The Portland daily press., 1883-06-12

An Address by Rev. Dr.. McKeown.

my words are inadequate and fall far short OF
doing justice to his many excellenees. | can
not speak as you could from personal knowl-
edge aud intimate acquaintance and tender
sense of obligation. And you will think nv
words tame; there will be so much OF which
you viii think that l cannot say. knew DR..
Clark personally but a little while, though /
had long heard of him by the hearing of the
ear. mad formed very high opinion OF him
from many sources, not only as u distinguished
medical practitioner, aud staunch friend of
Metnodism, but also as an eminent Christian
gentleman. l must say that on meeting him |
was not disappointed. There was that in his
countenance and manner and conversation
mat spoke at once the genial, cultured, Chris
i'm.
Though he has long been identified in his
sympathies and financial help with the church
at Woodford's, which rather regarded as his
ehureh-home, he was pleased to receive me as
IN some sense his pastor, and we had togeth or
ON several occasions sweet Christian converse
and sweet communion at the throne of grace.
Here 1 bad some moments of true Christian
fellowship, and here l saw death conquered by
the power of Christian faith DR. CLARK lived
IKE Christian, and like a Christian died
When last visited him, a day or two only be-
lore his departure, asked him, SIS Christ
sull precious TO you9" 'Inexpressiblyle he
answered.
Eliphalet Clark was born in the town of
Strong, on Sandy river, in 1901 of deeply
pious, Methodist parents, and was converted
IN bis fathers house, during a season of family
worship, at the age of II, joining Immediately
the methodist church, of which he remained o
devoted member nearly sixty-fve years. On
ms removal TO Portland he united with the
Chestnut street church Feb. Z, 1881, and was
therefore member of it over ffty-two years.
VI his great prominence, usefulness and help
IN the church cannot speak so we'll as these
mere present know. 1t is hardly too much TO
say that during all this time, except few of
these recent years of impaired health, he was
nrst and foremost in every good word and work
OF the sseciety, OF the denomination. l find
him IN 1856 introducing the resolutions in the
oneial board TO build the present Chestnut
street church. de was chairman of the build.
ing committee, and most energetic and effic-
lent IN carrying the work through to compile
ton. lie gave literally OF his time, his
means, his wise counsel. Through his enter
prise, advice and leerality the Congress street
church was located snd built. He donated the
site. Other churches were also aided by him.
He was a father to them all. Nor was his lib
eraity confined to his own denomination.
While the new and beautiful church at Wood
ford's, child of his old age, had not been but
for his purpose to erect. ere he should go hence,
another temple TO the Most High, where the
gospel should be preached to the generations
to come. It should be calldd the 'Clark Me-
mortal He was a judieious and liberal pat
ron OF learning, aiding greatly the institution
at Readheld IN its early struggles, and was
years. He performed like service for the Bi.
blical Institute at Concord, \. H., now the
theological department of the Boston Univer-
Sity.
OF his traits of character one OF so short and
slight acquaintance may hardly venture to
speak. He struck me, however, as possessing
keen insight into human nature, and as be-
ing uncOmmonly accurate in his estimates of
men. He was man of amiable temper, of
kind and generous disposition, excellent judg-
ment, decision OF character, and great energy
OF will His education was good. and he had
thought and read broadly beyond the line OF
his profession, especially in metaphysics and
theology, no longer ago than last summer,
when he was over eighty, reading with enthu-
siasm and delight Prof. Brownies able work on
metaphysics He vas young, clear, vigorous
and progressive in his type OF thought, keeping
abreast of the times, and maintaining living
Interest in the great questions Of the day. His
friendships were carefully formed, but were
warm, generous and abiding. He drew to
him those of kindred nobility OF nature.
Without children of his own, he adopted into
his family those OF relatives, and manifested
towards them the true parental affection.
