Memoir of Rev. Gilbert Tennent

Gilbert Tennent — Birth — Education — Conversion — Licensure — Character by Dr. Finiey — By Mr. Prince — By Mr. Whitefield — Visit to Boston — Success of his ministry in New England, and in other places.

Having, in the preceding chapter, given some account of the founder of this hterary institution, let us now attend to the character of some of its principal pupils. The surest criterion, by which to judge of the character of any school, is to observe the attainments and habits of those educated in it. And judging by this rule, a very high place must be assigned to the Log College, notwithstanding its diminutive and mean external appearance. And what was before said should be remembered, that this was the first seminary in which young men were trained for the gospel ministry, within the limits of the Presbyterian church. Before this school was opened, if a young man wished to become a minister in the Presbyterian church, he must either repair to one of the New England colleges, or go to Europe. It is morally

certain, therefore, that few, if any of those who were brought forward to the work, could ever have reached the ministry had it not been for this school. Accordingly, we find, that for a considerable time, nearly all the ministers composing the synod, were either from Great Britain, Ireland, or New England, except those who proceeded from this school. And of what character and abilities these were, we shall soon see. The first on the list of students, in this school, was, no doubt, Mr. Tennents oldest son, Gilbert. For though he had finished his education before the Log College was built, yet he received no other education than what he gained under the tuition of his father; and may therefore without impropriety be classed among the pupils of the institution.

Gilbert Tennent, the oldest son of the Rev. William Tennent, sen., was born in the county of Armagh, Ireland, April 5, in the year 1703, and was, therefore, thirteen or fourteen years of age, when his father immigrated to this country. In setting up this school, no doubt, the father had a regard to the education of his four sons. Men who have themselves profited by education, and have become learned, cannot but feel a lively interest in the education of their children; and this motive has had its influence in the institution of numerous classical schools, in this country, besides the Log College. Judging by the result, however, all have reason to conclude, that in the mind of this good man, the education of his sons was viewed as subordinate to the prosperity of the church; for every one of them became ministers of the gospel, and some of them ranked among the most distinguished, who have ever laboured in the Presbyterian church.

Gilbert Tennent, as has been remarked, received his education under the paternal roof, before this school was opened; for at this time he was twenty-one or twenty-two years of age; and was soon able to be an assistant to his father in teaching the other students* And when we consider the eminence to which he rose as a preacher, and as a writer, we need no other proof of the talents and skill of his reverend tutor.

Gilbert Tennent’s first religious impressions of any permanency, were experienced when he was about fourteen years of age. His serious concern about his salvation continued for several years before his mind was established in comfort and peace. During this period, he was often in great agony of spirit; until at last, it pleased God to give him the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ.’^ While he remained in the anxious state of mind, which has been referred to, beside his other studies, he pursued a course of theological reading; but living under the habitual impression that his spiritual condition was not good, he durst not think of entering the holy ministry. He, therefore,

commenced the studv of medicine, which he prosecuted for the space of a year. But about this time, it pleased God to reveal himself to him with so much clearness and comfort that all his doubts and sorrows, and fears were dispelled; and the Sun of Righteousness arose upon him with healing under his wings. And no sooner was he satisfied of his saving interest in Christ, than he felt himself called to seek the ministry, which he had before been deterred from thinking of And here it may be proper to remark, that, often, when God intends a man for eminent usefulness in the ministry, he leads him through deep waters, and causes him to drink freely of the cup of spiritual sorrow, that he may be prepared, by a long course of afflictive experiences, to sympathize with tempted and desponding believers, and may learn how to administer to them that consolation by which his own heart was at last comforted. Of this, religious biography furnishes many instructive examples. After due preparation and study, Mr. Gilbert Tennent presented himself as a candidate, to the presbytery of Philadelphia, of which his father was a member. Having passed the usual trials before the presbytery, to their great approbation, he received a license to preach, in May, 1726. This was the very year in which the Log College was opened; and as we learn from the documents to which we have had access, that he was an usher, or assistant to his father in the school, it seems altogether probable that he continvied with his father in the school for one year, at least; for by the Presbyterial Records it appears, that he was not ordained and settled as a pastor, until the autumn of the year 1727. This then, is the only period in which he could have been a tutor in the Log College; for it was not in existence until 1726, and after he was ordained, he was the regular pastor of an important church in another state; for he was called to take charge of the Presbyterian congregation in the city of New BruDswick, New Jersey. Before Gilbert Tennent settled at New Brunswick, he preached several Sabbaths, in Newcastle, on the Delaware, and received a call from the Presbyterian congregation in that place; which, however, he did not accept. From his fxrst entrance on the public wo:k of the ministry, the preaching of Gilbert Tennent was very popular and attractive, with all classes of hearers. He possessed uncommon advantages as a preacher. In person, he was taller than the common stature, and well proportioned in every respect. His aspect was grave and venerable, and his address prepossessing. His voice was clear and commanding, and his manner in the pulpit was exceedingly earnest, and impressive. His reasoning powers, also, were strong, and his language often nervous, and, indeed, sublime. No one could hear him without being convinced that he was deeply in earnest. His style was copious, and sometimes elegant. Indeed, in the vigour of his Bge, few preachers could equal him.

