USA > Vermont > Rutland County > The history of Rutland county, Vermont; civil, ecclesiastical, biographical and military, pt 2 > Part 42
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blushed and hesitated ; but was at last obliged to confess the truth-" It's Lemuel's sermon."
This incident brought him at once very favor- ably into public notice. It was now discovered by a discerning Christian community, that in this young man were the germs of usefulness. He was advised by his pastor, the Rev. Mr. Smith and others, to obtain a collegiate education ; and a door was opened for it at Dartmoutil Col- lege : but he shrunk from it.
In 1779, however, he accepted an invitation from the Rev. Daniel Farrand of Canaan, Ct., to study with him. Here he resided some time, studying the Latin language-devoting part of his time to belles lettres and the writing of ser- mons. He composed a poem while here, which was surreptitiously taken from his desk; and he afterward heard of its being delivered at a certain college on the day of commencement.
He next was engaged in teaching a school in Wintonbnry, and in studying the Greek lan- guage with the Rev. Wm. Bradford, the minister of the parish. By intense study by night, while the school engaged his attention during the day, he in a few months became a thorough Greek scholar. As a critic on the Septuagint and Greek Testament, he possessed great skill. Nov. 29, 1780, he received licence to preach, and commenced his ministry with a sermon at Wintoubury, being then 27 years of age. A Con- gregational church having been recently organ- ized in Middle Granville, and a new house of worship erected,he was cordially and unanimous- ly invited to supply the pulpit. It is seldom that a person is invited to become a spiritual teacher in a respectable and enlightened congregation in New England, where he has been known from infancy only as a servant-boy, and under all the difficulties of his early extraction. But the reverence which it was the custom of the age to accord to ministers of the Gospel, was cheerfully rendered to Mr. Haynes. He labor- ed in Granville five years, and while there, Sept. 22, 1783, was married to Miss Elizabeth Babbitt, a refined and educated lady, and well qualified to become a minister's wife. She was ten years younger, and survived him about three. The ordination of Mr. Haynes was sol- emnized Nov. 9, 1785.
He next preached in Torrington two years. The church and society were edited and strengthened by his labors, and but for the sen- sibility of a few individuals, he would have been settled as a permanent pastor. In July, 1785, he set ont on a visit to Vermont, preach-
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This State was at that time just attracting a considerable immigration. The genial influence of science and religion were scarcely felt. A good deal of infidelity prevailed, and boasted of genius, wealth and station. Not a few of the leading men were open infidels, and exert- ed, in many instances, a fatal influence on the rising generation. Such was the state of reli- gion in Vermont, when, March 28, 1788, he went to Rutland-having received a call to the West parish. The people were harmonious in their invitation ; and, as they were intelligent and industrious, this was a desirable field in which to labor.
Being now in the meridian of his days, he brought forth to hls congregation the fruits of a mind enriched with Divine science, and im- bued with the spirit of his Master. The church, when he became its pastor. consisted of 42 members, most of whom were advanced in life. Revivals were enjoyed in 1803 and 1808, when large numbers were converted. In 1805 his celebrated sermon, from the text, " Ye shall not surely die," was published, in answer to Hosea Ballou, a celebrated Universalist preach- er. This discourse has been printed, both in America and in Great Britain, until no one pretends to give any account of the number of editions. It has been also published in a tract form by the American Tract Society, and dis- tributed by millions of copies. This brought him prominently before the public, and the black preacher began to be regarded as one of the sharpest and ablest controversial writers of the day. He took rank at once among the most erudite divines of New England, and from this time forward was widely esteemed and honored.
In 1809 he was appointed to labor in the destitute sections of Vermont, and in the course of his tour came to St. Albans. His lecture had not been properly notified, and some of the people told him they had not time to go to meeting. "Cant find time to go to meeting ?" said Mr. Haynes. " Do people ever die here in St. Albans ? I wonder how they can find time to die !"
In ecclesiastical councils he was sought by the churches of Vermont, near by and remote. He attended abont 50 ordinations of ministers ; aud. in many instances, was the appointed preacher. Ho wus frequently sent as delegate from the General Convention of Vermont, to represent them in meetings of religious associ- ations elsewhere. On these occasions he was received and treated with the highest respect, and was generally invited to preach.
