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MEMORIAL 
 
 OF 
 
 REV. T. H.. KENASTd. 
 
 COMPILED BY 
 
 REV. L. C. PATHIDGE, 
 
 BY ORDER OF CHAMPLAIN CONFERENCE. 
 
 " By the thorn-road, and none other, 
 Is the mount of vision won." 
 
 SYRACUSE, N. Y.: 
 
 WESLEYAN METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
 A. CROOKS, AGENT. 
 
 1874. 
 

 19 II 7)1 
 
 Jiff 4 Iff 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 Rev. T. H. Kenaston was known, loved, and honored 
 too well and widely to need an introduction to those who 
 will read these pages. The facilities for preparing this 
 Memoir have been limited. An important portion of his 
 Journal was accidentally destroyed before his death. 
 
 If I have succeeded in embalming in this little book 
 some true thoughts and acts of my very dear friend, which 
 shall arrest the wandering, confirm the weak, cheer the 
 sad, encourage the desponding, and glorify that divine Re- 
 deemer by whose grace and blood alone he will shine in 
 glory, my reward will be ample and abiding. 
 
 His life motto was : — 
 
 " CHRIST FIRST, LAST, ALWAYS." 
 
 To the Wesleyan Methodist Connection which he loved 
 and honored; to his children, of whom he was passion- 
 ately fond; and especially to her whom he loved with a 
 deep, pure, sacred devotion this humble tribute is gratefully 
 dedicated. L. C. P. 
 
MEMORIAL 
 
 O F 
 
 REV. THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 
 
 Thomas Harvey Kenaston was born in Shef- 
 field, Caledonia county, Vermont, January 4th, 
 A. D., 1838, and died in the same town August 
 10th, A. D., 1872. 
 
 He was the son of Jesse GL and Bachel T. (Har- 
 vey) Kenaston. They were married in Woodbury, 
 Vermont, September, 1829, but soon took up their 
 residence in Sheffield, where they became the pa- 
 rents of six children ; three sons and three daughters. 
 The father, one son and one daughter only are left, 
 while the rest have safely crossed to the " Better 
 Land." The mother died a few months after the 
 subject of this memoir. She was a woman of ex- 
 cellent character. Her good qualities were many, 
 and very highly appreciated by those who knew 
 her best. She was a model Christian lady ; con- 
 scientious, truthful and benevolent in the highest 
 degree. Her Christian charity was prominent. 
 
6 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 Her few words were kind, thoughtful, unassuming 
 and valuable. She not only enjoyed, but richly de- 
 served the confidence and good will of all who 
 knew her. Her death was a quiet slumber in the 
 arms of Christ. She lived at peace with men, she 
 died at peace with God. -Her end was tranquil as 
 her life was calm. She was like a good book; 
 read through, closed up, and laid away ; not to be 
 forgotten, but to think of, treasure up, and prac- 
 tice. The poet Landor says, 
 
 " Children are what the mothers are; 
 No fondest father's fondest care 
 Can fashion so the infant's heart, 
 As those creative beams that dart, 
 With all their hopes and fears, upon 
 The cradle of a sleeping son." 
 
 Another has well said, 
 
 " The mother in her office holds the key 
 
 Of the soul ; and she it is who stamps the coin 
 
 Of character, and makes the being, who would be a 
 
 savage 
 But for her gentle cares, a Christian man." 
 
 A distinguished foreigner once said to John 
 Quincy Adams, — "I have just learned who made 
 you ; for I have been reading your ' mother's letters 
 to her son.' " 
 
 Mrs. Kenaston left the stamp of her character, 
 faithfulfulness to principle ,love and faithful train- 
 ing upon the heart and life of each of her children. 
 Thomas Harvey inherited from his parents a min- 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 7 
 
 gling of impulse and calmness; ot intense feel" 
 ing and patient thought ; of manifest affection, and 
 quiet reserved love; of skill to plan, and patience 
 to execute ; of determination to do, and willing- 
 ness to suffer. He could perform more than 
 was expected. He knew more than he hasted to 
 tell. He loved more ardently than he usually man- 
 ifested. His attachments were measured, not so 
 fully by the number of tender words, as by the no- 
 ble deeds, the sacrifice and labor he was ever wil- 
 ling to consecrate to the objects of his love. 
 
 His early home lay in the lap of everlasting 
 green, whose hills and mountain-peaks were clad in 
 wide variety of forest trees ; where pine, spruce, ce- 
 dar, and balsam shed healing odors on the brac- 
 ing air ; where nature prodigal of her charms scat- 
 tered rich beauties with a generous hand. Here is 
 water in all its lovliness ; the placid lake, the rolling 
 river, the tumbling cascade, the dancing brook, the 
 purling streamlet, the springing fountain, sleep- 
 ing in icy stillness, falling in fleecy whiteness, 
 or in the "singing shower." How varied the 
 scenery ; hills, plains, vales, meadows, slopes, crags, 
 rocks. He early loved nature and became her 
 studious pupil, drank at her fountains of knowl- 
 edge, enjoyed her communion, and gathered strength 
 from her embraces. Thus his frail constitution 
 was fortified and energized for the labors of life. 
 
 When a child he was passionately fond of sport, 
 
8 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 and this fun led him sometimes to annoy those 
 about him, especially perhaps the hired help which 
 were employed on the farm and in the house. His 
 desire to investigate whatever came in his way was 
 prominent, as sundry unlocked chests, drawers, and 
 cupboards could bear witness. These characteris- 
 tics never deserted him, though they were educated 
 and properly directed in after-life. His mirthful- 
 ness, love of innocent sport, and spirit of thorough 
 investigation will be well remembered by his 
 friends. 
 
 The early part of his youth was spent at home, 
 where his warm, generous heart, his unceasing ac- 
 tivity, his fertile imagination, his tender sense of 
 right, his intelligent and practical ideas rendered 
 him a general favorite ; not only in the home circle 
 but at school, the Sabbath-school, and among all 
 the neighbors. 
 
 Being the son of a farmer, he was accustomed to 
 hard work in the fields, and understood the theory 
 and practice of general, successful husbandry. 
 Farming, however, was. not his chosen occupation. 
 His aspirations were toward a commercial educa- 
 tion and practice. He hoped to become a success- 
 ful and wealthy merchant. 
 
 When about seventeen years of age, the late 
 Rev. Ira Hall was holding a series of meetings at 
 Sheffield Square, when large numbers of young 
 people became serious and gave their hearts to 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 9 
 
 Christ and rejoiced in his love. He, though deep- 
 ly convicted for a long time, resisted the influ- 
 ence of the Divine Spirit, much to the surprise and 
 regret of those who knew and loved him. But he 
 found it hard to fight against God ; hard to resist 
 the pleadings of his love, hard to turn away from 
 those who were anxious for his salvation. Night 
 after night he attended the meetings, interested in 
 what others would do, but determined to do noth- 
 ing himself. One night after getting ready to go, 
 he said to a friend who was to accompany him, 
 " I am sorry we harnessed the team, it is no use 
 for me to attend meeting, I think I will put the 
 horses back into the barn." But after some persua- 
 sion he concluded to go. 
 
 He entered the house, took a back seat, and 
 looked on. But God's Spirit wrought mightily 
 upon his heart, and near the close of the meeting 
 he arose and made this emphatic declaration. "I 
 have counted the cost, and I am resolved to be a 
 Christian.'' He sat down. 
 
 That night, yea that hour was the crisis of his 
 life. He had heard the call of God, and respond- 
 ed, "Not my will but Thine be done." None 
 knew the meaning to him of that expression, — " the 
 cost." It meant, I will give up all my selfish ideas, 
 aspirations, and ambitions, my dreams of wealth, 
 and home, and ease, of worldly honor, and personal 
 independence, and at God's call I will enter a life 
 
10 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 of toil, a servant to others,, with no home on earth, 
 no wealth — only in the Cross and ministry of Jesus 
 Christ. But he counted the cost only,-— not the 
 reward, thank God that cannot be counted ; and 
 he was resolved to be a Christian. 
 
 From that decision there was no turning back. 
 T. H. Ken aston never turned back ! So clear, defi- 
 nite and full were the evidences of his conversion 
 that he never entertained a doubt upon the subject. 
 He entered earnestly and joyfully into the exercises 
 of religious worship and work ; and with all the 
 warmth of pure Christian love he entreated his 
 companions and friends to give their hearts to 
 Christ. His most intimate associates testify to his 
 unshrinking faithfulness in every duty which God 
 laid before him. He was baptized and received 
 into the Wesleyan Methodist Church, by brother 
 Hall. His whole course and purpose of life were 
 now changed ; his plans for study and labor were 
 turned into another channel. 
 
 The whole community seemed at once to recog- 
 nize the fact that God had called him to be an am- 
 bassador for Christ; and not only his own people 
 but others, and especially ministers of other de- 
 nominations took pleasure in giving him a public 
 opportunity of exhorting the people to come to 
 Christ. No man who feels in his soul that God 
 has laid his hand upon him and set him -apart as a 
 " chosen vessel for his service" can regard the voca- 
 
THOMAS HARVEY RENASTON. 11 
 
 fcion as either trifling or optional ; nor will he feel 
 like putting himself hastily forward in this holy 
 and responsible calling. He spent days and nights 
 in prayer, self-examination and consecration of 
 himself to God's holy service. Conscientious, mod- 
 est and retiring as he was, this was a subject of in- 
 finite importance. He viewed it as both the grand- 
 est and most difficult work ever entrusted to man. 
 Grand in its relation to God ; its grasp of truth ; 
 its revelation of an incarnate Deity ; its atonement 
 for sin and salvation of penitent believers, and its 
 fearful condemnation of the finally incorrigible; 
 and difficult, as it exhibits mortal man grappling 
 with immortal truth — a heavenly treasure in an 
 earthen vessel ; man under a Divine obligation to 
 beseech men in Christ's stead to be reconciled to 
 God. If an inspired Apostle of great learning and 
 experience, viewing this important office, was con- 
 strained to ask, "Who is sufficient for these 
 things?" what must have been the feelings of a 
 bashful boy, when the holy responsibility was rest- 
 ing on his soul ? Like the same Apostle he was 
 able to feel " I can do all things through Christ 
 which strengtheneth me." 
 
 His preparatory academical course was begun 
 at the Newbury Seminary in the year 1856 and 
 continued in 1857. While there a circumstance 
 occurred which excited his self-respect, his attach- 
 ment to the Church and people of his choice, and 
 
12 MEMORIAL OF KEY. 
 
 shows the boy a man. The Newbury School was 
 established and sustained by the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and at that time, when the anti-slavery 
 contest was ripening for its harvest of liberty, it 
 was quite common for those connected with the 
 Seminary to refer to the Wesleyan Methodists in 
 terms of derision and bitter contempt. 
 
 Young Kenaston was no coward ; and though the 
 odds were so much against him in numbers, he nev- 
 er permitted a good opportunity to teach the truth 
 upon this important subject, to pass unimproved. 
 His testimony was plain, earnest, in a Christian 
 spirit, and such as the verdict of history has fully 
 sustained. When he became satisfied that to re- 
 main there longer was to dishonor himself, and re- 
 tard his intellectual and spiritual qualifications for 
 the ministry, he quietly packed his trunks and left 
 the school, to become a student of the Orleans In- 
 stitute at Glover, Vt., and a boarder in the family 
 of Rev. Dyar Willis, by whom he was very highly 
 prized as an excellent young man, a growing 
 Christian, and a fine scholar. The intimacy here 
 began never waned, but increased in richness and 
 strength to the time of his death. 
 
 While in Glover, an effort was made to persuade 
 him to change his plan, and enter the ministry in 
 the Congregational Church, But though the in- 
 ducement was somewhat flattering, and presented 
 by a sincere friend, yet so firm and conscientious 
 
1H0MAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 13 
 
 were his attachments to the principles of the Wes- 
 leyan Methodist Connection, that he politely, but 
 positively rejected the proposal. 
 
 His first effort to preach was made in Salem, Yt., 
 accompanied by a young exhorter — Alva Gray. 
 Both looked forward to long, useful lives in the 
 cause of Christ. But alas both have fallen. Fal- 
 lenein body, but promoted in spirit. Young Gray 
 was cut down in an assault upon the rebel works 
 before Petersbugh. 
 
 After completing his course at Glover, brother 
 Kenaston returned home for a few weeks. But 
 upon consulting with Rev. John Croker, then pas- 
 tor of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Sheffield, 
 he decided to enter the Wesleyan Methodist Semi- 
 nary at Leoni, Mich., under the Presidency of Rev. 
 John McEldowney. This institution was then 
 struggling to attain the status of a college. At the 
 beginning of the Fall term of 1858, he began his 
 collegiate course. His entire school-life after his 
 conversion was characterized by an earnest activity 
 in all the religious interests of the school. He of- 
 ten took the lead of inquiry, class, and prayer- 
 meetings, and he was an excellent leader ; sound- 
 ing a key-note which would draw the whole 
 company to a higher tone, and richer, deeper har- 
 mony with the Spirit of the Master. He remained at 
 Leoni until that Institution was removed to Adrian, 
 Mich., and became Adrian College, While this re- 
 
14 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 moval was being completed and suitable buildings 
 finished for the reception of the students, he with 
 some others spent one term in the Methodist Epis- 
 copal College at AlbioD, Michigan. There he 
 formed the acquaintance of Miss Effie G-. Anderson, 
 a student in the College, daughter of Col. John 
 Anderson, of Parma, Mich. 
 
 In Miss Anderson he realized his ideal of female 
 excellence, and he became very much interested in 
 her, and that interest increased as their acquaint- 
 ance ripened, until he determined to do what Mrs. 
 Browning so beautifully recommends. 
 
 a Learn to win a lady's faith 
 Nobly, as the thing is high ; 
 
 Bravely, as for life and death — 
 With loyal gravity. >7 
 
 His feelings at this time are best expressed in his 
 own words in a record made during his wife's visit 
 to her maiden home, while he occupied a pastorate 
 in Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 
 
 " Saturday Eve, Oct. 20, 1866. 
 
 It is a splendid evening. It makes me think 
 of some evenings I spent in Albion, when my heart 
 yearned so much to be with one absent to night, — 
 when it longed for an opportunity to whisper in 
 the ear of one who was only too worthy to hear it, 
 that little word which has eased so many hearts, 
 and been listened to so many times with pleasure, 
 because it touched a similar feeling. Oh, how great 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 15 
 
 would have been the satisfaction on some of those 
 beautiful nights if I could have strolled away with 
 her who was in my thoughts almost constantly 
 night and day and told her all ! Well, time gave 
 me the coveted privilege, though it was delayed. I 
 feel to-night a little of the same desire to be in the 
 presence of my absent one." 
 
 It seems then, that while Greek, Latin, Philoso- 
 phy and Mathematics were imparting strength and 
 culture to his intellect, Cupid was busy expanding, 
 enriching and ennobling his heart with love. 
 Which of these influences is the most important we 
 need not attempt to decide, as both are eminently 
 necessary to the full development of the man, and 
 each is largely dependent upon the other for its 
 worth and beauty. Both should be sanctified by 
 the Divine Spirit and consecrated to the glory of 
 God. 
 
