(o 
 
 
VOKK DAILY PRINT. 
 
§mid gtter Jm.,//. 
 
 Born December 3, 1824, 
 Died March 25, 1883. 
 
 "Not Slothful in business 
 Fervent in njiirit ; 
 Serving the Lord." 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2011 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/memorialdavidettOOnile 
 
MEMORIAL 
 
 David Efefcep Small 
 
 ONSIS I ING Of 
 
 fl BioGjpaphical Sketch 
 
 A Funcpal Address, 
 
 Delivered in the Presbyterian Church, York, Pa. 
 
 April 1, 1883. 
 
 Rev 
 
 . H. E. NILES. D.D. 
 
 Alsn Various REenlutinnB and PapErs, 
 
 With Reference to the Death of Mr. Small. 
 
BrOGRAPRreAh. 
 
 THE name "Small" has long been familiar to 
 the people in Southern Pennsylvania and 
 in Maryland. About the year 1750, LAW- 
 RENCE SCHMAHL emigrated to this country from 
 Alsace, Germany, with his wife, two daughters 
 and four sons. KlLLIAN, the eldest of these chil- 
 dren, married KVA, a daughter of JACOB WELS- 
 HOFFER, and settled in llellam township. Of 
 their seven sons who grew to manhood, JOSEPH 
 was the fourth. To him were born three sons, 
 Henry, Charles and Josiaii ("Jesse.") 
 
 HENRY, the eldest of these, married CATHA- 
 RINE MOSEY, of York, and to them were given 
 three sons, DAVID E., JoilN H. and JACOB. 
 
 From a boy, DAVID was characterized by ardent 
 thirst for knowledge and intense energy in the 
 pursuit of whatever commanded his attention. 
 When only thirteen years of age, he left the York 
 County Academy that he might enter the well- 
 known mercantile establishment of his father's 
 cousins, Messrs. P. A. & S. Small. There, his 
 intelligence, fidelity and ability for prompt and 
 
wise decisions became signally manifest. He rose 
 rapidly from one position to another, till, before 
 the age of twenty, he had come to be regarded 
 as a foremost and confidential clerk. 
 
 While in this employ, his home was in the fam- 
 ily of Mr. Samuel Small, where, in leisure hours, 
 and often far into the night, he faithfully improved 
 the opportunities afforded him for reading, writing 
 and general culture. To the close of life he grate- 
 fully remembered his experience in that house- 
 hold, and often declared how much his subsequent 
 career had been affected by the intellectual and 
 spiritual stimulus there received. During this 
 period of nine years, he was a regular attendant 
 upon the services of the German Reformed 
 Church, of which, for the principal part, Rev. Mr. 
 Douglass was pastor, or of the Presbyterian 
 Church, under the pastoral care of Rev. B. J. 
 Wallace. 
 
 From some Sabbath memoranda which he kept 
 during this time, and also from the testimony of 
 those who knew him well, there are abundant 
 evidences that he "gave the most earnest heed to 
 the things which he heard" from the pulpit and 
 in the Sabbath-school. The Spirit of the Lord 
 was evidently guiding him to a deepening convic- 
 tion of the heniousness of sin, of the danger of 
 evil companionships, of the claims of Sabbath 
 observance and of the Temperance cause, of his 
 
need of Christ as a personal Saviour, and of the 
 importance of regular habits of secret prayer. In 
 1845, under promptings of filial duty, he left the 
 store of the Messrs. Small, to engage with his 
 father in the lumber business. Notwithstanding 
 serious embarassments, he wrote in his journal, 
 " My trust was fixed in my God, who has never 
 forsaken me, though 1 have often forgotten Mini." 
 Me set up in their office, for a business motto, the 
 significant letters — " N. R. G." (energy,) and felt 
 that it would require the diligent use of all his 
 powers to put their affairs on a secure basis. Sue 
 cess crowned their efforts, and in <.\uc time the 
 growing business called for the aid of his two 
 younger brothers, John M. and Jacob, and the 
 firm became well-known as "II. Small & Sons." 
 
 On Sabbath, the 3rd of May, 1846, Mr. Small 
 wrote: "This day I confessed my God and Sa- 
 viour before the world." From that time his 
 experiences of spiritual comfort seem to have been 
 still more satisfying, and his consecration more 
 decided. 
 
 On the 17th of January, 1847, he renders thanks 
 to God, "for growth in grace during the past 
 year," and calls "with sobs and cries of gladness, 
 for more of that food which, when eaten, increaseth 
 the appetite, that heavenly manna which is as free 
 as the very air God gives us to breathe." 
 
 On the 14th of June, 1849, Mr. Small was 
 
IO 
 
 united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Fulton, of 
 Baltimore, Md.,and on the 28th of November, of the 
 same year, both were admitted, by letter, to mem- 
 bership of the First Presbyterian Church, of York. 
 
 From that time, how well he illustrated the idea 
 of Inspired Paul: "Not slothful in business, fer- 
 vent in spirit, serving the Lord," — how faithful he 
 was, even under greatest pressure of worldly cares, 
 in attendance upon all the services of the church, 
 in labors in the Sabbath-school, and in efforts for 
 the promotion of Temperance and every Christian 
 reform, is matter of general remark. Not only the 
 particular congregation, but the whole community 
 have felt his power, through the years, and there 
 are many to rise up and call him blessed. 
 
 In 1852, Mr. Small entered into a partnership 
 with Mr. Charles Billmeyer, for the manufacture 
 of Railway Cars, in which business they were 
 greatly prospered. In 1853, when conducting a 
 gentleman through their shops, his clothing was 
 caught in rapidly revolving machinery, and he 
 sustained a fearful accident in the loss of his right 
 arm ; but in a few weeks his vigorous constitu- 
 tion rallied from the shock so that he was able to 
 resume his wonted activities. After the outbreak 
 of the war in 186 1, both firms were taxed to the 
 utmost, in meeting the orders which came upon 
 them from private parties, and from the imperilled 
 government. After the death of Mr. Billmeyer, 
 
1 1 
 
 in 1876, the two firms were consolidated into a 
 stock corporation, including sons of the original 
 partners, under the title of "The BlLLMEYER & 
 Small Company," of which Mr. David E. Small 
 was made President, and so continued until his 
 death. 
 
 His energies, however, were not confined exclu- 
 sively to the line of private business, but were 
 exerted in a variety of public channels, in which 
 also, he was very successful. As early as 1847, ne 
 began to write occasional articles for the papers 
 of Baltimore and Harrisburg, as well as of York, 
 showing the importance of railroad communica- 
 tion between these cities, and exhibiting remark- 
 able knowledge of facts concerning the business 
 interests that might be affected thereby. 
 
 About the same time, also, his attention seems 
 to have been turned more earnestly to the. terrible 
 ewils of Intemperance. In 1851 and '52 he con- 
 tributed for the " People's Advocate" a series of 
 articles entitled " Intervention or Nr»n- Interven- 
 tion," in which he pictured with graphic power the 
 extent of these ewils, and pleaded with different 
 classes to arouse and "intervene" for the salvation 
 of the Drunkard and his suffering family. Thus 
 was he early layinerthe foundation for that career 
 of activity and usefulness in these departments of 
 effort, for which his subsequent life has been 
 noted. In time, he became a large stockholder in 
 
I 2 
 
 the Pennsylvania Railroad, and his counsel and 
 active efforts were often sought by the managers 
 of that corporation. In 1S74 he was appointed on 
 a special committee of seven to examine and re- 
 port upon the condition of the road in all* its 
 branches and properties. He was also connected, 
 in various ways, with several other important rail- 
 roads in the country. For eleven years, he was 
 President of the First National Bank of York, and 
 his resignation of that office was reluctantly ac- 
 cepted by the Directors only in consideration for 
 his failing health. 
 
 At the time of his death, among others, he held 
 the official positions of President of the York Gas 
 Company, Director of the Water Company, Di- 
 rector of the Lochiel, and Wrightsville Iron Works, 
 and Trustee of the York County Academy, York 
 Collegiate Institute, Orphans' Home and York 
 Hospital. He was widely known as an ardent 
 temperance man, always ready with his oratorical 
 powers, with his influence and money, to further 
 any movement for the elevation of his fellow-men. 
 He was a member of the State Temperance Com - 
 mittee, and of the Executive Y. M. C. A. State 
 Committee, and was for many years President of 
 the Borough Y. M. C. A. He was an officer of 
 the State Sabbath Association, and at a meeting 
 of the International Sabbath Association last 
 March, with Hon. Wm. E. Dodge and Barker Gun- 
 
13 
 
 more, Esq., was appointed a committee to secure 
 by conference and concert of action among rail- 
 road managers, the reduction of Sunday car run- 
 ning and work on their lines and in their shops. 
 
