ELDER DAVID PURVIANCE was born in Iredell county North Carolina, on the 14th day of Nov. 1766. The Country was then new, and the opportunity for schooling not so good as desirable, but he was sent early to school, and made great progress in learning considering the ignorance and tyranny of the teachers of that age. His parents took great pains to have him well instructed in the principles and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. He memorized all the Larger and Shorter Catechisms while very young. He was also well instructed in the good and wholesome moral precepts, contained in the discipline of that church, particularly the observance of the sabbath day, which he was careful to reverence and respect as long as he lived.

When about twelve years of age he was placed in a seminary under the care of Dr. Hall a Presbyterian preacher, for the purpose of studying the Latin and Greek languages, and those sciences necessary to a preparation for the ministry. He prosecuted his studies with indefatigable industry; and made great proficiency in learning, considering his opportunity. It was during the revolutionary war, and he was the oldest son and very frequently he was detained from school, to assist the family in procuring a living, while his father was defending the injured rights of his country, and towards the close of the war he was sometimes sent an express for the army ; but when opportunity offered, he prosecuted his studies for several years, until finally his health failed in consequence (it was thought) of too close and intense application to his books. He reluctantly left the school, and afterwards regained his health, and engaged in teaching, and taught Latin and Greek, and the common branches of literature.

He afterwards wrote for some time in the Clerk's Office in Salisbury, N. Carolina.

WHEN he was about 23 years of age, he was married to Mary Ireland, daughter of John and Martha Ireland, in the year 1789. Her father was a native of Ireland, and her mother of Irish descent.

After his marriage his father settled him on a farm, on the south fork of the Yadkin river. There he commenced farming; but only continued about two years before many of his friends and relatives moved, some to Kentucky and some to Tennessee. He sold his possessions on the Yadkin, and moved with his little family, consisting of his wife and one child, (about nine months old,) and settled on the Cumberland river, near to Nashville, West (now middle) Tennessee.

They continued there but a short time, before they found themselves unpleasantly situated. They were surrounded by the savages, engaged in stealing horses, burning houses, and murdering the inhabitants; and after the Indians slew his younger brother, John Purviance, he and his wife visited her father's family, and some near relatives, who had lately made a settlement on Caneridge, Bourbon County, Kentucky.—They were much pleased with the appearance and situation of the county, and through the solicitations of friends, and finding that they would not be so much exposed to the depredations of the Indians. They were induced to leave Tennessee, and in the fall of 1792 they emigrated to Kentucky, and settled near his friends, in Bourbon County.

The following chapter is exclusively from the pen of William Rogers, Esq., of Caneridge.

There is no man living, better qualified to give the following sketch than Bro. Rogers. He was a young man and lived a close neighbor to David Purviance, at the time he served in the State Legislature of Kentucky. There are many aged men yet living that will corroborate his statements.

DAVID PURVIANCE selected for his future home a small tract of land about three miles south of Caneridge meeting house. The spot he selected was doubtless a fertile one, but when contemplated in the wilderness state in which he found it, the prospect for living was gloomy in the extreme. Covered thickly with tall trees of forrest growth, the ash, the sugar tree, the walnut, locust and other varieties common to that quarter of the country, superadded to these a solid brake of tall cane, so thick as to be almost impervious to man or beast, covered the whole face of the surrounding country.

We have said the prospect for a living from the picture given, was rather dreary, and forbidding. David Purviance had no slaves to work for him, for from early and fixed principles, he was opposed to the institution of slavery.

His fate is now sealed. He must either work hard or he must starve. He cheerfully and like a christian philosopher, (as he doubtless was) chose the former, He went to work with his own hands, he handled the implements of husbandry, he cleared off a spot and erected a cabin for a habitation. Next he cleared and reclaimed from its wild state, grounds sufficient to raise a supply for his family and flocks. Here in rural pursuits he passed several years in great contentment and obscurity. He was never disposed to seek an occasion to make himself known at any stage of his life. That kind of ambition was never an occupant of the bosom of the great and good Purviance.

True, he was intellectually competent to any station, but it is equally true, that he was the most meek, unambitious, and unpretending of the race of man.

But to our narative. Mr. Purviance lived and labored on upon his few acres, unnoticed and unknown, until early in the year 1795; during that year, memorable in the history of his life, we shall now proceed to record some events that occurred, that must forever interest the friends of David Purviance, and render his memory dear, very dear indeed, to his posterity.

