REV. JOHN PEDDIE. In the spring of 1865, John Peddie was engaged to temporarily supply the vacant pulpit of the Watertown Baptist Church. He was then completing the last year of his preparatory studies for the ministry.
His first sermon made a marked impression. Few were prepared for such an incisive, spiritual and eloquent discourse from a theological student. Many who heard him at once came to the conclusion that he had been sent by the Divine Spirit. As the weeks of his engagement passed, it became the settled opinion of the church and congregation that he ought to be called as pastor. The attendance increased, and at the evening services it was soon necessary to place chairs in the aisles to accommodate the large congregations. In the prayer meetings, also, a deep interest developed under the inspiring ministrations of our young and zealous brother. He was modest and unassuming, and in the pulpit and prayer meetings his whole soul seemed aglow in the service of Christ. He early won the hearts of the young people of the congregation, and this circle of good influence drew many to hear his impassioned sermons. He was earnest in the offer of sacrifice of praise to God continually. Soon after he came here, the town was shocked by the news of the assassination of President Lincoln. The part he bore in the memorial services in Washington Hall, in honor of the memory of the martyred President, is recalled with vivid distinctness. He was chosen to fill a prominent place in the programme, and the building was crowded. The audience seemed surcharged with deep feeling. Every one present was as sincere a mourner as though some blood relative had been suddenly stricken down.
The truth is that the deep emotion welling up in his patriotic heart, at first almost overcame his self-control, but after a few sentences he went on in a way that moved the great assemblage to tears. The silence was almost painful, relieved only by occasional sobs as the silver-voiced preacher read the Scripture selections. So deep was the impression upon the audience by his reading of God's word, that the subsequent oration delivered by a distinguished judge, failed to secure the attention it really deserved. From that day Mr. Peddie was secure in his position as a man of great popularity in Watertown. Before his return to his theological studies, at the close of his vacation, the church had felt its duty made clear to extend to him a call to become its pastor.
At a council called by the Baptist Church in Watertown, for the purpose of ordaining Bro. John Peddie to the Gospel ministry, in response to the invitation extended, delegates from nine churches in the Black Kiver Baptist Association were present and took their seats. The candidate was called upon to relate his Christian experience, which he did in a very clear and concise manner.
After his ordination he settled down to a severe course of preparation for his accepted calling. As a pastor, he soon endeared himself to both church and congregation, by his full consecration to his calling, and his genial intercourse with the people. The three years of his pastorate in Watertown were not made conspicuous by any remarkable events, but the growth of the church was steady and healthful. He did good work, and left the church in excellent condition, spiritually and financially. In the pulpit he was of commanding presence. He was a handsome man, of medium height, with an athletic and symmetrical body. The trace of Scotch accent in his speech gave a charm to his eloquent words, and the intense emotional feeling displayed in his beautiful sentences, uttered with unusual pathos, went to the heart like a strain of music.
From the first he discarded notes in the pulpit. His sermons and addresses were laboriously written, and often they were rewritten, and then, by reading them over once or twice, he would deliver them word for word without hesitation. He was a hard worker, and a consecrated and devoted searcher after the truth of the Word, in all his preparation for his ministerial duties. His soul was cast in a large mould. From the first lie was an earnest preacher. He carried the commands of his Lord and Master at full speed.
- Genealogy of the descendants of John White of Wenham
- MARY Wilson8 (26671), b. in Rutland Hollow, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1847 ; m. Rev. Mr. Peddie, pastor of a Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1877. Children :
26754. George Wilson Peddie."
...26755. John Wayland Peddle.10
26756. Evelyn Hope Peddie.10
Genealogy of the descendants of John White of WenhamSee More
