The New London School

Synod of Philadelphia establish a School — Located at New London — Mr. Alison the first Teacher — Negociation with Yale College-Letter to President Clapp — Synod of N. Y, form the enterprise of establishing a college — Log College the germ of New Jersey College.

As we have given a brief history of the Log College, the first school erected within the bounds of the Presbyterian church in this country, it will not be considered an unsuitable digression, to say something of another school, which was established by the synod of Philadelphia, after the rupture, which has been described, took place. The want of an institution of classical and scientific education was deeply felt; but what course to pursue, was a problem not easy to be solved. The Log College had been in successful operation about fifteen years before the exclusion of the New Brunswick presbytery; but it appears, from the statement of the last chapter, that it had never given general satisfaction to the synod. And now this school and all its friends and supporters were separated from the synod; so that the need of a school, where candidates might obtain, at least, the ground-work of a liberal education, was felt to be urgent. This matter, therefore, became the subject of frequent deliberation and mutual consultation among the ministers. A public meeting was at length agreed upon, and the business was entered upon in good earnest. The presbyteries of Philadelphia, Newcastle, and Donegal, appointed certain of their members to meet in the Great Valley, Nov. 16, 1743, to take into consideration the subject of a plan for educating young men for the holy ministry. After conference and deliberation, they resolved, that this business could not be properly managed unless the synod would undertake it; they, therefore, referred the further consideration of the subject to that reverend body; but agreed that in the mean time, a school should be opened for the education of youth. When this matter, the ensuing year, was brought before the synod, they adopted the plan as their own, and took the school under their care; and agreed upon the following plan for carrying it on.

1. That there be a school kept open where all persons who please, may send their children, and be there instructed gratis in the languages, philosophy, and divinity.

2. In order to carry on this design, it is agreed, that every congregation under our care, be applied to for yearly contributions, more or less, as they can aiford, and as God may incline them to contribute.

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until Providence open the door for our supporting the school in some other way.

3. That if any thing can be spared besides what is required to support a master and tutor, that it be employed by the trustees, in buying books and other necessaries for said school, and for the benefit of it, as the trustees shall see proper.

“And Mr. Alison is chosen master of said school, and has the privilege of choosing an usher, under him, to assist him; and the said Mr. Alison is exempted from all public business, save only attending church judicatories, and what concerns his particular pastoral charge. And the synod agree to allow Mr. Alison twenty pounds per annum, and the usher fifteen pounds.’^ They then proceeded to appoint from their own body, trustees for the management of the aifairs of the school. To these trustees it belonged, to visit the school, and direct the whole course of instruction, and to report to the synod the condition of the school. (See Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 174.)

From what is here stated it appears, that Mr. Alison was the pastor of a church, and consequently the school was situated in his own vicinity. Where he received his education is not known to the writer, but it seems probable that he came over a probationer; for we have an account of his ordination in the records referred to above, but no account of his license. Doubtless he stood very high as a scholar

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in the opinion of the synod; and from the tradition which has coma down respecting him he was a very accompUshed man. The estimation in which he was held as a scholar may be also inferred from the fact that he was invited to take charge of an academy, instituted in Philadelphia, over which he presided for many years.

