The Life of Rev William Tennent

aa^
LIFE
OF THE
REV. WILLIAM TENNENT,

FORMERLY PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT FREEHOLD, IN NEW JERSEY. IN WHICH IS CONTAINED, AMONO OTHER INTERESTING PARTICULARS,
AN ACCOUNT OF HIS BEING
THREE DAYS
IN A
TRANCE,
AND APPARENTLY LIFELESS.
NEW YORK:
ROBERT CARTER.
58
56
AND PITTSBURG,
CANAL STREET, MARKET ST.
]847.
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LIFE
/
'
OF THE
REV. WILLIAM TENNENT.
CHAPTER
Among
eration
I.
the duties
to
owes
it,
which every genthose which are to

reckon the careful
succeed
we may
dehneation of the characters of those
whose example deserves, and may

vite, imitation.
in-
Example
and
speaks louder
re-
than precept
ligion has
living, practical
much
greater
effect
on
mankind than argument

Hence, the
lives of pious
or eloquence.
men become
the most important sources of instruction
and warning
to
posterity; while
4
their
LIFE OF THE
exemplary conduct affords the best commentary on the rehgion they

professed.
But when such men have
been remarkably favored of God, with

an unusual degree of light and knowledge, and have been honored by the
special and extraordinary influences of
his Spirit,
and by the most manifest and wonderful interpositions of Divine

it
Providence in their behalf,

a duty of more than
tion,
becomes
common obhgato
to
hand down
posterity the
principal events of their lives, together
with such useful inferences as they

naturally suggest.
neglect of this
duty, even
scious of the
by persons who may be conwant of abilities necesis
sary for the complete biographer,

greatly culpable
;
for
if
the strictest
REV. W. TENNENT.
attention be paid to the truth of the

facts related,
and
all
exaggeration or
partial representation
be carefully avoid-
ed, the
want
for
of other furniture can be
no excuse
burying in oblivion that

if
conduct, v^rhich,
known, might edify
and benefit the world.
The
writer of these
memoirs has
en-
difficulties of
a peculiar kind to
counter, in attempting to
life
sketch the
of that modest, humble, and worthy

actions, exercises,
man, whose
and sen-
timents he wishes to record.
Worldly men, who are emulous to transmit their names to following ages, take care to
leave such materials for the future historian,
as
may
secure the celebrity
which they seek.

follower of the
But the humble

Jesus,
meek and lowly
fff'.
LIFE OF THE
sole
whose
aim
is
the glory of God, in
the welfare of immortal souls, goes on,
from day
to day,
"as seeing
Him who
is invisible,"
careful to approve himself
only to the Searcher of hearts, regardless of worldly
fame or
distinction,
and
leaving
it
to his
heavenly Father
in the
to refinal
ward him openly,

account.
life
day of
The
writer of such a man's
must principally rely on a personal acquaintance with him, and the com-
munications of his intimate friends, for

the information
which
shall
ed
to the
it
public.
is
In these
be impartcircum-
stances,
if
peculiarly embarrassing
some
of the facts to be recorded are

it is
of such a nature, that

j
most desira-
ble to have their authenticity so fully

'
established,
that
incredulity shall be
REV. W. TENNENT.
confounded, and the sneer of the sceptical
and profane lose
its
effect.
But
the writer of the following narrative,
though placed in these circumstances, and having such facts to detail, has
nevertheless
determined
to
proceed.
He
own
has
refreshed
and corrected his
recollection,
by the most careful
inquiries that he could possibly
make
of
others, until he
is
well assured that
what he shall
state is incontestable truth.
From
do
the very nature of several things of which an account will be given, they
not, indeed,
admit of any other di-
rect testimony than that of the remark-
able
if
man
to
whom
was
they relate.
But
there ever
to
a person
who
deserv-
ed
be believed unreservedly on his

it
own word,
was
he.
He
possessed
LIFE OF THE
soul,
an integrity of
and a soundness of
judgment, which did actually secure him an unlimited confidence from all who
knew
him.
Every species of decepand exaggeration he ab-
tion, falsehood,
horred and scorned.

ite, indeed, in
He was an Israelthere
whom
was no guile.
been
With such materials,
then, as have
mentioned, and for a work of such a

character as has been hinted, the writer
has undertaken his task.
He
has
undertaken what he would most gladly
have resigned to an abler hand; but from which, as no other offered, he

dared not withhold his own.
He
could
wish that speculative and even unbelieving minds might be instructed and
convinced by these memoirs.
principal object, and that in
But
his
which he
REV. W. TENNENT.
trusts
he shall not be entirely disapis to direct, assist,
pointed,
and comfort
pious souls,
groaning under the pres-
sure of the calamities which they often
have
to
endure
in
their
pilgrimage
this
through the wilderness of
world
10
LIFE OF THE
CHAPTER
The
mouth,
late
II.
Rev. William Tennent,
of Freehold, in the county of

in the State of
Monof
New Jersey,
whom we
write,
was
the second son
of the Rev. William Tennent, minister
of the Gospel at Neshaminy, in
Bucks
county, in the
State of Pennsylvania.
This
last
gentleman was originally a
minister of the
Church of England, in the then kingdom of Ireland, where he
was born and received
his education.
He
was chaplain
to
an Irish nobleman,
( but being
conscientiously scrupulous
of conforming to the terms
imposed on
REV. W. TENNENT.
the clergy of that kingdom, he
11
was de-
prived of his living. acquainted with the
He now became
famous
Gilbert
Kennedy, of ister, who had

for his
after
a Presbyterian min-
been persecuted and soon religious principles,

also
married his daughter.

continue at
Finding
it
difficult to
home with any

and
of usefulness, satisfactory degree

his family increasing, after a
few years
\
he determined
to
emigrate to America,
to
where he was encouraged

as the prospect of being
hope
for
a greater liberty of conscience, as well
employed
in
in
extending the Redeemer's

that
kingdom
new
world.
He
arrived at Phila-
delphia in the
summer
of 1718, with
his wife, four sons,
and one daughter.
His sons were,
Gilbert,
who was
after-
'
12
LIFE OF THE
the second Presby;
ward the pastor of

terian
church in Philadelphia
Wil;
liam, the subject of these
memoirs
John,
who became
pastor of the church

at the
at Freehold,
and died
;
age
of
twenty-five years
and Charles,
the
after-
ward
church
minister
at
of
Presbyterian
Whiteclay Creek, whence he

to
removed
land.
Buckingham,
in
Maryon his
at
William Tennent, the

first
father,
comTng
to
America,
settled
East Chester,
in the then province of
New
York, and afterward removed to

In a
short
Bedford.
called to
nia,
time
in
he was
Pennsylvaand preached at Bensalem and Smithfield but soon after settled per:
Bucks county,
manently
at
Neshaminy,
in the
same
REV. W. TENNENT.
county.
13
the Latin
it
Being
skilled in
language, so as to speak and write
<^
almost as well as his mother tongue, a
good proficient also in the other learned languages, and well read in divinity,
he determined
to set
up a school
for
the instruction of youth, particularly of
those designed for the Gospel ministry,

as the best service he could render to
newly adopted country education being then at a very low ebb.
God and
his
There appeared,
a very
in his apprehension,
large field for the
propagation
of the Gospel, could a sufiicient
numfor so
ber of faithful laborers be found

great a harvest.
learned ministry,
he well knew, was necessary to the sure foundation of the church of Christ,
especially in a
new
country, so pecu-
14
liarly
LIFE OF
THE
exposed
to
every invader, and
where the enemy might so successfully
sow
tares
among
the wheat.
In pur-
suance of this design he established an
academy, and
built
a house,
of the
since
known by
lege.
the
name
Log
in
Col-
Soon
county,
the
after
his
arrival
Bucks
on
full
consideration, he left
Church
of England, and, to enlarge
his sphere of usefulness, determined to
join
AcPresbyterian church. he to the cordingly applied synod of

the
Philadelphia for
admission into their
communion
and, on due examination,
and complying with their stated rules, he was very cordially received. At
the
first
meeting of the synod

addressed
that
after-
ward, he
venerable
REV. W. TENNENT.
15
body in an elegant Latin oration, which added greatly to his celebrity, and increased the hopes of his friends as to
the success of the institution he
had
founded.
To
erect and support such
an important seminary of learning, out

of his
own
private purse, at that early
period, in a
new
country just rising

to de-
from a savage wilderness, and
vote himself to so severe a service in

addition to his pastoral charge,
was a
at this
boon
to
his
generation,
that,
day, cannot be easily nor sufficiently

appreciated.
His expectations,
in a
few years,
In this
were more than
realized.
m-
stitution, the principal
men
of the day,
and many of the Presbyterian clergy were educated, and added greatly to
16
the
LIFE OF THE
increase and usefulness of their
churches.
^
The late Rev. Messrs. Row-
land,
Campbell, Lawrence, Beatty, Robinson, and Sam'l. Blair, with manyothers,
pupils,
were among the number of his and thought themselves hon-
ored by being considered as sons of this
humble seminary.
were prepared
vices.
Here
also his
own
four sons received their education, and

for their important ser-
Had
these been the only fruits
\of
that infant
have reason
to rejoice,
academy, America would and to render
thanks to that
God who
directed this
gentleman to visit her shores. His second son, William, who

subject of these sketches,
is
the
was born on
the third day of June,
1705, in the
county of Antrim in Ireland, and was
REV. W. TENNENT.
just turned of thirteen years
17
when he
arrived in America.
self with
He
appUed him-
much
zeal and industry to his
studies,
and made great proficiency in
the languages, particularly in the Latin.
Being early impressed with a deep

sense of divine things, he soon deter-
mined
to
follow the
example of
his
father and elder brother,
by devoting
His brother
pastoral
himself to the service of God, in the

ministry of the Gospel.
Gilbert
being
called
to the at
charge of the church

wick, in
New
Bruns-
Jersey, and making a very considerable figure as a useful and popular preacher, William determined,
as he had completed his course in the
New
languages, to study divinity under his

brother.
Accordingly, he
left his
fa
18
ther's house,
LIFE OF THE
with his consent and by

to
his advice,
and went
New
Bruns-
wick.
At
his departure
as
from home,
his' setting
which was considered
out in hfe, his father addressed him'
with great affection, commending him

to the favor
from
whom
in all
and protection of that God he himself had received so

directed
much mercy, and who had

him
his
migrations.
He
as
gave
the
tell-
him
a small
all
sum
of
money
amount of
ing
he could do for him,
him
that if he
behaved well and
did his duty, this

vision for
was an ample proif
him
and
he should act
otherwise, and prove ungrateful to a
kind and gracious God,
it
was
too
much, and more than he deserved.