 With the opening of the Winter term he re- 
 moved to Adrian College, where he remained till 
 the Summer of 1861, when his school-days closed? 
 though not his education ; for he was a careful stu- 
 dent to the end of life. While in Adrian he was 
 honored by the presidency of a literary society, 
 which he filled with satisfaction and credit. 
 
 At the close of his College life he returned to 
 Vermont. He was ordained by the Champlain 
 Annual Conference, at West Chazy, N. Y., Sunday, 
 May 12,1861. He immediately undertook the pas. 
 
16 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 toral work of the Sheffield Church, which he con- 
 tinued for a year with acceptance and success. 
 
 In the Fall he made a short visit to Michigan, the 
 main object of which can be gathered from a notice 
 which appeared in the Wesleyan soon after his re- 
 turn. , 
 
 " Married in Parma, Mich., Oct. 22, 1861, by Rev. S. 
 Fassett, Rev. T. H. Kenaston of Sheffield, Vt., and Misa 
 Effie Gr., daughter of Col. John Anderson, of Parma." 
 
 In personal appearance he was tall and slight, 
 graceful and dignified ; fine regular features ; clear, 
 warm, keen eyes ; his countenance expressed frank- 
 ness, gentleness, decision ; his firm rapid motion 
 indicated an important present purpose j his voice, 
 distinct, smooth and musical ; his manner earnest, 
 thoughtful, impressive. 
 
 As was said of a noble Englishman, " He ap- 
 peared outwardly the express type of what he in- 
 wardly was — a courageous Christian soldier, a 
 fearless fighter of the good fight, a powerful leader, 
 strong to command, to exhort and to encourage ; 
 whose daily life was war to the death with every 
 base and evil thing, and whose preaching was like 
 a clarion call to duty, to devotedness, to all that 
 was holy, lovely, noble, and of good report." 
 
 In the Spring of 1862 he became pastor of 
 the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Weybridge, 
 Addison Co., Yt. Here he remained four years. 
 As a minister of Christ he possessed many rare 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 17 
 
 qualifications. Not only in his active earnestness 
 and never flagging zeal, but in that intelligent ap- 
 prehension of truth, and that happy manner of ex- 
 pressing it which rendered his public ministrations 
 always acceptable. His sermons were full of 
 thought, and that thought having for its central 
 point, its crowning attraction, Jesus Christ as the 
 crucified Savior of lost men. He made every one 
 believe that he was in earnest for their salvation. 
 He realized intensely the richness of the truth as it 
 is in Jesus ; and the blessed fullness of that life of 
 Christ which may be enjoyed in every Christian 
 soul. He felt that he had a message from God, 
 and he was anxious to deliver it to the people. 
 He knew that true ministerial success consisted 
 not in popular applause, in large salaries, or in 
 smiling congregations; but in the changed heart 
 and the new life of those who heard his words. 
 He left no means untried, he let no opportuni- 
 ties pass for overcoming stubborn hearts, and 
 winning them to the love and faith of Christ. 
 He was gentle and kind as a woman ; but as in- 
 flexibly determined and courageous as a lion. He 
 was willing, yea, anxious to work earnestly and ex- 
 haustively to accomplish the great results of his 
 mission. 
 
 The 22nd of October, 1863- — the second anniver- 
 sary of their marriage — was made very sad to them 
 by death. Miss Jennie Anderson, a younger sister 
 
18 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 of Mrs. Kenaston, a beautiful and amiable young 
 lady, had come from her Western home to stay a 
 time with her sister. She had won many friends 
 in Wey bridge, and was hoping for many bright 
 years, when suddenly she was taken sick, and after 
 a short but very painful illness she escaped the ter- 
 rible sufferings of earth for the glorious joys of 
 heaven. Concerning this brother Kenaston wrote : 
 
 " I shall never forget this — her fearful suffering, 
 and her triumph. How blessed to die feeling saved, 
 saved by Jesus. How blessed too to live saved — 
 saved every day and all the while. This is the sal- 
 vation we want ; nothing else should satisfy us." 
 
 Her death made a deep impression, not only up- 
 on brother and sister Kenaston, who felt it so keen- 
 ly, but upon the kind friends who did all that 
 human love could prompt, and then witnessed her 
 death which was at last as serene and lovely as 
 her brief illness had been disturbed and agonizing. 
 
 While in Weybridge they became the parents of 
 two children, a daughter and a son. As these 
 cares multiplied the parents' hearts were enriched 
 and strengthened for every good and noble under- 
 taking. 
 
 In the Spring of 1864, a fearful sickness broke 
 out in Weybridge by which fourteen persons, some 
 the most healthy in town, died in a very short 
 time. Brother Kenaston was deeply impressed 
 with the importance of his work in trying to win 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 19 
 
 men to Christ. He labored more earnestly than 
 ever before to persuade men to live prepared for 
 death and eternity. I remember very well how 
 the subject seemed to fill his whole mind at the 
 Conference, held just after these deaths in Wey- 
 bridge. That Spring the Conference was held in 
 Lisbon, N. Y., and he had been elected to preach 
 the opening sermon which he did on Wednesday, 
 April 27, 1864, at 10 o'clock, from 2 Cor. ii : 16. 
 " And who is sufficient for these things ?" The ser- 
 mon was carefully prepared, written out in full dur- 
 ing those fearful days and nights when funerals 
 were nearly every day and death every night. He 
 delivered it without the manuscript, having commit- 
 ted it to memory. It was, I believe, one of the 
 ablest and most spiritual sermons I ever heard in 
 our Conference. His own soul was deeply inter- 
 ested in the theme, and he made every minister 
 present feel that it was a solemn thing to preach 
 the truth of God to men ; that they must be in- 
 spired with the love of God to do it successfully. 
 Cawdray says : " As one candle cannot light anoth- 
 er unless itself be lighted, no more can a minister 
 inflame others with the love of God if he be void 
 of it." 
 
 His ministry in Weybridge was attended with 
 good ; many found Christ through his labors and 
 instruction, and he left many warm and earnest 
 friends when in the Spring of 1866, he moved to 
 Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. 
 
20 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 The principal reason for his removal from Wey- 
 bridge to Lisbon, as he told me, was, that he might 
 have a broader field of labor. How few men there 
 are in this age of the world who are searching for 
 more duties and weariness in the cause of Christ. 
 But his eye of faith saw not so much the pain and 
 warfare, as the glorious rest and victory which lay 
 just beyond, and shed mellow rays of golden light 
 over all his years of toil. There are few men of so 
 frail constitution who have worked as hard and as 
 constantly as he. 
 
 His heart was so large, and his zeal so ardent, 
 that he was ready to undertake all the work he 
 could perform. One element in his character, and 
 contributing largely to his ministerial success, was 
 his deep spirituality. He lived and labored as one 
 who had a rich experience in the things of God ; 
 one who enjoyed day by day a foretaste of that 
 heaven which he offered to others. And without 
 this, all other qualifications must be in vain. Pro- 
 found learning, brilliant intellect, polished manners, 
 eloquent delivery, popular applause altogether 
 cannot make amends for a want of earnest piety 
 and intimate and continued communion with God. 
 He realized that all the lustre of Christian charac- 
 ter ; all the beauty of a holy life ; all the power for 
 Christian usefulness is but the reflection of the glory 
 of that Savior who dwells in the hearts of his ser- 
 vants. His study of the Word of God was not to 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 21 
 
 build up any favorite theory, or to find weapons 
 for carnal combat j but to find the deepest, purest 
 springs of Divine truth, and not only drink thereof 
 himself, but to be able to lead other thirsting souls 
 to the same fountain. 
 
 He remained in Lisbon four years, doing noble 
 service for the Master in every department of Chris- 
 tian usefulness. The labor and exposure of this 
 circuit was more than his slender frame and deli- 
 cate constitution could endure. He held long se- 
 ries of evening meetings several miles from home, 
 and was obliged to return to his family through the 
 cold winds and deep snows after the exhaustive 
 labors of the evening. It would be hardly pos- 
 sible to escape colds and coughs and weak lungs 
 under such circumstances. He resisted the en- 
 croachments of disease long and nobly, but at last 
 his cheerful, hopeful, determined mind yielded to 
 the stubborn fact that his health was seriously im- 
 paired. 
 
 While in Lisbon he was offered a good position 
 and salary in the ministry of the Congregational 
 Church, but deemed it his duty and privilege to 
 continue the conflict for truth in what he considered 
 to be the "advance guard of the Lord.'s grand 
 army." 
 
 He was a member of the Union Convention at 
 Cleveland, June 21st, 1865, and was the only man 
 of one hundred and fifty who voted not for the 
 
22 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 Union. The unhappy results of this movement 
 prove that he was wiser than his associates. 
 
 He was Secretary of the Champlain Conference 
 four years, and would have been chosen President 
 then had he not removed to Syracuse. He attended 
 three General Conferences; at Fulton, N. Y., 
 Cleveland, 0., and Syracuse, N. Y., though he was 
 a delegate only at Cleveland. 
 
 Brother Kenaston was in its high and true sense 
 a Christian Refoimer. He was clear in his views 
 and bold in his defense of truth. What he knew 
 to be right he shrunk not from maintaining. He 
 was, however, careful and thorough in his examina- 
 tion of principles and practices ; therefore when he 
 reached a conclusion, he was able to give a reason 
 for it which was sound and defensible ; and if he 
 did not always convince his opposers, he at least 
 compelled them to acknowledge that he was an in- 
 telligent and consistent opponent. He was a pro- 
 gressive reformer, dwelling- not upon the dead 
 issues of the past, but pushing vigorously to the 
 front rank of the grand army of to-day. He frank- 
 ly and successfully met the advocates of the domi- 
 nant systems of evil, whether in the boldness and 
 impudence of open daylight, or in the shrinking 
 cowardice of secret darkness. He was able — un- 
 like Diogenes — to find a man at mid-day without a 
 lantern ; but he was suspicious of those who needed 
 curtained mid-night to prove their manhood. Yet 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 23 
 
 he was no Cynic, or misanthrope, searching only 
 for faults and excrescences in his fellow-men. He 
 was a lover of mankind, and sought by correct 
 teaching, friendly association, and a consistent life 
 to do them good. He was more than a spectator in 
 the great conflicts of the present age. His sword 
 was unsheathed and bright and keen from exercise 
 and care. He believed that truth like the golden 
 sun would at last break through the darkness and 
 clouds of error's night, and shine over all the hills 
 and plains ; and his ambition was to stand and work 
 where the first glintings of its glory would beautify 
 his soul ; not merely for his own good, but for the 
 better service and higher glory of the Master. He 
 was willing to bear the present pain of truth's 
 thorny crown, knowing that in the end each thorn 
 would be changed to a gem of diamond-worth and 
 radiance. Ah ! the cowards will be sorry then that 
 they refused truth's strange regality. Though he 
 courted not the reformer's unjust censure, yet he 
 expected it all, and was prepared to meet it. The 
 storms beat upon him in vain ; for he had chosen 
 his position, and approved by his conscience and 
 his God he was as firm as a Spartan hero. 
 
 " Where'er he went 
 This lesson still he taught, to fear no ill 
 But sin ; — no being but Almighty God." 
 
 None who knew him say he was ambitious for 
 the honors of the world. If God was glorified, 
 
24 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 truth victorious and men were saved, he "was satis- 
 fied. And may I not add that he loved truth just as 
 truly when she was bleeding from the dagger- wounds 
 of her enemies, as when crowned with the laurel- 
 wreath of victory. Like Diogenes he could not be 
 beaten from the door where truth was taught and 
 worshiped. He never allowed that false notion — 
 that ministers are exempt from political responsi- 
 bility — to deter him from the true and ennobling 
 duties of an American freeman. He realized that 
 he was a man, as well as a minister, and was as 
 accountable for his manhood as for his ministry. 
 He felt a deep interest in every effort to secure just 
 laws and good and wise rulers. 
 
 His earnest, conscientious, intelligent opposition 
 to all secret societies began in early life and con- 
 tinued to his death. He was a member of three 
 National Conventions of Christians opposed to 
 Secret Societies held in Pittsburgh, Penn., .Chi- 
 cago, 111., and Worcester, Mass., besides numerous 
 conventions and meetings of a less extended char- 
 acter, in all of which he was ever honored and ap- 
 preciated as a prudent and wise counselor, an earn- 
 est advocate — prompt, modest and capable. 
 
 The following from his pen explains his position 
 and expectations upon the question of Secretism, 
 and the organized opposition to it on the part of 
 Christian men. 
 
 " In this movement I think I see the life and salvation of 
 the Church; the Church which has to an alarming extent 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 25 
 
 been in the wilderness of combined and organized secrecy. 
 My soul rejoices — yea greatly rejoices in this up-rising of a 
 few of God's elect to meet the enemies of our Christ— those 
 who have taken away our Lord and tell us of another way 
 to heaven. 7 my Father, lead them out of their darkness ; 
 expose their corruption ; bring all their wicked counsels 
 to naught ! Christ, let not Thine enemies prevail against 
 Thee, nor Thy blood-bought Church! Help Thy professed 
 people to see to it that they build upon The©!' 
 
 "We should never array ourselves against any cause be- 
 cause it is unpopular — nor on the side of any cause because 
 it is popular. We should be cautious about that which is 
 generally received. Truth generally has but few friends. 
 We should seek to know what is true and what is false, and 
 always be on the side of truth. If we oppose we should 
 know why. If we favor we should be able to give a good 
 reason for that favor. 'Prove all things.' There is much 
 blind favor, and much ignorant opposition. Every cause 
 and truth which are a part of Christianity can not be over- 
 thrown, while all error must come to naught. Truth and 
 right are immortal. Error and wrong are perishable. 
 Light will triumph over darkness, and truth over error. 
 Many a cause has thought itself strong when it was just 
 ready to be brought to naught. As regards myself I have 
 reached this point in my faith. Tell me what is right and 
 I will tell you what will triumph. Secretism is one of the 
 great agencies^elied on by many at the present time for re- 
 forming and saving men. But this is only one of the 
 lingering forms or branches of the ' Age of Reason,' and 
 will as surely give way to the Divine plan of saving men 
 by light, as that Christianity succeeds. I regard these ef- 
 forts to save men by this means as simply and purely, Be- 
 lial against Christ. It will fail and Christ will triumph." 
 
