The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-24


The Rev. DR.. James Hughes preach
ed q funeral sermon last night In the
Adams avenue chapel, New YORK
| street. for his oldest daughter. who
died somewhat suddenly the week be-
fore last at the residence of her par
ents, 1896 Marion street.
The chapel was crowded with SYM
pathizing friends. and the choir OF
which Miss Hughes had been men,-
ber, sang some special hymns suitable
for the occasion.
Mr. Hughes took for his text the
words, Her sun is gone down while
II was yct day." The main portion Of
his sermon was to the following ef-
feet:
| feel 7 must speak to YOU this evening about
my daughter. She was very dear to us, and hci
death has been a great trouble. 1t may appear
strange for me to preach the funeral sermon for
my departed child, but she is the uppernost
thought in my mind and no one knew her as
well as we did
We thank God for having spared her to us
for seventeen years and a half, during which
time she was 4 great comfort in the home, Tor
her life both illumincd and garnshcd the domes-
exccllencics before the Lord Of Life took her
to heaven, as do now.
The text which we have appropriated very ft-
tingly illustrates her existence in this world
and especially in our family, for we can truly
say that her sun went down while it was yet day.
The rising OF the sun, the shining OF the sun,
and the setting OF the sun, are, to many, themes
of considerable interest, and this can be truly
said by us in relation to the one whose untilnely
Iontl, f,rh hnr n,ty
sojourn with us, and he departure from us, are
to US subjects OF sacred interest.
HER LIFE ILLUMINED.
Her life and death have not been like an ar
row cleaving the air, the course of whose flight
was Immediately obitcrated by the closing up
OF the atmosphere, but more like the shining
sun. which guilds while it Eliminates, ana
whose slvery sheen is seen after it has passed
the horizon.
Miss Gwen. as we affectionately called her, was
born in England, but when four years of age
we took her with us to South Africa, where we
lived and laborcd for ten years, during which
time buried three younger children. ana the
loved one speak OF tonight was languishing.
We returned to England, where we Travelled for
twelve months in quest of domestic health We
then came to America. where her health i'm
proved considerably. and she became more robust
than she had been.
Since our arrival here she joined the church,
and from that time to the day Of her death she
was deeply interested in Christian work. She
became an active member of the Christian En-
deavor society and was chairman OF one OF the
committees at the time Of her demise.
She then became a teacher in our Sunday
school. where she had class of seventeen boys,
for whose benefit she laborcd with prayerf,il
delight She was greatly clated when banner
ntnIt To In f1nss fnr
devoutly thankful when it was read out by the
secretary before the whole school, time after
time. that 'Mss Hughes had perfect class"
Some of those dear boys are present this evening
and ! want to tell them that their late teacher
hopes to meet them all in heaven.
Then. again, she joined the choir and did
what she could to assist in leading the praises
of God at the services held here for public wor.
ship.
She was very deeply interested in this branch Of
her work. Her sincere desire was to sec an
efficient choir leading in revcrent song The
praises of Jehovah in this chapel.
Turning to the choir. DR.. Hughes
said:
LOVED THEM ALL.
Nv friends. she loved you ALL and am sure
it would increase her felicity in the realms of
glory to learn that you continue faithful to the
Master. She was always delighted to be with
you, and ! am persuaded she is looking forward
to the time when she will have the opportunity
to give you cordial greeting in that better
land.
Much OF her time spent in song. Many
sweet pieces of music she composed, and oft
did she make the home resonant with sacred
melody.
The very last thing she played on her piano
was "Glory to God in the Highest" and the
or with Mr.. Rankin, the leader Of the choir,
was that beautiful hymn. "only Remembered by
What Have Done"
I am thankful to God that by divine help she
did many things that will keep her memory
green and fragrant for many years to come.
We never had any difficulty in getting her to
attend church. Whenever this place was open
for worship, she was here, and when here, I be-
lieve. she conducted herself with that sacred
decorum which becomes the House of God. Her
parents have never had occasion to rebuke her.
for either neglect OF the House OF God or for
anything like levity or misdemeanor while there.
She was great comfort to us on this account.
She was endowed with a sensitive nature and
generous heart Anything in shape of cruelty
even to dumb animals would cause her to shed
tears.
She would not allow any poor person to go
from the door without trying to render some as.
sistance She has received the blessing Of the
poor many times, which she cherished as inn
pershable garlands.
While she had fully recovered from the frailty
which she had contracted in South Africa and
which hIrdened her life for many years, and
while her Christian usefulness was increasing
daily, it was then when our hopes and expecta-
tions were the brightest, it was then that fatal
shaft was hurled by an invisible hand, and the
soul of the dear one mounted up on high. "IIer
sun went down while it was yet day."
But We should remember that the setting OF
the sun is often as glorious, as the rising of the
same. II not only guilds the horizon with amber
and gold, hut it seems to invite the mind to
follow it through the resplendent vista through
which it has passed. Such was the departure
of this sweet young saint.
Her death was almost painless and her end
was as a summer evening Her sun went down
early, but the light OF her life will linger long
among us. As when the great luminary OF the
heavens bids good night to the world, the win
dows are not Immediately darkened, so with our
beloved daughter, though she has passed the
horizon and gone far across the border land, the
light OF her life still fingers with u.s. for "though
dead she yet speaketh."
WILL NOT FORGET HER.
Her place in the Sunday school will be taken
by another, but the dear boys she taught will
rot soon forget her. The chair she occupied in |
the choir will be filled by another but the young |
people who blended their voices with hers in |
praising God will remember dear Gwen for many |
long years to come.
The home which she adorned and cheered NAV
have to experience other violent changes, but |
the sweet memory OF Mary Gwendolen will never |
ade for it Is enshrned in the heart of the house.
hold.
We thank God most devoutly for the grace |
That shone in the life OF our daughter, and we |