Jamestown alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1882, 1881-10-14

I'VE ASlue from tne generous SympalnieS
that stirred their hearts, for what causes
did they wish his days prolonged They
hoped that under the magic of his wisdom
hand, the problems of the day would find
solution and the nation rise to higher,
purcr life. They hoped to see the fires Of
hate cool down-the feuds Of years die out
the plague spots Of the nation clcansed
the war Of races hushed-the sting of
party strife drawn out-the educational
problem solved-the prime forces, labor
and capital, adjusted land the principles of
which he in his character and life was the
brilliant representative, impressed upon
the nations heart and transfused through
its life
And might not He who reads the deli
cate tracings of desire upon the inmost
soul rs though they were written in fam
ing characters upon the very heavcns-He
who more than once has startled men by
answering the thoughts of the mind rather
than the words of the mouth--thus answer
now
May it not be that in the years to come
Il deeper unity shall prevai-a higher, no.
bier standard of national life be reared ?
May it not be that the jarring notes Of
discord shall give place to songs Of peace
and the nation arise to the sublime heights
| of its glorious opportunities And may not
such be the answer to our pray crs-an an
| swer waiting the unfolding developments
of the coming years for its completion
And is the life of President Garfield
lost BY all the hopes his elevation kim
dled-by all the inspirations of his spotless
| life-by that love which shall make his
name a household word for generations
| yet unborn-by the waves of influence he
has sent adown the swelling streams of
| timc-by all the holy memories of his suf-
fcrng life and tragic deatl-by all that is
good and great in human kind-the world
will swear he IS not dead. He lives
lives in the hearts of his countrymen-
lives in history-lives in his burning words
and noble decds-lives in the men whose
hearts he has thrilled with the pulses of a
high and holy ambition-lives in the
Christian radiance he has left behind him.
Our task is done But how nsignificant
are formal arguments in defense of the
doctrine to him who knows the power of
prayer? To many carnal spirit it is u dry
and barren subject, but
devotion dwells upon the theme
And warm and warmer glows.'
Prayer brings SuCCOr to the tempted,
courage to the dismayed and companion
ship to the desolate.
ut makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
1t climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise TO faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.'
And when the great accounts of time
shall be summed up III the light of eterni-
ty, it will be found that among the mighty
forces which have influenced the destinies
OF men and nations, prayer has not been
the least. We look backward across the
stormy sea OF vanished centuries and out
ward through the stirring scenes and re-
sounding din of the marvellous present, and
we cannot avoid the conviction that the
busy ministrants of Divine Providence and
Grace are building day and night match
less temple for God, whose polished stones
and solid f0undation-WhOse world wide
breadth and symmetrical proportions, and
increasing appearance of unity and COM
prehonsiveness,w were traced in the words
of that illustrious prayer Of Christ which
the sanity John rcc0rded-that prayer
which was uttered just before His betrayal,
when the air was thick and the heavens
dark with the vapors Of the impending
storm. And when our ear catches the
sound Of the falling timbers of false sys-
| TENS and hears the notes of triumphant
song which break from the advancing ar
my Of Christ, and the ceaseless hum of
the busy and harmonious forces whose en-
! crgy He directs-we rejoice in the faith
that we are listening to the answering
echoes Of His unparalleled prayers, and
with rapt devotion and lively hope and
deeper faith turn to the tasks of life.