West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-03-16
JUNIOR BROWN
The Friend - The Benefaetor - The
Statesman-Has Passed Away

We deem II a privilege at this sad
hour to unite with others in rendering
Just tribute OF respect TO the MEM
DRY OF our departed benefactor and
friend, Junior Brown, who, on last
Thursday. passed from the scenes of
earthly activities to the Life Elysian"
in which he had richly earned a crown
OF Immortality by a most active and
beautiful life.
II is true, the voice OF eulogy can
not now reach the dull cold ear of
death. or bring back to life that in
animate form which was so recently
borne from us mid solemn pagean'ry
and impressive ceremonies which de-
noted more strongly than language
could express the depth and sincerity
OF a common grief. But in all ages
of the world IL has been held to be not
only pious duty but a mournful
pleasure to recount the virtues and
perpetuate the memory OF the great,
the noble, and the good, who have
been removed from earth by the re-
lentless hand OF death.
While the Grim Reaper has been
garnering an unusual harvest OF late,
none supposed that our friend with
ouch fine physique. and the acme OF
manhood, with vigorous health, would
De the next victim; but the destroyer
came disregarding all these apparent
safeguards OF life, and severed at
.'low the relations of husband, father,
and colleague. For the moment we
reverently pause in obedience TO the
"upulse Of human nature to simply
duc our tribute to Junior as tried
out friend and benefactor. AS a friend
ne was true, honorable, actuated by
principle, moderate In counsel, Just in
estimate, with a suavity OF manner,
sentleness OF expression, and a heart
.ull to OVERLOOKING with tender and
6ind emotions. All who came in con-
TACT with him were attracted by his
1quable temperament and strong will;
he retained all who knew him. Sure
ly the spirit OF our dead brother
speaks sweetly, loudly, eloquently, to
js, and 1t is fitting that we, his strick-
an family. his co-workers in his pro-
iession, his friends and neighbors, and
the hundreds OF friends who knew him
| and loved him, should emulate this
exemplary life. All our actions take
| their hues from the complexion Of the
neart, as landscapes their variety from
the light. 1t is sometimes thought
chat those who can see an idea most
clearly, and give 1t accurate express
sion, who can lay down problems for
solution and solve them, are the great
est men. This is a mistake. The
greatest men are the greatest-hearted
men. The enlightened public opinion
OF the ages renders this verdict. For
in the heart are justice and equity,
fidelity and bravery. faith and love,
sweeter, tenderer than all.
Junior was a large-hearted man. II
our brothers intellect was mountain
losing its blue summit in the sky, his
heart was like a deep blue sea- Some
times he dipped his pen in bitterness
as he recorded his dislike OF some
wrong, but usually 1t dripped with the
sweetness of love. He was one of the
most unselfsh OF men. The large
number OF persons whom he helped
with HIS purse were known alone to
himself and his God Pathetic in
stances have been told us of those
whom he has helped over the rough
places on the roadway of life, and we
suspect that the Master, ere this, has
said to him: "Inasmuch as ye have
done IL unto one of the least OF these,
ye have done IL unto me-" He did not
confine his benevolence to individuals
whom he aided, but was related in a
vital way with the affairs of church,
state, and general progress. But the
pennies and dollars which he gave to
he poor, which were so beautiful and
valuable, were only the symbols OF
that richer charity which he dispensed
In giving to the world bright thoughts
and unselfsh principles. for they were
the seeds from which vast forests OF
highest thought and hottest endeavoI
have sprung II Is the hand that helps
others that is the most beautiful
These hands OF our departed brother
now so cold, were beautiful because
they helped others. His chief thoughts
we're not OF himself but always for
his loved ones at home, and for the
great multitude whose interests he
represented. His beautiful spirit sug-
/ gests the immortality OF earthly in
fuence. II every word spoken in the
open air in its vibrations goes around
the earth. II every tread OF softest
foot on earth's carpet touches in tie
physical influence the furthest star
how limitless must be the benedictlon
Of such a life as that Of our departed
friend and brother ITO live in hearts
we leave behind is not to die"
May God bless his sorrowing family
and with tenderest touch may Tie wipe
away every falling tear. and cause
those who mourn their loss 10 realize
thar earth has no sorrow that heaven
cannot heal" We will say 10 our
brother. farewell Il is fitting that be
should sleep so sweetiy amongst the
towers. which are the most exquisite
naturalization Of Gods love for u.s.
and the symbols Of our love for our