B. F. COULTER.

      The subject of this sketch was born in Trenton, Todd county, Kentucky, August 9, 1832. His parents, Robert and Frances Coulter, whose families had lived in Virginia and North Carolina for many years, removed to Kentucky about 1826. Bro. Coulter's father was a man of strong convictions; an untiring student of the Bible, and conscientiously opposed to slavery, though born and reared in the South. His family government was a happy combination of gentleness and firmness.

      The mother was a woman of fine judgment, genial, ambitious for her children, but an earnest Christian. The early years of Bro. Coulter were spent amid the peaceful surroundings of country life, but while yet young his father removed to Elkton, the county seat, that his children might enjoy better educational advantages. Here, under the training of President Wm. Dickey, of Philadelphia, in his school for boys and young men--known as the "Green River Male Academy," brother Coulter spent his school days--free from the temptation of riches and the sorrows of poverty--under moral and religious influences that had much to do with the formation of his character.

      While energetically pursuing his studies he was strongly inclined to the study and practice of medicine, but circumstances led him into commercial life. At the age of twenty years he left the old home for a larger field in Clarksville, Tenn., to enter a dry goods house, which clerkship he held for three years. During this period, at the age of twenty-one, he united with the Church of Christ and laid the foundation for his future successful career as a business, man and a Christian. The following year he gained a still larger experience as clerk in a wholesale dry goods house in Nashville, Tenn., which position he resigned to accept a partnership in a mercantile house in Clarksville, his former home.

      While "diligent in business" he was also "fervent in spirit" in the Lord's work, first as teacher in the Sunday school, then for about ten years as superintendent in the same school. When possible, he was always present at the prayer meeting and Lord's day services, ready to do his part, having conscientiously prepared himself for this important duty. His faithfulness in little things prepared him unconsciously for a larger work. Brother A. L. Johnson, evangelist for Southern Kentucky and Tennessee (now at Fort Worth, Tex.) with the elders of the Clarksville church, brothers Chas. A. Baker, Judge Jas. E. Rice, and Dr. Wm. Bernard, recognizing his fitness for teaching the Word, urged him to accept the frequent calls from country places adjacent to Clarksville; brother Baker kindly proposing to accompany him as singer and baptizer. Bro. Coulter was about forty years of age when he entered upon this public work, which was productive of most gratifying results,--his last work being an engagement to preach regularly for the Hadensville, Ky., church, continuing until his removal to California, in 1877.

      Finding the same conditions in his new home in the West--a needy field with but few laborers--he pursued the same course of preaching in school houses on Lord's day and holding frequent protracted meetings while looking after his growing business interests during the week. Brother Coulter has been preaching about thirty years; is now seventy-one years old--a man of remarkable vigor of body and mind, and, as is often said by those who [457] know of his arduous duties--"he does the work of two or three men without seeming to be busy."

      The Lord has abundantly blessed brother Coulter's work. The Broadway Church of Christ, of this city, which was organized by him about eight years ago, and for which he built and furnished a large and costly house of worship, is now the largest congregation of disciples on the Pacific Coast, numbering nearly nine hundred enrolled members, including the Vernon Mission. He faithfully shepherds this large flock, keeping in lively touch with all its departments of work. While not co-operating with our Missionary Boards, brother Coulter is intensely missionary in spirit, and through his example and teaching the Broadway Church is doing an active, aggressive work at home and abroad, supporting three missions and three missionaries--Miss Miller and her school in Tokyo, Japan; the Vernon Mission (under the able leadership of T. D. Garvin) in a rapidly growing suburb of Los Angeles, for which brother Coulter built and furnished at his own charge a comfortable church building; also a flourishing Japanese school in connection with the Broadway church, under the efficient control of the assistant minister, brother L. Swindle, and Miss Calla J. Harrison, who has had years of experience in the foreign field, and speaks and writes the Japanese language.

      While rejoicing in the good accomplished by all missionary agencies, it is brother Coulter's strong conviction, based upon intelligent observation and years of experience, that more can be accomplished--more personal, individual work done--more generous offerings made, when a congregation is alive to its responsibilities, and is kept in close touch with its missions and missionaries to whose support it is pledged.

      As brother Coulter "sees the day drawing nigh" his interest in his Father's work seems to grow more intense. He labors in season and out of season to lead men and women to Christ, urging them to have faith in God. He keeps always before his own mind Paul's solemn charge to Timothy, "Preach the Word."

[COC 457-458]