The Portland daily press., 1870-03-08

D. Quies.
In the Peabody Press of the I'd inst,
Prof W. M. Barbour of the Bangor Theo-
logical Seminary formerly minister at Pea
bodyl publishes very pungent explanation
Of the cause Of his absence at the obsequies of
the late George Peabody in that town on the
sth ult 1t appears from the statement that
~ early a. November last be received an in
vttation from the Trustees of the Peabody
tnstitute-sanctioned by the famiIy-to con-
duct the funeral services; and the invitation
was accepted. In subsequent correspondence
II was stated to be the wish of the committee
that the services should be entirely under the
charge of Prof. Barbour, and to include
brief address; the Professor to be aided to
come extent by the clergymen Of the town !;
and that Hon. R. c. Winthrop had consented
to add few words at the grave; also that
Mr.. Abbott had consented to delivera eulogy
at some future day.
Prot. Barbour entered upon the preparation
for the work, and on the 9th of February, in
obedience to a summons from Mr.. Osborne,
Secretary Of the Trustees, left home for Pea
body. In the cars, on unfolding the Boston
Advertiser, he was surprised to find pre-
ramme, appointing Mr.. Winthrop to deliver
eulogy, the services Of the towns clergy dis
pensed with, and his own address ruled out.
Prof. Barbour continues:
Thinking this was misprint, rode to
Peabody, and found out by Mr.. Osborne that
there was no misprint, and no misunderstand-
ngabout it; but that, to the surprise and dis
appointment of those who were expecting
the wel-known arrangements to be carried
ont, this eulogy was thrust into the midst of
the funeral service. Of course, as minister
OF Christ come to bury the dead, there was
but one course open to me. Since without
consultation, and without my consent, with
out one word Of warning even, the matter
was taken out of my hands, I resigned all nv
connection with the proceedings.
Late on Monday night, a committee waited
on me, with the proposal to foist my address
upon the published order of exercises. This
4 at once declined, for the very good reasons,
that my address was very carefully prepar-
I'd one, brief, indeed, but as well fitted for the
occasion as l could make it; that it was re-
Aefons Its nature, prepared to be fenced be-
fore with scripture and followed by PRAYER;
and also for the reason that had some SELF
respect lett, and as a Christian minister had
something due to my calling and my appoint
ment. "FF0A'
lshonld have been unfaithful 10 nv trust.
mad appended my address ito any secular
Grafton, no matter how learned and ELOQUENT
1t might be. l made my long journey to burv
your dead, under thoughts OF God. Of Chris
2 q consolation, of destiny, and what came in
nas praise, by the very terms of my instruc-
Lions, as well as ptopriety of christian burial
should come after the religious services. or
not at oil. And this was the distinct under
standing, 81 the correspondence shows.
But one thing remains 10 complete the his
tory Of this disagreeable affair. A letter, from
the chairman OF the joint committee, dated a
day after the summons to come on, passed
me Oh my journey, Informing me that the
services were arranged by the family, and the
committee; and that they were as the Ad1er-
Mser printed them The hope was expressed
ssa. tnls would be agreeable to me. A re-
Husst Tor an answer, by m all, was aided: but
me only mail possible was the one carving
Myself TO Peobody. Known unto the parties
snsmseives are their reasons for this treat.
- NO reasons were given to me, cxcept
tnat one q the family wished Mr.. Winthron
20 speak-as IT that necessitated his speaking
~ my pace as q minister of Christ, - tha.
!ne Mnersl mad grown SO great, that the orig
MAJ appointments bad to give way, etc., etc.
a ".so eoiu, ~ CS1tai VI Tue committee,
y, nat being a minister, it was feared BY some
t The, l might "'preach" in my remarks, and
"'ae was not desirable.
: ministeSre - am I'M not a great man, and am
Of these reasons ls!' and if for either, or both
comna, ought perhaps to rejoice psayer than
somPi&n. indeed for MYSELF a'ner tnan
sonR Rsse besn tor s,R my did, aae
and offer nrav s,Aea w why I did not stav
ths funeral had grown So "rea !, when
great for me to conduct" Countcd 100
(poueh Of a. "creat man" to speak unto NOT no.
people, q strange presumption it had been i in
me TO account myself the one to speak unto
God. In such case, did those who set me
aside really desire me to prayp Did either
the Great Hearsr Of Prayer, or the small
sraties Of prayer, expect me to pray? 1 trow
not know that I refused to take this SER