Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-05-01
T con MICA z D. J

hood, on The very tbresnoiu VI P'',
with his srmor just donned and ouFh'sheo
for The battle OF lie, he is cut down.
His boyhoot is unknown 10 U.s. ou' u
mus, have been devoted to the culture oil
mind and disposition, that he manifested
in after days among his College a-soc'"trs'
where our acquaintance fire. began lie
entered the Freshman Class in Pennsyl'
vanla College, al Gettysburg, in The Isil
of 1858, and stood prominent among Inc
competitors for the prize OF his class An
absence OF couple years now interviewed,
when be again returned TO College shd
advanced TO the Junior class. lie men
took his final leave, and turned his alien
ton 10 the study of medicine, although
his original design in entering college,
was to prepare for The ministry aver
regular course, he graduated al Jefferson
Medical College. Philadelphia. IN NE
Spring OF 1868, when he commenced 'he
practice OF his profession at his home IN
Shsrpsburg, Md. Ere long however, the
disease that terminated his career. marked
him as lis victim. and he ceased tiom his
labors in the m,ds, OF usefulness. His
decline was gradual, until fe" weeks
past, when the spark of life waned faster
and Jus, a, The dawn of that bright Spring
morning, il fled 10 shine again IN that
brighter land, where "lhere will be no
night"
The life and character Of DR.. kretzer
was no. only one for praise. bui for lmlta-
,ion. As student he was gifted and am.
bilious. as Christian exemplary and con-
sistent, as q Mason true and irusiy. and
as brother and son. dutiful and affection
ate. ln his death. his family has lost lis
rondes, pride and hope, his Lodge and
fraternity a Jealous master and brother
the Lutheran Church q worthy member,
and his profession an honorable represen
tauve. In every capacity OF his exls-
tence, he was loved and respected, and
his unlimely death, will not only be
mourned by those 10 whom he was near
and dear by the ties OF nature, and by his
many friends in the community IN which
he lived, but by his early College CON.
panions, round whom al such udIngs,
''sad memory will bring the light OF other
days." But deeply as we regret our be-
reavemenI, yet we bow in humble ,u1mIs-
sion. to "the will Of him that doelh all
things we'll" consollng ourselves with
the immortal hope, that "QQI loss, is his
gain"
On Sunday afternoon last, the burial
rites were performed. In the Church, 81
would not live always" was sung by the
choir, and some OF his most admired pas.
sages of the Bible were read by request,
and an appropriate sermon preached from
Matt. Ia. 10, by Rev. Geo. II. Beckley.
The plainnve and solemn strains OF
dirge by the Band. then led The slow
march Of tina. long procession OF friends
and brother Masons, from his own and
neighboring lodges, that accompanied his
remains 10 The grave, where they were
inferred as those of worthy craftsman.
with the honors and ceremonies OF the
Masonic Order. There in the village
graveyard, on The southern decliVi'y ct
that reno wned hill-"Antietam Cemete-
ry'-we placed him TO rest. On it's sum-
NIT and shady side, exposed 10 the north
ern blast-emblem of their rough and
stormy end-lie many victims OF cruel
war. He gently sleeps on lis "sunny
side, "-emblem of his calm and peaceful
death. No sadder funeral was ever wit
messed there no more deeply affected
,hrong ever crowded round narrow
grave. Eyes then wept that rarely weep,
and The sigh and groan that dear family
ties then being severed brought forth, was
only intensified, By the lerven,, prayerfuI
attitude of tina, lovely, late betrothed, now
bereaved maiden. kneelng al Ihe head Of
his grave-a picture deserving a most
brllian, inspiration -
Far famed Antietam's sunny cline,
A Holy day, halowed place,
Beheld burial scene, that time
From mem'rys page can ne'er erase.
A maiden young, with grief low bowed,
In deepest mourning comes arrayed,
Her lovers form in deaths pale shroud,
To see at last SO gently laid.
Behold how humbly there she kneelS,
So sad, yet beautiful and fair,
The unknown pangs that poor heartfeels,
Are only told IN silent prayer.
The coffin sinks in the lonely cell,
To serried hearts bitter scene,
One charm alone can bind the spell,
A living cross Of evergreen.
She holds it up, and meekly prays,
"Now fix The cross upon his breast"
Adjusted now, il meets her gaze
She folds her hands as if at rest.
That's right-the cross :" shs family cries,
Then sweetly smiles that peace is given,
Aloft she turns those fearful eyes,
And watts another prayer TO heaven.
The clods roll in-their hollow sound
Brings sad relief all turn away,
Save one, who by that new made mound,
Still fingers there to weep and pray.
Weep not, fair one, he only sleeps,
Cease thou his tomb with tears to wet,
Fen though the grave the ca,ket keeps,
THE gem that filled it glitters yet
The silver cord is loosed, and the
golden bowl is broken al The fountain.
The dus, hath returned 10 the esrlh as it
was, and The spirit 10 God who gave it,"
Shepherl.town, April &c, 1869.