St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-12-16

olutely to his purpose to preach. He
was settled for a time in Waterville,
and in Orono Me. was some while in
Home Missionary work in Wisconsin I;
was pastor at South Hadley, Mass,
also seven years at Lyndon, VT. The
office of minister he held with great
dignity, and practical usefulness. His
style as a preacher was unique, strong,
solemn. He seemed born to deal with
high and sacred things. At the same
time he was greatly beloved as pastor
among his people always adapting
himself with facility to their needs or
peculiarities.
After leaving Lyndon, about 1852,
he became resident of st. Johnsbury.
In many directions his life with us has
contributed to the public good. He
brought strength and stimulus to the
churches. For many years he served
on our school boards. His practical
ideas are operating to-day in our gra-
ded schools and Academy.
AS first Librarian of the Athen9um
he shaped the working system of that
institution with rare skill. Order was
with him first law. He was by ma
ture a critic. His tastes in matters of
literature, music, or art were cultured
and severe. He was clever with tools,
and his tools were always bright and
sharp. He required exactness in him
self and very naturally expected it in
others. His figure, face, attire, voice
and language, indicated a man of some
unusual endOwments and of fine cul-
ture. He was especially gifted with
sound Judgment and the ability to bal
ance various aspects of question.
All sorts of people came to him for
counsel it seemed easy for him to
master all sorts of difficult situations.
He had much sympathy for people in
trouble, and was glad to lend hand
wherever it might help some one.
Behind his quiet eye was very tender
heart that would often start the tears
under his outward gravity was fund
of pure wit, flow of quaint stories
and "reminiscences. He was repeated
ly baffied in his most conscientious
plans for high usefulness, but as was
remarked by DR.. BrastOw at his funer-
al, if he could not be helpful to men in
his own chosen way, he was ready to
do his best in the way God chose for
him.
After presiding eight years in the
AthenGum, he was Frustrated in 1879,
with severe illness. For nearly a year
he lay almost helpless. To the sur
prise of every one he rallied, and was
seen again on our streets. Intirmity
however had set its mark upon him.
His mind returned clear, yet lacking
something of its former mastery and
grasp. He seemed to us like one risen
as it were from the dead, tarrying OH
the border-land, after visions of anOth-
Ell world His spirit was full of tender
ness and childlike sOlemnity. He
wanted to talk with everyone of the
great things of eternity. His scrip
ture readings were interrupted with
bursts of lofty feeling. He could hard
ly ask blessing at the table without
moving on uncOnsciously into fervent
petitions for all mankind. He had
come out of that year-long illness sc
elevated in soul that he set it down
among the most precious events of his
life. How rapidly he seemed to bt
ripening for the last change. By {
kind decree of Providence he was takeI
up from earth as it began to dawn to
ward the first day of the week, day o
all the week the best, to him. Hi
memory will be ever cherished by al
who truly knew him. Many wh'
priced his fatherly counsel and exam
pie will live better lives because o
him. His excellent manhood and hi
pure, strong piety-may they re-appea
in lis younger men. f. T. F.