The following details concern the marriage and death of the jockey Frederick J. ARCHER plus the death of his wife Nellie. These are covered in Newspaper Cuttings which themselves split into sections.
Newspaper cutting |
|
|
|
|
|
Newspaper cutting |
|
|
|
|
|
Newspaper cutting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newspaper cutting |
|
|
|
|
Newspaper Cutting (Newmarket Journal) 20/11/1886: Funeral of Frederick J. Archer. Seldom has the usually cheerful little town of Newmarket presented a more dismal and dispiriting appearance than it did last Friday, when the remains of the lamented Frederick James Archer were consigned to their last-resting place by the side of those of his beloved wife and infant son. A great incubus of sorrows seemed to overshadow the place and its inhabitants; during the early hours of the morning the streets were comparatively deserted, but as the time approached for the performance of the mournful ceremony, groups of townspeople and strangers began to congregate in High Street and at other points along the route to be taken by the funeral cortege from Falmouth House to the Cemetery. The elements seemed to be in sympathy with the general gloom of the occasion, for rain fell heavily during the morning, and though fortunately the showers ceased while the procession wended its way to the grave and the burial was taking place, yet heavy and threatening clouds completely obscured the sky and hung like a pall over the town and surrounding country, giving to both a dreary and desolate aspect quite in harmony with the general feeling that prevailed. Shortly before two o'clock the sounding of a knell from the tower of All Saints’ Church gave warning that the hour appointed for the procession to move from the late residence of the deceased was at hand. All the business establishments in the High Street and many of those in the side streets were completely closed, as were also the court-yards of the principal hotels, while blind were closely drawn at the private houses. Meanwhile the groups in the street had increased to throngs, until the route was lined with spectators; the thickest crowds however, of which stable lads formed a considerable part, extended from the corner of Fordham Road to the Cemetery Gates. The hundreds thus gathered to witness the obsequies of one they had known so well waited in silence, or conversed in hushed voices, until the mournful spectacle they were awaiting came into view; when the procession had passed a general move was made towards the Cemetery. The scene at Falmouth House just prior to the funeral, as well as at the Cemetery during the interment, was one that will live for years in the memory of those who witnessed it. At the former place, so numerous were the floral tributes of regret and esteem for the deceased that were received that the proper disposal of them became a matter of great difficulty. A special car was provided to convey these tokens in the procession, but this was insufficient for the purpose, and so the hearse was likewise filled to do its utmost capacity inside besides being loaded on the top and hung around the sides with wreathes, crosses, etc. These were composed of an almost infinite variety of flowers, from the humble violet to magnificent specimens of the choicest blooms obtainable, and their delicate fragrance filled the air for yards around. Many of these offerings were of novel and appropriate design, such as horse-shoes, horse-collars, a cushion, broken columns, etc. A simple but very elegant wreath was forwarded by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, the bearer being Lord Alington, who, however, attended the funeral in his private capacity as a friend of the deceased. A broken column of white flowers, entwined with ivy, emblematic of the life so prematurely cut short, was forwarded by Mr George Haughton. Mr Arthur Cooper sent a circlet of splendid Arum lilies, and Sir George Chetwynd a chaste floral emblem composed of stephanota and camellias. Mr Pierre Lorrillard’s offering was particularly noticeable, consisting as it did of a wreath of