The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-16

Yesterday afternoon at Elm Park
church the last sad rites were perform
ed above the remains of the Rev. John
G. Eckman, d. ID. A very large atten-
ance of friends were present. A part
of the body of the church was reser-
we'd for the clergymen, scores of whom
were there to sorrow with the bereaved
family.
The flower-hidden casket was not
opened in the church to reveal the face
of the dead, but all the previous morn
ing a procession of those who had
known him in life passed in and out
of the pretty home where DR.. Eckman
had hoped to spend a restful old age
and gazed tearfully at the dead master,
who welcomed them not with the gem
tie smile of other days.
The five presiding elders. led by Rev.
Dr. w. l.. Thorpe, reading the church
ritual for the dead, entered the church
at the Linden street aisle The others
were Rev. DR.. l.. G. Floyd, of the
Binghamton district, Rev. George For
syth, of Owego; Rev. G. II. Hayes, of
Chenango; and Rev. Austin Griffin, of
Onenota. The honorary pall-bearers
Rev. DR.. A. j. Van Cleft, Rev. j. G.
Leacock, Rev. ]. B. Sumner, Rev. JOS
eph Madison and Rev. Wilson Treble
followed. The casket was born by
younger friends whom the dead man
had dearly loved. They were: Rev.
]. r. Sweet, Rev. L. c. Murdick, Rev.
c. B. Henry. Rev. F. D. Cornell, Rev.
William H. Hitler, Rev. James Bennn-
ger.
The presiding elders occupied the
platform. The services We're conduct
ed by the senior presiding elder, Rev.
w. l.. Thorpe, of the Honesdale dis
trct. j. Alfred Pennington presided at
the organ and a quartette consisting of
Miss Elizabeth Thomas, Miss Margaret
Jones, Alfred Wooler and Richard
Thomas rendered selections with great
beauty of expression.
OPENING SERVICE.
After the opening hymn Rev. L. c.
Flyod read from the Ninetieth Psalm
and Rev. George L. Forsyth followed
with prayer. Rev. Wilson Treble read
from the scriptures and Rev. DR.. w. l..
Thope spoke with emotion of the de-
parted member of the conference cab
met.
DR.. Thorpe referred to the embar-
| rassment of the occasion as the well
known wishes of the dead would have
| been in protest of such a demonstra-
ton. 1t had been difficult among the
| multitude that loved him to make a
| selection of those who should assist in
| the exercises. The ones chosen had
| held a special near relation. There was
no danger Of being eXtravagant regard
| ing the departed and yet high eulogy
was something from which he ever
shrank during his life. This was an
assemblage of friends, not drawn hith-
er by curiosity, but because they loved
him. More than thirty-eight years
We're given nunintermittently to his work,
and the record in certain respects is
almost unparalleled.
Singularly endowed by nature in
| physical perfection, in brain power, in
| character, he was one to be honored
and initiated He was not an old man
| 1t is no mean eulogy to say that he
was just closing his third term as pre-
siding elder. No other clergyman save
a very small number among whom
were DR.. Peck, DR.. Nelson and DR.. w
Fl. Olin had a similar record as a mem.
Der of general conferences. In eight
annual conferences the speaker haC
been in the cabinet with the deceased
where his rectitude and cOnscientiou;
service were ever apparent He wa:
of the gospel of the son of God, fol
conclusion he said: "Our loss Is great
none other can do his work."
DIR. VAN CLEFTs TRIBUTE.
Rev. DR.. A. j. Van Cleft made touch
ing and appropriate remarks, in tn
course of which he said that he neve
stood face to face with death withou
thanking God for the light of gloriou
gospel. The light streaming from tn
cross lies on the casket and on tn
grave. Clinging close to the very verg
we ask, rs this all?" And although rea
son and longing tell us We shall NEE
again. we stand in the shadow. 1t /
a comfort to say, MY brother is no
lost" is not dead.
Thirty eight years ago the speake
was one of six young men who stoo
before the altar in the old Adams ave
nue. church to enter the ministry. TIL
oldest member of that group, Mr.. TodC
and the speaker, the youngest, are a
who are left today. DR.. Eckman wa
one of these With emotion DIR. Va
Cleft added, "and I feel lonely today
my brother is gone"
characterized for his fidelity, his in
tegrity and devotion to duty" DIR. Va
Cleft continued, "it is overwork this
has laid him low. He has left the les
acy Of a spotless life. He had RAJ
judgment and great executive power
but it was in the pulpit that he wa
specially strong, and thousands re
member his wonderful sermons. W
will not say he is dead, but gone I
the mansion prepared for him. TT
influence of a life of thirty-eight yeai
given to Christ and the church cannC
be estimated. We shall miss him, bl
! God will be with the mourners an
with his co-workers. May his mant
fall on those who remain"
ADDRESS BY MR.. LEACOCK.
At the conclusion of his remarks, ii
choir sang Lead, Kindly Light" an
Rev. j. c. Leacock made the next az
dress. He recalled thirty-five years
! close acquaintance, part OF which We
! spent in the family of the decease
In those early years prophecies WEI
, | made of a great future for DR.. Eel
! man. His fine voice and dignity eve
{ then showed their power. He was
student and his ministrations We
emphasized by the knowledge continl
ally being gained.
To his home was due much OF h
success. II was that home and his Iii
companion that made ii possible fl
2 his work to develop and his mind
: grow The life that is left will /
: lonely indeed. The words Of the wis