The Funeral of a Saloonkeeper

1900

The People's Forum

How can a minister of the Gospel best perform his duty when asked to conduct the funeral of a saloonkeeper? — (Rev.) DAVID JONES, Wash.

As we answer this question there lies before us a ten-page letter from another minister who has just preached such a sermon, and he is bewailing the fact that it has brought about dissensions in his church which cut his financial support by half. His wife and children are in danger of going without proper food and clothes, and he is threatened with tar and feathers. "What did he say?" you ask. Well, here is a selection from his sermon, which will give you an idea of its general tenor:

"Good people, you have come here today, not only in honor of your dead, but in honor of our social, civil and religious institutions. You have asked the church and clergy for burial services, and while it is against the laws and constitutions of some churches to give burial services to those outside of their membership, I want to say for the benefit of our own members, who have objected to using the church on this occasion, on account of the business of the deceased, that it is not for us to deny funeral or burial services to any, but we are to serve all willingly, reserving the right to make them an occasion of benefit to the congregation and comfort to the mourners.

"If you think the business of this man is wrong, I want to show you that he had the highest authority within the gift of this country to justify and defend him in the prosecution thereof. He had the silent if not the open consent and endorsement of nearly every business, professional and official man in the city, besides a large lucrative patronage among the common people of the community. Therefore if he was wrong then you are wrong also, and if you think he alone will perish for the wrong, in the language of the text, I tell you nay; but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish."

The minister who speaks plainly at a funeral will always be criticized. There are many, therefore, who would refuse to conduct such a funeral service, especially over a man who has lived a notoriously sinful life. They would reserve the lessons which might be drawn for a more appropriate occasion. There is no fixed law of propriety in such matters. Circumstances must always be taken into consideration. A minister should be guided by the best religious sentiment in his church and by his heartfelt convictions after earnest prayer for guidance.

—The Ram's Horn, March 17, 1900, p. 8.