will come back. (Arabic Proverb.)
39. King James I., in his "cA COUNTERBLAST TO TOBACCO, compares the smoke of tobacco to the smoke of
the bottomless pit; and says it is only proper to regale
the devil after dinner.
40. "Go and see with your own eyes," "Quam parva
sapientia regitur mundus?" said Oxenstiern to his son, etc.
41. "'The very worst use to which you can put a man
is to hang him." (John Wilkes.)
42. There is nothing that succeeds with the world like
a success. (French proverb.)
43. "As I take my shoes from the shoemaker, and my
coat from the tailor, so I take my religion from the
priest." (Goldsmith.)
44. "Fas est et ab hoste doceri."
45. "I have met with mechanics in the first societies
in Europe, from which idlers of high rank are excluded;
and was once introduced by a coppersmith to the intimacy of a duke." (Gouverneur Morris, by Sparks.)
46. Burns, Bloomfield, Clare, Hogg, and Allan Cun



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    557
ningham. —" These all fall spontaneously into one bright
cluster, which we may call the Constellation of the
Plough." (Gilfillan, p. 390.)
47. All is fair in politics. Which means that men
may lie, cheat, etc., to compass any political end.
48. "There is a courageous wisdom: there is also a
false reptile prudence, the result not of caution but of
fear." (Burke, vol. 4, p. 337.)
49. The end sanctifies or justifies the means. Not
peculiar to the Jesuits. All sects, cliques, and parties
practice in accordance with it.
50. Faith is not to be kept with heretics, nor with any
who differ from us in the slightest degree.
51. Slavery is unjust-therefore to be immediately
abolished-without regard to consequences. This is the
ultraism of the abolitionists.
52. Slavery authorized by Scripture and by the practice of all ages; and therefore a righteous institution, and
ought to be maintained and perpetuated in our country,
as both a constitutional right and a national blessing.This is the ultraism of the pro-slavery party.
53. The majority govern. "Vox populi, vox Dei."
In what sense true, in what false.
54. Preachers and college professors apt to be dogmatical, as well as some lawyers, politicians, and lecturers
upon all sorts of themes and things.
55. Trial by jury. Bad in theory, good in practice.
Works better than it promises.
56. Legislative assemblies ought never to be made
electing, and therefore electioneering bodies.  Judges,




558    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
sheriffs, attorneys, county clerks, etc., had better be
chosen by the people than by any State Legislature.
The British  Parliament, American Congress, French
House of Deputies, do not elect-except their own servants and officers. The American Senate merely confirms certain executive nominations. Every State Legislature elects United States Senators.  Some of them
choose the governors. All exercise the elective function
to a greater or less extent.  Instead of being a purely
law-making, grave, deliberative council of sages, each
legislature becomes a venal, corrupt, intriguing, logrolling, political caucus, etc.
57. Results, ends or objects, often agreed upon, or
recognized as desirable, by all men-while they differ
and dispute about the ways and means of attaining
them. Thus, (1.) all our people advocate the cause of
universal education, of common schools, etc.-but disagree as to the system or plan, mode of support, religious
instruction, sectarian control, Catholic, Protestant, infidel, etc.  (2.) Same of internal improvements —roads,
canals, etc.-whether by State or National governmentor by private companies, etc. (3.) Do. about banks, currency, money, usury, etc. (4.) About home industrydomestic manufactures-tariff-taxes, etc.
58. History of the New England system of education
-of schools and colleges. Curious and worthy of special
study. At the outset, the support of both schools and
religion was voluntary. The first colonies of New England had no government but what was voluntary. Religion and education formed an essential part of their




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    559
political system. Is their system adapted to States
which have grown up without the habit of self-taxation
for such purposes?  Connecticut School Fund. Whence
obtained-how managed. Whether beneficial or notactual condition of schools, before and since, etc.
59. A national debt, a national blessing, [benefit.]
A national debt, a national curse, [burden or evil.]
When the one, and when the other?
60. Ad valorem duties or taxes, etc.
61. Free trade. A capital theory. Never attempted
in practice. What is free trade? Freedom from all
taxation, or hindrance or burden of any sort. Very desirable, no doubt. But can a government be sustained
without a revenue from taxes of some kind?  If not,
why exempt the commodities of international commerce
from their share of the burden rather than the other
descriptions of property?
62. Tariff. The nearest approximation to free trade
practicable, would be identity of charges, duties or imposts among the nations trading with each other. Thus,
between this country and Great Britain, the duties on
all manufactured articles-as of iron, cotton, wool, flax,
hemp, wood, glass, leather, paper, tobacco, silk, books,
etc.,-ought to be precisely the same, when imported
into either from the other. Is such the fact? England
may admit the raw material without duty; but does
she admit the manufacture? She may welcome our cottonbales; but will she take our muslins and calicoes? If not,
then there is no reciprocity or fairness in the arrangement. Then about our tobacco. —What are the facts,
and the questions fairly at issue?




560    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
63. Banks so associated with all moneyed transactions, that people fancy they (the banks) create money,
furnish exchanges, make good prices, etc., at pleasure.
64. Privileges taxable in Tennessee and some other
States. What are privileges?
65. Brokers. Why tax them as if they were a nuisance?
66. Whisky dealers. Horse-racing. Lotteries. Gambling. Legislation thereupon.
67 Summum jus est summa injuria.
68. Usury or interest of money loaned. How far and
in what circumstances to be regulated by law.
69. Judicial oaths.
70. Militia system.
71. Penitentiaries-lunatic asylums.
72. Children of persons imprisoned for crimes are
educated in Prussia by the Government. (See Stowe.)
73. Charitable institutions. For the blind-the deaf
and dumb-for orphans-abandoned females-houses of
industry, refuge, etc.
74. Motives for self-education; how to be accomplished.
75. All healthy, industrious, sober, frugal, honest
parents in our country, could or can educate their own
children. And they would do so, were public opinion
or the State to furnish an adequate motive. For example-suffer no man to vote, to practise a trade, or to
marry, who cannot read and write. How soon would
every man (of twenty-one) be duly qualified? etc.
76. Religious toleration-what?  Equal rights to all




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    561
religionists-what? Differences in this respect between
us and all other countries. Dissenters. Can there be
any among us?
77. The clergy, why excluded from civil office? history of this exclusion, and the reasons of it in the States
where it prevails. Wherever the Church of England
was established before the Revolution, there immediately
after, the clergy were made ineligible to office-as in
New York, Virginia, etc. The new States followed the
example of their several mothers-as Kentucky of Virginia, Tennessee of North Carolina, Alabama of Georgia,
etc. While New England, New Jersey and Pennsylvania escaped English churchism, their daughters have
been like them-so that ministers of the gospel are
deemed as trustworthy and as eligible to office as are
tailors or rum venders.
78. How ought the different religious sects to regard
and to treat each other?  How can perfect liberty of
conscience be assured to all the people? How can priestcraft or priest power be regulated, checked or controlled,
so as not to be arbitrary, oppressive, cruel or inquisitorial? Ought Jews, Romanists, Moslems, or Mormons,
or Pagans of any name-to be allowed in this country to
prohibit the reading of the Bible by their grown-up
children, etc.?
79. Genius or peculiar character of the American Constitution and Government. Without a model,
example or parallel, in ancient or modern times.
Origin, growth, progress, —modifying circumstances in
different localities.  People  always free, and  selfVOL. III.-36




562    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
governing.  Habits not changed by the revolution of
1776.
80. Federal Constitution designed to protect from
wrong and injustice every class of citizens and every
individual of each —the poor, the widow, the orphan, —
and to promote the welfare of all and each.
81. Our governments, National and State, calculated
for any extent or extension of territory-for the voluntary accession or annexation of Mexico, Cuba, Canada,
or China.-Why not?
82. Southern chivalry.  Blustering about a dissolution of the Union. How unlike the magnanimous
patriots of the glorious Revolution! Why should the
South threaten the North?  Which could do the other
most damage?
83. The constitutional remedy for all grievances.
84. State rights. Has any one of our States ever been
an independent nation? (Always excepting Texas.)
85. The precise cause or causes of the American Revolution-Taxation and Representation, etc.
86. Our Revolution was strictly conservative. Its object was to maintain inviolate our inherited constitutional rights and franchises as Englishmen. [All the
English revolutions or rebellions were likewise conservative-as of Charles I. and Cromwell, the Restoration of
Charles II., of William and Mary, etc.]
87. History of the Anglo-Saxon race, in England and
in America.  The Normans, and all others, gradually
absorbed by the Saxons. The same process in operation
here. Foreign immigrants, from whatever nation, irl due




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    563
time, imbibe the spirit of the dominant race, and become
good Anglo-American citizens.
88. Gratitude is-"A lively sense of favours to be
received."
89. "Save me from my friends, and I will take care
of my enemies."
90. Muirder. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life
abiding in him." (1 John, iii. 15.)
91. American Colonization Society. Liberia. The
transportation of free negroes to Africa will effect three
good objects. 1. Our own country will be rid of said
negroes. 2. They will themselves be placed in a far
better position. 3. Africa may be civilized and Christianized by their agency.
92. Liberia.-The only republic in the world like our
own.
93. Cromwell-Washington-Moses. Authorsof great
revolutions.
94. Fortunate for Africa, that her besotted children
were brought hither to be trained and qualified for freedom, self-government, etc.
95. Free and slave labour compared. (Smith and Say.)
96. Is a school fund, to be raised by taxation, desirable? were it even practicable. Would not an annual tax
for annual use be preferable? The accumulation of large
funds for future generations, of very dubious policy.
Connecticut acquired her vast school fund by sale of the
Western Reserve. Its benefits extremely doubtful.
7. French Republicanism. Treatment of the Arab




564    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
chief, Abd-el-Kader. Why not sympathize with the latter
as well as with Kossuth of Hungary? Why not denounce
France as well as Austria?
98. American Aristocracy. What? where?  At the
North, or at the South?
99. Negroes. While they remain in our country, and
live among us, must occupy one of three positions. They
must be-1. Our superiors; or, 2. Our equals; or, 3. Our
inferiors-socially and politically.
100. What constitutes a great man? There have been
great poets, great orators, great warriors, great statesmen,
great artists, etc. But where are the great men? Washington was a specimen of true greatness as a man.
101. New Constitutions of Tennessee and Indiana
compared with the old.
102. Oliver Cromwell-the Puritan: and George Fox
-the Quaker. Two extremes, of the same age. The
first, trained in the school of Joshua, had faith in the
sword and in a good cause. The latter, following Christ,
rejected all carnal weapons. Both erred in a too literal
interpretation and application of their respective guides.
Cromwell, of the Old Testament, and Fox, of the New.
103. The conflicts during the Stuart dynasty involved
principles of infinite value both in religion and politics.
The points raised by the nation in that grand debate
were-whether as Christians they should be free to follow the dictates of conscience, or be bound to worship
God in a form prescribed by human authority-whether
as citizens they should be governed by law, or by the
arbitrary will of the prince.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    565
104. It is an instructive fact, that every sect under
persecution has got a glimpse of the rights of conscience,
and that every sect in power has, to a greater or less
extent, violated them.
105. Men value what they pay for-and vice versa.
Hence, free schools and gratuitous education, seldom
successful or greatly beneficial. A violent motive to
self-reliance and self-exertion, better than any legal or
public assistance. It is curious to observe how eager
are the slaves to learn to read and write now since laws
have been passed, prohibiting their instruction. They
love-the forbidden fruit. What the law denies and condemns, they covet and struggle to acquire.
106. In order to encourage, protect and sustain the
manufacture of cotton, for example, at home: suppose
a law should be enacted by Congress prohibiting the
importation of all cotton fabrics after a certain fixed
period, say five or ten years. What would be the effect?
Capitalists, both at home and abroad, would immediately
begin to prepare for the event. The country would be
filled with factories, and with foreign capital, operatives,
etc.
107. Suppose Tennessee had the constitutional right
to levy a tax of $20 upon every carriage imported from
other States: would our present carriage-makers be the
only party benefited? or would carriages become dearer
in the long run? The demand would soon insure a full
supply. Whole establishments from the East would soon
be located here-besides the additional stimulus to native
industry and enterprise.




566    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
108. How would agriculture be affected by the creation of a hundred flourishing cities, towns and villages
in our midst, mainly engaged in the manufacture of our
own abundant and now almost useless raw materials,
and consuming the products of our farms, etc.? all the
time?
109. No uniform tariff of duties upon foreign manufactures, could be made to operate in favour of one class
more than another. It could not create a monopoly. It
would operate equally throughout the Union-in Georgia
as in Massachusetts.
110. The best system of taxation, is that which taxes
consumption. Such is our present national system. Such
is not our State system. The latter is very objectionable.
Better tax what a man spends or consumes, [beyond a
liberal allowance for the necessaries and comforts of life,]
than to tax what he gains or earns by honest industry
and economy. Tax whisky and Bowie knives, rather
than salt or sugar.
111. The prevailing demagogue bluster about the poor
-also, about mechanics, etc.
112. Cheap labour in Europe, assigned as a reason
why manufactures cannot be sustained in this country,
etc. The reason is just as applicable to agriculture. We
ought to quit farming, and import our bread from Europe
-where cheap labour, can drive all American competition from the market.
113. Legislative attempts to elevate the social and
political position of mechanics or farmers-nugatory,
and injurious. Superior education alone can raise them




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    567
to a par with other well-educated classes. Franklin did
not exalt the trade or vocation of printing; nor Sherman
that of shoemaking, by their individual enterprise. They
merely elevated themselves —far above their primitive
associates-who remained as before, etc.
114. One-fourth of our present labouring people could
produce food enough for our entire population. What
shall the rest do?
115. Constitution making and mending-all the rage,
among our wise politicians.
116. Thorough literal democracy-frequent elections
— universal suffrage —all public officers to be chosen
by the people, and by ballot- inevitable.  Let us
try it.
117. Our legal and judicial system should be reformed
and simplified. Technical barbarisms and verbose formulas should be abolished, and common sense allowed to
prevail, etc.
118. Balance of trade. What?
119. Laws prohibiting the exportation of specie always
inexpedient-and never effective.
120. Gold and silver, in any and all forms, constitute
but a very small part of the wealth of a nation, or State,
or individual.
121. Popular education cannot be sustained in Tennessee and other slaveholding States, as in New England, because the population is too scattered, living,
not in villages, but on plantations remote from each
other, etc.
122. We, Americans, have no rulers or governors or




568    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
masters or superiors. The President of the United States
has no more authority or power over me, than I over him.
The law governs —and not man.
123. Russia invites ingenious mechanics and manufacturers from all countries to settle and labour among her
people, etc. Sound policy.
124. The last national bankrupt law was made necessary by previous absurd and vicious banking —which
stimulated speculation and borrowing to the wildest extreme, etc.
125. Extremes meet. Thus: abolitionists at the North,
and ultra pro-slavery men at the South, both apparently
eager to dissolve the Union-both agree in supporting
the same presidential candidate —and in sharing all
public offices, etc.
126. English East India Company. Chartered in 1600.
Contemplate the progress and prospects of Anglo-Saxondom!! in Asia, Africa, America, Australia!
127. It is asserted to be unconstitutional for Congress to prohibit slavery in any territories, annexed to
the Union by conquest or purchase. How so? The
constitution is silent on the whole subject; makes no
provision for such acquisitions; seems never to have
contemplated anything of the kind, etc. The letter of
the constitution, therefore, ceases to be our rule or guide.
We must meet the emergency agreeably to its spirit;
and in a way to consult and promote the best interests
of the great republic. The general good-the peace,
harmony and happiness of the whole people-must be
studied, etc.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    569
128. The District of Columbia. Congress is its only
legislature. Suppose the inhabitants of said District
desire and petition for the abolition of slavery: how
would or ought Congress to act?
129. The South prefers a claim to its share of the
territory acquired from Mexico: namely, that it shall
be a slaveholding region. It claims to have contributed
even more than the North towards its conquest. If so,
it was a matter of choice-for immense bodies of volurnteers in the free States were rejected by government; and
the preference given to those of the South, because they
were nearer to the scene of war, etc.
130. The said territory belongs neither to the North
nor to the South. It will be sold to individuals, from
any and every quarter, who may choose to occupy it.
The proceeds go into the national treasury, for the common benefit of the whole. Southerners may purchase as
much as they please-enough to make a new slave State,
if so disposed.
131. Dissolve the Union, upon the slavery question.
What possible benefit could accrue to the South? What
would then be the position of the negroes?
132. "My thoughts, I must confess, are turned on
peace."
133. Southern champions maintain that the extension of slavery into new States and territories, will not
increase their number. A grand mistake!
134. The constitution may be violated, perverted, nullified-covertly, indirectly, virtually, speciously, insidiously-as by converting every State legislature into a




570    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
body of censors and instructors over the United States
Senators. The latter are now much less independent
than the lower house, and more liable to be turned
out. In fact, they are at the mercy of every annual
legislature.
Thus, too, the President may contrive to get up a fight
between some portion of our army or navy and that of a
foreign power; and then Congress must declare that war
actually exists between the two nations, etc.
135. Twaddlers. Not a few-here and there-in the
pulpit and in the lecture-room.
136. Nearly all the measures opposed by the South at
present, originated at the South, or were suggested and
advocated by Southern members of Congress.-As, 1.
Internal improvements under Jefferson —afterwards by
Calhoun. 2. The late National Bank, by Lowndes and
Calhoun under Madison. 3. Tariff for protection of home
industry, by Calhoun, soon after last British war. 4. The
last two wars-mainly by Southern politicians. 5. Even
abolitionisn was first projected and organized by emigrants from the South-as by the two Misses Grimnk6
from Charleston, South Carolina; James Birney of Huntsville, Alabama. Beman, Palfrey, Garrison, etc. resided
long at the South, etc.
137. Penitentiary. The worst kind of corporal punishment. Reforms nobody.
138. The American Union. Not to be severed by the
insane politicians and reckless aspirants at Washington.
139. Congress has not the constitutional right or power
to authorize or to prohibit the introduction of slavery




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    571
into any of the territories, -any more than into the
States.
140. Wilmot Proviso and Missouri Compromise-both
unconstitutional.  The constitution knows nothing of
slavery. The nation knows it not. It is a merely local,
municipal, or State affair. The people of each territory
or State must determine for themselves.
141. "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but
the honour of kings is to search out a matter." (Prov.
xxv. 2.)
142. The SOUTH should assert her rights and redress
her wrongs in a constitutional way, in the Union: not
seek to get out of it, and thereby forfeit all claim either
to sympathy or justice.
143. lago. How many lagos infest society!
144. Contrasts. Washington and Mirabeau. Milton
and Byron. Fenelon and Bossuet. Laud and Leighton.
Cowper and Moore.
145. Party is: "The madness of many for the gain of
a few."
146. "Libert6! que de crimes commis en ton nom!"
exclaimed Madame Roland, as she mounted the scaffold, etc.
147. "Civis Romanus sum."  "I am  an American
citizen," ought to be the highest distinction and safest
passport among men.
148. Newspapers. All controlled by, and devoted to,
sect or party.
Political and religious papers are confessedly in this
predicament. They are liberal and independent, just so




572    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
far as their own interest requires, and no further. Thus,
the most violent whig or democratic journal, in order to
win the patronage of all religionists, will very graciously
be neutral on the subject, and say nothing offensive to
any sect. The religious journal, in like manner, eschews
party politics-is neither whig nor democratic-so that
both parties may safely patronize the orthodox Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist, Baptist, or Catholic. —
But not one of them will ever dare to publish a truth
or fact calculated to give offence to their own sect or
party.
Literary and scientific journals and periodicals generally proclaim their independence and catholicity, by the
announcement (in their prospectus) that they will not
meddle with religion or politics. Their policy is to get
subscribers aiid purchasers from every religious donomination and from all political cliques and parties. Could
a strictly honest, impartial, enlightened, manly, brave,
conscientious, independent, gifted, noble, generous, wise,
unselfish, holy, angelic author, editor or conductor of any
periodical whatever, be sustained and duly paid? for a
year or a month? would he escape martyrdom, under
Judge Lynch's summary process and convenient code?
149. Slavery would come to a speedy end, or die out,
under the quiet operation of the following five laws, without any direct legislation against this favourite domestic
institution of the South. 1. The Cuban law, giving opportunity to the slaves to earn their freedom and that of
their children. 2. The law of the dark ages in respect
to the feudal serf, giving to the child the condition of its




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   573
father, and not as now, wickedly and cruelly, that of its
mother. 3. A law forbidding the internal slave-trade.
4. A law repealing all statutes against the emancipation
and education of slaves, and encouraging both. 5. A law
by each of the States and by the General Government,
appropriating money to aid all willing emigrants to reach
Liberia. [From New York Independent of July 28, 1853.]
I approve the last (No. 5) suggestion especially-and
would add to it, the justice and expediency of remunerating slave-owners from the national treasury-at
least, to some extent.




NEGRO SLAVERY IN AMERICA.*
THE following texts of Scripture may serve to prove
and illustrate, 1. The unity of the human family; or
that all men are descended from Adam and Eve. 2.
The diversity of character and condition actually existing  among  men  in  different ages  and  countries-including civilized and savage, black and white, bond and
free, etc. 3. That all, or that some of all nations, however ignorant and degraded, are to be converted to the
Christian faith.-The negro among the rest.
Genesis, i. 27. "So God created man in his own image,
* The present article, like the two preceding ones, is a mere fragment or
collection of separate heads and themes of thought, to be used for subsequent
discussion. It is evidently too brief and imperfect to be taken as a fair exponent of the author's opinions on the subject of which it treats. Some of the
expressions here used, as the arguments or mottoes of different parties, he
would probably have combated as being in conflict with his own convictions;
for, as abundantly shown in all his writings, he was a warm friend of the African race, and a decided emancipationist, provided only that some safe and
feasible method could be found. The article should be read in connection with
the one on page 663 of the present volume, where the author has expressed
himself in very strong and unequivocal ter'ms on the whole subject. Lest any
one should think there is an incongruity between the views here and there presented, it is due to Dr. Lindsley to state that this fragment was written at New
Albany after a residence of twenty-six years in Tennessee; while the extract
on page 663 originally formed part of a sermon which he preached and published in Princeton, N.J., just before removing to Tennessee.
(574)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   575
in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them."
Gen. vii. 21, 22. "And all flesh died that moveth upon
the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and
of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth,
and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of
life, of all that was in the dry land, died."  (Of course,
all men now living, or who have since lived, are or were
descended from Noah.)
Gen. ix. 18, 19, 25, 26, 27. "And the sons of Noah
that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and
Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. 19. These
are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole
earth overspread. 25. And he said, Cursed be Canaan;
a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. 26.
And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and
Canaan shall be his servant. 27. God shall enlarge
Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and
Canaan shall be his servant."  (In the last three
verses, we should probably read, "Ham, the father of
Canaan.")
Acts, xvii. 26. "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,
and hath determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitation."
Ps. lxviii. 31. "Princes shall come, out of Egypt:
Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God."
Ps. ii. 8. "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the hea,
then for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of
the earth for thy possession."




576    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Ps. cii. 15. "'So the heathen shall fear the name of the
Lord:, and all the kings of-the earth thy glory."
Galatians, iii. 8. "And the Scripture, foreseeing that
God would justify the heathen through faith, preached
before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all
nations be blessed."
Luke, xxiv. 47. "And that repentance and remission
of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Matt. xxviii. 19. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Rev. xiv. 6, 7. "And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach
unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation
and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Mark, xvi. 15. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Exod. xx. 5, 6. "For I the Lord thy God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that
hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them
that love me, and keep my commandments."
1. Consider the scriptural view of the divine government and various dispensations. Why the diversities of
race? How accounted for? Parental sins visited upon
children. Noachian prediction and malediction.
2. Slavery countenanced and regulated by law among
the Hebrews. By Moses, etc. By Paul, etc.
3. The African at home and in America. Actual con



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   577
dition of the negroes in Africa at thile period when first
transported as slaves to America. Their condition since,
and at present,-not worse certainly than before, and in
their native land.  Sufferings and deaths, even by the
horrid middle passage, far less than would have been
endured at home. Where every species of cruel bondage, bloody sacrifice, prolonged torture, unmitigated,
hopeless wretchedness-prevailed. War, death, slavery,
-ever in prospect —at home.  Without the slightest
chance of improvement, amelioration, or eventual enlightenment.  Are the negroes, at this moment, anywhere in the United States, as badly off as are their
heathen kindred in Africa?  Let the comparison be instituted and fairly conducted, etc.
4. The great design of Providence in causing or permitting their removal to America. History. Prophecy.
How great changes or events are usually brought about.
The negro had so far degenerated, had become so extremely debased, that a long course of discipline and
apprenticeship was necessary to restore him to his primeval dignity and manhood. A schooling of some two
hundred years, among the Anglo-Americans, has wrought
marvels in their behalf. They have already become a
renovated and superior race. Superior, I mean, when
compared with the wild native of Africa. They have
improved physically, morally, intellectually. They have
advanced in civilization-in morals, religion, intelligence,
industrial arts, political wisdom (or habit of imitation or
experience or something which enables them to go
ahead,)-as no barbarous or savage tribe had ever done
VOL. In. —37




578    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
when left to themselves. Their case is unique —without
a parallel. They have been increasing in numbers, and
improving, like children at school, steadily and rapidly,
while the native Indians have as rapidly disappeareddied out!
5. Without uttering a word, by way of apology or
excuse or defence for the manner in which negroes have
been treated and regarded by the whites, it may be
justly said, in reference to the divine government and
providence, that their violent deportation to America
has proved to them and their race a great and permanent blessing. Even the rights of marriage —of husband and wife —of parent and child-are scarcely
recognized in Africa. In these respects, therefore, they
have lost nothing —at the very worst. Family ties,
without the sanction of law, are respected by both
master and slave far beyond the capacity of a pagan
negro to comprehend. On this subject, our legislation is
abominable. It must be abolished. The Christian code
must be adopted and enforced. Still, the philanthropist,
in comparing the lot of the American negro with that
of the untutored African, will hardly hesitate to award
the palm to the former.  Especially when looking to6. Colonization. To-Liberia. To the great African
Republic. The counterpart of the United'States. The
model of civilization, Christianity and democratic selfgovernment for a whole continent. Its actual state and
progress and influence. Its probable results. Has the
world ever seen the like? What modern enterprise to
be compared with it in grandeur of conception or boldness




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    579
of execution?  A few emancipated American slaves
have achieved on the coast of Africa what no body
of enlightened philosophers or zealous political champions of popular freedom have been able to effect in
Europe or Spanish America- namely, to establish a
republic under the government of law-like our own, etc.
How ought Liberia to be regarded by the Christian,
the patriot, the statesman, the philanthropist-the friend
of the negro as well as of the white man?
7. Opposition to the cause of colonization by abolitionists, has been overruled by kind Heaven to the ultimate
benefit of Liberia. Otherwise there might have been too
great and sudden a rush of emigrants to the Fatherland.
The current in that direction perhaps needed a salutary
check. The good work has, in consequence of unwise
and bitter opposition, advanced slowly, but surely-until
the great public is beginning to appreciate the enterprise, and to discern how the slave may be emancipated
to the advantage alike of himself and his master.
8. Is slaveholding a sin per se? Abolitionists affirm:
Southerners deny; and appeal to Moses and the Prophets-to Christ and the Apostles.
9. Who introduced slavery into this country?  Who
is guilty of the original sin?  What government is
criminal-and responsible for the enormity? The sin
perpetrated — the calamity existing -the evil everywhere felt-what is to be done?' What can be done,
consistently with the dictates of humanity and Chris-'
tianity? -Is every man who owns a slave to be denounced as a monster? etc.




580    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
10. No man is required by law to own a slave, not
even in the slave States. The most vehement opponent
of slavery, therefore, may live unmolested, and with all
the rights of conscience unimpaired, quoad hoc, —whatever notions may be entertained of the institution itself.
No person is compelled to buy, sell, or hold in bondage, a single slave in any part of the country,-of
course, if conscientiously opposed to slavery, he can
keep aloof from it.
11. Consider the multitude of negroes converted to
the Christian faith while in bondage, etc.
12. The white race more damaged by slavery than the
black.
13. Slavery recognized in the Decalogue. See fourth
commandment.
14. Has the hearty opponent of slavery a rightinherent or natural, constitutional or scriptural, prescriptive or conventional,-to resist the lawful authorities in their execution of laws duly enacted to protect
slave-owners, and to secure to them their property in
slaves? etc.
15. The providential scope, tendency, and probable
results of slavery, both here and in Africa.  Emancipated slaves to become the pioneers of civilization and
Christianity, etc.
16. Even while in slavery, the negro fares better, in
all respects, than his brethren in Africa-both as to this
life and the future.
17. This view of the subject does not justify or
palliate a single act of cruelty or injustice on the part




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    581
of the master. Many bad men have been used as mere
instruments to carry out the divine purposes, etc.
18. Abolitionists and ultra pro-slavery men equally
at fault. And yet both will be made unwittingly to
promote the grand designs of Jehovah. See Isaiah, x. 5,
6, 7. "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff
in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him
against an hypocritical nation, and against the people
of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil,
and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the
mire of the streets.  Howbeit he meaneth not so,
neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart
to destroy and cut off nations not a few," etc.
19. Free States are beginning to exclude negroes from
their territory —as Indiana, etc.
20. Slave States will not suffer negroes to be emancipated except on condition of their removal from the
State.
21. What will soon be the condition of free negroes
in this country? What, if all were free? Is it possible
for the negro here ever to become the equal of the white
man —socially or politically?
22. Marriage-not recognized by law among slaves.
Husbands and wives, parents and children, are separated, and sold far away from each other. Very harsh,
cruel and unchristian, no doubt. Still, not worse than
in Africa. How is marriage regarded there? Do parents
never sell their children -even to slave-dealers?
So far as mere separation is concerned, the slave is not
worse, off than the soldier and sailor.  Naval officers,




582     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
even, of the highest rank, may be ordered on service in
remote seas, and be absent many years, etc.
The separation, by sale, of negro husband and wife, is
a divorce- a virtual and actual dissolution of the marriage contract or relation-as much so, as if one of the
parties had died.
They may, as they do, marry again. This is allowed
by custom, by law, by reason, and by religion. Whatever of sin may be involved in the affair, attaches to the
master or to the government.
23. Slavery will not cease-even at the millennium.
It will become more patriarchal-and be purified from
its present abominations, etc.
24. The late "Fugitive Slave Law" (so called) has
given rise to an immense deal of discussion- political,
ethical, and theological. On this theme, I remark1st. Obedience to civil government is a Christian duty.
2d. Except when it conflicts with the divine government or law, as clearly revealed in Scripture. We must
obey God rather than men.
3d. Conscience to decide. Every man for himself.
4th. When we cannot conscientiously obey, we must
submit-as did Christ, and all holy men of old. We
must endure the penalty of non-obedience-as did the
apostles and martyrs-as do the Quakers now, etc.
25. Negroes are everywhere learning to read, in spite
of the laws which forbid their instruction. What does
this fact indicate, as to the capacity and probable progress
of the negro race in science, literature and art?
26. The present condition of Liberia. Its industrial




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    583
and commercial prosperity. Its legislation and jurisprudence. Its public men —from the able president down
to the humblest village magistrate. Its schools, churches,
newspapers, — morals, intelligence, sobriety, religion, social intercourse. What say all travellers of this wonderful Republic?
27. Distinguish between the legitimate tendency and
influence of Christianity towards the gradual amelioration of humanity and the actual state of mankind in
the time of Christ, and ever since. The evils of slavery
to be abated or exterminated-like those of intemperance, war, ignorance, oppression and injustice of every
kind.
28. Hitherto, and at present, the negroes have been,
and are, better off in a state of slavery than in a state
of freedom.  While ignorant, feeble, degraded; they
need protection and instruction.  They would soon
perish out of the land, if set free, and left to take care
of themselves.
An inferior race can never long exist in the midst of
a superior, upon equal terms.  The first must be dependent on, and protected by the latter, or they will
soon waste away-especially when amalgamation cannot
take place-and where intermarriages would not obliterate the distinctions of caste or colour. Witness the
fate of the native Indian; and of the negro in the free
States.




FREE BANKS-STATE STOCK BANKS.
OBJECTIONS TO SUCH BANKS.
1. BANKS based on a deposit of what are called government stocks-whether National or State' bonds, i.e.
mere evidences of National or State debts-are virtually
allowed a great privilege denied to the people generally.
They are allowed at least double interest. They receive
the usual interest accruing from the stocks or bonds deposited, and also from an equal amount of their own
notes, issued as money, in the shape of bank bills or
promises to pay the bearer on demand. Thus, for'every
hundred dollars deposited, they receive, say six per cent.,
and also, six per cent. or more for another hundred of
their own paper-making twelve or more per cent. for
every hundred dollars of bona fide capital; while the
ordinary citizen (not a shareholder in any such bank)
can get, according to law, only six per cent. for the loan
of his own real capital in the form of gold and silverthat is, actual cash, or specie, or constitutional money.
2. Why should State stocks, or any-other evidences of
public debts, be preferred as the basis of a bank, rather
than other kinds of property? and more especially real
estate? Could not the latter be converted into money,
as readily as stocks-at some price? say at half its estimated or market value? Let the cash valuation of a
(584)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    585
farm be ten thousand dollars,-in any exigency, it would
certainly command five thousand: —why not permit the
farmer to issue his quasi bank notes to the amount of
five thousand dollars, besides working his farm, and getting from it all he can? But even this would not place
him on an equality with the stockholder in a free bank
of Indiana; for he may put State stock at par into a bank
-and issue an equal amount of his own paper-without
regard to fluctuations in the market. Thus even now,
(December, 1854,) most of the stocks deposited at 100
are selling at 75 or 80; and, of course, are insufficient to
redeem the bills in circulation. I suppose a landed security would have proved more reliable-but the truth is,
that nothing except gold and silver (i.e. money) can
serve as a safe basis for banking operations,- because
payment is always to be made on demanud, and not on
the cash sale of stocks or land or any other commodity
or species of property.
3. To establish the eighty-seven free banks of Indiana,
some seven or eight millions of cash funds (gold and
silver, or their equivalent in some other form,) were
actually sent away from the State to New York or other
remote cities to purchase the needful stocks-thereby
diminishing, to that amount, the actual available capital
of the commonwealth, to be replaced by the issue of
seven or eight millions of doubtful and constantly depreciating paper currency. Thus, on a trial of about six
months, some of the banks have already failed or sus.
pended payment, and the paper of others is selling at a
discount of from ten to thirty per cent.




586    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
4. The attempt to build up a bank upon a debt-to
create something out of nothing-to hazard debts to individuals upon State debts-looks very like an absurdity.
If it could be assumed as cerqtain that all the stocks
pledged for the redemption of the bills issued, could be
instantly converted into cash at their par value, there
would be reason in the thing; but all experience shows
that whenever there is a stringent demand for moneyspecie-then stocks, as well as other property, will sink
or fall in price.
5. Consider the vast expense of maintaining any system of banking: —the numerous officials employed at
large salaries —the presidents, cashiers, tellers, clerks,
runners, attorneys, agents, collectors; the banking-houses,
fixtures, engraved plates, stationery. Compute the expense of the whole machinery for furnishing the people
with a substitute for the constitutional currency. How
much does it cost? There are already eighty-seven free
banks in operation, and others are being daily established,
and there are thirteen other banks —making one hundred in all for Indiana. There are probably not less
than three thousand banks of all sorts in the United
States-employing some twelve or more thousand officers and servants-to say nothing of directors-and at a
cost to the people of fifteen or twenty millions annually.
Now this entire host of genteel workingmen, and this
enormous expenditure of annual millions, do not produce
a dollar, or add a dollar to the actual wealth or capital
of the State or of the Union. People are continually
deluded and mystified with the fancy that banks can




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    587
make money plenty —that they possess some magical or
creative powers.
6. But we are gravely assured, in the newspapers, that
there is no cause for alarm or for a panic-that, at the
worst, the noteholders need not lose more than from ten
to twenty per cent., if they will only be patient, have
faith, and wait for the sale of the stocks deposited at
Indianapolis.  Why should they lose a cent or wait an
hour? Again, we are told, that the banks are rapidly
calling in and redeeming their paper, and that their
circulation has already been reduced to about one-half
of the original issue, or by some three or four millions —
and that therefore we may dismiss all fear for the future.
This is proof at least that there was abundant ground
for fear, distrust and alarm-and hence the attempt to
apply the only practicable remedy.  But this remedy
comes too late for the relief of the poor noteholders of
a few dollars, needed for their daily bread-and which
must be sacrificed for whatever they can get. Capitalists, speculators, merchants, brokers, may profit by the
purchase of such bills at an enormous discount, i.e. by
shaving the necessitous. The poor widow, for example,
who last evening received her hard-earned pay in a
one-dollar bill (of the Connersville Bank or any similar
concern) goes to the market this morning to buy the
necessary food for herself and children,-and is told by
the butcher that her note won't pass, that the bank has
just closed its doors, etc.-What can she do? Why,
just take whatever she can get, rather than starve, say
fifty or twenty-five cents.




588      MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
7. The fundamental error, fallacy, sophism, absurdity
of the whole system, would be obvious, if, instead of dollars, the paper promises were to pay the bearer so many
bags of cotton or barrels of flour or sugar or coffee, and
when a demand is made for the promised commoditylo and behold, the said article is not on hand and cannot
be procured. Will it suffice to offer tobacco or whisky
or horses, or land, or even gold?
S. I blame no one who honestly engages in such banking according to the letter and meaning of the law. If
the law allows him twenty per cent. for the use of his
capital, he has a right to the privilege, though withheld
from his neighbour.*
* The Auditor of the State of Indiana, in November, 1854, informs
the public that: "All the free bank paper is taken for State and
County taxes in this State, except the following, viz.: Connersville,
Northern Indiana, Drovers' Bank of Rome, Plymouth Bank of Plymouth, Traders' Bank of Terre Haute, and the State Stock Bank of
Logansport."  Again, he adds: "The circulation of all the [free
stock] banks now is between three and four millions, but is daily
growing less. The amount originally issued was between seven and
eight millions." Again: "I am surrendering the bonds of all the
banks to holders of their notes."
What must result from such enormous expansion and contraction
of the popular currency? Already the pressure is heavy upon usvery like 1837.
The "Act to authorize and regulate the business of General Banking in Indiana," was approved May 28, 1852-to be in force from and
after July 1, 1852. Most of the existing free banks, I believe, have
gone into operation within the current year. Another, at Paoli, is to
commence on the twentieth of this month, viz., December 20, 1854.
Each shareholder is held responsible in his individual capacity and
private fortune to an amount equal to his stock subscription —and in
addition to the public stock deposited at Indianapolis-for the redemption of the bills issued. But this provisional security will prove of
little value iA the case of foreign shareholders or those of other States:
and of no value whatever when shareholders possess no other property.




RICHES-POVERTY.
THERE is a fashion of denouncing wealth and wealthy
men, which is neither scriptural nor judicious. I suppose wealth may be righteously or honestly inherited,
acquired, possessed, enjoyed, etc. The Bible, surely, encourages and enjoins the practice of all the virtues which
contribute to worldly prosperity, and abounds in examples of good men who became rich. Thus, diligence,
economy, sobriety, etc. are inculcated; while Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, Job, Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Esther, David,
Daniel, etc. were examples in point. Good men were
often tried by both prosperity and adversity-by poverty
and wealth-neither desirable in the extreme. Religion
is the principal concern-the one thing absolutely and
pre-eminently needful. Hence the exhortation or command of Christ: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added
unto you." (Matt. vi. 33; see, also, I Tim. iv. 8.)
The acquisition of wealth by unlawful means or for
unlawful ends, is, of course, sternly condemned. We are
to use the world, but not to abuse it. "And they that
use this world, as not abusing it." (1 Cor. vii. 31.)
The inordinate pursuit of wealth, or of any mere
earthly good, is forbidden.  Covetousness is idolatry.
See Coloss. iii. 5: "'and covetousness, which is idolatry."
(589)




590    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
"Labour not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom."
(Prov. xxiii. 4.)  "Lay not up for yourselves treasures
upon earth," etc. (Matt. vi. 19, 20, 21.
"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but right,
eousness delivereth from death."  "The Lord will not
suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth
away the substance of the wicked." (Prov. x. 2, 3.) "An
inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but
the end thereof shall not be blessed." (Prov. xx. 21.)
" The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity
tossed to and fro of them that seek death." (Prov. xxi. 6.)
"A faithful man should abound with blessings: but he
that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent,"
(Prov. xxviii. 20.)
"Trust not in oppressions and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them."
(Ps. lxii. 10.)
"He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the
righteous shall flourish as a branch." (Prov. xi. 28.)
*  *  "how hard is it for them that trust in riches to
enter into the kingdom of God!" (Mark, x. 24; see Matt.
xix. 21, etc., Luke, xviii. 23, etc.)
"Charge them that are rich in this world that they
be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in
the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."
(1 Tim. vi. 17.)
"Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death." (Prov. xi. 4.)
"There is an evil which I have seen under the sun,
and it is common among men;




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   591'"A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth and
honour, so that he wanteth nothing'for his soul of all
that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat
thereof, but a stranger eateth it. This is vanity, and it
is an evil disease." (Eccl. vi. 1, 2.)
"In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but
in the revenues of the wicked is trouble." (Prov. xv. 6.)
"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver;
nor he that loveth abundance with increase." (Eccl. v. 10.)
"Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely
they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and
knoweth not who shall gather them." (Ps. xxxix. vi.)
"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for
riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away
as an eagle toward heaven." (Prov. xxiii. 5.)
"He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him." (Prov.
xxviii. 22.)
I"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither
poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for
me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the
Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of
my God in vain." (Prov. xxx. 8, 9.) "Give us this day
our daily bread." (Matt. vi. 11.) "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked."
(Ps. xxxvii. 16.) "There is that maketh himself rich,
yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet
hath great riches." (Prov. xiii. 7.)
"Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great
treasure and trouble therewith." (Prov. xv. 16.)
VOL. III.-42




592    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
"Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right." (Prov. xvi. 8.)
"Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness,
than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."
(Prov. xxviii. 6.)
"Better is a handful with quietness, than both the
hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." (Eccl.
iv. 5.)
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not
seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
(Ps. xxxvii. 25.)  * * "but godliness is profitable unto
all things, having promise of the life that now is, and
of that which is to come." (1 Tim. iv. 8.)
"For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand
wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in
thy land." (Deut. xv. 11.)
"Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker;
and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." (Prov. xvii. 5.)
"For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye
have not always." (Matt. xxvi. 11; also, Mark, xiv. 7.)
DILIGENCE in business commended-and IDLENESS denounced.
"Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work."
(Deut. v. 13.)
"Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open
thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread."
(Prov. xx. 13.)
"Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   593
look well to thy herds: For riches are not for ever: and
doth the crown endure to every generation?" (Prov.
xxvii. 23, 24.)
"And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour;
and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the
house of Joseph." (1 Kings, xi. 28.)
"The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty only to want." (Prov.
xxi. 5.)
"'Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall
stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men."
(Prov. xxii. 29.)
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and
eateth not the bread of idleness." (Prov. xxxi. 27.)
"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand:
but the hand of the diligent maketh rich." (Prov.
x. 4.)
"He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he
that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame."
(Prov. x. 5.)
"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the
slothful shall be under tribute." (Prov. xii. 24.)
"The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing,
but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat." (Prov.
xiii. 4.)
"The way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns:
but the way of the righteous is made plain." (Prov. xv.
19.)
"He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread;
VOL. III.-38




594     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough." (Prov. xxviii. 19.)
"He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him
that is a great waster." (Prov. xviii. 9.)
"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I
shall be slain in the streets." (Prov. xxii. 13.)
"The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way, a
lion is in the streets." (Prov. xxvi. 13.)'"The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven
men that can render a reason." (Prov. xxvi. 16.)
"I went by the field of the slothful," etc. (Prov. xxiv.
30, 31, 32.)
"Go to the ant, thou sluggard," etc. (Prov. vi. 6, 7, 8,
9, 10.)
"Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle
soul shall suffer hunger." (Prov. xix. 15.)
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold;
therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing."
(Prov. xx. 4.)
"For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to
poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags."
(Prov. xxiii. 21.)
"Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of
the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one
that travelleth and thy want as an armed man." (Prov.
xxiv. 33, 34.)
"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he
that loveth wine and'oil shall not be rich." (Prov.
xxi. 17.)
"When they were filled, he said unto his disciples,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    595
Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be
lost." (John, vi. 12.)
"But if any provide not for his own, and especially for
those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infidel." (1 Tim. v. 8.)
"Not slothful in -business; fervent in spirit; serving
the Lord." (Rom. xii. 11.)'"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should
he eat." (2 Thess. iii. 10.)
"And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke, xii. 15.)
"Let no man seek his own, but every man another's
wealth." (1 Cor. x. 24.)
"Look not every man on his own things, but every
man also on things of others." (Phil. ii. 4.)
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation, and
a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
drown men in destruction and perdition." (1 Tim. vi. 9.)
"For the love of money is the root of all evil; which,
while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
(1 Tim. vi. 10.) * * "neither shalt thou covet thy
neighbour's house," etc. (Deut. v. 21.)
The poor man is quite as likely to covet-and to be
covetous-to be dishonest, venal, selfish, false, deceitful,
reckless,-as the rich. Who are the most useful members of society?  Not the idle, intemperate, careless,
profligate, thriftless, do-nothing, beggarly, classes or




596    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
individuals. In our country there is no poor castelike the peasantry or serfs of Europe. No healthy man,
who is industrious, sober, frugal, virtuous and persevering, need ever be a pauper, or a dependant on the
charities of others.  He can and will create a path to
manly independence. Our richest and worthiest citizens
have made their own fortunes and risen to eminence in
Church or State by their own efforts and enterprise.
These constitute the best portion of our citizens. They
have made our country what it is-the most beautiful,
flourishing, abundant and prosperous of all lands; the
home of the persecuted and oppressed of every nation.
Hopeless, invincible, incurable poverty among us, is the
result of sheer idleness or vice. A drunken husband and
father may render a wife and children miserable and the
proper objects of charity and beneficence. And there
will ever be sufferers from sickness or misfortune-requiring aid, etc. The poor widow and orphan must be
cared for.
Demagogues in the pulpit, at the hustings, in the halls
of legislation, and at popular meetings of all sorts, are
very much in the habit of declaiming against the richas if they were criminal oppressors of the poor-as if
they had amassed their wealth by dishonest means or by
hard dealing with the poor, etc.  And thus they strive
to create and keep up sentiments of hostility towards
the rich, as the natural enemies of the poor, etc.
Nine-tenths of the paupers in our cities are foreigners
-and most of them Romanists, etc.
The terms wealth, riches, etc., are comparative. The




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   597
possessor of a few thousands in the country is accounted
rich —while in the large cities, scores and hundreds of
thousands would be required to entitle a man to such
enviable distinction. Thus, I read in the American
Messenger of January, 1855, that the income of William
B. Astor, of New York, is one million two hundred
thousand dollars per annum. Again, in the New York
Observer of December 28, 1854, it is said: "The estate
of the late Anson G. Phelps foots up at $2,500,000, (two
and a half millions.) He was a Connecticut boy, and
carried nothing but his hands and brains to New York."
"The tax of Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati,
amounts this year to $40,000."  (N. A. Tribune of
Jan. 5, 1855.)
All combinations of mechanics, tradesmen and labourers to establish arbitrary or fixed prices for work
or commodities-and strikes for higher wages-are unwise, impolitic, anti-republican, and greatly injurious
to the parties intended to be benefited.  It is a selfimposed check upon industry, economy, enterprise and
wholesome competition. It reduces all to a dead level.
It is opposed to the principle of free trade and free
action. Why should not the employer and the employed, in all cases, be at liberty to make their own
contracts without fear or control-without dread of
frown or penalty from any club or association, or of
violence under Lynch law? Look too at the expense —
the tax actually levied upon the members-of every
such combination. The loss of time-idle and wasteful
habits acquired —the discouragement of all manly aspi



598     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
rations, of all self-reliance, of all desire or effort towards
an advanced or improved condition, etc. "Live, and
let live." Let every man be free to work-free to earn,
to save, to enjoy the fruit of his labours-to become rich
if he will or if he can. Let the law protect him in all
honest pursuits —and encourage him to better his condition by virtuous industry, economy and enterprise.
Again, the labouring and poorer classes are exceedingly prone to join various expensive (and often demoralizing) associations —such as Freemason, Oddfellows,
Washingtonian, and others political or military, or
merely festive. Even the ordinary city fire companies
are so organized as to become burdensome to the members.  Compute the waste of time in their public
meetings and parades and celebrations-and at the
funerals of their brethren-the cost of uniform or distinctive dresses, insignia, regalia, etc.
Every city has its volunteer finely equipped militia companies-of no manner of use, except to show off in the
streets, and to pay large bills at hotels, etc. Here, in
New Albany, on the 8th of January, 1855, the " Spencer Greys," headed by the "Banner Band," "turned
out on a dress parade and target excursion. Their
beautiful and soldierly appearance attracted great admiration. In the evening the'Greys,' with the'Banner
Band,' and a number of invited guests, sat down to a
magnificent supper at the De Pauw House," etc. Thus
(and much more) writes the Editor of the New Albany
Daily Tribune of this morning-Jan. 10, 1855. I happened to witness a part of the street sTectacle, and




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    599
thought it rather a sorry affair. At midnight, I was
aroused from sleep by.a tremendous uproar in the
street, occasioned by the light-headed "Greys" after
supper, etc.
The poor also in cities frequent the theatre, circus,
balls, musical concerts, dancing parties, drinking shops,
gambling houses, and all sorts of amusements, shows,
frolics, —of fun, folly, vice and ruin.  Our cities are
filled with European paupers-and the New York
papers abound in descriptions of suffering, wretchedness, destitution and beggary, without a parallel hitherto in our country.  The city is threatened with
violence by the starving poor, etc.  It is now midwinter, (Jan. 11, 1855,) and the dread of riots, tumults,
mobs, etc. is daily increasing.
Among the plans of aiding the suffering poor, are
balls, concerts, fairs, etc.-the net proceeds to be appropriated to their relief.  This is bad, mischievous, unchristian.  It is holding out a premium to folly, iriirth,
expensive extravagance and dissipation, under the garb
and plea of charity, benevolence, philanthropy, etc.
But small sums are raised in this way at best, compared
with the amount actually expended in getting up such
fashionable amusements.  Why not give the whole
and dispense with amusement altogether? Ojur good
church-going people seem to think that, in this case at
least, the end will sanctify or justify the means. Or
that it is lawful to do evil that good may come, etc.
Poverty is nowhere represented in Scripture as a
desirable state. But like sickness, blindness, deafness,




600    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
persecution-it is regarded and treated as a misfortune
or a punishment.
That some men may be providentially called to labour
without any visible means of support, is most true: —as
were the apostles, evangelists, and many of the primitive Christians: and as are not a few of the ministers
and missionaries of our own times. All such have a
right to trust in God for their daily bread and for the
supply of their daily wants. It is both their duty and
their privilege. They live by faith, etc.
But even in the days of Christ and the Apostles, men
were not condemned merely because they were rich or
powerful-as in the case of Herod, Agrippa, Festus,
Felix, etc. Nor were the rich required to become poor
when they became converts to the Christian faith-as
witness Cornelius.
Even Ananias and Sapphira were doomed to death,
not for possessing wealth, but for lying to the Holy
Ghost, etc.
The instance of the rich young ruler, as given by
Mark, (chap. x. 17 to 21,) and by Luke, (chap. xviii. 18
to 23,) is no exception to the general rule or fact or
doctrine. The above young man appealed to Jesus for
direction, as to one whose authority he fully acknowledged, and whose instructions or commands he was
therefore bound to obey.  And Jesus, knowing the
deceitfulness of his heart, and the vanity of all his
pretensions to a legal righteousness, imposed a trial or
test which would clearly demonstrate his real character,
etc. None but He, or those inspired by His Spirit,




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    601
could do this, or be justified in the attempt to do it.
A most important truth or principle, of universal application, is undoubtedly inculcated by the divine Master:
namely, the danger of riches or of trusting in riches;
and the duty of instantly relinquishing wealth and
every earthly distinction when in conflict with our
obedience to God.
On the subject of educating the poor-of providing
for their wants-and of ameliorating their conditionmany seasonable and sensible remarks may be found in
Chalmers. See Chapter 14, —"On a compulsory provision for the indigent" —-and Chapter 15, —"On the
Christian education of the people"-of the "Political
Economy" of Thomas Chalmers, D.D.
See a good article in Hall's Journal of Health for
Dec., 1854, on "Health, Wealth and Religion."
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh
not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple," Luke
xiv. 33. "If any man come to me, and hate not his
father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be
my disciple." Luke xiv. 26.
Of course, whenever the alternative or choice lies
between Christ and the world —its wealth, honours,
domestic relations or life itself-we must abandon all
for Christ.




