Stearns, Silas

Stearns, Silas, a Baptist minister, was born at Waltham, Mass., July 26, 1784. Although born of Unitarian parents, he was led to Christ by the preaching of Dr.

Stillman, a Baptist preacher, by whom he was baptized in 1804. He pursued his studies under Rev. Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, and was licensed to preach Sept. 11, 1806. Soon after he gave up his trade, that of upholsterer, and applied himself wholly to preparation for the ministry. He was ordained an evangelist Oct. 22, 1807, and soon after began to labor in Bath, Me. A Church was the result, and was recognized Oct. 30, 1810, Mr. Stearns being installed the same day as its pastor, which relation he sustained until his death, July 18, 1840. He was a man of warm affections, earnest in purpose, and diligent in labor. He published a Discourse (Dec. 31, 1816). See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 6, 524.