Born: Michigan, 1864.Died: 1944.
Born: Michigan, 1864.
Died: 1944.
Mr. Willett is of the finest mental discipline and tremendous capacity for work. After graduating at Bethany in 1886, he preached seven years. He studied one year at Yale, one at Berlin, and received his doctor's degree from the University of Chicago in 1896. He taught three years in the Bible chairs at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
After forming the Hyde Park Church, he preached there three years. Then he was with the First Church two years. In 1908 he brought about a union of the last named with the Memorial Baptist Church, known now as the "Memorial Church of Christ," and has since then served as its minister. Besides, he has done much miscellaneous preaching in not a few denominational pulpits in Chicago and elsewhere.
Mr. Willett is one of the most democratic of university men, and of engaging personality. He is always a pleasing and persuasive preacher. It has been said that no honest man can hear him publicly present the proofs of the Scriptures and then say that he does not believe the Bible without a feeling of shame. He is a prolific writer, and for some things that he has thus said he has subjected himself to the criticism of his fellow-Disciples.
A Church Federation Council meeting was held in Chicago in February, 1910. After the session of the day there was an informal dinner at the Great Northern Hotel, followed by brief speeches by different men. Next to the last to speak was a minister noted for his denominational proclivities. He said that it was puerile to array the Scriptures against denominational Christianity when there were Jewish Christians, Gentile Christians, etc. Then he remarked that the people who had the most to say about unity were the most sectarian of all, and even little. He was once in a Western town where the people were holding a revival, and they advertised as the one true apostolic church of Christ, that there was only one people who had the presumption and littleness to do that, etc.
When Mr. Willett rose and began in his most gracious manner, attention was riveted upon him. After a word of introduction, he took up the address just heard by saying: "In regard to our people whom Dr. has done us the honor to mention." Then followed a skillful, polished and thoroughgoing answer. It was a clear, full and unanswerable defense of the Disciples. And there was an eloquent silence that followed it.
At present, Mr. Willett holds an associate professorship of Semitic Languages and Literature in the University of Chicago. In this position he discharges efficiently the duties that are his.