The national Republican., 1867-05-27

FuNRnAL or RoBxRr o. WASHINGTON. =
The funeral Of Mr. Robert O. Washington took
place yesterday afternoon, and was attended by
q large number Of mournsrs and sympathisng
friends. The exercises were conducted In the
church Of the Epiphany Rev. DR.. Hall, who oni-
ciatod At the oeremonies, and which were more
than ordinarily impressive. To
The funeral oortege left the residence Of the
deceased on street, below eleventh At 1 D. m.
Gen. 81. John D. L Skinner, Msssrs. James Mar,
Gurley, Lacey and Macdonald Of the Post Once
Department., Mr.. George o.. whiting Of the Int
rior Department, and asnsral MsJnadier and
Colonel L. 4. Middleton, acting n pail. bearers.
The hearse was followed BY carriages containing
the family and immediate relatives Of the Dc.
ceased. On arriving at the church, the cofin,
which Vas Of . beautiful walnut and literally COZ
cred With japonioas, was lifted from the hearss
and borne within, being deposited upon the lsft
Of the altar. The mournsr entered and seated
themselves In the middle aisle fronting the pui.
pit. The immediate friends and clerks Of de.
partmsnts entered upon the right and located
as convenient and near ~ possible to tho front.
After the choir had ended the chant "I am
the resurrection and the liz" the Rev. DR.. Hall
read the 18th chapter from the 1st spistle 10 ths
corinthlsns, eCmm:neins with Christ has rison
from the dead" After the reading Of the pass-
ago from the Scriptures, the choir sung the 247th
hymn. n
The reverend gentismsn th<n rose and said, 10
seemed 10 him that the idea that would imprsss
upon our mind to-day how with trembling feeble
steps our deceased friend went the road through
the dark valley, and knowing him, and loving
him, as all that have known him have done, wsi
know and feel that he was ready to meet The
call Of God. He had made his profession In the
Lord God, and was a. wclf khown among Us as
the columns that supported the church; sttsnds
Ing constantly the days and hours Of worship, be-
was only now taking calm, quiet sleep. prepara-
tory 10 meeting his reward.
The speaker spoke 70 the members, and ad-
vised them to seek the Arrangement Of their an.
guish through the Lord, for he only could relieve
their sorrowsi and he advised them all TO pro-
pare Tor that which every one must meet, and be
ready tojoiu him who has but gone before
Tho reverend gentleman spoke feslingly and
eloquently, and after the finishing Of his remarks
made q feryont prayer 10 the Almighty.
He thsn enjolned the choir to sing the favorite
hymn Of tho deceased, the 172d, Softly now
the light OF day. ss tho body was being borne
from the church to tho hearse. A beautiful CO.
Incidence hero occurred. As the lsst verse was
being rendered, and the corpse was slowly being
taken down the aisle, the clouds which had been
obscuring the sun throughout the day suddenly
broke away, and a radiant light diGused itself
within the church, shedding brilliancy through
the variegated oolors Of the glass beautiful 10
behold. Tho remains, after being placed In the
hearse, were taken to Oak Hill Cemetery, George
town, and there inferred.
Mr.. Washington has been employed rs Chief
Clerk In the Appointment Office Of the Post
oace Department since ls49. lie was struck
with paralysis some eight months ago, and though
his physical powers were completely prostrated,
yet ho retained his mental faculties to the last
He was about 60 years Of ago, Of very genial
temperament, and tho attendance yesterday Of
our most prominent citizens to pay the last
tribute to their deceased friend was but an evil
uenco of the eRteam in which he held A
widow and Eve children are left to mouin. To her
who for many years has been his partner, through
Joy and sorrow, through smiles and tears, we can
oder no other consolation than quoting the
beautiful language Of the officiating clergy man:
That ho who was gone was only but calmly
sleeping, preparatory to enjoying his etsrnol re-
ward In Heaven"