Deacon Abijah Archer died at his home near Hemlock Lake on Friday morning last.
He was baptized in to the fellowship of the Baptist church at South Livonia by Elder T. B. Beebe, in the spring of 1836, and dismissed by letter from that church to unite with the Hemlock Lake Baptist church, of which he was the oldest living constituent member.
He was elected deacon at its constitution in the summer of 1838, and served his Lord and the church faithfully for more than forty years. During all of these years his life was distinguished by a consistent and firm adherence to the principles of the gospel of Christ.
Affable and courteous in his treatment of those who were of the contrary part, outspoken in his advocacy of the right, upright in his intercourse with men and charitable toward all, he was literally a “living epistle.” The church of Christ was especially dear to him and occupied a very large place in his affections. The best years of his life were consecrated to her advancement, while his best energies were exerted in her behalf. His pastor ever found in him a faithful coadjutor, wise counsellor, and devoted helper - in fact his whole religious life of nearly fifty years was a noble tribute as well as convincing testimony to the efficacy of the grace that sanctifies and saves men.
He leaves a widow, daughter, brother and two sisters, together with a large circle of friends, to mourn his loss.
“Truly a great and good man has fallen.” May the example of his pure and useful life be ineffacably enstamped upon these hearts.
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