St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-04-26

Museum and all that it opened up
along the line of science. As was
stated at it's opening the building is
amply endowed and the management
will be the same, thanks to the wise
foresight OF the generous donor
The collections in the building are
beautifully arranged, wonderfully
complete, and some of the articles
are of priceless value. Since the re-
turn of the founder from Europe
many choice additions have been
made and are constantly being placed
in the cases. If the people of this
town continue to take an interest in
this magnificent building and its con-
tents, the wishes of the founder, so
often expressed both in public and in
private, will have been carried out.
The memories of Col. Fairbanks
religious life are rich and inspiring,
not only to every member OF the
North Congregational church and
Sunday School, but to all who ever
heard him at the great religious gath
erings or talked with him on sacred
themes. On July II, 1S45, he united
with the North church, bringing
letter from the church in Derry, N. H.,
where he had been attending school.
His religious life from that time on
was wrapped up in the North church
and this church has now lost one of
it's best and truest friends. He was
active it its management and with
his brother gave his personal care
to the building of the beautiful stone
church. The two brothers then
gave the old building to the Y. M.
c. A. to be used as hall, and it has
been remodelled into what is now
known as Music Hall. He has been
deacon of the church since 1888, and
has been recognized as a leader in
the church as well as elsewhere. Since
1861 he has been superintendent of
the Sunday School and has had the
pleasure of seeing his pupils grow
up from infancy to fill responsible
places in all parts of the Union. The
children were very dear to him and
they loved him in return. In count
less ways as superintendent he min
istered to them and helped them and
in his death they have lost very
dear friend. For many years he
served on the International Sunday
School Lesson Committee and has
frequently attended the national Sum
day School gatherings. He was
deeply interested in the work Of the
various missionary societies of the
Congregational denomination, and
besides being corporate member of
the American Board of Commission
ers for Foreign Missions he held
offices in several of the other societies.
He never did much evangelistic w rk,
yet his addresses on religious themes
were thoughtful and had a great in.
huence on his hearers. At the PRAYER
meeting in the church he loved so
well his remarks were always full OF
great helpfulness and the successive
pastors of the church had learned to
lean on him for advice and counsel.
He was richly blessed in his family
relations. On Dec. 8, 1852, he mar
ried Frances A., the only daughter
of Rev. Sumner G. Clapp, the first
pastor of the South church in this
place. They had four children, two
of whom are living, Mrs. Mary F.,
wife of DR.. J. T. Herrick offspring
field, Mass, and Miss Ellen H. Fair
banks of this place. Mrs. Fairbanks
was wonderfully strong woman
intellectually and spiritually and
their beautiful home, "Underclyffe,"
has been the scene of many a pleas.
ant gathering in the past which those
here and elsewhere who have had the
privilege of attending, will always
remember with great pleasure. On
the occasion Of their fortieth we'd
ding anniversary their home was
opened to large gathering oftowns.
people, and as they sailed for an ex
tensive foreign trip soon afterwards
this was the last opportunity many
had to meet them as host and hostess
in their own home. The death of
the head of the household so soon
after the death of Mrs. Fairbanks
comes with crushing blow to the
community and great sympathy is
extended to the family friends. Mrs.
Goodell reached her brother from
Boston on Monday, but Mrs. Stone
could not net horaa f.o.,. q a11