Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1913-04-17
TRIBUTE no MEMORY
OF PARIS q. HOFFMAN.
Given BY J. H. Rngle ~ tho River
brethren Conference.

| During the conference OF the
River Brethren church held here
this week the following tribute tc
the memory Of Paris @. Hoffman
was read by J. H. Engle;
| II Is entirely fitting that this
body should suspend It's customary
activities for few moments while
lingering in quiet contemplation OF
the character and services OF one
whom we loved SO well and who as
an officer OF this Sunday school con-
ference, has passed to his reward
within the year.
To idolize the departed on the
one hand, or to ignore his memory
entirely on the other, would be
alike unchristian. But while loved
ones strew with seasonable flowers
his resting place and strive to keep
his memory green, we who are
bound with the fraternal bonds of
christian fellowship may we'll turn
aside and rest awhile as we call to
mind the virtues of one so recently
member of our working circle. We
owe to his memory more than the
moaning Of sigh, the passing trib-
ute Of a tear"
He, like all the rest of US who
pause tonight in token Of our loss,
was born alike to the blessings and
the hardships of rural life. With
only academic training he learned
to appreciate good book. Inherit
ing competency he proved his
strength by developing character
of unimpeachable honesty and by
acquiring habits of industry with.
out being spurred to it by the goad
of poverty.
It is not necessary to ascribe TO-
a man the entire catalog OF virtues
in order to appreciate those he did
possess. If our brother did have
faults or limitations he was per-
haps most conscious Of them him
self and there could be no profit
in seeking them out at this time.
Moreover, his virtues, both in
and degree, were sufficient
to occupy our thought. In an effort
to elicit from others an enumeration
of the habits and traits Of the de-
parted there was common agreement
upon a long list some Of which are
here mentioned.
He was both an advocate and an
of the clean life. His en-
forced association as a travelling
business man with men of unholy
life and breath were free Of foul
habits or impure speech. AT the
peril of his personal reputation or
social Or business prestige he fought
the wild beasts Of lust and dTtnF. |
He Joined with those who waged
warfare against the jointist and the
and against other forms
Of social vice and impurity, while
some who claimed high state of
grace wrapped their clUaks about
.hem and passed by ON the other
tide.
He was exactfng IN his demands
or honesty OF life and enforced this
standard first upon himself and also
Ipon others. He did not ask, 'Is
his thing allowable or expedient,"
Dut, lis 1t honest and right?"
Like true christian citizen he
vas actively interested in promot- II
ng the well-befng of the commun-
ty. He was more than a mere we'll
visher. He served for years, both
n Salina and in Abilene, upon the
roard of education. From the or I
anized agencies for promoting ma ,
erial moral and educational pro- Z
ress he never withheld his hand. I
He was true to the best teachings |
nd traditions of the church, of |
hitch he became a member in {
1oyhood. He manifested a just /
ride in the virtues of his people /
/ their simplicity of life and man Q
er and speech; IN the quiet way q
nd modest appearance Of the wo-