The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-08-04
criisising a Criticism
Anderson Daily Mail.

Anent the discussion OF "short funerals.
which has arisen from the causttc remarks
made by the Abbeville Press and Banner con.
cerning the services held over the remains
OF prominent minister In that city recently
we feel constrained to Rav few words on the
It seems to as that the criticism had as well
!! Two things were criticised by the Press add
l,Banner-the character OF the service and the
length OF the service.
+ The several papers that have quoted the
endorsing what was said, and Of endorsing II
| for the purpose Of making this an example
lof common error on the part Of ministers
| In conducting these obsequirea. =; :? =,
this % class, and we do not waDi TO OCCUPY
the position, pfter more mature reflection.
| We understand that the funeral service q
Aboeville was conducted by an aged minister
ties of the church, and who arrived ct Able
Vile late Saturday evening, before the Tuner
al was to take qlaceop Sunday.
This minister was the life long lriena ol
The dead minister. They we're born In the
same year, united with the church on the
ame ocoasion, had been In the same great
struggle for the defeuss OF principles OF GOV,
ernment which they deemed TO be right, mao
stud led Theology together in the same semina-
~. and quarter of . century had been
most in ntimately associsted In their cnurcn
work within the bounds OF the same Presbyt
terry. s .,.. ,h,o
minister thought that he knew the wishes OF
| bis departed friend as TO the character OF tho
services at bis fune
Now, an to the character OF the service.
Presbyterian ministers, as do most diners,
make IL rule not TO deliver personal eulo-
The minister who conducted the service on
this occasion doubtless felt that 6e va as
burying bis friend ii the servant Of God. He
toof ar the ext for his discourse, we are told
the words ."And when the Chief shephero
shall appear ye Bhall receive crown oislofS
that adeth not away -.
In his discourse, We are told, he:dwelt upon
the faithfulness and reward OF q servant OF
Christ. and most touchipgly applied ps " e 10 inc
life OF the dead man, who was 20 well known
In the com mmunlty. ,,os.
beautiful immortelle that he could lay upon
the bier OF his departed friend. and go 40 we.
Ar 10 the remarks OF the other ,mlnlster'
which were denominated long ana IN con, on
mon place, we would suggest that there n, may anG
be differences OF opininion ss TO wnat con-
stilutes length and what 10 common place.
The Young minister had been associated IN
the church work for months WILD tne sgsS ~
man who was dead. He had gone TO him ior
counseI and had found II good. ne wa
sinnding by the dead body OF bis teaoner ano
W We n have been told that he gave expression
10 love s and puisating with grief. Eloquencs is
not S1 alWays | high sounding phrases and e1-
travasant EXPRESSIONS. A stateman STAN.
mering with sobs and sighs may Do "oS'
eloquent. .,,.o
They were conducted In the ohnrcn. az tne
regular ;hour for service on the saoosssn:
There were hymns, I prayers, sermon, anu
few words OF appreciation By one minister'
They may have been long,.
Ifso IL was the exception ana not tae TUE M
and surely II need not have been paraaea De'
fore the public. with an application 10 "in-
listers az whole. ,h. f,noy.
We have observed that as n rule the Ipneis Msn,,
al services OF most ministers are snort. Iney
rarely indulge In remarks. The services
GENERALLY consist OF one or two hymns ieW
appropriate passages Of scripture ior tne COLL
fort OF the bereaved, and prayer. we De,
iieye that as q rule they do not e2ceso ~
minutes. =, M, n.ed
to be publicly reprimanded for sometning o,
which they are not guilty. There may pe
aome things for which the lash OF me Press
ought TO be applied to the pupil, but uot lot
long funerals, for they are not long:
TAKEN az WHOLE we believe the Press sn9
Ranner's criticism was In poor taste, eno
onght not to have been made.
We are willing to believe that the cIiticlsm
was made without due thought. A. any
rate we do not want to appear as having en-
dorsed IL. and hence these remarks have oeen
offered, in the kLndest spirit.