The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-28
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
REV. WIN. CALHOUN AND WIN. WRIT.

KEW. WIN. CALhUUN AMI MA. WIKI.
Your interesting correspondent, "Senex, :"
states that the Rev. William Calhoun was
instrumental in the conversion of William
Writ. I know not from whom he obtained
his information, but 1 am very sure it is cor
rect.
would premise what have to say of
this interesting fact in the life of Mr.. Cal
hOun, by remarking that when we speak of
pious and useful men, we should never lose
sight in the instrument, of the great truth,
that all good done is due to the operations
of the Holy Spirit, and that to "GOd all the
glory belongs" No humble preacher of the
everlasting gospel who feels right, will
take credit to himself for any good he may
be instrumental in doing, for he knows that
Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but God
gives the increase. "Who then is Paul,
and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom
ye believer" When an injudiciOus friend
congratulated the piOus Richard Baxter On
his death bed, on the good many had received
from his preachings and writings, he said,
81 was but pen in Gods hand, and what
praise is due to pen?" ''GOd," said he,
"may justly condemn me for the best duty l
ever did," But how glorious is the promise
to the poor, weak, instrument? Sand they
that be wise (or teach) shall shine as the
brightness of the armament, and they that
turn many to Righteousness, as the stars for
ever and ever.
A pious friend of William Writ informed
the writer that the Rev. William Calhoun
was instrumental in his conversion. Writ
did not enter into particulars of the Occa-
sion or time. The statement was made to me
in Washington city in 1852. On visit to
Virginia l hastened to inform "Father Cal
houn" of this statement of the great orator,
and piOus Christian, feeling convinced that
he had never heard it.
When 1 told him what Writ had said, he
sprang to his feet, and with tears trickEng
down his aged cheeks, he exclaimed, ''Thank
God thank God; thank God !" and then
made to me the following statement, in Ian
guage characteristic of the man, and which
l in vain may attempt to recall. But the
substance was this:
He stated that, while he was laboring as
amissionary in Albemarle county, Va, VIM.
Writ frequently invited him to his house.
At this time, as "Senex" says, there were
number of professed in6dels in and around.
Charlottesville, led by Mr.. Jefferson. Writ,
presume, was among the dOubters.
On one occasion, while enjoying the hos
pitality of Mr.. Writ, the subject of the evil
dences of the Christian religion cameup, and
as may be well imagined, the contest be-
tween two brilliant minds was keen and in
teresting. Mr.. Calhoun stated that Mr..
Writ continued to converse on the subject
in his parlOr until late hour; he at length
took a candle to light him to bed, aud con,
tinued the conversation after Mr.. Calhoun
was in bed, until the candle gave out. He
then occupied bed in the same room, and
they conversed almost to the dawn of day.
When Mr.. Calhoun started in the morning,
Mr.. Writ accompanied him many miles, con-
versing still on the all important subject.
Mr.. Calhoun concluded by saying, "that,
sir, is all know about it.
1 have no knowledge of dates, but pre-
sumo it was many years after this converse
ton before Writ professed conversion, and
that he afterwards went very far in the
ways of dissipation. But the good seed came
up at last. "Cast thy bread upon the wa
ters, for thou shalt find it after many days" "
1t will be remembered that the Blind
Preacher, so eloquently described by Mr..
Writ in his "British Spy" was the father
in.law of Mr.. Calhoun. Writ doubtless fire.
quently heard Mr.. Waddell preach in Char
lottesville. Grand as is the well known ex-
preston quoted by Mr.. Waddell from the
great Frenchman, Rousseau, think 1 heard
one equally so from "Father Calhoun" -
Dwelling on the Righteousness of Christ,
imputed to us, and with which we must be
clothed, he paused, and raising his hands
and eyes to heaven, exclaimed in a tone /
cannot describe-"My brethren, the blood
of Abel cried out for vengeance, the blood of
Jesus Christ cries out for mercy"
Those familiar with Halls Contempla-
tiOns" will remember very similar express
sion" "Abel says nothing, his blood cries.