New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-30
THE COMFY ISLAND CATASTROPHE.

-------------
THE COMFY ISLAND CATASTROPHE.
FUNERAL OF Mr.. AND MISS ELLIOTT
Tie funeral Of tie Rev. John Eso.t and his daugh-
ter Mary Ann, who lost their lives at Coney Island
lsst week, took place Yesterday afternoon a ths
Methodist Mission Church in SOUTH Thrcst-, corner
Of Union-sv Brooklyn Their untimely death had
awakened 6eep interest in the community and an
immense concourse OF people were present 70 join in
The last sad rites 10 tie dead. The funeral did not
take place until nearly O'Clock, bat as early as
o'clock every available place in the church was occu-
pied; in fact nearly all Of the congregation of the
morrirg remained in their seats for fear they would
no; be able 10 gain admittarce. Peop'e came hon all
pars Of the cy ard the streets in the vicinity OF the
church were bIockaied. and probably not less than
1900 persons were present The funeral procession
arrived from BowIonville about 81 o'clock.
The church, though dersely crowded, could not
hold 1.-THE of the vast number Of people that hocked
TO the funeral so the ministers concluded to por1rm
the ceremonies in the open air. Tie collins contain
irp the remains OF the deceased minister and his
chld were borne TO vacant spot opposite the church
and placed upon benches. The inscription upon the
cefin Of the father told that his name was John II.
Elicit and that be departed this life in the 37th year
Of bis age; that upon the coffin OF his daughter read
Mary Ann Elliott. ded July 25 1853, aged Il years
"and months" Some kind friend brought fair
whi.e foNers-young rose-buds twined with sweet
iessnmine-and laid them upon the lid Of poor Marys
cofip and then the heart-stricken wife and mother
ceme and sat down by the cofins of her dead husband
and child. her double grief finding utterance in low
wsilings for her loved oues. Her remaining children
Gathered around her. and he who was soon to have
- rIr
weep. The scene was truly solemn and impressive
end few however stout-hearted N that great assem-
bace looked on IT urmoved.
The services were begun by the Rev. JOIN L. GIL
DIR Of Flushing, who gave out hymn;
WHY should our tear In souow flow
When God cas his own
Ard bids them leave a word Of wo
Fer on immortal Crowd
After tie choir had sung the hymn the minis er Of
red an impressive prayer that the bereaved family
miott be supported in their deep affection by the
Good Comforter and al,o that all peo lie within the
sound Of his voice hit heed the warning OF me I'M
certainty of hfe and he prepared for the better life
Whenever Providence T. ghi be pleased to call them
TO enter upon it.
Al lie conrlu-ion Of the prayer the Rev ABRAHAM
j. FRANCIS resd the hymn coumem llg
Sister. hon mild and lovely.
Gentle a. the Summers breeze
which was sung by the choir aud congregation.
The Rev. Mr.. FRAScIs then, addressing the null
titude, said:
RrIoyyp FRrFSns: It was our intention TO have
had regular gious services, an appropriate sermon
and two or three addresses but IN view OF the pecu-
liar circumstances under which we are placed, II mas
been deemed expedient TO deter those services until
another occasion of which due notice viii be gwen.
And now let us look at the solemn scene before US
Look uron this sOrrowing family about to part with
all that remains of what was md father sioVlng
husband, beloved daughter and an aheeu9nate SIS
fer Dear friends there is something peculiarly aneet-
inc in their bereavement; something that goes
home to all our hearts and wlkens all our
latent svmpaihies into activity. we should
learn from this scene how soon We may De sum
rnoned into the eternal world; should realize
bow fleeing and uncertain is all happiness, aud be
prepsrcd TO enter when il shall please God TO Gull US,
III on the eternal felicity that awuts the righteous IN
the world that is to come. Were we 10 attempt to
uortray the scene which transpired at that home on
the DAY of this great calamity language would fail u.s.
W. see item III the morning gaily seung Out WIN tLe
anticipation of a day OF pleasure. Inc evening
draws on apace and the absent ones are looked
for with anxiety; IT is night, aud they have
not vet returned. Can aDv'L, nave hap.
opened 3" the mother aaf CALCULATES, and she
.;.r,- 10 catch ne sound of the returning carriage
That i 10 bear hack Ter loved ones. at lengih the
sourd Of wheels j. hearLe vehicle stops before her
doorob low thew are home agan: and she listens for
her husbands wol-knoEn voice bu; she listens IN
yain And then the thought tashcs ike fire through
her brain" they are drowned Alas how truly does
she divine their sad fac. Who can tell the rest be
feel IL Here they lie, side by side, pald and cold
in death-the father with his first born child.
What q fearful gap has thus been maze IN ths
dear family circle, but a te9 days since so happy
and 90 full of promise. what Is mere IN TINS
world that con give us comfort or enjoyment
unless il be the society Of our frendl And yet death
enters and bears the most loved OF them away n 49,
Frends let this be monitor TO eech oil us q" ne W.
certainty of life. Here has been taken from us III ue
prime of bis manhood the kind iather the tu'er
husband tie sincere Christian, and fhe true Trend.
Here too has been sIniched away IN hei b0ouihS
beauty the gentle sister the dufIiui dau, nief anu inc
betroiLed bride. What dearer tea than these couil
have been suudercl However, we have tue sWe1'
Cancellation that they were ripe for the reaDer-that
their peace was n ade with God, ana mat they, IKE
dutiul children were ready 10 90 nome 10 nun a.
Ills bidding Our sister was early led by her ather 20
love Jesus and while we look sorfo"iuiy upon this
scene we feel that we have less cause 70 mourn tnan
We ebould if our brother and sister had been less
preuared TO die. We mourn the loss OF good
MAI: he was truly Chrstlan-not IN name only,
but a Christian IN bis praclcei ne "as Drisn. AM
shining light 20 those around INN. lie hFed d B0ou
man and we doubt not has died a good man. MI
Elliott Wien about eighteen years OF age, gave ms
heart 10 Christ and cOnsecraed 10 Ood uluer inc
labors of the Rev. Henry Chase, OF the Manner
Churcb in New-York. He first joined TIE hetnodist
EPISCOPAL Church in Forsythst., New YORK ann
afer rrelnb. rship of some years became connected
with the Church in Madsou-st. He was early engaged
in the work OF Sabbath School instruction. III WINCH
he took peculiar delight. lie vas soon licensed as
a local preecber and spent much OF his time pleacl-
inc around The docks; for several years ne Was en-
Ca ed in this work with much profit 10 hls hearers.
some years AGO be came 90 this City and Jouea the
south Finhst Church and was one Of the mos, ener-
getic of liz members. From that Church he joined
tis and took very prominent part m tue erecton
OF this building. As local preacher he was most
scCeItable and rowLere more 20 than ia the church
70 which lie belonged. lie showed ~ every way
that he loved God AID he tried 20 serve the interests Oi
Co1 TIe was n constant Christian-and now TO-DAY