The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-11
A TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD
Memorial Services Held in Honor
of the Rev. W. r. Stricken.
Members of the Hnmiice Church
Congregation in Resolutions En-
press the Esteem in Which They
Held Their Former Pastor.

| late pastor Rev W. r. Stricken, D. d,
| were held in Hamline Church, corner of
| Ninth and = Streets, yesterday afternoon
! at 3 o'clock. The services We're presided
| over by the pastor, Rev J. w. Steele.
! After the rendition of a hymn by the
| choir in which the congregation Joined,
the pastor. Mr.. Steele, spoke in glowing
terms of the life and services OF the dead
minister lie referred to his unselfish
character and his loving disposition.
1T fell to my lot" he said, to be APP
pointed associate pastor during the con-
ference year. and in my association with
him l came to appreciate him at his true
worth. 1 saw him as he was. an unset
fish man. When out on duty, if DR..
Stricken would hear anything about me
he was SO ready to tell me. 1t was his
delight to mention To me anything pleas
ant said about me. When the announce
ment came that Dr. Stricken would have
to leave for the benefit of his health |
thought it would be the last | should see
of him. and so it was. | heard from him,
however. and | cherish the letters ! re
ceived from him
When the Rev. Mr. Steele had concluded
his remarks he introduced Dr. l. t. WE
son. The speaker iwelt at some length
on the goodness of Dr. Stricken, who,
he said. was ever ready to respond to the
call of a friend. There was no man IN
the ministry who stood higher. Nature
ne said, did not give him strong
physique, but he had a splendid nina
which was finely developed.
DR. E. l. Watson spoke of Dr. Strick-
len as a many-sided man, tull OF NOME
impulses. He was a poet by nature ne
said: he was an artist and a student lie
was well equipped for his LIES CHOSEN
work. MIR. John II. Benton, the steward
of the church, read the following tribute;
.''The committee appointed to prepare
suitable resolutions respecting our ue-
ceased pastor. the Rev. w. r. Stricken
D. d, beg to submit the following Tor
your consideration.
1T is recorded of the patriarch Enoch
that he walked with God and he was
not, .or God took him So, also, let IL
be written of our beloved and lamented
pastor, Rev. Wilt Raymond Stricken, ID.
D., who sweetly fell asleep in Jesus at
Phoenix. Ala, December 10, 1900.
Brother Stricken lived life of in
tercourse and communion with God. He
made Gods will his rule, and Gods glory
his end 1t was his constant care to
please his Heavenly Father in everything
and To offend him in nothing, and was
worker together with him. Thus he walk
ed with God here, amid lifes conflicts and
confusions, until translated TO walk with
him through heavenly bowers and over
pathways of gold.
''Consecrated, as he was, to the work of
the Christian ministry, he gave abund-
ant evidence of his eminent fitness for
the high and holy office to which he had
been called by the purity and consistency
of his life; BY his ability TO rightly divide
the word of truth, as well as to present
it with force and eloqueuce to the multi
tudes that hung with delight upon his
words; and by the efficient and faithful
manner in which he performed the pas
torsl duties and social functions devolv-
ing upon him
Whether in the sanctuary, at the fire.
side, or by the way, his presence was an
inspiration and a charm. His spiritual
gaze was ever upward toward God and
heaven; and, as he looked up. he also
lifted up. Thus by his godly example
and the potency of his precepts. the sin
full, the weak, and the downcast were led
to a better and a brighter life.
In his visitationS to the sick and the
infirm-Gods prisoners, shut up in their
homes, away from sanctuary privileges
he always came with words of comfort,
inspiring songs. and earnest prayers; and.
threshold, his coming was with softened
tread and gentle but well-chosen words
of consolation that gave a silver lining
to the clouds which hung around the be
reaved and sorrowing hearts His life
was truly benediction to the church and
to her individual members and friends.
We, therefore. recommend the following:
Resolved, That in the death of our
pastor the church, and likewise the COM
munity, have sustained a great loss. The
blow has fallen heavily upon us. and we
ID
ever, that it is God that has called him,
and that the intensity of our grief is in
no sense commensurate with the measure
of his joy and delight. as he partakes of
the realities of heaven. we will bow in
humble submission 20 the Divine behast,
saying. Thy will be done"
90 Resolved, That, We walk amid the
shadows, great joy comes to us in the
thought that being dead, he vet speak
eth" b is not within the power of The
King of TerrorS to destroy, or even to
bedim the lustre and influence of the life
which he led among us. The bIessedness
Of that life will linger with us in all fresh
ness and beauty SO long as memory en-
dures.
You may break, YOU may shatter the vase, if
you VIII.
But the scent of the rose, will cling to it still
q" Resolved That we will continue to
serve the God Of our departed pastor. and
do what we may TO impart life and
growth to the seed so faithfully sown by
him whom we mourn. meanwhile cherish
ing the hlissful thought that n little later
on, We shall see him again-nOt smitten by
the touch of disease. but in the vigor and
bloom OF Immortality. And. through
riches Of grace, we shall also. with our
beloved pastor. behold the face of Him
that loved us and washed US from our
sins in his own blood"
To him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever"
- Resolved, That we deeply and tenderly
symDathize with the bereaved wife and
daughter in their sore affection. Their
loving faithfulness and devotion to the
object of their affection and solcitude
during months of WEAKNESS and pain and
in the hour of dissolution, were not only
beautiful and touching to us, but doubt
less moved the sympathiZing heart of our
Heavenly Father, to whom we affection
ately commit them, praying that in him |
they may lind all consolation until called
to meet their beloved in the skies
'' Resolved. That these expressions be
entered on the proper records of the
church, and that a copy be presented to
the family Of our departed friend and
brother.
The resolutions were adopted. Remarks
were also made by e j. Booraen. Super
intendeut Of the Sunday school and DR. |
G. 3. Campbell.
The services closed 10y the choir and |
congregation singing In the Sweet Bye |
and Bye