loves this cause will swell with grateful emotion. And I doubt not that many now unborn will enjoy the fruits of his labour, for his was truly a labour of love. This man was nursed in the lap of republicanism; he loved our institutions, and was no fanatic. He mixed with the people, and knew well what were their habits, and what was the besetting sin of the day. He saw that the devil had let loose upon us a mighty torrent of ardent spirits, which had broken down the bulwarks of morality and religion, and he threw himself into the breach. He fought to the last, and won the day; the cause of temperance, having thus obtained a footing in the land, has progressed, is still progressing, and will continue to progress, until that consummation, so ardently to be desired, when all shall entirely abandon the use of ardent spirits. No, Mr. Clopton was not the man to turn loose upon us a wolf in sheep's clothing, neither was he the man to give an alarm where no danger threatened. He saw, I repeat, ardent spirits like a mighty torrent, sweeping before it all that was lovely; bearing away on its bosom virtue, talents, laudable emulation, usefulness,

and even religion. He saw vice, with all its horrors and its loathsomeness, following in its wake, and spreading abroad desolation and hopelessness. Fired by a heavenly zeal for the redemption from its influence of his country, his friends, his church, he interposed his exertions. That awful current turned back; and now the mild spirit of temperance is spreading her cheering influence on all around, and even the angry murmurs of the enemies of the cause are scarcely heard. Such were Mr. Clopton's exertions, and such has been his success; but he has gone to his reward, and many, doubtless, will rise up and call him blessed. Thus may it be with us all! If there is not the same room for our success there was for his, we have at least the same means to deserve it, for much yet remains to be done."

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CHAPTER VIII.

Contains an account of Mr. Clopton's labours in behalf of the Columbian College-Early efforts of Virginia Baptists in the cause of education-Account of Columbian College--Its embarrassment--Elder Clopton accepts an agency to Georgia-His labours and successes, in extracts from several letters, and his journal-Returns to Georgia on the agency-Severe conflicts-Extracts from his journal-Incident-Memoir-Appointed general agent-Enters on the duties of the office-Arrested by death-Resolution of board of trustees.

THE ministers by whose indefatigable and self-denying labours the first Baptist churches in Virginia were planted, watered, and pruned, were mostly destitute of literary acquirements. Animated by a fervent zeal not always free from enthusiasm; intimately acquainted with the common English version of the Scriptures; possessing, many of them, an easy and impassioned elocution; and relying for success on the Divine blessing, they travelled throughout the state, preaching the gospel with apostolic simplicity and faithfulness. God crowned their labours with signal success. Many were turned from darkness to

light, and from the power of Satan unto God. They saw churches springing up, with almost unexampled rapidity, in places where but recently moral desolation had reigned. These devoted men early saw and acknowledged the necessity of an increase of ministerial intelligence.

As early as 1788, the general committee of the Baptists in Virginia, a body composed of delegates from the associations, appointed a committee of ten members, at the suggestion of the Rev. James Manning, president of Providence College, Rhode Island, to devise means for founding a seminary of learning. A plan for the proposed institution was drawn, and trustees were appointed; but the difficulty of obtaining funds, with some other obstacles, frustrated the laudable scheme. I mention these facts to refute an assertion, widely circulated, and generally believed, that the Baptists of Virginia have always been opposed to education. They have never deemed classical learning essential to success in the gospel; and, doubtless, some among them have undervalued its influence; but they have in general prized it, sought it, and en

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deavoured, under great disadvantages it is admitted, to diffuse its benefits.

Elder Clopton was a uniform, zealous, and disinterested friend of education-especially of ministerial education. Having enjoyed the advantages of collegiate instruction, he knew well its importance. He was incapable of the ignoble ambition of engrossing knowledge, that he might shine the more brightly in the surrounding gloom. He was desirous to impart, like the sun in the firmament, light to all within the sphere of his influence. He lamented, most sincerely, that the noble plans of our fathers had been so long unexecuted.

The estimation in which he held learning, may be seen from the following extract of a letter to a young brother, just entering the Christian ministry:

"The education of the constantly in importance.

ministry is rising

The land is full

of sin, error, and heresies. And many excellent Christians, excellent in degree, are, through prejudice, warring against those things which glorify God, and are profitable to men; and are encouraging those which may well excite our pity. Education can