The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-04-29
Rev. William Ford.
BY REV. DERNIcE D. AMEs.

Rev. William Ford.
BY REV. DERNIcE D. AMEs.
Rev. William Ford was born in Glen
vile, Schncctady county, N. Y, October
%, 1921. He was one of q family of
nine children, all Of whom lived to have
families, and two of whom, Revs. Abel
and Salisbury S., are worthy members of
the Troy Conference. His mother was q
Methodist from his earliest recollection,
and still survives, venerable saint, eighty.
five years of age His father was not
converted till he had heard his three sons
preach the gospel.
William, with all his four brothers,
was converted and joined the Methodist
church within a single year, the date of
his conversion being October I, 1887.
He and the two brothers above named re-
ceived license to preach in 1910. He
afterwards supplied two appointments, at
one Of which, Greenfield circuit, N. Y,
he was licensed to preach, and recommend
cd to the Troy Conference, to which he
was admitted on trial in 1S42 After
the usual probation he was received into
full connection, and successfully ordained
deacon and elder. His appointments
were as follows, namely: Mechanicville
and Saltwater, N. Y: Brandon, Vergen-
ncs, Burlington, Bristol Clintonville, N.
Y; Chazy, N. Y, and Rutland. At the
last named place his health failed, and at
the close Of his term of service there he
took a superannuated relation and moved
to Brandon, where he resided for sixteen
years. While there he was appointed to
serve the following charges Whitehall,
n. Y; Whiting, Salisbury, Leicester, Go.
shen and Brandon. For several years he
was editor and publisher of the Northeast
ern Christian Adrocate, at Brandon.
In 1869 he removed to Michigan, and
settled in Battle Greek. He was subse-
quently transferred by Bishop Scott from
the Troy to the Michi gan Conference, and
was stationed at Paw Paw in ISL. lie
had just entered upon a second year of
his pastorate in that charge when he clos.
ed his earthly labors and entered into rest
October 2l, 1872.
While stationed at Ncrgennos he was
married to Miss Ermina Maria Fisk, of
Brandon, who, with son and daughter,
still survives him. They have the heart.
felt sympathy of their numerous friends,
east and west
Brother Ford early developed thirst
for knowledge, and in his boyhood was
wont to read whatever came within his
reach. Soon after his conversion, he gave
indications that the preaching Of the gos.
pei was his destined work. He even had
an impression years before that this was
to be his calling. BY the mistaken ad.
vice and action Of the church authorities,
he was thrust into the active work of the
ministry with only common school ed
ucat.on. But although he ever afterwards
regretted this great mistake, he succeeded
admirably in acquiring by thorough study
that culture which was denied him in
the school. As a preacher he was me.
thodical' earnest, and eloquent, combining
in remarkable degree logical strength
with poetic beauty. He wrote genuine
poetry, and it is to be hoped that col.
lection of his poems may yet be publish
ed. lie was an excellent pastor. In
short, he ever seemed to regard it as an
honor and privilege, so far as his strength
permitted, to serve God, the church and
the people. in the various offices of the
Christian ministry.
lie was kind and tender husband and
/ father, a warm-hcarted friend, q genial,
cultivated, Christian gentleman, and an
earnest lover Of his country and his
kind.
Though thorough Methodist, his COM
prehenslve charity embraced I" all who
love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity"
The reciprocal cordiality existing between
him and the members of other churches
was shown by his being employed for
months at time to supply the pulpit of
the Congregational chuch in the place of
his residence
He proicsscd to enjoy and preache d
to others q full salvation. AS he was
aware for years that the disease-that of
the heart--irom which he suffered, and
to which he at last succumed, might at
any time prove fatal, he lived in constant
readiness for his departure. His last
sermon, two weeks before his DEATH was
from the appropriate and significant words,
81 have fought a good fight, have finish
cd my course, have kept the faith"
The day before his death, although his
throat was paralyzed, he, with great eff.
fort, said to a brother, This is trusting,
trusting simply trusting and soon after
exclaimed with great emphasis, " Glory
10 the Father, and 10 the Son, and 10 the
Holy Ghost."