 In view of so many varied and important in- 
 terests committed to him, and all that his heart 
 prompted him to undertake in the cause of Reli- 
 gion and Reform, it is not strange that his con- 
 stitution, however robust, should at length, have 
 given away. Especially did this begin to be man- 
 ifest after the death of his eldest daughter, Annie, 
 in October 1S74, who, though always delicate, he 
 had hoped might live many more years to be a 
 light and blessing to his family circle. 
 
 He may not have realized what strains upon all 
 his energies his earnest spirit was laying, though 
 anxious friends could not but fear, and urge upon 
 him the necessity of caution. In the year US76 
 his nervous system suddenly gave way, and from 
 that time on to his death, what trials his ardent 
 nature endured in conflict with weakness, acute 
 sensibility and inability to accomplish the half that 
 he desired, both in business and in the furtherance 
 of Christ's cause, no one can tell. At various 
 times, did he express the determination, soon as 
 possible, to emerge from all worldly cares, and 
 devote the remainder of his life entirely to the 
 welfare of his family and the work of the church. 
 The All-wise Master had another experience of 
 
'4 
 
 trial before him, of which he had little dreamed, 
 but in which we now see, he was to be further 
 purified and prepared for the skies. His beloved 
 daughter " Mollie," wife of Win. 1 1. McClellan, 
 who had been gradually fading away for many 
 months, on the first day of December, 1882, fell 
 " a victim of that devouring consumption which 
 has stolen from the world so much of bright-eyed 
 youth and feminine loveliness;" " taken away from 
 a devoted husband and admiring friends, from a 
 beautiful home and ample means, that she so well 
 adorned and wisely used." With christian resig- 
 nation, the father bore this stroke, and for the sake 
 of others who were stricken, even tried to rejoice 
 in the thought of her translation to the Heavenly 
 Clime, — but it was evident that another tie that 
 bound him to earth was broken, and that spiritual 
 things seemed to him more real and more near. 
 Especially about the beginning of this year, ( 1 883) 
 in anticipation of " The Week of Prayer" and in 
 the observance of it, his soul seemed on fire with 
 devotion to the work of the Lord and the salva- 
 tion of men. 
 
 We marked his earnestness, we joined in his 
 fervent prayers, we rejoiced in his wonderful 
 power of exhortation and appeal; and we could 
 not but hope that these were indications that a 
 new lease of life and strength had been given him 
 in which to accomplish yet greater things for 
 
'5 
 
 Christ and humanity. But we now sec that he 
 
 was doing up his last work, that he was ripening 
 rapidly, in that Harvest- time oi the church, for the 
 I [eavenly Land. 
 
 In the early part of February, he returned from 
 a hurried trip to Boston, (which he had reluctantly 
 made under pressure oi what seemed a special 
 necessity, for the sake of giving continued employ- 
 ment to hundreds of workmen in the shops,) — giv- 
 ing alarming evidence that he had contracted a 
 severe and dangerous cold. Much as he desired 
 to do so, he was not able to resume his place and 
 his work in our solemn meetings. Day after day, 
 his hopes, in this respect, were disappointed, and 
 when the communion Sabbath arrived, (4th of 
 March), he was not able to join with the Session, 
 in welcoming to the church those for whom he 
 had labored and prayed. 
 
 All treatment of his case seemed ineffectual, 
 and at length the physicians were obliged to sound 
 that terrible phrase " Typhoid Pneumonia!" Under 
 its grasp, his bodily powers gradually succumbed, 
 until, on Sabbath morning, March 25th, just about 
 as the Easter Bells were ringing, his redeemed 
 soul, loosed from the bonds of earth, sped heaven- 
 ward, through the clear sunlight, to be forever with 
 the Lord. 
 
 On that memorable day, as the congregation 
 came together, the word [Kissed quickly from 
 
10 
 
 trembling lip to trembling lip, "He IS DEM)!" and 
 it was a tearful assembly ! The Pastor spoke, as 
 best he could, with broken tones and flooded eyes, 
 on the words " I knew a man in Christ;" and in 
 the Sabbath-school, afterwards, little was said ex- 
 cept in review of his beautiful career as a Scholar, 
 Teacher and Officer, and in tender and affecting 
 tribute to his memory. 
 
 On Tuesday, P. M., March 27th, the funeral 
 was attended, only a small portion of the immense 
 crowd, (including several hundred employees of 
 the Billmeyer & Small Co.,) being able to find 
 room in the spacious residence. In this service, 
 the Pastor was assisted by Rev. Dr. Gotwald, of 
 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Rev. Pres. McDougall, 
 of the York Collegiate Institute, and Rev. A. W. 
 Lilly, of the Zion's Lutheran Church. The choir 
 of the Presbyterian Church sang "Soon and For- 
 ever," and " Asleep in Jesus," and the following 
 hlders and Deacons acted as Bearers: Dr. J. W. 
 Kerr, Jno. M. Brown, Joseph Root, Samuel Small, 
 Jr., II. S. Myers and Dr. N. II Shearer. 
 
 On the succeeding Sabbath evening, April 1st, 
 a Memoiial Sermon was preached by Dr. Niles, 
 in the church, which was crowded with an atten- 
 tive and tearful audience, the middle pews being 
 occupied by the employees of the company, who 
 had expressed a desire to attend in a body. 
 
 The following is the substance of that discourse : 
 
S B R M Fj 
 
 Vpov. X : 7. — "The /-\omop\; of the Just 
 
 is Blessed. " 
 
 FROUDE, one of the greatest writers of our age, 
 lias, somewhere, suggested that there are 
 no saints in the Protestant church ! The 
 soldier can raise a column to his successful general; 
 the halls of Law Courts can be hung around with 
 portraits of the ermined sages ; Newton can have 
 his statue, and Harvey and Watt their memorials in 
 the Academies of Science, and each young aspirant 
 for fame, can sec, in the calling which he has chosen, 
 high excellence duly honored ; but, the church's 
 aisles are desolate ! There are no statues for her 
 heroes! The empty niches stare out, like hollow 
 eye sockets from the walls ! Good men live and 
 die, in the church, whose story if written out, might 
 be of inestimable benefit. It might show her 
 children a real path trodden by living christians, 
 just such a path as is open for them, and in following 
 which, they may become morally, heroically grand. 
 
i8 
 
 And so this writer grieves that Protestantism docs 
 not know what to do with her own heroes; that 
 she is unable to give them open and honorable re- 
 cognition ; that she is so entangled in speculative- 
 theories of human depravity, that she cannot say, 
 heartily, of any one : "Here is a good man, to be 
 loved and remembered with reverence !" 
 
 Doubtless, to a certain extent, this is true. We 
 are too much afraid to speak of the " saints " who 
 live and have lived in our time: whose histories 
 ought to be written, and whose characters held up 
 for imitation. 
 
 Place before our young christians the model of 
 a noble life, surrounded by circumstances just like 
 those in which they are placed, let them see how 
 another, with like passions as themselves, has met 
 obstacles, conquered difficulties and achieved suc- 
 cess, it must be fitted to kindle their hearts, and 
 to inspire a worthy zeal to struggle and succeed. 
 
 "The memory of the just is blessed !" Thank God 
 for the power of remembrance! for the fact that we 
 need not lose "out of mind" those who are re- 
 moved out of sight. Their bodily forms may be 
 with usno more ; but we can think of their virtues, 
 treasure their counsels, and try to follow their good 
 examples. "Their memory is blessed," in the in- 
 fluence which it exerts; and also, in the sense of 
 being blessed, i. e. praised, and spoken of with high 
 commendation. It is a dictate of nature for stir- 
 
19 
 
 viving friends to speak of them. It is abundantly 
 authorized by scripture; and it is profitable for 
 others, when the eulogy is not extravagant and 
 
 unjust. 
 
 Wither are surviving friends alone in blessing 
 such memories. Even those who may have man- 
 ifested no sympathy with the saints, while they 
 were alive, cannot help paying some tribute to 
 them, when dead. Their consciences compel them 
 to acknowledge that "the path of the just" is the 
 way of wisdom and peace! 
 