pure white blossoms, decorated with two miniature United States flags and bearing the motto "In memory of achievements in which America shared." Lord Falmouth’s wreath of white chrysanthemums and maiden-hair fern was exceedingly pretty; as was also that sent by the Duchess of Montrose, which consisted of similar flowers to the last-named, intermingled with Indian grass, which afforded a pleasing contrast to the pale blooms. A cross which bore the inscription "In affectionate memory of an old friend," from Eglinton A. Humphreys, was made of white camellias, bordered with ivy, while a white dove surmounted the emblem. Mr J.W. Smith’s cross, a handsome one, was composed of delicate lily leaves and rare orchids, which contrasted against the dark russet foliage. Two of the most noticeable tributes to the memory of the late jockey, however, were from France. One was an immense wreath of saffron roses, sent by Mr F. Robinson, of Chantilly, bearing the inscription "With deepest regret and respect." The other, which bore the inscription "In affectionate remembrance, Paris, November, 1886," was from Mr Wright, the well-known bookmaker. It consisted of an inner circle of pansies running upon a cross of violets, bordered with pale pink tuber roses; upon this was worked another delicate band of violets, which contrasted against a circle of roses, then came a starring of gardenias bordering into a broad ribbon of violets, upon which were disposed at intervals delicate touches of rose colour. Perhaps the most touching of these floral offerings was a mass of violets, bearing the inscription "With Baby’s fondest love to her father," which was a fac simile of the memento laid on Mrs Archer’s grave on the previous Sunday in the name of Archer’s infant daughter. Another tribute which should not be overlooked was a large and handsome wreath, from Solomon (deceased’s valet), across the centre of which was the motto "Gone but not forgotten," worked in violets upon a pure white ground. Mr P. Cadell Peebles sent an offering in the shape of a horse-collar, composed on one side of Arum lilies and on the other of orchids and hyacinths. Mr Baird’s gift was a beautiful wreath of double violets surmounted with a spray of white lilac. Shortly before two o'clock a large number of friends of the deceased assembled at Falmouth House to join the sorrowing relatives in paying the last token of respect to his memory. A few minutes after the appointed hour the mournful cortege started on its melancholy journey. The body of deceased was enclosed in an inner coffin of elm, and this again in a handsome coffin of polished oak, with brass furniture, and a breast-plate bearing the following inscription: - Frederick James Archer. Born January 11th, 1857; died 8th November, 1886." The following was the order of the procession: - Private carriage of the deceased, the lamps having wreaths hung upon them, containing Dr. J.R. Wright and Mr Jessop, of Cheltenham (deceased’s solicitor). Carriage containing Mr H. Martin, sen., Mr H. Martin, jun., and Mr R. Blyth. Carriage draped in black and loaded with some of the wreaths, crosses, and other floral tributes forwarded by friends. The funeral car, with glazed panels, containing the coffin, which was completely hidden from view by a vast number of wreaths, etc. Here followed a large number of the employees of the different racing establishments. Private carriage from Ellesmere House, containing Mr Charles E. Archer (brother), Mr A. Archer (uncle), and Master F. Pratt (nephew of deceased). Carriage containing Mr J. Dawson (father-in-law), Messrs J.A. Dawson and G. Dawson (brothers-in-law), and Mr M. Dawson (formerly master and subsequently partner of the deceased). Carriage containing Captain Bowling, Mr H. Mills (Cheltenham), and Mr J. Davis. Carriage containing Mr A.D. Hogg, Mr Miles l’Anson, Mr G. Fletcher, and Mr G. Howe. Carriage containing Mr Pratt (brother-in-law of deceased), Solomon Bartholomew (deceased’s valet), Mr Hayward (of Cheltenham), and Mr A. Briggs. Carriage containing Lord A. Grosvenor (representing the Duke of Westminster), Lord