The New York herald., 1870-08-22
THE LATE ADMIRAL rARRAGUT.
Memorial Services Under the Auspices Of the
Masonic Fraternity Of Portsmouth, NJ
H., in Memory Of the Late
Admiral Farragut.

church this evening, very large audience, number
Ing over 1000, assembled at an early hour, com.
pletey filling the house. Many could not gain ad-
mission. The address was delivered by Rev. Joseph
J. Kane United States Navy, who served under the
Admiral during two years OF the late war; and was ap
pointed chaplain in the navy by his request After the
commencing services were concluded the Rev. Mr..
Kane spoke as follows, taking his text from Isaiah
ILL.,, lo-"Say ye to the righteous that It shall be
well with him, for he shall eat of the fruit Of his
doings." Revelations xiv, 13-"And heard voice
from heaven saying unto me write BLESSED are the
dead which die in the Lord from henceforth,' yea
saith the spirit, that they may rest from their
labors, and their works do follow tnem.n
In accordance with the notice given we have as.
semblcd this evening for memorial service, under
the auspices OF the Masonic fraternity, as a tribute
or respect to the memory Of our late lamented
brother. Admiral ID. q. Farragut. As member OF
our great brotherhood and breathing his lass In our
midst we buried him with Masonic hOnors, and IL
was thought advisable, In order to show our appre-
ciaton OF his integrity as Mason patriot and
a Christian, to have this evening memorial
sermon. He was honored among Masons, not for
his rank nor for his fame SOrtune-for Masons
know distinction. and ever 'meet upon the level
and part Oh the square'-but he was honored and
loved for his sterling integrity his virtues and his
ever genial social character. without these quad-
cations we honor no man. "Base metal even
though stamped with kings head, can never pass
current at
THE SACRED ALTAR OF MASONRY.
II is not my purpose night to eulogize the naval
exploits OF the gallant Admiral leave that to the
historian. His noble deeds will live emblazoned on
the pages OF history and far into the distant future
generations yet unborn will read and profit by his
life and virtues. Born in the almost infancy OF
republic, In times pregnant with danger,
he was called In his early boyhood to
grapple in deadly combat with the enemies
OF his country. He was raised up by
Providence and thus early trained for the great
work that half century later he was destined to
carry out to successful completion There are few
men In the worlds history that combine such noble
qualities as Admiral Farragut. Reaching In short
space OF time the lofty pinnacle OF fame; grateful
nation strewing his path with flowers; honored as
few were hOnored before him, yet amidst all this ten
dency TO develop self-esteem In humanity lie was
ever the same genial, social person. Pride and van
lty were strangers to his nature. His mental facu-
lies were or nigh Order quick to plan and prompt
to carry into execution
HE DARED To LEAD WHERE OTHERS DARED TO
FOLLOW.
He told me himself several years ago, In conver-
satIon upon the duty OF an officer, that he never
his command to any post OF danger where he would
not willingly have exposed himself 1t Is re-
lated OF MIN tina. at the attack on the
fort OF Mobile lie proposed to take the
lead with his flagship, but his captains urged him to
go IN last, as tue channel was thicky studded with
torpedoes, and the loss OF his ship might change
the nature of the expedition" and 1t was only after
az urgent remOnStrance that he consented to allow
the Brooklyn to take the lead aud he followed right
after aud, lasned in the rigging amid falling splin-
tcrs and bursting SHE'LL unmoved by earthly fear in
that lofty position OF danger, relying upon the God
day.
Tne Admiral was naturally religious man. and
his religion deep-seated ana unostentatlous.
He believed more In practice and less IN theory lie
once told me he loved the prayers that came from
the heart and which he believed went direct to the
throne of grace. With irin faith in the guidance
OF Divine Providence he went forward with.
out ial,ering ,, IN the path Of duty ard
to sell his country God for gold poitics we may
the American nation be proud OF such Farragat,
today Tor the loss OF her gallant son; for the re-
moval OF such righteous man. especially one who
has had so great an influence upon the destinies OF
MS country, Is not only private but public loss
and may well occasion public grief; and over our
broad domain wherever the SAD tIdingS nave spread
there has been unusual and heartfelt mournlng.r
The mystic fraternity OF Masonry has lost noble
and worthy brother, VINO by ms correct life and de-
pertinent honored the order, and we fervently hope
that in the resurrection triumphant after we have
been raised from the dead level OF the grave the
God, we snail meet the departed Admiral, and TO-
gether spend never-endlng eternity In the study
from tine te reat Areasc p0ofa or b U
Universe But now he has gone TO his rest; "ne
sleeps the sleep that knows no mortal wakiDgn
Holy be the heros sleep,
From the dreams of Terror free;
And may all VINO wake to weep
Rest onight he
We may truly say OF him, as Jesus ala OF one of
old, He is not dead but seepeth." Resting from
the lie toll OF three score years and ten no sentinel
tomD none wait TO do his bidding now; lie has
fought his iast sea fight and his works OF glory are
done. He sleeps enshrlned IN the heart OF every
loyal citizen. As our time is brief we must hasten
to the consideration OF the lesson that may be drawn
from
THIS GREAT NATIONAL BEREAVEMENT,
that those coming after MIN may profit by his noble
example. His death reminds US in the midst OF our
fancied security OF the words OF the prophet Amos
prepare 10 meet thy GOd"-and we realize that
wealth, fame and honor cannoS shield the great
from the shaft OF DEATH and the obscurity OF the
lowly can III no wise screen them from the fell de-
stroyer.
Swift rs the wheels that kindlng roll,
Our life is hurying to the goal;
the wind
Is all the trace twill leave behind
The old SAYING that "death loves a shining marKn
has been fully eXcmpliied in the death OF Admiral
Farragut From the hour when great Lincoln fell
up 10 the present we have been startled at close in
tervals as one by one the pillars OF the nation
ald low. Within the present year we have been called
the ndomltable Edwin M. stanton, TO whom the
nation owes such debt OF gratitude, and 1t Is but
lew days since the renowned Rear Admiral Dahgren
fell at the posi- OF duty, and now the noDest Roman
OF them all' mas passed away. In the midst OF this
fearful havoc we are compelled to pause
and reflect what is death? WHAT Is the mystery
Of IL, that men in the zenith OF their existence,
in the aims OF their usefulness suddenly snatched
away Why are the secrets OF death shrouded in
such lmpenetrablc gloom and mystery2 Why are
we left in such utter ignorance OF the greatest change
or our probation herey Three thousand years ago
Socrates and Plato, reaching the summit OF human
wisdom endeavored to pierce into the gloom TO un-
ravel the mystery; but they gave up the task In
hopeless despair, 1eeng satisfied that He alone who
made the world held the secret fast. and man III his
weakness here could not solve the problem. Science
for ages past has endeavOred to trace the and
developments OF the soul when 1t leaves Its frai
ement OF clay, but on this metaphysical question all
that can be said Is at most mere conjecture. We
descend to the banks OF the river of DEATH but
pierce. When the Admiral died last Sunday those
that stood by noticed
PECULIAR PHENOMENON
lust at the moment OF death. IL seemed as though
veil had rallen over his lace. II was instanta-
neous and then disappeared 1t has been subject
OF much discussion whether consciousness exists In
dying person. even when they display no outward
signs or life Here the speaker stated his own
experience in the matter, and added-in searching
the Bible no clue Is found TO solve the mysterious
problem but IL may be profitable, nevertheless to
note the expressions used when referring to the