VALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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Dutton, Samuel v;. S.
An Address 
Deacon Abiel Holmes Llatby
New Haven, 1852,

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FOBMED BY
James Abraham Hillhouse, B.A. 1749
James Hillhouse, B.A. 1773
James Abraham Hillhouse, B.A. 1808
James Hillhouse, B.A. 1875
JRemoved 1942 from the
Manor Souse in Sachem's Wood
GIFT OP
GEORGE DUDLEY SEYMOUR
DEACON A. H. MALTBY.

REV- MR. DUTTON'S ADDRESS

AT HIS ETJNEEAL.

AN

ADDRESS

AT THE FUNERAL OF

DEACON ABIEL HOLIES lALTBT,

MAY 21, 1853,

SAMUEL W. S. DUTTON,
PASTOR OF THE NORTH OBUROH, NEW HATEN.

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.

NEW HAVEN:
T. J. STAFFORD, PRINTER.
1862.

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ADDRESS.

Three weeks ago last Tuesday evening. Deacon
Maltby in his turn took direction of the Church Con
ference. As his thoughts and ours were upon our
recent bereavement by death of two beloved mem
bers of this Church, he selected for our meditation a
passage of the Holy Scriptures, well fitted to lead such
thoughts to profitable results, and commented particu
larly upon the words ; ' ' But though he cause grief, yet
will he have compassion according to the multitude of
his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly, nor
grieve the children of men." Little did we then think
that he was the member of this Church whose depar
ture we should next lament. Three short weeks, and
he who then spoke to us of death and sorrow lies be
fore us robed for the grave ; and his stricken kindred
and friends need the consolation which he then drew,
for the friends of others, from the gracious words of
God! On the first Sabbath of this present month, he stood
before this Lord's table in life and health, and assisted
in distributing the memorials of our Lord's body and
blood to his disciples. Now before that table he lies
in death, henceforth to be seen here no more forever.
Great is our disappointment, as well as our sorrow ; for

he was in the midst of his days, and at the height of
his usefulness. We had learned to lean upon him with
security and confidence. Our expectations and hopes
rested upon him, as well as our affections. For he was
at that period of life, when wisdom and experience in
their maturity are united with unabated vigor and
activity. This bereaving blow has fallen upon us suddenly.
It is only a week last Sabbath since he was confined to
his house; and only last Sabbath, or Saturday, that
danger was apprehended. Yet such was the power of
raging fever, that on Monday morning he could scarce
ly utter a monosyllable ; and on Wednesday noon he
ceased to breathe.
The oflice which Mr. Maltby held in this Church, and
the confidence, respect and affection which he gained
from us by his useful services in that ofl&ce, require, on
this occasion, some notice of his religious life and
character. He was born April 12, 1792, the son of Rev. Jona
than Maltby, (or as he was better known. Deacon
Jonathan Maltby,) who resided in this town during the
middle and latter part of his life, and died here, about
two years and a half since, at the advanced age of ninety-
two, leaving behind him a name than which none is more
fragrant for devout piety and Christian virtues. His
father named him Abiel Holmes, after Rev. Dr. Abiel
Holmes, the author of the 'Annals of America,' his
early and intimate friend, who, though four years after
him in College, was approved at the same time as a
preacher of the Gospel, and shared a room with him
during a temporary sojourn soon after in one of the
Southern States. His mother, who died between four

and five years since, at the age of eighty-five, was also a
person of sincere and decided piety. Educated by such
parents, he was, of course, "brought up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord."
But the instruction and discipline, the example and
prayers of parental piety, though they exerted a re
straining and guiding influence upon him, did not,
through divine grace, have a renewing and saving effect
in his heart, till his forty-fourth year. Sometime in the
winter or spring of 1837, during an unusual attention
to religion in this place, he gave himself with decided
purpose to the service of God, and committed his soul
in humble faith to Christ as the Saviour of sinners. In
the following June, he united with this Church by pro
fession of his belief in the essential doctrines of the
Gospel, and of his penitence, faith, and determination
by divine help to serve the Lord.
Mr. Maltby was naturally a person of strong charac
ter, and religion took a strong hold of him. It has
been a common remark among those who have long
known him, that there are few upon whom religion has
had so decided and marked an effect as upon him. He
had, both by nature and habit, decision of character —
clear and firm convictions, and a strong will; and these,
by diAdne grace, were enlisted on the Lord's side, and
were turned into the channels of Christian usefulness.
The joy which, at this period, pervaded and lighted up
that old stone mansion on the bank of yonder river, can
well be imagined by those who have welcomed a son or
a brother, long prayed for, into the fold of Christ.
Mr. Maltby at once took a decided and active, though
modest, part in the duties and services appropriate to
members of this Church; and in February, 1842, five

