From His Graduation from the Seminary, 1819, to His Election as Professor, 1822
Having graduated from the Seminary, Mr. Hodge, in accordance to the plan suggested by Dr. Alexander, now returned to his mother’s house in Philadelphia, with the intention of spending the winter in the study of Hebrew, as written with points, with which Dr. Alexander himself was not familiar. Mr. Hodge improved this opportunity with the utmost diligence under the valuable tuition of the Rev. Joseph Banks, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary of the Associate (now United) Presbyterian Church — then situated in Philadelphia — and pastor of the Associate Presbyterian Church in that city. Dr. Banks had the reputation of being not only a sound Theologian, but also one of the most eminent Hebrew scholars at that day in America. Mr. Hodge also, during this winter, widened his education by attending upon lectures on anatomy and physiology, delivered in connection with the medical department of the University. With all matters connected with human physiology, therapeutics, and the practice of medicine, he always continued to take a deep interest, and possessed, for a layman, an unusual knowledge.
yET, LICENSED TO PREACH. gn
In the meantime he was Hcensed to preach by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, at their meeting in Pittsgrove, N. J., October 21st, 18 19; and from that time for several years, was pretty constantly occupied every Sabbath day in preaching.
The Minutes of that Presbytery disclose the following facts concerning his connection with it.
October 21, 18 ly, Charles Hodge was received as a candidate.” All the College studies; a Latin Exegesis on the question ‘An Spiritus sit Deus? ’ and a Presbyterial exercise on 2 Peter, i: 10, were assigned to Mr. Hodge as parts of trial to be exhibited at the next fall meeting.
Reading, Pemisylvatiia, October 21, 18 18. “The above parts of trial were presented and sustained.”
Pittsgrove, N. J., October ig, 18 ig. “Lecture on Psalm liii., was sustained. Certificate was received from Professors in Theological Seminary, stating that he had, in a regular and creditable manner, completed the course of study prescribed by the plan of said Seminary. Examinations on Natural and Revealed Theology and Church History were sustained.”
October 20, 18 ig, Charles Hodge and Samuel Cornish (colored) were licensed on the same day.
Jime 2’j, 1820, Charles ‘Hodge was dismissed to the care of the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
MR. HODGE TO DR. A. ALEXANDER.
Philadelphia, December 16, 1819. Dear Sir: — Your kindness to me has been so great and so uniform that I now feel as though I pecuharly belonged to you, and (though you may not be very anxious to acknowledge your property) this feeling constrains me to tell you the little I have done since I left your more immediate care. I was licensed on the 20th of October. Since then I have preached every Sabbath, and usually twice, and have now to preach regularly at the Falls of the Schuylkill in the morning and at the Arsenal in the afternoon of each Sabbath. As October was my vacation, I did nothing as to studying during that month.
70 STUDIES IN PHILADELPHIA. [1819.
But early in November I commenced attending Dr. Banks, and recite to him five days in the week. Finding the points required so much attention, I was obliged to devote myself to them almost exclusively for four or five weeks, and therefore did little else than go through the grammar and read the first four chapters of Genesis during that period. Since then I have commenced reading the Psalms and studying Greek, and now recite alternately the Greek and Hebrew. I have not been able to read a great deal since I came to town. Two of the volumes of Home’s Introduction, Lowth’s Lectures, and three hundred pages in Glassius, together with one or two smaller works, include all I have yet had time to get through with. Your books have been of the greatest assistance to me, Opitius and Bythner especially.
Dr. Banks is very much what you said he was. He will talk all day on any thing connected with Hebrew. It is quite amusing to see his zeal on the subject, especially for the points and accents, to the last of which he has devoted years of study, and which he estimates rather, I suspect, from the labor they cost him than from their real utility, which, however, may still be great. He is very anxious to show me the “curiosities” of this system of the accentuation, which he thinks does every thing, regulating the rhetorical and grammatical construction, pointing out the ellipsis, indicating the emotions, &c.
Will you be so kind as in some way to let me know whether you approve of the plan I am pursuing, and what books you wish me to read after I finish this volume of Glassius. I am sensible that I am asking you to add to the debt of kindness I already owe you, and which, although I can never repay you, it will be the pleasure of my life to feel and acknowledge. What Greek Lexicon had I better obtain — Schrevelius being the only one I have? Please remember me most affectionately to Mrs. Alexander and the boys. Tell little Jeanette she must not forget me.
And now, sir, may I ask you sometimes to pray for me? This is a favor of which I am utterly unworthy, but which I greatly need. You must excuse my asking so much. You do not know, sir, how much I owe you, and no one can know; but I hope God will reward you openly, I am yours,
C. Hodge.
DR. A. ALEXANDER TO MR. HODGE.
Princeton, Dec. 22, 1819. My Dear Sir: — Yours of the 16th instant I have received, and the only thing in it which I dislike is the anxiety which you discover that
^T. 22.] STUDIES IN PHILADELPHIA. 71
you may not be troublesome by the length of your letter. There is not the least occasion for any apprehension of this sort. The mere reading of letters is never burdensome, and I have wished and expected a communication from you for some time.