In the sermon preached at the funeral of Mr Tennent by Dr. Finley, he describes his character, as follows:” In his manners, at first view, he seemed distant and reserved; yet, upon nearer acquaintance, he was ever found affable, condescending, and communicative. And what greatly endeared his conversation was, an openness and undisguised honesty; at the greatest remove from artifice and dissimulation, which were the abhorrence of his soul, while he lived. Besides, he was tender, loving, and compassionate; kind and agreeable in every relation; an assured friend to such as he esteemed worthy of his regards; and a common patron to all whom he apprehended were injured or distressed. He was of a truly public spirit, and seemed to feel the various cases of mankind in general: but sensibly partook of all the good or ill that befell his country. He needed no other motive to exert himself, than only to be persuaded that the matter in question was an important public good; and in such cases, he was much regarded, not only because of his known integrity, but his generous and catholic disposition. For although he was a great lover of truth, and very zealous for its propagation; yet he was so far above a narrow, party spirit, that he loved and honoured all who seemed to have ’ the root of the matter in them,’ and made it their business to promote the essentials of religion, though they were, in various points, opposed to his own sentiments. He was, moreover, an example of great fortitude, and unshaken resolution. Whatever appeared to him subservient to the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom, the salvation of souls, or the common good of mankind, he pursued with spirit; and what he did, he did with his might. If the end seemed to be attainable, great obstructions and difficulties in the way, were so far from dispiriting, that they animated him in his efforts: nor would he give up the point, while one glimpse of hope remained. Hence, he accomplished many important matters, which one less determined and enterprizing, would presently have relinquished as desperate. He would go through honour and dishonour, through evil report and good report’; and though he had sensibility with respect to his character, as well as other men; yet, if preserving it, seemed at any time to require the omission of duty, or sinful compliances, he readily determined to expose himself to all risks; and if adhering to the will of God should be accounted ’ vile,’ he resolved that he would be yet more vile.’

‘^ A great part of his life was a scene of unremitted labour. He studied hard, travelled much, and preached often, while his health and other circumstances permitted. He was ’ instant in season and out of season’: always about his Master’s business. They who have journeyed or been often with him in company, could not but observe his constant endeavours to do good by his conversation; to introduce some convincing or edifying topics; and his watching for proper opportunities for speaking for God. And very faithful was he in warning sinners of their danger, and persuading them to seek salvation in earnest. Thus, he showed how much religion was his element, and promoting it the delightful business of his life. How benevolent towards mankind he was, and how precious immortal souls were in his esteem, were evident from this, that every advantage accruing to them he reckoned clear gain to himself; nor were they ’ who divide the spoil,’ ever more joyful than I have known him to be, on occasion of the hopeful conversion of sinners, whether by his own, or the ministry of others. And, often, has his <soul wept in secret places, for the pride’ and obstinacy of those who refused to be reclaimed.

“His great reading, with his various and long experience of the workings of both grace and corruption in the heart, made him a wise and skilful casuist, who could resolve perplexing exercises of mind with clearness, [and enabled] him to comfort with those consolations, wherewith he in like cases had been comforted of God.

“He was a faithful attendant on the judicatories of the church, as was natural for one so anxiously concerned for the interest of religion, as he was. And having observed the effects of a lax aad negligent government in some churches, he became a more strenuous asserter of due and strict discipline.

