Brown, John D

Brown, John D.

a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Kishacoquillas Valley, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1834, and was left dependent on his own resources very early in life by the decease of his father. After receiving a common-school education he studied at Tuscarora Academy and Jefferson College; and in 1859 entered the East Baltimore Conference. In 1861 le volunteered as a missionary to India, sailed in August of that year, and about one year after his arrival was preaching to thit people in their native language. While in India his fields of labor were Moradabad, February to November 1862; Shahjehanpoor, December 1862, to December 1864; and Seetapoor, January 1865, to 1870, when the failing health of his wife obliged him to return to America. While in Seetapoor Mr. Brown translated into the native language, Church Polity, by bishop Morris; Evidences of Christianity; Mitchell's Letters to Indian Youth; Whirlpool of Intemperance, and many valuable works. He was also the author and publisher of Inquirer after Truth, and many other valuable Sunday-school books. On his arrival home he immediately began a diligent representation, among various churches, of the foreign mission work. In 1871 he was given charge of First Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. At the end of the year, his wife's health having recovered, he sailed again for India. He first settled in Shahjehanpoor, where he served as a member of the publishing committee in addition to teaching and preaching. Thence he went to Bareilly, where for nearly three years he devoted his time to ministerial duties, the translation of the Berean Sunday-school lessons. and devising Sunday-school picture-books for the natives. His health then becoming too feeble for the severity of the climate, he again returned to the home of his childhood in 1876. In 1877 he applied to his home Conference for work, and was appointed to traverse it as Sunday school and tract agent. He made Harrisburg his home, and died there February 17, 1878. Mr. Brown's love and zeal for the missionary cause were unbounded. He was a man of strong faith. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1878, page 36.