The Republican journal., 1918-10-03
ARTHUR N. JOHNSON.

Arthur N. johnson, who died in Brock
ton, Mass, Monday night, Sept. 23rd, was
born in Auburn Feb. 9. 1883, the son of
Willard A. and Carrie Keene) johnson.
The family moved to Belfast when the
deceased was about II years of age. He
began working in the shoe factory on his
arrival here and continued with them
until he left for Brockton in July 1917
He is survived by his parents, his widow,
formerly Miss Ethel Flood of this city,
by their little son Maurice, by one sister
and two brothers, Mrs. Lila j. Allen of
Lewiston, Heman w. johnson, who is
now with the marines at Paris Island, s.
c., and Alton N. johnson, now with the
American Expeditionary Forces in France.
He was an Odd Fellow, Knight of
Pythias and a Mason. He was i'll eleven
days with influenza followed by pneu-
monia. His parents were called to him
Saturday and remained until after his
death. He is well known not only In
Belfast, but throughout Maine for his
beautiful tenor voice, which he was cul-
tivating under the direction of Stephen
Townsend of Boston. His remains ar
rived in Belfast Thursday and the funera
was held at the Unitarian church Friday
at 2. 80 p m. A Masonic service was
held under the direction of Timothy
Chase Lodge, F. & A. NJ, Luther A.
Hammons, MASTER and Messrs, Basil
Allen, Renworth Rogers, Fred Sylvester
and F. w. Belmar acting as bearers.
Mrs. Louise bennett Pierce played the
organ during the service. Only the
scarcity of flowers limited their album
dance. Rev. A. E. Wilson, pastor of the
Unitarian church in which Mr. johnson
had sung so many years, in the course
Of his remarks at the funeral said: "We
were shocked and saddened at the news
of the decease of our friend and still fell
low townsman, for although he had re-
sided for a year elsewhere his heart was
still with US and in spirit he was one of
US. Taken so suddenly, and out of the
best of health, and from the more peace
full walks of life, we can hardly realize
that never again shall we hear his strong,
clear, soulful and satisfying voice uplift-
ing us on the wings of song, or that we
shall not again greet his sunny, trustful,
childlike, and ever-willing-t accommo-
date good nature. No one in the COM
munity had established himself in our
hearts as had he; no one in whom we
took greater interest. We looked for
ward to great success for him. Should
! tell of the first impression he made on
me, as I listened to his singing of eff
With All Your Hearts," an impression
only deepened by fuller acquaintance,
and tell you how felt drawn to him in
way rarely in my experience, should be
telling only the same state of mind and
the experience of you all. Not length of
years but strength of character is what
counts. While we regret that he has
been taken before reaching even the
MONDAY of life's years, yet the place he
won in our affections shows the char
acter he attained. He kept the boyish
heart of him in manhood. He was
lover of simple joys and tastes, thoseof
home and family coming first. His soul
was free from guile, transparency clear.
He gave of himself and his talent I'M
stint edly. He was friend to all and the
world paid him back in friendliness.
These qualities made him dear to us and
now make US say, "Well done, good and
faithful servant, enter into the joys of
thy Lord and Master" Our hearts 60
out in sympathyto this mourning family.
We feel their sorrow as a personal one
for ourselves. One great comfort viii.
come to them in after days, the quiet
satisfaction they will have that such
son, husba nd, father, brother, friend was.
His memory will ever be precious to
them. From some secret source within
will come that which has been sweet to
the heart of sorrow in all ages, the broken
cadence of this life will be waited back
from another shore, and out of the tears
and desolation, the loneliness and broken
hopes and broken sods, will come that
diviner song that will show that what
was precious about this mortality was
just the immortality it contained. May
these mourners be comforted. May they
find the rod and staff of their faith in
God good to lean upon. May they tina
Christ's words II 60 to prepare place
for you, that where am We may be also,"
full of new meaning and applicability.
Through all their sorrow may they be
helped by the warm fellow-sympathy of
this community, but above all by the
consciousness of the everything and
ever-present spirit of him whom we this