Joseph Sutherland by J. H. Morrison

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1911

Joseph Sutherland

By J. H. Morrison

JOSEPH SUTHERLAND was born in Canada, near Montreal, Dec. 20, 1839. He moved with his parents to Lodi, Wis., where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rankin in 1863. He and his wife finally made their home at Otranto, Iowa, then one hundred miles from a railroad. There the four children born to them were reared. One of these, Prof. E. A. Sutherland, is well known to the readers of the REVIEW. Brother Sutherland was trained after the strictest order, his father being a Presbyterian minister. He accepted the Adventist faith in 1873, under the labors of Elder Isaac Sanborn. In 1889 he sold his farm, and moved to Battle Creek, Mich., to educate his children, and there became connected with our denominational work.

When Union College was established, he was asked to take the management of that institution. He put his whole life force into the college, sparing no pains, enduring every hardship, even to the detriment of his health, to keep the institution in active operation during the years of its infancy, helpless as it was to cope with the trials of its early existence. It was his constant burden and anxiety day and night.

It was this, with his sterling qualities of integrity and uprightness, that endeared him to the faculty, and to the students, thousands of whom are now scattered all over the land. They loved him as a father, and their hearts will be touched with sadness when the news of his death reaches them.

He safely managed our institution through the panic and drought of 1893-95, while other institutions went down to ruin. Under the strain and burden of the work, his health began to fail in 1900, and in 1905 it was so broken he was obliged to resign. Since then most of the time has been spent with his children, and it was evident to all his friends that his infirmities were increasing with his advanced years. He passed through days and weeks of languor, but not any the less of suffering because quietly borne with clear sight, sound mind, and calm courage as he looked forward to his approaching end.

On the morning of September 27 he was taken violently ill, and realized that his time was short. He expressed an earnest desire to see all his family before he died. His faithful wife and three of his children were present to comfort him in his dying moments. He fell asleep on the morning of September 28, at his farm home near Lawrence, Kan. He was a model man, honorable, noble, and conscientious in all his work, a faithful husband, a kind father, and a true friend.

The funeral services were conducted by Elder A. T. Robinson, assisted by Prof. Frederick Griggs and Elder F. M. Burg, at College View, Neb., October 1, a very large and appreciative audience listening to impressive words based upon Rev. 14:13.

It is to be hoped that the departure of one who was so dear may better prepare us for the end that may await us. The bright promise to the faithful illuminates the darkness of the night when it comes. As the ties that bind us to this life are broken, and as one after another is called from our circle, we find ourselves better prepared to appreciate the hope of the saints.

We may miss the world's honors and the world's plaudits, but if our cause is right, we can be victorious even in defeat. The world can never understand the yearnings of a great heart that is determined to know and to do the right, let it cost what it may.

How fitting it is, after the toils and struggles of these threescore and ten years; after the battles and conflicts of this discordant life, to have a little while to rest. It is comforting to know that while our dear ones are passing through the valley of the shadow of death, they fear no evil. Soon the long dark night of sin and death will be over, and the trumpet-like voice will break in upon the sleep of ages, awakening the righteous to a glorious immortality. J. H. MORRISON.