Little did the master spirits of that day, who ruled and shaped the Legislation of Kentucky, as best suited their policy and purpose, suspect, as they beheld this humble Caneridge farmer, in the garb of a laborer, sweating beneath a burning sun;—little did they dream, as they moved about in splendor and beheld the man we have described, that he was destined in a short time to arrest them in their unchecked career, and wrest from their hands some of their dearest measures, which by their sagacity and management in the halls of the legislation, had been brought to bear injuriously and oppressively upon the country.

One or two of the most obnoxious of the measures in question, it will be necessary for the reader of the present day to be explained. At the session of -92, a law had been passed, giving original jurisdiction to the court of Appeals in all cases respecting the titles to lands. At the same session, the oriental court called Oyer and Terminer, was also established, and had exclusive jurisdiction in all cases, where the penalty of the offence extended to life or limb. These courts held their sittings twice a year, and only at the seat of government, which made it extremely inconvenient, expensive, and indeed oppressive to the citizens to attend them. To the poor occupant of the disputed lands it was in many instances, ruinous; while the felons of the country, mostly escaped unwhipped of justice; for it was rare to procure the attendance of prosecutors, witnesses, &c., at so great a distance, and at such sacrifice of time and money.

Very few were interested in a continuance of the laws in question, except a band of eminent lawyers, who, at the time held an extensive and lucrative practice in the courts in question, and who unfortunately for the country, controlled, to a great extent, the legislative action of the state.

The People, however became restless under such misrule, and, as early as the session of 1795, the original jurisdiction of the court of appeals in said cases, which had been found upon practice to be so expensive and mischievous, was repealed, and the court of Oyer and Terminer was abolished. This, however, only tended to increase the excitement on the part of the lawyers in question, and they at once put in requisition all their talents and influence, to revive those laws, and a fierce contest grew up between the court party and the people, which was kept alive for several years.

When the election for 1797, began to approach, much interest was manifested through the whole country, upon this deeply interesting question; and as the canvass for members to the legislature began to open, great anxiety was evinced on the part of the people, to have men of the right stamp brought forward. This was particularly the case in Bourbon.

This county, if not in advance, was certainly as forward as any other, in the work of reform and she determined to have suitable individuals for candidates.

Gentlemen of the bar were most objectionable, as to that source, the people attributed the mischiefs complained of; still, it was considered by the more sagacious, that men capable of the advocacy of their cause, should be brought forward. To this end, Wm. Garrard jr., a young lawyer of high promise, and then, but recently embarked in the practice at Paris, was solicited to become a candidate; the more especially, as he was known to be sound in respect to the measures complained of. He, moreover, was a son of James Garrard who was then Governor of the state. He consented to run, and engaged in the canvass.

David Purviance of Caneridge, to his surprise, was very strongly urged by members of his county, to become a candidate. He at length agreed to do so. provided he could make the canvass, without the degrading practice, then so prevalent among candidates, of treating for votes. His friends, although they approved his views in this respect, doubted his success unless he would yield, but this he firmly refused to do. But, he nevertheless, declared himself, and at once engaged in the canvass. There were now about a dozen candidates before the people, six only to be elected, that being the number of members in the lower branch of the legislature, to which Bourbon was entitled. The election came off in April, 1797.—David Purviance, William Garrard jr., James Smith, Charles Smith, Robert Wilmot, and John Grigg, were elected, but as our business is with the two former, the latter, although highly worthy men, will not again be referred to.

There was a called session of the legislature in November, which however was continued on to the regular session; and altogether was the longest one it is believed, ever held in Kentucky.

The house was, at the commencement, organized by the appointment of Edmund Bullock, speaker, and in due time proceeded to the regular business of the session. John Breckinridge, an eminent lawyer and statesman of rare abilities, was a member from the County of Fayette. For some days, he seemed to be the animating spirit of the house, and shaped and guided its action, as best suited his taste and wishes. None thwarted his plans, none attacked his position, or dared to enter with him the arena of debate. He held for the time, an unchecked rein over the movements of the house; but this order of things was now to be interrupted. At the proper stage, as seemed to Mr. Breckinridge, he introduced a bill to revise the criminal court, of Oyer and Terminer, and after a slight speech in its advocacy, obtained leave to take it up on a given day. This was a measure of weighty consideration, particularly with the two young members from Bourbon, Mr. Purviance and Mr. Garrard, who had been elected, mainly, in the hope of their successful opposition to that measure. Little else was talked of among members, until the day for its discussion arrived.

