The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-07-22

sire for the preservation of the nations in
tegrity, which possessed members of his
congregation and community, he answered
the call of his ountry and went with them
as chaplain of the Seventeenth Iowa valun.
teers. Members of the Grand Army of the
Republic and all who have touched In any
way this part of his experience or convic
tions, know well that his soul was linked
with the maintenance of the principles at
stake in that struggle. though. doubt not,
the strusge g ended. he was as desirousi as
any one that the reign of charity and mu.
tual helpfulness should prevail throughout
the entire land.
As to his ministry, have it from his
record In other places; though If this were
wanting, it could be fully verified from the
ten months of his occupancy of our own
church IN The Dalles Not few of those
whose opinion value IN such matters, hav.
ing frequently declared how they delighted
in his ministry and were protted by it. 'HIs
record Is that of 'tan earnest, faithful and
devoted minister of the gospel"-of lone
who carries the spirit of gospel in his life,
and won and retained the confidence and
love of those about him." He was man
of "6ne literary tastes and studious habits,
and if ever he fell short 1t was not because
he did not ann high and do his utmost to
reach the mark. One great characteristic
of his preaching was his persuasiveness
Another 4ually prominent, was his faculty
of presenting gospel truth without denomi-
national bias or credal empha is. his presen-
tation being such that many of diverse be-
llefs claimed him for their own, being go
sure that his view was according to the
truth. He was in high esteem for genuine
ability in every Preshytery with which he
was ever associated, and only his exceeding
modesty, which really amounted to timId-
ity, kept him from the prominence OF which
his abilities gave promise. He gathered
about him large, strong churcn there Ill
Iowa, many members of which. as of the |
community, cherish to this day his memory |
with great sadness. Had 1t not been that |
the paralysis fell upon HIM just as it did, he |
would have gone back to them this GUNNER |
and proved how much they could |
do to make him know how good !
is the Old love-" But the old church. |
dear as it was. could not keep HIM. Some
how he got it into his heart that he ought |
to arise aud go unto the great land bevond
the mountains, whose shores are washed by
h.r h. Ion Axuh fnt nDr
show him and give to him. IN part at least,
for possession. speak of the church and
the cause he loved. At length IN 1869 he
secured through the board Of missions an
appointment which removed him to Salinas
City, Calf, where he remained ten years.
It was great deal like many of lfe's hopes
and the lands of promise which are SEEM
ingly opened unto us. Much there is In
them.-so much that We would not think of
going back nor of charging God with failing
us. And yet there's always something IN.
fulfilled, something that makes US think
that unless God has some fuller, better
thing for Us in those who shall come after
US, taking our work were we leave it and
carrying it to some high fullflment, the
promise has failed u.s. But the word of our
God upon which He has caused us to
hope" does not fail us. God is too great
God not to love and use us all-all who try
10 serve Him-and saye our work from ute
,er failure, nay rather to make it a part of
His grand success which is sure to come.
There must have been much grand sue
less and much enjoyment too in these years
I'm sure of that, though the outcome was
like bitterness. Il speak
argely from impressions) It all came from
/ mans being in place and among peo- |
pie not yet prepared for him. That is the
'ondition of prophetsre In all ages and !
Imong all people. It only seems strange
when it touches us. He was not soured by ,
lis experience of mans inhumanity to man |
# the Christians sometime unkindness to
lis brother-a thing of narrowness and big
TRY and sel6shness. He was not soul ed by {
t, nor in anYwise turned from Christianity |.
Tor the church; but grew even to the end in !
,readth and charity and sweetness-as We 8
II do testify. As parishoner aad fellow G
worker, where he was not pastor. he was
highly esteemed and greatly beloved for his
warm sympathy and steadfast Christian
lelpfulness.
Mr.. Wilson came to Waitsburg. Wash
ngton territory. in September, 1879. He
moved to Dutch Flat in the spring of 80,
living there through the hard winter of
30 81. Came to The Dalles in the fall of j
81. Moyed on Mill creek in March of '82.
living there until December, 1891, when h- {
eturned and took up hiss residence IN the I
itv. At the time of his death he was prov t
ne up a homestead at Mitchell, about l25 {
niles south of here. {
He leaves widow and three sons-Lee, c
'4rker and Norman-and one daughter I
drs. Bella Huntington.