Vance, Andrew, Dd

Vance, Andrew, D.D.

a Presbyterian minister, was born near Abingdon, Va., July 23, 1788. He was awakened to a sense of his lost condition, and became so concerned that he neither ate, drank, nor slept, and was reduced almost to a skeleton. His whole care after conversion was as to how he could do the most good in the world, and he determined to preach the Gospel. Following out his purpose, he entered Washington College, East Tennessee, from which he graduated. He was prevented from entering Princeton Theological Seminary from want of health, and he' pursued his theological studies with a private tutor. He entered the ministry in 1828 at Baker's Creek Church, E. Tenn., and was ordained and installed by the Union Presbytery. At the division of the Church in 1837-38 he was the only member of the Presbytery who adhered to the Old-school side. As a result of his adherence his property was all taken from him, and he was reduced to poverty. In 1867 he attended the meeting of the General Assembly, at Cincinnati, O., after which he removed to Illinois and had several calls from churches in that state; but Providence having opened a way for his return to his old charge at Baker's Creek, he availed himself of it, and returned and resumed his ministrations. Here he remained and finished his long and useful labors. He died at Unitia, Tenn., Nov. 1, 1872. See The Presbyterian, Jan. 25,1873. (W. P. S.)