Memoir of Rev. Gilbert Tennent, Continued
Second Presbyterian church. — Mission to Great Britain for the College of New Jersey — Exertions to” get a commodious church erected — His Sickness and Death — Eulogy on his character — His Publications.
The preaching of Mr. Whitefield, in Philadelphia, was the means of the conversion of many souls. A number of these, with others who agreed with them in sentiment, and were admirers of Mr. Whitefield’s preaching, and friends of the revival, had formed a new Presbyterian congregation, in that city. And being desirous to obtain a pastor of like views and sentiments with themselves, and one possessed of talents and eloquence suited to such a station, turned their eyes upon the Rev. Gilbert Tennent. Their call to him was presented in May, 1743, just two years after the rupture of the synod, which took place, in the same city. Mr. Tennent did not hesitate to accept this call, as he saw that the sphere of his influence would be greatly enlarged. He was, therefore, regularly released from his pastoral, charge in New Brunswick, where he had preached for sixteen years. In the important station, on which he now entered, he continued to exercise his ministry with great fidelity and diligence, for twenty years. During this whole period, comprehending more than one half of his ministerial life, he seems to have lived in peace with all men. The fiery edge of his seal had worn off, and he had found by experience, that neither people nor ministers were ever rendered better by vituperative attaclts from the pulpit, or the press. During the whole of the latter part of his life, Mr. Gilbert Tennent, as far as has come to our knowledge, never had any controversy with any of his brethren, but seems to have conducted himself in a friendly, and peaceable manner, toward all men. From this it would seem, that he was not of a quarrelsome or litigious spirit. And it may hence be fairly inferred, that the warm controversies in which he engaged with his brethren of the synod of Philadelphia, were entered into conscientiously, and on principle. And we have no doubt, that in this whole concern, he was, at the time, fulty persuaded, that he was doing God service, and performing a painful duty toward his opposing brethren, which he could not with a good conscience omit. But as was before said, we are of opinion that he was mistaken and proceeded on an erroneous principle; and there is good reason to think, that he was of the same opinion himself, in this latter part of his life.
The only interruption of his pastoral labours, in Philadelphia was occasioned by a mission to Great
Britain, in conjunction with the Rev. Samuel Davies of Virginia, for the College of New Jersey. At the request of the Trustees of New Jersey College, the Synod of New York appointed, these two gentlemen, to cross the AtlantiCj to solicit funds for the College. The mission was, in a good degree, successful; hut of this our only account is found in the diary of the Rev. Mr. Davies. It does not appear, that Mr. Tennent ever kept any journal, or diary, at home or abroad. From Mr. Davies’s journal we learn, that he and Mr. Tennent went on board a vessel bound for London, Nov. 17, 1753, and on the next day, set sail. They arrived in London, on the 25th of December, and were well received. We are unable to give any account of Mr. Tennents preaching and its effects on the people whom he addressed, for he and Mr. Davies seem to have been separated from each other, for the most part. But in regard to the direct object of their mission, he says, under date of April 7, 1754, ‘’ We have had most surprising success in our mission; which, notwithstanding the languor of my nature, I cannot review without passionate emotions. From the best information of our friends, and our own observation on our arrival here, we could not raise our hopes above dCSOO, but we have already got about 361200. Our friends in America cannot hear the news with the same surprise, as they do not know the difficulties we have had to encounter with; but to me it appears the most signal interposition of Providence, I ever saw.’^
While Mr. Gilbert Tennent was in Great Britain, a friend to the conversion of the Indians, put into his hands, two hundred pounds sterling, to be made use of by the synod of New York, in sending missionaries to these heathen tribes. This seems to have excited, for a time, a considerable missionary spirit among the ministers in connexion with this synod. Several pastors, who had charges, went on temporary missions; and Mr. John Brainerd devoted himself wholly to the work, among the tribes who reside in New Jersey.
