Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-03-27

weakness of body, or anxiety and apprehension Of
himself and friends. His strong natural constitu.
ton facilitated rapid recovery. For the remainder
of the Summer however. the following Autumn
and Winter, he was able to labor but compare
lively little in the Pulpit or Parish. But he
would not be idle lie tried now to serve God
and His people by the pen, through the press.
Accordingly he published at the beginning Of
1854, small volume of sermons, dedicated to the
' members Of the First Presbyterian Church
Of Plattsburgh,' not so much with the de.
sire or expectation Of fame for authorship,
as to continue to labor for Christ, and the Church,
particularly for that branch Of the Church, over
which the Holy Ghost had made him oversser.
The Church in Plattsburgh generously urged
upon their Pastor cessation of ministerial la
bor for as long period as his health should de-
mand Offering at the same time, to continue his
salary, and supply the pulpit Al length be re-
luctautly yielded to their wishes About the l.t
OF Jan he left PIattsburgh for a warmer climate,
and spent from this time till the following May
seeking in softer cline health and strength
He now returned to Plattsburgh, so much improv-
ed as to resume his usual pastoral labors. He
even took upon himself additional burdens. Be-
sides the Sabbath and weekly meetings, and
much visiting, be organized a weekly Bible class,
which he taught from June 1854, till the follow
ing Feb, at which he gave much time and study
These labors were not in vain. The Church was
again prosperous, and experienced proofs Of the
Spirits special presence.
In April Of this year Usj5) Mr.. Dobe was
sorely bereavcd. Mrs. Dobe was suddenly taken
from him. She deceased April 10th, 1855 The
loss Of so estilnable woman, judicious anu
devoted A wife and IN q her. and Onp on whom he
much relied, in his precariou. state Of health.
for time nearly prostrated our brother. He
able to preach but half of the day during the
Summer of 1858, and this he did not without
danger. In the early Fall, having again labored
beyond his strength, the hemorrhage returned with
greater violence than before, AMI brought him
very low. Despairing of health, If not of life.
and seeking the welfare of the Church in Plat,s.
burgh rather thln his own comfort, he a.kei
to be freed from pastoral responsibilities. The
! prcsbytery in October granted his request
Freed from Pastor, cares Mr. D. continued to
struggle with weakness aud desire to labor for tie
church of christ. He spent his time and strength
| during the following Winter in preparing the
Key to the Bib'e.'-a work the necessity fCr
which he had felt, as he says" in searching for
| helps to the UNDERSTANDING Of some Of the more
difficult pa sages," and the utility of which, he
had tested in the Bible Glass above noticed.
The efforts OF Mr.. b. to regain health in the
| Winter of 1856, aided by the skill Of DR.. H.
Green of n Y. City in the Spring, very
| fatteriug, that he INDUCED the fond hope Of
enjoying yet much strength to labor Tor Christ and
the Church. lie preached often, and without ap-
| prehensioa Of DANGER in the summer of ls5G,-
acting for u time Agent for Church Building in
| Kansas.
About this time, it i, understood, he received
a call to the pastorate Of one OF the Churches in
| Cincinnati, Ohio, which he negatived Some
time later he accepted:the call of the First Con.
greeational Church at st Adams, where he
| installed October "a, ls5G
The Church and society at St. Adams, with the
greatest unnuimity, gave our dear brother their
| entire confidence, and received him a. once to
| their hearts. seldom, il il believed d Church
| and Congregation receive Pastor with such
| daily, aud confidence a was here manifest The
pastor is no les, affected than the people. He gave
hu.olfto thcin wholly. Tie experienced the deyout-
est gratitude that he had again the prospect Of min
istering in 0hrist's stead, and persuadins sinners
| to be recunclcd to Gcl. "Oh brother, he
wrote to the w,iter Of this sketch, q" you cannot
tell what a favor from Christ | esteem it, that |
am again able to preach the Gospel Ny hsait
Is hk, n.r te,u. ju,stlg ,ut." His hopes
bright his faith strong. The field seemed to him
very inviting already ripe tor the harvest. He
doubted not Of great These hopes and
expectation. Of Pastor and people, were not to be
realized in the way anticipated. Tho strong ties
that bound each to the other to be suddenly
and sadly sundered
Mr.. Dobie preached the rabbath after his in
stalaton, Oh the mutual duties of Pastor and peo-
pie, with great earnestness and acceptance. 1t
was his last sermon. That very week the hemor-
rhage returned with greater violence than ever
His pastoral work done. He brought
nearer than ever to deaths door He again
vved and recovered strength to return to his fam
lily still at Plattsburgh where he was prostrated
the fourth time. After this he able to re-
move with his family to st. Adams. From the
time OF his arrival, however, at ST. Adams he was
wholly laid asiie,-able neither to enter the House
Of God nor the dwelling Of any of his parishoner'
only to ride out at the most favorable times. In
the midst of his weakness, however, he projected
another work. sc Not willing to be wholly
; ide," he proposes to publish a. book.
entitled Remarkable Conversions gather.
, ed from the journal of Missionary
and a PASTOR Upon this he labored, and
, pent his whole remaining strength. He labored
/, at it, when he hardly had strength enough to sit
in his chair, and guide hi. pen. Indeed at times,
It was necessary to bind his wrist with hannes in
order to strengthen them to hold the pen. Al
, other times a member of his family stood over him
to bathe his head and chated his temples while he
wrote He thus labored till he finished tue work
about the first week in February. From this time
he sank rapidly, and closed his most laboriou'.
useful life, having hardly put of his harness. Feb.
II, IN the 4sth year of bis age.
Our brother left four orphan children, three
" sons and daughter, left them in the bands OF
, | that Savior whom he served. and to whom be had
. | copsecrated them in their infancy,
). doubling that He would be to them, as He had
, been to him, both Father and Savior. Space
does not allow ne to say more Of his last eIpri'
ence than that he regarded it as the most precio
ofhis life. Him whom he served in life.supporssd
and comforted him in death
AsaPastor the Rev Mr.. Dobe devoted
and faithful. iudicious aud successful. He had
roculiar Qualifications for the sacred office His
M success is shown by the growth and prosperity Of
the church in Plattsburgh During his Ministry
;. AT Plattsburch, l6s were added to the church.
j. lie sought out the youth oi MS P"'
- ticularly the young men, with great care. He
ID encouraged and assisted by his own personal la
fe bors several young men to enter upon course Of
preparation for the Ministry.
I'd A,a Preacher he had marked exeellencies. He
in was earnest and direct, ever putting Christ for
4, ward. and neither seeking to hide, nor softer
,D down the great triths Of the Gospel. Having q
of vivid perceptionlke to realization of the truth,
al on which he spake he brought all the energies o'
his mind and heart to bear upon their illustra