54+  Obituaries.  { ''Va  "it™' 
of  human  knowledge,  elevate  our  business  to  the  rank  of  a  liberal  profession,  which 
it  must  hold,  if  not  fully  attained  by  the  exertions  of  those  who  are  now  contending 
for  pre-eminence,  it  will  be  by  others  who  succeed  us." 
These  words,  spoken  forty  years  ago,  when  pharmacy,  as  a  separate  science,  was 
almost  in  its  infancy,  reflect  the  mind  of  the  author.  We  see  here  how  his  earnest 
spirit  longed  for  a  higher  giade  of  qualification  in  those  who  oftentimes  hold  the 
balance  which  is  to  decide  a  case  of  life  or  death. 
He  lived  to  see  his  aspirations  partially  realized.  That  he  had  been  aptly  chosen 
for  the  position  which  he  occupied  as  President  of  the  College,  is  well  shown  by 
his  careful  attention  to  its  duties,  as  well  as  by  the  almost  parental  interest  which  he 
manifested  in  the  welfare,  not  only  of  thos.e  who  were  employed  under  his  own 
roof,  but  in  every  young  man  upon  whom  he  conferred  the  degree  of  Graduate  of 
Pharmacy,  who  sought  his  aid. 
Whilst  his  interests  in  our  College  were  of  the  most  active  and  useful  character, 
he  still  contributed  a  large  portion  of  his  time  to  pursuits  which  tended  to  alleviate 
the  sufferings  of  the  diseased  and  helpless,  in  elevating  the  oppressed,  in  educating 
the  ignorant,  and  in  many  ways  he  proved  his  faith  by  following  the  One  Master 
whom  he  delighted  to  serve. 
In  early  life  he  was  often  solicited,  by  his  fellow-citizens  and  neighbors,  to  take 
part  in  the  affairs  of  civic  government;  but  a  sensitive  nature  like  his  shrank  from 
political  associations,  and  found  more  congenial  employment  in  works  of  benev- 
olence and  charity.  He  was  for  many  years  a  manager  of  the  "  Friends'  Asylum  " 
for  Persons  Deprived  of  their  Reason  ;  the  Society  for  the  Support  and  Establishment 
of  Charity  Schools,  founded  long  before  our  free  schools  were  known  5  the  Phila- 
delphia Society  for  Alleviating  the  Misery  of  Public  Prisons  ;  the  House  of  Refuge 
for  Juvenile  Delinquents  3  Wills'  Hospital  for  Diseases  of  Eyes  and  Limbs ;  the 
Orthopoedic  Hospital  for  the  Cure  of  Deformities  and  Nervous  Diseases  5  the  Phila- 
delphia Dispensary  5  the  Tract  Association  and  Bible  Society  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  were  among  the  institutions  that  claimed  his  active  sympathy  and  support. 
Charles  Ellis  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends;  early  in  life 
he  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  affairs  of  this  religious  body,  and  his  voice  was  fre- 
quently raised  in  support  of  active  evangelical  works. 
And  now,  as  we  close  this  brief  tribute  to  a  departed  friend,  who  seemed  to  some 
of  us  more  like  a  kind  father,  we  can  but  pause.  The  years  are  gliding  swiftly  by. 
A  few  more  days  will  close  this  one,  the  most  eventful  one  in  our  history  for  a  long 
period.  Death  has  been  busy.  Two  who,  this  day  one  year  ago,  grasped  hands 
with  us  and  exchanged  evidences  of  mutual  kind  feeling  and  regard,  are  missed  at 
this,  the  closing  meeting  of  the  year.  Almost  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  they  were 
both  called  home. 
The  retrospect  of  Charles  Ellis'  life  presents  the  view  of  an  earnest,  pure- 
minded  Christian,  with  a  heart  overflowing  with  the  greatest  of  Gospel  virtues — 
charity — striving  to  live,  with  his  utmost  ability,  as  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
counseled  ;  mild  and  unassuming,  but  never  compromising  with  evil  5  actuated  by 
high  principle  and  strict  integrity  of  heart,  he  was  still  urbane  and  courteous  to  all 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  this,  not  assumed  with  the  view  of  seeking 
popularity,  but  flowing  as  naturally  as  sweet  water  from  a  pure  fountain. 
"  The  good  man's  arms  are  folded  now, 
The  great  man's  race  is  run  ; 
The  warm,  true  heart  and  thought-worn  brow 
Rest,  for  their  work  is  done." 
J.  P.  R. 
