The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-12
AT REST IN OAKDALE.
Obsequies Of the Rev. Thomas Page
Rfcaud on Sunday Morning at Grace
NJ. Z. Church, South-A Tender and
Appropriate Sermon by n Rev. Mr..
Cole.

The obseeuies Of the lamented Rey.
7. Page Ricaud. who passed away Sat
urday morning at 1-30 o'clock at Dur
ham, n. c., took place in this city at IL
a. m. on Sunday at Grace NJ. Z. church,
south There was a very large attend
beloved by the people of Wilmington
without regard to denomination.
The services We're conducted by the
Rev. John n. Cole. the pastor. and the
hymns We're touchingly sung by a choir,
consisting of Mrs. w. w Hodges, Mr..
w. w. Hodges, DR.. w. c. Galloway,
Miss Nora Scott, Miss Minnie Perdew
and Mr.. r. b. Glove.
The funeral occurred at the hour for
the morning service, and the Rev. Mr..
Cole preached a very appropriate and
tender sermon from Revelations 2-1O-
BE thou faithful unto death n / viii
give thee a crown Of life" The text
was made applicable to h life Of the
deceased and his example and cody
life were commended in the remarks
that followed. The following is in part
some of the thoughts which formed the
basis of Mr.. Coles remarks. but he en-
larged on them more fully than we
note:
The text implies that there
are things that will end with
death; and that there are some
other things that will continue
afted death. Men will continue after
death. Il will give thee a crown of
life" a reference to a period after
death.
What is death? No man can answer
that. 1t is a thing put absolutely be-
| yond human knowledge 1t dwells in
"a country from whose bourne no trav-
eler has returned"
1t is not the end of life. 1t is only
an incident in the onward movement
of an immortal spirit.
1t is not the end of What does
death end?
a. 1t is the dissolution of the ami
| NAL organism.
(2.) 1t is the end Of probation. There
| is no second probation. He that is
| holy, let him be holy still: and he that
is filthy, let him be filthy still"
g. 1t is the end of trial and of the
sufferings of Gods people.
What is it that does not end with
| death? You. Death has no power over
| you. You that are faithful to God shall
receive a crown of life after death.
Faithfulness is the highest Christian
duty.
The world says: BE successful and
1 will crown YOU"
God says: B faithful, and I will
give thee a crown of life" Every man
can be faithful, but only a few can be
successful.
81 will give thee a crown of life"
| The badge of royalty. What kings are
| upon the earth, the humbleSt child Of
| God will be in heaven.
[ We are made kings and priests unto
God. 1t is easy for us to picture the
scene of the cornation Of our assembled
brother.
He gave his entire life to God, begin
| ming in the dawn of a noble manhood
and continuing beyond the boundary Of
to the world in all those years of faith
full service!
How many homes of earth have been
gladdened by his presence! How many
trouble hearts have been comforted by
his sympathy and the gentle ministries
of his tender love! How many souls
have been won to virtue and to God
by his proclamation of the gospel!
God gave him a victorious gospel. He
was a great s~oul-winner. No doubt
there were thousands who had pre-
ceeded him to the heavenly realm that
gave him glad welcome and hailed him
as the chosen servant of the Lord that
won them to Christ.
And what fellowship with his ascend
ed brethren Of the ministry with whom
he had toiled in the patience of the
kingdom! These gathered to welcome
the ascending hero of man, fields OF
battle, and the blessed Saviour himself
placed the crown of royalty upon his
brow.
From the church the remains were
sorrowfully followed by a large con.
course to Oakdale cemetery where the
mortal remains were laid in thu
tomb beside the beloved wife h ha6
preceded the deceased to the grave
some years ago. Many beautiful flora
designs were tenderly laid upon the
grave, some of the flowers having
been sent by friends at Durham.
The following were the pallbearers
Honorary-Messrs. r. j. Jones ant
Samuel Northrop; active-Messrs. E
S. Martin, E. K. Bryan, T. o. Bunting
w. H. Yopp, H. P. West and H. NJ
Foard.