When that day had arrived, Mr. Breckinridge, true to his purpose, rose in advocacy of this, his favorite measure; for it must be noticed, that at the time the court in question was abolished, he enjoyed the most extensive practice in it, perhaps, of any gentleman of the bar, in Kentucky. He began his speech, and continued it in a manner, so strong, argumentative, and pathetic, as greatly to excite, and indeed alarm his opponents. His speech was not only eloquent, fervid, and imposing, but very lengthy; for when the hour for the evening's adjournment arrived, he gave way, with leave to conclude the next day.

During his speech, the opponents of his bill were in hopeless despair; they were alarmed at the expected result. That night, little was talked of by the members and numerous spectators, but the wonderful speech of the mighty orator, Mr. Breckinridge. And the interesting inquiry went the rounds, of who would dare a reply? A momentous question this, not readily answered. No member was to be found, who was willing to hazard himself, in so perilous a battle. Nay, the risk was too daring, too adventurous.

The spring of 1801, witnessed a very remarkable religious excitement, which took place in Kentucky, known by the name of the “Great Revival.” Mr. Purviance had professed religion in the state of North Carolina, when about the age of 20, and was at this time a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He drank deeply into the spirit of the reformation, and received a license from the Presbytery to exhort. He was elected to the Legislature that summer, and served the next winter; but his mind and heart were very much in the reformation, and frequently, during the session, he obtained liberty of absence, on the afternoon of saturday, and rode home the same evening, some forty miles, and met the congregation on the Lord's day, and enjoyed himself well. When this session had closed, he placed himself under the care of the Presbytery, and became a candidate for the ministry. And as the constitution of Kentucky will not admit a minister of the gospel, to a seat in the Legislative councils, he was never after a candidate, for political promotion in that state. At the next sitting of the Presbytery, according to custom he was called on to deliver a trial sermon, He readily complied, but it was not very well received. There was a little too much liberality, and free salvation in it, to suit the sticklers for calvinistic orthodoxy. He was then examined on the principles and doctrines of the Westminister confession of faith. It was soon ascertained, that he would not, fully subscribe to the faith of this creed, consequently, he was continued on probation. While he was thus held in suspense, a charge was brought against Richard McNamer, a very talented and influential minister, for preaching doctrines contrary to their creed. He first appeared before the washington Presbytery of Ohio; from this his case was carried up to the synod at Lexington Kentucky. McNamer was willing to have all the doctrines he had preached, tested by the word of God; but this was out of the question, for they had “ a law,” and by this law he must be tried, and it was well known, that by it he would be condemned. There were four other preachers present, that believed, and preached the same doctrine, that he was charged with preaching. These were Barton W. Stone, John Dunlavy, John Thompson, and Robert Marshall. They very well knew, that if he was excommunicated, they would share the same fate. These five brethren, during a short recess of the Synod, drew up a protest against the proceedings in McNamer's case, and declared their independance and withdrew from Synod. This protest was immediately presented to Synod. The Synod immediately isued their bull of excommunication against them, and declared their congregations vacant. But the dissenters argued, that the act of Synod, in this case, could have no avail, as they had formally withdrawn. There were no charges, even preferred, against four of these brethren, before they withdrew themselves. They further insisted, that if their ministerial office was vacant by this act of Synod, that there was no authority in the Protestant Churches; for Luther was expelled by the Pope of Rome, after he had withdrawn, and there were charges preferred against him before he withdrew. These five brethren immediately formed themselves into a separate organization, and called it the Springfield Presbytery. David Purviance immediately withdrew, by letter, from the Presbytery, under whose care, he had placed himself, and forthwith became a member of the newly organized Springfield Presbytery, and was, by this body, immediately set forward to the work of the ministry. The Dissenters returned to the churches of their charge, and laid the whole circumstance of their withdrawal before them. This caused quite an excitement among the churches. But a majority of them adhered to their former Pastors, and united with the Dissenters. By this time, some of the Presbyterian preachers began, publicly and privately, to oppose the great revival; this, with the excitement, on the subject of the late secession, caused something of a declension in the work, especially in the Presbyterian churches. The Dissenters went on boldly, publishing and teaching the doctrine, that they had been charged with teaching. Viz., “That God loved the world, and gave his well beloved son to die, that whosoever believeth in him might not perish, but have everlasting life. That Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man.” And “that there was no partiality with God. That the provisions of the Gospel were full and free provided for all mankind indiscriminately. That if sinners were lost, it was not because God had decreed it, but because they would not come to him, that they might have life.”

