Putnam patriot., 1911-08-04

the words of life. His own words, written to the historian of his college class, iE 1902 or 1903, are as follows: 1T am glad to be in the ranks of the min istry at large and wish to occupy my Sabbaths with the supply of pastorless churches, as 1 have so far had the good fortune to do most of the Sabbaths for two years and more since resumed preaching Those words would have been equally true had they been pen ned two years ago this summer.
 But this brief statement of the ac- tivities of Mir, Brooks would be more even incomplete were mention not made of some other services which he rendered to the Congregational Church, and which pointed to the appreciation in which he was held by our larger ec- clesiastical body. In 1875 he preached the annual sermon before the General Association of Congregational Churches of massachusetts,, was for five years one of the directors of the Board of Pastoral Supply of the Congregational l Churches, of Massachusetts, and was for eight years member of the FIX
 setts Home Missionary Society In the discharge of his official duties con. nected with these two important so- cieties Mir. Brooks had opportunity given him to bring into action that calm, judicial trait of character which always shone out when he was called upon to give his verdict respecting matters of importance.
 To the historian of his class he wrote at the time before alluded to: II do not regret having chosen the ministry for my life work. 1 believe that there is no vocation which surpasses it for one who by native and acquired fitness is adapted for it, and who gives it the most generous and strenuous service l possible In those words of our brother, exposed, innocently and with out intention, 1 am sure, but plainly | ministry the success that it was to so eminent degree. Both by native and acquired fitness he certainly was we'll adapted for the high vocation where with he was called by the Master. Ma l ture endowed him with winning per sonality and with vigorous mind: to which endowments he added the en- richment which comes through thor | ough study and conscientious use of i the opportunities which comes to one l for exalted service. No one could be brought into intimate relationship with him without feeling the charm of his personality. Though he was dig | nitied to degree which brought to mind the reported dignity of ministers of former days, yet there was blended with il such an element of geniality | that one would not have had it modi- | lied to the least extent. He was always and everywhere the courteous gentle man. Moreover, to hear him speak in the social meeting, or to conduct di. vine service in the pulpit was to be i'm. pressed with the belief that Mr. Brooks was always in the way of put ting the very best of himself into all that he attempted. His utteranees were never dull in the social meetings, but, on the contrary, scintillsted with briA hk thoughts and apt illustrations; and withal there WAS in them a strong. underlying current of devoutness which revealed the source whence he derived his power 10 move our hearts. His absence during these last months Of his invslidism from our midweek meetings has been cause of deep re- gret to sll of us who have been accus- toned 10 meet there for worship and mutual edification; for 1t was there