THE WILLISON POLITICS AND PHILOSOPHY RESOURCE CENTER, 1999

No.1--- MEMOIR OF PRESIDENT WITHERSPOON ( Princeton University, 1768-94)

[ John Witherspoon, 1722-1794 ]

Dr. Witherspoon was decended from a respectable parentage, which had long possessed a considerable landed property in the east of Scotland. His father was minister of the parish of Yester, a few miles from Edinburgh. He was lineally descended from John Knox. He was born on the 5^th of February, 1722. His father was eminent for his piety, his love of literature, and for a habit of extreme accuracy in all his writings and discourses. This example contributed not a little to form in his son those habits of taste, accuracy and simplicity, for which he was distinguished through life. He was sent at an early age to the public school at Haddington, his father sparing no pains nor expense in his education. There he acquired reputation for assiduity in his studies, sound judgement, and quick and clear conceptions. At the age of fourteen, he joined the university of Edinburgh. Here he continued, attending the lectures of the different professors in the various branches of learning, with much credit and advantage to himself, until the age of twenty one, when he was licensed to preach the gospel. He acquired a high character for taste in sacred criticism, and for precision of ideas, and perspicuity of expression.

Immediately on his leaving the university, he was invited to be assistant minister to his father, with the right of succession to the charge. But he chose rather to accept an invitation from the parish of Beith in the west of Scotland. Here he was ordained to the work of the ministry, with the universal acquiescence, and even fervent attachment to his people. His character as a preacher, and his assiduous labors as a pastor, rendered him very acceptable and popular. From Beith, he was transferred, after a few years, to Paisley, a large and flourishing manufacturing town. During his residence in Paisley, he was invited to assume the charge of a numerous congregation in Dublin. He was also called to Dundee in Scotland, and Rotterdam in Holland. No considerations, however, could induce him to leave the sphere of his usefulness at Paisley.

On the 19^th of November, 1766, Dr. Witherspoon was unanimously chosen president of the college of New Jersey [ Princeton ]. This appointment was not at first accepted. Such representations of the state of the college had been made in Scotland, as were calculated to induce Dr. Witherspoon to decline the presidency, until his misapprehensions were removed by an agent of the board. He was, however, induced in the final decision, to decline his first appointment not in consequence of the misrepresentations in question, but from the reluctance of Mrs. [Elizabeth] Witherspoon to leave her native country. She was afterwards perfectly reconciled to the idea of his removal, and with the affection and piety for which she was eminently distinguished, cheerfully accompanied her husband to a foreign country, with no expectation of ever returning to "the land of her fathers’ sepulchers."

The second application to Dr. Witherspoon by the trustees of the college was successful. Warmly urged by friends whose judgement he most respected, and whose friendship he most esteemed, and hoping that he might repay his sacrifices by greater usefulness to the cause of the Redeemer, and to the interests of learning in this new world, and knowing that the college had been consecrated from its foundations to those great objects to which he had devoted his life, he finally consented to cross the ocean, and assume his new and important trusts. ( Footnote: Not long before Dr. Witherspoon left Scotland, and while in suspense respecting his duty, a relation of the family, and possessed of considerable property, promised to make Dr. Witherspoon his heir, if he would not go to America. Italics added, Ed.)

Dr. Witherspoon arrived in this country in august, 1768, and on the 17^th of that month, he was inaugurated. He was the sixth president of the college from its foundation in 1746.

His predecessors, Dickinson, Burr, Edwards, Davies, and Finley, were deservedly celebrated for their genius, learning, and piety. The fame of his literary character, which had preceded him to this country, brought a great accession of students to the institution. This influence was increased by the circumstance of his being a foreigner.; but his reputation was widely extended, and he enjoyed an additional advantage by introducing the more recent improvements in the system of education. At the period of Dr. Witherspoon’s accesion, the college had never enjoyed any resources from the State, but was entirely dependent on private liberality and zeal. The reputation of Dr. Witherspoon excited fresh generosity in the public, and his personal exertions which extended from Massachusetts to Virginia, rapidly augmented its finances, and placed them in a flourishing condition. The principal advantages, however, which it derived, were from his extensive knowledge, his mode of government, his example as a model of good writing, and the tone which he gave to the literary exercises of the college. He endeavored to establish the system of education upon the most extensive basis that the finances of the college would permit. The course of instruction previously, had been rather limited; and its metaphysics and philosophy somewhat tinctured with the dry and uninstructive forms of the schools. This, however, was not to be imputed as a defect, to the excellent men who had previously presided over the institution; it arose rather from the recent origin of the country, the imperfection of its social condition, and from the taste of the age;--some of the British universities not being emancipated for a long time after from the bondage to forms. Since his presidency, mathematical science received an extension that was not known before in American colleges. He was the first individual who made known in this country the principles of the philosophy which Dr. Reid afterwards taught [ better known as the philosophy of "Common Sense" ]. He laid the foundation of a course of history in the college, while the principles of taste and of good writing were happily explained by him and exemplified in his practice. "The style of learning," says Dr. Rodgers, " has been changed by him. Literary inquiries and improvements have become more liberal, extensive, and profound. An admiral faculty for governing, and exciting the emulation of the young gentlemen under his care, contributed to give success to all his designs for perfecting the course of instruction. The number of men of distinguished talents, in the different liberal professions in this country, who have received the elements of their education under him, testify his services to the college. Under his auspices have been formed a large proportion of the clergy of the Presbyterian church; and to his instructions, America owes many of her most distinguished patriots and Legislators."