This doctrine was almost universally received, by those, who were in the spirit of the reformation. It also had a glorious effect, in removing the unbelief of mankind. They were taught, that they had the power, and facility of acting faith, and were exhorted to believe with all their hearts, in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might be saved. They were also clearly shown, that the doctrine, that they had been taught from infancy, viz. That it was as impossible for man to believe, as to make a world, was not a doctrine of the Bible.” McNamer, Dunlavy, and Thompson were in Ohio. Stone, Marshall, and Purviance, were in Kentucky. And the good work of reformation went on. But before one year had rolled away, they began to discover, that they had taken a sectarian stand, and saw clearly, that it would lead to a party spirit as well as practice. This they believed to be wrong, and calculated in its nature, to retard the progress of reformation. They, therefore, unanimously agreed to renounce their former name, with all man-made creeds, and acknowledge no name, but that given to the disciples at Antioch, (Christians), and no creed but the Bible. They then wrote and published what they called, The Last Will and Testament, of the Springfield Presbytery. As many of our readers will, (no doubt,) be desirous to know what kind of an instrument this is, we will here insert it.

Of Slavery, that national, and popular sin, Mr. Purviance was an unflinching enemy, although it had obtained the sanction of law, and the approbation of popular opinion. He examined and condemned it by the Gospel. The rights of the poor oppressed, and downtrodden slave, were publicly maintained, and defended, against avariciousness, pride, and selfishness. Eld. B. W. Stone, a faithful brother, and fellow laborer in Christ, not only Defended the rights of man by argument, but by example. He owned slaves, but he liberated them all, and made choice of living poor, and laboring with his hands, to obtain a bare competency for himself and family, rather than to feast on the gain of oppression.

Eld. David Purviance never owned any slaves, but his father and fatherinlaw both did. He used his influence, to have them liberated; and accomplished his design; and rejoiced to see his family connections saved from the curse of the gain of oppression. A majority of the members of the Caneridge Church, that owned slaves, liberated them; believing it to be right to do unto the poor unfortunate colored people, as they would wish others to do to them, in like circumstances.

Some, for a time, opposed emancipation, but after-wards became convinced of their error and liberated their slaves.

David Purviance made no pretentions to the character of a poet. Yet he composed the following more than forty years before his death. It speaks the sentiments and spirit of the man.

Elder David Purviance was very zealous in the cause of his Master and spent most of his time in the gospel field. But like many young preachers, he came well nigh breaking down his constitution, early in his ministerial life.—His constitution was good, his voice strong, and his manner forcible, and energetic, and his anxiety, for the salvation of mankind great. He preached day and night, exhorted, sung, and prayed a great deal,—having no fears of his physical powers failing. But before he was aware, it brought on him a slight attack of dyspepsy, that afflicted him during his life. But by a regular course of dieting, he prevented it from injuring his constitution. Yet it was an impediment to him in speaking. It frequently caused wind to rise from his stomach that would obstruct his utterance for a minute or more at one time, which was unpleasant to him and also to his hearers.

He was thought by many to be a little enthusiastic in some things. But I honestly believe, that but few pursued a more consistent and parallel course with the word of God, than he did. He was in the practice, before he expected to preach on some important subject, that needed deep research and much investigation, to set apart one day in the week to fasting, praying, reading, and meditation. He always, as long as he lived, most confidently believed in the efficacy of prayer, and the necessity of the aid of the Holy Spirit, in the administration of the word. But he also most firmly believed in the propriety of carefully studying the scriptures.

He therefore “studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” He considered it but little short of presumption, for a man to pray to God, for the aid of His Holy Spirit in the administration of the word, while he neglected to improve the powers and faculties, that God had given him; in order to store the mind with that fund of knowledge so necessary for every minister of the gospel to be in possession of, in order to be useful in his calling.

