Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-03

The venerable Rev. Joseph Packard,
d. D., Professor Emeritus at the Theo.
logical Seminary Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, near this city, died
at his home, "Melrose Abbey" Seminary
Hill, this morning. He had been fail
ing 10 health during the past fall and
winter, but about three weeks ago was
taken with an attack OF grippe from
which he never rallied, owing TO his
great age. DR.. Packard came OF .
prominent New England family and
was born on the 23rd OF December,
1912, at Wiscssset, in the State OF
Maine. Consequently be had attained
the patriarchal age of eighthy-nine
years and three months. He was the
son OF the Rev. HeZekiah Packard, an
eminent Congregational minister In bis
day, and who when quite a youth
served in the Revolutionary War. 1t
is remarkable that this gentleman was
one of ten children whose ages
averaged eighty.years each, dying
himself at the age Of 81 years.
Doctor Packard received his early
education from his father, and after
wards studied at the celebrated Phil
lips Academy, Andover, Mass. De
passed from that place to Bowdoin Col
iege, Maine, entering the Freshmen
class In September, 1927, two years
alter the famous class Of 1925. upon
whose list wss enrolled Franklin Pierce,
afterwards President of the United
States; Nathaniel Hawthorne, Long
fellow, John :. 9. Abbott and others
whose names stand high on the pages
OF American history. While DR.. Pack
ard was a student at Bowdoin College.
Longfellow was appointed professor
. and made him assistant librarian. He
had always determined TO become q
clergyman, and during this period OF
his life was 30 attracted to the Episco-
pal Church, that he made up bis miDd
to enter its ministry. After teaching
| for time. he became a student al
Audover Theological Seminary, now
one OF the oldest theological institu-
tons of the Congregational Church In
New England. DIR. Moses Stuart was
professor of the sacred languages al
ADdover then, and through mis- great
IL fluence as o teacher, no doubt led
Doctor Packard's mind 10 the direction
which qualified him for his lifelong
work at the Virginia Episcopal SENT
nary. Shorty after leaving An
dover, Mr.. Packard, as be was
known then, was appoiL tsd Pro-
lessor OF Lstio, Hebrew and some
other branches of learning 1T Bristol
College, nesr Philadelphia. During
IFS short life OF four or five years,
It met with great success, but failed
for want OF proper financial support
| While teaching at this college the Doc
too was elected in April 1886, professor
of Sacred Literature In the Theological
Seminary of Virginia. The Rev. Charles
| B Dana, then rector of Christ Church
in this city, and one of the trustees o.
tue seminary, bad been at Andover
and wrots ID Prof. Stuart concerning
Mr.. Packard. The reply was very ia.
vorable, resulting as has just been stated
in his election. He accepted the po'
elton, went at once to Andover to
equip himself more fully for the place
and was ordained deacon by Bishop
Griswold 10 St. Psul's Church, Boston
on July II, 1886. He left for Alexan'
dria early 10 October OF that year, and
arrived at the Seminary on the 14th o.
the same month, q few weeks after the
beginning of the season.. His associates
in the faculty were the Revs. Rene
Keith and E. r. Lippitt. The Semina'
~ was at that time in its 18th year
and from that date DR.. Packsrd's life
had been coincident with its history.
He was advanced to the priesthood in
the basement OF the old Seminary
building by Bishop Meade on the 10Th
of September 1887, as there was no
chapel at the Seminary then, and no
regular Sunday services until 1910.
The students walked regularly to this
city to church.
Since DR.. Packard's arrival at the
Seminary as professor, almost sc years
ago, he had seen the following profess
sors appointed Revs James May,
D. D., William Sparrow, d. D., Corne-
Illus Walker, d. D., J. j. McElhnuey,
D. D., KiDlOoh Nelson, d. D., Carl E.
Grammer, S. L. D, Aogus Crawford,
d. D., s. A. Wallis d. D., r. w. Micou
D. D., r. K. Massie, and the Rev. Ber-
ryman Green, of Christ Church, Alex
sndris, as adjunct-Drofessor, Of these
Professors May, Sparrow, McElhinney
and Nelson have passed away, the
Rev. Prof. Grammer is now rector Of
Christ Church, Norfolk, Va, while the
rest are at the Seminary. DR.. Pack
ard had therefore been associs I'd With
all the professors OF the Seminary, aud
ell those who were his colleagues
during his lifetime. The following have
had the privilege OF studying under
him at the Seminary: Professors Walk
or, Kinloch, Nelson, Carl e. Grammer,
8. A. Wallis, X. K. Massie and Berry
man Green. DR.. Packard thus Ia hls
singularly honorable and bonored life
united the past aud the present 10 the
institution TO which he gave such
long period OF consecrsted service. o.
the death OF DR.. Sparrow 10 1874 be
WAS appointed the Dean OF the Semi.
Gary, occupying that position until his
resignation IN 1895, being succeeded 10
mis- turn by the Rev. Prof. Walker,
As the Nestor of the Seminary DR..
Packard was looked up to with peculi-
ar love and venerstion by all on the
HILL those who knew him 10 this
city, and hosts of friends both clerical
and Icy In every part OF the conplry.
He is remembered with warm affection
oy the older residents of this city for
the pastoral relations established be-
tween him and many of them during
the sad days OF the civil war. DIR.
Packard was noble type OF the Chris