Morning journal and courier., 1882-05-17
Funeral of Deacon George F. smith.

1O1o OAO1ACI Weo AeSASSAJ ooSS1@S~N SSS~>~~J' Prayer was made at the house by Rev. T. R. Bacon The church, Dwight Place, was filled at an early hour with all classes of our citi- zens. The Sons of Temperance under the marshalship of George R. Bill, the Veteran Bremen under command of Chief Engineer A. c. Hendrick and some twenty inmates of the almshouse occupied reserved seats. The mourners were seated behind the empty pew (which was draped in m mourning) recently oc- cupied by the beloved deacon. The bearers, viz |: Deacon Charles Fabrique, Deacon R. P. Cowles Deacon M. Moulthrop, Deacon A. w. Weld, Deacon A. 4. Townsend, B. P. Yale, M Bryan, Miles Bristol and George H. Fow- Ter, sat immediately in front. The choir sang suitable selections. The pastor offered pray CT and gave many very interesting facts con- oerning the deceased's faithfulness in filling the office of deacon and alluding to his tenn perance work. Rev. John G. Davenport, of Waterbury, spoke very tenderly of the love, sympathy, purity and fidelity exhibited in the life of the deacon, and concluded his remarks with the following original poem, written by the speaker:
 Tenderly, lovingly, lay Jim down! Soft be the pillow beneath his head!
 Many and many acouch Of rest
 His hands for weary soul have spread!
 Tears by his asket shall freely fall
 AS the evening dews, as the summer rain
 Thus freely they fell from his kindly eyes,
 In view of humanttys grief and pain
 Music .hal1 warble in sweetest notes,
 Perch in his slamber twill soothe 1 him still!
 And with songs ot praises bade 1t thrill!
 Words of affection shall here be breathed,
 Beautiful woros of hope and peace
 Such words he utter ed in loving power
 TiIi the Masters summons bade him cease Here shall the language of prayer ascend,
 Nor eer in it's heavenward flight be stayed
 Till it enter the of the waitin Lord,
 Till it plead for those for whom he prayed! Cover his couch with the sweetest flowers
 That the spring time wakens to beauty rare! He planted blooming, radiant rose,
 By many a path way rule and bare!
 Honor be bis as he lies asleep,
 Such honor king courier shares! He honored the L I'd who gave him d'e,
 And man, who the Makers image be- There's mourning to day ath lswly walls /!
 The widow and orphan sadly sigh
 The lonely and wr-tched deeply grieve
 For the helping hand no longer nigh The prisoner in his grated cell
 Has underneath hls gin and shame
 A tenderness that's moved to tears,
 At mention of the Chaplains name! He knows that from this world of
 Has passed away fried sincere!
 Who shall hear his tale of guilt,
 And bring him hope amid his fear :?
 could the sorrow of humble hearts
 Here utter itself in howery guise,
 These courts of the L I'd would bloom to-day,
 As the very gardens of Paradise 'Tis fitting that here in beauty rest
 The symbols that he hold so dear That speak the aith in which he alked
 So many long and earnest year! Here let the gorgeous s'queen of flowers"
 Tell of the haming heart of love Here let the snowy liiy's bloom
 Whisper of purity born above! Here let the modest forget -me-not,
 With its restful tint of heavenly blue Caught from the light of azure skies,
 Speak of fidelity finn and true These ara the graces he richly bore,
 AZ pledged to the p ire, and the true, and gooo, He held his place with loving zeal In the circle of sacred brotherhood! thought followed the spirits flight As of joyous wing it took it's way From these shadowed scenes of grief and sin - To the realms of everlasting day @ And one and another radiant form Came forth to meet him while yet afar! And each was pure as he stainless sky And each was bright as falling star They clustered about him, garland of love, l They tenderly bore him him in their flight AS they onward sped to the heavenly height! He knew them not as in glory rebed They flashed along the sapphire way But him they knew, for his hand had led From the night of sin, to che endless day And one and another told the tale Of his helpful sympathy and love And into his wondering oul poured The gratitude of the saints above! 1 And when the others had ceased to speak, Weekly ble spirit said: "I bless thee, bro her but for thee IVY fh,4cO of "A WAS a wretch, be =otted cursed.
 The slave of appetite debasedi And demon-like, through golden days, | My course in blood and tears I traced! I neither cared for God nor man! thought none cared for w. etched me I only hoped to drown my soul In floods of black debaucheryl Twas then hand was olasped in mine With pressure cordial, frien fly. kind 'Twas then voice said lovingly,
 % come with us leave vice behind Twas then lifted finger bade Me look to heights of power above, Ani upon the throne of heaven My Father, sphered in holy love! That moment through my brutish soul
 ray of hope and courage hroke, And by the tiny beam inspired pledge to better life spoke My cruel foe cast aside,
 And help at length was freely given! I found my manhood found my home, And now have found holy heaven! Brother, the hand that stayed my course, The voice with sympathy divine, The finger pointing to the skies, Beloved brother, all were thine And as the cycles pass away, In rapture deep ming evermors, A tide of holy thankful ness My spirit into thine shall poBr ]? Ee ceased to speak, snd out there swept From golden gate now full in view, A gl atning throng thai joyous sang ''Glad welcome, brother, faithful, true !" And they entered in I heard A voice hat through the melody Ran like strain of sweetest song,