The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-06-19

| people, he was "born into goodness, ana
scarcely beyond the period of childhood
was confirmed in his birthright by his pro-
fession of faith in Jesus Christ. Goodness
has continued to be the distinguishing
grace of his life. Determining to conse-
crate his life to the Gospel ministry, after
preparation under the direction and coun-
sci of Revs A. A. Lipscomb, D. D., and
Augustus Webster, D. D., he was received
into the Maryland Annual Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church in 1941
at Philadelphia, Pa. He was appointed to
Pipe Greek Circuit as assistant to Rev.
DR.. John S. Reese Then to Williams
port. 1924; to Cumberland, As; then after
one year in which his conference appoint
ment was intermitted for the benefit of his
health, in 1947 he was sent to Philadel-
phia, Pa, where he continued until 1857,
when he was returned to his first field of
labor on Pipe Greek Circuit, continuing
there three years. In 1861 he was
stationed at Alexandria, Va; in 1923 at
Liberty; 1868 at Ninth Street, Washing
ton, from which church he received license
to preach August 80, 1910. Here ended
his active pastoral labors. In 1867 he
was supernumerary; in 1868 agent Of
Western Maryland College, and 1870 he
was elected President of that institution.
His ministry has been very successful.
The revivals on Pipe Greek Circuit, while
he was pastor, with the present pastor of.
Westminster NJ P. Church as associate,
were extraordinary, over three hundred
persons being added to the church, among
them the honored President of the Board
of Trustees of the College, and other mem
bers of the Board. As a sermonizer he is
wonderfully prolific, his sermons probably
run up into the thousands. As apreacher
he is simple, earnest and full of sympathy
and pathos; he has had wonderful influence
in moving an audience.
His education began under excellent
tutors in Washington City. At the age
of sixteen he entered the Classical Acade-
my at Brookville, Nd, from which he
carried away the classical prize. He has
been dilligent student, and an industri-
ous collector of all kinds of literary treas
ures. He has complete and comprehen-
sive system of literary classification, so that
he can readily avail himself in few Sc
conds of variety of matter upon any
given subject He is Bibliophile, if we
may not say Bibliomaniac. As early as
1889, he began the formation of his pri-
vate library which now contains 3l27
volumes. Among the rare books in his
collection is a volume entitled "a Prospect
of the Most Famous Parts of the World,
printed in London, A. D, 1915; also a
pocket edition of the Holy Bible, printed
in Edinburgh, A. D. 1735. While con-
nected with the Washington Lyceum, he
edited a literary journal entitled 'The
Weekly Visitor" some of the articles in
which were printed from types set by him.
self, he having learned to set types and
even to arrange the form for the paper
when the regular printers were very busy
with other work.
We may learn something of men from
their official or professional works, their
written thoughts or general reputation.
But to really know them, we must come
in personal contact with them. By other
means we may know about them, but by
this means only can we know them. To
knoD some men of repute is to diminish
our reverence for them, to h1aoao Others is
to enhance our estimation of their worth.
DIR. Ward must be classed among the
latter. Then to admiration of his genius
in added love of the man; you are won by
virtues which draw you to him by an ire
sistible charm, and bind you to him by an
indissoluble bond. The writer, who has
known him intimately for over quarter
of century, and been associated with him
in various officicial relations, has ever
found him a man of the noblest impulses,
purest life; unselish, unaspiring, unvary-
ing in friendships, consistent in all his
acts. Cultured, possessing wide range
of knowledge but making no display OF
learning, exalted in position but bearing
his estate with humility. Public spirited
as citizen, catholic as Christian; benev-
olent, having sympathetic heart and an
omen hand to every need; fervent in piety
and utterly void of all can't and Pharisaism.
He has invented philosophy of "Cooper-
alton" which were it to come into vogue,
would give wings to every religious and
philanthr0plc movement, anu priuS US
speedily to the Millennium, viz every
BODY to give little to every good enter
prise" Who doubts the soundness of the
philosophy, but how few practically adopt
it? But its author proves his faith In 1t
by his works.
President Ward is the possessor of a
snug little farm home on the suburbs OF
Westminster, near the College, A COM
Portable house is embowered among shade
trees, with an apple orchard on one side,
and large garden on the other. The ap-
pearance Of the place is pleasing and IN
yiting, in harmony with the genial spirits
who abide within that sylvan retreat,
Never were too persons better mated than
President Ward and his admirable wife,
In this home he delights in entertain
inc his friends and dispensing Q
generous hospitality. There also the
College students are welcomed, whether
it be social call, or to consult his rich Il
brary, or seek counsel from the worthy
President. Some years ago young stu
dent availed himself of the entree for him
SO fortunate to WOO and win the daughter
of the Manse. He now succeeds his father
in-law as President of the College. Wheth
er history will repeat itself in such anothe
episode, time will reveal. DR.. Ward is al
eminently social man, CHEEKY in disposition