The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-27
Crowds Attend the ObSequieS
at the First Unitarian
Church.
GRAFTON BY S. NJ. sRoRTRIDGE.
The PopuIar Professor Laid to Rest
With Eulogies and Tender
FareWells.

dav afternoon from the FIRST Unitarian
Church, Franklin and Geary streets
Friends OF the dead professor crowded
the church until every pew was filled with
people who had known or loved him in
life. 1t was noticeable that principals and
teachers of nearly all the schools in San
Francisco were present, and besides there
were large numbers of pupils, particularly
from the Normal School, where Mr.. Ken
nedy was principal.
The services were of a very simple order,
yet impressive and at times affecting.
They consisted of appropriate singing by
the choir, an address by Samuel NJ. Short
ridge and prayer by Rev. Horatio Steb-
bins, pastor of the church.
The pulpit and the space around it were
literally hidden with beautiful flowers from
the. floor to the lectern, where the great
Bible lay among clusters o. falling, fra
grant exotics. Upon table directly in
front of the pulpit were placed some most
exquisite floral pieces. a large vase of
white-pea blossoms, orchids and white
roses, holding punches OF Easter lilies and
mixed roses, all beautiied with fine ferns,
stood for a centerpiece. 1t came from
graduates of the Franklin Grammar
ket of roses and lilies from Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles NJ. Shortridge, q bouquet OF La
France roses from the Girls High School,
vacant chair of white-pea blossoms and
roses, orchids, asters and La France roses,
with Mr.. kennedy's initials IN blue flow
ers, from the pupils Of Cogswell College.
There were also several wreathS and pill
lows and small baskets. The more beauti-
full designs standing near the pulpit COM
prised an easel bearing sheaf OF grain
and floral reaping hook from Samuel NJ.
Shortridge, an open book of white flowers
and pale orchids with the word "FlnlS, an
immense white and floral vase of roses and
delicate lilies from Frank and Mia"
pillow of asters, orchids and sweat peas
from H. Alexander and family, a bouquet
of tea roses from n. NJ. Owens and George
Otis Mitchell, a pillow of flowers from
"Raes class" another of white blossoms
from Dr. and Mrs. =. V. Brown, as well as
many offerings from friends of the be-
reaved family.
the choir, consisting of Alfred Wilkie, Mrs.
J. Pierce, Mrs. l.. Birmingham and c. NJ.
Stone, sang Lead Thou Ne On"
Samuel NJ. Shortridge delivered the
funeral Grafton of his dead friend, teacher
and companion with great depth of feel
ing, and all the eloquence fitting the sor-
rowful occasion. During the course of his
tears. He said:
Be Just and fear not
Let all the ends thou aimst at be thy country's,
Thy Gods, and truths.
Dear Friends-These noble words of the great
high priest of nature expressed and express
the religion of him whose heart hes still and
whose lips are silent before us. We who knew
him well and intimately in life, who early,
long and continuously appreciated his splen-
did mental attachments and who loved with
unutterable affection the noble and loyal quail
tiles of his heart, are come to pay the last poor
tribute of our love and tears; TO enter within
the sacred circle OF private sorrow to mingle
our tears with those of thestricken widow and
her children
That, as you may perchance know, the dear
departed requested that l should play some
part in these services touches me beyond
the power OF speech. Knowing him for twenty
years intimately, enjoying the royal blessing
OF his friendship, his instruction, his precept
and his example, cannot in this sudden and
fresh moment OF sorrow pay TO him the tribute
which feel or use words at all expressive OF
my own regard or worthy OF the alectlo ana
the esteem in which he was held by US, and
may say by the people OF the State. speak
not alone for myself who am beholden to him
more than 10 any other man. Ispeak for thou
sands OF Young men and young women, who,
like myself were and are the benefciares of
his preceptS and his example.
He lies here this calm afternoon in death
no, not in death. That which We call
death, that restful, dreamless sleep, is not
the be-all, not the end-an OF lie. 1t is
us hope and believe, upon higher,
greater and better life Yet he lies here in
that which we call death, and all the flowers
OF our affection scattered upon his peaceful
breast cannot express our feeling now. " no
and what was our departed friend? What part
did he play in lie? What were his early
struggles, his days OF toll, MS seepless nights,
of striving, thirsting, yearning after knowl-
edge, after truth? That you may understand
something OF the example which his life
teaches let me, in the briefest words, recount
DllpTlmaEeS
Mr.. Shortridge reviewed the life of Mr..
Kennedy, and continued:
1t was lny privilege and pleasure to know
him, and know him intimately, for twenty
years. For twenty years he was principal of
the Reed-street School in San Jose, when l be-
came his pupil; l have known him since as
teacher. l have been with him alone in the
Businesses of the mountains, and there have
listened to his words OF wisdom under the
stars at midnight. have watched his coming
and going oil these years, and it is proud
consciousness for me to be assured that he
took note OF my uneventful career. As re-
suit OF this long acquaintance bowed to him
as thinker, | admired him as teacher,
loved him as man.
Who and what was James G. Kennedy? He
was brave man-one who dared to utter his
honest thoughts and to follow truth whittier
soever her footsteps led.
He was q true man-true to his friends, true
TO his duties, and, therefore, true to himself.
He was generous man-generous in thought,
IN sympathy and in acts, unselfsh and free
He was q loyal man-loyai TO his family,
which he adored to his State, which he loved,
10 his country for which he offered himself
TO die.
He an honest man-honest to friend
and foe, honest to himself, not unmindful of
his own shortcomings or of the fniteness of
his own wisdom. He was an absolutely fear
less man; ne walked the path of peace and
ever turned away from storm. He was help-
Jul man TO all who were in sore need, TO all
who hungered for knowledge, searched for
truth, CROPPED for light, and his strong hands
have ever stretched out to the boy or girl, how
ever poor or ragged or outcast, who looked to
him for help. He a cheerful man; his
smile cheered all who came within its circle;
his word was the word OF hope, of encourage
ment; his counsel was for Improvement, for
weIEdlrected culture, Tor progress.
he was a hopeful man, oh, how hopefull
Not for himself, but for those he loved, and he
loved humanity. He was a student of history;
he knew its pages, blurred with mans follies
and crimes, and wet with his blood; he was
familiar with the long hard struggle OF man
kind from darkness to light, from universal
slavery 10 universal freedom, and he saw in
the future progress, liberty and peace for all
mankind. For nearly thirty years he was the
true and faithful servant OF the State. He had
received his preliminary, or rather preparatory
education from the State, and he repaid her a
thousandfold. He was fountain of learning
copious an unfailing, and gave only to retain
the more. He stood erect above all fog and
fear, and fixed his eye on scientific truth
which, TO him, was always beautiful. He was
In love with nature; the story of the rocks he