It is with pleasure that we admit the following narrative to a place in the Chronicle; as it will not only gratify the personal friends of Dr. Gano, but interest and profit the general reader. No one who bears in his bosom a spark of piety or of patriotism, can read this narrative without a flame of devotion to the cause of humanity and God. And we value it more highly because of its originality and freshness. In the obituary of Dr. Gano, written soon after his death, and subsequently copied into the Baptist Memorial, we notice this expression: "The writer of this article has often desired our deceased friend to reduce to writing some of the painful incidents of this part of his life; [alluding to his life during the Revolutionary war] but as this was never done, we can only say, &c." But it will be seen, from the account given below, that what was supposed to have been left undone was accomplished by the hand of Dr. Gano himself, and though hitherto unknown, even to his friends, it is now most fortunately discovered in time to be rescued from oblivion, and to invite from posterity that blessing which Heaven has pronounced on " the memory of the just." The narrative was sent to us accompanied with a valuable paper from our excellent friend, Mrs. Peter Ludlow, a daughter of Dr. Stephen Gano, which paper we have taken the liberty of dividing, so as to introduce and complete the original narrative with the additional information it contains.Dear Sir, -- In consequence of recent inquiries by Dr. Sprague, of Albany, respecting the early events of my honored father's life, (the late Dr. Gano, of Providence, R. I.,) his children have examined letters, &c., in order to furnish the same. Among some misplaced papers, we found a short narrative written by himself at the urgent request of one of my sisters. It was drawn from him during his last protracted and fatal sickness, as well to amuse him as to gratify us. I have copied the same; and those who may recollect my father's style will at once recognize the hand that sketched.
By request of my valuable friend, Rev. W. W. Everts, I now enclose it for your perusal, and should you think proper to give it a place in your interesting journal, it will gratify the family of my lamented father, and I trust prove acceptable to those who remember him. You will excuse my request, that it remain unaltered. Even the shadowiness of a beautiful and more finished drapery would mar to them his plain, daily attire.
"PROVIDENCE, R. I., April 7, 1825.
"My Dear Children, -- Having been requested to give you a narrative of my life, upon reflection I have concluded to do so. The subject has occurred to my mind at different times, while a powerful obstacle has arisen in the fear that no real good would result from such a sketch, as it would only develop what more or less enters into every man's history."We are liable to set up large and prominent landmarks upon our afflictions, while the innumerable mercies showered upon us by the benignant hand of our gracious Creator, are almost overlooked or forgotten. Our times, seasons, mercies and afflictions, are registered in the Eternal Mind, and will be eventually disclosed to our utter confusion or divine approbation; and the season of such disclosure will speedily be made by our great Judge, so as to render it unnecessary to attempt retracing the lines of this fleeting life with so much imperfection and selfishness, as is the lot of frail, erring mortals. These reflections have deterred me. However, I now comply, from a desire to gratify the feelings of dear and affectionate children, with the hope that some portion of my varied and chequered life may be a means of exciting your confidence in a gracious and wise Providence, which hath hitherto supplied and supported me.
"I am a regular descendant of the Huguenots, or Protestants of France. My father's grandfather, Francis Gerneaux, came from the island of Guernsey, it being a time of bloody persecution, in consequence of the revocation of the famous edict of Nantz. One of his friends and neighbors had been most cruelly interrogated, tortured, and martyred in the day. Through a faithful domestic of the martyred saint and friend, he was informed at the midnight hour that he was to be the next victim. He was reputed to be a man of wealth, virtue, and worth, with corresponding influence. With the aid of trustworthy dependents, he secured a vessel, removed his infant family on board, himself being taken in a hogshead, and the next morning was out of sight of the harbor. By sending his boat ashore at some other Protestant settlements, he aided others to escape, and safely arrived in this country. He settled in New Rochelle, State of New York, and lived to the great age of 103 -- thus escaping the rage of papal power, whose howlings at the destruction of his homestead, told how direful would have been the fate of its pious, prayerful inmates. The confiscation of his property followed, upon hearing which, he remarked, "I have been expelled from my birth-place, and my property has been taken from my family for only one aggression -- a lore for the Bible and its holy teachings. Let my name change with changing circumstances ;" -- and it has ever since been known as, pronounced by the English, Gano.
