The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-03-04
John II, AdCer, Jr.

1t is always sad to record death, and the
sadness is increased when the good, the
young, the strong die, just when new ca
reer of usefulness in the Church, and of
comfort and helpfulness amid their homes
and loved ones seems opening before them.
The tender sympathy of the whole Church
will so out to the Rev. Dr. John Z. Adger
| and family, at the news of the death of his
only son, John B. Adger, who died Janua-
ry g. from wounds received by being thrown
from his buggy few weeks ago. Both his
legs were broken by the fall and though
hopes of his recovery were entertained at
| first, unfavorable symptoms soon appeared,
and the skill of physicians and the tender
watchful care of friends could not save him.
The time to depart had come, for the Lord
had called him to himself.
During the period between his hurt and
his death-days of physical suffering to
himself, and Of hope and fear, suspense and
agony to his friends-he was calm and pa
tient, saying, after asking his physician if
there was any hope of life: IF am to die,
am ready to CO." He was ready, because
his trust was in that Saviour who said, "Be
we therefore ready" 1t was natural for him
to be ready to meet Jesus in death, for his
life had been with him.
Mr.. Adger was not only known Us the son
of Rev. DR.. Adger, whom We all honor, but
was personally known and esteemed, espe-
cially in Mississippi and South Carolina.
After thorough training at the University
of Virginia, he went through a course of
scientific study in Germany; and on return
ing to this country he was made Professor
of Chemistry in the University of Missis-
sippi, filling the position faithfully and ably.
Close application to professional duties in
jured his eyes, and he was compelled to re-
sign his position, and ultimately abandon
the cherished hope and noble ambition of
his life. His eyes never recovered from the
injuries they received, and his desire to be
useful to his fellow-men, and serve his
Master us q Christian teacher of science
ian interpreter and priest of Nature"-ex-
pounding Gods thoughts in his works, and
showing men how to apply these thoughts
to life's uses for the welfare of society-this
noble desire he had to surrender.
All this disappointment could not but be
a sorrow to him-a sorrow shared by his
family and friends. But when in spite of
all these severe dealings, he could still trust
the Heavenly Father who directed and
overruled them; when his life, in spite of
its disappointment, remained that of a son,
that life was no failure.
This grief falls with increased weight just
now upon the bereaved father; for since the
recent financial disaster in the family this
only living son was q special prop and conf
fort to his parents. But there is another
circumstance which makes the sorrow for
this death peculiarly pathetic. A short
time before the accident which caused his
death, Mr.. Adger was elected elder of the
church at Pendleton, S. c., of which his
father is pastor, and on the Sabbath subse-
quent to the accident he was to have been
ordained; but as DR.. Adger wrote to
Charleston, 'The ordination will have to be
postponed
Yes postponed" for "God had ordained
him unto eternal life," and called him to
'the general assembly and church Of the
first born in heaven" 1t is q comforting
thought to all the bereaved family, that the
young "elder elect is assigned to duty with
the flour and twenty elders before the
throne" He serves among the people of
ancient Smyrna, where he himself las We
understand) was born thirty-one years ago,
when his father was missionary there. He
can compare experiences with those Smyrna
Christians, for like them he was "tried' and
had "tribulation;;" like them, he wes mot
hurt of the second DEATH" He is now
made liking and priest unto God" For,
being faithful unto death, he hath crown
o. life" He is assigned position in the
the Upper University. His work, his life, his
rule, are in heaven.-J. W. Finn, in South
,ccstcrn Presbyterian.