The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1911-05-11

Extract from the funeral sermCn o
Stephen Bolles, preached by Rev
David Brown, pastor NJ. E. church a
Box Elder.
In my humble opinion l deem il
most fitting and appropriate at this
time to make a few eulogistic re
marks upon our departed friend anG
brother.
In my peregrinations throughout thii
community, while conversing with thc
different residents, regarding the il,
ness of Stephen Bolles, the informa-
ton was invariably volunteered that
if death should call him, the commun
ity would lose a good mar and an I'm
selfish neighbor. The people glaIly
conceded the fact that it was a good
thing to have him as a neighbor; that
he was always willing, and eager to
lend a hand or relieve distress, and
in many ways that are not generally
known, for the deceased was not a
man to parade his philanthropies. He
did ~uncalculable good among the peo-
id uncalculable good among the peo-
pie with whom his lot was thrown.
That will stand on the credit side CT
his account when he stands before
the judgment bar of God. Although
the epitaph hat is craven on his
tombstone may be Obliterated by the
wear and tear CT the clements, yet
craven undeIibly upon the hearts OF
his neighbors and sunk to the fOun-
dation of their memories will be the
recollection Of the fact hat Stephen
BOlleS was a true man and a good
neighbor. May the same be SAID C.
us when the grim Reaper sweeps his
scythe in cur direction.
l did not have sufficient %acquaint-
ance with the deceased to know the
trend of his mind regarding Eternal
Realities, but this | do know he had
an unalterable and answering belief
in a Supreme Being who guides ana
controls the planets, sun, and adam
antine spheres. He had an analytical
mind and loved to bore into obstruse
questions, and l have been told that
his knowledge of the Bible was pro-
digious. His views on theology may
not have conceded with that of some
of us, yet his loyalty to his convic-
tons and fidelity to the light that
shed itself upon his mind is a lesson
of superlative importance to us. He
was faithful to the end, he told me
himself, 81 will die as l have lived"
There was no fear in his heart and
God loves a brave man. That will
stand on the credit side Of his account
when he faces the Supreme Judge.
Let US also be unswervering in
our loyalty to the light that is shed
abroad i'll our minds. In my Daiief
it savors Of c~owardice for a mar or
woman to chase the bubble OF pleas
ure and profit al their lives, and
hen upon their death bed to Whim-
peringly cry upon God to have mercy
Upon them, and ask him tC accept IN:
last pitiful fragment of their ives.
l believe in death bed conversions,
but may God help US to realize the
imperative necessity of s~urrendering
to him now, for death at times will
make a swift downward stroke with
his relentless scythe and no time will
be given for repentance.
Among the items of Importance
that were furnished me about our de-
parted brother was his contant will
ingness to help the cause we follow
aS1 believe. He would not turn a
collector for Gods cause away empty
handed, but waS always ready and
willing to do his part. And when we
remember that he was not a mem ,
Der of the church, it made his givinG
a matter of much sterling worth and
real virture.
Although he was not a christian as
we understand the term and held his
own views of God and Eternity, yet
he was no narrow-minded bigot, and
he was not a ~self-centered man, he
was broad-minded and liberal to a
fault, and open to conviction. He viii
ingly gave to the cause of Christ for
he saw it was a force for good in
this world.
Let us emulate his unselfishness
and his freedom from narrow-minded-
and bigotry.
That will stand on the credit side
of his account on the last day. II
believe that the blood of Jesus GOV
ers more of humanities frailities than
we wot CT, and | also believe in a
tender compassionate and magnani-
nous God.
In this hour of deep solemnfty,
,r,I,o, 49,, boor +c ~ f;11od with row