The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-06-15
rive publish the following by FequeS''
heath OF EA. DROWN.

Departed this life, April &, 1911, in sho'"e'"' "
after distressing sickness ct eleven ""yS' WV"
hing Cayer Dea. STEPHEN DRowN, IN the ''s' Se"'
of his age Father Drown was born ~ n'o"e''''
N. Il. Sent. II, 1870, from which place ne carry
ehniprated to Sheffield 10 the year looo TIC e'".
braced religion, and soon after was h"p'l%e" All"
united with the first Freewlll Baptist chnrch !"
Sheffield where his name st''l STANDS upon l'e
church book, recorded in Scriember OF ''e s"'"
wear At that early dav, am told there oX's'eo III
the churches such as wero termed in'lng E'ne's'
Father Drown filed that office and administered
the ordinance Of baptism 10 mnny IN 'hat anu ao.
iocen, towns. The churches prospered, and God
revived and cnrried his work through his 'nsru'
,nentoIi,v: and his memory will long be cherished
nv many in the Wheeock Quarter Meeting MS one
of those pioneers that efficiently Iahored to plant
the Rose Of Sharon there. and turn the wilderness
md solitary Mace into cultivated and fruitful field
Rn, the time came as many well remember, of
clouds and tempess in the churches Of that q. NJ.
II might be said Of that period, that il "tred mems
souls" and at the end of this shaking among the
churches, nothing seemed to remain but snch as
could not he shaken. Though this was dark and
gloomy period, MANY beacon light was seen to
glow amid surrounding gloom on Christian A'tnrs;
and not with 6tfiI glare, but by constant and
steady 1ame; as in prophetic days God reserved
among The churches such as did not bow the knee,
q as in Sardis sued walked in white Father
Drown was one oftbesc. But Uhougb he walked
with God pur4ung forward course) the churches
aaneushed and he was in heaviness but clouds
passed Of and something more than two years have
now elapsed since God heard the groanings Of tho
fathers in the WheelocE @ NJ, came down for
the deliveranco orihe churches, and hundreds were
ti,e DIV inc pnlhelS
Of that ancient and holy fire that hamed with such
effulgent blaze through all the region, when Colby
loiled from town 10 town Sheffield, in this revi-
val saw the wonders OF Reckoning Grace and
father Drown shared largely in the work. lie had
long been desringto see all his household pertain
ing 20 that of Faith; the last of his family
yerted and his Joy full Seeing his children
and neighbors turning 20 God, he said, like Sine
on now lettcst thou thy servant depart in peace;
for mine eyes have thy salvation. He seemed
Mt times to have presentimens Of his coming dis
SOLUTION, frequently rcmarkng in the social meeting
70 his brethren, that he was enjoying his last and
best DAYS; and at near tho close Of the series of
meetings recently holden at Sheffield he remarked
with emphasis, sIt is the last privilege Of the kind
] shall ever enjoy with my brethren" The de-
ceased thought habtually and cxperimentaly
Christian, was also much engaged for many years
in such worldly and pnbc business duty seemed
10 indicate to him relative TO the welfare Of his
family and the town (which he early in
habitant. He elected tho first Representative
to the State Legislature from Sheffield; and recev-
led twelve subsequent elections to the snme Office
which fully evinces integrity and ability in the
discharge of public duty. The deceased has LET
an aged widow and ten children who have all en-
braced religion. son, Ed. Samuel Drown, has
ri IT..
in the vineyard. Another son has recently entered
the Gospel fold, and gives promise Of much use
Inlness in the church and the world. Duing the
three last days of his life, the mind of deceased
brother seemed constantly engaged in heavenly
contemplaons, which Though respiration became
difficulty he breatiod out in such glowing language
will long be remembered by friends that are left
behind He felt that the rock which he had
built tried elect and precous and that Through
Christ, he was more than conqueror. In the
ming of the day OF his death, while friends were
standing by tho bed side Of the dying saint, taking
an aged relative by the hand, who cotempora.
~ in religious experience, having been converted
in the sans reformation forty years ago, and kin.
ding up into rapture with visions Of glory, he
broke out expressions of holy triumph, and SAID,
awe are well able TO go up aud possess the goodly
,laad," adding "Caeb and Joshua have returned
and brought back some of the heavenly clusters"
Thus he saw beyond the cold of Jordan's
flood those everlasting hills OF light and glory
which his soul had long nspired, and already felt
himself refreshed with Canaan's clustering fruit
and cheering wine, and under the guidance and
shadow Of the Almighty while passing through the
dark valley and shadow of death Being subse-
quentiy enquired Of with regard to his estate he
replied, though with difficulty he artculated, sBless
The Lord for his lowering spirit.
Death cannot destroy comfort,
Christ will guard us through the gloom
Blown he'll send heavenly convoy,
To convey our spirits home
lie, continued gradually sinking till within a
short time Of his departure; like Bunyan's Pilgrim
tha III, CHI