Newspaper Page Text
No 9 VoL. VII.]
i’RES DENT DWIGHT.
From a Review of the Works of Dr. Dwight,
lately published in the London Christian Ob
server.
Before we proceed with our review, we
think it will prove interesting to our read
ers to become better acquainted with the
history of this truly eminent man ; we
therefore need offer no apology for devot
ing a few pages to a sketch of his interesting
life.
Timothy Dwight was born at Northamp
ton, in the county of Hampshire in the
State of Massachusetts, on the 14th day of
M;w, A. D. 1752. The first ancestor ol
hjfliiHther’s family in America, came from
Dedham, in England, and settled at Ded
ham, in Massachusetts, in 1637. The sub
ject of this Memoir was able to look back
on each individual in that line, including
fivp generations, as spiritual members of
the church of Christ. His father received
his education at Yale Coliege, and was by
protession a merchant. His mother was
the third daughter of Jonathan Edwards,the
celebrated President of Nassau Hall. She
devyted herself to the instruction of this
son {with the most assiduous attention, with
out \.t.vever neglecting the several claims
which her numerous rising family had upon
her care. She began to instruct him ab
most as soon as he was able to speak ; and
such was his eagerness, as well as his ca
pacity for improvement, that he is stated to
have learned the alphabet at a single les
son ; and before he was four years oid was.
able, to read the Bible with ease and cor
rectness. He continued the pupil of his
mother, til! he arrived at the litre of six
years. She al?o instilled into his opening
understanding those principles of piety and
virtue which, combined with the influence
of his father’s example, under the blessings
of Divine Providence, laid the foundation
of his future eminence.
At the age of six, he was sent to the
grammar school, and pursued his studies
with such alacrity, that at the age of eight,
Be w ould have been prepared for admission
into college, had not the discontinuance of
the school interrupted his progress, arid
placed him again under the faithful tuition
This affectionate mother. This domestic
fixation rendered him fond of home ; and
’ led him to feel a livelier interest than is
usual with boys of the same age, in the
conversation of those who were older thaD
himself. His father’s hospitable house was
the w. II known resort of men of intelli
gence; ami even a! this very early period
of Li- life, w bile listening to their conver
sation on the character of the great men of
the age, both in the colonies and in Europe,
a deep and lasting impression was made
upon his uund; and he then formed a reso
lution, that he would make every eff rt in
his power to equal those, whose talents and
character he heard so highly extolled.
in his twelfth year, he went to Middle
town, to pursue his studies under the Rev.
E. Huntington, a gentleman of high classi
cal attainments. Not content with the time
regularly allotted to study in the school, he
sp -ni most of nis leisure hours at home in
jy Vnse application. His conduct continued
tofhe marked with the strictest propriety,
andhis manners (vere amiable and affection
ate.
When he had just passed his thirteenth
year, be was admitted as a member of Yale
College. Here he had the misfortune to
break his arm, and for several months he
was prevented bv sickness from pursuing
his-ladies; which circumstance, together
with ihe irregularities which at that ti ne
unhappily’ prevailed in the college, tended
much to impede his advancement in knew
ledge. He however gained considerable
reputation for genius and acquirements;
and his information and address rendered
his society generally pleasing.
In addition to his ordinary pursuits, he at
tained such a degree of excellency in pen
mliiship, that his writing was with difficult
■ Tjoisliegoished from engraving. He was
! also skilled in poetry and musick, particu
larly in sacred mui-ick.
White at college he formed a resolution
to which he adhered during the remainder
of his collegiate life, to employ fourteen
hours each day in close application to his
etudies. At (hat time college prayers be
; gan at half past five o’clock in the morning
in the winter, aud at half past (bur in the
summer; before which hour he regularly
construed and parsed a hundred lines of Ho
mer. This lesson, which formed no part
of the regular college exercises, was, of
•cout-e, acquired by candle light. As he
advanced, it was gradually increased to a
much larger quantity. By this incessant
implication to study his eyes became seri
ously affected, and a foundation was thus
early laid for that weakness in them, which
caused him so much distress during the re*
maiuder of his life. He received the de
gree of Bachelor of Arts in the year 1763,
when he was a little past seventeen years
of age.
A short time after leaving college he
was employed to take charge of a gram
mar school at New Haven. ‘1 his was the
commencement ot that course of life,which,
with very little interruption, be pursued
for nearly fifty years; a course of tile in
winch Providence bad peculiarly qualified
him to excel.
