He perceived clearly and felt keenly the great change which was coming over the Church of Scotland: he watched carefully the rise and progress of moderatism, tracing it to the restoration of church patronage, and to the philosophy of Shaftesbury and Hutcheson, favored by a young race of divines, who seemed to him to be addicted to levity in their whole character, to be ready to abandon the old truths, and to trample on the spiritual rights of the people.He did not scruple to satirize it in a work, published anonymously, and distinguished for its plain speaking and its humor, scarcely inferior in power to the sarcasm of Swift, and having a much higher aim, -- " Ecclesiastical Characteristics, or the Arcana of Church Policy: Being an humble attempt to open the mystery of moderation, wherein is shown a plain and easy way of attaining to the character of a moderate man, as at present in repute in the Church of Scotland," " Oh, yes!
fierce for moderation." " When any man is charged with loose practices or tendencies to immoralities, he is to be screened and protected as much as possible; especially if the faults laid to his charge be -- as they are incomparably termed in a sermon, preached by a hopeful youth, that made some noise lately -- `good-humored vices."' " It will serve further for the support of this maxim, that, according to modern discoveries, there is a great analogy between the moral virtues, or, if you will, the science of morals, and the fine arts: and it is on account of this analogy that most of the present reigning expressions upon the subject of morals are borrowed from the arts; as, beauty, order, proportion, harmony." "Another thing strongly pleads for gentlemen having the chief hand in settling kirks, that nowadays very few of our principal gentry attend ordinances, or receive any benefit by a minister after he is settled, unless perhaps talking of the news at a private visit or playing a game at backgammon." " As for logic, it is well known this part of education is fallen into great contempt, and it is not to be expected that such brisk and lively spirits, who have always hated every thing that looked scholastic-like, can bear to be tied down to the strict rules of argumentation." " It illustrates the truth of Mr.H-- 's doctrine: that virtue is founded upon instinct and affection, and not upon reason; that benevolence is its source, support, and perfection; and that all the particular rules of conduct are to be suspended when they seem to interfere with the general good." This satire cut deep, and he was attacked on all hands, for resorting to such a weapon.He {186} defended himself in a " Serious Apology for the Ecclesiastical Characteristics,' by the real author of that performance." One other reason I shall mention for making choice of this way of writing was drawn from the modern notions of philosophy, which had so greatly contributed to the corruption of the clergy.The great patron and advocate for these was Lord Shaftesbury, one of whose leading principles it is, that I ridicule is the test of truth.' This principle of his had been adopted by many of the clergy; and there is hardly any man conversant in the literary world, who has not heard it a thousand times defended in conversation.I was there fore willing, to try how they themselves could stand the edge of this weapon."Taking his part in the controversy raised by the publication of Home's " Douglas," he published "A Serious Inquiry into the Nature and Effects of the Stage." Robertson, now acknowledged as the consummately able leader of the moderate party, found at times a powerful opponent in Witherspoon.
Dr.Robertson had remarked that, with a real minority, the moderate party had been able to carry their measures;whereupon Witherspoon said: `We allow you whatever merit you may be entitled to for your skill, but remember the authority which says, I the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.' " One day after Witherspoon had carried some important questions in the General Assembly, Dr.Robertson said to him in a pleasant and easy manner: " I think you have your men better disciplined than formerly," a remark showing how much value lie set on skilful leadership." Yes," replied Witherspoon, "by urging your politics too far, you have compelled us to beat you with your own weapons." He acts in character throughout, and as if be still lived in the seventeenth century.On the night before the communion sabbath, it is reported that a set of youths, following the example set in the " hell-fire clubs," to which I have referred (p.19), held a meeting for mock preaching and praying.This was an awful scene to been acted, in so godly a town as Paisley, where, on a sabbath morning, family praise might be heard rising from every dwelling; and Witherspoon a fortnight after, Feb.21, 1762, preaches " a seasonable advice to young persons," and publishes it with the names of the offenders.But he is living in the eighteenth and not the seventeenth century, and a lawyer started an action and got costs, which greatly embarrassed the doctor.All these things -- the enemies raised up by the " Characteristics,"and these local troubles -- must have made Scotland somewhat too hot for him, the more so that the law was against him, and the church party opposed to him was increasing in power and in imperiousness.He had a brave heart and could have stood it all.But it was at this juncture that there came an invitation to him to become president of the college of New Jersey, Princeton.He did not listen to that call when it was first made in 1766; but he accepted it in 1768, and was inducted as president, Sept.28 of that year.He had now a far wider field opened to him than ever he could have had in his own country, where all the civil patronage and the literature of the age were against him He has evidently fallen into his predestined sphere, and feels that he has a fitness, a taste, and a talent for the work.