Richmond planet., 1904-08-13
THREE FUNERALS THERE.
Deacon Harris Passes Away-A Large
Crowd Present.


The First Baptist Church was packed
last Tuesday afternoon. The central
figure was Deacon Harris. who for more
than half Il century h n been an official
of the chSrch. Across the main aisle
in heavy, costly metallic casket. and
In charge of the veteran Funeral Direc-
tor "A dayes all that was earthly of
this faithful Christian slept well.
The church edifce was Appropriately
draped the choir gallery was thronged
with songsters and the mellow, soul
stirring, heart-rending notes of the
sweet toned Madame Mildred A. Gross
and the soothing, heaven-inspiring lul-
laSleS Of Madame Carrie V. Hawkins
,ehuec 10 ado TO the awe-inspiring ma
tire of the scere.
Rev w. L. johnson, d D.. was avav
on has vacation, but he returned l. ONE.
reaching the city twenty hve minutes
bet re the scheduled time for the fun
era D.. As he de livered til, sermon. there
Ia % lore him three bodies. To the
r.Sat, Andrew w. White, in charge of
Funeral Director w. Isaac johnson and
encastd in a white figured, clio h cover
Ell caskeJ. In the centre, Deacon BEN
JamuI Harris, IN that cos',y metallic
caSket, the like of which is rarely seen
In Ionerals of colored people, and in
chargp OF Funeral Di-ec or A. HIVES
o the left, Charles CroXton, in charge
OF uneral Director w. s. Selden, aud
eHca>eo In black cloth cover, a caslSet
There was proiusiou of flowers over
Deacon Harris, aud the cost of these
seemed not TO have been considered bv
the donors
L 1ne Scriptures we've read by Rev.
Jacpb Turner. Rev. A. :. rhonlas
re.tG the letter from the family. Eey.
Andrew Bow Ter read the re .ulutiuns
OF The Deacon Board of the First Ban
tlst Church, of Ebenezer Lodge, G. l..
. ot Dad Fellows anG :. letter from his
neighbors.
Rev. h. Beecher Taylor read reso.u.
tons, showing that he had been a MEM
Der of the First Baptist Church 90 wears.
Deacon w. Il. Burrell read resolutions
from the True Reformers' Office Force
and brought greetings from the Dea.
cons Conference. Nelson Williams
Jr., read resolutions from the Home
Mission Society of the First Baptist
Church.
Madame Mildred A. Cross sang with
charming melody, "Sleep on beloved,
sleep on and take thy rest"
Kew. w. L. Johnson preached a most
sympathetic strmon from Job al, rs
there not an appointed time for man
upon the earth?"
De stated that Deacon Harris died
Saturday, Aug 9Th at 1880 p. NJ. His
last words Were, am on the shin
If anybody tells ME to get off. | shall
not do it. | am 80 tlreu. rher, IS
Preacher Holmes. l shall be with You
tomorrow. The chariot has come and
1 ann going home" He called Brother
tarrar his mother, and others, who
were dead. He called his son, Yelling
ton and asked, Did you give me this
ticket? He replied, mo, sir" 1t
Is all right. / have mine for the gate.
l am due at the station at 12 O'clock"
Rev. Johnson then delivered his dis
course, remarking feelingly, This is a
sad scene III the FIRST Baptist Church +"
Andrew w. White, son of Deacon
w. L. White, died Sunday, Aug. 7th,
at 3:55 Il. M. Charles Croxton was not
d member of any church. He was kill
ed Monday on the excursion train of
she First Baptist Church while attempt
ing 70 board rhe car after the trai had
pulled out.
Rev. w +. Graham, ID. d., then made
impressive remarks and Rev. W. RI
White made passionate appeal TO the
congregation.
Miss Mamie Osborne presided at the
organ.