San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-11

to die. Oh. how pitiful that he
should fall just as the sun began 10
shine with smiling promise upon n
great future for him. How brief the
frution OF his hopes: how futile the
years of preparation 10 do well his
part in the work for which he
dreamed.
Il believe there was never regret
so profound that there was not some
where in the gloom a comforting
spirit-no sorrow ever so acute and
hopeless that some solacins thought
did not creep in to soothe the
anguish of the heart.
Died In His Glory.
"Since all must die, there is no
death more beautiful than that which
occurs in the zenith of ones glory.
1t is better to march TO the goal
under flying colors as victorious
general than to totter, a burden TO
ones self and others.
1T is painful TO see a once beau
tiful flower fade or 10 observe n
once proud oak deteriorate into de-
cay.
The most beautiful sunset is that
which sinks behind the horizon in the
full radiance of his majesty. Though
out Of sight the reflection of his
past glory still illumines the sky and
cheers the eye and heart long after
ward. The sunset that is partially
eclipsed by clouds gives little evil
dence of his past grandeur. nor does
1t cheer the heart or leave sweet
memories.
Had Belisarius or Columbus died
in the zenith of their glory. the one
would not have been obliged. as the
story goes. TO beg his bread from
door TO door, nor the other. in chains.
have had to regret his discovery OF
new world.
when Disraeli returned from that
memorable Berlin congress where he
won his famous achievement. Peace
with honor and received the ova-
ton, the like of which England had
accorded to none save royalty.
great London newspaper counscled
Disraeli TO Go home now and die
Could that able statesman have heed
ed that timely counsel. he might have
spared disappointment and bitter
heartache.
Gods ways are not our ways. 1t
may be that God showed his favor
best in summoning our great Prcsi-
dent no at the zenith Of his earth
ly glory. This. indeed, may be the
real Interpretation of that Hebrew
saying of old: Precious in the sight
OF God is the death of the right
eors.' In summoning him so soon.
Gods design may have been to make
death the browning glory of an
Industrious life; to forcibly draw an
apathetic. nations attention 10 his
magnificent life; 10 show how vir-
tuous and self-sacrificing toll for the
good OF humanity is honorcd, TO show
how much men like him are needed ::
TO call forth a mighty phalanx of
cmulators of his noble example TO
complete the work he had begun and
TO start new and needed work along
the line which he pursued.
This may have been the design of
God in summoning him home in the
year of his life at the time when
he still stood in the very prime of
his power and when his counsel and
labors were most needed, and this
the lesson which il is to teach.
A High Tribute.
@May this cropping column of i'm
mortelles, sorrowinG peoples last
tribute of respect TO its beloved
President, may these mournful trap
pings. may this silent yet eloquent
likeness--may he that is dcad-also
speak to us, the American people Mt
oh Ngl
cherishing and furthering my hopes
and plans, my projects and ideals.
"Then will h still live and toll
among us though his genial face be
seen no more and his cheering voice
be heard no more. and the warm touch
of his hand be felt no more. as the
radiant sun that has sunk beneath
the horizon in all his majesty on
bright and cloudless summer day
long after his disappearance tips the
hills with gold and illumines the sky
with his roseate light.
And in such an honoring of his
memory. in such completion of his
work, his grief-stricken widow and
his Borrowing countrymen will grad
ually find their comfort and resigna-
ton. Every completed project of his.
every realized hone and ideal of his
will speak to every mourning heart
Say not he is dead. that noble soul
Whose life was winged with pur-
pose fine;
Who leaves us, pointing 10 the goal,
Who taught us TO conquer and
resign.
Such cannot die, they vanquish time,
And fill the world with glowing
light.
Making the human life sublime
With memories of their sacred
might.
They cannot die whose lives are part
OF that great life which is TO be:
Whose hearts beat with worlds
great heart.
And throb with its high destiny"
And for thou, q spirit that hath
risen into the realm of light and
love triumphant. may flowers bloom
their brightest and smile their sweet
est; may river and stream chant
their proudest requiem; may glow
of. sun and CLEAN of star illumine
your resting place till in the morning
OF the resurrection thou awake from
the bivouac of the dead To the beauty
of life where loves divine embrace
shall enfold the children of all hu-
manity.-
ROTARY MEMORIAL SERVICES.