Putnam patriot., 1918-11-15

to Newton, attending the schools there, later taking preparatory course at the Silver Lake Seminary At the age of IT he was admitted to l Amherst College, and graduated in the class of 1866. He was one of the original five members who founded the Alpha Chi Chapter of the Chi Psi Society, now one of the foremost fraternities of the college. He next spent a year at Baptist seminary, through the influence of his friend. pr. Racket. who was professor of Greek and Hebrew exegesis. and one of the most distinguished scholars of the day. At % he took finishing course at the Andoyer Theological Seminary, preaching year at Dun stable and other places while he was studying. The first sermon he ever preached was in the Baptist church at Methuen. In 1869 he received a call to the Congregational church at Brookline, N. H. where he remained as resident pastor for l7 years, preaching also at Townsend for three years, and making the latter place his home Notwithstanding the fact that he remained for so long a period over one charge, yet during that time he had no less than 20 calls to other churches, many of them being flatter- ing. At one time he decided to ac- cept call to Leominster, but recon sidered his determination and re mained in Brookline. Among some of the places he would have been gladly received were Pepperell. Mass, Milford, N. H., Reading, Mass, Som erville, and others.
 During his stay in Townsend inn paired health neeessitated rest and change. and he spent six months in the west making the most of his time in noting the industries and advantag- es in that section He resumed his pastorate at Townsend, January |, 1890, remaining there but few months, having accepted a call to the Second Congregational church of Putnam, to take effect September 1, 1890.
 While in Brookline Mir Sargent interested himself in education. serv- ing for l2 years as superintendent of schools. He also became prominent in the United Order of the Golden Cross, having been the grand com mander of the state, and was twice delegate to the supreme commandery session at Washington and Knoxville. As an indication of his interest in public affairs, it might be said that he was personally instrumental Tn the establishment of a telephone line be tween Townsend and Nashua, a dis tance of 20 miles Subsequently the line was sold to the New England Tel ephone Company.
 As evidence of his earnestness and zeal for furthering the material in. ] terests of his church, he found his 1 Brookline charge practically mis- sion church, rebuilt it, raising S6,000 provided new bell and organ, and 1 otherwise added to it's evidences oi prosperity.
 MT. Sargent was married October 2l, 1869, having been ordained pas. tor the day previous, to Miss Emma S. Taylor, daughter of Deacon s. S and Rachel (Hillis) Taylor of Dun. stable, Mass. Three children were born to them, Bertha Louise of Put nam, Florence Gertrude, a teacher al
 Bryn Mawr, Pa, and Harold Taylor of Worcester. All survive.
 Mir. Sargent was one of the trus tees of the Day Kimball hospital. Hs was also a trustee of the Connecticut
 Bible Society He was one of the ], corporators of the American Boart of Commissioners of Foreign Mis-
 sions, director of the State Mission
 ary Society and Fund for Ministers members of the Congregational Min
 isters' Supply, Boston, and member of the Windham County Association
 of Congregational Ministers. He wal also a member of Israel Putnam lodg,
 of Odd Fellows.
 The funeral service will be held al the Congregational church Saturday morning at II o'clock. Rev. w. s
 Beard of New York, formerly pastor of the Wilimantic Congregations church, will officiate. He will be as sisted by Rev. Sherrod Soule of Hartford, Rev. Walter Williams of | Danielson, Rev. MT. Aver of Mans | field, and Rev. George D. Stanley of Westerly, K. l. There will be sing ing by the Lotus Male Quartette of Fremont Temple, Boston, and by the