Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-14
Rev. John Gridley.

some weeks ago wo announced the death, at
kenosha Wisconsin, Of this venerable man. so
wen remembered by many Of our people as pastor
oil bethany church for the five years last preced.
ing the beginning Of DIR. Lords ministry. A
friend sends us pamphlet copy of the discourse
preached at his funeral from which we make the
following extmcts' con leaving Montpelier he
preached few months in Montreal and received
call there; but prcferrng to live under his own
government, he decided 10 look westward lie
was on AN exploring tour IN this state when he
met two members of this church, in neighbor-
ing town, and accepted their suggestion to spend
a Sabbath in Kenosha. lie was called to the pas-
torate here and installed In 1917 and for five and
half years he served this church and congrega-
ton in the work of the gospel ministry His pas
torate here was one Of prosperity. During the
period covered by il there were several seasons of
more than usual religious interest It was a
period of growth in the town, and of growth in
the church and congregation His health failing,
he took employment from the American Seamens
Friend Society in the Bay Of Mobile. where he
spent two years. Shortly after his return here
he accepted an invitation from the church in Som.
ers' and for seventeen years, period nearly equal
to all the rest Of his ministry, he dispensed to
Somers he gave himself with all his character
istic fidelity, going out in all sorts of weather
and seldom missing an appointment A large
part of the present membership Of the church in
Somers, which is to-day one OF the most import
ant and vigorous Of our rural churches was re-
ceived under his ministry This, with few added
months OF labor in Pleasant Prairie, completes
the history Of his active ministry Meanwhile he
/ ala. a.
work here in this city. His home was here lie
was often present in our devotional meetings
lie sometimes preached in our pulpits lie was
often with MS in the week Of prayer, on Thanks
giving and other public occasions. lie was ever
ready with word Of counsel and exhortaton
lie loved to speak, loved to testify loved to lend
| voice and labor in the cause of the Master You
| who hear me do not need to be reminded of his
uniaiIing interest in the Bible cause, in temper
ance in the work of education and the public
schools as well a. in the church, the sabbath
school, and the more immediate concerns of Chris
tianity. He was not a narrow man, but had
generous fellowship for all Christians He loved
the truth, especially the truth called evangelical,
those truths which he regarded containing the
vital essence of the souls salvation He was
strict in lis views of Christian morality, and al
| ways warned against those concessions on the
side of worldly conformity which seemed to him
| to endanger the real power and spirituality of the
| church. To some he seemed puritanic. Yet he
| was far from being somber man.
DIR. Gridley had real love for his Masters work
II love that rose above all ambition for display,
| all desire for earthly reward; and lie lived long
enough among us to prove to all the sincerity of
that love. The doctrines that he preached he be-
leved not only with his head but with his heart
and so he loved to proclaim them. They were
the life and joy Of his own spirit, and so it was
the impulse of a generous beneyolence to give
them to others. He never refused to preach to
small audiences And it is possible that his la
bors for those little congregations in Somers and
Pleasant Prairie may tell us more of the real
spirit OF the man, than even his successful paste.
rate in this city. That stsummer's labor gath
ering few families Of farmers in a dilapdated
Westinghouse, shows us how he loved the work,
and how loath he was to give it up. With pleas
ure and pride we remember this to-day To re-
tire himself from the blessed service he could
not. Only the great Captains call was able to
I withdraw him from that honored place in the
ranks where so long he had stood. Such is the
witness of this mans thirty years of faithful work
in our midst. We have all had time to study it.
! There is no installing the testimony, 1t gives no
uncertain sound. Consistent, harmonious, un.
varying, in all the great essentials of true Chris
tian spirit and purpose as you will all agree, il
1 has been from beginning to end; and this, after
we have made all due allowance for human erroi
| and human infrmity. As | said before, who
D can measure its worth? Next after Gods revela
O ton by His Son, heaven has no voice for eartl
e that is 50 impressive, convincing the testi
n mony Of such a life"