herself to the circle of her domestic duties, and had never been tempted to look beyond it; and that, latterly the overwhelming course of events had left her, as might well be supposed, still less leisure for any speculations of this kind. It would, moreover, (such was the conclusion of her little speech,) be readily forgiven her, the wife of Kossuth, a man, whom the general voice, not more than her own heart, pronounced distinguished, if she submitted herself entirely to his guidance, and never thought of emancipation."

Biographical and Bistorical.

THE REV. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D.D.

ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, born April 17th, 1772, was descended from the Scotch-Irish race, the texture of whose character, in its best developments, has the four-fold ingredients of intelligence, piety, the love of liberty and of Presbyterianism. His ancestors fought at the siege of Londonderry. The mansion, located just below the town at the place where the boom was thrown across the river to prevent vessels from ascending, and called Boom-Hall, is yet occupied by members of the family. His grandfather, Archibald, emigrated to Virginia in 1737. The early training of the young man, who was to have so great influence in the Church, was in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The advantages of a superior education were also his inheritance. "At an early age he commenced his course of classical learning." His father, William Alexander, was one of the original trustees of Liberty-Hall Academy, incorporated by the Legislature of Virginia in 1782. Among the incidents of his early life, Dr. Alexander used to relate that, when he reached Liberty-Hall Academy, he observed, on unpacking his trunk, a book whose strange name attracted his notice. It was Soame Jenyns on the Evidences of Christianity, which had been placed in his trunk by his mother, without his knowledge. He immediately began to read it, and became so much interested in its contents that he did not stop until he had finished it. May not eternity disclose a connexion between that thoughtful act of a mother's care and the salvation of her son, as well as the future preparation of the Professor to write "Alexander's Evidences of Christianity?"

In a late number of the American Messenger, Dr. Alexander gives the following account of the early religious exercises of an Vol. II.-No 1.

4

"old disciple." The Editor, however, states that it relates to A. A. At the period referred to, Dr. Alexander must have been sixteen or seventeen years old; probably a year before he paid his memorable visit over the Mountains in 1789.

"When a young man, the writer resided for some time in a part of the country where the gospel was seldom preached, and we were doomed, for the most part, to silent Sabbaths. Indeed the family, with one exception, were little sensible of their need of religion. The writer confesses, to his shame, that he was ignorant of the nature of religion, and, consequently, did not feel its necessity. He thought that religion consisted in becoming good; and this, he was persuaded, he could do whenever he should so determine. And he therefore felt no concern about the matter. But there was an old, infirm lady, who, though she had once lived in affluence, was now, through the profligacy of a bad husband, reduced to poverty and dependence, and occupied the situation of a superintendent of the nursery in the family in which the writer was a teacher.

One of these vacant Sabbaths, when we were at a loss how to dispose of the lingering hours, she brought her book into the parlour, and requested me to read to the family, and pointed out the part which she wished read. It was a part of the discourses on the text, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock,' etc. I took the book with reluctance, and read until I came to the word 'stand,' on which the author expatiates on the long-suffering and patience of Christ in waiting so long on sinners, while they pay no attention to his calls. This discourse impressed my mind in a manner it never had been before; and I was so affected with the truth that I was unable to proceed, but making an apology, closed the book and sought a place of retirement, where I wept profusely. And this was the commencement of impressions which were never entirely effaced. From this time secret prayer, before neglected, was frequently engaged in; and although I had no idea that I was converted until months after these first impressions, yet from this time my views in regard to religion were entirely changed. I now found a pleasure in reading out of Flavel to the good old lady, and even borrowed the book to peruse it alone; so that my first practical knowledge of the nature and evidences of true religion were derived from this excellent author."