Political excitement at length interrupted the harmony which for 30 years had subsisted between pastor and people in West Rutland. It is possible that his sarcastic way of dealing with opponents may have had some influence in this; but nothing would seem to justify a severance of the pastoral relation. He, liow- ever, requested a dismission, and on April 29, 1818, this was granted by a council called for the purpose. The parting scene was deeply painful to the pastor, and to most of the people. He had gathered more than 300 into the church, and the parish had been greatly enlarged and elevated, under his ministry. After preaching his farewell sermon in Rutland, he was invited to the beautiful village of Manchester. Here he preached about 3 years, and, receiving a call to Granville, N. Y., he removed thither, and there passed the remaining 11 years of his life.
He continued to preach and attend all the religious meetings ; but it began to be appar- ent that age was telling upon him, both men- tally and physically. During a revival, howev- er, in 1831, when he had arrived at the great age of 78. he was punctual at all the morning prayer-meetings through the summer. Early in March, 1833, a species of gangrene appeared in one of his feet, which threatened speedy dissolution. Rocovering somewhat, he again commenced preaching in April ; but the last of the month he preached his last sermon, bade farewell to the pulpit, and retired in the bosom of his family to die-which event took place September 28.
One more was added to that "great multitude which no man could number, who stand before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands !"
Dr. Sprague, in his introduction to the me- moir prepared by Dr. Cooley, speaks thus: " Who that beheld him in the deep degradation of his earliest years could have dreamed that he was destined to occupy an extensive sphere of usefulness in the church; to stand for more than half a century a skilful and valiant de- fender of the faith, and to leave behind Irim a name that multitudes would delight to honor."
ANECDOTES OF PARSON HAYNES.
FROM REV. P. M. WHITE.
No man in Vermont surpassed the mulatto minister, Rev. Lemuel Haynes of West Rnt- land, in readiness of wit and sharpness of re- partee. Ile was often put to the trial, but it nev- er failed. Two reckless young men onco mado the experiment-having agreed together for
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that purpose: "Father Haynes," said one of ; that he had been thinking seriously on the them, " have you heard the good news?" "No," subject, and had about concluded to change his condition, by taking one of brother Hayne's daughters to wife. But the rejoinder was in- stantaneous: "I greatly respect my brother Ball ; but I also love my daughters, and I can- not think of throwing one of them away by such an arrangement." The thought that a Doctor of Divinity was not a good match for the danghter of a colored man, must have operated on Mr. Ball's nerves like an electric shock. said Haynes-" what is it ?" "It is great news indeed," said the other, "and if it is true, your business is at an end." " What is it ?" repeat- ed Mr. Haynes. "Why," said the first, "the devil is dead !" Lifting up his hands, and plac- ing one upon the head of each young man, he repeated, in a tone of deep concern,-" Oh ! poor, fatherless children ! what will become of you !"
He went one evening into a store where liquor was drank, as well as sold. In his pleas- ant manner he addressed the company-" How d' ye do ? how do you all do here ?" The merchant, willing to joke a little, replied-" O, not more than half drunk."-" Well, well," said Mr. Haynes, "I'm glad there is a reform- ation begun."
Mr. Haynes was an earnest advocate of a thoroughly educated ministry ; and often ex- pressed his regret that he had not gone through a regular course of study. A young clergy- man conversing with him on the subject, re- marked with apparent sincerity, that he thought ignorant ministers were more likely to succeed than learned ones. " Wont you tell me, then, sir," said Mr. Haynes, "how much ignorance is necessary to make an emiuent preacher ?"
A neighboring minister, whose house had been burned with all its contents, was stating the circumstance to Mr. Haynes, and expressed special regret that all his manuscript sermons were consumed. "Dont you think, brother -," replied Mr. Haynes, " that they gave more light from the fire than they ever did from the pulpit ?"
He once met a minister who had been on a tour through the northern part of the State, preaching false and pernicious sentiments, and said to him, "You have been on a preaching tour, I understand; what success do you have?" "Good success," was the reply-" very good success -- great success; the devil himself can never destroy such a cause." "You need n't be concerned about that," replied Mr. Haynes, " be never will try."
