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Noah Webster is well known for his American dictionary, first published in 1828. Not only did he identify the meaning of 70,000 entries in two volumes, but often he would reference sentences from the Bible, or classic literature, to provide examples of usage. Some of the usage sources provided came from Log College Press authors. In the introduction, he specifically alludes to such Presbyterian writers as John Mitchell Mason, David Ramsay, and Samuel Stanhope Smith; but there are others too.
A sampling of almost 50 references to Log College Press authors in the ground-breaking 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language is shown below, along with additional information about the specific writings cited by Webster. Some of the quotes are quite memorable, and the sources in general indicate something of the evangelical reading done by Webster himself.
Abandon – “Wo to that generation by which the testimony of God shall be abandoned.” – Dr. Mason * This quote may be found in the introduction to John Mitchell Mason’s The Christian’s Magazine, Vol. 1 (1807).
Abrahamic – Pertaining to Abraham, the patriarch, as Abrahamic Covenant. -- Mason * John Mitchell Mason says in his essay on the Church of God, in Works, Vol. 2, “That the church of God, his visible church, taken into peculiar relations to himself, by the Abrahamic covenant, subsists without injury through the change of dispensation and of members.”
Advocate – “The idea of a legislature, consisting of a single branch, though advocated by some, was generally reprobated.” – Ramsay, Hist. Carolina. * This quote appears in David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, Vol. 1.
Alternation – Alternate performance, in the choral sense. – Mason * The term “alternation” appears in John Mitchell Mason’s review of Henry Hobart’s Apology for Apostolic Order and Its Advocates in Vol. 2 of The Christian’s Magazine (1809).
Appreciate – “Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money.” -- Ramsay * This quote appears in David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, Vol. 1, where, speaking of currency inflation during the American War of Independence from Great Britain, Ramsay writes: “The sanguine, flattering themselves with the delusive hopes of a speedy termination of the war, were often induced to sell lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money, in which case it was supposed they would lose the present opportunity of selling to great advantage.”
Boatable – Navigable for boats, or small river craft. -- Ramsay * The term “boatable” appears in David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, Vol. 1.
Burning – “The burning plains of India.” – S.S. Smith * In An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810), Samuel Stanhope Smith writes, “While the spirit of fanaticism carries the sun-burnt Saracen to the North, the love of war, and of plunder transplants the Tartar from the snows of Scythia to the burning plains of India.”
Climatical – “limited by a climate.” – S.S. Smith * Also in his 1810 Essay, Samuel Stanhope Smith writes, “To those who can satisfy themselves with regard to the communication of these properties, the transmission of climatical or national differences ought not to appear surprising.”
Conscience – “Conscience is first occupied in ascertaining our duty, before we proceed to action; then in judging of our actions when performed.” – J.M. Mason * This quote is derived from John Mitchell Mason’s essay On the Formation of a Good Conscience in Vol. 1 of The Christian’s Magazine (1807), in which he states: “I begin by remarking, that the scriptures, at tending to the operations of the human mind, ascribe a twofold agency to conscience. The first is occupied in ascertaining our duty before we proceed to action ; the second in judging of our actions, after they have been performed.”
Delegation – “The duties of religion cannot be performed by delegation.” – S. Miller * In the first of his Letters Concerning the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry (1807), Samuel Miller writes, “Religion is the common business of all men. Its duties cannot be performed by delegation.”
Deter – “A million of frustrated hopes will not deter us from new experiments.” – J.M. Mason * John Mitchell Mason, in his sermon on The Gospel for the Poor (Works, Vol. 3), says: “An irresistible law of our being impels us to seek happiness. Nor will a million of frustrated hopes deter from new experiments; because despair is infinitely more excruciating than the fear of fresh disappointment.”
Distributable – “That may be distributed; that may be assigned in portions.” – Ramsay * The term “distributable” appears in David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, Vol. 2.
Dogma – “Compliment my dogma, and I will compliment yours.” – J.M. Mason - This quote appears in John Mitchell Mason’s essay On Liberality in Religion in Vol. 1 of The Christian’s Magazine (1807).
Error – “Charge home upon error its most tremendous consequences.” – J.M. Mason * This quote appears in John Mitchell Mason’s essay On Religious Controversy in Vol. 1 of The Christian’s Magazine (1807).
Exquisite – “The most exquisite of human satisfactions flows from an approving conscience.” – J.M. Mason * This quote appears in John Mitchell Mason’s essay On the Formation of a Good Conscience in Vol. 1 of The Christian’s Magazine (1807).
