Charlotte home and Democrat., 1882-05-19
IN MEMORIAM-

S'lsnt, get Speaking Dead, get Lsring-A6sent,
yet Pesent-Slafn, get Vsctorious
.AIExANDER BErHuNE was born in Robeson
county. N. g., Oct 14th, 1912, and died in the
city OF Charlotte, April 9th, 1859, being nearly
seventy years old. He came to Charlotte in
1889. Was married first to Miss Catharine Nc
Gilvery Of Fayetteville, N O., in lS42. She sur
yived3 the marriage only q few months His
second marriage was to Miss Amanda Bolton of
Charlotte, April "a, 1S45. OF this marriage were
born eleven children seven OF whom still. sur
vive, all professors of faith in Christ and men,
bers of the Cuurch. a1 f5 rf@
Brother Bethune was of Scotch descent. and
was reared under Presbyterian influence; but, on
arriving at mature years and after mature
thought, he formed decided preference for the
Methodist Church, with which he identified him.
self in 1910. At his death, he was one of the
Oldest members of our communion in this city.
| His life presented many commendable charac-
teristcs, so blending and crystalzing as to form
q beautifully rounded personality.
| As . husband and father, he was gentle, pa
tient, loving, self-sacrifcing regulating and
stamping the home life, and permeating it by his
spirit as that his presence was light and Joy and
ms absence feit as great calamity. During his
long, tedious illness-paralysis, four attacks with
| short interim between each-which so tries the
temper of ones soul, calling into requisition
much patience and sef-control on the part of the
I sufferer, and forbearance, tedious watchfulness
consuming anxiety and loving care on the part
Of attendants. he was careful to suppress all
murmuring, cultivatIng cheerful, contented
| dispostion and though feeble and sometimes
helpless, striving to relieve his devoted family OF
| all possible burden on his account
| So pleasant and delightful was his home com
panionship even in his sickness, that the ties OF
household affection and tenderness were strength
ened by necessary attentions and his death was
therefore realized as the greater, more irrepara
Die loss because of the greater intensfyng Of the
paternal and hlial bonds ...f - o.
l. As . citizen. neighbor, and friend, he was
| without reproach. Always complacent, gener
Gus, accommodating, he won the goodwill anG
esteem of the community. Never censorious
| uncharitable, belligerant or implacabe, he ex
cited the ill-will or adverse criticism of no one
| No tongue moved against him. He was at peace
and on terms of unalloyed friendship with al
men. h' '.-#'
As christian, he was without stain upon hi
/ character When physically able, he was never
absent from his seat in the Sanctuary withou
cause 81
| At all the social meetings of the Church q
| well as the public preaching of the Word, he wa
present to express his interest, to give encour
agement, and to enjoy the profit of the occasion
Everybody had confidence in his piety. Th,
verdict OF every person on hearing of his deatl
I was, "He was good man" Before his last at
tack, he spoke of his expected and approaching
i end with cheerfulness and assurance. He sait
he was ready and was only waiting the biddin,
of his Lord. .f :. -. -
His last attack occurred in the afternoon ant
he died about midnight 81"
"The voice at midnight came;
He started up to hear; a
l. A mortal arrow pierced his frame;
f. He fell but felt no fear" ..
How calmly and with what assurance tn
Christian can lay his head on Jesus breast an,
breathe his life out sweetly there.
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesu
Christ be Father to the fatherless and Hus
band to the widow, and make this dispensatio
of His Providence q benediction and grace to tn
Il loved ones who survive. -.
j. T. BAGwELL, Pastor
I Charlotte, N. c., April 2lst, 1882