SHEPHERD, Rev. Charles W.: Died 1898

SHEPHERD

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/27/2013 at 09:14:20

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. 9 June 1898

DUST TO DUST.
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Funeral of the Late Rev. Charles W. Shepherd.

The funeral of the late Rev. Charles W. Shepherd, treasurer of Van Buren county, was held at the opera house Friday afternoon. The business houses of the town were closed. Many from the surrounding country and from a distance were present. The hall was fille to its utmost capacity. The obsequies were of the most imposing and impressive character.
The following ministers of the M.E. church were present:
Rev. Dr. F.E. Bush, Ottumwa.
Rev. Dr. C.L. Stafford, Mt. Pleasant, president of Iowa Wesleyan University.
Rev. Dr. T.J. Myers, Mt. Pleasant.
Rev. Dr. T.B. Hughs, Bloomfield.
Rev. Dr. J.A. Boatman, Fairfield.
Rev. C.E. Cooper, presiding elder, Keokuk district.
Rev. G.M. Tuttle, presiding elder, Burlington district.
Rev. P.J. Henness, Keokuk.
Rev. B.F. Shane, Selma.
Rev. E.S. Daily, Mt. Zion.
Rev. J.E. Wilkin, Birmingham.
Rev. P.H. McBeth, Hillsboro.
Rev. A.E. Thornley, Bentonsport.
Rev. W.R. Jeffrey, Moulton.
Rev. C.W. Wilson, Martinsburg.
Rev. W.M. Erskine, Troy.
Rev. J.B. Eyestone, Keosauqua circuit.

Rev. C.L. Tennant, of the M.E. church, Rev. C.E. Perkins of the Congregational church, and Rev. G.A. Hendrickson of the Christian churhc, Keosauqua, were also present.

The exercises consisted of bible readings and several obituary addresses under the charge of Rev. C.L. Tennant. The opening hymn was "Jesus Lover of My Soul," by the M.E. choir, assited by Mr. Craig Miller.

The opening prayer was by Rev. C.E. Perkins, Keosauqua.

The first scripture lesson was by Dr. Brush; the second by Rev. W.R. Jeffrey; the third by Dr. Boatman.

After a solo by Mr. Miller, Mr. Tennant read the biographical sketch of Mr. Shepherd from the Democrat. This he supplemented with a high tribute to the worth of the deceased, in which he said it had been his good fortune to be intimately associated with hime three years and could say he was true to his pastor and a true faithful servant of Jesus Christ. He was a pure man and a godly man. He wanted to be right. He was a liberal man. He gave more to the church in proportion to his income than any other man in this charge.

Rev. Dr. Stafford followed. He said no man who knew Brother Shepherd could begin to voice the things he would like to say in this hour of our sorrow and his florification. The large number of men (clergymen) on this stage testifies to the esteem in which he was held. I knew him as a young man when I was in your town a short time. His chief characteristic was service. I was not surprised at the statement just read as to his accuracy and faithfulness. The church never asked of him a service that he did not perform to the best of his ability. As secretary of the Iowa conference he toiled arduously, sometimes working on into the night while others slept. His thought was of his Master and his church. His was a life full of faithfulness. There is no doubt he has won and wears today the crown of immortal life. Has that life which meant so much for uplifting of humanity gone out? Only for a short time. Here in his home I come to say good-bye only for a moment. Then shall we say good morning. Make him the pattern of your lives.

Dr. Hughes said there were three kinds of life-natural life, spiritual life, eternal life. Eternal lie is the union of the soul with God. The narutal death was the separation of body and soul. Eternal death was the separation of the soul from God forever. Dust thou art. Only Enoch and Elijah escaped death. Death, as we think, ends probation and fixes character. Some conjecture, we are not called upon to answer it. Death closes earth suffering-mental, physical, spiritual. Our brother was not always inthe best of health. He knw what life's suffering were, but these are gone forever. Death introduces the good man to a higher and better life. Brother Shepherd went out from among storms and conflicts. When he thought he was out beyond the storms and tremptations what a happiness it must have been to him. Death is not the end. It is the salvation of Jesus Christ. Death cannot close or counteract his influence for good in this world. He geing dead yet speaketh. Long after our activities cease we shall be till speaking. I am glad to say Brother Shepherd was a genuine man, a genuine Christian, a genuine gentleman. He had the courage of his convictions, was void of duplicity, and was entitled to the confidence of all who knew him. Would you call the loved one back? I think you would hesitate to have Brother Shepherd return to you. You should not walk the earth clad in mourning when his soul is with his God. Dear Sister Shepherd, dear sonss and daughter, weep not excessively because father has gone away. He would send back the message, "Weep not; come to me." (Handwritten: St. Line Dem. 9 June 1898)

Dr. Myers said in part: I knew Brother Shepherd 29 years. He was one year my senior in the ministry. From the beginning we sustained an intimate acquaintanceship and companionship. He was a faithful gospel preacher. He was not a mere professional preacher, but believed what hepreached profoundly. He preached out of his heart. He was not a sensational or self-seeking man. He was retiring. I have thought sometimes he did not stand up for his rights as he should have done. I have thought of him as a good influence in my own life. No brother from our ranks will be so missed as Charles Shepherd. I did not come here with sadness, although the news of his death was a great surprise. The very best possible has come here with sadness, although the news of his death was a great surprise. The very best possible has come to his family-a sacred memory of love, devotion and fidelity. The obituary read did not say what his experience was in the dying hour. There is a larger Iowa conference with its bishops on the other side than here. Let us all be ready like Charles Shepherd for the beautiful land beyond the river.

Rev. G.M. Tuttle said: If environment anything to do with development of character, we should be careful of our surroundings in this world. We have all read of those who regretted all their lives their acquaintance with certain persons; others have expressed joy and gratitude because the influence of other persons had been helpful to them. I have had a kindred experience. It has been my good fortune to know certain men. I owe much to my acquaintance with Brother Sphepherd(sp). It has been 23 years since I formed his acquaintance. The more I knew him the more I appreciated him and his words of counsel. No man who has been taken in recent years will be more missed than Brother Shepherd. He was a good treasurer of his county, a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and a good soldier of his country.

Presiding Elder Cooper said he heartily endorsed all that had been said in commendation of our brother. In the winter of 1873 I me him here. I was with his father, and he told me who he was. My first impression of him was good and lasting. I met him after he was elected. I shall never forget how he looked and what he said. He thought I might disapprove of his course. I said no. I met him to congratulate him. I thought God was in him then and I think so now. He has been promoted and gone up higher.

Rev. B.F. Shane made the closing prayer, after which the vast congregation passed by the casket taking tender leave of the deceased.

The pall-bearers were Revs. Henness, Barber, Wilkin, Wilson; Erskine and Eyestone. The benedictions at the grave yard was pronounced by Rev. G.A. Hendrickson.

It was the largest and most imposing funeral that has been held here in many years. An early settler, a good and true man, has gone out from among us forever.
(Also see 244 G)