Tfev. W.G., UeWU. / Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/discourseonlifecOOsmit_0 1854.] Churcu 81 stractly, the proper form of cr because, incidea tally, the condition of the form. And why may we r allow of a better he church ? Where there is a nations* ing and governed ; or whet ihe people, govern- of all are the same, the republican form of govern^iieut seems to be the natural form. It seems to harmonise most and best with man's con- stitution and natural rights ; and it seems difficult to conceive why this principle will not apply as well to the government of a church as a state. But the question is, when is the state, or when is the church, ready for the introduction of this na- tural government? That the state can safely receive it at a far earlier period in the advancement of morals and intelli- gence than the church can, is apparent from the fact, that the latter operates upon a platform of morality and virtue far above the former. In the present condition of things, per- haps, neither could be safely removed from the grounds they respectively occupy. To improve the form of government in the church, we must first improve its morals and its religion, and- also administer better the form of government we at pre- sent have. Then, in a greatly improved s^ if morals, in- telligence and religion, we will be the h ic;r enabled to see what changes will be expedient in her polity. Vol. viti. — 6 82 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January. ART. YL A DISCOUKSE ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE LATE John 1 : 47. " Behold an Israelite indeed, ia whom is no guile I" In respect to the individual of whom the Saviour spoke these words, no remark is required. We select them as pecu- liarly appropriate, in themselves considered, to the distin- guished personage, on the occasion of whose death we are now assembled ; distinguished no less for his eminent position and attainments as a minister of the gospel, than for his per- sonal character as a Christian. In preaching the funeral ser- mon of a private individual, we consider his history as private matter, and are at liberty to be silent. We usually discuss some important doctrine or precept of religion which we sup- pose will exemplify, in the minds of those competent to make the application, the virtues or the vices by which he was chiefly characterized. But when called to bury those who were illustrious by position, or eminent for their public ser- vices, we are allowed to speak to the facts of their history, and if need be, even to discuss their claims to that measure of public attention which they received in virtue of their office or their services. On such occasions, it is proper to employ a portion of Scripture which is supposed to find a striking application of its truth and importance in those vir- tues and services which are brought to view in the analysis of their character. This is the use we propose to make of the passage : " Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile !"' Such we doubt not was our beloved friend, Rev. Dr. Leigh. His experience as a Christian ; his sterling integrity: his em- inent abilities and great success as a preacher of the gospel, REV. HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, D. D. By RcT. William A. Smith, D. D., Pres. R. M. College. 1854.] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 83 and the honest devotion with which he consecrated his whole life to the interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom, will striking- ly illustrate what it is to be "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." Brother Leigh was born in Perquimans county, N. C, on the 23d day of November 1795. He was converted to God in the 22d year of his age, and at once devoted himself to the ministry of the gospel. He was received, on probation, in the Virginia Conference, in February 1818. On the divi- sion of the Coiiference, in 1836, he attached himself to that part which became the N. 0. Conference, of which he re- mained a prominent and useful member. Of the incidents of his converson and dedication to the ministry, we are not pre- pared to speak. His life, his whole life, no less than his peaceful death, illustrates the sound and truly evangelical character of his conversion to God. By reference to the "minutes,'' it will be seen that he successively filled the following appointments, viz. : Bedford, Raleigh, Gloucester, Norfolk, Petersburg, Meherrin district, James river district. Agency for R. M. College, Petersburg district, Raleigh district, and Henderson circuit. He was a second time agent for R. M. College, and P. E. of Raleigh district, and for five years and nine months, he was without an appointment in conse- quence of the state of his health. But during this time he was often able to plreach, and rendered eminent service to the church at college, and at various other places near his resi- dence. He was appointed to every General Conference of the M. E. Church from 1824 to the time of its division, and attended every session, except that of 1844, from which he was detained by sickness. He was also a member of the Louisville convention in 1845, and of each General Confer- ence of the M^. E. Church, South. He was twenty-nine years actively engaged in the regular work of the ministry: twelve of which he devoted to the church, as a single man. In 1830 he Avas united in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Crump, of Greensville, Ya. ; who still lives, with four sons and two daughters, to mourn his loss. 84 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, Of his character as a husband and father, we do not design to speak. His memory is consecrated in the hearts of those most dear to him whilst he lived. They will continue, with- out the aid of ''monumental stone," or of eulogium from us, to cherish the fondest recollections of those exalted domestic virtues, which now give a hallowed authority to all the pre- cepts by which he sought to govern his family. We turn to those points of his character in which the public have a com- mon interest. We propose to notice his character as a Christian; as a Preacher; and as a patron of learning. Let us, then, consider I. His character as a Christian. We do not introduce this topic to furnish the occasion of a biographical sketch ; but rather to call attention to one stri- king feature in his Christian character ; namely, the extent to which the doctrine of the witness of the Spirit" entered into his theological views, and his personal experience. This doctrine, in the form of words in which the Methodists are accustomed to express it, has, from the beginning, formed a distinguishing feature in Methodist theology. It has always been regarded as the test and measure of Christian experience. That " the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God," is the great peculiarity of Methodism, in the department of experimental religion. The emphasis with which Wesley, and the great and good men of his day, insisted on this as the privilege of every child of God, provoked the charge of fanaticism from the cold and calculating formalism of that age ; and although the Scriptu- ral authority for this truth, and the holiness of thousands who professed it have steadily rebuked the error which excepts to the words of the Holy Ghost in defining Christian experi- ence, there are still to be found many who reiterate the charge. But this great Bible truth continues to be the crown- ing glory of Methodist experience. " The fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy and peace," enters largely into the charac- ter of every truly experimental Christian. And that "love, 1854.] