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THE CESSNOCK EAGLEDeath of Mr. William Kearsley, M.L.A.Widespread Regret.Qreat Tribute of Bespect.When l!»c news was circulated iu C'cMhiiork nnd district lapt Monday morning that Mr. Win. Kearsley, M.L.A. Iiud died in Sydney llie previous night,women in trouble throughout the whole district ho han been a true friend. Ingcr-•oil, in an address at the graveside of a brother he loved, said If every one 10 whom he has done some act of loving I aorviee were to bring a blostom to his | grave hq would sleep to-night beneath | a wilderness of flower*. Enough that I thin dear friend will rdeep to night he-' neath a '* wilderness of flowers, but1and grncex of no mean order, iliu per* „um,.rou8 aB tbo flowers are, thej repre-rorialitv and individuality wen- nil his w,nt on(y # „ma|, fr,e,ion Df the turn of own. lie «ai not like anyone else. kin(ln,^0, which have been lavished There was n note of distinction in his upon thp poor needy. One has every regret wan expressed on every hand.? mentality. Ilis was a very fine mind.' r4.nn^„ t( believe that by his »nlt;*rlflclal The suddenness of tho sad news raised ! He was a clear, independent thinker,' K,V|KK \w while endearing himself a doubt iu the minds of ninny, but ns j and in some respect* more a thinker|(o (l„. community, made no provision the hours wore on it waa learned that! and idealist thnn « man of affairs.”’ for t|,0 future of ihe bereaved family, the regrettable occurrence was beyond , He hnd an excelcnt taste for literature,doubt, ami the whole of the coalfield towns practically went into mourning fur their beloved parliamentary repre sentativc. “♦There were few who knew that Mr. Kiaisley was seriously ill. Some weeks ago Mr. KcArsley was admitted to the Cessnock Hospital and Inter he left for Sydney to bo under scientific treatment. The deceased was not n man to make a fuss over his own troubles and apparently he died ns lie hud lived. -The lute Mr. Keareley was uiiquestionably the befit known man on the Ko%th Maitland Coalfields. It was not only that his figure aud public personality were known, but lie was an unique character—everybody 'si friend. It would be hard to find a inati in the whole of Australis who listened to so mfouy troubles of the poor than did Mr. Kearsley. Family troubles, ill-health, financial difficulties, were ail brought I to Mr. Kcnrnley and if it was not in his I power to lend the assistance required f from his own pocket, his visitors nil 1 left him the better for the advice given and the comfort of that advice. There ure hundreds of humblo friends who have hud to thank Mr. Kearsley for some special kindness. He gave so much of his time to this kind of com* 'forting that the wonder was that he 1 fouud time for his parliamentary work. Possibly he overaxed his strength, which resulted in failing health, and ultimately Uio death. Mr. Kearsley was only 50 years of age.When \he news waa first learned in Ccssnock immediate steps were taken to recognise deceased '$ worth by a great public tribute. The whole of the mines in the Maitland field were thrown idle for tho duy of the funeral (Wednesday) and the business houses closed accord-I ingly. . Ou Wednesday visitors arrived at Ceasnock from all part* of the coal-‘ fluids aud by the time the funeral hour ! had arrived, Maiu and Vincent Stroets were thronged with people. What a wonderful tribute to a man’s memory was the remark made by a visitor. That remark expresed the sentiment of the people. It waa not a matter of curiosity which brought the people to Ceaaaock, it was to pay their sympathy, esteem, and respect to ouc admired and j loved. The vicinity of Stafford House, ' the home of tho late Mr. Kearsley, wasand greatly delighted iu good books. Heading, Bacon affirms, makes a full man. The mind of William Kearsley was well furnished. Moral and spiritual qualities gave even greater hint re to his life. He wns n good man iu the best sense. An excellent spirit was found in him. He was invariably courteous, gentle, and gracious. His Instincts, manners, and bearing were n I ways those of a gentleman. His dealings with his fellow man were marked