The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-01-16
FOR rHE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"REMINISCENCES OF PRESBYTERIAN
MINISTERS.
BY AN OCToGENARIAN.
No. 28.

REV. WILLIAM WILLIAMSON.
The subject of this paper was a native of
Lanarkshire in Scotland. The country is
pastoral. 1t is perVaded by remarkable
vein of coal, which for long time has
warmed not only the county, but other parts
of Scotland. 1t has three Royal Burghs,
and DrumelOg where the Covenanters fought
for the victory which they obsained-and
Boutwell,, where we regret to say, they were
defeated. 1t is called Clydesdale because
the Clyde passes through the shire, creating
in its course that Cora Linn which has ex-
cited the admiration of tourists, and about
which the scenery is romantic as that of
Clifton in England. From this lovely Dale
some at least were migrated to the West In
dies, and among them William Williamson to
Virginia.
He was born in 1765. There are four
Universities in Scotland, but to neither of
them was he ever sent. The one at Glasgow
could have been reached in fifteen or twenty
miles, but perhaps he could not get sufi-
cheney of gold dust for the purpose. He was
content with grammar school of his own
neighbOrhOOd, which was taught by pre-
ceptor who had married sister of Thomson
the poet. He found his best teacher in his
own mind, which was vigorous by nature,
and his attainments in the Mathematics and
Languages were highly respectable. he vas
reticent about his Juvenile life, but we doubt
not that it was strictly moral. We remem-
Der bat one. incident ketofe leaving Scot
land, and that was mis- walking to Biggar to
hear q son of Brown Of Hsddington. sand
what" / asked, "Was his text?" 81 will
turn aside and see this great sight, why the
bush is not burnt" IAN appropriate text,
remarked, 81 for shire in which persecu-
tiOn prevailed; but its heat could not con-
sumo the bush. That fourished on, bearing
its unscorched leaves and purple berries. The
death of Patrick Hamilton and George Wis
hart has planted germs from which trees of
righteousness have been multiplied" "EVen
80, he rejOiued.
In 1855 be embarked either at Leith or
Greenoek for Norfolk, a city of Virginia.
His object in crossing the sea was to become
a private tutor in family living in Lanoas-
ter, one of the Northern Neck counties Of
Virginia. After the ful6lment of this en-
gagement he expected TO become a lawyer,
and he was well suited to the profession from
the logical character of his mind. But an
incident took place on the voyage verify of
mention. A storm arose; the ship was
rocked, the sails were rent, and the hull Of
a vessel divided between hin and eternity
Then he cried to the Lord in his trouble, and
vowed that if the storm were made calm
that he would consecfste himself to the ser
vice of Him who had yoked the tempest on the
Lake of Galilee. This VOW he fulfilled
When he reached his destination in Lancas-
ter, the family gave him cordial welcome,
and to family kindness were added the atten,
tions of the Rev. James Wsddell, who was
preaching in the neighbOrhood, and to whom
Writ has given so great celebrity.
He was licensed at the Cove church near
Charlottesville, and ordained by the Presby-
terry of Winchester. he seems to have been
much more of an evangelist than pastor
This probably resulted from the fact that he
taught nearly all his life. Several were his
pupils who became distinguished men. They
honOred the bar, the pulpit and the bench
He preached at Front Royal, MiddIeburgh
Salem, Warrenton, and sundry other places
Hewas the founder Of the Greenwich church
where two or three ladies were his first mem
bers. Many were awakened, for he was al
awakening preacher. His sermons were al
ways logical, but peryaded by the thunder
of Sinai. They were delivered with an sni
nation truly fOrcible. His creed was Cal
whistle, and we never heard him allude t
any distinction between natural and mora
inability. In this ne was more OrthOdO.
than President Edwards, who wrote the pro
foundest work on the will ever published
Since the time of Luther and Erasmus ther
have been great disputes about the freedom
of the human viii. All Calvinists hold t
its Freedom They define it to be poWe
in man to act in consistency with his nature
but then his nature is totally fallen, cOrrup
deceisful and guilty. Who ever tried to chai
the will of Napoleon I Ofwhat adVantag
would any attempt have been to fetter wi
always acting in an atmosphere Of total d
prayity and bOundless ambition, without ia
sats to bring his affairs to any happy col