Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-06-29
An Affecting Scene.

we ihSt week annOEnCeu tue Uedtn Ol
Reverend Thomas Mccullough. His remains
were inferred in the Catholic Cemetery, at Sum-
mitville, III this county, on last Wednesday. In
company with a number of persons from this
place we attended his funeral. The burial SER
vice Of the Catholic Church is solemn ard inn
pressive, but this is rot the subject to which we
now intend referring. Comparatively speaking,
we were stranger to the deceased, and the sor-
row for his death manifested by members Of the
congregation of which he had SO long been the
spiritual Guide, excited at once our admiration
and astonishment. His remains were placed in
the aisle of the church. directly in front of the
altar, and the members of the congregation in
their turn, silently and unostentatiously took
last look at the face of their beloved Pastor. 1t
was affecting scene. Stern men, whom we
thought were incapable of demonstration of
sorrow, after gazing the face of the dead, re-
tired weeping as they walked. 1t was sincere
demonstration of sorrow. No preferme ent can be
hoped for from the ranin,ate remains of mortali
ty ; the voice of fattcIy cannot soothe the dull
cold ear of death.
Solemn High Mass was chanted, the Rev Mr..
Gibbs, assisted by the Rev. Mr.. Mitchell as Dea-
funeral sermon was delivered by the Re7 Mr.
Mullen The Gospel read was that affecting
passage of st. John which recoupts the raising
of Lazarus from the dead, and we thought that
in reading it particular emphasis were laid on
the following words. full of hope and consolation
for us all: Il am the resurrection and the life
be that be.ieveth in though he were dead yet
shall he live.''
Mr.. Mullin commenced his sermon by making
some appropriate observations with regard to the
solemn lesson which the occasion was calculated,
to bring home to the heart of all. He spoke of
the certainty of death the just punishment of
sin, and the necessity of preparing for the dread
change. He then spoke of the deceased his
zeal in the discharge of his sacred duties, his
humility seeking to do good by stealth, and by
words OF kindness to raise the wretched, and to
point the erring and desponding to "Kingdom
not of this worl6.''
Mr.. Mullen then alluded to the friendship
which had existed between himself and the de-
ceased, but here his emotions ove-came him. He
had only uttered few words until his voice be-
gan to falter, and he paused for moment 81
must close here" said he; 81 would go on but
for the sorrow which surges through my soul,
and threatens to choke my utterance and blind
my vision" Then turning towards the deceased.
he commenced the peroration of his sermon in
the following words: Farewell beloved and
best of friends" At this point all present seem
ed to loose control of themselves, and we do not
think there was dry eye in the church. We
do not know why it was-perhaps it was the ell
oquence of the speaker, perhaps the grief that
surrounded us had become a contagion-all that
we know is that our emotions overcome us. and
We bowed our head and wept like child. When
we again looked up, the pulpit was vacant. In
few moments more the ceremonies were con-
cluded, and the mortal remains of the deceased
were borne out of the church for interment-
Several years ago the Redemptolist Fathers.
while holding mission at Summitvle, erected
cross IN the cemetery. 1t is said the deceased
than expressed the desire to lie buried at its
base The words uttered on that occasion were
not forgotten. AT the foot of the symbol of the
redemption of man, the mortal remains of Rev.
Thomas Mccullough were inferred, there to min
gle with the dust out of which they were created
till the Heavens be no more
we have said that the scene was touching
one. and we say SO uninfuenced by any :ectarian
feeling. We think no one present, whether he
loved or despised the church of which the de-
ceased was Priest, would deny that the sorrow
which the congregation manifested for the death
OF their pastor was irresistibly affecting, and
furnished touching illustration of that homage
which human nature is compelled to pay to vir-
tue--to life well spent.
AS we turned to leave the cemetery we said
to ourself, ''this is fame" Who would not rather
be loved as the deceased was loved, who would
not rather die mourned and wept for by those
he was accustomed to meet in the daily inter
course OF life-who would not prefer such hon.
age, to a crown blood bought and nurtured by
the tears of the widow and orphan. Virtue COM
mands double reward. In the world to come
Its final reward will be meted out to it, but it
commands the veneration of mankind in this
eEe Those of our readers who wish to pur-
chase cheap Dry Goods and Groceries, should
call at the store of Mr.. Ezekiel Hughes in this
place. His stock is large and well selected. If
you don't believe us, call in and Judge for your
selves.
O- We glad to know that the enterprise
of our young friend, Clinton r. Jones is succeed
r.rv .l,,,,-a L.,