George Brown: In his own words (My father ctd.)

Title page of Words from a Layman's Ministry by George Brown (1810-1868)
(A book of sermons written by Brown's father.)
Courtesy of Andover-Harvard Theological Library.

To those who knew him in his beautiful and simple private life he was still more endearing-a man of deep religious and happy piety. It was this religious life, indeed, which was the most interesting feature in his character; but I have dwelt so long upon his career as a worker and citizen, because religion shows the noblest when it appears as the crowning grace and strength of a life manly, capable, and active all round. From youth it was conspicuous in him. He began life as a Methodist, and learned among the associations of Methodism that outspoken piety and love of the Scriptures and prayer which characterised him to the end. He never seemed so happy as when he was conversing on the great themes of God and Providence, of Christ and His holy work, and of the hopes and foreshadowings of the heavenly world. 'At such time,' says one who had spent many an hour with him thus, 'his whole countenance beamed with light his conversation grew unusually animated, and the utterances of sages, prophets, and poets flowed rapidly from his lips and mingled with his own earnest and impressive words.' His reverence for 'The Book' grew upon him year by year, and he often expressed his indebtedness to it for many of his happiest hours, as well as for support in his sorest trials. But what he loved most of all to dwell upon of late years was the character of Jesus. In his preaching, as well as in private conversation, he seemed never tired of dwelling on the beauty and strengthening power of that marvellous Life; and his services in the little chapel were characterised by an intensely devout and reverential spirit, which those who met with him there will never forget.

I have given these extracts from a memoir prefixed to a volume of sermons entitled Words from a Layman's Ministry, the second edition of which is now out of print. The Rev. J. J. Taylor, B.A., wrote the preface to the first edition, the Rev. Brooke Herford, now of Boston, wrote the memoir, and James Heywood, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., the preface to the second edition.

My father, so far as I remember, like the late Rev. Dr. Martineau, never considered himself a Unitarianin in the generally accepted meaning of the term. His opinions were those which find their noblest expression in the works of Channing and Martineau ; but there is little of them to be seen in the sermons which are published, most, if not all, of which might be preached in any Methodist pulpit to-day. When I was home I found that a church called the Brown Memorial Church had been erected by the people to whom he gratuitously gave the best years of his title. I preached in our own Methodist church in the morning, and many of those who were present attended the service which I conducted in the memorial church at night.

George Brown: In his own words

The Early Years and The Call

The Early Years
and The Call