Morning journal and courier., 1886-09-27

The Revered Pastor of Whitneyvtlle
Congregational church for Forty
Eight Years Past Passes Away Yes
terday Morning as the Bells Were
Ringing for Church-An Honored
Life.
Rev. Austin Putnam, for forty eight years
pastor of the Whitneyville Congregational
church, died at his residence, "Luke parson-
age," near the church, yesterday morning as
the bells were ringing for forenoon service.
The sad news was quickly spread among his
parishioners, who were assembling as usual
to attend divine worship, and they congre-
gated at the church doors deep gloom and
sadness written upon all faces as the
intelligence was heard and tears stood in
many eyes. Few pastors in the United
States have had longer passionate and few
pastors in the history of Congregationalism
have had longer unbroken passionate over
one church. His death will be deeply
mourned by very large circle of friends.
For half century he had oficiated as pastor
at the weddings, funerals and other occa-
sions which ally a pastor to the
hearts of his people and townsmen and
for half century he had been known as a
fearless, earnest pastor, Outlines eloquent,
and at times preaching interesting, original,
effective and thoughtful discourses fresh
from the brain and heart of the speaker and
permeated with the untiring zeal of earn
est disciple and leader. His gifts and schol-
arship az was remarked where best known,
fitted him for pulpit with larger field,
but he unselhshly preferred to labor among
the people of his choice and they appreciated
his services. Even to the last his sermons
gave evidence of thorough, earnest prepa-
ration and were marked with the native
originality of mind still clear and vigorous.
His health had been delicate for many years,
but by care and prudence he maintained his
usefulness with but few Interruptions. He
was i'll for week in the early part of this
month, but rallied and preached as usual a
week ago yesterday. He expected to be able
to take charge of the prayer meeting last
Friday evening and had his subject chosen
for the occasion, but was taken ill that even
ing and DR.. Russell of this city, who had
been sent for, attended him and also returned
and attended him again at 3 O'Clock in the
morning. The deceased was conscious an hour
before his death and remarked that his mind
was clear and that if he had the strength he
could preach the sermon he had prepared for
the occasion. He was native of Croydon,
N. H, received thorough preparatory and
collegiate education and ever kept abreast of
the best thought and literature of the
times. He leaves a wife, the sharer for
many years of his SORROWS and joys, one son,
Joseph N. Putnam of New York city, and
one daughter, who resides at the parsonage.
The funeral will take place on Wednesday at
2:45 p. m. at the church, and in accordance
with the request of the deceased, one of his
warmest friends for many years, Rev. Mr..
Willard of Westville, will deliver the funer-
al discourse.
The service at Whitneyville church yester-
day morning was conducted by Rev. Mr.
John c. Collins of this city. After the service
a committee was appointed to wait upon the
family and consult their wishes in reference
to the sad occasion.