 There are many, like the wicked prophet, who 
 find themselves constrained — at length, to "bless" 
 the Lord's people, though selfishness might prompt 
 them to curse! Many, like Balaam, who, however 
 their passions and habits incline them to live, can- 
 not help saying "Let me die the death of the 
 righteous, and let my last end be like his." 
 
 Ministers often find it a very difficult and deli- 
 cate office to preach "Funeral Sermons," especi- 
 ally for those who have been prominent members 
 of the congregation and community. Sometimes 
 a conscientious Pastor must be greatly perplexed 
 in regard to the choice of a suitable text, and then 
 how to speak, so as neither to say too little, nor 
 to., much ! 
 
 But there are no such embarassments in this 
 case. I wanted a decided text, to apply to a de- 
 cided christian character. My only doubt has 
 
20 
 
 been, which to select, out of man}- that seemed ap- 
 propriate. There came to mind, the words of 
 Heavenly benediction, "Blessed are the dead which 
 die in the Lord ; yea, saith the Spirit that they 
 may rest from their labors, and their works do fol- 
 low them;" and I knew that such an anthem 
 might well be chanted in reference to our departed 
 brother. 
 
 There came the assurance, " Precious in the 
 sight of the Lord is the death of His saints," and 
 I said, " This must be true concerning him !" I 
 thought of Enoch who "walked with God" on 
 earth, until he was not, for God had translated 
 him. 1 thought of dying Stephen as he gave up 
 the ghost, saying " Lord Jesus receive my spirit !" 
 and of Paul's memorable utterance, " For me to 
 live is Christ, and to die is gain !" On the morn- 
 ing of his death, I spoke through blinding tears, of 
 "the man I knew in Christ Jesus ;" and at the 
 funeral, on that declaration of a Christian Hero, 
 " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my 
 course, I have kept the faith." When I thought of 
 all the conquests which our dear brother achieved 
 during his eventful career; when I remembered the 
 struggles and triumphs of his early life, the hard- 
 ships that he faced, the difficulties that he en- 
 countered, the obstacles that he overcame in reach- 
 ing the position which he finally gained, where he 
 touched society at so many points, and made his 
 
21 
 
 influence for good felt in so many Ways, — espe- 
 cially, when I thought of all the victories he must 
 have gainedover worldly temptations and the power 
 of Satan, — I could not hut feel that that Scripture 
 applied emphatically to him. 
 
 lint, whatever the text, my object is, not to in- 
 dulge in extravagant eulogy, nor to give way to 
 personal feelings. I want to say what is manifest 
 truth, what ought to be said to the praise of Divine 
 Grace, which made our brother what he was, and 
 kept and guided and blessed him in all the way of 
 his earthly pilgrimage. What he was as a boy, 
 enjoying but few educational facilities, yet eager 
 for knowledge, as he was quick and active in busi- 
 ness, is well known in this community. What he- 
 was as a young man, prompt, resolute, determined 
 on success, is also known, and by what rapid 
 strides he advanced from one step of progress to 
 another. Before the age of twenty, confidential 
 clerk in a large establishment ; at twenty-one, un- 
 dertaking the management of his father's business, 
 — at twenty-four, prominent in institutions of Moral 
 Reform, and wielding an acknowledged influence in 
 christian society. 
 
 But, what was the secret of his inner life, during 
 this formative period; how he heeded the monitions 
 of a tender conscience; how he turned daily to the 
 Word of God for instruction, and prayed for the 
 Spirit of God to sanctify and guide; how he 
 
22 
 
 mourned over evil in his own nature, and the evil 
 tendencies which he saw around him ; how he ab- 
 jured evil companionships, and resolved against 
 the misimprovement of Sabbaths and religious pri- 
 vileges, — facts like these, which lie at the founda- 
 tion of that character which he displayed, and that 
 power which he exercised, are not so well under- 
 stood. Would that young men who feel the laud- 
 able ambition to attain positions of real excellence, 
 would consider well the basis on which these de- 
 pend! Not energy and perseverance alone, but, 
 combined with these, moral principle and chris- 
 tian character form the only sure foundation of real 
 success. 
 
 In August, 1853, when our brother met that ter- 
 rible accident, under which many a brave nature 
 would have succumbed, it was not merely human 
 courage by which he was sustained, but also Faith 
 in God. It was Christian Heroism which enabled 
 him to bear that sudden change, and with versa- 
 tility and promptness, to commence adapting him- 
 self to the new condition. And, it was by reason 
 of the character he had already evinced, that a lead- 
 ing citizen addressed to him the encouraging 
 words: — "Never mind, David, you can do more 
 with your left arm than most men can with both!" 
 That he has done more, the industries which he 
 established, the achievements which he accom- 
 plished, and the reputation which he acquired 
 
23 
 
 abundantly show. Not simply in the line of pri- 
 vate business, has his power been acknowledged, 
 but he has been indentified also with a great variety 
 of public movements, and has always been de- 
 pended on as an efficient coadjutor in enterprises 
 of Patriotism, Philanthropy and Religion. As a 
 friend of Sabbath-schools and Sabbath order, of 
 Temperance movements and Young Men's Chris- 
 tian Assiciations, he was ever ready with speech, 
 and pen and purse. How much he did in each of 
 these departments of usefulness, and how widely 
 and gratefully he will be remembered in connection 
 with them, many of you can testify. 
 
 His large class of young men who met regularly 
 and enthusiastically for Bible study, was one of 
 the prominent features of our Sabbath-school; and 
 the numbers that were brought from thence into the 
 communion of the church, showed to what end his 
 instructions and hisprayers were definitely directed. 
 He was also deeply interested in the original or- 
 ganization of the Temperance Society connected 
 with the school, and for the whole eight years of 
 its existence, has stood its President and its earn- 
 est and eloquent advocate. 
 
 That little tract which he wrote on the subject, 
 and which has been variously republished and 
 widely circulated, presents forcibly his ideas as to 
 the importance of educating the young in the 
 principles of total abstinence, and of pledging 
 
24 
 
 them to the same, according to the adage, " an 
 ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." 
 
 He took great interest in the colored race, be- 
 lieving not only that Justice and Humanity re- 
 quired all possible efforts to ameliorate their con- 
 dition, but also that they are capable of christian 
 education equal with the whites. For several years, 
 he has supported students in preparation for the 
 ministry, at Lincoln University. Last summer, in 
 order to meet a pressing want in that Institution, 
 and also to commemorate the name of a beloved 
 Professor who had been removed by death, he gave 
 $5,000 to erect "The Gregory Memorial Cot- 
 tage," which has recently been completed ; and 
 now, by his will, it appears that he has bequeathed 
 $10,000 more to the same institution. 
 
 In 1865, Mr. Small was ordained by the Pres- 
 bytery of Harrisburg, a Ruling Klder in this 
 church, — at the same time when I was installed its 
 Pastor ; and since that time, how well he has 
 shared the responsibilities of the Bishopric, I need 
 not attempt to describe. The record is in all 
 hearts. It is on every tongue to say how prompt, 
 how watchful, how kind and faithful he has been. 
 K very body knows how the church has depended 
 on his judgment and piety and spiritual oversight, 
 how his colleague elders confided in him, and re- 
 joiced in his influence, how the heart of the Pastor 
 rested on him, assured of his constant sympathy 
 
25 
 
 and co-operation, — assured that he would further 
 every good interest committed to him, that he 
 would never disappoint nor betray. As a hearer 
 of the Gospel, he was also a constant delight. 
 lie never seemed pre-occupied with his own 
 thoughts, nor indifferent to any message from the 
 Inspired Word. He drank in the truth with avid- 
 ity, and his expressive face oft revealed in smiles 
 or tears, the impressions on his heart. "How 
 you will miss him !" is the remark addressed to 
 me, again and again. " We sympathize deeply 
 with you, in your great loss." 
 
