The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-09-26
Funeral of James D. striker.

ing of last week, took place from the
Presbyterian Church, on last Thursday
afternoon. There was large attendance
Of his old friends and neighbors. The
sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel NJ.
Studdiford, of the Third Presbyterian
Church, Trenton, and Rev. A. Gosman,
ID. D., of Lawrenceville, and Rev. w. NJ.
Mick, of this city, assisted in the services.
Below we give Rev. Mr.. Studdiford' S
sermon, which contains so fulis sketch of
Mr.. Stryker's character and of his history,
that any supplementary remarks are an
necessary:
A great deal has been written concern
ing the evidences of our holy religion, by
which its truth is confirmed but of all
the evidences Of Christianity, the most
convincing is the Christian himself. The
humble, consistent, useful life of the man
who puts his trust IN the Savior and
manifests in his conduct that he is actu-
ated by Christian principle is standing
proof of the truth of Christianity which
all the sophistry and Ingenuity of the
sceptic cannot explain away. No other
system of religion or of. belief can show
such results as Christianity shows in its
effect upon the conduct and the life of
those who sincerely embrace it. Every
instance of godly living which we behold
is new proof, which God himself is Civ
ing us of the divine efficacy of tho Gospel,
for which we cannot be too thankful
The presence of those who give evidence
that they are walking in the Savior's
footsteps and are governed by his spirit,
is one of the greatest blessings that any
community can enjoy. They are as the
Savior describes them, "the salt of the
earth, y ''the light of the world" The
silent, unconscious, continuous, powerful
influence, which they by their example
exert, apart from their active efforts, can
not properly be estimated When they
arc taken from US by death, if not before,
we begin to appreciate something ofwhat
the blessing of their presence has been.
Aye, in dying, they frequently bear such
glorious testimony to the power of the
Savior to help when all earthly helpers
fail, as to cause even the wording to give
expression to the wish, "Let mo die the
death of the righteous and let my last end
be like his.
These thoughts are brought very forci-
bly, to mind at this time. We have as
sembled to pay the last tribute of respect
to the mortal remains of one whose pre-
sence has been blessing to this church
and to this community, whose whole
course among us, stretching as it has done
through nearly three score years, spent in
this city, has been clear, distinct, un-
testimony to the excellence of
tf,s,. Ill H. =.
dying, has left to his family and TO this
revered Church, the precious legacy of a
good name, the record of q life of thorough
unquestioned devotion to the Master.
The memory of the just God himself has
declared to be blessed. Their faith we
are called upon to follow, considering the
end of their conversation, and not losing
sight of the precious encouragement, that
the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior in whom
they trusted, ais the same to-day, yester-
day and forever"
James Davis Stryker was born near
Pittstown, in this county, January 18th,
1900. His father was farmer. He was
one of the nine children of Peter Stryker
and Keziah Davis his wife. The educa-
tional advantages afforded youth in the
vicinity of his home, were, at the begin
ming of this century very meagre, but he
was privileged to be under the instruc-
tion of the Rev. Holloway w. Hunt, who
had pastoral charge of the churches of
Bethlehem and Alexandria. Among his
associates in study, were the late Judge
W. p. Robson and DIR. J. Marshall Paul,
of Belvidere. That Mr.. Stryker improved
his advantages when boy, his long,
active and successful business life proves.
When but lad he chose mercantile bust
ness as his vocation and became clerk in
the store of Samuel Britton, of French
town. Subsequently he acted in the same
at Plumsteadville, Bucks Co,
Pa, in the branch store of Stryker &
Hoppock, then of Lumberville, Pa, of
which firm his brother Samuel ID Stryker
was the senior member. When his brother
from Lumberville to Pennington
to engage in business there, he went with
his brother and continued in his employ
for some time. In the store at Fleming
ton, he had as fellow-clerk, the late
John II. Anderson, afterwards chosen
with him to be ruling elder in the church
and associated with him in the session
for so many years. After remaining in
Pennington for year or two, he COM
menced business for himself at Everitts-
town. In April, 1926, he removed to
and formed partnership
with his brother Samuel, in the mercantile
business, under the firm name of s. ID. &
]. ID. Stryker, business which they
continued with great success until April,
1913. Some years before this he and his
brother had become interested in what
was known as the Pine Forest Company,
nd Nh tlxr fhax tn t,on IN
the late Joseph ID. Murray, of New Hope,
bought large tract of pine aud hemlock
timber on the Lehigh, which they worked
very successfully.
In 1861. when what is now known as
the Lambertvlle National Bank was
formed, he was elected as one of the di-
rectors. On the death of his brother
Samuel, in January, 1868, he succeeded
him in the presidency of the bank which
office, by repeated elections, he held for
the rest of his life.
So that for more than fifty.seyen years
he has been closely identified with the
business interests of this community and
has been among the most prominent of
Its business men.
Mr.. Stryker was twice married. His
FIRST wife was Miss La Rue, to whom he
was united in marriage, nearly two years
before he removed to this place. She was
the mother of his five children, three Of
whom survive. Her death occurred in De-
cember, 1857. In 1862 he married Mrs.
the widow of John Il. Hol-
combe. She died two years and half
after their marriage.
Mr.. Stryker enjoyed in his childhood
the benefits of careful religious training.
His mother was an humble and devoted
Christian ; a woman of great energy and
Of mild, yet firm disposition. She EVIL
IDENTIFY exerted marked influence upon
her children. He often spoke of her with
reverence and affection and, doubtless, to
her more than to any one else he owed the
cultivation of those sterling qualities of
mind and heart that fitted him for that
successful business career which now is
brought to close. In his very youth he
imbibed a profound reverence for the
Bible, the Church of Christ, the Christian
Sabbath and the means Of grace. He was
trained to religious habits and grew up
nnder their control. On Christmas day.
1884, he made public profession of his
faith in Christ and was received to the
of this Church.