Samuel Fulton Clarke, late pastor of the church of our faith in Ware village, Mass., was born in Shipton, Canada East, Feb. 24, 1818. His father moved to this place from Dublin, N. H., and returned to Dublin when Samuel was about two years old. In this town, he attended the ministry of Rev. Dr. Leonard, and was connected with the Sunday-school belonging to his church until he was about sixteen years of age. He then learned a trade in Jeffry, N. H., and went to Peterboro' to practise it. He wrought in it until he was twenty-two or twenty-three years old.
The immediate occasion of the people in Peterboro' being interested in our brother, was a discussion which he held with a Trinitarian clergyman, in a school-house at an evening meeting, upon the subject of the Trinity. Our brother shewed so much readiness and power in it, that the people of the Unitarian society in Peterboro' were anxious that he should give himself to study; and his education was superintended for nearly a year by Rev. Dr. Abiel Abbott. In 1841, he went to Philips's Academy, Exeter, and remained in his seat of learning for three years.
While there, an incident occurred which was equally characteristic as the scene in the school-house. He attended a Bible-class under the charge of Professor Hoyt. Again the subject of the Trinity was brought forward. Our brother and three others engaged in the discussion. It lasted several weeks. He applied to the Secretary of the American Unitarian Association for some tracts upon this subject, and the issue of that discussion was the conversion of Professor Hoyt to the belief of the strict Unity of God.
In 1844, he went to the Theological School in Cambridge, and was graduated in 1847. From the time of leaving the school until the opening of 1848, he preached to the societies in Athol and Warwick. On the 19th of April, 1848, he was settled over the society in Athol. He resigned his charge once, and it was reconsidered upon the urgent wish of the people that he would remain; but in the April of 1856 he left Athol, and at Christmas of the same year he was installed as a pastor of the church and society in Ware village.
In the latter part of the year 1858, he had a hemorrhage from the lungs; and in Feb., 1858, he sailed for Europe, in company with his wife, to seek the re-establishment of his health. He returned in July, unbenefited. The disease made slow but sure progress. One by one the threads of life were broken, and on the 27th of March he died.
No one ever died happier than our brother. The faith he had preached was his support and stay. He died a firm believer in the truths of Unitarian Christianity. He made no secret of his trust in them to the last. He knew no fear of death. He asked, as he was dying, "If this was death," and answered cheerfully, "It was not painful." He made minute regulations respecting his departure, shewing he was ready in spirit and waiting the releasing hour.
The prominent trait in our brother's character was independence. He spoke as he felt he ought to speak; he acted from a strong sense of duty. He asked no man for his opinion in order to bend to it. He was a firm friend of liberal Christianity. He identified himself with it in every plan. He spoke before friend and foe, scoffer and defender of his faith, with equal prudence and earnestness. His ardent disposition made him ever an opposer of Trinitarianism in its spirit and its doctrines, and he was hopeful of the triumph of liberal principles. He was sincere and truthful. There was nothing about him which was hypocritical. He was above-board, and always spoke his thoughts freely. He combated orthodoxy, because he believed it was working harm to the souls of those who believed it. He was conscientious in his work. He wrought up to the limit of his strength; he did more than he ought, considering the feebleness of his body. He retained nothing for himself; surrendered all for the sake of the cause he loved; his heart, mind and power of body, were consecrated to the spread of his faith. In his intercourse he was frank and cordial. God sanctify his departure to the good of his late church, and to the greater faithfulness of all ministers of our Lord!
