Person:Thomas Babcock (2)

Thomas Babcock was a Seventh-day Baptist minister. He received his education at De Ruyter Institute, New York, commencing public ministry for the State of Kansas at the age of twenty-two. He was at one time Missionary for the State of Kansas and Pastor at Persia, Richburg, and Independence, N. Y.; also Albion, Wis., where he spent the most of his married life.

"First Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church Membership Records, Alfred, New York", by Ilou M. Sanford; Heritage Books, Inc.; 1995, p 70.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} The Sabbath Recorder . (New York City, New York; later Plainfield, N. J.)
   35:11:3, 13 Mar 1879.

   ELD. THOMAS E. BABCOCK
   Eld. Babcock was born at Brookfield, N. Y., June 16th, 1817. He was the second son of Dea. James Babcock. Dea. Babcock was a brother of Eld. Daniel Babcock, known for a half century as a pioneer minister of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination.
   Eld. T. E. Babcock began his public ministry at twenty-two years of age, taking the pastorate of two churches, at a salary of $100 per annum. His first pastorate was in Cattaraugus county, N. Y. He subsequently was pastor of the churches at Richburg and Independence, N. Y.
   In 1855 he came to Albion, Wis., and, in answer to a call from the church, became pastor of the Albion church, which place he held for a period of eight years, when he accepted a call from the Missionary Board to labor in Kansas and Nebraska. He remained on this mission about one year and a half, when he was compelled to lay down his work, his constitution being completely broken by chill fever, from the effects of which he never recovered. He returned to Albion, where he spent the remainder of his broken life. He was twenty-two years in the public ministry, on a salary averaging less than $300 per annum.
   He held the longest pastorate of any pastor with the Albion church, and, under his labors, the church passed through a formative state, and became strong. Her beautiful cemetery, and her house of worship, are the result of his planning. He was a steadfast, hopeful, and firm friend of the cause of education. His mind was fruitful and comprehensive, an encyclopedia of national history; a history once read was not forgotten.
   He was the second of seven brothers, all of whom were men of large physical powers, and wonderfully gifted with the power of song. Had they given their attention to music, there is little question that they would have formed a musical company surpassing any this country has ever produced.
   Eld. Babcock was a very able preacher; it took important occasions to call out his strength. He was scrupulously honest and exact. His word was like Roman law. In politics, Sumner was his model statesman, and Greeley his ideal of one who labored for his fellow men. He lacked what Emerson would call one of the rare gifts, viz., being born with a bias. His mind was capacious in whatever channel turned; but no one field received all, or even his chief strength. He ranked by nature with such men as Gerrit Smith, Giddings, and Garrison. He hated slavery, and Lincoln's "forever free" was, in his mind, only second to that, earlier proclamation - peace on earth, and good will to men.
   Born to the lot of the poor, he did not complain, but cheerfully toiled, caring for his widowed mother and younger brothers with uncommon care and devotion. His last years were spent amidst toil and suffering. Confined to his home for fourteen months, a great sufferer, his mind lost nothing of its clear strength. The good things said by him during his sickness, would make a valuable book: "Death is king, and is unscrupulous; how long the road, and over what heights he carries us!" "The consoling ideal of life to me is Calvary, the cross, and the sacrifice." His last sentence was, "God is good, he gives me the victory."
   Since the death of his mother, his household has been a wife and one son. He was cared for during his sickness with a devotion rarely equaled.
   He was the first of the seven brothers to break ranks and go West, and was soon followed by all save one. Again he has broken the ranks and gone towards the setting sun, wither they all will follow. A. R. C.

2. ↑ Babcock, Stephen. The Babcock Genealogy. (New York City, New York: Eaton & Mains, 1903).