Alington, and Mr John Porter. Carriage containing Mr Walker (stud-groom), Mr Beaconsall (head gardener), Mr Webb (under gardener), and Messrs. Hartley and Pask (grooms). Then followed about 30 more carriages containing other friends of the deceased, many of whom were carrying wreaths, crosses, &c. Among those who joined in the procession were: - Hon. Capt. H. Boscawen (representing Lord Falmouth), Mr and Mrs Edwin Martin (Exning), Mr Tattersall, Mr Whimple Smith, Mr A. Booty, Mr John Hammond, Sir John Willoughby, Mr Thomas Jennings, sen., Mr A. King, Mr W. Evans (representing the Duchess of Montrose), Mr J. Cannon, Mr J.H. Smith, Mr R.J. Marsh, Mr Griffiths, Mr W. Gilbert, Mr Rose, Mrs E.C. Ker Seymer, Mr W. Reilly, Mr W. Arnull, sen., Mr Cumberland, Lord Cardross, Mr G.A. Baird, Mr Golding, Mr W. Barrow, Mr F. Barrow, Mr G. Barrow, Mr M. Gurry, Mr J. Watts, Mr W. Gardner (Exning), Mr J. Ryan, Mr J. Garrod, &c., &c. Mr William Archer, father of the deceased, had arrived at Falmouth House with the intention of following his lamented son to his last resting place, but he was so overcome by his sad and sudden bereavement that his friends, acting under medical advice, dissuaded him from undergoing the trying ordeal of witnessing the interment. Amongst those who were prevented by illness from attending the funeral were: - Captain Machell, Mr T. Cannon, Mr James Hopper, Mr Arthur Cooper, Mr Robert Peck, and Mr T. Jennings, jun. On the arrival of the funeral procession at the Cemetery, the coffin was taken from the hearse and carried by eight bearers to the chapel, where the first portion of the solemn service appointed by the Church of England for such occasions was conducted. The building being only large enough to accommodate the immediate relations and friends of the deceased, the remainder of the body of mourners waited just outside until the procession re-formed and proceeded to the open grave, where the mournful ceremony was concluded amid the utmost unmistakable signs of popular sorrow and respect. The Burial Service was impressively performed by the Rev. E.H. Littlewood, Vicar of All Saints, Newmarket, assisted by the Rev. Bagshot de la Bere, now of Brighton, but formerly Vicar of Prestbury, the birth-place of Archer, with whom he was intimately acquainted when a boy. The grave, which was close beside that of Mrs Archer, was 9 ft. deep, bricked up for a distance of two ft. from the bottom with white bricks, 8 ft. long and 3 ft. wide; the sides were lined with evergreens and decorated with white chrysanthemums, so that the earth was entirely hidden from view. The wreath sent by the Prince of Wales was carried to the grave on the coffin, but it was then removed, the only floral offerings actually buried being those sent by Mr Nellie Archer (the infant daughter), Mrs Coleman (deceased’s sister), Mr and Mrs C. Archer, Mrs M. Dawson, and Miss A. Dawson. As soon as the coffin and mourners had entered the Cemetery a vast crowd attempted to follow but were held in check for some time by the police in charge of the gate; the pressure, however, became so great that the constables were compelled to give way and turn their attention to maintaining a clear space around the grave. As soon as the gates were thrown open the throng passed in quickly but quietly, and it is satisfactory to be able to record that the utmost decorum was observed by the mass of spectators and every head was uncovered as the remains of one so well known to and popular with all were borne to their resting place. When the ceremony was concluded everyone was eager to take a last look into the grave of the famous jockey, and a continuous stream of persons therefore circulated around it for some considerable time; most of these also seized the opportunity afforded of making a close inspection of the car-load of wreaths and other emblems already alluded to, which had been drawn inside the cemetery gates. Amongst those who formed part of the respectful and sympathising gathering at the Cemetery we noticed - Mr C.J. Bedford, General Renny, Mr. J.L. Davis, Mr W. Burrell, Mr E. Tattersall, Mr