The Columbus journal., 1881-05-04
Col. Ingersoll's Funeral Sermon


by Col. Robert G.. Ingersoll at the
burial of his brother, Ebon G. In
gersoll, ex-representative from H.
linois. 1t was a touching tribute of
brotherly affection and eulogy upon
the dead mans life and character,
and expressed in the very highest
art of eloquence, of which Col. In
gersoll is master. The love between
the brothers was always a matter of
comment among their associates.
and it was the voice of affection
which spoke:
any friends: I am going to do
that which the dead often promised
he would do for me. The dead and
living brother, husband, father,
friend, died when manhood's morn
ing almost touched noon, and while
the shadows were still falling to-
ward the west. He had not passed
on life's highway the stone that
marks the highest point, but being
weary for moment he lay down
by the wayside, and, placing his
burden for a pillow, fell into that
dreamless sleep that kisses down the
eyelids still. While in love with
life and enraptured with the world,
he passed to silence and pathetic
dust. Yet, after all, it may be best
just in the happiest, sunniest hour
of all the voyage, while eager winds
are kissing every sail, to dash |
against the unseen rocks, and in an
instant hear the pillows roar about
the sinking ship; for whether at |
mid-sea or among the breakers of |
the farther shore, wreck must |
mark at last the end of each and all |
and every life. No matter if its
every hour is rich with joy, it will
at its close become tragedy az sad
and deep and dark as can be woven
Of the warp and woof of mystery
and death. This brave and tender
man in every storm of life was oak
and rock, but in the sunshine he was
vine and flower. He was the friend
of all heroic souls; he climbed the
heights and left all superstitions far
below, while on his forehead fell the
golden dawning of grander day.
He loved the beautiful, and was
with color, form and music touched
to tears. He sided with the weak,
and with willing hand gave aims.
With loyal heart and the purest
hand he faithfully discharged all
public trusts. He believed that
happiness was the only good, reason
the only torch, justice the only wor-
shipper, humanity the only religion,
and love the only priest. He added
to the sum of human Joy, and were
every one for whom he did some
loving service to bring a blossom to
his grave he would sleep tonight
beneath wilderness of flowers.
Life is narrow vale between the
barren peaks of two eternities. We
strive to look beyond the two
heights; we cry aloud, and the only
answer is the echo of our wailing
cry. From the vOiceless lips Of the
unreplying dead there comes no
word, but in the night of death hope
sees star and listening love can
hear the rustling of a wing. He
who sleeps here, when dying, mis-
taking the approach of death for the
return of health, whispered with his
lowest whisper, Il am better now
Let US believe, i'm spite of doubts
and dOgmas and tears and fears, that
these dear words are true of all the
dead. Aud now, to you
who have been chosen from among
he many men he loved, to do the
asst sad office for the dead, we give
lis sacred dust.
There was, there is, no greater,
stronger, manlier man than him
whom we now assign to your care
or the moment that intervenes ere
he grave receives him."