Hiram College - Spider Web Yearbook (Hiram, OH)

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and this from Longfellow: And with childlike, credulous affection Vtfe behold their tender buds expand, Emblems of our great resurrection, Emblems of the bright and better land. When death came, as we are told by one who was present, it had no fears for him. He died as he had lived, in the bright hope of a blessed immortality, looking not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are not seen. Although he died in the prime of manhood, his life measured by its varied ertperiences and his untiring service for the good of others is rich and full. He had his faults and limitations as do we all, but we would forget the little short- comings common to our weak humanity and cherish the memory of his many virtues and strive to imitate them. I do but voice the sentiment of many hearts when I say of him, a faithful worker, a true hero, one of Godis noblemen. His work here is Hnished and he is gone, passed away from our field of vision: and yet he lives not only in the bright world beyond, but also in the hearts of many with whom and for whom he worked. He has put off the mortal that crurnbles into dust that he may be clothed with immortality. Hffedit item retro, de terra quod fuit ante, In terras, et quod missumst ex aetheris oris, Id rursum caeli rellatum templa receptantf' God has so ordered his world that we all must leave behind us a legacy in our influence. The memory of one who has been helpful to his fellow-men is like the sweet perfume that lingers in a room after the flower is gone -- a thought in harmony with the following little poem of which Professor Pierson himself is the author: I saw a rose, at early morn, Hang high above a cruel thorn 3 A gardener trimmed the thorn away The rose was there at close of day.. ! K! I saw the muddy water rise, When showers fell from April skiesg The skies put on an azure look, Clear ran the water of the brook. it I saw a star in beauty play Along the glimmering milky way, The star in cloud and shadow set, But o'er me falls its radiance yet. 1 G. A. Pncicn.-iM. I5

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was no small task for him, having to rely upon his own earnings for support, to complete a college course, but in spite of all obstacles, or perhaps by virtue of them, the coveted goal was reached in June, 1879, when he graduated with the degree of Ph. B. From the time of his graduation until his death he served his Alma Mater as teacher with the exception of one year which he gave wholly to preaching. His life was a very busy one, for with all of his duties as a college professor, and they were by no means light, he rarely passed a Sunday without preaching, a work for which he was in great demand. The common people heard him gladly and he rendered many of the weak churches near Hiram valuable service through his ministry, for he considered the needs of the congregation rather than the amount of money to be received for his work. He was also a favorite instructor and lecturer at teachers' institutes, often receiving calls for this work from other states besides his own. In the pulpit and on the platform as well as in the class-room he was helpful and inspiring. He was an honored son of his Alma Mater whom he served for many years as professor of English and Psychology, a position which he held when called from his work by death june 15, Igoo. Professor Pierson was a man of noble ambitions, high ideals and generous impulses, who was always ready to help others, and we feel that life is better and richer for having been associated with him in life's work. He knew what it was to have sorrow and trials, to do work under difficulties, for each of his first two wives died after a long sickness, and yet he made a success of life. He trusted in One that is mighty and leaned upon His strong arm So in his life there was joy with the grief and more of sunshine than of shadow. His visits to the churches week by week and his labor of love among his brethren were to him sources of great satisfaction. A firm belief in the gospel that he preached helped him over many hard places. He was a great lover of poetry especially such as touched upon the future life. Passages like the following from 'Whittier were among his favorites: Alas for him who never sees i The stars shine through his cypress trees, Who hopeless lays his dead away, Nor looks to see the breaking day Across the mournful marbles play ! I4

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KE A.H1NSDALE. BU ATE ATW JOHN M. ,V - CI. W EVERESD HARVEY