Morning journal and courier., 1882-09-04
Westville.

Interesting Memorial Services-Addres
 by Rev. MT. Wiilard-The Late Henry
 A. Murray.
 At the yesterday morning service in the Westville Congregational church a touching and appropriate tribute was paid to the mem- ory of one of the founders of the church in a memorial sermon by the Rev. James L. Willard upon the late Deacon Henry A. Mur- ray. It WAS listened to by warmly sympa- thetic and appreciative congregation, among whom were Governor Bigelow and wife.
 The pastor chose for his text 2nd Timothy, 4-7, II have finished nay course."
 After reviewing the life work of the de- ceased from his birth in Litchfeld, April 9th, 18O5 through his career as teacher and ear- nest worker 1n the establishment and support of the Westville church, alluding briefly but forcibly to the many ways in which Deacon Murray had wrought nobly in the upbuilding of whatever is now source of pride in the community, the pastor said : He did not seek place or office from de- sire to make himself prominent, but there came to him through the agency of those who knew that he was fitted to perform their duties. In the early days of my ministry he was, perhaps, more than anyone then living, my counselor. He came often to my study to devise and suggest ways and means and conditions of future strength, and the advice which he gave me while I was young and in experienced I have always regarded as good and sound and healthy. He helped me by
 kindly, we'll considered words, and it is safe to say of departed brother, that while earth he was 8 wise counselor, one who looked well to the beginning and end of things. Hence l in all educational matters he was among the l first and foremost. How best to train the young was 8 thought that largely engaged his attention. Here under the shadow of Wes Rock he had his home, and here he worked | out those plans and purposes born only oi generous minds. He was plain and direct 1T ! his manner of speech, and, like all positive natures, impatient of contradiction but ha6 no place for bitterness in his heart. He could suffer and be still but would not be the con ! scious cause of continued suffering in others ! There was in his sympathetic friendlessness breadth and mellowness and depth that en | riched his own life. And he was one O | those wide minded men who believed in prog
 ress in theology and the developments O
 larger views. To him the Bible was no bound, but in it was 8 wondrous light whicl l kept teaching faith more and more mel I attained to higher knowledge and bette 1 exposition of the works and ways of God He did not give frequent utterance to his in
 most religious feelings. In my judgmen l deep natures rarely do. But the future lift
 seemed clear and sure to him. He found il l Christ comforter in every season, helpe 1 in every time of trouble. But in an earthl, sense "our brother has gone away" "H has fallen on sleep" In this world we shal
 see his face no more. But his memory re
 maineth, and fragrant for good accomplished will that memory be for long year ! to come, And no generous mine will deny that he was an important factor il ! the formation period of our village history He helped to lay broader and deeper th' l foundation of all good and to discouragt
 and weaken the source of all evil I will no 1 say that he had no human frivolities, nt 1 faults of character and no infrmities of tenn per, because since Christ died on Calvary there has been no such man. But will say 1 that take him all in all he passed away in the ripe continuation of highly useful life, ant 1 children and his children's chiI ! dren shall not be ashamed. I ! was natural that he should wisl I to be buried here that his dust should sleel | so near the scenes where the heart of his lift l beat itself out in words and works that shal | never die. And no truthful history of thi | village can ever be written that shall not en l roll his among the faithful few wh' I'have been it's largest benefactors.
 The above is but very brief summary o I & sermon full of truth and tenderness, whic] is to be published entire in pamphlet form l Deacon Murray died on the 21st of last Jul
 at Dover, Delaware. to which place he re
 moved from Westvile in 1865.