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soon as prepared, became a student at
Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Connecti-
cut, whence he went to Trinity College,
Hartford, from which he was graduated
in 1873. Three years later he was graduated
from Berkeley Divinity School. Middletown,
and ordained deacon by Bishop
Williams. In 1877 ^^ was ordained to
the priesthood and became rector of St.
Peter's Church, Cheshire, where he con-
tinued ten years, practicing the same lov-
able works which made him so beloved in
Portland. To Trinity Parish, in the latter
town, he came in 1886, and continued his
labors in its behalf until a few days be-
fore his death, May 17, 1919. In 1908
Trinity College conferred upon him the
well earned degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Dr. Raftery was a familiar figure on the
streets of the town and his visits were not
confined to the members of his parish, his
kind words were for everybody and everybody
was his friend. Dr. Raftery partic-
ipated in many ways in the work of the
diocese, and in the promotion of local in-
terests outside the church. He was a
member of the Portland school board and
director of the Buck Library, the public
library of the town. For twenty years,
from 1898 to 1918 he was archdeacon of
Middlesex County. From 1895 to 1907
he was deputy to the General Convention
and, at the time of his death, he was one
of the examining chaplains of the diocese.
He retained membership in the Psi Upsilon
college fraternity and was a member
of Warren Lodge, No. 51, Masonic fra-
ternity, of Portland. He maintained a
non-partisan interest in public affairs,
aiming and hoping to secure the best government.
At a service when a tablet in memory
of Dr. Raftery was unveiled, held in Trin-
ity Church, Portland, May 8, 1921, the
sermon was delivered by his classmate,
predecessor a? rector, and lifelong friend.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
142
Rev. Frederick W. Harriman, D. D., rector
emeritus of Grace Church, Windsor.
These loving words of a confrere were
based upon the words of St. Paul in II
Timothy, 2:15: A workman that needeth
not to be ashamed.
.... God has use for many kinds and types of
ministers ; and if a man can find the right field of
work for which he is adapted, his success will be
assured and his happiness will be great.
Among the various descripti.ons of ministers in
the New Testament I desire to select one that does
justice to the long and honorable service of him
whom we commemorate to-day; one that fits accurately
his personal character, attainments and
activities. More than one might well be applied to
him. By his long and liberal education he was
"thoroughly furnished unto all good works" ; and
the results of his training and devotion justified
St. Paul's ideal for Timothy, and rendered him "a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed." I feel
that it is but moderate praise, amply deserved, to
characterize Dr. Raftery as "a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed." There are men at work
in all departments of life who cannot be thus
described with any regard for truth .... and I
fear that, in every profession and occupation, at
all times, there are "slackers" who need to be
ashamed, and to whom in the day of judgment the
Son of God will certainly not say, "Well done,
good and faithful servant."
Dr. Raftery was always a good worker—a very
diligent and thorough worker. My acquaintance
with him began in 1869, when he entered Trinity
College, in the class just after mine. He studied
hard and lived very quietly. We of his fraternity
knew him best and esteemed him highly. In 1873
he graduated second in his class, delivering a
Latin salutatory oration which was unusually
bright and original, even witty. I remember that
about that time he seemed to develop new powers,
became less silent and more genial.
In 1886 I laid down my rectorship here in Portland,
and was much gratified when Mr. Raftery
was called to succeed me On the twentieth
day of March, 1886, he began his second and last
rectorship, which was to be so fruitful and full of
honor. The parish has .... been united and
peaceful May we not say of Dr. Raftery,
as the psalmist said of Moses : "Lo, he fed them
with a faithful and true heart, and ruled them prudently
with all his power?"
It is not always that good workmanship receives
recognition and human applause. Some faithful,