Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-04-20
From the Christian Herald.

4 II. CALDWELL. NJ
Mr.. John Edwards Caldwell was born
the I'd day Of February, 10 the year 1860.
He was the eldest sou of the Rev. James
Caldwell and Hannah Ogden. His father
was pastor Of the Presbyterian Church in
Elizabeth-Town, New-Jersey. Both fa-
Their and mother being eminenlly pious and
devoted to the service and honour of the
Lord Jesus, trained up their children in
the way in which they should go. Though
they we're cut off at an early period during
the late revolutionary war, yet the fruits
OF their instructions and prayers appeared
long after they slept 10 Jesus, 10 the bless
ing OF God upon the most of their chill.
dfen. And who can Tell but God will
make every one Of them his own before
they go hence and be no more
Tiiesubject of this sketch was 3 years
OF age when his last surviving parent was
taken from him. After this mournfu event,
but at what time is not known, he was
placed under the care of the late DIR.
McWhorter, pastor of the Presbyterian
Church in Newark. Here he experienced
religious impressions, which, however,
wefe like the morning cloud and the early
dew. An event soon occurred to prove
that what he then felt was not the genuine
work of The Spirit of God.
The Marquis de la Fa,e cite had become
acquainted with bis father, to whom he
was warmly attached, aud after his death
Interested himself in behalf of this son.
DR.. Boudinot, the President of the Amer
lean Bible Society, one of his fathers ell
ders, and his bosom frieDd, was the guar
dian of the children. He, with the APP
probation of other friends of the father
Of Mr.. Caldwell, yielded 10 the solicita-
ton OF the Marquis, ard gave him up to
his care. At the age of IA he embarked
with the Marquis for France, where he
received liberal education. During his
residence in Paris he became convert to
the Roman Catholic religion. This cir
cumstance, together with the horrors of
the French revolution, and the soIicita-
lions OF his friends in this country, in
duced him to return to his native land in
the year 1901, cherishing, to the day of
his death, the warmest affection for the
Marquis and Marchioness.
He was then placed under the care of
the Rev. Doctors Witherspoon and Smith
These able and celebrated Theologians
convinced him of the errors of popery,
after WHICH, by a very natural process.
he became skeptick.
| In this state Of mind and feeling, so far as
revealed religion is conference.-the continued
until 1909, when the Illness and christian
support of his step-daughter, Miss EIizaV an
Wyck, led him to serious reflection about
his own character, and deliberate exam
ination OF the nature and claims of true
religion, which terminated in his CONVEX
sion unto God. During the whole period
of his religious impressions until his pub
lie profession. he appeared afraid Of os-
tentation. His examination of true reli-
gion was private, not seen Of men: and in
that examination he found benefit from the
recollection of the instruction with which
parental piety had furnished him; as also
the course of reading which Doctors With
erspoon and Smith had prescribed to con-
vince him of the falIacy of Roman Cath
olic pretensions. In the month of Nov.
1909, he made public profession Of faith
in Christ, and obedience to his command
ments; and such was the confidence re-
posed in this profession, that 10 1911 he
was elected an elder of the Presbyterian
Church in Cedar-street.
After he gave himself up to the Lord
10 the bonds of his covenant, he actively
engaged in every scheme for the promo
\ ton Of true religion. His name was en-
rolled as member of the various societies
established in this city to extend the king
dom Of Christ. In performing his duties
as member he laboured abundantly, with
out sparing himself, and SO far as we can
Judge, be laboured successfully.
But his usefulness was not fully known
until the formation of the American Bible
Society. OF this institution he was from
the beginning warm and decided advo-
cate. AT an early period after its organ
ization he was elected chairman of the
standing committee, and so soon as the
interests of the society required it, their
agent. In the performance Of the duties
OF this office he was indefatigable, prompt,
intelligent, and successful. He never
spared himself; and at last fell victim 10
his fidelity. On Thursday the 25th Of
February he exposed himself to very un-
pleasant and unhealthy weather, to finish
a contract which he had made for paper,
on account of the society. In the course
OF the day he became very unweli, and
the next day was confined to his house,
from whence he never went out again. He
died on the 9th day Of March, without q
struggle or a groan, in the 5oth year Of
his age.