St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-03-22
VOL. LXI--- NO. 32O8

other things, II have been surprised that
from the beginning my heart has been
inclined towards you. New England is
most truly the home OF my heart.
There lived my kindred and the dearest
friends of my life. There, too, is Tabor
academy with which l have been asso-
ciated from its beginning, and much
nearer to which shall be, and st. Johns
bury itself-its beauty, above, beneath
and all around its charming homes and
warm. hearted, intelligent people; it's
schools, library and museum it's quiet,
restful air which seems to tempt to and
offer time for study and thought; things
l have hungered for, but for which there
is little time in this great throbbing
centre of the west, All these things have
perhaps had their influence upon my
mind and possibly it is right they should
have some weight And so coming to
feel that it is Gods will have decided to
accept your CALL and this l do sincerely
and without reserve. | turn to you, be-
loved, with all my heart. Henceforth
you shall be my people and will beyour
minister, giving to you the best service
in my power"
He was installed pastor of the church
| Oh Iuly III, lOft. UdQ DSCu Ill ~.
| Tohnsbury but short time before he be-
came interested in everything that tended
to uplift the community. Believing with
Huxley that imam is by nature social
being he sought to develop the social
side of everybody with whom he came in
contact. This was accomplished by
rounds OF pastoral calls in all parts of
the town, and by many calls not limited
| ! 81 ha~ IS b;o oh Tf,
1895 he organized the Passumpsic
Congregational Club and was its first
president. 1t was his desire to bring
into closer fellowship the Congrega-
tionalists OF northeastern Vermont, and
he lived to see the creation of his
brain one of the most successful religious
clubs in New England. The meetings
which were largely planned by him we're
addressed by some of the foremost divines
in the East, and the postprandial exer-
cises on every occasion left delightful
memories for all who attended. He was
thorough believer in the principles ofthe
fraternities being a member of Caledonia
Lodge, No. 6, and Moose River Encamp-
ment, l. O. o. F., and OF Gen. Logan
Council, No. %, Junior Order of United
American Mechanics.
years in this town, he made his influence
felt as few men have ever done in so
short a time. Possessed of torceful
and eloquent style, sparkling with
| genuine humor, he was in great demand
on all public occasions and gave gener-
ousiy of his time and strength. Many
will recall some of bis public appearances
and the uplift they received from his
stirring words. His interest in educa-
tion was not confined to Tabor Academy,
and besides being valued trustee of
st. Johnsbury Academy he took a deep
interest in the work of the public schools.
lust before he died he told the writer
that he should give all his spare time for
the present to the establishment of
Brightlook Hospital He had been
largely instrumental in starting that
institution and had just been elected it's
president. He already had several
consultations with the local physicians
and had outlined great plans for the use
fulness of the institution.
He loved the North church and every
body connected with it. Its interests
were always next to his heart and that
heart was great enough to embrace the
joys and sorrows of all his people. He
brought to the services of the church
original ideas that have greatly added
to their efficiency, the monthly mission
airy meetings, lectures to young people,
and the organization OF the Young
Mems club being notable examples along
this line. The style of his sermons was
vigorous and forceful, often interspersed
with apt illustrations from his personal
experiences and wide observation. His
heart throbbed for all who were afflicted
and at the home OF sorrow his tender
words were marves OF character delin-
cation and appreciative tribute.
His talents were many and varied, and
some were only incidentally revealed.
In his address at the mastering in of the
soldiers for our late war, he told of his
military ancestry, his efforts to enlist in
the civil war, fruitless because of physical
n weakness, and how finally he entered the
of service as nurse and did faithful work
, in field hospitals. A great lover OF music
:. he delighted in the companionship OF his
= violin and occasionally composed music
y for church choirs. His imaginative mind
n gave him an inspiration for poetry, and
# the specimen given is one of the choicest
from his pen.
DR.. Heath married JAM 7, 1868, Lucy
{. Jane Simonds, at Charlestown, Mass.
d They have two children, DR.. Albert e.,
k practiciug physician in st. Paul, and
=, Miss Lucie F. Heath, member of the
u senior class at Smith College. He also
e. left sister, Mrs. Horatio q. Turner of
IS Dedham, Mass, and two brothers,
in Elbrdge G. Heath of Auburn, Me-, and
: George Heath of Rangeley, Me.
- He was one of the most lovablc men
n. in the home that ever lived. 1t was with
TX his family that he found his whole enjoy
o. ment and no words of ours can estimate
80 their great loss. When in New Bedford
'e he was offered vacation in foreign lands
a. with all his expenses provided for, he de.
lie cined the opportunity because the
r.. pleasures of travel would have to be
"a shared alone. This same forgetfulness of
- self appeared on every occasion and no
s. pleasure was complete unless shared by
e. others. In their great bereavement the
" family have the most heartfelt sympathy
L,o OF everybody in and out of the North
~ church, who ever felt the gracious influ-
H. euce of this great and good man.
If, The Funeral Services.
at The funeral was held in the North
- church on Sunday afternoon at 2o'clock
:" the church being crowded with friends
g. who had braved the inclement weather
of to attend this sad and solemn service
Tho nrnop ,ync coftly ,,IoyaJ aS +Ls