The Portland daily press., 1865-05-20
Rev. David Thurston.


The death of sFather Thurston," as he was
Familiarity known to many of our readers, al
though sudden, was not wholly unexpected,
since he had reached an extreme old age
more than eighty-six years-and might natur-
ally be expected at any time to take his de-
parture from earth.
He died on the 1stt Sabbath of May, 7th
day, at Litchfeld, calmly, peacefully, and in
the hope of a glorious Immortality, surround
by his family, and amidst the profound
grief and the universal respect of the commu-
nifty. t&4A
We learn that Mr.. Thurston was born in
Rowley, now Georgetown, Mass, February 9,
1779; that hecrenoyed with his. father to
Sedgwick, in this State, in 1885, where he
united with the Congregational Church on
the sth of February, 1899; that he was grad
uated at Dartmouth College in 1904; that he
studied theology with DR.. Burton of Thet-
ford, Vermont preached his first sermon at
Oxford, N. H, July 4, 1904, commenced his
labors in Winthrop in May 1906, was ordain-
ed there February IS, 1907, and was dis
missed October Is, 1851, having ministered to
the same people more than As years; that in
1928 and A he preached in Vassalboro' aud
vicinity, in 1S55-6-7 and 8 in Searsport, re-
moving in 1859 to Litchfeld, where he labor
ed till April 20, 1865, only II days before his
death, having been a faithful minister Of the
Gospel almost go years. a
Several years ago his alma mater-Dart-
mouth College-conferred upon him the de-
gree Of Doctor of Divinity, but he respectfully
declined the honor as being in his own judg-
ment contrary to the spirit OF the Gospel. 5
In person tall and erect, his natural vigor
scarcely abated, and his eye undimmed to- the
last, with gracefully flowing white locks, and
a countenance radiant with benignity, the APP
pearance of Mr.. Thurston was at once vener-
able and patriarcha. eaaN
Viewed from his own stand. point, as q
preacher he was sound and consistent in theo-
logical doctrine; and although not particular
ly attractive as speaker, yet for clearness of
statement and force of reasoning, combined
with perfect sincerity of manner, he never
failed to win the undivided attention of the
thoughtful and the candid. 1854
In all the varied relations of life-as son,
brother, husband, father, neighbor-hs memo
ry is without a blot, and he will live in the
affections of his friends until themselves shall
cease to exist.
But it is as a friend to the cause of the
slave, whether of the manacle or the cup
that we are chiefly Interested in the charac-
ter Of Mr., Thurston. Perhaps no instance of
more unqualified, incorporating, intense,
uniform, persistent, ever fresh and unbroken
regard for the welfare of the slave, and
utter adherence of slavery as system, in the
abstract or the concrete, entirely inconsistent
with personal rights, sound government, the
social fabric, common morality, and above all
with the Word of God, in connection with Pc
cullar kindness of expression, and dignifed
courtesy of manner, could any " here be found
than was furnished in the life of Mr.. Thurs
ton. Considering indeed the extent of his
knowledge of the workings of slavery, ard
his ability to comprehend its subtle character.
not only as it affects the slave, but also the
master, as it has constantly influenced and
often held despotic sway over the Church and
State, corrupting the morals of the nation and
bunting the public sense, it may be repeated
that his case was singular and remarkable
illustration Of beautiful amenity and child
like simplicity. So
To the cause of humanity, in fine, he de-
voted his best energies, and all his powers.
dedicatlng and consecratng his whole life and
his entire being to this sacred object. so that
with peculiar emphasis and deepest sincerity
lie could say in The joy of his heart
Here Lord, give myself away,
IT'S all that l can do =
But we need not enlarge. His life and char.
acter will be more fully and accurately delin-
Gated by other and ADLER hands at the appro-
pirate time. Il may be sufficient to add that
it was gracously vouchsafed to him, perhaps
as token of his unwonted faithfulness to the
cause Of the down trodden, that he should
survive to behold the blow which struck the
letters from the slave and let the oppressed
go free, and then 4ts sso
- an old age serene and bright abt'E
Ano lovely as Lapland night. sfs
"a Should lead him to bis sra1e -
s.