The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-02
THE LATE REV. DIR. PRATT.
MEMORIAL EXERCISES AT THE SEC
oND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Resolutions Concentrating the Vir-
tues of the Honored Dead--Remarks
by Judge Clapp, Judge Heiskell and
the Rev. DR.. Boggs.

Pratt, ID. d., oil LOUISVILLE, n.y., who had
filed the pulpit OF this church for several
mouths OF last year, during the absence OF
the pastor, so acceptably, and he request
cd their attention to the following resolu-
tons relative thereto which had been pre-
pared by Dr. Alexander Erskine; one of
the elders of the church:
Whereas, We have heard OF the recent
death of the Rev. J. w. Pratt, ID. d., of
Louisville, KY; therefore, be it
Resolved, That in consideration OF the
invaluable services he rendered this con-
gregation during the past summer in the
midst OF its exhausting heat and in great
bodily weakness We express our deep
emotion and sorrow at the sad tidings, and
mourn for him as for the loss Of q beloved
friend.
Resolved, That in his walk before us,
nc was deeply imbued with the spirit Of
his Master, going in and out with humility
and meekness. In his pulpit ministra-
tions he exhibited great earnestness and
power, grazing his grand efforts with the
highest rhetorical finish, with profound
crudtion, unanswerable logic, searching
and minute analysis and far reaching
thought, sanctilying his great abilities with
n holy life and the purest example.
Resolved, That we tender to his be-
Ieaved family our sinccrcst coincidence.
Resolved, That this expression OF con-
fidcnce and sorrow be published, and
HnrooI ttnan orr aaaciau raaorIo
Elder Judge j. w. Clapp then arose and
spoke rs follows:
rise, moderator, 10 second the motion
10 adopt the resolutions which have Just
been read, and which, am satisfied, give
expression to the sentimental veneration
and affection, that is cherished by every
member of this congregation. toward him
whose sojourn and ministerial services
among us, they are intended TO comment
omte. DIR. Pratt came at our invitation
10 supply temporary vacancy in our pull
pit. Although well known by reputation,
personally lie was an entire stranger i'm
this congregation and community, but
very soon commended himself alike 10 our
admiration and allectionatc regard, and
was most appreciated and beloved by those
who knew him best. As preacher DR.
Pratt had few equals. His sermons were
models OF logical sequence and cogency,
and at the same time, OF pre-cminent
putty and beauty OF diction, reminding
one Of the granite column embclished
with the most attractive drapcry, and they
carried with them thorough CON
viciion OF his sincerity and dcvo.
ton 10 his exalted vocation. Among
his many published dscourses
may refer especially TO the one upon
Light" convincing in its logic. luminous
with appropriate metaphors, and sparkling
with rhetorical gems, and II il n satisiac-
ton TO know that whilst ''the voice OF the
eloquent preacher Is mute, and his fcrvid
tones will b. heard upon earth no morc,
he is today with him who "dwpllcth in
light that II inaccessible and full Of glory"
in whose presence there Is fullnoss OF Joy
and nj whose right hand there are pleas
lures forcvcrmow The resolutions pay n
tribute oi grateful remembrance 90 his
memory that is specially due from us,
whom hc served 80 nssiduousy aud faith
fully, even when ovcrbornc by hisphysical
infrmiiics. and will. am sure. meet with
a cordial and unanimous response.
Other remarks being called for, Elder
Judge {. W. Hciskell arose and said:
My acquaintance with DIR. Pratt extend
ed only through the few months he min
isicrcd to M last summer. In that brief
period ! learned to respect, 10 honor and
10 love him. No man ever met impressed
me more profoundly. do not hesitate TO
say he wis ono OF the most scholarly men
ever knew. While his sermons were
mastcrful in substance, his tcrsc and clc-
CANT style made them always charm
lug. His diction was ornate, chastc
aud wonderfully graceful. His sent
enccs. burlened with logical reason
ing and rich and helpful thought,
flowed easily AMI iclicitously. lie never
paused for u word, and always chose the
one most suitable 10 express h meaning,
10 that the pIofnndiiy and dignity of his
uticnnccs were made thoroughly inter
lrsting and enjoyable by the appropriate
language in which he clothed them. lie
wasarhciorician, an orator, and, what seems
almost lost art, he was an admirable
reader. HUT these accomplishments were
hut the trappings Of abe sincere faith and
Chnst-likc spirit that brcathed In every
line and worl that lac uttered. II hia
prayers were always eloquent Il was be-
cause they were the simple pleadings oi
the child Of grace, kneeling nj his Fathers
feet, beseeching his favor, his help and
his protecting care. Ills daily life was a
living epistle, known and read Of all
men, OF the beauty, symmetry and power
of our holy religion. Indeed, he came M
near the perfect minister rs any one ever
knew
IN doctrine unoouupt IN Language plain.
And plain ~ manner, deceui solemn, chaslc,
Aud natural IN gesture, much lmpwssd
lilmarlf A. CONSCIOUS Of hls awful chargr.
And anxious mainly that the hoct he f,cds
May feel Il too Ancctionatc In look,
AMI iendcf In addFess. ~ well hecomes
a met.cngCr oi rracc " guilty men
Their stands The messenger ~ Truth, then stands
The icgate of the skies Ills theme divine,
liz oficc sacred. his credentials clear
~ him the violated lew peaks out
IT, thunder. aud ~ HIN 10 strains a. sweet
A. anYrls use. the gospel whisper peace.
lie ostablishcs the sfuJng. RESTORES the weak,
lcealms the wHndcrer bind the broken heart
Aud armed himscii ~ panoply complete
al heavenly temper furnishes with arms
Bright Ne his own. aud tualns by ever rule
Ofholy discipline 10 glorious var,
The faeramental host Of Gods elect
With all this aud through all. his deer
humility and broad Christian charity mad,
him lovely and beloved by all. lie was q
good man, ripe scholar, a great preacher
the highest type Of the Christian gentle
man. Such man never dies. lie only
leaves us-to live. The good that hs
docs lives after him and lonvcr The
wicked man dies. aud where Is hog Tho
righteous falls asleep In Jesus, 10 awake
amid the supcrnal glorios Of our Fathers
house, where sorrow never enters. And
there IL no more weeping but 9Th,
smile Of the Lord Is the feast Of the soul. "