The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-18
Or. sTEBBlNs' ILLNESS.
An Interesting Statement From the
Pacific Unitarian.


francisco, was for number of years pas
tor of the First Parish church of this city.
During the War of the Rebellion he ac-
oepted the passionate OF the Starr King
church iL San Francisco, where he has
remained ever since, and has become one
of the prominent men Of the Pacific coast.
Lately he has been very sick, so sick that
Pacific Unitarian under the heading "Dr.
Stebbins' Illness" says:
REV. DIR. Stebbins Is SO well known
aud so generally revered as one Of the
foremost citizens OF the state. as we'll as
the great preacher Of our faith, that when
the news of his serious illness was made
known the interest was widespread and
intense, and 1t Is still manifested on every
side.
"Dr Stebbins has been steadily at work
in San Francisco for more than thirty
four years. He has been a strong and
vigorous man, but the duties of his Office
have been exactirg. He has not only
been the minister of the First Church,
but friend and servant of the oommuni-
| ty. Never deaf to any CALL he has rendered
constant service to hundreds of people be-
yond the bounds Of his congregation. He
has borne everybody's troubles, and has
| been helper and adviser to all who called
upon him. His sermons have always been
serious work to him, demanding aIduous
labor-and what a marvel they have been
Few men who have lnbored so unre-
mittingly have maintained to such ANA
as seventy eight such vigor OF either
mind or body. His head has become
crowned with silver, but his form has
been so erect, his eye so clear, his wonder
full voice so resonant. that he has seldom
been thought of as an old man.
Within the past two years he has had
some warnings and an occasional period
of ply steal depression, but his strong
constitution has reasserted itself, and he
has come back to bis normal strength
and vigor. For several months past he
hos not been strong, and has been obliged
to favor himself He has been In his place
every Sunday, and 1t was remarked by
many that his last two sermons-on
Decem Der Attn and December llth-were
remarkably strong and delivered with an
energy and force that seemed to indicate
renewed strength. There was the flash
of eloquence. and the thrill Of the deeply
stirred spirit that marked his greatest
power.
"On Saturday. the 18th. he felt op-
pressed, and was unable to I'LL the pulpit
on Sunday. On Monuay he seemed to be
threatened with heart failure, and he felt
that the end was near. He was as calm
and composed as the mid day sun, full of
courage and confidence. He was unable
to sleep either Sunday or Monday, but on
Tuesday morning he felt stronger and
was in excellent spirits. He said: Early
this morning we had storm center and
I thought the end had come but mere
am, at peace with the world and all man
kind
During the following days of the week
he aIternated between improvement and
failure. At times his life was despaired
of, and again he rallied AID showed a de-
gree of strength that was reassuriDg Be-
ginning with Monday, December Goth, u
steady improvement set in and now the
danger point seems past, and there is
every prospect of recovery. 1t is hoped
that a period of rest from labor may re-
store his exhausted powers, and that his
| fine constitution may bring back his Gus
to,nary health. His body Is tired and
worn, but his mind and spirit we're never
stronger and brighter. With the tender
| care be has received, and the reasonable
treatment that his physical being Is in.
sisting on, 1t is fondly and confidently
hoped that he may be spared for future
years Of usefulness