Brown, Stephen D, Dd

Brown, Stephen D., D.D.

a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Swanton, Vermont, September 13, 1815. He was the son of Stephen S., one of the most eminent lawyers and jurists in the state, and grandson of Reverend Amasa Brown, who for more than forty years was pastor of the Baptist Church in Hartford, N.Y. Mr. Brown was naturally inclined to the practice of law. He received a thorough academic training; very early developed remarkable talents as a debater. and was admitted to practice at the bar in 1835. No young lawyer in Vermont made more rapid progress during the two following years, or bid more fairly for early eminence, than Stephen D. Brown. In 1837 he was led by his own convictions and the counsel of his pastor to devote his life to the ministry; received a license to exhort; immediately began to preach and study theology, ant in that same year entered the Troy Conference. His conversion and consecration to the Methodist ministry marked an epoch in the history of Vermont Methodism. His high social position, ripe culture, fine talents, matchless eloquence, and fervent piety gave vast impetus to the cause of religion throughout the state. His first three years in the ministry were spent among minor appointments, after which he stood in the front rank and held the most important positions. In 1857 he was transferred to the New York Conference; was retransferred to the Troy Conference in 1862, and in 1865 was again returned to the New York Conference. He died at his residence in New York city, February 19, 1875. No man of his time or conferences was more popular than Dr. Brown. He was remarkably punctual in his attendance on all the means of grace, thoroughly devoted to all the interests of the Church, a favorite among his brethren, full of charity and encouragement. He was also a powerful platform speaker, taking a prominent position in favor of temperance, and advocated strongly the anti-slavery cause. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1875, page 48; Simpson, Cyclop. of Methodism, s.v.