The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-12-12
Death Of Geo. w. Bourne, Esq.


Death Of Geo. W. Bourne, Esq.
We are again called to the sad task Of re- |
,ording the death of another noble man and
ralued friend. Gro. W. BOURNE, Esq, OF
who had been suffering for some
weeks with Typhoid Fever, on Sunday
last, at the age Of ffty-fve, passed hence to
the silent land and thus another has been
added to the number Of the departed COM
pany, who have honored us with their friend.
ship, and sympathired with US in our efforts
to promote those moral causes, upon which
depend the prosperity and happiness of 90
ciety. Few men possessed rarer virtues, or
more cndearing qualities than Mr.. Bourne.
He wasa noble man "a devoted, unselfsh friend
of all good causes, uniting, in his charac-
ter, an active philanthropy and desire for
progress, controlled by sound and discrim-
mating judgment. Itwould hardly be proper
to say Of him, "After LIES fttul fever, he
sleeps well" for his life was singularly free
from the storms which often checker and
becloud LIES pathway. In tho calm sun.
shine Of guileless heart, and without Z" tho
rude storm that buFets," he walked lfe's
journey to the end, and his virtues, like
genial showers and the warm sunlight, have
shed happy and blessed influence over a
large and constantly expanding circle Of
friends, and a community made better by
the teachings Of his lips and example. "Hs
sleeps WE'LL" All who die a. the Christian
dieth, after having lived the Christians life,
do, and their memory is blessed forevermore.
+" He sleeps well," but, in his death, at q
period OF life when he was looking for.
ward to future labors in the benevolent en-
terprises, which claimed his regard, the CON-
munity has sustained an unprecedented
loss.
No one has ever died in this vicinity,
whose life seemed so essential to the moral
well.being of community, as that Of Mr.. b.
If tho prayers of philanthropists and chris
tians could have stayed the hand Of DEATH
his days of usefulness would not so soon have
terminated.
The all-controlling impulse Of his hear,
was to do good, and every truly christian,
humane, and benevolent enterprise found in
him, the ready and earnesdfricnd. He wa,
well known in the State as one Of tho most
devoted advocates Of the Temperance refor-
nation. His sympathies took strong hold
Of the cause as intimately connected with
the moral good Of man, and he was always
ready to prefer his services whenever he felt
that he could bring to il any efficient aid
He felt that there was much for him yet to
do, toward tho advancement Of that noble
work. and had, before his long sickness,
been making preparations to awaken the at
tention Of the friends Of humanity to its i'm
portance, during tho present winter.
He was not less interestedin the cause OF
human freedom. so nearly german to that OF
temperance. Though dwelling several years
in the midst of slavery in the state Of Vir-
ginia, the iniquity and unchristian charac-
ter Of that institution, was not, in his view
thereby in any degree mitigated, and tho re-
cent attempts to extend it over free territory,
were viewed by him, as every true Christian
must regard them, with deep solicitude, as
at war, not only with religion and humanity
but as fatal to the best interests Of our coun.
try. But the great absorbing object Of his
being was religion, in all its various branch
os. The spirit of the Saviour was manifest
ed by him in all the departments Of lifc.-
Always happy and joyous, his piety com
mended itself to the rational and considerat'
mind.
Impressed with the exceeding Importance
of early moral instruction, he was, for thirty
years an active and faithful assistant in tn,
Sunday School Of the First Parish. and fol
many years past its Superintendent. Hi
earnest and faithful labors there will Ions
DO remembered. The inquiry comes Il
many Christian heart, who can supply
his placo7
Mr.. Bourne was distinguished for his be
nevolence, and unlimited hospitality. Many
are the hearts which have been cheercd a
his table, and at his happy fre-side. Many
arc the friends who will mourn his death.