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Show , Apostle Merrill is Laid to Rest Funeral Service Held in Richmond's New Tabernacle, Which he had Fathered. . A Very Large Number Listen to Eulogies Eulo-gies of Deceased by Apostles. Apostle Morrill's funeral service ut Richmond Saturday was attended by a larger number of people than could got within the walls of the magnifl cent tabernacle he fathered and brought almost to completion. It was estimated by Apostle Lyman, us he sat on the stand, that there were about 1800 people In the building, and a very large number had been unable to ' crowd within the sacred precincts. A special train from Wellsyllle to Richmond Rich-mond carried COO people to the north' crn town and hundreds more haddriv- 5 en from the various towns of the coun ty. Though the tabernacle was unfinished, un-finished, it had been made as comfort-able comfort-able as possible and whllo It was extremely ex-tremely cold throughout the building, the people sat and stood In perfect quietude during the. rather long service. ser-vice. It was Apostle Merrill's great hope that fie might see this $40,000 structure entirely complete, and finally final-ly when he saw this would not be granted, he expressed the desire that his funeral service be held there. Workmen had made strenuous ellort and it was possible to honor this request. re-quest. ' In Love and Honor the timbers through the front of the building had been draped In white, and the draplngs of the rostrum were so. Floral offerings of beautiful design and very numerous attested tho great love and esteem In which tho deceas- was held. In the shadow of these and surrounded by the various wives, the children and grand children, rested the casktt, carried In by six stalwart sons. An enlarged portrait or the do- I ceased banked In (lowers rested" on tho rostrum. Seated In the middle front j of the house was the great body of the Apostle's lineal descendants, bowed in sorrow. The Service T was deeply Impressive and ptesldcn? over by Bishop Thomas Ilazen Merrill, a son. Various of the Apostolic quorum with numerous other stake and ward oillcials were seated on the rostrum, together with the choir, which, as an opening selection, sang "Oh My father" very effectively. Elder Samuel RosUelly, of Smlthfleld offered prayer, following which, the Logan temple choir sang"lnthollomo of My Father." Prtsident Lund of the First Presidency said that President Pres-ident Smith could not be present on account of an attack of lumbago, but sent loving greetings. He also read a telegram from Apostles John Henry Smith and Reed Smoot In which they ' r r " extended hcartfc.lt sympathy, and asked God's blessings In the family's hour of trial. President Lund continued, saying that while Hro. Merrill lay before him In a caskot, lie felt that it would not , bo the last time ho would sco him, and expressed the belief that tho body would bo called from the grave, joined with tho spirit and made a living soul. Whllo tho corruptible had undergone a change, tho spirit was not dead. Tho part that was able to thlnk.that knew, still lived, no said that after looking look-ing at the deceased he could not but feel that Hro. Merrill was taking a sweet rest he did not appear as one dead. Words eulogistic of tho dead Apostlo's life followed. President Lund said Hro. Morrill had never faltered ho had tried to do his duty as God gave it to him, and as ho understood un-derstood it. Ho expressed tho certainty cer-tainty that none In Israel had been more faithful. During seventeen years' acquaintance with Apostle Merrill Mer-rill in tho quorum he had loved to hear him speak and to hear the glorious glori-ous testimony ho was over able to bear. All members of the apostolato had confidence In Hro. Merrill. He 1 was wise, prudent, discreet, a practi cal man with a largo experience, one capable of giving the best advice. The quorum loved him. In his life he had fought the good light and kept the faith. Prcs. Lund urged the children and all others to be as faithful. Following a reading of the vision that came to the Prophet Joseph and Sidney Rlgdon In which tho many mansions were shown them, the speaker speak-er 0 lie red words'of consolation tothoso who mourn, saying that Hro. Merrill was one of the kind that Is sure to reign in tho highest mansions at tho head of a great and glorious prosperity. prosper-ity. In a foreign land Iiro. Merrill had accepted the gospel, had received tho gift of the Holy Ghost by tho laying lay-ing on of hands and had tried to show In life that baptism was In him a pew birth. Ho held tho gospel dear, lived it, and tried by example and word to teach others to live it. Because he obeyed tho Gospel- ho will bo entitled to bo with God. Pres, Lund said ho felt even then that Hro. Merrill had met with friends lie knew and was already al-ready welcomed as ono who had been faithful. Tho speaker urged that uvcry one so live that ho may I ear a stronger testimony each day. In speaking of Apostle Merrill's energy en-ergy ho cited the magnificent tabor-naclo tabor-naclo In which the services wero being held as a moument to that energy. Tho deceased hoped to live to see tho tabernaclo Unlshcd, but tho .Lord saw lit to tako him. Pres. Lund asked for God's blessings on tho family and expressed tho hope that tho children and grandchildren would emulate the llfo of Hro. Merrill. Elder Penrose said ho had been acquainted with M. W. Morrill (oity years, ana ho had recognized re-cognized him us a wise, practical man who had full faith in tiio Gospel of Christ as It had been handed down In tho latter days, no knew him as the