The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-08-08
actresses Made by Rev. Or. Dalton
and Rev. A. n. Wright.

Dalton of ST. Stephens Episcopal church
and Rev. A. II. Wright of the ST. Lawrence
street Congregational church
DIR. Dalton's address was touching and
appropriate extemporaneous tribute to the
deceased, referring to the long acquaintance
that had existed between them, and testify
ing to the many high qualities of the deceased
as Christian and man. He was followed
by Rev. Mr.. Wright, who spoke as follows:
REV. MR. wRIGHT's ADDRESS.
Seldom has death come to one of Portland's
honored citizens under circumstances less
to be deplored, than in the removal of Dr.
Carruthers from our midst.
On quiet, beautiful summers day, after
a very brief Sickness in his own long-occu-
pied home, surrounded by his children, rela-
tives and friends, and unconscious of all suf-
fering or sorrow, his spirit passed from earth
and entered the home OF eternal rest for
which 1t had long been prepared and wait
ing. 1t was the peaceful sunset eff a long
and luminous day, the fitting close of wor-
thy and noble life. the story of which cannot
here be rehearsed.
What long life 1t was beginning with the
into the shadow OF its closing decade. Almost
ninety. full years this pure.miLded man has
trod the earth, which his footsteps have
blessed. Whether he walked in Scotland,
the land of his birth and ministerial train
ing; or in Russia, the country of his youthful
toll and sacrifice as a missionary; or In Can
ada, where he devoted his early manhood to
educational work and church-building or in
our own beautiful city by the sea, wherever
he lived, he lived with God and toiled for
Christ
We recall with gratitude, in this solemn
hour, that four and forty years of this be-
nefcent life God gave to Portland. We re-
call ministry, earnest fearless and faith
full. OF thirty-one years In pastoral relation
to this beloved church. With thankful
something Of the good to men, and the glary
to God, which have resulted from the cares
and tolls of this long passionate.
One browning result of DR.. Carruthers'>
prolonged and able ministry in our city was
the erection Of this massive church edi6ce,
great DR.. Payson. So let 1t ever stand, but
there are many who will likewise look upon
1t as a monument to the energy and efficien-
cy of DIR. Carruthers. A story of hard, self
with the building of the beautiful sanctuary,
which would reflect signal honor upon this
departed minister
Many there were to rise up and build, but
DIR. Carruthers was their Nehemiah, to lead
the way and urge.them on. Let the genera
and out of this house of God, with pride and
joy think reverently of the man who rose up
10 the residue of his strength and devoted
the years OF his old age to the preparation of
sanctuary for them and for their children,
which in ages to come will be the ornament
and the defence Of our city.
DIR. Carruthers was worthy successor to
Payson's pulpit. The gospel of divine love
and grace was never more faithfully and
fearlessly proclaimed by any man in the
venerable and generated form we must bury
today. DR.. Carruthers possessed the pas
sion OF mighty preacher. This passion
never died out OF his soul In the physical
feebleness of his last years he longed to
were the divine will, he might stand once
more in the sacred place and proclaim the
word of God. The gospel grew nightly
upon him in his closing years.
He felt 1t to be greater, grander gospel
ministry. Preach it, preach it, preach
nothing but the gospel Of Gods free grace to
sinful men, he said to me over and over
again.
DR.. Cariuthers's method as a sermonizer
any preacher I ever heard. There sAV was "a a
ponderous weight In his sentences which
borrowed their force partly from the
strength of his moral convictions and partly
from his massive manner of delivery. AL
ways, when he stood in the pulpit there was
man with burning soul behind the truth.
Whatever men thought of the doctrine, they
never for a moment doubted but that it was
serious truth to the preacher, and its pro-
clamatlon serious business.
DIR. Carruthers made profound impress
ion upon my youthful mind as pulpit ora
tor. 1t was nearly 81 years ago that first
heard him preach. 1t was in Cambridge
pulpit, then in charge of his son. He was IN
the MONDAY Of his strength. 1t was the
power OF the gospel he made me feel, and
cret of his fame as preacher. That mass
i've form, that sturdy strenth of logical
Thought; that positive method of diction /;
that bold reverence of manner, were all be-
hind the simple saving truth of the gospel I;
the gospel as it was delivered to the Apos-
ties. The unequlvocal and unqualified Cos.
pei that, and that alone was the substance
and the power Of DR.. Carruthers's preach
Ing.
Quite recently had from his own lips an
artless testimony to the fidelity of his preach
ing. One day | called at his house, and
found him perusing one of his manuscript
sermons, several of which lay before him on
the table. Said he, to me. 81 have been look
ing over some of my old sermons which
preached in the First Parish church, after
the great fire. and am greatly rejoiced to
Of them. 1t is great comfort to know that
did preach the pure gospel. "And the words
were spoken with tears of gratitude and joy.
DR.. CarrutherS was an extemporaneous.
preacher before he came to Portland. He
adopt the method of reading from the manu-
script. u was prevailed upon to do this, he
said, by those who thought the dignity of
the pulpit where Payson and Condit had
preached could not be sustained except by
c asn neVep aadd either ne d added as
to my ministry" Concerning NJ pOt the
public life of our departed brother.
Sufficient has been said, desire
to add a few words in reference
to his life after his withdrawal from his
passionate. For some years subsequent to
1877 he continued to preach as occasional
supply In the different city pulpits and con-
tlnued to be actively interested in the meet
ings of the Ministerial Association and
church conferences.
But the last decade of his life has been
happily spent in the seclusion and comfort
OF his home on Cumberland street, where a
Kind and loving providence has given to him
the exclusive care and attention of his only
surviving daughter, whose daily anxiety has
been to make her aged fathers life comfort
able and happy. Not for a single day, we
might almost say, not for single hour, has
he been deprived of her presence and faith
full watch and care For this let us give God
the praise. Surely the Lord will continue
his loving kindness to his hand maid, and
her sorrow, nor for support in her advance
Ing years.
Friends, | cannot close these remarks
without laying upon the bier Of my aged
friend the personal tribute of my grateful
heart. Thirty years ago it was, nearly, that
The life of this man of God touched and vi
talized my own, and his hand il was that
then pointed out to me the path of nay duty
and destiny. / was but a youth when his
nand, now cold in death, was laid warmly
upon my shoulder, and these silent lips ut
ts IN my ear the words which were to me
sne nIst audible whisper of Gods call to the
hm,ndstty. my young FRIEND" he said, 81
God God WANTS S9ttoS ngr impression in my mind that
pie the words, and vet how much tbav
we rHI Of " t as They opened for new
ter. 'eS ihaue nle m'nls-
strangely, too, as it seems now. I was led
IN after years hitherward by the prov vide
OF God. and for almost twenty wears I Save
enjoyed the personal friendship. communiono
and counsel of Dr. Carruthers Uiiion
To me the spiritual side of his nature was
an open book, from which has come to nv
soul Inspiration to holy thoughts and good
endeaYOrs. NeYer shall | cease To rememher