The following Scripture selections from Job 29: 11-16 were very appropriately read at the service:

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:

Because I delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless also, that had none to help him.

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my justice was as a robe and a diadem.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.

I was a father to the needy: and the cause of him I knew not, I searched out.

DEACONS

Deacon Benjamin Earl

DEACON BENJAMIN EARL, for forty years a deacon of the Central Congregational Church, died in office, April 5, 1884, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. His death resulted from a general breaking up of the system, after a most active business and public life.

He was born in Taunton, August 7, 1809. His father died when he was but six years of age, leaving a widow and six children. He was carefully reared by his mother, received a common-school training, and at the age of fourteen, after a trial of the sea, became an apprentice to the wool-carding business in Taunton.

In 1826, he came to Fall River, and entered the office of the Fall River Monitor, to learn the printing art. A few years later, he purchased the newspaper and printing office, and continued in it until 1838. Previous to this, he bought the local book and stationery business, which he conducted successfully until his decease. In the "Great Fire" of 1843, he lost his entire stock; but his good credit enabled him to continue, and he was one of the first to occupy a store in the new "Granite Block."

Deacon Earl united with the First Congregational Church on profession of faith in 1836, and became one of the original members of the Central Congregational Church on its organization, November 16, 1842.

In June, 1844, he was elected one of its first two deacons, and served in that capacity through life. He was in active service for thirty-three years, being present at every communion season save two, when he was detained, on one occasion by illness, and on the other by absence from town.

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The "golden wedding" of Deacon Earl and his wife, a granddaughter of Col. Joseph Durfee, the Revolutionary veteran, was celebrated in the parlors of the new Central Church, on December 2, 1880, when Mr. Earl made a happy response to an address of congratulation, and was made the recipient of many good wishes as well as elegant and costly tokens of esteem. Among these the most prominent, chaste and elegant memorial of the event, the spontaneous offering of many friends, was a VASE twelve inches high, of unique and beautiful design, made of solid silver, lined with gold, and bearing on one of its sides, the representation of a poppy flower and seeds, emblem of quietude, - and on the other the following inscription: "Presented to DEACON AND MRS. BENJAMIN EARL, by members of the Central Church of Fall River, on the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of their Marriage, as a token of their Esteem and Affection, 1830-Dec. 2,-1880." It was a fine expression of the golden memories and affection cherished by the Church, which, in all its years of growth and progress, had made constant demands upon his wisdom and counsel, his zeal in good words and works, and now claimed the privilege of uniting with his home, in a more public way, of manifesting their interest, good-will, and fellowship.

The young men of the Church on the same occasion marked their appreciation and friendship by presenting Deacon Earl with a fine gold-headed ebony cane, suitably engraved and inscribed.

The following is taken from the annual report of the pastor and deacons for April, 1884:

Benjamin Earl: He was one of the original members of this Church. From the day of its formation until his death, he held in it the office of deacon.

Who of you that knew him, knew his fidelity in the discharge of the duties of his office, knew his wisdom and sagacity in counsel, knew what a tower of strength he was in the times of trial and trouble through which the Church has passed, will not join with us in saying, He was one of its noblest pillars?

His last sickness was both protracted and painful, but he preserved the same calmness and serenity, the same patience and peacefulness, which had hitherto characterized his life, unto the last.

MRS. NANCY S. EARL, wife of Deacon Benjamin Earl, was one of the most active members in early church work. She was of happy disposition, and quick to respond to any demand made upon her.

In those early days trained nurses were unknown, hence frequent calls were made upon the experienced mothers of the community in cases of illness, and much of this work fell to her care.

Deacon and Mrs. Earl were in charge of the preparation for the communion service for about thirty-three years.

Pleasant recollections of her devotion come to many who recall her cheerfulness, her sociability, and her hearty companionship.

She died January 1, 1895, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. One who remembers her well, says, "In our younger days we used to so love to call on Mrs. Earl for a social afternoon and talk, or for advice and comfort; and now in our later life, we are again and again surprised at the sudden remembrance of some bit of wisdom or help or humor, gathered in those faroff days, but which have tinged our own lives and given to us holy and precious memories of this friend and confidante of our youth and inexperience.

Dr. Nathan Durfee

DR. NATHAN DURFEE, the third child and eldest son of a family of nine children, was born June 18, 1799, in that part of the town of Freetown now called Fall River.

His father was Charles Durfee; his mother, Welthe Hathaway Durfee. Charles Durfee was a man of marked promi

nence in his day. He held the office of justice of the peace, which at that time was an office of great distinction.

Nathan and another brother, Thomas, graduated from Brown University in Providence, R. I. (class of 1824). Thomas then went as the first home missionary to Missouri, where he died in 1833, aged only thirty-two years. Nathan studied medicine and received the degree of doctor of medicine at Harvard College. The practice of his profession not being to his taste, he soon abandoned it, and became identified with the manufacturing interests which Col. Richard Borden and others had already started.

He erected the first brick building in the town, on the corner of Main and Central streets.

He was especially fond of agricultural pursuits, bringing into a high state of cultivation rocky and swampy lands which seemed almost valueless. He identified himself with the broader interests of the county and state, became president of the Bristol County Agricultural Society, and was later one of the foremost organizers of the Bristol County Central Agricultural Society, and its president for many years. He was a trustee of the State Agricultural College at Amherst, and its treasurer for a time; he contributed largely to the institution, both of time and money, and erected a plant house on its grounds, which bears his name.

He was kind-hearted, benevolent, and greatly interested in the youth of the town, and was especially ready to help young men who were seeking an education. He was a great advocate of temperance, strong in his convictions, and fearless in his censure of wrong-doing.

As one of the seventy original members of the Central Church, he was ever loyal to its interests. He was elected a deacon, November 11, 1850, and served in that capacity to the end of his life. He was largely instrumental in the erection of our first church building, and when the new church edifice was built, his name, with that of Col. Richard Borden,