The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-08-21

! --~sA>SA NskIs WIZ SAdESS uuI respect
and love, he came to Iowa while the
state was in It's infancy. Some of you
had like experiences in those early
days and can recall the priyations and
hardships then endured. But at best
they are, for the most part, only mem
ory Of unremitting toll and scant re
ward. None the less those experienc.
IS were valuable aids in the develop
ment of character. There were no
moliycoddles in those days. The con-
dttions were too stern for any but earn
est and determined men and women.
Lie was real, not a mske-belieye. One
OF the first things learned was self-re-
lance, and close on its heels came
knowledge of ones duty to his neigh
Dor There was large degree of per
sonal independence in those DAYS but
there was also strong sentiment of
mutual helpfuiness. The exigencIes of
every day existence contributed di-
recty TO these results like to think,
and l think am not mistaken in
thinking. thai these experiences helm
ed TO develop our friends character
along the right hnes-helped TO give
MN the character we all so much ad-
Enire. No doubt the hard conditions
under watch he lived in early life
seemed to him at the same time mean
ingless an purposeless. But who wiz,
undertake to set limit TO their value
In de-elopsng true manhood and true
Vorusnhe-od A tree is to he Judged
BIZ its fruit So judged. the nioneer
life led by William Colrin. followed
by the sweet pure, simple life OF the
country in after Years, must aaye been
good
William Coivin vas strictly honest
and he believed in exact justice. He
wanted every cent due him and he in
Yariaaly met every obligation 10 the
last farShing- He had no sympathy
with schemes OF thigh finance. MANY
OF which appeared 10 him TO be a kind
OF ornamental stealing. Sophistries
ancient or modern. never confused
him. In passing judgment he split
no hairs. To him thing vas either
right or else II was wrong There
vas no halfway house between tha
tTo where he vas content to abide
He secepsed conditions as thew er,s.
IN this ~orld, but did all in his power
70 better them both by precept and ex-
ample, He was 10 yisionary-no I'M
practical idealist On tie contrary he
vas intensely practical His iudg.
ment was IS sound as his perception
OF right vas clear. Without parading
MS professions. he was fntrfnsicallr
religious man. The basic principles
OF Christianity were ingrained In his
daily life He loved the right and din
right for rights sake. The phrase a
true Christian Is often misapulied
but the criticism does not hold good IN
MS case II there ever was genuine
Christian, William Colvin was one
Honest candid. truthful, high-minded
honorable, loyal to the right as God
gave him light 10 see the right, he was
an exemplaF 10 all, and an honor to
the community in which he lived. As
citizen, neigabor. friend. husband and
father-in all the varied relations of
i,fe-fe performed well his part. On
taking leave of US after a long. active
and useful life he has left no known
duty andischarged He was faithful
to every interest committed TO his care
faithful even unto death. That be
IS Cow numbered among the glorified
ones need not be said He fought
good fight and kept the taita, and the
reward OF such is sure TIE eye OF
Faith and the ear of Hope do net de-
eeive US II is not II our Imagination
merely that We see our friend who mas
been taken from US TO enter the hear-
eniy portals and hear the Master say.
Well done. thou good ard faithful ser
want; enter thou into the JOY Of thy
Lord