Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-04-11
Rev. Eli Ballou, DID.

1.-THE following sketch OF DR.. Ballou, who spent
so many years in this community, where he was
universally respected and where his death is la
menttd, was written by Rev. j. S Lee, now Of
Canton, New York and published in the Gospel
Banner Of April 7, 1888. Mr.. Lee was early asso-
ciated with Mr. Ballou in his work in Montpelier
This fact alone would indicate him as the proper
person to write OF DIR. Ballou's life-work In ad-
ditional reason appears in the last sentence.
This eminent defender OF our faith died in
Bethel, Vermont, March 18th, as the readers of
the Banner have already learned. lie was born
in lie Ray, Jefferson county, New York, Deem
Der |, 1903, received an early education in the
common school, and served apprenticeship at
shoemaking with Samuel Fields, afterwards his
brOther-in-aw, moved to Malone and became a
Universalist at the age OF eighteen years. He
was sixth In the line OF descent from Maturin
Ballou, who came to Rhode Island about 1646, and
through him was a distant relative OF Father
Hosea Ballou. He was brought up Quaker
His father was Chester Ballou, who came from
Massac husetts, and died in 1876, and his mother
was Rachel Hayward, descendant Of the Will
liam Penn Quakers of Delaware county, Pennsyl-
vana. Alter he became a universalist he cher
ished great desire TO enter the ministry; studied
two years in Potsdam Academy, and fitted for
the ministry with Rev, Jonathan Wallace. He
preached his first sermon in a school-house where
he was teaching in West Potsdam, New York. in
the winter OF 1901, was ordained at Canton,
New York, by the st. Lawrence Association,
June, 1882, and January l, 1888, he went to
Swanton Falls, Vermont, and for four years WAS
pastor Of this society and that Of st, Adams,
preaching also In other towns in Vermont and
Canada. He purchased the UniUersdlist Watch
man and Christian Repository in January, 1910,
and moved TO Montpelier, where he resided and
edited the paper for thirty years. until its sub
scribers were transferred to the UniuerSdlist,
afterwards the Christian Leader, In May, 1870.
He became great power and champion OF Uni
versaism In Vermont through his paper and
preaching He edited the paper with great abil-
a deal 0f thOuplt into hia pditnriala
and most successfully combated the errors of the
popular faith. He frequently held friendly dis
cussions with Copgregationalists, Methodists and
Adventisis, and published a long debate which he
held with Luther Lee, the logical champion Of
| Methodism; and also one held with his cousin,
| John NJ. Ballou, a Congregationalist clergyman
| Of western New York. Rev. A. Q. Thomas once
said that Eli Ballou was the ablest defender Of
| elementary Universalism in the denomination
| and as proof instaDced his triumphant success In
| his debate with Luther Lee and others. He
attended nearly all the conventions and associa
tons In the state, preached In all parts OF the
| state, attended many weddings and funerals and
carried light and consolation to thousands Of
souls yelled in darkness and gloom. Few persons
have welded 30 wide and happy an influence as
| he in the state which he 40 long made his home
| Many we're the believers who owed their enamel
patton from sin and error to him, and who heard
| OF his death with pangs OF deep sorrow. lie
| preached the occasional sermon before the gen
| eral convention Of Universallsts in Boston, Sep
TEMPER, 1901. itb fectlNtu tnb utRfe6 OF ~. u
| from college In Kentucky, some twenty year,
| ago. 1t came 10 him in my sterlous and unex
| pected way, but he afterward learned that a
| friend OF his, who had read his paper with admi.
ration and delight, requested the college to con.
| fer the degree, and 1t did so. He was loyal tC
our church, and did much to promote its interests
| and the cause Of UNCONVENTIONAL education. He
preached In Kansas and Marquoketa, Iowa. q
year or two after he sold his paper, and then re
sided and preached In South Woodstock, Bar
/ nard and Rptlpl. VI and Mt the Tina Df hia last
sickness and death, WAS pastor OF East Montpe
teen consecutive years, from 1870 TO 1854. liz
resided In Bethel, Vt, where he purchased q
house three years since for himself and family
| He preached his last sermon February A. at East
Montpelier. lie had been troubled with an affec
tion Of the heart for many years, but had no very
| serious trouble with it, till four weeks before hi,
death lie passed away gently and peacefully
at the ripe age OF seventy-fou years. His funeIa
was attended in Bethel, by Rev, S. A. Parker
| and Rev j. Is Tabor. Mr.. Parker pronounced
an eloquent and fitting eulogy over him who had
| done So much for our cause In Vermont Iii,
| body rests In the Montpelier cemetery, bssid,
that Of his idolzed and deeply laplented daugh
ter, Mrs. g. v Maxham, whose sudden death In
| 1856 filled him with sorrow His WIFE, to whom
he was married October 20, 1881, survives him
also children and grandchildren. The whole
| church mourns his death. His works will be en-
| during Blessed are the dead that die In tn,
Lords They rest from their labors and the
| works do follow them" According TO his re
| quest, write this notice Of dear friend whom
loved and respected in life, and whom mourn ii
death