The synod of Philadelphia had now a school under their own care, and an able teacher; but as they had manifested so great a reluctance to receive the pupils of Mr. Tennent’s school, without a better education than.could be afforded by a grammar-school, they could not for consistency’s sake, be satisfied with the course of instruction in their own school, where there were no more professors than in the Log College. They, therefore, thought of a plan of sending their young men, for a short period, to Yale College, to receive a diploma, if they could make an arrangement with the faculty and trustees of the college, that would suit them. Messrs. Andrews and Cross were appointed to write a letter to the president and corporation of the aforesaid college. This letter is not on record; neither is President Clapp’s answer. But on receiving his letter, they appointed a large committee to prepare a letter in answer, which is preserved in the Records of the Church (pp. 185, 186, 187.) This letter has been several times referred to, and is an important document to cast light on the affairs of the church, at that time, and before the schism. Several things stated as facts, in this narrative, depend for their authority, on this letter. It will be proper, therefore, to lay a considerable part of it before the reader. It serves to show what views the synod entertained of the Log College; and what steps they had taken to establish a school under the superintendence of the synod. As we have neither the letter written by the synod to President Clapp, nor his answer, the precise nature of the application made, cannot now be ascertained, but from the reply to President Clapp ’s letter, which is on record, we may learn, generally, what the request or proposal was, which they made. In this letter, dated May 30, 1746, they express their thanks to the president and fellows of Yale College, for considering their request and expressing a readiness to promote the interests of learning and religion in the Presbyterian church. It appears, however, that President Clapp wished for more particular information respecting the synodical school, and also the present state of the synod. In answer to his inquiries, they say: Some years ago our synod found the interest of Christ’s kingdom likely to suffer in these parts, for want of a college for the education of young men. And our supplies from Europe, or New England, were few in proportion to the numerous vacancies in our growing settlements. Mr. William Tennent set up a school among us, where some were educated, and afterwards admitted to the ministry, without sufficient qualifications as was judged by many of the synod. And what made the matter look worse, those that were educated in this private way, denied the usefuhiess of some parts of learning that we thought very necessary. It was therefore agreed to try to institute a college, and apply to our friends in Britain, Ireland, and New England, to assist us. We wrote to the Association of Boston on this head, and had a very favourable answer. But when we were thus projecting our plan, and appointing commissioners to Britain, &.c., to promote the thing, the war with Spain was proclaimed, which put a stop to our proceedings then. The synod then came to a public agreement to take all private schools where young men were educated for the ministry, so far under their care, as to appoint a committee of our synod to examine all such as had not obtained degrees in the European or New England colleges, and give them certificates, if they were found qualified, which was to serve our presbyteries, instead of a college diploma, till better provision, could be made. Mr. Gilbert Tennent cried out that this was to prevent his fathers school from training gracious men

for the ministry; and he, and some of his adherents, protested against it, and counteracted this our public agreement; admitting men to the ministry, which were judged unfit for that office; which course they persisted in, though admonished and reproved by us, for such unwarrantable procesdings. While these debates subsisted, Mr. Whitefield came into the country, whom they drew into their party, to encourage divisions. And they and he, have been the sad instruments of dividing our churches. And by his interest, Mr. Gilbert Tennent grew hardy enough to tell our synod he would oppose their design of getting assistance to erect a college, wherever we should make application, and would maintain young men at his father’s school, in opposition to us. This, with his and his adherents divisive practices, obliged the synod to exclude him and others of his stamp, from their communion. In this situation our affairs grew worse; for our vacancies were numerous, and we found it hard, in such troubles, to engage gentlemen from New England or Europe to come among us, such as our best friends in those places could recommend as steadfast in the faith, and men of parts and education. Upon this, the synod erected a school in 1744. It was agreed, that the said school should be opened under the inspection of the synod, where the languages, philosophy, and divinity, should be taught, gratis, to all that should comply with the regulations of the school, being persons of good character and behaviour. They appointed a master and a tutor for this business, who were to be paid by such contributions as the synod could obtain for this purpose; and agreed from year to year, to appoint trustees, to meet, twice a year, to inspect the master’s diligence and method of teaching; and direct what authors are chiefly to be read in the several branches of learning; to examine the scholars as to their proficiency and good conduct; and apply the money procured to such uses as they judge proper; and who order all aff’airs relating to the school. And the trustees are yearly to be accountable to the synod, and to make report of their proceedings, and state of the school. And it is agreed, that after the said scholars pass the course of study prescribed them, they shall be pubhcly examined by the said trustees, and such ministers as the synod shall think fit to appoint.’^

We are not informed that this negotiation with the president of Yale College, resulted in anything practical. It does not appear that the synod ever sent any of their young men to Yale College, to finish their education. Indeed, the necessity for such a measure, soon passed’ away, as the College of New Jersey, in a short time after this, was instituted, and rapidly rose into credit. And Dr. Alison, the principal of their school at New London, in Delaware, was invited to Philadelphia, to take charge of an academy which a number of gentlemen had erected in that city. And it was not long before this academy was constituted a college, in which Dr. Alison was appointed the vice-provost, and professor of Moral Philosophy. To this institution the young men belonging to the synod of Philadelphia, directed their attention, and here they commonly finished their education. But after the union of the two synods, in 1758, candidates from all the presbyteries were accustomed to resort to New Jersey college; especially, after Dr. Witherspoon became the president.

