The Portland daily press., 1869-12-23
Ehe Men We Raise.

As go from the place where 1 am now
writing to mail this letter. 1 shall pass the
grove that now shades the resting place of the
dead. In the corner of the ground few feet
from me, at my left, is the grave of Mrs. Grata
Rand, wife of Rev. Asa Rand. (once pastor at
+ -S,.-L~.--. .f.a-,va-sls editar af the Christian
Mirror,) and sister of DIR. Payson. The Stone
at the head of the grave faces inward from the
street, so that the lettering upon it is rarely
ever read. 1t is never seen by the passer by.
The first child of Mr.. and Mrs. Rand, named
William Wilberforce, was born in 1876 Seven
teen years afterward he was my classmase in
college. His professional life and usefulness
have been away from our State and our New
England; and will be pardoned if I tell sJme
things about this brother.
He was prepared for college at the Boston
Latin School, and was consequently thorough
ly fitted. Like his brother Rand w. w.
Rand was remarkable for simplicity and mod
esty while in college, unostentatious in his
bearing and habits, always prompt at recita-
tion and atsthe post of duty. In scholarship he
held, perhaps, the highest rank. He gradual
ed in 1887, and at Bangor in 1910.
twill now be asked, why a young man OF
er heard from? The headstone at his mothers
grave, often think, is sort of emblem of his
character. He has shrunk away from obser-
vation. You have to get into the quiet recess
ss Ofhis life to read his memorial. The passer
by does not see it.
In 184l he was ordained over Reform
Church in Canastola, N. Y, married Miss NJ
S. Dunning of Brunswick, Me-, and lost her,
and their two children by DEATH in less than
four years after.
In 1S4S, he engaged in the editorial depart
ment of the American Tract Society New
York, and is now Assistant Secretary in the
Publishing Department. and has something to
do with the greater part of its issues, in the
way of examining manuscripts and books Of
fered for publication; selecting and rejecting,
hunting up suitable tracts, books and matter
for publication by the Society. All these
things pass under his eye for scrutiny and re-
vision, to make them suitable for the public
eye aud use.
He has edited large number of books
namely: Bible Dictionary the best extant for
common use, of which, between one and two
hundred thousand have been published
"Songs OF Zion excellent for Conference meet
| ings; Gems for the Prayer meeting, convenient
for circulation and transient meetings; Hap
py Voices. (none better for Sunday Schools)
some 100000 copies,of which, have been already
printed
Mr.. Rand has charge of publications in For
eign Languages, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Italian and German. 1t will be seen that-to
supervise and carry through the press accurate
ly, publications in SO many different languages
demands liberal scholarship and large literary
attainments.
This is for the most part an unobseryed
work. His is not an activity that is known
and read of men, though the acorks they
bring out are known and read by millions up
on millions, who never know or will know to
whom they are indebted for such accurate, I,
and tasteful reading. Such an agency like the
heart-beatings, does not create public con-
sciousness. though spiritual impulses and sem
sations are thrown healthfully through the
vast body OF the pubic
It sorts with Rand's sympathies and tastes.
| to get out of sight himself; to be shaded and
concealed by his works; to be known through
others, rather than for his own sake His
name does not go into his books. 1t is not
written in the imprimater, of the thousands
of publications that go forth from that house.
Noiselessly he tolls on a wheel within a wheel,
without observation and apparently without
ambition.
No one who has not had experience, can
know how difficult it is to do this kind of
work. What varied knowledge it requires,
what large research and scholarship; what
nice tastes, clearness Of thought, accuracy of
judgement, and appreciation of the public
mind and heart.
may have made too free with the names
and character of these classmates. Those that
have named are so modest that L think it
will not harm them. If have over-rated them,
| it is from the impulse of friendship. 1 have
had n desire to do some justice to classmates
| that rose here in the East but have passed off
and inward 10 shine elsewhere. l have fell I
moved to this not merely from affection, but
that we who stay behind, and shine a little over
the horizon where we first rose, may have the
joy of knowing that we have not done .allIthe
shining in the world; but that others who
went in and out with us in early days at reci-
tations, devotons and graduation, have shone
also in other and higher spheres. w. w.