Lawrence Auster, in New York City in January of 2013

TODAY is the first anniversary of the death of Lawrence Auster, cherished friend, mentor and much-loved conservative writer who died of pancreatic cancer in the early morning hours of Good Friday last year. I will always vividly remember Mr. Auster’s death and his friendship. I was with him when he died and I will visit his grave today, where I will pray for his perpetual rest and for his many friends and companions. May you too have a good death. May you, dear friends, be inspired by his search for truth and his battles against great leveling forces. May you too fight for the “undying things.”

They know undying things, for they
Wander where earth withers away,
Though nothing troubles the great streams
But light from the pale stars, and gleams
From the holy orchards, where there is none
But fruit that is of precious stone,
Or apples of the sun and moon.

  —-   from “Baile and Aillinin,” William Butler Yeats

The De Profundis, from Psalm 130, is often said by Catholics in commemoration of the dead:

Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand?
But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered.
I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word.
My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord,
For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption;
And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.

If you would like to contribute to the purchase of Mr. Auster’s tombstone, chosen by his friends, please write to me and I will tell you where to send your donation. Below is the statue of St. Paul, with sword in hand, which is not far from Mr. Auster’s grave, at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, Pennsylvania.

Photo by Kidist Paulos Asrat

— Comments —

Karl D. writes:

It is hard to believe that a year has passed so quickly since Lawrence Auster’s death. The date of his death will always be burned into my memory because it falls on the same week as my birthday. I miss Larry and his incredible mind. His ability to see the issues and break them down like a laser beam was something I admired in him immensely and try to do myself. He indeed imbued in me a new way of looking at things. What is the true and the good? He is missed.

Don Vincenzo writes:

I, too, think of our dearly departed friend often, and every night he is in my prayers. He truly was a force of Nature, and his absence is duly noted.

Let me know where I can make a contribution to his headstone.

Texanne writes:

I would like to contribute towards the headstone for Lawrence Auster.  I am among his many grateful readers who so appreciated his clarity, knowledge and honesty, as well as the time and care he devoted to sharing this with us so unselfishly — even in his great suffering.  The courage with which he was always pursuing Truth gave us courage, too — and gave us a model to help us in our discernment during such chaotic times.

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