That I take a lively interest in your welfare and usefulness I need not tell you, and of course I wish to know what you are doing, and what progress you are making in your Biblical studies. The information communicated in your letter on this subject is very gratifyino- to me. I entirely approve the plan which you are pursuing, except, perhaps, that the Greek recitations might be dispensed with, and the whole of your recitations with Dr. Banks for this winter might profitably be in the Hebrew. Although I have not the least confidence in this whole system of punctuation, and especially of accentuation, yet T am satisfied that you should acquire an accurate knowledge of the whole system; and as this winter may be the only opportunity of enjoying the advantages of Dr. Banks’ instructions, my opinion is that it should be improved in reference to this object. Not that I would have you neglect the Greek, but I do not perceive the great advantage of your reciting on it, as there are no “curiosities” in that language which you may not learn at home. In answer to your inquiry respecting a proper Greek Lexicon to be purchased, I would say that for the N. T., Schleusner should be preferred; but if you mean for classical Greek, Morell is, I suppose the best. Hereafter you must have Suiceri Thesaurus Ecc. Suidas and HesycJiius. I learn that Schleusner has published a new and improved edition of Bird’s Thesaurus of the LXX. That will be valuable; also Trommius’ Cottcordance. But there is no advantage in accumulating too many books at once.
Mr. Wisner left with me some volumes of De Moor, purchased for you, and with his consent I presume on yours to retain all except the first three, until you have read them. It so happened that these first volumes were already in my possession. You will find the head De Scriptura well worth perusal.
It is my plan that you should spend the next summer at this place, but it is not sufficiently matured to give details. Keep this, however, in mind.
I send you the second volume of Glassius with De Moor. The third is the most interesting, but you must read the second first. Read Kennicotfs Dissertation, De Rossi’s Prolegomena to Various Readings, WetisteMs and Griesbaclis Prolegomena, &c.
Yours affectionately,
A. Alexander.
After his licensure, Mr. Hodge was appointed by the Presbytery to missionary work. He had appointments every Sabbath morning at the “Falls” of the Schuylkill, and later at Cohocksink, and on the afternoons at the Arsenal, In connection with a record of these services he kept the only religious diary of his life. Some specimens of this are here given.
On Wednesday evening, October 20th, 1819, I preached my trial sermon at Pittsgrove, before the Philadelphia Presbytery. Though the Lord had kindly afforded me solemn feelings in view of my entrance on the ministry, yet I found my heart but little engaged during the time of service. The circumstances in which I was placed gave rise to feelings of anxiety which prevented my weak principle of grace from being exercised as it should have been. My text was Rom. viii. I. The succeeding morning, October 21st, I was licensed to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Oh! that I may ever look upon this high vocation with the same feelings with which the Apostle Paul ever regarded it, and may the Lord Jesus work within me all the good pleasure of his will, making me such a minister as He would have me to be.
Sabbath, October 24th, 18ig. — The preceding evening I rode out to Frankford and enjoyed sweet intercourse with my dear brother Biggs. The prospect of preaching on the ensuing day kept my mind serious, and gave to our conversation more of the religious character than usual. In the morning I preached on the 53d Psalm. I enjoyed the service myself far more than I did when preaching before Presbytery, and the people appeared quite serious and attentive. Whether, however, the least good was accomplished must be left to the revelations of the great day. My prayer is for humility and zeal. The afternoon in Brother Thomas Biggs’ room. In the evening he preached from Gal. v. 6.
Sabbath, October jisi, 18ig, was spent in Woodbury. I went down the preceding evening, and was kindly entertained at Judge Caldwell’s. In the morning I preached from John iii. 36. Many of the people appeared attentive and serious. I know not what good was done. For myself, I did not enjoy the services as much as usual. I dined with Mr. White, and did not introduce religious conversation. May God pity my weakness, and enable me to be more faithful hereafter. In the evening I preached from the 53d Psalm. The audience was large and very attentive. The Lord granted me more feeling and ease than I had enjoyed in the morning. The fear of man, and the
.’ET. 22.] JOURNAL. 72
desire of applause, God in great mercy has hitherto kept from greatlydisturbing me, especially in the pulpit. I feel myself entirely dependent on His sovereign grace for the continuance and increase of this great mercy. Were He to let me alone, I should indeed become dreadfully corrupt in practice as well as in heart. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Sabbath, Nov. yt/i, iSig. — The preceding day I rode up to Abington with Mr. Steele. Here I had the pleasure of seeing several times good Mrs. Tennant, and had the privilege of praying by her bedside, and of witnessing the composure and peace of one who had the hope of the gospel. Oh, precious Saviour, grant to my soul and the souls of all my friends the powerful supports of Thy grace in the hour of death. * * *
Sabbath, Nov. 21, 18ig. — This day I entered on my duties as missionary. Oh, Thou source of all good, grant me the continued aid of Thy grace, that with purity of motive and singleness of object I may zealously and faithfully discharge my responsible duties. Do bless me, O my God. I rode out in the morning to the Falls with Gerard R., and was very much pleased and surprised by hjs religious turn of mind, and the interest he took in the institutions of piety. I preached from the 53d Psalm to a small but respectable audience. In the afternoon I rode out to the Arsenal, and spoke from the parable of the Great Supper, Luke xiv. 15. This was a pleasant season. I hope the Lord was there. Oh, incline that people to hear and obey the invitations of Thy gospel.
The evening Bro. Davis and myself spent in our room in delightful intercourse. The Lord blessed us. We prayed together before we separated, as on the succeeding day he expects to sail for Charleston. Good and powerful God attend and bless him abundantly in Jesus Christ.
Nov. 28th, 181Q. — Sabbath morning I rode out to the Falls with Gerard R., and there preached from John iii. 36. The congregation was not very large, and my feelings were cold. I dined with Mr. Thomson, who accompanied me in the afternoon to the Arsenal, where I preached from Rom. viii. i with somewhat more pleasure to myself than in the morning.
