Scholar and faithful pastor
by Thomas Ray
Benjamin Foster was born June 12, 1750, in Danvers, MA. His parents were dedicated members of the Congregational Church and were committed to their son’s spiritual welfare. Even in his formative years, Benjamin demonstrated remarkable religious maturity. His parents were determined he would receive the finest available academic education, and at the age of 18 he enrolled in Yale College in Connecticut, where he distinguished himself by his exemplary life and academic achievements, especially in classical literature. However, a controversy would forever change Benjamin’s life.
Several pamphlets supporting the Baptist position of believer’s baptism and immersion as the only scriptural mode of baptism were distributed among the college students. The pamphlets created a great deal of agitation, and the faculty felt this would be an excellent opportunity for students to discuss and expose the errors of the Baptist position. Benjamin was chosen to defend infant baptism. He diligently dedicated himself to the study of the subject. He carefully searched the Scriptures and read extensively from church history and examined material supporting and condemning Baptist theology. When the day arrived for the discussion, the faculty and student body were anxious to hear Benjamin’s defense of infant baptism. However, the faculty and student body were shocked at Foster’s presentation. He testified that his studies had led him to completely change his position. He now believed that only those who professed faith in Christ were qualified to be baptized and immersion was the only scriptural mode of Christian baptism.
The college was in an uproar; many denounced Benjamin and his conclusion, but several agreed with his new-found faith. This study turned Benjamin’s world upside down. If he had been wrong about infant baptism, could he not also be wrong about his personal salvation? It was not until just before his graduation that he found full assurance in the finished work of Christ.
He graduated in 1772 and was baptized by Dr. Samuel Stillman, pastor of First Baptist Church, Boston. Shortly after his baptism, Benjamin became pastor of the Baptist church at Leicester, MA. During this pastorate he published The Washing of Regeneration, or the Divine Right of Immersion.
In 1785, Benjamin was called as the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Newport, RI. Three years later, in 1788, after receiving the Newport church’s approval, he accepted the call of First Baptist Church in New York City. (The church at Newport did not want to deny their beloved pastor the opportunity to labor in a more fruitful field.) In New York, Benjamin soon earned the reputation as a scholar and a loving and caring pastor. As a scholar he had few superiors; he was especially knowledgeable in the Hebrew, Greek, and Chaldean languages. In 1792, the college of Rhode Island (Brown University) conferred upon him the D.D. degree in recognition of his scholarly achievements, among which was his book A Dissertation on the Seventy Weeks of Daniel.
New York City was infamous for its frequent epidemics. In the autumn of 1798, the city was subjected to the ravages of yellow fever. Many of the city’s leading citizens fled, including several clergymen. Death was a constant occurrence throughout the city. Dr. Foster was untiring in his labors for the sick and dying. No danger could stop his visits of mercy. He willingly visited in places that caused the best of men to flee in terror. However, this messenger of mercy was not immune to the terrible disease. He was stricken in August and only lived a few days more, dying August 26, 1798. He was 49 years old.
His tombstone reads, “As a Scholar and Divine, he excelled; as a Preacher he was eminent; as a Christian he shone conspicuously; in his piety he was fervent; the Church was comforted by his life, and it now laments his death.”