The Somerset reporter., 1907-07-11

Alumni Magazine of Oberlin Univer-
sity
The retirement of Professor Albert
Henry Currier, D. D., from the Hol-
brook Professorship of Sacred Rhe-
toric and Practical The ology in Ober-
lin Theological Seminary is too i'm
portant an event TO pass without
notice; for it marks an era both in
the life of Professor Currier and in
the seminary which he has so faith
fully served.
Professor Currier was born in Show
hogan, Me-, in 1887, and will soon pass
his SEVENTEEN birthday. He was
graduated at Bowdoin college in 1857
and in Andover Theological Seminary
in 1862. For three years he was pas
tor of the Congregational church of
Ashland, Mass, at the end of which
period he was called to the Central
Congregational Church in Lynn, Mass,
where he remained for sixteen years.
At the end of this period, i'll 1851, he
was called which he has occupied in
Oberlin for twenty years.
These simple figures of themselves
speak volumes to one who can read
between the lines. A city pastorate
of sixteen years had tested his ability
and his character to an extent that is
not always appreciated by the general
public. The stores of learning which
he had accumulated through the
years of college and seminary study
had been enlarged and welded into
practical shape through continuous
use i'll persuading men TO enter upon
and persevere in the higher life of
the Christian calling. His sympa-
thies had been broadened and deep
ened and refined by constant contact
with his fellow men who were pass
ing through not only the ordinary
trials and sorrows of mankind, but
through the social convulsions that
periodically disturb a great manutac-
turing centre, where LABOR and CAPT
tai are constantly struggling for pre-
dominant influence. From this rich
in pastoral life he came to
Oberln eminently qualified for the
work upon which he entered, and the
successive years of his work have
more than justified the expectations
of those who called him to it.
Not only was Professor Currier am
ply prepared for his work by the
methods and by his pas
toral experience, but he mas aug
mented his power of service by every
other means within his reach. He
has been a diigent student OF the
literature of his calling, and is one Of
the most widely read men i'll the
country in religious biography and in
the productions of the great preach
ers of the world Twice he has traV-
elad extensively in Europe-frst in
ISL ard secondly in 1897 when special
study was given to the great preach
ers Of London and Edinburgh.
During the years OF his professor
ship three hundred theological stu
dents have received the advantage of
his training in the Classical Course,
while hundred more in the Slavic
and English departments have come
more or less under his influence. He
can point, therefore, to a body OF four
active pastors in middle life
who are perpetuating his influence in
the world, and say with the apostle,
''These are my epistIes, known and
read of all men, In consulting with
these men as | have found them in
their fields of labor far and wide over
the world find that uniformly they
not merely warm feeling of personal
love, but the deepest sense of graft
tude for the instruction he gave them
in all the details of his department.
He Aaught them, first OF all, the adj
of an orderly method in pre-
senting their thought SO as to facili
tate both the importation of truth and
the retention of it in memory. He
! > ho of oil
in choosing their topics, and of pro-
per interspersing of familiar illustra-
lions drawn from current events and
from wide collateral reading. He
taught them the Importance of the
various kinds of pastoral work, and
gave them the Wisest advice concern
ing their relation to passing reforms
of every kind. Nor did he omit to
give them line upon line and precept
upon precept upon the duties of
courtesy and good manners.
But, most of all, all these lessons
were eXemplified in himself. Profess
sor Currier has impressed everyone
"a a nighly cultivated man in the true
sense of the word. His uniform
courtesy and kindness have made
everyone love him, and have made
everyone lovable who initiated his
example. At the same time, there
has been exhibited mental grasp of
all the topics which he has under
taken TO discuss that has given the
of the strength in the pose
that characterizes the lion. Every
thing has been so deity done that one
could not realize the strength OF the
stroke until it had accomplished its
object.
As a preacher, Professor Currier
has been justly popular, as is evident
from his success in his long passionate
in Lynn. A man does not preach six
teen hundred sermons to one congre
CATION without having all the elements
of power that are demanded to meet
such diversified wants as are repre-
sented in such a body. Since coming
to Oberlin Professor Currier has been
called far and wide as an occasional
supply both in country and city
churches, and the churches who have
had him once have always wanted
him again. The friends whom he has
in this way drawn to Oberlin are num-
berless.
Among the most important services
which he has rendered to the Semi
nary has been that of collecting bene-
ficiary funds for the aid of theologi-
cal students. This he has done
personal solicitation and by
countless letters which have secured
stimulation without Irritation