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 85 joy and peace," should enter into oar experience, as the im- mediate "fruit of the Spirit," is not only a doctrine, "very full of comfort," but one which commends itself to the ap- probation of our most deliberate judgment. In Methodist philosophy, we can no otherwise account for the existence of these eminent graces, than by tracing them to the immediate agency of the Holy Spirit in the heart as a witnessing spirit. They are " the fruit of the Spirit." They exist in the heart, and, as we conceive, must be produced there by the imme- diate presence and influence of the Holy Spirit. We cannot otherwise account for their existence, on any known princi- ples of our mental natures, than by considering them as the immediate result of that presentation of Scripture truth to the mind, which He can only make ; and of that awakened impulse of our feelings, which He only can produce, enabling us fully to believe; intellectually and devotionally to feel what we believe; or to trust confidently in the truth of that which we believe. In other words, the Holy Spirit alone can enable us to realize that clear, devotional persuasion or belief, that God doth freely accept us through the infinite merit of his Son, and love us as a reconciled Father ; and thus to claim confidently, though humbly, the relation of children; "and if of children then of heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ;" which is not only the essential matter of Christian comfort, but is also the necessary and uniform antecedent of that holy emotion of gratitude and delight, denominated the love of God. "We love Him," says John, "because He first loved us." This being true, as a universal conclusion, it is also true of that particular love which we bear to Him as our reconciled Father; so that it ]s immediately traceable to that cognition of the fact, and fidu- cial reliance on its truth, called faith, that God doth love us. Without such an antecedent cognition and trust, which must require in our present state of mental imbecility and moral depravity, as the condition of its existence, the immediate presence and influence of the Holy Spirit, we cannot con- ceive, from any thing now known of our mental natures. 86 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, how it could be possible for us to love God, or feel that we are at peace with Him. Undoubtedly, it is not possible for us to realize that emotion of gratitude to God and delight in him, called love, without an antecedent cognition of the fact, that God is not angry with us, but loves us as a reconciled Father. The consciousness that we are the true penitents, in whose favor the act of pardon, according to the Scriptures, always passes the Divine mind, must, we think, be wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost. To assume so great and important a truth, so as to rely on it with confidence enough to {3ie in peace, would be bold, if not arrogant, were it not warranted by a conviction of its reality, such as the Holy Spirit alone can effect. But with this antecedent influence we can readily perceive how we can so believe. All the con- ditions necessary to such a faith are fully met by the antece- dent presence and influence of the Holy Spirit. And all the conditions plainly necessary to the love of God, by one, who otherwise must look upon him as angry with him, and whose prevailing emotions must therefore be those of fear, of trem- bling, and ultimately of despair ; a class of emotions the most opposite to that of love ; are fully met by this antecedent state of devotional belief, that God is not angry with iiim, but loves him as a reconciled Father. The same faith, ful- filling the condition necessary to remove that sense of guilt which shuts out all peace and joy, enables its possessor to ''rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.*' Thus we teach a doctrine, no less in accordance with the philosophy of the human mind, than with the plain teachings of the Holy Scriptures. The late Dr. J. H. Rice, whose name cannot be mentioned but with the highest respect, because of his piety and learn- ing, once remarked, in a social circle, in the city of Rich- mond, in which his Methodist brethren were handled with a degree of severity by no means to the taste of one with his large mind and Catholic feelings ; and yet these people die Avell !" "Yes," he repeated, "notwithstanding what you say may be true, I have often had occasion to notice the re- 1854.J The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, B. D, 87 markable fact, that these people generally die well !" Ah ! truly brethren, it is precisely at this point that Methodism magnifies itself before all the world. Her people die well ! Wickedness is rebuked, and doctrinal antagonism itself is made silent, when it is seen how these people die. And when Methodists shall cease to die well, Methodism will cease to be an exponent of Bible truth, and may be laid aside among the things that were. By many the principal cause of the success of Methodism is ascribed to our peculiar system of preaching : and this, no doubt, is one material cause ; but, in truth, we must look rather to our doctrines than to our gene- ral plan of operations ; and of these, the doctrine of a con- scious evidence, within one's own heart, of acceptance with God, through oar Lord Jesus Christ ; and the offer of this glorious salvation to all men, without respect of persons, must be regarded as the principal. Yes, we may take it upon us to say, that the great secret of Methodist success is found in the prevalence and authority of these distinguishing doc- trines. If Methodists die well, it is because they come to the contest covered with the shield of this great truth ; Christ died for me and rose again for my justification ; I believe this, and am happy in believing it. God loves me, says the dying saint; I believe this; I feel it; hence I love to trust Him ; I rejoice to trust Him ; hence I feel the evidence with- in myself, that I am going to receive a crown of life which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day." This is a Christian's death ; rather, it is the victor's shout of triumph ! But remembering ihdt too many are liable to precipitate a conclusion, it may be proper to remark that we are not at liberty to infer, that all those who are said to reject the doc- trine of the direct witness of the Spirit, are our enemies, be- cause they are our doctrinal opponents. On the contrary, a careful attention to this subject cannot fail to convince us that all true Christians agree in sentiment, though, on man^^ points, they may differ widely in opinion. The true Israel of God are to be found among all those denominations who 88 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, agree in the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. We think we have good cause to regret that any should hesitate to adopt the language of the Scripture in defining a genuine Christian experience ; namely, " that the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God." But so it is, there are many who attain great eminence in Christian ex- perience, who choose a different form of words in expressing substantially the same thing. If we estimate the experience of Wesley, Benson, Fletcher, and Clarke, and that numerous class of pious Methodists, who follow them in the language by which they define their experience, we shall not find it to dif- fer materially from the