N human life there may be a second childhood, but never a second youth. As, in the natural year, the spring mingles its soft breezes with the chill blasts of winter, and the blue red-breast returns to warble from the leafless branches, and the tiny snowdrop blossoms or the crocus unfolds its gay petals amidst cheerless desolation, so, in wintry age, may childish thoughts and childish sports again delight, and dotage assume the guise of infancy, when the eye is weak and the memory defective, and the step unsteady, not from immaturity, but from decay. But youth, with its unspent energies, its keen perceptions, its earnest hopes, and its unfilled capacities, shall return to man on earth no more. As though deeply impressed with this conviction, it was in this, the seed-time of life, that, with unwearied industry, Alexander Campbell labored to store his mind with useful learning, and to avail himself of every accessible source of knowledge. He was accustomed to pursue his studies to a late hour in the night, and usually rose at four in the morning to resume them. Books were his constant delight, and self-education became with him a passion, as there seemed but little prospect of his being enabled to attend the University, owing to his father's large family, now increased with another [76] daughter, named Alicia--making seven children living, three others having died in early infancy.

      In addition to his duties in the public school, he was reduced at this time to become private tutor to the daughters of Hon. William Richardson, giving lessons at certain hours in the day. This caused but little inconvenience, as Mr. Richardson's mansion was near at hand, surrounded with finely-improved grounds, where Alexander's sisters were accustomed often to walk on a pleasant evening to enjoy the beauty of the shrubbery and of the flowers. Amidst all his labors, however, he still found time for an occasional gunning excursion. On one of these expeditions an incident occurred, which, though trifling in itself, may serve to show how acute and introspective were his powers of observation, and how strong his objective tendencies, since, even in the midst of sportive recreation, he could readily make the operations of his own mind the object of analytic scrutiny. Having gone out on a Saturday, with two companions, in search of corn-crakes (a migratory land-rail abundant in Ireland), after a long walk their excursion seemed likely to prove unsuccessful. Upon their return they came into a meadow, and it was proposed that Alexander should take one end and his companions the other. In a little while one of the latter fired and shot a corn-crake. Alexander happened to have a gun with a worn pan, which sometimes allowed the powder to escape. Upon hearing the shot, he examined and found that there remained in the pan only one single grain of powder of large size. Not expecting to see any more game, however, he did not think it worth while to prime, and proceeded on his way; but had gone only a few steps when a hare started out of its form almost at his feet. As he was at [77] the end of the meadow near to the house of a tenant who had a license to take game, the first thought which struck him was, that he was in full view of the house, and, secondly, that the tenant might regard him as trespassing. He reflected further, that this man was very strict about the game; but it then occurred to him that, as he was a teacher in the family of the lord of the manor, he might be regarded as entitled to the privilege. He then recollected, however, that he had not primed his gun, and that it was not likely to go off, as there was but a single grain of powder in the pan. He perceived further, that the hare had but a very little way to go until it would reach a hedge and be hid from view, and that there was hardly time to take aim. But, lastly, considering that it was a risk all round, he concluded to try the experiment, and accordingly, putting up his gun, fired and killed the hare before it had gone twenty steps. He then discovered that at least eleven distinct thoughts had successively been present to his mind in that immeasurably brief instant--a circumstance which filled him with wonder as he reflected upon it, and became to him an illustration, which he never afterward forgot, of the inconceivable rapidity of the mind's action.

      After several years spent in teaching at Rich-Hill, the excessive labor and confinement to which his father was subjected in fulfilling his duties to the congregation and to the school began seriously to impair his health. He grew extremely pale, dyspeptic and debilitated, and finally, after having for a long time tried various remedies in vain, he was informed by his physician that his life would be the forfeit if he persisted in continuing his unremitting mental toil; and that an absolute change of present pursuits, and such relief as [78] a protracted sea-voyage might afford, were indispensably necessary to his recovery. This decision was extremely distasteful to him. He could scarcely endure the thought of leaving his position and his family to undertake a voyage across the Atlantic, as was proposed to him by his friends, some of whom were almost constantly emigrating to the New World. At length, Alexander, seeing the critical state of his father's health, resolved to forward earnestly the proposed measure, and he therefore told his father that he would take the entire charge of the school until all existing engagements were fulfilled, and that he thought it highly important for him at once to visit America and see the country. As his father still hesitated, he at length told him that it was his own determination to go to the United States so soon as he came of age, and that all the circumstances seemed to him providentially to indicate the propriety of the course recommended, in order that a suitable location might be found for the entire family. Yielding at length to these representations and to the advice of his warmest friends, and especially of the Acheson family, Thomas Campbell gave his consent, and it was arranged that, in case he should be pleased with the country, he would send for the family; and, if otherwise, he would himself return to Ireland. As Miss Hannah Acheson was desirous of going out to her relatives, who had previously emigrated and settled in Washington, Pennsylvania, she gladly availed herself of the opportunity to place herself under the escort of her esteemed pastor.