Thus, with a pittance, and the blessing
REV. W. TENNENT.
19
^
of a pious and affectionate parent, of
more consequence than thousands of

pounds, the young student set out in
the world.
20
LIFE OF THE
CHAPTER
After
III.
a regular course of study in
theology, Mr. Tennent

for his examination
was preparing
by
the Presbytery,
as a candidate for the Gospel ministry.
His intense
application
aifected
his
health, and brought on a pain in his He soon breast, and a slight hectic.
became emaciated, and

like a
at length
was
hving skeleton.
His
life
was
by
now
/
threatened.
He was
the
attended
a physician,
attached to
young man who was

strictest
him by
and
warmest
friendship.
till little
He grew
hopes of
worse
and worse,
left.
life
were
In
this situation his spirits failed
REV. W. TENNENT.
21
him, and he began to entertain dou He was conof his final

happiness.
with his brother, versing one morning of his soul, when state the on Latin,
he fainted and died away.
After the
usual time he was laid out on a board,
according to the
common
practice of
the country, and the neighborhood were invited to attend his funeral on the
next day.
In the evening his physi-
cian and friend returned from a ride

into the country,
and was
afflicted
be-
yond measure
at the
news
of his death.
it
He
could not be persuaded that
was
of certain; and, on being told that one the persons
who had
assisted in laying
out the body thought he had observed
a httle tremor of the flesh under the arm,

although the body was cold and
stiff,
he
22
endeavored
first
LIFE OF THB
to ascertaii?
fact.
He
and
put his
it
own hand
intG
warm water,
at the heart,
to
I
make
felt
as sensible as possible,
then
under the arm, and

felt
and affirmed that he
an unusual
warmth, though no one else could He had the body restored to a warm bed, and insisted that the people who had
been invited
to the funeral,
should b
this th
requested not to attend.
To
brother objected as absurd, the eyes be ing sunk, the lips discolored, and the
whole body cold and

able
stiff.
However,
all
the doctor finally prevailed, and
prob
means were used to discover symp
toms of returning life. But the third day arrived, and no hopes were entertained
of success but
by the
doctor,
who never left him night nor day. Th
REV. W. TENNENT.
23
people were again invited, and assemThe doctor bled to attend the funeral.
still
objected, and at last confined his
request for delay to one hour, then to

half an hour, and, finally, to a quarter
of an hour.
the
He
had discovered that

swollen, and
tongue was much
threatened to crack.
oring to soften
it
He was
it
endeav-
by some emollient
with a feather,
in,
ointment put upon
when
the brother
came
about the
misexpiration of the last period, and

taking what the doctor
was doing
for
an attempt
to
feed him, manifested

said, in a spirited
some resentment, and

and
tone, "It is shameful to be feeding a

lifeless
corpse
;"
insisted,
with ear-
nestness, that the funeral should inamediately proceed.
At
this critical
and
24
LIFE OF THE
the body, to the
all
important moment,
great
alarm and astonishment of

its
present, opened
ful groan,
^
eyes, gave a dread-
death.
and sunk again into apparent This put an end to all thoughts
of burying him, and every effort
was
again employed, in hopes of bringing about a speedy resuscitation. In about
an hour, the eyes again opened, a heavy groan proceeded from the body, and
again
ished.
all
appearance of animation vanlife
In another hour,
seemed
to
return with
more power, and a complete
revival took place, to the great joy of
the family and friends, and to the no
small astonishment and conviction of

\
the very
many who had been ridicuhng

life
the idea of restoring to
a dead body.
in so
Mr. Tennent continued
weak
REV. W. TENNENT.
25
and low a
state for six
weeks, that great

final re-
doubts were entertained of his

covery.
However,
after that period,

faster,
he recovered much
about twelve
but
it
was
months before he was

After he
completely restored.
able to
tice of
was
walk the room, and
to take no-
what passed around him, on a Sunday afternoon, his sister, who had
staid
from church
to attend him,
was
reading in the Bible,

tice of
it,
when he
took no-
and asked her what she had
in her hand.
She answered
the Bible.
that she
replied,
was reading
"
He
What
is
the Bible? I
know
not what
sister so
you mean."
This affected the
much
that she burst into tears, and in-
formed him that he was once well acquainted with

it.
On her reporting
this
26
LIFE OF THE
to the brother,
when he
returned, Mr.
Tennent was found, upon examination,

f
to
be
totally ignorant of
every transac-
tion of his life previous to his sickness.
He could not read a single word, neither

did he
it
seem
to
have an idea of what

as
meant.
As soon
he became ca-
pable of attention, he
was taught
to
read and write, as children are usually taught, and afterward began to learn
the Latin language, under the tuition of his brother.
One
day, as he
was
reciting a lesson in Cornelius Nepos,
he suddenly started, clapped his hand to his head as if something had hurt
him, and made a pause.
His brother
;
asked him what was the matter
he
said he felt a sudden shock in his head,
and
it
now seemed
to
him
as
if
he had
REV. W. TENNENT.
read that book before.
recollection
27
By
degrees his
was
restored, and he could
speak the Latin as fluently as before

his
sickness.
His memory so com-
pletely revived, that he gained a perfect
his
knowledge of the past transactions of life, as if no difficulty had previously

This
event,
at
occurred.
the time,
made
a considerable noise, and afforded
not only matter of serious contemplation to the devout Christian, especially
when connected
this narration,
with what follows in
but furnished a subject
of deep investigation and learned in-
quiry to the real philosopher and curious anatomist.
The
events
writer of these
memoirs was
greatly interested
;
by
these
uncommon
and on a favorable occasion,

4
28
LIFE OF THE
earnestly pressed Mr.
Tennent
for a
minute account of what his views and

apprehensions were, while he lay in
this extraordinary state of
suspended
animation.
He discovered great relucand feelings

at
tance to enter into any explanation of

his perceptions
that
time
to
but being importunately urged

it,
do
he
at length consented,
and
proceeded with a solemnity not to be

described.
*'
While
was conversing with

"
I
brother," said he,

soul,
on the
state of
my my
for
and the fears
had entertained
my
an
future welfare, I found myself, in
instant, in another state of existence,
under the direction of a superior being,
who
ordered
me
to follow
him.
was
not
accordingly wafted along, I
know
REV. W. TENNENT.
29
an
in-
how,
till
beheld
at a distance
effable glory, the impression of
which
on
my
mind
it is
impossible to
commu-
nicate to mortal
reflected on
man.
immediately
thought Well, blessed be God

safe
fears.
at
I
last,
my
happy change, and

!
am
notwithstanding
all
my
saw an innumerable host of
happy beings, surrounding the inexpressible glory, in acts of adoration and

joyous worship; but
I did not see
any
bodily shape or representation in the

glorious
appearance.
I
heard things
unutterable.
heard their songs and
hallelujahs of thanksgiving and praise,
with unspeakable rapture.

unutterable and
applied to
full
I felt joy
I
of glory.
then
my conductor,
the
and requested
;
leave
to join
happy throng
on
30
LIFE OF THE
which he tapped me on the shoulder You must return to the and said,
*
earth.'
This
seemed hke a sword

In an instant I
through
my
heart.
recollect to have seen
my brother standwhich
to
I
ing before me, disputing with the doctor.
The
three days during

lifeless,
peared
seemed
me
to
had apbe not
more than ten
or twenty minutes.
The
idea of returning to this world of sor-
row and
*'
trouble gave
me
such a shock
that I fainted repeatedly."
He
added,
of
Such was
I
the effect on
my
mind
it
what
had seen and heard,
that if
be
possible for a
tirely
human being
to live en-
above the world and the things

for
of
it,
sometime afterward
was
that
person.
The
ravishing sounds
that I
of the
songs and hallelujahs
REV. W. TENNENT.
31
heard, and the very vyrords that were

uttered,
were not out of
my ears, when
All
awake,
for at least three years.
the kingdoms of the earth were in

sight as nothing and vanity; and
my
so
great were
my ideas
of heavenly glory,
in
that nothing
which did not

it,
some
measure
relate to
could
command
my
*
serious attention.*
The
author has been particularly solicitous to
obtain every confirmation of this extraordinary event in the life of Mr. Tennent. He, accordingly,
to have conversed with Mr.

ject.
wrote to every person he could think of, likely Tennent on the sub-
He
received several answers
but the
fol-
lowing
letter,
from the worthy successor of Mr.

his church, will
Tennent in the pastoral charge of answer for the author's purpose

:
"Monmouth, N.
J. Dec. 10, 1805.
"Dear
"
Sir,
I
Agreeably to your request,
now
send you,
I
in writing, this remarkable account
which
some-
time since gave you verbally, respecting your good
32
Is
it
LIFE OF THE
<
not surprising, that after so af-
fecting
an account,
strong solicitude
should have been feU for further infor-
my worthy predecessorj the late Rev. William Tennent, of this place. In a very free and feeling conversation on religion, and on the fufriend,
ture rest and blessedness of the people of God,
(while
travelling
I
together
to
from Monmouth
to
Princeton,)
mentioned
should be
own mouth,
highly gratified an account of the trance which he
Mr. Tennent, that I in hearing from his
was
said to have been in, unless the relation
would be
disagreeable to himself.
After a short silence,
he proceeded, saying, that he had been sick with a fever^that the fever increased, and he by degrees sunk under it. After some time (as his friends
informed him) he died, or appeared to die, in the same manner as persons usually do that in laying
him
one happened to draw his hand under the left arm, and perceived a tremor in the flesh, that he was laid out, and was cold and stiff. The time
out,
for his funeral
lected
was appointed, and the people colbut a young doctor, his particular friend, pleaded with great earnestness that he might not then be buried, as the tremor under the arm con;
tinued
that his brother, Gilbert,
became impa-
REV. W. TENNENT.
33
mation as
of praise
to the words, or the subjects
and adoration,
which Mr.
Tennent had heard.

tient with the
But when he was

to him,
stiff
" What
man
young gentleman, and said not dead who is cold and
as
a stake ?"
The importunate young
friend,
how-
ever, prevailed ; another day was appointed for the burial, and the people separated. During this interval many means were made use of to dis-
cover,
if
possible,
some symptoms of
life
but
none appeared excepting the tremor. The doctor never left him for three nights and three days.
The
people met again to bury
him
but could not,
even then, obtain the consent of his friend, who and, when that was pleaded for one hour more gone, he pleaded for half an hour, and then for a
;
quarter of an hour
when, just
at the close of this
Mr. period, on which hung his last hope, They then pried opened his eyes.
Tennent
open
his
mouth, which was stiff, so as to get a quill into it, through which some liquid was conveyed into the stomach, and he by degrees recovered.
*'
This account, as intimated before, Mr. TenI said

'
nent said he had received from his friends.

