• • BA1J.W «» •«•»» »«•••». •• '■.■;rt ■■& IS? ■ ■B ■ wm lOKife m ■ 0FE OF WM TENNtiNT, I wSnvWKt S II ^■1 J^. ■raws Jft S% gi ■it ad 775 m-mJafc** n 9 / LIFE OF* THE Rev. WILLIAM TENNENT, LATE PASTOR OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT FREEHOLD, N. J. BY ELIAS BOUDINOT, LL. D. IMPROVED EDITION. ^e^ TRENTON : Printed and Published by E. B. Adams. 1833. TO THE READER. On the face of the former editions of this valuable little book, no other ac- count of its authorship is given than the simple statement, that it was " ex- tracted from the Evangelical Intelli- gencer, for the year 1806." Some are even less explicit. This is the more remarkable fram the fact of its ac- knowledged excellence, and the high favor in which it is held by the reli- gious world — many large editions hav- ing been sold, and the demand yet re- maining unsatisfied. The Publisher of the present edition had often heard the work attributed to the late Dr. Bou- dinot, of Burlington, N. J., for many years President of the American Bible Society, whose vigorous intellect and IV extensive learning were equalled only by the purity of his life and his fervid piety. After much inquiry the Pub- lisher has ascertained, beyond the pos- sibility of doubt, that this sketch of Mr. Tennent's life was not improperly as- cribed to the same pen that produced the " Star in the West." In proof of this, might be cited the testimony of a respectable professional gentleman of this city, who assisted the writer in collecting and authenticating the facts embodied in this Mapaoir. The au- thor's name has therefore been placed in the title page. Trenton, July 1833. LIFE OF THE Rev. WILLIAM TENNENT. Among the duties which every generation owes to those which are to succeed it, we may reckon the careful delineation of the characters of those whose example deserves, and may in- vite imitation. Example speaks louder than precept, and living practical religion has a much greater effect on mankind than argument or eloquence. — Hence, the lives of pious men become the most important sources of instruc- tion and warning to posterity ; while their ex- emplary conduct affords the best commentary on the religion they professed. But when such men have been remarkably favored of God, with unusual degrees of light and knowledge, and have been honored by the special and extraor- dinary influences of his Holy Spirit, and by the - r manifest and wonderful interpositions of b 1 I ¥ E O F T E If >' E ** T . divine Providence in their behalf, it becomes a duty of more than common obligation, to hand down to posterity the principal events of their lives, together with such useful inferences as they naturally suggest. A neglect of this duty, even by persons who may be conscious of the want of abilities necessary for the complete bi- ographer, is greatly culpable ; for if the strict- est attention be paid to the truth of the facts related, and all exaggeration or partial repre- sentation be carefully avoided, the want of other furniture can be no excuse for burying in obli- vion that conduct, which, if known, might edify and benefit the world. The writer of these memoirs has difficulties of a peculiar kind to encounter, in attempting to sketch the life of that modest, humble, and worthy man, whose actions, exercises, and sen- timents he wishes to record. Worldly men, who are emulous to transmit their names to following ages, take care to leave such materi- als for the future historian, as may secure the celebrity which they seek. But the humble fol- lower of the meek and lowly Jesus, whose sole aim is the glory of God, in the welfare of im- mortal souls, goes on, from day to day, as see- ino - Him who is invisible, careful to approve XIFE OF TKNNENT. / himself only to the Searcher of hearts, regard- less of worldly fame or distinction, and leaving it to his heavenly Father to reward him openly, in the day of final account. The writer of such a man's life must principally rely on a personal acquaintance with him, and the communications of his intimate friends, for the information which shall be imparted to the public. In these cir- cumstances, it is peculiarly embarrassing if some of the facts to be recorded are of such a nature, that it is most desirable to have their authenticity so fully established, that incredu- lity shall be confounded, and the sneer of the sceptical and profane lose its effect. But the writer of the following narrative, though placed in these circumstances, and having such facts to detail, has nevertheless determined to pro- ceed. He has refreshed and corrected his own recollection, by the most careful inquiries that he could possibly make of others, until he is well assured, that what he shall state is incon- testable truth. From the very nature of several things of which an account will be given, they do not, indeed, admit of any other direct testi- mony than that of the remarkable man to whom they relate. But if there ever was a person who deserved to be believed unreservedly on his own LIFE OF TEIfJfENT, word, it was he. He possessed an integrity of soul and a soundness of judgment, which did actually secure him an unlimited confidence from all who knew him. Every species of de- ception, falsehood, and exaggeration, he abhor- red and scorned. He was an Israelite, indeed, in whom there was no guile.— With such ma- terials, then, as have been mentioned, and for a work of such character as has been hinted, the writer has undertaken his task. He has under- taken what he would most gladly have resigned to an abler hand; but from which, as no other offered, he dared not withhold his own. He could wish that speculative, and even unbeliev- ing minds might be instructed and convinced by these memoirs. But his principal object, and that in which he trusts he shall not be entirely disappointed, is to direct, assist, and comfort pi- ous souls, groaning under the pressure of the calamities which they often have to endure in their pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world. The late Rev. William Tennent, of Free- hold, in the county of Monmouth, in the state of New Jersey, of whom we write, was the se- cond son of the Rev. William Tennent, minis- ter of the gospel at Neshaminy, in Bucks county, LIFE OF TENNEKT. m the state of Pennsylvania. This last gentle- man was originally a minister of the church of England, in the then kingdom of Ireland, where he was born and received his education. He was chaplain to an Irish nobleman, but being conscientiously scrupulous of conforming to the terms imposed on the clergy of that kingdom, he was deprived of his living. He now became acquainted with the famous Gilbert Kennedy, of a Presbyterian minister, who had also been persecuted for his religious principles, and soon after married his daughter. Finding it difficult to continue at home with any satis- factory degree of usefulness, and his family in- creasing, after a few years he determined to emigrate to America, where he was encouraged to hope for a greater liberty of conscience, as well as the prospect of being employed in ex- tending the Redeemer's kingdom in that new world. He arrived at Philadelphia in the sum- mer of 1718, with his wife, four sons, and one daughter. His sons were, Gilbert, who was af- terwards the pastor of the second Presbyterian church in Philadelphia; William, the subject of these memoirs; John, who became pastor, of the church at Freehold, and died at the age of twenty-five years; and Charles, afterwards mi- 10 IIFE OF TEU5XlfT. nisterof the Presbyterian church at Whiteclay creek, whence he removed to Buckingham, in Maryland. William Tennent, the father, on his first coming to America, settled at East Chester, in the then province of New York, and afterwards removed to Bedford. In a short time, he was called to Bucks county, in Pennsylvania, and preached at Bensalem and Smithfield ; but soon after settled permanently at Neshaminy, in the same county. Being skilled in the Latin lan- guage, so as to speak and write