The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-12-11
OBITUARY.
Rev. yohu o. means. ID, ID.

Rev. j ohm o. Means, ID. ID.
III didn't think of such good news so soon.
Praise God'' With these words Rev. John o.
Means, D. D., the corresponding secretary of
the American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions received the announcement
that his painful illness was about to terminate
in death. Shortly afterward-on Saturday af-
ternoon-he passed from earth. In the spring,
when his associates, Drs. Clarke and Alden,
were sent to Constantinople to look after the
interests of the missions in Western Turkey
DR.. Means took their work upon his shoulders
aud in so doing brought upon himself the dis
ease of the heart that has proved fatal. His
tirelesS energy and indomitable will overtaxed
his physical system. but, notwithstanding his
WEAKNESS and prostration, he would not desert
his post until the steamer bearing his associates
was announced in port He then put his pa
pers in order, locked his desk, and left the
office never to return. This was in the early
summer. For the past three months he has
suffered the keenest anguish, yet he has borne
his Affections with heroic fortitude. Although
racked with pain, he was ever mindful of those
around him, aud no word OF complaint ever
passed his lips. His smile was cheerful and
his greeting as cordial as though he lay upon a
bed of ease. He manifested the keenest inter-
est in the progress of his missionary cause, and
conversed freely upon topics relating thereto.
When nearing his end he sent warm messages
of love to many OF his personal friends and as
socates. His closing hours were attended by
such agony that his physicians deemed it ad-
visable to put him under the influence Of
opiates. Thus unconsciousy he passed away.
DIR. Means was born in Augusta, Aug. /,
1922. When about twenty years OF ago he en-
tered Bowdoin College. His collegiate course
was marked by close application. He was
fine student and exceedingly thorough in
everything he undertook. His clear mind
enabled him to grasp any subject, and this ex-
cellent trait followed him throughout his life
and was the foundation for his success as
pastor. de ranked among the first in his
class at the close of the course and was gra-
duated in 1S43 After his graduation he spent
a year in the Theological Seminary at An
dover, Mass, and part of the second year
in the Seminary at Bangor. He was principal
for time of the High School at Augusta, and
spent the three or four succeeding years as
purser in the United States navy. He was
stationed off the coast of Africa. His intimate
knowledge of the country gained during this
period was the beginning of a lifelong interest
in its people and customs. Leaving the navy
he studied for the ministry, graduating from
the Andover Seminary with high honors in
1S49. He settled in Medway and served as
pastor about eight years. While in this town
he married the sister of William Strong and of
Rev. DR.. II. e. Strong, editor of the Mission
ary Herald. From there he was called in 1857
to the Vine Street Church, Roxbury, Mass,
the offshoot of the Eliot Street Church, of
which Rev. A. G. Thompson was then pastor.
For eighteen years he administered to the
spiritual wants Of this people. As paster he
was beloved by all.
In 1876 he resigned to accept the position of
of the Massachusetts Sunday School
Publishing Society, but was soon called into
wider sphere Of usefulness After the death of
Rev. DR.. Treat, the American Board looked
far and wide to find man capable of filling
the position of Secretary. They looked to DIR.
Means, and their choice proved to be an excel
lent one. He was congenial with his brethren
and wise and efficient worker. Soon after
his appointment, the board received the large
legacy from Mr.. Otis and, in accordance with
the oft. expressed wish of the testator $3.50, 900
was devoted to Africa. DR.. Means was given
charge of this field, and, in order to better pre-
pare himself for the important work before
him, he visited all the important countries in
Europe and consulted every one from whom
he could CLEAN any information concerning
Africa. He spent many hours with the King
of Belgium, who was very large contributor
to the support of Stanley's new exploration on
the Congo. AL the latest books and maps Civ
ing any light upon Africa were obtained and
studied carefully. He thus mastered the
whole subject of the geographical and political
divisions of the country, gaining an accurate
knowledge of the people and their Gus
toms. So intelligent was his understand
paper read before the American Board
was noticed in the English papers, and was
priced SO highly that he was made an honora-
ry member of the Royal Geographical Society.
Throughout the term of his service as secreta-
ry Of the board he was devoted to the work in
Africa, and at the time OF his death was en-
gagged in an attempt to establish mission at
Bihe, on the Western coast, and in Umzillai's
kingdom on the Eastern coast. His early
knowledge of Africa and his earnest study Of
the country made him preeminently fitted to
undertake the work of Chrstianizing the pee
pile. In fact, the Rev. Dr. Clark, foreign sec
retary of the board, once said: "There is
probably not man in America SO well quali-
fed to conduct Christian missions in Africa as
DIR. Means."
Throughout his life DIR. Means was an ear
nest student of matters in no way connected
with bis profession. A marked instance of
this fact was noticed in an address on law de-
lvered before the students Of his college. On
this occasion he delivered an Grafton in which
he showed a knowledge of books of law ac-
quired by comparatively few of the legal fra
ternity. He was conservative in his religion.
For many years he served on the Boston
school board, and at the time OF his death he
was president of the Roxbury Atheneum and
also president Of the trustees OF the Roxbury
Latin School. The funeral services will be
held at Emmanuel church, Moreland street, at
noon on Wednesday.
DIR. Friend Drake Lord.
DR.. Friend Drake Lord, one of the best
known physicians in Newton, died at mis- home
in Newton Falls, Mass, on Saturday from COM
plications resulting from injuries received in
accident three weeks ago. Dr.. Lord
was a native of Maine, Eand was graduated at
the Medical School of Bowdoin College in
lS47 He had been in successful practice at
Newton Lower Falls fourteen years, moving
thither from Sterling, Mass. He was highly es-
teemed in the community, and was noted for
his kindly interest in the poor, 10 whom his
professional services and other good offices
were freely rendered when needed. DIR. Lord
was deacon in the Wellesley Hills Congrega-
.icnal Church. He leaves a widow and one
daughter,