Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
THE BLISS MEMORIAL.
The Dedication at Rome. Pa. Remarks
by Mr.. Moody and Others.

ToWANDA, Pa, July 10.-The most
important event Of many years for this
section Of the country was the dedica-
ton of the Bliss monument in the Gem
etery at Rome to-day The copious
rainfall of yesterday had laid the dust
and purified the atmosphere, SO that
the day was most propitious. Messrs.
Moody, Sankey, and Peltz arrived on
the early train for the commencement
of the exercises. People began pour
ing into the beautiful village of Rome.
nestled among the hills, and at = o'clock
the number on the grounds was estimat-
ed at ten thousand, with twenty-five
hundred teams and vehicles filling the
streets and suburbs. The exercises
were opened at 2 z. NJ. with the singing
of one of Mr.. Bliss beautiful hymns.
and the offering of a fervent and mn
pressive prayer by Rev. d. Cool, the
pastor of Mr.. and Mrs. Bliss while they
lived in Rome. Mr.. Moody gave a
concise and clear account of the man
ner in which the funds for the monu-
ment were raised Over three thousand
Sunday schools, including more than
five hundred thousand scholars i'll this
country, England, Scotland, Ireland and
Canada, had contributed nearly $4,000
for the monument and the education of
the two orphan children of Mr. Bliss.
So deep was the impression of that
good mans Christian life on the nation,
that all considered it a pleasure to give.
He pronounced beautiful and appro-
pirate tribute to the memory of Mr..
Bliss and his wife. He said that he
himself owed very much of his success
in saving souls to them-to their efforts
and Cody counsel Mr.. Bliss was Il
man in whom all the christian graccs
aboUmded. He loved, and was beloved
by everybody. The prayers of all
Christians were asked for the two or
phan children, that they might prove
even greater blessings to the nation than
were their parents.
Mr. Sankey followed with few re-
marks, and sang Hold the Fort" the
vast audience joining in the chorus.
Short addresses were made by Mr..
Whittle, Rev George A. Peltz, and DR..
Vincent. The dedicatory address was
then pronounced by Dr. PiersOn, of De
troit. 1t was an able effort, and was
listened to with almost breathless atten-
ton. At the close of DR.. Persons re-
marks, Mr.. Moody stepped forward and
unveiled the monument. After view
ing the beautiful and artistic memorial,
the vast throng quietly wended their
way from the hallOwed spot Much
credit is due to Mr.. A. Baldwin land
Judge Passmore, of the local committee,
for their successful effort in making ar
rangements for the occasion, and pro-
viding for the comfort of those who
came from abroad to join in the solemn
services. The monument has been full
ly describ ed heretofore, and it is only
necessary to say that the work is entire
ly satisfactory to the originators of the
enterprise. Nothing occurred during
the day to mar the beauty and solemni-
ty of the occasion.
In the audience were the bright and
interesting children of Mr.. Bliss, his
mother and sister, and the parents and
brothers and sisters of Mrs. Bliss, and
personal friends from all parts of the
country Tomorrow Messrs. Moody
and Sankey will hold a meeting in the
park at Towanda, and it is expected a
very large congregation will be assem-
bled