"continues 'long, loud, and tremendous' - Ambition vs. Superstition, next." One incident of that club experience so touched his sense of humor that he often related it with ludicrous effect. The president of the evening was obliged by the rules to decide the question discussed, according to the weight of argument. Deacon Baldwin was president one evening. At the close of the debate he arose, and, with much gravity, said: "Gentlemen, I'm in favor of the affirmative, yet." As Harriman had been upon the negative in the discussion, and had just concluded his argument, he considered Deacon Baldwin's unique decision one of the highest compliments ever paid him. His mental activity, moreover, impelled his ready pen to much writing, upon varied topics, for the newspapers of New Jersey. He also tried his hand at fiction, writing a long story for the Newark "Eagle," which was reprinted by at least three other papers, one of which was of New York city. Also, while at Camptown, he carried on a discussion, through the columns of the "Eagle," upon the subject of imprisonment for debt. The varied mental labors of that busy New Jersey year were not unrelieved by physical exercise - and that his favorite one-walking. Often was the tall, erect schoolmaster seen, with nimble step and liberal pace, taking his walks, that frequently counted each a goodly stretch of miles. Sometimes he would take to the tow-path of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, where distances were marked by mile-stones, and there time himself, accomplishing easily a mile in fifteen minutes, for four successive hours, sixteen miles in all. He was an easy, natural pedestrian, and did not fear to be outdone in walking even by those who might boast of their five miles an hour; for he was confident that the boast could rarely, if ever, be verified by performance. WALTER HARRIMAN returned to Warner with the purpose no longer to pursue teaching as a prime vocation, though he might in the future occasionally engage in it, as other occupation should permit. Without proper study or consideration for so important a step, as he afterwards felt, he, at the age of twenty-three years, commenced preaching in his native town, as a Universalist. Upon due notice given, his first appearance in the pulpit was made on Sunday, May 3, 1840. The attendance was large, and the congregation was composed of those who had known him intimately from childhood. Here was, indeed, an ordeal for the young preacher, but one that he safely passed. The proof of superior ability and unexceptionable bearing in his new position is found in the fact that increasing interest and a growing congregation accompanied his ministerial labors in Warner, continued regularly till winter. Thus far his efforts in his new calling had been somewhat tentative, but the results were satisfactory. It Early in the winter he accepted the generous offer of a large public school in Cavendish, Vt. Though this school had had three masters the previous season, - two of whom had been turned out, and the third had barely struggled through, it needed but one this season, and its long term passed in a manner most satisfactory to all concerned. closed with a popular "Exhibition," which was greatly enjoyed by the crowded numbers present. Some of the dialogues spoken were written by the master for the occasion, and years afterward one of these appeared in the columns of a Woodstock newspaper. But the school-room did not appropriate all his activity. In the course of that winter his voice was heard in the pul pit at Cavendish, Weathersfield, and Woodstock. He was invited to settle at the last-named place, in pastoral charge of a large and active society, at a liberal salary; but he felt compelled to decline the invitation on account of inexperi ence. He also took a prominent part in a club that comprised in its membership the lawyers, physicians, and ministers of Cavendish. In discussion, he was almost invariably pitted against Ryland Fletcher, a man of more than twice his years, already eminent in the law, and afterwards Governor of Vermont. But the younger disputant, while sustaining - often brilliantly his side in the well-matched contests, had, as yet, no thought of ever attaining political eminence. His aims were high and worthy, but in another direction. - In the following March, that of 1841, he wandered off to Harvard, Mass., among a people who had never heard his name. He was soon accepted as a minister, and continued for four years to labor in that capacity, dividing his time equally between Harvard and the adjoining town of Shirley. He was regularly ordained, according to the usages of the Universalist denomination, at Shirley village, in June, 1841.1 Those four years were busy ones for the young minister. He was faithful in his ministrations, and the societies in his charge flourished. That at Harvard built, during his stay there, a fine meeting-house, and paid for it before the day of dedication. Acceptable service in the pulpit was supplemented by the visitation of parishioners and others, so that he came