The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-30
TRIBUTE PAID
IN LOVING WORDS
MEMORY OF DR.. J. o. BRANCH.
UNION MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD
AT WESLEY CHURCH.

Delivered EulOgy on Part of
Church-Mr. Davis Freeman Re-
sponded on Behalf of MasOns.
Resolutions Were Adopted - All
Methodist Pastors of City Were
Represented at the Service.
The Union service in memory of the
late Rev. James 0. Branch. was held
last night in Wesley Monumental
Church. Owing to the Indictment
weather, the gathering which assembled
was not a large one. but the closest
attention was paid to all the speakers
and the small numbers served only to
make the service seem more truly one
of sorrow than if there had been a
larger assemblage.
The aitar-rail. pulpit, and choir loft
had been draped in black and white
crepe, an emblem of the sorrow which,
the church felt over the loss of its
former pastor. On either side of the
pulpit were two large pillows of lilies
of-the-valley, sent by friends, and di-
rectly in front of the pulpit lay a beau
tiful flower creation of lilies and white
roses.
Landrum Lodge No. As, F & A. NJ,
attended the service in a body and oc-
cupied the front seats in the center
of the church. The remainder of the
congregation was grouped back of the
Masons and along the side aisles. Rev.
A. Nj. Williams, pastor of Trinity
Methodist Church, presided and
occupied the seat in the CEN
ter of the pulpit platform. To his left
sat Rev. E. F. Morgan, pastor of
Grace Methodist Church. TO his right
sat DR.. James Y. Fair, pastor of the
Independent Presbyterian Church, and
Mr.. Davis Freeman, who delivered the
eulogy for the Masons. Rev. o. b.
Chester, pastor OF Wesley Church oc-
cupied a chair just within the altar
rail and Rev. l. P. Tyson. pastor of
Epworth Church sat just outside the
altar.
Mr.. Williams announced the hymn
Rock of Ages as the opening
of the programme, after which Rev. f.
F. Morgan offered prayer A duet
Heaven Is My Home was beautifully
rendered and short and appropriate
Scripture lesson read by Mr.. Morgan.
Resolutions Were Presented.
Mr.. Williams then briefly stated the
purpose for which the service was be-
ing held and in a few brief sentences
paid an eloquent tribute to DR.. Branch.
In closing he asked if any present had
any suggestions to make concerning
the method of conducting the service.
The following resolutions were then
presented and adopted:
Whereas, Our former pastor, our
loved brother and trusted friend. Rev.
j. o. Branch, d. D., has been removed
from his earthly home.
Resolved, first, That his manly bear
ing, his cultured intellect, his eloquent
preaching, his unimpeachable right
eousness, his tender mlnistrations to the
troubled, his wise counsel, his success
full leadership marks him as among the
ablest ministers of the New Testament
and has greatly endeared him to thou
sands, among whom his parishionerS
and comrades of Savannah are to be
counted.
Resolved, second, That his devotion
to the best interest of his race, his
blended strength of manhood and gen.
tleness of religion, his spirituality in
his ministerial work, his unselfish SER
vice in many good causes commends
him to all as a model man and a work
man that needest not be ashamed.
Resolved, third. That our hearts go
out in sorrow to those nearest him,
and that we extend our deepest SYM
pathy in this dark hour.
Resolved, fourth. That copy of
these resolutions be sent the family
of our deceased brother.
Judge Adams EuIOgy.
Judge Samuel b. Adams. a lifelong
friend of DR.. Branch, delivered the
eulogy on the part of the church.
Judge Adams spoke feelingly of his
long friendship with the eminent min
lister, and paid a glowing tribute to
his character.
He characterized him as the noblest,
truest man that he had ever known.
a man actuated by only the highest
and purest motives, a man who did
what he did for rights sake and not
for glory.
InheXible rectitude was the basis of
his character and beyond this he was
absolutely genuine, never for moment
playing a part, always being just what
he pretended to be. Human-hearted-
ness was one of the leading charac-
teristics of the man whose memory
they were reverencing, and always was
he ready to help and comfort. He was
an ideal Christian, a great preacher
and a pastor whose was loved, hon
ored, and respected.
In closing his eulogy Judge Adams
read a paragraph from a letter which
he had received from DR.. Branch only
a few days before his death. In the
letter the writer spoke of his failing
health and expressed the belief that
the heart trouble from which he was
suffering would end his days without
warning. In closing the letter the
minister wrote that he was not afraid
to die. and that he knew he would be
better in the world to which he was
going. 1T was one of the gentlest eX-
pressions of Christian faith that could
have been penned," Judge Adams said.
DIR. Branch as IA Mason.
Mr.. Davis Freeman spoke of DR..
Branch as a Mason. He told briefly
of the founding of Landrum Lodge
and the election of DR.. Branch as it's
first worshipful master. In Masonry.
as in all the other walks of life, he
lived the life which all might take as
an example. Though he had left the
lodge forever on earth, yet his per-
sonality and influence We're felt to-day
and would be until the end of time.
In all things" said the speaker, "he
was a noble. manly man."
The charity of the man was dwelt
on at length. His charity was that
broad kind which administers to all
the needs of humanity" Mr.. Freeman
said. 1T was not to the physical needs
alone that he came, but to the sad
dened and wounded hearts, doing what
he could to comfort and cheer. His
character is monument which will
stand longer than any marble shaft.
He taught by precept and by example,
and the most beautiful lesson of all
was his beautiful life"
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