The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1910-09-01

hundreds of friends.
As husband and father. as a citizen
and as Christian, Bro. Norman was :
most excellent type of man. His devotion tc
his wife and his fondness for his chill.
dren and grandchildren was beautiful.
As citizen he was loyal to every
interest beth of his immediate community
and Of his state, He was a champion
Of civic Righteousness, ~ =. '.s's'i' =.
His opinions were born out, of much
reading, much thought and much prayer
and he voted being inspired by these
opinions and not by impulse. 2
While in the confederate army, Drawer
soldier never raised musket in defense
of bleeding constitution.
But it was as the man of prayer and
{ istian service that the writer knew
hila best. In obedience to that Scrip
tual mandate: "Grow in grace and in
the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ" he developed in Christian
character until he stood, in the evening
Of his life, man of Herculean strength
in the ranks of the redeemed.
He came to Cato six years ago, little
while before the writer became pastor
there. Well do l remember how /,
a lad in the ministry, sat at the feet of
that venerable man, and listened, as he
out of the richness of his life's experiences
spoke forth words of wisdom and love.
He watched the Sunday school grow in
cessantly under his leadership. Until
his health gave way he was always
found in his place at church, and the
preacher felt the power of his prayers,
with conviction that he was not his
own but was bought with the price, he
gave literally of his means as God pros
pered him.
Among the many qualities that made
beautiful the life of Bro Norman there
are two that deserves special mention:
He was lover of eggressiveness Ex-
IRENE conservatism found no place in his
life. He loved relics of the past but
not at the sacrifice of advancement. Like
all truly great men-whether famous or
obscure he often lived ahead of his con-
temporaries
Was there some advancement to be
made in the school or church? w as there
cemetery to be improved? Was there
great Christian gathering in which his
church or Sunday school ought to be rep
resented? Bro. Norman was the man
to introduce the idea.
But it is easy to tread the path of
duty wnen that path leads through no
hostile country. Bro. Norman had the
courage of his convictions. His opinions
were sacred to him and he was willing
to die for. them. His skirts were clear
of the sin of neutrality. 1t was not diff
fcult to get his position He never tried
to serve two masters.
While a citizen of Madison county
when whisky and greed were drawn up
against temperance and the home, he un-
compromisingly joined the cause of pro-
hibition and fought just as fearless as
he did from 81 to IS, while defending
the southern hearth stones O! for more
men today like the knightly Norman, who
had opinions, spake them, and was willing
to die for them!
Joseph r. Norman is no more. As the al
most ideal husband and father. the gen.
eral friend, the superb citizen the Chris
tan gentleman, he is no more.
But, Though he be dead he yet speak
eth" He has left his impress upon the
lives of those with whom he lived.
His Christian zeal and tireless work for
God and men have inspired people with
the spirit of service and devotion that
shall abide with them until they have
joined him in the skies.
Thanks be to Thee, our Heavenly Faith
er, for that hoary head. which to our
departed brother was crown of glory.
Thanks be to Thee for that life which
was benediction to men. NAV heaven
comfort the bereft ones with the great
assurance that in the sweet bye and bye
theirs will be reunited family in the
home of the redeemed
S. 6. POPE.