The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-29

paralysis and reluctantly retired from
active work.
He purchased farm in Caswell county
N. c., where he lived until the dmmons
came that called him to the Heavenly
dwellings,. 1t was to these blue hills of
Caswell and to the company of this
noble people that he brought his young
bride when he first led her from heI
fathers house. Under these Wright skies
he had wrought the works q God. And
now to this land of his a. fections he
turned to spend the calm evening of
his life. Here it was that his children
come to their maturity. Within the
sacred precincts of his home he found
comfort and peace and the rest that
heaven gives to the tiled worker. IN
the sweet companfonship of that home
with her who had been the partner of
his labors and with those children whose
worthy lives have honored that home he
found happiness. Never were two spirits
better mated than were Mr. Norman and
his wife, She was his help-meet in all
his labors-led the singing for him in
many of his meetipgs-shared with him
the tolls and triumphs OF his ministry.
His love for her was very beautiful.
ideal of the true woman. She preceded
him by a few weeks to the realms of
light When they buried her he had the
grave made upon a hill out in the field
just opposite his window, and daily he
would lie in his sick bed and look upon
the sacred spot as if longing to lie by
her side.
Mr. Norman was man of very tender
of 10 lnC+
Rucker Norman, who died when two years
old. Mr.. Norman could not preach with
cut tears for several years afterward
In 1867, his health having improved.
he resumed active work in the Confer
ence and was appointed to serve AIamance
circuit for 81 and IS. In 1869 he was
appointed to High Rock Mission where
he toiled with trembling limbs and
martyrs heart till his strength failed and
he returned again to his home and to the
ranks of the retired ministry. His
strength was well-nigh gone. That
splendid manhood had all been consumed
in the patience and labors of the kingdom
of his blessed Lord.
On August Goth, 1873, he died and wa,
buried with masonic honors by the side
of his wife. He died well.
1t has been said of Methodsts that
they die well. Oh for a religion that
will give victory in the dying hour!
With Mr.. Norman the end was clear,
unwavering and triumphant. His faith
rose with the dreadful demands of the
momentous ordeal. In that last hour he
raised his hands and exclaimed, "Will
the gospel that / have so often preached
to others sustain me in this trying
hour?" And then he answered, Eyes, ii
WILT does sustain me-" He said r.
his son, Capers, Tell my brethren of
the Conference that l died prepared
that 1 died as 1 have lived in the faith
of the blessed Christ" Again he said
ut may be that before l expire l shall
be unable to speak: but 1 tell you nov
that when you look at me speeches. you
can know that all is WE'LL"
A contemporary said of him: mo one
ever doubted his piety. He was emil
nently spiritual in his religious expert
ence. He received his appointments az
good soldier receives his orders. EIe
went to his tasks in the spirit of I'M
murmuring obedience to the commands
of the church.
The Rev. DR.. A. w. Mangum said Of
him: 'He sought no vain honors: he
aspired to no hattering positions: he
trifed with no specious temptations: he
formed no embarrassing alliances with
the world: he yielded no ungodly homage
to pride or fashion: he chung with Yves
leyan firmness to the simplicity and fer
vor of genuine Methodism he preached
to win souls rather than compliments,
his personal ambition knew no purpose
on earth beyond the life and work OF
a consecrated itinerant'
The preparation and preservation OF
such historical data Of an era of which
the younger generation knows little, is of
the highest Importance. Every year some
minister makes a valuable contribution
to the history of early Methodism in the
State. One of these days man will come
out of the church who will study them
all and write noble history that will
glow with the deeds of self-denying pion-
eer circuit riders who preached scriptural
holiness, as interpreted by Wesleyans
throughout the length and breadth of this
good commonwealth. ]. D.
A GUARANTEED CURE FOR PILE
Itching Blind Bleeding or POrtrudlDg