      Accordingly, a few days afterward, on the first day of April, 1807, Thomas Campbell, having taken an affecting farewell of his congregation, assembled his own family, to the members of which he delivered [79] able counsels and instructions, after which, amid many prayers and tears, he bade them adieu, and set out with his company for Londonderry, the port from which he had concluded to sail. Hastily viewing the fine harbor, and some other points of interest connected with this ancient city, so celebrated in history for its heroic defence against James the Second, he took occasion, before embarking, to address a letter to his family, the following extract from which will show how highly, above all the things of the present life, he prized their spiritual welfare:

      "Come out, my dear son," he wrote, "from the wicked of the world and be separate, and 'touch not the unclean thing,' saith the Lord, 'and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' My dear children, look to this divine direction and promise, and the Lord will be with you and be your God; and 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' Now, if you attend to this, and do really come to and embrace the Lord Jesus for repentance and reformation, you will have good ground of confidence for all things necessary, in his mercy, for your comfort here and your future felicity, that he will make my journey prosperous for deliverance to you and your friends, and that he will not be wroth with me for your sakes. Live to God; be devoted to him in heart, and in all your undertakings. Be a sincere Christian--i. e., imbibe the doctrines, obey the precepts, copy the example, and believe the promises of the gospel. And that you may do so, read it, study it, pray over it, embrace it as your heritage, your portion. Take Christ for your Master, his Word for your instructor, his Spirit for your assistant, interpreter and guide. Be always confirmed in your heart and practice with it. Live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, both 'for wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.' Above all things, attend to this, for without him you can do nothing, either to the glory of God or your own good." [80]

      Such were the affectionate counsels of Thomas Campbell to his family, and especially to his son Alexander, whose appreciation of them may be inferred from the fact that he carefully copied them into his note-book, that he might have them constantly before him. Meanwhile, his father had embarked on the ship Brutus, Captain Craig, master, bound for Philadelphia; and on the eighth of April, 1807, the wind being favorable, the vessel set sail, and passing out of Lough¹ Foyle, rounded Malin-Head, the most northern point of Ireland, where Thomas Campbell gazed for the last time upon his native shores as they faded from his sight in the dim mists of the eastern sky.

      There was at this time a large and constant emigration to the United States. The political troubles; the religious dissensions; the oppressive tyranny of landed proprietors over tenants; the almost hopeless prospects for those with large families, and for the young, as to success in life; together with many other evils existing in this fertile and beautiful, but sadly-misgoverned country, led great numbers to seek a happier home under the free institutions of the New World. Several families of Thomas Campbell's acquaintance in the vicinity of Rich-Hill had, at this time, already made their arrangements to set out for the United States. Among these may be mentioned the family of the Hodgens, of which some of the younger members had been Mr. Campbell's pupils. Thomas Hodgens, having sold out his land for three hundred guineas, resolved to emigrate and purchase land in America; and one of his daughters being married to James Foster, he urged [81] his son-in-law to accompany him. This James Foster was destined to take no unimportant part in Thomas Campbell's future religious movements. He was one of those men who, from a retiring disposition or other circumstances, do not put themselves prominently forward, but who exert, nevertheless, an important influence within a limited sphere, and often make that influence widely felt through other minds.

      He was a member and the precentor in the church of the Independents at Rich-Hill, and a young man of more than ordinary piety and religious attainments. Possessed of a remarkably retentive memory, and devoted to the study of the Bible, his mind became a complete treasury of the Word of God, so that he could, with the utmost accuracy, repeat from memory its sacred teachings at his pleasure. Having become convinced that there was no authority in Scripture for the baptism of infants, he would never consent to its administration in the case of his own children; but he was not, on this account, less esteemed among the Independents, with whom considerable latitude of opinion was allowed. His extreme conscientiousness, indeed, was so well known, and his character and religious worth so highly appreciated, that he was one of the most influential members in the church, and was often invited to the house of the pastor, Mr. Gibson, where he met, occasionally, some of those eminent preachers who visited Rich-Hill. At one of his visits he met with John Walker, and heard him discuss with Mr. Gibson various religious topics, on which occasion Mr. Gibson seemed to him to be a mere child in the hands of the learned and acute Walker. He heard Alexander Carson also, and thought him the finest religious teacher to whom he had ever listened. It was his habit not to speak from a text, but [82] to enter into the train of thought presented in an entire connected portion of Scripture, so as fully to develop the actual meaning of the passage.

      When James Foster was urged to go to America, he hesitated to leave his recently widowed mother, until she herself urged his emigration, lest his wife should pine after her relations. Upon this he was induced to consent, and the whole party having made their arrangements, set out about two weeks after the departure of Thomas Campbell, and proceeded to Newry.

