The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-05-07
THE VILLAGE DOCTOR.

10 TIE EDITOR OF LIE JOURNAL.
While teaching school in quiet village
in the western part of the State, sin the
days gone by" | made the acquaintance
of the village doctor and his family. He
was an eminent physician and surgeon,
with a large practice in the villages of
East and North Parsonsfeld. He was
gifts, both physically and mentally; and
it could well be said that he was one of
Natures noblemen. With him man was
measured 10y his mind and not his money.
He priced real worth, and admired the dia-
mond, even if it was not i'll fine setting.
He was as ready to respoDd to the cali of
the poor as of the wealthy; it was said
that he never presented bill to the poor.
He not only ministered to the temporal
wants of his patients, but to their spirit
uai wants also, when occasion called At
one time he was visiting a patient who
was fast nearing the end of life's journey:
he wanted the village pastor sent for to
young man by name and said, 81 will pray
with YOU He knelt down and a fervent
prayer from his lips assembled to heaven
in behalf OF the young man. When |
knew the family the doctor had lived
with the pheasant choice of his YOUTH
nearly forty years and reared four sons.
Three of the sons followed their fathers
profession, while one of them was a
prominent lawyer in the city of Portland;
two of the sons were practicing physicians
in thar city The youngest son resided
at their early home, and was in company
with his father.
Near by the Seminary at North Parsons
field stood the doctors pleasant home. 1t
was palace of peace, for the Prince of
Peace was there.
As an institution of learning the
parsonstield Seminary was thought highly
OF. Very many students have graduated
within its walls.
The village pastor resided but a short
distance from the Doctors home. He
was well and favorably known through
out the State by his writings For
time he was editor of the ''Moluing Star. .
When tie liquor question was first ag-
tated he took decided stand iii favor OF
temperance; and that caused division
among Lis people. 1t was very different
then to " hat it is nov. AT that time the
liquor traffic was not looked upon as
criminal business. Then the influence of
the moderate drinker was not thought to
be worse than the gutter drunkard's in
tuence. | have heard it said that it was
not uncommon in the ''long ago. for
men in quite high standing to get merry
by taking over doses of strong drink
can remember when a child of read
ing an item in the pastors editorials. He
said go, Morning Star, and tell the whole
wo1lG that the editor of this paper has
become temperance man. In the last
yealo of his life he was a faithful worker
ia the cause Of temperance. He lived to
good old age; and when he passed away
II could well be said. "Ma1k the perfect
man, and behold the upright; for the end
of rhat man is peace"
The village doctor and his son still had
Large practice il the village and the
surrounding country; but earthly pros
poets ale uncertain. Soon there came a
very >lckIy season, and as the father was
ieellng the intirmities of age the young
doctor oyerwolked and in a short time
was stricken down: and soon it was plain
to be seen that no earthly skill could
save him. He fingered a short time and
then passed away The shock was too
much for his mother, she survived him
but short time. The eldest son moved
to his early home to take up his fathers
work. The father survived his loved
ones not long time; he soon Joined them
on the "other side His death was the
sun at his setting.
When strangers walk among the monu-
ments and grave stones in the cemetery
at North Parsontield they will notice the
names of DR.. Moses Sweat and wife. and
OF Dr. John B. Sweat, their son. and also
that OF Rev. John Buzzel. ]. G. NJ.
Stockton Springs.