The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-10-19
Memorial Service.

memorial service for the late Rev. III.
A. Spencer was held Sunday morning in
Trinity church. Rev. Andrew Gilles, the
pastor, was assisted by Rev. W. M. New
ton, principal OF Montpelier Seminary,
and by Rev. j. A. Sherburne of Barre.
The Introductory services consisted OF
singing, Brief life is here our portion"
prayer by Rev. j. A. Sherburne, reading Of
the C0th Psalm by Rev. Mr. Gillies' selec.
tions from the 21st and 22nd chapters of
Revelations by Rev. W. M. Newton, and
singing Come ye disconsolate"
Mr.. Newton was the first speaker. He
said he knew of no more fitting place for a
memorial service for Brother Spencer than
at Montpelier. Here, more than in any
other place, he labored and wove more OF
himself into the hearts OF the people. Mr..
Newton spoke from the standpoint OF the
young men Of the conference and of the
fatherly care always exercised over them
by the deceased. He also referred to Mr..
Spencer's work as financial agent of the
Seminary and Of his influence for good
among the students during that time. His
advice and counsel were always at the SER
vice OF the young men OF the conference
and to no one man within its borders are
they more indebted. Our loss is his gain.
Taken suddenly as he was, he was prepar-
ed, as he has been for fifty years, teaching
us that Christian life prepares a man for
the life that now is and the life that is to
come.
venerable Rev. j. A. Sherburne said, in
opening: 1.-TWO years ago last February
brother Ii. A. Spencer sat by my bedside
with his fingers upon my pulse, fearing
| that each heart beat would be the last. It
was agreed then that IL passed away he
should say some words at my funeral. But
as L met him sometime after he said to me:
| What shall do with the sketch of your
life that had written for your funeral?'
80 it seems strange to me that am here to-
day while brother H. A. Spencer is spend
ing his first Sunday in Paradise, and in
stead OF speaking at my funeral am here
to say few words at this memorial SER
vice." Mr.. Sherburne than referred to the
long friendship that had existed between
him and the deceased and said that in
whatever place you met him he was the
same true, frank friend and today the
world is purer for his having lived in it.
| He also referred to his earlier recollections
of him and gave several personal reminis-
censes. He spoke OF the more intimate re-
lations that existed between them, when
Mr.. Spencer was pastor Of Trinity church
and Mr.. Sherburne was presiding elder of
the Montpelier district, and of his work as
financial agent Of Montpelier Seminary
He was man upon whom reliance could
always be placed. He was interested in
the school and threw his whole soul into
the work. In his services as minister of
the Lord Jesus Christ he cut loose from all
entangling alliances and made the work of
the Lord his only business. He was instru-
mental in building churches in Montpelier
and West Randolph. In his preaching he
was methodical, clear logical, evangelical
and evangelistic, winning men to Christ
with great success. In the business OF the
conference he was always alert, looking to
see what was needed. Being ready plat
form speaker he often led the conference,
and as rule he was on the right track and
ready to lead others the same way. He
was Christian, Methodist Christian, he
loved God and served Him. He was 10y
al Methodist and faithful member of the
church. While we mourn to day that he is
gone we rejoice that he has reached the
better shore only little ahead of us.
Though dead he yet speaks and will speak
through all the years to come.
Rev. Mr.. Gillies referred to the glory as
we'll as the sorrow that comes in such an
hour because of the character OF him who is
gone. He was pure, true, good, noble
will cling longest as Christian man and as
minister. Mr.. Gilies referred to the well
come extended to him by Mr. Spencer when
he first came to the conference and the
warm friendship that had since existed be-
tween them. In eloquent and tender words
he spoke of the reasons for the glory that
comes from the death of such man, urged
his hearers to search their hearts, and in
memory of him who has gone give them
selves to Christ and meet their departed
brother in better land.
The service was closed with singing "A
charge to keep have" and the benediction
by Rev. Mr.. Sherburne.