The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-07-26
Prof. james r. Pierce.

VI, and at Kimball Union Academy
Meriden, N. II He entered Middlebury
College in 1867, and graduated with the
Latin Salutatory in 1861 He immedi
ately commenced preparation for the
Christian ministry in Auburn Theologic.
4 al. Seminary, and after an interruption o.
one year, spent as Tutor in Middlebury
College, he graduated in 1865. While
a Tutor he preached in West Cornwall
VT, and afterwards in the city of Port
land, Me-, with great acceptance. After
graduation at Auburn, he supplied the
1st Church at Norwalk, CT, but before
the opening of the Fall tearm he was, il
consequence of his rare ability and excel
lence as scholar, elected, upon a new
foundation donated by Mr.. Christopher
Robert. adjunct Professor of the Hebrew
Language and Literature, and in 1867, Q
full Professor During his first year as
instructor in the Seminary, he supplied
for some time, writing new sermons, the
Park Church, Syracuse, giving high salts.
faction, and witnessing much religious in.
terest under his labors He was subse.
quently ordained an Evangelist, by the
Presbytery of Oayuga, and has preached
in many of the neighboring churches, es.
pecially the Second Presbyterian church
in this city, with which he commonly
worshiped. He administrated, baptized
converts. was greatly beloved, and will he
deeply lamented in these Churches.
He was permitted to preach the gospel
for six years; and to instruct future
preachers for five years Though dead,
he will yet speak through his pupils, who
have received preparation from him for
fifty years to come.
Prof. Pierce had an admirable mind. He
was not only man of fine talents and
fine culture he was man of genius.
The eminent DIR. s. NJ. Post, of St. Louis
setting as Judge of prize speaking, and
hearing an original oration by Mr.. Pierce,
then Junior in College, said,on making
up the verdict which assigned our friend
the first prize, that he was so absorbed in
the matter,he entirely forgot the delivery.
A venerable docter of divinity hearing
him preached the first part of a double
sermon, in the Second Church. made his
way through heavy rain to the evening
service, because he must hear the remainder
that sermon. His treatment Of n subject
was, for so young n man, singularly pro-
found and exhaustive. His illustrations
were origional; and there was a certain
unique light, the joint product of genius
and labor thrown over his work.
His remarks in the conference meeting
were always fresh, instructive, fascinating.
Seldom do the tones and influences of 80
young man represent weight of thought
and authority so mature He was a
kind parishoner, aud has come, since the
weariness of disease began to he fastened
upon him, to leave with his pastor some
token of his remembrance and love
His habits of study were of the very
best from his boyhood, and very much the
same through his whole course He
wrote shorthand, and used the pen freely.
He was steady and persistent in his
studies and acquisitions, beyond most,
even the best scholars He had much
mechanical ingenuity,and has left elegant
and elaborate specimens of his skill in
working in wood; using tools for recrcat-
ion. Indeed, his habits of work were
probably too severe for his constitution.
As to his religious character, he served
God from his fathers and his life in Ac.
ademy and College had the same Chris
tian correctness as during his Professor
ship 1t is probably assuming nothing to
say that from his youth there has not
been moment when the glory Of God was
not the supreme aim of his soul. His
whole plan Of life, and paramount desire
for it, if it might be Gods will, was that
he might extend Christ's kingdom and
honor in the world.
As Professionals success was from the
first remarkable. A Senior ten years
older than himself spoke in the highest
terms of one of his first exercises as an
instructor. He had diligently studied
Arabic and Sanscrit, aud investigated the
geography, antiquities, &c. &c, which
would illustrate his own department. He
seemed certain. had be lived, to have at
tanned high eminence among Professors il
Biblical Science In the Professor
chair, he was prompt, accurate, elegant
He gave some instruction in the bes
manner of studying the English Bible
His examinations won the commentator
Of men from distance, as we'll as of thu
trustees, commissioners alumni and friend
Of the Seminary,
Prof Pierce loved exceedingly 1T
preach the Word. He was faithful il
attendance and service in ecclesiastical
bodies His beautiful remarks about tn,
New Jerusalem made at the last meeting
of the Synod of Onondaga, will no, sool
be forgotten
For not less than three years his health
has declined For six months he ha
been nearly confined to his house Few
had more to lose in bright prospects o
usefulness, honor and happiness. He wa
naturally ambitious, though spontaneous
ly retiring, his talents and industry mad'
him self-reliant. But he had early con
pcSidtSu All W ppu, anu euuuTtu VIII
patient submission the long uncertainty o
decline. hoping and praying that h
might be spared to his friends, and be per
mitted to do more work ON earth 70
Christ and the Church. His disease wa
at last developed as enlargement and ossi
fication Of the heart. The uncertain, pain
ful, distressing nature of this disease tn
wearisome days and nights are wei
known.
For many days Prof. Pierce stood i
the vestibule OF eternity; recovery hu
manly speaking impossible, having de
sire "a strong desire to depart and TO b
with Christ. 1t was in keeping with tn
genius of Prof. Pierce, an intellect and
heart always keenly sensitive to, an
seeking for light, that the approach q
immortality should have presented itsel
to his mind under the imagery Of tn
limitless extent and irrcpressible glory G