The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-15

We are solemnly IN OF the
immutable decree that IL is appointed
unto all men once to die. by the death
of one in the flower OF his manhood,
who served so well the purpose OF his
Divine Creator, and who filled so COM
pletely the hearts OF his friends with
loving trust and admiration, that the
name OF Norwood Giles should be in
scribed upon the record OF our noblest
M our best. Who can measure In
this world the quiet influence of a
Christian man? He is the truth OF
roc im~persunated: living and moving
among men i'm daily deeds OF goodness:
shining in the image OF his maker, and
quietly fulfilling a great and noble
| ID
Such was the character OF him whose
death WI mourn. A thousand sympa-
thetic hearts Will pay the tribute OF a
sigh that he is gone, and many lives
will be the better OF his unsullied life
which combined the freedom and JOY
BUSINESS of a child with the chivalry
and trength and self control OF the
Christian gentleman. Endowed with
superior intellectual gifts his scope OF
knowledge was varied and
Exact and methodical in all the details
of his business which he conducted
with marked ability and skill, he was
also a close observer OF men and affairs
and we'll informed upon the important
questions OF the day.
He eve found a solace and a Joy in
the freedom OF a country life. He
loved to breath the clear air OF heaven:
the ocean and its n and the mar
velous flora of our region were sources
OF delight to him., for he found more
pleasure in the lilies of the field and in
the shells of the sea than in all the arts
OF mans device. The joyous notes OF
the hooking bird, the signing OF the
ninaG nnd tho xyninnm Of fhA .3anv. wx,n~n
music to his ears. and the modest
drosera and dionea were to his admir-
ing eyes among the master pieces OF
creation.
In all the manly sports and healthful
pleasures of the Sound he was an ar
dent and successful leader. His
sprightly, generous nature, his exquis-
lite wit and humor, a him ever well
come in social life, and his charming
pen sketches of the annual regatta
which were as fresh and breezy as the
salt sea air, were always read with
feelings OF pleasure and delight.
The kindly beaming smile is gone,
now, the joyous laugh is hushed and
the Captain of the winning boat has
met his Pilot on the boundless tide.
Sincerity and simplicity went hand In
hand with him, who was to rich and
poor, to lowly and exalted, the same in
high bred courtesy and never failing
kindness.
When h circumstances of his lot
removed him from US for a time. his
heart remained and his mind ever
turned longingly to the LAND which he
loved. For months his health declined
n when a dangerous illness compelled
his return to his home as a last re-
sort, u hearts were filled with sad
f~oreboding. Here among those dearest
to him his life lowered like a star be-
furnnn v>
and now the shadow Of his death has
darkened many homes.
In the WEAKNESS n painfulness Of
his languishing among strangers in the
north his thoughts must have often
turned from the crowded city and Its
never ending strife to the quiet haven
OF his Wrightsville home among the
people whom he loved so well, where
his happiest M brightest days had
been spent in making others happy.
and where he a so often looked out
upon the rippling waters of the sound
and watched the white sails glistening
In the morning light while the distant
breakers doomed upon the farther
shore; and again when daylight died
upon a silent sea, and the evening
hadows deepened into night he had
seen above a placid bay the wide ex-
panse from zenith to horizon resplend-
ent with the glory of the stars.
he was very quiet and long silent
although he suffered the anguish OF al
most ceaseless pain before the end
came. We must believe that TO his dy-
ing eyes were evealed the mysteries
OF the Kingdom OF Heaven; and thai
he heard above the muffied pulse OF
deaths dark tide" the Masters famiI-
lar voice, saying 1T Is I, be not afraid"
What he is now we know not: he
will be a beautiful likeness OF the God
that gave him work to do, which he
did so we'll"
JAMES SPRUNT.