ALBERT CALVIN DANFORTH

Jeremiah's terse phrase, "valiant for the truth in the earth," had a vivid illustration in the life
of Rev. Albert C. Danforth. His was a Heaven-guided and God-
counseled life, whose "afterward received to glory" has now become experience. In the night before Easter, March 26th,
1910, the soul of the heroic soldier, the tireless minister, the loving husband, father and friend took its flight to celebrate the resurrection of his Lord and ours in glory. Albert C. Danforth was born at Fort Covington, N. Y.,
March 17, 1848, and received his early education in the old
Franklin Academy at Fort Covington. When a boy less than sixteen he was eager to be counted among the defenders of the Union, and on Jan. i, 1864 enlisted for three years
in Company D, Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery. The records show that he participated with valor in many of the fiercest battles of the. war, fighting side by side with his father in seventeen engagements, and attaining to the rank of corporal. He was wounded March 25, 1865, but continued with his regiment until finally mustered out in September, 1865. Till the day of his death he bore about in his body the marks of his country which were the occasion of long hours of untold suffering. Yet in the battle with disease the same heroic qualities were in marked evidence, sustaining him in patient faith until his final discharge for the realm of rest where they shall learn to war no more.

Brother Danforth's first marriage was with Miss Nettie Carpenter, who died in 1874. He was married to Miss Lucy Davenport of Malone, May II, 1875, who happily shared with him the labors and successes of the larger part of his itinerant ministerial career. Sister Danforth re-
mains, together with two sons. Dr. Guy R. Danforth, and Harley A. Danforth, one grandson, Gerald Danforth, and three brothers in New Hampshire, Charles of Manchester, William of Nashua, and Rev. Leslie R. Danforth of Pennacook, a member of the New Hampshire Conference. During one of his terrific engagements in the Civil War, Brother Danforth made a covenant with the Lord that if permitted to return home he
would immediately enlist in the service of Christ for life. With what fidelity he carried out his pledge is well known. Conversion was closely followed by call — a call to special service in the ranks of the Methodist itinerancy. The instinct of Methodist ministry seemed to be peculiarly
his. Belonging to a family honored of God and man in the work of this calling he proved himself a worthy member. In addition to the brother in the ministry already mentioned, two uncles, the late Reverends Horace Memoirs.


M. and Stanley F. Danforth were honored members of the Northern New York Conference.

Brother Danforth was Licensed to exhort March 26, 1868, at Fort Covington, N. Y., by Rev. Charles Manson. In September of the same year his license to preach was issued signed by Rev. L. L. Palmer, presiding elder. He served Bangor charge as supply for six months in 1869, and Dickinson in 1870. He was admitted on trial to the Black River Conference May i, 1871, and to full connection April 19, 1873. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Jesse T. Peck June 20, 1872, and elder by
Bishop Levi Scott, May 2, 1875. The chronological record of his pastoral work follows: 1871-2, Dickinson; 1873, Bangor; 1874-6, W. Stockholm; 1877-9, Burke; 1880, Rodman; 1881-3, Nicholville; 1884-6, Turin; 1887-91, Copenhagen; 1892-3, supernumerary; 1894, Evans Mills; 1895-9, Clayton, 1900, Mexico; 1901-6, Presiding Elder, Watertown District; 1907-8,
Adams; 1909, Field Agent of the Conference Permanent Fund. On the death of Rev. Myron G. Seymour he served several months during the past year by appointment of Bishop McDowell on his old field as Superintendent of the Watertown District. Later, on the departure of Rev. C. E. Hastings, Brother Danforth was appointed to supply the pastorate of the Copenhagen charge until the close of the year. This he did with great acceptability until the higher appointment came. Thus the good soldier of the cross fell fighting bravely in the ranks. He died in all the accoutrements of battle determined to the very last degree to serve out his
life tenure for which he enlisted for his King,

His conception of the work of a minister was exceedingly high, and to be constantly engaged reaching forth toward that ideal was his delight. He was intolerant of superficiality, torpidity, or disloyalty. He never swerved from the time honored evangelical ideals of thought, experience and practice. He was especially gifted in prayer, and would often rise to heights sublime in his pulpit petitions, carrying his congregation with him. He had likewise an unusual power in exhortation, and on Camp Meeting occasions would be called upon to follow the sermons
of his brethren with his fervid and telling appeals. His preaching was with more than human energy. It was thrilling, awakening, and conscience compelling, and yet with Gospel simplicity and unmistakable clearness. He preached as one who believed and felt all through his intense nature every word of his inspired utterances. He used to say in his
report of revival work on his district, "It is a matter of no small congratulation that the Gospel as preached by Methodists, simple and orthodox, has not lost any of its power to save and keep men. A simple, practical, orthodox Gospel produces the same result today that it did in
the days of our fathers." And his own preaching was emphatically illustrative of that fact. His dying testimony to the writer was a beautiful corroboration of his convictions. A few hours before he ceased to breathe
he said, "Tell the boys (of the ministry) that the old Gospel that we have preached to others holds in the dying hours." What a precious thought to leave with us who remain while he retires from these scenes of activity to his ''coronation in the many mansioned house"

As an administrator and leader of the forces in the churches he served. Brother Danforth was strong, able, fearless, conscientious, and faithful. He gripped difficult problems with energy, and solved them sucessfully. As a pastor of unceasing and self-sacrificing devotion and activity, as well as of brilliant and attractive social qualities, he will not be forgotten even to the small child by the people he served. He was overflowing with genial smiles, cheery words and gracious handshakes.He scarcely allowed people to pass him without making them feel better because they had met him. The report that followed him on charges where he labored was that wherever trouble, sorrow or need were to be found, there was A. C. Danforth, with his tender ministry of sympathy,
love and help. It is also reported of him that he knew not how to take
offense or to harbor resentment. A true and unwavering friend, a heart
deep sympathizer highly appreciative of others, and a companion of close
and loving confidences has left us all lonely because he has gone. He took
great pleasure in a generous but tactful expression of appreciation of
merit in others. He withheld not the choice flowers of appreciation from
the living, when he was confident that they were deserved. His affection
for his brethren was marked and it will not be forgotten.

The memorial service was held from his late home at 6i8 Boyd St. and at the Arsenal St. Church in charge of District Superintendent Rev. S. W. Brown. Tender words of appreciation and sympathy were spoken by Brother Brown, Rev. B. F. Wood offered a touching prayer, Rev. G. H. Nelson read the Scripture, Rev. Chas. E. Miller paid a very high and
tender tribute from the standpoint of his association with Bro. Danforth as a presiding elder and minister, and the writer spoke of him as a pastor, preacher and administrator. His form was laid away, in accord with his special request, by his brethren, in the beautiful Brookside cemetery, the
following acting in the capacity of bearers. Reverends J. W. Barrett, W. I. Andrews, W. J. Nesbitt, E. E.Cheeseman, W. J. Hancock and W. G. Atwell. ^ ^ ^

Charles L. Peck.