The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-05-11

Rev. John J. Owen, ID. D.LL. n, the
distinguished Greek scholar, known to the
public Ivy lis text book, li- editions of
the Cla'si,s, and 10y his Commentary on
the New Testament, died ut his residence
in this city On Sunday noon, in the sixty
sixth year Of his age. For more thai
wear past he had been struggling with a
mortal disease, from which he was great
sufferer and though at times h. rail- Q 80 Q
TO be able TO enjoy the society of his friends,
yet those about him felt that his mala-
| dy was incurahle, SO that it ~ with min,
gled feeling Of sorrow at the loss of one
so much beloved, and of relief at the ter
minaiion of protracted agony, that we
receive the lidings that he has finally
passed away from world of pam INTO
the region of everlasting life and peace.
And yet, as we think of all his virtues,
which endesred him TO so many friends,
we cannot but feel that we have suffered n
personal bereavement-a shadow falls ups
on tho earth, which seem more dark and
lonely that he is gone
The life of scholar has not MANY Incl.
dents. and its dates may be given in
few lines, Prof Owen was born at Cole,
brook, Conn, in August, 1893. He pur.
sued his college at Middlebury, Vermont,
and then entered the Theological Semi
nary At Andover, where he graduated in
1881 The year following he came to
New York 10 act as Secretary of the
American Education Society Though
he preached frequently, he never was set
tied as pastor, his tastes inclining him
rather tc classical studies He was partic-
ularly fond of Greek, in which he became
one Of the most eminent scholars in this
country. In 1S48 he was chosen Pro,
fessor Of Greek in the Free Academy. now
the College of New York, with which he
remained connected until his death. Du-
ring this long period he devoted himself to
his tavorite study, preparing number of
text books in that language-a Greek
Reader, and editions OF Homer's Had
Odyssey, of Thucyddes. and OF Xenophon g
Anabasis and Cyropedia. Oflate years
he devoted himself more to the study Of
the New Testament, on different books OIL
which he undertook to prepare series Of
Commentaries. The first volume upor
The Gospels appeared in 1857 Two vol
ume have been printed since, and another
wa ready for the press at the time of hi
death hese are very highly priced b,
, the students of the New Testament. Ful
cf the fruits Of learning withou; any par d
of 1t, rich in matter, and written in rlea
style, they have helped many to bette
understanding Of the Word of God. Thes
comments will be still more precious nov
that the hand that penned them is tcreve
= motioness
But that on which we love to dwell i
n our memory oil Prof Owen, ia not hi
-. emlnence as u scholar, not ,his fine elias
. steal attainmenls and high reputation, nc
even his Biblical studies and writing,
bat his own pure and beautiful character
Tie was truly disciple whom Jesus loved
: Gentle by nature, courteous in mamie,
g he could not have an enemy in the worlc
l, Tie won his way to the hearts Of all alik
l. by the sweetness of his disposition and III
y purity of his character. These things "
recall now as we stand around his bier an
. look upon his face for the L,st time, AN
= bid him fareyell. Very dear has, tho
" been to us, oar brother! Thou art goi
!. before, but we are following after, Nm
sweet as have been all the communings
the past, sweeter still will be the greetip!
: beyond the river.