"My birth-place was New York city, on the 25th December, 1762, my honored father being pastor of the small and only Baptist church in the city. Blessed with religious parents, who solicitously inculcated the fear of the Lord, with earnest supplications to God in the family, and in private, and habitually attendant upon public worship, there were seasons to me of temporary compunction, which resulted in half-formed and often broken resolutions respecting a religious life. Being large of my age, of an ardent temperament, and athletic constitution, I was led into association with those much older than myself, though happily restrained by parental authority, which was strict but not severe, affectionate but not pusillanimous.
"It may be proper here to remark a peculiarity of my nature -- the abhorrence of all ardent spirits from my birth. When four years old, milk punch was recommended in the small pox, which I had most severely. My mother has informed me, that when she urged my taking it lest I should die, I replied to her, "then I will die." And amid all the trials, dangers, and exposures of my changing life since, the same dislike of all ardent spirits has continued. I have often blessed my good Creator for such repugnance, when I have witnessed so many otherwise valuable and learned men bowing to this vice, which has ruined their reputation, usefulness, and peace.
"Being sent to school quite young, I continued with little or no interruption until the age of thirteen; and, so far as one can judge of his own proficiency, sustained a mediocrity. In very early life, I learned one thing: the impropriety of using the same discipline for every child alike. In one school, being severely chastised for some fault, my mind determined on resistance, and remained callous to such reproof. My parents removed me to another school, the teacher of which being a Friend or Quaker, early discovered the natural bias of my mind, and by kindness and tenderness, so won upon my affections, that he never did use, and I know not that he ever had occasion to use, the least severity with me. The name of Thomas Steel I have ever loved and venerated.
"My dear father directed my early studies towards a college life, but the troubles of the war, and other intervening causes, prevented my going through a regular classical course; and at the early age of thirteen years, I was placed with my maternal uncle (Dr. Stiles) for the purpose of a medical education, my father accompanying me to my new abode, Cranberry, New Jersey. On the way, we called on my father's mother, who was eminently pious, and who had reached more than fourscore years. On first seeing me, she bade me kneel beside her, and gently placing her aged hand on my youthful head, she offered up a fervent petition for my salvation; when, after a short silence of prayerful abstraction, she said, "Stephen, the Lord designs thee for a minister of the everlasting Gospel. Be thou faithful unto death, and He will give thee a crown of life!" I cannot but hope that this and other prayers have been answered, though a number of years of youthful follies intervened before I knew the love and grace of God. Let Christian parents never neglect this solemn and important duty and privilege! Many times, after their heads are covered with the cold clods of the valley, the seeds sown in tears produce a harvest to the honor of Christ, and the never-ending felicity of the subjects of prayer.
"Having entered upon a new scene of duty, and in a new situation, I was as closely occupied as my juvenile mind would admit. My uncle was considered an able physician, and was very strict in enforcing such instructions as were important in the profession I had chosen, requiring at the same time services which I did not think compatible with my situation as a student, though I do not repine I was thus led into the school of subordination. I continued my medical studies until nearly seventeen years of age.
"The little Baptist church, of which my honored father was pastor in New York, was nearly disbanded by the war of the Revolution; and himself, having sheltered his family by invitation with a friend, (Mr. Peter Brown, of Horseneck,) joined the armed citizens, and by invitation preached for the regiments belonging to Col. Webb and Col. Hall. On the Sabbath preceding the battle of White Plains, leaving a garrison of 1500 men in Fort Washington, who were all sacrificed by the British, he with the regiment retreated to White Plains. There they were joined by General Washington and the greater part of his army. My father's station as chaplain, in time of action, was with the surgeons; but, by mismanagement, he found himself in front of the regiment, where he firmly and composedly stood, unflinching and unarmed, during the engagement, and without receiving the least injury. After this, he was urged to accept, by official appointment, a chaplaincy, which he did, and was stationed at Fort Montgomery, where he remained until the Fort was taken by storm. Webb and Hall, Dubosque and Clinton, with Washington,were friends my father duly appreciated, and highly did they esteem him for his warm and zealous adherence to the righteous cause of American freedom. No wonder, then, that my young heart beat high with the flame of Liberty! Anxiously longing to participate in the direful struggles of my country, I visited my mother. In the neighborhood, some young men were forming themselves into a volunteer company, and with her permission I joined them. Being absent some little time to give in my name and make needful arrangements, I found on my return home, a mother's own hands had provided the young surgeon's necessary equipments; and as she buckled on my regimentals, she said, "My son, may God preserve your life and your patriotism; the one may fall a sacrifice in retaking and preserving the home of your childhood, but never let me hear that you have forfeited the birthright of a freeman!" And without a tear she saw me depart, bidding me trust in God, and be valiant! Such was the heroism of mothers in those dark days. The bloody persecutions which had formed the infant history of their forefathers, gave unto that generation of virtuous, pious females, rightly to appreciate the blessing of being allowed to worship God, with none to molest and make them afraid.