it almost as well as his mother tongue; a qfcod proficient, also, in the other learned languages, and well read in divinity, he determined to set up a school for the instruction of youth, particularly of those designed for the gospel ministry, as the be6t service he could render to God and his new adopted country ; education being then at a very low ebb. There appeared, in his apprehension, a very large field for the propagation of the gos- pel, could a sufficient number of faithful laborers be found for so great a harvest. A learned mi- nistry, he well knew, was necessary to the sure foundation of the church of Christ, especially in a new country, so peculiarly exposed to every invader, and where the enemy might 60 sue- I, I F E OF TEW KENT 11 cessfully sow tares among the wheat. In pur- suance of this design, he established an acade- my, and built a house, since known by the name of the log college. Soon after his arrival in Bucks county, on full consideration, he left the church of England, and, to enlarge his sphere of usefulness, deter- mined to join the Presbyterian church. Accord- ingly, he applied to the synod of Philadelphia for admission into their communion, and, on due examination, and complying with their stated rules, he was very cordially received. At the first meeting of the ayttod afterwards, he ad- dressed that venerable body, in an elegant La- tin oration, which added greatly to his celebrity, and increased the hopes of his friends as to the success of the institution he had founded. To erect and support such an important seminary of learning, out of his own private purse, at that early period, in a new country just rising from a savage wilderness, and to devote himself to so severe a service, in addition to his pastoral charge, was a boon to his generation, that at this day cannot be easily nor sufficiently appre- ciated. His expectations, in a few years, were more than realized. In this institution, the principal 12 LIFE OF TIX5EST, men of the day, and many of the Presbyterian clergy were educated, and added greatly to the increase and usefulness of tbeir churches. The late Rev. Messrs. Rowland,' Campbell, Law- rence, Beatty, Robinson, and Samuel Blair, with many others, were among the number of his pupils, and thought themselves honored by being considered as sons of this humble semi- nary. Here, also, his own four sons received their education, and were prepared for their im- portant services. Had these been the only fruits of that infant academy, America would have reason to rejoice, and to render thanks to that God who directed this gentleman to visit her shores. His second son, William, who is the subject of these sketches, was born on the 3d day of June, 1705, in the county of Antrim, in Ireland, and was just turned of thirteen years when he arrived in America. He applied himself, with much zeal and industry, to his studies, and made great proficiency in the languages, particularly in the Latin. Being early impressed with a deep sense of divine things, he soon determined to follow the example of his father and elder brother, by devoting himself to the service of God in the ministry of the gospel. His brother LIFE OF TENNENT 13 Gilbert being called to the pastoral charge of the church at New Brunswick, in New Jersey, and making a very considerable figure as a use- ful and popular preacher, William determined, as he had completed his course in the languages, to study divinity under his brother. According- ly, he left his father's house, with his consent, and by his advice, and went to New Brunswick. At his departure from home, which was consi- dered as his setting out in life, his father ad- dressed him with great affection, commending him to the favor and protection of that God from whom he. himself had received so much mercy, and who had directed him in all his migrations. He gave him a small sum of money, as the amount of all he could do for him, telling him that if he behaved well and did his duty, this was an ample provision for him; and if he should act otherwise, and prove ungrateful to a kind and gracious God, it was too much, and more than he deserved. Thus, with a pittance, and the blessing of a pious and affectionate parent, of more consequence than thousands of pounds, the young student set out in the world. After a regular course of study in theology, Mr. Tennent was preparing for his examination by the Presbytery, as a candidate for the gospel 14 LIFE OF TE\HEJTT. ministry. His intense application affected his health, and brought on a pain in his breast and a slight hectic. He soon became emaciated, and at length was like a living skeleton. His life was now .threatened. He was attended by a physician, a young man who was attached to him by the strictest and warmest friendship. He grew worse and worse, till little hope of life was left. In this situation, his spirits failed him, and he began to entertain doubts of his final happiness. He was conversing one morning with his brother, in Latin, on the state of his soul, when he fainted and died away. After the usual time, he was laid out on a board, accord- ing to the common practice of the country, and the neighborhood were invited to attend his fu- neral on the next day. In the evening, his phy- sician and friend returned from a ride into the country, and was afflicted beyond measure at the news of his death. He could not be per- suaded that it was certain ; and on being told that one of the persons who had assisted in lay- ing out the body, thought he had observed a lit- tle tremor of the flesh under the arm, although the body was cold and stiff, he endeavored to ascertain the fact. He first put his own hand into warm water, to make it as sensible as pos» LIFE OF TESSUTi 15 sible, and then felt under the arm, and at the heart, and affirmed that he felt an unusual warmth, though no one else could. He had the body restored to a warm bed, and insisted that the people who had been invited to the funeral, should be requested not to attend. To this the brother objected as absurd, the eyes being sunk, the lips discolored, and the whole body cold and stiff. However, the doctor finally prevailed, and all probable means were used to discover symp- toms of returning life. But the third day ar- rived, and no hopes were entertained of success but by the doctor, who never left him night nor day. The people were again invited, and as- sembled to attend the funeral. The doctor still objected, and at last confined his request for delay to one hour — then to half an hour — and, finally, to a quarter of an hour. He had disco- vered that the tongue was much swollen, and threatened to crack. He was endeavoring to soften it by some emollient ointment, put upon it with a feather, when the brother came in, about the expiration of the last period, and, mis- taking what the doctor was doing for an attempt to feed him, manifested some resentment, and, in a spirited tone, said, " It is shameful to be feeding a lifeless corpse;" and insisted, with 16 XIFE OF TEKNENT. earnestness, that the funeral should immedi- ately proceed. At this critical and important moment, the body, to the great alarm and asto- nishment of all present, opened its eyes, gave a dreadful groan, and sunk again into apparent death. This put an end to all thoughts of bury- ing him, and every effort was again employed, in hopes of bringing about a speedy resuscita- tion. In about an hour, the eyes again opened, a heavy groan proceeded from the body, and again all appearance of animation vanished. In another hour, life seemed to return with more power, and a complete revival took place, to the great joy of the family and friends, and to the no small astonishment and conviction of very many who had been ridiculing the idea of restoring to life a dead body. Mr. Tennent continued in so weak and low a state, for six weeks, that great doubts were entertained of his final recovery. However, af- ter that period, he recovered much faster, but it was about twelve months before he was com- pletely restored. After he was able to walk the room, and to take notice of what passed around him, on a Sunday afternoon, his sister, who had staid from church to attend him, was reading in the Bible, when he took notice of it, and asked LIFE OF 1ENNEST. 