SPRING
967
SPRINGER
probation of God. He heard the recitations of the up- per classes in Latin ami Greek. Too severe application to stiuh' affected his health, and he was obliged to de- sist for a time. When his health was restored he re- entered Yale College and citntiniied the course, gradu- ating in 1805. In the summer of 1803 a revival had occurred in the college, and many of the students were the subjects of renewing grace. He was not brought under its influence to any great extent, and was so far from entertaining thoughts of the ministry that he de- termined on entering the legal profession. He accord- ingly commenced a course of study at New Haven, reading Coke, Littleton, and Blackstone. Being re- duced in finances to four dollars, he wrote to Mr. Moses Brown, a gentleman of great wealth in Newburyport, and one of the founders of Andover Seminary, who sent him a blank check to be tilled at his discretion. Thus furnished, he went to Bermuda as teacher of the classics and mathematics. While there, in replj' to a serious letter from his father, he wrote an analysis of his relig- ious experience, stating that he was " vibrating be- tween heaven and hell." Disgusted with the island, he returned home, and not long afterwards married, and returned to New Haven; but, finding no opening for his support, he again returned to Bermuda, ami re- mained there more than a year at the head of a flour- ishing school. He was induced to leave from appre- hensions of war l)etween England and the United States. He had saved $1500, and was in somewhat easy circum- stances. Continuing the study of the law, he passed a satisfactory examination, and was admitted to the bar at New Haven in December, 1808, and on April 24: suc- ceeding he united with the Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Moses Stuart. At the Yale commencement he took his degree of A.M., and delivered an oration on " The Christian Patriot." On that day the Rev. John M. Mason preached his great sermon from the text "To the poor the Gospel is preached," under which Mr. Spring was so deeply impressed that he formed the pur- pose of preaching that Gospel. Through the kindness of a lady who furnished the means, he was enabled to enter Andover Theological Seminary. Before leaving that institution, he received a call from the South Par- ish, and another from Park Street, Boston. On visiting New York, lie preached for Dr. Romeyn in Cedar Street. He was then on his way to the General Assembly, which met in Philadelphia, and on his return he re- ceived a unanimous call from the Brick Church, New Y'ork, which he accepted, entering at once upon his duties as pastor. He was ordained Aug. 8, 1810, and continued pastor of a united and powerful Church until old age and feebleness obliged him to retire from its active duties, but he was retained as pastor emeritus until the day of his death, Aug. 18, 1873. The sphere of Dr. Spring's labors covered a wide space both in the pulpit and the press, and few men in any profession have made a more enduring mark upon the age. His reading, especially in the department of theology, was extensive. He was a Calvinist of the strongest type. He was decidedly opposed to what he called "spurious revivals," and to all sensational devices of vagrant evan- gelists. He was early identified with the cause of mis- sions, and was connected with the organization of the American Bible Society through his father. He en- tered heartily into the discussion of the managers with the Baptists, and also into the discussions in regard to opening the meetings of the board with prayer. He was identified with the Sabbath-reform movement, and at the breaking-out of the Rebellion showed his loyalty and patriotism in his prayers and sermons and public addresses. Dr. Spring was the author of several works, among which are. The Bible Not of Man: — Oblif/a- tions of the World to the liible; and others, for which see Allibone, Diet, of Brit, and Ainer. Authors, s. v. (W. P. S.)
Spring, Samuel, Sen., D.D., a Congregational minister, was born at Northbridge, Mass., Feb. 27, 1746.
He graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1771 ; was licensed to preach in 1774, and in the following year joined the army as chaplain, and marched under Col. Arnold in the disastrous expedition to Canada. In 1770 he left the army, and in 1777 was ordained over the Church in Newburyport, Mass., and remained pas- tor until his death, Marcii 4, 1819. Dr. Spring was a primary agent in establishing Andover Theological Seminary. " His personal appearance," says Dr. Woods, "was marked with nobleness; his countenance was in- dicative of lofly intelligence, and ardent, benevolent feeling; his intellect was clear, active, and penetrating." He had a verj' modest estimate withal of his spiritual and mental attainments. As a preacher. Dr. Spring was able and frequentlj- eloquent. He iiublished two Sermons in the American Preacher, vo\. iv (1703): — A Letter addressed to the Rev. Solomon A iken on the Sub- ject of Two Fast-day Sermons (1809) ; and a ntmiberof occasional Sermons, See Sprague, Annuls of the Amer, Pulpit, ii, 85.
Spring, Samuel, Jun.,D.D., a Congregational min- ister, son of the preceding, was born at Newburyport, IMass., March 9, 1792. He received his preparatory ed- ucation at Exeter Academy, entered Yale College, and was graduated therefrom in 1811. After his graduation he engaged in the trade and shipping business, and con- tinued therein imtil 1819, when, feeling it his duty to prepare for the ministry, he entered Andover Theologi- cal Seminary, and took the full course. He was or- dained and installed pastor of the Church at Abington, Mass., Jan. 2, 1822, and remained until December, 1826, when he resigned. He was next installed over the North Church, Hartford, Conn., where he remained six years, and was then installed over the Church at East Hartford, where he remained twenty-eight years. He finally became chaplain of the Insane Asylum, Hart- ford, and continued at that post seven years. He was director of the Connecticut Bible Society, and trustee of the Theological Institute of Connecticut. He died at Hartford, Dec. 13, 1877. (W. T. S.)