The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-17
EDWARD FOX.
the Funeral Services of the Deceased
- Judge.


them away and Judge Lowell was the only
one in attendance. Judge E. r. Hoar of Mas
saehusetts was present. The members of the
Cumberland bar together with the officers Of
the United States court, and the supreme and
superior court officers, met at the residence OF
II. w. Swasey and marched to the funeral in
a body. D. w. Fessenden, Esq, officiated as
master of ceremonies while John q. Cobb,
ESQ.,, was marshal in behalf of the bar. The
following gentlemen acted as pail bearers:
Hon. Lot NJ Morrill,.
Hon. John Lowell.
Hon. ]. w. Symonds.
Hon. Nathan Webb.
Hon. w. w. Thomas.
Hon. Wilbur T. Lunt.
Hon. Israel Washburn.
Hon. William P. Preble.
The funeral services were opened by Dr.
Hill. who read various selections of scripture,
including the fifteenth Psalm and the fifteenth
chapter Of |. Corinthians. He then spoke
briefly as follows:
Nothing can turn our attention more forci-
bly, from that which is fleeing to that which is
eCe1lal tldn a Dl0W So SQuutH 10 tAdb winch
has called us together Those to whom it
comes nearest may possibly be for a short
time stunned and bewildered, but that passes
away, and they simply receive little later the
full force of that lesson which is at once i'm
pressed upon others: Be We also ready, for
the summons may come to you at an unlocked
for time. The impressiveness of the lesson is
increased by the social position of the one so
suddenly called away, honored SO highly and
held in affectionate reverence by so large a
community.
10 those who are left behind the sudden
ness of the departure gives shock which
adds for a time greatly to the pain of separa-
ton, but consolation will afterward be found
in the remembrance that to the departed one
himself there could not be a more perfect eu-
thanasia. To be usefully, honorably en-
ployed in work of the highest public benefit
with full power of mind up to the very last; ;
to lie down to well earned rest in full con-
seriousness of health; and to wake in the
eternal morrow, reioining departed saints, and
enjoying the unimaginable surprise and de-
light of the new life revealed to us in the
gospel; this is indeed to have death abolished
and immortality brought to life.
hose who best knew our brothers worth
will most sorely grieve that he was not per-
mitted to fill at least the Psalmist's measure of
human years. One who heard him in the
strength of his moral and intellectual vigor on
Tuesday afternoon, would naturally expect for
him several years longer of usefulness on
earth, and hope after that, for quiet and hon.
orablp years of rest. But we must recall the
true sayings of the wise Hebrews, Though
the righteous be prevented with death, yet
shall he be at rest, for honorable age is not
that which standeth in length of time, nor that
is measured By number of years; but wisdom
is the gray hair unto men. and an unspotted
life is old age. He pleased God and was be-
loved of Him; so that living amoug sinners he
was translated. He being made perfect in
short time hath fulfilled long time For his
soul pleased the Lord, therefore hasted He to
take him away "Blessed is he who hath
wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked
things. for unto him shall be given the special
gift Of faith, and an inheritance in the temple
of the Lord "For God created man to be
immortal and made him to be an image of his
own eternity. s'The righteous live forever
more; their reward is also with the Lord, and
the care of them is with the Most High.
Therefore shall they receive glorious king
dom and beautiful crown from the Lords
hand" Wisdom, knowledge and under
standing of the law are of the Lord; love and
the way of good works are from him.
Nor are these sayings of the Hebrew writers
in any degree repugnant to that clearer light
which shines upon us from the pages of the
New1Covenant. Paul, whose glowing eulog-
iums upon faith have sometimes been quoted
as depreciatory of moral righteousness, is FREE
quently as earnest as James in declaring love
to be the fulfilling of the law, the browning
test and evidence OF genuine faith. The be-
loved John emphaticaly declared faith to be a
special gift to the righteous, evidenced by
their righteousness; saying with solemn
preface, Little children, let no man deceive
you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous
even as Christ is righteous. Ale that doeth
good is of God; but he that doeth evil hath
not seen Cod To the same import are the
words of our Lord himself, the master and
teacher of Paul and James and John: "By
their fruits We shall know Them" "a good tree
cannot bring forth evil fruit. neither can cor
rupt tree bring forth good fruit" God has
made faith tie cause of moral goodness and
moral goodness the effect of faith. "This is
the victory that overcometh the world, even
our faith, and "he that doeth good is of God. :"
What nobler eulogium upon moral excel
lence could the apostle have given than he has
givenin these words? How broad and gen.
eral the phrase, giving the highest benedction
to every man, whatever his sphere of life who
III
is the man who still endeavors to fill his OPP
portunities of usefulness; who endeavors to
do good who strives to bring his heart and
will into conformity with the temper of the
sermon on the mount; and with the spirit of
the gospels. The words both of Jesus and
his apostles assure us that from such man
Gods approval will not be withheld, but that
the peace of God which passeth understand
ing shall FIJI the mind and heart of those who
think on things honorable, virtuous and of
good report, to do them. Not therefore in
boastiag, nor in vicarious self righteousness,
but in humble gratitude to the giver of good,
the inspirer of true righteousness, would we, as
we recall life so noble and useful, apply TO it
the simple but grand and earnest lines Of the
English singer:
How happy is he born and taught
That serveth not anotheI's will,
Whose armor is his honest thought
And simple truth his utmost skill
Whose passions not his masters are
Whose soul is still prepared for death,
Not tied unto the world with care
OF public fame or private breath
Who enyies none that chance doth raise
Or vice: who never understood
How deepest wounds are given by praise,
Nor rules of state; but rules of good
Who hath his life from rumors freed,
Whose conscience is his strong retreat;
Whose st tie can neither 1atterers feed,
Nor ruin make accusers great.
Who God doth late and early pray
More of his grace than gifts to lend,
And entertains the harmless day
With well chosen book or friend.
This man is freed from servile bands
Of hope to rise or fear to fall,
Lord of himself though not of lands,
And having nothing yet hath all.