Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-27


to master and pupil
At the early age of seventeen Archibald Alexander le
his fathers house to that scholastic noytiate
which in higher sphere to fill the measure of hi.
days and usefulness. He became for time private
in the family of Gen. John Posey in the county
Spottsylvana 1t while residing beneath Gen. Posey
roof that his conscience reused by those awaken
ngs which in atermes he referred the beginnings
of life. His time cast in the midst Of that
widespread religious movement known in the ecclesas
teal annals Of the Southern churches as "the Great
Revival Having chosen the ministry his future pro-
fsson he forthwith sought betake himself serious
and regular of study. 1t at this uncture
that Mr. Graham gave him piece of advice which DR..
Alexander afterward alluded having done him more
good than any other directions counses he
ceived "If you mean 10 be theologan," said
this gentleman "you must it by reading but
by thinking" The after life of DR.. Alexander affords
conclusive proof that this amoniton was lost
him.
1t cannot of course be expected of to follow the
current of Dr. AS long and active and not uneventful
fe For allthat relates his preparations for the min
istry his youthful efforts in extemporaneous DISCOURSE
his first visit to Philadelphia his presbyterial trials and
icensure his missionary in Virginia, his meetings
with Patrick Henry, his early call to the presidency OF
Hampden Sydney College, his mental struggles and con-
scientious doubts with their solution his second journey
to the North his experience in New England, his mar
rage with the daughter of DR.. Waddel, the blind
preacher his removal to Philadelphia, his settlement
at Princeton his scheme of theological study the
cess abors his FIRST years Professor the part he
acted in those ecclesiastical difficulties which resulted in
session Of the Presbyterian Church. his abundant Ia
bers well literary PROFESSIONAL his visits to Virginia,
the occupations of his declining years. the activity of his
o1Io a,Ioci IF the and
peaceful euthanasa which marked its term for pas
sages his history like these and for the numberless
details which related to them refer the reader to
the interesting volume whose title heads columns
We cannot however deny ourselves the pleasure Of cu
ling few excerpts from its pages for the pleasure of
those beneath whose eye the work may not chance
to fall:
In subsequent years and the close Of his life
he REQUIRED the years of his ministry in Virginia with
fond emotion. They connected with his most ami
mating labors and most visible success He could
cease to lament the loss Of that peculiar warmth
dialty which belonged to Southern christians and he
often heard to say that although he believed he had
attained greater usefulness by his removal he had sus
tanned great loss personal and social comfort In
all those things which attract the observation of the pub
lie, these his best days. An exuberant hilarity
made his companionship delightful will be readily be-
hesed by those who remember the clear loud laugh even
of his latter years The circumstances in which he had
grown up in his early ministry among number of active
and nquiring minds, rendered controversy irresistible
and We can recall the days in which debates theoog
cal topics carried all the lengths Of excitement
which are not inconsistent with good and christian
friendship. = Another remark is still more OBJ
vious this the eventfu period Of his life From this
time forward and especially after the single to
New jersey there was change of place occu-
patton but life flowed in placid Up to this
tme the contrary, events had followed another in
very rapid succession. Indeed from his very boyhood,
he may be said to have been in continual change This
t1n tpfn
enlarge his views afford sides Of approach various
persons and influences and to redeem him for all his
years of study from every thing like the rarrowness pc
dantry, and stiffness of the schools and the closet"
The following passage from another portion Of the
volume has a related connexion with that above:
II has often been observed with justice that though
Dr. Alexander had removed from his native State he
lost influence there Until his latest breath he
intensely Virginan and nothing kindled his
restless eye animated his nervously mobile frame or
called his cooaual fres than any occasion for vim
dcatng the honor of the old colony and dominion,
the ancient writs have it. In return, his opinions
tinued have much weight in the Virginia churches
More than they sought to win him back to their
BOSOM" s....' W..
We had intended to remark upon DIR. Alexanders
studies and the of his attanment but the length
to which we have already extended this sketch compes
US to forego purpose. His daily reading in He
brew Creek and Latin but this without neglect of any
branch of modern learning which could be made tributary
to his professional functions His acquaintance with the
christian fathers accurate and comprehensive For
the great masters of Latin theology whose works appear
ed in Holland, Switzerland Germany, and France in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries he protested
strong admiration and turned to their perusa with
abated zest during the whole of long and tudious life
accustomed to say that in his judgment Reformed
Theology reached its eliminating point about the epoch
of the Synod of Dordrecht.
The following passage will remind readers Of
Southey's motto, In lahore ques:
1T characteristic of his habits to seek mental
Taxation in change of grave studies rather than in what
denomnated light reading ndfor many years nothing
more common than to find his evening hours spent
over some ponderous tome of the seventeenth century
His pen constantly in activity, and have been
tonished at the extent which he made compilations and
dgests from standard works in other languages.
Without being politician he always a reader on
politics. thoroughly acquainted with all questions of
American craftsmanship, and all his life long serious
and digent student of the best Journals for like Dr.
Arnold, he considered a newspaper one of the most
painful and solemn studies in the world if it be read
thoughtfully.'"
The life Of Dr. Alexander must Of be specially
priced by every intelligent member of that christian
nomination Of which he so long its distinguish
ed ornament But it possesses well attraction for
every lover of biographical narrative its style of highest
excellence, while to the native and citizen of Virginia it
fail to be equally interesting and instructive from
ancient and honorable Commonwealth during the period
with which Dr. Alexander was contemporaneous in his
earlier years.