The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-04
PASTOR DAVIS FUNERAL
Impressive Services at the
Summit Avenue Baptist
Church.
A GREAT THR0NG GATHERS 70 MOURN.
Ferns and Immortelles Supplant
the Evergreen Wreath Of the
Christmas Holiday
Feeling Speeches.
4 GREAT 7HR0NG GATHERS 70 MOURN.

Il
The funeral services over the remains
of the late Rev. Irving Franklin Davis,
who died of pneumonia on Tuesday, drew
great throng last evening to the Sum
NIT Avenue Baptist Church. whose pastor
he was when he died. BY half past seven
O'Clock every seat, except those reserved
for the immediate relatives and friends
was occupied, the gallery packed and the
lobby and yard Of the church filed with
those who were unable to gain admitt-
ance.
1t was with much difficulty that the
funeral procession made its way up the
aisle
The pulpit was mass of flowers and
ferns, The hues of which were softened by
the densely craped pulpit desk and the
minister . chair, which was left vacant.
The floral designs were many and beauti-
full, and came from SorrOwing friends in
different sections. The casket OF black
cloth and silver was covered also with
flowers
On the pulpit, half hidden by fern foli-
age and imposing floral designs, sat the
Rev. M. Il. Davis, the Rev. DIR.
Boyd, OF the First Baptist Church, New
ark; the Rev. Leighton Williams of New
ark; the Rev. Walter Rauschenbusch, of
the Second German Baptist Church.
New York; the Rev. Frank Fletcher, of
West Hoboken Baptist Church; the Rev.
William Eakins, of Simpson M. 4.
Church; and the Rev Rufus John
son; of this city. Other ministers of var
ious denominations were scattered about
the audience.
EULoGIZED THE DEAD.
The Rev T. NJ. Davis led the congrega-
tion in a heartfelt prayer. and was fol-
DR.. Boyd. The choir of about twenty
voices sang softly and sweetly Jesus
Lover of My Soul, = then the Rev. Walter
RanSchenbush, who was an intimate
friend of the deceased minister, arose and
in very impressive manner alluded to
the many lovable qualities of his dead
brother. He touchingly alluded to the
irresistible grace with which the Rev.
Mr.. Davis had won his way among those
with whom he came into contact.
His was plain, simple. untarnished
manhood, q child of God That was
what he was; that was all he claimed to
be. He loved you, brethren. He longed
for the conversion of every soul His
simple trust in Jesus was exemplitied in
almost the lasa words he murmured:--
This poor suppliantp What he shall be
we do not know. He knows now. He
no longer looks through darkened
glass.
The minister closed by alluding to the
llssriiss.s Nearer Ny Ged to Thee, sung by
the lips the dying preacher loved most.
There was scarcely dry eye in the
throughout the congregation sadly feels.
LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE.
The Rev. Rufus Johnson read a number
of letters from prominent ministers. ex-
pressing their deep regrets at not being
able to attend the services. They were
from the Rev. Dr. W. II. Parmly, of the
First Baptist Church; the Rev. J. l..
Scudder and the Rev j. Madison Hare,
of PhBnixville, Pa, who flied The pulpit
of the Summit Avenue Baptist Church,
while Mr.. Davis was taking his vacation
in Europe last summer.
The Rev Frank Fletcher in chaste and
eloquent words expressed to the bereaved
family and the congregation the deep loss
sustained by the Ministerial Association.
Had the deceased lived he would proha-
bly, have taken foremost position among
/ The Rev. William Eakin said:-.1Our
dear brother was not only beloved by you,
hut he was beloved by every individual in
the entire community, and had the re-
spect Of even those who did not have the
honor of his personal acquaintance. Do
this church? He said
g 4 want to be your faithful servant
this year Who could say he was not
faithful. Friends, you will miss him
more because of his honest work. Do you
remember the little pleasantly the min
lister from Newark indulged in at our
dead brothers expense when he was first
welcomed here to this church,? How
like to fulfilment Of a prophesy it
seems now.
"See that you take care of our body; if
YOU don't the undertaken will
The minister then referred to the re-
turn of Mr. Davis from a hurried trip
West, arriving home fatigued and i'll
with the pneumonia; he threw his coat
over his shoulders and ventured out to
visit sick child, the exposure OF which
brought on his death illness,
ssHe was always ready with the kind
words OF the Master said the Rev. Rufus
johnson. who, before his ordination to
the ministry. was member of the dead
minister's congregation. His heart was
overfiowirg with sympathy. Think, you,
his work is done? No. His work is not to
be counted by the sixty-eight souls that
passed though these baptismai waters.
Young people, you will never know how
much he loved YOU His whole thought
was for your future His works will fol-
low him. Remember his counsel-his
KING. Renlal, coIulsti ldISs RIcctlug you
ever with smile, striving ever to lead
you to better, higher life. His life shall
never fade. 7"
The INTERMENT IN MISSOURI
After prayer and song, and the.benedic-
tion by the Rev. Mr.. Ditchmuiler, the
congregation was invited to gaze upon
the face of the loved minister for the last
time, after which the casket was placed
in a vault in the New York Bay Gene
terry until arrangements are completed
for its conveyance TO Kirkwood, Mo-,
tha form 81. home of the rliristar