Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-04
EDWARDS MEMORIAL.
A GREAT oUTPoURINe or SORROW
ING CITIZENS AT CENT ENARY.
Tho I.sfe, Character, and Work Of the De-
ceased Described by Eloquent Speak
ers-BuriaI Mt Hollywood.


churches, delegation from the Richmond
Knights Templars. and Others and taken
TO Centenary church.
Long before the hour for the memorial
services TO begin-11 o'clock-every seat in
the spacious building, save those reserved
for the family and pall-bearers, was occu-
pied.
A few minutes after II o'clock the process
sion entered the church in the following
order: Ministers, pall-besrers, active and
honorary. visiting friends with flowers,
and family.
The meeting was presided over by
Bishop Granbery. and around him on the
pulpit were grouped the following mem
bers of the Methodist clergy Drs. Z. A.
Peterson, Paul Whitehead, Rosser, A. G..
Brown. Z. NJ. Peterson, Wiley Bledsoe, W.
V. Tudor, james Duncan, q. II. Ray. ,. ,.
Lambeth, J. Powell Garland, w. ii. Atwill,
and w. L. Judkins.
THE PALI-BHARRRs.
The pall-bearers were Active1Messrs.
Ro. r. Richardson, John Morton, II. Seldom
Taylor, Charles X. Willis, X. S. M. Valen-
tine, o. +. Weisiger, yr.: J. Thompson
Brown. and George J.. Bidgood, OF Rich
Hatcher, of Lynchburg.
Honorary-Messrs. James B. Pace, John
p. Branch, John w. FERGUSON, p. J. Crew,
Alfred s. Lee, Stephen Putney, and Doctors
w. w. Parker and A. II. Christian.
The Knights Templar of Lynchburg
sent tho following escort: James Is. Gre
CORY, l. II. Adams. Jr., E. A. Allen, and
Joseph Button, who were taken IN charge
by Richmond Commandery. No. 2, and
auartered at the Exchange Hotel. =.
The floral tributes were profuse and OF
exquisite design.
orENISo SERVICES.
The services we're commenced by the
choir. composed of Miss Annie l.. Girls
wold, soprano: Miss Effie Cofer, alto;
Mrs. John II. Knowles, alto Captain
Frank Cunningham, tenor. and Mr.. Her
bert Weisiger, bass. singing the hymn
"servsnt OF God, well dOne,"
which was given ont by Rev. DR.. A. G.
Brown. presiding elder of the West Rich
mond district.
A beautiful and fervent prayer was then
offered by Rev. Dr.. wv Tudor. of Broad
Street church, and after the reading OF APP
propriate selections from Corinthians and
| Thessalonians, Rev. DIR. Judkins made
| the announcement that, although the
regular funeral services had been
| held at Lynchburg, it was deemed
meet and proper that memorial services be
| held here the Methodist ministers feeling
| that they would be but obeyIng the senti-
| ments of the people IN bringing the body
before one of the altars in Richmond he
had so long served. They felt that many
| would like TO testify their love for the de-
ceased. DIR. Judkins closed by giving out
| the 612th hymn
"Unveil thy BOSOM faithful tomb"
REV. DIR. PAUL wHITEHEAD's PAPER.
Following the singing of this hymn Pre-
siding Elder Rev. DR.. Paul Whitehead read
| n paper on the life, character. and minis
| try of the deceased.
After an allusion TO the number of the
| clergy who were buried in Hollywood, DR..
| Whitehead said that in tho death OF DR.. Edwards
| the conference had suffered one OF the greatest
losses that had ever befallen IL. At the age OF
| thirty-nve the deceased had already attained
celebrity and ON the scroll OF ecclesiastical lame
his namo was enrolled with those OF Doggett,
| Duncan, and others When he came TO Virginia,
| after serving for eight years In North Carolina,
| he was renowned preacher For over iorty
| years he had been recognized as In the front
rank Of diyines. lie was n man OF some peculiar
| and exceptional gifts. Hemade all departments
| of knowledge tributary 20 the cause OF his Mas
ter, and he had been blessed with rich harvest
AS PASTOR.