THE MISS IO N Alt
In 1771, at the age of nineteen, he was
chosen a tutor in Yale College. In this sit
uation he remained for six succeeding
years, performing its duties with distin
guished success and reputation. His asso
ciates were men of eminent talents ; and
by their united efforts, the institution soon
acquired considerable celebrity. It was in
the first year of his tutorship, that he com
menced writing his Conquest of Canaan,”
a regular epic poem. About this time he
was inoculated for the small pox ; by which,
and too early a return to study, his eyes
were so seriously injured as to cause him,
through life, a great degree of pain and
embarrassment.
In the year 1772, lie received the degree
of Master of Arts. On that occasion he de
livered, as an exercise, his “ Di-sertation
on the History, Eloquence, and Poetry of
the Bible,” which was afterwards publish
ed, both in America and in Europe. It un
folded, at that early age, the bolder fea
tures ol the author’s mind; and evinced
great maturity of judgement and taste.
The field ot thought was new in that conn
try'. The style is described as dignified
and manly, arid formed by a standard truly
classical. At a subsequent period, during
bis residence in college as a tutor, he enga
ged deeply, and with great success, in the
study of the higher branches of the mathe
maticks.
During the second year of his tutorship,
he attempted, by a very restricted
and vegetable diet, to remove the ne
cessity for bodily exercise, and vet to
secure himself from the duloess incident to
a full habit and inactive life ; but, his health
rapidly declining, a physician whom he con
sulted recommended to him, among other
things, a daily course of vigorous bodily ex
ercise, as the only means of restoring his
constitution to its primitive vigour. He
followed his advice; and, within tweive
months, walked upwards of two thousand
miles, and rode on horseback upwards of
three thousand. To his perseverance in
this system, rie was probably indebted for
bis recovery, as well as lor the uninterrup
ted health and vigour of constitution which
he enjoyed for the ensuing forty years.
In 1774, Mr. Dwight united himself to
the college church. At this time it was
his expectation to pursue the practice of
law ; and his studies were directed towards
that object. In March, 1777, he married
Miss YVoolsey, on Long Island. They had
eight sons, of whom six survived their fa
ther. Mrs. Dwight is still living.
In May of the above ye.ar, the college
was broken up hv the war, and (he stu-
Jents left New Haven and pursued their
studies under their respective tutors, in
places less exposed to the sudden incur
sions of the enemy. Early in June he was
licensed as a preacher in his native county
of Hampshire, in the State of Massachusetts.
Soon after he was appointed chaplain to
General Parsons’ brigade, which was part
of the Division of General Putnam, in the
army of the United States. He joined the
ar.ny at West Point, in October. The
troops who composed the Brigade, were
principally Connecticut farmers; men who
had been piously educated, and who were
willing to lifieD t* the truths of the Gospel,
even in a camp. On the Sabbath, they
heard him with profound attention. Dur
ing the week, they saw him exerting him
self, as far as lay’ in his power, to instruct
them in morals and religion. Several of
his discourses delivered to the whole army,
owing partly to their intrinsick merit, and
partly to the feelings of the times, gained
him high reputation with the American pub
lick. He also wrote several patriolick
songs, which were universally popular
among his countrymen. His connexion
with the army enabled him to form an ex
tensive acquaintance with many officers of
distinction; and among others, General
Washington, who honoured him with flat
tering attentions.
He remained in the army rather more
than a year ; when the news of his father’s
death rendered it necessary for him to re
sign his office, in order to console his mo
ther, and to a**ist her in the support and
education of her numerous family. Mr.
Dwight had left a widow and thirteen chil
dren; ten of whom ware under twenty-one
years of age. The subject of this memoir
was the eldest; and on him devolved the
care of the family, at a period when the
circumstances of the country rendered the
task peculiarly difficult, in this situation
he passed live year” of the most interesting
period ot his life ; performing in an exem
plary manner ( he office of a son and a bro l
(her. Tne government and education of
the children, as well as the daily provision
for their want* l , depended almost exclusive
ly upon bis exertion*. To accomplish
these objects he postponed his own estab
lishment for life, and a provision for his
fauivy. Though destitute of property,he re
linquished hi own proportion of the family
estate, in favour of his brothers and sisters.
Hts mother was accustomed to acknowledge
in language of eloquent affection and grati
tude, his kindness, faithfulness, and genero
sity to her and her children. The respect
which she manifested towards him, though
perhaps not hi* inferior in native powers of
mind, resembled the affection of a dutiful
Os 3 11 a■ i ye aU the world ’ and preach the Gotpel to every creature.— T (S us Christ.
dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable suj ports. Jj/khingtcn
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 'l 825.
child towards a father, rather than the feel
ings of a mother for her son.
