Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-06-19
obituary..

The recent death of William Earnest
Rice, only son of Hon. Martin &. Rice, of
Benson, which occurred on the 4th of
May, while in the goth year of his age, de-
serves more than a Passing notice. He
was certainly no ordinary young man.
When man who has fulfilled the promise
of his youth dies, the stroke is felt as a
national calamity, If his career has been
public and manly. Flags are lowered at
half-mast, and whole departments are
draped in mourning. We ought no less TO
recognize the manly virtues OF tOur young
men, although then lives are not spared
to fulfillin actual fact all that their youth
promised
= And vet some young men. live more. and
accomplish more. and leave behind them
the memory of more manly virtues,
than others who nave numbered their
three score years and ten. s....
There is a roundneSS and symmetry OF
character which IS a sure prophesy ofsuc-
cess in any vocation of life. Young Rice
had not completed his education so far a.
to determine what would be his future
cal ing, but he had developed character
which might be profitable for any young
man to contemplate.
His habits We're dec dedly scholarly. and
he had learned hon to use and prize Il
book and vet he cou'd turn his hand in q
manly way to the duties of the farm. He
had learned one lesson which some never
learn in a lifetime. Whatever was " orth
doing at AL, was NO tn well doing. He
was thorough and faithful in all that he
undertook. He sought to excel in what
ever tlubN was tIiStSl Ing Ill5 AZ tllLlttl+
He carried his conscience always with
him. and applied it to all his work. 1t
matt"red not whether he wastollowing up
the changes in Greek verb. or supervising
case, lIs part was always faithfully done.
There were some traits in his char 9cter
which deserve special mention. lie was
always very dutiful son. Like Isaac, la
the DAYS of a abraham, he was Obedlent ufi-
der parental authority, mover requiring to
be ehasti ed, proving the unsouadness OF
n IN a R4N al
He was also distinguished above most
youth for his integrity. what he Thought
he ought to do, he was always ready to do
He came to be priced and hOuolca where
ever he was known.
His character had impressed itseff not
alone on his youthful mates, but men had
come to appreciate his worth. Said one
I of his neighbors to me, after all hope OF
recovery had ceased TO be entertained,
His death will be the greatest loss the
neighDorhood has sustained for years.
said another, a son OF Erin, y on would
not find his equal
1t hardly need be said that Earnest was
Christian young man. do not suppose
that one dark stain was ever attached to
his character. He seemed to have the
honesty and integrity of Seneca born in
him, so that 1t was next to impossible fos
one of these rare Christians that did not
need to he urge 1 forward 10 the acknOwl-
edgment of Christ. When he felt that be
had found the Savior, he presented himself
I
to enter into church relations. He died
ora communion day, three years and two
months after his first advent to the Lords
table.
In conversation with his pastor, Rev. NJ
| L. Severance, of Orwell, he remarked 8
| few. days before he died that he was very
| glad that he united with the church when
| he did. It was a comfort to him in his lin
| gering sickness to feel that he was the
| Lords and he expressed himself as very
/ thankful that he had not neglected his re-
| ligious duties until his last days and hours
! Earnest was fitted for college over a yeal
! ago and was waiting and working out In
/ the open air, hoping that his health might
| become firm so that he could soon enter
| But he was unable to resist his consump
! tive tendency, and in spite of medical aiG
and affectionate friends he was called tC
Weld his spirit into the hands of his Lord
| 1t is difficult to tell in just what particu
lar his character was most impressive. Nc
| one could look into his honest, manly face
! into his large, intelligent eye withou
feeling the presence of true nobility. Ont
| could read in his very face something solid
| something thoughtful, something thor
i oughly good. Accurate in scholarship
| earnest in morals, and noble in heart
! have no doubt that the memory of William
| Earnest Rice VIII be inspiration to man!
| who survive him-his schoolmates anC
friends in their after kfe. COM.