Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-23

iiSnG tnaL Sn1u0Cn more ana more unto
the perfect day. When at the ripe age Of
three score and ten he resigns his pastor
ats-a thing long contemplated by him as
wise and best, his people hardly thought
him an old man, but quite unanimously
desire him to remain at his post. He
complies until he felt the infrmities of
age too great for him. He retires in the
seventy fifth year of his age, leaving the
church and society united and strong
occupying a newly repaired house of
worship and in a highly hopeful spiritual
estate, He had gone forth weeping, ibear-
ing precious seed. that soon after, through
the earnest and iudicious labors of his
youthful successor, whom he helped with
full heart was harvested in many re-
joicing sheavea. During his own ministry
he received into thel church at Pittsford
ffty-five--in all during apastorate of some
forty-two years nearly four hundred.
will here remark, that in addition to
his ministerial labors his pen was not idle.
He was one of the originators of the YER
mont chronicle ; wrote much for it, gave
it his warmest sympathies so long as he
could consistently, ass the organ of the
Congregational churches. He also pre-.
pared and published works on Faith and
Repentance, in which he would explain
those radical graces to the comprehension
of children. I remember reading'them in
my youth and in being greatly interested
in them, though not Of the modern story
style.
In his attendance as corporate member
of the American Board and of College, as
Trustee of the Seminary at Manchester
he was faithful and punctual, wise in
counsel, conservative in spirit and firm in
what he deemed right and when no longer
able to attend upon the duties of these po-
sitions he resigns,
Finally, his haraeter,-This has been
more or less evolved, in his life and work,
and yet it will repay a specific amplif-
cation. l, It must not be overlooked that
hY physical constitution, he was more
than ordinarily and favorably endowed.
He had a sound mind in a sound body,
with the single exception of an asthmatic
infrmity, he enjoyed quite constant and
firm health. He worked hard, but he
was Injured to toll from his youth. He
husbanded his strength, by good and
plain habits.
9. His social nature was affectionate
and genial. Home was dear, and although
not remarkable for wit, he was for pleas
antry. He slept well and enjoyed good
and hearty laugh. While the labors and
responsibilities of life were upon him, he
may have seemed rigid in his views of
certain and vain amusements, because one
thing he would do, and one thing he de-
sired his family to do, seek first the king
dom of God, but he was never severe or
harsh in judgement. He gave good
reasons for his views, while gentleness
and dignity prevailed his reproofs. His
children rise up and call him blessed.
8 Intellectually, his endowments were
of superior cast. He acquired know
ledge easily, mastered subjects of thought
with ready discrimination, was more
solid than brilliant, had more judgment
than fancy. He loved history more than
poetry or fiction. He studied men more
than neture-kept himself we'll posted in
the current literature and news of the
day, in the enterprises secular and religi-
Gus of the times. He wrote good Fast
and Thanksgiving sermons as he knew
how to present the salient matters of pre-
sent and public interest that appertain to
the well being of the Church or State.
He was a stronger man with his manu-
script before him, than in prolonged ex-
temporaneous address. He was slow to
enter upon any public debate He may
not have possessed the wit of Haynes or
Drury, the oratorical force of Ingraham
or Curtis, the ripe scholarship of Aiken,
the oft times sweeping and mastery
power of Merrill, the philosophic culture
and rhetorical finish of Wheeler, but he
was endowed with SO much of these mark
ed qualities and attain ments as to inspire
the conviction in those that knew and
heard him that Heaven had granted him
a large number of talents, that he had
faithfully put them to usury for the
Divine Glory and the well being of man.
He was not popular or sensational
preacher, but one after Cowper's own
heart