Morning journal and courier., 1885-09-14
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
The Late William O. Armstrong-At The George Street Methodist Ch arch.

l The Late William o. Armstron&-At l The George Street Methodist Ch arch. At the George street M. E. church the Rev. c. B. Ford, pastor, preached yesterday
 morning sermon in memory of the late l William O. Armstrong, who was one of the active and substantial members of that
 church for about thirty years.
 l The pastor announced that the service l would have been held before had it not been
 postponed for special reasons. He hoped to l make the sermon profitable. The pastors 1 text was the 21st verse of the second chapter of 1st Peter: Leaving us an example that we should follow ill his steps," The speaker | said God came to earth to take man to heav- en; he came in the person of Jesus Christ to fit man for his final abode Jesus went | about teaching and preaching as one with authority so that his enemies confessed, ''Never man spake as this man." Christ taught no better truths than we who are his followers are inspired to teach. If we fol low in the footsteps of Jesus and others fol low in our footsteps, they are likewise follow CTS of Jesus. The late William O. Arm strong, member of this church, while he was with us was often proclaiming what the religion of Jesus had done for him, but be has gone, leaving example for us to follow
 Jesus. About thirty Years ago
 at the St. John street church he made con
 fession of religion in the midst of an active
 business career. Many business men &C.,
 knowledge the importance of religious duties,
 but postpone such duties as the business af-
 fairs of the present are too expressing. Peo- pie want religious hope when sick, but he chose Christ. confessing him before men, when he was in the best of health and com paratively a young man, and in confessing Christ he acknowledged the principles which haa roffn yor1 ora15H 5HaI 1. hold and in his business affairs never allow l ing his business to interfere with his relip- l ious duties.
 On one particular occasion (twentv-fiye years ago) it was noticed that he was present at weekly prayer meeting when it was known that his personal business was press ing.
 The question what particular church Q person shall connect himself and family \ with is one of no little importance Some decide according to social attractions, and in l stances are known of persons leaving one church to join another for 8 special social ! advantage. Financial considerations often ! influence these decisions regarding churches and the church that will necessitate the light est financial burden is accepted Seeing in this neighborhood the need of a church he 1 came here, knowing his part of the expense of maintaining church would be large, and | during the many years that he was connected with this society he never hesitated to finan- cially assist the many enterprises connected | with the church. These affairs he not only ! assisted with his money, but with his pres once and influence, not saying to others go on and do the work. He was found actively en- gagged where he could best assist.
 1 He furnished example by his person | al efforts going about doing good and in this he followed in the footsteps of Jesus I have never known layman that went about visit l ing people as much as did our brother, not going only to the residences of the wealthy, but to the homes of the poor and unfortu- nate He visited such as had become neg ligent regarding the means of grace and ben eftted many by his counsel. He presented many with vegetables from his garden and fruits from his orchard, which he delivered personally when many would have said to the persons who received these gifts, we will give you these if you will come
 and get them. On Thanksgiving days
 he usually made score of homes happy and many so benefited will mourn to-day
 And of him it cannot be said, '1 was
 hungered and ye gave me no meat; was
 thirsty and ye gave me no drink" He rec
 ognized his Christian obligations, and of him
 it may be said, "Inasmuch as ye did it
 unto one of the least of these my brethren, ,ye
 have done it unto me-"
 During his last hours there appeared to
 him vision, when he exclaimed, am going
 to heaven. Dead! we say. But can that
 man be dead whose departure from this life
 is crowned with such glory? "He is not
 dead, but lives in the hereafter"