Caswell, Alexis, D.D., LL.D., one of the most eminent educators and most widely-known ministers in the denomination, was born in Taunton, Mass., Jan. 29, 1799.

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10/27/23 2h  · Caswell, Alexis, D.D., LL.D., one of the most eminent educators and most widely-known ministers in the denomination, was born in Taunton, Mass., Jan. 29, 1799. He was a twin brother of Alvaris Caswell, of Norton, Mass. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of his native town and devoted themselves to agricultural pursuits. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the paternal farm. ‘The bent of his mind towards a larger and better culture than he could expect to obtain if he devoted himself to the calling of his father early showed itself, and nothing but a full collegiate course of study would satisfy him. At the age of nineteen he became a member of the Freshman class in Brown University, where he was graduated with the highest honors of his class in 1822. It was during his college course that he be- came a decided, and what he ever continued to he, a most cheerful and consistent Christian. In July, 1820, he was received into the membership of the First Baptist church in Providence, and his con- nection with that venerable church was never dis- solved until the tie was severed by death. Soon after closing his college studies he became -a tutor in what was then Columbian College, at Washington, D. C., being one of the earliest in-. structors in the institution. His connection with the college continued for five years. In 1825 he was raised from the rank of tutor to that of Pro- fessor of the Ancient Languages. But it was not his purpose to devote himself to the profession of teaching. His strong desire was to become a preacher of the gospel. The eloquent Dr. William Staughton was the president of the college, and under his guidance Prof. Caswell read theology and prepared sermons, enjoying also the instruc- tions of Dr. Irah Chace in the Hebrew. Having thus prepared himself for what no doubt he con- sidered would be his life-work, he was directed hy a somewhat remarkable providence of God to Hali- fax, Nova Scotia, where he was ordained as a Chris- tian minister, and agreed, temporarily at least, to act as pastor of the recently organized Baptist church in that city. “It was a ministry,” says Prof. Lincoln, “ fruitful of good to himself and his people. It was one which laid under contribution all the resources he could command, both intellec- tual and spiritual; for though the church was not large, yet it united, especially in the persons of its leaders, intelligence, culture, and social consid- eration with a simple and sincere piety, and an earnest desire for growth in Christian knowledge and experience, and in Christian service.” We are told that ‘‘ he was a popular and attractive preacher, and that his discourses, which were written, but preached without the use of notes, attracted full and overflowing houses.” It might seem as if such evident adaptedness to the active labors of the ministry, and marked suc- cess in that work, plainly pointed out what were the sure indications of Divine Providence as to his future career. His reputation as a preacher and pastor led the church of which he was a member— the First church in Proyidence—to think of him as a most suitable person to fill the place made vacant by the resignation of their venerable minister, the Rev. Dr. Gano. But before any action could be taken on the subject he was called to the chair of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Brown University, and assumed the duties of his professor- ship at the commencement of the fall term of 1828. He at once and most heartily enteved into the plans of the new president, Dr. Wayland, and faithfully stood by him, as he endeavored, with what success is well known, to raise the standard of education in the college of which he was the honored head. The fortunes of the university were at this time at a low ebb, and only by generous sacrifice and he- roic, persistent effort was the tide in its affairs made to rise. Prof. Caswell threw himself into the work he had undertaken with his characteristic zeal,—a zeal coupled with good sense and sound judgment. He labored for the interests of his be- loved alma mater not only in this special depart- ment of instruction, but outside of college walls he enlisted the sympathy and secured the substantial aid of its friends in promoting in many ways its prosperity. But.amid the most engrossing labors of the profession to which he consecrated his best energies, Prof. Caswell never lost sight of that higher calling, in the discharge of the duties of which he had expected to spend his days. If he was the college instructor, he was also the Chris- tian minister. As Prof. Lincoln has so well said, “To his habitual conception, religion and educa- tion were indissolubly united, and the Christian religion was the soul and the sacred presiding genius of a place of education. To his view a col- lege was a fountain not merely of a liberal