John Brainerd was the brother of David, whose devoted missionary life is so well known, and has had so powerful an effect in exciting the missionary spirit. His brother succeeded him, supported by the same society in Scotland, which had supported himself. But after some time he relinquished the missionary work and accepted a pastoral charge in the town of Newark, New Jersey. The contribution from Scotland was now withdrawn, as there was no missionary among the Indians. But when Mr. Tennent returned with the aforementioned sum, appropriated to this object, the synod of New York, renewed their missionary enterprise: and as the very name of Brainerd was precious to the Indians of New Jersey, Mr. John Brainerd by the advice of the synod, resigned his charge and returned to the Indians,” The Rev. Messrs. Tennent and Davies, when in Great Britain receved from various persons, in London, the sum of ^298 17s. for the education of such youth for the ministry of the gospel, in the College of New Jersey, as are unable to defray the expenses of their education; who appear upon proper examination to be of promising genius, Calvinistic principles, and in the judgment of charity, experimentally acquainted with the work of saving grace, and to have distinguished zeal for the glory of God, and the salvation of men.’ The annual interest of the aforesaid sum only was to be appropriated. To this sum was added by another donor, ^10 7s. 6d., making the whole of this charitable fund to be ^307 4s. 6d.
“The money aforesaid was, by Messrs. Tennent and Davies put into the hands of the Trustees of New Jersey College, to be applied to the education of such youth, of the character above mentioned, as shall be examined and approved by the synod of New York, (or by what name soever, that body of men may be hereafter called) and by them recommended to the trustees of said college, and to be divided among such youths, in proportion as said synod shall think fit,” To the above sums, fifty pounds sterling were added, by an individual, making the whole sum £257 4s. 6d.*
* This fund was nearly all lost during the revolutionary war.
A report has attained some currency, that Mr. Tennent and Mr. Davies did not perfectly harmonize, when on this mission; but though it is possible that some coolness may have arisen between these eminent ministers, there is not any written document where we have seen the least hint of any difference. And from the suavity of Mr. Davies’s disposition, and the perfect politeness of his manners, we cannot think that there is any foundation for the report. The men, it is true, in natural disposition, were not altogether congenial; for while the manners of one were polished and calculated to please, it is probable, those of the other were rough, blunt, and not at all courtly. We shall therefore, dismiss this report as one of the thousands which have no probable foundation. No doubt, Mr. Davies carried off the palm, as to popularity, in London, and other places; and if Mr. Tennent was at all susceptible of the feelings of envy, which are very natural to the human heart, and the remains of which are often found lurking in the hearts of ministers, as well as others, he might have felt badly in finding himself eclipsed by a much younger man. But as was said, we have no right to charge him with any such feeling, and we are confident, that Mr. Daviess treatment of him, must have been uniformly respectful and affectionate; for it was so to everybody.
After Mr. Tennent’s settlement in Philadelphia, he exerted himself with great energy, and perse verance, to get a good house of worship erected for the congregation which he served. Indeed, at that time, the building of such an edifice as that which by his indefatigable exertions was erected at the northeast corner, at the intersection of Mulberry and Third streets, for the second Presbyterian church? in Philadelphia, was a great work. Very few of the Presbyterian denomination then, possessed much wealth. Mr. Tennent not only obtained nearly all the subscriptions for the building, but actually superintended the work, in person, and assiduously watched over it, from its commencement to its completion. After some time, the congregation added a handsome steeple to the building.
