Oberlin Elliot-Abundant labors-Wearing out and rusting out—The self-sacri- ficing preachers-Delightful views in sickness-Depressed, but laborious-Trials from the wicked-Anecdote of John Howe-The Princeton student-Visit to Leesburg-Importance of a change of location-Call from Alexandria-Reasons for his acceptance of the call-Installation at Alexandria-Active labors-Visits and admissions-Sources of encouragement-Expansion of his mind and heart- Revolution in Dr. Ryland's sentiments-Success of his sermons-Doctrines preached-Martin Bos' opinion of what are the best sermons-His devotion to Increasing interest in Alexandria-Experience of a young convert-Results of an infidel's proposal-A congregation founded-New cases of conviction-Ser- mon on the Divine Sovereignty-Blessing on various meetings-Attacked with cerebral nervousness-Blessedness of the work-Interchange between the congre- gations-Early prayer-A young Catholic-The work extends to Washington- Necessity of a holy influence there-Called to similar meetings in Baltimore- Letter descriptive of his feelings-Letter from a convert-A plan for saving a soul Bishop Hooper-Remark of Addison-Writes theological treatises-Where at home-Death-bed of a Christian-Work on Divine Sovereignty-Journey to the North-Sickness at Hartford-Visits old Point Comfort-Extracts from corres- pondence Letter to Dr. Hill-From Dr. Rice-Letter from Dr Speece-From Rev. H. F. Burder-State of religion in England-Letter to his Nephew-Inter- esting scene at Occoquan-His diligent labors-Reminiscences of a revival-The convicted family-The converted family-A hardened sinner arrested. Walton visits Occoquan-Opposition-Visit to Virginia-Death of his mother- in-law-Answer to prayer-His love for the pulpit-Physical exhaustion-Faint, yet pursuing-Letter to a ministerial brother-The Protestant-Another visit to Occoquan-Second visit to Fredericksburg-Curious dream-New temptations— Employment of the clergy-Preaching to the conscience-Appointed delegate to the Synod of Virginia-Preaches before the Synod--Views of the Synod-Effects of his labors-Fraternal admonitions-A liberal present-Further special efforts→ His habits of prayer-Letter to his Nephew-Applications from abroad-Reproof -Misapprehension of the value of his own sermons-Feelings of a minister's wife-The simplicity of his ideas and language--Revival in Washington-Invited 204-223 A call from the South--His consideration of it--Revival at Georgetown-Death Arrival at Hartford-An appalling discovery-Effect of the truth-A protracted meeting-Its solemn effects-Publishes a pamphlet-Account of the revival- Reasons for assembling the anxious-Results and characteristics of the work- The power of prayer-Heart searchings and confessions-Whole families con- verted-Incidental remarks-Importance of union among ministers-The last article from his pen-The last funeral sermon-Letter to his Sister-Progress of his disease-Happy state of his church-His last letter-Its conclusion. 243-262 The closing scene-John Janeway-Thomas Halyburton-A sudden crisis in his disease-The first sensations of a Christian on entering Heaven-Various dying expressions-Increasing and triumphant exultation-His dying views of the ministry-Fear of impatience-Songs of praise-His faith in God concerning his family-The shout of victory-Message to his brethren-What it is to die-Prayer for the divine glory-Asks that his last sermon might be read to him-His last prayer answered-He dies-His burial-His monument-Elegy by Mrs. Sigour- ney-Letters of condolence-From Rev. J. Parker-From Rev. Daniel Baker. 263–281 The varieties of the human mind-Distinguishing characteristics-Who are the most useful ministers-What kind of minsters we want in the United States- Mental character of Walton-Change in his views-The secrets of his success- Causing others to work-How Christians should pray-Courteousness of manner and correctness of language-Letter to the Princeton Society of Inquiry- Remarks on the first revival he witnessed-On the revival in Alexandria-Way of conducting meetings-Importance of concentrated effort-Mode of presenting the truth-Necessity of having a direct aim-Effect of anxious seats-Farther remarks on them-Protracted meetings-General character of revivals-Charac- ter of the converts-Terms of admission-Letter of Mr. Patterson-Study of mathematics-Sources of sacred eloquence-Why some great preachers were eloquent-Walton's hospitality-Dying request of Dr. Hyde-Dr. Nevins-Arch- bishop Usher-Cotton Mather's unintelligib'es and incurables-Silence about his trials-The conclusion of a pious and devoted life-Thomas Halyburton- PRELIMINARY REMARKS. WHEN the papers of my revered brother Walton were placed in the hands of the author by his bereaved widow, with the request on her part and on the part of many friends, that a suitable memoir should be prepared, I did not feel at liberty to decline the solicitation, because I have ever maintained that such examples ought to be preserved, perpetuated and held up, to excite the church and the ministry to nobler attainments in their divine calling. If the celebrated remark be true, that he who causes two spires of grass to grow where one grew before, be a public benefactor, what must be the amount of his beneficence, who has been the means of transforming an enemy into a friend of God! And what the measure of that good which he has done, who has so labored and prayed, as not only to save his own soul, but the souls of hundreds of his fellow creatures? Such a one was the subject of the following sketch. I have not sought a man of mighty genius or brilliant fame. with the view to captivate admiring readers. I have gone higher, and shall ask the reader to ascend with me, where he can contemplate "the highest style of man;" where he may view what dignity can invest the CHRISTIAN here, and what glory is in reserve for him hereafter; where he may receive another proof of the fact, that great talents are not essential to great usefulness in the cause of God; but that grace in the heart, in the life, and in the labors of an humble man can achieve triumphs, which shall outlive all earthly greatness, and co-exist with the annals of eternity. To estimate justly the character of Mr. Walton and the value of his example, a full view of his career must be taken, and especially must the last ten years of his life be compared or rather contrasted with its previous portion. Of that portion he might truly say: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.' It was GRACE that imparted this noble and vigorous manhood, which, as in multitudes of similar cases, in its very meridian ceased its relation to this world. But the good which holy men do expires not with their frail bodies, nor is it "interred" with them in their sepulchres. It survives and shines; it stimulates and reproves; it speaks with a silent eloquence, that defies the power of time, the sovereignty of death, and the dominion of the grave. Of the abundant manuscripts of Mr. Walton, a comparatively sparing use has been made in the following pages, as it does not seem proper to load a book with mere diary, any further than may serve to convey a full and correct apprehension of the main points of the public and private history of the writer. To all the views and sentiments advanced in the extracts I shall not of course be considered as necessarily subscribing. I simply seek to convey the truth in regard to him of whom I write. The author offers no apology to the public founded on the "pressure of pastoral cares and other avocations," for he does not consider such an apology either respectful to the public or a sufficient excuse for him who offers it. If a man essays to bring a subject or a character before the public, he should devote to that subject or character, his best hours and his best efforts. More than this the reader should not ask. Less than this the writer should not be satisfied to render. The author's work as a Pastor and a Preacher is indeed laborious, but the preparation of this book has rather aided than obstructed him in the prosecution of those labors. . If the study of it shall assist any beloved ministerial brother in his work, or minister consolation in his trials, one object will be attained. It only remains to add a simple dedication of this book TO THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION, AND TO THE CHURCH OF GOD. LEE, Mass., May, 1837. |