The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-05-12
For the Ottumwa COURIER.
In Memoriam.

For the Ottumwa COURIER.
In Memoriam.
Another soldier has fallen. An.
other laborer has finished his work.
Capt. Newell P. Dana, the faithful
soldier, the earnest student, and the
devoted christian, has passed from
the battlefield, and vineyard of
earth, to the welcome home" of
heaven.
His mission was soon accomplished,
for one score and half had not yet
been numbered by his years. But
length of days is not always the
measure of usefulness, and his life
had not been negligent or idle. AT
sixteen years of age his soul answered
to the Saviour's call, and thus early
in life he enlisted to serve under the
Captain of Salvation.
Removing with his parents from
his Ohio home to Iowa in 1858; he
remained with them until his coun-
try called; and hearing, he answered
leaving the reaper for the sabre. He
served his first enlistment us a pri-
vate in company II, OF the Fourth
Iowa Cavalry. Not willing however
to leave his country's service with
dangers still threatening, he re-enlis-
ted for the close of the war. After
his re-enlistment, he was promoted
to a Captaincy, IN which capacity he
showed that he could lead as we'll as
follow. The war having ended, and
his work with the sabre being done,
he readily laid 1T aside again to
guide the pillow and work the reaper.
But the pillow and reaper must again
be left for another duty, which before
had pressed its claims upon his con-
sideration, returned with special
force in its demand. This was the
Savior's call to be an officer in the
great army of Salvation. Having
decided to enter the ministry, he
begun his preparation studies ut
Pella in the autumn of 1866; and
from there removed to Iowa City
the year following. Here he enter
ID the University, and as in his
soldier life, SO in his student life his
place was in the front rank. At the
time of his death he was q member
IF the Junior class, beloved by both
5he professors and his fellow students.
While pursuing his studies he
also taught, and had charge of the
University library. In the library
,e knew the place of every principal
work: and as when accommodating
,he enemies position, he marked
every point of special Importance; SO
n the library, he knew where to
ind the geologist and astronomer,
tho metaphysician and anatomist,
The historian and essayist.
With strength failing, but with
nope and energy still unconquered,
ne started for Denver, in company
With his friend and classmate, A.
Loughridge, hoping there to regain
lis health. A few days residence
proved the impossibility of healing,
md then the sun of that earnest
christian life, sank to the evening
shadows Of earth's horizon, to rise a
'tar lightened by the glory beyond.
The love Of kindred hearts, was
,ot content that the body should
'leep in the land of strangers. At
nome again, out at this time only
he silent form. Nevertheless it was
with sad satisfaction that the strick-
De companion, with her little one,
together with his bereaved parents,
brothers, sisters and friends. again
ook upon that face and form coffinod
Ior it's final rest.
On Sabbath, April "a, the funeral
at Kirkville, were largely
attended by sympathizing friends, to
mourn with those that mourned in
this their united expression of esteem
for him who had gone before.
A soldier once, but then and ever
after the christian, the farewell VOL
ley at the grave was substituted by
Tho christian anthem, which followed
by the words, "here is death and
sorrow, there in heaven) is life and
joy;;" and then a prayer that each
might be prepared to rise at the first
resurrection, and the form of the
soldier christian was left in its last
resting place.
But what is the lesson of tho life,
given in this brief outline? 1t is
that presented in the topic of the
funeral sermon: Gan
earnest christian life, the souls best
Offering to God" This was bis
,ffering, and the swell done" vel.
;ome of heaven, is re-echoed as the