Sedgwick RUSLING

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  General Notes:

SEDGWICK RUSLING, fifth son of James and Mary Fowler Rusling, was born at Newburgh, near Hackettstown, New Jersey, April 24, 1799, and died at Lawrenceville, Penna., March 7, 1876. Like his brother Joseph, he became a Methodist minister. He was not without talent, but I think lacked Joseph's industry and perseverance. He was a great fisherman, and always popular with his people on that account-fished the streams far and near, and possessed the fine art of catching fish where others could get only nibbles. He was a man of kindly feeling and stainless character, and certainly wrought much good in his day and generation. The following appreciative estimate of him is from the Minutes of New Jersey Conference, 1877:

MEMOIR OF SEDGWICK RUSLING. The subject of this sketch was born in the beautiful Musconetcong Valley, near Hackettstown, Warren County, New Jersey, April 24th, 1799. Both father and mother were Methodists, and deeply devoted to God. His mother's knee was the first altar at which he bowed, and the impressions there received remained through life. He was converted when eighteen years of age, but confessed with great sorrow that through the influence of irreligious companions he lost his first love, and fell back into the world. In this unhappy state he remained three years. Impressed with the cause which led to his fall, he said, "If I ever marry, I shall select a religious companion and a Methodist." He kept his resolution, and at a proper time Miss Electa W. Cummins, a devoted young Christian, became his wife. Three months after this he was restored to the divine favor, at a Camp Meeting near Jenny Jump Mountain, N. J., under a powerful sermon by Lawrence McCombs . Immediately after his return to God, he began to exercise in public. He was soon licensed to exhort and nobly filled that important office. In 1826, while an exhorter, he was called to fill a vacancy on Mount Horeb Circuit. He went and had success. In November he was licensed to preach. He was received on trial, by the Philadelphia Annual Conference in 1827, and appointed to Cumberland Circuit (N. J.), where he remained two years.

His subsequent fields of labor were at the following places in the order given: Salem, Gloucester, Hamburg, Warren and Newton Circuits; Warren Circuit, second term; New Providence and Union Village, Swedesboro' Circuit, Lower Penns Neck, Pemberton, Woodrow, and Bethel on Staten Island, and Crosswicks. In 1850, he became supernumerary, removing his family to Trenton, where he remained about two and a half years. A vacancy then occurred at Cranbury, and he filled the place until Conference, when he resumed the regular work. In 1853-4, he was stationed at Rahway, New Jersey. In 1855, he became supernumerary again, and removed to New Brunswick. In October of that year, there was a vacancy at Elizabeth, where he preached until the following spring. He remained in New Brunswick until the death of his wife in 1867. In 1873 he was re~ married, to Mrs. Sarah J. Fuller, of Lawrenceville, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his days.

He was in feeble health for some time, but the sickness which terminated in death continued only about twelve days. During his last week on earth, he had but little power of speech, yet his mind was clear, and he was glad, as far as able, to express his perfect reliance upon the blood of Jesus to save, and his readiness, at the Master's bidding, to depart and be "forever with the Lord." The Sabbath before his death, he received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, with evident satisfaction, while his countenance expressed the blessed fact, that Christianity could sustain and comfort its votaries even in the dying hour. His death, which took place at half past nine o'clock on Tuesday morning, March 7th, 1876, was like the waves subsiding to the sweetest calm. He had lived 76 years, 10 months, and 13 days, and was the oldest member of the New Jersey Conference.

Surrounded by many of his old compeers and fellow-laborers in the gospel, he was buried at Rahway, N. J., March l0th, 1876, mourned by his widow and seven children, loved by the church, and honored by the world. Sedgwick Rusling was not an ordinary man, nor was his ministry ordinary in its results. He had not the scholastic advantages of many of late years, but the very contest he had with difficulties made him stronger. He grappled with all obstacles, mastered them, and made life a success. He often exhibited extraordinary power in the pulpit, and wonderfully moved the masses. With a well trained and musical voice,1 he was an effective Singer, while facts gathered from a large experience, added to a fine imagination, caused his sermons to abound in incident and illustration, which, together with a heart gushing with sympathy for immortal souls, enabled him to lead the multitudes Heavenward. The themes of his discourses were solid gospel truths. These he proclaimed in grand old Saxon, till earth heeded and hell trembled.

Through all his life, he was genial in manner, and kept his spirit sweet and cheerful, not only amid the triumphs of his great life work, but when afflictions came, and age pressed hard upon him. This made him an agreeable companion, and a general favorite. Those of his own age felt the inspiration of his presence, while childhood and those beyond him in years hailed his coming with delight. Sedgwick Rusling and cheerfulness were almost synonyms. But he has gone from among us. We bless God for his blameless life, his protracted labors, and his grand success. May we meet him in the land of eternal sunshine, and renew the friendships which death for a time has broken, and be forever linked together in the sweet bonds of immortal love.

Sedgwick married Electa W. CUMMINS on 22 Mar 1821. (Electa W. CUMMINS was born on 21 Nov 1802 and died on 14 Feb 1867.)

Sedgwick next married Sarah Jane FULLER on 5 Dec 1873. (Sarah Jane FULLER was born on 23 Oct 1822.)