Robert Trumbull
Robert Trumbull [1]
a distinguished Baptist minister and scholar, was born in Whiteburn, Linlithgowshire, Scotland, Sept. 10, 1809. He was brought up as a Presbyterian. Having graduated at the Glasgow University, he attended the theological lectures of Drs. Chalmers and Dick in Edinburgh, having among his fellow-students Kobert Pollok, the author of the Course of Time. While pursuing his theological studies, he changed his sentiments on the subject of Christian baptism, and connected himself with a Baptist Church. For a year and a half he preached in Westmancotte, Worcestershire, England. In 1833 he came to this country, and for two years was pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Danbury, Conn., when he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church ill Detroit, Mich., where he remained two ears, and then became pastor of the South Baptist Church in Hartford, Conn. In all these churches his labors were greatly blessed. For two years he continued in Hartford, and then accepted a call in 1839 to what is now the Harvard Street Church in Boston, where his six years (1839-45) ministry added greatly to the strength of the Church. In July, 1845, he returned to Hartford, to take the pastoral charge of the First Baptist Church in that city. His connection with that Church as its minister continued for twenty-four years. "Under his earnest and faithful ministry the Church enjoyed a succession of revivals and constant accessions, till it became in numbers, beneficence, and influence one of the strongest in the denomination." The unusually long pastorate of Dr. Trumbull closed in 1869. It was not his wish again to become a permanent pastor. For, more than two years he preached in New Haven, supplying the pulpit of a mission chapel in Dwight Street one year, and another year preaching in a chapel in the northwestern part of the city. Dr. Trumbull was chosen in 1872 secretary of the Connecticut Baptist Convention. In this capacity he served for the remainder of his life, performing a work for the feeble Baptist churches in Connecticut the value of which cannot be overestimated. His memory is cherished with warm affection in the community and state which he so long blessed by his Christian ministry. For a little more than five years he devoted himself with great zeal to his work, and saw it abundantly successful. He died at Hartford, Nov. 20,1877. Dr. Trumbull was a voluminous writer, considering the amount of ministerial work he performed during his life. Among his published writings were the following: Olympia Morata (1842): — Vinet's Vital Christianity-a translation (1846): — Genius of Scotland (1847): — Pulpit Writers of France and Switzerland (1848): — Genius of Italy (1849): — Theophany, or the Manifestation of God in Christ (1851) : — Vinet's Miscellanies (1852): — Life Pictures (1857). He edited also sir William Hamilton's Discussions on Philosophy, Literature, and University Reform. He was the editor of the Christian Review for two years. See Christian Secretary, Nov. 28,1877. (J. C. S.)
