Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-16
The Railroad Accident.
FUNERALS OF THE VICTIMS.


FUNERALS OF THE VICTIMS.
We were yesterday community of
mourners. A great calamity had visited
our very doors, and the thought of death
and its attendant consequences was visi-
bly, impressed upon all. A stranger en-
tering the village would at once have OBJ
served that all were suffering from COM
mon grief, and that something more than
an ordinary death had moved our citizens.
During the afternoon all stores, shops and
offices were closed, and all business, as il
by a common impulse, was suspended
flags were draped in mourning and al
half-mast, and habiliments of mourning
and respect for the dead were everywhere
visible, while the countenances of all indi-
Gated that these outward marks of mourn
ing and respect for the dead were the true
indices of the heart-feeling of all of our
citizens
AT one o'clock preparations for the
funerals commenced, and the members OF
the different Masonic Lodges assembled
at Masonic Hall, and the members OF
Washington Engine Company No. 2 met
at their Engine Room. The general
charge of both funerals was taken by
Rutland Lodge No. 70, f. & a. NJ, Of
which both of the deceased, NJ. NJ. Crook.
er and James S. Hardy, were members
Washington Engine Company, with 3d
men, under command of L. f. Sadler,
Foreman, and Walter @. Landon, First
Assistant Engineer of the Fire Depart.
ment, left their room shortly before tive
o'clock, fully uniformed, wearing the
usual badge of mourning, with their col
ors draped, and marched to the late resi-.
dence of Mr.. Crooker, who was also q
member of the company. Centre Lodge
No 81, f. & A. NJ, Bro. and Maj. John
A. Salisbury, at about the same time left
Masonic Hall for the same place. Rut-
land Lodge No. 70, Bro. and Col Levi
G. Kingsley, Marshal, left the Hall at the
same time and proceeded to the late resi-.
denoe df Mr.. Hardy.
The funeral services at theIhouse of Mr.,
Hardy were conducted by Rev. L. W
Brigham of the Liberal Christian Church
We regret, that we are unable to give q
full report of these services.
At the house of Mr.. Croker the servi-
oes were conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Mills
of the Baptist Church. He commenced
by saying, "Under these peculiar circum-
stances what can we better do than have
direct reference to the word of God ~ and
then read selections from the Scriptures.
After which he said that he felt more
unnamed on this occasion than he had
ever before in the course of his ministry.
He visited that mourning household the
day before, and the scenes of sorrow and
affiiction that he there witnessed had
made an impression on his mind that
probably never would leave it.
He would not say word before going
to the house of the Lord, except for the
aged mother, who some time ago received
such severe injuries from fall that she
probably will never be able to get out
again, but must remain cripple for life.
Affections do not arise from the earth,
they do not spring from the ground, but
they come from the Lord and are ordered
by Him in His inscrutable providence.
They come from God, Who does not will
ingly affiict or grieve the children of men,
and they have reference to our good and
to the glory of God. In this family there
have been two of what the world calls ae-
cidents. First, the aged mother fell and
will undoubtedly be a cripple for life ;
and now in moment, without warning,
the beloved son is snatched away. Under
these circumstances he could only COM
mend to them the Bible lesson. The Lord
gave and has taken away; blessed be His
name. David said that he could not bring
Jonathan to him, but he could go to him.
The Apostle said that these light affiic-
tions which are but of day work out a
more exceeding and eternal weight OF
glory, and again that no Christening seems
joyous, but igrieyous, etc. These do not
come as accidents, but as judgments min
gled with mercy, to teach us of a future
life. God speaks tenderly to US, and we
must bow in submission to His holy will
and must not let words of repining or re-
proach come to the lips.
We know, and God knows, that human
sympathy cannot fathom such grief as
this. We sympathize with you, but there
is limit to human sympathy. and we
commend you to Jesus. May He sanctify
this afhiction to you. ~
He then offered beautiful and appro-
pirate prayer commencing the family,
friends, Masonic Fraternity, Firemen and