Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-05-21
Baiseellanso,ls 8eaaing.
JOHN WITHERsPooN.
Statue of Scholar and Patriot In Wash
inoton.

JOHN WlThEHSPOON.
Statue of Scholar and Patriot In Wash
inston.
An effigy of John Witherspoon, q
famous Scotch clergyman, president
Of Princeton University, signer of the
Declaration Of Independence and q
member Of the Continental Congress,
was unveiled in Washington yester-
day afternoon, Thursday, May 20, at
the junction Of Connecticut avenue
Eighteenth and N streets in front Of
the Presbyterian Church of the Cow
enant.
| John Witherspoon was born In
Scotland in 1922, the son Of Presby-
terian parish minister and a great
grandson Of John Knox, from whom
he inherited several of his most con-
spicuous traits. He was highly edu-
Gated in the classical and divinity
schools of the University Of Edin-
burgh, entering at the age Of IA and
being ordained and beginning his
work as a minister at the age Of 81.
He was q precocious young man and
gained scholarly distinction and q
reputation for oratorical ability when
he was mere boy. One Of the most
important features Of his university
life was his membership in a debat-
ing society and literary club, where
he met the ablest professional men of
Edinburgh as we'll as the most pro-
fcient students, and doubtless this ex-
perience led him to organize the two
famous literary societies Of Princeton,
one Of which, Whig Hall, was found
ed by James Madison, who was With
erpsoon's private secretary during a
portion of his course at Princeton.
In 1741 when Witherspoon was 10.
John Whitfield preached in Edin-
burgh for several weeks. The fresh
ness and force Of his sermons, The
originality of his thought and his de-
parture from the professional meth
DDS Of the Scotch clergy, made deep
impression upon the young theologi-
cal student.
Witherspoon's first charge was the
parish church Of Beth, Ayrshire,
Scotland, to which he was appointed
by the Earl Of Eglinton, and he re-
manned there for twelve years, devot-
ing himself diligently to the duties Of
his parish and making wide reputa-
ton as a preacher. He was fond of
study; his sermons were carefully pre-
phred without notes. His theology
1as the Westminster Confession Of
Eaith, from which he never departed.
He was a wide reader. remarkable
linguist, and especially familiar with
Greek and Latin classics, history,
French literature and philosophy and
the works of the ablest German writ
ers. He married Elizabeth Mont
gomery of Ayrshire, relative of the
Earl of Eglington, his patron.
Witherspoon's activities were not
confined to his profession. He took
an active part in political affairs, was
overseer Of highways, and performed
other public duties as citizen. He
took an active interest In the political
as we'll as the theological controver-
sizes Of the day, and was suspected Of
writing certain anonymous pamphlets
which attacked the loose and vicious
practices of public men.
In 1857 he was called to the Laigh
Church Of Paisley and began his min
istry there in the fulness Of his repu-
tation as a preacher and theologian
and the foremost man Of his party in
the Church Of Scotland. In 1852 he
was defendant in q suit for libel be-
cause Of q sermon which reflected up
on some disgraceful practices in the
town and was sentenced to pay heavy
damages, which would have ruined
him financially but for the generosity
Of some of his parishioners who paid
the full amount.
He wrote many pamphlets and sew
eral books upon political and theolog-
ical questions, both serious and satiri-
cal, and in imitation Of Dean Swift
was even guilty Of wretched doggerel
satirizing the tendencies Of the times,
and especially the low state Of moral
ity among the clergy Of the establish
ed church. Here is one Of his sar-
castle verses:
The way for clergymen to win
A sweet, delicious dinner
Is still to wink and spare the sin
And justify the sinner.
He received calls to several Of the
largest and most influential churches
in Scotland and Ireland, and his fame
crossed the water, In 1866 Richard
Stockton, trustee Of Princeton College,
was sent to Scotland to offer him the
presidency of that institution, but Mrs.
| Witherspoon was so ayerse to the Idea
that she was rude to the American
gentleman, who cut short the inter-
view and beat hasty retreat. Later
she apologized for her discourtesy,
saying she was Ill at the time and the
very thought of going so far away
from her home and friends made her
frantic.
| The next year the Rev. Charles
Beattie, another trustee, visited Pals
ley with greater success, and the Goth
of May, 1868, John Witherpsoon
preached his farewell sermon and
sailed with his family for Philadelphia,
where he arrived the 9Th of August.
At that time there were only three
colleges in North America--Harvard,
which had been established in 1886;
William and Mary, at Williamsburg,
Va, chartered by the crown in 1898,
and Yale, located at New Haven In
1718. The middle colonies were des-
titute Of the means of higher educa-
ton, and the Presbyterians Of New
Jersey had obtained charter in 1746,
with John Dickinson, who had been
conducting an academy at Elizabeth,
as president. The first commence
ment was to have been held in May,