Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-29
LAID AT HEST.

The Funeral Of Eleazar r. Fitch-His
Weu.Spent and Useful Lffe-Feat--
nres OF q Tribute by Rev. Professor
George b. NevEcOmb-A Benefact0r
Mourned.
The funeral of Eleazar T. Fitch took
place yesterday afternoon at $50 o'clock
from his late residence, No. " Broadway,
attended by large number of Borrowing
friends, representative of New Ravens
best social and business interests. The
presence in body of SO large represent
alton of the force of employees of the inn
portant and notable mandatory with the
conduct of which deceased had been for go
long time identified, bore testimony of
their deep sense of esteem and apprecia-
ton of Mr.. Fitch as an employer and ben
efactor. ~
The services were very simple and i'm
pressive. The officiating clergyman wos
Rev. Professor George B. Newcomb of New
York city, formerly pastor of Dwight Place
Fitch's warmest and closest friends. He
was assisted by the Rev. a. P. Nichols OF
this city, who read the psalms and lesson
from the book Of common prayer.
Professor Newcomb followed with a
tribute to his deceased friend. He spoke
in substance as follows: It would be a diff
fcult task for me to speak of all the viz
tues of such man as this dear friend in
the few moments allotted me; and I can
but allude only to some of those qualities
that seem to me especially prominent. Ii
was always of wonder to me that man
of such bodily infrmities as it was his to
bear, could be so capable of sympathizine
| and interesting himself SO magnanimous
| 1y in the affairs of others. I well remem
| Der that, when years ago was aecustom'
| ed to visit this home, which was then &
home of affection, that I always went
away refreshed with the spirit of hopeful
| ness and gentleness. For, Mr.. Fitch hao
| that personal magnetism and attraction
| about him that he seemed to impart ths
| strength and beauty of his character to
| others always.
There was strength and gentleness in hi
| life, as we'll as peace like to the peace o:
| God that passeth understanding. Its no
| needfnl that 1 speak of the beautifully bal
| anced qualities of his character. They ar
| well known to all his acquaintances. Blu
he was always man of conscientious ane
sincere action. And it is not the conse
quences of action, but the character of i
that gives beauty to our lives. His wa
an example of an organized life. and on
true to a high ideal of society and bust
ness requirements. Everywhere he wa
eminently himself, carrying all the gentle
sympathetic traits of his character will
him He lived from motives
high and noble. Although hi
Judgment was keen and quicl
and his opinions were sharp and clearl,
defined, yet he rose above many of tn
petty trifes of life into breadth of view
and capacity of penetration found i,
few. His was natural piety, hinginl
aside crude conventionality and dogma
tism, exemplifying the pure and simpl
life of our Saviour. Much of this doubt
less was due to heredity. But his ow,
life, in its thought and in its suffering, hat
| ter and soul to which God had givel
much. As an ancient sage once said:
good life is but for few days, but goo
name endureth forever.
Let us all like him seek to live that GU
generation may preserve something fror
Hail, tranquil hour of closing day.
| Begone, disturbing care
| And look my soul from earth away
| To him who heareth prayer.
How sweet, through long remembered years
| His mercies to recall;
And pressed with wants and griefs and fears
| To trust his love for all.
How sweet to look in thoughtful hope
| Behond this fading sky,
And hear him call his children up
| To his fair home on high.
Calmly the day forsakes our heaven
| To dawn beyond the west:
So let my soul in ife'S last even
| Retire to glorious rest.
After short prayer the remains wer
taken to the family plot in the Grow
street cemetery for interment.