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Show TRIOS DM HI BIEHf RICH Funeral Services for Leading Mormon Missionary Are Held in Tabernacle. CAREER IS EULOGIZED President Smith and Many Church Dignataries Pay Tribute to Co-worker. Funeral services for Ben 13. Rich, who for more than ten years was prcHident of the eastern and southern states missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and wlio (licrl in New York Saturday, September Septem-ber .151, were hold yesterday afternoon at the tabernacle. forn than 10.000 members and friends of tho church and of the departed de-parted missionary crowded tlie larpo building to its capacity, and the services serv-ices took on an aspect of deep impres-sivencss impres-sivencss and sympathy for the family of Mr. Rich. The coffin was profusely strewn with roses and other flowors, and tho platform and railings were also decorated with blossoms. Following the services, the funeral cortege proceeded to the City cemetery, ceme-tery, hoaded by tho first presidency of the" church, followed hy the council of the twelvo apostles and tho seven presidents of tho sevcntics.( Mr, Rich's family and friends were in the rear of the procession. Tho cravo was solemnly sol-emnly dodicatod at the comotery aud the body lowered to its last rest. Sons Pallbearers. The active pall-bearers for the funeral fu-neral wore the six sons of Mr. Rich, Benjamin h., Lorin F., Fred, Homer E. , Don O. and Frank C. Rich.. Tlie honorary pall-bcarers were presidents of tho missions of tho United States and colleagues of Mr. Rich in the work to which ho devoted a good part of his lifo. Immediately at tho conclusion of the services the pall-bearers removed re-moved tho body and the members of the famil3r and' close friends pnssed out, while tho entire romaining convocation con-vocation remainod standing. The speakers who eulogized the life of Bon E, Rich were: President Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman, president presi-dent of tho quorum of twelve; Elder .Seymour B. Young of the first council of the seventies, Bishop C. W. Nibloy and C. W. Penrose of the first presidency presi-dency of the church. E. P. Monson of Ogden, successor to Mr, Rich, closed the sorvicos with a"' benediction. Tho services were opened with a hvmn, "Who Ave These Arrayed in Tv'hite, by tho tabernacle choir. Elder El-der David McKay of the twelve apostles apos-tles gave the openincr prayer, following follow-ing which tho choir sang "O My Father." Fa-ther." Tribute by President. President Smith's address, which dwelt more thoroughly, perhaps, on tho life of Mr. Rich and which brought out moro distinctly his virtuous vir-tuous qualities than any of the other speakers, was in substance as follows: I feel very inadequate to the task of addreslng this vast congregation, which has gathered for this occasion, to pay respect to our departed brother. In my heart I feel more like one of the family on the mourning mourn-ing soaL But though death has taken from our midst one of our most beloved brethren, I cannot help but feel that there la no occasion for mourning. There ls no cause for tribulation on the part of those who survive our brother, because the life, labor and love that he has performed In the pursuance of his calling for so many years will go to make him a. "stalwart angel of our heavenly Father. Fearless and Faithful. The talcing away of one whom we I have loved, by the hand of death, deprives further association with him I in the flo3h, but our spiritual association asso-ciation with him can never end. The world needs such men as Ben E. Rich. There are too few among us or to be found within the range of our knowledge. Our departed brother is one upon whom no confidence was ever misplaced nor through whom any trust was not fulfilled. His character stood out bright and clear In defense of truth. Fearless and stalwart was he, a defender of truth and a friend of mankind. He was faithful In every duty; capable ca-pable of all labors and always ready to respond to the calling of his life's work. For twenty years almost consecutively con-secutively he has labored In the missionary-field and has taken a leading part In the work. He labored for more than ten years In the southern states, whore ho was president of the mission; for more than five years In tho eastern states mission: for three years in the British Isles and for- one year In the northwestern statcF. Abroad or at home he enjoyed the mission eplrlt and power to do good among the children of men. Wo love him because he was trustworthy. trust-worthy. His whole soul was put Into tlie work of the Lord. He was ever alive- and alert to the Interests of the church and the stato In which ho waB reared. It ls not my purpose to dwell on his virtues and his value to the church, but I wish to emphasize empha-size the fact thati he fought a good fight and laid down no line of service in his duty to the people and God. Should Cherish Memory. He Is an honor to his honored' father, Charles 13- Rich, who long since has passed to the other side. Tt is our greatest wish that the children chil-dren of Ben B. Rich will have the integrity to follow In the fo'otstcps of their father, the great integrity with which he continued faithfully to the end, The one hundred mon In the congregation con-gregation who havo served in the missionary field with Mr. Rich should do honor to his mcrory. May the family of Ben 15. Rich be blessed and It should be a matter of consolation conso-lation to them to keep alive the memory mem-ory of the excellence of their father's work. lie was a man with energy; of fertile mind, iiidomlnlt;ihle courage and strong will power. If ho had returned re-turned as he had contemplated previous pre-vious to his death to take up tho work here in Utah, we could have found plenty for him to do. It would not havo been possible for us to have permitted such a man to be Inert or Idle. May we be held In reverence rever-ence 6f his name, and may the blessing bless-ing of our heavenly father be upon him. |
