Morning journal and courier., 1894-01-25
THE LATE REV. T. X. FEssENDEN.

His Funeral In Farmlngton-AL Large
Concourse of sorrow1ng Friends-A
Sketch Of His Long Life Of Philan-
thrOpic Labor-A Life Filled With
Usefulness-Rev. Mr.. Clark's Ad.
dress In Full. ss..
The funeral services of the lamented |
Rev. T. K. Fessenden, beloved throughout |
he state a. devoted minister of Christ
md philanthropist, took place on Tues
day afternoon In Pennington, attended BY
= large concourss of Borrowing friends. in
Guided among whom were q large number
Of Farmington's leading people and men of
note from many parts Of the state. After
prayers At the late residence Of the de-
ceased at Q p. m. the funeral party pro-
oesded to the Congregational church, where
the pastor, Rev. George L. CLARK, deliv-
cred, An address most fitting to the hour
and occasion. and embodying q just and
discriminating tribute to the memory Of
the deceased, his worth and marked use
fulness, and his philanthropic labors. The
management of the stste industrial school
and of the Hampton institute, with the
prosperity Of both of which institutions
the deceased was prominently identified,
wers we'll represented ct the obsequies.
Mr.. Edward Smith assisted the pastor in
the services. The deceased had many old
friends in New Haven among our leaders
In benevolent and philsnthropic endeavor.
The address by Row. Mr.. Clark is given in
full ~ followss
1t was said of one who lived thousands
of years ago, "He being dead yet speaketh."
SO may 1t be said of him in honor of whose
memory we gather to-day.
He is speaking in the home where bis
kindness and goodness were sources OF
peace and Joy; in this church, where his
presence and faith have long been an in
SEPARATION; in the community, where bis In
duence has ever bssn thrown on the side
of Righteousness; in the churches to which
he has ministered with affection and 6del-
ity; among thousands of our brothers In
the south for whose uplifting he has joy
ously and successfully wrought; multi
tudes of lives pure end noble, which re-
oeived the impulse and the training toward
goodness in the school which he estab-
lished.
He is speaking in our Utmost hearts, and
the story is one of steadfast courage, fdel-
ity, hopefulness, kindness and Christian
love.
The Rev. Thomas Kendall Fessenden
was born in Brattleboro, VT, September
10, 1918. He graduated at Williams col
lege In 1888, and at Yale seminary in 1887.
It was foreordained that the enthusiastic
and consecratsd youth who at an early age
gave his life to God, should be minister,
following in the steps of his grandfather,
Rev. Thomas Fesseuden, who graduated
from Harvard in 1858, was ordained at
walpole, N. H., 1867, and died four
months before the Rev. Thomas Kendall
Fessenden was born. The marriage of
this young minister. which took place
October %, 1889, to Miss Nancy Cowles of
Pennington, was most happy. Many,
tender and apprecia:ive were the words
with which he described the life in which
they were unit d for nearly fifty years.
Mr.. Fessenden was ordained at Norwich
Falls, Norwich, Conn.,, October 16, 1889,
dismissed February II, 1e4l.
In the following year he was called to
Hsner, N. Y, where he preached ten
years.
In January, 1855, he went to Ellington,
Conn, where he was settled for ten years
more. Then Gods providence led him to
Pennington, where his home has been ever
since.
Though not pastor of church since
1865, he has preached q good deal and has
always rejoicsd that he was q minister of
Christ, and the years have been full of
varied and successful Christian work.
In 1S67'oS-'69 he was elected to the state
great and lasting benefit in securing 8
charter for the "Girps Industrial school
| at Middletown In the face of indifference
and of strong opposition with faith and
patience, he carried through the undertak
ing which provides good homes and open
honorable careers for hundreds who other
wise would be likely to drift into evil.
No one can calculate the amount o
good accomplished by that school. 81
collected large sums of money for it; wa
director of it until the age of seventy
often visited it and always felt the warm
est interest in it's welfare.
think he regarded Its establishment q
| tho sreatest work of HE life Ais suoees
there WAS so marked that he was invites
to aid in securing money for Hamptol
school. He entered upon that work wit
all his enthusiasm and hopefulnees an
far surpassed the expectations of those b
whom he was enlisted. He secured $500
900 for Hampton.
It was source of joy to him to think c
those busy years. He wrote In his journa
in 1889, Chow strange that after thirt
years spent in the ministry should hav
entered 30 new, so difficult q field,
found the Industrial School for Girls, an
after that to aid in founding the Hampto
school. How like drama 1t seems that
should have been thus guided and mad
everywhere even more useful than as
minister of Christ. The field was new an
untrisd, and for it I had apparently n
training, and encountered untold diff
culties.
cat every step and in many extremitie
God enlightened me. The school wa
built. Thousands of money and hosts o
friends were secured"
OF his less conspicuous services, ma
mention his work In the Christian commits
sion during the war. With his firm ps
triotiem, genial sympathy and strong fait
he went to the seat of war and CARRIE
comfort and cheer to many soldiers.
His interest in temperance was Away
decided and outspoken. At the risk o
losing his pulpit he took bold stan
| against the saloon in his frat pastorate
and from that position he never rsceded
ae was always deeply interested in educa
ton, and for many years was acting schoc
visitor.
Even when the infrmities Of age wsr
pressing upon him his fertile and activ
mind was leading force in the communi
ty, in doing everything he could for tn
church, and no pastor ever had irme
friend, moro willing ce-worker, than b
in securing Systematic and thorough i'm
provements for the cemetery and In carry
ing out other useful works. The Sunda.
school offered fine field for his gifts, ant
the prayer meeting received the impulse o
his faith and conservation so long as hi
health allowed, and when strength faflet
it was q constant sorrow and regret that b
could not do more.
Of the elements in his character which
made his work go successful, his friend
ship 80 valuable, his presence q pleasur,
and source of strength, will mention
few, knowing we'll that whatever can SO,
will he very imperfect and that you VIII
have known him far longer than can FL
out the picture.
l, mention first his common sense. H.
understood human nature, was quick t,
take advantage of consequences. His tao
| was admirable. I have been told that II
the legislature. after gentlemen had dis
cussed matter long, had worried them
eelves in seeking some solution to diff
Guilty, Mr.. Fessenden would sometimes ris
and at once command the attention of tn
house by his clear, broad penetrating com
mon sense. He had great grasp of prin
ciples and fertility in devisipg expedient
which made him valuable counsellor.
No one could long converse with hin
without being impressed with the fact tina
he was in the presence of man who knew
whst he was about and who understood
human nature.
have often admired his shrswd humor
pertinent illustration, the apt expression
| his sound judgment, the clear comprehen
/ ~G nd n2Y do a{ =