The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-10-25
A BRIGHT LIGHT GONE OUT.
The Lifework of an Energetic Minis
ter of the Gnanel.

The Lifework of an Energetic Minis
ter OF the Gospel.
Dear Howard Friends-Henry T. Eddy
was born I'm Bristol. Conn. March 25
lS4i. At the age OF seventeen he pro-
fessed conversion and united with the
methodist episcopal church. He was con-
secrated 10 his Masters service from his
very infancy by the prayers Of a Chris
tian mother. and Immediately after his
conversion he heard the divine call TO
preach the everlasting gospel.
lie was not disobedient 20 the heavenly
vision, but Immediately set earnestly
about the work Of preparation for the
Christian ministry In the autumn OF
1853 only n few months after his con-
version. we find him at wilbraham acad-
envy with only $i4 In his pocket, yet look
ing with gulleless simplicity for the aid
and direction OF Providence. Consclen-
tiously devoted TO the church OF his
choice, he nobly declined pecunlary aid
from sister church. which offered TO
prepare him for the ministry n he would
consent 20 change his church relations,
but he did not walt idly upon Provi-
sacrifice necessary 10 accomplish the
work which ne had set his heart upon.
He laborcd with his hands at whatever
offered with true New England perse-
verance. He taught district school occa-
sionally and preached for small compen-
sation. On one occasion he set out for
school he had engaged for In Pennsylva-
MIA with no money. but with pockets full
OF clock machinery with which he re-
paired time-pieces along the route, thus
paying his expenses and having a sur
plus TO commence operations on his ar
rival. In 1862 we find him at Wesleyan
university. Here. too, his campaign with
poverty still went on, but he fought the
fight with Christian cheerfulness and
manliness, as a Christian exemplary In
word and deed. Spiritually hea1thful In
all his influence, ever doing good TO
others while tollipg for himself. While
at college he supplied the pulpit OF the
methodist episcopal church at Farming
ton, Conn. His faithful labors greatly
endeared him 70 the people and convert
ed more than one hundred souls. He
supplied the pulpit until his graduation
and then removing TO his field Of labor,
entered upon his long-anticipated work
a few weeks later
Aug. 16 1866, he married Miss Ella A.
Olds at Westheld. The happy young
couple We're warmly welcomed by cor
dial, appreciative people to the parson-
age prepared for their reception. AS
they sat down together in their new
home, they looked with youthful faith
and zeal through a long vista Of toll
some. happy years. yet in two months
this beautiful vision melted away. On
the last Sabbath of his life he was
slightly i'll, yet not enough to create any
alarm or interfere with the discharge
of his duties. He preached on that day
with unusual fervor from the
text strangely appropriate of the blow
to soon fall on the young wife and be-
reaved church. His text was: Now
no Christening for the present seemeth to
be joyous but grievous. Nevertheless,
afterwards ii yieldeth the peaceable
fruits OF righteousness" On Tuesday
his sickness serious. 1t proved 10
be malignant erysipelas. He died Thurs
day, Sept q. displaying the same calm
cheerful faith which was an essential
element of his character. He fell as be-
came a Christian soldier, with the har-
ness on.
The above was copied from a printed
extract sent me by his mother. He was
my second cousin. Oh, we think we see
sad funerals, but what a bright life to
be plucked in full bloom. His mother
wished me TO name my little boy after
him, but we had already named him ere
we got her letter. So 1 Just put more to
his name and called him Eddy jay The
latter name was my fathers His moth
er still lives in Bristol. Conn. Her name
IS Maria NJ. Eddy.
Your sister in II. L. c. bonds,
LUCY A PARKER.
Bennettsville, Oct. 20. .