The Indiana State sentinel., 1877-04-18
DIR. MuHLENBERG.


The Rev. DIR. William A. Muhlenberg died
in New York city last Sunday night. To be
handed down TO future generations as the
| author of that beautiful and well-known
hymn, 81 Would Not Live Away" would
seem to be eulogy sufficient, but we have in
the long life and character of DR.. Mullen
berg much worthy of imitation by all. and
profit to all. He was practical philanthro-
pist, ever busy in seeking out the wants and
1 demands of those around and about him.
We first find this practical philanthropy
taking shape and direction in the
founding at Lancaster, Penn, Of the
| first free or public school in the state of
| Pennsylvania outside of the city of Philadel-
phia. Later he established the first Protest
ant sisterhood in the United States, who
were in charge of the well-known st. Luke's
| hospital on Fifth avenue, New York city,
whose hospitable roof he bresthed his last.
DR.. Muhlenberg established one of the best
boys schools in the country at Flushing, l..
l., which became St. Psul's college, and of
which he was the principal for twenty
years In 1876 he became the rector of the
Church of the Holy Communion, erected
by his sister on Sixth avenue, New York
city. Perhaps the greatest achievement OF
his life was the establishing a church indus
trial community on Long Island, which
he called st. Johnland, and near
which his remains will be laid. Some
Nf II,
be formed from the names of the buildings
which make 1t up: the old mans home, the
boys house and school, the Church of the
Testimony of Jesus, the library and village
hall. the children's home, the printing Office
and stereotype foundry, the children's sum-
mer home the bible woman's rest, ETC.. etc.
In addition to the hymn which has been
named he is the author of shout the Glad
'Tidings," Like Noah's Weary Dove" etc.
He thought the hymn Il Would Not Live
Away unworthy of place in a new COM
pilation that was being made. In connec-
tion with this hymn there is the following
bit of romance: Washington Irving and DR..
Muhlenberg were both engaged to be rlar-
ried to two sisters. Irvings suit was
frowned on, and his af6anced married an
other. The other sister died. Both gentlc-
men vowed never to marry, and kept their
resolution. Irving devoted himself TO liter
ary pursuits, while the doctor 1Secame min
lster 1t is said that the hymn 81 Would
Not Live Away '~ss written Immediately
after the death Of the besrothed lady as a
frihute "a har r,acw ,-;rt,,as and tta ra,,,av,,
brsnce of her love. The sadness that seem ed
10 ever cloud the pathway Of both Washing
ton Irving and DR.. Muhlenberg would con-
| firm this story 30 full of romance and sor-
row.
We can not forego the duty OF contrasting
the life work of such an one as DR.. Mullen
berg with the politico religious characters of
which the American pulpit seems so prolific
One would think that any ordinary ambition
would be gratifed in preaching the simple
gospel, and in carrying out, practically, its
glorious teachings. as this eminent divine
undoubtedly did. without finding time to
devote tc the sensational and political topics
of the times.
DIR. Muhlenberg was born at Philadelphia
in 1895. and was, therefore, eighty-one years
OF age when he died. He united with the
Protestant Episcopal church early in life and
was ordained for the ministry in 1917. His
health had been uniformly COED until last
February, when a series of convulsions
prostrated him, and since then he has been
under the constant care of physician up to
the time of his death, last Sunday night
One of b;s last requests was that there
should be no floral display at his funeral.
The following il the famous hymn referred
to so frequently in connection with the
name of DIR. Muhlenberg:
I would not live Away; ask not to stsy
| Where storm after storns rises dark Ger the
| The fe " inrid mornings that dawn on us here
Are enough for lifss woes, full enough for Its
cheer.
7 would not live alway thus fsttered by sin
Temptation without and corruption within:
Il EN- the rapture OF pardon is mingled with
And the cup OF thanksgiving with psnitent
tears.
would not live Away; no-welcome the
tomb.
Since Jesus hath lain there, dread not It's
There sweet be my re { III He bid me arise
To hall Him In triumph descending the skies
Who. who would live Away away from his
way from yon Heaven. that bllssful abode,
Where rivers OF pleasure fow bright DER the
And the noontide of glory eternslIy reisnss
There .aints OF all ages In harmony NEE.
Their Saw our and brethren transported to