 In the Spring of 1867 he was urged to unite with 
 2 
 
26 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, as slavery was no 
 longer in the way. He replied : — " I believe that 
 Masonry will produce as severe a conflict as sla- 
 very. No !— the Wesleyan Methodist Connection is 
 a moral necessity ; and it would be sinful and offen- 
 sive in the sight of God to leave a pure Church and 
 enter one in " fellowship with the unfruitful works 
 of darkness/' He was told he could fight Masonry 
 just as well inside of that Church. He replied: — 
 " Depend upon it ; to oppose Masonry or any evil 
 that has a foot-hold in that Church, will brand you 
 as one causing division ; a disturber of the peace of 
 the Church. Besides, I consider the government 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church despotic, and in 
 direct opposition to the commands of the Son of 
 God as recorded in Matt, xx : 25, 26. He was told 
 that if the Wesleyans went as a body he would 
 have to go with them or stand alone. His reply 
 was, " 1 do not anticipate such an issue. I have 
 confidence in our people, and in the principles we 
 have embraced ; but if what you predict should oc- 
 cur, I could not with my present views enter the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. I should much pre- 
 fer a home among the Free Baptists or Congrega- 
 tionalists. A Church which discards the rights oi 
 the laity can never have my sanction or support.' 7 
 Brother Kenaston was an earnest, consistent, 
 persevering advocate of total abstinence from all 
 intoxicating beverages. He not only lectured and 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 27 
 
 preached on the subject repeatedly, but he was 
 foremost and constant in his effort to search out 
 and bring to deserved punishment the illicit dealer 
 in the deadly poison. His views upon this reform 
 may be understood from the following extracts, 
 
 " With this as with all other important subjects 
 we must have agitation — «<Line upon line.' This 
 agitation is necessary, not only for the enlightening 
 and awakening of those who are not the professed 
 friends of temperance, but to keep a healthy oppo- 
 sition and due interest in the cause in our own 
 hearts and lives. It seems to be a law of our be- 
 ing, to become more or less indifferent to any sub- 
 ject when we cease to agitate or be active in it. 
 We must ever be talking temperance, praying tem- 
 perance, and acting temperance. Commence with 
 the children ; teach them to hate strong drink — yes 
 hate it. The responsibility is with the people j we 
 must care enough for temperance to carry our 
 principles to the polls. When we take into con- 
 sideration the terrible work of ruin which is con- 
 stantly going on, caused by rum ; when we think of 
 the ten thousand hearth-stones where the fire of 
 love and true devotion has gone out ; of the rivers 
 of tears flowing from the cheeks of drunkards' 
 wives ; and hear the thundering volume of wailings 
 coming from hundreds of thousands ol orphans; 
 when we look into our poor-houses, our jails, our 
 States prisons, and see the sadness and gloom of 
 
28 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 these, and reflect that nearly all of this is caused 
 by strong drink, can we be inactive and indifferent : 
 can we refuse to agitate ?" 
 He believed with Whittier. 
 
 " There's life alone in duty done, 
 And rest alone in striving." 
 
 At another time he said : — " The Church of to- 
 day has all the machinery necessary for pulling 
 down the strongholds of sin, and bringing the world 
 to Christ ; but she needs more of the baptism of fire ; 
 more of the power of the Holy Ghost, Without it 
 we are like an engine with boiler, furnace, wheels, 
 cogs, pistons, rods, levers, water, and everything in 
 perfect condition, but no fire. The spirit is the fire 
 which puts every energy of body, and faculty of 
 mind and soul in motion. Of what value is the 
 most beautiful compass, unless the needle has re- 
 ceived the electric shock ? A Chinese convert once 
 remarked- to a missionary : ' We want men with hot 
 hearts to tell us of the love of Christ.' We need 
 men of solid principles, and we are responsible for 
 the principles we countenance and endorse. There 
 must be no covering up of principle ; and so long as 
 there are wrongs in civil law, or practiced in civil 
 government we must not hold our peace or rest ; so 
 long as there is wrong in principle, or practice in 
 the Church, we must cry out against it. The cry 
 of Satan is < Let us alone.' Sin greatly fears the 
 Isaiahs who l will not hold their peace.' ' First pure 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 29 
 
 then peaceable.' We must insist on justice for all 
 everywhere, and we must not stop with justice but 
 reach on to salvation." 
 
 # # # # # •» # 
 
 " Life is not all privilege ; stern duty often, yea, 
 constantly in our pathway. A divided life destroys 
 confidence in us and oftentimes in the cause we ad- 
 vocate. It is a poor way to recommend a thing, to 
 cling to it only half the time. ' If a thing is good, 
 cling to it,' says the world ; a divided life is fatal to 
 soul interests. Jesus taught that no man can serve 
 two masters. Indecision is constant restlessness." 
 
 " The conflict and the strife will be over in a lit- 
 tle while ; and then, oh-— then we will resign our 
 charge to God, with the souls we have won, and 
 amid the joys of heaven and the songs of the 
 redeemed sit down around the throne to enjoy its 
 
 glories forever !" 
 
 # #• * * * # # 
 
 " Judge not Christianity even by its most perfect 
 embodiment in the life of its disciples here. The 
 best are imperfect ; Christianity itself teaches this. 
 Do not judge the work of that organ-builder by the 
 half finished instrument in his shop. There is lit- 
 tle in it to please the eye or charm the ear. Judge 
 not the art of the painter by the rough outline in 
 his studio. There is scarcely a touch of life in it. 
 You must see the picture when it is finished, as it 
 
30 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 almost warms into life, and blushes with loveliness. 
 You must hear the organ in the great cathedral as 
 by the touch of the master, it pours forth its richest 
 strains of sweetest music which electrify the con- 
 gregated thousands." 
 
 Brother Kenaston was an honest man in all po- 
 sitions in life. In the language of his widow, 
 " Religion to him was a principle, regulating and 
 controlling every thing. His private life was char- 
 acterized by the same devotion to principle and 
 duty that his public was." 
 
 He never gauged his selection of subjects or his 
 mode of explaining them by the menial question, 
 " What will please the people or increase my sala- 
 ry ?" The great question with him was, What is 
 God's truth to this people to-day ? This settled, 
 and he was prepared to move right forward in pre- 
 senting that truth. He felt within his soul that he 
 was the Lord's. This conviction, deeply fixed in 
 his mind, became the master spirit of his life and 
 excluded every unholy purpose or common ambi- 
 tion. A noble Christian gentleman, of this State, 
 whom I met on my way to his funeral, said to me, 
 " I never was better acquainted with any minister 
 than with Mr. Kenaston, and I never knew a man 
 who seemed more strictly conscientious." My own 
 opinion, formed upon thirteen years of intimate 
 personal fellowship, is that he would not turn to the 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 31 
 
 right or left from the known path of duty for his 
 life. 
 
 In the language of Cowper, I can say : — 
 
 u I venerate the man whose heart is warm, 
 
 Whose hands are pure, whose doctrine and whose life 
 
 Coincident, exhibit proof 
 
 That he is honest in the sacred cause. 
 
 To such I render more than mere respect, 
 
 Whose actions say that they respect themselves." 
 
 His own words were, — " Oh, that we were more 
 faithful in preaching Christ ! Men love earnest 
 preaching; they need earnest preaching, and the 
 times demand that we preach Christ faithfully, in 
 his offices, in his relations, and especially in his in- 
 finite sacrifice and meritorious death. Emphatic- 
 ally the age demands plain, practical, instructive, 
 earnest preaching; and we must preach the en- 
 couraging truth of God. The Bible is full of prom- 
 ises; they must be faithfully presented; all man's 
 necessity is met and embraced in them. Truth is 
 the great, vitalizing principle of Christianity. God 
 only saves men by the truth. We must not attempt 
 to save men with half the truth." 
 
 In the Spring of 1870 he became pastor of the 
 Wesleyan Methodist Church in Syracuse, N. Y. It 
 was with reluctance that he consented to go ; and it 
 was with great reluctance that the Champlain Con- 
 ference sanctioned his removal. He went because 
 he felt it his duty to go. He said to me at the 
 Conference that Spring, "Some one from our Con- 
 
W4 MEMORIAL OF RET. 
 
 ference must fill that unsupplied pulpit, I am not 
 particular who it shall be. If Brother Foster or 
 either of two others whom he named will consent to 
 go, I will gladly remain where I am." After he 
 had decided to go I said to him, "It will be hard 
 for you." He replied, "[I know it. I go not for ease, 
 but for labor." When he had been in Syracuse 
 three months he wrote me : " I came here dreading 
 the work as I never did a year's labor before. I 
 knew they had had some ministers of our first tal- 
 ent here, and I feared I should not succeed } but I 
 am a little more hopeful now. I shall do the best 
 I can. I do not know as I have been really sorry 
 we came here, though I regretted to leave the Con- 
 ference bounds." 
 
 His pastoral connection with this Church contin- 
 ued till his death ; though for several months he was 
 unable to preach. During this period he was gen- 
 erously and ably assisted by Rev. A. S. Wightman, 
 who felt that Christian kindness demanded this 
 willing service for a dear afflicted brother. In 
 addition to the regular pastoral work, Brother 
 Kenaston assumed the editorial charge of the 
 " American Wesley an " and " Children's Banner, n 
 while Brother Crooks was absent, as Agent, in atten- 
 dance upon the Fall and Spring Conferences. 
 
 This was too great a burden upon his delicate 
 constitution. 
 
 " Yet faithful still in his daily round 
 
 To the weak and poor, and sin-sick found.** 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 33 
 
 He remitted none of his usual labor and per- 
 formed the extra with commendable skill and abili- 
 ty. His editorials were timely, popular, spiritual 
 and racy. He generally underrated his own pow- 
 ers. This, with his unassuming modesty and anxi- 
 ety to improve, led him to welcome any suggestion 
 or correction upon his public work. While he was 
 " sub-editor" he wrote me, "Please act as critic and 
 send on corrections. I love to be corrected when 
 wrong, especially if done in love." 
 
 His duties at Syracuse required the energy and 
 strength of perfect health, and as he had not these 
 to command, he could not perform the labor with- 
 out a constant decline. The first of his lung-bleed- 
 ing took place late in the Fall of 1870, alter several 
 weeks extra labor as "'sub-editor," followed by an 
 Anti- secret Convention, which cost him some anxi- 
 ety and work. At the close of the Convention he 
 made a trip to Sheffield, Yt., where his wife and 
 family were visiting his friends. On his way he 
 lectured in Lisbon, on Temperance, and while there 
 had a spell of bleeding at the lungs. 
 
 An account of this journey was furnished by 
 Brother Kenaston for the American Wesleyan, and is 
 as follows : 
 
 "Sabbath evening, Nov. 21st, at 8: 15, after hav- 
 ing had the privilege of hearing an excellent ser- 
 mon from Brother John Levington, of the Detroit 
 Methodist Episcopal Conference, who preached for 
 
M MEMORIAL OP REV . 
 
 trie in the morning, I left the goodly l dity ol OofL' 
 VentiOns'— SyracUse^for a visit to my father's in 
 north-eastern Vermont. 
 
 " Starting Sabbath evening Was necessitated by & 
 previous engagement to lecture on Temperance at 
 Lisbon, Monday evening^ on the train, fell in with 
 a Baptist clergyman, gave him some anti-masonic 
 tracts, and sold him ' Finney on Masonry.' It 
 looks nest to impossible to me for a good man to 
 read that book without being convinced of the ini* 
 quity Of Masonry. Also distributed a few more 
 tracts. One gentleman afW reading his, seemed 
 interested about the matter, and inquired about the 
 Christian Cynosurt, Which he saW advertised on one 
 of the tracts. A neW subscriber may be added to 
 the Cynosiirt list by this little efforts 'As ye go> 
 preach.' 
 
 "Arrived at Ogdensburgh about 12 M., and at 
 Lisbon a little before 2 P. M. The next train Would 
 have been too late for the promised lecture* Here 
 four years of hard labor Were spent among a kind 
 and appreciative people. Many are here who are 
 very dear to nie-^rendered so by many acts of 
 kindness deceived, and by laboring together in the 
 Vineyard of the Master. May God bless them all 
 and bring them to heaven at last 
 
 " In the evening lectured on Temperance at the 
 Church, according to previous engagement. Though 
 the traveling Was rough, the night dark and cold, 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 35 
 
 and the church in a country place, yet there was a 
 full house. It was really .gratifying to look upon 
 so many familiar faces, and I felt that I shook hands 
 with them all in my heart as I arose to speak. It 
 really seemed like home. The full house was to me 
 as good a welcome into that pulpit where I had so 
 many times tried to preach the word of life, as I 
 desired. 
 
 " At the close of the lecture the speaker said to 
 the audience that he had become a sort of a book- 
 peddler, and could furnish them with ' Finney on 
 Masonry,' ' Broken Seal,' or ' Masonic Conspiracy;' 
 also had some 'Rathbun Outrage' tracts for sale, 
 and other tracts for gratuitous distribution. Brother 
 Foster, the present pastor of the Church, consented 
 to act as the speaker's agent for the time, and he 
 had the great pleasure of spending a short time in 
 friendly greetings. That Brother Foster has a 
 warm place in the hearts of his people, hardly need 
 be said. It certainly need not be to the brethren 
 of the Champlain Conference. He has labored on 
 this Charge several years before. His congrega- 
 tions are large, and I trust the Lord will crown his 
 labors with abundant success, ere this Conference 
 year shall close. 
 
 il After meeting, found a home for the night, with 
 Brother John Martin. Was very sorry to find 
 Brother Aiken so poorly. Tuesday morning, hav- 
 ing taken cold the previous evening, for the first 
 
36 MEMORIAL OP KEV. 
 
 time in my life raised considerable blood. Whether 
 this was from the throat or lungs, do not know. 
 
 " Tuesday forenoon, went to Brother Dawley's to 
 see about my horse which he had been keeping 
 for me during my stay in Syracuse, calling on my 
 way out and return on brethren Norway, William 
 and George Boice, Robison, Clements, Robinson, 
 and Spafford. Took dinner at Brother Dawley's, 
 after which made an attempt to pay him for keep- 
 ing my horse six months, when I was met with 
 this — shall I say strange rebuff — ' I shall not take 
 anything,' assigning this as a reason, <I will not 
 take pay from one of the Lord's servants, espe- 
 cially from one as faithful as I believe you to be.' 
 Pardon me, reader, for giving his language. I wish 
 to show that his idea was that he was giving to the 
 Lord. Of course this very generous donation was 
 very gratefully received, though the recipient did 
 not feel that he had the least claim in this direction ; 
 for Brother Dawley was one of his most liberal sup- 
 porters while on that Charge, especially after he 
 became a member of the Church, But this was but 
 a sample of his generosity. The Lord reward him 
 for thus remembering one, needy enough, and at 
 the same time, but too unworthy. The expression 
 of regard, as manifested in his action and language, 
 was worth more to me than the financial gain. 
 
 "At 7 o'clock in the evening, continued my jour- 
 ney, and arrived at my father's Wednesday eve- 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 6 i 
 
 ning about 9 o'clock, feeling very poorly indeed; 
 physically. Found my parents and family connec- 
 tions usually well. Also Mrs, K. and three of the 
 children here, gave me a hearty welcome. They 
 had been absent from home about eight weeks, and 
 here some six. One of our little boys I brought 
 with me. Thanksgiving was spent with a broth- 
 er-in-law, Mr. Ferguson, where the whole family 
 group were gathered. This was the first time the 
 entire family had been together for nine years on 
 such occasion. It was very pleasant indeed ; but 
 all were not there who were with us nine years ago. 
 Two dear sisters have since passed over the river ; 
 sister Louisa, wife of Brother Ferguson, and sister 
 Emma, the youngest daughter. But we live in the 
 belief that they sleep in Jesus, and so would not 
 call them back. 
 
