The Portland daily press., 1893-05-25
IN MEMORY OF DR.. HILL.


The Planting of the Tree at the First
Parish Church, and the Services in Com
moration.
Yesterday afternoon exercises were
held at the First Parish church in recog-
milton of the planting in the yard by the
church of tree to the memory of the
late DR.. Thomas Hill. The exercises
were in the church, where assembled
many of Dr.. Hill' old friends, parishioners
and admirers. The exercises began
with an organ voluntary by Mr.. Kotzsch-
mar, followed by choir singing. Then
Rev. John Carroll Perkins, the pastor,
read various appropriate selections re-
lating to nature and the love of nature,
beginning with the first lines of Thana-
topsis and concluding with some of the
noblest scriptural passages.
Mr.. Perkins then offered prayer, and
there was more music by the choir.
Mrs. John A. Bellows then read from
Dr.. Hills collection entitled "In the
Woods" one of the favorite poems begin
ming SIN the woods on an April day.
and breathing throughout that love of
nature as the Interpretation of Divine
love which so characterized DR.. Hill.
Rev. John Carroll Perkins then made
a brief address. saying that it is rarely
that any one is able to enter thoroughly
into the spiritual life, and yet see fully
the material side. We have been for
tunate here in having one whose life was
fully rounded, for whom the material
was the Interpretation of the spiritual.
One who could thus see both sides had
elements both of greatness and simpli
city.
The life of him in whose memory we
are here remains forever in us and
through us. 1t is our duty and privilege
here to realize what that life was. Each
one to whom that life was dear can this
day become better and truer because it
is so.
Rev. John A. Bellows then addressed
those present, recalling the comfort
which DR.. Hill used to derive from the
s'dumb sympathy of the uncommunica-
BILE trees" The planting of a tree was a
most fitting way to commemorate his
memory. He was always happiest in
the woods. He got so much out of
nature. The birch, the pine, the sunac
whispered to him the secrets they only
tell to poets and sages. He knew the
voices of all the birds, although in his
knowledge there was none of the self
seeking which often marks the stricter
man of science. The speaker recalled
that often he had rambled in DR.. Hilr S
company through the woods and fields.
Swinging from his keen perception
that something from the life of God
entered into the humblest flower,
came his fancy that one should
not pluck all the flowers in one spot, lest
the harmony of nature be impaired, or
lest there should be none for others.
There was nothing of affectation about
DR.. Hills love of nature. Mountain,
wood, flower and bird, like the march, of
the planets, whispered to him of the in
finite love.
Mr.. Bellows illustrated these features
of DR.. Hills character by reference to
several of his poems.
These qualities made him pre-eminent-
ly successful minister-that is the one
who helps. By the wisdom of bene-
violence he lifted up the life of this town
in the IS years that he lived among us. !,
In memory of that ministry we plant
this tree, to unfold in beauty and useful
ness in the years to come.
The 10th hymn, 1.-THE Heavans declare
thy Glory was next sung, and then the
audience were dismissed with the bene-
diction.
Then came one Of the most pleasing
features of the exercises, the decorating
of the tree. Among other decorations
was a wreath placed there by little
Maurice Pierce, a grundson of DR.. Hill.