The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-04-24
Rev. J. E. c. sawyer, D. D.,
Ii. D., to Retire.
BY r. H. WAsHBURNE. D. D.


At the present session of the Troy An
nual Conference seven members who en-
tered the ministry fifty years ago will
celebrate their semi centennial Of the
seven men but two are in the pastorate
and they will receive a superannuate re-
laton
The youngest of the group is Rev.
James Emery Cochran Sawyer, ID.
LID, of Pittsford, Vermont, who has
been connected with the Maine, East
Maine, New England Southern and Troy
Conferences during these years. DR..
Sawyer was transferred into the Troy
Confer ence in 1874 and given the great
church at Saratoga Springs. A full term
here was followed by full terms in AL
bany, Troy, Pittsfeld, Mass, term in
the Albany District and eight years in
the editors chair of the Northern Chris
tian Advocate. In all of these fields of
labor great success attended his efforts.
Since leaving the Northern DR.. Saw
yer has filled an excellent grade Of ap-
pcintments with great blessing to the
churches under his charge. His present
church would gladly give him call for
life. The doctor is in good health and as
active as most men at fifty. Since the
death of his beloved wife several years
ago he has enjoyed the companionship of
his daughter, Mrs. Turknett, most ac-
compished lady, and their home life has
been ideal.
DR.. Sawyer had a Civil War record
and now enjoys a pension. Moreover,
he never applied for pension. A spe-
cial bill to cover his case was introduced
by Senator W. Murray Crane and enact
ed by both Houses and signed by Presi-
dent Taft. All will agree that the doc
tor is most worthy of this special recog-
milton.
At the time of his retirement there
are at least two facts in his life history
that are worthy of special mention. The
honor was given to DR.. Sawyer of first
calling the attention of General Con-
ference to the desirability of episcopal
residences in foreign lands. This he did
in resolution in the Conference of 1884,
at Philadelphia. The Conference sent
the resolution to the Missionary Com
mittee which made favorable report
concerning it. Then followed the long
est debate since the session of 1874, rum
ming through several sessions and bring
ing::out some of the best speakers in the
body. Some of the bishops were very
active in lobbying against the passing of
the resolution, although they could not
discuss it on the floor. AS result the
final vote was taken by orders. In the
final vote the ministers gave consider
able majority for the passage of the
resolution, majority large enough to
make majority of all those present and
voting; majority of the body as a
whole. But small majority of the lay
delegates voted against it thereby de-
feating it. The days of discussion, how :
ever, were not fruitless, for the bishops
decided to send one of their number
abroad for two years. Bishop Wiley Set
out on his memorable journey to Asia,
dying in China, the scene Of his early
labors, where he was buried beside the
grave of his first wife. Today as Metho-
dist bishops are stationed in all of the
continents it seems strange that such a
question ever caused so prolonged a fight.
Another item of interest to DR.. Saw
yer S friends is his connection with the
Labrador expedition of Mrs. Leonidas
Hubbard, Jr., who successfully explored
the region in which her husband had lost
his life. Her chief counselors were Mr..
Bridgeman, secretary of the Peary Arc
tic Club, and DR.. Sawyer, who were de-
signated as her literary executors in the
event of her death. 1t was DIR. Sawyer
who selected her mathematical instru-
ments and Cameras and taught her how
to take observations. During her ab
sence DR.. Sawyer had repeatedly to de-
fend her plans, which some of the great
dailies regarded as impracticable. The
expedition was brilliant success, as hel
book, "A Woman's Way Through I'm
known Labrador" clearly shows. DR.
Sawyer read it as it was written, chap
ter by chapter and had the honor of Civ
ing it its name. Mrs. Hubbard SHOWED
her gratitude to her faithful friend BY
naming the loftiest mountain on tn
Nascanpu River, Mount Sawyer.
On his retirement DR.. Sawyer will hv'
at Bath, Maine. May many years O.
gentle twilight be his portion!-Northerl
| Nhp;o%;or, Aduoooko Anvil IN 1919