SKETCHES OF MINISTERS--_continued_.
"As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at
hand."--JESUS.
A fervent and devoted servant of the Christian Master was Rev.
A. W. BRUCE. Born in Bennington, Vt., he was taught the
Methodist faith, and held it until his nineteenth year, when by his
own diligent investigations he became a believer in Universalism.
After practising as a physician for a short time, he entered the
ministry, and became an indefatigable and successful worker therein.
He was ordained in 1843, had settlements in New England and in three
of the Western States, and died in Lafayette, Ind. in 1871, leaving a
good name in the churches and with all who knew of his work for human
reform, and were co-operators with him.
Rev. FREDERICK A. HODSDON was a native of Berwick, Me. In his
childhood his parents removed to Kenduskeag, where his early years
were mostly spent. When but eighteen years of age, he was the subject
of religious impressions, and gave himself by personal consecration to
the service of Christ. He became a Universalist in spirit as well as
in belief, and resolved to devote his life to the ministry. He was a
student with Rev. J. B. Dods and Rev. S. Cobb, D. D. His first
settlement was in Readfield, Me., his next in Danvers, Mass., his
third in Goffstown, N. H., and from his labors here there came the
church now existing in Manchester. He was next in Kenduskeag, his old
home, where he purchased a place of residence, and was for a time
pastor of the society there. In 1839 he preached the sermon at the
dedication of the Universalist church in Belfast, and was unanimously
invited to become pastor of the society; but was obliged to decline on
account of previous engagements. A few years after he accepted a
second invitation to the place, where his ministry was very
prosperous. In 1849 he acted as General Agent for the Maine
Universalist Missionary, Educational, and Tract Societies. In 1850 he
accepted a call to New Haven, Conn., where his labors were highly
successful. Failing health compelled him to resign his charge, and
return to his home in Maine. He did not however, relinquish the work
of the ministry, but preached at times in different places, until, on
recovering his strength, he was induced to become again minister of
the society in Belfast, where he continued for most of the time until
he was obliged to abandon the active work of his calling. He was for a
little time Chaplain of the 24th Maine Regiment, and minister to the
Second Society in Portland. Before his departure he had a long and
painful sickness, through which his strong faith sustained him. He
died Aug. 19, 1869, aged 64 years.
Mr. Hodsdon was one of the most faithful and honored of our ministers.
His convictions were strong, his motives the purest, his preaching
clear, earnest, and convincing. A devout man himself, he made others
devout and prayerful. The cause of vital religion prospered under his
ministry. Of attractive and commanding personal appearance, courteous
in manners and Christian in spirit, he won the hearts of old and
young, and made hosts of friends wherever he resided or was known. The
savor of his noble life still lingers in the churches which enjoyed
his ministrations.
Rev. EZEKIEL W. COFFIN was one of the truly faithful of the
ministerial fraternity. He came from Gilead, Me., where he was born
August 14, 1810. His parents were Methodists, but in his youth his
attention was called to the doctrines of Universalism by the preaching
of Rev. Sylvanus Cobb. He afterwards resolved to devote himself to the
ministry. He was a student with Rev. Mr. Averill of Eddington, Me.,
and was ordained June, 1840. He was first settled at Centre Harbor,
N. H., for four years; then at Weymouth, Mass., then at Canton St.
Church, Boston; afterwards at North Attleboro, Annisquam, Beverly and
Shirley, Mass., Jaffrey, N. H., Bryant's Pond, Me., Orange, Mass.,
West Concord, Vt., and Bernardston, Mass. His ministerial life
included about forty-three years.
Those who knew Mr. Coffin bear ample testimony to his many excellent
traits, both as a minister and a man; that he lived the doctrine which
he taught, and that in his last sickness "he gave the whole community
a lesson of patience and resignation in suffering." His illness
extended over a period of three and a half years, and was very
painful; but he never lost his faith and courage. After he had become
so helpless that he could not walk, or even stand, he still continued
his work. Faithful friends bore him in his chair to the pulpit on each
returning Sunday, and for more than two years he thus,--like Father
Murray in his last preaching days,--delivered his testimony while
sitting. Weak in body, but strong and upraised in spirit, he gave his
testimony to his people inspired with that glorious apostolic
assurance, "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the
flower of grass. But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this
is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you."
Rev. EDWARD AUGUSTUS DREW was for a few years a useful minister. He
was born in Plymouth, Mass., Nov. 22, 1845, and died in Lynn, Mass.,
Oct. 11, 1874, in the twenty-ninth year of his age. He was very
studious from early life. Graduating from the High School in his
native town, he entered Tufts College in the autumn of 1863. To assist
in defraying his expenses, he was obliged to teach during the winters,
and by his ambition and perseverance he took many prizes, besides
graduating at the head of the class of 1867. He then became a teacher
of the ancient languages in the Medford (Mass.) High School, where he
remained two years. In 1869 he became Principal of the Green Mountain
Institute, now known as the Green Mountain Perkins Academy, at South
Woodstock, Vt. He afterwards took the position of Chase Classical
Instructor at Dean Academy, which he occupied until the summer of
1871, when the conviction that he should enter the ministry induced
him to enter Tufts Divinity School, where he graduated in June, 1872.