But above all other things, the purity of the ministry was his care; and, therefore, at the hazard of the displeasure of many, and in the face of reproach, he zealously urged every scriptural method by which carnal and earthly-minded men might be kept from entering it, and men of piety and zeal, as well as learning, introduced.

“As Mr. Tennent’s preaching was very alarming and awakening to careless sinners; so it was much blessed to this end, wherever he preached. And it was not only rendered effectual in producing conviction of sin, and exciting desires to flee from the wrath to come, but also to comfort mourners in Zion, and to encourage the timid and self-diffident.” The atoning blood of the Redeemer, that only sovereign balsam, was applied to their recent or festering wounds. For while, at one time, when he thundered the terrors of the law, the heavens seemed to gather blackness, and a tempest of wrath appeared ready to be hurled on the heads of the guilty; at other times, when he exhibited the riches of the grace and provisions of the gospel, the heavens seemed to smile, the clouds were dispelled, and the sky became serene. The almighty God was shown to be their refuge, and underneath were the everlasting arms. Then his exhilirating words dropped upon them as the dew.^^

The preceding full length portrait is, with some slight alterations in the language, from the pen of one well qualified to judge in such matters, and who by a long and intimate acquaintance, had the best opportunities of knowing the true character of the man which he undertakes to describe. The Rev. Dr. Finley, president of New Jersey College, the author of the foregoing sketch, was himself one of the alumni of the Log College. It is possible, however, that the cordial friendship which he had long cherished for Gilbert Tennent, and the early admiration which he felt for his talents and virtues, might insensibly lead him to give rather too high a colouring to the portraiture which he has delineated. One thing is apparent to all who attentively consider what Dr. Finley has written, that however just the prominent traits may be, the shading which more or less belongs to every human character, is wanting. Undoubtedly, Gilbert Tennent had his imperfections, and they were sometimes sufficiently visible. But, on the whole, it must be confessed, that he was a very eminent minister of Jesus Christ, and was made the instrument of performing a great work, in his day. His memory ought to be precious in the Presbyterian church. Dr. Finley says,” that the seals of his ministry in New Brunswick and parts adjacent, where he first exercised his ministry, were numerous. Many have I known, in those, and other parts where he only preached occasionally, whose piety was unquestioned, who owned him for their spiritual father: and many I have heard of in different places/^

Though Dr. Finley’s description of the character of Gilbert Tennent is full, it will be satisfactory to have the the testimony of some other distinguished persons respecting him. The Rev. Mr. Prince, a pious and learned minister of Boston, speaks of Mr. Tennent in the following terms.” In private conversation, I found him to be a man of considerable parts and learning; free, gentle, and condescending, and from his own various experience, his reading the most eminent writers on experimental divinity, as well as the scriptures, and from his conversing with many who had been awakened by his ministry, in New Jersey, he seemed to have as deep an acquaintance with the experimental part of religion, as any I have conversed with. And his preaching was as searching and rousing, as ever I heard.’^ — ‘’ He seemed to have such a lively view of the divine Majesty — of the ‘spirituality, purity, extensiveness, and strictness of the law, with his glorious holiness, and displeasure at sin; his justice, truth, and power, in punishing the damned, that the very terrors of God seemed to rise in his mind afresh, when he displayed and brandished them in the eyes of unreconciled sinners.’^ And the same writer speaks of his remarkable discrimination and skill in detecting hypocrites, ‘’ and laying open their many vain and secret refuges, coimterfeit resemblances, their delusive hopes, their utter impotence, and impending danger of destruction/^

It will be gratifying to learn what Mr. Whitefield’s opinion was of the subject of this memoir. And this we have given very freely and fully, in his Journal, to which reference has already been made. “Nov. 13, [1739]. Left Trenton about six in the morning, had a sweet and pleasant journey, and reached Brunswick, about thirty miles distant, about one o’clock. Here we were much refreshed with the company of Mr. Gilbert Tennent, an eminent dissenting minister, about forty years of age, son to that good old man who came to see me on Saturday, at Philadelphia. God, I find, has been pleased greatly to bless his labours. He and his associates, are now the burning and shining Ughts of this part of America. He recounted to me many remarkable efi’usions of the Blessed Spirit, which have been sent down among them. And one may judge of their being true and faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ, because they are every where spoken evil of, by natural men. The devil and carnal ministers rage horribly against them. Several pious souls came to see me at his house, with whom I took sweet counsel.’’ “Wednesday, Nov. 14. Set out early from Brunswick, with my dear fellow-travellers, and my worthy brother and fellow-labourer, Mr. Tennent. As we passed along, we spent our time most agreeably in telling what God had done for our souls.”

