Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-09-18

RESI- AT LAST

the many christians vir-
tues, and honorable motives that
went to make up, in so eminent a
degree, the lofty character of this
nigh and noble man, but the writer
who has known him since the writ
er's childhood, begs leave to lay
this tribute of respect on the altar
Of his memory.
Thomas Hanson Slaven died at
his home in Monterey, surrounded
by his children and loved ones, on
Thursday morning of last week,
Sept. 10, 1908, at 6 o'clock, having
been almost helpless for the past
seven weeks, not from any organic
disease, but because of a feeble and
worn out body.
We fail to realize, for while,
that the one who has gone in and
out among us for so many years,
will not again be numbered among
the living, yet, indeed, he has gone,
and no more shall we have his
presence and personality to remind
us of him; but numbers of the read
ers of this sketch need but cast
their eyes about them and they
will see some article of furniture in
the room, standing there as mon
ument of his honest, good work,
(for none but that kind ever left
mis- shop). But while there are
numberless monuments of his hand
work scattered throughout this
and adjoining counties, the greatest
and most lasting one lett behind is
the wonderful christian character
he built. A character more envla-
BILE for it's excellence than its fame.
He was a builder of this sort, and
now that this building is complete
we look upon it as monument
that, we thank God, is our rich
heritage, which will WELD an in
huence for good, and bring good
into our lives, if we but stop to
think upon it.
Brother Slaven was for more
than half century member OF
the Methodist church, and has been
numbered among the Monterey
Methodists since their organization,
and throughout it's history down to
the present, he was closely identifi-
ed with it's every move; let it move
smoothely and peacefully, he was
there to rejoice, and when times OF
adversely came he was the same
staunch piller, standing and uphold
ing the great principles, beliefs and
hopes upon which the life of his
church and his life, were builded
and grounded.
You would know Mr.. Slaven to
be a christian man, not by what
we would ordinarily term the lead
ing characteristics of. a christian,
but by the little matters of every
day life, in which he showed forth
his christianity. Along this line
his most prominent characteristic
was his outspoken contempt, by
word and manner, for unclean
words and unchased and silly con-
versation. He was never heard to
utter an UNBIASED word during the
whole of his life, nor would he per-
NIT such in his presence.
This life of purity and consecra-
ton he lived until his days here on
earth were numbered, and the
strong faith which supported him
through life, remained until his dy-
ing hour. The very last days of
his consciousness were spent in re-
peating scripture verses and stanzas
of the good old hymns, and in do
ing so he would become so happy
and resigned, that one could not
but believe that at such times the
mist cleared away and he was per-
mitted to look across the river. In
many talks with his children and
friends, who would gather about
his bed, he admonished them to
lead christian lives, and this mes
sage he left to ALLIE said-''Tell
them it pays to live a christian
life"
Slowly and gradually as his body
weakened he came down to. the
Rivers brink, and quietly and
peacefully he crossed over, and
only his memory is left with us;
and now when called to higher
sphere, may his family and many
friends find much comfort in the
legacy left each one--an untarnish-
ed name; a life lived down at his
Masters feet, full of good works,
and exemplyfng in its every phase,
the name OF the christian and the
gentleman.
A SHORT SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Thomas H. Slaven was son of
Reuben Slaven. He was born near
Meadow Dale, June Sd, 1929, and
was a member of a large family.
Surviving him are Jesse B., of Mon
terey, w Boon, of Texas, and Mrs
j. H. Lindsay, of Bridgewater. He
was married in l849, to Miss Mar
garet Fleisher who died Nov. 18th,
1904. To them was born a large
family of children, of whom the
following survive: Mrs. L. A. Car