The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-03
Funerals
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thoroughfare. AS il in unison they
sopke these words what a tragedy
what a shameful thing to have
to happen here"
As the procession continued on
towards its destination. last rites
were being held in a half dozen
churches and funeral homes for IS
many victims, felled by police upon
whom they depended to protect
their lives.
Detroit was burying her dead.
Suffer Little Children. :"
AT one funeral home, a youthful
minister tried in vain to console
young widow whose mate lay In
flower bedecked coffin near
window. The little room WIS
crowded to capacity by members 81
the aggrieved family and close
friends whose tear-sisined cheeks
gave mute testimony OF love in
death that is seldom shown the liv-
ing.
Suffer the little children 10 come
unto Me. and forbid them. not; for
Of such is the Kingdom OF Heaven"
Thus spoke the minister as he, point
ed the way for the young widow
upon whose shoulders would fall
the responsibility OF making a bet
ter world for her children, world
in which they can grow up free from
riots that stem from race hatred.
AS he spoke. there was not per-
son present who did not believe
that in the scheme OF everlasting
pity. and everlasting mercy that
before the eyes OF the Creator. We
are all of US. as little children whose
feet stumble in the dark.
And as he spoke, the mourrers
sought relief from the heat with
fans on which was pictured two
little Negro children smiling up into
the face of a soldier whose eyes
were turned heavenward AZ q plane
scared overhead. Even in those last
moments OF respect one thought.
one is reminded Of mans weapons
of destruction.
Blood. Sweat and Tears. :"
A, church nearby. another min
lister was s1eaking, and he. too, was
trying 10 bring consolation 10
young woman whose husband OF a
few months had fallen in death be-
fore the deadly Are from police
mans gun.
This man did not die In vain"
you could hear him say abov. the
sobs OF the bereaved widow and
relatives. Jesus took the stain out
OF death and made il possible for
us 10 enjoy life after death. Just so.
he took this man in death so that
those left behind might enjoy
richer and fuller life There was
pause. then he was speaking again.
There IS time 10 fight as we'll as
a time 20 pray" he was saying. We
must pray hard but We must also
fight hard IL We wan; 10 stand as
God-fearing race. 49,"
AS you watched the tears how
down the cheeks OF these people,
as you watched the minister. mop
the pcrspira;ion from hisAbrow as
he exhoried the mournlrs 20 "fght
hard and pray hard" you were re-
minded OF Wipston Churchill's
classic statement that the winning
OF our battles would require blood
and sweat and tears.
Did Not Die in Vain.
And at still another funeral home,
an older minister was administer
ing last rites to still another victim
OF race hatred. Openly sharing the
sorrow Of the family, he stood as
a rock OF Gibraltar as he fought
against the tears that
welled up time and again. Some
good will come out OF this mans
passing" he was saying. I'VE are
facing the trials OF our lives. Every
war has its dead, and even though
NtllS lIltll INV Ills iONCu
ones did not die on the field Of bat
tie, his passing will test our prog-
rcss or failure. Let us not S VIC,
for he did not die in vain
"....N Nearer 20 Thee
Now the minister had finished
speaking and the widow had stopped
sobbng. Except for the rustic OF
the closely packed body OF people
and the clearing OF mems huskened
threats there was silence for a little
time. The fingers OF a woman fell
with sanctifying gentleness upon the
keys OF a piano and a soprano voice
was raised clearly, yet softly. filling
the walls with Nearer My God TO
Thee"
AS the song continued, two at
PENDANTS walked slowly TO the win
dow where the careSsing fingers OF
sunlight had pereeptibly shifted
upon the fower-strewn coffin top.
A huge wreath Of roses seemed TO
droop as il in mourning as the cof-