The Columbus journal., 1892-07-13
J. II. Watts. E;sa.

J. II. Watts, Esq.
Tho subject Of the following sketch 4
vol worthy to be held in remembrance
by his fellow citizens. TIE JOURNAL
to which he wal . subscriber since b
came to Nebraska, will no doub
b welcomed by its readers whel
bringing something regarding his life
death and funeral.
I Mr.. Watts was perhaps more widely
known in Platte county than any Other
merely private citizen; being quite q
mechanical genius he worked since the
writer haa known him, here and there
first a. Q builder and later on a. q brick
layer and plasterer, while, his beautiful
farm was not neglected but improved
and worked by his sons who now own
several good farms in the neighborhood.
As q mechanic he was sought after
wherever he was known; always in
d~ustrious, able and obliging, he al en-
ployed again and again, where he had
worked once. For q time he resided in
Columbus and came to be we'll known
and appreciated there too. Especially
dear was he to his comrades in arms,
and they turned out in mass at his
funeral and buried him with the honors
OF the Post of the g. A. r.
Rev. A. Heinrich of Platte Center, at
whose house Mr.. Watts had done his
last work. (Which he raj not able to
finish) who was his friend ever since he
knew him and who visited Linn religi-
ously in his last sickness, was honored
by the family with the request to con-
duct the funeral exercises. He. though
sad at the loss OF such q friend, was
gratifed that he had made that last visit
the day before his death, for he there
heard words from the dying mans lips,
which he was very glad to hear. The
funeral was largely attended, forming a
large procession while already a great
number Of carriages had gone to the
church. The preacher had selected I
Cor. XIV, 10, as his text: But by the
grace of God I am what l am and his
grace which was bestowed upon mt was
not in vain" These words are we'll
applicable to II departed brother.
His glory was in the grace of God which
was also fruitful in him, as proved by his
character. Our text suggests the theme:
THE POWER OF H GRACE OF COB"
1. WHAT Is THE GRACE OF COP? 1t
is that manifestation of the love Of God,
saving from sin and making happy, for
time and eternity, sinful men for Jesus
sake. In a general We are all
only by grace what We are. Paul wa
thus saved and made useful and happy
and 80 was brother Watts, who has now
been called higher up to receive his re-
ward. Let us examine ourselves ii we
too have thus been saved and made use
full.
III. WHAT IS THE POWER OF GRACE ?
See it in the case Of Paul, throwing
away his self righteousness Phil, III. ;
1O believing a poor sinner in his "
the best friend Of Gods people,
whom before he had prosecuted; endur-
ing all things for the elects sake, labor
ing more than all the rest. Then we see
that Gods grace not only men but
makes them a blessing to their fellow
men, active in Gods work. Some say:
give us less creed and more deed" But
it is grace alone, obtained by the hand Of
faith that enables men to give more
'deed," as the case of Paul and brother
Watts proves. Works not of faith are
Augustine prayed: "forgive mo
my good works." Saved by grace not in
our sins, but from our sins; saved NOr
BY, but FOR works; saved by grace, and
rewarded for works and faithfulness to
The truth.
Bro. Watts was born November 19,
1894, in Bristol, England. He came to
this country in 1854, was married March
Is, 1856, his faithful companion surviv-
him. Their union was blessed with
nine children four of whom went before
They came to Nebraska in 1870,
and he vas the first settler in the beauti-
ful valley bearing his name, "Wattsville."
He was converted in the spring Of 1876,
and being baptized by Elder Jackson
then joined the Baptist church
Of Wattsville, also serving for a time as
When the church by removals,
stc., ceased to exist, he being kind-hearted
and liberal almost to a fault, helped
different other religious societies, being
especially active in Sabbath-school work,
and in pocketbook being also converted,
aided whomever he considered
In the last visit Of the minister |
be confessed not only his firm belief in
his Saviour, but also his victory owe
many difficulties in his religious views, |
and his firm conviction of Baptist doc
trine and practice, in which he had but
recently been fully re-established. May
follow his faith considering his
conversation"