New-York tribune., 1909-10-07
DIES AS HE PRAYED TO
FALLS WHILE PRE4CHING
THE GOSPEL.
Delegate to Missionary Congress Is
Stricken 5cith Apoplery Be
fore Street Cr01cd.

Apparently in answer constant prayers
that he would die while preaching the Gospel.
Wilbur F. Meminger, of Chicago. fell forward
unconscious into the arms of friends while he
was addressing an open air meeting at 44th
street and Eighth avenue last night, and died
before medical assistance was obtained Mem
niger, who was ffty-eight years old was su-
perintendent Of the northwest district Of the
Christian and Missionary Alliance which is
holding its New York convention in the Gospel
Tabernacle near by, where the delegates were
In session at the time. When the news of the
illness of the missionary was announced a
silence spread over the assembly. consisting of
one thousand delegates from all parts of the
world. and when the Rev w r Newell an
nounced that Meminger had died the audience
rose and burst forth into hymn of victory
Meminger, who stationed at Portland,
Ore, came with the other delegates to New
York to attend the convention, which will close
on October 10 For the last ten years he had
been connected with the alliance, speaking at
many outdoor meetings. The open air meet
ing he chosen to address last night
overflow meeting of the convention.
The services began shortly after o'clock
Several hymns were sung and addresses made.
and it was about hour later that Meminger
got up to preach. He had been talking only
few moments when he fell forward on his face
Theodore B. Freese. of No. 229O Seventh ave-
nue.. and Alexander Cherry, of No. 951 Ninth
avenue rushed forward and picked the man up.
He was unconscious, and they hurredly carried
him into the Alliance House, which is connected
with the Tabernacle. Before DR.. Smith. Of
Flower Hospital. arrived he died. DR.. Smith
said that death was the result of apoplexy, in
duced by overexertion and fervOr while preach
ing.
Of aa6 rar1idI
within the walls where the convention as
sembled. Even before the Rev. W. r. Newell a
missionary returned from China, who to
address the meeting, arose to make the an
nouncement there was a hum of voices through
out the hail. which sank into an awed silence
when the missionary spoke.
Let wait the Makers will" said he
Hardly a whisper broke the spell which bound
the audience. Many bowed their heads in
prayer. The whole assembIage seemed Ia
breathe as one. few moments passed and
the announcement was made that Meminger
was dead. A mufied groan followed. A hymn
of victory announced. and the body of dele
gates rose and sang with fervor. But sorrow
was upon the convention and the business was
rushed through and an adjournment taken.
The wife of the dead missionary was in the
little group which gathered on the Eighth ave-
nue. corner But a few moments before her
husband was stricken she left it. When in
formed OF his death she only exclaimed:
How beautiful"
From her il was learned that il was the one
desire of Meminger's life TO die in the harness.
That his prayers should be answered was graft
flying to her, Two sisters of the preacher were
AT the convention His two sons have been
summoned by telegraph.
Mr.. Memnger intended going 10 Northern
New York in a few days