Memorial Services: Tribute to the Hon. Charles Sumner/Preface
PREFACE.
The death of Mr. Sumner having cast such a gloom over the colored citizens of Savannah, they resolved to meet in one of the largest edifices in the city for the purpose of commingling their grief and sorrow with each other.
A notice appeared in the paper for a meeting of the citizens to take preliminary steps to consummate the same. The Lyceum Hall was crowded as per notice, and to facilitate the measure, a committee of ten of the leading citizens were appointed to fix the time and make all necessary arrangements; the committee consisted of J H Deveaux, chairman; Avery Smith, Rev. L L Houston, Rev. H L Simpson, L B Toomer, H M Turner, Capt. R D Goodman, William Pollard, J M Simms, K S Thomas, Capt. John Gardner, H L Giles.
Having discharged the duties assigned, the, services took place at St. Philip's Church, (Dr. Turner's,) at three o'clock, P.M., on the 18th inst. The house was beautifully draped in mourning; consisting of flags, mottoes Mr. Sumner's photograph, wreaths, arches, &c, all in full emblems of mourning.
The number of persons present, including those who could not get into the house, has been variously estimated at from 4,000 to 5,000, among whom were several white persons. The occasion was the most imposing, as well as the most magnificent of any which the colored people ever conducted in this city. All the colored churches are draped in mourning, and the houses of the colored people are almost without exception, draped either on the out or inside.
THE ORDER OF EXERCISES WAS AS FOLLOWS:
1st. Introductory remarks by the Chairman, J. H. Deveaux.
2d. Funeral Dirge chanted by the choir, which consisted of the best singers
selected from the various choirs of the city, under the management of Prof. James Porter.
3d. Prayer by Rev. H. L. Simpson, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church.
4th. Solo.—"I know that my Redeemer Liveth," by Miss Elizabeth Greenfield, (celebrated "Black Swan.")
5th. Reading of the Holy Scriptures, by Rev. U. L. Houston, Pastor of First Bryan Baptist Church.
6th. Solo and Quartette, by Miss Spencer and the choir, "Jesus, Saviour of my Soul."
7th. Address by Hon. H. M. Turner, LL.D.
8th. Solo—"Flee as a Bird to the Mountain," by Mrs. R. H. Bourke.
9th. Address by Hon. J. M. Simms.
10th. Adoption of the resolutions.
11th. Doxology by the Choir.
12th. Benediction by Rev. J. S. Atwell, Pastor of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.