Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-23

We rcpubish from the Christian Register
the following article on the late Mr.. Curtis
from the pen of Rev. Edward Everett Hale
of Boston
The death of Mr.. Curtis, by an accident at
MoOsehead Lake, is calamity to be mournpd
not only in Christ Church, in Augusta. where
he was so dear, but in all our churches. In
the few wears which have passed since he en-
tered the ministry, he had earned respect and
regard such as few men of his years can hope
for; and we had no man in the profession.
for whose work, were his life spared, there
were more noble auguries.
Mr.. Curtis graduated at the Meadville
Theological School in 1873 The addrcs,
which he delivered there, on the dav of grad
uaton, had the maturity of thought which we
have no right to expect in college parts. and
the carncstness of purpose which has distin-
guished his life and given to it its success.
No thoughtful person could have heard him
that dav without feeling sure that he had
rightly chosen his profession. and had before
him most useful career. He has made goo
all these prospects. From Mcadvillc he went
Immediately to the West and secured AT
once. in his first ministry, the love of the
people of his parish From the West he
came to Augusta in 1876, and since that time
he has been the minister of Christ Church
there.
The people of his congregation have the
right to express their sense of his services
there, nor will We even attempt to give the
view OF those who looked on from the outside.
Enough to say that Mr.. Curtis assumed the
charge of Il church which had long been with
out a minister. and whose members were for
many reasons discouraged. 1t wa. a place OF
the first Importance because Augusta is a
city which calls together. a. the State capital
the people of most worth and influence in the
State; and this little congregation had that
honorable but difficult charge of maintaining
worship and intoxicating religions truth, not
simply for company OF united believers, but
for many strangers visiting the city. for a
longer or shorter period who NAV he quite
ignorant even of the alphabet of liberal Chris
tianity. From the moment of Mr.. CARTS 5
settlement, the church in Augusta has seemed
to take on new life. The traditions price
less indeed, Of Mr.. Judd's ministry there
seemed to be all renewed OF late. its awak-
cncd life and energy have shown themselves
in a spirited determination to build new edi-
fee in the place of that which had dccavcd and
waxed old In this enterprise Mr.. Curtis led
his people and his enthusiasm. his resou-
ton and clcar-headed common sense, gave
assurance of its immediate success.
1t was my great pleasure to have him for
my guest. for day or two. in the last spring
when he visited Boston in the bu>ncs, of this
new church edtice. Never was there amore
charming companion. He won all the chill
dren in the house, as he had won all their
elders, by his fresh and sympathc interest in
their affairs. And while no one could talk
with him three minutes without respect for his
manliness and power H. the simplicity of his
serene life he was trying all the time to make
himself of no reputation. \ person of in
tense religious conyiction a real enthusiast
he fired with his enthusiasm the methods and
necessities of the nineteenth century. and
You felt that you were talking with we'll
trained gentleman of our own time who had
all the faith and life and courage of st. Fran
els. Such a man commands the success,
which he deserves.
Mr. Curtis's constitution was not strong
and when he was in Boston his delicate hcaltl
awakened the anxiety of his friends. Bu
his own spirit and courage have never lct
him. And any one who knew him, who re-
| calls the expires sions of that marvellous in
| sight by which at the same moment he looked
| into both worlds, into what we choose to cal
/ the present and what we choose to call tn,
/ future, feels that for this man sudden dealt
had no surprises. No man ever passed viii
| less change from life to life
The church at Augusta has been bcrcavc,
once before by a SUDDEN calamity. The dcatl
of Mr.. Judd, when there seemed to be a Ion!
! life before him. came by one Of these quicl
and unexpected blows. In this new bercave
ment. our friends have the tender sympath,
of all our churches. +. +. II.