In 1788, the congregations in Virginia, south of the James river and east of the Blue Ridge, were visited by a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit of God. In this state of things, the Rev. William Graham, Rector of Liberty-Hall Academy, complied with an invitation from President Smith, and in the month of August, 1789, made a visit to Prince Edward, to attend a communion season in the Briery congregation.* He brought some of his young students with him, hoping that, in the midst of the revival, they too might receive the grace of God. His hopes were not in vain. Dr. Alexander was one of that young company; and he himself gives the following incidents of the visit:

"The sermon of Mr. Graham on the text 'Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,' &c., was the first sermon which he preached on his first visit to Prince Edward, when I accompanied him. It was preached at Briery, immediately after the administration of the sacrament; and Dr. Smith said to me that he had never heard more than one sermon which he liked as well, and that one was preached by the Rev. James Mitchell. I did not hear the first part of this

For this and other interesting facts in this sketch, I am indebted to Dr. Foote's History of Virginia—an invaluable work.

discourse, for there being a prospect of rain, the communion was administered in the house, and the non-professors, to which number I belonged, were requested to remain under the arbour and hear sermons from the Rev. Nash Legrand and the Rev. Samuel Houston. But the rain came on and drove us into the house, as many as could press in. I remember the peculiarly solemn appearance of the congregation when I entered the house. The speaker was then addressing such as were not the people of God, and he commenced every paragraph with-O comfortless ye!"*

It was during this revival that Archibald Alexander, then in the eighteenth year of his age, became the subject of divine grace. He returned home, glorifying God. Mr. Graham, on his way back, preached at Lexington; and after the sermon, called upon two young men, one of whom was A. A., to lead in prayer. The effect on the congregation was electric. The sight of a pious young man had been rare, of late years, in Lexington; and to hear an address to the throne of grace in public, under so solemn circumstances, had a melting effect upon many minds. A revival took place which extended to almost every Presbyterian congregation in the Valley of Virginia. It is delightful thus to trace the providence of God in the conversion of this great man, and to learn that he was born again in the fervour of one of the purest religious awakenings that has ever blessed our Zion, and that he was early made an instrument to promote its extension.

A number of educated young men were among the converts, who now turned their attention to studies preparatory for the ministry. Mr. Graham took charge of this first class of theological students ever formed in Virginia. Archibald Alexander was in that class.

On Oct. 1st, 1791, he was licensed to preach the gospel, at the age of 19. There is a tradition that he was very reluctant to assume the responsibilities of the ministerial office at so early an age; but Mr. Graham and others of the Presbytery, were so earnest in favour of the measure, that his own scruples were overcome. His trial sermon before the Presbytery, the text having been given, as is said, by Mr. Graham, was, "But the Lord said unto me, say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."-Jer. i. 7.

Mr. Graham was sitting in the pulpit watching the progress of the sermon with intense interest, and from the time the young preacher, who was his favourite pupil, began to warm in his subject until the close, the old prophet's face was bathed in tears. During the recess of the Presbytery, Mr. Graham remarked to a little circle in the grove, with much emotion, as follows: "I have prayed most earnestly to God for the conversion of that young man, and I have lived to see it. And I have prayed earnestly that he might become a minister of the gospel; I have lived to be his instructor in theology, and he will soon be licensed to preach. I am now satisfied to leave the

Foote's Hist., 466, 7.

world at any time, for I feel that I have not lived altogether in vain."*

Dr. Alexander commenced his ministerial life as a missionary. The General Assembly having directed each of the Synods to recommend "two members well qualified to be employed in missions on our frontiers, for the purpose of organizing churches, administering ordinances, ordaining elders," &c., the commission of the Synod of Virginia, composed of four ministers and four elders, of whom the Rev. Wm. Graham and John Blair Smith were two, on April 9th, 1792, "elected Mr. Archibald Alexander, a probationer under the care of Lexington Presbytery, to the office of missionary."†

This missionary tour had a decisive influence upon Dr. Alexander in cultivating that free, sparkling, colloquial style of preaching, for which he was so eminent; in enlarging his acquaintance with men and things; and in enlisting his sympathies for those who were destitute of the means of grace, and who needed missionaries to break to them the bread of life. An interesting anecdote is told of him whilst engaged in missionary service. Owing to a mistake in giving notice, he once reached a church and found no hearers, except the family with whom he had lodged the previous night. He preached to them, and not in vain. One of them was converted, became a mother in Israel, and reared a large family, of whom one is now a minister of Christ. How much good the youthful missionary did and received, can never be known on earth.

