Born: ?
Died: ?
Came from Troy, New York, to Lexington, Illinois, in 1860. The recently formed church there had invited him to become its pastor. He served this congregation and that at Lincoln half-time each. Mr. Brooks was a scholarly man, with a ready command of a fine vocabulary. Of companionable disposition, he was a superior conversationalist. As a preacher he was fervent and interesting. It was his custom when he came to Illinois not to preach "first principles" and to never give, at the close of his sermons, the public invitation for people to accept the Saviour. One Sunday in June, 1861, when preaching in Lexington, he was informed that a lady wished to present her letter and be received into the congregation; so he gave the invitation. While the hymn was being sung, a gentleman passed up one aisle and his sister the other--both to make the good confession. The preacher, learning the facts, cried out, "O God, forgive my lack of faith!" His continued ministry in Illinois was most helpful to both congregations and preachers.