The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-24
DIR. EDMUNDS' FUNERAL.
The People Of Sumter, Irrespective of
Creed, Pay Sorrowing Tribute to
His Memory.

ed the church was composed Of all
denominations, and was representa-
, tive Of the entire citizenship Of Sum-
ter, as we'll as Sumter county, in all
sections of which DR.. Edmunds had
friends.
The services were conducted by
Rev. J. P. Marion, Jr., the pastor of
the church, assisted by Rev. ]. W.
Mckay, D. D., and Rev. J. c. Bailey.
DR.. Mckay, who was one of DR.. Ed
munds' warmest friends and ad-
mirers for more than twenty-five
years, read the following tribute to
his friend:
81 count it a privilege to be permit
ted to lay modest little chaplet
upon the bier Of my dear dead friend.
In that sacred place where sweet and
pleasant memories are archived I
will ever cherish his precious mem
DRY. AS the soul Of David was knit to
Jonathan was my soul knit to his.
But it is not my purpose, nor will
I trust myself to express my affiict-
i've sense Of personal loss I wish
rather to voice the public sense Of be-
reavement experienced by the many
raourners VINO today go about our
streets
KNOW ye not that a great man
and a prince in Israel is falleen this
day?' We do we'll to close the doors
and muffle the jarring sounds Of our
thoroughfares to gather with uncov-
cred heads around this casket.
For within it rests, beneath the fra
GRANGE of flowers, the stilled heart,
whose warm and pure affections en-
Traced us all, and evermore sought at
throne of grace our happiness and
welfare.
"He. thought, he felt, he prayed
for ALL Here repose, at last, the
weary feet, which, treading in the
footsteps Of the Master, walked our
streets for thirty years, going about,
doing good
During that long period of earn
est service he fully won and securely
kept. because he merited, the entire
confidence, admiration and esteem,
not only Of the focG which gathered
about him to worship God in this sa-
cred place, but Of the entire citizen
ship of the city, which he loved, and
Of which he was conspicuous orna-
ment. For among the agents and
forces that have striven together for
its higher welfare, he was ever in the
van.
"a cultivated intellect with schol-
arly tastes, splendid loyalty to
truth as he understood it; con-
sciencious devotion to duty as he saw
it; courteous and considerate bear
ing; an exquisite modesty and deli
cacy Of feeling and department; a
lofty ideal Of the character. Office and
work of religious guide and teacher,
all fused into unity by the glowing
sweet and tender as woman's; and
the whole crowned and glorihed by
0P
drous grace-this noble blend Of ma
ture, attainment and grace gave to
us in the person o: the Rev. Nicholas
William Edmunds, D. D., a citizen, a
preacher, a pastor and a friend every
way worthy Of all the profound re-
spect and tender love with which we
this day embalm his precious mem
or The spicery of host Of loving.
grateful hearts will float around his
bier as we bear it hence to its quiet
rest in the city's sacred garden.
Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord Yea, saith the Spirit that
they may rest from their labors, and
their works do follow them
"His soul has ascended on high to
receive his Masters welcome greet
ing. and to accept at His hand the
promised crown Of glory that shall
not fade away. We seem to hear
again that comforting voice which
spoke at Bethany:
"'Thy brother shall rise again.
"'He is not dead, but sleepeth.'
"T will awake him out of sleep
Gas we cover his noble face it is
with the assurance that inspired Mar
lan's beautiful lines:
at is not al of death to die
To leave this weary road,
And midst the brotherhood on high,
To be at home with God.
"'Jesus, thou Prince of Life,
Thy chosen cannot die.