The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-11
AARON vENABLE BROWN,
POSTMASTER GENERAL
Born august is, l79G,
Died March 8, 1859"

muslin, the bright colors of the c~arpeting were hidden by
lowering OF white, the heavy curtains fell in darkening
EIls over the windows, and through a few panes in the
c,ntre window on the north side the sunlight entered,
falling on the coffin, MS if fguratiye of a bright immor-
,olity for him whose remains IL enclosed. No change had
been made In the furniture, except what we have de
sribed but the subdued light, the dark pail, the shades
thrown over the mirrors, and the deep silence gave the
room the appearance of the interior Of some grand mau.
soleum.
AT ten o'clock the doors of the White House were
thrown omen. and a continuous stream of mourners passed
around the bier, each gazing for a while with sad and
lingering looks upon the pale face of the deceased. AS
the hour of noon approached, the crowd grew more dense,
and the arrival of the officers of the various departments
of the government contributed to swell the throng. Next
came the officers of the Amy and navy of the United
States and the diplomatic corps, and these were arranged
on the north side of the East Room. On either side were
heads of bureaus and other government officials. Other
distinguished personages were appropriately grouped in
various portions of the room, The clergy occupying the
seats nearest to the bier.
At IL o'clock the President of the United States, nc.
companied by Secretaries Cass, Floyd, Toucey, Cobb,
Black, and the new Postmaster General, Holt, entered
the room through the reception parlors, and took seats
near the clergy. The Rev. DR.. Hall, of the Church OF
the Epiphany, and Rev. j. c.. Cranberry, the officiating
clergyman, then took their positions at a small table in
front of tho coffin. Quiet having been restored, the Rev.
DIR. Hall read the solemn funeral service of the Episcopal
Church. In concluding, he introduced Rev. Mr.. Gran.
berry, who addressed the assemblage as follows
Few and simple are the words which l wish to
speak on this solemn occasion. Amidst the testimonials
of respect and gIief appropriate to the distinguished dead,
/ am here but as an humble minister of the Lord Jesus,
briefly to enforce those lessons of Divine wisdom with
which the event so impresses us; for God speaks to man
not only by the written volume, and by the living minis
try, but also in the events of his own providence. From
that coffin which lies before you, the voice of God sounds
forth to these Of his own family who have been bercft, to
those who were associated with him in places Of high
trust and responsibility, and also to the whole country.
The first lesson we should learn is this the things OF
this world passeth away-its pleasures, its distinctions
are tangible. Deeply was i impressed with this fact,
as when, a few nights ago, i entered the chamber of Gov.
Brown, who lay upon his couch with extreme debility
and torture, which could not be relieved by the skill Of
the physicians or the tenderest nursing of sympatb'sng
friends. His whole household were bathed in tears, and
when | thought of one week ago, how different it seem
ed-in health and yigor, surrounded by all the luxuries
of life, in the midst of a happy family and a genial So
ciety, enjoying merited fame and honor from his fellow
citizens, from his own State, and from these United
States. Verify, all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of
men as the flower Of the grass the grass withereth, and
the flower fnleth and falleth away
do not mean to underrate the blessings of this world,
and especially its Ionors. i know that to win the con-
fdence, the wisdom, and the love Of the people-to at
tain positions of honor and Of power in the country by
eminent talent, charactsr N, and seryice-are worthy OBJ
)ects TO he almDltl0D, and an appropriate reward OF merit.
They are valuable and should be desired and sought
after and yet, il man considers them as his highest
good, how vain the thought. Vn.ue, piety, favor of
God, and the hope of mmortality-hes constitute the
treasure that does not corrupt, and the glory that does
not fade.
Let us learn, then, to look soberly upon the dignities
and the joys of this world, remembering the text but
another lesson God would teach %us-that, as citizens OF
this country, we must depend upon HIM, and not place
our trust in man. And it is in the knowledge of every
one that Gov. Brown has been snatched away from his
post at the very time when his services were most need
ed-whon an ~exigency had occurred in his own depart
ment OF the government, and when an able assistant had
just fallen. Thus it is God visits us in the midst of our
plans, and d~sappoints our hopes and wishes, so as to
teach us this great fact that vain is the confidence that
Is put in mere man, whatever his talents, his experience,
or his Judgment. Well will it be for us if, instead of
merely supplying his place with a worthy substitute,
transferring to another man our trust, we shall learn to
look unto and to believe that in His favor alone is true
prosperity.
but, let me mention, moreover, especially to the great
men of the land, so many Of whom are present on this
occasion, what important responsibility rests upon you.
| do not aliude to the discharge of your official duties,
which 1 know are weighty but that influence which you
must exert upon your fellow citizens, because of the high
place which you occupy. Witness this case look at
your newspapers throughout the extentof this vast land
among all our multifarious population the news has
gone that Gov. Brown is dead, and a whole nation is uni
Ted IN sympathy, and the insignia of mourning is every
where displayed it is only one illustration of the fact
That, by the eminent position which men hold in this
country, they have u hold upon their regard and upon
their affections 1t is right, it is commendabIe, that re-
kpsSt Epiph We place upon men ip high positionG.nen
who, by their talents and their service to their country,
have won their way to these places of rank and power.
his kind of regard is certainly desirable and should be
commended, but unfortunate will it be for our ooun-
Try when our iellow-citizens lose that sentiment-and
what u responsibility IL devolves upon you. The young
men of this land that crowd to this city-men of impress
sible characters, men of intelligence, men of influence,
men of ambition, who are seeking introduction into so
ciety, seeking places, and seeking cminenco hereafter in
ta iand-they watch your conduct, they iinbibe your
tHoiibisnts, they learn your ways, and khaR resurn 10
tAet various hopes carrying withs them the sentiments
and habits they have formed in this city. Not only so,
Wy Is quick TO catch all things Concerning Won vour
ynatactef, your sentiments, your habits. are known and
,uued thrDugholt tbs bptirc land Ills III YOUR bower.
wsgreAy e%steiit,itd ebntiett with all ideas Of hohor. gdh!
eiosity IN high life, i~rreligion, ih6dolity, and immortality.
70 MAKE almost vice and crime respectable among t6e
tE5Sthgigg 80 The elhsf hgDd, Jap pqa qpt,~rl tho SAM.
tMs y nttoFaity qp1d OF religion you can teach men be-
iGE yoA " rank that the nobiest title to the respect aud
S4'iS~p men F consist in trpthtqlness Of CHARACTER, in
llgion. =" ="
:" n"@@Tpy to be able to say that, to the best informn-
ton ] can gain-that of the unanimous testimony, l may
say-that he whose death we this day mourn, who has
50 long a time occupied q conspicuous position ~ the
world beore pls conntyY, ever set On example of ihtcg.
wy, ofppfity,' of conscentioasness of respect ior reIi-
glon, as we'll as the laws OF the country. Would to God
! could also say an example of personal piety but L
you who occupy lofty stations would not only lend your
ad IN favor OF morality aud truth, but also Of the re-.
hgion of Christ, what a holy and powerful influence would
go 10th to this country. But rccollect, you, too, must