Hlshop cf Richmond, and in varjous other capacities, had over been proud of him and had found it pusslblo to enter Into his feelings with perfect harmony. In his opinion M. W. Merrill Mer-rill was one of the stalwarts and said that evidence of his energy Is to be round on every hand In Cache, no was an able lender, successful In work and counsel. The spirit of the Lord was with' him, and In his management of his family, in his county positions and In the legislature, as a railroad builder and In his connection with tho temple ho had proved himself a successful suc-cessful man. The speaker said he had found tiro. Merrill a man of spiritual mind and (hut he lincl manifested many things Tor his benefit and the people's as well, lie felt that tho counsel of I he deceased Mould bo greatly missed, us hti was a man of good common sense 11 ml led by tho sphlt Klder Pentose said that It was ever sad to say good bye. but he felt a spirit of exultation that Hro. Merrill had gone to mingle with tho Just and true be) ond the vale. Ho said that as he looked on the face of the deceased ho noticed that It. seemed fuller and brighter and he doubted not that ho hud already been welcomed to his glories. The speaker ut this point outlined I ne future life, and Indicated Hro. Morrill's position. He said that ho had gone to a newc rsphere of labor and would keep up his work, that tho sphere he now occupies Is wider; that there Is more preaching and ministering minister-ing to do than on earth, as myriads of those gone before who had not accepted ac-cepted the goapcl must hear It. Ho said Hro. Merrill's spirit Is still an Intelligent In-telligent entity, Just as It was beforo It entered his body, and that It continues con-tinues to labor for the salvation of souls. Apostle Penrose also reviewed the tho belief that tho mortal body will bo quickened at the resurrection; that the corruptible will bo taken away and this vllo body fashioned like that of the Savior. He urged that all will bo judged by tho deeds dono In tho body and that all should serve God, and follow the great men who have done 1 he Lord's will. Apostle Pentose Pen-tose closed hl inlk with a blessing upon up-on the falmly mid tho expressed hope that all tho deceased's wives and posterity inav understand they can In truth meet him If thev are but worthy. Elder Geo. A. Smith felt that It was an honor to Join In giving giv-ing praise to him who had departed. "Not only Richmond and Cachomourn but ull Isiacl," said the speaker. "In England when the king Is dead It is said by his faithful subjects 'the king Is dead, long live tho king!' So I would say 'long live Hro. Merrill in his children.' It has been two years since he has been In counsel with the quorum and ho was sadly missed." In SDCakhll'of tho nersoiml traits nf Mm deceased, Elder Smith said ho had never met a man proudgr of his family than was Hro. Merrill. Tho deceased had said to him nt ono time that he had not a child who was not Keeping' tho commandments of God and that every child rendered him a trlbuto of love and fopect. Following a reference to tl o worth of tho pioneers, In which Hro. Merrill had taken a forcmqst part, Elder Smith detailed how It was that Bro. Merrill and others when they heard tho gospel call left home, fronds,fum Hies, wife and children. Thoy left all and camo to Xion, The -heart pangs wero many, the separation brought its anguish, and privations made life almost al-most unbearable. These pioneers plowed and sowed. They reaped und saved a llttlo year by year and sent back across tho waters for thoso left behind. Tho chlldreu camo ono by ono, the wife, and sisters. And here tho speaker pictured the Joy that was In tho hearts of those who met. Despite De-spite tho fact that tho roof was small, t was homo and the Joy of meeting after absence was beyond words. Ho likened this unto the joy that will bo Hro. Merrill's If his children but follow fol-low In his 'footsteps and as they pass away go to him one by one. Ho pictured pic-tured how tho deceased In tho spirit world will watch his children and long for them, and how glad ho will bo to greet them If they llvo to bo manly men and womanly womun. "No child of Israel had a better father, no wlfo had a better husband than these wives. May we who remain sot to work to build up our father's cause. May It be said of us as of Hrd. Merrill, the world Is better for our having lived. People of Richmond, honor Hro. Merrill Mer-rill In your conduct. He has borne you a strong testimony, the testimony of a consistent Latter-day Saint. His life has been one of sacrifice and toll, and ho has now gone to tho reward that comes to men who toll faithfully. May Joy bo in your hearts at tho prospect pros-pect of meeting him in the great be-yoqd be-yoqd and when wo arc called may we be found worthy. Hyrum A. Smith, of the twelve, said he had been with Hro. Merrill a week beforo and with Ruhlon S. Wells had blessed him by laying on of hands us spirit indicated. He said ho had been glad to know Apostle Merrill and listened to his counsels and fatherly advice with great pleasure and profit. Ho felt some sorrow but no regret, no remorse re-morse at tho passing of tho brother, for ho had served God with all his might, mind and strength, and ho had served and loved his neighbor as himself. For such a man, no sorrow, no regrets need bo felt. In Apostle Merrill, the speaker saw a man of years, ripe In experience, and he was glad to note that a great posterity was left to perpetuate him. Elder Smith said that a man's greatness Is pot always to bo measured by what ho has accomplished. If the children tako up the work