The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-05-28
Obituary.

Rev. William Doust was born IN Kent
county, England, February 22d, 1928, and
died at Paw Paw, Mich, Wednesday morning,
May 20th, 1885, aged 81 years, 2 months and
2o days. He was the fourth child in FAM
lily of eight children, three of whom survive
him, one brother in England and two in Aus
tralia. His early educational advantages
were extremely limited, by reason OF his
fathers reduced MEANS and when William
attained to school-going age, work took the
place of school which he attended but three
months altogether. Notwithstanding such dis
advantages he was eager for study and i'm
proved his spare hours in reading the Eng
lish authors. He was emphatically q self
made man and well informed on theological
subjects. Although not student at school,
he was one at home all his life, and never ceased
to keep his mind well informed with pro-
dIctions of the choicest authors.
His professional religious life began at the
age of IA, and he Immediately began Sun
day school and CLAUS leader work in the Wes-
leyan church. At seventeen he was licensed
to exhort, and to preach year later, and for
ten years he was local preacher in England.
In April, 1856, he emigrated to America,
landing in New York the 1st day of June.
During the passage his wife and youngest
child died and were buried i'll the depths of
the Atlantic. With his remaining two chill
dren, he came to Hillsdale, Michigan, in sor-
row, stranger and penniless. The Metho-
dist church officials soon learned his gifts and
he was given ministerial work at once.
In 1856, he was ordained deacon in tha
church by bishop Anes at the annual con-
ference at kalamazoo, and three years
later he was raised to elders orders at Bat
tie Greek, by the same bishop.
In 1853, he was stationed upon the Osseo
charge where he remained one year, since
which he has filed the following appoint
ments Reading, . years Quincy, 2 years !;
North Adams, years Burr Oak, 3 years
Sturgis, years Hillsdale 2 years: Ovid, 2
years Pentwatsr, years Eaton Rapids, 3
years Charlotte, 2 years Mason, years
St. Joseph, year, and Paw Paw till his death.
He was twice married and leaves widow
and i've children, all of whom are married.
but one. He was never superannuated and
never took vacation with one exception,
when he went to camp-meeting. He never
missed an appointment, except frona sickness.
For forty years he preached the gospel and
died in the harness. He was preacher i'll
the best meaning of the term and wherever
stationed was recognized by his daily walk
and conduct as emphatically man of God.
signed, he remained as long as the itinerancy
rules of the church would permit, and dur
ing his 20 years of continuous service in the
Michigan conference, thousands can testify
TO his pulpit and pastoral qualities. Such
uninterrupted labors must have an end, and
disease sought his rugged constitution before
his appointment to his Paw Paw charge. His
last sermon was preached on the evening of
March 18th last, from the text, "Who is ON
the Lords side?' Exodus, 32-26). Since
that date he has suffered from the ravages of
severe sickness. Before he departed from
these mortal shores, his mind wandered to
his pastoral work and he imagined that he
was conducting the young peoples prayer
meeting he called for the different ones to
take part in the meeting he supposed he
was holding, and pronounced the benedic-
ton, as though actually in the church. The
funeral services were held on Friday after
noon, the 22d inst, the church having been
very tastefully decorated for the occasion by
kindand sympathizing friends. About twen-
ty-five ministers of the Methodist conference
were present. The services were conducted
by the presiding elder, Rev. Taylor, assisted
by Rev. q. l.. Cole of ST. Joseph Rev.
w. j. Aldrich of Kalamazoo Rev. l.. w.
Earle of Benton Harbor: Rev. j. w. Reid
of Charlotte Rev. X. @. Wilkinson of Colo
ma Rev. /. X. A. Wightnan of Niles, and
Rev. A. M. Gould of Kalamo. His remains
were taken to Mason, Michigan, for burial.