Upon their arrival at New York, Mr. Whitefield goes on to say, I went to the meetinghouse to hear Mr. Gilbert Tennent preach, and never before, heard I such a searching sermon. He went to the bottom, indeed, and did not daub with untempered mortar. He convinced me more and more, that we can preach the gospel of Christ no further than we have experienced the power of it in our own hearts. Being deeply convicted of sin, and being from time to time driven from his false bottom and dependencies, by God’s Holy Spirit, at his first conversion, he has learned experimentally to dissect the heart of the natural man. Hypocrites must either soon be converted or enraged, at his preaching. He is ’ a son of thunder,’ and does not regard the face of man. He is deeply sensible of the deadness and formality of the Christian church, in these parts, and has given noble testimonies against it.’’

A higher testimony, and from higher authority could not be given, upon earth. It is doubtful whether Mr. Whitefield has ever expressed so high an opinion of any other preacher, of any denomination. Indeed, it is probable, that he never met with a man of a more perfectly congenial spirit with his own. As Mr. Whitefield was doubtless honoured to be the instrument of the conversion of more souls than any other preacher of his age, or perhaps of any age, since that of the apostle Paul; so Mr. Tennent,

among orthodox preachers, undoubtedly deserves 46 THE KEV. GILBEKT TE]!^NEKr.

to be placed next to him both in the abundance of his labours, and the wonderful success which attended his ministry.

When in the year 1740, Mr. Whitefield returned from Boston, he persuaded and urged Mr. Gilbert Tennent, to make a preaching tour through New England, as far as Boston, to water the good seed which he had there sown by his preaching, on his late Tisit. At that time, there was but little intercourse between the middle and eastern colonies; and no ecclesiastical connexion between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches. Mr. Whitefields preaching, attended by the mighty power of God, not only was the means of the conviction and conversion of many of his hearers; but he also excited a host of enemies, who pursued him with unrelenting hostility; and among his opposers were reckoned, both in this country and in Great Britain, the majority of the clergy and of professors of religion. Thus verifying the words of our Lord, ^^If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also.^^ Mr. Tennent must have been inflamed with a very ardent zeal, situated as he was, the pastor of a church, and the father of a family, to set off in the depth of winter, to preach to a strange people, among whom he probably had not a single acquaintance, either among the clergy or the laity. But invnicible resolution, was prominent trait in his character. Mr. Whitefield made no journeys without several attendants; men who cheerfully ministered unto him, as did Timothy, and Luke, and Silas, and Mark and others, to Paul. But Mr. Tennent appears, to have gone on this self-denying and evangelical tour, alone. He was influenced by no curiosity to see a country not before visited; nor could he have had any secular motive to induce him to perform so laborious a service, as that in which he now engaged.

As Mr. Whitefield’s preachhig had enkindled a considerable flame in Boston, Mr. Tennent directed his course immediately to that city; where he arrived on the 13th of December, 1740; and here he continued for nearly three months, preaching almost every day, with extraordinary power and success. There were, however, there, many who were ready to welcome him; and several of the excellent ministers of the town cordially received this zealous preacher, and opened their pulpits — and, indeed, some of them, gave them up to him, while he continued in the place. Among those who received him joyfully was the Rev. Mr. Prince, the author of “The Christian History,” from whose pen we are favoured with an account of Mr. Tennent’s manner of preaching, during his ministry in Boston. “It was,” says he,” both terrible and searching. It was for matter, justly terrible, as he, according to the inspired oracles, exhibited the dreadful holiness, justice, law-threatenings, truth, power, and majostv of God, and his

1)2 anger with rebellious impenitent and Christless sinners: the awful danger they were in every moment of being struck down to hell and damned forever with the amazing miseries of that place of torment. By his arousing and scriptural preaching, deep and pungent convictions were wrought in the minds of many hundreds of persons, in that town; and the same eflfect was produced in several scores, in the neighbouring congregations. And now, was such a time as we never knew. The Rev. Mr. Cooper was wont to say, that more came to him in one week, in deep concern, than in the whole twenty-four years of his preceding ministry. I can say also the same, as to the numbers who repaired to me.’^” By a letter of Mr. Cooper — one of the evangelical ministers of Boston — to a friend in Scotland, it appears, he had had about six hundred different persons to visit him on the concerns of their souls, in three month’s time. And Mr. Webb — another of the pious Boston ministers — informs me, he has had, in the same space, above a thousand.’’

