38 GARDINER GREENE HUBBARD 



money, in quiet, unmentioned ministries ; and he served them 

 also with what is by no means easiest to give — steadfast friend- 

 ship. The number is very large of young men, and men not so 

 young, whom Mr Hubbard drew to him and who regarded him 

 as more than friend — as almost father. This single fact is one of 

 the finest tributes possible to the beaut} 7 and strength of his charac- 

 ter. His family life may hardly be mentioned here; but it is no 

 intrusion to name what all who entered his beautiful home wit- 

 nessed — a chivalrous, conjugal devotion and a tender love for 

 children and grandchildren, most delightful to see, and that 

 have now become sacred and blessed memories. 



Mr Hubbard's love for this church was intense and unfailing. 

 During the second year of its existence he succeeded Mr Justice 

 Strong as president of its board of trustees and still held the 

 office at his death. He served upon its building committee 

 and builded his best thought and devotion into its walls. He 

 planned and labored to have it minister to all that is high and 

 pure and elevating for the community ; and one of his latest 

 wishes was that this fine organ should be used freely to give 

 pleasure to the music-lovers of the city. Of his inmost religious 

 experiences we may not speak too freely, for he himself was 

 reticent about them. He confessed Christ in his earl} 7 man- 

 hood in Boston under the ministry of the celebrated and godly 

 Dr Edward N. Kirk, and later removed his church membership 

 to Cambridge, whence he never brought it to this city. He was 

 not clear about some points of metaphysical theology, and was 

 too conscientious to do what would seem to commit him to any- 

 thing that he did not fully believe. He was reverent, devout, 

 sincere, aiming each day to shape his life on the plan of fidelity 

 to his noblest ideals, to man and to God. 



It is a unique life that has thus been led among us and that 

 has now, amid universal grief, though as one has said with 

 " exultation " in what it has been and has accomplished, sunk 

 peacefully and gently to its close. One of the most competent 

 judges writes : ' ; When I say that I regarded him as the most 

 useful citizen of Washington, I cannot say more of any man." 

 What high and noble phase of the life of our city is not the 

 poorer for his going, but also the richer for his having lived 

 among us ? What that is purest, truest, sweetest, most broad- 

 minded, most generous-hearted, did he not illustrate and adorn ? 

 Man of faith and of action, scholar, lover of art, patriot, cosmo- 

 politan, true friend, tender husband and father, who didst always 

 live with thy face to the sun-rising ! " Good night ; and flights 

 of angels sing thee to thy rest." 



