Henderson gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1911-19??, 1911-04-27
MR. zOLLICOFFER'S ADDRESS
- rvered at the Unwilling of the John
Eaton Russ Memorial Window, at
.ha Church of the Holy Innocents on
Easier Sunday, April 10th.

III. Church of the Holy Innocents on
Faster Sunday, April 10th.
fbave been requested to speak to
Won briefly, giving a short history
af the organization and building oi
This the Church of the Holy limo
ennis in Henderson, n. C., and OF
tbeipstallation of the splendid memo
rial window which, as a part of this
sacred service, we are about to have
the privilege of unveiling, this beau
tifui Easter evening.
We are taught, that it is not given
f. mortals, to know or to under
stand now, Gods mysterious ways
and purposes, but we are told, that
# we but follow Him, we shall in the
end receive His blessing; that
His purposes will ripen fast,
lnfolding every hour;
The bud may have bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower"
And 50. in the foundation and Or
.anizatiOn of this church, while it
seems. in Gods providence, it should
bp through the sOrrOws and suffer
inos Of some Of His children, yet in
the end it has proved q blessing and
bpnpdictiOn to US, and for those
who will follow after us.
About the year 1871, there lived
near the town of Henderson,, on the
farm now owned by the county OF
Vance. and upon which is located the
Home for the Aged and Infirm," a
gentleman Of large means, property
and possessions, and of high charac-
ter and social standing, by the name
IF John Sommerville Eaton. He
wa- the son of Col. Charles K. Eaton,
who was Il gallant and distinguished
cavalry officer in the Revolutionary
war
Mr.. John SOmmerville Eaton mar.
ripd Miss SaIlie T. Burwell, a mem.
Der Of another prominent and dis
tinguished family, being n cousin O
the late Me- Henry H. Burwell, the
father of our tOwnsman, Mr. Joseph
) Burwcll. and II cousin of the faith
or of the present treasurer of OuI
church. Mr. W. ID. Burwell. There
was one child born of this marriage
Il bright little boy by the name o
John Russ Eaton, Jr.
This boy, being the only child, was
naturally the pride and JOY of the
hearts Of his parents; he was theil
constant thought and tender care
their whole lives being wrapped il
aud about him.
Under their careful watch anC
guidance, John grew into a spIendiC
youth, of exemplary habits anC
character, and gained and held, 81
long as he lived, a warm place in tn,
hearts and affection of the people o
the entire community, being always
commended for his polite and gentle
manly bearing, and many were TIN
predictions for his long and usefu
life.
But God, in His great wisdom ant
goodness, ordained it otherwise HI
loves II bright and shining mark; II
needed him for His Kingdom. AnC
50 in His providence, in the autumn
Of 1871, on the tn day of Septem
h"r, while this young boy was hunt
ing near the town of Henderson
about where the ice factory nov
stands, he was killed by the accident
al discharge of his gun. His deatI
WAS the greatest shock to his paI
rutS, as we'll as to the npighbOrs an
friends.
1t is said that his devoted mOthe
WIS not Mt her home at the time h
WIS killed, but was visiting in Wal
ZEN county, some 10 miles distant
aud Il messenger was sent, pos
l.rste, for her, but was directed no
ln tell her 0f the trouble until sh
should reach the town Of Henderson
where she could receive medical aiC
il necessary, as it was feared til
shock might prove fatal for hel
When she was told of the death {
her boy the scene was heart-rendinG
They buried this child in the oil
family graveyard, about three mile
from Henderson, and when they ha
lail him away, they wrote this beal
tiul inscription upon his Tombstone
Sacred to the memory of John
Eaton, Jr, only child of John
Eaton and Sallie II. Eaton, aged l
years. months and % days.
His death was caused by the acc
dental discharge of a gun, Septembt
llth, 1911.
This lovely child was dutiful an
atirctlonate to his parents; TOWARD
those i'll distress he exercised tt
finest feelings of a benevolent hear
IN his department, amiable and u
assuming, aud by his respect ar
reverence for age and virtue he VIC
the admiration of his acquain
ances.
What n splendid record for
short Il life, showing as it does, thu
this youth possessed the essenti
qualities for the highest type of
line Christian character! How wO
thy this life and this record, OF EN-
latiOn by those who shall look upC
1t, and read it!
While the death of this first, al
only, child brought great sorrO
distress and trouble into the hOT
and hearts OF his parents, we q
told that they did not murmnr
complain that God had so sorely
Feaved them. but humbly submit
to His will, knowing that His way
best, and that "He doth not willing
attilct or grieve the children OF mer
but they straightway turned vi
Renewed faith and love to Him, n
at once made up their minds tn
thereafter they would 'set their
fections on things above, and not
the things OF this earth" and tn
they would so live in this world
20 prepare themselves to meet tn
loved one in Heaven.
And as an evidence OF their 81
mission and humility, they were
movers in the establishment OF
mission, and the largest cOntri
tors towards the building of ho
Tor the worship of God, on the lot
henderson, n c., where now star