Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-02-13
Rev. Robert Southqate.

IOrtlanu, Me-, Jan. Zoln, lOUO. lie
was the son of Horatio and Nabby
(McLelland) Southgate. He fitted for
college in his native city, and entered
Boudoin college in the autumn of 1922
and graduated in 1926 at the age Of
IS. He was converted in connection
with the day of prayer for colleges,
and consecrated himself as four OF his
brothers did to the ministry. He en-
tered the Theological Seminary at An
dover in the year 1926, soon after his
graduation from college, After com
pleting the prescribed three years
course of study there in 1929 he went
directly to New Haven, Conn.,, to
spend a fourth year Of Theological
study in attendance upon the lectures
of the Divinity School connected with
Yale College. After preaching a year
in various places he came to this town
and became pastor Of this church on
Jan. 4, 1882. The dew of divine grace
was fully upon the church at the time.
He himself was to them and ever has
been as the dew that refreshes. During
the winter of 81 and '35 q revival
commenced with prayer and visiting,
and an earnest preparatory work in
the hearts of church members, which
in connection with the subsequent Ia
bors Of Rev. Jedediah Burchard, dur
ing prctracted meeting Of four weeks
continuance resulted in q work Of great
power, largely affecting also towns
around. As the fruit in part Of that
revival more than two hundred persons
united with the different churches in
this village, the greater part with the
Congregational church. Of these who
joined at that time many have been its
most prominent members since, OF
whom two have just fallen asleep, l..
A. Marsh and Nathan Cushing. I
have often wondered how so young
and inexperienced Mr. Southgate could
sustain himself in the charge of such
q church as this then was. After about
five years labor his health falling he
resigned and was dismissed Oct. 26th.
1886.
He was next settled over the Con-
gregational church in Weathersiield,
Conn, Feb. 18th, 1888, as colleague
pastor with Rev. c. J. Tenney, ID. d.,
and became full pastor on the resigin-
alton of DR.. Tenney, Jan. 10, 1871.
During this pastorate there Were three
marked seasons Of special religious in
terest and one hundred aud seventy
three We're added to the membership
of the church. He was dismissed at
his own request on Nov 90, lSA3,
leaving the church with a membership
Of 495 persons who keenly regretted
his withdrawal. Mr.. Southgate was
next settled over young small pres
byteriau church in Monroe, Michigan,
in Oct. 1915 The church worsbiped
in a hall or the Court House at first,
but in two years time erected beauti-
full and commodious house Of worship,
free from debt. Here too he was
cheered by repeated seasons Of deep
religious interest and many accessions
to the church. This pastorate conlin-
ed uninterruptedly and happily, with
growing interest and attachment be-
tween pastor and people until the an-
tumn Of 1949. Repeated attacks Of
fever and ague and other diseases in
cident to that region, materially effect
ing himself and family, he felt constran-
ed to remove; with sorrow he turned
his face away from a field so rich in
promise and toward New England
again.
In December, 1850 he was called
UNANIMOUSLY and urgently to the first
church in Ipswich, Mass, and was in
stalled the oath of July following
This was an old church, the 9th form
ed in the settlement of Mass, organic
ed only fourteen years after the landing
Of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. 1t was
a mother of churches, yet at the time
of his pastcrate was great contrast
to the young and growing church in
Monroe, 1t constantly suffered from
the drain of its most enterprising and
youthful members to the neighboring
cities aud manufacturing villages. Yet
his labors were blessed with many to.
kens of the Divine favor. After more
than IS years labor he resigned. His
resignation was not accepted at first
but being renewed he was dismissed
March 31st 1867.
After preaching year in Hartford,
Conn, while the pastor of one of its
Congregational churches was absent in
Europe, and in Oxford, n. H., nearly
a year, and in Hartford, Vt. a year, he
accepted a call to this latter church,
and was installed Dec 20, 1871. Dur
ing his labors here the church edifce
was repaired and beautitied and the
church comforted and edited by his
able and Efficient ministry. From this
church God took him to himself on
Thursday last thus closing the labors
Of his ministering servant here below
Here were AZ years of earnest Christian
work in the Lords vinyard The five
churches Of which he was the pastor
at different times were each blessed
and strengthened by his labor and left
harmonious and sorrowing at his dis
mission.
Mr.. Southgate was married in Oct.