The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-09-11

L
| MEMORIAL SERvlcRs.-The service at Ply
mou Church last evening was especially in
memory of Deacon Joseph Libbey. The Sc
| lection of Scriptures, hymns, prayer and dis
course were appropriate to such an occasion.
Quite large audience was gathered, and in
cuded considerable number of Master
Libbey's former pupils. Rev. Mr.. Williams
chose as the foundation of bis discourse por-
ton of Heb XII: 4:-"He being dead yet speak
eth" These words were written of Ahel, who,
though dead, speaketh to us through the inter-
venirg years. Every man siuce Adam has
contributed something to the influences which
affect us. Some men are so constituted as to
speak to US by their lives and example with
more than ordinary distinctness; and of these
was Joseph Libbey. Ispeak, therefore, of the
dead to the living. The speaker then gave
very full and exact biographical sketch Of the
deceased, and presented soue Of the character
istics OF the man as worthy of imitation by
others, especially the young. Referring to his
graduation at a comparatively mature age, he
remarked that it would be better for yourg
men if they cared more to begin well than TO
begin early. One of the prominent traits of
WI. hiUuey 8 Ille was MS puuctuatlty. lie nau
often told his boys that when he was late to
school they might have the day to themselves,
and Tor thirty years there was no holiday
gained through his hardness. He was strict
in discipline and terror to evl-doers bur
thos, who tried to do well always found in him
a warm and true friend. We may draw from
his long life some useful reflections. He dieo
at good old age. This brought no painful
recollection of an incomplete life. His friends
were spared the sorrow Of seeing him gradual
ly wasting away by disease. Up to within
very few days before bis death he was active in
his calling. He bad more than fulfilled the al
oted time of human life. OF his classmates
but one succeeds him. Several members Of
his family and hundreds with whom he had
been connected have preceded him to the
spirit world; yet who would call him back.
Gray hairs are crown Of glory If found in the
way of the righteous. Pety is favorable to
longevity. Insurance men will find the lives
of Christian mep the most favorable risks. The
pious man obeys all of Gods laws 80 far as be
can. We are all morally responsible In this
respect. God commands us to respect His
physical laws and prolong our lives Deacon
Libbey's life reminds us OF the promise that
those who obey Gods laws shall have long liie
Mr.. Libbey's influence was intellectual and
moral rather than material II stranger
should ask what has Joseph Libbey done,to
build up AMI improve this city, we could show
him no fine buildings, no large ships or gigan-
tic railroad enterprises consummated against
great obstacles. II is greater thing than all
these to be permitted to write on a human
heart. School boys are not apt to love their
schoolmaster; they regard them as natural en-.
emies, but when life has ripened experience
they learn to respect and love the instr uctor of
their youth: and the scattered pupils Of Mr.
Libbeys long service, when they read iu the
pubic prints the sad news of his death, was
startled, for him whom they had unconscious
ly love so long was dead This feeling the
speaker said, was well illustrated in Tom
Browns School Days at Rugby, when Tom,
far distant from the scenes of his outb, learned
of the death OF his old master returned and
laid on the tomb of DR.. Arnold the verasting
tribute of fond affection. A
The preacher dwelt at considerable length
on Mr. Libbey's religious character. He un
derstood the Office of deacon. He was
faithful friend and adviser of his pastor, and
brought into the work of the Sunday School
the discipline of his methodical life For
twelve years he maintained, with the assist
ance of various city pastors, regular Sunday
services at the Jail, and was constant in his at
tendance of the sick, the poor and distressed.
His place in the prayer meeting was seldom va
cant and there was wonderful directness in his
speech and a catholcity and fervency in his
prayers that could come only from sincere
Christian heart. In the delirum of bis illness
he imagined himself in the prayer meeting,
and after giving utterance to q prayer that
seemed like the voice Of inspiration, he re-
marked, Brethren, leave the meeting with
you. He has left his work with US. Who
among the young men shall rise to take his
place. If his spirit and his influence inspire
those brethren who are left it will be we'll fo1
this church and this parish. We need no last
words to convince us that his whole life was
fuu of faith and trust. $3.50