Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-07-01

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Sermon by Rev. J. S. Norris, at the
Funeral Service Of Geo. A. Fergu-

the trees of the forest bend before the
storm, SO we bow under the pressure
of the great calamity that has visited
us.
We are brought together by very
sad circumstances. One of our num-
Der. much loved and highly respected,
has been swept from our midst, by
the ruthless hand of death in man
hoods prime. His was sudden and
unexpected departure. l shall not
attempt eulogy of our dear departed
brother, (probably he himself would
not approve of it, } but [ will state a
few facts concerning him, with the
hope that they will inspire US to holy
life.
Owing largely to the interest taken
in his spiritual welfare by his elder
brother. (present with US to-day, }
he gave his heart to Christ and his
hand to the Church in the morning of
life. Since then he has led the life of
Christian. He was in hearty sympa-
thy with all that tended to the i'm
provement of mankind, and especially
with those things which are highest
and best. He was quite disposed to
be active in Christian work. Not
long since, as we chatted together
about serving the Saviour, he told
me of the time, when, (haVing nc
family, and but little business care,
he devoted his spare time to Sabbath
School, Temperance and Church work;
and how blessed it was to serve SC
good Master, if we serve him faith
fully.
Brother Ferguson was a good citi-
zen and above the average in intelli-
gence. He was honest and Industrious
and commanded the respect Of the
community. He was kind neighbor,
an afectionate parent. loving hus-
band and faithful friend. Though
| never met him until last December,
in that short time [ learned to love
him. | came to feel that in that quiet
unostentatious man [ had found one !
could rely on, as worker, and
fellow soldier of the cross. He was
here but yesterday, vigorous and busy.
To-day, Git hardly seems possible,) he
is gone, gone to be seen by US no more
on earth. He will be greatly missed.
We shall miss him in the store, where
he was ever found ready to attend to
business in straight forward, honor.
able and obliging manner. He will be
missed in the Lodge Room and in the
public gatherings of our citizens. We
shall miss him in the Church to which
he held an official relation, having
been elected a Trustee last January.
| We shall miss him in the Sanctuary,
from our preaching services, where he
was regular and devout worshipper ;
and from the Sabbath School where
he was wont to join in singing and in
the discussion of the great doctrines OF
Gods word. But above all he will be
missed in the family circle, where
home was a Kingdom and love was
the reigning monach. Our loss is great
and irreparable. But let US be cheer,
ed by this thought, our great loss is
his great gain. While we arc sad he
is happy, and while we weep he shouts
and sings in the exuberance Of heaven
ly inefable joy. May God sustain
and comfort. bless and keep these
bereft ones, this brother, this wife
and mother; And the dear little girl.
| tender these sorrowing ones, the
coincidence, the heartfelt sympathy of
all these citizens and neighbors, friends
and brothers But better than all.
as an ambassador Of Heaven, I tender
you the kind regards and infinite
compassion of our elder brother Jesus
Christ, and God our father. May you
make ultimately, an unbroken family
in that land where sorrow and
death never come, where foods
never destroy, where farewell is never
said, and partings are forever I'M
known.
We have been, as individuals and as
a community, greatly agitated of late
by the calamities that have come
upon us. Unquestionably God means
them for our good. We may learn
great and useful lessons if we will.
As L said last Sabbath, in speaking of
the late flood, we may learn, as we
never could or would without these
great Affections, that we are one fami-
", having a oneness of interest. We
may learn, too. the uncertainty and
comparative worthlessness of all things
earthly. We NAV also learn that we