Samuel Davies (1724-1761AD)

  

American Evangelist and Preacher, and President of Princeton College.

Davies, Samuel, a Presbyterian minister, president of the College of New Jersey, was bom near Summit Ridge, Newcastle County, Del., Nov. 8, 1723. He was educated at Fogg’s Manor School, where he completed his theological studies also, and was licensed July 30, 1746. He was ordained as an evangelist in 1747, undertook a mission to Hanover County, Va., and on his arrival obtained a license from the General Court to officiate at four different places of worship. In 1748 he accepted a call to Hanover, and, having received an extension of his license, he divided his labors between five counties with great success. He subsequently claimed the privilege of the Act of Toleration for Virginia, and received a letter “under authority” in England confirmatory of his views. In 1758 be went to England in behalf of the College of New Jersey, and returned to Virginia in 1755, when the Presbytery of Hanover was founded, chiefly through his instrumentality. In 1759 he became president of New Jersey College, and removed to Princeton, where he died Feb. 4, 1761. It is deserving of record that in a discourse on the occasion of Braddock’s defeat he made the following prophetic remark of [George] Washington: “I may point out to the public that heroic youth, colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country.” “In the pulpit he was at once instructive and persuasive, full of light, and power, and love; and his manner of delivery was worthy of his fine thoughts, splendid diction, and deeply evangelical spirit.” His sermons, which are strikingly eloquent, have been often reprinted; the latest editions are those of Albert Barnes, with a life of the author (New York, 1851, 8 vols. 8vo), and that of the Presbyterian Board, with memoir by Dr. Sprague (Phila. 8 vols. 8vo).—Sprague, Annals, iii, 140. [Cyclopedia, M'cLintock & James Strong, vol. 2 1891AD edition.]

Davies, Samuel was an eloquent American Presbyterian preacher, and president of Princeton College; born of Welsh ancestry, in New Castle County, Delaware, Nov. 3, 1724; died at Princeton, Feb. 4, 1761. His mother, to use his own words, was “one of the most eminent saints he ever knew upon earth.” He pursued classical studies under a minister, and subsequently in the school at Fagg's Manor. In 1746 he entered upon his ministry at Hanover, Virginia., having received a governmental license to “officiate in and around Hanover at four meeting-houses.” His ministry was very successful, attracting people from great distances.

In 1753 he was deputed to go to Great Britain with Gilbert Tennent, to solicit funds for Princeton College. The effort resulted in a collection of more than four thousand pounds. During Mr. Davies’ visit abroad he was listened to by admiring crowds wherever he preached. In 1759 he succeeded Jonathan Edwards in the presidency of the institution for which he had recently done so much. He lies buried at Princeton. His sermons were elaborately prepared, and are among the best products of the American pulpit, as regards both their tone and matter. They were first printed in London, 1767-71, 5 vols. The best American edition appeared in New York, 1851, 3 vols., with Biographical Memoir by Albert Barnes. [from Schaff Herzog Encyc. of Religious Knowledge. 1894AD edition.]