The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1885-09-10
In Mernorian.

This community was called upon last
Sabbath morning to participate In one
of the saddest events eyer allotted to
our little city. 1t was the occasion Of
the funeral services of Rev. A. p. Mel
ton, the Methodist minister who died
at the parsonage on Saturday morning
the 9th inst. at about half past O'Clock,
q. M, of typho-malarial fever. The
services took place at tho Methodist
church at O'Clock in the morning in
order to meet the 8 O'Clock train, on
which he was to be borne towards his
final resting place at Quitman, In the
family burying ground at that place.
Notwithstanding the early hour, the
house was crowded with sad faces and
sympathizing friends who pressed in to
engage in the last sad rites to the MEM
Iory OF this man of God. There was no
man or woman In the circle Of his ac-
quaintance but was anxious to join a
service commemorative of a life so full
of work and toll and conservation to
his Master.
The services were necessarily brief,
but full of pathos and sadness. A thir-
ty minutes discourse was preached by
Rev. w. d. Mathews, his trusted friend
and presiding elder, from the text,
"Mark the perfect man and behold the
upright, for the end of that man is
peace" touching upon the Christian
character of the deceased and dwelling
upon the victories of consecrated
Christian life. At the close Of this
short discourse and while the congre-
cation Joined In singing Home Sweet
Home, the many friends of this faithful
minister filed past him to take a last
sad look upon his familiar face, when
the coffin was closed and his face for
ever hid from view until it shall be
seen bright with eternal joy in the
land of bliss. From the church the
coffin was borne to the depot followed
by large concourse of the citizenship
of Russellville regardless of names or
distinction. At o'clock his remains
were placed aboard the train, and weep
ing and sad the Methodist people turn
ed their steps back towards a pastOrless
church. One remarkable feature In
the expressions of grief for this good
man was that you could hardly distin-
guish where the Methodist circle gave
out and where that of other names set
In. The voice sounded like that Of one
people weeping for common friend.
His memory will be kept green in this
community for 10 these many days to
come. His loss will be felt heaviest by
the church he served, who will find 1t
q hard matter to fill the vacancy his
fall has occasioned. His afflicted fam
lily suffering in the double affection Of
his death and that of the sweet little
child who preceded him just few days
to the land over yonder, will have the
deepest sympathy of all good people
and ours especially. Death is sad
enough at best, but is especially so
when it comes double handed to cut the
little flower with the one hand, and
with the other to strike down the strong
man just entering upon the era OF use
fulncss and full into the thickest of
the fight against the enemy Of man.
kind. The ways of the Lord are past
hnding out, they will be clearer by and
by.
Servant of God we'll done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle fought, the victory won
Enter thy masters joy.