"In the evening, we marched for Danbury; and the next morning, saw the town in flames. Here, a scattering and desultory engagement took place, and here for the first time I saw a battle. In June, 1779, I was examined by the surgeon general, and received an appointment in Col. Lamb's regiment as surgeon's mate; and before the year expired, the entire charge of the regiment was committed to my care, during which time I experienced great exposures and privations. In one of our marches, we might have been traced by the blood on the snow from our feet. A large supply of shoes and other needful elo.hing met us in Philadelphia, having been provided in France by Gen. Lafayette. These things tell the story, even in these days, of a nation's gratitude to a great and good man. My situation was doubly trying; alike with the officers and men, we all suffered. But my trials were enhanced by daily calls to witness the wants of suitable nourishment and medicines for the sick and wounded.
"In 1780,I resigned and went to Philadelphia, and entered on board the privateer schooner L'Insurgent; and, in the course of two or three weeks, was driven on the Jersey shore, without any articles but such as I had on my person. Thence I walked forty miles, and fell in with a Captain Mariner, and went with him again to Philadelphia, and entered on board of a whale-vessel coasting along the Jersey shore, until driven into New Brunswick by a British craft. Then again I went to Philadelphia, and entered as surgeon on board of a new brig, commanded by Decatur, for whom I have ever cherished a peculiar regard. A braver man never trod the deck of any vessel. He was the father of our late Commodore Decatur. We sailed as a letter of marque to St. Domingo; and, on our return-passage, were chased by a Bermudian, and run on a reef of rocks, which unhung our rudder and we were taken. Finding escape impossible, we managed to cut away her leaders, and nailed our flag to the mast: and long after we were captured, our stars and stripes floated over her deck. After our brave and desperate resistance, when we were taken, nature so demanded rest that I rolled myself in a blanket on the deck, and laid myself beside a quiet sleeper, as I supposed, and knew not till I awoke that a dead body had been my companion.
"Thirty-four of us were put upon Turk's Island, without provisions, to perish with hunger; and there, from fatigue, famine, and exposure, some died. I became sick, and so low, that my companions tied a bandage about my loins for support. Finding some conks, they made a fire and roasted them; they then raised my fainting head from the sand-beach, and feeding me with some portion of the liquor, revived exhausted nature, saying, "Live, Gano; take this and live, and we will beat the British yet!" Feeding mostly on conks, we were enabled to preserve life to endure greater trials, and after some days seized upon a boat called a man-of war's barge, with a deck just raised. In her we ran down to St. Francis. Upon landing, without any means, I beggeda morsel of bread from door to door for several hours, until at length a female gave me half a loaf. This I shared with some of my less successful companions. May my children never forget this when the poor and needy ask bread! The next day, I was obliged to work as a common sailor loading a vessel with salt. We remained here some ten days, when I got a passage in an armed brig bound for Philadelphia. When out four days,\was taken again and carried into New Providence, where I was put on board a prison-ship. Here my sufferings from hunger, chains, and cruelty, cannot be told.* Our provisions were nauseous, tainted, and we had but a scanty supply even of them! A black fellow in New York, who had known my father's family, hearing my name called, came to the hold and asked: "Is it mass? Johnny, or massa Stephen? He brought me daily some part of his allowance, and a pipe and tobacco, telling me its sickness would allay hunger.
