The New York herald., 1865-04-20

&EV. JOHN COTTON SMlTH.
Tn4e was q very large assemblage at the Church OF
the Ascension of Fifth and Tenth street.
yesterday, to commemorate the death of lamcnted
President by appropriate ceremonies The usual Church
service was very impressvey conducted by Rev. John
Cotton Smith, the rector and his assistant Mr. Dyer;
after which the former gentleman delivered short but
feeling address, every sentiment of which certainly met
with hearty response ia the hearts OF his hearers he
I said in substance
present OCCASION but TO leave the services to have their
iapprorriae and natural effect upon your minds; bat
circumstances which have brought US together,
seem TO say that l would be wanting in my
duty if did ot endeavor 10 impress the lesson OF the
occasion upon your minds and hearts How appropriate
seems that passage or the Gospel which we have just
read-"Jcsus himself stood in their midst and said
peace be you 30 While cans filed by the
tons OF these mournfu funereal bells; while eyes
are dmned with the tears or grief and affection; while
we look upon our houses and places Of public worship
lately drdpcd with the glorious colors OF our countrya
giving forth the sonbre hue of death and Indications OF
mourning, what do better than humble ourselves
before God and ask of our sins? Never has
there been whole people actuated by feeling
Is this people to-day. There have been differences OF
topnon in the past as to he policy OF tho government
Many thought that the evil of was being
cessary protYacted, and that some Change might be
necessary TO bring about pachcation and union to-
gether among the nations OF the earth But To-
day l this has ceased Ali together in united
feeling Death has taken from among This
has melted all our hearts and fused them together
horror for the ACT which has been commteo-an act
which disgrace to civilization and the age in which
we ve-an act which would put 10 shame the mps and
powers Of darkness and which will down 10 posteriy
unparalleled To-day come together TO declare that
henceforh such crimes shall be pcrpetrated and
that will ourselves 10 the punishment Of the
criminals the limits OF the outraged law. And
while we this declare love for the great good
honest man. the victim Of this unnatural assassination
We should iorget in consideration OF this great
public wrong, that there private as well as public
woes. In the capital Of the nation there are widow
children. Let our tears Tow In sympathy with thems
and let our prayers ascend for them that they may be
protected by the God of the fasheress While blind
ed and s;upefed by the sudden dispcnsation Of
Providence, cannot but feel very much en-
couraged and that there is much 70 console us,
and that we should rise above tho disaster OF the hour
and still feel that God and has not deserted
We may been bereaved for purpose, and this
act which thus comprehend, may have been
performed the purpose OF proving some great princI
Pile We may in the years come, DC able 10 look
back and see why have been thus afflicted. feel
that all hearts here are welded together with the deter
nnatlon that the destiny Of the nation shall be accom-
pished and that the result shall be the better for
humanity We cannot understand why man 20
tender in his regard for the common people faithful
TO areat principles mercul-a man the last ACT OF
whose life remarkable for leniency ~ cruel but
fallen all tenderness and who so dreaded the
shedding Of biood-shouId have been selected the
his usefulness and when much needed by the people
over whom he placed But Gods thoughts are not
AS mans thoughts He has called him away and per-
haps all for His own good purpose The speaker con
cuded by exhorng all 10 be ready for the great change
which Gomez when least expected,