The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-05-10
Discourse at the Funeral Of Rev.
Kittridge Haven, May 8, 1877, by
Rev. S. A. Parker of Bethel.

Kittridge Haven, May s, 1874 by
Rev. S. A. Parker of Bethel.
al have fought a good Tight have finished
my course. Ihave kept the faith. Henceforth
there is laid up for me crown of righteousness.
I'd Tim. 4, Il s.,
come here to-day not to pronounce
fitting eulogy on the life and character of
our aged father who has gone to the higher
life. 1t is too soon TO do such work. His
life has been SO long aud 50 full of noble
deeds, he has occupied such large placein
this community, he has done euch faithful
service and has such hold on the hearts of
the people il is impossible in such an hour
as this even to sketch the outlines of his
life or to make fitting estimate of the
great work he has done, | come here to-
day as son would come 10 his fathers
funeral. | come from the old parish where
he was first settled--where his name is as
a household word-where he was dearly
loved as pastor and preacher before he
came into your midst, where many faces
have been wet with tears since they heard
Of his death. | come to bear to you the
sympathy Of the people among whom he
first settled. A people who listened with
gladness to his impassioned words in the
vigor OF his manhood, people TO whom he
brought the gospel of good news, a people
to whom he mini5tered seven years in their
Joys and sorrows. / come from the place
made dear by the birth of his children,
and hallowed by their graves. l come to
shed my tears with yours and bring sim
pie tribute of affection and love and place
ii as heart Offering 10 his memory.
The long story of his eminent life can
not now be told. A few slight brushes on
the canvass will not portray his character.
This work must be done at another time by
some faithful Boswell who has access to
ali the materials for such task. His life
is stamped on this whole community. For
fifty years he has been a living sermon in
youl midst You have listened TO his words
from this pulpit-year after year he went
in and out before you inspiring your hearts
and instructing your minds. He has
strengthened you in times of weak
ness-hc has made you increase in faith,
and led your hearts to God. he has placed
your feet on the Rock of Ages at times
when the earth seemed moving from un-
der your. He has taken you by the hand
and led you into the green pastures and by
the still waters. You have been stirred by
his eloquence, you have been melted by his
love. lie has the wisdom of q philosopher
and the simplicity of a child. You have
copfided to him your perplexlties and trou-
bles, your doubts and tears. He has al
ways given you the tenderestsym paihy and
whispered good counsel in your ear, I'M
heard by the rest of the world He always
sought for the things that made for peace
in this whole community, While he was
always frank in expressing his sentiments
yet he had strong friends among those who
differed from him in doctrine. He was
cordial and kind to ali. His fellowship
a. 80 IL, Oh, oh a
monation. He believed in fellowship Of
spirit. He extcried his open hand to all
churches and their members. His friends
are not confined simply to those of the same
belief, the same household of faith. He
was a disciple Of Christ and genuine chris
tian, belongs to the church universal What
a blessing to have such man in any COM
munty for 80 years His presencehas been
a constant benediction upon you. He al
ways brought light into your homes and
made you feel happier and better for his
coming. Little children ran to him and
were glad TO see his face. For them he al
ways had smile and pleasant word. You
who are now in the prime of manhood and
| womanhood-who are fathers and mothers
and who have sons and daughters married,
| you can remember him when you were lit
tie chidren-when he visited your fathers
| home when you went to his Sunday school
| and learned your frst lessons of the life
that now is and the lie to come. You
have grown up under his religious care and
instruction.
| You have embraced Ills faith and been
guided by his teachings. He has been your
pastor in childhood, youth and manhood.
When the dark shadow of death visited
your old home. taking away father and
| no ha uith n
to cheer you, pointing you to home where
you would meet at last all your loved ones.
On those joyful occasions when your heart
beat responsive to anothers, when two souls
were made one-when the world looked all
bright and fair-then he came into your
midst rejoicing with you joining your hands
and uniting you in holy marriage. His
venerable form has bent over the cradle
aud blest your children whom you have
taught to revere and love. When the I'M
timely frost of death has nipped those buds
of beauty and loveliness, he has stood be-
side the casket with heart full OF eympa.
thy, with his eyes glistening with tears, and
told you that they had been changed into
beautiful angels, that Jesus had taken then
to his loving bosom. You remember suel
soenes-you can never forget them, nor thu
strength which was born from those dark
| hours lie has attended weddings ana III
ntrlls in nearly every home for milel
around.
There ia hardly family here to-day t.
whom he has not ministered in some seem
OF Joy or sorrow. He has entered into al
your plans, into all your enterprises ant
studied your welfare and happiness. His
life has been like thread of gold through
the work of good lie of so years. How
pleasant it is to look back on this long pas
torate j! The longest in our denomination
He came here in the prime of life. Ill
cast his lot among you. lie rejecled tempt
ing offers from large societies. He has ha,
many calls to go 10 broader fields of labor
but he threw them all aside and gave him
self to you.
am satisfied thatyo have proved your
selves worthy of him by your kindness AM
deeds of love. | have heard him speak II
terms Of praise of those TO whom he minis
r tered and amopg whom he cast his lot
You have made this PLEASANT home TO
him. The roots of his life struck deep Il
your soil. Here, like fruitful tree he ha
flourished. Here under his shade multi
tudes have been refreshed and strengthens
to bear the burden and heat of the day
Here bis mortal body like a sturdy oak tina
has breasted the winds and storms of fou
ecore wears and four has fallen to the cart