 On Sabbath attended service at the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. Was not able to preach, though 
 urged to do so. The main difficulty to preaching- 
 was a hacking cough, which troubled me as soon 
 as I began to speak. This Church was formerly 
 Wesleyan Methodist, but at the time of the Union 
 movement, the main strength of it concluded to 
 become a Methodist Episcopal Church, snd so hav- 
 ing the power, took the Church edifice with them. 
 Over this action many mourned deeply; and with 
 them the writer, as it was the first Church over 
 which he had pastoral care, and included most of 
 
38 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 his father's family. It was the only Church, how- 
 ever, which has effected much by that movement, 
 within the bounds of the Ghamplain Conference. 
 And, even here, it ought to be said, only a part 
 seceded, and there is still a Wesleyan Methodist 
 Church in town, having a pastor, and preaching 
 mice in two weeks, as often as any of the Churches 
 have it. Could the end have been seen from the 
 beginning, it is very dovbtfni if there would have 
 been a Methodist Episcopal Church here unto this 
 day. I will forbear expressing further my feelings 
 upon this, to me, not very pleasant theme. 
 
 "Tuesday A. M., at 9 o'clock, united in marriage 
 T. R. Stiles, M. D., and Miss Abbie A. Jenness, at 
 the bride's father's, Mr. George Jenness. Miss 
 J. was the eldest daughter of my eldest sister, and 
 by her marriage I am forcibly reminded of the ra- 
 pidity with which time is passing. It seems to me 
 but a little time since the bride of this morning 
 was the babe in the cradle 5 and yet my age has 
 more than doubled since them May every reader 
 ©f the Weskyan realize, 
 
 *•* How swift the torrent rolls 
 That bears o'*ar lives away, 77 
 
 and finally be prepared for the marriage supper of 
 the Lamb 
 
 T. H. K. 
 
 Sheffield, Ft., Nw. 2M ? 187-0." 
 
TfiOMAS fiAUVEt SEN ASTON* S9 
 
 Again in the Fall of 1871 his editorial labor 
 Was followed by the General Conference in Syra* 
 cuse. He had much care in providing for its en* 
 tertainment, and by vote of that body acted as its 
 official reporter, This period of extra labor was 
 followed by a severe and protracted sickness, from 
 which, in reality, he never recovered j though he 
 rallied somewhat in the Winter. The condition of 
 his health, as well as the deep, general interest felt 
 In his welfare may be understood from the follow* 
 ing notices in the Wesleyan at this time. 
 
 Jan. 10, 1872.— "Rev. T. H. Kenaston was on 
 Sabbath last) dressed for the first time since his 
 illness. He was permitted again) though weak 
 and emaciated, to sit with his little family at the 
 table, and all blessed the Lord again for his tender 
 mercy." 
 
 Jan. 17.-^-" Rev. T. H, Itenaston, pastor of the 
 Wesleyan Church in this city) is able to walk 
 around, and has been in the open air within a few 
 days. We do thank God ; since we had so little 
 hope that his valuable life would be spared us, and 
 the world." 
 
 Jam 31.-«-"Rev, T. H. Kenaston has so far re- 
 covered as to be able to attend meeting, and to a 
 limited extent participate in the services Sabbath 
 morning. Hopes are now entertained, that with 
 Suitable care, he will soon be blessed with accus- 
 tomed health. The Lord be praised." 
 
40 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 I visited him February 7th, and found him feeble; 
 but full of hope, cheerfulness and determination. 
 
 u He put on 
 Courage, and faith, and generous constancy 
 E'en as a breastplate." 
 
 He accompanied Brother Stratton and myself to 
 Prattville, February 9th, and spent the Sabbath, 
 attending the morning service. We returned on 
 Monday the 12th, and he felt no worse for the trip, 
 which we all agreed was very pleasant indeed, and 
 rich in Christian and Divine fellowship. I parted 
 with him at his door at midnight of the 13th, which 
 was the last time I ever saw him alive. Much as I 
 longed for his recovery, I confess my fears were 
 stronger than my hopes. His own feelings at this 
 time can be best expressed in the words of his 
 Journal : — 
 
 "Februarjr, 1872. — Upon a sick bed still. The 
 physicians say, that my recovery is distant; that 
 I can not labor any more this Winter. This 
 is a matter of serious import. Doctor-bills, extra 
 help, a dependent family; all this outwardly 
 viewed causes my prospects to look dark in- 
 deed. But I have looked the matter over, thought 
 of the promises, said to myself. ' This is my in- 
 firmity ; but I will remember the years of the right 
 hand of the Most High.' Psa. lxxvii : 10. I thought 
 that God, who could divide seas, bring water out 
 of the rock, shake down walls, and all for the 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 41 
 
 care of his people, could care for me, meet my 
 wants in sickness as in health. Then I said, I will 
 trust Him and all my interests to His care; and now 
 to the praise of His grace I can say, I have but lit- 
 tle trouble about myself or my temporal affairs. 
 The days and months that I shall be sick are with 
 the Lord, not only in reality but in my feelings." 
 
 Brother Kenaston was a man of prayer. He 
 went to God with every subject that troubled or 
 pleased him, every private or public want, every 
 joy and sorrow was carried to the bosom of the 
 Great Father. He looked to God for the supply 
 of temporal, as well as spiritual wants, and he re- 
 fers to some special answers to prayer in this 
 direction. 
 
 u O the great privilege of prayer. It is adapted 
 to all the infinite varieties of human capacities, 
 necessities and circumstances. No capacity is too 
 great to be benefited by it, all our real necessities 
 met, perhaps not just as we desire, but as God sees 
 for our good, and all circumstances are sanctified 
 by it if in the path of obedience. It is the tent in 
 which frailty sleeps secure." 
 
 His spirit was eminently kind, patient, tender. 
 
 He says, "I mourn over the want among many 
 professed Christians, of* that charity which "endur- 
 eth all things j hopeth all things." Wrangling in a 
 Church will always drive away a revival spirit. 
 1 God is love j and he that dwelleth in love dwell- 
 
42 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 eth in God, and God in him.' Words of condem- 
 nation and censure must not be cheap." 
 In the words of Cowper he was, 
 
 "Affectionate in look, 
 And tender in address, as well becomes 
 A messenger of grace to guilty men." 
 
 As February gave place to March, his friends 
 strengthened their hopes and the Wesleyan spoke 
 as follows : — 
 
 March 13. — " Rev. T. H. Kenaston has occupied 
 his pulpit two Sabbath mornings with great accept- 
 ance, and considerable ease to himself." 
 
 March 20. — " Rev. T. H. Kenaston is still recov- 
 ering, occupies his pulpit, and has been invited to 
 serve the Church a third year." 
 
 Their hopes contained more of desire than ex- 
 pectation; and as March melted into April he grew 
 worse, and the Wesleyan contained these notices. 
 
 April 3d. — "Rev. T. H. Kenaston, pastor of Sy- 
 racuse Church is still in impaired health, but is he- 
 roically struggling against disease, and the demands 
 of an extensive pastorate. He is now receiving treat- 
 ment from the celebrated Dr. White, whose pre- 
 scriptions, it is hoped, may prove beneficial. Let 
 the Church everywhere, pray, for the recovery of this 
 young minister of the gospel of Christ, whose prin- 
 ciples and talents are especially demanded by the 
 exigencies of the times. His Church is cheerfully 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 43 
 
 and kindly paying him his salary, notwithstanding 
 the expense of assistants. 
 
 April 10th.— "Rev. T. H. Kenastonis still feeble, 
 and thinks somewhat of leaving his charge a few 
 weeks, that both mind and body may have rest, hop- 
 ing thereby that more benefit may be derived from 
 the course of medical treatment which he is now 
 pursuing." 
 
 April 8th he wrote me — : 
 
 "I am not near as well as when you were here. 
 My cough is very bad indeed, and my appetite has 
 recently failed ; but I am not to preach any more 
 at present ; shall go to my father's ; for, perhaps; 
 six weeks ; I feel I must throw off all Church and 
 home cares. I am trusting in warm weather, medi- 
 cal skill, and the mercy of God for recovery. But 
 may be my work is done. I have preached in the 
 morning four times; do not know as it particu- 
 larly hurt me, but am not so well now." 
 
 March 29th and April 8th he had two severe 
 hemorrhages which weakened him very much. 
 
 He immediately removed to Sheffield, Vt., where 
 everything that a healthy climate, medical skill, 
 and deep, pure, earnest love could do, was gladly 
 done for him, but without avail, only to increase 
 his joy, diminish his sorrow, and smoothe his pas- 
 sage to the tomb. 
 
 His letter to the Champlain Conference — here- 
 with published — and the following extract from his 
 
44 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 journal, plainly shows that he was cheerful and 
 trusting. 
 
 " Oh, the blessed hope of the Christian ! — It em- 
 braces all that is necessary for the perfect satisfac- 
 tion of all the desires and longings of the human 
 mind, however much these may have been enlarged 
 by religious experience and the operations of God's 
 Spirit. 
 
 " How precious it is to trust in Christ, to follow 
 Him, nothing doubting. He briugs light out of 
 darkness, and joy out of sorrow. He knows every 
 pang that wrings our breasts and, in His measure, 
 feels it too ; nor will He permit one needless drop 
 to be added to our cup of sorrow. The great issues 
 of life lie not all within this little island of time. 
 We are living for eternity, and our Saviour invites 
 us to launch out upon His almightiness and prepare 
 our vision for the more precious revelation of what 
 lies beyond." 
 
 For nearly four long, weary, heated summer- 
 months he pined, and suffered and wasted away in 
 body, while his soul was growing richer, and fair- 
 er, and stronger for the grand and glorious enjoy- 
 ments of the better land. 
 
 The Wesleyan of August 7, three days before 
 his death, contained the following : — 
 
 FROM REV. T. H. KES ASTON, 
 
 It will interest our many readers to know of the 
 present physical condition of our dear Brother Ken- 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 45 
 
 aston,' and more so to read a few lines from his 
 pencil as given below, though they were intended 
 to be private. He says : — 
 
 li Beloved Brother Stratton : — 
 With my own hand I will try to pencil you 
 a few lines. God bless you and all the dear ones 
 in Syracuse. How I love you all. Shall I ever 
 see you again ? Probably not on earth, but I hope 
 to in heaven. Here I lie day after day and week 
 after week. God only knows why it is. I have 
 prayed for my discharge, if there were no more for 
 me to do. But the discharge comes not, and I re- 
 main without release. My sufferings are very 
 severe. Not a day passes without them. So 
 intense do they seem, frequently, that I have almost 
 feared at times that my feet would slide. The cause 
 of it at present seems to be the indigestion of my 
 food, and the generation of gas in my stomach. 
 Then too, my cough troubles me much — and. experi- 
 ence great difficulty in " raising.'' It is usually 
 after midnight before I have much rest, . and often 
 one, two, three or four o'clock are reached before 
 rest relieves me. This, Dear Brother, requires 
 grace for one to bear, so weak as I am. My 
 Father helps me keep on the Rock. 
 
 11 1 suppose naturally enough that my brethren in 
 Syracuse are praying less for my recovery, and 
 more for my being sustained while I remain, and 
 
46 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 have a triumphant death. Let them remember the 
 old saying— l while there is life there is hope.' 
 I wish not to live after my work is done. . But 
 when I look at my little family, I would like to 
 live if it were my Father's will. Then, too, I feel 
 that this is a glorious time to live and fight for 
 God and truth. 
 
 " I must close. Give my love to all. How I long 
 to see all ! May Heaven bless the dear Church, 
 and give them a year of prosperity. 
 Your Brother in Christ 
 
 T. H. Ken aston. 
 
 Sheffield, Vt., My 29, 1872." 
 
 [Note. — Bro. Kenaston is still remembered in 
 the prayers of the Church, publicly and privately. 
 And many have believed that God could and would 
 raise him up. The use to which God can put 
 such men is of the highest importance, and is in- 
 creased by the fact that so few are willing to do 
 and dare at the front in the moral battle. In the 
 contest for all that is pure in morals, and dear 
 in Christian ethics, Brother Kenaston has been 
 always found at the post of duty. And now if he 
 should be called away in his early prime it would 
 be one of those unaccountable mysteries which ever 
 on earth vail the Infinite's intent. But thanks be 
 to the power and love of God ! His work can be 
 done without any of us. Let us believe in and 
 trust Him; and then, living or dying all will be 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 47 
 
 Well. — May the Lord give his strength and spi- 
 rit to our brother, and fit him for the great work 
 of the present, and great glory of the future. — Ed.j 
 
 In the next issue, Aug. 14, Bro. Stratton an- 
 nounced his death in the following beautiful and 
 touching manner: — - 
 
 Thomas Harvey Kenaston. 
 
 A faithful minister, devoted husband, affectionate 
 father, pure patriot, consistent Christian, truth's 
 firm friend, sin's open enemy, and a valiant leader 
 in reform's embattled hosts has passed beyond the 
 conflict of earth's voices, to where all is peace. 
 His wife writes from Sheffield, Tt., Aug. 12th, as 
 follows : 
 
 " Monday Morning. 
 
 Bear Brother Stratton : — My precious one 
 has found rest at last. He was released from suf- 
 fering at fifteen minutes before twelve, Saturday 
 night, August 10th. His sufferings were terrible to 
 the last. Oh, if 1 could forget them ! I am trying 
 to lean upon Jesus, and I do feel that He strength- 
 ens ; but oh, it is hard — and earth looks so dark ! 
 Pray for me ! 
 
 Services will be conducted by Brother Patridge, 
 of Weybridge, Vermont, Brother Wardner, of 
 West Chazy, N. Y., and Brother Pritty, of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, on Tues- 
 day, one p. m. 
 
 Yours in sorrow : 
 
 Mrs. Kenaston." 
 
48 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 It was the close of the week, when the wheels 
 stood still. The Sabbath of rest was at hand. 
 The sable curtains of midnight wrapped the earth, 
 and the stars stood around the midnight throne, as 
 his soul 
 
 " Passed through Glory's morning gate, 
 And walked in Paradise." 
 
 He rests from all care and all pain. His boon 
 companions and brothers in arms hasten to his 
 coffin's side to pay the dust of the departed its fune- 
 ral rites, and to mingle their tears with the wife 
 and four children so sorely bereft. 
 
 Dear brethren in the ministry, as our ranks are be- 
 ing thinned by the shafts of death, it takes another 
 prop from beneath the load, and leaves the more for 
 us to lift. Do we feel the burden as we should ? 
 Then let us do our best, by overwork, to fill the 
 vacancy. Closer order now! Move more cau. 
 tiously, valiantly and vigorously ! The day is far 
 spent; the night is at hand. As Brother Kenaston 
 said in his last letter, and almost with his dying 
 hand. " This is such a glorious time to live and 
 work." Life's long week will soon be over with 
 us all. Let us so work that rest will be sweet at 
 home in the dear Sabbath land." 
 
 Thus we see that he died the same hour of the 
 day, the same day of the week, and nearly the same 
 day of the year in which Rev. Orange Scott, of 
 blessed memory, passed from the toils and pains of 
 earth to the rest and joy and glory of heaven. 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 49 
 
 Brother Kenas ton's last days were very trying 
 to the frail body, and especially to the whole nerv- 
 ous system. His last experience was more a 
 season of safety and peace in trusting the infinite 
 love of the Divine Father as seen through Jesus 
 Christ, than of ecstacies of joyful triumph ; yet he 
 had times when the immortal soul seemed to asser^ 
 its right to rejoice in defiance of the suffering, 
 dying body. Once, during the last afternoon, when 
 his sister mentioned the Christian's hope, he ex- 
 claimed, " Oh, blessed hope ! — Oh, blessed hope !" — 
 repeating the expression until his voice failed and 
 only the faintest whisper, a radiant smile, and an 
 upward gaze told of the precious thought, and the 
 rich joy that was filling his mind and heart. His 
 end was peace. That " peace of God which pass- 
 eth understanding." A Christian conqueror may 
 die calmly ; for Christian courage is a deep, quiet 
 power, unconscious of itself, but of unspeakable 
 advantage to those who possess it. Thus God is 
 burying his workman, but carrying on his work. 
 