He was first settled as pastor of the Universalist Church in
Newburyport, Mass., and in one year afterwards became pastor of the
Second Universalist Society in Lynn, where he remained until his
death. His labors were blessed with excellent results, but his course
was impeded by failing health. Another has written of him:--
"He was highly appreciated and esteemed as a preacher of the Gospel.
His manner was pleasing, his language well chosen, his thoughts
clearly presented, his illustrations appropriate, often the fruit of
his scholarly reading and taste; and there was a blending of the
doctrinal, practical, and spiritual in his discourses that made his
preaching both instructive and inspiring, and adapted to interest
and benefit all classes of hearers. Outside of his own church he was
greatly esteemed and beloved."
Rev. NORRIS COLEMAN HODGDON was born in Epping, N. H., Aug. 22, 1818.
His means of education in the beginning of life were limited, but he
was fond of books and study, and earnest and persevering in his search
for knowledge. After becoming a conscientious believer in the faith of
Universalism, he made every effort to strengthen his own convictions,
and to awaken the attention of others to the claims of Christian
truth. He preached his first sermon July 23, 1841. He then preached a
short time in Baltimore, Md., Philadelphia, New York, and Brooklyn;
went to Maine in 1843, and was ordained in Paris, December 28, of the
same year. He preached in that vicinity for a short time, and then
awhile in Ludlow, Vt. He was afterwards settled in East Randolph,
Chester, Jacksonville, and Vernon, Vt., in Kingston, N. H., Harvard,
South Dedham, Marlborough, and Foxborough, Mass. His last settlement
was for one year in Pittsfield, Me. While living in Vernon, Vt., he
compiled and published a book called "A Denominational Offering from
the Literature of Universalism." It contains extracts from different
writers in exposition and enforcement of the doctrine and spirit of
Universalism, and has been well received. While attending a meeting
near Wilton, Me., in 1877, he was stricken with paralysis, from which
he rallied, and was able for a while to read and write and visit his
friends. He moved to Benton after his illness, where he passed the
last years of his life. He was a faithful, earnest man and minister.
Rev. S. P. LANDERS, of Central New York, entered the ministry in 1836.
He was for a little time in Andover, Mass., and in 1841 began his work
as pastor in Worcester, where he laid the foundation of the
Universalist church in that city. He afterwards resided in West
Cambridge (now Arlington), preaching on Sundays, and devoting his
other time chiefly to his favorite pursuit, horticulture, and to the
interests of a private seminary established by members of his own
household. He was highly esteemed for his many virtues. "His whole
family," writes his daughter, "are Universalists, and have been since
Universalism as such has been known in the land. In his native town
(Afton, N. Y.) half the Universalists are named Landers, or are
related to them."
Rev. JOHN NICHOLS, of Cohasset, Mass., had pastorates in different
places in Massachusetts, and in Claremont, N. H. He was pastor in
Holliston nine and in Beverly ten years, and while in the former place
represented the town in the Legislature of 1848-9. He was a
pure-minded, warm-hearted, toiling man. In every one of his
settlements he wrought a good work, and the influence of his character
and deeds made not only the minister, but the cause he represented,
respected. He was in sympathy with every moral reform, but was called
suddenly away. While preaching his last discourse in Beverly, he was
stricken with paralysis, from which he never recovered, his farewell
sermon being thus his farewell to earthly scenes.
Rev. ROBERT KILLAM was another faithful, modest, and earnest man.
His pastorates were in three considerable towns in Massachusetts. He
closed his earthly work in West Scituate in 1866, aged seventy-six. He
was a Bible Christian, a plain and clear expositor, practical in his
preaching as in his daily conduct. Another writes of him: "He early
saw and illustrated the duty of applying the Gospel to all the affairs
of life. He joined the advancing hosts in the grave questions which
have convulsed the nation, his countenance aglow with youthful fire
when he argued the equal rights of man."
Rev. CHARLES HENRY WEBSTER was born in Georgetown, Mass., Dec. 5,
1817. He was from early life fond of books and study, and determined
if possible to obtain a liberal education. But at the age of eighteen,
while attending school at Bradford (Mass.) Academy, he was
accidentally injured in one of his eyes, and did not fully recover for
some years. He was afterwards able to prepare for the ministry at
Clinton, N. Y., and was first settled at Beverly, Mass.; afterwards at
East Lexington, South Dedham, East Boston, Chicopee, Mass.; at Auburn
and Lewiston, Me.; at Collinsville and Granby, Conn. At the last-named
place he lived nine years, acting for two years as State Missionary.
