education was received at the schools and academy of his native town. His theological training was obtained at the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass. Later on, he studied at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.
In addition to his life as a useful journalist, should be recorded his life as a minister. He served as pastor of the Bethesda Congregational church in New York, and was its faithful shepherd for twenty years or more.
During the greater part of Mr. Ray's activity, slavery was at its highest state of agitation. The times were perilous, great deeds being enacted everywhere by noble champions of freedom, roused to action by an unquenchable love of justice and the resolve that all men should be free. He entered with eager earnestness into the contest to secure freedom for a down-trodden race, and proved his fidelity to the sacred cause of liberty, and his zeal in furthering the overthrow of slavery, by rendering practical aid. It often became necessary, therefore, to interest those whose hearts not only beat in unison with the movement but whose means could be made available. In co-operation with Lewis Tappan, and others whose purse-strings were wont to be loosed at the call of humanity, he assisted in enabling many a slave to see the light of freedom.
Mr. Ray always manifested a keen interest in the affairs of the government, and was a staunch republican, entering heartily into all things affecting the welfare of the government. When the great right of suffrage was accorded to his race, none rejoiced more than he that now the Afro-American citizen was truly a man, under the law; and, thenceforth, he uniformly endeavored to impart the knowledge of an intelligent use of the franchise to those whose limited experience in such matters might cause them to err in judgment.
He never ceased to give earnest support to any great measure designed to elevate his race; and not only in this
