Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-12-01
RIGHHRD MEYER, SENIOR.
Memorial Discourse BY DIR. E.
E. Edwards, Nov. p,
1903.

wanted to enforce the solemn lesson
of death. We know of the coming Of
of the dread messenger all that can
be told us-that he comes alike to the
youthful and the aged. that he comes
sometimes Unexpectedly and some
times when long awaited, but that
sooner or later he comes to all, ana
all that we do is to bow our heads in
mute submission and accept the les
son that he brings TO US. That lesson
is a reminder of our own mortality
1t would be of little avail to be thus
reminded Of the certainty of his COM
ing if the thought did not tend to soft
en- and solemnize our hearts and make
them sensitive to good impressions
and stronger to will to do that which
is right and so make the only posi-
BILE preparation for the change that
must sooner or later so surely come.
Such feelings in the presence of
death are natural and appropriate,
and yet there are other feelings that
take precedence of these, that are
deeper, truer and as We may say less
selfish as pertaining less to our own
welfare and going out more to that Of
others. | refer TO the feelings of SYM
pathy that rise spontaneously in our
hearts on occasions like this, sympa-
thy with those called to mourn a loss
on this earth, irreparable. 1t is a
principle of our holy Christian relig-
ion taught by the Savior himself that
we should mourn with those that
mourn. Our own hearts are made
better by fearful sympathy, and there
is some solace to the hearts of those
most deeply stricken in the knowl-
edge that they are not alone in their
grief, that others share it with them
and would fain help them bear it's
burdens. 1t is inexpressibly sad
when human being is called to leave
the world without the tribute of a
tear, or when those that mourn are
denied the consolation of human sym
pathy.
The lessons of bereavement are
many. They teach US forbearance
with the faults of others and tender
regard for their welfare; they teach US
the lesson Of helpfulness to the living
as well as a just regard for dead. We
owe to all those that pass from rs the
debt of our common humanity, to
close their eyes for the last slum Der,
to fold their hands over their pulse
less breasts for their last repose and
to bear their forms reverently to their
last resting place. and after this to
hold their virtues in loving remem-
brance.
When death rounds life that has
been long and useful, sad as the part
ing may be, there is room also for
something besides grief. The cloud
of sorrow may be gilded with heav-
emily light, the light of gratitude to God
that the life has been so useful and
that it has been extended so long. 1t
appears full-orbed at the last. While
nothing can be added TO it, nothing
can be taken from it. The record is
complete and beyond all change and
marring. A good death is the crown
of a well spent life, and part of it.
In such life, thus ended. there is
room for something besides mourn
ing. In Paris, few days ago, the
great artist, Puvis de Chevannes, was
borne to the tomb with imposing fun
eral rites. At the church in the
midst of a mournful service and after
dirge came most jubilant anthem
like song of triumph after the
mournful, minor music that seemed
like wailings for the dead. Surely
it was not discord but rather har-
monv. 1t was fitting that there should
be such an exultant strain. 1t called
attention away from human sadness
to the fact that good life had at last
gloriously ended. This man had
lived his allotted span of life, had
done his work, had done it well, and
henceforth was to be reckoned among
the immortals.
So may it be with every good and
useful life. There may come at the
last even in hearts that most deeply
mourn feeling of Joy that such life
hath been and that from its complete
record and memory nothing can ever
more be taken. The infelicities and
sorrows, the anxieties and cares r.
evitable to this human life are over
at last and there is henceforth rest.
1t is not my intention to speak at
length Of the life and character OF
Richard Meyer, although there is ma
terial enough for long discourse.
Time will not permit. yet II may be
proper to give brief outline of his
personal history. The events Of the
greatest, most eventful life NAV be
summed up in few paragraphs. How
brief the story of the longest, most
eyentful life. How concisely the poet
has summarized lies history
.'Earth's MODEST sentence ends ia
shere he lies And dust to dust con-
eludes her noblest song The Psalm
Isl expressed in stronger language.
The days Of our years are three score
years an! .s2. ret 4 by reason Of
strength they bs fesr score, yet i