Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1929-12-12

not be complete if we did not touch
upon at least one more of his out
standing qualities, and that was his
passionate fondness and love for
children and young people. He was
never too busy to lay aside his
duties to give of his time to young
people who freely counseled him re-
garding their school work and 9TH
er matters The death of a child of
his acquaintance always grieved him
greatly, oftentimes sinking so deep
into his nature that for days he
could not throw it off.
His wife who before her marriage
was Miss Cora Bernhard, survives;
also one son, Bernhard Mercer, who
IS pastor assistant and financial sec
retary of the First Methodist Epis-
copal church. mckinley Memorial
church) of Canton; and four broth
ers: Geo. o. Mercer of Los Angeles,
Cal; r. j., of Glendale, Cal; r. w.
of Hardburly, KY, and Harold D., of
Portland, Ore.
The funeral was held Wednesday
afternoon. Following short services
at the home, the body was taken to
the Methodist Episcopal church,
u.
Rev. Chas. w. Stoneburner. the de-
ceased's pastor, was in charge. He
took as his text a part Of the third
verse of the goth chapter of 1st
Samuel-"For there is but a step
between me and death The SER
mon which was in the form of a
tribute was beautiful and fitting
Rev. Stoneburner feelingly summed
up the steps of the life of the de-
ceased, here, and into life beyond.
When the pastor came last fall fol-
lowing conference, to preach his first
sermon at this place, he was enter
tanned at the Mercer home, and the
friendship then formed between the
deceased and his pastor grew closer
and dearer until Mr. Mercer's death.
At times during his remarks, the
pastor could scarcely control his
emotions. Harvey E. Smith of Ma
rietta, at one time school teacher of
Judge Mercer, spoke few appro-
pirate words in which he stated that
this was a day of deep reflection
and qualification concerning the life
of one of his boys whose life and
works are our blessings He read a
most worthy tribute, which was
written by a near relative Of the de-
ceased Carl Patterson of Chester
hill, a very close friend and asso-
ciate OF Judge Mercer, through his
entire life, spoke briefly, and beau
tifully. He used as the basis of his
talk the words Judge Mercer in his
last illness spoke to him, when he
said II have lived clean and | can
die" Everyone in the hearing of
the speakers voice, and every per-
son who knew Judge Mercer, knows
that he spoke the truth. AS the
speaker said, what greater comfort
could there be in the hour of death,
than to be able to speak truthful
ly such words? A quartet-Mess
J. Z. McKeown. H. C. Betz, F. M.
Beckett and w. d. Danford, sang
"One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and
Mrs. Jerrold G. Scott, with Mrs G..
w. Lowell accompanist, sang "Je-
rusalem the Golden" About the
chancel and casket was a profusion
Iof handsome floral tributes. The
pail bearers were C. p. Yocom, C.. B.
Smith, J. H. Witte, James j. Chris
tie, George w. Lowell and DR.. j. A.
King. Interment was made in the
McConnelsville cemetery.
The services were very largely
attended, there being many present
from all sections OF the county
Among those from away in attend
ance, were R. w. Mercer of Hard
burly, KY; Geo. o. Mercer, Los An
geles. Cal; Judge L. j. Weber and
Atty p. H. Tannehill of GAINESVILLE.