The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-03-12

REMARKS OF I'LL KEW. y. - NOV bNNh i
1t is fair that it be understood in what
capacity | join in the general feeling OF
regret at the death of William NJ. Singerly
which this meeting is intended in some
small measure to express. 1t is not as
pastor, nor spiritual counsellor, not even
as an acquaintance nor beneficiary that |
can with an honest and sad heart declare
my grief at the clouded and untimely end
OF this great man. Such We're his benefac
lions to the cause of religion and charity
that many ministers could easily be found
who, out of personal experience, could tell
us their debt Of gratitude to the deceased
While l have never enjoyed any of these
grounds of vantage it is none the less pos
sible for me to stand here and help 20 voice
the sense OF great loss sustained by our
town and county in the death of Mr.. Sim
gerly.
The end came like the going down of
the sun in the midst of storm. Disaster
and unexpected calamity came upon his
manly form and generous heart, and bowed
him with grief until the strait was too
great and the giant oak, that had taken
untold delight in sheltering others beneath
his broad on stretching arms, came to the
earth with startling crash. 1t is all very
well for those Of us who know little OF the
struggles to which men are subject in the
business world to suggest how it all might
have been avoided, yet no man knows his
conduct until he has met the trial. 1t is
sad to see great structures OF business and
fortune built with such genius and care 90
down under the too heavy weight that
comes upon them, but this sadness is as
nothing compared with the prostration and
destruction of the beings who created these
great structures
1t would be natural for me to limit my
self to the peculiarly ethical side of the
life of our departed friend were capable
Of adding anything to the stock of knowl-
edge possessed by these who have known
him so we'll and long. Whatever may have
been his personal attitude toward the
Divine Arhiter of all our destinies, it is
manifest that he was devoted to His crea-
lures. 1t is seldom man can be found
whose heart is more thoroughly full of the
qualities Of generosity and kindness. His
great brain was veritable factory whose
busy powers were engaged in turn
ing out plans to give men employment and
make them happy. He loved mank ind
His life abounded in the humanties
There is no justice to the dead nor con.
ISOLATION to the living in adulation or full
someness. We cannot help wishing he had
found more time and place to have added
to his deeds Of justice and love Of mercy
humble walk with God, yet if it be true
that charity hideth a multitude Of sins,
amp that the Master will say to Ii, .. e day
'Inasmuch as ye did it to thu least of these
we did it unto me, we have right to find
comfort in the army of needy, weary
humanity whose burdens this man has
lightened and whose fearful praise Of this
pulseless heart is a requiem Of peace to the
departed
Allow us to express the thought in the
familiar lines Of Leigh Hunt
ABOU BEN ADHEM.
AbOu Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)
Awoke one night from deep dream OF peace
And saw within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in book OF gold
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold
And to the presence in the room he said
''What writest thou?" The vision raised its
head.
And with a look made Of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love
the Lord"
"And is mine one?' said Abou. NAY, not
3d."
Replied the angel Abou spoke moro low,
But cheerily still; and said. 81 pray thee,
then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men,"
The angel wrote and vanished. The next
night
1t came again with great Weakening light.
And showed the names whom love OF God
had blest.
And 10! Ben Adhcms name led all the rest