REV. MARTIN RUTER, D. D.

Of this gentleman, or even of his family name, the present inhabitants of Bradford are supposed to know but little or nothing. Still there are good reasons why he should be remembered with honor among the most distinguished of our early inhabitants. The family name in the days of his father, was pronounced with the middle letter joined to the first syllable, giving the u its short sound, as if written Rutter; but when Martin had become a man of distinction he is understood to have been styled the Rev. Dr. Ru-ter, thus giving the u its long sound, and joining the t to the last syllable. The writer of this article was accustomed, in early life, to hear the name pronounced only in the way first mentioned. But call it which way you will, Martin was an admirable man. Do you ask in what way was he related to Bradford?  According to information which I consider reliable, he was born in Sutton, Mass., in April, 1785, and in 1793, at the age of eight years, came with his parents to reside in Bradford. His father, Job Ruter, was an honest, hard working man, by occupation a blacksmith.   He for a while resided in the Southeast corner of the town, on a farm now owned by Elijah Smalley; but subsequently re-moved to the Western border of the town, and when I first knew him and his family he was there living, on the old South road, the last house in this town, next to Corinth.   My father had a grist-mill and saw-mill about a mile further on, in the Eastern border of Corinth. And the first religious meeting that  have any recollection of ever attending was at the house of this Mr. Ruter, and the preacher, I am pretty sure, was called " Brother Williston," one of the first Methodist ministers who had preached in that neighborhood.   Job Ruter and wife had been members of a Baptist church, but they had then become very devoted Methodists, and opened their humble dwelling to the cordial reception of the itinerant preachers, and to the holding of religious meetings.   Within a few years after this, the Ruter family removed to Corinth, and lived about one mile West of my father's place, and within the same school district; so that Martin, though some six years my senior, attended for a while the same schools with myself.   I remember him and his brothers, John and Absalom, and sister Pallas, quite well.   He was a youth full of life and agility, of fine personal appearance, very pleasant in his manners, and quite ambitious to be esteemed, as he was, a good scholar.   There were in those days many religious meetings held at his father's house, much interest was awakened, and numbers hope-fully converted, among whom was this interesting young man.  In the summer of 1799, in the fifteenth year of his age, he was divinely moved to consecrate himself to the service of the blessed Redeemer, and from the first his desire was to become a faithful preacher of the Gospel.  He at once engaged in religious exercises, praying, exhorting, and striving to do good to all, as he had opportunity.  His store of learning at that time was very small; but his desire and ability to improve, his natural gift for public speaking, his amiable character, and zeal in the good cause, were all so manifest that his christian friends, and especially the ministers of his denomination who knew him, encouraged him to press on. It was arranged that, young as he" was, he should directly enter into the preparatory work, by traveling as a student and assistant with one or more of the circuit preachers, and so continue until prepared to take a more prominent position. He might then have been about seventeen or eighteen years of age.  It was not long before he became as wise, or wiser, than his teachers, and had a charge of his own assigned him.  One of his first locations was the city of Montreal, which afforded him a fine opportunity to make himself well acquainted with the French language.   On his return to New England he went on, not only preaching, but availing himself of all opportunities and means of acquiring useful knowledge. In the course of a few years he went to Ohio, and by that time he had become so much of a linguist that in 1824 he published at Cincinnati a Hebrew Grammar,  compiled for the use and encouragement of learners, adapted to such as have not the aid of a teacher, and dedicated to the "Methodist Episcopal Church.  In the introduction to this work lie earnestly recommends to their preachers to make themselves acquainted with, not only the Greek of the New Testament, but especially with the Hebrew ot the Old. "Every argument for the Greek original" he says, " cannot fail to apply forcibly in favor of the Hebrew also ; a language possessing a higher claim to antiquity than any other, and so remarkable for its simplicity and excellence that no translation can do it justice." While writing this I have that little work on my table before me, which, if not very complete, is certainly very creditable to its author, considering the many and great disadvantages through which he had to make his way, in the acquisition of useful learning.  From what college this distinguished minister and scholar received his Doctorate we are not informed; but we are gratified to be able to say that his talents, attainments, and excellent character were highly appreciated, not only by his own denomination, but by the public generally. In the report of the Vermont Methodist State Convention for 1870, it is noted that Rev. Dr. Martin Ruter was President of Augusta College, Kentucky, and of Alleghany College, Pennsylvania, and that, having resigned this last position, he went as a missionary to Texas, where he died May 16, 1838. Thus ended a life of useful, honorable, and extensive public labors, commenced here among ourselves.

This brief memorial of one of our own Bradford boys, who through life pursued a course so highly commendable, I have inserted here, with earnest desire and hope that other boys and young men might be incited to emulate his excellent .example.

0h, what a contrast between such a youth as he and the boy who has no decided love for useful learning:; no respect for good morals or manners: no fear of God, or care to secure His favor; but who indulges in idleness, and rudeness, and pilfering, it may be; in profane and vile expressions, sitting in the seat of the scornful; besotting himself with the drunkard's drink; or by the filthy practice of tobacco chewing and smoking, making himself, even in the days of his youth, a weak and worthless stinkard  Away ! away ! with all such vile practices. Determine to make the best possible use of your time and talents, and to set an example alike honorable to yourselves, And beneficial to others. If placed in humble and trying circumstances, be not disheartened. Like young Martin Ruter, early dedicate yourself to the service of the King of kings and Lord of lords; make it your persevering endeavor to accumulate useful knowledge, and do good to the extent of your ability ; then through the Divine blessing, your course through life will be honorable and useful, like his ; and its termination in celestial blessedness most sure.  Biographie Index

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