to hira,
Sir,
you seem
to
be one indeed raised

us what
it is
from the dead, and
may
tell
to die,
34
LIFE OF THE
gave
will
requested to communicate these, he " a decided

negative, adding,
You
know them, with many

'
other par-
and what you were sensible of while in that state.' He replied in the following words As to dying
: ;
I found
my
fever increase, and I
became weaker
and weaker, until all at once, I found myself in I saw no shape as to the heaven, as I thought. Here he pausDeity, but glory all unutterable !' ed, as though unable to find words to express his views, let his bridle fall, and lifting up his
I can say, as St. Paul did, I hands, proceeded, heard and I saw things all unutterable. I saw a
'
great multitude before this glory, apparently in the height of bliss, singing most melodiously. I
was transported with

all
my
troubles ended, and
my own my
situation,
viewing
glory be-
rest and
gun, and was about to join the great and happy multitude, when one came to me, looked me full in the face, laid his hands upon my shoulder, and
said,
'You must go
back.'
These words went

have shocked
I
through
me
I
nothing could
me
more
I
cried out. Lord,
must
go back
With
this shock,
opened
in this
saw
was
my eyes in this world. When world I fainted, then came to,

probably
and fainted
for
several times, as one
REV. W. TENNENT.
ticulars, hereafter, as
35
you
will find the
whole among
my
papers
;"
alluding to
his intention of leaving the writer here-
would naturally have done

tion.
'*
in so
week a
situa-
Mr. Tennent further informed me, that he

lost the recollection
had so entirely
life,
of his past
and the benefit of his former studies, that he could neither understand what was spoken to him, he had to benor write, nor read his own name
;
gin all anew; and did not recollect that he had ever read before, until he had again learned his
letters,
bles,
and was able to pronounce the monosyllasuch as thee and thou. But, that as his
memory
strength returned, which was very slowly, his also returned. Yet, notwithstanding the
his situation, his recollection
extreme feebleness of
of what he
in heaven, as he supposed, and the sense of divine things which he there obtained, continued all the time in their full
saw and heard while
like
strength, so that he was continually in something ' ' an ecstasy of mind. And,' said he, for three
years,
the
sense
of divine things continued so
great, and every thing else appeared so completely vain, when compared to heaven, that could I have
had the world
for stooping down for it, " should not have thought of doing it.'
I believe I
36
LIFE OF THE
of his executor, which precluded any

further sohcitation.*
to
The pious and candid his own reflections on

.
reader
this
is left
very ex-
traordinary occurrence
The facts have
been
*
It
stated,
and they are unquestionin the
was so ordered
course of Divine
Providence, that the writer was sorely disappointed in his expectation of obtaining the papers here
alluded
to.
!
Heaven
Such, however, was the will of Mr. Tennent's death happened during
the revolutionary war, when the enemy separated the writer from him, so as to render it impracticable to attend
him on a dying bed
and before
it
was
possible to get to his house, after his death, (the writer being with the American army at the
Valley Forge,) his son came from Charleston, and took his mother, and his father's papers and About fifty property, and returned to Carolina.
miles from Charleston, the son was suddenly taken and never sick, and died among entire sirangers
;
since,
though the writer was
left
executor to the
son, could any trace of the father's papers be discovered by him.
REV. W. TENNENT.
able.
37
whe-
The
it
writer will only ask,
ther
be contrary
to the revealed truth,
or to reason, to believe, that in every
age of the world instances
like
that
which
is
here recorded have occurred,
to furnish living testimony of the reali-
ty of the invisible world, and of the

infinite
importance of eternal concerns.
38
LIFE OF THE
CHAPTER
As soon
to
IV.
would permit, Mr. Tennent was licensed, and

as circumstances
preach the everlasting gospel with great zeal and success. The
began
death of his brother John,*
who had
been some time

*
settled as minister of
The
following entry, in the records of the
church of Freehold, shows the opinion of that church with regard to Mr. John Tennent's usefulday, April 23, 1732 The Reverend and dear Mr. John Tennent departed this life between eight and nine o'clock this morning. A
ness " Lord's

:
mournful providence, and cause of great humiliation to this poor congregation, to be bereaved, in the flower of youth, of the most laborious, successful, well-qualified, pious pastor this
age
affor-
ded, though but a youth of twenty-five years, five months, and eleven days of age."
REV. W. TENNENT.
39
the Presbyterian church at Freehold, of Monmouth, New Jerin the
county
sey,
left that
congregation in a destitute
state.
They had
experienced so
much
spiritual benefit
from the indefatigable
labors and pious zeal of this able minister
of Jesus Christ, that they soon
turned their attention to his brother,
who was
received on
trial,
and
after
one year, was found
to
be no unwor-
a predethy successor to so excellent

cessor.
In October,
1733, Mr. Ten-
nent was regularly ordained their pastor,
and continued so through the whole

life
of a pretty long
one of
the best
proofs of ministerial fidelity.
Although his salary was small, (it is thought under 100/.) yet the glebe belonging to the church was an excellent
40
LIFE OF THE
he lived, and plantation on wjiich
which
with care and good farming, was capable of maintaining a family with comfort.
But
his inattention to the things
of this world
the
was
so great, that he left
management
of his temporal con-
cerns wholly to a faithful servant in
whom he placed great confidence.
Af-
ter a short time, he found his worldly affairs were becoming embarrassed.
His steward reported to him that he was in debt to the merchant between
20 and
30/.,
and he knew of no means

as the crops had fallen
this to
of payment,
short.
Mr. Tennent mentioned
an intimate friend, a merchant of
New
of
York,
who was on
a visit at his house.

that this
His
life
friend told
him
;
mode
would not do
that be
must get a
REV. W. TENNENT.
wife to attend to his temporal
41
affairs,
and
to
comfort his leisure hours by
conjugal endearments.
the idea,
He
smiled at
it
and assured him

case, unless
for
never
friend
would be the
some
for
would provide one

not
told
him
it.
he
knew
how
him
to
go about
His friend
that
take the business
he was ready to underthat he had a sister;
in-law, one peculiarly suited in
all
res-
pects to his character
and circumstan-
short, that she was the very he ought to look for and if he thing would go with him to New York the
ces
in
next day, he would settle the negotiation for him.
To
this
he soon assented.
The
city,
next evening found
him
in that
after,
and before noon, the day

to
he
was introduced
Mrs. Noble
He
42
LIFE OF THE
was much pleased with her appearance; and, when left alone with her, abruptlytold her, that
he supposed her brother

his errand
;
had informed her of
that
neither his time nor inclination

suffer
would
;
him
to
use
much ceremony
but
that if she approved of the measure, he would attend his charge on the next
sabbath, and return
on Monday,
take
be
hex
married,
and
immediately
home.
and
The
lady with some hesitation

consented, being
difficulty, at last
convinced, that his situation
and
cir
cumstances rendered
in
it
proper.
Thus,
one week, she found herself mistress
She proved a most inmore than valuable treasure to him

of his house.
answering every thing said of her by
an affectionate brother.
She took the
REV. W. TENNENT.
43
care of his temporal concerns upon her,

extricated
him from
debt,
and by a
happy union of prudence and economy,

so
managed
all
his
worldly business
few years his circumstances became easy and comfortable. In a

that in a
word, in her was
literally
fulfilled the
declaration of Solomon, that
"
a virtu-
ous
woman
is
a crown to her husband,
and that her price is far above rubies." Besides several children, who died in
infancy, he had
by her three sons, who attained the age of manhood John,

;
who studied physic, and died in the West Indies, when about thirty-three years of age William, a man of supe;
rior character,
and minister of the Inin
dependent church
Carolina,
Charleston, South
of
who
died the latter end
44
LIFE OF THE
September, or beginning of October, A. D. 1777, about thirty-seven years
and Gilbert, who also practiced physic, and died at Freehold, before
old
;
his
1
father,
aged twenty-eight years.
Few
parents could boast three sons of

or
;
( a
handsome appearance and the father gave them the most liberal education
more manly
that the country
could
afford.
Mr. Tennent's inattention

things continued
till
to earthly
his eldest son
was
him
about three years

out into the
old,
when he
led
fields
on a Lord's day,
after public worship.
The
design of
the walk was
for religious meditation.
As he went
his eyes
along, accidentally casting

child, a
on the
thought sud-
denly struck him, and he asked himself
REV. W. TENNENT.
this
45
in
"
question
Should God
his
providence take
me
hence, what would

its
become
of this child and
mother, for
whom
answer
care to
have never taken any personal make provision ? How can I

this
negligence to
God and
to
them
The
imprppriety of his inatlife,
tention to the relative duties of
which God had

" that he
called
him
to,
and the
consideration of the sacred declaration,
who
does not provide for his

faith,
own
and
household, has denied the

is
worse than an
infidel,"
had such
an impressive effect on his mind, that it almost deprived him of his senses.
He
saw
his conduct,
which before he
from a deep
thought
arose
entirely
sense of divine things, in a point of

light in
which he never before had
46
viewed
it.
LIFE OF THE
He
immediately attempted
to return
distress,
home, but so great was his that it was with difficulty he

;
could get along
till,
all
at once,
he
was
relieved
by
as suddenly recurring
to that text of scripture,
which came
force
:
into his
mind with extraordinary

tribe of Levi,
"
But unto the
Moses
Such, gave not any inheritance." however, was the effect of this unexpected scene on Mr. Tennent's mind and judgment, that ever afterwards he
prudently attended to the temporal business of
life, still,
however, in perfect
things of
subordination to the great

eternity,
that
God was
and became fully convinced to be faithfully served,

relative duties
as well
by discharging
and
fear, as
in his love
by more imme-
REV. W. TENNENT.
diate
acts
47
clearlyits
of devotion.
He
perceived that
every duty had

vsêll
prop;
er time and place, as

that vfe
as motive
had a
right,
and were called
of God, to eat and drink, and to be

and, of course, that properly clothed to procure those taken care should be
;
all things, provided that
be done
to the
glory of
God,
in the duties of a gospel
minister, hov^êver, especially as they
related to his pastoral charge, he
still
fulness
engaged with the utmost zeal and faithand was esteemed by all ranks
;
and degrees, as
far as his labors exten-
ded, as a fervent, useful,

ful
and success-
preacher of the gospel.
His judgment of mankind was such as to give him a marked superiority, in

this respect, over his
contemporaries,
48
LIFE OF THE
in his ministerial
and greatly aided him

functions.
He was
scarcely ever mis-
taken in the character of a

I
man
it
with
whom
for a
he conversed, though
was but
had an independent mind, which was seldom satisfied
few hours.
He
on important subjects without the best evidence that was to be had. His
manner was remarkably impressive

and
his sermons, although
seldom pub-
lished,
were generally delivered with such indescribable power, that he was

and a successful minister
could say
if
truly an able
of the
New Testament. He
things from the
pulpit, which,
said
by almost any other man, would have

been thought a violation of propriety
;
but by him they were delivered in a
manner so peculiar
to himself,
and so
REV. W. TENNENT.
49
extremely impressive, that they seldom

failed to please
and
to instruct.
As an
instance of this, the following anecdote

is
given, of the truth of
which the wri-
ter
was a
witness.
Mr. Tennent was passing through a town in the state of New Jersey, in
which he was a
;
stranger,
and had nev-
er preached and stopping at a friend's house to dine, was informed that it was
a day of fasting and prayer in the congregation, on account of a very remarkable and severe drought,
which
threat-
ened the most dangerous consequences

to the fruits of the earth.
His friend
had
just returned
from church, and the
intermission
was but half an hour.

