Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-16


standing his limitations and his faults, he
was one of those men who in church and
state are pillars.
After Mr.. HoOperS, the next longest
pastorate was that of Mr.. Walker Like
Mr.. Hooper he was the first pastor of his
church, and he was pastor almost thirty
/ years.
/ He had been educated in the schools
was StudiouS in his habits; careful and
elaborate in his preparation for the pulpit ;
| exhaustive in his treatment of his themes
/ prOtracted in his pulpit services; sound
and instructive In the matter OF his dis
| courses; impressive in his bearing in the
| pulpit and everywhere; always clergy
man; always a faithful shepherd of his
/ flock, keeping il well together; strict
and thorough diSCiplinarian; ever on the
alert that no root of bitterness should
spring up within his church; and no foe
asSail IL from without. IL Elder Hooper
kept the denominatiOnal watChfreS burning
on the hill, Mr.. Walker did not allow them
10 20 out in the valley; and their not un-
frequent theological warfare was carried
on 10y both those leaders from one aud the
same sentiment OF loyalty 10 a common
Lord.
Ai(er Mr.. Walkers the next longest
paStOrate was that of Mr. Davis He
was a man of good education. refined taste,
sound Judgment; and his influence was
strong though very silently exerted.
His leading characteristics We're calm
ness and deliberatcneSS, patience and per-
sistency. gentleneSS and tirmneSS, childlike-
ness and mauliueSS, simplicity and wis
DOM devotion and spirituality, profound
religious reverence and the grace Of
genial humor, singular sense of propriety,
decOrum and order showing itself IN what
ever he said and did, and a spirit at once
akin 10 God and not e>tranged from man.
II was his part To take up the work into
which he entered where Elder Hooper len
IL; and by gentle, cautious, iudiciouS
guidance. led his church into a full and
heart. sympathy with the best christian
spirit Of the ase,-education temperance,
bcneyolcucs reform and progress; and he
made his blnetCent influence, felt and con-
icsScd far and wide 80 that he did full one
mans part in adding TO the good name and
fame OF Paris
Af(er his brief settlement az South Paris.
Mr.. Southworth was called away in his
early manhood, and when greatly cudcarcd
90 his people, leaving the memory and cN-
ample of an earnest and successful Chris
ti3n worker.
At North Paris. Mr. Abbott, never
strong i'm health, lived a life of quiet, uu-
oSteutatioUS usefulness, wisely adapting
himself 20 his peoples wants. and though
departed his memory i fragrant.
These five ministers from our town were
representative men.-caCh one was repre-
sentative of a class each was q man Of
influence in the town; and with one cNccp-
tion their SepulchrcS are with Us 10 this
day
Many other things might bc said of the
churches and ministers Of this town, but 10
say them an, the whole day would Doe too
short but these things have been said that
10 might De known go YOU an, that We, i'm
habitaut> ofpari>, have not been altogether
forsettul OF neglcctful OF the sovereign
claims of religion, Christ and the Church.
Geo. A. Wilson, esq, of South Paris,
read the educational history of Pars
We have the full text of his history for
publication. Il will appear in our next
Issue.
Then came the dinner. This exercise
was one of the most gigantic, and at the
same time one OF the best conducted
feastS Of which history town history has
spoken II Is no easy task TO feed FIVE
or SIX thousand hungry people; but the
committee had made such systematic ar
engagements that there was no jar and
bur the minimum Of confusion. Most OF
the Young men and maidenS of PARIS
werp enlisted as walters 4, private
walters meeting in the town house, that
building was completely filed; and yet
this host was only sufficient 10 supply the
demands of the hungry multitude The
invited guests Of each district were fur
niShed with cards, and took their seats
8, the hrSt table The tables were ar
ranged in the mammoth tent, and num-
bered according 20 the School Districts in
town. Before anything was disturbed,
the tent presented tine appearance. The
tables were covered with fine white cloths,
were laid with china, and flowers adorned
every available spot Notwithstanding
many were fearful, the provisions were
ample for all, and none went away unsat-
ished on account Of lack of food. There
were bushels remaining after the feast
was ended.
When the company had been called
together, after dinner. by Ripley's band.
Mr.. ). 4. Bolster Of Mass. read a history
Of the military men Of Paris.
At the conclusion of this address, Hon
). c. Andrews Of Portland was intro
duced. and assumed the duties of Toast
Master
He first called, "Paris-past and pres
ent. Response by Hon. Hannibal Ham
lin
The Legal Fraternity" was respond
cd 20 by Hon. Alvah Black Mr.. Black
read a history Of the legal fraternity Of
Paris; and We shall publish his paper in
full, next week.
The Medical Profession" was re-
sponded to by Dr. T. II. Brown of Paris
After putting DR.. Brown essay in type
We nave been obliged to postpone It's pub
LEGATION. from lack of space.
The State of Maine, was represent
cd by Hon. Warren l.. Ninton of Gray.
The Daughters of Paris, were rep
resented by Mrs. II. +. Prentiss Of Ban
gor.
The Press" was responded to by a
letter from Rev Geo X Shaw Of Bid
detord. We shall publish this letter next
week
Agriculture, Geo. W. Hammond
Of Snow Falls, spoke for the farmers Of