Semi-weekly herald., 1910-01-31
IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL
FOR REV. DAVID E. MoREIl

A splendid tribute to the memory of
the late David Il. Morell was the al
tendance at the memorial services held
nj the Presbyterian church last even
ing where between 800 and 400 gath
cred. II was a gathering of men and
women who love true Christian char.
acter, and such was the character of
the former pastor of the Presbyterian
church.
The front seats were reserved for
members OF the Masonic and G. A. II.
orders and 1t required the use of the
class room to provide room for the
congregation. The services were open
ed by singing followed by scripture
reading by Rev. Mr.. Crozier, the pres
ent pastor, after which Mr. Crozier
pleasure of knowing Mr.. Morell speak.
ers had been selected who had, and
whom personally knew his true and
lovely Christian character The first
who spoke for nearly half an hour,
receiving the closest attention as his
remarks were inspiring, and as we
listened we wondered how people could
hear such words and not make up their
minds to be better men and women.
In part Mr.. Doegett said:
We have gathered together tonight
to participate in a memorial service;
a service, the primary thought of
which is the doing honor to a divine
human soul. As in all true memorial
services that which draws US together
is not the knowledge, or the deeds, but
the personality-the character-the
soul of the man that we honor-of
David Moren, once pastor of this
church.
1t is only little more than eigh.
teen months ago since sat upon this
platform and took my humble part III:
the service which made him your
pastor.
| can see him now as he stood to
answer the searching questions of the
Moderator, dear old DIR. Kirkwood.
who won all hearts by his pat riarchal
benignity and who has also gone to
his reward, and l am impressed now,
as | was then, as | gaze at what to you
is but thin air, as ! see once again
the intense earnestness of that express
sive, open conference.-the undying
face of youth, strengthened by the ex.
perience of the years.
David Morell took life seriously
and in spite of the Irish blue Of his
eyes, and the Irish flavor of his wit,
he was one of the most intense men
that i ever knew
But like most true preachers he
revealed his very self chiefly in his
preaching. That gift OF spiritual in.
sight which can exert an influence
to bring the unheeding, careless, un.
spiritual, materialistic world nearer
ever nearer--to the ideal-to the
Christ-shows itself largely In the for
mally spoken word, when face to face
with human souls. The prophets are
men of like passions with other men,
until they assume the prophets robe.
ST. Peter was headstrong; St. Paul
was irascible; Savonarola was yacil.
lating; Martin Luther was vulgar;
Henry Ward Beecher had weak side
to his character; but when they
faced other souls, charged with the
burden of their message, they were
inspired men of God.
1t Is just ten days more than
single year, since l was once again
on this platform to take my part in
farewell to beloved pastor. He took
as the theme of his farewell sermon
the office of the prophet and he made
the highest claim that man could pos
sibly make for the sacredness, the pow
er, the meaning of the office of the
preacher. No one could have heard
Mr. Alorell that night without realiz.
some ministers might be, he was call
ed, ordained and inspired by Almighty
God to deliver his message to a needy
world. The quiet blue eye flashed
"hN 'hS AiASh WAt "as ia aDNs amy az
he insisted that through man, and man
only. could God reveal himself to a
world lying in sin; and that he was
called to do his part In the company
OF the preachers.
And then we sang God be with you
tell we meet again." and we all went
home, and he passed beyond the reach
of sight forever
It is my desire tonight to Insist on
the fact that what has brought us
together is not what Mr. Morell knew
or what he did; that which won our
allegiance was what he was.
He was well prepared for his work
His early training had been gained
at one of the numerous private schools
managed by the plentiful clergy of the
Church of England, which give lit.
erary and classical touch to the mind
At the University of Edinburgh some
of the greatest thinkers of canny
race. added philosophy and sociology
at Princeton, in this country, he per.