FUNERAL OF THE LATE Mr JOHN CROPPER

Died November 9, 1874.

THE remains of the late Mr John Cropper were interred at Toxteth Cemetery, Smithdown-road, yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large concourse of people to whom he was intimately known in connection with philanthropic works in this town.

The funeral cortege left the deceased gentleman's house, Dingle Bank, soon after half-past twelve o'clock. It consisted of a hearse and four mourning coaches, which were followed by several private carriages. The mourning coaches contained: - 1st, The Dean of Chester (Dr Howson), and Mrs Howson, Mr James Cropper, Mrs Hillink, and Mrs Conybeare. 2nd, Mr and Mrs F Matheson, Mr Edward Cropper, and the rev C M Birrell. 3rd, Mr J W and Mrs Cropper, the Rev William Jones and Mrs Jones. 4th, Mr W H Wakefield, Mr W Wakefield, Mr J Keightley, and the Rev George Weston.

On the arrival of the procession in Lodge-lane a large number of friends of the deceased, lay and clerical, joined the procession, which was also largely augmented by several private carriages. Amongst the private carriages were those of the Mayor, Mr C Turner, MP, Mr John Campbell, Mr George Bahar, and Mrs Wainwright. The procession contained clergymen and ministers representing the following Societies: - Bible Society, Seaman's Friend Society, Town Mission, Medical Missionary Society, evangelical Alliance, Ragged School Union, Young Men's Christian Association, Young Women's Christian Association, Female Benevolent Society, Female Penitentiary, and Workshops for the Out-door Blind. The last-mentioned institution was represented by Mr H C Duncan (treasurer), Mr E Lawrence, Mr C E Dixon, Dr R H Taylor (members of committee), and Mr A Brysson (manager).

Amongst the gentlemen present were the Revs A Jones, P White, J Jones, P G Scorey, G Kennedy, J Lawrence, W Lefroy, J W Bardsley, Dr Kirsch, R Yonge, R Hughes (Edgehill), P T Forfar, J Acheson, R Hobson, W Kennedy Moore, R H Lundie, H Sutton Gibson, F H Robarts, Welshe, W Davies, S Pearson, H S Brown, J M Blackie, J A Davies, E Summers, W Graham, G B Robinson, H Woodward, G J Banner (Roby), Dr Lowe, T Durant, &c. Drs Denton, Dawson, Townson and Reynolds. Messrs W P Lockhart, C Aspinall, J A Picton, E Samuelson, T Gibson, A Balfour, F A Clint, J Patterson, W Rathbone, MP, R A Payne, L P Stubbs, W Grosfield, S Williamson, S Davies, Carter, Byrom, Stubbs, P Nelson Hammer, Chales, Langton, J Abraham, C E Dixon, J O Jones, S Cutter Drysdale, John Wood, J Houghton, R R Johnson, R Allen, T Cooper, R C Johnson, Z Innes, Hutton, F Pugh, J H Horsfall, A Brown, T D Barry, W E Adams, A Hope, T C Ryley, S J capper, F Thompson, W S Caine, R R Rathbone, H Clarke, H J Hagger, C Buchell, T Bouch, Rattery, Wilkie, &c.

A large number of the general public, including many females, awaited the arrival of the cortege in the Cemetery, and the scholars belonging to Miller-street Schools, (which were founded by the deceased gentleman) joined the procession at the gate. The form of service used was that adopted by dissenters, the Rev C M Birrell, officiating. On the way from the chapel to the grave, the hymn "O God, our help in ages past" was begun by the children of Miller-street School, as well as the general assembly, continuing it as the coffin was lowered to its last resting-place. The Rev Mr Birrell, in the course of the service, addressed a few words to the assemblage, He said, "We reverently lay his body in the grave that it may return to its kindred dust. But it is impossible to conceive of our honoured departed friend being numbered with the dead. Nor is he, he lives, if not a nobler, a fuller and more glorious life. that which he lived here was a life of faith in the Son of God, who loved him and gave Himself for him, that which he now lives, is a life of perfect blessedness and unwearied service in the sunlight of His presence. This is not the time nor the place to attempt to measure how great a gift he was to his family, of which he was the life and joy. To all Christian men whom, irrespective of other distinctions, he loved with his heart's warmest affection, to the great commercial community to which for almost four score years, he daily demonstrated the possibility of maintaining a course of unswerving integrity and unselfish consecration of mind estate; not only giving to every man his own, but of his own to every man, bread to the hungry, a hand to the fallen, sympathy to the sorrowful, and to all radiant looks, which even as he passed through our streets, or sat in silence in our assemblies, stole cares from burdened and sent them to search for the fountains of much gladness. It were needless, were it possible, now to prolong such reminiscences, especially as in the evening some such opportunity may occur. From all we saw of him, we part here for a time. We may meet again. By a divine operation which we cannot comprehend, the body which we here lay in the dust shall be exchanged for one even more fearfully and wonderfully made, for 'this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, so when this corruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality,' then shall be brought to pass the saying, which is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"

The inscription on the coffin indicated the deceased gentleman to be seventy-seven years of age. the funeral arrangements were carried out by Reeves and Whitley, The Elms.

In the evening, a commemorative and devotional service was held in the Congregational Chapel, Aigburth-road, when the Rev C M Birrell delivered an address on the life and labours of the deceased gentleman.

"IN MEMORIAM;" OR, FUNERAL RECORDS OF LIVERPOOL CELEBRITIES. (1876)