Parsons, Henry M

Parsons, Henry M.

an American Presbyterian minister, was born at Glen's Falls, N. Y., July 27, 1813. He received a careful training from his parents; graduated at Williams College, Mass., in 1835; studied theology under Hugh N. Wilson, D.D., at Southampton, N.Y.; was licensed and ordained Oct. 8, 1847, pastor over the Moriches Church, Long Island. Soon his health began to fail him, and at the earnest solicitation of his people he tried a southern climate; he spent a winter in Cuba, where he served as a chaplain for the seamen at Havana; but after two years' absence he returned and labored another year with his people on Long Island. His health was still poor. and thinking that an inland climate would help him, in 1852 he accepted a call from Warrior Run Church, Pa., where he continued to labor for two years. At length he gave up preaching and traveled for his health, but died Aug. 10, 1859. Mr. Parsons was the author of Christ in the Desert. His mind was well-balanced, his descriptive powers excellent; and his letters from abroad bear evidence of nice discrimination and clearness of perception. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1861, p. 104. (J. L. S.)