DR. Edwards was, said DIR. Whitehead, essential
| " pastor-a city pastor-and e1ceiied all OF ms
the speaker had heard from him
was worthy OF his best daye, though II wes
preached in the open mir. lie was also great
| reyiyalst In the best sense Of the phrase. He
never ran in O groove. He was as edifytnS 10
| the believer as he was convincing 30 the sinner
| and was the best manager OF reyiyals the speak
or had ever known.
| IN THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Tho deceased, continued Dr. Whitehead, took
n monument position In the General Conference,
nnd was a valuable and distinguished member
owing To his Intellect, his influence and knowledge
| Of church law. From the beginning OF ms MN
| lo al Of higher odII-
| cation Of the ministry and ever hDored 10
widen education In all classes. He was skiliiul
| and powerful writer and worked and wrote 70
| the end.
qualities OF the deceased, his love for good men,
| and concluded with beautiful tribute to his
| personal piety.
REV. DIR. RossER's REMARKS.
| The venerable DIR. Leonidas Rosser followed
| DIR. Whitehead. lie said history would perpetu-
| ate the fame OF the deceased. volume might
| be written in memory Of him. He belonged not
| only to MethOdism, but TO tho Christianity OF the
| whole State. The peculiar lustre of Dr. Edwards
| was what no other member Of the ministry could
| claim or radiate. The other denominations are
| local-the Methodists itinerant. IL had been
| the struggle of Methodism for years TO
| incorporate some Of the features Of local
| ism upon the system. II had been tho
| struggle Of the other denominations, notably the
! Presbytoiians, 20 incorporate some OF the good
| Of itinerancy. John h. Edwards oomblned We
4
| hands Of the Episcopacy, but was always detiS-
| mated for one Of the first stations. Dr. kosser
| alluded In terms OF the most profound pathor 70
| the fact that DR.. HORe, DIR. Edwards, and himself
| had commenced the race In Richmond about tho
| same time when the meadows were green and
| their feet were swift. .
| incidentally Dr. Rosser said that he believed the
| time would come when there would be no limit
| imposed upon the period minister could serve
/ at one station.
POWERS OF ANALYSIS AND sYSTHEsIs.
| DIR. Edwards, said DIR. Rosser, was man OF su-
perior ANALYTICAL and synthetical powers lie
| could dissect subject IN a moment ana as
| quickly combine It's elements.
| Pointing 10 the flowers on the casket, Dr. Roe
| ser said these are symbols OF his character. DR..
| Rosser concluded his remarks with words OF ten
| der sympathy 10 the family.
| REV. Mr. BLEDsoE.
| Rey J. Wiley Bledsoe was the next speaker.
After an allusion to the widespread grief at DIR.
| Edwards's death he said that the deceased be-
longed not 10 the Methodists, bat 10 the Chris
| tians OF the whole country. Win respect emu
| grief profound all came 70 honor his memory:
| our hearts flow out in one common channel OF
\ deep sorrow on the occasion as We contemplate
| thai his powerful voice Is still. But We gather
from his life lessons OF instruction and encour-
| ngement that shall be an inspiration and Joy.
| Let us remember that the good ana the
/ great labor for All the past Is ours.
The example and devotion TO duty Of the great
are our priceless heritage The glory or their
/ lives flashes upon our paths that We may not
walk In darkness. II should be our aim not 10
| live ON the bounty Of others Lot II be our aim
/ 10 work and husband our resources IN order that
/ when life ends we may transmit to posterity the
| legacies VIC have received, enriched by our Ia
| DOrS.
| REkEEp HIS OWN MONUMENT.
DIR. Edwards, resumed Mr.. Biedsoe, had reared
his own monument A monument that shall
out last the granite shaft and the marble column.
| lie was a sculptor who, under the tuition OF the
| Divine Artist, fashioned hearts into teauty. As
| a painter OF skin he threw out picture after
| picture on the canvas of thought. His talents
| form n monument with Its base fixed In the ROCK
| OF Ages, and It's shaft piercing 70 glorious
| eternity lie who lives well lives always. The
life OF Christian is not ephemeral, but ike the
! burning sun-though IL dips behind the noun.
tans ID stiu shines on. We rejoice In the HE oi
| DR.. Edwards, but rejoice more In his nnal tn
4 umph When the Christian triumphs over the
last onemy his triumph Is thorough ana eternal
| We rejoice that DR.. Edwards lived and worked
ana conquered
| remember that we seek In vain for admittance &c
| The Heavenly city unless we listen 70 the voice
| which says 81 am the door,
DIR. PErERsoS's TRIBUTE.
Rev. DR.. p. A. Peterson said he had earn esily