The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-06-20
In MenOrianl.


Entered into rest on June 18th, 1895,
after suffering for many months in God 3
crucible of love, Thomas A. Davis, aged
II years. To those who knew him best
was clearly seen through all this time OF
trial his entire resignation to the will
of Him who "doeth all things well, and
under whose Christening hand he set
beautiful example of patient endurance.
PAINS furnace heat within him quivered.
Gods breath upon the fire did blow,
And all his heart in anguish shivered,
And trembled at the fiery glow !;
And yet he whispered, As God will
And in His hottest fire held still.
"God laid his quivering heart, all heated,
On the bare anvil, minded SO
Into His own fair shape to beat 1t ,
With His great hammer, blow on blow !;
And yet he whispered, AS God will
And at His heaviest blows held still.
"God took that softened heart and beat it !;
The sparks flew off at every blow.
He turned it Ger and Ger and heat II,
And let it cool and made it glow;
And yet he whispered, AS God will!
And in His mighty hand held still,
land murmured not! because the sorrow
Thus only longer-lived would be.
The end. said he, will come tomorrow,
When God has done His work in me-
So he said trusting, AS God will!
And trusting to the end, held still.
Yes, throughout his affection express
sions of sweetest trust in God the Father,
through the merits of Jesus Christ His
son, gave unmistakable evidence OF the
indwelling of the Holy Ghost, the Com
forter. Until failing strength prevented
he delighted to read Gods Holy Word
and other good books while during all
his sickness it gave him much pleasure
for her whom he loved SO we'll to read to
him about that
"Sweet and blessed Country,
The home of Gods elect !"
A night or two preceding his departure
he called to his bed side, one by one,
several relatives, and in melting tender
ness besought them to cling to the
Saviour as their only hope.
Except a natural solicitude for her
who so long and tenderly and lovingly
care for his daughter-just budding into
longings. And even these treasures he
at last committed unreservedly into the
keeping of Him who careth for the
ldCllciIcbS tuu tie NluoW.
Just short while before the Angel
of the Covenant accompanied him
through deaths dark vale'' he spoke
most beautifully of his claims upon the
Heavenly Fathers promises through the
merits of Jesus. Gods holy minister was
at hand to soothe the dying Christian
and his spirit was waited to Paradise
upon the prayers OF the Church, united
with the earnest petition OF his dearest
earthly friend
And-the end was peace!
Two days after, in the presence OF 8
large assembly, his remains were gently
laid to rest by loving hands in the beau
tiful town cemetery, just as the evening
sun threw it's mellowest rays athwart the
lovely landscape; and as we turned from
| the flower-strewn mound and made oul
| way through deepening twilight home
we thought of the Heavenly rest where
shadows never fall-of Jerusalem the
golden! Concerning which st. John says
There shall be no night there"
almighty God, we give Thee hearty
thanks for the good examples of all those
thy servants who, having finished theil
| course in faith, do now rest from Their
labOrs. And we beseech Thee, that we
with all those who are departed in the
true faith of Thy holy name, may have
| our perfect contamination and bliss
both in body and soul, in Thy eterna
and everlasting glory; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen Il.