THE WHIIISTLE.*
[This and the next eleven articles, as indicated by a note in the
author's manuscript, "form but a few of many scores of light essays"
which he occasionally furnished the newspapers in Nashville, over
various signatures and upon all sorts of topics. Indeed, in his high
estimate of the press as a vehicle of instruction, he was in the habit
of reproducing his longer discourses in a series of short essays in the
newspapers. ]
"DISTANCE lends enchantment to the view," is not a
mere poetical fancy —it is a serious practical fallacy,
which is constantly imposing on our good people in
sundry forms and ways. We rarely value what is at
home and within everybody's reach. Our own substantial manufactures-our native literature-our domestic
customs, fashions and institutions —all are comparatively
worthless, insipid, ungenteel or vulgar. We look abroad
-across the ocean-or to the far East-for whatever is
beautiful, classical, ingenious or tasteful. Is a youth to
be educated in grand style? He must, forsooth, be sent
on a pilgrimage to some celebrated Athens beyond the
Great Mountains-there to renown as a Southern, with
plenty of cash and credit, half a dozen years, until he
shall be proclaimed moributs inculpatus, literisque humani.
oribus imbutus by the grave, veracious and most disinterested Senatus Academicus of the said metropolitan
Headquarters of Minerva and the Muses.
* Printed in the Nashville Herald, December 8, 1831, over the
signature of F. G. F.
(602)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    603
It is not to be presumed that a young gentleman can
be accomplished in Greek or philosophy this side of the
Potomac, or at a less cost than a thousand dollars per
year. Parents and the public generally, are prone to
estimate intellectual furniture, as they do all other
things, by the price paid for the commodity.  Thus,
two thousand dollars' worth of learning must, of course,
be tenfold greater in amount and value than two hundred dollars' worth. The latter may be easily attained
here in the backwoods-but then it is not a thing to talk
about and to boast of-it-is an every-day affair-it confers no eclat —creates no sensation —makes' nobody stare
— attracts no particular notice —and commands no admiration.
Men, as well as children, often pay dear for their
whistles. There are, at this time, at least five hundred
Southern and Western youth at Eastern Seminaries —
where they expend annually half a million of dollars to
encourage and sustain a foreign monopoly of education;
while our patriotic and economical sages never dream
of adopting any measures to retain this vast amount of
wealth within their own States. Nor do they seem to
have suspected that the money thus squandered abroad,
during every ten years, would amply endow as many
first-rate colleges at home as would meet the wants of
all their fellow-citizens for a century to come.  The
Southern funds lavished upon Cambridge and New
Haven alone, in a single year, would create a university equal to Harvard or Yale in any part of our Southern or Western wilderness. Whether colleges are de



604    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
signed for the rich or the poor-for wise men or fools
-it matters not; they will be frequented; and if not
established upon the banks of the Ohio, the Mississippi
or the Cumberland, our dollars will continue, as hitherto,
to adorn and enrich the banks of the Delaware, the
Hudson and the Connecticut.
But, after all, would a home college be patronized?
Could our genteel people be made to believe that their
sons might be educated as well in Tennessee, for example, as in Massachusetts? Would not an Eastern graduate be looked up to as a superior animal? and would
not he look down upon the plain home-bred native as a
barbarian and a sciolist? Public opinion is omnipotent.
It cannot be resisted or controlled. Solomon himself
would be voted non compos, were he to prefer his claims
in any other than the orthodox fashion-as settled by
custom and usage. Were Oxford, with the glories of a
thousand years, to be suddenly transplanted upon the
picturesque hills which surround our fair village, it would
be slighted and undervalued, so long as the rage is in
favour of distant or foreign institutions.
Whether this folly will last forever, I leave sub judice.
That there are pretty strong indications of its present
existence, I infer from the fact that we have at our doors
a university, which intelligent strangers never fail to
compliment in the highest terms, and to pronounce superior in many respects to most of those which are famous at
the East,-while it is scarcely known to our own citizens,
and, in comparison with their magnificent penitentiary,
is regarded as a very small concern. I infer the exist



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    605
ence of this or some other folly also from the fact, that
we have amongst us so many juvenile idlers of one sort
and another, between the ages of fifteen and twenty,
who appear to be utterly unconscious of the vicinity
of an establishment purposely designed for intellectual
improvement,-or who neglect it because it may not yet
have acquired a European or national reputation.
Here, for instance, is a well constructed and richly
furnished chemical laboratory-an apparatus for every
department of experimental science-a cabinet of mineralogy and natural history unsurpassed by any in the
United States,-where the laws of the universe, the
structure and formations of the earth, the products of
the field, the forest, the mine, the ocean, the air-with
all the curious phenomena of nature and art-may be
studied under the most auspicious circumstances and at
the least possible expense.  Why do not professional
students and the younger graduates avail themselves
of privileges which they could not command, at this
moment, for any money, even in the largest Eastern
city?  Presently, the golden opportunity will have
passed away; and they will regret through life, their
deficiency in' those varied literary and scientific stores
which are essential to the highest order of influence and
usefulness, and which might now be so easily accumulated.
Here they may learn Greek-and Tennessee Greek is
just as good as Yankee Greek-and when they have
mastered Greek thoroughly, it will be a pleasure to learn
any other language, ancient or modern. They may learn




606    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Hebrew, too, and Latin —and with a knowledge of the
Latin, the French, Spanish and Italian may each be read
in a few months without much labour.
Here. they may learn that much-lauded, and —among
a money-making people-the chief of sciences, vulgar
arithmetic-in such manner too as would rejoice the
heart of any merchant, banker or usurer in Christendom. Here the whole range of Mathematics, theoretic
and practical, up to the ne plus ultra of West Point
perfection, may be gone over by the aspiring tyro with
as much facility and delight as the boarding-school Miss
runs through the last Waverley.
Here the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life-or
the best substitute for both-will be put into the hands
(or the upper stories) of all the clever lads who shall be
duly initiated into the higher or esoteric mysteries by the
long-headed magician of the laboratory.
Here, in short, lawyers, doctors, parsons, merchants,
farmers, mechanics, artists, schoolmnasters, surveyors,
engineers, politicians, statesmen, judges, editors, poets,
orators, Jackson men and Clay men-may all be trained
up for their several destinations, and be fitted to act well
their parts upon the grand theatre of human selfishness,
intrigue, ambition and littleness; or in the humble vale
of innocence, peace, benevolence, kindness and charity.
And cheaply, Iween, will ye buy your whistles.




GENTEEL BEGGARS.*
MERRY Old England is said to be the most gullible
country in the world. And London is the very paradise of quacks, empirics, mountebanks, rogues, fanatics,
impostors and vagabonds of all sorts and degrees.. We
seem to have inherited the facile and credulous temperament which has characterized worthy John Bull in all
ages. Our happy republic is an asylum not merely for
the miserable and oppressed, but for the refuse of every
prison and gallows in the whole world. Now and then
a pirate or murderer is caught and hanged to be surebut the chances of escape are as ten to one in favour of
the cunning foreigner, whatever may have been his
crimes or his occupation. If a London banking house,
or jeweler's shop, the boudoir of a Dutch princess or
Parisian belle, happen to be robbed-why, to this land
of promise and charitable oblivion, the lucky swindlers
instantly direct their flight, as if assured of a safe and
honourable retreat.  They have only to assume big
names, to show off and spend their shiners freely, and
they presently become all the rage. Our ladies never
fail to smile graciously on wealth and family from
abroad. A German baron, an Italian count, a Spanish
* Printed in the National Banner, December 16, 1831, over the
signature of G. F. G.
(607)




608    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
don, an English sir, a French marquis-sweet creatures
— they have only to say the word, and our blushing fair
ones will accompany them forthwith to IIymen's altar,
with all the confidence of young affection and romantic
inspiration. Although it does occasionally turn out,
that before the honey moon is well over, some unmannerly Hays gets the gemman by the collar and straight
conducts him nolens volens to ready furnished lodgings in
Bridewell.
Well, I have seen Manchester clerks and travellers in
our Eastern cities, assuming all the airs and knowing
self-sufficiency and supercilious bearing of my lord's
valets and footmen. I have seen them looked up to, and
stared at, and run after, and caressed and feasted, and
toasted, as veritable English lions-by our great folks.
When will American republicans learn to respect themselves, and be too proud to be dazzled and befooled by
the shadows and apery of glittering titles, which may
be prefixed or appended to the names or tails of the
veriest simpletons, blockheads or libertines in Christendom?
But ad rem. Our country is infested with a legion of
impudent foreign beggars, who are prowling about like
hungry wolves, and preying upon the very vitals of the
body politic. They are absolutely extorting our hard
earned dollars by the cart loads, and under the most
absurd and mendacious pretexts.
One day comes a Turk, shipwrecked on the coast of
Labrador or Cape Horn-no matter where-the further
off the better. He can't speak a word of English, of




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    609
course.  He thrusts a paper into your face, stands
pensively mute, looks wise and prepossessing, and
mighty honest. You read his tale of wo, certified by
sundry well-known civil magistrates and learned professors-give him  a dollar, and receive his silent but
expressive benediction-and next day read in the
gazette that the said forlorn, wandering, pennyless
Turk is a downright, full-blooded, native Vermonter!
He passes on however, from village to village, and enacts
the same part everywhere with equal success. He is
proclaimed as an impostor in every newspaper.  Still,
from Bennington to St. Louis, he contrives to cheat
every man he meets with. He was here in Nashville
about eighteen months ago, and honoured my lonely
cottage with a call; and though I had read all about
his Turkship a year before, yet I could not prevail on
my lady purse-keeper to withhold the customary dollar.
He seemed so ingenuous, so friendly, so like a Turk, so
un-American, there was no resisting his appeal direct to
the purse. His lingo too, when he did speak, was pure
classical Arabic, as anybody could perceive — consequently he was well educated.  He was perfectly genteel, and utterly above the servile artifices of vulgar
beggars;-ergo, he was a son of the Grand Sultan, or a
pasha (pacha) with three tails at least. And he might
condescend to carry off a dozen or score of our lovely
damsels to enliven his princely harem in the proud City
of Constantine-and who could withstand such eloquent
pretensions?
True, this pretty exquisite was but a home-bred
VOL. II.- 39




610    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Yankee after all. Still, Yankee-like, he understood the
foible of his countrymen, and knew precisely in what
garb to address himself to their sympathies and to their
vanity. He therefore went forth to seek adventures as
a foreigner of rank. And he is probably going the
rounds at this day.-If not as a Turkish heir apparent,
yet as a Chinese Mandarin, or Hindu Pundit, or Egyptian Sheik, or Grecian Hospodar, or Wallachian Vaivode,
or Polish General just escaped from the tender mercies
of a Russian Court-martial.
Italian and Sicilian beggars have been traversing our
country for some thirty years past. I have encountered
the same individuals repeatedly.  They are always
provided with the most satisfactory and well-authenticated testimonials —of which, by-the-way, there is said
to be a regular manufactory in Philadelphia, where all
sorts of signatures and seals may be procured for a
trifle. Their usual pretext is, that a village or convent
has been destroyed by fire, an avalanche, a volcano, or
an earthquake, and that they are deputed to solicit
charity for the wretched survivors.
I was once waited on by a Russian (so he professed
himself) whose papers were duly endorsed by the Mayor
of New York —setting forth that a vessel, containing a
number of his relatives and friends, had been captured in
the Mediterranean and carried into Algiers, where they
were sold as slaves, and urging every kind-hearted
American to contribute his mite towards their redemption. He got a dollar from each of us-about a dozen
at dinner at the time, and just after the first six bottles




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   611
of champagne had evanished.  When a cup of coffee
had somewhat regulated our charitable outgoings, we
were not a little chagrined and vexed at the trick; but
we took no particular pains to interrupt his gainful
operations, and we had the satisfaction to find that all
our neighbours, drunk or sober, had been equally stupid
and generous.
Within the last three years, I have had two hundred
and fifty-nine similar calls from shipwrecked Germans,
Spaniards and Portuguese; from exiled patriots of every
country, and from other unfortunates of all sorts, who
protested by signs or by some kind of Lingua Franca
that they could not speak English, and who had English
papers and credentials to speak and lie for them.
About two weeks ago, a stout, hale, thickset, whiskered,
brazen-faced, red-nosed scape-gallows came to my house,
bolted in, made his bow and tried to be graceful and to
sport the gentleman-handed me his book-like a lady's
album in externals —which at first I refused to look at,
as I knew his object instinctively and by the aid of
phrenology-thanks to my sagacity and to this superlatively invaluable and never-to-be-sufficiently lauded
queen of sciences. When I bid him "begone" in blunt
English, and with a scowl and a stamp of the foot which
would have annihilated anything human, he smiled like
a cockney and affected not to understand me. He then
mumbled a little French, and intimated that he could
parler Francois un peu, mais not un vor ov tan Anglois.
As I could not get rid of the Hercules by words, looks,
or gestures, and feeling no special penchant to attempt it




612    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
vi et armis, I cast my eye at length and in despair over
the pages of his manuscript book. He was described as
an Italian patriot soldier, who had suffered all but martyrdom in the holy cause of liberty —had lost his last
sous-and had finally been whisked across the ocean or
through the air, (Dr. Faust or Mother Carey can tell
how,) and set down, safe and sound, in the good City of
Savannah; where his misfortunes and hair-breadth escapes by flood and field had excited the deepest sympathy. And so the names of lady and gentleman donors
continued to fill his pages and his pockets all the way
from Augusta, (whither he had a free passage and the
best birth in a steamer,) through Georgia, the Creek
Nation, and Tennessee, even unto Metropolitan Nashville. As I had not dined, I succeeded for once in
keeping my cash.
Since the above, two wounded, maimed, crippled, wobegone, limping, groaning, pitiful, drunken old soldiers,
who fought, as their story told, at New Orleans, on one
side or t'other, and were all but killed in battle, and had
been dying ever since, and who certainly would die
before next morning unless my right worshipful honour
would be pleased to bestow the needful to wet their
whistles and mend their coats. Alas! what is to be
done? What was our grand penitentiary built for?
What are our lawyers and courts and legislature about?




THE SEASO N.*
[DECEMBER 16, 1831.]
THE present will, probably, long be remembered as the
cold winter, or, at any rate, as the cold December. Our
oldest people tell us that the Cumberland River has
never been completely frozen at this place but twice before:-viz., in 1786 and 1796. It is not to be inferred
however from this fact, that the weather has not been
sufficiently cold during any other winter to freeze ordinary rivers.  The truth is, it requires more intensely
severe and longer continued frost to congeal the waters
of the Cumberland than to produce the same effect upon
the Hudson or the Delaware. This is owing to the very
high and almost perpendicular banks, and to the rapid
current of our noble river. And to these two permanent
causes, may be added the generally high state of the
water at this season. At present, the river is not swollen
beyond its ordinary summer level: and it is now completely bridged over with solid ice, so that the heaviest
loaded wagons cross it in safety.
Since about the first instant, the mercury in Farenheit's thermometer has ranged, at sunrise, between
several degrees below zero and ten above, and with
* Printed in the National Banner, over the signature of G. F. G.
(613)




614    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
very little increase of temperature during the day. On
the morning of the 6th instant, it began to snow; and
since the morning of the 7th, the snow has remained
about ten inches deep without any apparent diminution.
Even the roofs of the houses, with a southern exposure,
continue covered as at first. Scarcely wind enough to
rustle a leaf has been perceptible during all this period.
This circumstance and a clear sky will account for the
very bearable and rather bracing character of a Greenland atmosphere.
Many temporary sleighs have been suddenly got up,
and our worthy citizens have tried to amuse themselves
in Yankee style.  But their rude vehicles are such
pitiful caricatures of the comfortable and elegant establishments of the Northerners, that they can attain at
best but a sorry notion, from this experiment, of the
delightful mode of land-sailing, which renders a Northern winter the most joyous and social portion of the
whole year.
This morning (Friday, Dec. 16,) the mercury stood at
fourteen degeees below zero, on College Hill at sunrise, in
the open air! What will the Bostonians say to this?
Oh, for M. Chaubert's red hot oven! Sherry wine in
decanters, in a closed sideboard, was nearly a solid mass
of ice, in a well built brick house. How alcohol fared, I
had no opportunity of ascertaining.  Though accustomed to a Northern climate, having lived some thirty
years within fifty miles of New York, I have never
experienced such cold as this; —nor have I ever known
a cold spell to last so long without some abatement.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    615
I find, on referring to my memoranda, that on the
25th of January, 1821, in the City of New  York,
at three o'clock A.M., the thermometer was fourteen
degrees below zero; and this was pronounced, in the
city papers of the day, the severest weather experienced
there for upwards of thirty years. At my own residence in the country, the thermometer was at the
same time five degrees below zero, which is the lowest
ever witnessed by myself until this morning. While
writing this, I am seated close to a huge fire, with
gloves, moccasins, and great coat on, and I can with
difficulty keep my ink in a liquid state long enough to
record the passing features of the moment.
I have now before me the last number of Brewster's
Edinburgh Journal of Science, which contains an abstract of the meteorological observations made to the
regents of the University of New York from 34 academies in different parts of the State for the year 1830;
from which it appears that at Albany, the lowest point
to which the mercury fell during the last year, was 12
degrees below zero; and at Erasmus Hall, near the Citv
of New York, to only 4 above zero. The whole abstract would be worth republishing here, if I had leisure
and warm fingers to copy it, or if space could be spared
for it in the columns of a newspaper, at such a busy,
political, fighting, bank-making and un-making crisis as
the present.




PUNCH AND A BISHOP.*
I HAVE sometimes marvelled at the objections made by
two classes of men against Temperance Societies. It is
well known that it is required of every person, who
becomes a member of a temperance society, to subscribe
a constitution or rule which inhibits the use of distilled
liquors altogether, except as a medicine.  This subscription is, in all cases, perfectly voluntary, and is binding
no longer than is agreeable to the subscribing party. Ite
may erase his name whenever he pleases. Of course,
nothing onerous, or calculated in any degree to lead him
into temptation, is imposed or intended.  A more perfectly free and discretionary obligation cannot be contrived or conceived. A man may become a member of
a temperance society to-day from conscientious conviction-and if he see reason, either from his own frailty
or otherwise, to withdraw to-morrow or next week, he is
at liberty to do so. Temperance associations exercise no
coercive authority whatever-they inflict no penaltyadminister no censure —and denounce no party and no
individuals. They invite all men to abstain from ardent
spirits, and to avow publicly their determination to do
so. But they neither abuse nor blame any mortal for
standing aloof.
* Printed in the Nashville Herald, December 22, 1831, over the
signature of F. G. F.
(616)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   617
But, I confess, it does seem strange that political men
should object to the voluntary obligation thus assumed,
on the ground that it is unlawful or dangerous to promise not to drink whisky, when they do not hesitate to
take an oath to perform all the duties of any office to
which they may be appointed, according to the Constitution and the laws of their country.
And still more strange that religious men should
object on similar grounds, when they have all most
solemnly vowed before God and their church to believe
certain articles of faith, and strictly to observe certain
rules of conduct, and to abstain from sundry specified
immoral practices. A man who can, with a good conscience, promise never to lie, steal, murder, or profane
the name of his Maker, ought not to demur at promising
not to drink ardent spirits, if the practice be injurious to
himself or others. Besides, it is well known that the
primitive Christians, as Pliny testifies, bound themselves
by oath not to commit any criminal or immoral act
whatever.
But as great names have a sort of magical influence
with our plain, independent, reflecting republicans, we
will cite one or two, out of a thousand which might be
adduced, in behalf of the temperance cause. The Lord
Bishop of London is Patron of the British and Foreign
Temperance Society; and the Lord Mayor is one of its
Vice-Presidents.
"An anecdote of the Lord Bishop of London is worth
relating. He did not fall in with the temperance measures till after mature deliberation. After having con



618    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
eluded so to do, and pledged himself to that effect, he
gave a dinner to a numerous company of guests. At
dinners of this description, it had been customary to
have punch at the close. After the dinner under consideration had been finished, and a short pause had
occurred, one of the guests finding no punch to come
on, asked if it were not about time for the punch; upon
which the bishop arose, and thus addressed the company:'Gentlemen, I am  a member of a temperance
society; I have become so after full consideration
of the subject; and I cannot conscientiously sanction
this practice any longer.' The effect of this unexpected
address from such a source, as might have been supposed,
was astounding; and it cannot fail to give an impulse to
the glorious cause of temperance throughout the civilized
world."




C H R I S TM A S..*
[DECEMBER 25, 1831.]
THIS is the festival of the Christian Church, observed
annually on the 25th day of December, in memory of
the birth of Christ. Originally, it was strictly regarded
by Christians as a holy day-and not as a mere holiday,
as it is now but too generally esteemed by the mass of
our people.  Why, or by what imperceptible gradations,
it has thus degenerated into a season of levity and mirth
and frolic, I shall not attempt to explain. It is grateful
to the pious heart to know that the day is not thus universally desecrated; and that, among many denominations of Christians, the sublime object of its primitive
institution is still kept in view.  The nativity and
advent of the glorious Son of God is surely the most
stupendous miracle of divine goodness and mercy which
has ever yet been witnessed by the intelligent creation
of the Almighty. To commemorate such an event is a
privilege not to be too highly appreciated-and therefore
not to be slighted without more than ordinary criminality. If ever there be occasion for pious gratitude,
for holy aspirations, and for fervent hallelujas of praise,
it is on the annual return of that ever-memorable day
* Printed in the National Banner, December 27, 1831, over the
signature of G. F. G.
(619)




620    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
which beheld the brightness of the Father's glory veiled
in humanity, and appearing as a messenger of peace and
love, of pardon and reconciliation, among the wretched
and guilty children of men. The tear of joy indeed
may bedew the cheek of the admiring but self-condemned worshipper at Immanuel's feet-and loud anthems of devout thanksgiving may ascend to heaven
from the lips of the assembled congregation:-but what
heart can be indifferent or unmoved, or disposed to idle
sportiveness or sinful pleasure at such a season?
Oft have I entered the consecrated temple of the Most
High on this hallowed anniversary, and participated in
silence but with unspeakable emotions, in all the solemn
acts of praise and adoration, with which some Christians
are wont to celebrate a Saviour's marvellous incarnation
and infinite condescension. Whether it be religion, or
superstition, or sentiment, or early association, or constitutional infirmity-I stop not to inquire. It is to me
an occasion of delightful and vivid, though mournful
excitement.  Is there joy in grief —light in darknesscomfort in sorrow-peace in conflict —hope in despondency?-Here it is that I seem to realize more than
the poet's dream, and to rise above the perils and
miseries which flesh is heir to.
On Sunday morning last (Christmas) I instinctively
directed my steps (as in happier days) to the Episcopal
Church, and seated myself in a retired corner of the
gallery, where I could conveniently see and hear whatever was likely to command or deserve attention. The
church itself, with all its interior arrangements, is a




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.:   621
beautiful object, and is, at any time, worthy of notice.
Then, it was tastefully ornamented with evergreens in
the manner which venerable usage has, from the earliest
ages of the church, rendered familiar and grateful to the
eye. After a momentary glance at the scenery, and
perceiving that the decorations had been got up after
the good old orthodox fashion, I felt prepared to yield
myself without reserve to the soothing and exalting
influences which the varied services of the church,
when well performed, are so admirably calculated to
exert.  Nor were my almost romantic anticipations
marred or disappointed. The song of praise, accompanied by the deep-toned organ-the sacred lessons of
the day judiciously read-the voice of prayer, distinct,
solemn, impressive, devout  (and such prayers and
confessions-the very language of penitence and supplication!)-and then the appropriate sermon by the
able, pious and eloquent rector —all conspired to make
me feel that an hour thus spent in the courts of the
Lord is better than a thousand days or years vainly
wasted ini the tents or habitations of wickedness and
folly. 0h, si sic omnes!
P.S.-I must here take leave-and I hope to give no
offence-to animadvert upon a practice which is exceedingly annoying and unbecoming, to say the least
of it. Persons of different ages and sizes —principally
boys and young men-were constantly coming in and
going out of the galleries, during the whole period of
divine service. This practice prevails, I believe, to a
shameful extent in all our churches. Parents ought to




622    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
teach their rude boys better manners: and young gentlemen may be reminded that common politeness requires them to behave with respectful decorum in every
place of worship, and never to disturb an audience by
an unnecessary word or movement. They'ought to
enter the church before the service commences and
never to leave it until after the benediction is pronounced.
Again, some gentlemen keep their hats on until they
reach their pews-and put them on again as soon as
they begin to retire. Would any gentleman wear his
hat into the midst of a lady's drawing-room?  This sort
of hattishness seems peculiar to certain sections of our
country. The first time I ever saw a man march up
the aisle of a church with his hat on, (it was in Western
Virginia, and the individual referred to was an elder
and the chorister,) I was as much surprised as if he
had made his entree on horseback. Since that period, I
have often seen the preacher fairly mount the pulpit
before he doffed his beaver.




THE AMERICAN IS A SPITTING ANIMAL.*
AT a late meeting of the Synod of West Tennessee,
the subject of chewing, smoking, and snuffing tobacco
was gravely discussed: and the use of this noxious
weed, in each of the above modes, was finally condemned, I believe, without a dissenting voice. Many
curious facts and anecdotes were well told on the occasion; and the deleterious influence of tobacco on the
human system was ably demonstrated and aptly illustrated by both clergymen and physicians. I shall not
attempt to detail the particulars, nor to report any of
the speeches.  I refer the ignorant and the skeptical,
however, for information, to the luminous pages of our
own Dr. Rush and of the English Dr. Clarke, the
divine.
The habit of spitting acquired and rendered unavoidable by the practice of chewing tobacco, is so offensive
to all well-bred people as to excite some surprise that
gentlemen should continue it.  To what extent the
hospitable citizens of New York and Philadelphia are
annoyed in this respect by their Western friends, whenever the latter travel Eastward, can scarcely be conceived by any who have not resided in one or the other
* Printed in the Nashville Herald, December 29, 1831, over the
signature of F. G. F.
VOL. III.-44                           (623)




624    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
of those cities. How completely horrifying to a fashionable lady to see, in her elegant and superbly furnished
drawing-room, the invited guest of her honoured spouse,
from the far West, bespattering her brilliant mahogany,
and marble and Brussels, with tobacco juice, as unceremoniously as he would inundate the plank floor of a log
cabin! Western parsons are especially noted for their
gifts in this species of holding forth; and they never
fail, during their annual visits to Philadelphia, to leave
an odour of their outpourings so remarkably impressive
and affecting as seldom  to be effaced or forgotten.
Whether their pulpit displays are equally potential or
memorable, my reminiscences do not enable me to
decide.
The late eloquent Mr. Pinckney of Maryland, while
minister at the Court of St. James, very soon discovered
that his tobacco chewing was a most disgusting annoyance to every company which he frequented: and he
had the good sense and the resolution to discontinue the
filthy usage altogether. He became, in consequence, a
much healthier and better-looking man, as well as a
vastly more accomplished and acceptable representative
of the New World in the eyes of the loyal and fastidious Londoners.
The other day at church, a well-dressed young fellow,
while standing up in prayer time and leaning over into
my pew, so wantonly besprinkled every part of my
premises with his tobacco distillations, as fairly to put
all devotion out of countenance, and make me wish for
the Amen, as impatiently as ever did hungry urchin




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   625
during his puritan papa's long grace over a thanksgiving-day's dinner.
At the aforesaid meeting of synod, a reverend doctor
from Alabama stated that, during a voyage, a few years
since, from Liverpool to New York, it became a topic of
conversation and inquiry among the passengers, English
and American —what was the peculiar distinguishing
trait or characteristic of the American? —It being acknowledged that they were very much alike in general.
At length, a shrewd Englishman remarked that, in his
judgment, (and he had many opportunities for observation and comparison,) the "American might par excellence
be denominated a SPITTING ANIMAL."
VOL. III.-40




THE WEATHER AND SUNDRIES.*
[JANUARY 30, 1832.]
THE present winter will long be remembered on account of the intense, and hitherto unparalleled severity
of the weather. When we recorded, in a neighbouring
journal, the features of the cold December, we little
anticipated another Greenland visitation in so short a
space. But all the concentrated frosts of the Icy Poles
have been let loose upon us, and have played such
fantastic tricks with our Italian atmosphere that a
Russian or Norwegian might here have fancied himself
some twenty degrees north of his accustomed latitude.
We have, indeed, had winter and summer in delightful
contact. One day oppressively hot-the next as cold as
if the sun had been instantaneously annihilated. What
philosophy can explain such enigmatical phenomena, or
build up a meteorological theory worthy of this most
enlightened and system-making generation? Do heat
and cold travel by steam or by railroads, or by any
other modern improvements in esse or in posse?  What
is the reforming world coming to? A few more mortal
inventions will convert our lovely planet into a blazing
comet, or into a globe of ice-and we shall be all burnt
up or frozen into statues-to be criticised and questioned
* Printed in the Nashville Herald, January 31, 1832, over the
signature of An Old Field Pedagogue.
(626)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.:627
secundum artem  by the Cuviers and Bucklands and
Lyells of a future creation.
What think you, courteous Bostonian, of twenty
degrees below zero, here in Nashville, forty miles nearer
the equator than sultry Algiers?  Nashville is in latitude 360~ 10' North, and Algiers 360 49'. The weather
of January up to the 24th, was mild enough: and a few
days rather too warm. On the 18th, for example, the
mercury in Fahrenheit rose to 72 degrees, and we began
to think of gardening. On the 24th, however, in the
afternoon, it began to snow and to blow furiously. The
night was pinching. At daylight of the 25th, the thermometer stood at four degrees below zero-at 9 o'clock
at five below —and during the day the maximum of its
rise was only to one above zero. This was the coldest
average day we ever experienced anywhere. We were
nearly frozen in riding a quarter of a mile on horseback
-though well-equipped with all manner of orthodox
defensibles. And our juvenile greeklings looked like
the very personification of vox faucibus icesit: and we
could not find in our hearts to scold them for not
threading the mazes of Euclid or Euripides.  Even
Busby or Parr would have become gentle and torpid
under such an influence. By-the-way, Old Nick was a
fool, or he would have made Job a schoolmaster-and
then, if he had not triumphed, we are no conjurers.
The morning of the 26th arrived-and lo, the thermometer stood at 18 degrees below zero at sunrise!
And that our accuracy may not be questioned, we have
received accounts from sundry persons residing within a




628    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
range of thirty miles around us, stating the thermome.
ter to have been 16, 17, 18, 19, and even 20 degrees
below zero. We pledge our veracity to the whole world
and to all'posterity that the facts are precisely as we
announce them. On the 27th the mercury was, at daylight, twelve degrees below zero, as observed by us, and
ten below as reported by others. On the morning of
the 28th it was two above zero. About noon it began
to snow again. And it is snowing still, in real Vermont
style, while we are writing —that is to say, at half-past
eight o'clock in the evening of this same 28th of January, 1832. How deep the snow will be to-morrow we
cannot certainly tell, but we venture a rough guess that
it will be about three feet seven inches or thereby, as the
Scotch phrase it.
During the previous month of December, it will be
remembered that the mercury was, several times, two or
three degrees below zero, and that on the morning of the
16th it was 14 below. We had then about 25 days of
uninterrupted Iceland weather-with snow ten inches
deep and good sleighing for two weeks. Twenty degrees
below zero would be considered an extraordinary affair,
and would cause a wonderful sensation even at St.
Petersburg.
It is remarkable that the winters of 1740, 1780, and
1820 were the coldest ever known in our country.
During each, the bay and other waters about the City
of New York were completely frozen over, and admitted
of all sorts of land travelling. Of the two former we
have often heard our fathers and grandfathers speak as




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    629
the hard winters. Of the last, (1820-21,) our own recollections are sufficiently vivid. Perhaps the knowing ones
may make something out of this cycle of 40 years-let
them try.
That our winters are gradually becoming milder, and
that our climate is ameliorating, we utterly disbelieve.
The clearing of our, dense forests will render the seasons
more inclement and uncertain. Our own experience
satisfies us that the cold is greater on this side of the
mountains than in the corresponding parallels of latitude
along the Atlantic coast.
Tennessee is most unfortunately situated. It is liable
to all possible changes and extremes, —to late frosts in
spring and to early frosts in autumn; to blasting heats
by day and to chilling damps by night; to every form
and type of the torrid and frigid zones at all times and
seasons. Nothing here ever reaches perfection..We
have no good fruits —no good melons-no good sweet
potatoes (nor Irish either) —no good wheat, beef,
mutton, fish, fowl or venison —no good garden vegetables - no good butter, cheese or pumpkin pies,.nothing but cotton, tobacco, corn, whisky, negroes and
swine, and these not worth the growing. Everything
degenerates in Tennessee. Doctors are made by guess
(anatomical dissection is a penitentiary offence) — lawyers by magic-parsons by inspiration-legislators by
grog-merchants by mammon-fariners by necessityeditors and schoolmasters by St. Nicholas, to do penance
for the sins of their youth-mechanics are too cunning
to live amongst us. We cannot naturalize a shoemaker




630    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
or a tailor. We import our ploughs and saddle-bags.
We send to Ehgland or Barbary for our horses —and to
Mexico for our asses (a work of supererogation in all
conscience.) — We get our notions from the Yankees —
our fashions from travelling milliners and pedlarsour champagne from Newark-our flints, clocks and
nutmegs from Connecticut. Our colleges and schools are
like fires kindled upon icebergs-their light is scarcely
visible before they are extinguished.
All the world here is migratory and fitful and chaotic,
like the climate. We have players, buffoons, jugglers,
rope-dancers, harlequins, giants, pigmies, caravans of
wild beasts, circus-riders, fiddlers, tumblers, fire-eaters,
steam-doctors; picture-venders, tooth-makers, panaceists
-all sorts of lions, stars, showmen, lecturers, teachers
and holders-forth —but they are birds of passage-they
pocket our cash, and then are off by the first steamer.We are fleeced by all the charlatanry and necromancy
and impudence and craft and sciolism and knavery and
cockneyism which can muster the locomotive ability to
reach this most gullible, tropical, polar, nondescript, and
uniformly variable territory of ours, whereof Nashville
is, and ever will be, the splendid, golden, august, munificent, refined, literary, freezing and broiling metropolis.
AN OLD FIELD PEDAGOGUE.
P. S.-Monday, 30th. We were a little out in our
guess about the snow-storm on Saturday evening. The
snow was precisely five inches deep yesterday morning,
and the thermometer at 30 degrees above zero.




NASHVILLE, BY A KENTUCKIAN.*
[NASHVILLE, JANUARY 12, 1832.]
I AM, Mr. Editor, a citizen of a remote part of Kentucky, and have hitherto enjoyed but slender means of
knowing much about Tennessee.  Indeed, my chief
information has been derived from the common school
geographies, and from a few occasional notices in the
Kentucky papers. Business having recently called me
to the South, I have spent about six weeks in Nashville
and its vicinity. I need not attempt to describe to you
all the surprise which I felt at the first sight of your
beautiful city, and the many interesting objects which
meet the stranger's eye at every turn. We, in Kentucky, have been so long in the habit of regarding Tennessee as a kind of semi-barbarous, illiterate, outlandish
region, that I could scarcely credit the testimony of my
senses, when I everywhere beheld unequivocal proofs
and monuments of superior intelligence and cultivated
taste. Can this, thought I, be the metropolis of an
ignorant, wild, rowdy race of adventurers, who have not
yet mastered'the first elements of civilization?
But my astonishment was at its height, when, after
a week's observation, I discovered that you possess a
* Printed in the Nashville Republican, January 12, 1832. N.B.
The "laudatory reviews" referred to were written by myself.
(631)




632    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
really first rate university. I had some difficulty, I
acknowledge, in making this discovery —or rather the
discovery was owing to mere accident. For no person
during the progress of my inquiries, ever hinted that
such an institution existed among them. The bridge,
the theatre, the churches, the market, the penitentiary,
the steamboats, the courthouse, the hotels, the academy,
the warehouses-were eagerly pointed out, and sometimes, with no little ostentation, by the worthy citizens
with whom I happened to converse.  But the university was never mentioned or alluded to. I stumbled
upon it in the manner following.
In one of my usual morning rambles, without any
other object in view than to see what was to be seen, I
kept along Market Street until I ascended a hill of considerable elevation, half-a-mile distant perhaps from the
public square, where my attention was presently arrested
by the appearance of a number of well-dressed youths
about the doors of a large brick edifice, and by sundry
other indications which bespoke an establishment totally
different from anything which I had been prepared to
anticipate in that quarter.   Without ceremony, I
marched into the yard and mingled with the youths
aforesaid, who, I soon learned, had just come out of
their breakfast-room, and were in fact students of a
university! They were perfectly polite, and seemed
pleased to gratify my curiosity in every particular. In
short, I examined the whole premises-was introduced
to the professors-attended the lectures and recitations
-spent an hour in the laboratory —looked at the




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    633
splendid apparatus, cabinets of mineralogy and natural
history, library, etc. Returning to my hotel in the
evening, I began to expatiate on the extraordinary
advantages thus placed within reach of the youth of
your-city; when, to my utter amazement, no one of the
large company present seemed to comprehend the scope
of my remarks. That there was some sort of a school
on College Hill, they did appear to admit-but of its
nature and objects, of its fixtures and teachers, of its
endowments and pretensions, they were as ignorant as
I had myself been until within a few hours before. I
have frequently since taken occasion to visit the college,
and have become intimately acquainted with its arrangements, discipline, modes of instruction, and provisions of
every kind for the improvement of its gentlemanly
pupils. On the whole, I must in candour declare that
I never was before so thoroughly satisfied with any
similar establishment-and I have had opportunities of
making tolerably fair comparisons.  I have studied on
the spot the character of the most celebrated Eastern
colleges, and I flatter myself that I am neither a partial
nor an incompetent judge.
My object however, in this hasty communication, is
not to laud your college, but to inquire why it is so little
known here at home-in Nashville-and in the country
around.  Can it be that the people are indifferent to
education, or hostile to their own university? Have its
patrons and friends ever taken the trouble to proclaim
its merits to the people, and to excite their sympathies
in its behalf? Do its officers never appear before the




6334    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
public as speakers?  Do they deliver no Inaugural or
Baccalaureate addresses —no introductory lectures —no
colonization, temperance or Bible society speeches? If
they do, are their pieces published and dispersed far and
wide among the people? Now, in Kentucky, every
public address of a college instructor appears forthwith
in print as matter of course, and may be found in every
cottage in the commonwealth.  To give one example.
The Inaugural Address of the late President of Transylvania University was published not only in pamphlet
form, but in every journal and newspaper, whether
political, religious, literary or scientific, in Lexington,
and I believe throughout the State. It was thence
copied into many papers in the adjacent States: and I
recollect to have been informed at the time that it was
published entire in at least one of the Nashville gazettes.
The same course is pursued in regard to the introductory
lectures of our medical professors-and thus everybody
becomes acquainted with their talents, principles and
literary qualifications. I have seen, within a few days
past, the most laudatory reviews of a Lexington "introductory," in your City papers,-while not one of them
contained a syllable about your own excellent university.
Your professors must either be culpably silent, or their
productions must be deemed by your critical sages utterly
worthless, or they must be singularly modest, or somebody must be at fault that nothing from their pens
should ever reach the public eye. I tell you, Mr.
Editor, that if the Tennesseeans are like the Ken



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    635
tuckians, their college will never assume its proper rank,
until the newspaper press shall be fully enlisted in the
cause, and its officers be made through it to speak to all
the people. Had I depended on your citizens for my
knowledge of the Nashville University, I should have
gone home without even dreaming that it could possibly
be equal to an ordinary Kentucky grammar schoolperhaps even without having heard of its existence! I
now leave you, resolved to send my own sons to be educated here, in preference to any other college in the
Union.
A KENTUCKIAN.




A HINT TO THIE EASTERNS.*
[JANUARY 17, 1882.]
IN the November number of the "Monthly American
Journal of Geology and Natural Science," there occurs,
at the conclusion of an elaborate article, the following
remarkable passage, —"And whilst geology and other
branches.of natural history are cherished and taught
in every public institutioni, devoted to education, in
Europe; there is not, as far as we are informed-with
one exception-an officiating professor of these attractive and useful branches of knowledge, in any of the
universities or colleges of this country."
With about equal propriety might one of our sapient
backwoodsmen, who had never learned better, affirm
that, as far as he had been informed, there is not, in the
whole world, a city equal in size and magnificence to
Nashville! What right has any man to assert in print,
what is or what is not, in relation to any province or
subject, about which he is not well informed? Because
the Journal does not happen to know of more than one
college where geology is taught, it proclaims, that this
and the kindred sciences are neglected in all the other
literary institutions of our republic.  Is such logic inculcated in the Novum Organum of Bacon, or in the ponderous folios of the Stagyrite? I acquit the writer of
* Printed in the Nashville Republican, January 17, 1832.
(636)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    637
any design to misrepresent facts:-he has doubtless
sinned through sheer ignorance. But then it was his
duty to have made himself acquainted with the actual
condition of the American colleges, before he undertook
to enlighten the world on the subject.
I beg to apprise the writer and the Eastern skeptics
generally, that "geology and other branches of natural
history are cherished and taught, by an officiating professor of these attractive and useful branches of knowledge," in the University of Nashville -situate, lying
and being in the State of Tennessee, and not far from
the 36th degree of northern latitude. For the precise
locality, I refer him to his favourite Tanner. In this
institution, the learned and accomplished naturalist,
Dr. G. Troost, is, and has been for several years past,
the faithful, laborious and devoted professor of geology,
mineralogy and natural history. Dr. Troost was a pupil
of the celebrated Abbe Hauy of Paris, and his superior
cannot be found on this continent.  His cabinet of
minerals contains at least ten thousand specimens —
and is not, for any useful purpose, inferior to the Gibbs
collection belonging to the college, which we presume to
have been excepted in the sweeping flourish already cited.
It is our misfortune to live west of the mountains,
where, it is taken for granted, ignorance and barbarism
are destined to hold universal and perpetual sway.
Pray, Mr. Editor, do tell the Philadelphians and Bostonians and Londoners, that we are not all "ganderpullers," nor "'gougers," nor "regulators," nor "half-horse
and half-alligator." —That some of us geologize, and




638    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
botanize, and read Greek, and talk French, and write
poetry, and spout political economy.-That we receive,
by every mail, loads of Scotch, English, French and
Eastern periodicals of all sorts and upon all manner of
subjects-scientific, literary, political, religious, miscellaneous. -And do tell Mr. Walsh in particular, that I
have read the whole twelve volumes of the "Diplomatic
Correspondence of the American Revolution," edited by
Mr. Sparks; and that I very heartily approve of his
late review of the same-as also his seasonable article
on the manufacture of silk. This Quarterly, by-theway, is worthy of all praise.
I moreover entertain a favourable opinion, on the
whole, of the Journal of Geology, and cheerfully recommend it to the patronage of' our liberal and enlightened
citizens. Though I most religiously believe we could
get up a much better one here in Nashville, without the
least assistance from abroad.
When I read, some time ago, Mr. Journal's translation
of Cicero's recently discovered treatise De Republica, I
confess, I formed no very flattering estimate of his
talents or of his knowledge either of Latin or English.
But then, he was out of his element. He looks better
among the mastodons and buffaloes and rattlesnakes
and quartze and hornblende and anthracite with which
he is now principally conversant. May he live a thousand years in peace, health and prosperity-and have
a successful voyage to the golden metropolis of Captain
Symmes' central geological elysium!
TUCKAHOE.