17 her what she had in her hand. She answered, that she was reading the Bible. He replied, " What is the Bible 5 I know not what you mean." This affected the sister so much, that she burst into tears, and informed him that he was once well acquainted with it. On her re- porting this to the brother, when he returned, Mr. Tennent was found, upon examination, to be totally ignorant of every transaction of his life previous to his sickness. He could not read a single word, neither did he seem to have any idea of what it meant. As soon as he became capable of attention, he was taught to read and write, as children are usually taught, and after- wards began to learn the Latin language, under the tuition of his brother. One day, as he was reciting a lesson in Cornelius Nepos, he sud- denly started, clapped his hand to his head, as if something had hurt him, and made a pause. His brother asking him, what was the matter, fhe said, that he felt a sudden shock in his head, and it now seemed to him as if he had read that book before. By degrees, his recollection was restored, and he could speak the Latin as flu- ently as before his sickness. His memory so completely revived, that he gained a perfect knowledge of the past transactions of his life, B 18 LIFE OF TISKINT. as if no difficulty had previously occurred. This event, at the time, made a considerable noise, and afforded not only matter of serious contem- plation to the devout christian, especially when connected with what follows in this narration, but furnished a subject of deep investigation and learned inquiry to the real philosopher and curious anatomist. The writer of these memoirs was greatly in- terested by these uncommon events; and, on a favorable occasion, earnestly pressed Mr. Ten- nent for a minute account of what his views and apprehensions were, while he lay in this extraordinary state of suspended animation. He discovered great reluctance to enter into any explanation of his perceptions and feelings at this time ; but, being importunately urged to do it, he at length consented, and proceeded with a solemnity not to be described. " While I was conversing with my brother," said he, "on the state of my soul, and the fear I had entertained for my future welfare, I foun myself, in an instant, in another state of exist- ence, under the direction of a superior Being, who ordered me to follow him. I was accord- ingly wafted along, I know not how, till I be- held at a distance an ineffable glory, the irn- i LIFE OF TUfNIXT 19 pression of which on my mind, it is impossible to communicate to mortal man. I immediately reflected on my happy change, and thought — Well, blessed be God ! I am safe at last, not- withstanding all my fears. I saw an innumera- ble host of happy beings, surrounding the inex- pressible glory, in acts of adoration and joyous worship; but I did not see any bodily shape or representation in the glorious appearance. I heard things unutterable. I heard their songs and hallelujahs, of thanksgiving and praise, with unspeakable rapture. I felt joy unutter- able and full of glory. I then applied to my conductor, and requested leave to join the happy throng; on which he tapped me on the shoulder, and said, ' You must return to the earth.' This seemed like a sword through my heart. In an instant I recollect to have seen my brother standing before me, disputing with the doctor. The three days during which I had appeared lifeless, seemed to me not more than ten or twenty minutes. The idea of returning to this world of sorrow and trouble gave me such a shock, that I fainted repeatedly," He added, " Such was the effect on my mind of what I had seen and heard, that if it be possible for a human being to live entirely above the world, \ 20 LIFEOFTIXUENT. and the things of it, for some time afterwards I was that person. The ravishing sounds of the songs and hallelujahs that I heard, and the very words that were uttered, were not out of my ears, when awake, for at least three years. All the kingdoms of the earth were, in my sight, as nothing and vanity ; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that nothing which did not in some measure relate to it, could command my serious attention."* * The author has been particularly solicitous to obtain every confirmation of this extraordinary event in the life of Mr. Tennent. He, accordingly, wrote to every person he could think of, likely to have conversed with Mr. T. on the subject. He received several answers ; but the following letter, from the worthy successor of Mr. Tennent, in the pastoral charge of his church, will answer for the author's purpose. Monmouth, J\\ J., December 10, 1805. Dear sir — Agreeably to your request, I now send you, in writing, the remarkable account which I some time since gave you verbally, respecting your good friend, my worthy predecessor, the late Rev. William Tennent, of this place. In a very free and feeling conversation on religion, and on the future rest and blessedness of the people of God, (while travelling together from Monmouth to Princeton) I mentioned to Mr. Tennent that I LIFE OF TEN KENT. 21 It is not surprising, that after so affecting an account, strong solicitude should have been felt for farther information as to the words, or, at should be highly gratified in hearing, from his own mouth, an account of the trance which he was said to have been in, unless the relation would be disagreeable to himself. After a short silence, he proceeded, saying, that he had been sick with a fever ; that the fever increased, and he,- by degrees, sunk under it. After some time, (as his friends in- formed him) he died, or appeared to die, in the same manner as persons usually do ; that in lay- ing him out, one happened to draw his hand under the left arm, and perceived a small tremor in the flesh; that he was laid out, and was cold and stiff. The time for his funeral was appointed, and the people collected ; but a young doctor, his particu- lar friend, pleaded with great earnestness that he might not then be buried, as the tremor under the arm continued ; that his brother, Gilbert, became impatient with the young gentleman, and said to him, " What ! a man not dead who is cold and stiff as a stake!" The importunate young friend, however, prevailed ; — another day was appointed for the burial, and the people separated. During this interval, many means were made use of to discover, if possible, some symptoms of life; but none appeared, excepting the tremor. The doctor never left him for three nights and three days. The people again met to bury him, but could not, even then, obtain the consent of his friend, who pleaded for one hour more ; and when that was 12 LIFE OF TU'5IS'T ieast, the subjects of praise and adoration, which Mr. Tennent had heard. But when he was re- quested to communicate these, he gave a de- gone, he pleaded for half an hour, and then for a quarter of an hour; when, just at the close of this period, on which hung his last hope, Mr. Tennent opened his eyes. They then pried open his mouth, which was stiff, so- as to get a quill into it, through which some liquid was conveyed into the stomach, and he, by degrees, recovered. This account, as intimated before, Mr. Tennent said he had received from his friends. I said to him, " Sir, you seem to be one, indeed, raised from the dead, and may tell us what it is to die, and what you were sensible of while in that state." He replied, in the following words: " As to dying — I found my fever increase, and I became weaker and weaker, until, all at once, I found myself in heaven, as I thought, 1 saw no shape as to the Deity, but glory all unutterable .'" Here he paused, as though unable to find words to express his views, let his bridle fall, and, lifting up his