Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1934-01-31
A MEMORIAL

Tuesday evening, January 23rd, 1884. as
the gates of day were closing, the spirit
of Walter o. Hoffecker passed through the
portals of light to join the innumerabie
company in the presence of the Throne of
God. and this community in general and
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in par
ticular, sustained a loss beyond compare.
For seventy-nine (79) years. Smyrna
had been his home, and he loved it, and
her citizens respected. honored and loved
him for the splendid contributions he had
made to her material and spiritual good.
He was literally born in Asbury Meth
odist Episcopal Church, and about her his
tenderest affection chung; next to his
home and his Lord he loved his church.
and to it's interests he gave the anticipa-
tions of his youth. the strength of middle
life. and the devotion and faithfulness Of
his even-tide. He filled with honor and
distinction practically every Lay position
in the gift of his local church. and at the
time of his translation was as active as
ever he had been, promoting every inter-
est of the Kingdom through the several
activities of the church. He a born
leader, because he had large vision. and
his motto for Asbury and for the whole
church was-'FORWARD". No pastor of
Asbury ever found him to be one to
hinder, but always one to help. He saw
the needs not only of the local church. but
of the General Church. and to meet those
needs he dedicated his splendid talents. his
time and his money.
No Organization in his church too
small to receive his commentator and
support and amidst the strain of a stren-
uous business life he always found time to
attend to every matter in which the in
terests of the church were involved his
fondest hope and deepest desire for As
bury was a great revival of religion that
would quicken the spiritual life of the
church and bring the whole community
into a saving knowledge of the power and
presence Of Jesus Christ. We shall never
forget his thrilling message at the Eel
lowship Dinner just one week before he
went away, when, with tear-dimmed eyes
and trembling voice, he predicted the
time was close at hand for which he had
so earnestly prayed.
The wilmington Annual Conference
recognized in him a man of broad vision.
sound judgment, and sterling worth, and
for almost a half century elected him to
positions of honor and trust which he al
ways filled with fidelity, and because of
his splendid contribution to the general
good his name is a household word
throughout the. Conference Territory.
Beside filling many other Conference posi-
tions at the time of his departure he was
an honored member of the Board OF
Home Missions and Church Extension, ana
an active member of the Executive Com
mittee of that great organization Of the
General Church.
Out of privileged years as officials of
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, truly
can we say, Our Fellowship with MIN III
the councils of the church across the years
has been most delightful, and will be to
us a precious memory. In this sacrament
al hour we come to thank the Master OF
all good workmen for his winsome life SO
highly endowed in qualities of heart and
richness of mind, so full of grace and
truth for those glorious years of crowded
life in which the glowing prophecies OF
the morning were so richly fulfilled even
until the evening.
We are glad for the experiences tnat
ripened and mellowed in him, firing his
soul and clothing his mind with holy am
billions with which he so often inoculated
us and spurred us on to greater service
for the unfolding loveliness of his beauti-
/ full christian character that adorned the
doctrines of our Lord. for his fine dis
elimination and keen sense: for the wise
and wide leadership he exercised among
us, for the new enthusiasm to freshened
activities brought by the contagion Of his
own spirit, and for the fine contrioution
he was ever making in wise suggestion
for Kingdom building. This high soul
took the high road and kept it to the end
of a well rounded life.
He leaves to us all. Pastor, ofhcials'
Members and Friends of Asbury Church
a memory more precious than the gold Of
Ophir or the diamonds of India - Inc
memory of a life faithfully and nobly
lived and a service intellectually and
devotedly given. =, ,,.,eo,r
HARVEY c. JONES.
LEWIS M. PRICE,
Committee.
The above Memorial has been prepared
and presented by Committee from me
TO be read at the funeral service of Broth
err Walter o. Hoffecker. a copy to be given
to the family. copy to be deposited
among the records of the Board, and
copy to be given to the press.