IN LOVING MEMORY OF ;
JOHN PAUL
A NATIVE OF AYR SCOTLAND
BORN JUNE 28 1857
DIED JUNE 16 1923
TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND
IS NOT TO DIE
The funeral of the late Mr. John Paul, Police Magistrate, who passed away last Saturday morning, took place on Tuesday afternoon from the Presbyterian church. The church was crowded to the doors, with many people standing outside. Representatives from all denominations and from every part of the country gathered to pay tribute to the memory of one who was everywhere held in the highest respect and esteem. A short service conducted by Rev. Mr. Kerr and Rev. Thos. Corbett was held at the house. At the church the cortege was met by Rev. D. J. Graham, a former pastor of the congregation; Rev. J. H. Atkinson of the Anglican church and Rev. Lindsay Wright of the Methodist church. Rev. Mr. Kerr took as his text Psalm 1 25:1 --"They that trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be removed." Using these words as the basis of a personal tribute to the memory and character of the deceased, Mr. Kerr said the late Mr. Paul, in his family relationships and personal friendships was immovable in constancy and affection. In his relationship as an honored elder in the church for many years he was likewise immovable in loyalty and devoted unselfish service, and in his onerous duties as a public official he was immovable in his honesty, integrity and fidelity to the cause of civic justice. Rev. Mr. Graham spoke of his early experience as a former pastor of the church, and his high appreciation of the faithful and kindly service of Mr. Paul as Clerk of Session. Rev. Mr. Atkinson followed with a personal tribute to the character of the deceased as a true friend, known best in the private relationships of life. By his life and example he had exhibited those qualities of character which alone are enduring and the message of his decease should be to all of us the inculcation of the same high and noble ideals. Mr. Wright said he had left it for others to speak of the more intimate relationships of home and church but desired to pay tribute to the late Mr. Paul as a man ever true to his convictions and having always the courage of them. He was fearless and impartial but no one ever questioned his sincerity and fidelity to public righteousness. Such men were all too few and his loss would make a gap difficult to fill. Rev. Mr. Corbett was the last speaker and recalled the long years since he had first known him. He referred particularly to his kindly, fatherly way of handling the difficult juvenile delinquency cases which came before him. Parents had borne tribute to his wise and kindly counsel. In such cases as these Mr. Paul was seen at his best for here his deep vein of kindly sympathetic understanding was exhibited in a way that never failed to leave a lasting impression.
After the service, the coffin was opened and the long line of friends and acquaintances filed past the bier to take a last look at the calm and peaceful face of him whom they had known, some for almost 20 years. Many beautiful wreaths and sprays bore testimony to the affection the respect of the community, and one, a cross of wild roses which had been fashioned by the hands of local children was especially beautiful.
The late Mr Paul was born in Ayr, Scotland, on June 28, 1857. Thereafter he lived in different parts of Scotland and later in London and Sheffield, England. For some time also he resided in Ireland. Emigrating to South America he carried on business in Demerara for 11 years and after returning to England on account of ill health he eventually came to Canada where he has resided continuously for the past 24 years. He leaves to mourn his loss his widow, four daughters, and two sons-J.C.F. Paul of Olds; T.W.H Paul, Grande Prairie; Mrs F.S. Walker, Ardrossan; Mrs. Joe Bready, Ardrosssan; Mr. Geo. Watt, Edmonton; Mrs J. McK. Hughes, Vegreville; To all of these the deepest sympathy of the community is extended in their sad bereavement.