PRINTERS' BLUNDERS.*
[JANUARY 18, 1832.]
ONE of the little miseries to which the poor scribblers
for public journals are necessarily subjected, is the mortification of seeing their pieces inaccurately printed. This
is oftentimes owing, no doubt, to the illegible chirography
of the contributors themselves. The compositor is compelled to guess at the writer's meaning; and he is not to
be blamed if he should not always be successful in his
guesses. When I am made, therefore, to use a word
which I had not written, I very charitably infer that
the fault was in my unlucky manuscript; and lament
that I had not been duly drilled in the* Carstarian
system. But when a sentence or a line is altogether
omitted or misplaced, or when the punctuation and
orthography are defective or erroneous, I charge the
fault to the compositor or proof-reader, or to somebody
whose business it was to have prevented it. I do not
mean, on the present occasion, to specify all my own
particular grievances on this score-though I might
exhibit a pretty formidable list. The Nashville editors
have been so uniformly courteous and indulgent, and
they are so well skilled in all the niceties of authorship
* Printed in the Nashville Herald, January 18, 1832.
VOL. I. -45                             (639)




640    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
and typography, that I should be both ungrateful and
hypercritical, were I to apply the least censure to them
in their official capacity. They cannot look after everything, nor be responsible for the absolute mechanical
perfection of every paragraph which appears in their
papers.
Orthography, however, is one of the few arts to which
my studious and critical attention has been directed for
many long years past; and although my proficiency may
not have equalled my zeal, I have nevertheless advanced
so far into its mazy intricacies as to be extremely sensitive to every known violation of its acknowledged
canons. Where words admit of two modes of spelling,
I follow usage in preference to the dictionary.. Thus, I
write judgment, public, etc. instead of judgement, publick, etc. Birth often occurs in books, and in some
dictionaries, for berth, a room or sleeping-place in a ship.
But where only one mode obtains, I hold it to be unpardonable to depart from it. Under this last head, I
complain that my orthography has been sadly misrepresented to the public eye on sundry occasions and in
divers excellent periodicals.
Thus, in defiance of rule and usage and Johnson and
Walker and Webster'and my own most trustworthy
manuscript, I have been made to say in print, decypher
instead of decipher —indivisable instead of indivisibleetherial for ethereal-indispensible for indispensable- outporing for outpouring-incontestible for incontestablemaintainance for maintenance-untill for until-bigotted
for bigoted-defered for deferred-preventative for preven



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    641
tive-cotemporary for contemporary-L. L. D. for LL.D.
— feign for fain-accepted for excepted-wrapt for raptstatute for statue-principle for principal —affect for effect
— cannon for canon-ingenius for ingenuous-diverse for
divers-aye for ay —practice for practise: and vice versa
in reference to several of the last mentioned.
In one of my recent felicitous inspirations, I found
intuitively substituted for instinctively-and vanished for
evanished. I was doubtful whether the first was an editorial correction, or a compositorial blunder, or whether
it was to be debited to my unreadable hieroglyphics.
The last, I suspect, must have arisen from a malicious
combination among the corps to exclude it altogether
from their columns-because the said evanish had been,
in like manner, cashiered twice before. Now the precise
distinction between evanish and vanish cannot be toldit must be' felt. It is as. great, however, as between
champagne and small beer.
A late number of the National Banner contained some
very judicious and orthodox remarks on orthography;
and had the editor reached the whole of my case, I
should have withheld this imperfect account of my
typographical calamities. I was glad to see depository
and depositary, guarantee and guaranty, impassable and
impassible, etc. among his specifications-as they are very
generally confounded and misused.
Will you have the goodness, Mr. Editor, to give some
worthy gentlemen a hint about such current vulgarisms
as-   done it for I did it- 1 had went or underwent for I
had gone or undergone —I plead for I pleaded-he arriv
VOL. II. —41




-642    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
for he arrived-the company detained for remained-he
lays in bed for he lies in bed —he sets at table for he sitsand a score or two more -besides Americanisms and
provincialisms innumerable?
F.G. F.
P. S.-I do not adopt the peculiar orthography or
orthoepy of'Dr. Webster, except in a few obvious cases.
His- vocabulary and definitions are invaluable. He has,
however, sanctioned the use of some unnecessary and
inelegant neologisms — as to progress, lengthy, etc.
Modern English authority, it is true, may be cited for
these and similar innovations. But no additions or
changes ought to be tolerated, which do not manifestly
improve or enrich the language.




HORRID ROBBERY AND MURDER.*
[JANUARY, 1832.]
I HAVE read many a tale of wo, and wept over a
thousand and one horrifying accounts of mortal man's
dreadful deeds of darkness and barbarity-but neverno never-have I met with anything parallel to the circumstantial and deliberate villany which has been
recently perpetrated in the midst of this enlightened,
hospitable, virtuous and benevolent community.  Indeed, I cannot find, within the vast compass of my
truly opulent and exhaustless vocabulary, words of
adequate potency to portray the frightful features of
the iniquitous, cruel and monstrous outrage which it
has become my melancholy duty to record. I shudder
and quake in every limb and throughout my entire
corporeal establishment, at the bare thought of essaying
the dismal development of such unheard of wrongs.
But murder will out-and if I do not expose the whole
nefarious transaction, it will find a tongue and speak for
itself.
In order to conduct the courteous reader kindly
and gently to the pith and marrow-to the very raw* Printed in the Nashville Herald, January, 1832.
(643)




644    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
head and bloody-bones —of my most awful tragedy-I
will calmly premise a few simple truisms by way of
preparation. I do not wish to alarm or to distress him
prematurely, or to agitate his nervous system too intensely at the threshold. He will require all his native
fortitude and all the accumulated stores of philosophy
and experience, to enable him to maintain his intellectual balance, when fairly ushered into the full presence
of majestic truth and eloquent fact.
TIME then is money-it is an estate-it is honour-it
is science-it is history-it is poetry-it is eloquenceit is empire it is fame-it is life-it is immortality.
Rob a man of his time, and what do you leave him?
Had Homer or Demosthenes or Tully or Caesar or Milton
or Washington been cheated out of ten, twenty or thirty
years of their time-what would they have been? Or
where would now be the proud memorials of their existence? Time to them, as it is to all men, was everything. Happily for their fair fame, some modern timekilling contrivances were then unknown. Now here
is multum in parvo for sage cogitation and grave calculation. I suggest these brief hints in limnine, and
leave them to be followed out in all their bearings and
applications, as the exordium and the key to the deplorable case which is the present matter of lamentation
and complaint.
I have been cozened, defrauded, bamboozled and
swindled out of more precious time, by all sorts of honest
men and rogues, than would have sufficed a master
genius, like myself, to compose the Iliad or Paradise




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    645
Lost, or to have liberated the Poles or conquered China.
I will specify but one mode, among the many, by which
this irreparable mischief has been inflicted. I belong to
sundry companies, clubs, corporations, societies, boards
and institutions-the members of which are required to
meet for the gratuitous transaction of business at certain
places and at stated hours. Of course, I am always punctually at my post —but there I must wait, and wait, and
wait in vain, for a quorum. Another meeting must be
called in consequence-and, for the like failure, another,
-and perhaps another. Thus am I compelled to go
four times, and to waste two or three hours each time,
in order to do the business of half an hour! And when
a quorum do get together, it is usually at least an hour
after the time appointed —and this again I must lose.
From this one cause I have lost, on an average,
three hours a week, for the last seven years —which
is 156 hours a year, or 1092 hours in seven years —
which, at twelve working hours a day, amounts to 91
days. If to this one item be added all other similar
losses occasioned by'the want of punctuality in others
in regard to the every day concerns of life —the
sum total could not be less than one, year in seven!
So much of my life has been nullified —destroyedannihilated.
I have been robbed of all the money which I might
have earned in'that time-of all the knowledge which I
might have acquired —of all the great and good and
wonderful things which I might have achieved in that
time. In a word, my life has been thus much curtailed.




646    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
I have been murdered by inches, and am still being
murdered-I am stretched upon the rack-am burning
at the stake-starving in a dungeon-and thus have
been for years and years and years-so that I have
scarcely found leisure for anything more than a sorry
newspaper paragraph-for which I always get more
kicks than coppers.
F. G. F.




A PRODIGIOUS PREDICTION.*
HAPPENING the other day to step into Decker and
Dyer's to look at the papers and pick up the news, and
drink a glass of-I mean Adam's ale —I am a temperance man-my attention was presently arrested by the
conversation of two or three of our most eminent sages
upon the tariff. As I sat by the fire (it was the snowy
Tuesday) warming my toes and musing over the last
telegraph, (I am staunch for Jackson, and go the whole
quadruped, as Major Noah has it,) I heard sundry grave
tirades and pathetic lamentations against and concerning
this same most judicious and truly American tariff. As
usual, my unlucky tongue soon got the better of my
discretion, and began, without due reverence for my
masters, to utter an off-hand lecture upon political
economy. Political economy, by-the-way, is my hobbyand I intend to enlighten or rather to astonish the
natives on this theme, at the lyceum, some time or
other. But let that pass.
"Sir," said I, addressing the last speaker, "I'have
bestowed a good deal of attention upon this subject' —
this I premised modestly, and as an apology for my
apparent presumption —" and I venture to predict that,
before ten years, the cotton planters will be more clam* Printed in the Nashville Herald, December 15, 1831.
(647)




648    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
orous for a tariff to protect their staple commodity than
the Yankees themselves now are" —and I urged some
ponderous reasons why and wherefore.
"Faith, (replied my hero,) and I have studied the
subject too, and know all about it, and you are a blockhead, and therefore may as well hang up your whistle."
This was a knock-me-down syllogism. And so I was
silenced, dumbfounded, and put hors de combat, in a trice,
as I deserved. After gathering up my scattered brains as
well as I could, I sat quietly as a listener again-a docile
learner, as befitted me, at the feet of these accomplished
Gamaliels. Having been, for some twenty years past, a
diligent, though somewhat plodding (modesty again)
student in the school of Smith, Malthus, Ricardo and
Say, I tried to console myself for the untoward logical
drubbing by soberly realizing the extraordinary privilege of being thus casually within hearing of the living
and present oracles of their most curious and not very
comprehensible science. I was therefore all ear-after
the gentle hint above recited-which, by-the-way, was
pretty much such a hint as Paddy got when he was
kicked down stairs.
As I had no note-book at hand to keep a running
record of the pithy sentences and orthodox dicta which
were put forth on the occasion, and as my memory,
which is but treacherous, at best, was not a little discomfiuzzled at that particular conjuncture, I may be unable
to do justice to the learned gentleman as a reporter, and
must therefore move onward or back out, as best I can,
in my own muddy fashion.




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    649
Among other wmemzoralica, foreign commerce was lauded
sky high, as the principal source of national and individutll
wealth. Inte'ralia, Poland was instanced to prove that
domestic industry, (meaning domestic manufactures,)
without an  extended foreign commerce, can never
enrich, but must necessarily impoverish a country.
Now I (egotism is abominable) had always opined that
Poland was pretty tolerably poor, because she was
merely an agricultural, and not a manufacturing country. And that the very means of insuring wealth to
the Poles (after giving them liberty) would be to introduce the mechanical arts among them, and to induce
them  to manufacture at 7komie the raw material witll
which their fine territory abounds, instead of depending
on distant nations for most of the comforts and luxuries
of life-and for which they have nothing to give in
exchange but wheat: — an article too cheap and abundant to be worth growing for a foreign market.  Fifty
bushels of wheat would not procure a Warsovian exquisite a fashionable coat from London or Paris.
I have learned (learning is a humbug) from history
and geography and political economy (all, me?niserem!)
and a. little travelling about in the world (I have been to
Boston) with my eyes wide open, that a purely agricultural people are always comparatively poor —except
(exceltio probat regi1ulam) when and where they happen
to monopolize particular agricultural products, as was once
the case with tobacco (see King James' Counterblast) in
Virginia-and as is the case, to some extent, with rice,
cotton, sugar and coffee in the West Indies and in our




650    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Southern States. This too is the sole reason why slaves
are profitable in such countries. Destroy the monopoly,
and slavery cannot exist. The system would be too
expensive. Could cotton, rice, sugar and coffee be now
grown in Great Britain, France and New England, as
well as in Jamaica, Georgia and LouiSiana, not a slave
would be worth the keeping five years hence. Again,
were Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to enjoy a
monopoly of wheat, so that the rest of the Union and
half of Europe should be dependent on those States for
their bread, then slaves would be more profitable there
than they now are in any part of the world
Now, cotton may be grown over half the surface of
our globe, and in Peru besides-and when it shall be
cultivated byfreemen (ecce signum, in Liberia) anywhere
extensively, so as to compete in the market with our
Southern cotton, I guess we shall soon be as poor as
Poland, notwithstanding our foreign commerce-unless
we shall, in the mean time, discover some other agricultural rarity of general demand, and peculiar to our own
region, or unless we become manufacturers for ourselves.
That the ill-starred tariff has a tendency to hasten
the crisis-that is, to stimulate the growth of cotton in
other countries, may be true enough. But then, the
mischief is done.  The malign influence is abroad.
The impulse has been given, and it is felt. The dreadful work has commenced. A repeal of the tariff tomorrow would neither arrest nor retard the mighty revolution which is going forward in this respect. All we
can now hope for, is the continued monopoly of the




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.   651
home market- the protection, namely, of our cotton
against foreign competition at the very doors of our own
manufacturers.
The Yankees are shrewd fellows. They have learned
how to manufacture cotton cloths cheaply and cleverly:
and they are now spering about every nook and corner
of our little planet, and perhaps of the moon to boot, to
see where they can get the raw material at less price
than our negroes furnish it.  Then, "down with the
tariff," will be the Yankee cry: -and what will the
Southerns respond?
But here I must stop to breathe a moment-though
but just fairly landed in medias res.
F.G. F.




REMINISCENSES
OF
REV. SAMUEL STANHOPE SMITH, D.D., LL.D.
A LETTER TO REV. DR. WM. B. SPRAGUE.*
NASHVILLE, February 2, 1848.
MY DEAR SIR:
You request me to communicate my impressions of
the character of the late President Smith. I suppose
you do not expect me to write' an obituary notice or
biographical sketch of this eminent person, nor yet a
review of his several publications. What you ask for,
if I mistake not, is my own individual estimate of the
man, as spontaneously formed during the period of my
personal intercourse with him.  This, too, notwithstanding  the elaborate  "Memoir of his Life  and
Writings" prefixed to an edition of his posthumous
sermons, which appeared in 1821, and which has probably left little or nothing to be told.  Rather, therefore, in compliance with the wishes of a friend, than
with a hope of furnishing any additional matter of
interest or moment, I am willing to make the attempt
to revive and record some desultory reminiscenses of
my venerated instructor.
When I first became acquainted with Dr. Smith, he
* Republished, by permission, from the Annals of the American
Pulpit, for which it was originally prepared.
(652)




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    653
had already attained the summit of his well-earned
celebrity. Throughout the Middle and Southern States,
he was regarded as the most eloquent and learned divine
among his contemporaries. His reputation as a popular
preacher had been long before established in Virginia,
where Samuel Davies was still remembered by multitudes of his hearers, and while Patrick Henry was yet in
the zenith of his brilliant career. There too he had
founded a flourishing college; and to his sole agency and
influence Hampden Sidney owed its origin and early prosperity. In the midst of his successful labours, as its
principal, and as the pastor of a church in its vicinity, he
had been invited by his Alma Mater to return to the
scene of his youthful studies, and his first essays as a
tutor. He had accepted the invitation, and for years,
first as professor, and afterwards as president, had contributed to elevate the college to a position of the
highest usefulness and respectability.
It was in these auspicious circumstances, —just after
the desolations occasioned by the fire in 1802 had been
repaired,-that I began to attend his instructions, and to
know him as the president.  The opinion of college lads
about men and institutions may be of little value in the
great world; and yet it is oftentimes but the echo of the
public voice, or a somewhat exaggerated expression of
the popular judgment. They are apt to think and
speak of their teachers as they hear others speak of
them. From our childhood, we (the students) had never
heard the Doctor's name pronounced but with praise.
We came to the college, therefore, prepared to look up




654    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
to him as the great man of the age. His superior
talents and accomplishments, as a preacher, scholar,
philosopher and writer were everywhere spoken of and
acknowledged. And we never doubted that he possessed  all the  attributes and  graces which could
dignify and adorn the high station which he filled.
Such were our prepossessions in his favour at the
outset.  And there was no subsequent reaction. He
daily grew in our esteem.  We thought not only that
he was equal to every emergency, but that no other
man could have succeeded so well. He seemed always
to say and to do everything in the happiest manner. In
his various college performances, in the chapel, and in
the recitation room, however brief or unpremeditated, or
by whatever occasion suggested,-as well as in the more
ornate and studied exercises of the pulpit,-he satisfied
every expectation. It seemed natural for him "to put
proper words in proper places," and to select the most
expressive. There was no affectation or mannerism, or
artifice,' or formality, about him. He was simple and
unostentatious, and apparently regardless or forgetful of
himself.  We admired his personal appearance and
deportment. And we always listened to his speech with
pleasure if not with profit. We never questioned his
sincerity and uprightness. We revered him as a faithful
Christian minister, —far above reproach or suspicion.
He was less obnoxious, probably than most other men
in the like office, to the witticisms, and ridicule, and
swaggery, of the disorderly and mischievous portion of
the students. That these should not have been always




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    655
particularly gratified with his discipline, might be presumed. But I never witnessed any attempt to excite a
laugh at his expense, or to play off a trick upon him
in any fashion, or to exhibit him in a ludicrous attitude,
or to caricature any of his remarks or actions. He
never betrayed any foibles, or defects, or peculiarities,
which could serve the purpose either of fun or abuse.
He was the well-bred, courteous gentleman, everywhere,
at all times, in all companies, on all occasions. The
dignity of his bearing, though not repulsive or oppressive,
was uniform and imposing. His very presence would
rebuke, overawe, and silence the most turbulent assemblage of youth that ever met for sport or riot,-during
my time at least.
Instead of reading his written Lectures on Moral
Philosophy, and the Evidences of Christianity, they
were previously placed in the hands of the students, and
carefully studied in manuscript as text-books.  Each
member of the Senior class possessed a copy, —transcribed by himself or some person whom he employed to
do it, or purchased from a predecessor. Questions were
asked upon the subject-matter of the lecture, accompanied or followed by pertinent illustrations and explanations. I have already said enough to show how
we appreciated these familiar instructions.
Of the government of the college at this period of its
greatest prosperity, under President Smith, I can hardly
use language too favourable. It was maintained in rigid
accordance with the spirit and letter of the printed code
of laws, which every student at his matriculation, promVOL. III.-46




656     MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ised to obey. I do not mean that there occurred no
violations of law, or that every transgressor was duly
punished. Such perfection has never been attained in
any school or community, or under any systemni of
government or administration.  It is enough to say that
we all fully believed that if we neglected our duties, or
committed any offence, we should certainly be dealt
with according to our deserts; and that all reasonable
vigilance was exerted, both to prevent and detect every
species of delinquency or disorder. We regarded the
Doctor as a firm, resolute, fearless, and decided man,who would not wink at crime or folly,-but who, nevertheless, cherished towards us the most kindly and
paternal feelings.  My present deliberate opinion is,
that he was one of the ablest and most successful
disciplinarians of any age. I speak of him as he was
in his best days; and these alone ought to testify as to
his capacity and conduct.
Some time after graduation, I returned to Princeton,
when as a tutor in the college, and student of theology,
(from 1807 to 1810,) I became more intimately acquainted with Dr. Smith: and again, from  his resignation in 1812 to his decease in 1819, my intercourse
with him continued without interruption. Dr. Smith
officiated as Professor of Theology, during the whole
period of his presidency, with the exception of two
or three years, (from 1803 to 1806,) when that chair
was occupied by the Rev. Henry Kollock, D.D. The
"Divinity Class" consisted, in my time, of some eight
or ten young men, including the College Tutors,-to




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    657
whose instruction he devoted two evenings of the week.
He generally read a portion of his Lectures or notes as
he called them, and then dilated upon the topics, in a
free colloquial style, and always much to our edification.
He directed our course of reading, heard our essays, and
suggested subjects for investigation, dissertation, or oral
disputation.  The course included systematic Theology,
ecclesiastical history and polity, pastoral duties, the
Bible, and a large range in the fields of classic and
general literature. He also attended and presided over
an association, composed of the above and other resident
graduates, who used to meet once a week for mutual
improvement. This was a kind of philosophical as well
as debating'society. Here too, the learned President in
exhibiting the pro and con of controversy, in disentangling a knotty question, in distinguishing the real and
practical from the cloudy and incomprehensible, in exposing error and sophistry, in sustaining truth and sound
logic, or in "summing up,"-was the "great master,"and the liberal umpire in all our wordy battles.
It will be seen from what has been said, that he must
have been a working man. The stated preacher and
pastor, the indefatigable teacher, (of sciences, too,
usually distributed among several Professors,) the author
of his own text-books and of not a few others, the
responsible Head and Governor of a College, which he
had twice re-edified, the regular attendant and a most
efficient member of the judicatories of the Church
which he loved,-and more frequently invited or constrained to the performance of special and honourable
VOL. III. -42




658    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
services than any of his contemporaries, — verily he
seldom could have laid aside his "harness" or known
the comfort of repose.
Of his published works, though numerous and diversified, I shall: take no further notice than to add the
remark that few men, in any situation, have written so
much and so well. These, however, do not fairly portray the man. Of their literary merit the critical reader
will judge for himself. His philosophy and biblical
exegesis, in some particulars, may be questioned or disallowed; but all will concede to him candour, honesty,
habitual reverence for truth and righteousness, and great
ability in the exposition and defense of his theories. He
was a diligent, persevering student through life. He
knew how to employ; usefully every leisure moment with
pen or book. He was conversant with the literature,
science, philosophy, and politics, of ancient and modern
times.  He was a classical scholar in the highest and
best acceptation of the phrase.  He was master, not
merely of the mechanism and grammar of the Greek
and Latin languages, but was deeply imbued with the
spirit of the great authors. His delicate and cultivated
taste enabled him to discriminate and to relish the finest
and most exquisitely wrought passages, as well as the
more obvious beauties and sublimities, of the poet and
the orator. He wrote and conversed in Latin with great
facility, and was a first rate prosodist. In these accomplishments I have rarely met his equal.
He was not a recluse. His varied duties, public and
professional, required him  to be much abroad in the




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    659
world, and to mingle with all sorts and classes of people.
His house was frequented by the good, the great, the
wise, the intelligent; and humble merit was always
welcome at his board and fireside. He was not ambitious, except in the apostolic sense. Instead of any
leaning to covetousness, the tendency of his benevolent
nature was rather to the opposite extreme. He was free
from envy, and jealousy, and resentment.  Of these I
could never detect in him the slightest indication. He
had enemies, and he knew them. He was often misrepresented, and sometimes grossly slandered.  But he
uttered no words of complaint, or anger, or unkindness.
I believe he forgave them and prayed for them. He
was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. He
appeared incapable of deception, or intrigue, or crafty
management, for any purpose. He was no bigot or dog.
matist.  He cheerfully conceded to others the same
liberty, with all the rights of conscience and judgment,
which he claimed for himself. He would defend his own
creed or opinions without arrogance or bitterness. He
could demolish error or heresy, without abusing or
denouncing men, or sects, or parties.
In the General Assembly, Synod, and Presbytery, of
his Church, he was confessedly primus inter pares,-or
at least second to none, —if report and tradition may be.
credited. But as my observation did not extend to
these, I shall attempt no description. There was a wide
difference in the character of his eloquence, between his
early and later years. I happened, while on a visit to




660    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
Virginia in 1810, to meet with several elderly persons
who had heard him preach, when a young man. They
spoke of him as an impassioned orator,-like Whitefield
or their own Davies and Henry. They spoke, too, of
his patriotic speeches at the beginning of the Revolution, and of their marvellous effect upon the people.
Now I never witnessed anything of this sort. He had
long before my day been disabled for such efforts. In
the pulpit, when I heard him, he was comparatively
calm and subdued in manner, —though the most dignified, graceful and impressive of preachers.
At the age of sixty-two, he was compelled, by ill
health, to relinquish all public employments. During
the remaining seven years he lived in retirement.
This was perhaps the most beautiful and instructive
period of his life. It often looms up before me like a
bright, blessed, glorious vision, —such as we dream of,
but never realize. It seemed as though all the Christian
graces and virtues, freed from every human imperfection, had now clustered around him, and blended together, like the colors of the rainbow, into a living form
of chastened, hallowed, radiant loveliness.
His person, presence, and carriage were so remarkable
that he never entered the village church or college
chapel, or walked the streets, or appeared in any
company, without arresting attention, or creating a
sensation, not of surprise or wonder, but of pleasing,
grateful admiration, —a kind of involuntary emotion
and homage of the heart-a tribute as cordially yielded




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    661
as it was richly deserved. In a word, the venerable
figure, the saintly aspect, the benignant smile, the
ethereal spirit, the tranquil resignation, the humble
faith, the cheerful temper, the habitual meekness, the
generous sympathy, the comprehensive charity, the
modest unpretending gentleness of his whole manner,
-all proclaimed the mature and gifted Christian, ready
to depart, and calmly expecting his final translation to a
more congenial world.
To the last, this good man continued accessible and
attractive to all; and he well knew how to engage in
pleasant and profitable conversation with persons of
every variety of age, rank, and condition. Always the
Christian gentleman, it was impossible for him to make
an approach towards levity or coarseness, in word or act.
I never heard from his lips an anecdote or allusion, a
hint or expression, which might not have been whispered
in seraph's ears. This innate purity or acquired sense
of propriety, I think, was peculiar and characteristic.
It certainly is not always prominent even among divines.
He took great interest in the youthful candidates for
the ministry.  He delighted much in their society.
His little parlour was often filled with them. And
then, what words of wisdom, of kindness, of encouragement, of counsel,-and the prayer! —for he always
concluded these meetings with prayer. The prayer of
the dying patriarch,-of the ascending prophet!-for
such to us he seemed. Thus blandly and peacefully
passed away the latter years of the veteran invalid




662    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
soldier of the cross, — doing what he could, —still, as
ever, faithful to his vows, and zealous in his Master's
service. If he had faults, I saw them not; or if I did,
I have long since forgotten them. Such are my recollections of Dr. Smith.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
PHILIP LINDSLEY.




THOUGHTS ON SLAVERY.
AN EXTRACT.
[THE following passage is the one to which reference is made on page
574 of the present volume, as containing the author's earlier views on
American Slavery. It formed a part of his discourse from Gal. i. 10,
on leaving Princeton in 1824, and was published at the time in
pamphlet form at the request of the Senior Class of the College of
New Jersey, accompanied by an Appendix, explaining more fully his
position. As, however, the whole passage was omitted in the author's
carefully revised manuscript copy of the. discourse, written long after.
ward at New Albany, it was thought best, in republishing the discourse
in the second volume of his Works, to follow the manuscript rather than
the printed copy. Hence the sermon now appears without the passage.
But, inasmuch as the passage is a remarkable one, as showing the
author's views at that early period, and inasmuch as he had himself
once committed it to the press, it has been thought every way appropriate to insert it, along with the explanatory Appendix, as a separate
article, in this volume of his political and miscellaneous writings.]
Men often overlook  the  claims to  their generosity
which are at hand-near at home —at their very doors
-while they make a show of extraordinary sympathy
and regard for remote objects, about which the public
mind may happen to be greatly excited. They will
give, for instance, to the rescue of the Greeks from
Turkish oppression, while they forget that we retain
in this land of liberty a people as numerous as the
Greeks, in a state of bondage, a hundred-fold more
degrading and miserable than any Mohammedan tyrant
(663)




664    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
ever dreamt of inflicting on his conquered vassals. I
object not to our aiding the Greeks in their noble
struggle for independence and the rights of man. Theirs
is a good cause, and worthy of more substantial support
than all our eloquent speeches have yet procured for it.
But when will Christian charity awake to the tears
and groans and cries and sufferings of the two millions
of wretched Africans, who were dragged from their distant homes by Christian avarice,-not subdued in the
field of battle, and subjected to the usual fate of a conquered people, as were the Greeks,-and who are here
doomed, under Christian masters, to drink the bitterest
cup ever presented to the lips of humanity? The very
tenderest mercies which they experience at our hands,
are cruelty and mockery, compared with the harshest
treatment which the Mussulman has ever shown to a
Christian subject in time of peace. And even in the
tumult and fury of rebellion, have the infidel Turks
been more prompt to destroy and to exterminate, than
are Christians in seasons of insurrection among their
Christian slaves?  How absurd is it for us to volunteer
as knights-errant in the cause of liberty, humanity, and
religion, while the fairest portions of our land are cursed
and blasted with ignorance and depravity and slavery
and cruelty, to which the old world has never furnished
a parallel!
Colonization Societies may do great good both to individuals here, and to Africa and to Hayti. They may do
infinite good, especially to injured Africa. They may
withdraw from us many turbulent, ambitious spirits,



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    665
many lazy, worthless vagabonds, —many who here
would be burdensome or dangerous to the community,
but who may, in a more congenial abode, prove a blessing and an honour to their species. Nay, it is possible
that in time they may succeed in conveying the whole
black population of these Northern States to the land
of their fathers or of their brethren. Heaven prosper
them, therefore, and dispose every well-wisher to his
country to countenance and to aid them! But they will
never touch the tremendous evil which exists, —which is
every day rapidly augmenting,-and which is already
so threatening and appalling in its aspect that few dare
to look it in the face.
Our slaves must be emancipated upon the soil which
they cultivate. There is no alternative. And here they
will be emancipated, either by the fears, the interest, or
the Christian kindness of their oppressors; or, they will,
by violence, wrest the rod from the tyrant's grasp, and
drench in the white man's blood that soil which has so
long been watered by their tears. Two millions of
human beings cannot be removed. They cannot be
kept in perpetual bondage. In twenty years they will
be four millions,-in forty or fifty years, eight millions,
-and so concentrated in particular sections of our
country that one daring effort will break their chains
forever.
Give them Christian instruction,-give them the
Bible, you will say. Good, —give them the Bible, and
teach them to read it. Christians cannot do less. What
a horrible state is that which renders the distribution




666    MISCELLANEOUS. DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
of the Bible hazardous to the peace and welfare of any
community! But so it is. Give the negroes the Bible,
and you virtually charter their freedom. When did the
Bible ever circulate freely and generally among a people
without inspiring them with a love of liberty, and eventually ensuring them liberty? The connection of civil
liberty with religious knowledge is so obvious that it
has long been a hackneyed topic of declamation, in reference to every other people except the African slaves.
To them, indeed, many affect to imagine that the Bible
may be sent to render them more contented with their!
lot, to enable them to endure the driver's lash, to be
insensible to the pang of separation from a husband, a
wife, a parent, or a child, at the bidding of avarice or
caprice; and to hug their chains in passive submission.
As if they were by nature either better than all other
men, or so far inferior to all others as to be incapable of
feeling or appreciating the motives by which they are
actuated.
Here then is a dilemma, rather awkward, indeed, for
an American philanthropist to look at. We must either
keep the negroes in profound ignorance of the Bible, or,
by bestowing it on them, we must contemplate their
eventual emancipation.
Partial experiment-particular cases-prove nothing.
A few individuals, here and there, may, by religious instruction, become the better servants, and, if really pious,
live happily in bondage. But let the Bible shed its
light upon, and unfold its treasures to the whole
coloured population, and an impulse shall be given




MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    667
to the mighty mass which no earthly power can resist
or control. Twenty white men might live very obedient
to their masters' pleasure in Algiers; but twenty thousand, however Christian they might be, would not hesitate to regain their liberty at the hazard of destroying
the whole city, and of burying in its ruins the entire
population. Such, whether right or wrong, is human
nature. If the Bible be expected to achieve such
miracles of passive obedience and non-resistance, why
not send it to the Greeks, to teach them the grace of
patience and submission, instead of furnishing them
with money and arms to spread death and desolation
around them? With what dignity and truth might not
the Turkish despot retort upon Christian freemen their
inconsistency and contradictions!
Our Christian ancestors, with the Bible in every
man's hands, and confessedly the most pious race on
the globe, resisted even to blood, the very first encroachment on their political rights, and to secure them, involved their country in all the horrors of a civil war.
And who has ever blamed them for thus withstanding,
and for ultimately establishing the perfect independence
of their country? Let us beware then of the kind of
logic which we apply to men of like passions with ourselves. Assuredly, the day of retribution is at hand.
It will be a terrible day; unless, by the seasonable intervention of our charities, we avert it.
Here is scope enough for all the charitable wisdom
and enterprise of all our statesmen, philanthropists,
scholars, ministers, and Christians. When shall the




668    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
united energies of American charity and patriotism be
brought to bear upon it with efficiency and success?
The slaves, I repeat, must be free, and will be free
upon the soil which they now inhabit. I have not
hazarded the assertion lightly, nor without having in
mind a plan for the purpose: —but this is not the occasion for its development. My remarks on this fearful
subject have been this day pronounced in a corner, —
where, if they do no good, they can do no harm. I
should not have spoken thus in a slave-holding State.
Prudence, benevolence, would have forbid it. When I
shall have pitched my tent among the wretched sufferers
beyond the mountains, I shall humbly look to Heaven
for direction as to the line of conduct which duty may
require me to pursue.
I have wandered from my subject,-perhaps from my
province,-but I have wandered purposely.
As the author, in the preceding Discourse, has taken
occasion to animadvert, with considerable freedom, upon
the subject of slavery, he begs leave to say, that, at the
time, he had not the most distant idea of publishing his
remarks; and when, upon solicitation, he consented to
the printing of the Discourse, he did not anticipate its
circulation much beyond the limits of the village in
which it was delivered. Since, however, it is possible
a copy or two may find their way to some sections of
our country where the author would regret that his sen



MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.    669
timents or feelings should be misapprehended, or misrepresented, he further adds, that he had no intention
to censure any particular portion of his fellow-citizens
more than another. Modern slavery, with all its evils
and horrors, is the sin of Christendom. As it exists
among us, it originated under the British Government.
It is an evil which we have inherited. It is acknowledged to be an evil, and lamented as such, by all our
citizens. In some places it is felt to a much greater
extent than in others. In several of the British colonies,
it has assumed an aspect the most horrific and portentous.
And it was, probably, rather from its character, as there
presented, that the author received his impressions, than
from what has yet occurred among ourselves. Still, the
injustice, and the danger, and the demoralizing influence
of slavery exist, in awful prominence, in this land of
liberty and Christianity.  Who will deny it?  Nor are
the author's anticipations in regard to the future at all
singular; or more fearful than have been often expressed
by far abler judges. Mr. Jefferson, in a letter to Governor Coles, written ten years ago, predicts a catastrophe
as tragical, at least, as Mr. Wilberforce himself. would
have cared to hazard. "Yet (says Mr. J.) the hour of
emancipation is advancing in the march of time. It
will come; and whether brought on by the generous
energy of our own minds, or by the bloody process of
St. Domingo, excited and conducted by the power of our
present enemy, if once stationed permanently within our
country, offering asylum and arms to the oppressed, is a
leaf of our history not yet turned over."




670    MIISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
That our slaves will be free at some not very distant
day, seems to be taken for granted by every body. The
grand question is, how shall the work of emancipation
be accomplished? When shall it be commenced?  That
the negroes can ever be transported across the ocean, is
an idea too chimerical to be seriously entertained by any
man. The probability is, that an increase rather than
a diminution of their numbers will be the consequence
of the benevolent but tardy efforts of our Colonization
Societies. When did any country lose in numbers by
sending colonies abroad?  From Europe the whole continent of America has been lately peopled, and yet
Europe has been steadily increasing in population. But
space is not here allowed for the argument.
In asserting that the slaves must be free in the land
where they now live, their future amalgamation with
the whites was not contemplated as desirable, or even
possible. Nor is it necessary that they should reside
together in the same State or community any longer
than it shall be found mutually agreeable and beneficial.
Territory may be assigned them for their exclusive
habitation whenever they shall be capable of managing
their own concerns.
No rash or sudden emancipation would be just, or
wise, or politic, or humane. It would be Quixotism and
madness to think of giving liberty to the whole mass at
once, without any previous training or discipline. What
plan could be devised and carried into effect for such a
safe and gradual emancipation, as would be consistent
with the acquired rights of their holders, and prove a




MISCELLA EOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.  6071
common blessing to all parties, still remains the great
desideratum. Nor does the author mean, at present,
to attempt to supply it by any speculations of his own
upon the subject. Hundreds of writers might be referred to for opinions and information, as well as many
important facts and successful experiments. Among
the latter, the attention of the benevolent reader is
particularly directed to the noble example recently set
us by the Republic of Colombia; and to the system
adopted by the late venerable Joshua Steele, for the
improvement. and eventual emancipation of the slaves
on his own estates in Barbadoes.
It is believed that no insuperable difficulty will lie in
the way whenever men shall be disposed to engage
heartily in this good work. " The love of justice and
the love of country (says Mr. Jefferson) plead equally
the cause of these people; and it is a mortal reproach
to us that they should have pleaded it so long in vain,
and should have produced not a single effort; nay, I
fear, not much serious willingness to relieve them and
ourselves from our present condition of moral and political reprobation."
If it be our fixed purpose to keep them in bondage
as long as possible, then do we act consistently and
warily in withholding from them all manner of instruction. Enlightened men can never be retained in servitude except by a power so decidedly superior that resistance would be folly. Let knowledge be diffused
throughout any community, and a speedy end will be
put to all despotism, tyranny, and oppression. Any




672    MISCELLANEOUS DISCOURSES AND ESSAYS.
system of education, therefore, designed for the blacks,
which comprehends even the simple art of reading, ought
to look forward to their seasonable emancipation, and be
preparatory to it. Otherwise we shall nurture in our
own bosom an enemy who will eagerly seize the first
opportunity to repay with a vengeance all our wellintended kindness. Let the light of science and of the
Bible shine upon the slave, wherever he is to be found
in large numbers, and he will rend in sunder the strongest
fetters, and assume that attitude which the conscious
dignity of his nature claims as his inherent indefeasible
right.




INDEX.
voL. m. —43








A
COMPLETE INDEX
TO
THE THREE VOLUMES.
A                     Acts, external, cannot secure the Divine
favour, iii. 482, 483.
ABEL, being a shepherd, could not have  ADAIR and BOUDINOT, on the American
been a savage, iii. 99.                   Indians, iii. 185.
ABIMELECH, a borrower from the sacred  ADAM, a teacher, trained in the university
treasury, iii. 343.                       of Heaven, i. 505; head and father of
Abolition, of existing institutions, all the    his race, ii. 426; representative charage, i. 398.                             racter of, 500; temporal and eternal
Abolitionists, Quixotic objects of, i. 509;   consequences of his fall, 604: the cause
rights and duties of, 510; equally at   of all human depravity, 687; endowed
fault with pro-slavery men, iii. 579,   with speech at his creation, iii. 95; not
581; both agree on disunion, 568; ori-    a savage, but a naturalist or zoologist,
ginated at the South, 570; false phi-   98; his first sons, one a farmer, the
lanthropy of, 667, 670.                   other a shepherd, 98; his apostasy did
Aborigines, of America, had. lost the    not reduce man to a savage state, 103;
knowledge of the arts, iii. 118; various    effects of his fall on the pursuits and
opinions on, 153; must have been a    professions of men, 267; the first farmer
primitive people, 155; separation from    and schoolmaster, 267; a mechanic and
other races the cause of their degene-    gardener, 265.
racy, 155; striking resemblance among, ADAMS, JOHN, his administration, iii.
165; not all descendants of Ham, 165;    342, 343.
their deplorable destiny, 165; occu- Addresses, public, of Dr. Lindsley, i. 31;
pied this continent after the dispersion    inaugural address at Nashville, i. 65,
at Babel, 186.                            iii. 27; baccalaureate of 1826, i 121;
Aborigines, of Greece and Italy, a savage    baccalaureate  of 1827, 173; baccapeople, iii. 120.                         laureate of 1829, 209; baccalaureate
ABRAHAM, his trial in the case of Isaac,    of 1831, 281; baccalaureate of 1832,
ii. 683; his conduct vindicated and ex-    331; baccalaureate of 1834, 361; bacplained, 684.                             calaureate of 1838, 539; address on
ABSALOM, his democratic blandishments,    centennial birthday  of Washington,
iii. 313.                                 iii. 229; incidents of its delivery, 261;
Abstinence, total, the only remedy for in-    one of his ablest efforts, 262; address
temperance, iii. 510; main principle of    to farmers and mechanics, 265; annithe temperance cause, 529; effective    versary address at the Bible Society,
cure for drunkenness, 531.                459, 479; before the Tennessee State
Absurdity of banking, exhibited in the    Temperance Society, 505.
Indiana system, iii. 585, 586.          Administration,  of justice, its imperfecAbused mercies, bring down the curse of    tions, i. 296; of the Lord's Supper, imHeaven, ii. 613.                          portance of, ii. 536.
Abuses, often exhibited in the pulpit, ii. Admission to college, defective qualifica326.                                      tions for, i. 559-561.
Academical study, its great end, ii. 242.   Advice, to parents, i. 387.
Academies and schools, less costly than  Advocates, numerous  and learned, of
prisons, i. 502.                          man's original savageism, iii. 88.
Accidency, in the presidential chair, iii.  lELIAN, quoted on the American abori348.                                      gines, iii. 167.
Accountability to God, the nature of, ii. 619. Affairs, state  and national, should be
ACHAN, the type of uncharitableness in    separate, iii. 308.
the church, ii. 371.                    Afflictions of life, their use and end, ii.
Achieventents, of the Americans, i. 581.    457.
675




676                                 INDEX.
Africa, once united to America, iii. 159,   always in the power of the people, iii.
161; the slave-mart and  slaughter-    319; several, suggested by Dr. Lindshouse of Christendom, 163.                ley, 321, 344-349.
African slave-trade, denounced, ii. 310; America, the probable abode of savages
a disgrace to Christendom, 311; its   soon after the deluge, iii. 153; how
enormity once tolerated by good men,   first peopled, 154; certainly submerged
iii. 523.                                 by the flood, 154; probably referred to
African race, its advance to civilization    by Plato, 156, 157; supposed to be rein America, iii. 577, 578; amalgama-   ferred to by Moses in the book of Getion of, undesirable  and  impossible,   nesis, 160; peopled from Africa by de670.                                      scendants of Ham, 161; her successful
African Republic, of Liberia, counterpart   example of free government appealed
of the United States, iii. 578.           to in other nations, 239; how she ought
Africans, their condition in America, iii.   to treat England on tariff matters, 383;
132, 580, 664.                           too dependent on England for manuAge, the present, developing a new spirit,   factures, 384; stigmatized as the land
ii. 431; what it owes to the art of print-   of drunkards, 508.
ing, iii. 116; of Washington the classic  American Amazons, an offset to ancient
era of our history, 258.                  fables, iii. 168.
Aged, avowals of the, ii. 217; best judges  American Bible Society, origin and obof the value of life, iii. 218, 219.     jects of, iii. 465; its deep interest in
Agency, of man, in his regeneration, ii.   our Western country, 466; its noble
515.                                      resolutions in 1829, 499.
Agents, speculating, their tricks in bank-  American Churches, their unhappy diviing, iii. 367.                            sions, iii. 208.
Agriculture, favourable to mental culture, American Cities, their sudden growth, iii.
i. 124; should be a learned profession,    131.
125; implements of, used by the ante-  American Clergy, vindication of, as endiluvians, disprove a savage state, iii.   lightened and faithful, i. 326.
99; cannot alone make a nation great,  Amer'ican Colleges, might learn something
380; to be profitable, must have a    from  abroad, i. 99; funds and endowmarket for its products, 381-383.         ments of various, 216; adapted to the
Albigenses, referred to, iii. 430.          people, 405; well suited for boys from
Albinos, prove nothing as to change of    fifteen to twenty-one, 405: their resemrace, iii. 176.                           blance to German gymnasia, 405.
Alcohol, poisonous and deleterious nature  American Colonization Society, objects to
of, iii. 516.                             be accomplished by, iii. 563; inadeALEXANDER the Great, to be admired    quate to remove the whole African
* and pitied, ii. 170.                      race, 668, 670.
Alexandria, in Egypt, example of speedy  American Comnon Schools, three parties
growth, iii. 131.                         on, i. 648.
ALISON, the historian, referred to, i. 580.  American Democracy, article on, in five
Alma MIater, scenes and associations of,    parts, iii. 265, 317, 354, 376, 394.
pleasant, ii. 228.                      Amnerican Epiacopacy, not inclined  to
ALMIGHTY GOD, the searcher of hearts,    Erastianism, iii. 420.
ii. 640.                                American Equality, a source of wit and
Almsgiving, not a decisive test of charity,    satire to the English, iii. 498.
ii. 265; does not constitute the whole  American Experimnent, the separation of
of religion, 364.                         Church and State, iii. 498.
Alphabetical writing, perfect in the time  American Forefathers, never in bondage,
of Moses, iii. 101.                       i. 454; their spirit and  aims, 586;
Alumni, of Nassau Hall, deceased, re-    what they owed to the Bible, iii. 665.
ferred to, ii. 297; of the University of  American  Government, excellence of, as
Nashville, number of, in 1834, i. 363;    left by our fathers, iii. 329.
their character not unworthy of their  American History, its classic age that of
Alma Mater, 391.                          Washington, iii. 258.
Amalgnamation, influence of, on the va- American Indians, still as savage as when
rieties of mankind, iii. 176; of black    first discovered, iii. 116; their loss of
and white races in our country impos-   the useful arts, 119; probably  desible, 670.                               scended  from  Ham, 128;  must be
Ambition, true, its nature and ends, i.   traced to a high antiquity, 155; pro178; worldly, often exhibited by eccle-    bably as old as any other variety of
siastics, ii. 277; its folly and fatal re-   the race, 175; supposed to be descendsults, 278, 279.                          ants of the Malays of Southern Asia,
Amendments, of the Federal Constitution,    186.




INDEX.                                  677
Anterican Institutions, the growth of two    where for their country, 587; should
centuries, iii. 215; founded on the Bible,   study the Farewell Address of Washing529.                                     ton, iii. 230; worthy of their English
American Liberty, how it may be lost, iii.   sires, 231; their fathers never the slaves
257.                                     of Great Britain, 311; not always noted
American Literature, yet to be created, i.   for personal independence, 312; gov-. 355; its high and sacred mission, 356.    erned too much  by partisan  public
American Methodism, the episcopal cha-   opinion, 313; distinguished as spitting
racter of, iii. 429.                     animals, 623.
American Name, true glory of, i. 352; Amherst College, funds of, i. 158.
right of the citizens of the United  Amor Patrise, a useful prejudice, iii. 193.
States to, 580; honoured abroad, 587; Amusements for the poor in cities, fraught
compared to that of the old Roman, 588.   with vice and folly, iii. 599.
American National University, the project Analogies, between nature and revelation,
for, i. 407; every thing that man can    ii. 641; in reasoning, often deceptive
know should be taught in, 408.           and fallacious, iii. 82.
American Patriotism, contrasted with that ANANIAS and SAPPHIRA, sad case of amof Rome, i. 354; its wide field and    bition and avarice, iii. 482.
glorious mission, 355.                 Anathema, against churches, repugnant
American People, their great responsi-   to Presbyterians, iii. 452.
bilities, i. 355; radically chanced since  Ancient Architecture, not the work of
1776, 466; defective education of, 467;    savage nations, iii. 136.
moral character of, 468.               Azncient Egyptians, not inferior to modern
Anmerican Policy, administrative, should    Europeans, iii. 148.
be uniform, iii. 346; should encourage  Ancient Genius, monuments of, bear witmanufactures, 381.                       ness to its greatness, iii. 105.
American Politician, what he ought to  Ancient Nations, superiority of, in literabe, i. 288.                              ture and the arts, ii. 419; inferiority
American Presbyterian Church, its first   of, in moral science, 420.
theological seminary, ii. 81; should  Ancient Philosophy, held to a primeval
have more missionary zeal, 435.          savage state, iii. 88.
American Republic, has no parallel in  Ancient Schools, compared with modern
history, i. 584, 585.                    colleges, i. 91.
Americanl Revolution, the leaders of, i. Andover, theological seminary at, i. 87.
140; the mainspring of all subsequent  Anecdote, on the delivery of Dr. Lindsones, iii. 239; why the only successful   ley's centennial address, iii. 261; temone, 240; a war of principle, 247; the    perance, of the  Bishop  of London,
great interests staked on, 247; tremen-    617.
dons responsibility of its leaders and  Angels, of the Seven Churches, were pasinequality of the contest, 248; favored    tors or chief presbyters, iii. 409.
of heaven, and thus successful, 249; Anglican Church, purely Erastian in govbenefits and privileges secured by, 252;    ernment, iii. 420.
not a war against monarchy, 406.       Anglo-Americane, their share in the glory
American Sagee, their views of the need    of England, iii. 230.
of public education in our country, i. Anglo-Malthusian  Theory, nonsense to
485.                                     Americans, iii. 381.
American Savages, their destiny similar  Animals, created in a state of perfect mato that of all Ham's descendants, iii.   turity, iii. 98.
163; apparently doomed to extinction,  Annals of the American Pulpit, article
164.                                     from, on Dr. Smith, iii. 652.
American System, an experiment for the  Annihilation  of money, in the use of
world, i. 199.                           strong drink, iii. 523, 524.
Americans Temperance Society, when found- Anniversary Commencements, of the Unied, iii. 510.                            versity of Nashville, i. 375; in the
American Union, necessity of its preser-    Eastern colleges, 427.
vation, i. 354; possibility of its dissolu- Annual Consumption of distilled liquors,
tion, iii. 255.                          enormous, iii. 524.
American Universities, inferiority of, com- Antediluvians, attainments of, in art and
pared with those of Europe, i. 404.      science, i. 67; their high stage of civiliAmedrican Youth, enter college too early,    zation, iii. 100, 112.
i. 386, mostly spoiled at home, 387.    Ante-Revolutionary  Annals,  illustrious
Americans, their fondness for honorary    names in the American, iii. 231.
titles contemptible, i. 214; generally  Antichrist, spirit of, in the apostolic times,
acquainted with the Bible, 313; not an    iii. 405; policy of, in the modern church,
ambitious people, 585; honoured every-   ii. 316, 317.




