(2 Cor. 6:10.)
Just as this issue goes to press (Feb. 24) comes the sorrowful tidings that beloved SAMUEL RIDOUT has been taken from us. He left Plainfield for Baltimore on Thursday afternoon, the 20th, to preach that night at the Prophetic Testimony of Balto. Meetings, and to be with the saints at the all-day meeting on the 22nd. A heart-attack on the train made the sight of the friends who met him most welcome, as he expressed it. Being somewhat better he went to the meeting in the evening, though urged to give it up, and those privileged to attend say they never heard him better-as he broke the bread of life to believers and tenderly urged sinners to come to the Saviour. During Friday there was much difficulty of breathing, and he suffered until Saturday morning at 11:30 when, during sleep, he went to be with his Lord, whom he had loved and served so long. In the mercy of God this occurred at the home of Mr. Alfred Tinley, where he was accustomed to stay and had every comfort. His daughter Anna (Mrs. Hector Lough) was with him through all, and his son Seth reached the bedside just after his father's home-going. Baltimore was formerly for years the home of our brother where, as everywhere, he had endeared himself to many hearts.
A good number gathered at 3:30 p.m. on Lord's Day to express sorrow and sympathy, but to thank our Lord for the gift to the Church of a life so richly filled with love and service. The precious body was brought to Plainfield on Monday morning, and lies in the Meeting Room where so much of his valued ministry was given. The funeral service is to be(D.V.), on Tuesday at 2 o'clock, after which the body is to be laid beside that of his beloved wife in Hillside Cemetery. May the taking from us of our esteemed and loved brother make us cleave the closer to our Lord? to find in Him our solace, comfort and strength, and to press on in the path he so steadfastly trod, until together, those gone before descending and we ascending, we shall be "forever with the Lord."
-P. D. L.
We hope next month to give a fuller and more adequate tribute to the Lord's mercy to His people in our brother's life.