Putnam patriot., 1916-12-22


ering flowers
But my friend loved men. No sug
airy sentiments were upon his lips.
But he tried to make them smile and
be glad He said little about his re-
gard for them, for he was essentially a
man Of deeds not words, and the men
he knew understood it. He had not
much time to go on errands of kind
ness but he went often, nevertheless,
and, through the agencies that were
at work for Others he gave many gifts.
But his gifts we're by no means, the
full expression of his thought for
others. His understanding of those
needs Of others which required SYM
pathy more than aught else, was
marked. He did not attempt to ia
Thorn ,the philosophy of the modern
social movements. The promise of
these is for future day. But the need
of the hour must be met as we may be
able. Still, he looked for better con-
billions in the future, then gave him.
self to the work of his life and rs he
had opportunity helped TO ease the
burden of his own day.
He had no children OF his own, but
he loved and understood the children,
nevertheless, and they understood and
trusted him. When children instinct
lively trust man it is safe for others
TO do So
! Family ties were strong with him
and he entered into the life of the fam
lily Of his marriage in hearty fulness.
Their interests, their burdens, their
joys, their sorrows, their perplexities
became his own. His counsel was
timely and good, his cheer and help
unfailing.
Into the sacred, holy place of his
own domestic life we may not enter.
But to some of us it has been given to
catch fieeting glimpses of the glory of
that place and we have seen how COM
plete was the union of his life with
that of another until their opinions
and tastes and interests were identical
and until it is well-nigh impossible 10
think of one and not of the other.
In the church of Christ he gave wise
counsel and hearty support. He be-
lieyed in its ministry and message. He
loved and respected its ministers. To
Christ, the great head of the church ne
yielded allegiance. He believed in the
power of Christ to save men, and he
was always keenly interested in those
who were brought out of the depths by
faith in God.
The streets and walks of this cit Y are
worn with his footsteps in conings
and goings through many years. lden-
titled with the best of It's legitimate
business interests he gave good and
helpful service.
His was democratic spirit. But he
was a good judge of men. Those in
! lowly place, according to ordinary
l reckoning, were objects of his regard
E and friendship no less than those more
fortunate. Had this not been true, he
had not been my friend. 70 these he
was glad to give pleasure and he did ii
with none of the airs of a patron.
| doubt not that my friend had
faults. Indeed, think he would be
first to confess To faults in himself The
story of human life, even the life of
the best of men, cannot be truly told,
If we will have all The truth, without
confession of its fault. But no judg
rnent of love will reckon these. In
the harvest time it is the wheat that
yields golden grain, while the tares
fall TO the ground TO be trodden under
foot and forgotten. AT hours,such rs
; this we stand upon the threshing floor
; and watch with eager eyes for the
: yield of a life in golden grain. This
hour we are glad.
My friend is gone. All me! | know
that were he here he would deprecate
, my tribute to him for he sought no
, thanks, ever, for any deed of his doing
But | take sweet advantage of his alb
sence until | see him again to give ex.
preston to my knowledge OF The man.
Ii is but small part of what is his due.
tried to 1t him when he was with
me how much | appreciated him but
because he was my friend 1t was ditfi
cult. o, friend, how little would you
allow us to make you glad by our
thanks, Here, then, il is fitting that
we find, If we have the power To grasp
it, the eternal worth of your deeds and
thoughts, and attempt to beautify
them with our words, and gather
them to us for our souls comfort and
inspiration.
My friend has gone away from his
"house by the side of the road, where
he was "a friend to man. 10 "that
blessed land where oneithef sorrow
nor crying can breathe in the fields
Where the gloHtied rove He set sail
for its shores by the mercy OF Christ
and not because OF his own merit But
he sailed away and we stood on the
shore, our arms outstretched to bid him
return. But the pillows of sorrow
dashed on the rocks at our feet, threat
eningly, and the salt spray of grief
made wet our faces and for as ii seemed
dangerous journey. But for him
there was