Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1922-01-26
EtJLOCY AZ THE GRAVE or
W. u. HAMPTON, OXFORD,
MISS. DEC. ~, 1921
BY N. w. BACON

This occasion IS peculiarly sad to1
lme. First: Because find myself al
most stranger here. ! look over this
vast assemblage and so many faces
look up into mine that are unknown
to me, while look in vain for SO many
others that shall see no more till,
1.-THE sun shines and the shadows fall
Iaway."
The roll Of absentees has grown
llong. Many Of their faces are passing
/ in review before me as am speaking
to you. Among those who were dea-
cons / can see as they sat in my con-
gregation, S. H. Plant and just back Of
him DR.. j. G. Dupree; just little to
my left near the front sat Judge B. T.
| Kinbrough and little further, often on
the same bench, sat the courtly and
sanity r. M. Leavell, LII. D. Over
to my right and always near the front,
George w. Leavell and the choir Foun-
ltain S. Leavell; to my extreme left
George w. Durley and w. U. Hamp-
ton and further to the rear Guy
lTaylor-all deacons except the last
1.-TWO mentioned, and they were deacons
lelect, but never served. What set of
men! Each has been translated to the
better land.
! All, how long the list of holy women
and godly men who have gone to be
lpresent with the Lord!
4 Preachers are often called upon to
offer comfort when their own hearts
Iare sad; to cheer others when they
are forlorn. Today ! long to take
place with the mourners and have
someone speak to my own heart.
| Just few days over Fl years ago
I met Brother Hampton for the first
time. I visited the church here in
1898 for mutual acquaintance. / fell
in love with the people and they so.
graciously reciprocated it, that was
invited to come and live with and be
their pastor.
| My friendship for him and his for
me began then. It has grown in fer
vor with the passing years. / have
HAD a better friend. On my way to
the train, in answer to an inquiry as
to where / was going, / unmarked,
best friends and if all my friends were
ITO attend the funera, Of one of my
best friends and if all my friends were
i as loyal and devoted would never
lack for any thing that devotion could
provide"
| His loyalty fingered and his heart
turned to me no matter where he was
located He visited me at Marks some
three years ago where saw him for
the last time. But must not indulge
IN "reminiscences.
| can now understand David's la
Iment for Jonathan when he said,
Every pleasant hast thou been to me:
Thy love to me was wonderful, pass
ling the love of women. I'll. Sam. l.
126.)
But ! must not choose a motto so
personal but one more BETTING his
Ireal worth, "Know We not that there
lis a prince. and a great man fallen this
day in Israel ?"-(II. Sam. 3-38.)
Such a text is used almost always
to funeralize those who are famous.
A man may be great whose fame
does not extend beyond the narrow
lconfines of his own community; al
mans name may be written around
the globe who is not great. / am not
extravagane today when / say that
wv. U. Hampton was great man. He
was great in many ways-not famous
not notorious, but great.
i am using the term great rather
as synonym for faithfulness. He
who is faithful is great in the sight Of
| the Lord no matter what mans esti-
mate may be. One may liver have
found kingdom, established an en-
pire, led an army to victory, amassed
a colossal fortune or launched a great
enterprise and yet be great. ! say
then that estimated by Gods standard
Nv. u. Hampton was a great man.
/.
He was as a friend. Not every one
who greets you with smile or firm
u