Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-02-23
In MenaOria,,,.

WILLIAM j. LONG. died February III.
1884, aged 20 years, 9 months and q
days.
William was the eldest son of Mr.
William r. Long and Mrs. Elizabeth h,
Long, and was born at Williamsport,
Md, April 10Th, 1853. He was an aflec.
tionate and dutiful son, manly In his
bearing, noble in his aspirations, loved
and esteemed by all who knew him,
faithful and true as companion and
friend, upright In all his dealings, had
the confidence of all with whom he was
associated in the relations OF business.
pure in his life, Of character above re-
proach, and a Christian.
Nothing but failing health stood IN
the way of achieving success commen-
surate with the aspirations ofhis youth.
He was summoned to halt on the
threshold OF manhood's undertakings ;
and though he battled courageously FOR
several years against the advancing ell
emy--an affection Of the throat and
lungs-and in his ambition to fulfil the
mission of a worthy life, doubtless over
taxed his physical powers; yet compel
led at last to retire to the quiet and sa-
cred circle OF home, he spent the last
two months of his life with his father
and mother, whom he loved with all the
devotion OF his young heart. 1t was
here that he was privileged above the
common walks of men, and IL was
here that the beauty OF his character
found sweetest expression.
Having at the age of nineteen conse-
Grated himself to the service OF the Lord
Jesus, he yet drew nearer To God as he
drew nearer the grave. His love for
the truths Of the gospel, for prayer, for
the ministrations of his pastor, and for
the fellowship Of christian love, was as
marked as 1t was unaffected and true;
and innocent Of ostentation or dissimu-
lation. he Enthusiastically testified, 81
am not ashamed of the gospel OF Jesus
Christ, for 1t is the power Of God and
the wisdom Of God unto salvatiOn.v
He bore his sickness and suffering
with christian resignation; and, while
through the buoyancy Of youthful hope
and the conscious strength ofhis young
manhood, he looked forward with ardor
to the day when after restored to health
he could resume his task Of manly toll
In life, yet, when advised Of his true
condition. he did not murmur, but said
"Fhy will, Q Lord, be done.v Resign
ed, yet hopeful, he passed week after
week in his room, learning more and
more Of spiritual truth, as well as Of the
very high esteem In which he was held
by his companions and friends. The
wealth of mothers and fathers love
he realized here as perhaps he never did
before, and he reciprocated the same
with tenderness rarely seen. Having
laid hold upon that within the veil, and
still clasping in his arms the other
members of that little home circle soon
to be broken, that sick chamber seemed
the very gate Of heaven. Even so
come, Lord jesus" thus he said, and,
passing in to be forever with the Lord,
he Is lost TO our view; but that young
life of faith, hope and love dwells in
memory as heavenly benediction, and
from before the throne of God our BROTH
err seems to say, sweep not for me-
Why should we so mourn? A life SO
ending Is life OF biessedness and tri-
umph.
The funeral services were held in the
Lutheran Church, OF which ne was a
member. The theme Of discourse by
the pastor was The Title to Heaven.
Text: sWhose names are written in
the Lambs book of life.' The body
was conveyed to Williamsport, Md,
for interment HE that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he
live.o "Because l live, We shall live
ALSO" Il. C. III.