 Others will spring up to fill the places of those 
 called away. Is there not one who will gladly step 
 forward and take up the glittering sword of the 
 promoted warrior, and wield it as faithfully as he 
 did ? One thought greatly comforts the Christian 
 soldier, viz : — the cause of truth is never ruined by 
 the death of its champions. 
 
 How imperishable must be that cause which can 
 
 a 
 
50 MEMORIAL OF KEfV. 
 
 survive its defenders; yea, which can save its 
 defenders when they can fight no longer j can en. 
 velop them in an imperious coat of mail, and send 
 them to the grand camp of triumph above, where 
 victor-songs are sung, and conflicts are no more. 
 
 He was buried, August 13th, and at his request 
 I preached a sermon from the theme, " The glory 
 and reward of heaven are more abundant than all 
 the sufferings of earth." Rom. viii: 18. Brother 
 Benton, pastor Wesleyan Church, Albany, Vt., 
 brother Pritty, pastor Methodist Church, Sheffield, 
 Yt., and brother Willey, pastor Baptist Churchy 
 Sutton, Vt, r were present, and kindly assisted in 
 the services. Much to the regret of all parties, 
 Bro. Wardner was prevented from being present 
 by the unfaithfulness of the Telegraph Co. in de- 
 livering the despatch. 
 
 The sermon preached at his funeral was pre- 
 pared during the early part of his illness, and in 
 the main approved by him on my last visit to him 
 in February. 
 
 •' How beautiful it is for man to die 
 Upon the walls of Zion I To be ealled, 
 Like a watch-worn and weary sentinel, 
 To lay his armor off, and rest in heaven."" 
 
 Safe as he is, and fondly as we whisper— "he is 
 resting now ; " yet, 
 
 u The hope of that world whose existence is bliss, 
 May not stifle the tears of the mourners of this." 
 
 Brother Kenaston will be missed and mourned 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 51 
 
 by a large circle of warm and earnest friends ; in 
 the Conference where none were honored more or 
 loved better ) in the Churches where he was ever 
 a welcome guest and an appreciated teacher ; in 
 all the homes he was wont to enliven and bless 
 with his presence and holy influence ; in the ranks 
 of the true and brave where truth was illustrated 
 and guarded, and where error was exposed and 
 destroyed. But more than all, and deeper than all, 
 he will be most keenly missed in that home he has 
 left desolate, and in those hearts that have so long 
 thrilled with pleasure in his presence and drooped 
 in sadness in his absence. Let not our sympathy 
 for them be wanting, nor let us fail to manifest it 
 in every proper and acceptable manner. 
 
 u Mourn for the living, mourn, 
 
 But weep not for the dead } 
 They need your tears from whom is torn 
 
 Their pattern and their head. 77 
 
 How significant the fact that Nature had furnish- 
 ed his grave with a smooth stone bottom; as 
 though he who loved the Rock so well, might not 
 rest, even in death, upon the shifting sand of earth. 
 
 Perhaps I cannot better close this sketch, than 
 in the words of Bickersteth's dying seer. 
 
 " The last day of my earthly pilgrimage 
 Was closing, and the end was peace. 
 
 The lamp that hung 
 Suspended in my chamber slowly paled 
 And nickered in its socket; But my soul 
 
52 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 Was lit up with a purer, clearer light, 
 
 The day-break of a near eternity, 
 
 Which cast its penetrating beams across 
 
 The isthmus of my life, and fringed with, gold 
 
 The mists of childhood, and revealed beyond 
 
 The outline of the everlasting hills. 
 
 I knew 
 My hours were numbered, and that I should see 
 No other sunshine on this weary world ; 
 And gently said, 
 
 I My wife, my darling, I am going home ; 
 God wills it, darling, — going home to-night.' 
 Sorely I feared the first shock of my words 
 Upon the tenderest of human hearts, 
 
 A wife's, a mother's heart. But softly laying 
 Her hand upon my burning brow, she said, 
 
 I I know it all, beloved husband, God 
 Hath spoken to me also, and hath given 
 
 These brief hours to my wrestling prayers. Enough 
 To-morrow and all after-life for tears, 
 To-day and all eternity for love.' 
 
 God was there, 
 I knew it, I was with him ; and meanwhile, 
 His angel gently loosened all the cords 
 Of my frail tabernacle, and the tent 
 Fluttered to every breeze. 
 
 I was more 
 Than ankle-deep in Jordan's icy stream ; 
 My gentle wife, with love stronger than death, 
 Was leaning over those cold, gliding waves. 
 I heard them speaking, but could. make no sign; 
 I saw them weeping, but could shed no tear ; 
 
 Gradually 
 The figures faded on the shore of time ; 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 53 
 
 And, as the solemn bell of midnight struck, 
 One sob, one effort, and my spirit was free.'* 
 
 EXTRACT FROM A LETTER BY REV, J. CROKER. 
 
 Brother Kenaston had a sound conversion when 
 a boy, under the ministry of the late Rev. Ira Hall, 
 by whom he Was baptized. His call to the work 
 of the ministry was recognized by the Christian 
 community almost simultaneously with his conver- 
 sion; amongst others by the venerable Elder 
 Woodman, pastor of the Freewill Baptist Church 
 in Sheffield, who soon took him into his pulpit to 
 assist him in public worship. More than one 
 Christian in Sheffield has spoken to me of that 
 scene as exceedingly touching; that modest boy 
 seated with that white-haired man, high above the 
 people, and with no signs of slavish fear, offering 
 prayer in language as appropriate as though he 
 already felt something of the awfulness of his high 
 commission. I first became acquainted with him 
 in 1858, when I was preaching on the Albany and 
 Glover Circuit. He and all his father's family 
 were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church 
 in South Glover. He had just completed his 
 academic course, and seemed in a state of inde- 
 cision in relation to the next step toward the 
 Christian Ministry. He frankly informed me of 
 his purpose to devote himself to this work, but was 
 
54 MEMORIAL OF REV, 
 
 not satisfied with his literary qualification s, and 
 wished to pursue a higher course of study. I im- 
 mediately suggested that he should go to the Wes- 
 leyan Methodist Seminary at Leoni, Mich. He 
 replied " That is just what I want," His subse- 
 quent well-digested pulpit efforts and scholarly 
 contributions to the press show with what assiduity 
 he devoted himself to study at Leoni and after- 
 wards at Adrian College. 
 
 J. Croker. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS BY REV. DYAR WILLIS, PAS- 
 TOR OF M. E. CHURCH, WATERBURY CENTRE, 
 VT., AND HIS WIFE. 
 
 Bro. Patridge: — Our much respected and la- 
 mented Brother Kenaston visited us at Cabot, and 
 again at Middlesex, Vt, Those interviews were 
 like the meeting of Paul and Titus. 2 Cor. vii : 6. 
 We then held sweet converse together, and parted 
 in Christian fellowship, expecting to meet in the 
 kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, to go no more 
 out forever. Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipo- 
 tent reigneth. I remember him as a very worthy 
 young man, and an able minister of the Word of 
 God. I was not much associated with him in his 
 more mature ministry, I will therefore mention but 
 a few incidents. The question arose in an Annual 
 Conference with regard to the trial of officers of 
 the Conference : when he remarked " In the judg- 
 ment of the great day, those in high positions will 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 55 
 
 as certainly be judged as those of lower rank, why 
 should it not be so here ?" I once asked his opin- 
 ion of the rule excluding members of Secret Socie- 
 ties from the Church. He replied, " I think it will 
 be easier to keep the serpent out, than to oust him 
 when once in the Church. 7 ' With reference to the 
 Communion he said, " I believe it is the Lord's 
 Table, and all his true followers have a right to 
 come to it" To the question — " Are you not ready 
 to join the Methodist Episcopal Church ?" he an- 
 swered, •' I have not yet heard them fully confess 
 their sins with regard to American Slavery." How 
 pleasing a prospect before the righteous, a home 
 with all the loved ones, and the lovely. The great- 
 est object of all effort is to fit souls for heaven, to 
 glorify God. 
 
 Dyar Willis. 
 
 Dear Bro. Patridge : — Brother Kenaston was 
 one we loved, and love to think of; his memory is 
 blessed. He was one of our best Christian gentle- 
 men. His Christian character stood out where it 
 was seen in all departments of life, every day ; as 
 he used frequently to say, " I wish to demonstrate 
 my religion by my daily walk;" and he surely did. 
 He ever kept his charge in view ; and with what 
 fervor would he sing that hymn he loved so well, 
 " A charge to keep I have," &c. 
 
 He could rejoice with any who were in ecstacy or 
 
56 Memorial of rev. 
 
 weep with those in tears. Well do we remember 
 his loving sympathy and words of comfort when 
 we were bereaved of our loved ones and left child- 
 less. He was ever ready to lend a listening ear to 
 those in distress, and to give words of comfort, 
 and his kind deeds were richer than his words. 
 He was a good man, his work was done, although 
 we could not see it. He was ready, all ready, for 
 heaven and its joys, and our poor excuse for life 
 should at once surrender. His example let us fol- 
 low as he followed Christ, that when our work on 
 earth is ended we may be as ready as our dear 
 brother to enter the joy of our Lord. 
 
 Mary D. Willis. 
 
 WEYBRIDGE MEMORIAL SERVICES. 
 
 To honor the memory of Rev. T. H. Kenaston, 
 and to impress the living with the duty of a true 
 life, Memorial Services were held in the Wes- 
 leyan Methodist Church in Weybridge, Vt., on 
 Sunday, September 1st, 1872. ' 
 
 The front of the desk (where he had preached 
 from 1862 to 1866) was covered with black broad- 
 cloth, gracefully festooned with white and purple 
 flowers. Upon a table in the altar stood a monu- 
 ment of pure white, three feet high, resting upon a 
 broad white base, emblematic of Christ; on the face 
 of the monumenc was printed one word, FA I T H. 
 
THOMAS HARVEY RENASTON. 57 
 
 The monument was wreathed with an evergreen 
 vine, with tiny knots of beautiful white flowers. 
 The pure fragrance of these flowers, though not 
 half so rich or lovely as that - proceeding from a 
 symmetrical life of holy faith in Jesus Christ, 
 might be used to represent this, and thus add force 
 and instruction to the beauty of the illustration. 
 
 After suitable introductory exercises, a sermon 
 was delivered by the Pastor, Rev. L. C. Partridge, 
 to a large audience of the friends of the deceased 
 minister upon the 
 
 THEME, 
 
 " God buries his workman, but carries on his 
 work." 
 
 Text — Deut, xxxiv: 5, 6. — "'So Moses, the servant of 
 the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, according to the 
 word of the Lord. And he buried him in a valley in the 
 land of Moab over against Beth-peor." 
 
 The theme of the discourse was abundantly 
 supported by a brief, yet comprehensive sketch of 
 the life of Moses, John the Baptist, Abraham 
 Lincoln, and Orange Scott, showing that each of 
 these important leaders was called away ironi his 
 great work just when (according to human wis- 
 dom) he was most needed to carry it on to com- 
 pletion ; and that in each case God raised up new 
 leaders or agencies by which the great results were 
 accomplished just as successfully. 
 
 The discourse closed with a historical sketch of 
 3* 
 
58 MEMORIAL OP RET. 
 
 the life of Brother Keoaston embracing his child • 
 hood, youth, manhood; as a son, brother, friend, 
 companion, parent ; as a laborer, student, citizen, 
 minister, reformer; the advocate of every good, 
 and uncompromising foe of every evil; modest, 
 sincere, earnest, zealous, useful ; respected by all, 
 and loved by many, whose smile was glad, whose 
 laugh was music set to words of love. 
 
 u For he who blesses most is blest, 
 
 And God and man shall own his worth." ' 
 
 " And soon or late to all that sow, 
 The time of harvest shall be given ; 
 
 The flower shall bloom, the fruit shall grow, 
 If not on earth, at last in heaven. n 
 
 MEMORIAL SERVICES IN SYRACUSE, N. Y., AUGUST 
 
 18, 1872, 
 
 After intelligence of the death of Rev. T. H. 
 Kenaston reached Syracuse, the Church took im- 
 mediate measures to hold appropriate Memorial 
 Services. It appointed committees on music, dra- 
 pery, and addresses. On Sabbath morning the 
 church was filled to its utmost seating capacity, 
 and the pulpit was draped in mourning, while rich 
 bouquets made of green and white relieved the som- 
 ber shades of mourning. In the rear of the pul- 
 pit, upon the wall were folds of black and white 
 fabric, hanging in the form of an arch, and be- 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 59 
 
 tween the sides of which, and in the center were 
 fixed the words — 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 Services were commenced by singing the hymn 
 beginning, 
 
 " Servant of G-od, well done ! 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ ; 
 The battle fought, the victory won, 
 
 Enter thy Master's joy." 
 
 The singing of this expressive hymn with, its 
 stirring adaptation, had a most thrilling effect 
 upon the entire audience. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Arnold, of the M. E. Church, a true 
 reformer, and the personal friend of brother Ken- 
 aston, made the opening prayer, which was full of 
 thought, pathos and unction. 
 
 After singing another hymn beginning, 
 
 " Grod moves in a mysterious way," 
 Rev. A. Crooks spoke for substance as follows : — 
 We are here to-day, not to praise the dead, but 
 to admonish and consolate the living. To us as a 
 Church this is a new experience. In a history of 
 some thirty years, this pulpit is draped for the first 
 time. Taken from his post of duty and responsi. 
 bility some nine months ago, to days and weeks 
 and months of severe suffering, and to a life-and- 
 death struggle, on the 10th inst., fifteen minutes be- 
 fore twelve o'clock at night, our beloved pastor, 
 
60 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 Thomas Harvey Kenaston received his release 
 from this theater of toil, conflict and suffering, and 
 went up to take his crown of imperishable glory. 
 Affection for his dependent family, and devotion to 
 the cause of his Master made him desire to live, 
 though he feared not to die. 
 
 We are all mourners to-day ; but we sorrow not 
 as those having no hope. Our brother is gone, but 
 not lost. " Life and immortality have been brought 
 to light." It has been written, " Blessed are the 
 dead who die in the Lord." 
 
 But in memory and affection, and in the fruits 
 of his labor, brother Kenaston is still with us. 
 We note some points of special interest in his 
 character and history. 
 
 1. He was converted in early life, and the fact 
 of his conversion was clear to himself and all who 
 knew him. His intelligent zeal soon marked him 
 as a future embassador for Christ. Had he not 
 been thus converted while in youth, dying in such 
 early manhood, his life must have been a compara- 
 tive failure. But as it is, the arbitraments of etern- 
 ity will pronounce it a grand success. He has 
 gathered gems for the Master's crown. Will not 
 the young people of this congregation act wisely 
 and go and do likewise ? God grant that you 
 may. 
 