and contlnuo In faithfulness, faithful-ness, this more than many things establishes that tho father was great. "One or the saddest things In this llfo Is to sec sons of great men who labored In the cause tlirn away from the faith 'when their father Is gone. It Is a a terrlblu thing to seo them turn from the truth, deny the teaching and example of tho father and apostatize fiom the gospel. Hro. Merrill will suffer If he s,ecs his sons and daughters bieaklng asunder and drifting from the truth their father so dearly loved. I would say to all of you, be faithful, bo true to the pilesthood and true to tho people. I would ask God's blessings on this family, may ha comfort them and gtildo them and all of you through life." Rudger Clawson spoke of Prof. Merrill's love lor his family and said the deceased had many limes expressed himself as being be-ing proud of his children. Tho speaker speak-er had known the Apostle seven years, and In noting tho changes that have occurred In tho church In that time mentioned tho death of Snow, Cannon, Can-non, Richards, Hrlgham Young Jr., A. C. Woodruff and now M. W. Morrill, Mor-rill, a total of six of the council. "Tho changes como rapidly" said tho speaker. "Hro Merrill was a strong character, and a wise councilor as President, Hlshop and Apostle. Ho was active, progressive, and his years wero tilled with good work. Ho accomplished ac-complished a good work In tho temple both for the living and thedcad. Hro. Morrill was spiritually minded and had many wonderful manifestations." At this point tho speaker said ho would tell, of a particular Incident in tho llfo of Apostle Merrill, one the Apostle told him and which he thought had not been told to the public pub-lic before. This event took place some time after the death of M. W. Merrill Jr., a beloved son and in sub-stanco sub-stanco Apostlo Clawson said: "Hro. Merrill at that time was President of tho Logan temple. It seemed that he could not bo reconciled to the loss of hlssgon and mourned him daily. As ho sat In tho tctnploonc day thinking think-ing of his boy, his head bowed In sorrow sor-row ho heard a voice. Ho knew thero was no ono In tho rooms near him, and as ho heard the voice ho looked In, tho direction fiom whence tho sound camo but saw no one. The voice said to him. "Father do you know meV" "Yes," ho replied, "yottaro my son Mariner " Father i havobcen permitted per-mitted to conic and see you. 1 have noticed that you are very much grieved griev-ed at my death, and can't bo reconciled, reconcil-ed, but father grieve no more. It Is alright I was needed behind tho veil. There Is a great work to be dono for our ancestors. There was no ono hero to represent our family In the work of saivatlon, and I was called. Just at present 1 am clerk for Franklin D. Richards. Wo aro very busy and 1 havent much tlmo to stay with you but don't grelvo any more." Tho speaker drew from this testimony testi-mony that thero are two worlds, spiritual spir-itual and temporal and that tho spiritual spirit-ual Is as busy as temporal. "When wo aro needed thero wo will bo sent for. It teaches that theto Is a great work boyond. It teaches that Prof. Merrill has gone to Join his fou and. s will have his help In completing tho great work that Is his portion." Pres. Lyman figured out that there wero In tho tabernaclo about 1800 people, and said that It was Hro. -Merrill's great desire to sco the tabernaclo Unlshcd, and to bo burled from It as well. Ho had many times expressed that hope, and It was Indeed most fitting that the funeral scrvlco over his remains was held there. Prcs. Lyman said ho could lend his hearty endorsement to tho many good things that had already al-ready been said, and could say many moro himself, but doubted the advisability advis-ability on account of the tlmo already consumed, tho waiting train, and cold room. Tho speaker continued a few minutes, however. Ho said that Hro. Merrill had dono his work, and that there Is-a considerable difference between be-tween finishing ono's work and coming com-ing to the end of life. "Hro. Merrill had dono his work fur his family, for the people of the county, and with church In spiritual and temporal matters. Ho was. an all 'round man and enjoyed tho lovo and confidence of allhlsbrethcrn. No man In tho valley val-ley reached higher In tho estimation of the people than did Prcs. Merrill, Mer-rill, no didn't belong altogether to Richmond, but to tho valley and to Logan. Forty-six years ago he camo to this valley and from that tlmo till his death was closely Identified with Its development in various capacities. Ho performed hlsdutlcs well and was as perfect as man can bo perfect. Wo havo heard from tho other speakers as to what his destiny will be. Ho Is alright ho endured to tho end and will sit forever a Princo at tho head of his posterity. Ho Is a royal descendant of Abraham and Adam, who was tho son of God. Ho was a great and good man, not diminutive In nature, but broad and fearless. God bless tho family and all who arc here." Hlshop Merrill thanked the people for their attendance, thoso who had so kindly lent assistance, especially thoso who labored so hard to prepare tho tabernacle. The choir sang "Somewhere," and a prayer by Elder Cannon ended the Service. Those who came on the special train were permitted to leave the building first. The remains were then conveyed to the cemetery and laid to rest. During the service M. J. Ballard of Logan sang most affectlngly "1 know that My Redeemer Lives." Sister Fanny Thomas also sang. "Rest Thee Sad Heart." Ilofore the service hundreds hun-dreds viewed tho remains at tho Apostlo's home. |