hands, proceeded, " I can say, as St. P^iul did, I heard and saw things all unutterable ! I saw a great multitude before this glory, apparently in the height of bliss, singing most melodiously. I was transported with my own situation, viewing all my troubles ended, and my rest and glory be- gun, and was about to join the great and happy multitude, when one came to me, looked me full in the face, laid his hand upon my shoulder, and said, ' You must go back.' These words went LIFEOFTEXNENT. |« eided negative, adding-, " You will know them, with many other particulars, hereafter, as you will find the whole among my papers ;" allud- ing to his intention of leaving the writer hereof through me ; nothing could have shocked me more ; I cried out, ' Lord, must I go back!' With this shock, I opened my eyes in this world. When I saw I was in the world, I fainted — then came to— and fainted for several times, as one probably would naturally have done in so weak a situation." Mr. Tennent further informed me, that he had so entirely lost the recollection of his past life, and the benefit of his former studies, that he could nei- ther understand what was spoken to him, nor write, nor read his own name — that he had to be- gin all anew, and did not recollect that he had ever read before, until he had again learned his letters, and was able to pronounce the monosyllables, such as thee and thou ; but, that as his strength returned, which was very slowly, his memory also returned. Yet, notwithstanding the extreme feebleness of his situation, his recollection of what he saw and heard while in heaven, as he supposed, and the sense of divine things which he there obtained, continued all the time in their full strength, so that he was continually in something like an ecstacy of mind. "And," said he, " for three years, the sense of di- vine things continued so great, and every thing else appeared so completely vain, when compared to heaven, that could I have had the world for stooping down for it, I believe I should not have thought of doing it." 24 LIFE OF TEXNfiJTT, his executor, which precluded any further soil* citation.* The pious and eandid reader is left to his own reflections on this very extraordinary occur* rence. The facts have been stated, and they are unquestionable. The writer will only ask, whether it be contrary to revealed truth, or to reason, to believe, that in every age of the world instances like that which is here recorded have occurred, to furnish living testimony of the reality of the invisible world, and of the in- finite importance of eternal concerns. 9 * It was so ordered, in the course of divine Pro- vidence, that the writer was sorely disappointed in his expectation of obtaining the papers here al- luded to. Such, however, was the will of heaven ! Mr. Tennent's death happened during the revolu- tionary war, when the enemy separated the writer from him, so as to render it impracticable to attend him on a dying bed; and before it was possible to get to his house, after his death, (the writer being with the American army at Valley Forge) his son came from Charleston, and took his mother, and his father's papers and property, and returned to Carolina. About fifty miles from Charleston, the son was suddenly taken sick, and died among en- tire strangers ; and never since, though the writer was left executor to the son, could any trace of the father's papers be discovered by him. LIFE OF TENKE5fT. 25 As soon as circumstances would permit, Mr. Tennent was licensed, and began to preach the everlasting gospel with great zeal and success. The death of his brother John,* who had been some time settled as minister of the Presbyte- rian church at Freehold, in the county of Mon- mouth, New Jersey, left that congregation in a destitute state. They had experienced so much spiritual benefit from the indefatigable labors and pious zeal of this able minister of Jesus Christ, that they soon turned their attention to his brother, who was received on trial, and, af- ter one year, was found to be no unworthy suc- cessor to so excellent a predecessor. In Octo- ber, 1773, Mr. Tennent was regularly ordained their pastor, and continued so through the whole * The following entry in the records of the church at Freehold, shows the opinion of that church, with regard to Mr. John Tennent's use- fulness. "Lord's day, April 23, 1732.-- -The Reverend and dear Mr. John Tennent departed this life be- tween eight and nine o'clock this morning. A mournful providence, and cause of great humilia- tion to this poor congregation, to be bereaved, in the flower of youth, of the most laborious, success- ful, well qualified, pious pastor this age has afforded, though but a youth of 25 years, 5 months, and 1 1 days of age." C 26 LIFE OF TENSEST. of a pretty long life — one of the best proofs of ministerial fidelity. Although his salary was small, (it is thought under one hundred pounds) yet the glebe be- longing to the church was an excellent planta- tion, on which he lived, and which, with care and good farming, was capable of maintaining a family with comfort. But his inattention to the things of this world was so great, that he left the management of his temporal concerns wholly to a faithful servant, in whom he placed great confidence. After a short time, he found his worldly affairs were becoming embarrassed. His steward reported to him, that he was in debt to the merchant between twenty and thirty pounds, and he knew of no means of pay- ment, as the crops had fallen short. Mr. Ten- ncnt mentioned this to an intimate friend, a merchant of New York, who was on a visit at his house. His friend told him that this mode of life would not do ; that he must get a wife to attend to his temporal affairs, and to comfort his leisure hours by conjugal endearments. He smiled at the idea, and assured him, it never would be the case, unless some friend would provide one for him, for he knew not how to go about it. His friend told him he was ready to LIFE OF T E N N E N T'« 27 undertake the business ; that he had a sister-in- law, one peculiarly suited, in all respects, to his character and circumstances : in short, that she was the very thing he ought to look for ; and if he would go with him to New York the next day, he would settle the negotiation for him. To this he soon assented. — The next evening found him in that city, and before noon, the day after, he was introduced to Mrs. Noble. He was much pleased with her appearance; and, when left alone with her, abruptly told her, that he supposed her brother had informed her of his errand; that neither his time nor inclination would suffer him to use much ceremony ; but that if she approved the measure, he would at- tend his charge on the next sabbath, and return on Monday — -be married^ and immediately take her home. The lady, with some hesitation and difficulty, at last consented, being convinced, that his situation and circumstances rendered it proper. Thus, in one week, she found herself mistress of his house. She proved a most inva- luable treasure to him — more than answering every thing said of her by an affectionate bro- ther. She took the care of his temporal con- cerns upon her, extricated him from debt, and, by a happy union of prudence and economy, so 28 UFE OF TE55EHT. managed all his worldly business, that in a few • years his circumstances became easy and com- fortable. In a word, in her was literally fulfilled the declaration of Solomon, that "a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, and that her price is far above rubies." Besides several chil- dren who died in infancy, he had by her three sons, who attained the age of manhood; John, who studied physic, and died in the West In- dies, when about thirty-three years of age; William, a man of superior character, and mi- nister of the Independent church in Charleston, South Carolina, who died the latter end of Sep- tember, or beginning of October, 1777, about thirty-seven years old; and Gilbert, who also practiced physic, and