NINTH ANNUAL MEETING. 7 
his task there was concluded he became so ill that he was forced 
to take to his bed. As soon as he could travel, he hurried on to 
Washington. Though confined to his room, still, with untiring 
energy, he conducted the business of the shipment and planting 
of the California salmon into Michigan waters, by means of the 
telegraph. His cough continuing, his physician ordered him at 
once to Aiken, S. C. But finding he could do no work there, but 
slightly improved in health, he went to Western Florida. Mrs. 
Milner having met him in New Orleans, she informs me that any 
idea of rest was even then the farthest from his mind. Florida 
might do him good, but that was secondary to the fact that he 
might conduct some work in Florida—there were collections to 
be made there. Mr. Milner remained in Florida until May, but 
was no better. It was with a terrible struggle that he then gave 
up the hope of future usefulness. I cannot imagine any more 
dread conflict than that which is sometimes waged between a 
man’s active brain and his perishing body. It was in May that 
this devoted man went home to die. Life was gradually ebbing, 
but still the mental powers had lost nothing of their force. He 
could not bear to think that his work might stop with him for 
ever. 
A bare chance of life was possible. It might be found in 
Colorado. Thither he went last September; still he refused 
mental rest, for life was to him as worth nothing save enhanced 
by work. He rallied for a while, but then became more physi- 
cally feeble. The vitality in the man wasimmense. If he was 
too weak to write letters, he dictated them. When, in October, 
the doctors told him that his time was short, then his resignation 
was supreme. Even then he remembered many of his friends, 
members of this Association present here to-day, and wanted to 
send them his last word and greeting. He said—these are his very 
words: “I am dying without a feeling of ill-will toward any 
man;” “and could you (writes to me, Mrs. Milner) have seen his 
4 loving-kindness toward all who came under his notice, you could 
_ better understand the noble qualities, the untold goodness of this 
=eman.’ | 
Let us, then, respect the memory of James Wood Milner, who 
was not only of singular service to this world, but who was 
