The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-14
JOHN A. GURLEY.
Editor of "The Star In the West" 1888
1854.

JOHN ADDISON GURLEY was born at
East Hartford, Conn.,, Dec. 8, 1873 He
attended the district school and academy
and therein laid the cold foundation of
good English education. After his
term at the academy he began life as
halter, working at the trade with his
brother. He early developed an inter-
est in religion. When about eighteen
years of age his attention was turned to
the ministry of the Universalist church,
whose cheerful faith he had embraced
and when about twenty, we find him
travelling and preaching in the western
part of Maine as a Universalist clergy
man. 1t was while he was working
as halter that the ambition to become
a clergyman was first awakened, and for
several years his private reading and
studies had the ministry in view as life
profession. In those early New England
| days when serious minded and capa-
BILE youth cherished the ambition of be-
coming a preacher, he found friends on
every hand to help him onward. 1t was
so in the case OF John A. Gurley, and
even as boy. his friends predicted for
him useful and brilliant career.
In July 1885, Mr.. Gurley became pas.
tor of the Universalist Society in Meth
uen, Mass. This was his first settlement,
his previous ministry being of mission
airy order. Here he remained about
three years and during this time he
greatly endeared himself to his parish
toner's and found many friends among
those of other denominations. During
the first year of Mr.. Gurley's settlement
a meeting house was built and the par
ish greatly strengthened in members
and resources. The young minister was
affectionately remembered for many
years among the people of his first
charge.
Some time in the latter part of the
year 1888. overtures were made to Mr..
Gurley to remove to the West and to en-
gage in the publication of the "The Star
and Sentinel" the Universalist paper
OF Cincinnati, Ohio. In the winter of
that year he removed to Cincinnati,
purchased the paper. and entered upon
his career as an editor and publisher for
the Western Universaists with a cash
capital Of 800. In connection with his
editorial work he served for several
years as pastor of the Universalist So
ciety in Cincinnati, which had been es-
tablished few years previously, and be-
came very popular in the city as a
preacher of Univereslism.
The three-fold work of city pastor,
editor and business manager of the pa
per. becoming too heavy burden. Mr..
Gurley resigned his charge of the Gin
cinnati church and devoted his time to
building up his paper into paying cir
culation. At this time travelled extensive:
ly throughout the West. preaching and
holding large meetings, and at the same
time attending to editorial work. "Dur-
ing the week." says the Universalist
Register, land often for weeks together.
he journeyed into far distant states and
territories. holding discussions and
preaching wherever door was opened"
In this way he enlarged the circulation
of his paper and became himself widely
known as an eloquent preacher and de-
bator. 1.-THE Star and Sentinel" ulti-
mately became 1.-THE Star in the West
and it's circulation was increased four
fold.
Mr.. Gurley's trenchant pea was never
| idle. and whether at home or in the
field, his aggressive editorials appeared
regularly. 1.-THE Star in the West"
under his management became widely
known throughout the Western coun-
try, not only as an influential organ of
the Universalist Church, but also as a
paper containing pleasing literary mis-
cellany. The earliest articles and poems
of Alice and Phoebe Gary, "The Songs
ters of the West" appeared in it's COL
umns.
After about fifteen years spent in the
arduous work which is here briefly out
lined. Mr.. Gurley felt that change was
necessary to preserve his health and
build up his somewhat weakened con-
stitution. He sold his paper and re-
tired to beautiful farm which he had
purchased in the vicinity of Cincinnati.
But a new environment" soon proved
it's power and turned his attention to
another sphere Of usefulness in which
his energies were again to find ample
scope. His public addresses in behalf
of Temperance had made him quite we'll
known to many citizens who were not of
his own religious faith. and the political
field was suggested to him. His party
antecedents we're democratic; but on the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise and
the iniquities perpstrated in the at
tempt to force slavery upon the unwill.
ing people of Kansas. he withdrew from
the Democratic party and became Re-
publican espousing tue principles Of
that new political organization with his
customary zeal. Events soon made him
one of the standard bearers Of the new
party aud opened to him fresh career.
In 1858. Mr.. Gurlsy recslved the re-
publican nomination ia tue second dis
trict of Cincinnati for representative in