During this sacred day I have experienced very little spiritual enjoyment; my heart has been too far from God, and worldly thoughts have too much occupied my mind. This I suspect has arisen from my conduct during the past week. It is impossible to gain and lose at pleasure spirituality of mind. It must be cultivated constantly. Let not, my soul, the end of the week you now have entered find you still at such a distance from God. Oh, Holy Spirit, return unto Thy rest! Deign to make my bosom Thine abode — and O attend my feeble preaching by Thy ahnighty energy, for Jesus’ sake. * * *
Sabbath, Dec. 26, 18ig. — During the preceding week I had preached for Dr. Janeway in his new session room. As this was the first time I had preached in the city (excepting once for Bro. Piatt), I felt much too anxious to acquit myself well, and was disappointed. The evening was unusually rainy, and there were consequently few persons present. Among them, however, was my dear brother, who had just returned from Calcutta. This made me feel less at ease than I might otherwise have done. But the chief cause of my not enjoying the service was doubtless my pride. I felt almost depressed under the apprehension that I should never become even a moderately acceptable preacher. I would give the world were my desire of honoring Christ and of saving souls so strong that I should be indifferent to what related merely to myself. Oh, cast me not off from Thy presence; take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Oh, grant to my brother unfeigned piety. Would to God I might be made a blessing to his soul.
Sabbath, Feb. ij, 1820. — This day my regular ministrations at Cohocksink were commenced. The audience not very numerous, but serious. The children of the Sabbath School form an important part of my charge. It is often quite unknown at how early an age God commences a work of grace in the heart, and it may happen that many children have utterly lost that impression through the carelessness of their parents and teachers. May I be taught of God that I may be able to teach others also. It is only the heart that has been deeply exercised in divine things which can enable us to preach experimentally to others. Piety is the life of a minister. * * *
Sabbath, May 14, 1820. — I preached my last sermon this morning to the people of Cohocksink. In the afternoon at the Arsenal my text was “Lay hold on eternal life.” This was an interesting season. The presence of a considerable number of young men gave a cast to my train of thought which interested my own feelings, and fixed in a great measure the attention of my hearers. I have yet once more to preach to that people, and may it prove as a seal to all the rest. I have almost uniformly found that when I have commenced a service under a little depression of spirits, it has proved more than usually pleasant.
APPOINTMENT AS TEACHER IN THE SEMINARY. In their Report to the Boar’d of Directors, May I5th 1820, the Professors say:” The Professors respectfully represent to the Board that in their opinion the interests of the
^T. 22.] APPOINTED TEACHER IK THE SEMINARY. 75
Seminary require a distinct teacher of the original languages of the Scripture. The Professor, who has attended to this branch of instruction, finds that it interferes with the performance of duties which more properly belong to his office; and that he cannot, consistently with his health, devote to it that degree of attention which its importance demands.”
The above Report was committed to Drs. Romeyn, Neill and Rodgers; to whom were subsequently added Drs. Woodhull, Rice and McDowell and Mr. Lewis.
At a meeting of the Board in Philadelphia, May 25th, that Committee made the following report, which was adopted: —” That although the suggestion of the Professors on the subject of appointing a teacher of the original languages appears to be important, yet the state of the funds renders it inexpedient for this Board to endeavor to carry it into effect at present.
“Resolved that an extract of this minute, together with that part of the Professors’ report, which relates to this subject, be laid before the General Assembly.”
On the next day, May 26th, the General Assembly, while approving the report of the Board of Directors, resolved “That the Professors be authorized to employ an assistant teacher of the original languages of Scripture, until the meeting of the next General Assembly. Provided a suitable person can be obtained at a salary consistent with the funds of the Seminary; and provided also that such salary does not exceed the sum of four hundred dollars.”
This authority having been obtained, the Professors appointed Mr. Hodge, who came into Princeton on horseback to prepare for his work, in the latter part of June.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, June 22d, 1820. My Dear Mother: — I suspect the heat of yesterday made you regret my having commenced so long a ride. But I suffered less than I expected. I got to Frankford before seven, and stayed for breakfast. Mr. Biggs then rode with me about nine miles. When we reached Hohnesburgh, which is four miles from Frankford, I found the sun so excessively hot, that we stopped at a store, and I bought a great sheet of paste-board, and cutting a hole in it large enough to admit my hat, pinned it on. This effectually preserved my head and most of my body from the direct rays of the sun. I was quite amused to see the people along the road stop, lay down their work, and stare after me as long as I was in sight. Some laughed right out. And as for Bristol, I thought that I never should have got through it. I had courage enough, however, to be looked at and laughed at, rather than be made sick by the heat. By riding slowly, and stopping frequently, I arrived here, but little fatigued, about eight o’clock. Your affectionate son, Charles Hodge.
He now boarded in the family of his paternal friend, Dr. Alexander, and had his study and bed-room in that wing of the old residence of the Doctor, which had been used as a study, and in which he was first abruptly informed of the Doctor’s plans concerning him. He at this time also began to suffer from that obscure and painful affection of the nerves of his right thigh which afterwards so greatly modified his habits of life.
Extract from Records of Presbytery of New Brunswick. July 5th, 1820, Mr. Charles Hodge was received as a licentiate from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, by certificate. He was appointed the supply of the Church in New Brunswick, and the united Churches of Georgetown and Lambertville a number of Sabbaths during the year.
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, July 10, 1820. My Dear Brother: — My situation here is as pleasant as even my fondest wishes had desired. I have a pleasant room at the upper end of town, and board with Dr. Alexander’s family. This I find a very advantageous arrangement, as the intercourse I enjoy with the Doctor cannot fail of being very profitable. I take a good deal of exercise, think my horse the best in the world, and am very well. The rheumatism in my limb, I think, continues pretty much as it was. I feel it most in my knee; it seems to be brought on pretty uniformly, by fatigue. Excepting a slight weakness, however, it is still as serviceable as the other. Your affectionate brother, C. H.
