No man, probably, ever had a stronger individuality. He was Joseph Badger, and no one else. He was quite free from personal eccentricity; was easy and graceful. But on whom was the impress of individuality ever more decidedly made? Who did he imitate? Look at his language, his manners, his modes of treating a subject, his voice, his entire action, and tell us who was his pattern. What original stood on the foreground of his reverence, commanding even an unconscious conformity? But one answer can be given to these questions. He was a man of marked character, and original beyond what is common to men of superior endowments. Persons who had not seen him for many years at once recognized him at night, on entering a stage-coach or steamboat, merely from his voice. His shortest business letters—and very many of his letters are composed of but a couple of paragraphs, and some of but a very few sentences—are stamped with the peculiar character of his mind. They are so concise, so direct, so comprehensive. Character and genius appear in small as well as in great things. Often, in letters of one short paragraph, have I been reminded of Napoleon, of the clear, brief, pithy statements by which that commander expressed himself, both in vocal and in written messages. Since the world stood, we are satisfied there has been but one Joseph Badger, and we will risk our credit at prophecy in the declaration that another will never appear. Not, indeed, that the creative resources of divinity or humanity are in the least abated, but the pure originalities of the Creator in human history are never repeated.
In drawing the just outlines of his character, there is one prominent feature that commands our attention. I mean the strong proclivity of his mind to lead, to plan, to direct, to be at the centre of operations, to be first. This proclivity cannot be denied; nor can it be affirmed that it was accustomed to clothe itself in assumptively offensive forms. His passage to the pilot's station was easy and natural, and his labor there appeared as a matter of course. Two reasons account for this trait. The first and chief is founded in nature; the second, in that discipline of experience which, for many years, required him to act a leader's part. If we examine whatever is successful in the history of events belonging to associated action, we shall find that action to be led on by some guiding mind. Everything of much import has its leader, from the passage of the children of Israel through the Red Sea to the founding of the latest literary institution. Even a revolt, a schism, must have a head. The God who has anticipated all human wants has not neglected this need of mankind, but has given them many commanding, guiding spirits, whose quickness of perception, concentration, foresight, courage, and sympathy, inspire the many with confidence in their wisdom. Such men are God's choice gifts. They carry their credentials in their ability. And, as the real man, under whatever circumstances, will tell, there is no good reason why society should not recognize its appropriate guides. Happy are they that do this. The birds that voyage many leagues to the south, and the flocks that roam in the freedom of the wild, never err in their selection of leaders. Their chiefs are never stupid.
Granting this, that some are made to lead and that many are born to follow, it is important and right that he who can serve his fellows best by acting a leading part should know his station. It will be natural for him to start first, to stand at the centre of operation, and, if he is kind and fraternal to all, as true leaders ever are, none can justly feel that he is out of his place, or that they are shaded. The true leader in any true cause rejoices in every sign of merit in others. Their strength is his wealth. In the words of Festus,
"He would not shade an atom of another,
To make a sun his slave, or a god his brother."
Yet what would we think of a pilot who on the sea should hesitate in his services through fear that others might regard him as too forward, or too high in his aspiration? When the right man leads the way, the reasonable are satisfied, are glad that they are provided for, and they are the stronger for being inspired with the hope and vigor of their guide. Mr. Badger was in his element, we confess, when his directing genius swayed the action of the day; and the success of his guidance is the fair proof of his value. It was his element, because of his nature and evident mission, and not from artificial or ostentatious reasons. He counselled much with his brethren. He prayed to God for light. Indeed, he was naturally diffident, though his strength and boldness, as called out by demand, might have made the impression of a conscious and perpetual feeling of self-sufficiency. He had not, I am sure, a high form of self-esteem. But he was a a leader, and when so, the cause he espoused was alive with interest and accumulated power.
It will be seen that, from the broad catholicity of his early labors, his action, in later years, grew apparently more denominational. But in this there is no contradiction. He followed the line of duty. At no time in his life did he plead for a sectarian denominationalism based on creed, or mere doctrinal platform. Always and forever was he opposed to this. In one of the first days of October, 1842, I remember that some two or three ministers were discussing the subject of Christian union in his parlor, with the view of stating its true basis. As usual with him, he avoided entering into private controversy; but after all had said what they thought on the subject, he added, in substance, these words: "Gentlemen, there seems to be something light in our conversation this morning. When I go into a new place and preach, and have occasion to organize a church, or receive members, I always ask these questions. Is the man who would join us a man of good influence? Is his influence on the side of virtue and good order in society? Will his example be a light to the church and to the world? If I am satisfied on these points I have no more questions to ask."
His path in this respect was a natural one. The preaching of the early ministers, which ignored sectarianism, which was founded in the religion of experience, in spiritual communion with God, and in the fellowship of all saints, was exceedingly prosperous. Thousands were drawn by this magnetism of liberal principles into union; and the strong opposition they encountered from those who deified mere dogma in theology, also served to make them one body in the world. From the very nature of the social law, masses who are strongly moved by new truths or errors do come together into organic form. A religious community once created, must have its papers, associations and customs; so that in a short time it will happen that the freest principles in religion will appear to be invested with sectarian form. But sect and denomination are not synonymous. Br. Badger's labors were to build up the free, pure and holy principles of the Christian religion, without limiting them by any boundary of the intellect, by any limit except virtue, holiness and love. In the concentration of his mind in editorial life, in pastoral relations, in anxious concern for the spread of the principles he had preached in his youth, in his general services to the denomination to which he belonged, I see nothing that wars with the freedom of his early position in 1812; nothing but what appears as the proper, natural course of the current of life.
The genesis of a new people, just born into religious being, like the genesis of nature, has its period of chaos, of unorganized elements. This was the case with the denomination called Christians; and though their transition to order and system was aided by many minds, it is my conviction, from the testimony of those who were familiar with those early years, that to Joseph Badger more than to any other one man they are indebted for the introduction of order and system into their Conferences and into their general modes of action. He defended order and organization with great success. He was, indeed, the founder of the regular organization of Conference, having cognizance of the moral standing of ministers.[63]