The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-07
FUNERAL OF {. F. MATES
Laid at Rest With Simple But Inn
pressivc Services.
REMARKS OF REV. DIX. Mcleod
They We're Of q Thoughtful Character
Admirably Suited to the Sad Occasion.
Pall.bearers uud Honorary Pail.
Bearers -Iutcrmcnt In Dunmore.

An absence Of pompous or elaborate
ostentation was as noticeable at the
funeral of the late Charles +. Mates
yesterday afternoon as was the lack
of the spirit of display and sentimental
ism In his rugged career through life.
The family residence on Jefferson
avenue. though the funeral was pri-
vate. was visited between l Md l.3O
o'clock by many of the workmen over
whom the deceased had charge at one
time or another. A genuine feeling OF
grief was discernible In these people
over the loss of one whom they knew
as a just and careful employer.
All the friends of the family called
and took a last look upon the features
of the deceased. marked with the lines
of settled repose. The floral tributes
bestowed In memoriam We're exquisite
ly beautiful and fragrant.
The services began in the corridor
off from the main parlor at 2 o'clock.
The family and immediate relatives
were grouped around the bier and the
burial rites were beautiful and solemn.
On the lawn opposite the main entrance
to the residence those who had come to
pay their respects were seated around
with heads uncovered. Rev. Mr.. Wells,
of Kingston. opened with an invoca-
tion. Rev. N. G. Parker. of Pittston,
announced the hymn. Nearer My God
To Thee" and 1t was sung by quar-
tette consisting OF Mrs. George DUB.
Dimmick, soprano: Miss Huber, alto;
IL. w. kingsbury, tenor and I. L. Post,
basso. Rev. $. c. Logan, ID. D., Of
fered prayer, and Rev Charles Robin
son. ID. D.. pastor of the Second Pres
byterian church. announced the hymn,
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul"
DIR. McLeOd's Remarks.
Rev. James Mcleod pastor of the
First Presbyterian church, of which
the deceased had been a member for
over forty years. preached the funeral
sermon. He spoke as follows:
sal truth. To die as the fool dieth; to die
as the scoffer, or blasphemer, or ntidel
dies; to die as the filthy, the immoral
the abomlnably wicked die-to live as they
live and die impenitent-who will say
But st. Paul was a Christian. He could
say ito me to live is Christ" and hence
he could add: ITO die is gain" He knew
whom he believed. He had fought a
good fight, he had finished his course, he
looked forward to the crown of right
eousness which the Lord, the righteous
Judge. would give unto him. Those who
live. Christian life will surely die a
u u
Ito die Is gain.'
1t is Gain to the Body.
1t IS henceforth beyond the reach Of
pain, or sickness, or weariness or afilic-
ton of any kind, and 1t Is planted in the
grave only to be transplanted In glory
IT Is good truth that the souls Of be-
levers are at death made perfect in holi-
ness and do Immediately pass into glory;
their bodies being still united to Christ
do rest in their grave till the resurrec-
ton. And then when our blessed Lord
comes. at His second advent He will
change these bodies Of our humiliation
and fashion them like unto the body Of
His glory. To die is gain to the body.
1t is Gain to the Mind.
Here below we are subject to doubts, and
fears or misgivings. We can only see a
little distance. We are limited by our en-
vironment. The circle Of our vision is
small and unsatisfactory. We would like
heaven, and about our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. We would like to know
where heaven is and what are its em-
ployments and enjoyments, and how we
| in the long forever. But we cannot be
gratifled in this respect while here below.
Now We see through glass darkly, but
the day Is coming when we shall see
face to face. That day Of clearer vision
has come to our friend. He sees with I'M
clouded eyes. He knows as he is known.
| To die Is gain to his mind.
1t Is gain to the moral nature. Here we
| are best with trials and tribulations. Be-
tween the flesh and the spirit, the body
and the soul. there Is a constant warfare
Sin clings to our mortal state. 1t is a
part Of our earthly Inheritance But
sinlessness yonder is more natural than
sinfulness here. To the Christian death
sorrow and suffering. To die Is gain for,
to tho Christian, death is but the begin
ming Of an endless and glorious life. There
is no death in heaven, nor can sickness,
or sorrow. or pain. or tears disturb or dis
tress the home Of the redeemed. But in
| the palace of the King there Is health
without sickness. peace without dlscord
| union without separation, rest without
| WEAKNESS, love without hate, holiness
without sin. and Joy without sorrow-a
throughout the countless years of God
gain.
A GIorions Prospect.
Thank God for such a glorious prospect,
| as He has revealed to us In His gospel!
And thank God that our beloved friend
has left behind him all the evidence we
| and that he Is now in the enjoyment Of
that rest which remains for the people Of
God.
What Mr., Mates was in his home, what
| community and in this city, what he was
as an officer and a servant of the great
corporation with which he was so Ions
Identified. Is known to all his friends and
acquaintance. He needs no eulogy. In
| deed the man who needs an eulogy does
not deserve 1t, and the man who de-
| serves an eulogy does not need It. Mr..
Mates was a plain. blunt man. He was
| ture to the truth. He was Christian
to his hearts core He lived long and
,ysnfll 10 a1 n ha IN
he had served his generation, by the will
OF God, ne fell to sleep and awoke In
glory. We will miss him. His place will
not be easily filed. He will be missed In
this home. he. will be missed in the
| full member and officeholder. ne will be
| missed in this city which he loved and
which he had seen grow from It's infancy.
Rut God. who doeth all things well. has
| taken His faithful servant home. and so
ing assurance of a. glorious resurrection.
Names Pail. Bearers.
The body was borne to the hearse by
the pall-bearers. who were. Ex-Judge
H. A. Knapp. Colonel H. M. Boies,
Dickson. and James A. Linen. The hon.
| orary pall-bearers were: William F.
Hsllstead. James Blair. William r.
Storrs. James q. Mott. william II.
Richmond. and II. w. Olmstead.
Interment was made In the family
plot in Dunmore cemetery. Services
were conducted at the grave and the
quartette sang. Henry L. Mates,
brother, and Mrs. Alexander Wilson,
sister Of the deceased. both of Easton,
were present at the funeral.
Early faii novelties IN ladies' and misses