During this period, he laboured through
the week upon the patrimonial farm, and [
preached on the Sunday to several desti-j
lute congregations in the neighbouring;
towns. He also established a school at I
Northampton, for the instruction of youth j
of both sexes; which was almost immedi-1
ately resorted to by- such a number of pu !
pils, that he was under the neces.-ity of em- j
ploying two assistants. A part of one of!
the classes in his college repaired to North
ampton, and placed themselves under his
care as their preceptor. The compensa
tion which he received for preaching, as
welL-as the protits of his school, were all
expended in the support of the common
family.
A strong disposition was manifested by
the inhabitants ot Northampton, to employ
him in civil life. In the county conventions
he repeatedly represented the town; and,
in connexion with a lew individuals, met
and resisted that spirit of disorganization
and licentiousness which was then unhappi
ly prevalent. Twice he consented to serve
the town as their representative in the
State Legislature. This was in the years
1781 and 1782, just before the close of the
war ot Independence ; when subjects of an
interesting and perplexing nature, growing
out of the great controversy in which the
country had so long been engaged, exten
sively agitated the publick mind, and en
grossed legislative attention. Every thing
was unsettled. The war had sundered not
only the cords which fastened the colonies
to the mother country, but those also which
bound them to each other. The old foun
dations were destroyed; and new ones
were to be established. In this situation,
inexperienced as he was in the business of
a politician or a legislator, he at once be
came one of the most industrious and influ
ential members of that body, and was great
ly admired and distinguished for his talents
and eloquence. Ail his exertions were on
(he side ot good order and good morals ;
and indicated a steady attachment to the
principles of rational liberty, and a decided
hostility to licentiousness.
On one occasion he was enabled to prove
his devotion to the interests of learning. A
petition for a grant in favour of Harvard
College was before the Legislature. At
that time such grants wpre unpopular. Du
ing his occasional absence from the House
the petition had been called up ; and, after
finding hut few, and those not very warm
advocate*, had been generally negatived.
On taking his seat, Mr. Dwight learned
what had occurred, moved a re considera
tion of the vote. In a speech of about aD
hour in length, fraught, with wit, with ar
gutneot, and with eloquence, and received
with marked applause from the members
and the spectators, he effectually changed
the feelings of the House, and procured a
nearly unanimous vote in favour of the
grant.
At this period, he was again earnestly so
iiciled to quit the clerical profession, and
devote himself to public life, and some tlat
te.ring proposals were made him in the e
vent of his so doing; but, nothing rould
change his resolution. In May, 1783, he
was ordained according to the rites of the
community to which he belonged, to the
pastoral charge the of parish of Greenfield ;
hut the stipend, which consisted of five hun
dred dollars, the use of six acres of parochi
al land, and 20 cord of wood, did not aItWV
will) the maoy claims on his purse, of his
relinquishing tuition. During the twelve
years of his residence at Greenfield, he in
structed upwards of one thousand pupils
Besides the instruction of his school, he
[ireached twice every Sunday, and regu
larly visited his people. He also cultivat
ed with his own hands, a large garden.—
Having numerous family connexions end
friends, he entertained an almost uninter
rupted succession of company ; greater, it
is said, than any individual in the Stale. —
Greenfield was the resort of learning, of
talents, of refinement, and of piety ; and
his own hospitable doors were ever open
to welcome the stranger, as well as the
friend. He was the centre of such exten
sive attractions, as entirely to have altered
the aspect of society in the regions around
him.
In May, 1795, the Presidency of Yale
College becoming vacant, Dr. Dwight was
appointed to fill that station. The people
of his parish, with whom he had lived for
twelve years, in uninterrupted harmony,
heard ot’ his appointment with extreme re
gret, and did not surrender him without
gieat reluctance. We are now entering
upon a very interesting period of his life.
The state of Yale Coliege, at the time of
bis accession to the office of Psesident, was
most unhappy; aud one of the great
est evils under which it was suffering, was
an extensive prevalence of infidelity among
the students. This pernicious spirit had
been derived from the circumstances of the
country, at the close of the [(receding war.
As was natural, it found easy access to the
minds of a collection of youths, who were
fascinated with ideas of mental .'as well a*
political independence, and who were easi
ly induced to shake off what thry consider
ed to be the shackles of habit and super
stition. The degree to which it prevailed
may he conjectured from the fact, that a ‘
a considerable portion of the class which
Dr. D. fir“t taught had assumed the names j
ot the principal English and French infidels ;
and were more familiarly known by them
than by their own. To extirpate a spirit so
fatal, he availed himself of an early and de
cisive opportunity. Forensic disputation
was an important exercise of the senior class.
