The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-11-07


lated during his long and painful illness;
but neither skill nor care could arrest the
disease, and from the arms that would
have held him, had it been Gods will, he
passed beyond into the Divine keeping.
Four days afterwards we gathered
again to commit to the dust the body of
him to whom I have already alluded,
member of the vestry, elected thereto on
the nomination Of his namesake twenty
five years ago. 1t is at least worthy of
mention that SO long service of both
should have begun and ended in the same
year. He also served the diocese in the
general convention and attended the last
Diocesan Council as delegate from this
parish. Ever courteous with those who
differed from him and gentle to all, he
exemplifed the beauty of holiness, and
was as earnest in his Masters work as in
any plan of his own; though failing for
many months the end came quickly at
last, and as I received his farewell kiss
felt it was benediction from the spirit
ual world, upon the entrance to which he
was standing ready to enter, even whilst
his heart would have led him to tarry
yet while with those he loved, and
| though hearts. were sad yet they could
without reservation observe his Oft
repeated request and give thanks to God
for the rest that had closed long and
honorable human life.
We all remember the shock caused by
the tidings Of the strong young man
| taken from slumber to deaths dreamless
sleep. Apparently healthy and in the
strength of early manhood he passed
away suddenly from life. 1t looked as
though it were especially necessary that
he should live, for others were depending
upon him; it is one of the mysteries of
which life is full and under which it
takes strong faith to gather any COM
fort from Gods way, a way the full
mercy and wisdom of which we may not
understand until in the hereafter we
come nearer to Him.
There was brought home here the body
Of him who had sought in a neighboring
state restoration to health. Broken by
the labors which he thought it his duty
to undertake the limit of safety had been
passed, nature failed to rally her scatter
ed wers, and the fitful CLEAN of hope
died out in the certainty which none
could doubt. His many noble qualities
of mind and heart made him endeared to
all, and many more than his kindred will
m SIS the pleasant words and ready help
which it was pleasure to him TO speak
and to render.
Death closed the long sickness of one
who in an humber walk tried faithfully
to do his duty. For several years he was
failing, willing to work when work and
strength were within his power, and
when both failed he bore cheerfully the
privations that followed and was ever
| thankful for the care and attention which
the ministering hands of the guild were
dUle W give.
The last one over whom the
church spoke of the Resurrection
and the Life was we'll known during a
life prolonged beyond the allotted period,
Many years ago he was member of the
vestry and his interest in the parish con-
tinued after that official relationship had
ceased. His dignifed and courtly man
ners gave him a noticeable presence in
the congregation. Through years of
failing strength he was ever thoughtful
of the comfort of others. Fully conscious
of the change so slowly approaching he
met it without fear and passed away from
earthly scenes with entire trust in God S
mercy and goodness. Who can say
which one of us will next be summoned
to join that great multitude which no
man can number? Have we not proof
enough that death waits for no ones age
or convenience? When we seem the
most likely to live we may be the first to
die, and at the longest our earthly story
is brief, so let us learn the wisdom which
the day would teach, not only in the per-
>onal matters which concern ourselves,
but also in. the remembrance of those
who wait the coming of their King, for
they are still of us, though not with us.
We may not touch them, but we can
reach them with our thoughts and follow
them in our prayers, for the good Lord
knows them all and will not overlook the
humblest one.
what matters it to Him who holds within
The hollow of His hand all worlds all space
That they are done with earthly pain and sins
Somewhere within His ken they have place.
Somewhere they live and have need of Him,
Somewhere their souls see higher heights 10
climb,
And somewhere still there may be valleys dim
That they must pass to reach the hills sublime.
Then all the more, because they cannot hear