He was ordained as a minister in the Universalist Church on 28 June 1821.
The following obituary was published in The Universalist Register of 1867:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DECEASED CLERGY AND LAYPEOPLE
Obituaries (1865-66) in the 1867 Register
Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, D.D., departed this life at his residence in East Boston, Mass., Oct. 31, 1866. Dr. Cobb was born in Norway, Me., July, 1788, and died at the venerable age of sixty-eight years and three months. His early education was wholly under Orthodox influences; but early in life he became a Universalist, and this without the help of any teacher, or any book but the Bible. For several years, when quite young, he was a successful teacher in the winter schools of his native county. His preparatory theological studies were pursued with the Rev. Sebastian Streeter, and his first sermon was preached in the pulpit of his honored teacher, in Portsmouth, N.H., at the age of twenty-one. He was ordained at the session of the Eastern Association (now the Maine Convention), held in Winthrop in 1821. His first settlement was in Waterville, Me., where his earnest labors resulted, not only in the establishment of a vigorous society, but also in the wide diffusion of the doctrine through the entire Kennebec valley. From Waterville he removed to Malden, Mass., and became pastor of the society there, with equally successful results. After a pastorate of ten years he removed to Waltham. While there he started the Christian Freeman. In 1849 he moved to East Boston, where he resided till his death. Three years of the time he was the pastor of the East Boston society. His intellect and strength, however, were given the care of the Freeman, and the toil and labor he bestowed upon it would have broken down a less vigorous constitution. In 1862 the Freeman and Trumpet were united, Dr. Cobb remaining as Theological editor. Two years ago he retired from editorial labor, after a service in that capacity of about thirty years.
Dr. Cobb was constantly engaged in writing. His teeming brain was ever elaborating ideas, to which he felt that he must give expression. Many of his earlier controversial sermons were published and widely circulated in Maine and elsewhere, doing good service for the cause. His "Discussions" with Dr. Adams and Mr. Hudson, involving the subjects of everlasting punishment and the annihilation of the wicked, were also put into book torm, after appearing in the columns of the Freeman. The "Compend of Divinity" is an elaborate work, and recognized as a standard in the denomination. This series of books very fitly closed with his "Commentary on the New Testament," which is received with favor wherever it is known.
The Trustees of Tufts College, recognizing his ability and learning, conferred upon him, two years before his death, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. It is seldom the degree is so worthily bestowed, or so gracefully worn. His merits as a writer, preacher, and theologian, are universally conceded, both in and out of the denomination. Among the stalwart minds which have done so much to establish the doctrine of universal salvation on a permanent basis, his will ever hold a conspicuous position. And he was a Universalist, not only in his creed. He was in hearty sympathy with the denomination. For it it was alike his pride and joy to labor. He saw, with a clearness of vision that few have, that the cause should be established on a right basis and, therfore, he was the earnest advocate of temperance, freedom, and every true reform.
Dr. Cobb had been in declining health for many months previous to his death, and was fully conscious that his work was finished. During the summer he was accustomed to converse freely with his family of his approaching departure. He was always strong in the faith, always resigned, always cheerful and full of hope. Though his closing hours were those of unconsciousness, yet even in his delirium he was continually preaching, rehearsing the texts, "Praise the Lord;" "How great is his goodness." In a ripe old age he has passed away, and not only a family, but a denomination mourns. "The memory of the just is blessed."
The following obituary was published in The Universalist Register of 1867:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DECEASED CLERGY AND LAYPEOPLE
Obituaries (1865-66) in the 1867 Register
Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, D.D., departed this life at his residence in East Boston, Mass., Oct. 31, 1866. Dr. Cobb was born in Norway, Me., July, 1788, and died at the venerable age of sixty-eight years and three months. His early education was wholly under Orthodox influences; but early in life he became a Universalist, and this without the help of any teacher, or any book but the Bible. For several years, when quite young, he was a successful teacher in the winter schools of his native county. His preparatory theological studies were pursued with the Rev. Sebastian Streeter, and his first sermon was preached in the pulpit of his honored teacher, in Portsmouth, N.H., at the age of twenty-one. He was ordained at the session of the Eastern Association (now the Maine Convention), held in Winthrop in 1821. His first settlement was in Waterville, Me., where his earnest labors resulted, not only in the establishment of a vigorous society, but also in the wide diffusion of the doctrine through the entire Kennebec valley. From Waterville he removed to Malden, Mass., and became pastor of the society there, with equally successful results. After a pastorate of ten years he removed to Waltham. While there he started the Christian Freeman. In 1849 he moved to East Boston, where he resided till his death. Three years of the time he was the pastor of the East Boston society. His intellect and strength, however, were given the care of the Freeman, and the toil and labor he bestowed upon it would have broken down a less vigorous constitution. In 1862 the Freeman and Trumpet were united, Dr. Cobb remaining as Theological editor. Two years ago he retired from editorial labor, after a service in that capacity of about thirty years.
