The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-12
IN MEMORIAM.



1t is with feelings Of sincere sorrow that we
chronicle this week the death of one Of our
most venerable and honored citizens The Rev.
Geo c. Drake for almost thirty years a resident
Of this Borough, departed this life at his resi-
dence on Thursday, June 9th in the seventy
year of his age. Mr.. Drake had been in feeble
health for some time before his death. A few
Sundays since he was stricken down with ver-
tigo, and from this attack he never rallied. lie
gradually grew weaker until last Thursday af-
ternoon, when at about o'clock, he expired
His death was painless and very peaceful. With
scarcely struggle he fell asleep. We have no
words of fulsome praise of the deceased to write
at this time, but we know that our readers will
thank us for brief sketch Of his life and SER
vices.
The Rev. George G Drake was born at Will
kesbarre on the 2Gth of May, 1906. He was
educated at the old Wikesbarre Academy. AZ
ter leaving school he read law, was admitted
to the bar and followed his profession for some
time At length he determined to consecrate
his life to preaching the Word Of Life, and
soon begun acting as a layrea1er at st. Paups
Church, BIoomsburg. lie was admitted to the
Dcaconate OF the Episcopal Church in 1888, and
ordained priest in year or two After his or
! dination he was called to the Rectorship at St.
PauPs, where his lay minstraion had been
| greatly appreciated by the people From
| Bloomsbury lie went to Schuylkil Haven.
Everywhere he preached at several missions in
addition to his regular parochial services. In
| lSi0 he received n call to st. James Church
Mnncy, and assumed charge of the parish in
| March of that year. His rectorship extended
over more than eight years, during which time
many good works were begun. 1t was during
his rectorship that the old brick Church was
torn down, and the Chapel built. The Recto-
ry was also erected under him, and subscrip.
ton paper started for the erection of u new
Church. In 1857 Mr.. Drake resigned his charge
and, hei in delicate health, retired from act
i've service. lie, how ever, always held hlmse
in readiness to perform any good work thai
came under his notice. and as long as he wa
able. never failed to visit the sick and the af
1icted. His life during all these thirty year.
of his residence in Muncy was very consi stem
with his profession. He never forgot that h,
was a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The funeral, which was held on Monday af
ternoon, was attended by large numbers of ou
citizens who thus showed their appreciation o
tn e character of deceased. The services wer
held at ST. James Church, which was most beau
tifully decorated with flowers The Rev. J
Milton Peck, Of Danville, officiated and tn
Rev. j. IL. Hopkins, S. T. D., of WiIliamspor
delivered the address. The Rev. Messrs +. n
Ligh;ner, of Muncv, and VIM. Morrall, Of Mon
louisville, were also present in the ChanceI
At the grave, in addition to the services by tn
clergy, brief portion of the burial service O
the Masonic Order was also read. This wa
most appropriate, for Mr. Drake was for yer.
many years faithful member ofthat fraternity
many members of which attended the funeral il
| a body.
In closing this brief and imperfect memorial
we would offer few words of sympathy to tn
bereaved ones in this hour of their atilicton
But words seem very weak at a time like this
and the most loving tribute can bring but littl
comfort to sorrowing hearts. After all, no word
of ours can convey half so much comfort a
these glorious words a part of which The Churc
directs to be read over the open grave of He
Children;
blessed are the dead which die in the Lore
Even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from the
labors, and their works do follow them"-Mu,
,lj IUlliluTDL