The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-12
IN AIEMoRrAM.

When good man dies the people deplore
the loss. Goodness and true greatness 90
hand in hand for to be great implies good
ness, then every good man is truly great one
Nobility OF character, Wilderness of soul and
charity for humanity makes up the life of a
good man, and such an oneexerts aninhuence
that never dies. The pomp and pageantry
of life may be used to magnify man S assumed
greatness, and on the golden throne of state
ne may WELD his sceptre of power; thrones
and nations may tremble and crumble at his
touch, and the heavens may be rent by the
cry OF oppression Then weary of his victor
les he dies; and what is left of him but infa-
my and oblivion. No tender associations
and holy recollections to cluster around his
memory. But compare this to the good
mans life, as he moves at peace with all man
kind, with malice towards none and charity
for all. See him scattering in his pathway
blessings with unsparing hand when he giuss
with his hands, his heart goes with it. Then
his death--whata glorious death Triumph
ing over the grave itself, proving that only at
LIES close can the crown be received. Sueh
death carries our thoughts to another and
holier existence In this feeble tribute is
mirrored the life and character of one who is
dead. One to whom the arms of friendship
and love were stretched to save, but could
not. The ange! of death closed the volume
and called him home to his rest aud reward.
Elhanan Stonffer was born and raised in New
Windsor. In his boyhood days he exhibited
those traits of character which are index fin
gers pointing up the hill-sides of success. As
boy he always gained friends to retain them;
and when the bloom of manhood broke in
upon him, he stood upon life's threshold with
friends and character, won by true worth and
self-exertion. Early in life he entered upon
his rhQSQn vopnfinu aud his motto aI,-..--
was, lido unto others as you would have 9th
ers do unto you" and thus armed, he fought
the battles incidental to life depending upon
public patronage, and he carried off the palm
of victory. As business man he had few
superiors; and his dealings with all were
marked with that gentlemanly manner, kind
and obliging disposition, and willingness to
bestow favors when required, and he ALWAYS
sought the opportunity and this it was which
thronged his store with purchasers and filled
his counters with merchandise. As man,
he stood alone; endowed with a mild and
even temper, he never allowed passion to take
the place of reason, and was, therefore, free
from those vexations and ills always preying
upon those of uneven temperament. Con-
tentment always reigned within him, and if
obstacles impeded his progress, he accepted
the situation and cheerfuliy performed his
duty. As a brother and son his character
emits refulgent light, and as father and hus-
band he was kind and affectionate, and devo-
ted TO those ties which bound him to earth.
In short, he was a christian man. When
summer leaves began to fade and fall, and
the truth came to his mind that his life was
slowly ebbing away before the baleful fires of
an unseen disease, he needed the warning
and prepared himself for the change awaiting
him. 1t was a sight over which angels might
rejoice, when on beautiful Sabbath morn
ing he feebly walked down the aisles of the
Presbyterian Church and approached the
chancel, to receive the ordinance of Baptism.
the outward sign of his inward change, and
his acceptance by God. As he stood there
in silent prayer, methinks some kind angel
poised its wings at the foot of the throne to
catch his whispered thanksgivings of peace.
But time passed on and he grew more feeble,
until on Saturday morning nature yielded,
and he lay helpless and prostrate-but calm
and resigned. Christmas day passed him by
without a smile, yet he murmured not, and
on Thursday evening the waves of death broke
at his feet, and his irradiated soul took its
flight to the land of Immortality. But we
miss him. There is vacant chair. There
IS desert spot In the heart of one who ten
derby chung to him through life, accompanied
him to the verge of the grave, and would fain
nave kept nun BACK from the cold waters, but
his Master called him home. He is dead
But around his memory we will ever linger,
and when the green turf over his silent home
shall sparkle in the spring time, and the flow
ers sweetly bloom, then true to his memory
we can plant the sweet Forget-me-nots . Of
appreciation and friendship. Sleep on faith
full friend and true, peaceful be thy rest, and
happy in the world of light
Then fond wife, tits beautiful dream OF delight
That after life's sorrows and death solemn night
The mated on earth, but the parted awhile
VIII meet again with their olden smile
Clasp hands in love. and wander free
Through heavens bright years of eternity"