The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-08-09

k00Af0 Taysoa wv
We copy from the New York Eeaag~a'
the following notice Of the late 4 I. Roe
It's editor vas an iutimste personal friens
Of Mr. Hoe And IL was in that paper tha
his nsss story appeared.
Oar frat record OF yoang Roc Is As
stodsnt ia williams College Tor time
Thence he entered Auburn Theolosica
Seminary 10 September 1861, where he re
mAiued ooe year. The following year h'
studied for time in union Seminary. thu
city; but here bis patriotism and that o
his environment proved too iersid To-
longer delay. and be volunteered his ser
vices 70 his country Ordained ct Somerr
BY the North River Presbytery IN lS62
he Was appointed Chaplain OF the Harris
Light Cavalry, and continued in the faith
ful discharge Of his duties - such until
some time 10 1854. when he Was transfer
red 70 Fortress Monroe 10 perform minis
tssisl duties, by the wish Of President
Lincoln. He continued 10 thess relations
uatii thA closs Of the wAr.
Though but youth, be made himsell
loved and trusted in his new and diticul,
sphere. He was manly, sincere and sol
dierly. A comely figure WAS his Is Ls
rode. his jet beard parting in the wind,
and many the hardships and dangers he
shared With the brsvest Of bis troop. He
was one OF the picked men who raided
quite to the suburbs OF Richmond, led by
ahlgren. who lost his life during the ad.
venture. He became very much engaged
at Fortress Monroe aud Hampton in be
half Of the soldiers and the Freedmen, and
in addition TO other duties, set about the
erection OF new building and the gath.
ering Of suitable library.
The war over, loving his native banks
OF the Hudson more than all the country
be had seen, he accepted his first and only
pastorate at Highland Fslls-s little ham
lot bounding West Point on the north In
1866. He found there but handful OF
people housed In wooden church built
many years before and out Of repair. 1t
Is, perh apps. we'll to explain that by reaso
of adverse Influences, this old church OF
the neighborhood had lost much Of its
former standing in the community, and at
at this time was quite overshadowed by
the finer aud more eligibly situated Epis-
copal church, largely supported by the
families Of those officially resident at the
Point Thus the question Of its future
prosperity. II not its very existence, was
pending The young pastor entered upon
his new duties with zeal. He soon began
to awaken his people and inspire their
faint hearts to the idea OF future for that
church, poor though they all were, pastor
and people, as regards the things Of this
world. He rallied the young people, who
before were listless or worse. The faded
old church and the little squareroomed
parsonage hard by, soon became centres
OF life and interest: and better than all,
there were frequent accessions to the
church roll on confessions OF faith. But
the question constantly recurred Of the
possibility Of further and permanent ad-
vance, and 1t was soon seen that this must
come in part through the improvement OF
the visibility Of the church and society,
and this seemed really chimerical to that
people was so in truth. Fortunately
just that 10 every sense there was quite
fertile bit Of ground included within the
church and parsonage plot, and little
more to be hired adjoining, and right here
it was that Mr.. Roe first made his mark
ss horticulturist. and for the purely ben
ifcent purpose Of helping bis people erect
. suitable and substantial house Of wor-
ship. Such an edifice was far beyond
their means, and .hought even; and they
will to-day join us in record that its
roal burden rested upon the shoulders Of
the young pastor. frcm foundation to
Hnisl. How bravely be entered upon the
undertaking. snd carried ii TO success
after years Of struggle. we were witnesses
at the time. and can never forget. His
earnings as . writer, . Grand Army leo
turer, and producer Of small fruits, oil
went that way, or nearly SO, during the
whole term OF bis pastorste Of about eight
years. He had also personal friends who
contributed. Aud thus 1t came TO pass,
when by his own wish his labors were
brought 10 close 10 1874. that the presen'
comely stone church was oil paid for. l.
stands to-day aworthy aud real monument
to bis enterprise his generosity, his ready
and constant self-sacri6ce, Of his rare
ability to plan and TO execute in the face
OF obstacles that would forever have de-
fsrred the prudent
Mr.. Roe had however, all uuwittingly, |
done we'll for himself while yet settled at
Highland Falls Ho entered upon his
career !, IN author during the closing
months Of his stay. The sweeping Chica.
90 conAagration Of October, 1871, had at.
tracted his interest, and he visited and
explored the smoking ruins, until bis i'm
Aginstlon had fairly taken fire. As is
known he resolved to write story laying
The scsne in that city 1t this very time
using thst terrible visitation ~ the Chi,
Incident. From any literary view point.
this would have seemed TO some good
,ritics. had they been consulted. more
isring project than even he had yet essay
ID. That any writer could give worthy
4 description OF that sll-deyouring tempest
oi Aame, one that should bs valuable a.
history and yet subordinate it TO the en-
OF love story. seemed on the
lace OF il impossible. Aud yet our knight