The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-05-03
From the Vermont Chronicle.
Rev. Otto Smith Hoyt.

names are seldom heard by the public,
but they are well remembered by the
grateful people who have enjoyed their
ministrations. One of this class, whose
name appears at the head Of this article,
has, not long since, entered into his rest
He was the Oldest minister save one or
two in the State, counting from the date
of his ordination, and is certainly worthy
of some more public memorial than has
yet appeared.
Rev. Otto Smith Hoyt was born in New
Haven, Vermont, May 22d, 1898. He
was the son of Hon. Ezra and Mrs. Sa-
rah Smith Hoyt. His parents possessed
good share of the intelligence and cul-
ture and dignity of these times. His ia
ther was much in public life, man of
wealth and extensive business connect
ions.
Mr.. Hoyt was prepared for college at
Royalton Academy entered Middlebury
College in 1909, was graduated in 1913,
at the age of twenty, ranking among the
best scholors in class Of twenty-nine,
among whom were Larned, the eloquent
preacher of New Orleans, Wilcox, the
poet, and Nelson, now Judge of the Su-
preme Court of the United States. Dur
ing the latter part Of his course, he be-
came, as he hoped, a Christian, and unit
ed with the Congregational church in
Middlebury.
The advantages of which Mr.. Hoyt
might have availed himself, the pursuit
either of wealth or honor, were unusual.
With his talents and scholarship, his fine
presence and engaging manners, and the
large acquaintance and influence of his
father, the path to worldly success would
have been an open one. He belongs to
that class of men, which has not been
small in Vermont, who have entered the
Christian ministry from the very highest
social position, and have added wealth
and family influence to the offering of
consecrated talent and culture.
After teaching one year in the Acade-
my at Middlebury, Mr.. Hoyt entered the
Seminary at Andover, in 1914. He was
recalled to Middlebury to serve as tutor,
the next year, and then resuming his theo-
logical studies at Princeton, was gradua-
ted at that Seminary in 1878.
During the summer following he preach
ed in Utica, New York, assistant to Rev.
DR.. Dwight, where he formed a circle of
acquaintances, who influenced his subse.
quent life in many respects. Returning
to Vermont, he received and accepted a
call from the church in Hinesburgh, and
was installed September 80, 1S1S,his pas
tor, Rev. Josiah Hopkins, of New Haven,
preaching the sermon from Heb. 13: H.
The young pastor entered earnestly
upon what proved to be his life work
Hinesburgh was then Aourishing town
The church, though it h ID long been
without pastor, was quite respectable
in numbers, and in the ability and piety
of its members. The community was at
that stage, when deep and permanent in
Auence can be exerted, land he did more
than any other man to form the charac-
ter of the people. His chief energies
were devoted to his spiritual work. 1t
was the leading object of his life to study
Gods word, and to preach it for the sane
tifcation of believers, and the conviction
and conversion of sinners. The pulpit,
and thorough preparation for it, was the
first thing. Pastoral labor from house
to house was not neglected, but was SUBJ
ordinate. His intercourse with the peo-
pie of the town was almost entirely min
isterial, except perhaps, that there were
few families where he more frequently
visited, that he might cultivate the genial
qualities of his heart, in the relations Of
friendship and social life. Except with
his own family, and with these especial
friends, the dignity and selfconsciousness
of the ambassador of Christ was not laid
aside. Mr.. Hoyt was, in an eminent
sense, especially during his earlier minis.
try, to set apart quite frequently, days
for private fasting and prayer.
He labored with acceptance to his peo'
pie, and with large success, for ten years
There were several seasons of religious
interest, and eighty-six were added to the
church. In September 1928, he asked fol
a dismission, in consequence of the entire
failure of his voice. A Council met Oc
tober %, but could not come to conclu
sion to advise the separation but advised
instead, that Mr.. Hoyt should try the eff
feet of rest from labor. The same Coun
Gil came together again by adjournment
on the Sd Of February, 1929, and as Mr.
Hoyt was still disabled, they advised hi
dismission.
The two following years he was engag
ed in teaching in the Academy at Hines
burgh, and then, having regained in part
the use of his voice, he accepted the agen
cy of the American Education Society
for Central and Northern New York ,ant
removed his residence to Utica. He be
came deeply interested in the work of tn
Education Society, and not only raise,
funds for that object, but led many youn
men into the ministry, by his persona
counsel and winning example. After
, service of five years in this agency, h
took charge of Seminary for young la
dies, at Clinton. New Yok, for on
: year.
During these years the people of Hines
, burgh had not ceased to love and respec
their former pastor. Various minister
: were employed, and one pastor was sci
: tied, but no strong mutual attachmeu
was formed. Mr.. Burchard, the note
3 revivalist labored there, and added som
E fifty names to the record of the churcl
In all. about one hundred and twent
= names were added, during the interval b,
] tween Mr.. Hoyt's two pastorates. Th
most of this which was valuable wa
doubtless, fruit which he had mature'
which owned his husbandry, and whic
had ripened and fallen in those tempest
) of revival meetings."
The increased church began to feel th
need Of a pastor to preside over thel
with judgment, and lead them into gree