Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1866-08-11
From the congregational Quarterly.

life was spent In Schoha,ie County, but
when about eighteen years Of age be came
to reside 10 Camden, Oneida County. This
plase soon after became the scene OF pow.
erfnl work Of grace, which prevailed at that !
time throughout that section of country
Young Conklin, who bad previously been a
wild aud thoughtless youth. more given to
ridicule and sco1ng than to serious things,
was iirst arrested by tho spdden conversion
of sister, aud soon became himself hope
fol subject Of divine grace. lie entered at
once, with the zeal of'a new. born soul, upon
labors for the conversion of his former com.
pnnious in folly, and had the JOY of seeing
many of. them embrace the Savior
His mind became at length mnch cxer-
cised on the gu ston of preaching the gos.
pei, bnt the difficulty of reaching the sacred
profession, on 1ccoun. of bis limited advann!
tages and Unite means, seemed almost in.
surmouutable While making it n subject
Of special prayer, The Rev. Henry Smlrh,
pastor of lhe church in Camden, making
pastoral call one day, inquired OF his moi her
whether Robert would like to come in o
his family and study The offor was gladly
accepted and he remained with Mr.. Smith
his studies. After the death of his pastor
he spent several terms OF the Clas, icsl In-
stitutes in Mani US and Oamdon, and then
pursued course Of theological stu ly with
the Rev. Sylvester Eaton, pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church in Baff,lo, with
whom he remained until licensed TO preach,
after which he lahofed several months
among the Seneca Indians.
lie was ordained as en- evangelist st
Victor, n. Y, Jane I, 1881, bringing o
the ministerial work such intellectual and
spiritual equipment as he had been able 10
secure in the Eve years succeeding his con,
version, without the training of a course OF
study in college and theological seminary.
He brought 10 the work some natural and
spiritual gifts, and amoag them a ready u.-
terance and an earnest devotedness, which
made speedy demand for his services =
Converted in revival, and in full sympa
thy with the great movement OF which it
was part, he spent most of the early years
of his ministry in revival abors in different
places in New York. The atmosphere Of
revival was always congenal TO him, and
be retained through life strong predilec
tion for scenes and labors connected with
the special outpouring of the Spirit, and
auring a ministry Of thirty sour years he
participated in a great number of such
seasons Of refreshing from the presence of
the Lord
He married Miss Catherine, daughter Of
Joseph Webb, of Canandaigna.
or his successiye residences and fields OF
labor the writer has no accurate informs.
tion. He labored for few years in Spring
field Mass for several years after, he min
lister to the Free Church 10 Providence,
Il. l. He was never installed as pastor Of
any church though often sole It'd 10 sus-
tain the relation. Iie labored at three I.
fereut periods in Ashtahula. o, the place
of his latest ministrations, where with the
loss of strength he rested frcm The active
duties Of the minislry in April, 1864 His
constitution was never robust, though he
was able to accomplish good deal of d.
vctsified work Some visible symptoms of
q tendency 10 consumption were matured
and confirmed by visit to the army 10 the
ice of the Christian Commission, and be
was compelled to desist from preaching, and
soon after took up his residence in Detroit
as an invalid, to await the developments OF
his disease. Some three or four months be.
fore his death be was removed to Cleyelaad.
lie was then euacated and weak, aud was
still further reduced, month by month, often
laboriog for respiration, aud suffering at
times severe pain. Throughout his sickness
he was calm, patient and untroubled, ready
to wait the appointed time, and more ready
to depart. The faith which be had com
IN ~ ad in ha
hour OF his need; his trust in Jesus was
unreserved and unclouded l.
| A few Sabbaths before his deco Use, at
his special request, the sacrament of the
Lords Supper was administered in his sick.
room, the pastor aud deacons Of the Con.
gregational Churcnes near ofSciating in the
service. AT its conclusion he expressed the
satisfaction which the occasion had afforded
him, and returned thanks 10 the brethren.
| II was an evident comfort to him that be
had been permitted to celebrate this sacred
ordinance O. ce more and for the last time,
before he should partske Of the fruit of the
vine new in the kingdom of his Father
From Christian brethren near him, irclu-
ding two physicians, whose services were
freely giren. our sick brother received many
kindnesses, for which be felt deeply grateful.
With his mental faculties unmpaired by
the wasting Of his frame, and with the
surety of an unfaltering confidence, know
ing whom he had believed, he fingered uu.
Ill the noon Of Friday, Dec. 10Th, 1865,
when in a sinking turn, differing not appar'
emily from many through which be had
passed, his spirit was suddenly released
from its frail tabernacle, and he fell asleep
in Jesus.
Our deceased brother vas called to Sc
vere domestic beresvemen's. OF the six
children whom God gave to him and his
! componion-a son and five daughters--only
daughter survives. An elder daughter
was called away in the opening of her
youthful promise, aud the only son at the
age of fourteen. But with these afli ctions,
added to the trials incident TO the minis
terial Office, the quiet cheerfalness Of our
departed brother was not broken down.
He was constitutionally hopeful and sep-
guine, and not despoueing, and bore up
| with good heart and hope TO the end.
Asa preacher our brother wac argumen
tatiye, and be had q natural facility, 5oti
in arranging aud expressing bis thoughts