The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-05-24
DEATH OF DIR. BABCOCK.

DEATH OF DIR. BABcOCK.
One of the saddest events that the
newspapers have lately been called
upon to chronicle, was the sudden
death of Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock,
former pastor of Brown Memorial
Church, Baltimore. The cause ofhis
sudden demise is also ofsuch shock
ing character that it was with ex-
IRENE regret the true facts were made
known to the public. He was suffer-
ing from an attack of the Mediter-
ranean fever and in a fit of melon
cholia, severed the arteries in his
wrists and at the same time took
dose of corrosive sublimate. The
carelessness of the nurses is almost
criminal, and the matter will doubt
less be subjected to a thorough in
vestigation.
DIR. Babcock was a man of such
marked individuality and earnest
ness of character that, although COM
paratively young in years, he had
achieved a national reputation.
While a strict Presbyterian by faith,
he possessed a religion that knew
neither sect nor creed, and his follow
ers numbered in their lists, men of
every walk in life, from the artisan
to the scholar. Possessed with a
lovable nature, he drew mems hearts
with the same invisible force that
the magnet does the steel. His in
fuence for good was incalculable,
reaching out both directly and re-
latively in limitless directions. Since
the death of the late Dwight Moody
and Phillips Brooks, no minister of
the Gospel has so touched mems
souls and brought them into the
realization of the true responsibility
of their obligations to their Maker.
Religion surrounded by mysteries
and the wisdom of God has never
been capable of penetration by the
weak uncertain eye of man. Such
visitations as these, are prone to
make those in whom the light of
faith burns but dimly, question the
reason of the sudden visitation ofthe
Grim Reaper upon one who possessed
in such an eminent degree the power
to bring about so much that is good
and ennobling, while there are left so
many who seem to be earthly ennis
saries of his Satanic Majesty. None
can answer this question and it is
willed that our faith must be so un-
wavering in the Higher Power,
that we should say with undaunted
courage"He doeth all things we'll"
Throughout, the Bible teens with
teachings, illustrated by one of our
Saviour's greatest miracles, when one
of His disciples walked upon the
water, that faith was the great
essential of Christianity. Apply this
teaching to those of the flesh. Faith
is the first lesson the mother teaches |
the toddling babe. She instills into
its infant mind from birth that while |
it cannot yet grasp the why's and
wherefores of this life, still, it must |
have faith that her love will protect |
it from all And what is more |
touching than the childlike confidence
that is begotten from such teaching. |
Take the child of more mature years.
What is the foundation ofall business
affairs? Without an absolute feeling |
of security in his fellow being, what |
man can be successful in the prosecu-
ton of his every day avocation?
Faith in the responsibility of the
fellowman is the foundation of all |
society and upon it the whole theory
of civilization rests.
So let US reason in this sad case
that there is Divinity underlying
the whole creation, whose watchful
eye permits not the slightest atom
to escape notice; and we should rest
assured that behind that which is
apparently darkness and desolation
the bright light of Gods wisdom
shines, and when the proper time
comes those who are possessed with
sufficient faith, shall see that God
knew the best.
OIL ENLIlfC UT n ILEAOAlV1 N1l
The elaborate trip, which has been
planned bp President Mckinley and
his cabinet, for a tour ofthis country
involving over Is, 900 miles of rail-
road travel, was brought to an alb
rupt end last Thursday night by the
critical illness ofMrs. Mckinley, who
is an invalid. When the party arrived
at San Francisco, she was taken de-
cidedly worse and was hastily re-
moved to the home of Henry M.
Scott, former resident of this coun-
ty, The best medical aid and careful
nursing has carried her safely through
the stages of danger and she is again
convalescent.