Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-11-17
In Memoriam.

Rudolph Watkins died at the residence d
his parents, near Derwood, on the morning
of the 9th Of November, 1893, In the 20tf
year of his age. z
LEAVES have their time 10 fall, "a
And flowers to wither at the North winds
breath,
And stars to set-but all,
Thou hast all seasons for thine own, 0
Death"
How mysterious are the councils of Death.
How strangely doth he select those whom
he calls to his silent realms 81, He beats with
impartial knockings NJ the cabins OF the poor,
crosses with equal footsteps the threshold OF
the peasa mt and statesman aud hangs his
Grape upon every door without regard "
rank or sex or aye. That which we call
death we regard as the natural end of fully
completed life. 1t is but natural for the old
in years TO pass away Like the full blown
leaf that has lived and huttered away its
spring and summer, aud filled the period Of
its existence and mission, and falls when
autumn has dressed it in gorgeous funeral
robings, like the ripe fruit 10 its season, so
the old naturally pass away To the realms
OF the dead But Tor the young, with the
bloom OF early promise still lingering 10
fresh unsullied beauty in the scarce un
closed petals OF their existence, ere the world
has recognized their value or heard their
teachings, whose hearts have not been
brought in touch with Ite's experiences, are .
condemned to the silence Of the grave, then
ii is that We stand dun and awe stricken in
the presence OF the mighty Achemlst who
has wrought the sad and startling change.
In the instance of the deceased, Death did
not invade childhood with his whitening
breath-he did not go to the desolate, robbed
OF every star. bright thing, nor TO the wearied
frame that seeks to sumber in the graves
cold breast-neither did he go to the Saints
of God, whose sous were tired OF the world
and sin, but to one who had just reached
the horizon that overlooks manhood. That
period of existence when hope begins to
bud, ambition to crystalline, and when the
beautiful panorama Of life lay out before
him-here flashing with joy-yonder swell.
ing and throbbng with promise. Alas the
gay and tender visions OF his young lite, the
cherished joys the warm memories, the AS
sociations and ties OF the loved aud loving,
with hopes unrealized, ambition unreward
ed all-all wthered under the cold baptism
OF death-no event can brighten its gloom
no after experience OF light can turn its
shadow into morning.
We knew young Mr.. Watkins largely
from an elevated plane, that OF observation.
Every one who knew him loved him, and
OF all earthly music that which reaches fur
thest into Heaven is the BEATING OF a sincere,
loving heart. In his bearing he was candid |
and manly, In social feeling he was con.
slant, in disposition cheerful, his department
modest and correct, ardent and sincere, in
his attachments kind and generous--w hilst |
his devotion TO those at his now grief |
stricken home was the jewel which blazed |
n ~ ~ nd mr. mad oh
acter.
We can become familiar with the land.
scape until with the soft gush of every return.
ing spring we know where to find the water.
fail and the shady ledge where the trailing
arbuius and the vlolets grow and the sassa.
tras gives forth its odor, but when we hear
Of the deathbed scenes Of one who bore his
sickness with resignation even unto death,
then ii is we Gun catch faint idea of those
other and brighter landscapes where the
sweetest flowers ever grow, fountains are
ever gushing and the birds are ever trilliug
heir notes OF praise;
No further seek his merits W disclose,
Nor draw his lrallties from their dread abode,
There they alike In trembling hoJe repose,
The bosom OF his father aud his God"
TO that now narrow mourning house.
hold, we tender our deepest sympathy; for
around that once full aud joyous hearth.
stone the shaft OF death hps fallen fast
and heavy, link alter link of Me 81 yer chain |
has disappeared until its music is nearly |
hushed. We sincerely hope and pray that
the cold blast Of death has ulled itself 10
rest and that sweet aGd mellow hours may
gladden. the remainder OF their lives.
ANXIOUS.