Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-24


pole. 1t is grand to see such character,
! like the old Mohamedian who was bound al
/ the stake because he could not believe in a
future existence, who when offered his life if
he would rccant or avow his belief nobly re-
fused and declared with his last breath,
Truth is truth, and will die for it, There
is something grand in such devotion to prin-
ciple rs that. This must have been the reso-
luton and devotion of this man, our friend,
when he allowed them to place him in the
dark vault to die rather than yield up the Sc
cret that guarded the treasure of the bank,
must have been the same courage and chris
tan faith he has so often expressed here
which animated him in that hour of trial and
suffering, and came to console him in his mo-
ments of consciousness as he lay there await
ing the end. He could then say, Il have
fought the good fight, | have kept ,he faith,
have won the vctors crown" The
thoughts flash over him, MY wife, my child,
my mother, my Saviour, oh Lord accept the
sacrifice make"
There is something grand in it to comfort
us in our atiliction, and relieve our sorrow
for the attack which has been made upon him
we can say the Lord is our Shepherd.
Though this cruel deed has been impressed
and rcimpressed apon me there is another
foul deed, the second attack upon him which
comes with blasting force, again we can say
the Lord is our Shepherd.
Mr.. Barron ha, lived in this community
since early youth and what kind of life has
he lived: So perfect has been his daily walk
there have been none to say aught against
him. Can he for all these years have con-
ccaled the putrid and decay of crime under
his fair exterior: No, it is not possible.
There could have been no sufficient motive
for the deed. Was his life like apples of
Sodom? Was it so devoid of happiness and
all those attractions which bind men to life,
that he could desire To leave it. and arrange
such taking off? No, it cannot be said he
child. We cannot believe it. We know his
surroundings, that they were peaceable and
happy. Was his work a cheats Was he
dealing falsely and detrauding those who put
trust in him; We read of defaulters in the
world around us that come upon us with a
shock and pang when twenty thousand dol
lars or fifty thousand dollars, or half mil
lion of dollars is the measure of men. DO
they commit suicide? No, the criminal
hearts that harbor such purposes do not fiy to
the grave for a hiding place, anything but
that, the prison if need be, but not the
grave.
This tragedy which brings us sorrow never
ended in suicide He did not want to reflect
on any one in connection with his remarks.
but he must rciterate, he could see no motive
to cause Mr.. Barron to take his own life So
they should take heart. The darkest hour
prccedes the dawn. and the darkest night i.
sure to have morning 1t any have doubts
they must say with Ohahapean, 'rhere is
a soul of good in things evil if we could only
see it," These things may all work together
for good They are to admonish us that even
the new phase may bring good results. The
blasts of the thunder storm which destroy
homes and even property, purify the. atmo-
sphere and bring the blessings of health to
thousands and fertility to our fields. SO
there are thunder bolts in our personal ex-
perience that purify our moral atmosphere
He (Barron) in his humility would never
have claimed that of his own strength he was
faithful unto death, but we know that he was
ia FIJI mi fnr aba
left that boon for us.
Let us emulate that purity of character
that nobleness of purpose which he displayed.
Once when on the deck of Il steamer at sea
he had watched the rising of the moon. Had
supposed themselves alone on that portion of
the watery waste, but just as the moon light
ed the face of the waters and covered all with
a blaze of glory, little bark appeared in the
distance offing, passing across the ocean like
a thing of life We can imagine perhaps
how she was gildcd and jeweled by the moon
light embossed upon the surface of that shin
ing sea- However meager may seem our
lives here below, however lacking in bright
ness and intensity, yet if they be embossed
and projected in the shield of Gods love they
like the little ship become glorifed and beau
tifu That is what made him beautiful and
faithful unto death.
Rev. 2. Is. Thayer of Garland, added
few remarks. He was there to add his testi-
mony to the worth of Mr.. Barron. They
had the earnest sympathy of all his people.
When the late strange theory as to Mr.. Bar
ron's death came none could believe it, If it
was not physical it was moral impossible
ity. He had known Mr.. Barron intimately
for many years. Had known him as n bust
ness man and had also enjoyed the hospitality
of his home. He always impressed him as
sterling, true man, ready for every good work
and ready with hi. means as far as he had the
ability to do. Every good cause was prec-
GUS to him. He had conversed with him so
often he knew well the principles that gov
erned him. He knew that suicide was
moral impossjbility. They had faith in the
man. in his integrity and honor. They have
faith that all will be made right and at last