George Stetson had been a pastor and traveling evangelist of the Advent Christian Church in the Allegheny area in the early 1870s, but relocated to Edinboro, PA about 1873/4. (Edinboro is about 100+ miles north of Pittsburgh/Allegheny.)

The obituary indicates that, "Our brother was a man of marked ability, and surrendered bright prospects of worldly and political honors..." Other posts indicate that Stetson had once been a medical doctor in Ohio.

Although CTR barely mentioned Stetson in the ZWT "history" articles posted elsewhere in this site, this obituary actually tells us alot about their relationship. Stetson, a prominent Advent Christian, specifically requested that C. T. Russell deliver his funeral sermon. Stetson could have requested any one of his fellow Adventists. This would seem to tell us that Russell and Stetson had become very close "spiritual brothers" between the years 1869 and 1879.

EXCERPT

Bro. G. W. Stetson.

Death has laid our brother low. He died at his home, Edinboro, Pa., Oct. 9th, 1879.

Though an event not entirely unexpected, since he has been seriously ill for some time, yet his death is a heavy blow to his many friends abroad as well as at home. He was beloved and esteemed by his fellow townsmen of all denominations as well as by the congregation of which he was pastor. He had been a faithful under-shepherd, ever holding before his hearers, as the great incentive to holiness and purity of life, that which filled his own soul with joy and peace and helped him to live "above the world" -- viz: The appearing of the Heavenly Bridegroom--The King of Glory, and our gathering together unto him. Our brother was a man of marked ability, and surrendered bright prospects of worldly and political honors to be permitted to preach Christ, when the glories and beauties of the word of God dawned upon his heart. The truth cost him much yet he bought it gladly.

The funeral services (Sunday following) were held at "Normal Hall," it being more commodious than any of the churches of the place, which through respect were closed, the pastors taking part in the services of the occasion.

The brother's dying request, that the editor of this paper should preach his funeral sermon, was complied with. About twelve hundred persons attended the funeral services, thus giving evidence of the high esteem in which our brother was held.

His family and congregation will feel keenly their loss, yet sorrow not as those who
have no hope.

IF thou art a vessel of gold, and thy brother but of wood, be not high-minded. It is God
that maketh thee to differ. The more bounty God shows the more humility he requires.

Those mines that are richest are deepest.

-----------------------------------

(The following Letter was originally provided to this website by Henry_Grew@yahoo.com.)

THE WORLD'S CRISIS

October 11, 1879

Our dearly beloved Pastor has only lain down to rest for a while, having fought the good fight of faith. In hope he awaits the crown of life so soon to be given to all who love the appearing of the Life-Giver. The church has lost a true friend of God; nevertheless, faith claims him alive from the dead, when thy dead men shall live. To him religion was no mystery. It was a beaten way for forty years. He came to Edinboro six years ago, and was recognized as Pastor of the Church of God (commonly called Adventists), and has been a faithful servant of God and the church until up to May last, when he was stricken down with spinal fever, from which he did not wholly recover. During the time he has been with us, the Lord through his instrumentality has added 58 members to this church who have heard and believed. May the dear ones who survive follow him as he followed Christ, remembering his prayers and exhortations which were offered in demonstration of the Spirit and power. Words of comfort were spoken by Bro. C.T. Russell, of Pittsburgh, Pa.

N. White, per request.

This electronic version is fully protected by U.S. Copyright Law, and I would ask that neither you nor your visitors make any copies of this article, without first obtaining the same permission which I received from the copyright holder shown in the Copyright Notice included with the article below.

George Stetson had 2 children by a first wife, but the excerpt indicates that they were reared by George's siblings (reason unknown).

The excerpt also indicates that Stetson remarried and moved to Ohio. Stetson worked as a physician in New London, Ohio from 1851 to 1855. It is not clear when Stetson became a minister. It is known that he was prominent as such by the late 1860s. Around 1867/8, he served briefly as the first pastor of the newly formed Advent Christian Church in Nevada, Ohio, but it is not certain that he lived there. Stetson also lived in Olena, Ohio in the late 1860s/early 1870s, where he also served as postmaster.

In the Fall of 1871, Stetson relocated to Pittsburgh, where he pastored the Advent Christian Church. It was during this time that his relationship developed with Charles Taze Russell. In May 1873, Stetson relocated to pastor the Advent Christian Church in Edinboro, Pa. He died there in 1879.

The following Excerpt was found in a geneology website.

EXCERPT

The Letter was written by Stetson, in which he provides info regarding his Pittsburgh ministry. Stetson makes some interesting remarks about problems in the local church, as well regarding unnamed members.

ADVENT CHRISTIAN WITNESS

Aug. 27, 1872

It is now ten months since I was called and came to Pittsburgh, Pa. To labor, and though we have worked quietly and made no flourish of trumpets, we are able to say "the Lord is with us," and the Truth is spreading and taking a deep hold in this city and Allegheny. We now propose to "carry the war into Africa," i.e., invade the strongholds of "orthodoxy" by scattering among them "the incorruptible seed," by free distribution of our standard works. The schism in the body is nearly healed, the fragments gathered up, the marks obliterated, and the brethren are meeting together in harmony and holding public service regularly in Quincy Hall, 127 Leacock St., Allegheny, every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Through the week all are busy in disseminating and presenting the truth among and to others, as they may have opportunity. We might give the names of some ten or a dozen brethren who are especially assiduous workers, but as distinctions are invidious and comparisons odious, and all merit commendations, I forbear.

I had the pleasure, some weeks since, of seeing Bro. Cherry, now of Chicago, among us, who gave a good report of the Church there. He will be pleased to learn that several of his old acquaintances have since he was with us, "put on Christ in baptism," and now are "booked" and will soon be "planted in the likeness of Christ's death," that they may be with him in the likeness of his resurrection. The last three Sabbaths have been seasons of unusual interest and blessedness in our meetings. That the Lord may prosper, build and establish us in all our work and in his ways, preserve us from sin and from evil unto his glorious appearing, is our most earnest supplication to him who is able to keep us from falling, and present us faultless before his glory. Amen.

G.W. Stetson.

This electronic version is fully protected by U.S. Copyright Law, and I would ask that neither you nor your visitors make any copies of this article, without first obtaining the same permission which I received from the copyright holder shown in the Copyright Notice included with the article below.