Grade – “While questions, periods, and grades and privileges are never once formally discussed.” – S. Miller and “When we come to examine the intermediate grades.” – S.S. Smith * The former quote is derived from Samuel Miller, Letters Concerning the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry (1807): “While questions respecting priority, and grades, and privileges, are never once formally discussed, only occasionally alluded to, and then in a manner so indistinct and cursory as to show that they were considered as objects of inferior moment.” The latter quote is from Samuel Stanhope Smith’s An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Guise – “That love which is without dissimulation, wears not the guise of modern liberality.” – J.M. Mason * In his essay On Liberality in Religion in The Christian’s Magazine (1807), John Mitchell Mason writes: “That ‘love’ which is ‘without dissimulation,’ wears no such guise.”
Habitual – “Formed by repeated impressions; rendered permanent by continued causes; as, an habitual color of the skin.” – S.S. Smith * Samuel Stanhope Smith refers to “an habitual colour of the skin” in An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Humanity – “It is a debt we owe to humanity.” – S.S. Smith — This is taken from Samuel Stanhope Smith’s An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810): “It is a debt which we owe to humanity to recognize our brethren in every class of men into which society is divided, and under every shade of complexion which diversifies their various tribes from the equator to the poles.”
Identify – “Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people, and of the rulers.” – Ramsay and “Paul has identified the two ordinances, circumcision and baptism, and thus, by demonstrating that they have one and the same use and meaning, he has exhibited to our view the very same seal of God’s covenant.” – J.M. Mason * The first quote appears in David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, Vol. 1. The second quote is derived from John Mitchell Mason’s essay on the Church of God in Works, Vol. 2: “He [Paul] has, therefore, identified the two ordinances: and thus, by demonstrating that they have one and the same use and meaning, he has exhibited to our view the very same seal of God's covenant, under the forms of circumcision and baptism respectively.”
Idol – “An idol is any thing which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures.” – S. Miller — This quote comes from Samuel Miller’s 1826 sermon The Evidence and Duty of Being on the Lord's Side.
Improvable – “A scarcity of improvable lands began to be felt in these colonies.” – Ramsay * David Ramsay, in his History of South Carolina, Vol. 1, writes: “Notwithstanding the vast extent of territory contained in the provinces of Virginia and Pennsylvania, a scarcity of improvable lands began to be felt in these colonies, and poor people could not find vacant spots in them equal to their expectations.”
Initiating – Introducing by instruction, or by appropriate ceremonies. – J.M. Mason * John Mitchell Mason refers to the “initiating seals” of circumcision and baptism in his essay on the Church of God, Works, Vol. 2.
Irregeneracy – Unregeneracy. – J.M. Mason * John Mitchell Mason defines the Scripture phrase “uncircumcision of your flesh” as “uncircumcision put for the state of irregeneracy” in his essay on the Church of God, Works, Vol. 2.
Irresistable – “An irresistible law of our nature impels us to seek happiness.” – J.M. Mason * As noted above, John Mitchell Mason, in his sermon on The Gospel for the Poor (Works, Vol. 3), says: “An irresistible law of our being impels us to seek happiness. Nor will a million of frustrated hopes deter from new experiments; because despair is infinitely more excruciating than the fear of fresh disappointment.”
Non-Episcopal, Non-Episcopalian – Not episcopal; not of the episcopal church or denomination…. – J.M. Mason * The term “non-episcopal brethren” appears in John Mitchell Mason’s Essays on Episcopacy in Works, Vol. 2.
Non-Essential – Non-essentials are things not essential to a particular purpose. – J.M. Mason * In Catholic Communion, Works, Vol. 1, John Mitchell Mason writes: “To draw the line of distinction between the essentials and non-essentials of our most Holy Faith, it at all times a delicate and difficult task.”
Obligate – “The millions of mankind, as one vast fraternity, should feel obligated by a sense of duty and the impulse of affection, to realize the equal rights and to subserve the best interests of each other.” – Proudfit * The precise quote given has not yet been located by this writer, but there is a similar quote found in Alexander Moncrief Proudfit, Practical Godliness in Thirteen Discourses on the Duties of the Closet, and Family, and Sanctuary (1813), Sermon 9: “By inferring that there is an intimate connection between man and man, and that each is obligated to aim at promoting the perfection of the whole.”
Perdition – “If we reject the truth, we seal our own perdition.” – J.M. Mason * This quote appears in John Mitchell Mason’s essay On Religious Controversy in The Christian’s Magazine, Vol. 1 (1807).
Pestilence – “Profligate habits carry pestilence into the bosom of domestic society.” – J.M. Mason * This quote appears in John Mitchell Mason’s introduction to The Christian’s Magazine, Vol. 1 (1807).
