The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-30
WILLIAM BENJAMIN HAYDEN.
Death of Noted sweaenborgian Divine

Rev. William B. Hayden, one of our
oldest and most respected citizens, a
leading preacher in the Swedenborgian
denomination, an antiquarian, Egyptolo-
gist, and historian, died at his residence
on Thomas street, yesterday morning, af-
ter few days illness, of congestion of
the brain.
William B. Hayden was born in Schoo-
dack, New York, on Christmas Day,
1916, and was therefore in his 77th year.
His mother was a Schoodack lady, and
his father John Noyes Hayden of Will
ton, Conn. The broad foundation of his
extensive learning was laid under the in
struction Of such noted men as DR.. T.
Romeyn Beck and Professors Peter Bull
lion and Joseph Henry of Albany. He
became engaged in the book-selling bust
ness in Boston and Buffalo, and later
in New York, where he was at one time
a partner with G. P. Putnam, father of
the members of the famous publishing
Ill liz VI VI. uUAbliI . OOAcs IACy Sctl
ried on large establishment and in this
way, Mr.. Hayden became connected and
acquainted with many of the literary
celebrities of the time, notably Washing
ton Irving, Fitz Green Halleck, Bayard
Taylor, James Fennimore Cooper, and
Henry James, most of whom he saw in
the store as aften as once week.
Also in this way, and because he was
at that time Presbyterian, he became
intimate with DR.. Bush, professor of He
brew in the New York University, and
when that eminent divine adopted the
teachings of the New Jerusalem church
Mr. Hayden, followed him as jealous
disciple. He began to lecture on the
subject and ont one occasion one of his
audience was Mr.. Joseph Ropes, now
an artist in Salem, but at that time a
teacher of drawing in this city and
member of the New Jerusalem church,
which was without minister. On his
return home he spoke of the young New
York lecturer to such good purpose that
it resulted in Mr.. Hayden's coming here
and preaching before the society, and
finally in his accepting the call to be.
come its minister in 1850, 43 years ago.
He continued his labors here until 1868
when he resigned to accept call to Gin
cinnati He remained in that city but
one year, and then returned to his form
er parish, where he pursued his unweary-
ing advocacy of his chosen religious be-
lief until 1876, when his unremitting la
bors began to affect his health, and he
resigned and crossed the ocean to Eng
land. During those 26 years as clergy
man, he did not once take any relaxation
flor whenever he made a journey it was
to perform mission work for the church)
until 1875, when he visited Pennington,
and enjoyed rest of one month from
his religious work.
Mr.. Hayden remained insEngland three
years. He preached there before Swe-
denborgian societies in dozen different
places, including London, York, Salisbu-
ry and other cities, and finally received
call from a parish in Southport, which
he accepted. and became its pastor for a
period of seven months. He was urged
to remain, but the longing for his native
land was too strong, and he returned, to
his old home in this city.
Between the years 1854 and 1870, Mr..
Hayden published the following books:
Eight on Last Things" "Ten Chapters
on Marriage Dangers of Modern Spir-
ituallsm," Science of Revelation" and
Lectures on the Book of Revelation
all of which were worthy of his distin-
guished abilities.
Besides his theological studies, he has
been a great student of history, espe4
cially of prehistoric history, notably
Egyptology. While in England he spent
eight months at the British Museum, en-
gagged in researches in this direction. A
friend accompanied him on his first visit
TO the Museum, and introduced him to
the assistant librarian, who asked, care
you William B. Hayden of American
After an affirmative reply, he continued,
"Well, you are immortalized, for your
books are all here in the library, and
wish you to tell me what the middle let
ter of your name stands for.'' The
names of the authors are preserved in
writing. There are 1900 large folio vol
umes of them. On turning to his name,
Mr.. Hayden filled in the word, "Benja-
MINI after the OBJ and that is how his
chirography is on this record in the Brit
ish Museum. 1t was while at work there
that Mr.. Hayden wrote his pamphlet
history of 1.-THE Haydens in England and
America" which was published in Lon
don, and copy of which is now in the
possession of the Maine Historical Soci-
ETY..
During the early years of his ministry
in this city, Mr.. Hayden gave courses of
lectures on theology for several winters.
One winter he gave % lectures, and every
NIGHT hannauad to he fair waathar ITa