For this purpose they were formed into a
convenient number of divisions; and it was
the practice for each division to agree upon
several questions, and then refer them to the
President toselect which he thought proper.
Hitherto the students had not been allowed
to discuss any question which involved thej
inspiration ol the Scriptures; from an !
apprehension that the examination of these j
points would expose them to the contagion !
of scepticism. As infidelity was extensive-j
ly prevalent in the State, and in the coun- j
try, the effect of this course upon the minds j
ol the students had been unhappy. It had I
led them to believe that their instructors |
were afraid to meet the question fairly ; and j
that Christianity was supported by authori
ty, and not by argument. One of the ques
tions presented by the first division was: —
“ Jhe the Scriptures of the Old and JVevj Tcs
lament the word of God To their sur
prise, the President selected it for discus
sion; tojd them to write on which side they
pleased, as he should not impute to them
any sentiments which they advanced as
their own; and requested those who should
write ont’ e ntgative side of tho question,
to collect all the facts and aguuients which
they could produce; enjoining it on them,
however, to treat the subject with becom
ing respect and reverence. Most, if not all
the members of the division, came forward
as the champions of infidelity. When they
bad finished the discussion, he first examin
ed die ground they had taken; triumphant
; ly refuted their arguments; proved to them
that their statement of facts was mistaken,
or irrelevant; and to their astonishment,
convinced them, that their acquaintance
with the subject was wholly superficial.—
After this, he entered into a direct defence
ol the Dtvine origin of Christianity, in a
strain of powerful argument, and animated
eloquence, which nothing could resist. The
effect upon the students was electrical.
From that moment infidelity was not only
without a stroDg-hold, but without a lurk
ing-place. To espouse her cause was now
as unpopular, as before it had been to pro
fess a belief in Christianity. Unable to en
dure the exposure of argument, she lied
Irom Ibe retreats of learning, ashamed and
disgraced.
Dr. Dwight’s system of discipline was
peculiarly his own, and commanded univer
sal approbation. His long experience in
this employment had made him thoroughly
acquainted with the youthful character, and
enabled him to teach as well as to govern
young men with extraordinary success. In
the year 1795, when he entered upon the
duties of his office, the whole number of
students was one hundred and ten. Almost
immediately after his accession, they began
to increase, and in the course of his presi
dency amounted to three hundred aud ihir
teen ; an increase unexampled in any simi
lar institution m the United Slates. It was
never any par! of his plan merely to dis
charge his duty : and thought nothing ade
quately done, till all was done that the case
admitted ot. “The public,” says Profes
sor Siilimao, “ have been little aware of
the extent and diversity of the labours of
President Dwight, in this institution. He
has in tact, discharged the duties of four
offices, either of which is, ordinarily, con
sidered as sufficient to engross the time and
talents of one man.” “ i iis object was not
only to instruct the young men under his
care, in the particular sciencea which came
before them, but to fit them, by repeated
couusels, and by information, pressed upon
them with parental solicitude, for the vari
ous scenes into which they were to pass
in life.” He encouraged the students, es
pecially those of the senior class, in n't their
difficulties and troubles to come to him ior
advice and assistance. In every such case,
the instructor was forgotten ia the friend
and the tattler. Hi’s pupils familiarly spoke
of him as “the young ir.ii’s friend.”
At the commencement of his presidency
the Professorship ol Theology was vacant.
The Corporation proposed to appoint him
in torui to the office; but for the first ten
years tie would consent only to an annual
appointment. In 1805, it was made perms
nenl; when, as we have stated, he was al
lowed an amanuensis.
None but his intimate friends knew how
great, at ihi* period, were his snffeiirigs
from weakness of sight. For years it was
with extreme difficulty that he could read;
or write even a sentence. He wa gieatly
alarmed, for a long p'-riod, with the *yn-.p.
toms of an approaching gutta screna. Re
[tealedly the pressure on the brain whs so
i great as to produce momentary blindness,
and apparently to threaten apoplexy. Or.
casionally, lor weeks together, the angm-li
of his eyes was so intense, that it required
powerful exertion to draw off bis min I to
any other object; and often, attempting in
vain to sleep, he has risen from his lied,
j aud, to promote a free perspiration, ha*
I walked for miles in the middle of the
j night
In the year 1766, he commenced jour
neying on horseback,or in a vehicle called
a “sulky,” during the college vacations.—
This practice he continued through the re
mainder of his life, except the last year;
and in these various journeys it is compu-
that he rode about twenty thousand
miles.
