Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-14
Roy. Sllns Aiknn. ID. ID.

shall gladly set my lace homcward, and hope soon
to report for duty. j.
''''''' N'N'"' ~ "'
Inc death oil Or. AIKEN Is au event OF more
than local interest lie WINS widely known IN the
state, ana his influence and usefulness extended
| beyond the boundaries OF his own town. But-
laudi with reason has mourned Tor HIM as one oil
/ her most worthy sons But the state suffers III
bus departure IN her most vital interests. His
hcart was enlisted On the religious ana education
! al welfare oil the commonwealth ana no one wns
more wise OF more aole than he IN the formation
ana execution OF aii plans iJr the highest publc
welfare Tue loss OF wise and good and strong
man Is the heaviest That can ial upon state OF
Ohureh.
Dr. Aiken was graduate OF Dartmouth Col
lese III l7@'' III 1917 he WINS ordained pastor OF
the congregational church III Amherst n. II.
III 1877 ne removed 10 Boston, ana had charge
OIL the Iark street Church TIL 1915. lie then
came To Rutland, and has resided IN thus state
Tor the last twenty years OF bus lie. In every
hcid he has been called to labor, IN every respon-
9iohl'y nc mas attempted To Wieldi he mas COM
nanded the respect the confidence and the love
oil men Few men do their lilies work 80 thor
oughly' 50 wisely ana with 50 lew mistakes
lie was oil tall ana commanding stature, with
face marked, decided resolute, genial and
KIND Educated IN the most severe schools, and
taught caution, scli-relianee, dignity and courage
he was yet courteous, aiiabe and full OF kind and
loving humor. Ills wit and his fancy were both
subordinate to the most exact judgment, and so
ms company was always relished 10y those who
were serious and earnest OF needed help and COM
Tort stern in his creed, he was never bigot
Ills testimony 10 the truth was always cheerful
and commanding because he spoke from persons
al experience Of its power, and from the largest
observation Of its results. lie was iorcible aud
direct preacher sometimes full of pathos and
power though he knew and cared but li'tle for
the articles OF rhetoric lie loved truth, and to
reach it, and present it so as to win for 1t the
consent of the understanding and the homage Of
the heart, was his chief and his well attained OBJ
ject in his ministry. His eye was blue and clear
as crystal, and reflected the depths Of an intel
ligent SOUL true heart, and OF conscience ut
peace with itself. His eye often melted with the
emotions OF a warm heart, and revealed a spirit
full of generous and noble compassion He was
too noble to innct injury, too brave to resent it.,
and too Christian not TO throw the mantle Of his
pardon and loyeoyer an offender. lie was a noble
specimen of that class of men and ministers who
are becoming rare in these days, and who have
laid, strong and deep, those massive foundations
on which a following generation is hardly ade-
quate to build. lie was one Of those who valued
truth more than applause integrity more than
success, purity more than sell-indulgence and
pleasure, the favor OF God more than the honor
of man, and whose whole character was built up
ON rock and was Illuminated and glorifed by
Divine principle.
But with all his commanding and massive quail
ties, with all his sturdy oaklike strength and in
dependence, with all his indomitable uprightness
and uuthiulness and honesty with all his intel
lgent and unilinchng adherence to his moral
principles and religious conviction, 50 that you
might shake mountain from its base as readily
as defect him from the right by hairs line (;
he was yet as diihdent and modest as a girl, as
unpretending in his manner as a child, and as
iuu oil love Tor all That is simple and pleasant and
hearty in social life and social Joys a. his heart
could hold. lie was a worthy successor of the