...when Sanford Teter was suddenly stricken with what seemed to be
impending death, he went under the anaesthetic for the intricate and
serious surgical operation which so marvelously prolonged his life....
He recovered sufficiently for twelve additional years of courageous and
victorious living. Surely those twelve years had their providential
purpose. They were years which constituted an additional period of service
for him. They were years in which he made himself a benediction to
his friends.
But those twelve years constituted his fiercest and most fiery trial. A
brave man is not afraid to die. There are many who can go down into the
edge of the valley, not knowing whether they shall ever return, and yet
not flinch nor falter. But, though the facing of what may be imminent
death requires great courage, it requires greater courage on the part of
a strong man to sit by the window for twelve years watching the rest of
the world go by without being able to join in its activity. He longed with
all the power of an intense spirit to be at work, to be moving among his
friends, to be sharing in the life of a world of enterprise and endeavor.
Not to be able to do so was a real trial by fire for him, but he came out
unscathed by its flame. Life exacted a heavy price from him, but he paid
it with a smile. There is no bitterness on this quiet face that lies
before us, because there was no bitterness in his heart. He passed through
the fire, but he did not let it burn away his courage....