Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Spencer Houghton Cone – Bread Winner at an Early Age – PART TWO –

Thomas E Kresal Admin · 6 hrs November 23, 2019

Baptist History, Heritage and Distinctives – Spencer Houghton Cone – Bread Winner at an Early Age – PART TWO –

At twelve he entered the Freshman class of Princeton, and at once gained the highest esteem of faculty and students, the president prophesying for him a brilliant future as an orator. Without doubt, had young Cone been permitted to graduate, he would have left the college bearing away its highest honors.

But such was not to be his lot. His father became the subject of a serious and protracted disease, and in this emergency Spencer was the sole hope of the family. With true manliness he resigned his studies at the age of fourteen. His first effort was unsuccessful. His weary journey on foot to obtain the position of assistant teacher was rewarded only by the knowledge that the place was filled. His second met with better results, and on a small salary sufficient only to keep them from absolute want, he labored for some months as teacher of Latin in the Princeton Academy, which position he resigned for that of master in the school of Burlington. Though not sixteen, he bore himself with such propriety as to secure for himself the permanent esteem of all with whom he came in contact.

This position was relinquished that he might accept another with Dr. Abercombie, who had formed for Mr. Cone the highest regard. To fulfill his duties he moved his family to Philadelphia. But he found that an increase of salary does not mean an addition to comforts, for the expenses became enlarged and he was obliged to do something to supplement his insufficient salary. He resolved to study law, and as soon as school duties were completed he was found reading law till far into the night, much to the injury of his health.

Thomas E. Kresal from – The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881, pg.263