The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-26


RICHMOND ON 4 SPECIAL TRAlN-IN-
MENsE CONGREGATION AT BROAD
STREET CHURCu-MINIsTERs OF ALL
EVANGELICAL DENOMINATIONS PRES
ENT-sERMoN FROM BISHOP DeGGETTG
THE INTERMENT AT HOLLYWOOD,
The obsequies Of the Rev. James A.
Duncan, D. D., president OF Ran
dolph-Macon College, occurred yester-
day with solemn and imposing cere-
monies. and were witnessed by vast
number OF persons. We publish below
detailed account OF the ceremonies and the
sermon OF the venerable and dearly-loved
Bishop Doggett. It has not been published
heretofore that DR.. Duncan leaves q wife
and five children, who will deeply mourn
his death. Among those who left the city
Yesterday for Ashland on the special. train
| to escort the remains to this city was dep
utation from the Faculty OF Richmond Col
lege.
The services at the College chapel in Ash
| land were conducted by Rev. L. M. Lee, D.
D. The chapel was crowded to its utmost
capacity, and the scene most solemn and
impressive. The remains were not carried
to the chapel. Rev. Charles Fl. Read, D.
D.. pastor OF Grace-Street Presbyterian
church, in this city, offered the opening
prayer. DR.. Lee delivered short address,
recounting the life OF Dr.. Duncan, and Civ
ing some Interesting personal recollections.
Rev. George Motley made few remarks on
the labors Of DR.. Duncan, referring espe-
cially to his preaching at a late camp-meet-
ing, where he delivered q sermon OF mar
vellous power. The remains were then
carried to the cars and brought to Rich
mond. A very large number OF citizens
came down to attend the funeral.
The great gathering of people at the
Broad Street Methodist church to take sad
| and silent part in the last rites over the re-
mains OF the late DR.. James A. Duncan was
an unequivocal token OF the esteem with
which man Of profound learning, OF pure
| life, and OF Christian eminence is regarded.
The throng was vast and rs sincere and low
bowed as vast. Almost numberless were
the hearts that ached, countless the half
stifled sobs that continually arose. The
train bearing the remains did not reach the
city quite as early as was anticipated, but it
brought very large number OF persons.
Shortly after 4 O'Clock the procession,
consisting Of the students and the trustees
of Randolph-Alacon College, passed from
the Broad-Street depot OF the FrederickS-
burg railroad to the church.
IN THE CHURCH.
Entering the sacred building, the remains
were preceded by Bishop Doggett, the Rev.
John T.. Edwards, D. D., of the Park-Pl lace
Methodist church, OF this city; Rev. DR..
w. w. Bennett, and Rev. Charles Ii. Read,
D. D., Of the Grace-Street Presbyterian
church. Following these clergymcn came
the immediate family (including the venera-
BILE father OF DR.. Duncan) and friends OF
the deceased, besides the students OF Rich
mond College and of dolph-Macon Col
,ege and the aisle which had been reserved
for this purpose was soon completely filled.
The church was hung with sable drapery.
The floral offerings we're proiuse, the case
and an adjacent stand being covered with
flowers of the most chaste and delicate type.
Characteristic solemnity invested the fune-
raj services, and the choir sang With mourn
ful richness and sweetness.
THE PALL-BEARERs.
The pall-bearers consisted OF former
members OF the Faculty OF Randolph-Macon
College, students OF the institution, clergy
men, and other citizens. Among them
were Professor T. r. Price, Of the Univer-
sity; Professors Shepperd, Morris, and
Estil, OF Randolph-Macon; the Rev. Mr.
Alexander G. Brown, Mr.. Robert Howard,
Mr.. William Irby, Captain j. A. Scott, Mr..
II. A. Boyd, and Mr.. E. Alexander.
Among the clergymen who occupied seats
upon the pulpit-stand were Bishop Dog
eett, DR.. Bennett. DR.. Edwards, Rev. L.
NJ. Lee, and Rev. Mr.. JudkinS,
TIE SERVICES.
The services were impressively COM
menccd by Rev. DR.. Bennett, who read the
burial Psalter OF the Methodist Church.
He was followed by Rev. Mr.. Judkins, pas
tor OF Trinity church, who read from the
10Th chapter OF Corinthians. At the con-
clusion OF the services Bishop Doggett an
nounccd the 13Tth hymn, which was sung
by the choir with touching expression.
Rev. DR.. Edwards next offered up one OF
the most affecting prayers ever heard in this
| city. ...
Indeed, the vast congregation seemed
greatly moved, and there was scarceiya dry
eve in the building.
THE SERMON. y ss-,.
Bishop Doggett concluded the services at
the church, and delivered most interesting
sermon. He selected for his text the 35th
verse OF the 4th chapter of Daniel: He doeth
according to His will in the army OF Heaven
and among the inhabitants OF the earth and
none can stay His hand or say unto Him,
What doest thou - '.H- -..-..'
We are in the presence to-day, said Bishop
Doggett, of great sorrow.< We feelth pres
| sure OF an indeinable grief. We have been
startled from our repose by the shock OF a
sudden calamity. We strive in vain to
solve the painful problem. We are arrested
in the anxious inquiryby the admonition OF
inspiration words: "He doeth according
to His will in the army OF Heaven and
among the inhabitants OF the earth; and
none can stay His hand or say unto Him,
| What doest thou?" ,.a.,'...t..,... r.
1t is proper, therefore, that we pause in
the midst OF our distress and perplexity at
least long enough to ascertain the import OF
that seasonablc voice that falls from this
passage Of Scripture upon our ears. IL it
| does not satisfy our curiosity it settles the
question OF Gods prerogative and eniorces
the duty OF an accomplishing acquiescence
| in his plans. Let us hear for q moment the
articulationS OF that voice.
It teaches us that au infinite Intelligence
presides over the destinies OF angels and
men. They are not left to the severity Of
fate nor to the hazard OF chance.
1t teaches u. that the government Of God
over intelligent beings is absolute. 1t has
no limit except that which inheres in the
harmony OF His perfections.
II teaches us that His government is infi-
nitely perfect; that every event which oc-
ours In the order Of His judicial providence
is essentially right, whatever may be Its ap-
parent incongruities:: 49,, >
II teaches us that the purpose OF God in
His judicial dispensations is Irresistible:
When the sentence passes His lips no skill