The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-31

term. He was a student Of that belief. an
to a decided extent a practicer Of its teach
ings. In his studio, 1t is related by ont
who knew him well. were quotations. hang
ing against the wall. which were to D.
read for the purpose Of composing the mind
He had eschewed medical treatment for
his physical ills, and had even discarded
eyeglasses. He was under science" treat
ment for disordered nerves: for, while he
appeared to be most remarkably composed
| while singing, his nervous system was So
riouslyt depleted.
But. for all this. he had not wholly ac-
copied the Christian Science theory. He
was in that stage Of indecision where his
mind was disturbed by conflicting theories.
1t was a shuttlecock-thrown hither and
thither by opposing ideas. The truth evaded
him; and his brain grew weary In the
ceaseless chase. Doctrines chose his mind
as a battle-ground, and there they waged
a deadly conflict. When he called on his
pastor on the eve of his death he was q
mailman. The light of madness was in his
ewes; Its shrek was In his voice; Its de-
spair was in the nervousness of his hands
and in the relentless force that drove him
recklessly on-on-ever on-toward ingulf-
ing Death.
Thus is the end of the sweetest singer
that st. Louis has known for many day
the "angel singer" he was called by q dear
, old lady who is a member of the Second
| Baptist Church-a singer whose voice was
the song and gave it the greater part of
it's sweetnesS-a singer whose last notes
were those which Shelley has given to the
words:s
20 Thou who changeth not. abide with met
Rich and strong and clear they roseeaeh
word distinct as though it stood alone, the
singers face as immovable as a statue OF
white marble-the singers eyes raised high!
Fast falls the eventide," he had sung,
W. fc;, pNtao uuyo11fyO 0nffIv
Hold Thou Thy cross before my dying
| eyes" he had sung: and a world Of plead
ing was in the tones.
90. Thou. who %changeth not. abide with
mel"
1t was but a whisper, but It rose above
the strains Of the organ
1t was but a breath. but 1t waited q path
way to the heart of every listener.
Silence came. The still white face OF the
| singer showed not the movement of a mus
Gle. The position of the slight stature was
not changed-not even so much IS the
width of a lily's wave as It Is tanned by
the gentlest breath that summer breathes.
From the congregation there came Q sch
and a sigh-and the iutter Of white hand
kerchiefs as they moved to fearful eyes.
the benediction. The white face of the
singer was lowered. The hymn book was
closed.
When the organ pealed forth its notes
again the singers voice was hushed.
There was a vacant chair in the choir
loft. Al one end of the music desk. where
the tenor had stood, was a bouquet Of white
lilies and INTERVENING smNax.
Nearer, My God, to Thee" was sung.
The soprano faltered, her voice failed. and
she wept. The contralto. bravely striving.
continued for a few more lines Of the song.
and then her voice, too. trembled and died
away, and tears shut the notes from her
view. The basso alone, with eyes bent close
to the book, sang through to the end.
30 God, that his life vas pure, VI
know: that he loved and sought to serve
Thee, we are sure; that his song which q
week ago lifted our hearts to Thee IL to-day
sounding for the joy of those who have
gone before, we do not doubt" 4 =.
~ prayed the preacher. /!