Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-12
Tnc Late Henry CLAW Fish,

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Rev. Henry Clay Fish, D. D., a native OF
Halifax, VT, and for nearly twenty-se'en
years the beloved pastor of the First Baptist
Church of Newark, n j., died at his home
in that city on Tuesday, Oct. ,, aged fifty
seven years.
DR.. Fish was genuine "Green Mountain
boy," man of wonderful physical powers
Of endurance, bold, energetic, vigorous, and
of sterling integrity. lie was man OF rare
culture and widely extended knowledge, de-
youtly pious, having a firm, abiding faith IN
God, with aims as high and broad as the
heavens arc, wholly consecrated to the Work
he chose in early life. lie was particularly
noted Tor the clearness, force and effective
ness of his preaching, rather than Tor polish
ed eloauepee but the "man of thunder,
under whose scathing rebuke sinners trem-
bled. was also tender As mother when
leading the inquirer or comforting the
mourner." His whole life was one OF cease
less activity, and he fell in the midst oil his
years" in the full strength and vigor OF ms
manhood Measured by years his life was
not long, but in the vast amount OF work he
accomplished as author, pastor, preacher,
and organizer in various reform movements,
it was long indeed. lie was the son OF Rev.
Samuel Fish, now living in Vermont. at
the age of lightweight. Converted at
the age Of fifteen, he soon commenced to ac-
auire the education for which he thirsted.
Upaided he worked his way on until he
graduated from the Union theological Sem
mary in New York city, June %, 1915, and
on the next day was ordained pastor OF the
Baptist church at Somerville, N. j., where
he remained until Jan. 1851, when he as
sumed the charge which he held until his
death. His ministry here has been earnest,
faithful and grand success. lie has bap-
tiled here, with his own hands, one thou
sand four hundred sixty converts. At his
Coming. the church Numbered three hundred
thirty-nine, = the present membership is
eleven hundred ninety-eight. There were
then two English and one German Baptist
churches in Newark, and now there arc
ten. lie was one of tive principal actors
in forming the Baptist City Mission Board,
of Newark, an organization which he dearly
loved, and constantly aided during his life
The degree Of D. D. was conferred upon
him, July IA, 1858, by the University OF
Rochester, n. Y. Those who knew him
during the rebellion speak in highest terms
of his staunch loyalty TO the Union cause,
and say that mo matter what others might
do, has pulpit gave forth no uncertain
sound" One has truly said Of him ale
was q valiant soldier of the cross, always
needing the calls of duty, and brayely has
he always proclaimed the truth, even when
it was not popular, or sometimes safe, to
speak the truth in Newark.
Never nelecting his pastoral duties,
insisting on personal acquaintance
with each of his members, yet he
found time to publish for more than
twenty years, a volume each year, many OF
which are printed in several languages and
he leaves volume in manuscript entitled
1.-THE Wealth of Ages" "a religious work. =.
One of his works. "Bible Lands Illustrated, )"
is the fruit of an eight months journey
abroad in 1874 After his return he labored
necessarily, holding revival services each
evening, from carly Winter until the heat
e of tho tImn
literary and temperance work, until. in
July last, health failed him. He went into
the country, hoping soon to fully recover.
This hope being vain. he returned, Sept. 70.
to Idle at home" When satisfied that his
disease, structure of the esophagus, would be
fatal, he called his deacons about him, gave
them his dying counsel. and messages to the
church he so loved, and said 81 cannot die
without seeing my people. Bid them come
and take me BY the hand once more On
Sunday morning his church held a most
solemn and impressive meeting OF prayer Tor
his recovery, but it would seem that the
Master had said to him, "You have born the
burden long enough, come up higher" and
the light Of his grandly noble life tiickered
quietly out His last hours were free from
pain, and his dying face, radiant with JOY:
IL have fought" said the failing voice, and
uttersnce ceased, but his people know it
was "a good fight" Those who knew him
well were peculiarly attached to him, and
hundreds Of them echo the words of one
brother, Lord, our hearts are bowed in
mighty grief. for thou hast taken our father
from u.s."
On Friday, at 10 a. IN, the body, encased
in black, cloth-covered casket, borne by
his deacons and Congressman Peddie IA
member of the church,, was placed in the
church before the platform, where, for two
and half hours, continual stream of peo-
pie poured into one door, passing out at an
other, to take last look at the familiar
face. At least ten thousand people came
and went during that time. Before the ser
vices commenced the vast audience room and
galleries were filled to OVERLOOKING. The
great organ and platform were draped in
black and white, the desk in white and ever
greens, with crown bearing the word,
Victory" The large chair, fringed with
smila1 and cut flowers, had on the back the
words, "In Christ" At either end Of the
platform, large cross and anchor of ever
greens had upon them sickles OF white
flowers. A white cross bore the last words
OF the pastor, II have fought" and another
of ivy was encircled by wreath of white
everlastings. A wreath enclosed the words,
"Gone home" A pillow OF tube-roses had
upon it. I'll. c. F." The coffin was
covered with cut flowers, smilax, and
crown and sheaf of Autumn leaves
and ripe grain, and at its head stood
a crown surmounted by cross. A massive
gold plate on the coffin bore the pastors
name, and iavorite sentence of his, There
is nothing OF real value in this world except
a human s0ul" Over one hundred clergy
men were present, many of whom took part
in the exercises, which were both solemn
and cheerful. In compliance with his
wishes, "no melancholy strains were sung
over him." and at the last hymn probably
two thousand voices sang ain the Cross OF
Chris. | glory"
When the precious clay was borne from
the church there were heard, amid sobs and
tears, such expressions as, "a good man gone
home; "a faithful servant entered into
rest"
As Church, We "sit in the shadow of
great SORROW" but We hear the Master say,
Il, the Lord, do all there things. BE still,
and know that am God"
Mas. q. A. SToCKNELL,
Formerly of Westford, VI.
WHEN Lovely WOMAN STOoPs TO FOLLY
Mrs. Noah Fisher is now languishing in
Montpelier iail on an indictment found by