Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-18
LAID AT REST.
Imposing Ceremonies at Green
wood Cemetery.
The Services Over the Remains of Rev
A. ID. Sears Attended By Five
Hundred People.
BEAUTIFUL FLORAL OFFERINGS

~
people were passing in and out all
day from early morn till the funeral
hour. Members of his congregation,
families, friends and scores of chill
dren, were all anxious to take fare
well look at the placid features of the
beloved and venerated pastor, the
grand old Christian hero and hon.
ored servant of God. 1t was most
pleasing face to behold, even in death.
1t was 50 calm and life-like; not a
wrinkle furrowed his brow, or rutfled
his cheek to indicate the great old
age he had attained, or leave the
imprint of suffering or sorrow; but
rather dWelt there the lingering
smile of peace, that told of the bliss
of the enraptured soul which had
lett the casket for the sweet beyond.
They came with tear-bedeWed
flowers, loves own free will offerings;
beautiful lilies, fragrant roses, stately
magnolias, modest violets and name
less varieties of floral beauties,
silently expressing the Utmost feel
ings of sorrowing hearts. The cham
Der was literally bedecked with sweet
offerings, scarcely leaving space upon
which another blossom might rest.
Upon the elegant cloth covered
casket containing the mortal remains,
rested that large bunch of white
lilies which he himself had chosen to
deck his grave. But ah they were
not so bright and beautiful as when
he gazed upon them in the early
morn, watching the sunbeams steal
away their dewy freshness. Just as
the remorseless angel of death was
then gradually stealing away his life,
they had Wilted and closed their
tender petals as if weeping and sor
rowing for the loss OF departed
spirit-and yet they too were still
beautiful in death.
AT 3 o'clock the remains of the
great preacher were escorted by the
Knights TempIar, Master Masons
and Forbes Bivouac to the Methodist
church, where the obsequies were
held, for reasons heretofore stated, Sir
Knights DIR. McCauley and S. A..
Caldwell family escorts. The large
building was crowded even to the
standing space in the aisles.
The rostrum was occupied by the
local ministers who compose the
ministers association, of which the
deceased was member. They were
DR.. West, DR.. Lupton, Revs. Burney,
Sullivan, Growden, DR.. Bardwell
and DR.. Price.
Mr.. Growden read the beautiful
hymn, "Waiting and Watching
which was sung by the choir. DR..
West read passages of scripture from
fifth and fifteenth chapters of Cor
rinthians. DR.. Lupton offered a
touching prayer, Rev. j. w. Sui
Ivan followed, reading ave are
Going Home Tomorrow" which was
sung by the choir, stirring the
emotional nature of all present.
DIR. w. III. Whitsett, of Louisville,
preached the funeral discourse from
Psalms 18th chapter, 18th verse GAS
for me l will behold thy face in
righteousness l shall be satisfied
when awake with thy likeness"
He gave a running sketch of the
remarkable preachers life of 81 years
action in the ministry. During the
latter years of his life he had lost all
fear of death, and used his time with
the enthusiasm of inspiration and
came to his grave in full age. His
conversion to christianity was Tikened
to degree with that of the great
Apostle Paul. Then he referred pa
thetically to DIR. Sears visit to
Louisville last February, the great
sermon he preached, and the frag
rance of old memories of Zion, show |
ing the substantial character of his |
wonderful work in that city years
ago. He spoke of his association with |
great men and his early ministry as
one of the co.workers with DIR. James
Pendleton and Sam'l Baker. lie
dwelt upon the stamina and character
of the men and women he gathered
around him, and the respect and con.
fldence of all men, and the elements
of men mixed in him with curious
skill; the impetuosity and fire of his
nature; his resoluteness, the gentle
ness Of his character, fiXcdness of
his purpose, and the moderation that
balanced all, and wound up with an
to his greatest work of all in
GAINESVILLE, and invoking a blessing
upon his aged widow and family.
This service closed with the song
There is rest for the weary"
There were over 500 people in the
procession to Greenwood, where the
remains were inferred with Knightly
lOnors, Deputy Grand Commander
L. O. Morris, of Nashville, acting as
and Past Commander
NJ. b. Pitcher, of Nashville, acting as