The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-05-17
The FareweII Tribute,

All that is mortal of Robert B. Witter was
borne to Maple Grove Cemetery last Friday az
ternoon to await its return to the common goal
of human destiny. Impressive services were
held at the Congregational Church. at which the
words of eulogy and admonition were listened
to by alarge congregation of sorrowing friend s
who went to mingle their tribute with the tears
of the bereaved family and relatives. Rev. S.
W. Meek, the pastor of the deceased. said it was
not in harmony with the wishes of sthe friends
that formal discourse be preached. and his
remarks would therefore be such as seemed to
him appropriate to the memory of Mr.. Witter.
and the solemnity OF the occasion. After a
short summary of the life of Mr., Witter he
spoke ofthe frequent changes of habitat IN that
fell to his lot. and of the sorrow of broken
home circle which came to sadden his days, ex-
perienees that burdened him with more than
the ordinary trials and vicissitudes of human
experience. Ht had for years been wei GIFTED
with the responsibilities of harrasslpg bust
ness cares. and knew more of the struggles,
battles and hardshps of life than fell to the lot
of many.
The speaker had only known him intimately
for three or four years. the closer acquaintance
developing from his regular church attendance
which led the pastor to cultivate nearer rela-
tionship with one who always listened most at
tentively TO the preached word. He soon learned
that Mr. Witter was dreadful sufferer. and his
heart went out in sympathy for the afflicted
invalid and strengthened the interest he felt in
his welfare.
Life. said the speaker, is battle. We come
into the world the most imperfect of all the .
imal creation So frail and fragilei is the tender
in FAINT hold on life that two out of every three
die in early childhood. Where the vitality en-
dures to ripper years, the survivors find manifold
other troubles to perplex and worry them. 1t
is such serious trouble to learn how to be a
man that many never sttain the appreciative
knowledge that leads them in the right paths.
After this comes the cares and anxieties of the
family. Home and children are the choicest
blessings and best gifts that God ever gave to
anyone. But how much trouble and uncertain :
ty come with their possesstoni Old age comes
on with its multiplied SORROWS, its loneliness
and sense of outlived usefulness.
Life is trouble. Life is a battle s. ou ask
why this is soq answer candidly that cannot
tell, and know of no one who can. We know
that those who have bnrdens to bear and crosses
to endure, and take them up cheerfnlly and
willingly are5the ones who grow into the large
wide rich and noble manhood. Individual ex-
perience in these things is necessary to us all.
and we infer from this that the reason of these
struggles and battles is that God has placed us
in training school where he designs us to ex-
pand and develop into the excellence of Him.
self. The man who undertakes to dodge re-
sponsibiity and lead an easy, selfish life is
planning for failure. The man who accepts
the responsibilities and asks God to help him
will attain the only true success. Many lives
grow sweeter and better with trouble. That IL
the victory. 1t is great thing to grow into the
bind of man God intended for us all.
This was the substance of the brief but ex-
cellent remarks.
The floral offerings consisted of three very
beautiful pieces: An anchor. from the National
Union, broken column of roses. from Cleve.
land friends. and pillow from the family,
The singing was from quartette, composed
of Messrs. j. H. Oakley, A. B. Seymour, e. Y
Lacey and A. W. Olmstead. The pail bearers
were Hon. D. c Goldman, j. G. Beatty. j. s
Smi h. G. L. Horr. w A. jenkins and D. NJ.
CleweH.