Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-20

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God grant that all who stand here entrusted
with the administration OF public affairs may
have the power, strength and WISDOM 70 com.
plete the work Of his servant SO gloriously be-
gun, and may the successor OF the deceased
President not bear the sWora IN vain. God
grant that strength may be gwen to him and 10
our military TO perfect victory, and te COM
pIete the contest now nearly closed. May the
spirit OF the rebellion soon pass away, aud
may the last vestige OF slavery, which caused
The rebellion, be driven from our land God
grant tsa: he sun may shine on q free people,
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific, and from the
Lakes to the Gulf Not only safely lead US
through this struggle, but give Us peace with
all nations of the earth; give US hearts to deal
Justly with them, and give them hearts to deal
Justly with US, SO that universal peace may
reign on earth. We raise our hearts TO Thee to
plead that Thy blessing may descend on the
family of the Geceassd God bless the weeping
vlCoW, as IN her broken hearteduess she bows
under a sad stroke, more than she can bear
Lncircle her in Thine own arms. God be
gracious with the children left behind him.
BndoW his sons with wisdom from on High;
prepare them for great usefulness. May they
appreciate the patriotic example and virtues
of their father, and walk III his footsteps.
We pray Thee, the Bishop said, % make this
ASSASSINATION of personal profit TO Our hearts
" hile by the remains OF the deceased, whom
we had called a atTiend, do Thou grant US grace
and repentance Of our sins, so that at-rTS end
Of life we NAV be gatheret where assassms are
not found and where sorrow and sickness
never come, but all gather III peace and love
) Y.
Thee that osr Republic may be made the
stronger for this blow, while here we pledge
ourselves to set our faces against every form
of oppression which may rise up for It's de-
slfuCtOn, so that we, the children, may enjoy
the blessed advantages of Government de-
lIYered from our fathers.
He concluded by repeating the Lords Prayer.
1BB FUNERAL SERMON.
The Rev. DR.. Gurley, Of the New York ave-
nue PRESBYTERIAN church, in which the de-
ceased President had worshipped, delivered
the funeral sermon standing on the step and
near the head of the coffin. He commenced by
saying We recognize ami adore the soyer-
eighty of God. His throne is in the heavens
and his kingdom ruleth over all. IL was
cruel hand-the dark hand OF the assassin
that smote our honored, wise and noble Presi-
dent, and filled the land with sorrow. But
above this there Is another which we must see
and acknowledge. II is the chasteniRg hand
of a wise and faithful God. He gives US the
bitter cup. We yield 10 the behests and drink
the draught,
His chastsement comes in q way heavy and
nysteriOusiv deep at 4 time when the rebel
lion was passing away. The assassin has
stricken down man upon whom the people
had learned to trust, and upon WnOm more
than upon any other had centred their hopes
for restoration OF the Union and return OF
harmony. Ia the midst of our FeIoicings We
ne eded this stroke, this discipline, and there
tore God has sent il. Our aiHiction has not
come forth from the dust, nor from the ground.
Beyond this act OF assassination let us look 10
God, whose pTeTOgatiYe IL is to bTIng light out
led US and prospered as so wonderfully du-
ring the last tour years OF anxiety and conflict
Will not fOrsake us now. He may chasten,
but not destroy; He may purify us in the tur-
mace, but will not consume US. Let our priil-
Cipal anxiety now be that this new sorrow
may be sanctitied sorrow, and induce US 10
give all we have TO the cause OF truth, Justice,
law, order, liberty and good government, and
pure and sanctifed religion. Though weep
ing may endITe for a night, Joy comes in the
morning. Thank God tina. in spite of this
temporary darkness, the morning has begun
to dawn, the morning of brighter day than
onr country has ever before seen. That day
viii come, and the death of hundred Presi-
dents and Cabinets cannot prevent 1t.
The people cenfided in the late lamented
President with a firm and loving confidence
which no other man enjoyed since the days OF
Washington. He deserved II well and de-
served it all. He merited il by his character.
by his acts, and by the whole tenor and tone
and spirit OF his life. He was wise, simple,
sincere plain and honest, truthful and inst,
be ne VIOLENT and kind. His perceptions were
quick and clear, his judgment was calm and
accurate, and his purposes were good and pure
beyond a question. Always, and every where,
he aimed and endeavOred TO he right and 10 do
right. His integrity was all -pervadfng, all
controlling and inCorrupuble. He gave his
personal consideration TO all matters, whether
great or small. How firmly and well he occU-
pied his post, and met ell its grave demands IN
seasons OF trial and difficulty IS known TO you
all, TO the country and 10 the world. He com.
pretended all the enormity OF treason and rose
his duty as Chief Magistrate Of great and i'm
perilled people and leant on the arm of Him
who gives the power TO the faint, and who in
creaseth strength.
President Lincoln say that Divine Providence
and mercy was the propson which he humbly
ard habitually leaned, the best hope he had
for himself and the country. When about
leaving his home in Illinois TO come to Wash
in gton, he said 10 old and tried friends -UI
leave you with the request that you pray for
me-" They did pray for him, and millions OF
others prayed for him. Nor did they pray in
vain, and the answer TO the prayer shone forth
in clearness and brightness OF his Administra-
ton from the commencement to its closer /
speak what / know and testify what l have
often heard him say when affirm that that
guidance and mercy were the prop on which
he humbly and habltually leaned; that they
were the best nope he had for himself and his
country. Hence when he was leaving his
home IL Illinois, and coming 10 this city 10
take ms seat IN the Executive chair Of dis
turbed and troubled nation, he said to the old
and tried friends who gathered tearfuliy
around him and bade him farewell -" leave
You with this request-pray for me-" They
did pray for him, and millions OF others prayed
prayer was heard, and the answer appears IN
all his subsequent history. 1t shines forth
with heavenly radiance in the whole course
and tenor OF his Administration, from its COM
mencement to its close. God raised him up for
a great and glorious mission-furnished him
for his work and aided him In its accomplish
ment. Nor was 1t merely strength of mind and
honesty OF heart, and purity and pertinacity
OF purpose that be furnished him.
In addition to those things he gave him q
calm and abiding confidence in the oyerruling
providence OF God. and in the ultimate triumph
OF truth and righteousness through the power
and blessing OF God. This confidence
strengthened him in all his hours Of anxiety
and toll, and inspired him with calm and
cheering hope when others were inclined TO
despondency and gloom. Never shall for
get the emphasis and the deep emotion with
which he said in this very room 10 a company
OF clergymen and others, who called to pay
him their respects IN the darkest DAYS of our
civil conflict: "Gentlenen. my nope Of success
In this great and terrible struggle rests on that
lmmutable foundation-the justice and good
ness OF God and when events are very threat
enlDg and prospects very dark, l still hope
that ia some way, which man cannot see, ali
will be well in the end, because our cause ls
Just and God is on our side" Such was his
sublime and holy faith-it was an anchor To
his soul, both sure and steadfast. It made him
firm and strong. II emboldened him in the
pathway of duty, however rugged and perilous
it might be. 1t made him valiant for the
right-for the cause of God and humanity. ana
1t held hin in steady patience and unswerying