The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-01-22

ordination of VIII Ament to the
Christian ministry. Not a man, wo-
man or child in the town that was
not proud of him. l recall very WV
idly the scenes of the ordination
services. l was a boy of fifteen and
find it difficult to think of the event
in its real significance, and the inn
pressions weer those natural to the
immature thought and Judgment
Will Ament had always been kind
and considerate TO me, as he was to
other smaller boys and felt some
thing of the local pride in him which
all shared. The gathering of the
ministers and delegates in the lit
tie old church that stood on the spot
of the present edifice, and the solemn
services were very impressive, even
awe inspiring, and while l did not
understand their real significance
did catch the idea that it was the
solemn dedication of a life to what
was considered its highest duty.
Will Ament as a boy and young
man embodied in his character the
essential elements of a successful
pioneer, self-mastery, boundless en-
ergy, indomitable courage, faith
hope and charity. Analysing his
character as we then knew him il
should have been easy to predict
that he would become a most effec-
tive worker and great leader in his
chosen field. He possessed a won
derful constructive Imagination.
believe that while he was yet in
Owosso he clearly foresaw the out
lines of the great work he after
wards accomplished. He was essen
TALLY a causationist. He never wait
ed for things to happen-he made
them happen. This power of initia
tive which he possessed in high de
gree was one of the distinguishing
marks of his greatness. Difficulties
and dangers only stimulated hin
to greater and more determined eff
fort.
His life exemplifies manificentl!
the power of an idea. Add to thes'
qualities a cultured and scholarl!
mind, simple, natural, unaffected
personality, nature full and over
flowing with generous love TO
mankind, heart big and broad il
it's sympathies, devotion to dut.
that was simply sublime, and w
have one of earth's noble men
whom all the world delights to hon
or.
To the foregoing beautiful tribute
Rev. Hanks added his meed of prais
He spoke very tenderly of the low
and affection which DR.. Ament ha,
for Owosso, which he considered hi
home all his life, for home churcl
and friends. Extracts from letter
were read which revealed the dept
of his affection for his family an
friends, from whom he was througl
necessity separated much of the tim
The pastors voice faltered as he rea
the loving message contained i
these letters and many eyes moisten
ed with tears as the great heart O
their noble friend was opened up t
them through the medium of hi
correspondence.
'Dr. Ament was a great lover,
said Rev. Hanks, land his life an
work, his letters, everything empha
, size the depth of his love and tn
sincerity of his affection for thos
whom he held dear"
The higher econiums have bee
showered upon his memory by hi
colleagues in the mission field, tn
secretaries of the board under whic
he worked and all who were familia
. with his work. The secular as we
as the religious press have praise
him, and Rev. Hanks read from tn
New York Tribune the following eS
tract from long article on his deaf
''Dr. Ament had been a missionar
of the American board since 1877
His name and work were brought in
to especial prominence by the Box
er uprising in the summer of 1906
He was the last to leave the mis-
sion compound when the Boxer al
tack came and was among those shu
up in the British legation, where h
rendered important service in the dc
fence plans. After Peking was oC
cupied by the allied troops he devot
i Continued on pages.