The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-18
Mr.. THOMAS BRANCH.
Final HOnOra Paid to the
Memory Of the La
mented Dead.
ELOQUENT ADDRESS ny Rb'. tR
HOGE.
Final Services in Petersburg.
Final Services in Petersburg.

from Centenary NJ. l.. Churcn, OF Nhicn
Mr.. Branch was deacon and steward.
The chur b, one of the largest In the
city, was crowded to overflowing The
casket was born by ten family servants.
and the honorary pall-bearers followed,
bearing in their hands handsome floral
designs The remains were followed into
the church by a deputalion from the
Virginia Bible Society, the officials of the
church, and the many friends Of the
venerable dece' sed.
The pastor Of Centenary Church, Rev
William f. Judkhs, conducted the exer-
cises. Surrounding him within the rail
ing were Dr. Hoge. DR.. Read, Dr Min
negerode, and Messrs. WagQ0ner, Bled
soc. Lambeth, Lumpkin and Peterson.
In the pews were numerous ministers
and clergymen
The eLular exercises OF The Methodist
Church were READ by the pastor.
The music was solemn. appropriate
and impressive. Mr.. William H. Grant
feelingly sang Warren's music TO 81.
Paurs words, beginning Behold, | show
you a mystery" and the hymns were
sung by The congregation, led by Mrs
Reinbardt, Mrs. John ii. Knowles, JI,
Mr.. Moses May and Mr. William ii.
Grant, with Mr.. Jacob Reinhsrdt as or
ganist
DIR. HoGg's REMARKS.
When the Rev. DR.. Judkins concluded
his remarks he sad that DIR. Hoge had
been requested to make closing all
dress DR.. Hoge then spoke, substsn-
italy, as follows
There are two different aspects in
which wc NAV contemplate Old age One
is the aspect OF Old age uncheered by the
hopes and solations Of religion the
buoyancy and vigor of youth gone. the
strength and energy OF manhood ex-
changed for decrepitude and helpless
ness the eye dim, the hearing dull, the
voice tremulous, the step cautions, tot
tering and slow mental decay, more
saddening, keeping pace with this de-
cline of bodily vigor, and the LONELINESS
which comes fiOm having outliycd the
companions OF early life
Such man is the original of the
graphic picture in the saddest book IN
The Bible-lhe book OF Ecclesisstes-of
whom it is said that the years have come
In which he has no pleasure In them
when sorrow succeeds sorrow, az the
clouds which seem to have dispersed re-
turn after the rain; when the strong arms,
the keepers Of the house, iremble when
the eyes, the windows Of the soul, are
darkened when the unreffeshing slum-
bers of the night are disturbed even by
the light twitter OF the bird; when,
through failure of passion and appetite,
desire fails when, through needless ap-
prehensi0n, fears are in the way when
white hairs, like prophetic cemetery
flowers, cover the head when the tune
less ear does not miss the minstrelsy OF the
daughters OF music brought low, and
when the mourners 90 about the streets
without hope for the body committed TO
the darkness of the grave or for the soul
shrouded in the gloom OF eternal night
We turn away with shudder from
picture like this 10 brighter coDiem
plation. Put In the hands OF The old man
the staff of Gospel promise, put into his
heart the assurance Of present grace and
future glory and then how the aspect is
changed Does he find his bodily strength
declinipgg Then he may say with a con-
fidence he could not have entertained in
early life, "Thou art my nope, 0 Lord,
God. Thou art my trust from my youth.
Thou wilt not cast me of in old age nor
forsske me when strength faileih." Con
scious OF weakness he now learns to de-
pend simply on God. Unable 10 walk by
sight he securely walks by faith. The
eve Of faith never grows dim by time.
Before it open yistas of beauty and glory
transcending the faiTest scenes of earth.
Ii often brightens in anticipation OF rest
beside the still waters OF the river whose
banks are fringed and Swallowed by the
trees of life The hand may be weak and
trembling but it is still grasped by the
strong hand of him who has said, Il will
never leave thee" Does he shun the
loud noises, the crowd snd hustle and
business Of the world, does he seek Sc
clusion and self communion 1t Is be-
cause the earth is now chonged to him
In youth it wasa play ground, in middle
life il was merchants exchange-a
mart of busness-but now II has become
the vestibule of the eternal temple in
which he waits reverenily and patiently
until the time arrives when, by single
step. he passes into the light aud peace
and ioy within the veil, and finds the
heaven of his faith filed with the friends
Of bis love.
THUS ON II heavenly hills,
The saints are blessed above;
Where JOY like morning dew distiils,
And all the air Is love"
DIR. Hoge then said he would briefly
advert TO another consideration. The
venerable father who derived his best
consolation from the Word OF God was
characterized by his efforts for many
wears to extend the knowledge Of that
word to others. He was. from the time
of his removal TO Richmond, one OF
the most devoted and ofticien, support
ers Of the Virginia Bible Society. lie
was regular in his attendance upon the
monthly meetings Of It's Board OF Man
ayers. No matter how pressing his other
engagements were he could always find
time 10 be present at these gatherings for
consultation as TO the best means of ex-
tending the usefulness of the Bible Soci-
ety. And when he became too infrm to
walk as far as the place where these
meetings were held he invited tbs Board
of Managers 70 come 10 his own house:
and there he gave Them his cordial well
ii. "A IN atA tho grant