St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-24
FUNERAL OF $. r.. sr1MsoN.
Rec. DR.. Carrog's sermon--Infernsent a
Lake Tfetc Cemetery.

Rec. DR.. Cdrrolps SerHs0n-Infernsent al
Lake Tietc Cemetery.
Yesterday al that was mortal Of the late
Stephen R. sumsOn was consigned to its
mother dust by loving relatives and friends.
The day was = cold, clustering one, the Their.
mometer being near zero. yet when the
hour for the funeral arrived his late residence
was filed to overlooking by those who Lad
come to pay their last respects to departed
worth. The parlor in which the body las
enco1ined, had 4 number Of floral offerings.
AT the head Of the coffin was 3 large cushion,
eommosed OF Gala lilies and other choice
flowers. and was tue Offering of his wife and
daughter. At the foot Of the coffin was a
crown aud cross, FROM John Covin and fam
ily. On the center Of the coffin lid was a
beautiful wreath from Mrs. J. 0'Gorman,
while near was 4 broken floral column from
the boys in the Office, rs he used TO term his
employees. A beautiful harp, with the strings
parted, was from Mrs. Senator Sabin, whilst
Mrs. c. n. Nelson had sent lovely basket
Of flowers. There were other choice exotics
given by sorrowing friends, the atmosphere
OF the room being charged with their rich
perfume
At IL O'Clock the ouartette choir. consist
ing Of Miss Dexter, soprano, Mrs. Geo. NJ.
Seymour, alto. Mr.. Frank Berry, tenor, and
Mr. W. c. Masterman, bass, sang ''Asleep
with Jesus" and the Rev. DR.. Carroll read
the beautiful funeral service. The choir
then sang Mr.. Stimson's favorite hymn U,
''Nearer my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee, -
and Dr.. Carroll made most impressive
| prayer. Then followed the sermon, which
was one that was listened 10 with the greatest
attention, and as the many references were
made To the departed friend, the tears started
unbidden from the eyes Of those that were
uneceustOmed TO weep. The doctor appeared
TO feel the words in peculiar manner, as
Mr.. Stimson was his tried friend and par
ishi0ner, and as be remarked 10 US: "No
man will be missed more in the city than he,
as no one gave more literally or less Osten-
taiiouslY TO the needy who were deserving,
ami he appeared TO follow the scriptural rule,
Let not thy right hand see what thy left hand
dOeth.' y The doctor took no text, but his
discourse was one OF comfort TO the broke n
hearted wife and daughter, and a lesson to
ali who were present The following Is the
sermon:
The event which has convened US on this
occasion is one OF no ordinary interest and
solemnity. In the departure of an immortal
spirit from this world OF probation, there is q
strange, mysterious and an awe inspiring
interest. The change which we witness on
the tenement Of clay il leaves behind, the
associations that cluster round the departin g
soul, and the eager conjectures that follow
il into the yelled and eternal future on which
il enters, place the death Of any mortal
among the most truly tragic events in human
history. On its pale insignia no mortal eye
can look unmoved. We think of severed
ties that can never be bound on earth
again. We think Of blighted hopes
that can bud and bloom no more in this cold
soil. We think of persisted Joys that no
lapse or vicissitudes of years will restore.
We think of hearts divided to meet no more
below the skies-of homes made solitary,
and of hearths whose lights are extingushed.
We think of the darkness aud solitude of the
tomb, of the fearful blank in bereaved affec-
tio1, and the whitening loneliness of spirit
as the mournen<go about the streets. But
besides all this, the deceased may have borne
a character, sustained relations, filed a
sphere OF usefulness, occupied space in
the circle OF domestic affections, and been
at last taken from earth by a series of pro-
longed suffering, which greatly enhance the
mournful interest that attaches TO death in
ordinary cases, and augment the pangs of
| bereavement.
am reminded by the very aspect of this
audience that there is a deep, pervading
sympathy subdued and silent sorrow to
which no addition can be made by any re-
marks that may be offered on this occasion.
We feel the utter impotency OF our sympa-
thies and our tears TO sOothe the broken
hearts that mourn here to-day. And were
the design OF this service merely
TO add to the mournful interest
Of this scene, / would not utter
another word. But the striking and solemn
| providence that has removed from us this
beloved friend is designed TO teach some i'm
pressive lessons, and make unto each Of US a
resistless appeal. While we bow then in
profound submission to God, who has bereft
us, and weep with those that weep in the bit
terness of their affiictior, let Us try 10 under
stand the instruction in this case so elo-
| quently taught. The spiritual and eternal
benefit that may be derived from proper
improvement of this bereaving dispensatiOn
is the only compensation for the loss which
we deplore. This constitutes the only sweet
that can mingle in this bitter cup-too bitter
else. This death teaches US
|
eighty. Nothing could more strikiugly Illus
trate the fact that "His thoughts are not our
| thoughts nor his ways our ways" How
many reasons for his staying here: that the
laudable ambitions of his energetic life might
have been realized, that his legitimate plans
might have proved prophecies fulfilled, that
the valuable relations TO the world Of business
and the endeared relations to the world Uf
| friendship might be sustained, that the space
in the fond affection OF the home circle
might still be occupied, that the wide sphere
OF usefulness as 4 public spirited citizen
might be benefited by his counsel, and the
field, too, OF benevolence might still be
| blessed by the continuance of his
unosteptatous charities. And vet
the great God saw all these reasons and
Others besides in oil their force, but for
reasons infinitely higher and better deter
mined at this time 10 call him hence. The
only account We can give OF his dealings in
this case is, 10 use the language of the blessed
Redeemer, and say, 'Eveu so, Father, for so
it seemeth good in thy sight" Darkness is
round about Him in this dispensation-His
pavilion is dark waters and thick clouds of
the sky" What He does In this case ''we
know not now, but we shall know hereafter. -
''Justice and judgment are the habitation Of
His throne" High above the clouds that
encompass and conceal the reasons of His
conduct to man shines the resplendant at
/ tribute of His adorable sovereignty. II is
too bright for mortal gaze. We veil our
faces and bow in humble submission and
awe.
IL. His death teaches Us the uncertainty
which ever beset all the best joys and brightest
hopes of earth. The joys OF the domestic
| state, the happiness resulting from the blend
ing OF truly congenial pirits, knit together