River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-05-07
The Funeral of Mr.. Wat son.

In accordance with the expressed
wish of Uncle John Watson the Odd
Fellows of this city and vicinity took
charge of the funeral services on
Sunday last.
Reluctantly the family consented
that the services be held in the Con-
gregational church of which b. has
been so long an active member This
concession TO the wishes OF the public
seemed in this case an absolute
necessity as the very large number
who desired to pay their respects to
the memory of one so well and loving
| ly known could not have been accom-
modated in any degree at his former
home.
At two o'clock the members of the
Lodge wearing their usual mourning
badges marched to the house where
the casket containing the sacred
remains was delivered into their care.
With reyerent steps the procession,
escorting the members of the family,
marched to the church which was
| filed to overlooking with the friends
of Mr.. Watson.
The brief but impressive ritual
service of the order was then read by
the Chaplain Rev. Mr.. Mcintosh
assisted by the n. G.. Allen p. Weld
Esq, Mrs. Powell and Mr.. Pratt sing
| ing appropriate hymns accompanied
| by Mrs. ToZer upon the organ. Rev.
Mr.. Mcintosh then deliveredean i'm
preSsiye memorial sermon, giving
brief sketch of the life of the departed
brother and adding TO it the lesson TO
be derived from the life long character
| of the man.
The service at the church concluded
a long procession marched by the
easket TO take last earthly view of
| the remains of one whose life has for
many years been part of that of this
city. Uncle John Watson was by his
nature preacher of the gospel. The
limits imposed by want Of prepare
| ton in the schools in early life COM
PEELED him to seek his living in the
paths of his trade, but it was ever a
relief to him from the cares and toll
of his work to go out and preach the
words of Eternal Life.
Many have heard the precious words
to whom they would have been almost
unknown had he not on some Sabbath
| day journeyed from his home to the
country school house to preach to
those unable or unwilling to attend
the churches i'm the villages.
sympathetic by nature and always
looking upward in his belief, with a
broad charity that encouraged the
hope of a better life for every one he
was often called upon to preach
funeral sermons or attend such
services. For this duty he was always
ready at much personal inconvenience,
! and many a heart broken soul has
received comfort from the large
hearted preacher who could draw from
his own life's experience the words of
| generous wisdom too often denied to
the mere student of theoretical
theology.
In the wedding ceremony he was no
less happy and many brides have
welcomed the kindly smile which gave
them good speed on their life's jour-
ney.
True to his life long work, true to
his earnest convictions, true to the
ideality of his soul life, he requested
as lie drew near his end, that upon
his tombstone should be inscribed the
simple words "John Watson, Minister
of the Gospel"
| At the grave the members of the
order gathered around the caslet and
after the brief services dropped their
evergreen boughs into the open grave
with the heart felt words of good bye,
Farewell Brother, we will meet you
| in the Promised Land"