"In the early part of December I was exchanged. As we were preparing for an exchange of prisoners, a noble young Irishman, who had fought bravely for his adopted country, despairingly said: "Oh, doctor, my speech will betray my birthplace; I shall be pressed, and most likely flogged to death before night!" I replied: "Keep up bravely; stand next to me when we are called on deck, and say, 'my father is a stocking-weaver in Germantown, &c., &c."' They first questioned me. I provokingly said: "And what will ye give to know?" -- thus continuing to answer until I found the officer sufficiently irritated; then bracing myself in an attitude of defiance, looking him full in the face, said: "My name is Gano; my birth-place, New York, where my father was pastor of the only Baptist church, until his people were driven from the city by the British, when he became chaplain in our Yankee army. French blood runs in my veins. My mother's milk nourished the spirit of a freeman; and my medical education enables me to know how to treat a captured and wounded enemy." By this time, my stocking? weaver's son's prompt and respectful replies, gave him the go-by, though joy and gratitude blanched his check, and served to weaken limbs that had firmly faced the roaring cannon.
"I very soon measurably recovered my strength, but never recovered my hair, which had been unusually full and black. An entire baldness since then has compelled me ever to use a wig.
"Again I returned to Philadelphia, about the middle of January, perfectly destitute, when a wealthy, aged lady, a particular friend of my parents, insisted on my going to her house, and generously provided me with money and apparel. Thus, by the latter end of February, I was enabled to join my father's family, to their no small astonishment, they having heard that I was among those who had died on a desolate island.
"Our meeting was one of great joy and thankfulness. Remaining at home some time, with recruited health, I entered on the practice (private) of medicine in Orangetown, then called Tappan, (N. Y.) In 1782, I married Miss Cornelia Vavaser, only child of Captain Josiah Vavaser. -- I continued".
Here the narrative ends. In the year 1783, Dr. Gano became hopefully pious, and shortly after entered the ministry, in which he continued through a long and useful life.
We regret that his painful illness prevented him from adding some account of his religious feelings -- his first consciousness of that life within which so deeply marked his successful ministerial course.
At the close of the war of the Revolution, he settled as a practising physician in Orange county, in the State of New York, with encouraging prospects of a very respectable and lucrative practice, and a most happy marriage. And thus we mark the mystery of Divine Providence: amidst all his sufferings during the war, with death and eternity ever before him, ho remained unalarmed; but when peace and prosperity were his portion, he became racked by the realizing sense of his lost condition, living as he had and was, without God and without hope.
An elderly widow in the neighborhood would occasionally assist his young wife with her better judgment, and marking her amiable sobriety, he believed her to be pious. He therefore urged her to be sent for to pass the day. Observing his opportunity, he expressed to her his deep convictions respecting temperance, righteousness, and a judgment to come." With judicious Christian counsel, she for a while encouraged and instructed him. Then slowly laying aside her needle, and raising her glasses to wipe the gathering tears from her eyes, she remarked: "Ah, my dear young doctor, I have been talking to you as if I were a Christian, and such you doubtless esteem me. Long before you were born, even forty years, I have been seeking this peace in believing, after which you are now striving, and I have not yet found it." Upon which they simultaneously agreed to read the Scriptures together with prayer. Before many days had elapsed, during the silent watches of a prayerful night, the plan of salvation, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, through Christ, opened to his mind with beauty, clearness, and force, by the application of the 16th chap, of Ezekiel, 6th verse, and the 18th verse of the 1st chapter of Isaiah: "Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." He only waited for the first rays of the morning to dawn, to urge his horse's speed to the abode of his aged friend. At the first rap on the door, she raised an upper window, and asked: "Doctor, is your wife ill?" "Oh, no! said he, "I have found Jesus precious, and am come to tell you that there is nothing easier in the world than to believe and rejoice!" Remaining at the window, she replied, " I was only waiting for daylight, to come and tell you, that this night the long season of my captivity has ended, and I am rejoicing with a joy unspeakable; and even now it is to me full of glory."
We may readily imagine the fact that the joyful news was that day penned to his venerated parents. His letter contained a remark something like this: "Tell it upon the house-tops that Stephen is among the redeemed."
The slow, laggard mail of those days had not gone far, before the young, confident disciple felt abashed at what his honored parents might justly esteem his presumption, and which he began to fear was surely the very thing. Hoping the mail might miscarry, (not an unusual occurrence,) and the imprudent letter never reach home, he determined in future to avoid all such expressions of assurance, unbecoming in one who now realized himself so sinful still.
But time only delayed in returning a letter, saying: "As I never expect to be nearer the house-top, in a suitable situation to make known the joyful news of my dear son's conversion, than the pulpit, I read your letter from thence on the last Sabbath." This astounding information from his father finished the work of self-abasement in my father's heart, and left him earnestly to cry to God that he might not be deceived, nor deceive others. By reference to dates, it appears that a modest confidence was soon established. For at the age of 23 years, he was ordained by the first Baptist church in the city of New York, of which his father was pastor.
Since my father's death, I was naming the circumstances of his letter to an aged, excellent minister, who said: "That was a blessed letter. When a thoughtless lad of sixteen, I went to hear your grandfather preach. The Lord so ordered it, that I was present at the very time that letter was read, and that, with the accompanying remarks, and the feelings manifested by the people, made a lasting impression on my heart; and it had its weight in leading me into the ministry, as well as being one of the means of my conversion."
Connected with his early sufferings, his children well remember his often-repeated account of his mother's composure when the news of his death came, as having been produced by starvation on a desolate island. It being observed by the family, she remarked, "I do not believe that Stephen, is dead. When I gave my son to my country, I gave him to my God. After his departure, I felt an assurance that God had accepted the gift for his own service. I believe that he will yet be an able, faithful, successful, and it may be, deeply-tried minister of the Gospel of Christ." Though months rolled away before his return, she was never known to despond.
Few have been more faithful, and few more successful, and few have more forcibly felt the "billow calling unto billow, as trouble rolled over his soul," using his own most expressive quotation. Among the deep sorrows of his heart, was the death of an only son at the age of eighteen years.
Learning the dangerous condition of his son, the father hastened to him under most trying circumstances, which a father's heart resolved to brave, and was only able to reach the dying boy at the moment the vital spark had forever fled. Some months before, on leaving home, the father insisted upon the son's taking a Bible, and the only hope, in that son's case, was, the father took from the stiffened band that Bible, pressed on his still warm cheek, with David's feelings: -- "Would God I had died for thee! oh, my son!" Opening its sacred pages, it was moist with tears. But the tears could not tell what caused them to fall there. Upon anxious inquiries being made after the last words, they were found to be: "Can my father get to me before I die? Oh, my father! my father! my dear father!"
Without one tear to glitter on that dark cloud of deep anguish, but with rising, audible groans before the throne of the Almighty, the father meekly remarked, "Oh! that he had said, 'my God, and my father's God is mine.' The Lord is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works", being sustained by those memorable words, pressing on his mind: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." "Be still, and know that I am God!" His children well knew through life there was a deep-seated, silent fountain of grief within the sanctuary of that parent's heart, which they would not ruffle by a word, and his dearest friends ever felt that unuttered sympathy was all that could be rendered, until Jesus himself shall enable his saints to say amen, when the dark providence of this world's sorrows shall be unfolded in the daylight of his own unchanging glory and everlasting love.
When he thought of death blotting his name from the records of time, he only seemed to be more anxious -- nay, to agonize, that his remaining six daughters should have their names written in the Lamb's book of eternal life.
If the one who now pens this shall find hers there registered, her first desire and cheering hope were planted in that dark, stormy seed-time.
Upon my father's expressing this hope to his very dear and intimate friend, Dr. Baldwin, of Boston, who had also to drink of a similar bitter cup, mitigated in some respects by mercy-drops, he replied, "Who would have thought that of such an cphah would have come forth meat?"
A powerful revival under my father's ministry followed my brother's death, in which three of his daughters joined the church; and not many years after, the younger remaining three were also publicly baptized, and all became visible members of the same fold, under the same banner. Four out of the six eventually married Baptist ministers. Thus were his surviving children marked as of the household of Israel, by the sprinkled blood on the door post and lintel. They still survive him. During his last sickness, he would very frequently bless God for his children, and expressed a confident hope that he should meet them all in glory.
My father's ministerial character and standing have been so often the subject of biographical remark, that it does not remain for our filial love to draw the outline. A written ministerial charge found entire among his papers, which appeared sometime since in the "Memorial," will give a correct idea of his style and habit. I should like to see it as an accompaniment of his life in the "Chronicle."
Like most of God's eminently successful servants, the light of their public discourses only became brilliant when the beaten oil of the sanctuary was being poured into their lamps by the great Master of Assemblies; or when, like Moses, they came from some dark cloud of God's strange providence, their faces are seen to shine, and their words like fire melt the stony and obdurate hearts of their hearers.
