Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-04
DIR. GIBSON AT REST.
POPULAR TRIBUTE or LOVE AND RE.
sPEcr TO THE DEAD PASTOR.
Immense Attendance ~ the Cherch--Hun-
dreds Turned Awsy-riofai offerings.
bishops aud Clergy Present.
roorrcspondenoe 0, ,ne Rlchmoud pIspa.ch.l

PETERSBURG, Va, November S.--Tbe
funeral OF Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, ID. d.,
took place this morning from Grace Epis-
copal church, Of which for ffty-one years
he had been the honored aud beloved rec
tor. From to 10 O'Clock the body lay in
state In the basement Of the church, en-
cased in handsome casket and clothed
in his episcopal robes. and between those
hours there was q continuous stream OF
people anxious to- obtain a last look at the
features which in life had smiled 80 sweet
ly upon them and which all remembered
90 well. The scene was very affect
ing at times, and there were but
few who failed to drop. genuine
tears of grief oAr the bier over
the loss Of dear friend; of heartfelt
sorrow for the calamity sustained by the
church for which he bad labored so inces-
sanity for over half century, and yet
coupled with inward rejoicing that his
labors were az last crowned with the JOYS
of an eternal rest, and glorlted by the re-
ward that surely awaits the Just man made
perfect. In this community, where Dr;
Gibson spent tho whole Of his pastoral
life, working in season and out OF season
for the spiritual welfare of the people ana
for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom,
there is not one who does not say and be-
heve that he is of that blessed number to
whom the words of the Saviour will mp
PLY: We'll done, thou good and faithful
servant"
UNIVERSAL SORROW.
The sorrow over the death of DR.. Glib
son is universal. All denominations. all
creeds, all classes feel II and feel II deeply.
IL is shown In the face of every person one
meets Ii was testified to-day in the gen.
eral suspension Of business during the
hours of the funeral IL was shown IN the
immense crowd of people that endesvored
to gain admittance TO the church; 70 was
shown in the sad hearts that fiiled the
beautiful edifce where his familiar form
had for so many years stood 70 preach lhc
glad tidings of salvation. and in the tears
shed because of the knowledge that they
should see his face no more.
For nearly an hour before the funeral
services began the church was crowded
and all the standing room was occupied
Many hundreds Of people who thought TO
be on time were turned away from the
doors, and felt il grievance that they
could not be permitted to render their
humble tribute Of respect.
OF ALL DENOMINATIONS.
The clergy Of al of the churches in this
railing. And in addition to these were
,the Episcopal clergy of Richmond and
Manchester and the counties adjacent
all In surplice. There were also present
Bishop Randolph, of Virginia; Bishop |
Wingfeld. of California, and Bishop Jack
son. of Georgia, in their episcopal robes. |
The clergy of all the sister churches In the
city were there. and, with the Episcopal |
ministers. marched in procession down |
the aisle from the door to the chancel IN |
front of the casket borne by the pail |
bearers The scene was not only I'M |
pressive, but beautiful in the evidences of |
Christian love and respect thus shown. |
The foral tributes were magnificent |
and generous. 1t is probable tnat never |
before in Petersburg, on such an occasion, |
was there such a profusion OF flowers |
made up in such tasteful and elegant de- |
signs. The casket was not only covered. |
but from door 70 door OF the chancel-rail- |
ing they were arranged IN tiers
the lecturns were covered, and the |
altar, upon which the wine and the |
bread had been so often blessed. bore ex-
quislte floral designs, and around Its base
were piled the tender and loving offerings
of friends, There we're scores of superb |
designs Of every conceivable make, the |
handsomest ever seen on such an occasion. |
TEE SERVICES SIMPLE.
The funeral services were of the simplest |
character-no addresses, no formal SER |
mon. nothing but the plain but impressive |
burial service OF the Episcopal Church con- !
dncted by DIR. Hams. DIR. Plat. Rev. Mr.. |
Spencer. and prayers by Bishop Randolph. |
The two hymns selected for the occasion |
were No. 81 There - a blessed HOME |
beyond the land of Woe" and No. 1877, |
" All the saints who from their labors rest
The choir was very full one and sang
with great volume and beauty.
The vestries Of the three Episcopal
churches in the city, the several brother |
hood and 81. Andrew organizations, the
different church societies all attended IN
bodies and marched on foot TO the GENE
terry. There We're sixty-three vehicles in
line, aud the procession to the grave was
the longest ever witnessed here. Many
hundreds more of people would have gone
to the cemetery If they could have stood
the walk.
AT TEE GRAVE.
The ceremonies at the grave were as SIM
pie as those at the church, and were con-
Quoted by Bishops Randolph, Wlngheld,
and Jackson.
In the recent enlargement and improve
ment of Grace church the large aud bead
tlful windows In the rear OF the pulpit
were SO made and arranged as to be con-
verted into memorial windows in honor OF
Dr. Gibson when death should remove
him. ms Will now be done 10y the con-
gregation, and they will be worthy monU-
ment.