The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-04
CHIRLES y. DEJLIN
The Rule OF the Romnn Catholic Church Held
10 he InappIicnbic In Ills Case.

The Roman Catholic Church ofSt. Vincent
Farrrr. at SiNty-sixth street and Lexington ave-
nuc. was the scene Yesterday ~ the funeral of
Charles L. Devln. who commit,o a suicide while
afflicted with demcntia. on saturday morning
last The attendance. which was large. in
cudcd mnny members OF the Society Of st. Vim
cent dc paul. OF which Mr. Deylin was for a
long time Secretary.
A. the rules of the Church prohibit the inter-
ment IN her cemeteries OF "A person who has
committed suicide. and denounrcs self-murlcr
a- n crime. there was question Us to the pro-
prle,y Of having the funeral services performed
undor church auspices. The leading members
cd tho Society Of st. Vincent do Paul. after con-
silcrns the ease Of Mr.. Devlin. and consulting
with the clcrly. came 10 the conclusion that his
was not Suicide that came under the ban Of
the Church. NJ 1t WAS evident that when he
killed himself be was insane. and therefore not
responsible for his acts. The Row. Father Lille
iihc Dominican Fathers took this view with
The soicty Of 81 vinc.ut DO Paul. and consent
WIS given t. nave the funeral In the Church OF
II. Vincent Ferrrr.
Tho hour W The funeral had been announced
ns 10 u"iots % the morning. hut 4 was a quar-
ter Nrlnt' II WATu ihn rurt 'gp arrived 20 the
chur %. Tho fgl,h"nfers were nN- Alderman
pnrroy. J4hu " Qualc. John leKron. Elwlri
Ma kin. gul David Scott Tho cunin ~ :, h8nd-
some cask"t covered with black velvet. AMI On
llf ltl rs ~ SILVER ltiltf InNllr VINO words.
" Charles F. Deviin; diol. June l, 1879: aged Al
yours Surrounding 'hr ratnillflr wers tail
cnndlrs lighted. The iloral tributes were nu-
m"rcus anil IN good td-i" In thr cunFregA-
ton were s:,nator E'clcsiqo. Joc sicvens, .ex-
Alder. fu " ClT'its. cN-iul-e Snifi,r Aii.r-
Cllnmru. BrYnn lalwr"ur" rud Thomas i4rurh.
The Rrv. THhrr ". y. Lille crirhrat.'l rc-
Il" sid tha r"'imnr Is yioalan Of G ois
command Thou shalt not kili''-a lew IN
rrnv.d hy the finger of tho Almighty mon stone
frf ! lftl - U ltfff
man who commits suicide while insane cannot
lr hold morally r spon-ihle for hs nets; lhnt
Charles T. Devlin WINS not in his mind when he
KILLED himself there - album liant evidence. lie
had iived an exemplary Chrirtl IN iife His
rhurn tor WAS above r'proQrh. ia'h"r Lille
hrl Ter many years leen ultimately acquainted
with Mr.. u Win. and had known him not only
in SOCIAL life. hut ms his spiritual adviser; Two
w"eks 1r0. Will" in conversation with Fuluor
Lille. Mr.. peylin put his hands to his head ~
though IN great pain, nm sani. | Feel as
hni convulsions and his bodily disease affected
Al tlc conclusion Of the services the romans
w'fr t'ew.d ana then they were borne to Cal
The friends Of the Int Charles p. Devlln
ar atI-hrd that his death was not the result
of any Intentional act of his own, aud Vicar
q -nernl Quinn not only agrers with them. but
disoryuts IN" theory That. whether sane or in
sunr. Mr. Devlin took his own life. He believes.
however, that the contractors mind was un-
1t would be impossible" he said Yesterday
himself from the posts Of bed 80 small ms
70 higher Why. nearly tho whGle. Of
the child's ribbon which. it Is said. WIS found
tied around his neck. could not hnvr been
siropg enough 70 honr ms wcislt II Is posi- css-l,-
though there is not Q particle II evidence TINT
he was; but as-Urcdy De did not do II intrn-
tionally. II" frequently had ilis-ho Ind ono a
| few days before his dsath-und no may have
| been s'izei with one on Friday night II he
! had felt It coming on it Is not improbable TINT
hc tried coufusedly, t. tie himself To- tho bed To
avoid the danger of falling when he became
| Unconscious. Then. the ribbon getting around
ms neck; ne may nave dropped. ana 50 been
INF. James Lynch" the vlonr- General CON
| tinuel. explained the facts 10 me yesterday.
| AMI showed mo letter. or part OF l.unr, for
| it was uuiinlsh TINT Mr.. y win wrote 10 him
IN III. Inst moments Of his life. II dil not indi-
self. and, certainly. he must hay" intnnded Ia
! finish IT, | was satisfied that lhe death Was
/ 9th y duo IN natural causos. or that NJ. DevNn
/ WAS in-anc. aud l. therefore. approved Of the
| II the rrnsitrnts ana members of the confer
| enccs of the Society Of 81. Vincent dc Paul in
| this city attending the funeral
! Society oi 81. Vincent de- Paul ii the city of New
/ YORK. There are forty conferences In the city,
| pare quarterly statements OF receipt, ana MS
| hurseincnis. There WINS a meeting ~ the Par
! ticular Council once month N the CW,l"llnl,
| ai.o Secretary Of the superior Council which
takes charge II the repolls and letters from all
! tine conferences in the United Stntos. and sub
! uli,s thrm in urouer form 10 tnr Council Cen
cra in Paris. lie was very tusln' s7like ana
regular ANA gave entire sat sldrll"n IN me
/ lie attended mass regularly. and went 10 CON
| f'sSl ION every two Of 'hrer wrcks. ! 90 not
| kiil himsoll unless le was insane. Ne lived
/ hupplly with hs VII" ana inmily, h1u. poor