Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-05-06
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S FUNERAL.
BishsP SimPsen,s Sermsn.

It is q matter of regret that lack Of space
will not admit the full publication in our
columns of Bishop Simpsons eloquent sermon
at the grave of President Lincoln. No finer
tribute could have been paid TO any man than
that uttered by the disting uished dvine over
hearts of the whole people will throb with re-
newea sorrow as they realize the business OK
After reviewing at length President Lin
coin early political career, and the uusur-
passed purity and wisdom of his management
OF the treas ury, army and navy, the Bishop
concludes with the following noble sentiments:
"Abraham Lincoln was q good man He
was known as an honest, temperate, forgfving
man, Just man, man Of noble heart in every
way. AS to his religious experience cannot
speak definitely. because was not privileged
to know much of his private sentiments. MY
acquaintance with him did not give me the
know, however, he read the Bible frequently;
loved it for Its great truths and for ls profound
teachings; and he tried to be guided by Its pre-
cepts. He believed in ChriSt the Saviour OF
bring his life into the principles or reveaieu
religion. Certainly, IL there ever was man
who illustrated some OF the principles Of pure
religion, that man was our departed Presi-
dent"
"In his domestic life he was exceedingly
Kind and afeeuonate af,S He was devoted nus nus,
ne lost his second son, Willie. To an officer OF
the army he said, not long SINCE" Do you
ever ma yOurSel1 talKlng Win the Qc6Q T.
and added, " Since Willie's death catch my
self every day inveluntarily talking with him,
as if he were with me-"
son his widow, who is unable to be here,
need only invoke the blessing OF Almighty GOD
that she may be comforteo and sustained For
his son, who has witnessed the exercises OF
tie of his father may fall upon him. [Excla-
nations of "Amen."J
..Beside the goodness ofsuch a man, his fame
was full, his work was done, and he sealed his
oil V m the nations great martVr
for liberty. He appears to have had strange
presentiment early in political life, that some
in 1889. OF the slave power he said, "Broken by
itl ], too, may be asked to bow to 1t. never
will. The probability that we may fail in the
struggle ought no. to deter us from the support
OF q cause which deem TO be just
''It shall not deter me, II ever feel the soul
within me elevate and expand 10 these d.
mensions, not wholly unworthy OF its Al
mighty architect. 1t is when contemplate
the cause Of my country deserted by ali the
world beside, and l standing up boldly and
clone, and hurting defiance at her vicarious
oppressors. Here, without contemplating con-
sequences, before high Heaven and in the face
of the world, swear eternal hdelity to the
lust cause, as deem 1t, Of the land, Of my life,
my liberty, and my love; and yet, secretly, he
said to more than one: i never shall live out
the years OF my term. When the rebellion is
crushed my work is DONE
HAnd now, my friends in the words of the
departed, sswith malice toward none, free from.
all feeling OF personal vengeance, yet believing
the sword must not be drawn in vain, let us go
forward in our painful duty. Let every man
who was Senator or Representative in Con-
gress, and who aided in beginning this rebel
lion, and thus led to the slaughter of our sons
and daughters, be brought to speedy and Ger
tain punishment. Let every officer, educated
at public expense, and who, having been ad-
vanced to position, has perjured himself and
turned his sword against the vitals Of his coun-
try, be doomed to this
III believe in the will of the American people.
Men may attempt to compromise and TO restore
these traitors and murderers to society again,
but the American people will arise In their
majesty and sweep all such compromises and
compromisors away, and will declare that
there shall be no peace to rebels but to the de-
luded masses we shall extend arms Of forgive
ness. We will take them to our hearts and
walk with them side by side, as we go forward
to work out glorious destiny. The time will
come when, in the beautiful words of him
whose lips are now forever closed: "The
mystic cords of memory, which stretch from
every battle field and from every patriots
grave, shall yield sweeter music when.
touched by the angels of our better nature"