Samuel Ridout was born in Annapolis, Md., Oct. 22, 1855, the son of Dr. Samuel Ridout and his wife, Anne. When about one year old his father died, and about four years later, his mother also. It then developed upon his grandfather to care for and guide the course of young Samuel. Of this devoted and godly man, Mr. Ridout ever spoke in the highest terms of appreciation, and often mentioned how greatly he was indebted to him for a training in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Childhood's days were spent in Annapolis until about the age of 12, when Samuel was sent to Tennant's School in Penna. From there in due course he returned to enter St. John's College in Annapolis, and graduated from this Institution when 18 years old.

About this time his state of health gave cause for grave concern and it was arranged for him to go to sea. He entered the U. S. naval service under Capt. Carter of the "Alaska," one of the old wooden type of naval vessels. Captain Carter was a close family friend, and the young man was ranked as a midshipman with the duties of Captain's yeoman. In this capacity he served for about three years, until Mrs. Carter died in Europe while her husband's vessel was cruising in Mediterranean waters. The body was to be laid away in American soil, and Mr. Ridout was charged with its care. This brought him back to America and also terminated his period of service on the sea. He would then be about 22 years of age.

During these three years on the sea he passed through deep exercise as to his soul. This led him to seek Christian company whenever the opportunity presented itself, and so he attended meetings at various ports of call. During this period he was bereft of his only sister and her death seemed to crystallize his soul-exercise. With this settled, he manifested a growing interest in and desire to have part in the Lord's work. For a short time he taught school in Western Maryland in the coal-mining districts. Here, working among many poor and comparatively illiterate people, and often having as scholars those of his own age lacking in all those qualities which would appeal to his sensitive and intellectual nature, he had many tests and trials which doubtless helped to develop in him those characteristics which in later years endeared him to all who made his acquaintance. While thus engaged he devoted his vacation time to Colporteur work in the mountain sections of Virginia and Maryland.

It was after this that more definite plans were made for the future, and encouraged by his godly grandfather, he determined to enter Princeton Seminary, where he graduated in 1880. He filled several vacancies in Pennsylvania and received his first permanent charge in Baltimore. Here he labored for a year or more.

About this time he became acquainted with those meeting in separation from the recognized religious systems. This led to much exercise as to the path he should take. He accepted, at great personal sacrifice, the principles of truth according to which those known as "Plymouth Brethren" gather for the worship and service of God, separating from the Presbyterian Church to enter upon what he now firmly believed was the path of faith for God's people. He identified himself with the assembly then meeting in Baltimore, and took his place in a lowly humble manner, waiting upon the Lord to open the way for him as to service and ministry, never for a moment considering that the place he had previously filled was a title to any special recognition on the part of his brethren.

He took a position as a clerk in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at $30.00 a month, and also tutored in spare time.

It was not long before his presence and ministry was realized to be of great benefit to the assembly, earning for him the affection of the Lord's people and the early recognition of his marked gift from Christ, the Head of the Church.

In 1883 he married Anna Elizabeth Newark, and continued living in Baltimore until 1903. Here three children were born, Anna Mary, Samuel who died, and Seth. In 1903 our brother removed his home to Boyertown, Pa., and continued there until 1912, when he came to reside in Plainfield, N. J.

The record of his service among the assemblies, lasting for over forty years, is too well known to need any lengthy comment. He followed F. W. Grant in the Editorship of "Help and Food," and was associated with him in the work of the Numerical Bible. In 1900 he suggested and made possible by his work the issuing of the Sunday School Visitor, and for many years wrote the Bible Class lessons. For nearly 30 years he compiled the Treasury of Truth Almanac and Counselor, and in the work of the Bible Truth Depot his help and counsel were ever a source of inspiration and comfort. These varied activities were carried on along with extended trips in the course of his ministry to the Lord's people and in the Gospel. In all this labor he consistently sought to set forth and maintain those principles of truth as to the Church of God, its path and testimony in the world, which led him to separate at the first. This he did quite apart from the least shadow of spiritual pride or sectarian spirit, with a heart ever open to and full of warm affection toward all the people of God, and with constant endeavor never to weaken or compromise by act or word what he firmly believed was the only right place for the children of God amid the failure and confusion which abound in these days.

Our brother's beloved wife and companion in labor departed to be with Christ, Jan. 1, 1924, while visiting at Chicago where her husband was attending a conference for the ministry of the Word. During the following years, Mr. Ridout increasingly suffered from ill-health, but between these seasons he ever gave evidence of the same spiritual vigor and happy spirit that had proved so great a blessing to the Lord's people through all the years of his ministry. Early in 1927 he made an extended visit to the Pacific Coast-a visit long anticipated, and when finally realized much enjoyed.

