The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-07
At REST IN
Obsequies of the Rev. r. C.. Morton
on Sunday-Tender Tributes by Drs.
Wells ad Mcclure.

The funeral of the lamented Rev. p.
G. Morton. who died Suddenly on Fri
day night, took place at 3 p. M. Sun
day at the First Presbyterian church.
There was a very large attendance and
among them were many of the minis
tiers of the various churches, and Cape
Fear Camp. No. 254, United Confederate
Veterans. Of which the deceased was a
member. 1t was a sad assemblage, for
Mr.. Morton was greatly beloved by all
who knew him in Wilmington, and uni
versal sympathy was felt for the sorely
bereaved family. .r
The services were solemn and very'
touching, and the choir sang the selec-
tions in the most feeling way. The
services were conducted by the pastor,
Rev. John Nj. Wells, PHI. D., assisted
by the Rev. A. D. Mcclure, D. D., pas
tor Of ST. Andrews Presbyterian
church. Both ministers paid touching
tributes to the memory Of the faithful,
minister who had been called to his
heavenly reward.
Among other things, DR.. Wells said:
I'm such a service as this, where we
pay our last tribute of respect and low
to an honored soldier of the cross ana
a beloved brother in the ministry, I feel
warranted in departing from my usual
custom. and speaking a word of hira.
Behind him are many generations
of noble. God-fearing Christian ances-
tors. (grander heritage can no one have
than this): are sixty and four years OF
that conflict and struggle we cI /
life: are more than fifty years of low
ing trust in Christ; and more than for
ty years of faithful ministry Tor Him.
Before him the richer joy Of service. the
perfect freedom from pain and sorrow,
the place hat f1oweth like a river, the
rest that remaineth for His people, yea.
all the blessings that are at His right
hand forevermore. Dur sorrow is lot
for him. Why should we sorrow as those
who have no hope. For h knew in
whom he had believed, n was ner-
suaded that He was able to keep that
which he had committed unto Hin1
against that day." Time and again
had he expressed his readiness ana will
lingness to go whenever 1t should be
the Lords will.
1T is for the bereaved one alone that
We sorrow. In thinking of his character
n life there are two elements that
seem especially to claim our notice.
"First-His courage. Those who
knew him. knew the absolute fearless
ness of h a In those times of Wal
that tried mems souls. those who knew
him well. tell US that he did not kuoT
what fear meant. Whether upon dan
gerous scout duty or later as chaplain
upon many a bloody field, to fear in the
slightest seemed never to enter his
mind: and the same courage he carried
into that other warfare in which lie
enlisted. nde the banner of the cross
He was afraid TO speak for Christ
II feared God so completely. that lac
did not know what 1t was to fear the
face Of man."
"Second-His unselishness- He was
Utterly unselfish. whether in the home
In the church courts where he met with
his brethren. in the homes of poverty
and suffering where he ministered. n
all his life n in all his service. sell
was not in all his thoughts. There was
no ostentation, no seeking h praise ol
man. no self-seeking. his was TO minis
! ter in the spirit of the master, in low
ing devotion to Him and to the lost "A