The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-25
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Glowing Tribute Paid to Augustus
Woodbury..

The pastors OF the Unitarian churches
yesterday referred 10 the life and works OF
the late Augustus Woodbury..
AT the Westminster church, where Mr..
Woodbury. was pastor for thirty five years,
his "succesor, Rev. Mr.. Mott, conducted
memorial services. His text was John H:l7
-'' And, = he world pssseth away and the
lust thereof; but he that doeth the will
OF God abideth for ever. An abstract
of the service is as follows:
~ "Perhaps the greatest and the noblest
? service man can do for his race, his
country, his State, is to live an upright
life. To do justly and TO love mercy ana
TO walk humbly with his God, and such
life was his, whose memory we keep to-
day.
Most OF you were much closer to him
than II has been possible for me TO be.
character and career you Will recognize
that certain qualities were conspicuous
by their absence.
i can detect no trace OF ambition OF
eagerness for advancement, of desire
Tor place and power. He was more in
terested in principles than In office: he
was more anxious for the welfare OF the
State than for personal success.
Nor was he willing TO permit the use
oil doubtful means to win a cause, or
gain an end, however urgent or desirable
the end appeared.
He was one who would not do evil that
good might como. For him a good so
gained, ceased TO be good. There were
certain traits also which you will recog-
nize as specially his own. His was the
strength that comes OF order. Order
illness not only in methods, in work, in
the arrangement Of his time, in the full
fillment OF his engagement, but his mental
activity. Ills very thoughts were orderly,
his convictions and his views had the
III. - s..x q - -. .tAal wala
tion to each other, which can issue only
from an intellect well disciplined.
Integrity was knit into tho fibre OF
his nature lie was the soul OF honor.
Whatever he did, he did straight for
wardly.
1t was an instinct, an intuition, bred
into his being. He could not do other
wise.
And those who knew him will recall
how marked quality OF his character
was loyalty. To friends, his friendship
once really won, was won forever. To
his church, his country, and to this city
OF his life's work, he was devoted.
His loyalty glowed with a steady and
unfailing warmth-but when the need
came, II could leap up into quick.
bright flame of patriotism.
He was not found wanting at the sound
OF the trumpets, and In his PATRIOTS IN
there was, think, a certain touch OF
the lofty, and the ideal.
He was one, who, "while rowing hard
against the stream, saw distant gates
OF Eden CLEAN, and did not dream 1t
was a Dream
But there was one noble quality, which,
think, laid at the very foundation OF his
character keen sense of duty.
An ardent, almost passionate, convic-
tion, that to do with all ones might
whatever duty came TO hand, was the
chief thing in life.
And there belonged to this man, so or
derly, conscientious, loyal and upright;
gentle, tender kindliness, which some-
times escaped the superficial observer:
could tell many a story of his benefi-
cence; of his practical charity; OF the
generous and tactful help extended to
struggling brethren in their need.
This loyal, strong, manly, yet tender
spirit, Is no longer here.
Yet, not for him we mourn, bet for the
friends he leaves bereaved.
Theirs Is the sorrow; theirs the loss.
Pray that they may hear the voice that
saith, "Blessed are they that mourn, for
they shall be comforted."
But for him we may not grieve. The
Great Captain has hidden him "Come up
higher"
He has answered the CALL we may be
sure, with glad and trusting heart,
Augustus Woodbury., the upright citi-
zen, the beloved pastor, the good man
has passed on to wider fields of work and
the world is the better for his having
lived in it.
And we are frmer in faith, more tran
gull in soul, more resolute in the way OF
righteousness for having known him.: