Middletown transcript., 1895-02-09


t9dren had all the advantages of liber
!, Etraining in christian home. He was
man Of intense patriotism and served b
Ecountry during the war of 1872. He re
Edered faithful service, especially at Il
Hdefense of Baltimore aud was in the bait
agof North Point.
u From his mother as well as his faith
5E Nicholas Browne inherited the traits
II 8character that made him the strong ms
Ia that he was. His mothers maiden nan
twas Manly, and he bore the name +;
Sc Nicholas Manly, member of his mother
family who was clergyman of prom
nence in the early Methodist church
AOhio.
n Nicholas Manly Browne was a worth
Zson of noble ancestry. He was converte
to God when 16 years of age, and connecte
Hnimself with the Methodist Episcops
'Schurch. He received the benefits of tn
best schools. and it was designed by hi
father that he make the study Of medicin
his profession. But higher calling wa
inviting him, and he responded to the cal
Ito be a physiciaa of souls. In 1856 b.
*entered the MISUNDERSTANDING atConcor'
s5at that time the only theological school il
|3 Methodist denomination. The Boston Uni
&yersity of to-day is the outgrowth of thi
Constitution. He was twenty-one years olt
when he graduated from this seminary
sand began his ministry in the Philadelphia
conference, his first Conference appoint
dment being at Morrisyille, Pa. That wa
swhen the Philadelphia Conference embrac
aed what is now both Philadelphia and Viii
mington Conference. In 1862 he was ap'
3pointed Junior pastor on the Millingtou
aCircuit, and i'll 1868 to Easton, and i'll 1864
he was sent to CentrevIlle. 1t was there he
Smet and married Miss Clintonia Cook the
syoungest daughter of Hon. Clinton Cook,
sone OF the most prominent men of Queen
Annes county, leading member of the
Maryland bar, and at the time of his death
lin 1859, a Senator in the Maryland
( Legislature; a man of great strength in
schristian character
This union bore the stamp of divine ap-
sproval. and through 20 years of life together
ltheir interests were blended in perfect
unison; theirs was perfect type of holy
imatrimony as beautiful as it is rare. The
hrst three years of their united ministry
were spent on Kent Island, and the ex-
|perience of the young Inherent with his
gentle, loying trusting bride in this SEEM
|ingly uninviting field, furnishes some of
the choicest passages in the history of
|Methodism of that day.
After serving a pastorate at East New
Market, Mr.. Browne was sent to Salisbury, j
Maryland and at the end of his three years.
term, in 1875 was made Presiding Elder of
that district, to which office he was ap-I
pointed by Bishop James, who recognized
Ibis talents and legislative ability. During]
Ibis eldership he made a record that hasI
been the pride of the church, his estimateI
of men and his sense of fitness in all thingsj
gave him precedence as counsellor, andI
no more Conscientious man ever filled thei
office of Elder.
Alter seven years of residence in Salis-y
bury, he was appointed to the pastorate at'
Port Deposit, and the greatest revival the5
church had ever known blessed his min
istry there.
In 1882 he was stationed at New Castle, /
where he did noble work, united a de- !
vided church, erected handsome parson-
age, and left the chuIch in highly graft
flying condition, both spiritually and
His next appointment was at Scott
Church, in Wilmington, where he had oneE
Of his most successful ministries, and toE
his day is held in tenderest memory by 4
hat people. He was instrumental in
lifting debt from the church that had
been standing for 2Oyears. 1t was during
1is pastorate at Scott, that he was elected
delegate to the General Conference which
hat year met at New York.
Newark, Del, was his next pastorate,
where he spent three of his best years. In
he spring of 1891 he was appointed to be
he pastor of the church at Middletown.
This church during its whole history has
,een noted for the intimate relations that
lave always existed between the pastor and
'eople, and it is no disparagement to his
predecessors to say that these relations haveS
'een most intimate With Mr.. Browne His
ministry here has been great blessing.
During his second year possibly the
.reatest revival in the history of the church
anne as the reward of his toll, and that of
lis devoted wife. Some OF the most valued
members of the church to-day were brought
nto the fold through his ministry.
Every department of the church has
'rospered. He was about closing up theI
ecord of his fourth year, the four bests
ears the church has ever had consecu- b
lively, and it was the fond hope and ex-
'ectation of devoted people that in the
of God he might be permitted toll
omplete the allotted term of five years. IS
Mr.. Browne was the highest type of az
minister and pastor, he was in the true
ense the shepherd of this flock, and with
'hrist-like love and tenderness he cared for
be lambs, the aged and afflicted. He
hared their joys and their sorrows, and
7hatever touched his people touched him.
lie was always kind and sympathetic, with &
heart as tender as woman's, love as for|3
eaching as humanity itself, and benevo- n
snce and magnanimity that are only found "a
4 truly great natures Al
His natural disposition was genial and
ocial, his manner cordial and courtly, and u
is department always that of the gentle
ian and scholar. He kept himself far
emoved from the small talk and trivialitie.
hat fill some lives, and his silent sides
7as one of his most marked characteristics f.
lis was most logical mind, his judgmentH
'as safe to rely upon, and his counsel al
herished boon to many storm tossed @
oul amid the conflicts and cares of the 81
'orld. His pulpit utterances were alwaysN
orcible, terse and Straightforward, ringingN
'ith gospel truth. carrying spiritual helpE ~
nd strength to the christian and warning M'
nners of their danger, always offering 81