Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1895-03-23
Hiram Mason.

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Hiram Mason was born in Saegertown, Pa,
Sept. 10, 1S47, and departed this life March 7,
1895, aged AZ years, months and Is days.
He was married January 6, 1875, to Miss
Mary Shaffer, who with three children, sur
wives.
He was admitted to membership in the
Lutheran church at Frostburg, Md, nearly
20 years ago. With the exception of few
months he had been a deacon almost from
the beginning of his church life.
He came to Kansas city in March, 1886,
and has been identified with the progress of
our city since that date
Notwithstanding his many business cares.
he seldom missed his place at the Sunday
school as teacher. For 10 years he was faith
full in this capacity and always seemed to en-
joy teaching the Word of God to those under
his care. He was kind and sympathetic in
nature and sincerely devoted to his family
and his church. He was unselfsh in dis
position and ever ready to serve others.
About eighteen years ago he received a
blow upon his head, from the effects of which
he never fully recovered. He was not a
strong man physically and yet he never COM
planned and was usually able to attend to the
work he had to do.
When he was taken sick over week ago.
he felt there was some doubt about his re
covery. He made preparations for his de.
parture. His business affairs were placed in
proper hands, for he had premonition that
his illness would be fatal. The end came as
anticipated.
He was not alone when he passed through
the dark valley of death, and he realized the
presence of heavenly messengers who had
come to bear his spirit home.
The church here has lost a faithful MEM
her who has been with it almost from the time
of its organization. He has gone to his re-
ward little in advance of us, but we shall
meet again on the shores that are golden,
where partings are no more. and God shall
wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain
for the former things shall have passed
away.
The foregoing sketch is accompanied
by an abstract of the remarks made
by Rev. Frank d. Altman, pastor of
the Children's Memorial Lutheran
Church, of Kansas city, at the funeral
Sunday. March 10, from John xiii, 7
What L do thou knowest not now but
thou shalt know hereafter.
These words were spoken to an Apostle
who could not comprehend the meaning of
Christ's actions. There are many things not
fully understood at present. Most of the facts
of Providence have their meanings yelled.
We live in world of mystery. The physical
world has revealed very few of its secrets.
Men search and investigate and learn much
that is of advantage, but there is a large field
sill unexpored. There is not home in
which there is not an empty chair. In every
social circle there is the cherished memory ola
departed loved one.s In all our churches there
are pews made vacant by deaths messenger.
1t seems strange to our contemplation that
III a world of so many happy homes and
sacred affairs and pleasant associations there
should be the blighting touch of sorrow and
bereavement. Strange that death should
come like serpent into the Eden of our
existence. We live on the unlluminated side
Of the cloud, but sufficient rays penetrate to
give us evidence of a plan III our life There
are traces of intelligence in the events we OBJ.
serve
Every mans life is part of the great plan of
Coda plan that has many alternatives. The
one rising to greatest height furnishes us an
example, showing what is possible with
proper effort. The one sinking to the great
est depth serves as a warning, indicating the
destructive power of sin. Gods plan is SO
great that you cannot judge Of it by one event,
or even by one life. He takes the young and
promising and leaves the aged He>unmons
those in middle life, the strength and support
of the home, and continues the invalid and
the helpless. He is building IA temple and
lie selects the material and puts it in the
proper place, and we submit to the skill and
Judgment of the superior Architect
Sometimes God reveals to us in this life the
reasons of HIS provdences. This was true
with job and Jacob. They were per-
mitted to know here. There are other sor-
rows, the explanation of which come not in
life. We may never know the reason for
this event until we stand before Gods throne.
Our brother seemed so necessary to his fam
lily. They leaned upon INN. He was every
thing to them. And just when his presence
seemed most imperative the strong staff was
broken and the pillar removed We cannot
understand it now. Some day it will be
clear. The dark glass will be shivered and
we shall see face to face, and what now seems
so mysterious will be revealed as the best way
to promote Gods glory and our spiritual we'll
being
Brother Mason seemed so necessary to our
little church. struggling for enlargement.
We shall miss his counsel and presence He
was faithful and loved his church. Who
will take his place? God who is rich in re-
sources may call another this day to take up
the banner of the fallen comrade Someone
may be inspired to fill the place made vacant
by promotion from the church militant to
the church triumphant.
The floral tributes comprised
wreaths from the Church Council, A. A.
Whipple, and Bramwell's classmates
anchor from Ladies' AID Society;
pillow from "the office )" star and
crescent from H. B. Shaffer, and bo-
quets from Ruth's Sunday school class,
Messrs. Flaugh & Mcmillan, Ralph
Shepherd-one of his Sunday school
pupils. Lou and Adele Hunt, Mrs. j.
E. Hopes and Mrs R. Emsminger.