The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1890-08-08

home, thanking God for all his blessings, !,
and giving him great glory"
mo n of us may know" he CON-
mented, referring to his near departure,
why it is, but it is all in Gods hands.
It is SO strange that I should lave BEEN
cut down, just in the midst of my life-i
work. There seems SO much to do; and!
I had felt that the few years allotted me-
could be spent in better service to him.
SO may he keep US and strengthen us
and guide us all, no wanderer lost, the
demption through Jesus Christ, in the
land where there shall be no sickness, no
sorrow, nor death. nor tears, for Gods
W hand shall wipe all tears away"
And this was uttered with both hands
up]ifted, as if in benediction upon the
family gathered around him; and then
he tenderly recited:
When gathering clouds around I view,
When days grow dark and friends are few,
On him I lean who not in vain
Experienced every human pain,
Who knoweth all my anxious fears,
And counts and treasures all my tears.
Tears counted" he said: even our
tears!"
Waiting a little he looked around and
asked @Who hears this?" And then, as
if satisfied that only the family heard,
he said: You have all been SO good, so
competent, SO faithful" A little later he
asked what time it was, and was an
swered. II o'clock" In the morning?"
asked he. NO, the evening"" he was
answered. A smile passed over his face,
and very fervently he recited the verse
beginning, Lead, kindly light"
In a moment the church bells began to
ring, and quietly, earnestly he said: 4The
bells Of Heaven will be ringing SOON"
I Cti!t 1ofar IN tho ora,ipr h. kea1 -:
dividual leave of the entire family circle,
asking personally for each member of it,
and giving to eacha special message. Not
n was forgotten, and missing Edith,
one of the grandchildren, who had re-
tired for the night, at his request she was
brought from her bed to receive his fare
we'll word. It was a solemn, sacred hour,
but full of hallowed satisfaction to all.
To his devoted daughter, Mrs. Park,
he said: You have been a blessing to
me ever since you were born, but you
blessed me most when out Of your great
sorrow you brought the children here to
be my comfort and gladness. I have
learned from little Bessie and Mabel
many lessons of faith, and patience, and
hope, and trust"
To Jennie, the Oldest of = the child
ren"-meaning the grandchildren-who
had most recently read to him from a
favorite book, he said words of discrim-
mating appreciation, adding finally,
I'VE will resume the reading on the other
side." To Edward, next in age, and
toward whom, as toward all the family
group, his great heart opened with strong
and tender acknowledgment. Through
the whole interview he was calm and
composed, never faltering. To his wife
he paid such tribute, in the presence of
children and grandchildren, as q nature
| SO appreciative as his would yield so
loyal and strong a nature as hers, but
reserved for next morning the special
and final message he desired for her and
for his son. The housemaid was also
called in, and remembered with q part
ing word; and to the physician who at
glowing terms Of gratitude for his care
and constancy. you nave been physi-
clan and friend, he said finally; may
you be hereafter both n healer of the
bodies and u healer of the souls of men,"
It il not to the discredit of DR.. Wilcox
that he bowed his head upon his patients
hands. when receiving this message, and
sobbed like a child. y suppose you have
often witnessed such scenes as this, doc
tori" said Mrs. Park to the physician,
when the %farewells had all been said.
NEVER! was Inc answer, 1 nave never
known anything like this"
By and by, when all had withdrawn.
at the physician's request. that sleep
might intervene if possible, Mrs. Park,
lingering near but out of sight, heard her
father pray: 20 Lord! if it be possible,
let this cup pass from me, and let me
live yet q few years longer, to honor
Thee better and serve Thee more"
So he coveted life not for himself, but
that through it he might glorify the
Giver Of Life. But he did not fear death
or dread it.
When he yielded life atlast on Wednes-
day morning, after another night and day
of intermittent suffering and occasional
semi-unconsciousness, whereto the ex-
~cessive heat had lent q final element of
discomfort. his wife and daughter were
faithfully at his side.
Don't you like to have Mary sit by
you and fan your" asked Mrs. Fisk.
And beaming at both with q final look Of
recognition and gratitude, which both
will forever remember, he said with
loves own emphasis, "Alwaysl" then
turned himself a little and gently
breathed his last.
The Prohibitionlsts Opportunity in ILL.,
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