Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/77

Rh In a tribute paid to the memory of Mr. Carter by Mr. A. D. F. Randolph, at a meeting of the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society, January 2, 1890, occur the following words:—

“It is possible that the departure of our friend touches me more closely than any one else here. For more than fifty years I knew him, I see him now as when I saw him first; I see him now as when I met him last. Time with its many changes wrought no change in his affection for me, brought no loss in mine for him. And yet for nearly two-score years our business life ran along somewhat parallel lines,—rival lines as some might say,—but without a single controversy or contention of any kind.

“… Here, if anywhere, I may emphasize his eminent service to the church and the world as a Christian publisher. I recall the first book that bore his honored imprint. It was a treatise on the doctrine of the atonement of Christ. Cradled in a theology as rugged as the hills under whose shadows he was born, our friend loved the meat of strong doctrine, and this first publication, on a central and fundamental doctrine of the Gospel, was the keystone of the broad arch which he subsequently built. There was not a stone in it that was not a stone of truth; yet all were not purely theological or controversial, while over them was trailed many a vine of parable and story bearing the blossom and the fruit of Scripture truth. And so if his own theology was as rugged as his native hills, it was neither cold nor sterile. To it there ever came, as there always comes to them, the gentle rains of the spring, the fresh and beautiful verdure, the quickening suns of summer, and the full bloom of the heather.

“I know that it has been said of him in this connection, that he was narrow, But he only desired, as has been said by another, to be as broad and as narrow as the Book of