This my father seemed to realize, and always spoke of himself as clay in the hand of the potter -- as an earthen vessel soon broken -- as the chief of sinners -- as a man that had seen affliction by the rod of His wrath -- as a worm and no man -- as a worm of the dust -- thus giving all the glory to his adorable Master tor having sustained and harnessed him for the ministerial race. Not that he was deficient in those elements that form and perfect great and good men; though, as Dr. Choules truly said of him, "he was dignified without affection, and manly without sternness, his meekness most distinguished him, and his gentleness made him great." And as an able jurist lately remarked: "When we consider Dr. Gano's early and surprising developments; having an extensive and very successful medical practice, from the 17th to his 23d year; and his latest, still successful efforts in the sacred profession of his better choice, after forty years of active ministration at God's holy altar, we may well feel surprised that the precocious boy only matured the man of no common capacity and acquirements; while his truthfulness from early life until its close, marked the stamp of his moral worth upon all his intercourses with society. And it was not a solitary expression in courts of justice, where Gano was known, by different persons to vouch for a given statement by saying: 'It is as true as if Dr. Gano had said it.'"
"'Tis not that I deduce my birthWe will conclude this sketch of Dr. Gano with a few remarks on his character and labors from an article written soon after his death in Providence.
From kings and rulers of the earth,
But higher far my proud pretensions rise,
The child of parents passed into the skies.""Dr. Gano was a man of strong muscular powers, of good personal appearance, being naturally inclined to a corpulent habit, but not to a burdensome degree. He was well fitted for all the labors which naturally devolved upon him; and his fortitude arid firmness were equal to his strength; and his unceremonious encounter of all that is laborious and fatiguing in a minister's travels and official pursuits, were well calculated for examples to the younger and often over-cautious sons of the ministry. Punctuality and dispatch were among the first lessons of his business creed, and nothing but insurmountable impediments occasioned any hindrance or delay.
"Real, undisguised, open-hearted Christian sociability and hospitality, upon the true Gospel model, were conspicuous traits in the character of this excellent man. House-room for many, and heart-room for multitudes, were his favorite mottos; and never did the poor of the flock, or of the priesthood, find a more open and accessible mansion than was found at Dr. Gano's. Honesty and openness in every pursuit were his pride and his boast, but affectation of every kind he most heartily abhorred. The sentiments of the pious Cowper, one of his favorite authors, on this subject, were by him often repeated with a peculiar emphasis and cordiality:
"In man or woman, but for most is man,"Another quotation from the same poet, expressive of an entire confidence in the wisdom of Providence, with respect to his own affairs, and those of all his friends, was as heartily and frequently made:
And most of all in man that ministers
And serves the altar, in my soul I loathe
All affection. Tis my perfect scorn;
Object of my implacable disgust.""God gives to every man"His public offices and his standing among his brethren. -- At a very early period in his ministerial course, Dr. Gano became a leading character among his clerical associates; the care of the churches to a wide extent emphatically came upon him; his counsel and advice were continually sought in cases of trial or of doubt, which was always cheerfully given, in a manner peculiarly familiar and kind. He was well fitted to preside in all ecclesiastical convocations, and his brethren seldom failed to call him to the chair. For nineteen years in succession he officiated as Moderator of the Warren Association, having by the importunity of his brethren continued in the office a number of years after he had earnestly desired to decline the appointment.
The virtue, temper, understanding, taste,
That lifts him into life, and lets him fill.
Just in the niche he was ordained to till.""In ecclesiastical transactions he had a real tact and talent, and a facility of accomplishment of a superior kind. With perfect ease and decorum, yet in a kind and condescending manner, he would roll forward the routine of business to a speedy and successful issue. Pertinacity in small matters was not an article of his creed; and while those unacquainted with his mode of doing business would often fear that he was about to yield too far, they would soon experience an agreeable disappointment in witnessing the gain of his condescension.
"His peculiar views of Christian doctrine and religious rites. -- Dr. Gano was an orthodox divine in the true acceptation of the term -- and never did he shrink from an open avowal of his opinions, however unpopular they might be. The doctrine of the Trinity, the supreme Deity of Jesus Christ, his vicarious atonement, the decrees of God, and the sovereignty of grace, were sentiments in which he was thoroughly settled; and yet no minister could be more free and unfettered, in preaching a free salvation to his fellowmen.
