Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-04-07

Hev. Simon Combs came to Jamaica as
Baptist minister about the year 1705. He
came TO Vermont from near Cape Cod, and
had spent a part of his life at Martha's
Vineyard, and was soldier under Gen.
Sullivan, and was in at least one hard
fought battle on Rhode Island. After
preaching in two or three places, he came
to Vermont, where he remained until 1913
when he returned TO Massachusetts, as pas
tor Of the Beechwood Baptist church, In
the southwest corner of marlborough,
in the county Of Plymouth, and died there
about fifteen years afterwards. Elder
Combs had fine library, containing very
many historical works, including Stack
houses History of the Bible in two large
volumes. The deacon's oldest son, Calvin,
being passiona'ely fond of reading, was
invited TO use the minister's books at his
own pleasure. The boy did not fail to
profit by the generous offer, but spent ev-
cry spare day, and sometimes even the
sundays, in reading the precious books.
tsa.i WORK the lot or the deacons boys,
and little time for going to school or read
ing could be afforded them, but the books
of Elder Combs were nearly all read, and
many things in them are remembered TO
this time.
The good man, returning to Vermont in
the autumn of 1906 on visit, learned that
his friend Calvin had become a member of
Baptist church, and he Immediately made
the generous offer to take the boy, then
fourteen years of age, to Massachusetts,, at
his own expense, and procure for him a
suitable education to fit him for the minis
| try. This object was to be accomplished
by the help of the Baptist Education Soci-
ETY., to which the boy had ample recon-
mendltions. In the meantime he was sent
to the boarding school of Rev. William
| Williams, at Wrentham, Mass, where he
| spent some months in the study of Latin
+ and Greek-all at the expense of good Ell
/ der Combs, who already had large fam
/ lily of his own. Sickness then intervened,
! brough on by intense study, which utterly
deprived the poor boy of all power to pros
ecute any kind of study. He returned to
/ Vermont to spend the summers in farm
labor, and the winters in teaching. All
idea Of becoming preacher was given up,
which probably was for the best, and this
son became physician of moderate quail
| ihcations, and an ultra temperance man in
the State of New York
The deacon was, believe, universal
iavorite in the vicinity where he lived, and
in religious matters he was almost an ora
cic. He was ready to converse on relig-
ious subjects, and have frequently heard
him and some brother, late in the night,
debating on some doctrnal matters. In
truth, he hardly wished to converse about
anything else. He had a theory of his
own, by which he surmounted the diff
culties of the Calvinistic theology. The
views of Andrew Fuller, little known al
that time, were similar to his own. The
doctrines of Doctors Gill, Hopkins, and
others of that school, were repugnant tc
! his own idea of the goodness and benevo-
y l1uce of God. The fullness of tho atone.
nient, aud its sufIiciency for ali who would
accept it. he believed fully. These las
doctrines made great headway, among thu
Baptists of Vermont, and l suppose are
held as true by the greater part Of the de
nomination ut this time, everywhere.
The deacon's family were twelve in mum
Der, five boys and seven girls. Nine wert
born in Jamaica, and three in Winhall, III
adjoining town. The two eldest wer
daughters, then two sons, then n daughter
and so alternately until the two last, whicl
were both daughters. We were separated
in early life-each maintained an honora
BILE and religious character, and all wer
members of Baptist churches. Two min
ieio NM nj, aisia ~
them. Nearly half are now dead, and tn
remainder are looking prayerfully to tn
glorious reunion.
The second of the sons was named aite
the favorite minister, Elder Leland. III
was noted in his childhood for love of fu
and play, caring little about learning, hav
ing only few months schooling, and nc
improving that very well. lie was, in fac
the very reverse in that respect of his old
er brother, whose soul was given to book
and learning. Naturally kind-hearted an
witty, Leland was much liked by all hi
acquaintances. lie did not feel his want {
education. Both he and his elder brothe
f worked hard TO supply the wants of on
fathers large family.
But Providence was preparing chang
, for the wild boy-the dancer and "frolicll
er," whatever that may mean. At sever
5 teen years OF age, he hired himself t.
Charles Dyer, of Salisbury, Vemont, TO
Z six months. Soon a great revival con
. menced, and became very general. Ii
land became one of its most promising sui
iects. He Immediately showed his taler
for speaking, as well his zeal in the servic
of his new Master. Soon after, he return
= cd to his home in Winhall where, unde
! the influence of his jealous exhortations,
= revival of religion Immediately begai
5 The change in him was so great, so entir
2 l-tEnt 1t SURPRISED everybody, and the unet
Il uCated boy became at once an enthusiast
!, laborer in the cause of his own blesso
. Saviour. Meetings were appointed fC
n him to address, in his own and ,neighbo
= ing towns; and shortly after my return
my place of study in New York, l had
o letter informing me that Leland had begr
r to preach.
d How did he manage, with his almost g
d tire want of early education! 1t was wi
! difficulty that he could read chapter
x the Bible, or the hymn for the congreg
IS ton to sing. His father, the deacon, o
= posed him as far rs possible, for son
1t months. He however studied hard al
n improved fast; in fact he was, in she
time, universally acceptable as preach'
= The deacon was poor, and needed his wa
1t es, so for two years my father made t
J. bargains and took the pay for his sol
D clerical services Shortly after my brot
IS err found generous friend in Gen. Abn
r Forbes, of Windsor, Vermont; and I
to life of Leland Howard, afterwards, was
n public to need any notice from me. T
| good man has gone to his rest, at the age
4 seventy-six years-a long life, faithful
II spent. Dear brotherl thy reward is ST
ID as is the promise of thy Lord.
.r Aoothar oo, Of tha daacon'a atill Twin