Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-03-18
Original Shttt5es.
For the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
LIVES OF
Distinguished Jerseymen.
XTv
Rev. Alexander McWhorter, d.
by III w a r d !.

LnaJ The ulSClDiC hC do \OiF'HANJ 49, 'NS
ter" In other words: lie who has at
tanned perfection, can never be excelled
by any one who is taught or instructed
by him.
ALEXANDER MCWHoRTER, was not a
native of New Jersey, but became a..3e*
seyman by education and adoption lie
was born in the State OF Delaware, III the
year 1884. In bis early youth, he was
characterized by an amiable and obliging
disposition, a love Of knowledge, and a
mind strong and vigorous, and fond OF.
INDUCING in deep and original thought.
Whenever he took hold Of a subject that
interested him, he never left it, until he
had investigated it thoroughly, and OBJ
taincd a full and clear comprehension Of
it. in all it's bearings. He was not 50
anxious to advance in his cause like a.
race horse, as to explore with minute at
tention, ev~erysobiect Of interest that pre-
sented itself in his upward way to the
summit Of the steep declivity Of Science.
Accordingly. we find, that he did not en-
ter College at SO early an age as some OF
his fellow students but when he did find
admission there, he was much better pre-
pared to grapple with the severe tasks OF
mental discipline. than most young men.
with the same advantages. He gradua
eel with great reputation, at Princeton,
in 1851 being then % years Of age.
While in College, Mr.. McWhorter be
came a subject Of Awakening Grace and
having been hopefully converted to Christ,
he solemnly and firmly resolved to devote
himself to the Ministry. An opportunity
soon presented itself for carrying his
good resolution into effect. Where
there is a will, there is always o way" is
a maxim that will generally prove true.
The reputation Of the pious and excellent
William Tennent. as a deep theologian,
and eloquent and successful preacher,
had spread throughout the country, far
and near ; and to him, Mr.. McWhorter
applied for instruction in divine things.
He was successful, and continued under
the instructions Of his reverned teacher,
for a period.of two years at the close
of which, being we'll qualified, he was or
dained Pastor Of the First Presbyterian
Church in Newark, in 1853. Here he
preached to a large congregation, with
great power and %unbouuded success, for a
period of 10 years. He received the de-
gree Of d. d., from Princeton College.
In 1778, in the midst Of the heart of
the Revolutionary conflict, being inaamed
with an ardent zeal in the cause OF his
country, he babe his weeping congrega
ton an affectionate farewell, and pro
ceeded to Join Gen. knox's brigade. as
Chaplain in the army. There, his servi-
ces were Of incalculable advantage to
the soldiers, whose patriotism he infamed
by his burning eloquence, and whose
hopes and courage he animated by his
fervent prayers for victory. But the in
trepid Knox having fallen in battle, the
grief Of his chaplain was so deep, that his
health visibly declined and he asked q
dismission from the army which was
granted.
AS soon as he recovered his health, he
resumed his ministerial duties and in
the subsequent year, removed to Char
lotte, in North Carolina, where he con-
tinued to preach with a rich reward
But his attachments were so strong to
ward his flock in Newark, that in c%onfor-
nifty to their urgent solicitation, he re
turned to them in 1871, and from that
time, until his death, continued to feed
them with the spiritual bread Of life"
In his declining years, owing to- his
impaired health, ia consequence Of his
e~xhausting labors in preaching, and in
his many other parochial duties, it was
deemed advisable that he should have a
colleague or assistant in the ministry
Rev. Edward Dorr Clifford, d. D., of
East Haddam, Conn, was therefore ap
pointed his assistant. Of this Rev. gen.
tleman, Mr.. HOLSTER, in his History of
Connections, Ia standard and classical
SAYS -" He was born in East
Haddam, Jan. 6, 1870, and graduated
at Yale, in 1890. In 1895. he was or
dained pastor Of. the Congregational
Church in New Hartford and 1901 he
became the collegiate pastor with the
Rev. DR.. McWhorter, in Newark, New
Jersey. He was subsequently pastor Of
the Park street church, Boston, professor
of sacred rhetoric in the theological sem
mary at Andover, and President of Will
liams College. He returned to Newark
in 1886, where he died, Nov. s, 1881,
aged 81. DreGrifin was one Of the most
eloquent preachers of his time."-Hisf.
Conn. Vol. II, page $40.
Not morese eloquent. in our humble opin-
ion, than DR.. McWhorter in his palmy
days-but a worthy associate Of an equal
ly worthy brother in the Gospel Dispen
How fortunate it was for Dr..
McWhorter, that he had so able a col
league as Dr.. Griffin? and was it not
equally fortunate for DR.. Griffin, that
he had 50 eloquent a co-worker as Dr..
McWhorter? Who shall presume to
decide upon their relative merits p
Who shall say that one was superior
to the other :? Let their equally sue
.eessful labors alone decide the question.
It was the intention Of the writer to class
DR.. Griffin among distinguished Jersey
as he preached in Newark. and
died there but having embodied the
extract from the History above named,
the task Of writing a separate sketch
would be s%uperhuous.
For six years, like Paul and Barnabas
of old, those two eminent divines labored
tagether in the Lords vineyard; and saw
a great ~ingathering Of souls into the
Church the most perfect friendship. A
harmony subsisting between them and
DR.. McWhorter began to feel the
and burden Of declining years
Occasionally he continued to preach.
however, until be became so enfeebled
- 49, - - - E,paifinc that