The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-13
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

FUNERAL OF COLONEL DEsror Funeral services were
performed yesterday afternoon two clock at the lato
residence of Colonel Benton, street Although tue
day very Indictment, the rain falling Ia torrents,
there large attendance including the President Of
the United States, heads Of departments foreign minis
tes members of Congress- and other distinguished ndi-
vduas with many of those who, during the past thirty
years. have been the fellow citizens OF the deceased Two
of his daughters Mrs William Carey jones and Mrs Ja-
oobs with their husbands, present The other two
absent Mrs Bocau being at Calcutta and Mrs. Ere
mont on her way to California.
By the side Of the remains OF Col Benton his familiar
features unchanged although emacated) was another
coffin, in which the recently deceased child Of
Mr. Jones The grandso and the grandchid reposcd in
death side by side and friendly hands had strcwn their
common bier with choice flowers in mature bloom
| others just budding into beauty.
The solemn burial service of the Episcopal Church
read by Rev c. H. Hall, rector of the church Of tho
| Epiphany. When he hid finished the q lesson he in
vted the pastor of the deceased Rev Byron Sunderland
d. d. participate in the services and that reverend
gentleman made substantially the following remarks
Men and brethren do not rise to interpret the mean,
| ing of the scene before The event which has con-
voncd here to-day has been already borne, the
wings Of the wind the whole land and the voice of
human eulogy has already begun to eound Everywhere
in all borders ID is being told that the loving father,
the distinguished civilian, is that the aged and
venerable who had breasted the storms of State and
struggled hcrocay to the last has at length succumbd
to that Mysterious Powr which finally winds up the bray
| est and the longest life earth.
Standing here to-day Ii that the Almighty
would give double emphasis to the lesson Of mortal
yfor not alone the man Of years, but also by one
and the selisamc stroke the infant Of days lies low The
patriarch tree and the tender scion alike fall PROSTATE
'Thc gray haired and the sunny haired" sleeping side
by side In this affecting, and may add unusual spec
ace how impressive is the truth that all earthly distinc
/ lcflr tle of heath
the great life and the little life composed alike together
by the angel Of shadows for their last sumber He whose
nae from long public and conspicuous had be-
familiar household word throughout the whole
country and in foreign hands, and he whose chidexistr
had scarcely yet nfocd beyond the sacfcd circle of
this broken family, both, by action Of these M
neral obsequics, to be inuncdare both to be lament
| cd in q common sorrow.
Surely must feel, in View Of such providence as
Masson exclaimed, 'God only is great r and as
greater than bassillon exclaimed before him, "Al flesh
is grass, and all the glory of man is the flower of the
grass the grass witlcreth and the flower Edc, and
! ''We spend years a tale that is told y
Men and brethren We to-day to pay the
kindly offices OF holy religion the bier and the
pail and sleeping dust Of the gandsirc and the child
to accord heartfelt sympathcs to those who
so sgnally afflicted to commend them especially iii
prayers to the favor of Him who alone heal these
gefs of mortal state and to learn for ourselves and
to urge all who have to hear it, the great and
! practical question of a Christian Immortality.
In performing these duties, have conceived it impos
sibc in the brief space allotted this OCCASION
enter upon any adequate observations of the life and char
OF him whose ashes lie before ready for their Sc
pultrc but whose has already become historic in
! the annals of our country.
We shall not at this time any delneation Of
the history Of the deceased Of his social life of his
military life of bis professional e Of his political
life, of his literary life of his religious views aud
opinions All these, doubt will be amply and
more ably discussed by many others, it may be, long
years come, when the passions Of the present hour
have ceased to burn.
Yet let it not be thought by any that we have disrc-
gared the personal acquaintance and the cordial friend
ship of the distinguished and departed statcsnan
let it not bo inferred from present silence that
have placed value the final interviews were per-
mitted to enjoy with him. Those interviews will never
be tofqoen since the tenor of them respected the rca-
ton Of the human soul to the great doctrines Christian
ity and the ground of expectations Of future state
To my own mind untold interest hangs about them
and shall not dare to trust myself this day great
and all-absorbing theme.
Then, il it be to speak no longer in reference to
the dead whom we have already commended, willie
yet living to the dear charity of our Father and
our God, what remains for but briefly to de-
clare to the living the brsvty Of this life, the Ger
ainty and solcmny of DEATH the indispensable necessity
of preparation for 1t, not only for personal security
but mainly, and more than all for the testimony which
bound to render If would be Christians indeed
in lifelong devotion to the principles which that re-
igion propouEds.
And not only declare these things men and broth
rem but to remind you of them those whom we ut
symbols of death to urge you, and on all
without distinction hy these deepest solemnues, their
immediate and practical recognition.
The religion of Christianity is not simply theory to
be accepted in the understanding; it is, you well know
life power to be felt in the heart and to have dominion
over The conduct. And what we have to complain Of
and what do most earnestly protest against here in
the presence OF Gods angel of DEATH and over these
most affecting signals of dsonor and humiliation az
the children of fallen race is that too large part Of
the great multitude Of nominal Christians and more par
tcuarly almost all of our public and distinguished men,
whatever may be their private convictions, yet give no
soul in which the life of Christianity most essentially CON
ssts, and without which, speculative reception OF
Its truths avail to support under trials here
or to fit us for the bessetess of Immortality hereafter
The only proper treatment OF Christianity the most be-
coming preparation through it for dying hour and the
souls departure is precedent long devotion to Chris
tan principles, and precedent lifelong example OF
Christian attributes and qualities so that by his daily
works and labors mans Christian faith and character
shall be known and read of all men.
Nothing short of this fill the measure of any man
responsibility, and nothing short Of this from
the regrets that must otherwise tickc in the moment OF
our dissolution Therefore, and brethren let call
your thoughts to this meditation as one who Il utter
ing original and unauthorized proposals. but as one who
in the charity and yet In the fidelity Of the Gospel would
seek in this most solemn moment charge you with your
highest duties and your most monentous accountability
Oh them let entreat TO hear the voice of God
day, and harden not your hearts repent aud believe
the saving of the soul submit yourselves to the divine
will In all things give yourselves earnest PRAYER and
cd-like unquestioning reliance on the only atoning
sacrifice of the Lord Jesus follow cvcnorc rposinc for
help ON the assistance and promise of Heaven the path