Evening journal., 1916-10-02
DR.. NEEDHAN FALLS
DEAD IN PULPIT
Baptist Evangelist and Mis-
Sionary SuccumbS in
Bethlehem Church,
Philadelphia
LAST WORDS WERE
PLEA FOR BIBLE

The Rev. DR.. Thomas Needham. ia
nous BAPTIST evangelist and mission
airy. well known in Delaware. fell
dead yesterday morning in the Beth
lehem Baptist Church, Philadelphia,
as he finished preaching his sermon
and was DOMINIC his robe to admins
ter baptism. His death was due 10
heart disease.
Doctor Noedham had just con-
cluded an address on THE Bible and
Its Uses" and his last words were
an exhOrtation to his parishers TO
study the Bible TO obtain righteous
ness. Holding the Bible In his hand,
he said Il was a matter OF regret that
"some men still doubt the Word Of
Cod"
"This book has been my guide since
/ was seven years old" he said. q
want you to learn 10 study and obey
IL. II need be. hope you will give
your life for t."
There we're his last words.
As the congregation sang tho hap
tismal hymn. Just As I Am" Doc
tor Needham left the pulpit and de
seconded a stairway 60 the basement,
where he began putting on his bap-
tismal robe. william Heritage, Jr,
OF Twenty-hrst and Boston avenue.
who was 10 be baptised. was in an adj
joining room. also preparing 20 enter
the pool. Heritage planned 20 leave
today for Chicago on a business trip.
and he wanted Doctor Needham to
haptlse him before he left Philadel-
phia.
John Fl. Dooley. a deacon. was as
sisting the pastor. when the latter
suddenly fell over, unconscious. into
the deacon's arms DOoley's cry or
alarm brought Heritage from the next
room. and when the two men saw
their pastor was unconscious DIT.
William Benedict was summoned.
Doctor Needham died within five min
utes. without regaining conscious
ness. Heart disease was the cause
Of death. according 10 Doctor bene-
dict.
Meanwhile Mrs. Needham, who was
sittinn with other members OF tho con
gregation awaiting the beginning 81 inc
baptismal service, was notified OF mel
husbands illness. She hastened 10 hii
side. and falling on her knees prayed
/ for his recovery.
! Upon learning that the pastor wa
seriously IN William Cookshott,
deacon. left the group in the basemen
and going upstairs Announced from tn
pulpit that Doctor Needham had me
with an accident, at the same time dis
missing the congregation. Later, whe
IL was announced that Doctor Necdhai
was dead many Of the congregatio
burst into tears Although the minis
fer. had been nastrr Of Bethlehem Churc
less than a year. he was beloved by III
entire congregation
The body lay in tho church for n fe'
hours. after which il was taken 20 n
undertaking establishment II will b
conveyed to Doctor Needhnm's home. i
Collineswood, n. j., today. The fmerH
will probably take place Wednesday o
| Thursday.
Doctor Needham, who was ilfty-on
years old, participated in the Protestan
parade on Broad street last SATURDAY.
night. and led the Bible class O
Bethlehem Baptist Church. last even
ing the Rev DR.. A. T. Harris, ASSOCIATE
pastor with the Rev. DR.. Russell II
Conwcll at the Baptist Temple, preached
in Bethlehem Church and paid tribute
10 Doctor Ncedham as Remarkable
man and one Of the country's most suc
cessful evangelists. Marry members o
the congregation wept while Docto
Harris eulogized the dead minister.
Doctor Needham was a man Of large
physique. weighing more than 200
pounds. The Bethlehem Church was
his first pastorate. as he has been en-
| gagged in evangelistic work for nearly
thirty years He was associated with
Dwight l.. Moody for many years