Daily Republican., 1879-09-22

Tho Funeral Obse quies nj Union
NJ. e. Church.
The funeral Of Ex- Coroner Groves took
place yesterday morning, at l0t O'Clock,
from the residence 422 Market street.
The remains were encased in q black
cloth coveredwalnut casket furnished by
Undertaken Palmer who had charge Of
the details of the funeral. The oasket
was heavily mounted with silver plated
trimmings, six massive handles, and a
silver plate on the top bore the inscrip-
tion:
RICHARD GROVES,
Born in 1905
Died September Is,
1879.
The Ex-Coroner was dressed in a
handsome suit Of black, and looked so
natural that had not the room been
marked by the parapharnalia of death,
1t might have been supposed that he
was but taking calm sweet sleep from
which he would soon arise refreshed and
invigorated. A cross made Of rose
buds lay near the foot Of the coffin and
later large wreath OF roses bearing
the endearing name Of "Father," was
placed near the head. The remains
were taken to the Union M. Z. Church
where the deceased held his member
ship, and placed in front Of the chancel
while the friends occupied reserved
seats.
Rev. J. B. Mann, preacher in charge
announced the 994th hymn which was
sung. Rev. J. L. Houston led in pray.
or, when Mr.. Mann read portion o.
the 18th chapter Of lat Corinthians,
and announced the 979th hymn which
was sung. Mr.. Mann then read the
following memorial of the deceased:
At the close Of the reading Of the
memorial, Rev. James L. Houston, an
old pastor of the deceased, and who was
present by the wish Of the family, was
introduced and paid fitting tribute tc
the moral worth and memory of an old
valued friend. He preached an ap.
propriate sermon from the 25th and
26th verses Of the llth chapter of St.
John: 'Jesus said unto her, am the
resurrection and the life, he that be.
lisveth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this Y' Mr.. Houston very affec.
tionately referred to his association
with the deceased while the latter was
a member of st. Georges Circuit, and
he (Houston was pastor Of the same,
and joyfully referred to the time not far
in the future when they would meet
again.
At the close Of sermon, the six sons
of the deceased, who we're the pail
bearers for the occasion, directly car
ried the remains of their deceased faith
er to the hearse in waiting in front Of
the church, from whence they were
followed by long funeral train to the
Riverview cemetery where they were
lovingly laid away beneath the sod to
await the resurrection morn.
Richard Groves was born in New
Castle County, Delaware, in 1905, and
died Sept. Is, 1879, in Wilmington,
where the latter part Of long and use.
full life was spent. Of his childhood
and youth the writer Of this memoir is
not informed, further than that they
were such as are common to the COM
munity at large.
With his religious and domestic life
and character, Of which it is proper to
speak in this presence, we are better
acquainted. He was converted to God
in his 22nd year, and united with Beth
el Methodist Episcopal church, holding
his membership there for one year
Thence he removed TO Red Lion, Della
ware, where for 40 years he went in
and out before the church of his love,
in such a manner as to command and
retain the affection and esteem of all
who knew him. Subsequently for two
years he was connected with the
church in Delaware City, and finally
with union charge in Wilmington for
nine years, making in all a period Of
50 years of services and fellowship in
the vineyard Of the Master-when
suddenly che was not" for "God took
him" to the endless rest and blessed
ness of heaven.
Brother Groves was a conscientious,
consistent christian, whose daily walk
and conversation "adorned the doc
trine" of God our Saviour. He was
very faithful in the discharge of duty,
never allowing any interest Of the
Church confided to him to suffer for
want of attention. He was an indus
trious and successful worker for Christ,
until age and feebleness warned him
that the day Of activity was star spent"
and the evening Of tranquility and re-
pose was at hand. For more than 40
years he moved in the van of Israel's
host, and like a faithful sentinel was
always in his place. Like the Psalmist
he could exclsim, ~ was glad when
they said unto me, let us go up 10 the
house ofthe Lord" This was his chief
joy.
He was for the greater portion of his
religious life an officer Of the Church,
holding the positions Of Trustee, Leader
and steward, showing equal fidelity and
devotion in all, thereby contributing to
the advancement of the Redeemer's
Kingdom and the welfare of his breth-
rem. In his death the church has lost
true and valued friend.
In 1882 he was united in marriage to
Miss Anna B. Henderson, with whom,
as true help-meet, Al years of his
pilgrimage were passed in peace,
contentment and happiness, and who
now with the children of their love, six
sons and three daughters, mourn their
greatest earthly loss. He was one Of
the kindest husbands, and most in
dulgent father, whose deep concern was
to render his family happy. He lived
for their temporal, spiritual and exter-
nal good.
Bro. Groves was real lover of the
Gospel and the firm, unfaltsring friend
of its ministers, in whose company he