The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-10-15


important it was for them to drink pure
water. He set forth as clearly as need
be the nature of zymotic diseases. He,
in one article said, " Keep off fevers!
WHY invite disease and death to enter
your family and take away those so dear
to your hearts and so essential to make
home desirable!' The common people
were all loud in his praise. His many
attentions to them placed them under
obligations to speak well Of him. Buff
the poor classes thought well of him, SO
did those also of rank and wealth in
society He was known to them as a
man of culture and ready wit. He stood
high in his profession, and was often
called when medical counsel was re-
quired in difficult case.
In the process of time and events he
had acquired wide reputation as a
physician, and also large amount of
money. His house and grounds were
the admiration of all who saw them.
His taste for fine horses and good cows,
together with large crops of hay and
grain, led him to possess broad acres of
choice land, upon which was barn of
unusual size. These affairs were care
fully looked after by men who were
capable of the work assigned them
They felt an interest in their work
which was quite uncommon.
1t is worth mentioning just here that
DR.. Forest had few enemies. He turned
those into friends who had an inclina-
ton to do him injury. First, this was
done by the good spirit which he every
where manifested He was not only
genial but had wonderful control over
his own temper. Then again, he was
guarded in his own words to others.
Slanderers and detractors he abomi-
mated. He did not relish evil speaking,
nor lend willing ear to talebearers.
He was very busy man, having no
time for idle, Improbable talk. He
did not throw away his time upon
trites in any form. His enemies, see
ing his large practice, and many deeds
of mercy, hardly possessed the courage
to show enmity against him. Thus the
years rolled by swiftly, but full of such
a history as might be read in the future
life with satisfaction. In him Longfel-
lows words were exemplified: Life
is real, life is earnest, and the grave is
not its goal"
His wife aided him in all things that
were possible for her. She made his
home sunshiny and happy. The chill
dren that God had given them grew up
loyal to their parents and loyal to God.
Death had entered the family but once.
Then it bore away dear child, hardly
two years old. This one died when
diphthera ragged in town IN malignant
form. The child was tenderly and fer
vently loved by the parents. All was
done for it that was then known to
medical science. But when God had
recalled his own, the parents felt to
humbly bow at this dispensation of his
providence. They fully believed that
they would go to the child, as King
David said when his child was taken
away by the power of death from his
presence on earth. The future life
had even greater attractions to them
than before, by reason of little Fred.
dies going on before them. They
thought of that world where all tears
are wiped away, and where there shall
be no more sorrow or death.
The doctor was unable to free him.
self from professional engagements u n
til he reached the age of seventy. He
then said, 81 must pass over all the
duties of my profession to those who
are younger" Having done this ant
arranged for his temporal concerns hi
gave himself up to reading the Word o.
God and active duties for the churcl
and people of his town. He could no
be idle, and so he walked or rode about
giving this one advice on subject o
importance in financial matters; ant
that one, on the duty of sending hi
oldest son to college, and yet another
on the all-important subject of religion
On a clear morning in September
the village bell suddenly sounded out {
few notes, and then stopped. Then i
began to toll out the years of some on,
who had lately died. Soon it passed
from neighbor to neighbor, that thu
bell tolled for DR.. William Forest, VIII
had closed his earthly labors.
ITO BE Continued