The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1877-07-19
Communicated.
Death of William Richards.

/ One of our oldest and best citizens has been ia
ken from us by death. Esq. VIM. Richards,
whom to know was to love, died on the 9th day of
July, 1877, At the age of 81 years, months and IS
days He was born December "a, 1895, in Mason
county, Kentucky, and at the time of his death re-
sided on South street. in IIillsboro Ohio.
His surviving children were present at his death,
and during his brief illness of two weeks, minis
tered to his every want. His children are Milvern
Richards. the well known farmer on the Belfast
road, Miss Maggie Richards, his amiable and ac-
complished daughter, so long and fayorably con-
nected with our Public Schools, DR.. Samuel Rich
ards, of Waverly, Ohio, and Dr. Newton Richards
of Atlantic, Iowa.
Esq. Richards was a man so universally esteem
ed, so well beloved, so harmless in his walk, and
so pure a Christian in all the duties Of life, that in
this city, where 'none named him bHt to praise, -
any eulogy seems almost superaHous, but it Is
right to preserve in an enduring form The estimate
in which so good man was held in the communi-
ty where he resided.
He lies buried by the side OF his wife in eur
beautiful Cemetery, and when the long cortege re-
turned to their homes, after consigning his BODY
to the grave, all felt that good and Just man had
gone from earth, to receive his reward in Heaven,
Alu uOkltu tllGLl Gllu llGlit uG llAG us
The eloquent sermon of Rev. Mr.. Clark was list
ened to by large audience with marked attention,
and endorsed by an as fitting and true tribute to
the departed, and as the golden sentences. drop
ped from his lips deep feeling pervaded ali hearts
Of the truth Of Christianity, and how blessed it is
''to die in the Lord"
The writer of this article knew Esq. Richards
well, and takes a sad pleasure in testifying that
since his death, on rejecting upon his character,
he cannot now remember a spot or flaw. What a
tribute this is Who of US, in searching our own
hearts, as they will be searched in the great day,
can say this?
He was honest, (not as the world goes, but in its
highest, noblest sense) even-tempered genial, so
oial, kind-hearted, Industrious, good father, a
good husband, good citizen, in a word, Christ
ian gentleman. When this is said, all is said. Our
language affords no higher terms.
He mas lef, a precious memory to his descend 1
ants, and example to be followed by all. In all
the obligations to his church, to society and to his
family, he proved faithful, and our mercifuI Faith
er blessed his dying hours by permitting al his
children to be present, and enabling him to bear
with patience his sufferings. He looked Death in
the face unterriied, and in the full possession of all
his faculties calmly passed over the dark river to
enter the everlasting gates of light.
His last testimony was one of perfect hope and |
trust and he expressed to his pastor and friends an
unbounded confidence that Gods promises would |
not fail, and that his future was assured.
So let his body sleep beneath the silent stars,
which shine on earth when night is blest Let
tranquil peace brood o'er the grassy knoll, while
our chastened hearts give sweet birth to holy
thoughts and when our thrObJing souls are turned
above, where the jewels CLEAN from the great
white Throne there may VIC see the departed
among the just and pnre, with star-lt eyes, she'd
ding blessing Oer our earthly vigis. So is it,
that the death Of such men bushes the spirits
vain surInise, with a flood of light from the FOun
tain Head, and keeps alive the Christian graces.
They do not live in vain, aud their end is peace.
Rev. Mr.. Clark took for his text, the 22d and 23d
verses of the 5h chapter of Galatians, aud in con-
cusiou made the following remarks, which, at our
request, and for memorial for the family, were
furnished us.