educa- tion, but of a Christian liberal education ; not Chris- tian, however, in the sense of giving theological instruction, or only training men to be of service as pastors and preachers, though he never forgot that leading design of the fathers of this college and other colleges of New England, but Christian in the more catholic sense of educating and rear- ing up Christian men for Christian service in what- -soever vocation and business of life.” Dr. Caswell went abroad in 1860, and spent a year making himself familiar with the scenes and the social life of the Old World. Among scientific men, whose special attention had been devoted to the study of astronomy, which was his favorite branch of instruction, he met with a cordial wel- come. His genial and affable manners, his in- quiring spirit, and warm enthusiasm in the direc- tion of research into the wonderful mysteries of the heavens, won for him. a warm place in the hearts of those whose pursuits were kindred to his own, and he formed friendships which remained unbroken until death. When he came back to his home he resumed at once the duties of his profes- sion, and continued his official relations with Brown University until the fall of 1863, when he resigned his professorship, after having so ably filled the chair he had occupied for thirty-five years. A few years of varied service were spent in the community in which he was so well known and so highly respected and loved. The resignation of Dr. Sears as president of Brown -University to enter upon that career of usefulness to which for so many years he has devoted himself, was followed in a few months by the election of Dr. Caswell to the office thus vacated. Although sixty-nine years of age when thus called to this responsible posi- tion, no one on terms of familiar intimacy with him ever thought of the new president as being an old man. He was in vigorous health. The press- ure of so many years even, as he had lived, had not bowed that manly, erect form. He was the model of Christian refinement and gentlemanly courtesy, and had a rare gift for commanding the respect and winning the affection of young men. The expectations of his friends in calling him to the presidency of the university were not disappointed, and his administration of its affairs proved to bea success. For nearly five years he discharged the duties which devolved on him as the head of an in- stitution with which he had so long been connected. His resignation took place in September, 1872, and he once more retired to comparatively private life. For thirty-nine years and a half he had filled an important place in the department of instruction in Brown University, and for nearly the rest of his life he watched over its interests as a member of its corporation, first as a trustee and then as a Fellow. No one person has been so long and so closely identified with all that concerned its pros- perity as Dr. Caswell. Space does not permit to enumerate all the posi- tions of trust and honor to which, during his long and useful life, Dr. Caswell was called. He was warmly attached to the denomination with which in his early manhood he connected himself. In everything that had to do with its elevation he took the liveliest interest. The cause of sound theologi- cal learning always found in him a warm friend. Through his whole life he took an active part in promoting the prosperity of the Newton Theologi- cal Institution, succeeding to the presidency of its board of trustees on the death of Dr. Sharp, and retaining to the close of life his place on that board. ‘The cause of foreign missions had no more earnest advocate and friend than he. He was chosen president of the Missionary Union in 1867, and re-elected in 1868. Like his early pupil and lifelong friend, Baron Stow, both pen and voice were employed in doing what he could to hasten the coming of the day when the knowledge of the Lord shall be the common heritage of the nations of the earth. The Baptist denomination may justly be proud of having had in its ranks an educator of so large and worthy a reputation, and a minister of Jesus who rendered such efficient aid in ad- vancing its best interests in so many directions. Cate, Rev. George W., was born in Sanborn- ton, N. H.,in 1815. He became a hopeful Christian while residing in Amesbury, Mass. He pursued his preparatory studies for the Christian ministry at New Hampton and Hampton Falls, and gradu- ated at Brown University in 1841, and at Newton in 1844. In September of 1844 he was ordained as pastor of the church in Barre, Mass. His min- istry with this church continued for four years. He was then obliged to give up preaching on account of his health. For a few months he lingered, and then passed away. His death took place May 13, 1849. After much long and thorough preparation for his work, it seemed mysterious that this servant of Christ should have been removed so early in his public ministry, but the Master whom he tried to serve knew best what disposition to make of him. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart photo from findagrave