The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-03-20
For the Central Presbyterian.
Hanover Presbytery-Caleb
Wallace.

OF the Central welcomed the very inter-
esting and genial editorial which ap-
peared in the issue of March 9th under
the title, Judge Caleb Wallace, OF
Kentucky"
The publication, therein commented
on, deserves all the commentator be-
slowed on it, and shows so much OF in
dustry and research that it must take its
place among the valuable contributions
to public history, brought out by private
and united enterprise during the past
fifty years.
We do not propose to repeat herein
what is so we'll said in that editorial
We propose only to bring to notice lacts
not alluded to therein, and to debate
briefly some questions of authorship
which necessarily emerge from the sub
ject. And in doing this we have no
wish to detract aught of merit properly
belonging to the eminent Christian gen
tleman whose life is so attractively and
fairly set forth in Mr.. Whiteitts bio
graphical work.
James Madison was at Princeton Col
lege with Caleb Wallace. And, from
this work, we learn the fact, interesting
to all, and new to many, that Madison,
after graduating in l77l, passed another
year at Princeton, studying theology,
under the president, Rev. DR.. John
Witherspoon. 1t is not supposed that he
at any time contemplated entering the
Christian ministry, but he valued highly
the opportunity of studying the exalted
science Of the nature, works, and ways of
81 -
is not to be doubted that the eminent
divine and philosopher, who was after
wards so active in the csuse of American
independence, and who was a member OF
the Congress that adopted the immortal
Declaration, and whose name is signed
to it, infused much of his own deep
thought and spirit into those who studied
under him, and that Caleb Wallace and
James Madison 9TH drew their inspira-
tion tor religious freedom largely from
him.
Mr.. Wallace, after studying with DR..
Witherspoon was licensed by the Pres
bytery of New Brunswick in 1772, and,
after preaching for some time in North
Carolina and Georgia, received a call
from the churches Of Cub Greek, in
Charlotte county, and Little Falling
River (probably in Campbell county,
near the Charlotte line), and was or.
dained and installed by the Presbytery
of Hanover, 18th of October, 1774
He continued in the active duties OF
the ministry until about the year 1886.
From this time he seems to have volun.
tarily Identified the sacred Office, and de-
voted himself entirely to secular life.
No action of Hanover Presbytery has
been found Diminishing him, or in any
form asserting to his retirement. IT.
seems to have been tacitly acquiesced In
He continued firm and consistent mem.
Der of the Presbyterian Church to the
day of his death, in May, 1914 And
he constantly manifested his earnest In.
terest in the progress of genuine religion
and in the higher forms of Christian
education.
He resided in Kentucky District and
afterwards State) from the year 1882.
At what time be devoted himself TO the
special study of law does not appear.
Probably in that science he was self.
made, as all the best lawyers In the
world have been. In 1888 lie was elected
and commissioned as one of the assistant
iudges Of the Supreme Court Of Appeals
Tor the District of Kentucky And
when she became a State, in 1892 be
vas elected one Of the justices of her
highest Court of Appeals, and continued
in Office until the year before his death.
And so, for period of about thirty
years he wore without a stain the ermine
of justice, in District and a State full
of restless enterprise, and often Of scenes
of turmoil and lawlessnesa.
The season Of his life which naturally
attracts most Of our attention embraces
the part he bore in working for the cause
of religious freedom in Virginia. We do
not think mis- industrious biographer has
brought anything really new to the his.
tory Of Virginia on this subject. Only
one document not before published, and
having material interest on this question.
has been brought to light within the five
decades Fast. That is the petition Of Han.
over PresbYtery to the House of Bur
gesses Of Virginia, in November, 1774
asking for changes and amendments in
the proposed "Aot Of federation" This
was unearthed from the archives Of Vlr
ginia by William Writ Henry, ESQ, and
was published in the Central Prostitute.
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