years after his union with the Church, he was chosen
and ordained one of its Deacons. In the early part of
1847, on the death of Deacon Jarman, he was chosen
Treasurer of the Church. From that time, in some de
gree, and still more after the death of Deacon Bostwick,
in 1850, he was accustomed, at the request of the other
Deacons, to be the almoner of the Church's bounty to
her poor and sick members. For this service he was
admirably qualified by tenderness and delicacy of feel
ing, and especially by his fraternal affection for all the
disciples of Christ. He saw his suffering Lord in every
one of his suffering followers; and on his frequent
walks, to see them and administer to their comfort,
these words were continually sounding in his ears, "/
was sicJc, and ye visited me. * * * Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these, my breth
ren, ye have done it unto ??ie." Moreover, he had him
self suffered much from sickness. A fall on the Church
steps, as he was coming one night from the Church
Conference, caused his confinement by a painful lame
ness, for nearly three years ; and he therefore knew the
better how to sympathize with those whom sickness
shuts up in their dwelling, or stretches upon the bed of
suffering. His visits to the poor and sick members of
the Church were valued for the material aid which he
brought ; but still more for his prayers, the sympathy
which he manifestly felt, and the spiritual comfort
which he administered. This was often expressed to
me by those who tenderly appreciated it; some of
whom have gone before him, and have now welcomed
him to a world where they will need no aid or sympa
thy in sickness or sorrow, because there sickness and
sorrow can never enter.

Deacon Maltby was deeply interested in all the enter
prises for extending and establishing the kingdom of
Christ in our land, and in all the earth ; and was a lib
eral donor to them ; feeling that he had freely received,
not only of God's grace, but of his earthly bounties.
Especially was he interested in the enterprise of For
eign Missions, as conducted by the American Board of
Commissioners for that purpose, to which he usually
gave freely, and at times quite largely.
But the chief object of his religious interest, and the
chief sphere of his religious labors was this Church, to
which he was strongly and tenderly attached. Not
that he was narrow or illiberal in spirit towards other
Churches. Far from it ; he regarded them all, and all
persons who love our Lord Jesus Christ, with fraternal
and catholic affection. But he thought that here was
his appointed place, and here were his appointed duties.
In whatever was necessary or important, not merely
in his own opinion, but in the opinion of the major
ity, for the welfare of this Church, or this ecclesiastical
Society, he was willing to bear a part ; sometimes yield
ing his very decided preferences to those of the greater
number. The spiritual prosperity of this Church — the
edification of its members, and addition to its number
by the gracious renovation of souls — was the object of
his earnest desires and of his continual prayers. For
this object, he was scrupulously and steadfastly atten
tive to the means usually deemed necessary to its pro
motion. He was not only regularly in his seat in the
Sanctuary, when his health would permit, but he aided,
by his constant presence and services, the other gather
ings of the Church, (whether for instruction from the
pastor, or for conference and praise and prayer,) which

are so necessary to preserve and promote its spiritual
vitality and usefulness.
The characteristics of Deacon Maltby have been im
plied in what has already been said. It may be well,
however, to mention some of them more particularly.
His most marked characteristic, perhaps, was his
strong love of the right, and his determined and prac
tical devotion to it. He earnestly and intelligently en
deavored to know the will of God ; and whatever that
wiU was indicated to him to be, that he would do ; that
he desired others to do. He had fuU confidence in the
safety and utility of doing right. He was assured that
God has so made and governs things, that, whatever
may be the decisions, or doubts, or fears, of human
shortsightedness, it is the wisest and safest course in all
circumstances to do right. He had confidence in the
government of God, as a God who loves truth and
righteousness. And, whatever God revealed as right,
by the law of conscience and moral sense within us, and
especially by his written word, that he was determined
to do himself; that he insisted others ought to do.
This trait lead him to be just and upright in aU his
transactions — faithful to the rules of honesty and honor,
and faithful especially to his pledges and engagements.
His bond was good ; and his word was just as good.
It was this trait, together with his strong and tender
feeling for the suffering, which led him to sympathize
deeply with all who were wronged, or were deprived
in any way of the exercise of their rights. His ear
was ever open to their complaint ; and his hand was
ever ready for their relief
Nor did he have compassion and kindness for those '
only who were wronged by others, but also for those who

