St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-05-17
From the Morning Star.
Ret. Mark Hill.

/ ReC. Mark HUI.
In presenting to the public sketch of
the life and labors of this dear brother,
we have nothing to disguise, nothing to
extenuate. Few have been more fault
less in character, or in labors more abun-
dant and useful.
Bro. Hill was born in Buxton, Me-,
May 29, 1896, and died at Sutton, VT,
Nov. 3, 1866, aged 20 years, 5 months
and IL days. He was the youngest son
of Nathaniel and Martha Hill, whose
family consisted of thirteen children, all
of whom are now dead When he was
five years old his father died, leaving him
to the guidance and instruction of his
pious mother, whose faithfulness to her
trust, the son ever remembered and CRATE
fully acknowledged even on his dying
bed At the age of twelve years, by bis
own industry he began to provide for his
education, availing himself of the privi-
leges of winter schools: and such was
his proficiency that at an early are he
became qualified school teacher. In
the autumn of 1917, he was converted
TO God and was subsequently baptized
by Rev. Clement Phinney. Soon after
his conversion he was impressed with the
duty of entering the gospel ministry.
With these impressions, the next spring
lie commenced 4 course of study at a
neishboring academy, and spent two
years in preparation for college. But
his design of obtaining liberal education
through the want of means or other dis
couragements, WAS never realized This
to him proved source OF lifelong
regret
In 1920 and 1921 he was principally
engaged in teaching In 1922. he went
to Rhode Island 10 consult Elder White
about his call to the ministry and, to
Use his own words, by the fostering care
OF ministers he soon found his place in
Zion" After this, it is presumed. he
was engaged in preaching and teaching
schools, probably in Maine
/ He emigrated TO Vermont in 1925.
and bought in Lyndon, of Elder Daniel
Qulmby, small farm on which he
Misunderstanding school winters-and
also laborcd in the gospel-tcld with IL
der Quimby and others
In 1872 he married Arvilla Rurgles
of Lyndon; and the same year he united
with the church in Lyndon AMI was ciIo-
sen lis clerk At the time of his marri-
age lie had only $500, and of th. he had
loaned 5000 to aid the +. Il. PRINTING
Establishment in publishing the Mornin1
Star at Limerick, Ne.
In 1888 he moved 10 Sutton, and WAS
still engaged in farming. In 1884 he
received ordination at the Quimby meet
lng house III Lyndon Subsequently he
Joined the second church in Sheffield. and
after IA few wears was elected their pas-
tor, and this relation he sustained until
death. During his residence of over thir-
ty years in Sutton, besides attending to
his ministerial duties, he has done an ex-
tcnslve farming business, having at times
several men i'll his employ.
His labors rs 4 preacher have been
mostly i'll Sutton, Sheffield. Wheclock.
Lyndon and South Barton. occasionally
elsewhere. In his pastoral duties and
ministerial efforts he was ever faithful,
and had the satisfaction oil witnessing
the conversion of many souls where he
has labored. After he was sixty wears
of age his labors Were blessed with a
precious revival; and at one time he
was permitted to baptize eleven persons.
Indeed the prosperous, successful. usc-
full life of this blessed servant of God is
mostly fifty dellnerated by the Psalmi>t.
lie shall be like tree planted by the
river OF water, that bringeih forth ii-
fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
withcr; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper. Those that he planted in the
house of the Lord shall flourish in the
courts OF our God They shall still bring
forth fruit in cid age"
Though Bro. Hill has received but
very little, if anything, pecuniarily. for
preaching, yet with the blessing of God
upon his labors he has not only acquired
a competency tor himself and family, but
he has been enabled 10 do much for elu-
cation, missions and general benevolence.
He has always been liberal in donations
for charitable purposes, and his liberali-
ty did not end with his death. for he made
liberal gifts for those objects by his last
will and testament.
The last time he was out from home,
when much enfeebled by disease, he at
tended lecture, the object of which WAS
to obtain funds for the benefit of the
freedmen and there for the last time.
spoke in public, making en- earnest ap-
peal for the still down-trodden and OBJ
pressed, though civilly free.
For the past year, while his health
has been failing, lie has been engaged in
arranging his business; regarding his
work as almost done. Last September
! he attended the session of the Hunting
ton Q. NJ, and week later the Vermont
Yearly Meeting at Starksborough. After
this journey he went abroad but little,
and was soon confined with severe illness.
During his sickness lie was patient and
submissive, and often expressed desire
to depart and be with Christ.
His suffering were great, but his end
: was peace. lie leaves a wife, two son.
and an adopted daughter to mourn their
4 loss. a part of his family had passed
on before him. The church of which
t he was pastor, the community in which
V he lived, the benevolent societies of which
: he was patron, the denomination he
: loved and served, have, in his death. sus,
t tanned great loss.
D AS husband he was kind, as faith.
er very atfectionate, as man he wa:
r modest and unassumlng, as preacher
e unostentatious, yet firm and faithful.
: He was eminently practical man. and
S therefore an excellent counsellor and 9