The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-07
A HOUSE OF MOURNING.
SAD SCENES AT TIE RESIDENCE
OF DR.. HOLMES.

Coincidence to the eereaved Family.
spec,al Prayers in the Churches.
Tributes of the Pastors-Dr. Holmes
Church in Mourning-Ihs Ministerial
Association to Meet To-dsy-The Flu
neral Arrangements,
The announcement in yesterdays Morn
ING News OF the death Of Rev. DR.. J. E.
I. Holmes was a shock TO the entire city.
People could hardly realize that the beloved
pastor who few hours before had been on
The streets, chatting with his friends, in ap-
pareutly perfect health, was dead.
DIR. Holmes psrishioners were overcome
bv their bereavement 1t came to them
with all the suddenuess in which death con
come, and it took them some time to real
ize that their pastor was gone from among
them.
As early as O'Clock the members Of the
dead pastors congregation began calling at
the parsonage TO offer their sympathies 70
the bereaved widow.
DIR. Holmes was one of the most popular
ministers in the city, aud all day long his
friends poured into the parsonage to look
upon the quiet peaceful face in its last Sleep
The body reposed in the middle OF the
room upstairs, and until a late hour last
night people were passing around it. Men
and women, little boys and girls, rich and
poor alike, mingled at the side of the dead
minister. Over !, 500 persons visited the
house.
As the visitors gazed on the features of
their friend and pastor, and ramembrances
passed over them OF kind, loving and con-
selling words spoken by the lips now sealed
in death in guiding them in the ways Of
rectitude or comforting them in the time of
trial and sorrow, tears welled up in the eyes
of many, and grief was depicted on the
countenances OF all.
Several of the ministers Of the city called
during the afternoon.
PRAYERS IN THE CHURCHES.
The family of DR.. Holmes and bis church
were the subjects of special prayer at sew
Presbyterian church. after the
morning service. DR.. Dripps read
note from member
of his congregation suggesting that as pas
tor he write letter of confidence 10 the
Savannah Baptist church, expressing the
sympathy and interest of the independent
Presbyterian church as body in its great
bereavement. DR.. Dripps requested that he
be authorized by rising vote of the con-
gregation TO do this. which was done, the
congregation voting unanimously.
While the congregation was standing DR..
Dripps delivered a special prayer for the
sister church In its bereavement and for
the family of the deceased IN their afflction.
This manifestation was all the more touch
ing as il was at the communion service of
the church.
TRIBUTE OF THE PASTORS.
Rev. DR.. Vass, at the First Presbyterian
church, in the prayer at the morning ser
vice specially requested the ip1uence Of
divine grace upon the bereaved family of
DR.. Holmes and his church.
Both DR.. Dripps and DR.. .Vass expressed
the highest personal esteem of DR.. Holmes
and regret at his sad and unexpected death,
though both having been here q compare
lively short time, their acquaintance was not
as close as it might have been.
At the Duffy Street Baptist church, which
DR.. Holmes organized and supported during
its infancy, special prayers we're delivered
for bis family In its bereavement and the
church in its loss. The pastor, Rev. Z P.
Jones, prea ohed feeling sermon, extoling
the high character of the dead clergyman
and expressing grief at his sudden death.
through which Georgia loses one Of its most
talented Baptist clergymen-
REV. Mr.. BLENUs' TRIBUTE.
At the close of the morning sermon at the
Christian church the pastor, Rev. I. II.
Blenus, referred in touchingly tender words
TO DIR. Holmes. Mr.. Blenus bore earnest
and feeling testimony to his character as a
gentleman, a scholar, a companion in labor
and Christian, with a voice subdued by
emotion. He spoke OF the courtesy, dignity
and honor with which the deceased filled
every relation Of life.
"His sincerity of manner" said he, ''his
warm, genial aud sympathetic nature. his
open hearted generosity made him a
host of loving friends. His charac-
ter as child of God, in the high aud
holy calling Of ia minister Of sacred things,
has given TO the doctrine of Christianity a
high luster, In the life, yes, In the death
OF such a man we contemplate holiness
not as a dead letter, not as q mere
sentiment but as a real form, true and
substantial, speaking to us precepts and
words glowing with life Adopted into the
family of God, interested in the merits OF
the atoning blood of Christ, entitled TO the
glories Of immortality, he went forward
through life and death conquering
and to conquer. His death was TO him
passage to q better life, and the gate, TO
immortality"
Mr.. Blenus asked the prayers Of his
congregation for the stricken family circle,
and the church SO suddenly bereft Of be.
loved pastor.
THE CHURCH IN MOURNING.
nc oeaCOuS VI Tue CnurCQ nelQ q meeting
In the morning and took full charge of the
funeral arrangements The door Of the
church was dreped with Grape, and the in
terror Of the building will also be hung with
emblems Of mourning
Rev. Dr. Lansing Burrows OF Augusta. a
prominent Baptist divine aud an intimate
friend OF DR.. Holmes was telegraphed the
news OF his death and he replied that he
will come to the funeral, which will take
place from the church tomorrow afternoon
at 8 o'clock. DR.. Burrows will conduct the
services and will be assisted by Rev. Mr..
Jones. All the ministers of the city will
be in attendance
Dr. Holmes body will be placed tempo
rarity in the Frierson vault In Laurel Grove
cemetery. After awhile Mrs. Holmes will
have it transferred to Baltimore for perma-
nent interment. Undertaken Dixon has
charge of the funeral, and will encase DR..
Holmes body.
Dr. Holmes was chaplain of Solomon's
Lodge No. l. F. A. NJ, which will attend
the funeral in body. He WAS also men,
Der of Georgia Chapter of Royal Arch
Masons and Of a commandery in Virginia,
and was also connected with the Odd Fell
lows there.
a MAN OF LEARNING.
DR.. Holmes was a deeply learned and
highly cultured man. He was a great
student and had Travelled extensively il
America. Europe and in the Holy Land
L..