Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-07-30
Death ORG. H. Button.

his home in this place on the forenoon q
Monday, and the funeral was held at hi
: late residence at O'Clock on Wednesda
afternoon. The Portage Commandery 0
: Knights Templars and the Janesvill
I Commandery were present in body, a
also were the Masonic lodges of Edgertol
and Milton. The funeral was attended b.
large concourse Of people. The Portag
Commandery conducted exercises at th
, house, and the usual Masonic ritual wa
followed at the cemetery. The sermon
was preached by Rev. j. F. SCHNEIDER, anC
the song service rendered by Mrs. Schin
dler and Prof. j. NJ. Stillman. The ser
vices were impressive and the floral offer
: ings were appropriate and numerous
Following is the full text of
THE SERMON.
To-day our hearts all bear the same burden. We
are In sincere sympathy with the bereaved family
AS friends and neighbors OF the departed we have
come bearing a farewell tribute Of respect and
brotherly love We know how great loss We
have sustained, both from the circle OF our private
friendships and from the community's roll OF good
citizens. Our common loss Is the source Of our
common grief; together we bow under the weight
But we win not let our sorrow be master over US
we are only grief-stricken, not despairing. We
believe that In the divine order OF things there are
no calamities; and whatever weight Of grief may
oppress us, hope springing eternal within lead
US confdentiy through the gateway OF death, and
our faith bears Us testimony that all things are
well IN the universe Of God. Lie is eternal, and
only the beginning OF its experiences belongs on
the earth. Without limit are the opportunities OF
the human soul, and is capacities ever enlargingi
suits Of its activity the ripened fruitage to pro-
duce which God has established the creation in
such great variety OF feature. The universe is the
many roomed house Of the Father. To the room
/ whose location and appointments we are endowed
70 occupy usefully to that assigned for res
| idenee When we have grown larger through as
slmiiating the sustaining qualities OF our sur
ronndinss re we move up 70 larger better furnish
up higher, from room TO room but all the rooms
are in the Fathers house. This is abe law Of our
progressive life in this world and We are taught by
the principle Of analogy that Is is also the law in
/ the world to come. We thus rest In the thought
that life is one, unbroken and everlasting. This
supports our hope that the ties of affection which
! are severed here will be reunited again sOme-
where in the mansions OF God. SO we come to this
days sad scene, heavy hearted indeed but joyful
also at sight of the silver fringe which encircles
the cloud OF our grief assuring us that the spiritual
realm Is lighted up with a light that never grows
dim. and in whose brightness all separated hearts
are revealed to each other. George Havens But
He came to Wisconsin in 1867 and made his head
quarters for a few years at Portage On Dec. z,
1874 he was married and located at Milton june
tion where he has since been one OF the best citi
zens being interested faithful and generous in all
matters touching the welfare OF the community In
business he has been enterprising and successful.
Last fall he taken sick with the then prevail
ing epidemic, which greatly reduced the vitality OF
his system, but he went about his business as usn
al. About three months ago there came a crisis in
his condition, his disorder slowly complicated, he
gradually lost strength. When his condition nnal-
ly became alarming good medical aid as can be
had was summoned to his assistance, but i was OF
no avail, the malady was master, and on Monday
at few minutes before twelve O'Clock he passed
away wife and two daughters, brothers and
sisters are the members Of his immediate relation
ship who survive to mourn the departure from a,
mong them OF a loving and faithful husband kind
and tender father and an afectionate brother II
was an heroic battle for life which Mr.. Button wag
ed and he fought Il with a degree Of patience OF
which not every one is capable. But the final issue
individual soul must sometime leave its physical
house and pass on into the abode Of spirits. Our
brother has met that experiences we also must
some day meet It, But in the manner OF meeting II
his example is instructive. Never did man more
nationally supported He was sustained by SO
firm faith in the inherent rightness and goodness
Of things-in the absolute integrity Of the Divine
Being-that no fear could take Judgement in his
MIND. Along the slow course of these weary
months he has come TO the final day without the
least apprehension that all Is not well ordered tor
every human soul. The larger formula Of faith
his religious inheritance, a faith SO consistent
with life and law that it fear evil while God
regns in the universe. II is not OF death but OF
life that should thlnk-that we must think
Death is not something inal 1t is only incident
in life gateway through which the soul passes in
its journey onward. We think of our brother not
- dead but as more than ever alive; his career is
not ended, it is just begun. His mortal body we
tenderly consign to the earth from whence 1t came
and henoeforth we know him only by the greater
sign OF his character, the man as he led loving and
genial fellowship with 1t is in mans person
al qualities that discover the secret Of his in
iuence among his fellows. George Button was de-
seryedly popular in the circle OF his associates and
acquaintances. He possessed abundantly the
9rNces OF cheerfulneHs. RoDQ nuulors anu
Of heart, graces that are real evidences OF worthy
character. Thus endowed he to himself the
hearts OF many friends in business and in The So
eial circle. or course he regretted TO have TO leave
his place in the world just yet, for his work is not
finished. But this Is an event not uncommon IN
the world-one of the inevitable incidents of life.
The going out from midst OF our friends life
well. we should only remember him with respect
and gadness he was in the days OF his health
and busy strength. The influence Of his life among
is to-day emphasized as we fully realize the loss
we have sustained in his departure, and as love
and friendship sacred sentiments now con-
secrate ourselves anew to the virtues which IN him
have so deeply impressed us. Thus grief
Is iu to gs and henceforth we shall be nobler and
manlier in doing life's work. In our moments OF
severest sorrow we may feel that the past contains
all OF him which former days have rendered dear
and familiar and even that is passing silently into
the dim distance. But there IS higher view to
in this world which God will never permit to per-
ish. The most permanent OF all things is human
character that ever survives physical disorganza-
tion and abides with perpetual blessing. The
care which friend out OF his good heart to
Others his deeds OF kindness and his affection and
friendship will never be lost. All these proceeded
from the higher and individual part OF his nature;
that in him which made impression on Us so that
must bring here our tribute Of respect, belongs
to the things which never die. No service render
ed to mankind no proper relation OF human life no
exhibition OF moral integrity, VIII ever pass alto,
gether out OF the fortunes Of the world The mind
and conscience of George Button are personal |
formula in this community known OF all the people
who reside here. Only his physical body has dis
appeared; his personal worth still remains and
viii remain holy influence through the years. It
has been truly said that '.God only lends the 1
objects Of our anection itself he gives to keep"
Death has withdrawn q husband, father, brother /
friend from our eyes and has given him over ex- |
cusively to hearts, there may he ever continue
to be cherished by US, "a kind OF serene omnipres
enceH sanctifyiug our lives go about in the /
world Thus what is noblest and best OF him viii /
be with us, and there will be no occasion for
tears but abundant reason for, gratitude to God /
that he has so beautifully ordained the enduring
features which enter into human consciousness.
The divine hand has so fashioned memories |
that speedily forget the infrmities OF our de-
parted friends; "whe whatever is fair and excel
lent in their lives comes forth from the gloom in (
ideal beauty and leads through the wilds and /
nazes Of our mortal way And we never 1
conscious Of the real worth OF our loved ones and
friends as in the moment when they have gone /
from Us into the mysteries OF another world.
Milton June. News, Wis /
The Wetmore & Morse Granite company /
of Montpelier will send granite vault to /
Grand Rapids, Mich, in a month or two I
which viii require twenty or twenty-five /
cars tor shipment.
Almer, son of John st. John Of Mont
pelier was badly cur and bruised all over
his body and one leg was broken several /
times July Is bv being mixed up in coll I