Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-24
AN IMPRESSIVE OCCASION.

vices on the anniversary of Mr. Barron
death, occurred at the Congregational churcl
this afternoon 4 respectable audience was
gathered to pay the tribute of respect to hi.
memory
The church was appropriately dccked and
adorned with floral designs, boqucts. &C.,
while at the rear above the platform, life
size portrait of Mr.. Barron stood out in bold
relief against a background of black drapery.
Over the platform was the motto in every.
green Faithful unto death"
The clustering weather had will nigh rem
dered the roads impass ible, SO that many were
prevented from attending
The services were opened by an impress
sive prayer by Rev. j. :. Scwall, ID. d.. pro-
tcssor at the Bangor Theological Seminary
which was followed by the singing of the one
hundred and second psalm by the choir.
Then came the reading of the one hundred
and second psalm and prayer by Rev. Mr..
| Loring. After which the Rev Mr.. Sewall
spoke extenporarily for thrce-fourths of an
hour.
| lie said he had come to sympathizc not on
ly with this church, but with the friends and
neighbors of the good man who has fallen by
the murdercr's hand. He had come to aid in
the exercises of the ami, crsary day and help
perretuate the memory of him who has been
faithful unto death. MANY have come from
distant places. have gathered together mere
from the districts around all bringing mes
sages of the most heartfelt sympathy with
them.
He came to represent broad constituency
for all the christian people of the land, aye
more. all honest and well meaning people
wherever they are, whether they profess the
doctrines of the church or not, desire to add
their words of praise of him whose life was
an example of probity and honorable dealing
and whose death had won the need of one
who dies for duty He had heard great
many people who were acquainted with Mr..
Barron personally. and those who knew of
him by the noble character he had sustained,
express their feelings in regard to this new
and awful phase of the manner Of his death.
He had not as yet heard one express anything
but feelings of the kindcst sympathy for this
doubly afflicted church. friends and family.
He had not as yet heard IA single person who
would admit of a doubt rs to the manner of
Mr.. Barron's death. that he fell to protect
planning such death like coward to dis
guise his dishonest acts. and hide his pccula-
tons from those who had put their trust in
him.
He wanted to put himself on record in this
matter in the most emphatic manner, in such
Il way that he could not be misunderstood
He had examined the statements which had
been put forth in support of this theory OF
suicide very carefully, and with an eye not
unaware of the possibilities connected with
the designs of every human being, but in all
that has been said where much has been
averred but nothing proved, he failed to see
any sufficient motive to induce Mr.. Barron to
commit such an act.
He did not believe there existed on the
earth or in the heavens above or in the wa
tiers under the earth, any motive or any act of
Mr. Barrons which could lead him to such an
ignomnious end. He called attention TO the
quiet unassuming, but honest and firm fea-
lures that looked down upon them from the
portrait of Mr.. Barron. Those were the fea-
lures of one who was as true to his purpose
AS the needle to the pole. He believed in
the possibilities of character, in the noble,
true and grand Developments that make such
men as he was. He believed in that face.
There could be no crime. He desired to ex-
press his opinion of the character of the man
and to say his hand was reached ont to any
man who feared God and honorcd the right
He desired to express the honor he felt for
the fidelity he has shown. Count Gasparn
said, There are times in the experience of
nations when the grasp Of warm hand be-
gets memories that can never be etfaced"
He believed there are such times in the ex-
when the grasp of warm hand brings SYM
pathy that can never be forgotten. Such was
the sympathy that had been expressed by this
gathering in honor Of the dead.
He had tried to picture to his mind the
thoughts with which that faithful man lay in
that dark vault, awaiting the moment of death
when he must have said to himself my time
has come at last" He did not believe there
was ever bank officer who did not keenlv
realize the danger he run in being entrusted
with tine care of such tempting prize
Tempting to himself as well as those who
exist by depredating on the property of 9TH
ers. Who did not when he lay down at night
feel the uncertainties that lay between him
and the morrows sun, and realize at all times
the dangers that await them.
Mr. Barron must have keenly realized
these dangers, yet the struggle must have
come upon him suddenly, and have dealt hi.
good resolutions such a powerful blow as
must have shaken them for the moment
Where the choice between death and tn,
yielding up of that entrusted TO his care, wa,
so suddenly presented to him, his noble pur
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