The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-20
A FUNERAL PANTY AsrONTsHED.
William Liovd Harrison Cembsttins the
Views Of Aged Clergyman Over the
Uorpee of nm EsteDmcd manufacturcr,

Corpee Of nm B-tecmcd manufac,urer'
Since the war Mr.. VIM. Lloyd Garrison
has lived in comparative seolusicn. lie has
taken little or no part IN puOo Affairs and even
his place Of ro.idenoe was known to only fcw
OF those by whom his stirring abolition speeches
are still rsoollected.
On Saturday he appea eared In Paterson, N. j., in
the role of a theological debatcr. Mr.. John G.
Benson, an old resident and formerly a silk
manufacturer of Paterson. after q long illness,
died last week. A arve BODY OF Free Mssons,
and numerous relatives and friends attended
his funeral on saturday, aud among those who
were specially invited was MIR. William Lloyd
Garrison, who was distantly connected with
Mr.. Benson by MARRIAGE.
lives In Boston. lie went to Lewelien. near
Paterson, where hls son lives, aud ON Saturday
he attended the funeral OF his relative. For
some wears he has been much In the habit OF de-
liverinR brief addresses on such occasions, and
e somewhat noted Tor tue lloeralty o. his views.
baptist Church, out the pastor, the Rev. Mr..
Banvard, being away, a Mr. Grinnel was iuvited
to preach the funeral sermon. Tho Rev. MIR.
0rnnel Is IN hts eiRhty-secnnd year, nd was
one of the first pastors OF the First Baptist
Church. 0s.ensibly he long ago retired from
in different churches In New Jersey when their
pastors are absent. In many respects his prin-
cples are Numerically opposed to those Of Mr.
Garrison, ana he is especially noted for the
Calv nsuc severity Of his views regarding death.
Benson's house, they were introduced to the
| aged minister. who received them cordially
and said nat as he rad not known Mr.. Benson
| personally he would be unable to preach such a
| sermon "a the occasion see med to call Tor, and
wnen Mrs. henson invited Mr.. Garrison to make
some remarks, the clergyman warmly seconded
| the invitation, saying that MS former acquant-
ance with Mr.. Benson would enable him TO sup
| ply all deficiencies In his (Mr. GrinnelD sermon
hr. Garrison consented, and the party went
down stars. After the opening PRAYER, MIR
| Grinnel spoke at considerable length, and
prla Inn.
his hearers, but drawing startling picture OF
mans total depravity, and the terrible punish.
| ment that was the inevitable reward OF iniquity
| Death, he SAID. was not merely the natural ter.
| mination OF life, but the punishment Imposed
upon oil mankind by an indignant God for the
When at last the venerable minister sat down
MIR. Garrison arose to redeem his promise oi
making closing address. lie began by apollo.
Rlzng to MIR. Gnnncl for what he was about "a
say. and added that while entertaining the IN ost
profound respect for the aged clergyman, he
| totally disagreed with him IN every particular
To him. he saiu, death seemed TO be one OF GOD
greatest mercies TO man redee emlnR him often
from a life of pain and wretche dness, and open
lug to him the gates Of a higher and bettei
world. IL would be monstrous to ruppose that
IL was a punishment Of any kind, and espe ciall y
punishment tor original stu. IL was the ndtu
raj close to temporal existence, as birth was the
commencement and one could be no more 4
punishment than the other.
Above all things he repudiAted the doctrine
that death WIS sword Of Dapocles always
hanging over mems heads to remind them oi
their final doom, and Tighten them into the
| paths of virtue. There was no merit 10 the Au
| stere life of one who avoided vice and cldDg tC
| virtue. not because he hated one and loved the
other, but because his crnging fear of Gou',
| Justice was greater than his faith in his mercy
| Every man should be htsous for righteousness,
sake and he love Of his maker OF II would avail
him nothing.
Mr.. Garrison spoke for about twenty minutes
and his closing words were somewhat warne el
than he probably intended them to be, and in
deed, took the nature Of pretty sharp re Duke
| to the venerable clergyman. He concluded with
a second apology, in which he conceded The
right OF his predecessor to hold what views hs
| liked, but claimed a similar privilege for him
| self
loo aged clergyman seemed to bear the re
buke meekly, prooab,y because he knew he wa
TO have another turn. He offered the closinl
| prayer, and obtained slight advantage over til,
sturdy old aooltionist by getting the last word
lie explicitly explainef his doctrines 10 this pc
tition, and struck blow at mr.. u arrison oy say
ing: "Great Father, VINO hast said that deal
was sent Into the world as a punishment for sin.
At the close OF the service MIR. Garrison shooI
| the preachers hand, and cXprt ssed hope tina
no III feeling had been engendered bctwecI
| them. Mr.. Grinuel, In view Of the last pr yer
| said he cherished none but the most friendl,
sentiments toward MIR. Garrison.
the frienLs and relatives OF Mr. benson listen
| ed with interest To tue peculiar discussion, ant
| all agreed that MIR. Garrison retains IN full III
| oid-tIme eloquence and controversial powers. IL
started for MS nome In Boston inme iatel
| after the funeral.