The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-09-15
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
SAMUEL B. WILSON, D. D.
IN FREDERICKSBURG.


AS Mr.. Wilson was proceeding diligently
and cautiously in dispensing the Word and
ordinances in Fredericksburg, with great eff
feet, which nothing seemed to mar or hinder,
there came trial of his mental powers, his
theological arguments, and his Christian ex,
perience and mastery over himself, that de-
velOped the man and minister. The report
was that Fredericksburg, that spirited, bust
ness-hke, cheerful city, that had seemed to
glide easily from the old colonial form of
dispensing and sustaining the ordinances of
Christianity, by the authority of colonial
law, and by the resources of the State ap-
prOpriated and collected by law, into free
and easy way of thinking, fostered and diff,
fused by the French philosophy, on the prin:
eiple of perfectibility of man by the means
nature afforded, had now turned to the Cos
pei of God, and that the whole city and the
regions round about were moving on in the
direction of repentance and faith, as a peo-
pie awaking, they know not how, from de-
Gghtful dream of pleasure, to a beautiful
day of light and Immortality. Preachers of
the different denominations of religion as it
appears in society, turned their attention to
this novel sight. Visiting the city, they
found that the report was true; and that
there was a guileless readiness to hear the
Gospel.
And forthwith various discussions sprung
up that began to interest and to bewilder the
public mind. 1t was not a discussion of
Christianity against InfdeIty, or whether
the claims of Christianity were paramount,
for the public mind had been enlightened on
that point, under the ministration of Mr..
Wilson; nor was the discussion whether the
doctrine and Christian living as set forth by
Mr.. Wilson was the truth, for that matter
had been settled in the public mind, in a
manner, that, after some sixty years of
changes in human things, the doctrines aud
Christian practice as set forth by Mr.. Will
son, are the standard doctrines of the city
at this day. Nor was the discussion wheth-
er Mr.. Wilson was proper preacher to guide
the city in matters of faith, for on that sub
ject the majority of the people, in and round
the city, were of one mind and had the
question been put, shall Mr.. Wilson continue
to be the preacher of Fredericksburg the
old petition. would have been sent back to
Presbytery, signed by greater number of
gentlemen; and by multitude of ladies, if
necessary, asking that Mr.. Wilson should re,
main the minister in the position he was, ex-
ercising growing influence over large
population scattered over the surrounding
counties of King George, Stafford, Orange,
Madison and Spottsylvania.
But the questions that were brought to
agitate the public mind, involved such mat
ters as these-were the forms of administra-
ton of the ordinances set up by Wilson
the right and the best ?-or would not some
other be better-sOme that had once been
current in this city and around, or were cur
rent elsewhere now? And, for time, Mr..
Wilson was called on to state clearly and
precisely his views on the order and authOri-
tn of the ministers of the Church of Christ
on the manner of administering the sacra-
ments; and the persons to e0hOm they were
to be administered and in fact on all things
on which the different denominations Of
Christians had differed.
Mr.. Wilson maintained his reputation for
clearness and precision in his statements, for
knowledge of the subjects debated, for calm
ness and entire self. possession. And where
he did not convince, he left no ground Of
complaint of unfairness, or want of temper
in the discussion. Those of the Scotch and
and Scotch-Irish origin, generally coineided
with Mr.. Wilson, as reproducing their early
associations and numerous families de
scended from the colonial Church, and who
had been awakened under his preaching
were entirely satisfied to remain under the
teaching of the man who had been the mean;
of plucking them as brands out of the fire
looking upon faith, repentance, and gOdIy
liviaq as the essentials; and that matters 0.
form we're not of sufficient weight to settle
mans convictions about religion.