The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-02-21
IN MEMORIAM.

Mr.. Editor. premit me. through the columns
Of your paper, to pay an humble tribute of re-
speut to the memory of WM CALLAND, deceas-
ed, lute of Marion Township would gladly
perpetuate the memory of one by me so much
loved. and in every way worthy the highest re-
spect of all right minded men. The news OF
HIS unexpected demise fell with stunning effect
upon the soul of the writer, and in my far.off
Western home I bowed my head in solemn
awe in the presence of providence so afiiot-
ing, and instinctively oliloquized-Death, the
relentless enemy of our race. makes fearful
gaps in the ranks of Il social circle: We, r. ed
with lifes burden, one BY one our friends ia, lit
down, and silently take their place in the city
of the dead To me the death of VIM Calland
is an inscrutable providence; certainly, from a
human standpoint, the days of his usefulness
have not passed. AS a husband. father, brother,
Christian friend, and citizen. he exerted an in
auence that was felt and acknowledged and it
is yet quite difficult for me to realize that he
is gone. or to acquicsce in the act that removed
him. will not say he is dead, for what is
death? "'Tis life's vast shore. where vanities
are vain no more; where all pursuits their goal
obtain, and life is all re-touched again."
Ny acquaintance with the deceased covered
period of more than forty years. in which
time. especially the latter half Of that time. l
learned much of his character, very much that
was worthy of emulation; he possessed some
traits of character that was, in tho highest
sense, truly noble, and gave the possessor. in
the estimation of all considerate men, "a proud
position in the ranks of rational intelligence;
kindness of heart was prominent character
istic of the deceased. and was SO completely
and beautifully blended with the other affec.
tions of the soul as to give color to his conduct
in all his intercourse with men, and so soft.
ened the asperitiss Of his nature as to give
symmetry and beauty to the moral ami men,
tai man; this noble trait of character shone
with peculiar lustre in ell the social relations
of life; in conversation he was pleasant. agree
able. and always thoughtful of the feelings and
rights of those with whom he held converse or
discussion; to the poor. the needy, the hopeless.
the friendless, he ever held out an open hand,
and such was his charity that he was eyes to
the blind. feet to the lame. tongue to the dumb
and ears to the deaf; beggars for food and raj
ment left his door clothed and filled. and wild
ows and orphans had abundant reason to rise
up and call him blessed; this same attribute of
his soul led him, in the esrly history of the
anti.slavery movement. to espouse the cause of
the slave. and he stood nobly for the oppressed
of our country. when it cost something.as we'll
as required zeal and noral heroism, to talk and
act and vote for the freedom of the slave; yet
unhinchingly he stood amid the jeers, the
scoffs, the contumely and ostracism Of the pro-
slavery fabble. conscious all the while that he
was acting in harmony with God, and the vir-
tuous of the universe. as we'll a. his own bet
ter nature; he yielded not. nor swerved not
from the eternal principles of truth and justice,
until every fetter loosed. and the enslaved
made zee; and when this grand work was &C.
complisbed his restless benevolence almost ut
once sought and found new field to cultivate;
with that love for the truth and the right that
has ever characterized the truly noble of earth.
ha served his relations with the party of his
choice. while it was yet popular and dominant,
and gave his influence, his voice and vote to a
party without prestage or power, simply be-
cause of its advocacy of the rights and prero.
gatives of the laboring class;his moral heroism
and sense of right was beautifully illustrated
BY the act by which he became member Of the
Free Methodist Church he saw the Church to
which he had devoted the best years of his life,
into whose treasury his means had been liber.
ally emptied, the Church rendered doubly dear
to him by time and early association. he saw
the ancient landmarks which the fathers had
solemuly set. almost entirely removed. her
walls partially broken down. very many OF her
ministers and members in sympathy with, or
holding actual membership in human institu-
tions of doubtful character, and he resolved to
suffer sfiiction with handful of earnest men.
rather than to enjoy connection with wealthy
and popular organization. Thus in his life
work he taught the truth couched in tha fol-
lowing stanza: