The Tupelo journal., 1907-04-12
Joseph Frierson Ruff

Was born of George A. and Mary
Barr,Ruff in 1854, and married Miss
Sallie Armstrong in 1875; professed
fsith in Christ as his Savior in 100 and
passed from death unto life eternal
March 30th, 1907. He being of the
Presbyterian belief by eason of a long
line of ancestry, through the noted Barr
family running hack to the Dutch-Irish
Presbyterian church, very readily and
naturally connected himself with toe
Prcsbl terrain church at Unity, of which
he was a great liver and a liberal will
ing and cheerful supporter.
hrother Ruff, like all of mankind,
was not i%nfallible; but we wrap the
mantle Of charity over his faults and
deposit them in the grave with bis
body from which they emlnated, and
will consider only his many noble and
generous virtues, which flowed from a
heart that was full of them, even from
his childhood days. He was a firm and
steadfast believer in the willingness
and power of Christ to q Y even unto
the uttermost all who would trust in
His name and accept His salvation as q
free gift. He was also ! firm believer
in peace and harmony, especially in
the church, and always tried to live at
peace with all men and to fad an eX-
cuse for an erring brother; and all the
impulses of his generous heart were to
raise men to a higher plane OF civiliza-
ton. He was a good neighbor, n
that never tried to pull any man down.
or take from any man Wrongfully; and
his mistakes were of the head and not
of the heart. His home was always
open to a minister of the gospel Of any
denomination.
What is our loss? The wife has lost
a true, affectionate and provident hus-
band; the children a kind, loving, oyer
indulgent father; the church a loving,
cheerful and liberal supporter and a
Christian member; the State a good
citizen; the communit a useful maui;
but our loss is his gaiu Of a life that is
everlasting; one that is fall of peace,
happiness, joy and rest around the
throne of God; no more sorrow, no
trouble, no pain, 10 more death, no
more parting in that peaceful Beuiah
lane, singing everlas ing praise to God
and the Lamb.
What dldhe mean when, in crossing
the chilly stream, he said, Il am not
delirious; | see heaven and SO many
! friends?" I believe that when the
portals of heaven opened up to receive
his spirit that his mother, father and
many friends flocked to the gates to
welcome him, ana oh! what a joyful
reunion was there: and he too is now
over Their watching and waiting to
beckon others to come up higher Shall
we know him when we pass over? Oh,
yes. WI shall know as we are known.
We shall know each other better when
the mists are blown away, for we are
told that we shall know Him when we
see Him, for we shall be like Him.
We know that it is but natural for
the bereaveo To mourn; We have al
ready passed through the paths you
are in now; out Ne point out to you the
Lamb Of God which is a healing balm
for all your wounds He makes the
wound and then He heals it and He
alone can do it, and He will do it if you
/ but trust Him. He is the great Physi-
clan that always has the remedy pre-
pared for us.
Whydo we mourn departed friends,
! Or shake at Death S alarm?
It's but the Voice that Jesus sends
| To call US to His arms.
The bereaved have our coincidence,
sympathy and prayers.
J. P. STOVALL.