New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-26

person, ana without shoce or stoShmss "'
his feet, even during the inclemencies OF WIN
ter. In spite of every hardship. he grew up
healthy and vigorous, both in mind and body,
possessing form and face of manly beauty,
with decided expression Of energy and intelli.
gesce. In stature, during after life be was SIX
feet high, his figure VAS erect, with firmly
moulded limbs, and bright, clear, blue eye.
His advantages for education in boyhood
we're limited to degree rarely known in New
England. There was no school in the vicinity
of his native place. He vas sixteen years old
before he was able 20 read and write. He was
altogether selftaught He learned TO form the
letters of the alphabet BY sn original method
of bis own invention. Using thin pieces of
birch bark--for paper was luxury beyond his
reach-and Goals from the FIRE instead OF pen
and ink-he would sit on the door during the
long winter evenings, and by the light Of the
blazing fire. attempt to copy the alphabet. In
this way be learned to write. The only books
in his fathers house were a Bible, an old die
tionsry. and well thumbed pamphlet giving
the story of the Tower of Babel. A newspa-
per in those days in the town of Richmond was
an unheard of curiosity.
At the age of nineteen, during a religious
revival, be became q member Of the Baptist
church of which his father was the pastor.
This was in the month of January, l7S9. His
connection with this church, though continu-
ing only for comparatively short period made
deep impression on his mind and feelings.
During his whole life, he cherished a peculiar
affection for the Baptists, in spite Of the subse-
quent change in his religious opinions. He
was soon led 10 entertain doubts of the cor
rectness of his creed. Pursuing his inquiries
with painful anxiety, he rejected the doctrine
of eternal Reproduction and at length became
believer in the final salvation Of all the human
family. The announcement Of his new con-
yictions occasiOned the utmost surprise and
sorrow throughout the circle of his friends.
His declaration was pronounced to be heresy.
He was accommodated from his fathers
church Il shall ever remember" says he,
1.-The tears which l shed on this solemn occa-
sion"
About this period, his father seeing him with
some liberal religious work in his hand, forbade
him to read it, and told him he would not have
Uniyersalist books in his house. Promptly
aequieseing, as he always did, in his fathers
direction, few days after he was found read.
ing a book out Of doors beside the wood-ple.
"What book are you reading there ;" said the
stern old Anabaptist. "A Universalist book"
respectfully replied the son. The father turned
away in displeasure and went into the house.
Watching till his son had placed the book in
the wood pile, he went to the spot intending
to seize the dangerous volume, But when he
opened it, he found il was the Bible.
He was nearly one and twenty years Old
when he first commenced the study OF English
grammar. This was at q private school IN
Richmond. He now devoted himself to learn
ing in good earnest He studied night and
day-slept little and ate little. At the close
of this school, he determined 10 devote his
entire earnings TO the acquisition Of knowledge.
For this purpose, he entered the Chesterfield
(NH.) Academy, where he pursued his stud
les with such incessant application
allowing himself time TO sleeP-that in short
period he acquired good knowledge Of the
ordinary branches of English education He
left the Academy, with the esteem and friend
ship of his teachers, and soon after, engaged
in the calling Of schoolmaster in different
country villages Still, his mind was almost
exclusively occupied with the subject Of reli-
gOn The Bible was constantly in his hands,
and his best moments were deyOted TO the
earnest study of pages.
While be was yet but twenty years OF age,
Mr.. Baou made one or two attempts TO
preach before small assemblies OF his personal
friends and relations The result OF his efforts
was by no means promising. He was not,
however, discouraged During bis employ
ment as sch0olmaster, he continued 70 preach
on Sunday TO increasing audiences, that be-
came interested in his labors IL soon became
known that he was the expounder Of what was
almost every where deemed an enormous her
esy. He began 70 receive numerous invita-
tions to address the people on the faith he
bad espoused. His services were called for
in various parts Of Rhode Island, Vermont
and Massachusetts, a. well as in <he vicinity
Of his native village. During this time his la
bors were incessant, and for the most part,
without compensation. tie often preached
every evening in the week. His audiences
were gathered ii meeting houses, when they
could be obtained, sometimes in sehool-houses,
sometimes 10 barns, and not very seldom in
groves end orchards, aud often in private
houses.
The FIRST place in which be settled as min
l e