The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-31
For The Cecil Whii
ELDER EPHEN OFT.


the destiny of whole world; others
whose acts were in their own country
only; while othe again have exerted an
, influence that has pressed itself on almost
everything in theown COMMUNICATED a
hero in his sphere OF one of the last class
we have few wts to say.
Elder Stephen was born in Philadel-
phia county, Pa. little over fifty-seven
years ago. His .rly educational advan-
tages were few. is habits from early life
were misunderstanding never used, we
believe, either wsky or tobacco in any
form. Sometim,retty early in his life he
was converted, q became member of
the M. E. Churcl He was Of German ex-
traction; this, WI nervous vital temper
ament, large corientiousness and strong
convictions, madhim at once a being of
activity and per. About twenty-eight
years ago he dis,sed of his little property
in Pennsylvania, 'hich he had accumulated
by hard labor ancconomy, and purchased
small tract ofand, near the foot of
Chestnut Hill inhe edge of Delaware, in
a neighborhood VII anything but an envi-
able reputation irome respects. The land
was run down or waste; but there
was something a)ut the place that attract
ed his attention, nd he at once commenced
to improve it. Jerry shortly after his ar
rival in the neilborhood with his family,
where but few the people ever visited
church, or paid UGH attention to the Sab
bath, his zeal il the cause of the Master
and his love for is fellow men, led him to
open his housefor the purpose of prayer
meetings. The, efforts resulted in much
good, and his base became a regular meet
ing place for yers-where preaching was
had, prayer meetings. held, and class was
met.
The intiuence,f these meetings upon the
general morals,f the neighborhood was
marked. And the same time his indus
trious habits an their profitable returns
melted others b greater efforts; and now
that communitys one of good order, virtue
and prosperity. Of course these efforts on
his part met with some opposition, and a
good deal of ridcule.
His early edlcation and self-discipline
had not been s7ch as would destroy or pro-
perly train cerain peculiarities in his for
nation; which when permitted to grow
unattended tC became excrescences that
to the thoughless and ignorant were the
subjects of rldcule, and to the very refined
and superciials, objects of offence. But
his enemies were generally such people as
were the enemies Of all good men. In this
there is nothing strange; it is natural for
the carnal mind to oppose the advancement
of true religion. l know there is sort of
patronage on the part of "the world" in
these days, toward something ycleped
" religion" But whenever the truth of
God is brought into opposition to the car
nal mind there is certain to be conflict.
But in the face of all the opposition, rid
icule and prosecutions, Mr.. OFT persevered
in his efforts to do good. These efforts be-
ing in time when there was great dead
ness in the matter of evangelistic work,
they, together with his earnestness wher-
ever he went, begat for him a reputation
for miles around.
Quite early in his labors he was made an
exhorter in the church, and afterwards be-
came a local preacher. Up to 1878 he
continued member of the NJ. E. Church
At Elkton. But sometime in one of those
years, from a want of encouragement on
he part of his superiors, and with the hope
Of greater advantages to the people of his
leighborhood, he severed his connection
With this DO and Joined the NJ. 2. Church,
lele ne -; u successfully and with &C
1."oiifty W tno neonle wherever he went.
not at'e ersn he dslred trial the results
urned to the NJ. E. Church. Al II tha
ne he was Jealous, sclf-denying, and plan
,g how to do the most good. Nothing
,med to dampen his ardor. If any one t
S sick, he was among the first at their
d-side to administer comfort, and-if it
8 needed-temporal aid, such as was in
power. The Judgment alone will reveal +
" much OF this latter kind Of work he
for he was very reserved in speaking r
it to his most intimate friends. On
'eral occasions he went to see and help I
ch ones when others were afraid-in cases
diseases-lisking his life. In :
sse offices of mercy he treated all alike,
end or foe, white or black. :
In all his efforts, he had one object in
permanent good of the neighbor-
cd. Not only was he Jealous in the mat
of piety directly, but he was earnest in !
oviding educational advantages for the |
ing generation, and was largely SUCCESS |
therein. G
Truth in this matter compels me to say !
did not always receive the help and en-
fragment from his superiors in the !
urch which he should have had. And a
is will account largely for what has SEEM
to many an evidence of want of Sta c
ity. That he made mistakes no one was l
IRE ready to admit than himself; but :
~ were of the head and not of the heart.
About three years ago he became asso- =
ted with another branch of the church,
own as Christians. They seem to have
preciated the man, and SO encouraged
n in his labor of love. Since that time c
has been the chief instrument Of build |
, a very neat and convenient house of !
rship, on the road from the Chestnut t
II road to the pike. Here, under very
barrassing circumstances, he succeeded
gathering society.
For several years his general health has
an failing. His great anxiety about the
flare of his fellow men; the petty per-
buttons and malicious ISLANDERS; his labors
his family, and domestic affections of il
ture not necessary to name here, all had !
cir part in wearing out his constitution. t
If the amount of trouble he has gone '
'ough has driven many stronger man
the wine cup or made of him a misera-
misanthrope. Nothing but the grace n
God could have sustained him. In all t
labors and sufferings he had the SYM =
thy, encouragement and counsel of his n
Unable Christian wife, who has been II
lite as earnest and laborious as her devot- !
husband. About six months ago, the il
ease which finally proved fatal first gave !
premonitions; and from that time he :
ed as in the presence of the Judgment;
! he always appeared cheerful. il
On Wednesday, the 18th instant, he was E
icken with paralysis in the entire right |
e of his body-losing the power of speech. n
laid in this condition till Thursday of 5
, following week, when he passed away. d
the many friends who visited him dur
, his affection he gave the most unmis-
cable evidence of his readiness to depart
Mark the perfect man and behold the up
hit, for the end of that man is peace" d
His funeral took place on Sabbath after c
on last, and was attended by concourse d
five or six hundred persons. The SER
;es were held i'll the Chapel. The sermon I,
S by Rev. DR.. Crane, of Hartford county, i
10 delivered very excellent and appro- c
ate discourse from the words: "And a
} books were opened" A very impress t
e part of the service was the passing by
} grave in procession of the members of
anti-whisky and anti-tobacco society, 7