experience of Rice, Alexander, Martin, Hallyburton, and the numerous class whom they may be ta- ken to represent, who do not employ, as we are accustomed to think, the same form of sound words in defining the ground of their hopes. But still we repeat, that in our philosophy, no less than our theology, the "witness of the Spirit"' is the great point to be gained in a sound Christian experience. Whether we shall express it in the very words of Scripture, or shall adopt a ditferent form of words to express substantially the same idea, is not material as to the essence of the thing itself No man, we think, can properly be said to be prepar- ed to live the life of a true Christian, without a calm, sober persuasion of mind, that he is pardoned and accepted, through the merits of the Saviour. Much less, can any one be said to be prepared to die, unless he come to the contest with the same devotional persuasion of mind, that he who loved him. and gave himself for him, v/ill sustain him through the conflict and admit him to the rest of heaven. Our mind has been directed to this topic, by the impor- tance attached to it by our deceased brother. It entered largely into his public exercises, and also into his personal ex- perience. Those acquainted with him well remember Avith what clearness, with what force of argument, and with what convincing authority from the Scriptures, he enforced in the pulpit this great doctrine of the Bible ; the prominence he gave it in the class room, the love feast, and also in private 1854] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 89 life, whenever the conversation turned upon Christian experi- ence. With him, it was a settled conviction, tiiat it was both the duly and privilege of every one to live with a clear, devo- tional persuasion of mind, that Christ loved him and gave himself for him ; and to cherish a lively hope that, through him, he would "be faithful unto death, and receive acrovvn of life." Now, this certainly is the duty of every one, and no man should be satisfied to live short of it. For, if we do not follow our Lord, in the path of hnmble obedience to his commands, we have no ground even to hope for future salva- tion ; and if we do not love Him, it is utterly impossible to obey Him. For even the most commendable acts, in them- selves considered, as prayer, the Lord's Supper, the most bountiful liberality, the utmost integrity and justice in all bu- siness transactions, have not a single element of obedience in them, unless they spring from a perception of duty to Christ, and are prompted by the pleasure we take in performing them because they are pleasing to Christ ; and this is essentially the love of Christ. Hence, if we do not love Him, we cannot obey Him. But if we do not believe that He loved us and gave Himself for us, and that we are accepted of the Father, on this account, we cannot, according to the known principle of our mental natures, love Him. Because, without this belief, there are only two alternate states of mind, each of which is opposite to the state called love ; either the mind must be in a state of indiiference about the whole matter ; which is a state of darkness and obduracy, and of course, not the state of love, or it must be in an awakened state ; awakened to belief in the verity of those truths which address themselves to the condition of a depraved and guilty sinner; which belief, as all experience and sound philosophy show, can only result, so far as its essential tendency is concerned, in fear, and ultimate- ly in despair; which are the opposite of love. Hence without the belief in question, we cannot love Christ. But with this faith, as before shown, the evidence of his compassion for us strongly appeals to our gratitude, and tends directly to awaken within us a holy delight in Him who has done so much for 90 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, us; and this is the essential idea of love. But the "carnal mind receiveth not the things of the Spirit that is, the car- nal mind is morally incapable of clearly perceiving and duly appreciating the pure abstract truths of religion ; " they are spiritually discerned," says the Apostle. Hence, if the Holy Spirit be not with us, to " take of the things of God and show them" to the mind of man, or in other words, if the Holy Spirit do not so present the truths of the Bible, and so quick- en our perception and feelings that we may be conscious of that true coiitriteness of heart to which alone the promise of pardon is made, it is impossible that we can so believe as to rest satisfied that the act of pardon has passed the Divine mind. Every one, therefore, who does so believe, does it by the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, leading to the comfort- able persuasion of mind, that God, for Christ's sake has forgi- ven his sins, and hence given him an earnest of future sal- vation. To abridge this argument into a series of consecutive propo- sitions, it will stand thus; Avithout that immediate influence of tfie Holy Spirit in the heart, which we call the witness of the Spirit, no man can believe that God loves him as a recon- ciled Father; without this belief, he cannot love God, with- out this love, he cannot obey God; and without this obedi- ence, he cannot cherish a well grounded and comfortable hope of heaven. Therefore, without that influence of the Spirit, in the heart, which we call the witness of the Spirit, no man can cherish a well grounded and comfortable hope of heaven. Hence, further, the possession of this grace is the' paramount duty of every man., and if the duty, it is attainable; and if attainable, as from its nature, it is an unspeakable blessing, it is also an incomparable privilege ; therefore, the attainment of this grace is the great privilege of every man. These views, we are persuaded, entered largely into the personal experience of our deceased brother. If the tenor of his preaching, and the spirit of his general conversation, be proof of this ; the character of his experience, through a long atid painful sick- ness, more fully exemplified the Scripture; the path of the 1854.] The late Rev. H. G. Letgh, D. D. 91 just shineth more and more unto the perfect day. About ten years since, he was attacked with a rheumatic affection, which soon became chronic, and, for the most part, disqua- lified him for any very active services as ati itinerant preach- er. At different intervals, his sufferings were very great. Some eighteen months since, he suffered a partial paralysis of the left side, and in July last, he had a paralysis of the kidneys, which it was expected, at one time, would prove fatal in a few hours. He, however, recovered so far as to encourage the hope that he would be restored to usual health ; but, on 9th of September, he was seized with a violent attack of dys- entery, which so prostrated the vital energy, that he speedily sunk into a comatose state, from which he never recovered, only as he was aroused, for a few moments, at a time ; until, on the eighteenth instant, he slept in death. Our interviews, at different periods of his affliction, were frequent, and the conversation usually turned upon distinctive views of Christian experience. The topics which interested him most, were the faith of assurance, inspired by the Holy Spirit ; the rich com- fort it afforded him as he drew near the Jordan of death ; the bright and glowing light it threw over its otherwise dark val- ley ; the glory that awaited the children of God in the hea- venly rest; the curious and interesting inquiries which would be answered in the spiritual state ; the difficulties, in both men- tal and moral nature, which would be solved ; and the glori- ous advance of mind along the illimitable fields of infinite knowledge, developing, at every step of the vast progression, the amazing wonders of Deity, filling the ever increasing ca- pacities of the immortal Spirit with that large measure of heavenly joy which the eternal fountain of light and love could alone supply. At the period when it was supposed that he was within a few hours of his dissolution, 1 spent some time with him. The conversation turning upon his state and prospects, he dwelt with peculiar interest, on the rich comfort afforded him by the great Bible truth which we have just discussed; and though he felt confident of a safe trust in Christ ; a sweet assiu'ance of acceptance, there seem- 92 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, ed to open to his view so bright and glowing a prospect of the truths yet to be realized, that he grew eloquent in describing them ; and was so lost in a vision of the attainments yet to be made, in the fields of knowledge and comfort provided by the love of Christ, that he narrowed down, by comparison, the attainments already made, to a point so contemptible in his own eyes, as to cause him to loathe himself, and exclaim ; " Oh, if there were not a days-man betwixt God and me, how could I stand his searching eye! Tiiank God, bless God, for such a Saviour." The day before his death, I visited him, and found him fast sinking. Just before leaving, as it was not deemed proper to fatigue him by conversation, 1 sought only to inquire, " watchman what of the night ?" He turned his fading eye upon me, and with a smile of triumph playing on his countenance, he softly said, in reply to my inquiry, if he still felt that his trust was in his Saviour; "Oh yes! What should I do without that? Jesus is with me! My trust is in Him, alone." We examine, IL His character as a Preacher. Dr. Leigh had few equals in the pulpit. Sound in the- ology, bold in conception, often brilliant in fancy, and ap- pealing, in all his efforts, no less to the heart than to the head, he stood a prince among pulpit men. He filled a large space in public attention, and wielded a wide and undisputed influence among his brethren in the ministry. As a presiding elder, (an office which he filled during a large portion of his public life,) no man was more relied on in counsel. He was eminently successful in winning souls to Christ. A great many of the most valuable and influential of our member- ship in Virginia and North Carolina claim him as their spirit- ual father, and count it among their brightest sources of joy, that they shall soon join him in their Father's house in heaven. Such were his claims as a pulpit man, that the spirit of a sound criticism can have no tendency to obscure the lustre of his eminent virtues. As a public man, we shall 1854] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 93 deal with him. With this view, we invite attention to a few particulars. We have no sfitisfactory information as to his early advan- tages of education ; but we cannot be mistaken in assuming that they were good. He preceded me, in 1820, by a few years, on the Gloucester circuit ; which was among the first appointments he received. I soon had occasion to know that a bright star had appeared above the horizon, and was des- tined, ere long, to cuhninate in the mid-heavens of Metho- dism. The standard by which I was to be judged, as a pulpit man, a Christian, and a gentleman, had been furnished by my distinguished predecessor. His doctrines, his bold imagery, his remarks in social life, and the specific results of his labors upon the dense masses which attended his pul- pit, were all remembered. The old and the young, even children, were fond to quote his sayings. The first time I saw Dr. Leigh was at the Portsmouth Conference, February 1826. His movements in social life ; his speeches and bear- ing in Conference session, and particularly his preaching, en- gaged my especial attention. I soon determined, in my own mind, that, in many respects, he was by far the most promi- sing member of the body. I have known him well since that period ; served with him in important public positions ; broken many a lance with him in debate ; and have found, to the present time, no reason to change my opinion. But in the midst of a glorious career of usefulness, it pleased God, by a most painful and protracted affliction, to command him to comparative retirement. " The Judge of all the earth will- do right." Brother Leigh is no more; but his character is before us for instruction. Indiscriminate praise will not con- tribute to our edification. We will speak of him with the freedom of a brother beloved. His character as a pulpit man, though distinguished by unusual merit, v/as not without striking defects. His early advantages of education, though good, were evidently not of that thorough kind which his mind was capable of receiving. The style of his sentences was often inverted. His performance, in many, parts, was 94 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, often embarrassed by the formalities of a labored preparation. He was endowed by nature with a mind, wide in its compass, active and vigorous in its operations, and he had cultivated it too highly to allow him to appear in public without feeling that he was a master of his subject. His early mental disci- pline, however, had not been of that thorough kind which enabled him to accomplish his preparation by a course of spontaneous and independent thinking. He. therefore, had recourse to the free use of his pen, and often, we judge, with the strictest formalities of preparation. We are far from cen- suring this. On the contrary, we deem it the solemn duty of every public man, in such circumstances, to make a free use of the pen. It is folly, to bespeak attention when we have nothing to say : to claim to be instructors when we have nothing to impart. If we cannot think through our subject, without the aid of our pens, nor speak through it, without the aid of our manuscripts, then let us use them. But still, it is not to be doubted, that we labor under serious disadvan- tages. In a public life, of over thirty years, we have met with but one man, in the Methodist pulpit, who could, with any thing like uniform success, declaim his composition with that naturalness and simplicity which gave to it its due and full effect. A failure of memory, or recurrence to the manu- script, or more frequently, a natural inability to fall into and maintain the true spirit of the composition, throughout its delivery, will often dissolve the sympathy between a speaker and his hearers, and cause that only to be admired as beauti- ful, which should be remembered and felt as true. That de- gree of mental discipline which will enable a man to think through his whole subject, and to command a view of it from any and all points of observation, and to bring to the aid of his judgment and imagination those rich stores of knowledge which they demand under progressive excitement, is greatly to be desired in all public speakers ; and those who have it, possess advantages in awakening the attention and arousing the sympathies of their audience, so as to receive the daguer- reotype impression of their views and feelings, which are 1854] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 95 not conferred by any other conceivable method of preparation. He who falls below a certain point in mental training, and relies on a laborious and formal preparation, may avail him- self, and with