The New York herald., 1873-08-07
The Funeral Obsequies of the
Great PhilanthrOpist.
Sadness and Sorrow Along the Route-The Re-
ward Of virtue-An American Clergyman,
Too Late to Meet the Bishop in Life,
Attends His Funeral-A Col
ored Clergyman at the Bier.
From the Daily Telegraph, July 2e.l


thought OF death obtruded itself. We might have
been large party mainly clerical, running down
to Brighton for Summer days holiday under
episcopal supervision. We we're, however, Bishop
Wilberforce's great funeral party, We were going
to lay In the earth the mortal remains OF who
we could not help thinking OF it-was that day
week full life, fuller OF animal spirits than we
at that moment. 10 1-e r-..t lrll iIaD II
The departure Of the train o. fr
ur FROM VICTORIA STATION t
was marked by the heterogeneous appearance
which always characterIzes gathering of the
English clergy-for the occupants were mainly
clerical. Now one saw a bishop, now bronzed
clergyman from the country, here a well known
London incumbent and there a young curate
Some few assumed square cap and cassock, but
most were clad only in the "sober livery" Of
mourning. The train seemed quite FULL and
punctualy at the hour appointed, sped out of the
station with Its strange occupants. There was, as
may well be imagined but one topic OF discourse
on the journey. All spoke solemny, but happily
and kindly withal Of him to whom they had come
to pay the last poor offices Of respect that Summer
morning. At Petwortn station, it appeared as
If every vehicle in the neighborhood had been
impressed into the service for carrying us over
the two miles that intervened between that place
and our destination. The drive was beautiful
one. and we defled from the road into the um-
brageous glad es of Lavington Park, where a long
stretch opened across the meadows, our cavacade
showed in its true dimensions and was a veritable
funeral procession indeed. Anon we reached the
house OF mourning, and, passing the yelled win
dows entered through the hall into the apartment
where the body was lying The coffin was covered
with rich velvet pail on which lay the crosier of
the departed Bishop and the insignia of his order,
but all surmounted by exquisite nOra Wreaths and
several crosses OF Owers one of great size; while
on the top OF all was large black
and white crucifx, another standard one being
also placed near the head OF the coffin. Silently We
passed around the narrow bed where he was sleep
ing so calmly IN the sunshine and out again on to
the crisp OF the lawn, up the slopes Of which
we mounted TO the tiny church hard by, whose
tinkling bell warned us Of the approaching cere-
nOny. BY the little building had been filed,
far as its humble space could AFFORD accoinmOda-
ton for those who did not form the actual funeral
party.
sat side by side with clergy, all bearing on their
wlstfuly at the bier within the rude screen on
which the Bishops coffin was to rest The altar
was draped with violet, and had upon II three can
dies and two vases OF white nowers the pillars Of
the chancei screen being wreathed with lilies. The
holy table vested Tor communion, and the ee-
Soon, then, we heard the words, ~ am the
Resurrection and the Life" resounding from the
nelghboring lawn to tell US that the mortal re-
mains of the Bishop had set out on theirlast jour-
ney; and the long, white-rObed prOcessioh, having
passed round the green sward entered at the
| portal Of the little church. The choir OF st. Mary
| Magdalene's, with the Rev. Richard Temple West,
headed the cortege; then came one bearing the
pastoral stan Of the Bishop reversed; next the
coffin, still covered with its floral adOrnments, ana
borne by eight men in white frOcks. Close by came
| THE MEMBERS OF THE BISHOPS FAMILY
! and other mourners and then the long line OF
| clergy and dignltaries, who completely filed the
when the burial service commenced. The funeral
psalm was chanted to a Greg0ran tune, with har-
monium accompaniment, and then was read Paurs
wonderful treatise on the resurrection from l.
Corinthians, XIV, whose marvellous analogies had
been that morning illustrated Tor us IN the golden
woods only beginning TO be dashed with Autumnal
tints.
Az the conclusion OF the lesson Hymn 191 ancient
and MOdern) was sung:-
Christ will gather in His
Where their heart and treasure lie,
Where our lie is hid on high
Day by day the Voice sa tn Come,
Enter thine eternal home, :"
ASKING not ii we can spare
Then followed
THE ANTE COMMUNION SERVICE,
the Collect Eplste and Gospel Tor st. James Day
AS the onertory hymn, the beautiful composition
"Who these like stars appearingS'' was sung
followed by that great gathering
Who are these like stars appearing
These. before Gods throne who stands
Each golden crown Is wearing
wsH hs",a are az bars IhIs glor,oas ,hsy 1S band
Praisisg loud their heavenly king
These, the Almighty contemplating,
Did as priests before hrn stand; ttrn
'G1a Day SaH and f night Hi At His command;
Ass, ASw II sy Goas %Gst st sps hSy s Plsss
Not q heart there but thrilled 1T the appro-
prateness OF many OF the expressions as also at
the long and expressive pause III the Church Mill
tant prayer, where Coos, holy name was blessed
for ali VINO had departed tins life in His faith aud
icar. Then came the celebration OF
THE COMMUNION
reminding one Of the way in which the primitive
Church celebrated the anniversaries o. taer mar,
their birthdays by Offering the eucharist sacri-
ice OF thanksgiving and praise. There was no ee-
ment OF sadness, though every element OF sol
emnity, in the service. IL was service worthy to
be held over a Christian bishop Tor whom we dared
not ''sOrroy even others which have hOpe.p
When the communion service was ended the
l3Oth Psalm "De Prolunds' was chanted while
the body was being moved TO the churchyard.
Thither to that most sequestered spot, proceeded
thatvast assemblage, the chorlsters surrounding
the grave and the rest forming deep circle
around. The cOiin was now uncovered, and was
seen to be a handsome oak one with a simple IN
scription, over winch again were laid the crosses
and wreaths, while fresh garlands were thrown In
by ladies. As the service progressed the hymn,
''Brief life is here our portion" was sung, anu
then came the solemn mae, a., at the words,
"AsTES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUsT,o
was heard that dull sound OF the clods on the
cofln lid, so often taken 10 be the deathblow 10
seemed as have said. to be none of this hopeless
element In that most beautiful and peaceful
churchyard that bright summer morning. with
scented flowers heaped upon his CONN, we left our
good Bishop sleeping and felt tnat the close OF
fhat life was ntting sequel OF what had gone be-
fore, the bright eventide OF e that had been
bright and happy,.as well as useful throughout
dashed indeed with "a lew shadows at sundown
and wetted with the dew OF 'some natural tears -
but still the appropriate closing in OF ie's little
day, the commencement. as all present felt, OF one
brighter stil that should never know eyentide,
shadow tears, lor the former thugs had passed
away, and there would be no night there wnlther
he had gone before u.s. The last hymn. with which
was concluded this truly happy ceremony, was
very 6ttng. IL ran thus-
o shepherd of the sheep,
High Priest Of things 10 come,
Who didst In grace Thy servant keep
And take him sweety home;
Chief Of Thy faithful band,
He held himself the least,
Though Thy dread keys were in his hand
y Oeverlasting Priest.
So, trusting in Thy might
He won fair renown;
So, waxing valiant in the fight,
lie trod the lion down.
Then rendered up to Thee
The charge ThY love had given,