Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-01
Funeral of Rev. Charles Walker,
Id. ID.

emit from Rutland, Brandon and other
towns in thevicinity. Among the clergy
man from abroad were Rev. Ell. d. Kit
ohell. D. d., President of Middlebury
College, Rev. Il. p Hooker, Rev. Joseph
Steele, Rev. II. Il. LeaVitt of Middlebury,
Rev. Willard Child, ID. D., of Crown
Point, N. Y, Rev. Franklin Tuxbnry Of
Brandon, Rev Nelson Bishop of Windsor.
and several Others who were unknown to
us. The church was mournfully draped
in black, extending in festoons around
tho whole interior The pulpit was appro.
priately covered with black. In front Of
the desk a beautiful cross wrought Of
flowers was placed. The pulpit was also
surrounded with flowers and plants which
gave pleasing blending of the mourning,
and hopeful, emblematic of the sense OF
the loss experienced and Of the new life
beyond the tomb.
After religious services at the late resi-.
donee of the deceased, the casket contain
ing the remains was borne to the Congre.
gational Church, followed by sad pro-
cession. After the friends had entered, d
voluntary by the choir was rendered. The
caslSet was then taken into the church
and placed in front of the pulpit, the
following named citizens of Pittsford act
ing as Pall-bearers: Dan X. Hall, r. s.
Meaeham, franklin Burditt, Thomas d.
Hail. Charles S. Colburn, A. T. Tiffany,
r. r Drake and George N. Ayres
The services were commenced by the
reading of appropriate selections of Scrip
ture by Rev. Mr.. Hall, Pastor of the
church. A fervent and tender prayer
was then offered by Rev. Joseph Steele of
Middlebury.
The following hymn was next sung by
the choir
Give me the wings of faith to rise
Within the veil, and see
The saints above, how great their Joys,
How bright their glories be.
once they were mourning here below,
And bathed their couch with tears
they wres'led hard, as we DO now,
Wi tn sins, and doubts, and fears.
! ask them whence their victory came;
They, with united breath.
Ascribe their conquest TO the Lamb,
Their triumph to his death.
They marked the footsteps that he trOd
His zeal inspired their breast
And, following their inearpate God,
Possessed the promised rest.
Rev. Mr.. Hall delivered brief and ap-
propriate address, touching the Christians
life and death with passing allusion to the
life, services and character of DR.. Walker.
He said:
The scenes and services of this hour are
calculated to impress upon us the value OF
a good life and the approach of death. 1t
ia we'll for ps that our Father never per-
mits us to know when our time comes.
When any life has fulfilled its pur-
pose, even though it be a short one, we
are consoled with the reflection that it is
a completed one. But when a long life
that has been filed with good works and
faithful service is ended, even more do
we look upon it as a completed life, and
bow with humble submission to the Prov
idence, believing that "God doeth all
things we'll" The life of DIR. Walker was
a completed one, after years spent in the
service of his Master, and the elevation
and good of the people among whom he
labored, each year making an impression,
bis was a rounded life l have often
thought that the private life of Christian
minister in the country was one OF the
most happy, useful and potent for good OF
all others. The public life is entire
" different arena. His private life
is sacred, and it Is not for us on this
occasion to intrude upon il, for it is the
sweet and sacred legacy he leaves to his
family, and yet we may speak of this
mans services in the private circles of life
for his works do follow him. For twenty
wears DIR. Walker has been identified with
this community and he has accomplished
much in moulding it for good. His. work
and influence is left with us. What this
town is in many of its higher aspects is
due TO him. The quiet lives of such min.
isters "a DIR. Walker spent in the retired
communities of the country are ia
measure the safeguard of our liberty. DIR.
Walker has mingled with you in all your
lows and sorrows. He has been at your
weddings, mingled his tears with yours at
v
broken the bread, typical of risen Savior
and presented to YOU on your communion
seasons. We shall miss him from the
house of prayer and all religious gather
ings, you have already missed him from
this pulpit His heart ever went out for
this church, his prayers and labors were
for IT, Those who knew him most init
mately appreciated him best and will re-
ceive now the consolation he has given to
others under similar circumstances. These
are not dead memories In the sweet by
and-by when all these shadows have pass
ed away they will be succeeded by the
roioieings of sanotifed soul. This
people are in mourning for him, but our
thoughts reach out from this hallowed
place where he so long taught to the place
where he fully realizes the lessons he has
given There il lesson in bis life to us,
especially to the young, for they can sp.
preciate what it is to live a good life, and
90 hence having done noble work. May
his departure show us the value of such q
life. As we lay him away in the cemetery
he loved so well, let a voice come from
that tomb that shall be an encouragement
to the christian life.
Rev. Joseph Steele, the eldest of DIR.
Walkers ministerial brethren, one who
had long labored with him in Rutland
county, made touching and appropriate
address filled with tender "reminiscences.
He said: Ny first impressions on the
announcement of the death of my friend
of many years were of sad yet pleasing
character, for knew good old man had
departed TO his reward after years of
faithful labor. He came TO his grave like
the grain, fully ripe and ready for the
harvest. Forty-two years ago, not far
from this time Of the year, received the
first call from brother minister after /
came TO the State. l was young and a
stranger depressed in view of the work
before me. His counsel at that interview
cheered and encouraged me. he won my
heart and has kept it since I have
known him only to love, and esteem and
81. Oh nd