National Republican., 1883-05-22

all been so kind and good to me, and have
done SO little"
oh, Ashford, younger brother mine, was this
thy last word to thine own--was this thy
lowliness and gratefulness of hearth Nay,
could we not almost without irreveranCe
apply to him the words before applied TO his
dying Lord, "Ho saved others himself he
cannot save 2"
A little after when his brother physician
put down his lips TO the dull ear and asked
him, "Do you know me now" the words
come back like the last whisper, O. think
do" And how are you feeling2" al feel
tolerably WE'LL" He would not even then
pain his friend, while at tho very moment
sinking into the unconsciousness which pre-
figured death. 1t was just past midnight
and he expired.
He went without murmur and yet with
such regret ms we might think the conquer
ing captain feels when ordered. TO another
post of duty out Of his victorious career.
He heard the summons of One greater than
earthly kings, aud he went bravely, saying
little, but knowing and feeling all. He went
as hero marching in silence through the
night Of earthly grief bearing the love Of
family and friends. the love of many frater-
mites, the love Of all whom he had served and
helped.
How many will miss him and sorrow that
he will come no morep-no more at the bed
side Of sickness, no more in the adytum of
Masonic rites, no moro to the family table or
tho social feast, no moro in the martial parade,
no more at the council boards or the lecture
halls, no more at the sacred communion of the
Eucharist on earth
Yes, Ashford is gcne--gone out from this
fevered life, this fed sftpl. this stage faction
this theater of moving men-gone out from
those who loved him, who trusted him, and
looked to him for help. No more will his
tpiC fn ha I'M tnH
no more will his heart beat with generous
sympathy and the brotherhood Of noble emu
lation, no more will his hand know its cum
ming in those professional operations which un-
der his quickened genius seemed almost mirac-
ulous. Of all the great faculty, proud of their
mighty progress in the knowledge and rem
edy of human ills-as we'll they may be-
noue was more justly proud than he, none
wrought wiSh fonder ZEAL none gave him
self more freely to the vast labor ofsearching
and soothing the human frame. Broken at
MONDAY, the profession have to lament the
loss Of one of the rarest of their sons.
What breach it makes in our circle! We
yearn for him whose voice was as tho music
Of hope to the despairing, whose skill SO often
rescued the stricken and tho perishing.
Yet, why should we repine-savo only be-
cause 1t is tho tribute Of nature to the be-
reavement Of affection2 He is not dead but
sleepetb. Nay, only his mortal part is sleep,
ing; the worn frame that had spent itself
in so many loving errands that is resting
now, covered with flowers, the prophet lam
guage of the resurrection. But the soul of
Ashford is high above gazing afresh Oh the
wonders of God, and entering with unut-
terable joy on the new work which pro-
claims the transcendent capacity and mag
niticence of the life invisible. We say ho Is
gone from among us, and so in some
sense he is; but there is so much of him re-
naming with us-his deeds, his loves, his
memory, his spirit, the children and the
works he builded Association will keep him
with us, linking by another Tie earth and
heaven, and making us aspire and long for
that higher, purer life in the eternal summer
lands. So when we bear to the silent city
the sacred dust of our departed friend, we
leave it there in the blest assurance of hope.
We have not to stand by the mouth of
the grave and blabber only the childish in
antics Of unbelief, for we know, with tho
great apostle, in whom we have trusted, and
are persuaded that He is able to keep that
which we have committed to Him against the
final day. We know Him who is the resur-
rection and the life, and that them who sleep
in JESUS will God bring with Him. 1t is not
enough that the soul should be ensphered in
the new order of a supernal existence. The
grave must be despoileG that the victory of
life eternal may one day be complete.
And SO we shall bury him in this grand ex-
pectati0n-living or diving our reunion IS
made sure. Waiting and Watching till the
dawn of the new morning, We can find strength
to bear the separation which time and change
forever make in the families of men.
And to him, our friend, who has left us
with so pure remembrance of him-so bright
roll Of mortal life--we can say:
know thou hast gone to the home Of thy rest,
Then why should my soul be so sad,
know thou hast gone where the weary are blest,
,,;h And the mourner looks up and Is glad;
Where SyS has put S IN se Ia Snd Its oh
And Hope the sweet singer that gladdened the
earth
Lies asleep on the bosom of bliss.
/ know thou hast gone where thy forehead is
With the beauty that dwelt in thy SOUL
Where the light of thy loveliness cannot be
Nor the heart be flung back from its goal
know thou hast drunk from the Lethe that flows
Through land where they do not forget,
That sheds over memory only repose,
And takes from 1t only regret
The interment took place at Rock Creek
cemetery, and the remains were followed by
an immense concourse of friends and relatives.
The board of directors and attending ply
sicians Of the Children's hospital held meet
in at that building Sunday afternoon, and,
aft,r reciting the late DIR. Ashfords connec-
tion with that institution and his many
cstimable qualities, passed series of resolu-
tions to prepare sketch of his life, extend
ing their sympathy to his family and other.
wise expressing their grief at his early death;
and also
Resolved. That In the death of DIR. Ashford we
are called upon to contemplate the loss Of a man,
gentle, considerable pure and noble in all the
walks OF life; surgeon learned, skilliul, devoted
progressive and ardent in behalf Of suffering hu.
mnlity; friend, true generous, faithful aud un-
tiring, and an officer wise In Judgment, prudent
IN counsel aud Jealous in activity, to whom the
institution owes much of its great success and
usefulness.
At meeting of the faculty of the medical
department of the university of Georgetown,
held last evening, the following resolutions
were adopted:
Whereas 1t has pleased Almighty God to C all
hence our beloved associate and brother, Francis
Asbury Ashford, NJ. D., dean of the medical fac
ulty and professor of surgeory In the medical de.
partment of the University OF Georgetown there.
fore
Resolred that the faculty desire to record among
the archives Of the institution their testimony
memorial of Ms virtues and abilities. Dr. Ash
ford was ever kind, cordial and generous TO all
his professional brethren his bearing as open,
conslderate, and honorable that he was deeply en-.
deared to the whole professional body, by every
member of which his loss Will be felt as personal
bereavement. lie was ever mindful of the dig
nifty and nobility of his calling; was the life and
soul OF every enterprise looking TO the advance.
meni mem and utility Of the medical profession and
community. Dead at the early age OF iorty.two
years, he had already wrought his way to posi-
ton al the head Of his profession Az medi-
cal scholar aud teacher he was extensively
and accurately learned, and faithful, diligent,
and conscientious. As medical and surgical
practitioner he was able, prompt, and skillul, and
the faculty feel that In his death the institution
has sustained great loss The faculty are deeply
impressed with sense of the truth that the grief
Of wdowhood and orphanage Is too sacred for