Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-09
A CIcrgyman,s Funeral.

n y
In the following report Of the funeral Of Rev
Mr.. Halsey whose death, by an accident We re
Gently recorded We recognise the hand Of that late
distinguished ornament Of the press, Charles King
President Of Columbian College:
The funeral OF the late Rev. Charles H. Halsey
Rector Of Christ Church In this city, which tool
place on Saturday win long be remembered for th,
impressive ceremonial and affecting incidenti
which II called forth.
The sudden death Of brave strong man, labor
ing earnestly and successfully In the sacred calling
Of the Ministry full Of life OF health and of hope
with an unclouded past, serene present, and
future full Of PROMISE was naturally calculated tc
produce general and profound regret, and a. the
news spread of the manner and circumstances o.
that deaths gust of wind, falling hat, and II
the effort to recover II, priceless life extingush
ed--men held their breath almost In alright, ant
and even the least thoughtful or most con6den
seemed to realize the unsteadast footing of human
existence.
The clergy especially seemed to feel the loss o.
this their brother; 30 courteous, 80 gentle so nm
firing in duty; so ready to lend his help to every
good work; 20 slow TO take part In controversy 90
averse to strife; 30 wisely moderate a. to points
where difference Of views involved no deficiency in
principle; yet 30 calm and firm In the maintenance
at all fitting times Of his obligations incurred In the
discharge Of his duties as a Christian gentleman
and minister of the church.
Accordingly, when invited to take part In the
obsequies on Saturday, the whole body, il seemed
TO US, Of the Episcopal clergy of this city and Of
Brooklyn, with several from New Jersey, assembled
at the late residence of their deceased brother to
accompany to the church in which he ministered
his mortal remains. Nor was it the Episcopal
clergy alone, for the cergymen of other denomina-
tons were there, too, TO bear their tribute to
WORTH and, by their presence, to represent II may
be, perhaps, assumed, the universal feeling we
had almost said Of terror, at such bereavement.
The Rev. DR.. Hawks, Of Cavalry, with whom,
when Rector ofSt Thomas, Mr.. Halsey was asso-
ciated was asked to read the funeral service, with
the assistance of the Rev. DR.. Spencer
The funeral cortegs moved from the house soon
after 10 o'clock, A. H., preceded by two Church
Societies, and by the officiating clergy. The cof
I'm was borne on the shoulders of men--the pail
bearersin their gowns and scarfs accompanied it,
and following were the family, relatives, and near
friends Of the deceased; prominent among whom
was Major General Scott, and then came an army
Of the cergy-such as except at the funeral of the
late Bishop Wainwright, we have not before seen.
Arrived at the Church-which was thronged to
the uttermost-the coffin was placed near the
chaucel rail- and the beautiful and solemn rites for
the dead, as prescribed by the Episcopal Church,
were performed and who that was present could
uOuOVeu
rendered by DR.. Hawks, amidst sobs and tears in
all parts Of the Church.
This ended, It was announced by DR.. Hawks
that the burial was TO take place ct jamaica L. L.
but that before the removal Of the body, those Of
the congregation who desired onoe more to look
upon the face Of their pastor might do 90, by pass
ing up the centre aisle and down the side sisles
Then took place scene never to be forgotten by
any who witnessed il.
q A. c. III L. - ~ MI -
life, head and face were uninjured and large
glass let into the lid Of the coffin, gave full view
Of the face-cam, unsuffenng passionless.
The congregation passed In review before their
dead pastor--young and old, rich and poor black
and white-slowly, sadly, solemnly, silently
that ever anon there struggled forth irrcpressble
tears and means, chiefly from the young, and again
from the aged poor-Gods poor whom be had 30
faithfully tended.
Sunday school children--the one book mark with
the sentiment worked In gold aud silver Ye shall
wear Grown Of Glory, "-the other a chaplet Of
white flowers. fea
Finally the coffin was conveyed to the hearse,
and in the charge of the family was conveyed to
Jamaica, L. L
Yesterday Sunday Christ Church wss again
filed TO overlooking to listen TO funeral sermon
by the Rev. DR.. Hawks The pulpit, reading desk,
cnancSi, faus, ana cnalrb, ana the nectore pew,
were a. the day before, dressed In black. Il was
Communion Sunday, and the white napkin, cover
ing the sacred elements, contrastsd significantly
with the habilimenn OF wo--as these elements
were the remedy for all mortal woes.
The service and the sermon were most devoutly
istcned TO, and many heart throbbed and many
an eye streamed as the eloquent preacher while in
reading the beautiful liturgy and in delivering his
sermon, brought ont, in all their tenderness, and
strength, and consolation, the promise of blessed
immortality to those who die In the Lord. His
text was, And He said unto her thy brother shall
riss again. How this wns handled, how enforced,
how applied TO this particular case We win not at
tempt 70 state farther than 70 say that TASTE feel
ing, deep spirituality, and fervent love for the
deceased who had gone, as the reverend preacher
expressed his undoubting conviction, to his rest
and bis reward marked every word, sentence,
and tone.
The ministration Of the communion to very
large number ftly terminated this solemn and re-
markable service.-E. Y Cosr. and Enquirer.