The San Francisco call., 1896-07-27
Rev. Robert Mackenz;e's I'm.
pressive Words on the
Life of Man.
BATTLES FOUGHT IN THE SOUL.
"The Spirit Helpeth Our Infrmities,
but Who Can Bear a Wounded
Spirit?."

The aristocratic neighborhood of Clay
street and Van Ness avenue was yesterday
the scene of one of the most solemn and
impressive funerals ever witnessed in San
Francisco. More than two hundred Of the
most prominent men and women of the
City gathered at the Stetson residence,
1901 Van Ness avenue, at clock, to pay
their respects to the family of the late
of loving remembrance TO him that lay
asleep in death beneath countless wreaths
and tender little immortelles.
The conspicuous feature about the as
sembly was the preponderance Of eminent
citizens-men whose names and achieve
ments are known wherever the fame of
the State has spread. The services were
simple and beautiful, marked by gener-
Gus catholicity of sentiment that appealed
with touching power to all who heard the
words of comfort that fell from the pas
tors lips.
Promptly at II 80 the doors of the resi-
dence were opened to the family's friends,
and shortly thereafter q number had as
sembled in the parlors, library and spa
cious hallway. At 1 o'clock the services
began with singing. the choir being sta
toned in the back parlor adjoining the
1rOQL room, W0oIe lay tue DOQy OF the uL-
fortunate dead.
The choir sang softly, 'Nearer, Ny God,
to Thee" and the words sounded strangely
plain in the silence of the bereaved house
hold. As the theme rose in melody the
eyes of strong men were filed with tears.
The song done, Rev. Robert Mackenzie
read cnapter from Proverbs.
Then there was another song. This time
Cardinal Newman's immortal creation,
'Lead, Kindly Light" 1t was now time
for the words over the dead. Gently the
silver-haired minister stepped into the
hallway and began: Friends, how strik-
ing at this solemn moment are the words
of God found in Proverbs, The Spirit
Helpeth Our 1nfirmities,' and the ques-
tion that follows close, But Who Can Bear
Wounded Spirit2' There is great wisdom,
great food for thought in these words"
The speakers manner was quiet, i'm
pressive and conversational. He cited ex-
amples from the lives of men to illustrate
| the words of the text
1--WE have all seen the cases.of someJpoor
cripple" he said, "chained in a diseased
and deformed body, harassed by cares ard
racked by pain, yet living on and on to
| old age, refusing to surrender. Why :?
Some people say because he has strong
will. An, truly, this only means that he
has spirit that helpeth his infirmities, q
| dauntless spirit. But If the spirit is
stricken by invisible shafts, as by storms
and thunderbolts, what then? If the cita-
del is stormed by unseen forces, what
| then2 Who knows what battles are fought
in another mans hearth Who knows why
the wounded giant falters? What man
shall judge of his brother, or who can look
| into another's soul and say what conflicts
are raging on the battlefield there2
1.-THE longer l live the more Just and
| beautiful it seems to me that God has re-
served the power OF judging of human
conduct, and that we are not to pass sem
| tence on our feilow-men.
"This moment we are in the presence OF
q great bereavement. We have gathered
as friends and neighbors to sympathize
! with a family that STANDS high, q family
| whose mem bers have often consoled Others
| in the hour of sorrow. l offer them your
sympathy, but l ask that all of us, as we
! step softly in the presence of the dead
take unto ourselves the solemn lesson OF
this deep mystery enfoIded in another's
death. Let Us properly read the lessons oil