William Staughton, born on this day in 1770, had an extremely sharp mind. At the age of twelve a publishing company was asking to print his poetry. He was saved early in life, dedicating his God-given talents to his Saviour. While a student at Bristol Baptist College he sat in the company and conversed with such men as William Carey and Andrew Fuller. After serving as pastor in Northampton, in 1793 he sailed for America, where he became a pastor in South Carolina, before leading churches in New Jersey and eventually in Philadelphia. To his pastoral service, he added teaching college courses in theology and even botany. He was the first president of Columbian College in Washington and in 1829 became president of Georgetown College. Despite his “brains,” more importantly, he knew the importance of actually communicating with the hearts of people. (An illustration of this is found in today’s church bulletin). After an illustrious career Brother Staughton died at the age of fifty-nine, in 1829.
Source – “This Day in Baptist History III ” by David Cummins