to preach,
Mr. Tennent was requested
and with great
difficulty consented, as
50
he wished
to
LIFE OF THE
proceed on his journey.
At church the people were surprised

preacher wholly unknown to and them, entirely unexpected, ascend His whole appearance, in the pulpit.
to see a
a travelling dress, covered with dust,
wearing an old-fashioned, large wig,

discolored like his clothes, and a long,
meagre visage, engaged their attention, and excited their curiosity. On his rising up, instead of beginning to pray,
as
was
the usual practice, he looked
around the congregation with a piercing eye and earnest attention, and, after a
minute's profound silence, he addressed
them with great solemnity

lowing words
I
in the
fol!
"
:
My
;
beloved brethren
am
told
you have come here to-day

a very good
to fast
and pray
work
REV. W. TENNENT.
indeed, provided
51
you have come here

desire to glorify
with a sincere
thereby
;
God
but
if
your design
is
merely
to comply with a customary practice,
or with the wish of your church

cers,
offi-
you
are guilty of the greatest fol-
as ly imaginable,
you had much
better
have
staid at
home, and earned your
three shillings and sixpence.*
But
if
your minds are indeed impressed with the solemnity of the occasion, and you
are really desirous of humbling yourselves
before
Almighty
God,
your
heavenly
Father,
come
join with me,

effect
and
so
let
us pray."
This had an
uncommon and
extraordinary
on
the congregation, that the utmost se* At

labor.
that time
the stated price for
day's
52
riousness
LIFE OF THE
was
universally manifested.
The
prayer and the

to
sermon added
already
greatly
the
impressions
to
made, and tended

tion, influence the
rouse the atten
mind,
command
the
the
affections, temper which had been so happily produced. Many had reason to bless God for this
and increase
unexpected visit, and to reckon this day one of the happiest of their lives.*
*
The
writer having requested of the present
Rev. Dr. William M. Tennent, a written account of an anecdote relative to his uncle, which he had
once heard him repeat verbally, received, in reply, the following letter
:
''Abington, Jan. 11, 1806.
"Sir,
"
late
The
anecdote of
my
venerable relative, the
Wm.
ed
me
"
Tennent, of Freehold, which you wishto send you, is as follows

:
During the greatest revival of religion, which took place under the ministry of Mr. Whitfield,
REV. W. TENNENT.
53
in-
While on
this subject,
we may
troduce another anecdote of this wonderful
man,
to
show
the dealings
of
and others distinguished for their piety and zeal at that period, Mr. Tennent was laboriously active,
and much engaged to help forward the work in the performance of which he met with strong and The following is related as powerful temptations.
;
own lips, and may be considered as extraordinary and singularly strikreceived, in substance, from his
ing
"
On
the
to
which was
evening preceding public worship, be attended the next day, he select-
ed a subject for the discourse which was to be delivered, and made some progress in his preparations.
In the morning he resumed the same subject, with an intention to extend his thoughts further on
it,
but
was presently assaulted with
a temptation
that the Bible, which he then held in his hand,
was
not of divine authority, but the invention of man.
He instantly
prayer,
but
endeavored to repel the temptation by his endeavors proved unavailing.
The temptation continued, and fastened upon him with greater strength, as the time advanced for He lost all the thoughts which he public service.
had on
this
subject the preceding evening.
He
54
LIFE OF THE with him, and the deep contem-
God
plations of his mind.
He was
atten-
ding the duties of the Lord's day in

tried other subjects, but could get nothing for the
people.
The whole book
of God, under that disa sealed book to
tressing state of mind,
was
him
and, to add to his affliction, he

I
was
to use his
own
' shut up in prayer.' cloud, dark as that of Egypt, oppressed his mind. " Thus agonized in spirit, he proceeded to the
words,
church, where he found a large congregation assembled, and waiting to hear the word ; and then
it
tressed than ever,
was, he observed, that he was more deeply disund especially for the dishonor
fall
which he feared would
upon
religion,
through
him
that day.
He resolved, however, to attempt the
He introduced it by singing a psalm, service. during which time his agitations increased to the
highest degree.
When
the
moment
for prayer
most perilous and painful situation, and, with arms extended to heaven, began with this outcry, Lord have mer-
commenced, he arose
as one in the
cy upon me !' Upon the utterance of this petition he was heard the thick cloud instantly broke
;
away, and an unspeakable joyful

I
light
shone in
to
upon
his
soul
so that his spirit
seemed
be
REV. W. TENNENT.
his
55
own
where congregation, as usual,
the custom
was
to
have morning and

only
half
evening
service,
with
an
hour's intermission to relieve the attention.
He
and
had preached
in the
morn-
ing,
in the intermission
had walk-
ed into the woods
for meditation, the
he felt as though caught up to the heavens, and he saw God, as Moses did on the Mount, face to with an enlargeface, and was carried forth to him, ment greater than he had ever before experienced,
and on every page of the scriptures saw his diviniThe result was a colors. ty inscribed in brightest whole congredeep solemnity on the face of the
was
full
at the end of the prayer, gation, and the house, He gave them the subject of his a Bochim.
was brought to his evening meditations, which remembrance, with an overflowing abundance The Lord of other weighty and solemn matter.
blfssed the discourse, so that
it
proved the happy
means
This day
of the conversion of about thirty persons. his harhe of, ever afterwards, as
spoke
vest day.
am
yours, with esteem,
WM.
M.
TENNENT."
56
LIFE OF THE
weather being warm.

ing on the infinite
He was reflectof God, as
wisdom
manifested in
all
his works,
and partic-
wonderful method of salularly in the vation, through the death and sufferson. ings of his beloved
This subject mind with such suddenly opened on his a flood of hght, that his views of the
glory,
and the
infinite
majesty of Jeho-
vah were so inexpressibly great, as to overwhelm him, and he fell, entirely

almost
lifeless to the
ground.
When
God
he had revived a
little, all
he could do
was
to raise a fervent prayer that
would withdraw himself from him, or that he must perish under a view of his
inefl"able glory.
When
able to reflect
on
his situation,
he could not but abhor
himself as a
weak and despicable worm,
REV. W. TENNENT.
57
and seemed
to
be overcome with as-
tonishment, that a creature so
unwor-
thy and insufficient, had ever dared to

attempt the instruction of his fellow
men
in the
nature and attributes of so

being.
glorious
Overstaying
his
usual time, some of his elders went in
search of him, and found him prostrate
on the ground, unable
to
rise,
and
in-
capable of informing them of the cause.
They
raised
him
up, and, after

to the
some
time, brought
him
church, and
supported him
to the pulpit,
which he
to
j
ascended on his hands and knees,
\
'
the no small astonishment of the congregation.

siderable
He
remained
silent
a con-
time, earnestly supplicating

(as
Almighty God
to
he told the writer)
hide
himself
from him, that he

n
68
LIFE OE THE
to address his people,
might be enabled
who were by this time lost in wonder to know what had produced this uncommon event. His prayers were
heard, and he
became
able to stand
up
by holding on to the desk. He now began the most affecting and pathetic
address that the congregation had ever
received from him.
He gave a surpris
ing account of the views he had of the

infinite
wisdom
of God, and greatly
deplored his
to
own
incapacity to speak
a Being so infinitely
his
them concering
glorious beyond
scription.
all
powers of de-
He attempted to show some

wisdom
of Jefor
thing of what had been discovered to
him
of the astonishing
it
hovah, of which
was impossible
human
nature to form adequate con-
REV. W. TENNENT.
ceptions.
59
He
then broke out into so
fervent
and expressive a prayer, as

surprise the
greatly to
congregation,
and draw tears from every eye. A sermon followed, that continued the solemn scene, and made very lasting impressions on all the hearers.
>/
60
LIFE OF THE
CHAPTER
The
great
V.
increase
of
communievi-
cants in his church
was a good
dence of his pastoral care and powerful preaching, as it exceeded that of most
churches in the synod.
But
his labors
were not confined
to the
pulpit.
He
was
indefatigable in his
endeavors to
communicate
in private families a sa-
vor of the knowledge of spiritual and

divine things.
In his parochial
to
visits,
he used regularly
go through his
congregation in order, so as to carry

the unsearchable riches
of
Christ to
every house. He earnestly pressed it on the conscience of parents to instruct
REV. W. TENNENT.
r
61
their children at
home by
plain and ea-
sy questions, so as gradually to expand

their
for the reception of the
young minds, and prepare them more practical

In this Mr.
doctrines of the gospel.
Tennent has presented an excellent example

to his brethren in the ministry
it is,
;
for certain
that
more good may

hj
this do-
be done
mestic
in a congregation,
mode
of instruction, than
any
one can imagine

the
this
trial.
who
has not
made
Children and servants are in
way
prepared for the teachings of
the sanctuary, and to reap the full benefit
of the
word
publically preached.
all
He made it
a practice in
these visits
to enforce practical religion
on
all,
high
and low, rich and poor, old and young, master and servant. To this he was
62
LIFE OF THE
it
particularly attentive,
ite
being a favor"that he
could live
observation
v^îth
him,
loved a religion that a

by."
man
Mr. Tennent carefully avoided the

discussion
of
controversial
it
subjects,
unless especially called to

ular circumstances
;
by
partic-
and then he was
ever ready to assign the reason of his

faith.
The
following occurrence will
show
the general state of his
mind and
feelings in regard to such subjects.
couple of
young clergymen,
time
visiting at
his house, entered into a dispute
on the
question, at that
much controvertfaith
ed in
New
England, whether
first in
or
repentance was
conversion of
order
in the
a sinner.
Not being
able to determine the point, they agreed
REV. W. TENNENT.
to
63
make Mr. Tennent their umpire, and

him.
to dispute the subject before
He
accepted the proposal, and after a so-
lemn debate
for
some
time, his opinion
being asked, he very gravely took his

of his pipe from his mouth, looking out
window, pointed
a
hill
ploughing on at some distance, and asked the

to a
if
man
young clergymen
they
knew
that
man
tive,
on their answering negahe told them it was one of his elin the
ders,
who
to
his full conviction,

for
had
been a sincere Christian

"
thirty years.
more than
Mr. Ten-
Now,"
said
" ask him whether faith or nent, repentance
came
first,
what do you think he

said they could
would say?"
not
tell
tell.
They
"Then," says
:
he,
"I
will
you
he would say that he cared
64
not which
LIFE OF THE
came
first,
but that he had
Now, my friends," he got them both. " be careful that you have both added,
a true faith and a sincere repentence,
and do not be gready troubled which comes first." It is not, however, to be

supposed
by
this
that
Mr. Tennent
was unfriendly
doctrines.
to a
deep and accurate
examination of all important theological
There were few more
ear-
nest than he, to have
young clergymen
well instructed and thoroughly furnish-
ed for their work.
This, indeed,
was
an object on which his heart was much set, and which he exerted himself greatly to promote.
Mr. Tennent was remarkably

particular circumstances and
dis-
tinguished for a pointed attention to the

situation
REV. W. TENNENT.
65
of the afflicted either in body or mind,
and would
visit
them with
as
much
care and attention as a physician, and

frequently, indeed, proved an able one,
to both
body and
soul.
But
his great-
est talent
was
that of a
in
peacemaker,
which he possessed
so eminent a
degree, that probably none have ex-
ceeded, and very few have equalled
him
in
it.
He was
sent for far and

diffi:
near, to settle disputes, and heal

culties,
which arose
in congregations
and, happily for those
concerned, he
;
was generally successful indeed, he would seldom relinquish his object till
he had accomplished it. But while this man of
God was
in
thus
successful in promoting the interest of

his fellow creatures,
and
advancing
66
LIFE OF THE
Lord and Master, the great enemy of mankind was not hkely
the glory of his
to observe the destruction of his kinsf-
dom
vent
without making an
it.
effort
to
pre-
As he
and
assailed our blessed
Saviour, in the days of his flesh, with

all
his art
all
his power, so has
he
always made the faithful the Redeemer the objects

