The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-23
THE WISCONSIN MEMORIAL.

whether as preacher, cltlZ 81 or pastor
his whole natu had become SO nodded
into the spirit of the Gospel OF Christ
that every word and act of his life was in
conformity Herewith, thus bringing into
good repute the Universslist faith, and
establishing good fellowship with other
Christian churches.
1t was in the autumn OF 1868 that I first
met Br. Todd, at the village of Prairie
du Sac. As the Universalists were about
TO commence the building of church in
that place he came TO encourage them in
the work, with heart full of Joy at the
prospect of seeing in that beautiful vii
lage, seated upon the Western shore OF
the Wiscon sin river, house dedicated to
the worship Of the All Father, in which
could be garuered the fruits that had
grown from the seed, which, through his
fundamentally and others, had been
sown in that vicinity. And the words OF
encouragement he spoke to those engaged
in the building of this church, will long
be remembered by those who were gath
cred together in the old stone school
house, located upon the village common.
Then again, after the discouraging and
disorgsnizing influence OF the pastorate
of Rsv. J. M. Fl. Smith, he came to us
"with healing in his wings" gathering
together again the divided flock and
forming a church organization. It was
here that the and of fellowship was
through Br. Todd, first extended to me;
and it was in the work OF the Sab
bath school here that very warm at
tachment was formed between him and
myself, and which only increased by
continued acqusin lance. Ours was an
unbroken friendship; and can but be-
lieve that il he had an enemy on earth,
that enmity was ill-founded, for I have
seen him when sorely tried, by those who
should have been his friends, rendering
i'll turn good for evil" and bearing him.
self at all times trus to the spirit OF his
Master, who, "when reviled, reviled not
again." It WAS this spirit OF forgiving
love for humanity that was the control
ing power of his life, and which brought
him into such close relation with the
members OF his church that they, too,
were participants, in q measure, of this
kindly feeling of cn5 toward another.
And this to me seems the strong power
that made him the successful pastor, the
esteemed citizen, and the loving and true
friend. The longer he lived in commu-
nifty the greater was his influence, be-
cause OF his we'll ordered life, and his ac-
knowledged Christian graces. Thus it
was in strict harmony with the eternal
fitness of things" that he should come to
Lodi to finish his earthly lsbors, for it
was here that bis early labors in the
Masters vineyard began, and it was
here that his service was most needed, Tor
when he came to live with us in the
epring time OF 1886, there were some pro-
fessed Universalists that were of Paul,
others of Apollue," and others again dis
heartened, SO that church service had
been for some time closed. Under such
circumstances, to whom should we look
GA earth but to Br. Todd. Who among
the preachers Of our faith had all the
needed qualifications; who among them
could provide the necessities of home life
with meager salary? and last, but not
least, who among them all was ready 20
enter this unpromising field of the Mas
ter's vineyard, to work for the cause Of
God and humanity with love stronger
for the work than for the pay for it?
These were questions to be considered;
and when by correspo ndence it was
found that he was ready to work, and re-
curing of us only that our hearts should
be united, and his pay secondary mat
ter, we sent him list Of the names who
would unite with him in perpetuating
the faith, that to us seems the most beau
titul the most comforting in earthly life;
the faith that is in harmony with science
and the most profound re asoning OF the
human mind, and which beholds an ideal
| God OF fstherly kindness, whose love and
power cannot be severed from the most
distant prodigsl of earth and as he ex-
amined the roll of names he plainly saw
the call OF the Master, and the last two
years OF his pastoral labor in Lodi (lsck-
ing but one month"; will be cherished
| by the church there as most effectual
for the building OF the spiritual church
/ in tho hoarfa and liVaa Of ita mann har
III that place, of all the years of it's ex.
istence as church. There was plainly to
be seen an increas ng interest among the
members of the church, and also an in
ere asing audience at the Sabbath ser
vices; but what was best of all, there was
a growth of fraternal feeling which was
beginning to be realized as the true foun-
dstion upon which to build an enduring
church, dedicated as is ours, to the
thought that all men are broGhers, men,
bers OF one family, and God the father of
ALL We look upon THE, his last service, as
the fitting and GROWING lab Or OF noble
| hfe-the benediction of life dedicated
to the culture of all that is good and
beautiful in manhood; and to the exem-
ptidcation Of true Christian character,
the last OF which some find so difficult
to do, although able to point the way for
others with great clesrness. Br. Todd
could not only point the way, but he
could also lead in the way he would
poiut for others. / am not accustomed to