[48] For a more particular acquaintance with the life and character of Dr. Chapin, the reader is referred to the excellent Memoir of him by Rev. S. Ellis, D. D., just issued by the Universalist Publishing House.
CHAPTER XVII.
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:—