died at Freehold, before his father, aged twenty-eight years. Few pa- rents could boast three sons of a more manly or handsome appearance; ana the father gave them the most liberal education that the coun- try could afford. Mr. Tennent's inattention to earthly things continued till his eldest son was about three years old, when he led him out into the fields on a Lord's day, after public worship. The de- sign of the walk was for religious meditation. As he went along, accidentally casting his eye LIFE OF TENXEXT 29 on the child, a thought suddenly struck him, and he asked himself this question: "Should God, in his providence, take me hence, what would become of this child and its mother, for whom I have never taken any personal care to make provision] How can I answer this negli- gence to God and to them V The impropriety of his inattention to the relative duties of life, vyhich God had called him to, and the conside- ration of the sacred declaration, " that he who does not provide for his own household, has de- nied the faith, and is worse than an infidel," had such an impressive effect on his mind, that it almost deprived him of his senses. He saw his conduct, which before he thought arose entirely from a deep sense of divine things, in a point of light in which he never before had viewed it. He immediately attempted to return home, but so great was his distress, that it was with diffi- culty he could get along; till, all at once, he was relieved by as suddenly recurring to that text of scripture, which came into his mind with extraordinary force—" But unto the tribe of Levi, Moses gave not any inheritance ; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance." Such, however, was the effect of this unexpected scene on Mr. Tennent's mind and judgment, that ever 30 LIFE OP TESSJST', afterwards he prudently attended to the tempo- ral business of life; still, however, in perfect subordination to the great things of eternity, and became fully convinced that God was to be faithfully served, as well by discharging rela- tive duties in his love and fear, as by the more immediate acts of devotion. He clearly per- ceived that every duty had its proper time and place, as well as motive; that we had a right, and were called of God, to eat and drink, and to be properly clothed; and, of course, that care should be taken to procure those things, pro- vided that all be done to the glory of God. In the duties of a gospel minister, however, espe- cially as they related to his pastoral charge, he still engaged with the utmost zeal and faithful- ness ; and was esteemed by all ranks and de- grees, as far as his labors extended, as a fervent, useful, and successful preacher of the gospel. His judgment of mankind was such as to give him a marked superiority, in this respect, over his contemporaries, and greatly aided him in his ministerial functions. He was scarcely ever mistaken in the character of a man with whom he conversed, though it was but for a few hours. He had an independent mind, which was seldom satisfied on important subjects without the best LIFE OF TENNEXT. 31 evidence that was to be had. His manner was remarkably impressive; and his sermons, al- though seldom polished, were generally deli- vered with such indescribable power, that he was truly an able and successful minister of the New Testament. He could say things from the pulpit, which, if said by almost any other man, would have been thought a violation of propri- ety; but by him they were delivered in a man- ner so peculiar to himself, and so extremely im- pressive, that they seldom failed to please and to instruct. As an instance of this, the follow- ing anecdote is given, of the truth of which the writer was a witness : Mr. Tennent was passing through a town in the state of New Jersey, in which he was a stranger, and had never preached; and, stop- ping at a friend's house to dine, was informed, that it was a day of fasting and prayer in the congregation, on account of a very remarkable and severe drought, which threatened the most dangerous consequences to the fruits of the earth. His friend had just returned from church, and the intermission was but half an hour. Mr. Tennent was requested to preach, and with great difficulty consented, as he wished to pro- ceed on his journey. At church, the people were 32 I.IFB OF TENNINT. surprised to see a preacher wholly unknown to them, and entirely unexpected, ascend the pul- pit. His whole appearance, being in a travel- ling dress, covered with dust — wearing an old fashioned, large wig, discolored like his clothes, and a long, meagre visage, engaged their atten- tion, and excited their curiosity. On his rising up, instead of beginning to pray, as was the usual practice, he looked around the congrega- tion, with a piercing eye and earnest attention, .aid, after a minute's profound silence, he ad- dressed them, with great solemnity, in the fol- lowing words: "My beloved brethren! I am told you have come here to-day to fast and pray ; a very good work indeed, provided you have come with a sincere desire to glorify God there- by: but if your design is merely to comply with a customary practice, or with the wish of your church officers, you are guilty of the greatest folly imaginable, as you had much better have staid at home and earned your three shillings and six pence* But if your minds are indeed impressed with the solemnity of the occasion, and you are really desirous of humbling your- selves before Almighty God, your heavenly Fa- * At that time, the stated price for a day's labor. LIFE OF TENNKKT. 33 ther, come, join with me, and let us pray." This had an effect so uncommon and extraordinary on the congregation, that the utmost seriousness was universally manifested. The prayer and the sermon added greatly to the impressions already made, and tended to rouse the attention, influ- ence the mind, command the affections, and in- crease the temper which had been so happily produced. Many had reason to bless God for this unexpected visit, and to reckon this day one of the happiest of their lives.* * The writer having requested of the present Rev. Dr. William M. Tennent, a written account of an anecdote relative to his uncle, which he had once heard him repeat verbally, received, in reply, the following letter : Abington, January 11, 1806. Sir — The anecdote of my venerable relative, the Rev. William Tennent, of Freehold, which you wished me to send you, is as follows : During the great revival of religion, which took place under the ministry of Mr. Whitefield, and others distinguished for their piety and zeal at that period, Mr. Tennent was laboriously active, and much engaged to help forward the work ; in the performance of which he met with strong and pow- erful temptations. The following is related as re- ceived, in substance, from his own lips, and may be considered as extraordinary and singularly striking: 34 ilFB OF T E 5" N E K T . While on this subject, we may introduce an- other anecdote of this wonderful man, to show the dealings of God with him, and the deep con- On the evening preceding public worship, which was to be attended the next day, he selected a sub- ject for the discourse which was to be delivered, and made some progress in his preparations. In the morning, he resumed the same subject, with an intention to extend his thoughts further on it, but was presently assaulted with a temptation that the Bible, which he then held in his hand, was not of divine authority, but the invention of man. He instantly endeavored to repel the temptation, by prayer, but his endeavors proved unavailing. The temptation continued, and fastened upon him with greater strength, as the time advanced for public service. He lost all the thoughts which he had on his subject the preceding evening. He tried other subjects, but could get nothing for the people. The whole book of God, under that distressing state of mind, was a sealed book to him; and, to add to his affliction, he was, to use his own words, " shut up in prayer." A cloud, dark as that of Egypt, op- pressed his mind. Thus agonized in spirit, he proceeded to the church, where he found a large congregation as- sembled, and waiting to hear the word; and then it was, he observed, that he was more deeply dis- tressed than ever, and especially for the dishonor which he feared would fall upon religion, through him, that day. He resolved, however, to attempt the service. He introduced it by singing a psalm, during which time his agitations were increased to LIFE OF T E N X E X T . 