"As to his denominational views and attachments, Dr. Gano was a Baptist of the old school; he was also a thoroughgoing adherent to all peculiarities of his favorite sect, with the exception of the treatment of persons baptized by immersion in other communities. He was fully settled in the belief, that the Baptist Churches ought, in consistency with their principles, to admit* to their communion table all real Christians who have been baptized by immersion on a profession of their faith, to whatever denomination they might belong.
"The peculiar characteristics of his preaching. -- Dr. Gano was by nature fitted for a public speaker; his elocution was perfectly natural, not having the least trace of study or art in its character; his voice was uncommonly strong and commanding, which made him always to be heard with ease, where most men's voices would fail.
"Dr. Gano, as a practical, experimental preacher, held a pre-eminent rank: in this kind of discourses ho was always at home. He was the cordial and ardent friend of religious revivals, and labored most assiduously to promote them, according to his views of duty and propriety; and but few ministers among his contemporaries were blessed with more frequent visitations of the Spirit's power, or with larger accessions to their spiritual charge. These copious effusions of celestial succor were always received with gratitude and joy; they tended much to invigorate his spiritual functions, and to keep alive a devout and active enterprise among his large and beloved flock.
"Dr. Gano was unusually successful as an extemporaneous preacher. Semper paratus was his favorite motto; and although he encouraged in general terms, studious preparations for the pulpit, yet he deprecated most strongly and sincerely that timid mistrust of powers, and that fastidious particularity which leads a minister of the Gospel, on any emergency, to say, I am not prepared.
"In prayer and exhortation, the gifts of this devotional man were of a superior order. The closing part of his discourses, and often a considerable share of them, instead of being merely the dull deductions of a duller homily, were always deeply impressive and engaging to all classes of his hearers.
"Success of his Ministry. -- By the returns to the Association, when Dr. Gano became pastor, the church consisted of but 165 members, and, for many years before, no branches had issued from this ancient body. But so frequent were the revival seasons under the ministry of this spirit-stirring preacher, and so great were the accessions by letters from other churches from abroad, in consequence of the increasing population of the town, that notwithstanding the formation of five new churches, viz.: three in town, and those at Pawtucket and Pawtuxet, mostly at the expense of this prolific mother of churches, yet she always held her own, and presented a steady augmentation of her spiritual population, until within a few years of her late pastor's death.
"In 1820, the number added by baptism was 147, which made the whole number of the church 648. Thus it was, in this favored community, that times of refreshing were not with them, as with most bodies,
"Like angel's visits, few and far between." "And not only within the circle of his immediate charge, but among all the surrounding churches, his ministrations were attended with unusual success; so that many hailed him as their spiritual father, and as the instrument of their conversion unto God.
"As early as 1790, not far from the present location of the city of Cincinnati, he baptized a few persons, and was the principal instrument in organizing the first church of the denomination which was known to exist on the north of the Ohio river, in that extensive country then known by the name of the North Western Territory.
"Dr. Gano died as he had lived, with the full hope and strong assurance of a blessed immortality. He had been four times married, and his widow and six daughters were left to mourn the loss of a beloved husband and affectionate father, all of whom a number of years before his death he had the happiness of receiving as members of his spiritual charge.
Note * As an evidence of these galling chains, and the cruelly with which they were used, Dr. Gano wore a scar around his ancle, with a deeply indented knot, just above the ancle joint, to the day of his death. And when bathing his feet he used to remark, as he placed his finger in the sunken scar: "I was chained with a fellow-prisoner, and we were driven together to work like oxen. Long after my release, I feared my ancle would never heal."
CHARGE IN ORDINATION. The following is a beautiful specimen of a charge made to a young minister of the Gospel on the occasion of his ordination by Rev. Dr. Stephen Gano; and it is not only worthy of preservation in the Chronicle, but particularly characteristic of its author. We introduce it here as an appropriate accompaniment of the foregoing narrative:
The custom which sanctions the present duty devolving upon me on this interesting and solemn occasion, is taken from the charge given by the apostle Paul to Timothy and Titus, primitive ministers in the Christian church; and as the duties which were then connected with the office of a Christian minister, are, and ever will be, the duties of a minister of Jesus Christ, without claiming apostolic authority or infallibility, we m iy be permitted to repeat their inspired and weighty charge as reminding you and us of the solemn obligations resting on our souls as professedly engaged in the important and arduous work of the ministry.
