The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-07

10TH OF government, Dy constitution,
and seeing political storm brewing, he
accepted the call from New York, and
settled there in November, 1S42.
In 1S4S he visited Europe, intending
to go to Palestine. The troubles of
that year made it difficult to go further
than Rome. In 1852 he was asked by
two men, not of his church, with whom
third Joined, to go abroad if he wish
ed, with full permission and means to
journey as far and stay as long as he
pleased. He was wise enough to ac-
cept the generous offer, and travelled
extensively in Europe, extending his
journey to Palestine, across the desert,
and through Egypt to Nuoia.
After seventeen years hard work in
preaching, lecturing, and writing on re-
ligious and moral reform topics, he be-
came quite worn down, and resolved to
take life little more leisurely for his
body's sake, an exceedingly difficult
course for him. He went to Ludlow,
VT, in 1859, preaching there half the
time, and supplying other places, lee
turing, and really working as hard as
when in New York City, He then had
another removal, to Galesburg, ILL.,,
where he preached five years, and again
resolved to retire, and removed to Hins-
dale in 1870. But he still preached.
In 1871 he was urged to come to Elgin,
ILL.,, where the minister's work was still
before him. In 1877 he entered the
plea of old age and resigned, purposing
visit to California. Meantime he was
invited to preach Sunday in Dubuque,
Iowa. The result was another pastor
ate. He refused to SETTLE" but con-
sented to supply few Sundays until
the society could obtain pastor. He
continued three years and three months,
not removing his family, but staying
there. His ministry gave great enconr-
agement to the church in Dubuque.
In 1880 Mr.. Balch visited California
in 1882 the city of Mexico; and in
1882, Florida. AS he wrote of himself
in the year, II am comfortably situated,
use no glasses except in dim light and
am fairly content in contemplating the
past, still busy with the present, and
hopeful of happy and immortal fu-
ture."
When in Providence, R. l., Mr.. Balch
gave course of lectures on clan
guage," which we're published in 1888.
He also wrote Grammar of the Eng
lish Language" explained according to
the principles Of truth and common
sense, published by B. B. Mussey, Bos-
ton, and passing through four editions.
In 1S49 his volume, "Ireland as 1 Saw
It," was issued, and in 1881, "a Pecu-
liar People," the first edition of which
sold in eight weeks. He is the author
of Sunday school Manual" publish
ed in 1887.
The business capacity of Mr.. Balch
was evinced in his raising funds for the
Theological school at Canton, n. Y,
taking charge of the location, plan,
and rearing of the buildings, and selec-
tion Of principal. He afterward COM
pleted the raising of large fund for
the institution, obtaining also S10,-
900 for the library, and securing the
valuable libraries of DIR. Credner, and
Rev. S. G. Loveland. He devoted much
time to the business of making the
Christian Ambassador of New York
denominational paper, and placing it
on a sound financial basis. His work
in these particulars was we'll and faith
fully done.
Mr.. Balch has always been a very
ready and popular speaker with the
masses. The graces of oratory he has
not sought, but his talking power seems
inexhaustible. Although in favor of
fraternal organization for the good of
the cause, yet his ideas in reference to
creeds and to centralized authority are
not accordant with those of many 9th
ers of his brethren, who hold in high
estimation the work he has done in the
spirit and in the truth of the gospel.
Tn the daath of Raw w 9 Ralch