^T. 22.] VISIT TO BOSTON. 77
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, September 18th, 1820.
My Dear Mother : — Qn Saturday I rode to Bristol, and preached yesterday twice in their Episcopal Church. They have been without a pastor for some years, and though the population of the town is so considerable, they have only casual preaching. They are so liberal in their sentiments, that they seldom stop to inquire to what denomination a man belongs; if he is willing to preach, they are willing to hear.
I am very well: my riding so much gives me a color, which has led to many congratulations as to the state of my health. My limb was, I think, a good deal better, but I believe I walked too much with it of late, which has occasioned a return of the pain. I intend to be more careful on this point, and continue diligent in observing the Doctor’s (his brother Hugh) directions.
VISIT TO BOSTON.
In October of this year his friend, Mr. Benjamin Wisner, afterwards the eloquent preacher and distinguished Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, was invited to preach as a candidate before the Old South Church of Boston. Mr. Wisnerand Mr. Hodge made a plan of riding there together, and after remaining in that attractive city three weeks, of returning in the same manner, including a visit to New Haven and Yale College on the way. They effected the journey in Mr. Hodge’s old-fashioned two-wheeled gig, on springs, shaped like the letter C, a form of conveyance now utterly extinct. They were drawn by his small bay horse, of Canadian extraction, of whose fine qualities he often subsequently boasted. The two letters to his mother, subjoined, contain all the information now remaining, as to this visit, which produced a decided impression on himself
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Boston, Monday, October 9, 1S20. My Dear Mother: — presume you are by this time anxious to learn something of your traveller. I should have written to you on the yS VISIT TO BOSTON. [1820.
way, had you not told me you could wait until we reached Boston. We came within five or six miles of the town on Friday evening, but did not proceed, as it was then quite dark, and both our horse and ourselves were fatigued by a long day’s ride. It would, indeed, hardly have been safe to have entered a strange city in the dark and without a guide. It was about eight o’clock on Saturday morning when we first saw the distant spires of Boston, and the lofty dome of the State House. The view excited a variety of pleasing and serious emotions. After changing our dress we called upon Mr. (deacon) Cutler, the gentleman whom Wisner had seen in Princeton. We were soon introduced to Mr. Salisbury, the Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Welsh, and to several other gentlemen, who all received us with the utmost kindness. I had met with Mr. Dwight, (son of the late President), at New Haven, and he had made me promise to consider his house as my home while I remained in Boston. As the weather had detained Mr. Dwight from home longer than he had expected, it was my wish to have either remained at the public house, or to have gone with Wisner to the house of the widow of the late pastor, as a boarder. But finding that either of these plans would have wounded the hospitable feelings of these good people, I was obliged to remain with Mr. Cutler until Mr. Dwight returns. There is no danger of our not receiving kindness and attention enough. The danger is entirely on the other side.
I have been very agreeably disappointed in the general appearance of Boston. I have, to be sure, as yet seen only the southern section of the town, which is much the most pleasant. The green they call their Common, and the hill on which the State House stands exceeds anything I have ever seen. As Saturday was so clear, the gentlemen who were with us thought it best to improve the opportunity by going to the top of the State House. On reaching this elevated point our eyes rested on what is thought the finest prospect in America. Boston, Charlestown and Cambridge were all below us; the harbor, with its many islands, and the broad ocean full in view, altogether forms a combination of the beautiful and grand, which makes the Bostonians willing to enter into a competition with the admirers of the Bay of Naples.
Wisner preached twice yesterday for the Old South people. As far as I can judge, the impression has been universally favorable. I preached morning and afternoon in the Park Street Church, which is Mr. Dwight’ s charge.
The kindest providence has presided over our journey. We met with no accident, alarm, or difficulty. Our little horse came as briskly into Boston as he did out of Princeton. We spent two days
^T. 22.] VISIT TO BOSTON. yg
and a half at New Haven. Dr. Miller’s letter secured us every attention we could wish. We were there, as usual, soon obliged to leave the tavern, and stay with Mr. Taylor,* a young minister, who is the pride of the southern part of Connecticut. We found this one of the most improving incidents in our journey, as this young man (about thirty), who possesses uncommonly fine talents, differs very considerably in his theoretical opinions from the Princeton gentlemen. He kept us pretty constantly in an animated though temperate discussion of our differences. We have been delighted with the general aspect of things, and with the face of the country in New England, particularly in Connecticut.
I am well, excepting my limb, which, however, is considerably better than it was. I will write again before we leave Boston.
Your loving son, C. H.
The people of the Old South Church were delighted with, and eventually called Mr. Wisner to be their pastor. But they required him, according to their custom, to preach as a probationer four Sabbaths, Therefore Mr. Hodge left his friend, and came on to meet the duties of a new session in Princeton, bringing Mr. John Maclean, afterwards President of Princeton College, in the vacant seat in his gig.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Near Boston, October 25th, 1820. My Dear Mother: — If praising New England will do you any good, you shall have enough of it when I get home. I have now left Boston. Mr. Wisner has remained. It was his intention when he came here, to have spent only three Sabbaths, but he has found the universal custom of the country requires that he should stay at least four weeks, which custom he has the more willingly submitted to, as his cold prevented his preaching more than once on the second Sabbath he was in Boston. You know it was our intention to return by way of Albany, but we had heard so much of the extreme hilliness of the country, we were almost afraid to attempt it. The necessity of making the experiment being removed by the detention of Mr. Wisner, I determined to take the direct road home, which will save
* Nathaniel W. Taylor, D.D., afterwards Professor of Theology in Yale College, and author of the modification of New England Theology, called “Taylorism,” against which the polemic guns of the Princeton RevUw were trained for forty years.