 2. His talents were solid, rather than brilliant. 
 His appeals were to the conscience and understand- 
 
1H0MAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 61 
 
 ing rather than the imagination or passions. Not 
 the glare of words of men's wisdom, bat the plain, 
 direct, earnest statement of gospel truth. Not the 
 lightning, and thunder, and tempest, but the gentle 
 and fertilizing shower. Not the sudden jerk ; but 
 the steady pull, which raises the weight. 
 
 But qualities of the heart as well as those of the 
 head distinguished him. Hence to be appreciated 
 fully, he had to be known intimately. He was can- 
 did, kind, gentle, urbane, confiding, affectionate, 
 honest — too sincere to be ceremonious — indepen- 
 dent in thought, and fearless in utterance and 
 action. His deportment was adorned by native 
 dignity and manly good sense. 
 
 Possessed of these qualities he was held in high 
 esteem in the Ghamplain Conference, where he was 
 best known. Hence his removals were infrequent. 
 For several years he was pastor at Wey bridge, Yt., 
 and also at Lisbon Center, N. Y. In our hearing, 
 the delegate from the latter place told the Confer- 
 ence that he was prepared to contract brother 
 Kenaston's services for forty years. Happy is 
 that minister who can have such an indorsement. 
 The confidence of his Conference is seen in that he 
 was elected its Secretary, Treasurer of its Mission- 
 ary Society, and in 1867, one of its delegates to 
 the General Conference at Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
 3. He was eminently devoted to our distinctive 
 denominational principles. Judged from a human 
 
62 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 stand-point, a Wesleyan Methodist pulpit is not a 
 very promising stepping-stone to either wealth or 
 fame. The young man of culture, promise, and 
 common ambition who chooses it as his life-long 
 post of duty, in that act makes it a monument of 
 sterling personal integrity. It was reported that in 
 the Convention at Cleveland, looking to a union 
 with certain other Methodist bodies, the platform 
 was adopted by a unanimous vote. This was a 
 mistake. With his own lips Brother Kenaston 
 told me that he stood up in the vote against it. 
 Amid the potent appliances brought to bear to in- 
 duce him to forsake our denominational ship, and 
 they were powerful indeed, he stood as immovable 
 as the pillars of Hercules. 
 
 His last letter, written eleven days before his de- 
 parture, pours the clear daylight of eternity through 
 every apartment of his soul. 
 
 [Here the speaker read the letter which may be 
 found on page 45 of this volume, and continued :] 
 
 Manifestly the heart which indited the foregoing 
 words was ripe for heaven. His deep solicitude 
 and fervent prayers for the prosperity of the Church, 
 the salvation of the youthful portion of the congre- 
 gation and of the members of the Sabbath-school 
 are fully known only to God. But he is gone ! He 
 has ceased to plead, entreat, implore and pray. 
 There is one less to work for Jesus and labor for 
 souls. Will not some one this day settle the question 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 63 
 
 to live for God and heaven? Shall not we, ministers 
 and people, re-consecrate ourselves to our holy, heaven- 
 appointed work ? There is much to be done, and 
 but little time in which to do it. 
 
 God help us all, as has our brother, to live a 
 Christian, die a victor, and ascend to join the 
 multitude, which no man can number, in ceaseless 
 praises "unto Him who hath loved us, and hath 
 washed us from our sins in his own blood j to Him 
 be glory and dominion forever. Amen." 
 
 ADDRESS OP REV. A, S. WIGHTMAN. 
 
 Rev. A, S. Wightman spoke, substantially as 
 follows : — 
 
 "The relation which I have the honor of sus- 
 taining to the clergy, the cherished benefits which 
 I have received through the pulpit ministrations of 
 our departed brother, and the impressive sugges- 
 tions of these memorial services, all alike prompt 
 in me a willingness to offer a few thoughts on this 
 sad occasion. 
 
 There are three elements associated with man's 
 relation to the Divine government, around which, 
 what I now have to say, will cluster. These three 
 elements are, the eternity of being, the eternity of 
 knowledge, and the eternity of truth. 
 
 Man, in some respects, is an offshoot of the Di- 
 vine character ; he bore originally the mental and 
 moral image of God. The mental image still re- 
 
64 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 mains, though seriously embarrassed, while the 
 moral may be said to have suffered more seriously 
 still. The moral and mental attributes of God are 
 as imperishable as his essential nature ; hence while 
 man possesses them he must possess imperishable 
 being. Death, then, can be only an accident, in 
 no sense imperiling continued being. Our brother 
 is not here; as this sad drapery but too plainly 
 tells ; yet he is in the full possession of conscious 
 being, over on the golden hills of life where tears 
 fall not, and changes never come. 
 
 Change of the relations of being, in no sense in- 
 volves the cessation of being. Here we toil and 
 suffer; there we shall rest and rejoice) yet our 
 personal identity will remain in all the same. 
 Hence our departed brother is not really dead; 
 but gone on to a higher and more glorious sphere. 
 
 The eternity of knowledge is also a great cen- 
 tral truth involving much that is of vital interest to 
 us. Our personal knowledge involves the sublime 
 developments of both worlds. We who are here, 
 know what transpires there; that is, all which is 
 necessary for us to know, by means of revelation. 
 The Word tells us of a sea of glass mingled with 
 fire; and of a company, who, through earnest 
 efforts, have conquered the beast and shaken off his 
 image ; and are standing upon the sea of fire, and 
 that they have palms in their hands, and wear white 
 robes, and handle the harps of God. — The Word 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON". 65 
 
 also assures us, that such as die in the Lord are 
 blessed from henceforth. These and many other 
 similar assurances tell us, most impressively, of the 
 happy change which our brother has made. 
 
 Departed spirits know well, also, what is transpir- 
 ing in this world ; although by different means than 
 those through which we know what transpires in 
 the spirit world. Spirits, disburthened of a broken 
 mortal body, possess clearer and stronger percep- 
 tive powers than we do, a larger range of knowl- 
 edge than we do, and make observations from a 
 vastly higher sphere than we can ; wherefore we 
 think it quite philosophical to conclude, that by 
 these advanced steps they may know the events of 
 our world * as well as we, by revelation, may know 
 the events of their world.. These things being so, 
 our brother may see these tears that fall, hear these 
 sighs which escape from deeply moved breasts, and 
 look with grateful emotions upon the sorrow-stricken 
 features of this large and intelligent congregation. 
 Yes, he knows us all ; he knows how deeply our 
 sympathies are moved ; both for the departed, and 
 the dear stricken ones of his own house which he 
 has left ; and he knows well the purposes of many 
 hearts, to meet him on the golden shore. By faith 
 we greet him still ; and through faith we will yet 
 meet him on the sunny hills of life, where sorrows 
 never come and shadows never fall. 
 
 The eternity of truth is also a pleasing theme 
 
66 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 for contemplation in an hour like this. Truth once 
 spoken becomes an immortal proclamation. The 
 voice which uttered it may cease to be heard by- 
 mortals, yet the undying verity like a chariot of light 
 flies onward making its earnest appeals to successive 
 generations yet to come. 
 
 We who are present here to-day have heard the 
 principles of life which have . so often fallen from 
 his sacred lips. Let us remember that our obliga- 
 tions to receive their instructions have not ceased 
 because their author has passed from our midst. 
 We cherish his memory to-day ; let us honor it by 
 reducing to practice the saving precepts which he 
 so faithfully gave us, The stars may cease to shine, 
 the sun grow dim with age, and nature sink in 
 years ; and this beautiful, world of ours under the 
 racking power of dissolution fall back to chaos 
 from which it came ; but truth, immortal truth, 
 such as our brother so fearlessly proclaimed, will 
 live and shine while eternity endures. It may 
 for a time be eclipsed, and even trodden under 
 foot; but 
 
 u Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, 
 The eternal years of God are her's ; 
 
 While wounded error writhes in pain, 
 And dies amid her worshipers." 
 
 Our brother's brief career of earnest toil and 
 liis present rest in Heaven are forcibly expressed 
 in these moving lines of the poet. Our brother 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 67 
 
 struggled with the "rolling clouds," disease and 
 general debility, until no longer able to stand in 
 the pulpit ; but he now rests in the bright sunshine 
 of Heaven. 
 
 " As some tall cliff of awful form, 
 Swells from the vale and midway meets the storm j 
 While around its heart the rolling clouds are spread, 
 Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. L. N. STRATTON. 
 
 Rev. L. N. Stratton spoke in substance as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 When a victor of the Olympic games, or from 
 any of the great campaigns of Greece returned to 
 his native city, the walls were broken down, and 
 upon an elevated settle he was borne through them 
 upon the shoulders of men, amid shouts of joy and 
 songs of triumph. We come not here to mourn a 
 brother's defeat, but to rejoice, at his victories, and 
 his triumphant entry into the Golden City. 
 
 On that Saturday night when his last struggles 
 were ended and life's long week was over, could we 
 have stood with spiritual vision clear, and seen him 
 enter the wide-swung gates of glory, perhaps with 
 bands of music coming out to meet and welcome 
 him with " an abundant entrance" into the realms 
 of light, we would rejoice to-day, instead of weep- 
 ing. He was God's soldier and confronted many 
 enemies without and within. A week ago last night 
 
68 Memorial of rev\ 
 
 he fought his last battle; and the last enemy which 
 through Christ he destroyed, was death. The 
 world has need of so many such hearts and arms 
 as his in moral battle that we are led to wonder 
 what the wisdom can be in removing him. But 
 my friends, we can see only the coarse part of the 
 machinery on the outside of the building where we 
 are. Were we passed within as he is, then we 
 could discover the exquisite workings of an infinite 
 Father's plans. God has some plan, only a small 
 part of which we can see. Our brother Kenaston 
 must live forever, and into that forever he has 
 passed a little earlier than we might have supposed. 
 God has some better thing prepared for him. 
 
 Two soldiers stood by the tent of a dead comrade, 
 and one remarked, " There's another poor fellow 
 got his discharge." "No, not that!" "Well, if 
 not discharged what is it ?" — " Only transferred."— 
 " Transferred where ?" " To the other depart- 
 ment." " What for ?" " Don't know, that depends 
 upon what he is fit for." So our brother is trans- 
 ferred through death's portals — to take his place 
 among immortal spirits — to fulfill the high behests 
 of eternal Wisdom. 
 
 To this end death comes alike to all. No sex is 
 spared ; no age exempt. The majestic and courtly 
 roads over which monarchs pass; the way that 
 men of learning tread ; the path along which the 
 warrior flies, and the short and simple story of the 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 69 
 
 poor, — all lead to one place, — all terminate in that 
 enormous house — the end of all living — the grave. 
 One short sentence closes the history of every man, 
 be he a Caesar or a Hannibal; a Cyrus or a 
 Xerxes ; the rich man or Lazarus dog-licked at his 
 gate j Methuselah, or the child of yesterday, and 
 that one short sentence is, " And he died." It is 
 written of the oldest patriarch the world ever knew, 
 " The days of his years were nine hundred and 
 sixty -nine and he died." There it is — " and he 
 died." Yes he died, he had to. And if so, what of 
 us who are so short of life and few of years. 
 
 Dear hearer, remember "It is appointed unto 
 men once to die," — and hence unto you. Are you 
 ready ? " In such an hour as ye think not the Son 
 of Man cometh." Do you feel that death will be a 
 rest to you ? Have you so toiled amid the din and 
 dust of earth that thoughts of the sweet groves of 
 peace give a thrill of delight ? Will you go home 
 as a child, wearied with its toys, lies down and 
 sweetly rests ? Or must you be scourged to it like 
 a prisoner to his cell? Though anxious to li\ r e 
 and dare and do for Christ, do you not sometimes 
 long to lay your aching head and painful heart be- 
 neath the soil — 
 
 "To slumber in that dreamless bed 
 From all your toil ?" 
 
 Our departed brother clung to life, it is true, 
 but he was ready. He said so in his last letter, 
 
70 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 and with almost his dying hand. And what won- 
 der that he wanted to live ? He said it was for 
 the sake of his little family, and for the Master's 
 cause. " For," said he — " this is such a glorious 
 time to live and fight for Clod and truth." Ah !— 
 that expression shows the still beating aspiration 
 of that dying soldier -heart. It was like the last 
 command of the dauntless Lawrence—" Stand your 
 ground, my braves !" — -or the prostrated General 
 Wolfe at the battle of Quebec, whose dying words 
 were, " And now God be praised, but do your duty, 
 men !" — or Commodore Perry who shouted with his 
 final gasp,—" Don't give up the ship !" So with our 
 dauntless Kenaston. He shouts again to his Charge 
 here on the battle lines, " Forward ! — -my braves !" 
 " For this is a glorious time to live and fight for 
 God and truth." He died of wounds received in 
 this moral battle. To it he gave all his manhood's 
 years, and then fell like a soldier ; — he died at his 
 post. 
 
 Early in our acquaintance, which began five years 
 ago, he gave me the key to his heart, and bade me 
 welcome within. I knew what was there. Since 
 then, together we have walked, eaten, slept, jour* 
 nejed, boarded, visited at each other's homes, and 
 in short, been intimate. I think I knew him well. 
 His cheerfulness sometimes disguised the fact that 
 he entertained the deepest of moral convictions and 
 
THOMAS HARVEY/ KEN ASTON. 71 
 
 'sentiments, and was by the grace of God, living for 
 eternity. 
 
 His sentiments Were his own. He never asked 
 himself whether his brethren, or the wisest and the 
 best would agree with him; but upon all new 
 issues his queries were " What does God want V 
 " What does Christ teach ?" He seldom shaped his 
 course by that of other men, but always seemed to 
 me to travel straight toward truth, whether it ran 
 parallel to, or across the paths of others. He did 
 not seek the tortuous highway with easy grades^ 
 along which the popular crowd of Christians 
 ascend the hill toward moral truth, but he always 
 seemed to see the streaming light and went for it 
 direct — though it led across lots. 
 
 He had his failings. He was a man. Was clad 
 in human flesh, and like all others made mistakes. 
 But in the grand aim of life he consulted not with 
 flesh and blood, but with a will like a Mameluke's 
 arm, and the directness of a Sythian lance, he drove 
 his mark to the center, and trampled the adversary 
 under his feet. 
 
 But he has gone. His place in his family, in the 
 social circle, in religious meetings, conferences and 
 conventions, will now be vacant. And only by his 
 influence will he hereafter lift up his voice against 
 the sword of the coming enemy. 
 
 Upon whose shoulders shall his mantle fall? 
 Who of the young men and j oung women ; who of 
 
72 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 this entire audience will lift the harder now that he 
 has fallen under the load ? Who with me will con- 
 secrate yourselves anew to Christ and his work to- 
 day ? The battle must go on though the soldiers 
 fall, and in the not distant future, victory or defeat 
 must come. Will these, who were so long under 
 his training, and many of whom were enlistments of 
 his mustering, let the cause recede because the 
 leader has fallen ? Will they in view of the de- 
 mands of the living present, will they in view of the 
 mighty To-Day — 
 
 ' ' Arise, for the day is passing, 
 
 While you lie dreaming on, 
 Your leader has fallen in armor, 
 
 In which to the fight he had gone ; 
 Yonr place in the ranks awaits you, 
 
 Each man has a part to play, 
 The past and the future are nothing, 
 
 In the face of the stern To-day !" 
 
