The evening Republican., 1902-04-14
STRICKEN WHILE
PREACHING.

| While concluding his third ser
mon 10 Scott NJ T. Church yester-
day morning, the Rev. Walter T.
Avery was stricken with paraly sis
and is now in critical conditior
at his home No. 800 Poplar street
As he sank back IN his chair Mr..
Avery made signs to his wife that
the by mn. the title Of which Pres
ident Mckinley repeated just before
dying "Thy Will be Done' be sung
as the closing hymn.
The attack came like a thunder
bolt from clear Sky to the mem
bers of the church. Standing in
his pulpit aud making the closing
remarks Of one Of the most forcible
discourses ever heard in the house
of worship, those sitting iu the
| foremost pews saw pa!or fit over
the lace Of Mr.. Avery. For a mo.
ment he swayed as if about to fall
and his words died away into a
whisper. -,
Realizing that something was
wrong, there was stir among the
congregation.
"Let US pray" said Mr.. Avery
and he sank back into his seat.
These were the last words he was
heard TO utte-.
Wilmer II. Drummond was called
upon 10 offer prayer. aud Mrs.
Avery has.ened 10 her stricken
husband and knclt beside him.
Though deprived in a moment OF
the power Of speech, Mr.. Avery
| was fully conscious aud realized
all that was going on. In his hand
he held Z slip OF paper on which
was written the hymns for the
morning service. The closing one
was "1'hy Will be Done" and bv
gestures he made his wife realize
that he wished the hymn sung.
The scene as Mrs. Avery an
nounced the hymn in grief strick-
EN- voice was a pathetic one. In
his seat in the pulpitsatthe strick-
en- pastor, with look of resigna-
tion upon his pallid features. Be-
side him stood his wife. crushed in
moment by the terrible blow. But,
the hymn was finished with a world
of pathos IN the tones, and the
meeting was brought 10 a close.
Friends at the close of the SER
vice went to the side ot their pas
tor 10 render any assistance posi-
BILE, A carriage was summoned
and Mr.. Avery was driven TO his
home.-
Drs. Henry r. Spruance aud Jas.
A. Draper Of this city and Howard
B. Bratton OF Elklon, a brother-in-
law OF Mrs. Avery were summoned.
A diagnosis was made and it was
found that the condition OF Mr..
Avery was critical. A sudden stroke
ofparaIysis had affected his throat
and in au instant deprived him Of
the power OF speech. Relatives Of
Mr.. Avery were notified and went
at once to the saudened home.
The sad news soon spread aud a
gloom was cast over the congrega.
tion of Scott Church, for though his
pastorate there began but lev
weeks ago, yet Mr.. Avery had
made host OF friends. His sei-
mon yesterday morning was consid-
cred powerful one. full OF leryor
and forceiul throughout.
The subject Of MIR. Avery's dis
course WAS "Thc Symn eHical
Man." and. his text. taken from
James /: D ; and a, was: 'My
brethren, count II all joy when ye
fall into divers temptations. -
"Kuowing thin, that the trying
Of your faith worketh patience.
"But let patience have her per-
feet work, that We may he perfect
and entire, wanting nothing
One thing that served as a topic
for much discussion was that con-
ceruiug the concluding hy mn, which
previously had been selected by
Mr.. Avery.
In Scott NJ. L. Church last night
only short prayer service was
held, ard the prayers were Tor III.
speedy recovery Of their stricken
pastor.
Mr.s Avery is about so years OF
age. -
At his home this morning it was
stated that Mr.. Avery was about
The same. He seemed to be con-
scious but had moi regained his
speech. He has not spoken since
lie was carried from the pulpit
Yesterday morninU