The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-05-10

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will still speak to you. The good never
dies. You will cherish the spot where rests
his mortal form-you will make 1t beauti-
ful. You will often 20 to it, plant flowers
above it and bedew them with your falling
tears.
The record Of his life of faith, hope, trust
and fraternal love will still live on in the
hearts of all this community and will be an
inspiration, and even an active force to lit
you up toward God.
He was something more than his profess
sion-something more than preacher. He
was man In the nOblest sense. In his
private life, In his home, in his family, he
was cherished and loved. We can not pic
ture him in all these scenes through which
he passed, the curtain must hide them from
our view. But what a history Of sweet
ness and gladnets, tenderness and rathos.
Could we follow him as he lay child in his
mothers arms, through youth maturity to
his ripe old age which has passed so serenely
into the spirit land. What volume of va
ried experience lies hidden between the
Genesis and the Exodus of his life, be-
tween the cradle aud his grave. We can
not follow him in all his trials and strug-
giles, his noble ambitions and successes. In
early life he forms an attachment which
ripened into far reaching results, making
hearts that we're twain one. In his home
he saw the mystery of life and death. The
pleasant faces of children were turned to
him and called him father. New fountains
of affection were unsealed within him,
when the voices of childhood tell upon his
ear and their little arms twined around his
neck. Those were days of care, days OF
anxiety, days of toll. They were days when
the strong man protected and watched over
the little ones that Gcd had given him. He
saw not the long future. He knew not
that the same care which he gave those
little children would be returned to him as
the Journey of his life was drawing to
close. He little dreamed that his daughter
would ill his home with sunshine when
his wife was gone and the shadows Of even
ing were gathering around him. Such de-
votion and love were then yelled from his
eyes. We cannot see the results of our la
bors, we can not see the harvest that will
spring up from any duty well done. God
alone knows the springing thereof. 1t is
for us to patiently labor and trust to Him
who bringeth light out Of darkness and
good out of evil. 1t is well we cannot
draw aside the curtain that hides the path
way of our future.
To-day masonry has lost one Of its truest
friends and one of its most devoted pat.
rons. He has been mason for more than
fifty years. He has been the chaplain of
your lodge ever since he has been a resi-
dent here. He has also served in that ca
pacity in the Grand lodge Of our state. A
column of strength is broker. His death
was not untimely, but his brethren mourn.
His work is done and well done. His life
is on perpetual record. He has been gath
cred like a shock OF corn fully ripe for the
harvest. But there is sorrow in this hour
for the shadow of the grave is over us.
It's sad to us to think that we shall meet
him no more In our stated gatherings, in
that sacred retreat where all distinctions are
done away. He has been pillar of strength
in our masonic temple, faithful and true to
the sublime principles of our order. He
was never weary in well doing. He man
fully, heroieally, bore the heat and burden
of the day Satisfied with the wages of duty
DONE His influence was always on the
right side. He ever sought peace and har-
mony. Seldom do we fnd man who has
walked near the plumb line of uprightness,
or one who has 90 truly exemplified the
tenets of our profession, the principle of
our order. He was man of good deeds,
and eloquent words. He seemed to have
become part OF the lodge TO which he has
belonged 30 many years. How often he
has been with you In the solemn procession
ID stood with sorrowful bit art around Il Q
open grave that closed over the members
of our fraternity. No brother has
been more faithful in his attendance at the
burial services of our fraternity than he for
whom we mourn to-day. He wss true
master mason, proved himself one in the
time of darkness and trial. His trust
was in his God and he turned to him for
strength and support in every time of need
AS we gather around his grave, let us not
forget his fidelity. bis f1rmness, his devo.
ton to our beloved institution. Our older
members are falling around US, the strong
men, the councillors, the pillars in our
temple. Let us emulate their example, let
US show that we are masons, not merely by
our badges, our tokens and signs but by our
daily life our deeds of kindness, the sweet
ness and light of our character. Let us
ascend even by weary steps and slow de-
grees, the celestial ladder whose rounds are
faith, hope and charity. Faith in God as
our common Father, Hope is a blssful
Immortality, and that charity which ex-
tends beyond the grave through the bound
less realms OF eternity. Let the evergreen
| remind us that we have an immortal part
shall never, never die. Our symbols spe *
of life beyond the grave and point to the
perfect lodge above. My brethren l am
glad to see you here to- day in such numbers
to assist In performing the last rites Of af-
lection which the living can pay to the dead.
Let this scene have its proper influence on
our hearts and lead US to self inspection.
There is nothing more certain than
death.
Leaves hBve their time to fade,
And flowers to wlther at the north wind breath
| And stars TO set but all,
As it was said of one of our
most eminent men, so may say of
him: When the pale messenger lays
his hand upon an accomplished life, life
that has rounded out the years which ex-
| perience and inspiration assign us the de-
sirable limit of human duration. When
these have been occupied with usefulness,
rewarded by success, and crowned viii
honor, when coed man, having discharged
the duties and fulfilled the trusts OF life,
lies down calmly and peacefully to his final
repose, we many grieve but we are not per.
mitted to complain. The tears of affection
may not indeed be kept back.
But the voice of reason Is eilenced. To
complain at the close of such life Is tc
complain that the ripened fruit drops from
the overloaded bough, that the golden har
vest bends to the sickle.
1t is to complain of the law of our exist
ence and to accuse the Creator that He die
not make man immortal on the earth. Fol
such life, eloquence shall lift her voic'
and poetry shall string her Tyre. For sucf
man, praise, honor, imitation, but no
tears of regret and bitter repining. Even
In the Iipeness of his years, In the rounded
fullness of his life, when his work is al
done and we'll done, he has been called VI