678                                INDEX.
Antichristian Hierarchy,origin and growth    church prelacy, 417; ludicrous, on poof, in the Middle Ages, iii. 203.        litical economy, 649.
Antiqularies, European, their researches Argumentum  ad adbsurdum, on religious
at Babylon, iii. 107; discoveries in    prejudices, iii. 205.
Egypt, 147.                            Arian and Socinian heresies, origin of, ii.
Antiquities of America, inquiry into, by    695.
Delafield, iii. 162.                   Aristocracy, domination of, in the Grecian
Antiquity, its claims tb superiority over   and Roman democracies, iii. 468; inmodern  times, slowly  admitted, iii.   dications of, in our country before the
105.                                     Revolution, 252; of virtue and talent,
ANTONINUS and PLATO, unable to discover   281; spiritual, in Episcopal church,
Divine truth, ii. 423.                   429.
Apostasy, of our first parents, its fearful Aristocrats, upstart, described, iii. 279.
consequences, ii. 499, iii. 1.03.      ARISTOTLE and PLATO, groped in darkApostate Condition, of man, by nature, ii.   ness, as to moral truth, ii. 420; influ389.                                     ence of their philosophical systems on
Apos.les of Christ, their official pre-emi-   the gospel, iii. 201.
nence, iii. 409, 446; had no successors Ark, of Noah, a triumph of architectural
in office, 409, 411; their number, 409;   skill, iii. 104.
gave no direction about the succession, Armies, mentioned in Scripture, great size
411; extent and success of their labours,   of, iii. 180.
520, ii. 611.                          ARMINIUS, JAMES, writings of, ii. 348;
Apostolical Succession, prelatic claims of,   held the doctrine of justification by
iii. 410; not held by Hooker in the    faith, 348.
recent Puseyite sense, 412.            Army, of the law, need of reform in, i.
Apostolic Church, changes of, in the life-   294; of Christian heroes and martyrs,
time of the apostles, iii. 428.          ii. 137.
Apostrophe, to the dead of Nassau Hall, ARNOLD, BENEDICT, cause of his downfall,
ii. 229.                                 i. 201; our country has produced but
Apparatus, necessary for a university, i.   one, iii. 261.
401.                                   Art, human, monuments of, i. 67; of
Appeal to Christians at Nashville, in be-   printing, influence on the progress of
half of the Bible cause, iii. 502.       man, 71; of reading, its difficulty, 512;
Arbitrary Powoer, not needed in the tem-    of writing, not unknown to the antediperance cause, iii. 529.                 luvians, iii. 101; state of, in Noah's
Arch, not unknown to the Egyptians, as   time, how ascertained, 103.
once thought, iii. 184.                Arts and Sciences, of the antediluvians,
Archaeology, Dr. Lindsley's lectures on,   disprove an original savage state, iii. 99.
iii. 28.                               Articles, Dr. Lindsley's, in the American
Archangel, fallen, ii. 195.                Biblical Repository, iii. 81, 112, 153,
ARCHBISHOPS SUMNER and TENISON, their   191; many contributed to the Nashville
opinions of Presbyterian divines, iii.   newspapers, 602.
411, 412.                              Articles on which a tariff should be laid,
Archbishops, origin of their titles and    iii. 378.
powers, iii. 418.                      Artifices, of hypocrites, ii. 272.
Archives, lost, of ancient civilized nations, ASCHAM, BACON, LOCKE, and other writers
i. 126.                                  on education, i. 522.
Ardent Spirits, must be proscribed, i. 184; Asia, probably once united to America
extensive use of, in former days, iii.   by land, iii. 172.
508; moderate use of, the cause of in- Asiatic  Civilization, different from  Eutemperance, 510; poisonous nature of,   ropean, iii. 135.
516; diseases produced by, 518; no  Asiatic Hamites, none of them  negroes,
protection to the human system, 519;   iii. 164.
not the grand elixir of life, as once  Assassination, less horrible than the doom
supposed, 519; not to be defended as a    of the drunkard, iii. 536.
beverage on scriptural grounds, 531; Assembly, of divines, at Westminster, in
not needed by any class of labouring. 1643; its labours, iii. 431, 432.
men, 526; held by the Quakers to be  Aesociations, for mental improvement in
an unlawful article of commerce, 539.    England, i. 123; necessary for man,
Arguments, from  the infinite, unsafe, ii.   iii. 512; temperance, good achieved by,
691; from  reason, for the primeval   527.
civilization of man, iii. 84; from Scrip- ASTOR, WILLIAM B., referred to, iii. 597.
ture, against an original savage state, Astronomy, known before the Deluge, iii.
97, 112; fallacious, on church govern-   105; true science of, understood at an
ment, 404. 405; against modern high-    early date in Egypt, 143.




INDEX.                                 679
Assyrians, like Egyptians and Phoeni- BANCROFT, GEonGE, his opinion on the
cians, known in history only as a civil-   peopling of America, iii. 119.
ized people, iii. 125.                 BANCROFT, DR., his jure divino doctrine
Atheism, its reign over men at an end, i.   of prelacy, iii. 414; its effects when
167; too difficult to be believed by the    first published, 415.
multitude, ii. 440; not proved by the  Banishment, of criminals, i. 248.
eternity of matter, 694; result of its Bank, of England, the first on the modern
reign in France, iii. 194.               plan, iii. 546; the first established in
Atheiste, a nation of, described, ii. 109.  America, 546; of Venice, when estaAtheniasns, their titles of nativity, iii. 121.   blished, 546; the best form of a national,
Atlantic Ocean, origin of the name traced    368, 369; constitutionality of a United
to the lost island of Atlantis in Plato,   States, 335, 336; pronounced constituiii. 156, 157.                           tional by the Supreme Court, 337; neAtonement for sin, secured in Christ, ii.   cessity or expediency ef, 338.
605; all-sufficiency of, 692; finished on  Bankers, private, in Europe, always manCalvary, iii. 488.                       age well, iii. 363.
Attendance on the sanctuary, perversions  Banking, the evils of an injudicious sysof, ii. 102.                             tem, i. 292; should be left free to indiAUGUSTINE, ST., referred to, ii. 46; held    viduals, iii. 353; by States, on borrowed
the system of doctrine afterwards held    capital, disastrous, 359; the true secret
by Calvin, 349.                          of every sound system  of, 363; when
Austerity, in the observance of the Sab-   judicious and well managed, a blessing,
bath, condemned, ii. 96.                 360; the evils of the existing system
Austria, public-school system  of, i. 240,   incurable, 361-366; the Scottish sys481, 482.                                tem of, 363, 364; cost of the system in
Authentic History, none against a prime-   the United States, 586; injustice and
val civilization, iii. 125.              absurdity of, 588.
Authority, in the English church, as de- Banks, why without credit, iii. 360; their
fined by Hooker, iii. 413.               stockholders imposed upon, 362, 367;
Authorities, adduced, on  the primitive    general suspension of, in  1837 and
state of man, iii. 88.                   1839, 363; by what classes gotten up,
Author of the great salvation, ii. 606.    367; different kinds of, 368; responsiAuthors of systems, always labour under   bility of their officers, 366; number and
prejudice, iii. 216.                     expense of, in our country, 374; all
Auto-da-fe, the spirit of, still among men,   fail, sooner or later, 363; unwise manii. 315.                                 agement of, in our country, 551; add
AYERS, ELIAS and MARY ANN, referred    nothing to wealth or capital, 586; poor
to, i. 14; iii. 52.                      widows and children, the sufferers by,
587; general estimate of, as an invenB                       tion of civilized society, 552.
Banks, state and stock, not desirable, iii.
Babel, tower of, its fate uncertain, iii. 107;   338; cannot create money, 359; wisopinions as to its object, 108.          dom and expediency of, doubtful, 352,
Babylon, its ancient site unknown, iii.   353; free, or state stock, article on, 584.
107; its founder and glory, 129; its Banks of Scotland, the best in the world,
vast population, 180.                    iii. 552; characteristics of the system,
Babylonians, never described as barba-    546.
rians, iii. 125.                       Banks and Brokers, fragmentary thoughts
Baccalaureate Addresses, Dr. Lindsley's,   on, iii. 545.
of 1826, i. 121; of 1827, 173; of 1829, Bank Corporation, defined from existing
209; of 1831, 281; of 1832, 331; of    facts, iii. 363.
1834, 361; of 1838, 539.                 ank Directors, duties and responsibiliBACON, LORD, remark of, i. 264; great,   ties of, iii. 548.
like Burke, Selden, and others, from  Bank Failures, almost unknown in Scotlaborious study, ii. 178; his remark on   land, iii. 364.
revolutions, iii. 299.                   a2nk Notes, useless without a specie
Bad habits indulged in at church, iii.   basis, iii. 360, 365; should always be
621.                                     the actual representatives of gold and
Bad men, not kept even from  the apos-   silver, 367.
tolic church, iii. 404.                Bankrupt Law, of 1841, iii. 320.
BAILLME, ROBERT, in  the Westminster  Bankruptcy of our country in 1842, iii.
Assembly, iii. 432.                      355.
BAIRD, DR. ROBERT, letter of, respecting  Baptismn, one of the only two sacraments
Dr. Lindsley, iii. 20.                   of Protestants, ii. 339; controversy
Balls, public, injurious effects of, iii. 599.   concerning, 340; endless disputations




80 S(                              INDEX.
on, iii. 208; the nature of the ordinance    careful study enjoined, 347-349; tends
of, 402.                                to foster patriotism, 550; the neglect
Barbarians, use of the term by the Greeks    of, fashionable, I67; practical influence
and Romans, iii. 123.                   of, on the young, ii. 17; the only source
Barbarians, of Gaul and Britain, preached    of true wisdom, 188; an interpreter of
to by the apostles, ii. 611.            man's character, 244; teaches a knowBarbarisnm, no return to, during the last   ledge of the world, 244; used as a classhundred years, iii. 237.                book in Nassau Hall, 245; heaven's
Barbarous Tribes, the only method of   richest treasure to man, 246; exhortacivilizing, iii. 117.                   tion  to the study of, 292-294; the
BARNARD, DR. HENRY, his American    Christian's supreme standard of faith
Journal of Education, i. 11.            and practice, 341, 342; the true divine
BAXTER and FULLER, examples of self-   teacher,, 449; must be read as a means
taught men, i. 445.                      of salvation, 620; comprises a complete
BEATTIE, DR., quotation from his " Theory   system of truth, 644; adapted to man
of Language," iii. 93; views of, on re-   as he is, 663; does not demand a blind
ligious prejudices, 219.                 faith, 665, 679; canonical portions of,
BELL, Governor, of New  Hampshire,   how determined, 666; question of its
quoted on schools, i. 473.              inspiration, 672; its teachings must be
Beggar General, of the University of Nash-    believed, 678; addressed to man as a
ville, i. 430.                           free moral agent, 679; requires no beBeggar on horseback, article on, iii. 280.    lief in impossibilities, 681; how it apBelief in Jesus as Messiah, the test of    peals to conscience, 681; its doctrines,
primitive discipleship, iii. 428.        how treated, 686; its own best interBelief in testimony, natural to man, ii.   preter, 697; its attributes, 698; our
676-679; requires understanding, 673;   only reliable historic guide anterior to
influence of early education on, 222;   Herodotus, iii. 127; its statements as
against the evidence of sense, illustra-   to the earth's population, 182; not retion of, 668; fixes on facts, and not   sponsible for the conflicting dogmas
their causes or modes of existence, 669.   drawn from  it, 198; in what sense
Belief in a primeval savage state, ac-   hard to be understood, 205; proper
counted for, iii. 122.                   study of, tends to agreement on docelievers in Christ, future joys in store   trines, 206; its great teacher, God himfor, ii. 605.                            self, 220; full of lessons on the subject
elievers and Non-believers, all men di-   of government, 400; authoritative guide
vided into, ii. 603.                     for the church, 402; supreme authority
Bench, of judges, separate, proposed for    with  Presbyterians, 433; paramount
the Presbyterian church, iii. 442, 443.    rule of action to all Christians, 451;
Benefits of Christ's death to believers, ii.   necessity of circulating, an address,
604, 605.                               459; withheld from the people in past
Benevolence, contrasted with ambition, i.   ages, 460; translated into one hundred
178.                                    and fifty languages, 464; the true
Benevolent Societies, claims of, on the    friend of liberty, 467, 469; source of
rich, ii. 38.                            liberty in all Protestant Europe, 469;
BENGELIUS, quoted on the division of the    charter of liberty to the American foreearth, iii. 160.                         fathers, 469; cause of difference between
Berlin, Faculty of its University, i. 403;   British and other colonists, 470; its
education in, 239.                      enemies the enemies of human libexty,
Best System of Education, that which se-   470; excellence of its moral code never
cures the constant employment of the    questioned, 472; vast body of the huyoung, i. 92.                           man family still ignorant of, 473:; duty
Bible, the noblest text-book of education,   of circulating it, a part of religion,
i. 50, 93; should be a daily companion    474, 480; its claims vindicated, 479;
of all, 94; ignorance of, the source of   its benefits to  the world, 481; not
error, 166; the source of all true wis-   chargeable with the errors of its friends,
daom for young men, 166; recommended    482; what it reveals of God and man,
to college graduates, 206; the written    482; would make earth an Eden, if
constitution of Christianity, 323; only   obeyed, 483; source of all true moral
reformer of veteran  criminals, 251;   reforms among men, 483, its transformbetter understood in America, than in   ing power on the wicked, 484; its inother countries, 313 i the study of, ad-   fluence essential to the peace of society,
vocated, 274; the only source of Chris-   485; supplies the deficiency of human
tian truth, 306; the true power of, 312;   laws, 488; its consolations for the afshould be freely circulated, 324; com-   flicted, 489; exalts the female sex to
mended as the guide of youth, 546; its   their proper rank, 490; effects on war




INDEX.                                  681
and kindred evils, 491; cheapest rem-  Board of Directors of the New Albany
edy for the evils of society, 492; its    Seminary, iii. 399.
influence on priests and  politicians, BOCHART and BRYANT, cited on the origin
492; its priceless value, 501; influence    of Nineveh, iii. 129.
on slavery, 665; guaranties freedom, Bodily Exercise, the benefits of, i. 91.
civil and political, to  every human  BOLINGBROKE, LORD, his tribute to the
being, 664, 670, 672.                     moral excellence of the gospel, iii. 472.
Bibles, scarcity of, in 1825, iii. 466; defi-  Books, a source of enjoyment, i. 84.
ciency of, still, in Christian nations, 474. Boon of English prowess and chivalry,
Bible Society, the American, when founded,    Americanls' share in, iii. 231.
iii. 465; a strong bond of union among  Borrowers and Lendere of money, alike
Protestant Christians, 501.               honourable, iii. 548.
Bible Societies, number of, iii. 465; al-  Borrowins  of banking capital, wretched
leged expensiveness of, 491; calumnies    policy, iii. 359.
against, 498; blessed work of, defended,  Bonlties in favour of home products, ob499.                                      jectionable, iii. 388-390; discontinued
Biblical A'chleoloqy, Dr. Lindsley, pro-    in England, 389; wheat-growers professor of, iii. 399.                      tected by, in Massachusetts, 389; silkBigotry, pervades the Christian church,    growers, in Tennessee, 389; can never
ii. 314.                                  sustain the silk business, 390.
Bigots, cannot be  Christians, ii. 681;  BOWDITCH, NATHANIEL, and other emimore injurious to Christianity than in-    nent men of science, iii. 116.
fidels, iii. 309.                       BOWEN, GEORGE T., professor in the UniBigots and Persecutors, their claim  to    versity of Nashville, i. 595.
charity, iii. 213.                      Boys, at school and college, should not
Bills of credit, prohibited to the States    have much money, i. 391; why they do
by the Constitution, iii. 365.            not learn, 558.
Biography of Dr. Lindsley, iii. 9.        BRAINERD and WHITEFIELD, model misBirminghams and Mlanlchesters, needed in    sionaries, ii. 73.
Tennessee, iii. 384.                    Branch, of a national bank, iii. 369.
ishops, import of the term  in the early  BRECKINRIDGE, DR. JOHN, referred to,
ages, iii. 429.                           iii. 21.
Bishops, European and American, how  Brevity of Life, its lessons, ii. 183.
created, iii. 419; their claim to exclusive  BREWSTER. ELDER, in the Mayflower, iii.
ordination, 419; Roman Catholic, their    439.
oath of allegiance to the Pope, 425; BREWSTER, SIR DAVID, his opinion of
of the Methodist Church, their power,    Calvinism, ii. 358.
429; of the Lutheran  Church, their  Bright Side of human history, iii. 236.
power, 429; Presbyterian, their duties, Brighter Day, its dawn anticipated, iii.
449; how successors of the apostles, 450.    456.
Bis.hops and Presbyters, of the New Tes-  Britain, island of, visited by the primitive
tament, parochial and not diocesan, iii.   preachers, ii. 611.
409, 417; very numerous in the early  British, in China, iii. 299.
church, 410.                            British and Foreiqn Bible Society, when
Black Jews, of India, their case con-    formed, iii. 463; progress and results
sidered, iii. 176.                        of, 464.
Black Skin, a characteristic of man from  British Domination, resisted from the first
the earliest ages, iii. 174.              by America, iii. 244.
BLkCKSTONE, SIR WILLIAM, quoted on  British Legislation, objects of, towards
religious toleration, iii. 211.           American colonists, iii. 233.
BLAIR, DR. HUGrH; quoted  on  man's  British Ministry, strange mistake of, in
primeval state, iii. 97; on the forma-   the American war, iii. 245.
tion of opinions, 221.                  British Press, its tone towards Americans,
Blessings, of the great salvation, described,   i. 580.
ii. 601; of the gospel, must be diffused, BROWN, Dn. ISAAC V., letters of, respectiii. 479; of temperance, 513.             ing Dr. Lindsley, iii. 18, 48.
Blood of Christ, an atonement for sin, ii. Browon's History of Missions, quoted, ii.
605; the price of salvation, 606.         434.
BLUMENBACH, his opinion of the Esqui- Broswnists, the name of a party of Indemaux, iii. 165.                           pendents, iii. 431.
Board of Trustees of the University of  BROUGHAM and BENTHAM, their labours
Nashville, honoured names of, i. 376;    on the law, i. 223.
removals by death from, 594; letter of, BRYANT, his opinion on the peopling of
respecting Dr. Troost, 639; their action    the earth, iii. 128; on  the  ancient
at the death of Dr. Lindsley, 71.      1  Egyptians, 146.




682                                 INDEX.
Brute Creation, Entitled to the Sabbath  Calvinists and Arminians, their protracted
of rest, ii. 90.                          wars, iii. 208.
BUCER, BEZA, and  other  Reformers, CAMPBELL, DR. GEORGE, quoted on Chrisagreed with Calvin about the case of    tian charity, iii. 210; on religious dogServetus, ii. 350.                        matism, 219.
BUCKLAND, the geologist, quoted, i. 630.  Candidates for admission  into college,
Builders, of Babel, a civilized people, iii.   qualifications of, i. 101; for the medical
109, 113; of Thebes and Tentyra, not    profession, their term  of study in Eusavages, 136; of Memphis, Babylon,   rope, 221; for the ministry, the educaTyre, and Carthage, legitimate Ham-    tion needed by, ii. 49; for political
ites, 166.                                office, described, iii. 283; for State offiBUNYAN, JOHN, like many others, supplied    ces, the character demanded in, 310.
the defects-of early education in after-  Candour, illustration of Dr. Lindsley's,
life, i. 445; referred to, iii. 396.      iii. 536.
BURKE, EDMUND, quoted  by  Matthew   CANNON and CARROLL, Governors, referred
Carey on persecutions in Maryland, ii.   to, i. 594.
375; remark of, on wisdom, iii. 557.    Ccntilng Demagogues, art and hypocrisy
BURNETT, JAMES, LORD MONBODDO, his    of, iii. 495.
Origin and Progress of Language, iii. 89.  Capital, cannot be created by a governBurning of widows, would not be tole-    ment bank, iii. 359; its real owner
rated on a plea of conscience in our    should always employ, 363; amount of,
country, iii. 426.                        sunk in strong drink, 524.
BURNS, ROBERT, quotation from, iii. 554;  Capitals of Europe, all have their univerreferred to as the poet of democracy, 270.    sities, i. 258.
BURR, AARON, Memoirs of, iii. 333;  CAREY, MATTHEW, his essay and eulomight have been President contrary to    gium, ii. 374.
the wishes of the people, 348; one of  CARNAHAN, DR. JAMES, president of Nasthe earliest leaders of democracy, 353.    sau Htall, iii. 23.
Buying, a fallacious popular dogma about,  Carnal and Fleshly, signification of, in
iii. 381.                                 Scripture, ii. 566.
BYRON, LORD, quotation from, on Wash-  Carolina, how regarded as a name for all
ington, iii. 262.                         the States, iii. 385.
Carthage, ancient commercial grandeur
of, iii. 169.
Carthaginians, their early knowledge of
Cabinet, the Presidential, in theory and    America, iii. 171.
in fact, iii. 326; need not always be a  CARTWRIGHIT, the Puritan, his views of
unit, 347.                                church government, iii. 414.
CAIN, the first city-builder. could not have  CATCOTT, quotations from, respecting the
been a savage, iii. 98.                   Atlantis of Plato, iii. 156-158: his
CALHOUN, JOHN C., his opinion contro-    work on the Deluge, in the library of
verted, iii. 381.                         Nassau Hall, 162.
Calling and Election, every man's, to be  Catechism, the Shorter, quoted, ii. 687.
made sure, ii. 615.                     CATHERWOOD and STE"HENS, researches
Calls to repentance, numerous and ur-    of, iii. 166.
gent, ii. 622.                          Catholic Church, the visible, defined, ii.
Calvary, its bleeding victim an atonement   329.
for sin, iii. 488.                      Catholics, early history of, in Maryland,
CALVIN, JOHN, his view of the Eucharist,   ii. 375.
ii. 347; his treatment of Servetus, 350;  Catholicity of the temperance cause, iii.
his great error, 351; referred to, iii. 430,   540.
435.                                    Catholic Sentiments of Chillingworth, iii.
Calvinism, consistent with large and libe-    217.
ral charity, i. 53; the common creed of  CATILINE and CLODIUS, ancient demaall the Reformers, ii. 348; system  of    gogues, iii. 496.
doctrine denoted by, 349; its high an-  Catilines, modern democratic, how they
tiquity, 349; the only system  of reli-   prevail, iii. 299.
gious truth a philosopher can maintain, CATO, CECIL, COLBERT, referred to, iii.
358; Bishop Horsley's opinion of, 359;   326.
always caricatured by its enemies, 359. Caucasian and other races, the same now
Calvinistic System, held by men of strong-    as at the beginning, iii. 174; never
est intellect, ii. 358.                   changes to the negro in any latitude,
Calvinistic Presbyterians and  Puritans,   175.
founders of American schools and col- Canse of Education in Tennessee; a bacleges, iii. 434.                          calaureate address, i. 119), 129.




INDEX.                                  683
Ca-use and Effect, incomprehensible nature    essential attribute of ministerial chaof, ii. 679.                              racter, 269; beneficial effects of;, 274;
Cavilling, against colleges, answered, i.   illustrated in the apostolic church, 330;
555; against God, unreasonable pre-   imperfectly understood by Christians,
texts for, ii. 388.                       369; pervading attribute of our reliCelebration of the Lord's Supper, prepa-    gion, iii. 197; the scriptural rule for all
ration for the, ii. 535.                  controversy, 210; particular, better than
Celestial Charity, influence and conquests    general, 217; its measure and demands,
of, iii. 456.                             224; does not require fellowship with
Censorious Language  to be avoided in   the unworthy, 452, 453; to be exercised
discussions, iii. 534.                    towards those in error, 532; those at
Cesntennial Birthday of Washington, Dr.   our doors not to be overlooked by, 663.
Lindsley's address on, iii. 229.        CHARLES XII. and LOUis XIV., referred
Central School, or university, desirable in   to, ii. 256.
each State, i. 501.                     Charter, of Rhode Island referred to, iii.
Central America, colossal ruins in, not    293; of another national bank not dethe work of savages, iii. 166.            sirable, 353; of banks, whose benefit
Centluy, first half, of American independ-    secured by, 361.
ence, how adorned, iii. 231; wonderful  Cheap Government secured by the Amerievents and changes of the eighteenth,    can Revolution, iii. 254.
235, 236.                               Cheap Labour in Europe no argument
CentuLries, triumphs of the cross during    against American manufactures, iii. 380.
the first three, iii. 520.              Cheap Literature, debasing influence of,
Cessation from labour does not fulfil the    at the present day, i. 647.
law of the Sabbath, ii. 93.             Chemists, their views of the nature of a.lChaldea, Assyria, and Egypt, fountains    cohol, iii. 516.
of civilization to all other nations, iii.  Cheputchet, the hero of, iii. 353.
110, 113.                               Chicago and.Danville, seminaries of, reCHALMERS, DR. THO.MAS, views of, on the    ferred to, ii. 27.
education of the poor, iii. 601; quota-  Chief of sinners invited to Christ, ii. 616.
tion from, i. 631.                      Child, every man's, ought to be educated,
Champions, of Christianity, their charac-   i. 226.
ter in the Middle Ages, iii. 202; of Childhood, unquestioning religious belief
monarchy, their arguments from Scrip-    of, iii. 222; left to itself, degenerates, i.
ture, ii. 335.                            70.
CHlArIPOLLION, CuvIEn, IAUY, and other  Children, how their first lessons are acgreat names, i. 446.                      quired, i. 129; learn much in infancy
C.hancellor of the University of Nashville,    at the fireside, 130; cruel discomforts
i. 29.                                    of, at school, 516; all in the State
Change of man's nature, possible only to    should be educated, 643; all must and
divine agency, ii. 514; efficted under    will learn some religious creed, ii. 343;
the influence of the gospel, 384.         born with evil propensities, 504; docile
Change of opinion, Dr. Lindsley's, respect-    credulity of, 676; of savages, how civing the dispersion at Babel, iii. 101.    ilized, iii. 117.
Changyes, physical and moral, continually  CHILLINGWORTII, WILLIAM, quoted  on
taking place, ii. 227; partial, not to be    Christian unity and charity, iii. 217.
confounded with hereditary, in man, iii.  China, modern, an  illustration  of the
176; in church polity, easily introduced,    populousness of the ancient world, iii.
419; for the worse, in the Presbyterian    183.
system, possible, 430.                  Chinamen of modern  Christendom  deCharacter, true test of, iii. 283.          scribed, iii. 411.
Character of Washington, in public and  Chinese, general character of, iii. 183.
private life, iii. 249, 251; its influence  Cholera, visitation of, to America, i. 362.
on the world, 235, 258; its symmetry  CHRIST, the atoning sacrifice for sin, ii.
and perfection, 259, 260.                 198; the centre of the gospel system,
Charge to one taking the ministerial office,   199; his estimate of worldly riches,
ii. 656; to those who hear the gospel,   225; purchased a great salvation for
657.                                      sinners, ii. 604, 606: satisfied the deCharitable man, character of, how formed,   mands of law, 604; how he saves from
iii. 196.                                 sin and death, 605; divinity of, denied
Charity, Christian, spirit of, recommended,   by descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers,
i. 202; its great Bible lessons, 324; its   613; his kingdom not of this world, iii.
nature described, ii. 264; not to be    401.
measured by any money standard, 265; Christendom, almost destitute of genuine
defined and exemplified by Paul, 266;   Christianity, ii. 80; its sins of oppres



684                                INDEX.
sion and cruelty, 312, 313; needs to be    275; the only religion of educated men,
purified and converted, 371; united in    304; her credentials clear to all, 305;
the Bible Society, iii. 463, 501; people   as taught by Christ, 305; her foes, 308;
of, have more liberty than Pagan, 469;   only religion conquering without govnot yet all Christian, 481.              ernmental aid, 310; a science, 548, alChristian Activity needed in our age and    ways maintained by men of learning,
country, ii. 68.                         ii. 45-47; demands a perpetual living
Christian Benevolence, the nature of, ii.   ministry, 66; has conquered *but a
313.                                     small part of the world, 88; stands or
Christian Character, true standard of, ii.   falls with the Sabbath, 110; amelio322; not measured by nominal Chris-   rating power of, over nations, 235;
tians, iii. 481.                         blessed influence of, on individuals,
Christians Charity, advocated and recom-    236; early modified by schools of phimended, i. 272, 320, ii. 365; the power   losophy, iii. 201; ends where persecuof, ii. 270; new development in our   tion begins, 212; its independence of
age, 431; universal claims of, iii. 479,   the State in the first centuries, 420;
501; inconsistency of its professors, 663.   three distinct forms of, 427; formed a
Christian  Church, has some unworthy    new era in human history, 460; stands
ministers, ii. 7,1; needs another Lu-    always on its own merits, 493; the retheran  reformation in charity, 369;   ligion of the people before Constantine,
duty of every, 433.                      493; abused by its pretended followers,
Christian Churches, why creeds are adopt-   494; not responsible for evils done in
ed by, ii. 347; how they should treat   its name, 494; never endangered any
each other, 365; danger and doom of   human right, 495.
unfaithful, 612.                       Christians, faithful, few in number, ii. 81;
Christianr Colonies, effects of, ii. 313.  rejected by the world, 283; faith and
Christian Countries take the place once    charity of the early, 330; honest difheld by the Jews, ii. 603.               ferences among, 331; true, to be known,
Christianr Courage needed, ii. 327.        not by their creed, but their temper,
C6hristian Ethics, improvement in, ii. 311.   344; have no right to impose creeds
Christian Fathers, advocated man's ori-   on each other, 344; nominal, the culginal savage state, ii. 88.             pability of, 486; worthy, invited to the
Christian Graces, union of, ii. 598.       Lord's table, 558-560; primitive, on
Christian Honesty, ii. 322.                what profession admitted to the church,
Christian Influence, essential in all teach-   iii. 428; Protestant, too much divided
ers of youth, ii. 507                    since the Reformation, 461, 462; of all
Christian _t[inistry, need of liberal learn-    sects, appealed to, for the Bible Society,
ing in, ii. 41, 42; can be perpetuated    471, 473; in what they may differ and
only by educating men for it, 66.        yet agree, 501; slow to learn the truth
Christian Missionaries the only civilizers    on great practical questions, 523; their
of the Indian tribes, iii. 117.          position as to the temperance cause, 533.
Christian Missions, late commencement  Christmas, article on, iii. 619; an occasion
of, in the land of Luther, ii. 430.      for gratitude, 619; proper observance
Christian Name, paramount glory of, i.   of, 620.
588, 589.                              Church, name of, applicable to all denomiChristian Nation of Drunkards, an ano-    nations of Christians, iii. 424; of Christ,
maly, ii. 313.                           stable foundation of, proved by histcry,
Christian Partisanship, cause and cure of,   461; did not encroach upon the State
iii. 224, 225.                           in the time of Constantine, 421; when
Christian Patriot, conduct of the true, ii.   pure, has never sought alliance with
280, 682.                                the State, 422; the Presbyteriah, how
Christian Professors, need more charity,   protected against unfaithful ministers,
ii. 103, 270.                            ii. 72.
Christian Religion, laws and promises of, Church edifice, the indecency of wearing
i. 275; the power of, 311; end and aim    hats in, iii. 622.
of, ii. 117; provides for both worlds,  Clurch-goilng does not alone fulfil the law
186; invites investigation, 195; effects   of the Sabbath, ii. 101.
of, 235.                              C6hurch  Goverlimelnt, form  of, not preChristian Solace, strength of, i. 546.     scribed in the New Testament, ii. 334;
Christian  Truth, derived  only from  a    the divine warrant of, 335; the Prescareful study of the Bible, i. 306.      byterian form of, iii. 399; dispensations
Christian FWorld, aspect of the, ii. 310.  of, 400; primitive form  did not keep
Christianity, not answerable for its un-    out error and schism, 404, 405; no form
worthy professors, i. 273; pure spirit   of, proof against such evils, 404, 405;
of, 274; consolations of, needed by all,   the several forms of, 403; no a priori




INDEX.                                 685
argument for any one system, 403;   Grecian, derived from  Egypt and the
scriptural basis of, how ascertained,   East, 152; Roman, derived from  the
404; essential principles of, 405; claim  Greeks, 152; of Modern Europe, whence
of each form to be the best, 406; offi-   derived, 152.
cers of the primitive, how ascertained, Civilized Man, always found somewhere
409; the Scotch system always opposed    on earth, even in the darkest ages, iii.
to Erastianism, 408.                     84.
Church Hlembers not the only persons  Civilized Nations, the first mentioned in
bound to lead holy lives, ii. 191; to   history, iii. 110, 113; many in their
what extent bound by their creed, iii.   decline and ruin at the dawn of Gre451.                                    cian history, 124.
Church Qficers, the primitive, iii. 446, Civilized Races have in no instance become
447.                                    savages in their own country, iii. 187.
Church of Rome, why recognized by the  Claims of the Bible, iii. 479.
English bishops, iii. 415; held by the  Classes, numerous, who must be liberally
Puritans to be no church, 415; preten-   educated, i. 438; of men who cannot
sions and claims of, in this country,   be disfranchised, iii. 301; of producers,
425, 426.                               all beneficial to society and to each
Churches, of the Protestant Reformation,   other, 379.
sad apostasy of many, ii. 431; esta-  Classical Journal, quotation from, iii. 88.
blished by law in every nation except Classical Learning, defended as essential
our own, i. 312; intercourse of, with   in education, i. 42; the advantages of,
one another, ii. 357; how they ought to   105.
treat one another, iii. 452.           Classical Professor, the duties of, i. 106.
CICERO, MARCUS TULLIUS, his definition  Classical Schools and Academies needed
of law, i. 299; quotation from, ii. 675;   in every community, i. 135.
his opinion on the primitive state of  Classical Studies important in our academankind, iii. 87.                       mies, i. 520.
Cider and Ale, bearing of, used as a beve- Classfication of schools and seminaries,
rage, on the temperance cause, iii. 530.   i. 127; of applicants for admission to
CINCINNATUS and ARISTIDES, noble types   college, 561.
of mankind, i. 266.                   Classics, the ancient, Dr. Lindsley's estiCilncinnatus of the West, title applied to    mate of, i. 42; the study of, essential
Washington, iii. 262.                   to a collegiate course, 105.
Circlulationl of the Bible, a duty of Bible  Clergy, agency of, in founding European
religion, iii. 474; a high and noble   colleges, ii. 52; their rights as citizens,
privilege, 480.                         61; their usefulness to society, 62; disCirculatintg M]edium, the best kind of, iii.   franchisement of, in New  York and
372.                                    other States, 60; character of, in estaCities, in the time of Adam, why needed,   blished churches, 267; condition, in our
iii. 98; the greatest known to history    country, different, 268, 269; American
built soon after the flood, 130: of an-   Presbyterian, have never persecuted,
cient Egypt, number of, 179; ancient   353; whigs, in the RevolUtionary War,
American, by whom built, 167.           354.
Citizen, of the moon, ought to be believed Cler~gymen, American, all the friends of
on his own testimony, ii. 676, 677.     liberty, i. 326; not injured by a college
Civil Engineering, should be taught in   education, 224; their wants and hardour colleges, i. 421.                   ships, ii. 37; need a larger revenue as
Civil fMagistrates, responsibilities of, to   almoners to the poor, 38; ought to have
society, ii. 115.                       a correct knowledge of the world, 49,
Civility, the law of ministerial, iii. 453,   50; not eligible to civil office in Ten454.                                    nessee and other States, i. 487, ii. 60,
Civilization flowing from the Garden of   iii. 296, 561; aims of all honest, ii. 64;
Eden, i. 69; rapid glance at its history,   their want of fidelity towards the rich,
434; may exist in the absence of all   328.
true knowledge of God, iii. 103; found  CLINTON, GOVERNOR, on the common
in all the countries first occupied after   schools of New York, i. 518, 519.
the flood, 109, 113; traced to the plains  Code, liberality of the Presbyterian ecof Shinar, 151; the condition of all the    clesiastical, iii. 452.
most ancient historic nations, 126; not Code of Honor, unsupported by any raattainable in a savage state except   tional argument, i. 193; a method sugfrom foreign aid, 83, 114; the term not   gested for the repeal of, 194.
defined, but used according to custom, CODIAN, REV. DR., referred to, iii. 17.
135; not determined by the knowledge  Coercive S!/ytem of education adopted in
of the multitude, but of the few, 134;   some countries of Europe, i. 645.
Coin, Cisadvantages of, as a circulating




686                                INDEX.
medium, iii. 372; liable to constant Colleges and Universities, by whom to be
losses, 550.                             established, i. 85; the temptations often
Coincidence, curious one between Moses   fatal to the young, ii. 165, 166; how
and Plato, iii. 161.                     created in the West, i. 215; influence
Coldest Winters known in our country,   of European, 138.
iii. 613, 628.                         Colleges of' America, their standard of adCOLEMAN, REV. THOMAS, Erastian, in    mission too low, i. 104; not yet perfect,
the Westminster Assembly, iii. 432.      143; items indispensable to, 215; adapted
Coleman's Antiquities referred to, iii. 447.   to our people, 405.
COLERIDGE cited on the destiny of Ame-  Colleges of ancient nations, their influence,
rica, iii. 555.                          i. 3:43.
College, honours and rewards of, objec- Colleges of Europe, position and influence
tionable, i. 46; knowledge requisite for   of, i. 138.
admission  to, 101; qualifications of  Colleges of Scotland, i. 79.
candidates for, 101; prescribed course  Colleges of sects, how sustained, i. 255.
of study in, 102; aim and end of edu- Colleges of the West, number of, i. 570.
cation in, 110; not a place for reform-  Colleges of various States, i. 213, 216, 217.
ing bad boys, 387; freaks of smart  Colleges of Greece, champions of liberty
youth  at, 562, 564; lads enter too    issued from, in their last revolution, i.
young, 559.                              139.
College Degrees, conferring  of, i. 357; Collegiate Education, Dr. Lindsley's plea
views on, 557.                           for,-i. 18; evils remedied by, 338; vinCollege Government, principles of,-i. 44,   dicated from objectors, 555-557.
112, 114; should be parental, 112; not  Colonial Governors, American, their lordly
adapted to very young persons, 386;   proclivities, iii. 253.
thoughts on, 363-365; should be a  Colonial Legislatures, American, always
moral discipline, 369.                   resisted tyranny, iii. 244.
College Graduates, their character de-  Colonial Pioneers in the cause of learning,
fended, i. 137; their love of liberty,   i. 211.
453; their different careers in life, 540-  Colonies, American, their treatment of
542; their follies and defects, 386.     the Indians, ii. 311.
College Life, an epitome of the great Colonists, original, of the United States,
world, ii. 227.                          descent and character of, iii. 232; why
College and Academic Funrd, wasted in   superior to all others, 470.
Tennessee, i. 497.                     Colonization never depopulates the motherCollege of Newv Jersey, Dr. Lindsley, Pice-   country, iii. 670.
President of, i. 13; the source of its  Colonization of negroes in Africa, granorigin, ii. 52; use of the Bible in, 245.    deur of the enterprise, iii. 578; the
College of Nashville, unappreciated by its, abolition opposition to it a benefit, 579;
own citizens, iii. 361.                  its influence on the African race in
Colleges, aid primary schools, i. 38; num-   America, 664; cannot remove the race,
ber of the Tennessee, 52; how and by    668, 670.
whom estabished, 85; defect in modern, Colossal Wrorks of antiquity, their origin,
91; not designed exclusively for the   iii. 131.
rich, 77; attempts in, to teach too hur- Combinations, of tradesmen, for fixed
riedly, 109; cannot be reared without   prices, unwise, iii. 597.
expense, 136; unfounded popular preju-  Commencement, anniversary of, 1837, at
dices against, 137; all may be im-   Nashville, i. 375: in Eastern colleges a
proved, 143; objections urged against,   great occasion, 427.
145; not exclusively for any one class, Commentaries, the proper use of Scripture,
145; advantages of home,' 146; old   iii. 220.
might be equal to new, 153; often  Commerce, of ancient Egypt in the time
haunts of dissipation, 166; number in    of Joseph, iii. 137; value of American,
Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, 213;   internal and domestic, 387.
genuine levellers of distinctions in so- Commission of the Church of Scotland,
ciety, 231; the poor derive the greatest   its early use, iii. 440; necessary for the
benefits from, 231; cheap institutions   dispatch of judicial business, 441, 443.
compared with penitentiaries, 249; evils  Commissioners of our General Assemblies,
of sectarian, 255; effects of, widely dif-   their capacity for business, iii. 442.
fused, 342; some men inveterate foes Common Ancestry of all men, assumed on
to, 395; hostility to, detrimental to the    Bible testimony, iii. 83.
public good, 528; number of, in Ten- Common Lawo, its theory admirable, i. 298.
nessee, 570; grant for endowment of, Comamonb School Education, what is meant
531; students of, exposed to intempe-   by, i. 133.
rance, iii. 521.                       Common Schools, great importance of, i.




INDEX.                                  687
131; create a demand for academies,   often a bar to all improvement, iii.
134; cannot be sustained without col-   218.
leges, 235; the university the best Consolation for.life's woes, found only in
friend of, 448; reformation to be effected   the gospel, iii. 489.
by, 470; alone, not sufficient to educate  CONSTANTINE, the Emperor, how he bethe people, 528; those of Tennessee    came head of the church, i. 311; head
considered, 643; three great parties on,   of heathenism, iii. 421; why he adopted
648; dangerous when divorced from        Christianity, 493.
religion, 648.                          Constitution, the Federal, final draft of,
Commons, the British House of, iii. 285;   iii. 305; to be interpreted by the intent
its action cited, 350.                   of its framers, 302, 317; cases of its
Commlnnicants, worthy and unworthy, at   wrong construction, 320, 321; articles
the Lord's table, iii. 497.              quoted, 322, 371; strict and liberal inCommunion, terms of courteous, between    terpreters of, 330, 350, 351; interpreted
churches, ii. 452.                       for the good of the country, 334; when
Compass, the mariner's, known from time    by the letter and when by the spirit,
immemorial, iii. 168; knowledge of,   335; violations of, 340; vests all legisconcealed by the Orientals, 169.         lative power in Congress, 340; legislaCumpet;tors, foreign, yield to home, under   tive construction of, 342; amendments
a protective tariff, iii. 379.           to, suggested, 287, 321, 344, 349; reC.indemnation of the neglecters of the    quires a uniform paper currency, 371:
gospel, just, ii. 610.                   where the letter fails, the spirit must
CONDICTS and LINDSLEYS, the families of,   govern, 568; how it may be perverted,
iii. 44, 45.                             569; wise provisions of, i. 583.
Condition, of the United States in 1842, Constitutions, American, in what derived
financially, iii. 355; of society, when    from the British, iii. 285; in what deleft merely to human sanctions, 486;    fective, 287; good in proportion  to
of communities without the Bible, 500.   their brevity, 294; allow no infringeConduct, of the unbelieving under gospel    ment of the rights of conscience, 426.
warnings, ii. 469; required  by the  Constitution of New York, its excluding
Bible, 681.                              the clergy from office, ii..60.
Confession of Faith, the Presbyterian, ar-  Constitution of Ronme, under the consuls,
tides of, cited, ii. 686, iii. 432, 433, 445.   iii. 345.
Colformity, meaning of the term  in the  Constructive Treason, a dangerous instruEnglish Church, iii. 413.                ment, i. 457.
Conflsion of Tonlgues at Babel, its effects  Consubstantiation, Luther's doctrine of,
on the race, iii. 101, 113; how accounted    an example of prejudice, iii. 215.
for, 101; a punishment mingled with  Consumptionl, articles of, taxable in a
mercies, 173.                            tariff, iii. 377; of wealth, caused by
Congregationalisgnm, somewhat Presbyte-    ardent spiritg, 524.
rianized, iii. 438.                     Contentment, Christian, advantages of, ii.
Congress, unjust laws of, iii. 320; legis-    261; taught by God's providences, 452.
lative power vested in, 340; under the  Contest, the Revolutionary, its inequality,
first administration, 335; no right to   iii. 248.
authorize or prohibit slavery in the  Contradictions, to reason, not found in the
Territories, 570.                        Scriptures, ii. 672; may seem so because.:)nnecticeut, public school system  of, i.   unrevealed, 673.
471; objections to, 473; Constitution  Contrasts between Pagan and Christian
of, iii. 294.                            men, ii. 135; of character, suggested,
Connection, intimate, between  all the    iii. 571, 590.
sciences, ii. 242.                     Contributions, liberal, to Bible Society, iii.
Conscience, not the guide of public officers,    500.
iii. 314; the Presidential, 337, 369; not Controversia  Verbi, illustration  of, ii.
a safe rule of conduct, 341; when its   675.
demands must be allowed, 426; not to  Controversies, religious, largely attributabe enslaved by human authority, 451.     ble to prejudice, iii. 199; trivial chaConscientiousness, pleaded by the lover of   racter of, in the Middle Ages, 202, 203;
gold, ii. 43.                            acrimonious nature of most religious,
Consciou.sness, the faculty of, in man, ii.   209; on episcopal power in sixteenth
664..                                   century, 414, 415.
Consecration of all to Christ, the great  Convenient Season, never comes to the
demand of the church, ii. 372.           procrastinating, ii. 617.
Consistency, of character, needed in the  Convention, minutes of the Federal, iii.
service of God, ii. 257; developed    317; should be known, to interpret the
only by a great object, 258; of opinion,   Constitution, 318.




