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

dental law, for God rules over a. things or
over nothing. II God does not direct and
control all things, Il Is either because he
cares not so TO do or cannot. Neither OF
these alternatives can we accept. Even
those things which are brought about by
evil agents we may regard as proyidentla'.
Joseph, for instance, was sold into slavery
by his envious brothers, yet this slavery
was the salvation OF Israel. A stranger
thing, we learn, is that President Garfield
was shot for having done what he thought
was bis duty; whether this was the appoint
ment OF Mr.. Robertson or the refusal OF Gui-
teau's application. One or the other OF
these wrought upon this mans mind and
moved him to the deed. The reward OF
duty Is often death, and nearly always pain
and suffering. This, too, Is a strange Pro-
vidence.
Socrates must drink the deadly hemlock
because he taught purer religion than his
contemporaries could receive. John Bap'
tist must be beheaded because he rebuked
sin. Jesus Christ could not be tolerated on
the earth because he exposed the vices and
sins and false ideas OF His age, refusing to
accept the false opinions Of His contempo-
rarles. And so the missionary Pattison
died by violent hands in performance OF
duty. So Lincoln died for representing
what be considered the cause OF humanity.
The reward OF duty is more often in this
world pain and anguish, and sometimes
/ living death.
We are taught by this tragedy
| Thirdly. the universal sympathy OF man.
kind From far and near, all day yesterday,
came pouring In expressions OF sympathy
| for the President and his family-from the
Queen of England, from the Marquis OF
| Lorne, from Charleston, from Raleigh.
| Everywhere men were moved to their in
most depths. Old things are forgotten in
this universal feeling of humanity. We
thus learn the common nature Of all men
these great and universal feelings OF man.
kind upon which religion builds. We learn
that man is not "totallY depIaved," but
being everywhere SUI ceptible TO impulses OF
the right and the good. Mankind is one in
moral nature, in emotional nature, one in
hope and one in destination. We learn this,
also, from the universal indignation against
the Would-be murderer. This tells US the
greatness and the goodness in human ma
ture-that the ideas OF right still prevail
over the ideas Of wrong.
As Yesterday the electric fluid sped
through the many iron nerves, carrying the
news over the whole world, so did ndigna'
ton and sympathy move the world as one
man. But let us not think that the fate OF
the President OF the United States is neces-
sarily any more important in the sight OF
God than that Of the lowliest Of the sons OF
men, Many q widow is mourning her hus-
band to-day, many mother her child.
Their sorrow is lust as real and as true as
nav be that of a rulers wife. An old
church father has we'll said: GA man is
lust what he is in the sight OF God--no
more nor less" The humble sorrows and
humble Joys around you are holy and sa-
cred to the Al-Seeirg One. There are no
doubt many tragedies enacted in the world
to-day as important in the sight OF the Al
mighty as that which yesterday moved the
world. Hundreds and thousands are con-
stantly meeting their fate OF suffering or
death over whom Gods providence rules as
much as over him who now lies struggling
with death.
REV. DIR. HAWTHORNE AT THE FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH.
At the First Baptist church there was a
large congregation present, and the pastor,
Rev. j. b. Hawthorne, y. D., conducted
the services and preached. In the conclu-
sion OF his sermon DR.. Hawthorne said
| cannot suffer this occasion TO pass with.
out some utterance OF my feelings, and
without giving some expression to what
believe to be the sentiments OF this cOngre'
cation in reference TO the great calamity
which now threatens our country. We
rstand appalled, before the spectacle OF the
noble Chief Magistrate OF our great repub
lie stricken down by the hand OF a ruthless
assassin. The whole nation grieyCs, and nc
part OF it more than Virginia. Though
differing from him in political opinions, we
should be false to our convictions OF truth
and right II we did not confess that the adj
ministration OF Mr.. Garfield has SO
far been characterized by a spirit oi
fairness, rectitnde, and peace. Let us pray
TO the God OF Nations that this dire event
NAV not breed discord, bitterness, and
strife. Let Us pray that He who luled the
Galliean waves beneath his feet may bring
to the public mind speedy repose. Let us
pray that He may interpose to save from an
untimey grave the victim Of this atrOcious
deed. Let US pray for the benedicton OF
His peace upon the wife, mother, and chill
dren of our President. Let US humble our
selves beneath the hand OF tue Almighty
that he may lift US up.
At the conclusion OF his remarks Dr.
Hawthorne called upon Rev. DIR. Tupper to
lead the congregation in prayer for the
President, his family, and the country,
The prOfoundest sympathy peryaded the
vast audience.
AT THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. Henry Mcdonald, ID. D., pastor OF
the Second Baptist church, selected az the
theme for his discourse last Sunday morn.
ing, Sectionaism the Bane OF the Coun'
try." His text was Genesis XIV, "a: " See
tbot un fall NOT ont nv the WaVc
Joseph was wise as he was noble and for
giving. His brothers had heard with strange
wonder the startling declaration that the
yiceroy OF Pharoah is their brother whom
they had cruelty sold into slavery. He knew
well. as they we're seut home as an embassy
to bring the patriarch, their father, into
Egypt, that they were likely, with sin
brought TO their conscience, to accuse each
other Of guilt in which all had a share.
Hence the advice Of Joseph-advce which
Is as neediul now In the home circle, IN the
churches, and in the State Itself.
As our hearts are clothed this morning in
deep sorrow for the endangered life OF the
| President. il may not be amisS TO call atten-
ton to some things which are in my heart
TO say.
First. The dangers that threatened our
peace and pro ,perity-ignOrance OF the
political rights among the masses, the bal
| lot in the hands Of ignorance possibly more
dangerous than the bullet, the diverse in
terests of wideIy-dtfering sections, the
hungry greed OF place that men try to make
up from Government funds what they ex-
pended in corruplV advancing party inter
ests before the people. Doubtless these
and other evils threaten, but that which has
wrought most evil is sectionalism. 1t Is
this spirit which led to the war and pro-
duced that dark tragedy in our national
! life. II dug every grave and created all