The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-20
IN MEMORIAM.
WRITTEN BY REV. Z. Z. cONOYHR.


The First Baptist Church of Bennington in
solemn recognition of the over-ruling hand OF
Devina Providence, desires to place on record its
tribute to the memory of Hon. Luther R. Graves,
who departed this life on Saturday, March 91st, at
the expended age of his SIND year. We feel that
we owe an especial testimonial of high respect
and grateful regard for his kind, interested and
benevolent disposition toward our church, mani
Tested for over 40 years, or fully one.haf Of his
life. Though not member with us, neither q
protesting Christian yet he evidently loved the
House of God and the services Of the Sanctuary,
and had in mind the welfare of the church by the
many occa ions in which he identified himself
practically and substantially with the prosperity
OF the Saviour's Cause among us. Few men, in
days Of his health were more regular or prompt
in their attend 4uce on the Sabbath services, aud
none gave more largely and more continuously
than he toward the financial necessities OF the
church. Many time has he come TO our aid as
just the friend we needed helping to lift out Of
financial embarrassment and II he ever In any
particular cases, chose to withhold, we still de-
fer to his able judgment and believe bis course to
have been justified by himself after mature de
liberation. When the church building was
erected the Society lowed its appreciation of his
sound Judgment by making him member Of its
building committee, and how well that trust was
discharged by himself and his associates in Office
is seen as we look around this beautiful structure
occupying the site OF the old building and so
justly the pride of this congregation and the ad-
miration of strangers. Nor was he simply advis-
DRY in this relation, but substantial helper for
his personal contribution toward the erection of
this beautiful edifee amounted to more than
$1,000. Perhaps no other man not in the member-
ship could have been counted on as a helper to
the degree and continuousness of his aid. gen
GRAFTON has come and gone and another well upon
its way since his own heart began to be drawn
out toward us as a friend and helper. Fully one.
half of his long life has thus been made useful to
us and to the cause Of religion incidentally. AS
we think of him, no more to be with us, his va
cant seat in the family pew, his advice and help
Withdrawn, we can but hope that life so persist
emily helpful with but comparatively few excep-
tions), for more than 40 years. and not very often
turned away and Withholding, because OF those
unfortunate outlooks which are now and then
found in all the churches, must at least have had
its times when II was in near touch with heavenly
emotions and desires, and nearly persuaded to a
Christian hope, else how could his heart have
been kept true all these years to great and no
Bile use Of part of the great wealth which was
committed to him And nov that he has passed
away, we do desire to thank God for all that our
departed friend was to us, and pray that without
slackening our own zeal remitting our own
faithfulness, we may show an appreciation of
such friends as God has brought 10 our aid in all
these years, by doing more for the homer and
glory of our Master.
AS Church we tender our Sympathies to the
bereaved household, earnestly desiring that they
grace Of affection, and that out of these sorrows
Of life out of these clouds and Divine obscurings
may come only the added sanctifcation to al
our lives and teaching that
beyond the flight Of time,
beyond the reign of death.
There surely is some blessed cline
Where life is not breath,
q, Nor life's Affections transient fire.
Whose sparks fly upward and expire"