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GET TO KNOW B.T. ROBERTS PART 2
Last week, we introduced you to B.T. Roberts, the founder of Roberts Wesleyan University. This week, we’ll continue exploring his journey and the impact he made during his life.
B.T. Roberts attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, a liberal arts college-preparatory institution, in 1845 and later that year was admitted to Wesleyan College, in Middletown, Connecticut - the best that Methodist higher education had to offer at the time. It is here that he met Ellen Stowe, who would become his wife and lifetime partner in ministry.
He began his ministry in the rural town of Caryville, near Batavia, New York. While there he wrote his father: “I am trying to give myself wholly to the work of the Lord.” That year he succeeded in winning the hearts of his congregation, improved property and finances, and received forty new members into the church.
In May, 1849. Benjamin Roberts and Ellen Stowe were married by Ellen’s uncle in New York City. The church looked upon the young Roberts with such favor that four Methodist bishops attended the wedding.
One of his greatest literary achievements was the production of The Earnest Christian. He was both editor and publisher of this evangelical, nonsectarian family magazine for thirty-three years.
Source: https://historical.fmcusa.org/wp-content/uploads/186306.pdf
In 1894, the Woman’s Missionary Society was organized with Ellen Stowe Roberts as president. This helped women gain influence and increased means of service in the church.
B.T. Roberts was nearly seventy years of age when traveling by train in western New York, he suffered a severe heart attack and within a few hours passed. His last words were, “Praise the Lord! Amen!”
He is buried in North Chili Rural Cemetery at 4342 Buffalo Road in North Chili, N.Y.
Source: https://www.roberts.edu/about/history/bt-roberts/ and Roberts' Intranet