author
John Mather Austin
1805–1880
A 19th-century Universalist minister and newspaper editor, he wrote with the energy of a reformer and the warmth of a teacher. His books and essays aimed to guide everyday readers toward character, faith, and practical self-improvement.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Redfield, New York, in 1805, he became a prominent Universalist clergyman, editor, and author whose work was especially visible in New York State. He was ordained in the 1830s and went on to serve congregations while building a reputation as a forceful religious writer and public voice.
He is closely associated with the Christian Ambassador, a Universalist weekly newspaper that helped extend his influence beyond the pulpit. Alongside his editorial work, he published books including Golden Steps to Respectability, Usefulness, and Happiness and The Sabbath School Expositor, reflecting his interest in moral education, religion, and practical advice for ordinary readers.
Remembered as both a minister and a social reformer, he belonged to a generation of 19th-century religious writers who tried to connect faith with daily life. He died in Auburn, New York, in 1880.