In November, 1792, the Rev. Drury Lacy, Vice-President of Hampden Sidney College, proposed to the trustees to associate with him in the institution, with equal authority and emoluments, Mr. Alexander, then only twenty years of age, and in order to secure a support, suggested the union of several neighbouring congregations under their united charge. Accordingly, in 1793, a call was presented to the young licentiate to become associate pastor, with the Rev. Drury Lacy, of the congregations of Cumberland, Briery, Buffalo, and Cub Creek. Mr. Alexander, though not prepared to accept the call, consented nevertheless to supply the pulpit for a season.

On the 7th of June, 1794, the Presbytery of Hanover proceeded to ordain Archibald Alexander to the work of the gospel ministry, as an evangelist. Mr. Alexander preached from John xvii. 17; "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." Mr. Lacy delivered the ordination sermon from Col. iv. 17; "And say to Ar

*The above anecdote was furnished by the Rev. William Brown, pastor of the Augusta Church, Va., in which Dr. Alexander preached his sermon for licensure. His authority is "Dr. James Allen, an elder of my church, who died four years ago, in the 84th year of his age."-Dr. Alexander's licensure took place a few days after in Winchester, during the meeting of Synod.

The first tour assigned these missionaries was "Mr. Alexander and Mr. Grigsby to itinerate in company through Amelia, Prince Edward, Nottoway, and Amelia to Petersburg; then Mr. Grigsby through Lancaster, Prince William, Fauquier, and Loudon; and Mr. Alexander through Nottoway, Lunenburg, Mechlenburg, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Franklin, Henry, and Patrick. [See the map.] In 1834, the writer took a missionary tour through the five last counties, (excepting Franklin,) and the tradition of the labours of Presbyterian missionaries in the olden time was yet current.-Ed.

Dr. Foote's Virginia, 498.

chippus, take heed to the ministry, which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it." Mr. McRobert delivered the charge.

At the meeting of Presbytery, October 22d, 1794, "a call was presented from the united congregations of Briery and Cub Creek, for the Rev. Archibald Alexander to take the pastoral charge of said congregations. Which call being read and presented to him by the Moderator, was accepted." It seems that the arrangement with Mr. Lacy did not continue long; as the funds of the college were not sufficient to authorize it. In 1796, Mr. Lacy having resigned his connexion with the college, the offer of the Presidency was made to Archibald Alexander, at that time 25 years old. He was installed the following year, and alternated with Mr. Lacy in Briery, College, and Cumberland. This arrangement continued till 1806.

We must here mention that in 1796, Mr. Alexander was sent to the General Assembly, in Philadelphia; and so great was his fame as a preacher, that the Pine Street Church gave him a call to succeed the celebrated John Blair Smith, who had accepted the Presidency of Union College. This call was declined. The popularity of Mr. Alexander's ministry was great with all classes, high and low. The most intelligent persons in Virginia, and in Philadelphia, wherever he preached, were edified and delighted by his ministrations, whilst in his native State, he was the admiration of the coloured people, who flocked in crowds to hear him.

His Presidency in Hampden Sidney formed an era in that institution. Commencing his administration when the college was at its lowest point of depression, he was permitted to see it rise to its highest prosperity. It is said that the institution never had as many students as during his administration. The celebrated John H. Rice and Conrad Speece were tutors at this time. Dr. Alexander displayed great tact in managing young men. He had unbounded influence over them; and though perfectly mild and retiring in manners, he seemed born to command. The eagle quickness of his eye, and the calm confidence of his spirit were always elements of power in his intercourse with students.

In 1801, the young President was again sent to the General Assembly. His health had begun to decline under his arduous duties, and relaxation was resorted to as the only hope. The Assembly of 1801 passed the famous Plan of Union; and Dr. Alexander, being a delegate to Connecticut, was also present when it passed the Connecticut Association.* His journey through New England must have been one of remarkable interest. Dr. Sprague, of Albany, records the following incident, as one with which "he was familiar from childhood." "In the parish of Columbia, Connecticut, there was an extensive revival of religion about the beginning of this century, and Mr. Brockway, the pastor of the church, had, on one occasion, appointed a lecture at the meeting house, to be held early

During the last summer, we wrote to Dr. Alexander, as the only surviving member of the Assembly of 1801, for an account of the proceedings about the Plan of Union. He was kind enough to honour us with a very interesting reply.-Ed.