The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1922-05-13
REV. Re- JOSEPH 5. STRONG.
FALLS DEAD JUST AFTER
PREACHING A SERMON
At THE CONFERENCE
q Much Beloved and Worthy Chris
tian, Who Died as He Lived, an
Humble Worker in His Masters
Vineyard.

Never before has death been felt
more keenly than that Of Rev. Jo-
seph s. Strong who died suddenly
just after preaching short sermon
at the District Conference at Ma
lone church, Sioux Falls, Iowa.
His funeral was held at St. James
A. NJ. p. church Tuesday afternoon
the church being filled to Overlooking.
The services began by an offertory
by the choir.
Scripture reading by DR.. j. j.
Evans. -.
z Song-Choir.
Prayer-Rev. T. j. Carr.
LEAD Kindly Light Choir.
Rltuallstic exercises by Gopher
Lodge.
'Thanalopsis" Hector Hunter.
Song, Jesus Is Mine"-Choir.
Mr.. Chas. II. Miller then read the
following obituary:
Rev. Joseph S. Strong was born in
Salem,- Ala, Nov. 2, 1867. His par
ents were Joseph Samuel and Ma
lissa Strong. He passed to the great
beyond on the rostrum at Malone
chapel at Sioux City, Iowa, Wednes-
day, May 8, about 9:O5 P. M, sur
rounded by the Bishop, Presiding
Elder, Ministers, Stewards and Lay
delegates to the Second Session Of
the St. Paul District Conference. {
He was married to Julia Sanko,
Nov. IA, 1889, at Birmingham, Ala,
and from this union was born Robert,
Wilson, Taylor, Laura Bell, Eva
Lois and Hazel >-..- -. !,
: His beloved companion, patient
sufferer, a devout Christian and
member of St. James A. M. E. church,
crossed over into "Beulala Land"
just two months and seven days in
advance of her husband. -
Rev. Strong came to St. Paul in
1891 and was converted and joined
St. James church, March %, 1898,
under the passionate of Rev. George
w. Gaines. Here he labored for
many years. Some times soon after
he became acquainted that devoted
and earnest Christian gentleman,
Rev. Mcfarland, of the Union Gospel
Mission of this city, that is doing so
much for the uplift of humanity and
pointing men and women the way to
Christ's kingdom, especially those
who are down and out.
Rev. Strong and Rev. Mcfarland
were friends and co-workers in the
vineyard of the Master.
Some time later Rev. Strong or
ganized mission, first on East Sew
enth street, then on Mississippi and
Rice. then at the present location of
Bethel on Thomas street. Unassum-
ing and tranquil as he was, he saw
the evil depth of the human heart of
men. But with smile of unclouded
gladness, and determination to lift
up Christ, for he believed that the
human heart was of God, and he
moved up the Kings highway in
service to his God. He loved to
preach to the so-called down and out
men and women with tenderness and
patience. He dispaired of no soul
that was hungry for the love of God.
He met death after preaching, ,
. This true man of God, -. =: j
He did the best he could
TO cheer his fellowman to God.
He met death after preaching, I'll
And all the way he trod, 49, 4
Proved steadfast and unchanging
This true servant of God.
He met death after preaching,
His life an open book,
Thank God for his Christian fervor
In winning souls to Christ.
He met death after preaching,
The wonderful love of God,
Surrounded by co-workers --
Who followed the road he trod.
He leaves to mourn their loss his
six children previously named, three
brothers, Jonas S. Strong, Nelson and
Jackson Sparks and three sisters-in-
law. 49,,
Solo-"Face to Face" Mrs. Belle
Tyler. .=
Sermon-Rev. H. L. P. Jones.
GAS l Knek Him"-Dr. Mcfarland.
Remarks Bishop Levi Coppin.
Duett-By two members Of the
Gospel Mission. .z..
The following resolutions were
read by Mrs. Ford, from Bethel:
A great preacher and sincere
friend is gone.
A man is not remembered nor is
his memory respected because he has
in his life accumulated a large
amount Of money. Neither is he re
membered and respected because he
attained high station and sought to
be the ruler among his fellowmen.
But it is the man who livesAa useful
life within the radius of kis sphere
who has done good to those who have
come within his reach.
He worshiped his God with fervor,
he loved his church with AN UNI
speakable devotion. If he had rested
after working hours or devoted his
time only to his church he might be
alive today. But every hour he could
get away from his work was devoted
to his friends, church and community
He had often gone half sick,
wholly rest-broken to speak for some
other church or the bedside of some
sick, either friend or foe to pray.
Greater love hath no man than
this: that a man lay down his life
for his friends and I know and most
of you know that this truly applies
to our own dear Rev. Strong. As
long as it was necessary to rent a
place to worship Rev. Strong took of
his meager salary from his daily
labor and honest toll that rightfully
belonged to- him and his family for
sustenance. paid the rent for the
bought fuel, bought the
lamps and the oil, was his own jani-
tor. Sunday morning made the fire,
preach, sing and pray to the empty
pews. He carried his load almost
single handed except for his friend,
Rev. p. NJ. while the red caps Of the
st. Paul Union station were kind