The Newtown bee., 1897-07-23

character of the ancestor of the subject
of our sketch. We append few para
graphs:
When Elisha Mason was born, the set
Element of this country was in Its infan-
/ cy, and limited chiefly to the Atlantic
slope. This county was in its youth, in
its eighth year, and much of it unculti-
waited. The population of all the colonies
was probably between two and two and
half millions, while now about % ,0O0,-
900. The long and bloody French war
was in progress at his birth. The Reyo-
lutionary war commenced in 1875, and on
the eVentful July 4, 1776, he was a youth
in his 18th year; and when the treaty of
peace was ratified in 1898, he stood
freeman at the age of "a. When George
Washington was inaugurated as the first
president of the United States, April 30,
1888, on which day the constitution of
the United States commenced its work
ing, he was in his 34th year, and since
lived through II full presidential terms,
and into the second year of the 18th
term. He has lived through all the
changes Of parties, of union sand disun-
ion, of quietness and strife, which have
occurred in connection with the birth and
the development of the Republic, which
is now Ebounded by oceans, which in
cludes 81 states and many territories and
to behold it in such maturity, that, in
Guiding it's internal commerce, it is scarce
lV second to any nation, and with ex-
haustless resources. He lived to see
postal system. under which, for three
cents, letter can be conveyed thousands
| of miles, and of such vast extent that
| millions on millions are annually received
and expended. He lived to see the laws
| OF Science so successfully applied, that
water, air, steam and electricity are the
faithful servants of man, doing his bid.
ding, and under the magic power of
| steam, in one day with ease he could per-
form journey which would have doubt
less required 10 days for Lamech and ac-
tually for himself during the first half of
his life, while, instead of hearing from
| those few hundred miles distant, after
the lapse of weeks or months, with the
assistance of electricity they could con-
verse together, and instead of hearing
from Europe after voyage of months,
few days are sufficient. He lived to see
the printing press perform wonders
steamers and rail. cars freighted with It's
periodicals and countless issues and daily
any one who will, may read of occurring
events through the length and breadth
OF the nation.
He lived to see institutions of Science,
Learning, Humanity and Religion, found
ed and expanded into gigantic strength,
including those for the evangelization of
our land. and the salvation Of the world.
He lived until nearly 40 years Of age In
period of comparative declension ia spir-
itual religion, and for some 60 years more
which have been marked by works of
grace, and it was bis privilege TO die when
thousands were saying, "1he Lord hath
done great things for as. whereof we are
glad Now, add in thought the history
of Europe for century, yea, of the
world, and then think of the record of |
Lamech, stAnd he died. as the world
was ripe for destruction, and then of Eli |
sha Mason, ''And he died. as the re-
demption Of the world was advancing, |
and must not the result be, that for re-
sponsibility, influence and privilege, the
latter lived the l0ngest9
1t was while an apprentice that he per-
formed the servicea during the revoIu-
tionary war, which brought him within
the pensioners OF grade so nigh, as to
make with bis frugal simplicity the even
ing Of bis years In comfortable eondi-
tions II the army be worked with the
tools d bis occupation, and In y service