Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-11
FUNERAL OF s. A. CROFT
TRIBUTE TO HIS MEMORY BY HIS
PASTOR.
Former Pastor Participates in the
Services-Interment at Rock
Creek Cemetery.

Kew George E. Maydwell, pastor OF
Waugh NJ. E. Church, ufficiated at the
funeral yesterday afternoon of Samuel A.
Croft. which was held at the family home,
COS North Carolina avenue northeast. Mr..
, Groff's pastor, who had labored increasingly
for two years to bring about vindication
of this member of his congregation, told his
hearers that Samuel Croft had gone where,
at last, he would obtain justice.
Long before o'clock, the hour appointed
for the funeral, the North Carolina avenue
home was thronged with friends who had
assembled to pay tribute to the departed,
and the numerous floral testimonials show
ed the mark of deep respect in which he
was held.
Rev. ]. f. Smith, pastor of Grace N. E.
Church, Mr.. Groff's former pastor, was
present and participated in the ceremonies.
Miss Grace f. Maydwell and Miss Alice NJ
Maydwell, accompanied by Miss N. Zebra,
rendered the hymns Lead, Kindly Light
| and The Christians Good Night:
During the course of DR.. Maydwelrs SER
mon he said:
ut is quite common on such an occasion
to say we have met to pay the last tribute
of respect to the departed. Such language
will not apply here. Long after Samuel
Croft shall have been buried the virtues
o. his life will live, and there will be many
true friends who will rehearse them again
and again.
Some time ago one of the most trying
ordeals of my life came when l went with
him out of this home in obedience to a
decree that we would have thought it dis
honorable to resist, and We parted only
when the sovereignty of the law said we
must separate. few months ago l met
him and rejoiced in the opportunity or
restoring the severed link to the family
chain. Today, in the providence of God,
we have to take another farewell. Once
again | trust we shall all meet at that tri-
bunal where | expect to witness the Vlndl-
cation of this man, in whise integrity l
have had the best of reasons to have con-
fidence.
Career as a Soldier.
Dr. Maydwell then referred to the career
of Mr.. Croft as a soldier, saying
You will see that this man was really a
true patriot, If you consider his war career
When in the early days of his life, the coun-
try was involved in strife, he gave himself
to the service of the land not only for three
months, but for three years, and then at
the expiration of that time again con-
tinuing until the strife ended
LAS a custodian of the law of this city,
he was faithful for twenty years, during
which time he fulfilled courageousy all his
duties. At one time 1t was he who stood
between the hand of the would-be assassin
and the highest executive in the land, and
he came losing his own life in the
performance of his duties.
The office that he occupied in the Police
Court, when he was financial clerk there,
was noted for it's purity. He had rebuked
the men again and again for the use OF
profane language, until they did not dare
use it in his presence.
The bad language of the newsboys was
often, too, held in check by this man, many
of the little fellows counting him as their
friend
He was man of high ideals 1t was
his delight not only to entertain his friends
who visited him, but it one of his
pleasures to pick up men by the way from
whom he could receive no return at ALL and
take them into cafes to satisfy their inner
selves. At the time of the coal famine
here he came to me and put into my hands
a check for $50, saying: Doubtless you
will meet people who are in want
II went to him and asked if there were
any particular way in which he wanted
the money distributed and his answer was:
L have given it to you to do just as you
think hest
Many other incidents of Mr.. Groff's quiet
generosity were quoted by the pastor, and
in his closing remarks, after referring to
the clean, straight, upright home life OF
Mr.. Croft he said:
Gives Ait. in Time of Need.
81 believe if we could follow his life we
could find many instances where he has
brought happiness and rest to the weary.
AS | was with him in the days when he
was approaching his end. I can say that
he died in the knowledge of a loving Christ.
l sat by his bedside. He talked to me of
his hopes of the other world. He looked
into my face and said If it is Gods
good pleasure that l should die tonight
! am ready to 60.
Samuel Croft will live in the lives Of
many who have come into contact with
him, and God will give to him even unto
the end of time a reward. and when he
enters the presence of God his shall be
a just recognition, as he will be among
those of whom it shall be said. We'll DONE
| thou good and faithful servant; enter
| into the lows of the Lord "
Following the sermon Mr.. William Nc
| Farland sang Asleep in Jesus" and Rev.
| Mr. Smith offered the prayer.
The pallbearers were Mr.. A. w. Chap
man. Mr.. y. c. Harper. MIR. T. NJ. Whit
ney Mr.. Harry Chew, Mr.. John Jamison
and DR.. Newton Edmonds. The interment
was at Rock creek cemetery.