Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-07-17
ROCKY FORD COLORADO FRIDAY JULY II, 1908.

I'll Ile. E1e UolOHRto " Iiot iois
number in whom the home virtues were
innate. They seemed so much part OF
him that you could not think Of his having
ever been without them. | will not en-
large Upon these ideal home relations lest
! but emphasize the loss the family has
sustained. But feel that | must men,
ton this phase Of his life because it is due
to him that others should know how hap
py the home circle can be when its head
possesses the magic powers that make
Of the several lives real family unit.
have another reason for bringing to
you this side of his character. It is to
make a suggestion Of great comfort.
These home memories will have an ever
increasing value as the years 60 by.
Every loving thought that gave express
sion of the devotion of this good man to
the family will enrich the life of those
who are just now bereaved. Rich is the
heritage that he has left to the members
Of the family and there are many who
would give much to possess such MEM
orics.
As a citizen he bore himself well. Not
a'one is he that carries offensive arms
warrior. Every citizen who performs his
civic duties in protecting the community
from evil and in the promotion Of that
which is for the common good is entitled
to all the emoluments OF the warrior.
Long before the temperance cause was
popular, when the one who openly es-
poused this cause endangered his very
life, our brother enlisted in this sacred
cause and for these more than forty
years he has fought the battle for tenn
perance-the battle Of the weak man un-
able to resist an overmastering appetite;
the battle of the ignorant growing child
against forces that would destroy it soul
and body: the battle Of the wife and
mother whose persuasive powers are not
suffioie ntly strong to deter the husband
and son from the cup that brings them TO
physical and moral penury and her to
every condition Of misery. II It is proper
to laud the carrier Of arms. it is proper
that we give praise to the man who
speaks OFT against that power which de-
stroys life. :,
I am aware that the boldness OF Paufs
statement does not ct into your memory
Of my friend. It takes an egotist to use
the personal pronoun three times in one
sentence. My friend was far too modest
for this. The personal pronoun was but
seldom in his thought and very seldom on
his lips. His life was quiet. It was
foreesskin that thsrs was in this op'et-
ness that which betokened the self poiss
that assured one Of an inward peace.
He was an heroic sufferer. For thir-
tam wears he had been a cripple and
other ailments pressed heavily upon him.
vet no one ever heard complaint from his
iips. His thought was for others. OF his
own ailments there was no mention.
And when troubles Of the mind and heart
were added to physical sufferinRs. he
bore even that load without complaint.
assured that He who cared for His child
rem would not forsake him.
In his going away the church loses .
faithful officer. His activity in the church
bore the stamp Of sincerity. He gave
not only Of his means. but Of his time as
well. He was not afraid Of responsible
jty and never shirked a duty. He was
not emotional In his temperament, so did
not frequently speak about the inward
things OF the soul life. but his religion
experienes Is evidenced in the hymns OF
this morning service. On his 66th BIRTH
day when Il was suggested that favorits
hymns be sung he selected these three:-
II cad Kindly Light" Tell me the Old.
Old Story" and "How Firm a Founda-
tion." And the sentiment Of these hymns
indicates his vital experiences.
The prize for which the Christian war.
rior contends IL that something we call
character. It has an element OF value
not possessed by any other commodity.
There is the quality Of the inalienable
about character that makes the one who
possesses it forever rich. The funeral
service reads I'VE brought nothing into
the world and it is certain we can carry
nothing out" but this refers only to ma
terial commodities. for we do carry
something out and this something is char
ac.er. No one can be poor who is thus
possessed and no one can be rich who
does not possess it. Our future condition
our future honors and our future Joys all
depend upon the character we have
formed in this life. From this view point
we can not be mournful at the going
away of our brother. Nay rather let Us
rejoice. Our loss is but his gain. He has
fought good fight, he has finished his
course, he has kept the faith. He has
received his crown.
The remains were escorted to Valley
View cemetery by the Masonic brethren.
the following well known citizens and
members Of the order acting as the pail
bearers: H. W. Lance. H. Van Buskirk.
G. M. Hall. J. M. Kinney. c. J. Cover
and c. F. Evans.
At the grave the impressive burial SER
vice Of theMasonry was read. While the
easket was slowly lowered to its place
the brethern dropped their spriRs Of ever
gren upon it, emblsmatie Of the immor-
tality Of the active and useful life that
had reached its earthly end.