Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1901 — TROUBLE AT OPEN GRAVE [ARTICLE]

TROUBLE AT OPEN GRAVE

Outspoken Declarations of Preacher Arouse Anger of Relatives. A scene was created at the grave during the funeral services of the little son of Mr. and Mrs. William Hancock, of Kokomo, Ind., who have been divorced for some time. The child had been living with its grandfather. Rev. George Edward Walk, pastor of Harrison Street Christian Church of that city, was the officiating minister, and while the last words of the ceremony were being said over the grave Otto Jackson, a bi other of Mrs. Hancock, took Rev. Walk to task for the sermon he had preached, He demanded that Mr. Walk retract certain statements made in his sermon. Ths text of the discourse was as follows; “When my father and mother forsake me, my Lord will take me up.” Mr. Walk in his sermon vigorously denounced divorce. He disclaimed any personal application of the sermon, but Jackson still insisted and friends interfered to prevent trouble. To a newspaper reporter afterward Mr. Walk said: “I am tired of indiscriminate laudations at funerals and think the truth should be spoken at all times.” ...