The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
A Sad Home and Town.
Wilson, N. c., June s, 1S9

Saturday June 4th, al 1890 a. m.
Mark Vernon Farmer was drowned
in Barefoot's pond, three miles from
this place. The news reached town
about II o'clock and in a few minutes
the whole town was in confusion. A
few minutes more and a host of our
citizens were on the scene to render
any help that they could. But alas! it
was too late, Notwithstanding two good
physicians wer- present to do all that
earthly hands could do. The dreaded
angel a paused above his head, and
had shaken death dew from his ebon
wings, and the noble hearted boy had
passed over the river to bask in the
sunlight of heaven forever.
MARK was born September Goth
1881, and while he received his sum-
mons from the Lord so young yet he
had shown, long since, to his friends
that he had those elements that go to
make up a good and useful man. He
was the third son of Mr.. and Mrs. w.
E. Farmer of this town, who are we'll
known and highly esteemed by all our
people.
Mark" Joined the Missionary Bap-
fist church when quite a child, and he
has been faithful to his church duties
ever since In a recent letter to his
mother, from Chapel Hill, where he
attended school last session, he wrote
of his delight in reading his Bible and
in attending church.
He was an Obedient son and an af-
f~ectionate brother. At all times he
manifested d most unselfish spirit. He
deemed it a greater honor and pleas
ure to serve than to be served. He
was never happier thai when he was
helping others. He was very popu-
lar wherever he was known as the
many letters and kilograms of SYM
pathy to the family from various
points in the state and from Virginia,
n South Carolina, bore witness. The
beautiful floral offering by the "Uni-
versity' boys and the maryland love-
ly flowers received from friends in
and out of the state told us all, that to
know him was to love him.
Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock the re-
mains were taken to the church where
a host of friends had gathered to pay
their last respects to the departed.
Then we laid him away beneath many
expressions of love and sympathy.
In this sad death the town has lost
one of its most promising sons and the
church a good Christian young man.
The church feels that this is a sum-
mons for a closer walk with God.
AS IN pCllOlIS IL a Vase OIL
Pervades it with a fragrance not IT'S
! So, when Thou dwellest in a mortal
soul,
All heavens own sweetness seems
around it thrown,
The soul alone, like a neglected harp,
Grows out OF tune, and needs that
: Dwell Thou within it, tune and touch
the chords,
Till every note and string shall answer
Thine"
He was devoted to his pastor and
sought at all times to be of every SEP
vice to him. He was planning daily
for his enjoyment at the sacrifice OF
both his time and means. And in hk
death the pastor feels that he has los,
one of his very best and most highly
esteemed friends.
To the bereaved, and h~eart-broker
family | wish to extend the prayerfu
sympathy of his church. And for then
comfort and spiritual guide I desire
to commend to them Gods gracious
word, which shall be a lamp unto ny
Jesus, the very thought of thee
feet. and a light unto my path
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.
May every heart confess thy name.
And ever thee adore;
And seeking thee, itself infame
To seek thee more and more.
Grant me, while her on earth I stay
Thy love to feel and know;
And when from hence I pass away,
To me thy glory shova.
With a sym~pathizir.g heart
HIS PASTOR
The Third Exped ftfsn for the PhiIip