Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-05-11
A Personal Tribute.

4
lineate the character and speak of the worth
of Rev. Pliny H.. White But We cannot
refrain from expressing our sense of per-
sonal bereavement in his death. Our in
debtedness to his influence has been so
great, and our relations with him SO init
mate. that we cannot withhold our tribute
to his memory. During the somewhat
more than two years in which Coventry
was our home while teaching the Acade-
my there, we enjoyed peculiar opportuni-
ties to know him as a man, minister, and
an unselfish and warm-hearted friend
Our work as teacher brought us into his
sympathy and gave US the benefit of his
counsel and frequent assistance, for he was
most ardently interested not merely in the
cause OF education in general, but especial
" in the Common Schools and Academy
of his own town. Then too our plans for
our life-work in the ministry drew forth
still more his interest and friendship.
1t was this that especially riveted those
bonds of esteem and grateful affection which
we have ever cherished for him. We be-
gan the study of theology under his advice
and general direction. In studies of this
nature, so consonant with his tastes, we
were permitted often to catch glimpses of
his inner life, and to know of the heart
struggles, and thought battles through
which he had come to the perception some
of the doctrines of divine truth, and to en-
terrain a faith i'll them all for which he was
ever ready to give reason" We believe
that the practical lessons learned in con-
nection with his ministry and the opportu-
nifty he gave us of working with him there
| in, were of far more value both as a prep
aration for further study, and in their in
| trinsic worth, than any that could have
been gained from mere book study for the
same length Of time. But beyond any
| merely intellectual impulse received from
his methods of thought and labor, we priz-
ed his genial social and christian influence
In this respect, one needed to come near
our friend to know him. In the family
| and elsewhere it was given to his intimates
to know the purity, artlessness, and SINGER
| ity Of his nature. In the Intercourse which
| friendship admits, there va. manifest in
MIN cheerfulness and buovancy of dispo-
sition, an integrity of principle. and depth
Of piety which could net fail to influence
all around him. Many who know him but
in public, while honoring him for his fidel
ity to moral principles, for his able anC
| fearless advocacy of needed reforms, anC
his wonderful industry in working in hi
chosen fields of research. vet did not know
the depth ofhis feelings, the warmth of hi
affections, and the ardor and strength OF
his religious faith. Those who have me
him as personal friends at his fircside, VIII,
have united with him in the social meet
ing, or enjoyed his ministry especially a
the inquiry meeting, or in the more tende
relations Of life, have learned to do homo
to his heart as much as TO his head-tO es
TEEN his christian character above ever
MS lliuoilIiIsiDlC CHtiSN anu dCllNllN W III
the tieeting years of our acquaintance witt
him our love for him has increased till hi
death but discloses the strength Of the tie
that bound us to him. As now we review
the course Of our friendship. recall tn
sweet counsel 1y..ieh We have taken togeth
er, and remember the constancy and Purit
of MS fellowship with us. our heart is tull
full OF sorrow for our loss in his death
full Of gratitude to our Heavenly Faith
= er for the blessings which through thi
friendship we have enjoyed, and which hi
memory shall still bestow upon us. What
ever there is which is pure and whole i
: any life is immortal. Lei us treasure the
the influences Of this nature, which belon
to his life, that we may because of them b
: truer to God and more useful to our fel
t low-men while we live