Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-07-15

ment work out for Us, q fer more exceeding
and eternal weight OF glory"
My feelings at this sad hour are very pscu-
liar. Our deceased brother has been well and
i.yoraoly known to most Of you for years.
MY acquaintance with him, however, dates
back only eight months ago. But during
that short time / had learned to
| greatly love and esteem him. Before I had
seen his face had heard of him. A mutual
friend in st. Louis had directed my attention to
him and had requested me to pray for him and
labor to have him unite with the church. 1t
was pleasure to me to comply with this re-
quest, in doing which was met with cordial
| sympathy, and encouraged to hope for sue
cess. On the last night of the old year, after
| q very pleasant interview In this parlor, near
the spot where his body now lies in
| this beautiful casket, covered with these iow-
ers, symbols of the happiness and purity OF
his now glorifed spirit, be promised me that
next day, and give his life more earnestly to
God. The next day was Sabbath, and the
first day OF the new year. At the conclusion
OF the sermon, said, "We will sing two
verses of hymn, during which those who de-
sire to do SO will come forward and unite with
The church." We sang the first verse and
I NO one came. We sang the second and
q great conflict was raging in the mind OF our
deceased brother. said, "Ws will sing the
last verse, and IL there is one who will begin
the better life this New Years day let him
come forward" While singing Capt John
II. Reaney slowly walked up the aisle and
gave me his hand and his name as member
Of the visible church OF Christ. He afterwards
the last verse, for it was not until you
sang the last verse that fully got
the consent of my mind to go. But
for that mi ght not have come out. am SO
glad you sung the last verse;"
This act however was not the commence.
ment Of the Christian life with our brother.
Il was the public profession of faith In a
Savior whom he had been serving for
years. Considerations which need not now be
mentioned, deferred him from uniting with
The church until the time just mentioned.
Brother Reaney was q man of unimpeachable
character. His integrity of life, his
purity of motives, his unfInching devotion to
truth and right won for him reputation in
this community shared by but few men. he
was man of transparent character, noted for
his freedom from all kinds of deception or
cant. He detested all sorts of meanness and
Injustice The poor always found in him a
true friend. Indeed to him the rich and the
poor stood upon the same Level. He had no
love for the arbitrary and conventional distlnc-
lions that too often curse society. His manly
qualities secured for him the respect and con-
was steamboat captain on the Mississippi
and Minnesota rivers. No man Is better
known or more highly respected along these
rivers than Captain Reaney, for whom many a
silent tear will be shed when the news of his
death is read. He was honored by his fellow
citizens with place in the city council and
the state legislature, in both Of which he rem
OF all parties. In his case the
"ofice sought the man." But
for his natural repugnance to publicity he
would have been honored with other public
positions. Those who knew HIM best loved
MIN most. He was loving and faithful hus-
band and an afectionate father. For years he
has been man of prayer in his family. A
light has gone out here that will never return.
But he has left behind him memory that will
be sweet fragrance to those who still linger
behind him. When first taken to his bed he
said to me that all was clear as to the
future; that his only desire to live was for the
sake of his dear family. A few hours before
his death he reiterated this testimony. When
told that he could not live much longer, he
said, "All is well.' This Was his last utter.
ance.
May the God of all grace bless and graci.
ously sustain the bereaved family and sanctify
this affection to the good of US all. Let US
strive to initiate his virtues, and after q little
time we will rejoin him and all the pure and
good in the better land.
REV. MR.. M'KINLEY's REMARKS.
At the conclusion of Rev. Mr.. Marshall's
remarks, by special request of the latter, the
Plymouth church choir sang the well known
hymn commencing "Jesus, lover OF my SOUL"
which was followed by few remarks by Rev.
Mr.. Mckinley, formerly pastor of the
Jackson Street M. z. church. He
said in substance: Ny acquaintance with
Capt. Reaney began in a time OF bereavement
and sorrow. At the close of our evening
service, was called to baptise dying child
OF his. Another engagement interviewed, ard
SO occupied my thoughts that the child was
forgotten, and went home at late hour to
sleep. Awakening about midnight
remembered it and arose and hasten
ed to the house when l found
the father and mother watching by the cot
OF their dying child. l administered the rite
of baptism to the child and the
consultations of the gospel to the
parents and went my way. Afterwards
the captain said, you don't know how
much good you did by coming to our house
that night. Before you came was grieved
and indignant at what thought your heart
lessness, and ad hard thoughts Of you and of
ministers generally; but when saw you come,
as you did, after midnight, my feelings
changed and regretted my own rash and
hasty Judgment.
The child died and not very long after the
mother followed it to the land of life and love.
Amid these sorrows our friend felt the need
Of Christian faith and began a life of prayer
and trust.
With the reticence which characterizes
most thoughtful minds, he was slow to
speak of his inward life; but those who knew
him best knew that beneath the surface OF his
busy career, the current of his spiritual affec.
lions ran clear and strong toward truth and
righteousness and God. While he hesitated
long TO make public profession of faith,
knew that in him the principle of faith was
stronger than in many who made this profess
sion. Home was his chief sanctuary, and there
he worshiped in spirit and In truth
and there he exercised those yir-
tues which have made him SO beloved
and SO worthy of love. With his due share
of human infirmity he was true man, faith.
full friend, an atfectionate husband and father,
a patriotic citizen, a genial, courteous, just
and generous Christian gentleman. ga man
that would have friends must show himself
friendly" and he who does this will have
friends. This was friendly man, kind and
sympathetic toward all, and nearly all who
knew him were and are his friends. Few men
in this city or on this river was more loved
in life or will be more lamented in death than
he. Let us thank God that honest worth is still
SO much appreciated among men, and let us
commend to the compassion and care of the
God Of all grace the family so sorely bereaved
L.. L..