A few hours after the death of Sir Moses, telegrams were despatched all over the world, announcing that the great philanthropist had breathed his last.
Innumerable messages of condolence reached the family. Deputations arrived in London to attend the funeral, which was fixed for Friday, July 31st, at two o'clock P.M.
Memorial services were held in synagogues and churches. Ministers from the pulpit addressed their congregations in all parts of the world, every one claiming him to be a member of his own congregation, for "the principles," they said, which he advanced and practised are those which we teach, and which every human being ought to adopt, to secure peace and happiness—that which is good for himself and good for his fellow-beings.
CHAPTER XLV.
1885.
FUNERAL OF SIR MOSES—A TOWN IN MOURNING—DEPUTATIONS FROM ALL PARTS—THE FUNERAL SERVICE—CONCLUSION.
FROM the moment of his death to the hour fixed for the funeral, the members of the College, conjointly with some friends, remained with the body, reciting prayers and certain psalms, which he so often liked to hear chanted in his Synagogue.
On Wednesday evening his body was taken from his room and placed in one of the libraries below stairs, where, when Lady Montefiore was still alive, he used to enjoy his frugal repasts in the company of friends.
Here, in my presence, the ministers of the Spanish and Portuguese congregations, and the members of the Hebrew Association known by the name of "Lavadores," reverently prepared the body for its last resting-place, and whilst thus engaged, one of the gentlemen present recited appropriate passages from the sacred text bearing on the subject.