So VISIT TO BOSTON. [1820.
me nearly a week. Happily Mr. Maclean, tutor in Princeton College, was in Boston and anxious to return, and has therefore taken the vacant seat in the gig
Of the first thirteen days we spent in Boston, only two were fair; it rained and blew from the East almost incessantly. The good people here did all they could to apologize for the weather, assuring us that such a season had never before been known. But that did not mend the matter. The great inconvenience we felt was that we were prevented from visiting the adjacent places, as Salem, Cambridge, Andover, &c. The Lieutenant Governor kindly offered to take us over to Cambridge and introduce us to the President of the University. But the weather prevented, until Monday last, when we rode over and were introduced to Dr. Kirkland and several of the professors. I handed the Doctor Mr. Astley’s letter, and young as we were he kindly attended us over all their spacious building. The compliment of his personal attendance we no doubt owed to the presence of his Honor, the Lieutenant Governor. Dr. Kirkland seems to be one of the happiest men in the world, always disposed to say pleasant things, and is entirely free from anything which would indicate that he believes, what those around him believe, that he is a great man.
I had the pleasure of spending a tantalizing hour with Mr. Everett. I had intended, after the first visit was paid, to make an effort to see him frequently. But the weather, by preventing our first visit from being made in season, broke in upon this plan. I regret this very much, for I am satisfied that it would have been of essential service to have seen more of this extraordinary young man.
Several circumstances besides the state of the weather, induced us to postpone our visit to Andover until Friday last, particularly the absence of all the professors, except Dr. Woods. I considered that the missing of Professor Stuart would frustrate the primary object of my visit. You may judge, then, how much I was rejoiced to hear, about an hour after we reached Andover, that he had just returned. We spent the evening with him, and returned the next day to Boston, as our arrangements made necessary. On Monday afternoon, however, I went up again and remained with him until this morning, (Wednesday). I think Stuart is the most interesting man I have seen in New England. He is kind, sociable, condescending and communicative; free from all formality, he becomes your friend at once. His talents are of the first order, and no man in the country has made any progress comparable to his in the department of Biblical literature. He has done me great good, has marked out my road, and told me the right path, and enlarged my views as to the extent iET. 22.] LIFE AS TEACHER. gj
and importance of the study, more than I could have conceived it possible. He told me he had lost at least three years by takino- a wrong course at first. I am persuaded that it would be the best thing I could do to spend a year with such a man. But it is impossible. I will write to him, however, and see him as often as I can.
The Doctor (his brother Hugh) wants to know whether I think the people here more intelligent and better informed than they are with us. I do, most decidedly, and the ladies beyond comparison. They are hospitable, and as attentive to strangers as they well can be. It is true, we came under peculiarly favorable circumstances, and therefore, perhaps, have been the more struck with the propriety of calling Boston the clergyman’s paradise. Mr. Wisner, of course, is just now the object of much interest, and through him I have received much of kindness and attention. We are now thirteen miles out of Boston, on the road to New Haven.
Your affectionate son, Charles Hodge.
In New Haven, Mr. Hodge called again on Mr. Taylor, and with his fellow traveler, Mr. Maclean, reached Princeton again without serious misadventure.
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, Nov. 21st, 1820. My Dear BrotJicr: — .... This, considering my six recitations, is doing very well. I wish to apprize you that all the indignation you may feel for my being thus oppressed, is due to me, as I have had the sole direction of the whole business, excepting that the Doctor (Alexander) was kind enough to prevent my going further. But you need not be uneasy. Most of my duties of this class are of such a nature, that I can get through them with very little study, while at the same time I might spend a week on each to great advantage. Thus I shall be able to accommodate my exertions to my strength. I never knew, until I undertook it, that hearing a class of twenty or thirty students recite is one of the most fatiguing things in the world. The unbroken attention you are obliged to pay for an hour and a half together, and the necessity of talking a good deal, withal, is more tiresome than any one who has not felt it would imagine. There is another thing which adds to the exertion, which is, that these students are men well informed and not easily satisfied, and not likely to let a mistake pass unobserved. I feel this difficulty a good deal in Greek, as almost all the students have been studying the language for years, and some of them have taught it, but in Hebrew I have more the advantage of them. There is one thing greatly in my favor, that I have not got your modesty to bother me.
Both you and Mamma seem to have taken up the idea that I am in a forlorn situation here, and I can’t tell why. I feel as independent as a king, and will contrive some way to keep myself warm. If Dr. Alexander spent so many winters in this dear study, I suspect you will find a good many more people to envy than to pity me for now possessing it. And without jesting, it is much the most pleasant and convenient situation I could have had in town.
Your affectionate brother, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, March 9, 1821.
My Dear Brother: — We had the pleasure, last evening, of hearing Mr. Ward.* If you have heard him you know he has little of the graces of elocution wherewith to adorn his discourse, but he has what is far more important even for an orator, a heart alive to the importance of the object for which he pleads. After describing the difficulties they had met in India twenty years ago, he told us how all in a great measure had been surmounted. The British government and their subjects are now in their favor. The schools connected with Serampore alone contain eight thousand children. One thousand of the natives have been baptized, and as a profession of religion there involves a living martyrdom, we may hope they are sincere converts. But what is above and beyond all is that they have given the Bible to hundreds of millions in twenty-ifive different languages. This is a good beyond all estimate. I never felt the importance and grandeur of missionary labors as I did last evening. I could not help looking round on the congregation and asking myself, “What are these people living for?” Granting that each should attain his most elevated object, what would it all amount to? Then looking at these men in India, giving the Bible to so many millions, which I know can never be in vain, I see them opening a perennial fountain, which, when they are dead for ages, will still afford eternal life to millions. Should we die, which of our works would we wish to follow us? Which would mark our path or our grave with a ray of light? “Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?” is a sentence we have reason to dread.
