IN MEMORIAM.
Bryant Phillips was born in Jasper county, Ga., Oct. 25th 1872, and died in Monticello, Ga., Nov. 6, 1892.
A noted writer said, "Born, lived and died, summed up the great epitome of man," but while true in some respects, it is far from being time in all. Life begins on earth, but does not end at the dark portals of the tomb. The coffin, thy shroud, the mourner's tear, the silence of the sorrowful hours so faced to our grief, all of these are funeral, but there is no death; it is only transition from life here to life over yonder. While this is true, we also feel that it is equally true, that the departure of the good of earth is often sanctified to the good of the living. We knew Bryant Phillips - knew his life - knew his relations to this bustling, throbbing world around us, and we feel that he made the world better for having lived in it. Cut off in the first flush of his young manhood, turning away from the roseate and bright - hued vista that is so charmingly spread out before the young, - he, with the hand of affliction pressing heavily upon him, turned into the Savior of men, and His promises, and with patient resignation in his dying hours, sang the lines of those beautiful songs, "Some sweet day" and "Wait and murmur not." Bryant had anchored to the hope within the veil. As a companion, he was gentle, chaste and pure. As a friend he was true. As a young man in the business world, he was faithful to every trust, honest and polite, and stood firmly upon principle. Possessing a quiet disposition, he was never self assertive in word, but much so by deed. The strongest point in his character was his tender love for his mother. It was touchingly beautiful. She was his monitor, and at her feet was the shrine where he poured out the richest and choicest stores of his love. The writer has often seen his handsome face light up with a smile almost seraphic as he would speak of her. He was obedient and did his parents honor everywhere. Truly, he was a beautiful life! A large concourse of friends gathered at the family burial ground near Monticello, where the last sad burial rites were performed. Rev. W. T. Palmer at the grave made touching appeals to the living to follow the Savior, etc., bringing his beautiful and appropriate remarks to a close. Rev. O. C. Simmons uttered an eloquent and touching prayer, the grave was then closed and tearfully, and reverently the people left the cemetery. We would, if we could, offer consolation to the bereft. The family has sustained a great loss. Monticello has lost an ornament to her society. Jasper county, one of her best, purest and noblest young men. May he who knew sorrow and was acquainted with grief, whisper peace to every heart bowed beneath the stroke of this sad affliction, and may we all "Wait and murmur not" and meet Bryant on the happy golden shore "Some sweet day."
Source: Jasper County News, Monticello, Georgia, Thursday, November 10, 1892; Pg. 2, Column 2