propriety, of the most correct information which the age supplies; and in his delivery, may often catch the true inspiration of his theme, and, breaking over all the restraints imposed by the formalities of preparation, may ac- complish T some of the highest results of eloquence. Dr. Leigh, we think, was a striking example of this. There was also this in the every day discourses of Dr. Leigh; and, perhaps, in as great a degree as those of any man we ever heard ; they were full of heart ; they were full of Christ. They were, in their essential nature and effects, as far from the mere deductions of a calculating philosophy, as any we , ever listened to. He breathed over his audience the pure in- spiration of a -warm-hearted Christianity. The extent to which the evangelical doctrine we have discussed entered into his own personal experience, very fully accounts for this fact. And on those occasions especially, on which he evidently broke over the bounds of studied preparation, and his will was yielded up to the control of the pure moral sentiments, a direction was given to his perceptivity and imagination which was truly astonishing, in the production of a native, simple, and pure gospel eloquence. . In this respect, we may well commend him as a model pulpit man. This preparation was thorough. There was the clear light of truth. It was no borrowed light. It radiated directly from a heart whose fires were kindled by the inspiration of a sound Christian experi- ence. Bat we proceed to contemplate him, in. As a PATRON OF LEARNING. It is not surprising, that a man of his intellect, and wide views as to the best interests of the church and the country, should be the patron of learning. But Dr. Leigh is to be re- garded as one of the pioneers, and perhaps the principal one, in that great movement in behalf of learning, which, for several years, has been going forward in the church in Vir- 96 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, ginia and in North Carolina. He began to take rank amongst us at a time when the church literally slept over this great question, embodied in her commission to enlighten the world. In estimating the materials of church history, it cannot es- cape notice, that learning, and that in the ratio of the de- mand, was an original and essential element. If only two twelfths of the original number of Christ's ministers were distinguished by the learning of the age, it was because the objects to be accomplished by learned agents required no more at that time. But when, in the sixteenth century, learning was chiefly confined to the Roman priesthood and those who sustained their depraved pretensions, a much greater number of learned men was demanded to carry on the contest. God raised up a Luther, a Melancthon, a Zwingle, an Erasmus, a Calvin, a Beza, and an Arminius. These men achieved a glorious triumph over the learned de- pravity of the Papal church. The sincere but uninformed leaders of the Anabaptist fanaticism contributed only to im- pede the progress of the Reformation. And when, in the eighteenth century, the clergy of the National Church of England, and those who sustained them, embodying the learn- ing of the age, had themselves, to a great extent, adopted a system of formalism, which, under the protection of the state, threatened a result to vital Christianity no less disas- trous than that from which it had been so recently reformed, God sent forth into his vineyard John and Charles Wesley, Whitfield, Fletcher, Benson, Coke, Clarke and Watson. These were sufficient for the times. The false philosophy of the clergy and their supporters was triumphantly rebuked by the learning of these men. This gave them access to the masses, and particularly enabled them to reach, by their sys- tem of lay-preaching, the more obscure portions of society, who had long since ceased to be in contact with the clergy of the establishment. The same system of means was deeply felt to be necessary in this country, when Anglo-American Methodism began to prosper. Coke and Asbury, pressed by the urgency of the demands to oppose the influence of the 0 18541 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 97 settled clergy in the southern country, (the principal theatre of their labors at that time,) by the necessary amount of learned and influential labor, early embarked in the cause of education, and sought the establisliment of a college. But the effects of the Revolution had wrought a great change in the demands of the times. It had destroyed the influence of the hitherto established clergy. In fact, it had driven the most of them from the country. It had left the door of ac- cess to the great mass of the people wide open. The imme- diate demand of their labor was the preaching of the simple truths of the gospel, upon the basis of a sound personal ex- perience. This demand was fully supplied by the clear- headed and sound-hearted men who were employed in the itinerant field in that day. But our deceased brother, and those who thought with him, some thirty years ago. were deeply sensible that a diiferent state of things existed at that time. A great change was rapidly coming over the face of society. Those who had been placed in advance of the mass of their hearers, by the simple fact, that they could tell of a sound conversion of heart, and exhort the people to ''flee the wrath to come," were no longer in advance of their hearers, by reason of these attainments. The republican principle of our civil institutions was rapidly diffusing the educational ele- ment through the mass of society. The yeomanry of the country were rising daily in the scale of intellect and general information. But, from the self-sacrificing nature of our itinerant system, we continued, as heretofore, to receive the supplies, for our fields of labour, from the young men of the land. These young men, as all experience and observation proved, were of necessity much below the current standard of public information. The simple story of conversion was no longer a novelty. Thousands of pulpit-s, besides our own, taught tiie same essential truths. These truths, therefore, no longer placed them in advance of the mass of their hear- ers, and constituted them, in any good sense, as heretofore, the leaders of the people. Withal, other denominations were YoL. VIII. — 7 98 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January. raising up an able and learned ministry. These were divi- ding public attention with us, in all our settled commiuiities. They were pushing their enterprises, side by side, with us in many directions. It w^as sensibly felt to be the solemn duty of our denomination to hold its way in the great work of spreading Scripture holiness over these lands," Besides, it was also seen, as it is now beginning to be more deeply felt, that a great struggle with the errors of Papal Rome awaited the church in this country. A struggle which would require, come when it might, a greater array of intellect and know- ledge than had ever before been summoned to the conflict. An educational movement was demanded. ''It was time," said Dr. Leigh, 'Shigb time, our church had .moved in this great cause." Again, it was seen that our ministry failed to derive legitimate benefit from the general progress in learning, as well from the fact, that we had no prominent literary insti- tution, as because it was supplied by young men below the current standard of public information. Our youth, if libe- rally educated at all, were educated at seats of learning under other influences than those of our own church. By reason of this, our educated