The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-12-05

night last, was strong appeal for the
preservation and enlargement OF the
fund for superanuuated Methodist
Protestant preachers and their wives
His last church work was meeting with
the Trustees for that fund, of which he
was a member, and striving to add to
the usefulness and strength OF that
organization.
Major Harris possessed a wonderful
faculty of rendering himself popular with
the younger people with whom he came
in contact. He was fond Of outdoor
sports and exercises and always claimed
| that be was enabled to shake off the de-
pressing effects Of business reverses by
| fox hunting and the pleasures afield with
gun and dog during the shooting season.
Even in his later years he chung with
great tenacity to his sport feeling that
it kept him active and vigorous.
His honesty and integrity was of that
| Puritans, and when he had the right on
his side he never stopped to handy soft
speeches in order to add weight to the
side he thought right.
| He scorned so-caIled manhood that
would shirk the payment OF an honest
debt by trickery or chicanery. He
| thought deeply. felt strongly, and ex-
pressed his opinions freely and openly.
he realized that old age was upon him
and was proud of his reputation for hon
esty and fair dealing with just and
worthy pride.
Within 10 days he said to me: In only
short while the affairs of this world will
affect me no more than does the rustling
of that leaf blown along by winter
wind" He laid no claim to perfection to
which he had not attained; but he was
honest, courageous, faithful, true to his
word and to his friends He left no un.
fulfilled obligations.
His unyielding honesty, his answering
loyalty to his church, his unceasing
activity in her cause may well serve az
examples to the younger generations
who will look long ere they see his like
again.
Asked to give an opinion of Maj
Harris, Mr.. T. NJ. Pittman wrote thi.
which Mr.. Williams read also:
l think Major Harris was wise above
: the men of his day in his recognition o
the fact that "a mans life CONSISTENT no
in the abundance of the things which b.
possesseth.' When he had gathered
sufficient property to provide agains
want in old age, he retired from activ
business and the pursuit of riches, ant
gained time to know his felowmen AM
to study life on its better side Hi
sympathies and friendships were broad
ened and deepened. His old age wa
! freed from the cares of business. Rivalry
, and contention, and bitterness, and sus
picion, and distrust, and the disappoint
, ment that comes from the business pur
, !, suits of old men passed him by, and hi
| 4 10
: fed of her children. He could say:
, "Let my setting sun at last
= Find out the still, the rural cell
3 Where sage Retirement loves to dwell
:. There let me taste the home-felt bliss
OF innocence and inward peace;
Untainted by the guilty bride,
/ Uncursed among the harry tribe;
+ | No orphans cry to wound my ear,
My honour and my conscience clear:
: Thus may l calmly meet my end,
b Thus to the grave in peace descend
t Mai. Harris was prominent Maso
and was buried with the honors {
t that Order. The active pail bearer
d were w. W. Rowland, R. j. Corbitt
e l.. W. Barnes, DR.. H. H. Bass, W.
t Moss. Owen Davis, D. G. Burt. Th
honorary pail bearers each bearing a
!. exquisite floral tribute were D. !
:. Cooper, R. R. Pinkston, Maj. W.
e Gary, J. B. Owen, Col. Henry Perry
9 At the grave the usual ceremonie
t incident to Masonic funeral wei
l. gone through with. Prof. j. L. Aide
IS man, Master of the Henderson Lodg'
a officiated and read the burial rite:
s 1t was solemn and impressive scene
g made all the more so because of tn
u life and character of the man to whol
7. honor was being done. The Masoni
:, ceremonies concluded, the grave W.
|. filled, the benediction was pronounce
+. and there beneath bank of roses tt
r. mortal part of one who had for f
n many years passed in and out anon
e US and who was regarded and esteem
IT ed as few men are was left to repo:
D in the dust from whence it came, b
IS spirit in the presence Of the God wi
le gave it.