Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-10-01
Letter from baltimore.

era Of good feeling similar to that which Pre-
vailed during the second term Ct Mr.. Monroe.
Letter from Baltimore.
Correspondence Of tho Alexandria Gaz,tie.
BALTIMORE, Sept 30.-Therc assembled 10
Trinity Methodist Church, this moroiag, one
Of tic largest congregations that has been gath
| cred there for long time, the OCCASION being a
memorial service Of Rev. James a. Duncan, u.
I'D. 1t was 10 this church that his last public
I:uttcraDcc of the gospel truth was heard, and it
seemed fit that some peculiar and special SER
vice should be held commemorative of the life
and services of man who vas as dearly loved
here 10 this city as 10 his own native Virginia.
Strauely solemn it seems to see the church
drapcd in mourning, and solemn to- to see the
sad faces of those to whom he had so often
preached (f)r Trinity was his favoritc church
here, and he seldom came to Baltimore that he
did not minister to this congregations for as a
recollection of the sweet face, the earnest thrill
ling voice, the impressive utterances, the spirit
| ual power Of the man who only two weeks ago
stood in this pulpit, come to US, we could but
look sad
Over the pulpit had been placed in large let
tors the words:
Remember the words that | spoke unto
you" and following this motto the trXt~thc
last text he ever preached from:
Titus, ID Chapter, lth to the 18th verses.
inclusive.
For the grace Of God that brngeth saliva
ton, hath appeared unto all men. teaching US
that, denying ubgodIiness and worldly lusts, we
should live sobery, rightcousy and cody in
this present world, looking for that blessed
hope, the glorious appearing Of the great God
ard our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave him
self for W., that he might redeem Us FROM all
iniquity, and purify unto himself peculiar
people, Jealous OF good works.
| The Introductory services on this memorial
day were impressive and solemn. On the en-.
trance Of the pastor, Rev. ". W. Walker, the
choir sang, "He's gone, he j gone, " concluding
with 20 how sweet it will be there 10 meet the
dear ones all at home" Following this was
Psalm, lord thou hast been our dwelling
place in oil generations" aud after the prayer
the anthem. tho words of which are familiar,
beginning: Vital spark of heavenly flame.
Mr.. Walker announced as his text, We'll
done, thou good and faithful servant" What
means, he said, this great gathering? these
habilaments of mourning; this paraphernaIia of
woe? We have lost friend; the church has
lost minister, and the loss is 20 ordinary one,
but there is something peculiar 10 this special
tribute to departed man; a man without
wealth. or place or power. III worldly sense.
We arc here to pay respect to his memory,
which to our minds so we'll deserves respect.
What peculiar value was 10 this life the loss
of which We 80 deeply mourn2 What is the
history, the character, the labors of the mao
who welded power over the hearts of men
few men posscssedI
10 answer this inquiry wo should do we'll to
inquire what is the standard by which lite may
be valued; what constitutes the true, the noble,
the good in life. The theories of life are many;
enjoyment, requirement, the pursuit of knowl-
edge, discovery; but none of these though great
in themselves make the man intrinsically mob
Ter. purer, higher
What then is noble life? The answer is
life which is met at its close by the words Of
the text, Well done, thou good and faithful
servant. This is the highest duty performed,
and such life with such an end in view meets
the nobest requirements made upon it.
Ia life such as this there is a constant &C.
Acknowledgement Of the relations it sustans to
God. We arc His 10 miDd, heart, capabilities
all belong to Him. This scknowledge and
recognition must be the foundation ofthc theory
Of lite. Any other foundation is on the sand
and will not endure. AS servants of God Ills
claim on us Is absolute, and AZ stewards of His
we are accountable
This true theory OF life looks to God for its
reward; the highest powers OF our being belong
to Him, and our reward must come from Him
also. From Hin also comes restraining power,
and no man can meet the claims Of God % him
without this help, and this sort of life involves
faith in G ID and love for Him, in order that we
may meet these responsibilities.
Ia the light of these truths let Us look at the |
character of him who only few days ago stood
here where stand DOW and spoke of the power
of The Gospel. His vas life that acknowledged |
all these relations to God be never forgot his
Master; never failed to render his service he |
lived, prayed, and gave his whole being to its |
accom- pshment He might, with his talents, |
have won distinctions 10 worldly pursuits. With |
the talents he possessed success 10 other drec |
tons would have been easy. But all these |
splendid talents, all his grand Influence, his |
mighty powers-all were bent to one end. the !
glory of his Master. Ambitious thoughts were |
sileDeed, avarice, ease, selhshness-to all these
he had one reply, IL am not my own
shin. Every energy as q preacher, or as |
teacher, was developed as having been given to |
him for the good of his fellows, and with what
noble results! There are perhaps hundreds to.
day standing up and procaimng the Gospel
who were awakened through bis instrumen.
tally; OF whose minds were moulded by bis
teaching. Said he to me short time ago. 81
have scarcely dollar in the world I can call
my own. With a power to controfepjoyment
OF an earthly sort. he gave himself up to his
tpork as a minister realizing that he had made |:
q compact with God; he cared for no selfish in.