The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-29
Reaching the church a passage way


mense auditorium was filled in every
part, and crowds we're gathering upon
the sidewalk. Preceded by the pail
bearers the casket was borne to the altar,
the vast assembly rising.
Seated on the platform were many OF
the clergy, whose names, noted with
some difficulty, may not be complete in
the following list; any omissions we
shall at later date be glad to print:
LUc1Us r. PAIGE lat the left of the al
tar, THOMAS J. SAWYER lat the right,
s. H. Robin, G. H. Eaton, G. II. Leon
ard, George Hill, G. A. Skinner. G. L.
Demarest, E. G. Sweetser, 0. F. Stafford,
F. w. Sprague, G. E. Nickerson, j. G.
Adams, E. Fitzgerald, A. Gunnison, l.
P. Coddington. V. Lincoln, @. Whitney,
G. 1. KERN, 7. E. Potterton. G. F. jerks,
G. w. Biddle, H. Marshall, I. W..
Dryer, R. Eddy, W. A. Start, A. Titus.
E. Smiley. r. Fiske. F. A. Dillingham;,
J. M. Pullman, Il. Fister, r. T. Sawyer.
W. r. Shipman, G. 7. Knight, H. W.
Rugg, F. W. Hamilton, j. G. Snow, A. j.
Patterson, F. o. Hall, w. H. Morrison.
R. A. Greene, M. E. Halves, S. A. Par.
ker, J. H. Farnsworth, G. L. Perrin, j.
f. Albion, G. A Bradley. F. Magwire, W.
G. H. Emerson, l. G. Tomlinson.
The church quartette then rendered.
THE Home Land"
Reading OF Scriptures by Rev. DIR. E..
G. Sweetser, followed. Then from the
quartette came. Come to Thee
Rev. s. H. Robins Address.
Rev. Mr.. Robin. in charge of the
services, then spoke as follows:
On last Friday afternoon the news
spread through the city that DR.. Miner
was dead. We who we're near to him
we're hushed and dazed. 1t seemed as if
the sun had found the horizon early. so
shadowy appeared the light which fell
upon the buildings and the streets. We
looked into each others faces as we met
and were silent; chill was upon US and
our lips we're dumb.
The coming Of the swift-winged mess
enger was very sudden. The beloved had
grown old with the years but seemed
bright and vigorous even late on Thurs
day night. The echo of his voice had
hardly died away in the chapel at Dean
Academy and the African church where
he spoke his last public word. What!
DR.. Miner dead? Why but few hours
before we had seen him riding along the
streets apparently in good spirits and
health. Our hearts longed to doubt the
message which even reason affirmed as
true.
But too real was the fact, as this great
assembly and these funereal witnesses
attest. We are here to lovingly dedicate
this hour to his memory. not in any for
NAL way, but simply and reverently. In
the early autumn a memorial service
will be held, at which time something OF
an estimate of his character, worth, and
work shall be attempted. We are now
too near the sad day OF his decease to do
more than offer the simplest testimony,
but with the strength of affection.
Yet we worship before no idol of per-
fection which our minds have created.
We come Justly discriminating. and
therefore are grateful for the character
istics of greatness which DR.. Miner has
ever reflected, and for the heroic service
he has rendered multitude OF good
causes with almost marvellous vigor and
ability. A chieftain he was indeed,
wearing the plumes of greatness, intent
upon serving faithfully his God and
doing good unto his fellow-man.
This parish has suffered an unspeaka-
BILE loss. For nearly fifty years the trans
lated one had ministered here. He was
| closely identified with all the older mem
bers and had his secure place in the
hearts of those of all ages who entered
these courts. 1t is said that rare old in.
struments of music gather the harmonies
of the years into their keeping and be-
come their sounding boards OF great rich
ness. For SO long has DIR. Miners voice
been heard in this sanctuary that the
walls have become pregnant with its
tones. The echoes which we observe
may we'll suggest the admonitions, ex-
hortations, denuciations and solicita'
tions which he has uttered here. So
also have these people absorbed the
strength of his spirit and reflect in many
ways the habit of his thought and the
uprightness of his soul.
The motive power of this great man
was conscience. The inner voice whis-
pered, II ought" and 10! Immediately
was this Injunction translated into the
will of action. He was the most invinci'
bly, true man l ever met. Integrity was
written upon every line OF his counte'
nance. He fought like lion for his con
victions, but he knew more thoroughly
than most Of men how to tenderly love
In the arena he was like the thunder
bolt and the lightnings, but in his home
and ours he was as open hearted and
kindly as child.
Brethren of many organizations, you
have sustained an Incompatible loss
The interests which commanded his sup
port had his strength to the fullest ex'