The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-01
AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE.
Funeral OF the Victims Of tho Railroad Dis
astor


formed on Tuesday afternoon at the resi-
dence of his father-in.law, Deacon w. r.
Bixby, at Vergennes, Rev. G. j. Hubert,
president of Middlebury college, conduct
ing the religious services.
The day was solemn one for the people
of Vergennes, who had long known
the deceased, who had spent his earlier
years in their midst-and, after he had
gone to distant city to engage in success
full enterprises, ofteutmes revisited the
scenes he loved so well, and where he had
q temporary home to which he could retire
from the busy dntics of his active life for
rest and recreation, among a large circle
of warm and attached friends. In con
sideratlon of his wide acquaintance,
and in view of the sad calamity
which cost him his life, it was not strange
that large ooncourse Of the people of that
city assembled TO pay fitting funeral honors
to him and his unfortunate son. There
were a number present from abroad, among
whom were Hon. Warrington c. Smith
of St. Adams, one Of the managers Of the
Central Vermont railroad j. w. Hobart
of st. Adams, general superintendent;
Jesse Burdeit of Rutland, superintendent of
the Rutland division Ffel Wilder of Ben
nington, conductor on the Harlem Ex-
tension railroad Nahum p. Kngsley of
Rutland Hiram Roberts Of Brandon; B.
Turk, Charles b. Gray of Burlington.
Among the leading citizens of Vergennes
present were Hon. Edward Seymour; Gen.
George w. Grandey, Rev. Charles bib
bard, Rev. W. j. Heath, II. G. johnson,
and Geo. r. Chapman.
The services were conducted in quiet
and unostentatious way, at the residence
Of Mrs Bissell's father, where the remains
were taken on their arrival in Nergennes.
Two rosewood Baskets placed but little
distance apart, contained the remains of
the father and son. Each clsket was
decorated with beautiful and chaste floral
offerings as well as flowers placed about the
room. They were elegant tributes from
the hearts and hands of loving friends.
At half past two o'clock the services
were commenced with singing the hymn
commencing
How vain is all beneath the skies.
Appropriate selections of scripture were
then read, after which Rev. G. b. Hubert
delivered a funeral discourse, of which the
following is but a brief abstract
REV. MR.. HULBERT's ADDRESS.
The speaker founded his discourse on the
words.
But this say brethren, tho time is short.
We are disposed to call this a very COM
mon place remark. Men number their
pleasures and their days without thought
as to the sbortne,s of time. They eat,
drink and be merry. We know not what
will be on the morrow. We know that
disease and death are abroad in the land
aud our liability to be called away at any
moment. Yet the admonition is not
needed. What. gives to the thought that
time is short, its importance is that our
time has been wasted. Have we applied
our time to right uses, is a question all
should ask. Many of you have seen
marble statues in public parks through
which water passes, but there the marble
stands cold and senseless. Has not our
time passed away in aimless decisive
standing regardless of its flight. Time does
not move at all. 1t is ourselves that move.
The great question IL what we are doing
for ourselves. Our remembrance of time
miss spent is fiery serpent. We cannot
repair the abuse of time. Yesterday was
noble, good day to many souls. 1t had its
voice, work and duties. Tomorrow we
know not of, and it behooves Us to heed
the passing day and prepare while there is
yet time. Our past is TO ourselves, as we
have made it. When we stand at the bar
of the irreparable past we also stand AT
the bar of the prospective future. What
can we do? This world is repair shop.
Our souls need divine repair or new
creation. Salvation is mans defense-a
defense against evil. The past cannot be
changed but through the forgiveness of
God it can be absolved. The one thing
ncedful is reconciliation with God. Man
makes his life a success If he flee to the
rock of salvation. There is encourage
short for repentance. 1t is always an in
Simultaneous act. A moment of goddess
sorrow is sufficient TO receive pardon from
all sin. The holy spirit comes to us to-day
in this sad ceremony. 1t speaks of the
brevily of life. The brevity of life is an
incentive to repent What was done for
the dying thief, can be done for all.
1t is not for me to put limit to divine
mercy. Presume not to trample on Gods
offer. The Holy Ghost says to-day re-
pent. In thus speaking do not forget the
occasion. We are summoned to-day to
this house of mourning by Gods ordinance.
would not adventure myself to offer conso-
lation. We are here assembled in house Of
bereavement. | do not now point you
to this village or to that distant city
so moved by this event, nor invade other
sanctuaries of grief, but bid you look up
and say sour Father who art in heaven"
How happy are the tempests that throw
their wrecks on the shores of Paradise
God grant to US the consultations of his
grace. The time is short. Let us heed
the admOnition. 1t seems to be one lasson
of the occasion that convenes us.
Prayer was then offered and hymn
rendered commencing
Jesus while our souls are bleeding
o'er the spoil that death hath won.
The several hymns were impressively
and tenderly rendered by quartette.
The casket of Charles III. Bissel was
then removed from the house by the fol-
lowing named gentlemen
Samuel S. Gaines, Herrick Stevens, f..
X. Haven, William Sheriff. II. j. Talbot
and William Gwnn.
The casket of Willie followed, borne by
six of his young associates, as follows
Henry Woodbridge, John Norton, Chas.
Strong, Eugene Norton, Foster Strong and
William Green.
a procession was formed in the follow
ing order;