The daily gazette., 1879-08-04
From the Times.
THE DROWNED DIVINE.

THE SOUTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
WHERE REV. GRAHAM WAS TO
PREACH YESTERDAY.
In little Sunday school, away down
At Third and Federal streets, after the
had recited their lessons and
all the hymns had been sung, the super
K. G. Woodward, a small,
pleasant-looking man, rose in his seat
and in a mournful tone said +: "No
doubt most of the congre. alton saw
notice in the paper yesterday that Rev.
John Graham, Of Brighton, England,
was to deliver a sermon before you to-
day, and in another column of the pap'r
small advertisement that told that DIR.
Graham was dead"
The superintendent paused for mo-
ment and tears were Wis ble in the eyes
Of many present. He referred 10 DIR.
Cape May on Friday. The children and
older people who had gathered caught
the full meaning Of the words, and the
superintendent received the attention OF
all. Continuing, he said: CDR. Graham
was q stranger tO us all aud oven to me.
met him in the rooms Of the Presbyter-
ian b ard last Monday. had never be-
fore enjoyed his acquaintance. Know
ing that We had no one to preach to us
to-day, l asked him TO speak in vur
church. He was very courteous, and
said 1t would give him pleasure to be
with us on the Sabbath. l was very
much struck with his fine appearance.
Everybody spoke well OF him, and he
was much greater man than many sup
posed. Far away fiom home few here
knew Of his talents, except ng his friends.
He had large congreg lion in London,
and not long ago he was called to Brigh-
ton, where he preached weekly to 1900
people.
In the same city he was professor in
the Theological Seminary. Early yes
terday morning picked up copy OF the
newspaper and there read the sad tale
with which you are all acquainted. His
nephew was with me at the time, and h+
removed all hopes that there had been
mi,take."
The little church is known as the South
Presbyterian, and a marble slab on the
outside tells that 1t was founded jus
thirty years ago. Every time preacher
can lie secured he is invited to its pulpit.
There was no one yesterday TO supply
the vacant place, so when the superin-
tsndent had concluded he said that a
prayer meeting would be subs ituted for
the usual church. A hymn, telling how
uncertain life is, was sung, and George
Rogers, one of the elders, took charge OF
the meeting.
Nothing was mentioned regarding the
text Of DIR. Graliam's sermon, and in
deed that fact was known only to him.
self. He was very peculiar in his man.
ner of preparing sermons. Sometime.
he would wait until a couple of hour.
before the appointed time, and then re
tire to secluded spot to think over hi.
subject. On other occasions he ha
been known to write out the sermon il
full and yet not bring single note int
the pulpit, always relying entirely upol
his memory. Last Sunday evening hi
| preached before the Methodist congrega
| tfon of DR.. Warren, at Broad and Arcl
| streets. The other day a man stopped
MIR. George III. Stuart on the street and
said: "You ought to have heard DR.
Graham's sermon the other night. II
was ,he grandest sermon / ever heard "
Several others expressed like opinions,
and yet it was very late on Sunday af-
ternOon when he began to think about
the sermon and no notes were prepared.
His nieces asked him what he was going
to say to the congregation at Third and
Federal streets, and he replied: at
does not take me long to form sermon
inmy mind, as do not preach for effect,
but for the good of people"
There has just been brought to light q
poem on "The Ocean," written by the
dead minister on the very day he was
drowned in the ocean. The night before
he had been sitting before the sea in
company with his two nieces, who reside
at 1928 Walnut streets, where the dead
body now lies. Thursday morning, be-
fore daylight, he was found stndiously
working. Upon being questioned he
said "Girls, last night thought of a
little poem, and while in bed formed the
verses. Now l am putting it on paper.'
1t is as follows:
| THE oCEAN AN EMBLEM OF DIVINE
BENEvOLKECE.
Peal on peal .he billOwy war
Near and far breaks on the ear,
TIL the awe struck spirit feels
God, the unseaTenable is here.
Yes, the deep. yet soothl Ing sound
Wakes a power within the heart,
Scattering earth frivOiities,
Bidding earth born cares depart.
Clouds and shadows seem to fly,
Brighter heavens bend DER the flood
D, can seems mirror vast
Of the bOundless love of God
Love, whose breadths can know nc
bound,
Love whose depth no me lsure KNOWS
Love. that through all ages past
To eternal ages flows.
Love. that bathed the angel host,
Love, that flowed through Eden's bow
Love OF Jesus, saving men.
Love, enrapturing heavenly powers,
Bathess fringe this ocean tide,
Catching ripples on the shore;
Child or saint or seraph high
In Gods love can do no more.
| Oceans changing, changel, IS tide
Rolls the same forever on,
sounding forth the chaneeless love
or the great Eternal One.
| Round the earth this mighty swell
| Breaks and rolls on every beach;
30 the Eternal Fathers love
Everywhere Its b. .essings reach,
| God OF Love, Oh, let me launch,
Lannch upon loves mighty sea
| Thee to know, to trust, 10 love,
| Is eternal life TO me.
| CAPE MAY, July 81. 1879.
| O~S
The Champion BELT Of Maryland.
| BALTIMORE, Md, August 2.-The sil