rate malice.
If the
followers of
of his invete-
good man, of whom
we
write,
was
greatly honored
by pe-
culiar
communications from on high,
he was also very often the subject of

the severe buffetings of that malignant
and
fallen spirit.
The
time
of
which we are now
speaking was remarkable for a great revival of religion,* in which Mr. Ten*
It
was not
far
from A. D. 1774.
REV. W. TENNENT.
nent was
67
considerably instrumental,
and
which a Mr. David Rowland, brought up with Mr. Tennent at the

in
Log- College, was

ranks
of
also very remarka-
ble for his successful preaching

all
among
as
people.
Possessing a
as
commanding eloquence,
other estimable qualities,
well
he became
celebrated
very popular, and was
much
throughout the country. His celebrity uid success were subjects of very serious regret to
lings,
many
careless world-
who
placed
all their
happiness in
the enjoyment of temporal objects, and
considered and represented Mr.
Row-
land and his brethren as fanatics and

hypocrites.
plicable to
This was especially ap-
many
of the great
men
of
the then province of
New
Jersey, and
68
LIFE OF THE
particularly to the Chief Justice,
who
time
was well known

revelation.
for his disbelief of

at
this
There was
prowling through the country, a noted
man, by the name

knowledge
and
of
Tom Bell,
who
whose
were
understanding
very considerable, and
greatly ex-
celled in low art and cunning.
His
mind was totally debased, and his whole

conduct betrayed a soul capable of de-
scending to every species of iniquity. In all the arts of theft, robbery, fraud,
deception, and defamation, he
was so
deeply
skilled,
it
ticed, that
and so thoroughly pracis believed that he never

in
this
had
his
equal
country.
He
had been indicted
in
almost every one

;
of the middle colonies
but his inge-
nuity and cunning always enabled him
REV. W. TENNENT.
to escape punishment.
69
This
man
un-
happily resembled Mr. Rowland
in his
external appearance, so as hardly to be
known from him without

ful examination.
It so
the
most care-
happened, that
Tom
Bell arri-
ved one evening
at a tavern in
Prince-
ton, dressed in a parson's dark grey
frock.
On
his
entering
the
tavern
about dusk, the late
John Stockton,
Esq., of that town, a pious and respectable man, to
whom
Mr. Rowland was
well known, went up to Bell, and ad-
dressed him asMr. Rowland, and was

inviting
him
to
go home with him.

of
his mistake.
It
Bell assured
him
was with some
difficulty
that
Mr.
Stockton acknowledged his error, and

then informed Bell, that
it
had arisen
70
from
his
LIFE OF THE
great
resemblance to Mr.
sufficient
Rowland.
This hint was
for the prolific genius of that notorious
impostor.
into the
The
next day
Bell
went
county of Hunterdon, and stop-
ped
in a congregation
where Mr. Row-
land had formerly preached once or

twice, but
known.
where he was not intimately Here he met with a member
of the congregation, to
whom
to
he
intro-
duced himself as the Rev. Mr. Rowland,
who had preached

him
them some
time before.
ately invited
This gentleman immedito hishouse to
spend
the
ple
:
week and begged him,

;
as the peo-
were without a
minister, to preach
for
them on
the next sabbath, to
which
Bell agreed, and notice

ly given in the
was according-
neighborhood.
The
REV. W. TENNENT.
71
impostor was treated with every mark

of attention and respect
;
and a private
as a study,
room was assigned
to
him
to prepare for the sabbath.
The
sa-
cred day arrived, and he was invited to

ride to church with the ladies
in the
family wagon, and the master of the house accompanied them on an ele-
gant horse.
When
they had arrived
near the church, Bell, on a sudden, dis-
covered that he had
left his
notes in his
study, and proposed to ride back for them on the fine horse, by which means
he should be able
the
service.
to return in time for

in-
This proposal was
stantly agreed to,
and Bell mounted the

to
horse,
returned
the
house,
rifled
the desk of his host, and
made
he
off
with
the
horse.
Wherever
stopped.
72
he
called
LIFE OF THE
himself
the
Rev.
David
Rovi^land.
At
the time this event took place,
Messrs.
Tennent and Rov^rland had

or Maryland,
gone
into Pennsylvania,
with Mr. Joshua Anderson and Mr.
Benjamin Stevens, (both members of a church contiguous to that where Bell
had practiced
his fraud,)
on business
after their
of a religious nature.
Soon
return, Mr. Rowland was charged with
the above robbery
he gave bonds to
appear
at
the
court of Trenton, and
the affair
made
a great noise through-
out the colony.
At the Court of Oyer
and Terminer, the judge charged the grand jury on the subject with great
severity.
After a long consideration,

court
the jury returned into
without
REV. W. TENNENT.
finding a
bill.
73
them
in an
judge reproved angry manner, and order-
The
ed them out again.
They
again re-
turned without finding a bill, and weve again sent out with threatnings of severe punishment,
their
refusal.
if
they persisted in
last
they agreed, brought in a bill for the alledged crime. On the trial, Messrs. Tennent, Anderson,
At
and Stevens appeared as witnesses

fully
and
proved an alibi
in
favor of
Mr. Rowland, by swearing, that on the very day on which the robbery was
committed, they were with Mr.
land,
RowPenn/
and heard him preach
in
sylvania or Maryland.
The
jury ac
hesi-
cordingly acquitted him without

tation, to the great
disappointment and
prosecutors,
mortification of his
and
74
of
LIFE OF THE
many
other enemies to the great re-
vival of rehgion that
had recently
ta-
ken place
but to the great joy of the
serious and well disposed.
The
spirits hostile
to the
spread of
the gospel were not, however, so easily
overcome.
In their view, an opportu-
nity was now presented, favorable for inflicting a deep wound on the cause
of Christianity
and, as
if
urged on
by
the malice of man's great enemy,
they resolved that no means should be

left untried,
no
art
unemployed,
for the
destruction of tliosedistinguished servants
of God.
Many and
various were the

still
circumstances which
to inspire
contributed
of success.
them with hopes
The
testimony of the person

positive
who had
that
been robbed, was
Mr.
REV. W. TENNENT.
75
this tes-
Rowland was
number
the robber
and
timony was corroborated by that of a

of individuals
who had seen
Tom
Bell personating Mr. Rowland,
using his name, and in possession of

the horse.
These sons of Behal had

used for
evi-
been
able, after great industry
the purpose, to collect a
mass of
dence of
ered as
which they considestablishing the fact but Mr.

this kind,
;
Rowland was now

by the
out of their
power
Their
verdict of not guilty.

therefore,
vengeance,
was
directed
testi-
against the witnesses
by whose
;
mony he had been
cleared
and they
were accordingly arraigned
for perjury,
before the court of quarter sessions in
the county
and the grand jury receiv-
ed a
strict
charge, the plain import of
76
LIFE OF THE
that these
which was,
to
good men ought
be indicted.
After an examination
side only, as
of the testimony on one

is
the custom in such cases, the grand jury did accordingly find bills of indict-
ment
against Messrs. Tennent, Ander-
son and Stevens, for willful and corrupt Their enemies, and the eneperjury.
mies of the gospel, now began
to tri-
umph.
They
gloried in the belief, that
an indelible
stain
would be
fixed
on
the professors of religion, and, of con-
sequence, on religion
this
itself;
and that
new
all
light,
nated
by which they denomiappearance of piety, would
soon be extinguished forever.
These indictments were removed

the supreme court
;
to
and poor Mr. An-
derson, hving in the county, and con
REV. W. TENNENT.
77
scious of his entire innocence, could
not brook the idea of laying under the
odium
of the hateful crime of perjury,

trial at
and demanded a
the
first
court
This proved of Oyer and Terminer. most seriously injurious to him for
;
he was pronounced
guilty,
and most
cruelly and unjustly condemned to stand one hour on the court house
steps,
with
paper
on his breast,
letters,
whereon was
" This
jury,"
is
written, in large
for willful
and corrupt per-
which sentence was executed
upon him.
Messrs. Tennent and Stevens were
summoned to appear at the next court ; and attended accordingly, depending on the aid of Mr. John Coxe, an eminent lawyer,
who had been
previously
78
LIFE OF THE
employed to conduct their defence. As Mr. Tennent was wholly unacquainted with the nature of forensic
liti-
gation, and did not know of any person
living
(all
who
could prove his innocence,
the persons
who were
to
with him
being indicted,) his only resource and

consolation
was
commit himself
if
to
the divine will, and,
he must
suffer, to
take
it
as
if
from the hand of God,
who
he well knew, could make even the wrath of man to praise him ;* and, considering
suffer,
as probable that he might he had prepared a sermon, to

it
be preached from the

should be his
fate.
pillory,
if
that
On
his arrival at
* His affectionate congregation felt deeply in-
terested in his critical situation, and kept a day of fasting and prayer on the occasion.
REV. W. TENNENT. Trenton,
79
Mr.
he found the famous
Smith of
New
York, father of the late

one
of
chief-justice
of Canada,
the
ablest lawyers in America, and of a religious character,
who had
voluntarily
;
attended to aid in his defence

brother Gilbert,
also his
settled
who was now
in the pastoral charge of the second
Presbyterian church in Philadelphia,
and who had brouglit Mr. John Kinsey,

one of the
for the
first
counselors of that city,
same purpose. Messrs. Tennent and Stevens met

Coxe's
the
these gentlemen at Mr.
morning before the

on.
trial
was
to
come
they
Mr.
Coxe requested
that
would bring their witnesses, that they might examine them previously to their
going into
court.
Mr.
Tennent an-
80
LIFE OF THE
swered, that he did not

witnesses but
science.
know
"
of any
Mr. Coxe
God and
his
own
If
con-
rephed,
sir,
have no witnesses,
the
trial
you must
be put
ly will
off;
otherwise you most certain-
be convicted.
testimony
You
wêll
know
be
the
strong
that
will
brought against you, and the exertions

that
are
making
to
accomplish your
"
replied,
it
ruin."
Mr. Tennent
all this,
am
or
sensible of
yet
never shall be
trial,
said that 1 have
delayed the
been
afraid to
I
meet the
justice
of
my
country.
and that
know my own innocence, God whose I am, and whom

never suffer
I seiTC, will
me
to fall
these snares of the devil,
or
by by the
go on
wicked machinations of
servants
;
his agents or
therefore, gentlemen,
REV. W. TENNENT.
to the trial."
81
Messrs. Smith and Kin-
sey,
who were
that
both rehgious men, told
him
his confidence
and
trust
in
God, as a Christian minister of the

gospel,
was well founded, and, before a heavenly tribunal, would be all im;
portant to him
but assured
him
it
would not
avail in
an earthly court, and

to
urged his consent
put off the
trial.
Mr. Tennent continued

refusal
;
inflexible in his
on which Mr. Coxe told him,
that since he
trial,
was determined
to
go
to
he had the satisfaction of inform-
ing him, that they had discovered a flaw

in the indictment,
which might prove
favorable to
him on a demurrer.
He
find-
asked for an explanation, and, on

ing that
it
was
to
admit the fact in a
legal point of view,
and
rest
on the law
82
arising
LIFE OF THE
from
it,
Mr. Tennent broke out
was another
fore he
with great vehemence, saying that this snare of the devil, and be-
would consent
to
it
he would su-
'.
fer death.
He
assured his counsel that
his confidence in
God was
that
so strong,
and
his
assurance
would bring
about his deliverance some

er,
way
or oth-
was
to
so great, that he did not wish
them
delay the
trial for
a moment.
Mr. Stevens, whose

this
faith
was not
of
description, and
to the
who was bowed
down
ground under the most
his neighbor
gloomy apprehensions of suffering, as Mr. Anderson had done,

eagerly seized the opportunity of es-
cape that was offered, and was afterwards discharged on the exception.
Mr. Coxe
still
urged putting
off the
REV. W. TENNENT.
trial,
83
charging Mr. Tennent with acting

rather of a wild enthusiast,
the part
than of a
meek and prudent
Christian
but he insisted that they should proceed,
and
ing
left them in astonishment,
not
knowsum-
how
to
act,
when
the bell
moned them
to court.
Mr. Tennent had not walked

the street before he
far in
met a man and
his
wife, stopped him, and asked if his name was not Tennent. He an-
who
swered
to
in the affirmative
if
know
and begged they had any business with

