The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-12
1.-THE SCHOOL CHILDREN'S FRIEND
Funeral of the Late James W. Gerard
at Calvary Church.
The Bar, the Bench, School Teachers,
School Girls and School Boys
Attend In Great Numbers.
H0NORS TO A NOBLE OLD MAN.

There was buried, from the Calvary Episcopal
church, ut the corner OF Twenty-frst street and
Fourth avenue, yesterday morning, at ten O'Clock,
one OF the best beloved old gentlemen who has
ever lived IN the city OF New York.
The name OF the Old gentleman was James W.
Gerard who died In the plenitude OF years, peace,
honor and love. lie was idOlized by thousands Of
children who have attended and are now attend
ing the public schools OF this city. There
~ nothing like chIld's love, and the thrOngng
ranks OF .bright-faced boys and girls who Oiled
ehanceI, nave and aisle OF Calvary church bore
memorable testimony TO the honor and love OF the
New York school children for James W. Gerard.
At a little before ten O'Clock the remains
OF the deceased taken from his late
residence. No. II Gramercy Park, to Cal
vary church anu were carried up the main aisle
80 the altar, front OF which the coffin was
placed on black trestles On the steps and plat
form where the communion is taken were placed
every variety and form of the richest, most appro-
PIRATE and most touching floral tributes to the
dead mans memory. OF these the most splendid
specimens were contributed by the children OF the
schools in which Mr.. Gerard was most OF home. In
all, these floral emblems had cost over
$1,000. One of these specimens, made by
ZachOs, cost over $500. There was every possible
shape in which mowers could be IOrmed-crosses,
wreatEs broken pillars, crowns, beds OF MOWERS,
tOmbs harps and anchors. Nothing OF the Kind
had ever before been witnessed at a funeral cere-
mony in this city.
After the conn had been placed there came in
carriages a long list OF relatives old and young,
Of the deceased, who silently ned into the pews
near the front on the right hand side. Then came
the pail bearers-eight aged gentlemen, seven Of
whom had white nair, the eighth, Mr. Samuel b.
Ruggles, being as yet without any frosts or age
HE 1Nanr
follows
PAIL BEARERS
william M. Evarts Henry Ncoll
Royal Phelps Noah Davis,
Fred. SchuChardt, Charles p. DAILY
Alexander M. L. Agnew 3. B. Ruggles.
Then there came long line of the best known
and most respected citizens of New York city
ana hundreds of school children OF both sexes. 1t
was a touching sight that which met the eye in
the 'front.' pew on the right, where sat the youngest
man Of five pail bearers, he Of the frai body, but
powerful brain, who so ably defended our country
children, only knee high. their faces clonded
because they ielt that they had lost one who had
e ts of their soe There Sf S VERY
81 the church 1fQ -0sa often lstenes to tie
@ ses and who hsa looked upon
At the entrance to the church the body was met
and Of his ts see e
Walker. Then was sung that sublime chant of the
Epscopai church, from the eleventh chapter OF 81.
}QnA-"l am the resurrection and the lite;
he who believeth in me, though he were dead,
vet shall he live; and whatsoever liveth and Dellev.
eth in me shall never de-"
Then followed the equally noble verses from JOB,
In which every man, woman and child in the
was told that the Redeemer lived: and though
worms should destroy the body the soul should see
God ana taas man came into the world without
Then as the procession moved up the long aisle,
the white robed ministers Zone OF whom, out of re-
font p1trl
his surplice). heard the choir and organ thunder
forth the anthem, "Lord, let me know my end and
long have to live"
Then followed the lesson from the fifteenth chap
Is Christ risen nom the dead and become the first
fruits of them that slept"
And now the dread yet beautiful service is clos.
ing, and DR.. Washburn deScends from the altar
and stands at the right hand OF the casket OF the
man whom he knew and honored. Little children
cluster around and strain their little necks and
open their eyes in suspense; for they know, as II
by instinct that he whom they loved so well IL
who knew James Gerard as school boy. and never
knew him in all this long time to lose MS freshness
and nobeness OF heart iift their spectacles, from
which some tears will trickle down old faces. How
soon may they not follow him to gravel 1t is I'm
Issued now, and the minister recites the last prayer
Gerard unless by those OF his kindred, who love
him well. and his school children 1.-THE grace Of
our Lord Jesus Christ and the love OF God, and the
fellowship Of the Holy Ghost, be with US all ever
more. Amen"
The organ again rolls, and some OF the Specta-
tors nearest the door leave their seats To
make way for the dense crowd. And the school
children and school teachers-oi the latter there
were eighty-six ladies in the Churcl-and the
friends crowd around the church. which looks like
q large flower garden. The little girls stand on
high steps and look down with awe In their
faces, and the body passes down and through the
aisle into the street.
Above the reading desk-how tame that title
eeems-is great stained glass window, and there
is depicted in gold and purple and inky hues that
most tremendous sacrifice OF all history, the sa.
1lent feature OF which is a huge wooden cross and
the surroundings OF which are chaos and number
OF indtstinct Borrowing figures, mingled with the
bare shouldered legonares OF Rome and
the prominent featured sons of Judea who had be-
trayed the Master. AS the coffin left the chancel
the beams OF the wintry shot in lurid lances
ana streaks OF varc0lOred fire. and fell on the pail
bearers and all who were present In the body OF
the church, making very picturesque picture and
yet q very solemn picture. The remains OF the
honOred dead were taken to Greenwood Cemetery
for nterment in the family vault. The choral SER
s0lemnlty by double quartet. On the plate of
the co1in, which was richly furnished but quiet in
Its appointments, was the simple inscription
JAMES w. GERARD,
Died, February Z, 1874.
TIE TRIBUTE OF FLOWERS.
1t Is meet and truly right that the schools which
furnished the floral memorials should be specli-
caly mentioned, as the gifts were so imposing In
character. they are as lOlOws:-
magnificent bed OF flowers, white ground. six
feet by three lilac inscription,
OUR FRIEND-GRAMMAR SCHOOL 49,
A floral star-Primary School No. A.