Perhaps Francis Makemie stands alone as having the most profound impact on the early Presbyterian Church in Virginia. Notwithstanding, William Robinson will always have a place near and dear to hearts of those in Virginia for his devotion, zeal, passion and preaching. When Mr. Robinson preached at Hanover County, Virginia in 1743 it was said, “There is reason to believe, there was as much good done by these four sermons, as by all the sermons preached in these parts before or since” (William Henry Foote,
Sketches of Virginia, p. 128). Through Robinson’s preaching of the gospel of Christ many souls were converted, and the Presbyterian Church in Virginia was strengthened.
Foote goes on to give this remarkable account of God’s providence as Robinson left the folks of Hanover County (pp. 128-29):
After spending four days in preaching publicly, and instructing and counseling privately, Mr. Robinson was constrained to depart; his previous appointments called him on, and it was rumored that the officers of the law were preparing to arrest him as an itinerant. The people, in part to remunerate him for fatiguing rides and incessant labors, but mostly, as an expression of gratitude, raised a considerable sum of money, and presented it to him. This, for various reasons, he refused. They pressed the matter: he, believing it to be injudicious to take anything from them in the present condition of things, perseveringly refused.
In this dilemma the committee entrusted with it put it into the hands of the gentleman, with whom he was to lodge the last night of his stay in the county, with directions to convey it privately into his saddle bags, not doubting, but when, after his (Robinson’s) departure, he should find himself in possession of the money, he would appropriate it to his own use. This was accordingly done. And in the morning, Mr. Robinson having taken an affectionate leave of his kind friends, his saddle bags were handed to him, but he found them much more ponderous than when he came there. Searching for the cause, like Joseph’s brethren of old, he found the money in the sack’s mouth. Pleased with the benevolent artifice, he smiling said – ‘I see you are resolved I shall have your money; I will take it; but as I have told you before, I do not need it; I have enough, nor will I appropriate it to my own use; but there is a young man of my acquaintance of promising talents and piety, who is now studying with a view to the ministry, but his circumstances are embarrassing, he has not funds to support and carry him on without much difficulty; this money will relieve him from his pecuniary difficulties: I will take charge of it and appropriate it to his use; and as soon as he is licensed we will send him to visit you; it may be, that you now, by your liberality, be educating a minister for yourselves.’ This money was appropriated by Mr. Robinson to the education of Samuel Davies. His promise was kept; he did not live to see the reality of his anticipation; he died in 1746, and Davies came to Virginia in 1747.
Just an arrow or two of reflection:
1. How amazing to see the integrity of Rev. Robinson considering the money they longed for him to take. He was not trying to be rude by declining, but rather he knew that the church in Hanover County needed it more than he did. This may or may not be true, for nothing is ever said about Robinson having a lot of money in the states. Foote notes that when he left England “he obtained a small sum of money to pay his passage” (
Sketches, p. 125). Certainly Robinson could have used the money, but in four short days his heart was planted with these believers in Hanover. He truly believed the money would be better off staying with them. Yet, with great wisdom, he knew when to stop declining and when to take the offering so as not to be offensive. He was a man of great wisdom and passion who truly loved God's people.
2. Even in taking the money, Rev. Robinson had decided that he would not use it for himself. Rather, he would use the offering to help out a young man studying for the ministry. As Foote already noted that young man just happened to be Samuel Davies. You may be wondering what is the big deal about Samuel Davies? Samuel Davies just happened to go down in history as one of the finest ministers that Virginia has ever known.
Foote writes concerning Davies (pp 304-05):
To no one man, in a religious point of view, does the State (Virginia) owe as much; no one can claim a more affectionate remembrance by Christian people. His residence in the State is an era in its history. The Virginia Synod claims him as her spiritual father; and the Virginia creed in politics acknowledges his principles of religious freedom and civil liberty. He showed the patriotism of true religion; and in defending the principles of Presbytery, he maintained what Virginia now believes to be the inalienable right of man.
The impact that Davies had on Virginia goes so far beyond one short little paragraph, but time forbids me of telling more in this particular post. God was pleased to use the ordinary means of one church in Hanover County, given to one man, William Robinson, to fund the ministry of Samuel Davies who would eventually go on to have as big of a spiritual impact on Virginia as any man before or after him. The irony is that the Lord was pleased to call William Robinson home to Him before Davies ever came to Virginia. Robinson never saw the physical fruit from his offering to Davies, but Virginia has reaped the eternal benefits.
Foote notes one pious old lady of Hanover saying these words (p 129):
This is the reason that Mr. Davies came to Hanover; for he often used to say that he was inclined to settle in another place; but that he felt under obligations to the people of Hanover.
How blessed we are to serve a God that is not bound up by time or means, but in his Sovereignty has decreed all things that come to pass. Yet He providentially brings those decrees to pass in time and by means, and as His children we get the privilege of being a part of God working to increase His Kingdom just as he did through the life of William Robinson.
Foote quotes Dr. John H. Rice (p.129):
As far as we can learn this is the first money that ever was contributed, in Virginia, for the education of poor and pious youth for the ministry of the gospel. And really it turned out so well we wonder the people have not done much more in the same way.
Amen and Amen!