688                                 INDEX,
Converts, never made by abuse and denun-  Crimes, increase of, in Connecticut and
ciation, iii. 209.                       New York, i. 507; amount of, from in,
Copernican System, first discovered  in   temperance, iii. 507.
Egypt, iii. 143.                       Crisis, in the American Union, in 1832, i.
Copts, of modern Egypt, no criterion of    332.
Pharaoh's wise men, iii. 145.          Criterion by which all must be judged, ii.
CORNARO, the Italian, an example for    192.
young men, ii. 173-175.                 CROCKETT, SAMUEL, son-in-law  of Dr.
Corn Laws of England, not the cause of    Lindsley, i. 15.
her prosperity, iii. 393.              CR(ESUS and SOLON, interview between,
Corporation, civil, defined, iii. 362; not   ii. 222, 223.
more reliable than individuals, 363; CROMWELL, OLIVER, like Coesar and Bobank, defined, 547.                      naparte, not to be envied, ii. 223; like
Corresponding Members of Synods and    Washington and Moses, the author of
Presbyteries, iii. 454, 455.             a revolution, iii. 563; compared with
Cost of intemperance in our country, iii.   Fox, the Quaker, 564.
491.                                   Cross of Christ, our true ground of gloryCotton, the policy of England as to the    ing, iii. 224.
growth of, iii. 383; American, ought to  CROSS, PROFESSOR NATHANIEL, referred
be manufactured at home, 384; where   to, iii. 27.
it may be cultivated, 650.             Crowding of studies in education, to be
Counsels to the young, ii. 148, 149.       avoided, i. 109.
Counterblast, of King James, to tobacco,  Crouw of glory offered in the gospel, ii.
iii. 556.                                607.
Counterfeit, of godliness, described, ii.  Cumberland College, changed to lTniver584, 682.                                sity of Nashville, i. 13; Dr. Lindsley's
Country, the love of, strong, i. 352; an    views of, 19, iii. 23; its condition and
agricultural, needs manufactures and a    prospects in 1825, i. 86; not a sectarian
market for its products, iii. 381, 387.  institution, 88; contemplated improveCountries, all mentioned in Scripture, full    ments in, 153, 156, 157.
of inhabitants, iii. 182.              Clnmberland Presbyterians, their mistake
Courage, the power of moral, described, i.   in changing the Confession of Faith, iii.
169, ii. 682.                            436.
Courts, of law, expensive and unsatisfac-  Cumberlanld River, at Nashville, described,
tory, i. 296; separate ecclesiastic, sug-   iii. 613.
gested for the Presbyterian Church, iii.  Cure for intemperance, a grand discovery,
442; one of supreme appellate jurisdic-   iii. 509.
tion needed, 444.                      Currency, paper, the only safe one, iii.
Covetousness, evidences of, ii. 43.        365; of some kind, essential, 367; inCRANTOR, on Plato's Atlantis, with Am-    dispensable elements of, 374; value of
mianus Marcellinus, referred to, iii.   a national, 370; should be uniform,
156.                                     371; advantages of; 372; compared
Creation, of the universe, in what sense a    with specie, 550.
mystery, ii. 640; of all plants and ani-  Custom, tyranny of, i. 186.
mals in a state of perfection, iii. 98.
Credit, better than money, iii. 360; State                  D
bills of, unconstitutional, 365.
Creditors, private, to be paid before gov-  Damascus, ancient, origin and history of,
ernment, iii. 321.                       iii. 130.
Creed, Dr. Lindsley's, on popular educa- Danger, of openly attacking prejudices,
tion, i. 500; of the Temperance Society,   iii. 193; to American  constitutional
short and good, ii. 345; of all the Re-   liberty, 257.
formed Churches, Calvinistic, 348; no  Dark Ages, of Europe, not destitute of all
formal, required for salvation in the    light, i. 73.
Scriptures, 680.                       Davidson, Bible Society of, its objects
Creeds anld Confessions, their place among    and ends, iii. 465, 499; anniversaries
Protestants, ii. 340, 341.               of, 459, 479, 500.
Creeds, necessity for, iii. 220; why adopted  DAVIES, PRESIDENT SAMUEL, his labours
by Protestants, 451; theological, how    in Virginia, ii. 715.
adopted and held, 219; political, eccle- Dawn of a more charitable day anticisiastical, and literary, ii. 346; of the    pated, ii. 368.
skeptics, most objectionable of all, Deacons in the church, first appointment
346.                                     of, iii. 446.
Criminals, state, unknown in the Ameri- Deaconesses, female presbyters, iii. 447.
can government, iii. 254.              Death, provision for, recommended, i. 205;




INDEX.                                   689
thoughts on the certainty of, 184; its    Rhode Island, 295; may be tyrannical,
terrible reign described, 216, 217; why    312; inconsistencies and contradictions
dreaded by the aged, 220; the final.  of, 342.
criterion of happiness, 222; exhorta- Democracies, of ancient Greece and Rome,
tion to prepare for, 298; its approach    their aristocratic spirit, iii. 467, 468.
a restraint on the wicked, 463; a ter-  Deolnsitnational Zeal, illiberal display of,
rible messenger to sinners, 625; of   in schools and colleges, i. 257.
Washington, universal sorrow produced  Denunciation, of churches from the pulpit,
by, iii. 234.                              useless, iii. 452.
Deaths, yearly number of, ii. 216.         Departments, of government, subject to
Death-bed, its lessons as to the value of    the President, iii. 323.
time, ii. 221; a true test of all earthly  Depravity of human  nature, evidences
things, 227,                               of, ii. 389; admitted  by good men,
Debt, a national, convertible into a sound    denied only by bad, 477; not incompaper currency, iii. 373.                  patible with a state of civilization, iii.
Decision of character, necessary for the    103.
Christian, ii. 253; illustrations of, in  Descendants of Shem  and Japheth, their
history, 254; displays of, in private    superior destiny, iii. 163.
life, 255; may sink into self-willed ob- Description, of Nashville, in 1830 and
stinacy, 256; more than constitutional    1859, i. 57-59; of the modern genteel
hardihood, 257.                            beggar, iii. 607, 609.
Decision of Supreme Court to be obeyed, Designation of ancient bishops by their
though not always right, iii. 319.         cities or sites, iii. 417, 418..
Decline of churches in some parts of the  Despotic Power of prejudice illustrated,
South, ii. 714.                           iii. 215.
Defects, in modern colleges, i. 91, 101; Despotism, in France, demolished, i. 137;
of our country, 244; in the Presbyte-   in ancient E,ypt, productive of art, iii.
rian system, iii. 440.                     132; of the English established church,
Deficiency of human laws remedied by    416.
the Bible, iii. 488.                     Dcst.-oyer of others a self-destroyer, iii.'DE FOE, poetical quotation from, iii. 555.   537.
Degener'acy, the law  of human  nature DE WITTS, of Holland, referred to, iii.
without education, i. 70, 71; of our    282.
race after the dispersion at Babel, iii. Differences among Protestant clergy, cha101; strong tendency to, 113, 114.         racter of, iii. 208.
Degraded  Classes  in  Christian  Europe  Dijiculties, in he way.of salvation, how
and America, iii. 132.                     removed, ii..197, 390; of modern unbeDegraded Varieties of the human family    lievers, the same as in Paul's day, 671;
may all be Hamnites, iii. 186.             unnecessarily created, 672; in ScripDzarading  Despotism  of intemperance    ture, of what kind, iii. 206.
long confessed, iii. 506.                Diflt8sion of knowledge beneficial to all
Degrees, college, conferred on unworthy    classes, i. 198.
candidates, i. 557; of civilization  ie  Di)gnitaries of the English Church, their
different ages, iii. 135.                  liberal views, iii. 411.
Deity, universal belief in the existence of, Dilemma to the American philanthropist
ii. 440.                                   touching African slavery, iii. 666.
DELAFIELD, JOHN, his work on American  Diocesan Bishops, as held by episcopal
Antiquities, iii. 162.                     writers of sixteenth century, iii. 414:
Dela!y, danger and folly of, in matters of   how their power first arose, 417; modern
religion, ii. 718.                         and ancient titles compared, 418; RoDelhi, Pekin, Jeddo, great population of,    man Catholic and Episcopal contrasted,
iii. 181.                                  419.
Deluge, changes wrought by, on  the  Diocesan Episcopacy,.s expounded by
earth's surface, iii. 101.                 English reformers, iii. 414, 41.5; its
Demagogues, hypocritical defenders of the    origin, 417.
poor, i. 3.)2; modern, described, iii. DIODORUS SICULUS, opinion of, concern277, 278; claim  to be democrats, 300;   ing man's primeval state, iii. 85, 90;
their tricks on the'people, 342, 343;    his description of the Egyptian priestoften professors of superior sanctity,    hood, 133; corroborates the  Mosaic
495; generally  declaim  against the    history, 139; his supposed reference to,
rich, 596.                                 America, 170; on the population of
Democracy, American, treatise on, iii. 317,   ancient Egypt, 178.
354; the best type of, 291; proper limit-  Directors of banks, should be few, iii. 366.
ations of, 300; aims of, 331; its ele- Dirks, the sporting of, by fashionable and
mental principles, 299; display of, in    precocious youth, condemned, i. 190.
VOL. III.-44




690                                INDEX.
Disappointmentl overruled for our good, Divine Late, obedience to, a duty, i. 175:
ii. 453.                                 requirements of, 176; binding authority
Disappointed Ambition in the church de-   on all, ii. 189.
scribed, ii. 70.                       Divine Mediator, his great atonement, ii.
Disciple of Christ, description of his true    703.
character, ii. 682.                    Divine Providence, dealings of, towards
Discipline of the mind, importance of, in    Christian communities, ii. 713.
academical study, ii. 242.             Divine Revelation adapted to man as he
Discordant Opinions unnatural among    is, ii. 663, 664.
friends of the Bible, iii. 197.        Divinity of Christ, prominent doctrine in
Discoulrse, Dr. Lindsley's, on the myste-    all Paul's writings, ii. 645, 646; rests
ries of God, ii. 631; his inaugural as    not on abstract arguments, 691; denied
Professor at New Albany, iii. 399.       by descendants of New England PuriDiscovery, of the Christian duty of circu-   tans, 713.
lating the Bible, when made, iii. 462; Divisions among Christians began in the
of a cure or preventive for drunkenness,   apostolic church, i. 332.
509.                                   Divorce among slaves, what constitutes,
Discoverers and Inventors, distinguished,   iii. 582.
referred to, iii. 41S.                 Doctorates, college, Dr. Lindsley's estiDiscrimination between articles in a tariff    mate of, iii. 41; might be assumed at
for revenue, iii. 378.                   pleasure, i. 557.
Diseases produced by the use of ardent Doctors, ecclesiastical, their inconsistenspirits, iii. 517.                       cies, ii. 327.
Dismemberment of the American Union a  Doctrine, meaning of, in the New Testasad calamity, iii. 255.                  ment, ii. 340, iii. 451; of a primeval
Dis pensatioin, of grace, the one we live    savage state, whence derived, iii. 123;
under, ii. 710; difference of the Mosaic    of the Trinity, properly called a mysand Christian, iii. 401.                 tery, ii. 638, 639; illustrations of, inDispersion at Babel attended by other    sufficient, 674.
great changes, iii. 174.               Doctrines, of the Bible, why called mysDis.sensions among Christians, the causes   teries, ii. 637; how treated, 686; their
of, iii. 204.                            social tendencies, iii. 489; of past ages,
Dissenters, English use of the term  not   many exploded, i. 285.
applicable in our country, iii. 423.   Doculments, Congressional, iii. 317.
Disseelters and Heretics unknown in Ame-  Dogmna, the jare divineo of high churchism,
rica, i. 318.                            iii. 410; of the king's supremacy, corDissol880tio)n of the American Union, too    rupting and fatal to the church, 416.
dreadful to think of, i. 333; who aim  Dogmas of Romanism now prevalent in
at it, iii. 435; a possible thing, 255.  our country, iii. 424, 426.
Distillation, invented after the close of  Dogmatism  exhibited by all churches as'
the Scripture canon, iii. 531.           to their form of government, iii. 406.
Distilled Liquors, their use deleterious, Dogmatist, the theological, described, iii.
iii. 529; ought to be abandoned as a    218, 219.
beverage, 534.                         Dollar Standard, republican nabobs of
Distilleries, a dead loss to society, iii.  the, i. 395.
525; their pernicious influences, 537.   Domestic MIanufactures, their advantages
Dishtinctio7, eminent,rarely attained among    to a country, iii. 384.; ought to be promen, i. 555.                             tected, 385.
Diversity, of opinions, on the ways and  Domestic Systemn of education, recommendmeans of education, i. 643; of animals,   ed, i. 253; its advantages, 416.
in the Old and Now Worlds, accounted  Domination of factions in a republic sure
for, iii. 172.                           to end in permanent despotism, iii. 257.
Divi'ion of the earth, the first, aq recorded  Doom, of the wicked, aggravated by reby Moses, iii. 127; in the days of Peleg,   jecting the gospel, ii. 407; determined
meaning of, 160.                         not by logic but the testimony of God,
Divines, what they ought to be, i. 224.    692; of the youthful drinker of ardent
Divine Aid needed by man as a sinner,   spirits, iii. 521.
ii. 687.                               Doomed Race (f leamn, the American sav_Divine Agency, necessary to change the    ages, iii. 163.
heart, ii. 526; consistent with hunman  DoUR, the Rhode Island rebel, iii. 297.
ability, 527.                          Drunrkard, once regarded as a hopeless
X.vin)e Existence a mystery to man, ii. 640.   character, iii. 507; who most to blame
Divine Government, a sermon, ii. 439; a    for his ruin, 514.
source of joy to men, 447; its grand  Draunkards, their liabllity to all forms of
end, 448.                                disease, iii. 519; how led on to ruin,




INDEX.                                 691
521; often made by parents, 522; some-   tariff on articles of consumption, iii.
timncs reclaimed, 527; made out of    377.
moderate drinkers, 533.               Eden, all civilization flowing from  the
Dr)llnkenness, the increase of, in our coun-   garden of, i. 69.
try, i. 183; the great evil of the times, EDGEWORTH, BELL, and LANCASTER, emi383; effects of, in South Carolina, 384;   nent educators, i. 521.
its debasing character, ii. 164; its ex- EDGAR, DR. JOHN T., referred to, ii. 24;
tent and cost in our land, iii. 507, 514,   his installation at Nashville, 303: eu523; its dangers, 508; the pathology    logium on his piety and labours, 373.
of, 517; horrors and crimes of, 520; its  Editors of newspapers and journals should
condemnation in Scripture, 531; fed    be educated, i. 442; their power and
by moderate drinking, 533.              responsibilities, 611.
Dluelling, the practice of, how sustained, Education, Dr. Lindsley's efforts in the
i. 192, 193; its relation to Christian    cause of, i. 19; the birthright of every
gentlemen, ii. 313; must come to an    human being, 37; a great science, 4:7,
end as the Bible prevails, iii. 491.     521; religion essential to, 47; study of
Dutty, practical, not well understood by    the Scriptures needed in, 50; religious,
men, ii. 324; of observing the Sabbath,    need not be sectarian, 51; importance
87; of all men as to temperance, iii.   of, 65; many different systems proposed,
534, 535.                               65; essential to all human progress, 70;
Duties, of the Sabbath day, enjoined, ii.   consequences of a neglect of, 70; its
96; of ministers and hearers pointed    influence on human nature, 70; the
out, 656; high import, adopted by all   safeguard of human liberty, 75; adcommercial nations, iii. 388.           vantages of a liberal, 81; its effects on
DWIGHT, D. TIMnOTHY, testimony  for   the poorer classes, 82; promotes raPresbyterian elders, iii. 438.          tional enjoyment, 83; great objects of
physical, mental, and moral, 89; its
E                       effects upon the old Greeks and Romans,
89; leading defect in the American
Early History of civilization traced in   system, 101; grand aim of collegiate,
the Bible, i.'67.                       110; aim of elementary, 121; not finEarly Peopling of America, objection to,   ished with school or college, 121; united
considered, iii. 176.                   with liberty and religion in all ages, 126;
Earl!l Piety recommended, a discourse, ii.   essential to the well-being of society,
121.                                    126; definition of, 127; evils arising
Early Settlers of Virginia and'Maryland,   from the want of, 126; the power of,
ii. 374.                                128; common-school or primary, con2Earnestness the essence of persuasion, ii. 9.   sidered, 133; collegiate, always the
Earth, its fertility and healthfulness be-   friend of liberty, 138, 139; Benjamin
fore the flood, iii. 101: divided in Pe-    Franklin's labours in the cause of, 141:
leg's days, import of, 160; may have    Washington's efforts in the cause of,
been once a continuous body of land,   142; the great preventive of social dis172; more populous in ancient than    orders, 150; a remedy for the worst
modern times, 182.                      evils of society, 195; will diminish
Eastern, Coller;es, why attended by youth    crimes, 198; the best fortune any child
from the South and West, i. 260; their   can have, 197; state of, in the valley
expensiveness, 261.                      of the Mississippi, 213; valuable to the
Ecclesiastical Despotism, the remedy for,   mechanic, 225; a boon for the children
iii. 497.                                of the poor, 230; enforced by law in
Ecclesiastical History harmonizes with   some European countries, 240; effects
civil and profane, ii. 507.              of, in a republic, 242; system of Austria
Eclesiastical Polity, test of the best sys-   and France, 240, 243; the instrument
tem of, iii. 399; the essential principles    of human improvement, 244; the sole
of, 404; cannot exclude  error and    means of popular reformation, 252;
schism, 404; primitive form  of, the    cheaper than the punishment of crime,
best safeguard for truth and holiness,   252; the legitimate ends of all popular,
405; claim of all sects to have the most   301; political advantages arising from,
perfect, 406;*  of  the  Presbyterian    341; system of, at Geneva, in SwitzerChurch, 399; of the English Episcopal   land, 414; expensive when youth are
Church, 413.                             sent from home, 428; founders of our
Eclipse of the sun a mystery to the igno-   republic urged the necessity of, 467;
rant, ii. 670.                          its relation to matrimony, 483; of all
Economy, contrast- of the Jewish  and    children, how secured, 483; the prime
Christian, iii. 401.                    object with all parents, 506; a subject
Economical Government best secured by a    on which all dogmatize too much, 521;




692                                 INDEX.
worthy of profound study as a science, Election and Predestination, not incom521; a blessing placed within the reach    patible with belief, ii. 673.
of all, 500; the cause of, in Tennessee, Elective Franchise for Federal officers, iii.
530; conceded by all men to be indis-   326.
pensable, 643; sentiment and habit of  Electoral Colleges should fill vacancies in
the people of the New England States    cases of death, iii. 344; might be diein regard to, 645; a public better than    pensed with altogether, 345.
a private, ii. 48; tendency of a private, Elementary Principles, of Presbyterian
54; the chief cause of difference in    church  government, iii. 400;  their
social rank, iii. 114; a slow and diffi-   prominence in the New Testament, 4041.
cult process to the child, 115.         Elemlentary Education should be the same
Education, lecture on popular, by Dr.   for all, irrespective of professions, i. 227.
Lindsley, i. 463.                       Elementary Schools the first want of the
Education under private pastors not the    people, i. 134.
best preparation for the ministry, ii. 54. Eleusinian.Mysteries powerless compared
Education, ministerial, best secured in    with those of the gospel, ii. 650.
theological seminaries, ii. 55; objec- Eligibility to office, proper age of, iii. 287.
tions to, answered, 56.                 ELIZABETH, QUEEN, despotic and perseEducation, in Tennessee, commonly prized    cuting character of, iii. 412, 414, 430.
for its costliness, iii. 603.           Eloquent Preachers have many points in
Educational Articles written by Dr. Linds-    common, ii. 9.
ley, i. 32.                             Emancipation of our slaves, inevitable,
Educational Systems of the Old World, i.   iii. 668; should not be rash and sudden,
243.                                      670.
Educated Classes, how repelled from the  Enmbargo Act of Jefferson's administration
pulpit, ii. 22; their patriotism and phi-   not liked by England, iii. 319.
lanthropy, 137.                         Eminent MVen always self-made, i. 342.
Educated Parenlts will always educate  Enlpires, the greatest, of ancient times,
their children, i. 647.                   formed by the children of Ham, iii, 128.
Educated and Uneducated, the great dis- Enployment, proper, the benefits of, i. 92;
tinction, i. 149, 150.                    should be continued through life, ii. 179.
EDWARDS, PRESIDENT JONATHAN, an ex- Enactments needed to secure universal
ample of courageous fidelity, ii. 329;   education, i. 646.
referred to, iii. 435; in favour of Pres- Encrinitic Mlarble, vast fields of, i. 630.
byterianism, 437, 438.                  End sanctifies the meons, adopted by some
Effrontery of such as sit in judgment on    Protestants, iii. 599.
Christians, ii. 193.                    Enemy of Education the worst foe to his
Egypt, ancient, a civilized nation in the    country, i. 77.
time of Abraham, iii. 136; art and  Enemnies of the Bible, men of dangerous
philosophy  of, 136; priesthood  and    influence, i. 307; no friends of liberty
civil polity of, 138; one great monarchy    generally, iii. 470, 498.
from Abraham to Moses, 140; its weak-  England, associations formed in, for menness and disorders in subsequent times,   tal improvement, i. 93, 123; her tariff
141; vast population of, 178.             and prohibitory policy, iii. 383; able to
Egypt and the East, civilized before the    compete with us in  growing cotton,
dawn of Grecian history, iii. 111; highly    383; her judicious land-tax a cause of
polished in the times of Hesiod and    prosperity, 392, 393; her gold circulaHomer, 125.                               tion deteriorated by sweating, 373.
Egyptian Art, indestructible monuments  English Achievements the common inheritof, iii. 145.                             ance of Americans, iii. 231.
Egyptian Bondage of our American fore-  English American Colonies, secret of their
fathers a popular mistake, iii. 244.      successful revolution, iii. 240.
Egyptian Colleges, with those of Greece  English and Americans, proverbially easy
and Rome, i. 343.                         to be imposed on, iii. 607; conservative
Egyptian Navies, traces of, on American    character of their revolutions, 562.
shores, iii. 167.                       English Colonies, the  master-spirits of,
Egyptian Sages, their knowledge of as-    educated men, i. 453.
tronomy, iii. 143.                      English Established Church, its fatal dogEgyptians, the first known to history,    ma of royal supremacy, iii. 416.
civilized, iii. 136; like the Phoenicians  English Hereditary Aristocracy a bar to
and Chaldeans, never in a savage state,    all democracy, iii. 253.
151.                                    English Liberty, its safeguard  in  the
Elders, distinction between preaching and    House of Commons, iii. 329.
ruling, iii. 445, 447; opinions as to  English LiteratuLre an American inherittheir term of office, 445.                ance, i. 355.




INDEX..                                 693
English Reformers, their recognition of.  fender, Hooker, 412; the creature of
all Protes'tant churches, iii. 411, 415.  the State, 420.
English School System, features of, i. 102. Eternal Death the doom of gospel-negEnylish Spirit exhibited in the American    lecters, ii. 702.
colonists of 1776, iii. 234.           Eternal Destiny, fearful, of the impenitent
English System of Law, its unchangeable   sinner, ii. 708.
character, i. 298.                     Eternal PunishmLent, the doctrine of, ii.
English Universities, the models of our    689; clearly taught in the Bible, 689.
own, i. 400; their splendid buildings, Eternal Sonship of Christ, an unfathom401: compared with the German, 402.    able mystery, ii. 692, 693; the doctrine
Englishmen, in America, could not be taxed    vindicated against objectors, 694, 695.
without their consent, iii. 246; the  Eternity, no escape from, by sinners, ii.
rights -of, claimed by our Revolutionary    624; full of terror to the unconverted,
fathers, 407; modern, unable to com-    624.
prehend the working of our government, Eternity of Matter, bearing of the doc242.                                     trine on an Eternal Creator, ii. 694, 695..
Enormity of sin not to be extenuated, ii. Ethics and Religion need to be well stu691.                                     died, i. 455.
Elnterprises, public, opposed in proportion  EUGENE ARAM and WILLIAM DODD, exto their excellence, iii. 463.           ceptional cases, i. 456.
Entertainment offered in whiskey taverns, EULER, the mathematician, a Calvinist,
iii. 537.                                ii. 358.
EnLthusiastic Christian, a defective cha- Europe, colleges and universities of, i. 138.
racter, ii. 546.                       European Aristocracy, its prospective batEpicurean Philosophers, their opinion of    tle with the people, iii. 253.
man's primeval state, iii. 85.. European Populace compared with AmeEpiscopacy, its fierce combats with Inde-    rican, i. 241.
pendency and Presbytery, iii. 208; how  European Revolutions, radical defect of,
it supplanted primitive Presbytery, 429;   iii. 242.
its controversies in the reign of Eliza-  ELropean Sages afraid of too much knowbeth, 415; lordly title of its bishops in   ledge among the people, i.. 302.
the United States, 417-419.            Europeans, their error as to the origin of
Equality, of privileges in all parts of our    American liberty, iii. 245.
Union, iii. 386; of rank secured by the  Ecangelical Obedience, nature and obliAmerican' Revolution, 252.               gation of, ii. 576.
Erastians, eminent and influential, in the  Evangelical Repentance, secures reformaWestminster Assembly, iii. 432.          tion of life, ii. 508; the work of a lifeErastianism, opposed by the Scottish Pres-   time, 509; nature and duty of, 596;
byterians, iii. 408; elements of, in the    implies faith in Christ, 606.
English and Scotch Churches, 420.      Events and Changes in the world since
E}ror to be distinguished from the errorist   the birth of Washington, iii. 235.
~ in discussion, iii. 426.               Evidence, adduced, of the beneficial ten.
Error and Superstition, the source of, i.   dency of learning, i. 139; of history,
166.                                     favours a primeval civilization of our
Errors, afloat in the world, ii. 364; fatal   race, iii. 125; sufficient for belief, found
and delusive, on personal religion, 400.   in the Bible, ii. 665; of Christianity,
Elrrorists can be won only by a gospel of    strong enough to convince Sir Isaac
love, iii. 452.                          Newton, iii. 472.
ERSKINE, REV. DR., of Scotland, referred Evidences of the gospel sufficient to win
to, iii. 437, 438.                       belief, ii. 484.
Esqulimaux, descendants of Japheth, iii. Evils of slavery to be ameliorated and
165.                                     abated, iii. 583.
Essay, Adam Ferguson's, on civil society, Exanmple of Washington, its influence on
quoted,,iii. 92.                         mntnkind, iii. 235, 258.
Essentials of salvation distinguished from  Exaprrl/es of the power of prejudice cited,
non-essentials, ii. 356.                 iii. 214.
Estarblished  Churches, antichristian, ii. Exchange of pulpits, the true rule for, ii.
319; their neglect of foreign missions,   366, iii. 454.
433; all more or less Erastian, iii. 420; Excuses, inconsistent, of those who negtheir persecutions in  the  American    lect the gospel, ii. 516, 719.
colonies, 423.                         Executive proclaimed a co-ordinate branch
Established Church of Scotland, always    of the legislature, iii. 341.
opposed to Erastianism, iii. 408.      Executive Veto should be abolished, iii.
E.stablished  Church of England, nature    344.
of her power, iii. 413; her ablest de- Exhortations to sinners to accept of salva



694                                INDEX.
tion, ii. 531; to half-believing Chris- Fall of man in Eden, its fatal consetians, 556.                              quences, ii. 530, iii. 103.
Existence of man's savage state accounted  False  Estimates of God's service, ii.
for, iii. 83.                            124.
Expense, comparative, of prisons and  False Prophets in the Christian Church,
colleges, i. 249; enormous, exacted by    ii. 309.
fashion, 501; of vice and crime, great, False Religions better than none, ii. 109.
iii. 492.                              False Teachers of the gospel, numerous
Exploring Expedition, an ancient, iii. 167.   and dangerous, ii. 488.
Experinzent, the true criterion in personal Fanaticisml, religious, its power, iii. 496.
religion, ii. 401; of self-government, Fanatics and Agitators of New England,
the grand problem  in America now    i. 510.
solving, i. 199.                       Farewell Sermon  of Dr. Lindsley, at
Expostulation, earnest, with the uncon-    Princeton, ii. 249, 299.
verted, ii. 720.                       Farewell Address of Washington, its chaExtension of slavery into new territory,   racter, iii. 229.
effect of, iii. 569.                   Farmers, their advantages, i. 124; should
External Duties not sufficient in religion,   be educated, 224; the sovereigns of the
ii. 102.                                 country,.225; have leisure for study,
Extraordinary Men raised up for extraor-   227; the best officials, 488.
dinary times, iii. 249.                Farnmers and Mlechanics, need more than
Extrem.es in social condition no disproof    a primary education, i. 197; should
of civilization, iii. 134.               have collegiate culture, 224, 225: their
cause pleaded, 349; too much governed
F                       by lawyers, 349  their honourable calling, 350; should be regarded as peers
Fables of Titans and Giants, their origin,   and judges, iii. 275; often deceived by
iii. 128.                                demagogues. 278; a hint to, 316; their
Facts, most important, recorded by Moses,   veto invoked, 346; their interests proi. 66; illustrative of the superiority of    moted by a tariff, 391; what they should
Christians over Pagans, ii. 136, 137;   aim at, 394; the classes producing emiintelligible to man when their nature    nent men, 395; important counsels to,
is not fully understood, 640, 641; many    395.
mysterious, both in nature and revela- Farmers and cliechanics of Tennessee able,
tion, 642; must be received on evidence,   if they would, to educate thdir children,
however mysterious, 653; doctrinal, of   iii. 271.
the Bible, how established, 667; the  Farrmers, Mechanics, and Schoolmasters,
essence distinguished from the mode of,   three most ancient and useful classes,
670, 676; mentioned by Moses, their   iii. 267, 273; their spheres defined and
disproof of a savage state at the first,   described, 272.
iii. 99; important, on the population  Fashion, the universal sway of, i. 186; its
of the ancient world, 177-179.           grinding tyranny, 501; its fatal power
Faculty, of the Nashville University, i.  in leading to drunkenness, iii. 508.
376; of the University of Berlin, 403; of Fashionable Gcetlensa?, a picture of, i. 190.
philosophy in Germany, its import, 403. Fashionablg Religion may be a most fatal
Faculties, of Law, Medicine, and Theology    error, ii. 363.
in universities, i. 400; of German uni- Fashionable  Vices,'their prevalence in
versities, 402; of the University of New    society, ii. 314.
York, 420.                             Fatal 1i/stake of the British Parliament
Faculties, in man, the means and sources   in taxing America, iii. 246.
of knowledge, ii. 664.                 Fate of other republics no criterion for
Fairs for benevolence deceptive and inju-   ours, iii. 245.
rious, iii. 599.                       Fathers of the Christian Church, learned
Faith in Christ essential to salvation, ii.   men, ii. 46; their testimony on church
127, 681; as a principle, must supply    government, iii. 404.
the lack of knowledge, ii. 456; the  Fathe)rs, our gallant American, proofs of
mainspring of Christian practice, 570;   their prowess, iii. 232; nature's noblenot required in the Bible without suf-   men, 243; learned the art of governficient evidence, 665; the doctrine of    ment in the school of experience, 244;
justification by, 687: nature and object   republican and self-governed from the
of all-saving, iii. 450, 451.            first, 244; a libel to say they were ever
Faithful Milnister of the gospel, his cha-   enslaved, 245; their conservative and
racter described, ii. 269; his duties and    patriotic character, 406.
aims, 304-308; a rich blessing to any  FAUST, FRANKLIN, and COLUMBUS referred
people, 658.                             to, ii. 418.




INDEX.                                  695
Favour of God secured by the death of  Foreign Comnpetition, effect of excluding,
Christ, ii. 705.                         on manufactures, iii. 387.
Fear of God the true source of moral Foreign Immigrants to this country all
courage, i. 170.                         become Anglo-American, iii. 562.
Fearful Peril to the American Union in  Foreign Mission8 a remedy for party feuds
1832, i. 336.                            in the church, ii. 435.
Federal Constitution, how interpreted, iii. Foreigners, their influence as to our gov317.                                     ernment, iii. 312.
Federal Government, its deficiencies, iii. Formality, effects of, in the church, ii. 712.
302; who are bound by it, 303; more  Forms, of Christianity, three distinct, iii.
monarchical than that of England, 328;   427; of civilization, diversified by ages
reasons for this opinion, 329; its rela-   and countries, 135; of church governtion to a national bank, 369; ought to    ment, not essential to salvation, ii. 336;
protect home industry, 385; calculated    insufficient to keep out error, iii. 404;
for indelinite expansion, 562.           not discussed in the New Testament,
Federalist, a commentary on the Consti-   489.
tution, iii. 318, 341.                 Founders of Princeton Theological SemiFederalists and Republicans, the original    nary. eulogium on, ii. 75.
parties, iii. 331.                     Fourth of July, orators produced by, iii.
Federative Republic, nature of the Ame-    312.
rican, iii. 251.                       Four Years too long for a Presidential
FELLENBERG, his labours at Hofwyl, to   term of office, iii. 345.
educate the poor, i. 94, his system ap-  France, education in, i. 243; her experiplied to American youth, 96.             ment of abolishing the Sabbath, ii. 109;
Fellowships in English universities, the    civilized, despite the ignorance of the
benefits of, i. 402.                     masses, iii. 134; her example shows
Female Sex, degradation of, in Grecian    the danger of attacking all religious
and Roman republics, iii. 468; exalted    prejudices, 194.
to their proper rank by the Bible, 490.  FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN, his example as a
FENELON, referred to, as an example of    mechanic, i. 124; his labours in the
suffering wrongfully, ii. 282; as a writer    cause of education, 141; never forgot
on education, i. 522.                b   the poor mechanic, 269; his efforts to
FERGUSON, ADAM, referred to, i. 441, iii.   diffuse useful knowledge, 286; referred
92, 396.                                 to, with other great discoverers, ii. 417,
Fermented Liquors, their bearing on the    iii. 36, 238, 282, 396.
temperance cause, iii. 529; their use as  FRANKLIN and WASHINGTON, what they
a beverage, how regulated, 534.          might have been without education, i.
Fidelity, required of all Christ's ministers,    436; where and how they studied, 4'-.;
ii. 632; how best exhibited, 643.        both liberally educated, after all, 437*.
Finances, every thing in a State depend-  FREDERICK THE GREAT referred to, i. 317,
ent on the administration of, iii. 334.  ii. 135.
Finite Creature, incapable of an infinite  Free Agency of man, a matter of conwork, ii. 690.                           sciousness, ii. 528; consistent with God's
FINLEY, REV. ROBERT) referred to as a    government, 673.
teacher, iii. 11.                      Free Banks, the State system  of, bound
Fires of persecution cannot keep the    to fail, iii. 549; objections to, 584;
church pure, iii. 482.                   number and basis of those in Indiana,
First Colleges in America, their alumni   585.
patriots, i. 211.                      Freedom  and  Slavery, relation of the
First mntpressions, Dr. Lindsley's, of Gene-   colored race to, iii. 583.
ral Washington, iii. 234.              Freedom of opinion and speech, secured
First Occupation of man in Eden me-   by the American Revolution, iii. 254;
chanical, iii. 265.                      how limited, 308.
FLETCHER, ANDREW, quoted on patriot- Free  Governmerlt maintained  only  by
ism, iii. 554.                           knowledge and virtue, i. 74.
Folly of rejecting the salvation of the  Freemnasonry a burden on the labouring
gospel demonstrated, i. 165, ii. 717.    classes, iii. 598.
Fools and Witlilngs reproved, ii. 240.   Free Negroes, questions as to their conForce of Truth, Scott's, quoted on the    dition and destiny, iii. 581.
power of prejudice, iii. 215.          Free Trade, theory and practice of, iii.
Forefathers, American, their objects in    382; necessary between States of the
coming to the New  World, iii. 232;   Union, 387; to be universal, must be
their regard for the Bible, 469.         international, 383; compared with a
Foreign Begga-rs, their modes of living in   tariff policy, 559.
our country, iii. 608.                 FRELINGHUYSEN, HON. THEODORE, re



696                                  INDEX...
ferred to, iii. 13; letter of, respecting  Genteel Beggare, article on, iii. 607.
Dr. Lindsley, 20.                        Gentleman, different views of what constiFrench Colonies in America, cause of their   tutes, i. 190.
difference from the English, i. 314.     Geologist, object of the, i. 627.
French Revolution, by whom  originated,  Genuine Divinity learned only from the
i. 451.                                    Scriptures, iii. 206.
Friends, or Quakers, their church govern-  German Divine quoted on educated men,
ment, iii. 403.                           i. 527.
Friends of Liberty, should be advocates  German Universities, i. 243; description
of the Bible, iii. 469; appealed to, in    of, 402, 403; honours and emoluments
behalf of the Bible, 470.                  of their professors, 404; their discipline
Friendship not a delusion, its nature and    not for boys, but men, 405.
value, ii. 294.                          Germany, the cotters of, i. 241; effects of
Fugitive Slave Law, remarks on, iii. 582.    literature in, 452; Christian missions
Full-grown Infancy not:man's original    of, ii. 430; highly educated, but not
state, iii. 112.                           the freest country of Europe, iii. 240.
FULTON, ROBERT, referred to, iii. 396.     GERRY, ELBRIDGE, his opinion on a naFunds of Colleges perverted or withheld,    tional bank, iii. 352.
i. 351.                                  GIBBON, EDWARD, his tribute to  the
Funeral, services at Dr. Lindsley's, iii.    purity of the early Christians, iii. 472;
75, 76.                                    his Decline and Fall of the Roman EmFuture Punishment, like future reward,    pire quoted, 473; referred to, 180.
must be eternal, ii. 492; so because sin  GIBBS ALPHONSO, referred to, i. 363.
is eternal, 689-691; influence of the  GILLESPIE, REV. GEORGE, in the Westdoctrine of, iii. 485.                     minster Assembly, iii. 432.
Giving, in the spirit of charity, never imG                       poverishes, iii. 475; freely, the essence
of the gospel, 480.
GALLATIN, ALBERT, referred to, iii. 327.   Glory, of God, the supreme object of
GALILEO, and  others, illustrating  the    the  Christian, ii. 578; of English
benefits of hard study, i. 447, ii. 239.   history, belongs equally to America, ii.
Ganmliels of ancient Egypt, and modern    230.
pedagogues, iii. 1.49.                   Gnats and Camels, political and demoGambling, compared with gaming, i. 191;    cratic, iii. 342, 343.
its horrible effects, 191; different kinds of,  Gnostic Heresies, origin of, iii. 200.
294; licensed establishments for, iii. 391.  Gon, the source of all good influences, i.
Gaul and Scythia early subdued by the    118; absolute authority of his comgospel, ii. 704.                           mands, ii. 103; to be remembered in
GEBELIN, work of, on the primitive state    youth, 123; his moral character worthy
of mankind, iii. 88.                       of our love, 125, 126; must be served
General Assembly  of the  Presbyterian       according to his gospel, 127; his wisChurch, a divine institution, iii. 400;    dom  displayed in the work of redempits capacity for judicial business, 441;    tion, 200; his service incompatible with
time of its continuance in session, 430;    that of Mammon, 226; his paramount
a commission of, proposed, 440; some    claims to our service, 252; the only
changes necessary, 443; one supreme    source of pure felicity, 263; supreme
court of appellate jurisdiction suggested,    object of our lives, 275; his government
444.                                       a source of: encouragement in labour, ii,
General Assembly of the  Presbyterian    461; not the author of sin, according to
Church in 1834, its parties, iii. 46; in    Calvinism, 360, 672; his purposes un1855, action on the death of Dr. Linds-    fathomable to us, 388; the creator of
ley, 68..  the universe, 672; his providence over
General Assemblies, Presbyterian, con-    all things, 673; his testimony must be
servative character of, iii. 435...   accredited, 679; a. Spirit, infinite Ln!d
General Learning, a wide range of, de-    eternal, 680;'as Father and Son, rdlasirable, i. 108.                          tion between, 682; as eternal creator
General Inspiration of the  Scriptures,    and eternal cause, 683; his-omniprewhat it means, ii. 666.                    sence a restraint on crime, iii. 487; our
Geneva, the University of, i. 413; pre-    personal accountability to, 502.
paratory school at, 415.                GODFIREY, HADLEY, and NEWTON referred
Genevan System of education described,   to, iii. 418.
i. 414.                                  GODWIN and HvmE, referred to, ii. 135.
Genius, illustrations of its attributes, i. G(ETHE, remark of, on the acquiring of
617; its aims, 618; unavailing without    languages, iii. 556.
study, ii. 178.




INDI)EX                                   697
G'OGUET, his Origin' of Laws, Arts, and    441-444; a cause of joy to good men,
Sciences, iii. 88.                         447.
Golden Age, none on earth since the fall Government, all human, ordained of God,
in Eden, ii. 505; of fiction, solved by    iii. 449; needs the influence of the'
Moses, iii. 102.                           Sabbath, ii. 110; heathen, not interfered
Gold, its loss by sweating, iii. 371, 373.    with by the apostles, iii. 489; free civil,
Gold and Silver, only legitimate basis of    how maintained, i. 74; ought to probanking, iii. 549, 585; its loss by cir-    vide for the education of the poor, 234.
culation unfits it for currency, 550.    Government, American Federal, the creaGood Advice for mechanics and farmers,   ture of the people, iii. 274, 276; dani. 348.                                    gerous innovations in, 329; need of
Good lMen must always suffer persecution,    reform, 281; though democratic, may
ii. 283.                                   be tyrannical, 312; a privileged creditor,
Goodness, genuine, in what it consists, i.   320; its inherent right to charter banks,
175.                                       336; right to make internal improveGordian Knot, must be cut when it can-    ments, 338; what it can do for the peonot be untied, iii. 166, 385.              ple, 354;. tested by the character of the
Gospel of Christ, requires a spirit of    people, 355; the best system  defined,
purity, peace, and love, i. 174; its con-    358;' any systematic policy better than
solations needed in life, 275; not a foe    irregularity, 358; cannot create money
to thrift and industry, ii. 34; not de-    out of nothing by banks, 359; its relarogatory to the law of God, 87; its in-    tion to a sound paper currency, 370;
fluence on man's character and destiny,    its paper better than a national bank,
133; favourable to patriotism  and love    373; made economical by a tariff on
of country, 147; friendly to the inte-    consumption, 373; should protect home
rests of comrnmunities, 148; gains nothing    industry, 385; how it may be destroyed,
by its friends compromising with the    256, 257.
world, 226; its promises'and rewards  GovernlLent of the church, the best system
secure, 236; its adaptation to man ats a    of, iii. 402; the Judicious Hooker on,
sinner, 391; its teachings, 405, 473;    403; divine forms of, 403; details of,
early perversion of, 429; an adequate    not stated in the New Testament, 404;
remedy for sinners, 479; its proffered    the fundamental principles of, 404.
blessings, 480; demands the  closest Governnment of colleges, the essential elescrutiny, 4S3; evidences of its divinity,    ments of, i. 110, 112, 114.
484; distinguished by its sublime mys-  Graces of the Spirit partially possessed
teries, 637; force of its truths, 618; its    by Christians, ii. 395.
great salvation  needed  by all, 695;  Graduate., of American  colleges, their
what it includes as a remedy for sin,    high  character, i. 331; English  and
696; no escape for the neglecters of it,    American, their comparative advance696; corrupted by Greek and Roman    ment, 401; of the University of Nashphilosophy, iii. 200; early obstacles    ville, 54; number living in 1834, 363;
overcome by, 201; rejected by some    their modesty, 572; number of, at' the
because of the persecuting spirit of its    university, 569.
professed disciples, 211; free from rites  Gradiuating Classes, addresses to, i. 268,
and ceremonies in the Jewish sense,    357.
402; its success under the labours of  Granlmar Schools in England, i. 102.
the apostles, 460; its diversified pro-  Grand Heresy about education, its origin,
gress since the Reformation, 461; the    i. 226.
only protector of the female sex, 490;  Gratitude, definition of, iii. 563.
its spirit repugnant to aay monopoly  Gratuito8ts Education never highly prized,
of blessings, 479, 501; must be imparted    iii. 565.
to others, or else its blessings will be  Gravitation,,the fact of, used to illustrate
lost, 480.                                  Scripture'mysteries. ii. 641.
Gospel )/inbistry, chief qualifications of, ii.  Great Britain, effect of her policy towards
22; great importance of, 40; the main    the American colonies, iii. 233.
pillar of;socTety, 63; essential to the  Gr-at Clharacte-rs in history, formed on
stability of government, 63; depository    Bible principles, ii. 135, 136; their inof he le]qr'iiun  of ages, 63; its grand    debtedness to seminaries of learning, i.
w'.in n t ina, 3'.                      343; in America, mostly from the ranks
Gothic-E nglish  system  of bench-made    of the poor, 394.
law, i. 223.                             Greatness, the foundation of true, laid in
G )ths old V'rndals, why they do not still    youth, ii. 146; of the gospel method of
overrun Europe, iii. 237.                   salvation, 698.
Gone'nmeent of God, over all things, ii.  Great Salvation, a sermon on the, ii. 701;
439; universal and particular, combined,    how secured, 720.




698                                 INDEX,.
Great University, ought to include all pro-    able expounder of the  Constitution,
fessional education, i. 401; one for each    341, 342.
American State needed, 406.            HAMILTON, PROFESSOR JAMES, referred
Grecian Sages,- in  what schools they    to, i. 595, 596, iii. 52.
graduated, iii. 134; why they went to  HAMMOND, with other learned  divines,
school in Egypt, 148.                    referred to, ii. 47.
Greece, effects of learning in modern, i. HAMIPDEN, SIDNEY, RUSSEL, labours of,
451.                                     in the cause of liberty, i. 284.
Greece and Romle, morals and religion of Happiness, secured only in God's service,
ancient, ii. 419; their people strangers   ii. 128-130; unattainable by the votato true liberty, iii. 467; idolized liberty   ries of this world, 262; on what terms
as a phantom to fight for, 468; degraded    offered in the gospel, 702.
the female sex, 468; at best, turbulent HARRISON, GENERAL, referred to, iii. 278.
aristocracies, 469.                    Harvard University, revenue of, i. 216;
Greeks and Romnans,  their moralists desti-   number of professors and tutors in, 416;
tute of true knowledge, ii. 421; their   like Yale and Nassau Hall, founded by
historians on man's primeval state, iii.   Calvinists, iii. 434; names of men im119; behind the Orientals in navigation,   mortalized in, i. 159.
169; used too often as a standard to  HAZAEL, the example of, cited, iii. 353.
measure all ancient nations by, 184; Heads, of families, their responsibility
education of the people among, i. 72,   under God's law, ii. 89; of departments
521; their schools and gymnasia, 89, 91.   in the government, should be independGreeks, degeneracy of, i. 69; not the    ent, iii. 328.
originators of civilization, iii. 110; Heart of man, its wickedness disclosed,
once fierce and untamed barbarians,   iii. 488.
111; of the heroic ages, how civilized, Heut and Cold, alternations of, in Ten121; indebted to foreign aid for their   nessee, iii. 626.
culture, 123; largely  to Egypt for Heatheln, all of one depraved character by
letters, arts, and philosophy, 127, 141,   nature, ii. 64S; their philosophy, teach142.                                     ings of, 287; their sages, contrasted
GREEN, DR. ASIIBEL, referred to, iii. 23;   with Christian, 136.
his presidency of Nassau Hall, 437.     Heathen N'ations contrasted with ChrisGreenwood Semninary referred to, i. 31.    tian, iii. 481.
GRINDALL, ARCHBISHOP, not a persecutor, Heaven of the Bible described, ii. 118.
iii. 415.                              Heavenly 1Wiscdom, what it promises and
Guilt of sin, transcends human thought,   secures, ii. 201; how attained, 712.
ii. 681; aggravated by rejecting the  Ileliopolis, the Egyptian seat of sungospel, 702; measured by privileges    worship, iii. 142.
abused, 703.                           Hell, sin constitutes, ii. 383.
Helplessness  of man as a sinner, and his.rH                     remedy, ii. 520, 687.
HENDERSON, ALEXANDER, in the WestHabit, of reflection, must be cultivated in    minster Assembly, iii. 432.
youth, i. 282; of intemperance, gradu-  HENDERSON, DR., his testimony on educaally formed, iii. 521.                   tion in Iceland, i. 518.
Habitual Drinking of ardent spirits makes  IIENRY THE EIGHTH, made himself Pope
drunkards, iii. 533.                     of England, iii. 416, 430; never a true
Iabitual Use of fermented liquors, how    Protestant, 416; his policy of burning
estimated in Scripture, iii. 531.        and hanging, 416.
HALE, SIR MATTHEW, referred to, iii. 324. Hercules and the Wagoner referred to, iii.
Hale's Analysis of Chronology cited, iii.   275.
131.                                   Heresy/, on the subject of education, i. 226;
HALL, ALLAN A., his tribute to the genius   in the English legal sense, unknown in
and character of Dr. Lindsley, iii. 73.  our country, 423; what it is in the
HALL, EDWIN. his work on the Puritans    Church of Rome, 424.
and their principles, iii. 414.        Heresies in the early church, cause of, iii.
HALL, REV. ROBERT, his catholic spirit,   202.
iii. 207.                              Hero of New Orleans at Nashville UniHALLEY, the astronomer, reproved by Sir   versity, i. 158.
Isaac Newton, iii. 472.                HERODOTUS, on the primitive state of man,
HA.r, his curse, in the savage races of   iii. 90; testimony as to early civilized
America and Africa, iii. 187; remark-    nations, 124; opinion as to the anable doom of his posterity, 163.         tiquity of the Egyptians, 127; witness
HAtMILTON, ALEXANDER, referred to, iii.   as to the ruins of the tower of Babel, 107;
323, 327; his financial policy, 334;   testimony as to the wisdom of Egypt, i.




INDEX.                                  699
139, 140; his account of Croesus and    270; in office, must be dealt with as if
Solon, ii. 222.                          a rogue, 325.
Heterodox Churches not to be converted  Hono02rs and Rewoards, the effect of, i. 46.
by denunciation, iii. 452.             HooK, DR., quoted on episcopal claims,
HETHERINGTON, his History of the Church   iii. 410.
of Scotland referred to, iii. 411, 431, HOOKER, RICHARD, the Judicious, quoted,
441, 446; quoted, 414, 415, 431.         iii. 402; his Ecclesiastical Polity, 403;
HEYNE, his seminary at Gittingen, i. 103.   why written, 413; no advocate of PuHierarchy, Romish, the most crafty con-    seyite views, 412; design of his treatise,
trivance of Satan, iii. 422.             413; his doctrine of church power, 413;
High Chutrchisnl, arrogant claims of, iii.   in what sense called "judicious," 413.
410; how it should be dealt with, 411.  Hopeless Condition of those who neglect
High Life in America, its absurd preten-   the gospel, ii. 701.
sions, i. 189.                         HORACE, the  Roman  poet, on man's
Highway Robbery diminished by the use    primeval condition, ii. 86, 554.
of paper money, iii. 372.              Horrid Robbery, article on, iii. 643.
Hint to the Easterns, an article, iii. 636.   Horrors of drunkenness depicted, iii. 522.
History, all human, founded on testimony, Horse-Racilg, the worst species of gamii. 677; of man in all nations, a record    bling, i. 501; views of the sages of
of his depravity, 506, 508; argument    Christendom on, ii. 314.
from, on the primeval state of luan, iii. HORSLEY, BISIIOP, advice of, to those
119, 125; knows no period when all    who denounce Calvinism, ii. 359.
men were savages, 151; early, of Greece, Horticulture, man's first employment in
why so fabulous, 122; stream of civil-    Eden, iii. 98; never the occupation of
ized, how traced, 110; of England, part   savages, 98.
and parcel of American glory, 230; of Hostility to  theological seminaries, its
the past century, its grand character-   source, ii. 55.
istics, 236; of Christianity, the history  House of Comnlmons, British, why omnipoof learning, ii. 47; of collegiate or   tent, iii. 329.
university education, 343, 435; of the  Houcse of Lords, the British, iii. 285.
church, a proof of man's depravity, 507. HOWELL, JAMES, letter of, to  Sir E.
Historians, the earliest, testify of a pre-    Knight, iii. 218.
ceding civilization, iii. 124.        IHOYTE, REV. Dn. J. W., Professor of
I8istor'ic  Character of ages and nations    Mental and Moral Science in University
depends on the educated few, iii. 1:34.  of Nashville, i. 15.
HOBBES and other infidel writers referred  Hlenza Ability unquestionuablc, ii. 673.
to, i. 152.                            Human Conduct, right principles of, iii.
HODGE, DR. CHARLES, his History of the    488.
Presbyterian Church, iii. 438-440; ad- Hunman Depravity, considered, ii. 474; its
vocates a commission of the General   remedy, a sermon on, 497; declared in
Assembly, 440.                           Scripture, 500; proved by history, 508;.Hoftoyl, Fellenberg's school at, i. 83, 94;    proved by universal experience, 510.
the rich and the poor educated at, 94.   Human Faculties, the boundary of the, ii.
Holiness, indissolubly  connected  with    421.
happiness, ii. 583; of life, required in  Huilmnri Family, original condition of, iii.
the Scriptures, iii. 488.                81, 112.
Holy Scripturles, the duty of circulating,  Human Ignorance  never employed as a
iii. 459, 480.                           Divine agent, i. 444.
Holy Spirit, the special work of, ii. 513; Humal Irnabilit/ considered, ii. 687.
communications of, 585; agency of, es- Ilumane Knowlledre largely derived from
sential to salvation, 649, 712; in regene-   testimony, ii. 676, 677.
ration and sanctification, 687.        Hitnman Lawvs, their injustice to woman,
Homne the source of morality to children,   iii. 490.
i. 381.                                Hueman Learning more needed than igIIoine Education, Dr. Lindsley's views of,   norance, iii. 434.
i. 40; the economy of, 136; its great Hunsman Liberty, its obligations to classical
importance, 144; the best policy for   learning, i. 138, 1:39.
Tennessee, 220; the custom of under- Human Nature, as depicted in the Bible,
valuing, iii. 603.                       ii. 505; unregenerate, described, 711;
Home Products ought to be protected by    whence degraded and how restored, iii.
a tariff, iii. 379.                      94.
HOMER, his characteristic of man. iii. 96.  Hisann Phi;los.ophy a poor teacher for the
Honest Clerqgy, their influence for time    ills of life, ii. 454.
and eternity, ii. 63, 64.               H,,,man. Race, its destitution of saving
Hionest Mian, the true king of men, iii.   knowledge, iii. 473.




