Rev. Sidney Hamilton Dale, pastor at Florence, Ala., died June 18th, and was buried at Talladega, June 25th.
Mr. Dale was graduated from the Theological Department of Talladega College, June, 1886, and at Christmas was ordained at Florence, the sermon being preached by Prof. G. W. Andrews, who also conducted the funeral services at Talladega. Some seventeen years before, Mr. Dale, then a little boy, was converted in a revival of very remarkable reach and power, at Marion, under the pastorate of Mr. Andrews, who was then beginning his many years of service in Alabama. After some time at the Lincoln Normal Institute, in Marion, he came to Talladega, where, in addition to normal and college preparatory studies, he pursued theology under the same friend who had led him to Christ. He was diligent, growingly diligent; in his studies strong, active and persevering. He had a voice of remarkable compass and power, and he composed both the words and music of the Class Song sung at his graduation. He was devoted to the ministry, for which he had made years of laborious preparation, and which he had begun with large promise of usefulness. His illness continued but a few days, and death was not expected till the end had almost come. But his faith was strong. With exultant prayer and triumph he crossed the stream into the better land. But it seems as if the fields this side, so large and needy, could ill spare such a young and vigorous reaper; and a heavy sorrow falls upon the young wife and mother who mourns an unmeasured loss, yet not without the hope and comfort which God alone can give.
D.
THE SOUTH.
NOTES IN THE SADDLE.
BY FIELD-SUPERINTENDENT C. J. RYDER.
“Men are four: He who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is a fool; shun him. He who knows not and knows he knows not, he is simple; teach him. He who knows and knows not he knows, he is asleep; wake him. He who knows and knows he knows, he is wise; follow him.” So runs an old Arabic proverb. A sermon delivered by one of our A. M. A. pastors, before a class just graduating from one of our Southern institutions, proves that in educational matters this pastor was of the fourth class according to the Arabic classification. The text of the sermon was Philippians iii, 13-14, and the preacher spoke as follows, according to report in one of the local papers:
“There are important lessons in these words of the Apostle Paul for you. In finishing the course here you have only made a beginning. The real work and the prize are ahead. A foundation has been laid on which you must build, patiently, carefully, wisely. Healthy spiritual and intellectual life are characterized by progress. This is the touchstone, like a shining light, shining more and more unto the perfect day. Education is the full development of the man, and we know that development is a gradual, almost imperceptible process. It is the leading out of the powers and capabilities which he may possess. You do not educate a man when you simply tell him what he did not know, but you do educate him when you make this knowledge imparted a part of himself, thus causing him to feel what he ought to feel—conscious power and manhood. Education which does not make a man more manly and independent, is a decided failure. It means growth. It is a man’s duty to grow. Remember, then, that you have not apprehended—for what you must apprehend or lay hold on, is Christian character and manhood in its highest sense.”