George Jay Brown
George Jay Brown [1]
a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Brainard, N.Y., November 12, 1839. He was admitted to the bar in Albany, N.Y., at the age of twenty. Soon after he received a divine call, and commenced studying for the ministry. He prepared for college at Fort Edward Institute, and entered the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut, in 1865. While in college he supplied vacant pulpits as he had opportunity, and under the pressure of over-work his mind became deranged. After two years spent in an asylum reason was restored, and, returning to the university, he graduated with honor in 1873. Entering Drew Theological Seminary, he studied (1873-75), preached, and taught, gaining a reputation for critical scholarship, deep religious experience, and pulpit ability far beyond his years. He had joined the Troy Conference in 1868, and, after completing his education, he now occupied two of its most prominent appointments, Schenectady and State Street, Troy. At his second appointment symptoms of his former malady returned, and although he sought relief by rest and travel, reason again left her seat, and he was removed to the Utica Asylum, where he died, December 2, 1880. To do the will of God was "his meat and drink." The Bible was "the man of his counsel." He possessed wonderful power of mental abstraction and concentration of thought. He could study anywhere. Although stricken down in middle life, he lived longer by living better than most men. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1881, page 93.
