FUNERAL OF THE LATE MRS. ROBINSON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 869, 23 July 1910, Page 3

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MRS. ROBINSON.

The funeral of the late Mrs Robinson took place early yesterday afternoon. A large number of relations and friends assembled at Herrington, and then followed the last earthly remains of the deceased lady to All Saints’ Church. As the possession neared the Church the bell tolled, and the vicar, the Rev G. Y. Woodward, met the mourners at the Church gales. On entering the Church, the vicar read the opening sentences of the burial service, and at once there was a reverent silence. The first message of the “ Office for the Dead ” is one of hope and trust: —“ lam the Resurrection and the Life saith the Lord ; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall not die.” Near the chancel steps the coffin rested, while the service continued —many remembered a similar service twenty-two years ago, for above the altar there is a stained glass east window, erected in memory of Captain Robinson, the husband of the deceased. There were many beautiful wreaths, the gifts of relations and friends — nature bearing witness to the great Christian hope of a resurrection to eternal life. The service was simple, and therefore most dignified, it suited the occasion of one who had lived the simple peaceful life, and the soft glory of her death shone on all present. After the sentences, Milmau’s beautiful hymn was sung, ‘‘When our Heads are Bow’d with Woe,” each verse ending with the solemn refrain “ Jesu, Son of Mary, hear.” The vicar then read the lesson taken from.St. Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians, XV., 20. Another hymn was sung, ” Peace, Perfect Peace.” The pathos and beauty of this hymn touched many, and especially when they brought back to memory the quiet, peaceful life of her whom they cherished and loved. This ended the service in the Church, and while the mourning procession turned for the cemetery, Miss Jeaks played the Dead March. A large number of people were present at the graveside, and the service was continued. The opening words from the Prayer Book are very impressive, “ Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower ; he fleeth as it were a -shadow, and never continueth in one stay.” Then followed the commital, “ Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of His great mercy to take unto Himself the soul of our dear sister here departed, we therefore commit her body to the ground ; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Mother, we leave her, honoured and loved by all who knew her— not dead, but waiting for the Eternal Easter, when soul and body shall meet again, and there shall be no more sorrow, no more weeping, no more pain. When there shall be reunion, as Baring-Gould in his inspired hymn, sings ; “ On that happy Easter morning All the graves their dead restore ; Father, sister, child and mother Meet once more.”