 Have you never heard Brother Kenaston, when 
 urging to greater energy in the great work of soul- 
 saving, speak of the young Spartan who complained 
 to his father that his sword was too short, and 
 the old veteran responded? — "Add a step to it." 
 So do thou in the rest of life's journey. Every 
 day has its conflicts. "Add a step to the sword." 
 
 I entreat you in the words of a hymn that he 
 loved : 
 
 " Mount up the heights of wisdom, 
 And crush each error low, 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 73 
 
 Keep back no words of knowledge, 
 Which human hearts should know. 
 
 Be faithful to thy mission, 
 In service of thy Lord, 
 
 And then a golden chaplet, 
 Shall be thy just reward. 
 
 FUNERAL SERMON PREACHED AT SHEFFIELD, VERMONT, 
 
 AUGUST 13, 1872, BY REV. L. C. PATRIDGE, OF 
 
 WEYBREDGE, VERMONT. 
 
 A certain ,poet has said : — 
 
 " If you cannot in the conflict, 
 
 Prove yourself a soldier true ; 
 If where fire and smoke are thickest 
 
 There's no work for you to do ; 
 When the battle-field is silent, 
 
 You can go with careful tread, 
 You can bear away the wounded, 
 
 You can cover up the dead." 
 
 This is the mission for which I have come here 
 to-day. I would not dare mention my own sol- 
 diership before such a warrior as my brother has 
 proved himself to be. But I would, in this hour 
 of keenest sorrow, bear away these deeply wound- 
 ed hearts and lay them on the calm and loviug 
 bosom of my God, whose purest sympathy and 
 healing comfort are so richly bestowed. And I 
 would tread carefully by the open grave of the 
 dear departed, and softly, tenderly replace the 
 green sods over as true and noble a man as I ever 
 knew. 4 
 
74 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 My text may be found in Romans viii : 18. 
 
 " I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are 
 not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall 
 be revealed in us." 
 
 What would have been the reply of Columbus 
 if he had been told of the labor, and sacrifice and 
 suffering which lay between him and the discovery 
 of the Western Continent ; that poverty, ridicule, 
 and contempt would meet him in every turn in the 
 path; that the Republic of Genoa, the kingdoms 
 of Portugal, of England, and of Spain would suc- 
 cessively reject his proposals, and turn him away 
 mortified and stinging with pain ; that nearly twen- 
 ty years would roll their weary round before he 
 should set his foot upon the unknown shore, and 
 thank the God of heaven for his success ? I think 
 he would have said, while his eye kindled with a 
 fire which no discouragement could quench, "I 
 reckon that the toil and suffering of twenty years 
 are not worthy to be compared with the honor 
 and the glory which future ages will bestow upon 
 him who gives to mankind a new world." 
 
 Who has not admired the dying words of Gen. 
 Wolfe? He had suffered most intensely, in re- 
 peated disasters ; in personal sickness ; in severe 
 wounds; in heavy losses in his army; had over- 
 come almost insurmountable obstacles; fought a 
 desperate battle, in which he was borne mortally 
 wounded from the field. He was told that the 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 75 
 
 enemy fled before his tried battalions, when he 
 exclaimed, " Now God be praised ; I will die in 
 peace." 
 
 He was just in the bloom of life, at the age of 
 thirty-three j honored beyond his years with this 
 important command; England all aglow with en- 
 thusiastic praise of his acheivements ; a desirable 
 marriage awaiting his return. And yet, with all 
 these inducements to live, and all these painful ex- 
 periences pushing him toward death, he could say, 
 l< I die content," or in other words, H I reckon 
 that all my sacrifices and sufferings are not worthy 
 to be compared with the honor and glory which 
 will crown my memory in the hearts of my coun- 
 trymen, and in the history of the world." 
 
 Cyrus W. Field encountered unsurpassed adver- 
 sities in laying the Atlantic Telegraph. He cross- 
 ed the ocean seven times ; expended large sums of 
 money ; met the taunts of the world for determin- 
 ing to do what others said could not be done. He 
 argued and plead and almost begged of capitalists 
 to help him with their money. He spent twelve years 
 of labor, anxiety, discouragement, failure. He 
 made himself a bankrupt ; and yet during all these 
 years he felt so sure of victory that he could have 
 said, " I reckon that all this toil, disappointment, 
 and expense, are not worth comparing with the 
 wealth, satisfaction and honor, which are certain 
 to reward this protracted struggle." 
 
76 MEMOEIAL OP REV. 
 
 If these men in such enterprises could endure 
 so great trials, and feel satisfied with the results 
 promised, with what unshaken firmness may God's 
 children go forward trusting in the divine Word, 
 assured that an eternity of unspeakable glory shall 
 be their reward. The compensation infinitely out- 
 measures all the toil, sacrifice and pain which can 
 possibly attend the faithful discharge of every duty 
 which is laid upon them. There are few Chris- 
 tians who are called to endure one tenth of what 
 the Apostle passed through, and he could testify 
 with unshrinking faith, " I reckon that the suffer- 
 ings of this present time are not worthy to be 
 compared with the glory which shall be revealed 
 in us." 
 
 The theme of the discourse to-day will be, The 
 Rewards of Heaven are more abundant than the 
 Sufferings of Earth. 
 
 We must not understand that the Apostle here 
 ignores earthly suffering, or meets it with stoical 
 indifference. No, he was perhaps as sensitive to 
 the touch of pain and sorrow as any living man. 
 He even makes a record of his sufferings for the 
 encouragement of his fellow-disciples. But in the 
 midst of it all, and above it all, he maintains such 
 a view of the glory of heaven as enables him to 
 bear it all without a murmur, but actually to "glo- 
 ry in tribulations," not for their sake, but " know- 
 ing that tribulation worketh patience ) and patience 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 77 
 
 experience ; and experience hope ; and hope mak- 
 eth not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed 
 abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is 
 given unto us." It is then to secure these rich ex- 
 periences that he endures sorrow so triumphantly- 
 Like the traveler, he is willing, yea, anxious to 
 climb to the very mountain-top for the expansive 
 and beautiful scenery which there greets his eye 
 and feasts his mind. Or, like the miner, he re- 
 joices in the hard labor and darkness of the mine 
 for the sake of the rich and precious ores he finds 
 therein and makes his own. The Apostle's life 
 was full of sorrow and yet God's grace so shaped 
 it all that the sweetest juice of the crushed grapes 
 filled and overflowed his cup of blessing. And 
 who does not know that the finest flour is ob- 
 tained only by the closer pressure of the mill- 
 stones. So he who would drink from the springs 
 of Paradise, and eat the fruit of life's fair tree, 
 must first dip his feet in the chilling Jordan, and 
 feel the dash of its spray upon his throbbing tem- 
 ples. 
 
 Among the rewards of heaven, and constituting 
 a part of the saints' eternal glory we notice, 
 
 1. The possession of a perfect, spiritual body 
 not subject to pain, disease, or death. 
 > Much of the suffering of earth is in consequence 
 of a defective body. Every nerve is full of capa- 
 city to receive pain, and how often this capacity is 
 
78 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 tested to its utmost. The heart is subject to in- 
 tense agony, and often this agony is experienced 
 until each drop of blood the heart contains seems 
 changed to a blistering coal of fire. Sorrow is 
 not a stranger to the human heart which sometimes 
 stops to tarry for the night ; it is a resident who 
 claims possession and authority. It is not an over- 
 shot thread which may be picked out and leave 
 the fabric still complete ; it is the very woof in 
 the full web of our existence. 
 
 Our brother whom we mourn to-day knew some- 
 thing of this suffering. He has felt the cutting, 
 crushing pains in brain and lungs and heart. His 
 entire physical structure, like a broad thorough- 
 fare, has been run over and trodden hard by a 
 host of iron-hoofed pangs which seemed to vie 
 with each other in producing the most intense mis- 
 ery. But this has all ended now, and he has en- 
 tered into the enjoyment of that spiritual, "house 
 not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 
 
 The Apostle teaches that such is the state of the 
 Christian whose earthly house of this tabernacle 
 is dissolved, and he declares that " we who are in 
 this tabernacle do groan being burdened," ear- 
 nestly " desiring to be clothed upon with our 
 house which is from heaven." Of the saint's hea- 
 venly body the word of God is explicit. It is, 
 celestial, spiritual, incorruptible, immortal; pos- 
 sessing power and glory. It is like unto Christ's 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 79 
 
 glorious body. When such facts are before the 
 mind, how triumphantly we may look beyond our 
 short-lived bodily pains to the immortal glory of 
 our spiritual body and exclaim, " I reckon that 
 the sufferings of this present time are not worthy 
 to be compared with the glory which shall be 
 revealed in us." 
 
 2. The reward of heaven will include a mind 
 complete, active, capable of extended research, and 
 untiring application. 
 
 Many sufferings of this life are of the mind. 
 There exist care, anxiety, mental weakness and 
 pain. It is often obliged to act through a frail, 
 decaying body and cannot manifest its real power. 
 Then, its powers are shut in by all its material 
 surroundings, and cannot secure a complete devel- 
 opment till freed from earth's prison-walls and 
 clay-born fetters. How often we are told, espe- 
 cially by the sick, I cannot control my mind, I can 
 not meditate as I wish ; my mind wanders, grows 
 weary, and if I press it too far it becomes to 
 some extent deranged. But when it shall be re- 
 leased from its connection with the body and 
 enters its spiritual tenement, the mind will become 
 a complete faculty of unceasing activity, capable of 
 extending its researches indefinitely ; to labor and 
 enjoy without limits of fear or fatigue. How 
 often in this life we find ourself unable to express 
 the deepest and richest thoughts and feelings of 
 
80 MEMORIAL OF REY. 
 
 our mind. But in the future life, mind will be 
 able to communicate with mind without a veil be- 
 tween, and the clearest ideas of the mind will be 
 just as clear to each communing mind. " Now we 
 see through a glass darkly ; but then face to face ; 
 now I know in part, but then shall I know even 
 as also I am known." 
 
 3. The souls of the saints in heaven rejoice in 
 the highest freedom, and in the rich and near union 
 with God, and are able to drink large draughts 
 from the infinite fountains of divine pleasure. 
 
 Herein consists much of the glory referred to 
 in our text, " Glory revealed in us ;" that is, in 
 the glorified state of the Christian's soul. Here 
 happiness unalloyed wells up and overflows the 
 ransomed spirit. Here the depth and purity and 
 holiness of the Christian religion is seen in the 
 clear light of eternal truth. In this world men 
 often deceive themselves by thinking they are 
 grateful to God, when they are only happy in their 
 own temporal surroundings, and were these bless- 
 ings withdrawn would become discontented and 
 rebellious. That state of good feeling which is 
 only warmed into existence and kept alive by 
 continual supplies of joy is not the religion of 
 Jesus Christ. For when sorrow comes, in its 
 drenching shower, it is chilled and dies ; when the 
 hot sun of trial pours its scorching rays upoD it, 
 how soon it withers away. This will not cause 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 81 
 
 " glory to be revealed in us" in the future world. 
 The religion of Christ emits a soft and mellow 
 light even in the darkest hours ; and sheds a com- 
 forting influence upon sorrow which robs it of its 
 sting, and imparts a sweet and holy joy, which 
 like an under-current, quietly and yet surely bears 
 the soul of its possessor toward the haven of rest, 
 where infinite happiness and glory are sure to be 
 revealed. 
 
 The richest point in human nature is the immor- 
 tality of the soul, and its consequent capacity for 
 receiving the permanent polish of heavenly glory. 
 If this point is rejected, there is nothing left in 
 man worthy the price of human redemption. But 
 thank God, nature, the character of the soul, and 
 divine revelation harmoniously attest the truth of 
 this important doctrine. How striking the words 
 of the poet Addison : 
 
 " Whence this pleasing hope, this fond desire, 
 This longing after immortality ? 
 Or, whence this secret dread and inward horror 
 Of falling into naught. Why shrinks the soul 
 Back on herself and startles at destruction ? 
 ' Tis the Divinity that stirs within us — 
 * Tis heaven itself that points out an hereafter, 
 And intimates Eternity to man. 
 ******** 
 
 The soul, secure in her existence, smiles 
 At the drawn dagger, and defies its point. 
 The stars shall fade away, the sun himself 
 4* 
 
82 MEMORIAL OF REY. 
 
 Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years j 
 But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, 
 Unhurt amid the war of elements, 
 The wreck of matter, and the crash of worlds. " 
 
 Robertson says " We are not conscious of the 
 mighty cravings of our half divine humanity ; we 
 are not aware of the God within us, till some 
 chasm yawns which must be filled, or till the rend- 
 ing asunder of our affections forces us to become 
 fearfully conscious of a need." And we can safe- 
 ly add that there is nothing which can fill this 
 yawning chasm, and satisfy these mighty cravings, 
 like the reception of Jesus Christ as the conscious 
 need of the human soul. He is the divine remedy 
 furnished by Infinite Wisdom as a sufficient anti- 
 dote for all the ills of human existence, in time 
 and in eternity. And the lustre he imparts to 
 human character in its darkest hours is as distinct 
 and precious, and even more indestructible than 
 that of the richest diamond compared with an 
 ordinary pebble. Well might the inspired Apos- 
 tle exclaim " Thanks be to God, which giveth us 
 the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" — vic- 
 tory which crowns eternity with ceaseless and in- 
 creasing glory. 
 
 4. The rewards of heaven include farther, the 
 excellence and splendor of the eternal city as the 
 glorious home of the child of God. 
 
 History informs us that the idolatrous temple of 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTOtf. 83 
 
 Diana at Ephesus was so bright and dazzling that 
 the doorkeeper always cried to all that entered it, 
 " Take heed to your eyes." But even Diana in 
 her highest glory when compared with the magnifi- 
 cence and grandeur of the city of God dwindles 
 into insignificance and meanness. Its walls are 
 of jasper, and its gates of solid pearl. The 
 streets of the city are pure gold, transparent as 
 glass ; we have no such gold in this world j it is 
 the gold of heaven. Its foundations are garnished 
 with all manner of precious stones. There is no 
 need of the sun, for the glory of God and the 
 Lamb is the light thereof. There is no temple 
 there, for the Lord God Almighty is the temple 
 of it. The river of life, clear as crystal, proceed- 
 ing out of the throne of God, waters the city. 
 But why do we enumerate its beauties, for human 
 language must forever fail in describing the glory 
 of God and his holy habitation. And yet we 
 shall not be oppressed with its brilliancy as were 
 the Ephesian worshipers; for immortal vision is 
 never pained or weary. As to the scenery of 
 heaven— the mountains, the valleys, the rivers, the 
 groves — plains dressed in beauty, and hills of de- 
 light, the seas, lakes, and fountains, the arbors, the 
 lawns, the flowers, and the fruits ; we may be sure 
 that whatever human or angelic conception could 
 grasp of beauty or loveliness is far excelled in 
 
84 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 in the divine fullness, variety, unity and grace of 
 that celestial country. 
 
 5. A further reward will consist in the blissful 
 associations of heaven. 
 
 When we think that all the good, the noble, the 
 pure will there be our constant companions, we 
 cannot wonder that the wasting, dying ones of 
 earth often sigh and exclaim, 
 
 u I long, Oh ! I long to be there." 
 