Rev. Heman Ball of East Rutland, persisted in remaining unmarried, very much against the wishes of his people, some of whom requested Mr. Haynes to exert his influence with Mr. Ball to change his manner of life. This he was very willing to do, being, indeed, already in the habit of rallying his friend severely upon his bachelor life. He was put on the defensive sooner than he expected, by Mr. Ball's saying | gation. An ordinary man, I think, will not
At a certain election, both the candidates for an important office were open and avowed infi- dels, and rather notorious for their infidelity; as a consequence of which a great many per- sons would not vote at all. On the day of elec- tion Mr. Haynes went to a neighboring town to see a friend, who greeted him with the ques- tion-" Well, Father Haynes, did you put in your vote for -, before you left home ?" "No," was the prompt reply, " no, when there are two candidates up, and one is Satan and the other the Old Boy, I don't think it is much object to vote."
A physician of immoral habits in an adjacent town was removing to the West, and stopped at the hotel in West Rutland. Mr. Haynes went to the house, and after exchanging salu- tations said : "I am owing you a small account I which ought to have been settled before. have not the money, but will go and borrow it immediately." As he was starting for the noney, the Doctor called him back, and handed him a receipt in full, which he had prepared, saying : " Here. Mr. Haynes, is a discharge of your account. You have been a faithful serv- ant here, for a long time, and received but a small support : I give you the debt." Mr. H. thanked him heartily, and the Doctor added : " But, Mr. Haynes, you must pray for me, and make me a good man. " Why, Doctor." was the quick reply, " I think I had much better pay the debt."
In a large circle of clergymen and others, on a public occasion, Mr. Haynes enquired of a stranger whether the town of --- was supplied with a minister, and was answered that it was. "Do you know the man ?" was the next inqui- ry. " Yes." replied the stranger, " I have some acquaintance with him." "Well. what is he as a preacher ?" said Mr. Haynes, "is he a man of talents ?" "I cannot say," was the reply, " that he is a man of superior talents. He is ordinary as a preacher." "Why, - is a large town, comprising an intelligent congre-
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answer for that place." By this time the smile [ ccpted a call to the rectorship of Trinity Church, which prevailed throughout the room revealed to Mr. Haynes, that the stranger was the very minister in question. " Well, well," said he, "I think their minister has one excellent qual- ification." "What is that ?" continued the clergyman. " Why, sir, I believe that he is a man of truth."
THE REV. JOHN AUGUSTUS HICKS, D. D. BY THOS. H. CANFIELD, ESQ.
In the removal from our midst of one so wide- ly known and universally esteemed, as the late Rev. John Augustus Hicks. D. D., a more ex- tended notice is due, than a mere announce- ment of his death, to his high character, his rare virtues, and his official position as a cler- gyman of the Episcopal Church.
To thoroughly understand his character it is necessary to make some reference to the stock from which he sprang. Of the three brothers, William, Stephen and Elias Hicks, who were of English origin, the first and last were Quak- ers, and Elias was the one whose independence and energy of character enabled him to produce the movement which gave name to the " Hicks- ite Quakers."
Stephen and all his descendants were Church people-his son Oliver H. being well known for many years among the first commercial circles of New York city. At the time of his death Oliver was president of the North American Insurance company-one of the pioneer Insur- ance companies in this country; and his wife is still living, at the advanced age of eighty- eight, in Hartford. Ct. Their son, John Au- gustus, the subject of this sketch, was born in New York city, February 21, 1802. When fit- ted for college, at the early age of 14 years, his literary career was interrupted, and he entered his father's counting house, where he remained for 3 years, acquiring business habits and a knowledge of mankind and the world, which proved of the greatest advantage to him during all his subsequent life. At 17 he entered Co- lumbia College, where he graduated in 1823, and then pursued his studies for the Holy Min- istry, in the General Theological Seminary in New York ; where he received his testimonial in 1826, and was ordained to the Diaconate by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, in the same year, on the 22d of August, in Grace Church, Jamai- ca. Long Island.
He began his ministerial life as the assistant to Rev. Evan M. Johnson, both in Jamaica and Brooklyn. On the Ist of April, 1827, he ao-
Easton, Pa., and in the following month was a member of the Convention of the diocese of Pennsylvania, voting for the Rev. Dr. Hen- ry U. Onderdonk, who was taken up as the high church candidate, after the refusal of the Rev. John H. Hopkins. (afterwards first Bishop of Vermont) to vote for himself, and who by his vote, gave the election to Dr. Onderdonk ; there being but one clerical majority for the high church candidate.
