Yes, it is true. Dana Brown, but 27 years of age and just entering upon a brilliant career, is dead. We cannot realize it. So bright and cheerful but a few short weeks ago, now folded in the arms of death. A greater shock, a keener sorrow, was never crushed upon our people. We find no words to voice our grief.

His death is a great loss to Talbotton and Talbot County. Every man, woman and child feels it as a personal bereavement. Although young in years, he was doing as much, if not more, for the good of the community than any other man. In the church he was always an active worker. For several years he had been the superintendent of the Sunday school and the children of the town were devoted to him, because they knew in him a clean, pure-hearted Christian. As a businessman, he had but few superiors. Six years ago, he accepted a position in a small county bank, on a salary hardly sufficient for a meager support. But it was only a short time before his worth became known, and within three years, he was cashier of The People's Bank of Talbotton, the only bank in his hometown. He followed one of the best bank men in the State, but by constant devotion to his work, the institution prospered from year to year and he was just beginning to reap the fruits of his industry when he died. His place there will be hard to fill. He never held but one public office, being a member of the town council at the time of his death, but he took a great interest in all public questions. He was always on the moral side of every issue, and he had the courage of his convictions. He paused not to think what results would be or what the public would think, but when he felt that duty called, he never hesitated to express himself or to lend his influence to what he thought was right. Men of this kind are few, and when one dies, the loss is irreparable.

I knew Dana Brown all of his life, just as he was known by nearly everyone in Talbotton. I saw him almost every day from his early boyhood until the time of his death. I can say of him as I could say of few men of my acquaintance, I never knew him to say an unclean thing or to do a wrongful act. He was always pure in word, thought and deed. He was a noble Christian, and lived his religion every day. He exercised an influence for good over all with whom he came in contact. He was never too busy to give a cheering word to a friend in distress or to assist the weak up the rugged pathway of life. I can say, as I heard many say on the day of his death, 'Dana Brown was the best boy I have ever known.' What a glorious name is this he leaves behind.

Yes, he is dead. Did ever the coming of Death's angel seem more untimely? The dispensations of Providence are indeed mysterious. It is a strange fate, past all human understanding, why so excellent a spirit, a man of so much influence for good, should be cut down in the early morning of his life, in the richest prime of his young manhood.

O death, why arm with cruelty thy power To spare the idle weed yet lop the flower?

So it seems to us with our poor mortal vision, but there is an eye above all- seeing; a Providence, all-timely; a Power, Almighty; and to His will we bow this day. In His sight, the stricken star is not blotted out, but borne aloft to a brighter realm. In His power the spark which no longer animates the moral man, glows again in glory, and sends a ray of living light from Heaven to cheer and console the broken hearts on earth, and remind us that his work and influence are not lost, but will live and bear blessed fruit for generations to come.

God bless his name and his memory, and be a strong and abiding support to his broken-hearted wife, who loved him so tenderly, so devotedly, and whose sorrow is all but more than she can bear.