Sweeney, Frank Newton
12/19/1936
May 5, 1859 - December 19, 1936 |
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| Life cannot be reckoned by its day or by its decades, but rather in terms of its intensity, its character and its usefulness. With the passing at Franklinton,, La., of Rev. Frank Newton Sweeney, on December 19, 1936, a long life span of more than 77 years was closed, but more than that, a vital force for righteousness and a ready spirit of human helpfulness was lost to the Church and community where he lived. The length of his life upon the earth does not matter so’ much but the quality of his life and of his service to his generation matters a great deal. Brother Sweeney was, in many respects, a remarkable man. He ‘was ready, day or night, to answer any calls for service, from whatever source, that came within the range of his powers. Although he was a superannuate for the last twenty years of his life he was always very active in those labors characteristic of the pastorate. He visited the sick, ministered to the sorrowing, buried the dead when his services were requested for this ministry, worked on the ‘vacation Bible schools, looked after the interests of the Advocate for his pastor and did such other work as opportunity offered or his pastor, his church, or his community requested. His capacity for friendship was phenomenal. Wherever he served—whether among his own kin or among strangers,’ whether among poop1e of his own church or those of other denominations, he always made friends whose respect and love for him never faded with the years. And out of’ his numerous friendships came many happy experiences to brighten and enrich the later years of his life. During his years on the effective roll of the Conference Brother Sweeney did excellent work. He brought to his task great earnestness of spirit and readiness of mind and energy. |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Pages 103-104, 1937, by Charles E. McLean | |
