The thought of an early death, so young, so sudden, so different from all human expectations and prospects, had rather a depressing effect upon his mind at first. But this depression was only momentary, and was succeeded by the most intense joy. He conversed with all the students, told them his views and feelings, and fervently exhorted them to become Christians. This death-bed scene diffused deep religious convictions over all the students of the college, and was one of the circumstances which brought a number of the students into the Christian ministry. It is not improbable that the sermons which young Montgomery preached from his death-bed were attended by greater results than the long ministry of many living preachers.

REV. ZEBULON BUTLER, D. D.

The Rev. Dr. Butler was born in Wilkesbarre, in Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, on September 27, 1803. His father was an officer in the revolutionary army under Washington. The name of his mother was Lord. His brother, Chester Butler, was a member of Congress. They were an Episcopal family of intelligence, refinement, and wealth. Dr. Butler was educated at Princeton College, and graduated in 1822. In college he was regarded as a good scholar, of great amiability, and of great popularity among the students. In the early part of his collegiate course he was careless of religion, full of humor, always ready for amusement, mingling with the gay and wild students, and engaging in all their sports. But in his senior year a revival of religion prevailed in the college, of which he became a subject, and which changed the whole current of his life. After he graduated he took charge of an academy in his native town, and, in pursuance of a long-cherished plan, commenced the study of medicine. But, on

reflection, he found that his public profession of religion involved a surrender of his plans and of himself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and left him no liberty to follow the promptings of worldly interest or human ambition. He lifted up his eyes and saw the fields white unto the harvest, and the laborers few. Such thoughts deeply impressed him, and led him to select a course of action differing from the wishes of his friends and the great purposes of his life. After an earnest inquiry as to what the Lord would have him to do, all doubts were removed from his mind, and he submissively surrendered himself to the convictions of a Divine call to the ministry. Under the force of this grand conviction he abandoned the study of medicine, and in the fall of 1823 he entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton. During his senior year in the seminary Dr. Alexander one day placed in his hand a letter, written by some citizen of Vicksburg, Mississippi. In it was described the spiritual destitution of that place, and an earnest request was added, that some young man from the seminary should be sent to preach the Gospel to that new and growing city. This letter deeply affected Mr. Butler, and he promptly agreed to go. Soon after, he was licensed by the Presbytery; and, mounting his horse, and after encountering many adventures on the way, he traveled by land to Vicksburg. He reached that place in the fall of 1826, being twenty-three years of age, and of exceedingly youthful appearance. There was not a single house of worship in the place, and no Presbyterian organization had been attempted, and only a feeble band of Methodists had been called together under the ministry of Rev. John Lane. The only place of worship for all denominations was an upper room, the lower room being occupied as a drinking-saloon. Mr. Lane and Mr. Butler cordially

fraternized, and made common cause against the kingdom of Satan. Mr. Butler soon established a stated appointment at Clinton, a flourishing town, being before the location of the State capitol at Jackson. His way to that church was through the town of Port Gibson, and the only mode of travel was by horseback. As he was riding through the streets of the town some one bailed him, and placed a letter in his hand. It contained an invitation from the citizens to preach the Gospel to them. There was a single place of worship in the town. The Methodist brethren had a small church organization. A few months after accepting the invitation of the people he organized a Presbyterian church in the Court-house, consisting of twelve members, and Mr. Alexander Armstrong was chosen ruling elder. He now commenced alternating with the people of Fayette, the new seat of government of Jefferson County; but the interest in religion among the citizens of Fort Gibson soon demanded all his time. Many influential ladies united with the church. But there were scoffers in those days, unwilling to tolerate a mere boy in breaking up their gay amusements, and changing the whole order of things. Still he persevered. He studied hard, sat up late, burned the midnight lamp, and wrote his sermons with great care. He imparted singular pathos and animation to his delivery. He had the power of saying pathetic and persuasive things. His prayers had power. His lips seemed to be touched with a live coal from God's altar. Whole congregations were often melted to tears by his addresses to the throne of grace. His youthful and exceedingly handsome personal appearance imparted great attractions to his delivery. He held prayer-meetings, established Bible-classes and Sabbath-schools, and warned the people with tears, and from house to house. An extensive revival of religion

soon followed. The converts numbered persons of all classes. Among them were ladies who had been the leaders of fashion, lawyers, merchants, physicians, the old and the young, and many who had late been scoffers. The sound of the viol and the noise of mirth were soon hushed, and gave place to hymns of praise. Speedily a handsome brick church was erected, where for many succeeding years his words distilled like the dew. The neighboring churches sent for him, and many were added to the Lord. Over a wide extent of country his name became a household word, and for many long years he was regarded with unbounded confidence and affection.

The leading and primary object of the founders of Oakland College was to raise up in the Southwest a native ministry. An unknown donor contributed $25,000 to endow a theological professorship. In 1837, the Presbytery of Mississippi, who at that time controlled the college, elected Mr. Butler temporary professor, until a permanent arrangement could be made. In a short time 'the Rev. S. Beach Jones, of New Jersey, was elected professor. The theological professorship continued for some years, and many young men, not merely of the Presbyterian, but of other churches, entered the ministry. In the meantime numerous calls from other churches poured in on Mr. Butler. He received calls from the McCord Church of Lexington, and from the First Church of Louisville, Kentucky, and from other city churches. He declined them all with so much promptitude that it soon became understood that he conceived himself as a fixture at Gibson. To the end of his life his brethren in the ministry regarded him as "the beloved disciple." He always conceded, in all Presbyterial arrangements, a conspicuous place to his breth

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ren; and in all appointments of Presbytery he was always the most zealous and active in laboring in poor and desolate congregations. In 1860 the old church in which he had preached so long and so successfully was taken down and supplanted by a more elegant and costly edifice, at a cost of $40,000. But into this new house he was never permitted to enter. When nearly completed, one morning he rode round the building in a carriage, and with anxious eye surveyed its exterior, but was too weak to enter, and rode sadly away. He never left his room again.

Several years of declining health were allotted to him. He was aware of his situation. Death found him with his lamp trimmed and his light burning.

spoke exultingly of his full assurance of faith, and immediate entrance into heaven. He spoke freely and fully of it to all his friends. His last words were, "Glory to God, glory to God!" He died December 23, 1860.

In 1829 he was married to Miss Mary Ann Murdoch, a lady eminently qualified to be a helpmeet to such a noble man, who went heart and soul with him in all his good works; and much of his success in the ministry was attributed to her influence. She was born in Ireland, in 1811, but in her infancy her parents emigrated to Port Gibson, where she was raised. She died October 5, 1863. They had eleven children, most of whom died young. Three sons and two daughters are still living.

EBENEZER AND UNION CHURCHES, IN MISSISSIPPI. On April 6, 1806, two keel-boats on the Mississippi were moored at the landing at Bruinsburg, containing four emigrant Presbyterian families,—George Torrey, Dugald Torrey, Lockland Currie, and Mr. Willis.