Mr. Ward closed his discourse by urging all to join in advancing the cause for which Christ had poured out his soul unto death. Who
*The distinguished Baptist missionarj’-, Rev. William Ward, connected long and intimately with Carey and Marshman, 9t Serampore, near Calcutta.
^T. 23.] LIFE AS TEACHER. g
so loved us that he died for us. And now, my dear Brother, do you not feel the force of this appeal. Is there nothing in you which makes you wish to make some return for such love as this? “He that is not for me is against me.” Can you bear that? Oh, my Brother, do think of this. Your loving brother, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, March 25th, 1821. My Dear Brother: — 1 do not think you have any reason to fear that my system will be injured by too much excitement. I suffer more pain for not feeling enough, than from the reverse. Though I have not the least expectation of ever seeing India or any other foreign country, in the high character of a missionary, I still feel they are the most favored men in the world.
Saturday was a laborious day to me. I spent it in procuring and setting out trees in front of Dr. Alexander’s house. We planted four tulip poplars, an elm, two ash, a hickory, and two dogwood. They are beautiful specimens. Should the tulip trees live they will be splendid, for it is the handsomest tree in America.
Your loving brother, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, April 11, 182 1. My Dear Mother: — I have agreed, should I remain here next summer, to supply pretty constantly the congregation near New Hope, (since Lambertville, N. J.), which is about twenty miles from this. The situation of the congregation is critical and interesting, and the prospect of doing good there is very encouraging. I was reluctant to consent to be away from Princeton every Sabbath, and thought it would take up too much of my time. But both Dr. Miller and Dr. Alexander urged it as conducive, both to my health by exercise, and to my improvement by diversity of occupation. They will both assist me. So I shall have, in the three months, not more than eight or ten sermons to preach. Your son, Charles.
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, April 21st, 1821. My Dear Brother: — I heard the other day from Wisner, in Boston. He mentions a most painful circumstance respecting Mr. Everett,* which must have wounded his feelings very much. I will first copy
* Edward Everett, then a Unitarian minister, afterwards U. S. Senator, &c.
Wisner’s words. “When Mr. Keene was here, Prof. Everett went to the theatre. As he entered one of the boxes a student of the college, who was in the same box, lifted up both hands and said, loud enough to be heard all over the house, ‘Let us pray.’ The whole audience were looking at and talking about the reverend Professor till the curtain rose. The first act is finished, the curtain drops; a man in the pit, standing up and looking at the Professor, says aloud, ‘Life is the time to serve the Lord.’ It is said that some others of the clergy had concluded to go, but the reception the reverend Professor met with induced them to abandon their resolution.” This shows how deeply rooted are the modes of thinking among common people, and how essential consistency of character is to respectability. It is probable Everett will be more injured in the estimation of the people of New England by this casual occurrence, than anything which has happened to him. There is quite as much wickedness as wit in the conduct of the student, perhaps rather more, but a great deal of both.
Your affectionate brother, C. H.
The General Assembly, May, 182 1, passed the following resolution: “That the Assembly approve of the employing of Mr. Charles Hodge, by the professors, as a teacher of the original languages of Scripture in the Seminary; and that the professors be authorized to employ him for the same purpose, or such other person as they judge proper, and that not more than four hundred dollars be allowed said teacher, per annum, for his services.”
The Presbytery of New Brunswick, April 25th, 1821, appointed him stated supply, at Georgetown (Lambertville) for one half of his time, during the ensuing six months. This service he performed regularly, and with such success that an efficient Church was organized there soon after he ceased to supply them. He also introduced to that congregation his friend and former school-mate, Rev. Peter Studdiford, D. D., who, with his excellent son, the Rev. P. A. Studdiford. D. D., have been to the present time the only pastors of the large and flourishing Church into which it has grown. The Presbytery, in the fall of 1 821, appointed Mr. Hodge stated supply of Trenton First Church, now known as Ewing.
JET.2S.] HIS ORDINATION. gc
EXTRACT FROM RECORDS OF PRESBYTERY, SEPT. 27, I 8 2 I.
“Mr. Charles Hodge, a licentiate under the care of this Presbytery, made an application for ordination, as he had engaged to supply the Trenton First Church the principal part of the winter term. Presbytery having considered his application, and his standing in the Seminary as a teacher of the Original Languages of Scripture, determined to proceed to his ordination at a convenient time, and accordingly assigned him i Cor. i. 21 as a subject for a sermon, and directed him to prepare for the examination requisite on such an occasion.” Mr. Peter O. Studdiford, at the same time, made a similar application, the action on which was postponed for a time.
Neivark, October 16th, 1S21. — Presbytery met in intervals of Synod.” Mr. Wm. J. Armstrong, a Licentiate of the Presbytery of Jersey, having received a call from the Trenton City Church, was received by the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
“Whereupon it was Resolved, That Presbytery will hold an adjourned meeting at Trenton, on the last Tuesday of November next, for the purpose of ordaining and installing Mr. Armstrong pastor of the congregation of Trenton,” and also, “Presbytery agreed to proceed to the ordination of Mr. Studdiford, also to the ordination of Mr. Charles Hodge at the time of Mr. Armstrong’s ordination and installation at Trenton: viz., on the last Tuesday of November next.”