 Even' mail brings letters of condolence ; — like 
 one from Reading, yesterday, which says: " I am 
 pained to hear of Mr. Small's death. Your own 
 loss, the loss of the church and community, as well 
 as of his family, must be very great:" Like one 
 from a Pastor in Harrisburg, who knows by per- 
 sonal experience, what the taking away of a be- 
 loved and active elder involves : Like one from 
 Hartford, Conn., which speaks of "the good men 
 whi) are passing away," and that "Mr. Small's death 
 will deprive you of one of your strongest earthly 
 supports:" Like two from New York, which are 
 eloquent in eulogy for the dead, and sympathy for 
 the living: Like several from Philadelphia, which 
 condole with me on the loss of our "loved and 
 lamented elder :" Like one from Baltimore, which 
 says : — " Why was he taken, and so main - that 
 
26 
 
 could have been spared left ! Surely eternity has 
 many mysteries to unfold ! What an irreparable 
 loss to the Church ! to the whole of York, which 
 must feel the poorer now that dear Mr. Small no 
 longer walks its streets with a smiling face, and a 
 benediction on his lips for every one !" And an- 
 other from the same city: — " His loss must seem 
 to you almost irreparable. His persuasive voice, 
 so recently heard in all your meetings, when the 
 presence of the Holy Spirit was manifested in the 
 conviction and conversion of immortal souls, must 
 still sound and resound in the ears of all who heard 
 him. David E. Small was one among a thousand 
 in every department of life, and to his Pastor, I can 
 imagine, he was a pillar of strength; a strong, 
 loving arm to lean upon, a close bosom friend to 
 counsel and to cheer you, in work for the Master." 
 
 Another, a Pastor, says: — "What a loss you 
 have had ! I know something of what it is to 
 have a sympathetic man to lean upon in the duties 
 and trials of a parish. How greatly we need 
 Aarons and Hurs ; and when a strong arm is 
 withdrawn, then we feel painfully conscious of 
 weakness." 
 
 A friend in Cincinnati, writes : — " How strange 
 that such sore trouble should follow your great 
 blessing ! I suppose it is impossible for any one 
 who is not a Pastor, to realize what a loss the 
 death of such a man must be in a church. Of course, 
 
27 
 
 we know God had some good reason for taking 
 him to Heaven, and it almost seems as though he 
 might be there to make even more fervent inter- 
 cessions for his church and Pastor, than he could 
 on earth !" 
 
 In the ecclesiastical bodies to which, from time 
 to time, he was a delegate, no layman had greater 
 power, lie was always put on the most impor- 
 tant committees ; and when he spoke on the floor, 
 no one was more attentively heard. " We met 
 him once in Synod," writes a distinguished editor, 
 " and were much impressed by him. His loss to 
 the Church cannot be well supplied." 
 
 " He was gifted with a comprehensive mind," 
 says another, " and he was an orator, as well ! 
 We have not heard, in the State, a better pleader 
 for Christ before his fellowmen; nor for his fellow- 
 men before Christ; nor for the best interests of 
 the Church he so much loved, for Temperance, 
 and for every other cause, noble and good!" 
 
 " You know," writes the editor of the New 
 York Observer, "that Luther, whenever he got 
 into any trouble, was in the habit of saying, 'Come, 
 let us sing the 46th Psalm;' and one of my chief 
 regrets in not knowing the German tongue, is, 
 that I cannot read Luther's version of that Psalm, 
 which, it is said, no English translation can 
 equal ! . . . We do most deeply sympathize with 
 you and Mrs. Xiles, and with the Family that is 
 
28 
 
 so sorely bereaved ! God alone can make up the 
 loss !" 
 
 Yet another, a prominent minister in Baltimore, 
 writes, — " From my first acquaintance with Mr. 
 Small, he impressed me as a high-toned christian 
 gentleman, an enterprising, thorough business 
 man, true to the Church of which he was an hon- 
 ored officer and admirable representative, and at 
 the same time, true to every heart that loved the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, in sincerity. In the time of 
 his country's peril, he proved himself a patriot ; 
 ... in the midst of pressing business pursuits, 
 he always found time for philanthropic effort. I 
 once heard him and John Wanamaker, from the 
 same platform, before a Christian Association, and 
 thought what examples for imitation! Two of the 
 leading business men of the State pushing for- 
 ward the Lord's cause, with the same energy 
 which distinguished them in all the movements of 
 life ! Such men may go down to the grave, but 
 they never die; — their influence for good is con- 
 stantly re-producing itself, and blooming with a 
 yesterday's freshness on each incoming gener- 
 ation of the human family." 
 
 Many have spoken of the resemblance between 
 Mr. Small and that eminent business man and 
 philanthropist who has also recently passed away, 
 Mr. Wm. E. Dodge. In natural temperament, 
 and in the general tone and aim of their lives, I 
 
2 9 
 
 think they were much alike. Each was singularly 
 agreeable in personal intercourse, genial, viva- 
 cious, courteous, sympathetic, and none the less 
 responsive to wit and humor, because of his dom- 
 inant interest in serious themes. Each gave lib 
 erally, and on principle, as if under the promptings 
 of enlightened christian stewardship; and each 
 was also read}' with personal ministrations for the 
 service of the sorrowing, and for the salvation of 
 souls. Each was an intensely active man, and it 
 was well that his susceptible and vigorous nature 
 was turned into the channels of christian enter- 
 prise and fruitfulness. 
 
 Not only when at home, but when travelling 
 abroad and in his vacation retreats, our brother 
 was ever on the lookout for opportunities for do- 
 ing good. Many a weak church and desponding 
 minister, on the mountains or at the seaside, have 
 been cheered by his presence and manifested sym- 
 pathy. Many a group of strangers in the hotel 
 parlor, or in the country Sabbath-school, have 
 been drawn by him to the stud)- of God's word. 
 
 Love of money is the prevailing spirit of our 
 age, and too often, the more a man gets, the less 
 he gives ! the more stern, and hard and illiberal 
 he grows! But, through grace, he overcame that 
 spiritual enemy, and the richer he grew, the kindlier, 
 more benevolent and more beneficent he became. 
 Whoever went to him with any worthy object, and 
 
3Q 
 
 was turned coldly away ? What victim of poverty 
 or sorrow ever told his tale without eliciting a re- 
 sponse, sometimes even to tears ? What enter- 
 prising and virtuous young man everfound that he, 
 who had risen by his own efforts, was not ready to 
 extend the helping hand to another who was 
 faithfully struggling ? 
 
 Some persons, when they have opportunity to 
 do the most helpful and necessary things, are cold 
 and rigid and unsympathizing, but, afterwards, 
 when the crisis is past, and there is no especial 
 need for their aid, can be very ready to patronize 
 and applaud. But, it is quite another thing to 
 render aid at the critical time, to give faith and 
 courage and good cheer when, without them, the 
 struggling and wearied, might be ready to faint 
 and fail. 
 
 David E. Small may, sometimes, have been de- 
 ceived and disappointed by those whom he tried 
 to help, but his motives were pure, and there are 
 many who can testify what a friend he was at the 
 right time. His was not a suspicious, incredulous 
 nature, ready to look on the worst side, to "throw 
 on cold water," to predict failure, and to hinder 
 people from trying what they could do ; but he 
 was hopeful of men, — disposed to believe well of 
 them, and to encourage them to do well. Here, 
 at home not only, are those who love to declare 
 how much they owe to his confidence and timely 
 
3i 
 
 aid, but in many places, and even far across the 
 continent, those who when they receive the sad 
 intelligence of what is passing here, will tearfully, 
 tenderly mourn because their counsellor and bene- 
 factor is death 
 
 I lis contributions for objects of christian benev- 
 olence, especially for the Boards of the Presby- 
 terian Church, were systematic and large. For 
 several years past, I have reason to believe that he 
 gave according to a fixed proportion of his income. 
 But even during the dark days of financial depres- 
 sion in our land, when stocks were falling ami in- 
 comes were cut oft", and men's hearts were failing 
 them through fear, he did not withhold from any 
 cause of our Church. 
 
 lie had Faith in God, ami by Faith, he over- 
 came that selfishness which would have whispered 
 — "Take care of yourself! Wait and see how 
 things turn, before you give any more." 
 
