The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-01-08

self to speak anything but good of hu.
man being.
Our brother has achieved tho honorable
distin .tion Of serving the longest pastor.
ate of any minister, who has ever occupied
pulpit in this city, and we may add TO
this distinction another still higher. that
of having lived among bis people without
even ripple Of discard loving aud beloved
by all during all the many years OF this
pastorate.
Men who walk so closely with God, as no
did, could not rasp the feelings, could not
excite animosities. "Mark the perfect man
and behold tho upright might be said OF
him.
Imay be INDUCED in this presence, II I
speak concerning the results Of his work.
His shrinking nature prevented him from
indulging in seli.luudation, but that all
the stronger reason that we should make
truthful representation of the fruits Of
his long and useful service DR.. Marks
was always evangelical In his preach
ing, but he was more, he was successful
soul winner.
No minister of Christ ever yearned for
souls with more arder than he Nome
were ever more refreshed in spirit in sec
ing souls born to God. have been with
him in many stirring revivals; and under
his calm exterior have seen tho burning
zeal, the fervor of his soul. l havo seen
him weep withjoy whom sinners yielded
to Christ. And / speak only within the
bonds of truth when l say his success was
beyond that of tho great majority of
ministers. 1t may be OF interest to you to
know that in ~ OF the 20 years OF his min.
10 ry he received into his church 455 new
members besid those who were converted
and united with other churches, of which
we have no record.
,n la l,p
movnl which this church has sustained In
recent years It's roll is nearl equal to that
Of its most prosperous era. H.. {
And in every feature Of church work he
maintained the standard of Its best days
For 20 years the contributions under his
faithful ministry in good years and plor
years have remained the same In 1877
the sum total was about the same as 1T
was in 1887 and larger than 1T was IN
1877.
Heaven alone will reveal his usefulness
in minstering to those in trouble and
atfliction. His work is completed and it
has been well done. .
We will go our ways alone henceforth.
God took him We will miss his noble
life, his genial, kindly ways. his shoulder
has been removed from the burden and we
must bear it without his assistance.
Oh, that all of us might leave The record
of such useful and b ,autiful life!
Servant of God Well done!
Rest from thy loved enyloy:
The battle fought, the victory won.
Enter thy Masters joy"
Rev. DR.. McCurdy spoke IN part as fol-
lows:
Lnst Wednesday was as bright and
beautiful day aS over dawned in the
freshness Of new year. Its air was crisp;
its light was o CLEAN; its hours were gala
hours of pleasantness and hopo; its sky
was cloudless; It's winds wero weighted
with cheer. There was merry ring in
the voices of men and children Traffic in
the streets and business houses seemed to
take on he brightness aud cheer Of the day.
Tho morning hours wore away, and the
noon hour struck. The sun turned
toward the West and made ready to
lengthen his shadows The hour of one
passed. and two had scarcely struck before
DIR. Marks passed through the gates. That
hour increased the joy OF heaven, and the
tears and sorrows of earth.
A cloudless sky looked down upon q
thickening gloom which had gathered in
an instant over q stricken home, and q
stricken church. A great and cheerful
light in tho home was extinguished, and u
candostick of tho church was removed.
Despite the brightness of the day many
could not SEQ IL through the gloom.
A sudden death is always startling, but
especially 50 when it is in high places. 1t
Is speedy exit from disease anu pain, but
severe on family, friends and church But
family friends and church bepr the shock.
willingly for the sake OF fhe d"parted ones,
quick, sasy and trlulnphasqt Entrance into
1t took twenty nine years OF service In
our city to complete life OF equable sweet.
ness and fail bful devotion to God and
man; but 1T uook only an instant, when
Gods time had come for him TO put on
the harness aud to put on the crown.
His last public sermon was on Tuesday
evening in Central Church. His sudden
translation on Wednesday throws light
back upon his words and prayer of Tues
day evening, and enables all who heard
most word for word "Let us question
God" he said, ''we do not ask God enough
questions"
His mind was burdened with the
thought OF iuqniring of tho Lord for bap-
tism of the Holy Spirit. His inquiry of the
Lord brought him II baptism and . prepa.
ration for service at the throne sooner than
he or wo anticipated. He was even then
standing on the verge Of the better land.
The chariots OF God were even then mar
shalling to convey him into the cloud that
would receive him out of sight. The world
was receding and heaven was opening Ho
bowed his knees in prayer, and rose
strengthened for the few remaining hours
of his race.
He knows more of God, heaven and home
than he ever had learned in all the years
of his fal,hfrl ministry. His natural eye
had become dim. He needed lenses of
earth to strengthen his vision; and in the
moment of receiving them, the Lord
closed his eyes against tho use OF eArth's
lenses, and gave him a spiritual vision
wherewith to behold the glories of the
lamb forevermore On tuesday morning
he quit the church for his home; and on
"Wednesday after midday he quit his home
for heaven. He left no audible farewell.
He did not need to say Farewell, wife.
Love Christ mere Than husband, Fare,
well children. Walk in the footsteps OF
your father in so tar as he walked in tho
footsteps Of Christ Farewell Hanover,
Church. Remember the words 1 spako
unto you while yet present with you."s
His life and labors were his Farewell"
for he lived. having his conversation in
Hoavpn and is not, for God has taken him.
Remarks by Drs. Vallandigbam and r,
b. Cook followed, and after tho singing Of {
another hymn the body was viewed for
The last time, then Inferred.
For cure OF rheumatism, neuralgia, cuts,
sprains, burns, stings, chilblains sciatica,
~. lN..l. ton,