indeed. With many a one in our own city has she shared life's burdens. Many of God's ministering servants have been ministered unto by her, and have gone from her home refreshed and strengthened for life's labors; they are scattered here and there, far and wide through all the world; their remembrance of her gracious kindness is like a benediction from heaven itself."

She was president of our Soldiers' Aid Society during the Civil War.

She was greatly interested in our new church building, and often said, "Build the spire so it will reach the sky."

She zealously engaged in all the activities of the Church, and was a constant attendant on the Sabbath services and evening meetings, until a serious illness prevented. In March, 1889, at the age of eighty-six years, she passed to her brighter home above.

Well can it be said of her, as Solomon said of a good woman:

She riseth while yet it is night, and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Jesse Eddy

JESSE EDDY was a charter member of the Central Church, and was especially active on the early committees made necessary by the new organization. He was a man of sound judgment, kind in disposition, just in his dealings with his fellow men, and conscientious and helpful in all religious associations and duties. His piety was not ostentatious, but it was none the less real. His seat was seldom vacant in the public and social gatherings of the Church. His share of service in the conference and prayer-meetings was marked by a devout christian spirit, breathing a benediction on his fellow

worshipers. He was an upright citizen, a good neighbor, an hospitable host.

Jesse Eddy was born in Northbridge, Mass., in 1801, and with his brother John commenced the manufacturing of cotton warp in Fall River in 1834. As buyer and seller of the goods he constantly traveled throughout New England, and in some parts of the West. He was called to Boston once a week, and there being no public conveyance, it was his custom to make the journey in his private carriage. The distance of fifty miles was covered in one day, and when dispatch made it necessary, the return was also made within the same twentyfour hours, relays of horses being furnished along the road. He was a true gentleman of the old school, gracious and urbane, in manner genial and courteous. His home was most hospitable, and one where all were made welcome.

His sturdy character as a citizen and thorough integrity in all public relations were recognized, and he was called upon to fill many positions of responsibility. He and his brother, in the early days of manufacturing in Fall River, held many gatherings with their employees during the long winter evenings, at which topics of the day were fully discussed. To this encouragement and kind companionship is doubtless due the fact that many of the men rose in subsequent years to honorable and responsible positions in life.

Mr. Eddy was a man singularly unpretentious in his personal relations, of generous, sympathetic, kindly bearing, a consistent and practical christian, one of the too rare exemplifications of the truth that "he prayeth best, who loveth best all things, both great and small."

MRS. SARAH PAINE EDDY, wife of Jesse Eddy, was one of the charter members of our Church. She was assistant superintendent of its Sabbath school for many years, active and interested in all the church work, the benevolent society, the prayer-meetings, and the social gatherings in the homes of the

parish. Strong in her own individuality, she exerted a powerful influence in the fashioning of character and the life of the young people with whom she came in contact.

Her home was one of cheerful piety; her hand ever ready for every deed; her heart full of sympathy for others, in their sorrows and their joys. She was a mother in Israel, before whom not only her own children, but many others, rose up and called her blessed.

Henry H. Fish

HENRY H. FISH was the son of Isaac and Sarah Barker Fish, and was born in Providence, R. I., June 5, 1807. His early education was in the schools of Providence, Wrentham, Mass., and Plainfield, Conn. He was a clerk in various mercantile establishments in his youth, but finally came to Fall River in 1827, where he formed a partnership with W. H. Hawkins, and conducted a prosperous dry-goods business in the growing town. He was elected treasurer of the Fall River Savings Bank within a few years, and while holding this office was, in 1836, elected cashier of the Fall River National Bank. He was associated with the business interests of the city for nearly forty years.

He was much interested in music, and was largely instrumental in forming the first military band, and in introducing the first organ; also in forming a society for the study and practice of church music.

Mr. Fish possessed one of those rare and beautiful natures, in which the elements were so blended as to make up a singularly harmonious and symmetrical whole, so harmonious and so symmetrical that he never gave the impression of possessing peculiar or unusual traits. Yet one who knew him long and intimately has said, after thoughtful retrospection, "I don't remember that I ever saw a fault in Mr. Fish."

His services to the Central Church cannot be overestimated.