Such men as Mr. Gilbert Tennent always appear greatest in times of excitement, aaid stirring activity. It may well be doubted, whether his preaching was as awakening and impressive, after his removal to Philadelphia, as it was before. Some change in his views and feelings, as to the best method of promoting religion had taken place, it would be very natural to suppose. The warmth of his religious feelings had in some measure cooled, and the violence of his zeal had, by time and experience, been mitigated. From this time he seems to have gone along as quietly as other ministers around him. We thus judge, because we have never heard of any remarkable effects of his preaching, after his settlement in Philadelphia. There is another thing which ought not to be overlooked. In a great city, the hearers are more fastidious than in the country, and will not tolerate so much liberty of digression, and so frequent departures from good taste and correct composition. Before Mr. Gilbert Tennent went to Philadelphia, though, doubtless, he studied his sermons carefully, and digested his matter under a sufficient variety of heads, yet he preached without having written his discourses, and like all ardent preachers, gave himself great indulgence, in pursuing any new train of ideas which was presented during the time of preaching. But when settled in a great city, he thought it necessary, for the sake of correctness, to write his sermons, and read them from the pulpit. This circumstance alone, probably, produced a great alteration in his mode of preaching. Many men who preach admirably Vvrhen free to follow the thoughts which they have arranged, or to pursue such as spring up at the time, when confined to a discourse written in the study, appear to be very much cramped, and lose much of their vivacity and natural eloquence. The writer once conversed with a plain and pious man, who in early life being apprenticed to a trade in Philadelphia, attended Mr. Tennent’s ministry. We asked him respecting his mamier of preaching. He answered simply, that Mr. Tennent was never worth any thing after he came to Philadelphia;” “for,’’ said he,” he took to, reading his sermons, and lost all his animation.^’
TMs testimony came from a class not sufficiently consideiied when the best mode of preaching is mider consideration. Om’ reference is too much to the taste of men of cultivated minds, who form but a small part of any congregation; and even these when pious, are better pleased with blnndering simplicity joined with animation, than with cold accu racy,, when the most solemn truths are delivered without emotion.
Mr. Tennent, however, though he probably lost a considerable portion of his early vehemenee and impressiveness; yet composed discourses, sound and instructive. This will appear more clearly when we come to speak of his writings.
The interest of Mr. Gilbert Temient in revivals and his joy at the conversion of sinners, continued unabated. ,.For in March 1757, an extraordinary revival of religion occurred in the New Jersey college, concerning which he thus speaks in the preface to one of his volumes of sermons:” In March last, I received a letter from the College of New Jersey, informing me of an extraordinary appearance of the Divine power and presence there, and requesting I would come and see. With this kind motion I gladly complied; and having been there some time, had all the evidence of the aforesaid report, which could be in reason desired.’^ He then inserts a letter from his brother William, giving a particular account of the nature and progress of the work; which was ad-’ dressed to the Rev. Dr. Finley, and the autograph of which the writer has seen. This letter shall be given entire, when we come to give an account of the life of the Rev. William Tennentj jr.
For about three years before his death, Mr. Tennent became very infirm; so that he was unable to go thK)ugh the duties which devolved upon him as the pastor of a large city congregation. In December 1762, the congregation got leave to present a eallo the Rev. George Duffield, D. D., then of Carlisle, to be a co-pastor with Mr. Tennent. This call Dr. Duffield declined to accept; and the congregation remained without another pastor, until Mr. Tennent’s death; which event occurred in the year 1764, in the sixty-second 3”ear of his age.
Of the circumstances of his death. Dr. Finley, in his funeral sermon, says but little. In the general, he informs us, that, “as he liied to the Lord, so death was his unspeakable gain. And his being conscious of it made him ardently wish for the pleasing hour, when he should enter into the joy of his Lord.^’’ ...” He had an habitual unshaken assurance of his interest in redeeming love, for the space of more than forty years; but eight days before his death, he got a more clear and affecting sense of it still. And though he lamented that he had done so little for God, and that his life had been comparatively unprofitable; yet he triumphed in the grace
of Jesus Christ, who had pardoned all his sins; and
F2 said his assurance of salvation was built on the scriptures, and was more sure than the sun and moon,”
His congregation placed a monumental stone over his remains, in the middle aisle of the church in which he had so long preached. The inscription on this stone was written by his friend Dr. Finley, in classic Latin. When this church was remodelled, his remains and those of Dr. Finley also, were removed to the public cemetery of the Second Presbyterian Church, between Mulberry and Cherry streets. After Mr. Tennent’s death, there was an eulogy on his character, published in Philadelphia, by a young gentleman of that city, from which some extracts will be made, as serving to show in what estimation he was held in the place where he spent more than twenty years of his life. We expect, in discourses of this kind, some exaggeration; but as this eulogy was addressed to the public, who were well acquainted with the person eulogized, it must have a general foundation of truth; and the reader, by making an allowance for the strong expressions of the partial writer, may form a pretty correct opinion of the true character of the person celebrated.