“The Rev. Dr. Miller was appointed to preside at the ordination of Messrs. Armstrong, Hodge and Studdiford; Mr. WoodhuU to preach the sermon; Mr. Cooley to give the charge to the newly ordained ministers and to Mr. Armstrong as installed pastor of the congregation of Trenton; and Mr. Brown the charge to the people.
“Trenton, November 27th, 1821. — Messrs. Wm. J. Annstrong and Charles Hodge were examined on their experi-
86 HIS ORDINATION. [1824.
mental acquaintance with religion, on -Theology, Natural and Moral Philosophy, on Church Government and the Sacraments, and their examinations on these subjects were sustained. Mr. Hodge delivered a discourse from i Cor. i. 21, and Mr. Studdiford a discourse from Isaiah xlv. 22, which were sustained as the concluding parts of trial for ordination.
‘’November 28th, 1821. The arrangements made for the ordination services were carried out, the Rev. Mr. Comfort giving the charge to the people vice Mr. Brown, detained by sickness in his family.”
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, Sept. 12, 1821, My Dear Brother: — With regard to your prospects, my dear Brother, I have never thought them gloomy. I feel assured that whatever difficulties may attend the commencement of your course, it will, if you are spared, be successful. I feel this confidence because we see God does connect, in His providence, success with diligence and virtue. Not that we do not daily do enough to forfeit His favor, but for the good of the world, and for the encouragement of excellence, He has made virtuous exertion as much the cause of success, as any secondary cause is connected with its appropriate result. I saw the remark the other day that no one is ever great without having struggled with difficulties, and I believe it is still more generally true that few men are good who are not forced to it by affliction. If our difficulties make us both greater and better than we otherwise should have been, even our self-love would not have the arrangement altered. Your brother, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, Dec. 19, 1821. My Dear Mother: — I hope the Doctor is well and in good spirits. I wish I could give him a portion of my hopes and happiness. I am becoming daily more pleased with present duties and future prospects. Indeed, were I permitted to mould my own lot, I do not think I could devise a plan of life more suited to my desires, than the one Providence appears opening before me. Whether this is to continue, and I am to remain in my present situation, I cannot tell, and I hope to be cheerfully resigned to whatever Heaven may determine.
^T.24.] LIFE AS TEACHER. g?
But I am getting so fond of what I have to do, and of what I see to do, that if it be decided that this is not the place designed for me, it will be a painful resignation of enjoyments and hopes.
Your son, C. H,
MR. HODGE TO HIS BROTHER.
Princeton, Jan. ist, 1822. My Dear Brother: — .... A circumstance of rather more interest was, that on Sunday last I was called to administer, for the first time, the ordinance of Baptism, and, what does not happen every day, was required to give my own name in full to the little stranger. It was the child of one of the Elders of Trenton First Church (called Ewing), where I frequently preach.
Your brother, C. H.
Mr. Hodge had organized a society among the students, designed to promote the investigation and discussion of questions connected with the department of Bibhcal Criticism and Introduction. The professors attended, but Mr. Hodge conducted the work, and directed the students in their special preparations on particular themes. On this subject he wrote to his mother.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, Jan. 19, 1822. My Dear Mother: — I suppose you remember my mentioning that I was obliged to prepare a dissertation to read before our new society on its first meeting. This was done more than a fortnight since. The Professors and most of the Seminary were present. The following day Dr. Miller suggested a thing to me which I heard with a good deal of surprise, but which he urged by considerations, the force of which I was obliged to admit. He said he hoped and expected in the spring some permanent arrangement would be made respecting the vacant professorship. That, although from my situation the attention of many of the members of the Church had been fixed on myself, yet that to the great mass of the Church I was a stranger. That in a matter of so much importance, it would be unpleasant for them to act without some knowledge of the person to whom so much would be officially entrusted. That, whatever they might hear from my friends, they would still be acting in the dark as it respected themselves. To remove this difficulty he wished the dissertation just
88 HIS FIRST PUBLICATION. [1822.
mentioned should be published, and circulated among the clergy, as far as was thought expedient. Of course my feelings revolted from this very strongly, as from something unseemly. Since then Dr. Alexander has spoken to me on the subject, and thinks it ought to )Z done, and that it can b done at the request of the Society, without any impropriety or indelicacy. Whether it will be done, I do not know. Sure I am that my own feelings would say no. Though from the peculiarity of the case, and the novelty of the subject, my judgment would, perhaps, be brought to acquiesce, were my opinion of the piece higher than it is.
This is a question to be left to my parental Professors. I am willing to follow their advice, even with hesitating steps.*
Your son, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, Feb. 21, 1822.
My Dear Mother: — I have just returned from the Seminary, and from the bed-side of one of our most promising students, who has just breathed his last. He was taken on Friday with a violent inflammation of the bowels, which made such rapid progress, that on Sunday his life was despaired of. On Tuesday morning, the doctor was considerably encouraged, but he soon grew worse, and this morning, about 10 o’clock, he died. You may suppose such an event would make a very deep impression on the minds of his fellow-students. He was in all respects one of the most interesting and promising of their number. He was about twenty-two years old, and remarkably healthy, and about a week since, was, perhaps, the very last who would have been selected as likely to find an early grave. As Mr. Turner, (James Blythe Turner, from Kentucky) was the first who has died among the students, and was very much beloved, the dispensation is more sensibly felt.