 It was by this same Faith that he recognized 
 God in the affairs of daily life. 1 have heard him 
 say that he never undertook a journey without 
 "committing his way unto the Lord;" that he 
 never engaged in an important transaction, with- 
 out seeking wisdom from above. I lis business 
 position was a platform on which his christian 
 character and influence were more conspicuously 
 seen. He could turn at any time, from his ledger 
 or bank book, to speak of Christ and the interests 
 
3 2 
 
 of His cause. He could kneel down in counting- 
 room as well as library, to pray with a sinner who 
 wanted to be saved. In the cars he could talk 
 Religion just as freely as politics or trade. No 
 worldly engagements, nor alliance with worldly 
 men, could induce him to compromise his princi- 
 ples by travelling on the Sabbath, by joining in 
 games of chance, by tasting the seductive wine 
 cup. More than once, when abroad at fashionable 
 dinners, his glass has remained unturned, when 
 others put the viper to their lips, or when, out of 
 respect for him, they also took the crystal water. 
 More than once, has he declined to join in games 
 which he knew, are dangerous in their tendency, 
 and have often proved the first-steps of ruin for 
 young men How God blessed him in obser- 
 vance of the Sabbath day, has been repeatedly 
 shown. A single instance I may give. Some 
 years ago, when under engagement to attend a 
 railroad convention in the West, he was notified 
 by telegraph from a prominent official, to meet his 
 party at Harrisburg, on Saturday afternoon, that 
 they might proceed together, on their way. 
 Knowing that that meant travel on the Lord's 
 day, — violating a sacred command, Mr. Small 
 quietly remained at home, and worshipped with 
 his family and church, as usual. After midnight, 
 Monday morning, he started for St. Louis, and 
 when he reached there on Tuesday morning, and 
 
33 
 
 and entered the breakfast hall of the hotel, whom 
 should he meet but the other travellers who had 
 arrived just about the same time as he did ! They 
 had been hindered by a disaster; had been kept 
 out all the Sabbath uncomfortable and unhappy, 
 while he had obeyed the commandment, and been 
 blessed in every step. Nay ! It is not " a vain 
 thing to serve the Lord!" "Godliness is profitable 
 for the life that now is, as well as for that which is 
 to come." 
 
 It was also faith in God by which our brother 
 overcame that evil spirit, which, in case of so many 
 who achieve their own fortune, makes them ap- 
 pear haughty and unsympathetic towards others. 
 Everybody saw that he was modest and unassum- 
 ing, before his fellowmen, full of kindly impulses, 
 and of generous, delicate deeds. Those who have 
 known him best, know best how true is this. 
 Among them especially, his junior partners in 
 business, to whom, after they became orphans, he 
 acted as a father, ready to advise and unselfish to 
 protect. These men, too, before me, and the many 
 hundreds that have been in his employ, how kindly 
 did he care for you, how often make sacrifices for 
 you. " His long life as master," it has been well 
 said, " was one of patient kindness and generosity. 
 No harshness entered into his rule, no severity 
 guided his action, though firmness was one of his 
 sterling qualities. 
 
34 
 
 A touching proof of his rare generosity and for- 
 getfulness of self, is the incident related of him, years 
 ago, when he lost his right arm. " I am so glad 
 it was not one of the men," were among the first 
 words he spoke, thinking even then in his faint- 
 ness and suffering, of those who were so dependent 
 on the use of their arms. So it always was. On 
 that last, fatal journey, when he contracted the ter- 
 rible cold which ended in his death, it was for you, 
 my friends, more than for himself, that he travelled, 
 in order that employment might be furnished for 
 you, that you and your families might not be em- 
 barrassed in the wintry days. Nay ! I do not 
 wonder that you often speak of his great-hearted- 
 ness. I do not wonder at the resolutions you 
 adopted with reference to his death, for he was, as 
 you said, " a friend and benefactor whose kind- 
 ness of heart, warmth of sympathy and forbear- 
 ance under all circumstances, could not but win 
 your love." 
 
 Equally was he thoughtful for your spiritual 
 welfare, anxious that you might regard the great 
 object of life, and all become " rich toward God." 
 Though he did not obtrude his opinions upon you, 
 he felt that the religion of Jesus Christ which was 
 his only hope for himself and those he held most 
 dear, was equally necessary for you and yours 
 For you he prayed, for you he was intensely anx- 
 ious, and now if his redeemed spirit could speak 
 
to you from the skies, do you not feel that this is 
 what he would surely say : — " O men ! it is all 
 true! Remember the word which I spake unto 
 you while I was yet with you. Remember the 
 one thing needful ! Prepare for the exchange 
 of worlds!" Would he not exhort you, not only 
 to " keep the Sabbath day " for sacred rest, to 
 practice total abstinence, and to discard every form 
 and degree of profanity, but also to become, in the 
 fullest sense, evangelical christians, to accept the 
 Lord Jesus Christ in all His offices, and to live ac- 
 cording to His word. Can you doubt, for a mo- 
 ment, that this would be his appeal ? And now, 
 on this memorial occasion, if you are not fully, 
 openly and decidedly, followers of Christ, will you 
 not signalize the time, by turning to Him, and 
 securing an interest in His salvation ? Make his 
 Saviour your Saviour! Choose "durable riches and 
 righteousness," treasures in Heaven, which he 
 prized better than all the things of this world! 
 
 Love for souls was a marked characteristic of 
 our brother, and there are hundreds, some in our 
 midst, some removed to distant places, and some 
 who passed before him to the eternal world, who 
 must be witnesses to his desire that they might be 
 won for Christ." It was he, to whom, under God, 
 I owe my conversion" — said one. " I can never 
 describe what he has done for me !" — exclaimed 
 another. "He pointed me to Christ and led the way." 
 
36 
 
 His bright, sunny, magnetic nature fitted him to 
 influence men in regard to spiritual things, just as 
 it did in regard to worldly things. 
 
 " I never met David E. Small," said one, "but 
 1 felt as if I had passed a band of music on the 
 street." Cold, phlegmatic natures, it maybe, could 
 not appreciate this quality, and may have been 
 ready to suggest " extravagance " or " enthusi- 
 asm" in some things that he said and did. But, 
 sanctified enthusiasm is what gives a man power 
 in winning souls. It is this which makes one a 
 leader, while others stupidly plod behind. 
 
 That same flowery freshness which made him 
 rise singing, like the lark, with every new day, 
 which made him sensitive to the charms of nature, 
 to the tones of music, to the beauties of art; that 
 same lively emotional nature made him ready to 
 smypathize with a soul convicted by the Divine 
 Spirit; ready to respond to the first inquiry, "What 
 must I do to be saved ?" Ready to rejoice with 
 one who had learned the song of Redeeming 
 Grace! Never did this characteristic shine out 
 more beautifully than during our special services, 
 of late, when his soul seemed all aglow with desires 
 for the salvation of men and the glory of Christ. 
 " A beautiful winding up of his life," as one of his 
 fellow elders said. It seemed as if he could not 
 bear to see a single one of this loved congrega- 
 tion misimprove the day of Grace. 
 
37 
 
 O ! my friends ! You will never know, many of 
 you, how deeply he felt, and how earnestly he 
 prayed for you ! You will never know, this side of 
 the eternal revealing, how much you owe to him; if 
 you have been brought to Christ ; how much you 
 have lost, if you have disregarded his appeals, and 
 hindered his prayers. O ! that what he did not 
 see accomplished during his life, in the conversion 
 of the impenitent, and the re-conversion of back- 
 sliders may be accomplished as the effect of his 
 death. O ! that from this time, we might be a 
 better and holier people, because of the lesson we 
 have received. 
 
 Brethren of the Session, though we are sorely 
 bereaved, shall we ever cease to thank God for what 
 our associate has been, as co-worker with us. As 
 we class him, now, with Mcllvaine, and Emmet, 
 and McClellan, and Weiser, gone to their re- 
 ward, shall we not pray that, for these, 
 
 "Transplanted to the skies, 
 Many younger, in their stead, may rise?" 
 
 And while we, a little longer, remain at our 
 posts, shall we not seek grace to be doing more 
 faithfully our allotted work. 
 
 What our brother was in the sacredness of do- 
 mestic scenes, I need not try adequately to picture. 
 His home-life was a heart poem, from that roman- 
 tic beginning to which he often enthusiastically 
 
3§ 
 
 referred, all through the thirty- three years of wed- 
 ded bliss. Alternate sunshine and shade have 
 been thrown across the way. Sickness has been 
 appointed, as well as health. Children have been 
 born, one after another, and children have died. But 
 in all experiences, God has been with the family, 
 and they have had a rarely blessed christian home. 
 
 When that stately house was built, before any 
 companies were there, he desired that it be dedi- 
 cated to God. Calling thither the Pastor and 
 officers of the church, with our wives, we sat at 
 his table, and after varied converse, gathered 
 around his family altar. There we sung the songs 
 of Zion, read that 30th Psalm which King David 
 wrote " for the dedication of his house," then 
 kneeled in prayer, each one leading, in turn, — 
 after which we arose, linked hands, sung the Dox- 
 ology, and then the Benediction was pronounced 
 amid tears of joy! 
 
