The very deep-seated affection with which the late Mr Ephraim Nichols, of Kings-road, Rushden, was regarded by all with whom he was associated—as an earnest worker in connection with the Park-road Baptist Church, and a foreman at the C.W.S. factory, and as a member of various religious, social, and philanthropic organisations—was clearly demonstrated at the funeral of the deceased on Monday last, when a large and representative congregation assembled in the Park-road Baptist Church and at the graveside in the cemetery. As stated in last week’s Rushden Echo, the deceased, who was foreman of the lasting department at the C.W.S. boot factory at Rushden, was one of the superintendents of the Park-road Baptist Sunday School and a worker in other departments. He succumbed to an attack of influenza, double pneumonia supervening.

The Service

in the church was of a very impressive character. As the congregation assembled Mr G Farey gave very sympathetic renderings on the organ of “O rest in the Lord” and “But the Lord is mindful.” As the body was borne reverently into chapel the whole congregation remained standing, and there were many manifestations of grief at the premature death of a man of high-toned moral character and “one who loved his fellow-men.” The hymn, “Captain and Saviour of the Lost”, was sung with considerable feeling, and the Rev W F Harris (pastor of the church), who conducted the service, read the scripture passages. The rev gentleman then gave an impressive address [not transcribed].

The hymn “It is not death to die” was sung, and after prayer by Mr Harris, the coffin was removed from the church, Mr Farey playing on the organ the “Dead March” and “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”

A Large Cortege

formed outside the church and proceeded to the cemetery. The principal mourners were:-

Mrs Nichols (widow) and Mr William Battison, of Achurch (uncle).

Mr John Nichols (uncle) and Mrs Tate, Piddington (aunt).

Mr Ralph Nichols, Rushden (uncle) and Mrs Chester, Piddington (aunt).

Mr William Nichols, Stockingford (uncle) and Mrs Bedford, Northampton (aunt).

Mr D Chandler, Piddington (uncle) and Mrs W Nichols (aunt).

Mr Abraham Gadsby (a friend) and Miss C Brown (sister of the widow).

Mr Percy Collins (a friend) and Miss Nellie Nichols (cousin).

Mr William Ballard, C.C., Mr Fred Heaps, and Mr Frank Dorr (representing the Fuller Mission Band and Fuller Sunday School, Kettering, with which the deceased was formerly connected.

Preceding the coffin were a large number of representatives of the Park-road Baptist Church and the various organisations connected therewith—the diaconate, the Christian Endeavour, the Sunday school, the Men’s Own, the Cricket Club, &c.—and also representatives of the Independent Order of Rechabites, of which the deceased was a member.

Following the coffin and the principal mourners were Mr F Ballard, J.P. (manager of the C.W.S. factory at Rushden), Messrs W Durham, F Bellamy, A H Endersby, H Martin, A Faulkner, and E Pack (heads of departments at the factory), the employees in the lasting department (of which deceased had been foreman), and a large number of the other employees. The factory was closed for two hours for the funeral, and the flag was flying at half-mast. The bearers (Messrs. Hanwell, Allen, Denton, Conquest, Groome and Bandey) were from the lasting department.

The coffin was of light elm, with brass fittings, and bore the inscription:-

Ephraim Nichols
Died March 5, 1908
Aged 37 years.

The Rev W F Harris conducted the interment at the cemetery in the presence of a large concourse of people.

Wreaths

Among the floral tributes of respect were the following:-

To dear Dad, from Olive. With love.

To dear Dad, from May. With love.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs W Ballard, Kettering.

In loving memory of a dear friend, from the Fuller Mission, Oakley-street, Kettering.

A token of undying affection and esteem, from his fellow-workers and teachers of the Park-road Baptist Sunday School, Rushden.

We bless Thee for his every step

In faithful following Thee;

And for his good fight fought so well,

And crowned with victory.

With deepest sympathy, Park-road Baptist Cricket Club, Rushden.

With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs A H Endersby.

With deepest sympathy, from the Christian Endeavour Society. “His works do follow him”.

With deepest sympathy from the manager and staff of the C.W.S.

With deepest sympathy from the C.W.S. closing department.

A token of respect and sympathy from the clicking and finishing department, C.W.S.

The funeral arrangements were efficiently carried out by Messrs. Clark and Sanders.

Mrs Nichols desires to express her sincere thanks to all friends for their sympathy with her in her bereavement.
Kings-road, Rushden.