I am very glad the first death I have ever witnessed was a happy one. Both of the professors were present, and his bed was surrounded by his brethren, whom he requested to sing for him, the hymn beginning with the words: “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord.” I never witnessed a scene better calculated to impress the mind with the importance and value of religion. It is, indeed, the
* It was published, and a copy lies before me, with the title, “A DISSERTATION on the imi’ortance of biblical literature, by charles hodge, a.m. Teacher of the Original Languages of Scripture, in the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church at Princeton. Trenton. Printed by George Sherman, 1822.’’ And this is iho. first publicaiion of Charles Hodge.
“one thing,”and the only thing which can afford the least consolation in so trying an hour. I was also much impressed with the conviction of the truth and of the essential importance of some of the leading doctrines of the Bible, particularly that we are saved by faith, and only for the sake of what Christ has done and suffered for us. Mr. Turner said over and over that the only foundation of his hope was “the atoning righteousness of the Redeemer.” When he felt he had an interest in that, he was happy. I believe I was never more convinced that dny thing which took that doctrine from the Bible, left no resting-place behind.
His particular friends are very much exhausted with watching and excitement, Breckinridge (Rev. John Breckinridge, afterwards Professor) especially looks very badly. He was for some time Turner’s room-mate.
Your son, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, April 2, 1822.
My Dear Mother: — I have not yet determined where nor how my vacation is to be spent. Should Providence decide I am to remain at Princeton, I would wish to devote the vacation to the study of German, and it has suggested itself to my mind it inight be well to go and spend five or six weeks at Bethlehem or Nazareth (Pennsylvania). If there were an intelligent clergyman with whom I could stay, it might be of some advantage; but to hear the language as spoken by some plain country people would be of little service. If I go, the Doctor (Alexander) would let James go with me.
As the time of the session of the General Assembly approaches, I feel somewhat desirous of having the question of the permanency of my continuance here determined, simply to be freed from the unsettled feeling incident to a state of suspense. It is a question, however, which has never given me any disquietude. It is one indeed which involves consequences of greater importance than I am able to estimate, but the fact that it is one beyond my determination, the decision of which I can in no way influence, seems to remove from me in some measure the burden of responsibility. Should it ever be affirmatively made, however, that burden will then be mine; and it is
great indeed.
Your son, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, April 10, 1822. My Dear Mother : — have been somewhat peculiarly situated in my official duties since entering the ministry. It became necessary
90 LIFE AS TEACHER. [1S21,
for me on Saturday last to baptize a man by immersion (in Howell’s Pond, a five minutes walk from the church, on the Trenton side, while acting as pastor for the Ewing, or Trenton first church), as his conscience would not allow him, though a Presbyterian, to receive the ordinance in any other way. My good Princeton friends, though they considered it as a matter of necessity, seemed very reluctant that I should run the risk to health by going at this season into the water. But it seems that no evil has resulted from it. The day was very mild, and all the circumstances of the case as pleasant as they could be. There were a great many persons present, but all belonged to the congregation, which is one remarkable for its respectability. It was a serious service, and all present seemed to feel it so.
Your son, C. H.
MR. HODGE TO HIS MOTHER.
Princeton, April 19, 1822. My Dear Mother: — Mr. Summerfield preached for us here yesterday morning, and I had the pleasure of dining with him yesterday at Mr. Bayard’s. His sermon was excellent. Much better than I expected. His action was also excellent, but he is by no means as eloquent as I had supposed. He has very little power over his audience excepting to produce a pleasing excitement. He could not overwhelm them as Larned could, and he seemed to have but little talent at the pathetic. My judgment approved of him and his discourse more than I expected; but my feelings were much less interested.
Your son, C. H.
In answer to a letter from Dr. Alexander, not preserved, Mr. Hodge wrote:
MR. HODGE TO DR. A. ALEXANDER.
Princeton, May 6, 1822. My Dear Sir: — I would say then, in the first place, that if I know my own heart, I wish God’s will may be done. If He plainly leads me on to the result we have so long contemplated, 1 confess the fondest wishes of my heart will be accomplished. But at the same time I believe that I would rather be homeless and penniless through life than in any way whatever enter such an office unsent of God. I have felt so much on this subject that I have never felt at liberty even to pray for the attainment of this object except in the most guarded manner. When this day three years ago, and in this place, you first mentioned this subject to me, the suggestion took me utterly by surprise. The plan you then proposed seemed to me so important, fraught with so many advantages to myself (upon any result), whose ultimate success depended so entirely upon the ordering of Providence, that I could not doubt that it was my duty to accede to it. Since that period my path has been very narrow. There has not occurred a single opening which was calculated either to tempt me aside or to give me a moment’s anxiety as to the course I ought to pursue. Hitherto, therefore, has the Lord led me. Whether He will lead me any longer in this direction, I know not. With regard to the Professorship itself, I think now as I have always thought that it is decidedly the most eligible situation for improvement, for satisfaction, and for usefulness, which our church affords, and that as far as my feelings are concerned, I would prefer being here with the smaller salary, to any other situation with the largest, that the country affords. Should, therefore, my salary even be continued as it is at present (;^40o) I should not think it a sufficient reason for retiring from my present situation, unless accompanied with some further intimations that such was the will of Providence.
Though I have been greatly disappointed in the progress I have made in my studies, and the benefit I have derived from my many advantages, yet I am so sensible of the value of the privileges connected with my situation, that I esteem myself most highly favored. You need never fear I shall regret the time I have spent in Princeton, and will you let me say it gives me a pleasure to be near you and your family, that money cannot purchase.
I now beg you to pray for me, that God would so order events that He may be honored, and that by His Spirit I may be fitted for His pleasure. This request I make most earnestly.
With filial reverence, C. H.