1773 - While Licensed to Preach ...
At Philadelphia on the 28th of May, 1772, Wallace was ("Life and Times", etc., p. 26) "Licensed" "to preach as a candidate for the Gospel Ministry". He then (again, from "Life and Times", etc., pp. 26-28) proceeded to the southern colonies, spending the "autumn and winter of 1773-’74" in North Carolina and Georgia. He set forth with this certificate: "Philadelphia, May 28, 1773. These are to certify all whom it may concern that the bearer, Mr. Caleb Wallace, was on the 28th of May, 1772, licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick to preach as a Candidate for the Gospel Ministry, and that he has ever since behaved himself in a manner agreeable to that character; and whereas he has signified to the Presbytery his desire to visit the Southern Provinces, where he may probably settle, and in order hereto has requested a dismission from us and recommendation to the churches and brethren in those parts, the Presbytery agreed accordingly to dismiss him from their care, and do hereby cheerfully recommend him to the acceptance and encouragement of the churches and brethren in those parts as a young gentleman who is likely to be eminently useful in the sacred ministry wherever God may cast his lot." "Signed by order of Presbytery. Jer. Halsey, Pby. Clk."
There appears to have been, during the following interval, some doubt and occasional anxiety among his former associates as to his whereabouts and health.
Wallace, by way of North Carolina and Georgia, finally returned to his Virginia home to serve in the ministry there. Bradford (From Vol. I, "The Papers of James Madison" Hutchinson, William T., & Rachal, William M.E., eds., Univ. Chicago Press, 1962 note 4, p. 128) "was in an advantageous position to know what went on behind the closed doors of the First Continental Congress. His father, William, and his older brother, Thomas, were the official printers of the Congress. Following its adjournment on 26 October," (1774) "the Bradfords at their ‘London Coffee House’ address brought out the first edition of the Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774."
" To William Bradford
Copy (Historical Society of Pennsylvania),
June 10th.—73. ORANGE COUNTY.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
I had the pleasure of Mr Wallace's Company & your letter on Tuesday last.1 He left me to Day but not without requesting me to make mention of his kind remembrance of you when I should write to you. He professes a warm affection for you and you know the sincerity of his professions. 1 am much obliged to you for your information concerning my friends. I received a Line or two with yours from Mrss Ervin & McPherrin who confirm what you say of them. I hope the fortitude & Zeal with which they enter on the ministerial Duties will procure them esteem and success. As you have a communication with Mr. Brackinridge tell him I write to him by every opportunity and by no means to ascribe his not hearing from me to any want of affection or endeavours in me; for I often lament our unlucky situation.3 Keith Debow &c I wish well but I adopt your opinion of them and had rather see them at the rustic employment you assign them than in the pulpit. Nevertheless it ought to be acknowledged that spiritual events are not limited or proportioned always to human means; yet granting this in its just extent it must be observed that the best human means should be ever employed otherwise it would look like a lazy presumptious dependance on Providence. Grier is a worthy fellow and I am pleased with his preferment; Tho' his want of Majesty and Oeconomy may be unpromising, he has integrity & Industry two very useful requisites. Poor Brian has been long intoxicating his brain with Idleness & disapation. I hope this larger draught of folly he has now taken will sober him again. I seriously pity him.
The little bundle of pamphlets is not yet come to hand. Perhaps they may be yet lying at Fredg. I shall be better able to inform you in my next whether they have miscarried or not. You ask my sentiments on the application of your talents; friendship will not allow me to refuse my advice poor as it is; yet in so delicate & important a matter Prudence requires I should hear from you again before I give it; especially as the list of books you desire will fill up the remainder of my paper. I have selected for you the following out of a Catalogue Dr Witherspoon sent me at my request. The whole is too large to be transcribed here. You shall have it hereafter if you notify your want of it. [Here was the Catalogue.] So for the Doctor[;] what follows I have occasionally noted for my own use: some of them I have not read[.] you have given me a task for which I am wholly unqualified. If they do not answer you must blame yourself—(The Catalg) [.] Mr Wallace tell[s] me you are very sedate and philosophic which makes me love you better than ever I did: I am so myself.
Farewell
J—M—Jr."
© 1998, Dennis Boyer
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