The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-08-23

We find the following Biographical Sketch
in late Providence Literary Cadet.
REV. WM. GAMMELL.


have within the last twenty years, taken
leave OF the world, aud sped their way TO
the regions of the blessed. the untmoly
departure of no one. has been more SIN
cerely or more justly regretted and de-
plored, than the pious, talented, and elo-
quent Clergyman who is the subject of this
brief and imperfect notice, and who is now,
as we humbly trust, reposng on the bosom
of his maker and his God, and partaking
OF the enjoymeuts, in waiting for lust
men made perfect"
ave allude to the Rev. WILLIAM GAM
MILL, late Pastor of the FIRST Baptist
Church aud Society of Newport, man
who was beloved by all who knew him,
and who, by life devoted to uprghlness,
plcty and virtue, had won the respect OF
every christian denomination; and who
had enjoyed the reverence, adulation, and
| applause even of those, who did not strict.
| y adhere To the doctrines he advanced and
the dogmas he proclaimed.
Mr.. Gammell was born in Boston, on
the OH Of January, 1856, and when quite
| young, made a display of that juvenile pie
| ~, and rcctltude Of action, which was the
harbinger Of his future excellence and use
iulncss, and Of the able discharge of these
responsible duties, which he Was destined
! 10 control.
When vet quite lad, he made profes
sion of his adhesion TO the principles oi
modern christianity; aud after having de-
voted some time To the ordinary duties OF
| the pious christian, he conceived the de.
sign Of preaching the gospel of jesus
a al IN bn nI
| course of Theological Studies, with the
Reverend William Williams, of Wrent
ham, Massachusetts, whore he was distin
yulshed for his intense application, clear
ness OF perception, aud facility in solving
me most obtruse problems in Theology
and for that uprlghtness of action, and pu.
-ty OF zeal, which 20 eminently marked
lls after life. After having gone through
ais preparatory studies, he was, on the 3lst
day Of May 1906, licensed to preach BY
the first Baptist Church of Boston, then
under the pastoral care ot the Rev Samu
el Stilman; and in June, 1906. was called
upon 10 preside over the Baptist Church
and Society, of Bellinghanl. Mass. Here
he remained, dispensing the gospel, till the
yesr 1910, when, receiving an unanimous
call, to take the pastoral charge Of the
Baptist Church of .Medfeld, Mass he sc
cnpted the invitation, and was ordaned
pastor of that people sometime in the
month of August, 1910. During his resi-
| dence in Med6cld, ho was equally admired
by the clergy and laity, and was respected
by all classes of society, for his picty, zeal
| and industry, as well as for the efficient
| efforts, he made in endcavOrlng TO win sin
| ners to repentance, aud to extend the
| kingdom Of the Redeemer. In the year
| 1923, he received an invitation to remove
| To Newport, Rhode Island, TO dispense the
gospel TO the Baptist Church of that an
cient city, to which place he removed in
the month Of August of that year, where
he remained till the day OF his death,
| which melancholy event took place on the
thirteth day Of May 1927; and hIs untime.
ly and sudden departure for the world Of
spirits. cast a gloom over his church and
society, which extended its influences over
the whole community, aud was realized i
all who knew him.
His habits, his constitution, and unusual
good health, promised a good old age, but
at the early period of forty.one years, he
was Unexpectedly cut off from his friends
and from society, and doomed TO dwell a
mong tho mouldering remains Of the eier.
nal sleepors, in the dull and gloomy "city
Of the dead" Although allowed but q
few hours notice Of his prepared hour oI
separation and dissolution, he was ready
TO obey tho summons of the king of tcrrors
and with a smile Of complacency on his
counienance, and a blessed assurance o
receiving the rich inheritance, in waiting
for the just and good, without murnur oI
n complaint. he yielded up his spirit tt
HIM who gave il, and winged his way tr
the regions of saints ard angels; leaving
behind him a wife and numerous offspring
and multitude Of friends TO lament, thai
he, who was 20 good aud so just, was moi
longer spared, o delight them with his so
cieiy, and to benefit them by his counsel
and advice.
With Mr.. Gammell, for a number nj
gears, We enjoyed an acquaintance; and
though not particularly attached to the
doctrines he preached, we could not but
admire his unprotending piety, his honest
zeal, and the deep interest he felt aud ex.
pressed in behalf Of the welfare Of man.
kinda moro sincere or warm hearted
man never existed; and unlike too many oi
the clergy, when his pefsuasions and d-rca.
sonings could not prevail, he did not resort
TO the driving system, or by course o'
disgusting anathema and virulent denun.
cistion, attempt to enforce his opinions up.
on those, who, he was sensible. were copa.
bic and ready to Judge for themselves, and
prepared to make up their own opinions
on the great and mysterious subjects which
the scriptures present.
lie was one Of the most valuable mem
bers oftbe clergy, and the examples he SCI
were worthy Of ell imitation, and should be
noticed and considered, by the asprant;
for clerical fame.