The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-12

by uniting with the Universalist church.
Rev. T. 8. Guthrie, then pastor of the
Eaton church, was attending the Canton
Theological School, and by request Of the
Eaton brethren, the writer held services
there on October %, 1870, and at the
evening service, after Br. Lauer made q
statement of the reason for his action, we
extended to him the hand of fellowship.
The scene will never be forgotten by
those present. At the close Of the even
ing worship, q meeting Of the church was
held, and by unanimous vote letter OF
fellowship as a minister of our church
was applied for and was granted by the
Executive Committee, as then existing,
November 10, 1870. The church also
voted to employ Br. Lauer as supply
until Br. Guthrie's return, and he deliv-
cred his first sermon as a Universalist,
Sunday evening, October 30, 1870, from
Roman i. 16: "For I am not ashamed
of the Gospel of Christ" etc. From that
time until his death he was an ear nest
advocate "of the faith once delivered to
the saints" He received call from the
church at Conover, and served the same
for several years. He removed TO that
place and remained during the remain
der of his life. He served several other
churches, and the influence of his words
and example was ever pure and uplifting.
His last charge was Caledonia, which he
resigned three years ago, because Of fee
BILE health. After that time he was I'M
able to do much ministerial work, but
maintained the integrity of his faith by
consistent walk and conversation, and
commanded the respect Of people OF all
denominations. For several years before,
and at the time of his departure, he was
member of the COMMITTEE of Fellow
ship" of the Ohio Convention, and was
faithful in performance of the obligations
of the same.
Some years ago he gave some time to
the study of medicine, adopting as his
specially, the treatment of cancer, in
which he was eminently successful. He
also established laboratory for manu-
featuring special remedies, which his
family will continue, to aid in their
support. His health continued to fail,
and at A. M, April %, 1888, his spirit
took it's flight, after confinement to his
room for two weeks. At times he was
unconscious, but when the mind WAS
clear, he reioiced in the view OF the
"heaven over THERE" frequently saying
ooh, how JOYFUL" and other words of like
import.
His funeral services were held in the
Universalist church at 2:30P NJ, April 20,
and were conducted by the writer, Rev.
J. P. MacLean offering the first prayer.
The attendance was far more than the
capacity of the church, and it required
forty minutes for the people to pass by
the casket. During his illness the mem
bers of the Social Masonic Lodge 217,
rendered constant assistance. and the rit-
ual of the Order was observed, Mr.. A.
M. Crisler, Master of Bolivar Lodge, No.
1872, of which Br. LRuer was a member,
officiating. The interment was in the
beautiful cemetery at Fletcher, four
miles from Conover. Thus has ended
the earthly life of one whom another said,
"There never was purer man, a truer
friend, and more devoted to, and self-sa
riicing for his family" May the bless
ings of the Father ever rest tenderly
upon his loved ones, and comfort them by
the sweet hope that was the anchor
of his soul. j. W. HENLEY.