Fifty Notable Years / Views of the Ministry of Christian Universalism During the Last Half-Century; with Biographical Sketches

by John G. Adams

"In theology, as in his theories of reform in general, he was very radical, holding firmly and conscientiously to the naturalistic views of the so-called liberal wing of the theologians, and did not feel himself in complete harmony with the policy of the Universalist denomination. Yet embracing with his whole heart its fundamental and distinguishing tenets, his soul was all aflame with noble and generous impulses."

Rev. Willard C. George was one of the preachers of Maine, having had pastorates there in Bremen, Dresden, and Calais. He was one of the most modest of men, of feeble voice, but a speaker who was very acceptable to his hearers, because of the good thoughts brought out in his discoursing. Convinced that his health required a change of occupation, he adopted the medical profession, making a visit to Europe to gain information from foreign sources that might aid him in his new vocation. On his return home he published a book of his travels and observations abroad. He was a successful practitioner in several places, and finally returned to his native town, Norway, Me., where he died in October, 1869, aged fifty-seven. He was not only a sound theologian, but was well versed in the physical sciences, upon which he frequently lectured. He never abandoned his purpose to return to the ministry as soon as his health would allow. He was a devoted Christian, and gave his life to much of the good work which Christianity requires.

Rev. Mark Powers began his preparation for the ministry with Rev. L. H. Tabor, then of West Charleston, Vt., in February, 1854, and in July, 1855, was ordained at Washington, Vt., where for four years he lived, preaching there and at Strafford, twenty miles distant. He afterwards removed to Strafford, where he continued to preach for six years, making in all ten years of labor in the latter place. He then removed to Gaysville, Vt., where he continued for four years, and from thence to West Concord, which was his last settlement. In Strafford he induced the Universalists to buy out the Free Will Baptists, who claimed to own one half of the meeting-house, and to repair it, and was thus instrumental in giving them a house of their own, and freeing them from the constant annoyance to which a union house had subjected them. Essentially the same thing was accomplished while he lived in Gaysville, while the effort there resulted also in a better edifice. In West Concord, his ministry, though short, was successful. His sermons were sound, his spirit excellent, and the result of his teaching every way good. In the autumn of 1870 Mr. Powers attended the Centenary Convention at Gloucester, Mass., where he was taken with a hæmorrhage of the lungs from which he never recovered. He died in June, 1872.

Rev. Lewis Leonard Record was born in Minot (afterwards Auburn), Me. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1845. In 1850 he was ordained, and was settled as a preacher in Houlton, Me., in Scituate and Anisquam, Mass. In 1863 he went into the army as chaplain of the 23d Massachusetts regiment of volunteers, and served eleven months. While with the army in North Carolina he was attacked with the yellow fever, from the effects of which he never recovered. When his strength was somewhat restored, he engaged in missionary work, and did good service, especially in Biddeford and Saco, Me., preparing the way for a new house of worship in that locality. In 1870 he moved to Marlboro', N. H., where he labored earnestly and successfully until July, 1871, when he was compelled to desist from labor, and from that date he steadily declined until his death, which took place in Marlboro, Dec. 7, 1871, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. At his burial the clergymen of different denominations in the town acted as pall-bearers. He was highly respected, and his whole being was consecrated to the cause of the Gospel.

Rev. Henry H. Baker was born in Minot, Me., Nov. 24, 1811, and died of paralysis in Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1881. He was aided by friends in obtaining an education with the expectation that he would become a Methodist preacher; but being converted to Universalism in his school days, he was unable to comply with their wishes, and desired to enter the ministry of his newly-adopted faith. Being restrained from this by the fear of alienating his friends, he determined to study medicine; but after devoting a year to this, he yielded to his stronger impulse, and by advice of Rev. D. T. Stevens, then of Lewiston Falls, Me., abandoned medicine and began the study of divinity. He was ordained in 1841. His first pastorate was over the societies of Windham and Gray, Me., where he preached on alternate Sundays for two years. He was afterwards settled over the parishes in Elliot and Kittery, Me., in Essex and Georgetown, Mass., in Ludlow, Vt., in Hammond, Fort Plain, St. Johnsville, Fordsbush, Argusville, and other neighboring towns, N. Y., one year in Orange, Mass., and six years in Middleport, N. Y. After this he lived in Rochester and preached in Conesas, when his health declined, and he preached only occasionally as his health would permit. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from Georgetown while he lived there in the winter of 1850-1. He was an earnest, sincere, and faithful servant of the Christian Master.

