(This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
https://www.amazon.com/Pastoral-Certain-Christian-Doctrine-Worship/dp/1165878968?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1165878968
Benjamin Henry Paddock was born on February 29, 1828 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, United States. He was the son of Reverend Seth Birdsey and Emily (Flagg) Paddock. In Connecticut his father was for many years rector of Christ Church. Benjamin was a sedate, serious-minded youth whose natural bent was toward the ministry.
Benjamin Henry Paddock graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, in 1848 and, after a year spent in teaching at the Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Connecticut, of which his father was then principal, he entered the General Theological Seminary, New York, completing his course there in 1852.
On June 29, 1852 Paddock was admitted to deacon's orders at Christ Church, Stratford, Connecticut, of which his brother, John Adams Paddock, later also a bishop, was rector. While deacon he served for a time as assistant minister at the Church of the Epiphany, New York. Following a few months' rectorship in Portland, Maine, which place he left in the interest of his health, he took charge of Trinity Church, Norwich. After about seven years here he went to Christ Church, Detroit. He was always greatly interested in missionary activities, and in 1868 was elected missionary bishop of Oregon and Washington, but declined. In May 1869 he became rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn, where he remained until 1873, in which year he was elected bishop of Massachusetts and on September 17 was consecrated to that office in his own church.
Bishop Paddock had just the qualities which the troubled diocese of Massachusetts needed in its spiritual overseer. His election fell in the period when the strife between high church and low church adherents was most intense. The General Convention of 1871 had been a stormy one, and Paddock had delivered a speech there which had made a strong impression both because of its content and its spirit. In Massachusetts there was much bitterness.
After the death of Bishop Eastburn, an implacable opponent of high church practices, each party was eager that one favorable to its views should be chosen as his successor. The election finally narrowed down to a contest between Reverend Henry C. Potter and Reverend James De Koven, leader of the high church movement. When it was clear that neither could be elected, Paddock, a compromise candidate, was chosen. Time proved the choice a happy one. Not given to speculation, he went placidly on his way, the faith he had received from the fathers undisturbed by doubts within or turmoil without. Though firm in his own convictions, he was not contentious or partisan and allowed great latitude to others.
In this respect he rendered a great service to his diocese. He showed practical wisdom of a high order, did not dictate to his clergy but so far as was expedient left them alone, avoided taking sides, and devoted himself assiduously to building up the weak places in the diocese. As a result the discord died out, cooperation took its place, and not only was comparative harmony achieved, but through the missionary interest of the bishop the diocese grew and strengthened. At the age of sixty-three he broke down under his labors.
There were some published books of Benjamin Henry Paddock: The Church's Ceaseless Work and Chiefest Glory (1859), Our Cause, Our Confidence, and Our Consequent Duty (1861) and others.
(This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of th...)
Paddock was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Paddock was a man of sound judgment, transparent goodness, and singleness of purpose. Phillips Brooks said that he was "not so much a leader as the creator of conditions of advance".
On May 1853 Benjamin Henry Paddock married Caroline H. Cooke of Wallingford, Connecticut. His first wife died in 1860 and he married in 1863 Anna D. Sanger of Detroit.
