IV

To the Testimonies of Individuals we may annex the Tribute of the Public, in the honour which was paid to the remains of the late Bishop of Toronto after his death. We cannot control a desire, which we believe will be shared in by Churchmen generally who were acquainted with the character and works of the deceased, to place on record a detailed account of his Funeral, as it appeared in the Church Chronicle of the 1st December, 1867:—

"The Funeral of the late Bishop took place on Tuesday, November 5. A general disposition was shewn, both by public bodies and by the citizens at large, to give token of their deep respect for the memory of one whose name had been so long and so honourably associated with the history, not only of the City and the Diocese, but of the Province of Upper Canada. The same spirit was discovered by the Volunteer-force; and the troops forming the Garrison received orders from the Lieutenant Governor to line the streets on the occasion, while he himself acted as one of the pall-bearers, and numerous Staff-Officers appeared in the Procession. In accordance with a proclamation issued by the Mayor, business was suspended, and the stores closed. Flags were exhibited at half-mast from many buildings, and the bells of the Cathedral chimed a muffled peal throughout the day, the great bell tolling as the Procession drew near the Church.

At one o’clock, the first detachment of the Garrison, consisting of the 17th Regiment, arrived on the line of procession, and took their stand on York Street. Between this body and the late Bishop’s residence were stationed the Volunteer Battery, the Foot Artillery Company, the Grand Trunk Brigade, the 10th Royals, the Queen’s Own, and the Military School Cadets. Along King Street were ranged two batteries of Royal Artillery dismounted, the Cavalry School Cadets, and the 13th Hussars, extending from York Street to the doors of the Cathedral.

About 150 of the Clergy had assembled at half-past one at the Bishop’s residence. Among them were several from the Diocese of Huron, and some from the Diocese of Ontario. Other bodies collected at other points in order to prevent the confusion which would necessarily have arisen had one place of redezvous been appointed for all.

The arrangements having been completed, the Hearse, drawn by four black horses, which had housings of black, was brought to the door, and the Coffin was placed within it, being conveyed from the house by six former pupils of the deceased Prelate, viz., The Yen. the Archdeacon of Niagara, the Rev. William McMurray, D.D., D.C.L., The Hon. Vice Chancellor Spragge, Messrs. William Gamble, F. H. Heward, and John Ridout. The Coffin which was covered with black cloth, with mountings of silver, bore on a plate the following inscription :

The Honourable and Right Reverend JOHN STRACHAN, D.D., LL.D,
First Bishop of Toronto,
Born 12th April, 1778.
Died 1st November, 1867.

At a quarter to two the Procession began to move. The Streets on the route were densely thronged, and every window which commanded a view at any point was crowded with eager spectators. The following was the order of the Procession:—

Firing party—One troop of the 13th Hussars, mounted.
Officers of the 10th Royals.
Officers of the Volunteer Artillery Battery and Boot Artillery.
Officers of the Grand Trunk Brigade.
Officers of the Queen's Own.
Volunteer Staff Officers.
Regular Staff Officers.
St. George's Society.
St. Andrew’s Society.
St. Patrick's Society.
The City Police Force: Officers in rear.
The Members of the City Council.
The City Officials.
Upper Canada Law Society.
Law Students.
Professors and Students Victoria College.
Masters and Students Upper Canada College.
Masters and Pupils Normal School.
Faculty and Students of Toronto University.
Graduates and Undergraduates Trinity College.
Professors of Trinity College.
Clergy of this and other Dioceses.
Revs. S. Givins and Dr. Scadding, Chaplains.
The Bishop and the Dean of Toronto.
Pall Bearers.
The Ven. the Archdeacon of Niagara. The President of University College. Hon. H. J. Boulton.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Pall Bearers.
The Ven. the Archdeacon of Toronto.
The Provost of Trinity College.
The Mayor of Toronto.
The Chief Justice of Ontario.
Verger and Valet.
Mourners.
Citizens on foot.
Carriages.

R. L. Denison, Esq., had kindly consented to act as Marshall to the Procession, which was not less than forty-five minutes in passing any one point; and his skilful dispositions, aided by the military authorities stationed at different parts of the line, secured an order and regularity of movement which greatly contributed to the solemnity of the funeral ceremony. As the head of the Procession reached the Cathedral it took open rank, and thus allowed the Hearse to approach the entrance. Here the Coffin was removed by the six gentlemen before mentioned, and conveyed to the door of the Church, whence it was borne up the nave, preceded by the Clergy of the Church. The Service for the Burial of the Dead was then proceeded with, the Psalms being read by the Rev. Canon Baldwin, M.A., the Lesson by the Rev. Canon Beaven, D.D., and the remainder of the service by the Very Rev. the Dean of Toronto.

The musical portion of the service was most impressively rendered by a full and efficient choir, under the direction of Mr. John Carter, the organist of the Cathedral, and consisted of the following:

As the body entered the Church.

Introductory Sentences.—Chant: Gregorian, 4th Tone, No. 234, Chants and Tunes.

I AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live —and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

I know that my Redeemer liveth; and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

Whom I shall see for myself: and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.

We brought nothing into this world : and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away : blessed be the name of the Lord.

Funeral March................. Mendelssohn.

Gloria Patri after Psalms.—Chant, Dr. Blow, No. 16, Chants and Tunes.

After Psalms.

Hymn. Tune, Windsor, No. 80, Chants and Tunes.

NOW let our mourning hearts revive,

And all our tears be dry!

Why should those eyes be drown’d in grief, Which view a Saviour nigh ?

Though earthly shepherds dwell in dust,

The aged and the young,

The watchful eye in darkness clos’d And mute the instructive tongue:

The eternal Shepherd still survives,

New comforts to impart;

His eye still guides us, and his voice Still animates our heart.

“Lo I am with you,” saith the Lord,

“My Church shall safe abide;

For I will ne’er forsake my own,

Whose souk in me confide.”

Through ev’ry scene of life and death This promise is our trust:

And this shall be our children’s song,

When we are cold in dust.

While the body was being removed to the Chancel. Funeral March........................ Chopin.

While the body was being lowered.

Anthem—"Dead March in Saul,” arranged by John Carter.

FORSAKE me not, O Lord my God : be not Thou far from me. Haste Thee to help me : O Lord God of my salvation.

0 spare me a little, that I may recover my strength : before I go hence, and be no more seen.

Pa. xxxviii. 21, 32. Ps. xxxix. 15.

After Committal Prayer.

Anthem................................... John    Carter.

I HEARD a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours.

At cloae of Service.

Funeral March................................. Beethoven.

Air—“ I know that my Redeemer liveth,”... Handel.

“The Cathedral had been prepared with great care for the mournful ceremony. The external light had been excluded. The Chancel generally, and the rest of the Church partially, was hung with black, and the dim artificial light allowed added much to the solemnity of the scene. The place of interment had been appropriately prepared immediately in front of the Holy Table—the body lying, as is the custom, east and west; and it is to be hoped that some fitting Memorial, such as is often seen in the Cathedrals of our Father Land, may at no distant time, mark the spot, where the late Prelate had so often stood and served in the office of his ministry—and where his earthly remains were then deposited, followed by many a ‘longing, lingering look* of reverence and affection, as the minds of the spectators reverted to his prolonged and honourable course, and to many a word and act of kindness which had marked it even to its close.”