 There is a way which God has of calling our at- 
 tention to the realities of the spiritual world. And 
 that is by transplanting our brighest and sweetest 
 flowers to bloom in his own Elysian fields. The 
 rich fragrance of a holy life will sometimes linger 
 around our hearts and tempt us to turn away from 
 the muddy pools of earth, and long to fill a golden 
 goblet from the crystal fount of life. The attrac- 
 tions of heaven are sometimes seen more clearly 
 through the mists that arise from a new-made 
 grave. The closing coffin lid may be to us the 
 opening door of heaven. The heart rent with 
 anguish will sometimes admit the beaten oil of 
 peace. A sad and desolate home on earth may 
 suggest to the mind that joyful home of com- 
 panionship" on high. That vacant chair at our 
 table may remind 113 that another seat is occupied 
 in the family above. 
 
1H0MAS HARVEY KEN ASTON, 85 
 
 As Brother Kenaston said in a letter of condo- 
 lence to me, on the death of our little son : — ■ 
 
 " May that Jesus whom yon preach and recom- 
 mend to others in affliction, as 'The Balm of 
 Gilead,' be your own Kedeemer and Comforter, 
 Jesus said to Peter, 'What I do thou knowest 
 not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.' 0, how 
 unsearchable are some of the ways of Jesus to us 
 1 now? — -but in the revelations of eternity r s morning, 
 we shall see wisdom in them all. He is our best 
 Friend, and will not allow one unnecessary drop to be 
 added to our cup of affliction. 
 
 " There is a new light in the window of heaven for 
 you ; new little feet walking heaven's golden pave- 
 ments ; a new shining one among the infant choir 
 that makes heaven's arches ring, 
 
 ' We cannot tell what form is his, 
 
 What look he weareth now ; 
 Nor guess how bright a glory crowns 
 
 His shining seraph browj 
 
 The thoughts that fill bis sinless soul ? 
 
 The bliss he there doth feel ; 
 Are numbered with the secret things 
 
 Which God doth not reveal. 
 
 But this we know- -for He told ua this — 
 
 That he is now at rest, 
 Where other blessed children be 
 
 On their Savior's loving breast. 
 
 We know the angels fold him safe 
 Beneath their glittering wings, 
 
M MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 And soothe him with a song that breathes 
 Of heaven's divinest things.'" 
 
 I love to think of the associations of the better 
 land ; for I know that whatsoever is pleasant, and 
 profitable, and holy in human society on earth 
 will be intensified and magnified beyond our high- 
 est ideas in the society of heaven. 
 " I love to think of heaven. 
 The saints' eternal home, 
 Where palms, and robes, and crowns ne'er fade 
 And all their joys are one. 
 
 I love to think of heaven — 
 
 The greetings there we'll meet, 
 The harps, the songs forever onrs, 
 
 The walks — the golden streets." 
 
 *' Yes, we'll meet, in yonder mansions, 
 Where our wanderings all shall cease, 
 
 There we'll meet our dear companions, 
 And be crowned with perfect peace." 
 
 We sometimes sing 
 
 u Friends fondly cherished have passed on before, 
 Waiting they watch me approaching the shore." 
 
 And the poet's words are founded upon the truth 
 of God, and may be sung with faith and comfort in 
 our days of watching for the shadowy outline of 
 the distant shore. Do you think we shall spend 
 our time there in mourning over the sorrows of 
 earth ? When we were children, a broken toy, or 
 a slight bruise was a sad thing to us. But do we 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTOtf> 87 
 
 ever mention such things in comparison with the 
 mature happiness of manhood ? No ! nor shall 
 we think by and by that the heaviest blows of 
 earth are worth treasuring up with the joys of the 
 golden Gity, In fact, the sufferings of earth are 
 valuable only as educators, to develope and disci- 
 pline and purify ; and when their purpose is ac- 
 complished they may, like the stagings to a house, 
 be taken away and not left to mar the beauty of 
 the finished mansion. 
 
 But the associations of heaven will not be con- 
 fined to our friends, or to humanity. There will 
 be angelic and divine perfection with which our 
 companionship will be intimate and satisfying; 
 which will tend still deeper to bury the memory of 
 our past sorrow. " For the Lord God will wipe 
 away tears from off all faces," a,nd thus leave no 
 traces of sadness to mix our joy. 
 
 But one may ask if our loved ones in heaven 
 remember their friends who are still on earth. 
 Most certainly they do. Even the rich man in 
 hell remembered his brethren on earth. And 
 Abraham told him to remember his earthly privi- 
 leges and comforts. And further, Abraham knew 
 that his brethren had the writings of Moses and 
 the prophets, all of which had transpired cen- 
 turies after Abraham went to heaven; so it ap- 
 pears that the Patriarch kept well-informed about 
 earthly affairs. And if Abraham, why not others ? 
 
88 MEMORIAL OF RET. 
 
 la fact Luke tells us that Moses and Elias talked 
 with Christ at the transfiguration about his ap- 
 proaching death at Jerusalem, showing their knowl- 
 edge of earthly events. I have no doubt that our 
 friends in heaven love us more truly and purely 
 than they ever did on earth. 
 
 Some have supposed that a knowledge of earth- 
 ly woes would produce unhappiness in those who 
 are in the spirit world. This cannot be true, for 
 Abraham and Lazarus had a knowledge of the 
 woes of hell ; the angels know the wickedness of 
 men; the saints at the Judgment will know of 
 the departure to their deserved punishment; but 
 this knowledge cannot make them unhappy. The 
 truth is, heaven is an antidote for all sorrow ; and 
 starting from this fact every true theory will har- 
 monize with it. Man takes with him to the hea- 
 venly world all his intelligence and all his love, 
 and he will never know less or love less than he did 
 on earth. Every longing of the heart will there 
 be satisfied. Our noblest, grandest aspirations 
 will there find fullest development. Do we love 
 music, beauty, art, science, culture, friendship, 
 eloquence, truth, holiness, mercy ? We shall 
 there find them all and infinitely more in their 
 richest perfection, and may drink our fill from 
 every spring of joy which God has opened. " I shall 
 be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." 
 
 6. Another element of heavenly reward will 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 89 
 
 be the opportunity and capacity for studying the 
 character of God, in his goodness, wisdom, power 
 and love, and all the infinite expansion of his ex- 
 cellence which he shall reveal to his redeemed 
 children. 
 
 This revelation will have a transforming influ- 
 ence upon the human soul. " We all, with open 
 face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the 
 Lord, are changed into the same image from glory 
 to glory." u It doth not yet appear what we shall 
 be ; but we know that, when he shall appear, we 
 shall be like him ,* for we shall see him as he is." 
 
 The great English philanthropist, Wm. Wilber- 
 force, once asked Robert Hall, " What is your idea 
 of heaven ?" The eminent preacher, who had for 
 twenty years been an intense sufferer, replied, 
 " My chief conception of heaven, is, that it is 
 a rest." " And mine," said the amiable statesman 
 " is, that it is a place of love.'''' Others regard it 
 as a home. May we not blend these three ideas 
 and think of heaven as a lovely home of glorious 
 rest. 
 
 Well might Bro. Kenaston say, as he did in his 
 letter to the Champlain Conference, in April 29th, 
 1872:— 
 
 " Brethren : — I am not afraid to die, if I under- 
 stand myself. When my work is done, I ask not 
 to stay longer. The grave has no gloom to me ; I 
 look to it as a place of sweet, quiet rest for poor 
 weary pilgrims. It never looked so good to me as 
 
90 MEMORIAL OP REV. 
 
 now. My life, my home, my hopes, my heaven, are 
 all beyond it." 
 
 Truly that rest is glorious which follows faith- 
 ful Christian labor. The world is full of men 
 who never need to rest, because they never weary 
 themselves by labor. Too many such are in the 
 Church of Christ, and they seem more anxious to 
 spare themselves, than to rescue perishing souls. 
 He who never endured the toil of the Christian 
 can hardly expect to enjoy their repose. After 
 Israel had toiled and fought and conquered, it is 
 written, " The Lord God of Israel hath given rest 
 unto his people." And the Prophet Isaiah says, 
 u This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the 
 weary to rest." And the Apostle Paul says, " Let 
 us labor therefore to enter into that rest" 
 
 No soldier expects victory till after the conflict. 
 The battle first, the victory last. It was after 
 years of severely contested warfare; years of toil, 
 sacrifice, and exposure that St. Paul wrote to Tim- 
 othy, u I am now ready to be offered, and the time 
 of my departure is at hand. I have fought a 
 good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept 
 the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a 
 crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the right- 
 eous Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to 
 me only, but unto all them also that love his ap- 
 pearing." And he urged Timothy to imitate him, 
 "Fight the good fight of faith." "Preach the 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KEN ASTON. 91 
 
 word; be instant in season, out of season; re- 
 prove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and 
 doctrine." And writing to the Corinthians he 
 mentions as worthy of record that he had been 
 more abundant in labors than other ministers of 
 Christ. I have been thus particular to bring out 
 this point because our dear brother Kenaston had 
 been abundant and unremitting in his labors for 
 Christ. His active soul longed for Christian 
 work, and knew no limit but that of ability to do. 
 And when that ability is intensified by an enthusi- 
 astic love for the employment, the amount of 
 work accomplished can hardly be estimated. He 
 removed from Weybridge to Lisbon, and from Lis- 
 bon to Syracuse, not to secure a larger salary, or 
 greater confidence and love from the people, but 
 to extend his usefulness by having more people to 
 labor for, and more work to perform. And dur- 
 ing his sickness, his desire to live was always 
 associated with a desire to labor for Christ. a I 
 wish not," said he, " to live after my work is 
 done." How like the words of the poet : 
 
 " My body with my charge lay down 
 And cease at once to work and live." 
 
 He was an excellent type of a Christian minis- 
 ter. His early training, his Christian experience, 
 and his theological studies all conspired to deeply 
 impress him with the exalted and holy character 
 necessary in a minister of Jesus Christ. And he 
 
92 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 set himself studiously and prayerfully to acquire 
 all the mental, moral, and spiritual culture de- 
 manded in his important and sacred calling. He 
 was zealous and earnest, but his zeal was guided 
 by knowledge, and his earnestness was the off- 
 shoot of intense love for Christ and perishing sin- 
 ners. He made his hearers feel that he had 
 Christ's spirit in his own soul and was anxious 
 that they should partake of the same precious 
 salvation. His brethren in the ministry will miss 
 him, Oh, so much ! No one in our Conference was 
 loved more sincerely, honored more highly, or 
 will be missed more severely. In the Confer- 
 ence business he was prompt, capable, and judi- 
 cious. His pastoral charges were ever anxious to 
 retain him as their teacher and guide. He was 
 an excellent pastor, gathering about him the hearts 
 of the aged and the youth, and leading all with 
 his strong faith and tender love to the cross of 
 Christ. 
 
 He was a firm and consistent advocate of the 
 distinctive reformatory principles of the Wes- 
 leyan Methodist Connection. He was well ac- 
 quainted with the different views upon Church 
 Government, Slavery, Temperance, and Secret So- 
 cieties ; and his own opinions were based not upon 
 policy, popularity, or finance, but upon his deliber- 
 ate conviction of the truth of God's Word. The 
 desertion of friends, and the combination of ene- 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 93 
 
 mies never abated his zeal, lessened his courage, 
 or weakened his faith in the sacred truth and ulti- 
 mate triumph of these principles. 
 
 As a friend, he was true, valuable, and appre- 
 ciated by all who understood his real worth. And 
 yet he had no select few who alone shared the rich 
 and generous fruits of his friendship. His warm 
 and liberal heart took in circle after circle in the 
 various relations and circumstances of life. 
 
 As a son and brother, he was kind, affectionate, 
 confiding; never allowing the many other things 
 which occupied his mind to displace the loved and 
 true of early years. How often I have heard 
 him speak of his friends at home. His home 
 visits were much prized by the entire family-circle j 
 and the neighbors were made glad by his hearty 
 presence in all their homes with a cordial hand- 
 shake, and kind words of cheer for each and all. 
 
 As a father he was tender, patient, loving, anx- 
 ious to secure the highest good of those whom 
 God had intrusted to his care and training. May 
 we not hope that all his prayers for his dear chil- 
 dren will be richly answered ? 
 
 As a husband — I would not touch this nearest, 
 holiest tie of manhood, only that I have spoken of 
 other relations and would not seem to shrink from 
 this. As a husband, he was all that could be de- 
 sired in this holy relationship, which is mucli to 
 say, as I believe there is nothing in this world 
 
94 MEMORIAL OF REV. 
 
 more pure and holy than that love which, emanat- 
 ing from God, fills the hearts of two persons who 
 have chosen each other as life companions; and 
 have vowed to share the joy and sorrow, labor and 
 repose, conflict and . victory incident to a life of 
 active, noble, Christian usefulness. I need not say 
 that to sever such hearts is like cutting one heart 
 in two and leaving it crushed, trembling, bleeding. 
 But He who wounds can heal; He who created 
 the human heart can answer all its throbbings. 
 
 When you think of the painful sufferings he has 
 so long endured, you will almost rejoice that he 
 has passed it all now, and entered upon that glori- 
 ous rest which God has prepared for his children. 
 How beautiful are the words of Carl Spencer upon 
 
 " THE VICTOR'S REST." 
 " His rest shall be glorious."— Isa. xi : 10. 
 
 w Heart, that so low doth beat, 
 
 Striving and tiring, 
 Oft in the battle's heat 
 
 Night's cool desiring, 
 Look beyond life and death, 
 Hear what the Master saith, 
 ' To him that conquereth 
 
 The rest shall be glorious." 
 
 " * Stay' saith the world, * delight 
 
 Lives in my bowers ; 
 Sleep on your arms to-night 
 
 Through the watch-hours.' 
 Here is no lawful rest, 
 
THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 95 
 
 Cease the ignoble quest, 
 God giveth last the best j 
 His rest shall be glorious. 
 
 " l . Come/ saith the quiet grave, 
 
 ' Have done with living j 
 Rest such as mortals crave 
 
 Is of my giving.' 
 Not here, O earth of woes I 
 Not such the saints' repose } 
 Joy like a river flows ; 
 
 His rest shall be glorious ! 
 
 ." Not to the vanquished, Heaven 
 
 Opens its portals ; 
 Eest is the glory given, 
 
 To crowned immortals. 
 Where never foes surprise, 
 Where never storms arise, 
 Past all uncertainties, 
 
 The rest shall be glorious. 
 
 " Look not for mere release, 
 
 Welcomed victorious I 
 God giveth more than peace ; 
 
 His rest is glorious ! 
 Endless when once begun, 
 Fadeless the laurels won, — 
 Oh ! after God's < Well done,' 
 
 The rest will be glorious !" 
 
 My mourning friends, the sorrow through which 
 you are passing will not be an injury to you if 
 you keep your eye fixed on Christ, and remember 
 that he " will never leave you nor forsake you." 
 
96 MEMORIAL OP REV. THOMAS HARVEY KENASTON. 
 
 No one ever watched by a death-bed, as you have 
 watched, without opportunties for learning impor- 
 tant lessons. Treasure them carefully; wisely 
 heed them. You cannot reasonably doubt that 
 your loved one in his spiritual life is safe in the 
 Paradise of God. His conquering faith has met 
 his object. Prepare to follow him and enjoy with 
 him the glorious rewards of heaven which are 
 incomparably greater than all the sufferings of 
 earth. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be 
 with you all. Amen. 
 
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