The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-20
Central City.

In the history of Scranton no service
was ever held among its people which
approached in solemnity that of yes
terday morning in Elm Park church.
In more than one respect il was unique.
The congregation filled the vast audi
torum to overflowing. and ii is a mod
crate estimate to say that more than
5000 people were present, Crowding YES
tibules, choir loft and staircases. They
represented all classes. and in so doing
eliminated class and formed a single
grief-stricken mass of humanity with
hearts united in the feeling apparent
in fearful eyes and sobbing breath. No
funeral service could have been more
impressive; no death presence could
have more affected the emotions of all
in the cd!iCe than the sight of the
noble face. in the beautiful portrait,
looking out calmly toward the Star of
Bethlehem in the western window.
The church was most appropriately
draped for the occasion. The centre of
all was fine photOgravure OF the dead
president framed in a heavy wreath of
glossy ivy, fastened with purple rib
bons. This fronted the black hung
pulpit. Across the choir rail were fes-
toons Of nuns yelling and the flag
of the nation banded with black COW
cred the organ.
Professor J. Alfred Pennington open
ed the service with Chopn's Funeral
March, following with the Funeral
March and Seraphic Song by Guilmant
Rev. f.. b. Singer, assistant pastor
of Elm Park church. conducted the
service, in which participated the uni
ted congregations of the Penn Avenue
Baptist, the Second Presbyterian and
the Grace Reformed Episcopal churches
The pastors of these congregations OC-
Cuped places on the platform.
4 choir consisting Of Miss Thomas
Messrs. Wooler and Warren, OF Elm
Park. and Miss Eliza Garagan, of tine
Second Presbyterian church, led the
congregational singing and rendered
the hymns Some Time Wen Under
stand" and THY Will BE Done" Mr.
Wooer sang a solo of his own compo-
sition, Heaven Is Not Far Away"
Dr.. Robinson's Prayer.
Rev. DR.. G. r. Robinson, of the Sec
| ond church, offered prayer so mpas-
stoned, yet so marked with simplicity
and the direct, gentle speech of "A chile
of God with the Father, that il deserves
to ~ down i'm the literature Of this
| national event, in company with the
historic utteranCes of the men who
have seemed to be almost inspired in
their expressions. Dear Lord" i'm,
plOred the petitioner in conclusion
"consecratc us anew to a Christian
patriotism. Hasten the day when We
shall keep all anarchy and anarchistiC
| criminals where for their own sake anC
| for the sake of humanity they cal
work no more such evil but o Lord
may all those who through lack o
education or through poverty. want ol
burning wrongs are drifting towarc
such wild thoughts. may they be led tc
| see Jesus Christ and to learn through
| His teachings to be led into truest lib
erty."
Rev. DR.. S. c. Logan read the ninety,
| first Psalm. Rev. T. h. Singel
| spoke briefly of the occasion and tn,
| pathetic scenes at Canton towarC
! which all thoughts turned. He OK,
| pressed the hone that through thi'
great afriiction the people Of this coun
| try may be lifted nearer to God.
Rev, DR., II. f, Y, Pierce, of the Penr
| Avenue Ba9tist church made the ad
| dress of the morning, 1t was a sChOl
| arly and able discourse. Tho text was
! from Isaiah, liza, "Hearkon unto m,
| q my nation; for a law shall proceed
| from me and will make my judgment
| To rest for light of the people" III
| spoke of this passage as an eloquent
| and pathetic appeal Of God to the peo
| pie He loves i'm the midst of theil
sorrow. II was To His nation he spoke
| His peculiar people who had known His
| infinite love, omnipotent power and
| guiding hand.
We His Chosen People.
! We are His chosen people and Hi