The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-08-08
There is a divinity that shapes our. ends,
Rough hcW them as we NAV

He lies before us a living man no more
but in death crowned, honOred, beloved
and endeared For us and ours in the flu
ture his will be an exemplary name. Il
will speak of what may be accomplished
by intellect, 10y industry, by honor, by pa
tient, persevering endeavor, by generosity
by sympathy and respect, by tenderest feel
ing and affection. AS son, as brother, a.
husband, as father as citizen, as friend, We
lay on his bier this day the tribute OF Oul
esteem. To his ever dignitied, genial, I'm
stained MANHOOD we bring an Offering OF
honor and of love.
The man, the citizen, stood higher and
nobler than the attorney and counsellor
higher and nobler than the Judge. We
greet him as soldier at the service of hi,
country. But the manly man, our friend
outranks the officer. We respect his hon
ors on the bench, his quality as logician
his sense of Justice. But it is his manhood
in which these inhere. We think of him
not of the place he filled.
If may venture to draw the curtain thai
shuts him In, in the cham Der where he had
his last encounter in this scene of mortal
life, do it not alone because loved him
we'll, but because the scene there is some
thing memorable and beautiful. 1t is some
thing characteristic of Theophilus Lyle
Dickey, as we have known him for long
years.
He is one who enjoys no parade, employs
no false lights, makes no theatrical display
He is no actor, now posing for impression
and effect. Last days with him are hurry
ing by. He Is in the inner chamber, alone
in the bosom of his family, and no eyes are
peering in to observe and noise abroad re-
port AT the inquiry and suggestion of a
favorite grandchild a young man bearing
his name, if he would not like to partake
of the Holy Communion, as ministered by
Christ the Lord, he replies as you might
be inclined to think he would-not "no,"
not yes" but an think of it," The day
following he had Thought of it," and is
ready and himself proposes it. A clergy
man, stranger, it matters not to him who,
only that he is commissioned of the Mas
ter, comes in, and the emblems of divine
redemptive love for man are there by him
received, in childlike reverent faith
believe in the noble sincerity of T. L.
Dickey. Who that knew him could doubt
it? believe he deemed it due to the AL
mighty God and his great love to give this
testimonial of his lifelong faith, to give
assurance that as sinful man, he himself
wished to accept Gods redeeming media
torial grace, and to evidence to himself and
to his household his true desire, at Christ's
table, to be recognized of God, AS one seek
ing pardon and acceptance on high, in the
faith of n great redemption.
| But few of his associates knew that II
his youth and opening manhood he, a:
child of many prayers and baptismal vows
had given himself to God He reared the
! family altar, and asked Gods blessing or
| his daily food. If he tremblingly feared
that he had been too preciptate, if seem
ingly he had forgotten obligations, he
would now submit himself anew, and once
again take the cross of the Master and pres
it penitently and reverently to his dying
lips
He was sensitive to the opinions of men
but true, nevertheless, to convictions OF
duty. | honor him for this testimonial
this manly act of blievlng man, desiring
Righteousness. can we'll believe that he
ldesignedly aliases himself, putting away
pride before the Lord, that he may become
child, as though he had heard 1t said
" Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom
of God as little child, shall In no wise
enter therein" This submission to heav
ems appointed order, this obedience to
Jesus Christ, look upon as one of his no
blest, greatest acts. | know not wha,
thought he may have had of family, OF
companion, of children, from whose altar
of worship for long years those daily pray
ers for him had gone up to heaven. l know
not what thought he may have had OF the
influence of this sacrament on associates
in life's work and way, whether he even
thought of these. But believe he deemed
due to the God of love and mercy, and &c
his own souls hungering, to that conscious
need which is in us all, TO express by one
act of obedience his penitence and faith
Surely none know better than you who hear
me, that this act became him well, this
man, girt around with pious households
1t was the hearts testimony TO that In US
which the sweet hope of mercy and OF life
eternal alone can fill.
| Ii was quite characteristic of him In the
days following, when asked, "Shall We
again invite the clergyman to talk and pray
with your" to reply: No; l do not car
10 listen to a strange coice Ik7ao,c the rdy.'
bring these last significant acts of duty
and devotedness to you, not alone for YOU
qualification, but as monition and exam
pie, to you who were his high associate:
ana companions, fellow citizens and
friends.
Not many days went by, notmany hours
when, hands of companion and child in hi.
hands, his eyes closed In the final sleep
And we say, 1.-The chamber where thelgooC
man meets his fate Is privileged beyond
the common walks of virtuous life."
When he who holds communion with the skies
Doth till his urn where those pure waters rise,
IT'S cen as if an angel shook his wings,
When once he mingles with us meaner things.
Immortal fragrance fills the circuit wide
That tells US where his fountains are supplied