The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-09-05
REV. DIR. BULLIO\S.

d.. pastor Of the Associate Congregation OF
Cambridge, in the 18th year OF his age. and
5Oth of his ministry in that place.
DIR. Buttons was born at Corrodlc. III Perth
shire. Scotland. in the year lis. His pa
rents were both godly persons. and members
of the Associate Church nearly from the be
ginning of the Secession. Guided by their
instruction and example. ard surrounded by
religious influences and ;,sSGclat: ons. his mi'id
became early impressed with divine things.
and at the early age of thirteen. he made Il
profession of religion in the Associate Church..
His religious exercises and experience at that
time. and for wears afterwards. were very re-
markable. lie was the love Of cspous;.ls. and
he was known even then. as an intelligent.
devoted and active follower of Christ. His
thoughts ard desires were carl turned to
the Christian ministry. and after much dclib-
Grafton and PRAYER. he resolved to devote his
life to this service, DESTROYS, should it please
God, to do so as missionary III iorci On lands.
With great diligence and success he pursued
course of preparatory studies. first at the
Grammar school. and then at the University
of Edinburgh: after which he studied thcol-
ogv under the venerable Archibald Bruce,
Of Whitburn. then Professor of Divinity TO the
General Associate SYNOD. He was licensed
to preach the gospel in the early part Of 1906.
and towards the close of the same year. emf
grated to the II ited States with his friend
and COMPANION of his studies. the late Rev.
Dr. Bruce of Pittsburgh Ills first appoint
mcnts. after his arrival. were in the Associate
congregation of Cambridge then vacant by
the removal of Rev. DIR. Banks to Flcr.da.
Ny. He laborcd with much acceptance
among that people. and was ultimately settled
among them as their pastor. i'll lS0S. In this
charge he continued to labor. as few men
could, till his dcath-a period, from first to
last. of more than fifty wears.
DIR. Billions was a man of strong conSt-
tuition. of vigorous and almost uninterrupted
good health. of active habits and great power
of cndurancc-ncver weary in well-coinS.
but "rcadv to every good work" His men
tai cndowmcntS. naturally Of a high order
had been cultivated with grca: diligence BY
. thorough course of intellectual training
lie was ripe scholar il every branch of
study suhScrvient to the gospel min:s.ry-a
sound divinc-thorough vcrscd in script
ures, >tcadfst and consistent III his religious
profession. most laborious and lcc>c1crin4
as a preacher and pastor. " instant i'll sca>o!.
and out of season. Whenever an opportunity
was presented for doing good To the very
last. his public dscour>c> were written out
fully. ard delivered Is t:cy were pre- arcG-
always rich in their exhibitions; ofdi>inr truth.
and admirably fitted with the divine bless
ing, to build up the pcopl, of God in faith
and holiness. and comfort unto >alvator.-
His stores of knowledge on almoSt every sub
icct, gathered during Il long life of Close OBJ
scrvation. diligcnt study. and extensive read
ing. treasured up in a rctcntivc memory. were
very great. and being ever ready. from these
stores, to communicate II others for in>truc-
ton or pleasure. he was a prot.ta' ic and pleas
ing associate The facility with which he
could introduce religious conversation on all
occasions. happily adapted to circumstances.
and useful in directing the aged. the afflicted.
the bereavcd, the sorrowtul. To the path Of du-
~. and the true sources Of consolation and
comfort. or in counsclling and directing the
Young to the way Of salvation. was very re-
markable. All these powers ard acquire
ments were faithfully devoted TO the service
of the Redcemcr. and to the ocst interests
of his flock and. it is pleasing to add. his la
bors "werc not III vain in the Iord: they
were blessed even ahundantly to the good of
his people and nci.hhorhood, and many will
have reason to bless God forever for tac re-
suits Of these lahor>.
He was a man. too, Of great bcncvolcncc,
enlarged philanthropy AID public spirit: {;
Jealous, sctivc promoter # every benevolent.
praiseworthy enterprise. One ":thc orr gina
tors. and for for,v-four Years IN active Men
Der of the Washington County Hihlc Soc;c',
the last twenty of these its president: it is
not known that he WIS ever absent from it,
meetings; and during this ast spring, at his
advanced age. he voluntarily undertook It
canvass the whole town of Cambridge, to sec
that every family was supplied with the Eibl>
"a work in which he greatly delishte;l-art
which he was prevented from completing on
" by the call of Death. III all the social re-
lations of life, he mnifestcd the power Of re-
ligious principle and sanctiiying grace. Al
affec,ionate and tender husband and father. ;
kind and oblising rcighbor, lie was beloved
by all who knew him and appreciated hi
worth
His last public services were rendered t'
the Associate congregation, Charles street
New York. where he went to assist Rev. "
II. Blair, on the occasion OF his communion
There appeared to be such freedom ant
junction. in his whole manner, and expression
and feeling, especially i'll prayer, and address
ing the commitments. that some took notice
of it and said it could not be that he had Ion!
to live. His own enjoymclt Of communion
with God on this occasion. w;s delightful
reminding him more than anything he coult
remember. of his earliest religious enjoyment
On the morning after Tie Communion Sab
bath. MAY lSth.} while engaged IL family
PRAYER he was visited with a slight stroke o
apoplcxy, from the effects Of which he sool
partially recovered sLo,.tI exceedingly de
sirous of attending the approaching mcetin:
of Synod that week at Philadelphia. he sool
found it necessary 10 return to the quiet o
his home. On the i.la, sabbath after. he of
fered PRAYER. and made :,hat address il hi
own congregation. which WAS ;ne last time
he appeared in public. His disorder gradu Il
" increased and he sWt=.iy fell asleep in Jc
~sus. at half past twelve. on the morning o
"1r:dav. 18th ;oine. From the first he wa
-aware his END WAS near: he contemp plated tn
-event with Guinness and composute. set hi
ihOusc in order. anu calmly. in full conscious
ness. awaited the hour of his departure. lii
pparting with some of his friends. whom h,
never cApectc to see agnn i'll this world. wa
esubEnle. and deeply affecting. as also was hi
parting with some Gt the congregation. Iii
uwhole theme. during i = Sickness was tn
rich mercy. grace and goodness of God t
himself his family anl is oplc. Of which h,
ssecmed to have an almost ovcrpowcring sense
His earnest wishes were expressed for tn,