Two points embrace the great duties of a minister of Jesus Christ. "Take heed to thyself and thy doctrine." Be thou an example of the believers in word and conversation, in charity and in spirit. In this direction you will observe the whole deportment of the man is involved; and while it guards against light, frivolous, frothy conversation, it inculcates that purity of language and conduct which becomes, and is strikingly congenial with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. A morose, secluded, and insulated life, as if the preacher was infinitely above his brethren, and inaccessible to them, is contrary to the manners and conuue: of their Divine Master. Familiarity without degradation, benevolence without ostentation, and sobriety without austerity, place the Christian minister in the best situation to enforce on the minds of those with whom he is conversant, the excellency and utility of the religion he ought to advocate. Copy, my brother, as near as possible, the perfect example of our adorable Lord and Savior, in his life and conversation. Endeavor to imbibe his spirit. He went about doing good, and occasionally mingled in the company but not in the wickedness of publicans and sinners. In taking heed to yourself, remember a devotional spirit is of primary importance. It can scarcely be expected that he who leads in the public devotions of Zion will lead the Hock either acceptably or profitably who is destitute of that spirit which ought to aciuate spiritual and true worshippers. Possessing a divine unction himself, the faithful preacher will ascend the holy hill of Zion with the incense of prayer, and find access to the mercy seat through the all-prevailing intercession of his great High Priest; and in his intercourse with the people of God, his speech will convey a savor both refreshing and delightful, He will truly weep with them who weep, and rejoice with them who rejoice.
2d. Paul saith to Timothy, I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, in all long suffering and doctrine. Preach the word. Make this blessed volume the fixed standard of all your preaching. From this unerring source of light, the man of God may be perfectly furnished unto all good works; and according to the inspired direction, "Hold fast the form of sound words," &c. Never be afraid to declare what this word declares. -- The gates of hell cannot prevail against it.
Imitate the apostle who determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Exhibit him as this word exhibits him -- the Word that was with God and is God, "as over all, God blessed forever, the true God and eternal life." If you preach the word which the Holy Ghost teacheth, you will always be on safe ground, infidels may reject it, wi lings[?] may ridicule it, pretended friends may pervert and distort it, but the God who revealed it will, most assuredly, eventually vindicate it against all the virulent attacks of its open and surest enemies. In faithfully preaching the word, you will not shun to declare the whole counsel of God -- the mediatorial character of Christ as King upon his holy hill of Zion, the Law-giver, having all power in heaven and earth -- as the great Prophet who never spoke as man spoke, and who is to be heard in all things -- as the great High Priest, by whose sufferings and death an atonement for sin has been made, and whose all-prevalent intercession lays the only solid foundation for the hope of poor guilty sinners. Indeed all the great fundamental truths of revelation concentrate in the person and character of our adorable Redeemer.
You will always keep in view that the messages of grace which you bring are addressed to poor, guilty, wretched, fallen fellow creatures, who need with yourself just such a salvation. Let it be your endeavor to preach to them rather than before them. In this view you will constantly keep in mind the necessity and agency of the Holy Spirit in changing the hearts of sinners, and preserving them to the heavenly kingdom. I charge you to administer the ordinances of the Gospel according to the express direction of God's word, remembering you are the servant, not the law-giver, and have no authority to mutilate, change, or dispense with the injunctions of God your Savior. In the circle of ministerial duties you will find ample scope for constant, unwearied, patient, and diligent employment. Let nothing divert you from the grand object of the Christian ministry, viz.: to glorify your Lord and Master, and benefit your fellow-sinners.
In closing these observations methinks I hear you say, "Who is sufficient for these things?" My brother, the sufficiency is of God. Be encouraged from the consideration that the Lord sends no man into a warfare at his own charges. He is able to support and bless you, and has promised to be with his servants always, even to the end of the world. Your time of working is short. The summons will soon come, "Give an account of thy steward-ship." Lay this before you, and if faithful unto death, you will receive a crown of life.
============= [From The New York Chronicle, 1849, pp. 193-204. From Google Books On-line. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
Baptist Biographies
Baptist History Homepage