The Mankato free press., 1907-01-18
.MANKATO FREE PRESS

Christian life of our friend, the late
George H. Davis.
"It was my privilege to know him as
citizen, and my honor for some time
to be associated with him on the board
of education of this city, but above this
my association with Mr., Davis in the
Masonic fraternity gave me such an ac-
quaintance as to cause my respect and
admiration to ripen into love for him.
Though he was the personifcation of
virtue he never paraded it. His good
deeds, kind words and timely advice
seemed as natural as the fragrance of
the flowers. He was truly the apostle
of Abou Ben Adhem one who loved his
fellow men.
ITO the Masonic order Mr.. Davis was
strongly and fervently attached. While
in Idaho he was highly honored in the
grand lodge of that grand jurisdiction
and in this state l have been with him
in our grand lodge and knowingly state
that he has been one of its most potent
members. His very presence among men
always rebuked contention. His cordial
ity, liberality, and nobleness of charac-
ter dispelled every discord. He was the
most ardent supporter in maintaining
the Ancient Land Marks of Masonry un-
sullied that l have known His was al
ways pure character, never marred by a
sullen trait but obviously desirous to
live in harmony with the purposes of his
Creator, with unhesitating confidence. He
lived justly, loved mercy and walked
humbly with his God.
''He was a student of Masonic litera-
ture-he could talk to you for hours OF
Modern Rome having her basilica of st.
Peters on whose sublime structure amid
the visible decadence of classic art
Michael Angelo lavished his unexcelled
genius. One of the many Incidents that
are entitled to record in his memorial
Is that of an incident of his dis
covering that brother Mason did
not clearly comprehend the true mean
ing of Masonic prayer usually used in
Masonic burial services and on return
ing home from lodge he stopped on the
street corner in the snow on very cold
night and talked and explained until
the supplication was fully appreciated.
SO thoroughly interested in his subject
he did not realize the time he consumed
and was not conscious of the fact that
he had partly frozen his feet while dis
seminating what he considered next to
the Gospel. This was his way of doing
good. SO absorbed in the thought to
serve another he was tiiimindful of him
self.
High principle, personal magnetism,
gallantry, great skill or ability as a
pulpit orator-all these may in turn be
cited as reasons why a man should be
liked or respected. But to awake the
love and warmest admiration of COM
munity as did the deceased, requires
qualities which well nigh defy analysis.
'Who will forget his hand shake and
pleasant greeting which seemed to draw
you to him in uneXplainable manner that
impressed upon you the nobleness of his
soul? No one could desire to forget
his open countenance and his ever en-
couraging words. He like Aristides left
no enimies except those provoked by
virtue. He did leave us an example of
life worth of emulation and that is the
greatest heritage that any one can leave
to posterity.
''He believed that the finest of all
others is the soul of an unhappy man
who is cOnsoled and thanks God. He
met every man as his equal and hence
he was repulsive to none. He was liber.
al in his views and respected the con-
scientiOus convictions of others. He knew
men, and realized that to be saint is
the exception but to be just man is the
rule; err or fail, but be just. The least
possible amount of sin is the law of maI
no one has ever attained perfection OH
earth. And thus he met his fellowmen
and his marvellous influence among them
for good was wonderful While never
unmindful of the Divine Law he was
never SO absorbed by it as to forget and
no longer perceive the human law; fam
Thar with laymen yet always main.
tanned with dignity and honor his call.
ing
'''Let these reflections on this occasion
convince us how vain are all the wrang.
llngs and bitterness engendered by the
collisions of the world; how near our
puny wranglings for a square inch of
soil are to those of ants over a morse1
OF food. Mans life is like a flower
which blooms today and tomorrow is
faded, east aside and trodden under
foot. The most of us are fast approach
ing or have already passed the meridian
of life; our sun too is setting in thu
west; and our youthful belief that the
roseate hues of the rising sun of our
existence were always to be continued
are vanishing.
Brother, thou art gone to rest;
A,,I