 God has dwelled in that home, ever since, 
 whether the experiences appointed were bright, or 
 sad! There has been a "church in that house." 
 There, the servants of God have ever been wel- 
 come, and in those parlors have been many gath- 
 erings in the interests of Christ's cause. There, 
 religion has not been kept out of sight, while 
 worldliness and gaiety have been the prominent 
 things. There, the children have been taught to 
 " seek first the Kingdom of God." On his dying 
 
39 
 
 bed, the father only repeated what he had told 
 them before: "My greatest comfort is, in the 
 thought that you are christians !" " I want you 
 always to keep faith in your father's God!" "I 
 am resting in my Saviour's arms ! The Lord's 
 will be done !" 
 
 One time, when asleep, he murmured — " It is 
 God's word ! Eternal life ! Heaven provided ! 
 Yes, Jesus has provided a home for us!" Again, 
 as if counselling with his family in regard to some 
 claim of benevolence, he said, with characteristic 
 decision : " No objection to that. It is a good 
 object. It will be giving to the Lord." 
 
 Another time, (as if in an inquiry meeting,) 
 " There is a crisis in every one's life. Will you 
 neglect this great salvation ? The Bible offers 
 eternal life to all who will accept." To a friend 
 who approached his bedside, he said, with a smile: 
 " Oh ! is that you ? Well, I am clinging, — cling- 
 ing to the Rock!" 
 
 And so he died as he had lived. So he "fin- 
 ished his course," having "kept the faith." So 
 " the memory of the just is blessed !" We " sor- 
 row not as those who have no hope." 
 
 It may seem to human wisdom, that he has gone 
 too soon, from his family, from the church, from the 
 business circles which he adorned, from the com- 
 munity to which he was a blessing, but God's time 
 is the best time, and God's way is always right. 
 
40 
 
 " Would ye bewail our brother! He bath gone 
 To sit down with prophets, l>y the clear 
 
 And crystal waters; — he hath gone to list 
 
 Isaiah's harp, and David's, and to walk 
 
 With Enoch and Elijah, and the host 
 
 Of the just men made perfect. He shall bow 
 
 At Gabriel's hallelujah, and unfold 
 
 TJhe scroll of the Apocalypse, with John, 
 
 And talk of Christ with Mary, and go back 
 
 To the Last Supper, and the Garden Prayer, 
 
 With the beloved disciple. He shall hear 
 
 The story of the Incarnation told 
 
 By Simeon, and the Triune mystery 
 
 Burning upon the fervent lips of Paul. 
 
 He shall have wings of glory, and shall soar 
 
 To the remoter firmaments, and read 
 
 The order and the harmony of stars; 
 
 Ami, in the might of knowledge, he shall how, 
 
 In the deep pauses of archangel harps, 
 
 And, — humble as the Seraphim, shall cry — 
 
 Who, by his searching, finds Thee out, <) God! 
 
 There shall he meet his children who have '•'one 
 Before him, and as other years roll on" 
 
 and loved ones left behind, go to him ;— amid 
 the glories of the celestial world, they shall trace 
 together, the Providential experiences of their 
 earthly history, — see the wisdom and goodness 
 of all that was appointed them, and mingle with 
 the elders, before the Throne, in singing that " new 
 song" unto Him "who was slain, and has re- 
 deemed us to God, by His blood !" 
 
fli?PERorx. 
 
 Action of the Session of the Presbyterian 
 Church, York Pa., March 29th, 1883. 
 
 At a meeting of Session, the following paper 
 with reference to the death of one of its members, 
 was adopted and ordered to be placed on record : 
 
 " In Memoriam. 
 
 On Sabbath morning, March 25th, 1883, just 
 about as the church bells were calling people to 
 their Easter services, the spirit of our beloved 
 brother David E. Small, took its departure to the 
 world of heavenly blessedness. For several years, 
 he had been partially disabled through nervous 
 prostration on account of overwork ; but, of late 
 had exhibited increase of vigor, and given reason 
 for hope that he might long be spared for useful- 
 ness in the Church and the world. 
 
 Especially, during our extra services in January 
 and February had he manifested unusual energy, 
 and been instrumental in great spiritual good. 
 But, having contracted, in travel, a severe cold, 
 
42 
 
 which received various additions, he, at length, 
 broke entirely down, with Typhoid Pneumonia, — 
 after struggling with which, about three weeks, 
 he calmly and gently passed away. 
 
 Mr. Small, (son of Henry, who died in 1866, 
 and brother of Jacob, who died in 1868, and of 
 John H , a member of our church, and a trustee 
 of the congregation,) was received into our com- 
 munion, by letter from the German Reformed 
 Church, November 28, 1849. In April 1865, he 
 was ordained by the Presbytery of Harrisburg, a 
 Ruling Elder, which office he has held with signal 
 ability and usefulness. To him, we, his associates, 
 have always turned with confidence in his fraternal 
 sympathies, and his readiness to further by earnest 
 words and generous deeds, any judicious enter- 
 prise for the advancement of the Redeemer's 
 cause. To him, the entire membership have 
 looked, with assurance of his wisdom, purity and 
 zeal. To him, the whole congregation and com- 
 munity have pointed, as a living example of 
 fidelity to christian truth and duty. In the social 
 meetings of the church, he has been depended on 
 for active and edifying service ; in the Sabbath- 
 school, he has been a most useful teacher and 
 officer ; in the cause of temperance, an ardent and 
 successful worker ; in Christian Associations and 
 kindred agencies, an honored leader and guide. 
 
 There are hundreds to rise up and call him 
 
43 
 
 blessed, hundreds who feel that their own lives 
 have been made better, and that the general order 
 of society has been better because he lived. 
 
 We desire, as a session, to place on record, our 
 grateful sense of obligation to God for having 
 raised up our brother, and endowed him with so 
 many rare qualities of mind and heart, for having 
 given him such a christian spirit, full of zeal for 
 the glory of Christ, and the salvation of souls, — 
 loyal to the doctrines and interest of the Presby- 
 terian Church, yet sympathetic and fraternal to- 
 ward all believers, a man of quick, progressive 
 tendencies, yet ever true to " the Faith once de- 
 livered to the saints." We thank God for what he 
 has been, and for the blessed influence he has left 
 behind. He " rests from his labors, and his works 
 do follow him." We doubt not, he has received 
 the welcome "Well done! good and faithful servant, 
 enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !" 
 
 To all the members of our church and congre- 
 gation, we pray that this sore bereavement may 
 be sanctified, and especially that the young men 
 may heed the call to devote themselves to that 
 Master's service which our brother loved, and in 
 the strength of grace to carry forward the work in 
 which he was so heartily engaged. 
 
 To his afflicted family, we proffer our assurances 
 of heartfelt sympathy, commending them to the 
 covenant care and tender mercies of Him who is 
 
44 
 
 " the God of all consolation." We also direct that 
 a copy of this paper be given to them. 
 
 H. E. NlLES, Moderator. 
 Samuel Small, 
 James W. Kerr, 
 John M. Brown, 
 Joseph Root, 
 Samuel Small, Jr., 
 
 Elders. 
 York, March 29th, 1883. 
 
 -o- 
 
 ACTION OF THE PRESBYTERY OF WESTMINSTER. 
 
 At the meeting of this Body in Lebanon, Pa., 
 April 10th, 1883, the following was adopted: — 
 
 " Since our last meeting, David E. Small, an 
 \ lder in the church at York, has been called from 
 his work to his reward. 
 
 Presbytery gratefully record our sense of obli- 
 gation to God for His gift of such a man to the 
 church. Endowed, as he was, with rare powers 
 of mind and heart, and having by his enterprise 
 and honest industry, acquired a large portion of 
 this world's substance, he consecrated them all, 
 without reserve, to the cause and service of his 
 Divine Master. 
 
 His benefactions were princely, his labors for 
 Christ were ceaseless and untiring, the good which 
 
45 
 
 he was instrumental in accomplishing', inestimable. 
 His death has made a vacancy in his own church, 
 in the Presbytery and in the Church at large, 
 which it seems must, for the present, remain un- 
 supplied. 
 
