The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-29

MEMORIAL
TABLET
Friends Of Late Or. Blxby A.
tend Service at Cranston
Street Baptist Church.

Many friends OF the late Rev. Moses
II. Bixby, D. D.. and his wife were pres
ent at the evening service at the Grams
ton street Baptist churdch yesterday.
when a bronze tablet to their memory
was unveiled The tablet was placed
by Capt r. Merle Bixby and Mrs Jane
Bixby Johnson the children OF the be-
loved clergyman and the unve1ing was
done by only two grandchildren, Merle
j. Johnson and Lawrence n xby.
The present pastor OF the church Rev.
l.. L. Henson. u. D.. and Rev. C. IL.
Spaulding OF Boston conducted the SER
vice
Rev Mr.. spauldng who was a lifelong
friend Of Or. Bixby delivered the address
OF the evening. and took as his text:
He was a burning and shining light"
When he came to speak OF Or. Blxby.
as a man, a missionary and the founder
OF the Cranston street Bapt st church.
the speakers words were characterized
by deep earnestness and conviction. He
outlined briefly the history Of the former
pastors life. Twelve years before DR..
Bixby understood his work on Cranston
street he had zone out as a missionary
to Burmnh. where, after serving for
considerable term he returned 10 this
country and accepted a pastorate. His
greatest wish however. was 10 return 70
his Aslatc feld. and consequently. taking
Mrs. Bixby with him. he went back TO
a very successful and efficient mission In
Burmah. There both remained until
poor health made II imperative for SEC
ond return 10 this country and to Provi-
dence. DR.. Spaulding said he could re-
member how honored and loved DR.. r X
by was both in this city and throughout
the country for his very great service
I'm Burmah.
HEART WAS IN BCRMAH.
Much Of his heart was left in Bur
nah. The very fact that he could not
return planted him in Proviience. The
section about this church was then
sparsely settled. but Or. Bixby felt. with
prophetic instinct, that there was the
place 10 build an altar. After confer
ring with me and other brothers. he com
menced his work In 1870. a work for
which he was eminently fitted
"IIe had a great heart. rich and rare
experience. a dignity OF life and manner
and a magnetism which drew men and
women about him. No one did more TO
ASSIST young men to gain an education
than he.
Possibly he was movei to II because
he had not enjoyed similar opportunities.
His worn along this line may he i'm
agined when II is remembered that he
was n trustee of Brown university. ~
Worcester academy. of Newton Theolo-
gical seminary. OF n Vermont academy
and two or three other inst tutions.
He was pre-eminently successful In
his church work. II you seek his monu-
ment, look around you" quoted Dr.
Spaulding. as he referred 10 the hand
some church. It's numerous membership
and the scope Of it's influence
lie continued: "Dr. BiNby believed th7t
God would give him help. I flrmiy hoii
that this altar would not be here I'm its
strength ton sht had II not been for Mr.
and Mrs. Bixby.
He loved his work lie died In the
midst OF his endeavors. with the iron
from the spiritual forge still warm IN his
hands. Beautifully ilial r. this tablet
and beautifully ecclss asticai may ~ ever
continue In your midst 20 Inspire you"
THE UNWILLING
Rev. DR.. Henson then conducted the
unveiline. stating that Mr.. and Mrs
Bixby were more than worthy OF the
honor to be paid them. nor AID he think