After an introduction, this writer goes on to say: He whose memorr these pages are intended to celebrate, was distinguished in a very remarkable manner, by his eminent endowments of mind; a love of learning that nothing could abate; an intense application, that no recreations could divert. And his great proficiency in the several branches of literature, while the powers of his soul were but just opening, raised the expectations of all that knew him. And what recommended these amiable accomplishments was, that they were early adorned with the charms of Divine grace. It was his study to remember his Creator in the days of his youth. And as he often inculcated the necessity and manifold advantages of early piety, so he might with propriety have added his own experience of them, as an inducement to the votaries of gayety and pleasure to embrace the pleasures that flow from true religion. He had no sooner experienced what it was to pass from death unto life, and from a state of nature to a state of grace, than he formed a resolution of spending his time, his talents, and his all, in the service of God, in his sanctuary; previously to the accomplishment of which design, he devoted himself wholly to the study of the sacred scriptures, and his own heart, and not merely to a dry system of speculative notions. He was too sensible of the importance of that arduous ofiice, to rush into it without suitable preparation. He knew too well the worth of precious immortal souls to recommend any other foundation for the hopes of their future happiness, than what he was well assured would stand the test of beating rains and descending showers The
manner in which he usually preached, and the indif-F3
8S THE nEV. GILBERT TENN^NT.
ference with which he treated all secular advantages, abundantly evinced, that neither a love of popular applause, nor a desire of promoting his own affluence and ease, could have been any inducement to him to assume the holy function. But, on the contrary, an ardent love to God, and a desire to advance his glory in the world, by proclaiming pardon and reconciliation through the atoning blood of his crucified Son, were his only motives for the choice of that noble, disinterested profession. As he entered into the ministry in the prime of life, when his bodily constitution was in its full vigour, he devoted his juvenile strength and ardour of mind to the service of the church, at a time when their exertion vf as of the greatest importance. Few that knew Mr. Tennent in that season of life, can speak of him without some pleasing emotions. The good old puritan spirit that had for a series of years been asleep, seemed to revive and blaze forth in him with a genuine lustre. He was, indeed, like the harbinger of his Master, ’ a burning and a shining light,’ in the church. His undissembled piety, his fervent zeal, his pungency of address, and his indefatigable assiduity in the performance of every ministerial duty, were remarkably eminent. He might truly be styled a Boanerges.’ As he knew the composition and make of the human heart; so he knew how to speak to it; and all his discourses were aimed at the fountain of impurity and sin. He knew that a reformation that did not take its rise in the heart, could not be of long continuance, or pleasing in the sight of God; and, therefore, he always strove to convince his hearers, that a thorough renovation of it was necessary to salvation,”
“As his presence was venerable, and his voice commanding, so his very appearance in the pulpit, filled the minds of his hearers with a kind of religious awe.... The thunderings and mighty vociferations of Mount Sinai seemed to roar from the sacred desk, when he denounced the wrath of God against him that transgressed but once God’s law, which he knew to be spiritual, and that nothing but a perfect obedience — which man in his fallen state is unable to perform — would satisfy its demands. Hence, he made it his constant practice to sound the alarm of God’s curse abiding on the whole human race; and that to doom man to everlasting misery would be highly consistent with the mercy and justice of Jehovah. But while he enforced the truth of inspiration, ’ that in Adam all die,’ he was no less warm in proclaiming, i that in Christ all shall be made alive.’ And as he knew how to wound, so he knew how to pour the oil of consolation on the bleeding conscience. The blood of Jesus, that sacred healing balm, was his grand catholicon for sin-sick souls. This only was what he recommended as sufficient to procure ease to the trembling sinner; with the love of God to man, in pouring so much Deity on guilty dust — in sending his darling Son into the world, to redeem a race of rebel sinners, by bearing on the accursed tree, the heavy punishment due to man’s enormous crimes, in order to translate him to the regions of eternal joy.
