The Republican journal., 1901-01-24
Death Of Rev. ]. E. Adams.
He Was Striker with Apoplexy at His
Home in Bangor Monday Morning and
Died Soon After.

He Was Striker with ApOplexy at His
: Home in Bangor Monday Morning and
Died Soon After.
Rev. Jonathan E. Adams died suddenly at
his home, II Sixth street, Bangor, Monday
morning, of apoplexy. Mr.. Adams was
In his usual health on Sunday, when he at
tended church. EARLY on Monday morning
thing that could be done he died soon after.
Rev. Mr.. Adams was the eldest son of
Rev. Jonathan Adams, for many years an
: h0nored pastor in Maine, and was born in
Woolwich, Me-, April %, 1882. Delayed in
his preparation for professional life by ad
verse fortune, he entered BOwd0in College
in 1S49, graduating thence with honor: in
} the class OF 1858, and from the Bangor
Theological seminary in 1858. He was
dIllgent and beloved pastor for many years
at New Sharon and SearSpOrt, in this State,
was also engaged in 1868 in the service of the
Christian commission, in the army of the
Potomac.
Regarding his service with the Army of
1.-TWO Visits to Gettysburg" published in
Scribner's Magazine in 1898, which is as
follows:
"In striking contrast with this was the
course pursued by another wearer of the
cloth-a stout, energetic man of about IS
years OF age AS he never troubled me
} with any OF the conumdrumS which others
OF his profession considered it their duty to
PROFOUND to those of us who were lettering
along the brink of eternity, it was some time
before knew that he was a minister of the
Gospel. He never came into my tent that he
dld not 90 something for my comfort. With
out being told he seemed to have an intui-
tlon of what was needed, and then off came
his coat and the thing was DONE One of
the many bad features in my case was the
utter distaste had for anything in the way
OF food. Such nourishment as l did take
was taken like any other medicine, because
the surgeons prescribed it. Everyone who
came to see me brought something that they
thought might tempt the appetite
"The Hon. and Colonel Levi Maish, who
was himself convalescing from wounds re-
celVeQ at Antletam, made several Journeys
from his home at York, Pa, to Gettysburg,
to bring me delicacies which would have
been the delight of an epicure One corner
OF the tent was literally packed with all
sorts of canned provisions, baskets of
champagne, native and foreign still wines
and liquors of all kinds; and yet with the
whimsical notions of a sick man, l had con-
celved the idea that there was nothing in
the world L wanted or could eat except
roasted potato and as it was said that there
was not potato to be had within miles of
our camp, OF course l wanted one more
than ever.
" had long since ceased asking for them,
but when food was mentioned that simple
vegetable was the only thing that suggested
itself to my mind. My clergyman friend
was located with the Second Division hos
n'ta1, some distance from ours, which was
the Third Division, Second Corps. But he
always came to see me at least once day,
and had my tent flaps turned back so that
coQld watch Tor his coming One very hot
Sunday morning caught sight of him COM
ing considerably earlier than was his usual
custom. His coat was thrown across his arm,
and the perspiration was rolling down his
lace, but when he looked up and saw me
watching his approach he swung little
bundle he had tied in his handkerchief, and
exclaimed, with all the enthusiasm of a
J BOY, I've got them, captain, I've got themH
Sure enough he soon laid before me a dozen
potatoes, two of which he immedatly wash
ed with his own hands and roasted in the
J ashes.
Il saw Titfany's collection of diamonds
at the Centennial in 1876, and also the most
notable display of jewels ever made by one
person IN this country, when the wife of Il
distinguished New York millionaire wore
, her gorgeous collection at Il presidential re-
ception in the White House, not many wears
ago; and yet | have never seen any dia-
monds, rubes, sapphlres or pearls that
, We're at all compared with the exquisite
beauty OF that cluster OF Irish potatoes,
brought to me at Gettysburg, ON Sunday
E. Adams of New Sharon, Me- He had
walked in the broiling sun over ten miles to
gratlfy an invalid'S Whims.
up to this time he had never held any
religious services in my tent. so while he
was preparing another potato for one of my
felloW-solders, l told the attendant that he
| might give my compliments to him and say
that as it was Sunday morning, | should be
very glad, if he could spare the time, to
have him offer prayer.
"'Certainly,' he replied when they told
him, and walking over to my tent he laid
aside his hat and knelt by my rude bunk.
He was still without his coat, his sleeves
rolled up, and his hands were grimy with
, the ashes from his potato roast. His throat
, was bare of necktie, the collar thrown wide
> open, and great beads of perspiration stood
r on his broad forehead but what a prayer
r Like his works it was fervid, earnest and
apropos. Nothing seemed to have been for
gotten, and yet it appeared to be such a
short prayer: A wounded Confederate sol
! dier was lying in one corner of my tent,
and knowing what firm friends we were
, now our advocate at the bar of God used
that circumstance as a basis of an appeal
: that these two WhilOm enemies, between
! whom there subsiSted no real ground for
enmity, might both live to see their country
at peace. 1t was grand appeal, bearing
, malice toward none and charity for all.
t When it was finished and the worthy man
: had gone | felt as though | had been with
one who walked arm in arm with the Mas
: : ter, and knew when and how to work as
l well as when and how to pray"
He was called from his paStOrate at Sears
+ port in 1877 to the position of general sec
retary OF the Name missionary society, IN
whose service he remained till obliged by
! the limitations of advancing years and i'm
a paired health to surrender the responsible
= ty. This, his greatest life work, he fulfilled
with consummate tact and affectionate de-
votion to the cause of religion in his native
e State, and "his praise is in all the churches.
t Dr.. Adams was man of fine personal
b presence, and winning address, of uniform
: 1y happy and hopeful spirit.
. His college associates knew him as an
Y example of consistent Christian principle,
s illumined by that broad ''charity which be-
n lieved all things, hoped all things" of his
b younger classmates, who with good i'm
: pulses but uniformed characters were less
b considerate than himself, and whose after
: lives, in many instances, bore tribute to his
i controlling influence.
DIR. Adams, at the time of his death, was
an overseer of Bowdoin college and trustee
I of Bangor Theological seminary.
!. DR.. Adams was twice married. In 1855 to
I Miss Louise A. Harding of Bangor, who
n died in 1859, and in 1861 to Miss Lucy {
: Adams of Camden, who with their three
/ sons, Rev. William c. Adams, Edward c
$ Adams of Fox S Adams, and Frederick W
u Adams of the Merchants National bank
r survive him. Bangor Daily News.
f
e Secret Societies.