Thomas Verner Moore (1818–1871) was a notable Presbyterian minister who served congregations in Greencastle, Pennsylvania (1845–1847); Richmond, Virginia (1847–1868); and Nashville, Tennessee (1869–1871). Dr. Moore (he received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from his alma mater, Dickinson College, in 1853) was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church in 1867, and served as editor of The Central Presbyterian, among other responsibilities. He was also the author of a commentary on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, as well as many other writings.
When he died he was mourned by many. A memorial sermon was delivered by John Holt Rice (1818–1878). We have recently added this memorial sermon to our Early Access page for members of the Dead Presbyterians Society. In a sketch of his life which appears in the sermon, mention is made of T.V. Moore's Resolutions, which were found among his papers after his death. As he himself notes, "the upholding grace of God" is needed to persevere in keeping such resolutions, but as Jonathan Edwards and many others have found they can be a great aid in one's spiritual walk with the Lord. We share the resolutions of T.V. Moore here:
Resolved, 1. That I will not do anything which I do not know to be right, unless the omission of it be as doubtful as its performance.
2. .That as I daily need the upholding grace of God, I will daily spend as much of my time as I can in secret prayer; and as my life is exceedingly uncertain, I will endeavor always to maintain a prayerful state of mind, for I want to die praying and praising God.
3. That whenever anything happens to ruffle my temper, I will utter an ejaculatory prayer before I speak, and I that I will always try to speak as if I saw God, and saw him listening to me.
4. That I will never engage in any enterprise without having laid it before God, and I will try and make my decisions respecting my conduct on my knees before the throne of grace.
5. That I will do everything with reference to the glory of God, and the good of men, and in view of the solemn account that I must render for the deeds done in the body; and that I will be less governed than heretofore by selfish and ambitious motives in my conduct, for I believe pure ambition is pure selfishness, and pure selfishness is sin.
6. That I will try and defend every one who is attacked in his absence, if he can be defended justly, for I know that there are few gossiping stories which, if the truth were known, would not admit of some deductions.
7. That I will daily consult the Bible, praying that its pages may be opened to me, and that my heart may be opened to them; and further, that I will daily pray for those whom I love.
8. That I will endeavor faithfully to perform the duties of this agency (Pennsylvania Colonization Society) and afterwards devote myself unreservedly to God in the holy ministry.
9. That I will try and make all with whom I associate either be better or feel better.
10. That I will try and let no day pass by without some improvement in my mind, my body or my soul.
Last. That I will make these resolutions the subject of special prayer, and that, with the assistance of God, I will keep them.
Rev. Rice adds this note:
I have already intimated that no man can become an example of believers merely by following precepts however wise, nor by forming resolutions however admirable. None but he in whom the spirit of God dwells possesses the true source and spring of eminent, exemplary piety. None had a deeper or more intimate conviction of this truth than our beloved brother Moore. With his whole mind and heart he would have confessed, by the grace of God I am what I am. It is neither of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
May the resolutions of T.V. Moore serve as an inspiration to us all and an encouragement in holy living.