The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-18
OUR RELIGIOUS COLUMN
THE POOR MANS FRIEND.
THE KEV. NEWMAN HALL ON MIR. PEA.
BODY.


The Rev. Newman Hall delivered an address
commemorative of the services of Mr. George
Peabody recently, at st. James Hall, London:-
''After the reading of the Litany and the offer
ing of prayer and praise, the reverend gentleman
said:-Job said, When the ear heard me- then it
blessed me; and when the eye5saw NE, it gave
witness to me, because delivered the poor that
cried and the fatherless, and him that had none
to help him. The blessing of him that was ready
to perish came upon me, and / caused the
widows heart to sing for joy
''The old arches OF Westminster Abbey never
looked down on spectacle more solemnly i'm
pressiVe, more touchingly eloquent, more sub
lime in its simplicity, than when two days ago
the body of George Peabody was deposited be-
meath its sacred pavement. What sermon did
that ancient cathedral preach to the assembled
thousands as they waited in sorrowful silence the
arrival of all that was mortal of the deceased
philanthropist! Those clustered columns and
vaulted roofs, hoary and wrnkled with the lines
of centuries; those traceried windows, which,
during many generations, have flung their purple
and their gold across the long-drawn aisles
transfguring the marble effigies of the mighty
dead; those sculptured memorials and inscribed
tablets recalling the names and memories of
monsrchs, statesmen, poets, warriors; that floor
on:which we stood, coveringfthe honored dust of
England's greatest sons how did all this teach
the solemn lesson that Man that is born of
woman hath but short time TO live, and is full
of misery; he cometh up like flower, and is
cut down; he deeth also as shadow, and con-
tinueth not
''Many scene of pomp and splendor has that
abbey witnessed; but far more in harmony with
It's solemn architecture, impressive antiquity,
and monuments of DEATH was such q scene as
that witnessed last Friday The spacious build
ing was crowded in every part by multitude
clad in mourning attire, and bearing in their
features and demeanor the expression of reve-
rental sorrow. If any spoke while waiting till
the appointed hour, it was with bated BREATH so
as not to disturb the expressive silence, which
hrOk " frnm ha
old tower, pealng ever and anon through the
arches 80 long familiar with the sound. l
thought of two other funerals had witnessed
there. One was that of great warrior who
Sepoys the women and children who had
been in jeopardy, and to preserve that great
dependency from being torn from the empire.
The other was of q great statesman, who had
long directed the helm Of our national affairs,
and over whose grave, though they might differ
in opinion to his policy, all parties came to
breathe sigh. There may be greatness in sol
diership when genius and bravery are exercised
only in q righteous cause, and when peace would
be more injurious than war with all its horrors.
But, alas of how few wars could this be said !!
and of how few soldiers honored with n resting
place in that renowned sepulchre! And there
is greatness in craftsmanship when power
is exercised, not for miserable pelf, but
TO promote good order and general hap
piness by righteous laws, peace, and
'sGeorge Peabody, the American, amassing a
princey fortune to bequeath IL TO the poor OF
Great Britain; George Peabody, the American,
buried with nations lamentations among our
princes, statesmen, and patriots in Westminster
Abbey-his remains, after the highest honor5
Great Britain could pay them, carried across the
ocean in British ship of war, there to be In
tered in their final resting-place in his own
land; George Peabody is link of peace and
love between the two nations which must never
be broken And, as American and British
statesmen stood around that open grave, as Anne
D..ts 1oA fhnfr t.,
the prayer to our Father in heaven to forgive us
our trespasses as at the same hour when this
service was being performed IN Westminster
Abbey, the cradle of both our nations, similar
services were being conducted in America, while
flags were lowered and bells were tolling, felt
that whether diplomacy has finally and formally
completed its business or not, there never again
can be a question about the maintenance OF
friendship. All thoughts of the possibility OF
quarrel must forever pass away, and In the grave
of Peabody both at Westminster and at Danyert
must every remaining suspicion and memory o.
evil be buried both nations resolving that NJ
deeds or words of menace or ill-will shall agar
be exchanged, and that not mere rigid justice
but generous love shall settle all matters in dis
pute The interests of civilization, the cause o
liberty, the claims OF religion, the welfare OF th'
world demand that as we are essentially on
nation 80 we shall ever be bound together II
the closest ties of brotherhood each seeking tn
honor and welfare of the other, and both co-Ope
rating to lead the van In the triumphant marc
of universal civilization, freedom, and peace
There crowded on my mind other thoughts
The first is this: How wise yet how rare tn
course which Mr.. Peabody pursued! After al
tending to personal claims he had vast wealt
remaining far beyond what he needed Tor hin
self. He did not care to squander IL In ldle OF
tentation 1t was impossible 10 exhaust It on h
own wants and luxuries. Even u so disposed
where would be the advantage OF leaving behin
him to be disposed of by others 20 vast sun
when no might have the happiness of being b
own almoner? We can take nothing with u
we cannot die worth anything. 1t Is absurd
say men die worth so much money. Rich an
poor alike came naked into tho world, and nak'
they must depart out of it; We brought nothir
into the world, aud IL is certain we eau car
nothing out. Why not thea, use it while Y
may, and enjoy the luxury Of making othe
riches have been accumulated by ncgleoting q