On the 28th of May, 1828, he was ordained to the Priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Bishop White in Christ Church, Philadelphia ; and on the 11th of September, in the same year, he married Miss Lucy Cleveland. the youngest daughter of George Cleveland, Esq., of Middlebury, Vt. His ministry in Easton was highly blessed, and he succeeded in paying off an old debt that had long hampered the energies of the parish. In April, 1831, he accepted a call to St. John's church, Troy, N. Y., and resigned it in the fol- lowing January, on being invited to Rutland.
In Rutland he organized and founded the parish of Trinity Church-Porter Howe, Esq., and the late Governor Williams, being two of his leading supporters among the laity. The former of these two still survives, and attended the Rev. Dr. Hicks as lay deputy to the first diocesan Convention in Vermont, at which Bishop Hopkins was chosen to the Episcopate.
This Convention was held in St. Stephen's church, Middlebury, on the 30th and 31st of May, 1832, and of the 13 clergy who were the associates of Dr. Hicks, and took part in the election of Bishop Hopkins, only six men sur- vive; the Rt. Rev. Bishop Chase of New Hamp- shire, the Rev. Dr. Chapman, the first rector of St. Paul's church in this city, and now of New- buryport, Mass., the Rev. Anson B. Hard, Ches- ter, Pa., the Rev. Wm. S. Perkins, Bristol, Pa., the Rev. Dr. Crane, East Greenwich, R. Island, and the Rev. Louis McDonald of Middlebury, Vt. Of the 40 laity voting at that convention, only four are known to the writer as still sur- viving. Dr. Hicks, of course, as in Pennsyl- vania, voted for the nomince of the high church party, the Rev. Mr. Hopkins; the Rev. Dr. Jolin S. Stone (anthor of " Mysteries opened, ") being the low church candidate, and receiving six clerical votes. It was a singular coinci- dence that Dr. Hicks should have thus voted in two Episcopal conventions in two different dio- ceses, and in two successive years, and each time the high church candidate was chosen by one majority of the clerical order. The major-
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ity of the laity, in each case, (especially in | Vermont,) was decidedly larger.
At Rutland Dr. Hicks remained as rector for 28 years, during which period the parish which he founded became, under his loving care, one of the largest and strongest in the diocese of Vermont.
As a preacher his style was clear, logical, terse, and always clothed in classical English. He considered thoroughly every subject which he touched, and was content to handle only one subject at a time : hence his ministry was more instructive and more fruitful than in the case of many whose pulpit style is more demonstra- tive. But the fidelity of his pastoral ministra- Nons in private was of even more importance than his pulpit style; and in this branch of his work, his keen and quiet appreciation of character, his delicate observation, and his qui- et sympathies were unfailing. Though un- flinching at all times in his adherence, both to the letter and spirit of the canons and rubrics of the Church, he won many friends among Christians of other names, who knew how to respect a conscientious devotion to duty, even when their own views of duty did not happen to coincide. His long residence in Rutland en- deared him throughout the community there, and widely, also, throughout the State.
When, in 1854, Bishop Hopkins laid before the Convention of the Diocese his plan for the revival of the Vermont Episcopal Institute, Dr. Hicks was one of the committee to whom it was referred, and by whom it was recommend- ed to the Convention for its approval. In 1856 he was elected as one of the Trustees of the newly organized corporation of that institution. In 1860, his voice having so far lost its power, that its public use was almost impracticable, he resigned his rectorship in Rutland to accept the Willoughby Professorship in the Vermont Episcopal Institute, with the general charge of the Theological department. He resided at the Institute in this capacity until 1865, when he resigned both his trusteeship and his professor- ship. Henceforward he lived in this city, de- voting himself to such missionary work in Geor. gia, Milton, Fairfax and other places, as oppor- tunity afforded, and his bodily strength permit- ted; and in this employment he continued until the commencement of his last illness, about two weeks ago.
health he had accepted a parish in the southern part of Georgia, for the winter, intending to resume his labors in this State in the spring, if his health permitted, and would have left home last week.
