New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-13
DEATH OF THE REV. SAMUEL GILMAN
ID. d.

The decesse of the Rev. DR.. Gilman Of Charleston,
s. c., lie announced as having taken place on Monday
Feb s, at Kingston, Plymouth Co., Mass, where he
was on visit for his health at the residence Of his SON.
D-law, the Rev. G. j. Bowen. DIR. Gilman was widely
known in New England Of which he was native, and
in his adopted State Of South Carolina, as scholar of
sineulary varied aaininents able and impressive
preacher writer Of rare and delicate humor, well
as OF masculine sense and classical taste, and man
whom it difficult not 10 admire for his uncommon
social qualities his large caholicity Of view and his
gracious and conciGstory bearing He was born Feb.
Ii, 1891 in the old town Of Gloucester Mass where
his father had been wealthy merchant, but by sud-
den reverse of fortune left his family dependent
their resources. At early age he
became member of the household Of the
Rev. Samuel Peabody, of Atkinson, N H., whose
quaint primitive ways are described with mimi
table humor in biographical sketch by Mr.. Gil
man. published in the Christian Examiner about ten
wears ago. He entered Harvard College in 1907 and
after the usual conrse of study graduated in class
which numbers among its members many names OF the
most honorable distinction in Church and State. With
such competitors as Edward Everett, Rev. Dr. FToth-
ipgham and others who have since become widely
celebrated he obtained hOnOrs Of high order, and
after completing his professional studies, was appointed
to an Office in the University, which he filed with
success until 1919 when he accepted an invitation to
become the pastor of the Unitarian Church in Charles
ton S. c. He was soon after Ordsned and for nearly
forty years abored in the position in which ne was
placed in early manhood. During his residence in
Cambridge he was frequent contributor to the North
American Review, in which periodical his papers are
marked by their polished elegance of dicton, the grace
and felicity of their illustrations and then racy humor
After his removal to Charleston ne continued to write
for different periodicals. his contributions embracing
wide range of subjects, from profound philosophical
discussions to sparkling satrcal essays selection
from these was published in volume few years
since, and now forms an appropriate memorial OF MS
fame. Among his productions, the Recolections oil
| New-England Village Choir" has, perhaps, become
the most generally popular. For apt local description,
keen sense of the ludcrous, and happy intuition oil
characteristic pecuarties il has seldom been matched
in the humorous literature Of this country Dr. Gilman
also possessed the gift Of poetry, whsh he cultivated
with no inconsiderabe success. He bad a lu1urant
fancy an excellent command of natural imagery, aud
great uency Of expression though one could claim
for him the higher powers of imagination or depth Of
passion. As pulpit orator. he was aTectonate and
persuasive, equally removed from languor and
vehemence, never bOsterous, but always in earnest,
loving the sphere of universal ethics rather than the
great lessons he taught by the shining and noble
example of his private life His influence was not
confined within the precincts of his own church, but
spread kindly and attractive atmosphere in the midst of
strenuous theological differences Although his natural
tastes would have perhaps inclined him strongly
to an academic purely literary life than TO the cler
ca profession he never shrunk from the most faithful
allegiance to the duties OF his calling. Succeeding
man of rare endowments and admirable personal traits
he soon won not only the devoted affection of his
charge, butthe esteemofthe whole community, owhich
he came as stranger but where he was al once recog-
nized as friend His occasional visits to the home of
his youth kept his ancient intmscies unbroken old
associations were preserved amid the excitement Of
navel scenes and fresh interests ard that he has
passed away his remembrance will be tendery cher
shed both by those to whom he devoted the maturity
of his strength and those among whom he has found
crave.