But it will be satisfactory to hear Mr. Tennent’s own account of this visit; which is found in a letter addressed to Mr. Whitefield, by whose urgent entreaty he was persuaded to undertake the journey-This letter has been preserved in that excdlent book, “Gillies’s Historical Collections,” of which there certainly ought to be a new edition, as copies of the work, are becoming very scarce.

“Very dear brother.

In my return home, I have been preaching daily; ordinarily, three times in a day, and sometimes, oftener: and, through pure grace, I have met with success much exceeding my expectations. In the town of Boston, there were many hundreds, if not thousands, as some have judged, under soul-concern. When I left the place, many children were deeply affected about their souls, and several had received consolation. Some aged persons in church-communion, and some open opposers, were convinced. Divers of the young and middle aged were converted, and several negroes. The concern was rather more general at Charlestown. Multitudes were awakened, and several had received great consolation; especially among the young people, children, and negroes. In Cambridge, also, in the town and in the college, the shaking among the dry bones was general, and several of the students have received consolation.^^ He then proceeds to name more than twenty towns to which the revival had extended; and in most of which he had preached on his return home. “In New Haven,^^ says he,” the concern was general, both in the college, and in the town. About thirty students came on foot, ten miles, to hear the word of God. And at Milford, the concern was general. I believe, by a moderate calculation, divers thousands have been awakened. Glory

to God on high! I thank you sir, that you did excite

D3 me to this journey. I have had good information, that on Long Island, God has blessed my poor laboms, on my pass to New England. The work of God spreads more and more. My brother William has had remarkable success, this winter, at Burlington. Mr. John Cross has had remarkable success at Staten Island; and many, I hear, have been awakened by the labours of Mr. Robinson, in New York government. Mr. Mills has had remarkable success in Connecticut, particularly at New Haven. And I hear that Mr. Blair has had remarkable success, in Pennsylvania.’^

On the subject of this great revival, which extended from Massachusetts to Georgia, the ministers of the synod were greatly divided. For while some approved the work, and were prhicipal instruments in promoting it, a majority considered it an ebullition of enthusiasm, which tended neither to the glory of God, nor to the real benefit of immortal souls. And concerning Mr. Whitefield and his preaching, there was an entire dissension. And this difference, relating to the great and vital interests of religion, produced exasperation. The friends of the revival considered all who opposed it, as setting themselves in opposition to a glorious work of God’s grace, and they could not but view all who openly spoke against the revival, or opposed it in any way, to be the enemies of God. Hence, they too hastily took up the opinion, that all those ministers who disapproved the work, were unconverted men; that they were mere formaUsts, and knew nothing of the vital power of reUgion 5 but trusted to a mere profession of orthodoxy, and that if in words they did not deny the truths of God, they did, in fact: and though they might acknowledge the truth in theory, it was with them a dead orthodoxy ,^^ which they held in unrighteousness. On the other hand, the opposers of the revival, blamed the kind of preaching which the revivalists adopted; especially, the dwelling so much damned. They charged the leaders in the revival with j on the terrors of the law, and the torments of the encouraging enthusiastic raptures, and making religion to consist too much in strong emotion, and violent excitement, attended often with bodily affections. They were also greatly offended with the harsh, uncharitable spirit with which they were denounced and misrepresented, by the preachers on the other side; and their opposition to no one, unless Mr. Whitefield be an exception, was greater than to Mr. Gilbert Tennent. Indeed, all must acknowledge, that among the friends and promoters of the revival, he stood pre-eminent; and in the harshness of his censures, and the severity of his denunciation, he went far before all his brethren. It cannot be doubted that before the commencement of this extraordinary revival of religion, the Presbyterian church in America, was in a most deplorable state of deadness and formality; and that the necessity of a change of heart was very Uttle inculcated from the pulpit or understood by the people. Here it may be remarked, that the founder of the Log College, and all the pupils of that school were warm friends of the revival, and exerted themselves with all their might to promote the good work.