, 1860-04-17
DEATH OF CEo. ", DOLE.

DEATH or GEo. ". DOLE.
S*sst@~es or shr Ri,n~rtts ~ &ar W hsss. Dr.
1k 1Gtknr3f;s,aeo+ 3sao+ et'As f"a*r"k, sunday, .fpr't
The touching and solemn service for The b ri
al Of the dead that We hare just heard, is 40
rich md complete in itself, so full of consols-
ton 10 the broken. hearted, so full Of joyful
hope for those who sleep in Christ, and 20 full
also Of warning to all who sprvi5c. that on or
dinarv occasions nothing more need be said.
And, indeed, the case must BE- peculiar OLE,
when any thing else does not tend rather to de-
tract from the tranquil solen,nity Of the ssd
scene.
But the official relations Of our departed
brotlerto the Church in which we are gathered
the unusual grief which pcrEades the whole
connunity-and his own majestic purity Of
character must be my apologies for word or
two now.
/ dare not trust myself, even if it were proper
or necessary, to speak specid words Of ealogy
orer the boly Of him who has gone before US
to the better land. l need not tell you who
knew him, what he WAS. When men wanted to
hold up to others a lirins example. Of truth,
honor, unset6shness, fidelity, integrity and god
1iness, what name wasmore likely to leap to the
lips than the name Of George ". Dole. Why
then waste words Of praise! If eEer a nan
lived who needed them net over his lifeless
body, there be lies.
Though know that no language Of mine can
adequately tell Of his loss to the city that 50
profoundly laments him-to this church, one of
whose strongest earthly pillars be was-aud 10
those nearer to him still, Of whose sacred grief
we may not speak; yet with all this, when con-
slider the sure end Of oil men-the true nobility
Of the life lie Leland The beautiful simplicity
Of his Christian faltl, dare not, end do not,
grievc that be has gone; yea more, rejoice. I
an proud for humanity's sake, prouder sill for
that christian'ty's sake (that made him whet be
was) that there was such man to die in our
midst 0, what taking away of the sting from
death il is-"hat no example over Tue power of
the grave-to know that neither death nor the
grave can rob Us Of the blessed memory md
the lovely example Of thfs noble life, that Inns
mon. been transplauted to spherc wortbicr Of
it, than this poor. feeting world of sin and dis.
appointment and sorrow.
We may weep that be is gone-it is natura!
and right, we cannot help it-but not gricyo,
no. not griere.
Never IVES there q dark cloud sent Of God ovcr
hearts aud homes, that waa nore riyidlv frinced
with the golden sunshine than this one is, that
hangs over us this day.l
AeFer was there a wave Of sorrow on the eca
OF Lilo that broke and died away ia richer aud
gentler whispers of peace, than this one viii
that overwhe!ms US for little while now.
To none, outside Of the sacred circle Of fan,i-
- lore, were his counscls of wisdom nnd his in
tuitions Of right moro valuable than to uswho
bowed with him here ct the same altar. To no in
life, and his thoughts, and lis labors, ~ to this
church. whose honored officer lie Was Yet We
give him up to-day without the shadow Of a
murmur, because We know that the seed be
scattered here, for the last quarter Of century,
in tie daily walks Of d consistent and unosen-
tat1ous Christian life, is immortal. and we shall
be gathering Of the fruit OF it always: and be.
cause we know that his memory shall be like a
storehouse Of rich treasures for our child en-
and our children's children
But asn sure that II he conid tell US his wishes
A. be lies there IN his blessed sleep, he would
say. Speak not ofme but speak to tue living"
And so do, and hold him uE rs model to
yen, young safm, who hare como here as be came
thirty years ago, to build up character aud for
tune. II yon would be useful in your lives, in-
duential among men, happy in your death, and
hpnored IL your memories. then walk III the
way Of -Christiaa principle as. hc did; fear
wrong, shun meanncss, lore the right. cling tn
virtue. and orer all that you arc, and ali that
you do. let the shadows Of the cross Of Christ
fall with hallowing touch then ron mar be
like bin. and over your coffin We may say, and
on your gravestone VIC may write, Thank God
for such man"
And hold him up 10 yon public .ss~, who Gil
n nffIrhx nf hn1Er md nf f.,ia a}
incorruptiblcness Was above the taiat even Of
suspicion; whose independence and manhood
IN venaltty could approach; whose conscience
was as quick and US tender in city halls IS in
his pew in church, or at his f}reside nj home
1fevery man in this community, who mas be
fully rs he did the sanctiy ofrcsponsibility, and
discharged as faithfully Lis obi cations, and left
office with hands US clean and conscience as
clear, there woutd be no better governed citv
on earth than ours-and not only SO, but the
vcry term "ot1ice" would become SYNONYM Of
dignity, justice and purity.
And To you, xnea Of the sohst<uisg had and
bending shoulder, who must soon follow him to
the long home, bold up like picture, the rich
sunset of bis bene6cent life, Why was it, thar,
though without child Of his own to close his
eyes in his Inst sleep, SO much gratitude and af.
lection smoothed bis gentle declines Wbywas
it that so much Of rerercntial love waited at his
bedside, prayed for his recovery, nnd mourns
his death! Why was it, that, though a man Of
such few words, aud so andemonstratiye na-
ture be should call forth by lis death, in so re-
msriable q manner. the sympathy and the eor-
row ot whole city Il was because be lived
for others. and forgot himself. 1t Was because
Christian bencrotence WIS the Law Of his ligc
II WAS because there was one thing in the world
he knew nothing Of personally, and never felt
within him its tasntess -selfshnesr.
But the great aud croEning glory Of bis life,
his ontlre ronsec4ation Of hirnsef to the Saviour
who redeemed him. That faith and trust, men
and brethren, you may hare. That selCconse-
Grafton you should make Mt once, The sameSa.
| viour's ready and precious grace, wtich he
sought and found, and which was the basis Of
his excellence, is yours, and may be had this
| dsy for the asking. And when you come, in
| month, or year, OF in few years ut most, to
| lie down on the bed Of h-uothing-noth-
| ing-no lore Of fscnds-or human tRars--or
earthly contorts-can supply the want Of these
things. As you see the companions aud friends
Of early days passing SO rapidly away-drop.
| ring from Iour side like 1eaTes in autumu-do
you not feel it to be Of .le first Importance that
| you should be sure Of the support Of the Ever
| lasting Arm as you 60 down 10 The dark river
| Of death: It is for Jon We plead, then, To- lny,
men Of declining rears-our words are not ior
him. He is safe. He has gained the shore
| whist yon are tossing about still in the storm,
cllnging to the fragments Of the wreck. lie has
found "the haven where he would be-" "His
reposo is on tue bosom Of Eternal Lore. The
evening shadows fell gently around him, but
they un pointed to the dawn. For him tue s!-
yer cord Was softly loosed, not harshly cut
tbe golden bowl was not rudeI5 broken at the
founta1r, but it gently crumbled away" His
work was Ger, his duty done, biz daT ended,
and Death, like Messenger of P,ace, came
fror. God to bear the faithful servant home.
Fired from c.rh. and earthly failln-,
Left Tor him no voice a. waFn.;
High Ia ueayeh'r Own light le dwel1c.h.
Full THE sang Of Triumph sxelctA."
Draining Chicago lands,