Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-04-28
Orestes A. BrOWnsOn, IL. d.

A remarkable career was closed at Detroit,
Monday. by the death of Orestes A. Brown
son, LII. d. lie was born in Stockbridge.
in this State, Sept. 10, 1903. and his early
| life was destitute alike of the amusements
and employments which ordinarily fall to the
lot Of childhood, and of the means for OBJ
tanning a satisfactory and well rounded edu-
cation. Without either games, companions
or books to solace his lonely life. and spend
! ing his time principally in the company Of
| old people, bis mind turned toward the con-
temptation of religious subjects. He early
| formed the purpose of becoming a minister,
and in his 10Th year joined the Presbyterian
| church, at BallstOn, n Y, where he was
attending an academy. Not long after, his
religious ideas became confused by argu-
ments to which he listened; his theology
| underwent a change, and after period of
intense doubt, anxiety and agitation he be-
| came Universalst, and IN 1925 entered
the Universalist pulpit, preaching in yari
Gus places in New York and Vermont. and
writing actively for reviews and periodicals.
| Several years later he imbibed from Robert
| Owen an enthusiasm for schemes of social
reform, and was prominent in the formation
of workingmen' party, In New York, IN
ls2S A little later his attention was drawn
to the writings of DR.. Claiming, and IN
| 1892 he became a [ UnitarIan minister. From
this time he entered pore Systematically,
and with increased ardor, into the study
of philosophy and theology In 1886
he organized in Boston, Society for
/ Christian Union and Progress, and re-
tanned the pastorate for seven wears. at
the expiration of which time he ceased
preaching. In 1888. be established the
Boston Quarterly Reuielr, remaining It's
proprietor and almost sole writer, Tor the
| five years of its existence. In his various
writings and sermons be carried out abstract
principles to their speculative results. and
be SAID If himself, In his later lie, that he
had accepted and indicated nearly every
error into which the human race has ever
fallen. DR.. BrOwnsOn. like many another
restless dreamer, thinker and enthusiast be-
fore him. began to look to the Roman Cath
! Ole Church tor rest and shelter. and enter
ed that communion in 1914. In this same
wear he established Br0tCHS0Hs Quarterly
| RsrIe,r, which for twenty years be c)nduet
ed with signal ability and esrnestn in de-
fence OF the tenets OF the Catholic ,alrch.
| lie remained an adherent OF the c.4rch
to the time of his death. lie chen,ed
/ his philosophical system nearly a often
as his religion. and was at different times
sensationalist. an intuitionist, a rational
Isl, and finally an advocate Of system in
which the traditional and rational elements
were blended lie was the author OF New
| Views Of Christianity. Society and the
| Church published IN 1913 and distin-
guished for lis infdel doctrines; Charles
/ Elwood, or the lnhdel Converted, phIlo-
| sophico-religious treatise disguised as
novel. which he suppressed soon after its
publication in 1910, IN consequence OF
/ change in his views. The SpirIG Rapper.
published in l,54. The Convert. or Leaves
/ from Nv Experience. published in 1851,
/ and The American Republic" published
| in ls6j Several of his books and all the
numbers Of Broirnson's Quarterly RerIeic
ver.' reprinted in England. Tie was at one
t.,..r fered protessorship in Dublin l nj
rei- Y but preferred to remain IN America.