Cobb, Sylvanus, Dd

Cobb, Sylvanus, D.D.

a Universalist minister and writer, was born at Norway, Maine, July, 1788. His first education was under orthodox influences, but early in life he became a Universalist. He preached his first sermon at the age of twenty- one, but was not ordained until 1821. He was settled as minister in succession at Waterville, Maine, at Malden, Waltham, and (since 1849) at East Boston. While at Waltham he established the Christian Freeman, which in 1862 was united with the Trumpet. In 1864 he retired from editorial life, after a service of about thirty years. In the same year he received from Tufts College the honorary degree of doctor of divinity. He died October 31, 1866. Dr. Cobb was a voluminous writer. Many of his earlier controversial sermons were published and widely circulated in Maine and elsewhere. His Discussions with Dr. Adams and Mr. Hudson, involving the subjects of everlasting punishment and the annihilation of the wicked, were also put into book form, after appearing in the columns of the Freeman. His Compend of Divinity is recognized as a standard in the denomination. He also wrote a Commentary on the New Testament. — Universalist Register for 1867, p. 81 sq.