700'                                 INDEX.
Human Reason insufficient to discover    Lindsley, ii. 205; of the negro race in
moral truth, ii. 422.                      America, iii. 578, 580.
Human Sacrlfces not tolerated on a plea  Inability of the  sinner no excuse for
of conscience, iii. 426.                   rejecting the gospel, ii. 529.
Humean Systems of virtue, insufficient, ii. Inaugural Address of Dr. Lindsley, at
133; their perversion of the gospel, iii.    Nashville, as President, i. 65; at New
~202; tendency to produce rival sects,    Albany, as Professor, iii. 399.
205.                                     Incarnation of Christ, in what sense a
Humnanity in war a virtue of Washington's    mystery, ii. 641.
character, iii. 250.                    Income of the principal American colleges,
HUME, DAVID, confessions of, i. 306; his   i. 216.
views on tolerating sectaries, iii. 211; Incon1sistencies, of those who neglect relias a philosopher, 180.                     gion, ii. 403; under the garb of demoHUME and GIBBON, dangerous doctrines    cracy, iii. 342.
of, ii. 235.                            Incon(sistency, of those  who  condemn
Hundred Years, events of the past, not    Christians, ii. 192; of character, deeasily grouped, iii. 235.                  scribed, 259.
Hlunting, the characteristic of a savage  Inconsistent Condatct in professors of relistate, iii. 98; not the original occupa-    gion, ii. 539, 540.
tion of man, 98.                         Incorporation of a United States bank
Huss, JOHn, referred to, iii. 430.           questioned at first, iii. 335.
Hypothesis of a primeval savage state, Incredulity of the moderns respecting the
refuted, iii. 83, 113; the received, a    ancients, its origin, iii. 184.
stumbling-block to the learned, 184.    Independence, American, secured the separation of church and state, iii. 422; not
to be confounded with liberty, 311;
pecuniary, commended to young men,
Iceland, its university education, i. 418;   i. 271.
mental cultivation of the people of, 517; Independent Judiciary suggested for Presa model of popular education, 647.         byterian Church courts, iii. 442.
Idolatry of genius and  learning  con-  Independents, few of the old Puritan stock
demned, i. 164.                            extant, iii. 431.
Ignorance, the parent of superstition and  Indiana, facts respecting  the  banking
oppression, i. 73; losses caused by, 439;    system of, iii. 588.
its baneful influence on society, 440; Indians, American, extermination  of, ii.
its prevalence among our people, 468;    311; civilized only by Christian misthe source of skepticism, 548; of the    sionaries, iii. 117; why so distinct from
Bible, a source of error, 166; not al-   all other races, 155; descendants of
lowed by God in his ministers under    Ham, and under the curse, 162; cannot
any dispensation, ii. 42; cannot be    be descended from  the lost tribes of
pleaded as an excuse for transgression,    Israel, 163; probably descended from
191; often assumes the garb of sanctity,    Ham, 164.
272; often the cause of popular revolu-  Indian Chief of the Delawares, his view
tions in Europe, iii. 240, 241.            of Christianity, ii. 384.
nlls of human life, their only remedy in  Indians Tribes, unjust treatment of, ii. 311.
the gospel, iii. 491.                   Indolence in youth reproved, ii. 240.
llulstrions Names of Anglo-American his-  Indulgence  in pleasure the ruin of' young
tory, iii. 231.                            men, ii. 172.
ITrMANTEL, his blood the price of salva-  Indlstry, necessary to insure success in
tion, ii. 706.                             life, i. 202; essential to all high attainImmortality of the soul rests on Divine    ments, ii. 177; preserves mental and
revelation, ii. 696, 697.                  bodily vigour, 179; a duty incumbent
Impatience of control a characteristic vice    on all, 237; necessary to learning and
of our age, i. 114.                       usefulness, i. 619; should not be taxed
Impenitent Sinners entreated and warned,   in a tariff, iii. 392.
ii. 490.                                litfancy, much learned in the period of, i.
Imperfect Rights must depend on the con-    129.
science, iii. 487.                      Ififatnt Schools, their value, i. 130.
Import Dltties for protection, adopted by  Inferior Races, in contact with superior,
all commercial nations, iii. 388.         the law of, iii. 583.
Impossibility of a primeval savage state  Infidel, the young, described, ii. 152.
demonstrated, iii. 85.                  Infidel Christianity the only dangerous
Improvement, intellectual and moral, in    Christianity, iii. 495.
America, i. 210; in schools and col- Infidel Philosophy unable to solve the
leges, 520; of time, a sermon by Dr.   problems of history, ii. 423.




INDEX.:701
Infidel Politicians dangerous when leagued  Intelligence and Virtue, found under abwith ecclesiastics, iii. 495.             solute monarchies in Europe, iii. 240;
Infidel Theories of creation, origin and    essential to a republic, 257.
fallacy of, ii. 695.                    Inteim)perance, estimate of its evils, i. 181;
Infidelity, intolerant spirit and other evils   its victims, 182; remedies for, sugof, i. 317; much covert, still in Chris-    gested, 183; influence of fashion in
tendom, ii. 45; masked under Unitarian-    sustaining, 184: its dangers to the
ism, 77; its objections repeatedly Ye-    young, 185; its fearful effects, 270, 293;
futed, 484; under the Christian name    its peculiar disadvantages to the young,
in New England, 713; its prevalence    ii. 169, 171; should be rooted out of
in parts of Virginia, 714; why it as-   the church, 314; annual cost of, iii.
sumes the garb of Christianity, iii. 494;    491; its evils long seen and deplored
malignant types of, 496; its intolerant    by good men, 506; its extent in our
spirit, 498.                              country, 507; its ruin to society, 508;
Infidels, propose no substitute  for the    its cure the greatest discovery of our
Bible, ii. 109; compared to the sons-in-    age, 509; total abstinence  the only
law of Lot, 483; not to be treated un-    remedy, 510.; a despotic foe to man,
civilly, iii. 531.                        513; diseases from, frightful, 518, 520;
Infinite, a fallacious and  objectionable   its burdens and losses, 525; kept up by
term in argument, ii. 691.                moderate drinking, 533.
Influence, of fashion, potent an~l destru.-  Intercourse between churches, conditions
tive, i. 187; social, how obtained, 371;    of, iii. 453,'455.
of one bad example on youth, ii. 285; Internal lnprovements, constitutionality
of climate, on varieties of the human    of, iii. 338, 339.
family, iii. 175; moral and religious, Intolerance, of the opponents of church
needed in all human laws, 485.            creeds, ii. 345;  of all established
Ingratitude to public benefactors frequent,   churches, 318.
ii. 281.                                Intoxication unfrequent in wine-countries,
Inlhabitants of Northern  America and    iii. 530.
Europe, their resemblance, iii. 173.    Invention and Discovery, progress of, in
Inheritalce, American, in the triumphs of   the last century, iii. 238.
England, iii. 231.                      Inventors and Discoverers, eminent, reIniquity of the licensed sale of strong    ferred'to, ii. 418.
drink, iii. 537.                        Inritations of the gospel reasonable and
Itils'ies and Wrongs of woman without   urgent, ii. 406.
the Bible, iii. 490.                    Ireland, temperance society in, iii. 540.
innocence of man nowhere realized in  IRENsaus and other fathers referred to,
history, ii. 509.                         ii. 46.
Innovation not always improvement, i. 300. Iron, unknown to savages, iii. 99; its
Inordinate Pursuit of Wealth condemned    early use disproves a primeval savage
in Scripture, iii. 589.                   state, 99; in use before the Deluge,
Inqui8ition, the spirit of, not extinctj ii.   118.
315.                                    Irregulars in college seldom  learn any
Insensibility of men to the warnings of    thing, i. 388.
the gospel, ii. 290.                    Irresponsible Powser of the President of
Inspiration of Scripture, three degrees   the United States, iii. 348.
of, ii. 666; lowest degree of, involves  IsAAC, the offering of, in sacrifice, exthe highest, 667.                         plained and vindicated, ii. 681.
Instability the bane of our national policy, ISATAH   quoted on the ancient supremacy
iii. 346.                                 of Egypt, iii. 142.
Installation of Rev. Dr. Edgar at Nash-  Islands, probable chain of, between Africa
ville, ii. 303.                           and America, iii. 154, 159.
Institutions of religion, their influence, ii. Israelites commissioned to  destroy the
117; their close connection with the    Canaanites, ii. 683.
State, iii. 420, 545.                   Italian Nobleman, account of, used for
Instruction, necessary for the mind, i. 70;   illustration, ii. 173.
popular, where to be found, 137; the
State doctrine of, towards Senators in
Congress, denied, iii. 306, 307.
IntellectuLal Power more than a match for JACKSON, DR. CHARLES, his letter on Dr.
brute force, iii. 237.                    Troost, i. 638.
Intellectual Pursuits salutary to body and  JACKSON, GENERAL ANDREw, referred to,
mind, i. 456.                             i. 157, 594, iii. 278.
b1tellectual Training imperfect without JACOB and ESAU, objections in reference
morals and religion, i. 647.              to their case, ii. 683.




702                                INDEX.
JACOBUS, DR. M. W., his minute on the  JONES, REV. WILLIAM, letter to Catcott,
death of Dr. Lindsley, iii. 68.          quoted, iii. 158.
JACOTOT, his system of instruction, i. 514. JOHNSON, DR. SAMUEL, his opinion on
Jails, the worst form of prisons, i. 252;   speech as an invention, iii. 95, 96; his
would not be needed if the Bible had    definition of patriotism, 553.
full sway, iii. 483.                   JOHNSTONE, SIR ARCHIBALD, in the WestJAMES THE FIRST, the British Solomon,   minster Assembly, iii. 432.
iii. 407; his policy of "no bishop, no  JORTIN quoted on religious persecution,
king," 407; wished to be pope as well   iii. 212.
as king, 407.                          JOSEPH, honoured in his Egyptian wife,
Japan, country of, used in illustration of   iii. 140; why connected with the priestly
mysteries in the Bible, ii. 679.         order, 140.
Jardin des Plantes, at Paris, described, i. JOSEPHUS, his statement as to Jews slain
409.                                     by the Romnans, iii. 180.
JARDINE and JACOTOT, and other writers  Journals, secret, of the Convention to
on education, i. 521.                    form our Constitution, iii. 317; literary,
JAY, his treaty ratified by a majority of    religious, and  scientific, their party
one, iii. 349.                           politics, 572.
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, his efforts to esta-  Joys of life, true estimate of their value,
blish a university, i. 142; his opinion    ii. 217, 218.
on simplifying the laws, 297; his testi-  JUDAS ISCARIOT a warning to nominal
mony to the ethics of Christianity, 313;    Christians, ii. 71, iii. 481.
his views on Virginia primary schools,  Judicial I'e.ctiOons of the Presbyterian
480; his Notes on Virginia quoted, ii.  i G eneral Assembly need remodelling, iii.
374; his remarks on Calvinism  and    440-442.
Presbyterians, 355; his political opi-  Judiciary, its relation to the otherbranches
nions, iii. 280; his policy of a liberal    of government, iii. 341; how to secure
construction of the Constitution, 332-    a good one, 290.
334; founder of the Democratic and  Judges, their removal by the President,
States' Rights party, 332; difference    iii. 351.
of his views when in and out of office,  Juldgiment, the right of private, as held by
332; strict constructionist in theory    Protestants, iii. 451.
only, 333; his policy liberal and safe,  Jurisprludence, the Anglo-American, needs
333; his gunboat system, 334, 337; his   improvement, i. 296; influence of the
purchase of Louisiana, 336; national    Bible on systems of, iii. 485.
road under his administration, 339; JUSSIEU and others referred to, i. 409.
held to the one-term  Presidency in  Justice, expense of the administration of,
theory, 345; his opinions and practices    i. 295; of the American Revolution,
cited, 350, 351; his views on negro    admitted by all men, iii. 246.
slavery, 669, 671.                     Justice and Mercy,  awful exhibition of, ii.
JENNINGS, DR. OBADIAII, referred to, ii. 27.    618.
JEROBOAn,, a liberal constructionist of  Julstfication by faith, held as essential
Jewish law, iii. 343.                    truth by all the Reformers, ii. 348; fully
JEROME of Prague referred to, iii. 430.     taught in Scripture, 687, 688; Romish
JESUS CITIsT, the only mediator, ii. 126;    and Protestant views of, 689.
his death a stupendous fact, 680; his
pure system of morality, 681, 683; his
eternal Sonship, 692, 693; died to satisfy
the demands of the Divine law, 704; KENNICOTT  and  other Bible  students,
the great theme of all preaching, iii.   i. 446.
224; only Redeemer and friend of the  KENT, CHANCELLOR, his views of the
poor, 489; disclairied all worldly power,    Constitution modified, iii. 318; quota494..                                    tions from, 320, 323, 342.
Jews, treatment of the, ii. 312; their sin  KEPLER and other astronomers, their disin rejecting the Messiah, 701; their   coveries confirm the Bible, i. 446.
ancient privileges, 701; a standing  KING ALFRED, his liberal views of educamonument of God's judgments, 702;   tion, i. 85.
should not be prevented from becoming  KING DAVID, character of, objected to by
Christians, iii. 426; when converted,   cavillers, ii. 683.
generally become preachers of Christ, KING, HON. RUFUS, his opinion cited, iii.
428; their exaltation of woman, 469;   352.
the modern, chiefly money-lenders, 545; King of England, a privileged creditor,
their oppressions by Christians, ii. 312.   iii. 320; the fountain of law and honour,
JONES, SIR WILLIAM, referred to, iii. 116:   320.
opinions of, cited, 128, 191.          King of Terrors, the victims of, ii. 216.




INDEX.                                 703
Kingcraft in Scotland in the reign of   original and rightful position in soJames, iii. 407.                         ciety, 269.
Kingdom of God, essentially spiritual, ii. Ladies, appealed to for the Bible, iii. 470,'317; promoted by the downfall of other   490; would be slaves without its influkingdoms, 451; its meaning in Scrip-    ence, 471; never appealed to in vain
ture, 633; not of this world, iii. 49-4;   for the suffering, 471: their powerful
of the Pharaohs, a highly civilized    aid in the temperance cause, 541.
state, 137; fit arena for the display of LAFAYETTE, GENERAL, referred to, i. 140;
Jehovah's power, 138.                    his agency in the French Revolution,
Kiyngs, the divine right of, ii. 336.      451; on the liberties of America, 533;
KIRKPATRICK, REV. JACOB, D. D., referred    quotation from, iii. 555.
to, iii. 13.                           LA.nB OF GOD needed to atone for sin, ii.
KITTO, DR. JOHN, reference to Dr. Linds-   720.
ley in his Cyclopedia, i. 32.          Lancasterian System of education, i. 134.
KLAPROTH, his letter to Alexander Ium- Land, inexpediency of taxing, i. 489;
boldt, iii. 169.                         vast tract of, submerged in the Atlantic,
Klnave. and lHypocrites, cannot be kept   iii. 139, 161; revenue from, to  the
out of any church, iii. 482; how they    priesthood in ancient Egypt, 139; of
contrive to pass for honest men, 487.    distillers and drunkards, described, 508;
Kfnotwledge, the power of, illustrated in    of steady habits, youth ruined in, 521.
the life of Dr. Lindsley, i. 55; how re-  Land Tax, when objectionable, iii. 392;
tained, transmitted, and advanced, 71;   beneficial in England, 393.
the diffusion of, in ancient Greece and  LANG, REV. DR., his work referred to, iii.
Rome, 72; the whole circle of, unat-   162.
tainable in this life, 107: to be sought Language, the result of imitation, iii. 82;
as long as we live, 122; its elevatin/,  its origin fromn  God, 95; unity of the
influence on all classes, 198; the right    antediluvian, favourable to a high state
of every human being to, 199; indis-    of civilization, 101; diversity of, on
pensable to the minister of the gospel,   the plains of Shinar, caused by miracle,
443; necessary to virtue in a commu-    101.
nity, 458; our duty to increase it, 458; Large Libraries not needed by youth in
its place in the Christian ministry, ii.   college, i. 401.
41, 42, 614; to what it invites us, 238; Large Cities the best for institutions of
the time for gaining, 239; an inde-   learning, i. 258.
structible inheritance to a child, 239; Largest Liberty, the principle of, violated
every kind of, worthy of cultivation,    by democracies, iii. 325.
240; condemned only by the ignorant,  Last Sabbath of the year, its solemn les241; of the world, its proper value, 243;    sons pointed out, ii. 207.
wherebestacquired, 214;nothereditary,  Laudation, of every thing American conbut obtained by labour, 416; of reve-    demned, iii. 312.
lation, subje3t to the conditions of all LAvoIsIER and other philosophers reother knowledge, 425; speculative, the    ferred to, ii. 418.
insufficiency of, 522; of gospel truth, Law of honour, considered, i. 187; the
infinitely precious, 654; how most easily    crimes it tolerates, 188; no protection
augmented, iii. 115; formerly taxed in   to women, iii. 490.
England, 391; should be sought by  Law and Equity, our systems of, expenfarmers and mechanics, 395; of the    sive, i. 222; the English system  of,
American continent, once possessed by    characterized, 223; its cumbrous mathe ancients, 159.                       chinery and inequalities, 296; unconKNox, JOEIN, like Milton, an example for    stitutional remedies for, iii. 310; destudents, ii. 239.                       scribed as a science, 40; construction
KoscIUSKO and other Polish generals of   of, 297.
the Revolution, i. 140.                Late and Gospel, distinction between, ii.
597.
1;                    Law, of God, its authority and extent, ii.
189; of Christ, on temperance, iii. 538;
Labour, essential to success in life, i. 177;   binding on all men, 539; of the Chrismental, indispnnsable to high attain-    tian Sabbath, what it forbids, ii. 89, 91;
ments, iii. 115; industrial, needs a    what it requires, 93; not fulfilled by
market for its products, 382; amount   outward acts alone, 101.
of, in ancient colossal works, 131.    Laws, of God, reach the heart and conLabourien! Classes, amusements of, i. 83;   science, iii. 488; of man, fail to restrain
should have a better education, 225;   vice without the Bible, 485; reach
their leisure hours often wasted when    only the overt action, 486; cannot inthey might be improved. 227; their   spire virtuous principles, 487; their




-704                                INDEX.
defects supplied  by the  Bible, 488;   292; excessive and vicious, 294; for
have never sufficiently protected woman,    and against education, effect of, 646;
490; the Alien and Sedition, of our   its injurious influence in Tennessee,
country, 350; the existing, on slavery,    647; solemn character of, iii. 284; iot
harsh and cruel, 581; several, suggested    to be intrusted to young men, 285; its
for its peaceful removal, 572, 573.      cost to the people, 289; excessive, may
Lawful, proper application of the term, ii.   do much harm, 354; its immense power
191.                                     for weal or woe, 356; proper subjects
Lawgivers among  the  Greeks, whence   for, 357; American, on the African
their wisdom, iii. 148.                  race, very bad, 578.
Lawyers, political guides of the people, i. Legislative Inostruction, the right of, dis349; have too much power, 350; their   cussed, iii. 304.
number and training in Tennessee, 222; Leyislators, their pay in different States,
Dr. Lindsley's opinion of, 223; two    iii. 289; of Tennessee, suggestions to,
kinds of, 224.                           respecting a University, i. 412.
Laiwyers and Parsons, of the ordinary  Leyislature  of Tennessee, its course tostamp, i. 347; do not need the stimulus    wards schools and colleges, i. 351.
of ardent spirits, iii. 527; with doctors  Legislatures, character of American, iii.
and politicians, created  by existing    287; omnipotence of, 288; anomaly in,
evils, 268.                              289; State and National, not antagoLAzARUs, the resurrection of, referred to,   nistic, 308.
ii. 669.                               Legitimate Province of the preacher, ii. 64.
Learned Mlen, their influence on society, Liberal Education, its claims advocated,
i. 74; their titles of nobility in Europe,   i. 81, 573; its influence on all classes,
425; their  waste of ingenuity  on    82.
groundless theories, iii. 151.         Liberal Man, the reward of, iii. 535;
Learned Ministry, a plea for, ii. 33; its    Scripture testimony to, 476.
necessity shown from  history, 45-47; Liberal -Sentislients of Dr. Lindsley as a
demanded by the heresies of the times,    Presbyterian, i. 53, ii. 23, 368, iii. 315,
78, 79.                                  455.
Learning, usefulness of all, i. 41; benefits  Liberality, Christian, required of all men,
of, partially enjoyed, 71; influence of,   iii. 481; never regretted in the hour of
in Egypt and Chaldea, 71; effects of   death, 502.
the Reformation on, 72; influence and  Liberia, in Africa, the only republic like
effects of, 74; a heresy in regard to, 80;    our own, iii. 563.
prejudices against, 84; evidence of its  Liberty, as understood by the American
beneficial tendency, 139; demand for,   fathers, i. 76; education the safeguard
increases with the supply, 135; colonial    of, 75; by whom advocated and propioneers in the cause of, 211; evil effects    moted, 143; the university the ally of,
of, when restricted to a few, 334; en-    450; may be enjoyed under a monarchy,
courages the arts of peace, 334; often    iii. 312; nowhere possessed without the
denounced by the rich, 395; lessons    Bible, 467; not enjoyed by woman in
from  history on its perversion, 334;    the Grecian and Roman republics, 468;
no bar to the highest civil office in   its progress measured by the progress
New  England, 426; much  of every    of the gospel, 469; ultimate triumph
kind needed in the study of the Bible,    of, secured by religious knowledge, 666.
446; a little better than none, 519; not Liberty of conscience, the largest allowed
inherited, ii. 70; popular fallacies about,   in the Presbyterian Church, ii. 360;
44; friendly to religion, 47; of'the    invaded  by the  opposers of creeds,
early Christian fathers, 45, 46; no royal   345; does not give one sect preference
road to, iii. 115; demanded in the study    over another, iii. 426.
of the Scriptures, 206.                Liberty and Union, the sentiment of,. i.
Lectures of Dr. Lindsley, on Greek litera-    357.
ture, iii. 18, 28, 29; on political science, Liberty or Death, why the motto of the
36; on the arts and science of the an-    American Revolution, iii. 247.
cients, 18-28; in the College of New  Library, of the Nashville University, i.
Jersey, 81; on popular education, i.   268; ministerial and congregational,
463.                                     how procured, ii. 37.
Lectures, Blair's, on Rhetoric and Belles- Libraries, of Europe and America, i. 406;
Lettres, quoted, iii. 97.                of Harvard and Yale, 417.
Left-handed Civilty between  churches License Systen, its history curious and
described, iii. 454.                     instructive, iii. 391; taverns and groLegal Equality of all religious sects, i.   ceries under, 536.
322.                                   Life, human, its brevity and importance,
Legislation, influence of, on thepeople, i.  ii. 159-161; how to make the most of,




INDEX.                                   705
162; shortened  by licentious indul-    Nashville, 27; his manner of conferring
gence, 163; how hazarded and lost, 181;    degrees, 27; sketch of his educational
should be a constant preparation for   labours, i. 12; member of the Royal
eternity, 186; often wasted in accumu-    Society of Northern Antiquaries, 13;
lating money, 213; a state of discipline    chief work of his life at Nashville, 15;
and  trial, 459; of usefulness, com-    his great reputation as a teacher, 16;
mended to young men, i. 269.               his perseverance at Nashville, 17; apLife and Death, the mysterious nature of,   pointmenrits declined by him, 18; first
ii. 672.                                   baccalaureate, 19; large plans for a
Life- Work, its essential conditions, i. 623.    university, 20-22; his views of AmeriLight, of nature, an inadequate guide, ii.   can colleges, 21; his ardent zeal in the
188; of modern civilization, a barrier    cause of education, 23; his unsectarian
against the return of barbarism, iii.   character, 24; noble vindications of
237.                                       learning, 25-27; disappointments and
Light W8says of Dr. Lindsley for the news-   trials in his work, 28; his confidence
papers, iii. 602.                          of ultimate success, 29, 30; his sons,
LIGETFOOT, DR. JOHN, an Erastian mem-    practical instructors, 30; spoken and
ber of the Westminster Assembly, iii.   published addresses, 31; contributions
432.                                       of learned articles for the press, 32;
LINCOLN, GOVERNOR, of Massachusetts,    his tracts on education, 34; his assoon schools, i. 473.                        ciates and co-labourers at Nashville, 34,
LInNaEUS   and BUFFON referred to, ii. 418.    57; the master-spirit of all educational
LNDOLEY, ADRIAN VAN SINDEREN, eldest    movements in Tennessee, 34; his opison of Dr. Lindsley, a lawyer, i. 15, 30.    nions as an educator, 35; his views of
LINDSLEV, DR. JOHN BERRIEN,'minister    normal schools and the teaching office,
and chancellor of the university, i. 15,    36; views of universal education, 37;
29.                                        views on common schools, 38, 39; his
LINDSLEY, DR. NATHANIEL LAWRENCE,    views on home education, 40; pleads
professor and author, i. 15, 30.           for the ancient classics as essential in
LINDSLEY, MRS. MARGARET ELIZABETH,    education, 42; his opinion of penitenwife of Dr. Lindsley, i. 13; portraiture    tiaries, 45; views on college honours
of her character, iii. 61-66.              and rewards, 46; views on religien and
LINDSLEY, MARGARET, daughter of Dr.   the study of the Bible as a part of
Lindsley, her marriage, i. 15.             education, 48-51; liberal views of a
LINDSLEY, ELIZA BERRIEN, daughter of    college as Christian but not sectarian,
Dr. Lindsley, her mnrriage, i. 15.         51, 52;  opinion  on  denominational
LINDSLEv, PHILIP, JR., a child, his early    schools, 52; stamo of his character as
death, iii. 62; sketch of his life and    a Presbyterian, 53; results and infoucharacter, 63.                             ences of his life as an educator, 53;
LINDSLEY, PHILIP, D. D., brief outline of   the number and character of his pupils,
his life, i. 12; biographical account of,   54; his influence on the city of Nashiii. 9; birthplace and early studies, 10;    ville, 56; influence  throughout the
recollections of his mother, 11; his first    Southwest, 55; worthy of a public
teachers, 12; first attempts at teaching,    monument, 60; his feelings on being
13; letter to Rev. P. E. Stevenson, 13;    inaugurated, 117; historical and archaeoclassmates, graduation, and tutorship,    logical studies, iii. 27-29; extent and
14; studies and attainments, 15; his   range of his reading, 30-36; opinions
standing as Professor in Princeton, 16;    respecting various authors, 31, 32; lecplea for the theological seminary, 17;    tures on political economy and governlectures and works for the press, 18;    ment, 36; a careful student of orthocommanding influence in college, 19;    graphy, 640; of political economy, 648;
personal appearance and style of preach-    his method of preparing materials for
ing at Princeton, 21; theological stu-    lectures, 545; his habit of writing for
dies, i. 12; Doctorate of Divinity con-    the newspapers, 42, 602; his earlier
ferred, 13; originality and popularity    and later views on slavery, 574, 663;
as a preacher, iii. 22; great influence as    cast of his mind, 36; his statesmanship,
a preacher and educator, 22; Vice-    37; his position as to party politics, 37;
President and President elect of Nassau    method of teaching in the lecture-room,
Hall, i. 13, iii. 23; many overtures    37; his discourse on American Demofrom colleges declined, iii. 23; visit to    cracy, 38; his pupils in political science,
Nashville, and letters to the Trustees of   38; his extemporaneous discourses, 39:
Cumberland College, 24; his motives    the solid character of his lectures and
for accepting the Presidency of that    scholarship, 39; his opinions on the
institution, 25; resignation at Prince-    learned professions, farmers, and meton, 26; arrival and inauguration at   chanics, 39; on collegiate doctorates,
VOL. iii.-45




706                                  INDEX.
41; efforts in behalf of popular educa-    death, at Nashville, i. 14, iii. 67; his
tion and common schools, 42; his pow-    sublime and peaceful end, i. 61, 62;
ers of wit and sarcasm, 43; speeches    tributes of respect at his death, iii. 67;
in the General Assembly, 43; outline    action of the General Assembly, 68;
of his character as a preacher, ii. 7;    minute adopted by that body, 69; fuhis sermons chiefly educational, 8; his    neral solemnities, 70; action of the
earnestness and energy, 9; preached    Board of Trustees and alumni of the
only when well prepared, 10; his ap-    university, 71, 72; tributes from  the
pearance in the pulpit, 10; peculiar    press, and estimates of his genius, 73style of delivery, 11, 12; characteristics    75; testimony of Dr. Van Rensselaer
of his diction, 12, 13; a master of the    to his exalted piety and life of usefulart of expression, 14; classic elegance    ness, 76; his power as a writer and
of all his writings, 14; practical cha-    man of letters, 74; eminent ability and
racter of his preaching, 15; avoidance    success as an educator, 75; other triof controversial themes, 16; his fare-    butes and memorials, 77, 78.
well sermon at Princeton, 16; sermon  Livles quoted from Longfellow, i. 62.
on the mysteries of God, described, 18;  Lion, democratic, Dorr of Rhode Island
symmetry and moderation in his preach-    the greatest, of the day, iii. 353.
ing, 18; great objects of his preaching,  Liquors, intoxicating, their former uni19; illustration of his wise counsels, 20,    versal use, iii. 509; unnecessary as a
21; his large charity, 23; a Presbyte-    stimulus, 527; prohibited by temperian, but not a bigot, 23, 24, 346; his   rance societies, 529; licensed sale of,
sphere of labour, 373; his fearless de-    391; distilled and fermented, 529; difnunciations of sin and vice, 23; his   ference in their use, 534; amount conliberal views of church government, 24;    sumed by our people, and pauperism
his Plea for Princeton Seminary de-    caused by, i. 182.
scribed, 24-26; his zeal for ministerial  Literature, influence of, i. 344; American,
education, 26, 27; his project of a theo-    should be cultivated, 355; relations of
logical seminary at Nashville, 27; why    English and American, 355.
he did not preach frequently, 28; the  Literature anrd Science, ameliorating inchief elements of his power, 29; his an-    fluence of, i. 84.
cestry and family connections, iii. 43; Literary JMen few in our wealthy classes,
his ecclesiastical position, 44; his adhe-   i. 394.
rence to Presbyterian doctrine and order, Liter'ary Society compared with fashion45; attendance on church courts, 45, 46;   able, i. 432.
Moderatorof the General Assembly of Literary Taste among the poor, effects of,
1834, and member of others, 46; letter   i. 84.
to Dr. Brown on this subject one of his  Living beyond one's income dangerous to
last, 47, 49; his impartiality and con-    virtue, i. 291.
servatism, 49; removal from  Nashville  Locality of Nashville described, i. 57-59,
and sundering of ties, 49, 50; sum  of    379.
his labours at Nashville, 51; proof of LOCKE. JOHN, illustration of his docility,
their success, 52; position at New Al-   iii. 207; estimate of learning in his
bany, and influence as Professor there,    dying hours, i. 276.
52; inauguration and lectures in the  Logic, odious epithets often pass for, iii.
theological seminary, 53; last service    124; false, employed by the opposers
as President of Nashville University,    of a protective tariff, 380; inconsistent,
52; resignation of his office at New       on the subject of slavery, 667.
Albany, 53; testimonial of his col- Lollards referred to, iii. 430.
league, Dr. Stuart, 53; his great con- Longevity, how promoted, ii. 169; of the
versational powers, 56; his stores of   antediluvians, favourable to the progress
learning, 54; his catholic and genial    of art and science, iii. 100.
spirit, 55; his courtesy and gentlemanly  Long Constitutionas generally bad in probearing, 59; his piety and spirituality,    portion to their length, iii. 295.
57; his domestic and social relations, Lon1g Life desirable and attainable, ii.
58; home his Eden, 59; long-cherished    180.
filial affections, 60; reminiscences of Long Presidency of Dr. Lindsley at Nashhis mother, 60, 61; family bereave-    ville, iii. 75.
ments, 62; tribute to the memory of a  LONGWORTa, NICHOLAS, of Cincinnati,
son, 62, 63; loss of Mrs. Lindsley, 64;   referred to, iii. 597.
touching portraiture of her character, Looker-on in Venice, iii. 309.
64, 65; letter to his children in afflic- LORD MONBODDo, fallacy of his reasoning
tion, 66; memorials of his religious    on man, iii. 91.
character, 67; last attendance on the  LORD TEMfPLE, his case illustrates royal
General Assembly, 67; last illness, and    interference in legislation, iii. 350.




INDEX.                                 707
Lords of Creation cannot check female  Maine, the school system in the State of,
* liberality, iii. 471.                   i. 502.
Lord's Supper, nature and design of the  MAITLAND, LORD JOHN, in the Westmininstitution, ii. 537; its objects, 538;   ster Assembly of Divines, iii. 432.
emblems of, 549.                      Majorities, governing, may become danLordly Churchism described, ii. 367.       gerous to liberty, iii. 256; in what
Loss, of confidence in our banks, to what   sense they govern, 303; should decide
attributable, iii. 360; of money, in ardent   all questions in Congress, 344, 349.
spirits, 524; of time, to be well con- Mala Prohibita distinguished from mala
sidered, ii. 212; by others, a cruel rob-   int se, ii. 321.
bery of our treasure, iii. 645.        lalacys and Monguls probably descendLosses, immense, under our banking sys-   ants of. Ham, iii. 186.
tem, iii. 362.                        Malthusian Heresy disproved by the popuLost Tribes of Israel cannot be the Ame-   lousness of China, iii. 183.
rican Indians, iii. 1.63.             Manzmon, the votaries of, described, iii.
LOT in Sodomn, the character of, ii. 470.  475.
Louisiana, purchase of, by Mr. Jefferson, MIamsnson-loving Christiane  described, ii.
iii. 333, 336, 350.                     43, 44.
Loenisnille Journal, commendatory article  Ilan, a moral and intellectual being, i. 83;
on Dr. Lindsley, iii. 77.               the creature of education, 65; a reliLotre, of country, American, described, i.   gious being, 165; in his primitive state,
352; of God, what it implies and re-   civilized and educated, 32, 66; prone
quires, ii. 386; of gold, an argument   to degeneracy, 69; not.always disposed
against benevolence, 43; of the world,   to cultivate his faculties, 70; to what
the great cause of unbelief, 489.        extent the creature of circumstances,
Lower Orders of people, their condition in    128; his first lesson to think for himChristendom, iii. 133.                   self, 200; not satisfied with earthly
LUCIAN, his testimony as to the fate of   things, ii. 182; his chief end as an heir
Nineveh and Babylon, iii. 107.           of immortality, 196; made for religion,
LUCRETIUS quoted on man's primeval   234; his character drawn in the Bible,
savage state, iii. 85, 86.               244; his inability and depravity, 389;
LUTHER, MARTIN, his embittered contests   his total depravity a doctrine of Scripwith Calvin, iii. 208; quoted, to illus-   ture, 473, 498; apostasy proved by the
trate the power of prejudice, 214; his   facts of history, 503; unable to regeneanswer to Spalatinus on the Bible, 220;   rate himself, 513; how endowed and
referred to, 430; a model in the pursuit   distinguished, 663; means and sources
of learning, ii. 239; an example, like    of his knowledge, 664; able to decide
Cromwell, of decision of character, 254;   on the evidences of a divine revelation,
his peculiar views on the Eucharist,   665; allowed to judge of facts, 665;
347; on all other points, Calvinistic,   appealed to as a free agent by his
348; charity of his compeers, 369.       Maker, 679; his helpless and perishing
Lutheran Churches of Denmark and Ger-   condition as a sinner, 68, 685; restored
many, iii. 429.                         to the image of God by the gospel, 706;
Luzxuries, rather than necessaries, to be   his guilt and doom when a tempter of
taxed, iii. 377.                        the young, 286; in what state created,
LYELL and other geologists referred to, i.  iii. 98, 113, 151; civilized from  the
446.                                    beginning, 83, 112, 151; a speaking
Lynch Law repudiated and condemned, i.   animal, 95, 96; has always been a
510.                                    civilized being, 83, 113.
M                     Mean, according to Lord Monboddo, allied
to the simian tribes, iii. 90; as God's
MACKNIGHT, REV. DR., his labours, ii.  image, could not have been created in
179; injured by ceasing from his stu-   a savage state, 84, 112; found in a civdies, 179.                              ilized state from Eden to the dispersion
MACLEAN, REV. DR. JOHN, his opinion of   at Babel, 111,'113; never a monkey or
Dr. Lindsley, i. 16.                    a quadruped, 96; his occupation in
MACLURE, WILLIAM, anecdote of, i. 603.    Eden inconsistent with a savage state,
MADAME ROLAND, her exclamation on    97; in infancy, dependent on others
liberty, iii. 571.                      for education, 82, 114; accountable for
MADISON, PRESIDENT JAMES, opinions as   his religion only to a heart-searching
to the powers of the Constitution, iii.  tribunal, 212; defined as a tool-making
352; papers of, 317, 318, 351.          animal, 266; his constant injustice to.Magical Powerof mere party names, iii. 223.   woman, 490; his strength dependent
Macgna Charta, American share in its im-   on association, 512; character of the
munities, iii. 321.                      God-fearing, described, 487.




708                                  INDEX.
Mankind, the. original condition of, iii. Mayflower referred-to, iii. 439.
81, 113, 151; mass of, governed by their Mleans of grace, their use necessary to
prejudices, 192, 194.                      salvation, ii. 526.
MANSFIELD, LORD, referred to among self- Measures, of public interest, when conmade men, i. 342, iii. 324; quoted on    stitutional, iii. 335; of the North, at
popularity, 553.                          first originated in the South, 570.
Manuzfacture, of cotton, the home, iii. 384; Mechanics, may claim an illustrious origin,
of ardent spirits, political economy on,   iii. 266; the  earliest occupation  in
525; unlawfulness of, 535, 536; of wine,    Eden, 265.
suggested for our country, 530; of tes- Mechanical Arts essential to social existtimonials for genteel beggars, 610.       ~ ence, iii. 266.
Manufactures, essential to  a country's  Mechalnics and Farmers, influence of, on
prosperity, iii. 380; what is essential to    society, i. 348; true policy for their
make them  flourish, 383; essential to    sons, 348; need education for themindependent nationality, 384; those of   selves and their children, iii. 270.
the North not oppressive to the South, Mechanics, Farmers, and Schoolmasters,
386; greatly needed in the South, 386;   the three most ancient and useful classes,
their progress and extension Southward,   iii. 265, 266; thrown into the back387; home, should be protected, 379.       ground by an upstart nobility, 267;
Manuscript Volunmes of Dr. Lindsley, some    their common interests, 270.
burnt, iii. 9, 28, 29.                  Medical Profession, noble efforts of, in
Mariner's Conpa8s, difficulties in the way    favour of the temperance cause, iii. 517.
of its discovery, ii. 417; not unknown  Medical Reforms of a Paracelsus, i. 599.
to the ancients, iii. 168; kept a secret, Medical Schools can succeed only in cities,
169.                                      i. 219; the students of, in France and
Markets for home products the great want    Germany, 421, 422; thoroughness of
of our country, iii. 381, 387.            their education, 222, 422.
M.arriage, in Austria, allowable to those  31eeting-Houses, why so called, iii. 424.
only who can read and write, i. 240; MHen, the first of our race, their condition
of Joseph in Egypt, its policy, iii. 140;    according to the Greek and Latin poets,
among slaves, 582.                         iii. 93; agreement of, as to ends, while
Martyrdom  not an infallible test of truth    differing about ways and means, 556;
and sincerity, ii. 362.                    cannot set aside the claims of God's
Martyrs and Pioneers of truth, their sac-   law, ii. 190; of genius, examples of, i.
rifices, i. 284.                           617; obligation of the world to, ii. 419.
Martyr Spirit of the Scotch Presbyterians, MHen, of learning, in the dark ages, i. 73;
iii. 408.                                  not always the friends of liberty, 143;
M1[ass, of the people in Europe, nowhere   in office, should not be partisans, iii.
enjoy the elective franchise, iii. 253; in    303; of science and literature, their
Continental Europe, mostly educated,    character, i. 456; of Seventy-Six, their
i. 239; of the American people, must   intellectual and moral character, 209;
be labourers, iii. 271; of mankind, in   their mistakes about personal religion,
all ages and countries, controlled by    ii. 399, 400; who boast of conscientious
the few, 134.                              scruples, to be suspected, iii. 314; who
Massachusetts, annual  expenditure  for    strain at gnats and swallow camels,
liquors in, i. 182; feeling of her people    342.
toward South Carolina, 338; eulogium  Men-Plearsers cannot be the servants of
on, as an educated commonwealth, 426;    God, ii. 251.
her system  of public education, 473; Ml3ercury fourteen and eighteen degrees
her school fund, 475; her system  im-    below zero at Nashville in 1831 and
possible for Tennessee, 644; her manu-    1832, iii. 614, 627.
factures not injurious to the South, iii. Messengers to be believed on testimony,
386.                                       though from the moon, ii. 677.
3laterials, rich and full, on the subject of Messiah, results of his first advent, iii. 460.
ancient learning, iii. 150; for banking, bMethodism, American, lordly power of its
gold and silver the only legitimate, 549.   bishops, iii. 429.
Materialisns, if true, no disproof of the  Mietropolitans, popish  and  patriarchal,
soul's immortality, ii. 696; the doctrine    origin of, iii. 418.
of, contrary to reason and Scripture, Mexicans and Peruvians, their colossal
697.                                       works and state of civilization, iii. 11.7,
Matters of Fact distinguished from Scrip-    166.
ture mysteries, ii. 643.                MICHAELIS and EICHHORN, biblical critics,
Maxims, materials for reflection, article on,   iii. 180.
iii. 553; among temperance physicians, Microscope and Telescope, revelations of,
519; of wisdom for the young, i. 272.      i. 631.




