ROBERT MOFFETT.

      It matters much less where, geographically, a man comes into the world, than how he comes into its life as a living force, or what he does and becomes in it. Heredity and environment condition his character and power. Robert Moffett was born in Laporte county, Ind., [460] November 9, 1835, the youngest of the three sons of Garner and Mary J. B. Moffett, who moved to Indiana in 1831 from Washington county, Va. In 1836 the family moved to Cherry Grove, Carroll county, Ill., and there, in what was then the far west, Robert grew into manhood. Garner Moffett was a man of prominence and influence throughout and beyond the limits of his county, and was held in high esteem for his character and usefulness. He was a pioneer among the disciples of Northern Illinois, and, though a farmer, was a, preacher of no mean ability, and was influential in laying the foundations and caring for the churches in that region.

      His wife was a "mother in Israel," whose influence and example left an abiding impression upon the church and community.

      The year 1854 Robert spent in preparatory studies at Hiram, Ohio, and graduated from Bethany College, W. Va., in the class of 1859, having sat three years at the feet of the Sage of Bethany. Soon after graduation he married Miss Lucy A. Green, of Summit county, Ohio, only daughter of the late venerable Almon B. Green, who throughout his entire ministry, has been a helpmate worthy of a crown of honor among women.

      He began preaching while yet a student at Bethany College, and was there ordained to the ministry in 1859. He spent nearly a year evangelizing in Northwestern Illinois, and in June, 1860, settled with the church in Wooster, Ohio, as minister, where he remained nearly five years. In January, 1865, he was called to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he filled a successful ministry for five years, when he was appointed Corresponding Secretary of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society. In May, 1870, he moved to Bedford, Ohio, where he preached three years in connection with his work as Corresponding Secretary. In 1875 he moved to Cleveland, where he still resides. In October, 1882, he was made Corresponding Secretary of the American Christian Missionary Society, filling the office till 1892, continuing, in 1893, as assistant, spending the fall of 1893 and spring of 1894 evangelizing mostly in Canada. From August, 1894, to June, 1895 he was assistant Secretary of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society, when he was again chosen Corresponding Secretary, retiring, finally, in July, 1899, after a continued service in the Society work of nearly thirty years, having successfully and faithfully filled every position into which he had been called, and retaining the confidence and the affection of his brethren to the end of his long service. His physical power of endurance, his persevering industry, his evenly balanced mind and temperament,--giving him quick insight into men and things,--his large common sense, and his faithful devotion to duty have made him an invaluable counselor and worker for the Societies and the churches.

      As a, preacher, he is strongly affirmative, addressing both the mind and the heart. He has large sympathy, fine imagination, strong and well trained logical powers and a vocabulary of chaste and vigorous Anglo-Saxon words; and though simple in style, there are times when he carries his audience through grand marches and sublime flights of eloquence.

      C. C. Smith, in his address on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society, pays this deserved compliment to his work: "As Secretary he was compelled to give much time to holding meetings in our stronger churches. They needed just the type of preaching he gave them. Church edification, in the highest sense, was his special work. No man preached a broader, fuller, and deeper gospel than did be. His masterly addresses at the many convocations of the churches, at yearly meetings, and preachers' associations, were a large factor in the education of our preachers and leaders, and of the churches themselves. He has no reason to regret his utterances on all great questions pertaining to church life. His record on Home and Foreign Missions, Church Extension, Ministerial Relief, Collegiate Education, Negro Education, Christian Endeavor--in fact, on every interest connected with the growth of the Kingdom, is one of which any man has a right to be proud. And he has a right to be proud of labors most abundant amid difficulties which would have appalled many.

      His was not the day of easy methods, yet those who have studied the records marvel at the abundance of his labors for all the greater interests of the church. He stood "four square to every wind that blew." He met, in open conflict, the opponents of organized Missionary work for all fields. All the missions of all the churches owe much to Robert Moffett for this victory, viz: The recognition of the right and duty of the church to organize to carry out the great [461] Commission of Christ. It is fitting in this fiftieth anniversary, that we gratefully acknowledge the faithful labors of the man who led us for thirty years."

[COC 460-462]