The Charlotte Democrat., 1890-10-24
Funeral of q Hebrew Child.

Remarks made BY the Rev. ]. c. Hiden, former
Pastor of the First Baptist Church Of VIII
mington, in Sermon at Eufaula, Ala.
On last Sunday morning, Rev. J. g.
Hiden, in a sermon on "The Oneness
of Gods People," related the following
story:
Years ago, when was pastor in Will
N. c., I was we'll acquainted with a
prominent business man, who was
devout Hebrew. A great afaiction befell
him his bright little boy, of some eight
years of age, died. There was then no
Hebrew Rabbi in that city. though the
Jews held regular religious services, as l
hope they do here.
IL occurred to me that it might be well
to visit the afflicted family, and offer such
consolation as the circumstances would
permit of; but as did not know how
visit from Christian minister would be
received, I inquired of another Hebrew
merchant as to what course L should pur
sue. "Go, sir, by all MEANS" said he.
{. You will be kindly received, and your
visit will be highly appreciated"
And so I went to the house of mourn
ing. There lay the marble form of the
light of the household, cold in death
The distressed father greeted me warmly,
and was greatly affected when told him
why I had come. After some words,
which were meant to console him in his
great sorrow, I said, "My friend, l do
not know what you may think ofreligious
services conducted by Christian minis
| ter, but if can do anything that would
be acceptable to you, should be glad to
serve you" He replied "Well, sir, [
would like to have a few words said at
the grave of my boy when we lay him
| away, and if you would conduct service
which would not trench upon the views
and feelings of my people, it would be a
comfort to me-
l replied: "Certainlv v I can do it.
We both believe the Old Testament, and
this have in common" ooh, yes" said
he, 81 know you can do it, avery
we'll then, will do it," and | did.
The Hebrews have their funerals at
the grave, 80 went to the Hebrew GENE
terry. A large Hebrew audience was
gathered there, and not few ofmy own
people came, wondering what Baptist
preacher would have to say at Jewish
| funeral. And there, over the open grave
of that little boy, I spoke of the first
Hebrew cemetery, which Abraham the
father of the faithful, had purchased for
the burial of his beloved Sarah and said
that was glad that some of Abraham's s
children had found a home here in this
| favored land, where the persecution of
Jews is unknown. Then made brief
prayer, and closed it with the doxology
"Now unto the king eternal, immortal =,
invisible, the only wise God, be honor and
| GLORY forever and ever
Some people blamed me for conducting
that service; but if did wrong [ have
not learned any better since that day,
and, under similar circumstances, l would
do it again.
A brother preacher of another denomi-
nation criticized me for leaving out the
name of Christ in my prayer. I replied
that the Lords Prayer was open to the
same objection. had just preached in
this critics pulpit; so asked him if he
would have thought it proper, if, in that
sermon, had preached the distinctive
tenets Of Baptists. He said, "No;
would not" "Very WE'LL" replied /"
believe enough in common with any
devout Jew to give ample verge for q
service in which we can both heartily
Ijoin." My Hebrew friend praised me by
saying "a Rabbi could not have done it
BETTER" and 1 regarded it as real com
pliment.