For the last three years lengthy trips were beyond his strength, and apart from brief visits to near-by places, he devoted his time to ministry in Plainfield where he lived with his son Seth. About the middle of November last he suffered a severe heart attack, but spite of this kept his promise to visit Schenectady, N. Y., at Thanksgiving time. There he spent a few days in ministry. When returning his heart again gave him serious trouble, but from this too he rallied and was at the New Year Conference in Passaic.

The following weeks were spent quietly at home until he was asked to preach at the conference of the Prophetic Testimony of Baltimore on Thursday evening, February 20th. Mr. Ridout left Plainfield that afternoon to keep this appointment, and then to be with the saints at the all-day meeting on the 22nd. He suffered a heart attack on the train, but received immediate care from friends who met him. They urged him to give up his appointment for that evening, but feeling somewhat better, he went to the meeting, and those privileged to attend said they never heard him better as he broke the bread of life to believers and tenderly urged sinners to accept the Saviour. During Friday, he experienced much difficulty in 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.

A good number gathered at Baltimore 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 Plain-field on Monday morning, and laid in the Meeting Room where so much of his valued ministry was given. The funeral service was arranged for the following afternoon, Tuesday, at 2 o'clock.

Funeral Service

There was no pre-arrangement as to the order for this service, for we believed our brother himself would have wished it conducted in dependence upon the Lord for the Holy Spirit to guide in whatever was said or done.

A large company gathered, some from quite distant places, and at the hour appointed the service was opened by Bro. Marty of Passaic, who gave out hymn 26 ("Little Flock"). P. D. Loizeaux followed with prayer. Hymn 65 ("Grace and Truth") was given out, it being recalled that after one of our recent Lord's Day morning meetings when this hymn had been sung, that our beloved brother mentioned his desire to have it sung at his funeral.

Mr. Geo. McCandless then spoke, reading 1 Thess. 2:4-12; 3:8. He touchingly showed how through many long years, God had spoken to our hearts through our dear brother in a service in which God's heart had breathed out in love and faith, drawing how many to the feet of the Lord Jesus. When we think of it, how precious it is to find the love of our gracious Lord thus flowing through the heart of a man! He referred to the scriptures read as calling to mind what we had seen in our dear brother. To him we might rightly transfer those words of the apostle-"I was gentle." In him, too, we found the energy and faithfulness of a father (5:11), but ever entwined with the tenderness and consideration of a nurse (5:7), while readiness, not only to impart the gospel but even his own soul, marked his service (5:8). This, as with the apostle, was because the Lord's people were dear to him, for he lived in the atmosphere of the love of Christ for his brethren. He spent his soul as well as ministered his gifts. "For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord," may well be used to express the deep exercise of heart that ever accompanied his service to the saints. We need not expect the place left vacant by our brother's home going to be filled by another servant of Christ, but may our loss draw us closer to the Lord, and closer together for the little while that remains. Only in this way may the gap be filled in some measure, and along with this may the example of our departed brother lead us to be more marked by prayer and intercession.

Mr. F. C. Jennings, of Plainfield, followed, voicing the affection of many not so closely associated with our brother in one way as others, but who would permit no superiority in their affection, respect and esteem, for him. Mr. Jennings referred to the Lord's words in John 11:"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awake him out of sleep," and applied them to our brother, in a message of real comfort to all our hearts. He called attention to the first word "Our." The Lord associates others with Himself in mutual affection. What wonderful condescension ! We say, "Our brother," and the Lord says, "Our friend." Some words lose their sweetness in the cold atmosphere of this world. Among men the word "friend" has a very modified degree of affection, and it is used without any idea of deep feeling. But the word used by the Lord means, "beloved"-"our dear one," "our closely affectioned one," "our beloved one" – "our friend." The sweet gentleness and affection, so marked a characteristic of our beloved brother, makes us all feel that we have lost just such a friend.

"Our friend Lazarus sleepeth," and our dear friend Samuel Ridout has fallen asleep through Jesus. Then, as a closing thought,"! go that I may awaken him out of sleep." Can this fail to suggest to us that great hour of awakening when all the beloved ones who have passed on a little before shall rise at the bidding of Him who called Lazarus forth from the tomb? Perhaps as the years pass it is a little difficult to maintain that hope in brightness, yet everything points to it, and as it were, cries aloud, "He comes!" Let us cheer our hearts, and remember that precious word in another chapter, "I will come again and receive you." Let us hold fast this precious hope. Mr. Jennings asked that we might sing part of a hymn composed by Brother Ridout-166, in "Grace and Truth," verses 3 and 4.

