The Portland daily press., 1900-02-16
THE FLOWER OF KNIGHT
HOOD.
A study of the Late Doctor Field OF Ia N
gor.
(From the Bangor Wing. }

SluCo tuo psSfihk hWV "a Po'SASo
Names NEST distinguished divine, the
general nrernow Of sorrow has been In
dexed by so many eulogies touching In
outline his unique character one may
we'll ask what more can be added In due
Apr, c!ation of this public less. especially
to his own city.
One of the supreme, II net the sover-
eign. elements Of DR.. Fi,ld's character
was bis positive lore OF truth and quite
Carlylian disdaln for all that savoied OF
untruth or decsit. Hence one Ia sure that
| were an outline Of his character or life
10 be DIR avn he would first CT oil plead
that 1t bear the zeal OF ebsoluts truthful
ness. When We say Tin confidence,
gentle Ieader) that we once lost our
heart to DR.. Field and have never quite
rsgained IT, we are sure thee Will emile
IenisntIy as to possible blsmishes in this
leaf OF laurel.
Though not an imposing personality
ortwardly, Ia IL true that once In the
pulpit u mystic, quite peerless charm en-
wrspt this meekest CT men, assuring him
the mastery quite from the first moment,
that the fire Of genius hers spiritual
ICED was more than magnetic since IL
permanently held captive his nearer.
Is it also trus that of oil men DIR. Field
seemed most at home In communing with
Gcd, that TIE richness Of hts nature
| broke bounds here, revealing It's positive
affinity with all that Is Highest and
| Uest-ths fervor-the overfloI-ths SEEM
| ing utter surrender OF heart and being,
lett no doubt that this one man YVES
really talking with bis best friend.
| Only aDsoluts love and deepest rever-
ence alone could inspire, 1t would festn.
| such pIayeTsi
Is it aiso true that the exquisite deli
cacy and refinement OF HIS nature reu-
mcst modest, as gentlest OF men-gent-
lest, save when pride or greed assaulted
| the helpless or undefeDded.
| Is 10 no less true that DIR. Field could
safely say in TIE pulpit what one In
thousands could nos SAY, and still hold
ifelrts OF his hearers. With enc at least
this Is an empirical Inference.
| Exolaims one OF bis Httensrs. ore OF the
| most positive or conservative of them all,
'Dr. Field can charm oven with absurdi-
| ties.
But study implies obstacles, possible
| iDcongruitles--eysn Don tr adiotion.
| Here 10 a II an whose real creed 10 his
character. The dazzling preacher assur-
ling-enticing-yet. pcs lively elusive; SO
meek or modest 50 lf-distrustfu1, even
blind as to his own genius as to be pro
verbal, yet, SO audaciou7, so sslf-oonfi-
| dent as TO Independence of thought that
ne boldly trod where angels might not
dare" Reason forever dominant. yet
its contemporaries larger humanity the
heart of cosmopolitan Typ nathy no less
dominant.
I Il. L. ,xN&
supremacy of pneelish love positively
overshadows all else. 80 that the nearer
must sometimes silently question, rs
divine justice after ell but q mythr
''Dces tins Bihls of nature as revelation
support THAI
Yet, since character Is more than creed.
the former must forever be his passport
to all that Is highest ana best.
| All this In merely 10 paws the way to
the truest test Of every mans character,
nam ely, his positive Ie7ereDcs toward
and faith In woman, or the positive oppo-
site of this. Never-one 10 sure. In all
his ninistration has any word betrayed
the former. Thus what marvel that like
the divine Master woman could trust his
helpful sympathy, his uplifting faith as
to her highest possibilities
Here the many can but revert to the
pleasurable pride with which he honored
especially the ono woman chosen from the
l
many yeMs he favored his own city-hon
ored her by publicly announcing that Of
all this litsrsry Mrs.
Livermore WAS his most winning card"
Moreover his unabatsd interest, his un.
swsrving trust In the efrcleucy-ths
| character. the sublime courage, Of DR..
Kimtall In her reriious life during the
| Armenian tragedy.
These alone are q proof test that DIR.
Field believed In womsn-in her high
mis- 'on-her higher educat ion-her equip
ment for the exigencies Of life, whatever
the crises, whatever the possible sacrince.
| Hencs, how shall woman especially,
more honor this new century than by
| (pubiicly) browning with grateful, loving
rsmem branoe so loyal champion, SO
positively worthy a knight IA to one-half
ire worlds newly gained-ChIistian
Birthright.
A long time rarishioner, w.
Bangor. Me-, February 10, 100.
L