;
him.
The man
"
replied,
You
best
know."
that he
He
told his
name, and said
was from a
in
certain place (which
he mentioned)
ryland
;
Pennsylvania or Ma-
that
Messrs. Rowland, Ten-
nent, Anderson, and Stevens
had lodg-
84
ed either
LIFE OF THE
at his
house, or in a house
wherein he and his wife had been servants,

(it is
not
now
certain which,) at
;
a particular
time
which he named
that on the following
day they heard
Messrs. Tennent and Rowland preach;

that
some
nights before they left
home,
he and
sleep,
his wife
waked
out of a sound
and each
told the other a
dream
which had
just occurred, and which

;
proved to be the same in substance to wit, that he, Mr. Tennent, was at Trenton,
in the greatest possible distress,
and
that
it
was
in their
power, and theirs

Considering
it
only, to relieve
him.
as
a remarkable dream
only, they again
went
to sleep,
and
it
was twice
repeatto
ed, precisely in the
same manner,
both of them.
This made so deep an
REV. W. TENNENT.
85
impression on their minds, that they set

off,
and here they were, and would

of
know
him what they were to do. Mr. Tennent went with them immediately to the court house, and his counsel,
on examining the
man and his wife,

be
full to
and finding
their testimony to
the purpose, were, as they well might

be,
in perfect
trial
astonishment.
Before
the
began, another person, of a
low character, called on Mr. Tennent,

and
told
him
that he
was
so harassed
in conscience for the part he
had been
he could
,
acting in this prosecution, that
get no rest
till
he had determined to
full
come and make a

sent this
after,
confession.
He
Soon
man
to his counsel also.
Mr. Stockton from Princeton appeared, and addressed his testimony.
86
LIFE OF THE
In short, they went to trial, and, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of

the ablest counsel,
who had been emattorney-general
ployed
to
aid
the
on against Mr. Tennent, the advocates

his side so traced every
movement
of
the defendant on the Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday
in question,
and
satisfied
the jury so perfectly on the subject,

that they did not hesitate honorably to
acquit
Mr. Tennent, by
their unani-
mous
verdict of not guilty, to the great
confusion and mortification of his nu-
merous opposers.
ed the writer of
Mr. Tennent assurthis,
that during the
whole of
this business, his spirits
never
failed him,
and that he contemplated
the possibility of his suffering so infa-
mous
a punishment as standing in the
REV. W. TENNENT.
pillory,
87
without dismay, and had
made
preparation, and
to deliver a
was
fully to the
determined
people, in
sermon
if
that situation,
in
it.
he should be placed
He
went from Trenton
to Philadel-
phia with his brother, and, on his return, as
he was rising the
hill
at the
entrance of Trenton, without reflecting
cast his eyes on the pillory,
on what had happened, he accidentally which sudfilled
j
' ,
denly so
him with
horror, as
it
com-
pletely to
unman
from
him, and
was with
great
difficulty
that he kept himself

his horse.
from
falling
He reachto dis-
ed the tavern-door in considerable danger
was obliged
it
to
be assisted
mount, and
was sometime before he
could so get the better of his fears and
88
LIFE OF THE
confusion as to proceed on his journey.
Such
mind!
is
the constitution of the

It will often resist,
human
with unsha-
ken firmness, the severest external and sometimes pressure and violence
;
it
yields without reason,

:
when
it
has
nothing to fear
er say, such
is
or should
we
not rath-
the support
to his
which God
people in the time of their necessity, and such the
sometimes affords
manner
their
in
which he leaves them
to feel
own weakness when
that necessi-
ty
is
past, that all the praise

it is
may be
given where alone
due.
The
writer sincerely rejoices, that,
though a number of the extraordinary incidents in the life of Mr. Tennent

cannot be vouched by public testimony
and authentic documents, yet the sin
REV. W. TENNENT.
gular
89
manner
in
which a gracious God which has
did appear for this his faithful servant,

in the time of that distress
just
been noticed,
is
a matter of
pubhc
of being verified notoriety, and capable the most unquestionable testimony by
and records.
This special instance of the interference of the righteous Judge of all tL^
earth ought to yield consolation to pious
people in seasons of great difficulty and

distress,
where there
is
none that seem
able to deliver them.

afford
siast,
Yet
it
ought to
no encouragement
to the enthu-
who
refuses to use the
means of
preservation and deliverance which
God
in
puts in his
power.
True confidence
God
is
use of
all
always accompanied with the lawful means, and with the
90
LIFE OF THE
It
are unlawful. rejection of all that

consists in
an unshaken
belief,
that
while right means are used, God will be the most give that issue which shall
for
his glory,
and his people's good.
The
extraordinary occurrence here re-
corded may also serve as a solemn warning to the enemies of God's people, and
to the
strive,
advocates of infidehty, not to
by wicked and
deep-laid machi-
nations, to
oppose the success of the
gospel, nor to attempt to injure the per-
sons and characters of those faithful

servants
of the
Most High,
whom
all
sooner
or later, he
will vindicate, to
the unspeakable confusion of
who
have persecuted and traduced them.
REV. W. TENNENT.
91
CHAPTER
w>
VI.
Mr. Tennent was
man
of
most
of a scrupulous integrity, and though
he very grave and solemn deportment,
had a remarkably cheerful disposition, and generally communicated his instructions with so
much ease and

with
of
all
pleas-
confidence antry, as greatly to gain the
and affection of
versed,
all
whom he
children
con-
especially
and
young people.
with strangers
In
his intercourse
and men
of the world,
he so managed his conversation, that while he seldom neglected a proper

with opportunity to impress the mind
serious things, he always
made them
92
LIFE OF THE
covet his company, rather than avoid

it
;
wêll
knowing
that there is a time
for all things,
and that even instruction
and reproof, to be useful, must be pru dently and seasonably given.
An instance
of this disposition occur-
red in Virginia.
S. Blair and Mr.
The
late
Rev. Mr.
Tennent were sent by
the synod on a mission into that province.
They
stopped one evening at a
tavern for the night, where they found a number of guests with whom
they
supped
table
in a
common room.
cleared,
it.
After the
was
our missionaries
withdrew from
Cards were then
called for, and the landlord brought in
a pack and laid
them on the
table.
gentlemen very politely asked the missionaries if they would
One
of
the
REV. W. TENNENT.
not take a cut with them, not
that they
93
knowing
were clergymen.
Mr TenWith
if
nent very pleasantly answered, "

all
my gentlemen, you can convince us that thereby we can serve our Master's cause, or contribute any
heart,
thing towards the success of our mission."
This drew some smart reply
from the gentlemen, when Mr. Ten" We are nent, with solemnity added,
ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We
profess ourselves his servants
we
to
are sent on his business, which
is
persuade mankind
sins,
to repent of
their
to ac-
and turn from them, and

of that happiness and
is
cept
salvation
which
offered in the gospel."
This
very unexpected reply, delivered in a very tender though
solemn manner,
94
LIFE OF THE
sincerity, so
and with great apparent
engaged the gentleman's attention, that the cards were laid aside, and an op
portunity
was
afforded,
and cheerfully
embraced,
for explaining, in a sociable
conversation,
during
the
rest of the
evening, some
of the leading and
most
important doctrines of the gospel, to

the satisfaction
and apparent
edifica-
tion of the hearers.
Resignation to the will of God, in

all his
dispensations,
however dark and

the excellent gra-
afflictive,
was among
ces that adorned the character of this
man
rious
of God.
He
had been
tried,
in
the course of God's providence, in va-
ways
but domestic
afflictions,
as yet, had not been laid
upon him.
The
time,
however, was
now come,
REV. W. TENNENT.
95
when
his character
was
to
be brighten-
ed by a severe
and obedience
test of his resignation

test attended
with
many
pecuHarly distressing
circum-
His yomigest son, who was one of the handsomest of men, had just
stances.
come
into
pubhc
hfe,
had commenced
>
the practice
of physic,
child.
was married,
the great dis-
and had one

tress
To
of the
parents,
he discovered,
though possessed of the sweetest temper and most agreeable manners, no

regard to the things that belonged to
his eternal peace.
'.^
Wholly neghgent
of religion, he indulged, without restraint, in
the gaiety and follies of the
world.
The. pious father was incesand was continu
sant at the throne of grace in behalf of

Jhis dissipated
son
96
LIFE OF THE
ally entertaining
hopes that
God would^
by the him in
influences of his Spirit, arrest

his career,
and bring him into
the church of Christ, before his
own
summons
should arrive
that he
might
die in peace, under the consoling hope
of meeting his dear child in a better
world.
God, however, had determin-
ed otherwise, and the son, while en-
gaged
in inoculating a
number
of per-
sons, in a house he
had obtained for
the purpose,
near his father's neigh-
borhood, was seized, in an unusually
manner, with a raging fever. With the disorder, he was brought to

violent
a sudden and alarming view of his lost condition by nature, and the grievous
transgressions
sins
of his
past
life.
His
were
all set
in dread array against
REV. W. TENNENT. him.

ful
97
horrible darkness,
and an aw-
dread of the eternal displeasure of

fell
Jehovah,
on him, so as
to
make
him
the dreadful example of a convinc-
ed sinner, trembling under the confounding presence of an angry God.

affectionate
The
stantly in prayer
and pious father was conand supplication that

him.
bed.
God would have mercy upon
He
seldom
left
the side of his
For many
tresses
days the fever raged with

;
unabated fury
but the immediate disit
which
occasioned, were lost
or forgotten in the severer pains of an
awakened conscience.
height
to
Such was
at
the
last
which
his anguish
bed on which he lay was shaken by the violent and united convulsions of mind and body/ The 7
arose, that the
w^
/
'
)-r.
.it-
98
parents
LIFE OP THE
were touched
unquahfied
to
the quick
and
their
submission
to
God,
as a sovereign
the most rigorous proof.
God, was put to But in due
time they came out of the furnace as

gold tried in
fire.
God,
in his infinite
and condescending grace and mercy,
was
to
at last pleased, in
some measure,
hear the
many
prayers put up
by the
for
parents, and many pious
friends,
the relief of the poor sufferer.
His
na-
views of the
ture,
lost state of
man by
of the only
means
of salvation,
through the death and sufferings of the