had wronged themselves, and thus had brought on them
selves sorrow and peril. Some remarkable instances have
been related to me, where he relieved and liberated, at
serious risk and ultimate loss to himself, those who by
their sins, waywardness, and unfaithfulness, had been
entangled in great civil and legal difficulties, and conse
quent distress, and could find no other help.
Much more was he compassionate and kind to those
who were simply unfortunate, or were brought into dis
tress without any special fault of their own. He was
a friend to the poor widow. He was a father to the
poor orphan. Indeed, Deacon Maltby was a man of
uncommon liberality in giving. I have already said
that he gave freely to the enterprises of Christian be
nevolence. He also gave freely in private charity. He
gave on system ; and he gave also on the impulses of a
tender heart. Indeed, the extent of his liberality has
been very inadequately known, because much of it was
strictly private, — ^because in much of it the modesty of
his goodness did not let his left hand know what his
right hand did. Much of it, from my relation to the
poor of this flock of Christ, I have learned ; and I have
reason to think there was much more, known only to
God and to the recipients of his bounty. Many have
spoken to me of his kindness, both before and since his
death, and have "called him blessed."
There are many who can testify to his considerate
amiableness towards children, noticing them with kind
words and gifts, and thus opening their hearts to re
ceive his wise and Christian advice. Especially was this
trait exercised toward the children of misfortune. He
was an early and steadfast friend of our Orphan Asy
lum ; and his own relish of the divine bounties, on the
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day of our annual Thanksgiving, was enriched and
sweetened by the feast which he customarily sent on
that day to that precious home of the Orphans :* and
not them only, but to many dwellings of the poor.
It ought to be mentioned, (for I account this feature
of his example of great importance,) that Deacon
Maltby governed his intercourse with others on the de
lightful principles and precepts of Christian courtesy.
It has been sometimes almost amusing to me, when I
have been with him, to see how much troubled he was
by his shortness of vision; because it prevented him
often from recognizing his acquaintances, and from ren
dering to them those acts of civility which were in his
heart. He was a true Christian gentleman.
Deacon Maltby understood and regarded the right
proportions of attention and affection due to others.
He recognized the family ties as those which God has
made the closest and tenderest ; and sacredly and de
votedly did he regard them. As a husband, a son, and
a brother, most faithfully and joyfully did he obey the
divine precepts. All who have been acquainted with
his domestic life, have noticed the fidelity and tender
ness and beauty of his conjugal love, of his filial rev
erence, and of his fraternal affection.
But his crowning excellence, or rather, I should say,
the source of his excellencies, was his godliness. He
walked with God, the perfection of moral ' excellence.
He gave himself to the obedience of God's law, the rule
of excellence. He communed with God habitually,
through his word, meditation, praise, and prayer. He
caught from this divine fellowship the divine image.
* This was in additioa to his regular and liberal subscription for the support of
the Asylum.

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And from this divine friend, he received daily his light,
his guidance and his strength.
When Mr. Maltby was ordained Deacon,* he was
charged to fidelity in that office, and was encouraged
with the divine declaration, that " they who have used
the office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good
degree." I here testify that he has " used the office of
a Deacon well." And there can be no doubt that he is
enjoying the promised and gracious reward.
At that ordination, he was reminded that one signi
fication of the word in the original Scriptures, which is
translated Deacon, is assistant or helper; and he was
charged to be a helper in the Church to his minister.
I here sincerely and gratefully testify that he has help
ed his minister. This is not the place to express my
gratitude for his personal gifts ; but it is the place and
the time, for me to testify, that, in his office as Deacon
in this Church, he has " helped his minister," — by his
counsel, by his sympathy, by his spiritual co-operation,
by his steadfast support, and by his prayers. I had
learned and become accustomed to lean upon him.
Alas ! How is the strong staff broken !
But I must not protract this address. Our friend,
the friend of God, the friend of man, is gone. His
work here is done, and well done ; and he has gone to
his reward. For him "to live was Christ" — to love
Christ, to trust Christ, to serve Christ, to rejoice in
Christ. And therefore, for him " to die was gain" —
gain, oh, how infinite ! It was "to depart and be with
Christ," "which is far better" than to be here.
But great is the loss to us — great is the loss to us.
That loss will be felt, I may not say, how much, (on
that point I must not dwell,) in that desolate home.