Rev. James W. Ford was born in Orford, N. H., in 1796, and died at Kendall's Mills, Me., Dec. 16, 1861, aged sixty-five. He was educated for the medical profession, and gained a good reputation as a physician, having served in that capacity in Westbrook and Waterville, Me. His love of Universalism, however, gradually led him into the ministry. He appears as a new minister in 1841, at Claremont, N. H. He was at Morristown, Vt., from 1842 to 1844; at Glover, Vt., 1844 to 1847; at Winchester, N. H., 1847 to 1851; at Springfield, Vt., 1851; at Springfield, Mass., 1852 and 1853; at Holyoke, Mass., 1854-5; at Norway, Me., 1856 to 1860; at Kendall's Mills from 1860 until his decease. Wherever he resided he was respected as a physician and minister. After an illness of several months he passed away quietly and peacefully, leaving a family and numerous friends to cherish his memory. He was buried with Masonic honors, and two Methodist clergymen assisted in the funeral services.

Rev. E. H. Lake was born in Haverhill, Mass., and moved to Lynn when fifteen years old. He soon became constant at church and active in conference meetings. In 1839, when only seventeen, he commenced preparing for the ministry, and soon after began preaching in school-houses in the surrounding towns. He was afterwards settled successively in Middleton and Bridgewater, Mass., and East Kingston and Westmoreland, N. H. About 1850 he removed to South Carolina on account of failing health, and travelled extensively in that State, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi. He wrote much for the Universalist paper of that region, held several public discussions, published a book, and did the full work of a very strong man. He was a ready speaker, earnest, keen, yet pleasant, and had a retentive memory. He was difficult to manage in controversy, but was always orderly, respectful, and kind to his opponent. He had purchased a small farm of 100 acres in Magnolia, N. C., where he resided with his family. He had seemed to be on the borders of the grave with consumption for two years, but still kept actively engaged in his profession, and died while on a visit to Rev. A. Bosserman, then just released from prison in Richmond, in the autumn of 1862, aged about forty years.

Rev. L. B. Mason died in May, 1864, in Madison, Wis. He was favorably known as a minister and highly esteemed in New England. He was at one time pastor of the Second Universalist Church in Lowell, Mass. From this city he moved to Haverhill, Mass., and was pastor of the Universalist Church in that place several years. From Haverhill he was called to the pastorate of St. Paul's Church in Chicago. He became proprietor and editor of the "New Covenant," and conducted the paper with much ability and discretion. After the breaking out of the Rebellion, he became chaplain of the 12th Wisconsin Regiment, but the hardships and exposure incident to the position were too much for his frail constitution, and he was compelled to resign his office in the autumn of 1863, after having faithfully served his regiment from the day of its organization. His men loved him devotedly, and testified to his faithfulness as a chaplain. But he came home quite broken in health, though afterwards preaching and working when many men of feebler determination would have been utterly discouraged. On one or two occasions he fainted in the pulpit when officiating, but still persisted in his work till within a few weeks of his decease.

Rev. Lafayette Barstow died in Orono, Me., Nov. 10, 1865, aged forty-three years. In his youth he was connected with the Universalist Church in Chicopee, Mass., where he won the confidence and respect of his brethren. In 1850 he went to Oregon, where he remained several years. Returning to the East, he entered Tufts College, and was afterwards called to the pastorship of the Universalist Society in Orono, Me., where he labored with diligence and success for eight years, closing his only pastorate with his earthly life. Ex-Governor Washburn, for several years one of his parishioners, wrote in regard to his death and the loss to the Orono Society and to the denomination:—

"In the community where he lived his place will not be easily supplied. He had become, as it were, an integral part of the life of Orono. His well-known form will be missed upon the street, the light of his genial face, radiant with spiritual beauty, will be a joy in its homes no more, but his memory will be sweet and precious to all, of whatever religious name or party, who have known him intimately."