The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-30

Ages" were sung by a male quartet.
Prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. T. G.
Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian
church, and the Scriptures we're read by
Rev. E. w. McDade, pastor Of the
Methodist Episcopal church. An address
of fifteen minutes, fitting to the occasion,
was given by Rev. w. w. Merritt, of Red
Oak, the first pastor of the Universalist
church of Clarinda, on the influence of
a we'll spent life.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. j.
E. Reyes, pastor of the Universalist
church, at Mount Pleasant, taking for
his text, l Cor, XIV, 49, "And as we
have borne the image of the earthly, we
shall also bear the image of the heaven
ly." He gave an eloquent discourse
which, with the reading of the following
sketch, which he had prepared Of the life
of the deceased, occupied forty five min
utes:
Biographical Sketch.
"Rev. La Fayette Porter was born in
Orleans county, N. Y, January q, 1927.
He was the son of George and Anna
Gillette Porter, and the fifth child of
family of five sons and three daughters.
He was identified with the Methodist
church at an early age, and was always
an earnest. sincere and devoted member.
At the age of 10 years, and after long
and arduous mental struggle he became
Universalist. This change in religious
faith was due to his own large reading
and careful investigation as we'll as the
development of those native powers and
qualities, which afterward distinguished
him as one Of the ablest reasoners and
one of the most profoundly sympathetic
natures. To his mind all forms of cruel
ty were revolving in the extreme. He
was himself the embodiment of all those
qualities which constitute man per-
feet father and in this light he interpre-
ted the Fatherhood of God, the All
Father.
Hewas married to Miss Charlotte Van
Dercar in November, 1848, in his twenty
second year. Soon after his marriage
he determined to enter the ministry and
give his life to the proclamation of that
faith which gave him such heartfelt Joy.
To this end he SETTLED in Albion. N. Y,
preparatory to his life work. During
the winter season he taught school and
pursued his theological studies under
the private instruction of Rev. DIR. Mont
gomery, of Rochester, N. Y. He was
fellow classmate of DR.. Royal FL. Pull
man. He was ordained in Coudersport,
Pa, in 1856, Rev. ]. M. PEBBLES preach
ing the ordination sermon. He organ
lied and was the settled pastor of the
Cou6ersport parish for the period of
three Years. He then returned to New
York State and accepted the passionate
at Webster, Monroe county, in 1857.
He continued in this pastorate for three
years. when in July. 1861, he removed
to Brooklyn, Pa. Here he labored as
one Of the most successful ministers in
the State. for sixteen years altogether,
being recalled twice to this pastorate.
Known as the War Preacher.
When in Pennsylvania during the late
Rebellion, he was known as 1.-THE War
Preacher" He won this title because
of the service rendered in securing vol.
unteers. He was commissioned by Gov
ernor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, 1864. and
authorized to organize company of vol
unteers, and when the work was 1 early
completed, and as the result of over
exertion and exposure, he was stricken
down with typhoid fever and was only
thus prevented from accompanying his
company to the field of battle. He filled
pastorates in Alton, N. Y, Scranton,
Pa, Conneautville, Pa, Morris and One
onta, N. Y, and Susquehanna, Pa. He
was also engaged in Towanda, Pa, or.
ganizing the parish and raising the
money for the erection of the church.
In the spring of 1889 he was called to
the pastorate of the parish in Waterloo.
Ia, where he labored three years. He
was unanimously elected for the fourth
year, WAOn u0 Was ldhou
from malarial and rheumatic troubles
and felt it his duty to resign. After the
lapse of eight months he accepted call
to Anoka, Mimi, and entered upon his
labors there. before he fully recovered
from his illness, his purpose being to
find climate more agreeable to his
physical condition. At the end of one
year he accepted call to Bloomfield,
Ia, but after one years work here he
was prevailed upon to come to Clarinda
and Villisca and take charge of the work
for which he was 50 pre-eminently fitted.
both by experience and natural endow-
ment.
Fruitful Ministry.
During his long ministry of over forty
years he was largely engaged in mission
airy work outside of his regular parish
ministrations. He organized a great
many parishes and churches, and per-
sonaly superntended and built three
churches and was the chief instrument
tally through which two other churches
were built. He also rebuilt three other
churches He was also successful in