River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-09-05


and strength would permit. And so,
by his own request, DR.. Sunderland
became pastor emeritus.
This eminent and well-beloyed ora
tor was man of slight physique, but
wonderful energy. He was socially
inclined and greatly enjoyed the con-
tinuous round of calls at the homes
of his Pensioners; a portion of the
ministerial duty which so many mod
ern preachers find so irksome. He
knew every man, woman and child
connected with the church and Sum
day school, and they all knew him and
loved him. Without effort he had the
faculty cultivated by politicians,
easily and readily to greet by name
even the little ones who spoke to
him in different parts of the city.
Until the day of his death he was
mentally vigorous and alert.
Dr. Sunderland died a poor man.
During the latter part of his active
pastorate his salary had been $4,000
per annum. but he was liberal to
fault, charitable, generous. he laid
not up treasures upon earth where
moth and rust corrupt and decay.
He was content to be rich in the love
of his people. Therefore there was
mourning when the final summons
came and he entered upon that con-
dition which lays the shepherds
crook beside the scepter and which
levels all distinctions.
The rich man who died need not be
named, because he is not mourned.
He was born rich and worshiped
money with misery devotion lie
lived to accumulate wealth for his own
personal qualification. He never gave
a dollar nor a penny to any public
enterprise. No church knew him and
no church mourned him. He owned
houses and lands, bonds and stocks.
lie was a giant physically and his
health was unimpaired until his seven
ty-seventh birthday. He never thought
of death and was building more houses
when disease developed and he was
unable TO go forth from his palace to
make more money. Physicians and
trained nurses were summoned. and
the saving, scrimping, stingy man be-
came prodigal in his offers of wealth
for health. But he died. Widowed
and childless he passed away. But for
his inattention to his family. it is
generally believed that he would not
have been widowed and childless. And
so it came about that in his last Gays.
surrounded by riches almost untold.
he was alone in the world, as solitary
as an oyster in his shell.
In the executive departments here
there are always clerks who are in
digent. because improvident and prod
igal. To these the rich man used to
loan money at five per cent. month.
Later. when they were we'll in his
clutches, he charged them ten per
cent. a month for the money they
were obliged 10 borrow. The interest
was 60 per cent per annum at first.
and then 100 per cent. No wonder
he grew rich, while others suffered.
Finally the heads of departments re-
fused 10 enforce collections on such
loans, and then he dropped that bust
ness But he built houses and sold
them to clerks ION long time notes"
That seemed generous. But whenever
a clerk failed TO make full payment,
exactly on time, no mercy was shown.
Mortgages were foreclosed. and he
took back his houses, and kept ali the
money which had been paid on them.
These are only brief citations oil his
methods of making money. He was
busy all the time devising schemes to
turn his hundreds into thousands and
his thousands into millions; and al
ways without regard for the rights Of
others. save within bounds of law.
And so it came to pass that when this
rich man was called hence he went
forth unregretted. Many, particular
" those who had suffered from his
extortious, were so uncharitable as to
say they were glad that he had gone.
The rich man and the poor man died
within n few days Of each other; and
they left their records as exen plar
legacies for the plain people. i, cry
body says: God bless DR. SuIder-
land" Nobody says a beredictiol for
the rich man. In the contrast the re is
a valuable lesson for thinking men and
women everywhere. SMITH D FIX