JAMES Stuart Russell, the son of a pious Scotchman, was born at Elgin, Morayshire, on November 28, 1816. He entered King’s College, Aberdeen, at the early age of twelve years, and when eighteen took his M.A. degree. His religious decision dates from about his sixteenth year, and was largely due to the zeal of his oldest brother, a remarkably holy man. For a time the youth served in a lawyer’s office. Then, having begun to read with a view to the Christian ministry, he studied in the Theological Halls of Edinburgh and Glasgow, ultimately finding his way to Cheshunt College.
In June 1843 Russell settled at the Congregational Church in Great Yarmouth, first as assistant minister and next as successor to the Rev. Alexander Creak. The labors of the young pastor met with very encouraging success. When increased chapel space was required, he aided in establishing the unusual arrangement by which two congregations forming but one church are served by two ministers.
In 1857 Russell removed to the Congregational Church in Tottenham and Edmonton, formerly presided over by the Revs. Joshua Harrison and J. de Kewer Williams. While holding this charge, Russell visited Belfast to observe the working of the great Irish Revival and came under its powerful influence. On his return a similar awakening occurred almost immediately in his own church, when not a few, especially the young, were converted, and showers of blessing descended on the neighborhood.
After a stay of five years in his second church, Russell was attracted to a new church that was being founded in the rapidly growing Bayswater, whose chapel in Lancaster Road was built in 1866. Here he continued to serve until added years and failing health led, toward the close of 1888, to his retirement from the ministry.
Russell was not only an able preacher, but also a man of kindly deportment. He was gifted with
winning personal characteristics, which secured for him a devoted following. His pleasant manners and genial spirit, his native humor and genuine wit, his extensive reading and wide knowledge and most retentive memory, made conversations with him both agreeable and profitable.
