New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-09
TRIBUTES TO DR.. DENNS
impressive Memorial Service for
Editor Clergyman.
GOOD DEEDS REC0UNTED
Pastors Praise His Character
and Tell of the Work He
Did for Humanity.

An impressive public service In memory or
the Rev Dr. John Bancroft Devins, editor
OF The New York Observer and manager
OF the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. was held
yesterday afternoon at the Central Pres
byterian Church. In West 57th street be-
tween Broadway and Seventh avenue. Sew
eral Of the well known Presbyterian min
listers Of this city paid a high tribute to
the character and work Of DR.. Devins.
There was a large attendance at the ser
vice.
Letters OF appreciation OF Or. Devins as a
friend minister, charitable worker and cit
lzen we're read from John E. Parsons.
Jacob Riis and the Rev. Henry T. McEwen.
formerly pastor Of the Fourteenth Street
Church. at 18th street and Second avenue.
In the absence Of the Rev. John F. Car
son. Moderator Of the General Assembly.
the Rev. DR.. David G. Wylie, Of the Scotch
Presbyterian Church, Goth street and Cen
tral Park West. read DIT. Carson's message.
which paid a warm tribute TO Or. Deyins.
DIT Wylie then said
I do not know Of a man to-day IN the
Presbyterian Church here who did a better
or broader work than our lamented and
beloved brother Or. Devins He was a
faithful and loyal parishioner sympathetic,
cordial and generous in his support Of all
the work Of tine church
The Rev. DR.. George Alexander, Moderator
OF the Presbytery Of New York paid
tribute 10 Or. Devins "as presbyter." He
told of his hard struggle as a boy. and
later when he was compelled to be self
supporting. while working HIS way through
I d tf---frrfr.T
He came 10 me once with yearn!ng in
his ewes which / had not seen before"
said Or. Alexander "and told me that he
did not know who he was, that he was
without sntecedents. without family ties.
and had been like child without home.
He looked ~ the Church as his home, and
his work supplied bin with all those ten
derer ties Of which he was deprived in his
early years. He told me- that the thing
above all else which helped him most In
HE work was the thought that IN going
about among the tenements he might he
uinistering 70 his own mother. brother or
sister He was most tolerant OF other
peoples faults, without amy prejudices' and
q most lovahle man
The Rev. Or. Charles A. stoddard who
was associated with Dr. Devins ON The
Observer" was unable TO attend the service.
and the Rev. Jesse T.. Forbes. stated clerk
Of the Preshyterv Of New York. read Or.
Stoddard's tribute 20 his friend "as an
editor" Or. Stoddard said
when called 10 the editorship Of The
New York Observer he had already been
well trained as n newspaper man in the
Office Of The Tribune. His knowledge Of
all the details Of the work was remark
( able. He had a keen discernment Of what
was religious news. as he had had the same
sense Of news value on the daily paper.
cannot think If a single occasion in all our
associations when there was a shadow of
unkindness. a moment Of misunderstood
/ ing. 7 think this was because, aside from
/ his generous nature. he was a sincere
/ Christian. He tried 10 live and work like
/ Christ did"
/ The Rev. Or. Henry Mottet pad trib-
ute 20 Dr. Devinss work as manager 81
/ the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. Dr. M0ttet
/ described the work Of the fund during the
/ years before Or. Devins took 70 up. in 1907
+ Prior 70 that time II was supervised by its
/ founder. the Rev Willard Parsons. II had
reached a value and magnitude under Dr.
Devinss nagement with which IL would
/ be hard 10 compete.
/ IF you are asked why this fund stands
/ to-day IN the very first rank he declared
/ you may know that II is because II has
/ had two ministers who have laid down their
/ very lives IN its cause