The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-05-18
THE MISSION or SORROW.
Written for the News by Prof. George
W. Ashton
Continued from last week.


to soften bnt to strengthen also. We
never know how much we can endure
until we have been put to the test
That which seems to exhaust for the
present is apt to be followed by recrea
tiOn, a reviving of strength in greater
proportion. The great sorrow makes
the little troubles of life fade into in
significance; and things that formerly
greatly annoyed US are now borne with
little discomfort We are weakened
by strain only for a time, we shall
be able to bear other strains more sue
cessfully. After being stunned, dazed
and crushed a calm cOmposure seems
to settle down upon the spirit that
henceforth bears the mark of a stronger
manhood or womanhood. Sorrow then
rightly borne is not an unmitlgated
evil. 1T purges rs of minor faults. 1t
reminds Us that the spirit, the inner
life, is tde great reality. God evident
ly intends good to come to us through
our sorrow, for sorrow brings US all
nearer TO heaven and settles forever
the hearts belief in a better world than
this
These sentiments are sadly suggest
ed in this south land by the untimely
death Of Arthur Mead, one Of the
brightest and best young men of Locke's |
Valley, Huntingdon county Pa, who |
departed this life on the threshold of
the new year.
Arthur was fortunate in his ances-
try. His father and grandfather, Caleb |
and jeremiah Mead. we're both brave !
Union Soldiers and served with honor |
IN the Civil War. His mother, a most |
estimable christian lady, is the daugh-
ter of 'Grandpap'' Philip Locke who |
is ''the soul Of honor" and the per-
sOniGcation Of principle and yet lives
to bless the present generation at the
advanced age OF 81.
For the second time within a year
the grim reaper has entered the family |
circle to which Arthur belonged and |
removed beloved son. And to this |
worthy family the warmest, teuderest |
sympathy Of multitude OF friends is
extended.
Those who know OF sorrows weight
Are never In that woe alone
The mystic brotherhood Of fate
Gives them "a thousand friends unknown" |
"Stoop down. oh Lord and bind with love
The broken hearts OF those who mourn"
Arthur was by nature endowed with
a yigorou. body and an active, bril-
liant mind but at the meridian of his
manhood he passed into the light, like
the morning star disappears at the APP
proach of the rising sun, and love in
tears pays homage at his tomb He
was tall, manly and dignided in APP
pearance and of commanding pres
ence. His dark, flashi.g eyes indicat-
ed the energy Of his nature. He had
capacity 70 quickly comprehend a crit
zeal situation and vas fruitful in re-
sources to meet emergencies. Had he
been trained for the practice OF law or
medicine, with health and experience,
he would have eXcelled and won dis
tinction in either profession. He was
a good conyersationalist and the in
terestlng manner in which he related
incidents and experiences made him
most entertaining and companionable.
His friendships were strong and innu-
eutial, while integrity, hope and gen
erosity We're leading characteristics. 49,
His executive ability was Of high
order, and he was readily awarded "a
commanding position in society and
secular affairs. He participated in
the public business of his township.
and performed the duties assigned him
with fidelity and ability. But the
crowning characteristic of his earthly
career was his lofty religious motives.
The closing months Of his life were
ma Sfed by pious zeal and ardent de-
votion that evidenced his restful, hone
ful, trustful faith In a Saviour's love
which anchored his soul TO Christ and
made him in the highest sense immortal
for said Jesus, "Whosoever liveth
aud believeth in me shall never die"
(John II 2G).
Arthur was not perfect else ge never
would have known him, for perfection
does not pertain 70 this life, as we all |
personally know He bore his allie |
tions With fortitude and resignation |
that indicated his noble nature. The
conflict OF his courageous, ambitious,
youthful spirit with his fatal bodily
disease was an unequal contest and
the King OF terrors conquered at last
and blotted out his physical life, but
his soul, secure in Christ, was un.
harmed and untouched by the transi.
tion Of death, and over in the beauti.
ful Kingdom Of our Lord, to which our
dear young brother has gone, he Is
free from the pains he so long endured
here, and when We gather al the river
II Is sweet consolation 10 think that
our loved and lost win meet on the
Other side
The closing scenes Of Artnur's NOR