“The beginning of his ministry was employed in long and tedious itinerations. And wherever he had a prospect of doing good, however remote the place might be from his friends, and however repugnant to his own ease, he needed no other inducement, but cheerfully undertook the pleasing task.
“Fatigues and toils from which even worldly men, in the prosecution of an earthly good shrink back, he joyfully engaged in 5 and with a degree of perseverance peculiar to himself, bravely overcame those difficulties, which to some minds appeared insurmountable. ... It pleased God, in a very gracious manner, to crown his labours with success. The energy of the divine Spirit accompanied his ministrations. Wherever he went the kingdom of Satan trembled; the desolate and solitary places bloomed like a rose before him; and he became the happy instrument of turning many from the error of their ways to the living God.
“His knowledge in divinity, in which he made great proficiency, was entirely derived from the Bible; and whatever truth it enforced as duty, he inculcated; his arguments for the one, and motives for the other, were all taken from those inspired pages, which he prized above all human writings, and vahied as the charter by which he possessed the hope, and ere long expected the full enjoyment of a blessed eternity.
“Sensible how much man is dependent upon God for every blessing he enjoys, and that the best way to keep the flame of devotion alive in his own soul, was to maintain a constant intercourse with heaven, he made prayer his chief and most delightful employment. This was the very breath of his soul.... His manner of praying was such as evidenced it to be not the mere language of the passions, but a rational, solemn, and animated address to the Great Father of spirits.
After having laboured for many years, with much success, in New Brunswick, where he was settled; by the advice of his brethren, he accepted an urgent call from the Second Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, while the society was in its infant state; and continued to exercise his pastoral function there for upwards of twenty years,. with a degree of watchfulness and fidelity, scarcely to be paralleled. He considered himself as the shepherd of his flock, and made it his practice to lead them to the green pastures and living fountains of salvation, with the care of one that knew he m.ust render an account at the last day. Nay, he considered himself the father of his people, and as his beloved children he coun-
90 THE REV. aiLBERT TENNENT.
selled;, warned and reproved them, with all the tenderness and solicitude of a father’s heart. He was, indeed, a faithful watchman, that never failed to give warning of impending danger. The rich and the poor, the black and white had equally free access to his person, and ever found him ready to hear their complaints and solve their doubts.’^
“What he preached in the pulpit, his life preached out of it. His disposition — naturally calm — was still more sweetened with that holy temper which the gospel of Christ inspires. A genuine serenity and cheerfulness dwelt upon his countenance, which he never failed to diffuse on all around him. He was charitable to the poor; kind to all men; a lover of all that loved the Lord Jesus, whatever mode of worship they professed; and much beloved in all the tender endearments of domestic life, as a husband, a father, a master, and a friend.
“There is nothing in this world, methinks, more grand or illustrious, than the old age of a man who has devoted his whole time, and spent his whole life in promoting the spiritual interests of his fellow creatures.... The review of his life fills his soul with a pleasure, which none but such as experience it can conceive. Whilst he sees no ill-spent time to sting his conscience with remorse, nor feels any attachment to the transitory things of this world, he beholds a calm haven prepared for his repose, where the storms and billows of affliction can reach him no more....
In this light should we contemplate Mr. Tennent. His soul like the setting sun, broke through the clouds of infirmity. There was a dignity and grandeur in his old age. Wisdom bloomed upon his silver locks; and while the cold hand of time snoAved upon his locks, his heart glowed with redoubled love for the church.... Nor more dreadful to the man of ease in his possessions is the approach of the king of terrors, than he was welcome to this eminent servant of God. Every symptom of his approaching dissolution, instead of filling his soul with alarms, rather filled him with comfort, and made him impatiently long for the kind stroke that should dismiss his soul.^ After having borne a long and tedious illness with the most invincible fortitude and resignation, the friendly messenger at last, came with the joyful summons.... And with full confidence in the merits and atonement of his dear Redeemer, he gently fell asleep.
The following is the most accurate list of Mr. Gilbert Tennents works, which the author has been able to collect.
