The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-01-07
For tie Regisier.
Obituary.

tcrs Ill relerence 10 Inc decease OF the hEN. SAM
rEL HuRLDur, of New Haven. Though some of
the characteristics of this lamonted minister ofthe
gospel have thus been published, it is believed that
a more extended notice of his life and virtues will
be instructive, and interesting to all, the readers
of this paper.
Mr.. Hurlbut had the unbounded conflen ce of
his parishioners; he had strong influence over
tie inhabitants of the neighborng towns; was
loved by the young, especially loved and admired,
by youths in a course Of education was a desra-
bic companion in any society and was particular.
ly a favorite among persons of intelligence and
good culture. A brief notice of the habits and
natural traits by..which he came to occupy such
position in the community is all that will be at.
tempted in this communication.
His eminence was fist of all as preacher, and
pastor. In the pulpit or the lecture room, he
gained the attention and affection of his hearers
by the eEnestness OF his manner; it was obvious
as soon as he entered upon the substance of his
discourse that he had forgotten himself and had,
become absorbed in the importance of his theme,
and the spiritual necessities of his hearers. He
had rot to great degree, the graces of the orator,
but he was largely induced with those moral traits
which, ms the source of influence over other minds
constitute the highest rhetorical power. lie was
also very instructive preacher, both in his doc
trinal discourses and in his exposition Of the in
sped word. From his strong tendency 10 meta
physical and doctrinal discussions, lie became
very familiar with the common views of theolo.
gians and in addition to this he was always on the
watch to learn how uneducated minds were i'm
pressed with the ordinary statements Of the doc
trims of theology. BY this means he made him
self very capable of presenting these subjects in
such way as to instruct and interest his heaters.
1t was probably because of the effect of his ordi-
nary preaching, that he found himself in times of
revivals compelled to bring forward very distinct
~ such doctrines as Election and Perseverance
and the sermons proposed on these occasions are
some of the ablest to be found among hi manu-.
scripts. Circumstances compelled him during
the later years of his ministry, to give much at
tention to the doctrns of the Millenarians He
read extensively, works relating to that subject,
and had so far matured his views, and written
them out in the form of lectures sermons, that
it is probable there may be found some papers
which would be of value to his fellow laborers in
the ministry.-IIis views settled into the most de-
cided opposition to the sentiments which he was
called to investigate.
Mr.. lIurlbut's knowledge .of the Hebrew, gave
him more than ordinary facility for studying the
prophecies, and indeed for preaching from the
Old Testament When he entered the ministry,
he determined to read chapter in the Hebrew
Bible every day; this resolution he carried into
practice nearly or quite to the close Of his life
frequently reading from the original Hebrew, at
L.
way he attained an uncommon familiarity with
Jewish customs and habits Of thought, which
gave remarkable freshness and impressiyenes. to
his interpretations of the Scriptures.
He was moreover very faithful pastor.--TIe
| considered it his duty to know the religious
| dion of every person in his parish, to give them
such instruction and warning as they l. ight need ,
aud he made it point as far circumstances
| would allow, to converse with some person every
day, on the subject OF religion. On learning the
death Of n relative by late disaster on che Of the
western lakes, he expressed great satisfaction in
the recollection that at their last meeting he had
urged upon that friend, so soon, and suddenly
| to be summoned to the bar of God, the importance
of immediate attention to the salvation of the
Soul. Many similar facts might be narrated, which
would show..that the prayer, often uttered, that
souls might be given him ms his hire, was an earn.
est one. The best proof of his faithfuress how.
ever, is in the result of his labors; there were
more than hundred added to his church. during
the ten years of his ministry These conversions
were mostly conv erted with seasons of revival
1t was on such occasions, that his address to the
impentent, assumed the most irresistible earnest.
ness, he had at such times a remarkable power in
pressing upon the sinner, with clearness ard SIM
plicity, the great choice Of life death-His own
| opinion that his most effective appeals were
| in extempOre efforts Of this kind. Indeed he be-
lieyed that the ability to preach without notes,
was indispensable to the pastor, and determined
on entering his work to renquish it, soon as it
was demonstrated that lie was to fail in that essen
tia point.-How well he succeeded will be inferred
from the fact that the list of his written sermons
numbers only 25s though he was ten years IN
/ parish, where he not often assisted by strang-
| ers.
! A very interesting account of his own religious
life might be made out by the aid of this index of
his discourses. But this we must pass by with
the single remark that the later ones idcate more
| spirituality of mind, and dwell much upon themes
such as, the Resurrection, the Millennium and the
future state. The last sermon he has entered
/ thus :" Sin Developed after Death"
Mr. HurhutS influence in his own town was great
~ increased by his interest in the public welfare;
he was one of the best citizen of the place. When
he went to New Haven, the mail came into the
town but twice a week, by his exertions they
soon had daily mail. The present condition of
the cemetary a well selected circulating library 4;
the walks about the common; the school room
the lecture room, and town hall; all testify his zeal
ard energy in promoting the convenience and
public spirit Of the citizens of his parish, Also he
had made considerable progress in preparing
history of New Haven, together with map OF
the town, froma survey made in part at least
by himself
He was man moreover of very extensive in
formation, and of very unexclusive tastes.-There
was nothing worth knowing, which he did not
take pleasure in. He had remarkable knowledge
of history was perfectly familiar with the ordi-
nary operations of war, such as the methods of
besieging and assaulting city ! and had much
curous knowledge about machinery such as the