p. 48 | A SAD HARVEST by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1900

A SAD HARVEST.

By Uriah Smith

Within the last three months, four of our prominent laborers engaged in foreign fields have been stricken down by disease, and laid away. Elder W. C. Grainger, laboring in Japan, died of fever the 31st of last October; Elder R. S. Webber died in St. John’s, Newfoundland, November 20; and Elders D. A. Robinson and F. W. Brown died of smallpox in Calcutta, India, about December 31, the cablegram announcing their death being received Jan. 1, 1900. Further than this announcement, we have no particulars in these cases, as no letters have yet been received.

The news of the decease of Elder Webber came as a peculiar affliction to the church in Battle Creek, on account of the position he so long held in the work in this place. For years he performed pastoral labor here, endearing himself to all with whom his work brought him in contact. His uniform genial and Christ-like courtesy, and his unselfish and untiring efforts to do good to all, and to help all in every possible way, were his prominent characteristics. His labors were a great help to the church, and prized by all. And when he was called to another field of labor in the East, he was greatly missed here. Other efficient laborers have served the church in this place since his day; but Elder Webber will ever be remembered with peculiar esteem and love by a host of friends and brethren, to whose interests he devoted himself with such singleness of purpose. On his return to the East, he labored for several years in St. John, New Brunswick, where the companion of his youth was stricken down with pneumonia, and taken from his side. He was subsequently sent as a missionary to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he labored with success till his health failed him, a short time ago. A short sketch of his life in the Richmond (Me.) Bee, of Dec. 1, 1899, states that no man was ever held in higher esteem by his neighbors than was Elder Webber; and anyone who had had the privilege of being acquainted with him, would know that this would be the case. He was ever consistent and earnest in his Christian life; and we can but confidently suppose that he is certain of a part in the great reward, at the resurrection of the just. He died in St. John’s, November 20, but was taken to his home in Richmond, Me., for burial, where services were held by Elder P. B. Osborne, in the Free Baptist church, assisted by the pastor. Elder Webber had one child, who was very suddenly prostrated with disease, and died six days before his father, neither of them knowing of the death of the other. He leaves a wife, brothers and sisters, and a large circle of more distant relatives. But his work is done; and his record is in safe keeping in the hands of our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. U. S.