The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-03-05
Memior Of Charles w. Otto.

dox will oficiate.
Memior Of Charles wv. Otto.
With solemn suddenness came the
fatal stroke which terminated the
mortal existence OF our esteemed
brother and co-laborer, G. w. Otto,
on Wednesday night, February "a.
At his post, as usual, he was in at
tendance upon the prayer-meeting
services, il the Methodist Episcopal
Church, New Windsor, at 7.30 d. m
Hurrying home after prayer-meet-
ing was over, with his little children,
he quickly returned to the church to
participate in meeting Of the trus-
tees called to take some action on the
death of Mrs. Annie Smelser.
Immediately upon being seated, it
was quite noticeable that he was ill,
and hi brethren hurried to his side to
find him stricken with paralysis
At once h. was assisted to his
home, where he gradually grew worse
until A O'Clock Thursday morning,
when the voice unheard by mortal
ears, said 1T is enough, come up
higher" His funeral service was
held at st. PauIs Methodist Episco-
pal Church. Saturday, February 27,
at 1.30 ID. m., when a representative
audience taxing the capacity OF the
church sat In solemn reverence mus
ing upon the solemnity Of death.
His death was not due to his own
negligence. He was a cautious, care
full man, scrupulously, that he might
prolong his days beyond the usual
number of other members of his fam
lily.
"A great English poet has said:
It's q stern and startling thing to
think,
How often mortality stands upon the
brink
OF its grave without any misgiving;
And yet in this slippery world OF
strife;
I'm the air of human hustle 20 rife,
There are daily sounds to tell u
that life
Is dying, and death is living"
OF his boyhood days but few facts
are at hand save that which in i'm
portance outshines all else-at IL
years of age, led by the Divine Spirit,
he gave hi heart to God, and dedi-
Gated hi life to the services OF his
Redeemer. How well that service
was rendered is attested to by the
recognition given him by the church
of his choice.
He was superintendent of the Sun
day school and at the same time
teacher Of the Mems Bible Glass, a
trustee of the church and secretary
of that body; also he was steward.
In all Of these positions, not only
was he faithful, but efficient.
He particularly excelled as a Sun
day school superintendent. 1t was
there his enthusiasm was especially
manifest. The result is he goes
away leaving the school at high
water mark, with tn room crowded
beyond the point of comfort and con
venience.
His business relatives were such
that he could command much of his
time, which he did in a way so as to
Redeem the time" He gave much
time to the study of the word" pre-
pairing himself to instruct his scholars
i'm things Divine
OF CA naturally active and energetic
nature, his time and abilities were
devoted not to the jots and titles OF
the little and temporary things, but
the weightier and more important
concerns of daily li2e-not frivolous
nor unduly serious, but sensible and
earnest in all things.
In early life he gave promise OF
ability, and was given an opportunity
for limited education, which he i'm
proved and fitted himself to teach
school, which was his vocation for
some years.
A constant reader of the best liter
economic questions, kept him in
touch with current affairs, 30 as to
enable him to converse intelligently
and instructively upon daily topics.
Those who are acquainted with his
domestic life know his entire de-
votedness as an affectionate father
and loving and loyal husband, sc
that it was in the home sphere that
his best endearing characteristics
shone radiant as a star. Being q
home-maker and home-lover, for her
who mourns his loss, he made hap
py life.
Their marriage was a union OF
hearts as well as of hands.
His chief delight was in the bosom
of his family.
Between the father and the child
rem there was perfection for sym
pGthy, the strongest personal at
tachment, the closest intimacy and
affection. He was their dearest
friend. No wonder his children loved
him so.
God comfort that smitten house
hold, where now the mother and
children sit by the broken affairs, no
longer illuminated by the glow Of a
fathers cheerful, loving, happy spirit.
His last illness was brief; a few
hours only confined to his bed, his
heart refusing action, and then quiet
sinking into Inconsistencies.
With Whittier let us say:
Not upon u or ones the solemn angel
Hath evil wrought,
The funeral anthem il glad evangel
The good die not.
God calls our loved ones, but we lose
not wholly
What he hath given.
They live on earth in thought and
deed as truly
a. in His heaven.