The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-21

Rev. Ii. G. q. Parker, Missionary to Seamens
HIS FUNERAL SERMON, BY REV. DIR. CUTLER.
funeral sermon the Rev. Benjamin c. G. Parker
late missionary seamen preached yesterday
ing by the Rev. Dr. Cutler of Brooklyn in the St. Georges
church. Beekman street. The speaker selected and
the discourse delivered by appointment Of the Board Of
Managers of the Protestant Episcopal Church Missionary
Society to Seamen. DR.. Cutler, on rising made the fol
lowing preliminary remarks-The death Of the Rev.
Benjamin c. c. Parker was announced in the papers on
January 90 his funeral took place Sunday the 3Oh of
January in the church of which he the pastor His
remains buried in Boston, in the grave of his father
1t may not be known you that Mr. Parker was near
friend and relative Of him who is addressing you This
is the first death that has occurred in the of the
missionaries of the Protestant Episcopal Church Missionary
Society to Seamen.
You will find my text in the 57h chapter of Isaiah, LIST
verse-'The righteous perisheh and layeth 1t to
heart and mercfu men are taken away mono consider
ing that the righteous is taken away from the evil to
come" The most distinguished clergymen and laymen
may be taken from midst by DEATH and but very little
attention is given to it, The righteous forgotten
Their pety, devotion, learning, ability and labors how
gotten almost as soon as they have departed During
the present conflict in India an English officer was
Killed , who was great among the e officers
pany refused TO have his name struck off
the roll; so every morning officer appointed to
answer when his name called, Dead the field of
battle" They were not willing that he should be for.
gotten Much less should the followers of Christ be will
ing let the HIS faithful officers Inferred with
their bones. 1t was pagan poverb the sound of a
cannon is heard fifteen miles, the sound of thunder double
that distance and the sound of good deed through three
worlds" Society now days. especially in great cities, is
active hasens past the past occupy itself with the
present; it demands brief funeral sermon for the
ceased apo &c of Cod and nothing more-hs place filed
by another and they hastily pass One Of the greatest
nations of Europe is SAID learn nothing the past
up to the present yet their funeral services over
the dead receive great consideration When they carried
stephen to his grave great men made great amenation
IT, The death OF the wicked should also be laid to
heart and others could be warned against their evils
without the slightest personalities. The Rev Benz. q.
Parker the of the Right Rev. Samuel Parker d. D.
OF Massachusetts, he born the 9th of June 1776
In youth he distinguished for his thirst for knowledge
reading his favoritc amusement and occupation and
what is remarkable, solid reading his favOre
reading He especially fond of such works Gbbon
Rome, Hume's History Of Engiand Pluarchs Lives, &c.
He acquired French almost alone thoroughly that he
has preached that language When his masters
be little Office above it, and there TO be found
readpg when wanted He when 10 years
age. The manner OF bis conversion was very peculiar.
Yhe speaker being intimate with him, spoke to him the
subject Of religion whcreupon the latter became angry,
and weeks passd without any intercourse between
them. The speaker then visited MIR. Parker-found him
in his Office reading He never looked up from his book
when speaker entered the speaker sat down by his
side Mr. Parker kept on reading The speaker renewed
the conversation the subject he had before been speak
ing 10 him on Mr. Parker laid down the book looked at
him steadily, still without speaking The sneaker took up
the open book and greatly surprised to find that
the life of distinguished minister, Mr. Spencer, who
upon Mr.. Parker burst into tears, and informed the
speaker how his conversion had occurred. He said one
Sunday he attended Trinity church, In Boston, without
paying the slightest attention to what said, then
into the street. and finally entered confectionery shop
where several young men were assembled for amuse
ment Immediately on crossing the threshold OF the doc
voice came TO him, saying-"What dost thou hereS
this ut place for Sho has just from church,
He turned back into the street and walked on, thinking
and ne walked on and walked on, and finally resolved
never 10 TURN back until he could bring his mind to God
When tne die was cast he turned back. Mr. Parker
nA NM nrahI uoI
How ne nvea during the Inst sixteen years you know
now ne vea DeIore that the speaker knew Forty Ave
years ago VITAL religion at low ebb In Boston and
vicinity Our church was chiefly composed of rich Anne
rcans and foreigners and called church ladies
ana gentlemen. Balls aud parties and theatre,
were called the innocent amuscments of life Minis
ters mingled with the people In ENJOYING them
50 was the addition of young man 10 the churcl
chat IL had remained after service for communion III
would have been rdiculed by all his companions an,
many Of his seniors. In one New England College the
were but Ave professors Of religion in Classes and II
two other classes there was not one Mr. Parkers ars