Rev. Charles Alexander Burdick, son of Willett S. and Clarissa Campbell Burdick, was born at Lincklaen, N. Y., December 5, 1829, and died at his home in Farina, Ill., January 4, 1911. Brother Burdick was the oldest of the family of five brothers and one sister: Charles A., Weeden, Ada Jane, Orson C., Leander S., and Frank O. Burdick. Of the family only Leander S. Burdick of Indianapolis and Rev. F. O. Burdick, M. D., of Boulder, Colo., are now living. In early life Elder Burdick accepted Christ and united with the church. In 1847 he was a student in DeRuyter Institute. In October, 1850, he went from DeRuyter to Christiana, Wis., his father's family following him the next year. He spent the winter of 1850-51 in teaching in Christiana, and the next winter in Clinton. April 14, 1852, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. C. R. Head at Albion, Wis. The following winter he taught school in the town of Milton. The summer of 1853 was spent by him in Doctor Head's office. The following quotation from his journal shows the serious turn of his mind in his early manhood: "The question arises again in my mind, Can I rise above the ordinary level of plodding, groveling mortals? Can I attain a position among mankind that shall be remembered after I am buried beneath the clod of the valley? Can I deserve the gratitude and blessings of humanity? As I must respond to my own question, I answer emphatically, Yes! Therefore I now resolve this twenty-first day of April, A. D. 1853, that by the blessings of Providence, if life and health be granted me, I will be a man!" The fall after this entry in his journal he entered Oberlin College, and there, in the spring of 1854, he decided to enter the ministry. Under date of July 8, 1854, he wrote in his journal: "Oh what self-abasement, what purifying of heart will be necessary to prepare me for such a calling!" In August, 1854, he went to Springboro, Ohio, where he taught till the next spring. In April, 1855, he began attending Albion Academy. On Sunday night, August 12, 1855, he preached his first sermon, at the brick schoolhouse, "west of the marsh." August 26, 1856, he was married to Miss Alice Adelle Luse, at teacher in Albion Academy. She also taught with her husband at Hazel Green, Wis. Early in September, 1859, Mrs. Burdick died. In December of that year Brother Burdick was invited to work in the Third Genesee Church in New York State. Learning of this invitation the Albion Church called a council to meet December 18, at which Brother Burdick was examined and ordained to the gospel ministry. On May 30, 1861, Elder Burdick was married to Miss Margaret Amanda Lewis, at the home of her parents near Alfred, N. Y. To them five children were born, the oldest dying in infancy. The names of those living are: Mrs. Adelle Howard, Clara, and Arthur L. Burdick of Farina, and Alfred C. Burdick of New London, Conn. Mrs. Burdick died December 30, 1907. Elder Burdick graduated at Alfred University in 1867. At commencement in 1908 the trustees "voted to confer upon him the degree of doctor of divinity." Brother Burdick took some theological studies in Alfred University, and later attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City. His pastorates subsequent to his work with the Third Genesee Church were at Welton, Iowa, nearly three years; at Berlin, Wis., where he also taught school; at Rockville, R. I., and at Greenmanville, Conn. He was general missionary in West Virginia; pastor of the Lost Creek Church; missionary pastor at Rapids, Alden, etc., N. Y.; general missionary for the Portville, Bell's Run, First Hebron, and Hebron Center churches; pastor of the church at Nile, N. Y., and pastor and pastoral supply at Farina, Ill., for a period of about eleven years. Following his pastorate at Lost Creek, Brother and Sister Burdick taught at Salem and at Rockford, on Lost Creek, W. Va. Elder Burdick served for a time as recording secretary of the Missionary Society. He has been a trustee of Alfred University; was elected one of the vice-presidents of the Sabbath School Board at its organization; assisted in the organization of the Southeastern Association, and was its first moderator at the sessions in 1873 and 1876, and was moderator of the Western Association in 1881 and 1884. Among the valuable literary productions of Elder Burdick is the Autobiography of Rev. Alexander, edited by Rev. Charles A. Burdick; a paper read at the semi-centennial of the Western Association, which was a "biographical sketch of nearly every deceased pastor of the association"; and a series of papers about Seventh-day Baptists in West Virginia. Nearly forty years ago Elder Burdick was carrying on normal class work in the Sabbath schools, and was teaching the plan of systematic benevolence. Probably his best and farthest reaching service was in West Virginia. The "Charles A. Burdick Room" in the new college building at Salem will continually call to our minds his splendid service for Christian education. Farewell services were held at the Farina church, January 5, conducted by his pastor, assisted by Elder Bascom of Farina. Pastor Burdick read from 2 Sam. Iii, 38. "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" and spoke of the long and blessed service of the deceased. The following Sabbath was the quarterly covenant meeting of the Farina Church. It proved to be a memorial service for Elder and Mrs. Burdick, many testifying to the power of their lives and words upon them, and the love and respect they bore them. One of our loved and respected members, who accepted the Sabbath and was baptized by Elder Burdick on August 26, 1905, told us that Elder Burdick had influenced his life for good more than had any other person. During my intimate relationship with Brother Burdick I have always found him a loyal supporter of the church and its pastor; always eager to learn about the work of his loved denomination; and optimistic as to the progress of truth. W. D. Burdick.
