with Central Church, and the strong personal ties between Dr. Burnham and himself. The body was laid to rest in the Essex church-yard, where seven generations of the Burnham family are buried. His body, indeed, rests in the little country church-yard, but his spirit has entered in "through the gates into the city," where he is realizing the blessedness of that "communion and fellowship with the saints in light," to which he looked forward with such joyful anticipation and confidence, - a confidence stayed on Him who is our "God forever and ever." Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D. THE fourth pastor of the Central Congregational Church was REV. ELDRIDGE MIX, D.D. He was born in Atwater, Ohio, January 15, 1833. His ancestors were among those brave and progressive New Englanders, who, early in the nineteenth century, emigrated from New England and settled the Western Reserve, and whose descendants have been so prominently identified with our national life. In early manhood, he entered Williams College and came under that great educator, Mark Hopkins, graduating in 1854. From college, he entered Andover Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1860; on December 6, 1860, he was ordained by the First Presbytery of New York City. In 1861, he married, at Wilton, Conn., Miss Susan Willard. He was assistant pastor of the West Presbyterian Church in New York, from October, 1860, to November, 1861; pastor of the First Congregational Church, Burlington, Vt., from September, 1862, to September, 1867; pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Orange, N. J., from September, 1867, to June, 1881. The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on him by Princeton University in 1878. He was installed as pastor of the Central Congregational Church, Fall River, in October, 1882. He resigned this pastorate in May, 1890. He was a faithful and devoted pastor and an earnest preacher, whose constant endeavor was to follow in the footsteps of Christ. By his preaching and life, he held before men the great truth, "To save lost humanity, the invisible God came to dwell among us in form of man, and willed to make himself known by this single sign, 'Love.'" Or, in his own words, "We look upon One strangely like ourselves, — One who has bowed the heavens and come down to us; who, though the mighty maker of the universe, has stooped to be the Saviour of men." His life of christian strength is based upon and inspired by christian faith; a noble life of self-effacement, in which the Christ spirit such as the world seldom sees is largely exhibited; a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and, " above all these things," love. As pastor of the Central Church, he was greatly beloved by his parishioners, and ever held by them as a devoted christian man; he was esteemed by the ministry at large, pre-eminently "as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." The elements which marked his character were, great dignity and refinement of manner, unselfishness, sympathy, and integrity. He loved the Central Church and all its varied services, and his affection for it has ever been maintained during these later years since his pastorate. He loved intensely the Sabbath morning of worship, with its music and its grand old hymns of inspiration; he rejoiced to join with heart and voice with the great congregation as they sang together, I love thy church, O God! Beyond my highest joy, I prize her heavenly ways, The evening hour of prayer and praise was also one of great comfort and joy to him. He firmly believed and preached the great truth, that "the gospel alone can solve the large problems of the world," and that to advance the onward and upward movement, to elevate and christianize all mankind, is the high calling of the church. He loved and took great delight in the home and social life of his people; to him, home was the kindest, dearest place in all the world," the blossom of which Heaven is the fruit," an Eden spot, whose gateway led into the church and the life of christian privilege and service. He was intensely interested in all the different branches of the church work,- its missionary efforts both at home and abroad; the Sabbath school and Young People's Society; its many beneficent works; especially the Pleasant Street Mission, so successfully and wisely carried forward by his colaborer and beloved friend, Rev. E. A. Buck. He firmly believed in and advocated systematic giving. He endeavored to lead his people into personal work in winning men into the kingdom of God. He has keenly felt the deaths of his steadfast and loyal friends, and the afterglow of their noble and devoted lives will not soon fade from his memory. "But if there was no night, we should not see the stars," and in all the changes and sorrows of life he has been enabled to say, "The Eternal is a rock and a strong refuge. A man of marked executive ability, Dr. Mix for a number of years past has been superintendent of the large mission work of the Congregational churches of Worcester. has been enabled to do a grand work in this large field. He On February 22, 1905, Mrs. Mix was called to her "Father's house." She was a woman of refinement and culture, of gentleness and sincerity, loving the kingdom of God and devoted to its promotion. Her grace and sweetness of character will long be remembered here. "And it shall come to pass that at evening time, it shall be light," and so shall The voice that once said, "Peace, be still," Now whispers softly, "Fear no ill." And when the "twilight is gently closing in " shall glad hands be stretched forth to welcome home, and, oh, joy! the Master's "well done.” On the church calendar of February 26 was written, “The hearts of our people go out in tenderest sympathy for Dr. Eldridge Mix and his daughter, in their great sorrow at the death of Mrs. Mix." Rev. William Walker Jubb REV. WILLIAM WALKER JUBB, the fifth pastor of Central Church, was of English birth and education. When seventeen years of age he joined his mother's church, the Methodist, and when about twenty, he began to preach. Later Mr. Jubb left that denomination for what he thought to be "the freer life of Congregationalism." After some time spent in study, he was settled over his first Congregational church (1864) in Ilkeson, Derbyshire. He visited this country in 1881, when secretary of the Congregational Irish Missionary Society, and presented the claims of that organization in Boston, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Ten years later, he visited the United States, when he was introduced, by mutual friends, to the Central Church, — at that time without a pastor. The result of this introduction was the installation, September, 1891, of Mr. Jubb as fifth pastor of the Church, which office he retained for five years, when he resigned and returned to England. Mr. Jubb was a man of great ability; eloquent as a speaker, and with a ready flow of language; a persuasive orator, genial and sympathetic. He was well-read in the best literature, and, when called upon for public addresses, more than filled the expectation of his audience. Mr. Jubb died in Illesley, near London, in March, 1904. MRS. MARTHA JUBB, wife of Rev. W. W. Jubb, was a cultured English gentlewoman, endowed with many superior qualities of mind and heart, a woman whose presence was always felt for good in whatever position she might be placed. She was conscientious, spiritually minded, and earnestly devoted to the best interests of the Church. She returned to England with Mr. Jubb, in 1896. Rev. William A. Knight THE sixth pastor of the Central Congregational Church, the REV. WILLIAM A. KNIGHT, began his pastorate in October, 1897, and served the Church until January, 1902. He was the son of the Rev. Allen A. Knight and Mary A. (Robeson) Knight, and was born in Milton, Mo., October 20, 1863. His education was received in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio; in Adelbert and Hiram colleges; and in Oberlin Theological Seminary; while recent study at Harvard has won for him the degree of master of arts. He was ordained to the ministry, September 4, 1886. In November of the same year he was married to Miss Maude Russell, of Aurora, Ohio, who with two daughters, Ethel and Gertrude, constitute their family. After pastorates in the Madison Avenue Congregational Church of Cleveland, and as associate pastor in the First Presbyterian Church of the same city, Mr. Knight went to the First Congregational Church of Saginaw, Mich., and thence was called to the pastorate in this city. The years which he spent with the Central Church were years of active, devoted service, with special emphasis, perhaps, upon the work among the young people. |