St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-01-12
Western Correspondence.

|
Western Correspondence.
/ CHICAGO, Jan. a, 1877.
Last Sunday was solemn day il
many of the churches here. A shade o.
sadness would naturally steal upon the
heart when meditating in the house OF
worship during the last falling sands OF
departing year, of its quenched lights
and fading joys; but at this time there
was cause for real sorrow in all the
wOrshipping assemblies. Few are the
habitual church gOers in Chicago whose
hearts have not been stirred to their
utmost depths by the sacred songs and
music, if not by the rich, sweet voice
of Mr.. Paul P. Bliss, author of s'Hold
the Fort" and many other sacred songs
and melodies. At about the time when
he was hurled so suddenly into eternity,
in the midst of wreck and storm and
fire in the deep gorge at Ashtabula, Mr..
Moody was reading a notice in the
Tabernacle that Mr.. Bliss and Major
Whittle would conduct the service
there on Sunday, and the revival ser
vices in the city during this week of
prayer. AllusiOn was made to the great
loss of the Christian world in Mr.. Bliss
decease in very many of the churches,
and probably so many eyes have not
been dimmed with tears Oh any Sunday
since the one succeeding Mr.. Lincoln's
death. The Tabernacle was
HEAVILY DRAPED IN MOURNING
in front of the wide orchestra, the
preachers stand and the spacious gal
leries, and four crowns composed of
flowers we're placed upon the organ at
which Mr.. Bliss had so frequently pre-
sided, in token of the victory, achieved
through death, by him and his. Ut
was then thought that his two boys had
met their parents fate.) Mr.. Sankey's
voice seemed to have lost something of
its compass and its sweetness as on it's
tones, tremulOus with deep emotion,
t1Oated the words and music of the
hymn
WATCHING AND WAITING
to the hushed hearts of the vast assem-
bly, whose deep sympathy has made
them all akin. Mr.. Moody's sermon.
from the words,
''BE YE ALSO READY"
was the most broken of any | have
heard him preach, and he is not re-
markable for his logic or consistency in
any of his efforts. But he mended all
and disarmed criticism by saying in his
closing prayer,-'Lord, have tried to
speak to this assembly, and l have
failed; speak Thou to them, that they
may hear"
He spoke of the perfect sympathy
between Mr.. and Mrs. Bliss and of their
rapid growth in grace during the last
four years, and said no man in the city
had less enemies than Mr.. Bliss. The
preachers emotions got the better of
him several times during the delivery
of the discourse to such extent that it
was difficult for him to speak and al
most impossible for any one to hear his
words.
Mr.. Bliss was with Mr.. Moody before
the latter met with Sankey, and had
been very active in all their revival
measures, not only in Chicago, but in
many other cities of the Northwest,
which he had visited in company with
Major Whittle for the purpose of in
stltuting revival meetings. He was
native of Ohio, and was thirty-eight
years old. When he became interested
In revival measures he was clerk in
music store in this city, and chorister
in one of the Presbyterian churches.
To understand the reason of the great
sorrow for his death, one needs to know
what multitudes of sinners need look
ing after here, and how unselfish we're
his efforts for their salvation.
The antiquated theology of many of
his hymns will sink them to the region
OF which DR.. Watts sang long ago.
Down in the deep where darkness dwells,"
but others doubtless will survive with
those of Bishop Heber and Charles
Wesley, to stir the hearts of multitudes
in coming generations. Some of his
words and music have been already
heard around the world and have struck
a chord in the popular heart which will
not soon cease to vibrate. The profit
on the little hymn and tune book edited
by Bliss and Sankey have already
reached the snug sum of $6O,OOO, all Of
which has been bestowed in charity.
neither of these men retaining any part
of it.
Mr.. Moody appointed a committee
last Sunday morning to raise funds for
the erection of monument to the de-
parted singer, and collection was taken
n the North side church and in the