Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-18
iHKPULPIF ON THE GREAT TRAGEDY.
AbsIrRefs Of Sermons PrSA~ a., j.. shIs
CiGs- Last sunday, Zen the As.
sassinatiOn-GhuEeh Dec.
Orsfionss etc.

Orstions. etc.
We continue this morning the abstracts
of sermons delivered in this city last Sun
day on the great crime, the publication of
which was begun in our last issue, and
crowded out by the extraordinary pressure
of other matter on our columns. An ac-
count has been given of the services in the
First Presbyterian and Detroit Street Con-
gregational Churches.
ct. PAUL's cHURcE-REv.J. 4. RYLAscE.
The text selscted~by Rev. Mr.. Rylance,
for his Obscure OF "a Peoples Sorrow for
the Loss of Great and Good Man." was in
Lamentations, v: Is, II: 'The Joy of our
heart is ceased our dance is turned into
mourning: For this our heart is faint; for
these things our eyes are dina"
The speaker opened his discourse by
speaking Of the dreadful suddenness with
which the great calamity had fallen upon
the people, and the wonderful transition
made by them, within the limits of week,
from the highest and widest degree of pa
triotic, ecstatic rejoicing to the lowest depths
of sadness, and dwelt upon the inexpressi-
BILE sorrow which had penetrated ell hearts.
He said:
This is no state mourning, got mp to sFder
at the behest of imperial power. It is the
deep, heartfelt, spontaneous utterance of a
nations grief. The hearts of all men are
bowed oven as the heart of one man. The
loss of President Lincoln is the common
loss of all. May God in mercy grant that
we may not be called upon TO confess it in
unsvailing lamentations, but may he who
fills the place be found worthy to bear the
mantle Of him whose tragic end We de-
pIore.
The time is not yet, nor will it be during
this generation, to form g just estimate of
Mr.. Lincoln. Those who judge him must
stand outside the circle within which strife
has 80 long and so fearfully ragged. Things
must be allowed time to fall into their own
place relations must become fixed and
settled the lights and shadows now are
mixed and confused the whole scene is
unsteady. Measures must have time, too,
to work themselves out into results their
wisdom and practical value will be tested
in the process. Then, and not before then
fully, will be seen how much of divine en-
dowment Mr.. Lincoln and those who acted
with him had; how far they were able to
grasp the awful problems with the solution
of which they had 80 much to do; how far
they were able TO see results in rudiments;
how well or i'll they understood the condi-
tIons of their age and office, and how wor-
thily they grappled with the solemn duties
growing out of them. But this much may
be ventured now in anticipation Of final
Judgment. Those who hold the character
Of our late President in the highest esteem,
Iaro1fIrr
need have no doubt upon the verdict of i'm
partial history. This must be borne in
mind by those who judge him now, as well
as by those who shslld so hereafter. From
the conditions he inherited it was forbid
den him to have and TO follow q fixed and
unvarying line of what is called policy. No
sooner had he taken the helm of the ship of
state, than she drifted out upon wild and
tumultuous sea. To change her course,
therefore, as circumstances should de-
mand, was simply necessity Of
his high office. What was chiefly
required, was q strong nerve to hold the
helm though the billows might break over
the ship; quick, intelligent eye to read
the signs of the sky; and brave, honest
heart TO conserve all true Interests COM
mitted to his care. And these great quali-
ties no man will deny 20 Mr.. Lincoln.
The speaker concluded BY treating briefly
several related topics:
I. President Lincoln was q prOvidential
gift to the country. He was not chosen
by the people with a view to the
work he had 70 do eventually.
II. He has rendered an immense service
to the nation in redeeming, by his grand
moral qualities and noble character and Of
fciaI career, the Presidential Office from
III. God did not suffer him to be removed
till the work divinely appointed him to do,
was substantially done and his mission end
I'D, And what work. 1t embraces these
four-fold aspects: .-....--....
1. The Government has been rescued from
dissolution. GOO
2. Free Government has been vindicsted
and tested. -a. &. T., =. -...li - s...- .....
3. The interests of humanity have been
advanced.
4. Permanent peace has been secured,
1r put in the inevitable process of being Sc
cured. 80 --- ----- ...-