CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
 FROM MORTALITY

 Nearer, my God, to Thee,
 Nearer to Thee,
 E'en though it be a cross
 That raised me.
 Still all my song shall be,
 Nearer, my God, to Thee,
 Nearer, my God, to Thee,
 Nearer to Thee.

 HEN news of Dr. Murphree's death became known
 throughout Gainesville and was being flashed over
 the state and nation, his closest friends were almost
 too stunned to realize that the great educator had
been taken. They wended their sorrowful way to the Murphree
home on Seminary street under the great oaks to give what
expressions of sympathy they could to the surviving children
and close associates.
 It was known that Dr. Murphree.would be laid to rest by
the side of his beloved wife in Tallahassee, the city they both
loved so dearly as they also loved Gainesville.
 The funeral service was held at eleven o'clock on Thurs-
day, December 22, at the First Baptist Church, and was con-
ducted by the pastor, Dr. Thomas V. McCaul, with other minis-
ters of the city assisting. Rev. Wm. S. Stoney, rector of the
Holy Trinity'Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Murphree had
been a member, offered the prayer.
 The large temple of worship was filled with his many
friends who had come to pay their last respects to their fellow
citizen. A section had been reserved for his friends among
the colored folk. Numerous and beautiful floral offerings
were received from admirers throughout the state.
 All stores in the city were closed during the hour of the
funeral. The public schools adjourned at ten o'clock out of
respect to the memory of the departed University president.
 Immediately following the services the funeral party left
for Lake City by automobile, thence to Tallahassee by train,
arriving there at seven o'clock that evening. The final cere-
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