35 templations of his mind. He was attending the duties of the Lord's day in his own congrega- tion, as usual, where the custom was to have morning and evening service, with only half an hour's intermission to relieve the attention. He had preached in the morning, and in the inter- the highest degree. When the moment for prayer commenced, he arose, as one in the most perilous and painful situation, and with arms extended to heaven, began with this outcry, " Lord have mercy vpon me .'" Upon the utterance of this petition, he was heard ; the thi k cloud instantly broke away, and an unspeakably joyful light shone in upon his soul, so that his spirit seemed to be caught up to the heavens, and he felt as though he saw God, as Moses did on the mount, face to face, and was car- ried forth to him, with an enlargement greater than he had ever before experienced, and on every page* 1 of the scriptures saw his divinity inscribed in brightest colors. The result was, a deep solemnity on the face of the whole congregation, and the house, at the end of the prayer, was a Bochim. He gave them the subject of his evening medita- tions, which was brought to his full remembrance, with an overflowing abundance of other weighty and solemn matter. The Lord blessed the dis- course, so that it proved the happy means of the conversion of about thirty persons. This day he spoke of, ever afterwards, as his harvest day. I am yours, with esteem, William M. Texnent, 36 tIFtf «F TEK5E3fT< mission had walked into the woods for medita- tion, the weather being warm. He was reflect- ing on the infinite wisdom of God, as manifested in all his works, and particularly in the wonder- ful method of salvation, through the death and sufferings of his beloved Son. This subject sud- denly opened on his mind with such a flood of light, that his views of the glory, and the infi- nite majesty of Jehovah, were so inexpressibly great as entirely to overwhelm him, and he fell, almost lifeless, to the ground. When he had -revived a little, all he could do was to raise a fervent prayer that God would withdraw him- self from him, or that he must perish under a view of his ineffable- glory. When able to re- flect on his situation, he could not but abhor himself as a weak and despicable worm, and seemed to be overcome with astonishment, that a creature so unworthy and insufficient, had ever dared to attempt the instruction of his fel- low men in the nature and attributes of so glo- rious a Being. Overstaying his usual time, some of his elders went in search of him, and found him prostrate on the ground, unable to rise, and incapable of informing them of the cause. They raised him up, and, after some time, brought him to the church, and supported him to the pulpit, LIFE OP TESJfllfT. 37 which he ascended on his hands and knees, to the no small astonishment of the congregation. He remained silent a considerable time, ear- nestly supplicating Almighty God (as he told the writer) to hide himself from him, that he might tie enabled to address his people, who were by this time lost in wonder to know what had produced this uncommon event. His pray- ers were heard, and he became able to stand up, by holding the desk. He now began the most affecting and pathetic address that the congre- gation had ever received from him. He gave a surprising account of the views he had of the infinite wisdom of God, and greatly deplored his own incapacity to speak to them concerning a being so infinitely glorious beyond all his pow- ers of description. He attempted to show some- thins: of what had been discovered to him of the astonishing wisdom of Jehovah, of which it was impossible for human nature to form adequate conceptions. He then broke out into so fervent and expressive a prayer, as greatly to surprise the congregation, and draw tears from every eye. A sermon followed, that continued the so- lemn scene, and made very lasting impressions on all the hearers. The great increase of communicants in his OS LIFE OF TEX NEXT* church was a good evidence of his pastoral care and powerful preaching, as it exceeded that of most churches in the synod. But his labors were not confined to the pulpit. He was indefatiga- ble in his endeavors to communicate in private families a savor of the knowledge of spiritual and divine things. In his parochial visits, he used regularly to go through his congregation, in order, so as to carry the unsearchable riches of Christ to every house. He earnestly pressed it on the conscience of parents, to instruct their children at home, by plain and easy questions, so as gradually to expand their young minds, and prepare them for the reception of the more practical doctrines of the gospel. In this, Mr. Tennent has presented an excellent example to his brethren in the ministry ; for certain it is, that more good may be done in a congregation, by this domestic mode of instruction, than any one can imagine who has not made the trial. Children and servants are in this way prepared for the teachings of the sanctuary, and to reap the full benefit of the word publicly preached. He made it a practice, in all these visits, to en- force practical religion on all, high and low, rich and poor, young and old, master and ser- vant. To this he was particularly attentive, it LIFE Or TENSIXT, 39 being a favorite observation with him, " that he loved a religion that a man could live by." Mr. Tennent carefully avoided the discussion of controversial subjects, unless specially called to it by particular circumstances ; and then he was ever ready to assign the reason of his faith. The following occurrence will show the gene- ral state of his mind and feelings in regard to such subjects. A couple of young clergymen, visiting at his house, entered into a dispute on the question, at that time much controverted in New England, whether faith or repentance were first in order, in the conversion of a sin- ner. Not being able to determine the point, they agreed to make Mr. Tennent their um- pire, and to dispute the subject at length before him. He pccepted the proposal, and, after a solemn debate for some time, his opinion being asked, he very gravely took his pipe from his mouth, looked out of his window, pointed to a man ploughing on a hill at some distance, and asked the young clergymen if they knew that man: on their answering in the negative, he told them it was one of his elders, who, to his full conviction, had been a sincere christian for more than thirty years. " Now," said Mr. Ten- nent, " ask him, whether faith or repentance 40 HJE OF TENITENT. came first, what do you think he would say?" They said they could not tell. "Then," says he, "I will tell you: he would say, that he cared not which came first, but that he had got them both. Now, my friends," he added, "be careful that you have both a true faith and a sincere repentance, and not be greatly troubled which comes first." It is not, however, to be supposed by this that Mr. Tennent was un- friendly to a deep and accurate examination of all important theological doctrines. There were few more earnest than he to have young cler- gymen well instructed and thoroughly furnished • for their work. This, indeed, was an object on which his heart was much set, and which he exerted himself greatly to promote. Mr. Tennent was. remarkably distinguished for a pointed attention to the particular circum- stances and situation of the afflicted, either in body or mind, and would visit them with as much care and attention as a physician, and frequently, indeed, proved an able one, to both soul and body. But his greatest talent was that of a peace-maker, which he possessed m so emi- nent a degree, that probably none have exceed- ed, and very few have equalled him in it. He was sent for, far and near, to settle disputes, LIFE OF TENNENT. 