In December, 1864, he was appointed chaplain of the 29th Maine
Regiment, and served to the close of the war. His son, a young man of
much promise, died of wounds received in the service. Mr. Webster's
first wife was Miss Mary Buckminster, of Georgetown, Mass.; his
second, Mrs. M. C. Granniss, a lady long and favorably known to the
denomination by her contributions to the "Ladies' Repository" and
other periodicals. Upon his second marriage he went into secular
business, still continuing to preach as opportunity offered. He died
of pneumonia, after great suffering, March 8, 1877, in his sixtieth
year. He was one of the true and brave spirits who endured obloquy and
repudiation by family and friends because of his fidelity to his
religious convictions, and was made more than victor in his persistent
and devoted life.
Rev. ASA P. CLEVERLY did good service in the ministry. Ordained in
1834, he became the pastor of societies in Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. He had not the wide recognition of some ministers, but his
character was pure, and the best results of faithful Christian
exertion were found in every parish in which he labored. The pastors
following him had cause to speak in praise of the good works of their
predecessor. He died in Boston in 1871, aged sixty-four.
Rev. THOMAS J. WHITCOMB was born in Hanover, Mass., June 4, 1801, and
died in Canisteo, Steuben County, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1877. He attended for
a while the academy in the neighboring town of Hingham, and studied
for the ministry with Rev. Paul Dean, in Boston. He was ordained in
Washington, N. H., in June, 1827. In 1830 he was at Hudson, N. Y., and
was afterwards located at Schenectady, Victor, Cortland, Newport,
Springville, Buffalo, and Alexander, N. Y., and, in 1844-46, at
Hightstown, N. J. In 1868 he went to live in Cambridgeboro', Crawford
County, Pa., where he resided four years. He then removed to Canisteo,
and remained there until his death. He has left an excellent name as a
citizen, minister, and pastor. Rev. Dr. Le Fevre, who knew him well,
says:--
"Brother Whitcomb was not what is termed a sensational preacher, nor
did he possess rhetorical powers, but he was a good preacher, and
left on his hearers the conviction of his earnestness and
devotedness. As a disciple of the Master, he followed his direction
'Go preach the Gospel!' That was the sum and substance of his
message. In his pastoral relationship he was very efficient."
Rev. GEORGE W. WHITNEY, born in Nashua, N. H., March 27, 1843, was
another of our worthy ministers called away from his earthly work in
the prime of his usefulness. He received his early religious training
in the Congregational Church, when after his eighteenth year becoming
an attendant at the Universalist Church, of which Rev. J. O. Skinner
was pastor, he embraced the doctrines there taught, and subsequently
entered upon the study of divinity. His first sermon was preached on
the day of his majority, at West Windsor, Vt., where he preached part
of the time in 1865. He was afterwards located as pastor in
Westminster, Beverly, and Quincy, Mass., and in 1878 assumed the
pastorate of the parish in Augusta, Me., remaining here until the
progress of his disease (consumption) forced him to resign. He
preached his last sermon Jan. 9, 1881, concluding a rich and
successful ministry. He had the inborn elements of a Christian
minister. He was a logical, ready, and gifted speaker, but his great
strength lay in his earnest and sympathetic nature, which found out
the best qualities in his hearers and roused them to action. When
conscious that his life-work was ended, he saw the approach of death
with calmness; his sufferings seemed but to develop greater
spirituality. In one of his last letters to a friend, he says: "Never
until these days of trial and sickness has the spiritual and divine
been so real, or my faith in another life so strong." He died in
Waltham, Mass., May 26, 1881.
Rev. ROBINSON BREARE came into our ministry from England. He was in
early life a member of the Wesleyan Church there. In 1832 he was
inducted into the ministry of that church, having been examined by the
Rev. Richard Watson, the author of Watson's "Institutes." In 1839 he
was sent as a missionary to Halifax, N. S. In 1841, while engaged in
the work of a revival in his church, a Universalist book was put into
his hands, and after a careful reading of it, and long and prayerful
inquiry and meditation, he became a believer in the Gospel of God's
impartial grace and salvation. And there in Halifax, in the face of
persecution by his former parishioners, in spite of the severance of
all former friendships, he began, in painfulness and trial, the work
of building up the Universalist Church. From that time, the work has
gone steadily forward. Our church in Halifax is as true and
substantial as any that exists in the Province.
Mr. Breare remained in Halifax until the first church was built. He
then came to Massachusetts, where he labored from 1844 to 1853. In
this last-named year he came to Ohio, where he successfully canvassed
for the "Star in the West." Afterwards, for two years, he was employed
as missionary by the Ballou Association. In 1856 he came into Gallia
County, where he lived during the remainder of his days, having his
home at last in Wilkesville, Vinton County. He was loved and honored
wherever known, and no man, it would seem, could have had a more
complete consecration than he to the Christian cause. With his
immovable faith in Universalism, he united the enlightened and fervent
zeal of a true Christian revivalist.