by intregrity and upri hliiers and a fine sense of honour, in the service of the church he wan simply humbly, beautifully re-vcsent iu demeanour. Ju the presonce of human suffering his sympathy outflowed in unselfish seivice. Claims of good work of every kind wore never disregarded. When I hey thought of his humility, sincerity, conscientiousness, and moral courage, they felt instinctively that there waw reality in his life. Photographers needed light to make a picture, but darkness to develop it. William Kearsley knew somtehlng of poverty, hard work, and isolation of soul. Like his master he learned obedience by the thing* which he suffered, and was made perfect through suffering. Many friends will offen long for tho touch of n vnnTsJiod hand and the sound of a voice that is stilled. We remem ber two things, first, God has given to him the power of an endless life. He is not dead this friend of our affection.” Secoud, emulate hie example. Like his Master he went about doing good.The address wus followed by prayer aud beucdiction and the coflin was then conveyed to the hoarse, the Dead March'‘ being played by Miss Hilda Hodger. The cortege then mnrchcd to the cemetery. Throughout lt;he journey the streets were lined w'itfa peoplo, many thousands viewing the procession. At the approach to the cemetery, tfie colliery employees opened out and form ed a guard of honor, through which tho hearse aud mourners passed tho gates. Inside the cemetery the Mnsonic mem bers formed another guard of honor to the grave. Service was conducted by the Rev. W. Coleman, assisted by the Revs. D. Finlayaon, H. E. Lawson, D Weathers!!, aud Adjutant Robinson.Rev. Wm. Coleman delivered an adto the homo included Members of Par { liamcnt and friends associated with the ’.political career of tho deceased gentle-' men. At 2.30 p.m. the funeral procos-i thronged with peoplo, and the visitor#] drcM at {he graveside. Ho said thatbefore committing to the dust the mor la! remains of their departed brother he wished to pay a tribute to the life and memory of a good and great man ijsiou mnrchcd to the Methodist Church tw.0 thing* make this an almost impoesible task: First the unexpectednosa the suddenness, of the end has too near ly stunned heart and imagination to permit the finding of tho fitting word and also the inability of a cor'empornrf to properly assess valuer, whether per sonal or public. It requires ’ lie per spective of the years ?o jro the fu' splendour of the character •# the man, nnd also the value of the contributions a splendid legislator baa mado to politi* ral %nd social K^ienco aud progress. They felt and knew enough to say af' once that William Kearsley was q-j^of nature’s gentlemen, one of God 's^ood men whom, not cv*?n the rough and trouble of public life ever for one mo* ment diverted from the path of piety or detracted from his good name andI where a service was held. The order of the cortege was as follows: Mounted r police, Ccssnock and Kurri Kuril Com-.'biuod '.Bands, under Mr. J. Rowan; 1 Ccssnock A.L.P. Executive, Mr. John 1 Estell, M.P., Minister for Wrorks and u Railways; Messrs. 11. Connoll, J. L. t Fegan, C Murphy, W. P. 0'Hearn, and 1 A. Gardiner, Ms.P.; Mr. II. L. Harnett, ' representing tho Speaker of the Legislative Aseembly; Mr. T. Davis, ropre-' scuting the A.L.P. Electoral Council, .'Newcastle; Mr. D. Murray, Newcastle I Industrial Council and Labor Day Com* ‘ mitten; itr. J. P. Fletcher; Maitland A.L.P. Electoral CouncH; M.r. D. J. | Maguire, Maitlsud A.L.P.; Mr. E.• Peters, Coal and Share Employees* Federation; Messrs. W. Brennan and| A. Lewis, Colliery Employees’ Fedora-^ tion; Mjr. II. C. Merton, Colliery• Mechanics' Association; Mr. M. J. r Walker, South Coast Coke Workers'L Association; Dr. Brown, Sydney; Revs. W. Colemon, R. J. Thomas, D. Finlay, »tn, H. Lawson, A. H. Venn, D. Weath oral!, and Adjutant Robinson; Metho-• dist Church officials; Shire Councillors; officials of the miners' lodges, and all industrial unions on the coalfields, offi-i cuila of progress associations, members,’But the badge of service is the badge of sovereignty and nlthough a |Kor mau ho has won for himself a dearer place