Mr. Alison’s departure from the synod’s school at New London, seems to have been its death-blow. From the Records of the synod of Philadelphia, it appears, that Dr. AUson relinquished his station without receiving the approbation, either of the presbytery of Newcastle, of which he was a member, or of the synod. His course was viewed as irregular, by the synod; but they were well satisfied with the thing itself; and when they met, a reference from the presbytery of Newcastle was laid before them, relative to this matter, when the following minute was adopted, and placed on record, viz.: “The synod having deliberately considered the affair of Mr. Alison’s removal to Philadelphia, referred to them by the presbytery of Newcastle, judge, that the method he used is contrary to the Presbyterian plan. Yet, considering the circumstances which urged him to take the method he used, were very pressing; and that it was indeed almost impracticable to him to apply for the consent of presbytery or synod, in the orderly way; and further, being persuaded that Mr. Alison’s being employed in such a station in the academy, has a favourable aspect in several respects, and a very probable tendency not only to promote the good of the pubUc, but also of the church, as he may be serviceable to the interests thereof, in teaching philosophy and divinity, as far as his obligations to the academy will permit; we judge that his proceedings in said affair, are in a great measure excusable. Vvlthal, the synod advises, that for the future, its members be very cautious, and guard against such proceedings as are contrary to our known and approved methods, in such cases.”

As we are not aware, that any memoir of Dr. Francis Alison has been published; and as he was one of the most accomplished scholars, who has adorned the Presbyterian Church, in these United States, it seems desirable to preserve his memory from utter oblivion, by giving a large extract from the funeral sermon, preached on occasion of his death, by his friend and successor, the Rev. John Ewing, D. D. Dr. Ahson died Nov. 29, 1777, in Philadelphia, where he had long resided.

This discourse administers comfort and consolation under the loss of our pious friends and relations, who have died the death of the righteous, and had a just foundation to entertain the hope of a glorious immortality. Whatever reasons we have to mourn under the loss we sustain, by being deprived of their counsel, their prayers, or their conversation; yet we have no reason to be grieved on account of the exchange they have made, of a world of sin and sor-H lis THE NEW LONDON SCHOOL.

row far joys inconceivable and full of glory. They have fought the good fight of faith; they have finished their course; they are discharged from the Christian warfare, and are exalted to an unfading crown of righteousness and glory. These considerations afibrd consolation to the church of God, and to all its members, when those who were stationed by its glorious head, as watchmen upon her wallsp are removed by death; and particularly under the heavy stroke which the interests of religion and learning this day feels in America, by the much lamented death of the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison.

However the partialities of friendship for the deceased have carried funeral eulogies to a very exceptionable and unjustifiable length, on many occasions; yet I am persuaded, that you will readily acknowledge, that there is but little danger of an extreme of this kind in paying this tribute to the memory of a man, whose private virtues commanded the esteem of all that knew him, and whose extensive public usefulness had erected a lasting monument to his praise. To be silent on this occasion, would argue an unpardonable insensibility to the interests of religion and learning, and would be an instance of injustice to the man, who, for more than forty years, has supported the ministerial character with dignity and reputation, and to whom America is greatly indebted for that diffusion of light and knowledge, and that spirit of liberty and inquiry, which this day places many of her sons upon a level with those of the oldest nations of Europe. All who knew him acknowledge, that he was frank, open, and ingenuous in his natural temper; warm and zealous in his friendships; catholic and enlarged in his sentiments; a friend to civil and religious liberty; abhorring the intolerant spirit of persecution, bigotry, and superstition together with all the arts of dishonesty and deceit. His humanity and compassion led him to spare no pains nor trouble in relieving and assisting the poor and distressed, by his advice and influence, or by his own private liberality; and he has left behind him a lasting testimony of the extensive benevolence of his heart in planmng, erecting, and nursing, with constant attention and tenderness, the charitable scheme of the widows FUND, by which many helpless orphans and destitute widows have been seasonably relieved and supported; and will, we trust, continue to be relieved and supported so long as the synod of New York and Philadelphia shall exist.

