Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/251

Rh cottage. But, possessed of an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, he had a board fastened at his left hand and placed a book upon it, and so read and worked all day long, sometimes, often, from dawn until ten or eleven at night. In that way he succeeded, with a little outside help, in learning to read Latin and Greek with fluency, and in preparing himself for what was then his ambition, the work of a teacher. Is it strange that a boy of that stamp grew into such a man, and is it strange that through all his life young men struggling to get an education aroused his warmest sympathies, and that many a worthy youth was helped by him to college and seminary? But I cannot take time now to speak of the objects and institutions that enjoyed his wisdom and his generous gifts. Any good cause was sure of his sympathy.

In this church Mr. Carter’s death leaves a sad vacancy. For fifty-eight years he was an honored and active member of it. What a record for a man in this changing city life of ours! It was in 1831 that he emigrated from Scotland, landing here on the 16th of May in that year. The first Sunday he was in the city he asked in his boarding-house where he could find a Scotch church. The reply was, “You mean the Scotch church; that is in Cedar Street, and Dr. McElroy is the pastor.” He worshipped there that first Sunday, and from that day until his death he remained through all its changes unswervingly loyal to this old church. I remember my venerable predecessor saying to me, when I began my pastorate here, “You will find Robert Carter a tower of strength.” So indeed I did. No minister could have had a more sympathetic hearer, or a more tireless helper. He never shrank from any work for this church, even though it might be disagree-