in count less hearts thnn hnd been won by muoy king*. Oyto feels sure that practical apreciation of the life aud work of dceeascd will be shown by those who never forg«?t a kindness nnd who know flint tho sacrifices made by their late friend were shared by his loved ones, who now linve given their greatest treasure, but only to learn that their many friends will uot nllow them to suffer wants. If it in true that William Kearsley was true to God and his neighbor, it Is equally evident that he was true fo himself nnd this may explain why he did not become a Minister of the Government. His was a beautiful nature and disposition with all his wealth of knowledge and with all his weight of care he remained to the end tho snme modest and unassuming soul. But although we offer no criticism of any party we feel sure that some mistake was made in not giving him n place for which he was in every way was #o eminently fitted. Many of them knew, nnd he himself knew, that he wm equal to great achievements had he been given an opportunity to translate into tho actual statutes and facts of history tome of his lofy conceptions and ideals, but the opportunity did not come and he fancied if one could have applied a psychic X-ray to his sensitive heart n sign of disappointment would have been located. Yet thank God ho was tine to himself. The loss of such a life is a very great misfortune, but they must not think of him as dead.He is not dead whose glorious mind lifts thine on high. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. And certainly our dear friend will live in countless hearts, for the best tribute paid to-day is that paid by tho silent, sorrowing multitude, but in u peculiar sense he will live in tho hearts of the bereaved who have lost a noble husband, father, and relatives Their fortitude and calm is an * jutional proof of the value of tho Christian faith in a time of trial and bereavement, for they know that their loved one i« pre sent with the Lord, whero is atill great er scope for the employment and development of the great power# thut made him for ever a distinguished gentleman, nnd his life an inspiration nnd an imperishable memory. If Wil* linm Kearsley could speak to the men this afternoon, and surely he does lt;*eak saying Be true to God, Be true to your neighbour, and to thine our self be true,” and it must follow as the night the day Thou can'st uot then be false to any mau.”Bro. Those Teggins read tho Mnsconic burial service, and the Methodist service was concluded by the Rev. W. Cole-mau. The chief mourners wore Mrs. Kearsley, wife, Nurse Edna Kearsley, daughter, Masters Harry and Bernard 'Kearsley, sons, Mr. J. E. Pendlebury, brother-in-law, Masters Thontaa nnd Edward Pendlebury nnd G. Leotham, nephews.The funeral arrangements were carried out by a citizens' committee, with the result that excollent order was preserved, nnd all public bodies in the district were officially represented.Artificial wreaths were received from from the Ce»snock Methodist Circuit, the Cessnoek Colliery Mechanics’ Lodge nnd the Ccssnock Co-operative Store. Among a numbero fbeautiful floral tri-oncharacter. He had always been spoken! 8 °n the grave were those»i.« *«ttit from the Colliery Employees’ Fedora-of as a great man and tho evidence of ^ ^ Mechanics’ Association,this is available to all who care to look Weston Public School staff and pupils, back over tho industrial legislation of CeBsnoek Public School staff, Cetsnock recent years. One’s reading will aoon*®M*' 8chool, Hunter District Water «*•«*•» .ha, Brother.Kearsley had not only a very benovo-j Hundreds of letters and telcgrama lent, heart, but with this had alao a very of sympathy were rocoived. including wise nnd wide knowledge of the neodalm *“***■■ from Mr. McKell. Minister* j „„„ i for Justice, Mr. Mutch, Minister forof humanity gtocrnl, and of hi* con- jHtoemtlon, Mr. M. Charlton, M.H.R, stituents in particular. All who knew Mr 0(JO c jj p^ Mr j clt; L. Fit*, him well felt almost instinctively that patriek M.F% State Electoral Council,!