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Marsh, John (2)

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(2), D.D., son of the preceding, an eminent American divine, who enjoyed a national reputation from his connection, almost from its origin, with the great temperance reform of the last half century, was born in Wethersfield, Conn., April 2, 1788; graduated at Yale College, and in 1818 was settled as a Congregational pastor in Haddam, Conn. He at once identified himself with the cause he so ably served for half a generation, and attracted public attention by the address which he delivered, — before the Windham County Temperance Society in Pomfret, Conn., in 1829. That year a state society had been formed, of which Jeremiah Day, of Yale College, was the president, and Mr. Marsh the secretary and general agent, and, to do efficient service for the society, the latter offered his services to the county associations as far as he could in connection with his pastoral labor. His address in Pomfret, styled "Putnam and his Wolf," ran a parallel between general Putnam's well-known pursuit of the wolf in his den in that town and the temperance crusade against a more terrible monster. The address was afterwards printed, and in a short period 150,000 copies were disposed of. The American Tract Society finally placed it upon its list. (See TEMPERANCE REFORM).

In 1833 Dr. Marsh was invited to leave his charge and become an agent of the society in Philadelphia; and by the advice of his friends he yielded himself to what was at that time a most laborious and self-denying mission. Three years later he removed to New York as secretary of the American Temperance Union, and editor of its organ and of its publications, and remained until 1865, when the society was reorganized, and a change was made in its officers. Although full of years, he allowed himself no rest from his labors, preaching constantly, lecturing upon his life theme, and offering himself to every good word and work. His last efforts were put forth in behalf of an endowment of the Yale Theological Seminary. He had already raised $10,000, and was full of encouragement in reference to the results of his endeavors. His labors ended only with his life. He died Aug. 4, 1868. "Few men have been more respected or more widely known throughout the country than Dr. Marsh. Enthusiastic in his mission, catholic in spirit, welcoming every new laborer in the great field, and readily seizing upon each new phase of the temperance reformation, his name will remain inseparably connected with the history of the cause in all future time. He was a good man, shedding a benign influence by his devoted life wherever he moved" (N. Y. Christian Advocate, August, 1868). Besides editing The Temperance Journal, Dr. Marsh was the author of several popular works; among others, of a well- known Epitome of Ecclesiastical History (N. Y., A. S. Barnes and Co.); of a valuable handbook entitled Temperance Recollections — Labors, Defeats, Triumphs, an autobiography (N. Y. 1866, 12mo), "a rich text- book for every man who would plead the cause of temperance;" etc. See the (N. Y.) Christian Advocate, August, 1868; the Eclectic Magazine, 1866 (June), p. 773. (J. H. W.)