young men had been weaned, in their feelings of attachment, from the church of their fathers. Accustomed to associate learning and influence with other pulpits, they gradually lost respect for ours. At all events, but few of our educated young men devoted themselves to the ministry amongst us. Dr. Leigh united with others in urging two remedies for these pressing evils. One was a movement in the Conference, with the preachers ; and the other was a movement out of the Conference, with the peo- ple. In the Conference, a much more extensive course of study for licentiates, with more rigid annual examinations, and more caution in the admission of probationers, was in- sisted on. It was also recommended to our people to aid in establishing an institution of learning, of high character. This enterprise was carried before the people, and by private conversations and public appeals, an efl^ort was made to arouse the conscience cf the church on the subject of education. In 1854] The late Rev, H. G. Leigh, D. D. 99 a short time, Dr. Leigh was enabled to present to the Confer- ence a handsome subscription, the fruit of his private labors, in evidence of the readiness of the people to co-operate with the Conference in the establishment of a college. Action on the part of the Conference was now demanded, and at the session, in 1829, a Board of Trustees was appointed to select a suitable location, procure a charter, and complete the enter- prise. This Board held a meeting, in the fall of that 3^ear, in Petersburg, and one, in the following 3^ear, at Zion church, in Mecklenburg; Ya. The great solicitude of our friends, in diiFerent sections, to seciu'e the location of the institution, in their immediate vicinity, gave rise to conflicting opinions. The land was literally before us. Large inducements were oiFered, by different communities, to secure the location. After a careful examination of the whole ground, the meeting concurred in selecting the vicinity of Boydton. Mecklenburg, Ya., as the location of the college. Regarding all the circumstances, the prominent position held by Dr. Leigh in originating all the preliminary measures, and his personal activity in advancing them, we have always considered him, in a good sense, the founder of Randolph Macon College. We do his memory no more than justice, when we accord to him the honor to which he is entitled, as a public benefactor. This college will long continue as a noble monument of his far reaching views, and devotion to a great public iiiterest, shedding its light and glory over the church and the land. He also contributed largely, from his private resources, to this object, and lived to see the fruit of his labors in a vast amount of present good, and a cheering prospect for the future. This great work, however, was not accomplished without difficulty. Some saw in tiie move- merjt a clear evidence of worldly-mindedness ; the "entering wedge" of- incalculable mischief! Others, whose feelings were dictated by their prejudices, entertained serious fears that Y/e could never succeed ! Again, to procure a charter, appoint professors, and use the name of college, were known to be an easy matter; but a mediocre institution, having little 100 TJie late Rev. H. G. Leigh. D. D. [January, else to recommend it than the empty title, never at all com- ported with the views of Dr. Leigh and the noble spirits wiio co-operated with him in the enterprise. A large amount of money was to be raised. True, it was confidently hoped, at first, that the State, in v/hich it might be located, would con- tribute important aid in its establishment. This consideration had great weight in determining its location to be in Virginia. She had committed herself by an act, in 1821, to appropriate the accruing proceeds of the Literary Fund, after it should reach a certain amount, to the benefit of her chartered insti- tutions of learning. About this time, that fund had reached the maximum, or would do so in a few years. With a view of sharing this appropriation, (other things being equal,) a charter was asked of the State of Virginia, instead of the State of North Carolina. The charter was cheerfully granted, but up to the present time, the Legislature has refused to re- deem the pledge of 1S2L It was soon discovered, that this pledge was a mere ruse of the times, by which a large appro- priation to the University of the State was secured, and that the "accruing proceeds," in question, were demanded by a system of demagogueism, without which a large portion of our politicians could not share the distinctions of office. To the appropriations for the University, we did not object ; but that the large proceeds of that fund, committed as they are to most useful purposes, should be exhausted on a plan of education called primary schools," which, as at present con- ducted, is so entu'ely unproductive of good, is subject to strong objection, and should, we think, engage the more serious at- tention of the citizens of this Commonwealth. In these cir- cumstances, it was discovered, at an early period, that if Randolph jNIacon should ever fulfil her destiny, it would be by the liberality of the church and her friends, aroused through the enterprise of a few presiding minds, "From 150 to 200,000 dollars were considered indispensable to accomplish this great work. To raise so large a sum by individual con- tributions, v/as a Herculean undertaking. 'Great difficulties were to be overcome, which at times seemed impassible. 1854.] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 101 But the work was undertaken, in the name of the Lord ; and his blessing has borne us above all discouragements, and ena- bles us to rejoice in prospect of the permanent establishment of Randolph Macon College. It is not designed to write the history of this Institution. Suffice it to say, then, that through the co-operation of the Vir- ginia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, and Georgia Conferences, and the active liberality of the membership and friends of the church within their bounds, the Trustees own large property in lands, buildings, professional apparatus and library ; toge- ther with an endowment fund, a portion of which is invested in productive stocks, and the remainder in individual bonds, in a process of collections; amounting to about 60,000 dol- lars. In acquiring this, large liabilities had to be assumed. And in so great an undertaking, requiring more personal atten- tion than could be given to it by those most interested in the economy of the expenditures, something, perhaps much, was lost that might have been saved. Until a few years past, the tuition fees frequently did not meet the current expenses of the institution. Hence, debts were accumulated. These debts were long felt as a sore evil. But as the great source of accumulation is cut off, at this time, by^ the endowment fund, Ihey are now deemed manageable, and fully within the libe- rality and enterprise of our people. Thirty thousand dollars, would perfect our endowment fund ; pay the debts; effect re- pairs, and place the institution beyond the reach of ordinary contingencies ; and what is this among so many ! But the. results of this enterprise may be viewed in another direction. In the early period of her history, a large portion of her patronage came from Georgia and South Carolina. For several years past, this source of supply has been cut off. Emory College, Georgia, has received, as it was entitled to do, our Southern patronage. But this deficiency has been fully made up by an increased interest in education among our friends in Virginia