To enumerate the various literary, char
itable, and pious institutions which Dr
Dwight was active in foundering or assist
ing, would be a laborious employment.—
He was particularly interested in the Con
necticut Academy of Arts and ‘sciences; —
the Missionary Society of Connecticut, to
whose funds he was a liberal contributor of
upwards of one thousand dollars; the So
ciety for Foreign Mi*ions, established in
the year 1809, at Boston, Massachusetts ;
the Theological Seminary, at Andover, <n
that State ; and above all, the British and
Foreign Bible Society. From the time of
the establishment of that most illustrious
and sublime charity which has ever engag
ed the attention, or drawn forth the exer
tions and the wealth of the pious and bene
volent, it was the ardent wish of President
Dwight to see a similar institution establish
ed in the United States; and it was a consol
ing consideration to him, that he lived to
see it accomplished. In addition to ih*se
institutions, a long list of more ci. lined
hut active societies had the bench’ < ns
influence and patronage.
At the age ol sixty-three, owing to his
regularity, temperance, and exercise, he
had become more active and energetic than
most men of forty. No apparent declen
sion was discernable in the powei* cither
of his body or his mind. About ihi* time,
however, he was seized with the. tir=t at
tack of a disease to winch he finally became
a victim. That attack was most -evere,
and it made .fearful ravages on a constitu
tion which had increased m strength aud
firmness for more than sixty years. A
midst his extreme suffering*, not a murmur,
not a repining expression escaped from ins
lips. His mind was perfectly clear, and
his reason unclouded. Patience under suf
fering, and resignation to the will of God,
were exhibited by him in the most striking
and exemplary manner. His com rt*;r nui
wa the conversation of the Chi.-u ..... ; t
only free from complaint, but ..i times
cheerful and animated: i.m prayers w<-re
fervent, but lull of humility, üba>i -ion,
and hope.
At the end of twelve week*, his disease
assumed a more favorable appearace, so
that lie was able, through the sun.o r, to
preach in the chapel, to hear recitation*,
and to attend to a class of theological stu
dents, who were pursuing their stu ‘i * un
der his direction. Me also wrote, miring
ihi* season, several Essays on ibe Eviden
ces nf Divine Revelation, and on other • ob
jects ; the whole forming matter for a enn
siderable volume. The last of these Es
says was finished only three days I.eLue
his itea'.h. He also wrote the latter i .o’ of
a Poem, of about fifteen hundred line*, on
“Geriiu* and Common Sense” Other
works also were, beg-un or projected , but
be was now drawing fast towards the close
of his eaiihty labours.
He met hi3 senior class for ihe last lime
on Wednesday, Nov. 27*when hr took
cold, was worse, from tbe exeition, and did
not go out again. He still continued howe
ver, to hear the. theological class at bis
house. Their last recitation was only a
week before, his death ; Ins suffering* at
the time were extreme, and hts debility
scarcely permitted him to speak ui all;
hut Lis mind abstracted itself from its sym
pathy with an agonized frame; and in a dis
cern se for one hour and a half, on Ihe doc
trine ot the Trinity, he reasoned upon and
illustrated it, in the mosi cogent aqd inter
esting manner, and left an indelible impres
sion on tne minds of tiis pupils
He continued in a stale of great suffering
till Tuesday the 7th of January, 181 7, when
his disorder assumed a most alarming as
pect, ar.d terminated Ins tile on the Satur
day following. On the Tuesday ot that
week tie got out of his bed, was dressed,
and at in his chair till evening, lie an
sweied questions put to him, with deal ness
and promptitude; inquired with affection
respecting his triends arid neighbours; and
in the evening attempted to conduct family
prayer, and proceeded for a tew minutes
with clearness and propriety, but a parox
ysm f pain rendered him incapable of ut
terance, and he desisted. On Friday, it be
ing apprehended by his family li st tie was
not aware 61 tus approaching dissolution,
the fact was announced to him.—He recei
veu the intelligence with gieat calmness,
and at short intervals through the day,
when his sufferings permitted, he convert
|ed on various topics, in the usual manner.
| Subjects connected with the great objects
i u| nis labours, his desires, and his prayers,
, through life—the effusion of the Spud of
j (jod, revival* ot religion, the propagation
• ol Christianity, and the dissemination ot .he
: scriptures, were not only near hi* heart,
but, when mentioned, kindled tus feelings
j and awakened his devotion. In the course
of the evening, at his request, the eigSih
chapter ol the Epistle to he Romans .vas
read to him. He listened to ii with gi*-at
| attention, r*m. iked npoi . mistranslation
1 in one or two places; spoke with much ter