R. Tattersall, Major Chaine, Mr and Mrs R. Topping and Miss Topping, Mr Figes (France), Re. J. Imrie (Rector of Newmarket St. Mary), Rev. J.W. Kyte (Woodditton), Rev. S.S. Knipe, Dr. G.B. Mead, Dr. G.O. Mead, Dr. W. Hutchinson, Dr. C.F. Gray, Dr. Fox, Mr A.J. D’Albani, Mr A. King, Mr G. Simpson, Mr G. Tindall, Mr G.H. Verrall, Mr C.W. Blake, Mr J.H. Smith, Mr J. Corlett, Mr C. Greenwood, Mr A. Allison, Mr A. McNeill, Mr W. Mackay, Mr F. Gallagher, Mr E.F. Fay, Mr J. Moss, Mr T. Erica, Mr E.C. Smith, Capt. A. de Vere Smith, Mr Deacon, Mr Hoare Smith, Mr J.W. Smith, Mr J.E. Brook, Mr Haughton, Mr Peter Price, Mr W. Rogers, Mr A.A. Waugh, Mr W. Gray, Mr J. Jewitt, Mr R. Barrow, Mr J. French, Mr H. Webb, Mr W. Jarvis, Mr C. White, Mr W. Boyce, Mr E. Bambridge, Mr T. Chaloner, Mr R. Sherwood, sen., Mr R. Sherwood, jun., Mr C. Blanton, Mr E.H. Leach, Mr T. Brown, Mr C.E. Hammond, sen., Mr C.E. Hammond, jun., J.P., Mr Ford, Mr J. O’Neill, Mr J. Gardner, Mr S. Taylor, Mr A. Hayhoe, Mr J. Skelton, Mr Dakin, Mr H. Macksey, Mr E. Gittus, Mr W.C. Manning, Mr A.B. Sadler, Mr De La Rue, Mr Garrett, Mr R. Jillings, Mr Jos. Jillings, Mr W. Jillings, Mr Parnacott, Mr R. Clarke, Mr Rowell, Mr J. Matthews (Cambridge), Mr John Fyson, Mr W. Arnull, sen., Mr W. Arnull, jun., Mr J. Mumford, Mr A. Wainwright, Mr C. Morbey, Mr C. Wood, Mr F. Webb, Mr J. Watts, Mr G. Woodburn, Mr J. Woodburn, Mr P. Heaton, Mr C. Loates, Mr S. Loates, Mr Elliott, Mr A. Giles, Mr Killick, Mr A. Booty, Mr W. Lashmar, Mr F. Sharpe, Mr J. Tomlisson, "Jockey" Swift, Mr C. Frail, M. J.H. M’George, Mr E.S. Browne, Mr C. Bloss, Mr Holman, Mr E.A. Humphreys, Mr C. Stebbing, Mr Bolton, Mr Alfred Brian, Mr Godfrey Turner, Mr J. Enoch, Mr W. Martin, Mr J. McDonald, Mr H. Morgan, Mr A.S. Wigg, Mr J. Rae, Mr B. Chennell, Mr W.E. King, Mr F. Challands, Mr T. Clark, Mr J. Button, Mr C. Jillings, Mr W.S. Williams, Mr D. Gilbert, Mr W. Lamb, Mr Woods, Col. Barlow, Mr T. Gardner, Mr A. Carter, Mr A.R. Golding, Mr W.B. Sheppard, Mr A. Pace, Mr C.B. Bosworth, Mr T. Ennion, Mr L.F. Makin, Mr W. Segrott, Mr W. George, Mr H.R. Sherborn, Mr H. Palmer, Mr A. Bloss, Mr W. Howlett, Mr A.M. Ellis, Lord Cole, Mr J. Simpson, Mr T. Gardner, Mr W. Cooze, Mr S. Golding (Silverly), Mr W. Matthews, Mr T. Browne, Mr S. Golding, Mr W. Crisswell, Mr H. Enoch, Mr C. Bridge, Mr Davison, Mr C. Townsend, Mr E. Simpson, Mr Potter, Mr J. Goater, Messrs. Lucock, Barrell and Stone (Cambridge), &c., &c. During the time the interment was proceeding at the Cemetery the ladies staying at Falmouth House, with a few friends and the female domestics, gathered in the drawing room there, and the Burial Service was read in an impressive manner by one of the party. The following is a list of those from whom wreaths and other floral tributes were received: His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; Mr Carew (Bishop Sutton Stables); Mr and Mrs Macksey; Mr and Mrs Herbert Mills; Mr A. Vines and Son (Liverpool); Mr Sage (Dublin); Mr Armitage (Dublin); Miss Alice Barrow; Mrs T. Aldcroft; Mr Bird; Mr and Mrs C. Archer; Mrs Coleman; Miss Nellie Archer (deceased’s infant daughter); Annie; Mr and Mrs Bloss; Lord Marcus Beresford; Mr J. Wingrove Smith; Mr Humphreys (Stork House, Lambourne); Mr G.A. Baird; Colonel and Mrs Chaine; Mr Constantine Hiropolis (Oxford Street); Mr and Mrs A. Spight; Count Kinsky; Baron Maltzahn; Mrs Howard; Mr Charles Kinsky; Mr Fred Robinson (Paris); Mr Hammond and family; Mr William Taylor (Yacht Hotel, Torquay); Mr and Mrs G. Hussey (Imperial Hotel, Torquay); Mr. H.C. Lane; Mr W. Baring Bingham (Cowley Manor, Cheltenham); Mr Matthews (Bingham Grange, Derbyshire); Mr and Mrs Hoare-Smith; Mr G. Mortingford; Mr R. Peck; Mr T.U. Webb (Torquay); Mr George Haughton; Mr and Mrs Marsh; Mr and Mrs W. Lewelin; Lord Falmouth; Mr and Mrs Buckshaw (Malton); Mr and Mrs John Osborne; Mr Hungerford; Mr and Mrs Wilson; Mr and Mrs F. Webb; Mr H. Sharp; Mr S. Loates; Mr Waugh and family; Mr Wellwood Maxwelle; Mr C.W. Golding; Capt. A. de Vere Smith; Mr T. Jennings, jun.; Solomon; Rev. G.H.C. Moire (The Rectory, Merton, Oxon); Mr and Mrs John