Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1907-07-10
sArdbuis i Rev. j. ii. Sanders.

asuAsVkc5 IAoOWo0 OOur20Tst III mas D60n
said that the living should deal tenderly
with the dead. 1t has also been said
that II the flowers which decorate the
graves of our dead had been strewn
along their pathway in life, and the kind
words in marble epitaphs had been
spoken to them while living It might
have been better for the dead. =. 8
Be that as 1t may, / feel moved this
morning to contribute few lines to my
dead friend, Rev. J. Milton Sanders, who
died at his home July 3d---his birthday.
and was buried the next day at Poplar
Springs, in the presence of large con-
course Of relatives and friends. He was
"a years old the day of his death.
When the toosin Of war sounded In the
sixties, he left the ploy in the furrow,
and In tho bud and bloom of young man
hood laid his all upon the altar OF the
South, that he loved SO we'll. Mr.. SAM
ders volunteered in Company d, 22d
South Carolina Regiment, aud inobly fol-
lowed his mighty ohieftain, Gen. r. e.
Lee, from Manassas to Appomattox,
breasting the blazing guns on many q
bloody field Of battle; and he was one Of
the number who charged uplithe rocky
sides of Gettysburg, and imprinted on
the cold, pitiless stones there. In letters
of blood, their ohivalry, and courage.
After the war Mr.. Sanders engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He was an ao-,
cepted minister of the Poplar Springs
Baptist church, and for thirty years he
has been preaching the everlasting gos-
pei of the blessed Christ.
And, on account of his conseorated life,
he was able to say with Paul, ''I am now
ready to be offered; the time of my de.
parture is at hand. Ihave fought good
fight; have finished my course, have
kept the faith" In life he was patient,
kind, generous. humble, courteous, un.
selfish, sincere, even to the last wearing
the ornaments of meek and gentle
spirit. He had learned the obvious les
son Of the gospel, "He that would be
great, let him serveT he that would be
happy, let him give" His labors of love
rs aminister will forever abide to show
how deep was his loyalty, and no doubt
his godly influence will sink with deeper
impress, and shine with indestructible
beauty in the lives Of those who knew
him best. Like the resplendent clouds
Of sunset, he will reflect rays from
Christ--fair and full of peace. It is thus
the Lord shapes the sun Of beauty in us,
and seems, perhaps, only to reveal its
glory by taking, but thanks be to God,
He makes that which remains by the
same stroke, end thus chisels aI,. gloriaes
until it becomes possible for our career
to be crowned with the same glorious
end. At present it may be with weeping
eyes, tear-stained cheeks and bleeding
hearts. but standing on its elevation,
bathed In Its light, We look forward and
catchl glimpse of the glory that is to be
revealed, and, like our dear brother, we
hear strains of music flowing down from
the mountains of God, so let us comfort
ourselves; as friend after friend departs,
let us bear the loss and treasure the gain,
until with US, too, life's feeting fever
ends, and we sleep well.
While he lived, he was Gods good gift
to us, but now he is gone, let us share in
his triumph and stand by his side when
he goes up &c 56 crowned.
And now, with this bouquet of flowers,
I come, and, with uncovered head and
with silent tread, will lay them on the
grave of my departed friend, and with
them drop tear and breathe silent
prayer, "May the mighty powers of
gravitation guard and keep them there
may thoy be sprayed with the gentle
dews OF heaven! May the sun shine
upon them and paint their tiny petals in
all the beauties of nature! And God
grant that the happy vision that so
charmed and delighted the sweet singer
of Israel may rest as benediction upon
the memory of Rev. j. NJ. Sanders for
everp
And to the bereayed family send con.
dolence. May Gods comforting grace be
sufficient for the sorrowing loved ones
left behind. May He draw each one OF
the family right close to His great lov.
ing heart. May He guido the feet oi
each one in the way of eternal life, and
may each one look forward with the
sweet hope of hsppy reunion one OF
these days, when God shall say, It is
! enough; come up higher.
| j. Russell Wright.
Walhalla. !.