The Portland daily press., 1884-07-16
AT REST.
Obsequ1es of Bowdoin's Venerated
Professor.
A LARGE GATHERING OF DIsTIN-
GURsMED ALUMNI.
GEN. ChamberIRin's Remarks.

BRUNSWICK, July 10.
The funeral of the late Prof. Alpheus Spring
Packard took place here today. 1t was rare
July afternoon and the beautiful college
grounds and their surroundings were wrapt in
Sabbath stiffness save the incessant whisper
ing of the pines and hemlocks-they alone in
the whole aspect of nature did not seem to init
mate that great man was dead. All the life
and stir of the campus had vanished except
now and then solitary individual might be
seen thoughtiully pacing the walks, who per-
haps had come from abroad to take farewell
look upon the face of the sage of Brunswick.
Flags we're displayed at half mast through
out the town and business was suspended gen.
orally.
ALSO p. M, private funeral service was
held at the residence of the deceased opposite
the college grounds, Prof. John S. Sewall OF
Bangor Theological seminary, officiating.
Meanwhile large number of people had
gathered at the Congregational church to
witness the public ceremonies.
Among the prominent gentlemen in attend
ance at the services in the church were noticed
Rev. DR.. Thomas Hill, J. P. Baxter, ESQ.,,
Rev. Ell. s. Burrage, Hon. W. W. Thomas,
Portland; Senator William P. Frye, Lewiston:
Prof. e. G. Smyth, Andover; Prof G. G. Ever
EFT, Cambridge; Hon. Peleg w. Chandler, Bos-
ton; Governor Frederick Robbie, Gorham: VIM.
Goold, Windham.
The Bowdoin Alumni Association of Port
land and vicinity was represented by the fol-
lowing gentlemen: Hon. George f. Talbot,
Judge j. W. Symonds, Lewis Pierce, ESQ.,,
Goor0o n
Charles B. Merrill, Dr. f. FL. Gerrish, George
A. Thomas, Hon. 7. B. Reed, D. W. Snow,
DR.. Charles A Ring, VIM. H. Moulton, e. s.
Osgcod, DR.. Chas. Hunt, and 7. M. Giveen.
The services were conducted by Rev. w. P.
Fisher, pastor of the church, assisted by Gen.
j. L. Chamberlain, ex-president of the college,
and by Prof. Brown of the Faculty.
The pulpit was heavily drapad in morning
with folds caught up at one end by callas and
rosette of white and black, while below on
stand beautiful sickle of roses entwinsd with
ivy partially enclosed sheaf of ripeued grain.
the whole device resting on a delieatsly con-
structed easel. On the right and left slender
vases filed with pure white lilies were placed
on Grape covered stands, the largest one of
which was on the platform and bore fioral
cross of white with the inscription REST be-
meath it.
At 3 o'clock the body of the deceased was
borne into the church by the following pail
bearers, all of whom belong in Brunswick;
Hon. Marshall Gram, DR.. Asher Ellis, Hon. S.
j. Yong, Prof II. L. Chapman, Hon. G. J.
Gilman and Charles @. Melcher, ESQ.
The services opened with Beethoyen's fune.
raj march on the organ, followed by the an
them, 'Yes, though walk through the valley
OF the shadow of death, and scripture reading
By Rev. William P. Fisher of Brunswick.
Gen. Joshua L Chamberlain then stepped
forward and informed the congregation that
he had with him some verses, written BY
graduate, once an instructor of the college.
who had cherished an especial affection for
President Packard. Gen. Chamberlain in an
eloquent and touching manner. then read the
following poem, written by Samuel V. Cole,
class of "a, which seemed to reach the hearts
OF all:
All! but yesterday we saw him there in the familiar
place,
Where he welcomed all as children with his oldtme
courtly grace;
But we knew not it was Heaven that was shining on
his face.
Light was nearer than we thought it, for to day we
come and find
He has passed beyond the shadows that had made
our eyes so blind;
And his more than four score summers are a golden
trail behind.
Walking by the narrow margin that divides the sea
OF the Here and the Hereafter, he beheld upon the
Words of One, who, as aforetime stopped and
wrote upon the sand
Two there were that walked together; they COM
muned, as friend with friend,
On the mysteries, it may be, only angels compre-
bend;
One, the Christ, wrote with his finger. one. the
Christian, read-"The End"
Silent do his books await him on their shelves in
long array,
But his book Of life is ended and is silent now as
they,
And viii henceforth stard among them, to be seen
and read Away!
" hat thou vert, silent teacher, what thou vert
Men inherit and will CHERISH we possess the better
part,
We, thy pupils, in the ibres of the living brain and
heart.
Thou art happy! Thou discerning from the summit
of thy years,
Long hast seen the promise over rolling mist of
Seen the vision of the future, and thou dost not
need our tears.
VIII.
Sleep! the peace of God upon thee-sleep! and let
Drive their worlds in solemn silence till the worlds
great morning shines,
Where thou restest from thy labors in the hearing
Of the pinesi
hn ncin Of he
berlain said:
GEN. CHAMBERLAIN's REMARKS Il
1t has been thought proper that 1 should say a
few words on this OCCASION as one associated with
onr departed friend in every relation of College
office, and during the whole period of my active
life.
had expected others to speak before me, and for
you. am not here to attempt to voice the sorrow
interests that are touched by this affective dispensa
ton, too little worthy is the little can saw
1t were fitting surely that the College, which is
so largely bereaved, should appear among those
who bear testimony, and offer the last tributes of
affection.
This is not however, the occasion where we can
attempt to portray his character bring to view
all his varied and efficient service; recount the
reasons for our loving him and carrying the memory
OF him forward into the coming years. This will be
done doubtless at a more be1ttfng time and fitly |
done. Now it is only for to utter broken notes;
expressive only of our sudden sorrow, long dreaded
and vet hoped against, which reason and under
standing have scarcely been sufficient to restrain
our loving hearts from putting Off concerning one
not subject unto death.
1t is impossible to note even briefly such career
and not remark certain habits of conduct which
have become traits of character, rather perhaps
should say, certain cherished principles which |
have unfolded and expanded into consummate ac-
ton. II might use phrase and language both |
learned OF him, would ascribe to him in all its
breadth of acceptation, that of the master historian
IaneoTrupta des''; uHcorrupted faith incorrupti-
bic hdelity; answering loyalty. Nothing could |
move Prof. Packard from his conviction, nor make |
him betray neglect trust.
His practical tests of conduct so sharp as to
make his judgments sometimes perhaps severe
characteristic remark l have several times heard
him make when some person of responsible station |
had committed an act apparently dictated by selfish
considerations, and which have sometimes ventur-
ed to demonstrate against as too sweeping too broad
an induction, from too narrow premise, |
now, confess, to appear more just, as maturer |
observation makes clearer the tests of character
Il have no respect for him. Prof. Packard would
saw II was moi narrnu ,ras rhnt IN tIo 90 -