During his long connection with the diocese of Vermont, the high esteem in which his char- acter and service were held by the clergy and laity, is clearly shown by the frequency with which they elected him to the highest offices in their gift. He was chosen a member of the Standing Committee every year (with but five exceptions) from 1833 till the close of his life ; and most of that time lie was chosen its presi- dent. To the General Convention of the Church in the United States he was sent to represent the diocese of Vermont, from 1833 to 1861. For a long series of years he was a member, from this diocese, of the Board of Trus. tees of the General Theological Seminary, and attended the meetings of the Board with a regularity equalled by but few of those who resided at such a distance. On nomination of the Convention of the diocese, he was appoint- ed by the venerable "Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," June 15, 1847, one of its board of Land Agents for the management of its lands in the State of Ver- mont; the Rev. Joel Clap. D. D., the Hon. George T. Hodges and the Hon. Charles Lius- ley being appointed with him in the same in- strument. On the 15th of July, 1857, he was appointed secretary and treasurer of that board ; and these offices he held until the day of his death.
At the conventions of the Diocese he was al- ways appointed on important committees, and his acquaintance with the canous of the Church rendered him a valuable legislator.
His degree of D. D. was received, both from the University of Vermont and Middlebury Col- lege, in the year 1847, and also ad eundem from Trinity College two years later. In August, 1860, his wife died, leaving him nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom are still living; and what is rather remarkable, none of them have ever been seriously ill All have been well educated, and are now occupying highily respectable positions in society, in the va- rions communities where they are residing.
The leading quality in the character of Dr. Hicks was a conscientious fidelity. He held firmly and clearly the distinctive principles of the Church to which he had pledged his allegi- ance, and every duty involved in that obligation
He preached last on Sunday, October 17, in Milton, and was taken ill immediately on his return home the Monday following, and died Wednesday, Nov. 4, (1869.) On account of his was discharged with the most punctilious and
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self-sacrificing care. It was owing to this- which is the quintessence of the pastoral office -that he retained for so many years his charge over the growing parish at Rutland ; and hence, too, the latest strength of his old age was giv- en to a missionary labor which found him ever ready, ever patient, ever constant, in season and out of season.
His reading was extensive and his scholarship accurate and thorough; and he was ever ready, with unpretending courtesy, to place his intel- lectual stores at the service of others. He was not only a gentleman of the old school, but was a business man also, abounding in cool, quiet and practical common sense ; and his services on committee and in the management of church funds were, therefore, all the more important. Even in the delirium of his last sickness, his mind constantly wandered among these, the dearest responsibilities of his daily life, thus proving how wholly they absorbed his best af- fections. As a friend he never affected a degree of feeling which he did not experience, and he preferred to seem less cordial than he was, rath- er than run the least risk of awakening false ex- pectations or unreal impressions. Modesty and truthfulness pervaded all his ways and all his work. Not naturally of a sanguine or hopeful temperament, the mainspring of his life was found in silent and tenacious devotion to duty. It is no wonder that the unostentatious beauty of a life like his should have gained friends whose number steadily increased, and whose regard ripened with each passing year, resting like a benediction upon the silvery head which is now laid to rest in its long sleep.
THE LATE REV. JOHN TODD. D. D.,
Died at Pittsfield, Sunday morning, August 23, 1873, in the 73d year of his age. His nealth had been failing for some time.
Mr. Todd was born in Rutland, Vt., Oct. 9, 1800; graduated at Yale College in his 22d year ; spent four years at the Andover Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the ministry in the Congregational church in Groton. M- . , in 1827. In 1833 he was Ed- wards oh .. , : av was
Congrega- 1. !!!! : 'Lien in Philadelphia, aL . he be-
came pastor of the First Congregat. 'relı
in Pittsfield, a position he held for over;
Few Congregational ministers widely known than Mr. Todd. is as
author, however, that he ar: 1 his great
ed that his books have had the largest circula- tion of any American author. His "Lectures to Children," in two volumes, written in 1834, were circulated in England, translated into French, German and Greek, and printed in raised letters for the blind, and sold enormously -while his " Student's Manual," published in the following year, had a sale of over 150,000 copies in England, alone. In America 33 edi- tions of the work were published, while two translations were made of the work for France. His "Index Rerum" has always had a steady sale. As a Sabbath School writer he stood in the foremost rank ; while, as an author of works for adults, he enjoyed a high reputation -his sermons, orations and occasional pamph- lets being much sought after. Mr. Todd receiv- ed the honorary degree of D. D. from Williams- College, in 1845.
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