The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-14
REV. D. P. BUM.


eer clergyman of the West, residing at
Decatur, ILL.,, but gave no particulars.
They were not at hand when the brief
notice was penned. Since then Deca-
tur papers have been received which
pay full and very affectionate tribute to
the good man gone home, and give the
needed information in regard to his de-
cease. We make use of these this week
"a use, we may add, which will not pre-
clude any further tribute that may come
from Br. Bunn's pastor and successor at
Decatur, or any old time friend of the
aged patriarch. Such a tribute we
hope to receive.
AS stated last week the death of
Br. Bum was sudden and altogether
unexpected. No warning of the near
approach of the event was had. He
retired to rest at the usual hour on
Tuesday night, Dec. 81, after pleasant
evening spent in the household, in ap-
parent good health, and at $3.50 the
next morning was found dead ''looking
calm and peaceful, lying upon his bed
with one arm at his side, the other
across his body, one limb uncovered,
and his head resting on the pillow.
Near by, on the coverlet, were his spec
tacles where he had been in the habit
of placing them on retiring at night,
so that he could get them easily in the
morning"
We are also further informed that
1.-THE body was still warm, but the
spark of life had gone out, probably
less than an hour before. There
was no appearance of a struggle,
the final summons coming quickly,
giving the veteran quick and peaceful
death. Relatives and friends were
summoned to the residence as quickly
as possible, and the manner of the
death, which was unquestionably nat
ural, was explained" Apoplexy was
undoubtedly the cause of death.
REV. DAVID p. BUM was widely
known in Universalist circles through
out the central West. Large numbers
of friends in Ohio, Illinois and Iowa
will remember him as the devoted
friend and pastor and the energetic and
instructive preacher. Wherever he
was known he was esteemed for his
works sake, and for amiable personal
qualities Modest, genial and friendly;
drm believer in the Universalist
faith and an eloquent exponent Of our
doctrines, devoted to the church and of
pure and unspotted life, he leaves this
world much the richer for his conse-
Grated example. He died at an ad-
vanced age, and although not in the
pastoral relation for some years, he
passed away as he would surely have
preferred, his last Sunday having
been employed in the service of that
Master whom he loved, and to whose
church he gave himself in early man.
hood and served with loyal fidelity
until over threescore and ten. In the
records of Universalism in the West,
the name of David P. Bum will long
have honorable record. The church
that he so faithfully served mourns
his death. The fathers are rapidly
passing away! May their sons in the
Faith prove worthy of their fallen
mantles.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
We transfer to our columns from the
Decatur Republican of Dsc. %. the fol
lowing outline biography of Father
Bum. 1t amply testifes to the high
personal regard in which he was held by
his fellow towDsmen:
The deceased was widely known as a
Universalist preacher, who has partici-
pated in many famous discussions on
doctrinal points. One was held in Pow
ers' Hall, before 1860. His competitor
on that occasion was Elder franklin, a
Christian minister from Cincinnati. It
continued several days, and was heard by
great crowds OF people. He was raised a
Methodist. His faiher and mother we're
Methodists and died in that faith. Mr..
Bum was a member of the Methodist
church until he removed to MacLean
county, this State, in 1886. A short time
later by accident, he came into possession
OF a book on Universalism written by
Father Hosea Ballou. He read the work
closely and also other books on the same
subject by other authors. He had often
said in public and private that the effect
of those books on him was to entirely
change the wOrld-the same as tearing
away the veil and letting the light stream
in. From that time he became a firm
believer and preacher of the doctrine OF
Universalism and died in the faith. His
services were much sought after on fun
eral and marriage occasions, not only in
Decatur, but elsewhere. Last Sunday
he preached two sermons at Boody, and
on the Wednesday before he married a
couple at that place. He came home
Monday and spent Christmas with his
children and grandchildren.
David P. Bum was born in Ross coun-
ty. D., August 16, 1912, and was IN the
seventy. sixth year Of his age at the time
of his death. He lived in Ohio until 1886,
when the family removed to a farm near
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