Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/78

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
62
LIFE OF ROBERT CARTER.

God. I doubt if, in all the annals of that trade of which I am so proud, there can be found an example of loftier devotion to a high calling, with such singleness of purpose, and so deep a sense of personal responsibility, as is shown in his history. He was indeed conspicuous for his ‘plain living and high thinking,’ and he walked ‘as seeing Him who is invisible.’ So wherever he sent his printed page he became a teacher of other teachers, a comforter of sorrowing hearts, a minister of strength to enfeebled or doubting souls, a wise educator of little children, a promoter of love and faith in them that believe, an instructor in truth and righteousness to them that believed not.

“Surely there can be no higher mission than this; and this was the mission of our honored friend.”

In this connection Mr. Peter Carter writes of his brother:—

“From the day he opened his store, he never had a question of his ultimate success, and no doubt this sanguine spirit helped him much in bringing about the success that attended his work.

“Though a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church, his interest and affection were not confined to his own denomination. His heart was large enough to take in the whole Evangelical Church in all its branches.

“One day a wealthy friend called on him with a book which he wanted him to publish, and of which he said he would take one hundred copies. It was entitled, ‘The Divine Right of Presbyterian Church Government.’

“Mr. Carter looked at it a moment, and said, ‘As I read the Acts of the Apostles, I think the Presbyterian form is a little the nearest to that inspired record, but I don’t believe that any one form has a divine right,’ and he would not publish the book.

“On another occasion a gentleman brought him a little volume to publish that had had a large sale in a Western