Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-28

a
/ coming, II yet has come in time, for years
are not the man nor do they mark the
time to do great things well. This church
has well kept the memory of this faithful
minister, who, coming to 1t in its earlier
years, gave 1t added life and built for it
so we'll that neither time nor changing
style Of thought or modes of worship has
turned it from its straight and narrow
way whose goal is life eternal.
Today his house is here. itself a mon
ument, proof of his earnest citizenship.
A sister, rich in the fulness of her years,
is in her pew, while two generations fol-
lowing after him are Joined to this con-
gregation. So has there been no need of
haste in thus perpetuating here his mem
DRY, other than in living hearts and
voices that speak of him to others.
Lately have re-read the simple story
of his life. OF the spectacular and SEN
sational there is none. The renown that
goes with many a calling is absent. The
glory of the soldier was not hit. The
great lawyer of his generation possibly
was more widely known and famous ora
tors more eagerly heard. Statesmen may
I seem to have chosen larger field, while
the accident of birth may have set an
other man of his time in high places Syl-
vester Judd was minister, and his glory
such as fits a calling far removed from
noise and clamor. the plaudits of the
multitude or the rise and fall of tran
silent popularity What came to him, or
since has come to him, is his as the re-
suit Of character. or manhood. a clear
mind, a good heart and a spiritual pur-
pose. To be well remembered after the
passing OF 60 years is proof enough that
glitter and sound are transient and that
things eternal are few and fine, grain
of gold in a mountain of matter hasing
little value.
Today we think of Sylvester Judd as
the boy eager for education. We
think ow him as the student making
his way, Of the young theologian torn
With doubt and question and strug-
Cling to find a way from out the up
heaval of thought ad belief in the
New England of his time to a salts
factory faith. The battle for educa
ton and personal and religious free
dom won. We see him coming from
the University to Augusta to be heard
before this congregation. Then his
coming to stay. He marries and
and builds himself a modest house.
Children are born. We are thinking,
too, of the strength of this quiet and
serious life. We are even forgetting
much of the things that come and go.
L is good time to measure one against
the other, to figure loss and gain and
strike a balance, to think of life with
its heaTng tide of foam and noise and
"a nf o.
and strong in faith.
Sylvester Judd impressed himself
upon strong men and women. This
impression is lasting. He cultivated
good soil and he ploughed deep. He
planted seed that grew to flower, such
flower as seeds itself again and yet
again.
That life so simple and sweet and
a thought SO free and sane really live
after man is good news. This is a
kind of proof, though hard to reduce
to logic. that the real things of life
are few and Of great worth.
On behalf of this church and con-
gregation l accept this tablet. 1t is
beautiful in desiga and rich in the life
it commentaries. The years speed
on. Our generation will pass. Other
naen and women will come here to
worship. May this church maintain
its honored rame and hold its place in
hearts that warm to wholesome
thought This tablet. too, shall con-
tinue here, richer in its age than now,
to preserve the memory of a name, to
KEEP alive the inspiration of a devoted
life.
Rev. Paul S. PhaIen
We are grateful to those who have
given into our keeping this beautiful
memorial to one who in days gone by
was the leader and the exemplar, not
onfy of cur faith, but in all ways that
make for the increase and strengthen
ing OF the hisncst ideals OF life. Here
In this city which he loved so well
and served SO faithfully, Sylvester
Judd gave the best years of life that
that was all too short. Diligent, re-
soalrceful and inspiring, he poured out
his strength Of mind and heart and
soul for the advancement of the prin-
elples. which build the City Of God. n
Unitarian through conviction, he add
&c to his Keen search for truth. love
for the religious zeal and heart
warmth that has distinguished our
Evangelical brethren. as us absence
in many OF our churches, has often
made men feel unjustly to be sure,
that Unitar.anism is merely cold
and somewhat scientific attitude to-
ward religion. 1t Is probable that this
warmth Ut feeling and spiritual fer
YOUR which however, never degenerat-
ed into fever, was one of The secrets
of bis ability to transform many cold
ard perhaps slightly unsy1npathetic
personalities in religion into eager and
devoted followers. sympathy, friend
mess aud enthusiasm We're strong
traits In Mr.. Judd's character which
found their way to many heart
which needed just such attentions, and
responded in kind
When Mr.. Judd came to Augusta, he
found the church as many Of you know
in a rather unhappy state. 1t was not
large and Was supported in part by
contributions frorn the American Uni
tartan Association. Then, too. it has
suffered trorp unfortunate and unhap-
ypy leadership, 1t lacked what we call
unity ard cohesiveness as spiritual
y of iuio mol