The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-03-06
ADMIRAL PREBLE.
Funeral Services at the First
Parish Church Yesterday.
Some Interesting Historical Reminis-
cences Of the Family.

The remains of Names distinguished Rear
Admiral, George Henry Preble, arrived in this
city from Massachusetts, late Wednesday night
ana the funeral services took place at the First
Parish church yesterday afternoon.
1t is noticeable, in regard to the funeral of
the Admiral, that both his uncle, the distin-
guished Commodore Prebe, and his father,
Captain Enoch Preble, were honored By pub
lie funerals in their native city. When Com
modore Preble's funeral t>ok place large
concourse of people fronl the neighboring
towns assembled, business was suspended,
colors were displayed at half-mast from the
shipping and public buildings, and large
procession escorted by the military marched to
the Eastern Cemetery, where the remains
were inferred with Masonic csremonies,- the
most imposing scene, says Willis, Portland
had ever witnessed.
When Capt. Enoch Prebles funeral was
observed, the flags on the shipping were half
masted. tbs city bells tolled, and large con-
course of citizens accompanied the remains to
their last resting place. He was the last sur
vivor of his fathers family, and when he died
was the Oldest native resident of the city
which had grown from town of less than
1000 to city of over 16,0 600 Inhabitants.
Both of these distinguished officers, Com
modore Edward and Capt. Enoch Preble were
members of Portland Lodge, and the latter
was elected member OF Ancient Landmark
Lodge in 1918. Admiral PEBBLE was made a
member of Tolerant Lodge in Lisbon, Portu-
gal, and he took SO much interest in Ancient
Landmark Lodge that he presented that body
with his fathers photograph, his apron and
other Masonic relics. The last duplicate COPY
OF the Preble family history-on the death of
his son-he presented to the Portland Masonic
Library.
AT the hour appointed for the services, there
was large attendance at the First Parish.
The casket was placed in front of tie pulpit,
and was draped with the American flag. On
the casket rsposed the cap, sword and belt of
the Rear Admiral, and beautiful floral cross
and crown, while at the head embodied in the
drapery on the front of the pulpit, was sheaf
of wheat and English violsts.
The pews on the right of the broad elsie,
near the chanoe, we're reserved for the rela-
tives and connections OF the deceased, and
were filled by the members of tho Cox, erie,
Gross, hanson and other well known families.
Those on the left were occupied by Rev. DIR.
Lambert of Charlestown, Mass and the pail
bearers, Col. f. N. Dow, Collector of the Port:
Hon. Clark 81. Barker, Postmaster OF Portland
Col. Charles e. Blunt. United States En-
gineers; Commander A. S. Orownnshield, q.
s. N; Hon. Jacob Mcclellan, Hon. VIM.
Senter, A. W. Longfellow, Esq., and j. F.
Anderson, Esq. Then followed Mayor King
and the members of the Portland City Gov
eminent, the officers OF the United States
Courts, the Army & Navy, Coast Survey, Gus
toms and Postal Services. The Aged Brother
hood was also represented, Admiral Preble
having joined the society within the past year
The arrangements at the church we're all under
charge of Major Charles 81. Boyd, OF the U. s.
Coast Survey, assisted by Messrs. w. Fl. An
derson, Henry Dsering and Augustus Cum
miDgs.
Shortly after p. m. the organ, under the
master hands of Mr.. Kotzschmar, gave forth
the notes of that noble voluntary of Mendels-
sohn's Cast Thy Burdens on the Lord"
which was sung most beautifully byMss Lizzie
M.Brown, Mrs Morrison, Messrs Thurston and
Shaw, after which Rev. DR.. Hill read the i'm
pressve burial service, following it with q
prayer and the following address:
To the dearess friends of any noble man his
death, at whatever age, If he retain the posses
sion of his powers ia shock, and seems a loss.
When the death is sudden, it is, to those most
closely boand to the departed, doubly painful
But to those who look on, at a little greater
distance, the shock is less, and the sense of loss
Is diminished III proportion to the age of the
person called away. The honor aud useful
ness OF the man, also whi,h increase our grief
over an DDtlmely end, assuage it when we
stand at the grave of one we'll advanced in
years. have known the virtues of men who
had nearly completed their three score years
and ten, make even their nearest and dearest
relatives mingle triumphant thanksgivines
with their lamentations at their death. In
| such cases also the suddenness of a mans
| death, painful when we look at the shock Civ
| en- to those most tenderly attached to him. has
Its brighter aspect when we remember that
| the honored aud beloved one was taken from
labors, and entered upon rewards without
pain, ana without the consciousness of gradu-
| ally failing powers.
The honored man whose mortal remains We
would now copsign to the tomb, had lived
nearly to the allotted age; and If we measure
| old age by the record of work accom- pished
there are few who attain greater age than
| he. The name which he bore has been honor
| ed not only in our city, but over the civilized
world, from before the time of his birth; but
| it has received new lusire from his achieve
ments. Taking up ia carly life the profession
which his uncle had 60 highly adorned, he
maintained for nearly half century an
honorable rank; not only for those qualities
| which belong to successful naval officer, but
| for general nobility of character for un-
| tiring industry, strict fidelity, and perseve-
| rance in good work even under the most adj
I verse circumstances. The soldierly and
| civilian virtues OF his grandfather, seemed re-
| produced III him as they had been in his uncle
and his birth in seaport, town led him. as 1t
had the uncle, to the navy rather than TO the
| army. His duty to his country was never
neglected; and the variety of service which he
| was called upon to render to her, in the forty
| years of his active life, was very great. He
never was censured but once, and that CEN
sure was almost Immediately retracted and
| converted into high praise. In the great war
Tor the preservation of the Union, he bore a
| laborious and au honorable part, and We re-
verently would thank God that by the watch
| ful and arduous services of such men, we have
| still the blessings of liberty under Law. But
laborous and responsible as the position of a
naval ofncer ls, 1t also, of nece ssity, affords
frequent leisure hours, and these hours our
| honored friend did not waste in idleness: but
| compiled in them books which will always
have their value in the historical alcove
| The beloved Apostle has told US that he who
| doeth good is of God, and our Lord himself de-
| clared that moral goodness is the fruit of
sanctitied spirit. whereby we may test ourselves
and our fellowmeu. Faith brings salvation
through its sanctifying power; it is the we'll
spring OF rlghteousness, and its presence is ev-
idenced by the purity and excellence and fruit
tnlness of mans character. A really good
life, OF pure affections, of steadfast adherence
to duty, of diligence in useful works, il of Coo
it is the result of his indwelling spirit, and the
pledgesof having received the spirit OF aaop-
ton; of having been made child and heir of
God and co-heir with Jesus Christ to his eter-
nal glory. Not in boasting, nor as in self
righteousness, but in humble gratitude to the
Giver and Inspirer of all good; an solemnly
trusting the promises of the Lord Jesus Christ,
| we would remember this long course Of honor
able fidelity to every public and private duty !;
| as evidence that cur brother having been faith
| Iul in the things of earth, has now entered up
on wider spheres of activity with higher re-.
wards in the presence and joy of the Lord.
AT the close of the address, the auartette
sang 1.-THE Future in Heaven" the benediction
was pronounced, and the body was taken to
Evergreen Cemetery for interment, where the
Admiral had purchased lot and had the fam