MR JOHN ANDERSON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 95, 20 March 1940, Page 10

MR JOHN ANDERSON

HIS LIFE AND CHARACTER. (Contributed by an Old Friend.) A great many residents of Sandon and others throughout the Alanawatil will have Joarneu with surprise and deep regret of the death ot Mr John Anuerson, which took place, lollowing I a comparatively brief illness, at Wellington on Friday last. Born at Wellington in 1874, he came to Sanson when a young lad with his parents, the late Mr and Airs C. L. Anderson, who were pioneering storekeepers in that district in the ’seventies of last century. As boy and man the deceased gentleman grew up in the village and eventually succeeded to tiic control of his father’s business, which he conducted for many years before embarking on a farming venture at Bunnythorpe. Sonic 18 years ago lie again removed, to Wellington, where he continued to reside till death intervened. He was married to Aiiss Potier 42 years ago, and the only child of the union, their son Clarence, was a victim of the devastating epidemic of 1918. Such is the briefest outline of his family history, hut to encompass anything approaching a complete record of the manifold activities to which he devoted his life and. talents, together with his outstanding character as a man, would bo entirely' beyond a notice such as this. This fact notwithstanding, tho writer feels constrained to make passing reference to the sentiments which he and many others feel in their loss of friend and counsellor. John Anderson was in the truest sense an estimable man and a friend of all. It had been my privilege since ive were boys together to have known him intimately and to have been closely associated with him in many spheres during the past 60 years, and although our outlook, definition and conception of many problems in life often varied, there was never a time when the 'bonds of friendship were strained. He bore an honest and lovable character, which found its highest expression in his faithful adherence to the Alethodist Church, in whose vineyard lie served his Alaster with distinction in the capacities of choirmaster, Sunday school superintendent, and lay preacher. His rich, baritone voice made him a popular figure on many concert platforms, and no worthy movement was denied his talented assistance. The tenets and principles embodied in the philosophy of Freemasonry found in him a true and firm exponent of the teaching embraced by the brotherhood of the mystic tie which he, as a Past Master of Lodge llangitikei, ennobled by incorporating its doctrine into terms ot daily life in the same manner as was shown in his Christian professions. Ho was a righteous man who acted with justice, was merciful and forbearing, and walked humbly before God. He was ever the silent friend of the widow and fatherless in their affliction and never turned a deaf ear to any worthy appeal for guidance or other assistance. In very “bis path was the path of the just shining toward the perfect day.” Of W'orldly goods lie was not covetous and his solicitude for the well-being of others was alien to the accumulation of monetary wealth; hut no man ha.passed this way and gone to his reward richer than he in esteem and priceless friendships which came to him spontaneously. Now he is gone; his mortal remains have been reduced to ashes and his spirit has passed the shadowy veil into the unseen world in the realms beyond. The Great Architect has placed another perfect stone in His Eternal Mansion, while we who are permitted to sojourn in this troublous world a little longer will ever retain the comforting reflection that a gentleman such as John Anderson once lived and laboured amongst us. Alore intimate survivors who lament their deep loss are his sorely stricken widow' her aged mother, Mrs Potier, sister’and brothers. The closely relatcd mourners of his own family ; nections are Airs A. E. Pearce (Waituna), Mrs S. H. W'rigley (Wellington), Mrs AY. E. Pearce (bandon). Airs H. T. A’Court (Levin) and younger brothers Messrs Alfred (Auckland), Leo (Bulls), and Roy (Ohakea). A sister. Mary, w'idow ot tho late Air Maurice Pearce, predeceased him at Auckland a few months ago. . .-it This humble tribute, it is hoped, may in some small measure express the regard of all others who like myself, have been deprived of a friend and at the same time convey sympathy with those who were near and dear to him. “’Tis not gold but only men who make a nation great.”