Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-02-18
ALMA MICH, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 49, 1898

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pastorate of ten years in that place, he
had the honor of being member of the
school board and became much attached
to the children. by whom he was greatly
beloved, and on his leaving Fitchburg
they presented him with a handsome
silver tea service. About this time the
people of EaStport testified of their love
and admiration by naming one Of
their schools the Brooks school"
1t may be said just at this point that
while he was in Colby university he had
an intimate acquaintance with Neal
Dow and took prominent part in the
temperance work of New England. And
later in Fitchburg and Philadelphia he
continued his labors along this line,
always spending an evening each week
with the Sons of Temperance, of which
society he was most active member.
The editors chair of the National
Baptist becoming vacant, Rev. Brooks
was urged to take up the work. He did
so, and, aided by his wonderful versa
tllity, carried on the work with great
success till the autum of 1868 when he
became president of Kalamazoo college,
serving IN that capacity nineteen years.
1t is needless to say that DR.. Brooks was
very popular among the students at that
institution and that it had steady and
permanent growth under his admins
tration. Meanwhile, leave Of absence
having been granted by the college au-
thorities, Dr. Brooks spent some time in
Boston and three months in Europe, ac-
companied by his family
DR.. Brooks last ministry as public
servant began in the fall of 'S8 when he
was called t. the chair of history and
mathematics in Alma college. He was
also recognized as an authority in liter
ature, philosophy and political science
and taught classes in those branches as
occasion required. In both colleges he
was revered by the students for his
depth Of learning and breadth OF cul.
ture, and was looked up to as a friend
and counsellor, shedding on ell about
him benign influence. Indeed it may
be truly said that the lives Of young peo-
pie in many states have been directed
into higher purer, nobler channels by
needing the wise counsel Of DR.. Brooks.
But it is not in the pulpit and the
professors chair alone that his life work
has been accomplished ; in his quiet way
he has influenced for good all who knew
him, and W ide circle of friends in many
states mourn his loss and revere his
memory
The degree of D. d. was conferred on
DIR. Brooks in go by Brown university
Sept 9th Of the same year he was hap
PLY wed to Miss Cynthia NJ. Page of
Fitchburg, Mass, a highly cultured and
refined lady, who, with their only son,
Kendall Page, born III Kalamazoo, July
4th, rs, still survives him. Kendall
graduated from Alma college last June
and is now principal OF the Alma high
school.
DR.. Brooks began teaching when nine
years old, having at that time been
placed in charge Of an arithmetic class,
and has been identified in some way
with educational interests ever since.
he was baptized into the Dudley-st.
Baptist church, Boston, in early life, and
| in later years was considered an au
thority on Baptist affairs in this coun-
try. In the year 1852 Pres. NJ. b
Anderson, then editor Of the New York
Recorder, said Of him, mo man among
us is better acquainted with Baptist
history and statistics in the United
States" After coming to Michigan he
served the Baptist state convention as
treasurer seven years and was twice
chosen its president.
Nelson Dingley and Prof. Wilson,
prominent politicians of the present
time, were both Of them pupils Of DR.
Brooks. The late Prof. FREEZER of the U
of NJ. was his classmate and roommate
at Brown, while other fellow students
have graced college presidences and
offices of honor and responsibility high
in the nations confidence.
DR.. Brooks was an almost incessant
reader, being rarelytseen in his leisure
moments without book or newspaper
in his hands. This fact combined with
his wonderful retentive memory rem
dered him a man of great versatility
an encyclop dia Of knowledge. But the
crowning virtue of his noble character
was his great benevolence, and it can bs
truly said that "to know him was Il
love him."
The RECORD wishes to extend its sin.
cere sympathy TO the bereaved family
But you are not the only mourners your
loss Is the loss of many. A nation
grieves at the departure Of one Of il.
brightest scholars teachers and preach
ers.
wooDl wooDli wooDlii
| We will allow the following pricee fo1