Dr. Cobb was constantly engaged in writing. His teeming brain was ever elaborating ideas, to which he felt that he must give expression. Many of his earlier controversial sermons were published and widely circulated in Maine and elsewhere, doing good service for the cause. His "Discussions" with Dr. Adams and Mr. Hudson, involving the subjects of everlasting punishment and the annihilation of the wicked, were also put into book torm, after appearing in the columns of the Freeman. The "Compend of Divinity" is an elaborate work, and recognized as a standard in the denomination. This series of books very fitly closed with his "Commentary on the New Testament," which is received with favor wherever it is known.
The Trustees of Tufts College, recognizing his ability and learning, conferred upon him, two years before his death, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. It is seldom the degree is so worthily bestowed, or so gracefully worn. His merits as a writer, preacher, and theologian, are universally conceded, both in and out of the denomination. Among the stalwart minds which have done so much to establish the doctrine of universal salvation on a permanent basis, his will ever hold a conspicuous position. And he was a Universalist, not only in his creed. He was in hearty sympathy with the denomination. For it it was alike his pride and joy to labor. He saw, with a clearness of vision that few have, that the cause should be established on a right basis and, therfore, he was the earnest advocate of temperance, freedom, and every true reform.
Dr. Cobb had been in declining health for many months previous to his death, and was fully conscious that his work was finished. During the summer he was accustomed to converse freely with his family of his approaching departure. He was always strong in the faith, always resigned, always cheerful and full of hope. Though his closing hours were those of unconsciousness, yet even in his delirium he was continually preaching, rehearsing the texts, "Praise the Lord;" "How great is his goodness." In a ripe old age he has passed away, and not only a family, but a denomination mourns. "The memory of the just is blessed."
He was ordained as a minister in the Universalist Church on 28 June 1821.
The following obituary was published in The Universalist Register of 1867:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DECEASED CLERGY AND LAYPEOPLE
Obituaries (1865-66) in the 1867 Register
Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, D.D., departed this life at his residence in East Boston, Mass., Oct. 31, 1866. Dr. Cobb was born in Norway, Me., July, 1788, and died at the venerable age of sixty-eight years and three months. His early education was wholly under Orthodox influences; but early in life he became a Universalist, and this without the help of any teacher, or any book but the Bible. For several years, when quite young, he was a successful teacher in the winter schools of his native county. His preparatory theological studies were pursued with the Rev. Sebastian Streeter, and his first sermon was preached in the pulpit of his honored teacher, in Portsmouth, N.H., at the age of twenty-one. He was ordained at the session of the Eastern Association (now the Maine Convention), held in Winthrop in 1821. His first settlement was in Waterville, Me., where his earnest labors resulted, not only in the establishment of a vigorous society, but also in the wide diffusion of the doctrine through the entire Kennebec valley. From Waterville he removed to Malden, Mass., and became pastor of the society there, with equally successful results. After a pastorate of ten years he removed to Waltham. While there he started the Christian Freeman. In 1849 he moved to East Boston, where he resided till his death. Three years of the time he was the pastor of the East Boston society. His intellect and strength, however, were given the care of the Freeman, and the toil and labor he bestowed upon it would have broken down a less vigorous constitution. In 1862 the Freeman and Trumpet were united, Dr. Cobb remaining as Theological editor. Two years ago he retired from editorial labor, after a service in that capacity of about thirty years.
Dr. Cobb was constantly engaged in writing. His teeming brain was ever elaborating ideas, to which he felt that he must give expression. Many of his earlier controversial sermons were published and widely circulated in Maine and elsewhere, doing good service for the cause. His "Discussions" with Dr. Adams and Mr. Hudson, involving the subjects of everlasting punishment and the annihilation of the wicked, were also put into book torm, after appearing in the columns of the Freeman. The "Compend of Divinity" is an elaborate work, and recognized as a standard in the denomination. This series of books very fitly closed with his "Commentary on the New Testament," which is received with favor wherever it is known.