INDEX.                                   709
Middling Classes, their interests in educa-  Miss8ionary Aspect presented by our own
tion, i. 146.                              country, ii, 67, 68.
Military Companies, cost to the labouring  Missions to the heathen the characteristic
classes, iii. 598.                         of our age, ii. 432.
Mfilitia System, expensive and useless, i. Mi8sissi8ppi, education in the valley of the,
293, 477, iii. 357; taxes of, i. 476.      i. 213.:Millennium, small prospect of its near  Mobocracy, the  prevalence  of, in  our
approach, ii. 80.                          country, i. 469.
MILLER, DR. SAMUEL, his opinion on the  Mode, of the Divine existence, inscrutable
ordination of ruling elders, iii. 445.     to man, ii. 640; of miracles and mys-,Millions, of men slaughtered in the wans    teries, not revealed to us, 070, 671.
of the last century, iii. 238; of money,  Moderate Use of ardent spirits fraught
consumed in strong drink, 523; a dead    with evil, iii. 510, 520.
loss to the community, 524.              Moderatisnm in the Church of Scotland, its
MILTIADES and other sufferers at the    despotism, iii. 441.
hands of their country, i. 282.          Modern Persecutor in a Christian garb
MILTON, JOHN, quoted on liberal educa-    described, ii. 270.
tion, i. 106; effect of his writings, 285; JModern Pharisaism condemned, i. 323.
a good schoolmaster, 562.                3Modern Puseyism, the spirit of, iii. 410.
Mind, proper condition of, for acquiring  Modern  Unitariasnism  more  dangerous
truth, iii. 195.                           than avowed infidelity, ii. 77.
2finisters of Christ, ineligible to civil office  Modern Slavery the sin of Christendom,
in some States, i. 487; hundreds needed,    iii. 669.
ii. 68; preaching  of, popular,.326;  Moderns slow to do justice to ancient art
proofs of faithfulness in, 655; a public    and science, iii. 169.
education  needed  by, 48, 49; their  Modesty the crowning glory of a liberal
rights as citizens, 61; their usefulness    education, i. 573.
as a profession, 62, 63; their great  Mloloch, sacrifices to, in ancient times, ii.
work, 64; their twofold character and      680; of modern intemperance, iii. 582.
relation, 333; fidelity demanded  in,  MONBODDO, LonD, his theory of man's
631; what is implied in being faithful,    primeval state, iii. 89; fallacy of his
613; must preach  the  mysteries of    reasoning, 91.
Christ, 647.                             Money, the making of, not condemned by
Minifsters, why faithful as God's stewards,   the gospel, ii. 34; how employed for
648; nature of their obligations, 651;    good, 36, 81; people who make, the
should agree to differ, iii. 207; all faith-    best members of society, i. 229; parents
ful, successors of the apostles, 409;    allow sons too much, 390; aristocracy
none able to trace the pedigrees far    of, described, 395; the best kind of
back, 410; sustain a twofold character,    paper, iii. 372; how created out of a
448; their example as to temperance,    national debt, 373: paper, safer and
533; of the Presbyterian Church, must    more convenient than specie, 487; no
adopt its standards, 444; ought to in-    compensation for loss of time, ii. 213.
struct their people on church govern-  Monlsgrel Gospels numbered by schools of
ment, 449.                                 philosophy, iii. 201.
MiniBstry of the gospel, a learned, needful,  Monopoly, need not exist under a proii. 33; must be supported moreliberally,    tective tariff, iii. 379; of government
36, 37; what is expected of, 38; can be    banks, always oppressive, 353; of electqualified only by study, 41, 42; an    ive  franchises in  the hands of the
appeal to, 76.                             President, 325, 326; none for different
MIRABEAU quoted, iii. 299.                   sections, 386.:Miraclee, of the Bible, addressed to the  MXonster HIeresy of persecution still alive
senses, ii. 667; all matters of fact, 668;   in the church, ii. 370.
differ from all spurious miracles, 668; MONTAIGNE and a host of writers on eduof philanthropy and mercy, wrought by    cation referred to, i. 52.
Christianity, ii. 236.                  Milonutments, of human art, where found, i.
Miacdlous Facts of the Bible founded on    67; of Egypt, their testimony on anevidence, ii. 668.                         cient civilization, iii. 145.
MJiraculou.s Preservation seen in the de- Moral Character of man must be radically
scendants of Israel, iii. 164.             chanced, iii. 488.
~fisery, all in the world due to sin, ii. 511;  lMoral Code of the Bible, no enemy to
of lost sinners, must be endless, 494.     human enjoyment, ii. 111, 112; its exMiJ~s7o)vernmeet exhibited in our country,    cellence conceded by infidels, iii. 472;
iii. 356.                                  its effects, ii. 683; its influence essential
M;s.si>oi  of Christ to  this world, ii.   to the peace of society, iii. 485.
593.                                     Moral Courage, the power of, i. 169, 170;




710                                INDEX.
greatly needed in our statesmen, iii.   understood by, 633; used in various
313.                                     senses, 634, 637; known to us only as
Moral Faculties, importance of cultivating,   facts, 639; the facts intelligible, but
in the young, i. 93.                     not their nature, 639; this distinction
Mloral Instruction, a deficiency in, i. 507.    illustrated, 640; ministers mroust have a
UMoral Law of God, its nature and extent,   knowledge of, 644; the instruments of
ii. 87.                                  salvation, 648; their influence on the
Moral Truth, its progress slow but sure, i.   ancient pagan world, 650; their efficacy
284, 285.                                in all ages and lands, 650; must be
Morality of college life, how regulated, i.   prominently held forth in all evangeli567.                                     cal preaching, 655..Morals of the people greatly influenced  JMysteriouzs Doctrines not found in the
by legislation, iii. 354.                Bible, ii. 669.
Moravian Brethren, their first missions to  Mysterious  Facts found alike in nature
the heathen, ii. 431, 433; their zealous    and the Bible, ii. 669, 676.
and successful labours, 434.           Mysterious Revelation a contradiction in
MORE, SIR THOMAS, sentenced to be hanged,   terms, ii. 669.
but beheaded, iii. 416.                Mystery, definition of the word, ii. 633;
MORRISON, DR., referred to, iii. 396.      its different applications in Scripture,
MORTON, the Regent, his remark at the    636, 637; its real import in Scripture,
grave of Knox, iii. 555.                 669, 671; of the Trinity, 674; of godMOSES, facts recorded by, i. 66; his ac-   liness, what is implied in, 636.
count of man's creation appealed to for Mythology of Greece, by whom originated,
man's primeval civilization, iii. 97; our   iii. 122.
only authority on the problems of the
world's origin, 102; his history contains
no trace of barbarism  or savage life, Nanze of our republic, i. 577.
136; hisaccountofthe Delugeconfirmed  NAPOLEON  BONAPArTE, referred to, ii.
by science, 155; supposed to mention    224, 677; results of his occupation of
the peopling of America, 160; his cha-   Egypt, iii. 147.
racter as a legislator, 285; his agree- Nashville, the city of, indebted to Dr.
ment with Herodotus on the cities of    Lindsley for its growth, i. 56; descripancient Egypt, 179.                      tion of, in 1830 and 1859, 57, 58; great
MOSES and PLATO graduates of the uni-   improvements in, 59; enviable site for
versities of Egypt, iii. 150.            a great university, 154, 258; salubrity
Moses and the Prophets credible as histo-    of its climate, 263; its advantages,
rians, iii. 127.                         379-381; moral and religious aspects
MOStHEI3r, the church historian, quoted,   of, 382-385; graduates of its university,
iii. 412.                                569; obligations of the Christians in,
[oslems, wars of extermination against,   iii. 502; their duties in the temperance
ii. 312.                                 cause, 602, 603; article on, 631.
Ml[others, the best teachers for young chil- Nassau Hall, i. 87.
dren, i. 416; the first teachers, 517.  National Bank, not an open question, iii.
Mlotives, for education, should be held out   337; the best form  of, 368; two bills
in public-school systems, i. 480; for ob-   for, vetoed by Tyler, 369.
serving the Sabbath urged, ii. 103.    National Churches, established, antichrisMotto of Americans should be Union, i.  tian, ii. 318; Protestant, their condition
354.                                     after the Reformation, iii. 423.
Multiplication of Western  colleges an  NLational Currency, indispensable elements
evil, i. 254.                            of a sound, iii. 374, 375.
M.Iurder, scriptural definition of, iii. 563.   National Debt, how converted into a sound
M'l[urderous Usages of Christian society,   paper currency, iii. 373.
iii. 537.                              National Independenee, American, secured
MURRAY, DR. ALEXANDER, his History    by the services of Washington, iii. 252;
of European Languages, iii. 88.          distinguished from liberty, 311.
M1ute Savaqes, some, found who could not National Roads made by the government,
be taught to speak, iii. 94.             iii. 339.
M~ysteries, in the providence of God, ii. National Union, American, our obliga425; throughout the universe, 641;   tions to, i. 288; its priceless value,
many unsolved, connected with revela-   332; threatened dissolution of, 332.
tion, i. 424; all revealed as soon as National University, ought to be founded
made known, ii. 670; some still unre-   by the general government, i. 407;
vealed, 673; of the Bible, their charac-    ought. to teach every thing which can
ter, iii. 205; of the gospel, committed    be learned anywhere, 408.
to God's ministers, ii. 631; what is Nations, all pagan and  Mohammedafi,




INDEX.                                  711
have holy days, ii. 111; the most an-    priests of Egypt, 356-158; by whom
cient, all civilized, iii. 124, 126; inhe-   and why colonized, 232.
rent rights of sovereignty of, 336.    New  York, colleges of, i. 216; publicNatural Science, prejudice against, i. 603.   school system of, 477; its peculiar fi'aNature, often an uncertain guide, iii. 82;   tures, 478; the best system, 645.
has formed no new varieties of our race, NI3iROD leader of the attempt to build
174; harmony of, with revelation, i.   Babel, iii. 107, 129.
446.                                   Nineteenth Century, its grand discovery of
Nature of evangelical repentance, a ser-   circulating the Bible, iii. 462.
mon, ii. 593.                          Nineveh, the ancient city of, its origin and
Necessaries of life taxed in Tennessee for    history, iii. 129.
luxuries, iii. 390. ~                  No Banks better than our present bankingNecessity, of regeneration, a sermon, ii.   system, iii. 364.
381; how evinced, 512; of divine agency  No Bishop, No King, maxim of the British
for man's salvation, 393; of revelation,    Solomon, iii. 407.
415; of creeds and confessions of faith, No-Creed Churches, their inconsistency, ii.
iii. 220; of circulating the Bible, 459.  341-343; require a test of membership
Neglect of obvious duties chargeable on    as much as others, iii. 451, 452.
all, iii. 210, 211.                    No-Creed Mlan apt to be a pope in disNegro, the race of the, not settled in    guise, ii. 345.
Northern Africa, iii. 164; unchangeable  No Danger in Christianity except from its
physical characteristics of, 175; adapted    abuse, iii. 495.
to the factory as an operative, 388;  No Escape for the rejecters of the great
mania concerning, at the North and    salvation, ii. 707-709.
South, 435; in America, must hold one  No hIope for the finally impenitent, ii.
of three conditions, 563; slavery of, in    628.
our country, 574; relation to the supe-  No Nation before the United States withrior race, 583; relative condition in    out an established religion, iii. 422.
Africa and America, 577-581; present No Neutrality on the temperance question,
and ultimate condition of, 663-672.      iii. 533.
Netherlands, universities of, i. 242.    No Peace to the wicked who despise the
New Birth essential to salvation, ii. 381.  gospel, ii. 409.
New England, systems of education in, i. No Price too great to pay for education,
508; virtues and defects of its schools,   i. 132.
511; Quixotic people in, 509; condition  No Salvation without a knowledge of gosof its churches, ii. 713; dislike of, to    pel truth, ii. 648.
the Embargo Act, iii. 319; ablest di-  No Plea from Scripture to justify strong
vines of, favoured  Presbyterianism,    drink, iii. 531.
437, 438; first school system, how esta-  No Veteran in crime reformed by prisonblished, i. 645.                         discipline, iii. 398.
New Haven, revenue of, i. 88.            NOAH, the ark of, disproves a savage state
New Heart, in man, whence derived, ii.   at the flood, iii. 104; a husbandman
514; indispensable to a Christian life,    and not a savage, 106; divided the
385, 705, 720.                           earth by divine command, 128.
New Jersey, excellence of the Constitution  Nobility, titles of, contrary to the Ameriof, iii. 294; broad seal of, 310.        can Constitution, iii. 340.
New Name of our republic, i. 577.        Noble Enterprises, by some always cried
New School Presbyterians, their experi-   down, iii. 475; of genius and wisdom
ments in church polity, iii. 437.        in the temperance cause, 506.
New  Testament, moral code of, not ob- Nomina Clara of philosophy not numejected to as too low, ii. 683; its testi-   rous, iii. 216.
mony as to church government, iii. 403,'Nominal Christians, still numerous in the
404; first grand  charter of human    church, ii. 398; strangers to the influrights, 489.                             ence of the Bible, iii. 481; their chaNEWTON, STR ISAAC, a model for young    racter portrayed, 482.
men, ii. 171; his relation to universal Nomination of federal officers, to whom
science, 416; his defence of Christianity    belonging, iii. 321, 322.
to Dr. Halley, 471, 472.               Non-Episcopal Churches, principles held
NEWTON, BISHOP, quoted on the peopling    in common by, iii. 403, 404.
of Africa, iii. 163.                   Non-Professors still bound by the claims
Newspapers, political and religious, their   of the gospel, ii. 191.
partisan character, iii. 571, 572,     Normal Schools early advocated by Dr.
New World, how first peopled, iii. 154;   Lindsley, i. 36.
not of more recent origin than the Old, North and South, misunderstanding be155; not unknown to Plato and the    tween, i. 338, 339.




712                                 INDEX.
Northern Colleges, causes of their success,  One-Man Power under the Federal Coni. 424.                                    stitution, iii. 325, 326.
Notes, bank, how made as good as gold, One System of doctrine revealed in the
iii. 365, 370: treasury and government,   Bible, iii. 198.
as a circulating medium, 368, 373.       One Term Only should be the law of the
Nothing  Unconstitutional when for the    Presidency, iii. 344, 345.
public good, iii. 385.                   Onle Thing Needful urged on all men, ii.
Nullification, consequences of the doc-    404.
trine of, i. 339; scheme of political  Ophir of Solomon may be the American
chieftains, 340; dangerous and delusive,   Peru, iii. 170.
333.                                     Opinions, conflicting, as to Scripture docNumber of persons unable to read  in    trines, the origin, iii. 198; narrow and
several States, iii. 271.                  illiberal, how formed, 218.
Opposition, of Christians, to circulating
the Bible, i. 308; to the first Bible Society, violent, iii. 523;' various motives
Obedience to the Divine will, constitutes    of, among bad men, 464.
happiness, ii. 129; the paramount duty  Oppression, cruel, exhibited in all classic
of, 251; mark of spiritual-mindedness,    history, iii. 489.
575; the only sufficient evidence of  Oppugners of religious prejudices should
true faith, 681.                           be cautious, iii. 194.
Objections, to Nashville University an-  Opulence often becomes a curse, i. 625.
swered, i. 375; against the moral code  Oracles of God, their composition and
of the Old Testament raised by some,    safe keeping, iii. 459.
ii. 683; to eternal future punishment,  Orang Outangs held by Monboddo to be
fallacy of, 689; to arguments on church    of the human family, iii. 91.
government, iii. 404, 405;  alleged,  Ordination,  Episcopal,  identical  with
against temperance societies, 511.         Presbyterian, iii. 444; of elders and
Objects worthy of man's nature presented,    deac(ins, 445.
ii. 227.                                 Oriental Countries not so unchangeable
Odium  Theologicum  of the  Protestant    as many allege, iii. 146.
clergy, iii. 207.                        Oriental Philosophy, its effect on the gosOffers of salvation through the blood of   pel, iii. 200.
Christ, ii. 716.                         Orientals, the  ancient, compared  with
Office, qualifications for, iii. 277; never    modern nations, iii. 133.
sought by the author, iii. 315.          Origin, of evil, a difficult problem, ii. 530;
Office-Seekers, description of, iii. 277.    of the temperance reform, iii. 533.
Office-HIolders should be qualified, i. 441.  Original Corruption  of man's nature,
Officers, federal, should not all be ap-    cause of, ii. 687.
pointed by the President, iii. 325; bank,  Orig inal Genius, how elicited among the
how controlled, 366; their number and    Greeks and Romans, i. 90.
expense, 374; primitive church, how   Original Minds, their points of resemdesignated, 409, 446; three orders of,   blance, ii. 9.
admitted, 438.                           Oriyinal Settlers of our country, their.
Offices often filled by incompetent men, i.   principles and aims, iii. 232.
438.                                     Orphans of drunkards, their fate, iii. 520.
Official Acts of churches, recognition of,  Orthodoxy, often a cover for practical
iii. 454.                                  heresies, ii. 326; insufficient without
Official Aristocracy described, iii. 280.    practical piety, 544; sometimes found
Officious Economists, their opposition to   in the worst men, 682; the advocate of,
Bible Societies, iii. 491.                how formed, iii. 219.
Old Age, irreligious, a sad picture, ii. 220 * Orthography a special study of Dr. Lindsof indolence not to be desired, 180;   ley, iii. 640.
premature, from ardent spirits, iii. 517.  Ouar Coun,?try greatly needing a gospel
Old and Newl Schools, Presbyterian, Dr.    ministry, ii. 67, 68.
Lindsley's position, iii. 46.           OvID, the Latin poet, indebted to tradiOld Federalism, whence its name and    tions of Mosaic history, iii. 93.
origin, iii. 353.                       OWEN, DR. JOHN, quoted, ii. 541.
Old Field Pedagogue, a description of Otoners7hip of land, its importance to soTennessee, iii. 630.                      ciety, i. 490.
Old Testament Patriarchs, how vindicated,
ii. 686.                                                    P
Omnipotence of public opinion, iii. 529.
Onle Glass a Day, societies on this motto, Pagan Nations had a substitute for the
iii. 533.                                  Sabbath, ii. 111.




INDEX.                                  713
Pagan Nobleman willing to be a Christian I Path of glory open to all virtuous youth,
bishop, ii. 267.                         i. 303.
PALEY, DR. WILLIAM, quoted on the law  Pathology of drunkenness, iii. 518.
of honour, i. 189; his Evidences quoted, Patriarchs, Old Testament, their imperiii. 540; quotation from, 358.           fections explained, ii. 686.
Paper Con8titutions no safeguard against Patrician Order never introduced among
infuriated majorities, iii. 256.         the American Colonies, iii. 252.
Paper Cturrency, of some sort, indispensa-  Patriotism, distinguished from party zeal,
ble, iii. 338, 367; may be more valuable   ii. 281; impossible without religion, i.
than specie, 370, 371; advantages over    550; not a thing for empty boasting,
gold and silver, 372; its loss not the    2V1.
annihilation of value, 372; a substitute  Patriots appealed to in behalf of the Bible
for gold and silver, 549, 551.           Society, iii. 467.
PARACELSUS, medical reforms of, i. 599.   Paul, the Apostle, remarkable for deciParadise, the primitive, the fountain of   sion of character, ii. 254, 257; his life
all civilization, iii. 84.               a comment on Christian charity, 266;
Parental Authority, too much neglect of,   his precepts illustrated by example, 276;
ii. 144.                                 a model for Christian ministers, 305,
Parental Disappointment, a source of, i.   645; teaching and practice, 306; cha389.                                     racter of his preaching, 647; not iognoParents, duties and responsibilities of, i.   rant of infidel objections and theories,
382; their wrong  interference  with    671; what he was before and after his
teachers, 389; should be compelled to    conversion, 681; his Epistle to the Roeducate their children, 500; mistaken    mans on justification by faith, 686, 687;
notions of, 563; how they should train    quoted on temperance, iii. 532; grandeur
their children, iii. 484; responsible for    of his character, 250.
drunken son, 522; could easily educate  PAULDING, HON. JAaIES K., letter of, iii.
their children, 560.                      77.
PARIs, GOVERNOR, of Maine, on publi3  PauLperism caused by intoxicating liquors,
schools, i. 474.                         i. 182.
Paris, the city of, its institutions and  Paupers, need not be found in our counworks of art, i. 409; its public libraries,   try, iii. 596; for the most part foreign410; the medical schools of, 422.        ers and Romanists, 596.
PARKER, ARCHBISHOP, a fierce persecutor,  Pay of our legislators, iii, 289.
iii. 415.                              Pedants and Pedagogues, description of,
Parliament, the British, how composed,   iii. 272.
iii. 285.                              Penitence, genuine Christian, described,
Parochial Schools not practicable in Ten-   ii. 611.
nessee, i. 644.                        Penitentiaries, in some points models for
Parsimony in education, bad policy of, i.   schools and colleges, i. 252; Eastern,
132.                                     confirm Bible principles, iii. 484.
Parsons, how treated by State Constitu-  Penitentiary of Tennessee, a sort of favourtions, iii. 297.                         ite State university, i. 384; a model
Parting amon, friends, its lessons, ii. 295.   manual labour establishment, 442.
Party, definition of, iii. 571.          Penitentiary System, views on, i. 151;
Party Factions, their danger in a republic,   might be superseded, 152; expensive
iii. 257.                                and defective, 245, 246; compared with
Party Feelings discouraged, i. 377.        our college system, 247; of New York
Party Names, no qualification for civil   and Connecticut, 252.
office, iii. 283; in ecclesiastical affairs, People, must have knowledge to have
contrary to the gospel, 223.             power, i. 75; improvements of every
Partiy Politics, young men warned against,   kind commence with, 300.
i. 289; should be kept out of colleges, People, competent to decide on church
i. 377.                                  affairs from  the Bible, iii. 433; how
Party Prejuldices, dangerous influence of,   cheated by popular demagogues, 495;
on youth, iii. 222.                      may be intelligent and virtuous under
Party Spirit, condemnation of iii. 315.     absolute monarchs, 240; of Europe, lack
Pa.sRsrte of men and animals to America,   political training to fit them  for free
ho.c Vffc.,i1, iii. t71.               government, 241, 242; of London and
Pastoral Oyce, a sermon on, ii. 303: na-   Paris, compared with Athens and Rome,
ture and importance of, 304-308.         i. 72; American, their sovereignty, i.
Pastors, of the church, how supplied, ii.   300; how imposed on, 337; their rela66; great need of, in our country, 67, 68.   tion to government, iii. 274; expect too
Paternal Colnsels to young men on leav.    much of government, 275; elect few
ing college, i. 371.                     federal officers directly, 326; have no




714                                INDEX.
control over the President, 348; how  Philosophies, human, powerless compared
humbugged, 342, 358, 359; warned,   with the gospel, ii. 650.
329; deceived and swindled by banks, Philosophy, its early cultivation in Egypt,
362, 367; slow to believe in the bless-   iii. 140; Greek and Roman, early mixed
ings of taxation, 377; prejudiced against   with the gospel, 200; of Newton and
a tariff, 378; what they ought to do for    Bacon, its spirit of inquiry, i. 283; unthemselves, 394; the mass of, enjoy    reasonable, in dogmatizing as to man's
liberty in all countries in proportion as    primitive state, iii. 147.
they know the Bible, 468, 469.         PHOCION instanced, with Hampden, i. 266.
Peopling, of the earth among the sons of Phoenicians, their extensive voyages, iii.
Noah, iii. 128; of America, conflicting    168; concealed their art of navigation,
theories on, 153; difficulties in the way    169; brought gold and  silver from
of, 171; a subject beyond the assaults    America, 170; belonged to the Cauof geologists, 173.                      casian variety, though Hamites, 175.
Perfect Rights the only ones protected by  Physic:ians, responsibilities of, i. 220; ophuman laws, iii. 487.                    pose ardent spirits as a beverage, iii.
Perfection of the character of Washing-    516; their testimony, 519; object to
ton, iii. 258.                           wine as a beverage, 530.
PERICLES referred to, iii. 326.          Physiological Distinctions not to be conPeriodical Literature, modern, on man's   founded with genealogical, iii. 175.
primeval savageism, iii. 88.           PICART and PETAVIUS on early populaPERIZONIUS and others on Plato's sunk    tion of the earth, iii. 177.
Atlantis, iii. 156.                    Picture, of an ungodly young man, ii.
Permanence in the varieties of the human    152-154; of hypocrisy and selfishness
race, iii. 175.                          in the church, 273, 274.
Perniciou8s 4Maaxims, many popular, pointed  Piety, early, recommended, a sermon, ii.
out, i. 180.                             121.
Persecuting Spirit, still alive in Christen- Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock referred to,
dom, ii. 350, 370; condemned by Christ,   ii. 713.
681; whence derived, iii. 200.         Pillars of Herculles once the extreme
Persecution, among Protestant Christians,    western limits, iii. 157.
ii. 314; of heretics, the common sin  Pioneers in science and art, ii. 417.
of Christendom, 350, 351; among the  PITT, WILLIAM, referred to, iii. 326.
early American colonists, 374-376; for PIZARno and other examples of decision
opinion, the worst of all heresies, iii.   of character, ii. 254.
213; its essential elements defined and  Plans of aiding the suffering poor, many
illustrated, 212.                        objectionable, iii. 599.
Persecutors, among professing Christians, PLATO, his indebtedness to the schools of
ii. 315; cannot be true Christians, 681.   Egypt, iii. 149; his account of the lost
Persians, their destruction of learning    Atlantis, 156, 157; confirmed by Moses,
and art in Egypt, iii. 145.              161; like Moses, skilled in Egyptian
Personal Experience of a change of heart,   learning, 161.
how tested, ii. 397.                   Plea, for the Theological Seminary at
Persons of the Trinity, unsatisfactory il-   Princeton, a discourse, ii. 33; none for
lustrations of, ii. 675.                 the finally impenitent, 708, 709; for
Peruvians and Jlexicans not civilized, iii.   the University of Nashville in 1829, i.
118.                                     209.
PESTALOZZI and other educators referred  Pleasing God rather than men, a sermon,
to, i. 521.                              ii. 249.
PETER  the  Hermit, a saintly popular Plebeian Classes in England excluded from
demagogue, iii. 496.                     public affairs, iii. 253.
Pettifogging Lawtyers and their compeers, Plenary Inspiration of the Bible explained,
i. 488.                                  ii. 666.
PHARAOH, the hardening of the heart of Plymouth Rock, the colony of, i. 452.
king, ii. 683.                         Poetry, of Greece and Italy, why reprePharisees still numerous in the church, ii.   senting the ancients as savages, iii. 120;
271.                                     influence on the early history of man,
Pharmacy, a branch of medical science,   122.
defined, i. 598; its importance in Eu- Polemic Dogmatismoftheology repudiated,
ropean schools, 599.                     iii. 206.
PHELPS, ANSON G., referred to, iii. 597.   Policy, of taxing land, reasons against, i.
Philanthropists of Europe, discourage-    489-494; of Washington's administraments of, i. 139.                        tion, iii. 259; of our first Congress, on
PHILIP, the deacon, in what capacity he    banks, wise and cautious, 335  336;
preached, iii. 428.                      American, too fluctuating to be'ound




INDEX.                                 715
and good, 346; the gigantic protective, Popular Facllaetes, i. 293; the source of
of England, 383; our true, as to manu-   public evils, iii. 495.
facturers,.384.                       Popular Prejudice to be disregarded, iii.
Political Creedls, intolerance of, ii. 346.  394.
Political Economy, the science of; i. 240; Popularity no test of merit in schools and
as taught by Adam Smith, 286; a branch    colleges, i. 568.
of practical ethics, 292; on the taxing  Population, rapid increase of American,
of land, 489; on intemperance, iii. 526;   i. 467; of the South and West, scattered,
a special study of Dr. Lindsley, 647.    498; the earth's, in the times of Nimrod
Political Pharisaism, the remedy for, iii.   and Peleg, immense, iii. 130, 177; of the
497.                                     antediluvian world, very great, 99; faPolitical Questionls difficult to adjust, i.   vourable to the progress of the arts, when
336.                                     great, 100; inconsistent with an uncivilPolitical Reform difficult with a heredi-   ized state, 100; decline and increase in
tary nobility, iii. 253.                 different ages, 182; of the Rcman EmPolitical S//stemns most erroneous, iii. 193.   pire in the days of Augustus, 181.
Political Tests, iii. 310, 311.          Porclupine Family, in England, referred
Political Trainiing essential to self-gov-   to, iii. 176.
ernment, iii. 242.         ~           PonsoN and other Greek scholars referred
Politician, requirements of an American,   to, i. 111, 523.
i. 288.                                PonTER, DR. EDENREZEn, his testimony to
Politicians, their arts described, iii. 279;   Presbyterianism, iii. 438.
how they get power, 301.               Positionl, the author defines his own, iii.
Politics, national, all-controlling influence    315.
of, iii. 309.                          Poverty, what it means in our country, i.
Polygamny, made a ground of objection to    228; not the necessary lot of an Amerithe Bible, ii. 683; not to be tolerated on    can, 228; -no qualification for office, iii.
a plea of conscience, iii. 426.          282; in cur country, mostly springs
PONCE DE LEON, his famous fountain traced    from idleness or crime, 596; how repreto MElian, iii. 168.                     sented in the Scriptures, 599.
Poor, mainly benefited by home colleges, Poiwer, of the President of the United
i. 78; how they may be liberally edu-    States, vast, iii. 324, 325; how exercised
cated, 96; taxation of, 148; their mode    towards his subordinates, 326, 327; of
of rising in society, 149; should be edu-   the United States to charter a bank,
cated gratuitously, 346; their defenders,   335, 336.
392; relieved by being taught to help  Practical Heresies often ignored by the
themselves, 496; their claims on the    pulpit, ii. 325.
rich, ii. 36; their taxation for strong  Practical Persectttors among the Protestdrink, iii. 526; as much in danger of   ant Reformers, ii. 315.
coveting as the rich, 595; their widows  Practical Tetnh the most important to be
and orphans to be cared for, 596; their   understood, i. 179.
position in Europe and America, i. 148; Practice the only sure test of orthodoxy,
their relations to the rich, 229.        i. 324.
Poor Youlth, how they may go through  Proyer, the duty and privilege, ii. 573; a
college, i. 145, ii. 263.                characteristic of the spiritually-minded,
Pope of Roe, held to be Antichrist by the    573; necessary to salvation, 720.
Reformers, iii. 415; his subjects in the Preachers, need a large stock of knowUnited States, 425.                      ledge, i. 443; sectarian and uncharitaPopery, growth of its power in the Middle    ble, reproved, 319.
Ages, iii. 203.                        Preaching on the mysteries of God, a
Popes, de facto, of our times, iii. 205; cle-   means of salvation, ii. 648, 649.
rical and democratic, 301.             Precious MT1etals of the ancients, probably
Populace, none in our country in the Eng-    from America, iii. 170.
lish sense, iii. 242.                  Prejldice, against college officers, cruel
Popular Charity, estimate of, ii. 266.     and unjust, i. 11 f; in ourcountry against
Popular Demagogues, how they ruin the    learning, ii. 44, 45; against the gospel
people, i. 335, 337.                     unreasonable, 481; concerning the priPopular Education, its legitimate ends, i.   mitive state of man, iii. 81; definition
301; a lecture on, 463; commended to   and illustration of, 191; the source of
the young  as a sacred cause, 351;   differences among Christians, 199; conthoughts on, in Tennessee, 643; retarded   firmed by bitter religious controversies,
by reliance on State aid, 644; how to   209; example of the power of, 214.
be made universal, 646; essential to Prejudices, religious, Dr. Lindsley's artifarmers and mechanics, iii. 304, 395;   cle on, iii. 191; political and religious,
folly respecting, 604.                   inveterate, 193; some salutary, some in



716                                 INDEX.
jurious, 193; against temperance socie-    church government, 337; not to be conties, hard to overcome, 566.              founded with Puritans, 352; never perPrelatists, their high claims, iii. 410;    secuted on American soil, 352, 353;
lordly power of, as proclaimed by Ban-    most whigs in the Revolutionary War,
croft in 1588, 414.                      -354; their position in Maryland, 375;
Pr'eordination of God a doctrine to be be-    disposed to glory in their church polity,
lieved, ii. 673.                          iii. 406; stand on strong  scriptural
Preparation for coming to the Lord's ta-    ground, 406; how treated by European
ble, ii. 541-551.                         governments, 423; -asserted their indePresbyter, title of the highest ruler in the    pendence  in the American  colonies,
apostolic church, iii. 429; the only true    423; their polity clearly laid down in
apostolic bishop, 429.                    their standards, 427; their character for
Presbyters, identical in  meaning with    piety and learning in all ages, 432;
bishops, iii. 409; their number in the    opinions on liberty of conscience and
primitive church, 410.                    church power, 433; always zealous in
Presbytery, early perverted from its scrip-   the cause of education, 433; insist on
tural simplicity, iii. 429; mode of its   an educated ministry, 434; not inimical
perversion in our times, 430; the only   to constitutional monarchy, 407; their
scriptural episcopacy, 444; of New    sympathies in the American and French
Brunswick and Princeton Seminary, ii.   Revolutions, 408; approve episcopacy on
70.                                       scriptural grounds, 419, 420; supporters
Presbyterian Bishops, duty of, to teach the    of schools, colleges, and  theological
people church government, ii. 338; may    seminaries, 434; never afraid of argube men of apostolic spirit, 339.          ment and free inquiry, 434; catholic
Presbyterian  Calvinism  not fatalism. ii.   and liberal towards other churches, 435;
359.                                      conservative and temperate on all poliPresbyterfia  Church, its attitude in 1833,   tical questions, 435; do not attack other
ii. 370; its government the best in.the    churches, 436; quarrel with each other,
world, 338; its history and martyr-spirit   but all defend their standards, 436; do
in Scotland, iii. 407, 408; to what extent    not seek to make proselytes, 437; a lawjure divino, 428; its full accordance    abiding and loyal people, 439; follow
with the gospel, 428; its principles, as   the usages of civil government, 440;
adopted in the United States, 432, 433;    what they hold and claim  on church
how changed to episcopacy, 430; its    government, 444; much spoken against
scriptural officers acknowledged, 438;    for being Calvinists, 446; should study
its form of polity not held to be abso-    their own form  of government, 448;
lutely perfect, 399, 439; elementary    how they should treat other churches,
principles of, 400-404; defects of, 440.    452; concede equal rights to all ChrisPreesbyte rian Clergy, devoted to the cause   tians, 453; n ither ask nor acknowledge
of liberty, ii. 75; at times persecute    superiority, 465.
each other, 354; falsely accused byJef-  Presbyterians of Scotland, all hold the
ferson, 355; all whigs in the Revolution,    old book of their fathers, iii. 436; always
354; what they are bound to believe    loyal to the British crown, 407; their
and teach, 356; may be rigidly ortho-    heroic and martyr spirit, 408.
dox and yet unchristian, iii. 450.      Presbyteries  and  SyKnode, courtesy of,
Presb.yterian Colonists in New Jersey never    due to  corresponding  members, iii.
persecuted, ii. 376.                      454.
Pi'esbyteriaa) Cowt.feseion quoted on liberty  President of the United States, his power
of conscienca, ii. 376.                   of appointment and removal, iii. 321Pre8byteii:anLise8a, a democratic system, ii.   323, 348; limited by the Senate, 322;
58, 59; as held by Dr. Lindsley, 346;    anti-democratic, 323, 324; should not
its battle with kingcraft in Scotland,    have a veto, 344; should remove from
iii. 407; its infancy under Roman des-    office only pro tempore, 344; in case of
potism, 406; its genius laccords with    death, his successor should be elected
pure republicanism, 406; its position    by the electoral college, 344; should be
under state rule in Geneva and Holland,    elected directly by the people, 345; how
408; its action when free and when es-    he should act on a point of conscience,
tablished by law, 409; the only apos-    348, 349; should be shut out from the
tolic system of church government, 428;   legislature, 349; his conscience cannot
why it did not gain a foothold in Eng-    stand for law, 369.
land, 431; why adopted by the West- Pretensions to learning rebuked, i. 609,
minster Assembly, 437; a little Congra-    610.
gationalized, 438.                      Prevention, of crime, less costly than its
Presbyterians, their early efforts for Prince-    punishment, i. 150; of disease not efton Seminary, ii. 74; their claims as to   fected by ardent. spirits, iii. 519; of




INDEX.                                    717
drunkenness, total abstinence the only  Procrastination  in  religion, absurd, ii.
effective, 534.                             717; why indulged in by the impeniPride, of philosophy, its danger in religion,    tent, 718.
ii. 659; of system, its tendency to lead  Prodigal Son of the parable an example
into error, 82.                             for sinners, ii. 717.
Priestcraft, enormities of, ii. 309.        Prodigious Prediction, an article, iii. 647.
Priesthood, Egyptian, described by Diodo-  Profanation of the Sabbath, its effect in
rus Siculus, iii. 138; Levitical and Epis-    France, ii. 109.
copal, compared, 448.                    Profession, the medical, its influence on
PRIESTLEY, DR. JOSEPH, an instance of    temperance  reform, iii. 517; of the
strong religious prejudice, iii. 215.      teacher, magnified, i. 36; its qualificaPRIESTLY, DR. JAMES, President of Cum-    tions and responsibilities, 525.
berland College, eulogy on, i. 117, 362.  Professional Business, its effects on the
Priests, Romish, their spirit and ambitious    mind, i. 123.
aims, i. 314; why opposed to the circu-  Professional  Charlatanry  illustrated, i.
lating of the Bible, iii. 498.              610.
Priests and Prophets, necessity for learn-  Professional KHtowlledge not enough for
ing among, ii. 42.                         professional men, i. 123.
Primnary Schools, indispensable importance  Professions, various, in life, described, ii.
of, i. 79.                                  150-1,52.
Primate of all England, titles and powers  Professor of Biblical Archemology at New
of, iii. 418.                              Albany, iii. 399; of civil engineering
Primeval Civilization of man proved from     needed in our colleges, i. 421.
reason, revelation, and history, iii. 84.   Professors, required in a university, i. 410;
Primeval Savageism of man an indefensi-   their number, 401; their honours and
ble dogma, iii. 151.                       emoluments in  Germany, 404; their
Pr'imitive Christians bound by oath against    classification, iii. 272; of religion, sevewickedness, iii. 540.                       ral classes of, ii. 543.
Primitive Navigqators must have had the  Programme of a university marked out, i.
compass or similar instruments, iii. 169.    410, 411.
Primitive State of man, theories of, i. 68;  Progress, of arts among the antediluvians,
writers on, largely referred to, iii. 88;    iii. 100; of civilization during the last
source of misconception respecting, 82;    hundred years, 238; of the drunkard
its savageism  contradicted by history,    downward, 581.
81, 112, 126.                            Prohibition, total, of foreign commodities,
Pinceton, theological seminary of, referred    sometimes wise, iii. 378, 379.
to, i. 87; object of its founders, ii. 39, 40; Projects of future education visionary and
its blessed fruits realized, 82, 230; sol-    delusive, i. 499.
emn appeal in behalf of, 74.             Property, always pays taxes, not poverty,
Principles, of college government, pointed    i. 148; qualifications of, not wise, as
out, i. 113; of free trade, opposed by the    limiting the right to vote, 484; how far
practice of all nations, iii. 382.          desirable as an inheritance for children,
Pr'inters' Art, its influence on modern civ-    ii. 35.
ilization, iii. 237.                     Prophecies, Scriptural, three classes of, ii.
Printers' Blunders, an article on, iii. 639.    669; fulfilled, always open to investigaPrinting Press, its influence on the world,    tion, 669.
ii. 417; its power to preserve and per-  Prophets, had no successors, strictly speakpetuate knowledge, iii. 116.               ing, iii. 409; and other officers of the
Prisons and Penitentiaries, expenses of, i.    New Testament church, 447.
150; discipline of, in the United States, Prophets and Apostles of the Bible not
249.'      ignorant men, i. 144.
Private Education for the ministry, its  Propositions of the Bible, not mysterious,
disadvantages, ii. 54.                     ii. 671: worthy of belief, although terms
Pivate Interpretation of Scripture, the    not fully comprehended, 680.
right of, defended, ii. 342.             Prosperity of our country, dangers arising
Privileges, religious and social, under the    from, i. 335.
gospel, ii. 711.                         Protection of home industry, policy of, dePrize of immortal life set before us in the    fended, iii. 385.
gospel, ii. 709.                         Protective  Duties  antagonistic  to  free
Problem, of a future state, never solved by    trade, iii. 383.
philosophy, ii. 696; of the peopling of  Protestant Christians, their long rneglect
America, how  solved, iii. 156, 161; of    of heathen nations, ii. 430; united in
self-government in America, i. 199.        the Bible Society, iii. 501; ought to
Problems of history all solved by the doc-    support it liberally, 502; causes of divitrine of a divine government, ii. 449.     sions among, 430.




718                                INDEX.
Protestant Clergy, illiberality and bitter- Paure Wine, its use not prohibited in
ness of, iii. 207; their grounds of differ-    Scripture, iii. 531.
ence small, 208.                       Puritas, English, why mostly IndependProtestant Creeds, similarity of, ii. 347.  ents, iii. 431; inclined to Presbyterianismn
Protestant Europe, a sad spectacle of divi-   at first, 431; Hall's work on, 414; of New
sions among its Reformed churches, ii.   England inclined to Presbytery, 434;
430; what it owes to the Bible, iii.   their modern descendants greatly apos-'469.                                     tate from the ancient faith, ii. 713.
Protestantism, its whole history full of in- Pursuits of ambition delusive and dangerstances of folly, iii. 208.              ous, ii. 277-280.
Protestants, divisions  among, ii. 430; Pyramids of Egypt, social condition of
their common principle of church gov-   their builders, iii. 133.
ernment, iii. 404; their sole rule of PYTHAGORAS, an example of diligent, labofaith, 451; challenge the exercise of   rious study, ii. 178; origin of his theory
every man's reason, 464; divided into    of the sun as the centre of the universe,
rival sects soon after the Reformation,   iii. 14.3; where he learned astronomy,
461; ought to have circulated the Bible   148; why persecuted at home, 148; his
from the first, 461.                     doctrine, how discovered and lost, 144.
Providence of God, special, universal, external, ii. 444-446; a source of joy to
men, 447; embraces all things, 673.
Public Colleges should not be sectarian, i. Quack Doctors classified, i. 488.
257.                                   Quackery in teaching, i. 390.
Public Education, its paramount value, i. Quakers, proverbial for veracity without
486; essential for ministers of the gos-   an oath, i. 294; their opposition to arpel, ii. 48, 49.                         dent spirits, iii. 539.
Public Erils removed by instructing the  Quasi-Episcopacy, how it might be intropeople, i. 340.                          duced into the Presbyterian Church, iii.
Public Life full of dangers, ii. 279.      430.
Public Office, not to be coveted, i. 289; QTEEN ELIZABETH, her remark at the apfor whose benefit created, 291, iii. 276.   proach of death, ii. 221.
Public QOl cers, how tested, iii. 283; to  Question, the old one between England
be dealt with as if they were rogues,   and America, iii. 234.
325, 359.                              Qui facit per alium facit per se, iii. 425.
Public Opinion, the omnipotence of, iii. QUINCTILIAN advocated the superiority of
529, 534.                                a public education, i. 66, ii. 48; his
Public Press, its relation to science and    opinion that speech was the gift of God,
literature, i. 612.                      iii. 93.
Public Schools, for all classes, advocated,  Qui.rotic Efforts of New England philani. 347; the system of, in Connecticut,   thropy, i. 509, iii. 670.
471; in Massachusetts, 473; in N'ew
York, 477.
Public Seminaries, their superior advantages, ii. 50.                         Races of man as distinctly marked at the
Public Torship, an ordinance of God, ii.   dawn of history as at the present day,
100; the Sabbath essential to, 100; the    iii. 174.
forms of, 339; too often a mere form, Radicalism, prevalence  of its various
488.                                     forms, i. 398.
Pulpit, its great power when worthily  RALEIGH, SIR WALTER, his estimate of
filled, ii. 28, 29; its deplorable defects in   learning at death, i. 276.
our day, 22; its zealots often guilty of  RA3xSAY, DR. DAVID, on  established
bearing false witness, i. 320.           churches in Virginia and Maryland, ii.
Punch and a Bishop, article on, iii. 616.  375.
Punishmlent, of sin, not confined to this Rational Clhristianity, its insidious dislife, ii. 624; reasonable and just, 689;   guises, ii. 77.
eternal, because sin will never cease, Rerading, new mode of teaching the art of,
690, 691; proportionate to the offence,   i. 513; of books, not always profitable,
690; of crime costs more than the edu-   ii. 243; superficial, tends to enervate
cation which would prevent it, i. 150;   the mind, i. 109.
often evaded, iii. 546; of delinquent Reading. and  Writing, ignorance of, in
bank officers, 366.                      England and America, i. 238; proper
Plupils of Dr. Lindsley, their number and    qualifications for voting, 484.
character, i. 54.                      Reason., human, unable to solve the proPure Religion, constituent elements of, ii.   blem of our salvation, ii. 391; insufficient
681.                                     to discover any scheme of redemption,




INDEX,                                  719
637; its office in science and philosophy,   gress of the Christian, in the first three
664; satisfied to believe on testimony,   centuries, iii. 421; of the Bible the only
676; not contradicted  by Scripture,    one worthy of credit, 474; alone in re677; its province as to testimony, 678;   fusing state alliances, 492; in the United
proof from, in favor of man's primeval   States free of all state trammels, 422;
civilization, iii. 84.                    a false one better than none, 193.
Retsoning, in a circle, example of, ii. 689; Religions all alike protected in our counof the impenitent, false and fatal, 718;   try, i. 318.
fallacious mode of, touching ancient Religious Differences, their influence on
Egypt, iii. 145.                         popular education, i. 645.
Reasons for serving God in youth, ii. 128. Religious Education need not be sectaRebellion in Rhode Island under Dorr, iii.   rian, i. 51.
298.                                  Rleligious Establishments, i. 310.
Reciprocity, courteous, the only rule of  Religious Liberty, perfect only in America,
church fellowship, ii. 366, iii. 453.    i. 312, iii. 424, 498; denied to Roman
Recollections, Dr. Lindsley's, of the death    Catholics by their rulers, 425, 426.
of Washington, iii. 234.               Religioiss Partisans  dangerous to the
Redeemer of man merciful and gracious,   country, i. 316.
iii. 489.                              Religiou8 Passion the most uncontrollaRedeeming of time, what it imports, ii.   ble, i. 316.
208.                                   Religious Prejutdices, article on, iii. 191;
Redemlption, scheme of, as represented by    not to be eradicated by opposition, 193;
Paul, ii. 615.                           removed only with caution, 194.
Redactio ad Absurdum, applied to the  Religious Principle, the power of, i. 165.
Epicurean theory, iii. 97.             Religiolus Sects, their proselyting schools
Reform, in office, how effected, iii. 281; in    and colleges, i. 256.
state politics needed, 309; in the legis- Remedy, the only one yet found for intemlature, 288.                             perance, iii. 510; for the present vicious
Refornmation, moral, the first step towards,    banking system, 552.
i. 151; must be founded on the Bible,  Remiluisceuces of Dr. Stanhope Smith, iii.
iii. 483; in prisons effected only by the    652.
Bible, 541; of criminals, not the sole  Removal from office by the President, iii.
end of punishment, i. 248; of hardened    341.
criminals visionary, 250; of life, exhor-  Repentance, doctrine of, proclaimed in Jutations to, ii. 175, 176; of the drunkard    dea, ii. 194; nature of evangelical, deonce regarded as hopeless, iii. 507; the    fined, 596; connected with faith, 599,
temperance, its achievements, 527; its    606; first step in the exercise of, 600;
origin in the United States, 533; its    motives to, 601; necessity of, 602; reaprogress over the world, 533; needed in    sonableness of, 613; essential to salvaour school systems, i. 144; of the six-   tion, 615; blessed results, 617; prompted
teenth century, the commencement of    by a view of Christ's sufferings, 618;
a brighter era, i. 72, iii. 461; the result   urged as a duty on all, 619; calls to,
of the restoration of learning, i. 343; its    621; commanded by God, 626.
influence marred by party strife, ii. 429. Representative System of government unReformed Clur'ches of the sixteenth cen-    known to the people of Europe, iii. 241.
tury all Calvinistic in doctrine, ii. 348.  Representatives of the people should be
Reforiter)s, of the church, men of great    educated men, i. 447.
learning, ii. 46; sometimes intolerant Republic, American, not ungrateful to its
persecutors, 314; early English, recog-    benefactors, iii. 229; maintained by innized non-episcopal churches, iii. 411;   telligence and the gospel, i. 327, 455;
Puritan, denied the church of Rome to    dangers and destiny, 349, 466; not to
be a true church, 415.                   be despaired of, 344; the Liberian, in
RegeJneratioln, why necessary for man, ii.   advance of any republic of Spanish
331, 382; a matter to be tested only by    America or Europe, iii. 579.
experience, 394; the fruits of, 395; ne- RepTlblican Government, excellency of, in
cessary to salvation, 512; the work of    America, i. 78; the growth of two centhe Holy Spirit, 513; a doctrine clearly   turies, iii. 245; its forms may be retaught in Scripture, 686; a mystery to   tained when the spirit is gone, 256;
the natural man, 700.                    how maintained in its purity, i. 469;
Regrets on a dying bed, iii. 502, 604.     name of, 579.
Religion, Christian, essential in every sys- Rcpublicanrs, the inconsistencies of, i. 214,
tem of education, i. 47, 48; indispensa-   466.
ble for all men, 168, 304; its rank  Republics, the ancient, different from ours
among well-educated people, 304; comin-   as to origin, iii. 245; possible after the
mended to young men, 550-552; pro-   destruction of our present Union, 255.




720                                  INDEX.
Researches in Egypt confirm the sacred  Reviewv, North American, its estimate of
and classical historians, iii. 148.       Dr. Lindsley, iii. 78.
Resemblance between the inhabitants of  Revival of religion in Nassau Hall illusNorthwestern Europe and Northeastern    trating Presbyterian liberality, iii. 437.
America, iii. 173.                      Rhode Island, religious freedom  in, ii.
Resignation, the duty of Christian, i. 452.    354; the Eden of democracy, iii. 293.
Resistance to the Federal Constitution, iii. RICARDO and other writers, i. 124.
310.                                     RICE, DR. JOHN H., iii. 28.
Responeibility, of bank-officers, iii. 366; Rich and Poor, how related to society, i.
of educated men, i. 173.                   148.
Restitution, the  duty of Christians to  Riches, a limitation in the pursuit of, ii.
make, ii. 320.                             35; the love of, dangerous, 225; article
Result of the license system, to increase    on, iii. 589; Scripture texts on, 590drunkenness, iii. 391.                     592.
Resurrection of the dead, in what sense a  Rich Men, the difficulty of their salvation,
mystery, ii. 640; credible as a fact at-   ii. 226, iii. 600; often benefactors of our
tested, 669; its mode a profound mys-    country and models of thrift, 596.
tery, 670.                               Riding Committee of the church of ScotRetaliation, the spirit of, should be un-    land, iii. 441.
known among Christians, iii. 452.        Rights of man, as understood by our foreRetrospect of the past year, ii. 231.        fathers, i. 176; to decide for himself
Revealed Religion, always connected with    what is Scripture, ii. 665.
human learning, ii. 45-47; not confined  Rights, perfect and  imperfect, distinto the cloister, 49; its essential nature    guished, iii. 479; of man never underdescribed, 106; indispensable to man,    stood by pagan nations, 489; of Eng109; commended to the young, 140;    lishmen asserted by our fathers, 311;
why repulsive to the young, 142, 143,    of government to charter a bank, 336;
168; should be our chief concern, 234;    of the States under the Constitution,
its terms and conditions, 237; an object    308, 310, 385; of the President to reof instruction, 343; does not consist in    move from  office, 311; of woman sesingle acts or frames of mind, 363; true    cured by the Bible, 490.
experience of, lost in some quarters, Rights of conscience, allowed when con613; its relation to creeds and confes-    sistent with other rights, iii. 426; undersions, 345; man's only ground of hope,    stood by all sects un(ler persecution,
638; its influence on life and character,    565; how violated by Roman Catholic
621.                                       rulers, 425; contended for by the PresRevelation, Divine, decried as unnecessary    byterian Huguenots of France, 408;
by infidels, ii. 132; necessity for, 415;    null and void in the English church,
man's agency in diffusing the know-    according to Hooker, 413; not affected
ledge of, 415; the unsolved problems    by the existence of negro slavery in our
of, 424; conditions on which it was    land, 580.
made, 425; new and universal at the  Rigid Presbyterians may be sorry Chrisadvent of Christ, 428; the effects of,   tians, ii. 339.
650; its agreement with man's faculties,  Rising Generation saved from crime only
665; the sacred writer's claims to, 667;    by the Bible, iii. 484.
ceases to be mysterious as far as made  Rites, ceremonial, not the essence of reknown, 668, 669; not against or above    ligion, ii. 364.
human reason, 671; of things above  RITTENHOU:SE, DR. DAVID, referred to, iii.
reason not incredible, 678.                396.
Revelations, of God, to Adam, Noah, and  Ritual System, its basis, iii. 427; predomiAbraham, ii. 426; given in the earliest    nates in established churches, 427.
ages, 427.                              Rival Sects, their bitter party strifes, i.
Revenue, of Harvard University, i. 216;    315.
of government most easily raised by a  ROBERTSON, DR. WILLIAM, his History of
tariff, iii. 377.                          America, on man's original state, iii. 93;
Revolutions, American, its  objects  and    opinion  as to American  aborigines,
aims, i. 76, iii. 311; our aids during the    118.
war of, i. 139; influence on the world, ROBINSON, REV. JOHN, his testimony to
iii. 239; cause of its successful issue,    Presbyterian church officers, iii. 438.
240; not waged  against monarchy, ROCHEFOUCAULT and CHESTERFIELD re406.                                       ferred to, i. 195.
Revolustion in popular customs a difficult ROCHESTER and GARDINER, warnings to
task, iii. 509.                            young men, ii. 153.
Revolutions in modern times, why unsuc-  ROGER BACON and others suffering persecessful, iii. 239.                        cution for science, i. 284.




