The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-09

lived, rs we'll Ms in other places, for his inter.
est in historical themes. Al our last meeting
one month ago, it was for Rov. James A.
| Gardner, pastor of the Advent Christian
Church on Hammond street, to mako mention
of Henry w. Whipple as man Of rare Chris.
| tian character, helpmcet and n brother of
| his church, who had recently died, leaving a
| name OF which his kin and friends may well
feel proud. Charles W. Jcnks followed Mr.
Gardner, speaking in an appreciative manner
or his personal relations with William H. Fen.
ner, deceased some months SINCE who, while
not given TO public speaking, was onu of our
mombers who took in quietly yet very under
standingly whatever was said in his presence
MT our gatherings AT the first meeting 10
which have alluded there sat here in front
just ut my left man with whom the years
had dealt with great kindness His form was
as erect as that of most men in middle life
he was able To- be on the street almost every
day in the year, attended to business kept
himself posted Ms to what was going on in
the world, corresponded with friends, had n
dispo iton so genial and sunny that children
sought him and almost forgot when in his
presence that he was not in all things ono of
their number, TO whom the years must come
rs to them, and yet this man was DO n under
the third president of the United States His
health was fairly good and his faculties were
all remarkably well preserved. His memory
retained even recent happenings, while he de-
lighted in giving us occasionally extracts
from Jonathan Russell's Fourth of July adj.
dress in our First Baptist Church In the year
lSOO and also quotations from one OF Prcsi.
dent Maxcy's sermons when he was connected |
with Brown University. These choice OK. |
trncts, which were sometimes Of great longth. |
he sometimes would tell us had boon in his |
memory for nearly four score of years The
one apparent sign OF age which our friond |
showed was desire to draw near g. this
desk, for the sense OF hearing mad failed some.
what during the past few years. When the
paper of The day had been read this man.
whom you all re ognize, was ono II those who
commented thereon, and as n part OF the
records Of that mceung there was read TO the
association NJ our March gathering the fol.
Owing: Henry A. Rowland said fee az
) loss To try 10 odd anything 10 the most ox.
'cllent paper 10 which we have Just listened
md Of which have been abe TO hear every
word. / had learned 10 admire Farmer
iroene for his many good qualities,and csroc.
ally Tor his geuorous hospitality in inviting
icoplo 90 his home and for tho interest ne
iad long taken in historical matters. / had
clt for some time that must visit him once
'ut my health has not permitted me TO 20
ar from Rome, and was panied that the
rain service on tho sunday when his funeral
vas held was not 80 / could join with others
a paying the last tribute OF respect TO one Of
ar number" 1 have thought II well.
rien u, that you should hear the words
ave just given Won, that We may all keo1 in
'emory the readiness Of speech which De.
'ngod Go Mr.. Howland whoa he had his
lorc than ninety aud "A hnlf years And
lcn, the thought be cxprcsscd win bo a
loasure FOR ~ 20 rrmenfbr. Could any
ing b. more characteristic of our genial
id loving friend and brother than That he
'ould leave us hig last message tender ana
)proriatIve words ~ somebody His was
laocd warm hrart It was not for von
omiers of The association, NJ Won hoard
al i, The last moeung Mr. Howhhd's re-.
arktto have had tho feinfcss thought thai n
a. The tnal message OF ore who's. voice had
'como exceedingly familiar during the mast
" years. A. 7 rscrge the words In tho
iet of my oWn hoipcl pennci them ~ a part
a record which contained the names of those