The Hartford herald., 1879-08-06
Deafh,> Dosnxn-
FUNERAL OF Mr.. WILLIS @. DAVIS.

Another old citizen h gone, Mr. Willis
q. Davis was buried from his late resi-
dence ON Upper Second Street yesterday
afternoon at O'Clock He bad been i'm
falling health for some time, and al
though every thing was done that the
best medical skill and the most loving
care could suggest, his time had come,
and he has gone the way whence he
shall not return. He had finished his
course, and has gone to the mysterious
beyond, let it be hoped to rest i'm the
calm and peaceful realm of eternal day.
His stricken family have the sympa-
thy of many warm and loving hearts in
their great sorrow-
The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. A b. Miller, of the Baptist
Church, who spoke substantially as
follows:
My words ON this sad occasion shall
be few, because IL Is not necessary that
much should be said, and because hap
pened to know that the deceased was
opposed to funeral orationsL He has
often said to me that he thought the
dead should be laid away with as little
ceremony as possible, and shall do
nothing that could disturb or offend his
sense Of propriety II he were, - he in
deed may be witness Of all that is
now taking place.
Mr.. Davis was the oldest aequaint-
ance had in this city. I remember
quite wen to have seen him at my IA
ther's house when was a boy; and
since 1 came to this city he has often
referred TO his acquaintance with my
father and to his visit at our house.
The occasion, therefore, revives memo
ries upon which i cannot allow myself
to enlarge.
For many years MFR. Davis has resided
in tins city and what he was under the
changed circumstances of life, you . all
know, perhaps much better than do.
His sufferings were most painful and
long continued, and ii seemeda . blessed
release when the struggle Was ended
Only few days ago, Mr.. Davis was
seen here In his home, and about these
streets, and In the house Of God, but he
will be seen In the walks Of this life no
more. He has passed from time % eter-
nifty. The portals Of the beyond have
opened to him, and he Is gone from our
sight. What his new surroundings are,
his eternal destiny, may not say, be-
cause it IL not for me TO pronounce dog
matically in regard t. the condition Of
those who have gone to eternity. So
far as / saw or knew him his life was
quiet and orderly. The changes of for
tune made il necessary that he should
continue at hard labor even at the time
of his life when men ought to be able to
rest but his failing health had kept him
for sometime from active employment
He called occasionally at my study, but
ne had the good sense and the good
! taste to serupulously avoid troubling
others with the burdens which doubt
less pressed heavily upon his own heart.
MIR. Davis WAS well informed man,
and his powers Of conversation We're
unusually good. His knowledge Of the
Sacred Scriptures vas wonderful, and
he could quote readily From any part of
the Bible. He often came TO me with
ested any one save a CAREFUL student of
happy TO be able % saw that be gave
evidence Of infelligenf and saving con-
ddenee In the plan of salvatin with
which he was 50 peEfbc(ly hunt1iar. In
the last converzafion We evog had upon
this subject, he told me thst he.reiied
upon the finished work of Christ alone
for the salvation Of his soul; aAGi ne said
to friend only the night befDse his
death, that he was ready and willing to
go.
He has gone into the presence of that
God whom he feared, and whose SER
want trust he was, and his destiny is
now fixed forever. r.ai ii u
He was sixty-five years old, and no
/ doubt he could say with eur God, Few
and full Of evil have been the days Of
my pilgrimage ON the age.n "Man that
is born Of woman is OF few DAYS and
full of trouble" IAN flesh is as grass.
and all the glory Of man Is as the flower
i'm the field. The grass withereth, the
flower fadeth, but the word Of our God
shall stand fOreverr
To the bereaved family can only say
cast all your care, your burden, y0nr sOr-
row upon God, for He eareth for You,
aud who is sweetly saying ''Come unto
Me all We that labor and are heavy
ladened and / will give you rest" Trust
Him fully, and you will be enabled to
say Thy will be donev when our
words are such moekery what a priv
ilege for the bursting heart to pour itself
to God in prayer.
Take il all to Jesus. The Holy Spirit
is the comforter and He can soothe and
cheer the broken heart. Oh rely upon
Him! Loving place your hand i'm the
unseen hand, and you shall be safely
guided to the saints everlasting rest in
Heaven. May you have the Divine
Spirit to help you bear this great sorrow
and may all the members Of this family
meet in that blessed world where there
shall be no more death.
To the friends and neighbors would
utter one word Of admOnition Don't
put OH the necessary preparation fbr
DEATH Hou know not what a day NAV
bring about. Prepare to meet thy God.
A death bed IS not the place for prepar-
ation- Be ye ready I beg you to trust
Christ, and to walk in the light Of His
word day by day, that you may be ready
when your change comes.
And now, we 90 to the solemn tomb.
to bury our friend and brother out Of
sight, and may we all resolve that
henceforth We win serve the Lord.
The services were closed at the grave
in Oak Hill Cemetery Evansville
Journal
ftNlhara ahon And H..