Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-03-09
SIMPLE FUNERAL SERVICE
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE WAL
TER II. cHILDs.
Fitting Eulogy by Rev. M. II. Harris,
Former Universalist Pastor Here
Body Taken to Forest Hills and
Incinerated According TO Request,


Body Taken to Forest Hills and
Incinerated According TO Request.
Funeral services for the late Walter
II. Childs were held Sunday afternoon
at $50 clock from the Childs home
ON Green street, Rev. Nj. II. Harris OF
Waterfowl, n. v, former pastor of
the Universalist church of this town,
officiating. The funeral was attended
only by immediate relatives and few
friends, but from 1890 until oppor.
tunity was given all who wished TO
look for the last time upon the lifelike
face of him whose death caused such
general sorrow throughout the com
munity. The services were very sim
pie, in accordance with Mr. Childs IS
wishes. After n prayer and n read
ing of appropriate verses, Rev. Mr..
Harris spoke briefly on the life of his
departed friend. He said in part:
There is much, very much, in the life Of
every individual Of which no report or pic
ture ever goes forth to the world. Numerous
thoughts in every mind find never a word
to express and perpetuate them. Images of
sparkling beauty lie concealed in the un'
worked mines Of the fancy that are never
drawn forth and set up for the admiration
Of others, and high resolves, noble impulses,
generous sentiments there are in the heart
to which neither visible act, nor lit phrase
give shape and distinctness. They are chill
dren Of the spirit They are born and live
and do their noiseless, yiewless errand with
out becoming incarnate, without assuming a
body and being palpable to sense. In this
way are nipped many OF the best products
Of humanity, which, II they were permitted
to blossom, would present 10 the world many
strong characteristics OF which man takes no
note. The characters Of men are less com
pick than is commonly imagined. In almost
every human soul, certainly in every soul
worth studying, there is one great central
principle one predominant characteristic, one
ruling passion which moulds all the affec-
tons of the heart and sways all the habits
of the life This trait is a key to the whole
man, interprets all the passages OF his life,
reconciles all the Inconsistencies OF his con
duct. In the character Of every exemplar
OF moral excellence there is some one crown.
! ing virtue around which all the rest cluster
and from which they derive their vitality
and power.
| positiyeness OF conviction was the great
central principle, the one GROWING virtue of
the life of our friend and brother, Walter
II. Childs His influence was unique in its
nature, as well as extensive in its degree.
He certainly was one Of the most unsefsh
men | have ever known. We can trace from
his earliest days the same expansive fel.
low feeling which marked his career OF ac-
tive duty; his heart throbbed in unison with
the general pulse; his soul merged itself
in the wants, joys and sorrows Of the multi
far Epul ~ tba NJ ant nd
earnest was his sympathy as to endow him
with an intuitive insight into the necessities
of those among whom he lived, or for whom
he labored
Mr. Childs was born into family In
which frugality, sef.denial and labor were
incumbent duties on every member. The
discipline of such domestic position was
invaluable in breaking down the first forth.
puttings of selfshness and inspiring a strong
fellow feeling for common burdens, conflicts
and efforts constituting much surer bond
Of mutual interest and affection than even
household ties. The same good influences
which we have ascribed to eur friends fam.
lily connection may also with fairness be at.
tributed to the community in which he re-
ceived his early education. 1t was neigh
borhood of plain, hard working people and
we all know how closely such neighborhoods
are connected in mutual dependence and
sympathy, how readily the burden of one is
lifted by all, how heartily the Joy of one
is shared by ALL OF this spirit Walter
Childs, while yet a boy, drank deeply and
manifested in childhood and youth the same
generous disdain of deceit, of wrong and
Of oppression, together with the same prompt
ness and zeal to assert and maintain the
just rights and claims OF others, as well as
his own, which were afterwards SO conspic-
uous in the man. His life is another in.
stance Of how a poor boy may become in
this country man of influence and power
by his own exertions. His early advantages
for education were somewhat limited. These
limitations however, were the fuel that fed
the ambitious desire for knowledge so that
every opportunity was made the most of.
His mind was distinguished by clear and
accurate perceptions, sound judgment, a will
strong in purpose, and a persistent patience
both in deiberation and inquiry. He was
unaffected in his manners, charitable to the
destitute, warm in his affections unbending
in his integrity. He began early and never
laid aside the habit of a thorough industry.
So uniform was this and so deeply set as
to wear the grace OF some beautiful instinct.
There was in 1t no hustle, no hurry. II was
the genuine love of labor stirring the whole
being and keeping its energies directed in
constant Application 10 wise ana uselul re-
suits He seemed as one who could not
rest idle, his very presence was reproof
to listless inaction He won and kept
through life a perfect confidence in the hearts
of those who knew him well. SO delicate
was his sense Of responsibility, so pure his
consciousness, so constant his fidelity that
none doubted that what he had under his
control would be safe, and whatever he un.
dertook to do would be done. He was
strong man in our midst. His opinions were
formed but were not easily dis
turbed when once settled in his mind. He
was not hasty in his attachments, and they
were never hastily abandoned. He was de-
termined and self.possessed, not to be over
come by his own or others emotions, yet ten
der and affectionate, and though of wonder
full fortitude, he always had profound feel
ing of his absolute dependence on God for |
strength and aid. He had the interests OF
this town and county at heart. In his oc-
cupation in life he honored his position OF
trust by that faithfulness to duty and fear
less integrity which characterized his life |
work.
One of the most striking parts of his
character lay in his kindly nature. His heart
Iny;nn indp nj