and N. Carolina. There has been no material change in our numbers. From one hundred, to one hundred and fifty have generally been in attendance. From 102 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, the year 1835, to the present time, there have been one hun- dred ai]d ninety-two regular graduates. Scarcely a year has passed without a gracious revival of religion. And although we have had a full share of ungodly young men, at all times, yet from data before us, it is doubted if any institution in the land, has greater cause to be thankful for more general good order, studious habits, and a greater relative number of truly pious young men. In free conversation between myself and others, at different times, before his death, brother Leigh dis- coursed with great interest on this subject. He had resided, he said, in the vicinity of the College from an early period of its history. He had witnessed all its vicissitudes; had been de- pressed and elevated in his feelings, as Providence seemed to frown or smile upon this cherished object of his prayers, and the toil of the best years of his life; and although he had seen much to regret ; much, that he trusted would be correct- ed by a sounder discipline and the advance of civilization, he felt that he had, with the church, and especially the States of Virginia and N.Carolina; the States most interested; great cause to bless God for what he had lived to see, as the fruits of this institution. So many of the promising youth of the land had been converted to God, or deeply impressed with the saving truths of the Gospel; so many well educated young men had been sent out from this institution to fill the profes- sions of law, medicine and agriculture, with wide views of the wants of the world, and a growing capacity to contribute largely to supply this demand ; so many, also, had gone forth as presidents and professors, in Colleges, and as teachers of important schools, and were now exerting a wide and growing influence upon the rising generation ; so many also, had enter- ed our Conferences, and were proving themselves able minis- ters of the New Testament ; simple hearted and self sacrifi- cing ; they v/ere a standing rebuke to the ignorant conceit, that educated men must be vain and idle. And then, again, he noticed the very large number of poor young men who had been educated here. He doubted if any institution, in the land, could boast so many in the same length of time. No 1854.] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D, 103 young mail; however needy, if orderly and promisingj ever came amongst us, and did not find a hearty welcome. Offi- cers and citizens were always ready to help forward the de- serving poor. The revivals of religion, and the educated young men who had entered the ministry, many of whom were eminently useful, engaged his particular attention. Re- garding all the circumstances, he declared, though confessing to many misgivings, at times, and many things to regret, there was abundant cause to be thankful and take coura2;e. He felt sure, that the most liberal friend the institution ever had, could not regret a single dollar he had ever contributed to this great work, if he had any thing like a correct idea of the good already accomplished. On this whole subject, the views of Dr. Leigh were very decided. He was familiar with the popular opinions, as to the part the church should take in the cause of education. He had often discussed them in private, and very deeply re- gretted that the movements of the church were still slow in that direction ; but he entertained no doubts that the onward movements of the age would, ere long, render the victory complete. With him, it was a settled conviction, that learn- ing and religion were inseparable; that '-'what God had joined together no man should put asunder." The alliance of learning with any thing else but the religious principle, is an unholy wedlock, which can never receive the blessing of God. The church that cares not who teaches her children, in the schools of the land, no less than in the pulpits of the land, has forgotten her mission, and forfeited her Divine char- ter. It is an idle dream to think that she can prosper, through the mere agency of the pulpit, whilst she yields up her chil- dren to be instructed by men of depraved moral habits, or infidel principles, or by Papists, or by Antichrist in some other shape. No ! no ! It is a great and paramount duty of the church to take care of the pulpit, but it should not be over- looked that, let men of perverted minds prattle as they may, the schools of the country, after all, in a good sense, supply the pulpits of the country. The church must not, she dare 104 The late 'Rev. H. G. Leigh. D. D. [January, not, be indifferent to this matter. Ministers, true ministers, are men of God's own choosing. This is true beyond all controversy. No others mast be countenanced. Many of these are not called until they are prepared for usefulness in the fields of labor, in which it is proper to employ them. This also is true. But then it is equally true, that many are called, and furnish proof, such as has never failed to satisfy the church, in all ages, when, as yet, they are not prepared for successful labor in those fields in which the services of gospel ministers are most urgently demanded. No ecclesiasti- cal council had ever disputed this principle. No writer, of acknowledged authority in the Christian church, had ever asserted a difi'erent doctrine in regard to a Divine call to the ministry. Hence, our church never once thought of waiting to find a man called of God to the work of the ministry, who, at the same time, was sufficiently familiar with the Chinese language and customs, to be a profitable preacher to them, before a mission in that country was opened. On the con- trary, two men, who were judged to be called of God to the ministry, were deputed, without scruple, to repair to that country, and prepare, by a course of extremely severe study of their difiicult language and strange customs, to prosecute a mission among that people. This is only an example of the principle on which the whole Christian church has uniformly acted, in all similar cases, since the period when God fitted men for their work by the miraculous ''gift of tongues." Our deceased friend entertained the opinion, in which it is assumed most sober minded men concur, that the instances among ourselves in which men are called afler they are pre- pared, are not numerous ; but on the contrary, the most of those who are called to the ministry have (except the mate- rial fact of a sound conversion) the principal part of the work of preparation to accomplish afterwards. It is exclusively on the basis of this principle, that the law of the church admits none to the regular ministry, without a four years' probation. For, as the proposition, that it belongs alone to God to call men to the work of the ministry, is regarded as a truism. 1S54.] The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. 