Roger to Mary & Jim/Jan Kilcup Another of Art's choice memories
From: arthalie@webtv.net (Arthur Sanford) Date: Sun, 23 Sep 200123:37:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Sunday night and long pants
was all set for tonight to share when I got my first pair of Long Pants but this evening Nathalie and I were watching tv-- a picture from Africa and saw a funeral there and it reminded me of my first funeral for an American Indian SO here that comes: it was while we were pastoring in Sedro Woolley Washington. one day an Indian Lady -- really a Chieftess of one of the tribes (can't remember the name of the tribe) who was well known all up and down the coast died in the local hospital. Her son asked the funeral director (who happened to be a member of our Church) to suggest a pastor and he suggested me SO I was called. I met the son and talked with him and found out they were a Christian family but living way up where they did they had no church but wanted a Christian burial. SO the day before the funeral I went with the funeral director to take the casket to the home where the funeral would be (so I would know how to get there the next day) and met more of the family. all seemed so nice
- I really looked forward to the funeral BUT didn't realize what it would be like, the service was set for 1 o'clock I got there in time and the son was so apologetic - he had forgotten to invite me for dinner before the service- a long table was set up under a shed and, wow, the food on it--the service started on time. was in their home with two rooms open I stood behind the casket which was placed in the corner of one room and in view for all in the other room -- was filled with people for music they had a folding organ which a lady played for two girls who sang some wonderful old Gospel hymns -- was really good. then my message and since I knew she was a Christian it was easy for me to give a message of hope for Eternity and challenge to the folk there to also follow her example and take the Lord into their lives, we closed the service and just then a whole string of cars came in- from beyond Seattle So the son asked me and the singers if we would do it again--so the folk all filed out and the new ones came in and we went through the service again. Lo and Behold about the time that one finished another string of cars came from farther down the coast. the son asked us to do it again --we did. then we went to the family cemetery which was about two hundred yards from the house AND as we got there another 3 or 4 cars came from Oregon The son came to me and said they were very good friends of his mother and him and would be disappointed if they missed the service. So without the organ this time we went through for the
P 2
fourth time then the commital service with all those people crowded around. so many of them expressed appreciation for the singers and me and shared with us what it meant to them to be included, it was really a thrill for me to hear their expressions of thanks they were so sincere AND a couple days later the son came by our place and gave me $5 and asked for the times of our services and could they come? I assured him they would be very welcome and when they did come they were welcomed by the folk - my funeral services never lasted more than 30 minutes but we were there at that home a little over four hours. there must have been over 300 people by the time it was finally over. One group were from a Shaker group which I had never seen and as they went by the casket they really shook as they sang a sort of dirge. what a day!!!! and now time for Good Night to you all with love and thankfulness to God for all the wonderful experiences HE has given us in His Service. and for you all who read these lines.
9/24/2001