The Morning herald., 1876-04-03
LOCAL NEWS.
MEMORIAL SERVICE

MEMORIAL SERTICE
A,. Interesting Discourse on the Life and
Character of the late Charles p. Bent, bv
the Pastor Of the First Unttarian
Church, Rev. #. 1srdeI.
Yesterday morning, large and intelll-
gent congregation assembled at the First
Unitarian Church, West street above
Eighth, on the occasion of the memorial
service of the late Chas. P. Bent, one Of the
first founders of the Unitarian Society In
this city.
The church, yesterday, was appropri-
ately decorated with wreaths and flowers,
and about the pulpit was placed large
wreath Of green, intermixed with wnite
lilies, and in front of it, hung beautiful
memorial cross of white flowers. A few
vases of lilies adorned the walls.
The meeting opened with the usual de-
votional exercises, during which the pastor
read appropriate selections from the Scrip
lures, offered very earnest and fer
vent prayer, and the choir sang in It's usual
excellent style, choice selections from the
Hymnal. Mr.. Israel then read the XVI
Psalm, and took as text the following:
"But as for me, will walk In mine in
tegrity; redeem me and be merciful unto
me.
NV foot standeth in an even place: in the
congregation will bless the Lord"
In this connection he spoke as follows:
'.The perceptive portions Of the Scripture
are frequently illustrated by the biographi-
cal. The history of divine law in It's appli-
cation of human life is an interesting and
profitable study, and these descriptions of
old Hebrew character abound in useful in
struction; they give us an insight Of what
men were and did under the guidance and
guardianship of faith which recognizes
divine sovereignty in all the processes and
particulars Of human life.
When we come to analyze the history of
David, we find two elements, central and
commanding, which form the basis of his
character, and ruled and regulated his life.
These are the things as power within us
-"not ourselves"-which make for right
eousness; and these two principles Of godli-
ness furnish motives to virtuous action.
They are the forces that enable him who
possesses them, to live an earnest, devoted,
unselfsh, useful life.
This subject is an appropriate one upon
this occasion; and have selected this for
the reason that think that we found In the
character and conduct of our friend, much
that will serve us in illustrating the truth
that 1t furnishes. We come not to pro-
nounce an eulogy, nor to parade an fulsome
panegyric, but to speak Of a plain, modest,
honest, earnest, useful man, whose greatest
praise is that he was faithful to duty as 1t
came to him; and lived and died with con-
science void of offence toward God and man.
The correlation of these two elements of
haracter-integrty and piety-as quail
ification for our life work, is too little un-
derstood. There is an essential union be-
tween the two. There is difference of ap-
plication and administration; but 1t Is the
same spirit and the same qualities of charac-
ter, There can be no piety without integ-
rity, and no integrity without piety, for in
tegrity is the integral, the entire thing in
character-piety is the highest form of re-
ligion; Wilderness, uprightness, purity. In
tegrity and piety are ESSENTIALLY one. One
shows how we Bear ourselves towards men,
The other, how we conduct ourselves toward
God.
The foundation of all culture and charac-
ter, in this sense, is integrity. The wisdom
that is from above Is first pure,-'I will
wash my hands in innocence" saith the
Psalmist. This is the source and culture
uprightness of the soul and the senses.
Wholiness of manhood, "Let integrity and
uprightness preserve me from injustice;
from duplicity; from dissimulation, and
all unrighteousness. This is the true correla-
tiop of these forces-a practiced combtna-
tion in one character; of purity and probity;
of Justice and mercy; of simplicity and spir-
ituality: OF love to God and man;-this is
culture, and these things make character.
We distinguish between the passion and
principle Of religion; the one an emotion,
a mere sentiment, spasmodic, uncertain,
unreliable; the other, conviction, settled,
strong, and abiding: "But as for me, will
walk in mine integrity"
Now 80 far as our friend possessed such
a character we honor him. "The memory
of the lust is blessed" Integrity and piety
made him what he was to this little church
and what he sought to be during fifteen
wears residence in this community, help.
full man, contributing the best that was In
him toward the purity, peace and progress
Of society, and devoting himself to the re.
lligious culture of the community; seeking
to establish what he thought the most ra-
tional remedial form of christian faith-the
faith into which he had been educated and
! into which he had been baptized. But he
was no blind devotee; he embraced the faith
from conviction and with free action o.
reason. He had large opportunities for In
struction in the family and In the church
and he early imbibed love for religion
: from the example and precepts of his pa
: rents. His most living and lasting relig
/ ious impressions were received from hiI
/ father, for whom he had especial respect
and reverence; flial love and admiration
A. -