Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-05-13
DANIEL JARVIS TAFT

BAHlEL JARVIS TAFT
For forty years | knew Daniel ]
Taft; for twenty nine of those wear.
| was intimately associated with him
For four of the twenty nine years
lived in his home in hourly contact
with him. With the experience these
years have given me | feel qualified
to pay loving tribute to his memory
His home life, his public career, his
stalwart Christian character were
always such as would make the
world gracious place in which to
dwell were all men to emulate him
IN these phases Of his life.
In the home he was the quiet, con-
slderate, gentlemanly brother and
friend. He rose to every occasion
with the friendliest counsel, the ut
most aid, and the fullest sympathy.
Those who lived in the home with
him have halowed memories of his
words and deeds-memories from
which they would not part for anv
price. We who lived with Dan verify
belleve that what was said of Presi
dent James Monroe could be said of
our brother: eff you were to turn
his soul inside out you could not find
single spot to mar that souls in
tegrity"
In his public life "the white LIGHT
that beats upon a throneo would
have shown Daniel J. Taft one who
loved justice and righteousness with
all his soul and acted according to
their precepts. AS a public official
and as business man he was
scrupulously careful that every man
with whom he transacted business
should have a Square deal" In
Dams daily contact with men
Chrlst's saying has many times been
verified; Give, and it Shall be given
unto youi good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together and run
nnS over shall men give into your
bosoms.0 Dan gave, and menI
through all the years Of giving have
responded in kind All over Barbour
County men rise up to bless his mem
DRY, and throughout the state are
numbers of men who gladly called
him friend.
The Christian life of Brother Dan
was beautifully lived. For wears be
fore he made public profession of
faith N Christ in 1898, he had been
close student of the Bible. This.
always felt, came about through
The influence of his sainted mother,
who went to be with Christ in 1892
HIS Christian life was lived quietly
out most efficiently.
For period of fifteen years he
Engaged in County Sunday School
work, first as president of Philippi
district Convention then as president
i the County Convention of Bar
'our. When, by reason of failing
lealth, he was forced to retire from
ne WORK III August 1928 he did so
With almost heartbreak. Through
hese years Of service he gave I'M
Of his own means, of his
lme, and of his strength. He worked
N at his Sunday School task even
Vhen his physical powers were not
quail to the strain aud when
weary body cried out ii painful pro
est. He worked and endured as
eeing him who is invisible" He
ased his work and his life upon the ;
romises Of Gods Word.
His private life, his public career,
is Christian character were such ,
hat we can say: /
"He held his place
ield the long purpose like a grow
ing tree
Held on through blame and falter
ed not at praise.
md when he fell. he went down
AS when lordly cedar, green with ;
boughs,
Toes down, .. upon the hills 5
And leaves lonesome place
against the sky" n
Best Of all, however it can be said :
t Daniel J. Taft that "Ie has
ought the good fight, be has finished
he course, he has kept the faith
eneetorth the Crown"
Floyd 7. Holden.