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That loss will be felt in this Church. Oh, at how many
times, in how many places ! It will be felt in this
Sanctuary, where he was a reverent worshiper and at
tentive hearer. That loss will be felt by the pastor,
who was guided and strengthened by his counsel, and
sympathy. That loss will be felt in the monthly coun
cil of Deacons, where his word gave light. That loss
will be felt in that little circle, united by brotherly af
fection, which meets on Monday evening for prayer and
fellowship. That loss will be felt, each week, in yonder
place in which "prayer is wont to be made," where his
voice and heart often led our devotions and gave us
counsel. That loss will be felt at this Lord's table,
where he stood each month, with his tall and manly
form, and served us with the emblems of our Lord's
body and blood. That loss will be felt in the abodes of
the poor and sick of this flock of Christ, to whom his
presence was aid and consolation. That loss will be
felt in all our enterprises of goodness and mercy.
But it is a precious consolation to know that, though his
home here is desolate, he is at home in the heavens — a
home which bereavement and death cannot invade;
that his fellowship is restored with those sainted par
ents, whose counsels, revered and followed, have guid
ed him thither ; that, though absent from this Church,
he is present with "the general assembly and Church of
the first-born" in heaven; that, though he has no more
a ministry of mercy here, he is a ministering angel there,
and it may be to those who shall be heirs of salvation
here ; — to know that he serves at a holier table, and is
present with his Lord in a higher sense ; before whom,
with others of the glorified, he unites in better convo
cations of prayer and praise, saying, " Worthy art those

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to receive glory and honor and blessing and power ; for
thou wast slain and hast redeemed us unto God by his
blood." On that last evening, in which our friend in the
Church Conference gave direction to our prayers, medi
tations, and praises, he read for the closing hymn, —
"Earth has engrossed my love too long!
'Tis time I lift mine eyes
Upward, dear Father, to thy throne,
And to my native skies.
There the blessed man, my Saviour sits :
The God ! how bright he shines !
And scatters infinite delights
On all the happy minds.
Seraphs, with elevated strains.
Circle the throne around ;
And move and charm the starry plains.
With an immortal sound.
Jesus, the Lord, their harps employs ;
Jesus, thy love they sing !
Jesus, the life of all their joys.
Sounds sweet from every string.
Now let me mount and join their song,
And be an angel too ;
My heart, my hand, my ear, my tongue, —
Here's joyful work for you.
I would begin the music here,
And so my soul should rise :
O for some heavenly notes to bear
My passions to the skies !
There ye that love my Saviour sit.
There I would fain have place,
Among your thrones, or at your feet.
So I might see his face."

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Was it some prophetic impulse which led him to the
selection of that hymn"? How soon has he blissfully
realized the desire which he expressed in that sacred
song! bh, be it ours, — whether we be of his kindi-ed, or of
his brethren and sisters in Christ, or of his acquaintance
— be it ours to follow him thither, in the path which
Chiist marked out by his precepts and example, the
path of all ''them who, through faith and patience,
inherit the promises."
Brethren and friends in this Church, God has laid
his hand upon us heavily and often of late. He has re
moved fi'om us many pUlars — three deacons in four
years, four deacons in six years, and many others on
whom we leaned. Let us inquire what lesson God thus
teaches us, and reverently lay it to heart. Let those of
us who remain gird ourselves anew with spiritual
strength, and bear up and forward the ark of the Lord.
Let us seek the renewing presence of the Lord, that
the number of those who serve him may be multiplied.
And let us do what our hands find to do with our
might, and quickly; taught so impressively, that soon,
how soon none can tell, these places wUl know us no
more for ever.

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