SETH STANLEY DEAD

Bethany Clipper March 16 1921 page 6

(cont. from page 1)

chapter there, a Past Commander of the Knights Templar, a member of the Council and the Shrine at St. Joseph.

Together with his wife, he was prominent in the O.E.S.

He had been a member of the I.O.O.F. and Rebekahs for more than twenty years and a member of the Knights of Pythia for many years.

Mr. Stanley was not only active in church and fraternal circles but in political and business life as well.

It is hard for these to contemplate his mysterious departure, but they suffer not as those who have no hope.

His body will crumble into dust, but his soul and ours will live forever.

The Funeral

Seth D. Stanley, who so mysteriously came to a sudden death in his marble shop March 10, 1921, was laid at rest in the Sharon cemetery three miles south of Mt. Moriah Saturday, March 12, 1921.

In writing this funeral account, it is not our intention to enter into an obituary, but just to give a brief analysis of the funeral proper. There was Scripture reading and and prayer at the house at 9:30 a.m. by the Reverend W.O. Dotson and then the funeral cortege immediately started on it's way to the place where the deceased had previously arranged that he should be buried beside the sacred dust of his parents.

The body was escourted by Bethany commandery No. 42, uniform rank of Bethany Lodge No. 97, A.F. & A.M. and the pall bearers were selected from the I.O.O.F. and K.P. lodges.

The services at the Sharon church were conducted in the following manner: Scripture reading and prayer by Dr. W.S. Welsh, of the First Methodist Church, Bethany, and a synopsis of the life and character of the deceasedwas read by Rev. Floyd Morgan of the First Methodist Church of Rockport, Mo. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. W.O. Dotson of the First Baptist Church, Bethany. The song service was rendered by Mesdames Spencer and Prentiss and Messrs. Prentiss and Haas.

At the conclusion of the serveices in the church the massive casket was opened and the vast crowd filed past to take a last look at the features of their old friend and former neighbor. Many in the long line of march paused at the bier and heaved a sigh and often a tear drop was noticed glistening on the palid cheek of some old friend of him lay so silently and cold in the beautiful casket, which was practically entombed in a labyrinth of choice flowers.

After the bereaved companion and daughters, with hearts almost bursting with grief, were pursuaded to turn away, the casket was closed and the pall bearers slowly carried the mortal remains of their old friend to the grave, passing between two lines of the uniformed commandery, who reverently stood with drawn swords.

At the grave the commandery took charge, and the beautiful and impressive Masonic funeral rites were read, amid the most profound and reverend silence. The massive casket, encased in in a steel vault, was lowered into the tomb and the Rev. W.O. Dotson tenderly dismissed the solemn audience who came from far and near to pay their last token of respect to that splendid citizen and four-square man, Seth D. Stanley.

The attendence at the church was so great that only a portion of the people could gain entrance into the building, there being fully as many on the outside as there were in the house. The floral gifts were the most elaborate we have seen in many years.

Seth D. Stanley

An Appreciation

Brother Seth D. Stanley was a true Mason, a faithful Companion of the Royal Arch, a valiant and magnanimous Templar, a good Master, an efficient High Priest, a courteous Commander, a real follower of our Blessed Savior, kindly dispositioned, fearless in defense of the right, honest, and honorable, industrious and untiring, cheerful and charitable, fraternal and forgiving.

He was full of brotherly love, relief and truth; of temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice.

We feel keenly his taking away, and offer to his family our kindest sympathy and assistance.

By order of

BETHANY LODGE NO. 97 A.F.& A.M.

BETHANY CHAPTER NO. 80 R.A.M.

BETHANY COMMANDERY NO. 42 K.T.

C.T. BRIDGES

E.W. PRENTISS

JOHN H. ROSS

cOMMITTEE

RESOLUTIONS

The Bethany Baptist Sunday School passed the following resolutions relative to the death of Seth. D. Stanley:

Truly a good man has fallen on earth to rise in Glory. To human eyes his death seems untimely, but God knows the hour. Thus once more we are reminded how there is the veil between this world and the next. Bro. Stanley had greatly endeared to our church and Sunday school. Therefore, be it

Resolved, First. That we greatly deplore the loss of Bro. Stanley.

Second. That we tender to Sister Stanley our deepest sympathy in this sad hour, praying that God will sustain her in this great loss, and to the children with whom his council and tender, loving words will ever be a guiding star pointing to a better life.

Third. That a copy of these resolutions be spread on the minutes of our Sunday School record, a copy sent to the family and county papers.

W.O. DOTSON

J.N. HOMAN

MRS. LUNA HOMAN

MRS. CLARA WAGONER

Bethany, Mo., March 13, 1921

Card of Thanks

We desire to thank our friends and neighbors for their help and sympathy in our bereavement. You have done everything that could possibly be done to help us.

MRS. S.D. STANLEY AND FAMILY