The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-30
away from habitablc spots and found

away from habitable spots and found
him at sunset muny miles from home.
His powers OF endurance were far
superior to those of men nfty years
younger than himself.
At the opening OF the Civil War
he offered his services TO his State
in tho field, but was refused on
account of his deafness. Many regret
conflict. for his intrepid courage.
splendid bearing and remarkable
ability would have undoubtedly adj
Nanced him to some place OF honor
in the army. ah
lust before the war he married
Miss Linda, Babcock. from Vermont.
a descendant of ohm Alden, by whom
he had six children-AIrs, r. w. Per-
Rins, who died In 1854; Mr.. Ernest
Goode ana Mrs. W. S. Huxter, OF
Richmond Va: Mrs j. w Quarlcs
Ellerson. Va. and Mr.. Chas. II. Chris
tian. Altoona, Pa.
Holt, of Charles City county. Va.
who survives him, and by whom there
were no children, Her father was
descendant of Lord Chief Justice
While his influence in the county
Will live long among the citizens, his
relations with his nearest friends
and relatives left an impression that
VIII be the heritage of each genera :
iion OF his descendants. No Kinder
heart ever dwelt within man than
his. He was the personiflcation or
tenderness and love to those within
ms ms home. and his wife's and chill
testimony to this. His homo was
theirs at all times, and no was
never happier than when they were
with him. 4
Some conception OF the esteem In
which he was held by the people of
his county can be had by n dcscrip-
lion of his funeral. Long before tho
time Of the burial. on Sunday. tho
second day. of April. vehicles began
to arrive. bringing those who knew
him In life Friendly hands made
inc necessary prenara lions. and when
the lonely procession started for tho
the line of vehicles stretched out for
nearly mile and followed his body
TO It's last resting place. II Is hard
to give an adequate description OF
what followed without seemingly
breaking tho solemn sncrodness that
shrouded that simple meeting house
of Christians SorrowinE friends
and relatives sat In the chapel to
near the last sad rites. a host Of
colored people. among whom wero
several old slaves of the family. were
thcro to show their esteem for him
All in NIL. this last setting could not
lave been other than a man OF his
have desired.
Tho services themselves were SIM
plo. but profound. Such pathos, SIM.
ply told. fell from the lips Of the
minister, that. together with tho sur
Froundings. ono was reminded OF VIII
liam Wirts blind preacher orator IN
Inc Wilderness of Orange. simpler
message never came from the min
ister OF tho gospel, and no one pres
ent was oblfvious OF the spell which
the few words. based upon tho char
acter and Christian life OF tho do
ceased, produced. The very presence
of the body. and consciousness OF the
exalted purity OF the soul which had
left IT was a bcnediction upon those
who were gathered there. and no one
doubts but that many men and wo-
men carried home with them that day
the lesson from that mans lIfo. The
pathos of this whole scene was made
more affecting when, just as tho dull
earth was closing from view the
remains of tho departed. an old negro
OF the community came to the gravo-
side and testified In his humble way
10 tho Christian character and indu-
enco of his old master.
Joseph Allen Christians name will
live long In Charles City county, but
the influence OF his life viii 1.-Two
longer. Tho younger generation are
inspired by his example and the
Older ones, who arc approaching the
setting sun. undoubtedly look long
insly to whore he has gone, While his
Tho pathos of the passing OF n man
like Joseph Allen Christian cannot bo
expressed: 1t must remain unwritton.
A FRIEND.
MRS IsUGENIA sTYLI. sOUTHALL. 4
Forget three! this bitter word;
Wo wish 1t were t,nsaid
Forgetfulness Is not In life,
+ But with tho silent dead
AS tho evening sun Is setting.
Ofttimcs az wo sit. alone, M
In our hearts there comes a feeling,
II our dear mother could only come
homo.
Just two years ago to-day we laid
And folded your cold hands upon
your breast 8ia 5{
In silence you suffered In patience
Until God called you home to suncr
no more. n
"Gone. but not forgotten