Porter and family; Mr P. Cadell Peebles (London); Mr Willoughby R.D. Maycock (London); Capt. Bowling; Mr and Mrs Jewitt; Mr J. Bradbury; Mr Lewelin; Mr Walter Weblyn (of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News); Mr W. Robinson (Danebury); Mr and Mrs Arthur Cooper; Mr Arthur Saville; Mr John O’Neill; Mr and Mrs Woodburn; Mr H. Bath; Mr F.V. Tudor; Mr A. Mudge; Mr Thomas Earl; Mr F. Johnston; York friends; Earl of Coventry; Proprietors of the Sportsman (Messrs. Ashley and Smith); Mr and Mrs Jousiffe; Mr T.O. Davis; Mr C. Hibbert; Marquis of Ailesbury; Mr Pierre Lorillard; Mr J. Dawson, jun.; Mr Comyns Cole (London); Mr T. Erica (resident correspondent of the Sportsman); Mrs J. Hammond; Mr and Mrs C. White; Mr W. Gilbert; Mr F.M. Eason (Bromley); Mrs John Preston and family; Mrs Thomas McGeorge; Mr and Mrs Enoch and family; Mr and Mrs Ryan; Mr and Mrs Gurry; Mr J.H. Smith (Brixton); Mr and Mrs Joseph Cannon; Mr and Mrs Charles Greenwood (Brixton); Mr James Smith (Clapham); Mr and Mrs H. Morgan; Mr Thomas Cannon (Danebury); Mr E. Gittus (Snailwell); Mr Herbert de la Rue; Sir George Chetwynd; Mr and Mrs Charles Wood; Mr Sherrard; Sir George Arthur; Sir Thomas Freake, Bart. (Warfleet); Mr Russell Wagton; Mr and Mrs Trevor (Lichfield); Mr Matthews; Mr Tom Glover; Mr and Mrs Watts; Mr and Mrs Wainwright; Mr and Mrs J. Hopper; Mr W.S. Williams (Kennett); Mrs J. Dawson (Willoughby House); Harriet and Arthur; Mr and Mrs Lashmar; Mr Edward Payne; Mr Jonas Jarvis; his loving mother and sister Alice; Lady Hastings; Mr W. Gardner (Exning); Mr and Mrs Sadler; Mr Hutton; Mr and Mrs Leach; Mrs Chaloner; Mr W.C. Manning; Mr Fred Barrett; Miss Barrett; Mr Moire (London); Mr and Mrs W.M. Tharp (Chippenham Hall); Marchioness of Ormonde; Mr J. Davis; Mr and Mrs M. Dawson; the Duke of Westminster; the Duchess of Montrose; Mr Fagan; Marquis of Londonderry; Lady Falmouth; Mr A.D. Hogg; Members of the Albert Club (Dublin); the Earl of Buchan (Carston, N.B.); Sir Robert and Lady Affleck (Dalham Hall); the Queen of Naples (per Mr Alex A. Waugh, Middleton Cottage); &c., &c. In addition to the above a large number of wreaths were sent by friends at a distance to persons in Newmarket to be placed on the grave of deceased; as they were not forwarded to Falmouth House it has been found impossible to obtain a list of them, and many of those which were sent to the residence of deceased are unmentioned here as they were not accompanied by the donor’s name or any clue to the place whence they came. We understand that most of the emblems given by friends in this neighbourhood were supplied by Mr R. Graham, Nurseryman. On Saturday, the mass of wreathes, crosses and other emblems was arranged on about the grave, considerable extra space being utilised in order to adequately display the enormous number of mementoes to be dealt with. At the head of the grave was placed a large cross sent by Mr J.W. Smith, and beneath it was the valet's wreath and motto described above; on the right was praised placed the cross cent by Capt. Bowling, and on the left that given by the Marquis of Ailesbury. The broken column forwarded by Mr Haughton and the gift of Mr Lorillard occupied prominent positions in the centre of the design, while the wreath sent by the Prince of Wales was judiciously placed where it could be seen and admired by all. The arrangement of these tokens of respect was undertaken by Mr H. Martin, jun., Mr C. Archer and Mr Beaconsell, head-gardener at Falmouth House, and the result was extremely effective and tasteful; the display was subsequently photographed by Mr H.R. Sherborn, of High Street. On Sunday, several hundreds of persons visited the Cemetery, attracted by a sight such as they may possibly never have an opportunity of seeing again. The funeral arrangements were very satisfactorily carried out under the personal supervision and Messrs. H. Martin and Son, of High Street, the coffin being made by Mr Robert Blyth, of Park Lane. The carriages were supplied by Mr B. Chennell, of the White Hart Hotel. The brickwork at the grave, with the removal and replacement of the