Mr. V. Pennington, of Newark, read Rev. 3:11-12. He spoke of how our brother had been an overcomer, and how every memory of him gave a sweet savor of Christ, for he spent himself in service for the saints of God, he could not get too low at their feet to serve them. He was a true minister of Christ, never dominating the Lord's people, but rather taking the lower place, much like the apostle who said of himself, "less than the least of all saints." He delighted in the loveliness of Christ, and throughout his career sought to make Him the One for whom he lived. He ever sought to hold up Christ before the saints and the world. As we look back over his ministry, we recall how the fragrance of Christ ever accompanied it, and that as the Holy Spirit used him to unfold the beauties and perfections of our blessed Lord, the flesh withered, the world faded away into nothingness, and the saints were renewed in spirit and built up. No selfish aim actuated him, but forgetfulness of himself and his own comforts ever marked his service. Our brother has been as a pillar in the Church of God, holding up Christ, hiding behind His glory. These are memories which remain of a fragrant life lived in devotedness to Christ, and spent serving His people. What must it be for him to be with the Lord he so loved and served? Shall we not find him in eternity as a pillar in the temple of God?

Oh, that we might be encouraged to follow in his steps, seeking to have more of his patience, more of his loyalty to Christ, giving the flesh no place, living in separation from the world, our affections set upon our Lord with whom we are to be very soon.

Mr. P. D. Loizeaux in a few remarks called to mind how on one occasion Brother Ridout said to him, "Haven't you sometimes felt as if you could put out your hand and touch Him?" This served at the time to emphasize his close intimacy with the Lord. This is what we need, and what our beloved brother would press upon us. At another time, when giving a series of addresses to expose Millennial Dawnism, before one of the meetings he remarked that it seemed as if he could feel the presence of Christ and felt that the Lord had given him what he had to say. His life took its character from this close contact with the Lord. May we know more of its blessedness.
Mr. H. Yorgey, of Pottstown, Pa., spoke of knowing Brother Ridout for 45 years, and that he ever found him all that had been said of him. We would all say, "How he loved the Lord!" but he would rather have us speak of that in which he lived-the Lord's love, the love of God in the gift of His Son, those unsearchable riches of His grace and glory! He was always quiet, tender, forgiving, ever seeking to be very much like the Master Himself, ever urging us to be occupied with Christ alone.

Mr. McCandless prayed.

Mr. S. A. White then spoke from Ezek. 33:30-33, recalling the last time he heard Bro. Ridout speak, in an affectionate appeal, particularly to the young, not to go down into Egypt, but to live in separation from the world, and rather, as Peter enjoins, show forth the praises of Him who has called us. May the revival in our memories of that message awaken a fuller response in all our hearts.

A poem by Mr. Pentecost was read, and then a request for prayers expressing our need in view of our felt loss. J. C. Manahan, F. L. French, R. Bullman, Albert Mayer, and G. W. Heffelfinger responded in earnest intercession mingled with much thanksgiving for the life and ministry of our brother as a gift to the Church from the Head in glory. This concluded the service in the Meeting Room, and then the body was taken to Hillside Cemetery to be laid beside that of his beloved wife.

At the grave, Dr. Shope of Philadelphia gave a tribute from the medical profession with a number of whom Bro. Ridout had been acquainted. The hymn, "Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep," was sung and Mr. Bloore prayed. In closing Mr. Dixon, of Kenilworth, N. J., requested that we sing verses 3 and 4 of hymn 316 in the "Little Flock" Hymn Book.

WHO died for sin, Who rose to save,
Tells us, o'er this the opened grave,
"I died that ye might live."
And as we're gathered round the bier,
We hear Him say, "Be of good cheer,
Eternal life I give."

E'en as the wan autumnal sun
But tells us of the Spring to come,
His promise is to thee;
So gazing on the fallen leaf,
In this our bitter loss and grief,
Our blessed hope we see.

He, whom not having seen we love,
Is waiting in His home above
To welcome you and me;
E'en now upon that loving breast
Our brother has found perfect rest,
From care and sorrow free.

We who've found refuge at the Cross
Wince not, nor fret at this our loss-
'Tis his eternal gain-
We know one friend is added more
To those upon the distant shore
Whom we will meet again.

-Robert R. Pentecost.