41 and heal difficulties, which arose in congrega- tions; and, happily for those concerned, he was generally successful. Indeed, he seldom would relinquish his object till he accomplished it. But while this man of God was thus success- ful in promoting the interest of his fellow crea- tures, and in advancing the glory of his Lord and Master, the great enemy of mankind was not likely to observe the destruction of his king- dom without making an effort to prevent it. As he assailed our blessed Savior, in the days of his flesh, with all his art and all his power, so has he always made the faithful followers of the Redeemer the objects of his inveterate malice. If the good man, of whom we write, was greatly honored by peculiar communications from on high, he was also very often the subject of the severe bufferings of that malignant and fallen spirit. The time of which we are now speaking was remarkable for a great revival of religion* in which Mr. Tennent was considerably instru- mental, and in which a Mr. David Rowland, brought up with Mr. Tennent at the Log Col- lege, was also very remarkable for his success- * It was not far from the year 1744. D 42 LIFE OF TENKElfT. ful preaching among all ranks of people. Pos- sessing a commanding eloquence, as well as other estimable qualities, he became very popu- lar, and was much celebrated throughout the country. His celebrity and success were sub- jects of very serious regret to many careless worldlings, who placed all their happiness in the enjoyment of temporal objects, and consi- dered, and represented Mr. Rowland and his brethren as fanatics and hypocrites. This was specially applicable to many of the great men of the then province of New Jersey, and parti- cularly to the chief justice, who was well known for his disbelief of revelation. There was, at this time, prowling through the country, a noted man, by the name of Tom Bell, whose know- ledge and understanding were very considera- ble, and who greatly excelled in low art and cunning. His mind was totally debased, and his whole conduct betrayed a soul capable of descending to every species of iniquity. In all the arts of theft, robbery, fraud, deception, and defamation, he was so deeply skilled, and so thoroughly practiced, that it is believed he ne- ver had his equal in this country. He had been indicted in almost every one of the middle colo- nies; but his ingenuity and cunning always en- LIFEOFTENNENT. 43 abled him to escape punishment. This man un- happily resembled Mr. Rowland in his external appearance, so as hardly to be known from him without the most careful examination. It so happened, that Tom Bell arrived one evening- at a tavern in Princeton, dressed in a dark parson's-gray frock. On his entering the tavern about dusk, the late John Stockton, esq., of that town, a pious and respectable man, to whom Mr. Rowland was well known, went up to Bell, and addressed him as Mr. Rowland, and was inviting him to go home with him. Bell assured him of his mistake. It was with some difficulty that Mr. Stockton acknowledged bis error, and then informed Bell that it had arisen from his great resemblance to Mr. Rowland. This hint was sufficient for the prolific genius of that notorious impostor. The next day Bell went into the county of Hunterdon, and stopped in a congregation where Mr. Rowland had for- merly preached once or twice, but where he was not intimately known. Here he met with a member of the congregation, to whom he in- troduced himself as the Rev. Mr. Rowland, who had preached to them some time before. This gentleman immediately invited him to his house, to spend the week; and begged him, as the peo- 44 LIFE OF * E 2f 3T £ If Itf , #e were without a minister to preach for them on the next sabbath; to which Bel] agreed, and notice was accordingly given the neighborhood. The impostor was treated with every mark of attention and respect; and a private room was assigned to him, as a study, to prepare for the sabbath. The sacred day arrived, and he was invited to ride to. church with the ladies in the family wagon, and the master of the house ac- companied them on an elegant horse. When they had arrived near the church, Bell, on a sudden, discovered that he had left his notes in his study, and proposed to ride back for them on the fine horse, by which means he should be able to return in time for the service. This pro- posal was instantly agreed to, and Bell mounted the horse, returned to the house, rifled the desk of his host, and made off with the horse.— Wherever he stopped, he called himself the Rev. David Rowland. At the time this event took place, Messrs. Tennent and Rowland had gone into Pennsyl- vania, or Maryland, with Mr. Joshua Anderson and Mr. Benjamin Stevens, (both members of a church contiguous to that where Bell had prac- ticed his fraud) on business of a religious na- ture. Soon after their return, Mr. Rowland was HIE OF TES5EST. 45 charged with the above robbery: he gave bonds to appear at the court at Trenton, and the af- fair made a great noise throughout the colony. At the court of oyer and terminer, the judge charged the grand jury on the subject with great severity. After long consideration, the jury re- turned into court without finding a bill. The judge reproved them, in an angry manner, and ordered them out again. They again returned without finding a bill, and were again sent out with threatenings of severe punishment if they persisted in their refusal. At last they agreed, and brought in a bill for the alleged crime. On the trial, Messrs. Tennent, Anderson, and Ste- vens appeared as witnesses, and fully proved an alibi in favor of Mr. Rowland, by swearing, that on the very day on which the robbery was com- mitted, they were with Mr. Rowland, and heard him preach in Pennsylvania or Maryland. The jury, accordingly, acquitted him without hesi- tation, to the great disappointment and mortifi- cation of his prosecutors, and of many other en- emies to the great revival of religion that had recently taken place; but to the great joy of the serious and well disposed. The spirits hostile to the spread of the gospel were not, however, so easily overcome. In their 46 LIFE OF TESIfJJT, view, an opportunity was now presented, favoi able for inflicting a deep wound on the cause of Christianity; and, as if urged on by the malice of man's great enemy, they resolved that nc means should be left untried — no arts unem- ployed, for the destruction of these distinguished servants of God. Many and various were the circumstances which still contributed to inspire them with hopes of success. The testimony of the person who had been robbed, was positive that Mr. Rowland was the robber: and this tes- timony was corroborated by that of a number of individuals, who had seen Tom Bell personating Mr. Rowland, using his name, and in possession of the horse. These sons of Belial had been able, after great industry used for the purpose, to col- lect a mass of evidence of this kind, which they considered as establishing the fact ; but Mr. Rowland was now out of their power, by the verdict of not guilty. Their vengeance, there- fore, was directed against the witnesses by whose testimony he had been cleared ; and they were accordingly arraigned for perjury before a court of quarter sessions in the county; and the grand jury received a strict charge, the plain import of which was, that these good men ought to be indicted. After an examination oi L I F E OF T E N N K N f . * / the testimony on one side only, as is the custom in such cases, the grand jury did accordingly find bills of indictment against Messrs. Ten- nent, Anderson, and Stevens, for wilful and corrupt perjury. Their enemies, and