monument, &c., was entrusted to Messrs R. Arber and Son, of High Street; and the lining of the grave with flowers and evergreens as described was done most artistically by Mr C. Townsend, of Fordham. On Friday Inspector Payne was in attendance at Falmouth House with a staff of police, and he subsequently proceeded to the cemetery to the assistance of P.S. Everett who was on duty there with several men of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary. On Sunday the continual stream of sightseers at the Cemetery was regulated by constables belonging to both forces, under the direction Supt. Long and Inspector Payne. The sincere sympathy for the deceased’s relatives which is so general in Newmarket is shared by sportsmen wherever the fame of the departed jockey had extended, and by all classes of the community. The message of the Prince of Wales was sympathetic in the extreme, and the letter of condolence written by the Duke of Westminster to Mr Charles Archer and the other members of the family was couched in touching and earnest language. As a proof of the profound sensation caused in all quarters by the news of the tragic event which caused so many to mourn, we may mention that from the time of Archer’s sad death up to the following evening (Tuesday) upwards of 80 telegrams were received at Falmouth House expressing regret and sympathy for the bereaved. With regard to the disposal of the wealth accumulated by the deceased we believe that no authentic statement has yet been made. Archer made a hurried will shortly after his wife's death, and before his departure for America; it is said that it was his intention during his late illness to have altered this, but although his solicitor was summoned for the purpose and left Cheltenham at once he unfortunately arrived too late. We understand that under the existing document, of which Mr Herbert Mills of Cheltenham and Mr George Dawson (deceased’s brother-in-law) are appointed executors, it will be found that a handsome fortune is bequeathed to deceased's infant daughter, with legacies more or less substantial to numerous relatives and friends. On Sunday morning at All Saints’ Church, the Vicar (Rev. E.H. Littlewood) preached an eloquent funeral sermon relative to the death of Fred Archer. The rev. gentleman chose as his text Ecclesiastes vii. 17, "Why shouldest thou die before thy time?" and the discourse was listened to with marked attention by a large congregation, which included most of the relatives, and the household, of the deceased; the Duke of Rutland was also amongst the worshippers on the occasion. The Dead March in Saul was played as a voluntary before the service by the organist missed, Mr T.J. Moakson; and the hymns selected for the occasion were: - "Lead, Kindly Light," "A few more years shall roll," and "Jesu, my Lord, my God." The selections - "O, Death, where is thy sting," and "But thanks be to God" (Messiah), were played as a concluding voluntary. Having announced his text the rev. gentleman proceeded as follows: - These words of my text spoken by the wise man of old, are some of the thoughtful words of a fruitful old age charged with the ripe experience and reflections which a long, a varied and observant life alone can furnish us with. And they are meant to be words of warning, pointing out some of those dangers which beset the human path which, from his point of view, might cut short a promising career, and I have chosen them as the text on which to speak to you this morning because they seem to strike a keynote in harmony with some of those reflections which may be passing in our minds just now. Brethren, there are moments in the history of every community when, through some unforeseen event arising with startling suddenness in its midst, it seems to be moved to its very foundations. Such a moment has flashed upon the life of our town this week, and our thoughts have mainly gathered, since the last we met in this Church, round one familiar name, and words of deep pity, sympathy and regret in face of a common sorrow have been passing from every lip. I have felt it therefore, to