And so it is with this dear servant of the Lord, just taken from us. I sorrowed that I could not see him before he left us, but ill-health and an accident prevented my being in England until the day after his funeral. I had known him and loved him for more than forty years. How he will be missed among the people of God! How large a place he filled in ministry and service! We get accustomed to the moving about among us of those whom God has given as gifts to His people―they are passing from our midst, and in their passing we realize what we may have lost for all time, by not comprehending God’s purpose in their living. With him it is indeed well―he has left all sorrow behind him. I have lost awhile a very dear friend.
“His pilgrim staff lies at the gate of heaven-Life’s vigil ends, where God is all in all.”
I wrote to Mrs. Race from Tremel saying I should be home on July 27th and that I hoped to see him then; when the letter was read to him, he said, “It will be too late.” So when we meet again, it will be where our poet so beautifully says: ―
“God and the Lamb shall there
The light and temple be,
And radiant hosts forever share
The unveiled mystery.
―J.N.D.