Morning journal and courier., 1886-04-19
AmEmoRIAL A SERVICE.

President POrterss Discourse on the
 Life and Character of Prof. Thacher-
 His Services to Yale and Educators
 in General ExtOlled and his Personal
 Character EuIOg1xed.
 Battell chapel was well filled yesterday aft ernoon, the occasion being the memorial ser vice in honor of the late Prof. Thomas A. Thacher. After the singing of hymn by the choir Dr. Barbour read the passage from St. Paul beginning: "I have fought a good fight, have finished my course, have kept the faith" Next followed chant, prayer by Prof. Fisher and the hymn, ''There is an Hour of Peaceful Rest" The memorial dis course delivered by President Porter occu- pied about an hour. After briefly relating the incidents of Prof. Thaeher's life which have already been printed the speaker re- viewed with considerable minuteness his pri- vate character and services to the college, reading extracts from letters by Prof. Thach- CTS lifelong friends, Professors Seymour and Brocklesby of Trinity, both of whom testi- fled to his personal worth and popularity as school-boy and 8 college student. The pres ident stated that 1888, the year in which
 Prof Thacher first became connected with the college as an instructor, was critic
 al period in it's history. The old sys-
 tenn whereby a students instruction for the first three years of his course lay chiefly in the hands of one person was just giving way to the modern plan of frequent Change and varied association. And further more at that period the preservation of dlsc1- rline among the students was much greater task than at present and this duty being chiefly delegated to the tutors proved no small burden to the younger members of the faculty, Prof. Thacher soon gained justly I,,~ 1,5 inv act ing the turbulent element among the students and yet succeeded in gaining their respect and love and hence became better known to the mass of the stu dents and their families than any other mem Der of the faculty. And this ever extending acquaintance proved most valuable ald to his activity in obtaining funds for the col Iepe one of the most noteworthy and suc- cessful features of his career. It was to 8 larpe degree owing to his efforts that the ap- neal for funds made in 1854 was so success ful. and from that time on he was ever active in gaining new gifts for the college and planning how the money might his efforts were not confined to the academ1cal department. The Art school, Scientific school, observatory and Theological school all were directly benefited by his practical knowledge. Nor was his interest solidly centered in his chosen institution. For over 1OrCy years n6 was trustee or the Hopkins Grammar school which he assisted greatly in enlarging, and for several terms he served on the State board of education, travelling about frequently to lecture and perform the duties of his office, which he was compelled to resign by ill health. As a teacher he was patient, yet rigorous and withal sympathizing, never forgetting or shirking the drudgery of his profession which was necessary for the student to enter upon subject more compatible to himself. His hos pitality was boundless. Old friends and new acquaintances were ever welcome to his board, and many person who came to New Haven stranger left him friend. h. tellectually he was clear and solid, of ardent temperament, strong in his convictions and positive in his sympathies and antiquities. His nature was most genial. Family, neigh bors, friends and aequaintances were all ob- jects of his solicitude. President Porter then spoke of his family relations and dwelt on his loyalty to friends, whether old or new, mentioning particularly his intimacy with the late Professor Williams. The con- gregation then united in singing hymn and Dr. Barbour pronounced the benedie-