be my duty, though a stranger was to have spoken to you from this place this morning, to speak to you a few words myself upon the extremely sad event which has taken place in our midst, and which suggests one of two reflections which should naturally find a place in our minds at such a time as the present. Death, that one certain event which is common to the life of all, though its presence be not unfamiliar to us, comes with a voice of its own in what ever guise it comes, stirring strange emotions in our souls. Even the natural falling of the human leaf in the autumn of its days, brings with it took to those who still remain the consciousness of a void unfilled, the sense of a desolation which separation always entails; how often in the after days we sigh "for the touch of the vanished hand, and the sound of the voice that is still." But how much more is all this intensified in the case of premature death. When the young man is cut down in the very zenith of his years, when the life which had hardly reached the fullness of its early summer is rapidly and abruptly closed, the stream of sympathetic regret flows full and strong around us, and the question of the wise man of older rises unbidden within us. What combination of circumstances have gathered themselves together against us and carried thee to an early grave? "Why shouldest thou die before thy time." Brethren, we are apt to trace any event which comes upon us with startling surprise to causes in close proximity to it, while often there lies behind it in the remoter distance the key to the whole position. The lowering sickness, the fevered brain, the frenzied impulse, the tragic act by which the silver cord of life was loosed, these are the present facts immediately before our vision which account for the actual catastrophe, but behind, across that path of brilliant unbroken success, they rests a dark shadow that clings like a chilling blinding mist to the onward path of triumph. We have not forgotten, have we, how two short years ago, a gloom such as today's rested over this same congregation; how the light of his earthly life went out, when it had just dawned upon him, and the frail earthly vessel, tossed to and fro amid the heavings of that great life storm, seemed ready to drift a hopeless, helpless wreck, and break up beneath the fury of the tempest. When God, in His mysterious Providence parts asunder in the first warm fervour of youth the hearts He has joined together, be sure there is shaking of the human fabric, so fearfully and wonderfully made, which leaves its trace behind. Nor, again, must we shut out from our view other causes secretly at work, belonging more especially to his own particular calling. St. Paul, speaking of the contests of his day, wrote these words, "He that striveth for the mastery is temperature in all things," but the exigency of the contests in which he took part seemed to demand have been something more exacting than "temperance and all things." And so he yielded to the ever present temptation, and any of us might have done the same, of treating that human body, such an essential portion of our human life, as though it were his own possession and could be made to make the yield to the presence of any emergency. And so the worn and wistful face, often such a true index of the secret streams of life within, seemed to speak of an undermining of the vital forces within; yea, was there not crammed into those 16 years of an unparalleled career a spending of physical force which left nothing remaining but the framework of a used-up life. And so with a real and unfeigned sorrow we miss him from his accustomed place today, and leaving him in the hands of that Almighty Father who, in the beautiful words of one of our Collects, shows His Almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity, we will strive to gather up some lessons which God would have us learn from this dark cloud of sorrow which has gathered so suddenly upon us, and wrung from a world-wide circle a deep-seated feeling of sympathy. Brethren, we are all of us too forgetful of what our being consists, of how each portion of this complex human nature claims consideration at our hands. We are one of God's marvellous works. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and no neglect or contravention of the laws which govern our being can ever be indulged in with impunity. How many a life which has been cut off in its early summer might have fulfilled its allotted span if in the heyday of its youth it had asked itself, earnestly, the searching questions of the aged sage, "Why shouldest thou die before thy time." I will not dwell this morning on that more patent physical waste which is born of sensuality and love of self-indulgence, and which carries off many a life of much promise to a premature grave. O, gay-hearted young man, amid the glancing at the wine cup and the revelry and the mirth which has already enchained thee with a fatal fascination, thou mightest see, if there wouldest open thine eyes, the weird handwriting on the wall, appealing to thee in such pitiful tones - "Why shouldest thou die before thy time." But this word of warning has a voice for a wider circle than these grosser sinners against their own bodies. Where shall we find the profession, where shall we look for the vocation, which in these hurrying days will not supply us with a record of lives which have been sacrificed to the demands of success? The greater the pre-eminence the stronger the temptation to ignore what seems the minor conditions of life on which the permanence of success depends. The moment the foot is firmly planted on the ladder of a great reputation, how few have the moral courage to guard against an undue straining of their powers. The rising statesmen may fall victim of over-spent energy in the very moment when the much coveted laurel was almost in his grasp. The physician, to whose words of advice thousands have learned to cling, may discover too late that he has ignored in his own life the very laws he has pointed out to others. The preacher, carried away with his enthusiasm, may draw on the reservoir of life so lavishly that a life of the usefulness may be cut short while it seemed to be as yet noon-day. The man of business may so yield to the pressures and demands of an ever-growing competition that he too may fall a victim to a premature decay. Even the youthful student, in the ardour of his aspirations, may overtax his immature strength, and ere yet his vessel has set sail make shipwreck of the possibilities of life. And so there is needed on all sides a lessen of prudence and caution. Every portion of our nature has a claim on our care and watchfulness, and we cannot slight any portion without risking danger to the whole. And this leads me to the final thought I would wish to impress upon all your minds in the solemn hour. Life, this human life to which God has called us and in which we find ourselves, is even in its smallest details a great and responsible trust, which God has committed to us and for which we shall have to answer to Him. Once take this true and real view of life, that whatever gifts or powers may belong to us we hold them not as possessions, but as trustees of Him who gave them to us, and every smallest detail, let it seem ever so insignificant, will remind us of its own value and become the object of our watchfulness and care. Life, this life, as far as God has revealed to us, is the great opportunity which God places before each. Use it, believe in its greatness, and guard it as a sacred trust from Him. Enfeeble it not, curtail it not, by taking too mean a view of its value. Husband the forces within thee. Grasp with a thankful hand the mighty possibilities before thee. Yes, trade so thoughtfully with the living capital which God had placed at thy disposal, that in that great final hour when God shall claim his own thou mayest hear the cheering voices of approval from a kind, loving Master. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
|
Return to Main Index page page
Last Updated on: 4 September
2000
For comments about this webpage, please email Martin
Edwards.
©1999. EnglandGenWeb and WorldGenWeb Project.