New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-10
A TRIBUTE TO Mr.. McELRATH
MANY FRIENDS HONOR Ills MEMORY.

ApPREcIATIvE WORDS FROM THE REV. DR. Nc
CEEsNEY-A LONG LIFE OF USEFULNESS.
The body OF Thomas McIlraih. who was ass0ciaiou
with iCrace Greeley in starting Tho Tribune, was
placed In the vault al the Marble Cemetery yesterday
afternoon in the presence OF many OF his ile-iohs
friends and sorrowlng relatives. Early In the morn
Ing funeral services for the family only conducted
by the Rev. DR.. Ensign McChesney, were held OF the
home Of Mr.. McElraths son-in-lsw George W. Deoe-
vose. In the afternoon public services were held In
st. Paus Methodist Episcopal Church, at TourthaVe.
and Twenty sccond-st., which largely attended
by Mr.. McElraths social and business acquaintance
The services opened with the singing by a quartet
choir of Beyond tho Smiling and tho Weeping
The pastor then read appropriate rcciiations nom
tho Psalms, and the choir again sang. Before tho
services ended. Dr. McChesney delivered BRIEF
funeral address Referring TO the dead man he sald
Our brother lived FOR many years lie began his life
opening OF the century are rapidly ap
proac Ing the ecntury's close lie lived 70 observe with
wakcul great changes in this city in the Nation 'ni
in the woil1 Civilization bright when he began 10
live but much brighter when he passed For more
than years and ten he stood In the midst OF
the activities CT the most wonderful period oil
human history. lie lived found a home and family
For more than half century he lived with the chosen
bride his youth Children manhood and woman'
hood about him and remained watch his declining
years. a long stainless business record lie
met ossea but he did not lose his self respect nor
the respect Of feow-men. He had prosperity more
than falls 70 the common lot OF men, lie was honofaby
connected with various literary enterprises lie was
Identified with the founding and prosperity Of one OF the
great journals OF this city and Nation. His name Is as
ISOLATED in your memories and stand connected in his
tory with Of the greatest gcniuses and greatest
men America has produced
The newspaper press is without doubt only the
echo OF public opinion OF the mighty agents in
forming it. 10 influential In the history Of journal
like The New-York Tribune is honor that falls TO
the lot Of few and that almost any man might
coyet His life that OF private citizen merely
He was many ways the faithful servant OF the public
He was honocd with worthy responsibilities at home
and abroad lie the requirements Of each and every
position with ability and performed It's duti-s with con-
spicuous lie man who had many friends
for friendship with him great reality thing he
most dearly priced lie commanded respect by his abu
ties and virtues He Arbitration because there was
much In him 10 admire. He was DeloNeu because he
was worthy Of being loved
IS this all II this were all 1t would be much
But this is not all, nor is this chief Ihess were no'
the things which made life greatest and best 70 him "heh
he was with u.s. These not the things winch are
now nest precious him since he has gone hence. II
these eyes could open and beam with life II his lips
could fashion words these doubtless wond DC
the words would speak Seek rst the Kingdom OF God
and his righteousness and all these things shall be a1oel
unto you"
He was a Christian a man who believed in Gcd in the
Bible and in Christ, tho Saviour OF men,
He was man who repened and prayed and found peace
and strength where and only where, mortals can una
peace and strength In early life when but youth OF
seventeen years he connected himself with the Church. ana
remained worthy member Till the close OF his He As
long as and strength permitted he was IN MS place
az the seasons OF Sabbath worship
remember when first came to minister In THIS pulpit
Among NV audience was this venerable He was one
q, the ars to take me by the hand and among the pleas
attest remembrance OF bright Sabbath morning In
.pringume CT my first meeting with the man VINO
to-day is borne away his burial For several months
mast his place in the church has been vacant 1t Is now
vacant forever visited him during his sickness Inc
current q life was ebbng away. Pain and weakness were
wearing out the frame that had served him so long VI al
that he had ever found nothlng there
wos q, as much worth his latin
IN the Redeemer The ministIaton Of wife and children
and friends were not wanting but the presence oil "od
WAS the staff in which trusted he entered he valley
O, deaths sha low wednesday last he iell asleep
seety and peacefully for night OF refreshing rest
he closed his eyes upon earth them amid the mys
terles OF the eternal world lie gone But he leaves
behind him an untarnhcd NAME the record OF lie spent
in honorable pursuits and best OF all in the endea'of 10
do the viii OF Gcd.
Only simple wreath Of flowers rested on the
coffin, near which sat the members Of the family
They were Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson ?. McEirat'
John 2. McElrath, Percy McElrath, Mrs. q. W.
McElrath and three grandsons The pail bearers were
william De Groot, Joseph Graydon, Dr. benjamin
Lord Whltelaw Reid James b. Colgate. Edmund Gar
ton L. H. Wright and Daniel a. Huntington Among
those present John Jaw. the Rev. Dr. PONcrs
Mr. and Mrs Thomas y. Rocker. Robert NJ. strcbeigh;
Keller Bangs W l. Ayery OF Mics lily; T TGI1nG
son Price, the Rev. IfOratiO y. Power Of PlermOnt
and the Rev. James Carter.