The Trustees of Tufts College, recognizing his ability and learning, conferred upon him, two years before his death, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. It is seldom the degree is so worthily bestowed, or so gracefully worn. His merits as a writer, preacher, and theologian, are universally conceded, both in and out of the denomination. Among the stalwart minds which have done so much to establish the doctrine of universal salvation on a permanent basis, his will ever hold a conspicuous position. And he was a Universalist, not only in his creed. He was in hearty sympathy with the denomination. For it it was alike his pride and joy to labor. He saw, with a clearness of vision that few have, that the cause should be established on a right basis and, therfore, he was the earnest advocate of temperance, freedom, and every true reform.
Dr. Cobb had been in declining health for many months previous to his death, and was fully conscious that his work was finished. During the summer he was accustomed to converse freely with his family of his approaching departure. He was always strong in the faith, always resigned, always cheerful and full of hope. Though his closing hours were those of unconsciousness, yet even in his delirium he was continually preaching, rehearsing the texts, "Praise the Lord;" "How great is his goodness." In a ripe old age he has passed away, and not only a family, but a denomination mourns. "The memory of the just is blessed."
The following obituary was published in The Universalist Register of 1867:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DECEASED CLERGY AND LAYPEOPLE
Obituaries (1865-66) in the 1867 Register
Rev. Sylvanus Cobb, D.D., departed this life at his residence in East Boston, Mass., Oct. 31, 1866. Dr. Cobb was born in Norway, Me., July, 1788, and died at the venerable age of sixty-eight years and three months. His early education was wholly under Orthodox influences; but early in life he became a Universalist, and this without the help of any teacher, or any book but the Bible. For several years, when quite young, he was a successful teacher in the winter schools of his native county. His preparatory theological studies were pursued with the Rev. Sebastian Streeter, and his first sermon was preached in the pulpit of his honored teacher, in Portsmouth, N.H., at the age of twenty-one. He was ordained at the session of the Eastern Association (now the Maine Convention), held in Winthrop in 1821. His first settlement was in Waterville, Me., where his earnest labors resulted, not only in the establishment of a vigorous society, but also in the wide diffusion of the doctrine through the entire Kennebec valley. From Waterville he removed to Malden, Mass., and became pastor of the society there, with equally successful results. After a pastorate of ten years he removed to Waltham. While there he started the Christian Freeman. In 1849 he moved to East Boston, where he resided till his death. Three years of the time he was the pastor of the East Boston society. His intellect and strength, however, were given the care of the Freeman, and the toil and labor he bestowed upon it would have broken down a less vigorous constitution. In 1862 the Freeman and Trumpet were united, Dr. Cobb remaining as Theological editor. Two years ago he retired from editorial labor, after a service in that capacity of about thirty years.
Dr. Cobb was constantly engaged in writing. His teeming brain was ever elaborating ideas, to which he felt that he must give expression. Many of his earlier controversial sermons were published and widely circulated in Maine and elsewhere, doing good service for the cause. His "Discussions" with Dr. Adams and Mr. Hudson, involving the subjects of everlasting punishment and the annihilation of the wicked, were also put into book torm, after appearing in the columns of the Freeman. The "Compend of Divinity" is an elaborate work, and recognized as a standard in the denomination. This series of books very fitly closed with his "Commentary on the New Testament," which is received with favor wherever it is known.
The Trustees of Tufts College, recognizing his ability and learning, conferred upon him, two years before his death, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. It is seldom the degree is so worthily bestowed, or so gracefully worn. His merits as a writer, preacher, and theologian, are universally conceded, both in and out of the denomination. Among the stalwart minds which have done so much to establish the doctrine of universal salvation on a permanent basis, his will ever hold a conspicuous position. And he was a Universalist, not only in his creed. He was in hearty sympathy with the denomination. For it it was alike his pride and joy to labor. He saw, with a clearness of vision that few have, that the cause should be established on a right basis and, therfore, he was the earnest advocate of temperance, freedom, and every true reform.
Dr. Cobb had been in declining health for many months previous to his death, and was fully conscious that his work was finished. During the summer he was accustomed to converse freely with his family of his approaching departure. He was always strong in the faith, always resigned, always cheerful and full of hope. Though his closing hours were those of unconsciousness, yet even in his delirium he was continually preaching, rehearsing the texts, "Praise the Lord;" "How great is his goodness." In a ripe old age he has passed away, and not only a family, but a denomination mourns. "The memory of the just is blessed."
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