The age-herald., 1902-04-27


 Macon, Charleston. Richmond and New Orleans with his wonted eloquence and power, and it was not until the deadly Mexican climate had sapped his strength that he succumbed. Never from the first day of his ministry till the day of his death did he put off the harness of the Lords service. When he went on lectur- ing tours, 1t was not to make money or to take pleasure but to get away from his home tasks. so that he could come back refreshed to do more valiant service for Christ Every family physician who entered our home declared that the rest of railroad travel had been his physical salvation. It forced him to the repose that he would not otherwise allow to himself.
 A Hardworking Genius.
 He was a genius, but he developed ev- cry one of his ten talents by the hardest kind of mental and physical application. No labor for him was too full of drud- gerry. Morning, noon and night found him in his study. He took physical exercise not for pleasure but to fit himself for the pulpit. He lived not to eat, but he ate so that he could live. He placed his stan dard very high. and into every sermon he put his best thought. He used to say to me: Frank do not make the mistake of many literary men. They say to them
 
 it into another speech or article. Give to the world the best you have. Crowd ev erything in that strengthens an argu- ment but always strive for quality and not for quantity" When a theological student, I wanted to occupy for some weeks the pulpit of a small country church. He uttered his protest, saying, You ought to spend at least three months upon your first sermon, writing kl hA., 1DYr What testimony is this to his own care full work coming from the cold lips which are now closed in the casket. What homilitic lecture it is for the young min isters, for the young lawyers and budding statesmen who maintain that the oratori- cal art is a divine gift which has no need for struggling upon the rough mountain side of drudgery. What a clarion note it Is, summoning all men and women to do their best under all conditions. The lesson is as powerful for the merchant of ten talents as for the clerk of two tal- ents. To him that hath shall be given From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
 There is, however a warning that comes from my fathers intense application to work which deserves the attention of all those who are bending their physical, mental and spiritual energies to accom- pllsU sOIlt tulllB III uIe S slIu6Ble' MY id- ther had one of the most robust physi- cal frames ever given to man. He had a wonderful mind. He had q wonderful body. He could speak out of doors for two long hours and address 10000 audi tors. Yet the last sentence would be heard as distinctly as the first. He could do ten mile tramp more easily that some men could walk around a city square Ills chest was broad and deep. His heart went on with the steady regularity of pumping engine. He thought he was talk Ing care of him self but he was not. About twenty-five years ago the first danger sigral was lifted when insomnia. like hideous specter, sat at the foot of his bed and refused to let him sleep. Night after night he would be up four CT five times walking the floor. After awhile the chill dron became used to it. We would greet him at breakfast saying, Father, how did you sleep?" and when he answered. Not very we'll" he would look so fresh and vigorous that We too were deceived. and we would hope that he had slept bet ter than he thought he did. But he could not be induced to spare himself. He over estimated his reserve of strength. My fa- ther ought to have lived with that mag nitccnt body at least fifteen years long e. Had he economiZed his strength the best years of his life might have been tlosc IaSI llteCn yCdfS. lie ultu from ovcrwork.
 Ye brain workers, listen to this warn ing! Ye literary men, who are full of great thoughts which you are eager to utter. beware of overdriving the brain. Remember that you cannot take your workshop to bed with you and work in the dark without undermining your men tai strength. Heed today the message which comes to all. Stop before it is too late. God did not intend my father to go on as he was doing, wroclSng his mag nificent physical frame.
 A Minister of cheerfuIness.
 My father was a gospel minister of unbounded chccrfulness. He believed that there was SIS much true religion in the smile seen at the wedding of Cana of Calico as in the sob heard in a house of mourning. He was an optimis- tic Christian whose mind was free from gloomy prosontiments In his youth he graspod the great truth that God Is love. Because God is love he thought that God approved Of his being strong