Samuel Colgate (March 22, 1822-April 23, 1897) was an American soap manufacturer and philanthropist. He expanded the business of his father, William Colgate, into one of the largest establishments of its kind in the world. His father was also noted for giving at least a tenth of his net yearly earnings to charities, and organizing both the American Bible Society and the American and Foreign Bible Society.
Samuel Colgate was a benefactor and trustee of Madison University in Hamilton, N.Y., which was renamed in 1890 to Colgate University. He was a member of the American Tract Society, President of the New York Baptist Education Society, and President of the Society for the Suppression of Vice.
Samuel Colgate was one of the founders of the American Bible Union. He helped found the North Orange Baptist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent for forty years.
Being an influential American manufacturer and philanthropist, Samuel Colgate avouched:
<The only spiritual light in the world comes through Jesus Christ and the inspired Book; redemption and forgiveness of sin alone through Christ. Without His presence and the teachings of the Bible we would be enshrouded in moral darkness and despair.
The condition of those nations without a Christ, contrasted with those where Christ is accepted, reveals so marked a difference that no arguments are needed. It is an object-lesson so plain that it can be seen and understood by all. May "the earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."> 1822SC001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1822SC001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Samuel Colgate, 1890, Colgate University named after the Colgate soap manufacturing family. The World Book Encyclopedia, 18 vols. (Chicago, IL: Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957; W.F. Quarrie and Company, 8 vols., 1917; World Book, Inc., 22 vols., 1989), Vol. 3, pp. 1550-1551. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 93.