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.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SKETCHES OF MINISTERS—continued.
Workman of God! O lose not heart,
But learn what God is like;
And in the darkest battle-field
Thou shalt know where to strike.
Lyra Catholica.
REV. ZADOC H. HOWE, of Maine, after receiving an academical education in Readfield, Me., prepared for the ministry, and was ordained in 1846. After a service of some years in his native State, he removed to Monroe, Madison County, Wis., where, after preaching a year and a half, he was compelled by failing health to suspend his labors. A severe bronchial trouble, making public speaking difficult, was the cause of frequent removals. For the last six or seven years of his life he was postmaster of Monroe. During the war of the Rebellion he was appointed chaplain of the 5th Wisconsin regiment, but was obliged after a few months to resign. He was a gentle and pure-souled man, with keen intellectual powers. One who knew him well, has written of him:—