The Portland daily press., 1882-11-13
AUGUSTUS e. STEVENS.


of the city. Mayor Libby and members of the
City Government President Anderson and
members of the Board of Trade and Mel
chants Exchanged which institutions de-
ceased was an original member most of the
living ex-mayors of the city, the members OF
the Bar, the officers of the railroad and steam
boat lines centreiDg in Portland, the refner-
les, the Casco Bank, W estbrook Seminary,
and leading merchants, all assembled to pay a
last tribute of respect. The remains were en-
closed in casket, covered with black broad
cloth, the silver plate inscribed
Augustus E. Stevens,
Sept 20, 1925.
Nov. TO- 1882.
A superb floral wreath rested on the centre
beautiful floral Maltese cross.
The services were very simple and were con-
Quoted by Rev. Mr.. Alger of Park Street
Church. After the usual Scripture lesson,
which closed with beautiful poem appropri-
ate to the occasion, Mr.. Alger remarked that
1t was unnecessary for him to eulogize the MEM
ory of the deceased. His life had been its own
best eulogy What could any one add to the
beauty of the life that had been taken. AS
-whe had known Mr.. Stevens as man and boy
all his life-he chad never heard any one say
aught against him." Let us then simply say
farewell hoping to meet him in a better
and fairer world.
At the close of the prayer the remains were
taken to Evergreen Cemetery for interment
The pail bearers were Judge Webb, of the
U, S. District; Hon. George W. True, Sur
veyor of the Port; Charles Mclaughlin, of
Charles Mclaughlin & Co., and Benjamin f.
Harris, of Harris & Co.
Memorial Service at Preble Chapel
A service in memory of Mr.. Stevens was
held at Preble Chapel yesterday, at 2 O'Clock.
large number of the friends of the school
were in attendance, and the selections music
and remarks were exceedingly appropriate and
feeling. Mr.. Stevens long and untiring la
bors in connection with the chapel, and his in
terest in it which was not diminished after he
was obliged to resign his place as Superinten-
dent, made it peculiarly fitting that while the
funeral services were being conducted at the
house of which he was the honored head, the
Sunday School should have memorial meet
ing for their friend and benefactor. Flowers
added their silent testimony of the affection in
which Mr.. Stevens was held by the School.
After the selections from Scripture, read by
the Superintendent, Mr.. Stanley T. Pullen,
with responses by the school, and the singing
of several hymns, including one which was a
favorite of MIR. Stevens, "Sweet Hour of
Prayer" appropriate remarks were made by
friends of Preble Chapel.
Before calling upon other speakers the SUI
perintendent said:
Today Portland mourns the loss of one of
her dearest sons--one whose word and act
were always on the right side of things, whose
life was wholesome to himself and to all
around him. We mourn as citizens the COM
mon loss; but we also have special cause for
grief in the death of one so long and intimate
ly connected with our Sunday School. For
twenty'one years Augustus E. Stevens was
actively engaged in this work, during seven
teen of which he was Superintendent of
the school-a long service, covering the
term in which an infant comes to
mans estate. Who can tell how much Of
the life and usefulness of this institution is
due to his fostering care, bestowed during the
infancy of the school, while yet it was weak
and unn atured? Who can number the good
influences arising from his ministration, radi-
ating from the hundreds who came under his
care while they were in the formative period
ed in good paths are even now feeling his be-
nehcent influence. The death of an upright
man does not conclude his usefulness on earth.
The good seed which he has sown has germi-
mated, and grown, and borne fruit, which, in
its turn, produces yet other good seed, and
the righteous impulse thus given can never
cease until mankind ceases from the earth,
and God only knows hnw much further it
may extend With heads bowed in sorrow,
and hearts softened by the grievous affection,
vf0rat hxanr fr1+
number who mourn a tender father as we
mourn a true and loyal friend. There ara
present with us some who had the privilege to
serve with Mr.. Stevens in this Sunday School
work They will tell us what he did, and
show us clearly the great loss which has come
to us and to our community.
The pastor, Rev. VT. Phelan, was then called
upon, and said that his acquaintance with Mr..
Stevens began with the kindly welcome with
which the late superintendent received him on
the occasion of the first Sunday of his minis
try at Preble Chapel. He was glad to recall
the wise suggestions which Mr.. Stevens af-
forded from his experience, and the substan-
tial help which he was ever ready to give.
When his business prospered he made it an
occasion to enlarge his bounty; and 30 pres
sure of affairs in any wise dimil ished his
faithful care of Preble Chapel. After
his connection with the school was nominally
at an end, ne retained vivid interest in it;
and when at Mr.. Stevens request, the pastor
made known any case of want or misfortune,
his response was ready. He remembered and
enquired after the aged members of the parish,
and kept its welfare in mind. In him it
mourns a tried and faithful friend.
MIR. James FL. Baker was next invited to
speak. He dwelt affectionately upon the lib
crafty of Mr.. Stevens and the long years of his
benefcence toward Preble Chapel
Hon. Charles e. Jose, of the board of trus
tees, of which Mr.. Stevens was a member at
the time of his death, gave a feeling tribute to
the high character of his late associate, dwell
ing with especial emphasis upon his largeness
of mind and soul.
Mr.. Edward A. Jordan, who has long been
connected with the school as leader of singing
made brief and exceedingly appropriate ad-
address in the course of which he said:
remember Mr.. Stevens during his mayor
atty of the city especially because / had bust
ness relations with him and because of my won
dering then how he could devote SO many hours
which he needed for rest, in attendance upon
the school, No other mayors had such cares
and responsibilities thrust upon them. Looking
forwa I'd to peaceful administration of his Of
fee, he was called upon to bear the seyerest
tax upon mind aud body that could well be
imagined Before he had fairly entered upon
the duties of his position fire destroyed the
principal business section of the city, leaving
many of its citizens houseless and some of
them penniless. Ruined walls and smoking
embers of once happy homes glared at him ON
every side. The white tents and crowded sheds
on the hill told him of the want and desolation
of his city and friends. They clamored about
for food the soup kettles in the squares; they
beset him on every corner; they begged OF him
from barrack windows; they followed him
from home to home again. His business Office
as mayor was anywhere he CHANGED to be.
The City Hall was a blackened ruin,
empty and deserted. The government
met temporarily in Mechanic Hail,
and itself flecame beggar for the barest
necessaries of life for its citizens. Then came
the generous responses all over the nation,
from every place in the land. AS mayor he
received these gifts and distributed them to
the needy applicants. He received them in
tears; he gave them with smiles. He Strove
to protect the weak from the abuse of the
strong, and sought to give the worthy sufferers
their full share of the peoples gifts. Added
to the terrors of the situation was the loss of
light in the streets, and the usual increase of
that class from every cline who live by rob-
this were burdensome in the extreme. His
also, and the result was strain upon him
But, during all this, we were not forgotten
III a 90 fn hn and rQrf nd ifc dr1-