DEATHS.
Tilson — At Purple Hill, the residence of his brother, Port Molyneux, on the 22nd July. David Tilson, son of the late John Tilson, Parsy, Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland, aged 37 years. Much respected and deeply regretted. [Home papers please copy] -Clutha Leader, 8/8/1879.
DEATH.
Wright. — At Port Molyneux, on the 8th inst., Thomas Wright. late of Fenwick, Ayrshire, Scotland. Aged 38 years. -Clutha Leader, 12/9/1879.
PORT MOLYNEUX.
[from our own correspondent.]
"What is life? 'tis but a vapour, Soon it vanisheth away."
"In the midst of life we are in death" is a solemn truth too often forgotten amidst the cares duties, and bustle of every day life. The great realities of the world unseen, and our immortal nature and destiny are, alas! too often lost sight of, and we live as if we were to make this earth our eternal home and were never to see corruption. Ever and anon the Sovereign Disposer of all events is speaking to us in the administration of His providential government and reminding us of the fact of our mortality, but we are too often dull and listless scholars and are apt to think "all men mortal but ourselves." It is with feelings of sorrow and sincere sympathy for the bereaved, that I have to record the narrowing of our little circle by the rude hand of the Great Destroyer, who, "with impartial step" knocks alike at the door of the mightiest of earth's princes and the meanest of her beggars, reminding one of the beautiful lines of the poet:
"There is a reaper whose name is Death, And, with his sickle keen, He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, And the flowers that show between."
Since the beginning of this year, no fewer than three, at our very door, have been cut down by the scythe of this mighty reaper. The first was one of the "flowerets gay" — a daughter of Mr Henry Tilson's of Purple Hill — a sweet, intelligent, young girl, of about thirteen years of age, full of promise and hope. Six months afterwards the grim King of Terrors knocked at the same door, and, after a short illness, called away his brother David in the prime of life. He was (if I remember right) only 37 years of age and was much liked by and great help to the family with whom he resided. He had the guilelessness and simplicity of a child, and by his quiet inoffensive life and gentle ways he gained the respect of all who knew him, and although it was a wild stormy day, many followed his remains to their last resting place. And now I come to the saddest of all the three, and that for two reasons, first, because he who has just been removed from our midst was one of our strongest men, second, because he has left behind a widow and five young hoys who were entirely dependent for their support upon the labour of his hands. It is always, I think, peculiarly sad, when the head of the house and the bread-winner is taken away, especially when the members of the circle are young and unable to be of much assistance to their widowed mother, as is the case I am describing, where the eldest boy is only ten years. May He who has promised to be the husband of the widow and the father of the fatherless, open up their way in the shadowy future and provide all needful blessings for them for both worlds. I do not believe in fulsome adulation of the dead and in giving them credit for virtues that were invisible during life, but I cannot refrain from saying one word regarding the sterling worth and integrity of our much respected friend and brother Thomas Wright, who was taken from us last Monday week, and laid in the "narrow house appointed for all living" only last Thursday. He has been cut off in all the freshness and vigour of manhood, being only 38 years of age. As regards his physique, I may say that "his form was of the manliest build.'" He was tall, broad-chested, and possessed of great muscular strength. Indeed, Dr Smith, who attended him, said to me he had seldom attended one who had a finer chest. As regards his character, he was upright, generous-hearted quiet, gentle, and knew not the meaning of malice or evil-speaking. His face was always full of sunshine, his manner frank and genial and of a contented disposition. I knew but little of him, but from my slight acquaintanceship I can honestly say, I had a high opinion of him and it is surely one of the highest testimonies to his worth, that several who kuew him well, and are therefore well-fitted to judge, have told me that they believe he has not left a single enemy. I shall not speak of his inner life, which God only knoweth, but there is good reason to believe that though he has crossed that "bourne whence no traveller returns," death was to him only the hand to open the cage-door of the flesh that his ransomed spirit might win its way to the Great Redeemer's breast. "Mors janua vitae "— death the gate of life —" may, we firmly believe, be inscribed on his tombstone. A very large company of mourners — I should say about 80 riders, and others in five buggies — paid the last tribute of respect to his memory on Thursday last, and his removal has cast quite a gloom over the district.
"Thou art gone to the grave, we no longer behold thee,
Nor trend the rough path of the world by thy side,
But the wide arms of mercy are spread to enfold thee,
And sinners may hope since the sinless has died." -Clutha Leader, 19/9/1879.
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