Stoddard, David Tappan, a Congregational minister and missionary, was born at Northampton, Mass., Dec. 2, 1818. At the age of ten he had made consiilerable progress in Latin and Grecfk. He was sent to the Round Hill Academy, Mass. He was early the subject of converting grace, and joined the Church, on the profession of his faith, after he had entered college.
He first commenced the college course at Williams, and completed it at Yale, and took high rank as a scholar, especially in the physical sciences. He declined an in- vitation to go on an exploring expedition under com- mand of Wilkes, because he considered himself conse- crated to the work of tlie ministry. He graduated with honor in 1838, and entered immediately on tlie office of tutor in Marshall dillege. Pa. While there he was of- fered a professorship in Marietta College, O. ; but he de- clined it, and entered the Theological Seminary at An- dover. Before he had completed his course he was ap- l)ointed tutor in Yale College, and be returned to his alma mater. In 1841 a revival occurred in the college, in which he took a lively interest and an active part. He was licensed to preach by tlie Congregational Asso- ciation of Massachusetts, and commenced preaching ; but was soon impressed with the conviction that it was his duty to enter upon a missionary life, and on appli- cation to the Prudential Committee of the American Board he was accepted and appointed to the Nestorian mission, Dec. 15, 1842. In 1843 Mr. and Mrs. Stoddanl embarked for Smyrna, where they arrived in due time. Before taking the overland journey to Urumiyah, he visited several missionary stations in Turkey. Having obtained a considerable knowledge of the Turkish lan- guage, when he arrived at his destination he commenced with vigor the study of the Syriac, not only that he might preach, but also that he might assist Dr. Perkins in his translation of the Scriptures into modern Syriac. He made such remarkable progress that in five months' time he was able to instruct a class of Nestorian youths, and the male seminary was reorganized and committed to his care; it was opened with high promise in 1844. At that time, the death of Dr. Grant among the moun-' tain Nestorians was a great affliction, and fell with griev- ous weight upon the mission. In addition to this, the opposition of the patriarch, combined with that of the Jesuits, circumscribed their labors. A revival occurred in 1846, of which Mr. Stoddard gives an interesting ac- count to the Board. In 1847 the cholera raged fearfully in Urumiyah, and many fell victims to the dreadful scourge. Mr. Stoddard's health being undermined, it was thought advisable, though contrary to his inclina- tion, that he should go to P^rzerum. The journey failed to restore his health, and he returned an invalid. The tidings of the death of Prof. Solomon Stoddard had a depressing effect ; and this was followed, not long after, by the death of his beloved wife at Trebizoiid, in 1848. With the consent of the Board, he brought his orphan children to America, intending to return as soon as they were provided for. He devoted his time to travelling through the country and presenting the claims of the great mission work. His labors were almost as incessant as they were arduous, frecpiently including addresses of two hours each at the missionary meetings. At length the time arrived for his departure, and he sailed from Boston in March, 1851. His return to Urumiyah was hailed with a universal welcome. Soon after his return, he began to instruct his older pupils in theology, in or- der to prepare them for preaching to their countrymen. In addition to his other work, he prepared a drawmar of Modern Syriac, which was published in the .lournal of the American Oriental Society in 185.5. Having taken his telescope with him, be |)ursued the study of astron- omy, and furnished sir Jolin Herschcl his observations of the zodiacal light, which was courteously acknowd- edged. He also prepared an extended notice of the meteorology of Urumiyah. wliich was pulilishcd in Silli- man's .Journal. His theological led urcs, embracing a full course of doctrinal theology, were deliver* il in Syri- ac;. After his return from a journey to Tabriz, in be- half of the mission, Dec. 22. 1K57, he was attacked with typhus fever, an.l died Jjin. 22. \Xh~. (W. P. S.)
Stoddard, Ira Childs, a Baptist minister, was born at Brattleliorougb, Vt., .Ian. 25, 1792. In 1817 he was licensed to preach by the l?a|itist Church of (iuild- ford. He was not ordained until 1827, when, on Sept.
STODDARD
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STOIC PHILOSOPHY
23 of that voar. he ))ecame the pastor of the Church in EiK-n. Kru\'<i.. N. Y., wliere he remained eleven years, his miiii.siry l.eiiif; ^'really Messed, lii 183G he removed to Biisti. Chaiitaii(|ua Co., N. Y., where Jie was a pastor four years, ami then removed to lireentield. For some time he labored for the American and Foreij^n Bible SKiety, and had brief pastorates in several places in the .State of New York. He died in Busti. Jan. 12, 1878. .See Xtic York Exnmhwr and Chronicle. (J. C. S.) Stoddard, John E., a minister of the Methodist Epix-op.il ( liiin ti. was born at linMiktititl. Worcester Co., Mass., .March H'. l^m. He removeil, wlien live years of a};e, to I'inckney, X. Y., was converted in 182!t, and re- ceived license to ])reach .Ian. It, 1832. He was employed by the presidinj; eMer from Aufrtist of that year until 183t;. when he was received on trial into the Black Hiver Conference. In I84;i he was. because of ill-healtli, made supernumerary, and held tliat relation until his death, at Morristown, .St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 18G1. See .\fiiiiilr.i iif A iiuital Conferences, IHtJl, p. 102.