to know every man, woman, and child, above twelve years of age, in the town of Harvard. The cheerful intercourse of the man with the people enlarged the influence, while it enforced the able pulpit efforts, of the minister. He frequently held evening ser 1 The clergymen participating in the ceremonies were Rev. Messrs. T. J. Greenwood, of Marlborough; S. P. Landers, of Worcester; George Proctor, of Sterling; and John Harriman, of Lancaster, the candidate's eighth cousin. vices in neighboring towns. He gave lectures on "Millerism," when that fanaticism was at its height, and throngs of all classes gathered to hear them. Neither the "end of the world," nor that of his labors, was yet. He officiated at many burials, and frequently solemnized marriages. He held a discussion, through the columns of the Boston "Trumpet," with a brother minister, on the subject of free agency. He pronounced Fourth of July orations in 1842 and 1844. He was, during each one of the four winters, a leading member of a debating club. Two of the winters he taught a pleasant Harvard school - his last. He preached, on exchange, at Marblehead and South Boston, and received invitations to settle at both places. The physical vigor requisite to so much work was, doubtless, promoted by his favorite exercise; for, during all this time, in going to places where duty or pleasure called, if not more than forty miles away, he always walked. In the autumn of 1841 he brought to Harvard his bride, Apphia K., daughter of Captain Stephen Hoyt, of Warner, and his married life began. Within two years death crossed his happy threshold, and snatched away the young and excellent wife. In 1844 he married Almira, daughter of Noah T. and Sally Bean Andrews, of Warner,1 the sympathetic, helpful companion of future days, the mother of his children, and the grace and strength of his home, that home where the sacred trusts of a long and happy wedded life were ever to be fulfilled in mutual faith and love. In the spring of 1845 the Universalist society in Warner, being reorganized, and having built a new meetinghouse, invited Mr. Harriman to resume the pastoral charge. He accepted the invitation, and returned to his native town. He was obliged to decline two official invitations to reëngage at Harvard and Shirley; for the field of duty seemed to him to lie where he had commenced his work in the ministry. He was warmly welcomed in Warner. 1 Almira R. Andrews was born November 8, 1819. 2 His first and only opportunity to revisit the delightful old town of Harvard came nearly a quarter of a century later. In the autumn of 1868, while hold His congregations were large and interested, and everything went smoothly. His acceptable labors were extended to other towns, among which were Goffstown, Andover, Wilmot, Sunapee, Croydon, Newport, and Unity. As in other years, he went long distances to officiate on funeral occasions; while, for all the region round about, he was the favorite clergyman in the marriage ceremony.1 His exercise of walking was not given up, though, in these days, he kept a horse, to be used upon occasion. Again, in a debating club, his reasoning power was put to a fine test, notably in an exciting discussion with the Orthodox clergyman, Rev. Mr. Fuller, on the subject of capital punishment, which lasted two nights. Though no longer a teacher, he did not let his interest in education flag, but rendered efficient service as the superintending school committee of the town. This was the only office held by him until 1849, though, the year before, that of selectman had been offered, but declined. His high reputation in the pulpit elicited an invitation to settle over a large society at Springfield, Mass. This he declined. Indeed, he began in 1849 to contemplate withdrawing from the ministry. Gradually he came to take a more active interest in politics, and in 1851 he became deeply engaged in trade. This year, accordingly, at the age of thirty-four, he formally withdrew from the pulpit. This step was taken against the earnest remonstrance of many friends, and only after long and mature deliberation. ing the office of governor, he took, in company with his wife, a trip to that place and Shirley, and spent a day or two in making agreeable calls. Most of the people knew him at a glance; some, however, recognized him only by his voice. An aged lady of eighty-five years, and totally blind, recognized him instantly when she heard him speak at the door. Indeed, no one ever enjoyed more keenly than he any opportunity to revisit spots familiar to former experience, and to renew old acquaintance. Thirty-three years after leaving Cavendish, he visited, with much enjoyment, his old haunts in that town. One of his favorite pupils, a bright girl of sixteen a third of a century ago, was now a matron, living in the village of Duttonsville. He made her a call, and, with pleasant surprise, found himself, after so many years of wear and tear, in peace and in war, recognized at once by the lady, in the exclamation, Walter Harriman ! 1 He solemnized one hundred and thirty marriages. |