The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-04
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
Held in the Dunmore Presbyterian Church
i'll Honor of the Late John b. Sinith-Ad'
dress by RcN. l. W. Williams.

dress by Rev. ]. w. Williams.
Special memorial services We're held at
the Dunmore Presbyterian church yes
terday morning when a sermon, full of
expression and tenderness, was deliv-
cred by the pastor, Rev. j. w. Williams,
relating to the late John b. Smith.
The reverend gentleman preached
from Job xix, %, For l know that my
Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth"
He referred to the faith of Job as firm
trust in the religion of God in the time
of suffering and sorrow. Jobs faith
was a personal faith and there were
times in the lives of all persons which
compelled us to acknowledge that the
ties which bind us to earthly things
are but slender and when the voice
of human sympathy sounds like mere
vanity and meaningless words, but no
such disappointments ever come to him
whose faith is centered on the Rock of
Ages, and such We're the feelings of
Job. 1t carried him safely through
every temptation, trial and suffering.
Jobs faith showed consistency amount
ing to knowledge, He did not say, Il
believe" but Il know that my Re
deemer liVeth"
This faith trlumphed over fear of
death. He believed death was near ana
his wasted frame seemed to him as
ready for the grave as the grave was
ready for him. He knew that his
Redeemer lived and would stand at the
latter day upon the EARTH He enjoyed
the thought of dying; he looked to his
death as q cOnsummation of the highest
and sublimest consolation. I'm my
flesh shall | see God" could we not all
say as we contemplate such a brave and
heroic character. Let me die the death
of such a righteous man and let my last
end be like this, and death has no terror
for the one whose faith rests in his
Redeemer. 1t becomes to such mere
gateway into that glorious eternal,
where the weary ones are at rest and
the wicked cease from troubling.
Life is the vestibule and death the
gateway to another, higher and hap
pier life beyond. l have selected this
text this morning for the reason that
these words Of Scripture Were among
the last utterances of our departed
friend.
Reference to Mr.. Smith.
The reverend gentleman then re-
ferred to the many qualities of the
late Mr.. Smith his living to a good old
age, man of great understandings, a
man gifted with keen insight and an
earnest spirit of perseverance, vigorous
intellect and wonderful executive abil-
ity and frmness of will.
As the result of the work Of Mr..
Smiths life he mentioned that it was
manifested allthroughthe valley and the
town of Dunmore especially was great
ly indebted to his generosity and benev-
olence. He was a man Of genius, yet
not eccentric, quick in perception. quick
interpreter of human nature and a
strong hater of dishonesty, outspoken
in denunciation of evil a despiser of
shams, and a good judge Of character.
Mr.. Smith was always kind to the poor,
a great worker, and large contributor
to his church. His relation to church
was as a consistent member and he had
stood firmly by his church from the
beginning He was notably 4 man of
large sympathy and great Bible
reader.
Mr.. Williams concluded his sermon
by relating several impressive reminis-
cences Of Mr.. Smiths career and the
many thoughtful sayings during the
time of his sickness, Immediately be-
fore his death. Mr.. Smith was a true
believer in Immortality and the motto
of his life was Trust in God and Per-
severance" God gently relieved him
from this life and then dear friends had
a yearning desire to depart to be with
the Lord.
Other Addresses Made.
Rev. p II. Brooks, of Wilkes-Barre,
and Rev. r. Horns, of Scranton, deliv-
cred grief addresses also, which were
brimful of pleasant memories of the
good deeds of Mr.. Smith. Special mu-
sic was rendered, including the anthem,
"God Shall Wipe Away Their Tears
from Their Eyes, Mrs. George Du
Bois Dimmick sang the solo " Know
My Redeemer Liveth" (Messiah and
II Would Not Live Always"