The Portland daily press., 1895-01-14
GEORGE THURsToN.
Memorial Services at williston Church
isunday Evening--Eulogy by Rev.
dwight MI. Pratt.

the Sunday evening meeting OF Wills
| ton hurch was made the occasion OF a
memo rial service of the late George F..
Thurst on. The pastor, Rev. Dwight M.
Pratt, in opening the services, read from
! the well known chapter of the Scrip
turse. which extols wisdom, declaring
that happy is the man that findeth wis
dom. and that the merchandise of it is
better than silver and gold.
| After the ordinary opening services,
| Mr.. Pratt began the discourse by speak
| ing of the devout Puritan ancestry of
| Mr.. Thurston. Seven generations ago the
family was esta ablished in New England.
| Uprightness and storing religious princi-
pies had characterized the members of
| the family through succeeding genera
tions down to the "devout, noble,
Christian business man" who was the
subject of the evenings service. The
ancestor of the family who settled IN
Maine had large tract of land in Ban
| gor, and intended to make that city his
home. But finding no Christian institu-
tions there, he passed on to Sedgwick,
where he made his home.
| George Francis Thurston was born in
Portland, in January, 184S. After bus
| mess education, he entered the house of
IL. m, Payson & Co., and by industry and
trustworthiness had, at the age OF 25. OBJ
tained mem bership in the firm. He
first Joined High street church, but in
1880 transferred his mem bership to Will
| liston church.
Absolute Christian integrity in busi-
ness characterized him. He believed
that the unselfishness of the Golden
Rule was the secret of promotion.
| Would that there were more such men to
| demonstrate the practicahility of Chris
tian dealing. Those associated with him
in business dealings testify both to his
wisdom and integrity.
The death of such a man is a public
calamity. Widows and orphans found
in him wise and true consellor. Those
who trace the word "Thurston" back to
the Saxon word for trusty," will find
none more worthy to bear the name than
he.
Mr.. Pratt spoke next of the Mr.. Thurs
toms influence and interest in the
church, where he was always loyal and
jealous laborer. His gifts were unceas-
ing and generous. No one but God
knows the extent of his benefactions.
The, cause of foreign missions, the freed
men, and Institutions like Good Will
Farm found in him ready friend. Will
liston church was his spiritual home. He
was always laboring for it and giving
TO it. In considering this church the
spirituaI and the financial were never
divorced.
Mr.. Thurston was blessed by sunny
disposition. He was by nature Chris.
tiap optimist. This radiant hopeful.
ness was one of the chief elements of his
power.
His unse1fishness, manifested every.
where, found it's noblest expression in
the home. Seven months of prostra'
ton and pain, passed without impa-
thence, with little thought for self and
great consideration for others. Mr..
Tburston's home was pre-eminently &
Christian home. He was always wise
tender, considerate, Ioving-a Christian
gentleman.
His benevolence found expression il
his last sickness as in health. One Of
his last acts was to provide Christmas
gifts for reformatory institution, il
which he was much interested.
Mr.. Pratt concluded by commenting
Mr.. Thurston's example to the members
of the church.