Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/172

156 JAMES H. PERKINS. [1830-40. In articles* on "Early French Travelers in the West," "English Discoveries in the Ohio Valley," "Fifty Years of Ohio," "The Pioneers of Kentucky," "The North- Western Territory," and on "The Literature of the West," Mr. Perkins exhibited not only penetrating analysis, sound judgment, and regai'd for truth, but Uberal fore- sight, and abiding faith. In 1839 Mr. Perkins became Minister-at-large to the poor of Cincinnati. He gave his best powers of mind and body, with earnest devotion, to the numerous duties that office required, and instituted benevolent enterprises from which the poor of Cincin- nati now derive protection and consolation. Peculiar gifts of sympathetic presenti- ment, and of eloquent speech, together with Cliristian feeling and purpose, manifested by Mr. Perkins as Minister-at-large, led the Unitarian Society of Cincinnati, in 1841, to invite him to become its pastor. He accepted. He did not, however, forego liter- aiy pursuits, and he manifested wise and active interest in public education, visiting schools and delivering lectures, criticising old and suggesting new methods. Especially did he demonstrate the wisdom of better education for girls than either pubhc or private schools then usually afforded. In 1844 Mr. Perkins was chosen President of the Cincinnati Historical Society, then organized. In 1849, when the Ohio and Cmcinnati Historical Societies were united, he became Vice President and Recording Secretary. Although his most inti- mate friends assured him that he had remarkable gifts as a preacher, though his church was always crowded when he preached, though he had good reason to believe that his 'sermons were not without practical usefulness, Mr. Perkins was never satis- fied with his pastoral relation, and, in 1847, resigned it. His resignation was not accepted. The leading members of the Society conferred with him, and at their request, under changes of organization, which he deemed important, he withdrew his resignation, and remained in the pastoral charge of the Unitarian Church until his death, which took place suddenly on the fourteenth of December, 1849. I often heard Mr, Perkins preach, in the later years of his ministry, and I can fully indorse what William Greene of Cincinnati has said of him : Some of his noblest efforts have been upon commonplace occurrences, not twenty-four hours old at the time, when he would astonish us with his amazing powers of statement and analysis, or by the inculcation of some most impressive lesson which they suggested. Nor was any considerable part of his power in any thing that was merely oratorical ; for his manner, though always earnest, was always simple. He had no tricks of imposing form, as too many have, to eke out deficiency or inanity of substance. He felt that every event in the development of humanity, of whatever grade in the scale of merely factitious standards, was, in solemn reality, an essential part of the Providence of God, and as such, of highest moment in the proper estimate of man. i.ctiug, thinking, and speaking under this conviction to others, with the application of his extraordinary intellectual power in enforcing his thoughts, he gave to ordinary experiences a commanding interest. To him was conceded, by judicious minds, that authority which is due only to unpretending and assured wisdom, united with the .spirit of disinterested benevolence. Every one felt that his word was true, and his advice con- siderate and well matured. This distinction gave him a sway over public opinion, which, at the same time that it devolved upon him the weightiest responsibilities for the public good, he did not fail to apply, and with gratifying success, to the most honorable and useful ends. ♦Contributed to the Neiv York Rfview and Korth American Revieic.