News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-03-13

1t was as easy for Mr.. Savage to love
rbe distant as the near, provided
there was any pr4cUicahll method of
helping the neigbbor hey ond the seas.
Hence he felt a great and constrain-
ing interest in missions, and his gifts
once Justly apportioned were bestow-
d With the regularity that appeared
in all his conduct. But his love for
men was not simply the loyalty to
rte principle OF benevolencp. His
heart was tender and sympathetic.
No man could be kinder than he. In
all the years that | knew him he never
failed in that quick sympathy which
made his counsel as comforting as it
was wise.
Such life is useful not chiefly be.
cause Of remembered acts OF kindness
hut much more by reason of the in
| tluence that radiates from it az a
constant force. Whatpower for, right
eOusness int eres in such a person
atty Who can measure che difference
between what is with his life added
and what would have been had he not
lived?
While we would not think Of claim
ing such an influence upon men of
every kind as such a life ought to
have if We think only of itsexcelence,
we may go almost any length in
speaking OF the iufu, nee of Mr.. Saw
age within the church of which he was
so long a member and an officer.
This church has always seemed to
me larger embodiment OF the spirit
and character of its recognjz ID leader.
Tue boy who could not be minister
lived to put tue stamp of his Chris
tian personality upon a church as
not one minister in a thousand sue
ceeds in doing. herin6ueucts have
contributed to the making of this
church, but'when all else is said there
is much which is not explained. |
humbly acknowledge that | have
never freed myself from the training
of his spirit. To this hUur the type
of religion eXemplifed in hun is that
which rules my hAarr. When | Was
pastor and he was one OF the flock he
was more powerful than |. | bent
under bis Influence. He gave me my
ideals of the church and uf the spirit
ual life. What he did Tor me he has
done for you. | rejoice ia il. This
church is always to NE a bit of the
Kingdom OF God winch has already
come, and it is this in distinguishes
ing degree because there was poured
out upon it the perpetual love and
care of this faithful and wise man.
entreat you who snare in this tradi-
ton of holy influence to be mindful of
the sacred trust God gave you
great blessing. Mr.. Savage would
have made noble minister. God
took that choice material and
wrought of it leader for you. 1t is
the Old story of sacrifice. 1t is ever
the broken body which saves the
world. He that overcomes, that is
checked aud baff14d, butnot defeated,
becomes a pillar IN the temple of God.
Ia speaking of Mr.. Savage have
used strong language Intentionally.
| regard him as one of the purest ex-
am ples OF the noblest type of man
which New England has produced.
Il had the ability to win success in
the exchange, the senate, the profess
sOr's chair, the pulpit. Many men
with less bffi tent tqu gment have
gone forth from New England to win
conspicuous triumphS. But these
men OF this type stayed at home in
youth. They sacrificed tue future of
which they dreamed at the demand of
conscience. They paid the price of
all great character, and God added
a bl ssing. These men on sterile farm,
in obscure hamlet, with meager OPP
portunity, have wrested success from
most unpromising conditions. In
doing that, petty as the tasks of their
| daily lie have sometimes been, they
have won for themselves a character
which is the glory of our New Eng
land lite. That sacrificial spirit is the
substance of religion, and these men
thus coming into affinity with the
spiritual world have lived in time as
if they were eternal, and have wrought
precious handiwork of gold and
silver and precious stones, whose
beauty survives the shocks of change
and is only revealed by the fire that
consumes what is fashioned of wood
and hay and stubble.
1t requires a violent treatment of
the wishes of the dead to speak these
words of eulogy. We're he to speak
there would be no mention of the
saint who becomes a pillar in the
temple of God. Instead he would bid
US repeat the words, These are they
which came out of great tribulation,
and have washed their robes, and
made them white in the blood OF the
lamb. Therefore are they before the
throne of God, and serve him day and
night in his temple and he chat
sitteth on the throne shall dwell
among them. They shall hunger no
more, neither thirst any more: neith-
er shall the sun light on them, nor
any heat. For the lamb which is in
the midst ofthe throne shall feed them,
and shall lead them unto living foun-
tains of waters: and God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes"