PERRY
962
PERRY
to Alabama, ^vhore they would be better cared for, to en- ter the Southern army as fhai)laiii. He thus spent the eventl'iil years of 1802 and 1803, sharing the hardships of the Vic-ksburj,' sie<;e. Having resigned his chaiilain- cv. he was appointed, in 18(54, a missionary to Johnson's army. In 18Go, after the close of the war, lie returned to tlic itinerant ranks ; was transferred to the Montgomery Conference, and stationed at Lowndesboro, the appoint- ment of which he held at the time of his death. He was also for two years in charge of the Female College. His health began to decline about June 1, 18ti8. He re- fused to rest, though it was manifest that he was over- taxing his strength. About the last of July he was compelled to desist. He died Sept. 23, 1868. In his last hours he was exultant in Christ's atonement. See Min- u(es of the Annual Conf. of the M. E. Church, South, p. 229, 230.
Perry, Gardner Braman, D.D., a Presbyterian divine, was born in Norton, jNIass., Aug. 9, 1783. He received a verj' careful academical training, and entered Brown University in the fall of 1800 ; after two j-ears' study he left, and entered Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., where he graduated in 1804. After teaching for one year as principal of Ballston Academy, N. Y., in 1800 he was elected tutor in Union College, where he remained three years. Here he studied theology un- der Rev. Dr. Nott, and, taking charge of an educa- tional institution at Kingston, N. Y., he resumed teach- ing, which he continued five years. In the mean time he was licensed, in March, 1812, by Albany Presbytery. In 1814 he was ordained pastor of the Second Congrega- tional Church at (iroveland, Mass., where he remained as pastor for forty-five years. Though pastor of a Con- gregational Church, he was a member of the Presbytery. He was one of the original members of Newburyport Presbytery, preached the sermon at its organization in October, 1826, and was a commissioner from that Pres- bytery to the General Asseuibly in 1834. After the dissolution of Newburyport Presl)ytery he joined Lon- donderry Presbytery, which he represented in the Assem- bly in 1849. 'fhis relation existed until his death, Dec. 20, 1859. Dr. Perry was a Christian gentleman of the highest refinement and taste. His vast stores of gen- eral information rendered him a conversationalist of a high order. He was interested in all public move- ments, an earnest advocate of the temperance reforma- tion, and ever zealous in the cause of education. He published a History of the Toirn of lirailford ; also a number of seimons. See Wilson, I'resb. Hist. A Imanac, 1861, p. 105. (J. L. S.)
Perry, James H., D.D., a noted minister of the Methodist Episcopal ChurCh, was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1811. His education commenced at an early age, and he made rapid progress in his studies until he was prepared to enter as a cadet at the Military Acad- emy at West Point. Becoming strongly interested in the cause of Texan independence, he resigned his posi- tion in the academy in the third year of liis connection with it, and, accepting the appointment of colonel in the service of Texas, proceeded to raise a regiment in New York, and tlien embarked and reached Texas in time to participate in the battle of San Jacinto, which resulted in the defeat of Santa Anna and the establish- ment of Texan independence. Upon his return from Texas he settled with his family in Newburgh, N. Y. By invitation of his sister, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he was induced to attend a love-feast, where the strange but consoling truths of experimental religion excited his attention. At an early moment he disclosed his feelings to the Hev. Seymour Landon, then pastor of the Church. The rcsidt was his profession of religion, and he united with the Church on proba- tion. Shortly after he felt called of (iod to the work of the holy ministry. In 1838 he joined the New York Conference, and was appointed to Burlington and Bris- tol Circuit, Connecticut During his ministry, which
lasted without interruption from 1838 to the year of his death, he filled many of the first appointments in the New York and New York East Conferences. He was a delegate to the General Conference of 18oti. Shortly after the breaking out of the late civil war. Dr. Perrj', be- lieving it to be his duty to give his country the benefit of his military experience, accepted the command of the Forty-eighth Regiment of New York Volunteers. He was ordered to Annapolis, from whence he embarked for the South, and rendered eminent services to the United States army. After the fall of Pulaski- he was put in com- mand, and in this fort he died of apoplexy, June 18, 1863. As a preacher Dr. Perry '• was calm and impressive. He kept constantly in view the great ends of preaching — the conversion of sinners and the building u]) of believers in the faith. In debate he was dexterous and cogent. No matter what might be the topic of controversy, he was an able advocate and a formidable opponent. His ability as a logician and his tact as a debater made him naturally a leader upon the floor of Conference. His brethren who adopted his views of Church administra- tion relied unhesitatingly upon his sagacity, and followed his suggestions with confidence. His well-known kind- ness of disposition subjected him to constant calls to ap- pear as advocate in behalf of parties who were, or were likely to be, brought under Conference censure. The services rendered by him at such times were purely dis- interested. In his attachments Dr. Perry was firm and constant. He grappled his friends to him with 'hooks of steel.' His character was so positive that he was in- capable of indifference ; he liked or .disliked decidedly', and with all the force of a strong nature. His ministry was fruitful of good." See Minutes of Conf 1863, p. 65, 6G; Smith, Memoirs of N. Y. and N. Y. East Coif. p. 256-262; Appleton, Annual Cyclop. 1863. (J.H.W.)