The Rev. Samuel F. Clarke, pastor of the Unitarian church in this place, died of consumption, on Wednesday, March 27th, after a lingering, though not unusually painful sickness, and was buried in our beautiful cemetery, April 1st. Mr. Clarke was unanimously settled over the society now deprived of his faithful ministrations in December, 1856, and continued pleasantly his relation to the parish until his death. although from bodily weakness he was obliged to give up his active labours some time in February last. Since that time he gradually grew more feeble, though in mind he was determined as ever, but patiently waited the event which premonition assured him would take place when it did, on the return of spring. Though no seeker of sympathy, he always manifested a tender gratefulness for every little kindness shewn him. A call was always acceptable, a friendly voice ever welcome, and a cheerful look a token to him of secret wish and prayer for his welfare. A more resolute man in sickness than he is seldom seen; not that he fought against, but with Providence. Everything that he could do to ward off the fell destroyer, he attempted, feeling it to be a religious duty. Moderate exercise of body and of mind was to him a rule not to be neglected. Walking, riding, hunting, gymnastics and foreign travel, were all in their turn tried, but, as the event proved, with no ultimate success. He has now quietly passed on, and, we trust, "in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection." If at any time he was touched by a sorrow in the thought of leaving those behind he intensely loved, and whom he believed needed his watchful care, we are reminded that one holier than he was desirous to have "the cup pass from him." But these feelings were of those which animated him in his earlier efforts for continued life here; and as the future opened to him, his relinquishment of that proper, natural and parental hope was replaced by a settled conviction that it was the Father's will he should go. So calm, indeed, were the transfer of his hopes and wishes, that in the closing weeks of his existence he contemplated death as a personal blessed change, and spoke and acted in relation to it as one going on a pleasant journey. That journey he has made; and to us, and especially to the parish which he ministered, the memory of our friend will be sacred; for nothing in his or their intercourse ever in the least transpired to mar the pleasantness of the sacred relation of pastor and people.
--Published in The Christian reformer, volume 17, 1861
The immediate occasion of the people in Peterboro' being interested in our brother, was a discussion which he held with a Trinitarian clergyman, in a school-house at an evening meeting, upon the subject of the Trinity. Our brother shewed so much readiness and power in it, that the people of the Unitarian society in Peterboro' were anxious that he should give himself to study; and his education was superintended for nearly a year by Rev. Dr. Abiel Abbott. In 1841, he went to Philips's Academy, Exeter, and remained in his seat of learning for three years.
While there, an incident occurred which was equally characteristic as the scene in the school-house. He attended a Bible-class under the charge of Professor Hoyt. Again the subject of the Trinity was brought forward. Our brother and three others engaged in the discussion. It lasted several weeks. He applied to the Secretary of the American Unitarian Association for some tracts upon this subject, and the issue of that discussion was the conversion of Professor Hoyt to the belief of the strict Unity of God.
In 1844, he went to the Theological School in Cambridge, and was graduated in 1847. From the time of leaving the school until the opening of 1848, he preached to the societies in Athol and Warwick. On the 19th of April, 1848, he was settled over the society in Athol. He resigned his charge once, and it was reconsidered upon the urgent wish of the people that he would remain; but in the April of 1856 he left Athol, and at Christmas of the same year he was installed as a pastor of the church and society in Ware village.
In the latter part of the year 1858, he had a hemorrhage from the lungs; and in Feb., 1858, he sailed for Europe, in company with his wife, to seek the re-establishment of his health. He returned in July, unbenefited. The disease made slow but sure progress. One by one the threads of life were broken, and on the 27th of March he died.
No one ever died happier than our brother. The faith he had preached was his support and stay. He died a firm believer in the truths of Unitarian Christianity. He made no secret of his trust in them to the last. He knew no fear of death. He asked, as he was dying, "If this was death," and answered cheerfully, "It was not painful." He made minute regulations respecting his departure, shewing he was ready in spirit and waiting the releasing hour.
The prominent trait in our brother's character was independence. He spoke as he felt he ought to speak; he acted from a strong sense of duty. He asked no man for his opinion in order to bend to it. He was a firm friend of liberal Christianity. He identified himself with it in every plan. He spoke before friend and foe, scoffer and defender of his faith, with equal prudence and earnestness. His ardent disposition made him ever an opposer of Trinitarianism in its spirit and its doctrines, and he was hopeful of the triumph of liberal principles. He was sincere and truthful. There was nothing about him which was hypocritical. He was above-board, and always spoke his thoughts freely. He combated orthodoxy, because he believed it was working harm to the souls of those who believed it. He was conscientious in his work. He wrought up to the limit of his strength; he did more than he ought, considering the feebleness of his body. He retained nothing for himself; surrendered all for the sake of the cause he loved; his heart, mind and power of body, were consecrated to the spread of his faith. In his intercourse he was frank and cordial. God sanctify his departure to the good of his late church, and to the greater faithfulness of all ministers of our Lord!