/of the Masoonic Lodges, tho hearse, lie waa intellectually and morally a mau Mr. Dolan, secretary Newcastle A.L.P... u„, li. Mr. Fletcher, Maitland A.L.P.. Kurriof unique gifta. Bnt his greatneas had t; ^ ^ita birth in n pure and practical good-1_r _:_ness. He auswera in every way to afmourningt coachos, '.Methodist Guilds, ’ Salvation Army Baud, tho gonoral I public walking, aud between 250 and 300 vehicles.|When the remaina of tho deceased ar-| rived at the Methodist Church tho coffin wan curried into the church. Tho pall-. bearers were members of tho P.L. r League ffnd representatives of miners' j lodge*—Messrs. V. Iloiahan, W. Allen, j H. Otto, J. Edwarda, J. B. Brown, and . A. E. Taylor. Service was conducted by Rev. Wm. Coleman, who was assiated 1 by Rev. A. H. Venn. The eougregation j tuug Was there ever a kinder Shepherd,” the deceased gentleman’s favor-i ite hymn. The Rov. R. J. Thonins spoke ) of tho keen regret and sorrow with | which the community regarded the do-I mine of u grand man. To the widow and fatherless children, he said, thia untownrd event brought a mist and a ' blinding rain, nnd life will never be J the same again. ” Since no other service I was possible, they offered their tender-cut sympathy, and prayerfully com-' mended them to God nnd to the word [of Ilis grace, which was able to effectu-CHUBCH SERVICES .wise man'* definition of goodaeaa ‘4To( METHODIST CHUBCnGod, his neighbor, And himself most. Ccssnock 11 o.tn., Sacrament, Rev. true.” Yes he was true to God. To Wm. Coleman, 7 p.m., M!r. Nisbet, J.P. him God was not an abstract idea or a! Sawyer’a Gully 3 p.m.. Mr Young; ,„d„, enigma hu, .h, God ^father of our Lord Jesna Christ, and Rov Wtn Co,m*„. p0kolbin 11 a.m., if any man ever tried to follow Christ' Mr Thomson; Bollbird 7 p.m., 8upply; more closely, or tranalated into terms Monday, Kenraley 7 p.m., and Tues-of service and sacrifice the ethics of JjV. Kitchener 7 p.m., Rev. Wm. Cole-the gospel more completely they had CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH yet to meet him. It was generally Sunday 26th: 11 a.m. Common knowti that tho deceased was a man of Mistakes in Daily Living,” 7 p.m., wide reading and culture, anS know CMrat; Tl.o Ttu. Brotl.orhood of ..... , * . j j*.. „vii„ Man; Why the World’s Brotherhoodnot a little of ancient and modern pbilo. Mu#t F#ii; u|)or nnd cpita, m#yKophies, but he always had a definite e- peace.” Come and hear. H. E. ligiotis experience that God rewarded Lawson, Pastor, those who diligently sought Him. The* CHURCH OF ENGLAND . . . . u . . • Sunday 26th June, Ceasnock 8 a.m.,witness he gave to spiritual truth where H C u\m iM p.m., 7 p.m, Pokol-ever he went was a priceless boon to »n bin u a m fln ,\berdare 7 p.m.* ' BAPTIST CHUBCHage that is always in danger of becoming materialistic i too many men who all the timecoming materialistic and there are never Morning 11 a.m., The Lone Hand,’ ...... e will re- Evening 7 p.m., Imperfect Faith,Sunday School 3 p.m. The service in Strand for July 3rd is postponed. —fuse to compromise with sin. It requires not a little courage to carry into pj^or jf*c7 Rixon. political life the ideals nnd enthusiasms| of the Christian faith, but their dear.'ally comfort nad .uatain. Ha.ljt been | brothcr did this so consistently that 'fl “rgVtyr°^ ui^w fo^M long, *left 1 oven t^e cynic finds no disharmony be-' j-0|. g0uth Coast Hunitorium on Thurs-tween creed and conduct. If its true , day. The cold weather has left Bob that ”He’s true to God who's true to j rothor th# worse for wear, and % it until... I change was deemed advisable,maa then William Kearsley was ia Btooch»*, Necklets, and Bings, withdscd a muk of God, for sot only to Vho Blonds sot la plauatun «t roaeoaabl# ol Cunock but to »u wtd prloaa.—Harxy CoMiU, Viaccat 8Li_Cl._____-_^__—-!-^-----*------'■ ' •possible they would have gladly continued Ilia useful life. Siuco that could not bo,We praise him soft and low, ^Call kin »ortky to be lovod.'1
Newspaper Details
Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder
Cessnock, New South Wales, AU
Fri, Jun 24, 1921
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Alexandra H.
CA, USA 23 Jul 2020
Other Publications Near Cessnock, New South Wales
Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder
