New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-15


took place at his residence in Cambridge, Mass,
on Wednesday, March IA. Mr.. Sparks was born at
Wellington, Conn.,, May 10, 1879, and was conse-
ouently within two months of the completion of his
seyenty.seyenth year at the time of his death. The
early part of his life spent in agricultural and
mechanical pursuits, and it was not until he had
passed the age of boyhood, that he determined TO
obtain collegiate education. He finished his pre-
paratory studies at Phillips Exeter Academy, and
entered Harvard College in 1911, where he vas
graduated in due course in 1915. After studying
theology in Cambridge, and holding the ONCE
of tutor of mathematics in the college for
two years he was ordained as minister OF the Uni
tartan Church in Baltimore in 1919. IL was Oh
this occasion that DR.. Claiming delivered his cee-
brated discourse on the Unitarian faith, which
formed new era in the history of liberal Christi
anity' in this country. Mr. Sparks was then in
the prime Of manhood, fresh from the intellectual
atmosphere Of Cambridge, with mind disciplined
by and exact studies, bold and resolute, If
not an original, thinker, and the master Of plain
and forcible style of expression and delivery. lie
entered upon the discharge of his new duties with
dignity zeal, and remarkable effect. He was alone
among the clergymen of Baltimore as the advocate
of the Unitarian theology His preaching excited
much attention in the most refined and intelligent
circles of that city, and called forth strenuous op-
position from the representatives OF the popular
creed. Not long after he was honored with the ap-
pointment of Chaplain TO Congress, tribute to the
independence and manliness of his character, and
the mental energy of his preaching in spite of his
devotion to what was then deemed novel and I'M
fashionable religion. In 1920 he published an eabo-
rate and learned work on "The Ritual and Doctrines
Of the Episcopal Church, and the succeeding year
established monthly periodical, called The Uni
tartan MISCELLANY" which he continued to edit dur
ing his residence in Baltimore, writing the greater
part of its contents with his own hand. In this
work he commenced controversy with Dr. Miller, OF
Princeton, on "The Comparative Moral Tendency
of the Trinitarian and Unitarian Doctrines, which
was conducted on his part with great vigor and
good temper, and terminated with the increase OF
mutual respect, and indeed sincere personal
friendship on both sides. The letters of which
this discussion consisted were afterward collected
in volume and published in 1923. During this
period, he edited Collection of Essays and
Tracts in Theology comprising number OF valu-
able monographs from eminent writer's Of different
Christian denominations, but agreeing in the en-
deayor to give a rational Interpretation and con-
struotion to the received doctrines Of religion This
was completed in 1896 forming six volumes of rare
interest to the liberal student of theology.
Mr.. Sparkss health became impaired after few
years BY the arduous laborS Of his profession at
post which demanded perpetual vigilance and alert'
ness Of spirit, untiring energy OF action, and an
almost exclusive reliance on his own resources.
lie accordingly resigned his pastoral charge IN
1923, and having purchased tho "North American
Review" of which no was ono of tho original
founders continued to edit that journal in Boston
for q period of seven years. In 1923, he published
"L.ife of John Ledysrd, the celebrated American
traveller, drawn up in great part from unpublished
materials.
The attention of Mr.. Sparks was early directed
to the subject of American history. In the course
of his studies he formed the plan of publishing the
writings of Washington, With editorial notes and
illustrations with this view he made visit to
Europe, in 1923, where he remained year in the
examination of documents in the public Offices of
London and Paris. The collection of Washington S
papers, with life of the writer was published in
twelve octave volumes between 1884 and 1857.
While preparing this voluminous work Mr.. Sparks
also published "The Diplomatic Correspondence
Of the American Revolution" and "The Life of
Gouverncur Morris" In 1910 he completed the
publication of "The Works of Benjamin Franklin"
with biography Of the author, in ten volumes.
He then made second voyage to Europe and, dur
ipghis researches in the French archives discovered
the famous map, with the red line, which played
such an important part in the debates upon the
Ashburton treaty.
Among the other literary labors of Mr.. Sparks
may DO mentioned the "American Almanack,"
which he established, and of which he edited the
first volume; and the Library of American Bog-
raphy,' of which twenty-five volumes were pub
lished. His closing work on American History was
the Correspondence of the American Revolution"
in four volumes, comprising letters of eminent men
TO George Washington from the time of his taking
command Of tho army to the end of his pres dency,
edited from the original manuscripts.
Mr.. Sparks was also distinguished by his services
in the cause of education. He was professor of
history in Harvard College from 1889 to 1919, and
president of that institution from 1919 TO 1852 CON-
prisng term of academic labor Of thirteen years.
As an instructor, he was lucid in his expositions
firm in his manner, and bringing the fruits of a
large experience and varied knowledge to the illus
tration of his subject His duties as presiding Off
cor Of the college were discharged with eminent
ability His administration was marked by equal
vgor and discretion and if not so brilliant as that
of some of his predecessors was sngularly efficient