The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-08
HE RESTS IN PEACE
Funeral Services of Late
DR.. T. E. Skinner.
Beautiful Tributes Paid to the Memory
of the Deceased BY Men Who
Knew of His Good
Works.

Heartfelt in their earnestness, i'm
pressive in their solemnity, the funer-
al services of the late DR.. Thomas e.
Skinner were held yesterday morning
in the First Baptist church
The building was thronged with
sympathizing friends, and in the con-
8regatiOn We're many to WHOM DR.
Skinner had preached in his long and
able pastOrate. They were present
men and women and children who
loved the man in whose memory the
services were held
The floral rCmebrances were banked
LbOut the casket and around the pulpit
great profusion. They were in ali
Kinds Of designs, and in their lowell
ness and purity were tributes in Thorn
selves. Many came from friends and
relatives, and some most beautiful ones
rom the church OF which he had been
he pastor.
Following the singing OF a hymn
ttter cho arrival of the funeral party
Rev. M. M. Marshall. rector OF Christ
hurCh, read from the scriptures and
hen Asleep in Jesus" was sung. Next
rev. w. c. Iyree led in a fervant
prayer cOuched in beautiful Ian
suage. Then Rev. j. G. Massee read
rom the scriptures those comforting
words concerning the resurrection Of
he dead.
The choir sang "How Firm a Foun-
.ation" and then Rev. r. r. Yann
poke. lie. declared that no eulogy
vas needed, but that two facts should
stated, these that DR.. Skinner in
us life work stood apart, and was
Unique. Born to wealth, man of
GOD culture and generous, a grad
rate of Union Theological Seminary,
10 moved in the higher walks Of life
he friend OF statesmen and patriots in
his county and in Europe
BY nature he was hot-headed and
mpulsive. but he kept himself under
control. He was wild lad. but grow
ng up he became Il man of singular
Isefulne3s, gifted as preacher.
igorOus thinker. a leader among his
people giving his life to education and
he ministry. His life, lifted up and
purified is only 10 be accounted for by
he work Of Almighty God who
hanged its course and made him OF
great service.
Or. Vann then told the congregation
of Or. SINNERS converse ton, as told
10 him by DR.. Skinner. This was when
the deceased was twenty-six years old.
After he had finished college he went
back to his farm in Ferquimans, where
ne was expecting to lead the life of a
planter. During q thunder
storm wheeiwright came by and
stopped at the request of DR.. Skinner.
AT night he asked me-" so DR.. Skim
ner said, IF | was a Christian 1
said no. Then he asked if prayed at
night. Again / said no. When he left
le told me that as he went to his
home, eighteen miles away, he would
pray for my conversion. In my room
prayed also and fell on my face"
Continuing, DR.. Vann told how
young Skinner was troubled, and how
1t the house of one Of his negroes an
Did negro told him he would be con-
yerted and how another said he would
oreach. Thus, said the speaker, it was
rom a wheelwright and two negroes
hat the deceased had been led to a
higher life.
DR.. Vann then told of his social life
hat he was eighty years young, and
hat people loved him, that he was free
rom suspicion, envy and malice, and
hat when struggling under a great
His charity was toid Of and then how
ust before he died he had friend to
ing, How Firm a Foundation" and
ooked death calmly in the face.
81 saw a tree blooming in his gar
Ter as l passed 1t today, said Dr.
Vann, land knowing that he had loved
t, | was sorry the old soldier could
rot see, but / was CONTESTED . I
bought that now he is gazing on the
free of Life.