The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-04-29

fhc L hUfctnl0it, published IN new Urh,
of April |, contains the following notice OF
the death of Mr. Thomas L. Van Bebber, for
merly ofthis county:
= poet has lust been taken TO his rest who may
truly be called the poet q the Holy M
died recently near Cotton, San Bernardino county,
California whittier he had removed, with his eldest
son and his daughter, few months before his ueath
From family sources we gather the following par
ticulars:
There thousands of miles away from most of his
kindred and friends he was seized with paralysis,
which rendered him speeches, but not unconscious
Toward the end, his son. as he watched him, saw ms
eyes raised TO heaven and an expression OF sh per
feet and radiant peace illuminate his countenance
that il was evident he committing himself and
his life-work, as he always called his last poem,
never lets the humbleSt service fail of its rewaru
The same expression fingered after death.
There was neither church nor clergyman III the
place but the Rev. Mr.. Loop. of Pomona, came for
the last Offices The visit of clergyman in such
tage of by all who value Church privileges, and
neigh boring mother brought her three little ones 10
be baptized Remembering his own eS9gisIe des
glass bowl upon the coffin, and there water was
sanetifed to the mystical washing away OF sin, ana
three souls were made members of Christ.
At the grave Just before the Benediction. at the
foot of marble mountain upon which Gods own
hand had marked the sign of the cross, Mr.. Loop
read, as his funeral sermon, the following extract
from his poem:
soon day-break came
Whose delicate, rosy hues scarce tinged the cast
Before they gan to fade all flooded Ger
And swallowed up in sunshine Then was heard
The song of skylark mounting up to heaven;
Then every nested tree sent forth stream
Ofmelody, composed of various notes
And such piping, thrilling, warbling rose,
All intermixed all in confusion heaped.
That had the notes been louder or less sweet,
The discord would have Jared upon the ear
Each sings as best he can /" said Joseph, while
They passed a grove of trees where such choir
parh tbarc btan wit 81
With such full and perfect grasp OF sound,
With such knowledge OF the song OF birds
That when they hear so many, all at once
They can take in the whole and every part,
And each melodions gush, each tiny rlI
OF music, flowing many ways at once,
May be collected, grasped, retained, ana held
Until the brain takes cognizanee OF all
Such men there well may be, and such think
There are. Hence, It's not past belief, that when
On Sabbath days, through all the holy land,
In temple, synagogue and private room,
million voices rise at once in prayer,
Or hymns of thanksgiving the ear supreme
Can clasp them all, no still. small voice unheard.
No faintest note unheeded.
Even So
Said Mary, pointing to blasted tree,
AS at a single glance the rolling eye
Takes in trunk, branches bough, and spray
OF yon tall oak. with all its intricate
of network, shoot and twig.
So does the ear 0 ( God, as believe.
Catch every rustic Of the smallest leaf
That shakes on every tree 'rOand all the earth.
The sound Of every wave on every shore
%
The faintest voice OF every blade Of grass.
Or tiniest buzz Of smallest insects wing
Then Joseph answered thus IN ihongh 7, mood
The mysteries Of Godhead. when We brood
In fancy DER the congregated sounds
From thunderclaps and dashing cataracis
Down 10 the chirp Of cricket on the grass,
The loud, the soft, the musical, the harsh,
Death grOans and merriest laughter. all combined.
And each distinctly heard
Thus they, in thought
On fancys ladder strOvc % mount "a tod.
Like two braye-hearted climbers on The Alps.
Rising from height 70 height forever sill
Straining TO catch some glimpse OF the supreme
Mr. Van Bebber leaves two sons and daughter
all in California and his children have determined.
by Gods help 10 devote their energies 30 building
up around the place OF his rest sitting memorial Of
child" Through the literally Of The Land aud
Wafer Company Of Cotton they have secured an
acre Of land 20 be given to the Church for the cree
rectory-the bapgisiery Of the church % be his
especial monument They have obtained the hearty
Official endorsement Of the bishop upon their plans
aud the Rev Mr. Loop has been appointed By the
bishop rector Of the mission. We understand they
propose Immediately % commence services IA ient
Ii Is a work OF faith, well worthy the eArneS; aud
prsyerful cooperation OF all who long 90 see the
Church extending her loving Asras over her wan
deFing children and Of all Who value genius y ben
dedicated 10 IT, highest and noblest aims And We
very earnestly call attention " the importance Of
Strengthening the Church In this remote region, %
have been called 10 be the bearcrs-as nc tfnsi-9f
good seed to the honor and glory Of His all holy
Name.
We cannot close this notice without calling attcn-
ton 10 the poem already mentioned. The Flight
into Egypt We are familiar with The Footsteps
Of the Holy Child under the etianrship Of the Rev
Mr. Carter and many years ago stndiei. with
intense delight the teaching offs. B1anAvenfnnF. in
his Life Of Christ. uron the saue suhict but We do
not hesitate say that In this poem have ell Tie
teachings Of the one and al the deNout
fmaginings Of the other brought before rs and en-
riched with wealth Of lcE5uing and feEvur Of
poetic power, which are truly remarkable. There
afe passages In the poem which art opcn n grave
but one may overlook these minor bscsn
ishes In consideration u The intense realization of
the Incarnation the hoIbfs % The Divine Maternity
the dignity Of the sponsorship Of 81 loph, ard the
relations o. the Holy Infant % HIS Mother and Her
spouse which cnaracierixc this poem,
Ii this we're meant % be \ critical notice OF the
poem We would be glad 20 quote some beautiful
passages but as oGr object Is simply 70 do honor
the poet oonienito call attention % this his
last and greatest work.