936 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Dec. 15. 



ment and its resulting"melancholia. The first 

 of these periods lasted about three years; the 

 second terminated not many months before his 

 death. He derived some temporary help from 

 a physician in the early part of his residence in 

 Dayton, and said joyfully, "I think I am fight- 

 ing a winning battle." It did not so prove in 

 the end; but we all rejoiced that, after all, the 

 close of his life was free from shadow and 

 gloom. The trouble referred to did not seem to 

 affect his intellect, but was of the nature of 

 depression of spirit, by which he was unfitted 

 for his accustomed tasks. When in the enjoy- 

 ment of entire health no one could be more 

 active or companionable. Did space permit, 

 instance after instance might be given to show 

 the heartiness of his disposition. Geniality and 

 earnestness were companion traits or ingredi- 

 ents of his nature, and it was delightful to have 

 an intimate association with him. Though he 

 grew to be nearly five years past fourscore, yet 

 there was still much of the dew of youth upon 

 him: he was like a tree bearing simultaneously 

 blossoms and ripened fruit. 



He had a breadth of culture and of intellect 

 that marked him as a man among men. He 

 deserves the respect of all, not alone for his 

 achievements along the line of bee culture, but 

 for his general ability and high character. 

 This is the estimate of a friend who knew him 

 in his various moods, and never found him 

 other than true and lovable. 



He was frequently reminiscent, and would 

 quote fine passages; or relate anecdotes, of such 

 character that the point illustrated would re- 

 main a long time in the mind. He was never 

 unreasonable, but by nature was intense, and 

 that quality endeared him to the writer. He 

 uttered his convictions in unmistakable phrase, 

 and gave others the same privilege. This en- 

 abled .one to "get on" with him in famous 

 fashion, for no time was wasted in false 

 motions. Kindliness and straightforwardness, 

 discretion and courage, and these dominated by 

 heartfelt devotion to God and his iruth, threw 

 about him an atmosphere of light and warmth. 



In all the foregoing there is no exaggeration; 

 the effort has been to seek phrases that would 

 convey a just conception of a character honored 

 by one generation, and whose virtues should be 

 preserved for the contemplation of anotlier. 



In the Y. M. C. A., in the pulpit occasionally, 

 and in private life constantly, he sought to em- 

 ploy his strength to accomplish good. He was 

 unselfish, and planned busily for the good of 

 others. His life was broken into segments by 

 physical affliction, but he did his best with his 

 opportunities; and through the scattered clouds 

 we can trace the shining arch to its base at the 

 triumphant close of his days. He could say of 

 his heavenly Father: 



Better to me than all my hopes. 

 Better than ulL mv fears. 



He builds a bridg'e of my broken works. 

 And a rainbow of my tears 1 



His death came suddenly, like the setting of 

 the sun, which lingers'in the horizon, and then 

 quicky drops from sight. His setting, too, was 

 in full-orbed power. He was assisting the 

 pastor of the Wayne Avenue Presbyterian 

 church in the communion service, with three 

 generations of his descendants in the congrega- 

 tion before him, when the moment came that 

 terminated his earthly career — but his " works 

 do follow him." It was the church that his 

 son in-law, Mr. H. C. Cowan, had helped to- 

 found as a Sunday-school, and of which the 

 writer had been pastor. That church had been 

 the subject of Mr. Langstroth's deep interest, 

 and it was hallowed anew by his death. It 

 would be fitting if the church could somehow 

 be made a Langstroth memorial. It must not 

 be forgotten that he was a minister of the 

 gospel, and formerly a pastor. It seems most 

 remarkable that the calling he was compelled 

 to forego in an active sense for so much of his 

 life should receive the benediction of his part- 

 ing breath. It was thus that he died "in the 

 harness," and left after him an example of de- 

 votion in service for all to emulate. His death 

 became an illustration of that providential 

 care which adds symmetry to every devoted 

 life, and satisfieth the longing soul. 



Toledo, O. 



REV. L. L. LANGSTROTH. 



THE MOST WIDELY KNOWN, LOVED. AND AP- 

 PRECIATED BEE KEEPER IN THE WORLD; 

 AN ALL - AROUND GENIUS; THE IN- 

 VENTOR OF THE FIRST PRACTICAL 

 •MOVABLE -FRAME HIVE. 



By Prof. A. J. Cook, Author of the ''yiaiiuitl of the 

 Apiary." 



It was with keen regret and sadness that I 

 heard, on October 10th. that our old friend and 

 benefactor — Mr. Langstroth was the benefactor 

 of every bee-keeper— had passed to his reward 

 the Sunday before. I had recently had two 

 letters from him, which spoke of health, vigor, 

 and strength. We all know of his long journey 

 to attend the Toronto meeting; and a very dear 

 mutual friend wrote me but a few days before 

 that he had enteriained Mr. Langstroth at his 

 house, had taken him for a long ride, and that 

 he seemed very bright and vigorous, and talked 

 of his friends with so bujoyant a spirit, and of 

 affairs with such keen mental zest, that, though 

 nearly at the eighty-fifth milestone, yet he 

 seemed likely to see yet many days of useful- 

 ness and activity before he passed to the great 

 beyond. Thus it was that the news came to 

 me as a shock; and with the thousands of 

 others all over our great country, I bowed my 

 head and heart with grief and sorrow that I 

 should see the kindly face and hear the sym- 

 pathetic voice no more. 



