Delbert Edgar Norton (1873-1888)

NORTON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/15/2015 at 17:36:57

From Nevada Representative April 18, 1888

Obituary.

Delbert E. Norton died on the evening of April 4th at 10 o'clock at the home of his parents in Zearing, aged 14 years, 7 months and 9 days. After a four hours sickness he was called from our midst.

I know how vain it is to try to gild in grief with words, and yes, I think we all should try to take from every grave its fear. Here in this world where life and death are equal king, all should be brave enough to meet what all the dead have met.

From the tree of life the buds and blossoms fall with ripened fruit and in the common bed of earth the patriarch and babe sleep side by side. May be death gives all there is of worth to life.

If those we love so tenderly could never die, perhaps that love would die itself. May be this common fate keeps from our minds selfishness and hate, and I would rather live and love where death is king than have eternal life where love is not.

Last Sunday, the Sunday school class of which the deceased wa an interested member adopted the following expression of regard and sorrow:

WHEREAS: In His mysterious providence God has taken from earth and unto Himself Delbert E. Norton, one of our Sunday school class, who was so faithful in attendance, therefore,

Resolved, First, that while we as a Sunday school class learned with deep sorrow of this unexpected visit of the death angel and sincerely mourn that one so young, fair and active should be thus early called from our ranks, we submit to the will of our Heavenly Father, who has said, any grace is sufficient.

Second, that we extend to the loving parents our heartfelt sympathy in this their time of sorrow and pray that God may with infinite pity comfort their hearts with the peace he alone can give.

Third, that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the REPRESENTATIVE, and also to the Branch for publication.