, 1891-03-27

hOuhNCN " IL eNNStt ebON' lN1l
and above reproach.
On Feb. 5, 1871, Mr.. and Mrs. Snyder
were received into membership by the
First Presbyterian church of this city;
he by letter from the First Presbyterian
church of New Orleans. La, his wife
from the NJ. +. church of Altoona, Pa.
He was ordained an elder Of the Presby-
terrain church, Oct. 10, 1872, was rein
stalled Feb. 4, 1876. On Jan. :, 1880,
be was dismissed with his wife to unite
with this church. In July &c of the
same year he was elected to serve as
deacon of this church, and has been con-
tinued in the office ever since through the
love and esteem of the people. In 1887
he was elected to the office of superin-
tendeut of the Sunday school and speedily
became warmly beloved by all the chill
dren.
Whether as teacher of an adult bible
class or as superintendent his striking
originality, the transparent sincerity of
his character, his deep convictions OF re-
ligious truth, his earnestness OF purpose,
his honesty in seeking truth gave more
than a passing interest to all that he
said. His homely Illustrations in review
ing the Sunday school lessons, which
were sometimes taken from the street
without any attempt to polish off their
rouQhness, were ALWAYS telling; and
though often provocative of laughter,
never failed to leave II decided impress OF
the moral or spiritual lessons he desired
to onvey He was deeply anxious for
the early conversion of the scholars in the
school and deeply regretted it when any
OF the larger boys became careless in at
tendance or finally dropped out oil school.
Religion was to him a most precious fact.
HIS salvation was out of the midst of
temptation and sorrow. His gratitude
and love inspired him with personal zeal
and a great desire to persuade his schol-
ars to give their hearts to the blessed Saw
Jour in their youth. At the meetings held
in this church by Rev. r. NJ. Thompson
two years ago, Mr.. Snyder received a very
great blessing. Rarely have | seen such
a decided enlargement of soul in any
Christian under like circumstances. Those
who attended the morning prayer meet
ings will not soon forget the Overlooking
of his heart in his desire that souls might
be saved. Ooe morning especially he
poured u his feelings in these words:
My first thought when | meet a man
on the street is. | wish he were a Chris
tian. 1 feel lust like taking every man in
my arms and telling him to love Christ.
He had great Joy IN his children when
three of them united with the church on
March 3, 1889 He was not demonstra-
tive without, yet how earnestly he poured
u his full heart for the salvation of men.
His prayers were simple, tender, heart
searching and profound, seeming to utter
the deepest wants OF the soul IN iewest
words.
AS a deacon he redeemed the name
from many sneers which goddess men are
apt to cast upon it. No man in Cheyenne
ever sneered at MIR. Snyder's profession
OF faith. In his presence there could be
no liRhtness of speech on religious mat
ters by any who knew him. They had
too great respect for what they knew to
him was most sacred and precious. The
church and the Sunday school of this
church rave sustained a loss that will not
easily be made good unless some shall be
inspired by the example of his sincerity,
earnestness aud faithfulness, to seek from
above a double portion of his spirit, that
the work which he has been engaged in
may be taken up and carried forward to a
still greater perfection in a golden fruitage
of good works In the name OF the Master
for the salvation of men.
As a man among men, | believe | can
truthfully say after an acquaintance Of
more than four years, that there was
nothing in the business or public life OF
Mr.. A. G. Snyder over which it is neces.
sarv for us to throw a mantle of charity.
Not that he was f~aultless but he was a
royal man. Nothing of double dealing, OF
OF hypocrisy, or meanness. in his nature
or disposition. His was an original soul
cast in a somewhat rough mould. but Of
large pattern-generous, kindly, genial.
Looking at all men on their best side.
Hence more than most men he was actu-
ally beloved by men. His sympathies
flowed so freely and so heartily that
men loved him as a brother. Aud
more than one in thus large audience
whose cheeks are wet with tears of which
they are not ashamed can say truly, Il
have lost EIy best friend"
While among business men his religious
feelings and desires were not ELUSIVE moi
obtrusive, while he did not wear his =eli.
gion upon his sleeve and .dislikeG cant above
all things, vet his character was so marked
and the source of it so well known that .
friend of his who rarely enters church re.
marked to me on Tuesday morning
well, If anybody was prepared to go, II
was Snyder This community can i'll at,
ford to lose such a stalwart, honest, re.
ligious man from among its citizens.
But if the loss to this church and com,
community is so great in the death of Mr.
Snyder, what words can express the meas
ure of that loss to his family?
He was essentially a home loving man.
There was no society in club rooms, or in