Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-16

fully made. His peora,ion was one {
the most eloquent have ever heard from
human lips, and there were few dry eye
IN the congregation when he closed. II
early entered the ranks in the crusad
against intemperance, and has been on
of our most efficient workers in the field
He in fact advocated prohibition Of tn
liquor traffic as early as any man i
Maine, and few men did more to brin
the subject home to the hearts of To
people and make i. a fixed policy in on
State legislation, than he. When tn
great rebellion broke out, he was loyal t.
the core. He gave one son to the cause
who was killed in action, and ruined hi
own health and suffered untold woes by
reason Of exposurein the misasmalswamps
of the South. He was Chaplain of the
Sixth Maine Regiment. His heart beat
response TO every great movement for the
good Of mankind. He was right from
instinct, or he might not have been so,
for there was no such thing as policy in
his makeup. He was of the material
Of which martyrs are made, and would
have yielded his life q, the stake sooner
than sacrifice principle. lie was ever
the champion Of the right, and born
leader. He always spoke extemporan-
eously, and was always ready. The
friends Of any movement in which he was
interested, always felt at their ease when
he was present, knowing tina, their cause
would be championed.
In social life, he was one Of the most
genial and kindhear,ed of men, and had
the rare faculty Of adapting himself to
every circumstance and condition. His
heart always warmed toward the young
and the children Of his parish were his
strong friends. He was fond of outdoor
sports and one Of the mos, skillful anglers
ever met. Years ago, before the war,
when we both 60, enough Of camp life,
we frequently visited our northern
lakes together, engaged in fishing and
hunting and camping out, and | am not
ashamed to comics. that he caught most
Of the tish and baggcd large share OF
the game 1t Is no disgrace TO nave been
beaten by so consummate a sportsman a.
be. He was = natural mechanic, doubt
less by inheritance from his ancestors.
He made reliable and beautifully finished
rifles, and the best of rods. His home
Is filed with specimens Of his cunning
workmanship, and his friends have also
been remembered. He was an artist,
and some Of his carved work would COM
pare favora5ly with the best. His
tastes were cultured and refined. lie
discarded the gaudy and tawdry; simple
elegance was in accordance with his
views.
He was a man of great foriitude and
courage under difficulties. remember
one time, nearly thirty years ago, that
we had been fishing around the upper
Maine lakes. Our time had expired, and
we mus; start for home 1t was chilly
November day when we took boat at
Cedar Stump" 10 row across the lake 20
the mouth of the Cambridge river, dis
tance Of nearly twenty miles. Before we
had made half the trip. the wind came
up and blew almost gale, accompanied
by binding storm of snow and sleet.
Il was a trying and dangerous situa-
ton. There was the same danger in re-
treating as in advancing, and there was
nothing left for US but to bend TO the
oars and trust to Providence. Doubtless
MS trust was there, but | must contes,
I that mine was in him. Never shall
forget the serenity which characterized
him on this dangerous passage. The
| icr-cold water dashed over Us and the
snow and sleet came in our faces, but h'
was as unmoved as though sitting by M
! own fireside, and managed the boat witt
the skill Of a riyer-man. He always re
ferred oft afterwards as narrow escaP'
Tor US both.
Mr.. Thompson had settlements in va
rious parts of the State which gave hin
a wide circle of acquaintance, but can
not give them in chronological order. ant
perhaps may not be able TO name then
all. He has preached TO the societies Il
Pennington, Brunswick, New Gloucester
Bridgton, Augusta, Bethel. West Water
vile, Bryant's Pond and Mechanic Falls
For few years, also, he had settlement
outside Of the State. In several place
in Maine his stay was quite protracted-
, long enough for him to build house an
| it'll lor.a S,,cb xyas Oh