The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-15
A Clergyman's Tribute to Francis p.
Church.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: Your
brief editorial tribute OF yesterday to the
memory Of your late associate brought home
to me my loss In his death. The circle Of
those who knew and loved him is small; In.
deed, he survived most OF those who were
nearest him in the bright days Of early man
hood. He loved to recall these and tell what
they had been to him. and were still in mems
DRY, for in a remarkable degree he could at
will become obsessed by the friends who had
passed beyond his mortal sight. Those OF
us who we're near him in later life have never
thought Of him as old He kept for US the
spring of youth fresh and clear always But
only at rare intervals would he unoonsoiously
draw aside the veil from the inner shrine.
Then we discovered how good and lovable
he was. For Mr.. Church by nature and
training was reticent about himself. highly
sensitive and retiring. The old time courtesy
Of manner that always marked his bearing
and the patient willingness with which he
met the claims Of others on his time and
thought made him attractive to chance ac.
quaintances. Still. he was strangely imper'
sonal in such intercourse. Even with intimates
he rarely permitted himself to express freely
his inner thought.
doubt II an editor was ever more consist
emily loyal in maintaining the privacy Of the
sources Of his journals statements. In our
talks together l have frequently referred 10
an editorial my intuition told me was from his
pen, but never could nduce him to own the
writing. In another way. however. he did
betray himself. and thus reveal the high
purpose OF his professional work. Sometimes
we discussed issues Of deep interest. Then
he became alert. earnest. decided. While
his thought might move slowly. 1t was always
onward to the true solution. Such questions
were TO him more than academic; he felt that
they we're vital to those whose minds he might
guide, and the responsibility absorbed him.
At such times he impelled ones attention. his
eyes spoke as well as the voice. the moral
nature OF the man moved, 1t might be weeks
after such discussion that I would read In
THE SUN the whole argument.
l wish I had kept those editorials, Row
clearly reasonable they So a dontys b WeGe; h tBs
occasional pathos, the simple, chaste style.
all left their impression; Still. these quail.
truth. Acceptable or the reverse, as the case
he wrote. His conscience and his heart were
himself the guide and teacher of a multitude,
and he never led them astray. His writing
IN lighter vein had rare ohsrmt he possessed
hence. THE tender fancy. the sympathetic
understanding of human nature, the humor,
deliceSy Of his touch" made these unique;
How surprised Mr.. Church would be could
he read this tribute! 1 have never known
y n u y man 10 uo i' - 'T -
repression, He never knew his value II, our
eyes. And he possessed qualities that shone
brightly In his intimate intercourse with
friends. They loved him for his tolerance,
the cleanness Of his mind. his pleasure In gen.
tlemen, his bright ina Rination; above all. lor
his kindness Of heart. Mr.. Church was leader
among the highest nobility of America; nose
who believe in and trust the people and are
willing to guide them Alright;
/ hesitate to refer to what ! belieye wast nS
foundation. principle of his life. Mr.. Church
was especially .~reticent az to personal re.
ligion. He let his life reveal or hide this 70
others as they might choose their point Of
view. Nevertheless this was, ] think, We
ruling power in his life. Once, only he spoRs
in God. II. was a brief statement Of Christ!nn
faith. made simply, almost without sGu.
life.
In one Of Charles Lambs essays, bel!eEed
TO be autobio graphical. there is descrlhed
the spring OF, a noble manhood: He gave
his heart to the Purifier. and his I'll 70 w
are recalled, as l think. of Francis P Church
f YORK. April l3. j. r. DrEiEE'