No other letters being as Yet received from America in reference to removal, and his uncle Archibald at this time greatly desiring his assistance, he now went over to Newry and took charge of a number of private classes. Here he continued, frequently seeing the family at Rich-Hill and providing for their comfort, until the month of March, 1808, when a letter was at length received from his father, urging immediate departure, and referring, for general advices, to other letters written in the preceding November, but which, as it now appeared, had failed to reach their destination. He learned, by the letter now received, that his father had been, at his request, assigned by the Synod at Philadelphia to the Presbytery of Chartiers, embracing Washington county, in Western Pennsylvania, where some of his former neighbors had already settled, and whither James Foster and his party were bound. After spending a short time very pleasantly with the Seceder ministers and the acquaintances he had formed in Philadelphia, he had proceeded over the mountains to Washington, Pennsylvania, from which town the letter was dated, January 1, 1808. James Foster and his friends, it appeared, had landed at Philadelphia five weeks after his arrival there, and, coming on to Washington county, had found him there already engaged in ministerial labor. rhe following extract from his letter will show how earnest and unceasing were the aspirations of this excellent man for entire consecration of heart and life to the service of God.

"I have been encompassed with mercies from the day I [88] left you until this day--not the slightest accident by sea or land has befallen me. *     *     *     *     My confidence toward God in behalf of you all, to whose gracious providence and merciful protection I have heartily resigned you, keeps my mind in perfect peace. I feel greatly comforted in pouring out my heart's desire to the God of all mercy for the preservation and salvation of my family. I do not know but that I have felt more solemn elevated pleasure in this grateful exercise since I set my foot in this land of peace, liberty and prosperity, than I could have done in the same time had I remained in the midst of you, all things considered. In those happy exercises I have enjoyed a gracious and triumphant confidence in that unlimited power, wisdom and goodness to which nothing is difficult, much less impossible. I have been enabled to cast all my care upon the Lord, so that I feel neither anxious nor afraid of anything upon earth. I perceive myself in the arms of Almighty Goodness, and am greatly comforted. I hope the receipt of this will find you all in like happy circumstances. If you knew the solid and adequate satisfaction that the clear apprehension of the great gospel of the grace of God is calculated to afford, and does actually afford to all that truly know and embrace it, you would earnestly covet this happiness and spare no pains to acquire it. Neither is it hard to acquire. Only be devoted to God; give up yourselves to the diligent study and practice of his holy word, looking to and leaning upon the promise of his Holy Spirit, which he freely and graciously gives to all them that sincerely and heartily seek it, to enable them to know and to conform to his will in all things; and you shall know the truth of his promise, 'You shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' You shall know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent; then shall you feel yourselves impregnable as the Rock of Ages, in whom you put your trust. 'All that know thy name shall put their trust in thee, and they that put their trust in thee shall never be confounded.' Let us rejoice; the Lord reigns! and his servants need fear no evil. Be of good comfort [89] through his grace, and cautiously avoid danger. Omit no opportunity of removing, as the Lord may graciously permit. The merciful providence of the Lord be with you. Wishing you a happy new year under his gracious auspices, adieu.

"THOMAS CAMPBELL."      

      Immediately upon receipt of this letter, the family began to make the necessary arrangements for the contemplated voyage.

[Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. I, pp. 88-90.]

      The extract of Thomas Campbell's letter to his family (January 1, 1808) was first published in Robert Richardson's Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, Vol. 1 (Philadelphia, PA: J. B. Lippincott, 1871), pp. 88-90.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. The extract of Thomas Campbell's letter has been set in Century Schoolbook typeface and set off as a block quotation. Robert Richardson's narrative has been included to provide historical context and continuity. I have let stand variations and inconsistencies in the author's use of italics, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling in the letter.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 9 January 1998.
Updated 8 July 2003.