The Rev. Samuel F. Clarke, pastor of the Unitarian church in this place, died of consumption, on Wednesday, March 27th, after a lingering, though not unusually painful sickness, and was buried in our beautiful cemetery, April 1st. Mr. Clarke was unanimously settled over the society now deprived of his faithful ministrations in December, 1856, and continued pleasantly his relation to the parish until his death. although from bodily weakness he was obliged to give up his active labours some time in February last. Since that time he gradually grew more feeble, though in mind he was determined as ever, but patiently waited the event which premonition assured him would take place when it did, on the return of spring. Though no seeker of sympathy, he always manifested a tender gratefulness for every little kindness shewn him. A call was always acceptable, a friendly voice ever welcome, and a cheerful look a token to him of secret wish and prayer for his welfare. A more resolute man in sickness than he is seldom seen; not that he fought against, but with Providence. Everything that he could do to ward off the fell destroyer, he attempted, feeling it to be a religious duty. Moderate exercise of body and of mind was to him a rule not to be neglected. Walking, riding, hunting, gymnastics and foreign travel, were all in their turn tried, but, as the event proved, with no ultimate success. He has now quietly passed on, and, we trust, "in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection." If at any time he was touched by a sorrow in the thought of leaving those behind he intensely loved, and whom he believed needed his watchful care, we are reminded that one holier than he was desirous to have "the cup pass from him." But these feelings were of those which animated him in his earlier efforts for continued life here; and as the future opened to him, his relinquishment of that proper, natural and parental hope was replaced by a settled conviction that it was the Father's will he should go. So calm, indeed, were the transfer of his hopes and wishes, that in the closing weeks of his existence he contemplated death as a personal blessed change, and spoke and acted in relation to it as one going on a pleasant journey. That journey he has made; and to us, and especially to the parish which he ministered, the memory of our friend will be sacred; for nothing in his or their intercourse ever in the least transpired to mar the pleasantness of the sacred relation of pastor and people.
--Published in The Christian reformer, volume 17, 1861
Samuel Fulton Clarke, late pastor of the church of our faith in Ware village, Mass., was born in Shipton, Canada East, Feb. 24, 1818. His father moved to this place from Dublin, N. H., and returned to Dublin when Samuel was about two years old. In this town, he attended the ministry of Rev. Dr. Leonard, and was connected with the Sunday-school belonging to his church until he was about sixteen years of age. He then learned a trade in Jeffry, N. H., and went to Peterboro' to practise it. He wrought in it until he was twenty-two or twenty-three years old.
The immediate occasion of the people in Peterboro' being interested in our brother, was a discussion which he held with a Trinitarian clergyman, in a school-house at an evening meeting, upon the subject of the Trinity. Our brother shewed so much readiness and power in it, that the people of the Unitarian society in Peterboro' were anxious that he should give himself to study; and his education was superintended for nearly a year by Rev. Dr. Abiel Abbott. In 1841, he went to Philips's Academy, Exeter, and remained in his seat of learning for three years.
While there, an incident occurred which was equally characteristic as the scene in the school-house. He attended a Bible-class under the charge of Professor Hoyt. Again the subject of the Trinity was brought forward. Our brother and three others engaged in the discussion. It lasted several weeks. He applied to the Secretary of the American Unitarian Association for some tracts upon this subject, and the issue of that discussion was the conversion of Professor Hoyt to the belief of the strict Unity of God.
In 1844, he went to the Theological School in Cambridge, and was graduated in 1847. From the time of leaving the school until the opening of 1848, he preached to the societies in Athol and Warwick. On the 19th of April, 1848, he was settled over the society in Athol. He resigned his charge once, and it was reconsidered upon the urgent wish of the people that he would remain; but in the April of 1856 he left Athol, and at Christmas of the same year he was installed as a pastor of the church and society in Ware village.
In the latter part of the year 1858, he had a hemorrhage from the lungs; and in Feb., 1858, he sailed for Europe, in company with his wife, to seek the re-establishment of his health. He returned in July, unbenefited. The disease made slow but sure progress. One by one the threads of life were broken, and on the 27th of March he died.
