The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-12-05
A Pnrfraifnrn-

walks to gaze upon a tree whose pa
rent seed happened to fall upon the
top Of a huge rock. 1t found there
a little soil, but as it grew i felt as
if it mus have more or perish. So
it sent its roots down over the cold
rock till they reached the earth,
which they pierced, and thence drew
up nutriment.
The leaves of the tree are beauti-
fully green, and its tall form lifts its
head high up above the surrounding
trees, and it seems as if its very diff
fculties gave it strength, symetry
and beauty. One would think that
even if decision and energy could
give it life, it must be dwarfsh in
its proportions, and that the feelers
alone would claim our admiration
But a more graceful tree stands not
in the forest.
JAMES II. GORDON possessed GER
tain natural endowments of which
he made the best possible use. He
had not the decision which says i
will be heard, will be great, and the
world shall feel lay power" but his
was the decision which said 81 will
do right, I will be honorable, will
be kind and sympathising with all"
No one was too poor, too low or too
much despised to receive from him
cordial shake of the hand, a word
of kindness, a glance of pity, or an
attentive ear to the sorrows of a des-
olate heart; and this he did, not be
cause he sought for popularity, but
because he could not help tit was
his nature. At the foundation of
character that can rise and sustain
itself so long and so highly, there
must undoubtedly be great decision;
bat the overhOwings of a kind heart.
in his case, were so abundant that
they concealed all the iron or deci-
siveess of his nature. It was not
the engine crying "Let me feed on
fire and I will make the earth trem-
ble under my tread,'' but the voice
of the gentle dew that says "In heat
or cold You will always find me in
my place, refreshing the lowliest
herb, as well as the rarest flower"
No one ever asked a favor Of him
without feeling that, if it was in his
power, lie would bestOw it. Con
scientious in the belief that intoxi-
eating liquors are the cause of i'm
mense mischief and misery, and that
every man should use his influence
against them, he never swerved from
the total abstinence principle,
whether at home or abroad.
The subject of this portralture
made a profession of religion and
joined the Cumberland church at
Mt. Moriah,in 1867, since VIII IN time
he has lived consistent member
until Christ claimed his own. List
ening seraphs poised upon the am
bient air, and as the last audible ut
terance died on his lips they caught
the music and gladly bore it hcav-
onward. Methinks l can hear their
p@n notes of joy as they bear his
spirit upward to the throne of our
Father; and as he takes his seat on
the right hand of God the angels all
join in the chant Blessed are the
dead who die in the Lord" Broth
ers, sisters, God has placed a star in
that bright upper world to allure you
on high, and he has promised that
His arm shall be around you're
new your efforts to gain home with
the loved ones gone before.
"When our friends in dust are sleeping,
Never more to wake below,
Let us checksOur bitter weeping
And apPease our shaFpest woe.
For rs Christ, the King immortal,
Dietlthat death might be his prize,
Rose to break the graves strong portal,
So the dead i'm Christ shall rise
sSEMPER IDEM.
Wales Station, Nov. s, 1872.