New-York tribune., 1901-05-21
MEMORIAL SERVICE SU-NDA "
DR. BABCOCK'S LETTERS FROM THE
HOLY LAND TO BE READ TO
HIS CONGREGATION.

The parshioners of the Rev DIR. Babcock in this
city were expecting hourly yesterday dispatch
from Naples which would inform them fully as TO
details OF the unexpected death OF their beloved
pastor but the following brief and inconclustve
message from the Rev George 5. Webster. pastor
OF the Church Of the Covenant. Of the churches
affiliated with the Brick Church. all they re-
ceived up 10 the close of business hours:
Gastric fever developed acute melanchOlia. result
ing in death Riggs and the United States Consul
arranged all details perfectly. Mrs RabCoCk, Mr.
Curtis and Miss Robbins left here yesterday. and
will sail the Furst Bismarck May q I sail
with the body the Trave from Naples on the sOth
This message was sent to William D. Barbour
treasurer of the Brick Church. who at once sent
back to Mr. Webster. telling him of The Asso-
ciated Press reports OF suicide published here. and
asking for a direct confirmation or denial Some
answer Is expected at least by this morning.
In the time the friends of DR.. Babcock
could only speculate upon what that dispatch
might mean between the lines and congratulate
themselves that Mr. Webster on hand TO take
care Of the body and of the widow.
Nothing will be DONE it is said in the way Of
funeral arrangements until Mrs. Babcock arrives
and be consulted but the services in the Brick
Church next Sunday morning will take on some
thing of memorial nature, and instead of a ser
vice there will be read a letter which DIR. Bah
cock wrote home one OF his church members
describing Jerusalem. bethlehem. Nazareth Cal
vary and other places I'm the Holy Land. The pull
pit will be draped in black. and the Rev. DR. r T
of many which DR.. Babcock had written TO
his parishioners upon the tour which has ended
so sadly. and a project is being considered to
gather these into book and publish them for the
benefit Of his widow.
There comment yesterday unfavorabIe
the Naples hospital authorities who would allow
n patient to obtain possession of corrosive sub
Innate but DR.. 4. r. IedouX. cork of the session
said IL would be better suspend Judgment on
this point till all the details had been learned.
The mclancholia which led DR.. Babcock take
his life was his first attack. Several years
ago DR. Babcock obliged to so to a sanatorum
In Dansville y. Y. This known to at least
two members of the session OF the Brick Church. a
Tribune reporter aScertaincd from them yesterday;
but both said Dr. Babcock had shown not the
slightest sign of it since he occupied the Brick
Church pulpit.
C ". Bergstresser. chairman OF the announce
ment committee. said:
1T is pity that have not other word
Or. Babcock. Suicide seems imply a set pur-
pose. pr. RabcoCk acting under the impulse
OF n brain frenZied by sickness. and could in no
way he considered responsible for his deed"
the regular meeting Yesterday of the Presby-
terian Ministers Association. the preliminary exer-
cises were largely devoted the expression OF
regret for the death of Or. Babcock. The Rev Or.
James Fl. Hoadley. the president of the assocfa-
ton in opening the meeting expressed hts sense
OF the great loss sustained by the PRESBYTERIAN
Church in the death OF DR. Babcock. Several other
members spoke In n similar vein
]. Frank Tallmann. brother-in-law of the Rev
DR. Rabcock received the cable message
from Naples at his home. No. $50 Union-st Brook
lyn. was received by Mr.. Barbour
Mr. Talmann said that he now had no doubt that
Mr. Babcock had. stated In press dispatches
taken his own life.