Philosophy – “True religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same principle.” – S.S. Smith * This quote appears in Samuel Stanhope Smith’s An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Putrescible – That may be putrefied; liable to become putrid; as putrescible substances. – Ramsay, History. * David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, Vol. 2: “The daily removal of putresicble substances lessens the evils of impure air, but is inadequate to the purpose intended.”
Recallable – That may be recalled. - Ramsay * The term “recallable” appears in David Ramsay, The Life of George Washington (1807).
Reconciliation – “Reconciliation and friendship with God, really form the basis of all rational and true enjoyment.” – S. Miller * Samuel Miller stated this in his 1826 sermon The Evidence and Duty of Being on the Lord’s Side.
Redeem – “The mass of earth not yet redeemed from chaos.” – S.S. Smith and “He could not have redeemed a portion of his time for contemplating the powers of nature.” – S.S. Smith * Both quotes are derived from Samuel Stanhope Smith, An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Republicanize – To convert to republican principles; as, to republicanize the rising generation. -- Ramsay * David Ramsay, in his History of South Carolina, Vol. 1, utilizes the phrase “to republicanize the rising generation.”
Savagism – “The state of rude uncivilized men; the state of men in the native wildness and rudeness.” – S.S. Smith. Walsh. * Samuel Stanhope Smith uses the term “savagism” several times in An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Scene – “The shepherds, while watching their flocks upon the plains of Bethlehem, were suddenly interrupted by one of the most sublime and surprising scenes which have ever been exhibited on earth.” – W.B. Sprague * This quote comes from William Buell Sprague’s “Right Hand of Fellowship” at the 1825 ordination of Congregational minister William C. Fowler.
Scepticism – “Let no despondency or timidity or secret skepticism lead any one to doubt whether this blessed prospect will be realized.” – S. Miller * This quote appears in Samuel Miller, A Sermon, Delivered in the Middle Church, New Haven, Con. Sept. 12, 1822: at the Ordination of the Rev. Messrs. William Goodell, William Richards, and Artemas Bishop, as Evangelists and Missionaries to the Heathen (1822).
Semi-deistical – Half-deistical; bordering on deism. – S. Miller * The term “semi-deistical” appears in Samuel Miller, Letters Concerning the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry (1807).
Skirt – “Savages – who skirt along our western frontiers.” – S.S. Smith * This quote comes from Samuel Stanhope Smith, An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Stationary – “Not advancing, in a moral sense; not improving; not growing wiser, greater or better; not becoming greater or more excellent.” – S.S. Smith * The term “stationary” is used in Samuel Stanhope Smith, An Essay on the Causes of the Variety of Complexion and Figure in the Human Species (1810).
Unbending – Unyielding; inflexible; firm; applied to things; as, unbending truth. – J.M. Mason * The term “unbending” appears in John Mitchel Mason’s pastoral resignation speech, which is in his Works, Vol. 4.
Uncovenanted – Not promised by covenant; not resting on a covenant or promise. – S. Miller * The term “uncovenanted” appears several times in Samuel Miller, Letters Concerning the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry (1807).
Unquestioning – Not calling in question; not doubting; unhesitating. – J.M. Mason * The term “unquestioning” appears in John Mitchell Mason’s essay on the Church of God, Works, Vol. 2.
World – “There may be other worlds, where the inhabitants have never violated their allegiance to their Almighty sovereign.” – W.B. Sprague * This interesting quote comes from Sprague’s 1826 sermon on The Mediation of Christ the Ground of the Believer’s Triumph, in which he states: “I do not deny that purposes were answered in the Divine administration by the death of Christ, which have never yet been revealed to us; purposes, it may be, even more magnificent than those which relate to our own redemption. There may be other worlds than ours within the dominions of Jehovah, where a spirit of rebellion has been manifested, and the benefits of Christ’s death enjoyed. And there may be other worlds still, where the inhabitants have never violated their allegiance to their Almighty Sovereign, in which the revelation of this wonderful fact may serve as a mirror to reflect the brightest of the divine glories. But it is not with other parts of the system that we are so immediately concerned. The death of Christ, for aught we know, may exert an influence of some kind or other, wherever there are intelligent beings; but in respect to ourselves, and the world to which we belong, there is no room for doubt.”
This snapshot from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, cross-referenced with Log College Press, provides insight into what Webster read and drew upon to help codify, as it were, the English language in America. It represents another avenue of influence by 19th century Presbyterian writers that is not widely recognized, but nevertheless is profound.
