The New York herald., 1869-03-31
OsSEQUlEs OF JAMES HARPER.

Funeral Services at His Late Residence and mt
the 81. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church
The Remains 10 be Inferred To-day ut Green-
wood.
The funeral OF the late James Harper ex-Mayor
OF the city, and at the time OF his death senior men,
ber Of the Hsrser 4 Brothers. Publishing House,
took place yesterday. A sadder and more impressive
tribute to departed manly worth is rarely witnessed
II was tribute due the man, due one who
in all the relations OF lire as husband, father,
friend and neighbor, had won for himself The
deepest love and respect; TO one who as
politician, though In politics he only mingled
slightly and briefly, was without q stain upon
his character, and to one who, as the founder and
managing head Of the greatest publishing house in
the world, conducted it's gigantic business with the
strctest probity, honor and hberaty. Having out
lived the ordinarily allotted span OF human life, his
death In the natural Of events could not have
been delayed long, but the painful circumstances
terminating his earthly career, the sad ana melan-
choly accident snatchiDg him suddenly from hale
and hearty life, the mature and majestic oak riven
and laid low BY tnunuerDolt, served TO make sad
der and deeper the gloom engendered W his untlmey
At the late residence OF the deceased, No. Gram
ercy Park, were - preliminary funeral services,
pastor Of the st. Paul Methodist Episcopal church.
where the deceased was In the habit OF attending
religious worship Alter these services the remains
were exposed 10 the view OF those presenL consist
ing malDly OF the family Of the deceased and their
more immediate relatives and friends. Among
our leading wealthy citizens. The body was
encased IN . solid rosewood coffin, lined
solid silver handles and plain silver plate the
top bearing the following inscription:-'James Har
per- died March 81 1852 aged 70 years II months u
days.n Upon the lid ana also upon stands at the
head and foot Of the coiin were wreatns OF iinmcr
tees aud crowns, crosses and Tyre and harp made
| from the same flowers such ioral offering to the
| loved and hon0red dead Is seldom seen. The de-
ceased looked quite NATURAL his face retaining still
wore @ % IN life sti W visible l ia the inaanae features
The principal funeral exercises were at the
church we nave named above. at the cor-
Long before three r. NJ, the hour announced for the
pubic funeral exercises TO begin, the church, ex-
cepting the froDt seats the body OF the ednce
served for the mourners and palbearers. was
crowded to lis utmost capacity. The side asles and
obiscd to go away not being able to ob,aln even
| standing room. PENDING the arrival OF the funeral
| corteGe from the house o succession OF SLOW and
solemn airs were played on the organ the low,
| soft music reminding all present OF the deep
! solemnity OF the occasion which had called
them together. The most perfect stiffness
| prevailed, hush funerea! which 1t was, and
| most impressive In its intensity. As came in
citing IN solemn tone The prelude TO the burial SER
vice, as after him came the assistant Oiicating cler
gynan, as after these followed the pabearcrs who,
with the clergyinen wore mourning scaris and then
the colin and then the tram OF mourners, the Still
| ness II possible became deeper and the solemnty
more profound. The following gentlemen oilciaied
| as ballDearers:-
| A. 7. Stewart. Peter Cooper.
| w. ii. Appleton. John Hal.
James NJ. Morrison. Jacob sleeper.
| Wesley Smith Edwln Mead.
| George Wm Curtis. Daniel Drew.
| James NJ. Raymond. Professor Drisler.
The coffin deposited in front OF the cilancc.
| On The top was a cross or immOrtees surmounted
| by crown. Upon table In the chancel and around
the base OF the pulpit were additional orai tributes
Of the same chasleiy beautiful and nicely fragant
flowers. Uleling the furlher services was the sing
iGg OF hymn read by Rev. Or. Adams, commencing
With The following verse;
Why should we start and fear TO disy
Wat timorous arel
Death Is the gate to endless JOY
, Yet dread to enter there.
Following the singing was q very impressive
prayer by Rev. DR.. Dresin, after which hev. Or.
Nice lntock read the Scriptures customary on
funeral OCCASIONS which was succeeded by singing
ano.ner ny mn and then funeral sermon, though
he took no text, by Rev. Dr. Ridgeway. 1t was a.
! most impressive and interesting discourse, and
listened with the closest attention. lie first gave
q detailed biographical sketch Of the deceased and
then summed up the strongly salient points Of mis-
charity his unity OF purpose his zest for labor his
unswervinR integrity hts strictly temperance habits
aud tho deep and abiding sincerity of his religious
life.
Prayer by Rev. Or. Foss. Singing another hymn.
Benedicti0n by the pastor OF the church concluded
| the exercises The vast congregation were allowed
10 look on the remains, after which they were again
taken to his late residence, whence they viii be
taken this morning to the family burial ground in
Greenwood for intermenL