The morning call., 1893-07-06

Francisco and the Oakland corps. many
other people were present, attracted by
the unusual funeral ceremonies OF the
Salvation Army.
For tie Salvationists do not see why
there should be nothing but sadness over
the death OF one whom they have known
and loved. They say there should be joy
and gladness and rejoicing over the pass
ing of soul TO its final reward. SO there
is hardly any sign of mourning; no Grape
or somber objects Of any kind, and they
sing their songs of praise and eXhort
sinners to come into the fold, mnch the
same as on ordinary occasions, while the
bands play lively tunes. At O'Clock the
Salvation Army headquarters On Market
street were filled with a throng Of all sorts
of people. Salvationsts predOminated.
though there were people there Of every
sort. But for the one evidence, the coffin
resting before the platform where the
officers of the army were seated the
gathering might have been mistaken for one
of the Sunday afternoon meetings OF the
army.
Overhead from the ceiling and the pill
lars hung gay red, white and blue bunting
in long graceful loops and folds. The
pillars in the aisles were entwined and
cireled with the bright colors; even the
coffin was almost hidden beneath the folds
of two large flags.
Major Kepple, who conducted the cere-
monies oil the funeral, led in singing the
Salvation Army hymns and the Salvation
lists all joined in and sang as though their
hearts were filled with joy. The band sat
on the raised benches back Of the plat
form and joined in the music.
Only when some OF the associates of the
dead Salvationist were called upon by
Major kepple 10 speak briefly Of the grand
life ana work of their departed sister did
any part OF the ceremony at the head
quarters seem like funeral.
Mrs. Montgomery. the secretary of the
Beulah Home, Lieutenant Wagner, assis-
taut at the home. and Mrs. Keppe each
spoke of the life that had just gone out
and the work done in that life.
Captain Hettie Will was the mother. as
it is called, of The Beulah Rescue Home
She was one of the oldest members of the
Salvation Army in San Francisco.
Beulah Home she had also been mother
of the training school for girls. She came
to this city FROM Portland. Or, where she
had also been active in Salvation Army
work.
The young women who knelt around
the grave at the cemetery and those who
were gathered on the platforms around the
coffin we're girls from the home. Five of
them, the speaker said, were taken from
the lowest dives of San Francisco. hard
ened and degraded by lives Of shame. and
one among them was victim of the terri
bic morphine habit for many years. They
sang and prayed around the coffin of her
who had so often taken by the hand and
helped them into the better life.
I'VE cannot shout God bless her. for
has he not already blessed her by taking
her home TO him? But we can shout
'Hallelnjah! anc sing praises to his name.
Let us rejoice at his mercy"
There were no flowers. Resting on the
coffin lid was the poke bonnet which the
dead had worn at her work among the
lowly. That was all. 1t took the place of
floral pieces.
When the singing and rejoicing were
over the coffin was borne to the hearse
waiting below by brother members of the
Lifeboat crew of the Salvation Army
They were dressed in the uniforms of
sailors. They marched beside the hearse
all the long. dusty way to the cemetery and
lowered the casket Into the grave that had
been dug there for it.
Before the hearse marched two brass
bands and the occupants OF the war
chariot. Behind came the Salvation las
sizes and then the two corps Of the armv.
The drums were not muffled. The music
was In martial time and loud and strong
All the way large crowd followed the
funeral procession.
At the grave, while the coffin was being
lowered. the bands played hymns and
Salvation airs. Then Major Kepple read
the service vi the Salvatonists, which is
much like that of the Episcopal church,
and with more prayers and songs the cere-
monies were concluded.