The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-31
Mr.. WRATH BURIED
The Funeral Conducted Under the Au-
spices Of the Liberal Society.
WORDS OF DR. o. B.WHITFORD
1t Was the First Services Of the
Kind Ever Held In Butte : Re-
quest of the Deceased Mem
Der OF the Order Granted.

The first funeral service under the
auspices of the Liberal society of
Butte was held yesterday afternoon.
The funeral was that of John Wrath
Mr.. Wrath lived In Butte Is years and
had been engineer OF the Moulton for
10 years. He Joined the Liberal club of
Butte. which was organized two or
three years ago. Three days before
his death he was informed by his ply
stefan, DIR. o. B. Whitford, that he
could not live. He then requested that
no religious sermon be held over him
and that no sermon be preached. He
asked that the funeral be conducted by
the Liberal club and that Dr. Whitford
make a few remarks at the grave IL he
were so disposed.
The funeral was held yesterday In
accordance with the request Of Mr..
Wrath. No service was held. A few
friends followed the body from the late
residence direct to the cemetery. At
the cemetery a few remarks were
made by DIR. Whitford, which COM
prised the entire ceremony. DIR. Whit
ford said:
Kind friends: Having been init
mately acquainted with the deceased
ever since he came to Montana-14
years ago-and having often conversed
with him concerning death and a flu
ture. knowing his belief so WELL he ex-
acted from me on his deathbed a prom
Use to perform the Liberal burial serv-
ices over his dead body. Friends, 1
am cognizant of the fact that this Is
one OF the saddest hours in our life's
experience. There Is no time so solemn
as the hour of death: no service so
mournful as when, on occasions like
the present, we meet to perform our
last duties TO a dear. faithful friend.
1t is not mournful because of any dan
ger that may be thought to await him
who has just left us, or that he has
passed into a state of suffering or UNI
happiness. 1t Is not because we have
a belief in any such chimera that we
mourn at this time. Our sadness
arises from the necessity of parting
with one so manly. so true. so sim
cere and so truthful as he whose re-
mains now lie before US.
"A good. honest man has gone; one
of whom may we'll be said: None
knew him but to respect him. He
was a correct and conscientious citi-
zen, a just and faithful friend. II is
indeed a heavy loss his family is called
to sustain. Such men as he was are,
unfortunately. too scarce on this plan
ct. Such men cannot be spared with
out exciting the deepest regrets and
the saddest reflections. Our friend,
and services the world is made better |
for his having lived in IL. He leaves |
a memory behind him that can be |
by those who knew him |
most.
"Our departed friend had a we'll |
cultivated mind. He was one who |
took great pleasure in the investiga-
ton OF truth. He was an admirer of /
nature-a student of the unchanging |
principles Of the universe. His mind |
was unusually clear. and his reason
Ing powers OF the highest order He /
was singularly free from the blight of |
superstition and the effect of an err
early education. He was fair
and candid In an eminent degree. He
like an honest man what his
reason approved. He was no slave to
dogmas, antique fables, nor
fictions His mind scared
INTO the realms of truth. He accepted
The teachings of science as the most
reliable facts within the grasp OF the
human mind. He was untrammeled by
he chains OF priestiy creeds and IA
oles. He sought to know the truth and |
he right. and he embraced them with |
he full ardor of his inquiring nature. |
His life was one OF usefulness, honesty, |
integrity and true morality. His aim |
vas TO discharge every duty that de-
'olved upon him-to aid his fellow man
70 1ar as circumstances would allow,
Ind to do injury to none. His life
vas one of good motives and good
leeds. His conduct was squared by
he highest principles OF right, OF JUS
ice and of truth.
"One who leads such a life has no
iced to fear death or what may possi-
'ly follow after IL. He has no need TO
ecoil at leaving this state OF exist
nee: He dreds no angry being. no
'indfctive parsonage. from whom to
xpect vengeance and wrath He
'ften told me he was perfectly willing
o meet the consequences of a WELL
pent life. At the close OF an indus
rious, honorable life. our friend must
'e compensated with peaceful rest. To
lis sorrowing family we who have |
ought the tight OF free inquiry and
onquered superstition say to them.
rieve not, his struggles are DER, his
aims ended. and he Is secure from the
noldering touch of time. Kind friend,
dieu; peace be with you now and for
yer more"