Obituary: Deacon Silas Hervey Mead (1879)

 

 

Source: Greenwich Observer. January 2, 1879. Page 3.

Deacon Silas Hervey Mead died at North Greenwich, Conn., on the evening of Dec. 14th, 1878, aged 82 years and two days. He was buried on the following Wednesday from the church, and his funeral was attended by a large concourse of friends and acquaintances of early days. Few men have lived who did more faithfully the work given for them to do than did he. He united with the Congregational church at Horseneack (as Second church in Greenwich was the called) when about 26 years of age, and from that time till his death he was always busy doing good. 

In 1827, the Congregational church at North Greenwich was organized with 18 members, of which Silas H. Mead was one, and the same day, Dec. 25th, he was chosen deacon, which office he held at the time of his death, the time being 11 days less than 51 years. During all these years he was absent from only one Communion. From the time of accepting the diaconate of the church, the welfare of the church was the object of his chief thought and care, and no effort on his part was neglected that its numbers might be increased and the orderly walk of its members secured. 

In the prime of his life he went far and near to hold meetings, that sinners might be saved, and in his latter days, was uniformly at the church before the Sunday and mid-week meetings that he might have personal conversation with such as might come early, or with those with whom he had made arrangements to be present. He kept a record of all the members of the church, and knew their place of residence when they moved away; and once, to the knowledge of the writer, went to New York city to look up an absent brother, and once, when journeying West, left the train and walked six miles to see another, who had left without a letter and persuaded him to change his relation. He kept also a record of the attendance of the Communion seasons of the church, and at its annual meetings reported the names of those who had been present or absent during the year. 

From 1850, when he became convinced that unfermented wine only should be used at the Lord's Supper, he made the wine himself, that he might be sure of what he had, and used his influence among the churches to have them follow in his paths. His temperance principles he carried to such lengths that he would not use alcoholic stimulants as a medicine.

In "anti-slavery times" he was a radical on the question of human rights as on that of alcoholic drinks, and all in these parts who knew an Abolitionist, knew Deacon Silas H. Mead, of Quaker Ridge. But special among all the reforms which he sought to advance was that of practical honesty, which came in as an item in almost all his public addresses, and which in his life was a prominent as in his speech. Having such a man and example before them, and such doctrine to feed upon, it is no wonder that the church should be singular. Before the church was organized, they who were to be organized, and some others who sympathized, had built at their own expense a commodious church building and parsonage, and on the organization of the church, assumed the support of the pastor, and for 51 years have sought no help of others, while they have given from year to year something to spread the Gospel into the regions beyond. 

The church, now numbers about 170 members, and its contributions to benevolent objects the past year is one of the best monuments of his wisdom and zeal of any that can be addressed. Though not all of him, he was in it all. His activity continued nearly to the last. He was confined to bed but three days, and most of that time partly unconscious, so that his desire not to be a trouble to anybody was granted. A life of service for Christ is the best evidence we have that he died the Christian's death.