St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-05-04
IN MEMORIAL.

fishes the tribute given to the late MIR.
Bates at the funeral service April 2, by
his lifelong friend, Rev. DIR. William S.
Hazen of Mortified. Mr.. Bates is well
remembered in this section, having been
pastor of the Congregational church at
Newbury 19 years and secretary of the
Congregational convention for many
years. DR.. Hazen's tribute is as follows:
Some one has said, Local as well as
ancestral influences are among the de-
terrnining forces OF every life and char
acter. There are some felicities and in
felicities of birthplace as marked as those
of parentage. The surroundings of child
hood, outside the family, leave their in
delible impress on the plastic nature.
Natural scenery, climate and social Gus
toms and institutions are to be ranked
among the educators of youth"
In both respects thus named, the faith
full servant of Christ in whose memory
we are here gathered was highly favored.
Brookheld, the place of his birth, No
vernber IL, 1881, is a typical Vermont
hill town, beautiful for situation. 1t was
settled by men of marked intelligence and
integrity of character. These character
istics were cultivated and strengthened
by the long and able ministry of Rev.
Elijah Lyman. The school, the library
and the church were the institutions to
be faithfully guarded and generously sup
ported, and to them the people were
warmly attached.
Then the home of Mr.. Bates was emf
nently Christian. His father and grand
father were deacons of the church and
prominent in it's counsels. He was
trained in the Christian Way" both by
precept and example, so that from
child he "knew the Holy Scriptures which
are able to make us wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Jesus Christ"
AS was to be expected from such train
ing, he early accepted Christ as his per-
sonal Friend and Saviour and united with
the church.
During his youth he worked with his
father on the farm and enjoyed the privi-
leges of the common school. He early
developed more taste for mental than
physical labor, and this his parents de-
termined to crafty so far as possible,
with view to his becoming minister of
the Gospel, their highest ambition for
their only SON. Accordingly he was sent
to Mortified Academy, and then to
Barre for his preparatory studies, and
entered the University of Vermont in
the autumn of 1858, graduating in 1857.
After teaching three years he entered
Andover Theological Seminary, where
he graduated in 1868. Soon after he ac-
church in Underhill and was ordained
pastor March %, 1864. After success
ful pastorate of seven years he was dis
missed to accept a call from the Congre-
gational church in Newburv, which he
served faithfully 10 years. He then
supplied the churches of his native town
one year and moved to Burlington,
which had since been his home. Since
coming here he served the churches in
Manchester, Benson and Winooski, till,
owing to physical in6rmities, it seemed
wise for him to drop regular pastoral
duties. But he still preached in different
places as he had opportunity. 1t was
the work he loved. and it was one OF the
great trials of his life when forced to
give it up.
MIR. Bates was of a naturally modest,
retiring disposition. distrustful of self
and of his abilities, so that it seemed to
those who knew him best that he never
quite rose to the height of his privilege.
He was social, genial, companionable,
loveable, and wherever he was he quickly
made friends, and was always entertain
ing in his intercourse with them. This
made him an exceptionally fine pastor
and bound his people to him by the
people as well as he knew his. His sue
cess as minister was largely due to his
genial pastoral laborS. In his life he IL
Illustrated the attractive side of our holy
religion and thus won men not only to
himself but to the Saviour he served. In
this he was effectually aided by natural
fondness tor music, both instrumental
and vocal. To it he gave time, thought
and study, as he had opportunity, till he
became an authority, especially on church
music. He well understood the best and
how to render it in the most appropriate
manner. If he could not find music
which he thought adapted to the words
to be sung he would compose some. He
could lead the singing or preside at the
organ whenever circumstances required
such service of him.
A few years ago, feeling the need of a
Hymn and Tune Book" better suited to
social worship than any published, he
began the preparation OF one. From
time to time he talked to me about it,
and it is to be hoped that he has left the
material he gathered so that it may be
utilized in the promotion of social wor-
ship which was near his heart.
AS preacher, Mr.. Bates was eminentlY
biblical, practical rather than doctrinal,
though he did not underestimate the inn
portance of the doctrines or even seem to
Slight them. He believed most heartily
in the old, yet ever new, truths taught by
his parents and the pastors of his child
hood and youth. He believed in their
power to satisfy the longings of immor.
tai souls and to make them wise unto
salvation. 1t is eminently true of him
that "he kept the faith" But it was not
a blind keeping. He was interested in
all new developments and had a mind
open to receive new views of truth. He
welcomed all Investigations and devel-
opments which could help in the illustra-
tion and presentation of truth so that it
would be more readily comprehended and
accepted by the people. In other words,
he aimed to keep in touch with the times,
and, while adhering to the old, get the
best out of the new. But in all the dis
cussions and consequent changes, it was
his supreme desire to get the mind of
Christ, to know the truth as He revealed
it, to teach it as He would have it taught,
firmly believing that it lis the power