Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-10-28

Il VohtoO % muCu - III uio WIZ Whsoh Aos
already been referred to. How often
when he was speaking, ! have seen hi
eyes begin to twinkle, and We got our
selves in readiness for the humorous re
Election which speedily came.
And yet no one who thinks OF hin
simply a. . scholar knows or think
what was the real worth of the man. BE
was not simply q student; he was
teacher. he never sacrificed the man II
the scholar. His interest primarily wa
not In books, but In men. The human In
terest-the Abou Ben Adhem spirit-thi'
was the dominant note to- which all hi
activities, whether he was In the class
room with his adopted children, In
whom he felt fathers interest, or en-
tertaining them, as he did so often, with
bis family In his home. How he enjoy
ed good time! To him it was legiti
mate part OF his normal life. Wherever
he was he was giving that which is the
best thing that teacher or q man car
ever give-himself, with all bis stores Of
thought, bis rare spiritual insight, biz
moral enthusiasm, that others might
have and enjoy.
He differed with many in his ideas,
political, moral, theological, but this
difference was no bar to his friendship
or service. In his latest years, indeed, |
do not think he enjoyed anything more
than the fellowship he had with the min.
listers OF various faiths who have honor.
ed him by their sympathy and presence
here this afternoon. He never con-
founded his religion with theology.
1t may be guessed that he had very
rare religious experience; and In those
highly privileged moments when we
heard him utter his deepest convictions,
how often We have heard him declare
that the way to peace, the way to joy,
the way of comfort-it Is good to re.
member 1t now as message from him
is the way OF the Master, not the way of
personal anxiety or worry for this life,
for ones personal welfare, but OF unself-
ish service for the good of others. He
that loseth his selfish life findeth the life
of joy and peace.
Some one has said, "If the great and
good man we're to exist he would not
know it," have often thought of that
in connection with DR.. Forbes. No one
ever heard him claim aught for himself
in the way of kindness or service. Many
times we have heard his humble comics.
sion of his shortcomings. He would
think I was praising him this afternoon,
but we may say-may We not-that his
soul was clean and white, that he was
simple, humble, unselfish, true man,
whom it was privilege to claim as your
friend. He was withal an idealist, like
the true and great in every age. That
which ought to be true is true. In some
of the sharp discussions we sometimes
had of the great moral questions, how
he would sound that highest note, that
We must be loyal to that which our
hearts tell US is right. God was pledged
that that which ought to be true, shall
be true. The ideal shall become the
real.
We want to remember now that he be-
lieved profoundly in the things of the
spirit. he never forgot that the only
justification for his scholarship, for the
critical study of the Bible, was the eter-
nal truth of this Book, real and vital to
him. And 80, in his life, conversant as
he was with the new science and knowl-
edge, as it is called, he had not thought
of fear that it would destroy mans faith
in God and the spiritual world. 1t only
helped him to a stronger and more sat
isfying faith in God and man, and in the
eternal life; and we can almost hear his
spirit say that though in this world there
are fluctuations, be of good cheer, have
overcome the world.
We do not know, dear, brave, gener-
GUS soul, how We shall 60 on alone, how
We shall do our various duties and fill
our various places; but this one thing
We will do for your sake, in obedience
to your spirit, and that great Spirit OF
which you were so faithful disciple:
We will give ourselves more whole.
heartedly and unreservedly to that which
makes for good; we will be true to all
that is high and noble and spiritual In
life, until the time that the promises of
this life are fulfilled, and we shall know
as we are known, face to face.