- 1899, Friday September 29, The Almonte Gazette, page 4
DEATHS
At Almonte, September 25th, John McCarter, age 76 years.
1899, Friday September 29, The Almonte Gazette, page 8
Mr John McCarter Dead
An Honoured and Respected Citizen Gone to His Rest-
- One Whose Life and Influence was always on the Side of Right.
Almonte lost one of its oldest as well as one of its best and most useful citizen when the spirit of Mr John McCarter took its flight and passed over to join the great majority, about one o'clock last Monday. The late Mr McCarter was born in Brechin, Scotland, on April 10th, 1823, and was therefore in his 77th year at the time of his death. His earlier years were spent as a farm servant and in working at the blacksmith trade. With more than ordinarily good natural endowments and fired with the ambition that characterized the Scottish youth of his day, he later on attended the Brechin grammar school, and spent one session in Aberdeen University, having as his companion and classmate Professor Crocket, of Morin college, Quebec. In 1852 Mr McCarter came to Canada, and his lot was first cast in Ramsay. Shortly after his arrival, he secured a position as teacher in the Bennie's Corners school, where he taught with efficiency and success for thirteen years. In 1865 he was appointed head master of the Arnprior public school where he remained for four years, when he received the appointment of principal of the Almonte public schools, which position he filled with profit to his pupils an credit to himself for twenty-three years. In 1892 he resigned that position of his own free will, but although ceasing to have any connection as teacher with the schools, for the past seven years his interest in education did not in the least flag, and he has filled for several years past, the position of trustee. Shortly after coming to Canada Mr McCarter married Miss Agnes Young, eldest daughter of the late Peter Young, who has been, in the very highest sense, a true helpmate to him through all these years of hard labour and much anxiety. Their union was blessed with a family of six sons and five daughters, all but one of whom are still living, Mr McCarter's death being the first break in the family circle, with the exception of an infant. During his last illness he was tenderly cared for by a devoted wife and loving children. It was a great pleasure to deceased to receive a visit a few weeks ago from his son, William, who resides in Victoria, but who very regretfully was obliged to return to his business before the end came. Two other sons, Peter and Alexander, are in the Klondike, and much sympathy is felt for them because of their inability to be at home at the closing scene of their father's life. John, was here from Toronto some days ago, but business demands called him away to the coast about ten days ago. Robert is ill at Winnipeg and was unable to undertake the journey home. All the rest of the family were present at their father's deathbed. The deep anxiety felt by the people of Almonte and the surrounding country as to the probable issue of Mr McCarter's illness, the consequent inquiries about his health, and the oft-express desire that he might recover, testified to the high esteem in which the deceased was held in the community. It could not well be otherwise, for his life was always spent in the furtherance of everything that had a tendency to promote the material, moral and religious interests of the community. In politics he could scarcely be called a party politician, but nature and education made him a Liberal and he generally approved the course and policy of that party and voted accordingly. He was a devoted and active member of session of St John's (Presbyterian) church, and was for about thirty years superintendent of the Sabbath school as well as a faithful and ernest teacher, and to these duties he gave his time and his strength in sunshine and in rain. Of him it may truly be said, "he rests from his labours and his works do follow him." The funeral took place on Wednesday forenoon at ten o'clock and was attended by many ? some from Brockville, Carleton Place and other places ? who desired to do honour to the memory of one whom in life they had learned to respect. The pallbearers were six brothers of Mrs McCarter ? Messrs William, Peter, John, Steen, Robert and Andrew Young, Rev A.E. Mitchell conducted the services at the home and grave, and so appropriate was his address at the house to the occasion and the subject that we give it below: There are times in one experiences when he would feign bow his head and in silence mingle his tears with those who mourn. Such is my experience today. Not that there is not plenty one would like to say, for there is much one could speak about with truth and profit. It is rather the feeling that comes when there is the consciousness that that one to whom you looked for counsel, and with whom you held sweet intercourse so many time in things spiritual, and whose strong hand held you up so often, is now lying in the cold embrace of death. His life work is accomplished, his mission is performed, his race is run. We would gladly have kept him with us longer, but God willed it otherwise. "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." We are comforted today with the thought that we need not sorrow as those who have no hope. He who has fallen asleep in Christ is not to be lamented. He has lost nothing. He has gone to be with Christ, which is far better. "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Jesus knew the terrible sorrow of bereavement. He had stood by the beside of Jarius' daughter, by the young man's bier at Nain, by the tomb of Lazarus. He knew how unreasonable it was, how subtle, how passionate. He knew the dead weight at the heart which never passes away, and the sudden rush of feeling which overpowers the strongest; and that all this sorrow might not rest upon His church unrelieved. He lifted the curtain that we might see with our own eyes the strong consolation beyond. "Those who remain will be caught up in company with those who are gone to meet Him, and all who believe in Him shall dwell with Him forever." In the midst of our sorrow there are two things especially for which we are thankful and which bring us comfort. These are his life and death. We are not going to eulogize ? that would be far from his own wishes ? but we are justified in referring to his life as one of simplicity. He lived as one who believed the life was more than meat, the body than raiment. He realized he was not a body with a soul in its possession, but a soul with a body for its habitation. He had found his soul. The glitter and glare of this world had no attraction for him. The sham was easily detected and the reality of things discovered ad valued. He was a life of devotion to what he believed to be his duty. We admired his devotion to duty. Time was to him one of God's most precious gifts. There were few idle minutes in his life. His intellect was stored with useful knowledge, knowledge which he gained for the most part from a wise and judicious use of spare moments. It was a real luxury to him to read a good book, nor did he ever leave it until he had mastered its contents and made them his own. When satisfied he ought to do a thing, he did it if within his power. Nor was he easily discouraged. Amid difficulties he was faithful to the trusts committed to him. Is there any finer quality we can manifest than faithfulness? Does God expect anything more of us? Is any richer reward than the crown of life promised to all who are faithful? To one who had lived such a life we would look for only one kind of death. As he lived he died. Unshrinkingly he passed beyond our horizon, beyond the reach of human arm or help, but he leaves behind him the memory of a useful, loving life, coupled with a peaceful triumphant death. He passed away in the sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection. The secret of this life was the secret of his death, so calm and peaceful. It was Christ found within him the hope of glory in his immediate circle, but in the congregation with which he has so long been identified, in the session, in the Sabbath school over which he presided so many years with efficiency, but we shall not forget him. When it can be said "To me to live is Christ" it will also be said "to me to die is gain." In his grave we place the flowers of memory; on his grave we lay the flowers of love; above his grave we put the star of hope, as we say father, husband, brother, friend,
good-bye. Good-bye for a little while, for
"We are only waiting till the shadows are a little longer grown,
Only waiting till the glimmer of the last day's beam has flown,
Then, from out their gathered darkness, holy deathless stars shall rise,
By whose light our souls shall gladly tread their pathway to the skies."
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1823 - 1899 (76 years)
