Upham, William D

Upham, William D.

a Baptist minister, was born at Weathersfield, Vt., Feb. 13,1810. He developed early in life a strong love for literary pursuits, and at the age of eighteen he determined to devote himself to the study of law. With this object in view, he entered Brown University in the autumn of 1831. He seems to have imbibed skeptical views, and with that conceit which not infrequently accompanies pride of intellect in young men in a course of study, he regarded Christianity as, on the whole, hardly worthy of his notice. While engaged in teaching at Dedham, Mass., the winter succeeding his entrance into college, the Spirit of God arrested his attention, and, after a severe struggle, he accepted Christ as his Savior. By his conversion, all his life-plans were changed, and he resolved to devote himself to the service of the Lord. He became a member of the First Baptist Church in Providence, R. I., in the fall of 1832, and the Church gave him its approval in his purpose to enter the Christian ministry. Want of means compelled him to leave college at the close of his second year, and he spent the next three years in teaching in Wickford, R. I. Here he labored not only in his special vocation as a teacher, but as a Christian, and the existence of the Church in Wickford is largely owing to his toils and sacrifices. Ile removed to Ludlow, Vt., in 1836, and was for a time principal of the Black River Academy. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in Ludlow in November, 1837, and in December of the following year he became pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Townshend, Vt. He secured from the outset the affections of' his people, and his labors were greatly blessed. A few years only of service in the cause he so much loved were allotted to him. Four years and a few months he remained in the pastoral office, and then was called to a better world. His death occurred June 30, 1843. See Baptist Memorial, 2, 269. (J. C. S.)