Tribute To Dr. A. B. Palmer

At a meeting oL the vestry cf St Andrew'fi church, Dec. 27, 1387, it wasmdered that the following testimonial to the eharacter and services of their deceased brother and colaborer, Dr. A. B. Palmer, be entered on the records of the vestry and furn8hed to the press for publication, and that a copy be sent to the family. Alonzo Benjamin Palmer, M. U., LL. D , Professor of Patholofry and the Practice of Medicine In the ünlversity of Michigan, lor many years a communicantof St. Andrew's church and a ber of its vestry, died at his residence in Ann Arbor.on Friday, December the twenty-third, 18S7. During a periodof more than thirty-three yeare, while performinK with eminent ability the duties of nis office in the University, he has also held a a prominent place among the parishioners of St. Andrew's church, and bas been active in promoting all its interests and enterprises. We esteem it bothour privilege and duty.as his associate in the work of this parish, to expresa our hiith estímate of his worth and service as a disclple of Christ, amemberof the church, and a Christian philanthropist. Dr. Palmer was bom at Richfield, N. Y., October the sixth, 1815; was gr&duated in medicine at Geneva college, N. Y., in 1839 ; and, alter pursuing nis medical studies still farther m New York and Philadelphia, entered upon the practiee of his profession at Tecumseh in this state in 1849, and a short time afterwards removed to Chicago ; from whence in 18Í4 he was called to the Unlversily of Michigan While residing at Tecumseh, he had become deeply interested in the pioneer work of Ihat eminent missionary. the Rey. W. N. Lyster, and during the whole life of that devoted evangelist, Dr. Palmer, though called to different and uistant iields of labor, never lost sight of hls eany iiieim ana reiigious Kuiae, wnue ne carnea into his own Hfe and conduct the influence of that pure and noble example. Asa member of 8t Andrew's church and vestry, he was among the foremost Jn sustaining, by word and deeds, whatever ineas-urcB were adopted in the interests of the church ; and no one of our numbei was more alivc to the lmportance of that ttreat enterpriso of the bishop of thls diocese which has ret ulted in the erection of Hobart hall. He saw that thia was a work full of slgnificance to the l nlversity ae well as to the church, and from the beginning he gave to it in every way his eainest and efficiënt cooperation. In hia personal character as a Christian, Dr. Palmer has left tonta rare example of purity and conaistency. He was a faithful supporter, and a prudent and candid counselor, of the rectors succefsively in charge of the parish during the long period of hls memberehip. In all matters of parish det&iiti, he was ever the kindly and chariiable peacemaker ; always placing the general welfare of the church and parish above all personal considerations. Religión with him was doing not Iess than believing; and his strong Bense of duty as a Christian carried him into lields of bentvolence ouwide of what is olten and falswly icgarded as the only sphere of religious work. Among the social evils which the philanthropy of our day is striving to ameliorate or remove, none setmad to him so formidable, and to cali so imperatively iipon all good men to unite in its overthrow, as that of intemperance. Nor must it be forgotten that hia efforts in this direction have borne fruit in the salvación of hundreds, and perhaps even thousands, from the grave of the inebrióte. In all the relations of social and domestic life, our departed friend anri brother was faithful and true. Incapable of ilisguise always governed by hisconvictionsoftruth and right. he was yet always kind, considérate, and charitable. In the death of Dr. Palmer this parish and this community have met with an irreparable loss. He was a true and a strong man, a genuine Christian, ever active in doing good, and of nirn it can indeed be said : " Bkssed are the dead who die íd the Lord ; yea. saith the Spirit, lor Ui y rest from their labore, thtir works do follow them." To her who has been the loved compamon ana falthful helper of so many years of labor, succes, and happiness, we respectfutly extend the assurance of our heartfelt sympathy in her great sorrow; With our earnest hope and prayer that she may find strong consolation and support in Him who doth not willingly afliet or grieve the children of men. ___- _- - - -