New-York tribune., 1907-04-14
"a PASSION FOR LIBERTY

That the pulpit phalanx win be largely
strengthened in the strenuous fight against the
forces Of evil in this city by the new recruis
from abroad Is confidently expected by al con-
versant with his Liverpool career. In the war
against vice and crime in that great English city
he accomplished wonders. especially In the tenn
perance movement and for social purity. One ot
his notable utterances is my passion has al
ways been for liberty and to work for those
who are struggling for liberty" This Ied hin, -
sympathize with the Beers In the TransvaaI
and to denOunce what he regarded as the fn-
iquity of English rule in South Africa He was
regarded as unpatriotic IN the Boer War
days for hts structures on the government tha.!
his church had to be guarded by a strong poIlcel
force, and police protection was required to
assure his personal safety on the way TO and
from his pulpit. but he did not cease to Jeuounce
land MT Aked was also active IN the passive
resistance movement in England, brought OUT
by opposition to the Education bin.
In his early life Mr.. Aked had experiencss
which brought him into close sympathy with the
masses of the people. He was the son OF an
auctioneer and took up his fathers calling for
time after the latter's death For two wears
he had the task Of selling on at the behest OF
the Sherim the goods Of debtors who could nOtl
or would not satisfy their creditors. But the
prospects in this career did not suit the ambl-
tlOUS youth, and at the age OF eighteen he was
about 10 sail with his mother for New Zealand
TO better MS fortunes IN that land when hts
career was suddenly changed He went to a.
minister To secure letters OF introduction. and
the result of their conversation was that he
gave Up his pUrpOsed trip and turned his atten-
tiOn to studying for the ministry. being ordained
when he had reached the age of twenty-five. in
1856. after his graduation from Midland Baptist
College.
The Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. where Mr.
Aked will preach his first sermon next Sunday
is one OF the long established churches Of tire
denomination In this city. II was founded in
1S41 in Norfolk street. now far downtown ON ths
East Side. In 1860 il removed nearly four miles
uptown, taking its present name and erecting "a
handsome house OF worship. which is valued
with the site, at nearly half million dollars
The pastor at that time was DR.. Thomas ArIli-
tage, who continued with IL for more than forty
years and gained the reputation of being tha
leading minister of his denomination IN this
country. Like his latest successor, he was born
in England, but he changed skies earlier In life
coming TO this country when only nineteen
years old He began his work IN the ministry
as a Wesleyan Methodist in his sixteenth wear
and after crossing the ocean he was pastor or a
number OF churches under the itineTant system
then prevailing among MethOdists. but sc tho
age OF twenty-ntne he became convinced OF the
truth OF the Baptist doctrine OF immersion. AMI
transferred his ministerial relations TO that de-
nomination shortly afteFward he began his
work in this city. which lasted from 1913 70 1850
/ six years before his DEATH