the ene- mies of the gospel now began to triumph. They gloried in the belief, that an indelible stain would be fixed on the professors of religion, and, of consequence, on religion itself; and that this new light, by which they denominated all appearance of piety, would soon be extinguished for ever. These indictments were removed to the su- preme court ; and poor Mr. Anderson, living in the county, and conscious of his entire inno- cence, could not brook the idea of lying under the odium of the hateful crime of perjury, and demanded a trial at the first court of oyer and terminer. This proved most seriously injurious to him ; for he was pronounced guilty, and most cruelly and unjustly condemned to stand one hour on the courthouse steps, with a paper on his breast, whereon was written, in large let- ters, "This is for wilful and corrupt perjury;" which sentence was executed upon him. Messrs. Tennent and Stevens were sum- moned to appear at the next court; and at- 48 XIFE OF TEKSTENT, tended accordingly, depending on the aid of Mr. John Coxe, an eminent lawyer, who had been previously employed to conduct their de- fence. As Mr. Tennent was wholly unac- quainted with the nature of forensic litigation, and did not know of any person living who could prove his innocence, (all the persons who were with him being indicted,) his only re- source and consolation was to commit himself to the divine will, and if he must suffer, to take it as from the hand of God, who, he well knew, could make even the wrath of man to praise him ;* and considering it as probable that he might suffer, he had prepared a sermon to be preached from the pillory, if that should be his fate. On his arrival at Trenton, he found the famous Mr. Smith, of New York, father of the late chief justice of Canada, one of the ablest lawyers in America, and of a religious charac- ter, who had voluntarily attended to aid in his defence ; also his brother Gilbert, who was now settled in the pastoral charge of the second Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, and who had brought Mr. John Kinsey, one of the first * His affectionate congregation felt deeply in- terested in his critical situation, and kept a day of fasting and prayer on the occasion. ItTE OF TEN5EKT. 49 counsellors of that city, for the same purpose. Messrs. Tennent and Stevens met these gen- tlemen at Mr. Coxe's the morning before the trial was to come on. Mr. Coxe requested that they would bring in their witnesses, that they might examine them previously to their going into court. Mr. Tennent answered, that he did not know of any witnesses but God and his own conscience. Mr. Coxe replied, "If you have no witnesses, sir, the trial must be put off; other- wise you most certainly will be convicted. You well know the strong testimony that will be brought against you, and the exertions that are making to accomplish your ruin." Mr. Tennent replied, " I am sensible of all this, yet it never shall be said that I have delayed the trial, or been afraid to meet the justice of my country. I know my own innocence, and that God, whose I am, and whom I serve, will never suffer me to fall by these snares of the devil, or by the wicked machinations of his agents or servants; therefore, gentlemen, go on to the trial." — Messrs. Smith and Kinsey, who were both re- ligious men, told him that his confidence and trust in God, as a christian minister of the gos- pel, was well founded, and before a heavenly tribunal would be all important to him ; but as- E 50 LIFE OF TE5NEST. sured him it would not avail in an earthly court, and urged his consent to put off the trial. Mr. Tennent continued inflexible in his refusal; on which Mr. Coxe told him, that since he was de- termined to go to trial, he had the satisfaction of informing him that they had discovered a flaw in the indictment, which might prove favorable to him on a demurrer. He asked for an explana- tion, and on finding that it was to admit the fact in a legal point of view, and rest on the law arising from it, Mr. Tennent broke out with great vehemence, saying, that this was another snare of the devil, and before he would consent to it he would suffer death. He assured his counsel, that his confidence in God was so strong, and his assurance that he would bring about his deliverance, some way or other, was so great, that he did not wish them to delay the trial for a moment. Mr. Stevens, whose faith was not of this description, and who was bowed down to the ground under the most gloomy apprehensions of suffering, as his neighbor Mr. Anderson had done, eagerly seized the opportunity of escape that was offered, and was afterwards discharged on the exception. Mr. Coxe still urged putting off the trial, LITE OF TENNENT. 51 charging Mr. Tennent with acting the part rather of a wild enthusiast, than of a meek and prudent christian ; but he insisted that they should proceed, and left them in astonishment, not knowing how to act, when the bell sum- moned them to court. Mr. Tennent had not walked far in the street, before he met a man and his wife, who stopped him, and asked if his name was not Tennent. He answered in the affirmative, and begged to know if they had an^business with him. The man replied, " You best know." He told his name, and said that he was from a certain place (which he mentioned) in Pennsylvania or Ma- ryland ; that Messrs. Rowland, Tennent, An- derson, and Stevens had lodged either at his house, or in a house wherein he and his wife had been servants, (it is not now certain which) at a particular time, which he named ; that on the following day they had heard Messrs. Ten- nent and Rowland preach; that some nights be- fore they left home, he and his wife waked out of a sound sleep, and each told the other a dream which had just occurred, and which proved to be the same in substance, to wit, that he, Mr. Tennent, was at Trenton, in the great- est possible distress, and that it was in their 52 1IFE OF TENNENT. power, and theirs only, to relieve him. Consi dering it as a remarkable dream only, they again went to sleep, and it was twice repeated, precisely in the same manner, to both of them. This made so deep an impression on their minds, that they set off, and here they were, and would know of" him what they were to do. Mr. Tennent immediately went with them to the courthouse, and his counsel, on examining the man and his wife, and finding their testi- mony to be full to the purpose, were, as they well might be, in perfect astonishment. Before the trial began, another person, of a low charac- ter, called on Mr. Tennent, and told him that he was so harassed in conscience, for the part he had been acting in this prosecution, that he could get no rest till he had determined to come and mlke^a full confession. He sent this man to his/jeounsel also. Soon after, Mr. Stockton, fronLJErinceton, appeared, and added his testi- mony^ In short, they went to trial, and, not- withstanding the utmost exertions of the ablest counsel, who had been employed to aid the at- torney general against Mr. Tennent, the advo- cates on his side so traced every movement of the defendant, on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in question, and satisfied the jury eo LIFE or X»5UT. ntbneve ^fferin^ so infamous a flee t oa what had happened, he aecden ally e S eyes on the pillory, which suddenly so fi Ued hJwith horror, as comply to — him and it was with great diffltfny that he SuLselffton, falling from his l^e. He reached the tavern door in eons.derable danger was obliged to be assisted to dismount, and it it hefore he eould so get the better of hrs fear, and confusion, as to proceed «ta journey. Snch is the constrtution of the human S. It will often resist, with unshaken firm- Z, the severest external pressure and va> 54 feaves them to feel their own weakness when that necess.ty „ past> that a „ e " be g,ven where alone it is due * Y nit W JZ Smeerely re J° ices > that though a llofMr T S eXtra ° rdi «^ -ide„t s in^th ,VW nt Ca " n0t be vouche