Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-08-27

poor, while the poor play the same
game as best they may. Debts are not
paid; house rents are allowed to go by.
Dishonesty is seen in fraudulent bank
reports, watered stocks, adnlterated
foods, shin-plaster houses es-dishohesty
ia the sin of our times Many of us
are even dishonest in our religion. We
play at religion for social standing or
Responsibility.
Now, John Anthony De Ruyter was
an out and out honest man. Ii his life
is TO teach you any lesson, my dearly
beloved brethren, let it bring home to
you this lesson of honesty. Looking on
his loved face here before us let us re-
solve to be upright, sincere. Such is
the lesson of Father De Ruyter's life.
Is there any lesson in his death?
There are, believe, two lessons Let
us look first at God side in this death.
Naturally we all say that If any man
was Just now needed for the colured
mission work in Delaware that man
was Father De Ruyter. With num-
ber of unfinished buildings at Clayton
on his hands, with several contracts
out, with this and that business pre-
occupying his ever active mind, God
took him to Himself. Now with things
necessary God does not interfere. Air,
light, respiration are all necessary for
us, and we never miss them. It seems,
then, that God would impress upon us
by Father De Ruyter's death, that he
was not necessary. Wilmington and
Clayton must be Gods work, not
mans. Paul planted, Apollo watered,
but God alone gave the increase. 1t is
this thought that consoles us, on whoee
shoulders will fall the responsibility of
seeing that the threads dropped by our
GEAR, dead brother, shall be taken up
again, and on your prayers may we
count for divine light in this import
| ant matter.
The other lesson of his death ia on
| his side, viz the uncertainty of death.
The Saturday and Sunday before he
died he passed with me in Baltimore.
| He was boasting of his health. He
spoke of contemplated visit to Hol-
| land next autumn or at the latest next
| spring. At the moment the telegram
arrived announcing his death l was
beginning to answer letter received
from him the day before. @
Death is very uncertain. We all
know that, but really the knowledge
makes little impression. Here are we
all gathered around this bier. We are
deeply moved by the sudden death of
this young priest. How long will our
| impressions iastr Some of us will
mover forget them. few will carry
| them week or so; most of us will
forget him with the setting sun. To-
morrow's newspa papers will remind US OF
him. We shall take up the course OF
life. and John De Ruyter will be a
memory. In that case his death has
given no lesson. His tragical end will
not work the effect intended by the
| Almighty. Remember thy last end
and thou shalt never sin. p Be such
in life as you would wish TO be in
death.
One word more. Time and time again
has Father De Ruyter Expressed to me
his great gratitude to the right rever-
end bishop, the reverend clergy and to
tho people of Wilmington and Della.
ware. 1t is painful that the first OK
preston of gratitude for the encourage
ment given our work should be on this
sad occasion. But it seems to me d
solemn duty to express here my graft
tude to the right reverend bishop fol
his unfailing kindness to Father DE
Ruyter and his work. The clergy oi
| Uub tllOCtho VIII bellUNo luD Wubn tCl
them that Father De Ruyter loved
them and was very much at home
among them. Them also, we musi
thank for their many past kindnesses,
and their presence here to-day. 10 the
various sisterhoods of the diocese, epe.
eially the Franciscans of Glen Riddle,
his faithful and Jealous co operators al
Wilmington and Clayton. | would ga,
more than thanks.
Let them take courage. The institu.
tions are Gods and He will care fol
them. 1.-The Lord ruieth me, l shal
want for nothing " II is proper, too,
that the press of the city be Thanked
for their sympathetic noticrsj of loul
dead brothers. career in Wilmington.
During his stay here Father De Ruytel
received every encouragement from the
press of Wilmington. Allow me, next,
my non Catholic friends, to assure yor
that Father De Ruyter will remember
you in heaven. He was ever gratefu
to you, and the presence of 30 many o.
you here to-day testify your high re-
gard for him. LASTLY, my Catholic
brethren. No need is there to tell you
how the hearts of Catholics go out tt
good priest. They love the grount
he walks On. He is their pride ant
their joy. You will pra. for Father Dt
Ruyter aud keep alive in your lives
that apostolic spirit OF which he wa
80 conspicuous an example. 1 commend
him to your good prayers. Remember
ii is holy and wholesome Thought tc
pray for the dead. To his little con
gregation of colored people say cour'
age! You have had a good founder
Strive to initiate his many virtues
Keep his memory ever green among yo,
and pray for him.
His work will live. From this bic
Father De Ruyter seems to cry out t.
US in tho words of Job: Have pit,
on me at least you my friends. Lie
US all pray for him. May his soul res
. in peace. Amen.
Immediately after the sermon abso
lution was pronounced.
The funeral services continued unit
. noon. The music was rendered by th
boys choir of st. Joseph's Orphanag'
, and the combined choirs of ST. Peter's
st. Paul's, st. Mary's, st. Anne's ant
!, ST. Patriek's churches, under tn,
!, direction Of James II. Curran. Th,
choirs sang Ohnewald's requiem mass
, The oifertory was Gregorian's Mis-
berere." The boys sang Pray for tn
Dead."H
The Pro- Cathedral was crowded
every seat being taken, while hundred
could not secure admission. Anon,
! those who occupied the central blocl
Of pews were many visitors to the cit.
and in the pews on either side of tn
] centre aisle were many color1d people
OF the prominent professional an,