Blessed with a clear understanding, and an extensive hberal education; thirsting for knowledge, and indefatigable in study through the whole of his useful life, he acquired an unusual fund of learning and knowledge, which rendered his conversation remarkably instructive, and abundantly qualified him for the sacred work of the ministry, and the painful instruction of vouth in the

H^ college. He was truly a scribe well instructed into the kingdom of heaven, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, for he rightly divided the word of truth, and was peculiarly skilful in giv-I ing to every one his portion in due season. In his

public exhibitions, he was warm, animated, plain, practical, argumentative, and pathetic; and he has left a testimony in the consciences of thousands, who attended upon his ministry, that he was willing to spend and be spent to promote their salvation, and that he failed not to declare to them the whole counsel of God, while he endeavoured to save himself and those that heard him. And we have reason to hope, that the bountiful Redeemer, whom he served in his spirit, has greatly honoured him by making him instrumental in the salvation of many, who shall be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord. His solicitude for the interests of the Redeemer’s kingdom, and his desires to engage young men in the sacred work of the ministry, and to promote the public happiness, by the diffusion of religious liberty and learning through the once untutored wilds of America, induced him lo open a public school in New London, about thirty-six years ago, at which time, there was scarcely a shadow of learning in the middle states: and he generously instructed all that came to him without fee or reward; accounting himself amply paid by the propagation of that spirit of inquiry, that thirst for learning, and those generous and public-spirited attempts to found and establish colleges in the states, which we now see.

“Animated by a laudable spirit, and a generous concern for the public good, some gentlemen in this city erected an academy here about thirty years ago, and invited him to take the instruction and oversight of it. They pursued the same benevolent design until a college was afterwards added, in which he was constituted vice-provost, and professor of moral philosophy. In this laborious employment he has ever since acquitted himself with distinguished honour, fidelity, and success, to the extensive dissemination of that public spirit which was so early raised, and so successfully cultivated, by this faithful and industrious servant of the public. And to the spreading influence of those numerous gentlemen who have received the first rudiments of their education from him, we cannot but attribute, in a great measure, those pleasing prospects which we now entertain, of seeing the sacred lamp of science burning with a brighter flame, and scattering its invigorating rays over the unexplored deserts of this extensive continent, until the whole world be involved in the united blaze of knowledge, liberty, and religion. In short, he was ’ a burning and a shining light,’ and one of the brightest luminaries that ever shone on this western world.

“He is now discharged from the labours of mor-H3 tality, and is gone we trust, to receive the approbation of that compassionate Redeemer, whom he so faithfully served. For he often expressed his hopes in the mercy of God unto eternal life, and told me but a few days ago, ’ that he had no doubt but that according to the tenor of the gospel covenant, he would obtain the pardon of his sins through the great Redeemer of mankind, and enjoy an eternity of rest and glory in the presence of God.’ It was this comfortable prospect that animated him to uncommon fidelity and industry in all the duties of life, and enabled him to bear the lingering dissolution of his body with patience and resignation, until he fell asleep in Jesus.

“Let us, then, who survive our friends, endeavour to be followers of them who by faith and patience have inherited the promises. Let the solemnities of this mournful day, in which an afflicted family, the college in this city, the congregation in which he so long laboured in word and in doctrine, the church of Christ, and the community at large have felt a painful wound, teach us to live the life of the righteous, that we may also have hopes of the divine approbation at our death. Let those virtues and graces, which shone with a distinguished lustre in the private life and the public conduct of our departed friend, engage us all who have in one way or other enjoyed the benefit of his pious and useful labours, to remember him who has spoken to us the word of

God, and considering the issue of his conversation, imitate his faith. That gracious God who has told us that the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, expects that they should concur in accomplishing that comfortable promise, and not counteract it by burying their eminent virtues in an ungrateful obUvion. Let us so remember them as that we may feel their constraining efficacy to excite in us a laudable emulation.

“And now, my friends, let me close the present address with a word to you who have long enjoyed his ministerial labours. You are now deprived of an opportunity of hearing the word of God from his mouth; of listening to his warm and pathetic entreaties to be reconciled to God through a Redeemer; of joining with him in ardent supplications to the throne of grace; and of receiving any further intructions from his labours among you. We cannot but trust, that some of you will have reason to bless God eternally, that he has, in his wise providence, placed you under his ministry, while our solicitude for your salvation makes us fear that others of you may yet remain barren and unfruitful under all the cultivation of divine grace by the hand of this faithful watchman in Israel. You are, therefore, this day addressed by this mournfal dispensation of divine providence, and called to make a solemn pause, and to consider what improvement you have made of his labours. To recollect the compassionate warnings he has given you of your danger, the warm expostulations he has made with you, and the strong cries he has often raised to the God of mercy for your salvation. And, if you have any grateful remembrance of his pious and useful labours, let me exhort and entreat you to discover it by a constant and careful attendance upon the means of grace with which you are yet favoured. These are appointed to bring you to God and to glory, to the spirits of just men made perfect, and all the first-born sons of glory above. It is not long before you shall be deprived of all these golden opportunities to secure your eternal salvation; and let this awakening consideration excite us so to speak, and you to hear the word of God, that our mutual account at the bar of our Judge may be joyful.^’

