Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-11-10
FUNERAL GRAFTON.


shall ever cease TO be.
All that is noble and beautiful in
human nature is secure from the moul-
dering touch OF time. No good deed,
no generous impulse OF the heart, no
kind word spoken, is lost but lives on
drama has passed away. Then may all
| live hopefully, with malice toward
none, and die without fear, in the full
assurance that he who most conscien-
tiously aud faithfully performs his
duties toward his fellow creatures here
on earth and makes the best Of his life
according to his ability, is therefore
best fitted TO enter into the vast un-
known that lies beyond. All may
leave behind golden light which
future generations may follow with
gratitude and gladness-for,
1--WE live in deeds, not years; in
thoughts, not breaths in feelings, not
in figures on dial. His life is great
est who thinks the truest, feels the
noblest, acts the best +"
We cannot tell. we do not know
which is the greatest blessing, life or
death. Neither can we tell which is
the most fortunate-the infant dying
in its mothers arms ere its little lips
have learned to frame a word, she who
travels but little way aud drops by
the wayside, or one who journeys all
the length OF lfe's uneven road, pain
| fully taking the last SLOW steps with
staff and crutch-but this we do know,
the life of one who dies young, as it APP
pears on the bosom of the ever flowing
stream OF time is like the rays OF sun
shine that gladden. the heart of tempest
tossed mariners and bid them hope for
brighter days. IT'S vain to gild a
grief with words, but to those who
mourn with broken heart around this
coffin we must say, "Have no fear
Atgrave Mr.. VanWinkle concluded:
My friends, here in this world where
life and death are equal kings all are
looking for some way TO remove the
sting of death and the victory OF the
grave Much of fear has been handed
down from the traditions of the heart
less past From the wondrous tree of
lfeathe buds and blossoms fall with
ripened fruit and in the common bed of
earth the old and young sleep side by
side Why should we fear that which
will come TO all that is of this earth.
Maybe that death gives all there is
Of worth to lie. II those we press and
strain within our arms could never die,
perhaps love would wither from the
earth. Maybe this common fate treads
from out the paths between our hearts
the weeds OF selfishness and hate. And
had rather live and love where death
is king than have eternal life where
love is not. Another life would seem
TO be nought unless we know and love
again the ones who love us here.
They who stand with breaking hearts
around this grave need not to fear.
We know that through the common
wants of life, the needs and duties of
each hour, their grief will lesson day
by day, until at last this grave will be
to them place of rest and peace,
All wish for happiness beyond this
life. All hope TO meet again the loved
ones. Ia every heart there grows this
sacred flower Immortality is a word
that hope through all the ages has
been whispering to love. We love; we
wait; we hope. The more we love the
more we hope, and perfect love casteth
out fear. Upon the tenderest heart
the deepest shadows fall. All paths
whether filled with thorns or flowers
end here, but we must believe and know
that character survives, goodness lives
love is immortal. Thus we all may
have this consolation that all these
things have help for the living and
hope for the dead.
After the quartette sang he closed
with the following
With morn, with noon, with night
with changing clouds and changeless
stars; with grass and trees and birds:
with leaf and bud; with flowers and
blossoming vine; with all the sweet in.
nuences of nature we leave our dead
Farewell, Luellal Farewell!
i
NORTB SIDE NOTES