Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-08-28

4
|of the universalist church and a
close friend 81 j the family, who
spoke in part as follows:
''In such a time as this we find
ourselves facing the old mysteries
Of death and the future life-every
passing Of dear one brings forci-
bly, to our minds these serious ques-
lions which, in the ordinary even
course of our lives seem vague anc
of little moment. Out of the many
ideas concerning human destiny,
which prophets and teachers have
offered for the hearts consolation
and the minds satisfaction, would
briefly call to your attention two
prominent propositions, more or
less contradictory.
First, still precious to some
weary souls is the teaching of con-
trasts-holding that this life is but
pilgrimage of misery through a
vale of tears for the trial and re-
finement of those few faithful NOR
tails who endure to the end and are
caught up into the heaven Of eter-
nal bliss, evermore freed from strug-
gle and the consciousness of need.
Second, more reasonable than this
first view, to Others, is the teach
ing of continuity-maintaining that
death is but door through which
we pass from one phase of a life
that ought to be hopeful and happy
to another phase offering perhaps
similar opportunities for soul growth
through continued refinements and
helpfulness. The former view be-
Titles this life and attempts to
make up for its pessimism in the
painted glories of an eternity OF SUI
pinely taking ones ease. The lat
ter Interpretation seeks to dignity
life now and henceforth, reading in
the word eternity the everlasting
now.
Mother Cottington, lovingly
known to many as Aunt Achsa, took
rather the second view which ] have
defined to you. He who knew her
best. who walked by her side for
fifty years, has told me that heaven
to this dear, good woman would not
be place of idle repose-that she
was happiest when doing some act
of service for one in need, and 1T
seems logical to me that the laws
of soul growth and deep inner con-
tentment which operate here are no
less operative in any new sphere OF
the SOULS life. Indeed, we COM
monty regard life and action as
synonymous terms, so there is good
reason to believe in continued activ-
ity Of the eternal element, under
spiritual laws effective everywhere
and without regard to time.
tIn these days we are coming to
see that more important than lip
profession or church membership is
Iat TIE a svrry Il 81 lhs life life
that is contributive, constructive,
continuous; and she, in whose men,
DRY we are this day assembled meas-
ured up to these high standards. The
family and the community have SUI
fered loss in the passing OF this
fine character from our visible pres
ence, and yet the loss is not as real
as it may at first appear-for they
who live unselfishly share Of them
selves in the livesaof others SO much
that their going from us cannot in
any sense remove the real worth of
their being from this portion Of the
plane of our living. So with Grand
ma Cottington-though taken from
us, she is still in large measure with
us, and shall be without end"
"Let not the shadow OF my loss
Darken the path the living tread;
But let the memories OF my past
Still cheer and help. though am
dead.
So from the grave. still may speak,
Still help the sorrowing world to
bless,
Still live, though dead. and swell
the tide
OF human love and happiness"
Sterling belts for gentlemen at
Teed & Teed's. d-f-t-tf.
Verne Buxton First Sergeant.
DR.. and Mrs. O. C. Buxton Sat
,urday received a dispatch from