Saviour, of the necessity of the inward
regenerating grace of the
Holy
Spirit,
became
clear
and consistent, and the
importance of a practical acquaintance with these things, was deeply and ra-
REV. W. TENNENT.
tionally
99
impressed on his mind.

that salvation,
He
now saw
to him,
which he had
deemed ahuost
was
or aUogether hopeless
possible.
His mind be-
came
calm, and he attended to religious
instruction
and advice.
In
short
time he began to give as much evidence of a change of heart as a deathbed repentance (rarely to be greatly/
relied on)
for his
can easily
afford.
He
sent
companions
in iniquity,
and nothim-
withstanding his disorder, exerted

self to
the utmost to address

in the
them,
which he did
ful,
most solemn, aw-
and impressive manner, as a per-
son,
who, by the
infinite
mercy of a
prayer-hearing God, had been delivered from a hell gaping to receive him.
He
besought them, by
all
the terrors
366476A
100
LIFE OF THE
of everlasting destruction
by
all
the
love they ought to bear to their im-
mortal souls
fied Jesus,
by the
own
love of a cruci-
who poured
out his soul
unto death, that they might live forever
by
his
awful sufferings and
terrible
example, that they
would
re-
pent and turn to God. This happy change was a reviving cordial to the
^
distressed
and suffering
father.
His
soul
full
was overjoyed, and
his
mouth was
of the praises of redeeming love.

spirits
His mind and
were hereby pre-
to surrenpared, with true resignation, der the son of his advanced age to the
God who gave

more of severe
him.
After a few days
suffering in body, but
rejoicing in mind, the son
was removed
There being
from time
to eternity.
REV. W. TENNENT.
101
the
no minister
father
in the neighborhood,
undertook to preach a funeral

All the son's old companions
sermon.
that could be sent to,

,
were especially
invited, and the old gentleman preach-
'
ed
in
such a manner, with a particular
address to the young men, as to astonish every hearer

:
and while the
seri-
ously
inclined
wondered and adored,
the careless were confounded and greatly alarmed.
Scarcely had Mr. Tennent got over

his
heavy
affliction,
and returned
life
to
an
active and useful course of
for a
few
years,
when God
again called
him
to another severe
and arduous struggle His eldest son, of the same nature.

John, promised
fair to
life
guished figure in
had
make
a distin-
possessed
102
LIFE OF THE
a large share in the affections of both

father
and mother, and was more dear
to their hearts than ever, since the death
of his brother.
father
It
so happened that the
was
called to
New York
the
to heal
some
differences
between
memnext
bers of the church there.
The
morning
after his arrival,
he went into
of the minisin,
a book-store,
ters of the
when one
Episcopal church came

to
and on being introduced

the
him, after
common
salutations, told
him
that
he condoled with him on the death of

his eldest son in the
West Indies.
at first struck
The
dumb.
old gentleman
was
With
the
that
difficulty
news came
it
he soon inquired how and being informed

;
was by a
circuitous route, he
" suddenly turned and said,
The
will of
REV. W. TENNENT.
the
103
Lord be done."
it
The clergyman
for
observed, that
was happy
him to be
it.
Tennent
able so cordially to submit to "

replied, wall
Mr.
The Lord
is
my
his
God;
his
be done."
On
being
asked by the bookseller,
who was
particular friend, to retire into the house,
and endeavor
"I swered,
siness
finish
;
to settle his
mind, he an-
am come
that
to
on the Lord's buI
my
;
duty requires that

is
should
I
it
when
done,
for
shall
have time enough
mourn
my son."
his
He
immediately
set off to attend
appointment, finished the business to

his satisfaction, and next
home, where he found
day returned that a letter had
been received by a neighbor, containing the same information which he had

before received.
Thus, on the most
104
LIFE OF THE
trying occasions, he
showed the same

Divine
all
submission
to the allotment of
Providence that was discoverable in

his former conduct.
The
following
extract
from a
letter,
written at this
time to the writer of
this narrative, will
show
the temper of his
mind
in his
own
language: ''Freehold, March, My dear sir Perhaps before 'this comes to hand, you will be informed,
1776.
that
He who
gave
me
the honorable
in his wise and epithet of a father, has,
unerring providence, written

less.*
me
child-
My
I
son
is
dead.
This acletter
is
count
had yesterday from a

;
written to a friend
*
the account
so
He
seems, in the depth of his distress, to have

left,
one son forgotten that he had yet was 800 miles distant from him.
although he
REV. W. TENNENT.
Straight,
105
(though not circumstantial,)

its
that I cannot doubt
truth.
it,
The tennor do I
der mother has not heard

intend she shall, until
authenticated.
This
mention as a caution to you, in

to
case you should write
me
before the
matter
is
pubhshed.
all
Let the dear
heart have
load,
falls
possible ease, before the

likely will try her
I
life,
which
upon
to
it is
her.
know
her attach-
ment
that
child; his
conduct has
been such
us.
as greatly endeared
him
to
Our pains and expense
in his edu-
cation have been great, but infinitely

short of
what God has done
for him.
He
has, therefore, the best right to him.

it
Should we, then, were
in our
power,
obstruct his taking full possession of

his
own property ?
God forbid
This
106
sir,
LIFE OF THE
is
through God's goodness,

I say, but
not only
what
soul, for
it is the temper of my which God only deserves the
honor.
since
It
is
now above
I
fifty
years
my
soul resigned itself to
God
in Jesus Christ.
had then neither
son nor daughter; I was completely satisfied with him, and, blessed be his
name,
am
so now.
if
Have
?
then
!
reason to cry out as
ruined
O, no
on the contrary, I have the utmost reason for thanksgiving, that he has not,
in righteous judgment, deprived
me
of
himself; in
whom
if
all
fullness dwells.
My wife
shall
and myself are now hastening

;
to childhood
spared a few years,

us
;
we
need one
to lead
and we
shall
look to you under God.

fit
All the benewill
you can expect from so doing,
REV. W. TENNENT.
consist in the satisfaction of your
107
own
mind,
that
you have helped two old
people through the last steps of their

pilgrimage."
Thus
did this pious

life,
man
turn every event of

tive, to the praise
however
afflic-
and glory of
God
and he seldom omitted an opportunity

of inculcating the
all his
same
disposition
on
acquaintance.
the late Rev.
last in this
When
field
was
George Whitecountry, Mr. Tenhe was passing
nent paid him a
visit as
through
New
Jersey.
Mr. Whitefield
and a number of other clergymen, among whom was Mr. Tennent, were
by a gentleman in the where the late Mr. Wilneighborhood, liam Livingston, since Governor of New
invited to dinner
Jersey, resided, and who, with several
108
LIFE OP THE
Other lay gentlemen, were

guests.
among
the
After dinner, in the course of
an easy and pleasant conversation, Mr,

Whitefield adverted to the difficulties
attending the gospel ministry, arising
from the small success

labors
v^îth
which
their
were crowned.
He
greatly la-
mented
fervor,
that all their zeal, activity,
and
availed but
little
said that
he
was weary with

of the day
;
the burdens and fatigue
declared his great consola-
tion was, that in a short time his
work
would be done, when he should depart and be with Christ that the prospect
;
of a speedy deliverance had supported

his
spirits,
or that he should, before

his labor.
now, have sunk under
He
then appealed to the ministers around
him,
if it
were not
their great comfort
REV. W. TENNENT.
that they should soon
109
go to
rest.
They
Tenin
Mr. generally assented, excepting

nent,
who
;
sat next to
Mr. Whitefield
silence
and by his countenance dislittle
covered but
versation.
conpleasure in the
On
which, Mr. Whitefield,
turning to him,
and tapping him on the
knee,
said,
you
are the oldest
"Well, brother Tennent, man arnongst us do

;
you not rejoice to think that your time is so near at hand, when you will be
called
home and
freed from
all
the
diffi-
chequered scene?" Mr. Tennent bluntly answered, "I have Mr. Whitefield no wish about it."
culties attending this
pressed him again

again answered,
pleasure to
"
and Mr. Tennent
No,
;
sir,
it
is
no.
me
it
at all
and
if
you knew
you.
I
your duty,
would be none
to
110
have nothing
ness
as I
is
LIFE OP THE
to
do with death,
I
to
can and serve my Lord and Mas-
Hve as long as
can
my busias well
ter as faithfully as I can, until
he shall
think proper to call
me home."
for
Mr.
Whitefield
still
urged
an explicit
answer
to his question, in case the time

left to his
of death were
own
" I
choice.
Mr. Tennent
choice about
it
replied,
:
have
no
am
God's servant,
and have engaged
to
do his business as
long as he pleases to continue

in.
But now,
brother, let
me thereme ask you

think
I
a question.
What do you
if I
would say
was
to
send
my man
;
Tom
at
into the field to

I should
plough
and
if
noon
go
to the field,
and
find
him lounging under a

'
tree
com-
plaining,
Master, the sun
is
very hot,
REV. W. TENNENT.
Ill
and the ploughing hard and difficult ; I am tired and weary of the work you
have appointed me, and am overdone with the heat and burden of the day ;
do, master, let
me
say
return home, and be

this
?
discharged
from
hard service
that
?'
What would I
an
idle,
Why,
;
he was
his bu-
lazy fellow
that
it
was
siness to do the
work
that I
had appoint-
ed him,
think
fit
until
I,
the proper judge, should
to call
him home.
Or, sup-
pose you had hired a man
to serve
you
faithfully for a given time, in a particular service,
and he should, without any

half
reason on your part, and before he had
performed
of
his
service,
become
it, and upon every occasion, weary be expressing a wish to be discharged,
or
placed
in
other
circumstances
112
LIFE OF THE
not call
Would you
him a wicked and

privi-
slothful servant,
and unworthy the
leges of your employ?"
The
mild,
in
pleasant and Christian-like manner,
which
this
reproof was administered,

the social
rather increased
harmony, and edifying conversation of the com;
pany
who became
satisfied that
it
was
even in desiring, very with undue earnestness, " to depart and

possible to err
be with Christ," which,

better," than to
state
;
in itself,
is
"
far
remain
it
in this imperfect
the duty of the " All Christian, in this respect, to say,

is
and that
the days of
my
appointed time will I
wait
till
my change
come."
qualifications,
Among
Mr. Tennent's
none were more conspicuous than activity both of body and mind.
his
He
REV. W. TENNENT.
hated and despised
sloth.
113
al-
He was
most always
in action
never wearied
*
in well doing, nor in serving his friends.
His
integrity
were
and independence of spirit observable on the slightest ac-
quaintance.
He was
from
so great a lover
of truth, thas he could not bear the

least aberration
it,
even
in a joke.
He
was remarkable for his candor and

with regard to
in opinion.
j
liberality of sentiment,
those
who
differed
from him
His
hospitality
and
domestic enjoy-
ments were even proverbial.