No one ever died happier than our brother. The faith he had preached was his support and stay. He died a firm believer in the truths of Unitarian Christianity. He made no secret of his trust in them to the last. He knew no fear of death. He asked, as he was dying, "If this was death," and answered cheerfully, "It was not painful." He made minute regulations respecting his departure, shewing he was ready in spirit and waiting the releasing hour.
The prominent trait in our brother's character was independence. He spoke as he felt he ought to speak; he acted from a strong sense of duty. He asked no man for his opinion in order to bend to it. He was a firm friend of liberal Christianity. He identified himself with it in every plan. He spoke before friend and foe, scoffer and defender of his faith, with equal prudence and earnestness. His ardent disposition made him ever an opposer of Trinitarianism in its spirit and its doctrines, and he was hopeful of the triumph of liberal principles. He was sincere and truthful. There was nothing about him which was hypocritical. He was above-board, and always spoke his thoughts freely. He combated orthodoxy, because he believed it was working harm to the souls of those who believed it. He was conscientious in his work. He wrought up to the limit of his strength; he did more than he ought, considering the feebleness of his body. He retained nothing for himself; surrendered all for the sake of the cause he loved; his heart, mind and power of body, were consecrated to the spread of his faith. In his intercourse he was frank and cordial. God sanctify his departure to the good of his late church, and to the greater faithfulness of all ministers of our Lord!
The Rev. Samuel F. Clarke, pastor of the Unitarian church in this place, died of consumption, on Wednesday, March 27th, after a lingering, though not unusually painful sickness, and was buried in our beautiful cemetery, April 1st. Mr. Clarke was unanimously settled over the society now deprived of his faithful ministrations in December, 1856, and continued pleasantly his relation to the parish until his death. although from bodily weakness he was obliged to give up his active labours some time in February last. Since that time he gradually grew more feeble, though in mind he was determined as ever, but patiently waited the event which premonition assured him would take place when it did, on the return of spring. Though no seeker of sympathy, he always manifested a tender gratefulness for every little kindness shewn him. A call was always acceptable, a friendly voice ever welcome, and a cheerful look a token to him of secret wish and prayer for his welfare. A more resolute man in sickness than he is seldom seen; not that he fought against, but with Providence. Everything that he could do to ward off the fell destroyer, he attempted, feeling it to be a religious duty. Moderate exercise of body and of mind was to him a rule not to be neglected. Walking, riding, hunting, gymnastics and foreign travel, were all in their turn tried, but, as the event proved, with no ultimate success. He has now quietly passed on, and, we trust, "in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection." If at any time he was touched by a sorrow in the thought of leaving those behind he intensely loved, and whom he believed needed his watchful care, we are reminded that one holier than he was desirous to have "the cup pass from him." But these feelings were of those which animated him in his earlier efforts for continued life here; and as the future opened to him, his relinquishment of that proper, natural and parental hope was replaced by a settled conviction that it was the Father's will he should go. So calm, indeed, were the transfer of his hopes and wishes, that in the closing weeks of his existence he contemplated death as a personal blessed change, and spoke and acted in relation to it as one going on a pleasant journey. That journey he has made; and to us, and especially to the parish which he ministered, the memory of our friend will be sacred; for nothing in his or their intercourse ever in the least transpired to mar the pleasantness of the sacred relation of pastor and people.
--Published in The Christian reformer, volume 17, 1861
The immediate occasion of the people in Peterboro' being interested in our brother, was a discussion which he held with a Trinitarian clergyman, in a school-house at an evening meeting, upon the subject of the Trinity. Our brother shewed so much readiness and power in it, that the people of the Unitarian society in Peterboro' were anxious that he should give himself to study; and his education was superintended for nearly a year by Rev. Dr. Abiel Abbott. In 1841, he went to Philips's Academy, Exeter, and remained in his seat of learning for three years.
While there, an incident occurred which was equally characteristic as the scene in the school-house. He attended a Bible-class under the charge of Professor Hoyt. Again the subject of the Trinity was brought forward. Our brother and three others engaged in the discussion. It lasted several weeks. He applied to the Secretary of the American Unitarian Association for some tracts upon this subject, and the issue of that discussion was the conversion of Professor Hoyt to the belief of the strict Unity of God.