      This town occupies a part of three counties--Lowth, Armagh and Down. It is connected with Lough Neagh by a canal, chiefly in the bed of the river Bann, and also with Carlingford Bay by a canal, through which vessels reach its fine spacious quay, so that it is a centre of considerable trade. It is built upon the side of a steep hill, at the foot of which is the Narrow Water, an inlet from Carlingford Bay, but not sufficiently capacious for large vessels. Along the margin of this Narrow Water, upon the left, a fine road passes down from Newry, five miles, to Warren Point, which is much resorted to as a watering-place. On the opposite side of this narrow inlet, in the county of Lowth, lofty and precipitous hills arise as out of the very water, presenting a magnificent appearance. Passing down, accordingly, to Warren Point, where the bay is about a mile and a half wide, James Foster and his companions embarked on a vessel bound for Philadelphia.

      As though to attract the foreigner and detain the emigrant, Nature seems at this point to have grouped together the most enchanting scenery. Looking sea-ward, along the shores of me widening bay, high hills of beautiful forms rise up from the water's edge on each side. Two miles below, upon the left, nestling between [83] two mountains, is the village of Rosstrevor, celebrated for its picturesque beauty and connected with the demesnes of General Ross, who was destined to fall, a few years afterward, in the attack on Baltimore, and in whose honor an elegant monument, in the form of an obelisk, has since been erected a little above the village. Below Rosstrevor a majestic mountain lifts, to a great height above its green and wooded slopes, a bare and rugged peak, upon whose side appears a perpendicular rock of immense size, distinctly visible from Newry, and to which parties frequently resort to enjoy the magnificent view which it affords. On the opposite side of the bay is seen Carlingford Castle, a large and imposing structure, often visited by the tourist, and possessing many interesting historical associations. Still further down, at a distance of about four miles, and on the extreme point where the bay at length opens into the sea, stands the light-house, like a friendly hand stretched out from the shores of civilization and hospitality to "welcome the coming and speed the parting guest." To all these charming scenes, and the cherished associations of their native land, the emigrants were now compelled to bid a final farewell, as the vessel, weighing anchor and steering down the bay, entered the Irish Sea, and taking a southerly course through St. George's Channel, along the coast of Wales, whose lofty mountains became distinctly visible, passed out at length into the broad Atlantic.

      A departure to a distant land, with its last farewells to beloved friends and familiar scenes, has in it much of the bitterness of death. It brings, at least, home to the heart, the griefs, uncertainties and fears attendant upon a protracted separation; and the radical idea in death is separation, of which, to the Irish emigrant and [84] his family, the trackless ocean, with its seemingly boundless extent and unfathomed mysteries, becomes at once the emblem and the instrument. These feelings were most fully realized in the family home-circle at Rich-Hill, in which a once honored seat remained vacant, and the venerated form of a beloved father was seen no more. In all the buoyancy of youthful hope, Alexander Campbell nevertheless addressed himself to his labors, conducting the school energetically according to arrangements, and assisting his mother in the care of the family, managing everything with such vivacity and cheerfulness as to revive the spirits of all, like a pleasant sunshine after a day of gloom.

      After some three months had passed away, he received with great joy a letter from his father announcing his safe arrival at Philadelphia, after a prosperous voyage of thirty-five days, which, at that time, was reckoned a speedy trip. It stated that he had been so highly favored as to find the Anti-Burgher Synod² of North America then assembled in the city, and had been very kindly received by the members upon presenting his testimonials from the Presbytery of Market Hill and the church at Ahorey. This letter is dated May 27, 1807, and continues as follows:

      "What a debtor am I to the grace of God! and what a debtor are you, my dear Jane, and you, my dear little ones, for whom I am ardently praying to that gracious God that hears and helps and saves all that call upon him in truth! for these kindnesses conferred upon me are also for your sakes, that, through his mercy, we may yet praise him together in the congregation of his people. To call this in question would [85] be to belie his goodness. And you, dear Alexander, upon whom the burden lies at present, and must for some little time longer--I hope not longer than we expected at our parting--be sure you make it your chief study to do all to please and nothing to offend that great God who has raised such friends and conferred such friendships upon your father, both at home and abroad, and especially when he became a stranger in a strange land. But what do I say? A minister or a member of Christ's Church is a citizen of the world, as far as the Church extends.   *     *     *     *     *   My dear Jane, let nothing discourage you. Turn to God; make his word and will your constant study, and rely upon it that as 'the days wherein you will have seen and years you grief have had,' so the Lord will make you glad, and satisfy you with his tender mercies. My dear children, let me address you together: if you have any sympathy, any sincere affection for a father who cannot cease to love you and pray for you so long as his heart shall beat or tongue be able to articulate, see that you follow the directions that I gave you at my parting, whether by word or writing. Be a comfort to your mother; love, cherish and pity one another. Love the Lord your God; love his Son Jesus Christ, and pray to the Lord constantly and ardently for me your poor father, who longs after you all, and who cannot rest, if the Lord will, till he has prepared a place of residence for you all, where I trust we shall spend the rest of our days together in his service."

      This letter also, together with others breathing the same affectionate and religious spirit, Alexander reverentially copied upon the pages of his note-book, in which he had already numerous selections from Young, Johnson, Buffon, Beattie, and other esteemed authors: for it was his custom to write down, for his future use, and in order to impress them the more upon his memory, those passages in the books he read that particularly pleased him. [86]

[MAC1 76-86]