1. In the year 1735, Mr. Tennent published his” Solemn Warning to the secure World, From the God of Terrible Majesty; or, the Presumptuous Sinner Detected, his Pleas Considered, and his Doom Displayed.’’ This volume was printed in Boston.
2. Sermons on Sacramental Occasions, by Divers Authors, A small duodecimo volume. —
92 ‘JriiE REV. GtLBEAT TENNENT.
The sermons are all by Mr. Gilbert Tennent except two; one, by his brother William, and the other, by the Rev. Samuel Blair. It would seem, that at the time when this volume was published, no books were printed either in New York or Philadelphia; for the manuscript was sent to Boston, and printed there, in the year 1739.
3. Two sermons of the Rev. John Tennent, with a Preface, containing a memoir of him, to which is added, “An Expostulatory Address to Saints and Sinners,” by Gilbert Tennent. Printed in Boston, in the year 1735.
4. His next Publication was, probably, his famous i( Nottingham Sermon,” in which he lashed his brethren of the synod so severely, that it had much influence in leading to the separation which soon followed.
5. “The Examiner Examined” was written in the year 1740, and is an answer to a pamphlet written against him, by an anonymous author, after his visit to New England.
6. “The Pacificator,” a large pamphlet, the object of which was to bring about a re-union of the dissentient parties, in the Presbyterian church.
7. In the year 1744, Mr. G. Tennent published, in Philadelphia, a small quarto volume of sermons, twenty-three in number. These Discourses appear to have been the commencement of a body of Divinity. The subjects treated are,” The Chief End of
Man- — The Divine Authority of the Sacred Scriptures — The Being and Attributes of God, and the Trinity.’’ Preached in Philadelphia, in 1743.
8. In the year 1749, Mr. G. Tennent, published two sermons, preached at Burlington, N. J., On a day of Public Fasting. They are dedicated t<5 Governor Belcher. The Texts are Matt. ri. 16, 17, 18, and Jonah iii. 8.
9. In 1758, Mr. Gilbert Tennent published a volume of sermons, entitled, “Sermons on Important Subjects, Aba]?ted to the Perilous State OP THE British Nation,” Lately Preached in Philadelphia, by Gilbert Tennent, A. M.
We do not know where Mr. Tennent obtained his degree of Master of Arts. It would be natural to suppose that it was conferred by the Trustees of the College of New Jersey; but his name is not on the catalogue; while we find there the names of some of his contemporaries, who received honourary degrees. As he was a Trustee of New Jersey college, it is probable that this honour was conferred on him by Yale or Harvard, or possibly, from one of the Scotch universities.
10. In 1756, Mr. Tennent published a Funeral sermon, occasioned by the death of Captain William Grant. Preached in Philadelphia.
11. The last Publicati’ni of Mr. G. Tennent, was” A Sermon on the Nature of Religious Zeal Its excellency and Importance opened anp urged/^ Preached in Philadelphia, Jan. 21, 1760.
The style of these several publications is very diverse; as they were composed at different periods of Mr. Tennent’s life, on different subjects, and in different circumstances. In all his writings perspicuity and force are manifest characteristics of his style; but there is a great want of simplicity and ease. Throughout the whole, the doctrines inculcated are rigidly orthodox, according to the Westminster Confession. In his didactic discourses, he shows himself not only to be a profound thinker, but a well-read theologian; and often quotes the standard Latin writers of systematic theology, as one who had been accustomed to read them. While he manifests an ardent zeal in defence of the doctrines of grace,^ he never loses sight of the importance of experimental religion and practical godliness. In conformity with the custom of the age, he too much abounds in divisions and subdivisions; and is too fond of technical words and phrases. His practical discourses, however, are often both pungent and searching.
It is somewhat remarkable, that while so many old authors have been republished, in our day, none of the writings of Gilbert Tennent have ever passed to a second edition. The author is disposed to make a selection from his works, if he had encouragement, that we might not only have a sketch of the lives of the divines of the Log College, but a specimen of their theology.