St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-03-27

his surprise upon asking for Gen.
Grant to find this was the man, who,
after reading the letter from the sec.
rotary of war, welcomed him with,
"please to take nail keg, for there
was no chair in his headquarters.
Mr.. Coffiu was an eye witness of one
of the most thrilling scenes at the
close Of the war, when Pres. Lincoln
arrived in Richmond and was being
escorted to Gen. Weltzet's head
quarters, lately evacuated by left
Davis. Upon his landing, the old
darkies quickly gathered around Mr..
Lincoln, Frustrated themselves upon
the ground; with uplifted eyes and
hands and with childish pathos.
they thanked God for raising up this
Moses as their deliverer. Pres. Lin
coin was deeply touched by this I'M
SApcStSu oeNhS'
In 1866 Mr.. and Mrs. Coffin went
to Europe, spending one year and a
half there; then visiting other coun-
tries in their trip around the world,
being absent two and half years.
During this time he was constant
and weekly contributor to the Bos-
ton Journal. Those letters have been
condensed into a book, "Our New
Way Round the World" followed by
"The Seat Of Empire" Among some
of his published works are: "Boys
of TO-" "Story Of Liberty" Days
and Nights on the Battlefield, ""Life
OF Garfield" Building Nation"
an idyl "Caleb Crinkle."
Mr.. Coffin has delivered over 1000
lectures. He was at one time presi-
dent of the Boston Congregational
list club, also. member of the Massa-
chusetts legislature in 1884 and
1885 and of her senate in 1890. He
was always active in all educational
and reformatory work for the gener.
al good of the public.
Last year he built beautiful com.
modious house on Shaler street
Brookine, for his future home, and
their happiness seemed complete
Referring to his new book, "Daugh
tiers of the Revolution" he stated
that he had woven just little
romance into the seven years of his
tory in orderito interest his readers
Upon the 50th anniversary Of Shaw
NUT church, Boston, he delivered a
very interest ting historical address
Nov. 20, 1896.
He lived to celebrate the COLDER
anniversary of bis wedding, (Feb
18TH, as well as to welcome many
of the 600 invited guests to his hom,
on that occasion. But few realized
that the door Of his house stood ajal
and that soon and suddenly, March
2d), he was tOibe summoned to hi:
Heavenly home. At the funeral ser
vices, held in Shawmut Congrega
tional church, Boston. tributes o
love and esteem were paid to hi
memory by DIS. Little and Grifi.
and by the pastor, DIR. Barton. DR.
Little found aninspiring companion
ship in Mr.. Coffin. The remark tha
"the world seemed lonesome withou
Daniel Webster was equally true o
him. He thought that the three forces
that spurred him on were home
church and the providence of God
He sprang from the people, he wa
OF the people and championed TIL
people.
DR.. Griffis felt that he was maj
of profound sympathy, broad
hearted large-souled man. He al
ways had an audience when Mr.
Coffin was present. Today" h
said, 1--WE have generation of boy
trained on Mr.. Collins trumpe
CALL" DR.. Barton based his remark
, on the passage of Scripture; "Wit
long life will satisfy him and shoy
, him my salvation" The lengt
and symmetry Of his life and not hi
r unusual age deserve to be considere
a ful6llment of this promise. Hi
church relations where he ha
labored more than a third of a Ger
, fury were among the dearest of hi
! life. A life well rounded and con
/, pete. Numerous are the friend
= amongst all classes and ages VIII
, will mourn his loss.-[ VT. Chronicle