THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 37 



his ardent synipiithy with all worthy endeavor. Twice he 

 yielded to the promptings of patriotism. He served as 

 Chaplain of the 24th Regiment of Massachusetts Volun- 

 teers in its Florida and Virginia campaigns from October 

 1863 to July 1864. He sat in the General Court as a 

 Representative from Salem in 1883 and 1884 and there 

 became the champion of the broadest educational policies 

 known to the Commonwealth, — objects as these had been 

 of his life-long devotion, — serving the State as chairman, 

 in his branch, of the Committee on Education. From the 

 days of Horace Mann he has labored on the school boards 

 of Grafton and of West Rox1)ury and for eight years on 

 that of Salem, and no man knew and loved the schools of 

 Massachusetts more thoroughly than he. Few of the 

 charitable and correctional establishments of Salem have 

 failed of encouraijement in some form from him. A num- 

 ber — too many to enumerate — have recognized his apt- 

 itude and their indebtedness, by choosing him to office. 

 Everywhere he was the welcome (!oadjutor in all good 

 works. Creeds had no terrors, sectarian and party lines 

 no restrictive potency for him. The friend of all men, 

 he could cooperate with all. Fearless and without guile, 

 he was a man to Avhom all hearts were drawn, for his 

 words even in the most sacred experiences of life were 

 wise and tit — a spirit tine enough for any sphere — a man 

 whose simple presence was a benedicti<m, whose voice and 

 look bespoke the soul within. To the great company of 

 pastors, revered and honored, who have illustrated our 

 annals, from the Higginsons and Williams and Peters and 

 Prince and Barnard and Bentley to the later times, it is 

 permitted us to add another name as lastingly enshrined 

 in the affections of his townsmen as those who went before. 

 Mr. Willsoirs active connection with the Essex Institute 

 began with his ministry in Salem. We find him at an 

 early day attending tield-meetings, — occasions which 



