The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-12-18

of Brother Otis Davis, Palmyra, d.

At stated communication of Charity Lodge No
$50. F. and A. M. Palmyra. o., held Dee. 7th. 1899
the committee appointed to draft suitable trib-
ute to the memory of onr deceased brother made
the following report:
All can and do perceive. and are gladdened by |
the possession of the good and the beautiful. but
not all in equal measure One rejoiees in the
possession of physical strengths another in intel
lectual power; another in kindness and gentle
ness; and each through this secular endowment
physical and mental. or through them both hap
PLY joined attests by his daily walk and conver-
sation the power of his development for strength,
intellect goodness. With such rs are thus gift
ed we rejoice; in the companionship of such do
we delight; and oat of the memory of such floats
n sweet SAVIOR, that comes to us and we inhae it
and are made glad.
| 1t the answer were demanded to the question
AT what time in the life of such would the sum-
| mons to - Leave the warm precincts of the cb GER
tul day fall with more crushing weight than
another ?-we believe the answ er must be: when
that life of str ength intellect or genteness or
goodness were set upon the threshold of the
knowledge that it just entering a career of
promise. supported by lofty aims and cherished
hopes. under such circumstances, it seems to us
that the summons comes freighted with an aug
mented bitterness, and spreads deeper shadow
over the heart than if it in the grey twilight
of the evening of our years. As a ripening age
advances. we can welcome the summons as sig
nal for promised relief from pilgrimage that is
beset with trials. and often filled with weariness
and suffering. But when it comes just when hope
is at high twelve, when the cherished object:
of an honorable life in full view. yet unattain
d. when. but for its blighting shadow, the world
were a landscape of brightness and JOY, ,inexpress
| h1on oAr-oc IL
the current of an icy river. and it chils. falter
and dies.
Such summons came to young and beloved
brother of this Lodge. and he yields up his trus
in the midst of life's battles.
: Otis Davis, whose death we mourn, was born il
Palmyra Aug. 10th. 1858; died Dec 4th, 1889. Fl,
learned the trade of carpenter; in this as in al
his subsevient undertakings, he persevered unit
excellence as a workman rewarded his efforts
Though at many times he suffer ed greatly. yet h.
was rarely known to utter word of complaint
and when inquiry was made, e,or solicitude express
ed for the condition of his health, he alwas man
ifested the same hopefulness and fortitude tha
everyone noticed and all admired. He was raise,
to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Char
ity Lodge No. $50, February 2Sth, 1885, and what
ever duty he had to perform within the Lodge,
f was accomplished with the same scrupulous car
that characterized his works in other fields G
labor.
He has gone out from among US. but his mem
ory will remain unto us a joy and gladness Blu
it is beautiful to trust that there exists somewh
in that realm which separates the seen from tn
unseen world. a mystic medium of communicate
that shall serve to comfort and satisfy and sooth
= all hearts that mourn.
n His remains were laid to rest in the churchyar
of this village. on the 7th day of December 1888
, by loving and fraternal hands
Rest. weary pilgrim. beneath the snow.
Over thy heart shall the pansies grow,
r Lighter breezes above thee blow,
Il Brother. at rest.