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Charles Henry Campbell, son of William and Lucy Boligh Campbell, was born
near Jersey Shore, Pa. June 29, 1856. His mother died when he was sixteen
years of age. As she neared the end she called for her boy by name, but
by the time he reached her bed side, she was gone. Repeatedly he heard
that call until after his conversion, which occurred April 19, 1884 and
which was so complete and definite that it brought with it the call to
preach the gospel. He began by telling his experience at prayer meetings
and whenever he had opportunity and the Lord blessed his humble efforts
in a wonderful way.
His presiding elder Dr. W. A. Stephens urged him to enter Williamsport
Dickinson Seminary and to him as well as to Dr E.J. Gray, president of
the seminary, he felt he owed a debt he could never pay.
The writer of this memoir was a fellow member of his class which was received
into the Central Pennsylvania Conference in First Church, York, March 1892.
This was the beginning of an intimacy which grew with the years. He served
the following charges: Loyalsock Circuit, Market Street Williamsport, West
Jersey Shore.
Charles Henry Campbell was a witness to and herald of the "good news."
That trumpet voice of his told thrillingly of the joy he had in knowing
and serving God and proclaimed far and wide the message so dear to his
heart. No quiescent attitude his; he must tell to all who will hear and
many who would not, "what a dear Savior he had found." The question of
expediency never halted him; it was always and everywhere proper to glorify
and praise God, not softly but, lustily and exultingly. He was marvelously
responsive to the scent of a sinner and it was as natural as breathing
for him to set out to win him. He never lost the main purpose out of his
ministry, as too many of us do. Furthermore, his religion was a passionate,
throbbing, virile something which made him compelling in his expressions
of it. There was nothing-absolutely-nothing which shared the high place
his Savior and Lord held in his life. He was so loyal, so true, so honest,
so honorable; he was transparent; there was a glow to his life and character.
The years revealed he was not strong. He was compelled to take the retired
relation in 1922 and returned to the sunny south for a climate more considerate
of his frailty, and finally located in San Antonio, texas.
While he was pastor of Market Street, Williamsport, he met Sarah Laurinda
Ferguson daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. J. L. Ferguson, to whom he was
married in Canton, Pa. August 21,1895 by his presiding Elder, Dr. M.K.
Foster. While this is his memoir, we cannot refrain from saying the justly
deserved word that she was (and is) a beautiful spirit, and proved to be
an ideal minister's wife, matching his rugged saintliness with her refined
spirituality.
Dr. C.M. Hollett, a former minister and district superintendent in Ohio
wrote, among other things, the following: "Brother Campbell was one of
the best men I have known during the sixty years of my own ministry. His
kind and genial spirit, his ability to prayer, and his abounding cheerfulness
made his visits to the sick most helpful and always welcome He was not,
for God took him."
He was taken ill in August 1938 and after a few days fell into his Father's
arms August 22, 1938
The funeral services were in the charge of the pastor of Trinity Church,
Rev. G.A. Schulze, and were participated in by a number of ministers. Addresses
were made by the superintendent, Dr Rode and Dr. C.M. Hollet. His body
was laid to rest in San Jose Cemetery to await the resurrection of the
just.
Written by: Morris E Swartz