The Press., 1889-01-03
His face and figure is familiar to most of


 you it would attract attention in any cir cle Those large physical proportions, massive head and most expressive face marked man of princely intellect and mo- ble heart. He was 8 person of strong emotions, and that broad, open face and massive body gave an ample field for their play. Sometimes the quiet smile would light up his eyes and spread over his countenance like sunshine over the hills, or some stronger wave of feeling would break into the quiet, hearty laugh in which his whole body joined, and in which the whole company, moved by its contagion, joined. Then again the shadows would gather, deep shadows, sometimes like the shades seen settling over the forests of pines. Indeed his countenance in repose, as seen in some of the pictures of him, had the tender, mournful look of one who often felt the force of mental depression. It is impossible to tell why, but it is true, that many men and women of large intellect and strong emotions have felt an under tow of an unaccountable mechanically.
 With all his wealth of scholarship MT. Hammond had singularly frank disposi- tion, and spoke out with childish freedom the thought of his heart. His voice was extremely musical when employed in the lower tones of common conversation, or when he sang. He had an exquisite ear for music. never heard him sing loud, but there was power that one felt flowing in that current of sound so subdued and sweet that made it's gentleness seem great. There rises before me now the vision of the meeting house as it was, with it's high | gallery, straight backed and unpainted seat, and the day when MT. Hammond took his brother Samuel's place at the bass viol and played the bass and sung the air. Even now seem to hear those rich hute-like tones that still had the mellow silvery ring of bells across the bay.
 MT. Hammond was born June 15, 1913. His father, Shubael Hammond, was a physician of the town for fifty years As I remember him, a man of slight build, but of a remarkably fine head, who had the universal respect of his fellow townsmen as man of good judgement and marked intellectual ability. MT. Hammond's moth- CT was also an intellectual woman, with an unsuitable thirst for reading and a special interest in the theological discussions of her day. MT. Hammond was among nine that joined the church by profession in 1881. Dea. Paul Lawson was also among the number. In that year he entered Monson academy, In 1885 he entered Yale college at the age of p. He spent J 1S41, at Andover Seminary, and the next two years at Yale theological department, graduating in 1s44, and he was licensed to preach about that time by the Holland Go. Association.
 In the spring of 1889, before his gradu- ation at college, which was to take place the following summer, he accepted the preceptorship of Monson academy, and held the position two and half years be- fore he went to the seminary. Soon after completing his theological course he was called again to be principal of Monson academy, position which he held with great and growing success till 1853, when he became principal of the academy in Groton, Mass. In answer to the earnest entreaties of the trustees of Monson acad- emy he returned there in 1863. The insti
 tuition immediately took on new life, larger funds were raised, and better equipment furnished, a new building went up, and $1O, ,OOO was added to the permanent fund
 Here, where MT. Hammond began his pre- ceptorship 32 years before, he continued till the end of his life.
 He was given the degree of l.. l.. D. in 1847 by Union College. A friend said of him "When Dr. Hammond entered up- on hiS last academic year i2 September, '7S, it was with the the expacts nnnlai purpose that it slasrd
 teaching." Soon afSc1s =
 with disease, and though he fslHell lcll 5 time, yet the hand of the destroyer was too heavy for him, and he slept in Jesus.
 In the words of another eulogist "But
 he was soon satisfied that all that remained for him was to set his house in order and be in readiness for the summons, and this ] he did with the firmness of a man and the faith of christian. He suffered much for several weeks, and the light of reason was
 for some time clouded. The ruling pas
 sion was strong in death. As the shadows of death thickened around his bewlldered senses he kindly remarked, 1t is growing dark, boys you may go home.' And SC our friend, the preceptor at Monson, gath. ering the poor remains of his wasted
 strength with resolute effort, gave mes. sage of love for beloved pupil, and as the words left his lips he passed within, the
 vail to higher service in nearer presence and with ransomed powers"
 need not dwell long on the events of the fifty years past. They are many and
 very interesting, and have been made fa-
 miliar by frequent rehearsal. There is this house of worship built and twice reno. , vated during the past 60 years, re-dedi- cated in all its fresh beauty more than 21 !. years ago. Inere are the cemeterleS, re l gently enlarged and improved, where rest the dear departed. What common tary a on the frailty of life that ground prepared . and vacant little more than 40 years ago a now peopled by the silent dead. ,' < , And what memories hover around tn,
 ancient burial place, where we took tn, a noon- day stroll to view the 'frail memori
 als still erected nigh, with uncouth rhymes
 and shapeless sculpture decked," and il
 early summer gathered the tender leaves
 of the young wintergreens that made theil l. bed around the messy stones. There stil
 stands the school-house on the hill, wher, !. faithful men one term in year taught tn, e eager youth in earthly knowledge, and like s wise inspired them with love of heavenl, @ things. The great rock still stands wher 0 the girls gathered to pray at noon-tide, ant Il the pine grove where the boys went on s similar errand. e There are memories also of the singiB. /. schools; in which thea pastor was al e ways interested, and which he promoted I. for he loved the service of song, and de sired to have it we'll rendered in the sanct # uary. Then there are the school -hous
 meetings, and the beautiful, delightfu e Sabbaths, the communion seasons, and tn e goodly fellowship of the saints
 if How the visions rise of the scenes thes n. gl l.-- R