sion that Mr. Conrad Speece (now a Presbyterian preacher), who had been baptized in the course of the year, by elder James Saunders, was introduced as a Baptist preacher, and was found, both in the pulpit and private conference, agreeable and clever. He was a man of considerable learning, having been educated for a Presbyterian preacher. By reading some treatise on believers' baptism, as 'tis said, he became convinced of the impropriety of infant baptism. After some time devoted to the study of the subject, he offered himself as a candidate for baptism, and was accordingly baptized by Mr. Saunders. Soon after this Association, he professed to be again convinced of the validity of infant sprinkling, and wrote a letter to Mr. Saunders, to that effect. He rejoined the Presbyterians, and has since continued with them. Of his motives it is difficult to judge. By some it was said that he was disgusted with the turbulent proceedings of the Association at this session; by others, that Mr. Speece was much disappointed on finding that Baptist preachers received little or no compensation for their ministerial services. It is, perhaps, more probable, that he found the general tenor of the manners and customs of the Baptists quite different from his own and those of his former associates. Finding his temper soured at the loss of society to which his habits were assimilated, and not able at once to accommodate himself to that into which he had now fallen, he was the more easily persuaded of the truth of principles, which but a few months previously he had renounced as erroneous and false. It has sometimes been made a question in private companies, whether it would not

have been more wise, on this occasion, to have separated baptism and church membership. There were at this time several other eminent Presbyterian preachers, halting between two opinions. It was thought they were perfectly persuaded of the impropriety of infant baptism, and therefore did not for many years baptize a single child, but were averse to joining the Baptists, or, however, from some cause, did not do it. Now, say some, had one or more of these been baptized, without requiring them to become members of the Baptist Church, he could have baptized the rest, and they might have formed a society to themselves, in which the ordinances would have been preserved pure, although their church government and general manners would have been different from the other Baptists. These suggestions were wholly speculative; one thing, however, is certain, that when Mr. Speece deserted the Baptists, the scruples of all the others were quickly removed, and they resumed the absurd practice of sprinkling children. Of Speece we must say, we wish that he had either never submitted to baptism, or that, being baptized, he had not again turned away." pp. 197, 198.

The family of Dr. Alexander have repeatedly heard him speak of a long journey of exploration which he made during these years into what is now the State of Ohio. He travelled on horseback, with a mounted and armed servant. But we can turn to no living person who can give us the date. We remember his evening stories about his meeting a bear at night, and his coming suddenly on a camp of hunters who were rejoicing over great spoil. And he has

JOURNEY TO THE WEST.

207

often been heard to say, that in Chilicothe, which is now a city, the best room in the best house, at the time of his visit, had the stump of a tree remaining in its earthen floor.

Aged persons remember the days in which he was a daring horseman, an accomplishment certainly not rare among gentlemen bred in the South. This must seem strange to those whose memory recalls only the contrast of his later years, when he never mounted a horse, and seldom entered a vehicle. The sister is still living in a serene and lovely old age, who in childhood accompanied the young missionary on a journey of more than sixty miles, clinging behind his saddle. It was a preaching tour; and with that spirit of adventure which belonged to his nature, and that contempt for mere conventionalities which never forsook him, he took the child of ten years as his companion. The expedition is fresh in her memory after sixty years. She speaks of crossing the mountain range of the Blue Ridge, where there was no road but a bridle-path, and of the high excitement awakened by the fresh forest and the unwonted scenes of sublime nature. And she tells how her brother, wearied with her unceasing prattle, vexed withal with toothache, and perhaps, as his manner was, studying as he rode, offered her a silver dollar if she would hold her peace. Our informant is Mrs. Elizabeth McClung, of Staunton, now the sole survivor of all those sons and daughters; and the living resemblance in face and manner of her departed brother.

Since the more extended memoir was written, a number

208

JOURNEY TO THE WEST.

of little pocket memorandum books have come to light, which contain accurate lists of all the discourses preached during this period. In later years, this method was dropped, as, indeed, was every thing which looked like an enumeration of duties and performances, or connected the personality of the preacher with the great and paramount work of God by him. In all his life, he knew nothing of gratulatory assemblages, ministerial anniversaries, or jubilees; while his peculiar tolerance and candour kept him from censuring those who accepted such offerings of partiality.

A

FTER remaining at Hampden Sidney until the spring

of the year 1801, Mr. Alexander resigned his office as president, and resigned his pastoral charge. His motive was twofold; first, the restoration of his health, which had been impaired by several severe attacks of illness, and a desire to visit New England, which he had long cherished. An expectation prevailed among most of the people that he would return after a few months to resume the duties of his post, and hence no efforts were made to fill the vacancy. Indeed, he was assured by the Trustees of the college, and the elders of the churches, that they would gladly receive him after the temporary absence. He resolved, how