Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-04-22
Rev. SilaS Aiken, ID ID.

The death of DR. Aiken, is an event of
m re than local interest. lie was widely
known in the State, and his influence and
usefulness extended beyond the boundaries
Of his own town. Rutland, with reason,
has mourned for him as one of her most
worthy sons But the State suffers in his
departure, in her most vital interests. His
heart was enlisted in the religious and
educational welfare of the commonwealth
aud no one was more wise or more able
than he IN the form alton and execution OF
all plans tor the highest public welfare.
The loss of a wise and good and strong
man ia the heaviest that can fall upon
State or Church.
DR.. Aiken WAS a graduate of Dartmouth
College III 1928. In 1929 he was ordained
pastor of the Congregational church in
Amherst, n H. In 1887 he removed to
Boston, and had charge of the Park Street
Church till lS4S. He then came to Rut-
land, aud has resided in this State for the
last twenty years of his life. In every
field he has been called to labor, in every
responsibility he has attempted to WELD.
he ha- comm lnded the respect, the conf
deuce aud the love oi men. Few men do
their lt"'s work 50 thoroughly, so wisely,
aud with g, tew mistakes lie was of tail
aud commanding stature, with a face
marked, decided, resolute, genial and
kind. T. iucated an the most severe
schools, ind taught caution, self-reliance,
di,nIty and courage, he was yet courte-
Gus, atf:ble and full of kind and loving
hunor. His wit and his fancy We're both
subordinate 10 the most exact judgment
aud So his company was always relished
by those who were serious and earnest OF
needed help and comfort Stern in his
creed, he was never bigot. His testi-
inony 10 the truth always cheerful
and comm iing because he spoke from
personal experience OF its power, and from
the largest observation OF it, results. He
was forcibe and direct preacher, some
times full 81 pathos and power, though he
knew aud cared but little for the articles
of rhetoric. He loved truth, and to reach
it, and present it 40 az To win for it the
Consent ct the understanding and the
homage OF the heart, was his chief and his
well attained object in his ministry. His
eye wis blue and clear "a a crystal, and
reflected the depths of an intelligent soul,
true heart, aud of a conscience ut peace
with Itself. His eye often melted with
the emotions of warm heart, and
revealed spirit full of generous
and noble compassion. He was too nobl.
to inflict injury, too brave to resent it,
and too Christian not to throw the mantle
OF his pardon and love over an offender.
He was II 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 ii following generation is hardly
adequate to build. He was one of those
who valued truth more than applause, in
tegrity more than success, purity more
than self-indulgence and pleasure, the
favor OF God more than the honor of man,
and who-e whole character was built up
on rock and was illuminated and
glorihed by divine principle.
But with all his commanding and mas
sive qualities. with all his sturdy, oaklike
strength and independence, with all his
indomitable uprightness and truthfulness
and honesty with all his intelligent and
unfinchlng adherence to his moral princi-
Piles and religious conviction, SO that you
might shake mountain from its base as
readily as defect him from the right by q
hairs line he was yet as diffident and
modest AZ girl, as unpretending in his
manner as child, and as full of love for
all that is simple and pleasant and hearty
in social life and social joys as his heart
could hold. He was worthy successo,
Of the apostles, not only in the true faith
in the vigor and earnestness and elo.
quence OF his preaching, in his steadfast,
ness to his Savior, in his willingness
to deny himself for the good Of men bal
that business also which was the employ.
ment of their lives, till they became apps.
ties. was often the recreation and pleasure
Of hiA He never imagined that God