 We cannot but express our great sorrow for 
 the loss sustained by the removal of this beloved 
 Elder ; and we extend our cordial sympathies to 
 his deeply afflicted family, to the bereaved Pastor, 
 and to the church of which he was so valued an 
 officer. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of this paper be sent to 
 the family, and the Session of the church at York, 
 and also to the Presbyterian and Presbyterian Jour- 
 nal, for publication. 
 Attest: 
 
 Wm. G. Cairnes, 
 
 Stated Clerk. 
 
 -o- 
 
 The Watchman, published at Chicago, organ of 
 the Young Men's Christian Association, published 
 the following : 
 
 Obituary. 
 
 "Died, Sabbath morning, March 25th, David E. 
 Small, of York, Pa. 
 
 Our cause among young men, as well as almost 
 every good cause, loses a warm and steadfast friend. 
 
4 6 
 
 A great and good man has fallen. Mr. Small was 
 one of the originators of the Association in York, 
 some fifteen years ago. He has been identified 
 with the Pennsylvania State work from its com- 
 mencement. He was President of the State Con- 
 vention held at Johnstown, September, 1873, and 
 was a member of the State Executive Committee 
 until 1876, when his place was occupied by his 
 son. liis health failed about seven years ago, and 
 after a prolonged season of rest, he measurably 
 recovered, but not fully. No amount of physical 
 infirmity dampened his ardor. He was always 
 ready to do more than he could endure, and could 
 not learn how to spare himself. In the midst of a 
 large and absorbing business, he always kept be- 
 fore him the fact of his stewardship, and he gave 
 himself, as well as of his means. He leaves a 
 noble record for young men to study and to follow. 
 He held an advisory relation with the State Ex- 
 ecutive Committee of Pennsylvania, until a short 
 time before his death. On Tuesday, March 27th, 
 it was the sad privilege of the members of the 
 State Committee in session, to bow to the Throne 
 of Grace and pray for the stricken ones in their 
 great sorrow — for the dear wife and children who 
 lose such a loving husband and father. He has 
 fought a good fight ; he has finished his course 
 with joy, and the Crown of Righteousness is laid up 
 for him, which he shall receive when Jesus comes." 
 
47 
 
 Harmonious with the above, are Resolutions 
 adopted by the Executive Committee of the Y. M. 
 C. A. of the State of Pennsylvania : and also of the 
 Y. M. C. A., of York, in which they speak of " the 
 irreparable loss sustained by the death of our brother, 
 which must long be felt in the lack of his presence, 
 his counsel, his experience, his active service and 
 his pecuniary aid," and in which they declare the 
 purpose to attend his funeral, as a body. 
 
 -o- 
 
 Resolutions of respect and affection for Mr. 
 Small, as " earnest co-worker and valued coun- 
 sellor in the cause of Temperance," and of sympa- 
 thy for their beloved President, in the loss of her 
 husband, were also adopted by "The Woman's 
 Christian Temperance Union," of York, and 
 placed on their records. 
 
 -o- 
 
 In the Daily and Weekly papers of York, Han- 
 over, Glen Rock, Delta, Littlestown, and other 
 parts of the county, eulogistic and affectionate 
 notices of the deceased were published ; as also, 
 in the Presbyterian, and Presbyterian Journal, of 
 Philadelphia, and the Nezv York Observer, &c. 
 From a lengthy editorial in the York Telephone, 
 the following passages are extracted : 
 
4 8 
 
 " York is greatly bereaved by the loss of this 
 man who has been to us a leader in all good works, 
 whose life, like a clear and shining light was never 
 dimmed or shadowed by one ungenerous act. The 
 affliction of his death, falling upon our hearts, 
 already softened by the tender associations of the 
 season, made perhaps a deeper impression than 
 otherwise; but among all the citizens of our town 
 there are few who have endeared themselves to so 
 many hearts, few so universally admired as David 
 E. Small. He had wealth, and his riches flowed 
 out with generous bounty to every needy individ- 
 ual who came beneath his notice, to every cause 
 which justly claimed assistance, and through many 
 channels of which his nearest and dearest friends 
 knew nothing ; he had power, and he wielded it 
 for good, always for good — drawing men, low and 
 wicked and discouraged though they were, into 
 the circle of his friendship and helping them, first 
 by acts of charity and then by continued kindness, 
 until they grew to love him as one man loves 
 another who has saved him from ruin. He had an 
 intellect steady, clear and capable of great things. 
 No man among us spoke with greater vigor upon 
 the subjects near to his heart. His enthusiasm 
 always displayed itself in fervent words that car- 
 ried conviction with it. What he wished to say 
 he said, and he said it well. 
 
 His religious influence reached widely, and his 
 
49 
 
 name was found in all good works. Of his busi- 
 ness capabilities nothing need be said — the great 
 success of his life tells us so plainly; and his con- 
 nection with, the business of York industries, is too 
 well known to require mention. With his bereaved 
 family the whole community grieves, and sympa- 
 thizing hearts follow them in their sorrow. Al- 
 though we write with pride and gladness: ''Born 
 in the Borough of York, on December 3rd, 1824," 
 it is with saddened heart we finish : " Died in the 
 59th year of his age, David E. Small, beloved by 
 all who knew him." 
 
 Among the most touching expressions of respect 
 and affection, were resolutions adopted by the 
 employees of the Eillmeyer & Small Company at 
 a meeting, on the morning of the funeral day, in 
 which they speak of the deceased President of the 
 Company as "a friend and benefactor, whose 
 kindness of heart, warmth of sympathy and for- 
 bearance, under all circumstances, had won from 
 us the deepest regard," — a man " whose heart was 
 ever open to our trouble, and who was ever ready 
 to encourage us to look to that God in whom he 
 put all his trust." Also of the Garnet Literary 
 Society, an association of colored people, who said 
 that " the career of Mr. Small furnishes to the 
 American youth, another illustration of what can 
 
5° 
 
 be accomplished by dint of perseverance, self-de- 
 nial and true christian rectitude;" that "he was not 
 only a zealous advocate, in words, of the cause of 
 the oppressed, but, in deeds, has he shown his sym- 
 pathy towards the common brotherhood of man by 
 a constant dispensing of his munificence for their 
 amelioration and advancement, regardless of race, 
 color, or condition, thus endearing him to the 
 hearts of all lovers of right and justice. May the 
 Judge of the widow, and He who has promised to 
 be the father of the fatherless, be to the bereaved 
 ones all that our sincere prayers can invoke." 
 
 In a communication from Rev. Drs. Bingham 
 and Stewart, committee from the Board of Direc- 
 tors of Lincoln University, they say : " His was 
 an open, generous hand, moved by a heart that 
 loved to do good. As our benefactor, he gave lib- 
 erally and cheerfully. He counselled us wisely 
 and cheered us by his hopeful words. In his 
 death, the negro has lost a friend, but not until his 
 dusky hand had received the lamp of life from his 
 now glorified benefactor. . . . Many a drunkard 
 has risen from the gutter by the magic of his 
 tender heart and strong hand. Many a young 
 man owes his deliverance, under God, from sin 
 and shame, to the wise counsels and generous help 
 of our brother. He was a tower of strength to 
 his pastor and brethren in the church. God gave 
 him many souls for his hire." 
 
5* 
 
 In the York Daily of March 29th, appeared the 
 following lines which the contributor offered as 
 most appropriate to the death of Mr. Small : 
 
 " Through the golden gates of morning 
 
 Still another soul has sped, 
 Iu the bleeding heart of sorrow 
 
 One is numbered with the dead 
 On the diadem of glory, 
 
 iSt ill another star is set, 
 In the house of desolation, 
 
 Pallid cheeks with tears are wet. 
 
 "On a noble, trustful forehead, 
 
 Is a wreath of glory wound, 
 And a noble type of manhood, 
 
 Is witlt deathless being crowned. 
 From the coronet of friendship, 
 
 Gone is one transcendent gem. 
 Sparkling now in glorious beauty, 
 
 From a nobler diadem. 
 
 'Kindly heart. ' for the departed, 
 
 Long a thousand eyes shall weep, 
 And a thousand lips shall murmur, 
 
 Sweet and peaceful be thy sleep. 
 » Wbile t" us the stars shall whisper, 
 
 And the shining worlds shall sing 
 How from death and desolation 
 
 Life and joy and being spring. 
 
 " Fare thee well, O noble spirit, 
 
 While the changing seasons roll, 
 While the passions play and riot 
 
 Through the chambers of the soul, 
 While the evening star in beauty, 
 
 Stoops to kiss the slumbering sea, 
 Round our hearts shall fondly linger, 
 
 Tender memories of thee." 
 
