The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-05

With scarcely single exception, the
ministers OF Richmond on Sunday, either
| in their prayers or remarks from the pulpit,
referred to the sad event Of Saturday. We
print, therefore, below, sketches OF the re-
marks made, which show the deep interest
and sympathy which our people feel in the
Presidents condition and the cruel attempt
upon his life.
DIR. ARMSTRONG AT TEE MONUMENTAL CHURCH.
On Sunday morning at Monumental
church Rev. j. @. Armstrong, ID. d., read
the service assisted by Rev. DR.. Child, OF
NewDort, 4. L. and made a short address
from the chancel on the subject OF the great
calamity which has been visited upon the
country in the effort to sIsy the President.
In speaking Of the shock which the nation
has received, Mr.. Armstrong said that the
political people have the secular press
| through which they could voice their SYM
Dsthv. and that il was due the church peO-
Dle and Christians that the clergy should
also voice their Christian sympathy to the
world.
In whatever view the subject is regarded,
whether as originating in the mind Of an
insane man or q fanatic, or was to be
traceabe indirectly TO political intrigue and
corruption, that the crime was TO be re-
gafded as a manifestation OF deep-seated
8pd widespread disease which seemed 10
have taken hold, not of the masses OF men,
he hoped, but OF the lowest order OF So
cietv, and which manifested itself in deep
hated to governmental law and order. The
crime OF assassination Of the President Of a
repubic, he said, was more enormous than
the assassination OF hereditary ruler for
the reason that be, being representative OF
the whole people, and their very embOdi'
meut politically, wrong desire TO him,
whether In defamation OF character or by
physical violence, was wrong done the
whole people as unit. This point the
speaker elaborated.
Whatever may be the result, the speaker
sincerely trusted that the result would be
an effectual and fatal thrust against the idea
that any political party or clique should die
tate the line Of policy OF the Chief Execu'
tive. or the laws Of the land-an idea which
has been existing as cancer at the very
yjtals Of the body polite. He regarded a
mart OF the press and the politicians as
heinz largely responsible for the extent Ol
the disease in this country, and that they
matted cn.the back and hissed on the lowest
order Of society, in European nations,
against the constituted governmental au'
thority, and we should remember that the
tide OF anarchy, no less than the Star oil
Empire, takes its way. This point he also
elaborated, urging it to be the duty OF every
laW.abiding citizen everywhere, and every
one who is interested in the preservation OF
intelligence and morals, to teach and en-
force the importance OF respect and obedl-
ence to governmental authority as the best
means Of securing the highest happiness OF
the greatest number.
| Mr.. Armstrong, in concluding, asserted
that in no section OF this great country to-
dav was there prOfounder sympathy Wlth
the President and his family, and with tn"
nation staggering under this cruel blow,
than among the southrrn people. As repre-
senting a congregation Of southern Chris
tians. said he, | desire to take my share in
yoicing that sympathy which extends not
only from ocean TO ocean, but also from
| lake to gull
The prayers of the church were also
offered for the President, and at the after
noon service Mr.. Armstrong read telegram
from a prominent gentleman in Washing
ton. addressed to a member Of his cOngre-
cation. in which the condition OF Mr. Gar
! field was gveu, and in which ii was stated
that Mrs. GaIfield's assertion, "He shall
not die,v had greatly strengthened him.
MIR. Armstrong added: l sincerely trust
that the prayers Of this day OF Gods people
all over this land shall be answered.
REV. ROBERT F. JACKSON, OF CHRIST CHURCH.
Rev. Robert f. Jackson, pastor of Christ
church In the Valley, who has recently come
among us, preached from Psalm XXI, 10 :
"My Times are in Thy Hand.' In the
course of his sermon he said, referring to
the attempt on the Presidents life:
The leading topic OF conversation and
contemplation to-day among fifty millions
of people has been the murderOus atrempt
which was yesterday made upon the Presl-
| dent.
The news has also been flashed over the
wires across the ocean, and aroused the
sympathy and indignation OF the whole
civilized world.
We NAV look upon it in its political or its
social aspect, but it is fruitful theme for
moral lessons.
We observe that II shows
First, the insecurity and uncertainty OF
human life. Here is the ruler OF great
nation. holding the highest Office In the
WOrlU, SalluE W OIIc 80, hiiN ~ sDNeH Z
and to another come, and he cometh; ana
vet his life is at the mercy OF the most lg-
norant fanatic or mailman. Not all DIS au.
thoritv or power could shield him. Ciyll.
ization has done much for the safety OF
human life in some respec S, but 1t has not
given, and cannot give, perfect security
There is a higher law ruling over mans
destinies than any human enaciments or
ordinances. The cordOns which surround
ed the Car OF Russia ayalled nothing
against the power Of bis enemies. NOT all
the glory or all The friends OF Abraham Lin
coin stayed the hand OF Booth. Every man
has continually his life in his hand; every
trip he takes on q railroad or steamboat may
he his last. A mad streak in any barDers
brain r,ou tempt him to draw the sharp
cold ST. :. across the exposed throat. A mans
times are not in his own hand, but In ihe
hands of an Almighty Power. And thls
and insecurity OF life should
not unperge men, bat make them feel their
dependence on God. We learn
Secondly, the strangeness OF Providence
rhls event must come under Gods pFovl'