The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-07-29
GLORIOUS SONGS
Take up Gladder Tone Where
lie Has Gone.
SANITY Presence of DIR. John B. Helwig
BIeSSes Mansions Fair on
Other Shores.

ishing church in Minneapolis and fol
I several months before his death served
a Cincinnati congregation He Kep'
his vigor until disease proved IF,
only after a desperate battle, to be tbs
conqueror. In recognition OF his abjl-
ity the Presbyterian clergy elected him
to numerous offices of trust and honor.
In the campaign of 1899 pr. Helwig
was a candidate on the Prohibition
ticket for Governor of Ohio, receiving
over "a. 900 votes. He always took a
keen interest in public affairs and for
number of years was president of the
Ohio Sabbath School Association.
He labored in many ways for the
best interests of his native State. DIR.
Helwig wrote several books of wide
circulation. Deceased was noted in
many states for his wonderful store
of knowledge and for his ability in
expounding gospel truths. He filed
the pulpit of the famous DIR. Cuyler in
New York during vacation and was
sought upon many occasions where
the services of talented speaker
were needed About twelve weeks
ago he preached his last sermon to
his congregation in Cincinnati. He
attended Sabbath school in the morn
ing and preached at the morning hour.
In the afternoon he drove ten miles
into the country to preach the funeral
discourse at the services over the
remains of the youngest sister of for
mer United States President William
Henry Harrison.
DR.. Helwig suffered intensely and
consulted Cincinnati physicians who
discovered serious liver and heart
trouble and advised the patient to visit
French Lick Springs which he did.
He gained only temporary relief and
upon the order Of his physicians came
to Bellefontaine and entered the hos
pital. The venerable minister realized
that his course was nearly run and
assured those near and dear to him
that he was anxious to lay aside NOR
tai things and go to meet his Creator
if he was no longer able to engage in
the work of bettering his fellowmen,
the vocation that had held his en-
tire mind and to which he had direct
ed his every energy. He assured his
family and friends that no alarm
should be felt for him for he was satis-
fed to rest after days of untold suffer
ing in the haven to which he had led
so many OF his acquaintance.
One of the saddest incidents in DIR.
Helwig's life.was the death of his only
daughter. Miss Grace. who passed
away some four years ago. She was
the JOY of the lives of the minister and
his wife and they watched her lovingly
through the tender years of childhood
and when she budded into young
womsnhood they gave her every ad
vantage for which fond parents could
plan. She became accomplished in
vocal and instrumental music and in
other lines and graduated with honor
from her school But Deaths hand
was laid upon ner and while yet in
life's early summer she was called
away to brighten fairer shores. The
father was crushed by the terrible
blow but his trust in divine wisdom
aided him to bear his burden and he
together with his life's companion
confided in the Friend whom they had
proved never failing and found COM
fort for their sorrow.
DIR. Helwig, during his last hours
was cheerful and bright. On Sunday
preceding his death he sat up for a
short time and enjoyed a visit from
his brother, whom he had not seen fol
two years. He seemed stronger than
for several days but the improvement
was only such rs comes to many Just
| before the final dissolution.
His calm repose as he awaited
Death's coming was a marvellous tes
timony of the faithful christian. Few
knew q better man and no pastor wal
ever shown greater love by the people
of his flock. Death to him came mo-
as a terror but as the bearer of a mes
sage from the throne above calling hin
to shores he had contemplated for 81
many years and for whose hesvenl,
heights he had moulded his life. H'
was truly a good man.
II do not know the plan;
/ only know that God is good
And that His strength sustains.
1 only know that He is just;
So In the starless, songless night
/ lift my face and trust,
And God NV spirit witness bears