52 
 
 Various communications expressive of high 
 esteem for the departed, and of sympathy for his 
 bereaved family, were received from such corpora- 
 tions as the Board of Trustees of the York County 
 Academy; the Board of Directors of the York Gas 
 Company ; the Board of Managers of the York 
 Water Company; the Board of Managers of the 
 Spring Garden Plank Road Company ; the Board 
 of Directors of the Lochiel Rolling Mill Company, 
 Harrisburg, Pa ; the Western Land Association of 
 Minnesota, represented by Jay Cooke, George 
 Whitney, Robert H. Lamborn, S. M. Felton, and 
 others. Also, letters addressed to the company, 
 from a large number of business firms and ac- 
 quaintances with whom he had been brought in 
 contact. 
 
 In one of the above, it is written: — "We deeply 
 regret to hear of the death of Mr. David E. Small. 
 Uniformly upright in his dealings, and of most 
 courteous and kindly demeanor, it was always a 
 pleasure to meet him, and we shall bear him in 
 pleasant memory." 
 
 In another — " I have met few men who com- 
 bined such a loving and genial temper, with, such 
 executive ability and clear business insight, and 
 I know he will be universally mourned not only in 
 your city, but wherever he was known." 
 
 In another — " Mr Small dwelt in a moral atmos- 
 phere higher and purer than that of the average 
 
53 
 
 man." In yet another: "His family circle, in 
 their irreparable loss, have with them the sympa- 
 thy of all who knew him." 
 
 "None knew him luit to love him, 
 None named him but to praise!" 
 
 To you, gentlemen, as his business associates, 
 we feel sure, the business world extend a brotherly 
 hand. His record will ever be your guiding star 
 to an increased success." 
 
 In private letters addressed to the bereaved 
 family, more extended tributes are paid to his 
 christian character and influence. Like one from 
 Rev. Dr. Robinson, of Harrisburg, who says: "I 
 cannot speak as I would, of your husband. His 
 memory will be dear to thousands. He has filled 
 up God's plan for his earthly life. No lifelike his, 
 consecrated to Christ, and guided by His Spirit, 
 can be incomplete. God wrought all His blessed 
 will in him, and by him, and his work was done, 
 and God's will was done." 
 
 Like one from Rev. George Robson, of Inver- 
 ness, Scotland, who visited at Mr. Small's when in 
 this country, as a delegate to the Presbyterian 
 Council at Philadelphia: — "If you knew," he says, 
 " what a warm place your happy family circle has 
 held in my heart ever since those sunny clays I 
 
54 
 
 spent in your now darkened home, you would 
 allow me to tender, very respectfully, my sincere 
 sympathy with you and your children under this 
 bereavement. Your loss, — may I say our loss, is 
 his gain. Blessed be Jesus for the bright hope 
 passing within the vail, which gives us this happy 
 consolation, and enables us to realize that, already 
 we 'are come unto the spirits of just men made 
 perfect.' Jesus stands between us and them, the 
 bond of union, the promise of re-union! 'I am 
 the Resurrection and the Life.' And, we must 
 see our Lord in the past as well as in the present 
 and the future. Praise Him for that life of useful- 
 ness leaving behind it a fragrant memory and a 
 holy influence ! Praise Him for all the joy and 
 brightness, and the sanctified sorrow which made 
 your home a Bethel." 
 
 " He had the courage of his convictions," says 
 another, " He dared to take responsibilities, to be 
 true, and to do right. The highest style of man 
 is christian. In this, we have the prime source of 
 his power for good, a Divine force added to his 
 noble qualities of mind and heart." 
 
 " My life and work," says a soldier, whom he 
 had befriended : " have been all the better, be- 
 cause of his sympathy and friendship. I bear wit- 
 ness to his kindness of heart, his warm friendliness 
 and broad liberality. He had a good word for 
 every one." 
 
55 
 
 " He was always most agreeable and polite to 
 every one," writes another, " but his gallantry 
 and devotion to his wife, extending to the minutest 
 attentions, could not but impress even a chance 
 acquaintance." 
 
 " Christ chose him to be my spiritual father," 
 says another, "How I loved him, when living, he 
 but faintly knew. How I shall ever venerate his 
 name, our Heavenly kather only knows. He has 
 met that Saviour who was his daily companion, 
 so many years, whose service he so hopefully pur- 
 sued, and whose Spirit he so exemplified in his 
 walk among men." 
 
 " I have alwavs regarded him as a wonderful 
 man," says another. " a rare specimen of hu- 
 manity. His business acumen combined with 
 promptness and perseverance, could not fail to 
 ensure success; but he was also, a man of grand 
 benevolent impulses and christian integrity. As a 
 speaker, he was eminently practical and interesting. 
 His voice had the ring of a true leader, and there 
 was no one in York, to whom I listened with more 
 pleasure. His model life will often be presented 
 for the imitation of youth." 
 
 "He touched me # to the quick," says another, 
 " by his pleadings, in the prayer meeting, and 
 aided much in bringing me into the strait and 
 narrow path." 
 
 Many more similar expressions from friends at 
 
56 
 
 home, and friends he made abroad, in business 
 circles, at summer resorts, and even when travel- 
 ling, might be quoted, all showing the magnetic 
 power which he possessed, and the happy chris- 
 tian influence he exerted. 
 
 One from a quaker lady who met him and Mrs. 
 Small at the sea-shore, says : — " Our acquaintance 
 was of short duration, but in those few days, at 
 Atlantic City, I could not fail greatly to admire 
 thy husband. His lovely christian character was 
 a speaking example to us all, and though thy loss 
 is very great, I almost realize what a gain for him! 
 I feel for thee, greatly, but I believe thee can 
 say, — 'Thy will be done,' knowing that thy 
 Father in heaven does not willingly afflict his chil- 
 dren. May the consolation be thine, which is 
 only given to those who are chosen in Him!" 
 
 A lady in Cincinnati, writes: — "Wait for the 
 light which will surely come at last, on that bright 
 morning when the ' day shall break and the 
 shadows flee away.' I can think just how you 
 must be living on the hope of that day, and seiz- 
 ing every promise of it which you find in your 
 Bible, in the comforting words of friends and pas- 
 tor, and in the beautiful outside world, with its 
 newly blossoming life, and its many lessons of the 
 Resurrection, at which you look through darkened 
 
 windows and tear-dimmed eyes A friend 
 
 was writing to me, the other day, of her loneliness 
 
 TT l II 
 
57 
 
 and longings, and of the hours that sometimes 
 come when she can hear the voice of her lost 
 husband, in whispers of consolation. It used to 
 say, ' till death us part,' but now, the message is, 
 'till death us join !' With such voices to comfort 
 and bid you rejoice, you do not need earthly com- 
 forters. I only wanted to come among the count- 
 less ones who honored and admired your grand, 
 good husband, and who will always feel life sweeter 
 and nobler for having known him." 
 
 In a note, from a young lawyer in Baltimore, he 
 writes: " I wished you to know not only how 
 deeply I feel for you in your loss, but also, how I 
 feel myself bereaved of a true friend, an inspiring 
 model, a great heart, to whom I could always look 
 for help and counsel. 'Against all fallen and traitor 
 lives' Mr. Small's life was a protest and a pro- 
 phecy. His character has certainly been to me a 
 loud trumpet-call to come up from the lowlands 
 of sensuality and worldliness ; and his memory 
 and his spirit continue to beckon higher ! It seems 
 as though the world could ill afford to spare him. 
 It seems as though blackness must come into our 
 lives because of the separation; but, for him what 
 a gain was death." 
 
 Yet another, from a clergyman of a different 
 denomination : "You have my deepest sympathy, 
 and most earnest prayers that the grace of our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may sustain you and 
 
5§ 
 
 yours in this great bereavement ; a great loss, not 
 to you only, but to the church which he honored, 
 and the large circle of friends who, like myself, 
 felt his life to be a continued benediction. It was 
 the beautiful simplicity of his life, and the clear, 
 transparent radiance of his saintly character, that 
 gleamed along the border of the, to us, dark- 
 shadow of death. May his children live as de- 
 voted to God as was he, and thus, to some extent, 
 fill the vacancy created in the Church and in the 
 world, by his departure." 
 
 -o- 
 
 " And I heard a voice from heaven saying 
 unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die 
 in the Lord, from henceforth: Yea, saith the 
 Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and 
 their works do follow them." 
 
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