(Footnote: "More than thirty members of the congress of the United States have been sons of the college of New Jersey: and among these, some of their first characters for reputation and usefulness" Among the persons educated by Dr. Witherspoon, were Dr. Smith, (his successor in the college,) James Madison, Samuel Spring, Aaron Burr, William Livingston, Henry Lee, Brocholst Livingston, Issac Tichenor, Jonathan Dayton, Richard Stockton, William B. Giles, Edward Livingston, Robert G. Harper, Smith Thompson, Mahlon Dickerson, David Hossak, and John Hobart.)

He introduced a system of public voluntary exercises among the students, in the various branches of study pursued by them. One of these consisted in translating any given phrase of English into Latin, on the spot, and without previous preparation; and in an extemporaneous exercise in writing Latin, for the completion of which a short specific time of a few minutes only was allowed. The exercise in Greek consisted in reading, translating, and analyzing the language.

"Perhaps his principle merit," says Dr. Rodgers, "appeared in the pulpit. He was, in many respects, one of the best models on which a young preacher could form himself. It was a singular felicity to the whole college, but especially to those who had the profession of the ministry in view, to have such an example before them. Religion, by the manner in which it was treated by him, always commanded the respect of those who heard him, even when it was not able to engage their hearts. (Italics added by editor) An admirable textuary, a profound theologian, perspicuous and simple in his manner, an universal scholar, acquainted deeply with human nature; a grave, dignified and solemn speaker, he brought all the advantages derived from these sources to the illustration and enforcement of divine truth. Though not a fervent and animated orator, he was always a solemn, affecting and instructive preacher. It was impossible to hear him without attention, or to attend to him without improvement. He had a happy talent at unfolding the strict and proper meaning of the sacred writer, in any text from which he chose to discourse; at concentrating and giving perfect unity to every subject which he treated, and presenting to the hearer the most clear and comprehensive views of it. His sermons were distinguished for their judicious and perspicuous divisions-for mingling profound remarks on human life, along with the illustration of divine truth – and for the lucid order that reigned through the whole. In his discourses, he loved to dwell chiefly on the great doctrines of divine grace, and on the distinguishing truths of the gospel. These he brought, as far as possible, to the level of every understanding, and the feeling of every heart. He seldom chose to lead his hearers into speculative discussions, and never to entertain them by a mere display of talents. All ostentation in the pulpit, he viewed with the utmost aversion. During the whole of his presidency, he was extremely solicitous to train those studious youths, who had the ministry of the gospel in view, in such a manner, as to secure the greatyest respectability, as well as usefulness, in that holy profession. It was his constant advice to young preachers, never to enter the pulpit without the most careful preparation.

( Footnote: Dr. Witherspoon never read his sermons, nor used so much as short notes, in the pulpit. He wrote his sermons at full length, and committed them to memory; but did not confine himself to the precise words he had penned. ( Italics added) What is so remarkable, is that a typical sermon would last an hour or more! Ed.)

It was his aim, and his hope, to render the sacred ministry the most learned as well as the most pious body of men in the republic. One remarkable quality and highly deserving imitation in him, was his attention to young persons. He never suffered an opportunity to escape him of imparting the most useful advice to them, according to their circumstances, when they happened to be in his company. And this was always done in so agreeable a way, that they could neither be inattentive to it, nor was it impossible to forget it.

Faithfully and perseveringly he continued to guide the course of education in the institution over which he presided, until the Revolutionary War suspended its functions, and dispersed the students. He then found himself introduced to a new field of labor. On coming to this country he threw aside his foreign prejudices, and embraced with facility the ideas and habits of the people of a new country. In 1776, he was elected a delegate to the State Convention which formed the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. After having taken an active part in the revolutionary committees and conventions, he was elected on the 21^st of June, 1776, a delegate to Congress, with instructions to unite with the delegates from other colonies, in declaring them to be independent of the mother country, should such a measure be considered necessary. Dr. Witherspoon took his seat in Congress, a few days previous to the fourth of July, and assisted in those important debates which resulted in the declaration of independence.

(Footnote: What amount of agency Dr. W performed in relation to this great event, we do not know. Possibly the expected work of Mr. Madison will throw light on the subject. When a distinguished member of Congress said that "we were not ripe for a declaration of independence," Dr. W replied:" In my judgement, sir, we are not only ripe, but rotting.")