105 amongst us ; if all whom He calls are prepared for their work, we can have nothing to do but to assign them their labor. Because if it be assumed, that the object of the probation is merely to settle the question of a call, it will then follow, that, on the hypothesis, that He calls none who are not pre- pared, we could not, with propriety, make their graduation, by ordination, to the office and work of the ministry, to de- pend upon their passing approved annual examinations upon certain preparatory studies in literature and theology. But on the hypothesis, that though called, they may not be pre- pared for usefulness, we subject them to a course of prepara- tory study, and make their ordination to depend upon their giving evidence of preparation, as Vv^ell as a call. It is also believed with equal confidence, that a great many of the fruits of our pious labors are called to the work of the minis- try, but never obey the call. Some refuse by an act of vol- untary disobedience. But others refuse under the force of circumstances which greatly palliates their error. They are conscious of a great want of preparation, even for that par- tial work we propose to assign licentiates in Conference. The public opinion, (whether right or wrong, is not the ques- tion,) against the practice of entering the Cluistian ministry, with as little preparation as they feel they have, is daily find- ing expression in forms, which have a very discouraging in- fluence on their convictions of duty. The progressive agi- tation of the subject, in our annual Conferenc^is, tends greatly to increase this discouragement. Its influence reaches beyond the young men in question, and reacts upon them with fear- ful effect. Presidiiig elders, and others, who, in former times, would take these young men by the hand and bring them forward to the Conference, for admission on trial, are now discouraged from any such measures; at least, they do it not with that confidence which formerly gave them great success. The result is, that in the present state of public opinion and practice, the labors of a great many young men, who are called to the ministry, are lost to the church. This is truly a serious matter, throughout the whole extent of our work, 106 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, and especially in Virginia and North Carolina, at this time. Fields are multiplying on our hands, to an extent far beyond our ability to supply them with profitable labor, or indeed, with labor of any kind. The cause of Christ suffers. And if it be true, that He designates, by a call, a sufficient num- ber to supply the fields which His grace has provided; (and who dare say He does not?) a fearful retribution must await us, if these fields are not supplied by reason of our neglect. God will give them to other shepherds who will care for his sheep. Some remedy should be found, and found speedily, for this evil. The tendency of public opinion is onward. It will hardly be in our power to change its direction, even if it were desirable. In these circumstances, it is clear, to our mind, that it is the solemn duty of all ministers, and others who could, with propriety, approach such young men, to seek them out, and encourage them to obtain an education. They are not the less to be valued because their modest sense of deficiency forbids their coming forward, of themselves. They should be sought out. Their attention should be directed to the facilities they may enjoy at the literary institution of the church. They should be encouraged to secure them. No man valued the itinerant system more highly than Dr. Leigh. Few men enjoyed better opportunities to appreciate its merits in training young men for the pulpit. In his esti- mation, it was a school which stood unrivaled by any thing known to the church, as a means of pulpit training. But then a certain degree of mental discipline ; a certain degree of knowledge of men and books, and especially of the great prin- ciples of the Bible, beyond a mere experience of grace, are obviously necessary to give efficiency to it as a school of training. I^ike every other great school, it implies a degree of antecedent preparation. A young man, with these antece- dent advantages, will find this school of inestimable value in perfecting his knowledge of every thing that belongs to his calling, and of training him to use his knowledge for the be- nefit of others, with great skill and success. One, without these advantages, will make slow progress in this school. He 1854.J Tlie late Rev. H, G. Leigh, D. D. 107 would do so under any circumstances. The desultory man- ner in which he would have to pursue his studies might lum- ber his head with "much learning,'* but it could have little tendency to give his mind that discipline which is necessary to use learning to great effect. But with our present plan of operations, requiring so many duties of the young preacher, such as pastoral visiting, co-operation in all the varied and mul- tiplied interests of the church, (which have greatly increased upon us within a few years past,) and not unfrequently the pastoral charge of a circuit or station, it is very obvious, that if his studies are pursued to any material result, these inter- ests, one or all of them, must be neglected. In these circum- stances, it is a matter of great moment to enter the itinerant school v/ith the necessary antecedent advantages of mental dis- cipline and information. The great object of the church, in the educational move- ment on which the old Virginia Conference entered, in 1S29, was to meet the demands of the varied interests we have here discussed. By the co-operation of the N. Carolina Cotifcrence, and the great liberality of the lay-membership, this object has been prosecuted to a most valuable result. Something, it is true, remains to be done, to complete the enterprise on the broad scale necessary to meet these high demands. Why may not this work be completed ? Oh, where are our men of heart, of means and of mind, who can appreciate, both the breadth of the demand and their duty to meet it? "Oh," said our beloved founder, " why do not our men of head and heart come to the rescue ? Why do they not send in their of- ferings to the Lord, and whilst they live, rejoice in the good their liberality is accomplishing ? Dying! why do they not remember this great interest of their beloved church ? Has not Randolph Macon another friend, like Jesse Harper, of Orange N. C, in all the bounds of the two Conferences? Oh have we no Wofford amongst us, who would be the benefac- tor of his race ? Let him rear a monument to his memory which shall last as long as religion and learning shall be honored amongst a free and happy people." 108 The late Rev. H. G. Leigh, D. D. [January, Thus, we close the services due, on this occasion, to our heloved founder. We have lost our first our fastest friend. He, whose presiding mind, like the angel spirit whom God placed at the gate of Eden to guard the tree of life, has watched over us in weal and in wo, nourishing us at home, and defending us abVoad. He has gone to his reward. But. as he blessed us while living, so the review of his useful life may still administer instruction and comfort. Let us be careful to secure the same sound experience of grace. Let those of us who may be called to occupy a place on the walls of Zion emulate his zeal in consecrating, not a part, but his whole life to the work of the ministry. Remember this; he was a laborious student ; a master workman. Let us cpvet the eminent distinction which he attained in wirniing souls to Christ. That broad foundation of religion and learning which he so well succeeded in layiiig, and which promises the noble superstructure of wide usefulness to the church and the coun- try, is now our inheritance; an inheritance bequeathed us by his munificent liberality, and broad views of the public inter- ests. Whilst we honor his memory, let us strive to perfect this great enterprise of his life, and thereby to place Ran- dolph Macon College on a basis from which nothing can ever, move her. 00035495348 FOR USE ONLY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION Form No. A-368, Rev. 8/95