Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger: Fourth EditionHolland, E. G. (Elihu Goodwin)
History
Memoir of Rev. Joseph Badger: Fourth Edition
Holland, E. G. (Elihu Goodwin)
Badger, Joseph, 1792-1852
His letters to Mr. Stowe, which originated in a misrepresentation of
views made in the pulpit of Mr. S., were published in the Gospel
Luminary of 1829. They were strong and able papers; and it is evident
from a letter in my possession from the hand of Mr. S., that he
carefully sought to evade any public contact of mental forces with Mr.
B. on the subjects of difference between them.
During the several months which he passed in these counties, he
performed a large amount of labor, called out an interest which was by
no means limited by the extent of his own denomination, and the churches
were strengthened and refreshed. His influence was always creative. But
even when he added no numerical strength to his cause, a thing which we
are not sure ever happened under his active ministry, he had an
uncommon ability to inspire the men and women already marshalled under
free principles, with new confidence in what they could do were they to
try; and what is kindred to, but still a little higher than this, he had
a particular faculty to bring them to the _point of action_; could
persuade them to begin and to prosecute enterprises that they ordinarily
might simply talk about, delay, and neglect. At Sennett, he pursuaded
the people to attempt the building of a church; he organized the
society, selected the location, and put things in active course for the
completion of the enterprise. Between the villages of Canton and Ionia
stands a commodious chapel, which, through the generous sacrifices of a
few men, and the cooperative action of others, was built and dedicated
to the service of Almighty God January 26, 1830. This chapel also was
started and went up at the time it did through the leading, managing
influence of Mr. Badger. But events of this kind were very common in his
ministry, as he was in the habit of studying closely the strength of the
cause he plead, and of enlisting into decisive action the ability of his
friends in its furtherance. January 23, 1830, he preached the dedication
sermon of a beautiful church in Lysander, Onondaga County, New York,
where he had regularly preached in the winter of 1829. Text was Ps. 126:
3: "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." He
also preached the dedication sermon of the church in Sennett. At Canton,
the Christian Chapel was open for worship January 26, 1830. From the pen
of Rev. David Millard, who gave the sermon on that occasion, I extract
the following lines:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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