Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-04-28
Samuel Finley, ID. ID.

Samue1 EImAey, Ds he
Wisdom and genius owe their birth
and origin to no particular national To-
cality. Had the great Scottish poet.
Robert Burns, been born in America, in
stead Of Scotland, he would have been
Robert Burns still and so with regard
to Thomas Moore, the great Irish bard.
America would have been proud to have
claimed them as adopted citizens and
so may New Jersey we'll be proud to
claim Samuel Finley, as n Of her NEST
illustrious inhabitants.
He was born in Ireland, in 1716. At
the age of 80, he emigrated to the then
British Colonies of North America, and
located in the Northern part of New Jer-
sey. He was a man of ardent tempera.
ment and unaffected piety. He also pos
sessed a large share of that native elo
quence, for which the educated Irish have,
in all ages, been SO justly famed. His
mind was well stored with theological
learning !; and when he applied to the
Presbytery of New Brunswick for ordi-
nation, he was received with warm
hearted appreciation and his application
was Immediately granted. Such is the
force of great talent and ~irreproachable
morals. His zeal and eenevolence knew
no bounds. He performed long and Sc
we're itinerant labors, preaching the gos-
pei to thousands, without fee or reward.
All that he asked, was simply a moderate
subsistence. This ardent love for the
cause of the great Redeemer, sometimes
led him into difficulty.
On n occasion, he went to New Ha-
ven, in Connecticut, and preached a most
powerful sermon, to a Presbyterian Con.
gregation in that City. What was the
consequence? Why, Il blush to say it,
he was rudely seized as a common va
grant, and conveyed out of the Colony.
The fact is, that at this time, Connecticut
had not entirely shaken off Blue Lavish.
Her bigotted Legislature had passed a
law, that no itinerant preacher should en-
ter into a parish, where a regular minister
was settled ; under certain pains and
penalties. Hence the very shameful and
inhospitable treatment of Mr.. Finley
They might just as well have served that
great reformer and most eloquent preach.
er, George Whitfield, in the same scan.
dalous manner. Thank Heaven, the dark
reign Of religious Il would rather call it
anti religious,) bigotry and intolerance,
is very nearly at an end.
In 1744, Mr.. Finley accepted a call to
become a settled pastor in Nottingham,
Maryland where he had a large and
aourishing congregation. Here he la
bored with great faithfulness, energy,
and success for a period Of seven years.
But he did not confne himself solely to
preaching, and the administration of the
Christian ordinances. He instituted an
Academy for the thorough instruction of
young men in the higher branches Of
science and literature. AS a teacher, he
had no superior. The Academy, under
his superintendent, soon acquired a rep
u%tation, as wide and lasting as the coun-
try in which it originated. The academy
was, no doubt, the means of paving the
way for MIR. Finley, to the highest honors
in the literary community of the Western
World. He was elected to the Presi-
dency of Princeton College, and imme.
diately after, entered upon the duties of
bis high station, with great ardor and
ability. He is universally acknowledged
to have been one of the best Presidents
of which Nassau Hall can boast. The
College had previously conferred upon
him, the degree of d. D. His death took
place, in Princeton, in 1866, at the age of
so. His published Works consist prin
cipally of Sermons which are peculiarly
eloquent, classical, and original. They
will ever be regarded as Of standard au
thority +; and should be carefully read by
all who are DESTROYS Of Improvement i'll
sound religious instruction.