The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-11

Eaglesmere where they had expected
to attend the Chautauqua assembly.
So violent was the attack, which prov
ed to he an affection of the heart that
Mrs. Eckman FASTENED to arrange for
their home coming.
DR.. ECkman became raDidly worse
after reaching this city and the three
physicians ir attendance soon saw
there was but slight hope Of his recoV-
cry. Yesterday, for the first time, his
family realized that the end was in
evitably near, as with his loved ones
about his bed, the sufferer calmly gave
minute directions concerning his plans
for those who We're to stay behind,
and of his own placid assurance of the
world beyond, close to whose gates he
PAUSED. At half past five O'Clock, as
the rain ceased briefly for the sunset
glory to begin, he met the silent mes
senger with the same quiet dignity and
unfiinchng fortitude that had charac-
terized his life through all its years.
DR.. Ecllman was born at Sunbury.
Northumberland county, Pennsylva-
mia, in 1886. Had he lived until OCtC-
Der he would have numbered his six
ty-second birthday. A man of splen-
did physique and excellent health. one
might have believed that he would live
twenty years more, so vigorous in
body was he. so unabated in intellec-
tual powers.
PROMINENT PASTORATFiS.
He early married Miss Margaret
Tiile, of northumberland, and entered
the ministry in 1860, where he swiftly
came to the front as a man of ability
aud strong character. In the course
of his pastorate he served some of the
most prominent churches Of the Wy
oming conference, among them Adams
avenue, now Elm Park, of Scranton.
He became presiding elder of the Che
mango district in 1873, since which time
he has held the same important posi-
ton in both the Binghamton and wy
Omug districts. At the time of his
death he was completing the final year
Of office in the latter district.
DR.. Eckman enjoyed the distino ton
| of representing this conference as del
| egate at five of the general conferences
| of the Methodist Episcopal church,
| " hich service those familiar with the
| workings of this great denomination
| realize is a signal honor for one cler-
gyman from a conference as prominent
as Wyoming.
During the many years of active and
useful ministry his faithful, unswerv-
ing response to his lofty ideal of duty
| was a marked feature. He was never
a man to speak against his convic-
tions, which We're unmistakable in theiT
outlines. Strong and self-contained In
character, his distinguished personal
| appearance seemed to have a fitting
counterpart in his nobility of soul. Dig
nifed of mien reserved in nature, hC
was modest and unassertive as to his
| own achievements and attainments.
If a man reticent in expression Of
| self-consideration could be said to pos
sess pride in any personal relation, Il
was in his clerical career so nobly
rounded to what has proved to be its
completion. In this he was certainly
pardonable in every sense, for his in
huence and personal work in his sphere
have been powerful in the lifting O
ministerial standards.
WIFE AND FOUR SONS.
DR. Eckman leaves his devoted anC
stricken wife to the love of thei
four sons. OF these, Rev. DR.. Georg
7. Eckman, the brilliant pastor of ST
Paul's church, New York, is perhap
most widely known. The others are
Phil. N. Eckman, NJ. D., a rising phys
ician, of Philadelphia; Samuel W.,
prominent business man, of Bingham
ton and Horace NJ, recently of Phil
adelphia, whose ability as an organis
and composer has received much de
served recognition.
DR.. Eckman possibly hastened hi
death with work and anxiety concern
ing the Wyoming camp meeting, whicl
added to the other arduous duties de
volving upon the presiding elder of thi
large district, was often eXcessivel
burdensome. The camp ground an
the annual services there We're object
of his unending solicitude, and thi
year he had spent more than the Gus
tomary thought and care upon the spir
itual and moral effect Of this work
The funeral will take place on Mon
day. There is a strong sentimen
among the clergymen in his distric
! that the services be held I'm Elm Par
church, where the many who woul
, pay their last respects to the deaC
may congregate. Whether the famil
will yield to this natural desire of tn
many friends of the deceased is not ye
announced