Bro. Stephen Hampton Burris was born at Franklinton, Washington Parish, La., July 24th 1870, and departed this life May 9, 1914, making him at the time of his demise forty-three years, nine months and fifteen days old. He was married to Miss Alma W. Varnado Jan. 15, 1893. They lived happily together for twenty one years. To this union were born eight children, five girls and three boys, one of whom, Stephen Hampton Burris, Jr., preceeded him to the glory land. Bro. Burris was converted when quite young and united with the Methodist church and lived a faithful and consistent life to the end. Few men have been as faithful to the church as he. He supported its institutions and attended upon its ordinances. He was a true friend to all the ministers of the Gospel. No preacher ever had a truer friend than Bro. Burris. He was taken away in the very prime of life when he could have been worth most to his family, his country and his church, but, while we may not be able to understand, He is too wise to make a mistake and too good to be untrue. Bro. Burris was a devoted husband and indulgent father, a true friend and a devout christian. We might say of him that he was not untrue in any of the exalted duties which he owed to his God, his country or his family. We will not soon forget the gowing [sic] away of this man, for he was worth so much to us. Let us remember the words of our Master and be encouraged. "If any man keep my words he shall not see death." This promise of the Master was fulfilled when Bro. Burris came to the supreme hour May 9, 1914, just as the day was breaking, he awoke in a new world and saw the beginning of a day in eternity instead of the beginning of another day upon earth. The walls of Sparta's cities were men. The bulworks and the aggressive strength of Zion are men whom God has filled with his spirit and who are devoted to his will. As these pass from our ranks our hope is in the genetic power of their life and spirit by which others are raised up to take their places. May the God of this man cause his falling mantle to abide in us who look after him heavenward. To the bereaved ones we extend our heartfelt sympathy and pray that the God of all truth may overhadow them with his love.
Rev. J. A. McCormick
