Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-04-26

DEATH OF LEWIS MCLAIN.-It was with
deep sorrow that we learned of the death
of Mr.. Lewis McLsin, son of ex-County
Treasurer John G. McLain, which sad
event occurred early Friday morning last.
He had been suffering tor some days with
pneumonia, and instead of improving he
continued to grow worse until death re-
lieved him from earthly suffering. Mr..
McLain was IN the 10th year of his age,
and was young man of moral worth,
with bright prospects of becoming useful
citizen had no lived. He was beloved by
all bis companions, who showed their re-
gard for his memory by beautifully deco
rating the NJ. E. Church on Sabbath,
where the funeral services took place pre-
vious to the interment of the body in Da-
mascus township. In the church were quite
a number of beautiful floral offerings
from his young friends. The services
at the grave were impressive, and includ-
ed prayer, and singing by the choir of that
beautiful song "We are going down the
valley" The sympathy ofthe community
is extended to the stricken family.
The following beautiful and touching
lines were handed US by his friend and
teacher, l.. L. III. Austin:
Again the shadows of death fall thickly
about us. Following the sad event of
Miss Heller's death, who was formerly a
pupil in our schools, is announced the
death OF our friend and pupi. Lewis Nc
Lain.
In the full vigor ofyoung manhood, amid
the happy scenes of school lite and sur
rounded by many loving friends, he is
suddenly called from among us forever.
In the very spring time of life, when the
hope and aspirations of youth were bud
ding into the realities Of young manhood,
| when the noontide glare of useful life
was Turing him happily onward, death
overtakes him. At school he distinguished
himself by earnest and successful labor,
orderly conduct, ready obedience to the
rules and regulations of school and hearty
compliance with all the requests of teach
ers and schoOlmates. At home and
among his friends he has enobled his life
by always showing the highest regard and
sincerest devotion for his parents, respect
| ing his friends and loving his neighhors.
He was forgiving and generous. He loved
and was loved by all who knew him. The
| flowing tears of classmates, school mates
and teachers, and the many expressions
of sorrow on every side speak too plainly
his loss to this community. Down the
path of his short life are written in letters
of gold the many sterling qualities OF
manhood he possessed, and the noble life
he lived. Free from guilt. unfettered by
habit, mild in disposition, rich in common
sense, sincere in friendship, and pure in
life, he has made himself worthy of all res
pect and taught us by deed alone how to
live that better life which truly enobles
mankind. elight of love was in his
eyes; truth was in his heart, and all his
factions were good and kind and brave.
His life was continued good. I saw him
assist the weak. Iknew him to help the
needy. l firmly believe that the great aim
| of his life was not to I've for himself but
for those around him. This seemed to be
his religion. 1t was his life, his hope, his
heaven, and the privilege to act thus nobly
was the only reward he sought.
That deaths dark shadow should for
ever separate him from us is the sad
thought of this hour. 1t is this unaccount-
able and complete separation from our
friends and kindred that seems to ex-
tinguish hope itself. 1t is the awful pres
ence ofd death that breaks the leaden chains
of sect and creed and leads us back to the
common ground of belief and hope. That
hope that Is eternal, but even this does moi
reconcile us to the frigid face, the lifeless
form, the silent tomb. Yet death is the
consnnimation of all things. 1t is our com.
monafate. 1t Is the end OF our care and
weariness, our suffering and sorrow. But
beyond this-beyond DEATHS darknight
and the silence of the tomb, above theiI
sadness and their gloom let ma look fO,