The Portland daily press., 1897-05-05
HIS NOBLE TRAITS ExToLLED.
The Funeral of Ex-Congressman John j.
Perry Held Yesterday.

AT the late residence of Ger. John j.
Perry, the veteran ex-congressman, at
the corner Of Cumberland and Alder
streets, large gathering Of friends as
sempled, yesterday afternoon, to pay
tribute to the memory of the deceased,
There was no attempt at display. but
the services were especially impressive.
Among those in attendance were promi-
nent members of the Cum berland bar
and off GERS of the Chestnut street Metho-
dist church. The relatives from out of
town present were his son, Mr.. e. A
Perry, and daughter of Boston; Mr.. and
Mrs. Am. Jones and MI. and Mrs. John
a. Jones Of Lewiston.
Among the floral contributions was a
large piece from the officers of Kent's
Hill Seminary. The music was fur
nished by the choir of the Chestn ut
street church. The pail bearers were
MessrR. ID. A. Meaher, Mark P. Emery,
George +. MoQuillan and E. p. Chase.
The officiating clergyman was Rev. A
W. Pottle. pastor of the Methodist church
at Bowdoinham, a former pastor of the de
ceased. Rev. Mr.. Pottle prefaced the SER
vice with brief eulogistio address. He
said, in substance:
The news of the sudden death of our
beloved brother came to me, yesterday,
as great shook, for he was to me
friend and brother with whom I have
often taken counsel. II were to consult
my own feelings, would prefer to take
my seat with the mourners, this after
noon. and with them listen to words of
comfort from the lips of another. But
the pastor of TIE deceased not being able
to ofiiciate today, the duty devolved upon
nue., a former pastor and old time friend
of Mr.. Perry.
want to speak Of him as knew him,
generation ago. I was appointed pastor
OF church in the community in Which
he lived. He was then in the prime of
his nature manhood. He had just COM
plsted his career in Congress, where he
had served with distinction. and he had
returned to his home and was pursuing
his usual vocation, as man of affairs.
he attended to his professional duties
and at the same time edited the county
paper and was foremost among the citi-
zens of his town, in qua riding It's welfare
aud charging its interests. He was also
holding responsible state office.
But l think of him mora particularly
in church affairs. Though laden with
business cares and responsibilities as few
men are, he found time to devote some Of
his energy to the upbuilding OF the
church. In place of that size there
were. of course, but few men who could
be termed pillars of strength in the
church, but Brother Perry was at the
front of these faithful brethren. He was
superintendent of the Sunday school
leader of the church choir and leade- of
the GLASS; Though thus employed, he
was always present at the conversations
of the church. He was a most faithful
leader of class meetings. Not only was
he closely allied with the church, but he
exerted powerful influence in the COM
munity in behalf of good morals.
For about forty years he served as a
trustee of Kent's Hill, and many years
as it's treasurer. In those offices he ad-
affairs with strict fidelity and
was consulted on many occasions in re-
gard to the advancement of the interests
OF that institution. He carried in his
heart a love for RENTS Hill; he gave to
it from his means and contributed to it
much time and his best thought He
was also a patron and friend of other de-
serving institutions and served them
with credit.
He was man of deep conviction, and
he also possessed the courage of his con-
vlotlon. He held to the great truths of
the Christian religion, though he kept
abreast of the times in intelligence and
thought. The following extract from
his last will and testament is illustrative
of his noble character and we'll grounded
conviction:
81 desire to leave on record my firm.
mistaken, unwavering faith in the great
and sublime truths and doctrines of the
Christian religion, as revealed and
taught in that book of hooks, the Holy
Bible. 1t has long been my firm and
settled belief, in which have been more
and more confirmed, that the great truths
and doctrines are the only sure founda-
tion upon which we can build our hopes
of true and substantial happiness, here
in the world to come''
Mr.. Perry was man who was real and
true in life and who despised everything
false or unseemly; he stood firmly for all
that was right, true and noble. He was
opposed to all ostentation and show,
which opposition is exemplified in this
extract from his will:
81 have long entertained the opinion
that the custom of dressing in black, or,
as it is called. in mourning on funeral
occasions and afteIward, in memory of,
or out of respect to departed friends, is
an Anticipated and unwise fashion, and
that it ought to be discountenanced and