The Republican journal., 1901-05-02
AT REST.

The funeral services of the late Rev
James M. Leighton were held in the Unita,
rlan church Friday afternoon and were
most impressive and affecting. A large
concourse Of people from all the walks OF
life was present to offer the last loving
tribute to one who had endeared him.
self to the whole community. The casket
was at the foot of the pulpit and was sur.
rounded by smilax, asparagus and delicate
ferns, relieved by the bright blossoms OF
many of his favorite flowers, while the pull
pit was completely covered with them, and
group Of Easter lilies stood at each side
His hand held bunch of trailing arbutus,
one Of our earliest wild flowers and one of
his special favOrites in the floral world
The services opened with solemn organ
selection, followed by the reading of Dor.
tion Of the burial service by Rev. Henry H
Woude of Castine. Rev. Geo. S. Mills of
the North church read the following beau
tiful stanzas, entitled "Away," by James
Whitcomb Riley:
| cannot say and will not say
That he is dead-He is just away!
With CHEEKY smile, and wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
1t needs must be since he fingers there.
And yOu-O you, who the widest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return,
Think of him faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;
Mild and gentle as he was brave
When the sweetest love of his life he gave
To simple things Where the violets grew
Pure as the eyes they were likened to,
The touches of his hands have strayed
AS reverently as his lips have prayed;
When the little brown thrush that harshly
Was dear to him as the mocking bird;
And he pitied as much as man in pain
A writhing hOney-bee wet with rain.
Think of him still as the same, say:
He is not dead-he is just away!
Rev. S. c. Beach of Bangor then read
Scripture selections, and prayer was offered
by Rev. A. A. Smith of the Universalist
church. Miss Blanche L. Sullivan sang go
eyes that are weary" by Brackett The
remarks which followed, by Mr. Woude,
were most affecting, being inspired by a
close personal friendship of more than a
quarter of a century. Meeting at first in
the Theological school at Meadville, Pa. the
two become fast friends, and the intimate
knowledge of Mr.. Leighton's character
which resulted from this friendship enabled
Mr.. Woude to speak words which found a
ready response in the hearts of his hearers.
His estimate of the worth and manlineSs,
the true and affectionate nature, and the al
ways courteous demeanor of his friend, was
expressed in most eloquent language, en-
phasized by depth of feeling which was
only controlled by great effort on the part
of the speaker and which struck respon-
sive chord in every heart. The beautiful
piece, "Good-by sweet day. by Vannah
was sung by Mrs E. S. Pitcher. Both this
and the selection by Miss Sullivan were
favorites of Mr.. Leighton and We're sung
by special request of Mrs. Leighton. After
brief prayer by Mr.. Beach the services
closed with the hymn, by the church choir
"Nearer my God to Thee"
The body was laid at rest in Grove Gem
etery, to which it was followed by large
circle of friends. The bearers were r. II
Howes, George A. Quimby, A. c. Burgess
Joseph Tyler, Fred G. White and William
II. Quimby.
The floral decorations at the church were
the loving tributes of his many friends, and
were arranged by the church floral commit
tee, Mrs. Geo. O. Bailey, Mrs. J. W. Fred
erick and Mrs. William Crosby.
The city schools were closed at p. m. to
enable the teachers and others to attend the
services.
Touching references were made to the de
parted in the city pulpits Sunday. Rev. A
A. Smith of the Universalist church prayed
fervently for the family and congregation OF
the late pastor; Rev. Geo. S. Mills of the
North church cited Mr.. Leighton as no.
table example of courteous man, and w
P. Thompson, ESQ.,, in his address in the I'm
iversalist church in the evening spoke OF
him as model clergyman and an example
for young men in the profession