The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-10-02
Funeral Address or HOn. Joseph
Gilman.
BY REV. W. @. BURNS.


free to say for himself during all these years
of toll: that he has fought good fight, he
has finished the course, he has kept the faith
and proven himself workman who needeth
not 10 be ashamed. And now, after an
earthly pilgrimage of GO years, he has enter
ed the land of promise. He has laid aside
his trayel-worn sandals and dust-covered
garments, TO accept from the hand of his
Father unsoiled and more beautiful ones.
For nearly year we have watched the ebb-
ing away of this life. Frequently when the
vital forces seemed TO gain control or the
body, we hoped for the restoration OF the
strong man. but in vain. Death has claimed
his own. Gladly would human love and skill
have thrust him away from this pleasant
home circle but human love was not strong
enough nor human skill subtle enough to
prevent his entrance. 1t is pleasant thought,
however, that death came not in the spring
time of life, nor yet in midsummer, but in
the autumn, when the faculties of mind and
body were developed and disciplined; when
all antagonisms of being were harmoniZed;
when the passionate had given place to the
impassionate the selfish to the unselfsh;
and when divine patience, wisdom and
charity tinged every thought and act with
the glory of Heaven. Not unprepared, but
fully prepared not immature, but fully
mature, he awaited death as does the ripen-
ed corn the sickle Fitting it is that with
the falling of the leaves and ripening of the
corn, such life as that of Bro Gilman
should be gathered home In the silence
and solemnness of this hour let me, with
unfeigned honor and pleasure, make mention
of some of the characteristics of this friend
whose precious life has just closed and van
ished from our vision.
l. Let me say that he was a strong man.
Born amid the hills OF Vermont, he had in
his personality something of their grandeur
and soidity. Trained by father whose
name is known and loved by the Free Bap-
fists, he was correct in his habits of thought
Large and commanding in physique clear
in intellect well balanced in judgment, Wig
orous and indomitable in WILL he entered
cheerfully into life's activities and made his
personality and influence felt. Life to him
was not play-day, but work-day, to be
filed with noble deeds, kindly acts and
thoughtful words. Pure in his motives and
strong III his purposes, he wasted no time in
idle dreaming or self-indulgence, but made
the most of his powers and opportunities:
even in the last years OF his life he did not,
as do many. come TO stand-still and see
only good in the first quarter of his life, but
he continued to grow and keep fully abreast
of the times in thought and advancement.
2. Again, LET me say that he was an honest
man, and that's The noblest work of God
1t was said that Numa in the early days of
Rome built temple to Faith and appointed
worship therein, that men might learn to
deal and speak honestly the one with the
other. Not needful, however. was il that our
friend should worship i'll such a temple, for
we may Justly say of him what Johnston did
of great nobleman: "He was so true to his
word that If he promised you an acorn and
none grew that year in his own country, he
would send to Denmark for one rather than
to break his promise OF offer an excuse
For 40 years or more he has been associated
with many of you in the business transac-
tIons OF life, and to-day, were ii possible for
him TO ask you as did Samuel the children
OF Israel, Witness against Inc before the
Lord. Whose OK have | taken: or whom
have | defrauded whom have / oppressed:
OF whose hands have / received any bride
to blind mine eyes Herewith, and / will re
restore, You would all reply as did the
lsraelites. Thou hast not defrauded us nor
oppressed rs, neither hast thou taken aught
OF any mans hands. God is our witness"
3. He was benevolent man in the truest
and highest sense of the term. His great.
good heart was like a full honeycomb-vou
needed bat 10 touch ii and II Welded its
treasure. No needy Que ever came To him
and went away unsatisfed. No SUFFERING
one was left unsupplied. Even the migrate
ful were recipients of his bounty, for he
knew that their unthankfulness would only
injure themselves. Especially in the line of
christian work was his bcnevolence beauti-
fully manifested none more ready, none
more liberal than he in the support OF re-
ligiouS endeavor. The thought. Z" How much
can ! get and how little can give in return. =
never entered his mind. The religion of
CHRIST was too precious boon, and the
christian church too valuable promoter OF
noble manhood and lovely womanhood, to
be hampered and crippled by any false views
OF economy or misery givings. Yonder
church upon the common in our beautiful
village stands as a monument of his love,
loyalty, sacrifice and personal effort in be-
half of the cause of God and the Free Bap-
list denomination. Truthfully and fttingy
can we, as members of it, say of him who
lieth before us so peacefully Father"
A. But we would speak of him as a chris
tan. AT the early age of Is he chose Christ
for his Savior, and made an open profession
vi i"Ahh III iiiLs Slptdh GuNlSeQlN when
say that he esteemed his SIMPLE childlike
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as more val
liable than wealth, honor or even life itself
lt was the source of his strength; the pillar
of his uprightness; the fountain Of his be-
neyolence, and the comfort of his last days.
During the 30 years of christian experience.
he was child of God not simply in name
but in word and deed. Purse, life and inAu.
ence were the Lords. The honor and pros
perity of the church were cherished as ten
derly as his own. Yet, while loyal to the
church of his early choice and manhood, he
was not narrow nor intolerant. To the man
who was faithfully striving to save men from
sin and the misery of sin: to the man who
could wash the leper and kiss him, saying as
did Hugo, 81 do this for Christ's sake: to
the man who was seeking to stay our sor-
lows, heal our wounds, and inspire us with
nobler motives, be, with extended hand. said
Brother, God bless you" His piety was
not OF an emotional character, but deep.
simple and constant. No fear of punish
ment nor of death impeled him to serve
God. 1t was an overmastering love for God
as Father and Christ as Redeemer that
led him into christian activity. All his life
he seemed to walk with God as child with
a parent. When in the conference meetino