They mourn him today with the grief Of chill
dren bereaved
OF his great professional Skill eminent sue
cess, and high character as 3 doctor, I need
not speak; they are known TO all. He was
Christian physician, and ministered to dis
eased souls as well as bodies, feeling that he
WAS Cdlleu OF GoQ 10 MS profession as trQly as
the minister is called to his. Recognizing the
intimate connection between the physical and
spiritual natures of man he brought 10 bear on
his patients the influence OF his religious faith
and hope in manner most salutary, often
with marked beneficial effect, while his kind
made him always desirable visitor to the
couch Of suffering
Doctor Clark was a rare mana ''magnii-
cent" man, as oae who had known him inti-
Ir-f rlr.9l
is the word to describe himp' We shall not
often look upon his like. He died as he had
liyed-honored Of God and men; his 'shoary
head a crown of glory, found in the way OF
righteousness. His last sickness was some
what protracted and painful, but his mind re-
tanned its elearness and vigor, and his peace
was unbroken. His faith ia Christ, in the
atoning merit Of his death. which be had
loved 10 profess, be found sufficient for the
dying hour. He was gloriousiy sustained. AS
the end drew on he triumphed more and more,
till at last be was forced to exclaim, "What
waves of living light have rolled over my soul
as have lain herel'
The following are some Of the sentences that
were noted down as they fell from his dying
lips -
On Monday, May 18th, he said to Captain
Coyle, II find now that Christianity is no fall
ure. 1t is the truth. am at the gate; the
chariot is on the other side to bear me away"
Thursday morning, May 30tb, he said to DR..
Ridgaway, "God is my refuge, very present
help. / never had stronger consolation; have
the strongest evidence Of the truth of Christian
ity, the truth of the Bible-not doubt or
fear. 1t is not matter of the. reason, but of the
heart, experimental Yet as usual, with my
experience, there Is no rapture"
Friday morning, May 31st Immediately on
rising from family prayers, during which he
often responed with firm voice, 'famen.' =
He said, What great privilege is prayer.
once was attending physician of Unitarian
minister OF a very evangelical schoot-difering
from us mostly IN terminology--he told his
wife that he had prepared two sermons-one of
which was on the present need of salvation In
Christ;-he meant to preach as soen as he got
ont. But be never got out. SO nov shall
realize as never before, the doctrine OF pres
ent salvation in Christ. The soul lost out of
Christ is reality. To me the
answer to salvation is my own consciousness.
You know have always been fond of theology
and speculation and have INDUCED my tasteSo
it was a wonderful mercy, that the Holy Chest
came to me and filed me, sweeping away all
doubt and forever settling my mind Now
these are no times for doubt and uncertainty
salvation is a great practical question"
Saturday afternoon. June 1st, on retuiniD z
from drive, said 70 him that ! thought Of
him as the most eBviable man in the world his
work done, aud we'll done and now only wait
ing to enter into the reward. Whereupon he
hastily reviewed his life, stating be was con-
verted aud joined the church at Is years of
age, joined TO stay. He had made many mis-
takes. His life had been full of fail
ures and shortcomings. He had al
ways delighted to pray the prayer, Forgive
us our trespasses as we forgive those who tres
pass against u.s." 81 forgive everybody; / love
the church; ] have always felt my need OF it,
and that it helped me. Methodism Is a great
system; never liked its doctrines and polity
better. II true to itself, there is no reason
why it should not spread over this continent,
including Mexico and South America. And
within the next fifty years Christianity shall
extend over japan and China, and Christ shall
reign 'wherever the sun over his successive
journeys run
when | was young man a system OF re-
ligious doctrine was presented to me, and it
had some attractions; but it required me TO give
up the doctrine Of justification by faith, and
this / never could do. Then the doctrine OF
the Godhead- Father, Logos, Paraclete- three,
THREE, not one, became fixed in my mind.
Tnis is the wonderful system 80 adapted to
mans need. From this time this doctrine be-
came a rock, on which have stood unshaken
ever since. You know / have never been an
emotional Christian, but | do feel If / live
long enough / shall get very happy"
While saying this his countenance shone
and he seemed on the point of rejoicing aloud.
co." said he, "what waves OF living light
have rolled over my soul as have lain here ~
On Sunday, 3d. he expressed desire, as
this was Communion day, to have the ordi.
nance administered, and accordingly the Rev