54 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



The test of the physical, as well as the ora- 

 torical and spiritual, strength of the pastor was 

 tried. The congregations and collections did 

 not fall a whit behind ; but for one, at his time 

 of life, who had known nothing but hardships 

 and toil, the strain was too much; and it was 

 thought by many these trying circumstances 

 hastened his death, which so soon followed. With 

 great ceremony and Christian pride, in 1911, 

 the new edifice was thrown open to the public. 

 As in so many other instances, '^In the midst of 

 life we are in death.'' Just as White Eock 

 Church felt that they were prepared to enter 

 upon their greatest work, in less than twelve 

 months this ^Svatchman" was called from the 

 walls. True to his trust in the closing hours of 

 an eventful life, as he had been in all preceding 

 years, he gave them timely warning, as God had 

 given warning to him, the fulfillment of which 

 they were in no sense prepared to accept, when 

 it came. Said he to his church, '^I will soon 

 have to leave you, but while I am here, I will 

 tell you the truth, as it is revealed to me." 

 Less than one year from that day, just long 

 enough to enjoy some fruitage of such earnest 

 and anxious sowing of tears, sacrifices and pray- 



