The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-12-19
Mr.. JAMES Il. LAWRENCE,
August 8, l833.-December ID, 1907.

LII ollA oO dppIOpTldLe, Wlen Cne cal
came to our dear brother Lawrence
= 1t was evening, just as the twilight
had waved her last good bye, and the
last day of the week had mantled
herself for sleep, the Messenger
came and took him home. There
were no crucial hours of suffering to
tear the hearts of his loved ones
just a sigh and then he was gone.
Such fitting close to the worthy
Old age. True, it was sudden and
we were shocked. True, we could
but wish he had been given minute
to leave 8 parting blessing; but now,
We would not have it different.
His Father in heaven wanted his
child to come home and he went to
spend the Sabbath with God. 1t
was beautiful, that he should begin
lis eternal bliss on this Sabbath day.
He could not wait with his brethren
and hear the songs of love so he
went to hear the angels sing. And
methinks, his own voice, tuned to
the harmonies of the skies, is now
! making melody before the throne
Of God.
Brother Lawrence had passed his
three score years and ten and his
life has always been busy, active,
sympathetic and useful. All Of his
life was spent in and around Scot
land Neck, and yet no man can find
aught to say against him. On the
other hand, with one accord he is
loved for his kindness, revered for
his Christian character and praised
for his usefulness.
Early in life he wooed and welded
Miss Mary Brady of Tarboro, and
this union was blessed with three
children-two sons and one daugh-
ter. His second wife was Miss Mary
Biggs, of Martin County, and two
daughters were born to them. |
He was married to his last wife, Miss
Minnie Montague, during the year
1882. And for twenty-five years
they have been blessed with each |
others love and fellowship. She |
Was the angel of his old age, and for
her in her present grief, our hearts
go out in tenderest sympathy.
Two of the five children are living
Miss Mary Lawrence and Mrs. E. T. |
Brother Lawrence was an agrees
sive, active business man and for
years was engaged in the mercantile
business in this town. He has al
ways been useful. loyal, patriotic
citizen. He was among the first to
respond to the call for the defense of
1is State in the Civil War. Fought
we'll and when the struggle was
over he threw himself into
he even greater task of build
ng the broken homes of the South.
COR twenty-five years he has been a
member Of the Baptist Church.
Faithful, active and spiritual was
lis Christian life. He loved Ged, he
owed his brother and he loved his ,
hurch. He was an ardent support
y of his pastor and it was a bene-
LECTION to be in his presenc All! ,
AN | ever forget that cordial invi- c
alton that ever greeted me when |
listed his home? And that cheerful,
aintly disposition inspires me now.
If him it could truly be said, can +
srealite in whom there is no guile" :
lie was so modest, so unassuming, 2
0 pure in heart, so sanity in de- t
1eanor. AS l have seen him move t
bout in his gentle way, l have :
ncught this must be like the Apostle
ohm as IN his old age he moved
bout the streets of Ephesus.
| have met few men in my life I
hat so impressed me with their Q
enuine piety and rare goodness as
id brother Lawrence. l shall miss !
i'm so much. His influence has q
cen inspiring and blessed to many Y
nd will be helpful in years to
ONE.
On Sunday afternoon a vast host
altered in the Episcopal cemetery
, pay their last tribute of respect =
. the man Of God and his pastor v
nth sad and throbbing heart con-
ucted the service. We all knew c
nat this grave was a gateway to
ne better land.
Sunset and evening star and one
lear call for me-" sang the poet T
nd so for our brother, for HE 4
aw the Pilot face to face when he I
ad crossed the bar" +
G. T. LuMPKIN. :