The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-08-16

w.
ready to meet it. What a lesson for
many of us! Too many times we stand
lamenting, IF l had only thought, y
"It might have been." Why not turn
our eyes to the future, see with cer-
tainty what will surely come to pass
and be ready. When he looked over
the prairie he could see home on every
quarter section; cattle quietly feeding
by every stream; ripening grain ready
for the sickle; cities, towns and villages;
School houses and churches everywhere.
and this gave him inspiration and hope.
o, grumbler at fate, look with Wash
burn at the possibilities of the future
and be ready to meet it's demands.
But all the hopes, aspirations and
ambitions of w. D. Washburn would
have been but idle tales had there not
another element ever been manifested
in his life. His faith in God and
loyalty to the cause of Christ was the
crown that covered with glory all the
deeds of his busy life. The time has
been when even in the Christian world
it was difficult to look over denomina-
tional lines, and see clearly the good
that might be found in the lives of
those connected with a denomination
outside our own, but l am thankful
that day has passed. We are able to
see the Christlike character of him
whose spirit returned to the God who
gave it from the Fair Oaks home July
3Oth, although he was not member of
the Congregational, Baptist, Methodist,
Presbyterian nor yet the Catholic de-
nomination, William D. Washburn was q
member of the Universal Denomination.
When the Church of the Redeemer was
organized more than fifty years ago he
was the moderator and presided. He
placed in the first church building a
pipe organ and the chime bells which
pealed out his favorite hymn, ''Lead
Kindly Light" as his body lay in state
was contribution of his own. read
with interest the tribute his pastor was
able to pay him after twenty-five
year pastorate. 81 have never known
him to be absent from the Sunday
morning service when he was in the
city unless sickness prevented. Even
in these recent years of growing weak
ness and dimness of vision his pew was
never vacant" What lesson for
many who with far less care find it
difficult to ever enter the House of
worship. Notice the tribute he brings
to the church as upon the 5Oth anni-
versary he is presented with the cup by
Judge M. B. Coon in behalf of the
congregation. In reply Mr.. Washburn
said in closing: "And now in life's
late afternoon while long and cool the
shadows grow, looking back over my
past life and career in this city of my
adoption, l feel that nothing has added
more to my well-being and genuine
satisfaction than my fifty years con-
nection with this church of my Re-
deemer." Such words tell US of his
love for Christ and his devotion to the
Christian work.
feel that I cannot close without
asking, can player play Hamlet and
leave Hamlet out? Can farmer be a
farmer and omit seeding? Can the
singer move the hearts without song!
Can a man be man without the Christ
man in his soul? May we not change
the language of the poet from the
plural to the singular and say,
..The life of this great man reminds US
That we may make our life sublime,
And departing leave behind US
Footprints on the sands of time"