The Life And Ministry Of Silas Durand
“Biographical History Of Primitive Or Old School Baptist Ministers Of The United States”, R. H. Pittman
Silas Durand, of Southampton, Pa., son of Daniel and Asenath Durand, was born in Bradford County, Pa., June 5, 1833, and was the eleventh in a family of fourteen children. His childhood and early youth were spent on his father’s farm. In his eighteenth year, he began teaching, and in 1858 entered the law office of Hon. H. P. Wright, of Wilesbarre, Pa., for the purpose of studying law. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and entered upon what promised to be a very successful business career. In 1863 he united with the Presbyterian Church in Wilkesbarre. In May, 1864 he received a hope of eternal life, and was the following month received into the fellowship of the Old School Baptist Church of Middletown and Walkill, and was baptized by Elder Gilbert Beebe. After a short visit at his father’s home he returned to Wilkesbarre, fully expecting to continue the practice of his profession as a life work. But the things of the Kingdom pressed with such weight upon his mind, that he was led to mention this in a letter to Elder Beebe, who at once told him the church had thought he had been called of God to preach, and were only waiting for him to know it. On September 4, 1864, he was licensed and on November following he closed his legal work, and in December was ordained to the full work of the ministry. His first Work was traveling among the churches, doing the work of an evangelist for about three years. After this he served at one time six churches that were widely separated from each other, traveling about 16,000 miles a year in the work July 5, 1882, he was married to Miss Clarice E. Pusey, a member of the church at Hartford, Md. April 12, 1884, he accepted a call to the church at Southampton, Pa., and moved there September following, where he still remains. He is also pastor of a church in Salisbury, Md., and one in South River, N. J. In 1867 Elder Durand published “The Trial of Job,” a very clear exposition of the truth as taught in that remarkable Bible narrative, and later a volume of ‘”Meditations on Portions of the Word.” In connection with his sister, Miss Bessie Durand, he published Reminiscences and Letters of Mary Parker, which became a very acceptable source of revenue to her in her last years, as well as a source of comfort and spiritual help to the large number who read it. In collaboration with Elder P. G. Lester of Floyd, Va., he edited a Hymn and Tune Book for use in Primitive Baptist Churches, which has been adopted by a great number of them, and quite generally regarded as acceptable. Elder Durand is a lovely man, an able preacher, fluent writer and bold defender of salvation by grace. He is a highly esteemed gift to the church, and his labor of love and devotion to the cause of truth greatly appreciated by his brethren.
Silas Durand (1833-1918) was an American Primitive Baptist preacher. He began his ministry by serving three years as an Evangelist. At another time, he served six churches widely separated, traveling 16,000 miles a year. In 1884, he became pastor of the church meeting at Southampton, Pa.
