The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-10-05

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if he had been an every day companion.
,.~ THE MAxIMs OF HORACE. MANN. 49,
a In this manner he spoke with thirty five
or forty recalling some points
in their past history, and pointing out to
each one the proper line of conduct for the
future praising where praise was due,
and warning where warning was necessa-
ry. He made many remarks that can
never be forgotten by those who heard
them. l shall always remember the fol-
lowing: sour object should always be
Truth, Duty, God, Man! Great talents,
without moral worth, are oftentimes q
scourge, pestiicnce, o plague to the race.
Honesty is cheaper than dishonesty, even
if we view it only as a matter Of economy.
Follow Christ. He was shining exam
pie. Love and charity can accomplish
more than power" He closed his remarks
TO each one by a mild and gentle "good
bye" and n vigorous grasp of tho hand.
The hand was cold and the nerve nm
steady; but the grasp was firm and sigor-
GUS even to the last. His words were
nicely chosen, glowing, earnest and fer
vent, and spoken with much emu! hasis.---
Several times bis workings were accom-
panied by the uplifted right hand and i'm
pressve gestures. Several times LIE half
rose from his bed to embrace bis friends
and render his words more lemphatic. A
hymn was sung, after which Mr.. Mann
said, CHOW, lot somo one make short
prayer. cheerful, grateful prayer" The
prayer was made. 1t seemed to ch0er
and soIace him. Oh, it is a sad, joyous,
n consoling, an impressive sight, to sec a
truly great man die. Sad, toeause the
world is deprived OF his worth Joyous, be
cause he meets grim Death SO brayely;
c, nsoing TO hear such eulogies upon the
good and true; and solemn, to hear such
noble advice coming from the verge of
the tomb. sg.s 4. ... .
BY this time it Was near twelve O'Clock.
lie was exhausted. But knowing that
other friends were waiting, and some (his
elder son among theln) were expected on
the afternoon train, he said "Now let
me rest little while. Perhaps ] may
gather more strength and see .Aem all
by-and-by." Soon after this, one who
bad formerly teen a professor in tho col
lege, arrived at the door, and asked Of
Mrs. Mann permission to speak with him.
Mr. Mann replied, Not now, will rest
while, and then he may come and see
me-" For nearly Ave hours after this he
remained speechless. His countenance
WAS tranquil, though pale as the moon
beam. Perhaps recollection was cullng
choice flowers from the garden Of the
past. And we think so, because bright
shadows passed over his face, and joy
seemed to tighten bis brow. A sweet
smile played upon his lips. And when
his eyes opened, there was that mild, an
gelic glow Of conscious innocence in them,
which recalls to mind our own ideals of
the chosen just. -
But the last sun, for him. was declining
in the west. The last bours were wearing
away. The last sands were, dropping
from tho dial. The dark flood was near
at hand, and the ferryman was coming.
His snowy sails are cleaning on the mis-
ty waves, and he will soon bear bright
spirit beyond the glowing bilIow. The
sleeper turns quietly over; his lips move;
that same sweet voice is heard family,
and for the last time; and these are the
words it speaks, -"Now, l Will bid you
all good night" Soon the shades Of the
dark flood passed over his brow; the last
breath was drawn; and that great heart
forever ceased its beating. The pale fer
ryman, standing upon the brow Of the
mystic boat, received the departing spirit,
and bore it away over the flood to the far
away shore. Horace Mann is among the
bright ones in the land of rest We shall
see him no more. His voice is silent as
the past. 1t can thrill onr pulses never
again. Gone. gone, gone! Peaee-eter-
nal peace-to his noble shade!
But his words will live as long as words
may have meaning. His thoughts will
live while civilization lives. And b IS he
roic and generous acts will be remember
ed as long as heroism and generosity shall
have lover and friend.
IL. r,x,k