The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-18
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:. MEMORIAL EEXERCkNE;X

The Union Congregational Sabbath
School, ON Sunday last. held some zex.
ercises, consisting Of appropriate songs,
prayer. and addresses, in memory Of
Wilson Bedford. who was a member of
the school at the time he was drowned.
HThe Superintendent opened withsome
remarks, and then called upon Mrs. J..
G. Clarke, teacher of the class to which
the young man belonged. We have
space for only few of her remarks
81 heard of the coming to town of
some members of Mr.. Bedford's family.
/ knew with what care and diligence
their parents had trained them in wis
dom'S ways, and called ut their rooms
and invited them and the young people
living with them, to come to Sunday
School, and extended a special invita-
ton to Wilson to come into my class,
hoping that his attention. to and inter-
est in tile lessons would enkindle Il
fresh interest among the Others, and it
was so. felt it stimulus to qnuself.
and the whole class, without, PERHAPS.
being themselves aware of it, were
reused to new activity. He was with
us but little while. GCd called him
away SO suddenly, we still feel the
shock. But we will not soon forget Ills
thoughtful earnestness, his quiet but
firm and ready answers to questions.
And shall always remember how, as
ut the close of the study of the hour, l
addressed few plain, practical ques-
lions to I'LL and to each, Il tear glistened
in his eye. l don't remember that l
asked him, or that lie said in so many
words that he was u Christian, but 1
felt that he erGs, and that he was ready
to acknowledge his love to the Saviour.
''And l wish to say from my full
heart just Il word to these young lads
and lasses, who were school mates snd
conn anions of the dear boy taken from
life with so little warning. Was it not
blessed for him that in the few fearful
! moments of agony, he had not to do
his work of repentance and make prep
aration for the life beyond the dark
flood For him, was that sad hour in
which to think of mother and father, of
sisters and brothers, OF life that we all
love. None may know what he suffered,
nor can any tell lis in what sweet man
ner the dear Saviour, that he had so
! long loved and tried to follow and hon
or, may have come to him when every
earthly hope faded from his sight, s.,s-
i tanning and cheering him rs he passed
through the dark waters, and receiving
him safe, safe in the Heavenly home
from which he shall go out never more.
And will you let me ask you now. to-
day-yes, io-t10y-while you are we'll
AMI strong and your minds are clear
and you have no engrossing care-and
while Jesus is sweetly calling you to
GOMEZ come unto me- come follow
me- take my yoke upon you and learn
Of me- and find rest to your souls, and
have treasure in Heaven Do you
not know the way to give yourselves to
Him ? Go ask him once, sincerely.
earnestly. heartily, to lead you il the
way, and see what you will find. lie
did never turn any away who came to
Him. viii not some Of YOU boys To-
DAY take up the work Wilson Bedford
has laid down -
Prof. IInmiston also made some re-
marks, dwelling especially upon the
kindness Of God in so creating men
that sensation and consciousness are
soon suspended when we are called to
pass through such seeming calamities
us befell young Bedford.