Though the New Brunswick presbytery and its adherents, were in a minority at the time of their exclusion from the synod of Philadelphia; yet the whole of the New York presbytery were absent, on that occasion, and for several years afterwards, remonstrated against the act by which these brethren, without any trial, were cut off from the body; and when they could not prevail with the sjaiod of Philadelphia to receive these excluded brethren again into their fellowship, this whole presbytery withdrew from the synod, and attached themselves to the exscinded body, and with them formed a new synod, which took the name of, The Synod of New York.

And in a short time they considerably outnumbered the old synod.

The Log College still existed, but it was manifestly on the decline. The venerable founder became infirm, so that he could not perform his pastoral duties; of course he was no longer capable of paying much attention to the school. In these circumstances, the necessity of another institution, of a higher character, became urgent. A variety of circumstances combined to render the time auspicious for the establishment of a college, under the patronage of the synod. Accordingly, by the pious zeal and energetic action of Governor Belcher, with the cordial co-operation of the synod of New York, a charter was obtained from the king of Great Britain, as ample in its privileges as could be desired. Just as the Log College expired, the College of New Jersey sprang into existence. The friends and patrons of the former, became the principal supporters and trustees of the latter. Thus it may with truth be said, that the Log College was the germ from which proceeded the flourishing College of New Jersey. While the synod of Philadelphia were labouring to establish a school for training young men at New London, the synod of New York were exerting themselves to erect a college which should stand upon a level with any other institution in the country. Messrs. Dickinson and Burr, the first .pastor of the Presbyterian church in Elizabethtown, and the last, in Newark, took the lead in this enterprise. Both these*^distinguished divines were graduates of Yale College; but just at this time, their minds probably experienced some alienation from their alma mater, on account of the harsh treatment which Mr. David Brainerd had received from the officers of that college. For he had been expelled merely for a harsh word, spoken in a private company, and overheard by a student who happened to be passing the door, who knew not to whom it referred. But the persons present, contrary to every rule of propriety, were forced by the faculty, to testify to whom reference was had. Mr. Brainerd, at the time of his expulsion, was a member of the Junior Class. Having applied to the presbytery of New York, he was taken under their care, and having manifested a strong desire to go and preach the gospel to the heathen in our land, the Commissioners appointed by the Society in Scotland, to employ a missionary to the Indians, selected Mr. Brainerd. It appears, that President Clapp, in his letter to the synod of Philadelphia, complained of the New York presbytery for receiving under their care, persons who had left the college, under censure; where the reference was undoubtedly to David Brainerd. A strong desire was now felt both by Mr. Brainerd and his friends, to get the stigma removed from his character. And to effect this, the Commissioners who had employed Mr. Brainerd, deputed the Rev. Mr. Burr, one of their number, to go to New Haven, at the commencement, when his class were about to be graduated, to endeavour to have him restored.- Jonathan Edwards, also, who then became acquainted with Mr. Brainerd, and formed a strong attachment to him, used all his influence to accomplish the object; but their eff’orts were inefiectual. The faculty of the college remained inflexible, or as it may more properly be termed, obstinate. They did offer, that if he would return and remain another year in college, without giving offence, they would then give him his degree. But this could not be done without disconcerting the whole plan of the mission for which he was engaged, and in which he became so eminently successful.* The attachment of all the members of the New York synod to Mr. Brainerd was warm, and deservedly so. This affair, it is very probable, quickened the zeal of these excellent men to get up a college of their own. Some years ago, the writer heard the relict of the late

Dr. Scott, of New Brunswick’ say, that when she was a little girl, she heard the Rev. Mr. Burr declare in her father’s house, in Newark, ‘’- if it had not been for the treatment received by Mr. Brainerd at Yale, New Jersey college would never have been erected.^’ How many influences are made to combine and operate, when Providence has the design of giving existence to an institution which has affected, and will still affect the happiness of thousands!

* See Life of Brainerd, p. 107.