Consequently, he studied the scriptures carefully, and prayerfully, and then trusted the Good Lord, “to strengthen him with might, by his Spirit, in the inner man, that Christ might dwell in his heart by faith.” That he might preach the word with boldness, and be able to convince the gainsayers.

There was one great difficulty, our fathers labored under in the reformation, that we have never been able to overcome to this day. We are too liable, in leaving an error, to run to the opposite extreme. Some had made merchandise of the gospel, and were growing rich by large salaries. This, as well as other occupations, was publicly exposed; but not at all times with that caution and due regard to propriety that is always desirable. Some young preachers*

* I do not believe that Father Stone or Father Purviance was to blame in this case.

During the summer of 1807, he sold his little farm in Kentucky, and settled up all his business there, and in September he emigrated with his family to Ohio, and settled on his little farm, in the midst of a dense forest, calculating to share the toils and privations, incident to a frontier settlement.

The neighborhood increased by emigration, and the church increased, both by emigration and accessions, which greatly encouraged his heart. He became the pastor, and had the pleasure of immersing the most of them. He was very urgent for the people to do their duty; but where any of the brethren differed from him, on the subject of baptism, he never urged it upon them, or treated them coolly on that account. He had full confidence in all professed Christians, provided their general deportment corresponded with the Bible, notwithstanding, they might differ from him widely in opinion. He traveled very extensively, and preached to the frontier settlements of this State, and Indiana, and also made frequent visits to the older settled parts. He suffered much in traveling, in consequence of the country being thinly inhabited, and the roads extremely bad. But I never heard him complain of ill treatment, from the people; or that his lot was a hard one; but I have often heard him speak of the goodness of God, and the kindness of the people; although he received very little, as a compensation, for time and labor spent in the ministry. I have often heard him tell this anecdote,—as he was traveling between, where we lived and the great Miami, he had a wilderness to pass through.—Late in the evening, he came to the house of a Friend (Quaker:) he was kindly received, and entertained. In the morning he asked for his bill. Says the Quaker “does thee divine for money.” “No, I do not divine for money.” “I thought if thee divined for money, thee might pay money, but if thee does not divine for money thee may go.”*

Not long after we settled here, he was invited by a good old Dutchman, by the name of Jacob Shearer, (he was a member of the Dutch Presbyterian church,) to preach in his neighborhood, about seven miles from us; he made an appointment and went. It was a Dutch neighborhood, and very few professors of religion in it, but they came out to meeting, and gave their attention. He had delivered but a few sermons there, until one sabbath, while he was preaching, a man by the name of Henry Johnson arose to his feet, came forward, fell at his feet, and cried out, “pray for me.” Others were invited forward, to unite with him in prayer; in a short time, he found peace and pardon, through a Redeemer's blood. He afterwards became a minister of the Gospel, and lived an exemplary and useful life. From this time, the good work went on and many souls were converted to God, among whom was Capt. George Shideler. Many of our readers know Elder Shideler, and have been fed with the sincere milk of the word from his lips.—

As the generality of reformers, have been destined to pass through the ordeal of persecution and severe trials; so it was with our Fathers in this reformation. They met with much opposition from the different sects. But this was not so distressing, as division and persecution in their own ranks.

The shakers carried off Richard McNamer and John Dunlavy; and about the year 1810 or 1811, Robert Marshall and John Thompson, two of the leaders in this reformation, became discouraged, and began to look back to Egypt, and finally came out in a pamphlet entitled,—

“A brief historical account of sundry things in the doctrines and state of the Christian, or as it is commonly called, the New-light Church.”—By R. Marshall and J. Thompson. Ministers of the Gospel and members of said church, containing their testimony against several doctrines, held in that church, and its disorganized state. Together with some reasons, why these two brethren purpose to seek for a more pure and orderly connexion.”

It appeared, that this publication, was calculated to pave the way, for their return to the Presbyterian church. For in a short time afterwards, they both went back together, and made their acknowledgments to the Synod, from whence they came out, and were restored to their former standing. This had its influence, and induced several young men, who had engaged in the ministry, and were considerably under the influence of Marshall and Thompson, to follow into the Presbyterian ranks.

This course in Marshall and Thompson, led to a reply, which I will here insert in full.