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Show Nation's Notables Attend Final Riteis Of Calvin Cooluige Services For Departed ex-President1 Are Characterized By Homely Simplicity; President, Mrs. Hoover Attend. : j By SIDNEY B. WHIPPLE , United Press Staff Correspondent NORTHAMPTON, Mass:, Jan. 7 (U.R) In the Edwards church where he had worshipped for many years,! a funeral service of impressive simplicity was held today tjor Calvin Coolidge, thirtieth president of the United States. l, Although the nation's great1 were present, the ceremony was marked by the same homely dignity that had . characterized charac-terized the famous New Englander's political career. Austere Surroundings , President and Mrs. Hoover-. Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and he,- son James were among .those who paid him: silent not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." The Rev. Penner paused and bowed his head. Then he began to pray. j The quartet began the refrain, "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go.' This song was the selection of Mrs. Grace Coolidge. The minister pronounced benediction bene-diction "Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commit .you; The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance coun-tenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and forevermore. Amen." The organ played a soft postlude and Mr. Coolidge's neighbors rose and walked quietly out of the ' church. bore', the flags of the nation and the church. Quartet Sings If As tire minister finshed, la quartet quar-tet softtv began the hymn,' "Lead, Kindly 'Light," a favorite ' of Mr. Coolidge.. The plain, garnished walls of the rectangular auditorium, auditor-ium, in the balcony of which. were : crowded townspeople who had known the former president as a neighbor, echoed back; the final, word. j j The scripture reading', selections from' the' Psalms, froin Romans, Corinthians and JohnJ followed. "Peace I leave wittj you; My peace I give nnto you not 'as th.? world giveth you I ucito you. Let " 1 tribute. But there was no pomp,'? no display. The very atmosphere of the church was severe. The strains of a selection from Dvorak's New World Symphony drifted out over the congregation from the organ in front of the casket. cas-ket. It was the same selection which was played at the funeral of Calvin Coolidge, Jr., youngest son of the former president, who died during his father's term in the White House. The Rev. Albert J. Penner, youthful and deep-voiced, who has been pastor here only four months, but enjoyed the intimate acquaintance acquaint-ance of both Mr. and Mrs., Coolidge, Coo-lidge, delivered the invocation, a prayer for light, for compassion, for solace. He stood above the casket, on either side of which two standards |
