Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1917 — ADHERED TO STRICT TRUTH [ARTICLE]

ADHERED TO STRICT TRUTH

Parson's Remarks at Funeral Services of Departed Sinner Remarkable for Diplomacy Displayed. One of the stories the late Judge Brawley used to tell with gusto wu about the sermon of old Parson Hinton of the Baptist church, at the funeral of a miserable reprobate who had lived within the bounds of his congregation. So far as the parson was advised, the deceased person had violated/all the Commandments, “and then some,” as the saying goes, and the parson was a truthful man and could not bear the thought of going through an idle service. He thought that it would be better on the whole to let the departed go without making any fuss about it; but he was finally persuaded, out of respect for the surviving family, composed of the best people in the community, to conduct religious services, The casket containing the body of the deceased was taken into the parson’s church and placed in front of the pulpit There were the usual emblems of mourning and an attentive congregation. After jbe singing of an appropriate hymn and a sincere prayer old Parson Hinton arose in the pulpit, and, touched by his sympathy for the grief-stricken family, broke the deep silence by saying: “Our brother who lies before us today had some virtues, but they were mostly of a negative order.” He had spoken the truth, and with telling effect. —Washington Times.