INDEX.                                 721
Rogues, intelligent and astute, escape the    profanation in our land, 108; violations
laws, iii. 486.                          of, should be punished, 115.
Roman  Catholics, subject to  spiritual Sabbath-Breaker, proverbial badcharacter
despotism in America, iii. 425, 426; of    of, ii. 113; criminality of, among the
Maryland, by whom  persecuted, ii.   Jews, ii. 93.
353.                                  Sacerdotal Colleges of ancient Egypt, iii.
RomanL CLivilization derived  from  the    144.
Greeks, iii. 152.                     Sacred Writers, testify to their own inRoman Consuls, their term of office, iii. ~ spiration, ii. 667; strike at all sin in its
345; stable and durable policy of, 345.   roots, 548.
Roman Patriotism, ancient, the glory of, Sacrifice of Isaac explained and defended,
i. 353.                                  ii. 684, 685.
Romish Church, pretended miracles of, ii. Safeguards, of our government, pointed
668; its hierarchy the embodiment of    out, iii. 257; of the banking system in
Antichrist, iii. 422; its dogma on the    Scotland, 364.
creed, 553.                           Salaries of American judges, considered,
Rotation in office, to what extent proper,   iii. 290.
i. 291.                               SALLUST and other Latin authors quoted,
ROUSSEAU, J. J., his opinion of Christ, ii.  iii. 554.
136.                                  Salvation, by the gospel, wholly of divine
Royal Interference in legislature illus-   grace, ii. 87, 408; the only true method
trated, iii. 350.                        of, 392; the great business of life, 404;
Royal Supremacy, recognized in the church    offered to all freely and made attainable,
of England, iii. 415; a fatal and cor-   406; impossible in the case of the finally
rupting dogma, 416; its effect on civil   impenitent, 493; not secured by any
and religious liberty, 416.             works of legal merit, 524; rejected by
Ruined Structures in Central America and    the Jews, 702; the only way of escape
Mexico, their builders, iii. 166.       from perdition, 703; its greatness, 704;
Ruinous Heresy on the part of farmers and    its fulness and freeness, 706; the gift
mechanics, iii. 270.                     of God through Christ, 710; adequate
Rule, the two-thirds, in Congress, should   to the vilest sinners, 716.
be abolished, iii. 344.               Sanctification of the Sabbath, what it reRuling Elders, testimony of Congrega-    quires, ii. 94.
tionalists in favour of, iii. 438.    Saracens, their preservation of science
RUMFORD, COUNT, and all self-made men,   and literature, i. 435.
indebted to colleges, i. 342.         Satan, character of, as portrayed by MilRUSH, his Charges, quoted, on the Sab-   ton, ii. 256; in the disguise of an angel
bath, ii. 110.                           of light, in the church, iii. 494.
RUSH, DR. BENJAMIN, an advocate of tem- Savage State, man not created in, i. 68;
perance, iii. 518.                      traceable to the want of instruction as
Russia finding her real strength in manu-   its primal cause, 69; not known in the
factures, iii. 380.                     time of Noah and his sons, iii. 106; not
RUTHERFORD, REV. SAMUEL, in the West-   the primeval condition of our race, 83,
minster Assembly, iii. 432.             113; the result of a degeneration from
pre-existing civilization and man's deS                        pravity, 83, 114.
Savageism of man, not his original condiSabbath, the duty of observing, ii. 87; the   tion, iii. 85, 112; long a favourite dogma
day changed from the last to the first of   of philosophy, 88; traceable to the conthe week, 88; prohibitions on, 89; its rest   fusion of tongues at Babel, 101, 113; no
intended for man and beast, 90; works of   trace of, in the world before the time of
necessity and mercy excepted, but not   Nimrod, 109, 113; the consequence of
numerous, 92; a day of devotion, 94; how    penal judgments at Babel, 187.
made a delight and blessing, 95; does not Savages, the first mention of, in history,
require austerity and superstition, 96;   iii. 110, 114; unassisted by aid from
how observed by our Saviour, 97; not   abroad, never rise to civilization, 116;
violated by doing good, 98; its sanctity    of America and Africa accounted for,
not violated by teaching in Sunday-    187. ~
schools, 99; how perverted by the Jews, SAVIOUR, his command to preach the gos96; its proper observance, 95; reasons   pel begins to be obeyed, iii. 479.
for its observance, 103; not an arbitrary  SAY, and other political writers, on the
institution, 104; essential to public wor-   poor, i. 501.
ship, 105; respect for, essential to Chris- Scepticism, no proof of genius, i. 282; tritianity, 107; advantages as a discipline    umph of, after the Reformation of Luand means of grace, 106; its shameful   ther, ii. 431; danger of indulging in, iii.
VOL. III. —46




722                                INDEX.
282; intrepid in denying the proofs of SCOTT, DR. THOMAs, his experience on reancient civilization, 149.               ligious prejudice, iii. 215.
Sceptics, their unfair dealing with Chris- Scottish Commissioners, their influence in
tianity, i. 306.                         the Westminster Assembly, iii. 431.
Scheme of man's redemption, above all Scottish General Assemblies continue from
human power and wisdom, ii. 637; its   year to year by commissions, iii. 430.
truths the mysteries of God, 639.      Scottish  Universities, like the  German,
Schemes of popular education, different   have no costly buildings, i. 416.
ones suggested, i. 644.. Scriptural Miracles gain by comparison
Scholars should be exempt from prejudice,   with all others, ii. 669.
iii. 194.                              Scriptures, Sacred, the study of, essential
Scholarship, indiscriminate reading ruin-   to education, i. 50; theories of their inous to, i. 110; rewarded with high ho-    spiration, ii. 666; nowhere contradict
nours in the Eastern States, 426; pro-    human  reason, 677; their evidence
found, needed in the study of Scripture,   against a primeval savage state, iii. 97,
iii. 206.                                113; their spirit opposed to uncharitaScholastic Sophists of the Middle Ages,   ble controversy, 210; passages of, on
their character, iii. 202.               the condition of the negro race, 574School Funds, large accumulation of, a    576; passages of, relating to riches and
doubtful policy, i. 497-499, iii. 563; of    poverty,590-592:theirtestimony strong,
Tennessee, their origin and mismanage-    against strong drink, 538.
ment, i. 497, 531; their  inutility,  Seal, the broad, of the State of New Jer647.                                     sey, iii. 310.
School-Houses, the need of, in Tennessee, Season, an article on the, iii. 613.
i. 131.                                Secret, the chief, of all sound banking sysSchoolmasters, the duties of, i. 105; how    tems, iii. 363.
competent ones are to be supplied, 235; Secret Crimes beyond the reach of human
their work in Europe, 242, 243; their   laws, iii. 479.
status in society, iii. 268; allies of  Secretaries of departments, their position
farmers and  mechanics, 270; great   in the National Cabinet, iii. 327; in
number necessary, 271; divided in four    what sense advisers of the President,
classes, 272.                            327.
Schoolmen of the Middle Ages, their tactics, Sectarian Colleges, injurious effects of, i.
iii. 203.                                254, 255; increase of, in our country,
Schools, of the Greeks and Romans, i. 91;    265; highly objectionable, 315, 316.
common, importance of, in our country, Sectarian Doctrines not to be taught in
131; higher classification of, 127; pri-   institutions of learning, i. 316, 378.
mary and classical, needed everywhere, Sectarian Domination, no danger of, in
133-135; collegiate and popular, what   our land, ii. 58.
they would do for Tennessee, 136; ad-  Sectarian Spirit, inimical to Christianity,
vantages of all classes of, 236; names   i. 322; denounced and abjured, 325, iii.
of, unimportant, 345; kind most needed    455.
in Tennessee, 346; how established and  Sects, all on a perfect equality in our
maintained, 470; different systems of,   country, i. 318; early developed in the
471; many no better than nuisances,   church, ii. 232, 233; their influence
517; by what denomination first founded    among the Jews, iii. 200; illiberal conin America, iii. 434; of the ancient Egyp-    tests in the Christian, of our day, 204;
tian priesthood, their objects, 139; of    all professedly stand on Scripture, 222;
interpretation as to the Federal Consti-   shunned by Dr. Lindsley, 315; should
tution, 331.                             be restrained from  domestic persecuSCHWARTZ quoted on education, i. 478.      tion, 425, 426; their adoption of the
Science, culture of, among the ancients, i.   temperance cause, 539.
71; in Egypt and Chaldea, monopolized  Sedition Laws, iii. 343; a nullity under
by priests, 72; its influence with the    Jefferson, 350.
Bible on slavery, 73; should not be sec- Sees of ancient bishops, how derived, iii.
tarian, 257; not discordant with revela-   417, 418.
tion, 629; its prerogative to remove er- SELDEN, JOHN, head of the Erastian party
ror and prejudice, iii. 1.95; progress of,   in the Westminster Assembly, iii. 432.
during the last hundred years, 238; of Self- Culture essential to improvement, iii.
astronomy, traced to Noah and Adam,   115.
144; how lost in Egypt, 145; connection  Self-Deception of man, as to his sin and
between all, ii. 242; human and divine,   danger, common, ii. 476.
full of mysteries, 642.                Self-Denial, under the gospel, promotes
Scots, the sturdy Presbyterian, opposed to    man's happiness, ii. 186.
kingeraft, iii. 407.                  Self-Examination, as to the right use of




INDEX.                 x723
time, salutary, ii. 210; a sermon on the  SHAKSPEARE, quotations from, iii. 280,
duty of, 535; incumbent on all who    396, 554; his example, with others,
come to the Lord's Table, 539.           cited, 231.
Self-Government, the duty taught, i. 370; SHERMAN, ROGER, how he rose to emipolitical, exercised by the first settlers   nence, i. 303, iii. 282..
of America, iii. 232; fixed habit of our Shibboleths of modern church parties, iii.
ante-Revolutionary fathers, 243; grand    497.
problem of, to be solved in our country, SIMON MAGUS, type of existing character
i. 199.                                  in the church, ii. 71; his case referred
Self-Interest, the blinding influence of, on   to, ii. 542.
moral questions, iii. 535-538.         Sin, the source of all unhappiness, ii. 383;
Self-Knowledye, difficult in nations as in   its seductive influences, 475; its origin,
individuals, i. 464; the great importance    nature, and extent, 500-503; united
of, 464.                                 with misery, 511; its existence a mysSelf-MadeMen, indebted to the university,   tery unsolved, 671; original, of our first
i. 27, 436; do not rely on genius alone,   parents, 686; in every case must be
202; who they are, 342; long list of,   punished, 689; views of, as an infinite
436; other examples, 619.                evil, 690; its penalty eternal, 691; its
Self-Taxation an essential condition of    guilt and enormity unsearchable, 691;
constitutional liberty, iii. 247.        aggravated by neglect of privileges,
Selfishness of ambitious men in the minis-   703; forgiven only through the blood
try, fearful picture of, ii. 70, 71.     of Christ, 704, 705.
Seminaries, at home, the benefits of, i. 78; Sincerity necessary to religion, ii. 587.
effect of increasing, 81; of learning, in  Single Prejudice, invincibility of a, iii.
the West, establishment of, i. 212; insti-   208.
tuted in the Middle Ages, iii. 202.    Sinners, inexcusable for rejecting the gosSeminary, the Theological, at New Albany,   pel, ii. 407; why they reject Christ, 487;
iii. 399.                                representation of their case, 519; helpSenate of the United States, functions of, iii.  less condition of, by nature, 687; com305; popular idea of, a perversion, 307.   ing doom of the impenitent, 708, 709;
Senators, should be independent, national   their reasons for delay absurd, 717; enlegislators, iii. 305, 306; how chosen,   treated to turn to God, 719.
318, 319; when bound to obey instruc- SIR THOMAS MORE, an example of martions, 308.                             tyrdom, i. 457.
Sense of guilt in man, cannot be shaken  Slave-Trade, iniquity and cruelty of,. ii.
off, ii. 518.                            311; once followed by Christian nations
Senses, physical, their use in  gaining    without compunction, iii. 523.
knowledge, ii. 664.                    Slaveholding, no one compelled to adopt
Separation of religion from the state, an    it, iii. 580.
idea long unknown, iii. 420, 421; first Slavery, in ancient Egypt, no disproof of
effected in America, 422.                civilization, iii. 132; negro, in America,
Sermons, Dr. Lindsley's, on the Duty of   the source of many evils, 394, 664; two
Observing the Sabbath, ii. 87; on Early    extreme views of, held, 557; subject to
Piety, 121; on True Wisdom, 157; on   the people of each State and Territory,
Improvement of Time, 205; on Pleasing    571; the sin of Christendom, 669; five
God, 249; on the Pastoral Office, 303;   modes suggested for its extinguishment,
on the Necessity of Regeneration, 381;   572; not national, 571; questions touchon the Necessity of Revelation, 415;   ing its origin and end, 579; in the Engon Divine Government, 439; on the    lish colonies, 669; final destruction of,
Conduct of the Unbelieving, 469; on    in America, 672.
Human Depravity, 497; on Self-Exami- Slaves, of necessity, ignorant, i. 485;
nation, 535; on Spiritual-mindedness,   should have the Bible, iii. 665; cannot
565; on Evangelical Repentance, 593; on    be kept in perpetual bondage, iii. 665,
the Mysteries of God, 631: on the Bible   669.
adapted to Man, 663; on the Great Sal.- Sleighing at Nashville described, iii. 614.
vation, 701.                          SMITH, ADAM, founder of the system of
Servants entitled to the Sabbath for rest,   political economy, i. 286; his doctrines
ii. 90, 91.                              controverted, iii. 381, 389.
SERVETUS, connection of Calvin with his  SMITH, DR. SAMUEL STANHOPE, iii. 14;
condemnation, ii. 350, 351.             his successful presidency of the College
Service, outward splendor of the Jewish    of New Jersey, 656; his public works,
religious, iii. 401.                    667; hospitality and liberal sentiments,
Servile Classes, condition of, in ancient   658; great talents for government, 654;
and modern nations, iii. 133.           reminiscences of; 652; eloquence and
SEWALL, DR. THOMAS, quoted, iii. 519.     learning of, 653; his ability as a teacher,




724                                INDEX.
654; method of instruction, 655; his  Southern Students at Eastern colleges, i.
person and character, 660; his last days,   260.
661.                                   Southern Volunteers, why preferred in the
Social Degradation caused by popular ig-    Mexican War, iii. 567, 569.
norance, i. 150.                       Sovereign of Great Britain not supreme
Social Intercourse, in Tennessee, character    over the ministry, iii. 328.
of, i. 430, 431; rule for Christian de- Sovereign Power of the President of the
nominations in, ii. 266, 267.            United States, iii. 323.
Social System of education, i. 516.      Sovereignty, State, limited by the national,
Societies, Bible, tract, and  missionary,   iii. 313.
poorly supported, ii. 313; colonization, Speech,.public, about colleges, by  Dr.
inadequate to remove the African race,   Lindsley, i. 555.
iii. 670; American temperance, advo- Speech, human, attainment of, slow and
cated, iii. 505; their origin, 510; their   difficult, iii. 94; at first received by inrapid progress, 511; British and Foreign    spiration of God, 95.
Bible, when founded, 463; catholic cha- Specimens of objections alleged against
racter of, 463; progress and successes,   the Bible, iii. 683, 684.
464; first American Bible, when founded, Speedy Degeneration of the race after the
465; projectors of, knew not its pros-    dispersion at Babel, iii. 109,, 113.
pective greatness, 474.                Spirit of God, necessary to change the
Society, money-making people its best   heart, ii. 586-588; with his providence,
members, i. 229; importance of the in-    calls for repentance, 719.
dustrious classes to, ii. 34; condition of, Spirit, of truth, required by the Bible, ii.
without a Sabbath,. 108; without the    681; of the gospel, consists in giving
Bible, iii. 486..                  freely to others, iii. 539.
Socinian Leaders dangerous on account Spirits, ardent, to be used only as a mediof their learning, ii. 79.               cine, iii. 516.
SOCRATES and other types of the best pa- Spiritual Body not explained in the Scripgan virtue, ii. 135.                     tures, ii. 670.
Sodomn, the destruction of, ii. 470, 710.    Spiritual Destitution in parts of Virginia,
Solar System, theory of, known in Egypt   iii. 425.
before Pythagoras, iii. 143; how lost, Spiritual-mindedness, a sermon on, ii. 565,
145.                                     569; character of, described, 571, 579;
Soldiers need not the stimulus of strong    evidences of, 570, 578; blessed rewards
drink, iii 527.                          of, 581, 583.
SOLOMON, King, an advocate of learning, Spiritual Rulers, their mastery over man's
i. 628, iii. 326.                        conscience, iiLi 425.
SOLON, his judgment as to true happi-  Spitting Animal, designation of Ameriness, ii. 223; and other Grecian sages,   cans, iii. 623.
their lack of moral light, 420; why they Splendid Project of the British colonial
visited Egypt, iii. 148.                 policy in America, iii. 233.
Sons of farmers and mechanics, why they  SPRAGUE, DR. WILLIAM BR., his testimoshould be educated, iii. 271.            nial of Dr. Lindsley, i. 17; his Annals
Sophistry of those who reject the gospel,   of the American Pulpit, 12, iii. 16, 261.
ii. 718.                               Spurious Christianity, what it has done, i.
Sorrow for sin an element of true repent-   309.
ance, ii. 604.                         Standing Army, none needed in our counSots manufactured  by distilleries and    try, iii. 242.
dram-shops, iii. 537.                  State, its true policy touching education,
Soul of man, its true value, ii. 289; not   i. 146; its power over the church of
satisfied with earthly things, 214; its   England, iii. 420; its encroaehments on
immortality not disproved by material-   the church under Constantine, iii. 421;
ism, 696; rests exclusively on God's   of civilization, how attained by men
testimony, 697.                          and nations, 83, 114.
Soturces of all human knowledge indicated, State Banks, existed at the formation of
ii. 675.       ~                         our Constitution, iii. 375; objections to
South should assert and secure her rights   stock, 338, 584.
in the Union, iii. 571.                State Bounty, act of, in Tennessee, should
South-Sea Bubble referred to, iii. 362.    be repealed, iii. 392; burdensome, 388,
SOUTHARD, HON. SAMUEL L., referred to,   390.
iii. 13.                               State Crinmes, innocent victims of, i. 457.
Southern Chivalry,its disunion sentiment, State  Currency, unconstitutionality  of
iii. 562.                                paper, iii. 365.
Southern  States, their sentiments and  State Legislatures, their educational lahabits on education, i. 645.             bours, i. 244; their penitentiary sys



.INDEX.                                   725
tems, 245; cannot nullify a law of Con-  Succession, apostolic, in the prelatic sense,
gress, iii. 310.                           iii. 410.
State  Ofences almost unknown in our Successors, of the apostles, men of great
country, iii. 254.                         learning, ii. 45, 46; the true and legitiState Rights, limits and restrictions of, iii.    mate, iii. 409, 444; of St. Peter, their
308; who clamour most for, 3.09; only    work in the Middle Ages, 203.
remedy for a breach of, 310; what, re- Sufferings of man a proof of his sinfulness,
linquished to the General Government,.  ii. 504.
385.                                   I SUMNER, ARCHBISHOP, his liberal sentiStates, American, not sovereign and inde-    ments, iii. 412.
pendent, iii. 313, 314; have no constitu-  Sun and AMoon first gods of the Egyptians,
tional right to charter banks, 374.        iii. 142.
Statesmen, accomplished, how  made, i. Sunday-Schools, their benefits to the poor,
303; why so few great ones in America,   ii. 98, 99.
iii. 313.                                Supremacy, papal, when abolished in EngStatistics of inatemperance, disclosures of,   land, iii. 415.
iii. 500-520.                            Supreme Court, of the United States, interSTEVENS, his work on Central America,    preter of the Federal Constitution, iii.
iii. 166.                                  317; final and binding, 319; proposed,
STEVENSON, JAMES, iii. 12.                   instead of the General Assembly, for
Stewards, of divine mysteries, gospel mi-   the church, 442, 443.
nisters, ii. 631; how they can be faith-  Swindling by bank speculators, iii. 367.
ful, 643; signification  of the  term,  Swoord of the Spirit, the word of God, ii.
643: the duties and responsibilities of,   649.
651.                                     Syllogism, a formula of, given, ii. 678.
STEWART, REV. DANIEL, D.D., letter of, Sympathy for the drunkard, iii..514.
iii. 54.                                 Synods and Presbyteries, corresponding
Stockholders in banks innocent sufferers,    members of, iii. 454.
iii. 361.                                System, of salvation andvirtue, in the BiMory, of a German Transcendentalist, i.   ble, certain and definite, iii. 198; of
14; of the American Revolution, its   schools and academies, effects of, i. 136;
thrilling interest, iii. 234.              of education at Hofwyl admirable, 95;
St. Petersbusrg, example of speedy growth    the spirit of, unfavourable to free inof cities, iii. 131.                       quiry,iii. 191.of opinions not demanded
STRABO, his testimony to the learning of    in Scripture as an object of faith, 450;
the Egyptians, iii. 139.                   of Presbyterian church polity not held
Stream of civilization traced back to the.   to be perfect, but the best, 439; in harGarden of Eden, i. 69, ii. 84, iii. 84.    mony with our civil government, 449,
Strikes of mechanics for wages unwise    450; fundamental principles of; 444.
and injurious, iii. 597.                 Systems, various, of education, i. 65, 471,
Strong Drink, fatal infiuence of, iii. 508.  476.; of natural religion, an unsafe reliStructures, massive, at Babel, disprove a    anoe for eternity, ii. 708, 709-; of Episavage state, iii. 108.                    curus and Lucretius degrading as to
Stuart Dynasty, great principles involved    snan's origin, iii. 93; utterly indefensiin its conflicts, iii. 564.                ble, 96; of philosophy, their influence
Students, their future course of conduct, i.   on ancient Christianity, 201; diverse,
540; privileges and responsibilities of,   among Protestants, from social and poii. 291; should not desire an old age of    litical creeds, 430.
indolence, 180; of Nassau tHall,address
to, 150.,Study, of politics the duty of American
citizens, i. 287; of the Bible, what it re- Tabernacle, service in the Jewish, dequires, 446; of nature, its value and    scribed, iii. 401.
aims, 627-629; of arts and sciences, in  Tabula Rasa, not possible to the mind of
the ark of Noah, iii. 104; results of an-    man, iii. 195.
tiquarian, in Egypt, 147;. the true me-  Tadmor, city of the desert, how accounted
thod of, gives pleasure, i. 370.           for, iii. 166.
Stump Speeches easily turned into purita-  Talents unavailing without industry, ii.
nical sermons, iii. 555.                   177.
Subjects proper for legislature, iii. 357.    TANAQUIL, and others, referred to, i. 99.
Submission necessary for the Christian, ii. Tariff, advocates and opponents of, i. 338;
260.                                       controversy on, between the North and
Substitution, vicarious, its necessity and    the South, 338; defined, iii. 376; the
wisdom, ii. 689.                           best mode of taxation, 376; for revenue
Success no proof of divine favour, i. 175.    and protection, 377; regarded by many




726                                  INDEX.
as robbery, 378; protective, should be    about schools in, 532-; injurious State
high, 379; not unconstitutional, 385;    action on education, 647; defects in the
when sectional, unjust, 388.               Constitution of, iii. 296; number and
Tavern-Keepers fall victims to intempe-    expense of banks in, 374; needs a marrance, iii. 537.                           ket for home products, 387; greatness
Taxation, of land, unwise and injurious,    of, with manufactures, 387; efforts of,
i. 489-492; for educational purposes    at self-culture, 390; bounty act of, 391;
reasonable, 475; the basis of the public   land-tax of, bad, 392; State Temperance
schools in Massachusetts, 473; of con-    Society of, iii. 505; its pledge, 541; picsumption the true principle, 494; an    ture of climate and people of, ludicrous,
evil, 494; without representation, caused    629.
the American Revolution, iii. 246; a  Ten Tribes of Israel, how they lost constiviolation of the British Constitution,   tutional liberty, iii. 343.
246; proper objects of, 356; by a tariff  Termz, the Presidential, of office, iii. 345.
on consumption equitable, 376; when  Terrors of death and judgment sported
the system  is injurious, 391; the best    with by the wicked, ii. 464.
system of, 566.                          Testimnony, value of, as a source of knowTaxes, paid by the rich, not the poor, i.   ledge, ii. 676; must be relied on, 675148; internal and direct, repealed by    677; of Scripture, on man's primitive
Jefferson, iii. 376.                       state, iii. 112.
Teacher, vocation of, important, i. 102;  Tests, political and religious, iii. 310.
standing of, in the South and West, THALES and EUDOXUS, where they studied
425; sacred responsibilities of his office,   science, iii. 148.
ii. 7; how made an honourable profes-  Thebes, most ancient city on earth, acsion, i. 80; a glorious work, 35.          cording  to  the  Egyptians, iii. 181;
Teachers, great mass of, adventurers, i.    maximum population and architectural
103; prejudice against, 116; should be    grandeur of, 181.
well paid, 132; essential qualifications  Themes for reflection, article on, iii. 553.
of, 523-525; ought not to be controlled  Thleological Creeds not taught in college,
by parents, 390; great need of compe-   i. 367.
tent, 449; ought to be true Christians,  Theological Education, in Europe, always
507; deficiences of, 524; four classes of,   in colleges, ii. 52.
iii. 272.                                Theological Prejudices, how  formed, iii.
Teachers of heresies, in our times, learned    205.
and subtle, ii. 78, 79.                  Theological Seminary, the best place for
TEDYUSCUNG, the Indian chief, anecdote    developing character, ii. 51; established
of, ii. 384.                               at Princeton, its claims, 39; on what
TELLUS, and others, referred to, ii. 222.    principles founded, 39; its great object,
Temperance, recommended to college gra-    40; strong opposition to, at first, 53;
duates, i. 270; in eating and drinking,    vindicated against objectors, 57; its
necessary to long life, ii. 169; advan-    limited means for the first seven years,
tages of, 170, 171; its great national    69; referred to, iii. 16; at New Albany,
army, iii. 515.                            52.
Temperance Cause, vindicated, iii. 505; ob-  Theological Seminaries, superior advanjections to, answered, 511, 616; its great   tages of, ii. 50; needed to supply a
battle yet to be fought, 513; indebted    competent ministry, 66; by whom first
to the medical profession, 517; its phi-   founded, iii. 434; of Princeton and Anlanthropic character, 535; its origin and    dover, i. 87; foundations of, in the West,
progress, 539; its catholic spirit, 540;   ii. 27.
its achievements, through voluntary so- Theological Systems, their influence on
cieties, i. 271.                          the ministry, iii. 199; their proper place
Tenmperate Drinking, the chief support of    and use, 220; dangerous tendency of,
drunkenness, iii. 509, 517, 520, 533;   221.
sustained by the example of Christian  Theology, a branch of study in European
ministers, 533.                            universities, ii. 52; the only science
Temporal Penalties insufficient to restrain    where God is our teacher, 654; its dogmen, iii. 486.                             matic study in the Middle Ages, iii.
Temptations, incurred in party politics, i.   201.
290; in schools and colleges, ii. 165-  Theories, of Scripture interpretation stated,
170; to drunkenness, iii. 508, 520.       ii. 666; respecting the ancients, absurd,
Tendency to savage life in the midst of    iii. 184; on the American Indians, drawn
civilization, iii. 114.                   from imperfect data, 185.
Tennessee, consumption of liquors in, i. Theory, of a primeval savage state, un182; earnest appeal for a. great univer-   tenable, i. 68; of the law, its abuses and
sity in, i. 159, 161; useless legislation    perversion, i. 299; defective one, as to




INDEX.                                  727
tqhe success of the American Revolution,   under the  same destiny and  curse,
iii. 241; of free trade, orthodox and    166.
beautiful, 382; practice of all nations  Tribunals, of the Presbyterian  Church,
against it, 382.                         their functions, iii. 440; separate judiThoughts on Slavery in America, iii. 663.    cial, suggested, 442.
Three Parties on the American common-  Tribute, honourable, to the medical professchool system, i. 648.                   sion, iii. 517.
THURLOW, LORD, remark of, i. 271.         Trickery and  l[ystiJicatiot not found in
TILLOTSON, and other Episcopal dignita-   the Bible, ii. 667.
ries, liberality of, iii. 411.          Tricks of genteel beggars disguised as
Tiemeus and Critias, of Plato, thought to   foreigners, iii. 607.
refer to America, iii. 156.             Trinitarians, their views of Unitarianism,
Time, often wasted in schools and colleges,   ii. 77, 78.
i. 520; amount of, usefully employed,  Trinity of the Godhead, its place in reii. 160; improvement of, a sermon, 205;    vealed religion, ii. 638; nature of the
rapid flight of, 207; waste of, 210; true    doctrine, 640; a mysterious fact, 674;
estimate of, 212; an estate, our all, 214;   to be received on divine testimony,
how  abused by the multitude, 215;    675.
more precious than wealth, 221; a ta-  Triumph of the temperance reformation,
lent specially committed to the young,   iii. 513.
238; present, nothing in the light of  TROOST, DR. GERARD, Professor in the
eternity, 697; given to prepare for hea-    Nashville University, i. 34, iii. 52; his
ven, 707; its priceless value illustrated,    mineralogical cabinet, i. 268; address of
iii. 643; with culture, essential to all    Dr. Lindsley, on his life and character,
great attainments, 82; of regeneration,    593; born and educated in Holland,
not always known to Christians, ii. 395,    597; his doctorate, 599; pupil of Hauy,
396.                                      599; honourable appointments in EuT'InorTY AND TITUS, evangelists, iii. 409.   rope, 600; becomes an American citiTitles, of honour, greatly prized in our    Zen, 600; his residence in Philadelphia,
country, i. 214; of nobility, contrary to    601; State geologist of Tennessee, 602;
the Constitution, iii. 340; of bishops in    success as professor of natural science,
the United States, their import, 417.     604; character as a philosopher, 605;
Tobacco, use  of, condemned, iii. 623;    his scientific pursuits, 606; his writings,
Western parsons addicted to, 624.        607; his reputation abroad, 608; abhorToleration, a term  unknown to our laws,   rence of sciolism and quackery, 609;
i. 318, iii. 423.                        cabinet and library of, 613; his private
TOPLADY, his opinion and practice on re-   life and virtues, 615; gentlemanly bearligious controversy, iii. 211.           ing, 616; his punctilious honesty, 617;
Total Abstinence, commended by many    estimate of his philosophical genius,
physicians, iii. 516; the main power of    617; a self-made man, 618; a good
the temperance cause, 529; only remedy    man, 620; anecdote of him as a peacefor drunkenness, 534.                    maker, 621; his religion, 621; his conTotal Depravity, the  doctrine clearly   tented spirit, 622-625; his surviving
taught in Scripture, ii. 498, 685; virtu-    children, 626; his classical scholarship,
ally admitted by all, 687.               632; testimonials of his character and
Tradesmen need associations for literature   learning, 635-638.
and culture, i. 123.                    Trite Faith, how manifested, ii. 681.
T'affic in ardent spirits, unlawful, iii. Trute Religion, its blessings forfeited un53;: wicked and ruinous to all con-   less diffused, iii. 480.
c3rned, 536.                            True Riches preferable to wealth, i. 459.
Ti'aining, of children, an absolute and  True Virtue derived only from  God, ii.
universal law, iii. 484; never fails when    132.
complied with, 484; of the faculties, the  Truie Wisdom for time and eternity, a sergreat end of college studies, i. 110.    mon on, ii. 157.
Traitors to democracy, iii. 310.         Truth, progress of moral, i. 180; every
T'aanstbstanltiation, Romish doctrine of,   kind of, courts investigation, 282; relacontrary to reason, ii. 668; its absurdity   tive value of different kinds of, 286;
illustrated, 669.                        mental condition for acquiring, iii. 196;
Transylvania University referred to, i. 87.   religious, must be preached in its just
Treasulr?y, its Secretary dependent on the    proportions,4~i. 22.
President, iii. 323.                   Truths, of the gospel, fatal effects of supT ial by jury bad in theory, good in prac-    pressing, ii. 650; of natural science,
tice, iii. 557.                          useless to us after death, 654.
Tribes, aboriginal American, a distinct  Tulckahoe, vindication of Western learnvariety of the human race, iii. 165;   ing, iii. 638.




728                                  INDEX.
TUCKER, his biography of Jefferson re-  United States of America, our right to the
ferred to, iii. 334, 350, 376.             name, i. 578, 579; preference over other
TURGOT, origin of his inscription on Frank-    creditors, iii. 320; only country where
lin, iii. 36.                              religion is free from  state interference,
Ttoo-Thirds, vote of, when a proper rule,    422; bank of, its constitutionality, 335,
iii. 344, 345.                             337; character of its paper, 371; numTYLER, JOHN, President, his bank-vetoes,   ber of banks in, 374; could produce
iii. 369.                                  enough to feed the British Empire, 381;
Tyranny, of fashion, its bondage, i. 186;   too dependent on England for manuto be resisted by the young, 201; politi-   factures, 385; essential unity of, 385:
cal, under a democracy, iii. 312; incon-    internal and domestic commerce of, 387;
sistent with the gospel, 489; British,    need a market for the products of home
never in fact extended over- this coun-    industry, 381-387; first and  second
try, 244.                                 bank of, 547.
Unity, one of the three great principles of
U                        Presbyterian polity, iii. 404; of the human race, Scripture text on, 574, 576.
Ulster, temperance society of, illustration  Universal Charity personified and comof a catholic spirit, iii. 540.            mended, iii. 225.
Ultimate Facts believed without under-  Universal Education, the only practicable
standing their nature, ii. 676.            theory of, i. 500.
Ultraism, American, of every kind, i. 468;  Universal Reading not good for the mind,
of the pro-slavery party, iii. 557.       i. 281.
Unbelief, a grievous sin, ii. 620; grounds  Universal Salvation a false and fatal docof, with ungodly men, futile, 426.         trine, ii. 491.
Ulncharitable Controversies condemned by  Universal Warfare, its effect on human
Scripture, iii. 209.                      improvement, iii. 238.
Undergraduates, studies of, i. 103; of Eng-  University, personal objections to, consilish and American universities, 400.       dered, i. 375; the poor man's friend,
Understanding essential to belief, ii. 673,    396; what is designated by the term,
679.                                       399; its beau-ideal nowhere yet realized,
Unfaithful MJinisters no argument against    400; state or national, as a means of
the good, ii. 65.                          instruction, 407; adds to the prosperity
UtnflcfiJlled Prophecies to be left to future    of a city, 428; collects a literary society,
generations, ii. 669.                      430; general benefits arising from, 433;
Ungodly Youth, their downward career in    first planted in the Garden of Eden,
life, i. 542-544.                          434; the friend of common schools, 448;
Unhallowved Anmbition, the young coun-    central sun of all school systems, 504;
selled against, i. 178.                    its history traced  through past ages,
Uninspired Writers misrepresent man's    505; of Geneva, outline of its course of
nature, ii. 245.                           study, i. 413-415; of Georgia, described,
Union, of the American States, must be    217; of Oxford, indebted to the wisdom
maintained, i. 352; the watchword of    of King Alfred, 85; of NashvilIe, purpatriotism, 354; its expansion unlimited,    pose of its founders, 218; its choice po583; may be dissolved, iii. 255; equality    sition, 219; its cause eloquently pleaded,
of privileges in, 386; should be indisso-    153-158; its services to Tennessee, 364;
luble and perpetual, 385; of church and    its highest eulogium, 365; its freedom
state contrary to the gospel, ii. 319; ex-    from sectarian influence, 366; its hopes
istence of, in the fourth century, iii.   for the future, 368; speech in behalf of,
520, 553; true  Christian, exemplified    375; its history and prospects, 535, 536;
in the Bible Society, 501; the strength    its bereavements, 593; its superior adof the temperance reform, 510, 512; of    vantages, 605; a new  plan proposed
church and state, fatal to civil and reli-   for, iii. 50, 51; its successes,.52; its
gious liberty, 416; history of, worthy    high claims vindicated, 637; its admito be studied, 420; how effected under    rable location and apparatus, 605: of
Constantine, 421, 453; first severed in    New  York, professorships in, i. 419,
the American colonies by their national    420; of Pennsylvania, its obligations to
independence, 422.                         Franklin, i. 141; *of Virginia, amount
Unitarianism  a dangerous subversion of    expended on, 135; Jefferson's efforts in
the gospel, ii. 77, 78.                    behalf of, 142; its professors and sysUnitarians, cannot be fellow-Christians    tem of instruction, 418, 419.
with Trinitarians, ii. 77; attack the ar-  University Education, Views of, in Tengument for an infinite atonement, 691.    nessee, i. 20-23; vindication of, for the
United Brethren, their missionary labours,   people, 25, 26; its history in ancient
ii. 433, 434.                              and modern times, 343; its abuses and




INDEX.                                  729
perversions, 397, obligations of the  Vendor of ardent spirits, how enriched,
world to, 433; ancient and modern, 434,   iii. 525; cannot ask God's blessing on
435; influences felt, even where no uni-   his work, 539.
versities exist, 436; beneficial effects on  Veteran Lawoyers, their opinion of the law,
nations, 451-453; agency in the Ameri-   i. 297.
can Revolution, 454; demands legisla-  Veto Power, the Presidential, not often retive aid, 506; system of, in Continental   sorted to, iii. 343; ought to be abolished,
Europe, 401; advantages of, to the poor,   344; a royal prerogative borrowed from
394; extensive effects of, 436.          England, 347; exercised by President
Universities, needed to sustain primary    Tyler, 369; of farmers and mechanics,
schools, i. 38, 39; none in the world yet   346; the Roman, did no good, 346.
complete, 406; of Europe mostly located  Vicarious Substitution a doctrine of Scripin large cities, 239, 258; of Scotland    ture, ii. }689.
and New England, 79; of the Nether-  Vice, the characteristic of the present
lands, 242; of Germany and the Conti-   age, i. 114; shortens life, ii. 163; its
nent, 243, 402; do not prevent surround-   mastery over the young, 171; powerful
ing ignorance, iii. 134; of the Nile and    tendency to, 285; of drunkenness, deEuphrates, their graduates, 134.         nounced in Scripture, iii. 531.
Unpopular Minister in the British Parlia-  Victims of intemperance, iii. 520.
ment, why he must resign, iii. 328.    Victory of the Christian over sin, ii. 682.
Upstart Nobility, their impositions, iii.  Vindication, of the clergy as a useful pro266, 267.                                fession, ii. 62, 63; good work and aims
Urgent Calls to repentance, ii. 626.       of, 64; of the temperance cause, iii. 505;
Use, of conscience in man, ii. 664; of wine    of university education, i. 25.
as a beverage, iii. 59.                Views on denominational schools and colUSHER, ARCHBISHOP, on early population,   leges, i. 256.
iii. 117.                               Vine- Culture in our country, suggestions
Usurpations of the President of the United    on, iii. 530.
States, iii. 341.                      Violations, of law, not allowable in ChrisUsury Laws vexatious and nugatory, iii.   tians, ii. 321; of the Federal Constitu357.. tion, iii. 340.
Utilitarian. Views, of education, i. 226; VIRGIL, quotations from, i. 71, ii. 240.
of dogmatists, 483.                    Virginia, colleges of, i. 216; schools of,
Utility, of all knowledge contended for, ii.   480; religious destitution in, formerly,
240; of colleges, i. 346.                ii. 714.
Virtue, import of, ii. 131; as understood
V                      by those who substitute it for religion,
134; in what true, consists, i. 175; with
Valedictory of Washington a priceless   intelligence, our national bulwark, 345;
legacy to his country, iii. 230.         on what it depends, 271.
Validity, of baptism, as held by Presby-  Visionary Schenzes, of education for the
terians, ii. 340; of orders and ordinances    people, i. 499; of reformation depicted,
in churches, iii. 454.                   iii. 483.
VAN BUREN, MARTIN, President, quoted, Vitality, animal and vegetable, a mystery,
iii. 275, 283.                           ii. 672.
VANINI, the atheist, his tribute to Chris- Vocation of the teacher, its importance, i.
tianity, iii. 472.                       102.
VAN RENSSELAER, DR. CORTLANDT, his ad- VOLNEY, and others of the infidel school,
dress at Dr. Lindsley's funeral, iii. 76.   i. 447.
Vantage-Ground, American, over the Eng- VOLTAIRE, a warning to young men, ii.
lish, iii. 231.                          152; a lover of worldly pleasure, ii. 263;
Varieties of man, not caused by climate   referred to, iii. 496.
or food, iii. 175; not traceable to any  Voluntary Association, power and aims of,
historic origin, 175.                    iii. 528, 541.
Variety of the human family, none new   Voluntary System of education advocated,
within the historic period, iii. 174.    i. 515.
Vast Patronage of the President of the  Volunteer Militia, expense of, iii. 598.
United States, iii. 348.               Voluptuary exhorted to reformation, ii.
VATTEL, and other writers on political   175.
economy, ii. 418.                      Voting, for what kind of men, iii. 283.
Vegetation. mysterious as the resurrection  Vulgar Prejudices, all men influenced by,
of the dead, ii. 671; used by Paul for   iii. 191; when good and salutary, 192.
illustration, 673.                     Vulgarisms in spelling instanced, iii. 639.




730                                INDEX.
WESLEY, JOHN, his liberality of opinion,
iii. 207.
W
WESSELING, quoted on the knowledge of
WAKE, ARCHBISHOP, his liberal opinions   America, iii. 171.
cited, iii. 411, 412.                  West Indies, the ruins of an ancient con-'Waldenses referred to, iii. 430.         tinent, iii. 159.
Want, of charity often exhibited in the  Western Colleges, number and standing of,
pulpit, i. 321; of union among early   i. 212.
Protestant sects, iii. 462.            Western Institutions, an evil in, i. 388;
War, not the true policy of America, i.  theological, note respecting, ii. 27.
354; contrary to the spirit of Christian-  Western States, their destitution of the
ity, ii. 323, 324; will cease only as Bible    Bible, iii. 466. 
principles prevail, iii. 491; of our Revo-  Westminster Assembly, its constituentmemlution just and necessary, 246.          bers, iii. 431, 432.
WARBURTON, BISHOP, on the civilization  WHATELY, ARCHBISHOP, on the Trinity,
of ancient Egypt, iii. 137; a system-    ii. 675; logic of, referred to, 676; opibuilder, 142.                            nion of apostolic succession, iii. 410; a
Warnings, solemn, to the impenitent, ii.   low-church Episcopalian, 446.
410, 623; of Washington against sec-  Wheat and Tares found in the apostolic
tional divisions, iii. 256, 258.         church, iii. 405.
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, his example as a  Whig and Democrat, popular meaning of
farmer, i. 124; his liberal efforts for   the terms, iii. 275; the right kind of,
education, 142; his views of colleges,    315; their claims, 331.
238; his Farewell Address quoted, 579;  Whigs of the Revolution, their character,
referred to, with Roger Williams, ii. 418;   i. 212.
celebration of his centennial birthday,  Whisky, not needed by soldiers in camp
iii. 229; effect of the tidings of his death    or battle, iii. 527: its bondage broken
described, 234; raised up by the Al-   by temperance reform, 528; the trade
mighty for a great occasion, 249; his   in, compared to the slave-trade, 523; a
place filled by no other man, 250; his ex-    dead loss of capital, 524; demagogues
traordinary moderation and clemency,    who treat in, 495.
251; a framer and the first administrator  W7histle, article on, iii. 602.
of our form of government, 252; his WHITE, BISHOP, his modesty, iii. 419.
last cautions against sectionalism, 256; WHITEFIELD, GEORGE, a model missionremedy for this evil, 257; belonged not   ary, ii. 73; an example of decision of
to America, but the world, 258; his life   character, 254.
a study for all classes, 250; industry  WHITGIFT, ARCHBISHOP, his views on
and independence of, 260; secret of his   church government, iii. 414; a fierce
exaltation, 261; perfection of his cha-   persecutor, 415.
racter, 258-260; called by Byron Cin- WHITNEY and the cotton-gin, ii. 418; incinnatus of the West, 262; great simply   stance of a self-made man, i. 341.
as a man, 262; incidents in his life, 61;  Who best entitled to God's blessings, ii.
why elected President, 276; head of his   193.
cabinet, 327; his financial policy, 334;  Wholesale Abuse of Presbyterian clergyhis policy the true American one, 346.    men, instance of, ii. 355.
Water changed into wine, the first miracle,  Wicked Men, cannot reject a divine proii. 670, 671.                            vidence, ii. 462; honest at the approach
WATT and FULTON, inventors, ii. 417.       of death, 463; eternal punishment of,
Way of salvation pointed out, ii. 720.    492.
Wealth, universal passion for, condemned, WICKLIFFE, JOHN, and other victims of
i. 459; not the criterion of happiness, ii.   priestly tyranny, i. 284; referred to, with
223; how created and perpetuated in    other Reformers, ii. 46; a great light of
nations, iii. 387; acquisition of, not con-   the university in his day, i. 444.
demned in the Bible, 589.              Widows, should have precedence in claims,
Wealthy Classes, few literary men among,   iii. 321; and orphans made by intempei. 394.                                 rance, 520, 580.
Weather, an article on, iii. 626.       WILBERFORCE, and other philanthropists,
WEBSTER, DANIEL, his Union sentiments   ii. 135.
adopted, i. 356.                       Wild Man compared with wild animals, i.
WEBSTER, NOAH, his orthography and    128.
orthoepy, iii. 642.                   WILKES, JOHN, referred to, i. 266; his reWELLINGTON, LORD, referred to, ii. 679.   mark on hanging a man, iii. 556.
WENTWORTH, and other bad examples, i.  Will, of God, no appeal from, ii. 104; free335.                                    dom of, in man, 675.
WERNER and HAUY referred to, ii. 418.    William and Mary, the College of, i. 216.




INDEX.                                 731
WILLIAMS, ROGER, iii. 293.               Writings of Dr. Lindsley, manuscript and
Wilmot Proviso and Missouri Compro-   published, i. 32, 33.
mise unconstitutional, iii. 571.       Written Creeds, necessity for, ii. 341.
Wine, as a beverage, iii. 529; bearing on  Wyttenbach, and others, referred to, i. 390.
temperance reform, 530; temperate use
of, not prohibited in Scripture, 531; not                Y
to be used when. it gives offence, 532.    Yale College, its rank, i. 87; early trials
WVines, light, of Southern Europe, a sub-   of, 210; influence in the Revolutionary
stitute forwhisky, iii. 530; manufacture    War, 211; choir of professors and tuof, suggested for our country, 530; of   tors, 416, 417.
traffic, much adulterated, 530.        Yankee Character, specimen of, i. 508,
Wisdom, its great life-lessons, ii. 186; de-   51'0; great shrewdness of, iii. 651.
fined, 187; the scheme of life required  YATES, ROBERT, his notes on the National
by, 159; benefits to be derived from,   Convention, iii. 317.
200; of the ancient Egyptians, import  Year, lessons from the close of, ii. 207.
of, iii. 148.                          Yoke of whisky despotism, how broken,
Wisest Men of antiquity destitute of true    iii. 528.
spiritual light, ii. 420.              YOUNG, DR. EDWARD, his Night Thoughts
WITHERSPOON, DR. JOHN, referred to, ii. 47.   quoted, ii. 233.
WOLSEY, CARDINAL, embodied in many a  Young Men, diligence in study urged uppopular saint, iii. 497.                 on, i. 162-166; exposed to vices in colWOLSTENHOLME, SIR JOHN, referred to,   lege, ii. 165; not fit to be intrusted with
iii. 438.                                legislation, iii. 284.
Woman, a slave in nations without the  Yomug Jinds, responsibility of instructBible, iii. 468; only by the gospel raised   ing, i. 117; to be trained on Bible printo the proper rank, 469, 490; must ever   ciples, iii. 484.
feel for her suffering sex, 471; her  Young Preachers, their tendency to choose
wrongs and injuries under existing hu-    difficult themes, ii. 357.
man laws, 490; loss of, by the United  Youth, must be constantly employed in
States Bank, 547.                        education, i. 45; effeminate character of
Word of God always appeals to reason,   college-bred, 91;American, their imperii. 667.                                 feet discipline in schools, 115; of the
Words and Phrases in the mouth of de-   poor, must depend on home colleges,
vout people, ii. 675, 682.               145; in college, whence their bad habits,
Work of redemption, a systematic one, ii.   259; in Eastern colleges, temptations
644; of God in nature gives no indica-    of, 260; the proper government of, 369;
tion of redemption, 638; of a gospel   in cities, how ruined, 382; advice to,
minister, its nature and extent, 656.    544; to be trained for teachers, 449;
Working Men, privileges and duties of,   reasoned with to embrace religion, ii.
i. 302; their interests, iii. 270.       20, 21; favoured season for good impresWorld, condition of, without a Sabbath,    sions, 137, 138; solemn appeal to, 140ii. 108; large portion of, yet to be Chris-   143; their sacred responsibilities, 145,
tianized, 80; an ample field for all the    146; temptations of, 146; strong tendefforts of good men, i. 179; supposed to    ency to folly, 167; their contempt of
be growing wiser, ii. 415; compared to   study, 178; warnings to, 291; time to
ancient Sodom, 473; with sin in it, a    gain useful knowledge, 239; urged to
great mystery, 674; present, estimated    acquire every species of useful knowby eternity, 707; has produced but one   ledge, 241; most gifted, fall victims to
Washington, iii. 261; population of the    intemperance, iii. 520; their progress
antediluvian, 100; governed too much,   on the downward road, 521; exposed
354; a paradise if all men lived by the    by society to infamy, 536; in colleges,
Bible, 483; its abounding wretchedness    exposed to drunkenness, 521; thousands
and woe, 489.                            saved by the temperance reformation,
Worship, Christian  and  Jewish, con-   528.
trasted, iii. 401; of different churches,
attendance on, 454; of the New Testament, ii. 339.                         ZACCIErUs, his example instructive, ii. 320.
Worst Heresy, uncharitableness, i. 323.   Zeal, of party sects, about schools and
Would-be Popes, their sectarianism repu-   colleges, i. 254-257; in preaching, not
diated, i. 366.                          a test of piety or charity, ii. 362.
Writers, on longevity, what they recom- Zoology easily studied by Noah's family
mend, ii. 169; of Scripture, worthy of   in the Ark, iii. 104.
credit as historians, 669.             ZOROASTER, his system powerless, ii. 650.
Writing, not unknown to the antedilu- ZUINGLIUS, and other Reformers, not free
vians, iii. 101.                        from a persecuting spirit, ii. 315, iii. 430.