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Stow, Baron, D.D.

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Stowe, John Murdock

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a distinguished minister of the Baptist denomination, was born at Croydon, N.H., June 16, 1801. His early life was spent in struggles with straitened circumstances, in consequence of the death of his father, but he would not abandon his cherished hope of obtaining a liberal education. Providence opened the way for him to prosecute his studies, and after due preparation he became a member of Columbian College, Washington, D.C., and graduated with the highest honors of his class in 1825. Having had the ministry in view during both his academic and collegiate courses of study, he had directed his attention to the investigation of theological subjects, and therefore did not seek for special preparation for his life work by connecting himself with any theological institution. He remained for a time in Washington after his graduation, and then accepted a call to become the pastor of the Baptist Church in Portsmouth, N.H., his ordination taking place Oct. 24, 1827. His ministry of a little more than five years in Portsmouth was eminently successful, and added so much to his reputation that he was called to the pastorate of the Second Baptist, known as the Baldwin Place, Church, in Boston, where he was installed as pastor, Nov. 15, 1832. At once he took his place among the most eloquent and successful clergyman in a city which has always had a ministry than which none perhaps in the country has stood higher in rank and influence. The pastorate of Dr. Stow at the Baldwin Place Church covered a period of nearly sixteen years. The record of his work during this time, of course omitting innumerable details, he has thus given, "I have preached fifteen hundred and sixty-six sermons, made thirteen thousand four hundred and thirty-four pastoral visits, baptized six hundred and fifty-five, attended seven hundred and fifteen funerals, and solemnized five hundred and seventy-eight marriages. During this period I have traveled over twenty- five thousand miles." In these travels was included an extended tour in Europe, commenced by his departure from Boston, Dec. 1, 1840, and ended by his return June 16 following. Soon after his resignation of the pastorate of the Baldwin Place Church, Dr. Stow received invitations from several important churches of his denomination to become their minister. He decided to accept the call of the Rowe Street Church in Boston, and entered upon his duties Oct. 19, 1818. The same success followed, him in his new field of labor which had been granted to him at Baldwin Place, his second pastorate in Boston covered a period of not far from nineteen years. Nearly thirty-five years of almost ceaseless pastoral and ministerial work were thus devoted to the two churches which he so faithfully served in Boston. It is not easy to estimate the good accomplished by a ministry so long continued, or make a correct inventory of the long train of holy influences set in motion by years of consecration to the work of benefiting the souls of men, such as Dr. Stow's as a minister of Jesus Christ. Dr. Stow did not confine his labors simply to instruct, professional calling. He touched life on many sides. In all good causes he took a positive and most lively interest. The institutions of learning in his own denomination, the different societies formed for missionary purposes, both at home and abroad, various benevolent organizations formed in the city of Boston, these and kindred enterprises found in him an ever-faithful friend and supporter. He was known also as an author, having published several works of a practical religious character which were well received at the time of their publication. He (died Dec. 27, 1869. (J.C.S.)