During the sessions of 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1781, and 1782, he continued to represent the State of New Jersey in the general Congress, with unyielding zeal and perseverance. It is recorded as an evidence of his devotions to public affairs, that he sometimes attended in his seat, without the least intermission, during the whole period of his annual appointments. In November, 1782, he finally retired from Congress, after a long series of important services. The energy, promptitude, and talents, which he displayed in every branch of public business which required his attention, and the political wisdom and experience with which he enriched the national council, attracted the confidence and admiration of his colleagues, and quickly elevated him to a high rank among the sages of that illustrious body. He was always firm in the most gloomy aspects of public affairs, and always discovered great power and presence of mind in the most embarrassing situations. He seldom entered fully into any debate at first, but reserved himself for a concentrated effort. Having made himself master of his subject, he methodically composed a speech, committed it to memory, and delivered it to Congress. Being a ready speaker, and possessing a remarkable talent for extemporaneous discourse, he prefaced his written orations, by replying to some previous speaker, and dextrously proceeding with his prepared speeches, surprised the whole house by the regular arrangement of his ideas, his command of language, and his precision on subjects of importance. His powers of memory were of great importance to him in congress. He often remarked that he could accurately repeat an speech of sermon written by himself, by reading it over three times only. ( Italics added ). His talents as a statesman had been thoroughly tested, while leader of the orthodox party in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. On many of the most important committees of congress, Dr. Witherspoon was called to serve; in some of them as chairman. It is known that the admirable publications of Congress calling the people to seasons of fasting and prayer, came from his pen.

While serving his country in the character of a civilian, he did not lay aside his ministry. He eagerly embraced every opportunity of preaching, and of discharging the various duties of his station as a christian minister, which he considered as his highest honor. Nor would he ever consent, as some other clerical members of Congress did, to change, in any particular, the dress which distinguished his order. ( He usually appeared in Congress dressed in his clerics robes, Ed.)

In December, 1779, he resigned his house on the college-grounds to Vice President Smith, and retired to his country seat, situated about one mile from, and in full sight of, Princeton; but his name continued to add celebrity to the institution, and it rapidly regained its former reputation. He, however, served his country again in the years 1781 and 1782, as a delegate to Congress. In 1783, he was induced, contrary to his own judgement, to cross the Atlantic, to endeavor to benefit the college. The expectation of obtaining funds from a nation with which we had just been at war, was altogether visionary. The result of his mission accorded with his expectations. On his return he withdrew, in a great measure, except on important occasions, from the exercise of those public functions that were not immediately connected with the duties of his office, as president of the college, or as minister of the gospel.

Bodily infirmities began, at length, to fall heavily on him. For more than two years previous to his death, he was afflicted with the loss of sight, which contributed to hasten the progress of his other disorders. He bore his sufferings with exemplary patience, even cheerfulness; nor would his active mind, and his unabated desire of usefulness, permit him, even in this situation, to desist from his ministry and duties in the college, so far as his health would permit. During his blindness, he was frequently led into the pulpit, both at home and abroad; and always acquitted himself with his usual accuracy, and not infrequently with more than his usual solemnity and animation.

On the 15^th of Nov. 1794, in the 73d year of his age, he retired to his eternal rest, full of honors and full of days, there to receive, through the mediation of the great Redeemer, the plaudit of his Lord, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, be thou ruler over many things; enter now into the joy of the Lord." His remains were interred at Princeton. A neat Latin epitaph is engraved on his tomb.

Dr. Witherspoon was twice married. He was united to his first wife, named Montgomery, in Scotland, at an early age. She was eminent for her piety and general excellence of character. His children, at the time of his removal to this country, consisted three sons and two daughters. James, the eldest son, held the rank of major in the revolutionary army, and was killed in the battle of Germantown. John, was a physician of good talents and attainments; David, applied himself to the study of the law, and settled in north Carolina, where he became a respectable practitioner; in 1780, he acted as private secretary to the president of Congress. President Smith, the successor of Dr. Witherspoon, married Ann, the eldest daughter; and Dr. Ramsay, the historian of the revolution, married Frances, the youngest daughter. Dr. Witherspoon’s second wife was an American lady. In all relations of husband, father, master, and friend, Dr. W was faithful and affectionate.

Dr. Witherspoon’s works have been published in four volumes octavo, ( second edition in 1802,) with the sermon preached at his funeral by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, of New York. Among the most important of his publications are:

"Serious Inquiry into the Nature and Effects of the Stage;"

"Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men;"

"Justification by Free Grace, through Jesus Christ;"

"The Nature and Necessity of Regeneration;"

"The Importance of Truth in Religion;"

"The Connection which subsists between Sound Principles and a Holy Practice;"

"Essay on the Nature, value, and Uses of Money;"

"The Druid;"

Also, a series of periodical essays:

"Lectures on Divinity;"

"Lectures on Moral Philosophy;"

and: "Lectures on Eloquence."

It is understood that a new collection of them, with a memoir, is in preparation, by the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, the successor of Dr. Smith in the presidency of the college of New Jersey.