lic spirit
His pubwas
ar-
his attachment to
was always conspicuous, and what he thought the
best interests of his country,
dent and inflexible.
He
took an early
in the
and decided part with his country
commencement
8
of the late revolutionary
114
war.
LIFE OF THE
He was
convinced that she was
oppressed, and that her petitions to the sovereign of the mother country were
constitutional, loyal, moderate,
and rea-
sonable
that the
treatment they re-
ceived was irrational, tyrannical and intolerable.
As he made
it
a rule,
how-
ever, never to carry politics into the

pulpit,
he had no
way
to manifest his
zeal for the public measures, but

private
by
his
prayers,
and by his decided
opinions delivered in private conversations.
But, in this way, his senti-
ments became universally known, and

he was considered as a warm friend
the American cause.
to
Notwithstanding
these
political
opinions, he
was not
blind to the errors of his countrymen,
and especially
to their
moral and
reli-
REV. W. TENNENT.
gious conduct.
115
The
following extract
from a
letter to the
author of these
dated February 14, 1775, marks the temper of his mind strongly
sketches,
:
*'
My
very dear Sir " Your kind letter came to hand
three days since.
Your comforts and

in
sorrows are
I share
mine
no small degree
;
with you in both
the
tie
is
such as death cannot dissolve.

is
This
a day of darkness in
are in
it.
my
view, and
few
with
any degree properly affected

I have,
through grace, perfear for myself,

I
;
haps
as
little
to
or
mine, as any living.
humbly hope
but I
we
are housed in Jesus
am disThe
;
tressed for the nation and land.
ruin of both
is
awfully threatened
and
116
LIFE OF THE
though now deferred,
may
ere long
be
accomplished, unless reformation takes

place.
*
behooves every one to cry, Lord, and give Spare thy people,
It
not thy heritage to reproach.'
know
God
ing,
is
merciful
he has, notwithstand-
disinherited a people as dear to
him
as
we
ever were, whose sins were
not more aggravated than ours.
The
reason
Lord can
to think
'
deliver
will,
but have
we
he
having told us that he
will
wound
the head of his enemies,
and the hairy scalps of such as go on

in their trespasses
?'
Is there
?
any apis
it
pearance of reformation
not the reverse
?
Yea,
Are not our meet-
ings for the preservation of our liberty,

often abused
by excessive
drinking,
&c.
&c.
Have
not politics taken place
REV. W. TENNENT.
of religion
Is
it
117
in all
our conversations?
unconstitutional (to
not
become
use the vulgar language) to mention
God's name
in
way
of dishonoring
company, unless byhim? Are not
things sacred neglected

others ?
burlesqued by paper substituted for the Bible on the What Lord's day yea, at church?
Is not the
by some, and news-
Blessend of these things be ed be God through Jesus Christ, he is

will the
!
for a sanctuary."
Mr. Tennent was on a

less than
visit,
within
twenty miles of
New
York,
when a
the
British frigate attempted to pass
batteries,
and
to
proceed up the
North River, while General Washington lay with the American

city.
army
in the
A very
heavy cannonading took
118
place,
LIFE OF THE
which was mistaken by the
sur-
rounding
country for a general attack
on our army.
Mr. Tennent was deep-
ly affected, and, after a violent struggle
two
within himself, he turned to a friend or " Come, while present, and said,
our fellow citizens are fighting,

retire to prayer."
let
us
They, accordingly,
room, where he most
went up
into his
devoutly poured out his soul for about

half an hour, in the most fervent prayers, wrestling
with
God
in behalf of his
suffering country.
REV. W. TENNENT.
119
CHAPTER
About
VII.
the latter end of February,
or the beginning of March, 1777,
Mr.
Tennent was suddenly seized with a

fever, attended with violent
symptoms.
He
was
sent for his family physician,

in the act
who
of setting off for the le-
gislature of the state, of
which he was
on
member.
He
called on his patient
his
way, but could spend but a few
minutes with him.
He, however, ex-
amined carefully into Mr. Tennent's complaints, and the symptoms attending his disorder.
With
great candor
the physician informed his patient, that

the attack appeared unusually violent
:
120
LIFE OF THE
that the case required the best medical

aid,
and that
it
was out
of his
power
to
attend him.
He
feared that at his ad-
vanced age there was not strength of nature sufficient to overcome so severe
a shock, and that his
symptoms
scarce-
ly admitted of a favorable prognostic.
The good
will
old
man
received this
news
with his usual submission

;
to the divine
for as
he had always considered
himself as bound for eternity, he had
endeavored so
to live, that,
when
the
summons
nothing
should come, he would have
to
do but
to die.
He
calmly
"I replied,
violence of
am
my
very sensible of the that it has disorder

;
racked
my
constitution to an
uncom-
mon
degree, and beyond what I have ever before experienced, and that it ia
REV. W. TENNENT.
121
proaching God, I have no wish
of apaccompanied with symptoms dissolution but, blessed be

;
to live, if
it
should
After
be
his will to call
me
hence."
a moment's pause, he seemed to recollect himself, and varied his expression

thus
:
" Blessed
to live, if to
it
be God,
have no
wish
should be his will and
pleasure
call
me
hence, unless
it
should be to see a happy

severe
issue to the
and arduous controversy

is
my
this,
country
engaged
in
but even in
the will of the Lord be done."
During
his
whole sickness, he con-
tinued perfectly resigned to the divine

will, until
death was swallowed up in
victory,
He
on the 8th day of March, 1777. was buried in his own church at
Freehold
numerous concourse of
122
people,
LIFE OF THE
composed not only of the mem-
bers of his
own congregation,
but of the
inhabitants of the whole adjacent country,
attending his funeral.
Mr. Tennent was rather more than

six feet high
;
of a spare, thin visage,
and of an erect carriage.
He
had
bright piercing eyes, a long sharp nose,
and a long face. His general countenance was grave and solemn, but at all
times cheerful and pleasant with his
friends.
It
may
be said of him, with
peculiar propriety, that he appeared, in
an extraordinary manner, to
the world and
all its
live
above
allurements.
He
seemed
views of
habitually to have
spiritual
such clear
and heavenly things,

of the foretaste
as afforded
him much
and enjoyment of them.
His
faith
was
REV. W. TENNENT.
really
123
and
experimentally "the sub-
stance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen." Literally, and he his daily walk was with God
lived
"
as seeing
him who
is
invisible."
fre-
The
divine presence with
him was
quently manifested in his public ministrations,
and
in
his
private conduct.
satisfied,
His ardent soul was seldom

unless he
was
exerting himself, in
some
way
or other, in public or private, in

offices
rendering kind
and
effectual
services of friendship, both in spiritual
Take
and temporal things,
to his fellow
men.
him
in
his
whole demeanor
and conduct, there are few of

might more emphatically be
he lived the
life,
whom
it
said, that
and died the death of
the righteous.
124
LIFE OF THE
He
was
was well read
in divinity,
and
of sound orthodox principles.
He
the
professed himself a moderate
Calvinist.
;
The
doctrines of man's depravity

;
atonement of the Saviour
the absolute
necessity of the all-powerful influence

of the Spirit of God, to renew the heart
and subdue the
will
all in
perfect con-
sistence with the free agency of the

sinner,
were among the leading articles
of his faith.
These
doctrines, indeed,
in his
were generally interwoven

lic
pub-
discourses, whatever might be the His sucparticular subject discussed.
cess
was
often answerable to his exer-
tions.
ther
His people loved him as a farevered him as the pastor and
bishop of their souls

their
instructor,
obeyed
him as
in his
and delighted
REV. W. TENNENT.
125
company and
friend
private conversation as a
and brother.
He carefully avoid-
ed making a difference between his

doctrines publicly taught and his private practice
.
Attending a synod a few
years before his death, a strange cler-
gyman, whom they had never before seen, was introduced to the synod, and
asked
to
preach
in the
evening.
Mr.
dis-
Tennent attended, and was much

pleased with the sermon.
gregation was going
As
the con-
out of the church,
Mr. Tennent,
to
in the
crowd, coming up
the
preacher, touched him on the "
shoulder, and said,
My brother, when
to
I preach, I take care
save myself,
whatever
do with
my
congregation."
The clergyman looked behind him with

surprise,
and seeing a very grave man,
126
"
said,
LIFE OF THE
sir ?"
What do you mean, Tennenl answered, " You
Mr.
have been
/ sending your whole congregation, sy nod and all, to perdition, and you have not even saved yourself. Whenever I
preach, I
"'
make
it
a rule to save
left
my-
self,"
and then abruptly
him, with-
out his
knowing who spoke to him. At Mr. Tennent's death, the poor

for
mourned
him
as their patron, their

;
comforter, and support
and the rich
lamented over him as their departed

pastor and friend
lost in
:
the public, at large,
him
a firm assertor of the civil

interests of his country.
and religious
He was
who
truly
a patriot, not in
in
words
all
and pretences, not

differed
;
condemning
in
from him
to proscription
and death
but in acting
such a
REV. W. TENNENT.
12T
manner, as would have rendered his

country most happy,
his example.
if all
had followed
on his
He
insisted
own
rights
and freedom of sentiment, but

to let others enjoy the
it
he was willing
same
as
privilege; and he thought

to
live
of
much importance
and act
well, as think
To
es
this
May
is
and speak justly. conclude these imperfect sketchall
who
read the memoirs of
amiable and useful man, fervently
and constantly beseech that God, with
whom
the residue of the spirit, that
their life
may be
that of the righteous,
so that their latter end
may be
like his
and that the great head of the church,

while
He
may
removes
faithful
and
distin-
guished laborers from the gospel vineyard,

raise
up
others,
who
shall
128
LIFE OF THE &C.
possess even a double portion of their

spirit,
and who
shall
be even more
successful in winning souls unto Jesus

Christ, the great bishop of souls.
THE END.
ivv
APR 8
1954

The Life of Rev William Tennent

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The Life of Rev William Tennent

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REV. WILLIAM TENNENT,

AN ACCOUNT OF HIS BEING

AND APPARENTLY LIFELESS.

CANAL STREET, MARKET ST.

REV. WILLIAM TENNENT.

which every genthose which are to

dehneation of the characters of those

whose example deserves, and may

mankind than argument

the most important sources of instruction

exemplary conduct affords the best commentary on the rehgion they

But when such men have

been remarkably favored of God, with

and by the most manifest and wonderful interpositions of Divine

Providence in their behalf,

principal events of their lives, together

with such useful inferences as they

by persons who may be conwant of abilities necesis

sary for the complete biographer,

attention be paid to the truth of the

of other furniture can be

burying in oblivion that

known, might edify

and benefit the world.

of that modest, humble, and worthy

timents he wishes to record.

secure the celebrity

which they seek.

But the humble

meek and lowly

the glory of God, in

the welfare of immortal souls, goes on,

careful to approve himself

only to the Searcher of hearts, regardless of worldly

ward him openly,

writer of such a man's

munications of his intimate friends, for

of the facts to be recorded are

of such a nature, that

ble to have their authenticity so fully

confounded, and the sneer of the sceptical

and profane lose

the writer of the following narrative,

and corrected his

by the most careful

inquiries that he could possibly

well assured that

state is incontestable truth.

admit of any other di-

rect testimony than that of the remark-

be believed unreservedly on his

Every species of decepand exaggeration he ab-

horred and scorned.

With such materials,

mentioned, and for a work of such a

has undertaken his task.

undertaken what he would most gladly

have resigned to an abler hand; but from which, as no other offered, he

he shall not be entirely disapis to direct, assist,

groaning under the pres-

sure of the calamities which they often

through the wilderness of

Rev. William Tennent,