The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-05-16
IN MEMORiAM.
Richard Jordan WORKMAN. .

I" L know that my Redeemer liveth, and
Shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin, wOrms destroy
this body,
Yet in my flesh shall see God
Whom Shall see for myself, and So
Mine eyes shall behold, and not another. =
On May the 7tf, 1889, Vance county lost
one of her best and most respected citizens
in the death of Richard Jordan Workman.
He was born on the 18th October, 1917, and
was consequently at the time of his death,
more than seyensy-0ne years Of age.
He left four children to mourn his loss
three sons and one daughter, A. r. Worth
am, our esteemed and worthy fellowtowns-
man. Benjamin and Perry, and Mrs. Sallie
G.. Blackwell of Townsville, together
with many warm friends, some Of whom
have loved and respected him for q half
and others for nearly three quarters Of a
century.
1t is natural that those who loved him
should lament his loss, but has not the
cloud a silver lining? Is it not grand
and beautiful sight, to see the aged patri-
arch, crowned with the jewels of Il we'll
spent life, having served his day and gen.
Grafton, having lived out his three score
years and ten, retiring from the affairs of
this transitory life in Peace and Hope OF a
glorious reunion with those whom he has
marshalled in the way of Eternal life by
precept and example?
He had been great sufferer for long
time prior to his death, but had borne all
his sufferings with patience and resigna-
ton. When asked, if he were not afraid
to die, he replied - do net think there
not dread the narrow grave, the weight of
earth pressing upon the poor body, dissolu-
ton with its awful Accomplishments, ami
hilation of this earthly tabernacle. the
rolling on of the ceaseless centuries and
never again to see the bright sun, the spark
ling waters, the green grass. the many
hued flowers, Gods smiles on earth which
seem too sweet and beautiful for thi. cold,
cruel, cunning world, never again to see
the face of loved ones here, or to hear their
sweet and happy voices but as to fearing
the Beyond, the other side of the Tomb, l
answer, No. believe the grand words OF
promise
Death is the crown of Life,
Were death denied, poor man would live
in vain;
Were death denied, to live would not be
life;
Were death denied, even fools wonld wish
to die;
Death wounds to cure, we fall, we rise, we
reign,
Spring from our letters, fasten in the skies
Where blooming Eden withers in our sight;
Death gives us more than was in Eden lost,
The King of Terrors is the Prince of
For many years he was a gentleman of
ample means, and whilst Hospitality
always sat at his board, Charity, sweet
Charity, ever showed her divine face at his
door.
He was a gentleman of the "Old School, !"
and never forgot the refnements and cOur
tesieS of life, nor the injunctionS of the
" Sermon on the Mount in the modern
mad chase after the Yellow God-Gold.
During his life he occupied many posi-
lions of honor and trust and discharged
them all with credit to himself and salts
faction to the public.
BIZ his request " T. Tu,,Stail and Capt.
A. l.. Stee,! performed the dutie; OF the
clergyman at his funeral, both being his
school mates, and in whose purity rs chris
tians lie had the utmost confidence. Mr..
Tunstall in tones of deepest feeling refer
red to the high character of the deceased,
and said lie had never known him to be
guilty of an immoral act, nor heard him
utter a word that could not have been used
in the presence of the pureSt woman in the
land.
He was not a member of any church, but
was nevertheless christian. He was one
of those who believe that a good, pure,
honest, charitable man, though outside the
church, will not be condemned by a just
God and Loving Saviour, to suffer Eternal
agony in an Eternal He'll.
He now sleeps in beautiful grove,
whose giant forms have stood as sentinels
over the graves Of his ancestors for more
than one hundred years.
O God we thank thee for this calm
That cOmeth to us all;
The long sweet silence and the sleep,
That Oh the weary fall
That cometh when the toiling hands
Lie folded OH the breast,
When griefs depart, and this is said
A tired heart, at rest"
IL. Il. w.