In 1844, he went to the Theological School in Cambridge, and was graduated in 1847. From the time of leaving the school until the opening of 1848, he preached to the societies in Athol and Warwick. On the 19th of April, 1848, he was settled over the society in Athol. He resigned his charge once, and it was reconsidered upon the urgent wish of the people that he would remain; but in the April of 1856 he left Athol, and at Christmas of the same year he was installed as a pastor of the church and society in Ware village.
In the latter part of the year 1858, he had a hemorrhage from the lungs; and in Feb., 1858, he sailed for Europe, in company with his wife, to seek the re-establishment of his health. He returned in July, unbenefited. The disease made slow but sure progress. One by one the threads of life were broken, and on the 27th of March he died.
No one ever died happier than our brother. The faith he had preached was his support and stay. He died a firm believer in the truths of Unitarian Christianity. He made no secret of his trust in them to the last. He knew no fear of death. He asked, as he was dying, "If this was death," and answered cheerfully, "It was not painful." He made minute regulations respecting his departure, shewing he was ready in spirit and waiting the releasing hour.
The prominent trait in our brother's character was independence. He spoke as he felt he ought to speak; he acted from a strong sense of duty. He asked no man for his opinion in order to bend to it. He was a firm friend of liberal Christianity. He identified himself with it in every plan. He spoke before friend and foe, scoffer and defender of his faith, with equal prudence and earnestness. His ardent disposition made him ever an opposer of Trinitarianism in its spirit and its doctrines, and he was hopeful of the triumph of liberal principles. He was sincere and truthful. There was nothing about him which was hypocritical. He was above-board, and always spoke his thoughts freely. He combated orthodoxy, because he believed it was working harm to the souls of those who believed it. He was conscientious in his work. He wrought up to the limit of his strength; he did more than he ought, considering the feebleness of his body. He retained nothing for himself; surrendered all for the sake of the cause he loved; his heart, mind and power of body, were consecrated to the spread of his faith. In his intercourse he was frank and cordial. God sanctify his departure to the good of his late church, and to the greater faithfulness of all ministers of our Lord!
The Rev. Samuel F. Clarke, pastor of the Unitarian church in this place, died of consumption, on Wednesday, March 27th, after a lingering, though not unusually painful sickness, and was buried in our beautiful cemetery, April 1st. Mr. Clarke was unanimously settled over the society now deprived of his faithful ministrations in December, 1856, and continued pleasantly his relation to the parish until his death. although from bodily weakness he was obliged to give up his active labours some time in February last. Since that time he gradually grew more feeble, though in mind he was determined as ever, but patiently waited the event which premonition assured him would take place when it did, on the return of spring. Though no seeker of sympathy, he always manifested a tender gratefulness for every little kindness shewn him. A call was always acceptable, a friendly voice ever welcome, and a cheerful look a token to him of secret wish and prayer for his welfare. A more resolute man in sickness than he is seldom seen; not that he fought against, but with Providence. Everything that he could do to ward off the fell destroyer, he attempted, feeling it to be a religious duty. Moderate exercise of body and of mind was to him a rule not to be neglected. Walking, riding, hunting, gymnastics and foreign travel, were all in their turn tried, but, as the event proved, with no ultimate success. He has now quietly passed on, and, we trust, "in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection." If at any time he was touched by a sorrow in the thought of leaving those behind he intensely loved, and whom he believed needed his watchful care, we are reminded that one holier than he was desirous to have "the cup pass from him." But these feelings were of those which animated him in his earlier efforts for continued life here; and as the future opened to him, his relinquishment of that proper, natural and parental hope was replaced by a settled conviction that it was the Father's will he should go. So calm, indeed, were the transfer of his hopes and wishes, that in the closing weeks of his existence he contemplated death as a personal blessed change, and spoke and acted in relation to it as one going on a pleasant journey. That journey he has made; and to us, and especially to the parish which he ministered, the memory of our friend will be sacred; for nothing in his or their intercourse ever in the least transpired to mar the pleasantness of the sacred relation of pastor and people.
--Published in The Christian reformer, volume 17, 1861
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