The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-05-04
EARTH To EARTH.
Obseouies OF Ralph waldo E.nerson

OhSSQD1eS OF Aalph WALDO E1neFaon.
CONCORD, Mass. April 5O.-The last
chapter in Ralph Waldo Emerson's life
work has been written. All day long
tine little town has overflowed with Wis
itors who came 10 participate in the
last rites paid to the dead philosopher.
At 2 80 D. m In the old Emerson home
stead the family and a few intimate
friends of the deceased, among whom
were Oliver Wendell Holmes. Hon. E.
r. Hoar, Bronson AlcOtt and Elizabeth
Stuart Phelps, stood about plain
black walnut casket, devoid of all orna-
mentation, and with silver plate
bearing simply the name of the dead
and the date of his death.
THE SCENES WITHIN THE HOUSE
were extremely simple in nature and
brief as well. Rev. DIR. Furness, of
Philadelphia, conducted to services, and
after reading from the Scriptures spoke
briefly on the virtues and noble private
qualities of Emerson, paying tribute to
| the exalting character of his life and
works. When these short services
were finished, only occupying thirty
minutes, perhaps, the casket was placed
in a hearse waiting without, and then
| the long procession of mourners formed
| and followed the hearse slowly to the
| Unitarian church, short distance
/ away. The little church could not hold
| one-third those DESTROYS of entering, and
| the streets outside were thronged dur
| ing the progress of the services. These,
| like those at the house, were also sim
pie in nature and were conducted by
Rev. DIR. Furness, assisted by Revs.
James Freeman Clarke and ii. N.
Brown, of Boston.
The principal memorial sermon was
then delivered by DR.. Clarke, and was
AN ELOQUENT TRIBUTE
TO the significance of the life and works
of Emerson. He was, said DIR. Clarke
| a master among men whose work akin
to that of the apostles was accomplished
by the power of the soul within. Thus
he became grand, and all that was good
and noble. He was not merely one Oi
the greatest thinkers of the day, but
was also noble soul whose work gave
us strength and inspiration at all times
We thank God for these influences, fol
they have made US all better, and helped
to lift us to higher place of usefulness
into communication with all that is bes
and honest.
We thank God that we have been
THE BETTER FOR EMERsoN's WORDS
and acts. He was one of Gods seers
and he was sent to us at time when in
spiration was needed and men lived BY
the inspiration. He has been the breaC
of strength and the wine of joy to US.
A Bronson Alcott, one of Emerson
most intimate friends, read a poem, il
which he referred in eloquent lines tt
the gentle nature and sympathetic feel
ingS of Emerson.
Throughout the services there wer
appropriate musical selections rendered
by the church choir. The floral tribute
were numerous and handsome, though
the family had requested that none b.
sent The body was exposed to view il
the church, and it was noticed that tn
face wore rather a worn expression
though the gentle features so prominen
in life we're still unchanged.
After the services in the church tn
funeral procession formed again ant
marched to
SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY,
where the remains were placed in tn
family grave which is on the top of
hill, meath tall trees.
AT the grave Rev. DR.. Hoskins, O
Brooklyn, N. Y. conducted a brief SCI
vice, and offered fervent prayer. Thel
the mourners slowly left the cemetery
and thus ended the funeral.
Among those in attendance at one o
the other of the services were Prof. FL
lott, OF Harvard college, Profs. Norton
Horseford, and others. Gen. Banks, Rob
!. G. Ingersoll and wife. DIR. Bartell, an
hundreds of other dignitaries.