The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-28
LAST RITES OVER
 GREAT PHYSICIAN pr. ". E. B. Davis at Rest in
 Oak Hill IMPRESSIVE 0BSEQUlES Borrowing Throng Pays Tribute of. Re spect-The Rev. pr. A. c. Davidson Delivers a Most Fitting Eu-
 loey-The Music.
IMPRESSIVE 0BSEQUIES

The body of the lamented Dr. W. B. B. Davis, was laid to rest in Oak Hill cem- etery yesterday. The funeral services were held in the Southside Baptist church at II o'clock. and were conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Dr. A C. Davidson
 In sympathy with those who mourned the loss of Dr. Davis, whose life had been so suddenly ended by a tragic ac- cident, the heavens wept and mingled their tears with those which flowed from thousands of eyes. Rain fell in torrents until 10s0 o'clock. and then ceased for several hours.
 Long before Il o'clock people began to assemble at the church. Before 1o:4S o'clock every available seat on the first floor was occupied and the gallery was fast filling up When the cortege reach ed the church the edifice was crowded to the doors and hundreds of people stood on the outside.
 Utmost Simplicity.
 The utmost simplicity was observed in the funeral arrangements. This was in striking accordance with the modest and unpretentious characteristics of the dis tinguished deceased, and because of this simplicity the funeral yesterday will be remembered as one of the most impress sive ever conducted in Birmingham. There were no glittering features of any kind; there was grief. hearts bowed i'll sorrow, and tear-stained eyes and cheeks, and all these mutely told how greatly beloved was the dead surgeon.
 Slowly and silently the casket was car ried before the pulpit.
 Before the pall-bearers entered with the casket the people who had come early had been seated, and no room for others remained, except for the funeral party and delegations.
 The students of the Birmingham Medi- cal college, the members of the Jeffer- son County Medical society, members of Camp Hardee and delegation from the Knights of Pythias lodge attended in body. Among the noted physicians who had come from a distance to attend the funeral were Dr. J. B. s. Holmes of Att lanta, Dr. w. D. Haggard of Nashville and Dr. Charles A. Reed of Cincinnati.
 sombre Background.
 The black draperies at the church made a sombre background. The railing about the gallery was festooned and black and white draped the supporting columns.
 In contrast to the black were the palms and floral designs that completely con- cealed the rostrum. The easket. covered with roses, lilies and carnations, was placed just in front of the flower-laden chancel. The arrangement of the flowers was in fitting taste. While the designs were the most beautiful and elaborate ever seen in Birmingham and were in such profuson yet they seemed to be only a part of the simple service, as were the low notes of the organ, or the soft melody of a song or the tears of a sofrowing people. The immortelies told mutely their story, and in the mounds of white blossoms there were the countless trib- utes of hundreds of hearts.
 As the honorary pall-bearers entered the great assemblage arose and remained standing until the relatives of the de- ceased had taken seats just in front of the rostrum.
 The Prayer.
 Dr. Davidson led in prayer. "Oh Lord, remember this morning and bless the gref-stricken wife and children and this great weeping assemblage, now and ever more"
 After the prayer Miss Alice FalIon sang T Would Not Live Away 2 Dr. Davidson then read the twenty third psalm, beginning: "The Lord is my Shepherd, l shall ont want: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" As he finished the last verse the choir sang Lead Kindly Light"
 At the conclusion of the hymn the soft sweet notes of which brought tears afresh to many eyes Dr. Davidson again led in prayer which was in part as follows: oh Lord, in thy Holy presence we are come and have no part but to look into thy face, and perchance hear thy voice speak to us in strange ways. Thou know est far better than we know ourselves what Is best for us. We are humbled in the dust before thee, and looking into thy face would ask for wisdom. Listen to cur cry. Hear the throbbing of the hearts in this great gathering of men and women, and to them, Oh God sneak this morning Oh Lord, abide with us and bye and bye gather home the fathers mothers and children in ..... conerera- tion"
 Mrs Solon Jacobs sang "One Sweetlv Solemn Thought" when Dr. Davidson read the thirty-third verse of the eleventh chapter of Romans.
 Dr. Davidson then spoke as follows;
 pr. Davidson's Discourse.
 ''I will read a verse which I think ex- pressive of the feeling of all who are gathered here and of tic entire commun- ity Luke. the beloved physician, greet you, put want to cnange one word: Elias, the beloved physician, greet you Coupled with 1t let's place another, which is Paul's conception of Gods dealings oh, the depth of the riches and the wis dom and the knowledge of God His decisions are past finn.ng out and the ways by which he accomplishes them are unsearchable.
 Wonder in the little village of Truss vile, in 1863, there came into a home that had been bereft of its support, the hus- 
 When you feel bad, take Hoods Sarsa- parilIa It will make you decidedly better.